My Birthday Wish...

So this weekend I will be celebrating my birthday (not pictured).

I don't need to wish for much. It's been a really great year in my life and I'm excited about all of it.

But, this year, this blog was also born.

And so what I'd really like from my readers is the following:

Tell people about this blog.

Post it as a status on your facebook page. Tweet about it.

Spread the good word.

I try to balance out sports and other items. There should be a little something in here for everyone.

It's nice to write a generic "happy birthday" on my facebook wall. But if you could spread the gospel of the blog, that would mean more to me.

Well, that or a Justin Bieber CD.

My Love-Hate Relationship With...

I'm constantly interested in my relationship with facebook (pictured, you try to come up with a visual pun for facebook).

One might argue that I'm slightly obsessed.

My girlfriend likes to call it the "third person in our relationship" (even though without facebook there likely wouldn't be a relationship).

But my relationship with the social networking site has changed, as has the site itself.
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I first heard of social networking in the same way I've heard about anything else that's cool in my life, from my brother.

Years ago, he encouraged me to join friendster. I didn't. I just didn't see the point in tracking down people who I had barely wanted to talk to in high school.

Then, myspace came along. I literally only created a profile because I had a friend who was OBSESSED with it. So I joined the bandwagon. There were only two things I liked about myspace. I liked updating my profile song. And I really enjoyed when the fake ladies would ask to be my friends. I appreciated the female attention. However, seeing as myspace was only for teenagers and pedofiles, and I was neither, I decided to evolve to facebook.
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I was somewhat of an early adapter to facebook. I know that because I can name about 10 friends who I told they HAD to get on this thing.

The appeal was instant.

I loved the concept of status updates. At the time, I was making a few bucks writing one-liners. What a great place to workshop. Plus, as an incessant texter, I could save myself having to mass text 10 friends, by just posting a status update.

And honestly, I've always kind of THOUGHT in status updates. About 10 times a day, I'll think of something that I think is either clever or interesting. Rather than telling it to my basketball-shaped black and red Miami Heat pillow, I can now tell it 400 of my closest friends.

Plus, I could use the chat function to chat with my siblings. It was perfect.
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And then it BLEW UP.

And that changed facebook.

Now, it's a vehicle for self-promotion. And EVERYONE is using it.

From politicians, to every news station, to political groups, it's not just a place to putz around anymore.

Bosses are becoming your friends.

And know this, once you're friends with your boss, that changes what you say.

The site is no longer a repository for random thoughts.

One must censor one's actions.

Which is fine I guess.

It's just another public medium.

It's not like I was posting bikini pictures before (though much to my chagrin, someone did tag a shirtless photo of me at Calle Ocho--- skinny jews do not look good shirtless at Calle Ocho--- hence I de-tagged it ASAP).
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I think about the social implications of facebook OFTEN.

Here I am.

28 (soon to be 29) and I'm sitting at home, reading an update from a girl who I haven't seen since 12th grade?

Or I'm scanning through 45 photos of a wedding I wasn't invited to.

Why the hell do I care?

I don't know or like this person, but I can't stop looking at their profile.

How bizarre is that?

The answer, it's not.

EVERYONE is doing it.

Which makes it even stranger to me.

Simultaneous stalking has become the norm.
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The other downside of facebook is this.

People don't usually post a bunch of pictures from the nights when they're feeling fat, rent a movie, engage in self-loathing, and then go to sleep.

They're usually the more joyful, fun times.

When you're looking at facebook, not always the times you're out and about.

And so, the people in the picture are USUALLY having more fun than you.

Friends or not, that can't be healthy for your self-image.
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On top of that, facebook creates a myriad of abnormal situations.

The "relationship status" question comes up in ANY and ALL relationships.

How soon is too soon?

There's not a person on there who hasn't (or doesn't) check up on ex-girlfriends or boy-friends.

It's only natural.

There's a certain level of curiosity and being as EVERY human on planet earth is on there, it's only normal to look.

Then there's the question of de-friending and re-friending.

People have public meltdowns on there, which is always entertaining. (the next time you want to write a 'woe-is-me' status, pick up the phone and call one of your 235 friends).

Then you get friend requests from strangers.

And high school teachers.

It's just ****ING strange.
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But I know it's the new reality.

We as a society have said, collectively, when pretending to work, I want to putz around on this site.

And so we've all agreed to waste time... together!

That's a strange place to be at.

In our boredom and isolation, we've formed a new community.

Closer than ever, and yet more detached, such a strange paradox.
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Twitter came along RIGHT as facebook got too big.

There are definitely elements I like about twitter (follow me by the way @dukielang).

I think twitter is a place of information.

I read articles there.

I learn facts.

I can follow people I respect.

I've always had a problem with the language of "follower." I must prefer "friend." Because I want to see what you put on your page, that doesn't make me a follower. If anything it makes me a fan.
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But twitter just ain't facebook.

Yeah, it's not the same as it was when I first joined.

But the concept is beautiful.

Who knew that two dorks at Harvard who were just trying to get laid, would change all of our lives so dramatically?

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go post a link to this blog entry on my facebook page.

Waking Life Part 2....

Ricky Williams (not pictured) has always fascinated me.

How could he not?

He's a former Heisman trophy winner, led the NFL in rushing in 2002, failed several drug tests, left football to go live in the Australian outback, played in Canada, and then came back and rushed for over 1,000 yards for the Dolphins.

But that's not the most fascinating part.

When he speaks, he actually says something.

I often find myself quoting him when he said "my obligation is to the truth and not to consistency."
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I must admit I was riveted by the ESPN "30 for 30" on Ricky.

He's about as fascinating a subject as you could pick.

Before discussing the film, let me say, I really like Ricky Williams.

As a football player, despite everything, when he shows up--- he's there.

Ask anyone who has played with him.

He's no non-sense. He runs hard EVERY play.

If he decides to play, he's going to be a force.

He's complicated, but he's not a diva.

He doesn't pout when the ball doesn't come his way, he sets a vicious block.
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But my goodness, does Ricky have demons.

I didn't realize the extent of them until watching this film.

I knew he had social anxiety from his early New Orleans days and doing interviews while wearing his helmet.

I suspected that he was bipolar and that the marijuana use was a form of self-medicating.

And worst of all he had to survive Dave Wannstedt single-handedly trying to end his career (and ruin his post-football body) by giving him the ball EVERY play for two years.

What I didn't realize, was that Ricky had a history of what appears to be sexual abuse.

The film interviews Ricky's parents.

According to Ricky's mom, when he was 6, his dad stood over a toilet and made Ricky take sexually explicit polaroids of him.

The father was charged and had to leave Ricky and his two sisters.

The father denies it. He's found god and has a new family with 4 kids.

But Ricky had to grow up with all kinds of stuff. He had the guilt of having told on his dad, piled on to the abuse, piled on to growing up without a father.

That's a lot for a 6 year old to deal with.

And it takes an incredible person to expose your life like that.

Ricky gets more props given the hyper-macho culture of the NFL, Ricky just doesn't give a ***t. Even though he's in a locker room, Ricky lives in his own world. That's what I admire so much about him.
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Still, he can be a lot to take.

You know those conversations you have in college, when you can't fall asleep, and you and your roommate think you know everything? They just go on and on and on, and the more you talk, the more you realize, 'Wow, I'm full ot it.'

Imagine that movie "Waking Life," but not animated.

Most of us outgrow those shortly after orientation.

Ricky was having those for years.

It was hard to watch him in his super-pot days.

He had the full beard that always managed to capture JUST the right amount of food.

And sometimes, he truly wasn't making sense.
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Still, that was then.

This is now.

The movie ended with RW marrying the woman who has been with him through all the ups and downs.

He appears to have a clear head and a clear sense of purpose.

I follow him on twitter, and he tweets frequently about school and his goal of being a doctor.

I always cheer for 34 for the simple reason that he makes sports more interesting.

I salute his courage for showing his past, and the journey it took for him to get here.

Here's hoping his next journey is into the endzone 10 times and to 1,000 more yards.

Run Ricky Run.

Dissed By The President...

This is a blog about AROD (not pictured).

The New York Yankees went to the White House on Monday. It's an honor reserved for champions. And frankly, I think one of the coolest perks of the job for the commander-in-chief.

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As every President does, Barack Obama gave a nice 8 minute or so speech congratulating the champs on their accomplishments.

It was your stock speech, which, if you weren't a Yankee fan would bore you to tears (even if you were, perhaps you'd be bored).
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Allow me to preface this by saying, none of this is substantiated. This is merely *MY* interpretation of the events I witnessed.

The President singled out several Yankees for their achievements on and off the field. He praised Mariano Rivera for his great cut-fastball. He talked about Mark Teixeira donating money for a scholarship. Mr. Obama talked about meeting Jorge Posada at a charity event and the work Posada has done for children.

And then things got really interesting.
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The President asked 'where's Jeter?' He turned around and found Derek Jeter, Sports Illustrated magazine's "Sportsman of the Year." Obama praised DJ for the way he carries himself, for being a consummate professional.

But my favorite part was seeing Alex Rodriguez standing right next to Jeter.

I'm sorry. I know the topic is played out and all. It doesn't impact wins and losses (as is evidenced by the championship they were celebrating).

But AROD had a TOUGH job masking his contempt for the fact that *HE* was not being recognized.

Let's be honest.

AROD had more to do with the Yankees winning their 27th championship than ANYONE. For the first time in his career, he was the BEST player in the world at the most meaningful time. He did a LOT to repair his image as a choke.


But, if you're the President, can you really single someone out who has admitted to using steroids?

You don't want to touch that controversy.

So you pick the safe choices.

But that leaves Alex there to stand with an uncomfortable grin.

No one ever said he wasn't pety.
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That's an anomaly of being a sports fan.

You can like a guy, without actually liking a guy.

I think Alex can be vein, silly, small, phony, and self-serving.

But I don't care.

Our relationship isn't structured that way.

He hits home runs for the Yankees, and I smile.

He's useful to me so long as he's driving in runs.

When he's not, all the other elements of his personality which I see (be they real or imagined) become much bigger.

When he's hot at the plate, I praise the ballplayer.

When he struggles, I take shots at the human being.

It's not fair.

But then again he makes 25 million dollars a year and I have to fill out a timesheet every two weeks.
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Now, I'll admit it's much more satisfying when the athlete or movie star or writer or rock star, is a good person.

When you can admire someone for WHO they are in addition to WHAT they do, it's an added bonus.

But at least for me, I usually don't care.

I tend to be results oriented.

Obviously it's great to form attachments to athletes, like the one I feel towards Dwyane Wade, but it doesn't have to be that way.

I think Woody Allen is truly a genius. As an artist, he's a hero of mine. As a human being, to put it kindly, he's a little shady.

My grandfather (who incidentally hated Woody Allen) once told me, the closer you get to someone, the more you learn their flaws.

That's why with hero-worship, it's best not to cloud our judgements with pesky things such as facts.
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My only concern watching AROD try to mask his hang-dog look as 'others not named Alex' were recognized, was, how will it impact him on the field?

He can be fragile.

Any perceived slight can send AROD into a tail-spin.

Maybe the President dissed AROD on purpose.

He is a known White Sox fan.

Bittersweet Symphony...

Sunday Dwyane Wade (not pictured, think 80's tv) put on a performance for the ages. He scored 46 points and single-handedly willed the Miami Heat from elimination, and at least for one day, provided Heat fans with a glimmer of hope.

Watching that virtuoso performance made me feel: Sad.
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No, I wasn't just sad because seeing guys TRY in the NBA reminds me how often they dog it. Though that's part of it.

Rather, I kept thinking, this REALLY could be Dwyane's last home game in Miami.

The next time he comes here, he could be wearing a Bulls jersey, or a Cavs jersey, or a Knicks Jersey.

That's insane to me.
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Though I was born in Miami and grew up in Broward, I really came back to Miami in January 2003.

That's the year the Heat drafted Wade.

He's the first athlete who I have "covered" for the entirety of his career.

I put the term "covered" in quotes because I'm not there every day. I go to games periodically. I have interviewed him. But I'm a rare face in the crowd. A nameless dude holding a mic flag, who may or may not have the balls to ask a question, once in a while.

But he's so much more to me.
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I remember watching Wade *BEFORE* Shaq came to town.

I was under the basket in his first playoffs, when he threw down that MONSTER dunk and everyone simultaneously thought, HOLY ***T, who is this kid?

I watched him grow up.

I saw fame go to his head.

I saw his game evolve and devolve.

I saw the size of his post-game jewelry collection grow and the suits get better and better.

I remember when he wasn't a particuarly great soundbite and now he's go-to.

I remember when he'd get mugged at the basket and NOT get a call, and now he constantly gets superstar treatment.

He used to be under-rated.

Now at times, I feel he's over-rated.

But the key to it all, I was there and he was OUR guy.

I feel a personal stake in his triumphs and failures.

He brought Miami a championship. Yes, Zo was the heart and soul of the 2006 team. Yes, Shaq made this town bigger.

But Wade was the star.

I was at Game 3 in Miami of the Finals. The Heat were down 0-2 and down by double-figures, when Wade decided, I won't let us lose.

He did the same thing on Sunday.
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That's what made me sad.

I don't expect loyalty in sports, any more than I expect it in any other business.

But we *do* grow emotionally attached to athletes.

When you kinda-sorta cover them, you grow even MORE attached to them.
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I live in downtown Miami.

One of the coolest aspects of Miami address is that I get to show people, yeah, I live near where the Heat play.

I drive to work every day. On my ride in, I see a billboard, "Wade County."

It's cheesy, but I love it.

It makes me feel like I'm in an important place.

I imagine people in Chicago felt the same way about 23 (I know Wade's still 5 titles short).

I can't imagine how much less relevant our town will be without him.

I wouldn't quite gleefully point out the Triple-A if the Heat were back to their expansion-like ways.
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Dwyane's not the same kid who came in from Marquette.

Even the WAY he scored his 46 Sunday, a little less fun than his early career.

Wade was settling for jumpers.

Yes, he was hitting, which shows signs of his improved jumper.

But still, I'll never forget early Wade.

He used to drive damn near every time.

You thought the poor guy would get killed, but he'd always get back up (heck, that's what his marketing campaign was all about).

He hit some of the most acrobatic, bs shots you've ever seen.

His dad (who lived in my old apartment building) said that growing up they called "Lucky" because he used to hit those shots all the time.

Yeah, he doesn't do that as much anymore.

But even though he's changed, he's still ours.

At least until the Heat's next loss.

Notes On Fans...

This blog is a new venture for me.

I started it because my other writing gig came to an end and I figured this would be a new venue for self-expression.

I never figured I'd actually have fans (not pictured).
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Recently, I've received posts and messages from around the country.

Literally from the west coast to northeast and here in Florida.

That's surreal to me.

When this started, I figured, I could get my brother, my parents, my girlfriend, and maybe even a few friends to read it.

It would be a fun way for me to take the ideas that roll around in my head ALL day, and put em on paper (so to speak).
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My biggest thought on fans and fandom is, base it on talent.

That's my biggest beef with American pop culture.

Too often, people are now famous for being famous.

Reality television has elevated morons to super-star status based on their hyperactive reproductive abilities or their ability to play out the worst sterotypes of Italian-Americans (without actually being Italian, I'm looking at you Snookie Berkowitz, who are you fooling?)

So, if I get any fan support, I want it to be because I grind it out and earn it.

To be honest, and my brother happily reminds me of this on a routine basis, I'm not there yet.

I would argue I'm not even close.

But I don't say that to be woe-is-me.

I say that because I plan to keep working, keep grinding, and trying to get better.
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The other funny aspect of having any kind of fan support, is you can't let it change your behavior.

That drives me nuts about fame and recognition.

People alter their behavior based on their audience.

My model of how to handle that is Yankees closer Mariano Rivera.

I think about him often.

I don't believe in much in this world. I'm about as skeptical/cynical as they come by both birth and vocation.

Death, taxes, and Mo in the 9th.

The thing about Mariano is he NEVER changed what he does. Time of year, importance of game, number of fans, he calmly throws his cutter. That's it. One pitch. Again and again and again. Hit or don't. He does it calmly and consistently.

I just realized, Mariano has nothing to do with what I'm talking about.

I just really like Mariano Rivera.

He's had way more longevity than that Justin Bieber will ever have.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go hit the eye-roll button on myself...

A Night Of Interesting...

That's right.

I'm referring to the NFL draft picks (not pictured).

To be honest, I watched the draft out of the corner of my eye because I was doing my day(night) job.

But, honestly, how much attention do you need to pay to watching a pick every 10 minutes or so??
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First question, what's up with all the man-hugs?

What about Roger Goodell says "Hug me?"

I enjoyed the players' ethusiasm, but, what happened to the era of the firm hand-shake?

These guys ran up like contestants on "The Price is Right."

It's the commish, not Bob Barker.

Whatever happened to Barry Sanders' act like you've been there before?
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I'm happy for Tim Tebow.

But it's really not about Tim Tebow.

It's about LOGIC and BEING RIGHT.

I was on the radio about a month and half ago, and I said on the air, Tim Tebow will be a first-round pick.

The host who was on after me (whose name rhymes with Dadum Dooperstein) mocked me. First, he asked me, off-air and to my face, why I think Tebow was first round worthy. He said, he was hearing that Tebow would go in the 4th round or so (he claims he said 3rd round, I think he said 5th, let's just split the difference).

Dadum asked me why did I think Tebow would go in the first round. I said, because I have eyes. If you've watched Tebow play the last four years, you'd realize, he's a good football player.

He's excelled at every level and dominated the college game. Why wouldn't a pro team give a player with his unique skill-set a shot??

Then, this host went on the air during HIS show and essentially called me an idiot. I guess having an original thought (which turned out to be right) is far less interesting than parroting what you read in a draft guide.

So, on ONE level, I was really happy because I was called out and MOCKED. And yet, it turns out I was right. There's no better feeling in the world.

Additionally, a friend of mine with whom I NEVER agree on matters pertaining to sports, agreed with me on this one.

So we were right, and the mocker was wrong.

Will Tebow be successful in the pros? I don't know. I think he's the same as about every other draft pick, flip a coin.
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I now hate AL Davis.

Skeletor picked up Rolando McClain.

That's who I wanted for my New York Giants.

Instead, New York goes with the D-Lineman from South Florida who COULD be an effective pass rusher.

I just hope that doesn't spell the end of the Osi-era.

72 is one of my favorite players on the team.

My dad tells me, Osi (i'm not going to bother spelling his last name or my friend Ari will ride me like SeaBiscuit) was made by Michael Strahan.

Perhaps.

But I would've liked the Giants to address the linebacker position.

FREAKING Al Davis.
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I think the Dolphins would've taken CJ Spiller if he were around. I really do. Instead, they said, let's get a 2nd round pick, let's move down. We like this big bad defensive tackle from Penn State. We can plug him in.

I don't think Dolphins made this pick because they were trying to replace Jason Taylor.

I think the Dolphins were indifferent to Jason Taylor because they knew they could make this pick.

Will he be any good?

I don't know.

He's big.

Parcells likes him.

Getting him at 28 instead of 12 probably saves the team a few bucks.
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As a Giants fan, I hate to see Dez Bryant end up in Dallas. That was a fantastic pick and a really good fit.

I think Jerry Jones got his guy.

The Cowboys organization says, they can take care of him.

Name me a big-time wide receiver who isn't a diva?

Everyone would've said Marvin Harrison, you sure about that?

Dez was a steal.

Austin, Whitten, Dez.

Now if their quarterback didn't suck, they'd have a shot to be a really good offense. (a pet theory of mine, the Cowboys will NEVER win with Romo).
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How about this?

I think the Lions did well!

They got Suh *And* the running back Best (his name) out of Cal.

Those are two quality players who I've seen.
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Coverage-wise, I must differ to my brother on this one.

The draft is one of the ONLY events where, it's pretty much just as good to read the paper the next day.

I'll admit, when the Giants and Dolphins are "on the clock" my heart races a bit. But that's because I'm a nerd.

The actual talking that takes place, either on NFL Network or ESPN, is MOSTLY garbage.

I just want to hear WHO the pick is, and then see a few clips of him.

Give me context and information, not bloviating.
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My favorite draft moment was actually on the radio. An hour before the first pick was made, I tuned to 940 am and had the privledge of hearing Jim "Mad Dog" Mandich back on the air.

I'll say it again, best radio personality in this market, and it's not even close.

What a treat to hear Jim and Jimmy Cefalo back together.

I can't wait to hear the Dog calling Fins games during the season.

It'll be music to my ear, but good, unlike Justin Bieber.