( 12:58 AM )
Albuquerque
Haven't felt like blogging much. And I'm too tired to bitch and moan about Richard Clarke's obvious charges, or the need for Condi to go. So let me vent on something that happened a little earlier tonight - my fantasy baseball draft.
I was doing fine until the 7th round (Vlad, Prior, Tejada, Mussina, Chipper), when I went off my rankings list and started thinking about specific positions to fill. Somehow, I ended up picking Cinci Reds 1B/OF Adam Dunn and I think it was all downhill from there. But what really made me mad was my computer was malfunctioning, so I couldn't access a couple of players that I wanted for the later rounds. Very aggravating when you know there's an all star catcher available in the 20th round. I mean that's the best way to prove you know what you're doing - finding late round bargains who'll be big contributors to your success.
So I was a little aggravated that I was stymied in such a sucky, modern way. But I'm glad it's baseball season. Baseball is good for watching, sleeping and reading to, arguing about, and for pretending like you're actually managing a team. No wonder it's still the great American passtime.
( 2:57 PM )
If I Had A Hammer
I've been in Columbus, Ohio for 21 straight days now and that's bad because I don't particularly like Columbus (pronounced Clum-bis in Ohioesse). I've got a few friends here, but I haven't seen them because I've been spending all my time with my family because of my mom's illness. So with her passing last week, I hate Columbus just a little bit more now.
But I have a friend who's made traveling to Columbus easier for me because he works for American Airlines and has booked discounted flights for me. I have to fly standby because it's discounted, but it's never been a problem - I always make the flight. Of course last night, the flight back to NYC was cancelled because of "mechanical problems." I never believe the excuse the airlines offer for flight changes, but I was told there were plenty of seats on a flight from Columbus to Boston to NYC this morning, so I was cool waiting a few more hours to get home.
So my pops drops me off at Port Columbus International(?) this morning and I was first in line (on standby) to fly directly to LaGuardia, and first in line to make the Boston flight. However, since it's Spring Break, all the lil college kiddies are flying somewhere and there are no available seats. Not one. And it's going to get worse as more of the kiddies leave for their Spring Break. And since I need to be out of Columbus more than anything, I decided to throw down my credit card for $550 to guarantee a seat on a flight Friday morning.
I was pretty pissed about being raped by American Airlines, so I went outside to stew and cool down. Then an older black gentlemen walked up to the bench I was sitting on a put his suitcase on top of it to rearrange it's contents. As I took a closer look, I realized Hammerin' Hank Aaron was standing beside me and muttered something about it being an honor to meet him. I try not to bother celebrities when I see them, so I kind of shut up but stood there looking at him. He didn't seem to mind and asked me where I was traveling to. I skipped the story of my travel hell, and asked him if he was still involved in baseball in any capacity. He told me he was not, but was here for a board meeting. I told him I was just looking for some advice for my fantasy baseball team and he laughed. Then I realized I made Major League Baseball's all time home run record holder laugh and I was kind of pleased with myself and forgot why I was in such a horrible mood.
We continued chatting and I told him my dad was on the way to pick me. I mentioned that because I was living in Chicago when Mr. Aaron broke the Babe's record. My dad had just put us to bed when I suddenly heard him scream, "he did it, he did it!" My brother and I jumped up and ran into the living room and watched the pandemonium. Hank laughed at my story, shook my hand and started to walk away. Right then, my dad pulled up to get me and I started pointing at Hank. Aaron waved to my dad and I jumped in the car with a big smile on my face.
Was it worth sticking around Columbus just to see Hank Aaron? Well given the choice, I'd rather be in (or on my way to) New York City. But if you're gonna be stuck in Columbus for a few more hours, you may as well spend a few of those moments with a geniune baseball legend.
( 10:41 PM )
I Want To Tell You
I shed a tear the day I heard of George Harrison's death. I'm not in the habit of crying for dead celebrities, but Harrison's passing touched me because his music has moved me throughout my life. I doubt any songwriter will ever come lose to writing 2 songs as perfect as "Here Comes The Sun" and "Something," so knowing he no longer roamed the Earth was sad, sad news for me.
Now I'm home in Ohio hanging out with my mom who probably does not have long to live. She's been in hospice care for over a year now, so she's hung in there pretty well, but time is not on her side. So this has been an emotional time for me too. However, I didn't log on to write about her because that's just too difficult, so....
I logged on because I'm watching a musical memorial tribute to George Harrison and it's pretty damn good. What a life to have lived - member of the greatest rock band of all time, excellent guitarist, successful solo artist, amazing song writer, movie producer who helped make the world laugh by working with Monty Python, organizer of the first humanitarian rock concert, father, husband, friend of the man who stole his woman, etc. Geez - I think I'd be happy with just one of those (ok, maybe not the last one) - but what a life!
And it's only recently occurred to me how I've ripped him off a couple of times. Once was when I met a beautiful woman named Daria who told me she was a Beatles fan. So I immediately went home and wrote a song called "Tongue Twisted" which was just a lyrical spin on Harrison's "I Want To Tell You." And the great rock & roll novel I've been writing in my head for years is basically about a guy trapped in a band so stuffed with talent that he's often ignored. I mean the guy was in a band with John Lennon and Paul McCartney, so 3rd billing is all you can ask for. So apologies to you Mr. Harrison for stealing some inspiration from you.
But George, you were and still are my favorite Beatle and I hope you remain an inspiration to me. In fact, after watching McCartney and your son Dhani talk about your love of the ukelele and Eric Clapton mentioning your use of augmented and suspended guitar chords, I think I still have some moves to borrow from your repertoire. RIP.
|
