Just reported for duty for the last stop of my marathon long weekend: Three events, three different states in three days (it would be four/four/four, but weather wiped out my trip to the Celtics at Raptors on Friday night).
Boxing in Atlantic City on Saturday, Chargers at Bills on Sunday, Panthers at Eagles on Monday night. Also throw in a Boxing Writers Assn of America meeting on Saturday afternoon, a full day of teaching on Monday morning, 1648 miles of driving, a long walk through a very bad part of Atlantic City, a ride hitched with the Buffalo News’ Tim Graham, and very little sleep.
I’ve also gone steadily upward in terms of press box treatment. I got sentenced to the Aux Box high above Boardwalk Hall on Saturday night. No desk, no power strip for the laptop, no information handouts from the media relations staff.
On Sunday, I had my usual seat in the Ralph Wilson Stadium press box. I also got another assist from the Buffalo News, as Mark Gaughan and Allen Wilson in obtaining a copy of the blacked-out game for my Hitting Between the Numbers statistical column.
And tonight, I’m in the City of Brotherly Love. I parked on the site formerly occupied by Veteran’s Stadium, and was treated to a buffet of Philly food that shows why the city was once considered the fattest in the nation. I went with the cheese-steak/Tasty Kake combo. I also grabbed a Philly pretzel, then remembered that I never ate them when I lived here and tossed it out uneaten. If you’re not familiar with it, take a normal soft pretzel, shape it like the number 8 on a digital clock, then submerge it in bath water for several hours. Doesn’t matter where you get them, they’re always sopping wet and gooey, and for some reason, you’re supposed to cover them with mustard.
I'm also sitting in a brad new ergonomic chair that looks like it cost more than my car, and the Eagles staff provided each of us with logo pens and reporter's notebooks.
In happier news, I rode up the elevator with Tony Kornheiser, who had just finished his pregame stand-up from field level.
Just four quarters and 360 miles remaining. I’ll watch out for deer and hope for very little snow. And I’m turning off the alarm clock when I finally make it to bed.
