O' Fred, Where Art Thou?

I first want to put a plug in for everyone (all 3 of you!) to check out my friend's blog.  http://silentarchimedes.wordpress.com/ It is a truely amazing site with strong analysis built into every blog written.  He has written a blog analyzing what NY team combinations have the highest success rates in the past 25 years.

  http://silentarchimedes.wordpress.com/2009/01/01/being-a-sports-fan-in-new-york-city-what-team-combinations-have-had-the-most-success-the-past-25-years/  

I bring this up for everyone to read but to highlight the fact that it's not easy being a Mets fan.  I will say that it takes more heart and passion to be a Mets fan than say a Yankees fan (esp. for us 35 and youngers).  It is very easy to support a team who always seems to be on top through the use of spending as much money as possible year in and year out.  Being a fan of a team that has let you down year in and out shows true loyalty and passion (not to mention idiocity!)  With that said, this is part one of many blogs I will write about my beloved Metties:

So, today is January 25, 2009 and Mets fans and many members of the press are getting ansy.  We have endured two years of huge disappointments and with the new stadium (CitiField) on the horrizon, we are hoping for a fresh start.  The Off season started with a bang with the trade that brought J.J. Putz (and got rid of Heilman) and the signing of K-Rod.  Since then rumors, have been floating, free agents have been signing, and the Mets have nothing of real substance (Alex Cora, Freddy Garcia, Tim Redding?) to show for it.  As fans we have our dream team.  And I think most fans will all agree what we would like to see done in a perfect world.  Lets sign Perez and Sheets for the starting rotation, Manny for Left field, trade Castillo and sign Hudson for second.  Now, is that too much to ask?  But then we are brought down to reality and we know that all those players are not in our horrizon.  

The frustration comes when we know that we have holes on the team.  The bullpen was improved drastically, we all agree.  We sit here watching the Yankees and other teams improving their teams and fixing what problems they know they have.  We have grown to like the art of spending also, esp. being in this market, and we do not understand why our management will not just spend or trade to make this team right.  The the question is, what is really going on?  I love when I listen to WFAN and hear analysis of why the Mets arent spending to get the players we know they should.  It is Fred's decision, it is Omar's decision, Maddoff really hurt our financial abilities, the Mets are just waiting for the market to come to them, etc.  Will we ever really understand why the Mets are faltering this off season?  Probably not.  The days are dwindling down to when Pitchers and Catchers meet and all we know is that our dream acquisitons are still available for the taking.  It is no secret that players such as Hudson and Manny are waiting for something to sign.  Are they waiting for a team like the Mets to get in the mix?  Are they holding their breath just like us fans are?  As Matt Cerrone wrote today:

http://www.metsblog.com/2009/01/25/outfield-the-talk-about-manny-ramirez/

fans recently are speaking out more and more on Manny and why he NEEDS to be in Queens.  Overall, we will all be happy as long as the outcome is what we want to see, the World Series.  Mets fans will play the role of Martyr and complain (maybe thats why so many of us Jews in the area are mets fans!) until that day comes.

So I end this with a plea to the Wilpons and Omar.  PLEASE OH PLEASE don't sit still.  You will make tons of money with the new park when all is said and done.  Lets improve this team now and not watch as our competitors take more steps ahead of us.  Bring Manny, Hudson, Perez, and Sheets to us!!!  Nothing short of the World Series will do, we have hurt for too long!!  

Service

This historic day has seem much analysis and praise.  Many words have been thrown around attempting to describe what this day means for this country, African Americans, you, me, etc.  I would like to talk about one word in particular that I find extremely important.  Service.  

It is no secret that Obama has been a strong advocate for service.  He has expressed that numerous times during the election and post-election process.  His support for organizations that I belong to (YouthBuild, AmeriCorps) show the direction he would like to see this country go in.  But, what does service really mean?  

Obama, during his inaugural speech, defined service as a "willingness to find meaning in something greater then themselves".  To me this was a defining moment of his speech and one that speaks loudly to all American's today.  My last blog was focused on the Me-First generation.  The theory that these past couple of generations are too worried about their own feelings, self-esteem and issues to show enough concern for their fellow people and communities.  What we have today is a generation of people that think first about their own needs and wants and being happy, placing the concerns of the whole behind (if even considering at all).  Our communities have become distant shells of what they once were, our middle class has disappeared, our poor have seen better days, and WE ALL feel someone owes US.  Illegal immigrants have an easier time finding jobs because they are willing to work as opposed to US citizens who refuse to work at less respectable locations because they are WORTH MORE.  Our parents cannot find the time to parent, and when they do, live vicariously through the children by enrolling them in activities that make themselves (the parent) feel good.  These examples all demonstrate how America has become a country/culture of people more focused on themselves.  

Obama wants us to realize that for America to once again regain its footing and climb out of these difficult times we must believe in something greater than ourselves.  How can WE give back, how can WE help, how are WE going to overcome.  I see many people throwing the world hope around.  This is rightfully so as Obama has used this as a platform for his election and then after.  Hope entails of better days to come, which we all would like to see, but it also entails a passive mentaility.  Obama is strongly against this.

On his track Champion Requiem, Mos Def raps, "I was taught when there's something you can change around, keep quiet, you got nothing to complain about, you got work to do, I don't know if that works for you, but thats how Mos works it through...".  To me Obama is reiterating this idea.  Lets not find hope in the future, lets make this new future together.  Lets roll up our sleeves (as he did on the election trail - very symbolic) and get busy together.  I can not fix this, you can not fix this, but together we can make a change.  

No matter what your job is, Obama is imploring US to fulfill your duty of service and help make this country even greater.  How can WE help in our families, in our communities, in our inner circles, in our outer circles?  How can we give back, whether large or small to make a difference.  How can WE find meaning and reasoning in something greater than our own needs, wants and desires?

How will Obama do during his presidency?  If you want to know listen to Mos Def's (once again) explanation of the future direction of Hiphop on his intro track to Black on both Sides.  Mos explains that Hiphop will go where the people go.  This country will go where its citizens go.  Obama will succeed or fail as the people succeed or fail.  So, let's not just hope for change, lets be that change that we want to see in this country.   

The "me first" generation (Part 1)

During today's broadcast of the (horrible) Giants and Eagles game the announcers mentioned Plaxico Burress (who's absence, by the way was the cause of our defeat) as a member of the "me first" generation.  While this is a term that I have not yet heard until now, it is a topic that comes up over and over again.  I would like to begin to disect this idea since it is close to my heart for many reasons.

As I have investigated further, this idea of Generation ME is a combination of GenX and GenY (aprox. 18-35year olds).  [we] have been taught to be more focused on our own self-esteem rather than achievement, thus more focused on ourselves.  I do not want to argue for or against this at this point, rather investigate the idea and how it is relevant.  

It has been well documented that the 1980's economic boom coupled with the start of the MTV era created a generation that was well off and desired instant gratification.  The fast pace of music videos taught young people to not wait for the long drawn out boring parts, but just expect the fast action right away.  Everything seems to be expected and owed to [us].

As cited in the book    "Generation Me: Why Today's Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled--and More Miserable Than Ever Before" by Jean Twenge, discipline and achievement have been pushed aside for a stronger focus on self-esteem.  Let Johnny play even if he sucks instead of letting him sit on the sidelines because he is not good enough for the team.  To further this position in sports, one could compare the sport of baseball and how it is played in the United States to that in Japan.  As we know, while we root for our favorite teams here in the U.S., we have a strong focus on individual players.  Our athletes make millions of dollars and it is common place for a player to leave a team he has been on for a long time to follow the money with another team.  The game is very different in Japan.  There is nothing that comes before the team.  Individuality takes a backseat to your team.  The phrase "there is no I in team," is very true.  

We hear story after story of these players.  Plaxico Burress is one in a long list of players who supposedly acted foolishly off the field without a regard for how it would affect his team, teammates, fans, city, family, etc.  These players normally are extremely skilled and on most occasion have grown up being told that they were the best and no one else compares to them.  

This analogy can also be taken to Hiphop.  As I have discussed over and over again, Hiphop is a microcosm to the larger urban culture as well as the larger pop American culture today.  many of the issues that Hiphop faces we can find in the urban arena as well as in the U.S. as a whole.  One prevelant theme is the "me first" mentality.  One must gain respect for themselves and destroy other rappers (lyrically) to be number 1.  It is all about who is better and how can I beat YOU.  

This can also translate to the kids that I work with.  Instead of always being thankful for the things that they are given at the school, they feel that they are owed these things and take it all for granted.  What can we do for them, and how can they get the best of the system are over riding themes.  

If this is all true, then what could be done, and what changes have taken place over the years to create this mentality?  Is this mentality bad?  Are we too consumed with ourselves that we tend not to care about others?  Is that bad?  What are the results of this attitude?  If you have any thoughts, please feel free to post, I will continue this discussion attack this issue further at a later date...I'm getting sleepy...  

(Fan)-atic

Many of my friends and myself could be labeled as fans.  Since I have 45 min until gametime I wanted to explain what a fan truely is...

It is no secret that the word "fan" comes from the root word "fanatic".  Websters Dictionary defines the word as: "marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion".  I think this explains clearly what it is to be a fan.  That no matter what happens or what someone else says you will love, be excited and get crazy for your team.

I was listening to Joe Beningo on the FAN radio in NY the other day and said it perfectly.  When a caller called in and said that he was sick and tired of being a fan of the Mets and Jets and said that he couldn't do it anymore, Joe scowled.  Joe explained that to be a fan is to go through these moments.  It means that no matter what happens, how much pain you go through, how many tears you might shed, you still have a love for that team.  It means that everytime you hear that team mentioned, you see that jersey, you watch a game, you get excited.  It is a feeling that runs through your body, you BLEED those colors.  The Christmas commercial where a wife gives her husband a packers jersey and he cuts his finger on the box is just perfect.  The blood is not red, but yellow and green.  

I can say that I bleed blue and orange.  As you see the colors on this blog.  If you come to my house you can find Mets sneakers, shirts, jerseys, framed pictures, can openers, stuffed animals, bobble heads, mouse pads, etc.  It is making sure that I make it to opening day each year no matter what.  It is sitting in the stadium with 50,000 plus and all cheering together.  It is walking in a strange place and seeing someone else familiar gear and giving the friendly "nod".

It is a lifetime of stories, it is not calling your best friend until two days after a tough loss because you know he needs his space, it is arguing for your team even when you don't believe.  It is bitching and moaning to fellow fans because you are nervous, but most of all, it is the feeling right before a season starts, when there is hope, and when there is expectations...and when anything is possible.  

To me this is what it means to be a fan.  We might be fanatic, and you might not understand if you are not one of us, but we will persevere no matter what....and we will be back next season!!

WHEW LETS GO GIANTS!!!!

Death of a hero

I just finished watching the movie Beowulf, and felt compelled to write for the first time in awhile.  Normally this happens to me when I am touched by a movie, or music, and it makes me think about something bigger (Dead Prez had it right when they wrote "It's Bigger than HipHop...).  So not to give away the movie, for anyone who might read this and doesn't want me to spoil the fun, the movie is a classic tale of the rites of passage for a hero.  Without saying too much, the movie hints briefly, (but powerfully I might add) on the important conversion in the world around 400-500 a.c.e. (after the common era, for all you non-jews out there.  Basically means, after you silly people started counting the beginning of your calender from the birth of a man ;)  Anyway, during this time period Christianity was beginning to spread throughout Europe by the influence of politics.  The Kings would claim Christianity making it mandatory for everyone under their rule to begin worshipping Jesus as their lord and savior.  So you ask what does this fun fact have anything to do with a movie about monsters and completely generated from computer graphics (may I add a very sexy Angelina)?  Well, I will tell you.  At one point in the movie, Anthony Hopkins Character is asked if they should start praying to the Christian God Jesus Christ.  He replies that no, it will do no good.  Since the emergence of this Christian God, men have become wollowing martyrs, pathetic and weak.  He says that it will only take action to save them now.  Another scene in the movie shows a character holding a cross to ward off a dragon.  The result is his whole family burned alive and him on his death bed.

So you ask, who cares?  what does this mean?  Well it made me think about what a hero is and why do we always say that we can't find any real heros anymore.  Now I realize that we are supposed to say that our hero is our father, or mother, or that teacher that stood up for us when no one else would.  Or Michael Jordan, or JFK.  The problem with all of these examples is that they were human, and they had flaws.  You see, a hero has none of these, a hero slays the dragon, saves the princess.  A hero can destroy the gods.  A hero has a tint of Hubris because of his/her powers.

I labeled this blog the death of a hero, because the movie is saying that the birth of the western religions (Christianity mainly, Judaism) killed the true idea of the hero.  no longer can men become heros and rise of to be god-like figures.  No longer can they slay the dragon because the god of the western religions is omni (everything).  Man cannot defeat him as he could have defeated the greek gods and the creatures of the greek times because God does not deal with life on Earth as much as he deals with life after death.  Such a division has been drawn between this life and the afterlife making it almost impossible for a hero to rise to the levels of God like proportions.  

Without the ability to escape the flaws of man, we are left with  heros whom show the many flaws that you or I are faced with.  Thus in the 20th and 21st centuries we have been creating heros out of men and woman, only to find out that they have faults like us.  When we discover these flaws, we chastise them for it.  (look at what is happening to Bonds now.  We cheer him and make him into a hero when he hits the ball in the bay, but when we realize that he needed help to become that hero, we slaughter him.)  The movie showed the importance of keeping the hero alive at the end when the hero attempted to expose his flaws.  His comrad would not here the flaws and only repeated thathe is a true hero and his name will be spoken of for eternity.  

We as humans, with so many flaws, need heros.  We need a hero to believe in.  We need to believe that there is something bigger and something better than this.  For some, religion fills that void.  For many more, religion does not because it does not suffice the need to feel important, or the chance of one day feeling important.  The hero, who is made from the same cloth that we are, filled that need.  Modern Religion has destroyed that by creating such a divide between G-d and humans, that we can never reach to such levels.  We are supposed to be humble and bow down, but if we do so, how can we rise to godlike proportions of a Beowulf?  That level of hubris is only found in men today who fiend for money and power, not for the greater good of the world.  

So where did I go with this blog, I'm not really sure, its late.  I just wanted to write a bit about this idea that modern religion has taken the power out of the human hand to become a hero.  This has greatly hurt our society when we are in need of someone to stand up and guide us to greener pastures.

Peace in the Middle East

I was hoping to start this website with positive topics, but I felt that this subject had to be touched on.  Countless times have people attempted to express their views on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, so maybe this attempt will be different in the sense that it will ask more questions than it answers.  

There is no stronger force in this world than belief, as evidenced in the bloodshed that has been shed throughout time under the premise of religion or someone's belief system.  I would like to add that I do not view myself as a religious person.  I am of the Jewish faith, but my lack of bond to the culture, religion, etc. has distanced me from having a true Jewish identity.  I view myself more as a person who is out in search of the answers, and to be good and do good.  These are views that most religons preach in one form or the other.  Common once said that "you gotta read all of them books [Koran, Bible], as there are truths in all of them.  I do believe that most religion's fundamental teachings are positive guidelines onto how to live one's life.  I also believe that the danger with religion is giving man the power and control to guide the masses and interprete positive teachings however they want.  Whether it be Priests, Rabbi's, etc., allowing man to control one's interpretation of belief systems turns out to be very dangerous.  Thus, we have the twenty-first century's version of our world, a world in terror.

I titled this blog "peace in the Middle East" because I ask the question, will we ever see it?  I propose that we will not ever see peace in the Middle East while religion plays an important role in the region.  Now, that might seem like a silly statement because of the history and origins of religion in the region, but I truely believe that.  There are issues that people discuss and can sit on the fence, but when it comes to this conflict, everyone seems to have a strong opinion.  There seems to be no separating the underlying religious undertones from the human destruction that is going on.  Instead of looking at what is happening as a moral right and wrong question, people's viewpoints are created by their religious followings as well as religious discriminations.  

I might be able to help you realize that Common's new cd is far from his best and that the Dark Knight was a superior film, but getting someone to change or open their eyes to another belief system is much more difficult.  How can we ever have peace when people will commit suicide and kill hundreds because they feel their god or Allah will approve?  

I'm not here to say that one side is right and one side is wrong.  What I do believe is that death and destruction is wrong.  For most of us, we believe in this notion only when it is our side dying or when the we believe the death is warranted or serves a larger purpose.  I get very frustrated when people's viewpoints are so strong towards one's side and cannot see the other side of things.  

Maybe this makes me an idealist.  Maybe I am waiting and wishing for a world that we can get along and agree on wrong and right.   Maybe I want to believe that we are all humans living on this planet all looking for the same things.  Until all or any of these things happen I will continue to attempt to look at this situation with an objective eye, hope that  peace can be found and continue to seek the answers.

A New Day

Well good morning everyone!  Right now it is 1:05 on January 4th, 2009.  I decided today that I wanted to figure out ways to add to my life this year.  This is what I have come up with to start off.  I hope everyone enjoys!

I feel that I am very blessed right now.  I am very close with my family, I have a wonderful girlfriend Sandy, who is my life.  I have a career (while not being lucrative) which is very rewarding and I know I am making changes and positive impacts.  I have a great home that I live in and own. I have amazing friends that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world.

I truely enjoy the creation process.  Whenever I am able to create anything in this world I feel blessed.  I decided to join the world of bloggers so that I could share my world with everyone.  I want to be able to use this as a starting ground to share my interests, thoughts, views, feelings. Maybe I can inspire someone, even if only someone to dream.  

This is really such a starting point, but I will find ways to express myself in the worlds of sports (esp. Mets baseball), love, Hiphop, social change, religion, family, friends, giving back technology and video games, money matters, losee, etc.  I am leaving the theme of this page as wide open as I am, since I do not know where it will go.  

Please feel free to join me for this journey into the unknown, as we create a wonderful new world!