I have two things for you this evening. The first is of no importance and the second is of similar status.
- Today I went to a pawn shop for the first time. When I walked in I was reminded of this common thread of thought that I entertain about background music. I was reminded because a muffled, tinny tune was seeping from the speakers in the pawn shop, and it just created an absolute perfect "chi"(sorry I had to) for the pawn shop. The song? "I would do anything for love" by Meatloaf.
- Also I was thinking a bit more about this idea I have for a screen play. It got me thinking about some advice I recieved from someone who is much more theatrical than I. The advice was, "no plot is original, it's only the characters that can be original."
I think that is beautiful, I'll mold it a little, and say in life, "no idea is orignial, but it's our character that is."
28 July 2006
22 July 2006
New Law
You know, looking back at my posts from the past I am realizing one thing - and one thing only. I am incredibly long winded; either that, or I try to jam every sentence to the brim with thought. In order to simplify all of that, I'm enforcing a new law on the Super Bowl Shuffle blog. That law states that: I will no longer write anything that is over three paragraphs in length.
If that is disappointing I'm sorry, however my hunch is that most of you will wipe your brow and exclaim, "phew, it's about time."
If that is disappointing I'm sorry, however my hunch is that most of you will wipe your brow and exclaim, "phew, it's about time."
15 July 2006
utopia?
Movies, writers -- society at large, has this philosophy -- this philosophy that lies in the inevitable human let down. The betrayal by humanity, some sort of pseudo-Deity feeling of great remorse for the ultimate lowering of one's standards for those who live with and around. So obviously, as social pressures do, this philosophy weighs down on me and gives me this sort of ultimatum that goes like this, "either accept the faultiness of humans now: accept that no human will ever treat you right; or you will be broken cruelly and unexpectedly in the future." Obviously, there is an innate sense of right and wrong -- and this sense is something that humans share -- and thusly, I suppose I am born with a sort of utopian idea that the things I deem right or wrong are ultimately right or wrong for everyone. Somehow.
So, maybe in my youth, or in my naievety I have yet to subscribe to the inevitable fatal human let down. Sure, sure I know that we are all sinners. However, as a sinner, I'm unable (as of now) to fully commit to an idea that says everyone will fail me -- I suppose I still believe that there are (and will be) people in my life who do nothing but good.
Anyhow, I was driving around town this morning after a good jog thinking about this and the fact that I was really happy that I didn't wear the Carhartt pants I was thinking about wearing. Instead I opted for shorts which turned out to be a much better idea in the 90 degree heat.
For obvious reasons the former occupied my thoughts for far longer than the latter and I began to think and stew on it for quite a while.
This was abruptly met by a quite hornery bank teller. The destination of my aforementioned driving was to cash a check at the bank. As I walked up I noted that the calendar still marked the 14th which was yesterday and the clock above the calendar read 9:14 - surely with two workers mulling around in the back the bank was open for business. Much to my chagrin they were not. Not only was the bank not open, but when I was caught off guard by such news and uttered a brainless, "reeeally?" I recieved a quite terse and sarcastic, "really." (i feel like if we announced punctuation points verbally she would have said, "really period" emphatically). Needless to say, I looked at my shoelaces and sauntered off like a scolded dog.
Luckily, this particular bank branch is located inside a Kroger - which is in a shopping center with a Starbucks. I ventured over to the Starbucks to sit in the sun, sip a coffee, and console myself for my rude treatment. As I sat there, these thoughts of utopia and people began to migrate more into the field of occupations - as this has been something very bothersome to me lately. It was a saturday and as I sat in Starbucks doing a little people watching I noticed countless men and women sitting in there with wedding bands on and just chattering away on their cell phones or clicking away on laptops. I saw three or four business meetings with very professional looking men who had just come from Brooks Brothers. I found all of this quite depressing. It's Saturday. Don't married people have spouses sitting at home? Don't some of them have children to play with?
All of this culminated with this idea of why are people so serious about life? I have no idea why people think that everything is so important. Why did that lady deem that those extra fifteen minutes were so important that some unsuspecting customer should recieve a trite remark? Why did these men think that money or power or their company or whatever was so important that they were neglecting far more important things - like teaching junior how to throw? This is one thing that I absolutely do not want to get caught up in. Then, right as I was about to leave, I saw a beautiful vintage Mercedes convertable pull in to the parking lot. A man, and I presume his wife, emerged and began to walk into Starbucks. When they were a few feet away from me I noticed that the man wasn't wearing any shoes.
This, to me, was brilliant. He got his paper and his coffee and was perfectly content sitting in the sun with his wife, reading the paper, drinking his coffee all the while being barefoot in a very public place - that is life. As I glanced to the right one table there were two guys stewing over the fact that his frappucino took "like 10 minutes" and commenting that "that lesbian barista is a sack of shit!" Is it really necessary to get so riled up over a drink taking a few minutes more than usual. I then glanced back and there was such a huge contrast between the seemingly carefree man reading his paper and the two 30 somethings cussing and carrying on about the lousy barista.
Maybe, this idea that people are incomplete is true. However, I'm beginning to think that the problem isn't so much in the people that do let you down. It's our failure to be inspired by people that don't. It's our failure to find great joy in simply seeing an old guy trouncing around barefoot in Starbucks because he doesn't care. It's the simple fact that we are too busy whining about the barista, or our bottom line, or our boss, or even those friends that do let us down -- that we completely miss those who don't. We completely miss our families, our good friends, and those random encounters that help us to recalibrate ourselves and see what is truly important.
So, maybe in my youth, or in my naievety I have yet to subscribe to the inevitable fatal human let down. Sure, sure I know that we are all sinners. However, as a sinner, I'm unable (as of now) to fully commit to an idea that says everyone will fail me -- I suppose I still believe that there are (and will be) people in my life who do nothing but good.
Anyhow, I was driving around town this morning after a good jog thinking about this and the fact that I was really happy that I didn't wear the Carhartt pants I was thinking about wearing. Instead I opted for shorts which turned out to be a much better idea in the 90 degree heat.
For obvious reasons the former occupied my thoughts for far longer than the latter and I began to think and stew on it for quite a while.
This was abruptly met by a quite hornery bank teller. The destination of my aforementioned driving was to cash a check at the bank. As I walked up I noted that the calendar still marked the 14th which was yesterday and the clock above the calendar read 9:14 - surely with two workers mulling around in the back the bank was open for business. Much to my chagrin they were not. Not only was the bank not open, but when I was caught off guard by such news and uttered a brainless, "reeeally?" I recieved a quite terse and sarcastic, "really." (i feel like if we announced punctuation points verbally she would have said, "really period" emphatically). Needless to say, I looked at my shoelaces and sauntered off like a scolded dog.
Luckily, this particular bank branch is located inside a Kroger - which is in a shopping center with a Starbucks. I ventured over to the Starbucks to sit in the sun, sip a coffee, and console myself for my rude treatment. As I sat there, these thoughts of utopia and people began to migrate more into the field of occupations - as this has been something very bothersome to me lately. It was a saturday and as I sat in Starbucks doing a little people watching I noticed countless men and women sitting in there with wedding bands on and just chattering away on their cell phones or clicking away on laptops. I saw three or four business meetings with very professional looking men who had just come from Brooks Brothers. I found all of this quite depressing. It's Saturday. Don't married people have spouses sitting at home? Don't some of them have children to play with?
All of this culminated with this idea of why are people so serious about life? I have no idea why people think that everything is so important. Why did that lady deem that those extra fifteen minutes were so important that some unsuspecting customer should recieve a trite remark? Why did these men think that money or power or their company or whatever was so important that they were neglecting far more important things - like teaching junior how to throw? This is one thing that I absolutely do not want to get caught up in. Then, right as I was about to leave, I saw a beautiful vintage Mercedes convertable pull in to the parking lot. A man, and I presume his wife, emerged and began to walk into Starbucks. When they were a few feet away from me I noticed that the man wasn't wearing any shoes.
This, to me, was brilliant. He got his paper and his coffee and was perfectly content sitting in the sun with his wife, reading the paper, drinking his coffee all the while being barefoot in a very public place - that is life. As I glanced to the right one table there were two guys stewing over the fact that his frappucino took "like 10 minutes" and commenting that "that lesbian barista is a sack of shit!" Is it really necessary to get so riled up over a drink taking a few minutes more than usual. I then glanced back and there was such a huge contrast between the seemingly carefree man reading his paper and the two 30 somethings cussing and carrying on about the lousy barista.
Maybe, this idea that people are incomplete is true. However, I'm beginning to think that the problem isn't so much in the people that do let you down. It's our failure to be inspired by people that don't. It's our failure to find great joy in simply seeing an old guy trouncing around barefoot in Starbucks because he doesn't care. It's the simple fact that we are too busy whining about the barista, or our bottom line, or our boss, or even those friends that do let us down -- that we completely miss those who don't. We completely miss our families, our good friends, and those random encounters that help us to recalibrate ourselves and see what is truly important.
12 July 2006
youth vs. experience
As expected the AL beat the NL. (yawn) -- actually this year was a little more intriguing. The NL takes a one run lead into the ninth. Trevor Hoffman (who is second in all time saves) comes into the game to seal the deal. Right. There are three points that any intelligent person could have noted to predict what was about to happen.
One, the NL never beats the AL - no matter what. This is like the University of Tennessee beating Steve Spurrier. It just doesn't happen.
Two, the AL hitters were not going to be held to one run. I know the NL pitchers threw like champions tonight, but regression toward the mean is a truth as real as gravity. If a batter starts off 2 for 3 the chances of him getting a hit in his fourth at bat aren't so hot. Conversely if a whole lineup is cold for a long stretch of time, it is inevitable (usually) that there will be a stretch of heat.
Three, lately Trevor Hoffman has been getting about as many saves as those raging televangelists who condemn people to hell, if they don't wrap a 200 lb boa constrictor around their neck. Sure he's got 420 for his career but he blows more saves that Todd Coffey. It's horrendous, if you want stats then just bring back Dennis Eckersley to toss that ninth inning.
One, the NL never beats the AL - no matter what. This is like the University of Tennessee beating Steve Spurrier. It just doesn't happen.
Two, the AL hitters were not going to be held to one run. I know the NL pitchers threw like champions tonight, but regression toward the mean is a truth as real as gravity. If a batter starts off 2 for 3 the chances of him getting a hit in his fourth at bat aren't so hot. Conversely if a whole lineup is cold for a long stretch of time, it is inevitable (usually) that there will be a stretch of heat.
Three, lately Trevor Hoffman has been getting about as many saves as those raging televangelists who condemn people to hell, if they don't wrap a 200 lb boa constrictor around their neck. Sure he's got 420 for his career but he blows more saves that Todd Coffey. It's horrendous, if you want stats then just bring back Dennis Eckersley to toss that ninth inning.
::
What we've learned by watching 83 games:
1) The Cubs will never win the World Series. Who cares if they have Dusty Baker, Derek Lee, 'the next Lima' Zambrano*, healthy Mark Prior and Kerry Wood. Who cares if Glenallen Hill, Shawon Dunston, Ryne Sandberg, and all their other greats come back. Who cares if Marmol-aid, 'The other' Cedeno**, Matt Murton and all their little kiddos come through. Who cares. The Cubs won't win the series until Henry Rowengartner and Chet Stedman decide to ham up and lead the pitching staff. Right now that staff is so weak that Garth Brooks could make the team.
*'the next Lima' Zambrano refers to Carlos Zambrano and his eerily similar style to one, Mr. Jose Lima.
** 'the other' Cedeno refers to Ronnie, as opposed to Roger. If you come in second in the Cedeno lines to a one hit wonder base stealer, you know you're not on good footing. Sorry Ronny.
2) The White Sox should be banned from sports. My new theory is that the American sports (NBA, MLB, and NFL) should get together and hire Vince McMahon. His job would be to fashion a new sports league that no one will ever watch. Then the leagues can toss all the teams that don't belong (Raiders, Pistons, White Sox, Steelers, Knickerbockers, Globetrotters, Yankees) into Vince's care and watch them rot.
3) The stretch run is going to be absolutely insane. The AL will obviously win. However which AL team? The scary as Freddy in Halloween Angels who always underachieve? The foursome (Mauer, Morneau, Liriano, Santana) in MN? The terrorists (White Sox)? The nursing home (Yanks), the "I see dead people" Tigers? or maybe, jus maybe the good ol' boys in Boston.
10 July 2006
sports fights.
Fighting in sports is one thing that I am for. Now, I did not say that I mean fighting like they do in hockey or boxing -- where the point of the sport is to fight -- I mean the spontaneous mound charging, shove in pit row or even better fan vs. NBA superstar fight. However classless and degrading for the certain player they definitely spice up a sporting event.
Now the addendum about boxing and hockey: both are fine, but the fight I'm talking about is the one that is completely unexpected. Fighting in a boxing match is not all together unexpected and fighting is hockey players second favorite things to do behind hooking up with Russian supermodels.
In lieu of Zizou's recent actions I have composed a top five sports fights list.
1. Obviously Zidane's headbutt is on here. Here is one question, if you could bury your dome in some dude's chest and send him crumpling to the ground like a rag doll wouldn't you? If you answered no, then either you are female or have no competitive bone in your body. Also, I would propose a new idea that soccer could adopt - instant replay. No, this would not serve to detect goals or offsides or any other rubbish. IR would be to determine if a player took a dive. If so, then out comes Zidane, in true Terry Tate Offensive Linebacker Style, and plants a vicous headbutt in the offender's chest. I'll guarantee flops are completely gone after one perpetrator ends up with two collapsed lungs.
Sure Zidane ended on a sour note to most folks -- but he did the best thing he could have ever done for his career. Now he goes on to be the star of a hit action TV show, a la Chuck Norris.
2. The Classic. A sprightly Robin Ventura gets beaned by the big Texan - Nolan Ryan. Note number one to Ventura: you don't get in a fight with an ole boy from Texas. Note number two: even if you win, the league hates you. Ventrua heeded neither notes and charged Ryan with a full head of steam. At this point, whenever you see flashbacks it pans over to Nolan and you can see him thinking:
N.R.: haha, oh this kids in for it
conscience: he's a youngster just protect yourself but don't embarass him.
N.R.: are you kidding, look at this little shit
conscience: well....you're right, he plays for the White Sox, beat the crap out of him.
At that point Ventura gets to the mound, Ryan proceeds to grab Ventura's head and tucks it under one arm and throw his 43 year old fist in Ventura's head numerous times. Oh, and the best part is that Ventura got suspended and Ryan did not.
3. This has to go to the Pistons-Pacers melee. No, not because Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson went into the stands. Not because there was a year suspension for Artest. Simply for the full on sprint into a slide and punch that Jermaine O'Neal threw at that fat guy from The Mighty Ducks. If you don't know what I'm talking about click here.
4. Sox-Yanks. Has there been another rivalry that spawned more hilarous fights. First, there is Pedro rolling Don Zimmer like a bowling ball. Then there is Jason Varitek clocking A-Rod and then that stupid Yankee pitcher (who doesn't even have a name) going into the Boston stands to fight a guy and getting absolutely demolished by like 20 Sox fans.
5. Delmon Young's bat tossing. There has never been a more unexpected of funny video than that of Delmon Young striking out, getting tossed for lingering in the box too long, calmly walking away and then from out of the picture his bat comes flying back into the picture and clocks the umpire in the shoulder - priceless.
There are obviously more fights. Kyle Farnsworth Troy Polamalu-ing some batter that tried to charge him, Michael Barrett-A.J. Pierzynski, etc. Those five are the real deal, and the great thing about a sports fight is the amount of publicity the event gets. Zidane's headbutt has to go number one, because that move overshadowed Italy winning the biggest sporting event in the World. Not many people can claim that. Not many actions could have caused that much talk - but a vicous headbutt to the chest was just what the doctor ordered.
Now the addendum about boxing and hockey: both are fine, but the fight I'm talking about is the one that is completely unexpected. Fighting in a boxing match is not all together unexpected and fighting is hockey players second favorite things to do behind hooking up with Russian supermodels.
In lieu of Zizou's recent actions I have composed a top five sports fights list.
1. Obviously Zidane's headbutt is on here. Here is one question, if you could bury your dome in some dude's chest and send him crumpling to the ground like a rag doll wouldn't you? If you answered no, then either you are female or have no competitive bone in your body. Also, I would propose a new idea that soccer could adopt - instant replay. No, this would not serve to detect goals or offsides or any other rubbish. IR would be to determine if a player took a dive. If so, then out comes Zidane, in true Terry Tate Offensive Linebacker Style, and plants a vicous headbutt in the offender's chest. I'll guarantee flops are completely gone after one perpetrator ends up with two collapsed lungs.
Sure Zidane ended on a sour note to most folks -- but he did the best thing he could have ever done for his career. Now he goes on to be the star of a hit action TV show, a la Chuck Norris.
2. The Classic. A sprightly Robin Ventura gets beaned by the big Texan - Nolan Ryan. Note number one to Ventura: you don't get in a fight with an ole boy from Texas. Note number two: even if you win, the league hates you. Ventrua heeded neither notes and charged Ryan with a full head of steam. At this point, whenever you see flashbacks it pans over to Nolan and you can see him thinking:
N.R.: haha, oh this kids in for it
conscience: he's a youngster just protect yourself but don't embarass him.
N.R.: are you kidding, look at this little shit
conscience: well....you're right, he plays for the White Sox, beat the crap out of him.
At that point Ventura gets to the mound, Ryan proceeds to grab Ventura's head and tucks it under one arm and throw his 43 year old fist in Ventura's head numerous times. Oh, and the best part is that Ventura got suspended and Ryan did not.
3. This has to go to the Pistons-Pacers melee. No, not because Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson went into the stands. Not because there was a year suspension for Artest. Simply for the full on sprint into a slide and punch that Jermaine O'Neal threw at that fat guy from The Mighty Ducks. If you don't know what I'm talking about click here.
4. Sox-Yanks. Has there been another rivalry that spawned more hilarous fights. First, there is Pedro rolling Don Zimmer like a bowling ball. Then there is Jason Varitek clocking A-Rod and then that stupid Yankee pitcher (who doesn't even have a name) going into the Boston stands to fight a guy and getting absolutely demolished by like 20 Sox fans.
5. Delmon Young's bat tossing. There has never been a more unexpected of funny video than that of Delmon Young striking out, getting tossed for lingering in the box too long, calmly walking away and then from out of the picture his bat comes flying back into the picture and clocks the umpire in the shoulder - priceless.
There are obviously more fights. Kyle Farnsworth Troy Polamalu-ing some batter that tried to charge him, Michael Barrett-A.J. Pierzynski, etc. Those five are the real deal, and the great thing about a sports fight is the amount of publicity the event gets. Zidane's headbutt has to go number one, because that move overshadowed Italy winning the biggest sporting event in the World. Not many people can claim that. Not many actions could have caused that much talk - but a vicous headbutt to the chest was just what the doctor ordered.
06 July 2006
identity crisis.
I am having a bit of an identity crisis. I'm not sure if its a mid life crisis type thing or if its just the usual asking of the question "why." I have no idea.
However, over the past few weeks I've really felt insecure with this question: "What is this blog about?"
Why is this a big deal...well there are a few possible explanations. One, Mrs. Anna Marie Hughes drilled this idea of a thesis statement into my head so fervently that the 'learning' could have been more aptly considered 'branding.' This idea of having a thesis statement is so branded to me that I am insecure when I do anything without a detailed description of why I'm doing it.
The second reason is that perhaps I am just insecure by the fact that no one will read something that is about nothing. If I want to read about baseball, I go to mlb.com. On the other hand, if I want to read the news I go to drudgereport.com. No one in their right mind would go to my blog (whose only fundamental trait is randomness) with any purpose other than to waste time.
Now this wasting time idea is quite scary - as this throws my writing into the same category as these online games that children play with. I'm not sure that I'm okay with that.
Anyhow, I believe the first reason - the 'must-have-thesis' mentality is at blame for much of this identity crisis. I don't know why I'm doing this. I don't know why I get on here and publish. I don't know why I've written 70 some odd things (and yes, things is the only way to describe them) over the past four or five months. I don't know why....(trail off)
I suppose this gets me back to the point at the beginning. The question why -- it is ruthless.
The question why is my booby trap. Everytime I begin taking off through the woods on this wild goose chase that I call writing, I am tripped by this question of why. Why am I pursuing this? To be quite honest with you, the answer is that I have no idea. And the scary part is that that is the answer for most of my why's. I don't really know much about why I do anything.
That's scary and is why I have such a hard time with this. It seems that people who are simpler in their thought (simpler is not a slight) are much better at sticking to the how questions. How do I get (X)?
It's those of us who are so delusioned to believe we can think down the world by our constant asking of the question why who are leashed to the tree and are too busy running around in circles to see that our world is getting smaller. Why is a pointless question when talking of love. It simply cannot be understood no matter how much time we waste mulling over it. Neither can forgiveness or joy. These are all things that don't fly in the why zone (terrible I know). They can't be understood or reasoned down. Therefore is it, that those of us who are so crised (past personal tense of crisis) about our identity - are so, because we are unable to accept the way things are? The way we are, the way others are, and the way this blog has no backbone?
However, over the past few weeks I've really felt insecure with this question: "What is this blog about?"
Why is this a big deal...well there are a few possible explanations. One, Mrs. Anna Marie Hughes drilled this idea of a thesis statement into my head so fervently that the 'learning' could have been more aptly considered 'branding.' This idea of having a thesis statement is so branded to me that I am insecure when I do anything without a detailed description of why I'm doing it.
The second reason is that perhaps I am just insecure by the fact that no one will read something that is about nothing. If I want to read about baseball, I go to mlb.com. On the other hand, if I want to read the news I go to drudgereport.com. No one in their right mind would go to my blog (whose only fundamental trait is randomness) with any purpose other than to waste time.
Now this wasting time idea is quite scary - as this throws my writing into the same category as these online games that children play with. I'm not sure that I'm okay with that.
Anyhow, I believe the first reason - the 'must-have-thesis' mentality is at blame for much of this identity crisis. I don't know why I'm doing this. I don't know why I get on here and publish. I don't know why I've written 70 some odd things (and yes, things is the only way to describe them) over the past four or five months. I don't know why....(trail off)
I suppose this gets me back to the point at the beginning. The question why -- it is ruthless.
The question why is my booby trap. Everytime I begin taking off through the woods on this wild goose chase that I call writing, I am tripped by this question of why. Why am I pursuing this? To be quite honest with you, the answer is that I have no idea. And the scary part is that that is the answer for most of my why's. I don't really know much about why I do anything.
That's scary and is why I have such a hard time with this. It seems that people who are simpler in their thought (simpler is not a slight) are much better at sticking to the how questions. How do I get (X)?
It's those of us who are so delusioned to believe we can think down the world by our constant asking of the question why who are leashed to the tree and are too busy running around in circles to see that our world is getting smaller. Why is a pointless question when talking of love. It simply cannot be understood no matter how much time we waste mulling over it. Neither can forgiveness or joy. These are all things that don't fly in the why zone (terrible I know). They can't be understood or reasoned down. Therefore is it, that those of us who are so crised (past personal tense of crisis) about our identity - are so, because we are unable to accept the way things are? The way we are, the way others are, and the way this blog has no backbone?
03 July 2006
The Midsummer Classic?
Okay, so I generally avoid writing critically about baseball because I love it so dearly.
However, the All Star game is absolutely terrible.
One, the game is in Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, really?
The random selection of host city is horrible - the game should be played in the stadium of the defending World Series Champs - yes that means Southside. Reward the reigning champs.
Two, the voting is so screwed up that it rivals the cycling doping scandal for horrible sports news.
Fans have to vote - thats the point of the All Star game. However, if fans are going to vote (which they are) then the game cannot be so instrumental. 20 of the past 25 World Series winners have had homefield advantage.
...and when fans vote, the winners get by on their reputation (their year in year out performance). If the game is about the stars of the game then yes, this if fine. However, if the game is a year-to-year occasion rewarding the best players for the first half of the season, then it needs to be based on that years performance. In which case people like Freddy Sanchez should be starting.
Three, the AL hasn't lost since 1995.
C'mon is this even suspenseful anymore. I'm a baseball fan, I'd love to see the NL win, but how likely is that?
Four, where is the participation?
I used to love the All Star festivities because I got to see Ken Griffey (in his prime) vs. Mark McGwire and all the big bashers compete in the home run derby. Now we're lucky if Rick Ankiel and Danny Almonte participate.
Five, the game is upstaged.
The Futures Game and Old Timers Softball game are always more intriguing. Why, well the players get to play. There isn't any of this 2 innings bull crap that the managers pull in the "real" All Star game. However, in the futures game you get pitchers like Francisco Liriano and Justin Verlander matched up. Both of whom, this year are deserving starters for the AL. Too bad Johan Santana has a choke hold on the SP position for the AL.
And then the Old Timers game is just fun. You can see people enjoying themselves, playing the game. Isn't that what we are supposed to see?
Ultimately, the All Star game should just include the 9 starters 2 bench players and 3 or 4 relievers. The bench players should know they probably won't get to play and the relievers will only pitch if needed. Then, remove the homefield advantage reward and let the players play. That way the All Stars will actually get to play instead of making cameos. It will also, make the voting much less important because there is far less weight hinging on the outcome of the game.
Will it happen? No, but it should.
However, the All Star game is absolutely terrible.
One, the game is in Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, really?
The random selection of host city is horrible - the game should be played in the stadium of the defending World Series Champs - yes that means Southside. Reward the reigning champs.
Two, the voting is so screwed up that it rivals the cycling doping scandal for horrible sports news.
Fans have to vote - thats the point of the All Star game. However, if fans are going to vote (which they are) then the game cannot be so instrumental. 20 of the past 25 World Series winners have had homefield advantage.
...and when fans vote, the winners get by on their reputation (their year in year out performance). If the game is about the stars of the game then yes, this if fine. However, if the game is a year-to-year occasion rewarding the best players for the first half of the season, then it needs to be based on that years performance. In which case people like Freddy Sanchez should be starting.
Three, the AL hasn't lost since 1995.
C'mon is this even suspenseful anymore. I'm a baseball fan, I'd love to see the NL win, but how likely is that?
Four, where is the participation?
I used to love the All Star festivities because I got to see Ken Griffey (in his prime) vs. Mark McGwire and all the big bashers compete in the home run derby. Now we're lucky if Rick Ankiel and Danny Almonte participate.
Five, the game is upstaged.
The Futures Game and Old Timers Softball game are always more intriguing. Why, well the players get to play. There isn't any of this 2 innings bull crap that the managers pull in the "real" All Star game. However, in the futures game you get pitchers like Francisco Liriano and Justin Verlander matched up. Both of whom, this year are deserving starters for the AL. Too bad Johan Santana has a choke hold on the SP position for the AL.
And then the Old Timers game is just fun. You can see people enjoying themselves, playing the game. Isn't that what we are supposed to see?
Ultimately, the All Star game should just include the 9 starters 2 bench players and 3 or 4 relievers. The bench players should know they probably won't get to play and the relievers will only pitch if needed. Then, remove the homefield advantage reward and let the players play. That way the All Stars will actually get to play instead of making cameos. It will also, make the voting much less important because there is far less weight hinging on the outcome of the game.
Will it happen? No, but it should.
theology of brokenness
If we putter along with no sense of our lives as important then there is no way we can fully adhere to the 'breath of God' philosophy of creation. If we see our lives as a menial series of events that simply connect birth and death then we will inevitably, ultimately, fall prey to the idea of our existance - and therefore existance in general - as a massive accident. Then, we, if at our core believe life to be accidental then we will never be able to break free into a rich and possessed life full of purpose: of faith, hope and love - the manna of life everlasting.
In living a life of accident, we are relegated to a life of which all blessings are accidents (or are created by our 'virtue'). Then, slowly we will remove ourselves from the living, breathing people of the Kingdom and cast ourselves into a realm of unbelief and accidental creation. This accidental life commandeers our belief system, and we eventually go from believing in life as accidental to believing ourselves as accidents. For what we believe is the heart of who we are.
Ghandi said, "you must be the change you wish to see in the world." This idea of 'being' a belief is the core of who we are. If we believe the world is an accident, then so too do we believe that we are an accident. Conversely, if we believe that the world is a place of divine providence, then so too do we believe that we have a higher purpose. Then, and only then, can we subscribe to the 'breath of God' philosophy and live important, whole lives.
In living a life of accident, we are relegated to a life of which all blessings are accidents (or are created by our 'virtue'). Then, slowly we will remove ourselves from the living, breathing people of the Kingdom and cast ourselves into a realm of unbelief and accidental creation. This accidental life commandeers our belief system, and we eventually go from believing in life as accidental to believing ourselves as accidents. For what we believe is the heart of who we are.
Ghandi said, "you must be the change you wish to see in the world." This idea of 'being' a belief is the core of who we are. If we believe the world is an accident, then so too do we believe that we are an accident. Conversely, if we believe that the world is a place of divine providence, then so too do we believe that we have a higher purpose. Then, and only then, can we subscribe to the 'breath of God' philosophy and live important, whole lives.
01 July 2006
toothpicks.
Every man, needs to embrace a good toothpick. Now, I wasn't aware of the difference between a toothpick and a "good" toothpick until just recently.
There is a restaurant called Quaker Steak & Lube. Now, upon first impression, I'll admit the whole Quaker State and Lube play off doesn't make me salivate. It sounds like some guy named Johnny Ray slathers up some fried catfish and chicken in motor oil and serves it with a handle of cheap whiskey - and maybe, just maybe your car will get a 10 point inspection in the parking lot.
That, however is not what Quaker Steak & Lube is. It's just good chicken wings (have to sign a waiver they're so hot chicken wings).
Anyway, the real impressive thing about QS&L is their toothpicks. You can take this little folder type thing that contains 10 toothpicks and they are hard as stone. You know how a toothpick is great for about 10 minutes but then you start chewing on the end or you actually pick something out of your teeth, or saliva simply weakens the wood so much that it starts to fall apart. Yeah, I hate that. Well these don't. I have been chewing on this one all morning and it is still just as delicious as it was when I first removed it from its little folder.
All I know is that a good toothpick is a good thing. It's a great occupant of time, a tool for keeping the teeth clean and a manly alternative to gum and/or cigarettes. All I'll say is that you should just hope that at some point a good toothpick will come along and you'll get stuck.
There is a restaurant called Quaker Steak & Lube. Now, upon first impression, I'll admit the whole Quaker State and Lube play off doesn't make me salivate. It sounds like some guy named Johnny Ray slathers up some fried catfish and chicken in motor oil and serves it with a handle of cheap whiskey - and maybe, just maybe your car will get a 10 point inspection in the parking lot.
That, however is not what Quaker Steak & Lube is. It's just good chicken wings (have to sign a waiver they're so hot chicken wings).
Anyway, the real impressive thing about QS&L is their toothpicks. You can take this little folder type thing that contains 10 toothpicks and they are hard as stone. You know how a toothpick is great for about 10 minutes but then you start chewing on the end or you actually pick something out of your teeth, or saliva simply weakens the wood so much that it starts to fall apart. Yeah, I hate that. Well these don't. I have been chewing on this one all morning and it is still just as delicious as it was when I first removed it from its little folder.
All I know is that a good toothpick is a good thing. It's a great occupant of time, a tool for keeping the teeth clean and a manly alternative to gum and/or cigarettes. All I'll say is that you should just hope that at some point a good toothpick will come along and you'll get stuck.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
