Dear Dirk – Mavs vs. Suns

Dear Dirk

I’ve been relatively quiet this season.  Mostly because I can’t figure out what the heck is going on.  After last seasons blowout record and then playoff meltdown, I thought Avery was holding you guys back purposely, not letting the numbers, statistics and records get to your heads.  I was convinced this was the strategy early on but our recent losses don’t really support my theory.

After two poor playoff showings, I fully understand that Avery is looking for something to push us through to a championship.  However, this strategy of taking on these new players and these cock-a-mamie (is that a word) trades is blowing my mind.  You have a record season but choke in the playoffs.  Why not focus on your playoff strategy?  Why re-work the entire system.  The system works!  You’ve changed the system and now we may struggle to make the playoffs (more on that later).  Its sort of like my dart game.  I’m decent player except for the bull.  I don’t getter better at the bull by cutting of my arm!   I just learn a new strategy!

Now about these trades.  The boys in the office and I had a discussion about the Shaq trade.  They were complaining that was a bad decision on Mavs part.  I completely disagree.  I respect, admire and like Shaq but he’s done.  He’s not the right player for our team.  Then this Jason Kidd stuff.  I will not renew my season tickets if this trade goes through.  I’ve never been a big fan of Devan George (and I think the stats will back me up) but if he is the reason this trade is blocked then God Bless Him.  He can stay on the team as long as he likes.  If its turns out its Stack’s fault then I say sing like a Canary!  Talk, Talk Talk!  Mark/Avery – This is a bad idea. 

And finally,  the NBA needs to look at a new way of organizing the teams and playoffs.  We’ve moved from 2^nd to 6^th in our division, and we are only 2 games behind!  In the eastern division, 2 games behind would put you in 2^nd place.  The 6^th place team is 17 games behind the 1^st place team.  This clearly shows the disparity between these divisions.  Hmmm maybe that’s why all these trades are taking place.  Will need to think on this.

You however are doing fantastic.  You hit 36 last night and we still lose.  There’s nothing more you can I’m afraid (unless you want to hit 50).  I love the long hair, rugged look.  I like seeing your picture all over the place.  I’m still available and waiting for you to glance up to the stands and see me pining for you.

See ya at the arena soon!

P.S. – ESPN I’m available for commentary and analysis.

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme ..or..Ode to the Spice Girls

I’ve admitted numerous times I’m not a highly skilled soccer player but of all the things I do right now, my most favorite activity is playing indoor soccer with my Spice Girls.  I’m not sure how I got invited to play, but I am so glad I did.  These are the craziest, funniest, outgoing bunch of women I’ve ever met.   It’s a weird makeup of women (old, young, gay, straight, professional, homemakers, wildcats, saints, cougars and kittens) that seem to fit.  

Our social time after the game is reason enough to play with this team.  This usually consists of hanging out at the little arena bar cursing and insulting each other, cursing and insulting other teams, being crude and crass, cheer for or booing other teams (loudly and obnoxiously), looking at men, talking about men, looking at women, talking about women, getting/receiving support and motivation, getting/receiving ‘tough’ love.  Its better than therapy! 

The team has gone through a few roster changes but there are a few core members that have really had an impact on me.  This is not slight to other members but some of them I just haven’t had a chance to know as well but I will update when I do. 

Ms.  Wasabi (aka Dawn) 

I don’t want to cause offense but Dawn is one of my favorites.  She’s the team manager, coach, social director, mom, dictator, organizer, peace maker!  Early on she implemented the corny idea of announcing a Spice of the Week before each game.  We made fun of her but you ought to hear the girls bitch if they aren’t announced or its been awhile since they were spice of the week.  I was spice of the week last week!  Thanks Dawn!   

Dawn and I represent the 40 something’s.   She makes me belly laugh.  On occasion, its just her and I celebrating after the game (we celebrate whether we win or lose!).  Those are some of my favorite times.  We talk dirty, flirt with boys half our age and come up with stupidest jokes.  We just seem to get each other.  She’s the first to ask you what’s wrong and provide support.  I feel really luck to found her as a friend. 

Ms.  Yohimbine (aka Courtney) 

Courtney is the princess.  She’s young and cute and bubbly.  Things I would normally find annoying but in Courtney they fit.  She can sing!  And often does, whether you want her to or not!  She’s a little boy crazy but who wouldn’t be if you were young cute and bubbly.  

Ms. Peppa (Betty) 

Betty is my personal goal this year.  I haven’t got to know Betty as well as I want to but I’m working on it.  If Mo is cool in the Bohemian way then Betty is cool in a hip hop way.  Nothing seems to ruffle her feathers.  She isn’t the center of attention by her actions.  She comes across as mysterious.  It just makes you want to know about her.  So Peppa this is your warning, I’m going to be bugging you!

Ms.  Jalapeno (aka Patty) 

If Courtney is the princes, Patty is the Diva!  It’s a little frightening, if she’s got Diva personality in her 20’s!  What the hell is this little hot pepper going to be like in her 40s.  Patty cracks me up.  I’m sure she’s going to get pissy about not being the favorite.  But she’s already Spice of the Year (by her own pronouncement) so she can’t have everything.  Kids these days!   

The thing I love about Patty is she will ride your ass and give you shit to the point you want kill her.  But I know its all act, on the inside she’s a marshmallow.  Patty’s greatest attribute is her fierce loyalty.  She’d be the first to kick someone’s ass if they slight you.  Everybody needs a friend like Patty. 

Ms. Basil (Genieva) 

Geneiva’s a new team member but a long time friend.  Of the mostly sinners on the team, Genieve is probably the closest we have to Saint.  She kind and considerate.  She rarely loses her temper or creates a stir.  Her worst fault is we can’t get her to stay after the game to celebrate so we can try and work our wicked ways on her! 

Ms. Curry (Mo) 

Even before I knew her, I liked Mo.  Mo just is cool.  She’s cool in a kind of a hip, boheimian sort of way.  She always seems to be so even tempered.  Now that I’ve got to know her, I think she’s even cooler.  Mo has a maturity about her that belies her age.  I see abit of my younger self in her (but I was never as cool as Mo).  I just see so many exciting things for Mo.  I find myself want to always give her advice.  I sense a huge breakthrough in Mo in her personal and professional life.  If she can just see in herself what I see in her she’s going to have so many fabulous things happen.  I think Mo was the first one on the team that was actually nice to me and made me feel included and she will always hold a special place to me for that.  

Ms.  Paprika (Rita) 

Rita is the Grand Dame.  She’s the oldest but holds her own with these girls with dignity and grace.  Rita realizes most of the issues we talk about don’t matter in the long run.  She’s just happy and has a sense of peace about her.  That’s not to say she’s not a fierce player.  She doesn’t back down and unlike myself doesn’t seem to be afraid of the ball (not necearrily a good trait if you play soccer).  She’s sort of has my fantasy.  She’s married to English man with a  great accent! 

Since we do play soccer I should probably talk about that aspect of the team.  When we first started playing as a team a couple of seasons ago, we sucked.  That’s putting it kindly.  I’m not sure if we even scored a point that first season.  As disheartening as it sometimes was (because we are competitive), winning or losing never seemed to be the reason we played.  For some players it was and they’ve dropped.  Every season we’ve gotten better (and closer).  Last season we were the only team to defeat the un-defeated 1^st place team.  We are actually in 1^st or 2^nd place this season and all the sudden some of those players want to come back and we are being recognized by the other teams.  IN YOUR FACE! 

What makes this team special is the women.  I’ve broached the girls about letting me do a documentary, “A year in the life of the Spice Girls”.  They seemed kind of excited by the idea, but they were drinking so I probably should ask them when they are sober. Well Ladies?   

With love, Cumin, #69 (aka Tonya)

My First Political Blog

With the Primaries quickly coming to Texas, it has got me thinking about our (the US) political system.  I clearly don’t understand exactly how all the primaries and delegates, caucus and stuff work.  In fact, it’s a little scary to try and write a political blog.  My ignorance in this area will clearly shine. 

My political beliefs are pretty liberal, even bleeding heart.  I’m definitely voting democratic but really haven’t decided which of the two candidates I back.  My feminist sensibilities lean toward Mrs. Clinton (who is probably the smartest of the Clintons but obviously lacking the charisma).  This may be moot point based on the momentum Mr. Obama has but I’m ok with that too.   

But the purpose of this is not to really argue the politics of my beliefs but to question exactly how we go about our election process.  I went to opensecrets.org to look at the candidates spending for their campaigns. 

If the website is accurate and I’ve totaled correctly, then it looks like the total spending for all candidates is $582,910,340.  Hillary and Obama represent nearly half at $217,823,029.  John McCain has raised $41,102,178.  Are these numbers anyone can truly comprehend?  What exactly is this money spent on?  Tour buses and commercials?  Employment of huge staffs, hair dressers and PR people?   

I’ve watched the speeches and the debates and I’m not sure I couldn explain the positions of all the candidates.  I would propose all the candidates clearly articulate their positions, beliefs, stands, records in some kind of standardized format that could be easily compared and contrasted.  It seems it could be massed produced and delivered to every household in multiple languages (and Braille and audio format) for hundreds millions dollars less than the current system. 

I think it should  also include all the information that you would find on a background search for new employee (criminal records, liens, charges, credit score, etc.).  It could placed on standard websites, libraries or other public locations to make it accessible to everyone.  Then couldn’t something useful be done with that money saved?  Something like fixing the roads, paying teachers and improving education, rebuilding New Orleans, feeding the hungry, building affordable housing? 

I don’t know but there just seems to be better way of spending $500 million dollars than criss-crossing the country like rock star with the associated groupies, roadies and stage hands, producing music videos and sound bites.  I get the shaking hand and kissing babies thing to a certain degree.  But how many of us in the general population get to do that.  I’m in my 40s and I have never seen a sitting president in real life.   

What happens to the money earned but not spent anyway?  Do the contributors get their money back?  Does it go into the candidates account?  Do they donate it to charity?  What do you do with extra millions?   

I was watching Bill O’Reilly on Oprah one day and he was espousing his rhetoric and he asked the question to the audience, Do you want this to be like Denmark?  In multiple surveys/studies, the Danes and Denmark are found to be the happiest people/place on earth.  Well why would we want to be like that?   

In one of the surveys, one of the happiness factors was the measure of the belief trust in their government.  The Danes fundamentally believe their state is well run.  “We have a lot of faith in government as an institution.  The authorities are normally competent, uncorrupt and approachable.”  Wow, what a concept!  Ok then my answer is Yes!  I want to be like Denmark!

My Best Friend

People know what they do;
They frequently know why they do what they do;
But what they don’t know is what they do does.

Michel Foucault
The Order of Things

I love that quote. People never really know the impact they have on your life. I’ve been very lucky to have people come through my life that have had significant positive impacts, especially women. One of these days I’m going to write a book about the normal everyday women who have had the most impact on my normal everyday life. It may hold little interest for anyone else but will be my way of thanking these extra-ordinary women.

Today’s on Valentine’s I received the most beautiful bouquet of red Tulips, my favorite flower. This was a complete surprise. I’m not dating anyone and I’m not aware of any interest from anyone. I look at the card on flowers and it’s a simply Happy Valentine’s Day from my best friend Daisy. This kindness meant more to me than receiving them from any romantic interest.

One of the chapters of that book I’m going to write will definitely be about my best friend Daisy. This will be Daisy’s chapter, as I don’t want to wait to let her know how much I appreciate her friendship. I’ll continue to revise over the upcoming years.

Its funny the twists and turns life takes. I met Daisy in college and let’s just say we were not the best of friends. In fact, to say we hated each other is probably not an exaggeration. I thought she was shallow and vain and I think she thought I was stuck-up and a ‘b’. We went for several years with this animosity, trying to avoid each other as much as possible but we ran in the same circle so were thrust together more often than we both probably liked.

The years after to college we learned to tolerate each other and eventually to be civil if not friendly towards each other. This is when we first started traveling together. You learn quickly how compatible you are with someone when you travel together. Although we weren’t the best of friends we actually traveled pretty well with only the occasional frustration and irritability that accompanies any travel. We’ve learned to manage this by keeping our distance from each other for a bit after a trip and by learning to just let things go.

To this day, she is my favorite travel companion. I’ve seen the world with Daisy, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Australia, Tahiti, Mexico, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica to name a few. We’ve made our ‘bucket list’ although we did it before any movie came out. Its something I like forward to every year.

At one point, Daisy made a career decision to move to San Francisco to take a promotion. I don’t think she knows how much I am impressed with that decision. She didn’t know a soul in San Francisco and the job was a completely new area that she didn’t have much experience with. I have always felt that I was going to pick up and move and try a new experience but I haven’t done so. At this point in my life I’ve got responsibilities that make that nearly impossible but why didn’t I do it before I had those responsibilities. So far I’ve not had the courage that Daisy exhibited. I don’t think she’ll ever really get how impressed and inspired I am by her.

Daisy came back from San Francisco a different person. There was a maturity and confidence to her that must have existed but didn’t shine the way it did when she came back to Texas. She said when she came home she was ready to find someone and settle down into a relationship. And she did with just a crook of the finger. I think she was dating Roger less than a year later and married less than a year after that.

After Daisy came home, something just clicked for us. She’s been my best friend ever since. Daisy’s is solid and reliable. Her affections are not showy or emotional but thoughtful and considerate. Her loyalty is unwavering. She motivates, she inspires, she cajoles, she badgers. She knows the right thing to say at the right time. My life would be quite the poorer for having not known her.

P.s. Daisy – as much as I love you, you do NOT have veto power!

Our Bucket List
Drive the East Coast USA – New England
Grand Canyon (white water rafting) USA – Colorado
Venice Plus Italy – Venice +
Croatia Croatia
Asia Thailand +
Moscow to St. Peterburg Russia
Architechture (Barcelona) and Party (Ibiza) Spain
Nordic Countries Denmark, Norway +
Go Kiwi! New Zealand
Outback Again! Austrailia
The Pyramids Egypt
Looking for lions – Safari Africa
Cape Town S. Africa
Rio Mambo Brazil
Inca Trail / Macchu Picchu Peru
The Rockies Express Canada
Watching for Whales Alaska
Petra Palace Petra Jordan

Ask and you Shall receive or Gimme Gimme Gimme

It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged.  I better write something before the 12 people that read my blog forget about me. I  really haven’t had much to blog about, no major excitements but thankfully no major dramas, so this will be pretty random.

I usually make tons of New Year’s resolutions.  They all tend to be the same so I think they are now just part of my being:  get skinnier, save more money or get out of debt, fall in love and/or get laid.  This year I’m not going to make resolutions I’m going to make changes.  I want to sell my house and move and until recently I wasn’t sure where but more on that later.  I want a new job.  I want to meet new people.  I want to take some classes.  I’ve actually had a couple of job interviews already.  One wants me to move to Austin and one wants me to take a $50K pay cut.  (Geesh that’s more than some people make!)  Obviously, neither are viable options, at least right now.  I actually need to find a job that pays me more $.

I’ve come across some townhomes being developed.  I want one!  I could afford the smallest one but I really want the 3 bedroom.  Everybody’s on the bandwagon about putting your wants/desires/needs out to the universe.  Sort of the ask and you shall receive strategy.  So ok, I’m asking the universe (at least the myspace universe):  I want, no, I need, the 3 bedroom townhome with the patio on the roof!  And if that works, then I also want a hot boyfriend next. 

These townhomes are so cute.  They are built like a brownstone with 3 floors and a little roof patio.  I’m going to look awesome with my cute little self driving my cute little Smartcar into my cute little garage.  Universe are you tuning into this picture?

If I could just find $100K somewhere I could make this work.  I showed them to my son and he’s more excited than I am.  He checks the web everyday.  “Mom, they just sold two more, hurry they are going fast!”  I try to explain, “Bubba, we can’t afford it yet”   I could probably make it happen (with my current job) if I sold the house I let my mom live in.  I explained this to Chad.  He agreed we can’t put Granny on the street.  He goes back into the office and then coming running out.  “Mom, I’ve got the best idea!  We sell Granny’s house and she can move in with us!”  This causes my life to flash before my eyes.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my mom.  I must, mustn’t I?  I subsidize her living, I take her to weird country concerts, I clean her gutters on a rickety step ladder with nothing but kitchen spatula, but there are limits.  And living with my mother is one of my limits!  I have to talk to her about this before Chad gets to her and they hatch some crazy plan for us all to live together.  There simply has to be another way.

I’m taking my sister to Vegas in a couple of weeks, maybe I’ll get lucky and hit a nice jackpot.  Or maybe I could just ask 100,000  people for $1.  And then there’s the likelihood that I’ll have to stay at my current job.  I want to change jobs.  I wonder how the universe is going to handle these competing demands.

In the spirit of change, I cut off my hair!  I’ll post pictures at some point though I may hold off for a couple of months.  My ortho says I can get my braces off in two months.  Play Halleluja music here.  In a way it will be sad, kind of like a break up.  This is the only man I’ve seen consistently for the last 2 years.  Maybe he’ll spoon with me before he takes them off. 

I have a feeling that after 2 years, 48 painful visits (see just like a relationship) and $5K later, nobody is going to know the difference.  Well I don’t care.  They are straighter damn it!