Crosby on the Bedpost

Right now, my Sidney Crosby jersey hangs triumphantly on my bedpost, right where I hung it after the last victory over Ottowa. It will remain there until the Pens no longer are alive in the NHL playoffs - hopefully sometime in June when they lift the Stanley Cup in a repeat of their 90's repeat. I wear it every other day and then I hang it up in its spot for the next installment - a routine I hope to continue for some time. It's a happy reminder in the morning, to know that there is something toward which to look forward and about which to smile.

So much else in my sporting world is less than happy. The Mountaineers' devestating loss in the Final Four, poor Santonio's trade to the Jets, and, of course, Big Bad Ben. Goodness gracious, you'd think he had killed someone...like, say, Ray Lewis or Dante Stallworth. You'd think he'd been convicted of something...like, say, half the rest of the league. But, no, not really. He is, apparently, evil enough to dominate the negative press of every major sports-shouting show and internet site and, thus, I can no longer watch those shows or read those articles. I can't explain my views in this blog because I can't exactly pin down my views.

But, don't count me in with the rest of the frenzied bandwagon "trade him!" followers. In my mind - and plenty of others' - he's still a great quarterback. All these people loved him in the final 40 seconds of Super Bowl XLIII. What, now because he may be sexually aggressive he's no longer able to throw a precision pass under pressure? I guess that is the same logic that because Tiger is a man whore he can no longer...putt. (I don't know enough about golf to make an intelligent analogy here. All I know is that it's fun on the Wii and boring as crap in real life.)

In the real world, I know plenty of respectable people who are great at their jobs, and up to whom others may very well look. I also know that these same folks have made mistakes - sexual and otherwise - in their lives. I don't really think differently about them and don't suspect others would either, even if they knew the facts. I might not agree with the actions or mistakes or missteps or...whatever. I also don't want to start down the slippery slope of legislating/criminilizing morality and/or stupidity. We simply don't have the manpower in this country to keep up with all that!

So, for now, I'll just sit here on my bed with my Crosby jersey and keep all my energy on the ice, where it would be now anyway, even without all the other distractions. I know Sid and Geno and the rest of the Mighty 'Guins will give it their all, making the 'Burgh proud no matter how far they go in the post-season. Because on the ice, at least it's still all about the game.

So, Let's Go Pens!! Because I want that Crosby jersey to stay put a while longer.

Summery Summer Goodness

It's not quite Spring proper, but it feels like Summer, so I've moved on. Sorry, Nature, but I feel secure that once my over-confidence in this weather fully manifests, you will snatch it cruelly away from me and replace it with cold, wet nastiness. So, time is of the essence and I must revel in the joys of Summer Planning-Palooza, 2010:

**After last summer's inaugural performance in "Oklahoma" I have, once again, been given the chance to be part of the Parkway Playhouse's Summer Season. This community theater has changed my life and I am not being overly dramatic. (Dramatic, maybe, but not overly so.) For 64 years, the Parkway has delighted the Burnsville area and I am prouder of being a part of it than I have even been of anything in my entire life. (Check it out at parkwayplayhouse.com. If you are in the Western North Carolina area, it will be good times if you stop by and see it live!!) The unbridled happiness I experience when working hard to bring the production together is more rewarding than I can translate.

This summer, I will be part of "Annie" - wherein I will not play an orphan, contrary to popular belief based upon the age I appear (and likely act, though people don't say that to my face) - and "Guys and Dolls" - in which I may (fingers crossed) get to play an adult! (Or at least a teenager.) I can't wait for late-night practices, cast meltdowns, and general comraderie with other actor-types. It's a blast. I can think of no other way to spend the summer, and don't comprehend other opinions. (Namely, ol' Scotty P.'s, who sincerely seems baffled by me during these months of rehearsals.) Who cares? The show must go on and, in this house, it will, believe you me...

**For the umpteenth time (thank goodness) I will see DMB live and thus summer can be complete. Somehow, after all these years of loyalty, we have scored Gold Circle seats at the Charlotte show and I'm already dizzy with the idea of being that close to my musical gods. Summer is somehow a bit sadder when you don't see crazy Dave dancing and hear (hopefully) "Two Step" live on a humid, sweaty evening. It will be a long wait until July, but let the countdown begin! ("Celebrate we will...Life is short but sweet for certain...")

**After almost four years at my current job, I'm moving on. I don't know what to expect. For the first time in my life, I'll be my own boss. And knowing full-well the type of employee I can be, I may become fast frustrated with myself. But, to grow in this life, you have to take chances and move ahead and that is what I intend to do, as I think positive thoughts and hope to quell any panic attacks.

But don't be crazy! I will be leaving my current job at the end of June and won't begin the new venture until at least September. So, I'll have plenty of time to enjoy the rest of my summer adventures! Let's not forget what type of employee I am...

**Along with the more glamorous, there is the glorious mundane: the sunny days outside with the dogs, dinners downtown Asheville, my birthday(!), family visits, new flip-flops with freshly painted toenails, not-so-white legs, weekend cabin trips, ice cream cones, the smell of sunscreen, sundresses, blonder hair, and all-around heavenly sunny times.

Bring it on, Nature! I'm ready!

What-sa Goin' On?

Since my last blog post, it has miraculously become summer from winter by the beginning of April, I snagged a snazzy new pair of brown clogs on a tremendous sale, and the Mountaineers got all the way to the Final Four in the NCAA tourney. (Some other stuff happened, too, but I try to hit the high points.) Ol' Scotty P. and I have made some pretty big decisions about our joint future - namely, a swimming pool would really be sweet right now and, unfortunately, a new Beagle puppy is not a wise addition to our little family.

In honor of this fresh new time of year, a renewed sense of dedication to this blog. I vow to do the following:

**I will play less Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook and use my time more sensibly. This will particularly make Scotty P. happy, since he firmly believes I spend roughly 75 percent of my time on this sparkly little computer game - when it's really a little less than that. We'll find a healthy compromise.

**Even though I receive almost 500 e-mails a day from Bluefly.com, I will not (repeat: WILL NOT) succomb to these discounted designer wares. I will not buy any beautiful Kate Spade heels or cashmere fingerless gloves or flowy Free People dresses, no matter how lovely those things may look together for some night on the town and no matter the special sales Bluefly claims are TODAY ONLY! My will-power will just have to defeat Bluefly's relentless temptation. Stay strong and breathe...and avoid Bluefly.com like it's a New England Patriots fan with the swine flu.

**I will work harder to write more regularly, since that usually helps to quell the other time-wasters. Wish me luck!!