MJ and the Bears (our GREAT day!)

BryanS · Jan 19, 2002

You remember the old television series called "BJ and the Bear"? Well, today, my 6-year-old son and I saw MJ and the Bears!

First, one of the hottest tickets in town for months has been Michael Jordan's return to the United Center. And we were there. My son was 2 when Michael was playing for the Bulls, but I couldn't talk my wife into letting me take him to the games. So this was our time.

I'm not sure he was as thrilled as I was, but someday he'll tell his kids that he saw the greatest player to ever play the game. Of course, the Bulls lost, shooting just 25% for the game.

Then we headed over to Soldier Field. We just wanted to walk among the tailgaters, and we had our full size van. Figured we'd watch the game on the TV in the van in the parking lot.

While walking around, an old bag-lady held up two tickets. I asked her how much she wanted for them, and two police officers came over and told her she couldn't sell them and were ready to give us a fine or something... and they called the bag-lady by name (apparently she was a regular). I said, "Aw, come on. I'm paying face value." They finally left us alone.

Some Philadelphia fan had given her some food and these two tickets, but one person had told her that the tickets were fakes. She told me she'd walk me to the gate so I'd be sure they were good. I carried two of her bags... she was so nice and chatted with my son (please, don't tell my wife).

Anyway, the tickets were good and we got in. These were in the 34th row... the best tickets I've ever had at Soldier Field, and this was the last day before the place was to be demolished!

I know you probably don't care about all this, but I'm excited. It was a thrilling day for both of us, even though we lost both games. And it's something Ben and I will always remember.

The G2 was there with me to make it live on in pictures. Feel free to have a look (didn't take very many, because I was having such a good time)...

http://www.siverly.net/gallery/2002-01-19/

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Eagles and Packer fans, please click "next."

Bryan

WH Yi · Jan 20, 2002

From the long minutes of applause that I saw on TV for Michael, there's obviously still a lot of love in Chicago for him. But no pictures of him??? Not even as a little patch of pictures somewhere?

Bryan Siverly said:
You remember the old television series called "BJ and the Bear"?
Well, today, my 6-year-old son and I saw MJ and the Bears!

First, one of the hottest tickets in town for months has been
Michael Jordan's return to the United Center. And we were there.
My son was 2 when Michael was playing for the Bulls, but I couldn't
talk my wife into letting me take him to the games. So this was
our time.

I'm not sure he was as thrilled as I was, but someday he'll tell
his kids that he saw the greatest player to ever play the game. Of
course, the Bulls lost, shooting just 25% for the game.

Then we headed over to Soldier Field. We just wanted to walk among
the tailgaters, and we had our full size van. Figured we'd watch
the game on the TV in the van in the parking lot.

While walking around, an old bag-lady held up two tickets. I asked
her how much she wanted for them, and two police officers came over
and told her she couldn't sell them and were ready to give us a
fine or something... and they called the bag-lady by name
(apparently she was a regular). I said, "Aw, come on. I'm paying
face value." They finally left us alone.

Some Philadelphia fan had given her some food and these two
tickets, but one person had told her that the tickets were fakes.
She told me she'd walk me to the gate so I'd be sure they were
good. I carried two of her bags... she was so nice and chatted
with my son (please, don't tell my wife).

Anyway, the tickets were good and we got in. These were in the
34th row... the best tickets I've ever had at Soldier Field, and
this was the last day before the place was to be demolished!

I know you probably don't care about all this, but I'm excited. It
was a thrilling day for both of us, even though we lost both games.
And it's something Ben and I will always remember.

The G2 was there with me to make it live on in pictures. Feel free
to have a look (didn't take very many, because I was having such a
good time)...

http://www.siverly.net/gallery/2002-01-19/

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Eagles and Packer fans, please
click "next."

Bryan

Mickey54793 · Jan 20, 2002

Well, I am a Eagles fan but will leave that one alone. It must have been a great day and along with enjoying the pictures, think I enjoyed the story even more!! My wife and I visited chicago a few years back and although didn't go inside Soldier field, we certainly did drive by it. It is an amazing place to see empty, can just imagine loaded with close to a 100,000 fans. It truly will be something you'll remember for the rest of your life and you have pictures for that memory. Great job!

Bryan Siverly said:
You remember the old television series called "BJ and the Bear"?
Well, today, my 6-year-old son and I saw MJ and the Bears!

First, one of the hottest tickets in town for months has been
Michael Jordan's return to the United Center. And we were there.
My son was 2 when Michael was playing for the Bulls, but I couldn't
talk my wife into letting me take him to the games. So this was
our time.

I'm not sure he was as thrilled as I was, but someday he'll tell
his kids that he saw the greatest player to ever play the game. Of
course, the Bulls lost, shooting just 25% for the game.

Then we headed over to Soldier Field. We just wanted to walk among
the tailgaters, and we had our full size van. Figured we'd watch
the game on the TV in the van in the parking lot.

While walking around, an old bag-lady held up two tickets. I asked
her how much she wanted for them, and two police officers came over
and told her she couldn't sell them and were ready to give us a
fine or something... and they called the bag-lady by name
(apparently she was a regular). I said, "Aw, come on. I'm paying
face value." They finally left us alone.

Some Philadelphia fan had given her some food and these two
tickets, but one person had told her that the tickets were fakes.
She told me she'd walk me to the gate so I'd be sure they were
good. I carried two of her bags... she was so nice and chatted
with my son (please, don't tell my wife).

Anyway, the tickets were good and we got in. These were in the
34th row... the best tickets I've ever had at Soldier Field, and
this was the last day before the place was to be demolished!

I know you probably don't care about all this, but I'm excited. It
was a thrilling day for both of us, even though we lost both games.
And it's something Ben and I will always remember.

The G2 was there with me to make it live on in pictures. Feel free
to have a look (didn't take very many, because I was having such a
good time)...

http://www.siverly.net/gallery/2002-01-19/

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Eagles and Packer fans, please
click "next."

Bryan

[email protected]

BryanS · Jan 20, 2002

WH Yi said:
From the long minutes of applause that I saw on TV for Michael,
there's obviously still a lot of love in Chicago for him. But no
pictures of him??? Not even as a little patch of pictures somewhere?

It was amazing to be part of that applause. Everytime Michael was on the floor, I didn't want to spoil things by messing with my camera. I don't know, it really didn't occur to me, since I was way up in the nose-bleed section and I only had a 3X zoom. Maybe if I had a Pro90.

Bryan

Jeff Lunt · Jan 20, 2002

Hey Bryan...great story. The photos brought back memories for me. It was 1971 or 72...I was in the Wayne State University marching band. Wayne State is in downtown Detroit. The Lions were playing the Bears at Soldiers Field and our band played the halftime. What made it really memerable was we arrived the night before with nothing to do. First time in Chicago, young and ready to have fun. I had too much fun and it ended up being the first time I drank any real booze. I got so sick I puked all night.

The next morning, and this was in december, we marched the halftime and I could barely stand. I was never so cold in my life. Luckily the fans booed us from the get go as the Lions were leading 14 to 0. I don't think anyone was actually watching us. Never could figure out why they wanted the opposing teams band to come and play.

Anyway I knew you would enjoy my warm and fuzzy story of my experience in Chicago at the great Soldiers Field. Sorry they lost yesterday. I was hoping they would go all the way this year, but they had a wonderful year anyway, and I'm sure they will be even better next year.

Jeff

Susan M. · Jan 20, 2002

The fact that you didn't take a lot of photos shows how much you were paying attention to life, your son and the games. Someone smiled down on you yesterday and you took the time to notice.

My husband, his brother and 2 of our nephews were on the 50 yard line. I stayed at home to watch with our son. (He was sick with the flu.) The only thing that marred the day was the losses....but then again maybe it wasn't a loss. There's always next year.

And it was great to see Michael back too. We are blessed.

Susan

Susan M. · Jan 20, 2002

Hey Jeff,

I can't believe I just posted to Bryan's great story...then I read yours. Guess what I was there and saw you!!!! I had just gotten out of art school and that was the first time I ever went to a football game. My sister was getting her masters at Wayne state and we decided to go. We were in the nosebleed end zone. And I remember the band. I don't remember booing but I do recall having a beer dumped on me. What fun. What strange coincidences. And now we all are reunited with Canon cameras.

Fun

BryanS · Jan 20, 2002

Susan M. said:
The fact that you didn't take a lot of photos shows how much you
were paying attention to life, your son and the games. Someone
smiled down on you yesterday and you took the time to notice.

Yes, you understand. He doesn't like it much when I take pictures (as you could tell with the "popcorn pictures"). I wanted this to be his day with my undivided attention.

My wife was really worried I'd spend too much money trying to get him into both games. "We don't have it to spare," she said.

I could have paid the old lady anything for the tickets... she would have taken $20 probably, but I wouldn't have felt right. The people sitting next to me paid $300 for those seats, and I got in for $50 each (face value).

Then I got home only to find that my wife had gone shopping and bought about $700-800 worth of "home furnishings" (decorations) for the house. Something is wrong with this picture.

Susan M. said:
My husband, his brother and 2 of our nephews were on the 50 yard
line. I stayed at home to watch with our son. (He was sick with the
flu.) The only thing that marred the day was the losses....but then
again maybe it wasn't a loss. There's always next year.

I've got to say that nobody (including me) expected this team to even be .500 this season. And anybody would have been laughed out of town if they said that the Bears would make the playoffs, let alone win the division and have the second-best record in all of football. It was a great season, and they saved their one bad game for the end.

I'm satisfied and hungry for next year when they're coming to play close to my home in Champaign (I live in Bloomington, about an hour away).

Bryan

BryanS · Jan 20, 2002

Jeff Lunt said:
The next morning, and this was in december, we marched the halftime
and I could barely stand. I was never so cold in my life. Luckily
the fans booed us from the get go as the Lions were leading 14 to
0.

I enjoyed your story! Hate to say it, but I think I was AT that game, and booed you, too. Now, I feel bad.

Bryan

BryanS · Jan 20, 2002

Mickey said:
Well, I am a Eagles fan but will leave that one alone.

We'll see ya next season... and we won't be looking past you this time.

Mickey54793 said:
It truly will be
something you'll remember for the rest of your life and you have
pictures for that memory. Great job!

Yes, that's something that makes it all worth every penny. Thanks for the note.

Oh, yeah... one more thing. GO RAMS!

Bryan

Justme · Jan 20, 2002

Oh, you so fortunate person. The Bulls and the Bears in the same week! I keep telling myself to go and catch an NBA game while MJ is still playing. MJ is the reason I even watch basketball. And those Olympic 'DreamTeams' were something to watch. Maybe I'll catch a Raptors game when the Wizards come to Toronto.

I use to be a Bears fan back in the days of Ditka and Jim M. the flashy Chicago quarterback. I also liked the Steelers (Bradshaw (one of the very best), Lynn Swan, et al). Nowadays, it's wherever Flutie happens to be, which was the Bills until this year. Doug played up here in the CFL when nobody in the 'big leagues' would give him a chance. I'm not a big fan of the CFL mind you. Strictly an NFL kinda guy. Speaking of the Bears, you can't beat the 34th row. Not bad pickings at all.

I suppose the zoom range is a limitation of the G2 at sporting events (especially up in the nose-bleed section). I'm sure we would have seen some MJ photos from you had the opportunity presented itself (Pro90 or somehow ran into the guy). There's plenty of time during a game for photo ops without it being a distraction. Congrats on the nice pics. (After taking a lot of pics with the built-in flash, I know I just got to get me a 420ex, and your pics are a good testament to the difference it can make).

Bryan Siverly said:
You remember the old television series called "BJ and the Bear"?
Well, today, my 6-year-old son and I saw MJ and the Bears!

First, one of the hottest tickets in town for months has been
Michael Jordan's return to the United Center. And we were there.
My son was 2 when Michael was playing for the Bulls, but I couldn't
talk my wife into letting me take him to the games. So this was
our time.

I'm not sure he was as thrilled as I was, but someday he'll tell
his kids that he saw the greatest player to ever play the game. Of
course, the Bulls lost, shooting just 25% for the game.

Then we headed over to Soldier Field. We just wanted to walk among
the tailgaters, and we had our full size van. Figured we'd watch
the game on the TV in the van in the parking lot.

While walking around, an old bag-lady held up two tickets. I asked
her how much she wanted for them, and two police officers came over
and told her she couldn't sell them and were ready to give us a
fine or something... and they called the bag-lady by name
(apparently she was a regular). I said, "Aw, come on. I'm paying
face value." They finally left us alone.

Some Philadelphia fan had given her some food and these two
tickets, but one person had told her that the tickets were fakes.
She told me she'd walk me to the gate so I'd be sure they were
good. I carried two of her bags... she was so nice and chatted
with my son (please, don't tell my wife).

Anyway, the tickets were good and we got in. These were in the
34th row... the best tickets I've ever had at Soldier Field, and
this was the last day before the place was to be demolished!

I know you probably don't care about all this, but I'm excited. It
was a thrilling day for both of us, even though we lost both games.
And it's something Ben and I will always remember.

The G2 was there with me to make it live on in pictures. Feel free
to have a look (didn't take very many, because I was having such a
good time)...

http://www.siverly.net/gallery/2002-01-19/

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Eagles and Packer fans, please
click "next."

Bryan

Susan M. · Jan 20, 2002

You made my day...perhaps my week. It's nice to be reminded of what's important in life (even the furnishings! haha I spend mine on computers & cameras.)

Hope We'll read more of your exploits with your son.

BTW What ever will I do? We're moving to Two Rivers, WI. I'll keep my Bears jersey. The Pack isn't doing so well right now, thought I'd check the forums!

Susan

BryanS · Jan 20, 2002

Justme said:
Congrats on the nice pics. (After taking a lot of
pics with the built-in flash, I know I just got to get me a 420ex,
and your pics are a good testament to the difference it can make).

You may be interested to know that all the pics in that gallery were taken with the built-in flash. I leave my 420EX at home when I want to travel light!

Bryan

Justme · Jan 20, 2002

I figured these particular shots were not with the 420ex. I was talking about shots you did take with the 420ex on your galleries (the NY's day gathering and others).

I'm still playing around with the internal flash and trying to get a non-flash look (less harsh). I have given up on taking pics without flash in dimly lit restaurants. Any movement on the subjects part....forget it. And the internal flash at close range (like from across a restaurant table) is a bit harsh. I'll just have to play around with the flash compensation which is easier said than done when you're trying to take that candid shot. A cameras flash also draws some attention in a dimly lit restaurant.

Bryan Siverly said:
Justme said:

Congrats on the nice pics. (After taking a lot of
pics with the built-in flash, I know I just got to get me a 420ex,
and your pics are a good testament to the difference it can make).

Click to expand...

You may be interested to know that all the pics in that gallery
were taken with the built-in flash. I leave my 420EX at home when
I want to travel light!

Bryan

Jeff Lunt · Jan 20, 2002

Susan M. said:
Hey Jeff,

I can't believe I just posted to Bryan's great story...then I read
yours. Guess what I was there and saw you!!!! I had just gotten out
of art school and that was the first time I ever went to a football
game. My sister was getting her masters at Wayne state and we
decided to go. We were in the nosebleed end zone. And I remember
the band. I don't remember booing but I do recall having a beer
dumped on me. What fun. What strange coincidences. And now we all
are reunited with Canon cameras.

Fun

Susan, guess what? There is more to our story. My wife went to art school at Wayne. I wonder if she and your sister knew each other? What years was your sister there and what is her name. Fun stuff for sure.

Jeff

Jeff Lunt · Jan 20, 2002

Jeff Lunt said:
Susan M. said:

Hey Jeff,

I can't believe I just posted to Bryan's great story...then I read
yours. Guess what I was there and saw you!!!! I had just gotten out
of art school and that was the first time I ever went to a football
game. My sister was getting her masters at Wayne state and we
decided to go. We were in the nosebleed end zone. And I remember
the band. I don't remember booing but I do recall having a beer
dumped on me. What fun. What strange coincidences. And now we all
are reunited with Canon cameras.

Fun

Click to expand...

Susan, guess what? There is more to our story. My wife went to
art school at Wayne. I wonder if she and your sister knew each
other? What years was your sister there and what is her name.
Fun stuff for sure.

Jeff

OK, I just reread your message and found out it was you and not your sister who was in art school. I guess I burned up more brain cells than I thought. If you don't mind...what is or was your last name? Email me if you don't feel comfortable giving out that info.

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MJ and the Bears (our GREAT day!)

BryanS

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WH Yi

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Mickey54793

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BryanS

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Jeff Lunt

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Susan M.

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Susan M.

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BryanS

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BryanS

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BryanS

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Justme

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Susan M.

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BryanS

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Justme

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Jeff Lunt

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