The Playlist

Coco controlled the radio on the way home from the Celtics game.  We had a great time celebrating his birthday at the Garden.  Now he was celebrating with music.
     Coco popped in his “Throwback” playlist.  The oddest collection of songs followed.  We talked about each and every one.  It was an epic ride home.  “Runaway Train” by Soul Asylum made me nostalgic for my early apartment living days.  We talked about the iconic music video it had.  Coco thought he could stump me with “Set Adrift on Memory Bliss” but I nailed the artist (PM Dawn) immediately.  “Californication” was a nod to Caz.  I was really surprised by songs he had on there.  Pleasantly surprised.

Celtics Night

Coco received tickets to a Celtics game for XMAS.  He was presented 4 tickets, so he could take some buddies.  Last night was game night.  There was a lot of planning but it was teenager planning,  Demi and I kept hearing, "I got it."  He didn't have it so much.
     In the end, it all worked out well.  He secured two friends.  His older brother rounded out the group.  Demi and I dropped them off on Causeway Street with some funds for drinks.  Demi and I hung out with friends, while the boys went into the game.  We collected them after an overtime classic.  Then we all marched down to the North End.  We tried and failed at getting Regina's pizza.  But we got canolis from Mike's.  We ordered pizza on the way home, then sat down to eat our treats.  Coco really seemed to have a good time.  I think the evening was a success.

Hoop It Up 2012

Coco decided that his winter sport this year would be basketball. I was happy because he has exhibited some good instincts for this sport in the past. It is good action for him.
He drew a coach that I coached with during football for Caz. He's a good guy, so no concerns there. They are also the Celtics, so Coco will be happy (he would have mourned over being a Laker). Luck of the draw gave him #5, so he's KG's number. All good selling points.
Here's the change since back in the day though. This recreation league is grades 5-6, just like when I grew up. But there are only 4 teams. 4 teams. With rosters of 8-9 kids. Playing time won't be an issue. But Duxbury Youth Basketball is killing this league. Why do kids this age have to travel? What's the point? If the concern is coaching, get more experienced coaches for the Rec Dept. Have coaches clinics. It worked just fine for us. This whole year round one sport mentality, and AAU or dedicated travel teams is just parental arrogance. Let's buy a NCAA scholarship. Totally delusional. Go to basketball camp in the summer time. Play in town Rec league in the winter. Change sports in the fall and spring. Another example of the problems permeating youth sports today.

Spring Training

The boys are very fired up about the start of spring training. Talks around the table are starting to included signing Varitek, who are starting pitching rotation will be, and will Lowell and Papi be back to their old selves. I do love the change this year that boys want to talk about the Celtics and Bruins too. It's nice to have a little variety. But I also like the boys being excited by all four of the Boston sports franchises. Even if the Grinch does still own the Bruins. There are the Krafts, John Henry, Wyc, and then.........the Grinch. One of these kids is not like the others.

Stats

Coco has been peppering me for statistics all week. "How many assists does Rondo have?", "Who has the most steals on the Celtics?", "Who has the most steals in the NBA?", "Who has the most steals all time?" Non stop with those question. We spent a lot of time on Boston.com, NBA.com, and finally basketball-reference.com. Some of the stats were hard to find until I stumbled upon that last website. Fortunately, Nick at work came through for me. Caz started to get into it too. I really love when the boys get so animated about stats like that. The enthusiasm is contagious. And oh, poor me....having to spend time with sports statistics.

Celtics/Lakers

The classic match up is back. The Boston Celtics and the LA Lakers in the NBA finals, for all the marbles. It takes me back to my childhood. Thin black leather neckties. Parachute pants. Mullets. The short shorts. Both teams had them. Embarrassing really. We basically had the same uniforms as the Celtics, in high school. Those are going to be some fun videos to look back at. Bird. Magic. Kareem. Chief. McHale. Worthy. The Clothesline. Showtime. Beat LA! Jack Nicholson on the sidelines. Those were the good times. Even if the Lakers did beat us in the last two series. Those were the match ups that brought the NBA back to life. I remember sitting in the AC of my living room on a Sunday at 1 PM, watching the Celtics and Lakers play in the Boston Garden in 97 degree heat. Larry still running in the rafters to warm up. Kareem's goggles fogging up and sucking tanks of Oxygen.
Now we have KG. Kobe. The Truth. Ray Allen. Rondo. The New Garden. The new Big Three. The anticipation is almost too much. I am really looking forward to watching this series. Especially for the inevitable tributes to the 80's.

May Day

Happy May Day? Is that the correct exclamation? Everyone have their May Pole up in the yard? [Pause for Laughter] Seems like everyday is a holiday doesn't it. We just had Patriots Day, Earth Day, May Day. It was Green Month. We're pretty much just auctioning off days at this point. Who wants a holiday? It is just like ballparks and stadiums. Welcome to ABC Company Field at Web-based Flavor of the Day Stadium, Home of the New Trendy Mascot of Up and Coming big City in a mediocre state. The only thing worse are those two football teams in the Land of Evil that play their games in a neighboring state, in the same stadium. What a crock!
You know, while I was enjoying a Celtics playoff game on TV, watching the crowd go wild at The Garden (not the Boston Garden, but preceded by a brand name bank - but at least they included the Garden, unlike their predecessors), I started waxing nostalgic for the Gahden. 100 plus degree playoff games on the parquet with the dead spots. Can I get an amen?