I SAW THE RAMS AND THE RAMS WON

Leaving familiarity is tough when you move. Passing by the same old spots day in and out, and then suddenly not seeing them is something I miss. Kinda like the Wimpy sign that hung on Ellis' cafe. Although it was hangout of my Dad's, if I was ever in there more than twice, I don't recall. But I remember that sign and the big Pepsi sign that stood tall on top of the Susan Shop. Yet another one I remember was a sign advertising insurance. It showed a fire raging, ravaging a house and it moved 3-D. Actually it was more like those theatre lights that blow a flame, at least that's what they're supposed to look like.

Besides family and friends that I left behind in my near decade ago move to the West, and besides the familiarity of signs that I listed, I miss my sports teams. The Cardinals and hearing Mike Shannon. And the Rams and tailgating before entering The Ed.

Oh, I make it a point to get back for at least one football game per year and then I usually take in the Rams when they play in AZ. Sunday was that day.

A sweet day in The U of Phoenix Stadium. The best NFL stadium in my limited exposure. The dome was opened. The weather outside perfect, and a great win for the Rams. The last time I was in the stadium, our daughter and I went to see Kurt Warner totally whip up on the Vikes and Brett Favre. It was a little different this time when I wasn't wearing a Kurt jersey. I displayed my #8 Sam Bradford Rams jersey. Its inaugural wearing.

It wasn't quite the same as The Ed although our seat location was nearly identical to our STL seats. But it was a fun afternoon.

I saw no familiar signs though we did pass a restaurant that we like on the way to another restaurant where we ate. There's some familiarity in the desert, but I haven't found a Wimpy or a Mike Shannon, though I did talk to Mike Shannon once in Florida as his daughter was on our flight. One time doesn't fit the bill for familiarity, though, any more than feeling nostalgic for Ellis' Restaurant. But I still miss that sign and wonder where it is.