The Wedding

I'll admit, I watched it. Only after I woke up at 9am!

I watched it because I scrolled through my news feed and saw this photo:

I couldn't take my eyes off the DRESS! I am very happy for Prince William and Kate, and England.

Me, A Sports Writer?

I write every day. I pull things deep from my subconscious. My journals are dream studies - literally - I write down every dream and nightmare I've had. They are charts of my goals for the future. I keep a list of photo opportunities that never worked out; they haunt me. I write when I am content, angry, grieving, or happy.

I have a blog. It has no rhyme or reason or distinct purpose. It exists for me, for a place to go. I write when I want to. When I've seen a film that has deeply affected me.. when I have a really good meal at a restaurant. When I am proud of my local government. When I experience any type of milestone that other people might want to read about.

I contribute weekly, monthly and quarterly to local publications. I write dining reviews without blinking. I write op-eds so easily it's like I've plugged my brain into the computer and my hands try to keep up typing.

So why does it take me three or four hours sometimes to publish a quick sports summary? It's because I am really out of my element here and always doubting what I've written. I study sports articles, and try to nail down a structure. I don't know how to word just about anything. Sometimes I ask myself why I volunteered to do this.

And then I remember... I dive into everything head first. If I thought about how difficult it would be, how unknown, how unwelcoming or unfriendly, wouldn't I psych myself out of just about everything? They say that you can't possibly know everything about parenting; such is life.

Every time I approach someone for a quote, I remember what I've learned from the last time. Each time I write, I learn something new. I take in new criticism.

I am astonished that I've been sitting in my chair at my desk as the sun went down, as the Phillies game is ending. When I sat down, my hair was soaking wet. Now it is dry.

So, please... read my baseball stories. They are my blood, sweat and tears. I am so frustrated. But I won't give up. I want to enjoy the rest of the season. When I put the camera down, and put my pen down, I'm just another spectator. I enjoy it. I can watch it. I don't have to worry about catching a play through the camera that clearly needs a bigger lens.

I have made new friends in the press box. Last Friday we sat through extra innings and barely made conversation. Today, I discovered that my new friend had a pacemaker installed last Thursday. He showed me the scars.. very cool. He said it as casually as if he had said, "So, my wife and I tried out the new restaurant." Just like that. And then his wife arrived at the game, and she climbed up into the press box. It was nice.

I'm really going to miss this. Someday soon I'll write more.

Two Cheers for Easton

Just read here that the City Council is moving forward on benefits for same-sex couples. Very glad to know this.

After I scanned the article, I was compelled to comment. As I clicked through, I noticed that someone had already commented. Not very pleasant, either. Isn't it crazy that so many people are fighting against the civil liberties of others? Love is love. Whatever hatred lives inside the hearts of people like Walter is foreign to me.

Walter, I have a friend who listens to Lady Gaga so much that her toddler repeats,"Don't be a drag, just be a queen." Does this irritate you? I hope it does.

Why deny the happiness of others.. does it threaten yours? What is wrong with two people stating their love for one another, willing to commit to one another? Be happy if a gay couple moves to your street. Chances are, they'll invest in your community, open a business, beautify the neighborhood, and God forbid, make things better. I'm sorry if I have offended anyone with this analogy - it's a bit stereotypical - but in my experience, it's 100% true.

On Self-Defense

I don't have much to say on the heartbreaking topic of bullying other than 'let's make it stop.' If only The Karate Kid was more celebrated, or remade more than once in thirty years.  If only Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way' had been written ten years ago. If only, as a people, we would be more self-accepting and more self-aware. 


There are several arguments for why the suicide rate among minors seems to be rising. I imagine that social networking and the internet play a huge role. It's not violent video games and films. There's a sharp difference in violent role playing games and violence in real life. 


This e-mail came to me today and I'd like to share it:

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Dear Parents,

I was saddened to learn that bullying has claimed yet another innocent child.  It was reported on the news that an 11 yr. old child committed suicide after being subjected to bullying.  I found it equally disheartening how the commentators suggested handling the problem of bullying.  They talked about going to teachers, friends, school administrators, and counselors.  Their methods, like the prevailing philosophy on solving the problem of bullying, are ineffective and inherently flawed.

The flaw is that these “solutions” entail third party intervention.  A third party (friends, teachers, the principal, etc.) is supposed to intervene and somehow magically restrain the bully.  This will never happen.  Teachers, friends, and school administrators will not be there all the time.  When a victim of bullying relies on a third party to solve his/her problems, he/she only becomes a greater victim.

The one and only truly effective solution to bullying, is to EMPOWER THE VICTIM.    The intended victim of bullying can be empowered by instilling confidence within the person that he/she can defend themselves in any situation.  Confidence is the bully’s most fearsome rival. When confidence replaces fear, bullies are promptly deterred.  A former President of our country would often talk about “Peace through strength.”  His idea was to have a strong military not necessarily to defeat our nation’s enemies, but  TO DETER THEM FROM ATTACKING IN THE FIRST PLACE.

This philosophy must serve as the foundation for any effective anti-bullying program.  Needless to say, STRONG, CONFIDENT CHILDREN DO NOT GET BULLIED.  Our program of self defense training empowers children with the confidence necessary to resist bullies.  When children are empowered with the knowledge and skills to defend themselves, they carry themselves with an air of confidence.  By projecting this air of confidence, would-be bullies know to back off.

The negative effects of bullying can last a lifetime. Please do not allow your child to become a victim.  If you are concerned that your child is the victim of Bullying bring him/her to your nearest Tiger Schulmann’s MMA Center, for a complimentary lesson.

CLICK HERE NOW TO GET YOUR COMPLIMENTARY LESSON

Sincerely,

Master Tiger Schulmann

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Just as with teaching young people to drive, we can only help what we can help. We can follow the rules and stay within the lines, but can never anticipate everything that will be thrown at us. I experienced a tragic loss of a friend in college who survived cancer, became a celebrated body builder, only to be fatally struck by an unlicensed driver who was traveling the wrong way on the road. These things happen without rhyme or reason, every day. People testing their boundaries, failing to respect common sense... much like people who are intentionally hurtful, disrespectful.

In institutions such as school and work, we interact with a wide variety of people. Sociopaths and psychopaths are among us, though they do not always lash out. All we can do is take care of ourselves and each other and be aware.

I've not studied martial arts, but it's never too late to learn. I feel the urge to buy a gun and learn how to use it. I am very aware of home intrusions, robberies, carjackings, assaults. I myself was once the victim of indecent assault. It happened when I was very young, and I was someone's child. Once you have that security taken from you, you never, ever forget what it feels like to be outside of your own circle of safety.

But I do believe that we can be weapons, ourselves, without having to carry a weapon. This sentiment is more for myself than it is for anyone else. I need to act on this and start learning. What about you? What about your child?

A Royal Pain

What is all of this coverage about Prince William and Kate Middleton? It's estimated to be the most viewed event on TV. Well, our American forefathers would be disappointed, to say the least, in our interest... we declared our independence hundreds of years ago. The only Brit I care about is Sienna Miller and what she is wearing. And maybe the Verve - Bittersweet Symphony is a fantastic song. I love Harry Potter. Russell Brand is pretty funny. But I mean, that's it!
When I go to People.com, I want to see headlines about American celebs, not a foreign monarchy! I hate seeing magazines dedicated to the couple popping up in between my beloved titles at the bookstore. And what's worse is that the media has a name for the coverage, and a color scheme too.

Is this not the stupidest thing you've ever seen?

I subscribe to Newsweek and this week Kate showed up on the cover! God, make it stop. It was a novelty when Princess Di married Prince Charles - cute, even. Lots of American women watched the wedding on TV, my mom included. But now, I don't get it. I'll be glad when it's over so that it doesn't hijack my news sources. And I wish Will and Kate all the best, a long happy fruitful life together.

But I really, really don't care.