Why I want Shaq Attack

The clock read 9:30am and I had just submitted my morning report. I decided it was the perfect time to quickly get my Boston sports fix. I reached ESPN Boston and near spit out my coffee when I saw the headline "Shaq and the Celtic's express mutual interest." My first thought was not "why do the Celtic's need another big slow guy?" or "why should the Celtic's spend the big bucks on a bench player?"

No- none of these thoughts even came to mind. Rather, I was thinking how incredible it would be to get a Celtic's jersey with the name "O'Neal" tattooed on the back. For me though, it goes beyond the jersey, having Shaq is having a childhood icon. This is the equivalent of growing up and watching the 90's Chicago Bulls, or in Shaq's case, the 90's Orlando Magic. Not only, does he posses a presence on the court, but many people forget, he has a presence on the screen as well. (Danny Ainge think of the marketing potential... I am thinking of a combination of Kazaam and Celtic Pride.)

Many people argue that Shaq is past his time, and that may be so, but he is still a big force off the bench and his presence is felt. I disagree and believe Shaq would bring a powerful presence. I say bring on the Shaq Attack.

The swagger of an underdog

Now, I was going to write my next post about how much croc's irk me, but a grand thing happened yesterday that sparked my interest. Yesterday, Daniel Nava hit the very first pitch he saw in his very first at bat at Fenway Park as a grand slam. This feat is incredible within itself, but what makes this story that much heartwarming is Nava's journey and the adversity that he encountered along the way.

Entering high school, Nava weighed 78 pounds and was a measly 4'8. He batted ninth in his high school lineup, and only hit his first homerun as a senior. With a passion for the game he was granted a tryout for the Santa Clara team. Lacking both size and skill, he could barely hit the ball out of the infield. Although he did not make the team, he stayed on as the team's manager. For two years he did the team's laundry. Over this time he finally hit his growth spurt. He became bigger and stronger. Unfortunately, due to his families financial constraints, he had to leave Santa Clara and enroll in Junior College. In two seasons at Junior College he hit .400 and when he returned to Santa Clara he did so on a scholarship for the baseball team. He then led the West Coast Conference in batting average and OBP without making a single error in the field. Yet even putting up the numbers, he went undrafted.

Not deterred, he tried out for an Independent league team. He was initially cut from the team but a break came when a player on the team got married, creating an open spot for Nava. Here, he played well, possessing the makeup of a quality baseball player. In the fall of 2007, the Boston Red Sox purchased Nava once the Independent League season had ended. Being 24, Nava was too old to be considered a prospect by most teams standards. However, the Red Sox, who stress the importance of scouting, saw a kid who had overcame the odds and could play the game.

Once in the Red Sox farm system, he did not disappoint, quickly moving up the ranks from Single A Lancaster; to splitting last season between Single A Salem and Double AA Portland. This year he started the year in Triple AAA as a member of the Pawtucket Red Sox. There he continued to hit the ball well, batting .284 with 8 hr's. Thus his journey and adversity culminated to June 12, 2010 where he made his Major League debut with a slam.

Now, I am not about to go out and say he will be the next Ted Williams, or even the next Dustin Pedoria. Rather the point of his story is that this why we love the underdog. They are the ultimate protagonists, they are the ones who struggle so much, yet refuse to be denied of their dreams. When you hear a Cinderella story, especially in sports, it reminds you why you love to watch the game, because on any given day anyone can be the hero and rise to the top. Moreover, when the underdog succeeds it touches most people who may view themselves, their live as an underdog in most respects.

Whether it was when I was playing hockey or now in the workforce I maintain the underdog mentality. I may not be the flashiest or attractive candidate but the underdog brings intangible skills and an attitude that no one can ignore. The attitude or swagger that the underdog brings is what really sets them apart from the pack. They are not going to be told no, they are going to do everything with all their heart and they will make themselves known.

Even if I am not considered an underdog I like to still see myself as one, because that it is how you test yourself and stay motivated and most importantly, stay hungry.

Life is Better Tan

With the unofficial start to summer here, I figured this is the perfect opportunity to share my love for summer, the beach and being tan. Very few things compare to days at the beach, with a cold drink in hand enjoying the weather, the view and of course friends and family. I feel very spoiled to having live within 45 minutes of the Atlantic Ocean for the 23 years leading up to my move to D.C. Now do not get me wrong, I love Washington D.C. and I love the fact that nearly every apartment complex has a pool but it does not compare to the scent of the ocean and a nice breeze along the beach.

My love for summer, sun and the beach made me consider moving to San Diego with one of my roommates from college. Of course this was pie in the sky ideas because we were on the verge of senior year, nonetheless freaking out about the real world, and one summer evening over a pitcher at Roggies, she threw out the idea, "Hey why don't we just move to San Diego. Everyone I know there loves it." I thought about it, nodded in agreement and even began researching where young professionals lived in San Diego. Of course the plan never came to fruition, she moved to Texas, and I knew I probably couldn't move any further then a two hour plan ride. Yet it is fun to imagine what things would be like in San Diego.

Okay so while I knew San Diego was nothing more then a utopia type thought, one thing is for certain, when I become a grown-up and or I am at least imitating the motions of a "real person" I need to have a house on the water. Preferably Cape Cod, but hey, I am not going going to be prejudice and if I have to settle for a shack on Hampton Beach in NH or a tent on the beach, I won't fight it.

So let's take a moment, pretend we are on the beach and feeling the sand beneath our toes and raise a glass to summer.

If you like it then you should put a Ring on it..

For this post I am going to channel my inner Carrie Bradshaw. Why you ask? Well one of my friend's from home is getting married this upcoming summer. This raises a lot of questions in my mind, and leads me to think about the generational differences on marriage. And while I am may not agree with it I feel that society shifted our perceptions of marriage.

As someone who has not had a boyfriend for longer then a year, it is hard for me to comprehend someone at 23 tying the knot to someone they have known for only 2 and a half years. Nonetheless, while 23 is on the younger side of getting married, statistics say that the average age is 27.8 for men and 26 for women from the United States. This number has risen considerably in the last half century. In our parents time it was not unlikely for women to wed in their early 20's, with men averaging in their mid 20's. This rise in age can be attributed to a combination of women entering the work place and continuing the education much longer.

Thus it is funny to think that our society has arrived at the point where we question why a 23 year old, college educated, women is getting married. And while, I may not agree with her decision to get married, I feel that my feelings may derive from how our culture has been conditioned. The Millenial generation has been conditioned to think that "Okay after college I am going to work for a couple years, perhaps I will go to graduate school, and along the way I will hope to meet my life partner."

And while, I could dive much deeper into the issue of how society as impacted marriage, but this is a blog, not a research paper. This is merely food for thought.

Well Since My Initial Post was Weak Sauce...

The title says it all. When I started this blog, it was late, I was tired and exhausted. But anyways, if you are the one or two people reading this blog, then you'll quickly realize that it falls under the category of "Cliche 20-something blogger writing about their life in a new city." I make no apologizes, this is how it is going to be. I have decided to start a blog and stretch the limits of my narcissism.

Anyways, I am all about making good life choices. And last night, I made plenty. I will quickly recap: 1) drove in the good ahead runs for my softball team (your welcome) 2) proceeded to have a dinner constituting of tater tots and beer 3) stay up way too late. I am sure I could go on with other good decisions I made but then again, I wanted to make this post somewhat brief. Fast forward to today, as I struggle with getting my life in order and need to get to Clareden to pickup my shirt and bib for the half-marathon I am running tomorrow. I have not run more the 8.5 miles in my life, so this will be interesting. But I digress.... back to my great life decisions. As I am in the Pacer's store browsing, I come across a graphic t-shirt that says "Virginia is for Runners." Another thing you will learn about me (this now 2 new things you know me) is that I love a good t-shirt, I can't say no to a good graphic t. Yes, I am a bit too excited over a t-shirt, which I recognize is very bad but on the other hand it is a sweet friggin t. I went for the pink t-shirt which was a good life choice.

Welcome to my blog....

Welcome all... or none... Here is my very first blog post. I am very excited to expand my social media horizons and branch out in the blogosphere... to start, here is a picture of DC in the springtime. This is from when the Cherry Blossom's were in bloom in the the beginning of April.