I read yesterday that train derailments and accidents* in the State of Tennessee were down by 13% in the last year, as a result of 19 fewer incidents. WHAT?!?
19 fewer train derailments and accidents in a state, in a year was a THIRTEEN PERCENT reduction?
Where are all of these disasters? Did anyone have any idea that there were so many railroad accidents in any state? I would have thought that any reduction in incidents would have represented a 100% or 50%, or 33% at the very least, reduction.
A train is passing by my home as I write this and I'd like to share that it is not the least bit comforting that the tracks are a mere 25 feet or so from where I sit. I'm happy to hear about the big reduction in incidents, but I still feel about 87% scared.
Speaking of back on track, the Temple Israel Lady Rabs have begun a new season of teen league basketball and I made my triumphant** return to the sideline tonight. It's a great group and it's going to be a fun season. I'll keep you posted.
* I don't know what counts as an accident. Until I find out, I'd stop at crossings if I were you.
** The triumph was in being there and having fun coaching, not - as has so often been the case throughout my coaching career - in the final score.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Celebrate Good Times, Come On!
Memphis Mayor W.W. Herenton has announced that he is stepping down from the post as of July 31st of this year. Congratulations to Memphis!!! (see post from Oct. 4, 2007) Clearly, Mayor Herenton read that post and took it to heart. Well done, ZiggyBackRiders!
Soundtrack playing in my iTunes as I report this to you: "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang, followed by "Good Times" by Chic.
We'll see what happens, but I suspect the result will be improvement in some form or another.
Soundtrack playing in my iTunes as I report this to you: "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang, followed by "Good Times" by Chic.
We'll see what happens, but I suspect the result will be improvement in some form or another.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Question of the Day
Why me?
That is today's question and, truthfully, the one I've been asking myself since Sunday evening when my worst 2008 college basketball fear* became reality. As I predicted in the last post, Memphis and Texas were, indeed, placed in the same region of the NCAA tournament, making it impossible for both to make it to the Final Four and making Memphis play the lower-seeded Longhorns in Houston, a virtual home game for the 'Horns**.
I can only assume that I have been personally targeted by the Tournament selection committee. How else can this be explained? The task now at hand is to go committee member by committee member until it becomes clear which had the clearest motive to strike out at me in this manner. Did I - knowingly or unknowingly - wrong one of them? Did I run over someone's dog?*** Spill a beverage on a selector? Prank call one of their houses as a mischievous child? Oh, I'll get to the bottom of this, believe you me.
Upon finding the culprit, however, I will be merciful, as the perpetrator of this heinous 2008 college basketball crime - in what I can only assume was a last minute fit of conscience - clearly endeavored to soften the blow by scheduling both teams' first and second round games in Little Rock, AR. They tried to make it okay by making it possible for me to see my two beloved teams in early action, a short drive from Memphis. I don't know if I'll make it to the games, but the fact that the person or persons who harmed me sought to make it right in some way will not be forgotten.
In short, I don't think the selection committee chambers is the place to be acting on old grudges, but maybe that's just me. If others agree, though, then perhaps that little guideline could be shared with future committees and uncomfortable, unfortunate situations like this may be avoidable in future years.
* In the grand scheme of things, this isn't that big a deal. That's why the very specific category of worst fear was necessary. I mean, it's not like I'm crazy! Or paranoid.
** This all assumes that both teams advance to the Elite 8, which is not a given. They both have difficult games to play to get there and nothing is being taken for granted. It's just that according to seeding, they are the two teams most likely to make it to that game.
*** Not likely. Otherwise, I'm certain the staff here at ZiggyBackRide would have uncovered and reported that story in the "Me and My Purple Car" series of posts from October of 2007.
That is today's question and, truthfully, the one I've been asking myself since Sunday evening when my worst 2008 college basketball fear* became reality. As I predicted in the last post, Memphis and Texas were, indeed, placed in the same region of the NCAA tournament, making it impossible for both to make it to the Final Four and making Memphis play the lower-seeded Longhorns in Houston, a virtual home game for the 'Horns**.
I can only assume that I have been personally targeted by the Tournament selection committee. How else can this be explained? The task now at hand is to go committee member by committee member until it becomes clear which had the clearest motive to strike out at me in this manner. Did I - knowingly or unknowingly - wrong one of them? Did I run over someone's dog?*** Spill a beverage on a selector? Prank call one of their houses as a mischievous child? Oh, I'll get to the bottom of this, believe you me.
Upon finding the culprit, however, I will be merciful, as the perpetrator of this heinous 2008 college basketball crime - in what I can only assume was a last minute fit of conscience - clearly endeavored to soften the blow by scheduling both teams' first and second round games in Little Rock, AR. They tried to make it okay by making it possible for me to see my two beloved teams in early action, a short drive from Memphis. I don't know if I'll make it to the games, but the fact that the person or persons who harmed me sought to make it right in some way will not be forgotten.
In short, I don't think the selection committee chambers is the place to be acting on old grudges, but maybe that's just me. If others agree, though, then perhaps that little guideline could be shared with future committees and uncomfortable, unfortunate situations like this may be avoidable in future years.
* In the grand scheme of things, this isn't that big a deal. That's why the very specific category of worst fear was necessary. I mean, it's not like I'm crazy! Or paranoid.
** This all assumes that both teams advance to the Elite 8, which is not a given. They both have difficult games to play to get there and nothing is being taken for granted. It's just that according to seeding, they are the two teams most likely to make it to that game.
*** Not likely. Otherwise, I'm certain the staff here at ZiggyBackRide would have uncovered and reported that story in the "Me and My Purple Car" series of posts from October of 2007.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
The Journey Continues. The Journey Begins.
The Journey Continues
I'm back. I stepped off The Ride for a good, long while and I have plenty of stories to share. It occurred to me, at times, that perhaps our glorious expedition had met its end. And then I thought, "Awww, hell no!" Not with an election coming. Not with a southern Jewish comedy tour coming. Not with the strange, but glorious and true story of the life I lead continuing to unfold with each passing minute.
And not with the NCAA Basketball Tournament set to begin...
The Journey Begins
Here it comes again. The event/series of events that I have written about at this season in years past. The greatest sports championship process of all. The tournament pairings will be announced in just a few short moments and the stage will be set. As has been the case in previous years, but perhaps to an even greater extent, the two teams which I follow and support loyally have legitimate championship aspirations. Both Memphis (the team of my childhood and my daily life in the city of the same name) and Texas (my alma mater) have been considered among the top teams all year and have big expectations going into the "Big Dance." Having two teams can present some problems. I am prepared, however, to deal with the possibility of the two meeting in the national championship game. That's a problem I'll happily confront. What I do not want (and what seems more and more destined to happen as the moments pass) is for the Tigers and Horns to end up in the same regional, meaning only one can get to the Final Four. You'll hear more from me, rest assured, should this travesty come to be.
For now, I'm just excited for tourney time. It's going to be fun. It always is!
I'm back. I stepped off The Ride for a good, long while and I have plenty of stories to share. It occurred to me, at times, that perhaps our glorious expedition had met its end. And then I thought, "Awww, hell no!" Not with an election coming. Not with a southern Jewish comedy tour coming. Not with the strange, but glorious and true story of the life I lead continuing to unfold with each passing minute.
And not with the NCAA Basketball Tournament set to begin...
The Journey Begins
Here it comes again. The event/series of events that I have written about at this season in years past. The greatest sports championship process of all. The tournament pairings will be announced in just a few short moments and the stage will be set. As has been the case in previous years, but perhaps to an even greater extent, the two teams which I follow and support loyally have legitimate championship aspirations. Both Memphis (the team of my childhood and my daily life in the city of the same name) and Texas (my alma mater) have been considered among the top teams all year and have big expectations going into the "Big Dance." Having two teams can present some problems. I am prepared, however, to deal with the possibility of the two meeting in the national championship game. That's a problem I'll happily confront. What I do not want (and what seems more and more destined to happen as the moments pass) is for the Tigers and Horns to end up in the same regional, meaning only one can get to the Final Four. You'll hear more from me, rest assured, should this travesty come to be.
For now, I'm just excited for tourney time. It's going to be fun. It always is!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Collision Course
Greetings from Memphis, TN, where basketball fans and loyalists to the University of Memphis and the University of Tennessee are gearing up for the biggest basketball game ever played in this state*. ZiggyBackRiders know how excited the staff here can get about big sporting events that involve a beloved team. In the history of this blog, most of that excitement has been reserved for Texas Longhorn football, with a dash of Pittsburgh Steelers and a pinch of Memphis Tiger basketball.
This week, however, Tiger basketball is center stage**. Will I eat blue foods? That remains to be seen. Rest assured that I will do anything and everything (legal) within my (limited) power to push the Tigers to victory, state basketball supremacy, an extended winning streak and stay atop the national polls, and the hope of an undefeated, national championship season. This has all the makings of a great game - high stakes (the teams are ranked nos. 1 and 2 in all national polls and battle for the same top area recruits each year, and both teams are trying to position themselves for national title runs), exciting playing styles (both teams get up and down the court, are incredibly athletic, and play very tough defense), and a rivalry atmosphere (the two top bball programs in the state - and currently nation - large numbers of fans for each school in the city and at the game, families divided, etc). It's going to be fun and I will be a nervous wreck!
College gameday, the Saturday sports preview show that I have often referenced during football season, will air live from FedEx Forum in Memphis this Saturday. We will welcome Rece, Hubert, Digger, and Jay with open arms and we must protect this house!
Speaking of big collisions in Memphis, the other day I heard - on a radio traffic report - about a wreck at the corner of Democrat and Republican***. You think the Bluff City is excited about November?!? Chill out everyone. Several months to go.
By the way, I think if you'll take a look at Obama's winning streak in the Democratic primaries, you'll notice a strong correlation between the timing thereof and the release of this site's endorsement for him. Coincidence? I think SO.
In that same post, I delivered a scathing, yet admittedly vague review of the President's proposed budget. Devoted ZiggyBackRider and my beloved brother, David, left a comment with a lucid, thoughtful challenge to my opinions on the budget. I encourage you to read it and I encourage you to tune in soon for my response, lest you be left with no choice but to buy what David's selling.
* My opinion, but I'm pretty confident in this. If there's a game I'm forgetting that rivals this one (other than the one played at Church of the Holy Communion in Memphis in January of 1992 when I hit the game-winning buzzer-beater for Germantown Methodist - I was Methodist for basketball purposes in the early 90's), please let me know.
** The Tigers' biggest game of the week is at Tulane tonight. We don't overlook any opponent. The Green Wave (whatever the hell that means) are not to be taken lightly!
*** The nexus of the political universe?
This week, however, Tiger basketball is center stage**. Will I eat blue foods? That remains to be seen. Rest assured that I will do anything and everything (legal) within my (limited) power to push the Tigers to victory, state basketball supremacy, an extended winning streak and stay atop the national polls, and the hope of an undefeated, national championship season. This has all the makings of a great game - high stakes (the teams are ranked nos. 1 and 2 in all national polls and battle for the same top area recruits each year, and both teams are trying to position themselves for national title runs), exciting playing styles (both teams get up and down the court, are incredibly athletic, and play very tough defense), and a rivalry atmosphere (the two top bball programs in the state - and currently nation - large numbers of fans for each school in the city and at the game, families divided, etc). It's going to be fun and I will be a nervous wreck!
College gameday, the Saturday sports preview show that I have often referenced during football season, will air live from FedEx Forum in Memphis this Saturday. We will welcome Rece, Hubert, Digger, and Jay with open arms and we must protect this house!
Speaking of big collisions in Memphis, the other day I heard - on a radio traffic report - about a wreck at the corner of Democrat and Republican***. You think the Bluff City is excited about November?!? Chill out everyone. Several months to go.
By the way, I think if you'll take a look at Obama's winning streak in the Democratic primaries, you'll notice a strong correlation between the timing thereof and the release of this site's endorsement for him. Coincidence? I think SO.
In that same post, I delivered a scathing, yet admittedly vague review of the President's proposed budget. Devoted ZiggyBackRider and my beloved brother, David, left a comment with a lucid, thoughtful challenge to my opinions on the budget. I encourage you to read it and I encourage you to tune in soon for my response, lest you be left with no choice but to buy what David's selling.
* My opinion, but I'm pretty confident in this. If there's a game I'm forgetting that rivals this one (other than the one played at Church of the Holy Communion in Memphis in January of 1992 when I hit the game-winning buzzer-beater for Germantown Methodist - I was Methodist for basketball purposes in the early 90's), please let me know.
** The Tigers' biggest game of the week is at Tulane tonight. We don't overlook any opponent. The Green Wave (whatever the hell that means) are not to be taken lightly!
*** The nexus of the political universe?
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Tread Carefully, Patriotic Ladies
On this Wacky, Wonderful Wednesday, which follows Super Tuesday, which closely follows (perhaps we need to do some adjective brainstorming)Super Sunday, it occurs to me that female supporters of Hilary Clinton who believe that all women should support Hilary Clinton should carry and act upon this belief with great care.
There are several reasons for my concern. First and foremost, no demographic distinction - gender, race, religion, sexual preference, etc. - should be THE defining characteristic of a successful political candidate. While I know well that any group may be happy to see one of its own reach new heights, women should no more support Hilary just for being a woman than Blacks should blindly support Obama, Christians Mike Huckabee, or even (and a LOT of people never even consider this one) those who consider themselves Republican or Democrat their respective party's eventual nominee. That's a fantastic way to get awful elected officials (see post from 10/4/07).
I mention women for Hilary today because I have read and heard statements, of late, accusing any woman who would vote for another candidate of being opposed to the cause of feminism. Kind of an "either you're with us or you are against us" message. This characterization is both unfair and unhealthy. Certainly someone who thinks another candidate might make a better leader for our nation is not automatically in favor of limiting the rights or potential of women.
More importantly, the next time anyone who assumes a non-Hilary-supporting female to be anti-feminist critcizes America for something, he of she had better be prepared to called unpatriotic, which is ridiculous, unfair, specifically unpatriotic, and the exact same thing.
There are several reasons for my concern. First and foremost, no demographic distinction - gender, race, religion, sexual preference, etc. - should be THE defining characteristic of a successful political candidate. While I know well that any group may be happy to see one of its own reach new heights, women should no more support Hilary just for being a woman than Blacks should blindly support Obama, Christians Mike Huckabee, or even (and a LOT of people never even consider this one) those who consider themselves Republican or Democrat their respective party's eventual nominee. That's a fantastic way to get awful elected officials (see post from 10/4/07).
I mention women for Hilary today because I have read and heard statements, of late, accusing any woman who would vote for another candidate of being opposed to the cause of feminism. Kind of an "either you're with us or you are against us" message. This characterization is both unfair and unhealthy. Certainly someone who thinks another candidate might make a better leader for our nation is not automatically in favor of limiting the rights or potential of women.
More importantly, the next time anyone who assumes a non-Hilary-supporting female to be anti-feminist critcizes America for something, he of she had better be prepared to called unpatriotic, which is ridiculous, unfair, specifically unpatriotic, and the exact same thing.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
I Voted, An Endorsement, And A Budgetary Review
I Voted! That's what the little stickers they used to give you on your way out of the polling place said. I haven't gotten a sticker in several years, though. I'm thinking about not voting any more.
Just kidding. I'm not considering that at all. Furthermore, if you live in a state in which voting is taking place today, get your ass to the poll (unless it has already been there, in which case you, too, deserve a sticker)!
I don't mind telling you that the ZiggyBackRide editorial board has chosen to endorse Barack Obama. We feel that of the two Democratic candidates (they were the only ones in the running for this prestigious statement of support), whose policy positions are really rather similar, his campaign is the one most successfully promoting what ZBR likes to call "the America of our dreams."
A brief glimpse at the two websites tells the tale of one candidate charging forward and pulling citizens with him toward our goals and dreams and values, and one candidate pettily quibbling over semantics, fighting not to lose a race, rather than fighting to win as a nation. Of course, their positions as underdog and frontrunner, respectively, contribute to their ability/need to run the campaigns the way they are - the underdog free to play without the pressure of expectation - but in the end, a campaign is the reflection of the candidate that we have to work with, absent a personal conversation with him/her.
In November, the entire ZBR staff will proudly vote for either of these candidates, but for now, Obama gets the nod.
In other news, did you see the President's budget? I mean, did you see this?!? A final (I hope, but at least budgetarily final) testament to his fiscal irresponsibility/incompetency (it's one, the other, or both, and I don't know which is worse), his lack of compassion (cut services to Americans in need to try to convince anyone still stupid/bored/blindly committed enough to listen that tax cuts for the wealthy should be permanent), and his lack of desire to actually accomplish anything (no one on either side of the Congressional aisle wants to support this). Once again, sir, well done.
Just kidding. I'm not considering that at all. Furthermore, if you live in a state in which voting is taking place today, get your ass to the poll (unless it has already been there, in which case you, too, deserve a sticker)!
I don't mind telling you that the ZiggyBackRide editorial board has chosen to endorse Barack Obama. We feel that of the two Democratic candidates (they were the only ones in the running for this prestigious statement of support), whose policy positions are really rather similar, his campaign is the one most successfully promoting what ZBR likes to call "the America of our dreams."
A brief glimpse at the two websites tells the tale of one candidate charging forward and pulling citizens with him toward our goals and dreams and values, and one candidate pettily quibbling over semantics, fighting not to lose a race, rather than fighting to win as a nation. Of course, their positions as underdog and frontrunner, respectively, contribute to their ability/need to run the campaigns the way they are - the underdog free to play without the pressure of expectation - but in the end, a campaign is the reflection of the candidate that we have to work with, absent a personal conversation with him/her.
In November, the entire ZBR staff will proudly vote for either of these candidates, but for now, Obama gets the nod.
In other news, did you see the President's budget? I mean, did you see this?!? A final (I hope, but at least budgetarily final) testament to his fiscal irresponsibility/incompetency (it's one, the other, or both, and I don't know which is worse), his lack of compassion (cut services to Americans in need to try to convince anyone still stupid/bored/blindly committed enough to listen that tax cuts for the wealthy should be permanent), and his lack of desire to actually accomplish anything (no one on either side of the Congressional aisle wants to support this). Once again, sir, well done.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Pay Attention, World
First suicide attack in a year in Israel
By LAURIE COPANS, Associated Press Writer
30 minutes ago
DIMONA, Israel - A Palestinian bomber blew himself up Monday in this desert town near Israel's nuclear reactor, killing an Israeli woman and wounding 11 people in the first suicide attack inside Israel in a year....
Yellow Fatah flags flew outside the home of one of the attackers, 22-year-old Luay Laghwani, and Al Aqsa gunmen fired in the air in tribute to him. His sobbing mother, Ibtissam, held a picture of her son as a young teenager, while male relatives scolded her for crying, saying she should be proud....
Hamas spokesman Ayman Taha praised the bombing as a "glorious act."
_______________________
Any questions?
read the whole article here
By LAURIE COPANS, Associated Press Writer
30 minutes ago
DIMONA, Israel - A Palestinian bomber blew himself up Monday in this desert town near Israel's nuclear reactor, killing an Israeli woman and wounding 11 people in the first suicide attack inside Israel in a year....
Yellow Fatah flags flew outside the home of one of the attackers, 22-year-old Luay Laghwani, and Al Aqsa gunmen fired in the air in tribute to him. His sobbing mother, Ibtissam, held a picture of her son as a young teenager, while male relatives scolded her for crying, saying she should be proud....
Hamas spokesman Ayman Taha praised the bombing as a "glorious act."
_______________________
Any questions?
read the whole article here
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