Colts Collapse

It is too long after the fact for me to write a fresh entry about the epic failure the Indianapolis Colts subjected their fans to on Sunday. Rather than try to contain my disappointment (as a fan) in order to write something remotely neutral (as an observant blogger), I will simply point you to my favorite analysis so far. Obviously, the author is not a neutral party, but his commentary puts my thoughts on paper very nicely, and the intelligent comments his readers have left are a great supplement to the original post. Nine times out of ten, I would say that I support the Colts' management and the decisions of the organization's leadership, but this case demonstrates why I still prefer college sports to professional ones: college teams don't lose sight of opportunities to make history.

Perhaps because each unique college team has a fleeting window of opportunity (3 or 4 years with each player usually) to be successful, they are willing to take more risks. Perhaps school presidents and athletics directors give more on-field decision-making power to the coaches and players than NFL team owners and GMs do. Perhaps colleges are not in the sports business to make money (but we all know that isn't true, or else the BCS would not exist...I digress). Regardless, more often than not, when a college team is faced with an opportunity to be the absolute best it can be and better than any other team ever in history, the college team takes a leap of faith and goes for it. No guts, no glory.

I'm sad that the otherwise-impeccable Colts organization failed to maintain its own integrity by lowering its standards to those of every other team, rather than aspiring to its own goals and working to achieve more than has ever been achieved by another team. We will never know for sure if the Colts would have gone all the way and written that history, but we now know for sure that they won't.

Tuesday Tunes: What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

This week's tune is simple, but it resonates with nearly all who have ever hoped to spark a love connection with the magic of the New Year's Eve holiday. New Year's Eve is all about being festive, celebrating the close of one year and the blank slate beginning of another. It is about hope, resolutions, and quality time with your closest friends and family. It is about giving thanks for being fortunate enough to have lived another day, another year. And for many, New Year's Eve is a night filled with the anticipation of connecting with an intriguing companion, perhaps someone with whom to ring in future years.

I have always enjoyed this song because until recently, I too was a hopeful romantic who always believed there was a chance that New Year's Eve might bring me the excitement of new love. Alas, I did not find my love on New Year's Eve, but now that I have found him, I delight in the idea that I can celebrate all the new years of the future with my perfect match. In fact, my fiance and I have decided to get married on New Year's Eve a year from now, so that we will forever be able to celebrate together the accomplishments of completed years and the promise of each new, challenging year as husband and wife. If this week's tune doesn't give you even a hint of that special, New Year's Eve anticipation, I don't know what will. Enjoy!

Tuesday Tunes: White Christmas

As he drove the family around South Florida looking for prime Christmas light displays, my future father-in-law remarked that it was strange to celebrate the frozen, wintery images of a traditional Christmas season while cruising the neighborhood, windows rolled down, in 75-degree weather. I couldn't agree more. There is something inherently off about celebrating Christmas in a temperate climate more often associated with summertime fun. Perhaps my Midwestern upbringing has conditioned me to expect cold weather for Christmas. Perhaps the Christmas marketing machine has filled my imagination with cozy, cuddly Christmas scenes that assume a true Winter experience. Regardless, I find myself longing for the crispness of a chilly Winter day in which to soak up the holiday's warmth from festive decor, treasured friends and family, and lots of comfort food.

At no other time during the year do I so enjoy the cold that I actually wish for snow. In reality, I loathe digging out of a massive snow, and I dread scraping off my freezing car so that visibility through the windshield is good enough for legal driving. I especially hate when the snow gets "old" and turns black or starts to melt into a gray sludge. The bleakness of a long winter becomes clear when the snow melts, leaving behind chalky white salt stains on all outdoor surfaces until rain can fall again to wash them away. For a select few days, however, I actually hope for a dose of glistening, powdery snow. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve account for the days when I actually find snow acceptable, even desirable. The snow acts as a blanket for the world, quieting the hustle of the daily grind, and focusing attention on proper celebration of the Winter holidays. When I have nowhere to go and nothing to be responsible for, the snow is actually magnificent and beautiful, and I always feel fortunate when we are blessed with a holiday snow.

Bing Crosby more eloquently represents my sentiments in his rendition of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas." Enjoy listening, and have a blessed Christmas!

Tuesday Tunes: The Christmas Song

You can't get more literal than that: "The Christmas Song." This classic tune embraces the listener with the warmth of the roasting fire that the lyrics reference. The smooth melody and festive imagery paint a perfect picture of the Christmas season as the song reminds all that the importance of the holidays is found in the collection of tiny details adding up to the annual anticipation of dedicated time with loved ones.

Whereas I prefer female vocals on "O Holy Night" (see last week's Tune), I believe the men own the best versions of "The Christmas Song." I haven't yet found a recording that I enjoy more than Nat King Cole's. His rich tone envelops me as the listener, and for a few minutes, I am transported to a cozy winter scene. If this tune doesn't say "Christmas Season," I haven't heard one that does.

Merry Christmas to all!

"The BCS Is A Plague"

I could not have said it any better myself, and because of this article, I won't even try. Washington Post columnist Michael Wilbon writes about the college football "postseason" exactly what I think almost daily, only he uses fewer expletives. Enjoy his brilliant commentary.

Tuesday Tunes: O Holy Night

This one is for my mom, who tears up within the first few notes of this holiday classic (though it should be noted that the tearing up phenomenon is not entirely uncommon for her). I will admit that I, too, really enjoy this tune, as it is one of the few singer's songs heard this time of year. Interestingly, according to Wikipedia, "O Holy Night" was the first musical creation ever broadcast over the radio, back in 1906. While only an instrumental performance, that broadcast increased the song's popularity and paved the way for future vocalists to perform it.

Much like the national anthem (see previous Tuesday Tunes entry on Whitney Houston), there are a number of different versions and recordings of "O Holy Night," but only a few measure up to the song's inspiring standard. While my mom prefers a male vocal, such as Johnny Mathis or Josh Groban, I am awed by a clean, crisp female rendition because of the quality and impact of the high soprano notes. Compare the male voices to those of Celine Dion and Mariah Carey. Regardless of personal preference, when the song is performed expertly, the performer indeed becomes secondary to the song's powerful meaning and sound.

As "O Holy Night" reminds me to reflect on the blessings of the season, I am humbled by my life's fulfillment and good fortune. Season's Greetings to all.

Tuesday Tunes: It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Yeah, I know it's Wednesday. A day late and a dollar short seems to be my life story these days...at least until I start my new job tomorrow. Hooray! Back to the music. As promised, I plan to use the holiday season to explore the wonderful world of holiday music...beginning with Andy Williams's "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year." If you're not familiar with this classic tune (because, presumably, you've been living under a rock), enjoy this refresher (complete with festive light bonus).

Obviously, it's a catchy tune with a simple, happy message. Like no other time of the year, the holiday season seems to bring out the best in people. We relax. We appreciate the blessings in our lives. We spend time with our families and friends. We don't worry so much about being slaves to our jobs. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year, in my opinion. Adding to the general merriment are the cheerful light and decoration displays. The doldrums of impending winter (at least for those of us who live in areas with four seasons of climate change) are transformed for a few weeks into an uplifting respite for the mind, body, and soul. I love to indulge in the joy of the season, and "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" is an exemplary way to revel in it. Have a listen, and be joyful.

Fight Song Friday: Stanford Week

Notre Dame closes the regular season tomorrow with a West Coast matchup against Stanford. The Cardinal is a much improved and dangerous team this year, and since the game will be played on Stanford's home field, I expect the Irish to have their hands full. Unless the Notre Dame administration surprises the college football world entirely by retaining Coach Weis, this will likely be Charlie's last game as the Irish head coach. Perhaps the boys can send him out with a win. Perhaps not. We will only know after they play the game.

Interestingly, there is some chatter about the possibility of Stanford's coach being recruited to coach Notre Dame beginning next year. I don't know how much stock I put in such rumors, especially considering Harbaugh is a Michigan graduate, and Michigan may also be in the market for a new football coach. The off season will certainly be exciting...

That's enough for today, as the family is celebrating Thanksgiving a day late. Time for turkey!

Tuesday Tunes: Holiday Preview

Next to college football season, my favorite time of year is the holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year's. Those precious few weeks are filled with food, family, and fun. They are also filled with warm, catchy, feel-good music that only surfaces during this special time of year. Interestingly, most people have rules for when holiday music is "allowed." Personally, I think the day after Thanksgiving is fair game for breaking out the holiday tunes, and I intend to do exactly that. Typically, I can find a radio station that dedicates all of the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas to holiday music, and for a few weeks my car becomes a joyful transport in which I sing along to my favorite classics and emerge happier than when I embarked on my drive. I'll use the next few Tuesday Tunes to examine some of the season's best music (in my opinion), but I must wait until it's "allowed." Until next week...

Fight Song Friday: Connecticut Week

My apologies for missing my Tuesday Tunes entry this week. Food poisoning has a way of incapacitating you such that even a simple blog entry seems insurmountable. Rather than try to make up for lost time, I'll simply move on to my Friday staple and give a preview of the Notre Dame-UConn game scheduled for Saturday. Much like the Pittsburgh matchup last week, this game would not normally incite anxiety or second thought, but this year's promising beginning has fizzled into an uncertain ending, and the Irish team better come prepared or they might be in for another loss.

The Connecticut Huskies have played some good football this year, despite their 5-loss record. According to the UConn Athletics Website, the Huskies have lost those 5 games by a combined 15 points...not exactly devastating, blowout losses. When the UConn team plays at Notre Dame Stadium, they will likely be playing in front of the biggest live football crowd in Connecticut school history. Add to those notes the fact that the UConn players continue to play in honor of their fallen teammate, who was killed in a stabbing earlier this season. All factors combined give UConn plenty of motivation and emotional edge for the game against the Irish.

Obviously, the Irish team has plenty to play for as well (not the least of which is job security for the head coach), so hopefully they show up for a full 4 quarters. If they do, it will be an evenly matched game which may again come down to the wire. May the best team win. Go Irish!

Fight Song Friday: Pittsburgh Week

The University of Pittsburgh football team is good this year. Tough, reliable, high-scoring. Good. The University of Notre Dame football team is suspect (at best) this year. Resilient, yes. Consistent, no. You never know which Notre Dame team is going to show up on any given Saturday, and you have even less of an idea which Irish coaching scheme is going to emerge. Will the players demonstrate a week's worth of solid preparation for the opponent, or will they miss their assignments and fail to execute? Will the coaches make adjustments throughout the game and keep pressure on the opposing team, or will they follow a scripted game plan regardless of the on-field results?

I can't remember being truly worried about a Notre Dame-Pitt matchup in recent history, but I'm worried about this one. While I want to believe that the Irish team has learned and grown this season, I don't have enough evidence to give me confidence that they truly know how to win when it counts. Playing a strong Pittsburgh team (at Pitt's home stadium) will be a true test for a wobbly Irish squad. If they can pull off a solid victory, the Irish have a chance at saving the season from dismal failure. If they lose by multiple touchdowns, they might need to start saying their goodbyes to Coach Weis. If the result is something closer and more vague entirely, the fate of the Irish is anyone's guess.

I know what I am hoping to see tomorrow night...I just don't know if the team will be on the same page. Here's hoping. Go Irish.

Tuesday Tunes: Glee (Revisited)

So it's not Tuesday...and I've already written about Glee in the past...BUT this week it finally comes back on after a several-week hiatus. I had originally stated that it would be back last week, but thanks to the World Series, Glee was preempted, so tonight marks the glee-orious return. If you don't have anything better to do at 9 p.m. ET, check it out on FOX.

Fight Song Friday: Navy Week

It's Navy Week at Notre Dame. Not quite the same as a traditional "Navy Week," but in many ways not too far off. While I don't know that the Naval Academy intends for its football game visits to Notre Dame to act as community outreach missions, the peripheral effects are recognizable. There are always swarms of uniformed naval ambassadors blanketing the campus, which I can attest is never an unwelcome sight in South Bend. There is a feeling of family and mutual respect that doesn't usually accompany a true sports rivalry. There is admiration for the effort and sacrifice the Midshipmen give not only on the football field but also in serving and defending our homeland. There is appreciation for an annual contest that has been scheduled without interruption since 1927. There is understanding that regardless of which team wins and which team loses, the integrity of the relationship between Notre Dame and the Naval Academy will endure.

Whenever I try to explain the significance of this traditional game, I fail to convey the extraordinary quality of the annual rivalry. Rather than bumble through a lackluster attempt, I encourage anyone who is unfamiliar with the matchup to read a brief synopsis here. To put the rivalry into real-life perspective, I like to use the post-game visitors' lockerroom as a metaphor. As a student manager in college, I was often charged with helping clean up the visitors' lockerroom after football games. You can imagine that for the "big" rivalry games (USC, Michigan, Michigan State, for example), regardless of the game's outcome, the visitors' lockerroom was never in very good shape when we entered for cleaning duty. Dirty towels strewn all over the floor, bloody bandages littered near the trash cans but never in them, used athletic tape wads stuffed into lockers, empty Gatorade bottles in the showers...you get the idea.

Contrast those dreadful images with the condition in which the Navy team always left the lockerroom: spotless. Not a towel or a piece of trash anywhere but in the hampers and trash cans. No puddles on the carpet from used towels lying around. No bodily fluids to dispose of. It never failed that the Navy game was our shortest clean-up of the season. Consequently, it should come as no surprise that the Navy game was then (and has remained) my favorite game of each season. There is something to admire about a team that not only conducts itself with dignity and pride (regardless of on-the-field results), but also considers how its actions might affect even the lowly student managers. They always exited the stadium with purpose, often throwing a wink or a smile our direction as we headed in to "clean up" what was already immaculate.

I look forward to tomorrow's game and the overwhelming experience of being part of something bigger than the game itself: a lasting friendship. Go Irish.

World Series Champs: New York Yankees

There's possibly not a major sporting event I care less about than the World Series. Don't get me wrong, baseball has its redeeming qualities...namely beer and hot dogs...but the best part about baseball is that it signifies summertime and being outdoors and enjoying one of America's oldest pastimes. The fact that the championship for this sport is played in NOVEMBER is a travesty. November is for campfires and raking leaves and FOOTBALL. Frankly, by the time the World Series comes around each year, I've moved my interest elsewhere, and I simply don't care. It also doesn't help that Indianapolis doesn't have a major-league baseball team, so I have never pledged my allegiance to a particular clubhouse and followed an entire season, thus the World Series is always anti-climactic for me.

All that said, I congratulate the New York Yankees on yet another World Series Championship. For those who are counting, this year's title makes 27 World Series Championships for the Yankees, the most championship titles for a single franchise in all of North American professional sports. Whether you love the Yankees or hate them, that's an impressive statistic. It's just too bad that the "boys of summer" had to win it in the Fall. I doubt they care.

Tuesday Tunes: The Funk Brothers

I recently watched a documentary called Standing In The Shadows Of Motown, which detailed the largely unknown story of the studio musicians responsible for creating most of Motown's greatest hits. The group of musicians, collectively known as the Funk Brothers, were reported to have turned out more #1 hits than The Beatles, Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, and The Beach Boys combined. The significant difference between The Funk Brothers and the aforementioned superstars is that the tireless Motown musicians barely received any recognition for their efforts. They were not allowed to be named on Motown records until 1971, just before Motown left Detroit for sunnier Los Angeles, consequently leaving many of the Funk Brothers unemployed.

Before they were even given credit for their prolific work, they had breathed the musical life into songs such as "My Girl," "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," "Baby Love," "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours," "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," and "Heat Wave," to name only a few. Much of their music was the foundation for what rock-and-roll became throughout the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, and it inspired what pop music is today. Despite the fact that many of the original Funk Brothers died long before they were given credit for their impressive repertoire, it is refreshing to see that even 40 years later, the music they created is still as important and beloved as the first renditions they churned out in Hitsville, USA, during Motown's heyday.

Fight Song Friday: Washington State Week

I am struggling to come up with anything interesting to discuss regarding the Washington State game this weekend. Washington State is not traditionally a rival, and recently, they are not even traditionally a good team. It should be noted that the game is technically a neutral site game being played at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX; however, much to NBC's liking, the contest is being considered a home game for Notre Dame, thus awarding the broadcast rights to NBC for a rare night game. It is mildly interesting that I was present at the only other football game these two schools have played against each other. In fact, I was working on the field that day at Notre Dame Stadium, and I actually have a vivid memory of ND's winning field goal kick in overtime.

Probably the most interesting thing I have learned about tomorrow's game is that it falls on Halloween, a day on which Notre Dame has never lost a football game. They are 14-0 in Halloween games. I hope they can continue that streak. To celebrate the holiday, I'll be going trick-or-treating as an ND football fan...if you replace "trick" with "watching football," "or" with "and," and "treating" with "drinking beer." A perfect holiday if you ask me.

Tuesday Tunes: Glee

This week I am departing from the traditional artist evaluation and focusing instead on a musical vehicle that showcases many different artists' tunes: FOX's new dramedy, Glee. There is a lot to love about Glee, not the least of which are the weekly performances of both popular and classic music by a fictional high school glee club. In addition to the joyful (if somewhat flamboyant) renditions of some excellent music, there are several interesting plot lines and some truly fantastic characters and actors in this show. Rather than attempt to dissect the complex stories here, I will simply leave you with these teasers. Check out Glee for yourself...and get happy.

Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on FOX (returning November 4)

Fight Song Friday (Belated): Boston College Week

I was not around my computer much on Friday, so I missed a pre-game analysis of the Notre Dame-Boston College matchup. On first glance, it might seem unnatural for Notre Dame and Boston College to be rivals. They are not geographically close, and they don't often cross paths except during scheduled contests within football season. Look closer, and you discover that ND and BC are the only Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division 1-A) schools that also carry the distinction of being Catholic institutions. Because of this similarity, many have adopted the rivalry concept, and for the last several meetings, the contest has been heated and often decided by only a few points.

While I was a student at ND, I often heard Boston College referred to as "Backup College," as in the place where Catholics went to college if they didn't get accepted to Notre Dame. While I am certain that most BC students would take offense to this jab, I was always amused by the joke and recognized that it served to fuel the rivalry. Much to my dismay, however, ND's joking had not helped produce a football win in the rivalry since I started following college football in 2001. BC basically owned ND the whole time I was in school, as well as for a few years afterward...until last Saturday.

While this week's celebration was somewhat dampened by the previous week's loss to primary rival USC, the win against BC was yet another step on the road to recovery for the Notre Dame football program. It might not seem like a big step to outsiders, but the victory against Boston College (similar to the win at home against Michigan State) served to break a serious drought streak, and I commend the effort. Now, if only the Irish can muster wins against Michigan and USC in 2010...

Tuesday Tunes: Can You Rock? (Redux)

So I made my debut at the weekly live-band karaoke competition called "Can You Rock?" last week. It was an eye-opening experience, to say the least. For starters, I didn't expect the crowd and the lineup of contestants to be so huge. Secondly, I didn't expect 8 out of every 10 contestants to be so talented and well practiced. Thirdly, I did not expect that every other contestant would perform an upbeat, actual rock song. Lastly, I didn't expect that the ultimate outcome of each preliminary week would be determined by "applause vote," essentially guaranteeing advancement to the 2 singers who bring the biggest (and loudest) groups of friends to the competition.

I was impressed with the turnout for this competition, especially given that it was held on a Wednesday night in a not-at-all-central location. A full half (purposefully separated from the rest of the establishment) of a large sports bar/restaurant was crammed full of people waiting to sing, waiting to cheer, or just gawking at the spectacle. I would estimate that at least 20 people took the stage as true "contestants," often bookended by professional artists or the emcee. Twenty people may not sound like a lot, but considering that most mid-week karaoke nights yield maybe 5 or 6 singers, I was surprised by the number.

Of these 20 contestants, I was shocked to find that the majority of them were decidedly well-seasoned singers and performers, and many I suspect should (or maybe are) already be making money via their vocal talents. Again, the "karaoke" part of the "live-band karaoke" description misled me into thinking there would be a bunch of folks just out for a good time, few with actual singing background or talent. I was mistaken, and admittedly, I was impressed with the caliber of performers.

Since I heard of this competition many weeks ago, I had been working on one of my favorite songs from the approved list of tunes that the house band can perform: Martina McBride's "Broken Wing." The song fits my voice well, and as my teacher reminded me, it is a difficult song with a wide range, so it should impress anyone judging a singing competition. I figured it would be a strong choice for a debut attempt at the contest. Wrong again. Of all the performances, mine was by far the slowest and most somber (due to the song's nature), and it was obviously out of place among the up-tempo renditions of AC/DC's "Back In Black," Carrie Underwood's "Last Name," and Janis Joplin's "Me And Bobby McGee." I now know that people take the "rock" part of the competition's name seriously, so any future attempts I make should probably incorporate a bit more edge.

While I had fun performing (despite my still-uncontrollable nerves) and was entertained by some very charismatic local talent, I was somewhat disappointed to learn that the final voting is done by audience appreciation. There are actually two rounds during each night of the competition - one for all singers, and one for the night's 4 finalists. The all-contestant field is narrowed initially by a judging panel (actually, more like random judges sitting in the crowd who never do identify themselves), and the night's 4 best performers sing a second time to determine the 2 winners who move on to the overall Finals. The second "judging" takes place directly after the last of the 4 finalists sings, and the 2 winners are determined by the loudest applause. This strategy would be fine if all competitors were singing to a random audience, but if one competitor has brought 45 of his or her closest friends along, he or she wins by default because that fan group makes the most noise. For such a well-organized and well-conceived event, I thought the "judging" was a bit of a letdown.

Overall, I was glad to have participated, and I may give it another shot during a subsequent week of the competition. Next time I will simply need to bring some material that is a bit more rock-and-roll.

Fight Song Friday: USC Week

No amount of analysis or speculation will calm my nerves for the showdown with USC this week, so rather than providing my own evaluation of the team's chances, I will simply fuel the fire of excitement with these gems:

Notre Dame Victory March

Rally sons of Notre Dame,
Sing her glory, and sound her fame
Raise her Gold and Blue,
And cheer with voices true,
Rah! Rah! For Notre Dame.

We will fight in every game
Strong of heart and true to her name.
We will ne'er forget her
And we'll cheer her ever,
Loyal to Notre Dame.

Cheer, cheer for Old Notre Dame
Wake up the echoes cheering her name,
Send the volley cheer on high,
Shake down the thunder from the sky,
What though the odds be great or small
Old Notre Dame will win over all,
While her loyal sons are marching
Onward to Victory.

Fortune's Pep Talk in Rudy

"You're 5 foot nothin', 100 and nothin', and you have barely a speck of athletic ability. And you hung in there with the best college football players in the land for 2 years. And you're gonna walk outta here with a degree from the University of Notre Dame. In this life, you don't have to prove nothin' to nobody but yourself. And after what you've gone through, if you haven't done that by now, it ain't gonna never happen."

Notre Dame, Our Mother

Notre Dame, our Mother
Tender, strong and true
Proudly in the heavens,
Gleams thy gold and blue.
Glory's mantle cloaks thee
Golden is thy fame,
And our hearts forever,
Praise thee, Notre Dame.
And our hearts forever,
Love thee, Notre Dame.

GO IRISH.

Tuesday Tunes: Journey

This week's tune is directly related to this week's Notre Dame football matchup. "Don't Stop Believin'" is arguably Journey's biggest hit, and it was excessively popular on campus while I was a student at Notre Dame. I figured it was appropriate this week as the Irish face annual rival USC. The message is clear: Keep the faith, and all things are possible. We'll see how that works out come Saturday. Until then, enjoy this 80's classic.

Fight Song Friday: Bye Week

The Irish are enjoying a much-needed bye this week, so I, too, am taking a break from my football posts. Enjoy the weekend, and get ready for a classic ND-USC showdown next week. Go Irish. Beat Trojans!

Tuesday Tunes: Etta James

This week I've had wedding plans on the brain (who knew that planning a wedding required making so many decisions?!), which has inspired today's Tuesday Tune. For some time now (long before I even had a boyfriend, much less a fiance), I have been sure of one detail (and, apparently, only one detail, as I'm quickly discovering now that I have to plan all the rest of the details) for my future wedding ceremony: At some point during the reception, my new husband and I will dance to Etta James's "At Last." If you're not familiar with her rendition of this classic song, get familiar. This singular song exemplifies everything that true love and faithful commitment are about, and for a girl who spent much of her adolescence and young adulthood pining for someone to love (and I do mean PINING), it is also profoundly appropriate.

I love the way that James delivers this song, in such a way that even if she were singing nonsense words, you would understand the intended meaning. The lyrics speak of the joy of found love, and the music shouts the sentiment with piercing strings and a willowy, flowing, ethereal sound. I can feel this song from beginning to end. I eagerly await the day I can share a newlywed moment with my true love as we're completely immersed in this song and embraced by each other. At last.

Fight Song Friday: Washington Week

Not everyone who reads this blog (all 3 of them) is a college football fan (and for that I say, "Shame on you..." Just kidding...kinda). If you're not a college football fan, you may not know that Notre Dame plays Washington this week. You also may not know that Washington did not win a single game in 2008. Zero. You might have also failed to realize that Washington has won 2 of its 4 games in 2009, including a shocking upset of highly-ranked USC. The same USC team that has shellacked Notre Dame every year since 2002. What makes this whole scenario very interesting is that until last year, Washington's head coach, Steve Sarkisian, was USC's offensive coordinator. Naturally, you would expect that he might be able to mastermind a win over the Trojans given that he knows the team so well. You might also expect that he knows how to beat the Irish given the recent history between Notre Dame and USC.

This is what concerns me. By all accounts, Washington should be a mediocre team. Not great, but certainly improved from the 2008 debacle. They have a reliable, shifty quarterback and some good raw talent on their team, but they are obviously still adjusting to a new coaching staff and learning how to win again after last season. But couple Sarkisian's knowledge of Irish strategic weaknesses with the actual physical weaknesses of the ND players due to injuries, and we are likely in for another thrilling (read: heart attack-inducing) game tomorrow. We'll know then what each of these teams is truly made of. Go Irish. Beat Huskies!

My Favorite Season

I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air.-- Nathaniel Hawthorne

I think Hawthorne got it right when he insisted on taking advantage of the glory of the Fall season. As we quickly approach the dreary winter months, there are just a few weeks of blissful, perfect, beautiful weather here in the Midwest, and I intend to soak up as much of them as possible. Now, I won't get to spend all the waking hours outdoors (unless you consider a windowless office with fluorescent lighting a comparable substitute), but I will definitely find opportunities to participate in outdoor activities and immerse myself in the splendor of Autumn. I can already feel the air turning brisk, and I can smell the purity of this season that begins a deep cleansing process before the quiet of Winter and the regrowth of Spring. I always find clarity and focus in the Fall. Mind, body, and spirit seem to align and become refreshed, and I am energized.

Perhaps it is because the frantic pace of my job slows down in the Fall, and I can exhale. Perhaps it is because I reminisce about when Fall used to mean a new school year and the anticipation of new challenges. Perhaps it is because Fall directly precedes the holiday season when everything and everyone relaxes and family and friends rightfully become more important than the daily grind. Whatever the reason, Fall has always been my favorite season. I can't wait to inhale the crisp air, break out my sweatshirts, go to a football game, and enjoy a campfire or two. I eagerly await the vibrant foliage. I look forward to the promise of another blessed year.

Tuesday Tunes: Christina Aguilera

My voice teacher and I were discussing today the effects that society and the entertainment industry have on young girls and women. Namely that, with effortless efficiency, society's acceptance of over-sexed, under-parented girls has promoted a culture in which it is common to see 12-year olds emulating their musical role models by dressing like the Pussycat Dolls and acting like Britney Spears. My teacher and I agreed that it was sad to see a world where children don't actually have childhoods, but instead are forced to reconcile immature, impressionable world views with an increasingly mature and oppressive world. Similarly, we remarked that it is disheartening to follow the trend of an entertainment culture that no longer encourages true talent, but rather rewards sleaze and strangeness.

Ultimately, we decided that there is still hope for a return to class and appreciation of merit. For their parts, Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus are shining examples of successful female artists who have maintained relatively uninterrupted adolescent development (except for a few million extra dollars of allowance each year) in spite of the glaring spotlights they both live in. Most remarkably, Christina Aguilera is one (and possibly the best) example of a female artist who has gone from innocent, precocious child to hyper-successful, adolescent sexpot to refined, distinguished woman, all while maintaining the standard for this generation's female pop singers.

I'm amazed by the strength Aguilera must possess to have withstood the pressures of society's expectations, public perception, and media spin in the daily adventure to live a regular life in an irregular world. Her transition through a tumultuous young adulthood into a classy and graceful (albeit still sexy) grown-up life is inspiring and encourages me to believe that other aspiring female musicians can survive the entertainment circus and end up as grounded, productive adults. I can only hope that those aspiring artists produce a musical product as worthy as Aguilera's. Viva la diva!

Fight Song Friday: Purdue Week

The conclusion of this week's game against Purdue will mark the end of the Big Ten portion of Notre Dame's schedule this year. I can't say that I'll be sad to see that chapter end and a new one begin. Not that I particularly relish the idea of taking on the Pac-10 foes or the Big East contenders, but at least we won't have to deal with these shenanigans after this week.

I don't have strong feelings about Purdue one way or the other. Purdue fans often label the Purdue-ND game as a "rivalry," but except for the geographical proximity of the two schools, I don't fully comprehend the designation. I will grant that the annual contest has had a long history and some compelling games over the years, but outside of vying for state pride, there are not the same kind of implications and bragging rights riding on the Purdue game as, say, the Michigan, USC, and Boston College games.

That said, the game is ultimately very important for the overall record of each school, and this year in particular, for ND's continued quest for a return to college football relevance and domination. This year's game could prove to be a pivotal moment for the Irish. A win would instill confidence and much-needed energy heading into next week's contest with Washington, but a loss could all but destroy morale for the remainder of the season and prolong the team's mediocrity woes.

I will finally be in attendance for the game this weekend (sadly, at the opposing team's stadium), so I hope the boys do not disappoint the faithful who make the trek to West Lafayette (because really, if not to see a beloved football team win, why else would anyone ever go to West Lafayette?). Expecting a nail-biter...hoping for a breezy beat-down in Notre Dame's favor. Go Irish.

Golden Dumb

So I missed Tuesday this week, and thus my readers were deprived of their weekly installment of musical interpretation and analysis. To make up for that, I have included here a link to a completely unrelated sports clip (courtesy of my colleague, Mr. Blonde, of the "Blondes, Poop, and Mascara" blog). One could argue that the presence of a marching band in the clip satisfies the musical component of a Tuesday Tune make-up segment, but that is not the point. The point is finding humor in the spontaneity of life, even if it comes at the expense of your beloved team's pride. Enjoy.

Fight Song Friday: Michigan State Week

I'm on vacation this week, so I don't plan to go into too much depth regarding this week's football foe. All I can say--as I told the Michigan State fan I ran into while at the beach in New Jersey today--is that I can't handle watching my team lose to another opponent from the state of Michigan, so they better show up ready to play tomorrow. Fingers crossed. If the outcome doesn't live up to hopes and expectations, you can expect some commentary on the state of the program and the coaching situation. Hopefully it won't come to all that. For now, as always, Go Irish! Beat Spartans.

Tuesday Tunes: Whitney Houston

This week, we are making a departure from the traditional pop/country scene to focus on a true American standard: the Star Spangled Banner. Singularly, this song represents all that is patriotic in our nation. Played before every U.S. sporting event, the Star Spangled Banner provides a brief moment of time for reflection, focus, and thankfulness for the gifts, security, and opportunities we have as Americans.

Because this song is so important to our country, it is a great honor to be asked to perform the national anthem in front of an event crowd. Many celebrities, military heroes, athletes, and professional singers have had this opportunity, and most have embraced the moment and lived up to the challenge of singing a very difficult song. (Others have not, but I don't intend to focus on those folks here.) There are some truly iconic versions of the national anthem (Jimi Hendrix's Woodstock rendition comes to mind), but none are as overwhelmingly breathtaking as Whitney Houston's 1991 performance at Super Bowl XXV.

Keep in mind that in addition to the song's technical difficulty for a vocalist, there is the added pressure of deciding how one will sing the anthem. Ask almost any American, and he or she will give you a solid opinion on whether the Star Spangled Banner should be sung straight (as close to the way John Stafford Smith and Francis Scott Key wrote it as possible) or jazzed up with embellishments (while taking liberties with the melody). Personally, I am more of a purist, so I appreciate those who deliver a solid, on-pitch, traditional anthem. Houston does this flawlessly and effortlessly, with just a few of her own brilliant nuances. I have honestly never heard another version that even comes close to hers. Just watching a nearly-20-year-old recorded version gives me goosebumps and brings tears to my eyes. I can't imagine what it must have been like for those who saw the performance live. Listen to it a few times, and try not to feel patriotic and proud to be an American. It can't be done. THAT is how to sing the Star Spangled Banner. God Bless America.

Fight Song Friday: Michigan Week

As my fellow Fighting Irish faithful are acutely aware, it is Michigan Week. This week exemplifies what true college football rivalry is all about. Some people dispute the importance of the Notre Dame-Michigan rivalry game each year, so allow me to remind everyone why it matters. Given the historical context of this rivalry (as long ago as 1887, Michigan brought football to Notre Dame and taught the Irish how to play the primitive game) and the present-day implications of the wins and losses in this rivalry (Michigan and Notre Dame are both vying for the highest all-time college football winning percentage, separated by less than 1%), these two teams are what some have called "natural enemies."

Now, I fully support a heated rivalry between two comparable programs. In any rivalry, you would expect a fair amount of good-natured taunting between fans of the opposing schools. Hopefully there is some intelligent banter and enough collective knowledge for well-reasoned football debate. The fierce loyalty and pride that alumni and fans feel for "their" teams, coupled with the purity of competition and love of the games themselves, are what make college sports so exciting. Where I begin to have an issue with the natural competition is when "rivals" turn into "enemies." The word "enemy" implies a certain amount of actual hostility and hatred for an opponent. Enemies don't just want to win over an inferior opponent, they want to maim and destroy in the process. Enemies don't practice sportsmanship; they compete with reckless abandon and neglect all decency.

Obviously, this slant toward chaotic violence can be curtailed on the playing field by coaches, officials, and other players. In actuality, the most distressing enemies are the fans themselves. They can become so deluded into believing that their entire worth as human beings hinges on the successes or failures of their football teams, that they lose all sense of right and wrong and become actually wretched individuals. While I can respect the history and strength of the Michigan football team and University, it is the football fan base that I truly see as a threat to public decency and an "enemy." (Note that this assessment will be completely reversed when it comes to discussing USC as an opponent. A future post...)

The link above lists the outcomes of all the games in the Notre Dame-Michigan rivalry history. Note the 38-0 thrashing that Notre Dame took from Michigan in 2003. I was at that game in "The Big House" as a visiting Notre Dame fan. After about 5 plays, it was obvious that Notre Dame was not going to "shake down the thunder" that day, so I tried to remain low-profile and clapped politely whenever the Irish did do anything well. I attempted to respect the fact that I was in someone else's stadium, and I kept my mouth shut. In exchange for my reserved enthusiasm, I was treated to 4 entire quarters of verbal insults and drinks thrown on and around me. Not one Michigan fan welcomed me or tried to showcase the school in a positive light. Instead, they harassed not only me, but also their own team's players whenever they believed a play didn't work as well as it should have. As I left the stadium and crossed a major intersection to return to my car (and get the hell out of Ann Arbor), I was taunted by the police officer who was directing traffic...on his megaphone. I found this to be a particularly classy move, and at that moment I vowed never to return to Michigan Stadium.

I am a very passionate Notre Dame supporter. I get fired up when outsiders try to break down the school's mission, tradition, and values without understanding one lick about what they are degrading. I've been there...seen it from the inside. I've known the players as classmates, friends, athletes. I've worked practices, conditioning drills, games, in a thankless job that I loved. I understand school pride. In fact, you will be hard-pressed to find a prouder alumni and fan base than that of Notre Dame. But I will never treat anyone who visits Notre Dame as poorly as I was treated simply for supporting a sport I enjoy. I'll stick with rivals, not enemies.

This year's Michigan-Notre Dame game should be close and come down to the wire, and I can't wait for kickoff. May the best team win. Go Irish.

Tuesday Tunes: Black Eyed Peas

This week's Tuesday Tune is not an anthem of mine. Nor is it a musical masterpiece. In fact, the song is rather silly, but whenever I hear it, I cannot keep myself from dancing a little bit. It is that damn catchy. It's also quite good for listening to while running or working out. It has attitude, and I like it. The Black Eyed Peas' "Boom Boom Pow!" is energetic and funky, much like all of the Black Eyed Peas' previous hits, and once you hear it, you'll want to hear it again. And again. Check it out for yourself...and start dancing!

Fight Song Friday

Most people can't wait for summer to arrive. I, on the other hand, cannot wait for it to merge into fall and become the most glorious sports season of them all: College Football Season! Last night marked the official start of the college football season with a couple of Thursday night matchups, but tomorrow is when the rest of the teams hit the field and begin the 13-week march toward the goal of playing in a post-season bowl game. I will undoubtedly write subsequent posts about the splendor and goodness that is college football, as well as observe the downfalls of a sport focused almost entirely on the regular season with virtually meaningless and arbitrary prizes to win in the post season. Those posts will hopefully have much more intelligent and well-reasoned analysis, but for now, I will simply leave this for everyone to enjoy. Go Irish.

Tuesday Tunes: Jason Mraz

This week's Tuesday Tune is courtesy of Jason Mraz. Mraz has graced pop music listeners with several feel-good, catchy hits in recent years, and "I'm Yours" follows in the footsteps of his earlier releases. The tune is reminiscent of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World" medley with its delicate, breezy guitar accompaniment and uplifting, poetic lyrics. Mraz maintains a jazzy, honest purity in all his songs, and he turns the simple melody of "I'm Yours" into a current, relevant hit with his dynamic interpretation. Each time I listen to Mraz's version of his own song, I find myself singing it in my head for the next few hours, sometimes the next few days. I like the message that the song relays: Life is too short to worry about its complications. Instead, we are better served by simplifying our situations and loving those around us. It is only by fully giving ourselves to others that we gain anything valuable in return. Listen. Love. Live.

Miscellaneous Musings: Napa Valley, CA

I travel a lot for work. Some places I go are not so different from my lifelong Midwestern home. Some are not so similar. Napa, California, is one such not-so-similar place. Complete with the striking natural beauty of rolling, vine-covered hills, wholly delicious and satisfying food and drink, and a lifestyle and mentality that magically combines shrewd business savvy with the relaxed, carefree attitude of the proverbial hippie, Napa is a place I always enjoy visiting.















Whenever I get to the wine country, I am engulfed by a peaceful serenity and clarity of thought. Something about the place inspires dreams, relaxes the tightly-wound soul, and showcases a simpler, slower, more conscious life. Even when I am visiting for business, I still find myself taking more time to appreciate a good meal, a smooth glass of wine, or a beautiful sunset. Something causes me to be fully present in each moment of my time in Napa, because even though the moments seem to stretch out into long, pleasant memories, I know they are fleeting.

On my most recent trip to Napa, my fiance and I were treated (courtesy of a mutual friend) to a rare personal tour of Pride Mountain Vineyards in nearby St. Helena. After a quick tasting-room visit to awaken our tastebuds, we were allowed to taste some super-exclusive (and super-expensive) reserve vintages straight from the tanks prior to the wines' bottling. Then we got a quick tour of the winery's mountainside caves, which were created to house hundreds of barrels in a naturally climate-controlled environment while the precious wines ferment and age. We were sent with a parting gift of a very fancy bottle of red wine to take to our dinner reservation that night, and we left satisfied. It was a sublime few hours, and an experience I won't soon forget.

In a world where people are overconnected, overzealous, and overworked, it is supremely refreshing to visit a different world where people still work hard, but at their own pace, and without forgetting that the simplest experiences can be the most rewarding. The folks who live in Napa (at least the ones I have encountered) don't let themselves remain chained to desks in offices with artificial lighting. They don't feel guilty if they wait an hour or two (or more likely a day or two) to answer e-mail messages, Tweets, and Facebook postings. In fact, most of these folks probably don't even use Twitter or Facebook. Our host at Pride didn't even own a cell phone. Instead, they spend time outdoors walking up and down rows of grape vines, tending to aging wine barrels for perfect vintages, working to live rather than living to work.















There is not much else that needs to be said except that I admire these people and enjoy visiting their terrestrial wonderland whenever I have the opportunity.

Tuesday Tunes: Robert Randolph

So...a weekly feature is not really very good if it isn't actually weekly. That said, this week has been a particularly quick turnaround from one work trip to another, so this will be a short entry. It may be 10 p.m. on Tuesday, but technically it is still Tuesday, so I've not yet missed the deadline for Tuesday Tunes. Hopefully my readers (all 3 of them, on a good day) will forgive my tardiness.

Basically, this week's music doesn't need a lot of verbal analysis. Robert Randolph & The Family Band are best experienced simply by listening, feeling, dancing. As the lyrics so aptly state, "...the music gets in your soul...makes you want to lose control." To watch Randolph and his band jam together is to be infected with their genuine exuberance for the uplifting power of music. Theirs is a soulful, gospel-rooted, rock sound, and one you won't easily be able to purge from your brain as it loops over and over in melodic rhythm. If you're so inclined, check out Robert Randolph & The Family Band here.

Tuesday Tunes

In an effort to keep this blog marginally on track with content that actually resembles music commentary, I'm launching a new weekly feature: Tuesday Tunes. Basically, in this feature, I will discuss the finer points of whatever song I can't seem to get out of my head each week. Some songs will be anthems for various life circumstances, others simply catchy melodies or tunes that have inspired moving video interpretations. Regardless, the music will receive proper recognition for the niche it fills and the emotional experience it brings to countless listeners.

To get the ball rolling, I'll start with one of my long-time anthems: Sugarland's "Something More." If you're not familiar with the song (or if you just want to re-visit its aural awesomeness), you can listen here. Pay particular attention to the lyrics and Jennifer Nettles' delivery of each word and note. While, on the surface, the song speaks to drifting souls (those who are still searching for, seeking a purpose), even individuals who enjoy contented, fulfilled lives can appreciate and identify with the yearning, wonder, and resolution of the song's central character.

I suspect we all have had and will have moments when we feel as if there must be more that we can get out of life. What I find so interesting and inspiring about this song is the idea that we don't have to accept mediocrity. We can indeed make our own happiness and build whatever life we want. I am particularly intrigued by the underlying commentary about corporate culture and its ability to rob people of truly fulfilling experiences. When Nettles sings, "I could work my life away, but why? I've got things to do before I die...," I am reminded of how so many Americans accept the notion that a job defines a person. They become so consumed by finishing tasks, producing more with less, and winning the proverbial rat race that they miss their own lives completely in the quest to achieve goals that were never theirs to begin with. It is refreshing to hear a song that encourages one to imagine the opposite scenario: a life not taken for granted, but instead filled with profound moments of thoughtfulness, adventure, simplicity, and bliss.

What makes the song a hopeful anthem is the bridge. This is my favorite part. Just a few, simple lines give the listener confidence that a better life is realistic and achievable. "Some believe in Destiny, and some believe in Fate. But I believe that Happiness is something we create. You best believe that I'm not gonna wait..." The lines suggest that with a little faith and some determination, any life is possible. The bridge provides a clarity of thought that reminds people to choose their own fulfillment and do whatever makes them truly happy. Regardless of whether the listener is already fulfilled or still searching for purpose, the bridge's sentiment is uplifting. It challenges people to create the best life they can imagine.

Overall, I applaud the song's construction, depth, and inspiration. It will be on my personal anthem list indefinitely as a constant reminder that life is what we make of it.

Be brave. Take chances. Live.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia...Obama?

This is not new, but it's still interesting (and a bit disconcerting).

We've gone from here:

To here:

All in less than a year. I'm both amused and disturbed by this transformation of public perception. Political views aside, could there possibly be a more laughable representation of the President of the United States of America than having his likeness fashioned into a Chia Pet? As if the rest of the world needs any more fodder for poking fun at this country these days. I would imagine it is a big enough challenge maintaining the world's respect given the massive failure of an economy this nation currently operates in, but I'm certain that allowing the President to be immortalized as a Chia Pet will only make it more difficult to maintain credibility as an important international player. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for finding the humor in life, and for not taking one's self too seriously, but really? Should we not have (at least marginally) higher standards for the person responsible for leading (arguably) the most powerful nation in the world? At this rate, it won't be long before we get here. Can't wait.

Karaoke...With A Twist

I like to sing. Actually, that's not correct. I LOVE to sing. I will sing any song I know the words to...and I know a lot of songs. In fact, I used to think that if I could use the part of my brain that is responsible for memorizing song lyrics for something marketable, I would be rich and retired by now (at the ripe old age of 26). Then I would have more time for singing. Sometimes I don't even realize I am singing, and then it dawns on me that I'm in the office, or at the gas station, where other people can hear me. It's a compulsion, a passion. It makes me feel good regardless of what mood I am in. I don't think it's physically possible to sing freely when I am choked up or tense or carrying anxiety within. Singing is an exercise in relaxation. I feel energized and powerful when I sing. I sing for me.

Slightly over a year ago, I decided to channel my passion for singing into organized instruction. I began taking vocal lessons to learn proper breathing technique, stretch my vocal range, and pick up some basic music theory and performance pointers. My first few teachers were quite good at the basics and at teaching the more classical genres (opera and musical theater). I was fortunate to work with them and to learn to appreciate some forms of music that I had not previously experimented with, but I had not found exactly what I was looking for in a voice instructor.

Through a friend of a friend, I was connected with my current instructor, and it is an entirely different experience altogether. Gone was the rigid, commercialized, formal studio lesson arrangement of the past. Instead, I found someone who performs in a local band, teaches from her basement, schedules lessons to accommodate my rigorous work schedule, and most importantly, is flexible with the types of music I can study. Rather than forcing me to connect with operatic pieces or overly-dramatic musical theater numbers that do not come naturally to me, she gives me the freedom to take my favorite songs and study them in depth. I can learn the notes, then the words, then the emotional inflection, and finally the performance elements of each song - pop, country, and Motown classics alike.

Recently my instructor suggested that I try some live performance to expand my musical experience base. It should be mentioned that I did conduct a solo recital with some standard songs taught by my first few instructors, but the recital was small, on my terms, and with only my closest family and friends in attendance. My current instructor is suggesting that I get out there and perform for a room full of strangers...just for kicks. Surprisingly, I am up for the challenge. Working with songs that I actually enjoy, connect with, and "get" gives me a confidence that I have lacked in the past when it came to public performance. As a jumping off point, I plan to sign up for the next "season" of "Can You Rock?" This extension of live-band karaoke features amateur vocalists performing in front of a house band that is comprised of several musicians from Indianapolis-area bands. Their song repertoire is extensive, so I need to narrow down my options to a few works-in-progress. Song suggestions from the approved list are encouraged! Stay tuned for updates on my progress and a recap of the big performance in October.

All Ye Faithful

I recently caught a couple episodes of True Hollywood Story on E! that focused on the wives of superstar men. One of the episodes featured wives of major league baseball players, and the other told the story of the wives of some rock and roll legends. While it is obvious that playing a sport and playing an instrument are physically different talents, those who reach the upper echelons of either discipline encounter many of the same fundamental challenges as a direct result of their professions. Consequently, the wives of celebrity athletes and rock and roll gods face similar dichotomies of existence created by the lifestyles and career demands of their megastar husbands.

On the one hand, there is the incredible power, wealth, and status that comes along with being married to a pop culture hero. On the other, there is a life filled with loneliness, nearly-single parenting, and suspicion of a husband's extracurricular activities while he is away from home. As the shows explained the pros and cons of being married to a public icon, there was one topic that interested me more than the others: fidelity within the marriage. Because both professional athletes and rock stars spend the majority of their lives traveling away from whatever semblance of a rooted "home" they have, a natural question arises about the likelihood of these pop culture stars remaining faithful to their wives and families in the face of temptation. And not just any temptation. Temptation the likes of which none of us "regular" people have probably ever encountered. Rather, a daily onslaught of beautiful, willing, adoring women ready to give themselves up at a moment's notice just to live out a couple minutes of what is likely a lifelong fantasy. How could any warm-blooded man (famous or not) resist that forever?

What surprised me most was that all the men who were interviewed claimed to be faithful to their wives. Perhaps they have grown out of the "hit-it-and-quit-it" stage of their early stardom and are not interested in one-night stands with groupies anymore. Perhaps they fear castration if their shockingly-dynamic and overwhelmingly-intelligent wives ever found out about an episode of infidelity. Interestingly, I think rock and roll icon Alice Cooper summarized it best when he explained that he had never cheated on his wife in 31 years of marriage because, to him, no other woman had ever been worth giving up years of happiness for a few minutes of empty ecstasy. His marriage is simply more important to him than chasing fleeting bliss. I was impressed by his grounded assessment and mature response, especially given that rock stars are by nature some of the most immature performers in existence. Their profession demands an emphasis on youth, reckless abandon, and unbridled passion, and many rockers ride the fame train all the way to their own demise. Those who step back from their egocentric lives for a reflective moment, however, may realize that life can be filled with more than sex, drugs, and rock and roll, and that they can find happiness and fulfillment in an honest marriage.

Being newly engaged myself, I ponder the concept of fidelity often. A lifetime of pop culture conditioning suggesting that fidelity is obsolete forces me to examine my situation frequently so as not to be caught off guard by any secret transgressions. Thankfully, I have never been given a reason to doubt the security of my relationship with my fiance. I often recognize how fortunate I am to have found a perfect match for myself, someone who shares the same outlook on life, the same values, and most importantly, the same emphasis on honesty and full disclosure within a relationship. I don't consider myself a terribly high-maintenance partner, but I do insist on knowing that my fiance and I can trust each other 100% of the time. No doubts = no problems (or at least no major ones...all relationships have challenges, of course). As my fiance and I embark on the next chapter of our lives together as a team, I embrace the imminent adventure of the future knowing that we are both faithful to ourselves and to each other. If Alice and Sheryl Cooper can do it, so can we.

When Is Enough Enough?

I stumbled upon this ESPN.com article today, and it reminded me of my familiar frustrations with gifted athletes who throw away huge opportunities in favor of bad decision-making and illegal behavior. According to the article, Jamar Hornsby, who was slated to begin playing for the Mississippi Rebels football team this fall, has been indicted on felony assault charges and consequently released from the team. The article goes on to say that this is not his first offense, as he was previously released from the Florida Gators football team after pleading no contest to using a credit card stolen from a deceased Florida student who had dated one of his football teammates.

Understanding that young people make mistakes sometimes, it still upsets me that Hornsby was even given a second chance at a free education after wasting his first opportunity. Although Hornsby's first offense was initially punished by the loss of his spot on the Florida football team, his bad behavior was eventually rewarded with positive reinforcement and a free pass when Mississippi signed him for the 2009 season. Apparently, just one criminal act did not satisfy the threshold of who could be excluded from the Mississippi football team. It took a second criminal offense to finally move the team and administration to reject Hornsby's place on the roster.

Similarly, but on a grander scale, I recall the numerous transgressions of Adam "Pacman" Jones (photo above) during his time playing for the Tennessee Titans and Dallas Cowboys from 2005-2008. Beginning in college, Jones started racking up run-ins with the law. When Jones managed to get himself put on probation before the 2005 draft, what should have been a big red flag for any prospective teams looking to pick him up, was cavalierly ignored in the pursuit of the best available athlete. In less than 2 years, Jones was arrested for and/or charged with at least 4 criminal acts, but he continued to play. Only after the 4th offense was he suspended for one (yes, one) game by the Titans. Meanwhile, the legal system continued to extend his probation but never administered any recognizable punishment for his wrongdoings. Only after controversy surrounding a Las Vegas strip club shooting that Jones was allegedly involved in did the NFL finally step in and suspend Jones for an entire season. Unbelievably, the NFL reinstated Jones in 2008, only to re-suspend him after a number of other off-the-field incidents. Currently, Jones is a free agent and eligible to play.

I struggle with the idea that it is ok to condone such appalling behavior as that of Hornsby and Jones simply because they are exceptional athletes. Perhaps everyone deserves one second chance, but more than five second chances? Where is the line? When is enough really enough? Does an innate athletic marketability give someone moral invincibility? I can only hope for Hornsby's sake that his second blown opportunity is his last, and that he'll finally learn that at some point you must become accountable for the things you do with your life. Obviously Jones has not learned that lesson yet, and perhaps he never will. When society consistently forgives criminals simply because they are star athletes or celebrities, the lesson becomes infinitely more difficult to grasp.

It's D(MB) Day! - UPDATE

It is summertime, and my hometown girlfriends and I are gearing up for the one event that has kept us together for many years as we have become increasingly busy and out-of-touch with our youth: Dave Matthews Band Concert Day. I have never been disappointed by this concert in the 10+ times I have seen it, and I expect a sublime evening tonight as well. Rather than overanalyze with words, I will simply direct you here to experience the goodness for yourself. Also, as you can see, the sheer joy depicted in the photo speaks for itself. "Eat, drink, and be merry," people. "Life is short, but sweet for certain."

UPDATE: Alas, we were a (wo)man down at this year's show, as a migraine kept one of the faithful from making the pilgrimmage, but the other two of us soldiered on. There was drama when the third amiga lost her ticket somewhere between the car and the gate, but thankfully she was able to squeeze the box office for a replacement because she had her receipt, credit card, and photo ID. There might have also been promises to the box office boy of "favors" after the show (the third amiga does love Dave THAT much), but I can't be sure.

The band played quite a bit from their new album, Big Whiskey And The GrooGrux King, which is incidentally quite good. I particularly enjoyed "Shake Me Like A Monkey," partly because of the amusing song title, and partly because of the song's dynamic melody and energetic hook. There were also some good classics mixed in, my favorite of which included "Crush" and "Dancing Nancies." Sadly, I was in line for the restroom for the majority of the latter, but from what I could hear from behind the amphitheater, it was a great rendition. The fiance was thrilled (and I dare say impressed) when the band played a rockin' cover of the Talking Heads' "Burnin' Down The House." The encore ended with an extended version of "Two Step" in the pouring rain, and we were satisfied and spent from all the dancing, singing, and general merry-making from the previous few hours.

Stay tuned in September for round 2 from a DMB show, when the fiance and I travel to Camden, NJ, to see DMB and Robert Randolph together!

What's In A Name?

For those who know me well, the name of this blog should immediately make sense. For those who are wondering where the name comes from, allow me to explain. When my parents had their first child (me) many years ago, they were challenged to find a suitable name for their precious bundle of joy. My mom wanted to name me Siobhan (pron: shuh-vahn), while my dad preferred the name Leah. They compromised and went with something else entirely, something that sounded as if the names Siobhan and Leah were deconstructed and then blended into one name. That name, a popular one both then and now, was familiar and ordinary. Not wanting to settle for something plain or simple for their obviously extraordinary little one, my folks chose to give the familiar spelling a twist in order to maintain a measure of uniqueness. They agreed to name me Ashly...without the "e."

I know, it doesn't sound like a significant decision. How could something so seemingly innocuous as eliminating one (unnecessary) letter have any kind of noticeable impact on my life? Twenty-six years of having to specify the proper spelling, and 26 years of correcting people when they insist on adding that pesky "e" even after I've told them there is no "e" have given me an interesting perspective on people and the world. For better or worse, I judge people just a little bit based on whether or not they pay enough attention to the details of their surroundings to spell my name correctly after they have been made aware of the proper spelling. Obviously, if someone has never seen my name in print or been told verbally to omit the "e," I reserve my judgement. But for those who have either heard the correct spelling or seen it in print, I am quick to judge attention to detail and more generally, attention to life.

Through my mental case studies, I have found that those who do not take enough care to spell another person's name correctly, even after learning how it is spelled, are either entirely too busy to have any semblance of a life at all, or they are just lazy, stupid, or careless, or possibly all three. My personal favorite are those people who get e-mail messages from me with my name typed twice (once to end the message, and a second time in the automatic e-signature that is added to each outgoing message) and then respond by sending an e-mail back to "Ashley." If they had actually read the whole message before jumping in to their own response, they could not possibly have thought I spelled my own name incorrectly...TWICE. Because most of these kinds of people are repeat offenders (which means they should have seen my name spelled properly many, many times), I tend to believe they are not only too busy for their own good, but also lazy, careless, and possibly not too bright.

While I have certainly made an occasional mistake with other people's names in the past, I am quick to correct any errors that I learn about, as I am overly-sensitive to how people spell their names. After all, names are identities, and something as simple as the proper spelling can make the difference between feeling like yourself and feeling like an imposter with someone else's name. I have learned to truly appreciate the unique spelling of my name because it is a fun talking point for new people I meet. More importantly, it is a discreet measuring tool for people I encounter every day, giving me an extra ounce of insight into those around me.

Joining The Fun

Greetings, and welcome to my blog!

After considerable contemplation, I've decided to join the blogosphere and see where online journaling takes me. While I tend to be a no-holds-barred, open-book sharer with those close to me, I am admittedly more reserved with folks I don't know well. A likely consequence of my mild cynicism and a frequent regression to the childhood lesson, "Don't Talk To Strangers." Furthermore, even in today's egocentric, impatient, and overly-connected world, I have never understood why other people might actually care what I have to say on such a public forum. In my view, my commentary is no more or less valuable than anyone else's, so what exactly is the point of keeping track of my thoughts and musings in a place where outsiders can not only access them but also interact with them? I figure there is no better way to answer that question than to give this blog thing a whirl and see what happens.

Check back often for updates. Questions, comments, and topic suggestions are always welcome.

Thanks for reading.

P.S. The header photo (Notre Dame Stadium) is courtesy of Dave Dusick. Thanks, Dave!