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Sunday, October 31, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
WXPN Free Concerts
http://www.xpn.org/concerts-events/free-at-noon
Hear a live concert every Friday at 12noon ET from WXPN and NPR Music
Broadcast live from the stage at World Cafe Live
Upon the epic release of their sophomore album "The other Side of Zero," the whimsical pop/rock trio Elizabeth & The Catapult grace the stage for another Free at Noon Performance.
The Brooklyn based group became an underground sensation back in 2006 after the release of their debut EP Elizabeth & The Catapult, becoming a popular staple in the Lower East Side of NY. Frontwoman Elizabeth Ziman is a trained classical pianist and vocalist who, while attending the prestigious Berklee college of Music, won the 2001 ASCAP Leiber and Stoller award for her song "Like Water is to Sand." After touring with Patti Austin, Ziman began incorporating jazz influences into her personal compositions, which began to materialize after a chance meeting with drummer Dan Molad. A third Berklee student, Pete Lalish, entered the mix and the trio fully materialized upon their graduation by relocating to Brooklyn. While they became immediate local darlings with their debut album, they hadn't garnered national attention until the release of their sophomore album "Taller Children" on Verve Records.
Hear a live concert every Friday at 12noon ET from WXPN and NPR Music
Broadcast live from the stage at World Cafe Live
Elizabeth & The Catapult grace the stage for another Free at Noon Performance.
Upon the epic release of their sophomore album "The other Side of Zero," the whimsical pop/rock trio Elizabeth & The Catapult grace the stage for another Free at Noon Performance.
The Brooklyn based group became an underground sensation back in 2006 after the release of their debut EP Elizabeth & The Catapult, becoming a popular staple in the Lower East Side of NY. Frontwoman Elizabeth Ziman is a trained classical pianist and vocalist who, while attending the prestigious Berklee college of Music, won the 2001 ASCAP Leiber and Stoller award for her song "Like Water is to Sand." After touring with Patti Austin, Ziman began incorporating jazz influences into her personal compositions, which began to materialize after a chance meeting with drummer Dan Molad. A third Berklee student, Pete Lalish, entered the mix and the trio fully materialized upon their graduation by relocating to Brooklyn. While they became immediate local darlings with their debut album, they hadn't garnered national attention until the release of their sophomore album "Taller Children" on Verve Records.
The Barnes Foundation houses one of the finest collections of nineteenth and twentieth-century French painting in the world. An extraordinary number of masterpieces by Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse provide a depth of work by these artists unavailable elsewhere. Established as an educational institution the Barnes carries out its mission teaching classes in its galleries and Arboretum. The Barnes welcomes visitors and students throughout the year.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
6 Ideas for American Sustainable & Renewable Energy Independence
America does not have to depend on foreign sources for one of its most
vital national needs. A move toward energy independence, in addition to creating
as many as 14 million new jobs, could help rebuild our nation's industrial base
and provide one of the most stable and secure energy supplies in the world. Best
of all, this new domestic product can be both sustainable.
Here are six ideas on how to start:
1. Invest in new infrastructure to process alternative fuels.
There is little dispute over the feasibility of manufacturing liquid fuels from
non-petroleum sources. Brazil is energy independent thanks to production of
ethanol from sugarcane. Germany relied on coal during World War II and South
Africa continues to tap coal and natural gas resources. The same technology is
capable of producing fuels in the United States - and decades of research and
the emergence of nanotechnology make energy produced this way much more
affordable and economically competitive with oil-based fuels.
<br /><br />Gasification is the simple technology process of taking an organic
material (such as coal or biomass) and converting it to a mixture of gases is
the first step. There are already at least 20 plants in operation or under
construction and multiple competing commercial technologies n the United States
alone, mostly in the chemical industry. Using a separate but related technology,
the manufactured gases can be converted to form a wide range of fuels, including
those already most familiar to Americans and compatible with the existing
vehicle fleet and infrastructure: diesel, jet fuel, gasoline components, and
ethanol. <br /><br />Fuel production in this manner can be profitable and
economical. While the level of capital investment is significantly higher than a
comparably-yielding oil refinery, the capital cost is spread over the long life
of a plant, and savings show up in other places. Even with the cost of raw
materials, energy inputs, and depreciation of the plant included, the break-even
cost of producing fuel is around $1.25 per gallon, an amount notably lower than
the current wholesale price of gasoline and other liquid fuels.
2. Use existing biomass to ease our transition away from petroleum use. While virtually
any organic material (i.e. coal, natural gas and biomass) can be used to
manufacture fuel, biomass offers a distinct advantage: Its use makes the entire
fuel cycle carbon-neutral. (A carbon-neutral fuel cycle means that no matter how
much fuel we consume, there will be no net increase in carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere.) The federal government has done significant research into
determining available biomass resources. An April 2005 joint report from the
Departments of Agriculture and Energy ascertained that annual national biomass
potential "exceeds 1.3 billion dry tons annually -- the equivalent of more than
one-third of the current demand for transportation fuels." Of that amount, more
than 300 million tons per year are already available, currently unused or
underused.
Biomass comes from numerous ready-made sources: residues
generated by traditional logging operations and clearing of timberlands; forest
thinning for purposes of fire suppression; processing wastes (including primary
mills, secondary mills, and paper mills); urban wood residues (such as
construction and demolition debris; yard waste; and discarded furniture,
cabinets, pallets, containers and scrap wood. In combination, these stocks
comprise a formidable supply of biomass that could be refined to supplant a
portion of the petroleum the United States currently imports. <br /><br />3. Grow
"energy" crops. Once we've exhausted the country's existing supply of biomass,
we will need a consistent and sustainable source of additional biomass -- and
that will require cultivating so-called "energy crops." The U.S. already
produces ethanol from corn, making it the first crop grown here specifically for
the production of energy. Unfortunately, the use of corn for ethanol has several
distinct disadvantages, the most important of which is its relative land
efficiency. To supplant all foreign oil using corn ethanol (currently the most
popular non-petroleum fuel, by far), a total of 561 million acres would need to
be planted in corn, an expanse that represents nearly 30 percent of the total
land area of the contiguous 48 states.
The solution is finding alternative crops with much higher yields. There are quite
a few varieties of grasses and a few types of trees that produce enough biomass material
to make their growth substantially more land-efficient than corn. Two examples include
switchgrass and arundo. Their use also negates one main argument against using corn and
other energy crops for fuel: that their use could diminish the world's food supply. As
long as productive food-producing land is not taken out of cultivation, the
addition of Arundo and Switchgrass to the agricultural scheme should have very
little effect on food production.
4. Implement government intervention
wisely. Based on the capital cost of thermochemical fuel plants and the cost of
establishing high-yield energy crops, the investment necessary to build
infrastructure capable of supplanting all foreign oil could total $900 billion.
The government is not going to fund this all at once, or ever, and experience
has taught us that public expenditures aren't the ideal way to approach this
kind of a challenge anyway. But encouraging -- and incentivizing -- private
enterprise to make capital investments on this scale is the federal government's
proper function. <br /><br />There are many steps government can take to grow and
protect an alternative-fuels industry. For starters, one immediate risk to such
a nascent industry is a counter-attack from powerful predators, such as oil
exporters and multinational oil companies. It is essential to the long-term
survival of the industry that it be protected from a reactionary drop in prices.
One potential mechanism for protection is the establishment of a price
floor for crude oil. The floor price could be set to ensure that domestic
alternatives, including fuel produced from biomass, could compete with foreign
oil even in a falling market. There are many ways to achieve this effect, but
one straightforward approach would be an import tariff, which would help support
not only alternative fuels but also the domestic oil and gas industries that
have higher extraction costs than its overseas competitors.
5. Develop more fuel-efficient cars. CAFÉ standards, which were implemented after the oil
embargo in the 1970s, have proven remarkably effective in driving fuel
efficiency. From 1978 to 1985, a period of continuous increases in fuel economy
standards, U.S. oil usage steadily declined. The mid-1980s saw a significant and
sustained period of low worldwide oil prices, however. Cheap oil meant a
decreased interest among Americans and their political leaders of both major
parties in continuing to push conservation measures, particularly fuel economy.
CAFÉ standards became a largely forgotten method of promoting increased fuel
efficiency. <br /><br />It wasn't until December 2008 that the federal government
finally increased them again, updating the law to require U.S. automakers and
importers to increase the average fuel economy of their cars and light trucks to
35 miles per gallon by the year 2020.
It's time for a serious new focuson developing more fuel-efficient vehicles. Incremental steps are important, andimproved fuel efficiency is essential, but the next measures must be
revolutionary innovations in vehicle design that will radically impact fuel
demand. Hybrid and plug-in electric hybrid vehicles are some of the most
promising options.
6. Renew efforts to develop new nuclear power.
Nuclear plants have proven remarkably safe in the United States, and they offer
power-generating capabilities at competitive prices without any discharge of
greenhouse gases. For this reason and because power demands in the United States
will continue to increase, the construction of new nuclear plants should be
encouraged through legislative policies.
Article Source: http://blog.bnenergy.com
Free ContentMake some cash, Post your articles to our free article directory today! http://www.getyourcontent.com
vital national needs. A move toward energy independence, in addition to creating
as many as 14 million new jobs, could help rebuild our nation's industrial base
and provide one of the most stable and secure energy supplies in the world. Best
of all, this new domestic product can be both sustainable.
Here are six ideas on how to start:
1. Invest in new infrastructure to process alternative fuels.
There is little dispute over the feasibility of manufacturing liquid fuels from
non-petroleum sources. Brazil is energy independent thanks to production of
ethanol from sugarcane. Germany relied on coal during World War II and South
Africa continues to tap coal and natural gas resources. The same technology is
capable of producing fuels in the United States - and decades of research and
the emergence of nanotechnology make energy produced this way much more
affordable and economically competitive with oil-based fuels.
<br /><br />Gasification is the simple technology process of taking an organic
material (such as coal or biomass) and converting it to a mixture of gases is
the first step. There are already at least 20 plants in operation or under
construction and multiple competing commercial technologies n the United States
alone, mostly in the chemical industry. Using a separate but related technology,
the manufactured gases can be converted to form a wide range of fuels, including
those already most familiar to Americans and compatible with the existing
vehicle fleet and infrastructure: diesel, jet fuel, gasoline components, and
ethanol. <br /><br />Fuel production in this manner can be profitable and
economical. While the level of capital investment is significantly higher than a
comparably-yielding oil refinery, the capital cost is spread over the long life
of a plant, and savings show up in other places. Even with the cost of raw
materials, energy inputs, and depreciation of the plant included, the break-even
cost of producing fuel is around $1.25 per gallon, an amount notably lower than
the current wholesale price of gasoline and other liquid fuels.
2. Use existing biomass to ease our transition away from petroleum use. While virtually
any organic material (i.e. coal, natural gas and biomass) can be used to
manufacture fuel, biomass offers a distinct advantage: Its use makes the entire
fuel cycle carbon-neutral. (A carbon-neutral fuel cycle means that no matter how
much fuel we consume, there will be no net increase in carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere.) The federal government has done significant research into
determining available biomass resources. An April 2005 joint report from the
Departments of Agriculture and Energy ascertained that annual national biomass
potential "exceeds 1.3 billion dry tons annually -- the equivalent of more than
one-third of the current demand for transportation fuels." Of that amount, more
than 300 million tons per year are already available, currently unused or
underused.
Biomass comes from numerous ready-made sources: residues
generated by traditional logging operations and clearing of timberlands; forest
thinning for purposes of fire suppression; processing wastes (including primary
mills, secondary mills, and paper mills); urban wood residues (such as
construction and demolition debris; yard waste; and discarded furniture,
cabinets, pallets, containers and scrap wood. In combination, these stocks
comprise a formidable supply of biomass that could be refined to supplant a
portion of the petroleum the United States currently imports. <br /><br />3. Grow
"energy" crops. Once we've exhausted the country's existing supply of biomass,
we will need a consistent and sustainable source of additional biomass -- and
that will require cultivating so-called "energy crops." The U.S. already
produces ethanol from corn, making it the first crop grown here specifically for
the production of energy. Unfortunately, the use of corn for ethanol has several
distinct disadvantages, the most important of which is its relative land
efficiency. To supplant all foreign oil using corn ethanol (currently the most
popular non-petroleum fuel, by far), a total of 561 million acres would need to
be planted in corn, an expanse that represents nearly 30 percent of the total
land area of the contiguous 48 states.
The solution is finding alternative crops with much higher yields. There are quite
a few varieties of grasses and a few types of trees that produce enough biomass material
to make their growth substantially more land-efficient than corn. Two examples include
switchgrass and arundo. Their use also negates one main argument against using corn and
other energy crops for fuel: that their use could diminish the world's food supply. As
long as productive food-producing land is not taken out of cultivation, the
addition of Arundo and Switchgrass to the agricultural scheme should have very
little effect on food production.
4. Implement government intervention
wisely. Based on the capital cost of thermochemical fuel plants and the cost of
establishing high-yield energy crops, the investment necessary to build
infrastructure capable of supplanting all foreign oil could total $900 billion.
The government is not going to fund this all at once, or ever, and experience
has taught us that public expenditures aren't the ideal way to approach this
kind of a challenge anyway. But encouraging -- and incentivizing -- private
enterprise to make capital investments on this scale is the federal government's
proper function. <br /><br />There are many steps government can take to grow and
protect an alternative-fuels industry. For starters, one immediate risk to such
a nascent industry is a counter-attack from powerful predators, such as oil
exporters and multinational oil companies. It is essential to the long-term
survival of the industry that it be protected from a reactionary drop in prices.
One potential mechanism for protection is the establishment of a price
floor for crude oil. The floor price could be set to ensure that domestic
alternatives, including fuel produced from biomass, could compete with foreign
oil even in a falling market. There are many ways to achieve this effect, but
one straightforward approach would be an import tariff, which would help support
not only alternative fuels but also the domestic oil and gas industries that
have higher extraction costs than its overseas competitors.
5. Develop more fuel-efficient cars. CAFÉ standards, which were implemented after the oil
embargo in the 1970s, have proven remarkably effective in driving fuel
efficiency. From 1978 to 1985, a period of continuous increases in fuel economy
standards, U.S. oil usage steadily declined. The mid-1980s saw a significant and
sustained period of low worldwide oil prices, however. Cheap oil meant a
decreased interest among Americans and their political leaders of both major
parties in continuing to push conservation measures, particularly fuel economy.
CAFÉ standards became a largely forgotten method of promoting increased fuel
efficiency. <br /><br />It wasn't until December 2008 that the federal government
finally increased them again, updating the law to require U.S. automakers and
importers to increase the average fuel economy of their cars and light trucks to
35 miles per gallon by the year 2020.
It's time for a serious new focuson developing more fuel-efficient vehicles. Incremental steps are important, andimproved fuel efficiency is essential, but the next measures must be
revolutionary innovations in vehicle design that will radically impact fuel
demand. Hybrid and plug-in electric hybrid vehicles are some of the most
promising options.
6. Renew efforts to develop new nuclear power.
Nuclear plants have proven remarkably safe in the United States, and they offer
power-generating capabilities at competitive prices without any discharge of
greenhouse gases. For this reason and because power demands in the United States
will continue to increase, the construction of new nuclear plants should be
encouraged through legislative policies.
Article Source: http://blog.bnenergy.com
Free ContentMake some cash, Post your articles to our free article directory today! http://www.getyourcontent.com
Monday, October 25, 2010
The Daily Star - Opinion Articles - Should we fear Islam?
The Daily Star - Opinion Articles - Should we fear Islam?
Buy this Book: "The Arab Lobby" by Mitchell Bard to become more informed
Buy this Book: "The Arab Lobby" by Mitchell Bard to become more informed
Oil Exports Iran to Italy Up 84.6%
Italy’s oil imports from Iran rose by 84.6 percent in the first seven months of 2010 to reach 6.12 million tons, said the Italian industry group Unione Petrolifera (UP).
The group in a statement published on its website said that Italy imported 43.53 million tons of crude oil in the January-July period.
According to UP, Iran’s oil accounted for 15 percent of total crude imports of Italy.
The jump in Italy’s imports came as the United States and its allies are making efforts to impose restrictions on Iran’s energy imports and exports over the country’s nuclear activities.
After the UN Security Council issued a resolution imposing a fourth round of sanctions on Iran in June, the United States and the European Union followed suit, imposing their own unilateral sanctions.
On Friday, Italian Prime Minster Silvio Berlusconi doubted the success of the sanctions, saying that “a more gentle approach” may prove useful.
Although Italy has participated in the sanctions against the Islamic Republic, “I fear that sanctions will not bring success,’’ Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper quoted Berlusconi as saying.
“A gentle and circumspect approach would be more helpful,’’ the Italian premier told the newspaper.
On Thursday, Ahmad Qalebani, the managing director of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) said that the demand for Iranian crude oil has increased despite sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
“Sanctions have had no impact on Iran’s oil exports. Sanctions did not reduce Iran’s oil exports but increased demand for the country’s oil,” Qalebani pointed out.
Iran is the second largest oil producer of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
The group in a statement published on its website said that Italy imported 43.53 million tons of crude oil in the January-July period.
According to UP, Iran’s oil accounted for 15 percent of total crude imports of Italy.
The jump in Italy’s imports came as the United States and its allies are making efforts to impose restrictions on Iran’s energy imports and exports over the country’s nuclear activities.
After the UN Security Council issued a resolution imposing a fourth round of sanctions on Iran in June, the United States and the European Union followed suit, imposing their own unilateral sanctions.
On Friday, Italian Prime Minster Silvio Berlusconi doubted the success of the sanctions, saying that “a more gentle approach” may prove useful.
Although Italy has participated in the sanctions against the Islamic Republic, “I fear that sanctions will not bring success,’’ Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper quoted Berlusconi as saying.
“A gentle and circumspect approach would be more helpful,’’ the Italian premier told the newspaper.
On Thursday, Ahmad Qalebani, the managing director of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) said that the demand for Iranian crude oil has increased despite sanctions against the Islamic Republic.
“Sanctions have had no impact on Iran’s oil exports. Sanctions did not reduce Iran’s oil exports but increased demand for the country’s oil,” Qalebani pointed out.
Iran is the second largest oil producer of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Source: iran-daily.com
Sunday, October 24, 2010
GiG ::: Modern Apollo Booking Now!
Contact any of the band members, either on facebook or via cell phone, youtube, twitter
to guarantee a rockin' good time @ parties, get-togethers, art openings, schools,etc.
Saturday, November 6 · 7:00pm - 9:30pm
Location The Coffee Club Media PA 19063
More Info You should all know the deal by now, tickets are five (5) dollars at the door, and doors open at 7:00.
Behave yourselves now.
Modern Apollo is an Alternative/Punk band featuring : Zac Schauerman, Matt Falkenstein, Mike Shanahan, Nick Fassino, and Jake Westphal.
Paper Warehouse is a post-pop/alternative/psychadelic/funk/rock/punk/awesome band from Carroll, featuring Mike Wiedner, Sean McAteer, Creigh Hallahan, and Andy McManus.
Safety Second is an Alternative/Pop-Punk band featuring Paul Marchesani, Tristan Jones, Mike D'Angelo, and Alex Soussan.
Contact any of the band members, either on facebook or via cell phone, youtube, twitter
to guarantee a rockin' good time @ parties, get-togethers, art openings, schools,etc.
Saturday, November 6 · 7:00pm - 9:30pm
Location The Coffee Club Media PA 19063
More Info You should all know the deal by now, tickets are five (5) dollars at the door, and doors open at 7:00.
Behave yourselves now.
Modern Apollo is an Alternative/Punk band featuring : Zac Schauerman, Matt Falkenstein, Mike Shanahan, Nick Fassino, and Jake Westphal.
Paper Warehouse is a post-pop/alternative/psychadelic/funk/rock/punk/awesome band from Carroll, featuring Mike Wiedner, Sean McAteer, Creigh Hallahan, and Andy McManus.
Safety Second is an Alternative/Pop-Punk band featuring Paul Marchesani, Tristan Jones, Mike D'Angelo, and Alex Soussan.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Attend the The Green Fest
Pay it Forward: Get It Back
As the nation’s largest sustainability event, Green Festival seeks not only to bring an amazing weekend of education and fun to each city, but also to leave a lasting impact. We are always looking for new ways to connect and empower communities. This fall is no exception as we proudly unveil the “Pay it Forward, Get it Back at Green Festival” campaign to unite with local nonprofit organizations and reward local people who take an active interest in their communities.
Our “nonprofit allies” are a mixture of amazing organizations dedicated to improving the environment, providing social services, educating youth, securing a safe and just workspace and more. As we strive to recover during these difficult economic times, it is more important than ever to pay it forward, even if all we can give is our time.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Back in the 40s, when fluoride was first added to the water supply, most dentists believed that
you had to swallow the stuff in order for it to work. It hadn’t been proven, mind you. But that
didn’t stop the government from including it in the chemical cocktail that’s routinely added to
your tap water.
A lot has changed since then, though. Now, more than 50 years of research has proven,
beyond a doubt, that fluoride is NOT suitable for human consumption. Period. You may also be
surprised to learn fluoride is AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED POISON!!
That’s right. For years fluoride was classified as a toxic waste in this country. In fact, not too long ago
its only approved uses were as an insecticide and a RAT POISON! Most nations have wisely abandoned
fluoridation, realizing that it was a horrible mistake and was responsible for bad health and death in mil-
lions of innocent people. Most nations, except, of course, for the good ol’ U.S. of A.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Why Do Leaves on Trees Change?
As summer ends and autumn comes, the days get shorter and shorter. This is how the trees "know" to begin getting ready for winter.
During winter, there is not enough light or water for photosynthesis. The trees will rest, and live off the food they stored during the summer. They begin to shut down their food-making factories. The green chlorophyll disappears from the leaves. As the bright green fades away, we begin to see yellow and orange colors. Small amounts of these colors have been in the leaves all along. We just can't see them in the summer, because they are covered up by the green chlorophyll.
The bright reds and purples we see in leaves are made mostly in the fall. In some trees, like maples, glucose is trapped in the leaves after photosynthesis stops. Sunlight and the cool nights of autumn cause the leaves turn this glucose into a red color. The brown color of trees like oaks is made from wastes left in the leaves.
It is the combination of all these things that make the beautiful colors we enjoy in the fall.
thank you for the reprint from: sciencemadesimple.com/leaves.html
Nov 18 06, 4:07 AM
During winter, there is not enough light or water for photosynthesis. The trees will rest, and live off the food they stored during the summer. They begin to shut down their food-making factories. The green chlorophyll disappears from the leaves. As the bright green fades away, we begin to see yellow and orange colors. Small amounts of these colors have been in the leaves all along. We just can't see them in the summer, because they are covered up by the green chlorophyll.
The bright reds and purples we see in leaves are made mostly in the fall. In some trees, like maples, glucose is trapped in the leaves after photosynthesis stops. Sunlight and the cool nights of autumn cause the leaves turn this glucose into a red color. The brown color of trees like oaks is made from wastes left in the leaves.
It is the combination of all these things that make the beautiful colors we enjoy in the fall.
thank you for the reprint from: sciencemadesimple.com/leaves.html
Nov 18 06, 4:07 AM
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
The Home Team By: David Collins
Most of us are born to our allegiances. Especially for the home team. Our fathers taking us to our first baseball game, the perfectly manicured green grass and white on white of the baselines so precisely laid out before us as giants warmed up under the brilliant summer sun. From then to eternity that team was mine. It binds us to a town a city, an era, it becomes who we are, it defines us in ways beyond rational explanation. We wear our loyalty in game jerseys with our hero's name emblazoned on the back, we paint our faces our team's colors, we name our children after our favorite players. We're crazy, crazy for our team.
Win or lose, celebrate or mourn we love our team. Monday ain't blue if your team won on Sunday. But we soon get over it if they don't, because there is always next week, next year or if you are a Cub fan, the next millennia. The best part of sport is that there always is next year, a do over of sorts. One that life doesn't provide us with, but does for our team. That's what keeps us coming back for more. One more chance at redemption . One more chance to be the best. To be champions. Everyone loves a winner, but the true fan, one born of the loyalty of personal connection, loves his team no matter what. There is no band wagon to jump on or off of. They are your team through thick and thin, win or lose.
I come from a time and place were loyalty was everything. At work and at play. The team was everything. Whether it was your sandlot buddies or the guys on the line at the assembly plant or steel mill, it was your world, it was who you were, it was your identity. I have lived, worked and played all over the world and there is one constant that bonds males and it is sport. I have played sandlot football in the shadow of hulking rusted steel mills belching smoke and ash that coated the snow black. Stood shoulder to shoulder with players from the other team as we walked the length of the field picking and chucking rocks that clanged off the empty aluminum bleachers. Then stood toe to toe and knocked the crap outta each other for hours or until it got too dark to play or we ran out of players. I have played baseball on fields glistening with broken glass and basketball on courts littered with hypodermic needles in the slums of Philadelphia and New York and San Juan. I've kicked around soccer balls in the hot sands of the Middle East with guys that played in the World Cup from Holland. I sat, in a freezing car, with four friends in Minneapolis listening to the U.S.A. beat Russia in the '80 Olympics, on the radio because we forgot to pay the electric bill. I've stood in race control at the 2000 Daytona 500 flashing hand signals to the broadcast crews who couldn't understand why the race director had yellow flagged the race toward the end of the race as 200,000 fans screamed in anger or joy as their favorite got robbed or caught a break. I've watched Superbowls, World Series games and World Cup matches in bars from Bangkok to Bangor. I have partied with the great and not so great, the famous and the infamous. I have been fortunate to have traveled the world and it is the passion of sport that has broken down language and cultural barriers along the way.
Win or lose, celebrate or mourn we love our team. Monday ain't blue if your team won on Sunday. But we soon get over it if they don't, because there is always next week, next year or if you are a Cub fan, the next millennia. The best part of sport is that there always is next year, a do over of sorts. One that life doesn't provide us with, but does for our team. That's what keeps us coming back for more. One more chance at redemption . One more chance to be the best. To be champions. Everyone loves a winner, but the true fan, one born of the loyalty of personal connection, loves his team no matter what. There is no band wagon to jump on or off of. They are your team through thick and thin, win or lose.
I come from a time and place were loyalty was everything. At work and at play. The team was everything. Whether it was your sandlot buddies or the guys on the line at the assembly plant or steel mill, it was your world, it was who you were, it was your identity. I have lived, worked and played all over the world and there is one constant that bonds males and it is sport. I have played sandlot football in the shadow of hulking rusted steel mills belching smoke and ash that coated the snow black. Stood shoulder to shoulder with players from the other team as we walked the length of the field picking and chucking rocks that clanged off the empty aluminum bleachers. Then stood toe to toe and knocked the crap outta each other for hours or until it got too dark to play or we ran out of players. I have played baseball on fields glistening with broken glass and basketball on courts littered with hypodermic needles in the slums of Philadelphia and New York and San Juan. I've kicked around soccer balls in the hot sands of the Middle East with guys that played in the World Cup from Holland. I sat, in a freezing car, with four friends in Minneapolis listening to the U.S.A. beat Russia in the '80 Olympics, on the radio because we forgot to pay the electric bill. I've stood in race control at the 2000 Daytona 500 flashing hand signals to the broadcast crews who couldn't understand why the race director had yellow flagged the race toward the end of the race as 200,000 fans screamed in anger or joy as their favorite got robbed or caught a break. I've watched Superbowls, World Series games and World Cup matches in bars from Bangkok to Bangor. I have partied with the great and not so great, the famous and the infamous. I have been fortunate to have traveled the world and it is the passion of sport that has broken down language and cultural barriers along the way.
If there is one thing men are more passionate about than religion or politics or women for that matter, it is sport, especially the home team. Life long friendships born of the love of sport are formed out of those passions. The internet and forums like The Sports Outlaw have given us a place to show our loyalty and passion to the whole world and to form more life long friendships.
Give me some peanuts and Cracker Jack, because I'm going to root root root for the home team.
Author Bio
Read more information at www.sportsoutlaw.com
Read more information at www.sportsoutlaw.com
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silver & gold bullion
Why Buy Gold?
Natural Is Better!
