September 12, 2006

MAIL CALL!!!

Oh buddy, what a day of mail from the wrasslin’ fans. The funniest part of the mail call was that people called me an idiot, then followed that up by affirming exactly the point I was making. I love it when that happens.

Oh, here’s a link to the piece.

Let’s start with Ryan.

Bomani

It’s writers like you how keep people watching the WWE. But the wise crack about Katrina. Please don’t you have any morals. You should be ashamed. Let the people decide what there going to watch. I turn to espn.com for sports news not smearing the WWE. I know that your working for espn and want everybody to watch Monday Night Football. Let the people make their choice. And just stay to reporting sports. Not creating it. But because the WWE has been successfull doesn’t mean you can become a WWE Writer oh wait you just did. For shame. So why don’t you take your column. Turn it side ways and stick it up your nose. If you smell what the WWE is cookin.

Most interesting were the people that took offense to the line about Hurricane Katrina. They couldn’t believe that I would make light of Katrina, which means they totally missed the point. I was saying that the WWE would, and there’s a track record to show that McMahon has so few scruples that even dissin’ storm victims would be possible. Too bad it’s not possible for Ryan to write a complete sentence.

And maybe Ryan should talk to James.

Good take on WWE being affected by the MNF move to cable. I read this line from your column and I shook my head, wishing it were true: “Not even the WWE would make jokes about Katrina.“

Actually, WWE did make an off-color Katrina reference on the Raw broadcast a few weeks ago on August 28. When Umaga came to the ring to attack an opponent, there was a comment made that a “Katrina-like tragedy” is about to occur. Sad, but true. Take care.

Mark also struggles with English.

dude u suck vince mcmahon’s dick and you lick his asshole u jackass thay get better rating then you dam u are so jealous of the wwe and vince mcmahon

Another dude named James is no fan, either.

Your recent column was the heighth of dumb. I am now dumber for having read it.

Thanks for wasting three mintues of my life.

September 11, 2006

Baba Goes To Church

Business…here’s a look at the WWE’s pending campaign to compete with Monday Night Football. Thanks to the WMD for sparking this idea.

I mentioned last post that I went to church. Judging from the astonished phone calls and e-mails I got yesterday and this morning, I don’t think I have to remind you of that.

Anyway, I’m sure most of you could surmise why I went–my girlfriend’s a churchgoer. One of the interesting things about my dating history is that I tend to wind up with churchgoers, even though I’m pretty well-known for my aversion to organized religion.

But here’s the way I see it–if church is important to her, then it’s not much for me to try to make it every few Sundays. Plus, preachers ain’t dumb. They know to wrap things up in time for people to make it home for 1pm kickoff. They ain’t trying to mess up the turnout. As Bill Withers once sang, “it dont’ do too much good to be talkin’ when ain’t nobody listenin’.”

The other thing is that my girlfriend felt that my views on church were uninformed. My analyses are very critical on the people who are quick to tell me I’m going to hell because I’ve had a drink or two and focused most of my biblical studies on gettin’ biblical. Basically, I don’t want to be chastised for doing things that don’t hurt anyone else. I think God understands where I’m coming from on those things.

But I went. And I was better for it. It’s funny…it’s a lot easier to appreciate something when you go in with an open mind rather than looking for something for something to pick at and criticize. Who woulda thunk it?

Anyhoo, even a cynic like me can appreciate any place where people come together and look out for each other. When I walked in the door, I was immediately struck by the positive vibe. I’m not big on talking about vibes beyond what kind of music a DJ plays at a club, but it all felt welcoming. Relaxed, even. And I have never felt relaxed in church.

From what I could tell, it was your basic service. No need to detail it.

But I really dug the sermon. I forget what verse he was talking about, but dude really hit home with it. He asked listeners to appreciate the verse’s context (I would have liked him to ask them to embrace the historical context a little more, but I can’t be greedy) and then began to explain it. Basically, he was letting folks know that, no matter how bad things get, God’s always got their back.

It’s a lesson that all of us need to hear, even if not in those terms. At that point, I had a bit of an epiphany about Christianity and me–I am much more like Christians than I realized. That’s why I wind up with churchgoers. The basic ideas of right and wrong that they have are the same as mine. That’s probably because I was raised by a preacher’s son and and deacon’s daughter. What messages like that sermon provides those folks is reaffirmation that, no matter what happens, everything will be okay in the end.

I have no beef with that. Further, I enjoyed hearing that without hearing condemnation of things I consider petty and inconsequential.

I walked out the door feeling better off for going. In the end, you can’t ask for much more.

So my girlfriend–who I will always refer to as such because the world doesn’t need to know much more than that–was right. I had been a bit quick to condemn all of this. I can’t knock anything that’s trying to help people get through daily trials and tribulations, and I surely can’t knock anything that helps get people through bigger things.

I always said that I wished I had religion when Jon died because all I had was an abstract belief that I’d get better. I wish I had a God or savior to look to in trying to cope. Instead, I have the understanding and awareness that nothing is so big that it will conquer me.

As we all know, understanding isn’t always enough.

So I listened to that sermon with the understanding that the preacher and I see the world in the same way. We just explain it through different terms. As time has gone on, I’ve even come to believe that there is a higher power looking out for most of us. I won’t pretend like that belief doesn’t get shaken (usually when I watch the news), but it’s there. Too much random stuff has worked out well for me, dig?

But my realization that I feel the same way as most of the people in that room further frustrated me about my previous dealings with people. I’ve been fortunate enough to find someone with a bit of understanding of where I come from. I told her my views once and she asked me, “so what makes you not a Christian?” ‘Twas a comforting thing to hear after years of ostracism from people who found me trustworthy and fun, but not quite a good enough person to share themselves with.

If going to church makes me feel better about the world by the time I leave, I’ll make a few trips. Not on the verge of converting or anything like that, but I really can see the good in church.

The church? That’s a long post for another day.

But for today’s post, I got another bit of proof that I don’t always know what I’m talking about. Not every Christian is on something good, but they’re not all hypocrites, a generalization I’ve intimated a few times.

With that in mind, I probably won’t spend time trying to intellectually point out the problems with the Bible and all of that. Such things really don’t matter. So long as people can take the positive messages from the book without chastising others–which I think Christians refer to as not judging–then I’m okay with it.

I don’t agree with everything that goes on in church. But those folks go there to get something I’m also looking for–a little peace. That’s far more valuable than a piece of anything.

It doesn’t even really matter who’s right in the end. Just as long as we find a way to get where we need to go.

(And close friends, I know what you’re thinking. The answer–yes, she must be dope if she got me to go to church. Especially dope considering she didn’t even ask me to do it. So yeah, I am done for.)

September 10, 2006

The Morning After

So the ‘Horns lost.  I’m over it, though.  Record recovery speed for me.  Maybe that calm was brought on by a trip to church this morning (more on that tomorrow).
Either way, here are my observations of that game.

1.  Time to start questioning Greg Davis again.

Davis is the offensive coordinator.  After winning the title, people started praising him, which was a marked departure from the previous six years of criticism he’d received from anyone that observed Texas.  His problem before was that he was crazy predictable.  And last night, he was back at his old tricks.  We sat in my living room and could predict the plays after a while.  I’m assuming the OSU coaching staff could, too.  Why?  Because the series when the drives died weren’t because the line was getting pushed back or that the backs weren’t hitting holes.  The Buckeye defenders were shooting gaps like they knew where the plays were going.  Without Vince, they can’t be that predictable.  McCoy just isn’t good enough to beat teams when they know what’s coming.

2.  The ‘Horns can still make the title game.

Why?  Because Young and Charles looked great last night.  The defense looked pretty good without Brown (even though Chizik ran way too much Cover 0 to be down a corner).  The line was stout.  And McCoy has a while to get it together before the Oklahoma game.  And over the last six years, Mack has done a good job regrouping the team after losses.

3.  Troy Smith is that dude.

He was incredible.  He deserves every bit of praise he’ll receive in the next week.

4.  The Animal does his father proud.

James Laurinaitis played a monster game.  His father, Animal from the Road Warriors, is one of my childhood heroes, so I said that I wouldn’t be bothered if he was the man to do us in.  But dammit, that wasn’t an invitation for him to do us in.  Either way, the OSU defense showed me enough to make me certain OSU’s the best team in the country.

5.  The Godzillatron is incredible.

We could have watched the game on the Godzillatron from my TV.  It’s that massive.

6.  Bet Mack wishes he would have waited a little before suspending Tarell Brown.

More and more, it looks like Tarell was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.  I guess Mack had to suspend him to make it clear that players need to be more careful, but he sure would have been nice to have yesterday.

7.  College football is my favorite sport.

I wanna write about this later, but just know that I feel that way.

8.  At least I don’t live and die by one of the football teams around here.

‘Twas a really bad day of football in the 919.  State lost to Akron AT HOME.  Carolina looked terribly coached, so bad that a die-hard Carolina fan said rooting for them is like being in an “abusive relationship.”  And Duke…well, it’s Duke.  I have no idea how people that live here don’t have the college football package on their cable.

September 8, 2006

Unapologetically Texan

Business…here’s a piece on why Texan are so good at football.

I’m exhausted and swamped. No list. Enjoy your weekend.

September 7, 2006

I Got My Baby Back!

I sent someone an IM saying that a few minutes ago. She was excited for me and asked what we we did. I found it such a silly question. Wasn’t it obvious what we were doing?

Then I realized the problem. She thought I was talking about my girlfriend. I was talking about my laptop.

I’m not so sure what that says about me. Don’t get me wrong–I was crazy happy to see the girlfriend yesterday. But after spending a week borrowing computers, using those unfamiliar Macs, writing pieces on WordPad and in e-mail windows and being without my music, I was extra happy to see the DHL man. Might have been tempted to give buddy a hug if I didn’t realize how useless my computer would be if dude got shocked and stole off on me for invading his personal space.

I love her more than my laptop. Don’t get it twisted. But I began to wonder if I could live without this thing.

Think about it. Everything was rollin’ real smooth until my computer broke (okay, until I broke my computer). After that, I had those five days from hell. I think this is some sort of karma for not showing proper respect to this machine, this thing that does so much good for me. Without it, I had to make all those road trips. I lost lots of time I needed to get work done. And then I had to do work in uncomfortable situations.

So I promise to treat my computer better. Solemnly swear and all that.

Anyway, I’m back on the grind. Got a piece on Texas football running tomorrow, one on Monday Night Football vs. WWE on Monday, and another later next week on Tiger Woods and Jim Brown. And keep checking out vibe.com for news.

September 6, 2006

Blackademics on the Radio

Well, back in NC.  Got home, but had to turn right around to head to Elon and prepare today’s lecture.  But if I’m not mistaken, my whirlwind stops early tomorrow.  Whew.

 But to more pressing matters, my man Pierce Freelon will be on the radio today discussing Blackademics.org, a blog he’s started in an attempt to encourage intelligent diasporic discussion online.  If you go to the site, you’ll notice I’m listed as a guest contributor.  I’ll put something up over there as soon as I get time to do so.

 Anyhoo, check him out at WAOK-FM in Atlanta (online stream available with link).  The interview will begin at 4pm Eastern.  And if you know anything about recording streaming media, hit him up at the addy he provides on Blackademics.  If he doesn’t provide such things, then let me know and I’ll get the info to him.

Off to get my Whitney on.  Teachin ‘em well.  Lettin ‘em lead the way.  But I won’t smoke crack.  I make too much money to smoke crack.  Crack is…

September 5, 2006

Bomani Continues to Lose

So, what was the worst part of today?

1. Having to go it alone on the road? Not that because my co-pilot had a job interview. That’s always good.
2. Not getting to eat until 5pm?
3. Having a story I sent to my editor disappear?
4. Leaving a c-note worth of new clothes in my rental car, only to have them say they never saw them?
5. Expecting to pay $200 or so in car repairs and paying $1,000?
6. This headache that’s doing the intro to “I Wanna Be Free” in my temple?
7. Knowing I’ve got to wake up tomorrow around 4 to drive back to Durham?
8. Finding out Tarell Brown won’t be there to cover Ted Ginn? Not that…thank goodness for Aaron Ross.
9. Accidentally leaving the window down on the rental car, only to have it get rained on, which affected some important paperwork I had in the car?

Well, at least I get my laptop back tomorrow.

September 4, 2006

Do you have to work today?

Cuz I do.  If you don’t, forget you.  And your moms.  And the horse you rode in on.
Having to work isn’t so bad.  But when your car dies in a city you don’t live in on a holiday weekend when you have to work and the car fixing people don’t, then life’s no good.  Had to rent a car to drive up here and teach the kids.  Tomorrow, I’ll be driving back to get my car, then driving bakc up here to teach on Wednesday.  Will I be exhausted?  Oh yes.

But that’ll be better than how I felt when I got out the car, when the Whopper I got from a Burger King somewhere in South Carolina hit me with a barrage of body blows.  Ran to the bathroom and wasn’t sure where to put what.  So all bad, man.

And my computer’s still broken?  Thank goodness my buddy Ernesto–not the hurricane–is letting me borrow his lapper.  But I gotta give that back today.

Your boy really can’t win.  He just can’t.

Well, yes I am winning.  Cuz even with all that happening, still had a ball in Atlanta.  And since the car died before I could go to any grownup establishments, I’ve actually got some dough still in my pockets!  Hooray malfunctioning Bomobile!

Sorta.

Anyhow, back to preparing my lecture and getting ready to go back to Atlanta.  At least I was able to get a Charger for a dub a day.

September 1, 2006

Today’s Moment of Enlightenment

Know what’s tough?  Those moments where you realize who you are, who you think you are and who you would like to be aren’t the same person.

That’s something to ponder.

Getting ready to go to Atlanta.  Let’s hope the homie Ernesto ain’t made driving too treacherous.