September 2006 Archives
Sep27

Saints Reopening Dominance

Posted at 10:12 PM • View Comments

…a continuation from my previous post…

My plane ride from Atlanta
to New Orleans on Saturday might as well have been a charter flight
to be landed on top of the Superdome.  The plane, mostly filled with
Falcons fans, was a raucous ride of trash talking.  Even the flight attendants
were having fun with it.  The attendant on the PA was from Atlanta and
didn’t care one lick about football, which was eveident by her reference
to Bobby Herbert (she said HER-BERT instead of A-BEAR), who was sitting
in first class on his way down for his weekly radio show.  After being
teased about her mis-pronunciation, she welcome us to the flight by
introducing the pilots.  "I’d like to introduce you to the captain…Michael
Vick."  That was immediately followed by a large favorable applause. 
The attendant giggled, "And his co-pilot…Drew Brees."  That
comment was initially followed by cheers and quickly drowned out by
boos.  Everyone was laughing so it was a good time.  Somewhere on the
plane chants of, "Who Dat?!" had found their way onto the
plane.  I haven’t really heard those cheers in abundance since Jim Mora,
Sr was the coach.

Monday…game day.  I knew the city was going to be busy so I made a
point to meet with my best client early in the morning for breakfast. 
Under a tree titled, "Branche Du Bois," we sat outside and
sipped our frozen coffee conconctions in the courtyard of CC’s on Magazine. 
It’s those moments in the crisp, air of a New Orleans fall day that
can’t be found anywhere else.  Those are the little moments I really
treasure about the city.  My client was wearing jeans with her Deuce
McAllister Saints jersey.  I made the mistake of thinking that it was
Friday because everyone in the city was so laid back and calm.

I dropped off my client and drove past the Dome on my way back home. 
The first thing I noticed was the buildings to the left of me that had
their windows blown out.  Plastic still covered the open spaces where
glass had once been.  "Progress," I thought.  One block further
ahead from Poydras Street, I looked up to the massive structure that
is the Dome and saw the stages set up, the Coors Light Train and props
for the NFL Experience.  "Game time," I thought with a big
grin.  I raced home to get my dad so we could race right back for the
game.

My Mom drove my Dad and I to S. Claiborne at Earhardt (about 5 blocks
from the Dome).  Cars were lined up for blocks preceeding that intersection. 
A line of fans were making their way like a pilgrimagge to the Dome. 
We walked and passed trucks blaring music and grills cooking various
meats.  The loud chants of Who Dat?!! rang through the air.  All of this
was normal except that it was 330…a good 4 hours before kickoff.  This
is largely atypical for a Saints game as most of those fans tailgate
for the LSU games and just show up to watch the Saints.  We met up with my brother-in-law and his friend Billy.  The four of us ventured the sights around the Dome.

Every corner of the Dome had a vinyl on it, welcoming the fans back alongside the proud Fleurs-De-Lis.  Across from the vinyls were screens that showed the main stage in front of Gate C.  The gate The Goo Goo Dolls were performing in front of.  We tried to get close to that actual stage but were turned away by police officers.  The show was completely jammed with people.

530…Doug and I decided to enter the Dome for the first time in over a year.  The experience of entering the Dome was a familiar one.  Nothing immediate had changed.  As we took our seats, I noticed that all of the seats had been refinished.  The new dark green surface of the field now stretched from side to side. Previously, it simply ran about 10 yards past the sidelines.  The biggest and best change I noticed were the new video screens.  These babies were long overdue.  They put two new replay screens up at both end zones as well as 4 new ad/scoreboards in each corner.  Finally, they had new ad ribbon boards alongside the lower level of the Dome.  It was like looking at a restored 1967 Corvette.  She’s old but she’s got character.  And the bottom line, is that she’s all yours.

Pre-game…I’m not quite sure how to describe what was going on.  There was so much positive energy flowing at once.  It was like a perfectly planned night.  Usually, I hear these hyped events and something always seems to be missing.  That night, I think my initial shock came from how perfect things ran from beginning to end.  To begin with, Robin Roberts was on the field as the emcee for the opening festivities.  She is a huge Gulf Coast favorite as she is from Mississippi.  She is one of our own; and she took us through the intro of what the region has been through and why the New Orleans Saints mean so much to the entire area. And then, the show began.  Escorted by cultural favorites of New Orleans, U2 and Green Day made their way on stage. Billy Joe started and finished on the mike with The Edge.  The opening number was fittingly, "Wake Me Up When September Ends."  I could feel the energy growing within the crowd.  It was as if the crowd was ready to explode but waiting for the perfect time.  Then, Bono came out of nowhere and took stage next to Billy Joe.  They sang a rendition of, "It’s a Beautiful Day."  They changed words to make it relevant to New Orleans and when they said the name of the city the crowd screamed out mercilessly.  They were still built up but I could tell they hadn’t busted through yet.  The rapid light show combined with the two bands’ rhythm and

the idea that 10 million households were watching was just awe inspiring .  The emotion created was freeing and uplifting.  Billy Joe at one point randomly yelled out, "NEW ORLEANS!!"  The decibel of level created rivaled that of a 4th and 1 from the goaline in an overtime game.

The bands exited quickly for President Bush was making his way to the field for the coin toss.  Joe Horn was the first to make contact with the President.  Every game they have two kids (around the age of 9) nominated to be captains on the field.  I mentioned to Doug that they were a shoo-in to win show and tell the next day at school.  How can another 9 year-old compete with. "I met the President last night.  What did you do?"  I digress.  Doug mentioned that he wanted us to receive.  Can you imagine how freaking loud it will be in here if we return the opening kick-off?"  Before I could respond, the Falcons had won the toss and elected to receive. 

Kick-off…the initial series for the Falcons was what I expected.  Pure emotion on defense fueling a three and out series.  I never expected that 90 seconds into the game we would be up 7-0.  Steve Gleason, who along with Fred McAfee has won the hearts of Saints fans with his hard work and pure heart on special teams, broke through untouched and blocked the punt.  Doug and I were already standing.  We both saw Gleason coming through at the same time because we both jumped at the same time even though he was a good 9 yards from the ball.  Steve wanted it bad because he didn’t just block it, he smothered the ball.  Curtis Deloatch blazed to the goal line and rolled over the ball in the end zone for the touch down.  Ten black shirts had already made their way back to the end zone.  The white shirts were flat no where to be found.  For a second, I thought they would have to buy a new roof because it was about to come off.  It was a year’s worth of excitement, emotion and adrenaline released onto the field.  Doug was standing 2 inches to my left.  Honestly, had I tried to speak to him, I would have had more success text messaging him because it was so loud.  Deloatch took the ball and did a double-pump reverse jam over the goal posts.  The man has mad hops.  Hi-fives were flying all over the place.  I don’t think Doug and I could have hit each other harder, but no one was feeling any pain.

The tone had been set.  The Falcons next drive was their best and only real threat.  Vick got into the red zone and hit Crumpler for a sure touch down, but he dropped it.  An immediate sigh was followed by immediate cheers.  The entire Falcons team was off all night.  I haven’t seen an all around defensive performance by the Saints like that since the early-90′s when they employed the ‘Dome Patrol.’  We are by far one of the slowest defenses on paper; but like I said in my post prior to this one, the game isn’t decided on paper. 

Watching from an elevated position, I could clearly see our DBs blanketing their receivers causing Vick to check-off several times before making a decision.  Charles Grant and Brian Young worked hard all game to penetrate the pocket.  The linebackers stayed home on the outside rarely over pursuing.  This combination forced Vick to check all receivers and gain minimal yardage on the ground.  I wasn’t surprised that they did it, but I was surprised that they were able to execute all night long.  That is truly impressive.  The entire night was 360 degrees of domination.  The last time a special teams unit blocked a punt and a field goal in the same game was the 2003 Houston Texans.  For years, there was an ongoing joke that everyone in the stands knew what play was coming next because they always lacked offensive creativity.  Doug and I agreed that we had no clue what would be coming next.  Payton pulled a double-reverse with Devery Henderson (who has a special place in our hearts for his time at LSU…he even won an ESPY for his catch).  On top of the play, Drew Brees threw a killer block to propel Henderson into the end zone.  It was the ultimate team effort that illustrated to me that for the first time since 2000, our Saints had no primdonnas and were totally accepting of their responsibility to the fans.  Joe Horn, Drew Brees, Deuce McAllister, Charles Grant, Steve Gleason and even young Mr. Bush understand what it’s about. 

I’m not drinking any Kool-Aid saying the Saints are going to the Super Bowl, but they are very reminiscent of the 2000 team.  Many new faces and no big heads.  It was just a bunch of guys trying to prove themselves on a common mission.   That team took out the supposedly invincible St. Louis Rams 2 out of 3 times that year including once in the play-offs.

Some myths:
1) The game was fixed.
    a) Have you ever talked to or been an athlete?  We don’t just throw games.  Our pride would never allow it.
    b) Have you ever seen a pro player’s game check?  Um, few people have the resources it would take to buy their key players.
    c) All of the ‘experts’ agreed that the Saints came to play on all cylinders.

2) The field was rigged.
    a) Ok, let’s say it was.  The Saints still have to play on it, so it’s apples to apples.  If Vick is slower on it, so is our defense.
    b) You were dumb enough to gamble on an unprecedented event and you lost.
    c) All of the ‘experts’ agreed that the Saints came to play on all cylinders.

A note to the people that think reopening the Dome was a waste…I was fortunate enough to see Tony Kornheiser’s ‘editorial’ after the game.  The best part was at the end and along the lines of, "What we think is irrelevant.  If it’s important to people of New Orleans, then it should be important to all of us."

It was a wonderful experience.  For the Falcons that night, as usual in the NFL, it was about business.  For the Saints, it was about having fun.  That was the competitive edge that set them apart.

Some side sports notes…Jim Mora is a class act as evident in his post-game press conference…Marques Colston and Devery Henderson are emerging as go to  McAllister must love Bush there because he has no pressure on him and less abuse…He will have a great year and injury free.

Sep22

The Meaning of Saints

Posted at 2:48 PM • View Comments

I get to go to the New Orleans Saints game
against the Atlanta Falcons this Monday night with my friend Doug.  People
outside the city are questioning whether or not this is really a big
deal.  Simply put, YES.  I’ve been to the quarterfinals of a World Cup, the 1996 Olympics and some of the best SEC games ever, but I think this one might crack the top spot of my all-time most emotional events ever.


Dan Patrick from ESPN is in New Orleans this week doing his radio show.
He has focused his show around former players from the city and actual victims
of the hurricane…not people who live on paper like so many other cable
outlets.  One man from Slidell emailed his show that, "…I have been
working for months to restore my home.  I have no furniture, but bought a
50-inch television so he can watch the game.  It’s a night
away."  Another woman wrote, "…if nothing else, I don’t have
to deal with the insurance adjusters and contractors.  It’s an outlet."
His partner in crime, Keith Olbermann told a story about being in NYC after
9/11.  He said days after a NYPD officer, "What he thought the
outcome of the Mets game would be?" It wasn’t what do you think will
happen now or what should we do.  It was about sports.  It is a
release.  It’s not life, but it is a metaphor for it.  It’s the
ultimate essence of sports.  I give Mr. Patrick major props for doing his
job as a journalist responsibly.  He’s listening to the citizens. 

Through various airports and cities I’ve been recently, people tell me their
initial notions about the city of New Orleans and what they think should
happen.  It’s interesting because their view is usually always opposite
mine…until they hear me speak.  I don’t get emotional about it.  I
just tell them other people’s stories.  As soon as I make an emotional
connection with them, all of a sudden they realize that this isn’t a problem to
be solved on paper.  Their demeanor changes.  If you’re not from here
and weren’t affected, then you don’t speak.  Have the discipline and
responsibility to not speak.  You have no idea what we went through and
are not qualified to tell us how you think it should be done.  Save your
theories for dissertations on increasing the number of endangerd species on the
northern coast of Africa.  Life is not lived on paper.  That’s why we
play the game.  That’s why the 2001 New England Patriots beat the St.
Louis Rams in the 2002 Super Bowl in the Superdome.  If the game had been
played on paper then, the Patriots would have lost by 40 points.

I’m tired of hearing:

Q: "How can you spend $100 million on a Dome when people still don’t have
homes or running water?"
A: First, the Dome is an icon.  More so than the French Quarter, any
person who enters New Orleans must drive by it.  A ton of famous events
have happened and we take pride in the fact that people want to hold those
events here.  We are a tourist town and the Dome is one of the reasons for
it.  Second, so many people have not been able to build their homes back due
to the BS coming from private insurance companies.  No one hears about
that thought unless you actually speak to residents.  Lastly and most important,
the money spent was allocated through bonds.  It legally has to be used
for that purpose.

Comment: It’s just a football game.  ESPN, the NFL and the city are making
too big of a deal about it.
Response: If you’re in NYC, Seattle or Miami, then maybe it’s just a corporate
event.  Maybe all the good tickets are held by large entities.  In New Orleans, football is a
passion.  It’s ingrained in its citizens.  The people that bought out
the whole season for the first time in franchise history are regular citizens
that really have to think before buying season tickets.  It’s not the CEO
of a company.  It’s the high school math teacher or the administrative
assistant to that CEO.  Maybe the random PhD student living on Long Island
thinks we’re infantile, but football is a part of our identity.  The fans
of college football’s SEC understand.

Even if you have no plans to watch Monday Night Football, please watch the pre-game.  Watch the screen closely and notice
the number of people crying, the number of men that are fighting back tears and
the thunder from the crowd.  Those aren’t corporate dollars.

When all of this happened, there was so many unanswered questions (and still
are) about the future of this city.  My first thought was that the
pro-sports franchises are not as important right now and this might be the time
that we lose them.  We weren’t doing well before Katrina to support them
so how would we now? 

The power of Bush marketing has been unbelievable.  He has done a ton for the community with very little recognition required…class act.  The season has sold
out.  I think it’s a combination of him, Brees (the new QB), a new head coach, Morten
Anderson’s return and the first NFL game back in the city.  Like
all Americans, we are a resilient people.  They know the Saints need to be
a cornerstone in the rebuilding process.  It’s a bright and visual
reminder of the city’s path back.  In a media-world where things are
forgotten in a day, it’s a symbol that keeps us in the forefront of the
country’s minds.

The whole city is getting out of work at 3 pm on Monday to get to the game
and/or tailgate.  On top of the day, the Falcons and Saints are two teams
that have managed to maintain a passionate rivalry despite an era of free
agency.  The fans create the rivalry because players come and go.
The band lineup is U2, Green Day and Foo Fighters.  The first President Bush is flipping the
coin.  They are not rolling out that kind of red carpet for nothing.
The NFL and the city are showing their belief in its people.  No one
thought, it was silly to have a baseball game in NYC days after 9/11.
This is no different.  Because the human spirit is intangible and can’t be
put on paper, it seems to be too often forgotten.  Never underestimate the
power of the human spirit as well as it’s need to be nurtured.

People are always asking others why would anyone want to move back to New Orleans after all that.  It’s because New Orleans is not a place.  New Orleans is an idea, a unique culture running
strong through the blood of its citizens. 

I look forward to writing a recap on Tuesday.

BTW, my prediction is that the Falcons will win this one.  I think it will
be close in the first half because of the emotional value, but Atlanta has a phenomenal
team and will dominate in the 2nd half.  Like I said, the game isn’t decided on paper so I hope I’m wrong.

Sep17

Les Miles Outcoached Again

Posted at 11:48 AM • View Comments

It happened again.  Exactly one year from last year’s SEC opener against the Tennessee Volunteers  in Death Valley.  The LSU Tigers lost their SEC opener again but this time to their bigger rival in the Auburn Tigers.  Last year, I watched my Tigers lose to the Volunteers in person and this year I was able to see a game for the first time inside of Jordan-Hare Stadium.  I made the 2 hour trip from my new home of Atlanta to Auburn.

A quick side note about the stadium.  Jordan-Hare is a beautiful stadium and in many ways is almost the spitting image of Death Valley (or vice versa depending on how one looks at it).  The only real difference is I think LSU holds about another 10,000 passionate SEC fans.  My only criticisms are that they need to get another video monitor on opposite side of the stadium and vastly need to upgrade their sound system.  I know they have the cash so AU needs to step up right there.  I was sitting amongst the traveling Bengal Tiger faithful and after each play they would like up to the right to see the replay but to no avail as there was no video screen.  We’re used to that luxury in Tiger Stadium.

Anyway, Mr. Les Miles was simply outcoached again this year.  Last year, Fulmer had him outcoached and this year Tuberville had his number.  Yes, the refs absolutely blew two major calls in this game.  In the first half, JaMarcus Russell threw a pass in the back of the end zone to Jared Mitchell.  The man was completely bear hugged…no call.  I had a better view than the ref being on the goal line two rows from the field.  And then, on LSU’s 2nd to last drive, one of Auburn’s guys tackled Early Doucet before the ball was even close to him.  They throw the flag and then waived it off.  That was absolutely abhorrent reversal.  The ball had never been tipped until one of Auburn’s DBs tipped it before it got there.  Absolutely, it was pass interference.  ESPN radio and TV raved about it all night.  It reminded me of 2004 at Auburn when their kicker missed an extra point.  About five seconds later, the ref pulls a flag out of his pocket.  He calls us for jumping over a player’s back.  Another complete BS call, ESPN tore up the refs that day too as well they should.  I don’t know what the hell is going on down there with the refs but it’s crap and obvious too!

Now, I am not blaming Auburn football for the refs.  Those guys are out there to play not control the refs.  This is one of the best defensive football games I’ve ever seen at the college level.  This is why the SEC is heads above the rest when it comes to other college football conferences.  LSU annihilated Auburn…on paper.  LSU had 300 plus yards of offense compared to AU’s 150 plus.  As much as I hate to admit this, Tuberville is smart about making adjustments and Miles is not at all.  The things that Miles has to know going in:

1) Auburn’s punter is superb and our defense is stacked, therefore they would punt often and we would have to construct long drives.
2) Auburn’s front four is blazingly fast and strong.  Their linebackers are a complete package.  Outside of #4, their DBs are a major weakness.  They lack the height and speed to compete with LSU’s receivers.
3) Brandon Cox has the tools in the pocket but outside of it he is just an average  athlete.  Bring at least one every time. 
4) Will Muschamp is an amazing D coordinator and he knows LSU’s offense very well, since Jimbo Fisher was the O coordinator at LSU when he was there too.
5) Kenny Irons is a beast.  He only had 70 plus yards rushing, but when he needed those extra yards for the first he got them.

For whatever reason, Les refuses to use the pass to setup the run.  It’s like the only thing he knows is run to setup the pass.  Everytime, Russell put the ball over the middle or on a curl we were successful.  The man was 20 for 35 which proves amazing efficiency.  35 seems like a lot of passes but most came only after Auburn scored the lone touchdown and it was crunch time.  Bo Pellini did a great job with the D.  They held Auburn to under 200 yards and 1 touchdown.  The offense couldn’t get one.  They had their chances, but Miles lacks the killer instinct that Saban possesses.  The first time it was evident was against Tennessee.  It became evident in many other wins.  LSU’s talent alone is so high that it disguises his inability to adapt throughout the game.

I didn’t leave the game upset just disappointed.  The kids played their hearts out and they should have won that game but they are the victims of poor coaching decisions.  It’s a serious problem when people who know nothing about football ask questions about why things aren’t happening in the game.  Last year, my gf at the time asked me why does he keep sending the nickel blitz in when they (TN) are just nickel and diming us down the field?  Until that point, I thought she only knew how to keep score.  My first thought was, "Damn, if she sees that Fullmer must be having a field day." That thought was immediately followed by, "Wow, she’s really hot now too!" I digress.   This year, I was standing (you don’t sit in the SEC) next to a girl who was more focused on taking pictures than watching the game.  She said, "Why do we keep running the ball to the outside?  Auburn is too fast."  I thought, "Wow, if a LSU sophomore thinks that, then Tuberville must be having a field day."

Final thought: It can’t be Jimbo Fisher because he was the O-coordinator under Saban and we would crush opponents as well as out play them.  Saban has a killer instinct and Miles does not.  If you don’t agree come up with another example for me besides Miami in last year’s Peach Bowl.  The U is not the same U anymore.  The plays run may be Fisher’s call, but the game plan, and changes to it, are Miles’ call.   I don’t see us beating Florida this year because Meyer will outcoach him again if he doesn’t learn to make adjustments.  Talent will only get you so far and then you have to be able to use your brain.

Sep14

Kickers: Was Adam Sandler on to Something?

Posted at 10:21 AM • View Comments

In sports, especially professional sports, we can almost assume that once a month we will see some criminal activity taking place.  Certain people get stabbed, certain people take gun shots, certain millionaires shoplift (I’m a thousandaire and don’t really understand this) or certain people hit some racing their new Modena, but for some reason the stupid crazy stuff  always happens to the loneliest guy on the team…the kicker/punter.  Almost without exception on any football team, the wide receivers are prima donnas and the kickers have something mentally challenging about them.  When it comes to the kickers, I think all the pressure and loneliness is getting to them.  Each team needs to hire a sports psychologist just to handle these people. 

Let’s look at the past…Martin Gramatica self-mutilated his hamstring after making a field goal, a Chris Hanson  from Jacksonville chopped into his foot with an axe  and who can forget Ray Finkel going off on Dan Marino.  Now, the reserve punter, Mitch Cozad, from the might Bears of the University of Northern Colorado football team has pulled a Tonya Harding by stabbing the starter, Rafael Mendoza.  What the hell?  Couldn’t he just have thrown a fist in face and got in a fight like most guys do or how about focus on getting better?  Instead he thought, "Nah, let me stab this dude, then we’ll see who’s punting on Saturday." 

I don’t know why maybe it’s the isolation or lack of parental support, maybe Adam Sandler was right on the money or maybe they just aren’t wired right in the first place.

If you’re mad right now, because you’re thinking, "Hey, don’t pick on kickers.  Don’t say those things.  You don’t understand the pressure."  I do.  I was a kicker at two levels…high school and college.  I was the starter in high school, but in college I never pulled a Harding.  Of course, my friends and family always told me that something was different about me.  I thought Harding was kind of weak in her approach.  When I did something, I really…

Sep11

9/11: 5 Years Later

Posted at 10:46 PM • View Comments


I‘ve written a good deal about this personally and have never released any of it for public eyes.  As a whole, I think most Americans feel the same about it.  I remember where I was when it hit.  I was asleep since I didn’t have my mass communications class until 12.  My then girlfriend left 2 frantic messages on my machine.  My machine was in the other room so I paid no mind to the first, but when I got the second I thought, "Damn, I guess I better go check what she wants."  I remember hearing a bunch of loud blather about something at the WTC, but I really had no idea what she was talking about.  I turned on the TV to find ESPN (Ch 35) from the previous nights events.  They were showing coverage…then to FOX  (70) @ 944am…then to CNN (42)…then to local ABC affiliate (2).  Finally, I settled on one and I don’t remember which one.  I remember standing three feet from the screen in nothing but my LSU football shorts, the remote in my left hand and my right hand holding my left elbow, feeling completely vulnerable.  One knee slightly bent, I found myself in complete disbelief as I watched the replay of the 1st plane hitting.  I thought, "What kind of sick documentary is this?"  But it was very real.  I was 4,000 miles away and felt so close.  Thinking about it right now, puts a small choke in my throat.

I get very angry when I hear these nutjobs (I was going to put a link here but refuse to give them more publicity than necessary) make comments about the whole thing being staged.  These ignorant people live in a world on paper that is governed by thesis statements.  These are the same people who accuse New Orleans officials of blowing up the levees in order to get black people out of the city.  I remember morons like Harry Belafonte and Kanye West (please stick to singing) saying that Bush was a racist for doing that.  Are you f*&$ing kidding me?  I took that as a personal slap in the face.  I know many on both sides of the color spectrum that are in the same boat to this day.  The weather didn’t discriminate just like the terrorists didn’t discriminate. These people have a serious agenda.  Had Gore won the seat in 2000 and not Bush, then the extreme right would be saying the same crap.  These people seem to miss the fundamental idea that the terrorists don’t care who’s in office…they don’t care about right, left…Donkeys or Elephants.  They HATE Americans and everything we, as a cohesive unit, stand for. 

I heard a poll on the radio that 40-something percent of Americans blame Clinton and 40-something percent of Americans blame Bush for 9/11 happening.  Who cares?  I know no one did right after it happened.  The thing that matters is today.  What are we doing to crush these people?  I remember the fire that came out from the American public for a good year after the attacks.  Five years later where has that fire gone?  We need to get it back.  Three  things need to be realized: 1) Politicians on both sides need to stop using this day as a scapegoat because it’s a sacred day.  Whatever politician is in office is in a lose/lose situation.   So make the best of it.  2) As proved just a month ago at Heathrow Airport, the threats are still looming very real.  We need not lose sight of this and remember how they injured us on that day.  I remember.  I felt insulted and humiliated.   3)  When you see one of these nutjobs  and want to slap them, just use your energy to smile.  It will do no good to waste your breath.  Go find an area to pray, stand on your head for Yoga or find a Zen place. 

I know many people that were affected directly and indirectly in NYC, DC and PA.  I really feel for them.  I know that choking sensation you get.  I know that heaviness in the tear ducts you feel.  I can’t imagine being 60-something floors up and trying to decide whether or not to jump out of a window as maybe my best option.  Can I call my family?  Can I call my son?  Can I call anyone that I love?  What will happen to them?  What will happen to me if I don’t jump?  What will happen if I stay?  I wish I hadn’t fought with my wife this morning.  Does she know I love her?  Do I…Oh my God, what is that vibration…the floor is moving…the wall is coming closer.  Ok, I’m jumping out.  I just can’t imagine. 

I guess it’s human nature to always aim to take down the top dog.  With being the best, comes a responsibility to maintain the image and give people opportunity to be a part of that image.  That’s why they gun for us.  That’s why they want to take us down.  That’s why we are the best…the United States of America.

Sep11

Restricted Travel, Hotel Opportunity

Posted at 9:22 AM • View Comments

Recently, I came back from NYC, and for the first time in a few years I checked my bag.  I’ve mastered packing enough to where I can always carry-on comfortably.  The new restrictions on carry-on items such as toothpaste required me to do so.  My first thought was to leave the ‘illegal’ stuff at home and hit up a Duane Reade when I got there; but then I thought, ‘No, because they might make a technicality over stick deodorant or whatever…just check it.’  I wish I had carried-on because the 1-hour baggage claim wait at LGA was ridiculous.  Not only is there a large increase in checked baggage, but they had 3 (yes 3) airlines coming into one carousel. 

My thinking is that there is a tremendous opportunity here for hotels to capitalize on this situation.  Even before the increase in the security level, this opportunity existed.  Hilton, Starwood or your favorite hotel conglomerate of choice could partner with Unilever, Colgate-Palmolive or your favorite personal care conglomerate of choice to offer their products waiting in the hotel room for clients.  The typical road warrior that spends 3-5 days in the air would greatly benefit.  Imagine having your own travel profile, as most frequent fliers do, and it listed toothpaste and deodorant preference.  You walk into your room at the W Hotel to see a nice tube of Crest, Pantene and Oil of Olay.  This is a great piece of tryvertising that isn’t being tapped.  If it is, then it needs to be advertised more heavily.  Let me know it’s out there.

Sep9

Job Interviews: From Suck to Blow

Posted at 10:36 AM • View Comments

I‘m reading Seth Godin’s blog about the hiring process.  Honestly, I think he’s a great mind, but I rarely read his blog…Why?  Because everyone else is.  I always know that I’ll see something he’s written on someone else’s blog….that’s freaking awesome.

Anyway, this particular post caught my eye on the RSS.  Recently, I’ve been going through this mundane process.  Headhunters and HR people, as a whole, are  funny people.  If you don’t fit exactly into a the ’round hole’ then they have trouble finding a place for you.  In my opinion, it’s a ‘cog’ job as Seth calls it.  I’m interviewing for ‘insight and creativity’ jobs.

It’s an interesting read for the most part but one thing he said seems obvious.  He asks the questions, "If you’re hiring for the first kind of job, exactly why are you sitting
a nervous candidate down in your office and asking her to put on some
sort of demonstration in her ability to interact with strangers under
pressure? Why do you care what his suit looks like or whether or not he
can look you in the eye?"  He then proceeds to blame it on Harvard and the trickle down effect on college…no worries there.  The reason that the ‘clogs’ have to wear suits and put on the ‘show’ is the same reason I have to take the damn LSAT (law school), GMAT (B-school) or whatever other dumb test exists.  It’s a weed out process.

Ok, I’m supposed to be studying for the GMAT…gotta go…later.

Sep7

IPTV: Italy’s Fastweb Has the Jump

Posted at 9:23 AM • View Comments

Today’s WSJ has a great article (subscription required) on the Italian startup Fastweb making strides in the IPTV realm.  The article cites on of the largest problems for growth is the cost of infrastructure.  It will be interesting to see how the major US players such as AT&T and Verizon market this new technology here. 

Moreover, I like how the article illustrates that ‘content is still king.’  Even though different media forms, I think XM and Sirius could learn something from the European pioneers of IPTV.

Email me for a copy of the article.

Sep3

Farewell to Mr. Agassi

Posted at 10:10 PM • View Comments

I have followed Andre Agassi since I was about 12.  The young brash kid who brought to mind images of McEnroe.  He was sponsored by Nike and I had his truly ugly shoes (he is now Adidas).  He was cocky and had every right to be.  I have really enjoyed seeing him transformation from brash young man to wise classy family man he is today.  Agassi is a class figure and I’m proud to have been a fan of his all of these years.

It was exhilarating to watch Andre Agassi’s final run at the U.S. Open this past week.  The 36 year-old with a painful back complication did an unbelievable job of pushing himself to the limits.  Watching him over his 3 matches, I could tell that he was putting everything he had into it and he had the entire crowd at Arthur Ashe stadium in his corner.  I actually watched him in the tiebreaker to beat Pavel from a dive bar in Little Italy (NYC).  Even the bar was cheering for him to finish on each point.   The second match over Baghdatis was, personally, one of the best matches I’ve ever seen.  After the second set, I couldn’t move my eyes from the TV.

Today, the final day of his U.S. Open career, was almost painful for me to watch.  He played Benjamin Becker, a largely unknown player from Baylor via Germany.  I must say I was thoroughly impressed with him.  I turned on the match during the first set and immediately I could see that Agassi was going to have a tough time.  One of his serves was hit 142 mph and was nailing 130 mph consistently.  The only hope Agassi had was early on because Becker had several forehand unforced errors.  Becker may have been a bit in awe of his place in time.  They went through 8 deuces in Set 2 that Agassi lost.  He couldn’t bend over to get the low shots and the serves were just overpowering.  I could tell his back was gone during his service…some barely hit 95 mph (he’s normally in the 120′s).  Every now and then he had a flash of brilliance returning a strong serve, but Becker would outlast him.

Knowing his fate, I left after the second set.  I came back to see that he had just been defeated.  It was closer than I thought it would be.  I’m glad I made it back for the end.  It was great to see the emotion pour out of him from the sidelines.  His opponent took centre court and bowed gracefully.  I love seeing class on both sides of the court.  Becker’s future is promising but he knew Agassi was the man of the hour.  Agassi took the court and the microphone for the denouement.  He simply thanked everyone (the fans) for what they had taught and given him.  Standing in my room, I could feel chills and the drops of sweat tracking down over the erect hairs on my body as he spoke.   A great ending.

Sep1

iTunes to Sell Movies

Posted at 8:41 PM • View Comments

I remember about two years ago when Mr. Jobs said that he didn’t see video as the future of iPod.  I think we all saw that as way too shortsighted.  We knew better.  $14.99 for new releases and $9.99 for older movies.  iTunes will get it.  I know MSFT is trying to get their player to market.  I’m interested to see how this plays out in the ‘Jobs vs. Gates Celebrity Deathmatch for the Living Room.’