Super Bowl XLIII

Last night my wife and I watched “Righteous Kill” which featured two of the very best actors of all time; Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino. I am a big fan of both these actors which goes all the way back to the movie “The Godfather”. I can only remember one other recent movie that featured these two actors; “Heat” and that movie were not so good but the acting was very good. Last night’s movie was more of the same as the story line was a bit mundane with a “twist” but the acting once again was very good. I had heard that the two actors didn’t film the movie together as they were busy with other projects and filmed scenes separately on both coasts. I could see that this was evident but there was a masterful job of editing performed on most scenes. The movie wasn’t terrible and did keep my interest and I didn’t see the “twist” coming which is always good. It was a nice way to wind down a very busy Saturday.

This morning was the typical Sunday morning. I was toying with the idea of running this morning since I didn’t run yesterday but felt I would be missing something if I left the house. There may have not been much going on but it is these quiet Sunday mornings that go a very long way in my opinion. My son made an appearance in our room at an early hour and this is so wonderful to have him cuddle with my wife and me. I made it a point to wake up my daughter earlier than she wanted because last week was a disaster when it came time for her to go to sleep. She wasn’t very happy I entered her room at the early hour and was equally as unhappy as I dragged her out of bed a few minutes later. This did do the trick and she was awake much to her chagrin.

The rest of the morning I watched a special CBS Sunday Morning Program which was an anniversary special. They were celebrating 30 of the program and showed some of what happens in the last 30 years. Sad to say I remembered all of the things and this proves that I am indeed getting older! Thirty years ago I was in 8th grade getting ready to go into high school and my goodness that time has passed so quickly. It is amazing how the priorities have changed in that period of time. The biggest problem I had back then was making the playoffs with my intramural basketball team. Oh by the way this would be my one and only trophy as our team actually won the playoff. It did help that I was the same size I am now so I guess I haven’t grown in 30 years!! That would be correct but thankfully through recovery I have grown more in the last four years than I have grown in my life.

This morning was a waffle breakfast for the children and pancakes for my wife. The rest of the morning was very quiet and even though today would mark Super XLIII (incidentally I am the same age as the Super Bowl) we didn’t have anything planned. In years past we would have friends over for the big game but this year we decided to forego the party and just watch the game as a family. This was a letdown Super Bowl compared to last year when my family resided in New Jersey and the beloved Giants pulled off the improbable. Of course I was not with my family but did have a good day in spite of the circumstances. I was mesmerized by that game last year and still wonder how the Giants did pull off the improbable. This year it was a letdown but I was looking more forward to the entertainment at halftime as Bruce Springsteen would perform.

Last night there was a Bruce special on one of the cable channels showing an intimate session along with a concert. I have been a big Springsteen fan for over 25 years and it wasn’t until I left New Jersey to attend college in Southern California that I started to appreciate Bruce. Ever since I saw him in Los Angeles nearly 25 years ago I have been hooked. I am still amazed that this nearly 60 year old has so much energy and clearly enjoy what he does. Watching the specials last night I couldn’t help but to want to see him one more time and as it turns out he is kicking off a tour next month which is why he is appearing at the Super Bowl.

Game time rolled around and thankfully I had no thoughts about placing a wager nor did I care what the point spread was. I was watching the game as a fan and was hoping for a good game. The first half was good but I don’t believe it was a well played game do to all the penalties. I was more excited for halftime and I was not disappointed with the halftime performance. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band put on a high energy show for the 12 minutes they were allotted. Some diehard Springsteen fans may think this performance was too staged but I saw people have a wonderful time and that is what mattered most. It was a great performance and hopefully I will get to see Bruce and the band very soon.

I will admit that I became a little bored with the second half and really thought Pittsburgh would run away with the game. I was wrong and the last half of the fourth quarter was truly entertaining. The finish was very good but I would have to argue with anyone who thought this was the greatest Super Bowl ever. I may be a bit biased but the Super Bowl last year was much better played and was more compelling along with the Super Bowl where the Giants beat the Bills in 1991 as Scott Norwood missed the 47 yard field goal as time expired. Make no mistake the game today had a great finish but there were too many flaws in both teams to call it the greatest Super Bowl ever. Additionally the commercials weren’t memorable but the fact that I was with my family for this Super Bowl and God willing each day one at a time thereafter is all that matters to me.