I feel sorry for my couch, I really do because I've spent the last 4 plus hours playing bench warmer on it. Now I'm the type of guy that can't stand a lecture class that runs over one hour, yet can kill half a day when sports are involved.
So the great America sports machine roped me in for half of my Saturday, first the Pens v. Flyers in the NHL Playoffs, followed up with the NFL Draft on my laptop. While a selected few today are become America's newest millionaires, granted many were not born with any silver spoon, they all had to put in the hours on and off the field to get to the NFL.
Yet it still just is beyond my comprehension that there is now a 20-22 year old with a few million in the bank. Who knows where these draft picks will end up a few years from now. Most players only have a shelf life a 2-3 years at the level, yet the amount of coin they are set for life as long as they don't do something stupid. If you add up their signing bonus, game checks, some endorsement deals is considered one of the best nest eggs by market experts and CFO's in this recession. Once again this is money they have earned, no question there. They gave up girls, greek parties, and other good times of college life to sacrifice and make plays on the field. Plus they've helped their universities make tons of cash in ticket sales, team shop sales, bowl appearances, etcetera. (Just because I feel the need to interrupt myself I'm going to state my position on their payment right now)
Should college players get paid??? The Answer: NO. They already get a free 50,000 education, high end dining halls, dorms, and some other living expenses paid. This a great life lesson in being humble and giving back, esp. at the next level where having a foundation and hitting up local children's hospitals needs to be a must.
Still I'm jealous, they have the natural talent and have made those sacrifices to play at this level, and yet they can provide for their family's and I can't. Most top ten picks always say they are going to buy their parents a new crib, only seems fair their parents gave them their first one and a shot at life. So what's left for a sucker like me to do, well in this economy I save money, put my trust in the my $60,000 education and degree, and finally buy my Powerball/ Lotto ticket. Hey I know i have the same chance of getting hit by lighting, but what if a money bolt hits me first. It would be nice to pay back all my lenders, of corse that means my mother, as she was the first to trust me with a single dollar. Plus set up my family so we all have a decent roof over our heads in this housing market, and good meals on our table rather then living off of dollar menus at fast food joints. Yet on the other hand I'm know their are millions of other American's out there praying just as hard as me that this their time, and some more deserving. So I'll be going back to work the next day and the day after that, to a job that only requires a high school diploma. Hopefully one day I will be out of the debt deep end and can swim towards a 401K, retirement, and know my family is secure. Maybe even one day I will get that drafted that golden ticket, and the American Dream will be just a dollar away.
Post-Script I
I'm not completely ignorant to know that I do have a pretty damn good life here in the United States. I've been privileged to sights, sounds, and progression of this country that some places on this plant can't even fathom. Plus I give much respect to those who protect our way of life day and night. Therefore we must give major props to those once young men that at 18, were drafted into a war in a jungle half way across the world.
Post-script II Pens. v Flyers Game 6 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
This has been one of the best opening round series by far. These teams really didn't like each other, and it showed on the ice and within the passion of the fans in the arenas. Today's game was the kind of hearty performance the Penguins needed to get deep in these playoffs. Down 3-0 on the road is not the ideal spot to be in especially if that shut out follows you into a potential Game 7. However, Pittsburgh didn't allow for that, they rallied big time in the 2nd period, played their game and now get ready for the next round. I can see them on a collision course with Boston if all the parts fall in order, and I can't begin to say I know what would happen in that series.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Now Playing, Kick the can... Sports Bucket List
Fair warning this article deals with one of the most certain things in life, death. Also I will try to down play it, but it won't have the same smooth flow of Morgan Freeman, or grins of Jack Nicholas.
Instead these are the things in sports that we should all be so lucky to accomplish or experience before the final buzzer. The inspiration for this article comes from one of the events on the list that I completed today, and had an epiphany about the rest. Today I completed the 4.2 mile run that celebrates, and honors the life and legacy of Pat Tillman. This was the 5th year the event has been held and a record number of over 13,000 people ran this year. That number alone should tell you what his life and legacy has meant to this nation. (maybe more on this later, but there is still a lot more to cover)
1. See a World Championship (in any sport, but one of the big 4 will be something more to brag about)
a. NFL Super Bowl, after all who doesn't need an excuse to find a retreat for a harsh winter with the fan fair of football next to a beach
b. MLB World Series, yeah with all America's history in this game, seeing an October classic will have you wearing your favorite jersey until the snow thaws and Spring Training begins (SEE #7)
c. NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: This is mission 16 W! Anyone that has ever seen a hockey game up close and the physical demands of such on a person. They then know just the mere thought stringing together 16 wins in a few months time is crazy. So to be there at the end to see a game 4,5,6,or if your lucky game 7, you then know you'll get to see Lord Stanley's Cup hosted for the proud few.
d. NBA Finals: granted I'm not as much of a fan as I used to be when I watched MJ. Then again hard to compare others to one of the games greatest. However we are lucky we get to see acts like LeBron and D. Wade make a case for themselves. So if a team you like is making their run, look for those game 4-7 tickets.
2. The Olympics, (yes both Summer and Winter)
a. This is a great excuse to crash another country with the rest of the world. Especially if your American, your visit has a purpose and most foreign countries understand that. Now while the United States of America might be dominate that year, limit your USA chants to the venues, too many times at the wrong pub and you could be looking for a new visa home.
b. The summer games are great because you get a mixture of some of the fast humans on the plant along with the games we all love to play. Thank God Kerri Walsh plays beach volleyball for the red, white, and blue.
c. The winter games require you to be as tough as old man winter, chances are your going to a place where the average high is going to be in the single digits that week. The payoff is the mankind's revenge to ice and snow, as we master crafts that were by all means were not supposed to take place on these surfaces. See humans become bullets, and the real life Cool Runnings of Jamaica's Bobsled team. Watch the long distance ski jumps, if you think it is all gravity then watch the agony of defeat in Wide World of Sports and think again. Plus if you take your significant other with you, nothing better than warming up in front of a fire place.
3. Buy season tickets to your favorite college football team. Trust me you won't regret the hit this takes on your bank account. Your cardiologist may be a bit more concerned after tailgates full of burgers and beer. Unless you invite him to a game, then you'll both get to relive your college days before kid starts bragging about his.
- another bonus about this one, if your team gets a bowl bid and most do these days, then time for you to finish strong as well. Even better if your a member of said schools Alumni Association
4. Attend all four Major Golf Tournaments. (If you have the means do it in the same year, and if you do it while Tiger is still playing you might see some history)
-The Masters (Magnolia lane, Hogan's Bridge, and Amen Corner have to look even better in person than they do on a HDTV. Plus if it still falls on Holy Week thanking God for his sacrifices to create such an entertaining Amen Corner should count as holding Mass on one of the Lords great wonders.)
-The US Open
-The PGA Championship
-The British Open
(best way for us average Joe's to play some of these holes, look at International Golf Tour in Myrtle Beach, FL they replicated some greats )
4.2 As for mentioned, take part in Pat's Run held annually in Tempe, AZ and San Jose, CA.
Most of us will never be put in the situation of giving up a career in professional sports, the money, and the family. Yet he did and put the excellence he applied to aspect of his life towards a highly demanding job of an Army Ranger.
- 4.2 miles might not seem like much, but go run a 5k about 3 miles, then think about adding another mile on top of that.
- That plus seeing how many people still wear his retired ASU jersey No42, or AZ Cardinals jersey No.40 during the run or to local games.
- If you really need more convincing, read the books and articles on him, his own mother Mary Tillman has written, Jim Rome spoke of his legend on his show.
5. Go to the Kentucky Derby.
- Sing "My old Kentucky Home", take your favorite woman in your life and doll her up with a fancy new hat, buy some of the best Mint Juleps around. Or if you own a mint like Fort Knox you can stroll down Millionaires row. Either way great way to see people and be seen. Plus seeing the start of a potential triple crown winner isn't bad either.
- Once again you win the lottery and have money, one put an investment in a horse that can run in the triple crown. Or if your that allergic to work at that point then plan your tour to all three races.
6. Go watch the surfing competition on the North Shores in Hawaii. Like you need an excuse to go to Hawaii. While your there get the resort you stay at to teach you to "surf". After a day of getting those massive 3 foot waves under control and chasing after your board you will have a higher respect for what they do and make look easy on the other side of the island.
- Need some more Extreme Sports, this is the perfect place to Sky Dive. Think of the money you'll save on driving around the island, or hiring and pilot to take you by the volcanos. I wouldn't leave the only aerial views you get of this place to the chance of the airline you fly in on.
7. You can't have seven, before number eight. Go to Spring Training hot spots like Arizona or South Florida. Both if you can afford the Gulfstream 450 to get you back and forth. However your going to see the true first season of baseball before the boys of summer take center stage for the next six months of the year. A great chance to get up close to your team, new and old players, especially if all this takes place as you play hooky from work. Not to mention Spring comes earlier to these places then most of North America so ditch the winter gloves for a leather baseball mitt.
8. A summer of baseball, especially small ball. Its a long summer and you need a reason to go coast to coast on family vacation. Then consider mapping out some of this. First, the NCAA World Series of Baseball Championship in Omaha, Neb. Yes you'll hear plenty of "Pings" with the crack of the bat, but it also makes a 13 to 2 run game come back possible, and Omaha is a great time. Next follow the college kids and some semi-pros to the Cape Cod League games. Hey chicks like guys in uniform and tight pants, so make sure your in shape in those bleachers or you can throw ideas of you and Jessica Biel out the door.
Third stop on the trip, National Baseball Conference in Wichita, Kan will show you baseball around the clock. Look up Double AA and Triple AAA team promotions, you can see a future All Star and collect Americana in the same breath. Find a team you like to watch and see if they have a couple of home games around July 4th. The feeling of getting through 9 innings on a warm summer night with a little ice cream baseball helmet to cool you off, while a brilliant display of fireworks lights up the skies.
9.Vegas, Baby and the phrase Just Win Baby, mix nicely together in the sports books on the strip. Great days to visit, the first day of the NCAA basketball tournament. Or get your hands on a ring side seats to a title MMA match.
10. Back to Driver's Edu. Seriously if you can spend a few days at a high performance car driving school. You'll finally get to see what the Corvette, Mustang, BMW, Ferrari, or Viper can do. If that's not enough for the speed junkie in us, then pay out to get a Indy Car driver to take you around the Brick Yard at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
So those are the best 10 ideas that I have for now, but the list and stories may grow as I cross them off or find new challenges.
thanks for reading.
J.J. Gilmore
Instead these are the things in sports that we should all be so lucky to accomplish or experience before the final buzzer. The inspiration for this article comes from one of the events on the list that I completed today, and had an epiphany about the rest. Today I completed the 4.2 mile run that celebrates, and honors the life and legacy of Pat Tillman. This was the 5th year the event has been held and a record number of over 13,000 people ran this year. That number alone should tell you what his life and legacy has meant to this nation. (maybe more on this later, but there is still a lot more to cover)
1. See a World Championship (in any sport, but one of the big 4 will be something more to brag about)
a. NFL Super Bowl, after all who doesn't need an excuse to find a retreat for a harsh winter with the fan fair of football next to a beach
b. MLB World Series, yeah with all America's history in this game, seeing an October classic will have you wearing your favorite jersey until the snow thaws and Spring Training begins (SEE #7)
c. NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs: This is mission 16 W! Anyone that has ever seen a hockey game up close and the physical demands of such on a person. They then know just the mere thought stringing together 16 wins in a few months time is crazy. So to be there at the end to see a game 4,5,6,or if your lucky game 7, you then know you'll get to see Lord Stanley's Cup hosted for the proud few.
d. NBA Finals: granted I'm not as much of a fan as I used to be when I watched MJ. Then again hard to compare others to one of the games greatest. However we are lucky we get to see acts like LeBron and D. Wade make a case for themselves. So if a team you like is making their run, look for those game 4-7 tickets.
2. The Olympics, (yes both Summer and Winter)
a. This is a great excuse to crash another country with the rest of the world. Especially if your American, your visit has a purpose and most foreign countries understand that. Now while the United States of America might be dominate that year, limit your USA chants to the venues, too many times at the wrong pub and you could be looking for a new visa home.
b. The summer games are great because you get a mixture of some of the fast humans on the plant along with the games we all love to play. Thank God Kerri Walsh plays beach volleyball for the red, white, and blue.
c. The winter games require you to be as tough as old man winter, chances are your going to a place where the average high is going to be in the single digits that week. The payoff is the mankind's revenge to ice and snow, as we master crafts that were by all means were not supposed to take place on these surfaces. See humans become bullets, and the real life Cool Runnings of Jamaica's Bobsled team. Watch the long distance ski jumps, if you think it is all gravity then watch the agony of defeat in Wide World of Sports and think again. Plus if you take your significant other with you, nothing better than warming up in front of a fire place.
3. Buy season tickets to your favorite college football team. Trust me you won't regret the hit this takes on your bank account. Your cardiologist may be a bit more concerned after tailgates full of burgers and beer. Unless you invite him to a game, then you'll both get to relive your college days before kid starts bragging about his.
- another bonus about this one, if your team gets a bowl bid and most do these days, then time for you to finish strong as well. Even better if your a member of said schools Alumni Association
4. Attend all four Major Golf Tournaments. (If you have the means do it in the same year, and if you do it while Tiger is still playing you might see some history)
-The Masters (Magnolia lane, Hogan's Bridge, and Amen Corner have to look even better in person than they do on a HDTV. Plus if it still falls on Holy Week thanking God for his sacrifices to create such an entertaining Amen Corner should count as holding Mass on one of the Lords great wonders.)
-The US Open
-The PGA Championship
-The British Open
(best way for us average Joe's to play some of these holes, look at International Golf Tour in Myrtle Beach, FL they replicated some greats )
4.2 As for mentioned, take part in Pat's Run held annually in Tempe, AZ and San Jose, CA.
Most of us will never be put in the situation of giving up a career in professional sports, the money, and the family. Yet he did and put the excellence he applied to aspect of his life towards a highly demanding job of an Army Ranger.
- 4.2 miles might not seem like much, but go run a 5k about 3 miles, then think about adding another mile on top of that.
- That plus seeing how many people still wear his retired ASU jersey No42, or AZ Cardinals jersey No.40 during the run or to local games.
- If you really need more convincing, read the books and articles on him, his own mother Mary Tillman has written, Jim Rome spoke of his legend on his show.
5. Go to the Kentucky Derby.
- Sing "My old Kentucky Home", take your favorite woman in your life and doll her up with a fancy new hat, buy some of the best Mint Juleps around. Or if you own a mint like Fort Knox you can stroll down Millionaires row. Either way great way to see people and be seen. Plus seeing the start of a potential triple crown winner isn't bad either.
- Once again you win the lottery and have money, one put an investment in a horse that can run in the triple crown. Or if your that allergic to work at that point then plan your tour to all three races.
6. Go watch the surfing competition on the North Shores in Hawaii. Like you need an excuse to go to Hawaii. While your there get the resort you stay at to teach you to "surf". After a day of getting those massive 3 foot waves under control and chasing after your board you will have a higher respect for what they do and make look easy on the other side of the island.
- Need some more Extreme Sports, this is the perfect place to Sky Dive. Think of the money you'll save on driving around the island, or hiring and pilot to take you by the volcanos. I wouldn't leave the only aerial views you get of this place to the chance of the airline you fly in on.
7. You can't have seven, before number eight. Go to Spring Training hot spots like Arizona or South Florida. Both if you can afford the Gulfstream 450 to get you back and forth. However your going to see the true first season of baseball before the boys of summer take center stage for the next six months of the year. A great chance to get up close to your team, new and old players, especially if all this takes place as you play hooky from work. Not to mention Spring comes earlier to these places then most of North America so ditch the winter gloves for a leather baseball mitt.
8. A summer of baseball, especially small ball. Its a long summer and you need a reason to go coast to coast on family vacation. Then consider mapping out some of this. First, the NCAA World Series of Baseball Championship in Omaha, Neb. Yes you'll hear plenty of "Pings" with the crack of the bat, but it also makes a 13 to 2 run game come back possible, and Omaha is a great time. Next follow the college kids and some semi-pros to the Cape Cod League games. Hey chicks like guys in uniform and tight pants, so make sure your in shape in those bleachers or you can throw ideas of you and Jessica Biel out the door.
Third stop on the trip, National Baseball Conference in Wichita, Kan will show you baseball around the clock. Look up Double AA and Triple AAA team promotions, you can see a future All Star and collect Americana in the same breath. Find a team you like to watch and see if they have a couple of home games around July 4th. The feeling of getting through 9 innings on a warm summer night with a little ice cream baseball helmet to cool you off, while a brilliant display of fireworks lights up the skies.
9.Vegas, Baby and the phrase Just Win Baby, mix nicely together in the sports books on the strip. Great days to visit, the first day of the NCAA basketball tournament. Or get your hands on a ring side seats to a title MMA match.
10. Back to Driver's Edu. Seriously if you can spend a few days at a high performance car driving school. You'll finally get to see what the Corvette, Mustang, BMW, Ferrari, or Viper can do. If that's not enough for the speed junkie in us, then pay out to get a Indy Car driver to take you around the Brick Yard at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
So those are the best 10 ideas that I have for now, but the list and stories may grow as I cross them off or find new challenges.
thanks for reading.
J.J. Gilmore
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Final Four to Frozen Four
Monday night's beat down of Michigan State by the North Carolina seemed to be the end of the road for some. For most actually the next time they will care about college sports will be NCAA World Series in Omaha. However hope for those needing a true cinderella story look no further then Bemidji State's Men Hockey appearance in the Frozen Four.
Then comes the stroke of midnight, seriously the timing of the NCAA Frozen Four in Washington DC happens to same time the Masters takes center stage. Granted nothing will trump the story lines or the traditions that is the Masters, but where else are you going to see a 16 seed have the chance to go all the way. You know they didn't get there playing some b-class school, after all this is hockey. After starting their season 1-5 they grind their way to a record of 20-15-1 entering the tournament. Unlike the field of 64 that sees every 16 seed meet their fate of a No 1. warm up game go right by them like a tourist stop this BSU hockey team opening round game was up against overall No. 2 seed (No 1 in the four team regional bracket) Norte Dame. The Beavers going into the game versus the Fighting Irish were your biblical David v. Goliath. They didn't just throw one stone at the Irish, they put five past them to cement their first game of the tournament. They make school history in dramatic fashion taking down their brackets No. 1 seed. Good luck betting on that to happen in next years hopes tourney.
The next day still riding on their win they ended Cornell's season with another 4-1 blow out. Cornell even had the upper hand in this game, as they got one by BSU's goalie Matt Dalton. While it was only the second goal he had given up all tournament, it could have opened the flood gates for a Cornell team that averaged two or more goals in its wins this season. Yet Bemidji State matched Cornell's physical play with a line up that averages 180 lbs and has seven freshmen.
Much like any tournament it isn't all about what you did in the regular season, it is about getting hot at the right time. A team as hot as BSU right now can be dangerous on any ice rink. The brick walls they have standing in their way is having 11 days off from their last two games, and going up against a Miami (Ohio) squad that played solid hockey. The Redhawks have made an impressive run taking down the No. 3 overall seed Denver, and then beating Minn. Duluth. Hockey is however a long season, and at this point it is one more win and your in the Saturday Championship game vs. either Vermont or No 1 overall seed Boston U. It is hard to say what any of these teams will do after playing at such a high level to take 11 days off and deal with the media, their families, practices, coaches, friends, etc. It will be entertaining one way or another and teams that do have high seeding in this tournament have been put on notice. The only that matters at the end is scoreboard.
In post-script here I must speak to that while the masses will be doing most of their holy week praying at Amen Corner, i implore anyone to switch a bit, back and forth between the putts and pucks. I promise you'll see some stars of tomorrow starting great careers on the main stage. Still don't believe me Bemidji State's former goaltender Matt Climiejust made another successful start for the Dallas Stars
Then comes the stroke of midnight, seriously the timing of the NCAA Frozen Four in Washington DC happens to same time the Masters takes center stage. Granted nothing will trump the story lines or the traditions that is the Masters, but where else are you going to see a 16 seed have the chance to go all the way. You know they didn't get there playing some b-class school, after all this is hockey. After starting their season 1-5 they grind their way to a record of 20-15-1 entering the tournament. Unlike the field of 64 that sees every 16 seed meet their fate of a No 1. warm up game go right by them like a tourist stop this BSU hockey team opening round game was up against overall No. 2 seed (No 1 in the four team regional bracket) Norte Dame. The Beavers going into the game versus the Fighting Irish were your biblical David v. Goliath. They didn't just throw one stone at the Irish, they put five past them to cement their first game of the tournament. They make school history in dramatic fashion taking down their brackets No. 1 seed. Good luck betting on that to happen in next years hopes tourney.
The next day still riding on their win they ended Cornell's season with another 4-1 blow out. Cornell even had the upper hand in this game, as they got one by BSU's goalie Matt Dalton. While it was only the second goal he had given up all tournament, it could have opened the flood gates for a Cornell team that averaged two or more goals in its wins this season. Yet Bemidji State matched Cornell's physical play with a line up that averages 180 lbs and has seven freshmen.
Much like any tournament it isn't all about what you did in the regular season, it is about getting hot at the right time. A team as hot as BSU right now can be dangerous on any ice rink. The brick walls they have standing in their way is having 11 days off from their last two games, and going up against a Miami (Ohio) squad that played solid hockey. The Redhawks have made an impressive run taking down the No. 3 overall seed Denver, and then beating Minn. Duluth. Hockey is however a long season, and at this point it is one more win and your in the Saturday Championship game vs. either Vermont or No 1 overall seed Boston U. It is hard to say what any of these teams will do after playing at such a high level to take 11 days off and deal with the media, their families, practices, coaches, friends, etc. It will be entertaining one way or another and teams that do have high seeding in this tournament have been put on notice. The only that matters at the end is scoreboard.
In post-script here I must speak to that while the masses will be doing most of their holy week praying at Amen Corner, i implore anyone to switch a bit, back and forth between the putts and pucks. I promise you'll see some stars of tomorrow starting great careers on the main stage. Still don't believe me Bemidji State's former goaltender Matt Climiejust made another successful start for the Dallas Stars
Thursday, April 2, 2009
MOVING
After living in the same house for the first 18 years of my life, I've moved 9 times in the past 9 years. Yeah that is NINE TIMES (cue Ed Rooney from Ferris Bueler's Day off... 9 times.) This is becoming like a spring cleaning tradition, and still I don't get rid of as much as I should. I've moved this many times not because I didn't like where I was living, hmm ok some were after 18 years I was ready to leave home, after my freshman year in the dorms I was ready to get a real apartment, and after a crappy apartment I was really ready to split a townhouse with my friends.
So since I last graduated from college last year, my sister has saved me from living on the streets as I try to make it. So i had had no problem sharing an apartment, yet in the economy that we are in now finds us in a house at the same price as the apartment we were renting. Plus the space is great, the dog Nico loves having a back yard.
It is amazing what thoughts go through your head as you move boxes down flights of stairs, on and off trucks, and figure out where things go. I'm sure these became my facebook status over the past few days, but they bare repeating. The first is that moving your stuff requires stuff to keep you moving. Typically this is coffee,food, water, food, beer, sleep, and more coffee to get moving. The second gem is that once you have completely moved, you can't move at all, yet its ok because UHall trucks are just big games of tetris.
I swear the next time I move, and I know eventually my nomad bloodlines will cause me to move again. I'm getting a POD unit and having someone else deal with it.
Thanks for reading.
J.J. Gilmore
So since I last graduated from college last year, my sister has saved me from living on the streets as I try to make it. So i had had no problem sharing an apartment, yet in the economy that we are in now finds us in a house at the same price as the apartment we were renting. Plus the space is great, the dog Nico loves having a back yard.
It is amazing what thoughts go through your head as you move boxes down flights of stairs, on and off trucks, and figure out where things go. I'm sure these became my facebook status over the past few days, but they bare repeating. The first is that moving your stuff requires stuff to keep you moving. Typically this is coffee,food, water, food, beer, sleep, and more coffee to get moving. The second gem is that once you have completely moved, you can't move at all, yet its ok because UHall trucks are just big games of tetris.
I swear the next time I move, and I know eventually my nomad bloodlines will cause me to move again. I'm getting a POD unit and having someone else deal with it.
Thanks for reading.
J.J. Gilmore
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