TUNNEL VISION

What was your first love? It’s not your family; well it is but you don’t know that is love at the time. As a child your views on life are naïve but truthful and your first love is simple…

It was 95’ and I was at my first Mariners game…

Most recall the sensory overload, they remember the Greats that were playing, they remember the score, the big plays, where they sat, what they ate and just how perfect it was. I remember standing in that concrete tunnel knowing my world was about to change. Then it happened. I saw the brightest green I have ever seen and as each step I took; the world got that much bigger, I got that much smaller and I no longer had those childish views.

I recall a lot of details from that day and those memories always resurface when I walk through a concrete tunnel to find my seat. Like that of your parents you don’t always realize how they have shaped your life; until you see the metaphor.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The Kingdome. The exact location angle as I saw it in 95'

STUDENT BODIES

A RARITY: DUELING STUDENT SECTIONS

Sportsmanship is becoming as neutral as the color blue. In a day of being ever more PC and the heighten sense of sensitivity we are seeing an ill effect on some of the games greatest endearments. 

The Student Section. An Articulate and well timed student section is better than any trap defense. Currently we are limited to the boredom of "Mascot Power, Mascot Power, Mascot Power". 

The Attaboy; The Ass Pat, The Butt Slap. It doesn’t matter if you score 20 points or pull down 15 boards; all that matters is if coach gives you an Ole Attaboy. It is only in this reception of acceptance that you know you have had a good practice, play, game or season.

…It used to be called Sportsmanship but it’s not too late for us to win the award for most passionate fans, inspirational coaches and leave-everything-on-the-floor players. You don’t need to give every kid a blue ribbon to boost their self esteem just a gentle tap on the hind…. Let's bring back the injection of borderline inappropriate and teach these kids some vocabulary.

ADMIT ONE

50 SHADES OF GRAY

10 Year Patch

Over the last 11 years I have seen a lot of things; according to some missed a lot too. I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly; the jaw dropping, the head shaking and the eye opening. I have compiled stories and memories that can be told for Easter’s to come. I've witnessed great moments, heartbreaks, glory and the agony of defeat... 

The Takeaways: Dad’s should not coach. Coaches are few and far between. Basketball is a contact sport. Advantage/Disadvantage can not be explained to anyone with an emotional tie to the situation. No Coach, Parent, Player nor Fan understands the 3 seconds in the key rule. They too don’t understand that “Reach” and “Over the Back” are rules they made up. The Glory: The greatest compliment to an official is the notion that you didn't even know they were there. The Catch: The way to improve and succeed as an official; is to be noticed. The Conclusion: Though we wear black and white everything we do is in shades of gray.

…For 3 months out of the year I get to be a part of a community that is rarely understood by outsiders. We read from our book; we recite those words, we spend countless hours debating the minuscule of details. We gather in support; to build our community and the community. We guard the teachings of young men and women through the avenues of sport. I am a patron of this church and protector of the spirit of the rule.

THE HARDWOOD GODS

NUMBER OF ROLES

What is your favorite number... it's not as arbitrary as your favorite color as you most likely know why it is your favorite. As a parent; do you care what your kid’s favorite number is?...

My brother’s favorite number is 8; for one simple reason, Cal Ripken Jr. Cal is the Iron Man, he never missed a day of work in 17 years. Go to work everyday, work hard and good things will happen. In our generation the number 8 stood for a lot but none more meaningful than loyalty.

My favorite number is 13; again for one simple reason, Dan Marino. Dan [is] The Man, he would rewrite the record books but never win a Super Bowl. He wore the number 13 proving that it could be super and/or superstitious.

…My brother is in the middle of his 11th year with the same company. I write; to tell you, there are perspectives to life. It’s not a perfect picture but we first pick our favorite color; then our favorite number.

PAINT BY NUMBERS

I AM SAM

Michael Sam; opens the conversation

I AM SAM
The Gay Era; will last.
It’s still taboo.
Its still hullabaloo.
Deep Down; we’ll ask
Do we share?
Do we care?

The Steroid Era; has passed.
It’s still prevalent.
It’s still irrelevant.
SAM I AM

DON'T BE SMART

Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me. Trash Talking and Banter are a part of the game; not because of the game. The game is played on the hardwoods and with the rock, a place where you can make a name for yourself...

Sportsmanship; defined by many as respect for the confines of the game. The mind game has always been a part of sport. To get into someone’s head is the greatest offense there is. And if one adage has always proven true in life: its mind over body.

…Though sport can teach you a lot about life; sport can teach us more about you. The sticks and stones may not have broken your bones, but they did hurt your name.

MARCUS SMART

OVERLY EASY

What is the easiest thing to cook; I mean actually cook. What is the hardest thing to perfect in the kitchen. I have always judged a cook solely on their ability to fry an egg…

I was at a train stop some 30 minutes outside of Zurich. I got on the wrong train that morning and my whereabouts still to this day are unknown. There wasn’t much there but a little bakery. If you have to think about it; you haven’t had it yet. That croissant was the best thing I have ever eaten.

Jiro Ono; with out question is the best sushi chef in the world. The first to receive 3 Michelin Stars and currently is the oldest chef [of any discipline] to retain those stars. He just might be the World's greatest chef; The Michelin Man.

As an apprentice under Jiro it will literally take years to be considered good at your craft. But first to even be considered for attention you will need to perfect the one dish that is always served at his course; egg sushi.

Located in a small unannounced shop inside the Tokyo Subway system you will find Jiro at 85 years young; perfecting his craft. If the world’s greatest chef can judge merely on a single dish; why can’t I. If you are in search for the world’s greatest food; just Stop looking.

JIRO SCOPE

INTENTIONAL GROUNDING

His dad knew it in 1988. Sports read it in 2013.
The World saw it in 2014.

Defense wins Championships. We knew they were good but not that good. The only way to silence the naysayers was to do it against the best. They have been making statements all season; they new one zero wasn’t going to be enough, so they allowed two. 8

‘There is a king in every crowd’ - A hard thing to teach your boy; at any point in their life. Your son isn’t just a king in the crowd; he is the king of King County. Lesson Learned. Your name; your teachings, will live on for ∞

A MESSAGE TO BEN WILSON III

ACROSS

Tebowing? Kaepernicking? Nope. Pondering

ACROSS

To ponder; is consideration over reflection

In religion this is frowned
Football is about quantities known 
You would never name your kid Contradiction

CHRISTIAN PONDER

THE WHO

I am pretty sure this says more about me [or I am from another planet] but I have never even heard of Bruno Mars. I am no Pop Culture consumer or music consumer in that matter but I at least knew The Who Bruce was. The Halftime Show is the only time during the Super Bowl I don’t Have Time to watch. There is an App for that.

BEER & APPS