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)

Back in business

Man, this whole not posting thing does not work well, now does it? Ok, reset button time (for the fifth time)...

The Olympic Gymnastics Rant

Gymnastics is one of those Olympic sports that I literally only pay attention to during this quadrennial celebration of sport, and I probably wouldn't mind if NBC didn't broadcast so much of it in future games. That being said, the brouhaha over He Kaxin and her fellow Chinese gymnasts' ages lead me to ask the IOC and FIG this:

WHY ARE YOU ASKING THE CHINESE!?!?

Let's backtrack a bit. First, before the Olympics, FIG (the international gymnastics governing body) examined the Chinese-issued competition passports of the Chinese gymnastics team, which stated all of their team's athletes were 16, and thus eligible, even amid the swirl of suspicion that those ages may not be true; a Danny Almonte case in reverse.
A few days ago, new media investigative reports brought these age issues back into question. Now, put yourself in the FIG Investigator's shoes. In the case that new evidence arises that puts these same issues in doubt again, should you go check the same source for different documents and stop there, or should you examine other legitimate records?
Obviously, if a fraud is being perpetrated, the perpetrators, if they're worth anything, should backtrack to forge what is necessary in case of investigation; in this case, birth certificates. So why stop there? I'm almost certain that gymnastics has a World Junior Championships event for athletes not age-eligible for this highest level of competition. Wouldn't you have records from that stating the ages of the competitors there? Wouldn't a gymnast in line for an eventual spot on a national team have competed there? Again, I have to pose these as questions because, as I said, I don't follow gymnastics outside of the Olympics, nor do I care to.
It seems to me the logic used in this case is to take the accusation, ask the accused to provide their own evidence in refute, and if they produce valid proof clear their name without any cross-examination. It is that lack of an extra validity check that has me questioning these findings, and odds are if news does break that China cheated in this case, you can surely bet that it won't come with the spotlight on.

Lessons from a life

The top news headline today reads as some variant of this: Tim Russert dead at 58.

A few weeks ago, an obituary ran in a newspaper in IL. A long-time resident of that community had passed, after 100 years of life.

The first was a famous name of a television reporter who I occasionally watched on Sundays. The second is my father's godmother. It would seem comparing the testimonials of Russert's colleagues to the reflections of my own great-aunt would have nothing in common, and yet they remarkably do.

It appears Mr. Russert was a man of great faith who invested himself in people, regardless of their status. Listening to Bob Woodward and David Gregory said just as much, and personally I couldn't help but think he was a good guy after his insightful yet generous appearances on Jim Cramer's Mad Money. And reports have it that his family had just been in audience with Il Papa, which makes this Catholic smile.

My aunt lived her life without the public spotlight, but yet still gave herself in service to all. Her work as a trust officer secured a number of families with a stable financial foundation, many of whom returned her generosity upon their own deaths. She always enjoyed visitors to her house, and treasured that time with them. Her faith (also Catholic) was her foundation, the wellspring from which her generosity flowed.

I write this because as a society, we treat death almost exclusively as the sadness of losing something good and with the idea that the deceased has moved on to a better place. But to someone whose persona demands that things have a purpose, it seems that another question needs to be raised with equal reverence: What did he or she teach us? What good from his or her life should be incorporated into my life that hasn't been already? I'm not sure there's a universal answer to these questions, because these are the types of questions with answers that speak to a personal level.

For this purpose-obsessed mind, the lesson from both of these is clear: Too often do I associate purpose with tangible pursuits, rather than in developing relationships with people. Maybe it's that rugged individualism that is ingrained in American lore, but I find myself looking to help my pursuits almost as much as I should be trying to help others'. Yet my head knows that it is in genuinely helping others that we most help ourselves. As Jesus was quoted: "The first is this: 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mk 12: 29-31; author's emphasis)

That's how Tim Russert lived. That's how my great aunt lived. That how we all need to live.

Seamheads post

Today's post on Seamheads is an orientation to statistics. Yes, I use baseball examples, but the lessons within are something to understand across all numeric data that you're presented, like polls.

A new feature

Some smart person related to me by blood made the brilliant suggestion that I post links here to my work at Seamheads. Well, here's my post for this week.

If I remember, expect this every Wednesday. And I'll stop promising to be more regular with posts here when it's obvious that writing in this space is not a high priority.

Day by day with people

So, I finally am back again. I should use this space more often, and I plan to do so.

The following may or may not be a valid thought, but it goes through my mind often enough that it is worth musing about.

I often find myself caught in a pickle. On the one hand, there are all these societal norms that for one reason or another define what is acceptable and what isn't. On the other, there's the individual personality, which is a unique aspect of each human being. And if there is some line that is between them, I have the hardest time finding it.

Some days it seems as if I get looked at like a raving lunatic who has enough marbles not to be committed to an institution but still makes no sense with what comes out of my mouth or what I do. Maybe that's my personality that just says "To hell with what society says to do, I'm doing it my way." Maybe there's something I don't understand that people are too afraid to tell because someone is just supposed to "get it". Or maybe their personality just doesn't take well to mine. Whatever it is, it confounds my finite mind.

Of course, I'm guilty too. I'm an extrovert, and an introvert can be easily intimidated by what can be a domineering personality. But the only time some people communicate that is to another friend. Same with opinions about someone that may/may not be well founded. And to these I say this: If you don't have the cajones to say something to my face, then it probably is a thought that belongs in the garbage.

Now, I fully understand why many societal norms are in place, particularly ones that enforce (good) mores. And the ones I understand I follow. But why does it seem like you have to approach people in a certain manner? Or, maybe more to my point, why do some people just not seem to be able to accept people for what they are at the core? In my Catholic-raised mind, any other human is a creation in the likeness and image of God.

There's an old phrase "love the sinner, hate the sin" that I think works well here. We try to distance ourselves from those who don't conform to what we deem acceptable. And we rob ourselves of a chance to not only see the good in a person, but to maybe even affect their life in a positive manner.

Perhaps this doesn't make sense, perhaps it does. But it's almost 1 am, so the mind might be a little tired.

The transition

So yeah, I promised a nice update to the site and more frequent posts, and what do you get? NOTHING. Zilch. And a barren wasteland of posts for the last month, save for a little Easter rejoicing.

But while this transition failed (thus far), others have gone on. Winter has turned to spring back to winter back to spring here in high plains. Case and point was the last 4 days. Thursday: 5 inches of snow. Today: 70 degrees. Go figure. Friendly visitors from the homeland have come and gone. And the single guy in me is still struggling to give way to the married man I'm about to become. Guess that last one is OK for the moment (emphasis on it being for the moment). And I'm up and running with weekly posts at Seamheads.

Now, if only I could get some resolution on grad school.....

Happy Easter

He is risen! 'Nuff said.

When you know your government has it backwards

By now, you've read the headlines about this little deal that finished the stunning collapse of one of the most respected investment banks. And if I were you, I'd be sick to my stomach knowing that $236 million of my taxpayer dollars just helped keep the wealthy rich while companies like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac languish to a point that threatens the average person. And my gut truly is feeling sick as I type because of this.

You can easily see those who had money invested with Bear Sterns and JP Morgan as the winners here, while the shareholders of BSC get the major shaft. Of course, whoever bought 55,000 put options at $30 is looking like a genius at this point, provided he isn't the next coming of Jeff Skilling. And yet the $2 per share price just seems like rich have gotten richer.

In this writer's opinion, this fiasco is another example of Bernanke's ineptitude as Fed Chairman, and the failed economic policies of the current White House administration. They somehow think that bailing out an investment bank is the solution when the power of the middle class is declining, the plummeting value of the dollar is pushing imported commodities higher, most notably crude oil, and people in this country keep thinking that to live beyond one's means is a human right rather than a stupid financial decision, everyone must own a home even if it is impractical for one's vocation/profession, and that the government will try to save the average American from debt by putting the country further into it. Have we no sense of logic anymore?

The premise of the "Dark Angel" television series was an EMP turning the US into a 3rd world country overnight (and to expose a young actress by the name of Jessica Alba). Perhaps it won't take such an action from science fiction, but is already occurring because of the hands of Ben, Hank, and George W.

A new place to muse

So I've agreed to write for another blog, this one focused on that wonderful sport of baseball. The blog is Seamheads.com, which you can also get to through Baseball Daily Digest, just click on "Seamheads" at the top. While Seamheads has been focused on baseball history, they wanted some more writers to address the current state of the game and other interests, and thus where I and many others have come in to help out the two gents who started it. Naturally, my posts for them will have a statistical slant, ranging from Op-ed to hardcore research. You can read my first post, reflecting on the possibility that Spring Training statistics indicate something about professional ballplayers.

For those of you who have found my blog from Seamheads, welcome. My personal blog tends to be more broad based than the baseball focus of Seamheads, as my interests are wide and varied, though tend to have a common theme of something competitive in nature with the exception of my faith themed comments. I hope you enjoy reading one or the other, and there may be a few extra nuggets I post here that I am unable to on Seamheads (most likely files and what not).

Maybe I should make some changes around here....

I recently received a link to a friend's blog, and realized he had linked to about 12 other people who blogged on his sidebar (yours truly included). It got me thinking how unfinished this blog look is, and with a possible opportunity to write for a larger, more established audience on another blog, I may want to clean this up. So, if it's crappy weather or I'm just in need of something to do to keep me away from doing something stupid. look for little tweaks here and there.

Of course, since it's also supposed to be 68 degrees here on Saturday, it may not happen for a little while.

P.S. Did I mention baseball has started? Ok, because it has. So if the top sports story in your local paper isn't about spring training, last night's basketball game, or last night's hockey game, call your paper and complain. This is null and void in markets where a certain brutish sport is the only game in town (I'm looking at you, Jacksonville!)

Catch up day

In the midst of being concerned for those I know who attend Northern Illinois University over the past couple days, I put off posting some of these things until today. Please pray for that campus.

• Back in the early 1990's, a young assistant coach in the Big 10 blew the whistle of recruiting violations involving Dion Thomas and the Fighting Illini basketball team. That coach went on to be one of the more popular coaches today. He is Bruce Pearl. Illini fans still don't like him, but they like him more than the Cheater In Loosierville. Well, I think my fellow Illini will have the last laugh after all, with the news involving Mr. Cheater a.k.a. Kelvin Sampson. Here's thinking Eric Gordon is the blacked out name in this smackdown from the NCAA.
  
• The sweetest words in February aren't "Happy Valentine's Day!" or "Happy Birthday Matt!" No, my friends, they are simply these: PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT! The White Sox will finish at least 3rd, and the Rockies won't need an improbable run to get to the postseason. However, Mr. Dempster makes me laugh. Keep dreaming, Cubdom!

The audacity of it!

Ok, so the Obamanator and the Straight Talk Express made clean sweeps tonight in the 3 primaries held out east. So, being the news and political junkie that I am at times, I've spent most of the last hour consuming the candidates speeches on TV (along with a pepperoni pizza). And, after hearing a few initial words from the Mac Attack, stumping like someone who is campaigning for November rather than March, I had one thought:

"Hope? He's trying to run with someone else's campaign theme!"

Ladies and gentlemen, he may not get the nomination, but Barack Obama is leading the change in the tone of political campaigning. If this can correlate to his promises for change in Washington, look out, World.

I just pray that the corruption of the R.M. Daley Machine that now dominates the state he represents and the party which he is a part of in that state doesn't prove him to be in bed with those he purports himself to be a part from and destroy his campaign.