110

Young dies old. Happy life reported.

"Yo ho!"

(which translates, of course, as: "Hello, I'm excited to be here.")

"Strength and Strategy"

You tell em, Tom.

I like reading the obits, even when I've never heard of the person. Never know what you might learn. Here'r two quotes from today's NYT obit of former hockey player Alex Shibicky, who died earlier this month in BC at 91 years of age:

"We had the best skating team," he (Shibicky) was quoted as saying by The Chicago Tribune last year. "We had the best fundamental team. When you're like that, you're loose as a goose. You play a lot better. You think a lot better. We scored goals that you don't even dream about on our line." ...

In his later years, Shibicky lost patience watching the modern game of hockey on television. "I sit and watch, and after a period and a half I fold up and go to bed," he told the Chicago Tribune. "All the hooking and spearing and stuff that goes on, those things are killing the game."

"On the South Side, we don't ride like that."

Here's one of the most e-mailed stories from espn.com. (Link should have 2 pages). Great writing by Scoop Jackson that really captures the "flava" of the mid-season pennant race:

They all know how this side of town works. They know that while fantasy springs eternal up north in Wrigleyville, fatalism runs thangs on the other side of Roosevelt Road.

Ride the Redline to 35th. "Who's the best team in baseball? The Cardinals or the White Sox?" you'll hear. Those who answer "Pale Hose" still don't sound like they believe it.

It's called the art of un-panicking. It's a body language and mind-set embraced by a couple of million people who want to pull out those black 1993 White Sox caps, but are afraid to because they don't want to be getting dressed for their own funeral.

Is it better to be wise than savvy?

Honest people can disagree, and set the parameters for discussion on their own blogs of course, but I would posit that wise refers to the long term; savvy is more near sighted.

So what has me waking up wondering this, akin to the old Aha song? Well, hockey of course. The NHL strike appears settled, and there are no winners, except maybe the game, and in a true ripple effect -- the fans. Let me explain:

Some of the proposed rule changes, aimed at improving scoring chances and creating greater parity, (or more accurately, eliminating obstacles to parity) seem to this amateur observer long overdue. No slow-down-the-game skirmishes away from the puck's action, smaller protective equipment for the goalie (not diminishing his safety, but opening up more legit opportunities for the offense... well, rather than me paraphrase further, let me just pull the info directly from http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2104511 The next 3 paragraphs are theirs. (no direct link -- I doubt they need me to feed their site with traffic: )
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In a league memo obtained by USA Today, director of hockey operations Colin Campbell outlined 13 possible rules changes that are being considered by the newly-formed rules committee, which is comprised of players, general managers and an owner.

Campbell's memo said the rules changes would "let the skill players play, increase scoring chances, maintain physicality of [the] game, take away defensive team's tools [and] give to offense, [change the] culture [and] entertain."

According to USA Today, some of the proposals include allowing zero tolerance for interference away from the puck; reducing the size of goaltending equipment and limiting how goalies can handle the puck; ejecting players who get an instigator penalty in the game's final five minutes; and giving players who shoot the puck into the stands from the defensive end a two-minute penalty; altering the icing rule; and eliminating tie games by first going to a four-on-four five-minute overtime period, then playing three minutes of three-on-three and finally switching to a three-man shootout if the score is still tied. The memo also suggests two points for a win and no points for an overtime loss, although that is expected to face heavy opposition.
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Sounds to me like the game -- and fans of a good clean game of hockey (no oxymoron there) -- would win if some of these are implemented. Why?

The knock against hockey is, at the professional level, it's a goon sport. More about hitting and physical intimidation than perfecting skating and passing, and playing the puck. Savvy players currently can manipulate the rules in playing defense to slow down scoring chances. So, for example, ejecting those players who get an instigator penalty in the game's final five minutes might lead to behavior modification, to use a new-age term. Hey, we are trying to slightly change a culture here.

Similarly, I was reaching in my paraphrase of "zero tolerance for interference away from the puck" but this was listed first, you can see. The stereotype of the fan who goes to a hockey game to see a fight, the gloves-off blood-on-the-ice excitement, appeals to some, I won't deny that. But focusing on what's wise, the league cannot deny that changes must be made at the professional level for the good of the game.

Hockey is a physical game. That's what we like about it. If you have the puck, you better do something with it -- pass or skate it quickly, with the puck firmly under your control. Otherwise, the other team is after it naturally, and a good clean check is fair game. To me, that is the best part of the game. Making the other team work for it, but playing by the rules and staying out of the penalty box. When it works, the beauty of the sport cannot be denied. It is played in the present, and teamwork, strategy, and will matter.

I've argued here before that those sounding the death knell for professional hockey are ignoring the youth leagues, quite popular in the north at least. Those boys and girls will grow up to sit in the stands, and believe me if you will, hockey is evolving into a family sport. They care about the game, even if the folks in their 20s and up have turned off and on to other sports. At those youth levels, penalties are enforced, and goon behaviour is not cheered.

The skating, cardiovascular energy, and speed of the game excite. If these rule modifications -- along with the salary restructuring and greater emphasis on marketing players and teams -- can significantly change the game, bringing it up to speed with what we expect from our 21st century sports, the long-term fan will win.

Hockey by its nature functions as a true team sport, and some might worry that marketing certain players and giving greater opportunities to hungry offenses might take away from this and make the sport more star-driven. I don't. Remember MJ, to switch to a different sport? And Kerr's 3 pointers, and Rodman's rebounds? And the underrated (next to MJ) Scottie Pippen? Great play inspires other teammates to greatness too, and only improves the game -- as well as the play of your opponents.

Competition is a fact of life, true independence is its own reward, and teammwork essential to survival. Changes to the rules are necessary where the rules themselves disadvantage those offensive players who want to see the fruits of their labors, not be shut down by actions that deserve penalty time. You want fights, turn on boxing. You want hockey, look to the youngsters in the upcoming leagues who love the game and are working to better themselves and their skills. I could even see this game expanding to growing international markets -- ie./the Pacific Rim countries.

Competition is good, true independence -- standing up straight, carrying your own weight -- is healthy, and the proposed contract settlement and rule changes appear to recognize this. A short-term loss for a long-term gain is wise, not savvy, and playing in the present will keep you in the game tomorrow. Thanks for reading my blog. Go Wild.

Humorous interlude

Seems things are getting heavy this summer, as they might have said 30 years ago.

In the belief that laughter -- and defiance in the face of evil, hey I read Bent -- will keep us free (and semantically, I too would encourage everytime we hold up freedom as a goal to spread, we couple it with justice, as in "freedom and justice" -- it just sounds better. UPDATE especially when you factor in the deaths of children who will never get to be free, but whose deaths need avenging), here is my contribution. (to humor, not freedom and justice, unless you interpret this as setting the dogs free -- to be, as they were born to be)

For some odd reason, the language made me think of Justice Scalia:

DOG LOVERS' ASTROLOGY SPECIAL: My mentor and friend Joyce Jillson, the great astrologer, had just finished writing "Astrology for Dogs" before her passing on October 1 of last year. To reply to the reader who asked, "What is dog astrology and how can I determine what sign my dog Puff, a stray, might be?" I'll quote Joyce's newly published book:

"Dog astrology explains the metaphysical side of your dog and helps you understand his character and the ways he will interact with the world. Carl Jung studied astrology and believed the stars had a profound effect on the timing of events for people and animals. If you got your dog from a breeder or a friend, you probably know when the pup was born. Otherwise, you might not be able to determine your dog's birth date. Not to worry. Celebrate Family Addition Day. The stars' alignment on this day can guide you in learning how to love, nurture and live with your animal partner. You can enhance your relationship with your dog by reading about all 12 signs to determine which appropriately describes your furry friend's astrological needs." (Quotes are courtesy of Bow Tie Press.)

Funny enough, but my stint as a bookseller (that word bothers me more than say, aquatic center, used to indicate more features -- ie/ waterslides and fountains, aerobics classes, water resistance strengthening movements, capable of benefitting even non-swimmers -- than typically indicated by the more generic term, swimming pool. Yeah, it's been hot here, can you tell?) tells me this too will sell. Cross shelve in the pet-lover and the metaphysical sections, throw in a holiday or two where people are obliged to buy a gift, and never, never underestimate (overestimate?) people's taste. People, say, who would name their dog Puff (UPDATE: which is obviously a cat's name.) Now don't be afraid, but yes folks, it is a verrry scary world out there.

Ah, I need coffee. Too early in the morning to be wondering whether Justice Scalia has a lab, or his own hunting dogs. Musing: maybe an oxymoronic left-wing hunter could use this book to check the stars and see which dog would perform best on a particular day. Anyway, happy hump day to all; the weekend is in sight...

Some days are diamonds

and yesterday was one. We christened my niece at a nicely informal service, part of the 10:45am children's mass their parish has, where the kids play instruments during the songs and the homily is delivered at their levels. Not dumbed down, just tailored to include things relevant in their daily lives. Like welcoming a new baby to the community. There was a lion king-like moment after the baptizing, where the baby was held up and everyone clapped to welcome her. I'd never seen that before during a service, but it was warm.

Afterward, there was a get-together on the family's back lawn under a tent. The weather was pleasant, as we've been having a cool spell here, and it was good to see everyone from both sides of the family. They live outside Libertyville, IL, an appropriately named place to be this weekend.

Then, I must not have checked the mail Saturday because last night was a letter from the IRS sending me $192 additional refund for a deduction they said I hadn't taken. I mean, is this a great country or what?

Granted, I did the short, easy form since my library income last year was low and my life not so complex to itemize. But with all the expenditures we're facing collectively as a nation, it seemed odd that someone checking my paperwork wants to send a bit this way. Thanks though, just frosting on a great day.

Finally, I fell asleep to one of my favorites, John Sayles' Sunshine State, and finished up watching this morning. Really, it struck me watching this umpteenth time, that this qualifies as a good "American" movie. No bloody drama, just humanity, (and an interesting eminent domain subplot, to boot)

There are some beautifully shot scenes with Florida colors and coastline, and fine acting on display. If you've seen this one, my favorite line (and character) is: "She doesn't write. She doesn't call." Though not a comedy any more than life is, there are some funny lines. Happy Independence Day.