The Perfect Storm (or That's Gonna Be One Awesome Prison Football Team!)
Before getting into the "meat" of this week's posting, how about a few updates?
Let's face it - from the moment you read last Friday's entry, you've been thinking, "How great would my face look up there next to The SportDork logo? How much is it going to take - $1,000? $2,000? And more importantly, what kind of chair would enable The SportDork to do his best work? How much longer can he go in that dining chair before his back locks up, he's out of commission, and we miss out on postings for a month?" Well, when I said that you might want to get in on the ground floor, I wasn't lying. I am happy to report that one of our generous readers has provided our first pledge - in the amount of $20 - toward the SportDork writing chair. I will, of course, defer to our CSO (Chief Statistics Officer - if you have no idea what I'm talking about, you haven't been reading the comments sections) for the official calculation, but if I'm not mistaken, at this pledge rate we should be in possession of the official SD writing chair by mid-February. With two or more pledges this week, we could soon be experiencing what I believe is referred to as the "snowball" effect. Now that I'm thinking about it, I may need to name a new position to manage the pledges - a "CSDWCPO" - Chief SportDork Writing Chair Pledge Officer. Or would that be CSWCPO, since SportDork is technically one word? Somebody help me out with that one. Our first pledge contributor was also kind enough to send me a link to a wide variety of Gator chairs. Pictured below is my favorite. Don't get caught up in the fact that it's a recliner, not a desk chair. I'll work out the details of how to write from it.
On a slightly related note, I couldn't help but notice that there seemed to be a direct correlation between my asking for sponsorship $$$'s in my last posting and subsequently receiving only 1 comment. Interesting. Something else for the CSO to take a look at.
As I mentioned in previous postings, I do plan to respond to all comments. If you send it in, I will respond to it and post it, assuming it is not obscene/profane. You can find them in the comments section at the bottom of each posting. I may not get to each comment before the next posting, but I will get to them.
The credit for today's posting goes to the "perfect storm" of events that began to unfold last Friday. What "perfect storm," you ask? Let me explain.
1. Thanks to the help of a couple of valuable SD readers, last Friday I received one of the greatest technological marvels of our time - The Slingbox. After reading about my U.S. sports withdrawal on these pages, two readers were kind enough to let me know that there was a device out there that would enable me to watch my U.S. television on my laptop in my apartment in England. Now, I could spend about six pages showering the inventors of the Slingbox with praise and adulation, but I'll keep it short and sweet. If you are a sports fan, or a television junkie in general, and you travel a lot for work, you're crazy if you don't have this thing. What is it? It's a box that you buy (for roughly $200) and plug in to your cable line at home. The only cost is the box - no subscription fees and no cost to download the software. You buy the box and hook it up, and you're ready to go. All you need at home is broadband internet and a wireless router, and you can watch your home television on your laptop anywhere in the world that has high-speed internet (hotels, airports, etc.). Last night at 10:30pm England time I was watching Pardon The Interruption on ESPN. I wept tears of joy. Here is a link to the Slingbox website - http://us.slingmedia.com/page/home. I highly recommend checking it out. Special thanks go out to Victor and Tom for turning me on to it, and to Ronen for hooking it up at the house. While I can never truly express the joy that you have brought to my life, I can name all three of you as the inaugural inductees into the SportDork Hall of Fame. Well done, gentlemen. Details of the induction ceremony will be mailed to you shortly.
2. The second element of the "perfect storm" was my completion, this weekend, of the book "Stumbling on Happiness," by Daniel Gilbert. I'm not typically the guy that you want to be taking book recommendations from, because, well, frankly I don't read much, but this book is up there with Freakonomics. If you have any interest in human psychology and why we spend most of our lives running around chasing our own tails, go out and get this one. Here is the link - http://www.randomhouse.com/kvpa/gilbert/index.html. I'm not sure it explained why someone would leave a job they've been at for 10 years to spend a year sitting at a $70 "vintage" desk procured from the local second-hand store penning blog entries, but it was great nonetheless. Also, I couldn't help but notice on the website that Mr. Gilbert also has a blog. You may read his, but don't forget where you came from. That's all I'm asking.
3. Element number three of the perfect storm was an e-mail I received this weekend from my brother-in-law, a SportDork reader who implored me to start writing about sports, particularly since the start of the college and pro football seasons is only a few short weeks away. I have actually made a conscious effort to NOT talk sports on these pages to date because I'm afraid that once I start, I won't be able to stop, and I'm not sure that a lot of SportDork readers want to hear about the physical conditioning of the Gators' third string left tackle or the nuances of the battle for the starting kicker position.
4. Every perfect storm needs its triggering event, and so armed with my Slingbox, 263 pages of insights into the human condition and an e-mail urging me to "talk sports," what fell into my lap last night while watching ESPN? Only the biggest sports story in many, many years - and one of the biggest NEWS stories in the country - Michael Vick pleaded guilty to dog-fighting charges and will likely face prison time.
1. I heard that Vick is now "ready to accept responsibility for his actions." If I hear that a guy is "ready to accept responsibility for his actions" one more time after he's been FORCED to accept responsibility because he's been backed into a corner and has no other options, I'm gonna hurl. Funny how nobody is ready to accept responsibility when it looks like they might still be able to weasel out of whatever they are accused of, but when they are completely out of options and a conviction appears inevitable because the evidence will show that they did do it, then they are ready to "accept responsibility." Here's a newsflash - your acceptance of responsibility rings a little hollow when your responsibility for the crimes is about to be proven in court. Vick lied to his teammates, he lied to his employer and he lied to the commissioner of the NFL until all other co-defendants pleaded guilty and the mountain of evidence became so overwhelming that he knew he would be convicted at trial and his crimes would be exposed, at which point he pleaded guilty. NOW he's ready to accept responsibility for his actions. Does he get a prize?
There are a couple of things that are particularly disturbing about this situation, besides the fact that Terrance Moore was on ESPN's Sportcenter again (although that is plenty disturbing in its own right). First, Moore is on national television making what, to most people, would be considered outlandish statements based on what appears to be a complete lack of statistically valid data, surveys, etc. He didn't conduct a survey or a poll. He went into a few barbershops (I swear he actually said this) and "spent time in the community." Is it just me, or is it slightly irresponsible for a senior journalist at a major newspaper to go on national television and announce that Vick still has strong support from the African American community in Atlanta because they feel like he's being picked on and "it's just dogs," when the basis for his statements is that he hung out in the "community" for a few days? The fact is, he may have talked to a few people that had such views, but for him to go on national television and imply that those are the views of a significant portion of the African American community in Atlanta is unfair and irresponsible.
Second, what are equally disturbing are the implications if the views that Moore expressed were, in fact, accurate, even if it was just a few people expressing them. Think about that for a minute. If a guilty plea from a man who is accused of physically participating in the execution of dogs because they failed to perform well in dog-fighting matches is not enough to condemn him and erode his support, what is? What level of proof is required of what heinous act before the individuals who still support Vick would be willing to accept that maybe he's not the guy whose jersey you want your kid to be wearing? Stumbling on Happiness (great tie-in, eh?) talks a lot about people's tendency to accept facts that support their preferred conclusion and to discredit facts, or hold them to a higher standard, when they do not support their preferred conclusion. The concept certainly helps explain why there are people who might continue to support Vick in the face of allegations, but it's a little frightening to think that even an admission of guilt isn't enough to cause them to abandon their support.
Ah, Football (note the caps).
I'm sure you're excited to watch the gators take on the mighty hilltoppers of WKY... they're actually in Div 1 this year, woo hoo! Do make sure you write an eloquent article about the picture quality on the slingbox, I'm curious. Especially at that distance.
By the way, your curious reluctance to bequeath me your HD TiVo has resulted in the device being outmoded this September. I'm sure there's a cause and effect in there somewhere that caused DirecTV to launch a new satellite and change their encoding algorithm to MPEG-4.
Happy couch potatoing!
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The SportDork appreciates the reverence you display toward the greatest game in the world. Your capitalization demonstrates you are a man of great wisdom, and yet in the very next breath you cast aspersions on the quality of the Gators' schedule with a comment on the fine football program at Western Kentucky U? I will merely point out to the SportDork readers that you are a USC fan, and let them do the rest.
The picture on the SB is not going to win any prizes. It's no HD, or analog for that matter, but it is good enough. I will be able to watch an entire game on it without getting irritated because I can't figure out who has the ball, so it meets my threshold for picture quality. From what I understand, the primary driver of picture quality is the speed you are getting at the receiving location, no matter where you are.
You have uncovered my elaborate plot, with Directv as my co-conspirator, to force you to buy a Directv HD Tivo receiver. I knew we couldn't keep it under wraps forever.
"Couch Potatoing" - kudos for creating what may be my favorite verb ever.
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I apologize for my posting delay but I was out of town on Friday without a laptop and buried at work yesterday and didn't see the new post (hence the blog name). As to Vick - from the moment the scandel began I told whoever would listen that he was in trouble? Why, you may ask, when OJ may have committed murder and got away with it? Because in America you can kill your wife and even your kids and still be a victim and hero but god help you if you lay a finger on mans best friend. No matter the race, color, religion, sex or creek, all people love their pets. You can never play the race or victim card if you hurt a dog or cat.
As to happiness - I have a simple view which I will share with the Sportdork and his faithful followers. My secret to happiness is "crushed ice". I love crushed ice with my drinks. It turns every sip or water, diet coke etc into a memory of carefree days where the parental generousity of a slurpie was all that mattered and resulted in unabashed joy. While crushed ice might not be your thing try to fold into your daily life and routine simple things that you thoroughly enjoy. But no more time for frivilous thought...back to work while I sip on my diet coke with crushed ice...
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I knew the Vick commentary would inspire a rant or two.
Ah, crushed ice. You had to go there, didn't you? I'm over here filling up ice trays with water every other day and trying to find a way to fit them in the "freezer", and you're filling my head with visions of crushed ice? Forget crushed ice - I'd give my left arm for a filtered water dispenser on the outside of the refrigerator. If I snap while over here, I am confident it will be immediately after filling up the Brita water jug for the sixth time in one day. Refrigeration just refuses to take off over here like it has at home.
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I agree with all your points, except the reference to the AJC being a "major" newspaper. That is only true if you judge it by physical and not editorial weight.
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Best comment yet. Simple as that.
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After the predonimately African-American jury aquitted OJ Simpson, it certainly doesn't surprise me that the African-American community still supports Michael Vick. Sometimes heroes are hard to come by and hard to give up on. I, along with many others, will be very disappointed if Michael Vick doesn't receive substantial jail time and heavy fines. Mainly because in addition to it being such a repulsive and sickening crime, but because he was such a role model for other young people. But time will take care of Michael Vick. He will be hurt in the most penetrating way possible. In addition to the loss of status, he will lose Millions and millions of dollars in contracts and endorsements. Instead of the golden boy that he has been, his name will forever be linked to this shameful event. Pete Rose in the 70's and Paul Hornung in the 50's were forever after introduced as the athletes who had committed crimes. This will be Michael Vick's new identity also.
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The second OJ reference! Didn't see that coming.
It will be interesting to see what will happen to Vick in the long-term. Americans seem to have the strange ability to forgive the unforgivable. Unfortunately, we seem to have extremely short memories when it comes to these things. Speaking of short memories, the SportDork is ashamed to admit that I had no idea what Paul Hornung did. For anyone else who didn't know, Wikipedia states, "His penchant for high-living would prove disastrous when, in 1963, a major scandal erupted and Paul Hornung and another of the league's top stars, Alex Karras of the Detroit Lions, were suspended from football indefinitely for betting on games and associating with undesirable persons."
Here is the link to the full bio on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Hornung
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michael vick sucks. given his vt pedigree, was it really ever any surprise that he would be involved in some sort of heinous crime? if you're ever having a slow blog day, let me know and i'll send you a list of the crimes committed by former vt athletes either while at vt or after graduation. i'd say the vt football program is about as bad as miami's or fsu's, but gets absolutely no national recognition for its criminal players.
i guess it's ok that your players are criminals as long as your coach has a piece of his own a** on his face, your team is known for their "blue collar" work ethic, and - more recently - you have a tragedy occur on your campus.
michael vick (and his just-as-classy brother) are perfect representatives of that crap-hole.
spread the word.
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Finally - a perfectly objective assessment of the Vick situation from a Virginia alum. Only a Virginia grad could find a way to translate Vick's transgressions into an assault on Virginia Tech. Well played, sir.
Please ask Hollie's Dad if he would make sure that you don't sit in my recliner.
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one more thing - tommy reamon, high-school football coach in hampton, va who coached vick in high school, recently asked sr. vick to visit his high school to meet the players. what a joke.
"hey guys, this is what a soon-to-be convicted felon looks like.....say hi. and if you have any, feel free to share your 'prison survival tips' with him."
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More rantings from our UVA grad. Just let the anger go, man. I'm worried about you.
Please make sure Hollie's Dad isn't drooling.
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Alex,
I am thrilled to know that I can bring some semblence of sports "Americana" to your life in England. I look forward to be inducted to the first Sports Dork Hall of Fame. Enjoy your first College Game Day ove there.
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When I am screaming at my laptop this Saturday at 3 p.m. England time because Lee Corso has just made the first of an endless number of idiotic comments, and Mrs. SportDork gets that "far away" look in her eyes as Kirk Herbstreit waxes eloquently about the strength of the Big Ten, I will think of you fondly. Not fondly in a weird way, but fondly in a "brothers for life" way.
Congrats on your achievement. I'm thinking Vegas for the induction ceremony, but that has to go through Mrs. SportDork first.
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