Bienvenido

Welcome to my weblog.  What is on my mind right now?  That is precisely what the world wants to know.  Well, maybe not the world, but you're here aren't you, so at least that's one person.  Although, to be honest, not having anyone to listen to me has never stopped me from talking, or writing.  So without further ado, I bring to you, a quick trip through my mind.

Speaking of writing with no reader, I have undertaken a feeble attempt at writing a short story / novel.  I have many of the major plot twists mapped out, but, as with anything, it is the nitty-gritty details with which I am having trouble.  I'll keep you posted.

 I have watched almost all of the U.S. Open thus far, in the midst of correcting papers.  Watching Agassi's final match was painful, in more ways than one. Tennis is losing a great spokesman and humanitarian, as has been said ad nasuem, as if he will never pick up a raquet or play an exhibition match or help the USPTA ever again, and having to hear about it every five minutes was almost as bad as knowing he won't be in any more tournaments.  As one who has played sports with back pain, I recognized the walk, and the simple acceptance that certain movements would not be permitted (such as running sideline to sideline).  Also, having entered the tennis world at Flushing Meadows with an uncompromising roar, to go out- though not with a single whimper, take note Marcos Bagdahtis - with his body simply not able to perform was frustrating to watch.  A healthy Agassi, or a three-quarters Agassi, kills anyone who makes almost seventy unforced errors. Finally, I was tremendously impressed and impacted by his farewell speech.  It was succinct, eloquent, and conveyed two careers' worth of experience and life-lessons learned.  I would rate it with Gehrig's farewell speech, if only because of the seeming spontanaity of it - though I am not so naive as to think he did not do some planning of it before the tournament, to be used when necessary.  After everything announcers said about how generous a spirit he had and a sense of the game being larger than anyone one person, it still caught me off guard.  It brought tears to my eyes.  Really.  This is the first era that I saw born, reborn, and then concluded.  It was quite a ride. 

The Red Sox are horrible.  I don't even know if they managed to pull off Wells and Loretta trades on the evening of Aug 31st, but I hope so.  They are done for the year.  Injuries hurt, but they did nothing at the deadline.  Hats of to the Yankees for the steal of the millenium.  My only hope is that this was a situation like poker where the pros always know what hands not to play, and Epstein would have been sacrificing too much for next year and the year after to get not that much of a help.  We are looking good for next year, but with the second-highest payroll (by far) taking a year off is not an option.  What are we, Randy Moss?  Thank God Belichek and Brady will be in primetime soon.

 Which brings us to the Patriots.  Not the most exciting offseason, but Belichek has passed well out of the realm where I need to have some inkling of what he is thinking to feel safe.  He could put the waterboy at middle linebacker for an injured Tedy Bruschi and I would expect the guy to make a run at rookie of the year.  They're going to be undertalented this year, and will be looking to make up for last year's debacle (read: playoff loss).  Can't wait.  To see NFL Power Rankings click here.