I wish I could have grown up playing hockey, even though I would have been horrible at it. What a great sport! You’re wielding a stick with a curved blade, blasting away at a hard rubber puck which at the right speed can maim an inadequately protected person, slamming your opponent into a fiberglass wall with bone-crunching malice for the amusement of bloodthirsty rinkside spectators– and ice-skating, which is always romantic.

My favorite player in hockey, or in any sport right now, is Mario Lemieux of the Pittsburgh Penguins. I first learned about him in 1993, my last year in high school. What impressed me most that season was not that he was the best player on the two-time defending champions, nor that he was regarded as the next Gretzky. It wasn’t even that he won the Pearson Award (players’ MVP), the Hart Trophy (writers’ MVP), and the Art Ross Trophy (top scorer with 160 points; second place had 148). What impressed me most about Lemieux was that he won the Pearson, the Hart, and the Ross despite missing 24 out of 84 games due to radiation therapy for Hodgkins’ lymphoma.

If you think about it, that’s even more impressive than my winning 25 consecutive paper football games in seventh grade.

Anyhow, to the point: Thank God the NHL is back from that ridiculous lockout. I’ll never understand why professional hockeyballers. whose minimum salary was $180,000 and average salary was $1.8 million, would go on strike or force a lockout by the owners. I would give my left foot to play professional soccer; you’d think these babies could tolerate a salary cap.

I do wish that the Stanley Cup had been stamped with the names of the champions of Canadian amateur hockey for 2004-05. That would have been a nice touch, especially since the trophy originally went to amateur teams. It also would have been a nice jab at the professionals, who apparently thought they made so little money that they chose to make no money at all in the 2004-05 season. How principled.

But there were two silver linings to the lockout. First and most important was that the NHL, hoping to draw fans back after the lockout, made some changes that should increase goal scoring and improve game flow. The games have been more exciting and higher scoring so far, but we’re only a few days into the season. Here’s hoping the good times last. (And here’s hoping FIFA considers making some changes, too.)

The second silver lining was that the lockout gave Lemieux, who is 40 years old now, more time to recover from injury and get “re-charged” for this season. The Penguins are as yet winless, but they’ve been exciting to watch. Their new wunderkind, Sidney Crosby, has five points in three games… nice to see a rookie on at least one of my favorite teams can perform.

Happily, now that hockey’s back, the summer of 2006 will be as wonderful as I expect every even-numbered-but-not-evenly-divisible-by-four summer to be. Why? The NBA Finals, the Stanley Cup Finals, and the World Cup in Germany. Also, I don’t have to worry about a barrage of political ads leading up to the Presidential election. And, of course, it won’t be as hot or humid up here as back in Florida.

This entry was posted on Sunday, October 9th, 2005 at 10:48 PM.

5 Responses to “Hockey.”

1. MyCreativeAlias Says:
   October 10th, 2005 at 2:38 PM

GO FLYERS!!!!

1. jmanpc Says:
   October 10th, 2005 at 4:17 PM

i like watching people beat each other up.

1. jaxaca Says:
   October 11th, 2005 at 4:18 PM

I agree that hockey’s return is nice. Maybe I can finally wear that Avalanche jersey that I’ve had for some time now. It has my name and everything. However, with that said, I must emphasize the “betterness” of Western conference hockey over the East…man do I miss Colorado.

1. ktea Says:
   October 11th, 2005 at 5:29 PM

I admired you called them hockeyballers, that really made my day. However, I do believe there are 2 people more excited then you about hockey being back, and that’s my brother and father. I blame them for all of my violent tendencies, all those hockey games I was forced to watch. I love it now though, if you come back to Jax you should see the Barracuda’s they are not half bad. We went to see them during the absence of the NHL.

1. Simplexity17 Says:
   November 5th, 2005 at 1:54 AM

I love the insertion of romanticism in your somewhat violent opener…]]>

I have finally returned to the Land of Lincoln and Portillo’s after my second 2200-mile trip to Florida for a death in the family in the last two months. I am exhausted. Either I need a psychiatrist to get me over the old fear of flying or an anesthesiologist to put me under for the duration of the flight.

I received several history and economics textbooks from my grandparents’ estate. Some people want money, or land, or jewelry… not me. Give me history texts that predate the Roaring 20s and economics texts that predate Keynes. There’s also a calculus book thrown in, so I figure I’ll reteach myself calculus. Without a $100 calculator.

It was good to visit Paxon–especially since I knew I could leave whenever I felt like it! Ahhhh.

Thankfully they hired someone to replace me, so it was safe to go in and see The Boss (no, not Dr. Williams, he’s just “The Man.” Coburn is “The Boss” because she was most likely to murder me if I screwed up). I saw most of the folks I wanted to see, though I ran out of time to visit some. Those who were glad to see me said so, which felt good, and those who weren’t kept their mouths shut! All around, an uplifting end to an otherwise solemn trip to Florida.

Apologies for grammatical and spelling errors; I’ll fix them tomorrow. Good night.

4 Responses to “Tired.”

Hara0050 Says:
October 6th, 2005 at 4:25 AM
mr.v: you are hot. and i registered a whole darn page just to post this, ha!

apushisfun Says:
October 7th, 2005 at 3:41 PM
[Moderator: the italicized changes are due to some questionable verbification and a Rule #1 violation]
well i hope you felt the love from me even though i didn’t come up to you and bother you like FRO-BOY. (in psych.) bothering aside, it was good to see an intellegent teacher walk the halls of paxon. maybe some of your greatness will come back to the school or something. lol

PaxonIB Says:
October 7th, 2005 at 4:59 PM
glad u stopped by! We appreciated the visit! … nice…!! history texts.. sounds lot like me! what’s better than loads of history??? lol.

jmanpc Says:
October 8th, 2005 at 6:06 PM
am i a nerd or what? i quoted you for my senior quote.

(I wrote enough of a response to a comment that I figured I’d make it a post:)

Dear “Domthebomb,”

First, allow me to congratulate you on your nickname. Now, to some of your points:

• “…how you could actually pass judgment on a man who isn’t even alive to defend himself…”

Shall I kill myself so that you can’t criticize me anymore? And do you really think that anyone aside from Hitler could effectively “defend himself” by convincing me that killing himself was a good idea? Especially considering that I already think I’m right about absolutely everything?

Again, maybe if there’s intense, terminal physical pain, there might be an excuse. But there’s good reason to assume that this was not the case here.

(By the way, don’t give me this “pass judgment” garbage; it’s ultimately just a fancy way of saying “have a negative opinion.”)

• “I can’t believe you would profess to know why he did something so uncomprehendible…”

I didn’t say I knew why he did something so incomprehensible, I said I could guess, which by definition means it is comprehensible. Please re-read the post, distinguishing “what I know” from “what I think” and from “what I could guess.” I readily admit that I don’t know why, even though I could make some pretty good guesses based on (A) published reports, (B) personal reports from friends, (C) memories of the person in question, (D) friends and family who have committed or attempted suicide, and (E) previous life experience.

• “unless you have personally experienced the pain he must have gone through.”

What if I had and I’d sought help? What if I hadn’t? It’s irrelevant. Should people refrain from discussing suicide simply because they haven’t experienced suicidal ideations or attempted it themselves? Should I really take back “Remember kids, killing yourselves is bad” due to lack of qualifications? (Okay, maybe due to lack of taste.)

• “Although it seems you don’t think he suffered anything more than excessive pride and selfishness.”

You misread the post. He obviously suffered from far more than that, but again, I think that his “twisted,” “insidious” pride probably kept him from getting enough help for his core problems… such as “some extreme physical or psychological drama,” as you put it.

• “Not everyone realizes this existentialist vomit about living because others will miss you…especially when they’re enduring intense pain.”

I agree entirely (except I wouldn’t call it “existentialist” vomit. Read L’Etranger; Mersault didn’t care). But how should we apply that thought? Giving them a free pass? Or, perhaps, by explaining to them that they will hurt us by killing themselves? No, it won’t prevent every suicide. But mightn’t spewing that particular “vomit” stop a few suicides here and there?

• “In the first you admit what an ‘arrogant jerk’ you’re being, but in some great savior-like technique you accept this burden, sacrificing your image for the greater good of humanity, and possibly even some mixed up kids [Moderator adds: and mixed up adults].”

You know me; it’s no burden. It doesn’t matter that I’m arrogant and a jerk, therefore it in no way encumbers me and adds nothing to my (admittedly impressive) nobility.

• “Still, you shake your finger at him, you can’t seem to forgive him…”

Don’t get me started on “forgiveness,” sweetheart. I believe very firmly in forgiveness and I have forgiven much and have been forgiven much (apologies for sounding like Bush there… forgive me). I happen to know that Richard’s friends and family have forgiven him. As in “verifiably.” I forgive him as much as I can, which is to whatever extent I was hurt–again, I wasn’t a close friend of his.

But there is an important lesson to be learned here, brought into sharp focus by the untimely, accidental death of my cousin a week ago… I can forgive her for everything she’s done, but I can also criticize her actions–the same ones I’ve forgiven–because we can (and had better) learn from them. I’m making a new paragraph here and italicizing and boldfacing, so pay attention:

There is a difference between forgiveness and permissiveness.

I can forgive an action while at the same criticizing it. I can forgive an action while at the same time doing whatever I can, be it little or much, be it tasteless or not, to prevent it from happening again.

• “Pat yourself on the back, I’m sure you have.”

Well, I’m a good-deed-doer. That’s my thing. It was good to see you today.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 3rd, 2005 at 9:37 PM.

8 Responses to “Response to Comment on “On the passing…””

1. PaxonIB Says:
   October 4th, 2005 at 8:22 PM

hey Mr. V. It was nice seeing you yesterday. Funny that you mention “The Stranger” by Camus… we are reading that in Olin’s class!
See you at our graduation..!

1. Lassie-v 5.0 Says:
   October 4th, 2005 at 9:29 PM

Nice long post. I’m not sure who I agree with but it’ll probably end up being the poster not the repsonder, though domthebomb did make some good points, Mr. V. made better responses. [Moderator comments: YEAH! Take that, Domthebomb! FFFFACE!] I was also informed that you were at school yesterday and walked into my computer class right afteri left. Danr i missed ya but youre gonna be at graduaation right?

1. jassymane06 Says:
   October 5th, 2005 at 2:35 PM

Ok all the philosophy is killin me, and honestly, not to dicredit either dispute, but both are opinions. One beleives in not criticizing the dead, while Mr. V beleives criticism is allowed even if someone’s dead. I however have a problem with how the dispute was carried out. If someone is expressing their OPINION it is necessary to try to understand where said person is coming from (as is necessary in most disputes). NOTE that I didn’t say you must agree. God no, Where would the fun in the world be if we all got along! But beforeanalyzation, you have to understand what is being said. And it takes a wise man to hear and understand an argument and still dispute it.
Just my lil rant for today.

1. donnimikk Says:
   October 5th, 2005 at 5:05 PM

Firts of all, if you can’t figure out this alias, you’re not as clever as I thought, coach. ANyways, I certainly agree with you on this subject. Often, people pass up subjects that need to be talked about so that no one is offended. All too often, I’ve noticed that people only think from their pespective, and if we all just stepped out of ourselves and sat on the outside looking in, we all might be able to lighten up, and your classmate might have been able to deal with his issues.

1. jaxaca Says:
   October 5th, 2005 at 9:43 PM

A bit off topic, but I was reading your haiku entry and it inspired me…for at least twenty minutes. As a result, my friend and I came up with many fake haikus…having nothing to do with nature at all. They were funny nonetheless and therefore made them worthwhile. See Mr. V? You are inspirational, but I’m pretty sure you knew that. As you may know, in the good old ib program, we are reading the Stranger, so we know exactly what you are talking about. Anyway, I enjoyed your short visit on monday and hope you come back soon. Now, since you know that I go to that school that you taught at, and that I was maybe just possibly one of your former students you can put your deductive skills to work.

1. Vincent Viscariello Says:
   October 5th, 2005 at 11:23 PM

Dear Jaxaca,

I will do no such thing. It’s almost midnight and I’m tired.

1. domthebomb Says:
   October 10th, 2005 at 4:57 PM

yeah i don’t talk english real good. ok ok… i could respond to each and every one of these responses to my response, but I am too lazy so i will agree to disagree…until the next time you write something really lame [Moderator comments: But everything I write is really lame! I’m a loser and I wish I could be as smart as Dombthebomb! boohoo ] No hard feelings. Later.

1. Vincent Viscariello Says:
   October 10th, 2005 at 5:53 PM

Holy crap, I didn’t know I could do smiley faces on this thing! Testing:

The real moderator for this website claims not to remember making those comments, and interprets “I will agree to disagree” as “Lo, I am wounded, and must withdraw.”

Anyways, just send me $500 for correctly guessing your true identity.

Warning: This may seem harsh.

I got a phone call a few days ago from Mr. Shreve, a former co-worker at Paxon, who had also taught at Stanton while I was there. He asked, “What year did you graduate from Stanton?” Now, when he asks this, it’s because one of my schoolmates did something notable, whether good or bad. Sometimes it’s something impressive; sometimes it’s something sad; sometimes it’s simply to show what a small world it can be. So I told him the year, and then he gave me the name of this classmate.

Every so often, you’ll know how a story turns out after reading just the first line or hearing just the first words. This, sadly, was one of those moments. I knew as soon as I heard this name that this classmate, Richard, was dead and it wasn’t an accident.

On the twelfth, Richard hanged himself in his office. He was an editor of a university newspaper, and had been pretty good at it. Apparently he spent his last hours writing instructions to his staff so that they could continue to publish the same quality of newspaper he’d helped produce. Good luck to them without their captain.

The latest online edition of his newspaper is full of tributes to Richard. I read story after story about a man who was sharp, thoughtful, helpful, and totally committed to his work and his friends. He was admired and loved by the people writing these articles.

And evidently that wasn’t good enough for him.

I wasn’t a close friend of his back in high school, and I hadn’t seen him since graduation. I could guess at his reasons for committing suicide, but they’d just be a guess. I don’t know what he was thinking or feeling; I’m not psychic and I’ll never read the suicide note. But I can safely say this:

After reading about your friends’ wonderful memories of you, Richard, it is painfully apparent that you hurt them. You have deprived them of someone they loved, someone they relied on. As much as you loved them, you insulted them—either by not seeking their help and support, or by not heeding their help and support. And now, you can’t simply walk into your office one day and say you’re sorry. An apology on a suicide note won’t cut it. Leaving instructions for how to go on without you won’t cut it. You have hurt them in a way that you can never fix. What you did was sadly selfish, and I hope they forgive you. I expect they will.

I know, most people “aren’t thinking straight” when they kill themselves. And some people have painful terminal illnesses, which might mitigate their actions (though the remnants of Catholicism in me might disagree). But when such an intelligent, capable, young person as Richard commits suicide I think it’s as much due to a twisted form of pride as it is anything else. Did he really think his problems were so big that if he couldn’t solve them alone, then no one could? Or that even if he’d gone to others for help, they wouldn’t be competent enough to help? Or that his friends’ troubles were so slight that they could afford to deal with the lifeless body of a loved one in a place they thought of as “home”?

There are people who will do anything for a friend, but refuse to let a friend do anything for them. This is pride in its most insidious form—the pride of believing that no one is able enough to help you. And I suspect that this, ultimately, is what felled Richard.

I can imagine people admonishing me: “you weren’t in his position,” “you didn’t even know him,” “you weren’t even his friend,” “what you wrote was in poor taste,” “you’re an arrogant jerk.” All true. But I think of this kid back in high school—and how much he reminds me of a few people I met in college, and a few people I met in various jobs, and a few students at the high school I taught at—and think it’s more important to discuss the topic than to simply gloss it over by avoiding the possibility of offense or impropriety.

So, in short, Richard: whatever your troubles were, you were not the first person to have them and you will not be the last person to have had them. People loved you and would have helped if only you’d asked, and then let them help. May God rest you in peace–

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 22nd, 2005 at 4:43 PM.

8 Responses to “On the passing of a former classmate.”

1. jassymane06 Says:
September 24th, 2005 at 8:31 AM

Wow Mr. V., that was amazingly inspirational.

2. Lassie-v 5.0 Says:
September 25th, 2005 at 7:56 PM

Yes, I agree that was very inspirational. I admire you for saying what most would not. I believe you were the best teacher at paxon. and on a lighter note you should vist my brother sometime, as he is up there in the navy. If you would, for some reason like to contact him [brother’s name moderated by moderator to “Fluffy”] his number is 777-FILM [number moderated also], he might not answer so just leave a message, and you should probably leave him a way to contact you also.
-5.0

3. Vincent Viscariello Says:
September 25th, 2005 at 9:13 PM

Well, inspiration is what I do. Remember kids, killing yourselves is bad.

4. Vivienne Says:
September 28th, 2005 at 6:59 PM

The whole “pride” thing is off the mark. It has nothing to do with pride. It’s part fear that if he shares his problems with someone then maybe they’ll end up feeling like he does.
But mostly, it’s being selfish, like you said. Self-centerdness in only thinking of himself and not how him all of a sudden not being there will affect those around them. The sudden absence of someone who was just laughing with you the day before is sorely felt, for quite a while (my friend didn’t succeed, however, and did come back). It’s selfish in even thinking that no one wil care if they slit their wrists or whatever method and even more so if they know they will be missed. It’s all aspects of the word selfish rolled into one and looking like a tourniquet.
Just my opinion.

P.S.- sorry I didn’t come up with a mind-boggling alias, it was all I had.

5. domthebomb Says:
October 3rd, 2005 at 8:13 PM

well if it is a blog-here’s my use of the first amendment.

wow
…how you could actually pass judgment on a man who isn’t even alive to defend himself…I wouldn’t comment, but I probably know him nearly as well as you do.
I can’t believe you would profess to know why he did something so uncomprehendible…unless you have personally experienced the pain he must have gone through. Although it seems you don’t think he suffered anything more than excessive pride and selfishness. Honestly, I doubt he was just having a bad day. It’s not a natural instinct to destroy oneself, so there must be something wrong, some extreme physical or psychological drama. Not everyone realizes this existentialist vomit about living because others will miss you…especially when they’re enduring intense pain.
Personally, the last two paragraphs are my favorite. In the first you admit what an “arrogant jerk” you’re being, but in some great savior-like technique you accept this burden, sacrificing your image for the greater good of humanity, and possibly even some mixed up kids. Bravo. And the last paragraph…nice touch actually talking to the defenseless man you just beat up for the last two pages. Real classy. Still, you shake your finger at him, you can’t seem to forgive him…but you’re not a jerk, this is just a public service announcement “Remember kids, killing yourselves is bad”. Classier still. Well, you really talked me off a ledge. Pat yourself on the back, I’m sure you have.
Oh, and I don’t disagree so much with what you were trying to do, just how you did it.

6. Vincent Viscariello Says:
October 3rd, 2005 at 9:19 PM

You know what, I had so much to say about “domthebomb”’s comment here that I made it my next post. Congratulations, comment… you’re now a post.

7. domthebomb Says:
October 3rd, 2005 at 9:25 PM

uh-oh.

8. SUGARBUMPS Says:
October 7th, 2005 at 3:10 AM

[Moderator changed name per rule #1]
Well, interior dialouge aside… I think that is true that we don’t want to admit those things about suicide, we just try not to concern ourselves with the dead and how we honor them in their death and ignore their previous choices, no matter how vile the person was. (Not talking about the young man who commited suicide, for he did not seem vile. )

A US District Court in California recently ruled in favor of Michael Newdow, an atheist, and stated that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in public school is unconstitutional. For now, this only affects a handful of school districts in California, but it could eventually have greater effect—the 9th Circuit (AK, HI, WA, OR, CA, MT, ID, NV, AZ), or the entire country. Some thoughts:

• Does including the words “under God” in the Pledge—which no level of government should be able to force anyone to say—truly constitute an “establishment of religion”? It’s not as though President Bush said, “We are all going to be Eposcipal– Episco– Epis– we’re all going to be Baptists now.”
• One of Newdow’s arguments was that his rights were violated because he was made to feel like a “political outsider” and that his ability to “fit in” was inhibited. Great news! According to this jackass, we have a constitutional right to “fit in”! That must be in the Twenty-Eighth Amendment that was passed while everyone was distracted by Katrina. Well, it’s about time, because I’m sick of being a lefty in a right-handed society. I’m sick of having thirteen toes in a ten-toed world. I’m sick of women telling me I have beautiful blue eyes, not ugly brown ones. Where’s my lawyer?
• Newdow, the plaintiff, strikes me as a busybody. There is a saying, “Don’t make a federal case out of it,” which would apply here. For Christ’s Sake, just tell your kid: “I’m an atheist, and I am going to raise you to be an atheist.” The same as I’ll have to tell my children one day: “I know what your teacher taught you, but as long as you’re living in this house, you will use Roman numerals.”
• Was the status quo really so intolerable that Newdow felt compelled to take this “bold stand” against a Pledge that nobody is forced to say, that a minority of people actually take seriously, and that a majority of people don’t even remember the words to? Does he think that because his daughter (a Christian, by the way) might hear the words “under God,” or even say them if she chose to, that he is as oppressed as, say, Rosa Parks? Or the Japanese-Americans in the internment camps during WWII? Or the Cherokees marching along the Trail of Tears? Or anybody else who actually had a real-live valid gripe about the government?
• How can teacher-led recitation of the Pledge be considered a violation of the Establishment Clause, without some higher court eventually finding the Pledge itself to be unconstitutional on the same grounds?

Ultimately, the issue is the constitutionality of the “under God” version of the Pledge. Or of our motto, “In God We Trust.” Or of the use of Egyptian and Masonic religious symbols on our money. Or of the Constitution’s own mention of “the Year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven.” So here are some potential solutions to this “crisis”:

1. Remove “under God” from the Pledge. Upside: Restores the Pledge to its pre-1954 text, which was undoubtedly constitutional. Downside: God unleashes earthquakes, floods, and locusts upon us.

2. Replace “under God” with “under the supernatural or natural force, or lack thereof, of my own choosing.” Upside: Covers all the bases. Downside: Too wordy. Doesn’t flow.

3. Replace “under God” with a phrase from the Declaration of Independence. For example:

• “under Nature’s God,” who entitles us to have separate and equal station with other nations.
• “under our Creator,” who endows us with certain unalienable rights, among which are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
• “under divine Providence,” which gives teachers the opportunity to teach two more terms which could show up on the SAT Verbal.

Upside: Recognizes the historical influence of religion on the founding of our country in a way that will probably irritate Newdow even more—just for the sake of irritating him. Downside: Runs the risk of having the Declaration of Independence declared unconstitutional, which would immediately return the United States to British colonial status.

Seriously, though, I like #3.

PS. Two Mormon gentlemen just knocked on my door to share a message and I turned them away. I’m in a lot of trouble.

This entry was posted on Friday, September 16th, 2005 at 4:18 PM.

6 Responses to “The Pledge.”

1. Anyone USA Says:
September 18th, 2005 at 10:51 PM

You must be lonely. But not lonely enough. Try a roast beef sandwich. And then visit Cicero for other worthwhile discoveries.

2. MyCreativeAlias Says:
September 19th, 2005 at 11:02 AM

Guess who, bi-otch….

Well, all I’ve got from this posting is that this Newdow fellow is clearly a toolbox. Since I’ve practically been given divine powers… (long story, but it ivolves me somehow ending up holding the holy water at a recent funeral and having since been surrounded with a heavenly, Belushi-esque glow… like I said, long story)… I’ve decided to condemn this attention-starved [noun redacted by moderator for utter lack of taste] to a life of watching that crazy, pink-haired lady on TCN do impromptu interpretive dancing to “Our God Is An Awesome God”.

3. Vincent Viscariello Says:
September 19th, 2005 at 1:19 PM

That’s a little harsh, isn’t it? And don’t you blaspheme in here, don’t you BLAS-pheme in heeya!

4. Lassie-v 5.0 Says:
September 26th, 2005 at 4:56 PM

I too like #3, although MyCreativeAlias’ idea is pretty good.

5. domthebomb Says:
October 3rd, 2005 at 7:24 PM

why do we need a pledge at all? most of the little kids don’t even know what they’re saying…

6. Vincent Viscariello Says:
October 5th, 2005 at 11:31 PM

We need a Pledge because in 1892, the United States was conquered and its citizens enslaved by a race of multicolored cloth monsters from Mars. They have been merciful thus far and I for one don’t want to antagonize them.