365 Thought Provoking Questions. Answered: #33-48

33. If you could choose one book as a mandatory read for all high school students, which book would you choose?

Well, if I could, I would have everyone read Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger because it's pretty much an awesome book with real ideals that face our culture as a nation. And of course, it is my favorite book. However, I don't really think FNL would be appreciated by the High School student looking to get out of reading assignments. The book more suitable would be one that I recently completed, Tuesday's With Morrie by Mitch Albom. A short read with reasonable chapters that is filled with questions and thought consuming ideals that can help prepare students for life beyond High School in an enlightened way. It's a book that would connect with the youth, and has unlimited potential for classroom discussions.

34. Would you rather have less work or more work you actually enjoy doing?

Easily more work that I actually enjoy doing. Have you ever had down time on your job? Like, serious down time? The day can realllllllly draaaaaaaaaaaaaag. Give me enjoyable work any day, and I will get after it.

Making Sense of the Mets Mess

As Super Bowl XLVI is now set between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots, a Jets fan like myself could not be any more depressed about the possible outcome of this year’s big game. A season which was anticipated to be a joyful one, has crashed and burned like no other. However, as I dread the next two weeks of Super Bowl hype, I find myself thinking about Mets fans, and the feeling of embarrassment they must have as those four great words – pitchers and catchers report – nears. My Super Bowl misery is nothing in comparison to the no-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel hope they are experiencing.

Yes, I am a Yankees fan, and a die hard one, however, with all of the recent turmoil, mismanagement, and hopelessness that surrounds Citifield, I find it a bit harsh to revel in such gloominess. Heck, after all, as a big Knicks and Jets fan, I can somehow relate. I’ve made it known in the past the resemblances of the Knicks and Mets (Metropolitan’s Mishap Mirror Midtown). Yet once again, never has there been this type of ineptitude with such large resources available. Not even in the always controversial Knicks front office.

In fact, clubs such as the Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, Kansas City Royals, and Cincinnati Bengals, franchises that are often the butt of many jokes, are now looked at with promising futures. Saddled with overpaid players, out-of-touch owners, and of course the Madoff scandal, the Mets, a franchise in the largest market in the United States with a brand-spanking new stadium are now that organization. A mess. The New York Mess.

Jorge Posada: Pride, Grit, and Pinstripes

With his recent retirement announcement, the 2012  season will be the first one for the New York Yankees since 1994 without Jorge Posada. For many Yankee fans, the absence of number twenty in the lineup continues the unforgiving truth that our heroes from the late nineties are stepping away from the game. Now with Posada hanging up the spikes, the core four that has been lauded for their loyalty and consistency, is now down to two. And with the discussion of whether Posada, who continued a lineage of great Yankees catchers, should be placed in the Hall of Fame, his career is under a microscope more than anytime, moreso than when he played. And while fans, experts, analysts, statisticians, and even haters weigh in on either side of the HOF coin, there is a certain Jorge Posada that I hope does not get lost in the number crunching and reasoning, and it is summed up into two words: pride and grit.

Dome Pondering Import–“Why I hate Religion, But Love Jesus”

Over the past few days, there has been a video on YouTube that has gone “Viral” as they say, and has caused quite a stir amongst many. As of this writing, the video of Jefferson Bethke and his poem, has had over 16 million hits, with response videos in the hundred thousands. The video has also hit mainstream outlets, headlining cnn.com and various other news sites this past week.

After viewing the video twice, I can tell you that I not only love the message, but the poem in which it was delivered by Bethke. I too believe that somehow “religion” and the true grace of God has somehow become disconnected not only within Churches nationwide, but within the secular society. The term religion has now become watered down with negativity, and the true message of Jesus gets wrapped and washed away by those searching, by non-believers, and by atheists. Bethke is on to something here, and should be commended.

I urge all of you DP devotees to join in on the discussion, and take a look.

Courtesy: YouTube

Senseless. Stupid. And Still...Why?

It wasn't too long that I found myself worked up about this issue. In fact, I had such strong emotions and opinions that I needed two posts (Why Did Derrion Albert Have To Die) (Why Did Derrion Albert Have To Die - Part II) to somewhat cover the reverberations of those feelings. Sickening. Disturbing. Disgusting. All adjectives that were tied to the story of Derrion Albert. Yet, of it all, the strongest way to describe the horrific ending to the story of Derrion Albert was wrapped into one simple question - why? On Wednesday, January 18th, 2012, I found myself engulfed in the same passionate bit of rage and raw emotion as I opened up the New York Daily News website and read the lead story titled, "7 Teens, Including a girl, arrested in brutal beating of Chicago Boy". As I read, I could not help but make the comparisons to the situation that lead to the tragic ending of Derrion Albert's life. Both in Chicago. Both involved the youth. Both somehow filmed, and made it's way online. 

And then I watched the video...and it was indeed Derrion Albert all over again.

Senseless. Stupid. And yes, once again...why?

Celebrating Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - 2012

For more articles, documents and text (some never released) from and about Dr. King, please check out a new personal favorite, www.thekingcenter.org.

365 Thought Provoking Questions. Answered: #17-32

17. Have you done anything lately worth remembering?

Remembered by whom exactly? We all perform, act, and accomplish various things that can be construed differently in terms of worth remembering. Some like to be the center of attention, others strive for goals, and others are discreet with charitable ways. Being remembered is also in the eye of the beholder. You can be remembered in the worst of ways and for the changing the world. And sometimes, the memorable part isn't worthy at all. At the end of the day, I haven't done anything other than doing everything possible to help and progress my friends and family. Yet, to comply with this series and to answer the question, as a low-key person, nope, I guess I haven't.

18. What does your joy look like today?

My tag team partner, or in normal terms, my wife. She's weird, awkward, interesting, creative, and most of all crazy. Yet, her craziness is like heaven.

Pondering Picture #16

Unfortunately, I stepped away and missed what would have been a very interesting phone call.