Arthur Miller Dead at 89
Arthur Miller is considered a giant among American playwrights. Personally, I only read his Death of a Salesman and The Crucible (and I considered The Crucible to be the superior work). Neither of these plays made me want to read more of Miller's work and that probably sums up best how I felt about his writing.
Miller was also an American icon. He was a successful author, he stood up to the House Un-American Activities Committee and he was married to Marilyn Monroe at one time. I'm honestly more interested in icons than playwrights.
I find it interesting that he supplied to voice to William Tecumseh Sherman in Ken Burn's epic documentary The Civil War. I think it's cool that his daughter Rebecca is married to Daniel Day-Lewis. Did I mention that he was married to Marilyn Monroe?
I think less of Miller because he reportedly mistreated Marilyn (Joe DiMaggio hated Miller) and I think even less of him because he had a son with Down Syndrome who Miller had committed to an institution and who Miller reportedly never visited.
Arthur Miller belonged to a Bohemian period of American history where personal freedom and expression ruled the day. Miller embodied the man who was more at home at the Playboy Mansion than a PTA meeting. Miller may have been the man in the 50's and 60's but today he seems confined to sophomore high school English classes.
I feel no sorrow for Miller because it seems he had a good run and every play must close sometime.
Chris Lynch's slanted view on sports, politics and entertainment. Please send thoughts or comments to chris.lynch@gmail.com
Friday, February 11, 2005
OK - I'll Say It!
It's been months since Wade Boggs and Ryne Sandberg were named to the Baseball Hall of Fame and yet nobody has mentioned something that was central to both their careers - SEX!
It should be pretty clear by now that I'm no Wade Boggs fan and I feel kinda oogy being the first to mention the fact that Wade is maybe more famous to a non-sports following America for being a self-proclaimed sex addict than for being a baseball player. I mean it wasn't his batting average or consecutive 200-hit seasons that got Boggs a spot on a Barbara Walters Special.
Come on! Admit it! You remember the "Get Laid for Wade" signs.
Chicken wasn't the only thing Wade was eating on the road. You remember Margo Adams sitting in the "wives only" section for road games? Wade threatening to "out" teammates who were cheating on their wives on the road with his special Delta Force secret films?
Wade's sex addiction was as much a part of the 80's as soft porn on Cinemax.
Oh and let's not forget Ryne Sandberg who was the 80's answer to Kris Benson (but with much more talent). Cindy Sandberg was said to be linked to well... let's just say more than one Cub teammate. Many people believe this was the reason Raphael Palmeiro was traded away from the Cubs. An attempt at reconciliation with his wife was the reason Sandberg publicly gave for why he walked away from the game for a time.
No major writer has dealt with Sandberg's extended absence from the game or Wade's "sex addiction" in regards to their election to the HOF. Is that because talk of sex is taboo or is it poor taste to bring up the facts in "polite company"?
I'm not trying to dwell on the seemier side of either player's career, it's just that I'm very surprised that something so central to them as people, players and teammates has gotten no mention whatsoever.
Any honest appraisal of Bill Clinton as President would have to include references about Monica. Likewise, any honest appraisal of Wade Boggs should include reference to Margo and any appraisal of Ryne Sandberg's career should include an explanation of why he stepped away from the game for an extended period.
It's been months since Wade Boggs and Ryne Sandberg were named to the Baseball Hall of Fame and yet nobody has mentioned something that was central to both their careers - SEX!
It should be pretty clear by now that I'm no Wade Boggs fan and I feel kinda oogy being the first to mention the fact that Wade is maybe more famous to a non-sports following America for being a self-proclaimed sex addict than for being a baseball player. I mean it wasn't his batting average or consecutive 200-hit seasons that got Boggs a spot on a Barbara Walters Special.
Come on! Admit it! You remember the "Get Laid for Wade" signs.
Chicken wasn't the only thing Wade was eating on the road. You remember Margo Adams sitting in the "wives only" section for road games? Wade threatening to "out" teammates who were cheating on their wives on the road with his special Delta Force secret films?
Wade's sex addiction was as much a part of the 80's as soft porn on Cinemax.
Oh and let's not forget Ryne Sandberg who was the 80's answer to Kris Benson (but with much more talent). Cindy Sandberg was said to be linked to well... let's just say more than one Cub teammate. Many people believe this was the reason Raphael Palmeiro was traded away from the Cubs. An attempt at reconciliation with his wife was the reason Sandberg publicly gave for why he walked away from the game for a time.
No major writer has dealt with Sandberg's extended absence from the game or Wade's "sex addiction" in regards to their election to the HOF. Is that because talk of sex is taboo or is it poor taste to bring up the facts in "polite company"?
I'm not trying to dwell on the seemier side of either player's career, it's just that I'm very surprised that something so central to them as people, players and teammates has gotten no mention whatsoever.
Any honest appraisal of Bill Clinton as President would have to include references about Monica. Likewise, any honest appraisal of Wade Boggs should include reference to Margo and any appraisal of Ryne Sandberg's career should include an explanation of why he stepped away from the game for an extended period.
Heh Heh
Norman and his blonde wife live in Boston. One winter morning while listening to the radio, they hear the announcer say, "We are going to have 3 to 4 inches of snow today. You must park your car on the even numbered side of the street, so the snowplow can get through." Norman's wife goes out and moves her car. A week later while they are eating breakfast, the radio announcer says, "We are expecting 4 to 5 inches of snow today. You must park your car on the odd numbered side of the street, so the snowplow can get through." Norman's wife goes out and moves her car again. The next week they are having breakfast again, when the radio announcer says "We are expecting 10 to 12 inches of snow today. You must park..........." then the electric power goes out. Norman's wife is very upset, and with a worried look on her face she says, "Honey, I don't know what to do. Which side of the street do I need to park on so the snowplow can get through?" With the love and understanding in his voice like all of us men who are married to Blondes exhibit, Norman says, "Why don't you just leave it in the garage this time?"
Norman and his blonde wife live in Boston. One winter morning while listening to the radio, they hear the announcer say, "We are going to have 3 to 4 inches of snow today. You must park your car on the even numbered side of the street, so the snowplow can get through." Norman's wife goes out and moves her car. A week later while they are eating breakfast, the radio announcer says, "We are expecting 4 to 5 inches of snow today. You must park your car on the odd numbered side of the street, so the snowplow can get through." Norman's wife goes out and moves her car again. The next week they are having breakfast again, when the radio announcer says "We are expecting 10 to 12 inches of snow today. You must park..........." then the electric power goes out. Norman's wife is very upset, and with a worried look on her face she says, "Honey, I don't know what to do. Which side of the street do I need to park on so the snowplow can get through?" With the love and understanding in his voice like all of us men who are married to Blondes exhibit, Norman says, "Why don't you just leave it in the garage this time?"
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Happy Birthdays!
Today is chock full of athletes celebrating birthdays, including:
Lance Berkman (29)
Ty Law (31)
Lenny Dykstra (42)
Greg Norman (50)
Mark Spitz (55)
Today is chock full of athletes celebrating birthdays, including:
Lance Berkman (29)
Ty Law (31)
Lenny Dykstra (42)
Greg Norman (50)
Mark Spitz (55)
Jeff Gannon? Whew!
When I heard that a member of the Washington press corps who was best known for tossing softball questions to Presidents on the same ideological wavelength was fired because they ran gay porno web sites on the side - well I was sure the story was going to be about Helen Thomas.
Turns out it was Jeff Gannon from Talon News.
(As an aside, whenever I see Helen Thomas on TV - a little voice in my head says, "who's that trip, tropping over my bridge.")
When I heard that a member of the Washington press corps who was best known for tossing softball questions to Presidents on the same ideological wavelength was fired because they ran gay porno web sites on the side - well I was sure the story was going to be about Helen Thomas.
Turns out it was Jeff Gannon from Talon News.
(As an aside, whenever I see Helen Thomas on TV - a little voice in my head says, "who's that trip, tropping over my bridge.")
Morning Links
- Bret Stevens was at Davos and he offers his opinion on Easongate:
- Peggy Noonan describes meeting the Pope (I could swear that I've read this same column before)
- Sam Spade at 75 - the stuff dreams are made of
- The headline tells the whole story - Fiorina Out, HP Stock Soars
- Peter Gammons has a new column up
- Bret Stevens was at Davos and he offers his opinion on Easongate:
Mr. Jordan deserves some credit for retracting the substance of his remark, and some forgiveness for trying to weasel his way out of a bad situation of his own making. Whether CNN wants its news division led by a man who can't be trusted to sit on a panel and field softball questions is another matter.Credit for backtracking and forgiveness because Eason is a weasel? Sorry that doesn't cut it for me.
- Peggy Noonan describes meeting the Pope (I could swear that I've read this same column before)
- Sam Spade at 75 - the stuff dreams are made of
- The headline tells the whole story - Fiorina Out, HP Stock Soars
- Peter Gammons has a new column up
Angels and Demons
I recently read Dan Brown's Angels and Demons which is the prequel to his blockbuster The DaVinci Code.
Two of my brothers have read both books and both swear that Angels and Demons was the better book. I did not feel that way.
Now I love the idea of a hero like Robert Langdon who is half Joseph Campbell and half Indiana Jones and I kept turning pages to see what came next but the suspension of belief in this book was just too much. At times near the end I literally put the book down to say to nobody in particular, "this is just silly." If you've read the last third of the book you know exactly what I mean.
For those who haven't read the book - the crux of the plot is an anti-matter bomb that is set to destroy Vatican City unless Robert Langdon can stop it. That's the believable part.
Angels and Demons is a page turner and it is good entertainment but I just wasn't drawn into the book the way I was with The DaVinci Code. I'd give it three stars out of five.
I recently read Dan Brown's Angels and Demons which is the prequel to his blockbuster The DaVinci Code.
Two of my brothers have read both books and both swear that Angels and Demons was the better book. I did not feel that way.
Now I love the idea of a hero like Robert Langdon who is half Joseph Campbell and half Indiana Jones and I kept turning pages to see what came next but the suspension of belief in this book was just too much. At times near the end I literally put the book down to say to nobody in particular, "this is just silly." If you've read the last third of the book you know exactly what I mean.
For those who haven't read the book - the crux of the plot is an anti-matter bomb that is set to destroy Vatican City unless Robert Langdon can stop it. That's the believable part.
Angels and Demons is a page turner and it is good entertainment but I just wasn't drawn into the book the way I was with The DaVinci Code. I'd give it three stars out of five.
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Out Straight
I never had a problem with the saying "out straight" (meaning very busy) until the other day.
My friend Bill and I were playing telephone tag because he was going to forward me a contact at a company I'm trying to do business with. Anyway, in his last message Bill apologized for the delay in responding because he said he was out straight. Then Bill paused in his message and asked "what exactly does that mean? Out straight?"
Now Bill was a stand-up comic in a prior life so I knew there had to be extra meaning in his question. So I started pondering it and I realized I didn't know - "what does out straight really mean?"
In medical terms wouldn't "out straight" be the same as flatlining and doesn't flatlining mean dead? Isn't dead as opposite of busy as you can get? Maybe Bill was going for that sort of irony.
I also got the vision in my head of a bisexual man trying to decide what clubs to go to at night. Should he go out straight or go out gay?
When I spoke with Bill today I asked him about his observation on the literal meaning of "out straight" and he just said it was a throwaway line that occurred to him as he was leaving his message and nothing more.
Maybe just a throwaway line to him but now whenever someone uses the phrase "out straight" I'm going to have the picture of one of the Queer Eye guys going into cardiac arrest in my head.
Thanks Bill. Thanks a lot!
I never had a problem with the saying "out straight" (meaning very busy) until the other day.
My friend Bill and I were playing telephone tag because he was going to forward me a contact at a company I'm trying to do business with. Anyway, in his last message Bill apologized for the delay in responding because he said he was out straight. Then Bill paused in his message and asked "what exactly does that mean? Out straight?"
Now Bill was a stand-up comic in a prior life so I knew there had to be extra meaning in his question. So I started pondering it and I realized I didn't know - "what does out straight really mean?"
In medical terms wouldn't "out straight" be the same as flatlining and doesn't flatlining mean dead? Isn't dead as opposite of busy as you can get? Maybe Bill was going for that sort of irony.
I also got the vision in my head of a bisexual man trying to decide what clubs to go to at night. Should he go out straight or go out gay?
When I spoke with Bill today I asked him about his observation on the literal meaning of "out straight" and he just said it was a throwaway line that occurred to him as he was leaving his message and nothing more.
Maybe just a throwaway line to him but now whenever someone uses the phrase "out straight" I'm going to have the picture of one of the Queer Eye guys going into cardiac arrest in my head.
Thanks Bill. Thanks a lot!
What Happens in Davos, Stays in Davos
Iowahawk on the money once again:
Iowahawk on the money once again:
Jordan: Oh. Umm, okay, I think I see where you're going with that. Well, there are certainly accusations of that, and obviously we wouldn't be doing our jobs as journalists if we didn't recognize the existence of the accusations.
Frank: But you just stated it as fact.
Jordan: Well, duh. It's a fact: there have been accusations.
Unidentified Voice: I am a journalist, and the Imperialist American soldiers killed me.
Jordan: See [pointing]? Well, there you go. Jesus, Barney, what's with the third degree here? I thought you were gay.
Magglio Ordonez
When I first heard of Maggio Ordonez signing with the Tigers for up to $105 million over 7 years I didn't know what to think. I mean if healthy Magglio is a very good player but JD Drew is a similar player and he got just 5 years and $55 million. No way that this is a good deal money or sabremetric wise - right?
Honestly my first thought about the signing was more about how Scott Boras is bad for baseball and conversely if I were a player how I would want him as my agent. Tom Meagher has thought about Magglio's deal though and he really doesn't like this signing:
The Transaction Guy also doesn't particularly like the signing (though he is nowhere near as harsh as Tom Meagher in his assessment):
When I first heard of Maggio Ordonez signing with the Tigers for up to $105 million over 7 years I didn't know what to think. I mean if healthy Magglio is a very good player but JD Drew is a similar player and he got just 5 years and $55 million. No way that this is a good deal money or sabremetric wise - right?
Honestly my first thought about the signing was more about how Scott Boras is bad for baseball and conversely if I were a player how I would want him as my agent. Tom Meagher has thought about Magglio's deal though and he really doesn't like this signing:
The Tigers have made a signing that smells like summer armpits, tastes like sun-dried mayonnaise, and sounds like John Kruk’s unreleased album of Cyndi Lauper covers. Awarding Magglio Ordonez a possible $105 million, as Dave Dombrowski and company have just done, is the Ben Affleck film festival of free agent signings. Detroit has just proudly volunteered to clean the bathrooms at a frat in the aftermath of a party. It doesn’t get much worse than this.Tom then proceeds to skewer the Tigers management for making such a deal (a skewering that is probably well deserved - I mean Billy Beane probably threw up in his mouth when he heard about the deal).
The Transaction Guy also doesn't particularly like the signing (though he is nowhere near as harsh as Tom Meagher in his assessment):
So he has a past history of excellent performance. But, he’s 31 years old and coming off a serious injury. Even without the injury, it would be reasonable to expect a drop-off in performance. By the end of the contract, the Tigers will be paying a 35-year-old $18M a year, and it’ll be even more for even longer if he does manage to come back fully from the contract and play enough to trigger the guarantees in the contract. The current crop of wizened superstars might lead one to believe that players perform better, longer than they used to, and that might be true, but this is an awful big gamble in order to find out.
Morning Links
- Latigo Flink wants to kill (gasp) a dolphin
- Video of a UFO?
- Jason Mulgrew weighs in on the Eagles loss (NSFW language but what else would you expect from an Eagles fan?)
- Mark Steyn
- The sad case of Marine Staff Sgt. Michael Lott
- Scary nuclear thoughts from The Belmont Club
- Latigo Flink wants to kill (gasp) a dolphin
- Video of a UFO?
- Jason Mulgrew weighs in on the Eagles loss (NSFW language but what else would you expect from an Eagles fan?)
- Mark Steyn
- The sad case of Marine Staff Sgt. Michael Lott
- Scary nuclear thoughts from The Belmont Club
Super Bowl Traditions
It looks like the New England Patriots coming out as a team has killed the tradition of individual pre-game introductions. This year neither team had individual introductions and I don't see any team going back to them anytime soon because individual introductions over coming out as a team sends the wrong signals (I over we, etc.).
It also seems that the tradition of a Presidential call to the lockerroom of the winner has also gone by the wayside. Not sure this could even be called a tradition because only President Reagan seemed adept at doing it. In any case - I'm not saddened by the fact that the calls are no longer made.
Two more Super Bowl traditions that I would like to see go away are the Gatorade bath and the breaking out of the championship hats and T-shirts the second the game is over.
The Gatorade bath was started by the Giants. They used it to get Bill Parcells but now it is almost a requirement. What is sad is how the Gatorade bath has trickled down to less than championship levels. Now when an interim coach on a lousy team wins his first game he gets a Gatorade bath. Enough already! You would think that former Redskins coach George Allen dying from pneumonia caught because of a Gatorade bath would have put a damper on it but no. In my eyes the act is no longer spontaneous but something that is expected. And yes I understand the appeal of a player "getting" the coach after a long season but I think the act has grown old.
Breaking out the championship T-shirts and hats is something I really hate. Don't these players know how dumb they look in the cheesey hats and T-shirts? The players must know that they are being used by the people selling the hats and shirts and yet they go along with it because it has become one of the spoils for the victors. I just think it looks pretty stupid - especially for football players who put the T-shirts over their shoulder pads.
Here endeth the rant.
It looks like the New England Patriots coming out as a team has killed the tradition of individual pre-game introductions. This year neither team had individual introductions and I don't see any team going back to them anytime soon because individual introductions over coming out as a team sends the wrong signals (I over we, etc.).
It also seems that the tradition of a Presidential call to the lockerroom of the winner has also gone by the wayside. Not sure this could even be called a tradition because only President Reagan seemed adept at doing it. In any case - I'm not saddened by the fact that the calls are no longer made.
Two more Super Bowl traditions that I would like to see go away are the Gatorade bath and the breaking out of the championship hats and T-shirts the second the game is over.
The Gatorade bath was started by the Giants. They used it to get Bill Parcells but now it is almost a requirement. What is sad is how the Gatorade bath has trickled down to less than championship levels. Now when an interim coach on a lousy team wins his first game he gets a Gatorade bath. Enough already! You would think that former Redskins coach George Allen dying from pneumonia caught because of a Gatorade bath would have put a damper on it but no. In my eyes the act is no longer spontaneous but something that is expected. And yes I understand the appeal of a player "getting" the coach after a long season but I think the act has grown old.
Breaking out the championship T-shirts and hats is something I really hate. Don't these players know how dumb they look in the cheesey hats and T-shirts? The players must know that they are being used by the people selling the hats and shirts and yet they go along with it because it has become one of the spoils for the victors. I just think it looks pretty stupid - especially for football players who put the T-shirts over their shoulder pads.
Here endeth the rant.
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Eason Jordon and the Military
I've held back on any comment regarding Eason Jordon's claim that the military was intentionally targeting journalists and that Jordon knew of 12 specific cases. But I have to say something because I can't shake one particular thought:
The military should step up and remove any CNN reporters from Iraq and Afghanistan right away. CNN would lose access to front line information and the military could simply say that it was being done to "protect" the journalists because if Eason Jordon's information is correct then they could be in danger (wink wink). The CNN correspondents would be barred from any military bases or any areas in the world where the military is operating for their own protection. This CNN embargo would last until after a full investigation (including the Davos tape) or until Eason Jordon produces the evidence he claims to have.
My guess is that is going to end very ugly for Eason Jordon.
I've held back on any comment regarding Eason Jordon's claim that the military was intentionally targeting journalists and that Jordon knew of 12 specific cases. But I have to say something because I can't shake one particular thought:
The military should step up and remove any CNN reporters from Iraq and Afghanistan right away. CNN would lose access to front line information and the military could simply say that it was being done to "protect" the journalists because if Eason Jordon's information is correct then they could be in danger (wink wink). The CNN correspondents would be barred from any military bases or any areas in the world where the military is operating for their own protection. This CNN embargo would last until after a full investigation (including the Davos tape) or until Eason Jordon produces the evidence he claims to have.
My guess is that is going to end very ugly for Eason Jordon.
The Secrets to Sales
Mark Cuban discussed what makes a good saleperson a few days ago on his blog. Mark should know because that's how he got his start. Mark Cuban didn't fall into money by accident. I thought that I'd add a little to what Mark had to say by offering my six secrets to sales success.
1. First and foremost - you have to listen. The customer/client will tell you what is important to them and how they will be making their buying decision. If you are too busy thinking about what you are going to say next or too busy spouting off about every single feature on your product - then you'll miss what the customer is trying to tell you.
2. You have to know your product and the technology that makes it work. If you become the person that the customer turns to to get questions answered - then you are halfway home.
3. Don't be afraid to say that you don't know the answer to a question. Write the question down and promise to get the answer for the customer.
4. Follow-up on all action items and pricing requests. This one is key. If you say you are going to do something - DO IT!
5. Ask the hard questions to the customer. Ask if they have budget and what their time frame is. Know where you stand. Ask what the steps are for evaluation and then ask for the sale when you reach those steps. Let me say it again - don't be afraid to ask for the order. The only thing you have to fear is fear itself. The customer won't think less of you if you ask for the order.
6. Don't try and make square pegs fit into round holes. Put another way - don't waste your time. If your product is not a fit for the customer's application - say so. Be honest with the customer and if you know a good fit - make a recommendation. That customer may be in a position where they do have an application that fits down the road. By the same token - if the customer doesn't have budget - don't waste your time. Get back to them when the time is right.
Mark Cuban discussed what makes a good saleperson a few days ago on his blog. Mark should know because that's how he got his start. Mark Cuban didn't fall into money by accident. I thought that I'd add a little to what Mark had to say by offering my six secrets to sales success.
1. First and foremost - you have to listen. The customer/client will tell you what is important to them and how they will be making their buying decision. If you are too busy thinking about what you are going to say next or too busy spouting off about every single feature on your product - then you'll miss what the customer is trying to tell you.
2. You have to know your product and the technology that makes it work. If you become the person that the customer turns to to get questions answered - then you are halfway home.
3. Don't be afraid to say that you don't know the answer to a question. Write the question down and promise to get the answer for the customer.
4. Follow-up on all action items and pricing requests. This one is key. If you say you are going to do something - DO IT!
5. Ask the hard questions to the customer. Ask if they have budget and what their time frame is. Know where you stand. Ask what the steps are for evaluation and then ask for the sale when you reach those steps. Let me say it again - don't be afraid to ask for the order. The only thing you have to fear is fear itself. The customer won't think less of you if you ask for the order.
6. Don't try and make square pegs fit into round holes. Put another way - don't waste your time. If your product is not a fit for the customer's application - say so. Be honest with the customer and if you know a good fit - make a recommendation. That customer may be in a position where they do have an application that fits down the road. By the same token - if the customer doesn't have budget - don't waste your time. Get back to them when the time is right.
Heh Heh - Good Post from The Happy Carpenter
Here's a taste:
Here's a taste:
EIGHTRead the whole thing.
Police in Radnor, Pa., interrogated a suspect by placing a metal colander on his head and connecting it with wires to a photocopy machine.. The message "He's lying" was placed in the copier, and police pressed the copy button each time they thought the suspect wasn't telling the truth. Believing the "lie detector" was working, the suspect confessed.
Morning Links
- Under the radar - a healthy Mike Hampton could make it a big three in Atlanta
- Buster Olney on the Canseco steroids allegations
- VDH - fight over flight in Iraq.
- The Cowboys of the 90's vs. the Patriots of today
- The 101 Dumbest Business Moves of the Year
- Under the radar - a healthy Mike Hampton could make it a big three in Atlanta
- Buster Olney on the Canseco steroids allegations
- VDH - fight over flight in Iraq.
- The Cowboys of the 90's vs. the Patriots of today
- The 101 Dumbest Business Moves of the Year
Lollygaggers
I've seen a bunch of people call the last five minutes of the Super Bowl on the part of the Eagles and Andy Reid "lollygagging". This of course brings to mind this exchange from Bull Durham:
I've seen a bunch of people call the last five minutes of the Super Bowl on the part of the Eagles and Andy Reid "lollygagging". This of course brings to mind this exchange from Bull Durham:
Skip: You guys. You lollygag the ball around the infield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes you? Larry!Bill Simmons may have described the lollygagging best when he quipped, "I've seen 80 year-old men use a urinal with more urgency."
Larry: Lollygaggers!
Skip: Lollygaggers.
Monday, February 07, 2005
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