The thrill of victory.........

I feel badly sometimes that I gave birth to my children and am raising them near Philadelphia. While it is a beautiful and historic part of the country, with wonderful seasons, proximity to the beach, NY, DC and whatnot, we are professionally sports challenged around here. Of course the kids have a choice in what teams they will eventually root for (cough cough) but odds are that simply due to physical location and their Mother's passion they will end up Philadelphia sports fans. An unruly lot, we are well acquainted with heartbreak, sorrow, and the unique pain of creative and unkind and impossible losses. We have not won a championship (sorry, but I don't count the Philadelphia Soul as a real team) since 1980. We love to moan, and over analyze, and complain. We love to feel sorry for ourselves. We have passion.


Anyway. For those of you who read this blog who don't live in the Philly environs....here is how we roll.







Food helps. Since smoking is so yesteryear its important to have something to do with your hands when the anxiety gets to be too much to bear. Greasy, salty and fried food are best to smother the misery with.

Drink. Nothing like slamming back some cold ones (water, in this case) to take the edge off the pain.

At halftime, hit on chicks. How youuuuuuu doin?

When the chicks laugh at you for having hummus all over your face, play games. Poker, pool, or in this case a quick game of "jump over my head, Daddy" will take some of your angst away until the second half starts.

Celebrate the good moments. Feel hopeful.

Rue the bad moments. Curse your team. Say "you knew it". Swear that you are DONE rooting for them. Yell at Andy Reid. Call Donovan terrible. Text other people who are hating them at the same time you are hating them. Eat more.
Bite your nails. Feel afraid. Then, ultimately, see them win. Say you knew that they would win. Call Reid a genius. Give Donny an "atta boy Donny!". Switch channel to the Phillies game. Begin entire routine again.

At the end of a long, emotionally exhausting day of Philly fandom, wiggle into your Mama's lap. Let yourself be wrapped up in her arms. Whimper a little. Try to tell yourself that "it's only a game". Every Philadelphia fan should get a hug and a little Mama's lap time after games.

We deserve it.