Dear me,
What ever happened to the hardened alcoholic I fell in love with all those years ago? I used to watch you, in an existential sort of way, do a shot of grain alcohol and chase it with plastic jug popov vodka and smile. Oh, you would smile. For you were getting drunk, way too drunk to tell the difference between alcohol and laundry soap. But he's dead now. The self I fell in love with is dead to us all now.
So,
I thought I would take a nostalgic drink down memory lane and picked up a bottle of Seagrams lime infused gin. Last time I had a bottle of this particular gin I was atop a mountain in Pennsylvania along the Appalachian trail, tripping my face off with about eight other people. It was crisp and delicious, the way anything can be while on drugs if you convince yourself enough of it.
Man, while cultivating a certain refinement I didn't think my appreciation for the shittier things in life would wane. But wane they have. I have become spoiled by good wine and beer, leaving my love for cheap but plentiful hard liquor behind. And sad to say my first alcohol soaked love, gin, went first. But I thought I would be safe. I could still drink my cheap brand x whiskey. But that sweet, sweet taste of Jamison makes me wonder why I don't shack up with him.
For the first time in my life I can't help but to think that life would have been better had I been born in a prison. That way I could have raised my palate on toilet hooch. And now, among men of the free world, I would be wide eyed in wonderment that a drink doesn't cause throat scaring. That people have liquor cabinets and bars, not storing them in plastic bags in a toilet tank.
Truly, it would be a wonderful world.
James's Journal
My Podcast Link
04/25/2007 15:52 #39039
What happened?04/20/2007 12:07 #38975
Makes you want to throw up dosn't it?
So, how about fighting religious extremists at home?
james - 04/20/07 18:58
MC: WWJD? I would hope he would strike Phelps as god did Saul.
Peter: I imagine Jesus as a hip and groovy guy. One who's first miracle was to turn water into wine so that we could all party and get our freak on. The words of Jesus himself make no condemnation against much of anything. He would be as aghast with Phelps as any sensible person or demi-human would be.
Carolinian: Phelps and his bunch are so fucked up they can't even get a moderately large following in a place like Topeka. Or do I think of it that way because Phelps has tainted Topeka? We must all go to a fetish bar in Topeka to feel out what the natives are like.
MC: WWJD? I would hope he would strike Phelps as god did Saul.
Peter: I imagine Jesus as a hip and groovy guy. One who's first miracle was to turn water into wine so that we could all party and get our freak on. The words of Jesus himself make no condemnation against much of anything. He would be as aghast with Phelps as any sensible person or demi-human would be.
Carolinian: Phelps and his bunch are so fucked up they can't even get a moderately large following in a place like Topeka. Or do I think of it that way because Phelps has tainted Topeka? We must all go to a fetish bar in Topeka to feel out what the natives are like.
carolinian - 04/20/07 18:51
Only a small church? I would have imagined such passion and zeal to be at least worthy of a moderately-sized ATF-resistant compound.
Only a small church? I would have imagined such passion and zeal to be at least worthy of a moderately-sized ATF-resistant compound.
metalpeter - 04/20/07 18:17
(e:musemchick) you bring up a good point about what would Jesus do. One of the problems with organised realigon is that you get people who read the Bible and base what they do on a book that was writen 400 years after his death. That would be like if after we got our indepence from England now one wrote a history book until today. Not to mention the fact that there where other scripts that could be in the bible but "The Church" not jesus had a say in what stories where put into the bible. People should do what they belive is right based on what they believe Jesus would do not the church. Most people don't understand that those two are different and think that the church and Jesus are the same. But that being said There are multiple branches of Christianty and some of them hate other branches of the same basic beleif system.
(e:musemchick) you bring up a good point about what would Jesus do. One of the problems with organised realigon is that you get people who read the Bible and base what they do on a book that was writen 400 years after his death. That would be like if after we got our indepence from England now one wrote a history book until today. Not to mention the fact that there where other scripts that could be in the bible but "The Church" not jesus had a say in what stories where put into the bible. People should do what they belive is right based on what they believe Jesus would do not the church. Most people don't understand that those two are different and think that the church and Jesus are the same. But that being said There are multiple branches of Christianty and some of them hate other branches of the same basic beleif system.
museumchick - 04/20/07 16:14
What would Jesus do?
Would he tell people to picket someone's funeral?
Arrgh.
What would Jesus do?
Would he tell people to picket someone's funeral?
Arrgh.
jason - 04/20/07 14:08
Since his following consists of mainly his personal set of friends and his family, they would be fairly easy to round up. Hell, stage a fake "fag-in" and wait for them to walk right into the trap.
Well, since we can't do that, we'll just have to do what we do with all radicals - shout them down ourselves.
Since his following consists of mainly his personal set of friends and his family, they would be fairly easy to round up. Hell, stage a fake "fag-in" and wait for them to walk right into the trap.
Well, since we can't do that, we'll just have to do what we do with all radicals - shout them down ourselves.
jim - 04/20/07 13:38
I'd say, ignore the trolls. Protesting these people just escalates the coverage they receive.
I'd say, ignore the trolls. Protesting these people just escalates the coverage they receive.
james - 04/20/07 13:10
oh, I am all for absolute free speach. Yell fire in a crowded theater. I am cool with it, espetialy if there is a fire.
These people are ignorant fucks, however. They picket the funerals of US soldiers because they are in an institution that is friendly towards gays. And I guess unless the military isn't stringing up homosexuals they are freindly to them.
Or picketing the funerals of people who have died of AIDS. After all, AIDS is a fag disease, and all those place in Africa where the infection rate is over 30% of the total population ,well, must be dem fags.
I am glad we live in a country where people can say whatever they want. But I am sad we live in a country where more people don't protest the protesters, though there are certainly several examples of people doing so.
oh, I am all for absolute free speach. Yell fire in a crowded theater. I am cool with it, espetialy if there is a fire.
These people are ignorant fucks, however. They picket the funerals of US soldiers because they are in an institution that is friendly towards gays. And I guess unless the military isn't stringing up homosexuals they are freindly to them.
Or picketing the funerals of people who have died of AIDS. After all, AIDS is a fag disease, and all those place in Africa where the infection rate is over 30% of the total population ,well, must be dem fags.
I am glad we live in a country where people can say whatever they want. But I am sad we live in a country where more people don't protest the protesters, though there are certainly several examples of people doing so.
joshua - 04/20/07 12:59
Welcome to the dark side of the 1st Amendment. =/
Welcome to the dark side of the 1st Amendment. =/
04/19/2007 10:55 #38955
My Favorite Republican Right now I am listening to Alberto Gonzalez testify before the senate judiciary committee. Al's voice sounds so soft. I imagine him wide eyed, doe like. Naughty boy is going to be spanked. And he is.
So far, I want to make dirty sweet love to Arlen Specter in thanks. That man knows how to rake someone over the coals while sounding paternal.
Al's strategy so far is
1) "I can't recall"
2) "Kyle Sampson has that information"
But Arlen, how you cut through that. Asking Al "Do you prepare for all of your hearings? Do you prepare for all your press conferences?" Oh yes, YES YES! You just hit my g-spot Mr. Gentleman from Pennsylvania. Hit that! YA!
I really don't know much about Specter on many of the issues. But during the confirmation hearings for Harriet Myers, Sammy Alito DAMN! Specter fucked their shit up! I don't care if he wants to burn all the gays, deport the Jews, and enslave the blacks. He knows how to toss daggers with kisses from his jowly mouth.
You are my favorite Republican Mr. Specter.
You hear that John McCain? Ya, you knew you were on my shit list from your shift from Maverick Republican with principle to Straight Talk Crap Express far right wing blow job giving dog. But you a buried beneith the specter of your former self... that and Arlen Specter. It is over between us. Mail back the ring, no, pawn it. I don't want it anyway.
love,
-James
So far, I want to make dirty sweet love to Arlen Specter in thanks. That man knows how to rake someone over the coals while sounding paternal.
Al's strategy so far is
1) "I can't recall"
2) "Kyle Sampson has that information"
But Arlen, how you cut through that. Asking Al "Do you prepare for all of your hearings? Do you prepare for all your press conferences?" Oh yes, YES YES! You just hit my g-spot Mr. Gentleman from Pennsylvania. Hit that! YA!
I really don't know much about Specter on many of the issues. But during the confirmation hearings for Harriet Myers, Sammy Alito DAMN! Specter fucked their shit up! I don't care if he wants to burn all the gays, deport the Jews, and enslave the blacks. He knows how to toss daggers with kisses from his jowly mouth.
You are my favorite Republican Mr. Specter.
You hear that John McCain? Ya, you knew you were on my shit list from your shift from Maverick Republican with principle to Straight Talk Crap Express far right wing blow job giving dog. But you a buried beneith the specter of your former self... that and Arlen Specter. It is over between us. Mail back the ring, no, pawn it. I don't want it anyway.
love,
-James
jason - 04/19/07 13:28
On the issues, Specter gets very low grades from the American Conservative Union, if that gives you any indication. He's basically a moderate, like McCain, with their moderation depending of course on the issues involved.
On the issues, Specter gets very low grades from the American Conservative Union, if that gives you any indication. He's basically a moderate, like McCain, with their moderation depending of course on the issues involved.
04/18/2007 14:33 #38941
Just so you knowIn Virginia 33 people were killed.
Between this weekend and today about 500 people were killed in several separate bomb attacks including 178 today alone.
So, what exactly makes a tragedy? Proximity? Perceived kinship?
Between this weekend and today about 500 people were killed in several separate bomb attacks including 178 today alone.
So, what exactly makes a tragedy? Proximity? Perceived kinship?
james - 04/19/07 10:33
Jason:
I don't know anyone involved in Virginia. I don't think most Americans do, or involved in 9/11, Waco, Oklahoma City Bombing, or any of those events. I find it interesting that we have an emotional reaction, a violent one often, based on national lines. That nationhood can define our sense of tragedy is really odd, really disheartening even.
And things like this did happen in the 40's. Things like this have happened throughout our American history without pause. More guns, less guns. City or rural. Surly, our capacity to take out dozens more people than we could with a poswer musket becomes more and more real, but one or more nutjobs deciding to just obliterate as many people as they can happens.
Jason:
I don't know anyone involved in Virginia. I don't think most Americans do, or involved in 9/11, Waco, Oklahoma City Bombing, or any of those events. I find it interesting that we have an emotional reaction, a violent one often, based on national lines. That nationhood can define our sense of tragedy is really odd, really disheartening even.
And things like this did happen in the 40's. Things like this have happened throughout our American history without pause. More guns, less guns. City or rural. Surly, our capacity to take out dozens more people than we could with a poswer musket becomes more and more real, but one or more nutjobs deciding to just obliterate as many people as they can happens.
jason - 04/19/07 08:27
James, you make a fantastic point - it's about more than just guns! Shit like this didn't happen in the '40s. Our country is fucking diseased.
James, you make a fantastic point - it's about more than just guns! Shit like this didn't happen in the '40s. Our country is fucking diseased.
jason - 04/19/07 08:25
61.36% of all statistics are made up.
They both are tragedies, but if we want to parse it into how severe a tragedy can be, then I think without a doubt proximity is one of the most important factors.
Consider the fatalities in Iraq for a moment - heck, let's parse it further and only consider American deaths. They are our families and friends, yet I'd bet most people aren't as outraged by their deaths as they are by the VT killing spree. Why is this? Well, the situations have their glaring, obvious differences, but really it is because we don't "feel" the Iraq deaths like we do the VT deaths. No matter how much the media shovels it down our throats we will not feel it as deeply unless someone dies that we know. Would we feel so aggrieved over a massacre at the American University in Beirut? I doubt it.
61.36% of all statistics are made up.
They both are tragedies, but if we want to parse it into how severe a tragedy can be, then I think without a doubt proximity is one of the most important factors.
Consider the fatalities in Iraq for a moment - heck, let's parse it further and only consider American deaths. They are our families and friends, yet I'd bet most people aren't as outraged by their deaths as they are by the VT killing spree. Why is this? Well, the situations have their glaring, obvious differences, but really it is because we don't "feel" the Iraq deaths like we do the VT deaths. No matter how much the media shovels it down our throats we will not feel it as deeply unless someone dies that we know. Would we feel so aggrieved over a massacre at the American University in Beirut? I doubt it.
james - 04/18/07 21:27
Peter: Nah, we didn't care too much in Bosnia either.
Zobar: That is why we should either stockpile lots of guns or start sleeping with a Marine. =
Peter: Nah, we didn't care too much in Bosnia either.
Zobar: That is why we should either stockpile lots of guns or start sleeping with a Marine. =
zobar - 04/18/07 21:24
By the numbers: The events of September 11, 2001 killed 2,973 people; the war in Iraq has killed 3,312 US servicemen and 769 contractors*. Therefore, as an American, you are 37% more likely to be killed by George Bush than Osama Bin Laden.
- Z
_______________
By the numbers: The events of September 11, 2001 killed 2,973 people; the war in Iraq has killed 3,312 US servicemen and 769 contractors*. Therefore, as an American, you are 37% more likely to be killed by George Bush than Osama Bin Laden.
- Z
_______________
- It has also killed 266 non-US coalition servicemembers, 201 non-Iraqi civilians, and anywhere between 50,000 and a half million Iraqis. Considering that I just paid the IRS $2,000 in support of this operation, this is not math I'm willing to consider right now.
metalpeter - 04/18/07 19:06
I will agree that when a Bomb goes off in a market it is a tragedy. That being said there is a perception in this country that they are Muslum, and Iraqi and that it is no big deal. I think if this same thing was going on in a European courntry the perception would be a lot different. But the truth is that we know that some people there don't want us there so we don't care that they die. Some people also think that these 3 tribes of people don't like each other and have been fighting for so long and allways will so if they all hate each other than it isn't tragic. There is also the view that some people hold that everyone in the middle east is barbaric. But I still stick to any people who are freedom fighters, insurgents, terrorist or in an army or fighting force who die isn't tragic. Yes it is to bad for their family but they chose to do something that they knew might kill them. The exception to that is friendly fire. What happend to Pat Tillman and others should never happen.
You make a great point about the fact that he was mentally ill will get lost. I think that the issue of how do we treat or deal with the mentally ill will get lost also. There are a lot of issues there. Did he not get help cause no one wanted to help him. Or was the way he was brought up he didn't belive he should be helped. This is a large and not talked about issue in our country. Yes a lot of people do get help with issues or problems they may have. But often people fall through the cracks. A good example of this is when you see someone walking down the street and they aren't talking to them selves they are having a real conversation with someone who isn't there and there body movements even fit that conversation. The question is how to you make sure everyone gets help. Then what do you do for those that don't want the help. But also how do you test for it. Does each person come forward on there own or do people have to see a sign.
I will agree that when a Bomb goes off in a market it is a tragedy. That being said there is a perception in this country that they are Muslum, and Iraqi and that it is no big deal. I think if this same thing was going on in a European courntry the perception would be a lot different. But the truth is that we know that some people there don't want us there so we don't care that they die. Some people also think that these 3 tribes of people don't like each other and have been fighting for so long and allways will so if they all hate each other than it isn't tragic. There is also the view that some people hold that everyone in the middle east is barbaric. But I still stick to any people who are freedom fighters, insurgents, terrorist or in an army or fighting force who die isn't tragic. Yes it is to bad for their family but they chose to do something that they knew might kill them. The exception to that is friendly fire. What happend to Pat Tillman and others should never happen.
You make a great point about the fact that he was mentally ill will get lost. I think that the issue of how do we treat or deal with the mentally ill will get lost also. There are a lot of issues there. Did he not get help cause no one wanted to help him. Or was the way he was brought up he didn't belive he should be helped. This is a large and not talked about issue in our country. Yes a lot of people do get help with issues or problems they may have. But often people fall through the cracks. A good example of this is when you see someone walking down the street and they aren't talking to them selves they are having a real conversation with someone who isn't there and there body movements even fit that conversation. The question is how to you make sure everyone gets help. Then what do you do for those that don't want the help. But also how do you test for it. Does each person come forward on there own or do people have to see a sign.
james - 04/18/07 18:36
Chick: I agree, there is tragedy in everything and we have to be careful to not let numbers dictate the magnitude of tragedy.
Jenks: Oh, how the media can portray a tragedy is a whole other issue. Fucking Wolf Blitzer sitting at his CNN desk infront of a green screan made to look like a campus. It is fake. It is a pony show. And the media shouldn't tell us how we feel about a tragedy otherwise 200 deaths in Iraq is a snooze fest.
Peter: When someone sets off a bomb in a crowded market 200 military personel don't die. Children, mothers, brothers, etc die. You go for some bread and end up smeared over a wall. It makes no difference if you are aware of the possibility of death when we all die. In Iraq one bomber may die but scores of innocent people follow. We are randomly thrown into this world, perhaps in the bloated wealth of the west or into more humble origins in Baghdad. Either way a human life is a human life. Even still, the man who decided to take 32 other people with him into death is tragic. Mentally ill and not receiving treatment, the conditions of his birth and upbringing almost seem that he would inevitably take this path.
There is debate about the second amendment and gun control. I think this is silly. Any arms in the hands of anyone can be miss used. The real issue should be how we treat and care for the mentally ill. I expect this will be lost in the clutter of our self absorbed tragedy.
Chick: I agree, there is tragedy in everything and we have to be careful to not let numbers dictate the magnitude of tragedy.
Jenks: Oh, how the media can portray a tragedy is a whole other issue. Fucking Wolf Blitzer sitting at his CNN desk infront of a green screan made to look like a campus. It is fake. It is a pony show. And the media shouldn't tell us how we feel about a tragedy otherwise 200 deaths in Iraq is a snooze fest.
Peter: When someone sets off a bomb in a crowded market 200 military personel don't die. Children, mothers, brothers, etc die. You go for some bread and end up smeared over a wall. It makes no difference if you are aware of the possibility of death when we all die. In Iraq one bomber may die but scores of innocent people follow. We are randomly thrown into this world, perhaps in the bloated wealth of the west or into more humble origins in Baghdad. Either way a human life is a human life. Even still, the man who decided to take 32 other people with him into death is tragic. Mentally ill and not receiving treatment, the conditions of his birth and upbringing almost seem that he would inevitably take this path.
There is debate about the second amendment and gun control. I think this is silly. Any arms in the hands of anyone can be miss used. The real issue should be how we treat and care for the mentally ill. I expect this will be lost in the clutter of our self absorbed tragedy.
metalpeter - 04/18/07 18:20
What makes it a tragedy is innocance!!!!!!!
The deaths in Iraq arn't innocant at all. The deaths are soilders who decided on there own to join the military. On the Iraq side the same can be said of the insurgents or other Iraq Military. Then you have waring factions who chose to attack each other. Yes there are some civilians who die and that is sad. But the general view is that they live there my choice and like living there and take the risk instead of leaving. The other view is that they are civilians who support one waring faction or another. So simply it is a war that everyone signed up for and they are all willing to die if it means freedom for there cause.
When you go to school it isn't supposed to be a war zone. You go there for multiple reasons to fight isn't one of them. If there where gangs at the college you attended then you would leave. If you thought that Hey never ben in a gang before this is kinda cool. Or I love that there is a race war on campus this will be fun to watch. Then when you blow up your dorm making a Molitov cocktail then it isn't sad, cause you decided you wanted to be violent. It would still be sad for the innocent people who get hurt.
It is allways tragic when the innocent are hurt.
What makes it a tragedy is innocance!!!!!!!
The deaths in Iraq arn't innocant at all. The deaths are soilders who decided on there own to join the military. On the Iraq side the same can be said of the insurgents or other Iraq Military. Then you have waring factions who chose to attack each other. Yes there are some civilians who die and that is sad. But the general view is that they live there my choice and like living there and take the risk instead of leaving. The other view is that they are civilians who support one waring faction or another. So simply it is a war that everyone signed up for and they are all willing to die if it means freedom for there cause.
When you go to school it isn't supposed to be a war zone. You go there for multiple reasons to fight isn't one of them. If there where gangs at the college you attended then you would leave. If you thought that Hey never ben in a gang before this is kinda cool. Or I love that there is a race war on campus this will be fun to watch. Then when you blow up your dorm making a Molitov cocktail then it isn't sad, cause you decided you wanted to be violent. It would still be sad for the innocent people who get hurt.
It is allways tragic when the innocent are hurt.
jenks - 04/18/07 17:02
I think some of it is that deaths in Iraq are getting (sadly) to be 'old news'. "Oh, 200 people died? yawn." It's also not on home turf, and I think there's a bit of 'out of sight out of mind'. But I think the biggest thing is that there's a war going on over there. Death is part of war. Death should not be a part of going to school.
But I'm not saying I disagree with you. It is a little upsetting that we're super-freaking out over what's essentially a drop in the bucket compared to what happens all over the world every day.
Or, maybe it's just that the media needs something to fixate on now that Anna Nicole's baby has a daddy. ;)
I think some of it is that deaths in Iraq are getting (sadly) to be 'old news'. "Oh, 200 people died? yawn." It's also not on home turf, and I think there's a bit of 'out of sight out of mind'. But I think the biggest thing is that there's a war going on over there. Death is part of war. Death should not be a part of going to school.
But I'm not saying I disagree with you. It is a little upsetting that we're super-freaking out over what's essentially a drop in the bucket compared to what happens all over the world every day.
Or, maybe it's just that the media needs something to fixate on now that Anna Nicole's baby has a daddy. ;)
museumchick - 04/18/07 16:48
I think any loss of human life, irregardles of the number is a great tragedy. It's all senseless.
It's strange with the idea of media attention to something like this compared to Iraq- because if you look at it, violence in Iraq gets much more attention than some of the other violence in the world.It seems like there is never anything on tv about the Sudan or the Congo and the genocide taking place.
I think any loss of human life, irregardles of the number is a great tragedy. It's all senseless.
It's strange with the idea of media attention to something like this compared to Iraq- because if you look at it, violence in Iraq gets much more attention than some of the other violence in the world.It seems like there is never anything on tv about the Sudan or the Congo and the genocide taking place.
james - 04/18/07 15:22
Absolutely both are tragic. Only I mass murdering fuck head like Uncle Joe Stalin could come up with the tragedy/statistic differentiation.
The thing I find interesting is that on average 100 people in Iraq are killed. But we generally don't care. But now we have prayer services, schools are closing, the media is camping out in front of their green screens that look like a campus. We are mobalizing because of a perceived connection to these people, where we feel a very faint one with the people in Iraq.
I find that both interesting and deeply troubling.
Absolutely both are tragic. Only I mass murdering fuck head like Uncle Joe Stalin could come up with the tragedy/statistic differentiation.
The thing I find interesting is that on average 100 people in Iraq are killed. But we generally don't care. But now we have prayer services, schools are closing, the media is camping out in front of their green screens that look like a campus. We are mobalizing because of a perceived connection to these people, where we feel a very faint one with the people in Iraq.
I find that both interesting and deeply troubling.
jim - 04/18/07 15:15
Aren't they all tragic?
Aren't they all tragic?
04/12/2007 13:19 #38859
Drinking the Sabres Kool-AidI don't like watching sports, at all. Background human interest:
In high school my best friend and I thought about what makes sports so popular. And, like most things, we determined it was fantastical violence. And so, we set out to create the most dangerous, violent sport.
It began by trying to get a ball from one side of the court to the other. Simple enough. You would have to run up step ladders and jump off the top, hurl yourself over fields of saw horses, climb up a tree and jump to its neighbor. All the while your opponent tries to hit you with a stick, hard, very hard. Contact me if you want to buy a local franchise for a "Super Danger Future Ball" team.
And now, the Sabers.
Tonight begins the play offs. A time it is dangerous to not only be a fan of an opposing team, but equally dangerous to not be enthusiastically a Sabers fan.
And so, with ice pack ready, I must march into the maelstrom and show some love for our team (All Buffalonians exempt from giving a damn about the Bills). But it is incredibly easy to do so. I don't need to watch a game to know the score of a game. I need only listen to the screams and cheers that pour out of the Elmwood bars. If I was knoced into a coma during the game I can know who won by how many cars are honking.
If we lose? Ah, well then I can look for broken beer bottles all along the streets and sidewalks. Much fun when you walk a dog. Thank you dicks. Suck it up.
But, one thing is clear, for as long as the Sabers are in the play offs the city is going to buzz with overwhelming, singular Sabers energy. It makes it tough for someone like me, who could care less about any sports team, to not feel a glimmer of hope and pride.
And if you repeat that with anyone I challenge you to a game of Super Danger Future Ball.
In high school my best friend and I thought about what makes sports so popular. And, like most things, we determined it was fantastical violence. And so, we set out to create the most dangerous, violent sport.
It began by trying to get a ball from one side of the court to the other. Simple enough. You would have to run up step ladders and jump off the top, hurl yourself over fields of saw horses, climb up a tree and jump to its neighbor. All the while your opponent tries to hit you with a stick, hard, very hard. Contact me if you want to buy a local franchise for a "Super Danger Future Ball" team.
And now, the Sabers.
Tonight begins the play offs. A time it is dangerous to not only be a fan of an opposing team, but equally dangerous to not be enthusiastically a Sabers fan.
And so, with ice pack ready, I must march into the maelstrom and show some love for our team (All Buffalonians exempt from giving a damn about the Bills). But it is incredibly easy to do so. I don't need to watch a game to know the score of a game. I need only listen to the screams and cheers that pour out of the Elmwood bars. If I was knoced into a coma during the game I can know who won by how many cars are honking.
If we lose? Ah, well then I can look for broken beer bottles all along the streets and sidewalks. Much fun when you walk a dog. Thank you dicks. Suck it up.
But, one thing is clear, for as long as the Sabers are in the play offs the city is going to buzz with overwhelming, singular Sabers energy. It makes it tough for someone like me, who could care less about any sports team, to not feel a glimmer of hope and pride.
And if you repeat that with anyone I challenge you to a game of Super Danger Future Ball.
mrmike - 04/18/07 15:57
Just adding my two sense to this. Does the fate of free world hang in the balance of the sabres' progress. Hell no. But is it good for the soul, absolutely. It's healthy to invest a little in a positive vibe, something that is bigger than one person. I think that's why we succomb. That said, my ex-wife hilariously rails about the perils of living so close to Jimmy Mac's, she doesn't watch the games, she just listens for the moans from down the street.
Just adding my two sense to this. Does the fate of free world hang in the balance of the sabres' progress. Hell no. But is it good for the soul, absolutely. It's healthy to invest a little in a positive vibe, something that is bigger than one person. I think that's why we succomb. That said, my ex-wife hilariously rails about the perils of living so close to Jimmy Mac's, she doesn't watch the games, she just listens for the moans from down the street.
james - 04/13/07 15:52
Yes Jenks, you hit on it.
A running joke of his incredibly unfunny show is that his brother Fred is always starting a crazy busness and trying to get his brother Don to promote it.
There was Salsa, I am not sure which brother had the name on it. I could care less though, as it is delicious.
And Joshua, call Imus, remarket that stuff. He needs all the help he can get.
Yes Jenks, you hit on it.
A running joke of his incredibly unfunny show is that his brother Fred is always starting a crazy busness and trying to get his brother Don to promote it.
There was Salsa, I am not sure which brother had the name on it. I could care less though, as it is delicious.
And Joshua, call Imus, remarket that stuff. He needs all the help he can get.
jenks - 04/13/07 15:08
Wait is it DON Imus's salsa? I know his brother (Fred) has a whole line of stuff....
Wait is it DON Imus's salsa? I know his brother (Fred) has a whole line of stuff....
joshua - 04/13/07 15:04
Imus has salsa? I could probably think of 100 different ways to remarket that bad boy right about now.
Imus has salsa? I could probably think of 100 different ways to remarket that bad boy right about now.
jim - 04/12/07 20:19
You left off your most famous sports-endeaver, Ball Pipe.
You left off your most famous sports-endeaver, Ball Pipe.
mike - 04/12/07 19:22
I don't really love sports but I do get excited when the Sabres are in the playoffs. Last year I ended up going out to see the games at bars but only like for the last period but it is really fun. I like being in a group of people who are so excited about sometjhing, it is definetely contagious. !
I don't really love sports but I do get excited when the Sabres are in the playoffs. Last year I ended up going out to see the games at bars but only like for the last period but it is really fun. I like being in a group of people who are so excited about sometjhing, it is definetely contagious. !
jenks - 04/12/07 18:43
Yeah, you're right. Even as a non-sports-person, it gets contagious. I was in chicago when the cubs made it to the series (or almost to the series... I forget) in '04- and even though I didn't care, it was hard not to get all excited. or Boston last year, whew.
Yeah, you're right. Even as a non-sports-person, it gets contagious. I was in chicago when the cubs made it to the series (or almost to the series... I forget) in '04- and even though I didn't care, it was hard not to get all excited. or Boston last year, whew.
james - 04/12/07 18:17
Matt: What ever, hole-liver-in. Too late to pretend to be cool and know ^_~
Jason: Oh ya, I don't like sports, but I find being in this city now as the Sabers are kicking ass very compelling. A communal spirit between everyone. It is like woodstock but with better beer.
theecarey: There was no protective equipment in Super Danger Future Ball as it was contrary to the spirit of the game.
Matthew: oh, scratch that first comment.
Peter: I hope there is a riot. But that nice happy kind with dancing in the streets and not throwing stuff at the LAPD.
Matt: What ever, hole-liver-in. Too late to pretend to be cool and know ^_~
Jason: Oh ya, I don't like sports, but I find being in this city now as the Sabers are kicking ass very compelling. A communal spirit between everyone. It is like woodstock but with better beer.
theecarey: There was no protective equipment in Super Danger Future Ball as it was contrary to the spirit of the game.
Matthew: oh, scratch that first comment.
Peter: I hope there is a riot. But that nice happy kind with dancing in the streets and not throwing stuff at the LAPD.
metalpeter - 04/12/07 17:45
I think that last year the Sabres where the best team in the NHL, if it wasn't for all the injuries they would have won the cup. I say they are the best team this year again. But the team that wins is the team that plays the best during the playoffs. I know the Sabres are good enough to win the cup and hope they do win the cup. That being said if the Sabres make it to the Finals and are in a position to Win it at Home unless you are at the game don't go downtown unless you are up off the street. I do have a reason for saying this I do think (not just because it happened in a movie) that if the sabres win the cup at home Buffalo will become a riot scene. Reason I say this is I was at one of the bandits championship wins (back when they filled the arena) when they where at there peak. It was kinda crazzy then Horns going banging on cars and that was a new team. There isn't all the history of the Sabres never getting the Cup. There is a lot of frustration from "No Goal" and from Having Hasek, Mogilny, and LaFonte and and not getting it done. As great as the french connection was (not that I remember them) then didn't get the cup. I could be wrong but even if there is a riot I hope the sabres win it all. Even if you aren't into sports it is still good to know what is going on with them.
I think that last year the Sabres where the best team in the NHL, if it wasn't for all the injuries they would have won the cup. I say they are the best team this year again. But the team that wins is the team that plays the best during the playoffs. I know the Sabres are good enough to win the cup and hope they do win the cup. That being said if the Sabres make it to the Finals and are in a position to Win it at Home unless you are at the game don't go downtown unless you are up off the street. I do have a reason for saying this I do think (not just because it happened in a movie) that if the sabres win the cup at home Buffalo will become a riot scene. Reason I say this is I was at one of the bandits championship wins (back when they filled the arena) when they where at there peak. It was kinda crazzy then Horns going banging on cars and that was a new team. There isn't all the history of the Sabres never getting the Cup. There is a lot of frustration from "No Goal" and from Having Hasek, Mogilny, and LaFonte and and not getting it done. As great as the french connection was (not that I remember them) then didn't get the cup. I could be wrong but even if there is a riot I hope the sabres win it all. Even if you aren't into sports it is still good to know what is going on with them.
matthew - 04/12/07 15:35
i was just kidding. i don't live in a hole! :)
i was just kidding. i don't live in a hole! :)
theecarey - 04/12/07 15:08
Super Danger Future Ball? hehe love it!
Not much of a sports 'fan'- but I do dig the violent sports. My preference is Rugby,(no protective equipment!) followed by Hockey.
I hate football and damn proud of it.
Super Danger Future Ball? hehe love it!
Not much of a sports 'fan'- but I do dig the violent sports. My preference is Rugby,(no protective equipment!) followed by Hockey.
I hate football and damn proud of it.
jason - 04/12/07 15:04
Well, James, if you don't like sports you don't like sports. At least with the Sabres, I've been a fan since the mid-80s when Dear Old Dad made the roadie from Jamestown with Josh and I to the Aud.
Yes Matt our team is not only in the playoffs, but is also the FAVORITE to win it all. Pretty rare for us.
Personally, I'm happy because it gives us a good distraction and in a sense brings us closer to one another. I think it's cool to hear the horns and the screaming processing down (and up) Elmwood Avenue. People are having a good time with it. Not too late to join the bandwagon!
Well, James, if you don't like sports you don't like sports. At least with the Sabres, I've been a fan since the mid-80s when Dear Old Dad made the roadie from Jamestown with Josh and I to the Aud.
Yes Matt our team is not only in the playoffs, but is also the FAVORITE to win it all. Pretty rare for us.
Personally, I'm happy because it gives us a good distraction and in a sense brings us closer to one another. I think it's cool to hear the horns and the screaming processing down (and up) Elmwood Avenue. People are having a good time with it. Not too late to join the bandwagon!
matthew - 04/12/07 13:25
The sabers are in the playoffs?
The sabers are in the playoffs?
It isn't a bad drink for cheap gin. Make a Mojita with it and it is delicious even.
just last night my roommate and i were wondering how this bottle of segram's lime infused gin got ontop of our fridge....i smell conspiracy