Friday, December 23, 2005

jersey or skoal - loyalty in MLB

So, think about it ... Johnny Damon has been signed by the New York Yankees.
Johnny Damon!!! He's been a poster-child for the Red Sox, and as they won the World Series in 2004, he could be considered a "Yankee-killer;" one who helped break the curse. I'm just assuming that's important to Red Sox fans. I've never been to a game at Fenway, but from Tv and radio it's apparent that the fans all around Boston are some of the most loyal, dedicated, passionate beer-guzzling baseball lovers around. So, Johnny wants more $ ... I guess we all get that by now. I guess he needs to look around (maybe). And, yet, he settles on the clear, undisputed, deadset RIVAL of the BoSox - the pinstripes.
I am kinda surprised by this. I like the Red Sox, and I like Johnny Damon. I'm not a die hard fan by any means, but I've sensed some energy and fun around how they played to win it all in recent years! And, Johnny was a VERY high profile player - an "icon" for the BoSox. Now, like I said, he will don that dispised uniform of NY.

... so, what's the point? ...

It immediately causes me to question the value of a team, a uniform, and a sense of place and belonging. Aren't sports and competition usually dealing with US versus THEM? Do the lines here not become clear? Are they not important? How does one merely step over that invisible but essential "line," put on a new jersey, shake hands with new teammates (very recently these guys were enemies), and then turn to face the old team - now new competition?
And, don't teams print and sell jerseys and market players as "representing" the city or whatever, with the intent that those players gain the admiration of kids who are cheering for the stars of "their" team? Johnny moving to NY just removes another piece of the Jenga puzzle of Baseball as Greatest Game. (fyi - Alex Rodgriguez's situation is similar! While with TX, one NEVER got a sense that he cared at all about the town and the people. And then what? ... yep, right to NY. We now have an MVP whose status (I think) ends on the field. BUT - haven't the greats always been strategic/careful about what happens "off" the field too? Don't we all esteem that "it's more than just a game"?)

I don't like it.

Yet, I can fathom it when I consider the money, the intent of free agency, and when I am quickly reminded that this MLB is just another damn corporation! It is 99.9% about $$$$$$ or personal FAME. Loyalty is increasingly embodied LESS by the jersey worn and MORE by the dark, bitter skoal manuerved around the players' gums for a few minutes, then spat-out upon the diamond's bright grass (grass that was likely designed and kept up with by someone with a sense of loyalty - like these guys)!
(furthering the metaphor, I'll go ahead and link to skoal - I may never be able to link to them again!)

Okay - basically, I'm just glad to see some truth in these actions. I was surprised, but I'm coming around to realization now. I'll admit that it has been pretty easy to cheer for the Red Sox the past couple of years ... but I just wasn't really thinking things through. It's not just baseball; too many things in our current lives have a major lack of loyalty, sense of place, and a community. I think we should exercise more care in what we choose to support.
I, for one, do not think community is some long lost dream. It's just hard ... really hard to pursue.
This guy is pursuing it, though!

Merry Christmas friends.
Peace and all good!

-s.o

Friday, December 16, 2005

Acoustic Advent - Christmas Music




Acoustic Advent*
Richard Carpenter and I will be playing some Christmas music on guitar and dulcimer. Come join us!

Sunday, 12/18 - 8pm : Mosaic Cafe
Irving Bible Church
www.irvingbible.org

Tuesday, 12/20 - 8pm : Tempest Tea
5600 West Lovers Lane
Suite 111 75209
www.tempesttea.com

“O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here”


-s.o

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

the christian faithcial hair phenomenon

Thursday, December 08, 2005

a healthy, timely dose ... of thought

I guess I've discovered (like many others are discovering) that a generous, thought-provoking address by Brian McLaren, either in a book, recorded audio, or live & in person, is a really good & needed thing every now and then.
As a strong example and reminder HERE's a recent address he gave at Princeton Seminary entitled _Mainline Theological Education & the Emerging Church_. The lecture focuses on how current "schools" are dealing with "emergent" ideas & people and McLaren gives some advice on how to continue to handle the "church emerging." It is insightful, generous (of course), humble, but also given with a real sense of importance.
It's just very good! I plan to post more of my thoughts on it later. For now, listen up!

-s.o

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

a Christmas Party! - 12/16


Spree concert
Originally uploaded by thoseawake.

anyone wanna go to the Polyphonic Spree Christmas show?

Looks to be great!!
Let me know if you do - I'm on the floor/general seating.

-s.o

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

need encouragement about church?

or just a new/renewed vision?
if we could do church

-s.o

Monday, December 05, 2005

broadcasting

has someone explained the origins of the word "broadcasting" to you? I've heard it a few times, mostly in sermons -- farmers would walk, tossing seed side to side from their hands, casting it near and far : broadcasting.

now we mostly associate it with audio - messages & music going out in waves. And, I learned through tallskinnykiwi that "podcast" was awarded the word of the year by the New Oxford English Dictionary. It's good to feel like, "yeah - I did just learn that word this year. I'm normal, I guess!"
BUT - I also liked two runners-up words:
1) lifehack - a more efficient or effective way of completing an everyday task: "I found a great lifehack for getting a cheap hotel room."
2) squick - cause immediate and thorough revulsion: "was anyone else squicked by our waiter's piercings?"
And, I might actually try and even use that last sentence exactly as is!

but, back to the broadcasting/podcasting:
I do agree with tallskinnykiwi that simply getting audio (in a tivo sort of way) really won't prove to be all that revolutionary in the long run. Searching through text or watching unique video podcasts are still more interesting.

but as far as podcasts go, I do still like the guidance of the podfather.

-s.o