Wow, two posts in three days. I must be bored or suddenly full of material. First of all, I was really disappointed several months ago when I lost CMT from my cable package. Now I feel like I'm not missing anything. You know, Carrie Underwood's not on enough. Shame she doesn't get promoted. Poor girl. For the love, can country music start promoting someone with talent?
And the schedule of what they're showing now, it amazes me. Prime time shows on CMT this week include: Blazing Saddles, Hogan Knows Best (how does Hulk Hogan relate to country music?), Dallas Cowboy cheerleader tryouts, and I Want to Look Like a High School Cheerleader. Where's the music aside from videos in the morning? This network has become MTV for Southerners. It was bad enough when VH1 abandoned all the cool music shows and became MTV/E! with their horrible reality shows. CMT is on the exact same path. So CMT, get lost, goodbye.
Unfortunately, I have to miss Friday's Marshall Tucker Band concert in Palatine because I have to work. But on a good note, John Fogerty plays on Letterman tonight.
If anyone from CT reads this, please don't relate this to Egg Harbor from last month. I came across a clip of the Maury show today where this teenage girl was terrified of pickles. And I mean terrified. They brought one pickle out to this girl and she ran out of that studio like Marion Jones after receiving a "special delivery." The best part? She's a waitress in a diner that mainly serves sandwiches. And she won't bring out plates of food that have pickles to her customers. All I can say is I hope this was staged and she was an actor.
No song pick this time, but here's an alternative. Food pick: Godfather's pizza at Rookie's
Five days until the Big Apple...
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Blogging after midnight
Seems like the only time I've been in the mood to write lately is after the clock strikes 12 a.m. I could have absolutely nothing to say, I still feel the need to at least log in. Maybe something will pop into mind.
So 24 hours later, I have a few things on my mind. First of all, can the New York Rangers score a goal? This team scores less than the 40 year old virgin. I had to listen to that whole disaster today against Boston, where they did everything right except score. They couldn't even get a goal in the shootout! 2-5 and last place in the Atlantic Division. What a joke.
I'm not on the Ecclesia retreat in Lake Geneva and have no regrets. I've done it twice and both times it ended with me getting frustrated. There were fun moments, sure, but the highlight last year was the marathon games of ping pong. We have about 8 hours of time to ourselves. And I hate to admit it but the extended solitude usually ends in me getting frustrated that I can't concentrate on God and I wound up sleeping. The people are cool enough, but I just really don't think I'm missing a lot by staying home this weekend. Actually, I may have one regret. I may not get a chance to get some broccoli cheddar soup from Popeye's.
My boss made a genius move today. He skips out of work today to go watch the Illinois-Michigan game. Real smart John, considering your team lost again. And thanks for not telling me you were going until late this afternoon. Nobody was in the office after I left at 6 p.m. I can't wait to see how the scoreboard turns out tomorrow.
So 24 hours later, I have a few things on my mind. First of all, can the New York Rangers score a goal? This team scores less than the 40 year old virgin. I had to listen to that whole disaster today against Boston, where they did everything right except score. They couldn't even get a goal in the shootout! 2-5 and last place in the Atlantic Division. What a joke.
I'm not on the Ecclesia retreat in Lake Geneva and have no regrets. I've done it twice and both times it ended with me getting frustrated. There were fun moments, sure, but the highlight last year was the marathon games of ping pong. We have about 8 hours of time to ourselves. And I hate to admit it but the extended solitude usually ends in me getting frustrated that I can't concentrate on God and I wound up sleeping. The people are cool enough, but I just really don't think I'm missing a lot by staying home this weekend. Actually, I may have one regret. I may not get a chance to get some broccoli cheddar soup from Popeye's.
My boss made a genius move today. He skips out of work today to go watch the Illinois-Michigan game. Real smart John, considering your team lost again. And thanks for not telling me you were going until late this afternoon. Nobody was in the office after I left at 6 p.m. I can't wait to see how the scoreboard turns out tomorrow.
Speaking of which, the high school playoffs football bracket is really exciting, especially in 7A. St. Charles East, St. Charles North, Geneva, and Batavia are all in the same bracket and two different sets of archrivals could meet in the state quarterfinals. I'm excited to see how this goes.
Let's see how bad the Jets get killed tomorrow in Cincinnati. I really have no optimism for this team anymore this year. And it is certainly way more than just a quarterback issue. This is shaping up to be one miserable sports fall/winter. And the Knicks haven't even started yet! Things are so bad I may have to start watching the World Series of Poker or some Texas bullriding on Versus!
On a more personal level, I know some things are just not meant to happen. And even though I try to fool myself, I know the truth in my soul. I just wish it wasn't true. But I guess life does what it's supposed to do one way or another.
After months of waiting, Genghis Grill finally opened in Wheaton. I'm a huge Mongolian BBQ fan and I'm glad I don't have to drive all the way to Naperville to get some. Hopefully, I'll be able to make it there in the next couple of weeks. The strange thing is I'm comparing this place to BD's, the joint in Naperville. I'm convinced they are the exact same place all the way down to the design of the website, only under different names.
Song pick: "No More Cloudy Days" The Eagles
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Quick reaction
Well this was the weirdest day of work I've had in five years working at the Daily Herald. I arrived around 3 p.m. and I knew a lot of scores would be coming in around 3-5 pm, which is earlier than usual. Right now, there's a lot of playoffs going between tennis, soccer, cross country, and golf. I started typing scores in and rounding up games where we didn't have a reporter. After about 20 minutes, Nancy, who works in the Neighbor section, suddenly says she can't save her work on DeWarView (that's the database where the Herald saves and stores all the articles and files. Basically, it's our backbone). Now I was not about to lose the work I had done. So I saved everything I had done as a Word file and at least I knew it wasn't erased. The problem was MS Word was the only relevant computer program that was working. The added wrinkle was when I realized the Internet and e-mail never came up and were down as well. They didn't work for me or Nancy. I jumped to two different computers and nothing worked right either. So we had no Internet, e-mail, or databases to work from. This is like Starbucks running out of coffee and cups! And my boss wasn't even around. He was covering Northern Illinois football so I couldn't even consult him.
The only thing I could do was type the few faxed files we got into the word file. What I couldn't fax, I figured I would print out from the Word file and then go home and e-mail that to my boss' boss in Arlington Heights. Oh I forgot. We couldn't print anything either! After a little consulting with a few people with "power", we decided I would fax everything I had over to another Herald branch in Lisle. So I did that, and then wrote down all my game summaries and box scores (took about solid 30 minutes of speed writing) and drove home. I then typed them into my own computer and e-mailed them out. That was 45 minutes ago and hopefully that's the end of my work night.
I don't care how many budget cutbacks there have been lately. I want some OT pay for this!
The only thing I could do was type the few faxed files we got into the word file. What I couldn't fax, I figured I would print out from the Word file and then go home and e-mail that to my boss' boss in Arlington Heights. Oh I forgot. We couldn't print anything either! After a little consulting with a few people with "power", we decided I would fax everything I had over to another Herald branch in Lisle. So I did that, and then wrote down all my game summaries and box scores (took about solid 30 minutes of speed writing) and drove home. I then typed them into my own computer and e-mailed them out. That was 45 minutes ago and hopefully that's the end of my work night.
I don't care how many budget cutbacks there have been lately. I want some OT pay for this!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
A/C is out for eight months
Well we're probably not hitting 70 degrees anytime soon. So the jackets, sweatshirts, and boots are out and the short sleeves are buried deep in the closet. And I'm in the dungeon of the house and of course it's still 15 degrees colder down here than the rest of the house. And my room will be even colder once I head up there. A few thoughts on my mind as another week winds down.
1) This guy makes the best soup I've ever had. The only other one that comes close is the broccoli cheddar at Popeye's in Lake Geneva (not the fried chicken joint!) I got some Italian sausage soup they were selling at Costco and had it with some awesome roasted garlic bread. That is an ideal cold weather meal. I could have that two or three nights a week.
2) I understand when you have a large group, people change. And it's not always comfortable. But sometimes the change can be too much. Suffice to say, I think that's what is happening on the corner of Main and Franklin.
3) Next three restaurants I want to try: Boston Blackie's (burgers), Hunter's (downtown St. Charles), and Niko's Lodge in western St. Charles.
4) On Wednesday, I worked out, went to the dentist, and got a haircut. I feel like I lost ten pounds.
5) I'm glad Don Imus will be back on the radio again as of December. Disagree if you want.
6) More and more, I learn you can't sustain a great spiritual life by yourself. Community is vital.
7) I have about 75 total DVD's. Only one of them is a movie.
8) The Rangers are looking horrible through three games. Scott Gomez looks lost. Yet another Devil comes to the Rangers and forgets how to play hockey (ie Bruce Driver, Vladimir Malakhov, John MacLean, Bobby Holik). Marek Malik has more giveaways than the Salvation Army. Martin Straka is brutal. Coach Tom Renney does not know jack about organizing a power play. That said, Henrik Lundqvist is becoming one of the best goalies in the world. And I love Ryan Callahan! Here's the deal. They've played three games and I've been able to watch two. They lost those two and of course, won the game I couldn't see. Tomorrow, their game against Washington is being broadcasted through Yahoo. I don't like the odds...
9) I'm rooting for Cleveland to beat Colorado in the World Series.
10) This corn maze looks a tad freaky...
Song pick: "One In a Million" Johnny Lee
1) This guy makes the best soup I've ever had. The only other one that comes close is the broccoli cheddar at Popeye's in Lake Geneva (not the fried chicken joint!) I got some Italian sausage soup they were selling at Costco and had it with some awesome roasted garlic bread. That is an ideal cold weather meal. I could have that two or three nights a week.
2) I understand when you have a large group, people change. And it's not always comfortable. But sometimes the change can be too much. Suffice to say, I think that's what is happening on the corner of Main and Franklin.
3) Next three restaurants I want to try: Boston Blackie's (burgers), Hunter's (downtown St. Charles), and Niko's Lodge in western St. Charles.
4) On Wednesday, I worked out, went to the dentist, and got a haircut. I feel like I lost ten pounds.
5) I'm glad Don Imus will be back on the radio again as of December. Disagree if you want.
6) More and more, I learn you can't sustain a great spiritual life by yourself. Community is vital.
7) I have about 75 total DVD's. Only one of them is a movie.
8) The Rangers are looking horrible through three games. Scott Gomez looks lost. Yet another Devil comes to the Rangers and forgets how to play hockey (ie Bruce Driver, Vladimir Malakhov, John MacLean, Bobby Holik). Marek Malik has more giveaways than the Salvation Army. Martin Straka is brutal. Coach Tom Renney does not know jack about organizing a power play. That said, Henrik Lundqvist is becoming one of the best goalies in the world. And I love Ryan Callahan! Here's the deal. They've played three games and I've been able to watch two. They lost those two and of course, won the game I couldn't see. Tomorrow, their game against Washington is being broadcasted through Yahoo. I don't like the odds...
9) I'm rooting for Cleveland to beat Colorado in the World Series.
10) This corn maze looks a tad freaky...
Song pick: "One In a Million" Johnny Lee
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Top 10 Best Sports Moments
To prove I am not an eternal sports pessimist, I am taking some time to acknowledge the ten best sports moments of my life. That said, I should point out this list took 3 days to compile as opposed to the other, which took 30 minutes!
January 27, 1991- Super Bowl XXV- Giants vs Bills: I was only 9 years old when this happened. I remember the Gulf War that was going on during this game and how it nearly got cancelled. And what a great game it was. The Giants won 20-19 on Scott Norwood's field goal that sailed wide right.
May 27, 1994-NHL ECF Game 7- Rangers vs Devils: The greatest hockey game I ever saw. I believe I watched it at my father's apartment. Being New Jersey residents, we hated the Devils with a passion. An amazing first six games, capped off by Mark Messier's guarantee that the Rangers would tie the series in Game 6 and bring it back to MSG for Game 7. He delivered. In that decisive game, the great Brian Leetch scored for a 1-0 Rangers lead. But with 7.7 seconds left in the game, Valeri Zelepukin tied it and it went into overtime. I was so deflated. And my dad was numb. But 4:24 into the second OT, the series ended happily. Stephane Matteau scored on a wrap-around to give the Rangers a 2-1 win and a 4-3 series win. Of course, Rangers radio broadcaster Howie Rose had one of the greatest calls ever. "Matteau, Matteau, Matteau!"
June 14, 1994 Stanley Cup Finals Game 7-Rangers vs. Canucks: This was voted the greatest New York sports moment of the last 20 years and deservedly so. The franchise's 54 year curse was shattered. I ate dinner at Chili's that night with my Rangers jersey on and the waitress said they would never win it. And I watched the game alone with no jersey on. Reason being they had chances to win it all in Games 5 and 6 and I watched those games with a jersey on and they lost. And they won it 3-2. I was only 13, but I was so happy they won since that's the only team my dad, uncle, and I all root for.
1996 World Series- Yankees vs. Braves: This my sound like heresy, but I did like the Yankees when I was younger and I particularly liked this team. And this team was easy to admire. Joe Torre (never reached WS before), David Cone(arm aneurysm), Doc Gooden(no-hitter vs. Seattle), Darryl Strawberry (the comeback). It was Phil Rizzuto's final season broadcasting. Oh, and they were playing the defending champion Braves. Atlanta won the first 2 in Yankee Stadium and I figured it was over. I barely watched the next three games in Atlanta because I thought the Yankees were in trouble. But they won all three and wrapped it up in Yankee Stadium in Game 6. Even the biggest Yankee hater had to admire the toughness and resilience of this squad.
May 22, 1998- Mets Get Piazza: I always liked Piazza since he was tough, clutch, Italian, and practically my twin. The Mets had been terrible for years, but by 1997 were getting better. But they didn't have that guy. That guy who seemed made for New York. Who had the power, the presence, and the name. But we got him. We got him from Florida for Preston Wilson, Ed Yarnall, and Geoff Goetz. Goetz and Yarnall turned into nothing and Wilson had a few good years, but came nowhere near to becoming the star he was supposed to be. Meanwhile, Piazza became the face of the Mets for 8 years. The moment I'll always remember came Sep 21, 2001 against Atlanta. It was the first regular season professional sporting event held in New York City after 9/11. With his team trailing 2-1 in the 8th, Piazza drilled a two-run homer to lift the Mets to a 3-2 triumph.
May 1999- Knicks Reach Finals: I'll always hold a special place in my memory for this team. Before the season, they traded longtime fan favorite John Starks and two others and got the infamous Latrell Sprewell. They traded tough warrior Charles Oakley for a young and athletic Marcus Camby. Allan Houston and Larry Johnson were solid team players, but legend Patrick Ewing was coming to the end of a great career. They were seeded 8th in the East and faced the Miami Heat in the first round. They won the deciding Game 5 in Miami when Houston bounced in a running one-hander off the front of the rim, high off the backboard, and in with 0.8 seconds left. Following a sweep of the Hawks, they faced Indiana. Despite losing Ewing to injury for the rest of the playoffs prior to Game 3, the Knicks won the series (aided in part to a legendary four-point play by Larry Johnson in the final seconds of Game 3) to become the first eighth-seeded playoff team to make the NBA Finals. Oh, and the night of Game 6 when they clinched, was also the night of my first date that wasn't a school function. I still have the game on tape and, yes, it was a pretty good night.
2000 NLCS- Mets vs. Cardinals: I still think the 1999 Mets were better than the 2000 team that made the series. There was one game from the regular season. It was June 30, when the Mets beat the rival Atlanta Braves. With the Mets losing 8-1 to begin the bottom of the eighth, they rallied back with two outs to tie the game, capping the 10-run inning with Mike Piazza's three run home run to put the Mets up 11-8. Sorry Tara! But they won the wild card and beat San Francisco in four in the first round. Benny Agbayani hit a walk-off homer in Game 3 and Bobby Jones pitched the game of his life in Game 4 to clinch it and and they ran through the Cardinals in the NLCS. They lost to the Yankees in 5 (I hate you Luis Sojo and Jose Vizcaino), but that was still a magical season!
January 14, 2001-NFC Championship- Giants smash Vikings 41-0: I watched this on a very snowy day in Winfield in my living room. Most people thought the Vikings would kill the "overrated Giants." Suffice to say, it was 14-0 G-Men before Minnesota's offense even took the field. QB Kerry Collins passed for 381 yards and 5 touchdowns. The defense limited the potent Vikings to only 114 offensive yards, sacking Daunte Culpepper 4 times, and forcing 5 turnovers. It was over early, but in a strange way, never stopped being exciting, because it was so hard to believe the game was going the way it was. Of course, then came the Super Bowl against Baltimore...
December 29, 2002- Giants Win, Jets Win: The single greatest football day of my life. No day will probably ever beat this until the Jets make the Super Bowl. I lived in North Carolina at the time. The Giants had to beat conference leader Philly to make the playoffs. For the Jets to make the playoffs, they had to beat NFC North champion Green Bay and New England had to beat Miami. Amazingly, I got all three of those games in Raleigh! The Giants game was amazing. Philly led 7-0 most of the way until Kerry Collins threw a TD to Jeremy Shockey. But Tiki Barber fumbled deep in his own territory and Philly had an easy shot to win it. Amazingly, Pro Bowler David Akers missed the field goal and the Giants had new life. In OT, Shaun Williams intercepted a Philly pass, Matt Bryant kicked a 39-yard field goal, and the Giants were onto San Francisco. That led to a moment in my "Worst list!"
But then I flipped over to the Pats-Fins. I knew Miami was leading early. But the Jets were about to start and I had to know what was going on in both games. So I turned the main TV to that Pats-Fins and the TV in the computer room to the Jets, since it had the VCR attached. I was running back and forth for about 10 minutes tracking both games! Thankfully, Mom wasn't home. New England wiped out an 11-point deficit in the final five minutes and won in OT to keep the Jets' season alive. When that happened, the Giants Stadium crowd erupted into cheers. The Jets game was six minutes in and 0-0. But all of a sudden, the lights went on. The Jets absolutely wasted Green Bay 42-17. And the BEST QUARTERBACK IN THE AFC EAST, CHAD PENNINGTON, threw four touchdowns.
September 26, 2004-Mets vs. Cubs: Okay, I had to put this in! And it breaks my heart because I was working that afternoon. An average Mets team dashes the Cubs' postseason hopes. A team with Gerald Williams, Richard Hidalgo, and Jeff Keppinger in the lineup and Aaron Heilman starting. The Cubs had won five in a row and led the wild card race by 1.5 games. And they appeared to be cruising to their 14th victory in 17 games behind 7.2 strong innings from Mark Prior and a two-run homer by Todd Walker. They scored another run in the 8th on a bases loaded walk. Right after that, walk Sammy Sosa struck out for the fourth time in as many at bats that day and Nomar grounded out. In the 9th, Ryan Dempster retired Todd Zeile before walking Eric Valent and Jason Phillips. In comes the infamous Latroy Hawkins. (Every Cub fan who read this just vomited!) He gets Keppinger out and up comes Victor Diaz. A rookie, who was also a lifelong Cubs fan. And he strokes a 2-2 pitch into the Mets' bullpen for a game-tying three-run home run. One more Sosa note. He grounded into a inning ending double play in the 10th with two on. And facing Kent Merker in the bottom of the 11th, the immortal Craig Brazell led off with his first and only major league home run, giving the Mets a 4-3 victory.
This beat the two grand slams in one inning at Wrigley last year and even the five run rally we had against the Cubs in the bottom of the 9th this year. My only disappointment? Ron Santo wasn't broadcasting that day.
January 27, 1991- Super Bowl XXV- Giants vs Bills: I was only 9 years old when this happened. I remember the Gulf War that was going on during this game and how it nearly got cancelled. And what a great game it was. The Giants won 20-19 on Scott Norwood's field goal that sailed wide right.
May 27, 1994-NHL ECF Game 7- Rangers vs Devils: The greatest hockey game I ever saw. I believe I watched it at my father's apartment. Being New Jersey residents, we hated the Devils with a passion. An amazing first six games, capped off by Mark Messier's guarantee that the Rangers would tie the series in Game 6 and bring it back to MSG for Game 7. He delivered. In that decisive game, the great Brian Leetch scored for a 1-0 Rangers lead. But with 7.7 seconds left in the game, Valeri Zelepukin tied it and it went into overtime. I was so deflated. And my dad was numb. But 4:24 into the second OT, the series ended happily. Stephane Matteau scored on a wrap-around to give the Rangers a 2-1 win and a 4-3 series win. Of course, Rangers radio broadcaster Howie Rose had one of the greatest calls ever. "Matteau, Matteau, Matteau!"
June 14, 1994 Stanley Cup Finals Game 7-Rangers vs. Canucks: This was voted the greatest New York sports moment of the last 20 years and deservedly so. The franchise's 54 year curse was shattered. I ate dinner at Chili's that night with my Rangers jersey on and the waitress said they would never win it. And I watched the game alone with no jersey on. Reason being they had chances to win it all in Games 5 and 6 and I watched those games with a jersey on and they lost. And they won it 3-2. I was only 13, but I was so happy they won since that's the only team my dad, uncle, and I all root for.
1996 World Series- Yankees vs. Braves: This my sound like heresy, but I did like the Yankees when I was younger and I particularly liked this team. And this team was easy to admire. Joe Torre (never reached WS before), David Cone(arm aneurysm), Doc Gooden(no-hitter vs. Seattle), Darryl Strawberry (the comeback). It was Phil Rizzuto's final season broadcasting. Oh, and they were playing the defending champion Braves. Atlanta won the first 2 in Yankee Stadium and I figured it was over. I barely watched the next three games in Atlanta because I thought the Yankees were in trouble. But they won all three and wrapped it up in Yankee Stadium in Game 6. Even the biggest Yankee hater had to admire the toughness and resilience of this squad.
May 22, 1998- Mets Get Piazza: I always liked Piazza since he was tough, clutch, Italian, and practically my twin. The Mets had been terrible for years, but by 1997 were getting better. But they didn't have that guy. That guy who seemed made for New York. Who had the power, the presence, and the name. But we got him. We got him from Florida for Preston Wilson, Ed Yarnall, and Geoff Goetz. Goetz and Yarnall turned into nothing and Wilson had a few good years, but came nowhere near to becoming the star he was supposed to be. Meanwhile, Piazza became the face of the Mets for 8 years. The moment I'll always remember came Sep 21, 2001 against Atlanta. It was the first regular season professional sporting event held in New York City after 9/11. With his team trailing 2-1 in the 8th, Piazza drilled a two-run homer to lift the Mets to a 3-2 triumph.
May 1999- Knicks Reach Finals: I'll always hold a special place in my memory for this team. Before the season, they traded longtime fan favorite John Starks and two others and got the infamous Latrell Sprewell. They traded tough warrior Charles Oakley for a young and athletic Marcus Camby. Allan Houston and Larry Johnson were solid team players, but legend Patrick Ewing was coming to the end of a great career. They were seeded 8th in the East and faced the Miami Heat in the first round. They won the deciding Game 5 in Miami when Houston bounced in a running one-hander off the front of the rim, high off the backboard, and in with 0.8 seconds left. Following a sweep of the Hawks, they faced Indiana. Despite losing Ewing to injury for the rest of the playoffs prior to Game 3, the Knicks won the series (aided in part to a legendary four-point play by Larry Johnson in the final seconds of Game 3) to become the first eighth-seeded playoff team to make the NBA Finals. Oh, and the night of Game 6 when they clinched, was also the night of my first date that wasn't a school function. I still have the game on tape and, yes, it was a pretty good night.
2000 NLCS- Mets vs. Cardinals: I still think the 1999 Mets were better than the 2000 team that made the series. There was one game from the regular season. It was June 30, when the Mets beat the rival Atlanta Braves. With the Mets losing 8-1 to begin the bottom of the eighth, they rallied back with two outs to tie the game, capping the 10-run inning with Mike Piazza's three run home run to put the Mets up 11-8. Sorry Tara! But they won the wild card and beat San Francisco in four in the first round. Benny Agbayani hit a walk-off homer in Game 3 and Bobby Jones pitched the game of his life in Game 4 to clinch it and and they ran through the Cardinals in the NLCS. They lost to the Yankees in 5 (I hate you Luis Sojo and Jose Vizcaino), but that was still a magical season!
January 14, 2001-NFC Championship- Giants smash Vikings 41-0: I watched this on a very snowy day in Winfield in my living room. Most people thought the Vikings would kill the "overrated Giants." Suffice to say, it was 14-0 G-Men before Minnesota's offense even took the field. QB Kerry Collins passed for 381 yards and 5 touchdowns. The defense limited the potent Vikings to only 114 offensive yards, sacking Daunte Culpepper 4 times, and forcing 5 turnovers. It was over early, but in a strange way, never stopped being exciting, because it was so hard to believe the game was going the way it was. Of course, then came the Super Bowl against Baltimore...
December 29, 2002- Giants Win, Jets Win: The single greatest football day of my life. No day will probably ever beat this until the Jets make the Super Bowl. I lived in North Carolina at the time. The Giants had to beat conference leader Philly to make the playoffs. For the Jets to make the playoffs, they had to beat NFC North champion Green Bay and New England had to beat Miami. Amazingly, I got all three of those games in Raleigh! The Giants game was amazing. Philly led 7-0 most of the way until Kerry Collins threw a TD to Jeremy Shockey. But Tiki Barber fumbled deep in his own territory and Philly had an easy shot to win it. Amazingly, Pro Bowler David Akers missed the field goal and the Giants had new life. In OT, Shaun Williams intercepted a Philly pass, Matt Bryant kicked a 39-yard field goal, and the Giants were onto San Francisco. That led to a moment in my "Worst list!"
But then I flipped over to the Pats-Fins. I knew Miami was leading early. But the Jets were about to start and I had to know what was going on in both games. So I turned the main TV to that Pats-Fins and the TV in the computer room to the Jets, since it had the VCR attached. I was running back and forth for about 10 minutes tracking both games! Thankfully, Mom wasn't home. New England wiped out an 11-point deficit in the final five minutes and won in OT to keep the Jets' season alive. When that happened, the Giants Stadium crowd erupted into cheers. The Jets game was six minutes in and 0-0. But all of a sudden, the lights went on. The Jets absolutely wasted Green Bay 42-17. And the BEST QUARTERBACK IN THE AFC EAST, CHAD PENNINGTON, threw four touchdowns.
September 26, 2004-Mets vs. Cubs: Okay, I had to put this in! And it breaks my heart because I was working that afternoon. An average Mets team dashes the Cubs' postseason hopes. A team with Gerald Williams, Richard Hidalgo, and Jeff Keppinger in the lineup and Aaron Heilman starting. The Cubs had won five in a row and led the wild card race by 1.5 games. And they appeared to be cruising to their 14th victory in 17 games behind 7.2 strong innings from Mark Prior and a two-run homer by Todd Walker. They scored another run in the 8th on a bases loaded walk. Right after that, walk Sammy Sosa struck out for the fourth time in as many at bats that day and Nomar grounded out. In the 9th, Ryan Dempster retired Todd Zeile before walking Eric Valent and Jason Phillips. In comes the infamous Latroy Hawkins. (Every Cub fan who read this just vomited!) He gets Keppinger out and up comes Victor Diaz. A rookie, who was also a lifelong Cubs fan. And he strokes a 2-2 pitch into the Mets' bullpen for a game-tying three-run home run. One more Sosa note. He grounded into a inning ending double play in the 10th with two on. And facing Kent Merker in the bottom of the 11th, the immortal Craig Brazell led off with his first and only major league home run, giving the Mets a 4-3 victory.
This beat the two grand slams in one inning at Wrigley last year and even the five run rally we had against the Cubs in the bottom of the 9th this year. My only disappointment? Ron Santo wasn't broadcasting that day.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Into Friday we go
Well, here's how work is going. Yesterday, I'm at my day job and filling up my morning bottle of water. Now we have a weird cooler, it either comes out really warm or really cold. Well it was warm. So I got out a large foam cup and filled it up with water and ice. I also filled my bottle, about a half a liter. I walk out of the kitchen and I'm supposed to turn right to go back to my desk. For whatever reason, I was facing left. I start to walk and who's coming in the other direction? My boss. A guy who has no patience and basically no sense of humor. I didn't even see him. We collided. And he got wet. And so did I. And he was not happy. He wanted to yell, but he stayed calm and said in a semi-angry voice I had to watch where I was going. He kept walking but I think I managed to whisper "I'm sorry."
Random fact: In 1728, potatoes were outlawed in Scotland because they were not mentioned in the Bible.
The Rangers had a homecoming! In the Garden late last night. 5-2 win over Florida after basically getting outplayed for 2 periods. New acquisition Chris Drury scores his first Rangers goal. And besides goalie Henrik Lundqvist, Ryan Callahan is quickly becoming my favorite player. I love his hustle and ability to score unlikely goals. I think if I played hockey I would have been a lot like him. Well, we have a big game at Cup finalist Ottawa on Saturday. They will have to play a lot sharper to win that one. I do think once these guys get some time to play together and learn each other's tendencies, they will become a force in the Eastern Conference.
Something's wrong with me, I'm actually feeling a little sorry for the Cubs right now. Then again, I wonder if anyone felt for me when the Mets fell apart... I must say I am into the baseball playoffs a lot more than I thought I would be. The first day had three very good games with solid pitching and I guess that's just the magic of baseball. If you love the game, even after it stomps on your heart, it lures you back every time.
I'm glad the weather has been warm even if I don't have too much of a chance to go outside during the day. I hope it's good on Saturday. I may stop by the Scarecrow Festival in St. Charles or go to the driving range, I don't know yet.
Song pick: "Where Do the Nights Go?" Ronnie Milsap
Random fact: In 1728, potatoes were outlawed in Scotland because they were not mentioned in the Bible.
The Rangers had a homecoming! In the Garden late last night. 5-2 win over Florida after basically getting outplayed for 2 periods. New acquisition Chris Drury scores his first Rangers goal. And besides goalie Henrik Lundqvist, Ryan Callahan is quickly becoming my favorite player. I love his hustle and ability to score unlikely goals. I think if I played hockey I would have been a lot like him. Well, we have a big game at Cup finalist Ottawa on Saturday. They will have to play a lot sharper to win that one. I do think once these guys get some time to play together and learn each other's tendencies, they will become a force in the Eastern Conference.
Something's wrong with me, I'm actually feeling a little sorry for the Cubs right now. Then again, I wonder if anyone felt for me when the Mets fell apart... I must say I am into the baseball playoffs a lot more than I thought I would be. The first day had three very good games with solid pitching and I guess that's just the magic of baseball. If you love the game, even after it stomps on your heart, it lures you back every time.
I'm glad the weather has been warm even if I don't have too much of a chance to go outside during the day. I hope it's good on Saturday. I may stop by the Scarecrow Festival in St. Charles or go to the driving range, I don't know yet.
Song pick: "Where Do the Nights Go?" Ronnie Milsap
Monday, October 01, 2007
Top 10 Worst Sports Moments
I felt today would be a good time to write this list. My sports memories go back to around 1989. And in those 18 years, I've experienced a lot of good and a lot of bad. I'll write about the good moments later. But we'll start with the bad. We're going in chronological order here, not by most ageda to least ageda. That would take too much time and my brain would be racked from sorting out the heartache.
1) 1993 Knicks-Bulls ECF series: The Knicks won 60 games and had the East's best record. In the ECF, they beat Chicago in the first two games, capped of by John Stars' legendary dunk in Game 2. The Bulls won 3 and 4 in Chicago, setting Game 5 in the Garden. Down 1, with 10 seconds left, Charles Smith had about 8 shots at a layup, couldn't make one (and of course no foul was called, which was a mainstay of the 90's Bulls), and the Bulls stole the series in the next game.
2) 1995 Knicks-Pacers ECSF series: Michael Jordan was out of the league, clearing the way for the Knicks. They dropped the 1994 finals and the next year, faced rival Indiana in a Game 7. Down 2, Patrick Ewing drove the lane for a finger roll that rolled off the rim and out. Coach Pat Riley resigned the next day to be replaced by Don Nelson (groan). I knew right there the Knicks may not win it all. They haven't.
3) 1996 Masters: I've always been a huge Greg Norman fan and this was the worst of his numerous close, but no cigar performances in major golf tournaments. He blew a 6-shot lead on the final day and Nick Faldo took the title. The next year, someone named Tiger arrived on the scene at Augusta. The Shark never came so close again.
4) July 31, 1999-Mets vs. Cubs: Quite possibly the single worst day of my life. Read the 1999 section
5) October 19, 1999- NLCS Game 6-Mets vs. Braves: I had just started college by this time so I was surrounded by Boston fans. which worked for me, because I got to avoid the heat that comes with Yankees-Red Sox. But I remember that postseason well. Todd Pratt's series ending walkoff homer vs. Arizona. Robin Ventura's grand slam. And the drama of Game 6 in Atlanta. Al Leiter can't get out of the first inning. I thought it was over after Atlanta made it 5-0 after the first. But they came back on the strength of an injured Mike Piazza nailing a pinch-hit homer off John Smoltz and I don't remember when I tuned back in, but I know I was watching now. The Mets led 8-7 going to the eighth. John Franco allowed one run in the bottom half. Then, n a moment of glee, the Mets scored one run in the ninth off the infamous John Rocker. In comes Armando Benitez. three outs and we force Game 7 after losing the first 3 games. Ozzie Guillen singles home Andruw Jones, and I knew the Mets were not winning. Next inning. Kenny Rogers allows a double to Gerald Williams. Sac bunt by Bret Boone. Rogers intentionally walks the next Chipper Jones and Brian Jordan before walking home the series ending run on a 3-2 pitch. I fell to my knees in my dorm room in mere helplessness but was a little happy when the Yankees swept the Braves in the World Series.
6) 1998-2006 No Playoffs for Rangers: I have to compile the lousy run of the New York Rangers into a full period. There was no game that killed me, it was just the ineptitude that permeated that franchise. Whether it was hiring bad coaches like John Muckler, Ron Low, or Bryan Trottier. Neil Smith's free agent raid that included busts such as Theo Fleury, Valeri Kamensky, Bobby Holik, Stephane Quintal, Vladimir Malakhov, Igor Ulanov, and Dave Karpa. Bad trades for Eric Lindros, Petr Nedved, Luc Robitaille, Mike Dunham, Alexei Kovalev, and Pavel Bure (though injuries killed that one). Injuries to Dan Blackburn, Mike Richter, Adam Graves, and Brian Leetch. Thank God for the 2006 lockout that forced the team to operate under a salary cap and rely on young players instead of buying high priced talent. There is hope again.
7) January 5, 2003- NFC First round- Giants vs. 49ers: This was the beginning of the end of my rooting hard for the Giants. I was on vacation in Phoenix. I was hanging in the lobby, and I heard the Giants were up 24 points in the second half and I was excited. I went back to the room and flipped the TV on. Next thing I know, San Francisco wiped out a 24-point Giants lead in 20 minutes. Nonetheless, I was positive. I never really thought the Giants would lose. Then, with 2 seconds left, the Giants field goal attempt, which would have won it, was screwed b/c of a botched snap by Trey Junkin. Holder Matt Allen picks the ball up, the ball, hurls it downfield, and the refs later admitted there should have been pass interference called on the play. No call, Niners win. I can't explain what it was that changed me, but with the excitement I felt from the Jets, they became my number one team right around this time.
8) January 15, 2005- AFC Semifinal- Jets vs. Steelers: I was pumped for this game after we had upset San Diego in the first round. And here's the story. I still think we could have beaten New England in the AFC title game that year.
9) October 19, 2006- NLCS Game 7- Mets vs. Cardinals: This will sting for years. And after what happened Sunday, it hurts even more. Endy Chavez makes the great catch. We can't score off Jeff Suppan. Molina hits the home run. Two runners on in the ninth, called strike 3. Every negative emotion known to man fills me,
10) The collapse of 2007: I've written about it enough already. It is absolutely mind-blowing. Bill Simmons wrote in his ESPN column today. "Mets fans, we feel for you." When that's coming from a Red Sox fan, you know it was bad.
Honorable Mention:
1989 British Open: My favorite golfer loses a playoff in a major to my least favorite.
1997 Knicks-Heat Eastern Conference Semifinal: The Game 5 brawl that caused five Knicks to get suspended, costing them a chance at a conference final against the Bulls. I still think that was the Knicks best team of that era.
1997-2000 John Muckler: The worst head coach I have ever seen. Over Art Howe, over Don Nelson. He mistreated numerous young Rangers players, spoke arrogantly, and inspired no one.
1999 Jets vs Patriots: Everyone thought was the Jets year to finally win the Super Bowl. I watched that game in Boston and 10 minutes in, QB Vinny Testaverde tears his Achilles. We had no decent backup QB, lost that game, and finished the year 8-8. Bill Parcells resigned as coach after that year, and Belichick immediately pussied his way out and went to New England, taking his video cameras with him.
2001 Mets fall short: After reaching the World Series the last year, the Mets got off to a lousy start. But after 9/11, they rallied to get back in the NL East race only to drop 2 of 3 to Atlanta in mid-September. The key game was on Sep 29. Up 5-1 in the ninth, they allowed seven runs, capped off by Brian Jordan's grand slam off Franco, after Benitez, to no one's surprise, choked again in a big spot.
Sep 22, 2003: Knicks hire Isiah Thomas as President/GM. I didn't think it could get worse after Scott Layden's reign of terror. It has gotten worse and there is no end in sight. Oh that's right, he and the Garden are also on trial for a discrimination/sexual harassment lawsuit.
1) 1993 Knicks-Bulls ECF series: The Knicks won 60 games and had the East's best record. In the ECF, they beat Chicago in the first two games, capped of by John Stars' legendary dunk in Game 2. The Bulls won 3 and 4 in Chicago, setting Game 5 in the Garden. Down 1, with 10 seconds left, Charles Smith had about 8 shots at a layup, couldn't make one (and of course no foul was called, which was a mainstay of the 90's Bulls), and the Bulls stole the series in the next game.
2) 1995 Knicks-Pacers ECSF series: Michael Jordan was out of the league, clearing the way for the Knicks. They dropped the 1994 finals and the next year, faced rival Indiana in a Game 7. Down 2, Patrick Ewing drove the lane for a finger roll that rolled off the rim and out. Coach Pat Riley resigned the next day to be replaced by Don Nelson (groan). I knew right there the Knicks may not win it all. They haven't.
3) 1996 Masters: I've always been a huge Greg Norman fan and this was the worst of his numerous close, but no cigar performances in major golf tournaments. He blew a 6-shot lead on the final day and Nick Faldo took the title. The next year, someone named Tiger arrived on the scene at Augusta. The Shark never came so close again.
4) July 31, 1999-Mets vs. Cubs: Quite possibly the single worst day of my life. Read the 1999 section
5) October 19, 1999- NLCS Game 6-Mets vs. Braves: I had just started college by this time so I was surrounded by Boston fans. which worked for me, because I got to avoid the heat that comes with Yankees-Red Sox. But I remember that postseason well. Todd Pratt's series ending walkoff homer vs. Arizona. Robin Ventura's grand slam. And the drama of Game 6 in Atlanta. Al Leiter can't get out of the first inning. I thought it was over after Atlanta made it 5-0 after the first. But they came back on the strength of an injured Mike Piazza nailing a pinch-hit homer off John Smoltz and I don't remember when I tuned back in, but I know I was watching now. The Mets led 8-7 going to the eighth. John Franco allowed one run in the bottom half. Then, n a moment of glee, the Mets scored one run in the ninth off the infamous John Rocker. In comes Armando Benitez. three outs and we force Game 7 after losing the first 3 games. Ozzie Guillen singles home Andruw Jones, and I knew the Mets were not winning. Next inning. Kenny Rogers allows a double to Gerald Williams. Sac bunt by Bret Boone. Rogers intentionally walks the next Chipper Jones and Brian Jordan before walking home the series ending run on a 3-2 pitch. I fell to my knees in my dorm room in mere helplessness but was a little happy when the Yankees swept the Braves in the World Series.
6) 1998-2006 No Playoffs for Rangers: I have to compile the lousy run of the New York Rangers into a full period. There was no game that killed me, it was just the ineptitude that permeated that franchise. Whether it was hiring bad coaches like John Muckler, Ron Low, or Bryan Trottier. Neil Smith's free agent raid that included busts such as Theo Fleury, Valeri Kamensky, Bobby Holik, Stephane Quintal, Vladimir Malakhov, Igor Ulanov, and Dave Karpa. Bad trades for Eric Lindros, Petr Nedved, Luc Robitaille, Mike Dunham, Alexei Kovalev, and Pavel Bure (though injuries killed that one). Injuries to Dan Blackburn, Mike Richter, Adam Graves, and Brian Leetch. Thank God for the 2006 lockout that forced the team to operate under a salary cap and rely on young players instead of buying high priced talent. There is hope again.
7) January 5, 2003- NFC First round- Giants vs. 49ers: This was the beginning of the end of my rooting hard for the Giants. I was on vacation in Phoenix. I was hanging in the lobby, and I heard the Giants were up 24 points in the second half and I was excited. I went back to the room and flipped the TV on. Next thing I know, San Francisco wiped out a 24-point Giants lead in 20 minutes. Nonetheless, I was positive. I never really thought the Giants would lose. Then, with 2 seconds left, the Giants field goal attempt, which would have won it, was screwed b/c of a botched snap by Trey Junkin. Holder Matt Allen picks the ball up, the ball, hurls it downfield, and the refs later admitted there should have been pass interference called on the play. No call, Niners win. I can't explain what it was that changed me, but with the excitement I felt from the Jets, they became my number one team right around this time.
8) January 15, 2005- AFC Semifinal- Jets vs. Steelers: I was pumped for this game after we had upset San Diego in the first round. And here's the story. I still think we could have beaten New England in the AFC title game that year.
9) October 19, 2006- NLCS Game 7- Mets vs. Cardinals: This will sting for years. And after what happened Sunday, it hurts even more. Endy Chavez makes the great catch. We can't score off Jeff Suppan. Molina hits the home run. Two runners on in the ninth, called strike 3. Every negative emotion known to man fills me,
10) The collapse of 2007: I've written about it enough already. It is absolutely mind-blowing. Bill Simmons wrote in his ESPN column today. "Mets fans, we feel for you." When that's coming from a Red Sox fan, you know it was bad.
Honorable Mention:
1989 British Open: My favorite golfer loses a playoff in a major to my least favorite.
1997 Knicks-Heat Eastern Conference Semifinal: The Game 5 brawl that caused five Knicks to get suspended, costing them a chance at a conference final against the Bulls. I still think that was the Knicks best team of that era.
1997-2000 John Muckler: The worst head coach I have ever seen. Over Art Howe, over Don Nelson. He mistreated numerous young Rangers players, spoke arrogantly, and inspired no one.
1999 Jets vs Patriots: Everyone thought was the Jets year to finally win the Super Bowl. I watched that game in Boston and 10 minutes in, QB Vinny Testaverde tears his Achilles. We had no decent backup QB, lost that game, and finished the year 8-8. Bill Parcells resigned as coach after that year, and Belichick immediately pussied his way out and went to New England, taking his video cameras with him.
2001 Mets fall short: After reaching the World Series the last year, the Mets got off to a lousy start. But after 9/11, they rallied to get back in the NL East race only to drop 2 of 3 to Atlanta in mid-September. The key game was on Sep 29. Up 5-1 in the ninth, they allowed seven runs, capped off by Brian Jordan's grand slam off Franco, after Benitez, to no one's surprise, choked again in a big spot.
Sep 22, 2003: Knicks hire Isiah Thomas as President/GM. I didn't think it could get worse after Scott Layden's reign of terror. It has gotten worse and there is no end in sight. Oh that's right, he and the Garden are also on trial for a discrimination/sexual harassment lawsuit.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
There's winning and there's misery
Pat Riley and Bill Parcells both said that. It's right on the money. I'm sure there's a person or two in the world who when this collpase became official, were wondering how I was doing. They know damn well how I'm doing. I am one miserable, depressed, and incensed Mets and Jets fan today.
One man gets the blame for today. Tom Glavine. This prick who stuck it up to the Mets for years when he was with Atlanta came here four years ago. He's been good, with an occasional great outing and an occasional terrible outing. Well his final two starts to this season were pitching that was as bad as I have ever seen since I was playing Little League. Today, we needed to win and we would have at least had a shot at the playoffs. And this "future Hall of Famer" pitches 0.1 innings. He allows five hits, walks two, and allows seven earned runs. SEVEN EARNED RUNS!
And then to hear him after the game. "This is disappointing, this isn't devastating. It's not like a sick kid or anything." IT IS DEVASTATING. Don't bring the world up. He goes on. "It's something I'm going to have to deal with, just like had we won the World Series, I would have had to deal with those emotions." I can't even wrap my head around something so stupid.
His lasting image as a Met is one of the most pathetic single game performaces of all-time. And this whole thing tells me the only reason I came here was to get his 300th win so he'd be a lock for the Hall of Fame. He's a Brave and always will be. I don't want him near a Met uniform ever again. I've had enough. Send his ancient ass back to Atlanta. Get him the hell out of New York because he doesn't deserve to be here.
The fielding was bad yet again. Throws going all over the field. The game was over in the bottom of the first. Bases loaded, two outs, we're down by 6. Ramon Castro hits a bomb to left field, I thought the ball was going to Kennedy Airport. And it dies in Cody Ross' glove on the warning tack. Right there, you could have shut your TV off.
I am disgusted with Jose Reyes. I was going to buy his jersey. Not now. Not with his immatuere celebrations when he had nothing to celebrate. And certainly not when he fails to run out ground balls. Someone needs to shake this guy up. And it's not going to be the card-playing first base coach.
Carlos Delgado admitted after the game, "We were so good, we got bored." How do you get bored when you can't win at home the last week of the season?! That's the Mets. A complacent group of veterans who thought it was their God-give right to go the World Series and got smacked in the mouth. Just like every Met fan.
This team is a total disgrace. This offseason will see a lot of changes. Possibly the manager will be gone. I don't think he should be just yet. Something needs to change though. To lose this big a lead and to lose games the way they lost them, it's amazing. I've used probably every adjective I can think of over the last few weeks. Bottom line, this has been a miserable year. And now several undeserving, overrated, run-of-the-mill teams will be in the NL playoffs. If those damn Cubs make it to the World Series, I may just have to move to Afghanistan.
And the Jets lose yet again to a Buffalo team they should have beaten. Between the lack of pass rush on the immortal Trent Edwards, penalties, the complete lack of running game, blown coverages, terrible offensive line, interceptions. And I'll hear these morons bash Chad again all week on the radio. As a matter of fact, it's probably his fault they didn't even win the coin toss.
Why do I have to keep getting let down year after year after year? The Rangers start Thursday. Let's see how they manage to kill me this year.
One man gets the blame for today. Tom Glavine. This prick who stuck it up to the Mets for years when he was with Atlanta came here four years ago. He's been good, with an occasional great outing and an occasional terrible outing. Well his final two starts to this season were pitching that was as bad as I have ever seen since I was playing Little League. Today, we needed to win and we would have at least had a shot at the playoffs. And this "future Hall of Famer" pitches 0.1 innings. He allows five hits, walks two, and allows seven earned runs. SEVEN EARNED RUNS!
And then to hear him after the game. "This is disappointing, this isn't devastating. It's not like a sick kid or anything." IT IS DEVASTATING. Don't bring the world up. He goes on. "It's something I'm going to have to deal with, just like had we won the World Series, I would have had to deal with those emotions." I can't even wrap my head around something so stupid.
His lasting image as a Met is one of the most pathetic single game performaces of all-time. And this whole thing tells me the only reason I came here was to get his 300th win so he'd be a lock for the Hall of Fame. He's a Brave and always will be. I don't want him near a Met uniform ever again. I've had enough. Send his ancient ass back to Atlanta. Get him the hell out of New York because he doesn't deserve to be here.
The fielding was bad yet again. Throws going all over the field. The game was over in the bottom of the first. Bases loaded, two outs, we're down by 6. Ramon Castro hits a bomb to left field, I thought the ball was going to Kennedy Airport. And it dies in Cody Ross' glove on the warning tack. Right there, you could have shut your TV off.
I am disgusted with Jose Reyes. I was going to buy his jersey. Not now. Not with his immatuere celebrations when he had nothing to celebrate. And certainly not when he fails to run out ground balls. Someone needs to shake this guy up. And it's not going to be the card-playing first base coach.
Carlos Delgado admitted after the game, "We were so good, we got bored." How do you get bored when you can't win at home the last week of the season?! That's the Mets. A complacent group of veterans who thought it was their God-give right to go the World Series and got smacked in the mouth. Just like every Met fan.
This team is a total disgrace. This offseason will see a lot of changes. Possibly the manager will be gone. I don't think he should be just yet. Something needs to change though. To lose this big a lead and to lose games the way they lost them, it's amazing. I've used probably every adjective I can think of over the last few weeks. Bottom line, this has been a miserable year. And now several undeserving, overrated, run-of-the-mill teams will be in the NL playoffs. If those damn Cubs make it to the World Series, I may just have to move to Afghanistan.
And the Jets lose yet again to a Buffalo team they should have beaten. Between the lack of pass rush on the immortal Trent Edwards, penalties, the complete lack of running game, blown coverages, terrible offensive line, interceptions. And I'll hear these morons bash Chad again all week on the radio. As a matter of fact, it's probably his fault they didn't even win the coin toss.
Why do I have to keep getting let down year after year after year? The Rangers start Thursday. Let's see how they manage to kill me this year.
Friday, September 28, 2007
His time had come to pass
Well, tomorrow morning, Hogan's life on earth will reach the end. I'm sort of accepting it, I knew this was going to happen, but it's so numbing.
Our time together started in Bridgewater, New Jersey in February 1992, one month after his mom gave birth to him, Maggie, Petey, and another sister I can't remember right now. Mom and I drove 30 minutes from Edison to Bridgewater, where Mom's late friend Laurie Giamo, had a blond cocker spaniel, Lucy, who had given birth to four puppies. Against dad's wishes, and mine as well, Mom said we were eventually going to take one. I remember seeing all four of them for the first time. All of them just scampering around a cardboard box lined with newspaper on the bottom. And I was scared. Just three years earlier, I saw a dog that I knew pretty well get killed by a school bus. And it shook me up. But Mom had no trouble picking one up and holding him. And I knew he was coming home with us in due time so I had to change my mind.
In March, we brought home the eldest male DJ, who we quickly renamed Hogan. That first night, Mom, Dad, and I didn't leave him alone. He was scared without his brother, mother, and sisters around him. But he adjusted quickly to our small house. And in what was a rough couple of years in my life, I grew close to him. I remember the first day I had to leave him the garage before I left for school. I was in fifth grade. We put blankets and toys and food in that garage, and then gated it off. As I was walking out the door, he started whimpering. And I couldn't leave him. It took 10 minutes before I managed my way out the door and I felt so guilty.
As the years went on, he definitely grew closest to Mom. He was close to me as well as Dad and Unger when they lived with him and a few of my friends as well. But he was a mama's boy. For years, whenever he heard the buzz of the garage door opening, he would always make a beeline for the door where she would come in. He'd get down on his belly, stick his nose right at the base of the door, trying to smell her, hear her, anything. And you could hear the sound of him breathing out of his nose and he would usually whine a little until the door opened. It was so funny. I always thought it was unfair she hated that he licked her considering how many kisses she gave him.
Grandpa loved him dearly too. He probably walked Hogan more consistently than anyone. He and my grandmother took care of him for as long as 4 months, while Mom and I were getting ready to move. Several times, I drove up from North Carolina and they drove from Connecticut. We'd meet somewhere in Pennsylvania, I'd take Hogan, and then continue my trip on to Chicago.
He was a big one too, about 60 pounds. Every vet would tell us he was the biggest cocker they had ever seen. In North Carolina, he hated to be away from us, but when we went away, we'd drop him off at Camp Canine, and he got along just fine.
There were tough times. College wasn't easy. For four years, I was away from him 2/3 of the time. Supposedly, he would walk into my room and just lay there, wondering where I was. I know I missed him.
The easiest way to relax him? Rides in the car. All we had to do was put him in the backseat, start driving, and he would be asleep within a minute. He could have easily been a trucker's dog. And I could tell a humping story or two (or more), but I'll keep it clean. Suffice to say, the three favorite victims were my old friend Kurtz' leg, the pink footrest/ottoman (before it was reupholstered), and any baby stroller when there was a baby inside of it. Make up your own joke.
I remember his intensity when he would have ice cream. We'd buy him a cup, he'd start licking, and wouldn't even come up for air until the bottom of that cup was bone dry. And his appetite! I'll always remember the way he begged for treats in his later years. When mom had to stay home from work for 18 months, that's when he really got spoiled. Instead of just scratching the door where the treats were, he'd start howling at us because he wasn't getting his treat fast enough. He'd scratch the door, or even the oven, and look back at us as if to say "What are you waiting for? I have only two needs: attention and food!" He loved ice cream, cheese, and any kind of meat. If it was cooked on a grill, oh, he wanted some of it. I actually ate steak tonight and it was too quiet.
And there are a lot of things I didn't see. One time, he was walking with Mom at Herrick Lake and passing by these horses and he kept yelping at them in this really high voice. It was like he wanted to fight them, but knew he was insane if he actually challenged them. His running on the Connecticut beaches, getting his fur filled with sand, and having to go to a local vet for a bath and cleaning. After that day, he never got too crazy on a beach again. And oh, how he hated baths. I would lift him out of the tub and he'd run like chicken with no head all over the house. He'd rub his face right against the base of my bed and run alongside the bedskirt, desperately trying to dry his face. And when we were in New Jersey, he tended to get sprayed by skunks. I think he got nailed four times in one summer alone. And that always led to another bath.
About a year ago, Mom drove with him to Florida where she stayed with some friends who had two dogs. Now we'd never really let him around dogs, because he was always barking. But I think that was because there would always be a barrier between him and the dog, whether it was a window, a leash, a wall, etc. But he was amazing with them. He just loved being in their presence. I heard one good story from the trip. The female was sleeping in the living room. And Hogan was curious about her so he started walking around and sniffing her. After about three minutes of this, she woke up, barked angrily at him, and he was so scared he retreated into a corner of the house and wouldn't come out for over an hour.
And the walks we took through the mean streets of North Edison NJ, the forest preserves of West Chicago and Warrenville IL, the Prairie Paths of Wheaton and Wayne IL, the beaches of New London CT, the pine trees of North Carolina, the industrial streets of Pittsburgh, the cobblestone roads of Nantucket. He loved to explore nature and new places. All he needed was his family and he never had a care.
And now he can't really walk. The doctor says it's prostate cancer. I know we need to let him go and it hurts. I haven't really cried yet, though I'm sure I will soon. But almost 16 years. That's about 60 percent of my life. Now the house will be quieter. Maybe a little cleaner too. My heart will be a little sadder. My world will be a little emptier.
So, to the spoiled dope, to the old man, my brother, my friend, I thank you for 16 years.
I hope somehow, some way I'll see you again.
So long, Hogan, I love you forever.
Our time together started in Bridgewater, New Jersey in February 1992, one month after his mom gave birth to him, Maggie, Petey, and another sister I can't remember right now. Mom and I drove 30 minutes from Edison to Bridgewater, where Mom's late friend Laurie Giamo, had a blond cocker spaniel, Lucy, who had given birth to four puppies. Against dad's wishes, and mine as well, Mom said we were eventually going to take one. I remember seeing all four of them for the first time. All of them just scampering around a cardboard box lined with newspaper on the bottom. And I was scared. Just three years earlier, I saw a dog that I knew pretty well get killed by a school bus. And it shook me up. But Mom had no trouble picking one up and holding him. And I knew he was coming home with us in due time so I had to change my mind.
In March, we brought home the eldest male DJ, who we quickly renamed Hogan. That first night, Mom, Dad, and I didn't leave him alone. He was scared without his brother, mother, and sisters around him. But he adjusted quickly to our small house. And in what was a rough couple of years in my life, I grew close to him. I remember the first day I had to leave him the garage before I left for school. I was in fifth grade. We put blankets and toys and food in that garage, and then gated it off. As I was walking out the door, he started whimpering. And I couldn't leave him. It took 10 minutes before I managed my way out the door and I felt so guilty.
As the years went on, he definitely grew closest to Mom. He was close to me as well as Dad and Unger when they lived with him and a few of my friends as well. But he was a mama's boy. For years, whenever he heard the buzz of the garage door opening, he would always make a beeline for the door where she would come in. He'd get down on his belly, stick his nose right at the base of the door, trying to smell her, hear her, anything. And you could hear the sound of him breathing out of his nose and he would usually whine a little until the door opened. It was so funny. I always thought it was unfair she hated that he licked her considering how many kisses she gave him.
Grandpa loved him dearly too. He probably walked Hogan more consistently than anyone. He and my grandmother took care of him for as long as 4 months, while Mom and I were getting ready to move. Several times, I drove up from North Carolina and they drove from Connecticut. We'd meet somewhere in Pennsylvania, I'd take Hogan, and then continue my trip on to Chicago.
He was a big one too, about 60 pounds. Every vet would tell us he was the biggest cocker they had ever seen. In North Carolina, he hated to be away from us, but when we went away, we'd drop him off at Camp Canine, and he got along just fine.
There were tough times. College wasn't easy. For four years, I was away from him 2/3 of the time. Supposedly, he would walk into my room and just lay there, wondering where I was. I know I missed him.
I still have a scar from Feb. 23 of this year when he bit me after I came home from Ring of Honor and drove 2.5 hours through a raging snowstorm. I tried to wake him up to take him upstairs. He snapped and caught my right palm and the side of my right hand. The side of my hand is still scarred.
But things like that didn't happen much. He really wasn't that tough, he was just very protective of Mom and I. If he didn't know someone, it took a while before he warmed up to them. I would always tell people not to pet him, just let him sniff their hand.
The easiest way to relax him? Rides in the car. All we had to do was put him in the backseat, start driving, and he would be asleep within a minute. He could have easily been a trucker's dog. And I could tell a humping story or two (or more), but I'll keep it clean. Suffice to say, the three favorite victims were my old friend Kurtz' leg, the pink footrest/ottoman (before it was reupholstered), and any baby stroller when there was a baby inside of it. Make up your own joke.
I remember his intensity when he would have ice cream. We'd buy him a cup, he'd start licking, and wouldn't even come up for air until the bottom of that cup was bone dry. And his appetite! I'll always remember the way he begged for treats in his later years. When mom had to stay home from work for 18 months, that's when he really got spoiled. Instead of just scratching the door where the treats were, he'd start howling at us because he wasn't getting his treat fast enough. He'd scratch the door, or even the oven, and look back at us as if to say "What are you waiting for? I have only two needs: attention and food!" He loved ice cream, cheese, and any kind of meat. If it was cooked on a grill, oh, he wanted some of it. I actually ate steak tonight and it was too quiet.
And there are a lot of things I didn't see. One time, he was walking with Mom at Herrick Lake and passing by these horses and he kept yelping at them in this really high voice. It was like he wanted to fight them, but knew he was insane if he actually challenged them. His running on the Connecticut beaches, getting his fur filled with sand, and having to go to a local vet for a bath and cleaning. After that day, he never got too crazy on a beach again. And oh, how he hated baths. I would lift him out of the tub and he'd run like chicken with no head all over the house. He'd rub his face right against the base of my bed and run alongside the bedskirt, desperately trying to dry his face. And when we were in New Jersey, he tended to get sprayed by skunks. I think he got nailed four times in one summer alone. And that always led to another bath.
About a year ago, Mom drove with him to Florida where she stayed with some friends who had two dogs. Now we'd never really let him around dogs, because he was always barking. But I think that was because there would always be a barrier between him and the dog, whether it was a window, a leash, a wall, etc. But he was amazing with them. He just loved being in their presence. I heard one good story from the trip. The female was sleeping in the living room. And Hogan was curious about her so he started walking around and sniffing her. After about three minutes of this, she woke up, barked angrily at him, and he was so scared he retreated into a corner of the house and wouldn't come out for over an hour.
And the walks we took through the mean streets of North Edison NJ, the forest preserves of West Chicago and Warrenville IL, the Prairie Paths of Wheaton and Wayne IL, the beaches of New London CT, the pine trees of North Carolina, the industrial streets of Pittsburgh, the cobblestone roads of Nantucket. He loved to explore nature and new places. All he needed was his family and he never had a care.
And now he can't really walk. The doctor says it's prostate cancer. I know we need to let him go and it hurts. I haven't really cried yet, though I'm sure I will soon. But almost 16 years. That's about 60 percent of my life. Now the house will be quieter. Maybe a little cleaner too. My heart will be a little sadder. My world will be a little emptier.
So, to the spoiled dope, to the old man, my brother, my friend, I thank you for 16 years.
I hope somehow, some way I'll see you again.
So long, Hogan, I love you forever.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Getting numb and getting ready to vomit
For the first time since May 17, the New York Mets do not reside in first place of the National League East. This team, slated to be the best in the National League led the division by 7 games with 17 to play. No team in HISTORY has ever blown that big a lead. They have now lost four in row and 10 of 14 and are now tied with Philadelphia, with three games left in this regular season. And to be blunt, three games left in the season.
This was the game to win. Pedro Martinez pitching against those pricks from St. Louis, who stole our title last year. And they're throwing Joel Piniero, whose ERA coming in was about 5. Pedro did what he could: 7 IP, 3 runs, 2 earned, 1 walk, 8 strikeouts. He did his job. But the offense failed to show up. A team that has consistently scored 7-8 runs per game could only manage three hits against Piniero. Inexcusable.
Oh and thanks to John Smoltz for spitting the bed against Philly. The one time I root for him, he stunk tonight. Stunk, like a Staten Island landfill.
I had been getting angry at every loss for the last month. Since yesterday, though my feelings have changed. I now expect them to lose. I expect the bullpen to blow leads. It's like watching the Knicks. I now wait for bad things to happen. And instead of getting angry, I am just feeling helpless, wanting this misery to just stop.
I think the Mets quit tonight, with this joke of a performance, not just in this game, but really, the way they've played since June. They've been reading their press clippings about how good they are and how much better they are than any other team in the National League. They turn their drive on and off. They think they can just show up once in a while and that will be enough to win. Well, it's not enough anymore.
And the fans? They have clearly lost faith in this team just as the players have lost faith in themselves. I all but have. I know they can mathematically win the division. But how can I have any hope this team will win the pennant?
I am embarrassed to be a Mets fan tonight and probably will be. All I have left is to root against the Cubs.
This was the game to win. Pedro Martinez pitching against those pricks from St. Louis, who stole our title last year. And they're throwing Joel Piniero, whose ERA coming in was about 5. Pedro did what he could: 7 IP, 3 runs, 2 earned, 1 walk, 8 strikeouts. He did his job. But the offense failed to show up. A team that has consistently scored 7-8 runs per game could only manage three hits against Piniero. Inexcusable.
Oh and thanks to John Smoltz for spitting the bed against Philly. The one time I root for him, he stunk tonight. Stunk, like a Staten Island landfill.
I had been getting angry at every loss for the last month. Since yesterday, though my feelings have changed. I now expect them to lose. I expect the bullpen to blow leads. It's like watching the Knicks. I now wait for bad things to happen. And instead of getting angry, I am just feeling helpless, wanting this misery to just stop.
I think the Mets quit tonight, with this joke of a performance, not just in this game, but really, the way they've played since June. They've been reading their press clippings about how good they are and how much better they are than any other team in the National League. They turn their drive on and off. They think they can just show up once in a while and that will be enough to win. Well, it's not enough anymore.
And the fans? They have clearly lost faith in this team just as the players have lost faith in themselves. I all but have. I know they can mathematically win the division. But how can I have any hope this team will win the pennant?
I am embarrassed to be a Mets fan tonight and probably will be. All I have left is to root against the Cubs.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Thief of decision
I've been planning to write a review of my time last Saturday night in Chicago Ridge for the last week. I just can't do that tonight. They say suffering breeds creativity. Well, I agree. And I'm not talking about meaningless random circumstances. I'm talking about up close and personal. To watch what I have to watch nearly every day is devastating. Wanting to help, but unable to. Watching something so good just decay in front of me and knowing it's not my cross to bear, but I'm forced to bear it anyway.
Away from the root, I can smile. Even the situations that aroused fear, I can learn to walk down that path. But I wonder now if my base needs to change. And I look at what's causing this shift. Is this the real issue or is it hidden behind the slurred words I hear? Worse yet, are these twisted thoughts that I now receive from another, the real issue? There is a decision coming and it is inevitable.
My hope here is not to impose my will on another's, but simply to be free to choose my own path. So I ask myself. What's the real issue here? What's the right base? What's the right way? What's the right situation? Is there a place I belong? Or do I just learn to cope with all that gets thrown my way every minute of every day?
The decision is complicated, but even more necessary to make. I admit part of me does not want to decide. I shudder at what may happen. But if I do not make the choice, it will be made for me. What a terrible way that would be to live. I know this: I am me and am not going to let some sad soul, who inexpicably decides to regret and pity themselves, hold the special power of guiding my path. So why not just decide one way or another?
So will I make that decision or will it be made for me? It really is a no-brainer. Except when the time comes to decide.
Away from the root, I can smile. Even the situations that aroused fear, I can learn to walk down that path. But I wonder now if my base needs to change. And I look at what's causing this shift. Is this the real issue or is it hidden behind the slurred words I hear? Worse yet, are these twisted thoughts that I now receive from another, the real issue? There is a decision coming and it is inevitable.
My hope here is not to impose my will on another's, but simply to be free to choose my own path. So I ask myself. What's the real issue here? What's the right base? What's the right way? What's the right situation? Is there a place I belong? Or do I just learn to cope with all that gets thrown my way every minute of every day?
The decision is complicated, but even more necessary to make. I admit part of me does not want to decide. I shudder at what may happen. But if I do not make the choice, it will be made for me. What a terrible way that would be to live. I know this: I am me and am not going to let some sad soul, who inexpicably decides to regret and pity themselves, hold the special power of guiding my path. So why not just decide one way or another?
So will I make that decision or will it be made for me? It really is a no-brainer. Except when the time comes to decide.
Sunday, September 09, 2007
My song pick today...
should be "King of Pain" by the Police. Because that's what today has been.
Considering my illness that I've been fighting for four days, and how wasted I felt on Saturday night, I should have slept until about 8-9 am. Well, softball got me up at 6 am. I got there and found out our pitcher and co-captain broke his foot. Nonetheless he played in our semifinal and we lost 20-14 in just 5 innings. We led 3-0 after 1/2 inning and then gave up 8 or 9 runs. At one point, we were down 18-6. But we did score the next 8 runs and I'm proud of that. But I proceeded to play the worst game I have played since I have been in this league. Couldn't hit, couldn't field, couldn't run. Everything was bad. And they cut the game off early. Just as their pitcher was getting tired and losing control of his pitches, the game ends. I think if we had one more inning, we would have had a shot. So the season ends with a division title and a sleeveless purple t-shirt (very manly shirt, if I may say so). Not bad.
So that ended at 9:15 and I could have gone to Come Thirsty, though I would have looked like a circus freak. After eating the worst soup known to mankind, I watched the Jets-Patriots game. Suffice to say, it was disgusting, a 38-14 embarrassment. And I know tomorrow, the media will all kiss Tom Brady's you know what, saying how great he is, when he is just an overrated, no-good scumbag. And I'm keeping this rated-G, I'm not using the words I want to. For the love of God, my grandmother could have had 5 td's if she had as much time to throw as he did. The worst part was when Chad Pennington nearly broke his ankle. He limped off the field, not able to put any weight on it, threw his helmet down, and I thought he was done. Now he came back in the next series. But backup QB Kellen Clemens comes in and at least half of Giants Stadium cheers. That is the most disgraceful thing I've ever heard in a sports stadium. This guy has busted his ass, had his rotator cuff torn twice, and fought to be a great QB. And the fans treathim like Ryan Leaf or Michael Vick or Pacman Jones. Any Jets fan who cheered at that point is the lowest form of a human being I can think of, aside from any New England fans.
Bottom line: this season is OVER! This team is a joke. Last year was a mirage, they got 10 wins? Forget it, with the lack of pass rushing, pass defense, a horrible offensive line, and no running game, they will be lucky to win 4 games. I am embarrassed to be a Jets fan tonight. I don't care it's one game in, this will be 39 years without a Super Bowl appearance, let's move on to hockey.
And the joke that was volleyball. We went 1-2 in the seeding tournament. We went 1-1 in the first two games which was fine, but the third game was brutal. We went up 8-0. Then they got 8 straight points with one guy who served about 150 mph. Eventually we were leading 11-9 and the goal was 19 points. And this other guy who was an average server at best serves 10 straight points and we lose. It was pathetic. And I need to check if Matt ever gets his sneakers mud-free... And I went to Ecclesia and couldn't even concentrate on the message. I should have, but damn it, I couldn't.
So the end of the day finds me in the basement, eating pasta and sausage (extra romano, garlic, and hot pepper!) and watching the Giants-Cowboys game.
At least there's Ring of Honor next weekend.
Considering my illness that I've been fighting for four days, and how wasted I felt on Saturday night, I should have slept until about 8-9 am. Well, softball got me up at 6 am. I got there and found out our pitcher and co-captain broke his foot. Nonetheless he played in our semifinal and we lost 20-14 in just 5 innings. We led 3-0 after 1/2 inning and then gave up 8 or 9 runs. At one point, we were down 18-6. But we did score the next 8 runs and I'm proud of that. But I proceeded to play the worst game I have played since I have been in this league. Couldn't hit, couldn't field, couldn't run. Everything was bad. And they cut the game off early. Just as their pitcher was getting tired and losing control of his pitches, the game ends. I think if we had one more inning, we would have had a shot. So the season ends with a division title and a sleeveless purple t-shirt (very manly shirt, if I may say so). Not bad.
So that ended at 9:15 and I could have gone to Come Thirsty, though I would have looked like a circus freak. After eating the worst soup known to mankind, I watched the Jets-Patriots game. Suffice to say, it was disgusting, a 38-14 embarrassment. And I know tomorrow, the media will all kiss Tom Brady's you know what, saying how great he is, when he is just an overrated, no-good scumbag. And I'm keeping this rated-G, I'm not using the words I want to. For the love of God, my grandmother could have had 5 td's if she had as much time to throw as he did. The worst part was when Chad Pennington nearly broke his ankle. He limped off the field, not able to put any weight on it, threw his helmet down, and I thought he was done. Now he came back in the next series. But backup QB Kellen Clemens comes in and at least half of Giants Stadium cheers. That is the most disgraceful thing I've ever heard in a sports stadium. This guy has busted his ass, had his rotator cuff torn twice, and fought to be a great QB. And the fans treathim like Ryan Leaf or Michael Vick or Pacman Jones. Any Jets fan who cheered at that point is the lowest form of a human being I can think of, aside from any New England fans.
Bottom line: this season is OVER! This team is a joke. Last year was a mirage, they got 10 wins? Forget it, with the lack of pass rushing, pass defense, a horrible offensive line, and no running game, they will be lucky to win 4 games. I am embarrassed to be a Jets fan tonight. I don't care it's one game in, this will be 39 years without a Super Bowl appearance, let's move on to hockey.
And the joke that was volleyball. We went 1-2 in the seeding tournament. We went 1-1 in the first two games which was fine, but the third game was brutal. We went up 8-0. Then they got 8 straight points with one guy who served about 150 mph. Eventually we were leading 11-9 and the goal was 19 points. And this other guy who was an average server at best serves 10 straight points and we lose. It was pathetic. And I need to check if Matt ever gets his sneakers mud-free... And I went to Ecclesia and couldn't even concentrate on the message. I should have, but damn it, I couldn't.
So the end of the day finds me in the basement, eating pasta and sausage (extra romano, garlic, and hot pepper!) and watching the Giants-Cowboys game.
At least there's Ring of Honor next weekend.
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Carole Riebock
Seems like more and more these days I'm writing tributes to people who pass away. Now it's one of the finest teachers at my high school.
I guess it was around 4:30 on Thursday when I heard the news Carole Riebock died during an operation for a liver transplant. I was absolutely stunned, I had no idea anything was even wrong with her health. And this is only 10 weeks after her husband passed away.
Since I came to Wheaton Academy for my junior year, I was never a student in any of her Bible classes so I can't talk about her as a teacher. But I participated on a mission trip to Pawley's Island, SC in January 1998. Even though I was a junior and the trip was basically for first and second year students, she still allowed me to go. And those two weeks were incredibly challenging for me as I faced a lot of personal issues. But even though some people saw fit to just avoid me, Mrs. Riebock was always in my corner and never let me forget it.
I remember we were working in this grass field, trying to take down this batting cage. Even though we got the fencing down, there were still a few blocks of wood basing in the ground and we wanted to get them out. Several of us tried to get it out, but pulling just wasn't doing the job. Mrs. Riebock noticed the van. So we found a steel chain. Can you see where this is going? We tied one end to the hitch of the trailer and the other end to the wood. Mrs. Riebock hopped in the driver's seat and steps on the gas. I remember a lot of black smoke rising from the back of the van. Wasn't making much progress so she added a little more gas and half the bumper flew off the back of the van. And I don't remember if we ever got that wood out!
I also remember participating in the fall play "His Way or Broadway" when I first came in that she did the music for. Preparing for and acting in that show was one of the highlights of my life and she and Corbett have a lot to do with that.
Jenny would probably be a little embarrassed that I'm doing this, but her post was excellent.
I guess it was around 4:30 on Thursday when I heard the news Carole Riebock died during an operation for a liver transplant. I was absolutely stunned, I had no idea anything was even wrong with her health. And this is only 10 weeks after her husband passed away.
Since I came to Wheaton Academy for my junior year, I was never a student in any of her Bible classes so I can't talk about her as a teacher. But I participated on a mission trip to Pawley's Island, SC in January 1998. Even though I was a junior and the trip was basically for first and second year students, she still allowed me to go. And those two weeks were incredibly challenging for me as I faced a lot of personal issues. But even though some people saw fit to just avoid me, Mrs. Riebock was always in my corner and never let me forget it.
I remember we were working in this grass field, trying to take down this batting cage. Even though we got the fencing down, there were still a few blocks of wood basing in the ground and we wanted to get them out. Several of us tried to get it out, but pulling just wasn't doing the job. Mrs. Riebock noticed the van. So we found a steel chain. Can you see where this is going? We tied one end to the hitch of the trailer and the other end to the wood. Mrs. Riebock hopped in the driver's seat and steps on the gas. I remember a lot of black smoke rising from the back of the van. Wasn't making much progress so she added a little more gas and half the bumper flew off the back of the van. And I don't remember if we ever got that wood out!
I also remember participating in the fall play "His Way or Broadway" when I first came in that she did the music for. Preparing for and acting in that show was one of the highlights of my life and she and Corbett have a lot to do with that.
Jenny would probably be a little embarrassed that I'm doing this, but her post was excellent.
17 and dropping
There's the magic number to clinch the NL East.
Let's see, I have been sick for 36 hours. Total medication consumed: 4 Benadryl, 3 Cold-eeze, 1 Zicam, 6 Vitamin C tablets, 3 glasses of orange juice.
To put my Friday in perspective, I worked a half day at CEC and then threw in the towel. I grabbed some soup at Panera, went home, and jumped into bed. And despite taking some pills, I could not get to sleep. Three hours of tossing and turning. And my Friday night group was supposed to resume and I wanted to go. But I knew there was no way I was going. So I could hang around the house and get some rest and save my energy for Saturday right? Not so much. It's high school football night. I worked from 9:30-midnight. And this is not the right weekend for me to be sick. Not like there is a good weekend to get sick, but between the the White Sox-Twins today and my "marathon" tomorrow of softball, volleyball, and Ecclesia, I'll need all the endurance I can get.
Even though I shouldn't really be amused by this, I kind of am. Apparently microwave popcorn can be harmful. The chemical diacetyl, which is used to make artificial butter flavoring, has been linked to a respiratory disease called "popcorn lung" in hundreds of people. Apparently some of these people need lung transplants. Now it's it not eating it that is necessarily bad, it's inhaling the fumes from the popcorn that does the damage. Amazing, isn't it? Fifteen years ago, the craze was how dangerous movie popcorn was with the coconut oil. Now we can't even get away with smelling popcorn, one of the best smells known to mankind?
Song pick: "A Tender Lie" Restless Heart
Let's see, I have been sick for 36 hours. Total medication consumed: 4 Benadryl, 3 Cold-eeze, 1 Zicam, 6 Vitamin C tablets, 3 glasses of orange juice.
To put my Friday in perspective, I worked a half day at CEC and then threw in the towel. I grabbed some soup at Panera, went home, and jumped into bed. And despite taking some pills, I could not get to sleep. Three hours of tossing and turning. And my Friday night group was supposed to resume and I wanted to go. But I knew there was no way I was going. So I could hang around the house and get some rest and save my energy for Saturday right? Not so much. It's high school football night. I worked from 9:30-midnight. And this is not the right weekend for me to be sick. Not like there is a good weekend to get sick, but between the the White Sox-Twins today and my "marathon" tomorrow of softball, volleyball, and Ecclesia, I'll need all the endurance I can get.
Even though I shouldn't really be amused by this, I kind of am. Apparently microwave popcorn can be harmful. The chemical diacetyl, which is used to make artificial butter flavoring, has been linked to a respiratory disease called "popcorn lung" in hundreds of people. Apparently some of these people need lung transplants. Now it's it not eating it that is necessarily bad, it's inhaling the fumes from the popcorn that does the damage. Amazing, isn't it? Fifteen years ago, the craze was how dangerous movie popcorn was with the coconut oil. Now we can't even get away with smelling popcorn, one of the best smells known to mankind?
Song pick: "A Tender Lie" Restless Heart
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Boo yah!
So this is what it feels like to be on the good end of a sweep. I wonder why a certain someone hasn't talked to me since Friday night...
I have to give the Mets full credit for rebounding and sweeping Atlanta in Turner Field. I never pictured it happening. John Maine, Mike Pelfrey, and Tom Glavine steeped up and delivered excellent pitching performances. The bullpen shone in that they didn't blow a game! The biggest testament to the Mets pitching this series is they only allowed one extra base hit in three games, a ground ball double by Brian McCann in the final inning of the final game. On offense, David Wright had big hits, Marlon Anderson is a huge bat off the bench, it's great to have Endy Chavez back, and Carlos Delgado actually hit two homers in this series.
The Mets lead is 4 games over Philly, 7.5 games over Atlanta, and the magic number for clinching the division is 23 with 26 games and we head to Ohio tomorrrow. Speaking of tomorrow, Pedro Martinez is back and pitching in Cincinnati! Vote for Pedro!
A few other things for tonight.
1) Jets open in 7 days! Let's smoke New England!
2) Cherry Coke Zero isn't much better than Diet Cherry Coke and they're both brutal.
3) I watched "One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest" for the first time last night. Excellent film.
4) I have softball playoffs at 8 am next week. If we win our first game, the championship game is at 9:15. Then, I have the volleyball seeding tournament at 2 p.m. I'd better do some extra cardio this week.
5) Fresh Market's bacon cheddar burgers and almond pillow cookies are incredible.
6) Where should I go at the end of December: St. Paul, MN or New York City?
7) Being spontaneous is a good quality but not when you're counting on someone having made a decision and then they decide to suddenly change it on you.
8) After hearing Joe Benigno's opening monologue/rant on Friday 8/31, I am reminded how great he is.
9) Two weeks to go until I attend ROH's third PPV taping at the Frontier Fieldhouse.
10) Steve Phillips is a clueless, bitter prick and ESPN needs to fire him today. I said it.
PS Check back later this week for the story of the relish and the beans...
I have to give the Mets full credit for rebounding and sweeping Atlanta in Turner Field. I never pictured it happening. John Maine, Mike Pelfrey, and Tom Glavine steeped up and delivered excellent pitching performances. The bullpen shone in that they didn't blow a game! The biggest testament to the Mets pitching this series is they only allowed one extra base hit in three games, a ground ball double by Brian McCann in the final inning of the final game. On offense, David Wright had big hits, Marlon Anderson is a huge bat off the bench, it's great to have Endy Chavez back, and Carlos Delgado actually hit two homers in this series.
The Mets lead is 4 games over Philly, 7.5 games over Atlanta, and the magic number for clinching the division is 23 with 26 games and we head to Ohio tomorrrow. Speaking of tomorrow, Pedro Martinez is back and pitching in Cincinnati! Vote for Pedro!
A few other things for tonight.
1) Jets open in 7 days! Let's smoke New England!
2) Cherry Coke Zero isn't much better than Diet Cherry Coke and they're both brutal.
3) I watched "One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest" for the first time last night. Excellent film.
4) I have softball playoffs at 8 am next week. If we win our first game, the championship game is at 9:15. Then, I have the volleyball seeding tournament at 2 p.m. I'd better do some extra cardio this week.
5) Fresh Market's bacon cheddar burgers and almond pillow cookies are incredible.
6) Where should I go at the end of December: St. Paul, MN or New York City?
7) Being spontaneous is a good quality but not when you're counting on someone having made a decision and then they decide to suddenly change it on you.
8) After hearing Joe Benigno's opening monologue/rant on Friday 8/31, I am reminded how great he is.
9) Two weeks to go until I attend ROH's third PPV taping at the Frontier Fieldhouse.
10) Steve Phillips is a clueless, bitter prick and ESPN needs to fire him today. I said it.
PS Check back later this week for the story of the relish and the beans...
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