My beloved Pittsburgh Steelers lost today's AFC championship game to the New England Patriots. The score was 41 -27. I quit watching at half time when I realised that the situation was hopeless. There are those who will blame this loss on the fact that Ben Roethlisberger is a rookie. I do not. "Big Ben" had the skill and confidence to win this game, his team mates had faith in him. It could have been won if the coaching staff had not approached it as they did. From the very first possession for the Steelers I could see the coaching errors. I cringed in terror at the first interception which came on a play which if I were the coach would have been a running play! Way to go Cowher and coaching staff. It almost seemed as if you wanted to lose this game! Where is Chuck Noll when you need him? Oh, how I miss the days before his retirement. I wonder if he can be coaxed back into active duty...
But my reasons for crying in my beer do not stop with the Steelers' loss. I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Tonight Show great, Johnny Carson today at the age of 79.
For me and many others in my generation, Johnny Carson WAS the Tonight Show. It is possible that at least one of my children was conceived during one of his monologues... Talk about being part of our lives! I'm certain that I'm not the only one who can make a statement such as this. But mostly, Johnny knew how to give us one of the greatest gifts of all, laughter. For that he shall be greatly missed.
