Tat Nation

I was under the impression that at some point I would grow out of the pressure cooker that it is to fit in or be trendy. I had assumed that was a high school thing that slowing worked through your system as you proceeded through your 20s only to disappear once you and your peers reached a mature age of 30.

Instead, I have come to the conclusion that high school is just a preview of the rest of your life.

The need to "fit in" affects everyone even if it drives you to avoid fitting in.

To conform or not to conform? That is the question.

I have even noticed that many people try to purposely go against the grain and avoid the trends and behaviors of the majority or at least what is considered the majority.

This seems to create two sets of "cool." You are either part of the traditional cool or you are the "rebel" cool. So by being against the grain or the rebel cool, you are still in effect conforming. You are really no different than those jocks and cheerleaders that fit into the more traditional idea cool.

This "alternative" coolness becomes a desired lifestyle and therefore a trend itself.

I imagine many people would say they fall somewhere in the middle. Most people I associate with, including yours truly, seem to feel they were somewhere between the mainstream and the anti-trendy.

A perfect example of a manifestation of what I am referring to is this fascination my generation has with tattoos.

There was a day when tattoos were limited to only a certain sect of society. The vast majority of people with body art were either bikers, sailors or prison inmates. Tattoos were meant to separate you from the mainstream according to some guy I saw on some show.

It was generally understood that tattoos should be hidden if you wanted to get a "good" job. There was a negative connotation attached to them.

Today? Not so much.

There seems to be a mandate in the NBA that you have a series of tattoos crawling up your neck. All men who live on the outskirts of Columbus, Ohio must have their bicep marked with thorny barbed wire wrapped all the way around it. If you played a drinking game with your friends for every girl at the club that had a tat on her lower back, you all would wake up in the hospital the next morning.

My point is body art has reached a point where it is the mainstream. So something that was once meant to be against the idea of trendy and conformity is exactly that. A trend. In order to be part of the mainstream you need a tattoo. Or to go against the grain, you should NOT have one.

Interesting twist.

Personally, I miss the days of body art meaning something. In the end, the person dictates meaning, not the masses. But it still feels diluted to me.

So here I am at 35 years of age. I am 17 years removed from high school. I could care less if my clothes are fashionable or not. My car is only a tool to get me places. I got a hot chic already. But I can't escape this concept of fitting in or not fitting in.

I thought it would be a good idea to modestly get my daughters' (including our lost baby) names inked somewhere discrete to give me a tangible way to keep them with me at all times. But I now fear it would just be tacky and a ploy to "fit in." I don't want that to be the point.

We get older but some things never change.

Mr. Over-Conservative?

This can be tracked back to John "Hot Rod" Williams' days with the Cleveland Cavaliers when I was in high school. I have been this way ever since I began speculating about trade deadline rumors.

I always want my team to stay pat. I tend to overvalue what my team already has on its roster. With my beloved Cavaliers of late, I have put a ton of weight in team chemistry.

Now, as we approach another trade deadline for my Cavs, I hear rumor after rumor proposed to improve the team. They need a athletic power forward who can score and play defense on the tall 4's around the league that can shoot from the outside. With the Delonte West drama looming in the near future, making his availability in the post season a big, scary question mark, the Cavs may want to look for some depth in the back court as well.

It is obvious The Cavs have needs. It was obvious they had needs last year as well. But while many were calling for a trade to get Shaquille O'Neal, I said, "NO!"

They acquired him in the off season anyway and he is beginning to fit in seamlessly and contribute in a positive manner. The team seems better with him on the roster.

One would think I have learned from this experience, but instead, as names like Andre Iguodala and Amare Stoudemire float around, I still say, "NO!"

I don't want to let Zydrunas Ilgauskas go. He has been a long time, loyal Cavalier through thick and thin and has a legitimate chance at a ring. He deserves better than getting shipped off at the last minute. I have heard there is a chance he could get bought out and the Cavs could resign him (a la Joe Smith last year) for the playoff push, but that scares me.

J.J. Hickson and Jawad Williams have both shown promise. They are both tall and athletic. The question is whether or not they will maintain the success they have found this year in the postseason.

The chemistry on the team continues from last year despite a number of changes on the roster. LeBron and Shaq are coexisting well. Everybody seems to have a role, knows their particular role and performs their role well.

Why break that up?

But I have said that before. And it did not lead to a championship. I suppose I should shut up and jump on the trading frenzy bandwagon. Maybe that trade I fear is what the Cavs need to bring a trophy home to Cleveland.

What Is The True Reality?

"If you ain't never been to the ghetto
Don't ever come to the ghetto
'Cause you wouldn't understand the ghetto
So stay the f@#$ out of the ghetto"
("Ghetto Bastard" by Naughty by Nature)

When you are done laughing at my musical reference feel free to commence reading this post.

It's OK. I'll wait.

Growing up I always felt I was sheltered from the "real world." I thought I lived a cushioned life. The real word would be much more harsh and difficult and I would be due to encounter the day I stepped foot into adulthood.

This feeling played a prominent role in my decision to pursue a teaching job in the city. I never wanted to teach just to teach. I am not a natural lover of the educational process like many other teachers are. I don't have that "it" that people who were born to teach have.

I pursued education for the sole reason of contributing to the improvement of society. I realize this sounds a bit grandeur and egotistical like I have the power to change the world, but I was young. And I am an idealist at heart I suppose.

Therefore, I naturally found my way to a teaching position in an urban setting.

To me, this was reality. Finally, I was in it.

Now the tables have flipped on me. I find myself stepping back after 12 years in this profession and feeling like this isn't reality. I tell myself this is not the way things really are out there.

There is no way that everybody has to deal with the hardships these people deal with including myself. Although, I feel a tremendous amount of guilt comparing my "hardships" with those of my students, their families and neighbors.

So what is it? What is really real?

I constantly question my inner strength and intestinal fortitude as I struggle to deal with the stress my job puts on me. I keep falling back to that bad, bad song by the early 90s rap group, Naughty by Nature and wonder if I should have "stayed the f@#$ out of the ghetto."

My Resolution of No Political Talk Ends At One Month Like Most Of My Resolutions

I repeatedly hear about the liberal media slant and how evil it is. Television, radio and the internet are tools of the left to spread their liberal propaganda and ruin our country. Artists and celebrities are pawns in this battle for control of our minds, actions and money.

In an effort to provide full disclosure I admit that for years I was just another prisoner in the cave watching the shadows on the wall thinking they were reality. Unknowingly, I believed that all I saw on the news was unbiased and objective.

So this idea that I was being fed biased perspective sounded ridiculous to me.

As I matured, read more, saw more and learned more I also became more cynical and realized there was a slant.

Point well taken. Watch and listen with a grain of salt.

I once heard from a "uber conservative" that the Right Wing has no voice or platform in the media whatsoever. That Fox News is unbiased. That CNN is so slanted to the Left that it's falling over.

Now I read that CBS is airing a Pro-Life commercial featuring Tim Tebow whose parents were facing a decision about aborting him or not. Does this sound like an overtly liberal stance to you?

This commercial will be aired despite a statement several years ago from "a CBS spokesman, Dana McClintock, (who) said, 'We have a longstanding policy of not accepting advocacy advertising."

"In the letter from the CBS official to the United Church of Christ, the network said it refuses advertising that ''touches on and/or takes a position on one side of a current controversial issue of public importance." (http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/12/02/two_networks_bar_church_ad_welcoming_gays/)

For the record, NBC and ABC also did not air this commercial on their broadcast networks. FOX did.

This particular statement was in response to a pro-gay ad from the United Church of Christ while the current ad in question is regarding abortion. Two different subjects, but both controversial and the generally assumed, liberal side getting the short end of the stick.

Before I continue let me make this point that people who want to disagree with me will ignore. Many conservatives or other readers that want to take the counter point to my discussion will forget this next paragraph. They will focus on the other points I make and selectively disregard it. But....

In my humble opinion, I am glad they are airing this Tim Tebow Pro-Life commercial in and of itself. I think it is a good story to hear about people who chose NOT to abort their children. I don't see how I can speak negatively about a story like this and feel OK with it in my heart.

So the specific point of this particular commercial or even message is not one I am criticizing.

At the same time, not every abortion story is the Tim Tebow story. In reality, there are countless variables and situations where the question of abortion arises and I do not feel like a blanket law banning abortions is pragmatic. I realize this. I have even lived this.

I do not want babies killed. I like hearing inspirational stories. But I think we need to approach this greater issue from an angle other than illegal or legal.

With the disclaimers out of the way, I want to quit meandering and get back on point.

The Super Bowl commercials are all about superficial topics that Americans drown ourselves in. Serious messages should probably be left for another time. But if people are going to take advantage of the mass audience and try to spread their message, then it should go both ways.

I don't like the idea of shutting down one commercial about a controversial subject but allowing another. Doesn't sound fair to me.

We seem to be in a time when everyone is ultra-concerned about fairness and our freedoms. People are walking to rallies with loaded guns. We got tea baggers (which just sounds wrong). Free speech is apparently being threatened and many will not stand for it as they yell at me and pound their fists. One year with a liberal President who hasn't done much of anything but balloon our debt (much like our previous President but little was said about it compared to now), and everyone feels like we need a revolution.

Maybe so. Listen, I agree that we should be vigilant about our rights. We should not be afraid to speak our opinion and stand up for what we believe in. But we are getting to a point of hysteria. That is not ok.

I won't sit here and write or act like I know anything about politics and government.

I don't.

Unfortunately, many I talk to don't realize how little they know either. They may know more than me, but that doesn't mean you know enough.

My point here is this: If you are so damned concern about free speech and censorship, you can't let this one go. You can't tell me CBS is a tool of the Left either.

Air the Pro-Life commercial, but then air the UCC commercial too. Or better yet, a Planned Parenthood commercial giving information about women's health.

How about this?

Air more commercials promoting birth control?! Maybe promote NOT getting pregnant in the first place?

The media may be slanted to the left, but I think conservatives are going to be able to promote their messages. This instance is one example that things are not as one sided as all those AM radio blowhards want to make us think.

Teachers Are Paid Too Damn Much

My wife teaches in a school district just outside Columbus, Ohio where the voters refuse to pass a levy. I had a conversation with a resident living in this district. Her opinion corresponds with the findings from the polls regarding the voters' overall opinions on the levy.

She told me she doesn't want to pay more taxes for teachers to get paid more when they already make too much money as it is.

She continued, "If the districts need money, they should take it from the teachers' paychecks."

I mean we only work 3/4 of the year anyway, right?


(Insert old babysitter wage analogy here)

Meanwhile, as levy after levy fails, teaching positions are cut and the remaining staff is instructing growing class rosters which leads to less attention paid to students, more behavioral management issues, significantly lower teacher morale and higher stress.

Although the amount of success varies, it has been generally found in numerous studies that smaller class sizes lead to positive results in student achievement.

In addition, so much support staff is getting reduced that they are now responsible to clean their own rooms each night and perform added duties outside the classroom. These duties are in addition to the outside tasks already performed like lunchroom monitoring, hallway monitoring, and any other programs the schools may have.

In essence, teachers do the job of preparing adequate and appropriate lessons for students and instructing these students. Then we assess the students' performance, to gather and organize data from the assessments to use in future researching and planning for remediation for any students falling behind or to challenge others who excel.

Then we must follow up on why certain students' attendance is sporadic, break up fights, settle disputes, find resources for families in need of food, shelter, coats and other help, report signs of possible abuse, mend injuries, make sure medicine is taken correctly and on time, clean the room, interpret other languages and communicate with people who don't speak yours, motivate unmotivated people to perform tasks that many times are challenging to them and performing them with mastery, play detective to solve minor offenses like who stole some one's personal items, search for said missing items, read someone to determine if they are lying or telling the truth, provide supplies (usually out of our own deep, well paid pocket), change light bulbs, fix broken tables, chairs, pencil sharpeners and so on, make sure the students are fed, babysit at recess, provide a shoulder to cry on, create a school presentation, run the practice of said presentation, lead the presentation to the student body and even more if we choose to contribute to after school programs or tutoring.

No one of these particular items are a problem in and of themselves. My point here is that we are held accountable for a students' learning but have countless other duties to perform and do not have the support, resources and sometimes training to do them.

I am beyond the argument of my salary. Quite honestly, I am satisfied with my lifestyle. Granted, I am in debt that could have been paid off by now living this same lifestyle had I entered another field that I am fully capable of having entered, but I've accepted that. I knew that coming in.

Also, there are people who get paid as an intern as much I as did in my 5th year of teaching WITH A MASTER'S DEGREE in a district that pays well. This is not to mention that when I did my internship, I WAS THE ONE PAYING!

But seriously, I'm over it.

I don't want more money. Don't pay me more.

Just pass a levy so I, my wife and our colleagues and get some people in here to HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009: My Year Of The Woman

It is that time of year again where I feel obligated to write some sort of recap of the year that was. I don't foresee a long winded double post like last year . This year wasn't nearly as tragic as 2008 and I think I have been suffering from blog fatigue these past several weeks. Therefore, this should be short and simple.

I look at 2009 as a year of calm healing. It was time for my life to settle down a bit. No divorces. No deaths. No hospitalizations. I didn't get married. I worked the same job with the same district at the same school in the same grade with mostly the same people.

So I have had the opportunity to calm down, exhale and set my feet so to speak.

Um. Maybe.

With that said, my wife and I brought a new baby girl into this world. By no means is that calming. But it is much more pleasant than many of the events of 2008.

My wife is such a model mother and baby girl has been so good and easily appeased. The fact that this is my second time around the block has made this fresh fatherhood experience much easier than it could have been for me as well. Finally, my oldest daughter has made a smooth transition from only child to big sister with relative ease.

Our little one represents so much joy for us. Not only has she brought the happiness parents get with a newborn, but she has helped heal the pain of losing our first baby in 2008. She has been a blessing. Our hopes and dreams have come true with her and filled the missing spaces we had from 2008. Although, I still feel guilty about letting the memory of Mallory go.

That brings my family life to a wife and two daughters.

I cite that fact because not only is my family life consumed with females and estrogen overload, but my workplace is as well. This school year I began teaching a single gender classroom. The gender? Girls.

On one hand, it is an interesting experience as I examine gender differences in an educational setting as well as in general. I am a sociologist at heart. This stuff intrigues me. It provides me with an opportunity to question stereotypes but also use them. It allows me to observe how girls behave without boys around. Putting all my frustration aside, it really is fascinating.

On the other hand, the drama that takes place in my classroom is ridiculous!

Every day without fail it takes at least 30 minutes after recess to sort through it all and get the girls focused on what matters. It is rarely something critical. The girls think it is, but almost always the issue is something extremely petty.

Fortunately, our lunch period is last so the lost time is minimized. But the frustration is compounding daily.

In order to maintain some sort of sanity in my female dominated life, I have tried to find balance.

I entered five fantasy football leagues. My wife allows enough flexibility and freedom for opportunities to hang out with my male friends.

But most of all I have tried to enjoy the women in my life that I love. You can't replace the satisfaction and joy that comes with having two little girls at home being cute and making you laugh.

Nor can you deny the pleasure of spending time with a beautiful wife that is highly engaging and extremely interesting.

In the end, this year has been about stabilizing things, getting back to a steady rhythm in my life.

I look forward to particular changes in 2010. I anticipate these changes to be good.

Chris Spielman's Toughness

Chris Spielman is a hero in many people's eyes for numerous reasons from petty to legitimate. Number 36 was a legendary linebacker at The Ohio State University in the 80's. Football is king in central Ohio and Mr. Spielman is royalty. He is passionate about the sport and makes no excuses for it.



But he is not only admired for his superior athletic ability but his dedication to his wife, Stephanie who recently passed away from cancer. Despite his passion for football, he sat out a year to be with his wife when she was first diagnosed. He and Stephanie demonstrated tremendous strength and perseverance as they fought her battle together.



Currently he hosts a sports radio show on 97.1 FM The Fan in Columbus. During a recent show he talked about the competitive rivalry between he and his brother, Rick who is the Vice President of Player Personnel for the Minnesota Vikings. Whether it was on the football field or seeing who could hold their breathe under water longer, they competed over everything and hated to lose.

During the wake for his wife, who is a local celebrity as a result of their public efforts to fight cancer and raise money, awareness and support, his brother stood by him. He literally stood next to him for seven hours greeting those who came to pay their respects.

Chris seemed to get emotional on the air as he told this story. Anyone with a heart would understand. As the two of them stood there hour after tedious hour, his brother refused to sit down. Chris even told him he could have a seat and relax, but Rick would not sit down if Chris wouldn't sit down. He wasn't going to give in.

This story of their undying competitive nature is rather humorous in its own way but we can see the meaning behind it. I was touched as I listened. Beyond the competition, his brother was there for him.

Both Chris and Rick are physically strong human beings who would win most fights. If you needed someone to protect you, they would be prime people to have on your side.

But I have more admiration for the deeper strength they demonstrated. Rick exemplified it through his support for his brother. Chris showed it through his paramount dedication to his wife. He put aside his passion to be with her. He took on a tremendous amount of responsibility as a father, spouse and caregiver to a sick loved one.

Granted I am biased because I have never been a tough guy. But I get tired of seeing more respect paid to the big guys for being big when there are countless other people who are more courageous and strong for what they do....like standing by their brother at a wake.

Funny, that I use a stereotypical tough guy to demonstrate this point. Almost ironic?

I would like to think I am the brother that would stand there for seven hours. Or the husband that would take on the parenting in addition to supporting the endless chemo treatments and other necessary care giving that is involved with a sick loved one.

I have admired Mr. Spielman partly because I am a Buckeye. But I that doesn't hold a light to how much I respect him because of these other characteristics.

Thanksgiving

I am well aware of the "meaning" of this holiday: the genocide of American Indians. With that said, it still provides an opportunity to give thanks and show appreciation for the important things in life. While we're at it, expressing gratefulness for the trivial things as well doesn't hurt.

I would like to share my Thanksgiving for this year.

I am very grateful for the birth of my second daughter. She brings added joy to my marriage as my wife and I nurture this child and raise her. After losing Mallory and experiencing the heartache that brought for us, this birth took on extra meaning. The miracle of life was not taken for granted.

I am pleased to watch my oldest grow into a role model and care for her little sister. She has handled this change in our household with relative ease. I'm so proud and impressed with her thus far.

I appreciate my wife. This is not an easy situation we are in with a prior marriage, a child and a house that is not her own. She has uprooted her life to become part of mine, the whole time wanting to start a shared life between the two of us. The patience she has been forced to exhibit would break many women. I am grateful for this and so much more.

I am immensely thankful for every day I have with my oldest daughter. I have been open about the fact that she has had a roller coaster of a life in regards to her development and health. She continues to maintain a happy, cheerful disposition despite it all. Meanwhile I worry every second of every day about every aspect of her struggles. I never know when I may lose her. I try to stop my tendency to think negatively and catastrophically when I do not need to but the fact is that this is the way my brain works. I have reason to think this way in her case. So I need to enjoy every minute I have with her.

I am thankful that I have a job, house, food and clothing.

I am thankful that I have a supportive family and my in-laws have welcomed me with open arms.

I am grateful I live in a country with the freedom that we have despite the abuses of these freedoms by numerous people.

My friends have stepped up when I have needed them and I cannot ignore them in a post regarding appreciation. It is easy to be a friend when things are good, but it takes genuine care and concern when things are bad. I say things and do things without thinking from time to time but they never cut off our friendships as a result. I thank them all for their patience.

I can't ignore the appreciation I have for the fact that I have so much to be appreciative of in general.

Finally, I am thankful for the following I have for this blog. There are over 2,100 hits this year alone with about half the posts of last year.

Thank you.

Happy OSU v. Michigan

I say this with 100% genuine sincerity: The Ohio State Buckeyes versus University of Michigan Wolverines Football Saturday is an observed holiday in my household. I will go to my grave recognizing this day.

So as Jim Tressel led our Buckeyes to his 8th win in 9 years as our head coach today, I learned many things about this day and my life in general. I would like to share them with you.

1. I cherish this day.

2. It makes the day so enjoyable when OSU wins and the weather is a balmy 50 degrees and sunny.

3. I have some really cool friends who come to my house despite the prospect that our Bucks may lose and I may make everyone uncomfortable.

4. My dude, Chad gets it.

5. I love my wife. I had some where around 10 friends and colleagues come to my house to share in the festivities and she was nothing but cordial and welcoming. Never once did she balk. There would be a mess. Our carpet would be walked upon. Plenty of boisterous ruckus would take place. And never did she complain. She took care of the baby and I got to socialize and watch football.

6. I wish I could have joined Rob's bonfire.

7. I got to experience the phenomenon that is The Baddness and it was well worth the price of admission. His friends are very cool and I hope to hang out with them again.

8. Oregon will most likely be our opponent in the Rose Bowl. Maybe now, we can gain some respect int he eyes of ESPN and the national media. But the defense BETTER show up and somehow, someway, Pryor needs to learn how to pass in the next month.

9. I don't give a damn for the whole state of Michigan 'cuz I'm from OH-IO.

10. I really wish I could have had my oldest daughter with me today. I mean it when I say I consider this day a holiday. Just like Thanksgiving and Christmas and her birthday, I want to share this day with my girl. I want her decked out in her scarlet and gray cheering with me and getting frustrated with the bad plays. I want her to form memories of these games with her dad. While so much was good about today, there is still this missing piece in my heart. I would trade the times with my friends for the time with her in a hear beat. I have before and would have today. Of course, today I could have had both. But this is reality. Maybe next year.

11. I did get to share the day with my youngest. Most of the day she was with her mom. But she had her Buckeye gear on. She watched pregame with me and listened to the marching band. Most importantly, she was her to experience the experience. When she is up walking and talking, I anticipate her contribution to the future holidays to be significant.

12. I like my life the way it is. I witnessed numerous things tonight. But after it was all said and done, I was very happy I am living the life I am living. I am happy I have my family as it is, my house, a job, my friends, my personality, attitude, way of living, values and general lifestyle. I can't do what some can but I am happy with watching them. I don't do what some do and I am extremely pleased I don't.

13. I am excited to see family and old friends this coming weekend for the holiday. I have plenty to be thankful for and I look forward to acknowledging it!

On this day when we beat Michigan....LIFE IS GOOD!

WWHD

Yesterday a highly respected colleague of mine walked in my room after dismissal and the conversation went something like this:

"Huey, I had moment today."

"Uh oh what happened?" I responded.

"I had too much going on and I was trying to get all of this stuff in during Reading and it was falling apart in front of my face," she said sounding rather exasperated.

"Then I thought to myself, 'What would Huey do?'" she continued with her hand on her forehead with a look of consternation.

"Oh yeah?" I asked. "And what did Huey end up doing?"

"Stopped. Thought, 'Less is more. Work smarter, not harder.'"

"Ahh, so you streamlined the lesson and focused on what makes the most impact?" I though it would be wise to paraphrase back what she said to demonstrate my understanding.

"Exactly. Thank you Mr. Huey. Thank you."

The colleague with whom I had this conversation is an amazing woman who I hold in extremely high regard. I try to emulate her on a daily basis. The things she does in her classroom are truly remarkable.

Although I have worked next door to her for almost a decade now and have a clear idea of how she works, I am not the only one who has noticed her success. Any time there are important people in our school to observe how things work, her classroom is the model to which we hold ourselves and it's her room our administration takes the visitors to see first.

But the quality I find most appealing is her humility. Despite the accolades and praise we all shower upon her, she gets it. She understand that she is a product of others. Every time I compliment her or thank her or refer to her strengths, she immediately returns with a reference to something I have done that she has copied or taken from me.

She is extremely supportive in her language. She never offers help in a condescending manner. In meetings, she publicly praises me and brags about things I have done or that our grade level as a group has done.

So when someone like her recognizes my greatness, it means something to me. It is a legitimate comment that I take to heart.

I realize greatness isn't usually appreciated in its time, but she has appreciated mine ....if I do say so myself. And that is something people in my profession need more of, more often.

Especially when you end the day with bold, angry, little fourth graders calling you an idiot and intentionally jamming their should in your gut.

2009-2010 Cleveland Cavaliers: No More Excuses

Before we go forward, we must look back.

Since the emergence of LeBron James to NBA royalty, the Cleveland Cavaliers have been trying to find the perfect recipe to mix with him for a title.

In 2007 LeBron put the team on his back and carried them to the NBA Finals. But they were easily disposed of by the experience and overwhelming talent of the San Antonio Spurs.

Ferry knew he needed to bring in more talent. He wanted to surround James with a better supporting cast. At the same time, he tried to maintain the integrity of the team and keep contract flexibility for the 2010 free agent class only a few years away at that time.

In a trading deadline blockbuster during the 2007-2008 season, he brought in Ben Wallace, Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West and Joe Smith.

Unfortunately, a fourth seed in the postseason led the Cavs to playoff series without home court advantage. Many blamed this for the early exit in the second round to the eventual champions, Boston Celtics. It was said in some circles that the closely contested game seven of that series would have gone in the Cavs' favor if it was in Cleveland instead of Boston.

So last off season Ferry went out and acquired Mo Williams to guide the team and possibly be LeBron's number two man. In addition, the team committed themselves to "one goal," which meant they were gunning for home court advantage throughout the entire postseason and a title.

The team ripped off a franchise record 66 wins. They dominated the first two playoff series, sweeping Detroit and Atlanta.

They had the coveted home court advantage and several players were stepping up to give James the support every Cavs' fan had been begging for throughout his career.

But once again, they fell short as Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic created match up problems that Mike Brown and the Cavs could not overcome.

That brings us to the 2009 off season. There were more off season moves by Ferry to shore up the lineup and address those problems Orlando presented for the Cavs.

First, the "Shaquisition." Ferry worked a low risk trade with the Phoenix Suns to acquire Shaquille O'Neal for center/forward Ben Wallace and guard Sasha Pavlovic as well as a draft pick.

Last season O'Neal averaged 17.8 points and 8.4 rebounds a game and appeared in his 15th All-Star Game.

In addition, Ferry signed Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon.

Parker is a guard/forward who can start. Last season with the Toronto Raptors, he averaged 10.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and career highs of 3.4 assists and 1.3 steals in 33.0 minutes per game. He will fit in well with the defensive minded Cavs and add some much needed offense as well.

Moon is a forward who plays the same position as James but will find a way into the lineup. He is a solid outside shooter who can rebound and play defense. He averaged 7.2 points per game last season and 4.6 rebounds.

Overlooked in the midst of these three signings was the resigning of Andy Varejao who brings plenty of hustle and energy to the team. He gets in the head of opponents and takes charges like few in the NBA do. He has also developed a good relationship with LeBron on the court as the two feed off each other.

O'Neal should be able to guard anyone down low without the need for a double team which will alleviate some of the stress on the perimeter. Parker and Moon add athleticism and length on the perimeter so the undersized Delonte West won't be worn down guarding the Rashard Lewis' or Hedo Turkoglu's of the world.

That brings us to the current season.

There are no more excuses for the Cavaliers.

LeBron now has a legitimate number two in O'Neal and there are quality role players surrounding them. They have height, shooters and ball handlers. They have athleticism and a mix of youth and experience. There is depth at every position.

The team chemistry was well documented last year as they enjoyed their pregame rituals like the photograph poses.

The core of the team has been together for several seasons. Mo Williams has been through a post season as an integral part of the team. The coach has plenty of experience.

This year MUST be the year.

Get home court.

Beat the teams in front of you.

Bring home the title to a starving city bleeding wine and gold!

I Love It.....

...when I come home from work and open the garage door to the sounds and coos of my baby girl upstairs.

...when I walk up those stairs and see my oldest anxiously greet me with a hug and plenty of excitement.

...when my wife makes sure I don't proceed without giving her a kiss.

...that my wife looks as beautiful as she does.

...that my wife can carry and contribute to a conversation about anything I have on my mind and initiates conversations that intrigue me.

...when I play night softball games under the lights. I fondly remember when I did it for the first time in high school and was struck by the feeling that rushed over me as I trotted out to the outfield. Now, almost twenty years later, I still enjoy that experience.

...that I get to pitch at some of my games. There is something to the control and constant involvement in the game that I enjoy. It is really fun when I am pitching well. I love the satisfaction of contributing to the win.

...when I meet friends to watch any particular team I support. The more the merrier.

...when the leaves begin to change colors and air cools. This time of year is easily my favorite. It means something when it trumps the time of year when I didn't have to work. But once the shock of returning to school wears and I get into the routine, this time of year is great. Even cloudy cool days are nice. Football is in full swing. Playoff baseball is going on. The basketball and hockey seasons are about to commence. There is a feel in the air that I love. Holidays are right around the corner and the traditions that come with them are a joy. Trick or treating with the girls. Lots of turkey and football on Thanksgiving. The Michigan game. Christmas and all that comes with it. Ahh yeah.

...that I have numerous positive relationships with coworkers. As difficult as my job is day in and day out, enjoying the people I work with make it more tolerable.

...that Shaq is a Cavalier. I am eager to watch a season with LeBron and O'Neal playing together nightly.

...that Braylon Edwards is no longer a Brown.

...that I genuinely enjoy the company of my in-laws and even my brother's in-laws.

...that my nephews are very cool. Being "uncle Beau" is nothing but fun and watching them bond with their cousins is awesome to watch.

...that I have so many good friends. I also love that I have such a diverse set of friends. The diversity has added plenty of spice to my life.

...that I do not have any long standing grudges or estrangements with family members or loved ones.

...that I am paying off my debt....slowly but surely.

...that I have all girls this year. I am enjoying it as much of a roller coaster ride that it is.

...that I have so many fond memories of several periods of my life.

...that I got to be a part of 85. And that every time we are together we all acknowledge it and mark it with pictures. It is a tradition and an experience that I cherish to this day and always will.

...that I got to throw the tire.

...that I know what glasshouse party means to a select group of people. And I got to experience it multiple time.

...that at least Ohio State has won a a championship in my lifetime and it was a football one at that.

...that Cleveland was able to get back our football team and its essence unlike every other city out there.

...that I have been able to go to a Rose Bowl. And it was an epic game.

...that I can turn the channel when I see Ann Coulter is on CNN.

...that I can rake at "Beer Money" on STO.

...when All Bets Are Off is on TV and I can enjoy Bruce rant about things I care about just like the old days on the radio before he was in trouble with the law.

...that I got to witness Bernie Kosar play for the Browns.

...that I was around for the birth of the Dawg Pound and sat in it during its glory days.

...that I was able to attend games in the Grand Old Lady on the Lake before it was demolished for the new Cleveland Browns Stadium.

...that the Browns stadium is named just that and not some sponsor like Progressive Field.

...that I was able to enjoy the Indians in the mid-90s.

...that know what it is to be loyal and die hard no matter what, to something.

Dream Lineup

This past week I was able to make my way to Cincinnati for another Social Distortion show. Social D is my all time favorite band.

This started me thinking, what would be the ultimate concert lineup for me?

Social Distortion would be the headliner with an hour to an hour and a half show. But who would open and lead up to the main act?

I thought I would want a variety. But I would want a variety of bands that work well together to create an energy of excitement leading to Social D. For instance, Pink Floyd is a great band that I would love to see again but their show and vibe wouldn't mix with these others at all.

But these bands would need to be among my favorites. They would also need to be excellent live acts since this is live. Quality in the studio doesn't automatically get you in my lineup.

So I thought I would start with A Tribe Called Quest. They would open the show with a laid back vibe to get you started with a smooth groove. Q-Tip and Phife Dog would lay some lyrics and rhyme down as you begin your first drink and bob your head.

Then, Fun Lovin' Criminals would enter the stage and continue the schmooth flow. They would maintain a nice mellow vibe with a couple of jazzy, bluesy songs but also begin a transition to a rock vibe.

Next, things would begin to intensify a bit and move more into a rock mode as Muse would take stage and contribute their epic art rock vibe. While not exactly a hard sound, they would take the music to a more rock genre and lend some strong, loud sound to the show.

The next contributor would be Weezer. Their plethora of familiar songs to draw from would get the crowd even more into it and continue the bridge from the early bands to the last two juggernauts.

At this point, we are four deep already and I would be eager to see the headliner. Just one more addition is needed. In order to take it to another level in the world of rock and intensity, I would have The Bronx come out and kick some ass. They would blow the roof off of the place and allow Social D to come in with the crowd in a frenzy.

Finally, the headliner would come out guns a blazin' and play a set that never slows. Pure rock 'n Roll. Classic stuff from Mommy's Little Monster, my favorite album from them, and rock on through to their new stuff that I also enjoy. Mike Ness would lend his intro to the songs like he always does. The crowd would heave plastic cups of beer on stage. We would sing along and point in the air to the beat.

It would be an epic night.

Best rock show ever.......for me.

December 27th

My last post was about the inevitable depression that arrives soon after a major event in one's life. Most of the time these major events are very positive ones like weddings, graduations, big sports victories, a new job, completion of big projects or tasks and journeys in life.

But there is one major event that has been very positive for me and doesn't result in a drop off of happiness after it loses its luster. One that I would also relate to Christmas as I did the last post.

This has been the births of my daughters.

I recall my early days of fatherhood. I would frequently use the analogy of the excitement of Christmas morning to describe the feeling of entering fatherhood. But the difference in the two experiences was that my child never lost her luster as the Christmas gifts inevitably did every year.

This wasn't to say being a Dad was always sugarplums and lollipops. My experience in particular has been very difficult and stressful.

But at no moment have I lost the exciting feeling deep in my soul. I still feel and appreciate my "gift" (now gifts with an "s") as much as I did the moment they were brought into the world.

There has been no drop off and I don't anticipate there ever will be.

The next part of that TV show isn't "December 26th." It is the next dramatic, entertaining episode. Everyday life with my children is filled with excitement and happy feelings that you would see as the protagonist figures the moral of the story. It is far from mundane.

So not every happy experience has to have that sad, plunging feeling of returning to the "baseline."

The Day After Christmas

December 26th was the worst day of the year growing up. It was the "morning after" before I had any idea what the morning after meant. It was the the low after the high.

Weeks of intense anticipation for Christmas day and the gifts I would receive and the Dad's Diner breakfast we would eat came to a crashing, sudden halt on this day each year.

The morning of December 26th brought the reality of the ugly, cold weather outside. There were no more green and red sugar cookies. The tree didn't have the same glow. The gifts were already boring and sometimes broken. Christmas songs weren't enjoyable anymore, just annoying. It was still too early to call your friends. The whole vibe was completely lost.

Throughout life I realized this sudden loss of happiness would happen more often than one day a year. Every high had its equal low immediately after.

The morning after my wedding. The rest of the day after my graduations. The morning after numerous parties. The day after vacations.

This came to mind as I spent this evening with my wife. In our crazy, wild life, this meant sitting in front of the TV while the kids were sleeping watching her "stories." Yes, fatigue gets the best of you in this profession of ours.

At the end of her show, the typical resolution came about and the protagonist learned the moral of her story. Yes, it is important to maintain your relationship with your mother.

Hey. I didn't say it was my show. I said it was "her stories." There is no football to be found on Tuesday nights and baseball has been dead to me since the Indians flamed out in, errrrrr, April.

Everything was nicely wrapped up and all loose ends tied when I thought to myself, "What next?"

I'll tell you what next: the low, depressing feeling that comes after the dramatic moments of your life end, but life goes on.

December 26th comes next.