I was born in New England.
Outside of 5 years shortly after I got married, I've lived here all my life.
And I'll die here.
There's something particularly unique about this corner of the world. I've been to many places in the US and others in North America and Europe. Based on what I've experienced and based on what I've read, Boston may be the greatest city in the world.
People talk about the hospitals, the schools, the sports, the history, the people. To me? It's all about the weather.
I admit it. I love the snow.
But, as I was walking down the street last night in temps that were, in the local vernacular, wicked cold, it occurred to me that only 5 months prior, I was roasting my ass off in the blazing sun on a 95+ degree day (we didn't get many of those in 2014.) So, I enjoy the hot weather too.
There's something about cold weather, and particularly snow that just makes me happy.
The dogs love it too. But, when the snow can be measured in multiples of height of the little one, the snow can be hard to manage.
During the height of the recent blizzard, they refused to pee on the pads we had laid out in the living room, so I had to take them out. Out the front door, the little one disappeared into a snow drift, so I scooped them up to carry them to the barely plowed street.
Step one... up to my calf.
Step two... up to my knee...
Step three.... lose my balance and I'm sitting in a pile of snow up to my waist.
The dogs were ok... tucked away in daddy's grip. So, I sat there a moment... transported back a few decades to when I was a kid.
I loved it.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Thoughts
Things happen.
People change.
Perspectives get distorted.
Mistakes are made.
Assumptions are avoided, and yet often inevitable.
Feelings.
Routines get altered.
Emptiness.
Filling the void isn't all that easy. Maybe even impossible.
Imagination.
Fantasy.
Gone.
Cuban sandwiches never shared.
Was anything ever real?
Done?
Wanting what can't be had is a waste.
Or, maybe the here and now can include something more...
People change.
Perspectives get distorted.
Mistakes are made.
Assumptions are avoided, and yet often inevitable.
Feelings.
Routines get altered.
Emptiness.
Filling the void isn't all that easy. Maybe even impossible.
Imagination.
Fantasy.
Gone.
Cuban sandwiches never shared.
Was anything ever real?
Done?
Wanting what can't be had is a waste.
Or, maybe the here and now can include something more...
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Integrity in the NFL
Peterson gets suspended for beating his kid while Ray Rice got reinstated.
Apparently, the league draws the line at beating your kids. Beating your partner is completely ok, so long as she gets her money. And let's not kid ourselves. If Ray Rice weren't a football player who's earning potential was in the millions, his wife would be out of there.... Or some goodie two shoes women's rights people would be in her ear to "not go back to that unhealthy relationship"
For God's sake, many of us have stressful jobs. The so-called violence in football is, at least, an outlet. Since when do we excuse people for bad behavior that harms someone else?
I was asked recently for my opinion on how coach Belichick should be punished if he was found to have intentionally deflating footballs. Because, ya know, he's a proven cheater. I deflected, for a good reason. I have major problems with the NFL right now. It's not been a league based solely on competition for quite some time. Belichick is an arrogant asshole. Yes. And, he's my arrogant asshole because I live in New England . So, there's little point in asking me for my opinion because I'm biased.
But the bigger issue is all the rules put in place for "player safety". It's horseshit. The rules in place are meant to make it easier for the offenses to score. And where did some of those rules come from? Bill Polian: former President of the Colts, all to make it easier for Manning and other QBs. It's all about ratings.
Calling Belichick a cheater is like calling a habitual speeder a criminal. Everyone speeds. When you get caught, you pay the fine. But that doesn't take away your presumption of innocence when accused of theft.
Belichick has been caught cheating in ways that most, if not all, other coaches have also cheated. The NFL looks the other way to unless someone blows a whistle.
Does that make it ok? Maybe not. But, if everyone around you is cheating and getting away with it, at what point are your principles more important than the players that you coach?
The real reason that Belichick acts with such disdain for NFL leadership is that it is weak, and inconsistent, not to mention ineffective.
So, if Belichick is found "guilty" of masterminding a way to deflate balls after they were inspected? Then fine him and get the fuck on with it.
Period.
You want integrity? Don't look to NFL leadership.
Apparently, the league draws the line at beating your kids. Beating your partner is completely ok, so long as she gets her money. And let's not kid ourselves. If Ray Rice weren't a football player who's earning potential was in the millions, his wife would be out of there.... Or some goodie two shoes women's rights people would be in her ear to "not go back to that unhealthy relationship"
For God's sake, many of us have stressful jobs. The so-called violence in football is, at least, an outlet. Since when do we excuse people for bad behavior that harms someone else?
I was asked recently for my opinion on how coach Belichick should be punished if he was found to have intentionally deflating footballs. Because, ya know, he's a proven cheater. I deflected, for a good reason. I have major problems with the NFL right now. It's not been a league based solely on competition for quite some time. Belichick is an arrogant asshole. Yes. And, he's my arrogant asshole because I live in New England . So, there's little point in asking me for my opinion because I'm biased.
But the bigger issue is all the rules put in place for "player safety". It's horseshit. The rules in place are meant to make it easier for the offenses to score. And where did some of those rules come from? Bill Polian: former President of the Colts, all to make it easier for Manning and other QBs. It's all about ratings.
Calling Belichick a cheater is like calling a habitual speeder a criminal. Everyone speeds. When you get caught, you pay the fine. But that doesn't take away your presumption of innocence when accused of theft.
Belichick has been caught cheating in ways that most, if not all, other coaches have also cheated. The NFL looks the other way to unless someone blows a whistle.
Does that make it ok? Maybe not. But, if everyone around you is cheating and getting away with it, at what point are your principles more important than the players that you coach?
The real reason that Belichick acts with such disdain for NFL leadership is that it is weak, and inconsistent, not to mention ineffective.
So, if Belichick is found "guilty" of masterminding a way to deflate balls after they were inspected? Then fine him and get the fuck on with it.
Period.
You want integrity? Don't look to NFL leadership.
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Jihad and Turning Your Cheek
Jihad means holy war. Correct?
Turning your cheek means fighting is bad. Correct?
Both of these statements is inaccurate.
Jihad means "struggle" and most Islamic scholars today interpret Jihad as the internal struggle that we all have to lead a disciplined life.
References to violence in the Quran are specific to defending sacred real estate. It is no different than the castle doctrine maintained on the books in many US states.
Similarly, Jesus' teachings about turning the other cheek and offering your tunic to the man that robs you has also been misinterpreted. Effectively, Jesus said to never let someone insult you with a backhanded slap. Turn your cheek so that your aggressor must confront you on equal terms.
The notion that Muslims are inherently violent and that Christians are inherently passive based on their religious teaching is just silly. There is no evidence to support it.
Did an Egyptian cleric celebrate the murders in Paris? Yes. But a Christian minister also burned the Quran. (He's now a fry cook somewhere.... I call that Karma)
It's time we start holding individuals accountable for their actions instead of allowing people who label themselves a certain way to taint others with that same label.
Just because I love the Patriots, that doesn't mean I support spying on the opposition.
Turning your cheek means fighting is bad. Correct?
Both of these statements is inaccurate.
Jihad means "struggle" and most Islamic scholars today interpret Jihad as the internal struggle that we all have to lead a disciplined life.
References to violence in the Quran are specific to defending sacred real estate. It is no different than the castle doctrine maintained on the books in many US states.
Similarly, Jesus' teachings about turning the other cheek and offering your tunic to the man that robs you has also been misinterpreted. Effectively, Jesus said to never let someone insult you with a backhanded slap. Turn your cheek so that your aggressor must confront you on equal terms.
The notion that Muslims are inherently violent and that Christians are inherently passive based on their religious teaching is just silly. There is no evidence to support it.
Did an Egyptian cleric celebrate the murders in Paris? Yes. But a Christian minister also burned the Quran. (He's now a fry cook somewhere.... I call that Karma)
It's time we start holding individuals accountable for their actions instead of allowing people who label themselves a certain way to taint others with that same label.
Just because I love the Patriots, that doesn't mean I support spying on the opposition.
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