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Showing posts from July, 2011

The Unity Road Writings - Approved and Moved

57 days to go. Well this road to 9.24 continues to head down hill as many tasks and dates are now beginning to not only come faster, but occur faster. This past week the tag-team partner and I pulled many late nights similar to our college days scanning documents and locating others in order to apply and become approved for an apartment we really liked. After several days of tense searching and waiting on phone calls and e-mails, we received the e-mail from our broker - "You've been approved".  And while it is not technically a house purchase, the new apartment will signify our first space together - our first home. As excited as we were, we realized that because of our already hectic schedule in the month of August, moving would have to be a priority - meaning as soon as possible. As we threw everything in boxes, bags, bins, folders, and some just flat out left as is, we began the craziest, most rushed, and definitely, the most unorganized moves of all-time

2011 Bucket List - #13 Experience A Sunrise

2011 - #13 Experience A Sunrise (Courtesy: A-Pic ) I'm not a morning person. Anyone that really knows me will be able to co-sign on that statement in a heart beat. In fact, I'm usually a zombie in the morning that isn't in the mood to talk to you, myself, or anyone. I'm not even in the mood to get up, but I have to do it. I'm just not that into the mornings, period. Yes, not a fan.  However, if the late night turns into an early morning, sometimes that can be a good morning. 9 times out of 10, an early morning like that usually means 1. It's going to make for a very short day, 2. It's already been a long day, and finally, 3. I'm wondering why on earth am I still up when others are getting up to begin their day? 

Pondering Picture #10

Melanie Fiona's Performance at LeBain in New York City

What Vinnie Mac Wouldn't Do

"The difference between WWF and WCW, was that WCW didn't have Vince McMahon" - Bret Hart Bret Hart's statement is one throughout the history of the wrestling business which has yet to be proven false. As the WWE machine continues to move forward, growing into the current massive empire (such as debuting the WWE network next year) which all fans knew it would (and most pro-wrestling haters deny), there has yet to be a company, or person for that fact, that can prove Hart's statement false. Is Vince McMahon the be-all end-all in the wrestling business? Absolutely not. However, there is no one in the industry that has competed against, or has accomplished more in the pro wrestling business than Vinnie Mac has.

Pondering Picture #9

David Beckham, Thierry Henry, and the MLS All-Stars Official Practice (at Hudson River Park)  MLS All-Star Game - Wednesday, July 27, 2011

The Unity Road Writings - Lets Go!

67 days to go.  As the days continue to countdown until 9.24, the pressure begins to increase. However, not so much the type of pressure you might expect from someone getting married. No, I'm not getting "cold feet". No, I'm not having second guesses about this decision in my life. And no, I'm not worried about the future that lies before me and my soon-to-be wife.  Actually, I'm feeling quite the opposite. I'm excited about the next couple of weeks. I was excited about her having a Bridal Shower with her favorite ladies in Syracuse. I am excited about our upcoming "Shower #2" as we call it, which includes the men and women down here in Brooklyn. And of course, a party while we're getting together. I'm excited about our possible new apartment. I'm excited about having my boys at my side for the great day to come. I'm excited, period.

Kingmaker? Not Quite

There is a line in the television show, Friday Night Lights , where the character, Coach Eric Taylor developed the nickname, "Kingmaker" for his ability to reach people, and bring out the best in them. It was a nickname he did not admit to, and refused to acknowledge.  It is often said some people are born natural leaders. An others, are just thrusted into the role.  Contrary to what everyone believes about themselves, I've never considered myself a leader of any sort. I never quite thought I had the overall leadership capabilities that one needs to be influential. However, ever since I was a young teenager, I was always considered, "that guy". You know, the guy that always stood out from the rest of the crowd as the responsible one. The rational one. The guy that always seems to have it together. The guy that rarely takes a misstep. The guy that is straight-edge.  Yet, not quite a leader.

ASG Low Ratings A Sign For Future Change

For the second straight year, Major League Baseball's All-Star Game has seen a dip in ratings. In fact, the 2011 edition of the Mid-Summer Classic was the lowest rated game of all-time. Not exactly what Bud Selig and baseball executives want to hear, especially, since, you know, the game decides home field advantage.  However, as baseball moves forward to their own Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations (aren't we all tired of hearing such phrases?), the league is now seriously looking into shaking up the game in various ways, whether it be division realignment, expanded playoffs, tinkering with the availability of the designated hitter, or added usage of instant replay. And while I have touched on in this topic in the past ( Baseball's Future, A Great Fear? ), I truly believe the game is in need of slight adjustments seen in the other leagues in North America. Changes that can capture a new generation moving forward.  And while the All-Star

Making Us Feel Again

It seems as of late, the issue of death, more so, tragedy, has been thrown onto our everyday plate of social and societal digestion. Whether it be the local news with cases of murder and manslaughter, or the situation of accidental and sorrow-filled, we have and are becoming desensitized to the issue. On the heels of the Casey Anthony verdict, and several stories of other children across the country being killed by there parents or other loved ones, the issue of death and tragedy is now becoming almost too much for the listener to bear. Too much to understand. Too much, to wonder the proverbial question of why. And now, so much, we are numb. With so many cases of children being tortured, molested, trafficked, or outright killed, we’ve slowly begun lack a true sense of feeling for the children, and a growing outrage for the type of parents, excuse me, the type of people we are living amongst on this earth. One has to ask themselves, when did the world become th

3,000 Hits More About The Journey

What is there to say? This was a moment every Yankee fan anticipated and expected for a long time, yet, it still seems like such a shock. 3,000 hits. Wow. And of course, reaching the milestone in classic Derek Jeter style, going 5 for 5, and capturing the historic hit in grand fashion, with a storybook, unexpected, home run to left field. Yup, amazing.  As the cliche goes, which has become too common, it is rightfully used again here, "you could not have scripted this any better".   Yet it's a script that is all too well known by Yankee fans. A script,that many others can draw similar conclusions to, is parallel to my life.

Unbelievable: The Casey Anthony Verdict

Not guilty.  Those two words sent the arms of every individual in this country up in the air in total disbelief. How can this be? Is this for real? Are we serious?  Not sure. Yes. And unfortunately, yes. The verdict of the recent Casey Anthony case is by far the most controversial since that of the OJ Simpson trial. And we all are very aware how that trial ended as well.  However, the acquittal of Casey Anthony is one that not only causes us to question the validity of justice throughout our nation, but the current judicial system as a whole. While I do understand our constitutional right to due process, this case was as sure as sure can be when it came to the gut reaction.  She did it.

2011 Bucket List - #14 Experience a Sunset On The Beach

It seems as of late my tag tem partner and I have been completely stressed out. Whether it be completing many of the tasks for 9.24 (our wedding for you new DP devotees), our search for a new apartment, planning a shower/party, our hectic summer schedule for traveling, and of course, work, the past couple of months have been a grind.  I’ll admit, the schedule took such a toll on me that I requested a day-off from work due to feeling slightly burned out. With the last vacation we have taken being in November of 2009 ( The California Chronicles ), we both were in need of a day of relaxation. Or as we both like to call it, a day of well, “doing nothing”.  As part of this “do-nothing” day, we decided to head to the beach for the afternoon-evening, and that is exactly what we did. Without attempting to make what we did sound exciting for the sole purpose of this blogpost, we just chilled out on the beach, played catch with the football, read, and enjoyed the day – most notabl

2011 Bucket List – #22 Meet Someone Famous

There I was standing in a urinal, doing the diligence and requirement set by the human body, when I looked to my right and there was Jeff Jarrett, Founder of TNA Wrestling, doing the same exact thing two urinals down. It wasn’t exactly the way I anticipated “meeting someone famous”, as if something of such stature can be predicted and happen on the whim, by such sheer will and/or demand. However, after another amazing show put on by TNA Wrestling at MCU Park in Coney Island, my tag-team partner (very ironic using that term when actually referring to wrestling) sat in the stands just relaxing as about 85 percent of the 6,500 fans in attendance stood in line to get a picture with Kurt Angle in the ring. After deciding we had enough people watching for the night, we headed for the exits, but not before yours truly felt the two bottles of water and 20oz Gatorade consumed before and during the event weighing on my bladder. As I walked in to the restroom, I headed straight for a urina