1. The 'Hawks are relevant again. Who Knew?
Normally, you'd never hear me talk about hockey, and that might be partly playing into the stereotype that black folks don't play hockey (not true, of course...see: Jarome Iginla, Grant Fuhr). But I am loyal to my Chicago teams, and it's good to see them back in form. It's been seven years since the last time they were in the playoffs, and 17 since the last time they played for the Stanley Cup. Let's see how they do.
2. How NOT To Get Caught Up In A Lie...
Example The First: If you're going to tell someone that you're not single, don't make any appearances on any online dating sites. It looks bad for all parties involved. Very interesting points to consider -- Not Single, but looking? Single, but using the Not Single line as a buffer/filter/way of flirting? Not really sure which way to go in general? The world may never know, and I don't particularly care to find out. The lesson: honesty works wonders.
Example The Second: For the love of all that is good and holy, if you're going to play the field, DON'T put yourself directly in position to get caught up! That means anything on Facebook/Myspace/Twitter that may indicate that there's someone special in your life. Or, if you're going to have it, don't be friends with whoever else is involved. It's called "The Game" for a reason...if you're going to play, know what the hell you're doing. Too many Associate Pimps, not enough Baby Powders...shout outs to Hall-Of-Femme for inspiring this one. Keep your head up!
3. It Might Have Been A Hustle, But It Was A Good Hustle Nonetheless.
So, I'm picking up an item for my sister, and getting dinner at one of my favorite places here in the city, and there's a guy hanging around outside the stores, asking for change. Now, in most cases, the guys in this position are usually crackheads looking to raise a couple dollars for that next hit, or someone trying to sell bootleg DVDs. So, I initially brush him off, and get the item from the store.
I walk over to the store, and at that point, the guy had walked over to the restaurant, and was just kinda standing around. He didn't have that kinda shameless sense of self those who have been homeless for years have built up. I get my food, and I take him outside; turns out, it's a 13 year old kid. As the story goes, his mom's trying to make ends meet, but this night, there's no food in the house, and he walked up to the plaza area to try and hustle up a few dollars, maybe a little food. Very rarely am I at a loss for words, but this was definitely one of those moments. I gave him a couple dollars, and told him to keep his nose clean.
I'll never know if that's the real reason he was there, but if it was, he's getting his grown man experience well before his time. It really puts a lot of things in perspective.
4. Opening Day. South Side.
It feels like it's been FOREVER since the last game of the season, and being able to at least brag about the fact that we lasted one more game than the Cubs. Seriously...97 wins? And you get destroyed at home? Kill yo'self! But on Monday, we get to do the whole thing all over again.
My goal for this season is no less than five games...should be at least ten, considering I'm 15 minutes from the damn park. But I'll keep it simple. If I end up at more, it's all the better. I'll have to recruit people to come with...people who actually pay attention to the game! I'm poised to see if they can keep up the blue-collar game, and add a little bang to it. And Ozzie Guillen is by far, one of the funniest guys ever in life. If nothing else, just show those North Siders what real baseball looks like.
5. Is It Spring Yet?
So...not to beat a dead horse here, but Chicago's weather has to be the most bi-polar mess I've had the, *ahem*, "pleasure" of being in (and I've been around some bi-polar messes...whoops...did I say that?). We'll get up to 50...55...60...you can finally leave the jacket at home! And the second you do...30. Rain. Snow. The wind blowing it all in your forehead. Damn it, it's April! I want my sun back!
Oh, yeah...it's supposed to snow tomorrow. This may be one of two reasons why I hate my hometown. The other is a very important political figure, which I won't name here, cause I'm sure there's a goon squad that checks on things like these...haha.
6. "Jay Is Our Quarterback."
Aww...did you really think I'd let the Weekend Six go by, and not mention this? Of course, if you follow your football, you fully understand the reason behind this being #6. This was not only the biggest pickup the Bears have made since, well, TVs were in color, but by far, the boldest move GM Jerry Angelo has made in his time. The Bears finally sucked one up, took a hit, and took a chance; and at the moment, it paid off.
In my lifetime, there have been a long list of half-decent to why-are-they-playing guys behind center for the Bears...most notable: Jim McMahon, Jim Harbaugh, Erik Kramer, a past-his-prime Kordell Stewart, head case Cade McNown, Henry Burris (a disappointment to all Black QBs), Jim Miller (to his credit, he did get the Bears to the playoffs), "Good Rex/Bad Rex" Grossman, and now, Kyle "The Beard" Orton. Plenty more, but none worth mentioning. In Jay Cutler, there is, at least, the potential to succeed not unlike the first man on this list.
Did the Bears give up too much to get him? We won't know for a few years. Is Jay really as much of a crybaby as the media makes him, or was he just really pissed at how the Broncos handled their business? Maybe a bit of both. Will he throw a bitch fit once he realizes that he'll have to spend half the game handing the ball to Matt Forte, and the other half throwing 7-yarders (on third and 8, naturally) to Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark? That's probably a given.
But keeping on the positive, the move, coupled with picking up Orlando Pace to watch his backside, instantly moves the Bears into the top spot in the NFC North. It establishes a healthy young rivalry between Cutler and Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, forces Minnesota to either stick with Tavaris Jackson or start over, and leaves Detroit still searching for answers (relatively speaking...they ARE the Lions). It makes the free agent market more appealing, as the Bears have finally shown that offense is a priority...the opportunity to pick up a higher caliber receiver, such as Torry Holt or the recently released Plaxico Burress, suddenly doesn't seem like such a crazy idea. Bring in a guy with experience, give Devin Hester the opportunity to continue to learn the position (and get back to doing what he does best), and watch the magic unfold.
Of course, there are still issues to be had on defense...Brian Urlacher's not getting any younger, and the Bears secondary has always been disappointing. Never mind the fact that they released oft-injured-but-emotional-leader Mike Brown after this past season. The offensive improvements can actually lead to defensive ones as well...the longer the offense stays on the field, the less work the defense has to put in, the lesser the chance of guys being fatigued and/or hurt. Of course, it's time for some of the younger guys, on both sides, to step up and put in good work, so the seasoned veterans won't have to run on empty.
As the custom goes on The Weekend Six, here's The Recap:
- Blackhawks Fan? Yep. Welcome back.
- If you have to lie, you shouldn't be doing what you're doing, and you know it.
- Hustling knows no age.
- Go Sox. Enough said.
- I'm sick of getting warm, then freezing my ass off.
- Daaaa Bears. Thank You.
Get it? Got it? Good. Still a little lost? Feel free to write. Until next week!
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