Well here it is baseball's opening day once again. A sure sign that Spring really is coming, and that a warm Summer is on the way as well. 162 games to watch. Day games, night games, late night games. It's where we spend our Summers, and if we're lucky, our Falls too.
How great is baseball? That's easy. It's the greatest game ever invented. I know football has actually become more popular on TV, NASCAR too. To be honest, more people bowl every year than any other sport we know. But none of them teach us more lessons on and off the field than baseball does. I thought I'd point out some of the unique traits that baseball brings to us as a people first, and as a fan second.
1/ There is no time limit in baseball - Just like in life. The game is played at a certain pace, and the drama can be relived over and over again. Also, as in life the game must be played out to it's natural conclusion. You can not run out the clock in baseball or in life.
2/ Nine against one - Doesn't life feel like that sometimes? Americans always embrace the underdog. Baseball is the ultimate role for the underdog.
3/ The Everday-ness - Baseball is an every day thing. That's part of what makes it really great. Life is everyday too. You don't get days off just because your sick, or banged up, or busy. Life and baseball can both be a grind sometimes.
4/ You can't win them all - Maybe baseballs best lesson. No one goes unbeaten, or with one loss in baseball. In life you win some, and you lose some - period. This is something that a younger generation especially needs to learn and baseball can teach it far better sometimes than people. Baseball doesn't' stick up for you and scream when you lose, or try to change the outcome. Baseball understands that it is.....a game.
5/ Individuals and teams - Baseball is the ultimate "individual-team sport." You learn how to be a part of a team - great lesson. But when you step in that batters box it's just you, and no one can help you. Your individual performance directly affects your team. Just like a family.
6/ Every city- Every day - Starting in the spring there is some kind of baseball game played in every city and town in America. From little leagues to the big leagues and every level in between. There are few exceptions. Under the sun or under the lights, there is always baseball.
7/ The defense has the ball - Unique to baseball. Maybe the one on the list that serves the fan first and the person second. But if you've ever wondered why we find baseball so intriguing as a game, that may bring some new perspective.
Look, baseball is life. We try, we fail. We win, we lose. There is no perfect season, no being the best every day. Victories are hard fought and well appreciated when achieved. Losing hurts, but we learn to accept it as a part of our life. And the next day we go out and try to do better and start anew.
Baseball has been teaching us that for 160 years. Thank you Alexander Cartwright! And if you wonder who he is, he was a volunteer fireman who invented baseball in the 19th century. Interesting, a regular guy inventing a game that mimics every day life.
Baseball - It is our life in microcosm.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
MOVIE REVIEW - 21
21 is the new "Vegas" movie in theaters this week. I have no doubt this will be a big hit for this time of the year at the box office.
Inspired by true events, 21 is the story of an MIT professor (Kevin Spacey) and a troupe of 5 gifted MIT students who learn to beat Vegas by counting cards while playing Blackjack. Be mindful counting cards is not actually illegal, but is frowned on by Vegas casino security. The troupe wins in Vegas time after time, and finally the jig is up. Vegas security (Laurence Fishburne) finally catch up with them, and the drama really begins. There are numerous side plots too that make 21 an engaging movie to be sure. Especially when you think about what else is at the box office this time of year.
There is nothing really wrong with 21. But somehow, I feel there's something missing, and I can't really put my finger on it. It's right at 2 hours, it is draggy in a spot or two, but I did enjoy the movie. I did come away though wondering what more could have been done. The band of young actors that play the students are fine, Spacey is fine, and Fishburne really steals the show in his small role. I found myself waiting for him to come back into the movie when he was out of it.
It's always fun to see a movie set in Las Vegas. It really is a nice backdrop to a movie. Plus the story is compelling enough. One thing 21 does extremely well, is show you the effect Vegas can have on a young mind and just how mesmerizing it can become. 21 also makes a good decision or two as well. There are times it could have gone to a more violent place but chooses not to, and that's a good choice. It would not have made it a better movie.
You will more than likely enjoy 21, and it will be good for business in Vegas. You can count on that.....actually.. you should maybe just bank on that and not count. Counting is frowned upon in Vegas.
Inspired by true events, 21 is the story of an MIT professor (Kevin Spacey) and a troupe of 5 gifted MIT students who learn to beat Vegas by counting cards while playing Blackjack. Be mindful counting cards is not actually illegal, but is frowned on by Vegas casino security. The troupe wins in Vegas time after time, and finally the jig is up. Vegas security (Laurence Fishburne) finally catch up with them, and the drama really begins. There are numerous side plots too that make 21 an engaging movie to be sure. Especially when you think about what else is at the box office this time of year.
There is nothing really wrong with 21. But somehow, I feel there's something missing, and I can't really put my finger on it. It's right at 2 hours, it is draggy in a spot or two, but I did enjoy the movie. I did come away though wondering what more could have been done. The band of young actors that play the students are fine, Spacey is fine, and Fishburne really steals the show in his small role. I found myself waiting for him to come back into the movie when he was out of it.
It's always fun to see a movie set in Las Vegas. It really is a nice backdrop to a movie. Plus the story is compelling enough. One thing 21 does extremely well, is show you the effect Vegas can have on a young mind and just how mesmerizing it can become. 21 also makes a good decision or two as well. There are times it could have gone to a more violent place but chooses not to, and that's a good choice. It would not have made it a better movie.
You will more than likely enjoy 21, and it will be good for business in Vegas. You can count on that.....actually.. you should maybe just bank on that and not count. Counting is frowned upon in Vegas.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
God Bless Chippewa Lake
You may not be old enough to remember the old amusement park Chippewa Lake in Medina County and that's okay...please keep reading. For over 100 years it was a place that families could go to do what families do best. Have fun. A place built for one reason only. Our enjoyment. Chippewa Lake closed for good in 1978.
You may heave heard recently that the 95 acre park may be developed into recreation and some housing too. I'm by no means saying that's a bad thing. But it is the final thing. When Chippewa Lake closed in 1978 they just shut the doors and that was it. It overgrew, the rides were still there, many of the buildings survived, even the front entrance. It was just like someone just lost interest. Sad. And it has been sitting there for over 30 years, decaying, overgrowing, and just slowly dying ever since. What happened there just doesn't happen anywhere ever!
It's a little eerie to be sure. You can do a Google search and see some truly fascinating photo's of Chippewa Lake in it's years of decline, and I urge you to do so. You may never get to see these kinds of pictures ever again. Abandoning lakefront property for a third of a century just doesn't happen in this country.
Perspective. Thank goodness for ten decades, someone built a place that people could go to and ride rides, play games, dance, sing, listen to music and eat fun food. We desperately need places like Chippewa Lake. It's good for the human soul. I picture people in the 1890's going there for fun, picnics at the turn of the 20th century, generation after generation going to the same place for the same reason. Chippewa Lake survived WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Great Depression, and even a huge fire a few years ago to one of it's biggest arcades. It was open when Gunfight at the OK Corral took place, and when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. Then it just ended sort of...but even in it's closing, Chippewa Lake kept giving back in another way.
It has provided a generation or two with the fascination of something that once was. Enthusiasts from all over the country have visited there since 1978 to see the fallen park. Granted, not in the same numbers that graced it's entrance when it was open, but they came nonetheless. Exploring and photographing something that just doesn't happen. An amusement park that was just left to die. With the advent of the Internet, it's legacy has bewildered a whole different group that never had the pleasure of going there personally. And because of the fore mentioned Chippewa Lake will live in immortality. And that's all anyplace, anything or any person can ever ask for.
I went to Chippewa Lake twice as a kid and loved it both times. I remember it was on the lake and in the woods, so different that most parks today. It is always sad when a place built specifically for our enjoyment closes. It hurts and you can't help but feel loss. So, for whatever kind of fun you had going there, or exploring there the book may finally close. Chippewa Lake gave us fun for a century and now mystique for eternity. And I want to say thanks.
So no matter how it all finally plays out, God Bless Chippewa Lake....and thanks.
You may heave heard recently that the 95 acre park may be developed into recreation and some housing too. I'm by no means saying that's a bad thing. But it is the final thing. When Chippewa Lake closed in 1978 they just shut the doors and that was it. It overgrew, the rides were still there, many of the buildings survived, even the front entrance. It was just like someone just lost interest. Sad. And it has been sitting there for over 30 years, decaying, overgrowing, and just slowly dying ever since. What happened there just doesn't happen anywhere ever!
It's a little eerie to be sure. You can do a Google search and see some truly fascinating photo's of Chippewa Lake in it's years of decline, and I urge you to do so. You may never get to see these kinds of pictures ever again. Abandoning lakefront property for a third of a century just doesn't happen in this country.
Perspective. Thank goodness for ten decades, someone built a place that people could go to and ride rides, play games, dance, sing, listen to music and eat fun food. We desperately need places like Chippewa Lake. It's good for the human soul. I picture people in the 1890's going there for fun, picnics at the turn of the 20th century, generation after generation going to the same place for the same reason. Chippewa Lake survived WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Great Depression, and even a huge fire a few years ago to one of it's biggest arcades. It was open when Gunfight at the OK Corral took place, and when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. Then it just ended sort of...but even in it's closing, Chippewa Lake kept giving back in another way.
It has provided a generation or two with the fascination of something that once was. Enthusiasts from all over the country have visited there since 1978 to see the fallen park. Granted, not in the same numbers that graced it's entrance when it was open, but they came nonetheless. Exploring and photographing something that just doesn't happen. An amusement park that was just left to die. With the advent of the Internet, it's legacy has bewildered a whole different group that never had the pleasure of going there personally. And because of the fore mentioned Chippewa Lake will live in immortality. And that's all anyplace, anything or any person can ever ask for.
I went to Chippewa Lake twice as a kid and loved it both times. I remember it was on the lake and in the woods, so different that most parks today. It is always sad when a place built specifically for our enjoyment closes. It hurts and you can't help but feel loss. So, for whatever kind of fun you had going there, or exploring there the book may finally close. Chippewa Lake gave us fun for a century and now mystique for eternity. And I want to say thanks.
So no matter how it all finally plays out, God Bless Chippewa Lake....and thanks.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Who Eats Peeps?
I heard of a new competition this weekend that takes place in Sacramento, California and I have to admit I was dumbfounded. It is the Peep Eating Contest. A contest to see how many peeps one can eat in an hour. Are you serious? You know "peeps" the marshmallow things made for Easter baskets and such.
I have a real problem with peeps. I have never eaten a peep that I though tasted good...or even fresh. Sugar with some kind of marshmallow carnuba wax thing, with paint or however they color them, that's what baked, or deep fried, or what the heck do they do to peeps? Does anyone know? Turns out no one does. The company that makes peeps in Pennsylvania keeps the peep making machine under a tarp so no one can see how it's done. I'm not eating them.
But back to the competition. Do you know how many peeps one can eat in an hour? It must be in the hundreds! And how must they feel afterwards? I know there's all kinds of eating contests all over the place including the hot dog eating championships with Kobyashi. You may say, "what the heck is in a hot dog?' And that's a fair question. I never think about that as I mustard up a Sugardale Coney at an Indians game. They really don't tell you what's in a hot dog..and I'm good with that.
But the hot dog eating championships are only 12 minutes! Not an hour like the peeps. AND the peep people make no bones about what's in a peep! SUGAR! I am not condoning eating 56 hot dogs in one sitting, but I can't get on the hour-long peep popping parade either.
Also, have you really ever eaten a FRESH peep? I don't think they exist. I think they go stale in about 2 seconds after you open the wrap. The only way to get a truly fresh peep, is to open one end of the plastic, and slide it down your throat before any air hits it. Hot dogs are much more forgiving. We had people calling the show last week saying they liked peeps stale, or torched up in the microwave so they would be less stale. Strange, these proud-peep-popping-people.
But in their defense, peeps have been around for 100 years and more than likely will be here long after we've all gone to that big candy factory in the sky. So if you're a peep-person enjoy your peeps today. I will be peep-less this week, but pass the jelly beans please, but I don't like the dark ones..........wait...don't get me started...that's another article for another time.
I have a real problem with peeps. I have never eaten a peep that I though tasted good...or even fresh. Sugar with some kind of marshmallow carnuba wax thing, with paint or however they color them, that's what baked, or deep fried, or what the heck do they do to peeps? Does anyone know? Turns out no one does. The company that makes peeps in Pennsylvania keeps the peep making machine under a tarp so no one can see how it's done. I'm not eating them.
But back to the competition. Do you know how many peeps one can eat in an hour? It must be in the hundreds! And how must they feel afterwards? I know there's all kinds of eating contests all over the place including the hot dog eating championships with Kobyashi. You may say, "what the heck is in a hot dog?' And that's a fair question. I never think about that as I mustard up a Sugardale Coney at an Indians game. They really don't tell you what's in a hot dog..and I'm good with that.
But the hot dog eating championships are only 12 minutes! Not an hour like the peeps. AND the peep people make no bones about what's in a peep! SUGAR! I am not condoning eating 56 hot dogs in one sitting, but I can't get on the hour-long peep popping parade either.
Also, have you really ever eaten a FRESH peep? I don't think they exist. I think they go stale in about 2 seconds after you open the wrap. The only way to get a truly fresh peep, is to open one end of the plastic, and slide it down your throat before any air hits it. Hot dogs are much more forgiving. We had people calling the show last week saying they liked peeps stale, or torched up in the microwave so they would be less stale. Strange, these proud-peep-popping-people.
But in their defense, peeps have been around for 100 years and more than likely will be here long after we've all gone to that big candy factory in the sky. So if you're a peep-person enjoy your peeps today. I will be peep-less this week, but pass the jelly beans please, but I don't like the dark ones..........wait...don't get me started...that's another article for another time.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
MOVIE REVIEW - Shutter
The new rage in Hollywood this Spring are these imported stories from other countries, each stating they will show us in the U.S. what is really scary. The latest of these is Shutter.
Shutter is the story of a Ben and Jane. A young newlywed couple, who move to Tokyo on their honeymoon. Ben is a photographer who lands a big job there. The couple shorty thereafter become haunted by the spirit of an ex-lover of Ben's, who shows up in shadowy forms on his work photos, and the photo's of Jane's. The spirit is angry, somehow develops great strength and sets out to kill Ben and his co-workers whom she also has issues.
Remember The Grudge? Or maybe The Blair Witch Project? Remember how scary these movies were supposed to be and weren't? Same deal here. Shutter is NOT scary, and IS predictable. My gosh can't we do better than this to be scary at the movies? It is packed full of things popping out about every 5 minutes. Oh, and don't forget the loud noises, overacted screaming, and horrified looks on the actors faces. Question here too - Doesn't anyone ever turn a light on anymore? Seems to me if I was being haunted and knew it, I would turn on a light at 3AM when I thought something was in the house and trying to KILL me. Insulting!
If you're looking for a good scare at the flicks, you'll be let down here. One positive in Shutter? It is filmed primarily in Tokyo, and you get to see a lot of what one of the worlds biggest cities is like. It's more of Tokyo than I've ever seen and I rather enjoyed that.
Shutter limps out of the gate, gets draggy, and then crawls home a tired, exhausted mess. A rental in 3 months when all the good movies are already rented.
Shutter is the story of a Ben and Jane. A young newlywed couple, who move to Tokyo on their honeymoon. Ben is a photographer who lands a big job there. The couple shorty thereafter become haunted by the spirit of an ex-lover of Ben's, who shows up in shadowy forms on his work photos, and the photo's of Jane's. The spirit is angry, somehow develops great strength and sets out to kill Ben and his co-workers whom she also has issues.
Remember The Grudge? Or maybe The Blair Witch Project? Remember how scary these movies were supposed to be and weren't? Same deal here. Shutter is NOT scary, and IS predictable. My gosh can't we do better than this to be scary at the movies? It is packed full of things popping out about every 5 minutes. Oh, and don't forget the loud noises, overacted screaming, and horrified looks on the actors faces. Question here too - Doesn't anyone ever turn a light on anymore? Seems to me if I was being haunted and knew it, I would turn on a light at 3AM when I thought something was in the house and trying to KILL me. Insulting!
If you're looking for a good scare at the flicks, you'll be let down here. One positive in Shutter? It is filmed primarily in Tokyo, and you get to see a lot of what one of the worlds biggest cities is like. It's more of Tokyo than I've ever seen and I rather enjoyed that.
Shutter limps out of the gate, gets draggy, and then crawls home a tired, exhausted mess. A rental in 3 months when all the good movies are already rented.
Friday, March 21, 2008
MOVIE REVIEW - Drillbit Taylor
When it's early spring time at the movies with Owen Wilson starring, you can bet that a sophomoric movie is in the offing. Here comes Drillbit Taylor.
Drillbit Taylor is the story of three 9th grade kids who are getting bullied by upperclassmen starting from their very first day. They set out to hire a bodyguard, and end up with Drillbit Taylor (Wilson.) He is not a real bodyguard, he is in fact homeless and AWOL from the Army. He manages to sort of protect the boys somehow by posing as substitute teacher at their school. Sound far fetched? Well it is. But it's okay here.
The scene stealer in Drillbit Taylor is not Owen Wilson, but is Akron native Nate Hartley (from Uniontown.) He plays the main character Wade, a scrawny, gangly kid who initially gets the idea to hire the bodyguard in the first place. His performance is funny, and remarkably believable. He is perfectly cast in this major role for him.
Look, truth be told, Drillbit Taylor is what you think it is. It's silly at times, funny at times, and crude at times...it's a teenage comedy. They try hard to give this movie a heart and at times they succeed. But it is what it is. If you're in high school you'll get a real kick out of it, and we need flicks like this too sometimes. To it credit it's not just a bunch of sight gags back to back for 2 hours. There is a story, and a meaning for the most part, and nothing here is really objectionable. Young people need movies to call their own sometimes and Drillbit Taylor will be that movie this spring.
Drillbit Taylor not for all.... but not all for naught.
Drillbit Taylor is the story of three 9th grade kids who are getting bullied by upperclassmen starting from their very first day. They set out to hire a bodyguard, and end up with Drillbit Taylor (Wilson.) He is not a real bodyguard, he is in fact homeless and AWOL from the Army. He manages to sort of protect the boys somehow by posing as substitute teacher at their school. Sound far fetched? Well it is. But it's okay here.
The scene stealer in Drillbit Taylor is not Owen Wilson, but is Akron native Nate Hartley (from Uniontown.) He plays the main character Wade, a scrawny, gangly kid who initially gets the idea to hire the bodyguard in the first place. His performance is funny, and remarkably believable. He is perfectly cast in this major role for him.
Look, truth be told, Drillbit Taylor is what you think it is. It's silly at times, funny at times, and crude at times...it's a teenage comedy. They try hard to give this movie a heart and at times they succeed. But it is what it is. If you're in high school you'll get a real kick out of it, and we need flicks like this too sometimes. To it credit it's not just a bunch of sight gags back to back for 2 hours. There is a story, and a meaning for the most part, and nothing here is really objectionable. Young people need movies to call their own sometimes and Drillbit Taylor will be that movie this spring.
Drillbit Taylor not for all.... but not all for naught.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
March Gladness!
Here we are on the eve of what I feel is the best sporting event that there is. It's the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. I'm glad. Why is this event so loved seemingly more than all the others? The answers are so numerous. Let's check them out in no particular order.
1/ It's rectangular theater- This is high drama to be sure. The youth, the emotion, and playing
for the sheer joy of the game. That's The NCAA's. It's just like going to a play, only fun!
There's an opening act, intermission, and a second act. And unlike a play you might even get
a bonus act if it's tied!!!
2/ It's played during business hours - Wow, now how great is that? People who work in a
cubicle especially like the NCAA's. The only time you'll see the "Cubicle People" Thursday
and Friday is at halftime or during a time-out. Not that you see them that much anyways.
3/ The office pool - Actually the "highly illegal office pool." Contrary to urban legend, the
state does not give an office and honorary exemption to gamble on the NCAA's. And I'm
sure your office would not lower itself, and does not participate in this despicable tradition. If
that sounds like your office, congratulations....yours is the ONLY ONE!
4/ The Secretary - Goes hand in hand with number three. She will surely throw down her two
dollars, stick her hand into the hat and draw two slips of paper that will read, Duke and
North Carolina. The next question will be, 'Are they any good?" And all the clowns that
stand around the vending machines for hours pontificating about the NCAA's will moan with
disgust.
5/ The Office Know-It-All - And the extreme office basketball fan, will stick his hand in the
same hat, and pull out Southeastern Idaho A & M South Central State-Stark Campus as
their pick. Everyone howls...it's great. Top notch entrainment.
6/ Uniform Colors - If I hear of one more wife picking the eventual NCAA Champion,
because they like their uniforms, I think I'll scream. But it happens every year get used to
it. I actually think it works!
7/ The Nicknames - This year these are actually some of the teams names in the field of 64.
The Saints, The Gaels, The Governors, Big Red, The Delta Devils, The Toreos, Hilltoppers
and The Retrievers!!!!!!!!!!! The Retrievers??? How great is that? I'm cheering for them!
So sit back and enjoy the nations premiere sporting event! In all seriousness, it is great drama. Young people enjoying a pure game, and playing it the right way, for all the right reasons. It is the ultimate David and Goliath game, and we Americans love the underdog. It really is the only sporting event where the little guy can play the big guy for one game, one day, and maybe pull off a miracle. That's the whole deal right there.
Bust out the brackets and watch the brackets get busted! Oh, and one more thing, GO Southeastern Idaho A & M South Central State- Stark Campus....GO!!
1/ It's rectangular theater- This is high drama to be sure. The youth, the emotion, and playing
for the sheer joy of the game. That's The NCAA's. It's just like going to a play, only fun!
There's an opening act, intermission, and a second act. And unlike a play you might even get
a bonus act if it's tied!!!
2/ It's played during business hours - Wow, now how great is that? People who work in a
cubicle especially like the NCAA's. The only time you'll see the "Cubicle People" Thursday
and Friday is at halftime or during a time-out. Not that you see them that much anyways.
3/ The office pool - Actually the "highly illegal office pool." Contrary to urban legend, the
state does not give an office and honorary exemption to gamble on the NCAA's. And I'm
sure your office would not lower itself, and does not participate in this despicable tradition. If
that sounds like your office, congratulations....yours is the ONLY ONE!
4/ The Secretary - Goes hand in hand with number three. She will surely throw down her two
dollars, stick her hand into the hat and draw two slips of paper that will read, Duke and
North Carolina. The next question will be, 'Are they any good?" And all the clowns that
stand around the vending machines for hours pontificating about the NCAA's will moan with
disgust.
5/ The Office Know-It-All - And the extreme office basketball fan, will stick his hand in the
same hat, and pull out Southeastern Idaho A & M South Central State-Stark Campus as
their pick. Everyone howls...it's great. Top notch entrainment.
6/ Uniform Colors - If I hear of one more wife picking the eventual NCAA Champion,
because they like their uniforms, I think I'll scream. But it happens every year get used to
it. I actually think it works!
7/ The Nicknames - This year these are actually some of the teams names in the field of 64.
The Saints, The Gaels, The Governors, Big Red, The Delta Devils, The Toreos, Hilltoppers
and The Retrievers!!!!!!!!!!! The Retrievers??? How great is that? I'm cheering for them!
So sit back and enjoy the nations premiere sporting event! In all seriousness, it is great drama. Young people enjoying a pure game, and playing it the right way, for all the right reasons. It is the ultimate David and Goliath game, and we Americans love the underdog. It really is the only sporting event where the little guy can play the big guy for one game, one day, and maybe pull off a miracle. That's the whole deal right there.
Bust out the brackets and watch the brackets get busted! Oh, and one more thing, GO Southeastern Idaho A & M South Central State- Stark Campus....GO!!
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