Simplicity

This past weekend I was able to watch some high school baseball with my family. Our experience was filled with Hawaiian style baseball park food like spam musubi and chili. Surrounded by old timers (most of them were Japanese of course) and parents, which created an atmosphere that blasted me back to simpler times. A period in which playing baseball and hanging out with friends were the only things that mattered. I wasn't worried about finding a job or losing weight or any other crap that gets in the way of enjoying life. That time seemed to be enjoyable because it was simple. I wasn't worried about the future and so the present is what really mattered to me. Alas, when you become an adult, responsibilities don't go away, they just pile up and on top of each other day after day until finally you look up and realize you are way over your head and in quite a precarious position.

So what do I do? I keep it simple. Like my grandpa would always say, "Stick to the basics and everything else will fall into place." Of course he was referring to baseball but as we all know the sport of baseball is a great metaphor for life. As a fielder needs to bend his knees to pick up a ground ball, I need to do the basic, simple things to get my life moving forward again. For instance, opening my mouth and talking story with friends, family and former coworkers can help build a larger network to assist me in finding a suitable job. Something as simple as talking can lead to something, just as bending ones knees can help a player keep the ball from sneaking under his glove.

"Just keep it simple and everything else will fall into place." Thanks for the advice grandpa.

Sent Packing

When the news scrolled across the screen on ESPN announcing the trade of Kendrick Perkins, the first thought that popped into my head was Coach Doc's declaration to the NBA world, “They (Lakers) still have not beaten our starting five. Our starting five against the Lakers starting five has a ring. Tell him don’t forget that. We will be back strong and Perk will be there next year if there’s a Game 7” (Los Angeles Times, August 24, 2010).

Quite a bold and strong statement came crashing down today as Perkins was sent packing to Oklahoma for Jeff Green and the other guy. I guess there isn't going to be a Game 7 after all. This move just solidifies my belief that players such as Chris Paul and Dwight Howard should use the leverage they have as a superstar because once you're not those owners who sing your praises will one day send you packing. There is no such thing as loyalty in a professional sport. It's all about money and winning, in that order.

Entitlement: There's Enough To Go Around

With the possible lock out looming for the NFL, NBA superstars like Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony leaving their small market teams for the larger markets of Miami and New York and Mr. Yankee himself Derek Jeter wanting more money then he is currently valued. It's hard not to ask why. In a time of great economic struggles for most people in the country it's hard to stomach athletes complaining about a few million dollars or watching them leave your home town team for greener pastures while you are forced to watch a mediocre product compete for the possibility of drafting 1st overall. You might believe that the modern day athlete are nothing but spoiled brats who feel entitled, which I agree in some respects. However, if some fans were to look in the mirror they would find that they are infected with the entitlement bug just like these million dollar babies.

Only the side effects of an entitled fan is quite different from there athletic counterparts.

1. Amnesia are one of the first signs as fans forget that their loyalty only goes as far as their athlete produces. No one has every burned the jersey of a O-lineman or kicker.
2. Poor vision may accompany this disease when fans start losing sight of the fact that their contribution though substantial doesn't mean the players owe them anything. Do Walmart workers owe their customers (I know some customers would like to think so) and therefore, shouldn't be allowed to leave or seek out better employment.
3. A weakened empathetic system predisposes the fan to ignorance as he or she forgets that athletes have rights just like them and aren't cattle to do the bidding of their fans or owners for that manner. If a fan wanted to leave their job they could without having a line of coworkers standing outside the office burning his name tag.

So before fans start grumbling about their athletes look in the mirror and ask yourself if your coming down with anything.

Payback

There has been a lot of chatter in the media before the start of the season tomorrow about the dirty play of the Saints, specifically the beat down they placed on Brett Farve last year. Now Brett hasn't grumbled about it and he shouldn't because all it will get you is a bigger target on your back or in his case the ankle.

Do I think it was dirty? Yeah, but for those of you who have never played organized football, let me tell you, "It's a part of the game". Whether you like it or not, teams gear up and plan on trying to hurt your best offensive weapons. Heck, I can guarantee it's being taught to high school players across the nation right now. When you are in the heat of competition and emotions are high, it's not hard to twist a running backs ankle just enough to sprain it. I'm guilty of it.

And if the Vikings are pissed about the dirty play last year, instead of talking about it, they, specifically his defense should dish out some vigilante justice. Paint a big bulls eye on Drews' leg, head, whatever can break and hit it over and over again. Because the fact of the matter is that when Drew goes down the Saints hopes will be dashed for good. So less talking, more hitting.

As for the Offensive line, protect Farve like he was your mama. And what would you do if someone hit your mama? Would you talk about it or would you beat that guy down? Bottom line, eye for an eye. A cut block hear and there will stop a few pass rushers from coming in full throttle. Vikings got to get dirty if they want to beat the Saints because if they don't, the Saints will.

Are You Ready For Some Football

College football has arrived and there isn't a lack of story lines this upcoming season. From the reshaping of the Big Ten and Pac-10 to the possible BCS championship busters of Boise State and TCU. This season is shaping out to be one that shouldn't be missed.

Two games that I'll be watching today is Utah vs Pitt and Hawaii vs USC. The Utes and Pitt game could have an impact on TCU and their bid for a BCS bowl and possibly the championship game if they go undefeated. These types (nonBCS vs BCS) of games are important because they could shape the medias opinion of the strenght of a teams schedule. If the Utes win it would be a feather in the cap of the Mountain West Coference and gives TCU levearge if they and Boise were to go undefeated. I have a feeling, with Utah moving to the Pac-10 that they'll come out fired up to prove that they deserve to play with the big boys in a BCS conference. This game could end up being a low scoring, hard hitting figth to the finish.

In the late game today, Hawaii will face USC, which if history holds true, will end in a route. Like a true Warrior fan, I hold out hope that the Trojans won't be playing their "A" game since they have little to play for this year. If Hawaii hopes to win they'll have to throw the first punch and get off to a quick start. If not, Hawaii will be left in the dust once again.

Redemption

Throughout our lives we are bombarded by stories that teach us right from wrong and the consequences that follow our decisions. These stories or what I like to call narratives are so deeply embedded in our psyche that we can find it in the lives of everyone around us. There are an infinite number of narratives, however, there are common stories that many of us can relate and at times strive to emulate.

Narrative #1: Good people are successful in life.
This is the reason why some people (Christians) mistakenly believe that success = righteousness. Hate to break the news but dishonest people do succeed in life. Just take a look at Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds. Two of the greatest baseball players of all time are probably one of the most dishonest.

Narrative #2: Bad, dishonest, immoral, etc. people will not succeed in life.
I think this narrative is the reason why some people enjoy and are outraged to see famous people fall from grace. I believe the joy springs forth because the suffering of another who seems to have so much in comparison seems justifiable. In addition, the public outcry originates from a feeling of fairness and that some how it's unfair, even unnatural for a bad person to be successful. So we are taught. However, as we have learned over the past 10 years sometimes bad people are able to succeed and prosper even when they are caught red handed isn't that right Martha Stewart.

Narrative #3: If you fail, there still is hope. (Redemptive Narrative)
In my opinion this narrative is probably one of the most constructive our society has created. One of my favorite stories comes from the film, "Cinderella Man", where an out of luck boxer is able to scratch and claw his way back into contention after several years of hard luck created from nagging injuries and the great depression. Now why this story and others like it (Rudy) touches an emotional chord for me and probably others is that many people can relate to this narrative. Most people struggle throughout life and probably many have failed to accomplish their childhood dreams and what these stories give myself and others is hope. A flicker of hope that maybe, one day, through perseverance and a little luck we might accomplish our dreams.

This is one of the biggest reasons why I hope that Tiger Woods can turn his life around. If he can succeed after refocusing his life on what is most important, his children, he could serve as another story for society to digest and emulate. Cheating on your wife doesn't mean your life has to end. People can change and succeed in doing so and I hope that Tiger can serve as an example of such a redemptive narrative.

P90X Update

Quick update on my weight loss quest. Haven't loss any significant weight and my daughter has already flipped over and is on her way to crawling. (Welcome to the world of baby safe products.) The only positive gain that has occurred is that I'll be moving to a biking town in Oregon. Hopefully being an entire ocean away from my favorite plate lunches and white rice may be the lifestyle change I'll need to lose the weight and keep it off.