The Calm Before the Storm

Here we are. At 12 Steps Down. The lucky table is full mother fucking effect. I'd be keeping updates during the game, but I don't want to risk the computer to the many spills, cigarettes and chairs being knocked over that are inevitably going to occur even in the most boring game on Earth, let alone a Phillies vs. Yankees World Series.

Rest assured that there will be a full text message blow by blow after the final out.

This is What Happens When You Believe

Text selections from tonight's game.

1) 8:25 PM - Phucking awesome (J)

2) 10:17 PM - Dude this game is awesome (K)

3) 10:35 PM - Just got out. Having a beer and watching the game. You and John [J] must be very tense right now. (MB)

4) 10:55 PM - Well lemme know. I have a feeling they'll come back anyway :) (T)

5) 11:20 PM - Sadly I'm gonna be a bummer and go home...Keep your fingers crossed for the last inning. (E)

6) 11:44 PM - Think we'll win the game? (S)

7) 11:54 PM - Glad I kept my shirt on. (S)

8) 11:56 PM - Fuck! High five (K)

9) 11:57 PM - You gotta be Phucking kidding me (J)

10) 12:21 AM - So what happened with the game?/12:23 AM - That's awesome! (MB)

11) 12:49 AM - No worries. :) (S)

Phillies in 5. The weekend off. World Series bound. Red October. Make out with somebody. Phor the Phillies. This is what life is all about, magnified by 1000 and on grass. Phuckin A.

Tonight WAS The Night.

O my f'n god. The Phils.

12 Steps Down was the pinnacle of Phillie Phantanicism tonight. How can I even begin to describe how this all went down.

I immediately took over the Good Luck table near one of the three screens. Twas me and the Sports Body that commandeered that action. Concerned as I was about the lack of Mustachio and Kyle, as well as the Mob and the Russian, etc. I was unable to reveal that concern thanks to many delicious shots of Tullamore Dew at the pre-game house before. Not only unable or unwilling, but realizing that this was the perfect mood to endure another Phillies Phlayoff marathon.

Soon enough, the crowd emerged. The game had started and well, with a Flyin' Hawaiian' homer.

There is no way that I can begin to enter into what emerged during the course of tonight's game. Rest assured that conversations with Fooliana occurred (from Colorado to Philly) where she discussed not bringing Purple Gatorade to school because it was Rockies' colors.

The night lasted forever in a beautiful chaotic way.

Pool games were played with Yankee and Mets fans. Yankee hats were worn to jinx the Yanks in the World Series (or maybe just because the hat was there and in retrospect).

Shots were promised with the Phils down 4-2 if they scored a run (For the whole table, mind you). Let us understand that this was a table with at MOST 25% of true Phillies Phans. The rest of these folks just being Totally caught up in the Phever from either 2008 or just seeing the craziness amongst the lot of us. They've earned their Red & White b/c they understand what baseball playoffs in Philadelphia is all about. Togetherness, Love and Unity.

Of course there were discussions about BS (ie hardbodies, what people do for work, etc) but in the end it was just as it should be.

When the Phillies pulled ahead in the 8th inning, there was nothing but high fives and pure love of other humans. Every second was an eternity waiting for the next strike or ball. Chants were declared and administered and then rescinded if they were determined to be bad luck.

People were crazy as all get out. Chairs were knocked over. Twas cool. My foot was crushed by a falling chair but what can you do? The Point N Slap was in full mother f'n effect. Not a hand that was attached was not slapped at least once during every strikeout, hit, walk, run, etc.

I will sincerely remember this night, albeit only the NLDS, because we were in love with each other. People DID make out! Hugs and dances were excessive. We all have to wake up tomorrow and go to work, but for a few brief hours, we were all one. Even the non-baseball fans, the foreigners, who cares?

I just cant describe it. I don't want to say you had to be there, but more like, whoever wasn't there was also there. I can tell the story of these last two games in 2009 like it was my job.

We're Phillies Phans. We want hard work. We want sacrifice. We want heroism. We want any random dude to win the game. We love that we didn't get some A-Hole like Manny last year but instead we got Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco. Ben Francisco...did you see that catcH?

At the end of the game, it came down to us in complete silence just waiting for the celebration. Lots of people get to see PLayoff games live and in person. I don't want that. I want the weird energy of a dozen Phans hugging each other and making life seem more important than we will ever be able to understand.

I love 12 Steps in the Phlayoffs. The game was classic. The scene was unbeatable. Our vibe was way in EPHECCT. We Phuckin supported the Phils, fans or not.

When Brad Lidge busted out the last Out-Skee, you wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else.

There is nothing wrong with watching the Phillies Phlayoffs at 12 Steps Down.

Thanks to all, I need to sleep. And enjoy my day off from baseball.

When you love something so much, you suffer for the happiness. Otherwise, you're a Yankee fan. We'll take the Yankees in 7.

Tonight was THE night. Thanks to everyone. We got that hurdle TCB.

Let's hope I survive through the World Series.

Let's go JAYSON!!!

Here's what the Phace Book Phans are Saying after Game 3 of the NLDS, October 11th, 2009 in Colorado

A selection of Facebook status updates from my Home page reflect the international love.

1) Brad Lidge, here is your Cardiac Kids, membership card. Good, LORD!!! @ 903 AM

2) yay phillies! Only good news today. Why am I up? @ 347 AM

3) can't believe the Phils game finished while I was getting ready for work. I'm gonna have some very tired friends stateside today... @ 247 AM

4) I like it @ 247 AM

5) Oh. . . because we needed more issues with our bullpen. @ 147 AM

phantasy...or...phrediction?

Phillies win tonight 7-1. Happ pitches 8 innings, gives up 4 hits. Myers blows a run but finishes the game with two K's. I feel better tomorrow morning when I have to work for 14 straight days.

The Phans have a great time at twelve steps. We don't take a shot every time the Phillies get an out but maybe just one or two. There are plenty of cigarettes left for everyone. The cabs are plentiful and I'm well-bundled enough to walk the long mile(s)? home. High fives are extensive and with lots of random people. Someone makes out with someone else they don't know. The Sirius 22's think of a better name for their band. I kiss my brother on the head and understand what Matt Stairs meant when he got his "ass hammered by a bunch of dudes."

It feels like October now so let's see it happen again. Let's see a city on Phire and not burning. Let's laugh and curse and love until our hearts burst. Let's talk about meaningless sporting events for the next month and be content with it while we all strive to live meaningful lives.

Let's go Phillies.