Tag: sports

Super Bowl Sunday 2/8/2026

by reissmd, posted in Santa Clara

This weekend we visited our son and his family. Usually I don’t post when we make these visits because who likes hearing someone brag about their grandchildren? No one wants to hear that but yes, mine are amazing.   So why post this weekend?  Well you might know that this was Super Bowl weekend.  You also might know that the Super Bowl was being played at nearby Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, not too far from where my son and his family live. I’ve never been to a Super Bowl and frequently fantasized that it would be nice to go to just one before I exit this planet.  Well yesterday was that day and I can now check that one off my bucket list.  Yes, I WENT TO THE SUPER BOWL!

My son and his wife got tickets to the event and graciously invited me to join them. I’m truly blessed. 

I have heard that there are people who have been to all 60 Super Bowls (I’m told that number equals 6). I’m among those who are just happy to be have been alive for all 60. I remember the first one before it was called the Super Bowl and merely named the AFL-NFL World Championship game.  Of course that game was a joke since there were at least a half dozen NFL (now called the NFC) teams who would have beaten the AFL (now AFC) champion, Kansas City Chiefs.  It was the Green Bay Packers who had the honor, led by their quarterback Bart Starr and their ancient wide receiver, Max McGee. I think he was 34 but that seemed ancient to me at the time. If you believe the folklore he was suffering from a hangover on game day because he got drunk the night before.  Interest in the game was so minimal it was blacked out in Los Angeles hoping to boost attendance.  There was a reported 61,946 fans at the Los Angeles Coliseum that day leaving over 30,000 seats empty.  I listened to the game on the radio.  

Over the years there are a few games that stand out. Super Bowl III when a brash Joe Namath predicted a win for the underdog NY Jets and backed up his promise with a victory over the powerful Baltimore Colts.  Super Bowl XXII, in 1988, I was incredibly sick. We only had one amazing child at that time, our almost 5 year old son, so it wasn’t too much for me to ask to stay in bed and watch the game while Patrice took care of her two babies (David and me).  I got ready to watch and just hoped for a good game because the previous few years there had been about 4 or 5 blowouts.  I settled down and watched the Denver Broncos put up 10 quick points on the board and I said “Oh, no, not another blowout!”    My fears were realized when the Broncos opponent, the Washington (then called the Redskins) put up 45 unanswered points.  

One of my favorite memories was being in Portugal in 2017. It was about midnight and I was there with Patrice and our daughter, Erica.  It was time for bed and Patrice wanted to head there.  I said I was going to go down the street and watch the SB at the Hard Rock Cafe.  Erica said she would keep me company.  And Patrice not wanting to be left out joined us.  The restaurant was not especially crowded but I did see a young man wearing a New England Patriots jersey.  He seemed very excited about the game, anticipating another Patriot Super Bowl win.  When New England fell behind 28-13 with 8:31 left in the 3rd quarter, I saw the kid literally laying face down on the floor.  It was as if his life savings depended on the game outcome.  I have to admit I always root for the underdog (unless my team is the favorite) so I was quite pleased to enjoy his misery.  Football fans will remember that the Falcons proceeded to then experience one of the biggest collapses in football history.  The Patriots won their 5th Super Bowl and the kid in the jersey had his life reinvigorated. 

Many fans will remember Super Bowl XLVII in 2013 as the game pitted the Harbaugh brothers (John and Jim) against each other.  John, the coach of the Baltimore Ravens took a commanding 28-6 lead in the 3rd quarter.  Then there was a power outage that resulted in a 34 minute delay. When power was restored it was as if the teams had switched jerseys because the 49ers, coached by Jim Harbaugh, dominated the rest of the game but came up short losing 34-31.  Many remember that great game because of the power outage and the exciting play on the field.  I remember it because of the amazing filet mignon sliders at our friend, Melanie’s Super Bowl party.  In fact that was all I looked forward to each Super Bowl Sunday for many years.  Who cares about the game.  I’m waiting for the half time filet mignon sliders.  Heck, my mouth is watering just writing this sentence.  Of course covid ended the parties and with that, adios to the sliders.  This year the party (and I assume the sliders) returned.  I had to message Melanie that we wouldn’t be at the party this year because as I told her, “I AM GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL”

Kickoff was scheduled  for 3:40.  The stadium is about a 30 minute drive from the house so we left a little early……. 11:30.   I couldn’t leave too early………….. I WAS GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL.   

Left to right, David, Me, Robyn, and Robyn’s brother, Marc just before we left for the game

We arrived at the stadium after a relatively short walk and having to avoid some religious zealots with loudspeakers and signs talking about God, the future of the human species, and some specifics about gays.  With that obstacle avoided we then had to deal with security.  One of the security screeners said that he thought my binoculars might be too big to let me in.  Really?  My binoculars are too big?  Fine, give me Leonardo DiCaprio’s seats and you can have my binoculars  Luckily the security guards did not have a problem with my binoculars and we entered the expo outside the stadium without incident.   We looked at a variety of the exhibits with the most interesting being the line to see the Lombardi Trophy (Super Bowl winner’s prize).  Who would wait about 30 minutes just get a look at the Super Bowl trophy (see below).

I would wait! Afterall, I am at the Super Bowl!

We then saw a display of all the Super Bowl Championship rings and then headed into the stadium.  Our seats were great.  We were seated among a lot of Seattle fans but that was fine with me since I planned to root for the Seahawks. 

Getting ready to watch in person, my first Super Bowl.

The game was amazing with the Seahawks’ defense dominating the day/night.  There were also some interesting sights in the stadium. 

Two Seahawk fans possibly? Hmmm, in real life do you think one is a marriage counselor and the other a kindergarten teacher?

When the game ended, I didn’t want to leave.  Neither did my mates.  We stayed for the award presentations.  The owner, coach, and MVP all thanked the fans of course. There was a lot of confetti and the traditional Gatorade on the coach’s head.

It was a spectacular day and thank you so much to David and Robyn for making it happen for me.

Patrice and my next trip will be to ………. Not trying to be coy, I really don’t remember because afterall, I JUST WENT TO THE SUPERBOWL!

Merry Christmas to Me “One Day Trip to COSM”

by reissmd, posted in COSM, Inglewood, California

Today we went on an adventure rather than a vacation but I just had to report it.  

COSM in Inglewood opened in 2024.  I thought it was a few years ago when I saw this venue on TV.  COSM is “Cosmic Coliseum” and is like a miniature version of the Sphere in Las Vegas.  I saw a report about COSM last year and I knew I had to go there someday soon.   During the MLB playoffs I thought my time had come and I bought tickets to a Thursday night game.  Unfortunately the listing on the website was incorrect.  Instead of the game starting at 6 pm Pacific time, it was actually starting at 6 pm on the east coast.  In spite of this being the website error, I could not get a refund of my money but only a credit.  That kind of customer service is enough to turn me off to ever using a business.  But they had my money and I still wanted to see a sporting event at the venue so I waited until the right time. 

A Reiss family tradition has been to go to the movies on Christmas Day.  Usually it was dad going to the movies with the kids, giving mom a chance to breathe.  Of course like most moms, Patrice did the vast majority of childcare duties.  This was an easy way for me to pretend I was helping her. 

With our kids grown and out of the house, Patrice and I have continued our Christmas movie tradition. I was not very excited about the offerings today and then wondered what might be showing at COSM. I looked at what was offered and all I saw that fit our schedule was a meaningless game between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders.  Meaningless game was great because the prices of the tickets were reasonable. 

Having never been to sporting event there I didn’t know which seats were best.  I did some internet research and decided on level 2.  The tickets there were slightly more expensive than level 3 so that must mean they are better, no?  Unfortunately my logic was faulty.

We got to the venue early and found plenty of parking.  You get a ticket in the lot and upon entry they validate your parking.  Yes, 4 hours of free parking.  Much better than the $40 to $80 you pay when you actually go to a sporting event.  

The video was spectacular.  For audio you heard the actual television broadcasters.  In addition to the main screen there are two smaller screens that show you the television broadcast so you can see the event from different angles and all the replays.  Any special tidbits from the broadcast (player interviews, highlights from other games) are also available.  

The main COSM screen shows you the game from 3 different vantage points. One was a close up 50 yard line seat which was my favorite. 

Almost like being on the sideline.

They also  have the same view from a more distant site.  (sorry, no picture of that).

Finally they had an end zone view (when the scrimmage line was inside the 35 yard line).  

End zone view of Cowboy quarterback, Dak Prescott ready to take the snap from the Dallas 15 yard line.

In many ways it was much different from being at the game.  The seats are MUCH more comfortable.  At COSM you sit on cushioned sofas with a table to put your food and beverages.  The food service, much like at the ballpark, is overpriced but you can order from and get delivery to your seat location.  

In regards to the levels I think Level 3 would be preferred since the view of the main screen is as good as it is from Level 2 but you have the advantage of being able to see the two additional screens (for instant replays) without straining your neck.  

Patrice and I waiting for the game to begin at Northwest Field in Landover, MD. But we are relaxed indoors in Inglewood, California.

Finally, I just want to end by saying, I really like Cheerios.  That might seem totally irrelevant  but a patient of mine said that General Mills pays bloggers for product placement and mentions.  Did I tell you I would never sell out to corporate America? I lied!

Next trip is planned for February, any guesses where we might be going?  I will give you a hint, it is NOT going to be at 1 General Mills Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55426.  But I can’t rule that out in the future. 

ACP in NOLA Day #6 “Paul Simon, etc.”

by reissmd, posted in New Orleans, New Orleans (NOLA)

Last night was very special.  We took an Uber to the Saenger Theater.  By the way don’t take a cab here unless it’s from the airport where the fee to and from the city is a fixed rate.  We’ve taken 3 cab rides here and not one taxi had a meter.  It’s as if they make up the charge on arrival (With the exception of the airport rides).  For instance last night we took an Uber to the theater and paid $10.  Yesterday we took a cab to the same place to buy the tickets and the charge was $20. 

Oh well, let’s concentrate on the happy thoughts.  The show was at the Saenger theatre which was built in 1927.  It has housed performances by Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Jerry Seinfeld and many others.  Broadway shows have also been featured including Chicago, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, and next week Hamilton.  The theater is gorgeous. Before the show we had a chance to tour around this beautiful theater.  We met an usher who had been on the job for only 2 days but was born and raised in New Orleans and it was obvious that the theater had been a big part of his life. He filled us in on the history of the theatre and gave us a list of the songs and the order in which they were going to be played.

Look like we are having fun?
A variety of statues adorn the walls. There is a night sky decoration on the ceiling.

Simon came onstage at 8:15 for a show that was scheduled to start at 8.  I was disappointed looking at the song list because “Father and Daughter” was not included.   Although not his most famous song it has been special to me since I made two music videos using the song. Each honored one of my daughters Lindsay and Erica (I also made one for David using “Let’s Hear It For the Boy”. A better choice for obvious reasons).  Simon finished the show and then came back for his encore with the songs listed as “The Boxer” and “The Sounds of Silence”.  He started to talk about his daughter Lulu and then much to my surprise he started playing “Father and Daughter”.  By the time he got to the last line (“There could never be a father who loved his daughter more than I love you”) I was in tears. [Patrice here: The big baby was in tears just writing this sentence.]

It was a special night but the 83 year old soon to be 84 didn’t quite sound the same as years ago.

This morning I started off thinking it was time to hit the gym and get on the treadmill. I kept procrastinating until Patrice woke up and said “Let’s go to breakfast”. We took an Uber to Who Dat Coffee Cafe (2401 Burgundy St, New Orleans, LA 70117) which was recommended by our friends Alan and Becky. We shared the special of the day Oysters Benedict.  I said to the server that it sounded very healthy to which he replied “They don’t call us the heart attack capital of the world for nothing.”  

Oysters Benedict with Grits instead of fruit (Why try to be healthy?).
Your happy travelers in front of Who Dat Coffee Cafe.

After breakfast we took a short walk to the nearby Jamnola museum. Jamnola stands for Joy Art Music New Orleans Louisiana.  It was a small but fun museum with lots of creative exhibits. 

I thought we were in an M.C.Escher painting.
We offered an alligator some tasty Californians.

We thought we would then cruise the neighborhood but heavy rain with thunder and lightning convinced us to just chill in the museum a little longer.  

Crawfish (also spelled Crayfish) making Robert Etouffee
He changed his mind and we played a duet instead.
Patrice showing off her muscles.

They had a number of costumes and accessories that people have worn at Mardi Gras celebrations including the outfit below.

A guide was asked if it weighed about 100 lbs to which she say, “No, somewhere between 95 and 105”.

Then it was off to lunch. It was still raining quite hard so a walk to burn off some calories was not going to work so another Uber ride was upon us. We decided to return to Muriel’s for another amazing meal.

Crawfish and goat cheese crepes.
Blackened Redfish with some broccolini (added to make you think you are eating healthy).

I think Muriel’s might be our NOLA favorite. 

Sorry, I need to stop for now. My book group meeting is about to start. Dinner will be late so I will leave you until tomorrow.

Ciao