THE DAY I BECAME A CUBS BASEBALL WIDOWER

I am a sports fan, in fact, if you ever had the misfortune of meeting me, 90% of the conversation would probably be centered on sports. It is not that I do not have opinions on other subjects, nor do I lack the ability to communicate on an intellectual level on other subjects. It is just that for me sports are just more intriguing and fun. As a young sports fan, there are few days I can truly say are memorable. I do not have the luxury of older sports fans for them, certain moments remain with them for an eternity. They can all tell you where they were, whom they were with, the feelings they felt, and in general just how crushing some of those moments were.

On October 4^th 2008, that moment arrived. Don’t get me wrong, this moment was not like most eternal moments were I can pinpoint the very existential atoms of my universal experience. In fact, I could say that my universal experience was rather mundane. It was one of monitoring the patients in a psychological facility. I was not even watching the said sport event, which as I reflect back on now might have been a stroke of fate; in essence, a deux ex machina which was necessary to rip out all my love and despair for m favorite baseball team the Chicago Cubs.

For those who do not know the Chicago Cubs have been the bane of futility, a century’s shrine to the idea that abject failure can be sustained, and you just pray that it is only momentary. In the Cubs case, failure has become synonymous with this team. In baseball, you ask anybody about a Cubs fan, they tell it is a fan that spends his time at the Wrigley field, drunk, hung over, chasing girls, and not interested in the said sporting event that had brought him to this park. In fact one could argue; if not for failure Cubs fandom probably would have been lessened. As been a Cubs fan has become a community exercise in catharsis. This is the cross I and many serious Cubs fans have borne. We have come to understand that we share affiliations with many fans who are not fans, and many other who are fans for the sake of this shared experience of a catharsis.
Then I witnessed the 2008 version of the Chicago cubs, a hitting pitching 97 games winning best team in the national league. They thrilled us with unimaginable comebacks, and they won their division, and had home field throughout the national league playoffs. For once, we could enjoy the ride, and this was the team that would make bearing the suffering of all those years, and that duplicitous moniker of lovable losers. We were going to win the national league. We were the best team. A hundred years of losing would end. But, I should have seen it coming, this was not new, they had done it before, but not this team, the curses, the goats, Wrigley field, and all that stupid nonsensical things would end. We would dance the jig, be merry, and many babies would be born on the night of celebration, to commemorate our redemption.

But it was not to be, the 2008 Chicago Cubs went down quietly, they did not even have the audacity to win a game, or even lose with class. As they did to the pipes in the Dodgers stadium dressing room what they failed to do to Dodger pitching. I fear I must leave my brethren to their cross. For I have reached an unimaginable place as a fan. I have reached a dark place where I see no light, and there is no hope. For me, I have begun to question why I do bear my cross, and how long I will bare this cross. This for me is difficult. For I am a very loyal fan, I support, and follow my teams through hell and back. But, with the Cubs, I see there is only the cold icing frosting of hell fire, and the devil has shut the gate so I cannot return. So I must pronounce myself a Baseball widower. I shall never watch not acknowledge the existence of the sport. For me, it is over, and my summers shall be spent doing what I should have always done with the hours I spent watching the Cubs, read, and actually gain some intellect and insight in the human condition.

Cleaning the Cobwebs off my blog

This is one of those very uninspiring blog entries. Normally I am full of vitriol and I am spitting mad, but since I have been unable to complete my manuscript. I thought it was time to dust off my old blog, and shine some light on its very dark page.

BRET FAVRE

My personal thanks to the J-E-T-S( I am sure even that has become cliché for many writers). Thank you for ending the Bret Favre saga. I was tired of very many lazy writers commenting on a rather meaningless saga. Nothing beats the national media feeding the Ego of a hillbilly quarterback. That is pretty much the most I am going to dedicate to that Saga.

OLYMPICS

Since, I came to America, the Olympic games has lost all its luster, I can remember watching every waking moment of the 92, and the 96 games, but I cannot remember much of Sydney or Athens. Sadly, Beijing will suffer this fate too. Not because of all the extra-curricular, or the fact that the IOC has once again proven they are the most inept sports body in the world. But, China deserves an Olympics games, and I am glad they got one. But I have lost my Tivo. And even the Olympic football tournament which was the only thing I really cared about or would want to watch will sadly be missed this year. Now if I can just skip through all these Olympic themed commercials I would be very happy. Oh Tivo, I hardly got to know you, for a brief period you ruled. Thanks Directv for a substandard DVR.

POLITICS

This topic normally feeds my flames, and it is the topic most responsible for much of my writing anger. But, a friend whose opinion I value, has helped me see the light. All of this is pointless. The election has been decided, and nothing anyone says or does will matter. Though old habits die hard, as I am this close to going Tanya Harding on the Clintons, I am tired of both of them, sixteen years of leading your party is enough, please go away, and go into gently into the night. We do not care, not want to know about your grievances. You lost, and there was no sexism, or racism in the race. You lost, get over it. I find it hilarious that Hilary has become the symbol for the postmodern feminist movement. This woman who chose to defer to her husband's career. This woman whose singular achievement as a First Lady was to stand by her philandering husband (saving whatever political career that would have gone in flames of his and of course hers). I am still of the mindset that the reason why she did was because he promised her a pathway to the big chair, and all these hurt feelings they both have is because that path was shut by Obama. He is now unable to fufill that request, plus all she dealt with because of the scandals, and now all for naught. Though been a junior senator form New York is not bad. Furthermore, if she had played her cards right, she might have been able to become governor of New York, it is no President, but it is better than nothing, which is what they are aiming for right now.

COLD WAR MORNING

How lovely and refreshing to watch Russian tanks roll into one of the many ex soviet republic countries. It was like waking up to one of those cold war mornings. Of course Russia claims Ethnic cleansing, which is a new one for them. Back in the old days it was rebellion, and or capitalist infestation. I like the Ethnic cleansing angle, why anyone would buy it is beyond me, because I do not know about you, but the difference between a South Ossetian and a Georgian is well pretty much non-existent. Well, it keeps the drunk eyed Russian people asleep, and they are not forced to have to look up from their bottle of vodka, and realize that they are back into the old days. The only difference these days is no lines, and they can make a light bulb. In the end that is all people care about.

THE DEGENERATION OF America

This week’s Signs of American Degeneration and decay

Iowa Residents

Do not get me wrong, I hate to rail against people who have just probably lost their only equitable asset in a flood. Take it from me, as a former victim of a flood, it is not pretty, and in fact, it can be a very traumatic and trying experience. But for those residents who have decided to compound this trying experience in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with stupidity is maddening. These people are actually complaining about the city council not allowing them to go back into their homes. When in fact, the city council has chosen to because they feel they should inspect each house and make sure it is structurally safe for residents to return. I mean for God sakes, wait the few days it will take. Then you can go back to your house. If the council does not do this, these same people would complain and sue the city council for not making sure their house was structurally sound before clearing them to go back in. Or should I dare say that those few days are too long for them because they would like to go loot their neighbor’s houses ala Katrina.

Becky Harmon

I am one of the biggest sports fans of the world, and I do not care about women’s basketball. In fact, barring situations like this that arises. I would not even care about the sport ever. But, where the hell does Sue Donohoe get the brazen to call this woman a traitor. Hey Sue, how many times have I seen Americans celebrate an athlete who was born in another country that chooses to represent America, Sue did you forget Navratilova, or Hakeem Olajuwon. It is okay for citizens of the world to wear American colors, but not so for dual citizen Americans. Hey Sue, if this woman was such an integral player why did it take till you needed to fill a provisional list for you to pick her. Secondly, I do not care whether she was born or where she earns her living, it is up to the individual to choose which country they wish to represent. And lastly, unless you actually have proof of this woman trying to subvert the US Government, please do not call her a traitor, I know nowadays it is very fashionable word, but the word traitor is a very serious crime and an accusation to level at someone especially in the international sphere.

Obama’s Speech on Fatherhood

Ok, I understand the importance of this speech. I even understand why it is important for a guy who is running for president to actually be willing to make this speech. Since the goal of most elections is not to make waves, and this speech does just that. But, did I miss something, or is this not the same statements that a lot of people have made black and white that have been heavily criticized. Why is this now great and revolutionary? But when those people uttered it, it was crass, and racist. I like Senator Obama, and I would love to see him actually continue to expound on his exact ideas for leading this country. But we should as a people, especially black people, start placing emphasis on the content of a man’s words, and his actions, and not how much cache or whether we like him as the messenger or not. We cannot always label everyone who makes a comment; a racist or an uncle tom, especially when this statement is very true. The black family is in shambles, and it is artifact number one as to one of the reasons why black communities are in shambles. It is because of the degeneration of the family, that the family which was always the first level of censorship, and civic correctness has all but disappeared, that has allowed criminal culture to hijack our youths, and giving them a false sense of what it means to be an outstanding human being.

THE DEGENERATION OF America

I have long held the belief that America is Rome; an expansive powerful empire, with too much time on its hands that it began to cave to internal strife. While, this is an oversimplification of the many factors that led to the fall of Rome, I still feel it is an appropriate comparison. This is because I see America caving to stupid internal pressures which are threatening to destroy this country. Here are a few examples this week;

Rachel Ray Fiasco

What the hell is wrong with people? When did wearing an article of clothing that most of the world wears make one a terrorist. Did I miss something? This scarf that Rachel wears in the Dunkin Donuts commercial is worn by a lot of people in the world. They are an article of clothing; I mean for god sakes, terrorists wear kaftans, sandals, and shoes. Does that mean because I like to wear those same articles of clothing, that I support terrorism. Shame on America, but even larger shame on Dunkin Donuts, for been the spineless cowards they are catering to the stupid.

Parents and Teachers

Today, a teacher is in hot water because parents who chose to send a tape recorder with their child heard things that they did not approve. I am the first to believe that teachers should be role models. But what is wrong with parents that they would rather choose to send a tape recorder rather than go speak with the teacher. When did we as a society stop acting like responsible individuals, and feel it is much better to be cowards. If you have a problem with a teacher’s treatment of your bad child, speak to the teacher, or then speak to the administration, or then the school or the PTA, what is the point of these groups if you will not use them? You are not helping your child; you are bringing them up to be cowards. Cowardice is the first step to an ineffective democracy.

Political Pundits

When did the so-called political pundits become children? The reason you guys are pundits is because you are supposed to not only have the knowledge, but you are aware of the breadth of history. You are supposed to help foster the political debate, and not be talking monkeys for whatever political party you consult with. Furthermore, when did it become acceptable to attack people personally, rather than actually attack their arguments in order to disprove them? You are the reasons why we never know what political candidates stand for, or what effect their policies would have. This is because it is now all about who they associate with, and what gaffe they made.

The news media

The time has come for us to de-monopolize the news media. We no longer get news; we no longer get actual reporting, or these people doing what the article of free speech guarantees them to do. This is to be the watchdogs of the society at large. We just have new agencies that have rooting interests with political parties, and ideologies. They are too busy worrying about whom their CEO supports, and or what he will vote to shape their reporting. I am tired of Fox news been pro-republican. CNN is pro-democrat. I would mention MSNBC, but they are just annoying as they have both pro-republican and pro-democratic people on the same time, all you here is constant blather, and nothing ever is reported.

DENZEL WASHINGTON’S LEGACY

There is no doubt that Denzel Washington is one of the finest actors of my generation. In fact, there is very little doubt he is probably the most accomplished black actor of the same era. From winning the Oscar to pretty much every award that can be bestowed on an actor, he has set a legacy that cannot be denied or erased. That is until the apocalypse or the total erasure of this small blue planet.

Yet, despite this, one of the reasons I have chosen to meditate on this actor’s career is the fact that I have noticed that Denzel’s roles are for the most part the same. I am sure more articulate and sophisticated critics have pointed this fact out. But, a glimpse at his roles on IMDB¹ would show that Mr. Denzel has consistently chosen roles of the servant of the state. His most common role is a Police officer or a Military man.

The only major films of his where he does not play this role are: John Q, He Got Game, the Hurricane, and Malcolm X. Yet in two of those roles, Malcolm X, and He Got Game, you could make the argument that he still playing a variation of the servant of the state. As Malcolm was a servant of not only the Nation of Islam, but a servant of the African American state as Black Nationalism was Malcolm’s major goal. In the case of He got Game, he plays a convict who is still a servant of the state, as he is commissioned by the governor to convince his superstar son to play for his alma mater. Furthermore, his character must work within the rules of athletic recruiting apparatus.

So my question to the greatest Black actor of my time is, Why these roles? And what does the legacy of the roles he has chosen, impart to our community. I think the other two movies answer these questions for us. In the Hurricane, Mr. Carter a Boxer who clearly has been wronged by the state, still chooses to use the same state law apparatus to right his wrong. In John Q, his character, though revolutionary, still chooses to change the rules of the donor policy of the state.

For most people, this would seem benign, but for a black man, this is very intriguing in that Hollywood for a long time has not only been the face of America to the world, but it is very effective is shaping the views of the young black man. As the landmark Brown VS, Board of Education argued as one of its points, was the fact that what was wrong with separate but equal was the fact that it created an unequal self image in the mind of the black student. Therefore, equality is important not only in the physical sense but in the mental sense.

Any black historian would tell you that there has long been a war between two camps in the black community, the separatists and the Inclusionists. The separatists have longed believed that Black freedom, and Black equality can only be achieved through a separated black state. The Inclusionists, have longed believed this same freedom and equality can only be achieved by changing the state in which we live in. While, it would seem that the Inclusionists have all but won the war, as they have been responsible for the most change in black equality, especially if you consider the case I referenced earlier was a Supreme Court case. It was black people changing the state in which they lived in to include them as equal citizens. This battle is still fought today, especially in Hollywood images of Black Americans. Most black Hollywood movies either focus on a separate Black America; either as a family unit or a culture, or they focus on a Black American within the context of the General America. Even Denzel’s career highlights this; there is a stark contrast between Mo better Blues, and his other roles. As Mo Better Blues focuses on the separatist idea of Black America and Black Americans, and his other roles show him as an agent of the state. The Black man in General America.

It is no surprise that by far most of his roles have dealt with the latter, and I think that Denzel represents the symbol of the Inclusionists. I do not know if this has been done purposely or it is because most major roles for Black actors are Inclusionists roles, an artifact of the fact that the Inclusionists have been winning the war. It would be interesting to see if Hollywood images and major roles for Black actors would change. If we are going to see a shift in Hollywood, Where major roles for Black Actors will be in the separatist mode, and feature exclusively Black societies, and Black states. Would the American audience embrace it? Though this same American audience has embraced the Rap and Hip Pop cultures, and has pretty much made them the driving force in mainstream culture. If this shift occurs there is no doubt you will only have to look at the roles Mr. Denzel Washington plays to show that this is in fact true.

1. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000243/

Happy Bullday

Coming out of this winter, I wondered if it is time for me to become an NBA widower. Do not get me wrong, my favorite NBA team was not The Seattle Supersonics; a team with almost four decades of NBA history, and a rabid fan base, which were given the slip by Oklahoma City snake oil salesmen. Rather my team The Chicago bulls was even more depressing, we watched as Kevin McHale pretty much all but bought the Eastern Conference championship for his beloved Boston Celtics. Then we watched the greatest player of this generation get wooed, and of course John Paxson, the man who had spent all his time acquiring assets for this scenario, choose to be sheepish, and decided his collection of young players was better than a team led by Kobe Bryant.

Fast forward a few months later, The Baby Bulls had become veteran Bulls, and acquired their selfish, undisciplined, and overall bad which of course killed their coaches prompting this lengthened Coaching search, but also Cleveland’s pile of crap (Neck beard” Gooden, and “Offensive set Killer” Hughes) in exchange for his pile of crap (Malcontent and overrated” Wallace, and “Much older” Joe Smith). Meanwhile Kobe Bryant was coasting to the MVP, and a possible date in the Finals. The Bulls who were picked to contend for the Eastern Conference championship were now farther from a championship than in those Pink Floyd years.

But, I like to borrow a Theater term, “Deux Ex Machina”, of for the rest of us, “The God in the Machine”, A term that refers to when a play has not only an existing set of rules, but a perceived outcome, and a God descends, and completely shifts and or changes the dynamics of the characters, and the outcome of the play. Yesterday the basketball Gods descended on John Paxson’s pile of steaming poop, and gave the Chicago Bulls the number one pick, which most likely gives you the rights to MBeasy, or Derrick rose. Two players that not only change the fortunes of a young team, but can make this young team legitimate again.

So by all means Bulls fans celebrate, and dance the Jig, and realize you might have just gotten better without having to rely on John Paxson: a General Manager that gets too much credit because of the sad state of the franchise he took over, and has been giving a pass on his inability to use his properly acquired assets to actually effectively bring the Championship trophy back to its rightful home. While you will have all the lead up to the NBA draft to wonder if John Paxson will be able to rise to the occasion, or will his regime again bungle a worthwhile opportunity. It is too early to say, and or speculate. For now, it is a happy day, time to celebrate, and be merry, and hope the Gods have chosen to smile on your destined tragedy, and turn it into comedy with a very happy ending.