Last night, I watched the 1982 NCAA Basketball Championship between North Carolina and Georgetown on ESPN Classic. This game is widely considered one of the most exciting and memorable championship games in that sport. It is the last one that I don't personally rememember watching. I probably was watching it - we were a college basketball household - but I don't remember that night. I remember the next year's NC State/Houston classic and I remember Lorenzo Charles' last-second tip-in that shocked the world. The UNC/Georgetown one, I only know from what I've heard.
I knew Michael Jordan, as a freshman, hit the game-winning shot. I knew that Freddie Brown of Georgetown threw the ball right to James Worthy of UNC in the closing seconds, sealing the loss. It is the only reason I know Freddie Brown's name. That is sad. I have often wondered whether he's glad he got to play in that game. Making it to the championship game, even if you lose, is a life-changing memory, but who wants to be remembered for the bad play at the end of the game? I'd be interested in his take on it after all these years. I'm sure interviews and articles have been done. I'll have to check it out. Anyway...
Watching the game was really weird. First of all, because these two teams played last week for a trip to the Final Four, there has been a lot of talk about the storied championship game. It was pretty well hyped in my mind. Watching it, though, made me realize how dramatically the game has changed. There was no shot clock. There were no 3-pointers. There was a lot more standing around. It was intense and competitive, but slow and rudimentary compared to the effort and sophistication of today's game. If it were played today, it would appear to be at about 65% of normal speed and energy. I have seen this transformation happen gradually, but watching that game, thought to be one of the greats, illustrated it sharply.
The strangest part, though, was watching Michael Jordan. He was a promising freshman, at the time, but no one in the world knew the phenomenon he would become. He was, or at least led, the aforementioned transformation of the sport. He was like nothing anyone had ever seen or imagined. But in this game, he wasn't any of that yet. He was kind of slow. A little timid. He was the team's 3rd or 4th offensive option. He missed lay-ups early in the game, but came on strong late, finishing with 16 points, including the game winner. He would fake toward the basket, but not drive by a defender. The announcers, discovering that he might be really good as they watched, would say things like, "Boy, this kid can really jump high!" It was unbelievable to watch him, knowing what he could do - what he would one day do - and not see him do it. I'll stop babbling about it now, but if you ever want to feel like you're in the Twilight Zone, watch that game where no one except you knows you are watching the greatest player ever.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Friday, March 23, 2007
Hi. My name is... Zippy?
Next week, I am doing a comedy workshop at a prominent private girls' high school here in Memphis (St. Mary's Episcopal School. I figured I'd go ahead and say it for the benefit of the Turkeys - that's the school's mascot, and still they think they need me for comedy - who are regular ZiggyBackRiders.) as part of an arts day full of activities with various performance and visual artists.
The students choose two workshops to attend, based on write-ups they are given in advance of the big day. I was asked to send a bio and a little info on what we would be doing in my "class." I sent her my official bio from www.laughwithziggy.com, along with the following...
Join reigning "Funniest Person in Memphis," Michael "Ziggy" Danziger to explore what is funny, learn where to find it, and figure out how to use it without hurting yourself.
I have not seen the publicity that the students received, but according to sources close to the school, it was evidently edited to reflect my corrected nickname, Zippy. Now, I don't mean to split hairs and there's no denying that Ziggy is not the most dignified sounding moniker ever, but Zippy? Zippy! If, in fact, any high school girl in her right mind signed up to learn about comedy from someone named Zippy, I feel certain she'll be expecting a clown. I might dress as one. "Hey kids! Who wants to laugh?!?" It's going to be great.
The students choose two workshops to attend, based on write-ups they are given in advance of the big day. I was asked to send a bio and a little info on what we would be doing in my "class." I sent her my official bio from www.laughwithziggy.com, along with the following...
Join reigning "Funniest Person in Memphis," Michael "Ziggy" Danziger to explore what is funny, learn where to find it, and figure out how to use it without hurting yourself.
I have not seen the publicity that the students received, but according to sources close to the school, it was evidently edited to reflect my corrected nickname, Zippy. Now, I don't mean to split hairs and there's no denying that Ziggy is not the most dignified sounding moniker ever, but Zippy? Zippy! If, in fact, any high school girl in her right mind signed up to learn about comedy from someone named Zippy, I feel certain she'll be expecting a clown. I might dress as one. "Hey kids! Who wants to laugh?!?" It's going to be great.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Fortunately/Unfortunately
Fortunately I have very successful friends. I have friends who are outstanding attorneys, business people, teachers, doctors, and all-around good people.
Unfortunately, I have shingles, diagnosed and treated by a doctor friend. Shingles, to get you up to speed on my condition is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. Once you've had chixpox, you have it inside you waiting, waiting for just the right moment to travel through your nervous system and cause painful blistering on your back and side or on one side of your head and face. For two thirds of cases, the right moment is after age 50. For me, it was last Thursday night. It got progressively worse on my bus ride to New Orleans Friday for a youth group convention at which I was the songleader. Fortunately, one of my doctor friends was there ready to prescribe stuff, including steroids. Unfortunately, this makes me a very unlikely candidate for the baseball hall of fame.
Unfortunately: 2
Fortunately: 2
Fortunately, I was right about the Memphis basketball team (so far). I didn't buy that they would lose before the Sweet 16 as Dick Vitale and others found it fashionable to predict. They did not disappoint. Neither, I might add, did our neighbors. Let's hear it for the Great State of Tennessee, which has three teams remaining in the field - my beloved Tigers, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt. Memphis plays Texas A&M next. A tough draw against my mortal enemy as a Texas Longhorn. Tennessee, the Tigers' cross-state rival, plays the archrival of my brothers' Michigan Wolverines, the Ohio State Buckeyes. There is a lot of bad blood in this regional for me. I would LOVE to see the Tigers emerge as the Final Four representative!
Unfortunately, I was right about the Texas basketball team. I didn't buy that they would do all the great things, including a possible run to the Elite 8 or Final Four that Dick Vitale and others found it fashionable to predict. I did think they would win one more game than they did, but they took their beating early, at the hands of a USC Trojans team that was most certainly out to avenge their football team's Rose Bowl loss at the hands of the Longhorns in January of '06.
U: 3
F: 3
Unfortunately, I am not doing well in my tournament pools, after slow showings in the first and second rounds. Fortunately, I have done well enough to still make a run at winning if the right things happen. I have all eight of my Elite 8 remaining. I'll, of course, keep you posted.
U: 4
F: 4
Fortunately, the Lady Rabs won their first game of season 3 a couple weeks ago. Unfortunately, they lost last week's game by forfeit due to spring break travel.
U: 5
F: 5
Big game tomorrow. Unfortunately (or fortunately) we'll probably tie.
Sincerely,
Even Steven
Unfortunately, I have shingles, diagnosed and treated by a doctor friend. Shingles, to get you up to speed on my condition is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. Once you've had chixpox, you have it inside you waiting, waiting for just the right moment to travel through your nervous system and cause painful blistering on your back and side or on one side of your head and face. For two thirds of cases, the right moment is after age 50. For me, it was last Thursday night. It got progressively worse on my bus ride to New Orleans Friday for a youth group convention at which I was the songleader. Fortunately, one of my doctor friends was there ready to prescribe stuff, including steroids. Unfortunately, this makes me a very unlikely candidate for the baseball hall of fame.
Unfortunately: 2
Fortunately: 2
Fortunately, I was right about the Memphis basketball team (so far). I didn't buy that they would lose before the Sweet 16 as Dick Vitale and others found it fashionable to predict. They did not disappoint. Neither, I might add, did our neighbors. Let's hear it for the Great State of Tennessee, which has three teams remaining in the field - my beloved Tigers, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt. Memphis plays Texas A&M next. A tough draw against my mortal enemy as a Texas Longhorn. Tennessee, the Tigers' cross-state rival, plays the archrival of my brothers' Michigan Wolverines, the Ohio State Buckeyes. There is a lot of bad blood in this regional for me. I would LOVE to see the Tigers emerge as the Final Four representative!
Unfortunately, I was right about the Texas basketball team. I didn't buy that they would do all the great things, including a possible run to the Elite 8 or Final Four that Dick Vitale and others found it fashionable to predict. I did think they would win one more game than they did, but they took their beating early, at the hands of a USC Trojans team that was most certainly out to avenge their football team's Rose Bowl loss at the hands of the Longhorns in January of '06.
U: 3
F: 3
Unfortunately, I am not doing well in my tournament pools, after slow showings in the first and second rounds. Fortunately, I have done well enough to still make a run at winning if the right things happen. I have all eight of my Elite 8 remaining. I'll, of course, keep you posted.
U: 4
F: 4
Fortunately, the Lady Rabs won their first game of season 3 a couple weeks ago. Unfortunately, they lost last week's game by forfeit due to spring break travel.
U: 5
F: 5
Big game tomorrow. Unfortunately (or fortunately) we'll probably tie.
Sincerely,
Even Steven
Thursday, March 15, 2007
So Much To Say, So Much To Say, So Much...
First, thanks to Dave Matthews for the title of this post. He's a hell of a writer.
How you doin'? It's been a while. Here's what I have to report, in short form. We'll see what elaboration my patience and perseverance will allow.
1) The day after posting the Wall Street Journal article about BrickBreaker addictions, I obliterated my old high score.
2) Days after the new high score, my Blackberry fell in a cup of Cherry Coke.
3) I am now the official, reigning "Funniest Jew in the Deep South."
4) The NCAA tournament starts today. That makes me very happy. I have picked Florida to win it.
Okay, here's the expanded version, by number, offering commentary on the above:
1) I was inspired by the scores that some of the subjects in the article had achieved. I had not previously imagined that my scores could be beaten so badly. Knowing that, I began to play with new boundaries in mind - perhaps no boundaries at all - and the result was strikingly different. I broke 31,000. More importantly, though, (and I know I'm pushing it to suggest that anything could be more important that my high score at BrickBreaker) I have to wonder if this sort of paradigm shift could make me exponentially more successful in other facets of my life. I suspect it could! Goodbye limits. Hello achievement! So...
2) I previously believed that dropping a Blackberry in cherry cola would break it. Having learned my BrickBreaker lesson, I tossed that limiting assumption aside and let the device plunge right into the beverage. Turns out some limiting assumptions are true. (I didn't really do it on purpose. I'm not dum.)
3) I probably mentioned the Funniest Jew in the Deep South competition some time last Fall, which is when it was supposed to take place. It was postponed until last weekend in New Orleans. Sponsored by a Jewish Mardi Gras organization (which is funny because, as I understand it, Mardi Gras is only important because of where it falls in the calendar of Catholicism), the finals were held at a synagogue. I was one of three finalists and was proud to take home the title. It's very prestigious. I mean, if there's one thing the Deep South has always been known for, it's funny Jews.
Now stay tuned for the first photo I have ever posted on this site. I was supposed to put up a picture of my dinner that I wrote about a year or so ago, but didn't get around to
it. If you don't see a pic in this post, then I have failed and BrickBreaker has taught me nothing. The picture you should be seeing is regular reader, Jeff, another friend, Jeff, and me with my certificate. On the certificate, my name is misspelled, which I think makes it perfect. I'm going to put in another picture, now that I (think I) know how to do it and let you see for yourself.
You can sort of see (right) that my last name is spelled DanSiger. Close, but no ziger. Okay, enough about this, but rest assured, I will keep you posted about my life as the Funniest Jew in the Deep South!
4) It's March Madness. I once again find myself in the position (see last March) of having two personal favorites in a position to make a run at this thing: Texas and Memphis. I believe, going into the tournament that Texas is being overrated a little thanks to superstar, Kevin Durant. I don't think they are a solid enough team to do what many are predicting, but it's possible. They could beat anyone in this tournament AND they could lose to a lot of teams. Memphis is flying under the radar, underrated a litte thanks to their incredibly weak conference schedule. No one really knows how they'll do against good teams. Like Texas, they could win or lose against any good team. Their athleticism and depth are huge positives. Their free throw shooting, a huge negative that could cost them in a close one. I'd love to see them play Ohio State. I'm not thrilled about Texas A&M. So what am I predicting?
I filled out a bracket quickly yesterday, just giving game-by-game gut reactions (mostly). I wound up with a Final Four of UCLA, North Carolina, Florida, and Memphis. It was tough picking UCLA over Kansas and tough picking Memphis to get out of its regional, but I saw what UCLA could do defensively last year and I know Memphis can win those games if they're on. That's a predicting/hoping pick.
I have Florida as champs, which is also tough. Hard to believe they could repeat in this just after winning the football championship, but alas, this is its own event and, game by game, they were my pick. I'm tempted to go back in and make last-minute changes, but I'll stick with my gut. A gut isn't just born the size of mine. There's got to be something to it.
How you doin'? It's been a while. Here's what I have to report, in short form. We'll see what elaboration my patience and perseverance will allow.
1) The day after posting the Wall Street Journal article about BrickBreaker addictions, I obliterated my old high score.
2) Days after the new high score, my Blackberry fell in a cup of Cherry Coke.
3) I am now the official, reigning "Funniest Jew in the Deep South."
4) The NCAA tournament starts today. That makes me very happy. I have picked Florida to win it.
Okay, here's the expanded version, by number, offering commentary on the above:
1) I was inspired by the scores that some of the subjects in the article had achieved. I had not previously imagined that my scores could be beaten so badly. Knowing that, I began to play with new boundaries in mind - perhaps no boundaries at all - and the result was strikingly different. I broke 31,000. More importantly, though, (and I know I'm pushing it to suggest that anything could be more important that my high score at BrickBreaker) I have to wonder if this sort of paradigm shift could make me exponentially more successful in other facets of my life. I suspect it could! Goodbye limits. Hello achievement! So...
2) I previously believed that dropping a Blackberry in cherry cola would break it. Having learned my BrickBreaker lesson, I tossed that limiting assumption aside and let the device plunge right into the beverage. Turns out some limiting assumptions are true. (I didn't really do it on purpose. I'm not dum.)
3) I probably mentioned the Funniest Jew in the Deep South competition some time last Fall, which is when it was supposed to take place. It was postponed until last weekend in New Orleans. Sponsored by a Jewish Mardi Gras organization (which is funny because, as I understand it, Mardi Gras is only important because of where it falls in the calendar of Catholicism), the finals were held at a synagogue. I was one of three finalists and was proud to take home the title. It's very prestigious. I mean, if there's one thing the Deep South has always been known for, it's funny Jews.
Now stay tuned for the first photo I have ever posted on this site. I was supposed to put up a picture of my dinner that I wrote about a year or so ago, but didn't get around to
it. If you don't see a pic in this post, then I have failed and BrickBreaker has taught me nothing. The picture you should be seeing is regular reader, Jeff, another friend, Jeff, and me with my certificate. On the certificate, my name is misspelled, which I think makes it perfect. I'm going to put in another picture, now that I (think I) know how to do it and let you see for yourself.
You can sort of see (right) that my last name is spelled DanSiger. Close, but no ziger. Okay, enough about this, but rest assured, I will keep you posted about my life as the Funniest Jew in the Deep South!
4) It's March Madness. I once again find myself in the position (see last March) of having two personal favorites in a position to make a run at this thing: Texas and Memphis. I believe, going into the tournament that Texas is being overrated a little thanks to superstar, Kevin Durant. I don't think they are a solid enough team to do what many are predicting, but it's possible. They could beat anyone in this tournament AND they could lose to a lot of teams. Memphis is flying under the radar, underrated a litte thanks to their incredibly weak conference schedule. No one really knows how they'll do against good teams. Like Texas, they could win or lose against any good team. Their athleticism and depth are huge positives. Their free throw shooting, a huge negative that could cost them in a close one. I'd love to see them play Ohio State. I'm not thrilled about Texas A&M. So what am I predicting?
I filled out a bracket quickly yesterday, just giving game-by-game gut reactions (mostly). I wound up with a Final Four of UCLA, North Carolina, Florida, and Memphis. It was tough picking UCLA over Kansas and tough picking Memphis to get out of its regional, but I saw what UCLA could do defensively last year and I know Memphis can win those games if they're on. That's a predicting/hoping pick.
I have Florida as champs, which is also tough. Hard to believe they could repeat in this just after winning the football championship, but alas, this is its own event and, game by game, they were my pick. I'm tempted to go back in and make last-minute changes, but I'll stick with my gut. A gut isn't just born the size of mine. There's got to be something to it.
Friday, March 02, 2007
The End Is Near
Yesterday I bought a dress. For me. The end is, indeed, near. The end of the Purim season, that is. Purim, the Jewish holiday being celebrated this weekend, has ruled my life during these weeks each of the last 7 years, which made good sense when I was the youth director of a large synagogue. It's somewhat more puzzling now, but it's the case, nonetheless.
It occurs to me that I've not yet explained the dress. Monday night, I will be performing in Temple Israel's annual Purimspiel, a frivolous retelling of the Book of Esther (the story of Purim). I'll be playing a lady, competing in a pageant to be the new queen of Persia. I can't tell you whether or not I win the pageant (don't want to ruin the show for you), but I can tell you that I am quite the looker in my Purim lady getup!
Before I can be a lady, though, I'll be directing the kids' Purimspiel, "Candy Store: The Sweetest Purim Story Ever Told," which I wrote. It stars forty 4th, 5th, and 6th graders and should be fun. It will be performed Sunday morning and if the old saying that bad rehearsals make for good shows is true, this will be the greatest play ever staged!
The Runnin' Rabs finished their fifth season with a hard-fought victory the other night. Final record for the season 4-6-1. That may be the most wins we've ever compiled in a season. Interestingly enough, it is tied for the most ties ever. This league has ties. I love that!
Black Snake Moan, a movie filmed in Memphis and directed by Memphis native, Craig Brewer ("Hustle and Flow") opens around the country tonight. I'm torn on whether to see it. I want to. I hear it's good. I'm still smarting, though, from the "audition" process. (See archives for "Hollywood Tears Me A New One" post from August 22, 2005) I want to see a good movie and want to support local artists and Memphis's burgeoning film industry, but I'm really not sure I can drop the grudge and pay the people who made it. Not sure I would feel right sitting on my "new one" for this picture.
Speaking of the end is near, did you see the Texas/Texas A&M game the other night? Excellent game! So much fun to watch. Just what I needed to get ready for the rest of this month and the college basketball excitement it shall provide. Long game, though. The end kept being near. Then it kept moving further away. Double overtime! That league should think about having ties!
It occurs to me that I've not yet explained the dress. Monday night, I will be performing in Temple Israel's annual Purimspiel, a frivolous retelling of the Book of Esther (the story of Purim). I'll be playing a lady, competing in a pageant to be the new queen of Persia. I can't tell you whether or not I win the pageant (don't want to ruin the show for you), but I can tell you that I am quite the looker in my Purim lady getup!
Before I can be a lady, though, I'll be directing the kids' Purimspiel, "Candy Store: The Sweetest Purim Story Ever Told," which I wrote. It stars forty 4th, 5th, and 6th graders and should be fun. It will be performed Sunday morning and if the old saying that bad rehearsals make for good shows is true, this will be the greatest play ever staged!
The Runnin' Rabs finished their fifth season with a hard-fought victory the other night. Final record for the season 4-6-1. That may be the most wins we've ever compiled in a season. Interestingly enough, it is tied for the most ties ever. This league has ties. I love that!
Black Snake Moan, a movie filmed in Memphis and directed by Memphis native, Craig Brewer ("Hustle and Flow") opens around the country tonight. I'm torn on whether to see it. I want to. I hear it's good. I'm still smarting, though, from the "audition" process. (See archives for "Hollywood Tears Me A New One" post from August 22, 2005) I want to see a good movie and want to support local artists and Memphis's burgeoning film industry, but I'm really not sure I can drop the grudge and pay the people who made it. Not sure I would feel right sitting on my "new one" for this picture.
Speaking of the end is near, did you see the Texas/Texas A&M game the other night? Excellent game! So much fun to watch. Just what I needed to get ready for the rest of this month and the college basketball excitement it shall provide. Long game, though. The end kept being near. Then it kept moving further away. Double overtime! That league should think about having ties!
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