In the past week, Americans have had the opportunity to see and hear the candidates for Presidency on television in a debate setting. They have also had the chance to watch some amazing playoff baseball. Inevitably, the two went head-to-head, forcing the viewer to choose between politics and sports. I just found out that in St Louis, the game had more viewers than the debate. I write the following post unashamedly...
I chose baseball.
I chose to forego hearing two men talk about the future of our nation.
I chose to watch teams of men hurl a ball and swing a stick and run around.
I chose to think about hit-n-run opportunities, sacrifice flies and double playballs.
I chose to eat bratwurst and nachos and ice cream.
I chose to relish the moments after victory was achieved.
I chose to allow myself to feel as if I were a part of the team.
I chose to doubt a managerial move and praise another one.
I chose to wish for one man to fail in a clutch spot, hoping for another's success.
I chose to think about pitch counts, on-base-percentage and bullpen strategies.
Call me what you want: uninformed, unpatriotic, unconcerned...
While you are busy thinking of adjectives and adverbs, I am thinking of tomorrow's game.
You fire your shots of disappointment and I will be thinking of Clemen's heat that is coming.
I don't care what you say - I choose baseball.
Is that a juvenile thing to say?
Is that an immature attitude to have?
Why?
Is it so wrong that I choose to relax and enjoy a few hours of my time, watching my favorite team play a game I love? Is it wrong to want to see this portion of history unfold? Is it bad of me to worry more about a starting pitcher's performance than what a politician is saying on the other channel? On the contrary, I think that if I were to miss the game I would regret it too much. (Unless of course I had something else going on that required my attention.)
Do I think that the debates are important? Sure.
Do I think that some people will garner a lot from them? It's possible.
Do I feel like I have missed anything? Absolutely not.
Why would I choose to hear the same lines repeated time and time again with a different set of words, when I can be watching something completely new as it is happening? I suppose I could always watch the replays and highlights, or check the box score in the paper and get a synopsis of what happened. Or I could ask my coworker who won and get a simple answer. But that does not do the game justice - it does not allow me to connect as a fan with "my team".
Instead, I watch the game live. I hold my breath. I shout. I clap. I smile. I get frustrated. I do all these things because I love the moments when something great is accomplished and our fans acknowledge it with a standing ovation. I love it when a batter works a count from 0-2, fouls off 4 pitches, and gets a walk. I love it when the announcer is talking about how amazing a player is and then that player confirms it in dramatic fashion.
Don't misunderstand me here - the debates are important.
Some people need to tune into these verbal sparrings.
Some people should be glued to their sets to hear what is said about healthcare reform.
I am not one of them.
I do not need to see or hear anything during the debate. I choose to read the transcript as time allows in the days following. I don't care if a man raises his eyebrow or smiles at the camera or sweats profusely or anything else physically. If a man speaks candidly, respectfully and honestly about things, then people will recognize that. If a man speaks on the issues at hand, and explains his plan, then I can read all about it the next day. I don't care if the man (or woman) is attractive, physically disabled or has HIV. If they relate to me on the issues I am concerned about, I will vote for them.
Sure a debate is good, but the ballgame was better.
The politician's words will be printed all over tomorrow, but the feeling I get as a ball streaks through the night sky is fixed in a moment. It cannot be reproduced. You can replay it, show it from 16 different angles and slow it down to analyze the rotation of the seams, but it's that initial moment, as it is happening live, that keeps me from watching the debates. I have invested emotion into the game at that point, so it means something more to me.
I like to think of it this way:
I choose to have fun watching men have fun. The words of other men who are working hard and getting grilled by others will still be the same words tomorrow. And I can watch a replay of that if I want to and it won't lose any of the emotion of the moment.
So in this case, I cast my vote for baseball.
The President can wait until tomorrow...
Friday, October 15, 2004
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Monumental Disgrace
So, the Arch can now be colored pink in October, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness. I think this is a huge error in judgement by our many lawmakers. You are taking a monument to one event in American history and using it to support a cause it was never intended to promote. As a purist, I disagree with lighting the Arch at all. I enjoyed the way it looked in the night sky, reflecting the lights of the city along its metal frame. For those of you on the east side, you might be able to see the Casino lights reflected on it, I have no idea - I avoid East St. Louis at night.
What's next?
I shudder to think that other monuments might eventually be given over to this ridiculous adventure. Hopefully, the lawmakers in other states will immediately recognize the stupidity of this idea. I don't want the Washington Monument, the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore or any other monument to be lit for any cause - regardless of the fact that the cause might be noble. It's not the place for it.
Is Breast Cancer Awareness a great cause? Absolutely, and I support it 100%
Does it warrant the discoloration of a national monument and local treasure?
No.
In fact, we should eliminate the lights on the Arch and let it stand as it was meant to be seen - with the glimmer and shine of its host city in its reflection.
What's next?
I shudder to think that other monuments might eventually be given over to this ridiculous adventure. Hopefully, the lawmakers in other states will immediately recognize the stupidity of this idea. I don't want the Washington Monument, the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore or any other monument to be lit for any cause - regardless of the fact that the cause might be noble. It's not the place for it.
Is Breast Cancer Awareness a great cause? Absolutely, and I support it 100%
Does it warrant the discoloration of a national monument and local treasure?
No.
In fact, we should eliminate the lights on the Arch and let it stand as it was meant to be seen - with the glimmer and shine of its host city in its reflection.
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Holy Rolling Squirrels!
As I was walking between buildings this morning, I encountered a squirrel under the most unusal circumstances. You see, I was walking within 2 feet of the building when I stepped out beyond the corner. It's a blind corner - one where there is no way to see what's beyond the wall until you step beyond it. Since there is nothing on that side of the building to generate traffic of any sort, there is no reason to even think about it.
I took one step beyond the wall, planting my right foot on the sidewalk. Immediately, something slammed into the side of my leg/top of my foot (you know, that place where your foot bends). I quickly looked down to see a furry blur flippin over my foot and proceeding to roll across the ground for almost 3 feet. The fuzzball stopped rolling, and a squirrel popped its head up to take a quick look back at what it had just hit. It glanced at me for a moment, then continued its frenzied bolt as if nothing had happened.
I found myself instantly wondering why this squirrel was running like his nut stash was being stolen. There was nothing on that side of the buiding to initiate a panic from the beast. No humans... No vehicles... No animals... No nothing.
So I guess this little guy was just running for the fun of it.
The whole event reminded me of someone going over the front of their handlebars on a bike. Full speed, having a great time and then *Flip!*. I'm sure he was freaked out a bit by it, and maybe a little embarrssed by the whole thing, but he played the macho role and castigated me with his little black beady eyes before he continued his recreational running.
I took one step beyond the wall, planting my right foot on the sidewalk. Immediately, something slammed into the side of my leg/top of my foot (you know, that place where your foot bends). I quickly looked down to see a furry blur flippin over my foot and proceeding to roll across the ground for almost 3 feet. The fuzzball stopped rolling, and a squirrel popped its head up to take a quick look back at what it had just hit. It glanced at me for a moment, then continued its frenzied bolt as if nothing had happened.
I found myself instantly wondering why this squirrel was running like his nut stash was being stolen. There was nothing on that side of the buiding to initiate a panic from the beast. No humans... No vehicles... No animals... No nothing.
So I guess this little guy was just running for the fun of it.
The whole event reminded me of someone going over the front of their handlebars on a bike. Full speed, having a great time and then *Flip!*. I'm sure he was freaked out a bit by it, and maybe a little embarrssed by the whole thing, but he played the macho role and castigated me with his little black beady eyes before he continued his recreational running.
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Recycled Trash
On my way to work this morning, while driving on I-70, I found myself behind a recycling truck. You know, one of those huge trash trucks that collects only paper, glass and other such forms of recyclable metal in order to make good use of our resources and save the land fills? Well, at an approximate speed of 65mph, this guy wasn't worried about saving anything.
As he barrelled down the highway, an assortment of newspaper pages began to fly out of the truck. This wasn't just one piece of paper sneaking its way back into the world of landfill-bound waste. Oh nh. This was entire blocks of newspapers flying off the truck. I saw a complete bundle hit the roadway and slide off onto the side of the shoulder, shredding into pieces. This man either had no idea things were flying out, or he really didn't care.
Either way, what was bound to be recycled has now been freed again. And it has found a home where it might be picked up by some poor soul wearing an orange vest in the next 12 months, who will promptly place it into a trash bag. And that trash bag will make its way to a trash truck, who will most likely not lose and bags while on the highway, thus ensuring that the "trash" makes it to the landfill.
Maybe the recylcing people could take notes on how to keep the recyclables on the truck, instead of letting them bail out and become just a bunch of trash...
As he barrelled down the highway, an assortment of newspaper pages began to fly out of the truck. This wasn't just one piece of paper sneaking its way back into the world of landfill-bound waste. Oh nh. This was entire blocks of newspapers flying off the truck. I saw a complete bundle hit the roadway and slide off onto the side of the shoulder, shredding into pieces. This man either had no idea things were flying out, or he really didn't care.
Either way, what was bound to be recycled has now been freed again. And it has found a home where it might be picked up by some poor soul wearing an orange vest in the next 12 months, who will promptly place it into a trash bag. And that trash bag will make its way to a trash truck, who will most likely not lose and bags while on the highway, thus ensuring that the "trash" makes it to the landfill.
Maybe the recylcing people could take notes on how to keep the recyclables on the truck, instead of letting them bail out and become just a bunch of trash...
Sportsmanship 101
Be A Class Act
Honor Your Opponent's Efforts
Respect Your Opponent's Talents
We won the series and both teams proved how classy they are.
I'm proud to be a citizen of Redbird Nation.
And Dodger fans should be proud of their team as well...
Honor Your Opponent's Efforts
Respect Your Opponent's Talents
We won the series and both teams proved how classy they are.
I'm proud to be a citizen of Redbird Nation.
And Dodger fans should be proud of their team as well...
Monday, October 11, 2004
3 Debates Down, 1 To Go...
Here's my take on the recent debates.
For the first Presidential debate, I was having a wonderful time with family and didn't hear or see a word of it.
For the VP debate, I was organizing the apartment, making dinner and enjoying a movie.
For the latest Presidential debate at Wash U, I was shopping, driving around, singing and eating dinner.
So, I am 3 for 3.
3 relaxing evenings with wonderful people - none of whom are politicians.
3 periods of time where I decided there was something more important I could be doing with my time.
3 debates that I haven't actually missed.
I've read quite a bit about what "happened" at these debates and what certain bloggers think of the "performances" at these debates, but I really don't care that much. I've found something else to do each time that will have a much longer lasting impression on my life than any words that any of these men could ever say.
Oh, I'm still opinionated and I still follow the election process, but I don't let it consume me...
For the first Presidential debate, I was having a wonderful time with family and didn't hear or see a word of it.
For the VP debate, I was organizing the apartment, making dinner and enjoying a movie.
For the latest Presidential debate at Wash U, I was shopping, driving around, singing and eating dinner.
So, I am 3 for 3.
3 relaxing evenings with wonderful people - none of whom are politicians.
3 periods of time where I decided there was something more important I could be doing with my time.
3 debates that I haven't actually missed.
I've read quite a bit about what "happened" at these debates and what certain bloggers think of the "performances" at these debates, but I really don't care that much. I've found something else to do each time that will have a much longer lasting impression on my life than any words that any of these men could ever say.
Oh, I'm still opinionated and I still follow the election process, but I don't let it consume me...
Friday, October 08, 2004
Hodge-Podge
Mike Matheny is awesome - glad to see him getting the much deserved kudos. Couldn't be happening to a better guy.
Danny Haren zipped the ball in there for 2 solid innings and when he crushed that ball to deep left center I about jumped up out of my skin. If Morris struggles, I say they bring Haren back for an inning or two (pretty sure they wouldn't do that on 2 days rest though, but I'm sure Haren could handle it). Unless he pulls an Ankiel at some point, expect to see some great things from this kid over the next few years (if not sooner).
I'm sorry, but as much as I hate the Cubs, nothing is worth paying them $87,000 - not even not playing one game for them. Sammy = idiot. If you don't show up for work, why should you get paid? And somehow his agenty thinks he will still be a Cub next year... If he is, then the Cubs need some serious help in the office.
The Dodgers might take the next one on LA, but I don't think the series will come back to town. I love the fact that the Redbirds are proving that they can win without going deep every other batter. Smallball runs amok in Busch stadium again and is followed by some deep bombs over the fence the next day. In case you haven't realized it yet, you are watching one of the best lineups in the history of baseball.
Tony LaRussa says he'll work for free if the Cards win the title this year. I'd love to see the Birds do that, and then I'd love to see Tony keep his word. If nothing else, it would endear the fans to him forever, set the current salary-heavy MLB on it's head and it would make people pause to remember it's just a game. I'd also love to see the guys still waiting contracts to defer immediate levels of obscene wealth and decide to stay together as a team and dominate baseball again next year. (Odds are heavy against such action, but I love to think that someday this could happen.)
Debate tonight.
Lot's of conversation tomorrow. A lot of which usually gets too heated for my tastes.
Try not to kill yourself or your fellow man this weekend...
Danny Haren zipped the ball in there for 2 solid innings and when he crushed that ball to deep left center I about jumped up out of my skin. If Morris struggles, I say they bring Haren back for an inning or two (pretty sure they wouldn't do that on 2 days rest though, but I'm sure Haren could handle it). Unless he pulls an Ankiel at some point, expect to see some great things from this kid over the next few years (if not sooner).
I'm sorry, but as much as I hate the Cubs, nothing is worth paying them $87,000 - not even not playing one game for them. Sammy = idiot. If you don't show up for work, why should you get paid? And somehow his agenty thinks he will still be a Cub next year... If he is, then the Cubs need some serious help in the office.
The Dodgers might take the next one on LA, but I don't think the series will come back to town. I love the fact that the Redbirds are proving that they can win without going deep every other batter. Smallball runs amok in Busch stadium again and is followed by some deep bombs over the fence the next day. In case you haven't realized it yet, you are watching one of the best lineups in the history of baseball.
Tony LaRussa says he'll work for free if the Cards win the title this year. I'd love to see the Birds do that, and then I'd love to see Tony keep his word. If nothing else, it would endear the fans to him forever, set the current salary-heavy MLB on it's head and it would make people pause to remember it's just a game. I'd also love to see the guys still waiting contracts to defer immediate levels of obscene wealth and decide to stay together as a team and dominate baseball again next year. (Odds are heavy against such action, but I love to think that someday this could happen.)
Debate tonight.
Lot's of conversation tomorrow. A lot of which usually gets too heated for my tastes.
Try not to kill yourself or your fellow man this weekend...
Thursday, October 07, 2004
Stinky Town
Something reeks in downtown St Louis today.
Some people are saying it has to do with the sewer system.
I think the truth is that it is simply the rotting hopes of the entire LA Dodger team...
Some people are saying it has to do with the sewer system.
I think the truth is that it is simply the rotting hopes of the entire LA Dodger team...
Bush-Clinton Paradox
I came across this list earlier today and wanted to post it here to see what anyone else thinks of it...
BUSH – CLINTON PARADOX
Clinton awards Halliburton no-bid contract in Yugoslavia -good
Bush awards Halliburton no-bid contract in Iraq -bad...
Clinton spends 77 billion on war in Serbia - good...
Bush spends 87 billion in Iraq - bad...
Clinton imposes regime change in Serbia - good...
Bush imposes regime change in Iraq - bad...
Clinton bombs Christian Serbs on behalf of Muslim Albanian terrorists-good...
Bush liberates 25 million from a genocidal dictator - bad...
Clinton bombs Chinese embassy - good...
Bush bombs terrorist camps - bad...
Clinton commits felonies while in office - good...
Bush lands on aircraft carrier in jumpsuit - bad...
No mass graves found in Serbia - good...
No WMD found Iraq - bad...
Stock market crashes in 2000 under Clinton - good...
Economy on upswing under Bush - bad...
Clinton refuses to take custody of Bin Laden - good...
World Trade Centers fall under Bush - bad...
Clinton says Saddam has nukes - good...
Bush says Saddam has nukes - bad...
Clinton calls for regime change in Iraq - good...
Bush imposes regime change in Iraq - bad...
Terrorist training in Afghanistan under Clinton -good...
Bush destroys training camps in Afghanistan - bad...
Milosevic not yet convicted - good...
Saddam turned over for trial - bad...
BUSH – CLINTON PARADOX
Clinton awards Halliburton no-bid contract in Yugoslavia -good
Bush awards Halliburton no-bid contract in Iraq -bad...
Clinton spends 77 billion on war in Serbia - good...
Bush spends 87 billion in Iraq - bad...
Clinton imposes regime change in Serbia - good...
Bush imposes regime change in Iraq - bad...
Clinton bombs Christian Serbs on behalf of Muslim Albanian terrorists-good...
Bush liberates 25 million from a genocidal dictator - bad...
Clinton bombs Chinese embassy - good...
Bush bombs terrorist camps - bad...
Clinton commits felonies while in office - good...
Bush lands on aircraft carrier in jumpsuit - bad...
No mass graves found in Serbia - good...
No WMD found Iraq - bad...
Stock market crashes in 2000 under Clinton - good...
Economy on upswing under Bush - bad...
Clinton refuses to take custody of Bin Laden - good...
World Trade Centers fall under Bush - bad...
Clinton says Saddam has nukes - good...
Bush says Saddam has nukes - bad...
Clinton calls for regime change in Iraq - good...
Bush imposes regime change in Iraq - bad...
Terrorist training in Afghanistan under Clinton -good...
Bush destroys training camps in Afghanistan - bad...
Milosevic not yet convicted - good...
Saddam turned over for trial - bad...
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