My Favorite Time of Year...

So even though I should be passed out in bed right now, I'm sitting in my living room glued to my laptop listening to a Stanley Cup playoff game between my Dallas Stars and the San Jose Sharks. As I begin this blog, they're starting the second overtime, and hopefully they'll be done before I am!! If there's ever a time of the year that I look forward to the most, it's the Stanley Cup Playoffs. You don't have to worry about games ending in shootouts, and players really earn their paychecks in grueling, exciting, edge-of-your-seat, sudden-death overtime. Just today alone I watched the Penguins beat the Rangers in OT to advance to the conference finals before listening to the OT battle. It's time like these where I miss the Whalers the most, being able to hear Chuck Kaiton beautifully call the game as if we, the listeners, were there ourselves. There's only a select few play-by-play guys that will keep you glued to your TV or radio by the passion they put into the game. I've already immersed Ethan in playoff hockey from birth, putting him in his chair when he was just a few months old and watching Versus until every last game ended. In a way it's killing me that I'm not able to watch any playoff games right now unless they're on NBC, but at the same time it's rekindled my appreciation for listening to all those Whalers games on the radio growing up. I guarantee I probably won't roll out of bed until 6:30 to get in the shower tomorrow morning, but as long as the Stars win and advance to face the Red Wings, it will be all worth it. Even if they don't, and the Sharks force a game 7, that just gives me another chance to lose myself in one of the most exciting traditions in sports. Looks like I'm coming to an end for this blog, and the game rages on- just about halfway through the second overtime and no one wants to go home just yet. Looks like I'll be here for a while because I'm not going to miss that game-winning goal. Until next time...

It Just Doesn't End, Does It?

Just when you thought we would be able to make it through the weekend without someone griping about playing time- here comes Frank Thomas flying off the handle about being benched (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3354449). "I'm angry, I know I can help this team. My career isn't going to end like this," he said. Well when you're batting .167 with three homers and 11 RBIs in 60 at-bats (which was right around my average in two seasons playing in a men's rec league), you really can't complain about being benched, especially when you're on the back nine of your career and you signed a two-year, $18-million contract in 2006. The majority of men in the US between the ages of 23 and 40 would do anything just to have a tenth of what he would make in two years- including me (that's $1.8 million for all you non-math scholars)!! But as the cliche' says, "Be careful what you wish for," the "Big Hurt" got what he wanted- a mutual release from the Blue Jays and a chance to go elsewhere. He'll end up somewhere, but I don't know if he'll necessarily get more playing time...
Switching gears now- I happened to read a story on ESPN.com about the different paths that NBA legends Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan have taken since they retired (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=3351892&sportCat=nba&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab4pos2), and it made me proud that I share my birthday with Sir Charles. I completely agree with Gene Wojciechowski about how Jordan can be defined by four things when his life is all said and done, while Barkley continues to evolve into the "role model" he said he wasn't back in the '90s. Barkley may end up being the governor of his home state of Alabama soon if he keeps going at the pace he is, and who's to say he wouldn't make a good governor? I think he'd do a better job than the Governator, and have a better accent at that!! While Jordan will live on forever as a worldwide icon, Barkley's mark on history will be just as broad, provided he can lay off the Krispy Kremes once in a while...
Finally, before I turn in for the night, lots of congrats are in order for IndyCar driver Danica Patrick, who became the first female winner in IndyCar history on Sunday with a victory in Japan (http://sports.espn.go.com/rpm/racing/news/story?id=3355226). She's been given so much grief in the media that now she has that first win under her belt and can go along now without having to be scrutinized by critics anymore. Here's to many, many more...
Finally, I mentioned in my last blog that I would give credit to whoever could give me the name of the song and band I used as the subject of Friday's blog, so here are my kudos to Kara and Heather:


Until next time...

You Can't Always Get What You Want...

I can't remember, for the life of me, what song that came from, but it's 100% appropriate for today's blog (If anyone does know, please let me know- I'll definitely mention you in my next blog!!). For those of you that follow the NFL, I'm sure you've heard about Bengals WR Chad Johnson voicing his displeasure with the organization and wanting to be traded. Now he's going Terrell Owens on us and demanding that he be traded before the NFL Draft next weekend (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3349761). For someone whose talent can't even sniff Jerry Rice's jockstrap, Ocho Stinko needs to strap on a muzzle, go about his business and do his job like the rest of his team. I get so irritated when I see these multimillion-dollar crybabies complain because they don't like something or someone in their organization. Last I checked, they didn't choose their employers, it was the exact opposite. I miss the days of Rice in his prime, Cris Carter, Art Monk, and others who just went about their business and conducted themselves the way pro athletes were supposed to. Johnson's own teammate, T.J. Houshmandzadeh (trust me, I didn't spell it myself- thank god for copying and pasting) said that they just need to trade him so the organization can move on (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3351518). I agree and disagree at the same time. If they trade him, he gets his way and they possibly get screwed. If they don't trade him, he whines like a baby and sits at home not getting paid. Either way, this one looks like it will get much, much worse before it gets better. Stay tuned...
On the flip side of brats like Johnson you have veteran stalwarts like Ravens QB Steve McNair calling it a career today (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3351086) after 13 years with the Oilers/Titans and Ravens. Here's a guy who fought through countless injuries, led his team to a Super Bowl (coming just one yard short of victory), and helped set the standard for scrambling QBs long before the likes of Vick and Vince Young entered the NFL mainstream. He was a class act from start to finish, should have his number retired by the Titans, and could very well end up in Canton when it's all said and done. Guys like Johnson need to take a long, hard look at those who came before him, like McNair, who were the prototypical first-class professionals and handled themselved with dignity and honor.
I told one of my really good friends that I would end tonight's blog with a quote from her late father. This speaks so many volumes as to how we should live our lives every day:
"I think you can't wait for someone to fly underneath you and save your life... I think you have to save yourself."
Until next time...

Common Sense 101

Since I last posted a blog, which was about the idiot who sat on a toilet for two years, I've seen so many stories on the news that just disturb me. For example, a 23-month-old boy died in February because the two people taking care of him refused to give him water (http://www.wfsb.com/news/15898529/detail.html). Being a parent now, this one really, REALLY bothers me. The care of a young child has been entrusted to you because the mother was severely ill, and you don't give them water because they wet the bed?? And to top it off, they laced the child's bottles with hot sauce to keep him from even attempting to drink from a bottle. ARE YOU SERIOUS?? At least the last story I blogged about had somewhat of a decent ending, but this one will stay with me for a while because I can't imagine someone doing that to Ethan. People are definitely telling the truth when they say you look at things quite differently when you become a parent. Oh, and to go even further, one of the accused killers claims they have a mental disability, which I think is total garbage. I'll let you all read the story for yourselves because the more I talk about it, the angrier it makes me.
Here's another genius move- two teens out in Ohio forced a 2-year-old toddler to smoke marijuana, then claim to have completely forgotten about it (http://www.wfsb.com/video/15905651/index.html). Thankfully they were arrested and are sitting uncomfortably in jail. In this case, not only do these morons need to be locked up, but the parents of the 2-year-old need to be as well for leaving the toddler with teens that are at the age where common sense isn't exactly their highest priority. Here's another situation that upsets me as a parent, which would explain why there's only a certain few that I would trust Ethan with if I needed a babysitter. Have caretakers absolutely lost their minds now??
Rather than sit here seething from these idiotic moves, I think I'm going to go do some reading and call it a night. Until next time...

What the @%@^@!!

So I'm on my computer today and I come across an article on WFSB.com about a woman who sat on a toilet for two years. TWO YEARS!! I could see if it was a bad case of diarrhea or something like that, but two years is a bit much. This is probably one of the most bizarre articles I've ever read. Rather than spoil it for you, check it out for yourself: http://www.wfsb.com/news/15578028/detail.html

In other news... eh, this one just takes the cake today, although there was a story on Eyewitness News today about a kid who was suspended from school for selling a bag of Skittles. I'll see if I can find the article on their website and post it later. For now, I'm off to a nice anniversary dinner with my wife. Until next time...

A Change In Scenery...

Yeah, so I haven't been doing too well trying to blog more than once a month, but this past month has been a whirlwind for me!! First, my baby boy flies off to the warm confines of Puerto Rico to stay with my wife's family (still can't figure out how I'm 28 and haven't left the continent once while my favorite anklebiter has already visit PR twice now!!) while she finishes nursing school. I thought it would be a long 2-hour drive from JFK knowing that I wouldn't see Ethan again until the summer, but I was happier knowing the fact that he would be in good hands while we took care of things here. We get just about daily updates from my in-laws with phone pictures at least twice a week, and if he hasn't fallen asleep yet (PR is an hour ahead of us here in CT- at least until 2AM Sunday) we'll call him so he can hear our voices. I can't even begin to describe how I'll feel when I do get to see him again in July.

Next, I was very fortunate to celebrate my 28th year on this earth in such a special way. My wife Karla took me down to New York City to have dinner at the ESPN Zone in Times Square. While the food may have been a little on the disappointing side, just being there made it worthwhile, especially since I was with her. Before we got to dinner, we began our Big Apple journey at Grand Central Station making sure we wouldn't get lost. On our way to find the Museum of Television and Radio, we managed to find Rockefeller Center. Needless to say, as evidenced by my Starbucks hot chocolate, it was quite cold that day.

After that we ventured over to the NBA Store, which neither of us had visited before. It was definitely an experience I would never forget. It was a combination of memorabilia, shopping, and interaction similar to the Hall of Fame up in Springfield, just condensed into a different form. For example, there was an area on the lower floor where you could measure your hand size against today's NBA stars. With me being only 6'2", I didn't expect my hand to be close to any of them, but I felt like a midget when I put my hand up against Shaq's. It was almost like putting Ethan's hand against mine- it was that big!! See for yourself:

Once we got to the museum, we found out that it had changed its name, and take it from me, while what we saw was rather interesting, it wasn't worth the price of admission. From there, we made our way toward Times Square and ESPN Zone. Once we were seated, I couldn't help but keeping my head on swivel looking at all the different feeds that were available on the big wall of screens. As I said earlier, the food wasn't that great, but the time spent with Karla made it enjoyable. We had to take a raincheck on the upper level game arena, but we'll be back there again soon enough.

Later on in the week my dad took me, my cousin and some of my friends up to F1 Boston for some extreme go-kart racing. We only raced twice, but when you're averaging almost 40 mph in a go-kart, it can be really intense. Here's a layout of the track we raced on:

In the first race, I topped out at almost 40 mph, but hit the wall hard twice and got stuck making a turn. Needless to say I wasn't too pleased. In the second race I was a bit more consistent but finished second by about 2 seconds. Once everyone's nerves settled a bit, we headed into Beantown to have lunch at Boston Beer Works, then go bowling over at Jillian's behind Fenway Park. Being able to spend part of my birthday with some of my closest friends racing and bowling really meant a lot to me and is a tradition I hope to continue as long as I can. To top it off, the only way I was celebrating was by wearing my brand new Whalers t-shirt that I got for Christmas (see below). Let's just say I'm still on my quest to find a jersey.

After that wonderful week, it came time to begin the process of moving from my childhood apartment to New Britain. While I have many memories here, and can proudly say that my son grew up in the same house as me, the time came for us to step back out on our own and keep taking the steps toward our first house. We're in transition between here and New Britain, but I can't begin to describe how excited we are to start settling in at our new humble abode. I want to share a piece of a blog from my friend Gina that describes this transition:

"You know when you get on a rollercoaster- that feeling when they put the shoulder bars down and they lock and you realize there is no turning back? And you round the bend and hear the click click click as you head up that first giant hill... you look around and for that 30 seconds or so that you are chugging up that giant hill things look so peaceful and everything looks so small. The feeling I have right now is the feeling you get just as you see the first car come right up over the crest of that giant hill and you are like "oh shit." You know its gonna be fun, you are gonna survive and who the hell knows how many loops and twists and turns are up ahead- you got yourself into this damn mess."

Now I wouldn't say this transition is a mess, but it's sure going to have its fair share of twists and turns. It's going to be a lot of fun and we're going to grow as a family, especially with Ethan soon to be going to school (I know- almost 3 years has gone by since our Peanut arrived). From here, as the cliche' famously proclaims, "The sky's the limit." Until next time...

Stealing Thunder...

As I sit here watching the Harlem Globetrotters on TV (I'll see them in person someday), I also sit with mixed emotions as Super Bowl XLII looms on the horizon just less than a day away. I am ecstatic that Art Monk finally got elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining fellow teammate Darrell Green among others. He sat on the ballot for eight years before he got the call, which was eight years too long. To be able to put up the stats that he did in an era where Jerry Rice was just coming into his prime is truly remarkable. It's about time he was recognized for everything he accomplished during his career. He, along with Green, Pats LB Andre Tippett, Vikes/Broncos OT Gary Zimmerman, Bolts/49ers LB Fred Dean (before my time), and Chiefs CB Emmitt Thomas (also before my time, but I'm sure I'll see him on my Chiefs History DVD) are to be congratulated for this very distinguished honor.
While I am pleased that Monk finally got the call for the Hall, I'm also disappointed that more and more information about the Pats' Spygate incident is coming to light on the eve of Super Bowl XLII, especially when it might involve past incidents. On top of that, U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania is looking to speak with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell regarding the destruction of the Spygate evidence. Let me channel my inner Stephen A. Smith here (I can't help it- I love what he does!!): Who in their everlasting right mind cares THAT much about why some evidence that's already been viewed and addressed, especially during the week leading up to the Super Bowl?? Last I checked, U.S. Senators have a lot more pressing issues to deal with in our country than meeting the NFL's commisioner about some evidence that a good majority of us have forgotten about and could care less about anymore. Here's a word of advice to Sen. Specter: utilize your energy toward issues that really matter to our country, like ending the war in Iraq and Afghanistan or social security. Let the Spygate issue go, get off your high horse, and move on. Join the rest of the country in watching what could the most historical Super Bowl to date. LET IT GO!!
Speaking of the possibility of historical Super Bowl, another issue that's been bothering me, as well as many sportscasters, is the continuing annoyance known as Mercury Morris staying on his high horse proclaiming greatness for his beloved '72 Dolphins' undefeated season. "Don't call me when you're in my neighborhood- call me when you're on my block," or some garbage like that. Just like I mentioned to Sen. Specter- LET IT GO!! Everyone knows what your Dolphins did in '72, and everyone knows that they were the first undefeated team in NFL history. No one is discounting that by any stretch of the imagination. However, as much as I really don't like the Pats, I have to give them credit for making such a historical run up to this point, and you should do the same. Should they win tomorrow, I'll probably smile at the fact they completed what could be considered the most remarkable season in professional sports. What I won't do is start comparing them to your beloved 'Fins. One thing you must always remember, Mr. Morris, is that records are made to be broken. Don't be so full of yourself to the point that you can't take a moment or two to possibly welcome another franchise into that exclusive wire-to-wire club. Your team was one of the best of its era, and should the Pats win, they'll be considered one of the best of this era Like most of us who have a pulse on this planet- embrace change and LET IT GO.
With that being said, it's time to make my Super Bowl pick. Unless I like the favorite going into the game (in this case I don't), I tend to be an underdog guy, which would make you think that I would pick the Giants. However, it's hard to go against a team that was built for a game of this magnitude. I think it will be a great game, but in the end, the Pats finalize their place in history. Pats 31, Giants 24. Until next time...