Conventional wisdom suggests that after the barnburner we witnessed in our Convocation Center a couple Saturdays ago, Wednesday’s rematch on Bob Nichols Court at Savage Arena should be another one.
It would be optimistic to think this though, and experience has tempered me to getting overexcited by anticipation.
In 2004, I camped out in front of the Athena Theatre for the Athens premier of Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. To call it highly anticipated would be an understatement. It featured an all-star cast that included Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Michael Gambon, Angelina Jolie at the pinnacle of her career and a young man that I knew would be one of the greatest products of his generation: Giovanni Ribisi. It had zeppelins. Who doesn’t love zeppelins. The film would be a launching pad to make steampunk mainstream. It was a can’t miss.
But it did miss. Badly. And that is the warning I ask you to take to Toledo on Wednesday. Don't expect this game to be as good as you think it will be.
Maybe the world wasn't ready for robots and so much leather in a pre World War 2 setting. I thought I was. I was like, "Robots! And blimps! And Angelina!!!!!" And this was pre-Brad Pitt Angelina. Before all the social causes and Russian adoptions and doing Jennifer Aniston wrong. Pure unattainable hotness. All I know is that I sat through three of the longest days of my life on a Court Street sidewalk with none of my closest friends as I waited for an event that ultimately left me deflated.
I walked out of that theater a defeated man. Being a man used to defeat, I would have normally made a right hand turn out the Athena door and walked the two blocks to The Junction where I would have forgotten defeat over well drinks and "Domino" on the jukebox. But this was a new sort of defeat, and I didn't feel that I could handle the physical demands of walking that far, let alone the treacherous and ankle-breaking traverse across the Rubicon most call Court Street. What I needed was a courtesy bus. But there was none to be had. I wobbled into Bagel Street Deli and found myself in an onion bagel with cream cheese. I felt reborn. That day was truly the first day of the rest of my life.
The University of Toledo built Centennial Hall in 1976. In any other year, they probably would have called it a Convocation Center. It would later be renamed for John F. Savage, a Toledo insurance agent that founded the fundraising arm for the University that raised $25 million over 14 years. This gives hope to every Bobcat Rep that someday, the Convo could be named for them. It says a lot for the culture of Toledo that its most famous food celebrates a TV show that ended 30 years ago. I expect it won't be long before they hang Larry Gipson's beige sportcoat from the rafters.
This Wednesday trip gives me another opportunity to sample the fine eating of the Route 23/I-75 corridor. This week, I suggest a stop at The Steer Barn in Upper Sandusky. Best chicken livers north of Miller's Chicken. And have the house salad with celery seed dressing. I know a lot of you will be taking loved ones out for Valentine's Day, and others of you will be taking possible long-term committments out for Valentine's Day. My advice: celery seed dressing. It's a mortal lock that one of those seeds will become lodged in one of your front teeth. Will your companion discreetly point this out and offer a toothpick? Or gawk at it until you become self-conscious? Or refuse to look at you? Or grab your face and apply a kiss of such force that it becomes dislodged? One of those answers will be chosen by a companion for life, and I'm just happy that I found mine.
Another insightful, thought provoking, memories spurring, and entertaining read.
My only alternate/additional advice would be "Steer Clear" of the Wyandotte County Rt 23 off ramp food barn - I have had inconsistent fare there over the years on the dreadful CBus to Glass City round trip. Here is the best sandwich you will ever find between the two metros (the fried pickles also rock - tasty thick-ish spears instead of thin slices that go mushy quickly outta the deep fryer). I have actually stopped here both on way To and way Back from Toledo on the same day before...............
http://www.gandrtavern.com/Menu---Sandwiches.html