Yearly Archives: 2009

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Love Passage, By Gabbi

dad-gab

Making her blogging debut… this is my youngest daughter, my baby, Gabbi!   She wrote a piece on her interpretation on 1 Corinthians 13. 

Love Passage

Love will stand in line and wait it’s turn.  It doesn’t always want what others have and it doesn’t brag about what it does have. 

Love is polite even when the other person is rude.  It doesn’t always have to be first.

Love doesn’t get angry over the small things, and it doesn’t remember one thing after another to be hurt.

Love isn’t happy when someone else fails but is happy with the truth. 

If I am very smart, almost a genius, if I can figure out the hardest math problems, but don’t love others I am nothing.

Love never gives up. 

Preaching will stop someday.  So will speeches.  Knowledge will come to an end. 

Today we only know part of what there is to know.  We can preach and speak only with a small part of understanding.

But when perfection comes then what is imperfect will go away.

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Lakers Step Game Up!

Kevin Garnett and Lamar Odom

Lamar “Space Cadet” Odom came through with 18 second half points and we swept the Celtics!  Next up, The Cav’s and their undefeated season at home.  So far we are 3-0 on a serious East Coast road trip.  Pretty safe to say now that the Lakers are no longer a soft team!  It’s going to be on in C-Town!

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Congratulations Pat Summitt

Kudos to my favorite college basketball coach who won her 1000th game last night against the University of Georgia.  She is the only coach Tennessee has ever had, and her career has been nothing but stellar.  I’ve read both her books and she is truly an inspiration to many.

The best thing about Summitt’s program is that she has a 100% graduation rate with her players.  100%! in over 30 years of coaching!

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ShamWow’s, Snuggies and Other Goofy Commercials

I was going through fellow blogger Aunt Jemimah’s Revenge’s page and it made me think of  an older blog I wrote about late night television commercials.  There are some new players on the block now.  Let’s chat about it.

I remember back in the day when the old K-Tel and other companies would push any and everything imaginable to the viewers.   For the magical figure of $19.99 plus shipping and handling, you could get just about everything from a Chia Pet (chi chi chi Chia) to a classical record collection of top 40 hits.  My favorite line would be the one where they were selling the soul music hits and one guys says to another, “Man can I borrow your music?”  Then the other guys says, “Uh uhh my brother.  You have to get your OWN.” 

 

 Today’s acts are no less formidable.  You have ShamWow which can suck up the Mississippi River if you throw a couple rolls into it.  I love the way the guy says, “Its made in Germany so you know it’s good.”  And also the way he chastises the camera man by saying, “Cameraman you getting all of this?  Stay with me now!”  

 Isn’t it cool too how they give you the price of say, $59.99 but then drop it to $19.99?   Then they back it up with, “But wait!  If you call within the next 20 minutes, we’ll throw in another set of ShamWow’s for free!”

That’s standard language for any of these commercials and their offers.  ” But wait!”

Then there’s the Snuggie.  I almost fell off the couch the first time I saw this one.  Apparently someone thought to put sleeves on a blanket.  To see these people doing their casual acts of lounging around the house with this bright red or blue thing is hilarious.  No self respecting man in my opinion would be caught dead in one of these things unless he was a star or an extra in a George Lucas movie.

       

*Snuggie man, may the force be with you!

 You got to love Jay Kordich with his monster eyebrows selling that juicer.  Plus the old man is built like a bull and has all those  girls around.  I actually love juicers and it’s time for me to invest in another one. 

 

 Now my MAIN MAN is none other than Matthew Lesko.  This dude is relentless in selling his book on how to get the government to fund all of your research and ideas.  Anybody who can dress up like The Joker’s Revenge and go on and on and on  is alright with me.  

 

 The only thing I can compare some of these commercials to are some TV preachers when they ask for dollars.  That’s another story.

But I have my own idea to sell.  You see when I sleep, I like to keep my feet warm and I don’t like to sleep in socks.  Sometimes the bottom of the comforter has that cold air seeping at the bottom.  What I do as soon as I get under the covers is is lift the covers with my feet and fold the top sheet and comforter under my feet.  This creates that warm and soft feeling while keeping the cold air out.  I call it “The Cushion.”  I’m thinking to myself, “Why should I do all of that feet folding every night.  I may as well just sew an extra foot pocket at the bottom of the comforter so people can just slide their feet in at night.  I can market the thing for $49.99.  But wait!” 

Operators are standing by….

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Good Reading/Listening

There are times when I have conversations with my sons about life, or certain mysteries or share wisdom from observations I’ve gathered over my years.  I communicate in a way that they can understand and relate it back to their journey so that they can have a reference and a light towards the path they will chose.  There are times when after listening to me explain a thing to them they say something like, “Wow daddy.  I know what your talking about and I have always thought of it or wondered it but couldn’t explain it.  You hit it on the head.  Now it makes sense to me.”  It is at those times when I know my sons really look up to me for having a certain amount of wisdom.  They find me totally relatable and relevant, even necessary. 

This is the exact same feeling I get when I listen to the words of Sidney Poitier.  In his first book, “The Measure of a Man,” he talked about not only his life which is fascinating to say the least, but also his beliefs and how he’s come to realize the mysteries, the pleasures, the heartaches, the lessons of life.  This is a truly wise man who has a lot to share.

This sharing continues with his second book,  “Life Beyond Measure, Letters To My Great-Granddaughter.”  In it he writes a series of letters to his great-granddaughter telling the story of his life and the lessons he’s learned – indeed the lessons he is still learning and those questions he may never be able to answer.

This book is not about his movies nor his career though he mentioned it very briefly at times in some form or context.  Instead, Poitier takes a critical look at his life and honestly shares the greatest faults, pains, failures, triumphs and treasures from a man who couldn’t read when he came to America from Cat Island, Bahamas.  In a kaleidoscope of subject matters such as family, faith, traditions, fear, doubt, desperation, god, addictions, science, technology etc.,  Poitier deeply examines the issues of life and does not tell his great-granddaughter what to do, but instead gives her a window to forsee what her journey may be like – and gives her the freedom to decide for herself how she will view each of these subject matters.

I don’t want to say too much about this book.  It’s difficult to put my words together in a way to give justice to what I am receiving in my spirit as I listed to every word.  I will say that I am truly enriched and there has been an illumination on things deep in my soul that were hidden, or dismissed because I couldn’t dig them all out by myself.  Now I am able to at least tap upon a little.  Additionally,  my own level of sense of honor and integrity have increased since I started the book.  There are already things I do differently, certain standards I don’t allow myself to accept, little foxes if you will that I am weeding out – things that only I know about.  What a role model.  I am so thankful that he shared with all of us what he’s shared with his family. 

I suggest this book as well as his first to anyone on the learning path. 

As much as I love to read the words on the printed page, hearing Poitier speak in his own words, with his majestic teaching voice full of compassion and adventure gives the experience that much more.

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LeBron, Liars and Sportsman

I remember when Magic Johnson used to talk about the competition between himself and other NBA superstars in the league.  Not merely the in-game competition when they were competing against one another; but just other games around the league as the season goes on.  For guys like Magic, it wasn’t an individual ego thing but a motivation to elevate his game to the highest level.  When you are already better than 98% of the people you play against on any given night you have to tell yourself things to keep you from being bored.  Such was the case with Magic, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, etc. 

During a normal game time interview they would never admit it.  But get Magic on a couch and he would readily admit that he would search the newspapers every day to see what Larry or Dominique Wilkins did the night before.  “I’ll looked at the stats sheet and say, “Oh Larry got 35 last night?  That means I’ll have to get 38 or 40.” 

Jordan of course was the same way.  He would tell himself that the other opponents didn’t respect his game and through that anger will himself to another spectacular performance.  I’ll never forget the time the Bulls played a home and home against the then Washington Bullets.  The first game in Chicago saw LaBradford Smith a kid who wanted to be Jordan score 35 against his hero.  Jordan had a so-so game and afterwards they asked Smith about his performance in “stopping” MJ.  Smith no dummy said, (paraphrasing) “Oh no!  Nobody stops Michael.  I just had a good game.  I was fortunate that my shots went in.  Michael is Michael.  He’s the best.” 

Still that didn’t stop Jordan.  Just because the question was asked… the next night he torched Smith for 40 something fouling him out the game.   He played with an angry scowl the entire game.  He knew he was better than Smith so that wasn’t the point.  He wanted to make sure everyone else knew it too.

These memories all came to me upon seeing Kobe Bryant put 61 on the Knicks at Madison Square Garden the other night.  It was the most points scored by any Knicks opponent in The Garden’s history.  The Knicks, blessed or not so blessed with a home schedule that called for the Lakers, the Cavaliers and the Celtics to come visit during the same week had to face the wrath of LeBron James a couple nights later.  Of course James down played the situation saying he was not interested in records.  I knew he was a damn lie.  Every hoops junkie knows. 

Magic had newspapers.  Today’s generation has SportsCenter and Blackberry’s where their peeps text them with, “Man did you see what Kobe did?”

What does James do last night?  He scored 52 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assist… making the first time in over 30 years since a guy had 50 points in a triple double.  He scored 20 in the first quarter.  Of course he was looking to match Kobe and even surpass his effort earlier in the week.  Kobe and LeBron have been friends since James was in high school.  They bonded even closer during the Summer Olympics in Beijing.  Both understand the significance of performing well in the basketball Mecca that is MSG.  No doubt James texted Kobe who was busy putting up 36 in a win in Toronto last night something like, “I’ll see your 61 and raise you 52 and a fu*&% triple double beeeeaach!  How ya like me now?”

Kobe has enough problems, they have the Celtics tonight in Boston.  And speaking of the Celtics… don’t think that Paul Pierce ain’t looking to put up mad numbers on the Knicks on Friday.  Of course, he wont’ admit it.

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Kobe puts 61 on Knicks at The Garden

Number 24 was feeling himself last night at Madison Square Garden the Mecca of basketball.  He played one of the most spectacular games New Yorkers will see surpassing point totals of other Garden foes like Jordan and Miller. 

Kobe Bryant dunk

 His performance left former Knick star turned executive Allen Houston thoroughly inpressed and teammate Trevor Ariza saw it comin. 

“He didn’t have any smiles, he wasn’t playing no games and he was out there to kill it.  I seen it even before we got to the arena on the bus. He didn’t really say much. He was just focused.”

Still the team has to weather another extended absence of center Andrew Bynum who sustained another knee injury when Kobe fell on him a few days ago in Memphis.

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Super Bowl Thoughts & Reflections

Of course it ain’t no secret who I was pulling for in the big game.  My girl/childhood friend Vonda came through and Fed-X’d my gear Saturday delivery from Tampa.  So though I suffered horribly with the flu I was still in full effect with the rest of my terrible towel family.  It was quite a game and quite the experience.  Most Super Bowls are just hype compared to the game.  But this one was like a Tom Clancy suspense novel down to the very end.  With that I will add just a few thoughts.

** Jennifer Hudson (bless her heart) tore that National Anthem to pieces!  I mean she took it to church without the stereotypical churchee flavor if you catch my drift.  My voice quivered as I mumbled to myself, “Damn she sang that song!”  Step aside Whitney! 

** Ben Roethlisberger is a flat out stud.  He played clutch football and whenever his team needed a big play, he delivered.  He may not be pretty or have the style like some of the other big name guys, but there need not be another conversation about the top echelon quarterbacks in the league without his name being mentioned among them.

** Kurt Warner… nothing but respect brother.  You took what the D gave you and wore us out.  You never forced it to Fitzgerald but when the time came you didn’t miss.

** Larry Fitzgerald – all man, all business, all world.  I don’t know that I ever saw a receiver beat a coverage and sprint past the safeties like Usain Bolt.  But I did last night!

** Santonio Holmes – had all the moxie of Fitzgerald and was just clutch all night.  That last catch was all pro and will be featured in Super Bowl films for ages to come.

** Mike Tomlin is a man’s man.  He has a presence and he gets it.  For a second year coach to take a team like the Steelers to the Super Bowl was just a tremendous feat.  He totally gained the respect of the players and the community.  He understands people, his opportunity and he is all business and all human at the same time.  There is no doubt he will continue to gain respect and loyalty as he makes those better around him.

** As intense as that game was, I am glad it ended the way it did.  For all of the talk of the Pittsburgh defense being #1 in the NFL, Arizona found a way to get over.  And right at the end when it counted they scored with the quickness.  It was the Steelers offense that had to deliver and they did.  Did you notice as well that every Steeler touchdown came under review either by a Cardinal challenge or booth review?  The first one they overturned should have been a score as well.

**Finally, The Pittsburgh Steelers,   What an organization!  The Rooney family really has it together.  Since 1969 they’ve had a total of 3 coaches which shows a sense of stability not known in professional sports.  They help enact the Rooney Rule which says that an NFL team has to at least interview a minority coaching candidate when they have an opening.  Then they actually hire a minority candidate at the next opportunity.  They are a shining example that diversity and inclusiveness are a combination destined to succeed.  I am sure that Tomlin was hired because they felt he was the best candidate regardless of his color.  But my point is that it’s not just talk with them.  To Tomlin’s credit he had his presentation together and was able to get with a team steeped with tradition – one of the strongest and most well respected franchises in sports history.  Mr. Rooney didn’t talk himself out of what he saw.  Now they have an unprecedented 6 Super Bowl titles.

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And then there’s this…

Rudy Giuliani says that when he was mayor, he gauged the New York City budget by Wall Street bonuses.

Of all the dumb ass things to think or say for that matter, it seems that Rudy Guiliani thinks that fat cat bonuses for Wall Street executives is a good thing that keeps jobs for New Yorkers? 

WHAT THE FUCK????!!!!!!!

Yep that’s what he said.  His argument is that with the bonuses will lead to more spending in restaurants and department stores.  So in other words if Mortimer is not spending his multi-million dollar bonus at the Waldorf Astoria and Barney’s… those companies will be forced to lay off employees!

You know – I just wonder how stupid folk have to be to let certain things come out of their mouths.  And to think this dude ran for president.

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Super Sunday in Tampa

Two weeks is definitely enough time to wait around for the Super Bowl.  For the teams, they get a chance to enjoy the moment and perhaps heal or recover a bit from a season full of hits.  But for the media, they tend to run out of things to say and it get’s pretty redundant.

“Hey, did you know that Kurt Warner used to bag groceries?” 

“Did you know Cardinals coach Ken Whiesenhunt used to coach the Steelers and wanted the job after Cowher retired?”

“Jerome Bettis is from Detroit,”  and “Tyler Hansborough plays hard,” is tired of hearing it.  But it is what it is.  Such are the story lines that we have to listen to over and over again leading up to the big game.  Normally I just stay away from it so I won’t get a case of Super Bowl Media Coverage Overkill.

I will readily admit that I am a die hard Steelers fan.  I grew up adoring the black and gold as much as I did the purple and gold of the Lakers.  I had the priviledge of meeting Bradshaw, Swan, Stallworth, Franco, Blier, Greene, Lambert, Blount, etc. as a kid on a hot training camp day in Latrobe, PA.   I am in no way less impressed with this crew of Big Ben, Hines, Palo, and Farrior.  I would love to see US get another ring for the other hand.

        

Still, I can’t hate on my man Larry Fitzgerald.  He has mad game and went to the University of Pittsburgh.  I am glad I already invested in his authentic #11 jersey a couple years ago.  I’m sure I’ll rock it sometime this week as a show of respect that I have for him and the way he plays the game.

Generally, people in St. Louis still have plenty of affection for Warner.  He brought us a Super Bowl victory and if it were not for Mike Martz outsmarting himself and freezing Marshall Faulk out of the next Super Bowl they played in we would have had another one.  Kurt is definitely hot and feeling it right now and I don’t take that from him.  Still I think he left St. Louis like a sucka.  They were losing game after game, he threw pick after pick, and he led the league in fumbles ala Tony Banks.  Yet instead of taking some responsbility for his bad play, he never did.  Instead he whined about how the team seemed to not want him to read his bible at practice. 

I was like, “Hell when you’re winning read all the scriptures you want.  But if not, try the play book when your at Rams Park for practice.” 

Same thing when he went to the Giants.  He played like crap and never owned it.  But when he’s winning, it’s Jesus this and Jesus that.  Never Jesus when they lost, just excuses.

That’s my rant.  Still you wouldn’t find many people that don’t think Kurt is a good guy.  I am sure he is.  And I am genuinly happy for him getting another crack at it.

Much love to my friends Vonda and her husband Sponce.  I grew up with Vonda and we were together on that training camp trip as kids.  Her and hubby own 4 Steeler season tickets at  Heinz Field and they will be at the game on Sunday.  (Hey V, I’m looking for my gear in the mail…. what’s up? ) 

Anyway, hardly no one I hear gives the Cardinals a chance.  Most of the pundits are predicting a blowout.  I can’t figure that one out.  This may be the Cardinals first look at a title.  And the Steelers have a great defense and 20 something guys from the last Super Bowl winning team on this one.  Still the Birds are hot.  Fitzgerald is playing out of his mind, and if Bolden is not fussing with his O cordinator on the sidelines, he can be a game breaker himself.  I hope the Steelers aren’t believing the hype and expect to be in for a battle.

And so it is.  My dad was a Big Red fan when the football team was here in St. Louis.  He loved Terry Metcalf, Roy Green, Jim Hart, Dan Dierdorf, and Ottis Anderson.  For years and years Bill Bidwill didn’t seem to care whether the team won or lost – only if they made money – much to the dismay of many loyal fans.  I think a lot of them will root for the Cardinals on Sunday – Especially with that Warner connection.   As I said, I am happy for them – but don’t get it twisted.  I will have my terrible towel with me waving it in front of some TV set.  My loyalties are with Mike Tomlin and the Steel City! 

Even the president is with me on this one… I’m just sayin!

Enjoy the game everyone~

Go Steelers!