The Sounds of Football

When Thanksgiving approaches, we look forward to many things. Meeting with family (for some), eating as much food as humanly possible, or relaxing with a great after dinner turkey nap. For me, while I look forward to these things as well, another important part of enjoying Thanksgiving is football, but not for the conventional reasons. What I mean is that, while I am a football fan, I am not the biggest fan. I know a bit about the game, and the big names and the teams, and do enjoy to watch. But for me, the sounds of football shape the background music for the holiday. I grew up with football on the television throughout my childhood, since my father is a very big fan of the sport. So, my memories of Thanksgivings past include football as much as they do eating or meeting with my family. I would sleep in, until around 11 a.m., and wake up to hear the television with sounds of whistles, tackles, huddles, and announcers telling us about the game. I would walk out into the living room, where the sun would peek through the trees and shine through the 12' x 7' window, shedding light throughout the house. The cool brisk air outside can be seen in the breath of the players, while I cozied up on the couch with my favorite blanket and my dog. After we ate dinner, I would help clean up, then find my spot on the couch with my dad in his recliner. With our bellies filled with turkey, a nap was not far away. For me, it doesn't matter who's winning the game (unless the Patriots are playing), or what the announcers are saying. What's nostalgic for me are all of the sounds coming together, filling my ears with turkey day tradition.

Boston Loves Lowell

Congratulations to Mike Lowell, for signing with the Boston Red Sox! You made the right choice in all aspects. Boston is the best way for you to win another World Series title, and it was the best choice to prove your character. Since you turned down that extra year and extra money and went with the 3 years, 37.5 million dollars, you will be praised and cheered from every seat at fenway, every bar stool on Landsdown, from every couch in New England. You were absolutely unstoppable last season, and the fans know that you have so much more to contribute to the team and to your personal career records. You've proven yourself to be a stand-up guy, Mike, and for Boston fans that's almost more important than the numbers. Need I mention Johnny Damon? I don't think that you would have wanted your face printed on thousands of T-shirts with slogans indicating your traitor-ship (referring only to the option for your return to the Yankees). What's the point in taking more money to play for a team that won't give you the acclaim that you deserve, and probably won't make it to another world series? But you know, Mike, I think you said it best:

“I really don’t believe everything should be about money,” Lowell said. “I just didn’t think my happiness should be bought just by dollars.”

You are a saint, Mike Lowell, because I, among other Red Sox fans, perpetually hope that there are players like you who really mean this point, players who play the game to play the game instead of just looking to make the most money. It seems today that there are only a small percentage of players like you left, who will place their happiness above salary. Thank goodness that baseball isn't a world of A-rods, a world of players who only want self-acclaim and the most money and fame. Thank you, Mike Lowell, for keeping my hope alive that there are still good guys in baseball.

Career? A personal reflection.

So, the baseball season is over for now, so for the next few weeks I will have to find something new to talk about. My professor has instructed the class to use these blogs as something that could be useful to us in our future careers. This is definitely a great idea, but, um, I discovered that I really don't have a clue as to what I would like to do with myself after college. I'm in the Professional Communications major, but to be honest I'm really not sure where that will take me either. I just feel like the major is taking me to a place I would like to be other than any other major. I have always been a really good student, all around. I view this as a good thing, but also I feel that no particular subject has pulled me toward any definite direction. How do students know exactly what job they'd like to do? I guess some people are just born with a sense of direction, and some aren't so lucky. So, my plan from here on out is to continue to be a good student, and hope that something jumps out at me. Well, maybe I will have to put in a little more effort than that, but there's one thing that I do know for sure: I definitely do not want to be a bartender for the rest of my life. Some people like it and can make a great living off of it, but to me, it's not worth the stress, and I need to explore other avenues in order to be happy. I feel that I've worked too hard to settle. Wish me luck!