Thursday, November 09, 2006

Porky's 43; Gym Bar 40

It was right down the wire, sports fans. The game was close through both halves. Gym Bar and Porky's took turns leading the score. But, the final count is the final count. There is no glory in 2nd place. Just ask the losers of the World Series this year.

But this is merely a speed bump, not a roadblock. Gym Bar and I will be back with a vengeance as we take on Barracuda next Sunday at 3pm. It will be a real barn burner and front row seats are aplenty!

(Games are played at Little Red School. That's on Thompson Street, just steps south of Houston. The first game starts at 3pm and the 2nd game starts at 4pm. If you like athletic, sweaty men in shorts, it might be your thang.)

Tuesday, November 07, 2006

19 Months, 3 Weeks and 4 Days

That's how long the gentleman said that he had spent in combat in the South Pacific during both the Korean and Vietnam wars. He told me his age was is "three score and ten, plus one." He said, "you don't even know how much that is, do you, young fella?" I said that, yes, I did know that it was 71. He was impressed.

The conversation started only because I was wearing a t-shirt that had some Tagalog writing on it. He asked what it said. I told him that "Tag Hirap" means poor man--or something similar. He told me that there are sure some tough fighters from the Philippines. I told him that I didn't know how tough they are, but they can sure be mean.

He pointed to the scars on his face and removed his hat to show me where the metal plate is. His gnarled finger, he said, came from the Red Chinese just outside of Peking. According to his count, he had some 19 medals from combat. Most of them, he said, were honors bestowed by other countries. In spite of claustrophobia, PTSD, brain trauma, broken bones and time in a POW camp, he returned to the US and began working. And has not taken a sick day in over 20 years. This is the gentleman who ushered me to the voting booth tonight. An election Sheriff.

Yes, I'm glad I voted. I'll never confess to my mother that I voted for (at least) two Democrats in this election. But like the sanctity of military service, there should be sanctity for same-gender marriage. The Republicans on my ballot failed to offer me what I want in that regard.

Friday, November 03, 2006

I Bleed Blue

Pitino? Yeah, you stay in Louisville, you traitor. Smith? Get your ass in gear or go away. Rupp? Where are you when we need you?

Those names will only mean something to those who proudly support the University of Kentucky Wildcats. And I'm talking basketball. I mention basketball because this week I signed up for a basketball league. I will play for the team sponsored by Gym Bar in Chelsea. Chelsea, a place where I only go to visit my company's NYC office.

The first game is Sunday, November 5. My game begins at 3pm. Fortunately, only a couple of people know that I have joined the league. No one who knows about it is able to attend. Therefore if (when) I embarrass myself on the court, only strangers will be there to see. And who cares what strangers think?

When (if) I survive the first game, I promise a full report afterwards. After 8 years of playing basketball in Kentucky, and a hiatus of twice that many years, I am looking forward to stepping back on the hardwood. Since it is a gay league, I had to buy new shoes. I just hope no one notices that they are last season's Nike's.