Two weekends ago, my bowling team was thrust into action as an alternate playoff team because another team backed out. My team just missed "earning" its playoff spot by four points so we were the next in line.
I bowled one game that evening, watched my teammate compete in the seasonal "Queen Pin" tournament and then went home. I didn't notice any discomfort that night or the next morning, but shortly after I arrived at work, the lower-left side of my back started to really bother me, and the pain and stiffness never did subside the entire day or the rest of the week. Thankfully, I had my monthly chiropractic visit that Wednesday, and even though I left the office in great pain, I did a yoga workout and went for a walk, and it seemed to loosen things up a bit.
The next day was my volleyball team's last regular season game, and I dreaded it all day. However, thanks to some stretching and some ibuprofen, I made it through my match even though every step hurt. Surprisingly, by the end of the third game of my match, I jumped up and hit a pretty vicious spike (at least for me).
After enduring some volleyball induced pain the next day, my back gradually started to feel better over the course of the next week or so.
I was feeling a bit froggy, so I decided to participate in a couple of Thanksgiving Day pick-up flag football games this past Thursday. Not sure if that was the greatest idea in the world, but I hadn't played a flag football game in exactly three years, and I was simply bursting with the desire to do so again.. I had a heck of a time getting my back loose before we started playing, and it never did loosen up the entire two hours that I played. Somehow, I managed to make it through both games despite not being 100% physically.
The first game, I didn't do much of anything; I made a couple of "tackles," meaning, I pulled a flag or three, but I got beat for a couple of touchdowns, and the only pass thrown to me was knocked down at the last second. The flag I was wearing kept falling off or almost falling off, and I kept trying to hold it on like one would try to hold up a pair of pants that were too loose or just didn't fit very well. During one play, I was chasing down the quarterback and reached for my flag because it felt like it was about to fall off. When you're on defense, it doesn't really matter if your flag falls off. You're still allowed to chase the person with the football, you just wouldn't be allowed to run if you were to get an interception, for example. Tim Benz, a local radio/tv sports personality who is a fellow PSL (the league where I play most of my sports) participant, was on my team in the first game and reminded me that it didn't matter if my flag fell off while playing defense. I already knew that, of course, but it's like scratching your crotch in public; you know you probably shouldn't do it, but sometimes it happens almost involuntarily.
The second game went a lot better for me. On defense, I was told to cover a guy who was about my height and not very fast--my kind of receiver. I did quite well covering him and I may have even had the best pass defensed of my life. It was a long pass, located the football in the air, reached over the guy's shoulder and knocked it out of his hands. It was text-book. The only pass the guy caught on me was when I got "schooled" on a pick play. I felt like an ass, but stuff happens.
To save the best for last, I managed to score a touchdown near the end of the game. Unlike the first game, the quarterbacks targeted me a few times, and I caught three passes. My third and final reception of the day resulted in a touchdown when I gathered in the football, made a guy miss, which surprised me because it never happens, and then started to run for my life. Another guy reached for my flag as I neared the end zone, and I was convinced he would grab it, and I don't know if I consciously eluded him or it was just luck, but I'm dead-serious when I say I was completely shocked to make it into the end zone and see my flag still around my waist. It was maybe the single-most gratifying sports moment of the year for me. I've had a couple 200 games in official PSL bowling matches and a couple of epic-blocks in a PSL volleyball game (you'd have to know me to know how rare it is for me to block anyone in volleyball), but the touchdown I scored the other day probably tops everything else.
As I said, I hadn't played flag football in years, and that combined with my back made most of the day not so pleasant as I was injured and rusty as all hell. However, that touchdown made up for everything. And it was maybe the first flag football touchdown where I had to actually avoid people on the way to the end zone. I'm what they call a "possession" receiver, meaning I'm super-slow, so most of my touchdowns have involved me already being in the end zone when I caught the pass. Don't get me wrong, I've had a few where I had to find my way into the end zone, but they were usually plays where the quarterback hit me in stride and it was just a matter of me racing to pay-dirt. This one was different. Like most passes from flag football quarterbacks, this one was floated to me, and I had to stop whatever momentum I had, gather the pass in, and then try to get around people on my way to the end zone. Not an easy task for someone like me--I'm fast enough to be a decent tackle football player, but I'm not nearly fast enough to keep people off my flag.
Anyway, the main point of this post is to illustrate just how hard it is to play a game, even a pick-up flag football game, with an injury. Maybe I'll think a little longer before I yell for Troy Polamalu to play with his torn calf muscle. Maybe I'll think a little harder before I complain about Antonio Brown missing another game with a high-angle sprain.
If I had a tough time playing flag football with a bad back, imagine how hard it must be to play a game of tackle football at its highest level when you're not 100% physically?
After Thursday, I have a new-found respect for professional athletes.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Sunday, November 11, 2012
My favorite part of the Pirates 2012 season
Despite the fact the Pittsburgh Pirates suffered the worst collapse in MLB history, 2012 was mostly an enjoyable campaign, and certainly the most memorable season since maybe 1997. Every season, even the ones with memorable slides, have a favorite part for fans. Everyone's is different, of course, but my favorite part of the season occurred on August 19th.
After achieving their apex earlier in the month with a 60-44 record and a healthy lead in the National League wild card standings, the Pirates were in a bit of a tailspin. The team had just lost nine of its previous 14 games. On a Thursday afternoon, Pittsburgh rallied to knock off the Dodgers at PNC Park to salvage the final game of a four-game swing, and the final game of an 11-game homestand in which the Buccos went 4-7.
Next up was a trip to St. Louis to play the only team the Pirates seemed to do well against down the stretch, the World Champion Cardinals.
After splitting the first two games of the weekend series, the rubber match saw the two teams battle it out for 19 grueling innings on Sunday, August 19th. About a year earlier, on July, 26th, 2011, the Buccos lost to the Braves in a 19 inning game in Atlanta, in which Pittsburgh seemed to be screwed by home plate umpire Jerry Meals.
I had a bad feeling the Cardinals game would end the same way. However, thanks to a heroic job by a bullpen that held St. Louis to one run over the last 15 innings, Pittsburgh was able to finally win it on a Pedro Alvarez home run in the top of the 19th.
The Pirates won, 6-3, and when they flashed the score at Heinz Field during the Steelers' preseason game against the Colts, the entire stadium erupted. It was certainly a memorable night, and just a couple days later, I was inspired to write this satirical piece about following the antics and frustrations of the fans on the Bucsdugout game thread.
That's my favorite part of 2012, what about you?
After achieving their apex earlier in the month with a 60-44 record and a healthy lead in the National League wild card standings, the Pirates were in a bit of a tailspin. The team had just lost nine of its previous 14 games. On a Thursday afternoon, Pittsburgh rallied to knock off the Dodgers at PNC Park to salvage the final game of a four-game swing, and the final game of an 11-game homestand in which the Buccos went 4-7.
Next up was a trip to St. Louis to play the only team the Pirates seemed to do well against down the stretch, the World Champion Cardinals.
After splitting the first two games of the weekend series, the rubber match saw the two teams battle it out for 19 grueling innings on Sunday, August 19th. About a year earlier, on July, 26th, 2011, the Buccos lost to the Braves in a 19 inning game in Atlanta, in which Pittsburgh seemed to be screwed by home plate umpire Jerry Meals.
I had a bad feeling the Cardinals game would end the same way. However, thanks to a heroic job by a bullpen that held St. Louis to one run over the last 15 innings, Pittsburgh was able to finally win it on a Pedro Alvarez home run in the top of the 19th.
The Pirates won, 6-3, and when they flashed the score at Heinz Field during the Steelers' preseason game against the Colts, the entire stadium erupted. It was certainly a memorable night, and just a couple days later, I was inspired to write this satirical piece about following the antics and frustrations of the fans on the Bucsdugout game thread.
That's my favorite part of 2012, what about you?
Monday, November 5, 2012
Unfortunately, Pitt's Heartbreaking Overtime Loss to Notre Dame Was Just Another Case of Pitt Being Pitt
The Pittsburgh Panthers have had a lot of success in South Bend, Indiana in recent years, mostly as a result of exciting overtime victories over the Fightin' Irish in front of Touchdown Jesus.
It looked like Pitt would have that same exciting result Saturday night when, after blowing a 20-6 second half lead, they had a chance to win the game in the second overtime with a 33 yard field goal by Kevin Harper. Unfortunately, despite making a field goal from 41 yards out in the first overtime, Harper's kick sailed just wide-right, and the Irish survived and would go on to win, 29-26, on a touchdown in the third OT.
Because Notre Dame was ranked third at game-time, you might say Pitt's loss was a character builder for a team playing under its fourth head coach and in its third different system since December of 2010. However, we Pitt fans know better. Paul Chryst might bring an impressive resume and an understated determination to the job, but he's in for the fight of his life if he's going to try to overcome the stigma that this football program has spent the past three decades cementing.
The concrete has been drying for years, and it's reinforced with each close, devastating loss like the one on Saturday, just like it was in '09, when Brian Kelly's Cincinnati Bearcats came to Heinz Field and walked away with the Big East title and a BCS berth after the Panthers held a three touchdown lead.
It was reinforced a season ago, when the Panthers blew a 17-point second half lead at Iowa.
It's no coincidence that Pitt has lost three games or more each season since 1981, and I doubt things will change anytime soon.
To quote a tired cliche: "It is what it is."
To paraphrase basketball coach, Rick Pitino: "Dan Marino isn't coming through that door; Tony Dorsett isn't coming through that door; Hugh Green isn't coming through that door.
Larry Fitzgerald and Shady McCoy might, but as has been proven in the past, they probably won't be able to help much.
I hope Chryst is finally the man to bring it all together, but I'm not holding my breath.
Character builder in South Bend? Nah, just Pitt being Pitt.
It looked like Pitt would have that same exciting result Saturday night when, after blowing a 20-6 second half lead, they had a chance to win the game in the second overtime with a 33 yard field goal by Kevin Harper. Unfortunately, despite making a field goal from 41 yards out in the first overtime, Harper's kick sailed just wide-right, and the Irish survived and would go on to win, 29-26, on a touchdown in the third OT.
Because Notre Dame was ranked third at game-time, you might say Pitt's loss was a character builder for a team playing under its fourth head coach and in its third different system since December of 2010. However, we Pitt fans know better. Paul Chryst might bring an impressive resume and an understated determination to the job, but he's in for the fight of his life if he's going to try to overcome the stigma that this football program has spent the past three decades cementing.
The concrete has been drying for years, and it's reinforced with each close, devastating loss like the one on Saturday, just like it was in '09, when Brian Kelly's Cincinnati Bearcats came to Heinz Field and walked away with the Big East title and a BCS berth after the Panthers held a three touchdown lead.
It was reinforced a season ago, when the Panthers blew a 17-point second half lead at Iowa.
It's no coincidence that Pitt has lost three games or more each season since 1981, and I doubt things will change anytime soon.
To quote a tired cliche: "It is what it is."
To paraphrase basketball coach, Rick Pitino: "Dan Marino isn't coming through that door; Tony Dorsett isn't coming through that door; Hugh Green isn't coming through that door.
Larry Fitzgerald and Shady McCoy might, but as has been proven in the past, they probably won't be able to help much.
I hope Chryst is finally the man to bring it all together, but I'm not holding my breath.
Character builder in South Bend? Nah, just Pitt being Pitt.
Friday, November 2, 2012
The NHL is Still Locking its Players Out, I Could Care Less, and That's Really Where the NHL is in Trouble
It was announced on Friday that the NHL has canceled its annual New Year's Day outdoor game, formally known as the Winter Classic. The main reason, of course, is due to Friday being the 48th day of the lockout of the players by the owners.
This is sad news to a lot of my friends who are huge hockey fans and have been posting on facebook about how disappointed they really are about this whole mess. I feel for them because I know when you're a die-hard fan of something, even if nobody else shares in your excitement, you don't care. You just know you love it, and you look forward to enjoying it each and every time you get the opportunity.
Unfortunately for hockey fans, they may not get to enjoy their favorite sport anytime soon. Last I heard, 18 of the 30 NHL franchises are losing money. Normally, I would be on the players' side in this whole mess, but if your bosses aren't making any money, you need to concede more than your share, or you're probably not going to have a job in the future, anyway. I won't get into the particulars, but the main point of contention, just like with the NFL work-stoppage a year ago, is the owners' desire to decrease the overall piece of the pie for the players.
Regardless of what happens, or who is the blame in this lockout, the real sad reality for the NHL is that nobody cares that much, at least not the majority of the country. I'm sure it's headline news everyday in Canada, where hockey is a religion akin to what football has become in America. But in places like Nashville and Tampa, I'm thinking college football is probably the main topic this time of year. Heck, that's generally the case anyway, work-stoppage or no work-stoppage.
As for someone like me, the casual hockey fan, this work-stoppage has been a litmus test of my true level of hockey fandom. And I obviously do not pass. I often find myself forgetting there even is a lockout. For a league that has had a niche following forever in America, I'm sure I'm the rule and not the exception.
The 2004 lockout is what probably saved the league and made it healthier. And it damn sure saved a team like the Penguins, who were dangerously close to either folding up shop or moving elsewhere. The 2004 lockout created a salary cap and made it easier for teams like the Penguins to compete on equal footing.
Shortly after the '04 lockout, Sidney Crosby came to town, and as they say, the rest is history. The Penguins had a huge influx of young and exciting players, and I even upped my fandom of the sport and really got into the team's playoff runs from '07-'11. Remember game five of the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals in Detroit between the Red Wings and Penguins, where Sergei Gonchar scored the game-winning goal in the third overtime to stave off elimination and force a game six? I actually celebrated like the Steelers just scored the game-winning touchdown in an NFL playoff game.
The next season, when the Pens finally reached the top of the mountain and brought home their first Stanley Cup in 17 seasons, I enjoyed the ride very much. In fact, many months later, my ex girlfriend and I waited in line for hours at the Heinz History Center just so we could get our picture taken with the Cup. It was a tremendous amount of fun and something I'll never forget.
Did it make me a die-hard fan? No, but I'm the kind of fan the NHL needs, and a work-stoppage, regardless of who's to blame, is the worst way to keep people like me even a little invested.
Sorry, NHL. There's a reason the Steelers never have giveaways at home games and the Penguins have the Student Rush program. The NHL needs to smooch a little more to get the fans to love it.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Where's my Terrible Towel?
This is sad news to a lot of my friends who are huge hockey fans and have been posting on facebook about how disappointed they really are about this whole mess. I feel for them because I know when you're a die-hard fan of something, even if nobody else shares in your excitement, you don't care. You just know you love it, and you look forward to enjoying it each and every time you get the opportunity.
Unfortunately for hockey fans, they may not get to enjoy their favorite sport anytime soon. Last I heard, 18 of the 30 NHL franchises are losing money. Normally, I would be on the players' side in this whole mess, but if your bosses aren't making any money, you need to concede more than your share, or you're probably not going to have a job in the future, anyway. I won't get into the particulars, but the main point of contention, just like with the NFL work-stoppage a year ago, is the owners' desire to decrease the overall piece of the pie for the players.
Regardless of what happens, or who is the blame in this lockout, the real sad reality for the NHL is that nobody cares that much, at least not the majority of the country. I'm sure it's headline news everyday in Canada, where hockey is a religion akin to what football has become in America. But in places like Nashville and Tampa, I'm thinking college football is probably the main topic this time of year. Heck, that's generally the case anyway, work-stoppage or no work-stoppage.
As for someone like me, the casual hockey fan, this work-stoppage has been a litmus test of my true level of hockey fandom. And I obviously do not pass. I often find myself forgetting there even is a lockout. For a league that has had a niche following forever in America, I'm sure I'm the rule and not the exception.
The 2004 lockout is what probably saved the league and made it healthier. And it damn sure saved a team like the Penguins, who were dangerously close to either folding up shop or moving elsewhere. The 2004 lockout created a salary cap and made it easier for teams like the Penguins to compete on equal footing.
Shortly after the '04 lockout, Sidney Crosby came to town, and as they say, the rest is history. The Penguins had a huge influx of young and exciting players, and I even upped my fandom of the sport and really got into the team's playoff runs from '07-'11. Remember game five of the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals in Detroit between the Red Wings and Penguins, where Sergei Gonchar scored the game-winning goal in the third overtime to stave off elimination and force a game six? I actually celebrated like the Steelers just scored the game-winning touchdown in an NFL playoff game.
The next season, when the Pens finally reached the top of the mountain and brought home their first Stanley Cup in 17 seasons, I enjoyed the ride very much. In fact, many months later, my ex girlfriend and I waited in line for hours at the Heinz History Center just so we could get our picture taken with the Cup. It was a tremendous amount of fun and something I'll never forget.
Did it make me a die-hard fan? No, but I'm the kind of fan the NHL needs, and a work-stoppage, regardless of who's to blame, is the worst way to keep people like me even a little invested.
Sorry, NHL. There's a reason the Steelers never have giveaways at home games and the Penguins have the Student Rush program. The NHL needs to smooch a little more to get the fans to love it.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Where's my Terrible Towel?
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Volleyball, Bowling, Women and Writing
I haven't done one of these "reflection/journal" entries in a while. However, it's a slow day in the sports world, and since I'm not getting paid to write about sports on this blog, I can pretty much write about whatever I want.
Join me as I get you caught up on all things Tony-related:
*Working as a manager of a small-business, I really am on the front-line whenever things like Hurricane Sandy bear down on the Pittsburgh region. Sandy was a super-storm that mainly wreaked havoc in the New York/New Jersey area on Monday and Tuesday, but that didn't mean we didn't have to prepare for some dangerous weather here in Pittsburgh. On Monday, as the preparations were taking place, I was smack-dab in the middle of a storm of panicked customers who bought water, toilet paper and milk. Cliched? Yes, but with the potential of six inches of rain in the forecast, folks certainly had to prepare for the worst. Fortunately, the storm didn't hurt this region like it really could have, and I'm certainly grateful for that. As much as Pittsburghers seem to freak out about the weather, I don't think they truly realize just how lucky we are as a region to not have to deal with very many natural disasters.
*Speaking of bearing down, I wish I would have done a better job of that during my bowling team's last match this past Sunday. We won two of three games to finish out the season, which was nice. However, we missed out on making the playoffs on our team average by a mere four points, and I can't help but feel responsible for that. I entered the night with a 145 average, which is pretty decent for me, but I "crapped the bed," as they say and only averaged a 108 over the course of the three games. Had I even bowled anywhere near my average, my team would have made the playoffs. Oh well.
*Bowling is one of those sports that you pretty much have to practice on a consistent basis in order to, well, stay consistent or hopefully improve. There are so many variables to take into consideration when you bowl, from your ball, the approach, the release and the conditions of the lanes. However, if you can find a way to master your approach and release, you should be able to do well enough even with a house ball. After I started using a heavier ball in February of 2011, I immediately started to bowl much better. I maintained a 150 average for over a year. That might not sound great, but for the first two-plus years that I bowled, I could barely maintain a 130 average. Unfortunately, starting in the spring, my consistency began to wane and I just couldn't find the answers. The struggles continued early on during this past season, but I figured things out early enough and rolled my all-time high of 219. That proved to be a catalyst for me as I stayed pretty consistent for a few weeks after that and raised my season average from 121 all the way up to 147. However, after I bowled a 192 in a game in week six, I lost my touch and never bowled higher than a 154 the rest of the season and my average dropped seven point. Why the struggles? Who knows, but as I said, there are so many variables involved in rolling a good ball and staying consistent from frame-to-frame, game-to-game, and week-to-week. This must be why they have coaches for actual bowling teams.
*My indoor volleyball season is underway after a one-month delay, and things have gotten off to a weird start. My first week, I was horsing around and was unaware of how close I was to the net. I smacked into that sucker and landed on my back-side. Fortunately, I wasn't hurt, but I sure was embarrassed. Oh well, I grew up idolizing the late John Ritter, and that was an unintentional tribute to him, I suppose. Speaking of physical comics, I don't know how they do it. I had a huge bruise on my right shoulder from my little prat-fall, and now I can certainly understand why some people get hooked on pain-killers. Don't misunderstand, I didn't take any of those, but I can sure see how it would be tempting if you have to intentionally take falls like that night after night.
*Speaking of accidents, last week during my team's match, I went up to the net to punch a ball over, and a player on the other team had it in mind to punch it back my way. He did so, but he wound up hurting himself in the process. I'm not sure if he landed on my foot or was just knocked off balance, but he suffered what looked to be a pretty serious ankle injury and had to be taken to the emergency room. I know it was just an accident, but I still felt bad about it. Nobody should have to suffer a serious injury while playing recreational volleyball.
*I'm really enjoying my time writing for Behind the Steel Curtain. I feel as if I'm getting better every few months or so, and a huge part of me really wants to take this writing thing full-time. I feel no passion as great as the passion I feel for writing (at least in things that don't involve family and friends), and I feel as if I have a real aptitude for writing about most anything, but especially sports. Who knows, maybe it will happen if I keep working at it. Two years ago at this time, even the thought of being one of the main writers for a blog as well-respected as BTSC was just a pipe-dream.
*Along those lines, a week ago, I was "approached" via email to write an article for some betting site. I was skeptical, but I went ahead and wrote a preview for the Steelers/Redskins game. When I submitted the article, I was led to believe I would be getting paid $40 for the gig. As of right now, it doesn't look like that's going to happen. It's OK. I didn't invest much time in the article, but I've been conned into linking websites to my blog before (that was the main request of the person who emailed me), and next time, I'll know better.
*As most who know me are well-aware of, my three-year relationship ended in April, and it was the kind of thing that I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to get over. In fact, as recently as August, I was still in a bit of a rut about it. But then, just like that, I was OK. I started dating again in the summer, and I haven't really stopped. I forgot how much fun dating can be. I believe I'm having more fun dating women now than I ever had before, and it's probably because I'm not putting as much pressure on myself and just having fun with it. Oh, I certainly want to have a relationship and settle down, but that's the kind of thing that happens when you least expect it. If you're always worried about the destination, you're never going to enjoy the journey. Too many people put too much pressure on themselves when they date. Dating is meant to be fun. Can it be nerve-wracking? You bet it can be, but that's all part of it. Dating is just a means to find out if you're compatible with someone else. You'll never know that unless you try. If you're afraid of rejection and failure, stay home. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
*Speaking of April, I weighed damn-near 200lbs back then. I'm happy to say I weigh under 190 as of my last weigh-in about a week and a half ago. It's not exactly a ton of weight to lose, but I'm not obese, either. I'm not going to pretend that it was my master plan to lose weight at a slower pace, but I believe it will be more beneficial in the end. It's actually quite easy to lose 15 or 20 pounds over the course of a half a year or so. There are 3500 calories in a pound, so if you eat like you normally eat, and just cut out a sandwich or so every day, you'd be amazed at your results over time.
That's all I have for now. I suppose I could write more, but I'm out. Later!
Join me as I get you caught up on all things Tony-related:
*Working as a manager of a small-business, I really am on the front-line whenever things like Hurricane Sandy bear down on the Pittsburgh region. Sandy was a super-storm that mainly wreaked havoc in the New York/New Jersey area on Monday and Tuesday, but that didn't mean we didn't have to prepare for some dangerous weather here in Pittsburgh. On Monday, as the preparations were taking place, I was smack-dab in the middle of a storm of panicked customers who bought water, toilet paper and milk. Cliched? Yes, but with the potential of six inches of rain in the forecast, folks certainly had to prepare for the worst. Fortunately, the storm didn't hurt this region like it really could have, and I'm certainly grateful for that. As much as Pittsburghers seem to freak out about the weather, I don't think they truly realize just how lucky we are as a region to not have to deal with very many natural disasters.
*Speaking of bearing down, I wish I would have done a better job of that during my bowling team's last match this past Sunday. We won two of three games to finish out the season, which was nice. However, we missed out on making the playoffs on our team average by a mere four points, and I can't help but feel responsible for that. I entered the night with a 145 average, which is pretty decent for me, but I "crapped the bed," as they say and only averaged a 108 over the course of the three games. Had I even bowled anywhere near my average, my team would have made the playoffs. Oh well.
*Bowling is one of those sports that you pretty much have to practice on a consistent basis in order to, well, stay consistent or hopefully improve. There are so many variables to take into consideration when you bowl, from your ball, the approach, the release and the conditions of the lanes. However, if you can find a way to master your approach and release, you should be able to do well enough even with a house ball. After I started using a heavier ball in February of 2011, I immediately started to bowl much better. I maintained a 150 average for over a year. That might not sound great, but for the first two-plus years that I bowled, I could barely maintain a 130 average. Unfortunately, starting in the spring, my consistency began to wane and I just couldn't find the answers. The struggles continued early on during this past season, but I figured things out early enough and rolled my all-time high of 219. That proved to be a catalyst for me as I stayed pretty consistent for a few weeks after that and raised my season average from 121 all the way up to 147. However, after I bowled a 192 in a game in week six, I lost my touch and never bowled higher than a 154 the rest of the season and my average dropped seven point. Why the struggles? Who knows, but as I said, there are so many variables involved in rolling a good ball and staying consistent from frame-to-frame, game-to-game, and week-to-week. This must be why they have coaches for actual bowling teams.
*My indoor volleyball season is underway after a one-month delay, and things have gotten off to a weird start. My first week, I was horsing around and was unaware of how close I was to the net. I smacked into that sucker and landed on my back-side. Fortunately, I wasn't hurt, but I sure was embarrassed. Oh well, I grew up idolizing the late John Ritter, and that was an unintentional tribute to him, I suppose. Speaking of physical comics, I don't know how they do it. I had a huge bruise on my right shoulder from my little prat-fall, and now I can certainly understand why some people get hooked on pain-killers. Don't misunderstand, I didn't take any of those, but I can sure see how it would be tempting if you have to intentionally take falls like that night after night.
*Speaking of accidents, last week during my team's match, I went up to the net to punch a ball over, and a player on the other team had it in mind to punch it back my way. He did so, but he wound up hurting himself in the process. I'm not sure if he landed on my foot or was just knocked off balance, but he suffered what looked to be a pretty serious ankle injury and had to be taken to the emergency room. I know it was just an accident, but I still felt bad about it. Nobody should have to suffer a serious injury while playing recreational volleyball.
*I'm really enjoying my time writing for Behind the Steel Curtain. I feel as if I'm getting better every few months or so, and a huge part of me really wants to take this writing thing full-time. I feel no passion as great as the passion I feel for writing (at least in things that don't involve family and friends), and I feel as if I have a real aptitude for writing about most anything, but especially sports. Who knows, maybe it will happen if I keep working at it. Two years ago at this time, even the thought of being one of the main writers for a blog as well-respected as BTSC was just a pipe-dream.
*Along those lines, a week ago, I was "approached" via email to write an article for some betting site. I was skeptical, but I went ahead and wrote a preview for the Steelers/Redskins game. When I submitted the article, I was led to believe I would be getting paid $40 for the gig. As of right now, it doesn't look like that's going to happen. It's OK. I didn't invest much time in the article, but I've been conned into linking websites to my blog before (that was the main request of the person who emailed me), and next time, I'll know better.
*As most who know me are well-aware of, my three-year relationship ended in April, and it was the kind of thing that I wasn't sure I'd ever be able to get over. In fact, as recently as August, I was still in a bit of a rut about it. But then, just like that, I was OK. I started dating again in the summer, and I haven't really stopped. I forgot how much fun dating can be. I believe I'm having more fun dating women now than I ever had before, and it's probably because I'm not putting as much pressure on myself and just having fun with it. Oh, I certainly want to have a relationship and settle down, but that's the kind of thing that happens when you least expect it. If you're always worried about the destination, you're never going to enjoy the journey. Too many people put too much pressure on themselves when they date. Dating is meant to be fun. Can it be nerve-wracking? You bet it can be, but that's all part of it. Dating is just a means to find out if you're compatible with someone else. You'll never know that unless you try. If you're afraid of rejection and failure, stay home. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
*Speaking of April, I weighed damn-near 200lbs back then. I'm happy to say I weigh under 190 as of my last weigh-in about a week and a half ago. It's not exactly a ton of weight to lose, but I'm not obese, either. I'm not going to pretend that it was my master plan to lose weight at a slower pace, but I believe it will be more beneficial in the end. It's actually quite easy to lose 15 or 20 pounds over the course of a half a year or so. There are 3500 calories in a pound, so if you eat like you normally eat, and just cut out a sandwich or so every day, you'd be amazed at your results over time.
That's all I have for now. I suppose I could write more, but I'm out. Later!
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
I've Seen a Lot of Things in My Life, but the Pirates in the World Series Isn't One of Them
I wanted to win that pennant worse than I wanted any goddamned thing in my life. You'd think I could just this once, wouldn't you? I didn't care nothing about the Series. Win or lose, I would have been satisfied.
That quote is from Wilford Brimley's character, New York Knights' manager Pop Fisher, in the 1984 baseball movie, the Natural. Robert Redford starred as extraordinarily gifted baseball player, Roy Hobbs, who came out of nowhere to set the baseball world on its ear years after his once-promising career was derailed by a tragedy in his youth.
Tonight the 110 World Series kicks off in San Francisco between the Giants and Detroit Tigers. Being a 40 year old man, I've witnessed my fair share of things in life, including dozens of "Fall Classics," but as a huge fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates, I'm sad to say I've never witnessed them play in the Series. Life is all about timing, and I began paying serious attention to the sports world mere months after the Buccos defeated the Baltimore Orioles in seven games to win the World Series in October of 1979.
--The first sports moment that I truly remember and treasure was witnessing my beloved Pittsburgh Steelers capture their fourth Super Bowl title in six years when they defeated the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XIV in January of 1980. Since then, I've been lucky enough to witness Pittsburgh play in another four Super Bowls and capture two more Lombardi trophies.
--Thanks to Mario Lemieux's arrival in 1984, I've seen the Penguins go from one of the laughstocks of the NHL, to one of the flag-bearers of the league, complete with four Stanley Cup appearances and three titles. I've also been fortunate enough to watch the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin turn the City of Pittsburgh into a bona fide hockey town after many years of it being just a niche sport with pockets of fans scattered about the city.
--I've seen 18 Olympic games--both winter and summer--and the end of the Cold War.
--Unfortunately, I've also seen our country declare war three different times, and I remember where I was when the 911 tragedy occurred.
--I've seen a black man get elected President of the United States just months after a female gave him the fight of his life in the primaries.
Back to sports:
--I've witnessed the Pitt Panthers football program (yes the very same one that has gone through four coaches since December of 2010) get voted the preseason number 1 back in 1982. I've also seen Pitt play in two Fiesta Bowls, a Sugar Bowl, and even a Cotton Bowl.
--I've witnessed in action, all-time Pirates greats such as Willie Stargell, Dave Parker, Kent Tekulve and Barry Bonds.
--I was fortunate enough to see both Chuck Tanner and Jim Leyland manage the team.
--I've seen Doug Drabek win the Cy Young and Bonds win two MVPs. I've seen Freddy Sanchez win the NL batting title.
--I've witnessed the Pirates throw a 10-inning combined no-hitter.
--I've seen the Pirates capture three-straight NL East titles and play in two straight Game 7's in the NLCS.
--I remember where I was when Three Rivers Stadium was razed in February of 2001, and I was in attendance a few months later when PNC Park opened for the first time.
--I've seen the entire run of awesome shows such as Newhart, Seinfeld and Friends, and I remember where I was in 1983 for MASH's final episode.
I've seen a lot in my 40 years and during my 30plus years of REALLY paying attention to things. But to echo Pop Fisher's sentiments from that famous movie, I really want to witness the Pirates play in the World Series in my lifetime. Thanks to Hobbs, Fisher got to ride off into the sunset after finally capturing the pennant.
Maybe one of these days, a real life Roy Hobbs will make my dreams come true.
That quote is from Wilford Brimley's character, New York Knights' manager Pop Fisher, in the 1984 baseball movie, the Natural. Robert Redford starred as extraordinarily gifted baseball player, Roy Hobbs, who came out of nowhere to set the baseball world on its ear years after his once-promising career was derailed by a tragedy in his youth.
Tonight the 110 World Series kicks off in San Francisco between the Giants and Detroit Tigers. Being a 40 year old man, I've witnessed my fair share of things in life, including dozens of "Fall Classics," but as a huge fan of the Pittsburgh Pirates, I'm sad to say I've never witnessed them play in the Series. Life is all about timing, and I began paying serious attention to the sports world mere months after the Buccos defeated the Baltimore Orioles in seven games to win the World Series in October of 1979.
--The first sports moment that I truly remember and treasure was witnessing my beloved Pittsburgh Steelers capture their fourth Super Bowl title in six years when they defeated the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XIV in January of 1980. Since then, I've been lucky enough to witness Pittsburgh play in another four Super Bowls and capture two more Lombardi trophies.
--Thanks to Mario Lemieux's arrival in 1984, I've seen the Penguins go from one of the laughstocks of the NHL, to one of the flag-bearers of the league, complete with four Stanley Cup appearances and three titles. I've also been fortunate enough to watch the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin turn the City of Pittsburgh into a bona fide hockey town after many years of it being just a niche sport with pockets of fans scattered about the city.
--I've seen 18 Olympic games--both winter and summer--and the end of the Cold War.
--Unfortunately, I've also seen our country declare war three different times, and I remember where I was when the 911 tragedy occurred.
--I've seen a black man get elected President of the United States just months after a female gave him the fight of his life in the primaries.
Back to sports:
--I've witnessed the Pitt Panthers football program (yes the very same one that has gone through four coaches since December of 2010) get voted the preseason number 1 back in 1982. I've also seen Pitt play in two Fiesta Bowls, a Sugar Bowl, and even a Cotton Bowl.
--I've witnessed in action, all-time Pirates greats such as Willie Stargell, Dave Parker, Kent Tekulve and Barry Bonds.
--I was fortunate enough to see both Chuck Tanner and Jim Leyland manage the team.
--I've seen Doug Drabek win the Cy Young and Bonds win two MVPs. I've seen Freddy Sanchez win the NL batting title.
--I've witnessed the Pirates throw a 10-inning combined no-hitter.
--I've seen the Pirates capture three-straight NL East titles and play in two straight Game 7's in the NLCS.
--I remember where I was when Three Rivers Stadium was razed in February of 2001, and I was in attendance a few months later when PNC Park opened for the first time.
--I've seen the entire run of awesome shows such as Newhart, Seinfeld and Friends, and I remember where I was in 1983 for MASH's final episode.
I've seen a lot in my 40 years and during my 30plus years of REALLY paying attention to things. But to echo Pop Fisher's sentiments from that famous movie, I really want to witness the Pirates play in the World Series in my lifetime. Thanks to Hobbs, Fisher got to ride off into the sunset after finally capturing the pennant.
Maybe one of these days, a real life Roy Hobbs will make my dreams come true.
Steelers Take on Redskins at Heinz Field this Sunday Afternoon
Rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III, better known as RG3, brings his exciting show to Pittsburgh this week, as the Redskins take on the Steelers in a inter-conference clash at Heinz Field.
View odds here: sportsbetting.ag
Coming off a much-needed 24-17 victory at Paul Brown Stadium over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night, the Steelers (3-3) look to build on their momentum and improve to one game over .500. The Redskins (3-4), still reeling from a tough, last-second loss to the defending champion New York Giants last Sunday, will look to rebound behind the electric Griffin, who is averaging 228 a game through the air and has thrown seven touchdown passes to only three interceptions so far in his debut season. RG3 has also contributed on the ground with six rushing touchdowns.
The Steelers are undefeated at home this season and haven't lost a game at Heinz Field to an NFC team since October 26th, 2008, when they fell to the Giants, 21-14.
Pittsburgh is currently 1 1/2 games behind the Baltimore Ravens (5-2) in the AFC North Division. The Redskins are 2-2 in road games this year and sit in last place in the NFC East Division, two games behind the Giants.
After struggling on the ground over the course of the first five weeks under new offensive coordinator Todd Haley, the Steelers rebounded in a big way on Sunday night in Cincinnati when they rushed for 167 yard on 29 attempts. Third year back Jonathan Dwyer, starting thanks to injuries to Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman, led the attack with 112 yards on 17 carries.
Even if the ground game sputters again this Sunday, Pittsburgh also has one of the NFL's premier quarterbacks at its disposal. Ben Roethlisberger, in his ninth pro season, is perhaps having his best season at age 30.
Through six weeks, Roethlisberger has averaged 294 yards a game through the air and has thrown 11 touchdowns to only three interceptions.
With seven starters over the age of 30, the Steelers have the oldest defense in the NFL, and they will have a difficult task in keeping the young and elusive Griffin in-check. However, in the team's 16-14 victory over the Eagles in Week 5, Pittsburgh was able to shut-down Michael Vick, who is older but has a similar, elusive style to RG3.
It should be a fun and interesting match-up at Heinz Field this Sunday, one that could go a long way in shaping the reminder of the season for both teams.
View odds here: sportsbetting.ag
Coming off a much-needed 24-17 victory at Paul Brown Stadium over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night, the Steelers (3-3) look to build on their momentum and improve to one game over .500. The Redskins (3-4), still reeling from a tough, last-second loss to the defending champion New York Giants last Sunday, will look to rebound behind the electric Griffin, who is averaging 228 a game through the air and has thrown seven touchdown passes to only three interceptions so far in his debut season. RG3 has also contributed on the ground with six rushing touchdowns.
The Steelers are undefeated at home this season and haven't lost a game at Heinz Field to an NFC team since October 26th, 2008, when they fell to the Giants, 21-14.
Pittsburgh is currently 1 1/2 games behind the Baltimore Ravens (5-2) in the AFC North Division. The Redskins are 2-2 in road games this year and sit in last place in the NFC East Division, two games behind the Giants.
After struggling on the ground over the course of the first five weeks under new offensive coordinator Todd Haley, the Steelers rebounded in a big way on Sunday night in Cincinnati when they rushed for 167 yard on 29 attempts. Third year back Jonathan Dwyer, starting thanks to injuries to Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman, led the attack with 112 yards on 17 carries.
Even if the ground game sputters again this Sunday, Pittsburgh also has one of the NFL's premier quarterbacks at its disposal. Ben Roethlisberger, in his ninth pro season, is perhaps having his best season at age 30.
Through six weeks, Roethlisberger has averaged 294 yards a game through the air and has thrown 11 touchdowns to only three interceptions.
With seven starters over the age of 30, the Steelers have the oldest defense in the NFL, and they will have a difficult task in keeping the young and elusive Griffin in-check. However, in the team's 16-14 victory over the Eagles in Week 5, Pittsburgh was able to shut-down Michael Vick, who is older but has a similar, elusive style to RG3.
It should be a fun and interesting match-up at Heinz Field this Sunday, one that could go a long way in shaping the reminder of the season for both teams.
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