The eternal teenager

He's an icon of American television. Heck, he's probably be on the audiovisual medium since RCA first produced a TV. And I'm convinced nothing will stop Dick Clark except for the ever-approaching moment of death. Nothing else should.

Most people who are somewhat plugged into American pop culture know the tale. It was that stroke that was supposed to be the end of Dick Clark on TV. He'd been on the air forever, hosting his New Year's Eve special for decades as the icing on his celebrated career, seeming like someone who would have to be forced out on some executive's terms. Then the stroke came, and that was the KO. He was down for the count, and he wasn't getting up before it ended.

This year was the first time I had watched part of his special in a long time, and my reaction at the first instant I heard him was "Oh how sad." The stroke clearly affected his speech motor skills, and the sound was one that at first made you believe they were just trotting him out there because it was still called "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve". Time to hang it up, Dick, I thought.

But they came back to him every now and again, and as the night went on, I started to realize that his physical abilities were about the only thing he lost. Mentally, the man was still there, still as lively as the man known as the eternal teenager. He could still read his cues, hold a conversation with his outdoor replacement, and live life mostly on his terms.

I guess only Death can take him away to his American Bandstand in the sky. Just as it should be.

A voice emerges

Being a little brother is not something I can say I understand well. I wasn't one. I don't know anything about having to deal with an older brother's shadow, the nuances of not being the first child. But the general theme of a little brother's childhood quest I can summarize: try finding your own voice.

The middle brother started out almost as a clone. Looked like me, talked like me, did many of the same things I did. In the process, he was clearly "Matt's brother", and while he didn't mind that, he didn't want that to define him either. Then, one Christmas, he got a guitar, and the artist began to emerge, a very distinct way of distancing himself from his analytical math and sport loving older brother. He's now a part-time sports writer and public radio voice.

The younger brother didn't look like us, but probably had the least sense of direction for where he was going. So, after his two older brothers started down different paths, he began to take some from each of us. In a way, it made him unique. In other, he still had to find his own voice.

Flash forward to Sunday night. The younger brother is now an aspiring vocal instructor, and has been singing non stop for the past week. He is performing in a concert, which this currently typing brother was able to attend. The last number arrives, "Silent Night". The choir fans out around the nave. And I turn back to spot where he is. That's when I realize the kid has his own voice.

Finally.

Friday Link-O-Rama

I feel like doing one of these posts, so here goes:

• I collected baseball cards growing up and gained my love for number from them. The genius of Joe Posnanski goes through an observational history of stats on baseball cards, and if you've ever collected (even if you were only a 1990s card boom collector), you'll enjoy it.
• From my little corner of Huskerland, a few thoughts on fear and how it can govern life at times.
• The election might be over in most corners of the country, but Nate Silver continues to show his intellectual mettle.

And one personal thought of the day:

Politics has seemingly devolved into being like college sports, where you root for your team vehemently and disparage your rivals while trying to purport your team's superiority. So what happened to good, open discussions about ideas in the forum where it matters the most?

A tale of two analysts

The title of my latest post over at Seamheads

Veteran's Day

If you're at least a third-generation American, you almost certainly have a relative who served or is serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Today is their day. Thank them for their service.

Post election day thoughts

1) The smarter campaign won. This is obvious, but it does make me wonder what happens if John McCain does more talking about issues rather than trying to tear down Obama's image. For me, it was the constant disparaging of Obama, especially during the debates, that didn't allow the Maverick image to shine. Of course, imitating Obama's campaign didn't make him seem better either.

2) Now, I have as much hope as anyone that Obama can make good things happen in government. But I'll know the Daley Machine has extended its reign to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. if Patrick Fitzgerald is disposed of as the U.S. District Attorney in Chicago while Obama is in office. Of course, this could also lead to the 2016 Summer Olympics in Chicago, which many are now predicting in Chicago.

3) Affirmative action goes down in Nebraska. Gay unions go down in California. Yet Colorado can't figure out when a person's life begins. Here's a hint: 80% were wrong.

4) Lots of promises means they will either be fulfilled or 1994 will repeat itself in 2010. Mr. President-elect, you've been warned.

And lastly, the word of the day is:

Obamanation

For you Democrats out there, this is a synonym of domination. For the Republicans in the crowd, just think of what other word it sounds like if you say it really fast. It'll help you survive for at least the next 2 years.

Cole Hamels = John Cleese?

You decide.

(H/T to the wonderful wife)