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Jolie Rouge · 07-03-2009, 01:57 AM

Be grateful for what we've got
By PERRYN KEYS - Advocate sportswriter
Published: Jun 30, 2009 - Page: 1C

Where I live, the temperature is rounding 95 and headed for 100.

Where I live, weekends and cookouts are a package deal.

Where I live, fireworks stands are already up and running. What does it all mean?

It means, more than anything, that the Fourth of July is almost here, and I’m an American. And I’m grateful for that.

In this lovely land, we are blessed with a fantastic blend of sports. We pass them down, from one generation to the next, like heirlooms and power tools.

We forget that sometimes. But right about now, when it’s hot and humid and there’s not much going on (Wimbledon doesn’t count), we tend to forget how lucky we are.

We sometimes take our sports for granted. Really, they’re a miraculous thing.

Me? I’m trying to remember all the reasons we’re lucky in America.

So remember this:

I’m grateful for the curveball, the fastball and the straight change. For decades, people from all over the world have come here, perfected them, made millions of dollars for it and carved out a better life because of it. Where else can they do that?

I’m grateful to Michael Jordan. He was an arrogant, selfish jerk who alienated teammates, coaches and general managers. He was also 6 feet, 6 inches of grace and greatness in Nikes.

Thank you, Michael, for 13 amazing years. I’ll forget about those last two with the Wizards.

I’m grateful for Bobby Knight. An American original.

I’m grateful to the late, great Eddie Robinson. He and I went to the same high school (albeit at very, very different times), and when I was a teenager, I knew who he was. But I didn’t really know. I’m glad I learned.

I’m grateful for football movies. You can wax poetically about “Field of Dreams” and “Pride of the Yankees” until you’ve got a set of seams growing on your forehead. They don’t compare to the comedy of “The Longest Yard,” or the attitude of “All the Right Moves,” or the absurdity of “Varsity Blues.”

I’m grateful for high school football in the state of Texas.

And for high school basketball in Indiana.

And for badminton in France. With any luck, it will stay there.

I’m grateful to George A. Stephen, who, according to the New York Times, invented the domed charcoal grill. I know this sounds like it has nothing to do with sports, but think about it this way: Sports are just a good excuse to eat lots and lots of meat. Don’t ever forget that. [/i]

Speaking of which ...

Takeru Kobayashi, Joey Chestnut, Sonya Thomas and the The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest.

It includes the best of the best: hot dogs, the Fourth of July, the beautiful borough of Brooklyn and intestinal discomfort. What’s more American than that?

And last, I’m grateful that, as an American, I never have to apologize for not enjoying soccer.

Happy Fourth.

http://www.2theadvocate.com/columnists/49473052.html

(better ?)

07-03-2009, 01:57 AM	#8 (permalink)
Jolie Rouge C & P Queen Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Lan astaslem ! Posts: 38,136 iTrader: (2) Thanks: 1,465 Thanked 3,534 Times in 1,949 Posts	Be grateful for what we've got By PERRYN KEYS - Advocate sportswriter Published: Jun 30, 2009 - Page: 1C Where I live, the temperature is rounding 95 and headed for 100. Where I live, weekends and cookouts are a package deal. Where I live, fireworks stands are already up and running. What does it all mean? It means, more than anything, that the Fourth of July is almost here, and I’m an American. And I’m grateful for that. In this lovely land, we are blessed with a fantastic blend of sports. We pass them down, from one generation to the next, like heirlooms and power tools. We forget that sometimes. But right about now, when it’s hot and humid and there’s not much going on (Wimbledon doesn’t count), we tend to forget how lucky we are. We sometimes take our sports for granted. Really, they’re a miraculous thing. Me? I’m trying to remember all the reasons we’re lucky in America. So remember this: I’m grateful for the curveball, the fastball and the straight change. For decades, people from all over the world have come here, perfected them, made millions of dollars for it and carved out a better life because of it. Where else can they do that? I’m grateful to Michael Jordan. He was an arrogant, selfish jerk who alienated teammates, coaches and general managers. He was also 6 feet, 6 inches of grace and greatness in Nikes. Thank you, Michael, for 13 amazing years. I’ll forget about those last two with the Wizards. I’m grateful for Bobby Knight. An American original. I’m grateful to the late, great Eddie Robinson. He and I went to the same high school (albeit at very, very different times), and when I was a teenager, I knew who he was. But I didn’t really know. I’m glad I learned. I’m grateful for football movies. You can wax poetically about “Field of Dreams” and “Pride of the Yankees” until you’ve got a set of seams growing on your forehead. They don’t compare to the comedy of “The Longest Yard,” or the attitude of “All the Right Moves,” or the absurdity of “Varsity Blues.” I’m grateful for high school football in the state of Texas. And for high school basketball in Indiana. And for badminton in France. With any luck, it will stay there. I’m grateful to George A. Stephen, who, according to the New York Times, invented the domed charcoal grill. I know this sounds like it has nothing to do with sports, but think about it this way: Sports are just a good excuse to eat lots and lots of meat. Don’t ever forget that. [/i] Speaking of which ... Takeru Kobayashi, Joey Chestnut, Sonya Thomas and the The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest. It includes the best of the best: hot dogs, the Fourth of July, the beautiful borough of Brooklyn and intestinal discomfort. What’s more American than that? And last, I’m grateful that, as an American, I never have to apologize for not enjoying soccer. Happy Fourth. http://www.2theadvocate.com/columnists/49473052.html (better ?) __________________ Laissez les bon temps rouler! Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car. a 4 day work week & sex slaves ~ I say Tyt for PRESIDENT!** Not to be taken internally, literally or seriously ....Suki ebaynni IS THAT BETTER ?