Death of a Savant

Kim Peek, the savant who inspired Rain Man, died on my Birthday. Below is a brief article.

http://www.sltrib.com/News/ci_14043625

There are a plethora of documentaries about the man who had the ability to remember almost anything he ever saw or heard, though lacked any social skills or ability to have interpersonal relationships. One of my favorite celebrity figures, he was incredibly unique and so tragically, was probably never able to appreciate the gift he had. There's not really much else to say, so rest in peace, brilliant man.

Birthday Mugging

As I write this, it is less than an hour until my 27th birthday (12/19/82).

AHF was kind enough to get me an awesome Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock shirt along with giving me a piece of dark knobby wood worthy of a black porn film (giggity). My parents, on the other hand, got me a nice Islanders hoodie and a Star Trek coffee mug (pictured below), among other things. The sad part is, I'm quite delighted with the mug, which reitterates previous comments to others that it sucks getting to the age were getting a nice coffee mug is actually exciting. When did that happen, that a coffee mug became enjoyable. Am I really that old? I think that revelation might have been one of the reasons one of the Von Erich brothers killed themself.

Why I love the NHL

I haven't followed hockey for years. In fact, until the last season, I probably watched a dozen Islanders games since graduating college. Between the lack of televised games and the complete lack of ESPN attention, it is easy to forget about professional hockey. I'll never argue that the NHL matters a tenth as much as NBA, NFL, or baseball, but thanks to NHL network, Versus, and a smattering of Bruins games on NESN, I've watched nearly a game a night this seasons, and have remembered why the sport is fun.

1) Fast pace. The game is faster paced than any other sport, with a game getting done in 2.5 hours. With my lack of attention span, it's great. Moreover, the DVR allows any missed goals a quick replay, allowing me to divert my attention elsewhere.

2) Lack of personality. Sports personalities are great, but there's only so much I want to hear about Tiger, Tom Brady, Payton Manning, A-Rod, Kobe, etc. I'll watch them in amazement, but when it comes down to it, the individual focus that ESPN and other media outlets give to individual athletes for deeds in and out of the game becomes too much to bear. Outside of Crosby and Ovechkin, the average person likely couldn't name another two NHL players without some serious thought. This makes for an interesting game, because even the league superstars don't dominate all pre and post game talk, can't dominate the ice the entire game, and don't feel as if they are all that matters about the game.

3) Anybody's game. The home-ice advantage is big in the NHL, but it never quite feels it; not the way home field in the NFL does, not even the way it does in baseball or basketball. Sure, the Islanders have sucked on the road this year, but the worst team can go in and beat the best team any given night. There's not a single game I have watched with any certainty of outcome. Even a two goal lead isn't enough to say "It's all over" until much later in the game.

4) Relevance. The New York Islanders are finally relevant to hockey again. I'm not proclaiming any deep playoff run for them this year, or maybe not even a spot. However they're out of the cellar with a plethora of young prospects. They're in the playoff picture, with some serious talent, and an amazingly skilled Dwayne Roloson in goal, filling in for Rick DiPietro who has been out for a year. John Tavares, the number one pick in last years draft, is tied for lead in points and a surefire rookie of the year candidate. I'd guess within 2 or 3 years, he'll be in that top 10% of elite players, with his scoring ability, speed, and youth (he's 19).



5) Live Hockey! Well, not the NHL, but AHL. I've seen four games this year right on the glass, for less than what I would have paid for a decent seat at Fenway Park. With the huge amount of roster movements between AHL and NHL, I've been able to see a bunch of players who have been or will be on NHL rosters this year. No other sports developmental leagues can say that.



Hockey will never be relevant again, but as far as a fun sport to follow day by day, it's really done it for me this year.

Save Water, Lick a Pussy (Cat)

I hate stories about people's kids. So I promise, when I tell a story about a kid in a non-mocking tone, it's worth it:

While babysitting my cousin, he decided to pet his cat Sunshine as she groomed herself, clearly annoying the cat and messing up its freshly licked fur. "Matty, when the kitty licks itself, it wants to be clean. It licks itself the way we shower or take a bath." Without missing a beat, he picks up the cat, licks its head, puts it down and says, "I don't feel clean!"