Baltimore Disappointment
I’m a Baltimore Raven’s fan. They’re my NFL team. I can’t say I watch every Sunday. I try to read a few articles on the Sun. I’m not the most active NFL fan. That being said, the Ravens had a great season. They fought their way into the playoffs and kept on winning. This past Sunday, the met the Steelers in the AFC Championship. Yay Bmore, Hon!
I didn’t make any crazy plans for the game, but I ended up in Santa Monica at The Parlor. Saturday afternoon, Erin called Teresa and said her and Matt were visiting a friend in Santa Monica. We drove up on Saturday night for dinner at the Library. Matt introduced me to his longtime friend Chris. Chris had recently moved to Santa Monica. We talked american football and football (soccer). I was promptly invited back the next day for an all day drinking fest. The NFC Championship game saw the Eagles meet the Cardinals. Chris is from the Philadelphia area, so he is naturally a Eagles fan. I went to school in Philly, so I pulled for the Birds. Matt grew up a Steelers fan, so we all had interest in the games and beer.
The Parlor is a sports bar. It was packed for the games with fans from all four teams. People say East Coast fans are more diehard than West Coast fans. I’d say its definitely true. Matt has a good theory. If the Bills don’t make the playoffs, what is there to do in Buffalo in February? I would imagine you talk about the Bills while hiding out from the freezing temperatures. Once the Chargers left the playoffs, everyone went back to the beach. Anyway, we camped out in a corner with a few pub tables and plenty of TVs. The Parlor features Towers of Beer. They’re large plastic containers filled with at least five or six pints. The middle is filled with ice to keep the brew cold. You can pour a new pint from the mini-tap. Its easier to stay hydrated with these contraptions at the table.
For anyone who knows the scores, you’ll know that both games were disappointing for me. The Eagles didn’t start well, but almost had the game. They really made a run for it in the second half, but feel just short. It left our group frustrated. The second game was much the same. The Steelers were always in control, but I felt like the Ravens could take the game in the second half. Oh well, lets hope the team stays together for next year. They need to make sure they resign Ray Lewis despite the fact he is pushing 40.
Even though the scores didn’t go my way, I really liked The Parlor. They had awesome food, and the atmosphere was intense. All the Baltimore fans were spread across the bar and made tons of noise. I will say, the Philly fans made more noise, but there were more of them. Those Towers are sweet inventions; I want one for my house. I’ll have to head back next season. Thanks to Matt and Chris for introducing me to this bar.
It was an afternoon of highs and lows. Its no fun when the win is right there, and you can’t quite grab it. I feel for my Ravens friends. I know the passion y’all give throughout the entire year. We still have the Orioles right? Isn’t it almost time for pitchers and catchers spring training? Ugh, what a disgrace.
Photo: Ravens defensive back Daren Stone sits dejectedly on the bench after the Ravens' 23-14 loss to the Steelers in Pittsburgh.
(Baltimore Sun photo by Doug Kapustin / January 18, 2009)
