So we are about half way through Lent, the 40 day period leading up to Easter and the holiest period for Christians.
I'm in the club. Raised Catholic, attended Catholic grade school and now raising my three (soon to be four) children in the church.
I'm observant, attending mass weekly in addition to teaching Sunday school (fifth graders) for over ten years. I love fifth graders because they are "young adults" and on the verge of so much, including deciding for themselves whether to attend mass. All I can do is help strengthen the roots and branches, along with their parents.
It's not easy rounding everyone up for two hours of church and school on Sunday. My son Thomas used to say "How many more songs?"
Two stories regarding religion and kids:
Years ago I was in the habit of letting one of my kids place the collection envelope in the basket. It became a big deal because I based it on who was behaving well. One Sunday I forgot the check but had an extra envelope, which I sealed and gave to Thomas, age 7. We were in the second row, and as the usher came towards the front with the basket my son held up the envelope, saw that it was empty, stood up (my wife and daughter were between us) and exclaimed, "Dad, there's no money in here." It was on that day that I started to give online.
Another time I was walking in downtown Chicago with Nora and Thomas, then age 8, when we passed a panhandler. He asked for money and I politely said, "Sorry not today." Later when we stopped for lunch Nora asked why I didn't give him money and I explained that we donate money to organizations which provide food and shelter to those in need, and that we are told in the bible to help the poor.
Boy was I proud. We got home and Nora began explaining to my wife about the man on the sidewalk. With a big smile on my face I asked Nora to explain to Tania why we didn't give the man money and she said, with true conviction, "WE DON'T GIVE MONEY TO THOSE PEOPLE!"
Can I get a witness?
I've always tried to be a moral compass for my children, and one of the highest compliments I received was from a friend who said I "blend spirituality and religion in a way few others do." Early on with them I focused on two things: 1) We are all God's children and 2) The golden rule.
I remind my kids (and students) that Lent is about giving and observing as much as sacrifice. For several years now I have given up coffee for Lent. I am not a happy camper for the first couple of days, but as I say to my kids, going without my morning jolt is nothing compared to Jesus dying for our sins. I also try to attend daily mass more often and read daily meditations. Most years I have to get past kids wanting to give up broccoli or school. Some things never change.
The God I pray to loves everyone. In terms of my Catholic faith I am moved by Gary Wills and his book "Why I am a Catholic." The Creed is the essence of my faith.
Religion is a personal experience, one that ebbs and flows. Right now I am in a good place spiritually and feeling great about my life and all of the blessings it brings. I love my work, advising people who are rich by any definition. Yet I am truly a wealthy man.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
I'm Sorry...Really?
Are you tired of public apologies? Are you sick of seeing famous people with seemingly perfect lives screw up, blubber about it on camera and wonder what possessed them to behave that way in the first place? John Edwards, Mark Sanford, Ted Haggard. Enough already!
And Tiger, I get that you messed up, but it seems to me the only people you owe an apology are your wife and family, friends and maybe Nike shareholders.
Save the rest of it for another time. Take away TMZ and The National Enquirer and Tiger would still be crushing the PGA like walnuts. In other words, he didn't seem to be apologizing for his behavior as much as for getting caught.
Some apologies, however, I would like to hear.
Which brings me to Derrick Rose. I was at a Bulls game the other night entertaining (this year some would say subjecting)guests when I looked around at a number of Bulls jerseys with Derrick Rose's number 1 on the back.
My son Thomas received the same Rose jersey from one of his running buddies for his 11th birthday. He was excited and wore it for a few days until the story broke about Derrick Rose having someone else take his SAT exam to get into Memphis. I sat down with Thomas a couple of weeks later and let him know that he was not to wear the jersey any more for two reasons:
1) His mistake would likely cost students, alumni and fans of the school any games he played in. Rose was "one and done" to the NBA after only one season, and subsequently Memphis was forced to forfeit their entire season which ended in the Final Four.
As an aside, Memphis was also forced to vacate their only other Final Four appearance in the mid '80s. I am planning a reality show featuring players from schools forced to forfeit games and seasons due to misbehavior. A cast of thousands, as they say.
2) He has yet to apologize for his mistake.
We all make mistakes, I said, but without contrition his bad example is made worse. So I asked for the shirt, which we gave to goodwill, and offered to buy him a new one. He chose a Bulls shirt without a players name.
Teachable moment accomplished. I was proud of his reaction. He really had none, just looked at me as if to say "Yeah Dad, that makes sense." I reminded him that character is the way you behave when nobody is watching you.
I have never met Derrick Rose. Seems like a nice guy. Brilliant basketball player. He's young and has the talent to be an All Star for years to come. It's also apparent he had no interest in going to college, forced to do so by the ridiculous requirement that you must be 19 to play in the NBA. Have they set a maximum age yet?
Seems like a nice guy. That's the point and where, like Tiger's Nike ad, "I am Tiger Woods." We all craft an public image. Some people are active in social causes, or at least offer opinions once in a while. Some aren't. Tiger Woods is no Muhammad Ali. Or Jim Brown. He plays golf. Like nobody before or since.
Tiger plays golf, but that's really all he does. I have never heard him speak about infidelity or much of anything else, so he is no hypocrite. Flawed? Oh yeah. Hypocrite? Nah. Hello Mark Foley. A friend of mine said at one point, "Tiger's father must be so disappointed." Really? How would I know? How would anyone know?
As a kid one of my heroes was Cardinals great Lou Brock. I went to a game at Wrigley Field when I was 12 with a homemade sign congratulating him on his 3000th hit. Later I sent him a letter requesting an autograph. He (his peeps) sent a form letter saying I needed to send $20 for it. My Dad said to remember the moment, what he does on the field.
Teachable moment accomplished.
Later I remember meeting Artis Gilmore, "the A train," at a Bulls game. No autographs, just a handshake and smile. Much more meaningful.
So to me heroes are like politics. If all politics are local, let's keep the heroes local. Parents, teachers, friends and family. Those we know, or at least think we know.
And Tiger, I get that you messed up, but it seems to me the only people you owe an apology are your wife and family, friends and maybe Nike shareholders.
Save the rest of it for another time. Take away TMZ and The National Enquirer and Tiger would still be crushing the PGA like walnuts. In other words, he didn't seem to be apologizing for his behavior as much as for getting caught.
Some apologies, however, I would like to hear.
Which brings me to Derrick Rose. I was at a Bulls game the other night entertaining (this year some would say subjecting)guests when I looked around at a number of Bulls jerseys with Derrick Rose's number 1 on the back.
My son Thomas received the same Rose jersey from one of his running buddies for his 11th birthday. He was excited and wore it for a few days until the story broke about Derrick Rose having someone else take his SAT exam to get into Memphis. I sat down with Thomas a couple of weeks later and let him know that he was not to wear the jersey any more for two reasons:
1) His mistake would likely cost students, alumni and fans of the school any games he played in. Rose was "one and done" to the NBA after only one season, and subsequently Memphis was forced to forfeit their entire season which ended in the Final Four.
As an aside, Memphis was also forced to vacate their only other Final Four appearance in the mid '80s. I am planning a reality show featuring players from schools forced to forfeit games and seasons due to misbehavior. A cast of thousands, as they say.
2) He has yet to apologize for his mistake.
We all make mistakes, I said, but without contrition his bad example is made worse. So I asked for the shirt, which we gave to goodwill, and offered to buy him a new one. He chose a Bulls shirt without a players name.
Teachable moment accomplished. I was proud of his reaction. He really had none, just looked at me as if to say "Yeah Dad, that makes sense." I reminded him that character is the way you behave when nobody is watching you.
I have never met Derrick Rose. Seems like a nice guy. Brilliant basketball player. He's young and has the talent to be an All Star for years to come. It's also apparent he had no interest in going to college, forced to do so by the ridiculous requirement that you must be 19 to play in the NBA. Have they set a maximum age yet?
Seems like a nice guy. That's the point and where, like Tiger's Nike ad, "I am Tiger Woods." We all craft an public image. Some people are active in social causes, or at least offer opinions once in a while. Some aren't. Tiger Woods is no Muhammad Ali. Or Jim Brown. He plays golf. Like nobody before or since.
Tiger plays golf, but that's really all he does. I have never heard him speak about infidelity or much of anything else, so he is no hypocrite. Flawed? Oh yeah. Hypocrite? Nah. Hello Mark Foley. A friend of mine said at one point, "Tiger's father must be so disappointed." Really? How would I know? How would anyone know?
As a kid one of my heroes was Cardinals great Lou Brock. I went to a game at Wrigley Field when I was 12 with a homemade sign congratulating him on his 3000th hit. Later I sent him a letter requesting an autograph. He (his peeps) sent a form letter saying I needed to send $20 for it. My Dad said to remember the moment, what he does on the field.
Teachable moment accomplished.
Later I remember meeting Artis Gilmore, "the A train," at a Bulls game. No autographs, just a handshake and smile. Much more meaningful.
So to me heroes are like politics. If all politics are local, let's keep the heroes local. Parents, teachers, friends and family. Those we know, or at least think we know.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Pinch me - Bears got it right?
I am sitting in my office on a sunny Friday and just saw a headline that the Bears signed Julius Peppers and a stud tight end who played with Love and Mike Martz on the Rams.
This offseason has been particularly bad for diehards like me. Not only do we have to think about another mediocre season of 7-9 but the Bears have no draft choices to speak of next month. Thank you Jay Cutler.
And every time I turned around another coach turned down the chance to coach with lame duck Lovie, or as I heard on the radio recently "Lovie Del Negro." Stiffed more times than a clueless waiter.
I saw the headline, but don't want to look. The Bears could actually come out of this in good shape. I know, I know they need O-line help and a receiver, but this is big.
All of the talk this winter has been about the Hawks, rightfully so, although something tells me a letdown is coming. Hockey being the one sport where top seeds do get upset in the first round and the goalie position is anything but settled.
I digress. I love the Bears, and Chicago is a Bears town. Always has been. There is a whiff of optimism this afternoon which is exciting. Now if we could just find some blockers.
This offseason has been particularly bad for diehards like me. Not only do we have to think about another mediocre season of 7-9 but the Bears have no draft choices to speak of next month. Thank you Jay Cutler.
And every time I turned around another coach turned down the chance to coach with lame duck Lovie, or as I heard on the radio recently "Lovie Del Negro." Stiffed more times than a clueless waiter.
I saw the headline, but don't want to look. The Bears could actually come out of this in good shape. I know, I know they need O-line help and a receiver, but this is big.
All of the talk this winter has been about the Hawks, rightfully so, although something tells me a letdown is coming. Hockey being the one sport where top seeds do get upset in the first round and the goalie position is anything but settled.
I digress. I love the Bears, and Chicago is a Bears town. Always has been. There is a whiff of optimism this afternoon which is exciting. Now if we could just find some blockers.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Vacation..or a trip?
I recently returned from our annual family pilgrimage to a waterpark in Sheboygan, WI. We have been going for five years now, always in the dead of winter. Great trip. But not a vacation.
The difference? A vacation is when my wife and I get away. A trip is when the kids are along, we have a great time but I am (more?) worn out when I return.
The park is a lot of fun and combines two of my favorite things, family and water. Too cold for a bass boat which would be the trifecta. The plan is simple. Pack a swimsuit, sweats and flip flops. Park the car in the lot for three days and wander around the resort.
I have two observations every year outside of the fun we have as a family:
1) Obesity is a serious problem and 2) A lot of people just aren't very happy, and it shows.
Maybe it's the environment. The resort has everything - we are captive and sometimes I think of the waterpark as a cage. "Come see the wolly midwestern whales." To those who say "I'm not ashamed of my body." You should be. Your kids get to watch a walking heart attack.
But it's not just the blubber that bothers me but the unhappiness. And it's not that people are overtly anxious, fighting or crying. It's just a sense from looking in their eyes that somehow, at this time and this age, life is not what they imagined.
I see the same thing when I take my kids to the park. I always observe someone not engaged, detached, unhappy. I can tell. I have had those moments. Yet somehow theirs seems more permanent, where I have usually seen mine as transitional. I have experienced plenty of pain, and maybe that's the key. Most of the folks I see are just there, unavailable to others and detached from the pain. But it's there.
And it saddens me because life brings me such joy. When I choose to embrace it.
The difference? A vacation is when my wife and I get away. A trip is when the kids are along, we have a great time but I am (more?) worn out when I return.
The park is a lot of fun and combines two of my favorite things, family and water. Too cold for a bass boat which would be the trifecta. The plan is simple. Pack a swimsuit, sweats and flip flops. Park the car in the lot for three days and wander around the resort.
I have two observations every year outside of the fun we have as a family:
1) Obesity is a serious problem and 2) A lot of people just aren't very happy, and it shows.
Maybe it's the environment. The resort has everything - we are captive and sometimes I think of the waterpark as a cage. "Come see the wolly midwestern whales." To those who say "I'm not ashamed of my body." You should be. Your kids get to watch a walking heart attack.
But it's not just the blubber that bothers me but the unhappiness. And it's not that people are overtly anxious, fighting or crying. It's just a sense from looking in their eyes that somehow, at this time and this age, life is not what they imagined.
I see the same thing when I take my kids to the park. I always observe someone not engaged, detached, unhappy. I can tell. I have had those moments. Yet somehow theirs seems more permanent, where I have usually seen mine as transitional. I have experienced plenty of pain, and maybe that's the key. Most of the folks I see are just there, unavailable to others and detached from the pain. But it's there.
And it saddens me because life brings me such joy. When I choose to embrace it.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Not older ...better
I am getting better. Wiser. But I continue to sense a generation gap, whether at work or at play.
Little things. A few years ago I came to the realization, which I have mentioned to my religious ed students (5th grade) that people graduating from high school were exactly HALF my age. At which point any reference to their looks qualifies me as a dirty old man? (I didn't share that part.)
Little things. More than once I have addressed a young man as "son."
Little things. Sometimes I think about what's for dinner before I order lunch.
I have never made a big deal about my age, especially my birthday (I am a Christmas baby which is a whole other story). And I turned 40 two years ago, which was no big deal other than my metabolism seemed to grind to a screeching halt and I found myself thinking about what's for dinner before I had lunch.
I have always been big on exercise, swimming as much as possible for stress relief and to stay in shape. But my body recovers a little slower than it used to. I marvel at Nolan Ryan, throwing a no-hitter at 44. Without steroids, I hope.
A couple of recent "touchpoints" have left me thinking, however. First is a younger colleague at work. We have a solid working relationship and enjoy getting to know him despite what seems like a minor age difference of 12 years. It manifests in little things, like the time he was talking about trivia night at one of his watering holes and said, innocently enough, "Your probably not too old to join me." Or when I was talking about Michigan basketball (he's an alum, I am not) and realized the players I was speaking of played when he was 6 years old. To him "Fantasy Island" is probably a web site for rotisserie baseball.
The second one is two recent shows that are clearly generational. The first is the movie "It's Complicated." What a riot. Had me falling out of my chair. But there is little chance my younger friends would find it funny in the way I do. Not many 25 or 30 year olds have complicated lives. At least not complicated by things like being divorced and dating, dealing with kids, typically. My wife is a Godsend, and she got what she signed up for.
Life without a spouse and kids is less comlicated, for the most part. Right? And they are young. As they say, the problem with youth is it is wasted on the young.
I also enjoy the show "Men of a Certain Age." The portrayals of middle aged men are dead on. But I have a feeling those under 30 just wouldn't get a lot of the humor. One scene which stands out is was when Andre Braugher's wife responds to his desire to take "time away" from work after being hospitalized with the standard "Of course, I support you no matter what," followed quickly by, "No wait, that's just not true. We are adding onto our house, three kids. Uh uh." Or something to that effect. Smart writing and honest characters.
Young people think they are indestructable. I did, we all did. Now we realize yes, there is a slow end, even if I am barely half way there. And yet what "Men" captures is the longing we all have to take risks combined with the comfort which comes from knowing ourselves, or at least trying to. We all want to be desirable, wanted, and vigorous at any age.
I wouldn't trade my "complications" for anything. And I enjoy seeing them played out on screen. It seems that there are a handful of shows or movies which capture "normal" life, instead of a sanitized Hollywood version. But 15 years ago I would not have related the way I do today.
Little things. A few years ago I came to the realization, which I have mentioned to my religious ed students (5th grade) that people graduating from high school were exactly HALF my age. At which point any reference to their looks qualifies me as a dirty old man? (I didn't share that part.)
Little things. More than once I have addressed a young man as "son."
Little things. Sometimes I think about what's for dinner before I order lunch.
I have never made a big deal about my age, especially my birthday (I am a Christmas baby which is a whole other story). And I turned 40 two years ago, which was no big deal other than my metabolism seemed to grind to a screeching halt and I found myself thinking about what's for dinner before I had lunch.
I have always been big on exercise, swimming as much as possible for stress relief and to stay in shape. But my body recovers a little slower than it used to. I marvel at Nolan Ryan, throwing a no-hitter at 44. Without steroids, I hope.
A couple of recent "touchpoints" have left me thinking, however. First is a younger colleague at work. We have a solid working relationship and enjoy getting to know him despite what seems like a minor age difference of 12 years. It manifests in little things, like the time he was talking about trivia night at one of his watering holes and said, innocently enough, "Your probably not too old to join me." Or when I was talking about Michigan basketball (he's an alum, I am not) and realized the players I was speaking of played when he was 6 years old. To him "Fantasy Island" is probably a web site for rotisserie baseball.
The second one is two recent shows that are clearly generational. The first is the movie "It's Complicated." What a riot. Had me falling out of my chair. But there is little chance my younger friends would find it funny in the way I do. Not many 25 or 30 year olds have complicated lives. At least not complicated by things like being divorced and dating, dealing with kids, typically. My wife is a Godsend, and she got what she signed up for.
Life without a spouse and kids is less comlicated, for the most part. Right? And they are young. As they say, the problem with youth is it is wasted on the young.
I also enjoy the show "Men of a Certain Age." The portrayals of middle aged men are dead on. But I have a feeling those under 30 just wouldn't get a lot of the humor. One scene which stands out is was when Andre Braugher's wife responds to his desire to take "time away" from work after being hospitalized with the standard "Of course, I support you no matter what," followed quickly by, "No wait, that's just not true. We are adding onto our house, three kids. Uh uh." Or something to that effect. Smart writing and honest characters.
Young people think they are indestructable. I did, we all did. Now we realize yes, there is a slow end, even if I am barely half way there. And yet what "Men" captures is the longing we all have to take risks combined with the comfort which comes from knowing ourselves, or at least trying to. We all want to be desirable, wanted, and vigorous at any age.
I wouldn't trade my "complications" for anything. And I enjoy seeing them played out on screen. It seems that there are a handful of shows or movies which capture "normal" life, instead of a sanitized Hollywood version. But 15 years ago I would not have related the way I do today.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Voters elected who? And he did what?
Im bummed.
Not because the Colts lost the Super Bowl (I was pulling for the Saints). I am bummed because Scott Lee Cohen dropped out of the race. As they say "We hardly knew yee" or maybe we knew too much.
I knew nothing about this guy other than he was a wealthy businessman before the election, and apparently voters didn't either. And I took a Republican ballot so he was not in my field.
But wow, did voters and party bosses (and most of the media) blow this one. And to think at 3pm yesterday, several days after the election, he was still refusing to quit. My guess is that if Mike Madigan was unable to convince him to bail President Obama would have put Katie Couric on hold and dropped a dime to Cohen headquarters.
I love politics. And I am a junkie for CNN, CNBC, FOX, MSNBC, PBS, talk radio , blogs and all. I also love to write and love a good story. Which is why I am bummed.
Because you just can't make this stuff up. Illinois is already a laughingstock for the rest of the country and here we are about to run a hooker beating, steroid taking deadbeat Dad.
Oh, to be a campaign adviser on either side of that one. How can you spin it away? Perhaps she was working his "stimulus package." More likely the same drivel we always hear about "mistakes of the past" and indiscretions.
And what an easy target for the Republicans. To me the best part was his hooker girlfriend going on record as saying he would not be a good Governor. Thanks for the insight. And what involvement have you had in politics, besides offering exotic massages to higher ups in both parties? The client list probably reads like a who's who. After all, our state is bipartisan when it comes to corruption.
It would have been great theater. And the death knell for Governor Quinn. Because Illinois is one state where the Lt. Gov does matter, since our past two governors are wearing or will wear orange jumpsuits.
Not because the Colts lost the Super Bowl (I was pulling for the Saints). I am bummed because Scott Lee Cohen dropped out of the race. As they say "We hardly knew yee" or maybe we knew too much.
I knew nothing about this guy other than he was a wealthy businessman before the election, and apparently voters didn't either. And I took a Republican ballot so he was not in my field.
But wow, did voters and party bosses (and most of the media) blow this one. And to think at 3pm yesterday, several days after the election, he was still refusing to quit. My guess is that if Mike Madigan was unable to convince him to bail President Obama would have put Katie Couric on hold and dropped a dime to Cohen headquarters.
I love politics. And I am a junkie for CNN, CNBC, FOX, MSNBC, PBS, talk radio , blogs and all. I also love to write and love a good story. Which is why I am bummed.
Because you just can't make this stuff up. Illinois is already a laughingstock for the rest of the country and here we are about to run a hooker beating, steroid taking deadbeat Dad.
Oh, to be a campaign adviser on either side of that one. How can you spin it away? Perhaps she was working his "stimulus package." More likely the same drivel we always hear about "mistakes of the past" and indiscretions.
And what an easy target for the Republicans. To me the best part was his hooker girlfriend going on record as saying he would not be a good Governor. Thanks for the insight. And what involvement have you had in politics, besides offering exotic massages to higher ups in both parties? The client list probably reads like a who's who. After all, our state is bipartisan when it comes to corruption.
It would have been great theater. And the death knell for Governor Quinn. Because Illinois is one state where the Lt. Gov does matter, since our past two governors are wearing or will wear orange jumpsuits.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
A Rose is a Rose is a....
My favorite sporting event, without question, is the Rose Bowl. Ever since I was a kid I have loved the pageantry, the game, Keith Jackson, the parade, and most importantly the idea of turning on the TV in the dead of winter to see blue skies and 70 degrees.
I love the Big Ten. Even though I went to school (Missouri) in what was then the Big Eight, when I look back Oklahoma-Nebraska never did it for me like Michigan-Ohio State.
I love that the Rose Bowl is a traditional matchup, Big Ten vs. Pac Ten. Most of the time, thanks to the BCS.
I hate the BCS, and the idea of a playoff. Football is a unique sport. You can't turn around after a game and play again two days later, like they do in basketball, baseball or any number of sports. I played enough to know how painful it is the next day, when you wake up and your entire body aches.
I realize other divisions have a playoff. Good for them. How many of you tuned in to watch Appalachia play Western Idaho in the subdivision bowl, or whatever they call it? The bowl games are exhibitions, nothing more. A reward for a good season (6-5?) and a chance for coaches to get in extra practice time.
Why do we need a National Championship game? Of course, $$$. I liked it when writers and coaches voted. It was purely subjective, and OK with me. And without a playoff a lot of good teams never get a shot at the championship game. So leave it alone, I say.
Sports traditions are cool, like NHL teams lining up to shake hands after a playoff series, or the Yankees not having names on the back of their uniforms. Or the Rose Bowl.
I am old enough to remember when there were 15 or so bowl games. I remember games like the Peach Bowl and the Bluebonnet Bowl. But the big four were the Rose, Sugar, Cotton and Orange. Now there are what, 60 or so games? My school, Missouri, played in something called the Texas Bowl, or Houston Bowl. I don't remember and didn't watch. Did I also miss a big parade?
I love the Rose Bowl. As a kid it was the game for Midwestern football fans. It was our chance to match our folksy, down home Midwestern values against the loopy free spirits from the west. Every year we would watch to see which Big Ten team would make it through and have the honor of heading out to Hollywood for a week before losing the big game.
Because the Big Ten always lost. At least it seems that way. And coaches tried everything. From locking players up other than practice to letting them run wild. It didn't seem to matter what they did. Bo and Woody won a ton of games, but not many Rose Bowls.
I still love the game. See you next January 1st at 4pm cst.
I love the Big Ten. Even though I went to school (Missouri) in what was then the Big Eight, when I look back Oklahoma-Nebraska never did it for me like Michigan-Ohio State.
I love that the Rose Bowl is a traditional matchup, Big Ten vs. Pac Ten. Most of the time, thanks to the BCS.
I hate the BCS, and the idea of a playoff. Football is a unique sport. You can't turn around after a game and play again two days later, like they do in basketball, baseball or any number of sports. I played enough to know how painful it is the next day, when you wake up and your entire body aches.
I realize other divisions have a playoff. Good for them. How many of you tuned in to watch Appalachia play Western Idaho in the subdivision bowl, or whatever they call it? The bowl games are exhibitions, nothing more. A reward for a good season (6-5?) and a chance for coaches to get in extra practice time.
Why do we need a National Championship game? Of course, $$$. I liked it when writers and coaches voted. It was purely subjective, and OK with me. And without a playoff a lot of good teams never get a shot at the championship game. So leave it alone, I say.
Sports traditions are cool, like NHL teams lining up to shake hands after a playoff series, or the Yankees not having names on the back of their uniforms. Or the Rose Bowl.
I am old enough to remember when there were 15 or so bowl games. I remember games like the Peach Bowl and the Bluebonnet Bowl. But the big four were the Rose, Sugar, Cotton and Orange. Now there are what, 60 or so games? My school, Missouri, played in something called the Texas Bowl, or Houston Bowl. I don't remember and didn't watch. Did I also miss a big parade?
I love the Rose Bowl. As a kid it was the game for Midwestern football fans. It was our chance to match our folksy, down home Midwestern values against the loopy free spirits from the west. Every year we would watch to see which Big Ten team would make it through and have the honor of heading out to Hollywood for a week before losing the big game.
Because the Big Ten always lost. At least it seems that way. And coaches tried everything. From locking players up other than practice to letting them run wild. It didn't seem to matter what they did. Bo and Woody won a ton of games, but not many Rose Bowls.
I still love the game. See you next January 1st at 4pm cst.
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