You Can't Make This Stuff Up

As much as I wish I could, I can't seem to find the time to troll Youtube for  those videos that have gone viral. Essentially, the select videos I do get to see are sent to me by friends who seem to have more time to watch videos or from traditional and often dated sources like the Times. Yes, I admit to being behind the curve, when it comes to the new hot videos that everyone else is up on. However, thanks to the internet, I eventually get to see a few.

Warning: Quitting smoking
now greatly reduces
serious risks to your health.

One of the more recent videos to catch my attention was the one put out by the folks helping to elect Republican candidate Herman Cain. Upon viewing this Cain ad, two things came to mind: 1) The people running the campaign are asleep at the wheel or, 2) His people are absolute geniuses because they are well aware of the subtle notion that any attention, whether it's positive or negative, is good attention and naturally, everybody is talking about this ad.

I never listen to that guy!

The next video features these two engaging blabbering twin baby boys who are engaged in a five minute conversation. Most of the language they seem to use is based on a sophisticated series of "da-da-das". Early childhood language experts and those of you who have not seen this video will be delighted with what these two youngsters have to say. If you're like me,  you probably can't imagine or remember the last time you were so engaged in a conversation with anyone, no less one of your siblings!

Could this be the next big toilet idea?

Maybe it's a guy thing but nothing fascinates us more than electronics and toilets! Well, the fellas at the Times are brilliant and have done their best to combine these two manly passions! Yes, this is one expensive toilet, but if you're like me, you'll want to save up your pennies. A truly inspiring potty!

Still looks great!

Finally, I did manage to spend an entire two minutes on Youtube and came across this terrific new Beyoncé video. Besides the sociological and anthropological values that this video has, it also features cars, beautiful people and of course, dancing in the streets. I've come to the conclusion that this video represents a safe alternative, thus allowing us to escape our mundane lives....at least for two and a half minutes.

Enjoy and be good!

 

The Earth is Off Its Axis

It Don't Mean a Thing,
If You Ain't Got that Ring!

As I've mentioned in the past, when you're a Yankee fan, the expectation is not to get eliminated in the first round of the American League Championship Series. That's right, Yankee fans want nothing less than that championship ring!


Needless to say, I am disappointed but even Yankee fans have to move on. One of the few things that have taken my mind off the loss has been the meltdown in Boston. Like the Yankees, the Boston Red Sox are a terrific organization and if you're a true Yankee fan, you love seeing these two teams at their best and just going at each other, full swing. As a matter of fact, Yankee fans almost always expect to meet the Red Sox some time during the post season and there was no way any of us could have anticipated a Red Sox meltdown, at the end of the season. We do expect the Yanks to beat them down on the field but not a complete implosive meltdown! Well, for the past few weeks, Yankee fans have been scratching their heads in disbelief with what's going on in Red Sox nation. 

Pappi Yankee?
It Gets Even Crazier!

First, we learn that one of the best managers in baseball and the only man with enough "street cred" to bring Boston two championships in recent history is essentially being held accountable for the season flameout and is leaving. Soon after, we learn that Theo Epstein the wonder boy - G.M. also instrumental in assembling a viable Bosox teams worthy of bringing a nod of respect from Yankee fans, is leaving to become the Chicago Cubs G.M.! We then learn Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, and John Lackey were drinking beer, eating fried chicken and playing video games in the clubhouse during games at the stadium. As soon as I climbed back on my chair, I then discovered that Mr. Red Sox himself, David Ortiz does not want to be with the Red Sox next year, then adds he would even consider playing for the Yankees! Wait, wait, it gets even crazier!  Bosox owner, John Henry does't like what he hears about the team's treatment of Terry Francona (The now former Red Sox manager) on a radio talk show and decides to pop in, just to clear the air. While he does deny being instrumental in a smear campaign involving Francona, he does acknowledge having been against the deal to sign outfielder, Carl Crawford. At this point, I have no idea who would want to manage the Red Sox next year but my understanding is that Moammar Gadhafi might be the man for the job! I also suggest they all take a time out, break bread and let the light shine on them at Mama Sushi! 

The Next Red Sox
Nation Manager?

My daughter Candice, is vehemently opposed to what I'm about to say but even though the Yankees are not in the playoffs, every single game has been exciting to watch.  This time around, I'm been cheering for the team with the lowest payroll to win!


Another item that has kept my mind off the Yankee loss has been what's going on at Zucotti Park. Essentially, the prevailing sentiment of these protests are that the common man is really pissed off at Wall Street execs. Naturally, these feelings of discontent have to do with the downward spiral of the economy, the rise of unemployment, top CEOs getting richer, inept CEOs getting richer and finally, the middle class coming face to face with the "new normal" The New York Times also puts a face on two opposing members of this battle, in The Soft Drink Summit.  Photo Booth Slide Show Portraits, from the New Yorker also provides us with a look at who the protesters are. Many people I speak to are unable to see what the expected outcomes are for the protesters, while the rest of us acknowledge that this form of action is absolutely necessary and vital. When we view events like these, we need to remember that no one major event in history can be attributed to a singular action. For example, the collapse of the Berlin wall did not occur because people on both sides of the wall decided one day to start knocking it down. No, that event was a culmination and series of situations that took years to develop itself into a movement and ultimately, led to the demise of the wall. With regards to the protesters, I believe this too is just a small part in the machine that will bring about larger change.  


Finally, we bid farewell to one of the most influential people of our time, Steve Jobs. As someone who has owned and raised his children on macs, ipods and itunes (They've also raised me!), all of us have been deeply affected by his loss and the impact he has made on our lives.

On Location, The Yanks Versus the Tigers - Game 1

El Cid drops the guitar & picks up his Mac!

I've had my hands into a whole lot of things lately. As busy as I think I am, my son Cid Alex seems to be even busier. At the age of 24, he already has three years of college under his belt, plays for two bands, plays in a number of softball leagues, plays ultimate frisbee and still manages to have some semblance of a social life. I recently discovered he was going to the ALDS game 1, between the Yanks and the Tigers. My jealousy turned to pride when he agreed to be, "The Man On Location." Here's what he has to say about the game: 

For different people, October can mean many different things. To some, October signifies the coming of Fall. Leaves begin turning, the temperature drops, apple picking becomes a weekend activity. Others start getting ready for Halloween. All those nifty Halloween costumes begin hatching in early October. For me and the other loyal fan-base of eight successful Major League Baseball franchises, it only means one thing: Postseason Baseball. 

Now for the past two years, I have attended my first and second playoff games at the New Yankee Stadium, and I can assure you; there is nothing else like it. The atmosphere is buzzing with excitement. Every cheer and jeer is amplified at least twenty times louder than a regular season game. The fans understand this playoff tradition as well as the players. 

This is my third playoff game in 3 years. I bought tickets ($65) for Game 1, which was supposed to be played Friday night. You hear the commotion, as soon as you get off the subway. My buddy Pooch and I could both hear the buzzing coming from inside of the stadium. We’re like moths heading towards the light. “Let’s Go Yankees!”

Once inside the stadium, Pooch  and I go straight to the standing room only section, behind home plate. This is our tradition. Unfortunately for us, after 1½ innings, the game is tied at 1-1, and a heavy downpour delays the game. We are now like wet moths, huddled on top of a burned out light, trying to stay warm and dry by consuming more $12 beer. 

After another hour and a half, the game is called and rescheduled for the next day. Pooch and I head home, all tied up and buzz-killed. 

Game 1, Take 2

With a new guest (Pooch is on a plane and on his way to Greece), I head to the stadium. Now, the game begins where it left off, with Jorge Posada leading off in the bottom of the 2nd inning. 

With the game underway, I could bore you with the play by play but baseball is about what goes on between pitches. So here are some of my observations during the ALDS, Game 1. 

You count 'em!

1. One of my favorite games to play at the New Yankee Stadium is counting the advertisements. I give up every time. 
2. Jeter is a fantastic player. He made a spectacular relay throw, putting Detroit catcher Alex Avila out at the plate. I’m pretty sure nobody saw it coming except El Capitan himself. 
3. Whenever the stadium cameras browse the stadium, there are a few standard reactions. Either:

1. the fan starts cheering (“I’m on the big screen!”).
2. Or, the person has no idea and continues to do something utterly embarrassing (pick their nose, make a face, scarf down some sort of ballpark food, etc.). 
3. Or, the person has no idea and the person sitting nearby tells them they're on the big screen (they usually wave or look away scared).
4. I personally would do the "Macaulay Culkin, Home Alone" scream, until they cut to somebody else.

The Entrance Music

Home teams get to decide what music comes on when they step up to the plate; these are at most 30-second clips. Some players have one song the entire season. Mark Texiera has had “I Wanna Rock “ played his entire career as a Yankee. Jeter usually plays whatever the hottest hip/hop song is at the moment. Brett Gardner seems to get pumped up to country music (I’m not sure who it is he listens to, but maybe it explains the .260 batting average). Some players like to change it up, each at bat; so they give a mix-tape to somebody and tell them when to play what song. 

I know you’re wondering, so here’s my entrance music playlist for my 5 times at bat. Of course, I would be the leadoff hitter for the New York Yankees.

1^st At Bat - Where Ya Going – Gomez – The first 20 seconds of this song pumps me up every time. 

2^nd At Bat - Axilla Part 2 – Phish - One of Phish’s heavier songs, one of my favorites. 

3^rd At Bat - Thunderstruck – AC/DC – Nothing gets a crowd going like AC/DC.

4^th At Bat - When The Levee Breaks - Led Zeppelin - The intro would sound amazing on the Yankee Stadium sound system. Every time I hear this song, I want to turn up the Volume to 11, no matter how loud it already is! 

5^th At Bat - Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta - Geto Boys-  This song is the perfect song to play at the end of a long hard fought game. It's super mellow, and would keep me calm under the most high-pressure circumstances. 

In my mind, I just went 5 for 5 with a walk off home run! Go me!

Back to the Game

The "Ruthian" Cano at the plate

1. Robinson Cano hit a grand slam in the 6^th inning. He’s a beast! Check out this Ruthian picture I took, literally 30 seconds before the blast!
2. The YMCA Song - With Detroit trailing 8-1 going into the 7^th, I realize how utterly annoying it must be (for the losing team) to watch the entire stadium, and the grounds crew jamming out to the YMCA song. I, however, am amused. 



The "Cheese" Brothers

3. Finally, the "Say Cheese Brothers…." These two SOB’s were in front of us and decided that anytime something important in the game happened, they would stand up and take a picture, while it was happening. Now, all their friends and family would know, they weren’t watching the game in their $175 playoff game seats, featuring a cast of at least 10 future Hall of Famers. 

The Sandman puts them to bed!

So the Yankees pulled off a 9-3 victory, despite having to bring in Mariano to clean up Luis Ayala’s mess and get the final out. I had a great time buzzing, cheering, jeering, and standing for the whole game. I  didn’t even once throw my beer at the "Say Cheese Brothers." Believe me, it was tempting. 

 ~ CR

Thhhheee Yannnkeeeees win!

Legends Are Born In October

As someone who is new to blogging, I have to admit, there are times when I get stuck on what to write about. While most people have trouble because they can't come up with anything to write about, I usually have too many things to write about. Between what I have to do for work and during my leisure time, I  just don't have enough time to write about everything I really want to.

For example, a list of items I've wanted to write about include:

1. A review of two new cycling bib shorts I recently purchased 
2. How to read and get the most from the blog you're reading
3. A video on Mariano Rivera's pitches
4. Some of the sites I see during my bike rides 
5. My first group ride (About 3 years ago)
6. An article or two from The New Yorker

Needless to say, if I read  a good article or visit a place worth mentioning,  I usually write about it. Though, more often than not, many of the things I decide to write about are unplanned.

Case in point is a terrific New York Time's article about none other than the voice of the Yankees, John Sterling. If you're a Yankee fan or for that matter, a New Yorker, you already know that John Sterling has been a fixture for years on Yankee radio. Quite a few of you might disagree with me but one of my favorite ways of enjoying a game is by listening on the radio. One of the reasons baseball on the radio is so great to listen to are the announcers. They have the ability to create a  beautiful mental picture of what's happening in the game. Don't get me wrong, I still do enjoy watching the game on my bright HD television at home; however, these talented announcers are great at creating the fantastic HD picture in my mind.

Besides reading The Voice of Baseball Draws High Ratings and Several Critics, I've also included the John Sterling Soundboard which features a small sampling of his calls. By the way, the soundboard is free and all you have to do is click the sound you want to hear. Of course, if you want to download any of the phrases for your mobile phone, all you have to do is pay extra (Please, don't misconstrue the inclusion of this site as an endorsement).

Someone I do highly endorse and I will certainly miss when he leaves the game is Mariano Rivera.  My daughter Candice and I were watching the Yankee - Tigers ALDS game together last night (We were texting Alex who was at the stadium. Paulette was doing what she does at BU. Candice was also texting her good friend and loyal reader, SoFia about the game). At one point,  the Tigers were making a nuisance of themselves because they suddenly decided not to go down for the last out. Yankees manager Joe Girardi walked out to the mound, almost annoyed and called in, The Sandman! Well, Mariano came in and tossed strike one, strike two and then strike three! Yep, the Yankees won and we never get tired of seeing or hearing that phrase.

Anyway, Candice was still glowing over Mariano's amazing game 1 performance this morning. Therefore, I decided to attach a video from the Times that pretty much pinpoints why he is arguably the most effective reliever in history. I hope you enjoy How Mariano Rivera Dominates Hitters, whether or not you're a Yankee fan.

Take care and be good! Oh, enjoy the post season too!