September 17th, 2008
For some odd reason, it seems this column is always the last piece of writing that I do in each edition. I often times find myself struggling with the same question each time I sit down at my computer - what do I write about this time?
Writers of specific topics such as sports, for example, always have games to cover, not to mention everything going on with all the players, regardless of the season. Theres baseball from April through the playoffs in October, football from the August preseason games through the December playoffs and finishing with the Superbowl in late January or early February, hockey, NASCAR, basketball, soccer, and Im sure Ive missed a few.
Speaking of baseball, as we head into the playoff games, its proving to be an interesting season. There are a number of good teams vying for a chance at this years world series. Are Chicagos Cubbies finally going to have the opportunity this year as the Boston Red Sox (a game behind Tampa Bay) did in both 2004 and 2007? Our Diamondbacks are still hanging in there (they were 4.5 games back behind LA as of Sept. 15), and Artie Morenos Angels are also looking pretty good this year. Those dreaded Yankees are out of the playoffs for probably the first time since most can remember (I bet Joe Torre has a big smile on his face right about now - his Dodgers are in first place in their division) On the football front, Cardinals fans have something to cheer about - the Cards under Whisenhut are 2-0 to start the season. Last years MVP, Tom Brady, is out for the season, so it will be interesting to see how the Patriots fare without him. At the beginning of each year, all teams are even again as fans hold out hope that their favorite team will reach the Superbowl and claim the trophy that gives them the right to say theyre the best in that given year.
In other genre, those covering politics seem to have at least or possibly even more to write about between the legislature and the bills under consideration, all the candidates at the various levels of government, along with all theyre up to (or not). Add to that this years election with history in the making for both the Republican and Democratic sides, and political pundits across the country should have topics of conversation well into next year. Its my guess that well see a voter turnout for this years presidential election like we havent seen in a good number of years (decades?).
Even local races hold the promise of down & dirty politics and politicians who seem show their faces only when they feel their job, their bread & butter has been threatened by another seeking that position. It continues to be my hope that the voters out there will take part in these local elections, which many times are just stepping stones to higher elected and/or appointed positions with more power.
In other facets of writing, there are those who cover the economy and the stories that always make headlines - the real estate collapse, soaring gas prices, government bailouts of collapsed financial companies, monster hurricanes, destructive tornadoes and other weather-related catastrophes.
Despite the sensationalism, it seems one thing always manages to shine through - the human spirit. Friends helping friends, strangers reaching out to strangers and giving to those less fortunate. We are a nation that unites in times of crisis and the best example of a shining beacon in the night when times get tough.
I suppose I could recount some humorous tale or look for words of wisdom to impart to readers. I suppose I could share a community story about funds raised for local residents or honored teachers who volunteer tirelessly in the area in which they live. I could talk about a movie made locally that warms the heart (You really should all go out and see Jake's Corner - I think the same person from the Arizona Republic who reviewed the movie must have also been among those that panned Raiders of the Lost Ark when it hit theaters - and it made how many millions?). I suppose I could share all the good found right here where we live and how life goes on despite the downturn in the economy.
Well, I guess weve actually done all that with all that weve included in this edition. It is absolutely packed with articles ranging from headline stories to community doins to stories that warm the heart to sports news to recipes to humorous tales. Ummm - wonder what Ill write about in the next issue. Until then . . . take care. back...
Writers of specific topics such as sports, for example, always have games to cover, not to mention everything going on with all the players, regardless of the season. Theres baseball from April through the playoffs in October, football from the August preseason games through the December playoffs and finishing with the Superbowl in late January or early February, hockey, NASCAR, basketball, soccer, and Im sure Ive missed a few.
Speaking of baseball, as we head into the playoff games, its proving to be an interesting season. There are a number of good teams vying for a chance at this years world series. Are Chicagos Cubbies finally going to have the opportunity this year as the Boston Red Sox (a game behind Tampa Bay) did in both 2004 and 2007? Our Diamondbacks are still hanging in there (they were 4.5 games back behind LA as of Sept. 15), and Artie Morenos Angels are also looking pretty good this year. Those dreaded Yankees are out of the playoffs for probably the first time since most can remember (I bet Joe Torre has a big smile on his face right about now - his Dodgers are in first place in their division) On the football front, Cardinals fans have something to cheer about - the Cards under Whisenhut are 2-0 to start the season. Last years MVP, Tom Brady, is out for the season, so it will be interesting to see how the Patriots fare without him. At the beginning of each year, all teams are even again as fans hold out hope that their favorite team will reach the Superbowl and claim the trophy that gives them the right to say theyre the best in that given year.
In other genre, those covering politics seem to have at least or possibly even more to write about between the legislature and the bills under consideration, all the candidates at the various levels of government, along with all theyre up to (or not). Add to that this years election with history in the making for both the Republican and Democratic sides, and political pundits across the country should have topics of conversation well into next year. Its my guess that well see a voter turnout for this years presidential election like we havent seen in a good number of years (decades?).
Even local races hold the promise of down & dirty politics and politicians who seem show their faces only when they feel their job, their bread & butter has been threatened by another seeking that position. It continues to be my hope that the voters out there will take part in these local elections, which many times are just stepping stones to higher elected and/or appointed positions with more power.
In other facets of writing, there are those who cover the economy and the stories that always make headlines - the real estate collapse, soaring gas prices, government bailouts of collapsed financial companies, monster hurricanes, destructive tornadoes and other weather-related catastrophes.
Despite the sensationalism, it seems one thing always manages to shine through - the human spirit. Friends helping friends, strangers reaching out to strangers and giving to those less fortunate. We are a nation that unites in times of crisis and the best example of a shining beacon in the night when times get tough.
I suppose I could recount some humorous tale or look for words of wisdom to impart to readers. I suppose I could share a community story about funds raised for local residents or honored teachers who volunteer tirelessly in the area in which they live. I could talk about a movie made locally that warms the heart (You really should all go out and see Jake's Corner - I think the same person from the Arizona Republic who reviewed the movie must have also been among those that panned Raiders of the Lost Ark when it hit theaters - and it made how many millions?). I suppose I could share all the good found right here where we live and how life goes on despite the downturn in the economy.
Well, I guess weve actually done all that with all that weve included in this edition. It is absolutely packed with articles ranging from headline stories to community doins to stories that warm the heart to sports news to recipes to humorous tales. Ummm - wonder what Ill write about in the next issue. Until then . . . take care. back...
