BUENA VISTA

1984

 It was a Thursday in February and I don’t remember

I recall the life; the dash in between

As my memory is of how I grew

Until I won’t know my last

BUENA VISTA 

I can still taste that Saturday in November

I don’t remember the middle; that I so feen

First Sip Last Sip Tullamore Dew

 Next year can’t come too fast 

2009

SUNDAY BRUNCH

We all believe in something and overtime you learn how to explain it to yourself. It doesn’t matter if you’re religious, agnostic or atheist; you have your own specific view. But can your views be defined by a box…

What is your favorite meal; do you cook it the same way every time. When I am asked how did you make that; I typically shrug, not in defiance or out of entitlement. As I most likely just winged it; or made adjustments from the last time. What if you changed your favorite meal and did so every time. How do you know that’s the best way to prepare that meal. Could your view be altered?

We (Americans) were never taught about Buddhism; in fact, never taught any viewpoint and most likely adopted our parents. But Buddhism is simple; be moral, be mindful of thought and actions, and continuously seek wisdom and understanding. Buddhism does not see a deity but does not not see a deity. Buddhism in a nutshell is to find what you believe in and believe It. But be open.

Is there anything more annoying than; I won’t eat that. From I don’t eat meat to brussells sprouts are the worst thing in the world. If it is edible; I will eat it. I have always appreciated food for what it is and the value it provides me. From the garden outside to the box on isle 9; from the most delicate of cured meats to spam, it all has its purpose. A fresh tomato from the garden is heaven to most; but doesn’t do anything for me and I am not going out my way to put it on my burger nor take it off.

Buddhism accepts all religions and puts them all on par with each other; as it took Pascal’s Wager. Deductive logic would then say all religions are Buddhist or Buddhism is the only religion. You may not believe that but you all ready know one of its main teachings; Karma.

I believe you should never thrust your religious or food beliefs on others. I believe you should always be searching for more understanding and that your next meal could be the best you’ve ever had. I have never considered myself religious but unbekownst to me; I have been cooking from the book of Buddhism, changing the recipe as I go. I don’t cook the same thing or same way twice; I all ready know what that tastes like. I am beginning to understand my views on food and life aren’t that different; as I believe, you shouldn’t eat or believe out of a box.

BUDDHA BELLY

SNYDE REMARK

If only a generation ago; your family was being marked by discrimination, would you grow up to do the same. Prejudice is American and our nativity scene…

The Associated Press named Jim Thorpe the greatest athlete of the first half of the century. Do you think of him as an Olympian, Football Player or Indian.

Dan Snyder is being put on the hot seat and is receiving a lot of bad press. But maybe that is exactly where he wants to be; what he is accustomed to.

The Washington Redskins won’t be able to hold their trademark forever. It took 30 years after his death for Thorpe to receive his gold medals. Dan Snyder made his money in Marketing and being a Jew he knows he is over matched. Though you can bet; he is going to bring more than bows and arrows to this gun fight.

INDIAN SUMMER

Dan Snyder; Redskins Owner

CONSTANT CONTACT

Derrick Thomas didn't get to grow up with his dad and Veterans Day only fell once on a Sunday during his hall of fame career. Barry Sander's was never the best in his father's eyes. Tony Gwynn didn't hit for power; he just hit and that’s why they call this hall of famer, Mr. Padre.

IT IS EASIER TO RAISE A BOY

Robert Thomas taught his son that it’s not always about being there but being there. On that Veteran’s Sunday Derrick set the single game sack record that still stands today. William Sanders taught his son loyalty is of the utmost importance. Tony Gwynn taught his son; if you do all the small things right, you will have an opportunity for the big things.

THAN CHANGE A MAN

24 years to the day; after Tony Gwynn’s first major league hit; his son followed in his footsteps with his own matching double. Barry Sanders wasn't Jim Brown but he too played for only one team in his career and his Heisman Trophy sits on the mantle at his fathers house; right behind a helmet of his dad's favorite team. Robert James Thomas set the path for his son; though they would only have a short 5 years together, as Robert lost his life during the Vietnam War. In Operation Linebacker.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

FAMILY RECIPE

Coleman Cousins; 1996

Remix; 2013

I don’t know about yours; but my family revolves around food. Food has never been just about it’s nutrition but more about how food has grown our family. When someone asks you; where did you grow up, why do you respond with your home town. As I grew up at the dinner table…

When I think of grapes; I think of my grandpa. When I think of salmon; I think of my dad. When I think of macaroni and cheese; I think of my cousin, followed by my aunt, my other aunt and originally my grandma. When I think of a steak; I think of the first weekend in May. When I think of Egg Mac’s; I think of the 3 best Saturdays of the year. And when I think of corn; I think of my family.

I started and ended a relationship because of food. I have introduced people to food they have never tried; from fresh too fast. Food got me through college. Fed a baseball team and sponsored a muck. Even our family reunions are named after food. Food has never been just food; it’s a memory bank.

I am not a food snob; though I will pay top dollar for some charcuterie but my vice is a hot deli. If you are coming to our home for the first time; you’re getting Flank Steak, with cheese potatoes and jalapeño bread. If I am going to answer that question; it will be a Southern Hot Dog for my last meal; expenditure: $0.78.

Do you have a relationship with your first cousins; your seconds; thirds? I do. Because of Food. You can be sure to bet if there is charcoal preparing; everyone is going to know about it. We too have our standard dishes that get served at every family event but they are not our family recipe.

The dinner table was the manner in which I learned to cook. To this day; I have never ordered a steak; because a steak isn’t just about the steak, its about the 45 minutes, the 2 beers and the taunting of the cousins, while the charcoal gets ready. I don’t cook to eat.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

ROLE MODELS

We all look up to them and especially when we are young. The onslaught of media in today’s culture no longer allows us to just glorify our favorite athletes; we must now magnify…

To win an NBA Championship you need a lot to go your way and all the clichés to be true. But as we know now; even the greatest need help. The role player has become the key to success but it is when success comes that the role player goes.

Basketball has become a sport of individuals and isolation. Media seeks out this glory of victory; the dunks, the 3 ball and the block. They don’t care about the extra pass; the pick and roll, the close out or the block out. They overlook the right pass with the no look. As if they were to look; they would realize the game is still fundamentally fundamental.

The role player still proves this. A team with out role players will lack in some fundamental area and a good team will exploit it. A role player will have his niche, his specialty, his position on the team.

The San Antonio Spurs; what can you say that hasn’t all ready been said. The core has been together for 13 years and are the epitome of team, a team and team basketball. A team consisted of players who know their role.

It’s ironic in a time where media likes to magnify individuals but they won’t do the same about a team. If they would; they’d find a team with foreigners playing traditional American basketball. What happens with a team made entirely of role players. All I know is they are positioned for success…

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS