Are You A Fan?

It is Stanley Cup time. We are deep in the middle of a hot series that could go either way. Of course, I am hoping the Hawks destroy the Bruins. I think they will. I hope they will. We need another championship here to hold us over until the Cubs win the World Series. Ok, so, maybe we need 9 or 10 championships to hold us over THAT long.

With the recent Blackhawks frenzy, there have been a LOT of sweaters (jerseys) being worn around work. They all look very expensive and have the name of one of the main stars on the back of them. I have one myself. I bought it years ago and I bought it blank because I couldn’t find one at the time with the person on it that I wanted. I was going to have it added at a later date but … that never happened. I am kind of glad that it didn’t.

I am not against getting a player’s name and number on the back, especially if you can find one of the more underappreciated players and then you got yourself a rarity. The thing is, I have been thinking about this a little bit lately and have come up with a few reasons why getting a player’s name on the back is a bad idea. This is for any sport.

 

1)      The player gets traded because he is so good. This happens more often than you think. The great player you have the jersey for because they were your team’s go to guy is now somewhere else. You spent a couple hundred dollars on the clothing item and have no problem wearing it during the season even though he isn’t on the team anymore. Until those teams play each other. Then you are rooting for the other team by default. (I know not really but go with me on this one. I need topics)

2)      The player turns out to be a total douche bag. A few years after you get him on your back, you find out he evicts the elderly, ignores children asking for autographs or is an ass toward the fans. Now, along with him, you are reviled all because you wear his name in support.

3)      The player turns out to be a cheater. I don’t know that anyone actually had clothing with Bonds’ name on it but I have a few Sammy Sosa things I am embarrassed to admit to. I even stopped putting up my Sammy Christmas Tree ornament every year.

4)      The player turns out to be a criminal. Don’t even have to go through this list.

5)      The jersey is a hell of a lot cheaper without a name on it. The price will also depend on who’s name as well. Just in case you are of the economical mindset.

 

For these reasons, in addition to the laziness, I think it is a good idea to not have a star player’s name on the back of your jersey unless you are related to said player in some way. The exception of course is if you got the jersey directly FROM that player (I don’t want to know how) and if that is the case, sell that sweaty, game worn atrocity on eBay BEFORE it loses value for any of the above reasons.

 

 

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So You Think You Can (sit through a) Dance (recital)

My niece is taking dance classes through her local park district. She has been doing it for a few years. Every year, they have a dance recital. Every year, we go. Every year, I applaud the loudest during the curtain call, because it is over.

Now, I know you are thinking that I am a horrible person. I am not. They are kids who like to dance and that is fine. I am just not into watching dance. I respect what good dancers can do, but even when the dancers are good, I don’t like watching dancing. If it is in a play or a movie then that is acceptable. I just don’t get dancing just to dance. I am not against it, it just isn’t my thing. That being said, I still support my niece and go to the recitals every year. This year however, I came to a frightening realization. I am going to end up being a horrible father.

I was sitting watching one of the dances about something dancing to some music, when I turned to my mother and asked “am I horrible for hoping Tori joins chess club?” Now, I know that she could do both, but out of anything that she can ever do with her life (all of which I would be proud of her for doing) the two things I would be sad (for myself) if she does is soccer and dance.

I really can’t stand soccer. I will leave it at that, and I just explained the whole dance thing. Both of those things I would have to go watch. Both of those things aren’t just something to watch, but from what I have gathered, at that level, they are things you are actually expected to be part of and participate. I just can’t. Baseball, theater, music, tennis, even horseback riding. I will go and deal with anything but those two. Like I said, I am a horrible father. Hopefully she will want to ice skate. I just can’t be a dance or soccer mom. That is all.

 

The publishers would like to clarify that the opinions of the author do not necessarily reflect those of the operators of this blog. The author is old, cranky and just plain not well in the head. Why do you think it is called voicesinmybrain after all. While we agree that all children’s recitals are painful to sit through, we would never think that of any of OUR children’s recitals as we love our children. The author apparently is a cold hearted ogre who could care less about shattering the dreams of young, developing psyches.

 

Ollie Williams Says – THEY DEAD!

I know, I am a week late. Forgive me. Been busy with the diabetes and all. Actually, I can’t blame everything on that. I have just been lazy. So, here it is, plain and simple. They lived, they died, I am telling you about it.

Chris Kelly – 34 – Rapper – May 1

Jeff Hanneman – 49 – Guitarist Slayer – May 2

David Morris Kern – 103 – Developed Orajel – May 3

Al Fritz – 88 – Developer of Schwinn Sting-Ray – May 7

Ray Harryhausen – 92 – Stop motion animation genius – May 7

Aubrey Woods – 85 – Singing candy store guy in Willy Wonka – May 7

 

Big dry spell here huh …

 

Dick Trickle – 71 – NASCAR driver and owner of fun name to say – May 16

Ray Manzarek – 74 –  The Doors – May 20

Leonard Marsh – 80 – Co-founder of Snapple – May 21

Ed Shaughnessy – 84 – Drummer on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson – May 24

Bill Howell – 83 – Developed Miller Lite – May 25

Andrew Greeley – 85 – Priest and Author – May 29

Jean Stapleton – 90 – Edith Bunker – May 31

 

That’s all for now. None of these were on any of my pools or list ever. Maybe next month. Dick Trickle. It’s just fun to say. Too soon?