In Some Ways, Osgood Can Be Compared to Fuhr
By Mike Heika
April 22, 2009
Like many of you, the mention of Chris Osgood leaves me with an ``eh, good goalie on a great team’’ sort of feeling.
It is a curse Osgood is forced to carry, and one that clearly wears on him at times. But after seeing him in the playoffs last season and watching him step up against Columbus in the first round this year, I’m trying a new game in how I see the Detroit netminder.
Think about this for a few minutes -- Chris Osgood is like
http://www.versus.com/nw/article/view/78768/?tf=nhl_article.tpl
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
The Path of Self-destruction
The Path of Self-destruction
March 23, 2009 Story of the Day
January 1973
Vol. 29 No. 8
MY LIFE for the first thirty-four years was a series of well-learned negative feelings and attitudes. So ingrained were these into my total personality that seven and a half years of intensive psychotherapy, plus six months in a psychiatric institute, did no more than give me self-sanction to attempt a nearly successful suicide and to sink further into severe states of depression and anxiety.
I left therapy to continue my progressive alcoholism behind the locked doors of my home, becoming addicted to tranquilizers and sedatives as well. On my not-so-merry way, I carved a perfect path of self-destruction. Quietly and insidiously, many other lives were painfully affected. On this path lie three wrecked marriages.
I always felt I was a completely worthless person. I thought I knew horrible things about myself, and I locked them up in my mind so that no one else could get a glimpse of the real me. From early childhood, I felt I was bad. Even for others' wrongdoings, I took the guilt upon myself, producing fear, anger, and hatred.
The God of my childhood, I thought, didn't want me to talk to Him. If I did turn to Him, I felt, He wouldn't protect me anyway, because it seemed He never answered my prayers--He wanted me to suffer. This great source of strength became a tool against any healthy attitude I might have developed. I didn't dare to love another human being, either, knowing that I wasn't good enough to have the love returned. Frightened, I lived in a world of silence, often wishing I were dead.
Today, as a sober, recovering alcoholic, I know that I was not victimized by society, by my environment, nor by my alcoholic parents, on whom I blamed my many failures and my mental and emotional problems. I was my own judge and jury, my own jailer. I built my own scaffold and was my own executioner, inflicting punishment upon myself at every turn.
One evening, about sixteen months ago, I put down a glass of vodka and announced aloud that somehow I had just decided I never would take another drink, that I had chosen between life and death. I said I wanted life--but only if I could learn how to live happily.
My sole friend and confidante, a nonalcoholic woman, encouraged me to call AA the following morning. My call was answered by two female AAs, one of whom drove me to meetings for a month. Grateful to be accepted as a member at my very first meeting, I read the Steps through blind, unfocused eyes. I listened as best I could, and I began to understand that these people were sober--and happy! And so I did what they suggested. I did it slowly, to be sure, but believing in them and AA. By the grace of God, my compulsion to drink left me early, and my addiction to pills was overcome by hard work with some fine sponsors and other AA friends.
After a few months, one of my sponsors said that when I was ready to take Step Four, I might head my list of character defects with "self-destruction." I was surprised and shaken at this prospect, but it propelled me to begin my search for the truth about myself. First of all, I discovered that, though I was physically sober, my behavior was still self-destructive. Through studying our AA program, attending many, many meetings, and receiving my sponsor's "first aid," I learned that my thoughts were actually the first stage of the self-destructive action. Each day (including today), I asked my Higher Power to give me the strength, courage, and hope to stay sober for that day, and to help me uncover my deeply implanted and instinctive thought processes, to make each and every thought conscious. By taking it one day at a time, I began to realize the tremendous power of my mind when working on a conscious plane with my Higher Power and the AA program. Little by little, I was able to catch those negative thoughts which invariably preceded the self-destructive action, so that I could nip them in the bud.
One day about six months ago, after a particularly upsetting incident, I found myself jotting down these words: "I couldn't accept my self-destructive feelings or actions this time around. I tried to, because it was an old, proven method of dealing with the situation, but I could not accept it. I feel gratitude for God's love and the helping hands of AA."
On the day I wrote those words, I realized that a new life had become mine. A brand-new set of attitudes and values had been born out of one fruitful year of working the suggested Twelve Steps. Difficulties do occur, but now I know that they are a part of living and, more important, that the answers to them are to be found in our AA program.
AA has given me the beautiful gift of life, with tools--the Steps--for building and maintaining happiness. I now truly enjoy my art work and oil painting, and my personal life is pleasant and gratifying. I know there is help in AA any time I reach out, as my closest AA friends have proven time and time again.
I also know that every once in a while a self-destructive thought will creep up on me, but now I recognize it for what it is, and I have learned, with help, how to deal with it. When an old negative thought does come, I tell it, "You can visit, but you can't stay!"
D. E.
Oregon
March 23, 2009 Story of the Day
January 1973
Vol. 29 No. 8
MY LIFE for the first thirty-four years was a series of well-learned negative feelings and attitudes. So ingrained were these into my total personality that seven and a half years of intensive psychotherapy, plus six months in a psychiatric institute, did no more than give me self-sanction to attempt a nearly successful suicide and to sink further into severe states of depression and anxiety.
I left therapy to continue my progressive alcoholism behind the locked doors of my home, becoming addicted to tranquilizers and sedatives as well. On my not-so-merry way, I carved a perfect path of self-destruction. Quietly and insidiously, many other lives were painfully affected. On this path lie three wrecked marriages.
I always felt I was a completely worthless person. I thought I knew horrible things about myself, and I locked them up in my mind so that no one else could get a glimpse of the real me. From early childhood, I felt I was bad. Even for others' wrongdoings, I took the guilt upon myself, producing fear, anger, and hatred.
The God of my childhood, I thought, didn't want me to talk to Him. If I did turn to Him, I felt, He wouldn't protect me anyway, because it seemed He never answered my prayers--He wanted me to suffer. This great source of strength became a tool against any healthy attitude I might have developed. I didn't dare to love another human being, either, knowing that I wasn't good enough to have the love returned. Frightened, I lived in a world of silence, often wishing I were dead.
Today, as a sober, recovering alcoholic, I know that I was not victimized by society, by my environment, nor by my alcoholic parents, on whom I blamed my many failures and my mental and emotional problems. I was my own judge and jury, my own jailer. I built my own scaffold and was my own executioner, inflicting punishment upon myself at every turn.
One evening, about sixteen months ago, I put down a glass of vodka and announced aloud that somehow I had just decided I never would take another drink, that I had chosen between life and death. I said I wanted life--but only if I could learn how to live happily.
My sole friend and confidante, a nonalcoholic woman, encouraged me to call AA the following morning. My call was answered by two female AAs, one of whom drove me to meetings for a month. Grateful to be accepted as a member at my very first meeting, I read the Steps through blind, unfocused eyes. I listened as best I could, and I began to understand that these people were sober--and happy! And so I did what they suggested. I did it slowly, to be sure, but believing in them and AA. By the grace of God, my compulsion to drink left me early, and my addiction to pills was overcome by hard work with some fine sponsors and other AA friends.
After a few months, one of my sponsors said that when I was ready to take Step Four, I might head my list of character defects with "self-destruction." I was surprised and shaken at this prospect, but it propelled me to begin my search for the truth about myself. First of all, I discovered that, though I was physically sober, my behavior was still self-destructive. Through studying our AA program, attending many, many meetings, and receiving my sponsor's "first aid," I learned that my thoughts were actually the first stage of the self-destructive action. Each day (including today), I asked my Higher Power to give me the strength, courage, and hope to stay sober for that day, and to help me uncover my deeply implanted and instinctive thought processes, to make each and every thought conscious. By taking it one day at a time, I began to realize the tremendous power of my mind when working on a conscious plane with my Higher Power and the AA program. Little by little, I was able to catch those negative thoughts which invariably preceded the self-destructive action, so that I could nip them in the bud.
One day about six months ago, after a particularly upsetting incident, I found myself jotting down these words: "I couldn't accept my self-destructive feelings or actions this time around. I tried to, because it was an old, proven method of dealing with the situation, but I could not accept it. I feel gratitude for God's love and the helping hands of AA."
On the day I wrote those words, I realized that a new life had become mine. A brand-new set of attitudes and values had been born out of one fruitful year of working the suggested Twelve Steps. Difficulties do occur, but now I know that they are a part of living and, more important, that the answers to them are to be found in our AA program.
AA has given me the beautiful gift of life, with tools--the Steps--for building and maintaining happiness. I now truly enjoy my art work and oil painting, and my personal life is pleasant and gratifying. I know there is help in AA any time I reach out, as my closest AA friends have proven time and time again.
I also know that every once in a while a self-destructive thought will creep up on me, but now I recognize it for what it is, and I have learned, with help, how to deal with it. When an old negative thought does come, I tell it, "You can visit, but you can't stay!"
D. E.
Oregon
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Top 10 Country Albums of 2008
Top 10 Country Albums of 2008
December 8, 2008; Written by CMT.com Staff
SugarlandIt's the time when music writers start reflecting on the best music they've heard during the past 12 months and four of CMT.com's frequent contributors boldly accepted the assignment to come up with their list of the year's Top 10 albums. No artist made it to all four lists, although Sugarland and Jamey Johnson managed to show up on three.Rather than a corporate endorsement, consider these the personal choices of CMT editorial director Chet Flippo and writers Alison Bonaguro, Edward Morris and Craig Shelburne. Their selections cover a wide spectrum of music from Hank Williams to Lady Antebellum.Chet Flippo's PicksHank Williams, The Unreleased RecordingsFor my money, this is the best country release of the decade. And the fact that the recordings are now 57 years old is amazing, considering that they sound fresh as today.Randy Travis, Around the BendHis first country album in eight years, and Travis has never sounded better, nor found better songs.Jamey Johnson, That Lonesome SongIt's not just that he's channeling Waylon Jennings. Johnson carries the spirit of the Hank Williams era in a modern soul.Patty Loveless, Sleepless NightsPerhaps the most expressive voice in modern country tackles some of country's best songs ever.Alan Jackson, Good TimeThe master of the understated song and the understated vocal delivery comes through again.Ashton Shepherd, Sounds So GoodOne of the best singer-songwriter debuts in years. Shepherd looks to become a country music fixture.Lee Ann Womack, Call Me CrazyShe's back and not as crazy as much as she is musically astute.Sugarland, Love on the InsideFrom the introspection of "Joey" and "Genevieve" to the impishness of "Steve Earle," Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush continue to mature musically. Trisha Yearwood, Heaven, Heartache and the Power of LoveOne of country's biggest voices matched with equally big material. Can't beat the combination. Emmylou Harris, All I Intended to BeShe is so comfortable with her voice now that it has become an old friend. I'm especially fond of her loving treatment of Merle Haggard's "Kern River" and the June Carter Cash tribute song, "How She Could Sing the Wildwood Flower."Alison Bonaguro's PicksSugarland, Love on the InsideThis insanely, over-the-top country-good album proves to me how deep Sugarland's talents run, not just because of their songwriting and chemistry, but because of the breadth of songs that fill this must-have track list. Ashton Shepherd, Sounds So GoodThe Hillbilly Housewives Club has a new spokesperson, and she's got a pint of Crown and a country sound that has woven its way into my heart and those of every other country fan who's got a baby at home and a to-do list a mile long. Darius Rucker, Learn to LiveIt wasn't Rucker's job to pave the way for crossovers, but he did it anyway, by creating an album so packed with genuine country shuffles, ballads and simple love tunes that I think any former rock star would be remiss not to at least try to follow in his footsteps. Keith Anderson, C'MonA meaty voice and poignant lyrics have never sounded so good together to me, but Anderson's sophomore effort comes across with a big rock-and-soul vibe that suits him well on everything from the bitter break-up tunes to the freshly crafted party songs. Taylor Swift, FearlessYes, she writes the pop culture stories that color teenage worlds, but she does so with a hell of a lot of mandolin and banjo. And for that, I have to respect Swift's loyalty to country's instrumental roots.Kenny Chesney, Lucky Old SunNo matter far he may have wandered down that tropical path, Chesney's voice still has the efficacy to transcend his genre-blurring music and make me and country fans like me proud to call him one of our own.Lady Antebellum, Lady AntebellumGood together, alone or in harmony. I hear something different on every song, yet somehow, that signature sound that Lady A has created stays put from the first track to the last.Trace Adkins, X (Ten)For anyone (like me) who is a sucker for that sexy cowboy shtick, this one plays very well from all-out gospel numbers to hysterical, husky shuffles.Phil Vassar, Prayer of a Common ManVassar has harnessed his distinctive piano playing and poppy songwriting for himself this time, and I'm so glad he isn't giving these solid, insightful and grounded tunes away. Jamey Johnson, That Lonesome SongEven angry and bitter sound heavenly to me when Johnson gets a hold of them on this collection of bluesy tunes he saturated with his baritone moan of a voice. Edward Morris' PicksDailey & Vincent, Dailey & VincentWhen Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent's voices converge into a plaintive wail, it's like hearing the Louvin Brothers reborn -- but with even more power and urgency. Charlie Haden, Family & Friends, Rambling BoyAlthough he made his reputation as a jazz bassist, Haden has deep country roots, and they hold him firmly in place here as he explores country and folk classics with the likes of Vince Gill, Rosanne Cash, Ricky Skaggs, Dan Tyminski, his daughters (the Haden Triplets) and his son-in-law (movie star Jack Black).Joey & Rory, The Life of a SongListening to this reminded me of hearing the Judds for the first time. The sounds aren't alike, of course, but both duos convey a sense of the world viewed anew. Joey Martin's primly authoritative voice is like a mating call.Jypsi, JypsiIf network television were still a civilized, family-oriented medium, this arrestingly talented, vividly photogenic foursome would be hosting a musical variety show. And it would be a hit. The three sisters and a brother are masters of every pop music style in the book. Alas, this album is, at the moment, available only as a download.Kathy Mattea, CoalIn her breezy but intensely moral way, Mattea has long been one of country music's most consistently political singers. Here, this coal miner's granddaughter conveys the complex relationship miners have with the mineral that both sustains and slaughters them. John Michael Montgomery, Time FliesGiven the right song -- whether the goofy "Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)" or the somber "The Little Girl" -- Montgomery is a formidable interpreter of lyrics. Each song in this collection is strong in its own way, and Montgomery brings his dramatic understanding to them all.Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass, Tribute to 1946 and 1947With uncanny fidelity to the original sound and spirit, Skaggs and his band take us back to the dawn of bluegrass and let us glimpse why this new music was so exciting. Ralph Stanley II, This One Is TwoThe younger Stanley grew up on his father's tour buses. So when he sings about the rigors and loneliness of the road, you can believe him. He leans on some pretty heavyweight songwriters for this outing, among them Lyle Lovett, Townes Van Zandt, Elton John and Fred Eaglesmith.Rhonda Vincent, Good Thing GoingNext to Ricky Skaggs, Vincent is probably the best bandleader in bluegrass. Her talent for getting the most imagination and energy from her players -- whether it's a road or studio ensemble -- comes through magnificently here, via such gems as "I Gotta Start Somewhere," "Hit Parade of Love" and her lovely duet with Keith Urban, "The Water Is Wide."Hank Williams, The Unreleased RecordingsThis three-CD treasury of live radio performances enables us to know Williams as his contemporaries did, not as a peerless hillbilly icon but simply as another good ol' boy trying to hustle up an audience and make a living, mostly by singing other people's songs.Craig Shelburne's PicksSugarland, Love on the InsideCreative and refreshing, this ambitious album is packed with unique stories and undeniable hits. Jennifer Nettles' distinctive singing still stands out from the pack.Jamey Johnson, That Lonesome SongNobody looked over Johnson's shoulder for this moody album -- except that little devil. He's drawn to writing about bad decisions, but he finds poetry in the consequences, too.The Imus Ranch RecordIf his radio gig falls apart (again), Don Imus should pursue an A&R job at a country record label. The cuts by Vince Gill, Patty Loveless and Raul Malo are as fine as anything they've ever recorded.Lee Ann Womack, Call Me CrazyI do call her crazy, but she's also a marvelous vocalist with a knack for finessing a lyric. And it's comforting to have at least one female singer who isn't always so damn happy.Lady Antebellum, Lady AntebellumThe more I heard "Love Don't Live Here," the more I liked it. One singer is graceful, the other is scruffy. Along with cool melodies, it all works. The CMA Award was deserved.And here are five more albums beyond the mainstream that merit a mention:Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever AgoBoth elegant and eerie, this modest album was recorded in a Wisconsin hunting cabin.Hayes Carll, Trouble in MindSure, you'll laugh, but this clever songwriter (and old soul) will keep you listening, too.Tift Merritt, Another CountryShe often writes about feeling stuck, but that's easy to forget with such buoyant melodies.Reckless Kelly, BulletproofTwo reasons: It's smartly written, and you can drink a beer to it. See 'em live if you can.Dan Tyminski, WheelsThe unassuming bluegrass star succeeds with understated songs and an outstanding band.
December 8, 2008; Written by CMT.com Staff
SugarlandIt's the time when music writers start reflecting on the best music they've heard during the past 12 months and four of CMT.com's frequent contributors boldly accepted the assignment to come up with their list of the year's Top 10 albums. No artist made it to all four lists, although Sugarland and Jamey Johnson managed to show up on three.Rather than a corporate endorsement, consider these the personal choices of CMT editorial director Chet Flippo and writers Alison Bonaguro, Edward Morris and Craig Shelburne. Their selections cover a wide spectrum of music from Hank Williams to Lady Antebellum.Chet Flippo's PicksHank Williams, The Unreleased RecordingsFor my money, this is the best country release of the decade. And the fact that the recordings are now 57 years old is amazing, considering that they sound fresh as today.Randy Travis, Around the BendHis first country album in eight years, and Travis has never sounded better, nor found better songs.Jamey Johnson, That Lonesome SongIt's not just that he's channeling Waylon Jennings. Johnson carries the spirit of the Hank Williams era in a modern soul.Patty Loveless, Sleepless NightsPerhaps the most expressive voice in modern country tackles some of country's best songs ever.Alan Jackson, Good TimeThe master of the understated song and the understated vocal delivery comes through again.Ashton Shepherd, Sounds So GoodOne of the best singer-songwriter debuts in years. Shepherd looks to become a country music fixture.Lee Ann Womack, Call Me CrazyShe's back and not as crazy as much as she is musically astute.Sugarland, Love on the InsideFrom the introspection of "Joey" and "Genevieve" to the impishness of "Steve Earle," Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush continue to mature musically. Trisha Yearwood, Heaven, Heartache and the Power of LoveOne of country's biggest voices matched with equally big material. Can't beat the combination. Emmylou Harris, All I Intended to BeShe is so comfortable with her voice now that it has become an old friend. I'm especially fond of her loving treatment of Merle Haggard's "Kern River" and the June Carter Cash tribute song, "How She Could Sing the Wildwood Flower."Alison Bonaguro's PicksSugarland, Love on the InsideThis insanely, over-the-top country-good album proves to me how deep Sugarland's talents run, not just because of their songwriting and chemistry, but because of the breadth of songs that fill this must-have track list. Ashton Shepherd, Sounds So GoodThe Hillbilly Housewives Club has a new spokesperson, and she's got a pint of Crown and a country sound that has woven its way into my heart and those of every other country fan who's got a baby at home and a to-do list a mile long. Darius Rucker, Learn to LiveIt wasn't Rucker's job to pave the way for crossovers, but he did it anyway, by creating an album so packed with genuine country shuffles, ballads and simple love tunes that I think any former rock star would be remiss not to at least try to follow in his footsteps. Keith Anderson, C'MonA meaty voice and poignant lyrics have never sounded so good together to me, but Anderson's sophomore effort comes across with a big rock-and-soul vibe that suits him well on everything from the bitter break-up tunes to the freshly crafted party songs. Taylor Swift, FearlessYes, she writes the pop culture stories that color teenage worlds, but she does so with a hell of a lot of mandolin and banjo. And for that, I have to respect Swift's loyalty to country's instrumental roots.Kenny Chesney, Lucky Old SunNo matter far he may have wandered down that tropical path, Chesney's voice still has the efficacy to transcend his genre-blurring music and make me and country fans like me proud to call him one of our own.Lady Antebellum, Lady AntebellumGood together, alone or in harmony. I hear something different on every song, yet somehow, that signature sound that Lady A has created stays put from the first track to the last.Trace Adkins, X (Ten)For anyone (like me) who is a sucker for that sexy cowboy shtick, this one plays very well from all-out gospel numbers to hysterical, husky shuffles.Phil Vassar, Prayer of a Common ManVassar has harnessed his distinctive piano playing and poppy songwriting for himself this time, and I'm so glad he isn't giving these solid, insightful and grounded tunes away. Jamey Johnson, That Lonesome SongEven angry and bitter sound heavenly to me when Johnson gets a hold of them on this collection of bluesy tunes he saturated with his baritone moan of a voice. Edward Morris' PicksDailey & Vincent, Dailey & VincentWhen Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent's voices converge into a plaintive wail, it's like hearing the Louvin Brothers reborn -- but with even more power and urgency. Charlie Haden, Family & Friends, Rambling BoyAlthough he made his reputation as a jazz bassist, Haden has deep country roots, and they hold him firmly in place here as he explores country and folk classics with the likes of Vince Gill, Rosanne Cash, Ricky Skaggs, Dan Tyminski, his daughters (the Haden Triplets) and his son-in-law (movie star Jack Black).Joey & Rory, The Life of a SongListening to this reminded me of hearing the Judds for the first time. The sounds aren't alike, of course, but both duos convey a sense of the world viewed anew. Joey Martin's primly authoritative voice is like a mating call.Jypsi, JypsiIf network television were still a civilized, family-oriented medium, this arrestingly talented, vividly photogenic foursome would be hosting a musical variety show. And it would be a hit. The three sisters and a brother are masters of every pop music style in the book. Alas, this album is, at the moment, available only as a download.Kathy Mattea, CoalIn her breezy but intensely moral way, Mattea has long been one of country music's most consistently political singers. Here, this coal miner's granddaughter conveys the complex relationship miners have with the mineral that both sustains and slaughters them. John Michael Montgomery, Time FliesGiven the right song -- whether the goofy "Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)" or the somber "The Little Girl" -- Montgomery is a formidable interpreter of lyrics. Each song in this collection is strong in its own way, and Montgomery brings his dramatic understanding to them all.Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass, Tribute to 1946 and 1947With uncanny fidelity to the original sound and spirit, Skaggs and his band take us back to the dawn of bluegrass and let us glimpse why this new music was so exciting. Ralph Stanley II, This One Is TwoThe younger Stanley grew up on his father's tour buses. So when he sings about the rigors and loneliness of the road, you can believe him. He leans on some pretty heavyweight songwriters for this outing, among them Lyle Lovett, Townes Van Zandt, Elton John and Fred Eaglesmith.Rhonda Vincent, Good Thing GoingNext to Ricky Skaggs, Vincent is probably the best bandleader in bluegrass. Her talent for getting the most imagination and energy from her players -- whether it's a road or studio ensemble -- comes through magnificently here, via such gems as "I Gotta Start Somewhere," "Hit Parade of Love" and her lovely duet with Keith Urban, "The Water Is Wide."Hank Williams, The Unreleased RecordingsThis three-CD treasury of live radio performances enables us to know Williams as his contemporaries did, not as a peerless hillbilly icon but simply as another good ol' boy trying to hustle up an audience and make a living, mostly by singing other people's songs.Craig Shelburne's PicksSugarland, Love on the InsideCreative and refreshing, this ambitious album is packed with unique stories and undeniable hits. Jennifer Nettles' distinctive singing still stands out from the pack.Jamey Johnson, That Lonesome SongNobody looked over Johnson's shoulder for this moody album -- except that little devil. He's drawn to writing about bad decisions, but he finds poetry in the consequences, too.The Imus Ranch RecordIf his radio gig falls apart (again), Don Imus should pursue an A&R job at a country record label. The cuts by Vince Gill, Patty Loveless and Raul Malo are as fine as anything they've ever recorded.Lee Ann Womack, Call Me CrazyI do call her crazy, but she's also a marvelous vocalist with a knack for finessing a lyric. And it's comforting to have at least one female singer who isn't always so damn happy.Lady Antebellum, Lady AntebellumThe more I heard "Love Don't Live Here," the more I liked it. One singer is graceful, the other is scruffy. Along with cool melodies, it all works. The CMA Award was deserved.And here are five more albums beyond the mainstream that merit a mention:Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever AgoBoth elegant and eerie, this modest album was recorded in a Wisconsin hunting cabin.Hayes Carll, Trouble in MindSure, you'll laugh, but this clever songwriter (and old soul) will keep you listening, too.Tift Merritt, Another CountryShe often writes about feeling stuck, but that's easy to forget with such buoyant melodies.Reckless Kelly, BulletproofTwo reasons: It's smartly written, and you can drink a beer to it. See 'em live if you can.Dan Tyminski, WheelsThe unassuming bluegrass star succeeds with understated songs and an outstanding band.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Still a long time fan???
I was born in 1967. I was born a Detroit Tigers Fan. Both my mother and father (Donald and Anita Potrzuski) were devoted Tiger fans and it rubbed off on all five of their kids. I was 4th of 5. My Dad would tell me stories about the great old Tiger players that he saw play the game at Tiger Stadium. Kaline, Gahringer, Greenberg, Cochrane, Newhouser just to name a few. And those were just some of his Tiger favorites. I have a feeling my old man went to a lot of games in his youth. He never owned season tickets and he told me that he never went to an opening day. He passed away to the Great Diamond in the Sky in December of 2005. Almost exactly one year after his loving bride. My then wife and three kids took Dad to a game in July of 2005. It was supposed to be for Father’s Day and my older brother and kid sister were gonna bring their families and make an event out of it. That never happened so I took him. I am glad I did. I had always dreamed of taking my Dad to a Opening Day. I know that would have been special to him. You see, I learned a lot from my soft-spoken father. He didn’t say a lot but when he did, it was worth listening (in retrospect, I wish I had realized this at a younger age, but what are you gonna do?). I also got my love of the game from him and Mom.
Last year around the end of April, I started seeing this wonderful gal named Laura. She is the biggest female baseball fan I have ever met. She had season tickets last year and we went to a few games together. Well, things are really great between us and we have been living together for about 9 months. She was able to get a hold of 2 tickets to the 2008 Detroit Tiger Opening Day at Comerica Park. I really Love this woman!!! So we go, it is rainy and cold, the seats are good, we are surrounded by people that had a bit too much to drink, and the Tigers lost. I felt my Dad’s presence watching the home team loose to Kansas City. Dad was with me at the ballpark. Dad made it to an Opening Day!!!
Last year around the end of April, I started seeing this wonderful gal named Laura. She is the biggest female baseball fan I have ever met. She had season tickets last year and we went to a few games together. Well, things are really great between us and we have been living together for about 9 months. She was able to get a hold of 2 tickets to the 2008 Detroit Tiger Opening Day at Comerica Park. I really Love this woman!!! So we go, it is rainy and cold, the seats are good, we are surrounded by people that had a bit too much to drink, and the Tigers lost. I felt my Dad’s presence watching the home team loose to Kansas City. Dad was with me at the ballpark. Dad made it to an Opening Day!!!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Words of Wisdom
Just a few Words of Wisdom
A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him. - David Brinkley
Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.
- Henry David Thoreau
Success is getting what you want. Happiness is liking what you get.
- Anonymous
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
- Helen Keller
Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.
- Dale Carnegie
Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.
- General George S. Patton, Jr.
Every success is built on the ability to do better than good enough.
- Unknown
We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
- Thomas Jefferson
A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him. - David Brinkley
Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.
- Henry David Thoreau
Success is getting what you want. Happiness is liking what you get.
- Anonymous
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.
- Helen Keller
Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.
- Dale Carnegie
Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.
- General George S. Patton, Jr.
Every success is built on the ability to do better than good enough.
- Unknown
We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
- Thomas Jefferson
Thursday, January 17, 2008
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