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Gotta Love Those Baby Heels!

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Tarheel Marcus Paige
Tarheel Marcus Paige

North Carolina’s victory over third ranked Louisville Sunday was extra special because I was able to enjoy it with my new baby Tarheel and his Uncle B.   It’s amazing the difference a week can make.  The day baby-boy was born all of Heels Nation had the Belmont blues.  On the following Sunday the Heels looked mature beyond their years.  Needless to say, the outstanding performance bodes well for the team’s prospects and it’s fans for the next two seasons.

As my brother and I labored to hang pictures in the baby’s nursery, we took our own series of timeouts to run down the hall to check the score.  Not wanting to jinx the Heels or our marriages, we kept this ritual up throughout the second half.  Once I reviewed the box score I realized the size of the win.  Marcus Paige (ACC Player of the Week) reminded the Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parkers of the world that college basketball has some great players that are not freshmen-phenoms.  Paige’s 32 points on just 12 shots delivered a message that the Heels have their own stars that can hold their own against this year’s elite teams.  Speaking of stars, Kennedy Meeks put on an outlet passing clinic.  It was a great effort by a player that was less than stellar against previous opponent, Richmond.  I have attached the video for your viewing pleasure.

The only thing left to say is “Welcome to the ACC Cardinals!”  Starting next year Louisville will have to win on Tobacco Road if they want to hang an ACC or National Championship banner.  By then my Baby Heel and the Baby Heels that dominated Saturday night will be older.  I for one cannot wait to see how this team develops and what the next two seasons will bring.  I hope Rick Pitino and his team are ready the next time we meet.  After Sunday’s contest, I know this North Carolina team and my little Baby Heel will be game.

Best Score:  A Team Win (Adam Lucas)

Nirvana in the Delivery Room

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This past week has been intense.  The birth of my first son has brought my wife and I so much joy.  There were many emotional decision points.  Luckily, I married one of the most resilient women God ever created.  From Saturday’s all night labor to Thursday’s triumphant homecoming, it has been a once in a lifetime experience.  I will never forget it.

With that said, I wanted to share an article I read during our extend hospital stay.  My brother linked Remembering Nirvana’s ‘Unplugged’ to me via text.  I am so thankful that he did.  It came at a time when our nerves were on edge.  In addition to calming those nerves, the article also connected me back to this blog and why I started it in the first place.

Nirvana’s unplugged performance took place on Nov. 18, 1993.  My son was born on the 17th, one day shy of the show’s 20th anniversary.  It may just be a coincidence but I think it’s a pretty cool one.  There is something about that performance that connects all my musical tastes together.  The show transformed Nirvana’s heavy sound and opened me up to other acoustic acts like Bob Dylan and Neil Young.  After unplugged, the soundtrack to my life became fuller, more rich.

This change was profound because one of the great bonds in life is music.  It is something that connects us all.  Some of my greatest life moments center around jamming at live shows flanked by my Dad and my brother.  From Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen concerts to homegrown music at our family reunions, I cannot think of two other men in this world I would rather have at my side.  For this reason, I hope to have the same musical connection with my son.  While there are no guarantees in life, surely having Nirvana in the delivery room was a good omen.

Best Lines:  Remembering Nirvana’s ‘Unplugged’: Cobain’s Battles Nearly Pulled Plug on Classic Appearance (Chris Willman)

Fighting AIDS with Great Design

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Raising awareness.  Funding solutions.  Changing lives.  This is what the Product (RED) initiative has specialized in since 2002.  Tonight’s Sotheby’s auction in New York is no exception.  Jony Ive & Marc Newson’s (RED) Auction will sell 44 unique items designed by the pair to fight the AIDS/ HIV epidemic in Africa.  While the United States has had its own healthcare problems, epidemics like the AIDS scourge, should remind us how lucky we are as a nation.   All proceeds from Jony and Marc’s auction will go toward Bono’s (RED) initiative.  I am truly impressed with the artistry and philanthropy involved in this project.  I have always admired both designers and the collection they have created for this fundraiser is exceptional.  While the products being sold at auction may be out of your price range, you can shop (RED) and buy less expensive items.  100% of your purchase will fund humanitarian efforts to fight AIDS/ HIV.

Best Core: Charlie Rose  Interview with Jony Ive & Marc Newson

John F. Kennedy 11/22/63

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There is a lot being written and posted today about the Kennedy assassination.   The ramifications of the tragic event can still be felt today.

Kennedy’s  famous “Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You” speech has been widely read and debated.  Many interpret the famous quote in that speech as a call to arms to the American citizenry to volunteer and get involved.  Today, however, I find myself reflecting on the quote from a different angle.  So few politicians today are willing to make sacrifices for the nation’s common good.  Kennedy, and many of his peers, would be appalled when viewing today’s political  landscape.   Political posturing and grandstanding has become common practice among the nation’s elites.  It’s as if their win at all cost mentality will make sure that the nation ultimately loses in the end.  Say what you will about the Kennedys, four of their sons volunteered and worked tirelessly for this nation.  Three of them ultimately gave their lives to the cause.  How many politicians would do the same today?

Stephen King 11-22-63 cover

By the way if you have not read Stephen King’s 11/22/63, you should.  It’s a great read and really works as three novels in one.  The interplay of the characters, the Kennedy myth and the Stephen King style is well worth the investment.

Best Block: Stephen King Goes to the Rescue of JFK (Errol Morris)

RGIII is on the Run from Media Controversy

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RGIII runs from the Eagles
RGIII runs from the Eagles

It looks like the terms Washington Redskins and sports media controversy are interchangeable.  The latest incident, Robert Griffin III’s Philadelphia post game comments, has the sports media keeping score on whether Griffin can handle the starting job.  I suspect RGIII is merely experiencing the same growing pains Cam Newton experienced in Charlotte.  The media market in the Queen City has been prone to criticize the young quarterback at every turn.  In fact, the local sports radio personalities owe Cam several royalty checks. Without him they would not make a living.  Cam conversations pretty much dominate most of their airtime (even when the rest of us in NC are more focused on Tobacco Road and college hoops!).

As far as I’m concerned I think hindsight will reveal that RGIII’s second Redskins season was his NFL maturation year.  In music, this is often called a sophomore slump.   I’d be willing to bet RG’s future campaigns will produce plenty of stellar records.   Griffin will survive this latest controversy.  As for the  Shanahans, I’m not so sure.  Dan Snyder’s meddling has been on hiatus for far too long and I suspect having a franchise QB might inspire him to up his involvement.  And so we come full circle . . . the Washington Redskins and sports media controversies will always be one in the same.

Best Score:  Robert Griffin III’s postgame comments create a schism (Doug Farrar)