We Are The Champions, My Friends!!!

In the words of Mr. West, “If you don't know by now, I'm talkin' about Chi-Town.” What does that line have to do with anything? Not much. I just felt like starting off with a line from a song that so perfectly describes this great city. For those who may not know, I’m totally obsessed with this amazing city that I call home. Okay, I live in the suburbs, but whatever. You get the point lol. Chicago is everything and more! We, by far, have one of the BEST skylines in the world. Summertime in Chicago is unmatched. We’re a city with great museums, eateries….and sports fans. We ride with our teams through thick and thin. I’ve sat in the rain and the freezing cold to cheer on my Bears. I’ve traveled to Miami to cheer on the Bulls in a very hostile environment and would quickly do it again. I LOVE my teams! So, of course, I would go to Wrigleyville on Monday, June 24 to cheer for the Blackhawks as they were on the brink of securing the Stanley Cup against the Boston Bruins in an electrifying Game 6.

Before I left the house, Boston had already scored. Yikes! However, while in route to Wrigleyville, my Blackhawks tied it up. Whoop whoop!! Finally, we arrived up North and tried to find parking as far away from the chaos as possible so we wouldn’t be stuck in traffic later. We had faith in our team, hence our trip to Wrigleyville, and we know how Chicago likes to party. Although just a few short hours before, the sky had turned a dark shade of gray and the floodgates of heaven opened on the city of Chicago, it was now clear. Perfect for a night of celebrating. As we walked along Clark trying to find the perfect bar to watch the 3^rd period (yes, we missed all of the second period L), we heard the screams and sighs from all of the passionate Chicago Blackhawks fans. We had to quickly make our way to a bar so we could share in the melting pot of emotions. Thanks to a kind bodyguard at John Barleycorn, we were able to get in and get to celebrating with our fellow Chicagoans. Only one problem, we were now trailing 2-1. Eeeek!!! Come on, Hawks!! 

 

Although, I was prepared to wash out my Hawks shirt and travel to Wrigleyville again IF a Game 7 was necessary, I was hoping that they would make our trip worth it that night. Well, God clearly heard our prayers! My friends and I found a nice spot right in the midst of all of the drunken fans and tuned into the TV. What happened during the short time that we actually watched the game is nothing short of amazing. With 1 minute and 16 seconds left, Bryan Bickell scored to tie the game. *cue Chelsea Dagger* The place went wild!! In the midst of jumping up and down, giving high fives, and singing, beer was flying EVERYWHERE. I’m soooo glad I had my hair in a bun. Just when we had settled down from that brief celebration, the unthinkable happened. We scored again….in a matter of 17 seconds. Unbelievable!!! Repeat the full celebration. Except this time, it lasted much longer. Why? Because by now, there were only 59 seconds remaining. The Boston Bruins never scored again, and the Chicago Blackhawks were the 2013 Stanley Cup Champions! It was a complete madhouse, and I loved every minute of it.

Chicago was now on top again! After my beloved Bears failed to make the playoffs and my Bulls played their hearts out but didn’t make it to the Finals, Chicago sports fans needed a reason to celebrate. For one night, we could unite as a city and do just that. We all came together and had a great time. Somehow, the party spilled out into the streets. Pure pandemonium!!! We danced. We cheered. We jumped up and down. We gave high fives out left and right. When I arrived home around 2am, my feet felt like I had walked on rocks for a week straight. Yet, I went to bed with a smile on my face. Once again, my city was on top. Next up….parade time!

 

 

 

 

 

Repeat Worthy: RaVaughn "Best Friend"

Just FYI, I'm not actually going through this. However, I can always appreciate a great song no matter what the topic is. RaVaughn says some things on this song. I could have done without all of the F-bombs, but beyond that, there's no denying this is a hot song. I'm sure most women AND men have experienced this at least once in their life. That friend zone is nothing nice. And let's not even talk about the guitar on the song. Yes, lawd! I live for guitars. But anyway, enough about all of that. Without further ado, check out my repeat worthy song this week....RaVaughn "Best Friend". Enjoy!

How I Fell Out of Like with LeBron James

For those of you who know me and my total disgust with everything that is the Miami Heat, you may find it hard to believe that I was once a Lebron James fan. Let me tell you why that all changed...

So, it was June 26, 2003. I had completed my first year of college about a month beforehand. My dad had just celebrated a birthday the day before. The San Antonio Spurs were crowned the 2003 NBA champions after defeating the New Jersey Nets. And now, it was time to look forward to the 2003-2004 NBA season. On this night, David Stern stepped to the podium and announced,

''With the first pick of the 2003 NBA draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select . . . LeBron James.''

 And just like that, the city of Cleveland had a reason to celebrate. I mean let's be serious here. People weren't necessarily saving their pennies to attend a Cleveland Indians game. The Cleveland Browns had celebrated a playoff appearance the year before, but they were still a joke. Then, here comes The King, as he affectionately became known as. Grant it, he was a high school phenom, but now it was time for him to take the NBA, actually the world, by storm at the tender age of 18. Was he ready for such a challenge? You better believe it!

I don't even need to go into detail about LeBron's career. We all know what he accomplished while in Cleveland. He was the 03-04 Rookie of the Year, 6-time All-Star, 2 NBA MVP's. And like I said, that was just while in Cleveland. He pretty much carried that team on his back. Yes, it's a huge back, but it wasn't meant to carry a whole team. Yet, that's what he did. Thanks to him, they made it to the Finals in 2007 against their current opponent the San Antonio Spurs. Of course, one man can't carry a team. Therefore, they were swept. I'm praying the Spurs win the current series as well, but I digress. Back to the story.

Anyway, what does all of this have to do with how I fell out of like with LBJ? Glad you asked. Fast forward to May 2009. The Cavs were facing the Orlando Magic in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. As had been the case so many times before, his supporting cast let him down, and they lost. No finals for the Cavs. So, what do players do at the end of a series? They shake hands with their opponent. Nope, not LeBron. He moseyed on off the court...and skipped the press conference following the game. Umm, what? Strike 1. This bothered me because I was once an athlete, and never once did we not shake our opponents hand after the game. That's just bad sportsmanship, especially since he was probably more upset with his team. Therefore, why shun the Magic? But whatever, I got over that, kind of.

Then came Strike 2. After the 2009-2010 season, it was no doubt LeBron was pretty much done with the Cavs. And I, for one, didn't necessarily blame him. Like I said, one man can't carry a team. So I, like most people, knew LeBron wouldn't return. He, along with a plethora of other players including D. Wade and Chris Bosh, were free agents. For some reason, this group of friends thought it would be fun to pretty much play games visiting teams to see who was making the best offer. The only problem is I believe that they already knew where they were headed. So, on July 8, 2010 came The Decision and the infamous phrase,

"I'm going to take my talents to South Beach and join the Miami Heat."

Listen, LeBron, all of that WAS NOT needed. I guess he thought all would be forgiven since The Decision raised money for charity. I mean, that's all fine and good and all, but no. We didn't not need to see him and that non-existent hairline sit on our tv screen and tell us what him, Pat Riley, D. Wade, and Chrissy Bosh already knew. Like I said, that was Strike 2.

THEN, before I could even get over my annoyance from The Decision, here comes the welcome party...which I was not here for whatsoever. Ugh! I just got upset thinking about it all over again. Why are you all celebrating before even playing one, single, solitary game together. Have several! And then you go on to predict not one, not two, not three....well you all know the rest. Needless to say, Strike 3. You're out, and I'm out.

I'm a HUGE basketball fan. My heart aches when my team (hey, Chicago Bulls!) lose. I love the game, and I respect great players. I'm not a Kobe fan due to his cheating ways, but there's no denying his talent. The same goes for LeBron. I respect his game tremendously. He's clearly the best in the game currently. There's no denying that. But what I'm not here for is players turning this game into a joke with their antics. Go out and play the game, and leave the theatrics for those with a SAG card.

I would love to still support LeBron as I did when he first came in the league. Here was a guy born 3 months after me (although he can pass for my great uncle) representing for young, black kids and young adults. From what I can recall, I don't remember hearing about him caught up in any mess off the court. He came in and dominated the game and still does. However, somewhere along the line, he became the type of player I love to hate...ok dislike. Maybe once he leaves the prima donnas down in Miami and joins another team, I can fall back in like with LBJ. But until then, this remains my story for how I fell out of like with LeBron James.

And just like that....

I finally started a blog! I've always been a writer, but who has time for a notebook and pen these days? I'd rather put my word processing skills to good use instead. So, here I am.

Let me just warn you...I'm always thinking of 10,000 things at one time. Therefore, PLEASE don't be surprised if one day I blog about 10 different subjects. That's just how I am, and I don't apologize for it. Just go with me through the melting pot that is my mind and the journey that is my life.