I found this story through the Sports Filter message community. Given what happened in Miami last weekend, stories like this are the kind that NEED to be emphasized. Coach Al Golden at Temple isn't trying to train his players to just be better athletes, but also better men. Even though his team is the epitome of futility, you can't help but root for them after reading this story. Please follow the link then come back and give me your opinion. here it is:
http://www.cavalierdaily.com/CVArticle.asp?ID=28170&pid=1495
Christien, Daddy loves you and misses you. I hope you are doing ok, mi hijo. Que Dios te proteje y te cuide a ti y todos en tu corazon. We're together in my heart if not in real life. Goodnight.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Monday, October 9, 2006
Entry for Oct. 09, 2006 - Why Sports are Important to Guys: My Story
So, what do the Yankees and the Red Sox have in common? The will both be watching the World Series from home.
I am one of the few members in my family who is a devoted Red Sox fan, so any chance I have to jab my Yankee loving family members, I'll take it.
People often wonder why I, and men in general, get so emotionally involved in sporting events and teams. If you really think about it, sports provides so many avenues of parallels for our lives. Sports provides men with the same type of edge of your seat drama soaps provide women. They also give us an identifiable link to our childhood. It provides us a momentary escape from our reality, while at the same time giving us new opportunities at creating memories.
When I was in Chicago, Sal and I were driving into the city to go to the show, and U2's "Its a Beautiful Day" came on the radio. I related to Sal my story surrounding that song, and how it and the New England Patriots helped bring me out of my depression over my failed relationship with K***-L**. This story, more than any, should explain all I am trying to say.
When we first broke up, I was devastated. I couldn't even sleep in the same bed. Hell, I had gotten so used to sleeping on the couch, it didn't really matter anyways. Anyways, it took me a good year to fully grieve, and towards the end, I kept hearing2 songs all the time on VH1 in the mornings (I was up at 6am, had already watched Sportcenter, and would want to hear music before going to work, and it was the only channel that played it in the morning) The 2 songs were "Desert Rose" by Sting, and "Beautiful Day", so those 2 songs became associated with my breakup. Anyways, this was summer 2001.
Fast forward a few months, 9/11 happens, Bledsoe goes down, and some 6th round pick from Michigan called Tom Brady is the Pats starting QB. (I'll never forget K*** accusing me of trying to avoid her call for some stupid reason on 9/11 when I was trying to find out if cousins were down near there and if anyone knew anything about the Network Plus office in the WTC. She said I didn't know anyone there, so I shouldn't care about what was going on. Truth is, I was in training with a couple of people from the NY office, and had met the manager and a few others on the company trip to the Bahamas- a trip I busted my butt to win for me and her, and wound up taking Aaron)Of course in my mind I'm like, "Geez, here is another thing to go wrong in my life!" Then, miraculously, they start winning, and kept winning all the way to the Super Bowl.
Of course, the halftime show was U2, and they sang "Beautiful Day", and the Pats won on on of the greatest moments in Super Bowl history(I may be a little biased in that statement). The sucky part is I was supposed to have gone to New Haven to watch it with my cousins, but wound up watching alone with Aaron because I had caught a stomach flu. Aaron was out by the 3rd quarter. The next day, every radio station and TV highlight of the Pats winning featured "Beautiful Day".
In that one moment, Adam Vinatieri changed my whole outlook through the eyes of that song. Whereas, before, it only brought me painful memories and sadness, now it brings a certain sense of euphoria. That song defined a turning point in my life, and that moment opened a new chapter.
People will argue that a sports moment such as that shouldn't have such a profound effect on someone, but the Patriots were my life raft that season. They were the one constant I could count on. I wasn't sure if she'd let me see Christien that weekend, but I did know the Pats would be there come Sunday. And because they didn't let me down, they helped me move on with my life.
So, you see, sports can have a profound impact on one's life. My father still fondly remembers the World Cup game we went to see as a Father's Day gift for him, Aaron still loves hearing the story of how he won New England Revolution tickets for us when he was 3, and I still remember nearly breaking my hand on the ceiling jumping up and down when the Red Sox FINALLY won it in 2004.
Somewhere, right now, some child is dreaming of he and his father playing catch, some daughter is remembering when she stayed up late with her dad to see the last time the Tigers won the World Series, and a couple is falling in love after watching the Broncos beat the Ravens on MNF.
And here, a father sits, wishing he could see his son. For all the new lease on life the 2001 Patriots may have given me, it will never compare to that moment when I get to give Christien a great big hug again. I love you and I miss you, mi hijo. Ma y god bless and protect you and everyone in your heart.
I am one of the few members in my family who is a devoted Red Sox fan, so any chance I have to jab my Yankee loving family members, I'll take it.
People often wonder why I, and men in general, get so emotionally involved in sporting events and teams. If you really think about it, sports provides so many avenues of parallels for our lives. Sports provides men with the same type of edge of your seat drama soaps provide women. They also give us an identifiable link to our childhood. It provides us a momentary escape from our reality, while at the same time giving us new opportunities at creating memories.
When I was in Chicago, Sal and I were driving into the city to go to the show, and U2's "Its a Beautiful Day" came on the radio. I related to Sal my story surrounding that song, and how it and the New England Patriots helped bring me out of my depression over my failed relationship with K***-L**. This story, more than any, should explain all I am trying to say.
When we first broke up, I was devastated. I couldn't even sleep in the same bed. Hell, I had gotten so used to sleeping on the couch, it didn't really matter anyways. Anyways, it took me a good year to fully grieve, and towards the end, I kept hearing2 songs all the time on VH1 in the mornings (I was up at 6am, had already watched Sportcenter, and would want to hear music before going to work, and it was the only channel that played it in the morning) The 2 songs were "Desert Rose" by Sting, and "Beautiful Day", so those 2 songs became associated with my breakup. Anyways, this was summer 2001.
Fast forward a few months, 9/11 happens, Bledsoe goes down, and some 6th round pick from Michigan called Tom Brady is the Pats starting QB. (I'll never forget K*** accusing me of trying to avoid her call for some stupid reason on 9/11 when I was trying to find out if cousins were down near there and if anyone knew anything about the Network Plus office in the WTC. She said I didn't know anyone there, so I shouldn't care about what was going on. Truth is, I was in training with a couple of people from the NY office, and had met the manager and a few others on the company trip to the Bahamas- a trip I busted my butt to win for me and her, and wound up taking Aaron)Of course in my mind I'm like, "Geez, here is another thing to go wrong in my life!" Then, miraculously, they start winning, and kept winning all the way to the Super Bowl.
Of course, the halftime show was U2, and they sang "Beautiful Day", and the Pats won on on of the greatest moments in Super Bowl history(I may be a little biased in that statement). The sucky part is I was supposed to have gone to New Haven to watch it with my cousins, but wound up watching alone with Aaron because I had caught a stomach flu. Aaron was out by the 3rd quarter. The next day, every radio station and TV highlight of the Pats winning featured "Beautiful Day".
In that one moment, Adam Vinatieri changed my whole outlook through the eyes of that song. Whereas, before, it only brought me painful memories and sadness, now it brings a certain sense of euphoria. That song defined a turning point in my life, and that moment opened a new chapter.
People will argue that a sports moment such as that shouldn't have such a profound effect on someone, but the Patriots were my life raft that season. They were the one constant I could count on. I wasn't sure if she'd let me see Christien that weekend, but I did know the Pats would be there come Sunday. And because they didn't let me down, they helped me move on with my life.
So, you see, sports can have a profound impact on one's life. My father still fondly remembers the World Cup game we went to see as a Father's Day gift for him, Aaron still loves hearing the story of how he won New England Revolution tickets for us when he was 3, and I still remember nearly breaking my hand on the ceiling jumping up and down when the Red Sox FINALLY won it in 2004.
Somewhere, right now, some child is dreaming of he and his father playing catch, some daughter is remembering when she stayed up late with her dad to see the last time the Tigers won the World Series, and a couple is falling in love after watching the Broncos beat the Ravens on MNF.
And here, a father sits, wishing he could see his son. For all the new lease on life the 2001 Patriots may have given me, it will never compare to that moment when I get to give Christien a great big hug again. I love you and I miss you, mi hijo. Ma y god bless and protect you and everyone in your heart.
Wednesday, October 4, 2006
Entry for Oct. 04, 2006- Random Thoughts
Just a quick hit. Chicago was good, as far as long term prospects. Not much in the way of short term gains. I did experience surprisingly good Italian food. We went to a place called Buca di Beppo. It's a chain, but I never heard of it before. I said brfore the dinner was served, you can tell how good a place is by whether you waddle or walk out of it- we waddled. They said there was one in Pineville. I'm going to have to check it out. Hopefully, it will be as good as the Chicago one.
By the way, is that a great quote in today's blast or not?
"Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence." – Lin Yutang
It is exactly meant for the trailblazers in all of us.
Thoughts and prayers to the parents of all the chikdren in PA. Dude, they're Amish. What the hell did they ever do to you? Stop blaming others for what you did.
That's it. Gas is down to $2.15, the maket has never been higher, and a 6 degrees of Bush appointee said it's ok for W to wipe his A** with the Constitution and violate all of our rights. The 1st 2 you knew were going to happen because the Republicans will do anything to keep their power, the 2nd, I really hoped common sense would prevail. Then again, it hasn't since FL 2000, so why start now?
Christien, daddy loves you. May God bless you and keep an eye on you. Aaron says hi. I miss you.
By the way, is that a great quote in today's blast or not?
"Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into existence." – Lin Yutang
It is exactly meant for the trailblazers in all of us.
Thoughts and prayers to the parents of all the chikdren in PA. Dude, they're Amish. What the hell did they ever do to you? Stop blaming others for what you did.
That's it. Gas is down to $2.15, the maket has never been higher, and a 6 degrees of Bush appointee said it's ok for W to wipe his A** with the Constitution and violate all of our rights. The 1st 2 you knew were going to happen because the Republicans will do anything to keep their power, the 2nd, I really hoped common sense would prevail. Then again, it hasn't since FL 2000, so why start now?
Christien, daddy loves you. May God bless you and keep an eye on you. Aaron says hi. I miss you.
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