Land of the Free, Because of the Brave

Nov10

At 21 years old my brother is a war veteran.

My only baby brother is a WAR veteran. He’s my baby brother. And he’s the only brother I have. I have a gaggle of sisters. But just one brother. And when he was 19 years old I watched him ship off to fight a war on the other side of the Earth. I’m his big sister. I’m supposed to protect him. I’m supposed to keep him safe from harm. I make sure he holds my hand when we cross the street. And I teach him that under no circumstances should he ever EVER talk to strangers. And then I just watched him go. Fight a war.

Now, a mere two years later, I’m watching him make preparations to go fight the same stupid war. A lot has happened during those two years. First, when my only baby brother got home, he wasn’t just my baby brother. He was a grown up. He had seen things I will never even be able to imagine. Second, he became a Dad! And most recently he became a Husband. And now, I watch as he makes plans for his daughter and wife. Plans for them to be safe and provided for while he is on the other side of the planet.

Having said all that, my brother is my HERO. My brother is an American Soldier. He protects me. He keeps me safe from harm. He makes sure I’m holding his hand when we cross the street. And he makes sure that under no circumstances I ever EVER talk to strangers. He is among the bravest humans on Earth. He will travel anywhere on the planet that he is asked. He will fight an enemy to the death. He will put his life on the line defending you. And he has never even met you.

Because my only baby brother is an American Soldier.

My brother sacrifices time with his own family to ensure you have the freedom and privilege to spend time with yours. My brother puts himself in harms way to ensure that you don’t have to. My brother will risk his life for your freedom. And he has never even met you. Because my brother is an American Soldier. My only baby brother is my hero.

And my brother should be your hero, too.

Remember our Veterans. We owe them our Freedom.

November 11, 2010

*… In Dedication, Honor and Memory of the soldiers who are fighting, have fought and gave their lives for our great nation…* Thank You.

F*#k Cancer

Nov10

Quick- think of the scariest word you know. What is it? Death? Failure? Loneliness?

For me, it’s Cancer. It’s the scariest word I know. And it pisses me off.

I can’t name many things I hate – in fact, I don’t know that I hate anything. Well, maybe one thing – cancer. I. Hate. It.

I hate that it exists. I hate that it causes fear when you hear the word. I. Hate. It.

Cancer is the ultimate terrorist. It attacks without warning. It does not discriminate. It grows quickly and silently. It strikes fear into the hearts of all. It winds its way through our bodies, laughing as we try to stop it. It teases us, taunts us. Says, “try all the medicine in the world. Use all technologies available. HA HA! I can’t be stopped. I can’t be defeated. I’m Cancer! I’m unbeatable! I’m uncurable! I’m Cancer- so fuck you human!”

Well you know what, Cancer? FUCK YOU!!!

You are stoppable. You are defeatable. You are beatable. And you will be cured.

There will be a day – a day when you won’t be the scariest word I know. For now, know this: I. Hate. You.

And until that day arrives, hear this – fuck cancer.

*…this post is written in loving honor, dedication and memory of all who’ve been affected by Cancer…*

VICKtory!

Sep27

While the Eagles as a team are 2-1, Vick as the starter is 2-0!!!

Keep on flying!

Next game: vs Washington, Sunday 3:15.

I am so excited!

1 and done (updated)

Sep21

Did anybody else happen to watch the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday? If not let me summarize what happened. Michael Vick took control of a team that is dying for a leader. When Kolb went down in week one with a concussion Vick came in and, even though they lost, did a great job leading. He became the ONLY quarterback over the age of 30 to rush for over 100 yards in a single game. You hear me McNabb? And last Sunday at Ford Field he was on fire. He looked smarter, stronger, better. He looked like a starter. And yet next week when the Eagles head to Jacksonville, Kolb will be starting.

Don’t misunderstand me. It’s not that I think Kolb can’t be a great starter, it’s that I *know* Vick is. He’s experienced. He’s been in this situation before.

I don’t understand Reid’s thinking on this. Or Jeff Laurie’s. Why did we spend the money for Vick to have him stand on the sidelines? It just doesn’t make sense. It makes everything harder. It makes practice more difficult because the players have to run different plays based on who’s quarterbacking. Kolb throws right handed. Vick’s a lefty.

I know there’s no actual quarterback controversy in Philly, but there *should* be! And the coaches and organization should be listening to all of the sound reasoned advice that the sports analysts are giving. If you were a player who would you rather have leading your team, an inexperienced third year guy, or a guy who can get things done?

*********UPDATE**********
Eagles head coach Andy Reid names Michael Vick starting quarterback.

I guess I just had to send the vibes out into the world and sports karma took care of the rest!!!!

I AM PUMPED!!!

Who Dat? That’d be FOOTBALL SEASON!

Sep10

The air is cooler, the leaves are beginning to turn, i can smell Fall around the corner. My favorite time of year has finally arrived!

FOOTBALL SEASON!!!!!

I can think of no time more exciting, more energetic and more frenzied than football season. College and professional football fans alike share an unmatched enthusiasm for their team. I’m talking about screaming at the tv, cursing at the officials and hollering at the players. If you’ve never witnessed the spectacle go to any bar on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

I’m not a college football diehard and never have been. I am an NFL fan. Philadelphia Eagles!

I spend my Sundays screaming at the television and getting upset at stupid play calls, poor field reads and dropped passes. And love every minute of it.

I mean honestly, is there anything better than staring at 22 dudes wearing spandex and anhilating each other for three hours while listening to a chorus of Al Michaels and the always incredible Cris Collinsworth? (I’m sure not everybody agrees that Collinsworth is incredible, but he’s better than John). Unless of course it’s an afternoon game and you’re listening to Joe and Troy.

And I don’t only watch my boys. If there is a game on I’m watching it. I watched the Saints/Vikings game last night and while I didn’t particularly care which team won (though I was secretly cheering for the Saints) I still had that football thrill!

Is there anything more amazing than watching football? Any time of year as awesome as football season? Probably not (although the “hunt for October” is pretty thrilling).

So cheer on football lovers. The next five months will be bliss!