A FERRY TALE

Every kid can tell you who their favorite teacher is… But can they look back and tell you who their best teacher was? 

I know; your favorite teacher was the one who fenced toward the movie instead of the text book, the one that left you sleeping, the one that ignored the slip of the tongue, the one that wasn’t afraid to throw markers at you when you were wrong. My favorite teacher was simple but then again I never really took his class.

But who taught you the most? Not who you learned the most from but who really taught you how to learn. These are the teachers who you should cite for your success as these are the best teachers. My best teacher was simple because he let me teach myself. 

If you’re lucky they can be one of the same. This isn’t a Tall Tale about a teacher who dedicated their life to teach but one who had to stop; to teach…

For me learning is quite simple as I never had to take a single note through high school or college and if it wasn’t for a restaurant in my college library I wouldn’t have even known where it was. If I was to read a book it was always backwards as I knew the most important thing to know; is what you don’t know. He was a teacher that understood this and would allow me to take the final on the first day of class. As he did things backwards it allowed me to see forward. But what makes him a great teacher isn’t that he helped me understand myself but that he helped the misunderstood to understand.

Teachers are taught how to teach and that is great as the norm follow their logic and structure. But can those teachers teach the kids that don’t want to be taught. A daunting task indeed but you can’t just copy the norm for them to pass. Peer pressure is a powerful thing and especially at the high school level. So how does a teacher teach the un-teachable? He doesn’t; he becomes their friend and even in their most rebellious stage they will do anything for a friend, even learn.

…A Tall Tale would be if I told you there was a teacher that taught all his kids. But what did he teach me?… Because he opted not to take the toll of conforming; he was forced to pursue his dreams, his potential, and it was in that moment that he taught his last student.


I COPY

MALCOLM X

Every once in a while someone is forced into a sacrifice for the betterment of others. Sometimes they choose this path… Sometimes the path chooses them... But don’t we have to see the lamb? Malcolm has been chosen to be that X but I get the feeling we haven’t seen his sacrifice.

For those who know me know my disgust of the trend of the new accepted term of endearment in sports; the Flying Chest-Bump. I’ve expressed my opinions prior on the leave-behind of the pat-on-the-hind but apparently I have not been exuberant enough on the former. Being a Traditionalist in sport I seek those attaboys, the high-fives, the finger point and even the full embrace. I even understand that some moments create uncontrollable emotion that needs an outlet but why the flying chest-bump? All you’re doing is bumping up the chances…

As we are quickly learning by the outcry from football; the most prized possession in an athlete isn’t their smarts but their parts. So why invite Chance to the celebration as you know he is going to bring Murphy. I’ve been around enough sport and cringe every time I see it. As I have seen a enough kids go down but I have been waiting for my lamb to help weather this incoming norm. 

…Malcolm Mitchell the star WR for the Bulldogs of Georgia just ended his season and potentially his career; by celebrating with his teammates, and he didn’t even score. Act Like You Have Been There Before.

STAY GROUNDED

TITLE (NEGATIVE) IX

It’s been a couple months since the decision was made and how quickly we forget…

What if Title IX didn’t happen? Arguably the second biggest impact on sports today and how it’s trickle down has shaped who we are as a culture. Almost all woman rights and whereabouts can find those degrees of separation quicker than Kevin Bacon. That was 1972 and 4 decades later the scope of our lives were drastically changed through sport and an act of pen

What if Jackie Robinson wore #37? What if he just batted around the idea of changing the world? Undeniably the tipping point of sport and the birth of the sport we call fandom to today. Have you even pondered how your life has been shaped by just a few men?

It was inevitable that these acts would happen and sport would forever be changed. But did we really look at how sport would change the world? A couple weeks ago another act was on the verge of being made that I feel will be third on this list. However; as for the time being they passed their concussion test.

The NFL just paid off the women and the blacks… well it’s not quite that black and white but over the last decade; and exponentially in the last few, safety has once again become the topic of discussion. A Tad (or maybe an Eli) over a 100 years ago these same discussions were once hashed and the result was the creation of the Forward Pass. I’m not sure what is going to come of these discussions but they have been benched for now…

The concussion effect of this inevitable outcome will have a trickle down that will once again transcend the sport and hot-route our lives. I’m not here to argue if women should be in sport or not. I just don’t want to see Jackie Robinson in the on deck circle just to watch the 3rd out.

“It’s gonna be big; but is it going to be Today” – Tremors II 

REVERSE RACISM

Racism is common culture and yet no one wants to talk about it. If it is brought up publicly it is always the negative side of racism. Why isn’t the positive side of racism ever discussed? Racism is a two sided coin and inherently leaves one race subordinate.

I was doing my annual BBQ competition over the 4th of July weekend as I find great enjoyment in offering my expressions to people. Being eclectic in approach; conversations are plentiful with the curious and hungry. But there was one gentlemen that made the competition irrelevant because after our palaver; I all ready won.

Having trouble with my Dale Carnegie tactics I can’t recall his name but this gentlemen was a relatively large black man with a jolly demeanor and a contagious chuckle. He was intrigued by my offerings and my approach and when I lifted the lid (against protocol) his smile warmed like a kid on Christmas morning. But it was when I showed him the not so secret secret ingredient; liquid pork fat, when he responded with what could only be described as a food orgasm. He wasn’t the first to share similar reactions to my efforts for the day but he stood out.

He was your stereotypical black man from the south and they know their food. For a moment I was no longer on the underside of that two-sided coin; as for a moment I felt equal.

CALL ME A RACIST

GENETIC DISORIENTATION

This is what is wrong with society today the fact that this is an article and the fact that I have to post this out of frustration. Mercy Rule; seriously. Here is an idea go to the gym shoot some jumpers; work on your game. If you're not good or can't compete at an equivalent level of expectation then don't compete. This is the same as me competing in a Pro-Am golf tournament and shooting a 100+ round and getting societal support for my ass beating.

Everybody shouldn't get a blue ribbon nor should see PT; they should earn it. In my day [only a decade ago] when you weren't good you were told so and too work harder, Character Building. I didn't play sports my sophomore year in high school because I knew I couldn't compete at the expected level.

As a colleague said last week; "I don't play recreational sport, I play basketball". What happened to the societal and core genetic belief of survive (in everything you do). For the Parent that filed this complaint; you should allow your kid to sue you; the parent, for the Genetic Ass Beating you gave them. 

YOUR NOT MAD AT ME YOUR MAD AT YOUR DAD

HANDS DOWN

Ironic in a sport that we call football; we try to avoid at all costs any interaction of the foot and ball. Maybe it is so ironic that now the name finally fits. But since the invention of the forward pass the sport has been making money hand over foot…

In the last two decades Football has become a Quarterbacks league but where are they with out their prized possessions? We have been lucky as the top 10 Wide Receivers statistically have all played in the last 2 decades. At the top of those lists; The Great One himself, Jerry Rice. But as Dan Marino knows; statistics don’t necessarily make you the greatest of all time. 

What if there was a Receiver that had twice as many receiving yards as that of Jerry Rice?

Cris Carter wasn’t the biggest, the strongest or the fastest but he did have the greatest hands. Or should I say hand? Though he wasn’t the inventor; he did perfect the one-handed grab. He didn’t make the greatest catches or put on a show but it was the subtle absence of drops over the collection of his years that made him the #2 receiver of all time. In 2002 he threw his hands up and the towel in but he wasn’t done being hands on.

Before Cris retired he was thrown a curveball in which he received with open arms; his replacement, Randy Moss. Carter became his trainer, his teacher, his guidance councilor and his brother. Carter not one to patronize then or now helped groom the young Moss who would eventually pass him on the all time list. You might say that is a stretch that Carter had that much influence on Moss but I rebuttal with; when you think of Randy Moss, don’t you think of a one-handed catch? 

But it was the impact Carter had on a young ball boy in Minnesota where he should have received more hands. The boy fancied Carter and at the age of 11 he strived to be hands above. When the boy entered high school it became a friendship and for every summer since, the two have trained together. That ball boy is now less than 3,000 yards away from passing Carter on the All-Time list; with 5 years still to go on his contract. The ball boy still calls him Uncle Cris. We know the boy as Larry Fitzgerald.

Cris Carter maybe 8th on the list but his hands have caught more passes than you know.

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN

BULLYING

THATS NO BULL

Herschel Walker; arguably the greatest athlete of all time, wasn’t destined for greatness. An outcast physically and socially. And if it wasn’t for the size of the fight, we may have never seen what was in this Bull Dog…

We as a society are fascinated by the hierarchical nature of nature. From the endless programming on the Discovery Channels of the world; to the world of sports, we are in aw of the Alpha. But when it comes to our lives society seeks this so-called parity that Marx the spot.

As society gets out of touch with reality; it is the touch in reality that society is speaking out about. We can’t go a day without hearing about bullying or some variation of thee. But isn’t bullying as fundamental to oneself in society as a regular season is to sport?

In reality we don’t line up alphabetically from A to Z but alphabetically from Alpha to Omega.

…Herschel Walker was the chubby kid that everyone bullied and if it wasn’t for the quarter his dad gave him everyday he wouldn’t have had any friends. He didn’t like his place in line so he sought his place in history. You are either a Walker or a talker.

NATURE VS NUTURE

INCOGNITO

Ironically enough I write on the topic of bullying (and use football as my segway to get my point across) and the biggest story on the topic is broke a couple hours later in the NFL. I’m not here to get into the details of this but the writing was on the wall and the back of his jersey.

[We as a society are fascinated by the hierarchal nature of nature. From the endless programming on the Discovery Channels of the world; to the world of sports, we are in aw of the Alpha. But when it comes to our lives society seeks this so-called parity that Marx the spot.

As society gets out of touch with reality; it is the touch in reality that society is speaking out about. We can’t go a day without hearing about bullying or some variation of thee. But isn’t bullying as fundamental to oneself in society as a regular season is to sport?

In reality we don’t line up alphabetically from A to Z but Alphabetically from Alpha to Omega.]

…Richie was never incognito; you knew exactly who he was and is. He brought out the best and worst of teammates and opponents. Richie Incognito is an asset beyond his playing abilities as (right, wrong or indifferent) he puts his team in line. As in life you are either on the offensive or defensive line and Richie helped pick the teams.

LINE OF SCRIMMAGE

75 & SUNNY

…But that’s not Football. The National Football League is currently facing it’s biggest competitor to date.  As the modern NFL is in the middle of it’s 43^rd year; its easy to see that it's having a mid-life crisis, the NFL has an identity problem. Bill Cowher said it best but in reality what is football?

Just ask and everyone will tell you that football was the best in the years of their childhood. Inevitable the kids of today will talk in glory about the epic battles of the Seahawks and ‘9ers and how Manning was the Man. So obviously I rebuttal with No, Dan was the Man.

But wasn’t the 90’s the epitome of Football. A Bloodsport with perfect balance of run and pass. It would be the beginning of this new era and the end of the recognizable version of its creation. The 90’s were a time before we knew the players off the field and when we could truly cherish who they became on it.

The NFL even as we know it is quickly going to change. Bringing on yet another set of fans. As it becomes an offensive league some of us are taking offence. But even in today’s football we can still catch a glimpse of what the NFL was like and why we became fans.

As I sit here today watching these games being played in the snow; I am mesmerized just like when I was 12. It’s not the fact that there is snow on the field but the show on it. As it doesn’t matter how much you change the game; Mother Nature will find away to please her kids. What is Football? Football is a snowy day in Foxborough.

WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY?

ADAGE

As we grow up around sport; we hear the clichés of how sport [through a head fake] will teach us life skills and the core competencies to success. But when we lose we are quickly consoled with ITS JUST A GAME. But what if it’s not?

 

Nelson Mandela sacrificed his life for a right

Nelson Mandela knew he was morally right

It wasn’t his right so he took a stance

It wasn’t his right until he had his chance

Intense Uncritical Devotion to… 

Something you believe in with all your being.
Something you feel that is a part of you; but bigger than you.
Something you are a part of and not afraid to live vicariously through.
Something you find comfort in that there are others just like you.
What’s the difference between being religious and fanatic?

Yasiel Puig sacrificed his life for a game.

Yasiel Puig paid $20 Million to play a game

It was a game that let him see

It was a game that let him free

Nelson Mandela saw sport and the game of rugby as away to come together. Yasiel Puig saw sport and the game of baseball as a way to get away. They both interpreted sport differently but they both believed it was more than just a game.

FAITH

SEASONS GREETINGS

Every year at the end of October there is a time when seasons reach their midpoint; seasons begin and seasons culminate. It is in this confluence that we; the fan of sport, get our greatest gift, as for a brief time we get to enjoy the Whole-a-day season… 

The National Anthem is played at almost all venues across a wide variety of sports from the Big 3 to Rodeo’s and it is in this framework that I answered the question; what is America’s Sport?

We know Baseball is America’s Past Time, Football is the most viewed and Rodeo is the sport we celebrate when we celebrate America. When I hear the Star Spangled Banner I don’t think of the Olympics nor the thousand of basketball games I have officiated. I think of only one thing; every time.

As the sugar rush of late October comes and goes I sober in the moment that the seasons will change. And at the start of each game; no matter the season, I am at the ballpark and that is why Baseball is America’s Sport.

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER

VESTED INTEREST

Controversy is the focal point to perspectives. There is no right perspective; nor one perspective, just 7.1 Billion of them. I don’t expect you to know them all but I do demand the contrary…

There isn’t much more opposing than that of an older white man wearing a sweater vest then a young black kid from the other side of the tracks. But then again opposites attract. Jim Tressel could connect with those kids and he did; to the tune of 229 victories and 5 National Titles for THE state of Ohio. So why are we so quick to throw out the bath water when the NCAA starts cleaning our baby?

My view; rather simple, dirty. It wasn’t until today that I got to see the rest of the story.

You can tell a lot about a man by his playbook. Tressel: traditional, simple, straight forward. Not one for coach speak as he only promised one thing to his kids (and their families); to treat them as if they were his own. So when he chose to take one for the team he wasn’t that opposite from those kids on the other side of the tracks as he finally earned his street cred.

There are many ways to view this story but I now choose this one. Jim Tressel spent his life building and putting structure into young men’s lives. He believed those lives were more important than his career.  He was and will always be their support system. But then again his name says it all.

GYM TRESTLE  

EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

Jameis Winston squinting at the sideline; to see the play call

Me at 3 years of age

In a recent study 30% of all successful Entrepreneurs were diagnosed with some form of learning disability as a child. So is it really that hard to fathom that Jameis Winston can have perfect field of vision while having imperfect vision on the field?...

I have dealt with 4 bad eyes now for the most of my life and I argue that 4 bad eyes are better than two good ones. For those who don’t know my story fully; I actually only use one eye at a time, which makes the use of binoculars my ultimate puzzle. We know life has a way of finding it’s equilibrium and in my case providing me with superb directional hearing. So no need to pity me as over the years I have discovered my strengths due to my so-called impaired vision; no pun intended.

So let’s look outside of the box. What is the perk of having the use of only one eye? Well for starters; alcohol doesn’t affect me as it does the norm. We know that your vision is the first to go. Specifically your eyes get out of equilibrium causing the stumbling, the wandering, the swerving and with only one eye I can neither be in nor out of equilibrium.

That is a perk that is easily explained and understood but how can one with only one eye be described as having great court vision? This is a question I have been trying to answer for years. I am getting closer to that answer but again we have to look outside the box. At first glance you would think I would have tunnel vision or narrow field of vision or only be able to focus on one thing at a time; but you would be wrong.

In reality I don’t even have one good eye but let me for the fist time try to explain how I see the world. As I mentioned I only use one eye at a time however that is a little exaggerated as my off eye is viewing the peripheral world but not like you. As with this eye even the stuff in front of me is in its periphery. With my good eye in its normal viewing state it doesn’t focus unless I chose to do so. I see the world not through a set of eyes but a set of perspectives. The best way to describe this is I see the world in Active 3D and you see the world in Passive 3D. The caveat is that I can with a blink of an eye (pun intended and not literally) can interchange my primary eye and just like that my view of the world is changed. What if in reality my vision is literally 4 times better than yours?

…Read and React; easier said then done. But for Jameis Winston is it possible that this is incredibly easy? Is it possible that because he is not in sensory overload that he can just play? I can’t see where Winston’s future will take him but I can see his vision won’t hold him back.

FOUR SIGHT

A BOAST

Here; is to a time for giving Thanks. This isn’t a cliché for family and friends as they know where I stand; unconditionally, with out word. This isn’t for those who have helped me along the way when a hand was needed most. This isn’t about any prized possessions I deem dear. This is Thanks for the gift you didn’t even know you gave…

I found something inside me this last year that I didn’t even know existed. Though I am not fully sure what it is yet or where it will go; I know I like it. As I have found my voice…

I would have never found it; if it weren’t for something I felt so obligated to share.

I would have never known how to write it; if it weren’t for a framework I understood.

I would have never had the words; if I wouldn’t have had the practice.

I would have never heard my voice; if you wouldn’t have told me to listen.

With the subtle guidance from the literary greats; Mike Rich, Woody Allen and Malcolm Gladwell I have found my barometer and Thanks to you I have found my meter.

Baily; I say Thanks for giving me something to write about.

Garret; I say Thanks for showing me the one word anecdote.

Frank; I say Thanks for the decades of practicing my Snarkiness. 

FINDING COLEMAN

SNAP CHAT

“Dad wanna have a catch?” - Arguably the most memorably moment in all of film. No wonder why it is a past time favorite for a Son and Father to play catch. In the day of Vicarious and Specializing; I wonder why we are still picking daisies out in these fields of dreams…

The true athlete has been forever lost; as we don’t have 3 Sport athletes anymore, just 3 Team athletes. This is a product of the overzealous dad trying to re live his glory days or the kid with lofty dreams. I am not questioning your dreams or approach; as if your talent is god-given, you are well on your way to the bright lights.

I am however going to question the kid with inherited talent. If you have any self awareness you know early on where your ability and potential stacks up. This shouldn’t change your dreams but I ask you to not dream bigger but to dream smarter.

Why in life do we take the path of least resistant but we dream the opposite? If it is in fact your dream to play in the NFL why are you dreaming of Stars. Every other boy wonder is dreaming of the same thing and you all ready know where you stand. I say instead get in your stance.

To be a Long Snapper in the NFL you need to know how to snap the ball to two different spots and then be in the way. There is no predetermined mold for a Long Snapper nor innate ability required. A Long Snapper plays just a handful of times a game and rarely gets hit. A Long Snapper will make at least league minimum; have one of the longest careers and literally walk away when done.

...You will still have to dream as it won’t be easy but we are all born with the ability. Who knows someday my boy will ask me: “Hey dad, wanna have a hike”.

DREAM CENTER

LONG SHOT

Howard Moskowitz taught us that a person doesn’t always know what they want and sometimes you have to tell them. This is why we now have endless varieties of spaghetti sauce. I just wish I would have dreamt of spaghetti as a kid…

No child dreams of being a Shift Supervisor, Middle Management or even Vice President. They dream of changing the world or better yet being the world.

As a child; like most, I dreamt of being the cliché when I grew up. However none was more exciting than that of being a professional athlete, specifically a Football Player. I didn’t want to be a professional athlete for the star power, glamour or money. I was a kid that was as foreign as the opposite sex. I did however understand at an early age the saying if you find something you love you will never have to work a day in your life.

That dream never came true. I even had some built in advantages; I would have good size, I would have good athleticism and what I lacked in speed I made up in awareness. I even had some genes with experience. The only thing that stopped this dream from coming to fruition was in fact my inability to dream. Though I had a good perspective on life at a young age I was limited by my own imagination.

…As children we dream of being one of the Skilled Players. But what if I could have let my mind wonder outside the tackle box? Moskowitz showed us our path to happiness when it comes to spaghetti sauce. Imagine if he would have shown me my imagination. 

LONG SNAPPER

ROGUE

Sex sells; Marketing 101. The more skin a female shows the less to the imagination; too far, the truth. The art is in the balance but can the same apply to the male?...

Fashion has a unique way of connecting us all; as it is who we are. Collectively fads are born; they come and ago and sometimes come around for another look. I’m not here to talk about skinny jeans and why they are in style or the Rachel Ray conundrum of the Jean Jacket. I’m just raising my hand as I want another look; as I want more skin.

…There was a fad on Saturdays that has come and gone and it’s time for a button hook. Visualize the college years of Ray Lewis, Deion Sanders and even Kenny Wheaton himself. What did they have in common? They showed a little skin, a little mid-drift. Lewis was selling the most; Neon threw a little twist in with his knottical look and Wheaton scored with the undershirt. Alvin Mack and Steven Lattimer even gave you a sneak peak of what they were selling in their Program.

They weren’t selling sex per say but they were letting you know you were about to get Fucked Up. It’s time for someone to bring sexy back.

VOGUE

EASLEY THE BEST CALL

Sport has a way of shaping our lives and teaching us some of the fundamentals of life, culture, social behavior and even vocabulary. In ’09 we learned words such as “schism” and “indiscretions”. More recently we have added “tebowing” and “kaepernicking” to our wardrobe. But let’s celebrate a word; as today is its anniversary: Hullabaloo…

It was Week 3.

It was MNF.

It was the games final play.

It was a great call.

A Strike ended because of it…

A strike would have ended it…

SECONDARY MATTERS

MANZEALOUS

If you live under a rock you might have missed the summer of Football; Johnny Football.

Amidst all the Non-News News this summer we have overlooked that that non-news is news…

Let’s go back to the summer of ’08; you remember the summer we all went to Church Camp. The Non-News News that summer was of the young Tim Tebow and his life as the All-American Christian Boy. The media obsessed on his idealisms and lifestyle and over the course of the summer forced a church vs state rift. This dichotomy added fuel to this non news news again creating news. What did we learn about Tebow as he jump passed into the spotlight; the brighter that light the shinier he got.

…Which brings us back to today: As the college football season is upon us and from this point forward news will actually be news. What I learned from this summer and media exploitation of nothing is that Johnny Manziel is the All-American Boy; young, passionate and accident prone. He like every college student has an opinion and knows it is right, has some freedom and wants to test it. The media once again failed as all they did was make us see ourselves in the mirror. Johnny Manziel still had the greatest football season in my lifetime and you can’t take that away from him nor me.

[To an earlier point I don’t want to know; so quit asking. I want Johnny Football to be Johnny Heisman not Johnny Manziel.]

Who is Johnny Football? Is the question I assume the media is and trying to answer. Let me help; he is you. Assuming you are an American Boy that was gifted some talent and some passion for that talent. Not obsessed nor negligent but right down the middle. In the adult world we call this work/life balance. In the academic world we call this a C average. In my life I have always sought out the C average people as they are the most well rounded and prepared. Yes you have your 4.0 students but what did they give up to achieve. Yes, there are two types of C average folks; those who maxed their potential and those who exploited their potential.

[Johnny Manziel took my advice and has stood up for who he is. He just might be my King on a White (& Maroon) Horse]

Manziel is going to C himself to a successful college career and let’s be realistic on our report card (for this year) as it will be impossible for him to repeat but then again why would he want to… he all ready got his A for the class.

A&Mazing

SOCIETAL KING

I have been sitting/pondering on this notion of emotion for sometime now... It all arose during the Rutgers situation earlier this year followed by Ohio State and others in higher seats, positions and jobs… and now this Paula Deen situation…

I am not a history expert nor buff but wasn’t the American Revolution based upon differencing of opinions by a small few and standing up for what they believed in. They felt that over time the King was misguided and not for the benefit of thyself.

I am not a Poly Sci major either; nor have any invested interest in the matter but isn’t the first amendment Freedom of Speech. I understand it has it’s inherit limitations and guidelines but it is first on the list for a reason.

…The Athletic Director at Rutgers and Ohio State and many others expressed their opinion both in speech and action because at the time they felt that was the best for the situation. Paula Deen says something from her childhood that was common speech of her yester year. All were ousted by this new governing body; Society.

Malcolm Gladwell references studies of groups consisting of normal citizens will test lower as a group than individuals. Hmmm…. Society is slowing becoming disconnected from the individual perspective and their inherit opinion. Who is this Society and why do we care what they think? Aren't we taught as children to be ourselves and to not focus on what others think?

These individuals were forced out of their livelihood because of someone they have never met; who said they were wrong. Who’s they? Society is becoming the new King; unelected. It’s time to STAND UP.

Jeff Daniels said it best on the Newsroom “America Was the Greatest Country”.

At some point these individuals will finally stand-up for their speech, opinion or action and call Society out. This will be the start of a new revolution; The Figment Revolution.

Everyone has a couple things that they truly believe in that are theirs and only theirs. All I ask is honor your independence by being independent. Don’t let things you’ve never seen or met control you. I’ve stood up for two in my life that I felt strongly about and in result lost one of the loves of my life but I too this day prosper in me.

Independence Day is a time to reflect and celebrate the ground work the forefathers laid out for us; but it is also time to renovate.

This Independence Day I ask you to celebrate the RED, WHITE, BLUE and YOU

This Independence Day I celebrate my freedom as I am KING

FOUR-EYED and CROSS-EYED is 20/20

Growing up the world through a child’s eye is euphoric and will lay the framework for his later view of the Golden Age. Rose colored and cheery the boy will argue to the end of hour his was better. It’s not until adolescence that he begins to notice the holes in the fabric and will soon learn that thread can easily tear. Still living under the notion of that golden age he still finds solace. He never expected it to happen but it doesn't catch him buy surprise. The more the pages of the album turned the more the story unravels.

With that said there are a couple ways to go through life and the underlying question of can you handle the truth. I've always taken the sunny disposition approach and have left an open ear to the good and let the other through. I can handle the truth; I just don’t want to hear it. Though my family is still perfect the focusing look now just furthers itself from my childish views. This story isn't about my family but the world we live in today…

…The world we live in today has moved passed it’s adolescence and due to a red-headed step child we are being forced to peruse our album. Media is causing a perpetual campfire story telling and the good stories of old are beginning to dwindle.

I write this as the beginning of the end (of my viewership) due to this adoption to the societal family. Great stories that could have become folklore will be soon brushed under the rug with the rest of the laundry. Johnny Football, Michael Vick, Lance Armstrong, Barry Bonds, Tiger Woods and many more are now the blacksheep of the family because someone decided to ask. Why ask; I ask. What good is going to come from the answer? Don’t ask your spouse if there are indiscretions as eventually you will get an answer. I don’t want the whole story I want the Pleasantville story. I want the story of Yasiel Puig to paint like that of Jackie Robinson not Jackie Brown.

The longer I look the more I see through. I want Johnny Football to be Johnny Heisman not Johnny Manziel. My brother and I had a saying in college that was immortalized in an early 80’s beer sign; “Why ask Why”? The message we took from it then was just do it. The message I take from it now is don’t ask; I don’t want to know.

“King Crab where did you go; I must know”