Monday, February 4th, 2008...9:06 am
Proud To Be An American
GIANTS:……….a being with human form but superhuman size, strength. 2. a person or thing of unusually great size, power, importance,
So says the Oxford Dictionary and tonight the New York Giants were indeed super human showing great size in defense and super human dedication in overcoming the Patriots……….the underdog won and that was great to see.
It’s 11:05 pm and I have just returned watching my first Super Bowl game here in the U.S.A……….and tonight……………I feel like a true American…………I will explain about that later.
First though let’s talk about the commercials which again I had the privilege of watching in their entirety and I thought they were fantastic. Here are my top three in reverse order and I would ask those that watched the game to take the time to add their poll to my blog thingy as well please………………..here we go………….
Oh, before I start I should give an honorable mention to the Victoria’s Secrets commercial which, if Heidi did not read this would have won hands down. It was brilliant and there were two huge reasons why ………………..but discussing them would assure me of three weeks in solitary confinement with just the other dogs for company. So, Victoria Secrets aside……….here are my top three in reverse order.
3. The Pepsi commercial featuring singer Justin Trousersnake…………..very funny and the final scene when he gets knocked out by a flying car door was excellent.
2. The Fed Ex pigeons………….great idea and funny from start to end.
And the winner is
1.Shaq on a small race horse……………..just those words alone are funny but the scene when the tiny jockey smacks big Shaq on his bottom was just superb and the look on Shaq’s face was a performance of De Niro quality………………..I think he could be favorite to win the Derby next year.
Heidi and I had were going to watch the game on our own but we got a late invitation from some friends who used to work on Carnival ships to watch the game with them. We did, we had a wonderful time and tonight………….just for a few hours…………..I became American.
I ate spare ribs, chicken wings with sauce hot enough to grant me an episode of something we Brits call “ring sting” tomorrow………….I talked football with my mate and screamed at the Giants to keep on going. We laughed and said rude words and had fun, however there was one defining moment when I really felt American…………….it was when the Giants scored their touchdown to take the lead and when they did …………something strange happened.
My mate and I became as one and like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever we leaped out of our chairs and in mid air we gracefully high fived each other………….as we landed we looked into each others eyes and just for a moment…………we were brothers in arms.
It was my first real high five and that’s when I realised that tonight, if just for a bit………….I was American as apple pie and NASCAR.
Goodnight
Your Friends
John and Heidi
38 Comments
February 4th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Yep… American… John, you broke the code. Now, good sir, you truly understand what all the hype is about. Most Super Bowls are Super Bores but this game, this time, it was different. The Giants lived up to their name and brought down the thought-to-be invincible Patriots. Who woulda thunk…
Here’s hoping the wings and ribs don’t make themselves too obvious upon exit.
All the best to you, Heidi, Famous Roberto, Stephanie and the rest!
High five!!
Greg
February 4th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Somehow the vision of you leaping from your chair and flying through the air is, well…terrifying. Your ability to high five at the same time is indeed American. Your are home, Bro!!!
February 4th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Glad you enjoyed your taste of being American, even if it is just a small part, the high five it one of the most loved and used celebratory expressions used and taught to children all across the country, there is little cuter than a 4 year old giving a parent a high five…..
Oh and for apple pie, I grew up a stones throw away from where Jonny Apple seed was born and (was told) I climbed the very apple trees he planted….. And that was not far from the real school house Mary and her lamb went to school one day (yes that poem is a true story)….. Well that is the history lesson for today…..
As always I wish you and Heidi the best
The one and only 1
Heidi-Beth
February 4th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Glad you were able to enjoy a great American tradition. Watching the games with friends and enjoying food is what it’s all about.
Watching on the big screen at sea might be the only thing that could compete.
My favorite commercials were: Diet Pepsi’s ‘What is Love’ & Planters Nuts ‘Unibrow’. pretty sure it was a flat screen TV that got Justin Trousersnake.
February 4th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
We just need to get you to a NASCAR race!!! What a hoot! You’d have a ball…
February 4th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
You did it John! That’s the way the game and the experience are supposed to be. Congratulations.
Favorite commercials? There were 2 for Coca Cola and the other one with Shaq and Dwayne Wade for T-Mobile. The flying pigeons made me think of Hitchcock’s “The Birds”. And the Budweiser ads are always good. My favorite has always been “Wasssuppp”. I probably missed a couple at halftime. I went on the terrace to watch a bunch of cars being ticketed for being parked in a bus stop (very exciting).
Have a good time while you pow-wow on the Victory. By the way, who’s running the ships? or will everyone run amok?
Hugs,
Carol
February 4th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Glad you enjoyed the Super Bowl. My husband got to watch most of it. We had to miss part of it due to the Hannah Montana movie. We had the priviledge of taking our granddaughter and two of her friends to watch the movie version of a Hannah Montana concert. It was quite an experience yet much more tame than the actual concert. We actually saw her in concert in November and our granddaughter was on her feet most of the time. During the movie, all the girls stayed in their seats. More later!
February 4th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Hi there, Mr. America!
Ain’t it great to be one of us? And wasn’t that the most exciting display of defensive football you’ve ever seen. Man, Tom Brady never knew what hit him…again and again and again!!! Mr. Manning, the younger, did quite well for himself as well. His “Giant” feat of escaping not once, not twice, but at least thrice from the grasp of the Pats, and then that dead-on, caught overhead on the fingertips pass to David Tyree was just the most amazing thing!!! Then, Eli and Plaxico Burress put the nail in the Pats coffin with that beautiful end-zone play. Whoo-hoo, what a game! And I’m not even a Giants fan. I mentioned before, I’m a Jacksonville Jaguars fan and Tom Coughlin, now the Giants head coach was the Jags original coach. So, I was very excited for him. Congratulations to Mr. Coughlin!
Watched your Youtube video. It’s very funny. I think I’ve seen that comedian before. You make a wonderful “straight man.”
Have you seen the list of Askmen.com “99 most desirable women” for 2008? You should check it out. (I can’t believe Evangeline Lily is not on the list. Have you ever watched “LOST”?) Anywho, should you be in the mood for some “eye-candy” it’s quite a list.
Got to fix lunch for my hubby, now.
Later,
Myra
February 4th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Good Afternoon John and Heidi,
So glad you enjoyed the game and able to share it with friends. That makes all the difference in the world. Now would you like to hop on a plane and go to the Pistons -vs- Heat game on Wednesday at the Palace of Auburn Hills?? Isn’t that more interesting and important than a dull, boring conference with the CD’s? ;D
John, you and Heidi ARE American as far as all the people who admire and love you two are concerned. Better yet you are related to all of us by friendship! so therefore that makes you American as Mom and apple pie.
I liked most of the commercials but I just love the DWade and Barkley commercials. I just wonder now how DWade is going to get out of the fav 5. As for the VS commercial hmmmmm can’t imagine why you or any male for that matter liked it. It’s sad but how many women ran out today and went to VS because of that ad? Alot I would think.
You take care
Joan
February 4th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
John,
I just realized I made a mistake in my last comment.
The T-mobile commercial was Charles Barkley and Dwayne Wade. Ooops. But very funny.
C.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
John,
America is a true melting pot, capable of supporting anyone with a sense of humor (spelled American). Soon you will be saying “Fageddaboudit, y’all amigos, capice?”
Hope you enjoyed your vacation. It’s good to have you back.
Rus Franklin
February 4th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
John & Heidi,
Glad you enjoyed watching the Super Bowl. I mainly just watch it for the commericals, however the game proved to be really exciting this year. I always love the Budwiser commericals being we have horses and compete in carriage driving events.
I do have a quick question for you, however. Now I have only cruised on Princess but I am assuming this is done on most of the ships. But, why are only 2 bath towels supplied to a cabin when the majority of the time there will be 2 people in the room. The woman always needs an extra towel for our head. We always ask for an additional towel and it is supplied gladly. But why not just put 3 or 4 towels in the cabins automatically.
Thanks, John
Linda and Gary
February 4th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
John
Yep your’e almost there a few more episodes of utter happiness at the hands of the true FOOTBALL and not that round ball thingy and you will be shirtless in zero degree whether cheering for the Eagles and high fiving everyone around you.
Hopefully the food won’t rear its ugly head to badly.
Good cruising see ya
February 4th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
John - even if your own hometown team doesn’t make the Super Bowl, half the fun of watching the game is the socialization with good friends and neighbors. (All that party food is great too!!!!)
February 4th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
The high five must have been a sight to see! We were thrilled for the Giants first because they are a great team and have Eli Manning and second because they enabled the Miami Dolphins to remain the only team with a perfect season - 1972.
My favorite commercial was the Bud one with the Dalmation and Clydesdale doing the high five - hoof to paw. Too cute!
February 4th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Hi John/Heidi:
Can’t say I am familiar with the term “Ring Sting” but i love it and am going to borrow that one from you. Thanks!
I’m glad you enjoyed the big game last night. My favorite adds were both of the ones made by Coca Cola. The balloons ad was very well done.
Great hearing from you and looking forward to chatting soon!
David
February 4th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Oh John, so glad you felt like an American. As you can imagine, Bruce and I are absolutely thrilled about this win. What a game!!! Keep enjoying our country and have a great time! I didn’t see the Shaq commercial but the other two were the ones that stood out for me, so we are on the same page–I guess it is the sense of humor!
February 4th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
NASCAR is better then football. Tony Stewart is the best!!!!!!.
Glad you had good time.
Jennifer and Danny
February 4th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
John,
Welcome to the unique splendor of the ultimate clash of the titans. Donna and I watched it also and well we really did not high 5, we did do a little hands flying and yo, yo. I’m glad to hear you had the treditional super bowl munchie of ribs, wings and what ever sauce light you up (the next day). The commercials could have been better. However, I do agree the Victoria Secret one, Hooyah……….let the games begin.
Take care and look for thoes boxes of Cracker Jacks, how knows you might get a prize.
Donna and Herb
February 4th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
John,
Welcome to the good side, even if you were only there for a little while. Come on, you have to admit that that is way more exciting than Cricket.
_BigMike
February 4th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Hooray John,
You’ve joined the ranks of Arm Chair Quarterbacks!! You will be hooked and there’s no turning back. That was an excellent game. Paul and I loved the ending. We didn’t have a particular pick to win, but just love watching games that close and the excellent action. That’s what a good game is all about.
My favorite ad was the first Bud Light ad where the guy blew fire out his mouth. It was excellent! Yes, Paul really drooled over the Victoria Secret ad also. I had to get him a bib.
February 4th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
John, I have enjoyed reading your blogs. My boyfriend and I were on the Carnival Freedom for your 1st Bloggers Cruise. He signed me up with him and we enjoyed all the benefits that the Bloggers got to enjoy! I thoroughly enjoyed every moment and can’t wait to go on my next cruise. I have been spoiled though with you as Cruise Director. I am sure my boyfriend will agree, you are unlike any other. I hope the next time we can meet.
Congrats on being an American (even if just for the night)! I have lived in NJ most of my life so I am a true Giants fan. I did however live a few years in Massachusetts and have waited for this moment for a long time. This super bowl was sooo exciting and glad you could enjoy it too.
Thanks, mermar10
February 4th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Hello Joh and Heidi,
Glad you enjoyed the game John, but you LEAPING in the air high fiving
3. Shaq
2. mouse out of wall for Doritos
1. Victorias secret
Have fun at your meetings
Papanh
February 4th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
HI JOHN,IT’S GREAT THAT YOU REALLY GOT INTO THE GAME, THAT’S WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT. ESPECAILLY THE FOOD AND THE COMMERCIALS. I AM PARTCIAL TO THE BUD LIGHT ADS. THE ONE WITH THE FLAME BREATHER AND THE GUY FALLING . SPEAKING OF BUD LIGHT , HOW OFTEN DOES A SHIP RUN OUT OF BUD LIGHT. THE SHIP RAN OUT OF IT ON THE BLOGGERS CRUISE . NOW IF YOU EVER GET AN URGE TO SEE A RACE , LET ME KNOW . YOU MUST GO TO JUST ONE AND THEN YOU ARE HOOKED. THE T V DOES IT NO JUSTICE AT ALL . THE SUPER BOWL FOR NASCAR IS WEEK END AFTER NEXT . STILLS SEEMS STRANGE TO START OFF IF SUCH AND EVENT, BUT I LOVE IT!!! WELCOME TO BE BEING A FAN OF AMERICAN FOOTBALL !!! TONY AND KELLEY VANCE
February 4th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Hi John … this is the 1st time I’ve posted to your blog. I’m so happy that you got a taste of being American by watching the SuperBowl - congrats to my winning team (GO GIANTS! GO!!). The Justin Timberlake commercial was funny, but I also liked the Tide commercial (with the stain) & the Sobe commercial with Naomi Campbell & the lizards dancing to MJ’s “Thriller”. The Budweiser commercials were funny as well as the Etrade ones (with the baby). Anyway, I also wanted to tell you that I had a BLAST on the Jan 21st - 25th cruise aboard the Carnival Freedom (my first cruise ever). I can’t wait to cruise again! Also, thank you for the DVD of the “Bedtime Story”.
Sagittarian76
a/k/a “Mary” (had a little lamb)
PS - It followed me all the way back home to JFK airport in New York. A couple walked up to me calling me Mary!! LOL
February 4th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
John -
I screamed so loud when the Giants scored the winning touchdown that, apparently, the cat still has not come down off the ceiling - and we have vaulted ceilings in the living room.
The Super Bowl was exactly that - SUPER(B). As has already been said, the game frequently becomes the Stupor Bowl due to its lack of competitiveness, but this year’s edition was different.
Last night was a coming of age event for Eli Manning - as a lifelong Giants fan (since 1957!!! at the age of three years old), I want this season to carry over. We shall see.
Anyway - very pleased that you experienced a truly American event such as the Super Bowl. Now, we need to add a NASCAR race and a World Series game to your resume and you will be completely americanized.
My love to your beautiful, and extremely tolerant, wife.
Jon
February 4th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Hi John and Heidi,
We have enjoyed reading your Blog’s since we left the Blogger’s cruise..glad you have had some R&R of sort’s on the Imagination and now on the Victory….We also loved the Superbowl !! We are wondering what the reaction was at Carnival to the success of the Blogger’s Cruise and activities?
The Dolphin Cove excursion/private party was a blast…we got to do everything possible at one place..It was also nice to see Miles in your picture..he is looking well and wondered why he isn’t on TEAM HEALD aboard the Freedom with KEN in the Dining Room and all…That guy was great in the POSH every night. Well we are looking to book our Splendor and the Blogger’s 2009 !!
THANK YOU AGAIN for everything you did for us !!
February 4th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Well you made it farther then me, I attended a Super Bowl party but just ended up playing beer-pong the entire time. Check that out and you will see how the “collegiate” American’s life is!
Glad you did get to experience a real “football” game, haha.
Have a good time on the Victory, Malcom must be really stressed with having Cahill and 20 other Cruise Directors on his ship. Those poor social hosts!
February 4th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
john that is as good as it gets, greats friends, great food, great game and a giants win…commerical wise i loved the budweiser one with the dog teaching the horse…rocky …then i loved the gatorade one with the black lab….thisty dog and I also loved the Bridgestone: “Squirrel”one with the tires on the car and all the animal and shaq riding the horse wow vitamin water….
February 4th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
ring sting….bwahahahahahahaahahahahaha!
February 4th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
Dear John,
Glad you felt the electricity of watching Super Bowl, tis it something out of this world. Go Giants!!!! and in Perfectionville the population is still 1. I been lucky enough to have gone to a Super Bowl and a World Series game and the feeling is awesome.
again congrats on your blog thingy I’m addicted . I read it every night and laugh aloud so much, thank you for providing so much info in a very funny way. I never been in a cruise but can not wait to go on one.
Waiting to hear your tales from the Victory and please give my regards to the AV and entertainment crew.
So long my American Friend!
February 4th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
John & Heidi,
So glad you got to experience the truly unique American spectacle that is the SUPER BOWL! Funny, all of the replies are from Giants fans. I am a die-hard Patriots fan. I HATED this undefeated season. It was the worst thing that ever happened to them. I was actually rooting for some of the opposing teams to beat the Patriots during the regular season. I would have preferred they get the loss out of their systems and earn some humility. The commercials are always entertaining. I too loved the carrier pidgeon commercial. That was far and away my favorite. The Dalmation training the Clydesdale was pretty cute too. Our love to Heidi.
Lance & Ilda
February 5th, 2008 at 1:37 am
Hey John & Heidi,
I was on the Fascination this morning (Feb.4) and if I’d known you were on the Victory (which was docked next to us) I would have come over to say hi. Unfortunately, I didn’t use the internet service on the Fascination so I didn’t know. Hopefully one day…..I had a good time on the cruise, although I was a bit lonely but did meet some lovely people. Cruising alone isn’t for me…..hopefully next time I will have some friends/relatives along with me. Have fun on the Victory this week but don’t work too hard.
Cindy
February 5th, 2008 at 1:54 am
Hey John,
Its great to see you have become a real American watching the super bowl and giving high fives, yes the next thing is sitting in your lazyboy drinking Bush Beer rubbing your belly and watching NASCAR. I didnot get to see the commercials saw some of the game on a TV across the street from where I was sitting on St. Charles ave in New Orleans at Mardi Gras and on that last touchdown with 35 seconds left there were more people around that TV than catching beeds. We are having a great time here, and the city is looking better every time I come also I have noticed that Mardi Gras is about a week or so after we come back from the bloggers cruise next year .
Your friends,
Steve & Patti
February 5th, 2008 at 9:47 am
So glad you were able to enjoy the American tradition of the Super Bowl game. I’m not a football fan….until, the Super Bowl!!! I love the Cleveland Browns….but, the Super Bowl is the ultimate. Welcome to one of America’s favorite past-times. Now….in two weeks, you can enjoy our next favorite past-time THE DAYTONA 500!!! Party food, beer, friendship, and fast cars!! Is America a great place, or what?
February 5th, 2008 at 10:13 am
John:
There is nothing like the superbowl, especially when the Giants are in it, all I can say is “what a game”, haven’t stopped smiling since. Enjoy your week on the Victory.
Suzann
February 5th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Hello Johny:
I am glad you had a great time watching the Superbowl. My boys lost, but there is always a next year…
To the commercials: I think they were pretty weak this year, but I have to agree I liked the Pepsi with Justin Timberwolf and FedEx Pigeons. The other two I liked would be screaming squirral & other animals in Bridgestone commercial and horse Hank making it for Budweiser.
Now, stay out of a dog house, will you?
February 5th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
nascar john??? really nascar??? (john is now a true blue redneck y’all!) ha ha ha ha ha
smiles, bee
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