Playoff Time

I'm feeling chatty tonight and have quite a bit I could blog about, but I'll save it for tomorrow, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc.

So the NBA Playoffs have started. In recent years I have come to loathe the NBA. The style of ball they play is NOT good basketball no matter what NBA Headman David Stern says. Traveling is not called, Shaq can push over anyone and allegations by Ralph Nader and his Consumer Group have questioned the officiating in key games (Kings/Lakers in 2001). Despite the fact I am no longer an NBA fan and don't watch the regular season I do watch the playoffs. I watch only to get upset with the ugliness of the basketball and the fact that the teams don't interest me.

Last year something happened though. The Pistons, with no big stars, won the Championship. Though it was ugly and again, not good basketball, it was refreshing to see team basketball back. That is the answer whenever anyone asks me, "What will it take for you to enjoy the NBA again?" Team basketball, fresh faces, NO MORE WHINING KOBE!! Well, this year we see a lot of new faces in the playoffs. Even the old ones are refreshed. The 76ers are an example of that. They've been there before, but Allen Iverson (whom many are suprised to hear is my favorite NBA star) is playing great and Kyle Korver, an Iowa native, is on the team and playing well. The new faces include probably the biggest reason I'm back on the NBA bandwagon (at least for a bit). The Chicago Bulls. I love the Bulls. Those teams in the 90s were excellent, winning six titles, and becoming Pop Culture Icons. I remember watching every playoff game. Even packing into the Estes Park YMCA main cabin with 100 other people to watch them. I had my B.J. Armstrong jersey, I have their introduction memorized (6'6" from NOorth CAarolina...MICHAEL JOOrdan). Sadly, since 1998 when the Bulls won their last title (on that great shot from MJ)the Bulls have not been back to the Playoffs. Well, here they are with a good, smart coach, some new faces (Hinrich from Sioux City and Jared Reiner who played for Iowa). Who knows, maybe the NBA can be cool again? Or at least until the Bulls are knocked out of the playoffs.

Million Dollar Movie

Hello! It's been a long time since we rock 'n rolled. A lot has happened in the nearly two weeks since we last talked. A new Pope was elected, a couple new students came to Linville-Clio, and prom decorating has started (yes, I'm a junior class sponsor). Prom is Saturday and I will be chaperoning. Should be a good time.

Anyways, in my mythical leisure time, I was able to attend the Oscar winner for Best Picture, Million Dollar Baby. Those who know me well are aware of the fact that I'm kinda a movie buff. I don't claim to be a critic, cause I usually like about every movie I see. I just like to be entertained. Million Dollar Baby though was one of those movies that skyrocketed to the top of my "favorites" list. I was blown away! M$B is fantastic and VERY MOVING. It seems that all I can talk about now is about the movie and the issues it raises and the themes it brings out. I don't cry at movie, and I didn't here either, but darn near did.

I understand that this blog isn't exactly cutting-edge. The movie has been out for awhile and won the Oscar at the end of Feb. and it is now April. But when a movie like this comes along, I don't care when I talk about it. Funny thing is I knew the ending before hand. I had heard on talk radio and such what happens, but I was still moved. That's a good movie.

Anyways, I'm blabbering on at this point. Go see it, because I'm not saying anymore so I don't ruin it for anyone. If you have seen it, let me know what you thought.

Mo Cuishle (if you think about it, almost the "rosebud" from Citizen Kane scene for our generation) Later.

Mail Time!

So, the other day I opened up my Hotmail account to find an email checking on my status. Seems that my last blog was too sentimental and worries about my well-being were spreading. Well, I am okay :) But that email made me think of something. Pardon The Interruption blog recieves many emails and letters due to my overwhelming popularity. I thought it would be time to open up the old viewer (reader) mailbag and let those who take the time to read speak their minds. Here is a sampling:

Dear PTI blog,

So did you hear about Mike Vick, the Atlanta Falcons star QB? He is being sued for giving a lady companion of his herpes. Well done Mike. Furthermore, the lady claims that Mr. Vick uses an alias when going to STD clinics and getting his check ups. That alias is none other than Ron Mexico. Come on! What type of absurd, made up name is that? Get real Vick!
Signed,
Joe Brazil

Dear CKGPTI,

I was reading your blog and a couple of updates ago you mentioned judges and how they are being targeted (March 21, "What the beep is going on"). I must disagree with you here. I believe a lot of our judges are just not qualified for their jobs. Most have less than stellar law careers and are promoted by butt-kissing the governor or president. It all comes down to their experience in their field and being qualified, which they are neither.
Signed,
Paul Wolfowitz, President of World Bank

Dear Blog thing,

What is with that Burger King commerical? What has become to the dear Darius Rucker (Hootie of Hootie and the Blowfish)? What would compel this man to stoop to this level? I don't know. He had a successful career and then blew it all by being ignorant and making poor decisions. What a fool.
Signed,
Michael Jackson

Dear CKG,

Well, it has finally happened. A professional, major league baseball player has tested positive for steroids. He is being suspended for 10 games. What I can't believe is why this Alex Sanchez guy would even take these. He's not promoting steroids the way they should be. If you take them you are supposed to hit 73 home runs a year and be chasing the all time record. He's only hit four in his career. Thanks for giving steroids a bad name Sanchez.
Signed,
Barry Bonds

Well folks, those are a few samplings from the old mail bag. I couldn't put them all in because I would probably kill the blogger server. Keep sending them though PTI'ers and maybe yours will make the next installment of Viewer (reader) mail. Later

Field of Dreams

Okay, so I don't really know where I'm going to go with this blog...But, tonight I watched the movie Field of Dreams for what has to be the hundredth time or so.

I'll admit it right now, this is one of those movies that I get the goosebumps to everytime and you can't wipe the smile off my face as it ends. What a film! The magic, the mystery and the bond that are shown in this movie.

I've been lucky enough to travel to Dyersville and see the Field in person. My parents took me many moons ago. I remember it vividly. I think that is what the movie is really about. The paths we take, the memories that we make, and what is truly important to us. It isn't a baseball movie. Baseball just ties in well cause what boy (even some girls) didn't play catch with their dads growing up. I did. I remember those summer nights vividly too. We would be sitting at our dining room table eating sweet corn, a vegetable, and some sort of meat. As dinner wound up, I would beg my dad to play catch. We would go out in the backyard and with the sun starting to set and play...grounders, pop-ups, me thinking I could pitch like Roger Clemens. Just the two of us (with the dog barking at us the entire time). To me, when I watch Field of Dreams I see that it really are the simple things in life that matter. Like when Moonlight Graham steps over the boundary of the playing field to help Ray's daughter who is choking. He has a line (after Ray says "You can't play anymore, I'm so sorry") to the effect that "For me not to have become a doctor...that would have been a far greater tragedy."

There are so many parts of this movie that are just awesome. I always do find it appropriate to watch this movie as spring is starting and the baseball season is beginning. Hope Springs Eternal they say. So here's to Spring/Summer...Here's to playing catch with dad...here's to the summers I spend with family and friends watching the grand old pastime. If you've never seen this movie a) you are missing out and b) you must not be from Iowa? (Is this heaven? No it's Iowa- as a life long Iowa resident I couldn't agree more!)

Please share your thoughts on this movie, on baseball, on memories and simple moments...I leave you with this quote from the movie. A speech by Terrance Mann (played by James Earl Jones)

"Ray, people will come Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons that can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. 'Of course, we don't mind if you look around,' you'll say. 'It is only $20 per person.' They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it. For it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the bleachers, sit shirtless on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along the baseline, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game as if they dipped themselves in magic water. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years is baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game...it's a part of our past Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good and could be again. Oh...People will come Ray, people will most definately come."