All of our practices last week were shortened due to the very low “real feel” temperatures. We only had an hour, several days and ninety minutes on the others. Despite the time constraints, it was a very productive week, with lots of progress being made. We have five days before our first scrimmage (this Saturday) and a little more than two weeks before our first game!

After Saturday’s practice, I hustled to get home, get cleaned up and get to the Train Station. Debi and I were quickly on our way into Manhattan for the 2pm. performance of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” at the Lyric Theater! For us, this was no ordinary Saturday Matinee (not that it would be ordinary. My oldest friend, Jim’s son, James has been playing the role of “Scorpius Malfoy”, one of the leads in the play! Jim and I have been friends since the 7th grade, we were roommates in college and when our kids were young, we vacationed together. I was more than a little excited about this!

When we got into the Theater, Karl and Elise were already there. We joined them in a quick visit with Jim, his wife Suzanne and Jim’s mom, who I had not seen in many years. By the time we took our seats, I was brimming with anticipation. I was not disappointed. For the next two and a half hours I was captivated by the show and especially, James. I cannot accurately describe what it felt like, seeing him up on the big stage. I cold not stop thinking about how proud his parents must be, and how happy I was for them. I am extremely grateful that we were able to be there.

After the show, we had a great dinner, with Karl and Elise, at “BEA”, a cool little restaurant a few blocks from the theater. The food was excellent, and we really had a nice time. A great way to cap off a great day!

Debi and I had decided to spend the night in the City, since we were going to the Travel Expo at the Javits Center, on Sunday. This way we only had to travel to the City, once.

The Expo was an interesting experience. There are hundreds of vendors shopping their wares. Most of it was not of interest to us, but we did enjoy a couple of the presenting speakers. But the speaker we had really hoped to see the Actor/Writer Andrew McCarthy, was not there (not sure when he was dropped from the schedule). I don’t think I would go back, unless there was something in particular, I wanted to learn about, and even then, apparently you cannot be certain the schedule won’t change without you knowing about it.

We walked from the Javits Center down and over to Penn Station, where we caught a train to Westbury. We got home just in time to be once again, disappointed with the results of the two NFL Playoff Games.

So, it was an action packed weekend that was indeed “Magical”. (please forgive me for the pun, if it is too cheesy)