Here we go ...

Pittsburgh's going to the Superbowl!

If you are learning this information for the first time from reading my blog, then you know even less about professional sports than me. Most years I don't pay any attention to football, but when you live in Pittsburgh and the Steelers are playing as well as they have been, then it's almost unavoidable.

I watched the last few minutes of Sunday's game, and after it ended, I opened up my porch door to listen to the various celebrations of my neighbors. I live in a relatively quiet, gentrified area, but I could still hear some hootin' and hollerin' in joyous celebration. Then I switched my television to one of the local news stations, and saw footage of celebrants pouring onto the streets of the South Side of Pittsburgh, waving their bright yellow Terrible Towels and blocking traffic. It was hilarious.

I don't get sports, but I do get civic pride, and these days, Pittsburghers are walking a little bit taller and smiling a little bit more, and there's nothing wrong with that. Pittsburghers are generally friendly folks, but Steeler pride enhances that. The other day I had a brief conversation with a neighbor whom I had never even said hello to before. He wanted to know if I was rooting for the home team. Sure am, I told him. (Even if I weren't, I probably would have been afraid to admit it.)

Living here these days is sort of like being part of one big pep rally. Now just wait and see if the Steelers win on Feb. 5...