So it's no big secret that one of my favorite author's is Neil Gaiman. I love his work. Whether it be comics like Sandman or 1602, his fantastic works of fiction like American Gods and Neverwhere, his short stories such as Smoke and Mirrors, his movies like Mirrormask, or even his blog - I love everything he's written that I've gotten my hands on. I'm pretty sure, if I read them, I could even say I enjoyed the news articles he used to write as a journalist in England.(Though maybe not, he claims that he was a "rotten journalist" and he quit when he refused to spin a story - I think quitting was the right thing to do. But I would at least love to take a look at his writings.) Hmm, I might take that back. I believe I found the one book that Gaiman will not admit to writing. Not sure if I'd enjoy that one, though I don't hate Duran Duran. Forgive me Neil, I had to search for it.
But one type of his work I really find incredably creative and important, especially for the current education system in American schools. I am amazed at his children's books. They are descriptive, fun, dark and hopeful all at the same time. I guess I'm not the only one to feel this way because his latest work, The Graveyard Book, has just won a Newbery Award.
However, another idol of mine, Stephen Colbert may disagree. Though I do love the free promotion that Gaiman is going to get from this. And the fact that Gaiman was so pumped over his mention on the show. Bravo Colbert, I approve, good luck getting that Emmy!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Born In Pittsburgh, Always a Steelers Fan
Well it's been a while since I've dusted this thing off, pretty sad I know. I really am going to try to make an effort to actually post entries of substance in here in the near future.
And to start it off let's address the Superbowl.
I have never been a huge football fan, or a big sports fan at all for that matter. In fact I barely know the rules of the game, but I can figure out enough to follow along and have fun cheering for my team. And of course I know that if I don't support my team I'm not welcome home.
My hometown is Pittsburgh. Considering all we have for baseball is the Pirates, even the casual sports fan takes football seriously. Loyalty to the Steelers was drilled into me before I could even walk. And that's impressive because neither one of my parents are fanatic sports fans - and my mother is originally from New York. But I know if I don't show team spirit, at least during a season where the Steelers are doing well, then I might as well not go home to visit.
All that being said let's move on to Sunday night. I believe the word amazing will do the game justice because damn, was it entertaining. Even with the Steelers leading for most of the game, I was much happier with the amusement this Superbowl then the last time the Steelers decided to go for the Lombardi Trophy. To be honest their win against the Seahawks was pretty disappointing for a Superbowl game. But this year they really brought their A game. And to be honest that helps when you are stuck in an apartment full of West Coast Cardinals fans.
I suppose it also helped that the Cardinals were playing very conservatally for most of the game. Or maybe it was that they got sloppy with their passes, allowing James Harrison (now "Defensive Player of the Year") to make a record 100 yard dash in order to score a touch down with his head. A moment that took my breath away with amazement and sympathy pain for Harrison's neck.
Granted Larry Fitzgerald finally got a chance to shine for the Cards, but in reality they should have utlized him more from the start. Talk about wasting a wide reciever till the very end of the game. Granted he was the main focus of the Steelers defense, still I think he could have grabbed the win for the Cards if used correctly.
But the combined efforts of Big Ben Roethlisberger (who when he's not getting in serious accidents and damaging brain cells is a damn fine player) and Santonio Holmes (now "MVP") did in the hopeful dream of an Arizonan win. Roethlisberger and Holmes, with all the eyes of Pittsburgh on them, made a two minute drive that gave the Steelers their SIXTH Superbowl win. I will forever remember their trek down the field that ended in one of the most memorable passes and beautiful catches that I've seen in my football watching career. They may have waited till the last minute, but the Steelers finally decided to really bring their offensive game to the table.
I was also thankful for the big screen TV that I was parked in front of, it allowed me to clearly rub in the fact that the touchdown counted for all those Doubting Thomas West Coasters.
And please don't give me the argument that Holmes used the ball as a prop at the end of the game, and that an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty should have been enforced. The man JUST won the Superbowl. Are you going to tell me that Fitzgerald wouldn't have done the same thing? Anyways it doesn't matter, because Arizona won't get to find out, at least not THIS year.
And Hey - I heard this theory that every time the Steelers win the Superbowl the stock market takes an upswing. Now who would cheer against that?! It pays to be a Pittsburgh fan!
And to start it off let's address the Superbowl.
I have never been a huge football fan, or a big sports fan at all for that matter. In fact I barely know the rules of the game, but I can figure out enough to follow along and have fun cheering for my team. And of course I know that if I don't support my team I'm not welcome home.
My hometown is Pittsburgh. Considering all we have for baseball is the Pirates, even the casual sports fan takes football seriously. Loyalty to the Steelers was drilled into me before I could even walk. And that's impressive because neither one of my parents are fanatic sports fans - and my mother is originally from New York. But I know if I don't show team spirit, at least during a season where the Steelers are doing well, then I might as well not go home to visit.
All that being said let's move on to Sunday night. I believe the word amazing will do the game justice because damn, was it entertaining. Even with the Steelers leading for most of the game, I was much happier with the amusement this Superbowl then the last time the Steelers decided to go for the Lombardi Trophy. To be honest their win against the Seahawks was pretty disappointing for a Superbowl game. But this year they really brought their A game. And to be honest that helps when you are stuck in an apartment full of West Coast Cardinals fans.
I suppose it also helped that the Cardinals were playing very conservatally for most of the game. Or maybe it was that they got sloppy with their passes, allowing James Harrison (now "Defensive Player of the Year") to make a record 100 yard dash in order to score a touch down with his head. A moment that took my breath away with amazement and sympathy pain for Harrison's neck.
Granted Larry Fitzgerald finally got a chance to shine for the Cards, but in reality they should have utlized him more from the start. Talk about wasting a wide reciever till the very end of the game. Granted he was the main focus of the Steelers defense, still I think he could have grabbed the win for the Cards if used correctly.
But the combined efforts of Big Ben Roethlisberger (who when he's not getting in serious accidents and damaging brain cells is a damn fine player) and Santonio Holmes (now "MVP") did in the hopeful dream of an Arizonan win. Roethlisberger and Holmes, with all the eyes of Pittsburgh on them, made a two minute drive that gave the Steelers their SIXTH Superbowl win. I will forever remember their trek down the field that ended in one of the most memorable passes and beautiful catches that I've seen in my football watching career. They may have waited till the last minute, but the Steelers finally decided to really bring their offensive game to the table.
I was also thankful for the big screen TV that I was parked in front of, it allowed me to clearly rub in the fact that the touchdown counted for all those Doubting Thomas West Coasters.
And please don't give me the argument that Holmes used the ball as a prop at the end of the game, and that an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty should have been enforced. The man JUST won the Superbowl. Are you going to tell me that Fitzgerald wouldn't have done the same thing? Anyways it doesn't matter, because Arizona won't get to find out, at least not THIS year.
And Hey - I heard this theory that every time the Steelers win the Superbowl the stock market takes an upswing. Now who would cheer against that?! It pays to be a Pittsburgh fan!
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