The 4th in NYC

As I wandered through various neighborhoods yesterday, making my way to my friend's apartment for a BBQ, I saw many families and friends out enjoying the warm summer day. I heard Polish, Russian, Japanese, and another Eastern European language (that I couldn't identify) all spoken on city streets, the subway platform and a park in Carroll Gardens.

I smiled and thought to myself as I was walking to my friend's place, 'where else would I see and hear this much diversity? Sure, we may not all like each other or get along...but god damn...we co-exist...and we try in this city.'

And that, to me....is America.

Enough Already. Just Stop.

I am hesitant to even mention his name because we've been innundated by media every day since MJ died a few days ago.

Enough. Please, just stop. I don't care. Do we need to know every minute detail of the events following his death? No. Does MSNBC need to show his covered body being transferred from the ambulance to another on its way to the morgue? NO. Do I care who gets his kids? NO. Do I care if his family wants another autopsy? NO.

We, as a collective society seem to have a case of short term memory loss. In 2005 the man was accused (People v. Jackson, 2005) of 4 counts of molesting a child, 4 counts of intoxication and one count of child abduction. Yes, the case was settled out of court...but still, suspicions linger. In 2003 MJ was charged with seven counts of child molestation and one count of administrating an intoxicating agent. Again, he was found not guilty. But still....suspicions linger. Why would a child lie about such horrible violations?

So, dear, media....my message to you: stop canonizing him. There are folks--like me--out there who haven't forgotten what he was accused/charged of...and no matter what music he created, or how much money he donated to charitable organizations, in my eyes, he's guilty and a pedophile.

Crosby Is No Yzerman

In an article for USA Today Jacques Demers compares Sidney Crosby to Steve Yzerman:

    There are a lot of comparisons between the players. Just look at the unselfish play that Crosby made at the end of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals when he passed up an opportunity to score into an open net and gave the puck to Craig Adams instead. He's showing a lot of leadership, as Yzerman did. Both players also have exceptional offensive talent. (USA Today, online, 5.28.09).

I couldn't disagree more.

No, I don't know Stevie Y. I never coached him, nor played alongside him, but I think I have learned enough about him through interviews, watching him play and his retirement speech to say, with full confidence: Crosby couldn't carry Yzerman's jock.

As Mitch Albom once said, (paraphrasing here) Steve Yzerman is the only captain where one capitalizes "The" in front of Captain.

Yzerman was a silent hero. He epitomized grace, selflessness, pure skill, talent and most of all, sportsmanship. Because, yes, anyone can be captain, but one of the qualities that coaches look for besides skill is *sportsmanship* (Pssst, Sidney, look it up.). Watch Yzerman's retirement speech online. Listen to Scotty Bowman, man of few words heap praise on Steve. Yzerman always deflected the shower of praise he was given and rather owed his indebtedness to his coaches, his teammates and the Illitch family for taking him in and giving him a home and trusting in his abilities as a player and a person to be the Red Wings' leader.

"All I did was go out there and play like every one of those players did..." (Steve Yzerman, retirement ceremony, 1.2.07).

The Captain didn't whine, didn't fake dive, and he wasn't a dirty player who gave cheap shots and cross checks to his opponents. Yzerman respected his teammates, the sport of hockey, but most of all, he respected his opponents, something that Crosby fails (failed) to do. (A side note, where was Crosby in the handshake line after the Pens beat the Wings last Friday? Lindstrom [another quiet hero and and excellent captain] stood there at the front of the line waiting for him for what seemed an eternity.

Yzerman was and is the epitome of class. He is a pure gentleman. I have yet to see that in Sidney. Yes, Sidney has skill and talent, but it takes much, much more to be a captain.

The job of a NHL captain is to lead by example. If the example is one that Sidney Crosby* is setting, then the Pens and hockey are in trouble.

I....

was running early one morning awhile back and I caught a glimpse of my old self.

And I liked it.

Separation Anxiety...

My mom, or, ma, is a few states away. But I still need her and miss her sometimes....

An ode to moms--a belated Mother's Day.

Sometimes...you just want your mom.

If you were lucky, she comforted you when you felt like shit, no questions asked.

If you were lucky, she helped you see things clearly.

If you were lucky, she kicked your ass when you needed it (you know what I'm talking about).

If you were lucky, she held your hand and told you it'd be "okay" and that you could do it...

If you were lucky, she calmed you by rubbing your head when you had a nightmare.

If you were lucky, she stood back and let you become the person you should be.

If you were lucky, she still lets you call her "ma."

You are lucky---she is your mother and always will be.