You want to know how big sports is? It supersedes language. That was a serious offense when I was in grade school. Where is the past tense of “fly,” not “flew”? Baseball, and in this instance I concede the game has a good reason. When a batter hits a fly ball, it’s easy to imagine …
Tag: basketball
Another Morning In Paradise
I was dreaming about something beautiful. I could probably describe it if I had not staggered into the den, faster than my wits would allow, stubbing my toe on the exercise bike/clotheshorse on my way to the front door, on which my beloved nephew was knocking. It was about 6:30. I had already awakened briefly …
Left to My Own (Poetic) Devices
“Love your liver with Liverite Liver Aid.” I just saw that on TV, right after, “Carolina. Duke. The rivalry continues.” That’s a juxtaposition. It’s about as juxtaposed as it gets. Why would Liverite be placed right after a basketball promo? Was it a matter of some programmer just popping in – or whatever they do …
Peering Past the Humdrum
I didn’t plan to be up this morning writing a blog. A car wouldn’t start across the field, so I got up at 5:30 to give my sister a ride to work. When I got back home, I realized trying to go back to sleep was futile, so I went the other way and put …
Dishonesty Is the Best Policy
My sister was dying. She was in hospice care. I’d just finished visiting her. She had only a couple days left. My cheeks were red with tears as I walked through the lobby.* Someone, I don’t even remember who, waved and walked over, slapped me on the back and asked, “Hey, how you doing?” My …
A Gray Sabbath
Last night the Grammys sucked so much that I actually watched a handful of plays in the Pro Bowl. Then I switched channels and closed my eyes until the sunspots from the uniforms disappeared. The Sanders Team vs. the Rice Team, huh? Who came up with that? As recently as two years ago, I enjoyed …
The Power of the Dunk
Previous generations of African-American athletes were politically active. By and large, they aren’t anymore, and when they are, as in the case of Dennis Rodman, it tends to be maniacally weird. Today’s athletes stay clear of politics, seemingly unmindful and unappreciative of the benefits they enjoy due to the controversial efforts of Jackie Robinson, Muhammad …
Time Passages
It won’t be long until proper names will mean nothing. The Big 10 will have 18 teams in football and 22 in other sports. The Big 12 will have eight schools. USC of Los Angeles will join the Atlantic Coast Conference, and USC of Columbia will be in the Mountain West. The House of Representatives …
The Godforsaken Glitter
Modern college football has taken the luster away from Notre Dame. Literally. I used to marvel at how glittery the Fighting Irish helmets were. Other teams wearing gold or silver would wear helmets that, by mid-season, were dulled by scrapes and streaks of colors from opposition helmets. Not the Irish. I wondered if they …
It’s Not Much, But It’s Home
I live in a small town, and I was born in a small town …Sometimes I feel a bit overqualified to live here, and I think lots of people think of me as being a bit eccentric. After all, I not only read books but write them.I ain’t right.I like it, though, because I think …
Nightrider's Lament 