Vacation? What vacation? Oh well, here’s a few things I’m thankful and not thankful for
NOTE: I’ll be posting more as the day goes on (maybe) since I’m trying to avoid my wife, who wants me to help with the food prep for tomorrow. (Come on, like the rest of you guys aren’t doing the same? Liars!)
Things I’m thankful for:
Working with a great sports staff.
Covering, for the most part, great athletes who genuinely care about the sport they play.
That I can visit Chicago’s Little Italy whenever I want, have a place to sleep, and can always call it “home.“
Having my own office to hide in when it gets busy in the newsroom.
People like FormerFencer, who I tried to dress down a bit in Tuesday’s blog post. The guy/girl put another comment up today and makes his/her points. Why am I thankful? Because he/she gets it. Sorry, this isn’t that other Web site where you’ll be able to type whatever you want and not be forced to make your point. I interact, folks. Deal with it. I’ll never use “it was a busy day” as an excuse for totally getting a column wrong, nor will it ever be too busy to interact with people that post on this blog or my column. Just make sure you bring your A game when you post. That makes it more fun. And thanks again to FormerFencer for getting that. Good on him/her.
Readers like you because, well, I’m a writer and we need “readers.“ That’s how it works. Do the math.
The high school athletes that do all the work and whose stories I love to tell.
Guys like Jerry Carter who provide a fresh voice on press row amongst some of the cynical sports writers who, for some reason or another, seem bitter that they’re covering high school sports. (To them I say: Get over it. Go get a new job. It’s that simple. Really.)
Coaches who care.
Coaches who will take a phone call no matter what time it is.
That Todd Phillips is still playing basketball.
That Michael Barrett is also still playing basketball.
That Brittany Snyder is still playing basketball.
That Jacob Hutchinson is still playing football.
That Kerby Hatter, the human now-collegiate caffeine pill is on the Shenandoah University women’s basketball roster.
The Shenandoah District.
That there’s a hot lady in the kitchen making food that does more than just tolerate me. She actually enjoys me.
Things I’m trying to figure out (OK, one thing):
Who’s more thankful? The Buffalo Gap fans because they got to watch Pickle Nuckols run or Pickle Nuckols, for letting the Bison fulfill his childhood dream? Discuss.
Things I’ll never be thankful for:
“Those” parents in the stands. (You know who you are.)
The Southern Valley DoesStink’s inability to . . . well . . . do anything right.
The fact that I don’t own a PlayStation 3, Wii or xBox. (Weep for me. I know.)
Numbskulls who hide behind Internet handles and insult others left and right. (At least I have to put my real name and face on the stuff I write.)
That “Real Chance of Love” is on until midnight on VH1. Hey, I loves me some “Flavor of Love”, the “Charm Schools”, “Rock of Love”, and “I Love New York.“ But this “Real Chance of Love” show is just, well, not good. Actually, it’s horrible.
Adults ruining high school sports.
The last point I’ll never be thankful for. Please, adults. You have your own problems and issues (respect for today’s youth being one big issue you have), solve those first. I think the kids and their sports can take care of themselves.
OK, now I’ll be on vacation the rest of the week. To my readers: Have a good Thanksgiving, both of you. (Is that joke getting old yet?)
