Number 100-and why honesty is the only policy

Alrighty my lil' cherubs, it's been about a month since I've written anything, so you're being forewarned that this is a bit of a long one, as there is a ton to talk about. Hopefully you're either smart enough to print this out, surf & squat, or have an iPhone/Crackberry to read this on a bus/train/hovercraft.

So I'm going to lead off with sports on this one, and for my 1 and 1/2 hockey fans out there, this is for you: Sidney Crosby is overrated. Yes, he's very good, and I love that he's the 'face' of hockey, but something doesn't sit right with me. It's that he's kind of a bitch. There are plenty of instances this year showing off his ability for douchery. He's started a couple of skirmishes and skated out of the way while others fight. And then there was the donkey-punch...on someone's scrotum. When did it become okay to hit someone from behind, like ever? I'll come out and say it-it never has, not in life, and not in sports, and definitely not in hockey. So to me, he might be a top 5 player, but he's not even the best player on his own team. I'm certain he gets picked on, and sometimes it gets chippy, but you don't punch a guy in the twig and giggleberries from behind.
It's the same reason I will never be a huge fan of Chris Paul in basketball. He punched Julius Hodge in the nuts during a game years ago while at Wake Forest, and no matter how good he gets or how many people say how nice he or his game is, I can't let that gigantic transgression go. It's a bitch move, one that while maybe could be forgiven, won't be forgotten-at least not by me.
More sports-Hey Geno Hayes, you have some 'splainin to do. 1st, next time your girl asks you if the jeans make her butt look big, the answer is no! It's always no!! 2nd and more importantly...what the hell are you doing dating a 19 year old girl? You can do lots of things with them, but dating them is a bad idea-they are especially unstable-don't the Bucs have any veterans to teach this young buck anything?

I was asked the other night if I was watching the World Baseball Classic-and the answer is no. My reasoning is so simple. Let me just state that while Bud Selig has done one thing right in his tenure as commissioner of baseball (the wildcard), he has flubbed up mostly everything else he touches. Case in point, the WBC. It's his idea. And yet he does it at the beginning of the season, when guys are trying to get into shape for the season. Look, I know everyone trains practically year-round now, but come on. 2007 AL MVP Dustin Pedroia is already hurt with a strained rib cage muscle. Hopefully it's not serious, but that seems like the type of injury that could, oh I don't know, linger or even come back. Why couldn't he take a page from the NHL? I distinctly remember that halfway thru one season they stopped for like 2 weeks for the World Cup...heck I think they do that for the Olympics, too. Bud, why not do that instead of the All-Star game every 3-4 years??
More baseball-Mark McGwire is apparently teaching some folks to hit....really? Why does anyone want to learn hitting from a career .263 hitter? And what do they want to learn? How to juice-look like a nitwit in front of Congress? Maybe how to fade away after resurrecting a sport with a fellow cheater, like McGwire and Sosa back in 1998? I'm just sayin'.

This Lane Kiffin mess with the Raiders is getting weirder and weirder by the day. I really hope Al Davis shows up to court in one of his jumpsuits, it would be the fashion event of the year-so far.
Way to go ESPN. I love this one. So Donte Stallworth hits and kills a man with his car down in Miami. What the hell does the last paragraph have anything to do with this? Look at Stallworth's career, he's only spent one year with New England, and that was 2 seasons ago. He is currently a Brown from Cleveland, and spent 4 years in New Orleans-his original team. New England wasn't even his best statistical season, so why tie a potential murderer to the Pats?? I'm just sayin', again.
Good luck, city of Buffalo, you're going to need it. That nutbag TO is now a Bill, and my favorite part of this so far is the one person I know that's a Bills fan telling me, "I don't know whether to laugh or cry." Congrats Bills fans, you're in for one hell of a ride. I hope QB Trent Edwards has some type of deal with Mylanta, he's going to need it. Better yet, a noise-canceling headset company might make more sense.
Boohoo-Broncos QB Jay Cutler and his folks have both put up their houses in Colorado for sale. All because it was speculated that the team might trade Cutler. Please, get out the WHHHHAAAmbulance-this is pathetic. Last I checked, Cutler is 17-20 in his NFL career, and better yet, was 2-4 in his last 6 starts this past season. The best part of that is the fact that if Cutler would have led his team to a win in any of the last 3 games he would have made the playoffs. Now, I don't lay the Broncos record all at Cutler's feet. But he's complaining like he should be untradeable. This is the NFL, no one is untradeable-more importantly, it's a business. So now you've got your parents involved in this. What the hell is this, little league?? Fine Cutler, take your ball and go home. Yes, you have a great arm. So did Heath Shuler and a zillion other guys who've played QB in the NFL. Your mouth is already legendary. You took on the legend of John Elway out here in Broncos country, not a wise move. Frankly, I hate the Broncos, so I could care less. But radio announcer Scott Hastings has called you out as a 'bitch', and you have no rebuttal. Sad. Jay, here's what you need to do. Shut up and play. Play for your teammates, play for the fans. You've done nothing to earn all these accolades, and now it's coming out how whiny and sensitive you truly are. That's the funny thing about QBing in the NFL-there are only 32 slots available for your job, and because you had a tiff with your new boss you decide to pout. You're not 4 anymore. Suck it up champ, and realize that you could learn something from your new coach. Hell, he just got a guy who hasn't started a game in 6 years to an 11-4 record with 21TDs and 11 INTs. What do you think he could do with your arm? Nothing, if you're using that nickel plated head of yours.

Lastly on the sports stuff, my boys at Syracuse put up a good effort last night, in the first half. I firmly believe that fatigue set in going into the 2nd half last night. You play 7 OT's in 2 nights, which is almost an extra game, and see if you aren't a wee bit tired. Don't get me wrong, Louisville is a damn good team, but I have been watching this 'Cuse squad all year, and while their eyes were stating one thing, their bodies couldn't fire on all the pistons. I knew they were in trouble when jump shots were falling short halfway thru the first half. No excuses, and hopefully in a about an hour they get at least a 5 seed in the tourney.

Now, onto news and opinions, and I lead with some bad news. Not tragic, because I'm a believer that that word is completely overused. Tragic, overrated, underrated and gameplan can all stop being overused for awhile, and we'll be just fine.
This news is about another former wrestler that has died. At 33, Andrew 'Test' Martin was found Friday deceased by neighbors. Why isn't there a congressional council on this stuff? That's got to be like 30 dead wrestlers in the last decade, all before they turn 45. Isn't that a bit much for anyone else?? Look, I'm well aware that it's 'fake', so get off that tangent right now. It's entertainment. It's also a part of my childhood, and some fun memories, too. Google dead wrestlers and you'll be shocked. All I'm saying is that if this were happening to so-called stars in Hollyweird, there would be more crap on TMZ and the news than crap about the economy.

Ward Churchill is suing Colorado University, because he thinks he was unjustly fired. He thinks it was because he called the victims of 9/11 little Eichmanns. And the President at the time had the chance to say why it really was, and now she's a victim, too. Hey douchenozzle, way to set the female movement back a couple of decades. Apparently Betsy Hoffman felt pressured by Republicans in this fine state. Oh, there were no Democrats telling you to get this clown out of the university system? Come on, folks, there has to be one of you out there that voted for Obama and thinks this guy isn't an Indian, too! Once again, it's all Republicans fault. When the heck does someone stand up and take accountability around here??
Now, what should she have done? Easy, lay out the reasons for his dismissal as easy as this-1)he is not a protected class, nor has he ever proven he is of Indian descent. Just because someone says that they are something doesn't make it so. 2)his research is faulty, 3)he plagarised someone else's art and works and then tried to pass them off as his own. 4)Lastly, he assaulted a 9news camera operator. Why the hell should he be anywhere near the privilege to teach impressionable minds? This is why I stated above she set the female movement back. You cannot be a part-time feminist. You just can't. Either try and be equal in this form with guys and stand up for yourself (which actually has female tones to it, too-ever see a mother protect its children) and give factual reasons for why this assclown no longer has a job, but don't be a complete wuss and blame the pressure laid onto you by the former Governor. Stand up and say, "hells yes I got rid of him, thru proper channels, because he was not an honest representation of what we believe the academic reputation of this university to be." How hard is that? I just came up with that off the top of my head. Well, in Betsy's defense, she only was in charge during this and that lovely football 'scandal'. Proving the point that it's not all woman that are victims, but this one sure did seem to play the card awfully fast. I happen to know of a few women who'd like to take this one out for a cup of coffee or a beer and tell her what's what.

Did anyone catch The Daily Show the other day? Holy crap did Jon Steward take Jim Cramer from CNBC to school. One was playing checkers and the other was playing chess. I'll be honest with you, I rarely watch this show. But I understand it's appeal. And if I remember correctly, more people in the coveted 18-24 age bracket told a study that they got their political news from this show like 4 to 1 over the mainstream media in the 2004 election. Look, sometimes Jon Stewart is a bit too liberal for me, but he has his moments of balance. I cannot say the same for MSNBC. However, on this financial topic, I think Stewart was spot on. I just hope he can see it thru the eyes of this last presidential election. All I could think about while watching this interview was Frost/Nixon. Funny thing, though, was that movie had a little bit of Hollyweird make believe in it. I watched this one-no one is that good of a script writer. Well done, Mr. Stewart, I applaud you for calling someone out in front of them, not waiting for them to leave, or never inviting them on your show.

Just in case you were wondering where you'll be the most free in the US, here's a little list for you. Hmmmm, go figure, I could've told you that Massachusetts, California, New York and Illinois would be in the bottom 10, and wouldn't you know it! Wonder if that's why businesses are leaving in droves. Funny thing, NH is the only state in New England out of the bottom 11, go figure. Damn hippies ruin everything. Oh, NH's state motto in case you forgot is "Live Free or Die". I love that they only give you 2 options.

A couple of goofy observations before I get back to being serious-really:
1)anyone else ever change the color of the pen they're used to writing with, and it totally messes you up? Fine, me neither.
2)My boy up in Toronto has a very cute little girl who just turned 3. Where the hell does the time go? And now she won't say hi to me on the phone, but she will say "NO!". Funny, like every other girl I meet-you figure out the irony, I need a drink.
3)the more you talk about the abscence of something, the more it becomes a topic of discussion.
4)I'm tired of the 'gotcha' interview style that seems to be the new standard. Can't anyone be allowed to change their mind anymore? I'm pretty sure that some of the things we all thought when we were teenagers or in our early 20's have been proven otherwise. Can you imagine if you never learned anything after you were 22-good grief, we'd be dumb enough to be politicians.
5)go see live music, download music, share it, I don't care. Everyone has their own soundtrack, mine happens to be getting a tune up right about now.
6)when the hell did guys start wearing girls jeans? And how can that be comfy on your junk, really? I love that I'm 33 and wear my stuff a little loose...not hip-hop loose, calm down. You only gets to see these here drawers if you ask politely (being of loose morals and slightly inebriated is neither here nor there).
7)I only asked the question on #6 because I was on the train the other day and saw a guy and girl couple and she definitely was the 'guy' in the mix. He was worried about his hair, what his style was looking like....I can't stand male bitches, makes me sad.
8)and that, right there, is why I can still dream about opening up my male finishing school-think the cool of Bogart, Dean and Sinatra meeting with the awesomeness of Norris and Eastwood, throw in some grilling skills, changing a tire and the knowledge that you never order anything with fruit in it unless you're south of Texas, and you get a decent idea.

Now, onto more serious matters. Anyone else hear about this 'Sexting' epidemic that's out there? It's borderline hysterical to me. What's criminal is the thing that certain politicians and lawmakers are attempting to do. Lets just put it out there that kids today have more technology at their disposal than we could have ever dreamed of. Can we agree on that? If so, the rest of what I have to say about this makes a whole bunch more sense. First, lets not kid ourselves by thinking this is the first time in the history of humans that teenagers are horny and obnoxious. That being stated, teenagers have always wanted to hump anything and everything. It's called nature. I will say that the amount of sex that is out there is a bit much, and I'm not that far removed from being a teenager-especially maturity-wise. But these kids have more 'freedom' than we ever thought of having, mostly because we have parents who want to be their kids friends instead of a parent. Being a parent doesn't mean you get to win the day-to-day popularity contest, at least in my estimation. I wasn't particularly fond of my old man as a teenager, but started to get things once I got to be about 20. And now that he's gone, I kind of wish some things went different. But I digress. You've got kids who are just as horny as the we were when we were there age. But they have cell phones with cameras, and damn good cameras, too. They have their own MacBook Pros, and other laptops with webcams mounted in them. We never had this. I guarantee you that if I did, I certainly would've been bugging my girlfriend for a striptease over the internet. Of course, I was fortunate to go to high school and college in a time where flannel and baggy sweaters were the fashion of choice. I know, lucky me. So what does this all mean? It means that if I were in high school right now with a bunch of girls who wear super miniskirts and thong underwear that peeks out from the top of their jeans, I can just about bet you that I would be lucky to get into community college rather than the fine institution I attended. Here's the other thing-since we've been cramming sex down these kids throats (pun intended), girls are more promiscuous. Don't believe me? Remember high school? My high school's graduating class started off with about 1200 students. I bet you if I went thru my yearbook right now I'd be lucky to rattle off 15 girls that were considered easy. Now? Please! There are teenagers having BJ parties. So while I'm definitely jealous, I'm also extremely concerned for anyone under the age of 17 right now. Sex with teachers is one thing, but here's what I'd like to know....what happens to these girls, and how a guy judges his mates, in say, another 10 years? I know for a fact that there are women and men out there with far more varied and exciting sex lives that I'll ever have. And good for them. I'll take my experiences and just say that I've enjoyed all of them. But what's left for a girl who's done half the football team and had it videotaped at age 18? Orgies at 21? Swinging at 23? Sex addicts meeting at 25? I'm not mocking anyone, I'm geniunely asking the question. Living with multiple partners? I don't know. And you know what? I don't want to know. I'm going to be fine living my little 'mundane' sexual life-yes, it's been judged that way by some, in which I giggle out loud. I've made my choices, and can be perfectly fine with them. Of course we'd all love to be having sex. But here's the kicker-take away the sex and maybe the money-what's left of your mate? My opinion, for whatever its worth, is that nookie is way better if you actually give a damn about your partner.
So what does this have to do with 'Sexting'? Simple-these kids have access that you and I never had. And if we did, we'd probably be doing stupid things, too. Honestly, why any woman would want a picture of a love pickle, I'll never know. Here's the problem-we have politicians wanting to arrest and prosecute those kids who receive a nekkid picture of someone else. You can't know what someone will send you!! My friends send me all sorts of joke text messages, can we prosecute them for wasting memory on my cell phone bill? And then, these same lawmakers want the recipient to have to register as a sex offender. Sorry, but a 16 year old kid who gets a picture of his 15 year old girlfriend's 'giner is not the same as the creepy neighbor who drives a volvo, always has ice cream and is really into pokemon. They aren't even remotely close. And why should the kid have to have that scarlet letter around his neck for being a recipient? Some folks need to just hold themselves accountable-I know, God forbid. Stupid society-everything is apparently someone else's fault. If that's the case, I should sue the State to get my aspirin for free....dolts.

So I had a contracting gig this past week, and it should last at least a few hours tomorrow. I will not be working on Tuesday. It's an Irish holiday, and I plan on damaging some brain cells. Besides, it's my first holiday without Pops, so I'll do as I damn well please, thank you very much. The contracting gig is relatively easy, data scrubbing spreadsheets. The problem is the guy I'm working for. Ever work for someone who tells you to do something, and then gives someone else the same thing to do with different instructions? What happens? You end up with apples and oranges--and then wondering why you can't compare the two. In turn, making more work. No problem for me, I'll take the money. But it is frustrating when someone asks you why something isn't done, and it's 99.9% on them. And I wonder why my career hasn't taken off...sheesh.

So my job hunt this past week was very slow, almost non-existent. And when I get to the next topic, you'll get a clearer picture of why. There are a few potentially cool things out there, but some things needed to be sorted out before I could move forward.

I've been so confused the last few weeks, it's been a pain in the ass. And then I go and get frustrated about the confusion, making me tired. This dear friends is the definition of the vicious circle. I was supposed to get on a plane on 3/5 to go hang out with this girl and take care of some interviews. Not necessarily in that order. Funny thing happened on the way to pack my bags-my interviews dried up, and the girl got sick. So I made the executive decision to bail on the trip. Honestly, my Mom and brother understood-and since they've seen plenty of me in the last couple of months, I knew they'd be a little disappointed, but again, they understood. I had two main objectives for going out there, and both were a wash, so why get on the plane? To top it all off, my brother got a job and was working, and I told Ma not to move around her schedule, as I thought I'd be busy interviewing and knew that I'd have some time on the end of the trip, so we'd be all set. What was I going to do, have a staring contest all week long with the cat? Hells no. The best part about me not getting on a plane was that in the matter of 24 hours, I managed to get an interview-that was later canceled to the job req. getting pulled, this contract gig, and maybe an opportunity out in Las Vegas.
Now the thing is Vegas is at about .02% for me. For numerous reasons. Most importantly, I'm not all that excited about it. It doesn't excite me. It makes me nauseous. It's like the hamster chasing the thing on the side of the wheel. It's probably not going to deliver. In any way shape or form. I'd be farther away from all the things I'd really like to accomplish, and I'd be farther away from my friends and family, literally. Now, if this thing offers the chance to do certain things along with a small financial windfall, then I'm listening.
The main thing that needed to be sorted out for me was the girl. When you have as much free time as I've had in the last 2 months, your mind tends to wander, and to get twisted. Look, my Pops passed away in the beginning of November, I got laid off 2 months later, and I've always thought about moving back east. And if you got one crazy notion that the stars were aligning a certain way, well-let's just reiterate that my mind tends to wander. And then something clicks in your brain, maybe it's a voice, maybe your conscience, maybe it's something you read, I don't know. But I made the decision to ask for the conversation. And I saw my tattoo-the one that reads 'To thine own self be true'. And then I remembered one of the funniest conversations I ever had with my Pops-we were drinking heavily one night and were mocking those people who meander thru life asking everyone else's opinion, and how sad it must be. And it's why I'm back to relative normality right now as I type this. I was becoming this last person, and I hate that person. So in asking for this conversation with this girl, I was prepped for certain things, like a yes or a no. I wasn't expecting the answer I got, but glad I still got an answer-and an honest one at that. (Hence the title of this blog).
I was hoping to have this conversation face to face, but it just didn't work out that way. My reason for wanting it face to face is simple-eyes don't lie. I know I say that I'm the worlds worst poker player, but in all honesty, I'm not all that bad. I'm horrible stone sober or drunk. But 2-3 cocktails in me, and I'm rather good. Now that's just with cards. People I'm way better with. Well, not girls that I like, but whatever. I had to let it be known, put it out there in the universe, to let her know, that I like her. I was a bit petrified, because I know that there are some out there that have pledged their love to this woman, and probably with some good reason, too. I can't think of a good reason, but I'm sure that they had 'em. Could be fear. But I don't have that, not in that sense. Mine is a fear of hate. Hate of asking the question 'What if?' I hate that question, and don't want to ever really have to ask that of myself. I've also been the person that tends to take things head on. Sometimes that bites you in the ass, sometimes it works. At the very least, you can appreciate the honest nature of it. So she now knows how I feel-I like her. And when asked if she shared the same feelings, I got 'I don't know'...sonofabitch-that I wasn't prepped for. But I understand, and truly am not upset, mad, bitter, flabbergasted or anything. Her reasoning is sound, and she's engrossed in moving to a place that is all new to her on about 3 different levels. Hell, I'm from there, so it's nothing to me. It would be nothing for me to move back, either. All my boys there would do is ask if I want to catch for the softball team and move down a barstool. It's truly that simple.
She's also staring at this new job, and all these new things, new place. She's the only female who has her job, and there's only like 30 people in the world that do her job. Pressure? Maybe, I didn't get to ask her. I know she's got all these walls up, and while I wish I didn't get that, I really really do. I got the impression that she's just not into that whole concept right now. How did I get that impression?-She told me. There were some other niceties and compliments exchanged, but it boils down to this-I have to do what's best for me. And if she was the main reason I was considering moving, which she isn't, then I doubt I'd still be facebook friends with her. That would've freaked me out, too. How could it not
Andnow I get to deal with something that is a very novel concept to me. I'm used to looking out for others in my life. In this instance, it would've been my Mom and my brother. Instead, they're all good and don't necessarily need me-they'd love to have me back home, but I'm not a requirement. So now I have to do stuff for myself, be a little bit selfish. But I did have to assure her that she wouldn't be the reason I'd be moving east. She wouldn't. She'd be a hell of a bonus, I can say that much. Sorry, but y'all don't get to know every little detail of what was said, or what, if any, other topics were brought up. I'm glad we had that talk, I hope I didn't tire her brain with it, because it was serious to me-and needed to happen. Since then, my mind has slowed down considerably, and I'm starting to think a whole lot more about what I want, as opposed to what some others might want of me. Sorry, but sometimes that's just what needs to happen.

It boils down to this, whatever the best opportunity for me is, be it in Boston or Denver, is where I'm going to end up. Vegas and all those other cities are on the far outskirts for me.

Happy Sunday to you, and look for my college hoops breakdown, tourney-style, tomorrow night.