This summer has had its share of crazy turns of events in the world of professional sports but none more so than in the case of Brett Favre. Here's what we've got to say to the man after all this latest news:
We thought you'd put up your jersey for good, called it a day once & for all. But no, Brett, you still felt you had a statement to make & didn't really want to retire. In the eyes of the higher-ups in Green Bay, though, they took a different take on the situation so they let you go. After roughly 15 years in a dreaded green & yellow uniform - & just when we thought your career was over, done, see you later - it's the start of a new era. And unfortunately, the VIPs in GB added, you couldn't be part of it. With a young buck like Aaron Rodgers with so much to prove to us, why keep an old-timer like you around? We thought you were done with our organization, right? You said it yourself.
And yet Brett felt he wasn't done with anything - that is, playing football. Now that Green Bay showed him the door, a lot of folks would think he would just give up, enjoy the rest of his days either on the sidelines or as an NFL commentator. But now he's here in the heart of New York, in a Jets uniform, no less. Sure beats the Giants any day, true, but he could have cut a much better deal if he gave the matter some thought. The Jets have been the beasts of burden in their division for an eternity, the division's lower class so to speak - & with a team like New England always taking center stage every year, that's not surprising. But during the postseason, they got some sweet deals & a renewed sense of purpose. Question is, will Favre be a factor?
One only hopes so. Unseating the Pats from the top of their division is going to be a major stretch but then again the Jets' NFC hometown counterpart, the Giants, could show Favre a thing or two in how to play like real champions (& how to knock off Tom Brady & company while they're ahead). When the regular season begins, we'll see what stuff this year's team is truly made of. Until then, we won't be hearing any Jets fans fuming about their latest acquisition.
And yet I feel Favre could have done better in weighing his options, considering more closely the teams who wanted a shot at him (like say, Tampa Bay, whose offense closely mirrors the man's playing style). He deserved better than he ended up getting, but hey, such is life in the world of post & preseason dealing in the NFL.
And don't count on him throwing in the towel after Game 8.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Getting started
In some of my last posts, I focused on fraternity recruitment & how necessary it is that everyone's prepared well in advance, before Rush Week so much begins. This one's for the new member/pledge educators, who also shouldn't be on vacation when it comes to laying the groundwork for this Fall's Pledge program. Here are some key guidelines which need to be taken into full consideration well before the PEs/NMEs receive this fall's latest class of new guys:
(1) If some of the stuff in question for this fall's pledging program is highly questionable, or done only to get the active brothers' kicks, it shouldn't be done - enough said.
(2) If we're perpetuating some of our trademark stunts from yore just for tradition's sake - "Oh, I had to do it so these new duders should too" - we should shut those antics on down.
(3) The new duders are aspiring to be chapter & with that Fraternity members, not our slaves.
(4) Are we designing our pledge programs just to make our prospectives "good pledges," rather than make them good brothers?
(5) see #4: Are we formulating our Fall pledge programs to determine how much our new guys truly want to become members of our fraternity instead of giving them the time of day to answer any questions they might have along the way? In either case, we shouldn't create programs which are in total variance or at cross purposes with everything our founders stood for.
(6) Don't make the new members do things you wouldn't envision yourself doing - seriously.
(7) You can't force unity out of the pledge classes which'll come your way: that's one of the premises for why we've got cliques/caste systems within this chapter or that, chapters where the brothers know little or nothing about any of their own or where some of the brothers are far more close knit than most. Unity should arise as the result of shared experiences, not out of fear or intimidation.
(8) As a pledge/new member education, one of our roles is not to disorient the duders under our wing. In fact, one of the key roles any PE/NME has in this program or that is to give the prospectives time to fully absorb, remember & understand the important lessons which the pledging program provides in spades, Initiation & Ritual. What are we gaining when some of the new guys are extremely anxious to get their stint as pledges over & done with? Well, their view on the chapter & with that the more important stuff about our Fraternity is going to be pretty fuzzy later on, so keep that in mind.
(9) Our pledge programs should consistently operate with the spirit & ideals of our Ritual, Ritual Statutes & Governing Laws - no more, no less than this.
(1) If some of the stuff in question for this fall's pledging program is highly questionable, or done only to get the active brothers' kicks, it shouldn't be done - enough said.
(2) If we're perpetuating some of our trademark stunts from yore just for tradition's sake - "Oh, I had to do it so these new duders should too" - we should shut those antics on down.
(3) The new duders are aspiring to be chapter & with that Fraternity members, not our slaves.
(4) Are we designing our pledge programs just to make our prospectives "good pledges," rather than make them good brothers?
(5) see #4: Are we formulating our Fall pledge programs to determine how much our new guys truly want to become members of our fraternity instead of giving them the time of day to answer any questions they might have along the way? In either case, we shouldn't create programs which are in total variance or at cross purposes with everything our founders stood for.
(6) Don't make the new members do things you wouldn't envision yourself doing - seriously.
(7) You can't force unity out of the pledge classes which'll come your way: that's one of the premises for why we've got cliques/caste systems within this chapter or that, chapters where the brothers know little or nothing about any of their own or where some of the brothers are far more close knit than most. Unity should arise as the result of shared experiences, not out of fear or intimidation.
(8) As a pledge/new member education, one of our roles is not to disorient the duders under our wing. In fact, one of the key roles any PE/NME has in this program or that is to give the prospectives time to fully absorb, remember & understand the important lessons which the pledging program provides in spades, Initiation & Ritual. What are we gaining when some of the new guys are extremely anxious to get their stint as pledges over & done with? Well, their view on the chapter & with that the more important stuff about our Fraternity is going to be pretty fuzzy later on, so keep that in mind.
(9) Our pledge programs should consistently operate with the spirit & ideals of our Ritual, Ritual Statutes & Governing Laws - no more, no less than this.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
In a matter of time, school will be back in session & with it all the anxieties, first-week jitters which are part & parcel of the college experience.
In the meantime, folks are formulating on what furniture, clothes, & other whatnot to bring along for their journey back to State U; back @ the frat house rooms are being tweaked up, painted...duders getting ready for the very first day back in town & what better way to be ready for Fall 2008 than to have their rooms all decked out in advance.
In the world of Fraternity Recruitment, this is no time to go to sleep. This is not time to sit back & twiddle one's thumbs until Rush Week arrives. This is serious business & thanks be to online networking sites like Facebook & Myspace, we've got the headstart on letting folks know about a perfect opportunity to go Greek, right?
True, we do have the running start - & not only that, we're giving the incoming freshmen (& other undergraduates who want to go Greek this fall) plenty of options to work with in terms of finding the right house to join. But at the same time, we shouldn't leave this issue well enough alone; we need to keep in touch with the prospectives while we're ahead so when Rush Week comes they're not left in the lurch on which houses they should check out. As anyone can see, Fraternity Recruitment is a yearlong process & at this time of year, our mindset should be no different.
At this time of year, getting the word out on our houses is pretty important & with that in mind, letting the prospectives know the whole truth & nothing but the whole truth about Sigs/SAE/Delts/&c. Are we ready?
In the meantime, folks are formulating on what furniture, clothes, & other whatnot to bring along for their journey back to State U; back @ the frat house rooms are being tweaked up, painted...duders getting ready for the very first day back in town & what better way to be ready for Fall 2008 than to have their rooms all decked out in advance.
In the world of Fraternity Recruitment, this is no time to go to sleep. This is not time to sit back & twiddle one's thumbs until Rush Week arrives. This is serious business & thanks be to online networking sites like Facebook & Myspace, we've got the headstart on letting folks know about a perfect opportunity to go Greek, right?
True, we do have the running start - & not only that, we're giving the incoming freshmen (& other undergraduates who want to go Greek this fall) plenty of options to work with in terms of finding the right house to join. But at the same time, we shouldn't leave this issue well enough alone; we need to keep in touch with the prospectives while we're ahead so when Rush Week comes they're not left in the lurch on which houses they should check out. As anyone can see, Fraternity Recruitment is a yearlong process & at this time of year, our mindset should be no different.
At this time of year, getting the word out on our houses is pretty important & with that in mind, letting the prospectives know the whole truth & nothing but the whole truth about Sigs/SAE/Delts/&c. Are we ready?
Monday, August 4, 2008
Still going strong
A week ago, the Cubbies might have been down, on the verge of going out. In fact, it felt like the latter half of 2007 all over again: Milwaukee (with CC Sabathia their latest acquisiton - how sweet of a deal is that?) & St. Louis competing with the Cubs for the top spot in the division. Eventually, the bottom fell out for St. Louis & it was a two-horse race between the Brewers & Chicago from then forward.
But now, saving any late season suspense, the Cubs are once again at the top of the NL Central's perch & loving every minute of their stay there. And after a four-game sweep of the Brewers @ Milwaukee (!!), they deserve to be loving life as their division's leaders. The next question is, can they sustain their momentum for the remainder of 2008?
Of course they can. Like last season has shown, Chicago has been in this position before & they know what's at stake. They've known what it's like to be in an offensive funk & hoping they could get out of it just in time for a key 3/4 game stint against, say, St. Lou or Milwaukee. They know firsthand that their hold on the division is a precarious one. Just ask their crosstown nemesis, the White Sox (who BTW are a half-game behind Minnesota in the AL Central).
But at the same time, the Cubbies have the offensive firepower to put any pitching corps to sleep early. And as far as their own pitching goes, with Zambrano & Dempster leading the way, how can you go wrong? The key for Chicago at this juncture on both ends of the field is to keep playing disciplined baseball - not to rest on their laurels, not to get complacent, just keep playing smart, no-nonsense baseball. It's not beyond them. A few games ahead of Milwaukee, one only hopes that Chicago not solely stays the course; one also hopes that the Cubbies keep playing up to their usual potential - in a word, that would be awesome.
But now, saving any late season suspense, the Cubs are once again at the top of the NL Central's perch & loving every minute of their stay there. And after a four-game sweep of the Brewers @ Milwaukee (!!), they deserve to be loving life as their division's leaders. The next question is, can they sustain their momentum for the remainder of 2008?
Of course they can. Like last season has shown, Chicago has been in this position before & they know what's at stake. They've known what it's like to be in an offensive funk & hoping they could get out of it just in time for a key 3/4 game stint against, say, St. Lou or Milwaukee. They know firsthand that their hold on the division is a precarious one. Just ask their crosstown nemesis, the White Sox (who BTW are a half-game behind Minnesota in the AL Central).
But at the same time, the Cubbies have the offensive firepower to put any pitching corps to sleep early. And as far as their own pitching goes, with Zambrano & Dempster leading the way, how can you go wrong? The key for Chicago at this juncture on both ends of the field is to keep playing disciplined baseball - not to rest on their laurels, not to get complacent, just keep playing smart, no-nonsense baseball. It's not beyond them. A few games ahead of Milwaukee, one only hopes that Chicago not solely stays the course; one also hopes that the Cubbies keep playing up to their usual potential - in a word, that would be awesome.
Who Would've Known?
I've always had a love for reading. At the same time, I've always had a fetish for used books & going to used bookstores to find cool reads. One book which has constantly evaded my grasp - & BTW, this is one book I'd recommend for you to go check on out - is Marcuse's Eros and Civilization. Each time I'd go to a used bookstore it was like no dice; I knew I'd stumble on to it eventually but when? Time & time again the very book I wanted to get seemed to be an elusive find, available yet in hiding as if to say to me, "Maybe next time. I'll slip up then & I'll be yours for the taking."
Just a short while ago I found not only Eros and Civilization but also An Essay on Liberation while I was at it. This goes to show that I'm not only a lucky sonofabuck when it comes to snatching up some awesome reads; it's just one aspect of a man who wants to keep learning & keep soaking up knowledge like a sponge. And I'm feeling pretty ecstatic, to tell you the truth.
Just a short while ago I found not only Eros and Civilization but also An Essay on Liberation while I was at it. This goes to show that I'm not only a lucky sonofabuck when it comes to snatching up some awesome reads; it's just one aspect of a man who wants to keep learning & keep soaking up knowledge like a sponge. And I'm feeling pretty ecstatic, to tell you the truth.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Book Sale summary
Just the other day, I decided to head on over to a book sale which the local library holds at this time of year. Not only was this a perfect opportunity to pick up some great reads at a major discount price but my time at the book sale was meant for another good cause: supporting the library from a financial standpoint as well.
I don't know if some people truly understand how important their trip to a library-sponsored book sale can be. But it's important for the following reasons:
(1) the dinero you end up spending at the booksale is (however slight it might be) a financial boost which the library could use in their favor;
(2) the funding which comes from the book sale gets channeled into a variety of projects & events connected to the library/which the library is promoting;
(3) it also goes to show much you support not solely your local library but also proves that your gift, small though it is, means a whole lot just by showing up to buy some used books.
I grabbed several books while I was there; I expected some of last year's energy in finding all these awesome books to snatch up to carry over into this year's extravaganza. But it took just one stop to find some classic works worth getting...not three or four stops before I was done finding all the reading material I could ever want. Aw well though; you can't win them all.
And I'm a pretty happy man right now...
I don't know if some people truly understand how important their trip to a library-sponsored book sale can be. But it's important for the following reasons:
(1) the dinero you end up spending at the booksale is (however slight it might be) a financial boost which the library could use in their favor;
(2) the funding which comes from the book sale gets channeled into a variety of projects & events connected to the library/which the library is promoting;
(3) it also goes to show much you support not solely your local library but also proves that your gift, small though it is, means a whole lot just by showing up to buy some used books.
I grabbed several books while I was there; I expected some of last year's energy in finding all these awesome books to snatch up to carry over into this year's extravaganza. But it took just one stop to find some classic works worth getting...not three or four stops before I was done finding all the reading material I could ever want. Aw well though; you can't win them all.
And I'm a pretty happy man right now...
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
My favorite post-rock albums. Ever.
Tortoise, TNT.
Tortoise, Standards.
pretty much any album by Stereolab (check my last post)
Jim O'Rourke, Eureka.
Mogwai, Happy Songs for Happy People.
any album by Explosions In The Sky, enough said.
Godspeed You Black Emperor - F#a#.
Godspeed You Black Emperor - Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven.
Labradford - Mi Media Naranja, E Luxo So.
Sigur Ros - ( ).
Tortoise, Standards.
pretty much any album by Stereolab (check my last post)
Jim O'Rourke, Eureka.
Mogwai, Happy Songs for Happy People.
any album by Explosions In The Sky, enough said.
Godspeed You Black Emperor - F#a#.
Godspeed You Black Emperor - Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven.
Labradford - Mi Media Naranja, E Luxo So.
Sigur Ros - ( ).
My fave Stereolab albums
If I had a list of favorite Stereolab albums to share with you all. they would be the following:
(1) Dots and Loops.
(2) Emperor Tomato Ketchup.
(3) Cobra & Phases Group...
(4) Margerine Eclipse.
(5) Sound-Dust.
(6) Mars Audiac Quintet.
(1) Dots and Loops.
(2) Emperor Tomato Ketchup.
(3) Cobra & Phases Group...
(4) Margerine Eclipse.
(5) Sound-Dust.
(6) Mars Audiac Quintet.
chemical reaction
Just under a month from now, Stereolab will be releasing its latest platter of goodies, Chemical Chords. Not only is this the first album since the 2004 effort Margerine Eclipse (FYI: the 2006 release Fab Four Suture wasn't an album per se; it was a compilation of singles, a sidebar release of sorts); it's also a breath of fresh musical air. Not only are the songs shorter & more compact from what I've heard; it's also a little throwback to 1996's Emperor Tomato Ketchup. Add (High Llamas frontman) Sean O'Hagan's horn & string arrangements into the mix & we might have another winner on our hands. The first & foremost download off Chemical Chords, "Three Women," is perfect proof that the groop is still good at what it does best - quirky songcraft, quirky instrumentation... - & that my predictions of them releasing another awesome album might be right on the money after all.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Rushing around
True, it's midsummer but when it comes to Fraternity recruitment, no recruitment chairman should go on vacation.
But why is that? you may ask.
Fraternity Recruitment is a big deal, especially with incoming freshmen shopping around for the right house to join as well as to delve into the whole truth about Greek life in general. The worst we could do is go to sleep & not give these duders a point of reference which they can turn to when it comes to making a wise, valuable decision on accepting a bid from Sigma Chi or Delts, etc.
For those recruitment chairs who have Fall 08 Rush Week groups up on Facebook, I commend them for their efforts since they've got some of their groundwork done in advance. Not only can incoming freshmen (as well as other undergraduates) get a chance to do their research about our chapter & the accomplishments it has achieved but if we stop to think about it we're giving them an opportunity to look at what makes Sigs/Fiji/SigEp such an awesome fraternity to begin with. And if our chapter has an impressive track record (not only in its social aspect or in intramurals but especially from an academic perspective), duders will be convinced, duders will want to ask questions, duders will sincerely want to consider going Greek. True, the Activity Fair & Rush Week are perfect occasions for incoming freshmen to delve into Greek life & what makes it so amazing but when we've got Facebook groups which are dedicated to Fall Rush 2008 & duders should happen to stumble across them, we've made our work a bit easier (if not exponentially) & all this by planning ahead.
This isn't to say that we should discount the old-fashioned way of finding duders to go Greek; we shouldn't BTW. If we know of any duder whom we went to high school with who is quality material for this house or that, we should let them know about not only Rush Week & the events associated with this whole timeframe but also the Facebook groups devoted to Fall Rush while we're at it. If we know of men who want to rush, but are a bit uncertain or leery about taking that major step into going Greek, we should give them a firsthand experience on why we went Greek to begin with as well as other points of reference to turn to (e.g. our fraternity's main website, not just our chapter's!!).
Either way we look at it, recruitment is a yearly process. And what time we should devote to vacay is time where we should be laying the groundwork, making formulations for Fall Rush '08. For those who have got their work ready to go or at least well underway, God bless them, because they know what's up.
As anyone worth their salt knows, recruitment doesn't happen once a semester; it's all year long.
But why is that? you may ask.
Fraternity Recruitment is a big deal, especially with incoming freshmen shopping around for the right house to join as well as to delve into the whole truth about Greek life in general. The worst we could do is go to sleep & not give these duders a point of reference which they can turn to when it comes to making a wise, valuable decision on accepting a bid from Sigma Chi or Delts, etc.
For those recruitment chairs who have Fall 08 Rush Week groups up on Facebook, I commend them for their efforts since they've got some of their groundwork done in advance. Not only can incoming freshmen (as well as other undergraduates) get a chance to do their research about our chapter & the accomplishments it has achieved but if we stop to think about it we're giving them an opportunity to look at what makes Sigs/Fiji/SigEp such an awesome fraternity to begin with. And if our chapter has an impressive track record (not only in its social aspect or in intramurals but especially from an academic perspective), duders will be convinced, duders will want to ask questions, duders will sincerely want to consider going Greek. True, the Activity Fair & Rush Week are perfect occasions for incoming freshmen to delve into Greek life & what makes it so amazing but when we've got Facebook groups which are dedicated to Fall Rush 2008 & duders should happen to stumble across them, we've made our work a bit easier (if not exponentially) & all this by planning ahead.
This isn't to say that we should discount the old-fashioned way of finding duders to go Greek; we shouldn't BTW. If we know of any duder whom we went to high school with who is quality material for this house or that, we should let them know about not only Rush Week & the events associated with this whole timeframe but also the Facebook groups devoted to Fall Rush while we're at it. If we know of men who want to rush, but are a bit uncertain or leery about taking that major step into going Greek, we should give them a firsthand experience on why we went Greek to begin with as well as other points of reference to turn to (e.g. our fraternity's main website, not just our chapter's!!).
Either way we look at it, recruitment is a yearly process. And what time we should devote to vacay is time where we should be laying the groundwork, making formulations for Fall Rush '08. For those who have got their work ready to go or at least well underway, God bless them, because they know what's up.
As anyone worth their salt knows, recruitment doesn't happen once a semester; it's all year long.
#41
Two days ago, we marked the 41st anniversary of John Coltrane's passing. Even now, I'm wondering about the musical directions which Trane could have taken had he not left this earth so soon; up to his death, the man was on a mission as if he still had so much to say, so much unexpressed emotion which needed to get delivered to us through his tenor saxophone.
At this point in his career - & in the august of his life - Trane was moving into a freer vibe with his playing & his bandmates in the Quintet were the perfect fit for his undertakings. Not only was the music more intense, more passionate, more calm, more turbulent - & each of those four adjectives have always been perfect ways to describe John Coltrane's style of play - but it was starting to find focus as well, as the recordings on Stellar Regions point out so vividly. If JC had lived a while longer, this is what his music would have sounded like for sure.
The next question is, if Trane were still alive, would he have gone the route his role models did & made music which was pleasing to the ear or made smooth jazz elevator music (think Miles Davis in the 1980s) or would he have been the same fearless man as always, relentlessly plotting new musical ground for us to take note of, taking his music to previously unchartered turf? In my own personal opinion, I feel that he would have chose the latter route. At a time when record companies wanted their artists to sound more commercial, more accessible (& therefore help sell more albums), Trane stuck to his guns & the powers that be couldn't stop him from staking claims to freer, more celestial musical realms.
Had Trane not left us so soon, who knows what his music would have sounded like. But we can be grateful for the body of work he left behind for us to listen to, to take note of, to appreciate after multiple listens & most of all to love.
At this point in his career - & in the august of his life - Trane was moving into a freer vibe with his playing & his bandmates in the Quintet were the perfect fit for his undertakings. Not only was the music more intense, more passionate, more calm, more turbulent - & each of those four adjectives have always been perfect ways to describe John Coltrane's style of play - but it was starting to find focus as well, as the recordings on Stellar Regions point out so vividly. If JC had lived a while longer, this is what his music would have sounded like for sure.
The next question is, if Trane were still alive, would he have gone the route his role models did & made music which was pleasing to the ear or made smooth jazz elevator music (think Miles Davis in the 1980s) or would he have been the same fearless man as always, relentlessly plotting new musical ground for us to take note of, taking his music to previously unchartered turf? In my own personal opinion, I feel that he would have chose the latter route. At a time when record companies wanted their artists to sound more commercial, more accessible (& therefore help sell more albums), Trane stuck to his guns & the powers that be couldn't stop him from staking claims to freer, more celestial musical realms.
Had Trane not left us so soon, who knows what his music would have sounded like. But we can be grateful for the body of work he left behind for us to listen to, to take note of, to appreciate after multiple listens & most of all to love.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Current playlist #10
The Mars Volta, "Eriatarka," De-Loused in the Comatorium
The Mars Volta, "L'Via L'Viaquez," Frances The Mute
Can, "Future Days," Future Days
Can, "Chain Reaction > Quantum Physics," Soon Over Babaluma
Isis, "Dulcinea," In The Absence Of Truth
Isis, "Backlit," Panopticon
Yes, "Yours Is No Disgrace," The Yes Album
Yes, "Heart of the Sunrise," Fragile
The Mars Volta, "L'Via L'Viaquez," Frances The Mute
Can, "Future Days," Future Days
Can, "Chain Reaction > Quantum Physics," Soon Over Babaluma
Isis, "Dulcinea," In The Absence Of Truth
Isis, "Backlit," Panopticon
Yes, "Yours Is No Disgrace," The Yes Album
Yes, "Heart of the Sunrise," Fragile
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Quotes of the day
Secret Thoughts of The Ritual
by Edward M. King
There are many of us around. Some of us are very informal and loosely structured, others are very formal and precisely worded. Whether you are aware of it or not, your whole life is based on certain ritualistic patterns. The way you get up in the morning, the way you study, the way you organize your social life, the way you speak and write, these are all based on certain habits or routines that you develop and are performed, by and large, in an informal ritualistic way.
Today I would like to share with you some thoughts on another kind of ritual. One that is considered very private and is often esoteric. I am the fraternity ritual. One that you will find locked in a file in the corner of some dark office. Because I don't get used or opened up very often, I have a lot of time to think and I'd like to share with you some of my thoughts. Sometimes, I go through a real identity crises. Who am I? What am I? Why am I? In order to know what a thing is, you must first know what it is for. You tell what a thing is for by the way it is used.
Although there are some exceptions in the way I am used, let me tell you how the majority of fraternity chapters use me. The vast amount of my time is spent in a dark cabinet, locked up and gathering dust. About once a semester there comes a mad rush for my existence, people literally scrambling, and all of a sudden I become very important. It's really funny because many times they can't find me. They forget where I was placed and a mild panic sets in until finally they dig me out from under the stacks of constitutions, by-laws, and chapter minutes. Once I am found, I am under 24-hour surveillance. It's almost as if I'm being digested, but that's not really it; what's happening is that I'm being memorized. I'm literally studied word for word, phrase for phrase, with, "Well let me just copy my part," then the argument gets hotter because somebody says, "No, it's not legal to copy anything out of the ritual." Some people, however, go ahead and fudge a bit and copy their part and then pass me on.
After being up almost all day and all night for a week, I am taken to a dimly lighted room where a number of people are gathered. There I am presented with much feeling and serious drama. It is obviously a moment of great climax for some of the people, for they are seeing and hearing me for the very first time. Shortly after the ceremony, I am brought back to the dark room and placed in the locked file drawer and I am not seen or heard of until the end of the next semester. In this case, as a ritual, what am I? Well, as I see it, I am a perfunctory service that must be performed in order to get new members into an organization. Once the initiation is over, I'm pretty much pigeonholed until the next class is to be initiated.
However, in some fraternity houses I exist in quite a different fashion. Shortly after the initiation the brothers come in one by one, get me out of the drawer and look me over carefully. Some just like to read me, others try to memorize me. Whatever the case, I like it when they use me. Sometimes they even argue over me, and this gets exciting because you see that's what I'm about. I'm meant to be read carefully, discussed and even argued about. Yes, in fact, I can even be changed. I'm really a very human document, one that was written down some time ago after a great deal of thought of one or two men and I have been reworded, rephrased and re-evaluated many, many times.
In order to know what I'm really about, I need to be perpetually used and studied. (Too often the members mention me only at initiation time and I'm really meant for much more than that.) In fact, one of my most important missions is to help the chapter at its weekly meetings. If I am understood and used properly at these weekly meetings, I can use really hel the chapter get things together. There are always a few men who don't like to use me and put up a bit argument about having an informal chapter meeting. What a joke that usually turns out to be. Most informal chapter meetings last a heck of a lot longer than formal chapter meetings where I'm used. As I've listened to people and watched how they use me, a couple of important thoughts have crossed my mind. First, the fraternities have done an excellent job in keeping me an esoteric document that is, basically a secret document and therein is much of the problem. Not only am I a secret document to the outside, I am a secret to most of the members as well. They really don't know or understand me because they've never reallt studied me. Some people, I suspect, would like to keep me very, very secret because if non-members found out what I stood for, they might expect the members to live by it and that would be very difficult. Therefore, they keep me secret and they won't have to change their lifestyle.
Although I can be used in different ways and for different things, when you boil me down to my fundamental essence, I'm essentially one thing, a system of values. I don't change very much because I am the product of history and the spirit of man and how he relates to his fellow man and to his God. The relationship between man and man, and man and God, has never been a static one. It is confusing and illuminating, painful and exciting, a separation and a reunion and although I appear to be a contradiction, I am really no more of a contradiction than man himself. Too frequently we forget that man is both animal and spiritual in nature, and to reconcile the two can often be painful, confusing and frightening. And that is why it is so critical that man understands who I am and what I am for.
Because I am a system of values, I am therefore an instrument of self-evaluation. My values are clear and absolute and yet difficult to emulate. To state a few, I am honor, courage, integrity, fidelity, courtesy and I demand self-control as well as ambition and humility. What your Founders did is take the idea of friendship and move it a significant step forward to the concept of commitment.
Those of you who are leaders in your fraternity chapter - leaders both formal and informal - must continue to ask yourselves how you can improve in articulating to your members the message of your fraternity. Why is that some of the members get it and others do not? To some the message goes deep and becomes a part of their very being, while for others it never scratches the surface. Ask yourself the question when you attend your regional meetings, your workshops, retreats, leadership schools, how much time do you spend discussing and sharing with each other what personal effect I have had on your lives? Do you, as so many chapters do, use me to start the meetings and close the meetings and become so involved in your day to day business that you forget I am there to be reflected upon? For those of you who do understand and use me, are you afraid or ashamed to share those experiences and thoughts with your fellow brothers? Those of you who are fraternity leaders, and are not using me in this way are very derelict in your responsibilities, your duties, and the very oath that you took when you became a member and an officer in your fraternity. For, you see, as written in your esoteric manuals, I am really of very little value unless you and the other brothers come and through your mutual sharing begin to experience the essence and the depth of my message. Then you and I are activated by the real charge into your spiritual and moral fiber that is possible for all men but achieved by too few. The effectiveness of my message is in direct proportion to your knowledge and belief in my values.
If there is something about me that you do not like, then ask the convention of your fraternity to change me, but for God's sake do not ignore me. It is the indifference to and the ignorance of my essential message that continues the stifle the growth of the fraternity system. Never has the time been so ripe as this period in our history when the young people of today on our college campuses are crying out for the kind of message, guidance, value, and leadership that has been so long hidden in my pages.
If you would just realize that by better knowing and understanding me, many of your day-to-day problems, housing, collections, and apathy, would simply fade away and not exist.
Basically I am a road map to help a person along his journey of life and assist him in his communion with his fellow travelers. Who am I? Your ritual. What am I? A system of values. What am I for? My purpose is not to make you just a better fraternity man, but more importantly, a better human being.
-Edward M. King
Bradley 1954
Sigma Chi Fraternity
by Edward M. King
There are many of us around. Some of us are very informal and loosely structured, others are very formal and precisely worded. Whether you are aware of it or not, your whole life is based on certain ritualistic patterns. The way you get up in the morning, the way you study, the way you organize your social life, the way you speak and write, these are all based on certain habits or routines that you develop and are performed, by and large, in an informal ritualistic way.
Today I would like to share with you some thoughts on another kind of ritual. One that is considered very private and is often esoteric. I am the fraternity ritual. One that you will find locked in a file in the corner of some dark office. Because I don't get used or opened up very often, I have a lot of time to think and I'd like to share with you some of my thoughts. Sometimes, I go through a real identity crises. Who am I? What am I? Why am I? In order to know what a thing is, you must first know what it is for. You tell what a thing is for by the way it is used.
Although there are some exceptions in the way I am used, let me tell you how the majority of fraternity chapters use me. The vast amount of my time is spent in a dark cabinet, locked up and gathering dust. About once a semester there comes a mad rush for my existence, people literally scrambling, and all of a sudden I become very important. It's really funny because many times they can't find me. They forget where I was placed and a mild panic sets in until finally they dig me out from under the stacks of constitutions, by-laws, and chapter minutes. Once I am found, I am under 24-hour surveillance. It's almost as if I'm being digested, but that's not really it; what's happening is that I'm being memorized. I'm literally studied word for word, phrase for phrase, with, "Well let me just copy my part," then the argument gets hotter because somebody says, "No, it's not legal to copy anything out of the ritual." Some people, however, go ahead and fudge a bit and copy their part and then pass me on.
After being up almost all day and all night for a week, I am taken to a dimly lighted room where a number of people are gathered. There I am presented with much feeling and serious drama. It is obviously a moment of great climax for some of the people, for they are seeing and hearing me for the very first time. Shortly after the ceremony, I am brought back to the dark room and placed in the locked file drawer and I am not seen or heard of until the end of the next semester. In this case, as a ritual, what am I? Well, as I see it, I am a perfunctory service that must be performed in order to get new members into an organization. Once the initiation is over, I'm pretty much pigeonholed until the next class is to be initiated.
However, in some fraternity houses I exist in quite a different fashion. Shortly after the initiation the brothers come in one by one, get me out of the drawer and look me over carefully. Some just like to read me, others try to memorize me. Whatever the case, I like it when they use me. Sometimes they even argue over me, and this gets exciting because you see that's what I'm about. I'm meant to be read carefully, discussed and even argued about. Yes, in fact, I can even be changed. I'm really a very human document, one that was written down some time ago after a great deal of thought of one or two men and I have been reworded, rephrased and re-evaluated many, many times.
In order to know what I'm really about, I need to be perpetually used and studied. (Too often the members mention me only at initiation time and I'm really meant for much more than that.) In fact, one of my most important missions is to help the chapter at its weekly meetings. If I am understood and used properly at these weekly meetings, I can use really hel the chapter get things together. There are always a few men who don't like to use me and put up a bit argument about having an informal chapter meeting. What a joke that usually turns out to be. Most informal chapter meetings last a heck of a lot longer than formal chapter meetings where I'm used. As I've listened to people and watched how they use me, a couple of important thoughts have crossed my mind. First, the fraternities have done an excellent job in keeping me an esoteric document that is, basically a secret document and therein is much of the problem. Not only am I a secret document to the outside, I am a secret to most of the members as well. They really don't know or understand me because they've never reallt studied me. Some people, I suspect, would like to keep me very, very secret because if non-members found out what I stood for, they might expect the members to live by it and that would be very difficult. Therefore, they keep me secret and they won't have to change their lifestyle.
Although I can be used in different ways and for different things, when you boil me down to my fundamental essence, I'm essentially one thing, a system of values. I don't change very much because I am the product of history and the spirit of man and how he relates to his fellow man and to his God. The relationship between man and man, and man and God, has never been a static one. It is confusing and illuminating, painful and exciting, a separation and a reunion and although I appear to be a contradiction, I am really no more of a contradiction than man himself. Too frequently we forget that man is both animal and spiritual in nature, and to reconcile the two can often be painful, confusing and frightening. And that is why it is so critical that man understands who I am and what I am for.
Because I am a system of values, I am therefore an instrument of self-evaluation. My values are clear and absolute and yet difficult to emulate. To state a few, I am honor, courage, integrity, fidelity, courtesy and I demand self-control as well as ambition and humility. What your Founders did is take the idea of friendship and move it a significant step forward to the concept of commitment.
Those of you who are leaders in your fraternity chapter - leaders both formal and informal - must continue to ask yourselves how you can improve in articulating to your members the message of your fraternity. Why is that some of the members get it and others do not? To some the message goes deep and becomes a part of their very being, while for others it never scratches the surface. Ask yourself the question when you attend your regional meetings, your workshops, retreats, leadership schools, how much time do you spend discussing and sharing with each other what personal effect I have had on your lives? Do you, as so many chapters do, use me to start the meetings and close the meetings and become so involved in your day to day business that you forget I am there to be reflected upon? For those of you who do understand and use me, are you afraid or ashamed to share those experiences and thoughts with your fellow brothers? Those of you who are fraternity leaders, and are not using me in this way are very derelict in your responsibilities, your duties, and the very oath that you took when you became a member and an officer in your fraternity. For, you see, as written in your esoteric manuals, I am really of very little value unless you and the other brothers come and through your mutual sharing begin to experience the essence and the depth of my message. Then you and I are activated by the real charge into your spiritual and moral fiber that is possible for all men but achieved by too few. The effectiveness of my message is in direct proportion to your knowledge and belief in my values.
If there is something about me that you do not like, then ask the convention of your fraternity to change me, but for God's sake do not ignore me. It is the indifference to and the ignorance of my essential message that continues the stifle the growth of the fraternity system. Never has the time been so ripe as this period in our history when the young people of today on our college campuses are crying out for the kind of message, guidance, value, and leadership that has been so long hidden in my pages.
If you would just realize that by better knowing and understanding me, many of your day-to-day problems, housing, collections, and apathy, would simply fade away and not exist.
Basically I am a road map to help a person along his journey of life and assist him in his communion with his fellow travelers. Who am I? Your ritual. What am I? A system of values. What am I for? My purpose is not to make you just a better fraternity man, but more importantly, a better human being.
-Edward M. King
Bradley 1954
Sigma Chi Fraternity
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Out, in need of support
The following was written by a straight man, aka yours truly.
In the distant past (& not so distant), being a member of the Greek community was something to take great pride & joy in - still is, BTW. But when it came to fraternity members revealing their sexual orientation to their fellow brothers, more often than not, for fear of ostracism, they would resort to the following: a) keep their sexual preference a secret for the longest time, then decide to come out sometime during the new millennium; b) have a "girlfriend" on the side, as some sort of prop or facade to convince their brothers that they were one of the guys (i.e. straight as can be); c) launching into every denial & rationalization they could think of if the issue of their sexual orientation arose...among other coping mechanisms at their disposal to keep their gay status out of the picture.
Many men who wore letters & who were closeted somehow braved the elements & came out later on, once the undergraduate baggage was put behind them; others weren't so lucky, facing scorn & ostracism from every sector, who felt that being both Greek & gay didn't mix & was a travesty to every principle their fraternities' respective founders stood by. Nowadays, however, the tide has turned: it seems acceptable to be a part of the Greek system as well as gay & live up to the billing of men of good character, balanced men, men of integrity.
Take the tale of Travis Shumake as a case in point. (He was a Sigma Chi @ Northern Arizona University - the same fraternity I am an alumni of.) He was an out cheerleader & freshman class president. Upon meeting the men of Sigma Chi initially, most of them were won over right away - in fact, he was a perfect fit for Sigs, being a legacy - that is to say, Travis' father was a Sig so that credential alone essentially gave him a bid to join Sigma Chi.
Catch is, he didn't get a bid. Some seniors decided Shumake wasn't the right dude to join their chapter, for fear that their chapter might become known as the "gay" fraternity & they didn't want to earn that label. So Travis rushed Phi Delta Theta, this time getting a bid & he entered the process of pledgeship. But again, fate had other plans for Travis: one of the senior brothers gave the chapter an ultimatum, fearing the worst if a gay man were initiated into Phi Delt & it could be best summarized like so - "Either he goes or I go." Since Shumake wasn't even initiated yet, the active Phi Delts had no choice but to carry out their chaptermate's ultimatum & booted Travis from the chapter.
After such an ordeal, you'd think that Travis would've cleansed his hands of all things Greek, which he did - only momentarily, though. By the time Sigma Chi re-entered the picture, all the duders who were against Brother Shumake becoming a member of their chapter had graduated & so the remainder who stayed on hoping to make amends by giving him another bid. This time around, he accepted the offer & look at how far he's come since then.
As Travis Shumake's story indicates, & countless other Greek fraternity members will echo his sentiments (e.g. Andrew Goldstein), telling your chapter you're not only one of their own, but also that you're gay - now that can be a struggle as well as a fight. But somehow, instead of becoming resistant or standoffish once the truth comes out, more fraternity members are willing to lend their support, to stand by their out brothers through thick & thin. This isn't to say that the majority of straight Greek men will automatically give a newly out brother a warm reception & life will go on as usual; life does go on but it's different from the very moment one of their own tells them, "I'm gay," at the next chapter meeting.
And yet there's hope, even more so than ever. To be both gay & a member of the Greek community is not only acceptable & becoming more apparent; to be both of the above is also a testament to knowing oneself, finding one's place in this world as well as the chapter house.
At the same time, it's a challenge. Just ask Travis or Andrew about that.
In the distant past (& not so distant), being a member of the Greek community was something to take great pride & joy in - still is, BTW. But when it came to fraternity members revealing their sexual orientation to their fellow brothers, more often than not, for fear of ostracism, they would resort to the following: a) keep their sexual preference a secret for the longest time, then decide to come out sometime during the new millennium; b) have a "girlfriend" on the side, as some sort of prop or facade to convince their brothers that they were one of the guys (i.e. straight as can be); c) launching into every denial & rationalization they could think of if the issue of their sexual orientation arose...among other coping mechanisms at their disposal to keep their gay status out of the picture.
Many men who wore letters & who were closeted somehow braved the elements & came out later on, once the undergraduate baggage was put behind them; others weren't so lucky, facing scorn & ostracism from every sector, who felt that being both Greek & gay didn't mix & was a travesty to every principle their fraternities' respective founders stood by. Nowadays, however, the tide has turned: it seems acceptable to be a part of the Greek system as well as gay & live up to the billing of men of good character, balanced men, men of integrity.
Take the tale of Travis Shumake as a case in point. (He was a Sigma Chi @ Northern Arizona University - the same fraternity I am an alumni of.) He was an out cheerleader & freshman class president. Upon meeting the men of Sigma Chi initially, most of them were won over right away - in fact, he was a perfect fit for Sigs, being a legacy - that is to say, Travis' father was a Sig so that credential alone essentially gave him a bid to join Sigma Chi.
Catch is, he didn't get a bid. Some seniors decided Shumake wasn't the right dude to join their chapter, for fear that their chapter might become known as the "gay" fraternity & they didn't want to earn that label. So Travis rushed Phi Delta Theta, this time getting a bid & he entered the process of pledgeship. But again, fate had other plans for Travis: one of the senior brothers gave the chapter an ultimatum, fearing the worst if a gay man were initiated into Phi Delt & it could be best summarized like so - "Either he goes or I go." Since Shumake wasn't even initiated yet, the active Phi Delts had no choice but to carry out their chaptermate's ultimatum & booted Travis from the chapter.
After such an ordeal, you'd think that Travis would've cleansed his hands of all things Greek, which he did - only momentarily, though. By the time Sigma Chi re-entered the picture, all the duders who were against Brother Shumake becoming a member of their chapter had graduated & so the remainder who stayed on hoping to make amends by giving him another bid. This time around, he accepted the offer & look at how far he's come since then.
As Travis Shumake's story indicates, & countless other Greek fraternity members will echo his sentiments (e.g. Andrew Goldstein), telling your chapter you're not only one of their own, but also that you're gay - now that can be a struggle as well as a fight. But somehow, instead of becoming resistant or standoffish once the truth comes out, more fraternity members are willing to lend their support, to stand by their out brothers through thick & thin. This isn't to say that the majority of straight Greek men will automatically give a newly out brother a warm reception & life will go on as usual; life does go on but it's different from the very moment one of their own tells them, "I'm gay," at the next chapter meeting.
And yet there's hope, even more so than ever. To be both gay & a member of the Greek community is not only acceptable & becoming more apparent; to be both of the above is also a testament to knowing oneself, finding one's place in this world as well as the chapter house.
At the same time, it's a challenge. Just ask Travis or Andrew about that.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Ringing The Alarm
Chi-town's fab four of indie rock, The Sea and Cake, have got a new album coming out in late October called Car Alarm. Sure beats waiting 2-3 years between TSAC efforts; the successor to last year's awesome Everybody, Car Alarm should be another breath of musical fresh air once it comes out three months from now. Could this be another rush of inspired album-making from TSAC since their 1995 trio of indie-rock bliss (their self-titled debut, Nassau, The Biz)? We shall see, we shall see. Until 10/21/08, brace yourselves. Seriously, brace yourselves.
Re-loaded, expanded, deluxe!!
It kind of amazes me when this record company or that, in an effort to exponentially boost the sales of their best selling albums (I'm only talking about releases which came out during the past two years or so), decide to re-release them in an expanded/deluxe edition. It's like WTF? I mean, the original releases are selling enough already all by their lonesome & without those loathed bonus tracks, so why push the envelope & add a few more tunes at the 11th hour? (Hello...) Which brings me to the next question: couldn't these record labels save the hit of the day (which more often than not is the only additional song worth checking out on any expanded/deluxe CD) for another release? What were they thinking anyways? The artists in question could have at least recorded it for their original efforts to begin with or saved the hit of the day for a soundtrack. But for Sony or Universal to decide to say to certain performers on their payroll, "Hey, let's add a few more songs onto this album or that to boost our sales," well, in my own personal opinion, is a bit much.
When it comes to leaving a work of art well enough alone, I'm a firm believer that it shouldn't have to be tampered with to still be enduring & have a lasting impact. Unless it's a classic album by awesome performers (Ramones, Joy Division, The Pogues, among others), it shouldn't have to be remodified to keep the money flowing into the cash registers. Just leave it like so, for crying out loud!!
What's next? The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band re-reloaded, revisited? Let's hope not. For once, let's hope not.
When it comes to leaving a work of art well enough alone, I'm a firm believer that it shouldn't have to be tampered with to still be enduring & have a lasting impact. Unless it's a classic album by awesome performers (Ramones, Joy Division, The Pogues, among others), it shouldn't have to be remodified to keep the money flowing into the cash registers. Just leave it like so, for crying out loud!!
What's next? The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band re-reloaded, revisited? Let's hope not. For once, let's hope not.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
A Thousand Times Over
In the eyes of Zimbabwe dictator Robert Mugabe, we as Westerners are seen as outsiders with no grasp on what's going on in this southern African country. If that's not enough, he feels that our criticism of the way he's been running the show of late is illegitimate and has no basis whatsoever in reality, that we have no right to point our finger at him & say that he needs to step down off his cloud of a throne (one which he has held sway over for almost three decades).
Just the other day, his official spokesman carried over much of Mugabe's chagrin over the West's take on situations in Zimbabwe in a nutshell: that Western governments have no moral authority to verbally scald Mugabe for the hurt he's put on his nation & that the West can "go hang a thousand times." This hasn't been the first grand act of defiance Bobby & his cohorts have launched at our faces & won't be the last either, I'm afraid. And rather than have Mugabe step up & say his thing to the media, his official spokesman decided to speak his mind instead.
How cowardly, letting your spokesperson say the words you were intending to say to us all along, Robert.
And here's the thing. We in the West do have a right to launch into criticisms & judgments over how badly & out of hand the political situation has become over the past couple months or so & what better way to vent our frustration by pinning the blame on the man who made all this possible to begin with. In a nation where one can forget about voting fairly (if at all), Mugabe deserves to be a man scorned, a man rightly vilified for his actions. To tell us to "go hang" is the verbal equivalent of telling us, "Hey, Zimbabwe isn't your problem, so back off & mind your own business."
Sorry to burst Mugabe's bubble, but we do care & we do show a great degree of empathy for the thousands of Zimbabweans who are in suffering, in despair, cowered back into place because they want no part of ZANU-PF. We do have an insight & understanding on the crisis going on & need to make our voices heard. We need to bring Mugabe's horrid track record into the spotlight to tell others, "This man needs to go, even if it means having to do so forcefully." When his spokesman gave us the "go hang" kiss-off, what he meant to tell us was, "Do nothing. Watch Zimbabwe self-destruct more & more. This nation is none of your concern & never was."
But in times like these, we can ill afford to sit by & watch Zimbabwe fall into an even deeper quagmire of suffering. We must do something; we must step up & give this nation a ray of hope which has been denied it for far too long.
Just the other day, his official spokesman carried over much of Mugabe's chagrin over the West's take on situations in Zimbabwe in a nutshell: that Western governments have no moral authority to verbally scald Mugabe for the hurt he's put on his nation & that the West can "go hang a thousand times." This hasn't been the first grand act of defiance Bobby & his cohorts have launched at our faces & won't be the last either, I'm afraid. And rather than have Mugabe step up & say his thing to the media, his official spokesman decided to speak his mind instead.
How cowardly, letting your spokesperson say the words you were intending to say to us all along, Robert.
And here's the thing. We in the West do have a right to launch into criticisms & judgments over how badly & out of hand the political situation has become over the past couple months or so & what better way to vent our frustration by pinning the blame on the man who made all this possible to begin with. In a nation where one can forget about voting fairly (if at all), Mugabe deserves to be a man scorned, a man rightly vilified for his actions. To tell us to "go hang" is the verbal equivalent of telling us, "Hey, Zimbabwe isn't your problem, so back off & mind your own business."
Sorry to burst Mugabe's bubble, but we do care & we do show a great degree of empathy for the thousands of Zimbabweans who are in suffering, in despair, cowered back into place because they want no part of ZANU-PF. We do have an insight & understanding on the crisis going on & need to make our voices heard. We need to bring Mugabe's horrid track record into the spotlight to tell others, "This man needs to go, even if it means having to do so forcefully." When his spokesman gave us the "go hang" kiss-off, what he meant to tell us was, "Do nothing. Watch Zimbabwe self-destruct more & more. This nation is none of your concern & never was."
But in times like these, we can ill afford to sit by & watch Zimbabwe fall into an even deeper quagmire of suffering. We must do something; we must step up & give this nation a ray of hope which has been denied it for far too long.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
His way or the highway
Robert Mugabe over the past few weeks or so has been garnering plenty of news headlines & of course for all the wrong reasons: he's been riding roughshod over the opposition & those folks who are vocal in saying that they are anti-Mugabe through & through.
If I've heard rightly, he has also said that he'd rather die in office. Just imagine that: someone that relentless in his determination to stay in power saying that he'd keep his position 'til last!! But with Zimbabwe's dictator & a half, his singleness of purpose is frighteningly clear: what he's trying to tell us is that he's keeping his precarious foothold over his nation up to his death & if anyone has an issue with what he just said, they'll have to answer to his cronies in the ZANU-PF party who are more than happy to re-educate the opposition.
In a country already bedecked with suffering & misery, it is no surprise that this latest spate from Mugabe is just one tip of the iceberg among many addressed already (e.g. by the United Nations). As anyone worth their salt knows by now, Mugabe's antics over the years have gone from bad to worse & for the past week or so they've been downright horrible. The very man whom so many Zimbabweans looked up to as a savior & redeemer is now no more than a pariah, persona non grata, a heartless, callous figure with no regards to life or death...Seriously, Mugabe deserves to be shunned for all his actions over a majority of the 28 years he's been in power. We've seen it all before from the likes of men such as Charles Taylor & Idi Amin: their relentlessness to stay in power not only made suffering & despair inevitable but with both the loss of innocent lives as well.
But it will soon be a matter of time before Mugabe will be brought to heel for all the hurt he has caused his land. And as for him wanting to die in office? Many folks who are sincerely & fiercely anti-Mugabe sure hope that he doesn't stick around that long or hope that one day he will have to answer for every flagrant action of violence, etc. he & his ZANU-PF clowns have resorted to over the years to cow the opposition back in line.
Oh, & one more thing: one way or the other, he'll have to step down from his autocratic perch even if this means doing it by force.
If I've heard rightly, he has also said that he'd rather die in office. Just imagine that: someone that relentless in his determination to stay in power saying that he'd keep his position 'til last!! But with Zimbabwe's dictator & a half, his singleness of purpose is frighteningly clear: what he's trying to tell us is that he's keeping his precarious foothold over his nation up to his death & if anyone has an issue with what he just said, they'll have to answer to his cronies in the ZANU-PF party who are more than happy to re-educate the opposition.
In a country already bedecked with suffering & misery, it is no surprise that this latest spate from Mugabe is just one tip of the iceberg among many addressed already (e.g. by the United Nations). As anyone worth their salt knows by now, Mugabe's antics over the years have gone from bad to worse & for the past week or so they've been downright horrible. The very man whom so many Zimbabweans looked up to as a savior & redeemer is now no more than a pariah, persona non grata, a heartless, callous figure with no regards to life or death...Seriously, Mugabe deserves to be shunned for all his actions over a majority of the 28 years he's been in power. We've seen it all before from the likes of men such as Charles Taylor & Idi Amin: their relentlessness to stay in power not only made suffering & despair inevitable but with both the loss of innocent lives as well.
But it will soon be a matter of time before Mugabe will be brought to heel for all the hurt he has caused his land. And as for him wanting to die in office? Many folks who are sincerely & fiercely anti-Mugabe sure hope that he doesn't stick around that long or hope that one day he will have to answer for every flagrant action of violence, etc. he & his ZANU-PF clowns have resorted to over the years to cow the opposition back in line.
Oh, & one more thing: one way or the other, he'll have to step down from his autocratic perch even if this means doing it by force.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Another Mugabe meltdown
Just when we thought Zimbabwe would get past the worst of their troubles & find someone who could unseat Robert Mugabe for good, fate had other plans in store.
The first & foremost plan naturally came about courtesy of the man himself: Mugabe like all the other times before got the upper hand on his opposition in the election & his gang of spooks (otherwise known as the ZANU-PF party) in some way or other saw to it that the old man wouldn't go down so easily. Now his most formidable opponent, Morgan Tsangivarai, is in hiding & a whole nation is up in arms over the new direction (as if there was anything new to it) this latest turn of events has taken them.
The UN said it best: getting a fair presidential vote in Zimbabwe is impossible. It's not a stretch, it's not difficult. It's impossible - but then again, it was impossible to get a fair, worthwhile vote of any kind in previous elections. And Mugabe's stiff-arm tactics of cowering the political opposition & those who have bones to pick with him via violence aren't helping matters one iota.
Politically, the whole situation is unstable & equally unpredictable as well. Just when we thought the opposition would finally dethrone the biggest dinosaur ruler on the block, we're greeted with nothing but false hopes & one of the most feared dictators around, with an arrogant, contemptuous mug, saying, "I'm not going away anytime soon so deal with it." Add to the fact that his gang of spooks are using violence & threats to cow those folks who are anti-Mugabe back into place & we've got an environment where winner takes all.
But how does the winner take all when you can't get off a fair vote?
In Zimbabwe, & in Mugabe's personal philosophy, the answer is deceptively simple: use the aforementioned violence & intimidation as a vehicle to make people know that you are the man & whether you stay in power or not depends on them voting on you & you alone. For Mugabe, who has sensed his enemies have been laying in wait for his downfall for quite some time, the worst of his fears is forfeiting his autocratic position over the very nation he was supposed to lead to brighter & better days. At the same time, another of his fears is having to explain himself to the UN for a variety of reasons: human rights abuses & violations, wanton mismanagement & mishandling of the nation's economy, & if that's not enough, not giving the opposition parties a fair & just say in the direction they want to take Zimbabwe. So what does he do in a situation like this? Rig the votes, target his worst critics & also those who have an issue with the way he's running the show in hopes that he can stay in power for another few years - if he's fortunate enough to live that long.
A short while ago, we felt that Robert Mugabe would be on his way out & a more competent successor would step in, realizing that any righting of his predecessor's past wrongs would be a daunting task & a very daunting one indeed. The elections gave us a sense of hope & reassurance of that in spades. After seeing this man totally obliterate the economic & political framework of his own country for almost three decades, we deserved to be hopeful & confident that the tables would turn in the opposition's favor for once.
The tables have turned, rightly said. But now things are in Mugabe's favor & who knows how many Zimbabweans are seething with discontent & rage - as well as those countless others who care wholeheartedly about the affairs of this southern African nation - at this latest development which could best be summarized in two sentences:
In the world of Bobby Mugabe, all isn't fair. Not even a vote.
The first & foremost plan naturally came about courtesy of the man himself: Mugabe like all the other times before got the upper hand on his opposition in the election & his gang of spooks (otherwise known as the ZANU-PF party) in some way or other saw to it that the old man wouldn't go down so easily. Now his most formidable opponent, Morgan Tsangivarai, is in hiding & a whole nation is up in arms over the new direction (as if there was anything new to it) this latest turn of events has taken them.
The UN said it best: getting a fair presidential vote in Zimbabwe is impossible. It's not a stretch, it's not difficult. It's impossible - but then again, it was impossible to get a fair, worthwhile vote of any kind in previous elections. And Mugabe's stiff-arm tactics of cowering the political opposition & those who have bones to pick with him via violence aren't helping matters one iota.
Politically, the whole situation is unstable & equally unpredictable as well. Just when we thought the opposition would finally dethrone the biggest dinosaur ruler on the block, we're greeted with nothing but false hopes & one of the most feared dictators around, with an arrogant, contemptuous mug, saying, "I'm not going away anytime soon so deal with it." Add to the fact that his gang of spooks are using violence & threats to cow those folks who are anti-Mugabe back into place & we've got an environment where winner takes all.
But how does the winner take all when you can't get off a fair vote?
In Zimbabwe, & in Mugabe's personal philosophy, the answer is deceptively simple: use the aforementioned violence & intimidation as a vehicle to make people know that you are the man & whether you stay in power or not depends on them voting on you & you alone. For Mugabe, who has sensed his enemies have been laying in wait for his downfall for quite some time, the worst of his fears is forfeiting his autocratic position over the very nation he was supposed to lead to brighter & better days. At the same time, another of his fears is having to explain himself to the UN for a variety of reasons: human rights abuses & violations, wanton mismanagement & mishandling of the nation's economy, & if that's not enough, not giving the opposition parties a fair & just say in the direction they want to take Zimbabwe. So what does he do in a situation like this? Rig the votes, target his worst critics & also those who have an issue with the way he's running the show in hopes that he can stay in power for another few years - if he's fortunate enough to live that long.
A short while ago, we felt that Robert Mugabe would be on his way out & a more competent successor would step in, realizing that any righting of his predecessor's past wrongs would be a daunting task & a very daunting one indeed. The elections gave us a sense of hope & reassurance of that in spades. After seeing this man totally obliterate the economic & political framework of his own country for almost three decades, we deserved to be hopeful & confident that the tables would turn in the opposition's favor for once.
The tables have turned, rightly said. But now things are in Mugabe's favor & who knows how many Zimbabweans are seething with discontent & rage - as well as those countless others who care wholeheartedly about the affairs of this southern African nation - at this latest development which could best be summarized in two sentences:
In the world of Bobby Mugabe, all isn't fair. Not even a vote.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Stepping Up
In the Greek community, when it comes to alumni involvement, it seems that some fraternities are finding it hard to come by. If that's not enough, some alumni just don't realize how much of a difference they could make just by stepping in at the right time (or should I say, any time at all). And yet there are other alumni, who willingly want to get involved & rediscover their love for the chapter again, who are at a loss to know how they can get involved: "What can I do?"
There's always hope. Whether it's a Chapter Advisor, a Mentor, aiding in a chapter colonization or doing work as an Alumni Ambassador, the possibilities of volunteering are endless. It may be a daunting task at times but don't take it as stressful though: any alumni's chances of reaping immense rewards just by volunteering are if not outstanding, pretty flipping awesome. Seriously, you don't have to rip into the undergrads to make your presence felt: with an understated presence, a watchful eye, a caring heart, the undergraduate brothers can see alumni in a different light - as duders who actually care about the chapter & want to see good things happen. Not just that, but the undergrads may also provide the alumni with a spark to re-invigorate their love for Sigs/SAE/SigEp/etc. & all this because they took time out of their hectic schedules to stay involved.
True, some chapters are suffering from a shortage of "gray hairs," or older alumni. If that's not enough bad news, some chapters have alumni who aren't exactly eager to see changes & improvements where they are sorely needed. Which brings us to then & now: the prevailing cultural mindset of the alumni's day butting heads with the present: "Oh, we've always done these things in the past; it was all part of our house tradition," "It's just tradition; why try to fix something that isn't broken to begin with?" "Hazing back in our day was harmless; nobody got seriously hurt or anything like that..." If I heard such observations as the ones I just wrote, I'd draw those alumni aside & tell them, "What you think was right back in your day is wrong in 2008." The times have changed & with them the pledging/membership programs as well; to think that they should be left as is - complete with hazing, unnecessary obligations of any kind - is saying that reform or change is irrelevant. Any fraternity alumni worth their salt knows/is fully aware of this; on such occasions, they need to step in & make their voices heard - not in an imposing way but in an understated manner.
The recurring question, "What can I do?" is one with many answers for any given Greek alumni. But once the pieces fall back into place, once the passion for their respective fraternities returns with a vengeance, once their fellow alumni open their eyes to the endless possibilities which volunteering provides in spades, one answer is consistently clear: There's a lot that can be done. There's always a chance to get involved & remain involved. There's always the opportunity to step up & make the impact, that difference for the greater good of not just your own chapter but the whole organization in the process.
It's up to you on when to take that step though.
There's always hope. Whether it's a Chapter Advisor, a Mentor, aiding in a chapter colonization or doing work as an Alumni Ambassador, the possibilities of volunteering are endless. It may be a daunting task at times but don't take it as stressful though: any alumni's chances of reaping immense rewards just by volunteering are if not outstanding, pretty flipping awesome. Seriously, you don't have to rip into the undergrads to make your presence felt: with an understated presence, a watchful eye, a caring heart, the undergraduate brothers can see alumni in a different light - as duders who actually care about the chapter & want to see good things happen. Not just that, but the undergrads may also provide the alumni with a spark to re-invigorate their love for Sigs/SAE/SigEp/etc. & all this because they took time out of their hectic schedules to stay involved.
True, some chapters are suffering from a shortage of "gray hairs," or older alumni. If that's not enough bad news, some chapters have alumni who aren't exactly eager to see changes & improvements where they are sorely needed. Which brings us to then & now: the prevailing cultural mindset of the alumni's day butting heads with the present: "Oh, we've always done these things in the past; it was all part of our house tradition," "It's just tradition; why try to fix something that isn't broken to begin with?" "Hazing back in our day was harmless; nobody got seriously hurt or anything like that..." If I heard such observations as the ones I just wrote, I'd draw those alumni aside & tell them, "What you think was right back in your day is wrong in 2008." The times have changed & with them the pledging/membership programs as well; to think that they should be left as is - complete with hazing, unnecessary obligations of any kind - is saying that reform or change is irrelevant. Any fraternity alumni worth their salt knows/is fully aware of this; on such occasions, they need to step in & make their voices heard - not in an imposing way but in an understated manner.
The recurring question, "What can I do?" is one with many answers for any given Greek alumni. But once the pieces fall back into place, once the passion for their respective fraternities returns with a vengeance, once their fellow alumni open their eyes to the endless possibilities which volunteering provides in spades, one answer is consistently clear: There's a lot that can be done. There's always a chance to get involved & remain involved. There's always the opportunity to step up & make the impact, that difference for the greater good of not just your own chapter but the whole organization in the process.
It's up to you on when to take that step though.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Crying Out A River
Iowa has experienced some of the worst flooding ever recorded since the Great Flood of 1993.
No, the flooding over there could easily surpass the totals from 15 years back.
In terms of railroad traffic, the major flooding cramped enough folks' styles, whether it be local industries or the small town farmers' co-op. Iowa Interstate (ex-Rock Island), Iowa, Chicago & Eastern (ex-Soo Line & Milwaukee Road), Union Pacific & Burlington Northern Santa Fe (which runs through the southern part of the state) each got hit hard in their own ways. From bridge washouts to major standing water, rail traffic last week took a major hit (as well as plenty of detours).
The situation with railroad operations is slowly but surely returning to normal in the southern & central parts of Iowa but downstream along the Mississippi, we're bracing for the worst, not only in places like Fort Madison & Burlington but also down the river in Missouri & Illinois. Freight users there know they've got their work cut out for them in regards to getting materials from point A to point B; detouring for the past week has been commonplace beyond belief. Yet BNSF, UP, IC&E, as well as IAIS have been up to the task, assessing their losses as they go & not slouching around in getting repair work done. Not only that, each of these railways has made the effort to work their way around majorly flooded areas - this isn't to say that their formulations have been easy but they've gotten the job done.
Our only hope is that the floodwaters will recede; enough folks are suffering as it is. I'm not solely talking about the railroad corporations who are dependent on their trains to get grain, coal & other whatnot to their respective destinations. I'm talking about the residents of small towns on the Iowa, Mississippi & Cedar Rivers, whose lives (& possibly their whole communities) have been greatly affected by the flooding, which to them is 1993 revisited with a vengeance.
In the Midwest, flooding has been the topic of the day for the past couple of weeks; one hopes that things let up before any more damage has been done. 15 years after the last Great Flood, one only hopes that the flooding draws to a close soon. But when?
No, the flooding over there could easily surpass the totals from 15 years back.
In terms of railroad traffic, the major flooding cramped enough folks' styles, whether it be local industries or the small town farmers' co-op. Iowa Interstate (ex-Rock Island), Iowa, Chicago & Eastern (ex-Soo Line & Milwaukee Road), Union Pacific & Burlington Northern Santa Fe (which runs through the southern part of the state) each got hit hard in their own ways. From bridge washouts to major standing water, rail traffic last week took a major hit (as well as plenty of detours).
The situation with railroad operations is slowly but surely returning to normal in the southern & central parts of Iowa but downstream along the Mississippi, we're bracing for the worst, not only in places like Fort Madison & Burlington but also down the river in Missouri & Illinois. Freight users there know they've got their work cut out for them in regards to getting materials from point A to point B; detouring for the past week has been commonplace beyond belief. Yet BNSF, UP, IC&E, as well as IAIS have been up to the task, assessing their losses as they go & not slouching around in getting repair work done. Not only that, each of these railways has made the effort to work their way around majorly flooded areas - this isn't to say that their formulations have been easy but they've gotten the job done.
Our only hope is that the floodwaters will recede; enough folks are suffering as it is. I'm not solely talking about the railroad corporations who are dependent on their trains to get grain, coal & other whatnot to their respective destinations. I'm talking about the residents of small towns on the Iowa, Mississippi & Cedar Rivers, whose lives (& possibly their whole communities) have been greatly affected by the flooding, which to them is 1993 revisited with a vengeance.
In the Midwest, flooding has been the topic of the day for the past couple of weeks; one hopes that things let up before any more damage has been done. 15 years after the last Great Flood, one only hopes that the flooding draws to a close soon. But when?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Not On My Watch!!
If Michael Jordan were around to play another NBA Finals game, he wouldn't have allowed his team to get clobbered so handily. Same with Bird or Magic.
Kobe Bryant had a chance to bring back lots of luster to the Lakers legacy, a sign of redemption after last summer's meltdown with his GM, teammates, etc. And he had a chance to bolster his image as one of the more elite players in the NBA if he could just grab another championship.
But after the Lakers got hammered by almost 40 points last night, once more I'm having my doubts about the man. Just when his team needed him the most, Kobe was MIA. Could you imagine #23, Bird, or Magic tucking tail between their legs & running off when the game's on the line & their teammates are looking for a fearless leader to pull them through? Well, neither Jordan, Johnson, or Larry ever envisioned themselves playing the role of cowardly lion when the chips were down. Or should I say that they never pulled a disappearing act when it came to crunch time.
However, we can't say the same with Kobe, not after what we saw last night. In what was considered a crucial, do-or-die game, he was a complete nonfactor: he couldn't score to save his life or his teammates for that matter. And whenever he had the ball, there was always an imposing sea of white & green jerseys moving in for the kill, imposing their will like none other as if to say, "This is our home turf!! We must protect this house!!" Could you see any of those aformentioned stars from yesteryear allowing the opposition to run roughshod over them? Not in their day & certainly not on their watch.
But it happened to Kobe, just as the Lakers were re-emerging as a force to be reckoned with. All of the comparisons to #23 can be thrown out the window: he doesn't have Scottie Pippen to help things along (Scottie was Jordan's trusty sidekick for an eternity in Chi-Town). He may have a reliable supporting cast of teammates (e.g. Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom) who can score when the need arises, but they're not even remotely on the same page as Pippen was while he was part of the Bulls' hoops dynasty. Kobe's got a cast of softies, stiffs...whatever you want to call his teammates, that's the tag which they're receiving.
Then again, his teammates were looking for a leader last night & Kobe was nowhere to be seen. What would Jordan do in a situation like this? Well, he would've imposed his presence in spite of & despite the odds the opponent put in his way. And he made some of the most brilliant shots ever to grace an NBA highlight film: these shots BTW served as daggers to the heart to finish off teams (as well as who knows how many NBA Finals) who thought they had the upper hand on him.
And I'll tell you this: he sure wouldn't have let the Celtics walk all over him like they did on poor Kobe, whom I felt didn't put up a fight when he (& the Lakers in general) direly needed to.
Kobe Bryant had a chance to bring back lots of luster to the Lakers legacy, a sign of redemption after last summer's meltdown with his GM, teammates, etc. And he had a chance to bolster his image as one of the more elite players in the NBA if he could just grab another championship.
But after the Lakers got hammered by almost 40 points last night, once more I'm having my doubts about the man. Just when his team needed him the most, Kobe was MIA. Could you imagine #23, Bird, or Magic tucking tail between their legs & running off when the game's on the line & their teammates are looking for a fearless leader to pull them through? Well, neither Jordan, Johnson, or Larry ever envisioned themselves playing the role of cowardly lion when the chips were down. Or should I say that they never pulled a disappearing act when it came to crunch time.
However, we can't say the same with Kobe, not after what we saw last night. In what was considered a crucial, do-or-die game, he was a complete nonfactor: he couldn't score to save his life or his teammates for that matter. And whenever he had the ball, there was always an imposing sea of white & green jerseys moving in for the kill, imposing their will like none other as if to say, "This is our home turf!! We must protect this house!!" Could you see any of those aformentioned stars from yesteryear allowing the opposition to run roughshod over them? Not in their day & certainly not on their watch.
But it happened to Kobe, just as the Lakers were re-emerging as a force to be reckoned with. All of the comparisons to #23 can be thrown out the window: he doesn't have Scottie Pippen to help things along (Scottie was Jordan's trusty sidekick for an eternity in Chi-Town). He may have a reliable supporting cast of teammates (e.g. Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom) who can score when the need arises, but they're not even remotely on the same page as Pippen was while he was part of the Bulls' hoops dynasty. Kobe's got a cast of softies, stiffs...whatever you want to call his teammates, that's the tag which they're receiving.
Then again, his teammates were looking for a leader last night & Kobe was nowhere to be seen. What would Jordan do in a situation like this? Well, he would've imposed his presence in spite of & despite the odds the opponent put in his way. And he made some of the most brilliant shots ever to grace an NBA highlight film: these shots BTW served as daggers to the heart to finish off teams (as well as who knows how many NBA Finals) who thought they had the upper hand on him.
And I'll tell you this: he sure wouldn't have let the Celtics walk all over him like they did on poor Kobe, whom I felt didn't put up a fight when he (& the Lakers in general) direly needed to.
(no comment)
39 points.
39 stinking points.
But hey, such is life when you're playing in the NBA Finals & the Boston Celtics knew that better than anyone else out there when they dismantled the Lakers in grand fashion back @ Beantown.
Not only have the Celtics brought back some luster & glory which has been MIA for the past two decades; they've given us some notes of reassurance as well - that New England is not just Red Sox territory or Patriots territory. With the Celts grabbing the championship goods last night (& in rather convincing fashion!!), the whole region is thinking green once again, that is to say, they've renewed their love for one of the NBA's more formidable hoops dynasties ever to roam the face of the earth.
For Los Angeles to come in & beat Boston on their own home turf seemed like a chore & a half, especially when the home team for the whole postseason has been dominant beyond belief. And to extend the series, Kobe & company would have to be at the top of their game in a rather hostile environment. But no, it wasn't meant to be: Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett & gang stuck to their philosophy of "We must protect this house!!" rather adamantly & now Beantown is going to do some major celebrating, the likes of which they haven't experienced for an eternity.
Sure, they've done lots of living it up after the Red Sox won it all in last autumn's World Series. But this time, the celebrating is going to be rather special, given the fact that the Celtics haven't been able to pull off such a feat of this kind since the days of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Dennis Johnson, Robert Parish...need I say more? For well over two decades, Celtics fans have had to wait for this moment of glory to arrive (& endure plenty of floundering lineups over the years since their last championship). But the wait is now over & the smoke has finally cleared in Beantown; Boston has shown us after last night that their city is not just famous for Fenway Park & them Red Sox. It's home to a regained dynasty, one which hopefully will endure for seasons to come.
39 stinking points.
But hey, such is life when you're playing in the NBA Finals & the Boston Celtics knew that better than anyone else out there when they dismantled the Lakers in grand fashion back @ Beantown.
Not only have the Celtics brought back some luster & glory which has been MIA for the past two decades; they've given us some notes of reassurance as well - that New England is not just Red Sox territory or Patriots territory. With the Celts grabbing the championship goods last night (& in rather convincing fashion!!), the whole region is thinking green once again, that is to say, they've renewed their love for one of the NBA's more formidable hoops dynasties ever to roam the face of the earth.
For Los Angeles to come in & beat Boston on their own home turf seemed like a chore & a half, especially when the home team for the whole postseason has been dominant beyond belief. And to extend the series, Kobe & company would have to be at the top of their game in a rather hostile environment. But no, it wasn't meant to be: Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett & gang stuck to their philosophy of "We must protect this house!!" rather adamantly & now Beantown is going to do some major celebrating, the likes of which they haven't experienced for an eternity.
Sure, they've done lots of living it up after the Red Sox won it all in last autumn's World Series. But this time, the celebrating is going to be rather special, given the fact that the Celtics haven't been able to pull off such a feat of this kind since the days of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Dennis Johnson, Robert Parish...need I say more? For well over two decades, Celtics fans have had to wait for this moment of glory to arrive (& endure plenty of floundering lineups over the years since their last championship). But the wait is now over & the smoke has finally cleared in Beantown; Boston has shown us after last night that their city is not just famous for Fenway Park & them Red Sox. It's home to a regained dynasty, one which hopefully will endure for seasons to come.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Current Playlist #9
Caural, "Sending You Colors," Mirrors For Eyes
Caural, "I Won't Race You," see above
Joy Division, "Disorder," Unknown Pleasures
New Order, "Weirdo," Brotherhood
The Cure, "Like Cockatoos," Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me
The Cure, "Just Like Heaven," see above
Roxy Music, "My Only Love," Flesh + Blood
Roxy Music, "Over You," see above
The Sea and Cake, "Crossing Line," Everybody
The Sea and Cake, "The Argument," The Fawn
Caural, "I Won't Race You," see above
Joy Division, "Disorder," Unknown Pleasures
New Order, "Weirdo," Brotherhood
The Cure, "Like Cockatoos," Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me
The Cure, "Just Like Heaven," see above
Roxy Music, "My Only Love," Flesh + Blood
Roxy Music, "Over You," see above
The Sea and Cake, "Crossing Line," Everybody
The Sea and Cake, "The Argument," The Fawn
Monday, June 16, 2008
The Worst of the Worst
If anyone wants to know who the worst of the worst dictators are in the world today, one could do worse than to overlook these monsters (I dare not call them men or much less dictators):
Robert Mugabe.
If there is one person I cannot stand, it would be Zimbabwe's dinosaur ruler (he's held on to his position for 28 years!!). Here's just a small laundry list of things which have gone wrong to the nation since he knocked the British out of the picture back in 1980:
(1) Unemployment has been rampant (roughly 80% or so);
(2) The economy has been abysmal, especially in terms of inflation (which has skyrocketed to 8000%);
(3) Food supplies & other basic necessities have been hard to come by, even more so over the past couple years;
(4) Anyone who has a bone to pick with Mugabe, especially if it's one of the who knows how many opposition parties operating in Zimbabwe, faces plenty of repercussions later.
Believe me, & some of my posts on Mugabe are proof of this, he's not someone I'd want running the United States, much less his next door neighbor South Africa. He's run the country clear into the ground politically & economically & what's worse, chances are he won't give up his spot as president anytime soon...These are trying times back in southern Africa for sure.
Kim Jong-Il.
Not only does North Korea boast one of the most repressive dictatorships around (courtesy of Messr. Jong-Il); its repressive tactics also make North Korea one of the bleakest & most isolated nations around. As far as mass communication goes, forget it: the only communication which is supplied in spades is government propaganda. How about justice? Well, you'd be hard pressed to find any here: the system of collective punishment is harsh beyond the pale (3 generations of family members being punished for a crime only one of their own committed? Come on folks!!). Roughly 200,000 North Koreans are detained in labor camps & anyone who has plans to leave the country realizes that escape will be a major stretch.
Behavior-wise, Jong-Il reminds me of Idi Amin - he's right up there with that monster, in fact. If there is an extreme warning sign to look for in this man, it's the fact that he's allowing his mental health issues to color his political views & philosophies - one premise for why he's one of the more dangerous dictators around today.
more to come later...
Robert Mugabe.
If there is one person I cannot stand, it would be Zimbabwe's dinosaur ruler (he's held on to his position for 28 years!!). Here's just a small laundry list of things which have gone wrong to the nation since he knocked the British out of the picture back in 1980:
(1) Unemployment has been rampant (roughly 80% or so);
(2) The economy has been abysmal, especially in terms of inflation (which has skyrocketed to 8000%);
(3) Food supplies & other basic necessities have been hard to come by, even more so over the past couple years;
(4) Anyone who has a bone to pick with Mugabe, especially if it's one of the who knows how many opposition parties operating in Zimbabwe, faces plenty of repercussions later.
Believe me, & some of my posts on Mugabe are proof of this, he's not someone I'd want running the United States, much less his next door neighbor South Africa. He's run the country clear into the ground politically & economically & what's worse, chances are he won't give up his spot as president anytime soon...These are trying times back in southern Africa for sure.
Kim Jong-Il.
Not only does North Korea boast one of the most repressive dictatorships around (courtesy of Messr. Jong-Il); its repressive tactics also make North Korea one of the bleakest & most isolated nations around. As far as mass communication goes, forget it: the only communication which is supplied in spades is government propaganda. How about justice? Well, you'd be hard pressed to find any here: the system of collective punishment is harsh beyond the pale (3 generations of family members being punished for a crime only one of their own committed? Come on folks!!). Roughly 200,000 North Koreans are detained in labor camps & anyone who has plans to leave the country realizes that escape will be a major stretch.
Behavior-wise, Jong-Il reminds me of Idi Amin - he's right up there with that monster, in fact. If there is an extreme warning sign to look for in this man, it's the fact that he's allowing his mental health issues to color his political views & philosophies - one premise for why he's one of the more dangerous dictators around today.
more to come later...
Still Standing
After a second-half meltdown which cost them a 21-point first quarter lead & eventually Game 4, Game 5 for the Los Angeles Lakers - on their home turf, no less - was a very big deal indeed. What with the series on the line & a determined Celtics squad who wanted to take out Los Angeles on their home court (as if!!), Game 5 was definitely do or die for Kobe & company.
And the Lakers made the most of their chances to keep the series alive after last night's gut-it-out win over Boston. Not only is Los Angeles back in the swing of things, but they're also looking for redemption as well, when you stop to think on how badly they choked in Game 4 (& at no other place but the Staples Center...eeks!!) This isn't to say that Game 6 will be a cakewalk for either team: With the Lakers, though, going out on the road & pulling out a win on the East Coast is going to be a major stretch. Add to the fact that no team in NBA Finals History has ever claimed the hardware outright after falling into a 3-1 deficit & you've got lots of reasons to worry about how things will turn out on Boston's home turf.
This isn't to say that all is lost now that Boston is resuming its homestand; anything can happen in a crucial game of this magnitude. But if Los Angeles wants to tie things up in this series, they need to play selflessly, aggressively, with fire in their eyes; of course the Celts know Kobe is a fearful presence on the court a la Lebron James or Michael Jordan but let's face it: the Lakers can't rely on Kobe to do it all. As we've already seen, this season his teammates have busted tail to make themselves a reliable supporting cast; if they can help Kobe out just this once, Game 6 could be an interesting one & worth the time in watching.
Los Angeles is still standing...albeit for the moment. If they want to keep their footing for one more game, they've got to be ready to play & winning on the opponent's home court this postseason has been a difficult task but none more so than now.
And the Lakers made the most of their chances to keep the series alive after last night's gut-it-out win over Boston. Not only is Los Angeles back in the swing of things, but they're also looking for redemption as well, when you stop to think on how badly they choked in Game 4 (& at no other place but the Staples Center...eeks!!) This isn't to say that Game 6 will be a cakewalk for either team: With the Lakers, though, going out on the road & pulling out a win on the East Coast is going to be a major stretch. Add to the fact that no team in NBA Finals History has ever claimed the hardware outright after falling into a 3-1 deficit & you've got lots of reasons to worry about how things will turn out on Boston's home turf.
This isn't to say that all is lost now that Boston is resuming its homestand; anything can happen in a crucial game of this magnitude. But if Los Angeles wants to tie things up in this series, they need to play selflessly, aggressively, with fire in their eyes; of course the Celts know Kobe is a fearful presence on the court a la Lebron James or Michael Jordan but let's face it: the Lakers can't rely on Kobe to do it all. As we've already seen, this season his teammates have busted tail to make themselves a reliable supporting cast; if they can help Kobe out just this once, Game 6 could be an interesting one & worth the time in watching.
Los Angeles is still standing...albeit for the moment. If they want to keep their footing for one more game, they've got to be ready to play & winning on the opponent's home court this postseason has been a difficult task but none more so than now.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Home Sweet Home
After falling behind the NBA Finals 8 ball to the tune of 0-2, the Los Angeles Lakers knew that their fortunes could turn around back home. Not to forget Kobe's motivational speech to get his teammates back into competing with Boston in Game 2 & the very fact that Boston couldn't seem to win on the road to save their lives this postseason & voila! they knew Game 3 was a perfect opportunity to turn the tide, to swing the momentum in their favor for once.
And last night, Los Angeles didn't disappoint, winning 87-81 & whittling the Celtics' lead in this Series to 2-1. Not only did they play with fire in their eyes; they also were on a mission, knowing full well that no team has ever come back from a 0-3 hole to win the NBA Championship. The end results can speak for themselves; at the same time, last night's win could serve as the impetus Kobe & crew need to make this a series for the ages if they want it to be.
Speaking of home, the Lakers have been nothing short of amazing in the friendly confines of the Staples Center this season (especially in the playoffs) & the next 2 games should help to back that statement up with a passion. If they're not ready to play & make something of this marquee matchup, the old maxim from The Wizard of Oz, "There's no place like home," is just a bunch of empty-sounding gibberish. Kobe obviously knows this. Phil Jackson knows this. Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett & Paul Pierce know this. From here on out, it's do or die & may the Los Angeles Lakers make the most of this remaining homestand.
And last night, Los Angeles didn't disappoint, winning 87-81 & whittling the Celtics' lead in this Series to 2-1. Not only did they play with fire in their eyes; they also were on a mission, knowing full well that no team has ever come back from a 0-3 hole to win the NBA Championship. The end results can speak for themselves; at the same time, last night's win could serve as the impetus Kobe & crew need to make this a series for the ages if they want it to be.
Speaking of home, the Lakers have been nothing short of amazing in the friendly confines of the Staples Center this season (especially in the playoffs) & the next 2 games should help to back that statement up with a passion. If they're not ready to play & make something of this marquee matchup, the old maxim from The Wizard of Oz, "There's no place like home," is just a bunch of empty-sounding gibberish. Kobe obviously knows this. Phil Jackson knows this. Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett & Paul Pierce know this. From here on out, it's do or die & may the Los Angeles Lakers make the most of this remaining homestand.
Monday, June 9, 2008
The Greatest Basketball Player Alive?!
Lil' Wayne may be seen as the greatest rapper alive; others think he's complete garbage & that honor should go to 50 Cent or Jay-Z. But when it comes to who is the greatest basketball player alive in the NBA, the results can be downright equivocal in their own right.
Michael Jordan was, is & always will be my favorite NBA great, no questions asked. Others will say Bill Walton or Charles Barkley. Yet others are going to say that Isiah Thomas is the shizz. OK. Others 'll say, "Oh, Shaq is the greatest player in all of the NBA." There are plenty of players out there & as many folks out there voicing their opinions as to whom is the greatest.
And then we've got Kobe Bryant, a Renaissance Man for the 2008 season. Tim Duncan. Tony Parker. Lebron James. Dirk Nowitzki. Go ahead, throw Mr. Chamberlain, Larry Bird & Magic Johnson in there while you're at it.
Back in the day up to now, anyone could go on a tear as to whom is the greatest basketball player alive ever to roam around in a Bulls/Lakers/Spurs uniform. Kobe might be one of the best players around (& having a pretty stellar season as well BTW) but don't compare him to Michael Jordan or Charles Barkley; he is his own flipping self & that has always been the case. Same with #23: no one could pull off some of the shots he made to put teams to sleep, much less match his athleticism & versatility. Comparing today's stars to the stars of yesteryear seems like a major stretch: sure, their talents, selflessness & commitment to the sport in general may be similar but how the times have changed in styles & this is where their paths diverge considerably.
In the same way, using an analogy in the world of rap music, Lil' Wayne sounds nothing like 50 Cent just as 50 Cent sounds nothing like Ludacris or Kanye. Lil' Wayne is Lil' Wayne; whether or not he is the greatest rapper in existence is a moot point which will raise plenty of eyebrows & contention for sure. Back to the topic at hand: along similar lines, comparing the Mailman (aka Karl Malone) to Pau Gasol is not only comparing apples to oranges; it's also downright wrong, trying to put an upstart on the same page as a seasoned veteran & saying that they've got a lot in common when they don't. And when it comes to determining who is the all-time shizz in the NBA, drawing comparisons which don't need to be made - now that's a recipe for disaster.
When it comes to finding out whom the greatest basketball player alive is, we've got our work cut out for us in a major way. And plenty of detractors, having decided already, saying that Lebron is the best, that #23 is the best, that Kobe is the best, & all the rest are beat down.
One question, lots of loaded answers guaranteed to get you going in no time.
Michael Jordan was, is & always will be my favorite NBA great, no questions asked. Others will say Bill Walton or Charles Barkley. Yet others are going to say that Isiah Thomas is the shizz. OK. Others 'll say, "Oh, Shaq is the greatest player in all of the NBA." There are plenty of players out there & as many folks out there voicing their opinions as to whom is the greatest.
And then we've got Kobe Bryant, a Renaissance Man for the 2008 season. Tim Duncan. Tony Parker. Lebron James. Dirk Nowitzki. Go ahead, throw Mr. Chamberlain, Larry Bird & Magic Johnson in there while you're at it.
Back in the day up to now, anyone could go on a tear as to whom is the greatest basketball player alive ever to roam around in a Bulls/Lakers/Spurs uniform. Kobe might be one of the best players around (& having a pretty stellar season as well BTW) but don't compare him to Michael Jordan or Charles Barkley; he is his own flipping self & that has always been the case. Same with #23: no one could pull off some of the shots he made to put teams to sleep, much less match his athleticism & versatility. Comparing today's stars to the stars of yesteryear seems like a major stretch: sure, their talents, selflessness & commitment to the sport in general may be similar but how the times have changed in styles & this is where their paths diverge considerably.
In the same way, using an analogy in the world of rap music, Lil' Wayne sounds nothing like 50 Cent just as 50 Cent sounds nothing like Ludacris or Kanye. Lil' Wayne is Lil' Wayne; whether or not he is the greatest rapper in existence is a moot point which will raise plenty of eyebrows & contention for sure. Back to the topic at hand: along similar lines, comparing the Mailman (aka Karl Malone) to Pau Gasol is not only comparing apples to oranges; it's also downright wrong, trying to put an upstart on the same page as a seasoned veteran & saying that they've got a lot in common when they don't. And when it comes to determining who is the all-time shizz in the NBA, drawing comparisons which don't need to be made - now that's a recipe for disaster.
When it comes to finding out whom the greatest basketball player alive is, we've got our work cut out for us in a major way. And plenty of detractors, having decided already, saying that Lebron is the best, that #23 is the best, that Kobe is the best, & all the rest are beat down.
One question, lots of loaded answers guaranteed to get you going in no time.
Four score & two decades later
21 years.
21 long, hard years of waiting, waiting, waiting...but the Lakers & Celtics have finally made it back to the NBA Finals.
Over two decades of seeing the best of the best come & go create their own hoops legacies & dynasties (Pistons, Bulls, Lakers yet again, Spurs)
Over two decades of feeling that a matchup of this magnitude would never happen again & if it did it would be once in a blue moon.
But now the wait is finally over & two of NBA's hoops dynasties from way back in the day when Bird & Magic reigned supreme are in the spotlight again. So far, the Celts have the upper hand on Kobe & Los Angeles but that shouldn't deter us from thinking that this could be a series for the ages if L.A. steps their game up back at their place.
21 years. What a long time & yet a long way to go.
21 long, hard years of waiting, waiting, waiting...but the Lakers & Celtics have finally made it back to the NBA Finals.
Over two decades of seeing the best of the best come & go create their own hoops legacies & dynasties (Pistons, Bulls, Lakers yet again, Spurs)
Over two decades of feeling that a matchup of this magnitude would never happen again & if it did it would be once in a blue moon.
But now the wait is finally over & two of NBA's hoops dynasties from way back in the day when Bird & Magic reigned supreme are in the spotlight again. So far, the Celts have the upper hand on Kobe & Los Angeles but that shouldn't deter us from thinking that this could be a series for the ages if L.A. steps their game up back at their place.
21 years. What a long time & yet a long way to go.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Hoops & chutes
Just when I thought the Spurs would actually come out & make the Western Finals a series worth watching, they fell asleep at the wheel the other night against Kobe Bryant & those back-with-a-vengeance Los Angeles Lakers. If they don't step their game up in short order, chances of San Antonio making it to the NBA Finals for the nth time in as many years is not going to be a stretch...In short, we can forget all about that thought. And how many teams do we know of whom have stormed back from a 3-1 hole & punched their ticket to the Main Event? Not too many, folks, not too many.
At least in the Eastern Conference, the Pistons & Celtics are having it out & this could shape up to be an awesome series. From the looks of things, this could go to seven games...what with Boston being unable to win a postseason game on the road until the other night. In the long run, may the best team (& most hungriest of the two) win & find their way into the Finals. 'Nuff said.
At least in the Eastern Conference, the Pistons & Celtics are having it out & this could shape up to be an awesome series. From the looks of things, this could go to seven games...what with Boston being unable to win a postseason game on the road until the other night. In the long run, may the best team (& most hungriest of the two) win & find their way into the Finals. 'Nuff said.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
More than staying afloat
Life for the Los Angeles Lakers has been nothing short of amazing this season. Some time ago, we thought 2008 would be otherwise back in L.A. & rightly so: they couldn't seem to get past the first round of the playoffs to save their tails last year. As it stood, they were well on their way to has-been status, a team who didn't stand a chance in a talent-laden Western Conference & never would either. If that wasn't enough, the star of the show, Kobe Bryant, didn't like what he was seeing & wanted out.
But how the times have changed since Kobe's outbursts last summer. The Lakers are starting to look like a legitimate contender again; Kobe's been Kobe as usual -minus the spazz-approved theatrics; Phil Jackson's life is once again looking brighter than ever, even since his good old days with Michael Jordan back in Chicago.
Now they're facing a team with nothing to lose in the San Antonio Spurs, a team whose approach is "pure vanilla." Los Angeles has one star of the show in #24; on the other hand, with the Spurs, it's a lot like picking your poison: five starters, a trustworthy bench & plenty of veterans who know the Conference Finals Routine by heart.
San Antonio knows that they're going to get a handful in terms of a perfect matchup:
The Lakers aren't going to be a pushover like the past few seasons post-Shaq; Kobe is more than happy to score at will like Lebron James if San Antonio goes to sleep on him defensively;
Los Angeles does have a reliable group of players who can step up if need be;
The Lakers aren't like the Jazz (San Antonio's opponent in last year's Western Finals) in the same way that they're not the Hornets.
Could this go to 7 games? We can't say for sure, but in the Western Conference, perfect matchups don't get any better than this.
But how the times have changed since Kobe's outbursts last summer. The Lakers are starting to look like a legitimate contender again; Kobe's been Kobe as usual -minus the spazz-approved theatrics; Phil Jackson's life is once again looking brighter than ever, even since his good old days with Michael Jordan back in Chicago.
Now they're facing a team with nothing to lose in the San Antonio Spurs, a team whose approach is "pure vanilla." Los Angeles has one star of the show in #24; on the other hand, with the Spurs, it's a lot like picking your poison: five starters, a trustworthy bench & plenty of veterans who know the Conference Finals Routine by heart.
San Antonio knows that they're going to get a handful in terms of a perfect matchup:
The Lakers aren't going to be a pushover like the past few seasons post-Shaq; Kobe is more than happy to score at will like Lebron James if San Antonio goes to sleep on him defensively;
Los Angeles does have a reliable group of players who can step up if need be;
The Lakers aren't like the Jazz (San Antonio's opponent in last year's Western Finals) in the same way that they're not the Hornets.
Could this go to 7 games? We can't say for sure, but in the Western Conference, perfect matchups don't get any better than this.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
One more for the road
I sensed that the San Antonio Spurs had a long series ahead of them when they took on the New Orleans in Round Dos of the 2008 NBA Playoffs. And after falling in an 0-2 hole, the Spurs didn't fold or give up; I sure didn't stop believing that they could make this a series for the ages. When Game 7 came up last night, I was thinking to myself, "May the best team win," not "may the home team move on to face Kobe Bryant & the Lakers." Seriously, I sensed that San Antonio could pull out a win on the road.
And they didn't disappoint: the Spurs are now in the Western Finals thanks to an 92-81 win over the upstart Hornets. Next question is: how'd they do it?
Well, bottom line is this: the Spurs have been there, done that; they've been in this situation numerous times & they know what they have to do when the going gets rough as last night's win confirms. On the other hand, the Hornets are a team on the rise, a team of upstarts in every sense of the word as far as playoff experience goes; sure, they've been an awesome team all season long but by the same token they haven't been tested thoroughly in the playoffs as much as San Antonio has for the past several years or so. Experience is what brought the Spurs to the Western Finals & what helped them win Game 7 BTW; experience is something the Hornets could have used a little more of & then some.
Tony Parker & company have kept the Spurs playoff philosophy simple along the lines of last year: nothing fancy, nothing flashy - they're all about getting the job done & keeping humble about it. Against their next opponent, a resurgent Kobe Bryant & the Los Angeles Lakers, one only hopes that they stick to their guns now more than ever.
And they didn't disappoint: the Spurs are now in the Western Finals thanks to an 92-81 win over the upstart Hornets. Next question is: how'd they do it?
Well, bottom line is this: the Spurs have been there, done that; they've been in this situation numerous times & they know what they have to do when the going gets rough as last night's win confirms. On the other hand, the Hornets are a team on the rise, a team of upstarts in every sense of the word as far as playoff experience goes; sure, they've been an awesome team all season long but by the same token they haven't been tested thoroughly in the playoffs as much as San Antonio has for the past several years or so. Experience is what brought the Spurs to the Western Finals & what helped them win Game 7 BTW; experience is something the Hornets could have used a little more of & then some.
Tony Parker & company have kept the Spurs playoff philosophy simple along the lines of last year: nothing fancy, nothing flashy - they're all about getting the job done & keeping humble about it. Against their next opponent, a resurgent Kobe Bryant & the Los Angeles Lakers, one only hopes that they stick to their guns now more than ever.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Talking Bridge
The CSX Big Four Bridge over the Great Miami River in Sidney, OH.
Wow, two years since I first checked this historical landmark out & I'm still in love with this bridge. Not only is it one of the more heralded railroad bridges around in the Midwest; it's one of the more prominent bridges in the United States, period. It's carried railroad traffic for 85 years now so the Big Four bridge has definitely stood the test of time, I'll tell you that much.
Anyone who loves doing road trips should stop by Sidney sometime in the near future & check this bridge out while they're in town. Believe me, it's kind of a big deal.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Words of the day
For the longest time, one thing I've always enjoyed bringing up in some of my posts has always been showing support for the Greek community, so much so I really sound like a broken record...lol...in a good way though. Which leads me to the next issue at hand, another leitmotif of mine as far as Greek life goes & this is for the duders: showing support for your fave sororities.
Is your girlfriend an AOII? Well, show your support for her & her sisters by representing AOII all the way.
Is your girlfriend an Alpha Phi? Then show your support for her & her sisters by representing A-Phi all the way.
Is your girlfriend an AGD? Then show your support for her & her sisters by representing AGD all the way.
Is your girlfriend a DZ? Then show your support for her & her sisters by representing Delta Zeta all the way.
Even for all those single Greek/non-Greek duders out there, the same questions still apply but with these conditions:
Do you love AOII with all your heart? Then support AOII.
Do you love Alpha Phi with all your heart? Then support A-Phi.
Do you love Alpha Gamma Delta with all your heart? Then support AGD.
Do you love Delta Zeta? Then support DZ.
Guys, what I'm trying to say is this, especially for those duders whose significant others are AOIIs/A-Phis/DZs: showing your whole-hearted support for one sorority, especially if the love of your life is in one of them, shouldn't be that difficult. If you can take the time out of your day to show your support for AOII/A-Phi/DZ & do lots of beautiful things for them - & the best thing that could happen to any dude is to have the distinction of sorority sweetheart!! - not only will your ladies love you all the more for showing that they're appreciated but their sisters in AOII, DZ, A-Phi, etc. will feel the exact same way as your significant other: "Man, isn't he sweet!!" "Awww, he's the ultimate sweetheart," you know, the obvious, glowing superlatives.
To find a sorority whom you can represent unswervingly without fail - single or no, the choice is yours to make, guys. But if you've got someone by your side right now who is proud to be an AOII, an AGD, etcetera: duders, your choice has already been made & now it's on you to show your support with all your heart.
Is your girlfriend an AOII? Well, show your support for her & her sisters by representing AOII all the way.
Is your girlfriend an Alpha Phi? Then show your support for her & her sisters by representing A-Phi all the way.
Is your girlfriend an AGD? Then show your support for her & her sisters by representing AGD all the way.
Is your girlfriend a DZ? Then show your support for her & her sisters by representing Delta Zeta all the way.
Even for all those single Greek/non-Greek duders out there, the same questions still apply but with these conditions:
Do you love AOII with all your heart? Then support AOII.
Do you love Alpha Phi with all your heart? Then support A-Phi.
Do you love Alpha Gamma Delta with all your heart? Then support AGD.
Do you love Delta Zeta? Then support DZ.
Guys, what I'm trying to say is this, especially for those duders whose significant others are AOIIs/A-Phis/DZs: showing your whole-hearted support for one sorority, especially if the love of your life is in one of them, shouldn't be that difficult. If you can take the time out of your day to show your support for AOII/A-Phi/DZ & do lots of beautiful things for them - & the best thing that could happen to any dude is to have the distinction of sorority sweetheart!! - not only will your ladies love you all the more for showing that they're appreciated but their sisters in AOII, DZ, A-Phi, etc. will feel the exact same way as your significant other: "Man, isn't he sweet!!" "Awww, he's the ultimate sweetheart," you know, the obvious, glowing superlatives.
To find a sorority whom you can represent unswervingly without fail - single or no, the choice is yours to make, guys. But if you've got someone by your side right now who is proud to be an AOII, an AGD, etcetera: duders, your choice has already been made & now it's on you to show your support with all your heart.
Current playlist #8
Robert Plant, "Ship of Fools," Now and Zen
Robert Plant, "Big Log," The Principle of Moments
The Who, "Quadrophenia," Quadrophenia
The Who, "Amazing Journey > Sparks," Tommy
Bryan Ferry, "Windswept," Boys and Girls
Roxy Music, "Running Wild," Flesh and Blood
The Rolling Stones, "Coming Down Again," Goats Head Soup
The Rolling Stones, "Wild Horses," Sticky Fingers
Robert Plant, "Big Log," The Principle of Moments
The Who, "Quadrophenia," Quadrophenia
The Who, "Amazing Journey > Sparks," Tommy
Bryan Ferry, "Windswept," Boys and Girls
Roxy Music, "Running Wild," Flesh and Blood
The Rolling Stones, "Coming Down Again," Goats Head Soup
The Rolling Stones, "Wild Horses," Sticky Fingers
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Swede Emotion
Retro? This isn't stinking retro!!
But what beautiful music we're listening to here, this latest batch of songcraft from Sweden's very own Dungen, Tio Bitar (roughly translated as "ten pieces'). You can call it psychedelic, a throwback to the late 60s, a blast from the past. Yet this is very contemporary music which Gustav Ejstes, Dungen's main man & multi-instrumentalist, has made for our listening pleasure. You could swear that this was recorded in 1968, 1970 or 1971 (as well as the recording equipment used for the task) but this was done in the new millennium...I know, but the sounds which abound on Tio Bitar have got me thinking otherwise.
"Intro" kicks things off with an outburst of fuzz-wah, a Blue Cheer-ish firestorm of the highest order, only to let some light through two-thirds of the way through with a jazzy flute melody. "Familij" feels ambient as much as it is psychedelic bliss. Then of course Ejstes delivers the Can goods on 3-minute rockers like "Gor Det Nu" & "Du Ska Inte Tro Att Det Ordan Sig." "C Visar Vagen" is a pastoral tune which strikes the perfect balance between sad & happy (same with "Sa Blev Det Bestamt.") "Mon Amour" starts out a simple ditty, fair enough, but just under 2:30 into the proceedings, it turns into guitar heaven, a monolithic fuzzfest for the ages. "Ett Skal Att Trivas" is ploddingly heavy but in a frigging good way, as with the Can-meets-Hendrix "Svart Ar Himlen."
If John Lennon came back to life as a Swede & sang in nothing but Swedish, he'd have a mellow, pleasant voice like Gustav Ejstes displays. True, Ejstes has a Lennon-ish flair in his voice & we can't figure out what he's singing about (point being that it's in his native Swedish). But then again, it wouldn't matter if he sang in English; music this loopy & lovely can't help but be majorly infectious, regardless of what language the words are sung in.
Tio Bitar is beautiful music you can't put a finger on. Is it psychedelic? Is it psych-folk? Is it music to rock out to? It's all of the above & Ejstes put out another winner which'll have you moving around as much as dreaming away. But please, for Gustav's sake, don't call this music retro!!
But what beautiful music we're listening to here, this latest batch of songcraft from Sweden's very own Dungen, Tio Bitar (roughly translated as "ten pieces'). You can call it psychedelic, a throwback to the late 60s, a blast from the past. Yet this is very contemporary music which Gustav Ejstes, Dungen's main man & multi-instrumentalist, has made for our listening pleasure. You could swear that this was recorded in 1968, 1970 or 1971 (as well as the recording equipment used for the task) but this was done in the new millennium...I know, but the sounds which abound on Tio Bitar have got me thinking otherwise.
"Intro" kicks things off with an outburst of fuzz-wah, a Blue Cheer-ish firestorm of the highest order, only to let some light through two-thirds of the way through with a jazzy flute melody. "Familij" feels ambient as much as it is psychedelic bliss. Then of course Ejstes delivers the Can goods on 3-minute rockers like "Gor Det Nu" & "Du Ska Inte Tro Att Det Ordan Sig." "C Visar Vagen" is a pastoral tune which strikes the perfect balance between sad & happy (same with "Sa Blev Det Bestamt.") "Mon Amour" starts out a simple ditty, fair enough, but just under 2:30 into the proceedings, it turns into guitar heaven, a monolithic fuzzfest for the ages. "Ett Skal Att Trivas" is ploddingly heavy but in a frigging good way, as with the Can-meets-Hendrix "Svart Ar Himlen."
If John Lennon came back to life as a Swede & sang in nothing but Swedish, he'd have a mellow, pleasant voice like Gustav Ejstes displays. True, Ejstes has a Lennon-ish flair in his voice & we can't figure out what he's singing about (point being that it's in his native Swedish). But then again, it wouldn't matter if he sang in English; music this loopy & lovely can't help but be majorly infectious, regardless of what language the words are sung in.
Tio Bitar is beautiful music you can't put a finger on. Is it psychedelic? Is it psych-folk? Is it music to rock out to? It's all of the above & Ejstes put out another winner which'll have you moving around as much as dreaming away. But please, for Gustav's sake, don't call this music retro!!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Something/Anything? (Side Three, or Third Time's the Charm)
With two stellar albums under his belt, Todd Rundgren really was hitting his stride as not only a singer/songwriter, but also as a musician & producer. So it was without surprise that he was prepared to strike paydirt in some way or other. And with the 1972 double-LP Something/Anything? Todd did just that. If Runt was the equivalent of a Bachelor's Degree in the world of music & The Ballad of Todd Rundgren was a Master's then S/A? is the Ph.D. Todd worked long & laboriously for. Not only is this pop heaven but also a trademark tapestry of sound which takes multiple listens to fully appreciate.
The 1-2-3 punch of "I Saw The Light," "It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference" & "Wolfman Jack" are not only an awesome way to start any album out: they're also power-pop gems on an album chock full of hidden treasure. (Kudos to "Couldn't I Just Tell You" as well.) "Cold Morning Light," "Hello It's Me," "Marlene," "Torch Song" & "Saving Grace" are beauties in the ballad department; "Black Maria," "Little Red Lights" & "Slut" reveal Mr. Rundgren in rock-out mode. "Intro" is Todd giving the ultimate homework lesson in the sounds of the studio: hiss, hum, lousy editing, the tape machine going on the blink among other out-of-line sounds. Of course, he didn't mention other sounds, nuances or effects which abound throughout S/A?: slowed-down instrumentation (as well as vocals: e.g. the intro to "Saving Grace"), instrumentation getting tinkered with electronically - just to cite some examples of Todd's multi-talented personality at work.
What makes S/A? so special is that 75% of the album was done by one man & one man alone. If there was a perfect model for folks like Prince to take to heart as far as one-man bands are concerned, S/A? is one great place to start. Side four - the other 25% of this magnum opus - was captured live in the studio, warts & all; this time around, Todd had the support of whoever showed up to play at the time but (if I should say so) Part Four is just as sweet. Talk about a musician who wasn't afraid to step outside the box: Todd's willingness to explore divergent musical styles like hard rock, pop, soul, R&B, early electronic music (& all this during a time frame of 90 minutes) to this day has never failed to amaze me or any diehard TR fan for that matter. And he still managed to sound like himself in the process.
Something/Anything? really made me a believer in Todd Rundgren, not only because it was one of the more challenging albums ever produced/released way back in 1972. It also showed us why Todd was God back in the day: this is a classic double-album from start to finish, veering effortlessly from one style to another, a showcase for Todd's knack to be diverse as can be in terms of musicianship as well as songcraft.
The 1-2-3 punch of "I Saw The Light," "It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference" & "Wolfman Jack" are not only an awesome way to start any album out: they're also power-pop gems on an album chock full of hidden treasure. (Kudos to "Couldn't I Just Tell You" as well.) "Cold Morning Light," "Hello It's Me," "Marlene," "Torch Song" & "Saving Grace" are beauties in the ballad department; "Black Maria," "Little Red Lights" & "Slut" reveal Mr. Rundgren in rock-out mode. "Intro" is Todd giving the ultimate homework lesson in the sounds of the studio: hiss, hum, lousy editing, the tape machine going on the blink among other out-of-line sounds. Of course, he didn't mention other sounds, nuances or effects which abound throughout S/A?: slowed-down instrumentation (as well as vocals: e.g. the intro to "Saving Grace"), instrumentation getting tinkered with electronically - just to cite some examples of Todd's multi-talented personality at work.
What makes S/A? so special is that 75% of the album was done by one man & one man alone. If there was a perfect model for folks like Prince to take to heart as far as one-man bands are concerned, S/A? is one great place to start. Side four - the other 25% of this magnum opus - was captured live in the studio, warts & all; this time around, Todd had the support of whoever showed up to play at the time but (if I should say so) Part Four is just as sweet. Talk about a musician who wasn't afraid to step outside the box: Todd's willingness to explore divergent musical styles like hard rock, pop, soul, R&B, early electronic music (& all this during a time frame of 90 minutes) to this day has never failed to amaze me or any diehard TR fan for that matter. And he still managed to sound like himself in the process.
Something/Anything? really made me a believer in Todd Rundgren, not only because it was one of the more challenging albums ever produced/released way back in 1972. It also showed us why Todd was God back in the day: this is a classic double-album from start to finish, veering effortlessly from one style to another, a showcase for Todd's knack to be diverse as can be in terms of musicianship as well as songcraft.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Something/Anything? (Side B)
In 1971, Todd Rundgren released his second solo effort, Runt: The Ballad of Todd Rundgren. Building on the strength of its predecessor, Runt, this album was the ultimate showcase for Todd to let his producing & songwriting skills (& craftiness with what instrumentation to use, as well as where & when to use it) shine through like never before. Surely, Runt was an awesome album but with a rag-tag vibe attached. On the other hand, RTBOTR is a naturally marked improvement, a solid, cohesive group of songs which are pure power pop heaven.
The opener, "Long Flowing Robe," is hooks central, catchy as much as it is a curveball (at the prechorus & chorus) & sets the tone for this album in a major way. Of course, the next track, "The Ballad," is just that, with a talkbox solo thrown in for good measure. Then we go to guitar heaven: "Bleeding," "Parole," & "Chain Letter" (with its powerful acoustic intro & Hey Jude-ish outro) are as good as Todd gets when it comes to penning tail-kicking rockers. "The Range War" has a country & western vibe written all over its sleeve, & the majestic jazzy sweep which is "Boat On The Charles" can't be overlooked either.
No Todd Rundgren record would quite be the same without the prerequisite ballads: the aforementioned "The Ballad," "Wailing Wall," (one of my fave songs on RTBOTR, period) "Be Nice To Me" & "Hope I'm Around" are stand-outs on an album chock full of awesome songs. In just under a minute, Todd says his piece & moves on with "Remember Me," as if to say you were going to hear bigger & better things from the man in the future (BTW, we would when his 1972 magnum opus, Something/Anything? came out).
With Runt: The Ballad of Todd Rundgren, the man of the hour came through with one of his more accessible, more cohesive efforts to date. At the same time, he let us in on what made him one of the most talented musicians/producers around: delivering with a mastery of styles which would serve him well on his next big project, S/A? Todd was not only a true genius & a wizard with this second platter of catchy songs; he was also on his way toward becoming a true star in the making.
The opener, "Long Flowing Robe," is hooks central, catchy as much as it is a curveball (at the prechorus & chorus) & sets the tone for this album in a major way. Of course, the next track, "The Ballad," is just that, with a talkbox solo thrown in for good measure. Then we go to guitar heaven: "Bleeding," "Parole," & "Chain Letter" (with its powerful acoustic intro & Hey Jude-ish outro) are as good as Todd gets when it comes to penning tail-kicking rockers. "The Range War" has a country & western vibe written all over its sleeve, & the majestic jazzy sweep which is "Boat On The Charles" can't be overlooked either.
No Todd Rundgren record would quite be the same without the prerequisite ballads: the aforementioned "The Ballad," "Wailing Wall," (one of my fave songs on RTBOTR, period) "Be Nice To Me" & "Hope I'm Around" are stand-outs on an album chock full of awesome songs. In just under a minute, Todd says his piece & moves on with "Remember Me," as if to say you were going to hear bigger & better things from the man in the future (BTW, we would when his 1972 magnum opus, Something/Anything? came out).
With Runt: The Ballad of Todd Rundgren, the man of the hour came through with one of his more accessible, more cohesive efforts to date. At the same time, he let us in on what made him one of the most talented musicians/producers around: delivering with a mastery of styles which would serve him well on his next big project, S/A? Todd was not only a true genius & a wizard with this second platter of catchy songs; he was also on his way toward becoming a true star in the making.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Something/Anything? (Side A)
Back in 1972, Todd Rundgren came out with what could be considered his Ph.D. in the world of music, the double album Something/Anything? We knew he was one of the more talented, more diverse as well as more iconoclastic musicians on the block but when S/A? was released, we saw Todd in a different light: the man had truly arrived & was at the top of his game. Now a little info on the short but sweet road which brought Todd to this high point in his career in the first place:
He first began fine-tuning his songcrafting abilities back in the late-60s with Nazz; they only made two bonafide albums as a group (the final release, Nazz III, consisted of leftover sessions taken from their second album, Nazz Nazz). The latter album was slated to be a double-record set but Todd's bandmates were up in arms because of the musical directions he wanted to take at the time. Nonetheless, his work with Nazz proved to be a beneficial springboard which would serve him well once he broke out as a solo artist.
In 1970, Todd's first release as a solo musician, Runt, proved that his time with Nazz was time well spent & rightly so. By the same token, it confirmed an official trademark of sorts: the willingness to try anything & everything not only in terms of instrumentation but also divergent musical styles in the process (i.e. ballads, hard-rocking tunes, the more out-there stuff). With a 3-minute piece of pure pop bliss like "We Gotta Get You A Woman," with its percussion wonderland (during the pre-chorus & chorus), how could Todd go wrong?
As we found out, he couldn't. Juxtaposition was his personal philosophy from the get-go: The opening track, "Broke Down and Busted," was a slow-burning rocker but the very next tune, "Believe In Me," was a ballad. Then a more upbeat number (the aforementioned "We Gotta Get...") followed by a need-for-speed rave-up ("Who's That Man?"). And that's only the first side I'm talking about.
The second half showed Todd going places with his music & getting a little out-there: the middle section of "I'm In The Clique" was ample proof of that. "There Are No Words" was self-explanatory, a fully realized piece of "out-there" stuff: Todd all by his lonesome on vocals, channeling Brian Wilson without having to say a single word. The closing track, "Birthday Carol," was to Runt what "A Beautiful Song" was to Nazz Nazz: Todd showcasing his influences & songwriting skills without let or hindrance (& using a little leitmotif from "TANW" at the very end with the string section).
Haters would say, "What a weirdo," or "What was he thinking?" or "Who does this dude think he is?" But Todd Rundgren, the young buck on the scene, knew exactly what he wanted to do, where he wanted to go musically, & his first solo release was seen as a first but crucial step into realizing his goals as a musician as much as a producer & songsmith of the highest order.
More to follow...
He first began fine-tuning his songcrafting abilities back in the late-60s with Nazz; they only made two bonafide albums as a group (the final release, Nazz III, consisted of leftover sessions taken from their second album, Nazz Nazz). The latter album was slated to be a double-record set but Todd's bandmates were up in arms because of the musical directions he wanted to take at the time. Nonetheless, his work with Nazz proved to be a beneficial springboard which would serve him well once he broke out as a solo artist.
In 1970, Todd's first release as a solo musician, Runt, proved that his time with Nazz was time well spent & rightly so. By the same token, it confirmed an official trademark of sorts: the willingness to try anything & everything not only in terms of instrumentation but also divergent musical styles in the process (i.e. ballads, hard-rocking tunes, the more out-there stuff). With a 3-minute piece of pure pop bliss like "We Gotta Get You A Woman," with its percussion wonderland (during the pre-chorus & chorus), how could Todd go wrong?
As we found out, he couldn't. Juxtaposition was his personal philosophy from the get-go: The opening track, "Broke Down and Busted," was a slow-burning rocker but the very next tune, "Believe In Me," was a ballad. Then a more upbeat number (the aforementioned "We Gotta Get...") followed by a need-for-speed rave-up ("Who's That Man?"). And that's only the first side I'm talking about.
The second half showed Todd going places with his music & getting a little out-there: the middle section of "I'm In The Clique" was ample proof of that. "There Are No Words" was self-explanatory, a fully realized piece of "out-there" stuff: Todd all by his lonesome on vocals, channeling Brian Wilson without having to say a single word. The closing track, "Birthday Carol," was to Runt what "A Beautiful Song" was to Nazz Nazz: Todd showcasing his influences & songwriting skills without let or hindrance (& using a little leitmotif from "TANW" at the very end with the string section).
Haters would say, "What a weirdo," or "What was he thinking?" or "Who does this dude think he is?" But Todd Rundgren, the young buck on the scene, knew exactly what he wanted to do, where he wanted to go musically, & his first solo release was seen as a first but crucial step into realizing his goals as a musician as much as a producer & songsmith of the highest order.
More to follow...
Words of the day
Mother's Day is just around the corner & I felt that this would be a perfect opportunity to say the things I often have a tendency to leave unsaid:
You might be who knows how many miles away from your old home but when you get the chance call up your mom to tell her how much she is loved & appreciated; she'd not only love you all the more for it but she'll also understand how much you care about family. Oh, & it wouldn't hurt to send out a card & some gifts while you're at it.
Remember, Mother's Day is a chance to show your mom respect where it's due; on a day like this, it's not all you.
If family holds a pretty important place in your life, Mother's Day should be a big deal as well.
And having said that: If there was ever a time to show your moms that they're highly valued in your life, go out & do something wonderful for them, even if it's the smallest act of kindness.
You might be who knows how many miles away from your old home but when you get the chance call up your mom to tell her how much she is loved & appreciated; she'd not only love you all the more for it but she'll also understand how much you care about family. Oh, & it wouldn't hurt to send out a card & some gifts while you're at it.
Remember, Mother's Day is a chance to show your mom respect where it's due; on a day like this, it's not all you.
If family holds a pretty important place in your life, Mother's Day should be a big deal as well.
And having said that: If there was ever a time to show your moms that they're highly valued in your life, go out & do something wonderful for them, even if it's the smallest act of kindness.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
96 tears
When a fraternity makes news headlines for all the wrong reasons, we tend to stop & stare, marveling at how badly they loused up. But when 6 fraternities make news headlines like so, oh man, we stop in our tracks wondering why they could tarnish their reputations as the leading Greek organizations on campus.
That's exactly what went down @ San Diego State just the other day; one fraternity was the star of the show but five others played a pivotal role in the front-page section as well. They didn't get nailed for a big block party with lots of alcohol & a bunch of unruly students finding stuff to break. It wasn't for hazing or for grades. Serious, it was for something far worse, something which makes me shudder every time I think about it: a huge drug ring.
My land: at a university where Greek life is kind of a big deal, this latest news of Greeks gone bad really takes the cake. I mean, this is a bit much for me to stomach: in organizations where we're promoting integrity, high moral standards (as well as values), there are those select few trying to challenge convention & the very ideals their respective chapters' founders brought to the table, & they're basically saying, "Well, we're in a frat & can do what we want, even if it's not legal."
Cases in point: those SDSU Theta Chis who openly dealt drugs with no qualms (& one of them even going wholesale in the text message dep't. informing customers on special prices for cocaine). Not just Theta Chi, but one needs to include the other fraternities who were part of the ring, & the members who stood by allowing such illegal activity to take place. Is this to say that they were the baddest of the bad in the Greek community? Among those 96 duders who got arrested, one was about to get a degree in criminal justice & another was going to get a master's in Homeland Security. Digressions aside, those fraternities who smelled a rat (that is to say, sensed that something was up with some of their members selling drugs) but chose to turn their backs & let them keep doing their thing just made the worst transgression of all: compromising their integrity, & with it their existence as premier Greek houses @ San Diego State.
I thought we'd have learned from the mistakes other folks in the Greek system made in the past. But this latest incident back in San Diego tells us that we still have a lot to learn: it's not this rote maxim that "crime does not pay," but what happens when bad things happen to some of the best & brightest Greeks in the bunch.
At the same time, we've found out what happens when the best & brightest Greeks in the bunch, even though they know their fellow brothers are up to no good or into illegal activities like selling drugs, look the other way & don't take action where it's sorely due: a few fraternities suspended, 8 dozen duders arrested.
That's exactly what went down @ San Diego State just the other day; one fraternity was the star of the show but five others played a pivotal role in the front-page section as well. They didn't get nailed for a big block party with lots of alcohol & a bunch of unruly students finding stuff to break. It wasn't for hazing or for grades. Serious, it was for something far worse, something which makes me shudder every time I think about it: a huge drug ring.
My land: at a university where Greek life is kind of a big deal, this latest news of Greeks gone bad really takes the cake. I mean, this is a bit much for me to stomach: in organizations where we're promoting integrity, high moral standards (as well as values), there are those select few trying to challenge convention & the very ideals their respective chapters' founders brought to the table, & they're basically saying, "Well, we're in a frat & can do what we want, even if it's not legal."
Cases in point: those SDSU Theta Chis who openly dealt drugs with no qualms (& one of them even going wholesale in the text message dep't. informing customers on special prices for cocaine). Not just Theta Chi, but one needs to include the other fraternities who were part of the ring, & the members who stood by allowing such illegal activity to take place. Is this to say that they were the baddest of the bad in the Greek community? Among those 96 duders who got arrested, one was about to get a degree in criminal justice & another was going to get a master's in Homeland Security. Digressions aside, those fraternities who smelled a rat (that is to say, sensed that something was up with some of their members selling drugs) but chose to turn their backs & let them keep doing their thing just made the worst transgression of all: compromising their integrity, & with it their existence as premier Greek houses @ San Diego State.
I thought we'd have learned from the mistakes other folks in the Greek system made in the past. But this latest incident back in San Diego tells us that we still have a lot to learn: it's not this rote maxim that "crime does not pay," but what happens when bad things happen to some of the best & brightest Greeks in the bunch.
At the same time, we've found out what happens when the best & brightest Greeks in the bunch, even though they know their fellow brothers are up to no good or into illegal activities like selling drugs, look the other way & don't take action where it's sorely due: a few fraternities suspended, 8 dozen duders arrested.
L.A. Story
It seems that quite some time ago, Kobe Bryant was a full-blown spazz back in Los Angeles. He wanted to be traded to who knows where, he wasn't on amicable speaking terms with the Lakers GM & even his teammates, among other things...Kobe was on a huge ego trip we thought he'd never get off of. Not only that, but in a talent-laden Western Conference, we felt that Kobe & company would never be able to compete with the likes of Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki, or the Spurs in general.
Fast forward to now: couldn't we have been more wrong. This season, Kobe could best be seen as a Renaissance Man, making a triumphant comeback for the ages. True, he's still the star of the show but this time around, he's getting help from his fellow teammates (one issue he fumed about no end last summer) & the Lakers are playing some of their best hoops since the good ol' days when Shaq was in town. (If only they had Shaq in a Lakers uniform again instead of him playing for those dreaded Suns...ugh.)
Who says attitudes can't change for the better? Well, Kobe has found redemption in more ways than one this season; he can still score points like a mofo but he's gained some selflessness in doing so. Sure, all eyes are still on the franchise player, the man of the hour. But lately, we haven't heard him pouting & fuming that the Lakers are underachieving. We haven't heard him screaming for an early exit, a move over to Chicago or Cleveland. The way things have gone with the Lakers for 2008, it looks like life is going Kobe's way. Not exactly, but from the way Los Angeles has been playing thus far, life is once more beginning to look good in Lakers land.
And no YouTube rants of Kobe asking us if we're kidding him or not: this year L.A. is a hoops force to be reckoned with & rightly so.
Fast forward to now: couldn't we have been more wrong. This season, Kobe could best be seen as a Renaissance Man, making a triumphant comeback for the ages. True, he's still the star of the show but this time around, he's getting help from his fellow teammates (one issue he fumed about no end last summer) & the Lakers are playing some of their best hoops since the good ol' days when Shaq was in town. (If only they had Shaq in a Lakers uniform again instead of him playing for those dreaded Suns...ugh.)
Who says attitudes can't change for the better? Well, Kobe has found redemption in more ways than one this season; he can still score points like a mofo but he's gained some selflessness in doing so. Sure, all eyes are still on the franchise player, the man of the hour. But lately, we haven't heard him pouting & fuming that the Lakers are underachieving. We haven't heard him screaming for an early exit, a move over to Chicago or Cleveland. The way things have gone with the Lakers for 2008, it looks like life is going Kobe's way. Not exactly, but from the way Los Angeles has been playing thus far, life is once more beginning to look good in Lakers land.
And no YouTube rants of Kobe asking us if we're kidding him or not: this year L.A. is a hoops force to be reckoned with & rightly so.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
So this is goodbye...
Graduation. It's a time of year I remember vividly, not only as an alumni but also as a spectator. It can be a real emotional time; on other occasions it can be a joyous celebration for the ages. At any rate, Graduation is the end of one chapter to our lives & the start of another.
So this is goodbye? Well, Graduation is not only a goodbye to friends & hangouts we've come to know & love with all our hearts; it's also a hello of sorts. Of course, we're saying hello to the real world but we're also saying hello to new cities, new friends, new networks & connections. An event of such magnitude as Graduation isn't saying goodbye after all if we stop to think about it; in the same way, it's not the end of time either. If anything, real life has just began to sink in & it has started in earnest.
So this is goodbye? Graduation, for me, was not about saying goodbye to Muncie...I still visit the place every chance I get. It wasn't about saying goodbye to Greek life & all of its benefits...I'm truly proud to be Greek, to this very day. It wasn't about saying goodbye to many of my old connections & ties (which BTW I still have plenty of). It was about saying hello to the real world, hello to a whole new chapter of my life story, hello to a brand new period in my life.
This isn't goodbye. It's more like hello, on a day like this.
So this is goodbye? Well, Graduation is not only a goodbye to friends & hangouts we've come to know & love with all our hearts; it's also a hello of sorts. Of course, we're saying hello to the real world but we're also saying hello to new cities, new friends, new networks & connections. An event of such magnitude as Graduation isn't saying goodbye after all if we stop to think about it; in the same way, it's not the end of time either. If anything, real life has just began to sink in & it has started in earnest.
So this is goodbye? Graduation, for me, was not about saying goodbye to Muncie...I still visit the place every chance I get. It wasn't about saying goodbye to Greek life & all of its benefits...I'm truly proud to be Greek, to this very day. It wasn't about saying goodbye to many of my old connections & ties (which BTW I still have plenty of). It was about saying hello to the real world, hello to a whole new chapter of my life story, hello to a brand new period in my life.
This isn't goodbye. It's more like hello, on a day like this.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
The start of something
For plenty of men & women, the end of college life has arrived & or will arrive soon.
Why for? you may ask.
It all comes down to one word & one word alone: Graduation.
Graduation is not only another routine rite of passage, marking the end of college life as we know it. It's not the end of one chapter in this work-in-progress. To tell you the truth, it's the beginning of another chapter, the start of something brand new.
It's our welcome to the real world.
I should know; it was only 2 1/2 years ago since I graduated & I can say these words with sincerity. Life in the real world isn't a picnic; it's not a cakewalk. And it sure can be a struggle against every imaginable element at times. With its deadlines & commitments, the real world can indeed be an imposing atmosphere on occasion.
Our transition from the good old days of college to the real world is going to be tough. But if we can take what we learned from four years of school & implement those relevant lessons of note into our work/social philosophies (wherever we wind up), if we can use our networking & leadership skills to the fullest advantage while we're ahead, the road ahead won't be as bumpy nor will it be a rough ride to Atlanta, Chi-town, among other cities I didn't mention.
Graduation is going to come up soon & with it the culmination of four years of fun, lessons learned, lessons yet unlearned all come to the forefront. And not only that, it will mark the start of something new in our lives, a chance to take our education to greater heights.
Why for? you may ask.
It all comes down to one word & one word alone: Graduation.
Graduation is not only another routine rite of passage, marking the end of college life as we know it. It's not the end of one chapter in this work-in-progress. To tell you the truth, it's the beginning of another chapter, the start of something brand new.
It's our welcome to the real world.
I should know; it was only 2 1/2 years ago since I graduated & I can say these words with sincerity. Life in the real world isn't a picnic; it's not a cakewalk. And it sure can be a struggle against every imaginable element at times. With its deadlines & commitments, the real world can indeed be an imposing atmosphere on occasion.
Our transition from the good old days of college to the real world is going to be tough. But if we can take what we learned from four years of school & implement those relevant lessons of note into our work/social philosophies (wherever we wind up), if we can use our networking & leadership skills to the fullest advantage while we're ahead, the road ahead won't be as bumpy nor will it be a rough ride to Atlanta, Chi-town, among other cities I didn't mention.
Graduation is going to come up soon & with it the culmination of four years of fun, lessons learned, lessons yet unlearned all come to the forefront. And not only that, it will mark the start of something new in our lives, a chance to take our education to greater heights.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Spaces & places: traveling quotes from yours truly
The road goes on forever but for its travelers, life on it doesn't always go as intended.
You may be who knows how many miles away from home but take time out of your day to tell your moms, pops, friends & significant others how much you love them. Some people delayed on doing just that & never got a chance to say the words they needed to while they were in the prime of life. (In short, don't take anything for granted; tomorrow isn't automatically guaranteed.)
Life on the open road can be full of surprises: first it's smooth sailing on a paved road & before you know it, it turns to gravel. You'll wonder to yourself it was worth your time to stay on Highway A & decide to turn around to do more aimless driving around in the middle of nowhere. But I'll tell you this: keep on going, don't stop, don't turn around. Keep moving ahead until you've reached the end of the line & then you can say, "I have arrived!!"
Like our favorite songs, & even our first loves, there will always be a special place which leaves its mark on our lives & on our hearts.
If you say you want to live life to the fullest, get out & see the world every chance you get. That's telling everyone you're the adventurous type. Not only that, you're telling 'em you've got a well-rounded personality as well.
So I'll soon be home...no, I've still got an hour to go, maybe two from the looks of things. But wherever home is, I'm going to be back soon.
Life is, was, has always been, will always be a journey.
You may be who knows how many miles away from home but take time out of your day to tell your moms, pops, friends & significant others how much you love them. Some people delayed on doing just that & never got a chance to say the words they needed to while they were in the prime of life. (In short, don't take anything for granted; tomorrow isn't automatically guaranteed.)
Life on the open road can be full of surprises: first it's smooth sailing on a paved road & before you know it, it turns to gravel. You'll wonder to yourself it was worth your time to stay on Highway A & decide to turn around to do more aimless driving around in the middle of nowhere. But I'll tell you this: keep on going, don't stop, don't turn around. Keep moving ahead until you've reached the end of the line & then you can say, "I have arrived!!"
Like our favorite songs, & even our first loves, there will always be a special place which leaves its mark on our lives & on our hearts.
If you say you want to live life to the fullest, get out & see the world every chance you get. That's telling everyone you're the adventurous type. Not only that, you're telling 'em you've got a well-rounded personality as well.
So I'll soon be home...no, I've still got an hour to go, maybe two from the looks of things. But wherever home is, I'm going to be back soon.
Life is, was, has always been, will always be a journey.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Pictures of home away from home
A good 15 minutes or so east of Flint, MI (or roughly 3.5 miles east of Goodrich, MI, whichever you prefer) there once used to be a camp I went to a few weeks prior to school starting back up again: Camp Lakeview was its name & it was a beauty back in the day. Right next to a state recreation area (Ortonville) & who knows how many miles from the nearest paved road, this was a little piece of heaven, a quiet place, serenity plain & simple.
Looking back on those times spent up there, I can't help but wonder how good it felt not just to be a few hours away from home but embracing & appreciating the wonderful works which God made for every one of us. For me, one week of camp life was one week of contemplation, a time for meditation in a quiet atmosphere out in the country. And of course, life was good & beautiful while out in the sticks: I wouldn't have passed the last week of July (into early August) for any other time of the year when it came to having fun & good times, what with summer winding down before our very eyes.
Right here in the middle of nature, in a rural landscape...I'd give a lot just to relive those days again if I could. Times like those haven't been gone forever, now have they?
Looking back on those times spent up there, I can't help but wonder how good it felt not just to be a few hours away from home but embracing & appreciating the wonderful works which God made for every one of us. For me, one week of camp life was one week of contemplation, a time for meditation in a quiet atmosphere out in the country. And of course, life was good & beautiful while out in the sticks: I wouldn't have passed the last week of July (into early August) for any other time of the year when it came to having fun & good times, what with summer winding down before our very eyes.
Right here in the middle of nature, in a rural landscape...I'd give a lot just to relive those days again if I could. Times like those haven't been gone forever, now have they?
Out on the road
Down the road I go.
Down the road I go, windows down, wind blowing through my hair as I race down these thoroughfares...Life is looking good right now & who would want it any other way?
Every time I take to the open road I'm reliving my childhood all over again...back then I was a rambunctious little sonofabuck with a heart for adventure, always looking to break free from the small space I was confined in. And was I ever an adventurous type back in the day!!
More than ever, I've been heading to places which left a particular stamp on my life in some way or other. Whether it's Sidney, OH (home of the CSX Big Four bridge over the Great Miami River) or just up the road to Pokagon State Park, I've gone out & seen the world from a whole new perspective, I'll tell you that much. It's not like I'm going on a cruise down Memory Lane though: ever since those good old days of riding in the front passenger seat with Dad as he took the byways back home from West Milton, OH or Cedar Point, I've had this urge to travel which hasn't quieted down one iota & each subsequent trip that I take brings a whole new bunch of memories worth treasuring.
Down the road I go, unstoppable in my pursuit of happiness, feeling free as a duder can be right now.
Down the road I go, windows down, wind blowing through my hair as I race down these thoroughfares...Life is looking good right now & who would want it any other way?
Every time I take to the open road I'm reliving my childhood all over again...back then I was a rambunctious little sonofabuck with a heart for adventure, always looking to break free from the small space I was confined in. And was I ever an adventurous type back in the day!!
More than ever, I've been heading to places which left a particular stamp on my life in some way or other. Whether it's Sidney, OH (home of the CSX Big Four bridge over the Great Miami River) or just up the road to Pokagon State Park, I've gone out & seen the world from a whole new perspective, I'll tell you that much. It's not like I'm going on a cruise down Memory Lane though: ever since those good old days of riding in the front passenger seat with Dad as he took the byways back home from West Milton, OH or Cedar Point, I've had this urge to travel which hasn't quieted down one iota & each subsequent trip that I take brings a whole new bunch of memories worth treasuring.
Down the road I go, unstoppable in my pursuit of happiness, feeling free as a duder can be right now.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Some words of wisdom
Funny how time slips away before you get a chance to fully embrace it & what it all means.
Funny how we never make the most of our opportunities while they're still available.
Funny how we get a chance to look at the roses outside our door but we never take time out to smell their scent.
Funny how we're eager to meet our heroes/role models but hesitate to tell them how we truly feel, much less articulate how much we admire them.
Funny how we can talk about love but never live it out every day.
Funny how we can say how much we love someone but our words ring hollow, a good sign that we were never sincere or honest all along.
Funny how we can show our support for so-&-so one week only to shut them down the next.
Funny how we can act like the life of the party on the weekends but when the buzz wears off (& with that the start of a whole new week) we act too cool or too good to be bothered by anyone.
Funny how we can have our priorities all in line only to find they're way out of order.
Funny how we can say we're going to do something but never do it.
Funny how we can say we're going somewhere but we can't say where to.
Funny how we can say we've got plans when we don't have any to begin with.
Funny how we can profess that we're perfect only to slip up later on.
Funny how we can take back time but we can't take back things that we said & did.
Time's of the essence; while it's still yours, do a lot more than make the most of it.
Funny how we never make the most of our opportunities while they're still available.
Funny how we get a chance to look at the roses outside our door but we never take time out to smell their scent.
Funny how we're eager to meet our heroes/role models but hesitate to tell them how we truly feel, much less articulate how much we admire them.
Funny how we can talk about love but never live it out every day.
Funny how we can say how much we love someone but our words ring hollow, a good sign that we were never sincere or honest all along.
Funny how we can show our support for so-&-so one week only to shut them down the next.
Funny how we can act like the life of the party on the weekends but when the buzz wears off (& with that the start of a whole new week) we act too cool or too good to be bothered by anyone.
Funny how we can have our priorities all in line only to find they're way out of order.
Funny how we can say we're going to do something but never do it.
Funny how we can say we're going somewhere but we can't say where to.
Funny how we can say we've got plans when we don't have any to begin with.
Funny how we can profess that we're perfect only to slip up later on.
Funny how we can take back time but we can't take back things that we said & did.
Time's of the essence; while it's still yours, do a lot more than make the most of it.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Thoughts on Graduation
Another week of regular classes, then Finals...
For those folks approaching the end of the line as undergraduates, Graduation is just around the corner as well. These last days of college life, true, are going to be hectic, as one stays holed up in the library for hours on end getting pumped for next week's exams; as one contends with class projects, presentations & other whatnot, hoping to stay firing on all 4 cylinders come next week; as one contemplates the next steps he/she will take once Graduation's highs have finally worn off for good.
Graduation may be the end to one chapter of our lives but it is also the start of another chapter if we stop to give the matter some thought. We may miss lots of our closest friends, we may miss the comforts/amenities of home life, we may miss our favorite hangouts...there are a lot of old ways & memories we can't seem to abandon, even if we tried to. Honestly, there's a lot of stuff we're going to miss once Fall Semester rolls around & once we've finally set foot in the real world, wherever we wind up going.
Graduation, though, is a new start, a chance to begin anew. True, we still can connect with old friends, we still can hang out when time permits. True, we still can visit our alma mater when we get the chance. But once our time at college is up, the real world welcomes us & some things we thought that we'd never do without...well, they'll end up by the wayside.
Graduation is a time to let go, some will say, of those old habits which we slugged around on our shoulders for four years or so. And so we will, however reluctantly. But in the meantime, there's still life to be lived, time left to live it up. And time enough to get a breather from the incoming storm which will either make or break our whole year.
For those folks approaching the end of the line as undergraduates, Graduation is just around the corner as well. These last days of college life, true, are going to be hectic, as one stays holed up in the library for hours on end getting pumped for next week's exams; as one contends with class projects, presentations & other whatnot, hoping to stay firing on all 4 cylinders come next week; as one contemplates the next steps he/she will take once Graduation's highs have finally worn off for good.
Graduation may be the end to one chapter of our lives but it is also the start of another chapter if we stop to give the matter some thought. We may miss lots of our closest friends, we may miss the comforts/amenities of home life, we may miss our favorite hangouts...there are a lot of old ways & memories we can't seem to abandon, even if we tried to. Honestly, there's a lot of stuff we're going to miss once Fall Semester rolls around & once we've finally set foot in the real world, wherever we wind up going.
Graduation, though, is a new start, a chance to begin anew. True, we still can connect with old friends, we still can hang out when time permits. True, we still can visit our alma mater when we get the chance. But once our time at college is up, the real world welcomes us & some things we thought that we'd never do without...well, they'll end up by the wayside.
Graduation is a time to let go, some will say, of those old habits which we slugged around on our shoulders for four years or so. And so we will, however reluctantly. But in the meantime, there's still life to be lived, time left to live it up. And time enough to get a breather from the incoming storm which will either make or break our whole year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)