Go Steelers! and the Wimpy Miami Dolphins

I am a Pittsburgh Steeler fan. Always have been. I grew up on the black and gold, Terry Bradshaw, Bubby Brister, Luis Lipps,Big Ben. I plan my weekend around Steeler games as do most people in the Steel City.

I was scheduled to work on Sunday until 4PM. Not bad. The game was scheduled to start at 4:45 so I thought, foolishly thought, that the 45 - 60 minute drive from Hialeah to Deerfield Beach would get me in front of the TV just after kickoff.

As I headed east on route 826 I thought "I can save about 5 - 6 minutes if I hit I-95 instead of taking I-75 which heads in a north western direction. I passed the I-75 exchange, sunshine happiness and then noticed that traffic was going the wrong way on the entrance ramps. Weird, like a fish left stranded on a dry beach right before a tsunami.

I should have realized something was up, something was wrong, but in my Western Maryland ignorance, blissful naivety, I motored along and then, and then....

It was horrible. The traffic stopped. All lanes. The exits were blocked by Florida's finest. I was trapped - for over an hour - trapped in traffic while the Steeler playoff game started without me. All of South Florida conspiring against me - and the Steelers. Who would be there to yell encouragement to the team, who would be there to tell coach Tomlin how to run the team, who ?? (yes, they CAN hear me through the TV....)

Well I finally made it to the next exit and managed to get to I-75 and home before half time as evidenced by how well the Steelers played in the third quarter - I told you that they can hear me.......

Steelers and Cardinals in the SuperBowl. Steelers win by 14.

The Wimpy Miami Dolphins..... Logo

I have adopted the Miami Dolphins as my second favorite NFL team. Joey Porter is an ex-Steeler and I lived in an apartment just a stones throw from where Dan Marino grew up in Pittsburgh.

I was excited about the Dolphins this year. They did great and if it wasn't for the turnovers against the Ravens, the despised Ravens....

Any way, two things about the Miami Dolphins. First, come on NFL fans. How can a team play so well and yet not sell out the stadium every time? That is just unheard of in Pittsburgh. Even when the Steelers were playing poorly a few years back the stadium was full. It was a bit disappointing to see the games on TV - I had to work and caught the game when I got home - and see the empty seats. They deserve better, They deserve your support.

Secondly, the logo. The Miami dolphin logo looks so peaceful, so playful, so un-intimitating, so ..like Pink singing the Sunday Night Football intro last year. So not manly.

I mean, look at the logo for the Seahawks. Sleek, mean and cool. The Ravens - intimidating. Heck even the Cardinals - a quaint little snow bird - looks more intimidating then the dolphin.

The logo needs to be updated. Splice some Joey Porter DNA into the dolphin logo and let'er rip. Bring on the bulked up, rip snorting, get out of my way white shark or else dolphin logo. I am ready for some football! Some Miami Dolphin football! Lets get the party started! Go Dolphins in 2009 and pick up a few receivers as well.....

My Autonation Imax Experience

This week's South Florida adventure was to the AutoNation Imax Theatre in Ft Lauderdale. It was incredible! My daughters and I enjoyed the movie, "The Day The Earth Stood Still" on the huge 5 - story high screen. The picture was crystal clear and the sound, rumbling through the 15,000 watt digital sound system was fantastic. Did I mention the Imax screen was huge?

The AutoNation Imax Theatre is housed in the Museum of Discovery and Science located on South Second Street in Fort Lauderdale. It is easy to get to. Just take the Broward Street exit on I-95 and head east.

Going to the Imax theatre was a surprise for my daughters. I didn't tell them where we were going as we got into the car. Savanna wanted to know if this adventure was going to be a long drive like the "alligator adventure" when we investigated the Everglades. She is good on adventures but a 90 minute drive to a swamp was a bit boring for her....

When we arrived at the museum we found ample parking across the street. As we entered the AutoNation Imax theatre I was impressed at how clean it was. One of the things that I dislike most about going to the movies is the dirty, smell, sticky experience. (ie..We went to see "Marley and Me" at a theatre in Deerfield and I spent the night stuck to the floor compliments of a large wad of gum and spilled soda.)

When we entered the Imax theatre my youngest daughters eyes lit up and a huge smile crossed her face. As we took our seats , our very comfortable and roomy seats- dead center to take advantage of the sound and picture - my oldest daughter whispered, "We need to get one of these for our living room"! Visions of watching the Pittsburgh Steelers winning the SuperBowl on an Imax screen danced in my head.....oh yeah...

The movie was very good, much better then the original version. Reeves does a great job as usual. If you get a chance to see this movie, pay attention and watch for him as two characters.

The AutoNation Imax Theatre. If you are looking for a great movie experience check it out. The few dollars extra for the ticket are worth it. Not only are the huge screen and sound system incredible, but you won't stick to the floor and the seats are comfy!

My New Life In South Florida

Hello and welcome! My name is Tim and I have recently relocated to Southern Florida from Western Maryland. It has been quite an adventure since I loaded up the Budget rental truck back in September and headed south. I hope that this blog reflects some of the trials and adventures that I and my familiy have been through.

South Florida is a world away from where I came from and I am enjoying it immensely! I talked with a friend of mine today back in PA. He said it was snowing and cold. Ha! 78 degrees and sunny today. Went to the beach in shorts yesterday. Love this weather.

I have to admit that it was tough finding a job here. I moved at the beginning of the economic slowdown and yikes! It took about 8 weeks to find a job. Now I am driving from Deerfield Beach to country of Hialeh to train but that's another story in itself!

I am looking forward to the Pittsburgh Steeler's game on Sunday. I have been lucky to watch most of the games this year as they were televised nationally. The ones that weren't, well I found a great restaurant close by in Deerfield Beach called Muddy Waters. They show all the games, have great foot and great people.

I've enjoyed watching a few Steelers games there. I admit, the Thursday night game was a bit odd. Karoke night and football? There were people singing show tunes while I was watching the game. It was worse then Pink singing the opening theme for Sunday night football last year.

I'm planning on heading to the Museum of Discovery and Science in Ft Lauderdale tomorrow. I want to take my daughters to see "The Day The Earth Stood Still" in the Imax theatre there. Should be a blast!

I'll let you know how it goes.