Most of you that know me, know that I was involved in the restaurant industry for almost twenty years. I began as a busboy at a Mr. Steak Restaurant on 28th Street in Boulder during my sophomore year at dear old CU. It was necessary for me to have some disposable income, as the Skunk Creek Inn became our nightly hangout, and though beer (3.2 beer) was cheap, lots of beer became rather expensive. I found that my industriousness and attention to detail (since departed, r.i.p.) fit rather well in the framework of a fast-moving, busy eatery. Plus the waitresses were nice, and the free food was good for my budget, too. Better than the Kittredge Complex Dorm food. One of the waitroids, I remember, became a regular on-air, at-the-scene reporter for Channel 4, Luann Akin (Beall).
I was informed at the end of the 1969-70 academic year that in order to remain actively enrolled as a student in good standing at the University of Colorado, I would have to attend summer classes to boost my GPA and complete some incompletes. You see, the spring of 1970 was when anti-war sentiment and student uprisings against the Viet Nam War (excuse me, Conflict) were at the zenith, and the tragedy at Kent State University on May 4, 1970 galvanized the student populations of college campuses across the nation. Students at CU engaged in a strike to empathize with the protests against the war, and show solidarity against the atrocities at Kent State, where four students were shot and killed by Ohio National Guardsmen when a Peace Rally Against the War got chaotic, and some of the guys in uniform with the military weapons panicked, lost control and fired on the protesters. Anyway, three of my class finals were cancelled and the CU campus was energized while immobilized. Why, there was even an impromptu concert on Farrand Field featuring the Blues Image (Ride Captain Ride) and Leslie West and his band, Mountain (Mississippi Queen). These two groups were scheduled to play Red Rocks Amphitheatre that weekend, so they came and set up on the back of a flatbed rig and jammed for a couple hours. Well, amnesty did not extend to me for the missed/skipped finals for my Anthro, Engineering Calculus and Surveying. By then, I was enjoying the restaurant scene, the work and the money, and I was offered a position as an assistant manager at the Mr. Steak in Longmont, so I said good bye to my college career, and hello to 65 hour weeks for the next 18 years. Not my best move, but hey, met lots of great people in the ten or so restaurants I worked with in the next 18 years.
One of the finest restaurants that I worked at, was Sebastian's in Boulder on 28th (where the IHOP is now). Slow roasted prime rib, Boulder's first complete salad bar with caviar and pickled herring, fresh seafood flown in daily and the best wine selection in Colorado. I started there as a busboy and worked up to Head Waiter within a year, still the best job I ever had. We had an ever-changing roster of chefs at Sebastian's over the years, but by far the best, Chef Bob Winick, was only there for about a year-and-a-half. His talent with fresh seafood recipes, nightly specials was superb. He once worked as a contemporary with Emeril Lagasse at Commander's Palace in New Orleans, before the popular personality became the most recognized chef in the world. Chef Bob maintained a calm and efficient kitchen, which to most of us in the business, was way out of the ordinary. He always prepared the nightly specials for the waitstaff before the shift, which was not done before Chef Bob. His dishes were fantastic, motivating me in a lifetime pursuit of good-tasting, appetizing food of my own. He was really the first, and best, Executive Chef that I worked with, and in retrospect, the only one with the talent and repertoire and recipe file, to qualify. Alas, he moved on, to California, when it became obvious that our restaurant owner, the infamous round mound of renown, Wayne Dozier, could not appreciate, nor recognize, nor reward the talent he had in his restaurant. From there, I lost contact, Chef Bob went to work for a hotel chain, then lost to the world of separate directions, and before social media.
Then, through the circumstance of BlogSpot.com, I found a certain Rambling Robert, a former chef, unemployed and homeless since October of 2003. Oh, not in a bad way. He up and sold everything in 2003, and became a world traveler, literally. Follow his journeys here, at: http://robertstravels.blogspot.com/ I sent an email, and yes, it is, Chef Bob! I look forward to catching up with Bob before he heads to South America. He is back in the US, in Florida for awhile. Seems he received word while in Nepal that his mother was gravely ill, so he came back to help care for her and help his father. He characterized his hospice servitude as a form of continuing education and enlightenment. A very worldly character, is Chef Bob, as I recognized way back when at Sebastian's, at his home at the foot of Haystack Mountain, when talking about life and people and the world over a beer or bottle of wine and a doobie.
The world of social media is awesome, but can be both bothersome and intrusive at times. But like the channels and programs on TV, shut it off, or change the channel if it bothers you. We can all choose how much we put ourselves out there, and I sure wish that most would be more selective about sharing their thoughts and words. But, it's times like this, when I can find a treasured old friend, that I am grateful for a shrinking world, at least in an electronic sense. And, I will be able to see the world through the eyes and from the blog of an enlightened world traveler. Welcome back, Chef Bob, into my life, and may I prove to be worthy.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Wintry Musings, part III, baseball
As I have previously mentioned, the baseball season ended for me on October 6th, when the Detroit Tigers eliminated the New York Yankees three games to two in the American League Division Series. Yes, I continued to watch as the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals advanced to play in the 107th World Series. I was rooting for Texas to beat the Cards, but the St. Louis Cardinals won their 11th Series title in the deciding seventh game of the Fall Classic.
Albert Pujols pounded three home runs in Game 3, matching a World Series feat accomplished only by Babe Ruth (1926 and 1928) and Reggie Jackson (1977). His 14 total bases (3 HRs, 2 singles) set a new Series record, and he tied the single-game records for most HRs (3), most hits (5) and most RBIs (6). Texas should have won the Series in Game 6, but like the 1986 Boston Red Sox, came within one out of winning it all, then faltered in extra innings, ultimately losing Game 7. Game 6 was one of the most entertaining games in baseball history. It was not a particularly crisp, error-free affair with great pitching. But, for drama and excitement, it was a barnburner. The Cardinals twice came back late from two-run deficits, in the ninth and tenth innings, both times down to their last strike, one pitch away from crowning the Texas Rangers with their first title. The come-back Cards became the first team ever in World Series history to score in the 8th, 9th 10th and 11th innings of a single game.
David Freese, third-year third baseman for the Cardinals, earned both the League Championship MVP and the World Series MVP awards, only the 6th time a player has won both, all National Leaguers, never been done by an American Leaguer. The previous dual-award winners: Willie Stargell ("We Are Family" Pittsburgh Pirates, 1979), Darrell Porter (1982 St. Louis catcher, "Whitey-Ball" Herzog over "Harvey's Wallbangers" Brewers), Orel Hershiser (Dodgers, 1988, remember Kirk Gibson's HR off Dennis Eckersley in Game 1?), Livan Hernandez (1997 Florida Marlins who were promptly disassembled by owner Wayne Huizenga) and Cole Hamels (2008 Philadelphia Phillies). The World Series MVP has been officially awarded since 1955, when it was initiated and sponsored by SPORT Magazine. It is now determined by writers and MLB officials immediately during and after the final game of the Series. Only three players have won the Award more than once: Sandy Koufax (LA Dodgers 1963, 1965), Bob Gibson (St. Louis Cards 1964, 1967) and Reggie Jackson (Oakland As 1973, New York Yankees 1977). It has been predominantly a pitcher's award (27 times, 3 relievers), with third basemen winning 10 times, outfielders 7, catchers 6, shortstops 5, first basemen twice, second sackers once and a Designated Hitter once (Hideki Matsui, 2009, Yankees). Only once has the award been given to a player on the losing team, 2B Bobby Richardson of the New York Yankees in 1960, when he drove in 12 runs (still the record), batted .367 and had 11 hits (a record then, since beaten and then tied by Richardson in 1964). The Yankees outscored the Pirates 55-27 that year, and outhit them 91-60, but Pirate 2B Bill Mazeroski slugged a lead-off walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth over the ivied left field wall in Forbes Field to win Game 7 and the Series over the Yankees in Casey Stengel's final World Series appearance. Yogi Berra said afterwards, "We made too many wrong mistakes."
Continuing media coverage of this year's Winter Baseball Meetings is whetting my appetite for baseball. The newly re-named Miami Marlins are making the most noise, with their signing of SS Jose Reyes, closer Heath Bell and left-handed starter Mark Buerhle. And if you believe the rumors, the Marlins are still in the hunt to land Albert Pujols. With new manager, Ozzie Guillen, and a brand new ballpark, the former Florida Fish may make some noise this year in the National League East. I still think that Pujols stays with the Cardinals, but if he doesn't, won't that make it very plausible that the Cards go strong after Prince Fielder? If Pujols stays with the Cardinals, where will Fielder land? Hopefully, not in the NL West.
Meanwhile, our Colorado Rockies continue their ho-hum pursuit of marginal players and dumping salaries. Though I remain a staunch Monfort Brothers fan, I am not enamored with the foresight (or lack, thereof) from general manager Dan O'Dowd. Last year's big acquisitions: Jose Lopez and Ty Wigginton, where are they? Chris Iannetta to the Angels for an unproven starter, right-hander Tyler Chatwood, 25 career starts, 4.75 ERA, 6 wins 11 losses, only 22 years old. Sound familiar? Colorado's roster is filled with young, not-quite-ready-for-prime-time starting pitchers. Most successful Major League organizations have those types of pitchers grooming in the minor leagues, building up their strength and repertoire before being thrust into the Major League spotlight. Matter of fact, the Rockies have a slew of number 4-, 5-type rotation starters, and no ace, not even a viable, proven 2 or 3.
Oh wait, stop the presses...............the Rockies acquire starter Kevin Slowey, right-hander from the Minnesota Twins for a bag of balls and some Greeley grain-fed steaks. Yes, that Kevin Slowey, the one who started and lost all eight decisions last year for the Twinkies, plus they also lost all 6 games he appeared in as a reliever. Veteran Kevin Millwood coming back? Doubtful. Aaron Cook? Rockies paid him $500,000 to go away. Jorge De La Rosa might be ready to go by the end of May after Tommy John surgery on June 3rd and recuperation. Jhoulys Chacin has had another year and seasoning at the big league level, how will he respond? Can Juan Nicasio return to his pre-injury form? The line drive that fractured the verterbra in his neck was the most horrific baseball injury I have seen, rivaling the beaning that effectively ended Red Sox Tony Conigliaro's career with Boston back in 1967. The Rockies maintain a roster with the likes of Jason Hammel, Esmil Rogers, Alex White and Drew Pomeranz. Not quite a starting slate that will strike fear into anybody's opposing lineup. Sure, there are rumors that the Rockies are 'pursuing deals' for the likes of Jair Jurggens, Edinson Volquez, Hiroki Kuroda, Matt Garza, etc. Brad Lidge coming back home to Colorado? Unlikely. The best we Rockie fans can hope for, is that old "lightning in a bottle" phenomenon.
Hallelujah! Huston Street unloaded to the San Diego Padres for, a prospect to be named later. The important thing: unloading his $8-million salary and tendencies to cause ulcers in ninth innings of close games. He will do much better in pitcher-friendly PetCo Park.
Two more months to go until pitchers and catchers report to Arizona for Spring Training. In the meantime, we have Timmy Tebow and the Righteous Bronco Revival to entertain us. Has anyone ever asked Timmy if he would like to try his hand at baseball?
Albert Pujols pounded three home runs in Game 3, matching a World Series feat accomplished only by Babe Ruth (1926 and 1928) and Reggie Jackson (1977). His 14 total bases (3 HRs, 2 singles) set a new Series record, and he tied the single-game records for most HRs (3), most hits (5) and most RBIs (6). Texas should have won the Series in Game 6, but like the 1986 Boston Red Sox, came within one out of winning it all, then faltered in extra innings, ultimately losing Game 7. Game 6 was one of the most entertaining games in baseball history. It was not a particularly crisp, error-free affair with great pitching. But, for drama and excitement, it was a barnburner. The Cardinals twice came back late from two-run deficits, in the ninth and tenth innings, both times down to their last strike, one pitch away from crowning the Texas Rangers with their first title. The come-back Cards became the first team ever in World Series history to score in the 8th, 9th 10th and 11th innings of a single game.
David Freese, third-year third baseman for the Cardinals, earned both the League Championship MVP and the World Series MVP awards, only the 6th time a player has won both, all National Leaguers, never been done by an American Leaguer. The previous dual-award winners: Willie Stargell ("We Are Family" Pittsburgh Pirates, 1979), Darrell Porter (1982 St. Louis catcher, "Whitey-Ball" Herzog over "Harvey's Wallbangers" Brewers), Orel Hershiser (Dodgers, 1988, remember Kirk Gibson's HR off Dennis Eckersley in Game 1?), Livan Hernandez (1997 Florida Marlins who were promptly disassembled by owner Wayne Huizenga) and Cole Hamels (2008 Philadelphia Phillies). The World Series MVP has been officially awarded since 1955, when it was initiated and sponsored by SPORT Magazine. It is now determined by writers and MLB officials immediately during and after the final game of the Series. Only three players have won the Award more than once: Sandy Koufax (LA Dodgers 1963, 1965), Bob Gibson (St. Louis Cards 1964, 1967) and Reggie Jackson (Oakland As 1973, New York Yankees 1977). It has been predominantly a pitcher's award (27 times, 3 relievers), with third basemen winning 10 times, outfielders 7, catchers 6, shortstops 5, first basemen twice, second sackers once and a Designated Hitter once (Hideki Matsui, 2009, Yankees). Only once has the award been given to a player on the losing team, 2B Bobby Richardson of the New York Yankees in 1960, when he drove in 12 runs (still the record), batted .367 and had 11 hits (a record then, since beaten and then tied by Richardson in 1964). The Yankees outscored the Pirates 55-27 that year, and outhit them 91-60, but Pirate 2B Bill Mazeroski slugged a lead-off walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth over the ivied left field wall in Forbes Field to win Game 7 and the Series over the Yankees in Casey Stengel's final World Series appearance. Yogi Berra said afterwards, "We made too many wrong mistakes."
Continuing media coverage of this year's Winter Baseball Meetings is whetting my appetite for baseball. The newly re-named Miami Marlins are making the most noise, with their signing of SS Jose Reyes, closer Heath Bell and left-handed starter Mark Buerhle. And if you believe the rumors, the Marlins are still in the hunt to land Albert Pujols. With new manager, Ozzie Guillen, and a brand new ballpark, the former Florida Fish may make some noise this year in the National League East. I still think that Pujols stays with the Cardinals, but if he doesn't, won't that make it very plausible that the Cards go strong after Prince Fielder? If Pujols stays with the Cardinals, where will Fielder land? Hopefully, not in the NL West.
Meanwhile, our Colorado Rockies continue their ho-hum pursuit of marginal players and dumping salaries. Though I remain a staunch Monfort Brothers fan, I am not enamored with the foresight (or lack, thereof) from general manager Dan O'Dowd. Last year's big acquisitions: Jose Lopez and Ty Wigginton, where are they? Chris Iannetta to the Angels for an unproven starter, right-hander Tyler Chatwood, 25 career starts, 4.75 ERA, 6 wins 11 losses, only 22 years old. Sound familiar? Colorado's roster is filled with young, not-quite-ready-for-prime-time starting pitchers. Most successful Major League organizations have those types of pitchers grooming in the minor leagues, building up their strength and repertoire before being thrust into the Major League spotlight. Matter of fact, the Rockies have a slew of number 4-, 5-type rotation starters, and no ace, not even a viable, proven 2 or 3.
Oh wait, stop the presses...............the Rockies acquire starter Kevin Slowey, right-hander from the Minnesota Twins for a bag of balls and some Greeley grain-fed steaks. Yes, that Kevin Slowey, the one who started and lost all eight decisions last year for the Twinkies, plus they also lost all 6 games he appeared in as a reliever. Veteran Kevin Millwood coming back? Doubtful. Aaron Cook? Rockies paid him $500,000 to go away. Jorge De La Rosa might be ready to go by the end of May after Tommy John surgery on June 3rd and recuperation. Jhoulys Chacin has had another year and seasoning at the big league level, how will he respond? Can Juan Nicasio return to his pre-injury form? The line drive that fractured the verterbra in his neck was the most horrific baseball injury I have seen, rivaling the beaning that effectively ended Red Sox Tony Conigliaro's career with Boston back in 1967. The Rockies maintain a roster with the likes of Jason Hammel, Esmil Rogers, Alex White and Drew Pomeranz. Not quite a starting slate that will strike fear into anybody's opposing lineup. Sure, there are rumors that the Rockies are 'pursuing deals' for the likes of Jair Jurggens, Edinson Volquez, Hiroki Kuroda, Matt Garza, etc. Brad Lidge coming back home to Colorado? Unlikely. The best we Rockie fans can hope for, is that old "lightning in a bottle" phenomenon.
Hallelujah! Huston Street unloaded to the San Diego Padres for, a prospect to be named later. The important thing: unloading his $8-million salary and tendencies to cause ulcers in ninth innings of close games. He will do much better in pitcher-friendly PetCo Park.
Two more months to go until pitchers and catchers report to Arizona for Spring Training. In the meantime, we have Timmy Tebow and the Righteous Bronco Revival to entertain us. Has anyone ever asked Timmy if he would like to try his hand at baseball?
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Wintry Musings, part II
Game over, post-game analysis continues, Tebow and Bronco fans rejoice. The Denver Bronco football team traveled to Minneapolis to meet a going-nowhere-fast Viking team that, just this week, jettisoned Donovan McNabb into the scrap heap, signifying even more bad news for Syracuse University fans. And, the Tebow-led Broncos dispatched the Vikings 35-32 when Matt Prater drilled a 23-yard field goal as time ran out in the fourth quarter. The Broncos have now won five consecutive road games for the first time since their Super Bowl years, when the John Elway-led Broncos won eight straight road games from January 4, 1998 to November 29, 1998. That run contributed to their two Super Bowl victories and began in the Divisional Playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium against Kansas City.
"January 4, 1998. Chiefs lose to the Broncos 14-10. That still burns for most folks in Kansas City. The Chiefs were 13-3 that year and would seemingly bring home a playoff victory for the first time since Montana.
The problem?
John freakin' Elway." (From Arrowhead Pride blog, June 21, 2010)
Actually, Denver running back, Terrell Davis rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns in the closely contested game before nearly 77,000 chilly fans in Arrowhead. KC had a chance to win in the last 20 seconds, but an errant fourth-down pass from Elvis Grbac fell incomplete in the end zone. The Broncos had beaten the Jacksonville Jaguars the week before at Mile High Stadium in the Wild Card game, 42-17.
The next week, Denver traveled to Pittsburgh to battle the Steelers for the AFC Championship in Three Rivers Stadium. Terrell Davis rushed for 139 yards and a touchdown and Denver's defense forced Kordell Stewart into three interceptions and a fumble as the Broncos won 24-21 for the right to face the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII at San Diego's QualComm Stadium. We all know how that ended, as the heavily-favored Packers, defending Super Bowl Champions, were clobbered by the John Elway-Terrell Davis (SB XXII MVP)-Shannon Sharpe Broncos.
The next regular season began with the Broncos winning their first 13 games, including consecutive road victories over Oakland, Washington, Seattle, Cincinnati, Kansas City and San Diego, before losing at the Meadowlands to the New York Giants 20-16 on December 13, 1998 (Sports Illustrated cover jinx). The Broncos lost again the next week in Miami before winning the regular season finale at home over the Seahawks to finish at 14-2. After a bye week, Denver clobbered Miami 38-3 and Bill Parcells' Jets 23-10 to earn their second consecutive AFC Championship and the right to play the Dan Reeves-led Atlanta Falcons in Miami for SB XXXIII. Denver won easily 34-19 as Elway played his last game and took away the SB MVP trophy.
So, that brings us to this edition of the Denver Broncos. What an inconceivable season this has been! With the labor-lockout delaying the start to pre-season organization and workouts, a brand new head coach (John Fox), an inexperienced executive in charge (John Elway), uncertainty and dispute about whom should quarterback the team, the prospects of a successful season seemed dim and dying. And, as expected, the season did begin horribly. Matter of fact, the only thing of redeeming interest was the hopeful tenet that maybe the Broncos were bad enough to dream about getting a chance to draft Andrew Luck to quarterback next year's squad. The growing clamor of Tebow-lovers to give their savior the ball, combined with Kyle Orton's obvious lack of production and leadership, led the Bronco brass to hand the starting job to Timmy Tebow, and now we are seeing an unprecedented assault on the sensibilities of professional football purists everywhere. Even diehard critic Brian Billick muttered during the telecast today, "Okay, I'm a believer." Most of us would agree that perhaps the Tebow Project may not be a long-term solution for the Broncos going into the future, but for now, how fun is this?!
For all those detractors that Tim Tebow should be held accountable for technical faults, that he couldn't hit the ocean from the deck of the Titanic, that he won't be able to hold up under the punishment of running the ball in the NFL, that a collegiate playbook can't win on Sundays...........how about the fact that he just wins? Obviously, it should be noted, that he doesn't do this alone. The re-energized defense has kept them in games, Britt Colquitt's punting has helped Denver consistently win the field position battle, Willis McGahee is running with fierce determination, offensive coordinator Mike McCoy's game-planning and play-calling is keeping opposing defenses confounded and the team as a whole is playing with growing confidence and competence. Today's game showed that the offense can score whilst the defense is giving up 489 yards, 25 first downs and 30 points. And, even though Tebow and the Denver offense had only 50 yards total in the first half, the defense had outscored Minnesota's defense 7-2 to keep the game close. Then, when a two-point conversion was needed to tie the score at 29 in the fourth quarter, and everybody everywhere just knew that Tebow would run up the middle, guess what, can't stop him. Timmy finished 10 of 15 for just 202 yards, but big plays and zero interceptions. To his credit, and the coaches', Tebow is throwing the ball better, on time and on target. But, to be honest, the passing game benefits from the play-action that confounds defenses because they have to account for both flanks and sometimes three options in the run game, on every play. Plus, Tebow rarely goes down at first contact, so he can keep plays alive even when pressed in the pocket, allowing his receivers to find holes downfield in the secondary.
Lastly, the energized spirit that this Denver Bronco team is experiencing isn't necessarily all due to Tim Tebow, but his attitude and comportment surely are stoking the fires of this most recent run. The bubble may yet burst at the hands of the Chicago Bears (backup quarterback and injured Matt Forte), or the hot New England Patriots with Tom Brady and an explosive offense (but maybe with nothing to play for on December 18 if they have a division title and first round bye secured), or the Buffalo Bills against a team that has lost 5 straight through today, or maybe even against the Kansas City Chiefs and Kyle Orton in the regular season finale. I'm through betting against this team and Tim Tebow, until, well, they fall back down to earth. Until then, all you Tebow-haters will have to wait for the bandwagon to run out of gas or get too crowded, because right here, right now, it's fun to be a Bronco fan!
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
"January 4, 1998. Chiefs lose to the Broncos 14-10. That still burns for most folks in Kansas City. The Chiefs were 13-3 that year and would seemingly bring home a playoff victory for the first time since Montana.
The problem?
John freakin' Elway." (From Arrowhead Pride blog, June 21, 2010)
Actually, Denver running back, Terrell Davis rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns in the closely contested game before nearly 77,000 chilly fans in Arrowhead. KC had a chance to win in the last 20 seconds, but an errant fourth-down pass from Elvis Grbac fell incomplete in the end zone. The Broncos had beaten the Jacksonville Jaguars the week before at Mile High Stadium in the Wild Card game, 42-17.
The next week, Denver traveled to Pittsburgh to battle the Steelers for the AFC Championship in Three Rivers Stadium. Terrell Davis rushed for 139 yards and a touchdown and Denver's defense forced Kordell Stewart into three interceptions and a fumble as the Broncos won 24-21 for the right to face the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII at San Diego's QualComm Stadium. We all know how that ended, as the heavily-favored Packers, defending Super Bowl Champions, were clobbered by the John Elway-Terrell Davis (SB XXII MVP)-Shannon Sharpe Broncos.
The next regular season began with the Broncos winning their first 13 games, including consecutive road victories over Oakland, Washington, Seattle, Cincinnati, Kansas City and San Diego, before losing at the Meadowlands to the New York Giants 20-16 on December 13, 1998 (Sports Illustrated cover jinx). The Broncos lost again the next week in Miami before winning the regular season finale at home over the Seahawks to finish at 14-2. After a bye week, Denver clobbered Miami 38-3 and Bill Parcells' Jets 23-10 to earn their second consecutive AFC Championship and the right to play the Dan Reeves-led Atlanta Falcons in Miami for SB XXXIII. Denver won easily 34-19 as Elway played his last game and took away the SB MVP trophy.
So, that brings us to this edition of the Denver Broncos. What an inconceivable season this has been! With the labor-lockout delaying the start to pre-season organization and workouts, a brand new head coach (John Fox), an inexperienced executive in charge (John Elway), uncertainty and dispute about whom should quarterback the team, the prospects of a successful season seemed dim and dying. And, as expected, the season did begin horribly. Matter of fact, the only thing of redeeming interest was the hopeful tenet that maybe the Broncos were bad enough to dream about getting a chance to draft Andrew Luck to quarterback next year's squad. The growing clamor of Tebow-lovers to give their savior the ball, combined with Kyle Orton's obvious lack of production and leadership, led the Bronco brass to hand the starting job to Timmy Tebow, and now we are seeing an unprecedented assault on the sensibilities of professional football purists everywhere. Even diehard critic Brian Billick muttered during the telecast today, "Okay, I'm a believer." Most of us would agree that perhaps the Tebow Project may not be a long-term solution for the Broncos going into the future, but for now, how fun is this?!
For all those detractors that Tim Tebow should be held accountable for technical faults, that he couldn't hit the ocean from the deck of the Titanic, that he won't be able to hold up under the punishment of running the ball in the NFL, that a collegiate playbook can't win on Sundays...........how about the fact that he just wins? Obviously, it should be noted, that he doesn't do this alone. The re-energized defense has kept them in games, Britt Colquitt's punting has helped Denver consistently win the field position battle, Willis McGahee is running with fierce determination, offensive coordinator Mike McCoy's game-planning and play-calling is keeping opposing defenses confounded and the team as a whole is playing with growing confidence and competence. Today's game showed that the offense can score whilst the defense is giving up 489 yards, 25 first downs and 30 points. And, even though Tebow and the Denver offense had only 50 yards total in the first half, the defense had outscored Minnesota's defense 7-2 to keep the game close. Then, when a two-point conversion was needed to tie the score at 29 in the fourth quarter, and everybody everywhere just knew that Tebow would run up the middle, guess what, can't stop him. Timmy finished 10 of 15 for just 202 yards, but big plays and zero interceptions. To his credit, and the coaches', Tebow is throwing the ball better, on time and on target. But, to be honest, the passing game benefits from the play-action that confounds defenses because they have to account for both flanks and sometimes three options in the run game, on every play. Plus, Tebow rarely goes down at first contact, so he can keep plays alive even when pressed in the pocket, allowing his receivers to find holes downfield in the secondary.
Lastly, the energized spirit that this Denver Bronco team is experiencing isn't necessarily all due to Tim Tebow, but his attitude and comportment surely are stoking the fires of this most recent run. The bubble may yet burst at the hands of the Chicago Bears (backup quarterback and injured Matt Forte), or the hot New England Patriots with Tom Brady and an explosive offense (but maybe with nothing to play for on December 18 if they have a division title and first round bye secured), or the Buffalo Bills against a team that has lost 5 straight through today, or maybe even against the Kansas City Chiefs and Kyle Orton in the regular season finale. I'm through betting against this team and Tim Tebow, until, well, they fall back down to earth. Until then, all you Tebow-haters will have to wait for the bandwagon to run out of gas or get too crowded, because right here, right now, it's fun to be a Bronco fan!
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Wintry Musings, part I
So, I have been silent, at least blog-wise, for a few months. It's not because I have nothing to say, more due to my apathetic attitude towards unfolding situations and putting my thoughts in order and into writing. The latest developments of the Denver Broncos and Tim Tebow, the winter machinations of Major League Baseball, boxing and politics have brought me back to the urge to spew forth. And sometimes, hurl.
Let's get politics out of the way first. Not for long........I have an abiding, abhorrent distaste of watching or understanding politics and politicians. The cavalcade of potential presidential 'candidates' parading before us in the media and on TV has given me some entertaining moments, primarily because I filter the 'news' of these people through shows like "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart", "60 Minutes" and publications like The Onion. 'Real' news programs, such as MSNBC, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS and even FOX News give short shrift to news by appealing to the short attention span of the vast majority of the American public and by picking at the pimples on the public faces of people in the news. Sarah Palin, Herman Cain, Michele Bachman, Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry, Ron Paul, et al, get picked apart and it has changed the way that politicians run their various campaigns. Most of the 'noise' we see and hear about politicians is designed to get attention, sometimes intentionally, but mostly determined by what news editors and spin doctors decide to put out there. Here's an idiomatic definition of politics:
To play politics;
Pretty accurate, I'd say.
Here's another word for today's lesson: obfuscate;
a) to confuse, bewilder, or stupefy,
Let's get politics out of the way first. Not for long........I have an abiding, abhorrent distaste of watching or understanding politics and politicians. The cavalcade of potential presidential 'candidates' parading before us in the media and on TV has given me some entertaining moments, primarily because I filter the 'news' of these people through shows like "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart", "60 Minutes" and publications like The Onion. 'Real' news programs, such as MSNBC, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS and even FOX News give short shrift to news by appealing to the short attention span of the vast majority of the American public and by picking at the pimples on the public faces of people in the news. Sarah Palin, Herman Cain, Michele Bachman, Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry, Ron Paul, et al, get picked apart and it has changed the way that politicians run their various campaigns. Most of the 'noise' we see and hear about politicians is designed to get attention, sometimes intentionally, but mostly determined by what news editors and spin doctors decide to put out there. Here's an idiomatic definition of politics:
To play politics;
a) to engage in political intrigue, take advantage of a political situation or issue, resort to partisan politics, etc.; exploit a political system or political relationships,
b) to deal with people in an opportunistic, manipulative, or devious way.
Pretty accurate, I'd say.
Here's another word for today's lesson: obfuscate;
a) to confuse, bewilder, or stupefy,
b) to make obscure or unclear,
c) to darken.
To me, politics and obfuscation are synonymous with how we are led. Led by 'leaders' on a path that we are constantly told is 'best for the American public' and 'in the interests of national security', or 'necessary to protect a democratic way of life'. To me, most of what POLITICS is about, is to gild the pockets and coffers of POLITICIANS and their benefactors. Congressional representatives should not be allowed to continue influencing national policy as lobbyists after their elected terms are complete. Presidential cabinet officials and appointees should not be culled from the list of significant campaign donors. Big coincidence that many of the Cabinet members and financial advisors that crafted the bailout of the Big Banks in 2008 were formerly from Goldman Sachs, big campaign contributors to George Bush's interests initially, then Barack Obama's circle, later. Here's a recent list of Goldman Sachs former associates tied to the Obama circle of government:
To me, politics and obfuscation are synonymous with how we are led. Led by 'leaders' on a path that we are constantly told is 'best for the American public' and 'in the interests of national security', or 'necessary to protect a democratic way of life'. To me, most of what POLITICS is about, is to gild the pockets and coffers of POLITICIANS and their benefactors. Congressional representatives should not be allowed to continue influencing national policy as lobbyists after their elected terms are complete. Presidential cabinet officials and appointees should not be culled from the list of significant campaign donors. Big coincidence that many of the Cabinet members and financial advisors that crafted the bailout of the Big Banks in 2008 were formerly from Goldman Sachs, big campaign contributors to George Bush's interests initially, then Barack Obama's circle, later. Here's a recent list of Goldman Sachs former associates tied to the Obama circle of government:
ALTMAN, ROGER.
BERKOWITZ, HOWARD P.
BIDEN, JOE.
BRAINARD, LAEL.
BUFFETT, WARREN.
CLINTON, HILLARY.
CRAIG, GREGORY.
DONILON, THOMAS.
DUDLEY, WILLIAM C.
EFFRON, BLAIR W.
ELMENDORF, DOUGLAS.
EMANUEL, RAHM.
FARRELL, DIANA.
FRIEDMAN, STEPHEN.
FROMAN, Michael.
FUDGE, ANNE.
FURMAN, JASON.
GALLOGLY, MARK.
GEITHNER, TIMOTHY.
GENSLER, GARY.
GEPHARDT, RICHARD (aka "DICK") A.
GREENSTONE, MICHAEL (revolving door to Hamilton Project)
HAMILTON PROJECT, THE
HORMATS, ROBERT.
KAGAN, ELENA.
KASHKARI, NEEL.
KORNBLUH, KAREN.
LEW, JACOB (AKA "JACK") J.
LIDDY, EDWARD MICHAEL.
LIPTON, DAVID A.
MINDICH, ERIC
MURPHY, PHILLIP.
NIEDERAUER, DUNCAN.
OBAMA, BARACK H.
ORSZAG, PETER.
PATTERSON, MARK.
PERRY, RICHARD.
RATTNER, STEVE.
REISCHAUER, ROBERT D.
RIVLIN, ALICE.
RUBIN, JAMES.
RUBIN, ROBERT.
SHAFRAN, STEVEN.
SPERLING, GENE.
STORCH, ADAM.
SUMMERS, LARRY.
THAIN, JOHN.
TYSON, LAURA D’ANDREA.
Interesting connections. Google these names, one by one, along with "Goldman Sachs" and you will begin to understand how we have been led down the rosy path of financial ruin by these fucking crooks.
Enough for now, I'm exhausted, and pissed.
Gonna watch the rest of the Broncos vs Vikings, to get more insight on the Tebow phenomenom.
Later............
BERKOWITZ, HOWARD P.
BIDEN, JOE.
BRAINARD, LAEL.
BUFFETT, WARREN.
CLINTON, HILLARY.
CRAIG, GREGORY.
DONILON, THOMAS.
DUDLEY, WILLIAM C.
EFFRON, BLAIR W.
ELMENDORF, DOUGLAS.
EMANUEL, RAHM.
FARRELL, DIANA.
FRIEDMAN, STEPHEN.
FROMAN, Michael.
FUDGE, ANNE.
FURMAN, JASON.
GALLOGLY, MARK.
GEITHNER, TIMOTHY.
GENSLER, GARY.
GEPHARDT, RICHARD (aka "DICK") A.
GREENSTONE, MICHAEL (revolving door to Hamilton Project)
HAMILTON PROJECT, THE
HORMATS, ROBERT.
KAGAN, ELENA.
KASHKARI, NEEL.
KORNBLUH, KAREN.
LEW, JACOB (AKA "JACK") J.
LIDDY, EDWARD MICHAEL.
LIPTON, DAVID A.
MINDICH, ERIC
MURPHY, PHILLIP.
NIEDERAUER, DUNCAN.
OBAMA, BARACK H.
ORSZAG, PETER.
PATTERSON, MARK.
PERRY, RICHARD.
RATTNER, STEVE.
REISCHAUER, ROBERT D.
RIVLIN, ALICE.
RUBIN, JAMES.
RUBIN, ROBERT.
SHAFRAN, STEVEN.
SPERLING, GENE.
STORCH, ADAM.
SUMMERS, LARRY.
THAIN, JOHN.
TYSON, LAURA D’ANDREA.
Interesting connections. Google these names, one by one, along with "Goldman Sachs" and you will begin to understand how we have been led down the rosy path of financial ruin by these fucking crooks.
Enough for now, I'm exhausted, and pissed.
Gonna watch the rest of the Broncos vs Vikings, to get more insight on the Tebow phenomenom.
Later............
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