I'm Wright Even When I'm Wrong

Meet My Friend, Gadget

2011-08-07T11:07:00.004-04:00

My friends and I go everywhere together. If not all of them, at least one them are with me every where I go. That includes work, DJ events, hanging with my family. Hell, I've even taken them along on dates! I know. It sounds crazy. But i'm so emotionally attached to them, that it's just difficult for me to be away from my friends during any part of the day. I'm sick, I know, but i've grown so emotionally attached to all my friends and I just keep finding new friends to hang out with.

Oh, you think that i'm a sociopath. Put the phone down, don't call for intervention. I'm fine. I'm just like many of you. But I admit that I'm a product of an era. You think that I crave attention and need to be around people all the time. That's not it at all.

My friends are gadgets! Yes, electronic gadgets. Gadgets that connect me to the world. A world much smaller than it was 20 years ago.

For me, it began in 1992. The home computer boom. Everyone had to have one. America Online. They ruled the Earth. People were buying computers just to have AOL. Bing bing bing wheeeeeee dong dong dong. "Welcome, You've got mail". That was like an adrenaline rush. Your heart beat really fast and you couldn't wait to see what you got in the mail! You didn't care if it was a coupon from Wal-Mart. It was mail. Now that I look back on it, it was strange that although you were online, when you signed on to AOL, you were in a contained box. Rarely did you venture outside of AOL. What is that www stuff? I'll pass. Everywhere you looked; tv, radio, magazines, banners, all had these www signs and people were afraid to check it out. "No, i'll just stick with my AOL". No need to venture outside of that world. You had your mail, your chat rooms, your friends; those you knew and those weirdos that you met in some erroneous chat room.

Once we finally got over our fear for leaving AOL, we discovered that the www world wasn't so bad. So we went crazy. www.this and www.that. And now, we rushed home from work and play to www everything possible. It was crazy. People suddenly stopped leaving their homes and the streets were empty after 6pm. The apartment complex parking lot was full because everybody was home, www'ing. We found games, we found relationships, we had sex, we had email address just because we could. "Who's gonna stop me?". So the internet took over our lives and now, I can't imagine life without it. Nor can you if you're reading this blog. Because the internet is the only place that you're gonna read it. *insert smiley face or a wink face*

Then came the cell phone. Yes. The cell phone had been around since the 80's, but only the elitist had them. They were a luxury. People who had them were rich executives, celebrities, successful lawyers and salespeople and maybe some street entrepreneurs. The common man did not have a cell phone. But in the 90's, that all changed. I purchased my first cellphone, yellow candy bar Nokia with the white buttons on the front. My Plan was $35 for 100 minutes per month. Sprint ironically. Then several years later, just like the www ads, I began to notice this word, "text". As in "text 5576" and "text a-d-a-m". I wondered what it was, but dared to do it. I had no idea what this would do. I'm not trying it. Then strangely, my phone went, "bling!!". I said, "what the hell is that?" I looked and saw a strange envelopey shapey thingy. I slowly reached for the "OK" button to accept it. It was a message, "yo, whuddup" and it had a phone number above it. I was nervous. I pulled the car over and contemplated my next option. Do I reply? Do I just look at it? What now? I did not even fathom or care who it might be! My mind was resting on, what do I do next!. So the decision was made. Reply. "Who dis?". That one reply opened a whole new world! Texting. Of course at the end of month, I received my bill that stated I owed $250 for text messaging. Learned my lesson, bought a text package. No way was I living without THIS!

Now I have the www and a phone and I can text. But I could only text those people who accepted my text, so my texting was limited. But dammit, my world was getting so accessible. I was loving life.

Then...

Blackberry. Oh no. I thought the laptop was bad. (Also called "notebooks or notepads" by geeks and college students), But, Blackberry was a whole new level. It made laptops look primitive.

I was introduced to Blackberry. Big brick of a phone with a ginormous screen and a jog wheel on the side. There was no way that you mistake this beast sitting in your pocket or on your hip. You knew for sure when you had it with you. It weighed what seemed like a pound. But you could surf the web, get your email, and text. My lord... I don't have to sit at home now? I have my world on my hip?! Are you effin kidding me? Hell. I could do nothing else. Blackberry, blackberry, blackberry... drive-blackberry, walk-blackberry, shop-blackberry, lunch with real people-blackberry, dinner with my girl-blackberry, picnics, sports outing, vacation, road trips-blackberry. It had become an extension of my hand. Like a fingernail. But much more important. I would bite my fingernails and spit them out like they had no redeeming quality. This Blackberry thing was like a limb!

So Blackberry spawned windows mobile phones and of course iPhones and Androids. And of course we wanted larger screens without having to tote around laptops, so hence, the iPad, Android tablets and so on. What do we need people for again? Oh, to talk to on all of these devices! That's it!

So these devices are my friends. I'm emotionally attached to them. Very rarely am I seen without at least two of them at a time. The emotional connection is very real. When you don't have them, what sets in is the feeling of loneliness, loss, out of control, disconnected. "Where's my phone?", "I need to post that", "...that was witty, i'll make that my status", "what an idea, i need to blog about that", are all common thoughts throughout the day. Since we no longer remember phone numbers & addresses and email addresses and carrying a phone book is just out of the question and not to mention that we need to save people's phone numbers who we don't even know or talk to; our phones keep all of this pertinent and not-so-pertinent info on it. When we misplace or lose our phone, we just lost our world; friends, almost friends, family, and even mom. "Now I have to call my sister and ask her what mom's phone number is.. ugh". Often, I see Facebook status messages that say, "Send me your contact info. I lost my phone". I always wonder what they do about the people that aren't on Facebook. "Oh, those people. I'll get there info...eventually".

By the way. There are several ways to store contact info so that when you lose your phone, you can retrieve it. That was invented a few years ago.

I heard a story that I must credit to former colleague of mine. I'll call her Bobbi for this story. She witnessed a car flipped over on the side of the road. Two female teens were sitting by the wreckage. Bobbi went over to assist them. They were crying and visibly upset and shaken. Blood was on there faces. Visible bruises from the airbags and scars from broken glass. Other than that, they seemed fine. Bobbi went to the girls and walked them away from the wreckage so that she could speak with them. She understood both the physical and emotional psychosis of car accidents and she treated them with kid gloves. "Are you girls ok?", Bobbi said. The girl was trembling, gasping for air as she said her first words, "m-m-my PHONE!!!. It's it's ...... st-st-st-still in the c-c-car! I need to GET MY PHONE!!!!". True story. After a traumatic car accident, bleeding and bruised, this girl was concerned about her phone! That's what we've become. And I get it.

Today my fiancé teases me about my addiction to my Android device, my iPad, my laptop, the desktop, and the fact that i'm always attached to one. In fact, she found it funny that I have 4 laptops! I just gave her one to make up for my insanity. She stopped teasing me instantly. *insert smiley face and a wink face*. She hasn't taken her eye off it in days. Even though, she's sitting right next to the desktop. I also gave her an Android device. And I share my iPad with her. But not very often.

Yes. My closest friends are gadgets. But it keeps me close to my human friends and family. They've made me smarter. More intellectual. I keep in touch with people more often. I make more friends and acquaintances in a week than I used to make in a year. I even talk to my pastor on days other than Sunday! So this is working out. There are others out there like me.

This makes me happy.

When Racism Hits Home

2011-07-24T09:36:00.020-04:00

My wedding is in 118 days. As the day comes closer and all the details and work of putting the wedding together draws toward the finale, there is a huge elephant in the room.

My Bride's parents are racist.

This is the most difficult part of this whole process. The most troubling. This is the most difficult part to understand. Because time and space does not allow for the comfort of understanding. In the year of our Lord 2011, it is not OK to idly sit and think that racism is just the way of the world. These are the days when something is said. People act or react. There is verbal protest. And although you might think that racism or racial intolerance is a small thing, it truly resonates when you are personally affected by it.

My bride will be escorted down the aisle by our biracial children. That is poetic when you think about it. The fact that they are products of an interracial relationship and are deeply and truly loved by parents; one black and one white. It is poetic to see that the only reason that they are escorting their mother down the aisle is because of their white grandparent's shame.

They cannot see themselves giving their daughter away to a black man.

In my mind, they are saying that I'm not worthy. In their mind, the lowest white man available would be a better alternative than marrying a black man. If I were a white alcoholic, a white ex-convict, a white child molester, a white drug addict, or white unemployed vagrant, it would still be better than marrying a self motivated, business owner, fully and gainfully employed, educated, intellectual, skilled and talented Black man. One who works hard to provide for his family, treats his wife-to-be with the utmost respect and care. But, nevertheless, in their minds, I am not worthy.

As a result of this, my children lose a set of grandparents who are past their twilight and are closer to death than they themselves might believe. My Bride lose her parents. She has no father to give her away at her wedding and there is no Father-Daughter dance at the reception. A wedge is formed between she and her siblings who tolerate the behavior and feelings of their parents. And most of all, my wife has to live with the shame of having parents who thoughts and ideology are warped and expired.

At age 9, my dad pulled me out of an all-ethnic elementary school and placed me in better magnet school that was 95 percent white. The year was 1974 and as you can imagine, racism was rampant in the United States. I was called "nigger" in every colorful way imagined in the mostly white community of Kensington in Philadelphia. I was chased and assaulted with thrown rocks and bottles, yelled at from afar. And still I made it home everyday, discussed it with dad, slept, and turned around and did it all over again the next day. This went on for four years. By 1978, I had become numb to the treatment towards bused-in black children in Kensington. The Black and Puerto Rican population had grown by this time and we fought back. The running had stopped by the time I was 13, we had become less tolerant. We belonged. We had a right to be there. And we made that known. My father explained later that the reason that he wanted me to go there was because he wanted to teach me a sense of worthiness. A sense of entitlement. "Never let someone tell you that you can't have something, strictly due to the color of your skin". I found that my whole life has been lived by that mantra. Even today. I chose a predominantly white high-school; in the same neighborhood as my Middle-Magnet school. I had to take a test to get in. I passed. I found myself in the same cultural situation, but in a great school.

When I took the ASVAB at the US Armed Forces Recruiting Office, I scored high. The recruiter said, "You did really well on the test. You can pick any branch that you want. You might feel more comfortable in the Army or Marines because there are more blacks there. Very few in the Navy." I chose the Navy.

Since the Navy, every job or place of employment that I have worked at, I have been the only Black person in the office of one of very few. I have moved to and purchased homes in predominantly white middle class neighborhoods. And most of my friendships and romantic relationships have been with white people. And if you were to ask me why, I could not spout off an answer with ease. Subconsciously, I think it is because my father told me that I was worthy. He said that I could do whatever I wanted, where I wanted and that my skin color cannot and will not be a hinderance. I believed that and followed that idea.

Now, after living my whole life with the idea that I am worthy of anything that I am qualified to do, I am being told that I am not worthy to marry someone's daughter. Ludicrous. I have never accepted that in my life and God strike me to my grave today if I accept it now.

My bride and I had considered invited them out of courtesy. Be the bigger people. But that is not going to happen. We have decided that they are not worthy or our consideration or etiquette. Yesterday, we attended a family gathering and her mother did not even acknowledge that we were there. Our children received no hellos or typical grandparent display of affection. No hugs, no kiss, no how-you-doing. Her dad made a sad attempt of speaking to me, but then made a big thing out of it by telling his daughter, "I said hello to him". Give him a Nobel Peace Prize. He said hello to a Black man. Stop the press!

No. I would rather they not be there. I am in the mindset that if they come, they will be escorted out. They will not receive an invitation and they will probably be happy about it. They will never again receive my kindness or respect. They are dead to me.

Racism has hit home.

Face It Dems & Libs; We Picked the Wrong Guy, Because He's Too Much Like Me

2010-03-14T17:37:00.009-04:00

By Chris Wright

In the last few months or so I've heard Matt Damon, Michael Moore, Stephen A. Smith & a few other democratic liberal types all say how disappointed they are in the work of President Barack Obama. All of these people voted for President Obama and are supporters of President Obama. So it made me take a deep look at the last fifteen months of the Obama administration. A closer look. And it was that punch in the gut that you get when you realize that your son is just not cut out for football. The feeling that you get when you finally accept your child's teacher's assessment that he or she needs special education. I took that long hard look at Barack Obama. And I love this man. He's been a beacon of light for me and millions of others. He seems virtuous, honest, and caring. He seems extremely patriotic and he means well with every action and every bill that is passed. But he's just not the guy. This job is going to swallow him alive!

How does this relate to me?

Ever since I was a young teenager; probably around 13, I had this desire to be in management. I always wanted to be in charge. I sold papers, made a system, hired a team of people to help me with my route, and after paying my team, I made no money, but I was happy that I managed a team of kids who handled this huge neighborhood. After awhile, my friends got lazy. They weren't waking up, missing their routes, stealing my money and other shenanigans. Which ultimately caused me to lose my route. But those were my buddies. We laughed and joked about it. Everything in life was good. I still had my friends. Screw the paper route. Later in life, I was in the Navy, as I moved up in the ranks, I was heavily decorated with ribbons and medals for accomplishments. I moved up the ranks pretty fast. But I never led people during my Navy stint. I was always in jobs where I worked alone and required self-motivation and independence.

After my Navy stint I got into management again. adult management; with a national restaurant chain; Italian food. I was an assistant manager. I was responsible for the restaurant operations; front to back. I became good friends with the kitchen staff. Those guys were great and they loved when I work. They could go crazy. The bartender chatted with me all the time, told me all of his life's horror stories, opened up easily. Waitresses loved me, confided in me, cried with me, and I even dated a few of them. I finally left and went into retail. I went to a national video chain. I did quite well there too. Promoted up to district manager of Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake. Made great friends. A few who are great friends to this day. But I did not get those promotions because of my great leadership skills. I got those promotions because I was a politician. I rubbed elbows and befriended the right people. I was a socialite. And actually, I was a horrible manager of people. I wasn't a leader. I liked people. I wanted friends and lots of them. But I still wanted that executive position. I went from retailer to retailer. Big boxes with big names. You've heard of some; Target, Circuit City, Best Buy, Enterprise. Again, I was a great politician, gatherer of people and collector of friends. I finally got tired of trying to lead and motivate people for my success. It was such a stupid concept. Why didn't everyone see the world like I did? Why did I have to motivate people to want success for themselves. I had a plan. So I got fed up with needing people to get me where I needed to be. I wanted to work alone.

Every job that I took after that retail stint; I worked alone. And I was successful. Pharmaceuticals, Business to Business sales, and running my DJ company. I could have lots of friends and depend on none of them for my own success. And that is good for me. I don't have to wait on people to make decisions. I don't have to motivate others. I don't need them to be successful. I can be a nice guy. A politician. And sell my personality.

Here in lies the problem with Barack Obama. His campaign was great! The people loved him. Even the people that said, "he's inexperienced". He wowed us. He had a vision. He wanted change and so did millions of Americans. He wanted to reform health care. He want to please the gay population. He won over middle class whites and affluent blacks. And if this were a dictatorship where he didn't need anyone else to get his agenda done; then we wouldn't be having this discussion. But Barack needs to be liked. He's a socialite. He's gathered many friends in his short political career. He mastered the book "How to Win Friends and Influence People". Then he wrote two books of his own that sold millions and made the New York Times Bestsellers list.

You ever work for those manager's that did what was good for the success and profitability of the store, but most of the people thought that he was an asshole. He or she weren't trying to be popular. They didn't hang out with the crew. They had 8am meetings on Sunday mornings whether you liked it or not. They made a lot of money. They had a lot of company awards and accolades. And they were well respected by their superiors. You hated them while you worked for them. But at your next job, you respected how much you learned from them. You never knew this manager to have many friends. It's a tough place. It's a hard life. But somebody's gotta do it. And it's not Barack Obama.

He's not equipped to fight his adversaries. The republican party is ruthless. And not only them, but also, fight against the popularity of Hannity, Limbaugh, Beck, Wilkow, Levin, and Murdoch. They want him gone. He never stood a chance. While he should have been spending 15 months pushing forward his agenda, instead, he spent this time trying to get along with his enemies and out manuever the media pundits. He's tried to get tough a few times by publicly insulting and challenging the republicans, but it was all seen as posturing. He's not that guy. When there are riots in the streets, he's the guy saying, "can't we all just get along?" Barack Obama has compromised so many times on so many issues that he can't even remember what his original agenda was. Gays are mad. Middle class workers are mad. Unions are mad. Democrats are mad, Independents are mad. Barack Obama is still campaigning. "Gimme time. I will not surrender. We still have work to do. Gimme time. Be my friend." It's just sad. He has to learn like I learned. He will be a far better ex-president than he is a president. Because it takes iron-clad balls to be a president and stand in the face of adversity and take it, digest it, and spit it back in their faces.

Barack Obama take my advice. Don't run again. Serve the people that you intended to serve outside of Washington. Become an activist. Lead the ACLU. Practice law with Michelle, who once said, "it's the first time in my adult life that i've been proud to be an American". I wonder how she feels now? Barack, lead a cause to help the poor and disenfranchised. You can be a hero. But you cannot be a leader. This is the tagline on his Presidential nominee resume:

"Advocate for decisive change and action to restore the political, economic, military and social landscape and dominance of the United States as a global leader. Well-respected for political judgement, integrity, ethical behavior, passion and commitment to American citizens"

Barack, you can't do those things in Washington, you have to do them outside of Washington. That's what Bill Clinton is doing.

Tiger Test Our Religion

2010-02-21T05:11:00.010-05:00

By Chris Wright

I ended my last blog entry saying how the Tiger Woods issue raises serious concern about who we are as human beings and what life means.

I took another day to reflect on that statement and I listened to more talk radio and rants from sports fans and analyst. I wanted to make sure that what I was thinking was on the right path. And of course...I was. You know me. I'm Wright even when I'm wrong. I am an emotional person when it comes to certain issues like anyone else. My biggest pet peeve is human judgment and unforgiveness. That, more than anything else really gets my blood boiling. Because everything that we need to know in order to live in this world, we learn by age 5. Then we just forget it all. One of the biggest lesson that we learn and one of the biggest lessons that we teach our children is forgiveness. But as adults, we fall short. Then the other thing that we teach our children is to not judge and not be mean. And as adults, we fall short.

On my Facebook page, long before the the fateful Thanksgiving of 2009 when the Tiger Issue began, the Religion question on my profile says: I am Tiger Woods. I was making mockery of the Nike commercial back in the late 90s when all of the children were saying "I am Tiger Woods". It was surreal and almost like a religious following. I could hear billions of human beings across the world saying in the same tone, "I am Jesus Christ". It was only Tiger Woods' second year as a pro when that commercial was on TV and already, he had been exalted to a deity-like form. "I am Tiger Woods". Once this scandal broke and the world turned their backs on him; the same world that followed him like disciples in the gallery, the world who replaced his posters on the walls with crucifix, and the same world that cringed at the very mention of his name, I wondered, should I keep my Religion status on Facebook as "I am Tiger Woods". I did. And it will remain.

Now more than ever it applies. The selection of that religious status was prolific and profound beyond my understanding. Tiger Woods is a man that the world has looked up to and exalted, not only because he could swing a golf club, but because he was perfect in every way possible. Though we thought. He was everything that we could not be or never imagine ourselves to be. He displayed poise and grace. He practiced hard and played hard. He spoke well. Here was a figure that we could finally tell our children to emulate. He seemed to transcend human life. He was more a than a man. He was loved by most. There were and still are those that hate him. And I do mean hate him. And there was good reason to not like him. He cursed and grimaced on the golf course. He is a very private man and never gave us much of his human side. He wasn't Phil Mickelson. So I can understand a few detractors. When this is all said and done and placed in the history books, somewhere between 1 Peter and Revelations, the most relevant lesson from the Book of Tiger will be one who strived for perfection, but fell short because of human frailty. Not because of temptation, but because of the opportunity and unlimited access to things that tempt.

That's right believers. We are only as religious as our opportunities to sin. This is why the older you get, the more religious you get. Many of you go to church. Look at all the grey hair in the pews. They can see the finish line. They can see the light. They have booked their reservation for a table for one in God's Cafe. And they are going to do everything possible to make sure they don't lose that seat. We remember the best Biblical lessons, not from going to church, but from our Grandmothers and Grandfathers. We say, "Gramma used to always say, Judge not and ye not be judged". Grandpa would always say, "he who is without sin, cast the first stone". Yes believers, we remember these lessons because ole folks taught us. But when you're young and vibrant and life is calling from every port and destination, we are tempted to go where life calls. Cancun, Vegas, LA, Times Square, Girls, Hotties, Money, Cars, Bling, The Jersey Shore... ok, maybe not the Jersey Shore...but you get my point. Oh its so hard being a young religious person. Too many opportunities. Too many chances to sin. And you think, can I do this for 60 more years? Go without?

And to think, you make a thousand dollars a week if you're lucky!!! Can you imagine making a thousand dollars an hour? Then imagine your choices. My goodness! Married men, you might get propositioned by women once every few months. As you're walking through Price Chopper picking up Huggies, a woman passing by gives you that look, squints her eyes and you imagine her to say.. "mmm.. i love a man in a dale earnhardt ballcap. especially when he has the jacket to match. and he's a dad too. come'er big daddy". Or you're in Lowe's deciding which door knob would look better on the first floor bathroom door and you're interrupted by a Hot Mom with a charming smile, holding on to her 3 year old by the the hood of his hoodie. And she sensually says, "do you know which aisle the picture hangers are on?". You melt. "If only I wasn't married". Guys, you have NO idea what temptation is! Now let's combine the two. You make a thousand dollars per hour and you have the whole Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue coming at you daily, not to mention a few Applebee's waitresses and your son's teacher; If you make it through the MONTH without one slip up, you're good. If you make it through the year, you're Ghandi, and if you NEVER submit, then praise the Lord, give me what HE'S having. Because that's the kind of control that I want.

Believers, this is not about Tiger or his transgressions. This is about us. This is about religious beliefs. Human beings. Forgiveness and judgment.

The Bible: If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.

The Qu'ran: And whoever does evils or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allah's forgiveness, he will find Allah Oft-giving, most merciful.

Buddaism: If we do not forgive, we keep creating an identity around our pain, and that is what is reborn. That is what suffers.

The Bible: Do not judge and ye will not be judged. Do not condemn and ye will not be condemned. Forgive not and ye will not be forgiven.

The Torah: When asked by an offender for forgiveness, one should forgive with a sincere mind and a willing spirit, for forgiveness is a natural seed of Israel.

Hinduism: O Lord forgive these sins that are due to my human limitations.

So I quoted from most of the religions in America minus Wiccan and Satanism and they all pretty much say the same thing. They say that we must forgive. And if forgiveness is a the cornerstone of religion and many of you shout to the roof tops that you're God-fearin' creatures who post Facebook scripture daily and weekly, then where is your forgiveness in regards to Tiger or the actions of Tiger? No crime was commited. No murder, no rape, no child molestation, no thievery, no embezzlement, torture, or assault. But I hear people on the radio yelling; yes YELLING at how horrible Tiger is and how weak and pathetic he is. People saying that his apology is a joke. Some even condemning him for apologizing at all. Some said, "too little, too late". Some said that Elin wasn't there and that was significant. Well Tiger's been invisible for 3 months. You don't think he apologized to her a million times? But I guess YOU want to hear him apologize to his wife and all will be good in your world.

I will wrap this up with this. If we take anything we have learned from school, church or parenting, we should look at this situation and give thanks. Thanks that once again, we have been taught another lesson. Like AIDS in the 80's made us think twice about our sexual promiscuity, maybe the Tiger Issue will make us think twice about infidelity. While Tiger's fall from grace is much higher than the few steps that we might fall down, the lesson should be the same, yet more significant. While infidelity in an average persons life might cost him or her a spouse, kids, a home and several thousand dollars; Tiger could lose millions, fame, and respect in the court of public opinion as well.

Tiger gave a 13 minute apology in front of the world. Who would YOU apologize too? In my mind, in that 13 minutes, only 8 seconds mattered. And that was when he said, "For all that I have done, I am so sorry." Nuff said Tiger. Nuff Said.

"Where You Been?" - signed Avid Reader

2010-02-20T07:00:00.005-05:00

That's what I received in a Facebook message the other day. It made me feel good because bloggers think that only close friends, moms, and coerced people read their stuff. It's good to know that some people actually miss you when you don't write. It's been a few weeks since I last wrote anything. I mean nothing. The most I wrote was 'Love Daddy' and 'Love Chris' on Valentine's Day cards, but other than that, not much.

So what have I been doing. Let's see. I started working in Albany in January, in my new office with a new team. That in itself has been an overwhelming new experience. Although I'm doing the same job that I'd done in Utica/Syracuse, everything is quite different. I feel like like a left a job working in a bank to working at the New York Stock Exchange. Fun, fast-paced, electric, exciting, and flat out busy. So much to do in so little time. My days fly. I'm re-learning the Capital Region. It ain't what it was when I left it. It's more subdued. A little tame. I can also attribute that to me being 4 years older with a family and a real job. See, when I last lived in Albany, I worked for Enterprise Ren-ta-cah. And then I was a pharmaceutical rep. HOLD ON Enterprise folks, I'm not saying your jobs aren't real. I just remember how much we partied and drank on a daily basis. We are very close knit, like family. Forty percent of my Facebook friends are former Enterprisers. Some of my best memories are from working there. But one of the things you rarely hear from Enterprisers is, "IT'S FRIDAY". Because they don't care. If you don't know, let me explain, everyday was Friday. It was just a matter of where we were going. And I worked from Saratoga to Poughkeepsie, so the spots were abundant; Rafferty's, P&G's, Juniors, City Tavern, DA's, The Bullpen, Rusty Nail, Bayou, Cabaloosa, Mad River, and the list goes on. So yeah, Enterprisers work hard, but they party harder. Up at 5:30am and lucky to be back in bed by 2am the next night. We did it big.

Then there was my pharmaceutical rep job. Well... position, I should call it. Many of my friends still do this job, so I'll tread lightly when talking about it. What I remember most about pharma is driving. And driving. And more driving. And parking. And driving. Then more parking. Oh, I remember the drug launches. Who hoooo! And I remember driving. Everything else was a blur.

So back to what I've been doing. Like I said, Ye Ole Capital Region is different. So I'm getting used to that again. My drinking, partying, and womanizing hours are now spent commuting, shopping, and eating. That's what fathers/husbands do. We drive, shop and eat. At Golden Corrals and Friendly's and other fine family establishments. But it's fun and rewarding. I'm re-learning traffic. There was no traffic in Central NY. Except for the occasional congestion off the 90 exit at Carrier Circle in Syracuse at 7:55am. Then there was the back up on Genesee St and the Arterial in Utica because there's a traffic light every 30 feet. Nothing like the Northway at 7am and 5pm. So I'm adjusting.

I rediscovered sleep. Last week, I was sick and I use that word lightly. I think I was more fatigued/dehydrated than anything. I came home from work, popped 2 Tylenol PMs and that was it! A new discovery. That's what's been missing in my life. So now, I've been popping one at night before bed. The TPMs does two things. It helps me sleep and it cuts some of the minor aches and pains that I get from being cramped in a car all day. From driving, shopping, and eating.

I've been awakened and rejuvenated by Tiger speaking! It woke me up and turned on the creative juices. I'm ready to write again. I listened to Tiger talk all day yesterday and listened to and read people's reactions. And people, we've got problems. The Tiger issue raises serious concerns about who we are as human beings and what life means. It's my job to point that out to you. So get ready for my wrath.

Your Child Just Might Believe You. Handle With Care.

2010-02-01T19:08:00.010-05:00

by Chris Wright

Is your kid a clone of you? Do you want your child to think and speak like you politically, socially, morally, and ethically? Think real hard before you answer.

If you're over 30, you can probably remember a time when there was less media, less cable channels, less radio, no Sirius, no XM, no cnn.com, not foxnews.com, no Rush, no Hannity, no Bill O' Reilly, no this.com or that.com. Your parents are probably pigheaded and believed what they believed without very little media or talking-head intervention. And now you say, "my parents are so close-mined". Well, we have the luxury of being very open-minded because as soon as we think one way, we can turn on the TV or radio and hear an opinion that differs from our own and say, "hmm, I never looked at it like that!" --at the speed of light, we can change our mind. With a great deal of help from media. Look how big the Independent party is. I believe due in part to media and not really taking a side. When I was younger, there were Democrats, Republicans, and Ross Perot. That was it! Now there is 5 or 6 parties for every election!

But this is not my point. So, I was listening to this conservative radio show the other night. Very conservative host Mark Levin. One of his clones called in. (A clone is a person that forms all of their opinions from one radio host. That's all they listen to. They talk like them and parakeet everything they say when talking to other people). The clone was a proud and concerned mother. She called in to tell the host her anecdote about her son's school project on Global Warming.

Just a little background for those of you that don't really know the political lobbying agenda on Global Warming. In a nutshell, the left are all for it, because they are "tree-hugging, environmental, go-green" activist. The right totally oppose the notion of Global Warming and have pretty good data and evidence that it and Al Gore are a fraud. And that the Obama Administration continues to pour mounds of money into the prevention of Global Warming, thereby perpetuating the farce. Ok, enough about that.

Her son had to do a paper on Global Warming. Now without knowing all of the details of the background on the school, the curriculum, the grade level, or the age of the kid, I can tell you that none of that is relevant for the sake of this blog. Being that mom is a staunch right-wing conservative who is anti-global warming, she was sure to have the urge to help her son with his essay assignment and give her two cents; probably with an iron fist. I'm sure that she told her son exactly how it is in regards to Global Warming.

"But mom! That's not what we were taught in school about Global Warming!" he might've said.

And mom probably said, "Well, I don't care what they're teaching you down at that school. They're wrong! Let me tell you about Global Warming son. It's a farce. And tonight, I'm going to show you some articles that proves that it's a fraud!"

"But..."

"But nothing. I know and we're going show that little teacher of yours the truth and stop these lies right NOW!"

So, he writes his essay on Global Warming according to his mother. He takes it into school. His teacher reads. She grades. He gets a zero.

Are you emotional? For the zero or against the zero? Let us move on.

He tells mom that he received a zero on his paper. Mom fumes. She makes an appointment with the teacher and now it gets sticky. The teacher explains that her son's take on global warming is not how it was taught in class. The teacher told the mother that the curriculum is based on what will be on the State Exam and that it is her job to prepare her students for the State Exam. She further explained that her classroom is not an open forum, at least not for that particular assignment, but that this particular project was to make the students familiar with the global warming agenda both domestically and abroad.

Mom now wants to speak with the Principal, who pretty much supported the teacher. After that, mom wanted the superintendent who not only supported the teacher and the principal, but explained to the mother, that if her son gave the same answer on the State Exam, that he would receive a zero again! So now mom wants to take it to the next level; writing the state, etc.

My question to you is this. Where does the son fit into all of this and what is he learning? He's learning at a very young age to buck the system if you think it's wrong. He's learning that authority is not important if you believe that it's wrong. He's learning that one man or woman's opinion is law if they can show evidence to support their view; even if they don't show you the opposing view. He's not learning that there is a very structured way to fight a system if you're against it. He's not learning that his mom supports the school and the administration. How many times have our children said, my teacher is stupid, or the assignment is dumb, or i'm failing such and such class because I don't agree with it? As parents, aren't we supposed to support the adult establishment that are in place to help nurture and educate our children?

The better way to go about this would have been for mom to review the material on global warming that was given to her son. And she should have bit her tongue and assisted him with the assignment based on the curriculum and material provided by the school. Wait, don't kill me yet! Then after the assignment was done or even while she was helping him, she could have had a conversation like this:

"I'm going to help you with this assignment and I want you to get a passing grade on it. You have to write your essay according to what the teacher gave you to read on global warming. I have a very different view on it, but that's not important right now. For the sake of this class, let's do it the way your teacher wants it done."

The boy might say, "but mom, I want to hear what you have to say!"

"ok, but I don't want you to write this. This is just my opinion". Then proceed to explain. Then reiterate, "...but for the sake of this assignment, you need to write your essay as your were taught so that you can get a passing grade".

"But mom, what you are saying makes sense! I want to write what you just told me".

"Well, how do you know that i'm right? You have to look at both sides of the argument. Tomorrow we will go to the library and look at magazines, newspapers, and surf the internet. I will let you form your own opinion".

How's that people?? Is that so hard? Or, do you want your child to share your political views and thoughts and become the very parakeet that you or your parents might be? Not teaching kids the importantance of structure and discipline is the downfall of discipline in America. Now kids fight parents, teachers, adults, courts, and anybody whose opinion and ideas differ from their own. And we all know that kids know everything!

This is a tough call. I went back and forth even as I was writing. We want our kids to be independent thinkers. We want them to hear opinions that differ from what they hear in school and church. But look at the results. Less children go to church. Many lack a spiritual base. Children see adults as their equal. They have an opinion about everything. And it drives me crazy! They are bored in school because they think their teachers are tools. And it becomes even worse when the parent agrees with them and proves it. I'm just asking you to think before you act. I have a rule of thumb. As far as the children are concerned, the school is always right. Then I will deal with the school privately and tell them adult to adult what idiots I think they are.

That's what mom should have done.

The Changing Of The Yards

2010-01-29T15:09:00.007-05:00

Danny is a guest writer on the blog. He hails from Rotterdam Junction and he's a Syracuse Alum. Welcome Danny to the fold. Because he's right, even when he's wrong.

By
Danny DeOrazio

With everything that has changed throughout my life, there’s been only one thing that’s always been there, sports. They have always been a big part of my life, and will be forever. If you’re anything like me, then you have cheered, booed, yelled and cried over your favorite team or player. When you’re this into it there are superstitions, rituals and traditions involved. But somewhere along the path of my life filled with sports, the meaning of sports and sportsmanship has lost its swagger.

Think back to the days when you were a kid, growing up in the 80’s (maybe 90’s for some of my younger friends)… Think the idea of sportsmanship is the same to the athletes of today to those of the ‘glory days’ of sports??? To me it’s not even close. Athletes and (especially) big wigs have thought way too hard on how to make the game faster, fairer, and more profitable. I get it, sports is a business and without profit there’s no business but C’MON MAN, is enough ever enough?

Have you ever heard so many hubbubs about so many over privileged athletes ever in your life? Everything is news nowadays, too. Everyone wants to know everything about everyone, and then try to break it down. I’ll admit it, I’m part of the millions that want to know about what athletes beat their spouses, had infidelities, or used drugs, but where’s the line going to be drawn? So many people are so quick to judge Tiger Woods for his demise on Thanksgiving night, but I say “What is he the first person to ever cheat on his wife?” People should think about the people they’re surrounded by and the lives they live before judging someone else. Well, personally, I’m gonna root more than ever for Tiger when he comes back to golf, and I can guarantee I’m not alone.

The controversy on the use of steroids/PEDs/whatever in sports, especially baseball, will unfortunately be around forever. Thanks dicks! I used to absolutely love Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco when they were the Bash Brothers on the A’s! It kinda brought the excitement back into baseball, adding the long ball and taking away dominating pitchers like Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens (yea I added him!). Everyone loves some offense right? Mostly, with me as an exception. I am, and always have been, defensive-minded. Love pitching, loved linebackers like LT and Mike Singletary. To me, anyone can learn to score a bucket or throw a pigskin, but defending your territory is where it’s at. In baseball, the gloves, the bats, the cleats, etc… have all improved to grow with the times, but what about the pitchers? Last time I checked, the ball itself is the same it’s always been…. How about making the ball a little smaller and we’ll see how many homers precious A-Roid puts up this year? I will say that MLB has gone through humongous strides regarding PED use in the past few years. That being said, anyone wanna take my bet than NOBODY will ever hit more than 61 homeruns in one year in my lifetime?

Instant Replays…Booth Reviews…Stupid Penalties….OH MY!!! Remember back in time when there were no replays?!? Whatever the referee or umpire called, that was it; no ifs ands or buts. Well, now we have instant replays that go to reviews to make sure the call is right. Granted, the review usually confirms the call, but how much do you still hate it when 50,000+ fans, 2 or 3 idiot announcers and one drunken idiot watching it on a 31” TV can see the play clear as day, thru bloodshot eyes??? I’m not saying the Twins would’ve won that one infamous game against the Yankees in the 2009 AL playoffs when not 1, not 2, that’s right 3 calls that a deaf and dumb pig could’ve got right in real time. But nobody can say it would’ve had NO effect on the game, or you’re just another Yankee fan.

Ya’ll can rest easy though; I have a solution to this instant replay/booth review conundrum. There needs to be “Reality Reviewers” at each and every major sports game. What I mean is a group of ‘trained eyes’, tested with countless hours of replays that can bring an unbiased judgment of a play, in reasonable time. Too many times do I see a review that takes 5 minutes or more and it’s not even the correct call. I consider myself a good, fair judge even if it’s against my team, and could make these calls within 30 seconds. I just want a fair call that doesn’t interrupt the flow of the game. Too much to ask?? … And I don’t even want to start in on how quarterbacks can’t get touched anymore! … Or the ‘Tuck Rule’.

Being a kid that grew up 5 foot nothing, 100 nothing pounds, I didn’t have all the athletic advantages as a lot of others I knew. I played golf. I think I was pretty good, but my family didn’t have the $$$ to give me what I needed to make it, because I wasn’t THAT good. All I can say, without any doubt in the world that if I somehow made it into the NFL, MLB, or PGA or wherever, you probably wouldn’t see me in the news a lot. Whenever I see someone cheating in the game, on their wife, bringing guns to the locker room or just running their mouth off I just laugh to myself and change my perspective on their lives. There’s no use making a martyr out of anyone, because someone will just do something even dumber pretty soon, it’s a given. For me just about anything can be forgiven and everyone deserves a second chance. I understand wanting to get a leg up on the competition, I understand coaches and players that shoot off their mouths, I get it. Except for Michael Vick, I love animals too much. Being the ‘Eye for an Eye’ believer I am, think his punishment should’ve been to have fought to the death with some other felon when he was locked up. Who’s with me???

Luckily, there is one sporting event that has not really changed during my lifetime: (minus adding 1 more irrelevant team) THE NCAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT. To me, college sports mean a whole lot more than the pros, because they’re not doing it for money. Only a small percentage will go on to the pros, the rest are playing for the glory of not only themselves, but for their coaches and their college buddies that they see walking down the quad. I happened to have seen my alma mater Syracuse University in their remarkable run in the 2003 NCAA tournament. I saw them in Albany, out in Boston, but didn’t make it to New Orleans. I happened to be in Syracuse for work. I went to the Carrier Dome and watched the championship game between the Orange and the Kansas Jayhawks. Who cares? Me, because I was the kid who in 1987 cried for days when my Orangemen lost on a last second shot by Keith Smart, giving the championship to Indiana. I may have been past my time as a student at Syracuse, but being amongst the other 8000+ current students in the Dome, I dropped to my knees and started crying again. Tears of joy this time! Thank you NCAA for keeping it real!

The Syracuse/NCAA reference was put in to show proof that sports can remain traditional, ethical and consistent enough to take a 8-year old crying-ass kid, and turn him into a gleaming 24-year old alumnus, and now into a 31-year old bracketologist. I just wish now that someone slaps some sense into the BCS committee……. What a mess!?!

The Mistake Threshold (MT)

2010-01-24T09:12:00.005-05:00

By Joe Jenkins

If the Jets have taught us anything throughout this year’s playoffs it is this: Take everything you know about what makes teams successful in the regular season and cram it up your cram hole, La Fleur. We were all too busy with our sanctimonious proclamations of the NFL being a pass first, high octane league, that we forgot an all important rule of playoff football: The team with that stays within their mistake threshold wins.

What is a mistake threshold? So glad you asked because I just made it up!

Everyone and everything in life has a mistake threshold—that point at which a person, team, or relationship goes from being good enough to get away with a mistake to the juice just not being worth the squeeze. You’ll find it in love, life, jobs, and even sports. Think about it: A guy with a great personality and amazing looks is going to get away with a lot more with a woman than a guy like…well…me. I’m the guy in the leather jacket on the top of this page that clearly looks like he needs to toss a no-hitter just to get a date. If witty meathead and I go head to head, he's going to be able to screw up a lot more than me and still get the girl. It’s not the amount of mistakes you make; it’s the ability to stay within your mistake threshold.

Nobody will ever play a perfect game. Linemen are going to get nailed for holding or jumping early; quarterbacks are going to throw to the wrong team; running backs and wide receivers are going to put the ball on the ground; you get the idea. The key is to have the ability to overcome the mistakes you make. A dominant defense helps. An explosive offense helps even more since it can put a game out of reach, or keep a game from getting out put out of reach. A strong running game, can be from a situational standpoint, but doesn’t help expand a team’s mistake threshold unless they already hold the lead. It doesn’t help when playing from behind.

This is why the Jets are still playing right now. Not because they have more athletic talent than the teams they played, but because they have managed to not exceed the number of mistakes their style of play will allow. Their opponents, meanwhile, did the exact opposite with missed field goals, turnovers, and stupid penalties. The result? A 9-7 Jets team playing for the right to go to the Super Bowl.

Now, with me trekking all the way out on this limb to say that there is one definitive number that will conclude the winner of playoff football, perhaps we should break down the final four teams set to play tomorrow.

New York Jets MT#: 1.5-2.0
Make no mistake: The Jets do deserve to be where they are. Yes they pranced into the playoffs by beating teams that were mailing it in, but they did go on the road to beat two division champs—one of which was riding an 11 game winning streak.

The Jets do have a shutdown defense that helps take the pressure off Mark “don’t call me dirty” Sanchez. They’re good enough to afford him, or anyone else for that matter one to two purely bone headed plays per game that they can realistically overcome.

Even still, a run all day and play stiff defense with a rookie quarterback business model doesn’t translate well for shootouts or playing from behind. It took a lot of missed field goals and idiotic personal foul penalties to get the Jets to Indianapolis. Chances are the Jets won’t have that luxury against a precision team like the Colts. They’re going to have to toss a gem in all phases to stay in this one.

Then again, the Jets have been getting written off since week 16, so what the hell do I know?

Minnesota Vikings MT#: 2.5-3.5
The NFC teams are so much closer and this one took a lot of soul searching for me. 1) Because Brett Favre has seemingly made a career out of making an ass out of me—and more directly my Bears. 2) I am absolutely and inexplicably man-smitten with Jared Allen and all of his quirky antics. I love the mullet. I love the fact that he has openly admitted that he still giggles at the fact that he wears number 69. I love the outdoorsy, possibly psychotic, “Seat at the table” Steve Lattimer-esque attitude. Plus he’s just sick coming off the corner.

Add Adrian Peterson, Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin to the mix and the Vikings can afford a few pooch screwing moments.

Outside of the front 7, though, the Vikings defense is suspect at best. Their defensive backs should feel complimented by being called a liability.

Here’s what’s scary: Adrian Peterson can and will fumble. He didn’t last week. It’s coming. We also know that when Favre has a blow up game, it tends to draw comparisons to Hiroshima or Nagasaki.

How does the mistake prone tendencies of Minnesota’s offense actually factor into the mistake threshold?

Since New Orleans runs a passing offense as efficient as any other in the league, it plays right in to the weakness of the Minnesota defense. When strengths play into weaknesses, it will actually shrink one team’s threshold while expanding the other. The Vikings really can’t afford to have Favre go Chernobyl or for Peterson to get the drops if they want to keep it close.

New Orleans Saints MT#: 3.5-4.0
The two NFC teams are so close that really what this game boils down to a few key things because all of the things just mentioned about the Vikings defense also goes for the Saints. New Orleans is at home and playing in front of a crowd that will help pick them off the mat if they should soil the bed sheets; and—as stated above—they excel at exploiting a defense where Minnesota is weakest. On top of this, we haven’t seen Drew Brees throw up an absolute stinker in a while. Unlike the king sized Baby Ruth’s that Favre tends to leave in the swimming pool at Bushwood, Brees’ seem to be a bit more of the fun sized variety.

One other guy to factor in here is Reggie Bush. Granted he’s only shown flashes of any redeeming value, but think of him as the Jay Buhner of football: He’s not going to get the ball in play every time, but he’s good for a big home run every now and again.

Indianapolis Colts – MT#: Possibly infinity
Peyton Manning is a surgeon that doesn’t need a mistake threshold because he almost never makes them; and he does awesome commercials with Justin Timberlake. Has there ever been a more lethal combination? I submit that there has not! The Colts also haven’t lost when he’s played the entire game since last year. They can run the ball effectively, and they can play adequate defense, they have play making receivers which includes their tight end.

To put Indianapolis in real life terms, he’s the guy you work with that could get caught sleeping with your bosses wife, sexually harass the secretary and punch the intern in the face all while getting voted employee of the month.

Ahhh, to be the Colts…

Haiti Relief

2010-01-19T19:07:00.005-05:00

By Chris Wright

This is one of those situations that make me scratch my head. I mean, I don't know if you support relief efforts in Haiti or not, it doesn't matter. I'm just going to lay it out there. Here goes.

Americans and nations across the world are mailing money, texting money, wiring money, and exporting money at an alarming rate. I'm not even talking about time given and personal sacrifice. Athletes and celebrities are flying to Haiti to lend a hand. Food and water are being dropped so quickly, you would think it was New Orleans during Katrina... Oh wait... that took a week. Scratch that thought. Anyway. Large corporations are exporting supplies, beds, clothing, and other necessities. Ministers, priest, and Rabbis are taking whole congregations for spiritual relief and to feed the hungry. In just one week, over $200 million have been collected in relief efforts. Ladies and gentlemen, that is crazy good. And they have not even collected the money from foreign governments.

President Obama pledged that the US will donate $100 million. $616 million from the European Union, and $5 million from China. (They can afford much more).

Where am I going with this? You're wondering. Does Chris support these efforts or is he against them? I'm for them, BUT...As I stated on my Facebook status early this morning, why did it take devastation to notice Haiti? Before you think that i'm bitching about assistance, let me make it known that the United States leads the world in Haiti financial aid. Between 1990 and 2003, we as a nation gave approximately 1.5 Billion dollars in aid. But to put that into context, Jerry Jones and many investors and the state of Texas spent about a Billion dollars on the new Cowboy Stadium. But that's private enterprise, so they can do what they want. So it's not an argument. I was just making a point. That's what's great about America. You can do what you want with your money and I can write what I want.

The Republic of Haiti is the first independent nation in Latin America. It is the first post-colonial Black-led nation. And last but not least, Haiti's independence was gained as part of a successful slave rebellion. Which says quite a bit about the heart of the proud people of Haiti. I wonder had there been a slave rebellion in America, would Blacks be better off or worse off in present day? I dare not answer that. Food for thought.

Haiti is THEE poorest country in the Americas. Let me repeat that. THEE poorest country in the Americas. They have a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of seven billion dollars. We have more than seven billion dollars in Hollywood!! Here's more context. Their GDP per capita (per head, per person) is $790 dollars! Reality check: $2 per person per day!!

So remember the next time you drop $4.50 on your Caramel Macchioto, that your cup of coffee cost more than the daily pay of two Haitians for one day.

We are talking about an impoverished country. One of the world's poorest and least developed countries, ranked 149 of 182 on the United Nations Human Development Index. 80% of the country live in poverty. 50% of the citizens are illiterate. 80% of Haitian college graduates migrate, mostly to the United States. (Which tells me that there are quite a few Haitian-Americans that will be flying back to Port-au-Prince this week).

This place is so poor, that in 2010... yes... in 2010, over 225,000 youth are forced into voluntary slavery working as servants for food and shelter! Can you IMAGINE?

Now like I said earlier, Haiti does get aid. Foreign aid make up 30 to 40% of the national government budget with the United States being the largest donor. So again, I want to reiterate, I'm not bitching about that. Although I do have an issue with our relief efforts in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, but that's for another day, another time.

While I totally get that a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, with death tolls reaching over 200,000, is extremely dramatic and tragic. But is the poverty, hunger, slavery, illiteracy and living conditions unfit for rats, not as bad? We react to large sweeping tragedy i.e. 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the Oklahoma City bombing. The death toll of Hurricane Katrina was about 1,900 give or take a life or two. The 3rd highest death toll for a hurricane disaster in the US. But there are an AVERAGE of 150 murders in New Orleans per year, with tolls hitting over 160 and 163 in 2008 and 2009 respectively. Where's is the relief efforts? Where is the aid?

I said that over 225,000 youth were in poverty motivated slavery in Haiti and you probably didn't flinch. You probably did not give pause to the hundreds of thousands of death caused by poverty. Death from hunger. Inadequate medical treatment. Under qualified physicians (since they've all migrated to the United States). Murder and violence are always a product of poverty. So how many deaths are a result of that?

So as you're texting 45678 and 90999 on your cell phones to donate $5 and $10 at a time. Think about it next year too. And the year after. Figure out how you can help Haiti. Get children out of slavery. Keep college graduates in their country. Food, clothing, shelter, medicine, schools and so much more. When this is all said and done and the world rebuilds Haiti with new buildings, homes, schools, and hospitals. It might be a better country after all.

Grandma used to always say, "the lord works in mysterious ways". While we would all hate to believe that death and destruction is a means to an end.

It just might be an end to the way we presently think of Haiti. Or not.

Gilbert Arenas, Guns & Race

2010-01-07T08:42:00.009-05:00

By Chris Wright

Every year. Without fail. A gun debate surfaces. The right to bear arms. Really? For who? When? Have our irresponsibililty with guns and the misinterpretation of gun laws which vary from state to state, alter the very meaning of the second amendment?

Well before I get into my foray on gun behavior, let us take a closer look into The Second Amendment: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Then after that, someone said, "Well what does that mean?" And some lawyer or politician or something, something, something advocate said, "That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and their own state, or the United States, or for the purpose of killing game; and no law shall be passed for disarming the people or any of them, unless for crimes committed, or real danger of public injury from individuals; and as standing armies in the time of peace are dangerous to liberty, they ought not to be kept up: and that the military shall be kept under strict subordination to and be governed by the civil powers."

And somehow, from December 15th, 1751, all the way through today and beyond, it's been interpreted as "I have a right to have a muthafuckin' gun!" How did we get here? It doesn't matter. We're here.

Yesterday, NBA player Gilbert Arenas was suspended indefinitely by NBA without pay. He's paid $150,000 per game (and we wonder why sports tickets are so expensive. Another day). If he does not play another game this season, he will lose $10 million dollars. Quite a price to pay for stupidity. Why was he suspended? Because he felt that since he had "the right to bear arms", it would be ok to keep his firearms in his locker at the Verizon Center. Whoa! That's not all. He got into a pissing match with a rookie teammate and wanted to show who's boss. The argument got heated and this multi-million dollar superstar brandished his gat! But wait! It doesn't end there! The rookie baller was like, "What muthafucka! Gats don't mean shit to me, I got gats too! Rook proceeds to go into HIS locker and pull out his Johnny Blaze. And yes. In an NBA locker room, they faceoff. Huh??? Is anything sacred? A sports locker room?

We all should be aware of the Plaxico Burress story by now. NY Giants star wide-receiver who almost blew his dick off in a nightclub last year. Yep. Doing 2 years and might never play football again. His income was $4 million a year plus incentives. I'm sure one of those incentives was not "blow your dick off". Now, he's currently in prison for, not brandishing his gun, but concealing his gun. And it just happened to go off in a public venue. He said that he felt it sliding down his leg and he went to grab it and because his ring finger is probably about a size 19, he pulled the trigger. Ouch!! Mayor Bloomberg decided to make an example out of him because he has a huge name and Plaxico Burress is good billboard fodder for the gun problem in NYC.

So now all over talk radio, The Great American Debate begins. Do we have the right to bear arms and how do we bear arms according to the state that we live in. A caviat in the Plaxico Burress case was that he thought that his gun was legal. Yes. His gun was legal in Florida, so he thought that it was legal no matter what state he was in. Not so fast my friend. But he had to know that it was not legal in a nightclub, so that argument is moot.

Then it becomes a racial issue. Al Sharpton got involved in the Gilbert Arenas case and sportswriter, Screamin' Stephen A. Smith wrote a piece on Foxsports.com called "The Black Community Suffers from Arenas Stupidity". Your can read it here after you finish reading this. In a nutshell, he points out how black star athletes' behavior promotes and condones similar activities with black youth. Debatable. But I don't want to talk about that. I want to get back to Al Sharpton. He proclaimed that "Gilbert Arenas must be punished!!". No shit Reverend Al! But what's your point? Do you really think that you're that important that when you say it shall be, it actually shall be?? Because you were ready to castrate Mayor Bloomberg for going after Plaxico with such fervor. And I believe... correct me if I'm wrong... but I think threatning a person with a gun when you're own life is not endangered... is a called ... ummm.. a crime??? So Al, you did not have to make the proclamation, "Arenas must be punished". But I give you a slight pass, because you understand that many people will justify Gilbert Arenas stupid actions.

I heard former NBA All-Star, Jerry Stackhouse say on his radio show, 'aww shucks man, that's just Gilbert. He's a fun guy. Nothing should happen to him. The NBA needs to understand..., blah blah." Shut up Stack! Then, Stack went on to lament on how these million dollar athletes come from dangerous neighborhoods and how guns are the way of the land. And he went on to point how the late Washington Redskin Defensive back, Sean Taylor was gunned down in his own home. Whatever. Sean Taylor wasn't gunned down in his dangerous neighborhood. It's idiotic commentary like that exacerbates the problem. Stackhouse is black if you didn't know.

Then white folks calling up saying how "these people" think that they can do whatever they want because they make millions. The talk show host asked the caller to define "these people" and without fear of retribution, the caller simply said, "these young black athletes". Well, I guess that cleared that up! So does that mean that the right to bear arms has race clauses too? Ooh. I hope not. Then I would have to worry about only whites having guns. That's scary. (Visual of the 1700's. Very scary).

Where is the NRA in all of this? I've not heard a peep. This is bad publicity for them; athletes and guns. While they want to ensure that the second amendment is secure and intact. These high profile gun incidents are making it very hard. Well, I did hear one peep. I found it on a podcast. A gentleman from the NRA said that he did not want to comment on it because the percentages of gun crimes compared to the amount of guns sold is very small. Of course, he's talking about sold legally. So the NRA marches on.

What we all need to do is examine how we really feel about guns and their usefulness in society. Do you own one? Are you concerned if laws are tightened to make it harder to acquire guns? Would you like to see harsher punishment in regards to guns and gun crimes? If you had a gun, would you use it? Do you believe that politicians and our justice system are consistent in the punishment of gun crimes? Or, do you see a problem at all?

Since i've lived in Central NY, I haven't seen so many stabbings in my life!! A cop recently stabbed his wife to death then stabbed himself 14 times. So next, we'll tackle Knife Laws. Not.

The Hawk and The Hall

2010-01-06T21:57:00.007-05:00

By Joe Jenkins

People change. Sometimes for the better; sometimes for the worse, but people change.

When I was 6 I wanted to be a Transformer. By the time I was 18 I wanted to be a journalist. Now I’m 28 and all I want to be is incredibly wealthy and retired.

On a very quick and sentimental note, I’d like to think most people are always trying to change for the better. I’d really like to think that most of the people around me have. If I might quote from the book of Balboa, chapter 4 verse 33: “If I can change; and you can change, everybody can change!”

Funny thing though. Stats don’t change. Not even a little. They’re locked in. Walter Payton still ended his career with 16,726 yards in 1987. Hack Wilson still drove in 191 RBI and hit 56 home runs in 1930.

It’s for this reason that I can’t just sit back and be happy that Andre Dawson finally got inducted into Cooperstown today. Is it nice? You bet…

…but just because it’s nice doesn’t make it right. Take a quick peek at this:
In 21 seasons, all The Hawk did was bat .279 jack 438 home runs (for you younger readers, this was a very high number before players starting eating Winstrol brownies.); steal 314 bases; total over 2,700 hits; 8 Gold Gloves and All-Star selections; winner of Rookie of the Year in 1977 and NL MVP in 1987 (runner up in 1981 and 1983).

Okay, on the surface a lot of these numbers look like they need to be filed under “pretty good” and not quite “Cooperstown worthy.” On paper I agree, but consider this:
Dawson spent the better part of the ‘80’s and going into the early ‘90’s as one of the most feared hitters in the National League. Remember: Dawson was hitting between 20-30 home runs a season when that was a lot. For those that remember seeing him play, Dawson threw absolute peas from any of the three outfield positions. Now, prepare yourself while I blow your mind:
Those 400 home runs and those 300 stolen bases? There’s a list of other people that have done that: Barry Bonds... and Willie Mays… I am now done with the list… …and spooling up my indignant tirade.

Can somebody please tell me why voters waited 8 whole years to vote in a guy that has compiled career numbers that have only been eclipsed by two of the greatest baseball players of all time?!! (Don’t start on the whole Barry Bonds thing…not the venue.) Three guys!! EVER!! One of them widely considered to be one of the top two players…EVER!! How is this even possible?! The Hawk didn’t get any better over the last 8 years did he??!! Why now??!! Why do I keep using multiple punctuations??

I’ll tell ya why!! 1) Because I wrote it to be grammatically correct, and the proper levels of rage were simply not conveyed. 2) Dawson didn’t get in until now because the whole idiotic system is just plain screwed up, that’s why!!

Luckily for you folks, along with all of this very wordy babbling, I have come up with a solution. I’m a fixer. It’s what I do. Solving life’s little problems with reasonable and rational remedies makes me feel smexy (that’s smart and sexy, gang). I figure these things will come in handy when I’m named the sports czar of North America. And on the day after instituting my system of promotion and relegation to the BCS, this is the process that will clean up the steaming pile of poo that is the Baseball Hall of Fame induction process: Take (some) of the power away from the problem.

A quick lesson for those of you that never worked in the sports industry:

Think back to your high school days. Remember the geek that obsessed over baseball and knew every stat? You know the guy that would jump into a conversation to remind you how many times Frank Viola threw more than six innings on weekdays after the passing of the Summer Solstice? No, no, no, not the skinny, hairy, yet strangely handsome fellow that just won’t let his sideburns go, that’s me. The other guy. Yeah…him… he became a sports writer, too.

Here’s what’s scary: This guy has a couple hundred friends that call themselves the Baseball Writers Association of America. These guys stalk locker rooms and clubhouses clinging to an antiquated notion that they alone are responsible for protecting the sanctity of baseball like they belong in a Dan Brown novel. They do this by holding the keys to Cooperstown. If they hold a grudge, you’re out. If they think you were kind of ornery in the locker room after a loss? You might not get voted for. If an older beat writer from Boston hasn’t ever heard of a player from San Diego, he won’t get the vote. I’m not kidding about any of this.

So instead of just putting the players through a screening process, I say we put the writer’s through a test to see if they still have their heads about them. Those that carry sufficient knowledge and the clarity of mind to judge players based on their ability and not if they stole a writer’s lollipop in elementary school will keep their vote. That vote will count for 1/3 of the voting process.

So where does the other 2/3 of the vote come from? So glad you asked! (You didn’t ask? Well, I’m going to keep writing…so…don’t make this awkward.)

Players know Players

The good news is, there’s a bit of a failsafe in place if a player gets screwed by the writers. Living Hall of Famers, a.k.a “The Veteran’s Committee.” The bad news is “The Veteran’s Committee” treats the Hall of Fame more like a fraternity and a popularity contest than the writers do.
Same deal here. Pass a screening…keep your vote... but it only counts as 1/3 of the total process.
The Honor is for the player. Cooperstown is for the fans.

Look, we’re the ones that elevate them to rock star status. We’re the ones that enable them to make millions, and we’re the ones that get outraged when they aren’t voted in, and we’re the ones that visit the museum in the first place. Remind me why we don’t have a say as to who gets in? The fan vote portion would be simple. Every year mlb.com offers a 24 hour window for fans to sign on and register for Hall of Fame voting. Each year, 500 registrants are randomly selected to select from the ballot. They vote and it counts for the final 1/3. A player still needs 75% total to get in, but can’t have any one category dip below 55%. This should prevent any fan uprisings from trying to get a truly undeserving player in.

For the Pete Rose’s and the “Shoeless” Joe’s of the world, the solution is simple. Under the new system, banned players get one shot. If you’re voted in, good for you; if not, there’s the door. Next time don’t break the rules.

Finally, no more 15 years. After the 5 year waiting period, everybody gets 10 years as long as they maintain 25% of the vote. At the end of the day, sometimes we need a little time to sit back and realize just how good somebody really was, but it sure as hell doesn’t take 20 years for that to happen.

And there you have it:
More democracy. More change.
Change is a good thing…
…but I still kind of want to be a Transformer…

Parents, do you lock your kids in dark places?

2010-01-03T09:17:00.006-05:00

by Chris Wright

Texas Tech University football program recently fired their head football coach for (in my opinion), unacceptable and inappropriate behavior. He locked a player diagnosed with a concussion inside of a dark closet as discipline. Ok, it was not a closet. That's the way that it was originally reported, but it actually was a dark room about the size of a single car garage. I believe it is called an "equipment locker".

Believe it or not, this is a controversial issue in sports this week! To be fair to the controversy, let me give you a little more background on the story. The player in question is named Adam James. His father is Craig James; a former NFL football player and currently an ESPN college football commentator. He is reported to be very much involved in the development of his son's athletic education and mentoring. He has been accused by Mike Leach, the former Texas Tech football coach, of being a meddler. Coach Leach said the father Craig James complained about his son's playing time and other directions of the coaching staff. Basically, it sounds like Craig James is not much different than many parents who has children that are athletes. I used to coach AAU girls basketball and I witnessed it first hand. Parents meddle. Also, being that Craig James works for the "world wide leader in sports" in a position of intimidation; college football commentator, I am assuming that Mike Leach felt that this put daddy in a position of power also. Or at least a perceived position of power.

On Coach Leach, he also has a reputation of being a tough minded coach and for some athletes, difficult to play for. He also had some contract disputes with the university and was very outspoken with his discontent with the contract offered. There you have it. The brief synopsis on the background of both parties. Does that change your opinion on his behavior?

As parents, we entrust the mentoring, coaching, and well-being of our children to the hands of coaches and teachers everyday. From the moment they leave your hands when you drop them off at daycare and beyond. This trust continues in elementary school and up through college. And I do not believe that most of you would condone your child, who has been diagnosed with a concussion or any injury, to be stuck in a "dark room" or disciplined at all for being advised to resist the urge to practice or play by a doctor; not a coach, not a trainer, but a doctor. That is what this Coach told his trainer to do. And like a dummy, the trainer followed 'orders' and locked the kid in the 'dark room' and then lied to the media and the university saying that he never did. Then the trainer recanted his story and told the truth saying he did! What the hell is that all about? Then the coach says, "the punishment did not cause any further medical damage to the player". What is that? In summary, you don't like the kid, you don't like his dad, you're a bully, and you bully not only your players, but your assistant coaches and trainers too. So you lock the kid in a 'dark room' because the doctor advised that he should not practice or play. Nice move coach.

Parents, wouldn't you prefer that a coach cut or release your child from the team, bench your child, verbally reprimand your child IF indeed he's not playing or participating up to his or her potential? Wouldn't you prefer that the coach was able to show by detailed developmental reports and statistics that your son is just not standing up to the task? I would. You would NOT lock my kid in a dark room with a concussion because your next step may be the grave!

Many pundits and people who approve of Coach Leach's behavior fall back on the "tough" coach argument. They reference Bobby Knight, the former Indiana basketball coach who was known as a tough as nails coach who would berate players and throw chairs and intimidate the media. They reference former Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes, who was caught on video punching a player. They reference NY Giants coach Tom Coughlin who former Giants running back Tiki Barber said was the catalyst for his retirement. They reference Coach Bear Bryant, the former Alabama football coach who had very unorthodoxed ways of coaching and disciplining his players. Ok, so these men that I mentioned have storied careers and are very successful. But their methods would not be tolerated with today's athletes or parents. There was a time that a parent said "i don't care what you need to do to make my boy successful'. There was a time that strict physical discipline was the rule in homes. Kids were used to it. I know that the beatings that I received as a child would surely have me in a foster home today! Child Protection would have removed me and my siblings from the homes immediately. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are in the days of "time-outs" and "talking". Therapy and family counseling. You don't beat the crap out of your children anymore and you certainly don't stick them in dark rooms. So, if the kid doesn't get it at home, you really expect him to accept it from a coach? And if you didn't administer this type of discipline, would you accept it from a coach?

There are good coaches in sports also. Coaches that do not impose this kind of will on their athletes and coaches. Men and women who do not coach by fear. I am a Pittsburgh Steelers fan and I admire the way their coach Mike Tomlin coaches and disciplines his players. He motivates them with playing time, roster assignments, and details. I like Patriots coach Bill Belichek who tells his players 'my way or the highway'. You try him, you won't be a Patriot long. I like Lakers coach and former Michael Jordan/Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson, who has coached some of the most polarizing personalities in sports; Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Kobe Bryant, and Shaq. He managed personalities. He did not have tirades. I like coach Calipari and Coach Rick Pitino and Nick Saban and Mack Brown. Look at these guys careers. They're known as mentors and leaders. Not bullies and feared. Players love these men as much as they love their own fathers.

I'm not sure if Coach Mike Leach is a father but if he is, I hope that he when his child says, "Mommy, i'm sick, can i stay home from school today?", Mike doesn't shove him in a closet until he learns not to ever ask again.

The Learning Curve of a Decade

2009-12-31T11:54:00.006-05:00

By Joe Jenkins

“When I am grown to a man’s state I shall be very proud and great. And tell the other girls and boys not to meddle with my toys.”
--Robert Louis Stevenson

Everybody told me it would happen. I just didn’t want to listen. So to my elders that promised me that one day I would wake up and be something resembling an adult, you were right. Feel free to send all “I told you so’s” here.

As the ball was dropping to close out 1999, we all closed our eyes and winced at the possible pain that would result from Y2K. While I was distracted with the lack of explosions, financial crisis, and the marvel of just how many 5 gallon jugs of water and cases of Spaghetti-O’s were needlessly purchased, nobody told me that this would be the precise moment when somebody would stomp on the gas pedal of my life, and leave me just trying to catch up. Now, in what seems like mere moments after I realized that Y2K was a non factor, my teenage angst can’t even be seen in my rear-view mirror and I’m pushing 30. What the hell could I have possibly learned over the course of 10 years that seems more like 10 seconds?

Let’s see here…

World/News/Politics

*I learned—within the first few seconds of this decade—that I shouldn’t over react to every potential scare that the media brings to our attention. Sometimes what we perceive to be the big problem really isn’t that big of a deal. At least fear mongers got to dust off their cold war bomb shelters! Thanks Y2K!

*I learned that it doesn’t necessarily matter how many people vote for a guy to be President of the United States, it matters more where they vote for him…

*I learned that one fateful day in September can stand as a reminder that our day-to-day safety is a luxury not to be taken for granted. I learned that there are much better people than me out there that are willing to sacrifice themselves for a greater good. I learned that it is less important to wonder “Who could do such a thing?” than it is to be aware that there are people who simply will. I learned just how quickly we can set aside our differences when we really want to. I then learned how quickly we can forget about all of that and return to a life of arguing about the chasm that stands between two relatively similar political views.

*I learned that starting wars is pretty easy. I learned that claiming that the Mission was accomplished is pretty easy, too. I’m now very sadly aware that the ability to end a war is much harder than we were lead to believe.

*We learned that William Mark Felt was “Deep Throat.” Turns out he was just as flawed as you and I and not the superhero I had made him out to be. He came clean as his health was fading in hopes to spin a few dollars for his family out of some book deals. I guess sometimes the perceived truth we spend time pursuing can be a lot more romantic than the unfiltered reality.

*I learned that there are enough people in this country that are open minded enough to listen to what a man is saying, and elect him to the highest office, regardless of his race.

Pop culture/Entertainment

*I learned that I can use reality TV stars and Lindsay Lohan as a barometer for just how normal I really am. The fewer parallels I can draw between myself and anyone that refers to himself as “The Situation,” the better.

*I learned that for every Ted Bundy that nobody expected to be a killer, there’s a Phil Spector, where everyone should’ve known it just by looking at the guy.

*I’ve learned that there’s an app for that…and by “that,” I mean everything. If you need an app to evaluate your dietary needs based on the odor of your flatulence, I’m pretty sure there’s an app for that. If there’s not, I have friends that have established a definite need. For the good of mankind, we need to get this lined up.

*I’ve learned that no man can come out of a break up stronger than Justin Timberlake. JT bailed on Britney; showed Janet Jackson’s Boobie; showed us he’s a pretty good actor; made his solo music good enough to make us forget about N’Sync; and joined the ranks the pantheon of “Legendary SNL hosts” along with Alec Baldwin, John Goodman, and Christopher Walken. Oh yeah, and his list of post-Britney women reads like a “women we’d all wish could do Playboy but probably never will” list. I am now convinced that if JT went swimming in a 50 year old septic tank, Calvin Klein would try to bottle the smell for his latest fragrance. That’s the kind of pull this guy has now.

*FaceBook, MySpace, Twitter, etc. have changed the way we view the world. Celebrities, politicians, athletes and standard issue private citizens no longer need journalists or newspapers to convey their message. As a result, we no longer care that our news is “correct” or “accurate,” just that it is the latest information. It is beyond my abilities to properly describe the impact that this will continue to have on our country and the world.

*I watched as “LOL” ceased to be an abbreviation, and became punctuation. It has now attained comma or period-like status. I’m still learning how disheartening this is for me…

*I learned that paying for commercial free radio is worth every penny.

*I learned that a pothead screaming things like “Charlie Murphy!” and muppets teaching kids about STDs can make you laugh so hard you’ll shoot Easy-Mac out of your nose.

*I learned that when people responsible for so many of the sights, songs, sounds and quotes of your youth die (Michael Jackson, John Hughes, etc.), you get a little bit older whether you like it or not…

Sports

*Most people learned about Tom Brady… (Some of us knew him from his Michigan days, but let’s not nitpick here…). Most people outside of New England and Michigan now just wish he’d go away.

*I learned that retiring from the NFL doesn’t mean that you’ll actually stop playing.

*I learned that baseball curses are alive in well in 2003. One involving a Billy Goat that is of particular pain for me…
…only to learn the following year that the cure for all of them is to assemble a group of people that very simply don’t care.

*I learned that in order to properly make a movie about Barry Bonds, you’d need to cast Chris Rock for the Pirates years, and Michael Clarke Duncan for the Giants years.

*I learned that it’s only when a consensus dick-head started toppling “sacred” records that baseball started caring about steroids.

*I learned being a world class golfer doesn’t automatically make you a world class human being…I’m still trying to learn if that last part is even any of my business.

*I learned that defense may WIN championships, but it only takes one Rex Grossman to cancel it out.

*I’m beginning to learn that Chicago might really be where quarterbacks go to die. (I’m even factoring in Cutler’s Minnesota performance here. You can’t treat me to one steak dinner and expect me to accept you as my girlfriend…)

*I learned that the days of all the guys getting together “super bowl party-style” on a Saturday night to watch the big pay-per-view fight is now reserved for MMA and not boxing.

*I learned that with the NFL being specifically designed to steer every team toward 8-8, New England, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh are just insanely good.

*I learned that there’s nothing more amazing than to have gone so far only to find myself standing in the exact same place: I spent the last October (okay…November) of the decade the same way I spent the first: Watching those damn Yankees win the World Series.

Personal

*I learned that when you chase your dreams for your whole life, you may not be thrilled with the way they look when you catch them.

*I learned that “one more last drink” at the bar can cost a lot more than $5…

*I learned that getting broken up with is pretty painful…

*I learned that breaking up with someone is significantly worse…

*I learned that it’s not the capacity to drink that diminishes with age; it’s the ability to recover.

*I learned that two people can truly love each other and have completely different definitions of what that really means. As intellectual and heady as I like to be, I still haven’t learned too much about why this is. I have, however, learned that Don Henley was right back in the ‘90’s when he told us that at the heart of the matter lies forgiveness.

*I’m learning as I write this that I have left a lot out. Fill in what you feel I have missed.

*I learned that I can’t ever start completely over—and why would I after all that I’ve learned?

*I’ve learned that the path ahead of me is more uncertain than it has been in years…
and I’ve learned that I can’t wait to see what happens next…

Happy New Year/New Decade everyone.

The Year is Ending. Say I love you... among other things.

2009-12-31T10:18:00.007-05:00

by Chris Wright

Another year has come to an end and this is the time that many of us reflect.

Did we get the things done that we wanted to get done? Could we have done more? Did we waste time? Could we have shown more love or spent less time hating someone? Could we have saved more money? Could we have made more money? Did our family and loved ones get the best of us? The worst of us? The least of us? Did we give our employer what they paid us for? Did we let an opportunity slip away? Overall, do we have any regrets about the last 12 months? Well if you do, 2010 offers you a mulligan. (In golf terms, that's a do-over. For those of you who don't understand that word). Yes. A Do-over.

Reflect on those that past away in 2009. They get to do it in the hereafter. So do not feel sorry for them. Only those that are there know if it is a good or bad place. But YOU get to do it here on Earth. A few things that you can do to get it started. Three basics:

Say 'I love you' more. Some people hold tight these words like it's money. Only giving it out in small portions. Well, let it flow people. It's free. Tell your friends, your family, your co-workers, and everyone that you think deserves it. We all can use a bit more love in our lives. I have friends who I really have little in common with. We think differently politically, morally, ethically, and any other "ally" that you can think of. But I love them to death. They made my 2009 more interesting. To them, I love you.

I love my family. We have so much fun. We laugh. We have fun. We fight. We stress. We chill. But most of all, we love each other. They made my 2009 more interesting. To them, I love you.

To my co-workers. We compete. We drink. We eat (a lot). We congratulate each other. We disagree with one another. We piss off each other. We moan and groan about our job. We celebrate our wins and mope over our losses. But we have so much fun. To them, I love you. They made my 2009 more interesting.

To my extended family that I rarely see or speak with. We check on each other from time to time. Months go by without even a hello or a phone call. We ask others how they're doing. We take for granted that they will be here forever. They provide fun memories; even bad memories. They're part of what makes memories. To them, I love you. They made my 2009 more interesting.

MMM (Make More Money). In these days, people are always talking about how bad the economy is. But many in my circles never even mention the economy. We're buying big-screens, new homes, fabulous toys, cars, boats, and so much more. And if you are not one of these people. Then go and make more money! Do not stand by and watch the parade. BE THE PARADE. There are so many ways to make money. You have a talent, a skill, a hobby. People like you. You have personality. If you have any of these attributes, you can make more money. Network. Sell a widget. Get a better job. Stop holding on to the nothingness that you might have. You deserve more. Your family deserve more. You will be happier. I personally spent a few hundred dollars on some DJ equipment a few years ago and just decided to Make More Money. Yes. I stumbled. I made mistakes, but today, because of the persistence and desire to Make More Money, I'm ok. And I never panic about money, because when it gets low, I know how to MMM.

You can create a business from an existing business; Avon, Pampered Chef, Amway, Mary Kay.

You can create your own business. DJ, Photographer, Videographer, Artist, Yoga Instructor, Massage Therapist, Caterer.

You can sell your knowledge. Poetry, write, sing, advise, consult, console.

For every person out there selling something, there's a thousand waiting to buy it. MMM.

Last. Time. Don't Waste It. I'm not saying don't watch movies or play video games or hangout on facebook everyday (please hangout on facebook, I would miss you). But I'm saying make an agenda and do it! Spend a little time everyday on your dream. Because if you don't, your little friend name Procrastination will spend all of your time on your demise. I don't care if it's an hour, half-hour, or all day. Dedicate time to making those changes in your life that's going to do you some good. Read an article. Make a list. Buy a tool. Talk to an expert. Talk to a friend. Ask a question. Do that extra little thing at work that will get you recognition or get you a promotion. Network. Watch some valuable TV like DIY or History Channel or Discovery or any TV that can teach you something.

Cut your conversations short. Sometimes there is no resolution. There is no right or wrong. There is no winning opinion. But sometimes, it's great to converse and just get your feelings out. But don't spend too much time on it. We can debate national healthcare for an hour, but at the end of the 60 minutes, we will still have the same opinion. So when 15 minutes are up, just say, "I hear ya" and move on.

Make some phone calls and go back to strategy one. Call family and friends and see how they're doing. We never have time for that. Send an email, a text, something is an improvement to what you might be doing. All in all. Use time to make our lives more fulfilling. There is only 24 hours in a day. Sleep less and live more.

Happy New Year everyone. Mine will be.

Jersey Shore and the Hip Hop Effect

2009-12-25T11:57:00.009-05:00

By Chris Wright

Art imitates life... And some people don't like it.

The subject is MTV's Jersey Shore. A reality show about a group of 20 something buffed and sexy Italians partying, sexing, and fist pumping in Seaside Heights, NJ. These kids act out all of the stereotypes that many Italian-Americans are not so proud of. Some of them sound like Stallone. They interact with colorful characters named Vito, Vinny, Tony, Michael and of course the usual Joey. They wear tight shirts which accents their biceps. They have slick dark hair with the best gel that money can buy. Many of the girls look and act like Adrieonna on the Sopranos; popping chewing gum while at the same time dropping F-bombs in tiger striped tights.

Now of course, older proud Italian-Americans and anti-defamation groups and lawmakers are coming out of the woodwork demanding that MTV remove the show from the air. Mostly because it airs Italian-Americans in a bad light. And more importantly, might taint the youth who want to emulate the characters in the show.

It is so stupid! Then need to just STFU! You know what that means.

As a black man (I prefer that label over African-American, thank you) my life and being has been greatly affected by the hip-hop generation; both good and bad. Hip Hop has dominated American culture ever since The Sugarhill Gang told us to bang bang boogie and up jump the boogie in Rapper's Delight. Clothes got looser. An new lexicon was created with words like fresh, dope, chill and even now common words used by even the most intellectual Americans like "dissed". Hip hop is in everything we watch today from alter-egos to name changes. There were no Ochocincos in the NFL in he 70s or Answers in the NBA. You didn't see people with Grillz on the sidelines. Even the 85 Bears did the Super Bowl Shuffle.

While many Americans have enjoyed the lighter side of hip hop and have enjoyed the glee that it has bestowed upon our society, many black people have suffered from the negative side of hip hop which brings stereotypes, negative perception, decreased expectations, and quite simply racist views of Black people in general. I've been told "You're not really Black", "you talk like a white guy", "you dress like a white man", "you date white women, you must wanna be white", "you have a white job", "you're ashamed of being black", "why are putting a brother down", "you need to look out for a brother", "oh, i didn't know you listened to hip hop", "who's that? alanis morrisette? why you listening to her", "you're going to a green day concert?", and many more extremely offensive questions and phrases that aren't meant to harm. It's just how people have perceived black people since Hip Hop has dominated our society. People also say things like, "he speaks so well" or "i was surprised at how eloquent he spoke". In my business, I speak to customers by phone, then set up appointments. When they see me, I sense the surprise in their eyes and demeanor that I'm Black. I'm never offended, only amused.

But don't let the smooth taste fool you. I am hip hop. Every part of me. And I can slip in and out of it with the grace of a Chinese acrobat. Because of who I choose to be, the career I have, the interest that I have, and mostly the fact that I have children, commands that I behave in a responsible adult manner and not be Hip Hop.

What does this have to do with MTV's Jersey Shore? The fact is, these young people exist. As much as lawmakers and Italian Anti-defamation groups may want them to disappear, they are very real! I know them. I grew up in Philadelphia. South Philly is a prime locale for Italian-American residents. The community is well-known for the Mafia, Italian restaurants, and fist-pumping Italians. It's no mistake that Sylvester Stallone chose Philadelphia when creating Rocky. And Rocky Balboa, a fictional character is more synonymous with Philly and Jersey Shore Italians than Mario Lanza. Does this mean that ALL Italians are this way? Because you might meet an Italian that doesn't say 'YO", does that make him less Italian? If he doesn't have his hair gelled up like whoa, does that make him less Italian? Some Italians have made millions of dollars being "urban italian" like Robert DeNiro. Then there are others who you would never know they were Italian if they did not have a vowel at the end of their name.

MTVs Jersey Shore does not define Italians. It only shows you a group of young Italians at the Jersey Shore! We should embrace that and enjoy the entertainment for which it is created for. I love the Italian American culture, even down to the colorful derogatory names that they use for Black people. I'm never offended because they're so good! Who could make up names like egg plant, mulignan, and mooley. And who can make the "C" word sound like a fine Italian cuisine with a word like pucchiacha. Only the "urban italian".

Like hip hop has allowed the art of so many thugs in American homes and on young people's walls like Jay-Z, Nas, The Wu-Tang Clan, and Old Dirty Bastard when ordinarily one wouldn't even allow these types on their front door step; we too have accepted Tony, Big Pussy, and Don Corleone into our lives and into our homes. Doesn't it make it easier when your son or daughter brings home a friend that might be different? And because Casey might bring his friend Rasheem home from school and Rasheem has on baggy Rocawear jeans and cornrows in his hair, you might not be so quick to put your valuables away, just as little Rasheem says, "Hi Mrs. Potter, thank you for allowing me into your beautiful home".

One more thing that should be understood. Young people have dreams and aspirations to be in acting and entertainment. Justin Timberlake had a desire to be a Hip Hop/R&B singer, but N'Sync was a foot in the door. He did what he had to do. Omar Epps wanted to do more straight roles like the one he does in "House", but he had to play 10 various Hip Hop roles in movies like Juice, Higher Learning, and The Program in order to get his break. Tupac was hardcore in music, but very poetic and a very good actor in movies like Poetic Justice and Gridlocked. And finally, Ice Cube was fucking the police with NWA and now he's entertaining your kids in "Are We There Yet?". Sometimes, these stereotypical roles are a means to an end. We have to let the art breathe because there is something for everyone.

Mike Sorrentino, aka "The Situation" was a male exotic dancer before getting his shot on MTVs Jersey Shore. This according to TMZ. My question for the proud Italians is would you prefer he bounce his banana in a hammock or fist pump on the Jersey Shore?

The BCS and the Soccer System

2009-12-24T21:37:00.005-05:00

by Joe Jenkins

The BCS and the Soccer System

Wow…
…and here I am just trying to discuss the Earth-shattering importance of college football…
Writing about the BCS has become a bit of a cliché. It’s been debated, re-debated, bashed, praised, questioned, rumored, tweaked, protested, and potentially brought in front of a court of law on anti-trust charges so many times that it’s all been worn down into two distinct camps: Those that demand a playoff system; and those that claim that the regular season is the playoff and a bracketed playoff system would devalue the regular season.

Sooooo….
Where does this leave us? What’s the point in rehashing something that’s been—well—hashed…repeatedly…to death?

I suppose we have to bring something new to the table.

Look, we all know the BCS supporters are full of crap because their argument is just plain wrong. With every other major sport using some variation on the standard bracketed elimination system, each one stands as a turd in the punch bowl of the BCS argument. This is a lot of turds. Too many turds to ignore. One might say that only one would be too many. Yet every year, we’re stuck staring at the same turdy punch! (Is turdy a word? I’m leaning toward no. But if college football can make up a “playoff system” using only polls and computers, I can make up words like “turdy” to describe it. I might one day be inclined to call it “supercraptastic.” Stay tuned…)

Here’s the bad news:
Because we keep feeding the machine, the BCS probably won’t be going anywhere for a long time. I wrote a few years ago that the only way to really stop the BCS beast was to stop watching it…
…and I actually tried it…

…and by Tuesday of Bowl Week I had achieved Ewan McGregor in Trainspotting levels of withdrawal. Would I have dove into that toilet for my football suppository? Hard to tell, but I’m pretty sure there was a moment during the Capital One Bowl where I was caught licking my television screen like someone had just told me that the schnozberries taste like schnozberries. It was my first bowl season with HD. Don’t judge me.

So what does all of this mean?

It means we need to get off this playoff obsession for the time being and work on making the best out of a supercraptastic situation.

The truth is a few changes to the BCS system would make it pretty easy to make most college football pretty satisfied with the outcome. The key isn’t to focus with only working over the top, but also tweaking the bottom. I’ll wait while your mind works through all the potentially dirty possibilities of that last statement…

…Good?

…okay…

We can all agree that the BCS needs a plus one format in which the winners of the top two bowls meet in the BCS championship so we can at least pretend that the whole thing is decided on the field. Let’s be honest, the 2009 season was an absolute anomaly with 5 undefeated teams. A top 4 format works 99 times out of 100.

This isn’t the real problem from the people clamoring at the bottom. As a fan of a non-BCS FBS school, I can tell you that the rallying cry from the bottom up to the middle is one word: “Inclusion,” and I don’t just mean a pity invite to a BCS bowl. Every fan wants to go into the season knowing that their team at least has a chance to one day compete for the BCS/”National Championship.” Right now that doesn’t exist and the travesty that took place with TCU getting paired against Boise State is the glaring proof.

The answer to the inclusion problem lies with a very different sport that goes by the same name roughly 3,000 miles away.

Premier League soccer relegates its bottom feeders to a different league and in turn promotes the top performers from the Football League into its ranks. It, in effect, keeps the league constantly operating at a competitive zenith at all times.

The rules to the soccer system would be simple: Any champion of a non-BCS conference (MAC, MWC, C-USA, Sun Belt, WAC) that wins its bowl game would be issued an invitation to the BCS conference that makes the most geographic sense. They would replace the team with the worst winning percentage over a 3 year average. This not only prevents the new entries from being one and done, it also protects quality teams that throw up a one year stinker due to injuries or the discovery of flip cup and beer pong tournaments.

Picture a college football world in which no conference has a concrete alignment. Imagine a season in which teams like Northwestern and Indiana aren’t just playing out the string with a 2-7 record in November, they’re playing for their Big Ten lives. What would the interest level be in a Baylor vs. Iowa State game in which the loser could potentially spend the next season slumming it in Conference USA?

Better yet, Imagine TCU proving that they are the best team in the country instead of everyone guessing. Under the soccer system, the Horned Frogs would’ve been playing in the Big 12 this year thanks to their conference championship and victory over Boise State in the Poinsettia Bowl last year.

The soccer system also allows for stiffer penalties for the teams committing egregious NCAA violations. So the next time USC wants to pay its players or Michigan wants to enforce sweatshop hours on its players to get to the top, they can sleep at night knowing that they will spend the next three years relegated to one of their non-BCS counterparts—a move that would cost a major program millions in television, bowl and advertising revenues. Likewise, a non-BCS school caught committing the same crimes would be ineligible for promotion to the BCS promised land. Who wants to cheat now?

How is it that we have completely ignored this model?

How would this model do anything but add value to the regular season from top to bottom?
Who could possibly hate this system?

How is it that there wasn’t a single freaking doctor in attendance to attend to Creed after Drago turned his skull to pumice in Rocky IV?

Why am I continuing to ask questions when nobody can answer me?

Aside from the complete lack of medical staff on hand for the Creed, Drago fight, the soccer system isn’t a quantum leap from the current BCS structure! It’s not vast sweeping changes that could potentially alter the entire landscape of college football as we know it. Its tweaks! Its subtle changes for the better. It’s parceling out hopes and dreams to teams that currently don’t have it. It’s promoting greater competition at every level of major college football regardless of record or conference standing.

Now… While we’re talking about all the important things…can we touch on getting the Cubs to the World Series?

Welcome Our Feature Writer; Joe Jenkins

2009-12-24T21:21:00.005-05:00

As you know, I razzed Joe Jenkins a little in a previous blog about not writing enough. Well not only did it work, but he will be a feature writer here at IWEWIW! I'm so excited.

Joe is a professional journalist and he was a sports columnist for a paper in upstate NY. He's funny, insightful, and brilliant and the best part is, I rarely agree with him. He's my friend and former co-worker and I know a few members of his family. The Jenkins family is a huge sports family and although i've never been invited to thanksgiving dinner at their home, i'm sure that the conversations are colorful. Bears fans, Bills fans, Jets fans, Cubs fans, Pistons fans and God knows what else has provide world-class entertainment.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome, Mr. Joe Jenkins.

A $871 Billion Dollar Change

2009-12-24T12:39:00.008-05:00

Oh boy. I don't even know where to start with this one.

The senate passed a Health Care Reform Bill this morning and all is not well in America. Not all Americans have a desire to have health care reform. I have heard several reasons from those that oppose and mostly it's "Who's footing the bill?". I have heard arguments from "what's wrong with what we have now" to "this will cripple our country for years to come". I've heard that the Medicare coffer will be empty in 10 years to we are sacrificing our children's economic future for today's gains.

The last thing that I want to do is to make this a Left vs Right post. That is not my agenda here. But seeing that all Dems voted for and all Republicans voted against leave me no choice. This whole debate is full of testosterone and there is much posturing and flexing of muscle going on at Capitol Hill. But let's for a moment bring it back to our cities, villages, towns, hamlets, and most importantly, the waiting rooms. I had the privilege of working in the pharmaceutical industry for 3 years and witnessed first hand as an observer the need for health care reform. In many respects, I actually worked for an industry that is very instrumental in the decline of health care and actually perpetuates the very issues that calls for reform.

The republicans have not made an argument against "health care reform". Their argument is the cost of health care reform. Which says to me, that they agree that we need it but we just do not have the means to pay for it. I also hear that Americans get sick and can't afford health care and people die, get over it, that's the way of the world. That is not what's being said, but that is what I am hearing. One guy told me yesterday that it would create an air of jealousy because, "na na na na na, my coverage is better than yours". Well are these good reasons to not make change? Why is it that we care so much about the future of America and maintaining the country's wealth for the sake of our children when it comes to social programs. But yet, we hardly sneeze at the proliferation of war or the investment in climate change (which is a blog for another day. I must say that I agree with the Republicans on the whole Global Warming farce).

Much can be said for the abuse of social health care. People can give me examples all day of isolated incidents of medicaid and medicare fraud and demographics that partake in such crimes. But health care reform isn't about the poor and it is not about the wealthy. It is about the middle class; the very group of people that are most times impacted by all bills passed whether it be tax, health care, welfare, or corporate. I say to you Mr. and Mrs. Family-under-$200K-a-year; you want to see your bank account and retirement shrink faster than a penis in cold water, get sick. Become terminally ill; cancer, heart attack, stroke, etc. After co-pays, and medication, and 24 visits per year to the doctor, you will either get a second job, sell your home and move in with your children, or just put a bullet in your head. And what about those insurance companies that say no to pre-existing conditions. Oh, i'm sorry Anthem, this gout does not have a switch to turn on and off. How about the rip off that is COBRA? Have any of you ever used this? And if you did, did you sell your car to afford it?

To the opposition, I know that your soapbox is big and you're shouting from the rooftops that President Obama is an idiot. I hear you. But he made a good point that since President Roosevelt, American presidents have been trying to make this work with multitudes of opposition. If we have been trying to reform health care since 1912 while at the same time trying to appease both sides, it is an exercise in futility. For this same 100 years, we have said no to reform and yes to keeping things status quo. And to this, I say NO! We asked for change when we voted for Barack Obama and it's time to see the change promised. For those of you that oppose the President's actions for change, just sit on the sidelines and watch. That's why bleachers are built.

Remember this. The creed of the Republican is less government. So to ask for sweeping health care reform by government is a no-no. They would much rather health care be a corporate venture with very little or no government intervention. They also want the health care industry to regulate themselves and hope that if crimes are permitted then the justice system will step in. Much like they do in regards to illegal trade and Ponzi schemes. As millions of Americans are screwed in the process, then people meet, talk, make changes, suffer through litigations, and Americans continuously go broke in the process. But ultimately, things stay the same. And the sad part is, we have stood on the side of contentment as long as it did not affect us personally and watch this debacle unfold. See, health care is personal. Very personal. It's a national expense as long as it does not affect us personally or our families. Then when mom is stricken with cancer and the bills are piling up, we will take help from anywhere; government or otherwise. When little brother is infected with HIV, we call everyone to find out how can this treatment be paid for; social service programs, hospitals, etc. It won't matter will it.

This is a change that has aged President Obama in his first year. It is a change worth the stress.

Chris Wright

The Media: From a Tiger's View

2009-12-24T10:03:00.015-05:00

This is my first post. This is my first post on the Tiger Woods Drama. I'm doing this one first because I hope to not be writing another post about Tiger in the future and I really want this to be over with. But for those of you who do not know who Tiger Woods is, let me humor you. Bear with me.

His name is Eldrick Tont Woods, nicknamed Tiger by his father. December 30th, he will be 34 years old (Happy Birthday Tiger). He was born in Cypress, California and he is 6 foot 1 inches and a very lean 185 lbs. He attended Stanford University for two years and opted to turn pro in 1996. He's 3rd all-time in wins with 71 and has won 14 majors (4 Masters: The Grand Daddy of them All). Tiger has won over 200 awards worldwide, most recently and most significantly Athlete of the Decade by The Associated Press. Tiger's ethnic background is African-American, Chinese, and Native American. Throw in the sprinkle of Thai and Dutch that he is and he is pretty much the World's Athlete, with heritage almost touching every continent. I will stop here as far as his accomplishments in golf. And now Tiger has added to his life's achievements the title of Adulterer and has tallied up to allegedly 18 mistresses (more than his tally of Majors. One more mistress and he would have had as many mistresses as Jack Nicklaus has Majors). We have all heard various media outlets take on this and here is mine.

When that Cadillac Escalade hit the fire hydrant and the tree and the airbag did not explode, I thought, this is exactly how Tiger's life is and has been. He's invincible and can not be touched. An airbag would not even attempt to punch him in the face. Then, the first officer on the scene said that when he arrived, Tiger was "sleeping". He didn't say unconscious. He said, "sleeping". You have to be mighty relaxed to be sleeping after an accident. Again, I thought, this is Tiger's life. I can do what I want, when I want, catch a nap, the world will be all the same tomorrow, for I am King of the World. Tomorrow I will tell the world my story as I see it and they will believe me and I will prepare for a new golf season and dominate the world and increase my billions with my beautiful Elin on arm and my children Sam and Charlie in tow. We will be viewed and sought after like the Kennedy's.

What Tiger did not realize is this. For as many people that love and adore him, there are just as many people watching and waiting for him to make a mistake. They were patient, like hunters. Calm, cool, knowing. It was just a matter of time. Five years, 15, 20, it didn't matter. It was inevitable. He could NOT be this perfect. That fire hydrant was a like the glacier that ripped through the Unsinkable Titanic. It started out as a minor accident and turned into an event of great proportion. It ripped through his exterior and within hours, mangled and destroyed the interior. Truths, image, endorsements, and integrity fell off his ship like those falling from the Titanic. And like a ship's captain, he attempted to keep everyone calm with his brief statements. "Everything is good ladies and gentlemen. I am Tiger Woods". And this is the era we live in.

The real question is, why didn't he realize this? Why was he so careless? Did he not know that everything that his family built and dedicated to this institution called "Tiger Woods" could be torn apart with the smallest of crinkles? Did this institution become so arrogant even they believed that they were invincible? It took only 3 or 4 years to build this robot called Tiger and about another 15 years or so to perfect. By the time he was 20, he was primed to be America's first Billionaire Athlete. Ladies and gentlemen, it takes one helluva plan to do this. His father Earl was a genius. Likened his son to Ghandi. It reminds me of the Death Star in the movie Star Wars. Perfectly built with one flaw. But it was a very small flaw but if penetrated the Death Star would be destroyed.

My speculation is that mom and dad reins were too tight. They had invested too much into Tiger Inc and they were NOT going to let a few minor temptations like girls ruin it. No chance of teen pregnancy or hanging with the wrong crowd. Tiger Inc would not let these flaws of natural adolescents hinder the greatest machine ever constructed. Girls are a natural weakness of men and takes much discipline and focus to avoid the pitfalls that come with relationships and girls or women. I'm sure that Tiger looked. Hell, he went to Stanford. In California. Do you know how many Miss America contestants went to Stanford? It's no wonder he only did 2 years! A year or two more and he would have a girlfriend god-forbid. I'm sure that Tiger had his college buddies conceal some of the things that he did in college to avoid the eruption of Mt. Earl. All in all, he just could never be a boy. I am not justifying his actions as an adulterer. But parents, telling your son that adultery is bad is not as good as prepping him to do the right thing. Barring him from the very temptations that are a natural attraction is as good as saying, "do it later". Telling your teenager that a boyfriend or a girlfriend is forbidden will most certainly create a closet freak within a few years. One part, to get back at you and the other part is just catching up. If you interview all of the sex addicts in the world, most of them will tell you that relationships were forbidden when they were growing up. The normal bump and grind game that teens play was not experienced. Sneaking kisses at 11 and 12 was a no-no. I believe that this was Tiger. When Earl died, the chastity belt was unlocked and the penis was exposed. In Las Vegas, LA, Paris, Upstate NY, everywhere. Tiger just let it all hang out. It was done with reckless abandonment. And Tiger Inc became vulnerable. The media pounced. And Tiger is pissed.

Should he be? Yes. And this is why. He is being accused of being a fraud. He's not a fraud. He is a human being. He never said that he was perfect. He never projected an image of sovereignty. He never pretended to be better than others. He never made political commentary, racial commentary, or sexist commentary. He was asked by the black community to be an advocate. He said No. I'm more than just black. He's been asked by political parties to endorse. He said my political affiliation is private. He's never criticized or made commentary about others in the entertainment industry. In fact, I've never heard Tiger make comments about anything but golf. Now, there are those in the marketing industry that are paid huge bucks to create perception and image. And this is why you drink Pepsi or Coke. This is why you buy BMW, Ford, or Chevy. This is why you drink Gatorade or smell like Acqua Di Gio. Because a marketing ad man created an image for you to believe in. Tiger didn't do it. The guys on Madison Avenue did it. Tiger is the face. I don't know. Maybe he should have told Tag Hauer or Gillette that he had a weakness for women. Maybe these companies even supplied him with women. Who knows? My point is that we should not hold anyone up this high and expect perfection. And if we do, then make sure that we pray to him or her once a week. Do not blame Tiger for taking the money. It was easy to be the guy that these companies wanted him to be. Earl created the machine that way.

Earl just forgot the girl thing.

Chris Wright