Amanda Gorman Gift

Today’s gift to America is another lyrical beacon of hope from the young lady who helped our nation heal following an unprecedented attack on our capitol by a Trump-supporters led mob, attempting to thwart the presidential transfer of power. 

Amanda Gorman, poet laureate, has penned yet another amazing poem for our nation to ponder and put into action come this new year. I know, not every american citizen feels the purpose and promise in her prose, but for those with an ear for positive change, let freedom ring in 2022!

‘New Day's Lyric’ by Amanda Gorman

May this be the day

We come together.

Mourning, we come to mend, 

Withered, we come to weather,

Torn, we come to tend,

Battered, we come to better. 

Tethered by this year of yearning,

We are learning

That though we weren't ready for this, 

We have been readied by it.

Steadily we vow that no matter

How we are weighed down,

We must always pave a way forward.

This hope is our door, our portal.

Even if we never get back to normal, 

Someday we can venture beyond it,

To leave the known and take the first steps. 

So let us not return to what was normal, 

But reach toward what is next.

What was cursed, we will cure.

What was plagued, we will prove pure.

Where we tend to argue, we will try to agree,

Those fortunes we forswore, now the future we foresee, 

Where we weren't aware, we're now awake;

Those moments we missed

Are now these moments we make,

The moments we meet,

And our hearts, once all together beaten,

Now all together beat.

Come, look up with kindness yet,

For even solace can be sourced from sorrow. 

We remember, not just for the sake of yesterday, 

But to take on tomorrow.

We heed this old spirit,

In a new day's lyric,

In our hearts, we hear it:

For auld lang syne, my dear, 

For auld lang syne.

Be bold, sang Time this year, 

Be bold, sang Time,

For when you honor yesterday, 

Tomorrow ye will find.

Know what we've fought

Need not be forgot nor for none.

It defines us, binds us as one, 

Come over, join this day just begun. 

For wherever we come together, 

We will forever overcome.

Madden Gone - A Nation Mourns

 John Madden Audio Tribute @benztownradio

It's just so hard getting through this NFL season as a Raiders fan. With a coach resigning under scandalous accusations, a top player let go after involvement in a fatal automobile accident, and a pandemic still causing havoc on the game and players, you'd think it can't get any worse.

Then comes the unexpected loss of one of our great Hall of Fame inductees, a man whose name is synonymous with Raiders Football. On seeing the breaking news caption of John Madden's death crawl across the bottom of the tv screen, I could only give a hurt yell before deeply inhaling, then exhaling in grief. Our former head coach, and ambassador of NFL football was no longer with us.

You could probably say it was John Madden who put Raiders Football on the sports map. Sure, there was the vibrant owner, the renegade players and the intimidating uniforms, but it took a charismatic coach like Madden to corral it all into a championship team. You might say that his successor, Tom Flores, winner of two championships, was better at coaching by the numbers. But you can't name another coach who showed as much fight for his players, love for the game and will to win. Players trusted Madden, and he trusted them to "play like hell" come game day. He was a teacher of the game; for players and fans.

Madden's passion for football literally jumped off the screen, making viewers instant fans. He was the John Candy of football coaches; big, loud and unconcerned with sideline attire. You could easily picture him as captain of your Friday night bowling league team, passionately encouraging teammates to play through adversity. Then settling down to a pitcher of cold beer and fries while relaying a big fish story. Madden was an exceptionally gifted storyteller.

Today is a day of mourning for Raider Nation and the SF Bay Area. We mourn his loss, but at the same time honor the man and his accomplishments. On media throughout the bay are discussions about what John Madden meant to folks. It's odd that you don't hear people talking about his winning coaching record so much as just the type of man he was and his passion for football. We liked Madden because he was just Madden; no self-aggrandizing, no flash, no filler, just a big guy who loved football and marched to his own drum.

Younger generations are reflecting on the Madden video game and how it was a force in their young lives. It seems everybody has a Madden story to tell, and all will miss him.

Here is a link to a blogpost I wrote when John Madden was enshrined into the NFL Hall of Fame. 

Finally, Coach John Madden is Officially a Hall of Famer

Thanks for the memorable, memories Coach.

Raiders Playoff Scenario

After another ugly win, the Raiders now find themselves not exactly in the drivers seat, but maybe riding shotgun toward an AFC playoff slot. They took care of business today, with much of the credit going to the Raiders defense. 

The silver and black defensive unit pinned down the Broncos offense throughout much of today's game, limiting them to one converted third down and 18 total yards rushing.....Yes, that's right, 18 frickin' yards. If not for Raiders turnovers and miscues this game could've been a silver and black blowout.

As for that AFC playoff picture, it's tricky. At least three teams the Raiders needed to lose today, lost (Ravens, Steelers, Chargers). With two games left in the regular season, what we know for sure is the Raiders have a shot at making the postseason. 

There's this New York Times interactive simulator, which gives all kind of "what if" NFL playoff scenarios. But I'm sticking with our tried-and-true Raiders motto to get us to the promised land; "J-u-s-t  W-i-n  B-a-b-y!"

#13 Hunter Renfrow - Touchdown Raiders!

Final Score

Broncos 13

Raiders 17

Warriors Grinch Suns on Xmas

Yes! Yes! Yes!  The Golden State Warriors went into Phoenix and "Stole Christmas" from the Suns. It was a back-and-forth game throughout, with Steph Curry putting up a hard-earned 33pts. It took a "Strength-In-Numbers" production by the entire Warriors squad, with Otto Porter getting Klay-Thompson-like hot to seal the deal down the stretch. At one point we saw Porter Grinch-Grinning over at the Suns bench after sinking a basket in front of them. 

You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch!

Golden State takes sole possession of first place with a half-game lead over the Suns in the NBA Western Conference. The Suns, conference champions of last season, are a very good basketball team, destined to meet the Warriors come playoff time. Can't wait!

Final Score

Warriors 116

Suns 107

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Goodnight!

Tweet

Marcus Thompson

@ThompsonScribe

In a game that would be decided by who could score while the Suns sold out against Curry, the Warriors got: 

19 from Otto Porter 

14 from Gary Payton II 

12 from Jonathan Kuminga

4:34 PM · Dec 25, 2021

Rabindranath Tagore - Enlightenment

 

As I first read this fearless poem by Rabindranath Tagore, I was under the impression it applied to an individual soul. After contemplating the last line, "let my country awake," I realized it was a plea for a nation, Tagore's nation. It was during the third reading that I saw the genius and truth in its message:

conquer his/her fears, 

hold her/his head high, 

share knowledge freely,

not break into fragmented, isolated opinions,

let the deepest truth guide his/her words,

continue tirelessly to strive towards perfection,

keep a clear, reasonable head and not get lost in dry, dead habit,

allow his/her God to lead him/her forward into broader thought and action,

into this Heaven of freedom,

My God,

let me awake.

As I see it, a nation is only as strong, healthy and fearless as the individual(s) who make it a nation. Therefore, let a nation's individuals, by God's Grace, become mentally fearless and let their thoughts and actions be truthfully led by higher principles of self. 

For a nation full of strong, healthy and mentally fearless individuals will not bow down to deranged and cowardly thoughts and actions. It holds its head high and tirelessly stretches its arms toward perfection, knowing the depth of its truths and freedoms come from a higher power.

Into this "Heaven of freedom," I pray to God, "let my country awaken."

Better Call Saul Raider Nation

So, how's Raider Nation feeling about that ugly Raiders win over the Browns last night? Yeah, I feel you. I too wanted to see them blowout the covid protocol Browns. I actually expected the Raiders to show up and take advantage of the Browns depleted roster situation. But these are not our "5-2 out-the-gate" Raiders we're talking about. These are our 1-5 Raiders, who have shown very little fight of late and on the verge of early elimination from playoff contention once again.

Last night's Raiders win felt like watching a loss. The Raiders did everything they could to blow the game, while the Browns seemed to have just enough fight in them to claw their way back from a 10-0 halftime deficit, taking a 14-13 lead late in the fourth quarter. We Raiders fans saw all the bad on display that we've endured these past torturous weeks; dropped passes, QB fumble, missed open receiver, questionable play calling, poor offensive and defensive red zone execution, crucial interception. Surprisingly, we also saw last night what seemed to be missing these past losing weeks, an awakened fight in the team. 

After an ill-advised Derek Carr deep pass was picked off with 2:59 left in the game, the Raiders defense continued their grit and guts night by limiting Browns running back, Nick Chubb, to seven yards on three downs to force a punt. 

The Raiders had the Browns just where they wanted them. With 1:50 left in the game and no timeouts left, Derek Carr and company drove the ball down the field. And despite a gut-wrenching holding call, the Raiders offense displayed surprising resilience in getting the ball to the Browns 30-yard line for kicker Daniel Carlson. Carlson, calm, cool and collected, booted not one, but thanks to a "freezing-the-kicker" timeout by the Browns, two 48-yard field goals as the game clock expired. 

Final Score

Raiders 16

Browns 14

As a Raiders fan I was excited and exhausted at the end of the game. I celebrated the win as with any win, but something kept gnawing at my gut, seeking to spoil my celebratory victory. The discomfort lasted well into the night. 

I awoke to radio sports talk hosts, and many of their callers, still throwing shade on the Raiders win. Listening to all the criticisms, the gnawing in my gut started up again. Should the Raiders have blown out the Browns? Is the Raiders struggle to beat a depleted team proof of their weakness?  Am I kidding myself to think the Raiders even have a shot at making the playoffs? Can the Raiders beat any of their final three opponents (Broncos, Colts, Chargers)? 

These questions and more were being thrown around on various morning sports talk shows. It felt as if everyone was damning the Raiders for winning a game that many, myself included, felt they should've won bigger and easier.  But then, while tuned into Raider Nation Radio (RNR 920AM), a caller by the name of Saul talked me and other nauseous Raiders fan listeners off the ledge. 

Saul basically reminded Raider Nation of just who we are; a fanbase whose teams' former owner, Al Davis, termed the motto "Just Win Baby." Saul effectively stated exactly what "Just Win Baby" means and doesn't mean. He said it doesn't mean Just win by 10, 20 or 30 points; it doesn't mean just win when an opponent is depleted or loaded with their starting players; it doesn't mean just win when our team has all its starting players or season beginning head coach or speedy second year receiver. No!

"Just Win Baby" means you go out and win a game By Any Means Necessary, regardless of circumstances, regardless of the where, when or how. It means You Win on a 2-pt. safety. You Win on a forced fumble for a touchdown. You Win on a field goal or blocked field goal. You Win on a goal-line stand. You Win in rain, sleet or snow, morning, noon or night. In the infamous words of coach Herm Edwards, "You Play To Win The Game," period!

So what if the NFL changed the date and time of the game just as the Raiders were boarding the bus to catch their flight to Cleveland. So what if the NFL game changes seemed to favor the Browns team. "Just Win Baby" concerns itself with one thing and one thing only; Just Win The Freakin' Game!

After hearing Saul breakdown how fortunate and blessed we are to be fans of a team who goes out onto a football field with one goal in mind, that goal being "Just Win Baby," the gnawing in my gut subsided and I was immediately rejuvenated with the sound of "The Autumn Wind" being broadcast in the background. 

Raider Nation, we need to stop all our b!@tching and moaning about what's wrong with our team, and the unfortunate and unfair circumstances they tend to face year in and year out. Nobody's forcing us to be Raiders fans; we signed up because either we have that devil-may-care attitude in us and wanted it in our football team, or nobody else would have us. Either way, we are Raider Nation, Win, Lose or Tie. And we dress in Black!

So, if you're feeling down or stepping toward the ledge of doubt because of all the opposition the Raiders are prone to facing: 

- bad breaks, untimely scandals, players behaving badly, ugly wins 

Better Call Saul for a reminder of just what being a Raiders fan means and how you're expected to soldier onward while wearing silver and black.  JUST WIN BABY!!!

And as Saul suggested: enjoy this win, enjoy Christmas, and enjoy knowing that the Raiders playoff hopes are still alive the day after Christmas. 

Merry Christmas to Saul, And to Saul a Good Night!

The Hunt - TZ

A favorite Twilight Zone episode of mine is “The Hunt” (S3E19). Its a wonderful story about a simple old man and his hunting dog RIP. His love for and loyalty toward his dog is evident as he first stands up for Rip’s right to enter their country cabin home, over objections from his wife of 50 plus year, then argues again for Rip’s right to enter through what he mistakenly thought were the pearly gates of Heaven. In both instances there is someone preventing their entrance due to Rip, and both times the old man proudly points out, “there ain’t no fleas on that dog.” 

Ya see, Rip saved the old man’s life once, and for that heroic feat the old man is forever indebted to the dog. In the old man’s eyes, Rip is as clean, brave and true as ever there was a living soul, dog or man. And given the chance, he would do anything for Rip, including the ultimate sacrifice.

Yes, a simple story featuring a dog as “man’s best friend” theme. It sets viewers up for an afterlife walk-thru in a way that only a Twilight Zone episode can. When you add in the theme music, a lazy harmonica/acoustic guitar melancholy that pulls at viewers heartstrings, the episode becomes golden. 

Best to watch this episode when tired and/or lazy yourself. For it is in those quiet, dreamlike and restful moments that the episode seems to work its country magic on undistracted, captured audiences; with the flealess family dog asleep at your feet.

Cesaria Evora - (1941-2011)

"May God always keep us this way in peace, love and affection"

                                                                                        Cesaria Evora

The Cape Verdean "Barefoot Diva" honoured internationally for her music

                                                                          Entertainment July 02, 2018

I post this incredible, Grammy-Award winning woman's songs as a tribute to her music and home of Cape Verde, an Island off the coast of West Africa. I also want never to forget there are gifted artists from small, foreign countries whom I've yet to discover.  

She sang in Kriolu, which draws from west African dialects and Portuguese, the language of Cape Verde's former colonizer.

                                    NPR Music Reviews

Raiders Wk 13

 

Final Score

Washington FT 17

Raiders 15

  I Ain't Gone Lie

  Doggone-it,

  

  This Loss HURT !!!

Games Bones-up/Bones Down Players