Due in no small part to a request from a dedicated reader, several old essays will be appearing on this blog in the near future. Some of you may recognize the work. I hope you enjoy it again.
Has anyone else noticed the fact that in today's profesional sports very few athletes have nicknames anymore? There was a time in the sports history of this country when just about every notable athletic figure was labeled with an alter ego, but those times have sadly passed. Gone are the days of the Galloping Ghost, the Sultan of Swat, and the Monsters of the Midway. Today's superstar sports figures play out their careers under their God-given names as creativity melts farther and farther away. Sure, some exceptions remain, but even those exceptions are, for the most part, lame. Take Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez for example. The Detroit catcher merely borrowed his nickname from "Pudge" Fisk of the Boston Red Sox. Or how about Fred McGriff, "The Crime Dog." What the hell does that mean, and what does it have to do with his ability to play baseball? (Those of you wondering if he's a convicted fellon, your answer is no, he's actually a pretty OK guy.) As I realized that our society had all but forgotten the sports nickname, I began to wonder what makes a great nickname, and then, who had the best nicknames in sports? Here are some of my thoughts:
What does it take to have a great nickname? There are two determining factors. First, does the moniker sound good? The great majority of all good nicknames make use of alliteration or rhyming to capture the imagination of the sports fan. Examples include "Dizzy" Dean, and Dick "Night Train" Lane. Second, great nicknames describe the subject accurately. Whether it be a certain personality trait, or a facial feature, or more commonly the attributes brought to the field by the athlete in question. Examples of this include Frank Thomas, i.e. "The Big Hurt," and Joe Montana, i.e. "Joe Cool." More often than not, the greatest of all nicknames combine both elements. Take for example Christian Okoye, i.e. "The Nigerian Nightmare," or Ted Williams, i.e. "The Splendid Splinter." So this of course begs the question, what do you have to do to get a nickname? Usually you think of the great players having famous monikers, but that's not always the case. You have to look no farther than relief pitcher Dave "Longball" Veres to see that. How many pitchers do you know that are nicknamed after an important OFFENSIVE category? You don't even have to DO anything to get a nickname. Sometimes your physical features are enough to earn you a new name. I played high school football with a guy we used to call, "Schnoz." You do the math. You don't even have to play a sport to get a nickname. All you have to do is be a fan, as evidenced by the "Dawg Pound" at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
So all that having been said, who out there was dubbed with the best nickname? There are so many good ones it's hard to choose, but here's a top 26 list I've put together. In some cases I don't know much about the athlete, but the nickname was just too good to pass up.
26. O. J. Simpson, "The Juice" - Appropriate thanks to his initials, "The Juice is loose!" was heard on more than one occasion when Simpson terrorized defenses in the NFL, and then again, over and over again, after his jury found him not guilty.
25. "Mean" Joe Greene - "Mean" Joe Greene was one of the most feared defensive players in the history of pro football, and his nickname was well earned. Known for taking pleasure in the pain of his opponents, Greene may also have been the nastiest athlete to ever live.
24. Henri Richard, "The Pocket Rocket" - I don't know much about this hockey player, but doesn't that sound awesome?
23. Reggie White, "The Minister of Defense" - What else would you call an ordained minister who holds the NFL career record for sacks?
22. "Super" Mario Lemioux - "Super" Mario was super and then some during his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins of the NHL.
21. The "Cardiac" Cardinals - This nickname went along with the football Cardinals during the only season they made the playoffs in St. Louis. The "Cardiac" Cards made a name for themselves by pulling several games out in the last seconds throughout the year.
20. Walter Payton, "Sweetness" - Payton may be the greatest running back of all time, pure "Sweetness" for anyone that watched him play.
19. Joe Montana, "Joe Cool" - One of football's greatest come-from-behind quarterbacks, "Joe Cool" never lost his cool while he marshalled his troops.
18. Gerhardt "Der Bomber" Muller - This German soccer player holds the record for most goals scored in World Cup competition with 14. "Der Bomber" is also the only player to ever literally tear the net from the goal posts during a game with a shot.
17. Stan "The Man" Musial - Simple, tells the story. Stan Musial was THE man in baseball during the 1940's and 50's.
16. Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown - "Three Finger" Brown was a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs who, oddly enough, had just three fingers on his pitching hand.
15. The New York Yankees, "The Bronx Bombers" - The Yankees are baseball's most storied franchise, and the "Bronx Bombers" moniker was placed on them in the days of Babe Ruth and Lou Gerhig when they were (as usual) almost unbeatable.
14. William "The Refridgerator" Perry - Perry weighed in at well over 350 lbs, but the amazing thing about "The Fridge" was his quickness and strength, which allowed him to dominate the interior line of scrimmage.
13. Earvin "Magic" Johnson - Johnson's feats on the basketball court were magical, even if his off-court HIV news overshadowed the end of his career.
12. "Shoeless" Joe Jackson - "Shoeless" Joe was made popular by the book of the same name, and later the movie "Field of Dreams." Despite his unceremonious dumping from pro baseball, "Shoeless" Joe is one of the most recognizable nicknames in American Sports.
11. Pete Rose, "Charlie Hustle" - Pete Rose played the game of baseball the way it should be played: at full speed and with reckless abandon. It's time he took his place in the Hall of Fame.
10. Ozzie Smith, "The Wizard of Oz" - "The Wizard" earned his nickname with his spectacular circus defensive plays at shortstop. 13 consecutive Gold Gloves is still a shortstop record.
9. The Chicago Bears, "The Monsters of the Midway" - No defense was ever more fearsome than the "Monsters of the Midway" of the mid 1980's, which featured stars like the "Refridgerator" Perry, Mike Singletary, and Richard Dent.
8. "Broadway" Joe Namath - When Joe Namath led the New York Jets to the Superbowl championship he was larger than life. He was outlandish, outspoken, and creative, just like Broadway.
7. Christain Okoye, "The Nigerian Nightmare" - Okoye, a native of Nigeria, made a name for himself in the NFL as the bruising fullback of the Kansas City Chiefs. Opposing linebackers surely had horrible dreams about their meetings with "The Nigerian Nightmare."
6. Ted Williams, "The Splendid Splinter" "Teddy Ballgame" "The Greatest Hitter Ever" - So great were Williams' accomplishments on the field that three nicknames were necessary to cover his grand stature.
5. Wayne "The Great One" Gretzky - Maybe we should change this to, "The Greatest One, Ever."
4. Red Grange, "The Galloping Ghost" - Grange was a college and pro football standout, but I remember him best for his cool sounding nickname.
3. Edson Arantes Do Nascimento, "Pele" - The most famous athlete in the world, arguably the greatest soccer player ever. No one knows what "Pele" actually means, but everyone knows who you're talking about.
2. George "Babe" Ruth, "The Bambino" "The Sultan of Swat" "The King of Clout" - "The Babe" is undoubtedly the most famous baseball player of all time.
1. Dick "Night Train" Lane - "Night Train" Lane was the most feared defensive back of his era, and were it not for Ronnie Lott, he might still be the most fearsome defensive player ever. Known for devastating opponents with his clothesline manuever, (which was later banned) Dick "Night Train" Lane must have the coolest nickname in the history of sports.
Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. I'd love to hear what you think about the list, or any other comments you've got. Got a favorite nickname I didn't mention? Send it to me! Lemme know what you think! As for what nicknames the author has had during his athletic career: In kindergarden and first grade I was known as "Booger" to my teammates. I had a propensity for picking my nose during practice and games. In high school football I was dubbed, "Greased Lightening" because I was, "Fast as lightening, but hands like grease." My inability to catch a football forever doomed me to a career playing defense. It was in high school rugby that I got the only flattering nickname of my sporting career. They called me "Rot" which was short for Rotweiler. According to my teammates I was small, but vicious. Finally, in college intramurals Tim "Are You Serious?" Fisher dubbed me "The Postman." Official stats were not kept, but it is estimated that in 35 intramural soccer games I hit the post 567 times, while scoring 15 goals.
How about some other nicknames from folks who might read this blog? Here's a quick list:
Christine "Awkward" Sturm - If it's on a table, or in Christine's hands, chances are it'll find the floor sometime soon.
Jenn "The Gimp" Bunt - Head, shoulders, knees and toes, something was always wrong with this girl. How she missed a hat trick from 3 feet away on an open goal is still one of the mysteries of the universe.
Mary "Oh So" Close - Actually, Mary's shots usually wound up pretty far away from the goal, but it was still fun to call her "Oh So" Close.
Fr. Tim Daly, "Dr. Dre" - Fr. Tim has a doctorate from the University of Alabama, hence the "Dr." part. He also taught in Ecuador for a couple of years. Father became Padre became Dre. Now he's "Dr. Dre" The rappin Priest.
Tim "Are You Serious?" Fisher - No one phrase could ever be more associated with anybody's voice.
Mark "Dude You're Scaring Me" Green - I still have nightmares about that night...
Rob Ortmann, "Rob-bot" - Rob is a cleaning machine!
"Touchdown" Kate Puleo - I bet Kate dinner that I could score more goals than she could score touchdowns during our respective intramural seasons. In her first game "Touchdown" Kate scored twice, while I scored once, seperated my shoulder, and was out for the year. It cost me $20 at a nice Chinese place.
Andrea Brancato, "Mrs. Robinson" - Self explanatory?
Scott "Clear Skies, Calm Winds" Stevelinck - Grow a pair and learn to fly.
Steve "Warsaw" Kozlowski - How much more Polish do last names get?
Katie Rintelman, "SAS" - You're freakishly tall Katie...
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Quote of the Week
"Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona." - George F. Will
Lactose
Very few things capture my heart and imagination like baseball does. Today, I'd like to talk about something in the game I don't understand.
Why is the fastball so often associated with cheese? Some of you might be scratching your heads right now, but let me refresh your memory with some terminology:
Actual terms used to define a fastball:
Cheese - A straight, 4 seam fastball
Cheddar - A 2 seam fastball with downward action
Spicy Cheddar - A 2 seam fastball that runs in or out
Stinkin' Cheddar - Any fastball thrown outside the strikezone
High Stinkin' Cheddar - A fastball purposely thrown above the shoulders, in order to entice a hitter to chase it
The fastball also has some fun nicknames:
The Roquefort Rocket
The Brie Bullet
The Parmesian Pellet
The Camemberg Cannon
The Feta Fireball
The Mozzarella Missle
The Gouda Gun
What is so interesting about cheese that the most common pitch in baseball is associated with it? I have never understood this relationship, which is not to say I have never used these terms. If you step back and think about it momentarily however, it is rather amusing. Imagine yourself watching a baseball game for the first time, and someone next to you shouts, "Throw him the high stinkin' cheddar!" The TV announcer might say something like, "Boy, that last pitch was some nasty cheese."
Ah, the nuances of baseball. They will soon be with us once again...
Why is the fastball so often associated with cheese? Some of you might be scratching your heads right now, but let me refresh your memory with some terminology:
Actual terms used to define a fastball:
Cheese - A straight, 4 seam fastball
Cheddar - A 2 seam fastball with downward action
Spicy Cheddar - A 2 seam fastball that runs in or out
Stinkin' Cheddar - Any fastball thrown outside the strikezone
High Stinkin' Cheddar - A fastball purposely thrown above the shoulders, in order to entice a hitter to chase it
The fastball also has some fun nicknames:
The Roquefort Rocket
The Brie Bullet
The Parmesian Pellet
The Camemberg Cannon
The Feta Fireball
The Mozzarella Missle
The Gouda Gun
What is so interesting about cheese that the most common pitch in baseball is associated with it? I have never understood this relationship, which is not to say I have never used these terms. If you step back and think about it momentarily however, it is rather amusing. Imagine yourself watching a baseball game for the first time, and someone next to you shouts, "Throw him the high stinkin' cheddar!" The TV announcer might say something like, "Boy, that last pitch was some nasty cheese."
Ah, the nuances of baseball. They will soon be with us once again...
Monday, February 12, 2007
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Dearest M
Someone posted a comment earlier today and signed their work as "M." (See "Momma's got a brand new bag")
I'm not sure who you are M, but I'm fairly certain you don't head up Mi-6... I'm also fairly certain that you either don't know me, or you don't know me very well. Please read the entry you commented on more closely. At no time did I claim not to grieve for love once lost. I am merely stating my confusion, and offering up an alternative.
Do not presume to be able to tell me I do not know what pain and suffering is.
I'm not sure who you are M, but I'm fairly certain you don't head up Mi-6... I'm also fairly certain that you either don't know me, or you don't know me very well. Please read the entry you commented on more closely. At no time did I claim not to grieve for love once lost. I am merely stating my confusion, and offering up an alternative.
Do not presume to be able to tell me I do not know what pain and suffering is.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Almost There...
Spring Training starts on February 14th this year. Valentine's Day.
I can't help but consider this to be ironic. I dread the coming of Valentine's Day every year. This year, perhaps more so. February is a difficult month in my life, and the coming of Spring Training each year is typically the only thing that gives me respite from the myriad other things that I can't get off my mind.
I cannot loathe the 14th of February this year. Pitches and catchers report, and the sign that baseball will soon return warms my heart despite the fact that this year's particular version of the nightmare on Valentine's Day fast approaches.
I hope the good outweighs the bad this time around, but I'm not terribly optimistic.
Pray for me this month...
I can't help but consider this to be ironic. I dread the coming of Valentine's Day every year. This year, perhaps more so. February is a difficult month in my life, and the coming of Spring Training each year is typically the only thing that gives me respite from the myriad other things that I can't get off my mind.
I cannot loathe the 14th of February this year. Pitches and catchers report, and the sign that baseball will soon return warms my heart despite the fact that this year's particular version of the nightmare on Valentine's Day fast approaches.
I hope the good outweighs the bad this time around, but I'm not terribly optimistic.
Pray for me this month...
Sunday, February 04, 2007
The Trinity
Over the years many people have asked me what being Catholic is all about. Usually, the folks who ask believe the answer to be, "the rules." A structured faith, what a concept...
The answer, in my opinion, is contained in three very simple words: Faith, Love, and Hope.
As Catholics, we are called to be faithful. To believe in the Lord, and to trust in his plan. We are called to accept his will before ours, and trust that he will lead us wherever we should go, whenever we should be there.
As Catholics, we are called to love. We are called to imitate, as best as our human condition will allow, the Love that Christ showed us. To love our neighbor as ourself, and to love the Lord above all things.
As Catholics, we are called to be hopeful. We hope that one day we will be face to face with the Lord. We hope that all those who went before us await our arrival in paradise. We hope for better things in the Lord.
Most Christians who read these words will agree with them. Unfortunately, too many Christians, many Catholics included, treat their faith as a fearful thing. Nothing torks me like listening to a Christian propogate the faith using fear as a motivator. It sounds something like this, "If you want to avoid the flames of hell, you'll accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior!"
Fear has no place amongst Faith, Love, and Hope.
The answer, in my opinion, is contained in three very simple words: Faith, Love, and Hope.
As Catholics, we are called to be faithful. To believe in the Lord, and to trust in his plan. We are called to accept his will before ours, and trust that he will lead us wherever we should go, whenever we should be there.
As Catholics, we are called to love. We are called to imitate, as best as our human condition will allow, the Love that Christ showed us. To love our neighbor as ourself, and to love the Lord above all things.
As Catholics, we are called to be hopeful. We hope that one day we will be face to face with the Lord. We hope that all those who went before us await our arrival in paradise. We hope for better things in the Lord.
Most Christians who read these words will agree with them. Unfortunately, too many Christians, many Catholics included, treat their faith as a fearful thing. Nothing torks me like listening to a Christian propogate the faith using fear as a motivator. It sounds something like this, "If you want to avoid the flames of hell, you'll accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior!"
Fear has no place amongst Faith, Love, and Hope.
Quote of the Week
"Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better." - King Whitney Jr.
Monday, January 29, 2007
The Mind Killer
Of all the things in life that can motivate a person, fear is perhaps the most effective. The most amazing thing about fear, is that it motivates you to do nothing.
I'm not talking about the acute fear of being immediately, physically threatened. That kind of fear is fleeting, and clearly motivates almost anyone to quick action. I'm refering to a much more subtle, insidious condition of constant, paralyzing fear. The kind of raw emotion that makes even getting out of bed in the morning difficult. Everyone, at one point or another in their life, has faced this fear.
It would be wonderfull if we could snap our fingers and banish all of our terrors. Unfortunately, this problem is much too deep and complicated for a simple fix. Perhaps the most difficult part is defining the true issue at hand. Perhaps fear is not, in and of itself, the problem.
Every human being has fear, and anyone who tells you they have no fear is just afraid that you might think they are weak. Fear is a natural emotion, a useful barometer of our limits, and sometimes it can even be a fun rush. Fortunately, the good Lord gave us a tool against fear: Courage. Let us be clear on this much: Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is the ability to act in the face of fear. I imagine we all wish we could be more courageous people. I wonder, however, if we have it within us to grant ourselves that wish...
I suspect that courage, or lack thereof, is the simple result of attitude. Perhaps even a conscious choice. A person in fear has two basic options: they can choose to succumb to that fear and be a coward, or they can choose to be courageous and fight their fear head on. A person can take the attitude that says, "It's too hard to try," or a person can take the attitude that says, "I'll never give up."
Which person are you?
I'm not talking about the acute fear of being immediately, physically threatened. That kind of fear is fleeting, and clearly motivates almost anyone to quick action. I'm refering to a much more subtle, insidious condition of constant, paralyzing fear. The kind of raw emotion that makes even getting out of bed in the morning difficult. Everyone, at one point or another in their life, has faced this fear.
It would be wonderfull if we could snap our fingers and banish all of our terrors. Unfortunately, this problem is much too deep and complicated for a simple fix. Perhaps the most difficult part is defining the true issue at hand. Perhaps fear is not, in and of itself, the problem.
Every human being has fear, and anyone who tells you they have no fear is just afraid that you might think they are weak. Fear is a natural emotion, a useful barometer of our limits, and sometimes it can even be a fun rush. Fortunately, the good Lord gave us a tool against fear: Courage. Let us be clear on this much: Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is the ability to act in the face of fear. I imagine we all wish we could be more courageous people. I wonder, however, if we have it within us to grant ourselves that wish...
I suspect that courage, or lack thereof, is the simple result of attitude. Perhaps even a conscious choice. A person in fear has two basic options: they can choose to succumb to that fear and be a coward, or they can choose to be courageous and fight their fear head on. A person can take the attitude that says, "It's too hard to try," or a person can take the attitude that says, "I'll never give up."
Which person are you?
Quote Of The Week
"In life we don't get what we want, we get in life what we are. If we want more we have to be able to be more, in order to be more you have to face rejection." - Farrah Gray
Saturday, January 27, 2007
From the Airwaves
The other day at JFK we landed right behind Pakistani flight 711. That's right, the flight from Pakistan to New York, on Pakistani Airlines, is number 711. I don't care who you are, that's just funny.
Monday, January 22, 2007
A Roof Over My Head
When I set out to find a condo to purchase everyone told me it would be so much fun, and so exciting! What a crock of shit.
Buying real estate is a stressfull, complicated experience, and don't ever let anyone tell you different. There are 8 million different places to look at. 10 million different loan options. Interest rates, downpayments, percentages, amenities, appliances, etc, etc, etc. It's not exciting, it's nailbiting. It's not fun, it's more like torture.
Making decisions that will affect your entire lifestyle, financial security, and general state of mind for the better part of a decade is starting to stress me out... Can you tell?
Buying real estate is a stressfull, complicated experience, and don't ever let anyone tell you different. There are 8 million different places to look at. 10 million different loan options. Interest rates, downpayments, percentages, amenities, appliances, etc, etc, etc. It's not exciting, it's nailbiting. It's not fun, it's more like torture.
Making decisions that will affect your entire lifestyle, financial security, and general state of mind for the better part of a decade is starting to stress me out... Can you tell?
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Quote of the Week
"A grandfather was walking through his yard when he heard his granddaughter repeating the alphabet in a tone of voice that sounded like a prayer. He asked her what she was doing. The little girl explained: 'I'm praying, but I can't think of exactly the right words, so I'm just saying all the letters, and God will put them together for me, because he knows what I'm thinking.'" - Charles B. Vaughan
Momma's Got a Brand New Bag
There is an interesting social dynamic that occurs quite often between two people who used to date each other. Invariably, one or the other person will find a new mate, and very often, this will cause great consternation to the person who is still single. I am terribly confused by this reaction on the part of the still single individual.
I bring this up because I recently found out my most recent ex has kindled a new flame. The circumstances surrounding our parting some 6 months ago are superfluous to this musing, so I'll spare you the details. All you really need to know is this: The sum of her shortcomings is not equal to the sum of her talents, and even so, she is not the one for me. She is, however, deserving of a quality of life that has so far been denied her for various reasons. When she told me of her freshly inspired love life she was very cautious with what information she would divulge. It became clear after only a few moments of conversation that she fully expected me to either be angry or disheartened by this developement.
Here is why I am confused: It is terribly common for the person who decided upon ending a relationship to suddenly become jealous when another individual takes interest in his or her ex. There is a clear inconsistancy in this logic. If you broke up with someone, why would you care if that person has moved on? The fact that your ex has found a new love has not in any way changed any of the reasons you broke up with them. The addition of a significant other to your former significant other does not affect their personality or attractiveness in any way whatsoever. Why then, is it so often a difficult pill to swallow for the ex who is still treading water in the singles pool?
In some scenarios, I can understand the presence of resentment. An individual whose love is unrequitted will be understandably upset when their ex moves forward in a new relationship. However, the dumper never has the right to be upset when the dumpee moves on. You made your bed, now sleep in it.
There is always something positive, pure, and poetic about every relationship. No matter what the circumstances of the death of that relationship may be, nothing can take away the fact that two people shared something special between them if only for a short time. I suspect that pure selfishness motivates the often bitter precedings that follow a breakup. Think of the phrases so often used after a split occurs: "How can I live without you." "Who will take care of ME now?" "I don't want this to end." "Can't you see it MY way?" "Don't you love ME?" Perhaps we should all strive to face the end of our relationships in the same way we face the end of the life of someone we know. We remember the departed's shortcomings, celebrate their outstanding qualities, learn the lessons they leave us with, and above all else, hope that they will move on to better things.
I bring this up because I recently found out my most recent ex has kindled a new flame. The circumstances surrounding our parting some 6 months ago are superfluous to this musing, so I'll spare you the details. All you really need to know is this: The sum of her shortcomings is not equal to the sum of her talents, and even so, she is not the one for me. She is, however, deserving of a quality of life that has so far been denied her for various reasons. When she told me of her freshly inspired love life she was very cautious with what information she would divulge. It became clear after only a few moments of conversation that she fully expected me to either be angry or disheartened by this developement.
Here is why I am confused: It is terribly common for the person who decided upon ending a relationship to suddenly become jealous when another individual takes interest in his or her ex. There is a clear inconsistancy in this logic. If you broke up with someone, why would you care if that person has moved on? The fact that your ex has found a new love has not in any way changed any of the reasons you broke up with them. The addition of a significant other to your former significant other does not affect their personality or attractiveness in any way whatsoever. Why then, is it so often a difficult pill to swallow for the ex who is still treading water in the singles pool?
In some scenarios, I can understand the presence of resentment. An individual whose love is unrequitted will be understandably upset when their ex moves forward in a new relationship. However, the dumper never has the right to be upset when the dumpee moves on. You made your bed, now sleep in it.
There is always something positive, pure, and poetic about every relationship. No matter what the circumstances of the death of that relationship may be, nothing can take away the fact that two people shared something special between them if only for a short time. I suspect that pure selfishness motivates the often bitter precedings that follow a breakup. Think of the phrases so often used after a split occurs: "How can I live without you." "Who will take care of ME now?" "I don't want this to end." "Can't you see it MY way?" "Don't you love ME?" Perhaps we should all strive to face the end of our relationships in the same way we face the end of the life of someone we know. We remember the departed's shortcomings, celebrate their outstanding qualities, learn the lessons they leave us with, and above all else, hope that they will move on to better things.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Quote of the Week
"A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner, so if one's life is cold and bare he can blame no one but himself." - Louis L'Amour
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Never Forget Your Roots
I sat next to a very attractive young blonde recently on my way to Chicago, and struck up a conversation with her. She was a very pleasant, well spoken conversationalist, and I was enjoying our talk until the following exchange took place:
her - "So how were your holidays?"
me - "Well, I worked all of the holidays."
her - "Do you always work holidays?"
me - "I worked all the important ones this year: Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years."
her - "Easter? Are you a Christian?"
me - "Yeah, I'm Catholic."
her - "Catholic? That's not Christian. Don't you worship the Pope and Saints?"
Rather than try to assuage her ignorance I simply unbuckled my seatbelt and moved to a different seat on board the aircraft. Unfortunately, after having had nearly this same discussion with several different Protestants, I no longer have the energy to challenge her reply with the facts of Catholic teaching.
It confuses me that so many Protestants have such a disdain and hatred for the Catholic Church despite the fact that every single Christian Religion on Earth is somehow or another rooted in Catholicism. Truth be told, of the 2000+ year history of Christianity, Protestants have only existed for about 500 years. Despite this fact, so many of them take far too much pleasure in condemning Catholics. In my experience, the great majority of their malice towards the Catholic Church is rooted either in arrogance, or ignorance, two words that too often go hand in hand.
Protestants refer to their movement in the early 1500's as the "Protestant Reformation." Catholics refer to the event more accurately as the "Protestant Revolution." I say more accurately, because at its core the revolution was mostly a political event marked by many rich midevil lords revolting against Papal taxes and indulgences. One must remember that the Catholic Church of the period was a powerful and currupt political machine, and therein lay the seeds of the Protestant Revolution to a far greater extent than any dogmatic difference of opinion. The movement gathered strength as more and more land-owning nobles seperated from the Catholic Church in order to avoid paying taxes to Rome. The teachings of Martin Luther and others like him would merely be historical footnotes were it not for the politicaly motivated support they received from powerful individuals interested entirely in personal and financial gain.
The end result of these bitter precedings from 5 centuries ago is that too many people who call themselves Christians carry themselves with a remarkably aloof attitude. Too many factions of what was once a unified faith have taken it upon themselves to refer to themselves as the only path to salvation. Too many hypocrites run around asking truly faithful people if they have been, "Saved." Too many people are too quick to cast judgement because of a 500 year old feud during which it was fashionable to hate and mock the Catholic Church.
Not enough people remember where they truely came from.
her - "So how were your holidays?"
me - "Well, I worked all of the holidays."
her - "Do you always work holidays?"
me - "I worked all the important ones this year: Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years."
her - "Easter? Are you a Christian?"
me - "Yeah, I'm Catholic."
her - "Catholic? That's not Christian. Don't you worship the Pope and Saints?"
Rather than try to assuage her ignorance I simply unbuckled my seatbelt and moved to a different seat on board the aircraft. Unfortunately, after having had nearly this same discussion with several different Protestants, I no longer have the energy to challenge her reply with the facts of Catholic teaching.
It confuses me that so many Protestants have such a disdain and hatred for the Catholic Church despite the fact that every single Christian Religion on Earth is somehow or another rooted in Catholicism. Truth be told, of the 2000+ year history of Christianity, Protestants have only existed for about 500 years. Despite this fact, so many of them take far too much pleasure in condemning Catholics. In my experience, the great majority of their malice towards the Catholic Church is rooted either in arrogance, or ignorance, two words that too often go hand in hand.
Protestants refer to their movement in the early 1500's as the "Protestant Reformation." Catholics refer to the event more accurately as the "Protestant Revolution." I say more accurately, because at its core the revolution was mostly a political event marked by many rich midevil lords revolting against Papal taxes and indulgences. One must remember that the Catholic Church of the period was a powerful and currupt political machine, and therein lay the seeds of the Protestant Revolution to a far greater extent than any dogmatic difference of opinion. The movement gathered strength as more and more land-owning nobles seperated from the Catholic Church in order to avoid paying taxes to Rome. The teachings of Martin Luther and others like him would merely be historical footnotes were it not for the politicaly motivated support they received from powerful individuals interested entirely in personal and financial gain.
The end result of these bitter precedings from 5 centuries ago is that too many people who call themselves Christians carry themselves with a remarkably aloof attitude. Too many factions of what was once a unified faith have taken it upon themselves to refer to themselves as the only path to salvation. Too many hypocrites run around asking truly faithful people if they have been, "Saved." Too many people are too quick to cast judgement because of a 500 year old feud during which it was fashionable to hate and mock the Catholic Church.
Not enough people remember where they truely came from.
Quote of the Week
"Religion is meant to be bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions." - Anonymous
Thursday, January 04, 2007
What Is, Was, and Will Be
Many people try to look back at the year that was right around New Years. Personaly, I like to wait until the year is over, take a few days to decompress after working the holidays (as usual) and then take stock.
2006 was a great year:
Congrats to Russ and Staci, and Ron and Christine! Here's to happily ever after!
Congrats to the St. Louis Cardinals! WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!!!!!!
Congrats to my employer! It must be nice to make money for a change...
Congrats to the St. Louis Swingers! FALL SOFTBALL CHAMPIONS!!!!!
2006 had its lows like any other year:
Tailwinds to the crew and passengers of Comair 5191
Tailwinds to Scotty, we miss you in the crew room
Still no sign of my future wife...
Some of you may remember (and the rest of you can look back and see) that last year I set but one professional goal for myself. That goal was to be hired by Continental Airlines. As the clock stroked midnight and ushered 2007 into the present, I was somewhere over northern Michigan headed for Marquette in my Eagle EMB-145. Apparently God had other ideas for me...
As for 2007, it has already been a busy year. So far I've been junior manned, been to Dallas for GPS training and a checkride, and found out that Rob has an interview. I hope the rest of the year doesn't race by at the same breakneck pace the first few days have established...
2006 was a great year:
Congrats to Russ and Staci, and Ron and Christine! Here's to happily ever after!
Congrats to the St. Louis Cardinals! WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!!!!!!
Congrats to my employer! It must be nice to make money for a change...
Congrats to the St. Louis Swingers! FALL SOFTBALL CHAMPIONS!!!!!
2006 had its lows like any other year:
Tailwinds to the crew and passengers of Comair 5191
Tailwinds to Scotty, we miss you in the crew room
Still no sign of my future wife...
Some of you may remember (and the rest of you can look back and see) that last year I set but one professional goal for myself. That goal was to be hired by Continental Airlines. As the clock stroked midnight and ushered 2007 into the present, I was somewhere over northern Michigan headed for Marquette in my Eagle EMB-145. Apparently God had other ideas for me...
As for 2007, it has already been a busy year. So far I've been junior manned, been to Dallas for GPS training and a checkride, and found out that Rob has an interview. I hope the rest of the year doesn't race by at the same breakneck pace the first few days have established...
Monday, January 01, 2007
Quote of the Week
"A true friend knows your weaknesses but shows you your strengths; feels your fears but fortifies your faith; sees your anxieties but frees your spirit; recognizes your disabilities but emphasizes your possibilities." - William Arthur Ward
The Truth Hurts
Good friends are hard to find, and sometimes even harder to define. Therein lies the rub. One can go for quite a long time before discovering the truth about one or more of their "good" friends.
In the most basic of terms, and at the risk of using a cliche, good friends are always there for you. It is an interesting and selfless phenomenon to see someone drop whatever priority they may have in order to tend to the needs of their friend (not their relative, mind you). Friendship, after all, is mostly about your friend, and not so much about you. Perhaps the most perplexing part of this dynamic is the fact that, "Being there," doesn't necessarily imply some great need on your friend's part. Usually, "Being there," is mostly about the little things. In fact, almost all of the time, it's the little things that count the most. Everyone has those friends who are there for you when something tragic happens. Great tragedy is easy to see, and it pulls at the guilty conscience when ignored. Any friend can tell that you need a shoulder to cry on or a pat on the back during times like these, and it's easy to be there for someone when these things happen. The best of friends, however, are the ones who know when you need them despite the absence of tragedy. The tone of your voice, or the slightest change in your demeanor trigger them into action. It's much harder to be there for your friend during the mundane, trying times that hit each and every one of us each and every week. It's an investment of time, and perhaps resources, and it happens so often. Flowers and a hug when someone dies is easy. A calming presence and the reassurance that someone cares after a long day at work is much harder.
Unless someone reading this blog is remarkably lucky, all eyes that peruse these paragraphs will call to mind 1 or 2 good friends that are there for you not just when it's most needed, but also when it's most warranted and wanted. 1, perhaps 2, amongst all the friends that you know. That is why these friends are so dear to us.
That is also why it is so crushlingly dissappointing when someone you thought was such a good friend turns out to be terribly average.
All of us could use another good friend, but how many of us are willing to be a good friend?
It is a time for resolutions...
In the most basic of terms, and at the risk of using a cliche, good friends are always there for you. It is an interesting and selfless phenomenon to see someone drop whatever priority they may have in order to tend to the needs of their friend (not their relative, mind you). Friendship, after all, is mostly about your friend, and not so much about you. Perhaps the most perplexing part of this dynamic is the fact that, "Being there," doesn't necessarily imply some great need on your friend's part. Usually, "Being there," is mostly about the little things. In fact, almost all of the time, it's the little things that count the most. Everyone has those friends who are there for you when something tragic happens. Great tragedy is easy to see, and it pulls at the guilty conscience when ignored. Any friend can tell that you need a shoulder to cry on or a pat on the back during times like these, and it's easy to be there for someone when these things happen. The best of friends, however, are the ones who know when you need them despite the absence of tragedy. The tone of your voice, or the slightest change in your demeanor trigger them into action. It's much harder to be there for your friend during the mundane, trying times that hit each and every one of us each and every week. It's an investment of time, and perhaps resources, and it happens so often. Flowers and a hug when someone dies is easy. A calming presence and the reassurance that someone cares after a long day at work is much harder.
Unless someone reading this blog is remarkably lucky, all eyes that peruse these paragraphs will call to mind 1 or 2 good friends that are there for you not just when it's most needed, but also when it's most warranted and wanted. 1, perhaps 2, amongst all the friends that you know. That is why these friends are so dear to us.
That is also why it is so crushlingly dissappointing when someone you thought was such a good friend turns out to be terribly average.
All of us could use another good friend, but how many of us are willing to be a good friend?
It is a time for resolutions...
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