Workin' Fo tha Man Ev'ry Nigh' 'N Day

A lot has been said about work. But, I haven't said much about it.

The Grateful Dead - a band that I look like I'm following (see here) on tour - said, Workingman's Dead. John Lennon devoted a classic to the Working Class Hero. But, like the title says - Creedence said it best. Oh, if you're not in the know - because, you are - "Coaches' Rule" applies here. Every time, and I mean every time, Creedence Clearwater Revival comes on the radio, or in this case, your computer speakers, you're required to turn it up, regardless of how loud the speakers were before. So, now you're in the know.

Well, sorry to cut this short, but needs to be...

Off to find the hero of the day

I grew up with a hero. His name is Mark Carrier. He was a safety for the Chicago Bears during the early to mid '90's. I was 10.

He was the last hero I had. The last idol; the man on the pedestal. I put him as high as I could until he was no longer a Chicago Bear. That's all my alligence was worth when I was a kid. Play the same position as me on my favorite team (we both played safety), and I'll put posters on the wall (please note: I never owned a Mark Carrier poster - seriously, who the fuck would print that? And further more, who the fuck would buy it?).

But, I digress - as I almost always do. Mark was the last. Sure, there were guys I would've love to have been like: M.J., Brian Urlacher, this guy. But, the thing I learned over time was that I stopped idolizing people. Sure, I knew there were people out there working their asses off everyday fighting for causes they believed in. There were people running into burning buildings to save strangers. There were people that worked 15 hour days to put food on the table or a roof over their kids' heads.

But, they were people. I've come to learn over time that people are simply human. Look at the A-Rod's and Mannies, the Murdoch's, Bush/Cheney's of the world. These men had all the power they could want - and somehow managed to completley blow it the fuck up. Yeah, that cliched quote comes into play:

"With great power comes great responsiblity."

But, it does.

But, so does this:

"Question everything."

We sit back too often and let things happen. The people that we put in charge of our lives, our world - the people we hold to a higher level of accord, the people we put on the pedastal - often fall the hardest. But, it's not their fault. Afterall, after 9/11, we found out about the heroes who had drug problems and failing marriages, just like other people - hell, your neighbor, or maybe you. Yet, for a moment - they were the ultimate heroes. Better than G.I. Joe and Superman (because even Christopher Reeve was human). They were super-human. But, most of all, they were human. To hold them to a higher degree is unfair.

We didn't hold our heroes accountable. Our leaders, award winners. Instead, we took their word as truth, until we found out that it wasn't. Then, we had the nerve to cry wolf.

Yes, life would be easier if we let the inner 10-year-old idolize the heroes we'd created. But, those heroes don't know what's best for that kid. The only one that does is you. You need to be your hero.

Those posters on your wall are getting old.

Who the fuck grows a beard in May?

This guy!

In case if you're wondering why I'm growing a beard in May, you're not a hockey fan. That's OK. I like you less than I did before, but not a lot less. Just a bit. But, if I may - click here. That's Eric - he's in the playoff beard club too. Feel free to send a donation his way, all the monies raised on the site will go Blackhawks' charities. Eric, when you read this, post a new pic for the Beard-a-thon.

The Blackhawks are in the playoffs. And, not just the playoffs the way the St. Louis Blues showed up, they're one win away from the Western Conference Finals vs. the winner of Detroit/Anaheim. The Hawks have won 7 post-season games in the playoffs. In the last 11 seasons, they'd won one.

Needless to say, I look borderline Canadian lumberjack-ish. Please note I included "ish" so as to not offend Canadian lumberjacks who would feel as though my playoff beard isn't beardly enough for them. Secondly noted: they're Canadian lumberjacks on a computer. That's a miracle. But, let us not go so far as to say it's this kind of miracle. Because, really, it's all about next year.

As for the Blackhawks and my playoff beard...it will be bitter sweet when it goes. If you're not sure of the playoff beard rules, see here. Ok, since you didn't click on the link:

You shave the day of the first playoff game - you can't get a playoff beard now - it's too deep and too late. Remember this for next year. Also, if you're female, you shouldn't be growing a beard.

Then, you don't shave or trim until your team is out. That means round one through the Stanley Cup Finals (that's the cup to the right). However, I did scrounge around for the rules, which is where I found that link you skipped over. You are allowed to manscape the neck. Which I did. Unless you're Eric and you rock the Kyle Orton.

But, again back to the bittersweetness of it all. Because, lets face it, no one wants to grow a beard in May. But, for those few fortunate teams and their millions of fans - you have to. Those are the hockey rules. If you don't play by the rules, you're a cheater. No one likes a cheater. So, I've taken up my patriotic duty and am rocking the playoff beard. Please note: this is the first time in my life I've had the opportunity to grow one. The last time the Hawks were in the playoffs, facial hair was not an issue for me. Let alone trying to grow a playoff beard.

But, I know that when I shave it, and bare faced I become, I'll have it again. And I look forward to it.

Don't forget, the Hawks play Vancouver tomorrow (Monday - in case if you're reading this Monday) and with that win they will await the Wings/Ducks winner. With a loss, we've got another game after. And, with a win, we're guarenteed another series to grow the beard out. June seems like a good time to shave.

Sunday Mornings Are My Favorite Days

I realize I've let people down when it comes to posting this so called "blog." Hell, can I even call it that? I prefer the term coffee fueled ramblings. To which, those of you not in the know, is my newest addiction.

As today is going - I've spent almost my whole day between work and the BMV. I'm convinced that no one ever gets one easy trip into that place. It's like a black hole of lost time...(see Salvador Dali....or better yet, look at the picture of the clocks).

I went in for a simple procedure, but of course, that would've been too easy. Instead, I walked out, more confused than this guy (please note: that guy is really good).

So, after I left with another form to have to get signed, I came back - with a vengeance! I handed over my papers (keep in mind, this was all for switching a title and license plate over to the Grand Am - the Taurus, well she's gone).

To top it all off - I'm in the process of growing a playoff beard. Which doesn't entirely tie into a trip to the black hole of lost time, unless you're in need of a new license, because your current one expires this year (like mine). So, I got my picture taken. With my awesomely partial playoff beard. Turns out, too, that you can't have an open mouth smile. So, either you have that classic fifth grader w/ (also means "with" for you typing impaired persons) braces smile who doesn't want to show them off or you look like a convict. I, instead, went for the creeper smile.

I don't want to say that it's gotten that bad yet, but the hair on the beard is itching. On a side note, I could always move to London. I hear they love MJF there.

Another side note: what's w/ (see above) all the love for vampires? Yes, there is a Vampire.com. Wow. What about werewolves?

That's all I've got there.

Needless to say, I've gotta live with that pic on the license for the next six years. Which could be worse. Don't ask me how, it just could be.

I feel as though this coffee fueled rambling has gone on long enough....

Skills, I have them....

So Eric and Sean and Bo have updated their blogs. Hell, even Jay created a new blog and posted twice since my last blog post.

Time for a new beginning.....well, not a new beginning, but, more or less me being a badass.

In My Life

I'm typing this from my brand new Toshiba laptop. Yeah, I went Asian on the world. Look out Yoko and Ricky Bobby (not of Will Ferrell fame, but of Lowe's fame). This is the first Saturday that I've got off since sometime in January. As I recline the chair, The Day the Earth Stood Still is on TV. We, the fam, may go out for all you can eat prime rib. MMMMMMMMMMMM.

My typing will have to take some adjustments with this new keyboard. I type really fast, but the new shift button on the left isn't like the size of one on a normal keyboard. The enter button on the right as well, damn, all outta whack.

Work has finally slowed down, which is great. I had a nice run of about 300 hours over six weeks. Which is only 50 hours a week, but it was everyday, it was rough. I'm going to enjoy the downturn for a bit.

I finally said goodbye to the Taurus yesterday. She was towed away while I was at work. Off to some charity thing - a tax write off. I'm still cruising in the grandpa's Crown Vic. Which means, my ass is officially without a car for the first time since I got my license in December of '00. So, I'm now car shopping like a mo' fo'.

Aside from work and looking for a new car, not a whole lot going on....well, my grandparents' house finally sold. I went over there w/ my dad and Uncle Mike to get some couches and chairs and desks from the house. I met the guy that bought the house, Tim, he seems like a nice dude. He gutted the interior. The island in the kitchen is moved, the closet on the front end of the house, that my grandpa put in years ago, is also gone. From the outside it was my grandparents' house, but from the inside, it no longer is. That's a part of life I suppose.

Da Coach
While Lauren won't be returning to The Hills, I know, sad, we'll always have Heidi Mountains.....er.....Montagish.....ly.....Mountains. At least we know she'll always have a career as a Baywatch babe.











Mary Mary Quite Contrary
I don't know how your section can follow Heidi's mountains, but we now both have Toshibas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We're Talkin' About Practice
I work in sports radio. I am sports.