SUPER BOWL BOUND!!!
The Daily News
1 With all the news the past couple of days, the one that topped off today's DN was the apparent hoax by an employee of the Manly Library near Sydney Austrailia, who posted this notice on the library door:
2 I was driving down the freeway listening to all the stories coming over the airwaves when I heard that one. I naturally figured that this library probably didn't do that, but for a half-second I believed it, and I chuckled.
3 Turns out it was a rather polite college student working part-time who put the sign up, something I would certainly have done when I was younger.
4 Interestingly, those books probably should be placed in the fiction section, along with the Warren Report on the Assassination of John F. Kennedy, and the Biography of George W. Bush.
5 It all would have been proper if you ask me.
6 The trouble with the Lance story is that once we start peeling that onion, we would be left with billions of sports' books sitting on the selfsame fiction shelves.
7 Homie won't go there. I prefer to live in the dream world of my sports' teams having a banner year.
8 Moving on, Part the First: So to the Niners and all their fans: This is It! Eighteen years flew by, and here we are once more facing a Super Bowl that could be for the ages. Fun season! Is it safe to say that the best two teams are in there?
9 It's all about survival. I'm reeling, honestly. For a brief moment the other day, I thought we were going to get side swiped. I thought it was going to be one of those games that was going to soak us. I had faith, but I worried about our defense, as well as the entire first half time of possession.
10 I also had a feeling that Coach Jim Harbaugh might have had a few words with the boys during half time.
11 Good guess.
12 So what fun! An entire new generation of Niners' fans is going to enjoy the tradition of the greatest franchise in NFL history. It is storied, and filled with excellence. Will these words upset some people? Of course.
13 Have we had a few bad years? Lots.
14 So have all the other teams. So why not flex a little? Might we lose?
15 No way.
16 I'll be happy to eat a little crow if somehow I'm wrong, but I don't think so.
17 It'll be a fun dance.
18 I was glad to see that Jim Harbaugh turned the focus from the brotherly battle right back to the players.
19 It's all other-worldly, but I'm going to enjoy all the hype, and I'm going to live the dream.
20 Fun stuff, and I am always going to enjoy fun stuff.
21 Moving On, Part the First: So...Stan-the-Man Musial walks into a bar...
22 One of the true greats.
23 I was so busy last week that I didn't even stop to hear that news. A gentleman named twoberry, a goodly fan of both the Niners and the DN, wrote me and asked why no mention of Musial. Well, here's why: I got whisked away from internet access soon after reading his inquiry, and never really was able to get fully back, but the reason I didn't mention Musial was because I simply didn't know that he had passed. I took off for the mountains shortly thereafter and had no real internet access.
24 I WAS able to use my iPhone, but I'm not very good at using my phone as a computer. I have too many thumbs. I was able to throw a shout out to the Niners via Facebook, but I much prefer my laptop when it comes to doing any sort of lengthy items. My focus this past weekend was on visiting family.
25 So thanks twoberry. I'll try to write you directly, but I know I am going to get inundated with work this week. I was whisked away to far and exotic places this weekend, and was unable to get done what I wanted to get done. I did get to get things done that should have been done, however, and that was to enjoy a wonderful respite from all the stresses of daily living.
26 I actually got to get back to the land of the living. My family insisted that I get away from all my school nonsense and enjoy some time laughing, joking, eating, feasting, and enjoying the game while resting in the pines.
27 Excellent advise!
28 The company store can take a nice back seat nine cars behind.
29 Moving on, Part the Second: Let me say this. I wasn't back to work from Christmas break three minutes before I had idiocy-in-nincompoopedness rain all over me. The exact same things that had almost driven me to a complete and total nervwracking breakdown flew instantly at me like mad bats.
30 I would like to thank my family for whisking me out of harm's way into the mountains, and allowing me to laugh and to enjoy life.
31 I brought my entire traveling desk up there, unloaded my laptop, my papers, my pencils, my calculators, my lesson plans, and all things school into the back bedroom, and never touched it. Not one second was spent on anything work-related. Sidebar: I consider my car my traveling desk. I have no real desk.
32 Will I pay for it? Of course! My next two days are already booked by other people, and evidently I have nothing to say about it.
33 That has been my life lately. Other people booking my time, and assuming that is okay to do so.
34 That is not okay to do. It is sensible to ask people first. We are probably all guilty of booking other people's time, but when what seems like twenty-some odd people start throwing dates at you, it gets pretty stressful. "You're going to be there, right?" is beginning to get me.
35 I decided this weekend that school can be put on hold. I have serious issues going on with people who seriously my attention, and your kid's F-in-English grade doesn't really concern me.
36 <cheshire smile>
37 I got home last night from Paradise, California and smiled a bit. I know I'll probably be stressed and upset, but I enjoyed the time I spent with people I love and enjoy. The mountains and trees were calming, the laughs and food and songs simply rocked.
38 I feel that with the MLK weekend, I got renewed hope. I didn't see the Inauguration; I was in transit. I thought all weekend about the spirit of Martin Luther King, and of how much he did to liberate not just African Americans, but all Americans.
39 I can never believe how ridiculously difficult his entire movement was, how brave he must have been, and how eloquent he was. Like all great men, he had his faults. Don't we all. A man of his bravery and stature is sure to have a few.
40 I appreciate all he did for America. I can't remember at this hour what his personal photographer was, but I brought him into our Theatre at Yerba Buena years ago, and had a short chat with him. He had nothing but good things to say about MLK, and he gave me an autographed poster (his autograph, not Dr. King's).
41 I had to set up sound and lights for the gentleman, who was true of Dr. King's spirit.
42 I'd love to say I'll never forget that, but I forget everything nowadays.
43 I do remember the spirit of an event. This was one of Dr. King's best friends, and I must admit I was swept up in how human he was, and how many good things he had to say about his friend.
44 I enjoyed that.
45 I hung the poster in my classroom, which was the Piano Lab at the time for those of you who walked through our own history. I was proud of it, but also a bit naive.
46 Within a day it was gone.
47 At first I was outraged, but after a few seconds I thought otherwise.
48 Some student probably needed it more than I ever could. If that student is reading this, enjoy it guilt-free. It was that important, and Dr. King that much of a hero, then enjoy it. I have the memory of it.
49 Moving on, Part the Thoid: I am now well getting into the four a.m. and find myself smiling and feeling healthy. I'd love to add wealthy and wise to the mix, but I'll stay with healthy, at least for now.
50 I think it would be wise for me to go to bed. I expect that Phoebe the Wonder dog will awaken within the next half hour to go out. She tends to do that the second you drift off.
51 I won't mind.
52 It has been a wonderful weekend, and Dr. King, thank you for the inspiration, and for the liberation. We all need it.
53 To my readers, enjoy the day. Everything I put down here is with tongue planted firmly in cheek.
54 And Sir Twoberry, thank you for the sad but interesting news about Stan-the-Man. I need to know these things.
55 You are a gallant soul.
56 Have a great Tuesday everyone!
57 Peace.
~H~
www.xanga.com/bharrington
The Daily News1 With all the news the past couple of days, the one that topped off today's DN was the apparent hoax by an employee of the Manly Library near Sydney Austrailia, who posted this notice on the library door:
2 I was driving down the freeway listening to all the stories coming over the airwaves when I heard that one. I naturally figured that this library probably didn't do that, but for a half-second I believed it, and I chuckled.3 Turns out it was a rather polite college student working part-time who put the sign up, something I would certainly have done when I was younger.4 Interestingly, those books probably should be placed in the fiction section, along with the Warren Report on the Assassination of John F. Kennedy, and the Biography of George W. Bush.5 It all would have been proper if you ask me.6 The trouble with the Lance story is that once we start peeling that onion, we would be left with billions of sports' books sitting on the selfsame fiction shelves.7 Homie won't go there. I prefer to live in the dream world of my sports' teams having a banner year.8 Moving on, Part the First: So to the Niners and all their fans: This is It! Eighteen years flew by, and here we are once more facing a Super Bowl that could be for the ages. Fun season! Is it safe to say that the best two teams are in there?9 It's all about survival. I'm reeling, honestly. For a brief moment the other day, I thought we were going to get side swiped. I thought it was going to be one of those games that was going to soak us. I had faith, but I worried about our defense, as well as the entire first half time of possession.10 I also had a feeling that Coach Jim Harbaugh might have had a few words with the boys during half time.11 Good guess.12 So what fun! An entire new generation of Niners' fans is going to enjoy the tradition of the greatest franchise in NFL history. It is storied, and filled with excellence. Will these words upset some people? Of course.13 Have we had a few bad years? Lots.14 So have all the other teams. So why not flex a little? Might we lose?15 No way.16 I'll be happy to eat a little crow if somehow I'm wrong, but I don't think so.17 It'll be a fun dance.18 I was glad to see that Jim Harbaugh turned the focus from the brotherly battle right back to the players.19 It's all other-worldly, but I'm going to enjoy all the hype, and I'm going to live the dream.20 Fun stuff, and I am always going to enjoy fun stuff.21 Moving On, Part the First: So...Stan-the-Man Musial walks into a bar...22 One of the true greats.23 I was so busy last week that I didn't even stop to hear that news. A gentleman named twoberry, a goodly fan of both the Niners and the DN, wrote me and asked why no mention of Musial. Well, here's why: I got whisked away from internet access soon after reading his inquiry, and never really was able to get fully back, but the reason I didn't mention Musial was because I simply didn't know that he had passed. I took off for the mountains shortly thereafter and had no real internet access.24 I WAS able to use my iPhone, but I'm not very good at using my phone as a computer. I have too many thumbs. I was able to throw a shout out to the Niners via Facebook, but I much prefer my laptop when it comes to doing any sort of lengthy items. My focus this past weekend was on visiting family.25 So thanks twoberry. I'll try to write you directly, but I know I am going to get inundated with work this week. I was whisked away to far and exotic places this weekend, and was unable to get done what I wanted to get done. I did get to get things done that should have been done, however, and that was to enjoy a wonderful respite from all the stresses of daily living.26 I actually got to get back to the land of the living. My family insisted that I get away from all my school nonsense and enjoy some time laughing, joking, eating, feasting, and enjoying the game while resting in the pines.27 Excellent advise!28 The company store can take a nice back seat nine cars behind.29 Moving on, Part the Second: Let me say this. I wasn't back to work from Christmas break three minutes before I had idiocy-in-nincompoopedness rain all over me. The exact same things that had almost driven me to a complete and total nervwracking breakdown flew instantly at me like mad bats.30 I would like to thank my family for whisking me out of harm's way into the mountains, and allowing me to laugh and to enjoy life.31 I brought my entire traveling desk up there, unloaded my laptop, my papers, my pencils, my calculators, my lesson plans, and all things school into the back bedroom, and never touched it. Not one second was spent on anything work-related. Sidebar: I consider my car my traveling desk. I have no real desk.32 Will I pay for it? Of course! My next two days are already booked by other people, and evidently I have nothing to say about it.33 That has been my life lately. Other people booking my time, and assuming that is okay to do so.34 That is not okay to do. It is sensible to ask people first. We are probably all guilty of booking other people's time, but when what seems like twenty-some odd people start throwing dates at you, it gets pretty stressful. "You're going to be there, right?" is beginning to get me.35 I decided this weekend that school can be put on hold. I have serious issues going on with people who seriously my attention, and your kid's F-in-English grade doesn't really concern me.36 <cheshire smile>
37 I got home last night from Paradise, California and smiled a bit. I know I'll probably be stressed and upset, but I enjoyed the time I spent with people I love and enjoy. The mountains and trees were calming, the laughs and food and songs simply rocked.38 I feel that with the MLK weekend, I got renewed hope. I didn't see the Inauguration; I was in transit. I thought all weekend about the spirit of Martin Luther King, and of how much he did to liberate not just African Americans, but all Americans.39 I can never believe how ridiculously difficult his entire movement was, how brave he must have been, and how eloquent he was. Like all great men, he had his faults. Don't we all. A man of his bravery and stature is sure to have a few.40 I appreciate all he did for America. I can't remember at this hour what his personal photographer was, but I brought him into our Theatre at Yerba Buena years ago, and had a short chat with him. He had nothing but good things to say about MLK, and he gave me an autographed poster (his autograph, not Dr. King's).41 I had to set up sound and lights for the gentleman, who was true of Dr. King's spirit.42 I'd love to say I'll never forget that, but I forget everything nowadays.43 I do remember the spirit of an event. This was one of Dr. King's best friends, and I must admit I was swept up in how human he was, and how many good things he had to say about his friend.44 I enjoyed that.45 I hung the poster in my classroom, which was the Piano Lab at the time for those of you who walked through our own history. I was proud of it, but also a bit naive.46 Within a day it was gone.47 At first I was outraged, but after a few seconds I thought otherwise.48 Some student probably needed it more than I ever could. If that student is reading this, enjoy it guilt-free. It was that important, and Dr. King that much of a hero, then enjoy it. I have the memory of it.49 Moving on, Part the Thoid: I am now well getting into the four a.m. and find myself smiling and feeling healthy. I'd love to add wealthy and wise to the mix, but I'll stay with healthy, at least for now.50 I think it would be wise for me to go to bed. I expect that Phoebe the Wonder dog will awaken within the next half hour to go out. She tends to do that the second you drift off.51 I won't mind.52 It has been a wonderful weekend, and Dr. King, thank you for the inspiration, and for the liberation. We all need it.53 To my readers, enjoy the day. Everything I put down here is with tongue planted firmly in cheek.54 And Sir Twoberry, thank you for the sad but interesting news about Stan-the-Man. I need to know these things.55 You are a gallant soul.56 Have a great Tuesday everyone!57 Peace.~H~
www.xanga.com/bharrington
Comments (1)
You're very welcome, sir. I want to say that even though I was going to find out about Stan the Man soon enough, I got the word especially early as a result of a lucky happenstance. With wife being on vacation, I was free to watch whatever I wanted on TV, so I tuned in to the Major League Baseball channel to watch the movie, "Cobb," starring Tommy Lee. Jones. {aside: it's a terrible movie; I turned it off, halfway through}"Breaking news," they said, and delayed the movie for 10 minutes while they did a wonderful retrospective, with beaucoup interviews of The Man himself. As an old-timey Cardinal fan, I grew up with Stan as my hero.I thoroughly enjoy your blogs.