World Series 2009 – Let’s Hear it for New York

This world series sucks.  It really couldn’t be worse.  At least for me.  A Mets fan (womp).

I love the Mets.  I love the Mets too much.  I put too much faith in them.  I live and die with them, which is usually in a slow, painful matter that really can only be relatable to a dying deer on the interstate or some poor fuck in the Saw series (what are we up to now? Saw fifteen? when will enough be enough? i haven’t seen one since Saw III, which was terrible, no good very bad (also, when is this dude going to die?  is he already dead? I’m asking way too many questions for someone who claims to hate this series and have no interest. well, there is always wikipedia.  Thank you, America) but I digress).

The shitty part about this World Series is that I really want to watch it, even though it means that one of the teams I hate the most is going to win.  There is a few options.  I can choose a side and live with it for now, or just not care at all about the Series.  I like baseball too much, and I really think this Series is going to be good…so I went with option one (the red pill, Neo) and the choice was clear.

The New York Yankees.

I spent a lot of time thinking about this, and began to realize things that may make others angry.  I don’t hate the New York Yankees.  I don’t at all.  Sometimes I hate they way they run their organization, the way that they throw money at anything and everything they can.  Sometimes I really really hate that.

Sometimes I really hate their players.  I don’t really like Melky Cabrera and Robby Cano.  I think they are assholes.  Moreso Melky.  He seems like a dick.  Jorge Posada is also getting on my nerves.  The way he bitched and moaned about not being able to catch AJ Burnett in the playoffs.  Grow up dude.  You’re old and decrepit.  If they Yankees want a sure-fire double play, they’ll have you pinch hit.  Grow up.

A-Rod is a different story.  I’ve already documented some of my thoughts regarding the big dude.  You can read them here. I’m too tired and lazy to write more about him, since some of my opinions and thoughts have definitely changed.  Oh well.  Maybe some other time.

But I like the winning mentality.  It sucks to hear it from Yankees fans, don’t get me wrong, but in a way it is cool to always be expected to be that good.  Could that be a cause of their payroll? Or an effect of it?  Is it their storied history?  Again…too tired to dig deeper.

I’m rooting for the Yankees because at least at this point, they are fun to watch.  I LOVE Nick Swisher, always have, always will. Loved him on the A’s, the Sox, and now the Yanks.  How can you not love to watch him?  The kid LOVES to play the game.  He has fun.  That’s what baseball is all about.  I mean, shit, it’s a fucking game.  I love Teixiera too.  Even when he was on the Braves I like this guy.  He’s a class act that can swing the shit out of a bat, and field the shit out of a ball.  I would have liked to seen him in Flushing everyday (fucking Delgado ugh).

Maybe it’s because I’m from New York.  I love this state, I love the city.  I’m always going to hate on (not hate…just hate on) the Yankees, and their fans are obnoxious and stupid.  But I can’t bring myself to root for the Phillies.  I just can’t.  I don’t like the city of Philadelphia, I hate their fans probably more, and I don’t like any Philly.  Maybe Jimmy Rollins due to his commercial for Dick’s.

I feel like other Mets fans (CJ) would give me shit for rooting for the Yankees.  But I’m sticking to my guns.  I was brought up in a pro-NY household.  My dad roots for both the Mets and Yankees, both the Giants and Jets.  Would some call him a bad fan?  Maybe.  But the guy just loves his NY sports.  That’s it.  I didn’t grow up hating the Yankees.  I’ve always had a little bit of them inside me, but I chose the NY Mets because as much as there is to lose with the Mets, there is that much more to gain.  Almost like LeBron staying with the Cavaliers (I’m making a bold assumption).  It’s the difference between being with something at the beginning and knowing you were there the whole way through rather than jumping on the bandwagon.

I’m sure that’s how Phillies fans feel.  But I don’t want any of that.  I don’t want them to win the World Series two years in a row.  The Mets are always going to be playing second fiddle in New York.  That’s how it is always going to be unless for some reason the Mets shift ownership in a positive direction and the Yankees have an epic spiral of disaster.

I don’t want to always play second fiddle in our division.  We spent too many years behind the Braves.  This is our chance now to come out and show the world who we are.  And I don’t want the Phillies standing in our way.

Don’t expect me to stand up and cheer for the Yankees (unless I’m drunk) but in all seriousness….these streets will make you feel brand new, these lights will inspire you.

Let’s hear it for New York.

RIP Jazz

I figured I continue my blog postings by relating it to my tweets…

As you may have heard in the news, the University of Connecticut family suffered a great loss.  One of our own Huskies was taken prematurely from us.  Jasper (Jazz) Howard, a 20 year old father-to-be, was killed by a single stab wound to the abdomen, not 12 hours after he played one of the best games of his life, in front of a sold out crowd at Rentschler Field for the 2009 Homecoming game.

He was a loving father, brother, teammate, friend, and son.

I’m not going to lie, I’ve never met Jasper.  Of course, being on the UConn campus the past few years I knew of him.  But when I heard the news that it was Jasper who had been stabbed and killed, my heart sank.  In my four years at UConn, there had been multiple deaths.  The most tragic being the loss of Carly Wines, who was killed in a hit-and-run by a drunk driver.  I still remember hearing about that.  It was terrible.  Words cannot describe how her parents and friends must have felt.  That was the closest death had reached me on campus.

But now I’m home.  I’m an alumnus.  But hearing about the loss of Jazz made me realize I am still so connected to the UConn community.  My physical connection extends to me wearing my UConn clothes and regalia.  But I am still incredibly emotionally connected to the UConn community.  I realized this not only through Jazz’s death, but through spending my Saturday getting hammered and seeing so many friends that I have not seen since May.  It feels good to know that I am still a part of this incredible family.

This realization also came through how hard I took Jazz’s death.

Maybe it was through watching the press conferences of Coach Edsall and Desi (Cullen, senior captain/punter).  The emotion that was pouring through these men was unbelievable.  Coach had lost one of his sons.  Desi, and the rest of the team, had lost a brother.

Maybe it was the report I read that two of Jasper’s teammates held him in their arms, covering his wound, trying to do whatever they could to resusitate him and keep him conscious.  No words can describe how they must feel.  I pray for them.

Maybe it was the fact that Jasper was going to be a father.  That he escaped the hood of little Haiti in Miami to play football, to be able to make money to support his mother.

Maybe it was the fact that Jasper loved his mother so much that he called her every night before he went to sleep.  He thought about leaving school after his freshman year so he could go home and work to support his mom.  It pains me to think of the phone call Coach Edsall had to make to Jasper’s mother.  It pains me that calls like these are made every day.

If I could say anything, I would ask you not to take what we have for granted.  I know I’ve said it before…but tell the ones you love just that.  The phrase “I Love You,” has the ability to lift someone’s soul from the ground to the stars.  Kiss your mom and dad, brothers and sisters, son and daughters goodbye and goodnight.  Give one random hug a day.  Sure, people are worried about swine flu, but just cough on them and everything will be fine.  If you believe in God, pray.  Thank Him for this day.  Thank him for the gift of life, because it can be gone in an instant.  Make peace, give Love, and Hope for a better tomorrow.

Jasper “Jazz” Howard, may the Angels lead you into Paradise.  Rest in Peace #6, forever a Husky in our hearts.

Twittexperiment

So i finally gave in.  I got an iPhone.  i figured it was time to get out of the stone age–although a Samsung Propel hardly seems like the stone age.  Oh well.  As much as I fear the endless capabilities of literally having the world at my fingertips, I thought it was best for me to finally upgrade.

So having the iPhone in my hands, I felt a need to continuously stay connected and updated.   Recently I’ve been updating my facebook status more (which is something I’ve never done…ever).  But what the hell, if you can’t beat them, join them.  That same saying can be applied to Twitter.

Twitter is something that I have found completely useless.  I still just don’t understand it.  I find it to be incredibly unnecessary on so many levels.  Does anyone really care what I think all day every day?  I would tend to think they would not.  A few of my friends have it, but most don’t.  So what would be the point of joining it?  I didn’t think there would be any.  But fuck it, I’m going to sign up anyway.  In starting to type this I have joined Twitter and begun to follow multiple celebrities (mostly really awesome ones (chris cooley, john mayer, MIKE TYSON)).  It’s not like anyone reads this blog, but I’ll keep you updated on how the Twittexperiement goes.  I find it hard that I am going to stay on and continue to Tweet after the novelty wears off.  I’ve had similar problems with this blog.  I don’t really post that often, as much as I would like to.  We’ll see.

Maybe, just maybe I can tweet my thoughts during the day, and then expand on them in larger form (with more than 140 characters).  That sounds like a decent idea.  This Twittexperiment sounds a lot better now.  Let’s see what happens.

In the meantime, check out my new favorite blog… http://chriscooley47.blogspot.com/ enjoy.

[Edit--I forgot to post a link to my new twitter account.  You can find me at twitter.com/denniscdowd

New Song/Lyrics

I’ve been working on this new song.  I’ve got some good ideas…but I really like these lyrics.  I’m not sure if I’d want to tell a story in a sequential way or sort of jump through time.  I think I’m just going to let it flesh itself out.  Here’s what I got so far.  Enjoy

And honestly I hope when I come home you’ve left the light on

For me, to find my way back from the bar,

I’ve been drinking my sorrows–I puked my guts up

So I can crawl back into bed, and nestle my head next to you

And although you don’t move I can still feel you breathe

I swear that’s all I need

And honestly I hope when I come home you’ve left the light on

For me, to find my way back from the bar,

I’ve been drinking my sorrows–I puked my guts up

So I can crawl back into bed, and nestle my head next to you

And although you don’t move I can still feel you breathe

I swear that’s all I need

Jared Allen = America

It’s official.  After watching Jared Allen do absolute WORK last night during the Vikings/Packers game, he has moved into pole position as my favorite player in the NFL.  His mullet, wild mustache, or the fact that he wears #69 all add to the fact that he is the most badass player in the League.  Here is some proof.  Enjoy.

I don’t even know

I hope I can sleep tonight.  There is no doubt in the 22 years I have been alive, that tomorrow will be the hardest day of my life.

Hope. Pray. May God have mercy.

Plea

Good song.  Good band….link to the video at the end.

Please run, please run
Please run away with me
Please come, please come
Please come and stay with me

I don’t know what to do if once more I lose you
It will tear me in two

If you should go right now, if you should go right now
If you should go right now, I want to see you but I don’t know how

Please run, please run
Please run away with me
Please come, please come
Please come and stay with me

I don’t know what to do if once more I lose you
It will tear me in two

If you should go right now
(I slit this cut in the black expanding sky)
If you should go right now
(The rain bleeds out before my jaded eyes)
If you should go right now
(I slit this cut in the black expanding sky)
To live without your love I don’t know how

On and on I go in this world
I’m lusting after every empty girl
As smoke spat from the rifle slowly swirls

But I can’t explain the way I feel
And all I know tonight is that it’s real

I’m praying, darling:

Maybe someday we, together can be the king and queen

(Make me believe you mean this)

Maybe someday we, together can be the king and queen
(I’ll believe this when I see it)
Maybe someday we, together can be the king and queen of all I’ve seen

What Sarah Said

This song reminds me of the Fall.  It also tugs at my heart.  It just hurts.  The most poignant lines of the song are “Love is watching someone die/Who’s going to watch you die?”

I mean, when you think about it, it’s true.  Part of love is watching the person you care about most slowly fade away (’til death do us part).  Crazy. Kinda freaks me out.  This video is kind of cool.

Why?

After a small hiatus.  I’m back.  Yep.

But I ask myself, “Why?”  Why do I do this?  Why do people blog, or twitter, or send constant facebook status updates?  Why?

I ask this because I’m going through an incredibly tough time in my life.  Not many people are going through what I am.  That doesn’t make me special, I still consider myself blessed.  Many, many more people have gone through MUCH worse than I am.  I guess…most of my peer group don’t go through things that I am going through.  That makes a little more sense I suppose…

I don’t want to get involved in exactly what is happening…at least not now.  But what I want to try and find out is why I would talk about it on a blog.  I just got out of the shower and–as I always do–was able to prod my own brain.  Here are some reasons as to why we use social media for personal things.  I’m going to use myself as an example.

1. Venting.  I want to get shit off my chest.  This is a way for me to do that.  I can type it out, hash out thoughts, express different feelings.  But why do we vent in a public forum?  Why can’t I just write it in a journal.

2.  Sympathy/Empathy.  The first word I thought of was Pity, but I don’t think that’s the right word.  I would lean more towards a word like Sympathy or Empathy.  Pity is more of an abrasive word, and conjures up negative associations.  Either way, it feels good to be sympathized or empathized with.  As much as we don’t want to admit it, there is some internal satisfaction when someone says “I feel for you,” or, “Are you OK?  I’m here for you,” or even something like, “I’m sorry.”  I mean, why else would we publicize our feelings?  Why else would people put “feel like shit” or whatever on their away messages.  We want some sort of recognition.  We want someone to feel for us and ask if we are ok.  Why else would you put that up?  BUT, there is still that sense of….

3. Pride.  The deadliest of sins.  This is why we keep our messages cryptic, at least sometimes.  We still want to remain humble and not ask the world, “Come pity me, let me cry on your shoulder!”  There are more subtle ways than shouting from the rooftops, and I feel like if we keep our messages subtle, it prompts the people we care about to dig deeper and find out more.

4. Recognition. Do I need to explain?  We love to be recognized and thought of.  There’s no doubt about that.

I can’t speak for everyone, I really can’t speak for anyone but myself really.  These are all just random thoughts typed aggressively onto a keyboard.  I’m just trying to figure it out why I have this blog, and why I choose to share my thoughts with the world.  Any thoughts?

I’m not trying to make this a sad piece of shit blog, I’ll still keep it funny (or at least what I find funny).  We’ll see.

God Bless.

SJP Part Deux

So, I just finished watching “Smart People.”  Decent movie.  I wanted to watch it for awhile.  Ellen Page [of Juno fame] was funny and very pretty and gorgeous, but not nearly as good as she could have been.  Thomas Hayden Church was AWESOME.  His mustache was unbelieveable and made and MAKES me want to grow a mustache just thinking of it.  We’ll see what happens, think after Vegas kiddies.

here’s the best part of the night.  I got to watch two movie with Denny Quaid in it.  Denny is on my all-time-Dennis list.  and he just moved rom #4 to #3.  That’s behind my father and then me.  First I saw him in “The Express,” a decent sports movie about the first black Heisman Trophy winner.  It was a good movie, but it was no “Miracle” [my favorite sports movie ever].  But no matter what movie he does, Denny Quaid exhibits class, honor, and integrity into his roles.

Also, I’m drunk.  Good night.

SJP

HOLY SHIT SARAH JESSICA PARKER LOOKS LIKE A WITCH!!!!!

Yep.  I’m drunk.  And I’m watching “Smart People.”   So far, a real good movie.

More updates later.

Get It Together

God bestowed upon me a heart that I sometimes believe is far too big for its own good.  He also gave me a voice.  I need to use one to help the other with its burden.  Time to start writing.

I’ll keep you [whoever you are] updated.

God Bless, and good night.

I love my mom.

I love my mom.  Simple as that.  Best mom in the world.

The Raven

I’m not sure how I got about to it, but I started Wikipedia[ing] Edgar Allen Poe and his mysterious death.  I think they may be coming out with a movie about it.  Apparently his death is still shrouded in controversy.  Other than The Telltale Heart, I’ve never actually read any Poe.  I’ve read a few abridged versions of some of his short stories however.  They were, as one would think Poe would be, incredibly creepy and dark.  I’d like to get around to actually reading them in his language, I would like to experience the fear and suspense that he was so famous for.

But this weekend I did get around to reading one of Poe’s most famous works, his poem “The Raven.”  I’ve always heard of the poem  and the famous line “Quoth the raven nevermore.”  I was pretty excited to read the entire thing all the way through.  I’ve included the entire poem here. Two lines stuck out to me as incredibly poignant and meaningful.

“Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before”

Think about that.  I love it.  More Poe to come.

Fire & Rain

Sorry I haven’t posted in awhile.  Am I apologizing to anyone?  Does anyone even read this.  Whatever the case, I digress.

I don’t know what spurned my interest, but I really want to start listening to more of James Taylor.  Every time I’ve listened to him, I’ve been nothing but incredibly impressed.  This is something I need to invest some time and maybe a little money into.  In the meantime, Fire & Rain is an incredible song.  At this point in my life it’s speaking to me, so I thought I’d share.  Enjoy.