Pats on Parade: the Sequel
Posted on February 3, 2004 at 2:19 pm | No Comments
Two years ago to the day, I took a long lunch and stood froze-nosed on Boylston street as the Patriots rode by atop duckboats, waving at the 1.2 million people who had gathered to celebrate their underdog Superbowl win.
I stood in the same spot today, although it was a bit less chilly, the crowd seemed just a little smaller, and the Pats are the underdogs no longer. The novelty had worn off slightly from the first parade, but there were still smiles and shouts everywhere. It was great to see the guys genuinely appreciating their fans, especially Teddy Bruschi, who was making eye contact with anyone he could, mouthing “thank you” as he passed. He looked truly humbled. All the players were beaming (ok, well, Belichick almost smiled), and sometimes it seemed that there were more cameras in their hands than on the streets.
Here are some shots from my spot, plus a few from across the street, thanks to my co-worker, Doug …
The Obligatory Pats Post
Posted on February 2, 2004 at 1:37 pm | No Comments
So, we won the Supah-bowl. Again. Can we trade this one in for a Sox World Series title this year? Kidding. Kinda.
It was a great game (‘cept for the weak 1st quarter), although I’m not buying into this whole “Best Superbowl Ever!” hyperbole (hyperbowl?) that’s flying around the airwaves & articles. It’s mostly fellow Bostonians that are claiming it, so take it with a grain of rocksalt. I think Bob Lobell mighta had a little too much of the sauce again last night.
A few minutes after the deja-Vinateri kick that ended the game, I checked my fourth-quarter “Superbowl Squares” sheet just to make sure I’d lost again. I mean, what were the odds that the Pats’ point total would end in a 2 and the Panthers would end in 9? Waitaminute… could it be… they did! Yes, not only did my team win the Superbowl, but I got a bonus $250 thanks to the lucky-feet of Mr. V. I spread my good fortune around by treating the folks in my office to some Pinocchio’s Sicilian pizza for lunch today (best damn pizza in Boston). Good times, good times.
So, it’s February. January disappeared in a flurry of packing, moving, unpacking, and more unpacking. The lost month. But our house is feeling more like a home, especially after the little football soiree we had last night. Good company, good snacks (used our new oven for the first time!), good beer, and a really good game. I needed a night of chillaxin’, that’s for sure. Not that there was a whole lot of chillaxin’ in the last quarter, but still.
I’m glad we switched over to CNN to watch the MoveOn.org “Bush in 30 Seconds” ad during halftime … I really didn’t need to see Janet Jackson boobage. Besides, there’s better shots on the interwood today anyway. “Unplanned?” “Wardrobe Malfunction?”. Riiiiight. That’s why there were quick-release snaps on her cleavage cover, and a mini-torture chamber on her exposed nip. The only “wardrobe malfunction” was named “Kid Rock”. I’ve seen flames do less desecration to a flag than him wearing it on his weasely-white-trash shoulders. CBS is saying that MTV won’t be doing the halftime show anytime soon, thanks to Mr. Jackson’s liberated teat, but how about because the whole gaudy spectacle just plain sucked.
Ok, so CBS claimed it wouldn’t show the MoveOn.org spot because it doesn’t allow controversial “issue” ads to air during the Superbowl. So, tell me… what exactly would you call the excellent “Shards of Glass Popsicles” anti-smoking ad? A fluff piece? Come on, CBS. If you’re going to lie, at least put some effort into it.