Things I have been enjoying lately:

1. Brownies, marshmallows, strawberries, and bananas dipped in chocolate fondue with peanut butter swirls.

2. Outkast's video for Roses, which is also categorized as the hottest Andre 3000 has ever looked on film. You know the part in the beginning when Andre turns around for the first time and slides across the stage on his knees, thrusting his pelvis in an upward manner? If that doesn't make your heart pound faster and your palms sweat, I'm not sure you're a woman.

3. Bachelorette parties, especially ones in which strange men who are part spanish-mexican-irish serenade the bride-to-be with random motown songs.

4. I'm giddy for basketball, I tell you! This picture could not possibly excite me anymore.



5. Dusty's New Years Eve Wilco poster:

"While you were sleeping, one million dollars was deposited into your bank account."

That's the only news I could have gotten this morning that would have made me happier than the news I received four minutes after I woke up. Thanks to an urgent email from my aunt, I was informed that Chris Webber is now a member of the Philadelphia 76ers.

One year ago, I wrote this about the Sixers:

The Sixers have been in a tailspin for the last few years, and it seems to be coming to a head. They have a franchise player in Allen Iverson, and yet still continue to surround him with mediocre players that are not getting the job done. Are we going to waste the talents of a guy like Iverson just like we did with Randall Cunningham? This week they made another poor decision as they fired head coach Randy Ayers. Things began to go poorly for this team the minute Pat Croce left. I'm not sure if it's poor decision making by the GM Billy King or a lack of commitment from the organization. But I will say this: If the team decides to trade Allen Iverson, I will no longer support the 76ers.

Last week, Allen Iverson was rumored to have met with Sixers management to express his frustration with the current direction of the club. In his ninth year in the league, Iverson is tired of giving 115% for a team that is perpetually rebuilding. He apparently asked Sixers' managment to either get him some help on the floor, or ship him out of town. Iverson denied asking to be traded...he claims he loves playing in Philly and though he would like help in the paint, he never issued an ultimatum. Most believe that to be true, but if he did ask for an out? No one would blame him.

For the last few years, the Sixers have spent money in all the wrong places, bringing in has-beens like Derrick Coleman and Glenn Robinson to take some of the pressure off Iverson. Yet, each trade only seemed to set back the Sixers' progression more and more. Night after night, Iverson threw his body around the court, trying to do it all while baby-sitting the first and second year players surrounding him.

For the fans, watching the Sixers for the last several seasons has been nerve-racking. We know the team is no real threat as far as the playoffs are concerned, but we watch with the fear that each loss brings us closer to the day when Allen Iverson can finally take no more and demands his walking papers. Watching Allen Iverson play basketball is a treat - there is no question. I've made it clear how I feel about the small guard who has morphed into a one-man-team. My biggest fear for a number of years has been that Iverson would be traded due to the front office's lack of leadership and refusal to spend money and that then, the following off-season, a big-money free agent would be brought to Philly - when it was too late.

This morning, my fears went out the window when I learned that the Sixers stole Chris Webber from the Sacramento Kings - without giving up Sammy Dalembert, Kyle Korver, or Andre Iguodala. This gives the Sixers another force in the paint, and a player to take some of the attention off Allen Iverson. Teams will be unable to double-team Iverson as they've done for the last 6 or 7 years, giving him much more freedom on the court - and the ability to conserve more energy than in the past. Imagine it for a second: Allen Iverson, with only one guy guarding him, charging to the basket and throwing no-look passes to Chris Webber in the paint or Kyle Korver on the perimeter. I've got chills just thinking about it.

But, Chris Webber is old! He's injury-prone! He disappears in the playoffs!

Yes, I've heard it all. But this trade - this absolute pilfering - is a sign that the Sixers are moving in the right direction. And if nothing else, Iverson is a happier man today than he was yesterday, which means that we should be able to watch him play for years to come.

For Sixers fans, this is great news.

Due to a recent death in the family, a massive event at work, and neverending home renovations in preparation of a move, I lack the energy for blogging. Thus, I leave you with a few burning questions:

1. Is there any doubt that MLB.TV will give us the YES feed for Opening Day at Fenway? Does Vegas have a line on this? I've got college loans to pay back.

2. Allen Iverson was the MVP of the All Star game (yet again) and made several comments about how nice it was to play on a team with quality players. Will the Sixers' front office finally get a clue and bring someone in to help AI out?

3. Do people finally realize how foolish they are for calling Iverson a ball hog?

4. Which will David Wells do first as a member of the Red Sox - post a win against the Yankees or eat Matt Clement?

5. Why is the new Decemberists album so damn good?

6. Is there a worse month for sports than February or March?

7. Will hearing the word "choke" from the mouth of a Yankee fan ever get old? It's nice when they use it in reference to last October, but sometimes I enjoy hearing it in any context. Next time you're eating with a Yankee fan, pretend to get a piece of food stuck in your throat. Sure, he'll be pissed after you collapse in a fit of laughter upon hearing him shout, "I think (s)he's choking!" but he'll eventually forgive you.

8. How did anyone manage to live before the invention of iPods, Target, or Ebay?

9. Is it possible to look any more like Ashton Kutcher than Kyle Korver?

10. How is the movie Sideways so overrated?

11. How can I trick this man into marrying me?

12. Is there a worse sports writer than Skip Bayless?

13. What is a better combination than peanut butter and chocolate?

14. Is it April yet?

Gary Bettman doing his finest Hitler impersonation?



Interesting.

"The Eagles will win a Super Bowl someday. And McNabb will lead them there....he's a great Quarterback."

That's what I, along with most of Philadelphia, have been saying since recovering from last Sunday's Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots. We watch McNabb week after week, and what we see is one of the league's top Quarterbacks. We assume that, eventually, this will be enough to bring a parade to Broad Street.

But sometimes, it's not.

Yesterday Karl Malone announced his retirement, and with that, became one of the top profesional athletes to retire without ever winning a championship. It's one of the most popular debates on sportsradio, at sports bars, and around water coolers: Who are the greatest players to never win a championship and can they still be considered Hall of Famers despite their ability to win the most famous jewelry in sports? How important, exactly, is a championship?

ESPN recently compiled their list of the top 10 athletes to retire without a ring. There are some huge names on the list: Ted Williams, Dan Marino, Barry Sanders, and Ty Cobb to name a few. The NBA, alone, is full of big names that never won championships thanks to Michael Jordan's remarkable reign over the League for so many years. Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, and John Stockton are just a few of the ultra-talented players with nothing to show for their efforts.

Seeing the names of such oft-mentioned athletes reminds us that an athlete's greatness guarantees nothing.

As a Philadelphian, one has to wonder if Allen Iverson and Donovan McNabb will end up on that list.

With a season cancellation looming for the NHL and another season of mediocrity looming for the Phillies, Donovan McNabb and Allen Iverson are currently the two most exciting athletes in Philadelphia. But do we fully appreciate watching them ply their craft or are we too busy worrying about winning a championship?

On Saturday night, Allen Iverson scored 60 points (60 points!!!) in a win over the Orlando Magic. He shot 17 for 36 from the floor, 2 for 5 from three-point territory, and nailed 24 of 27 free-throws. That would be a tremendous effort from any player, but from Iverson, it was remarkable. Anyone who has seen Iverson play knows that his greatest contribution is not his ability to force a turnover or the eyes he has got to have in the back of his head. The most important thing Iverson brings to the table is his fearlessness, toughness, and determination.

Iverson is not a big guy, as anyone except Allen will tell you. When he drives to the basket night after night, it's as if he believes that he is 7 feet, 250 pounds. But the less-than-6-foot Iverson throw his body around each and every game, many times ending up on the floor.

"If it wasn't for Allen's unspeakable amount of toughness, that I've personally never witnessed before, he would have a shortened career, having gotten nailed that many times."

That's Sixers coach Jim O'Brien, who is lucky enough to watch Iverson play every night. So why does Iverson play such an aggressive game, despite the physical harm it has done?

It could be his past experience as a football player. Or, it could be the fact that he has no other choice.

The Sixers' management has done nothing to try to bring a championship to Philly since the team's 2001 appearance in the NBA Finals. Kyle Korver is maturing and fast becoming an offensive threat, but for most of his NBA career, Iverson has been forced to do too much to give his team a win.

Such mediocrity, combined with the Eagles' recent success, has resulted in many Philly sports fans overlooking the Sixers. Most fans still tune in to the games, but they are rarely taken seriously as a team with playoff aspirations and games are not sold out on a consistent basis. Those of us who do watch are constantly complaining about the front office's lack of focus, lack of dedication, and failure to build a valid contender. Plus, the team's sub-.500 record prevents them from appearing on national TV, keeping fans of other teams from ever seeing Iverson in action. Thus, the question must be asked: are we too busy worrying about winning to appreciate one of the most impressive players in recent NBA history?

Jim O'Brien thinks so.

"We are all witnessing one of the great careers in the NBA, put on by one of the most talented, tough guys with the biggest heart ever seen on the basketball court," O'Brien said. "I think we should all enjoy this while Allen is still in the NBA."

Could the same be said for Donovan McNabb? The beauty of watching him work in the pocket has been expounded upon on this very page. His talents are not lost on the majority of Philadelphians. But are we too worried about rumors of vomiting and breathlessness to notice? Are we too concerned with a parade to enjoy what we we have?

We spend a great deal of time worrying about parades, rings, and Hall of Fame nominations, and while those things are all a wonderful way of telling a player his actions were appreciated, there's another way of saying thanks: appreciate them NOW.

"You don't ever get the goose bumps until the fans start to appreciate what you are doing out there. When they are up and making noise... they are feeling good. It makes you feel good about the people coming out to see you and something they might remember and cherish for the rest of their lives."

That was Allen Iverson, talking about the crowd at the Wachovia Center following his 60-point effort.

I do believe that, with help from each team's management, Allen Iverson and Donovan McNabb are capable of leading their teams to a championship.

But what if they don't? What if what we are seeing right now is as good as it gets?

That's ok, too.

It's a funny thing about sports. When you're watching your team lose in heartbreaking, bone crushing, head throbbing fashion, you're convinced that this time, the pain will be too great. No matter how many years you've been through it, you're convinced that this time, you won't be able to get over it.

But there's always another game. There's always another season. There's always another sport, another team, another chance.

The 1995 Philadelphia Flyers lost in the Conference Finals. They broke my heart.

I recovered.

The 1997 Philadelphia Flyers got swept in the Stanley Cup finals. They broke my heart.

I recovered.

The 1999 Boston Red Sox lost in the ALCS. They broke my heart.

I recovered.

The 2000 Philadelphia Flyers lost in the Conference Finals after holding a 3 games to 1 lead. They broke my heart.
The 2001 Philadelphia Eagles lost in the Conference Championship. They broke my heart.
The 2002 Philadelphia Eagles lost in the Conference Championship. They broke my heart.
The 2003 Boston Red Sox lost in Game 7 of the ALCS. They broke my heart.
The 2003 Philadelphia Eagles lost in the Conference Championship. They broke my heart.
The 2003-04 Philadelphia Flyers lost in Game 7 of the Conference Finals. They broke my heart.

Each time, I recovered. Because though it hurt at the time, there was always another game, sport, or season to turn my attention towards, another team to fall in love with, another dream in which to start believing.

It's an endless cycle, it seems, that all too often ends miserably. But every time, we keep coming back, because we love sports, and we can't fathom our lives without them.

Today marks the end of the 2004 Philadelphia Eagles' magical journey that once again fell short, though the ride was spectacular. An entire nation awakes this morning in a cloudy city to hangovers, headaches, and 'what ifs.' What if McNabb hadn't been so nervous at the start of the game? What if Andy Reid knew how to manage the clock down the stretch? What if Reid had played Adams intstead of Simoneau? What if the Eagles had given Akers a chance to show the world his skills instead of turning the ball over in the red zone in the first quarter?

And so, continuing the cycle, I will finish wrapping the bandage around my Eagles heart and, in time, throw myself into the Red Sox, headfirst. Because it's a new season and the Sox have a title to defend.

Here we go again.

You see that picture over there on the right? Well, your wildest dreams have come true...three girls has become four. You see those links to Parts 11 and 12? They're new...read 'em.

There is no doubt that my two favorite cities in the country are Boston and Philadelphia. I have called both cities home in my short lifetime, and because of their similarities and wonderful qualities, I am often torn between the two.

For instance, during the short East Coast summer, with its Public Garden and Charles River, Boston is the more beautiful city. Philadelphia, on the other hand, has a richer historical background. The race is close, but with the Liberty Bell and Declaration of Independance, Philly wins by a nose. With all due respect to chowdah, Philly wins the food competition, as nothing can compare with an honest-to-goodness Philly cheesesteak. Factor in the classic soft pretzel, water ice, and Tastykakes, and Philly wins by a mile. The cities are tied when it comes to architecture; Philly's art museum is a breathtaking building, and Boston's Trinity Church and John Hancock combination in Copley Square is a photographer's dream. When it come to beer, Philly is a clear winner, as I would take a Yuengling Lager or Black and Tan over a Sam Adams any day. Philly takes the cake in music, as well, as I've never been a big Aerosmith fan. The Pixies make it a close race, but it's hard to argue with the Roots, the philly soul genre, Bruce Springsteen (adopted, yes, but Philly is where he got his start), Live Aid, Hall and Oates, Boys II Men, and Will Smith. Boston chalks up a win in the We-Made-It-Up category for Patriots Day, the single greatest holiday and sports tradition in American history. On Patriot's Day, the city hosts the Boston Marathon, Marathon-related block parties all over the city, and a Red Sox day-game against the Yankees, all within a few miles of each other. Boston's public transportation is a huge winner over Philly's Septa system, and Fenway Park is a better experience than any of the stadiums or arenas Philadelphia has to offer.

It's clear that both of these cities have a huge place in my heart, but when it comes to sports, I can't give either city the edge. Born and raised in Philly, I am a diehard supporter of the Sixers, Flyers, and Eagles, and I always will be. But a combination of the Phillies' organization's lack of desire to win, their failure to connect with the fans, and an apartment within earshot of Fenway Park led to my passion for the Boston Red Sox. I never imagined I'd be able to cheer for a team outside of Philly's city walls, but it's impossible to spend four years in Boston without falling in love with the city and their baseball team.

And so, it is a weird position to be in, with the Eagles and the Patriots meeting up in this year's Super Bowl. I am forced to cheer against the same fans with whom I, just a few months ago, stood shoulder to shoulder with on Boylston Street as the World Series parade rolled by.

When all is said and done, we are all very similar, the citizens of these two cities. We are passionate about our teams, loyal (sometimes, to a fault), and no heartbreak is great enough to send us away forever. We love winning, but we know our history of losing has only made us stronger. We are knowledgeable and cynical at times, if only to protect ourselves.

I call both of these cities home, but when it comes to football, there is no doubt where my heart lies.

I am one of them.