I watch from the parking lot as the car weaves. It’s about 2:15 a.m. on a Saturday. An appropriate time for this kind of scene. It’s a Ford Taurus. Green. Looks like a company car. I’m almost hoping the car stops. Its battery goes. Or maybe a flat tire. Then I could go and help as the ambitiously drunk driver tries to open the trunk and retrieve the spare. I don’t really care about my quota this month. I’d rather just But no. The car pulls out onto the thoroughfare. Continuing to weave. I start up the cruiser and pull out of the parking lot, keeping my eye on the Taurus up ahead. The green car swerves into the oncoming lane. Thankfully, there’s no one coming. I hold back and hope that they turn. The car swerves again, just missing a truck coming in the other direction. I sigh and make my move.
I turn the lights on and get behind the car. I assess the situation. Two people. Man driving. Woman in the front seat. I can see the silhouettes. I run the plates. Double take the screen. And groan. I wish I hadn’t turned on the lights. I wonder if I could just flip the switch and drive by. Or I could act like I’m on my way to another call. But my conscience gets the better of me. I continue to proceed hoping that this won’t get ugly.
I sit in the car and watch as the man gets ready with his license and registration. Between his driving and the movements in the car, I know he shouldn’t be driving. A tired feeling washes over me. If only I could be at home in my own bed. Enjoying a good night’s sleep before going off to some desk job. But no, my grandfather was a cop. My father was a cop. And here I am an only child and a cop. Family pressure’s fun. I grab the clipboard and make my way to the passenger side. I justify this move since we’re on a busy street.
It’s what I expected. I don’t recognize the woman in the front seat. But I recognize the guy. ‘License and registration,’ I say. He provides. Still doesn’t know who I am. ‘Do you know how fast you were going?’ I ask. He doesn’t know. She’s blitzed. I should pull him out of the car and punch him. Can’t do that. I should pull her out of the car and send her home. I wonder if she’s older than 18. He’s had a soft spot for the younger girls since college. Never illegal, but close enough. I inspect the license. Same address that I visited two weeks ago to celebrate his youngest daughter’s third birthday. His wife made the best macaroni and cheese for the occasion.
‘Sir, please step out of the car.’ He does. As he exits, he starts to explain that he knows someone on the force. Until he sees me. And realizes that I’m the one he knows. I ask him what he’s doing. He has no answer. I ask him if he knows how incredibly stupid he is. He chuckles in that demeaning way he has. He smirks and asks me if I’m going to take him in. There’s nothing I want more. But I can’t. He laughs again and opens his car door. He looks back a last time and shakes his head. The car starts and takes off. Weaving into traffic.
I stand watching him drive away. And wish to God he had never caught me sleeping with that other woman.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
It's Personal: You Decide... FFL
My first experience with Fantasy Football didn't come until I reached Seattle. Even then, it was 3 years after I had arrived. Fantasy Football had never captured my fancy, as it were. I was content to cheer for the Giants and against the Cowboys. The idea of following individual players didn't seem to make much sense; in fact, it almost seemed disloyal. In 2005, I received an email from an old college friend. He told me that another member of the old clan had decided to cease playing, especially since he hadn't been terribly good. So, I said what the heck and threw my name in the mix. The name of my team? The Northwest NeeKnights for all you Monty Python fans. My draft consisted of Shaun Alexander, Larry Johnson, Tom Brady, Antonio Gates, Jimmy Smith, and Anquan Boldin. Now please don't laugh overly much, but I had fallen out of touch with football since moving to Seattle. I followed only the Giants and knew very few other players except for the superstars. And so, before the first week, I dropped Larry Johnson, Jimmy Smith, and Anquan Boldin. After some research, I had determined that Johnson was too young, Smith too old, and Boldin just had a weird-sounding name. I did realize my mistake after doing a bit more research and tried to get them back. Somehow, I succeeded in getting Johnson back. But not the other two. I recovered from losing Smith by picking up Jurevicius. But I could have used Smith. Nevertheless, I won that year by defeating the Gunslingers. And I haven't stopped playing since. Four teams in four leagues this year: New York State of Mind, A$$ Kickin Chickens, Seattle Buzz, and Spruce Moose.
My first experience with Fantasy Football came at the Outback at 27 Possum Park Mall in Newark, DE. The proprietor, an avid football fan, invited 14 of the staff - all guys, I seem to remember - to partake in the fun. As soon as I learned of the opportunity, I b-lined to a book store and purchased at least 3 separate magazines to make myself a fantasy expert. Having never played before, I didn't quite understand how points were awarded, so I concentrated on understanding what role running backs, wide receivers, quarterbacks, kickers, tight ends, and defenses played in the game. I soon learned that strong running backs were a must. Followed by at least 1 great receiver and a serviceable quarterback. I can tell you this. I didn't get Terrell Davis. No Randall Cunningham. Nor Jamal Anderson. Not Steve Young. Suffice it to say, I didn't draft particularly well. You see, I had spent so much time trying to figure out who the diamonds in the rough would be that I forgot to pick the studs, the guys who win FFL leagues. So instead of the highest ranking guys, I chose the likes of Keenan McCardell and Scott Brunell. Yeah, but they weren't bad, you might say. True, but I was only in the middle of the pack that year because I wasted my first 2-3 picks. A good lesson. Now if only I had used that and the other lessons I had learned. Instead, I decided against playing again until I reached Seattle. And only then, 3 years after I arrived. Which meant about 7 years between my first attempt and my second.
My first experience with Fantasy Football came at the Outback at 27 Possum Park Mall in Newark, DE. The proprietor, an avid football fan, invited 14 of the staff - all guys, I seem to remember - to partake in the fun. As soon as I learned of the opportunity, I b-lined to a book store and purchased at least 3 separate magazines to make myself a fantasy expert. Having never played before, I didn't quite understand how points were awarded, so I concentrated on understanding what role running backs, wide receivers, quarterbacks, kickers, tight ends, and defenses played in the game. I soon learned that strong running backs were a must. Followed by at least 1 great receiver and a serviceable quarterback. I can tell you this. I didn't get Terrell Davis. No Randall Cunningham. Nor Jamal Anderson. Not Steve Young. Suffice it to say, I didn't draft particularly well. You see, I had spent so much time trying to figure out who the diamonds in the rough would be that I forgot to pick the studs, the guys who win FFL leagues. So instead of the highest ranking guys, I chose the likes of Keenan McCardell and Scott Brunell. Yeah, but they weren't bad, you might say. True, but I was only in the middle of the pack that year because I wasted my first 2-3 picks. A good lesson. Now if only I had used that and the other lessons I had learned. Instead, I decided against playing again until I reached Seattle. And only then, 3 years after I arrived. Which meant about 7 years between my first attempt and my second.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Sporting Rants and Raves: September 26, 2009
Happy 28th Birthday to Ms. Serena Williams, an incredible tennis player who, with her sister Venus, has dominated the world stage for the past decade. The reigning Australian Open and Wimbledon singles champion, Serena has won 23 Grand Slam titles.
Trivia of the Week
Serena and Venus own part of this NFL franchise. Extra Credit: In which year did Serena turn pro?
Answers to September 19's Trivia of the Week
Abbott played for 4 teams in his major league career; name them.
California Angels, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers
Extra credit: Abbott pitched a no-hitter on September 4, 1993. For which team did he play? New York Yankees Against which team did he pitch? Cleveland Indians
Mora says Hasselbeck likely out for Seahawks
I'm a fan of Matt Hasselbeck. Maybe he's not been the greatest QB of all time, but he has heart and skill. Still, at 34 and as injury prone as he's been, I wonder if he's coming to the end of the line as the QB for the Seahawks. If he is, Seneca Wallace is NOT the answer. Time to start planning for the future...
Yankees, Rodriguez bruise Lester and Red Sox
The magic number's down to 3. So who do you think it's going to be? Detroit or Minnesota against the Yanks? The way both are playing, I'm not altogether concerned. Then again, I've seen teams with their adrenaline pumping once they actually get to the playoffs.
Wayne Gretzky resigns as Coyotes coach
The Great One on the ice wasn't so great on the sidelines. Neither was the great one in baseball (Babe Ruth). Nor the great one in basketball (Michael Jordan). It has always amazed me that people with such talent do not show similar talent as coaches. But having recently become a manager, I come to understand the phenomenon better. Great ones have talent. Statement of the obvious, I know. And usually these great ones don't need to concentrate on working as hard as those who don't have as much talent. (Please note that this is all relative.) So those who are considered to be the best of all time usually have a natural inclination to that thing they do so well. As I've noticed, those with such natural inclination have a VERY difficult time explaining that inclination to others. I just know when to go in front of the net. I just know where I'm going to hit the ball as soon as it's released from the pitcher's hands. I just know when to set the pick. And 'just know' doesn't help the students of the game. Teaching does. It's rare to find that great one who can teach...
TD's NFL Picks - Week 3
In the interests of time - I still have to do work and study before going out this evening - I shall keep this brief:
Green Bay @ St. Louis
Green Bay hasn't shown me much. I know because I have Aaron Rodgers as a QB in Fantasy Football. But it's St. Louis. So, TD chooses: Green Bay Packers
Kansas City @ Philadelphia
Weird game. With McNabb out and Westbrook questionable. And with the Kolb, Vick thing happening Kansas City could come out and surprise them. Still, it's Philly and the Iggles just seem to have a better team. TD chooses: Philadelphia Eagles
Atlanta @ New England
Wow. Could Brady be on the verge of losing his second straight game? Against the high flying Falcons it's certainly possible, especially given the fact that Moss and Welker are questionable. In New England though? Against an angry Brady? Yes. TD chooses: Atlanta Falcons
Cleveland @ Baltimore
Practical jokes in the Cleveland locker room that lead to fights. Odd. Ray Lewis smacking down, Darren Sproles. Not so odd. TD chooses: Baltimore Ravens
Washington @ Detroit
Detroit will win one of these days. I'm just not sure when. And being somewhat risk averse, I'm not confident in saying that this is the week even though Washington beat St. Louis by a ridiculous 2 points last week and didn't even score a TD. TD still chooses: Washington Redskins
Jacksonville @ Houston
Jacksonville's at 0-2. They're being blacked out at home. I have a friend originally from Jacksonville - who now lives in Seattle - that told me he was texting his friends in Jacksonville about the game since they couldn't see it on TV. Oh, and Houston doesn't look bad. TD chooses: Houston Texans
San Francisco @ Minnesota
San Fran at the top of the NFC West. Okay, I'll believe that. San Fran has a good QB. Yeah, jury's still out on that one. Minnesota, meanwhile, looks pretty solid. Even with Favre. TD chooses: Minnesota Vikings
Tennessee @ New York Jets
Here's the game I can't decide. Tennessee loses to Pittsburgh, barely. And then they lose to Houston by 3. New York beats Houston and New England. According to record, the Jets win. But not so fast. Tennessee is a good team. And they're hungry for a win. And they have a D the likes of which Sanchez has not yet seen. I will, for 1 final week, go against the Jets. But if they win this week, I can't really do that anymore. TD chooses: Tennessee Titans
Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati
The Bagels are coming around little by little. But a win against Green Bay doesn't convince me. Although Pittsburgh's loss to Chicago surprised me quite a bit. Nevertheless, TD chooses: Pittsburgh Steelers
New York Football Giants @ Tampa Bay
Tampa's building. The Giants are peaking. Everything points to a G-Men win. TD chooses: New York Football Giants
Chicago @ Seattle
If Hasselbeck were healthy, I might have called this game differently. Especially if I had any indication that Cutler might be inconsistent. As it stands, I don't believe Wallace can get the job done and Cutler was impressive last week. TD chooses: Chicago Bears
New Orleans @ Buffalo
Before the season began, I had a tough time choosing this game, but not for the reasons that I now similarly have a difficult time choosing. Buffalo has shown themselves to be contenders. A good team, still getting there. New Orleans has the offensive weapons. And suddenly, the defense is stepping up. So, who will win? TD chooses: New Orleans Saints
Denver @ Oakland
I expected both teams to be bad this year. And I expected this to be similar to a St. Louis v Detroit game. As it turns out, it's a better game than expected. Denver has won 2. How? Ohio, that's how. The Bagels make an infinitely stupid mistake. And then there's the Browns. Well, as I said last week, Oakland showed me something in going back to the basics. I believe in that theory. TD chooses: Oakland Raiders
Miami @ San Diego
Boy, did Miami come prepared last week. And boy did they lose. Last week, I did not do well predicting games, but I did say, 'I said at the beginning of this season that Peyton would win a couple games single-handedly this season. I'll say this is one of them.' I think Manning won this one single-handedly. Can Miami duplicate the feat? And does San Diego have what it takes to shut them down? I say Miami plans well again. For Rivers and Sproles. TD chooses: Miami Dolphins
Indianapolis @ Arizona
As we saw last week, Indy does well on the national stage. But Warner ain't no slouch. I'd call for this to be a shoot-out, but Indy has a good pass D. And Arizona's D isn't looking too shabby. I think Warner and his receiving corp turn this on. And Manning doesn't come back to save the day. TD chooses: Arizona Cardinals
Carolina @ Dallas
You better believe Dallas is not happy about losing the opener in the 'Palace'. And Carolina just hasn't looked that good. TD chooses: Dallas Cowboys
There ya have it. Until next I write, happy sporting...
Trivia of the Week
Serena and Venus own part of this NFL franchise. Extra Credit: In which year did Serena turn pro?
Answers to September 19's Trivia of the Week
Abbott played for 4 teams in his major league career; name them.
California Angels, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers
Extra credit: Abbott pitched a no-hitter on September 4, 1993. For which team did he play? New York Yankees Against which team did he pitch? Cleveland Indians
Mora says Hasselbeck likely out for Seahawks
I'm a fan of Matt Hasselbeck. Maybe he's not been the greatest QB of all time, but he has heart and skill. Still, at 34 and as injury prone as he's been, I wonder if he's coming to the end of the line as the QB for the Seahawks. If he is, Seneca Wallace is NOT the answer. Time to start planning for the future...
Yankees, Rodriguez bruise Lester and Red Sox
The magic number's down to 3. So who do you think it's going to be? Detroit or Minnesota against the Yanks? The way both are playing, I'm not altogether concerned. Then again, I've seen teams with their adrenaline pumping once they actually get to the playoffs.
Wayne Gretzky resigns as Coyotes coach
The Great One on the ice wasn't so great on the sidelines. Neither was the great one in baseball (Babe Ruth). Nor the great one in basketball (Michael Jordan). It has always amazed me that people with such talent do not show similar talent as coaches. But having recently become a manager, I come to understand the phenomenon better. Great ones have talent. Statement of the obvious, I know. And usually these great ones don't need to concentrate on working as hard as those who don't have as much talent. (Please note that this is all relative.) So those who are considered to be the best of all time usually have a natural inclination to that thing they do so well. As I've noticed, those with such natural inclination have a VERY difficult time explaining that inclination to others. I just know when to go in front of the net. I just know where I'm going to hit the ball as soon as it's released from the pitcher's hands. I just know when to set the pick. And 'just know' doesn't help the students of the game. Teaching does. It's rare to find that great one who can teach...
TD's NFL Picks - Week 3
In the interests of time - I still have to do work and study before going out this evening - I shall keep this brief:
Green Bay @ St. Louis
Green Bay hasn't shown me much. I know because I have Aaron Rodgers as a QB in Fantasy Football. But it's St. Louis. So, TD chooses: Green Bay Packers
Kansas City @ Philadelphia
Weird game. With McNabb out and Westbrook questionable. And with the Kolb, Vick thing happening Kansas City could come out and surprise them. Still, it's Philly and the Iggles just seem to have a better team. TD chooses: Philadelphia Eagles
Atlanta @ New England
Wow. Could Brady be on the verge of losing his second straight game? Against the high flying Falcons it's certainly possible, especially given the fact that Moss and Welker are questionable. In New England though? Against an angry Brady? Yes. TD chooses: Atlanta Falcons
Cleveland @ Baltimore
Practical jokes in the Cleveland locker room that lead to fights. Odd. Ray Lewis smacking down, Darren Sproles. Not so odd. TD chooses: Baltimore Ravens
Washington @ Detroit
Detroit will win one of these days. I'm just not sure when. And being somewhat risk averse, I'm not confident in saying that this is the week even though Washington beat St. Louis by a ridiculous 2 points last week and didn't even score a TD. TD still chooses: Washington Redskins
Jacksonville @ Houston
Jacksonville's at 0-2. They're being blacked out at home. I have a friend originally from Jacksonville - who now lives in Seattle - that told me he was texting his friends in Jacksonville about the game since they couldn't see it on TV. Oh, and Houston doesn't look bad. TD chooses: Houston Texans
San Francisco @ Minnesota
San Fran at the top of the NFC West. Okay, I'll believe that. San Fran has a good QB. Yeah, jury's still out on that one. Minnesota, meanwhile, looks pretty solid. Even with Favre. TD chooses: Minnesota Vikings
Tennessee @ New York Jets
Here's the game I can't decide. Tennessee loses to Pittsburgh, barely. And then they lose to Houston by 3. New York beats Houston and New England. According to record, the Jets win. But not so fast. Tennessee is a good team. And they're hungry for a win. And they have a D the likes of which Sanchez has not yet seen. I will, for 1 final week, go against the Jets. But if they win this week, I can't really do that anymore. TD chooses: Tennessee Titans
Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati
The Bagels are coming around little by little. But a win against Green Bay doesn't convince me. Although Pittsburgh's loss to Chicago surprised me quite a bit. Nevertheless, TD chooses: Pittsburgh Steelers
New York Football Giants @ Tampa Bay
Tampa's building. The Giants are peaking. Everything points to a G-Men win. TD chooses: New York Football Giants
Chicago @ Seattle
If Hasselbeck were healthy, I might have called this game differently. Especially if I had any indication that Cutler might be inconsistent. As it stands, I don't believe Wallace can get the job done and Cutler was impressive last week. TD chooses: Chicago Bears
New Orleans @ Buffalo
Before the season began, I had a tough time choosing this game, but not for the reasons that I now similarly have a difficult time choosing. Buffalo has shown themselves to be contenders. A good team, still getting there. New Orleans has the offensive weapons. And suddenly, the defense is stepping up. So, who will win? TD chooses: New Orleans Saints
Denver @ Oakland
I expected both teams to be bad this year. And I expected this to be similar to a St. Louis v Detroit game. As it turns out, it's a better game than expected. Denver has won 2. How? Ohio, that's how. The Bagels make an infinitely stupid mistake. And then there's the Browns. Well, as I said last week, Oakland showed me something in going back to the basics. I believe in that theory. TD chooses: Oakland Raiders
Miami @ San Diego
Boy, did Miami come prepared last week. And boy did they lose. Last week, I did not do well predicting games, but I did say, 'I said at the beginning of this season that Peyton would win a couple games single-handedly this season. I'll say this is one of them.' I think Manning won this one single-handedly. Can Miami duplicate the feat? And does San Diego have what it takes to shut them down? I say Miami plans well again. For Rivers and Sproles. TD chooses: Miami Dolphins
Indianapolis @ Arizona
As we saw last week, Indy does well on the national stage. But Warner ain't no slouch. I'd call for this to be a shoot-out, but Indy has a good pass D. And Arizona's D isn't looking too shabby. I think Warner and his receiving corp turn this on. And Manning doesn't come back to save the day. TD chooses: Arizona Cardinals
Carolina @ Dallas
You better believe Dallas is not happy about losing the opener in the 'Palace'. And Carolina just hasn't looked that good. TD chooses: Dallas Cowboys
There ya have it. Until next I write, happy sporting...
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
3WW (Eclipse, Languis, Velocity): The Story of George Porter
George wakes as he does every morning, hugging his second pillow. Somehow, the pillow always escapes from under his head and magically appears in his arms. It's not the pillow he intends to hug but Mary. His Mary. He hasn't actually hugged her in 40 years. He has forgotten her face, her smell. But not her touch, not the sweet caress of her hands across his back. If only he had a picture or some keepsake.
His wife's touch is soon eclipsed by the fading faces of his four children. Two girls and two boys. Vibrant young minds and bodies. Full of energy. He remembers them preparing for the holidays. It's his last memory of them. And then they were gone. Like his wife. His entire family gone in the blink of an eye.
He lifts himself from the single bed slowly, his 78 year old bones creaking and crackling with each movement. He moves to the small kitchen and gets the coffee perking. He rounds out his morning routine with a trip to his front door to retrieve his paper. October 13, 1986. On the front page, Reagan and Gorbachev sitting in chairs opposite each other. Atop the picture reads the headline, 'Reykjavik Talks Collapse'. He laughs to himself every time he sees Reagan. An actor as president. And not a particularly good actor. He can't help but think of Bedtime for Bonzo.
After he lost his family - the winter of 1947 - George moved downstate to the City. With no money, no family, and no friends, he wasn't certain how he'd survive. So, he languished on the streets of New York. Covering himself with what blankets local churches offered. Picking through trash outside restaurants and markets. Walking the streets of New York in a daze, cursing his luck.
An old man named Henry 'Hank' Porter - a recent widower - took George in after finding him rummaging through the trash outside Hank's market. An ironic twist, George admitted. George happened to fit into the clothes of the son Hank had lost in the Great War. Hank eventually offered George a job in the market. George repaid Hank's kindness by acting like the son Hank hadn't had the chance to have. In fact, George even changed his surname to Porter; it was the only time George saw the old man cry. When Hank retired, he made George the general manager. Hank died in 1964 at the ripe old age of 92. His last words to George, 'I thank God for you.' In his will, Hank left everything he had to George.
George smiles at the memory. His mind wanders to the sale of the market. A good chunk of change that's serving as his retirement fund. He thinks about Hank, such a generous old man. Unlike another Henry he once knew, the old codger. George reads through the paper. In the local section, he notices an article about the Purnell School in Pottersville, NJ. A feel-good article about a local scholar athlete.
The name triggers the memory of the night that his life changed, the night he lost everything. He had had a lot to drink, too much. And he made the stupid decision to drive. The car's velocity increased along the snowy road. He came to a sharp turn and couldn't maneuver; the car rammed a tree. Disgusted with himself and his circumstances, he made his way to the bridge ready to do the unthinkable. When some nutjob named Clarence jumped into the icy cold water. George saved the man.
While in the bridge's guard house warming themselves, George spoke the words he wishes, to this day, he'd never spoken, 'I wish I'd never been born.' He recalls all too clearly Clarence's response, 'Okay, you have never been born.'
George laughed at the odd little man and departed only to find that his wife, kids, friends, town, house - everything - was gone. Not gone, exactly, but not the same. No one knew him. No one remembered. Somehow, his entire life had been erased from existence.
The doorbell rings. George opens the door. On the welcome mat lay a copy of Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. George opens to the title page. It reads, 'Dear George, It was still a wonderful life. Thanks for the wings. Love, Clarence.'
His wife's touch is soon eclipsed by the fading faces of his four children. Two girls and two boys. Vibrant young minds and bodies. Full of energy. He remembers them preparing for the holidays. It's his last memory of them. And then they were gone. Like his wife. His entire family gone in the blink of an eye.
He lifts himself from the single bed slowly, his 78 year old bones creaking and crackling with each movement. He moves to the small kitchen and gets the coffee perking. He rounds out his morning routine with a trip to his front door to retrieve his paper. October 13, 1986. On the front page, Reagan and Gorbachev sitting in chairs opposite each other. Atop the picture reads the headline, 'Reykjavik Talks Collapse'. He laughs to himself every time he sees Reagan. An actor as president. And not a particularly good actor. He can't help but think of Bedtime for Bonzo.
After he lost his family - the winter of 1947 - George moved downstate to the City. With no money, no family, and no friends, he wasn't certain how he'd survive. So, he languished on the streets of New York. Covering himself with what blankets local churches offered. Picking through trash outside restaurants and markets. Walking the streets of New York in a daze, cursing his luck.
An old man named Henry 'Hank' Porter - a recent widower - took George in after finding him rummaging through the trash outside Hank's market. An ironic twist, George admitted. George happened to fit into the clothes of the son Hank had lost in the Great War. Hank eventually offered George a job in the market. George repaid Hank's kindness by acting like the son Hank hadn't had the chance to have. In fact, George even changed his surname to Porter; it was the only time George saw the old man cry. When Hank retired, he made George the general manager. Hank died in 1964 at the ripe old age of 92. His last words to George, 'I thank God for you.' In his will, Hank left everything he had to George.
George smiles at the memory. His mind wanders to the sale of the market. A good chunk of change that's serving as his retirement fund. He thinks about Hank, such a generous old man. Unlike another Henry he once knew, the old codger. George reads through the paper. In the local section, he notices an article about the Purnell School in Pottersville, NJ. A feel-good article about a local scholar athlete.
The name triggers the memory of the night that his life changed, the night he lost everything. He had had a lot to drink, too much. And he made the stupid decision to drive. The car's velocity increased along the snowy road. He came to a sharp turn and couldn't maneuver; the car rammed a tree. Disgusted with himself and his circumstances, he made his way to the bridge ready to do the unthinkable. When some nutjob named Clarence jumped into the icy cold water. George saved the man.
While in the bridge's guard house warming themselves, George spoke the words he wishes, to this day, he'd never spoken, 'I wish I'd never been born.' He recalls all too clearly Clarence's response, 'Okay, you have never been born.'
George laughed at the odd little man and departed only to find that his wife, kids, friends, town, house - everything - was gone. Not gone, exactly, but not the same. No one knew him. No one remembered. Somehow, his entire life had been erased from existence.
The doorbell rings. George opens the door. On the welcome mat lay a copy of Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. George opens to the title page. It reads, 'Dear George, It was still a wonderful life. Thanks for the wings. Love, Clarence.'
Monday, September 21, 2009
It's Personal: You Decide... Not Feeling So Well
One of these stories is true. The other isn't. Can you guess which happened to me?
A friend of ours worked for a magazine, one of those local periodicals that waxes poetic about all things Seattle. A common by-product of his employment with the magazine was a plethora of certificates to local establishments, not to mention invitations to food and wine tastings. He invited Joseph and me to one of the latter. A nice little spot near the Fremont bridge. They served seafood that night. I remember only because I had the taste stuck to the roof of my mouth for what seemed to be days following the 'incident'. Ah yes, the incident. It had to do with wine tasting. I started with a white of some kind. Perhaps a Pinot Grigio, one of my favorites. And then I followed with another white. I think a Riesling. A Pinot Gris. A Merlot. A Syrah. And then a Cabernet Sauvignon that reminded me of the old man. So, I kept drinking it. Having a grand old time. Until the room started going wobbly. It was worse than the effect of any hard alcohol I'd ever imbibed. It hit like a freight train. I told Joseph I was ready to go. And so we packed ourselves into our friend's car. A Toyota, I seem to remember. We almost made it. Back to our apartment, that is. Or maybe we didn't. I don't really recall. What I do recollect is getting terribly ill in the car. What was most remarkable was my ability to catch nearly all of the 'whoopsed cookies' in the jacket I held on my lap, thus saving the car of said friends from a vomitous experience.
It was around this time of the year. Joseph and I made our annual trek to the Puyallup Fair, a local fair many times the size of the North Haven Fair (contextualization for those in Connecticut). At the fair, we saw gourds and sheep and booths with rigid basketball hoops. In addition, there was food, glorious food. A hamburger the size of a frisbee, a treat I tried but didn't finish. There were cow chips - huge cookies - and corn dogs and cones of delicious ice cream. Let's just say I splurged a tad. Okay, more than a tad. We walked around a while after gorging ourselves, convincing ourselves that a healthy trot would work off the billions of calories we had ingested. We played a few games, saw a few more gourds, and mooed at cows. But we couldn't avoid the inevitable. Joseph was becoming impatient. It was time for the rides. Thinking we had sufficiently cleared our stomachs, we headed for the 'easier' rides first. The water floo. The Scrambler and the Spyder. A number of other whirly rides, to boot. And none caused any issues. We tried our luck with the rickety roller coaster. And then with that weird ride that sucks you to the wall while the floor drops out from under you. Still no sign of an issue. Free and clear, we thought. We thought. Then we decided to go on the Pirate Ship. You know, that ship that swings like a pendulum. Until it gets enough momentum to make a full rotation. I was okay after the first full rotation. But on the way up in the midst of the second rotation, I witnessed a phenomenon I hope never to witness again. I watched as a reformed conglomerate of cow chips, hamburger, ice cream, French fries, and other assorted fried foods ascended into the air. It came to its apex and fell in a kind of gelatinous blob on the floor of the ride, splattering the shoes of all within a five-foot radius. Completely embarrassed, I exited stage left as quickly as I was able. And headed to the next ride...
A friend of ours worked for a magazine, one of those local periodicals that waxes poetic about all things Seattle. A common by-product of his employment with the magazine was a plethora of certificates to local establishments, not to mention invitations to food and wine tastings. He invited Joseph and me to one of the latter. A nice little spot near the Fremont bridge. They served seafood that night. I remember only because I had the taste stuck to the roof of my mouth for what seemed to be days following the 'incident'. Ah yes, the incident. It had to do with wine tasting. I started with a white of some kind. Perhaps a Pinot Grigio, one of my favorites. And then I followed with another white. I think a Riesling. A Pinot Gris. A Merlot. A Syrah. And then a Cabernet Sauvignon that reminded me of the old man. So, I kept drinking it. Having a grand old time. Until the room started going wobbly. It was worse than the effect of any hard alcohol I'd ever imbibed. It hit like a freight train. I told Joseph I was ready to go. And so we packed ourselves into our friend's car. A Toyota, I seem to remember. We almost made it. Back to our apartment, that is. Or maybe we didn't. I don't really recall. What I do recollect is getting terribly ill in the car. What was most remarkable was my ability to catch nearly all of the 'whoopsed cookies' in the jacket I held on my lap, thus saving the car of said friends from a vomitous experience.
It was around this time of the year. Joseph and I made our annual trek to the Puyallup Fair, a local fair many times the size of the North Haven Fair (contextualization for those in Connecticut). At the fair, we saw gourds and sheep and booths with rigid basketball hoops. In addition, there was food, glorious food. A hamburger the size of a frisbee, a treat I tried but didn't finish. There were cow chips - huge cookies - and corn dogs and cones of delicious ice cream. Let's just say I splurged a tad. Okay, more than a tad. We walked around a while after gorging ourselves, convincing ourselves that a healthy trot would work off the billions of calories we had ingested. We played a few games, saw a few more gourds, and mooed at cows. But we couldn't avoid the inevitable. Joseph was becoming impatient. It was time for the rides. Thinking we had sufficiently cleared our stomachs, we headed for the 'easier' rides first. The water floo. The Scrambler and the Spyder. A number of other whirly rides, to boot. And none caused any issues. We tried our luck with the rickety roller coaster. And then with that weird ride that sucks you to the wall while the floor drops out from under you. Still no sign of an issue. Free and clear, we thought. We thought. Then we decided to go on the Pirate Ship. You know, that ship that swings like a pendulum. Until it gets enough momentum to make a full rotation. I was okay after the first full rotation. But on the way up in the midst of the second rotation, I witnessed a phenomenon I hope never to witness again. I watched as a reformed conglomerate of cow chips, hamburger, ice cream, French fries, and other assorted fried foods ascended into the air. It came to its apex and fell in a kind of gelatinous blob on the floor of the ride, splattering the shoes of all within a five-foot radius. Completely embarrassed, I exited stage left as quickly as I was able. And headed to the next ride...
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Sporting Rants and Raves: September 19, 2009
Happy 42nd birthday Mr. Jim Abbott. A former MLB pitcher, Abbott was best known for pitching despite having been born without a right hand. In 10 years in the majors, Abbott won 87, lost 108, and had an ERA of 4.25.
Trivia of the Week
Abbott played for 4 teams in his major league career; name them. Extra credit: Abbott pitched a no-hitter on September 4, 1993. For which team did he play? Against which team did he pitch?
Answers to September 12's Trivia of the Week
Yao Ming is from the largest city in China. Name that city.
Shanghai
Extra credit: Yao first played professional basketball in China with this team. He later bought the team on 7/16/2009.
Shanghai Sharks
Washington stuns No. 3 USC 16-13
I do not pretend to be any kind of hardcore Washington Huskies fan. Nor do I wish them ill, much to the chagrin of my Cougar friends. Although I am indifferent, I congratulate the team that recorded its first win in 16 games last weekend against Idaho and now have beaten the likes of USC, a team for which I have absolutely no love.
Grasu's FG gives WSU 30-27 OT win over SMU
At the same time, I must congratulate the Cougs on their OT win. After last week's rather embarrassing loss to Hawaii, I wondered if they had what it took to do any damage whatsoever to any team they faced. They have proven that they do have some spark.
Suzuki gives Seattle stunning 3-2 win
I was supposed to go to the game last evening. In some ways, I'm glad I didn't. You see, my best friend was in town, and I wanted to spend some time with him and Joseph. I therefore gave the tickets to two friends, one of whom claimed he wanted to go to boo A-Rod. After I returned home from dinner, I looked at the score and saw 3-2. Ichiro against Rivera. Only the second blown save for Rivera this year. The other just so happened to be a 2-run blast from Boston's Jason Bay.
NBA star Delonte West arrested on weapons charges
I don't know who Delonte West. And I don't really care, other than the fact that he's an NBA player. The only question I have is, why. I've spoken to Joseph about this a number of times. Professionals from all sports caught with guns and drugs. And Joseph makes the point that many of these athletes never fully understand that they don't need to be badasses anymore. They don't need to be involved in gangs and drug running and gun toting anymore. But they don't know anything different. They never underwent the cultural change from the hood to the field / court. Perhaps the professional leagues should take this under advisement. Perhaps, as with a half-way house after prison, these athletes should be involved in a program that introduces them to a world where they don't need to be involved in those poisonous activities from their former lives.
TD's NFL Picks - Week 2
Started at 11-5. If not for a ridiculous tip by a Bagel DB, I'd be 12-4. But I'm not bitter. It is Cincinnati, after all. A bunch of good games this week, including a Cowboys-Giants showdown on Sunday night. Who will TD pick? Let's see...
Minnesota @ Detroit
The Lions have to win sometime, right? Right. Just not this week. Favre will continue to hand off. As well he should. TD chooses: Minnesota Vikings
Carolina @ Atlanta
Yes, I chose Carolina to win the NFC South. And now, I would like to retract that statement. Yes, I know I can't. And yes, I know that Carolina has looked rather terrible both in the preseason and in the first game. They might actually be third in the division - I still think Tampa's worse. And Atlanta will win the division. And the game. TD chooses: Atlanta Falcons
Cincinnati @ Green Bay
I feel badly for Carson Palmer only because I like what I read about him. Even if he did go to USC. As for the remainder of the Bagels, eh. Even though I think Green Bay had far too many problems against a rather poorly playing Chicago Bears team, I'll still take them against these Blueberry Bagels. TD chooses: Green Bay Packers
Arizona @ Jacksonville
Arizona lost to San Fran. Not sure what happened there. But I'm going to be VERY disappointed if Arizona isn't good this year. Jacksonville played well against Indy, but I'm not convinced that Indy's a very good team. I will therefore give the Cards another shot. But if they don't win this one, I may have to blacklist them for a little while (given that they're not playing the Rams next week.) TD chooses: Arizona Cardinals
New England @ New York Jets
The Jets played well last week against what I think will be a good team. I don't think it was a fluke. But I may chalk it up to Houston not being altogether ready. All of you Jets fans have a right to be upset with me for that comment, but you're just Jets fans. And if any of you come after me, I'll sick some Giants fans on you. Then there's New England. I caught the second half of the Bills - Pats game Monday night. (Still hate the old Pats unis.) And just when it seemed the Pats might be succumbing to reality, that numbnuts decides to take the ball out of the end zone. I would have vandalized your lawn too. And, all of a sudden, the Pats are 1-0. I personally think they're going to be 2-0. TD chooses: New England Patriots
Houston @ Tennessee
I know Tennessee lost their first game. But not by much. And Haynesworth's departure doesn't seem to be hurting that much. Houston, meanwhile, needs a win. And they can win with their offense. But I don't think they're ready yet. Let's get going Schaub... TD chooses: Tennessee Titans
St. Louis @ Washington
It's St. Louis. Then again, Washington's known for getting beaten for no reason by a team that has no reason to beat them. Still, TD chooses: Washington Redskins
New Orleans @ Philadelphia
Here we go again. McNabb goes down. Vick's not ready. Kevin Kolb's going to start, but who knows if he's going to finish. And Jeff Garcia's waiting in the wings. Otherwise, the offense is fine. Ha Ha. Philly fans must love this. As for New Orleans, they can beat any team that doesn't score many points on any given day. They are - as usual - limited only by their defense. So, who do I choose? Tough one. I'll give home field advantage. TD chooses: Philadelphia Eagles
Oakland @ Kansas City
Welcome to the weakest division in football. Although both teams stayed with the teams they played in Week 1, I don't have any confidence in either. It is likely that one of them will win, however, and so I must choose. Will Oakland continue to run the ball down their opponents' throats successfully? If so, I say they win. If thy have to pass, forget it. As for KC, will Cassel play? And does it matter if he does? For now, I'll say KC can hold on. But later in the season, I think I'll give it to the Silver and Black Attack. TD chooses: Kansas City Chiefs
Tampa Bay @ Buffalo
I wasn't impressed with Tampa last week. They barely gave the Cowboys a game. Buffalo, on the other hand, has some weapons in TO-man, Fred Jackson, and Trent Edwards. TD chooses: Buffalo Bills
Seattle @ San Francisco
I didn't think San Fran would win against the Cardinals. But they did. And even if they didn't do it convincingly, their win makes me think twice about the game against Seattle. I then think about all of the weapons a healthy Hasselbeck has. Speaking of which, when is Deion Branch going bye-bye? TD will be a homer and chooses: Seattle Seahawks
Pittsburgh @ Chicago
Before the season began, I chose Chicago to go to the Super Bowl. Then they played against Green Bay, and I wondered if any team in the NFC North would get by the first round of the playoffs. I'm disappointed. And although I'm rooting for them against Pittsburgh, I think Pittsburgh's better. TD chooses: Pittsburgh Steelers
Cleveland @ Denver
The who cares game of the week. Not even the fans care, I'd bet. Let's flip a coin. A 1994 D Penny. Cleveland, heads. Denver, not heads. Best 2 of 3. Cleveland wins the first. Denver wins the second. Oh, the anticipation. Denver wins the third. So, TD chooses: Cleveland Browns. (I never said I'd go with the coin flip winner.)
Baltimore @ San Diego
An interesting matchup, methinks. Baltimore played down to KC last week. San Diego did the same against Oakland. I don't know if Flacco's that good. Then again, although I know the stats, I feel the same way about Rivers. The better offense? San Diego with its many weapons. The better defense? Baltimore, by far. There's nothing particularly scary about playing in San Diego. Except that it's a long ways from east to west. What will tip the balance? Injuries. LT's out. And the O-line has been weakened. TD chooses: Baltimore Ravens
New York Football Giants @ Dallas Cowboys
It promises to be a good game. It has been for some time. Romo's trying to prove he's for real without TO-man. Manning's looking for the next deep threat. Mario Manningham? Maybe. There is a Manning in Manningham after all. But these points have nothing to do with the game. Who will win? I fear that the Cowboys are in a good position. They're good early in the season. And it's the first game at the TV-dome. TD hesitatingly chooses: Dallas Cowboys even though he is rooting whole-heartedly for the New York Football Giants.
Indianapolis @ Miami
Indianapolis pulled it out last week. Against a not-so-good Jacksonville team. Miami lost to a better Atlanta team. I don't really have confidence in either. And nothing I'm reading gives me reason to choose either over the other. Indy has the experience. But Sparano probably won't allow his team to turn the ball over nearly as much. I said at the beginning of this season that Peyton would win a couple games single-handedly this season. I'll say this is one of them. TD chooses: Indianapolis Colts
There you have it sports fans. Week 2 choices and a few tidbits besides. Until next I write, happy sporting...
Trivia of the Week
Abbott played for 4 teams in his major league career; name them. Extra credit: Abbott pitched a no-hitter on September 4, 1993. For which team did he play? Against which team did he pitch?
Answers to September 12's Trivia of the Week
Yao Ming is from the largest city in China. Name that city.
Shanghai
Extra credit: Yao first played professional basketball in China with this team. He later bought the team on 7/16/2009.
Shanghai Sharks
Washington stuns No. 3 USC 16-13
I do not pretend to be any kind of hardcore Washington Huskies fan. Nor do I wish them ill, much to the chagrin of my Cougar friends. Although I am indifferent, I congratulate the team that recorded its first win in 16 games last weekend against Idaho and now have beaten the likes of USC, a team for which I have absolutely no love.
Grasu's FG gives WSU 30-27 OT win over SMU
At the same time, I must congratulate the Cougs on their OT win. After last week's rather embarrassing loss to Hawaii, I wondered if they had what it took to do any damage whatsoever to any team they faced. They have proven that they do have some spark.
Suzuki gives Seattle stunning 3-2 win
I was supposed to go to the game last evening. In some ways, I'm glad I didn't. You see, my best friend was in town, and I wanted to spend some time with him and Joseph. I therefore gave the tickets to two friends, one of whom claimed he wanted to go to boo A-Rod. After I returned home from dinner, I looked at the score and saw 3-2. Ichiro against Rivera. Only the second blown save for Rivera this year. The other just so happened to be a 2-run blast from Boston's Jason Bay.
NBA star Delonte West arrested on weapons charges
I don't know who Delonte West. And I don't really care, other than the fact that he's an NBA player. The only question I have is, why. I've spoken to Joseph about this a number of times. Professionals from all sports caught with guns and drugs. And Joseph makes the point that many of these athletes never fully understand that they don't need to be badasses anymore. They don't need to be involved in gangs and drug running and gun toting anymore. But they don't know anything different. They never underwent the cultural change from the hood to the field / court. Perhaps the professional leagues should take this under advisement. Perhaps, as with a half-way house after prison, these athletes should be involved in a program that introduces them to a world where they don't need to be involved in those poisonous activities from their former lives.
TD's NFL Picks - Week 2
Started at 11-5. If not for a ridiculous tip by a Bagel DB, I'd be 12-4. But I'm not bitter. It is Cincinnati, after all. A bunch of good games this week, including a Cowboys-Giants showdown on Sunday night. Who will TD pick? Let's see...
Minnesota @ Detroit
The Lions have to win sometime, right? Right. Just not this week. Favre will continue to hand off. As well he should. TD chooses: Minnesota Vikings
Carolina @ Atlanta
Yes, I chose Carolina to win the NFC South. And now, I would like to retract that statement. Yes, I know I can't. And yes, I know that Carolina has looked rather terrible both in the preseason and in the first game. They might actually be third in the division - I still think Tampa's worse. And Atlanta will win the division. And the game. TD chooses: Atlanta Falcons
Cincinnati @ Green Bay
I feel badly for Carson Palmer only because I like what I read about him. Even if he did go to USC. As for the remainder of the Bagels, eh. Even though I think Green Bay had far too many problems against a rather poorly playing Chicago Bears team, I'll still take them against these Blueberry Bagels. TD chooses: Green Bay Packers
Arizona @ Jacksonville
Arizona lost to San Fran. Not sure what happened there. But I'm going to be VERY disappointed if Arizona isn't good this year. Jacksonville played well against Indy, but I'm not convinced that Indy's a very good team. I will therefore give the Cards another shot. But if they don't win this one, I may have to blacklist them for a little while (given that they're not playing the Rams next week.) TD chooses: Arizona Cardinals
New England @ New York Jets
The Jets played well last week against what I think will be a good team. I don't think it was a fluke. But I may chalk it up to Houston not being altogether ready. All of you Jets fans have a right to be upset with me for that comment, but you're just Jets fans. And if any of you come after me, I'll sick some Giants fans on you. Then there's New England. I caught the second half of the Bills - Pats game Monday night. (Still hate the old Pats unis.) And just when it seemed the Pats might be succumbing to reality, that numbnuts decides to take the ball out of the end zone. I would have vandalized your lawn too. And, all of a sudden, the Pats are 1-0. I personally think they're going to be 2-0. TD chooses: New England Patriots
Houston @ Tennessee
I know Tennessee lost their first game. But not by much. And Haynesworth's departure doesn't seem to be hurting that much. Houston, meanwhile, needs a win. And they can win with their offense. But I don't think they're ready yet. Let's get going Schaub... TD chooses: Tennessee Titans
St. Louis @ Washington
It's St. Louis. Then again, Washington's known for getting beaten for no reason by a team that has no reason to beat them. Still, TD chooses: Washington Redskins
New Orleans @ Philadelphia
Here we go again. McNabb goes down. Vick's not ready. Kevin Kolb's going to start, but who knows if he's going to finish. And Jeff Garcia's waiting in the wings. Otherwise, the offense is fine. Ha Ha. Philly fans must love this. As for New Orleans, they can beat any team that doesn't score many points on any given day. They are - as usual - limited only by their defense. So, who do I choose? Tough one. I'll give home field advantage. TD chooses: Philadelphia Eagles
Oakland @ Kansas City
Welcome to the weakest division in football. Although both teams stayed with the teams they played in Week 1, I don't have any confidence in either. It is likely that one of them will win, however, and so I must choose. Will Oakland continue to run the ball down their opponents' throats successfully? If so, I say they win. If thy have to pass, forget it. As for KC, will Cassel play? And does it matter if he does? For now, I'll say KC can hold on. But later in the season, I think I'll give it to the Silver and Black Attack. TD chooses: Kansas City Chiefs
Tampa Bay @ Buffalo
I wasn't impressed with Tampa last week. They barely gave the Cowboys a game. Buffalo, on the other hand, has some weapons in TO-man, Fred Jackson, and Trent Edwards. TD chooses: Buffalo Bills
Seattle @ San Francisco
I didn't think San Fran would win against the Cardinals. But they did. And even if they didn't do it convincingly, their win makes me think twice about the game against Seattle. I then think about all of the weapons a healthy Hasselbeck has. Speaking of which, when is Deion Branch going bye-bye? TD will be a homer and chooses: Seattle Seahawks
Pittsburgh @ Chicago
Before the season began, I chose Chicago to go to the Super Bowl. Then they played against Green Bay, and I wondered if any team in the NFC North would get by the first round of the playoffs. I'm disappointed. And although I'm rooting for them against Pittsburgh, I think Pittsburgh's better. TD chooses: Pittsburgh Steelers
Cleveland @ Denver
The who cares game of the week. Not even the fans care, I'd bet. Let's flip a coin. A 1994 D Penny. Cleveland, heads. Denver, not heads. Best 2 of 3. Cleveland wins the first. Denver wins the second. Oh, the anticipation. Denver wins the third. So, TD chooses: Cleveland Browns. (I never said I'd go with the coin flip winner.)
Baltimore @ San Diego
An interesting matchup, methinks. Baltimore played down to KC last week. San Diego did the same against Oakland. I don't know if Flacco's that good. Then again, although I know the stats, I feel the same way about Rivers. The better offense? San Diego with its many weapons. The better defense? Baltimore, by far. There's nothing particularly scary about playing in San Diego. Except that it's a long ways from east to west. What will tip the balance? Injuries. LT's out. And the O-line has been weakened. TD chooses: Baltimore Ravens
New York Football Giants @ Dallas Cowboys
It promises to be a good game. It has been for some time. Romo's trying to prove he's for real without TO-man. Manning's looking for the next deep threat. Mario Manningham? Maybe. There is a Manning in Manningham after all. But these points have nothing to do with the game. Who will win? I fear that the Cowboys are in a good position. They're good early in the season. And it's the first game at the TV-dome. TD hesitatingly chooses: Dallas Cowboys even though he is rooting whole-heartedly for the New York Football Giants.
Indianapolis @ Miami
Indianapolis pulled it out last week. Against a not-so-good Jacksonville team. Miami lost to a better Atlanta team. I don't really have confidence in either. And nothing I'm reading gives me reason to choose either over the other. Indy has the experience. But Sparano probably won't allow his team to turn the ball over nearly as much. I said at the beginning of this season that Peyton would win a couple games single-handedly this season. I'll say this is one of them. TD chooses: Indianapolis Colts
There you have it sports fans. Week 2 choices and a few tidbits besides. Until next I write, happy sporting...
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
3WW (Drift, Hanky, Thick): Tuesday's Senior Discount
Every Tuesday, they loaded themselves into their 1998 Toyota Corolla to go shopping at the local supermarket. Senior discount day. And they could use the myriad coupons Lucy had clipped for time immemorial.
They parked in the handicap spot and ambled into the store. Lucy retrieved a cart. Gordon waited.
'Gordon, give me your hanky. I want to wipe the cart.' Her husband had his handkerchief waiting in his hand.
They meandered into the produce section, which was thick with little old ladies and grumbling silver-haired men. And there, Lucy started eying a young couple by the potatoes. With the couple was a girl of no more than 4; the little girl was having a bit of a tantrum.
'Something's not right, Gordon,' she whispered to her husband.
'Huh?' he tried to ignore her.
'That couple over there,' she pointed so that her husband couldn't help but see what she was trying to say.
'It's nothing,' he said.
'Something's not right, Gordon,' she replied to her husband, 'I think I should say something.'
'It's nothing,' her husband spoke with obvious annoyance. 'Leave those people alone, for God's sakes.' He started walking away, mumbling to himself.
'Something's not right, Gordon.' She picked up speed to catch her husband. 'The little girl looks like she's upset. She almost looks scared.'
Ignoring his wife he asked, 'What else do we need, Lucy?' His wife diverted her attention to the shopping list just long enough to say that they needed prunes.
'It's for your constipation, Gordon.'
'Woman, you drive me to drink.'
'You haven't had a drink in 10 years, Gordon.'
'I know, but I need one now.'
They slowly worked their way around the store. Lucy kept spying the couple and the girl every chance she got.
Somewhere around the candy aisle, Lucy noticed that the little girl was crying again.
'Gordon!' She exclaimed loudly enough that the couple and the little girl looked up at her.
'What!' he yelled back.
Again, thinking she was whispering, 'I think we should say something.'
'About what?' he asked.
'About them,' she pointed again.
'Mind your own business, Ma.' He had grown accustomed to calling her Ma after having had 5 kids together.
She relented yet again and continued drifting through the store.
They made it to the checkout. The couple with the little girl entered behind them. The little girl was still crying. Screaming in fact. The man looked exasperated. The woman yanked the little girl's arm and said with gritted teeth, 'You better stop this right now or else you're gonna get a whoopin when we get home.'
This was the final straw for Lucy. After she and Gordon checked out, they walked towards the exit. Letting Gordon walk out the door, she veered towards the cop standing near the carriages.
'Sir,' she got his attention. Trying to muffle her voice, she said, 'Sir I think there's a problem over there.' She pointed at the checkout area from where she had just come.
'What's wrong, ma'am?'
'It's that couple with the little girl. I think they might have kidnapped her.'
The officer betrayed no emotion. 'Why do you think that?'
'Well, something isn't right. They're coloreds and that little girl's white. Anyone can see that.'
The cop, trying not to show his discomfort and agitation, said to her, 'Ma'am, that young gentleman is a fellow officer. And he and his wife adopted that young girl right after she was born.'
Lucy, with a rather puzzled look, harumphed and exited the store.
They parked in the handicap spot and ambled into the store. Lucy retrieved a cart. Gordon waited.
'Gordon, give me your hanky. I want to wipe the cart.' Her husband had his handkerchief waiting in his hand.
They meandered into the produce section, which was thick with little old ladies and grumbling silver-haired men. And there, Lucy started eying a young couple by the potatoes. With the couple was a girl of no more than 4; the little girl was having a bit of a tantrum.
'Something's not right, Gordon,' she whispered to her husband.
'Huh?' he tried to ignore her.
'That couple over there,' she pointed so that her husband couldn't help but see what she was trying to say.
'It's nothing,' he said.
'Something's not right, Gordon,' she replied to her husband, 'I think I should say something.'
'It's nothing,' her husband spoke with obvious annoyance. 'Leave those people alone, for God's sakes.' He started walking away, mumbling to himself.
'Something's not right, Gordon.' She picked up speed to catch her husband. 'The little girl looks like she's upset. She almost looks scared.'
Ignoring his wife he asked, 'What else do we need, Lucy?' His wife diverted her attention to the shopping list just long enough to say that they needed prunes.
'It's for your constipation, Gordon.'
'Woman, you drive me to drink.'
'You haven't had a drink in 10 years, Gordon.'
'I know, but I need one now.'
They slowly worked their way around the store. Lucy kept spying the couple and the girl every chance she got.
Somewhere around the candy aisle, Lucy noticed that the little girl was crying again.
'Gordon!' She exclaimed loudly enough that the couple and the little girl looked up at her.
'What!' he yelled back.
Again, thinking she was whispering, 'I think we should say something.'
'About what?' he asked.
'About them,' she pointed again.
'Mind your own business, Ma.' He had grown accustomed to calling her Ma after having had 5 kids together.
She relented yet again and continued drifting through the store.
They made it to the checkout. The couple with the little girl entered behind them. The little girl was still crying. Screaming in fact. The man looked exasperated. The woman yanked the little girl's arm and said with gritted teeth, 'You better stop this right now or else you're gonna get a whoopin when we get home.'
This was the final straw for Lucy. After she and Gordon checked out, they walked towards the exit. Letting Gordon walk out the door, she veered towards the cop standing near the carriages.
'Sir,' she got his attention. Trying to muffle her voice, she said, 'Sir I think there's a problem over there.' She pointed at the checkout area from where she had just come.
'What's wrong, ma'am?'
'It's that couple with the little girl. I think they might have kidnapped her.'
The officer betrayed no emotion. 'Why do you think that?'
'Well, something isn't right. They're coloreds and that little girl's white. Anyone can see that.'
The cop, trying not to show his discomfort and agitation, said to her, 'Ma'am, that young gentleman is a fellow officer. And he and his wife adopted that young girl right after she was born.'
Lucy, with a rather puzzled look, harumphed and exited the store.
Monday, September 14, 2009
It's Personal: You Decide... In My Travels
I loved the Revolutionary War as a kid. Couldn't get enough. I visited Lexington and Concord. I visited Yorktown. I even walked the Freedom Trail in Boston. I saw the Articles of Confederation, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution. I visited this nation's first capital. And this nation's third capital. But I missed the second; I missed Philadelphia; and I missed Independence Hall. How can someone who claims to love the Revolution miss such a site? Well, I had time to fix that mistake during my college years. Five years, in fact, I stayed at the University of Delaware. And during those five years, I caught just one glimpse of the place. Just one. Only one of two times I ever visited Philly. It just wasn't a place I went. Then, a few years ago, I journeyed back to Connecticut from Seattle for my brother's wedding. I stayed for a month. I decided to visit friends in Delaware for part of that time. I also happened to call one of my best friends from Connecticut to see how he was doing. I soon discovered that he had moved just outside of Philly. And thus I visited not only my friends in Delaware but also my newly relocated friend. We ventured into Philly and parked at some local garage. We then walked to the area. I saw the Liberty Bell with its magnificent crack. I saw the Centennial Bell without its magnificent crack. And I witnessed the space that saw the signing of the greatest documents in American history. The chair with its rising - or setting - sun. The desks covered in green cloth. It was a dream come true. Finally...
It was a few years ago. When we still lived in the second apartment. No dogs yet. Just cats. And the cats only needed a big bowlful of food with plenty of water every so often. A friend visited the apartment once or twice. We had decided to visit one of my best friends, who was living in Texas at the time. He was attending the University of Texas. And he lived with his partner in a house in Austin. It was during that trip that we visited San Antonio for a brief visit. Just a day trip. Our first stop was the Alamo. I'm sorry to say that I wasn't particularly impressed. It looked like an out-of-place tourist trap in one of the not so impressive parts of San Antonio. Its walls falling down, it could have been any small church in rural Mexico. And perhaps that was also its charm. The fact that such a significant part of Texan - and therefore American - history took place at this small place. The site where Davy Crockett died. (Having been called that my entire young life - that and Clementine - I appreciated the fact that I was standing in that place. I saw the tomb that is supposed to hold the bones of Crockett, Bowie, and Travis. I also saw the guard. The old man once warned me that those guards take their job VERY seriously. The brief tour ended in the gift shop where I purchased a small magnet. My only memento of my time in San Antonio. Apart from the memories...
It was a few years ago. When we still lived in the second apartment. No dogs yet. Just cats. And the cats only needed a big bowlful of food with plenty of water every so often. A friend visited the apartment once or twice. We had decided to visit one of my best friends, who was living in Texas at the time. He was attending the University of Texas. And he lived with his partner in a house in Austin. It was during that trip that we visited San Antonio for a brief visit. Just a day trip. Our first stop was the Alamo. I'm sorry to say that I wasn't particularly impressed. It looked like an out-of-place tourist trap in one of the not so impressive parts of San Antonio. Its walls falling down, it could have been any small church in rural Mexico. And perhaps that was also its charm. The fact that such a significant part of Texan - and therefore American - history took place at this small place. The site where Davy Crockett died. (Having been called that my entire young life - that and Clementine - I appreciated the fact that I was standing in that place. I saw the tomb that is supposed to hold the bones of Crockett, Bowie, and Travis. I also saw the guard. The old man once warned me that those guards take their job VERY seriously. The brief tour ended in the gift shop where I purchased a small magnet. My only memento of my time in San Antonio. Apart from the memories...
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Sporting Rants and Raves: September 12, 2009
Happy 29th birthday to Mr. Yao Ming, the 7'6" center for the Houston Rockets. Yao surprised many by holding his own in the NBA, but his injuries have prevented him from becoming the player many thought he would be. Still, Yao has appeared in the All-Star game in all of his 7 seasons and has been named to the All-NBA team five times.
Trivia of the Week
Yao Ming is from the largest city in China. Name that city. Extra credit: Yao first played professional basketball in China with this team. He later bought the team on 7/16/2009.
Answers to September 5's Trivia of the Week
The old man did the honors. And so, I list his response:
Ralph Terry on a 1-0 pitch bottom of 9th no outs score tied 9-9. Johnny blanchard catching. Jim Coates gave up 2 run homer in first game. I cried for one week. Still brings a tear to my eye.
Jeter tops Gehrig, sets Yankees hit record
Congratulations to Mr. Derek Jeter for his remarkable feat of having the most hits of all time for the New York Yankees. The fact that some of the greatest have played for this storied franchise makes it all the more outstanding. Interesting that Mr. Jeter accomplished the feat on the 8th anniversary of one of the worst days in American history...
Air Jordan reaches new heights with place in Hall
I transition from the class of Jeter to the arrogance of Jordan. What was the deal with the slights? Greatest basketball player of all time? Yeah, sure. But so what? Sports got him popularity, not friends. Sports got him money, not passage into heaven. He's proven himself to be a ridiculous has-been. Well, Mr. Jordan, thank you and good night.
ESPN's Dick Vitale to help pay for funeral of slain Florida high school cheerleader Jasmine Thompson
Here's an interesting story. You all know Dick Vitale, that somewhat annoying commentator who adds 'baby' to the end of every sentence he speaks? Well, he may be annoying, but he's also a good soul. At least by his recent actions. You see, on 9/4/09 Ms. Thompson was sitting in the back of a car waiting to pick up a friend. No drugs, no alcohol. Just sitting there. An 18-year old guy approached the car and solicited the girls for sex. They said no. So, he turned to walked away. He turned again, pulled a gun, fired four shots, and killed Ms. Thompson. To make matters worse, Ms. Thompson's mother had recently lost her job and thus could not afford a funeral. Thank you, Mr. Dick Vitale, for your compassion.
TD's NFL Picks - Week 1
And so it begins. I suppose I should say, and so it has begun. Which is my first point. I didn't make the choice for Thursday night. At least not on the blog. But I did make the choice and I even wrote it down. Well, typed it down. And you'll find out who I chose below...
Tennessee @ Pittsburgh
I feel comfortable with taking credit for this game only because I recently wrote in this blog that I think Pittsburgh is going back to the Super Bowl. TD chose: Pittsburgh Steelers
Miami @ Atlanta
Good game. I like Atlanta's offense, especially with the addition of Gonzalez. Yes, I know Ryan may hit a sophomore slump. Maybe. Miami? Good team. Clearly a team that has to be beaten because they won't generally beat themselves. Still... TD chooses: Atlanta Falcons
Kansas City @ Baltimore
Cassel a maybe? LJ hasn't been running well of late? AFC West is generally terrible? TD chooses: Baltimore Ravens
Philadelphia @ Carolina
I've actually chosen Carolina to barely edge out the Falcons for the NFC South championship. I also chose the Eagles to win the NFC East. People think I'm crazy on both accounts. I suppose I'll see in this game. I think it's going to be a good one. I give the edge to: Philadelphia Eagles
Jacksonville @ Indianapolis
I don't think Indy is going to be as good this year. I just think they're getting a tad bit old. Peyton will still win a few games on his own, but... On the other hand, Jacksonville has a long way to go. A better receiving corp, sure. And a good running back. But the defense? The O-Line? I dunno. I had a tough choice here. TD chooses: Jacksonville Jaguars
Dallas @ Tampa
I want to choose against Dallas. But Tampa's just too green. And Leftwich is too stationary. TD chooses: Dallas Cowboys
Detroit @ New Orleans
Detroit has a great preseason. And I've no doubt they'll do better than last year. But they're not quite there yet. TD chooses: New Orleans Saints
New York Jets @ Houston
I have chosen Houston as one of the AFC Wild Cards. Yes, I understand that Sanchez is the second coming. Yes, I know the Jets have Jones and Washington. And yes, I know that Schaub is playing somewhat hurt. Still, TD chooses: Houston Texans
Minnesota @ Cleveland
The Favre experiment begins. And not much to worry about here. I don't think Quinn is ready to lead this team to anything... yet. TD chooses: Minnesota Vikings
Denver @ Cincinnati
Teams with drama at their core don't generally win very often. Just ask Cincinnati about the past few years. And just watch Denver go down in flames this year. TD chooses: Cincinnati Bengals
San Francisco @ Arizona
There are a lot of questions in this game. The Madden curse. Whether Warner can keep the same form. Whether Singletary has the defense hopping. Whether there's actually a QB in San Fran. I think San Fran falters because of their offense - or the lack thereof. TD chooses: Arizona Cardinals
Washington @ New York Football Giants
Washington, I think, is much improved. They're actually building. And the addition of Haynesworth is significant. Eli better watch it. Still, the Giants have the better running game. And a better D. TD chooses: New York Football Giants
St. Louis @ Seattle
I have St. Louis going 0-16 this year. I also say their defense scores more than their offense. That said, TD chooses: Seattle Seahawks
Chicago @ Green Bay
Great game. Looking forward to it. Smash mouth stuff. Rodgers is gonna unload. Forte's gonna blast through the line. The defenses are going to punish the offenses. Still, someone has to win. Well, not technically. Just ask Donovan. TD chooses: Chicago Bears
Buffalo @ New England
Are you ready for some Monday Night Football? T.O. v Randy. The return of Tom the great. 50th anniversary of the AFL. The teams will be wearing their old unis. The Pats never really won in their old unis. Except in '85. But they got murdered in the Super Bowl. Eh, the Bills don't have the fire power to win. TD chooses: New England Patriots
San Diego @ Oakland
And then there's always the second Monday night game. Why does it include Oakland? I mean, c'mon. Then again, they always try to put a west coast game for the second one on Monday night. And three of the four AFC West teams promise to be pretty bad. That said, there's one good one. TD chooses: San Diego Chargers
There ya have it. Let the games begin. Until next I write, happy sporting...
Trivia of the Week
Yao Ming is from the largest city in China. Name that city. Extra credit: Yao first played professional basketball in China with this team. He later bought the team on 7/16/2009.
Answers to September 5's Trivia of the Week
The old man did the honors. And so, I list his response:
Ralph Terry on a 1-0 pitch bottom of 9th no outs score tied 9-9. Johnny blanchard catching. Jim Coates gave up 2 run homer in first game. I cried for one week. Still brings a tear to my eye.
Jeter tops Gehrig, sets Yankees hit record
Congratulations to Mr. Derek Jeter for his remarkable feat of having the most hits of all time for the New York Yankees. The fact that some of the greatest have played for this storied franchise makes it all the more outstanding. Interesting that Mr. Jeter accomplished the feat on the 8th anniversary of one of the worst days in American history...
Air Jordan reaches new heights with place in Hall
I transition from the class of Jeter to the arrogance of Jordan. What was the deal with the slights? Greatest basketball player of all time? Yeah, sure. But so what? Sports got him popularity, not friends. Sports got him money, not passage into heaven. He's proven himself to be a ridiculous has-been. Well, Mr. Jordan, thank you and good night.
ESPN's Dick Vitale to help pay for funeral of slain Florida high school cheerleader Jasmine Thompson
Here's an interesting story. You all know Dick Vitale, that somewhat annoying commentator who adds 'baby' to the end of every sentence he speaks? Well, he may be annoying, but he's also a good soul. At least by his recent actions. You see, on 9/4/09 Ms. Thompson was sitting in the back of a car waiting to pick up a friend. No drugs, no alcohol. Just sitting there. An 18-year old guy approached the car and solicited the girls for sex. They said no. So, he turned to walked away. He turned again, pulled a gun, fired four shots, and killed Ms. Thompson. To make matters worse, Ms. Thompson's mother had recently lost her job and thus could not afford a funeral. Thank you, Mr. Dick Vitale, for your compassion.
TD's NFL Picks - Week 1
And so it begins. I suppose I should say, and so it has begun. Which is my first point. I didn't make the choice for Thursday night. At least not on the blog. But I did make the choice and I even wrote it down. Well, typed it down. And you'll find out who I chose below...
Tennessee @ Pittsburgh
I feel comfortable with taking credit for this game only because I recently wrote in this blog that I think Pittsburgh is going back to the Super Bowl. TD chose: Pittsburgh Steelers
Miami @ Atlanta
Good game. I like Atlanta's offense, especially with the addition of Gonzalez. Yes, I know Ryan may hit a sophomore slump. Maybe. Miami? Good team. Clearly a team that has to be beaten because they won't generally beat themselves. Still... TD chooses: Atlanta Falcons
Kansas City @ Baltimore
Cassel a maybe? LJ hasn't been running well of late? AFC West is generally terrible? TD chooses: Baltimore Ravens
Philadelphia @ Carolina
I've actually chosen Carolina to barely edge out the Falcons for the NFC South championship. I also chose the Eagles to win the NFC East. People think I'm crazy on both accounts. I suppose I'll see in this game. I think it's going to be a good one. I give the edge to: Philadelphia Eagles
Jacksonville @ Indianapolis
I don't think Indy is going to be as good this year. I just think they're getting a tad bit old. Peyton will still win a few games on his own, but... On the other hand, Jacksonville has a long way to go. A better receiving corp, sure. And a good running back. But the defense? The O-Line? I dunno. I had a tough choice here. TD chooses: Jacksonville Jaguars
Dallas @ Tampa
I want to choose against Dallas. But Tampa's just too green. And Leftwich is too stationary. TD chooses: Dallas Cowboys
Detroit @ New Orleans
Detroit has a great preseason. And I've no doubt they'll do better than last year. But they're not quite there yet. TD chooses: New Orleans Saints
New York Jets @ Houston
I have chosen Houston as one of the AFC Wild Cards. Yes, I understand that Sanchez is the second coming. Yes, I know the Jets have Jones and Washington. And yes, I know that Schaub is playing somewhat hurt. Still, TD chooses: Houston Texans
Minnesota @ Cleveland
The Favre experiment begins. And not much to worry about here. I don't think Quinn is ready to lead this team to anything... yet. TD chooses: Minnesota Vikings
Denver @ Cincinnati
Teams with drama at their core don't generally win very often. Just ask Cincinnati about the past few years. And just watch Denver go down in flames this year. TD chooses: Cincinnati Bengals
San Francisco @ Arizona
There are a lot of questions in this game. The Madden curse. Whether Warner can keep the same form. Whether Singletary has the defense hopping. Whether there's actually a QB in San Fran. I think San Fran falters because of their offense - or the lack thereof. TD chooses: Arizona Cardinals
Washington @ New York Football Giants
Washington, I think, is much improved. They're actually building. And the addition of Haynesworth is significant. Eli better watch it. Still, the Giants have the better running game. And a better D. TD chooses: New York Football Giants
St. Louis @ Seattle
I have St. Louis going 0-16 this year. I also say their defense scores more than their offense. That said, TD chooses: Seattle Seahawks
Chicago @ Green Bay
Great game. Looking forward to it. Smash mouth stuff. Rodgers is gonna unload. Forte's gonna blast through the line. The defenses are going to punish the offenses. Still, someone has to win. Well, not technically. Just ask Donovan. TD chooses: Chicago Bears
Buffalo @ New England
Are you ready for some Monday Night Football? T.O. v Randy. The return of Tom the great. 50th anniversary of the AFL. The teams will be wearing their old unis. The Pats never really won in their old unis. Except in '85. But they got murdered in the Super Bowl. Eh, the Bills don't have the fire power to win. TD chooses: New England Patriots
San Diego @ Oakland
And then there's always the second Monday night game. Why does it include Oakland? I mean, c'mon. Then again, they always try to put a west coast game for the second one on Monday night. And three of the four AFC West teams promise to be pretty bad. That said, there's one good one. TD chooses: San Diego Chargers
There ya have it. Let the games begin. Until next I write, happy sporting...
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
3WW (Disarm, Engage, Mayhem): Blue
Ellie walked down 6th Avenue in her designer blouse, jeans, and white sneakers. She checked her pedometer and felt the satisfaction of having walked exactly 8,473 steps that day. Almost to the garage where her car was parked, she noticed a young man moving toward her at a good clip. The young man, dressed in a blue suit and red checkered tie, approached with a smile and engaged her as she was about to pass.
'Hi' he said, avoiding her eyes. 'I'm sorry to bother you, but can you spare some money? I can't believe I forgot my bus pass.'
She noticed that he had mild body odor but attributed it to him wearing a dark suit on a warm day. 'Sure' she said as she pulled out a one. 'Here ya go.'
'Thanks so much' he said. And down the street he walked.
'What a nice young man' she thought to herself.
A few days later, Ellie made the same trip from her office to her car. On the way, she noticed an attractive gentleman - whom she immediately named Rico (a name she gave to any random attractive guy) - up a block across the street and let her eyes wander over his rather well-toned figure. As she came nearer, she saw that a gentleman in a blue suit had approached 'Rico'. 'No, it couldn't be' she thought to herself. But it was. The same guy who had asked her for money. She picked up speed and crossed the street. By the time she reached 'Rico' the blue suited bandit had departed.
'You know that guy did the same thing to me a few weeks ago?'
'What's that?' he asked.
'He told me he forgot his bus pass. I gave him a buck. What about you?'
'Aww, shit, really? Figures. Boy, these guys know how to play.'
'Yep'
She started to walk away.
'Hey, can I get your number?'
She turned. 'Sure'. She wrote it down and passed it to him. 'Give me a call.'
She soon discovered his name wasn't 'Rico' but Sam. And they started dating, all because of the blue-suited bandit. Over the next few months, Ellie watched as 'Blue' took people's money. Unassumingly. Causing no mayhem. Just walking up and asking for some bus fare. Whenever she saw him, she'd smile to herself secretly congratulating him for his clever ruse.
She moved in with Sam. And soon discovered he had a drinking problem. A bad drinking problem that spilled over into their relationship. Sam hit her. He always apologized after their fights. And then he hit her again. Like her mother, Ellie stayed in the relationship thinking she had caused his problem. Especially since he hadn't had this problem when they were dating.
Ellie walked down 6th Avenue in her baggy sweater and tattered sneakers. She wondered which Sam she'd see at the car. The happy, sober Sam. Or the angry drunk. Ellie knew the answer immediately when Sam approached. His breath stank of rum. And he had a 40 ounce beer bottle in his hand.
'Let's go' he said tersely.
She wondered if now would be a good time. She didn't want to go home. She was tired. And just done. Just done. 'No, I think I'm going to go back to work.'
'What, bitch? Who you kiddin? We're goin home.'
'No, Sam, I don't want to go home with you.'
'Yeah, right. Let's go.' He turned as if to go.
So did she.
She didn't see him turn again and swing the bottle high in the air.
But the bottle never hit her. Instead, she heard a thud behind her as an unknown assailant tackled and disarmed Sam. She turned and saw that Sam was out cold from hitting his head on the curb. And that the assailant was none other than the blue-suited bandit. 'Blue' stood, brushed off his suit, smiled at Ellie, and walked briskly away.
'Hi' he said, avoiding her eyes. 'I'm sorry to bother you, but can you spare some money? I can't believe I forgot my bus pass.'
She noticed that he had mild body odor but attributed it to him wearing a dark suit on a warm day. 'Sure' she said as she pulled out a one. 'Here ya go.'
'Thanks so much' he said. And down the street he walked.
'What a nice young man' she thought to herself.
A few days later, Ellie made the same trip from her office to her car. On the way, she noticed an attractive gentleman - whom she immediately named Rico (a name she gave to any random attractive guy) - up a block across the street and let her eyes wander over his rather well-toned figure. As she came nearer, she saw that a gentleman in a blue suit had approached 'Rico'. 'No, it couldn't be' she thought to herself. But it was. The same guy who had asked her for money. She picked up speed and crossed the street. By the time she reached 'Rico' the blue suited bandit had departed.
'You know that guy did the same thing to me a few weeks ago?'
'What's that?' he asked.
'He told me he forgot his bus pass. I gave him a buck. What about you?'
'Aww, shit, really? Figures. Boy, these guys know how to play.'
'Yep'
She started to walk away.
'Hey, can I get your number?'
She turned. 'Sure'. She wrote it down and passed it to him. 'Give me a call.'
She soon discovered his name wasn't 'Rico' but Sam. And they started dating, all because of the blue-suited bandit. Over the next few months, Ellie watched as 'Blue' took people's money. Unassumingly. Causing no mayhem. Just walking up and asking for some bus fare. Whenever she saw him, she'd smile to herself secretly congratulating him for his clever ruse.
She moved in with Sam. And soon discovered he had a drinking problem. A bad drinking problem that spilled over into their relationship. Sam hit her. He always apologized after their fights. And then he hit her again. Like her mother, Ellie stayed in the relationship thinking she had caused his problem. Especially since he hadn't had this problem when they were dating.
Ellie walked down 6th Avenue in her baggy sweater and tattered sneakers. She wondered which Sam she'd see at the car. The happy, sober Sam. Or the angry drunk. Ellie knew the answer immediately when Sam approached. His breath stank of rum. And he had a 40 ounce beer bottle in his hand.
'Let's go' he said tersely.
She wondered if now would be a good time. She didn't want to go home. She was tired. And just done. Just done. 'No, I think I'm going to go back to work.'
'What, bitch? Who you kiddin? We're goin home.'
'No, Sam, I don't want to go home with you.'
'Yeah, right. Let's go.' He turned as if to go.
So did she.
She didn't see him turn again and swing the bottle high in the air.
But the bottle never hit her. Instead, she heard a thud behind her as an unknown assailant tackled and disarmed Sam. She turned and saw that Sam was out cold from hitting his head on the curb. And that the assailant was none other than the blue-suited bandit. 'Blue' stood, brushed off his suit, smiled at Ellie, and walked briskly away.
Monday, September 7, 2009
It's Personal: You Decide... Broken Bones
Nothing was worse than double sessions. I've also heard them called two-a-days. Those ridiculously humid days that made football players pray for school to begin. We arrived at 7:30 a.m. and suited up. Once outside, we stretched and ran a bit. Then we broke into groups and perfected our respective skills. Running backs took hand offs and ran. Quarterbacks learned snap counts and maneuvering. Receivers ran routes and caught the ball. Suffice it to say, I wasn't a skill guy. No, I was a lineman. And as a lineman, we hit. And hit. And hit some more. Normally in close proximity. But always smashing against someone else. After practicing our respective skills, we came together as a team and tried some plays. It was my junior year and I was actually vying for the position at left guard as a 5'10" 160 lb lineman. Doesn't say much for our team, I know. Well, there I was on the second team and the QB called a play that had me pulling to kick out the end. The ball snapped, I swung my arm down as I as taught. And I punched the unblocked defensive tackle squarely in the helmet. Ouch. I played for the remainder of that practice, pulling and trapping and such. I kept my swelling hand a secret and went home that night. I didn't speak a word of it to anyone. The next day, I went to practice and kept playing. Until one of my teammates noticed my hand. Ballooned to a ridiculous size and an odd greenish color. He told the coach. And I went to the doctor. Broken. Out 6 weeks. Sheesh...
My first game ever playing football. That's when it happened. I sustained the worst injury I've ever had. In the first game I ever played. On the first play, no less. It was my freshman year. I don't even remember who we were playing. Branford, maybe. We stretched. Banged helmets profusely. Listened to our crazy coach give a pep talk that inspired me to run head first into a tree. There was the kickoff. I was too fat and slow for that at the time. So, the first play for me was a defensive one. I was at tackle. First rule of playing defensive tackle? Hell, first rule of playing any line position? Don't stand straight up. I stood straight up. So did the guard who was blocking me. Neither of us made any progress. Until the center decided to throw an illegal block that no one saw. He caught my leg. And snapped it. I fell clutching the obscenely broken leg. The play ended. And I didn't get up. The coach ran out. The other players looked at me as if I were a circus performer. You might guess that the paramedics came and got me off the field and brought me to the hospital. And they did, 45 minutes after that play happened. Ah yes, the refs decided to start the game without an ambulance on site. So, I waited there writhing in pain while the old man and the coach talked to me. What they said, I have no idea. I was too out of it. The paramedics finally arrived. And that's about when I lost total consciousness. I awoke to find that they had put a rod in my leg. A few days later, the doctors told me that I had Compartment Syndrome. A blood clot was moving through my body. If it happened to stop at my heart, goodbye TD. But it didn't. They did have to take a skin graft from just below my butt to cover the unclosed wound near my calf. But everything went well from there. I should say it went as well as could be expected given the circumstances. And I played football again into my senior year...
So, for those of you non-family members, which happened to me?
My first game ever playing football. That's when it happened. I sustained the worst injury I've ever had. In the first game I ever played. On the first play, no less. It was my freshman year. I don't even remember who we were playing. Branford, maybe. We stretched. Banged helmets profusely. Listened to our crazy coach give a pep talk that inspired me to run head first into a tree. There was the kickoff. I was too fat and slow for that at the time. So, the first play for me was a defensive one. I was at tackle. First rule of playing defensive tackle? Hell, first rule of playing any line position? Don't stand straight up. I stood straight up. So did the guard who was blocking me. Neither of us made any progress. Until the center decided to throw an illegal block that no one saw. He caught my leg. And snapped it. I fell clutching the obscenely broken leg. The play ended. And I didn't get up. The coach ran out. The other players looked at me as if I were a circus performer. You might guess that the paramedics came and got me off the field and brought me to the hospital. And they did, 45 minutes after that play happened. Ah yes, the refs decided to start the game without an ambulance on site. So, I waited there writhing in pain while the old man and the coach talked to me. What they said, I have no idea. I was too out of it. The paramedics finally arrived. And that's about when I lost total consciousness. I awoke to find that they had put a rod in my leg. A few days later, the doctors told me that I had Compartment Syndrome. A blood clot was moving through my body. If it happened to stop at my heart, goodbye TD. But it didn't. They did have to take a skin graft from just below my butt to cover the unclosed wound near my calf. But everything went well from there. I should say it went as well as could be expected given the circumstances. And I played football again into my senior year...
So, for those of you non-family members, which happened to me?
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Sporting Rants and Raves: September 5, 2009
Happy 73rd birthday to Mr. Bill Mazeroski. Nicknamed 'Maz', Mr. Mazeroski played for the Pittsburgh Pirates for his entire career and was a key member of the 1960 and 1971 World Series teams.
Trivia of the Week
Mazeroski hit the game winning home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series. Against which team? Against which pitcher? Extra Credit: Mazeroski also hit a home run in game 1 that gave the Pirates a 6-4 lead and the win. Against which pitcher did he hit that one?
Answer to August 29th's Trivia of the Week
Name the other 3 Giants linebackers in Super Bowls XXI and XXV respectively.
Super Bowl XXI - Gary Reasons, Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson
Super Bowl XXV - Gary Reasons, Lawrence Taylor, Pepper Johnson
Clausen near perfect in ND's 35-0 win over Nevada
I Just finished listening to / watching the game. And Notre Dame looks like it might just have a team this year. Yes, it's early. Yes, it was Nevada. But it was also a convincing 35-0 win. We shall see...
Pettitte wins 4th straight, Yanks beat Toronto 6-4
Not the most memorable of performances. But still a win. And the Yanks are now 8.5 games up. Barring a meltdown - that at least one New York team has shown in the recent past - they should keep the number one spot to the finish. Still, I wish Texas, Tampa, or Seattle pull that Wild Card off. I don't want to see that other team in the playoffs.
I abbreviate this week's headlines for...
TD's Annual NFL Season Picks
I have partaken in the ridiculous task of choosing every game prior to the season. Of course, that's usually asking for disaster. But here goes...
AFC East: New England 11-5
AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers 13-3
AFC South: Tennessee Titans 12-4
AFC West: San Diego Chargers 11-5
AFC Wildcards: Baltimore Ravens 12-4 and Houston Texans 10-6
NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles 13-3
NFC North: Chicago Bears 14-2
NFC South: Carolina Panthers 9-7
NFC West: Arizona Cardinals 11-5
NFC Wildcards: New York Giants 11-5 and Washington Redskins 11-5
Super Bowl XLIV will see the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Chicago Bears vie for domination. I give it to Chicago.
Though I haven't written a great deal, let me say that I've spent far too long analyzing the NFL season. And so, I depart. Happy sporting until next I write...
Trivia of the Week
Mazeroski hit the game winning home run in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series. Against which team? Against which pitcher? Extra Credit: Mazeroski also hit a home run in game 1 that gave the Pirates a 6-4 lead and the win. Against which pitcher did he hit that one?
Answer to August 29th's Trivia of the Week
Name the other 3 Giants linebackers in Super Bowls XXI and XXV respectively.
Super Bowl XXI - Gary Reasons, Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson
Super Bowl XXV - Gary Reasons, Lawrence Taylor, Pepper Johnson
Clausen near perfect in ND's 35-0 win over Nevada
I Just finished listening to / watching the game. And Notre Dame looks like it might just have a team this year. Yes, it's early. Yes, it was Nevada. But it was also a convincing 35-0 win. We shall see...
Pettitte wins 4th straight, Yanks beat Toronto 6-4
Not the most memorable of performances. But still a win. And the Yanks are now 8.5 games up. Barring a meltdown - that at least one New York team has shown in the recent past - they should keep the number one spot to the finish. Still, I wish Texas, Tampa, or Seattle pull that Wild Card off. I don't want to see that other team in the playoffs.
I abbreviate this week's headlines for...
TD's Annual NFL Season Picks
I have partaken in the ridiculous task of choosing every game prior to the season. Of course, that's usually asking for disaster. But here goes...
AFC East: New England 11-5
AFC North: Pittsburgh Steelers 13-3
AFC South: Tennessee Titans 12-4
AFC West: San Diego Chargers 11-5
AFC Wildcards: Baltimore Ravens 12-4 and Houston Texans 10-6
NFC East: Philadelphia Eagles 13-3
NFC North: Chicago Bears 14-2
NFC South: Carolina Panthers 9-7
NFC West: Arizona Cardinals 11-5
NFC Wildcards: New York Giants 11-5 and Washington Redskins 11-5
Super Bowl XLIV will see the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Chicago Bears vie for domination. I give it to Chicago.
Though I haven't written a great deal, let me say that I've spent far too long analyzing the NFL season. And so, I depart. Happy sporting until next I write...
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Judas Reminiscing
Sometime in the near future...
I was a top level executive at a well known tobacco company, and I loved my job. You might think it's because I made a lot of money. Well, the money certainly wasn't bad; I didn't complain. Three houses. A few boats. A few cars that might have made you think I was having one hell of a mid-life crisis. But it wasn't about the money. I never really cared about the money.
Many people think I am a hypocrite; they call me Judas. That guy from college who always fought for causes. I picketed manufactured wars. I marched for environmental awareness. I even squatted outside a few major tobacco companies in my time. And then those same tobacco companies wooed me and offered me such power.
I entered at mid-level management and worked my way up the corporate ladder. I showed my loyalty and my work ethic. Intertwined myself with the good ole boys. Tenured myself, as it were. Married the daughter of a powerful tobacco executive. Had two kids. I'm divorced now. I cheated on my wife sometime during our fourteenth year of marriage. She's remarried. I see the kids every now and then. For holidays, mostly.
The rest of my family has nothing to do with me. The ones that are left. Dad died from heart failure. A three pack a day guy. Mom died from some kind of pulmonary disease. Never smoked in her life. I had three siblings. My oldest brother died from lung cancer at the age of 45. That was the last time I saw my two sisters. At that funeral. They didn't talk to me there. In fact they haven't spoken to me in 30 years. About when I started working at the tobacco company.
I have only a few friends remaining. All former executives of tobacco companies. Guys and girls I used to pal around with during my younger days. We're all out of the job now. Retired in our mid-50s. But not for the reason you might think. It's because tobacco companies went out of business a few years back. All of them, kaput. Tobacco is now as illegal as marijuana. And almost no one uses it.
How?
I was a chemistry major in college. Quite a talented one at that. And I devised a way to increase the carcinogenic levels in cigarettes. They got worse and worse for people. Leading to cancers and multiple pulmonary and heart diseases. As I reflect now, I probably did kill my brother. But he was a martyr for the cause. I eventually became the CEO of the tobacco company. In fact, I was the first of us.
Soon after being elevated to the position I ordered every 100th cigarette to have traces of a deadly poison that killed the smoker soon after inhaling the cigarette, at least within a day. It caused immediate heart failure, a not uncommon effect of smoking. My friends, those who also became senior executives in 'competing' tobacco companies, followed suit. People started dropping dead worldwide. No, not people. Smokers. Like my father and brother. No one ever figured it out. Well, some did. But too many agreed with us. They sat back and let it happen. Passive collusion at its best. A silent commentary on truth.
And if you have any doubts, just think of the benefits of our actions. Health care costs are now at an all time low. Insurance agencies, though still powerful, have declined from their once godly stature. And think about how many people we've saved. The right people. People like my mother.
I made a sacrifice. The best kind of sacrifice. And the world is better for it.
I was a top level executive at a well known tobacco company, and I loved my job. You might think it's because I made a lot of money. Well, the money certainly wasn't bad; I didn't complain. Three houses. A few boats. A few cars that might have made you think I was having one hell of a mid-life crisis. But it wasn't about the money. I never really cared about the money.
Many people think I am a hypocrite; they call me Judas. That guy from college who always fought for causes. I picketed manufactured wars. I marched for environmental awareness. I even squatted outside a few major tobacco companies in my time. And then those same tobacco companies wooed me and offered me such power.
I entered at mid-level management and worked my way up the corporate ladder. I showed my loyalty and my work ethic. Intertwined myself with the good ole boys. Tenured myself, as it were. Married the daughter of a powerful tobacco executive. Had two kids. I'm divorced now. I cheated on my wife sometime during our fourteenth year of marriage. She's remarried. I see the kids every now and then. For holidays, mostly.
The rest of my family has nothing to do with me. The ones that are left. Dad died from heart failure. A three pack a day guy. Mom died from some kind of pulmonary disease. Never smoked in her life. I had three siblings. My oldest brother died from lung cancer at the age of 45. That was the last time I saw my two sisters. At that funeral. They didn't talk to me there. In fact they haven't spoken to me in 30 years. About when I started working at the tobacco company.
I have only a few friends remaining. All former executives of tobacco companies. Guys and girls I used to pal around with during my younger days. We're all out of the job now. Retired in our mid-50s. But not for the reason you might think. It's because tobacco companies went out of business a few years back. All of them, kaput. Tobacco is now as illegal as marijuana. And almost no one uses it.
How?
I was a chemistry major in college. Quite a talented one at that. And I devised a way to increase the carcinogenic levels in cigarettes. They got worse and worse for people. Leading to cancers and multiple pulmonary and heart diseases. As I reflect now, I probably did kill my brother. But he was a martyr for the cause. I eventually became the CEO of the tobacco company. In fact, I was the first of us.
Soon after being elevated to the position I ordered every 100th cigarette to have traces of a deadly poison that killed the smoker soon after inhaling the cigarette, at least within a day. It caused immediate heart failure, a not uncommon effect of smoking. My friends, those who also became senior executives in 'competing' tobacco companies, followed suit. People started dropping dead worldwide. No, not people. Smokers. Like my father and brother. No one ever figured it out. Well, some did. But too many agreed with us. They sat back and let it happen. Passive collusion at its best. A silent commentary on truth.
And if you have any doubts, just think of the benefits of our actions. Health care costs are now at an all time low. Insurance agencies, though still powerful, have declined from their once godly stature. And think about how many people we've saved. The right people. People like my mother.
I made a sacrifice. The best kind of sacrifice. And the world is better for it.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
3WW (Glare, Luster, Threat): Life Is Too Damn Short
As he had done for 25 years, John left his cottage, surveyed the ocean's brilliant luster, and stepped into the customized golf cart at 10 a.m.. The miniature schnauzer bounced into the passenger seat. After a few seconds letting the golf cart's engine warm, he punched the accelerator and was off for his daily tour of the island.
John passed the Miller place. Then the Flynn residence with the dilapidated swimming pool. 'Such a shame,' he spoke to himself, 'that the Meachams sold the place to those people.' The dog, Elmo, barked at a few wayward rabbits. He waved to a few people he didn't know. 'Must be visitors at that Cooper place up the road. Wish they'd keep strangers off the island.' Mrs. Fitzhenry was already out and about around her house. 'Damn shame Roland died,' he commented to the dog. She paid him no mind. He passed the golf course and made it to the center of town. A gas station and a small store. He beeped at Steve.
A few more miles down the road he came to the cottage of his one-time best friend Jack Haggard. But they hadn't spoken in 10 years. Not after that one night when Jack had called him a no good coward and had threatened him with physical harm. He couldn't even remember the reason. But that didn't stop him from holding the grudge. As he passed, he noticed the door was open. His eyes immediately followed the path and witnessed a shocking sight. A body lay motionless on the ground. He pulled up onto the small lawn and saw that it was Jack.
All thoughts of his grudge disappeared as he determined what he could do. He certainly couldn't lift Jack. And he had no training in anything associated with medicine. So, John told Elmo to stay with Jack - which the dog did - and he zoomed back towards the small center. Once there, he called Steve out to his golf cart and told him the issue. Steve closed the store quickly and got into his truck.
Steve and John sped back to the house. They parked, but found that Jack's body was gone. And the front door was closed. There was also no sign of Elmo. 'What's going on John?' Steve asked. But John didn't know what to say. Instead he walked up to the front door and glaredthrough the window. Nothing. 'Maybe I should try around back just to make sure,' John said. Steve followed.
When they rounded the corner, John saw Jack sitting in a chair petting Elmo. 'What the hell...' John began to say. But he was cut off by a number of voices yelling, 'Surprise!' The Millers. The Flynns. The Coopers. The Meachams. Even Mrs. Fitzhenry. Not to mention a number of other residents.
Jack stood and approached John. 'Happy Birthday, old friend. Life is just too damn short.'
John passed the Miller place. Then the Flynn residence with the dilapidated swimming pool. 'Such a shame,' he spoke to himself, 'that the Meachams sold the place to those people.' The dog, Elmo, barked at a few wayward rabbits. He waved to a few people he didn't know. 'Must be visitors at that Cooper place up the road. Wish they'd keep strangers off the island.' Mrs. Fitzhenry was already out and about around her house. 'Damn shame Roland died,' he commented to the dog. She paid him no mind. He passed the golf course and made it to the center of town. A gas station and a small store. He beeped at Steve.
A few more miles down the road he came to the cottage of his one-time best friend Jack Haggard. But they hadn't spoken in 10 years. Not after that one night when Jack had called him a no good coward and had threatened him with physical harm. He couldn't even remember the reason. But that didn't stop him from holding the grudge. As he passed, he noticed the door was open. His eyes immediately followed the path and witnessed a shocking sight. A body lay motionless on the ground. He pulled up onto the small lawn and saw that it was Jack.
All thoughts of his grudge disappeared as he determined what he could do. He certainly couldn't lift Jack. And he had no training in anything associated with medicine. So, John told Elmo to stay with Jack - which the dog did - and he zoomed back towards the small center. Once there, he called Steve out to his golf cart and told him the issue. Steve closed the store quickly and got into his truck.
Steve and John sped back to the house. They parked, but found that Jack's body was gone. And the front door was closed. There was also no sign of Elmo. 'What's going on John?' Steve asked. But John didn't know what to say. Instead he walked up to the front door and glaredthrough the window. Nothing. 'Maybe I should try around back just to make sure,' John said. Steve followed.
When they rounded the corner, John saw Jack sitting in a chair petting Elmo. 'What the hell...' John began to say. But he was cut off by a number of voices yelling, 'Surprise!' The Millers. The Flynns. The Coopers. The Meachams. Even Mrs. Fitzhenry. Not to mention a number of other residents.
Jack stood and approached John. 'Happy Birthday, old friend. Life is just too damn short.'
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