Rick's Rants

Epic Challenge pt 7

2015-08-15T13:44:00.001-05:00

Things over heard at bars:

"They're doing a red line bar crawl, with a game that is awesome!"
- bartender at Davin Bar + Kitchen

"I can sing that shit a Capella!"
- FreakyBalloon

Epic Challenge pt 6

2015-08-15T12:46:00.001-05:00

Third stop, Blarney Stone. People grabbed food. We're almost done with the southern portion of the crawl...

Epic Challenge pt 5

2015-08-15T08:38:00.002-05:00

The med kit.

Epic Challenge pt 4

2015-08-13T14:48:00.004-05:00

Final day of reveals leading up to Saturday. I present to you, the official rules and penalties for the Epic Challenge.

Epic Challenge Rules

Everyone buys their own round.
Minimum one round per bar.
No refusals (unless intoxicated).
A unanimous decision will allow for up to two bars skipped (one south of DTX, one north of DTX).
Cannot start drinking until everyone has been served.

Epic Challenge Penalties

Penalties are in Crawl Reputation points

Refusing a round when not intoxicated (500 pts)
Not finishing a round before group leaves bar (250 pts)
Spilling a drink (100 pts)
Starting to drink before everyone is served (250 pts)
Falling down in public (500 pts)
Falling asleep during the crawl (1000 pts)
Vomiting (Game Over)

Reputation Points will be explained on Saturday, as will the final "Activity." Therefore, it is important to be on time. We will meet at 11:30am at Ashmont Station, across from where the buses depart. I look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday.

Epic Challenge pt 3

2015-08-11T17:48:00.001-05:00

When attempting a task such as the one that will take place this Saturday, information is key. Yesterday, I rolled out some info on necessary items and suggested items. Today, I present the "map." I've been asked several times "where are we going?" Or, "What bars are we gonna stop at?" I've been holding back these answers until now. Look below at the chart for a glimpse of the path we will take this weekend.

RED LINE STOP	BAR NAME	PRICE	NOTES	BAR ETA
Ashmont	Ashmont Grill	$$	Credit/Cash	12pm
Shawmut	Centre Bar	$	Credit/Cash	12:45pm
Fields Corner	Blarney Stone	$$	Credit/Cash	1:30pm
Savin Hill	Savin Bar & Kitchen	$$	Credit/Cash	2:15pm
Andrew	Sports Connection	$	Cash Only	3pm
Broadway	Amrheins	$$	Credit/Cash	3:45pm
South Station	Tavern in the Square	$$	Credit/Cash	4:30pm
Downtown Crossing	J.J. Foley's	$	Credit/Cash	5:15pm
Park Street	Jm Curley	$$	Credit/Cash	6pm
Charles MGH	Beacon Hill Pub	$	Cash Only	6:45pm
Kendall/MIT	State Park	$	Credit/Cash	7:30pm
Central Square	The Field	$	Cash Only	8:15pm
Harvard Square	Felipe's Taqueria	$	Credit/Cash	9pm
Porter Square	Toad	$	Credit/Cash	9:45pm
Davis Square	Sligo Pub	$	Cash Only	10:30pm

All price points are based off the Yelp pricing scale. You can see that the plan is to be cost-efficient while imbibing. Take note of the the "Bar ETA." There is a pace and we will do our best to maintain it. But, fear not; no one will be left behind. In my clan, everyone makes it home in one piece.

Now that you have the itinerary and the schedule, begin your preparation!

Epic Challenge pt 2

2015-08-10T14:15:00.000-05:00

I am five days away from my Epic Challenge and support for my task has been overwhelming. When I initially posted the event, there was an immediate response from my friends. Many said I was nuts to attempt something so outrageous. Others applauded my determination and pledged their aid to my cause. Because I appreciate those who have said they will crawl with me, I have decided to reward them with fun activities (besides imbibing) along the way. Those who come along with me have opportunities to earn Reputation, honor, and rewards. That being said, I want to make sure everyone who participates is ready and fully prepared to do so. Here is a list of some items you will need as well as some things to think about.

Necessary Items

MBTA Charlie Card - You can't get anywhere without a "ship." This is your means of travel. I suggest a Day Pass since it will cover you for the duration of the event and is fairly priced.
A valid form of Identification - Make sure you are able to play. Don't be the person who can't get in; that's just lame.
Funds - Call it cash, money, glimmer, whatever, you'll need to bring some along. Most places will accept credit/debit cards, but there are a few that do not. Plan accordingly.

Sporting Youth

2015-08-08T20:01:00.001-05:00

I watched several youth basketball games yesterday morning. They are extremely interesting as reflections of culture. I ref youth flag football during the fall and while youth sports all share similar themes and goals, each sport manifests them in different ways. Yet, the fans (i.e. the parents), are always the same...

It's important to know that I was watching the "8 and under" league. These are little kids. The parents were reacting as if they were watching Division 1 competition. I'm all for parents cheering on their kids, but come on, there is a component of youth sports that is all about having fun. While winning can be a part of that fun, it can't be the only part. There were a few that were especially memorable.

There was the "My baby is a Star" Mom. Every time her child had the ball, she thought he should shoot it. Never mind passing the ball, if he touched it, he should be finishing strong.

There was the "They keep fouling my baby" Mom. She is interesting because she knows enough about the rules and penalties of the game to assume that every little bump, collision, and incidental contact is an egregious assault against her child.

I think my favorite parent was the "Disinterested Father." He sat next to me and only looked up from his phone when his son came over during half time for water and after the game ended when the two of them left.

I think youth sports are important and necessary, but this intensity with which parents drive their kids strikes me as odd almost to the point of dangerous. What happened to having fun when playing youth sports? When did winning overtake sportsmanship, teamwork, and learning to play the game? I think these priorities should be re-examined.

Saturday Sports Finale

2015-08-08T13:39:00.000-05:00

All in all, my friend is right. It was fascinating. While the there is less of a focus on team play, it was fun to watch these children mimic a game they see on television.

Saturday Sports pt 10

2015-08-08T12:48:00.001-05:00

Second game now, I'm running the clock. No pressure!

Saturday Sports pt 9

2015-08-08T12:25:00.001-05:00

The parents are probably the best part. They deserve and will get a full post on their behavior.

Saturday Sports pt 8

2015-08-08T12:19:00.001-05:00

The mix of youth is interesting. Black and white, girls and boys. There are a few female coaches as well.

Saturday Sports pt 7

2015-08-08T12:16:00.001-05:00

A lady (perhaps a parent) just walked in and asked me what the score was. I said, "the green team has all the points." She replied "what does the white team have?" I said, "none."

Saturday Sports pt 6

2015-08-08T12:13:00.001-05:00

I'm not sure if they are keeping score. I feel like some type of slaughter rule would have taken affect by now...

Saturday Sports pt 5

2015-08-08T12:12:00.001-05:00

Amid the travelling and double dribbling, there are flashes of real basketball. I just watched the green team run a fast break with enough spacing and court awareness to pass the ball to the open man at the last second. He missed the layup.

Saturday Sports pt 4

2015-08-08T12:08:00.001-05:00

The current game is a bit lopsided. The green-jersey team has scored all the points and the white-jersey team has scored none.

Saturday Sports pt 3

2015-08-08T12:03:00.001-05:00

I'm watching the "8 and under" age group. These kids play four 8 minute quarters!

Saturday Sports pt 2

2015-08-08T11:59:00.001-05:00

I ref youth football with one of the youth basketball refs. He invited me out to watch the games. He said I would, "find them facinating."

Saturday Sports

2015-08-08T11:56:00.001-05:00

I'm watching youth basketball this morning. It's an interesting experience.

2015-07-31T20:16:00.000-05:00

I'm "pulling back the curtain" to some extent with these posts. This one was done via email. The same idea applies as the text message posts. Though, with an email, I have more space than 160 characters to write. I can even add a title were I so inclined.

I've already talked about how amazing this level of technology is. Really, technology in general is pretty sweet. Every now and then, I will make a similar remark in mixed company and usually end up being the butt of a joke. It makes me think I am old...

2015-07-31T20:02:00.000-05:00

I'm excited to use this function during the Epic Challenge, or at least attempt to use it. I feel like it will start well, but end terribly...

2015-07-31T19:43:00.000-05:00

These last two posts were done from my cell phone. Blogger lets me send text messages that appear as posts which allows me to blog on the fly if I am covering an event.

2015-07-31T19:39:00.001-05:00

I like the fact that I can blog even if I'm away from my computer. Blogger is very good about allowing connectivity across multiple platforms.

Luke's Story

2015-07-29T18:04:00.000-05:00

The director of the Academic Center for Writing at Mountain View Colleges is a difficult guy to pin down. Ask him about his daily schedule and you’re likely to hear a response describing the multitude of meetings he has. Quite possibly, he is about to be late. “I’m on so many committees, some I started myself” he says. That is quintessential Luke Story, a man who is dedicated to his job and passionate about the students he serves.

With a Masters in Rhetoric and Composition as well as years of experience teaching English and ESL, Story was looking to make a career of educating others. However, he hasn’t always found work in education. As late as 2012, Story worked in the business world as a Financial Analyst, a job he did not like. Story recounts that he worked “long enough to know it wasn’t for me.”

Story tells the tale of a significant phone call he received from the former director of the ACW, Kevin Williams, while on his way to work one auspicious day. The anecdote goes that Mr. Williams contacted him about his interest in a part-time tutoring position. It was an opportunity to get back into teaching and education. He accepted immediately and hasn’t looked back.

The draw of his initial position as a Writing Specialist was the concept at the foundation of the ACW, enhancing students’ ability to write. “The appeal was to make better writers” he explains. The concept resonated with him and he wanted to dive in and get right to work. “I saw it as a place for unlimited potential” Story says. Now, it’s his job to put the ACW in a place to maximize that potential.

The passing of Kevin Williams was a devastating blow to Mountain View students, faculty and staff. In the aftermath, there was a void at the position of director of the ACW, a vacancy that Story felt he could fill. “It was the hardest decision to make, applying for the Director job” Story says.

Story is reflective about Kevin Williams, choosing his words carefully. Sitting in Mr. Williams’ old office, Story’s 6’4 frame seems cramped.

“Kevin was my mentor” he says. There is a noticeable pause. “Everyone loved Kevin; those are huge shoes to fill.”

Yet, Story is more than equal to the task. He has a plan to expand the reach and breadth of the ACW through programs, publications and activities created to meet students where they are and help them improve.

From the student-centric literary publication, Lion’s Roar, and the Kevin Williams Writer’s Lounge, to the Culture of Writing Festival that took place during Spring Semester, the horizon is bright with potential.

As Story lists off the events and activities he has planned, a palpable energy radiates from him. His passion is obvious and his vision reflects that passion. “Our resources are phenomenal … there is so much more that can be done” he says. He is correct even though it will require long hours of work. Though, if Story sees it that way, it doesn’t show.

“I like to stay busy. Now, I stay busy doing something I love” he says

Random Thoughts - NFL Suspensions Edition

2015-07-28T15:51:00.000-05:00

I don't normally use this space to talk sports, but with the recent news concerning Tom Brady's four-game suspension being upheld, I find myself in an odd position. As an ex-(sports)journalist, I must maintain some level of objectivity. In earlier reports, the NFL's investigation found that Brady was "at least generally aware" that footballs were being deflated. It was never proven that he was the individual directing the two Patriots employees to deflate footballs.

The question becomes how is his behavior construed and what category does it fall under? Some say that deflating, or otherwise tampering with game footballs falls under the category of attempting to gain an unfair advantage which ruins the integrity of the game, blah, blah, blah. Okay, sure. In that regard, tampering with game footballs is similar to Performance Enhancing Drugs (PEDs) which carries a suspension penalty of up to six games depending on the severity.

If we are comparing Brady's activities to PEDs, It is important to establish what level of severity deflating footballs is. According to his suspension, it is akin to taking a steroid or other banned substance (four-game suspension) But, I'm doubtful that his actions were that severe.

Some may recall that the deflated footballs were identified at the end of the first half of the Patriots-Colts playoff game. At the start of the second half, new, un-tampered footballs were put into use and the Patriots proceeded to score twenty-one points in the third quarter. So, the during the game when the Patriots were the most prolific, they were using regulation-sized footballs.

If the deflation of footballs had no effect on the game wherein they were discovered, how can the League rightfully suspend Brady for four games? If anything it should be a two-game suspension. Now, if the NFL is suspending Brady for being "uncooperative" that is different. While, that feels generally unfair to me, I suspect there is some elastic rule in the NFL Personal Conduct Policy that allows the League to come down on Brady and other players who damage the integrity of the brand through an unwillingness to answer questions.

That word "integrity" keeps coming up. Still, when I think about this as a "level-headed," and "logical" journalist, the facts don't seem to add up. Four games seems a bit much for being "at least generally aware" of tampering.

As a fan, I'm raging a bit.

This is, yet again, another attempt by the League and Goodell to tear down the greatness that has been established at Foxboro. Haters will call the Patriots cheaters. It's gamesmanship. We're better at it than you (Ravens). Deal with it. Don't be mad because your sorry-ass team didn't make the playoffs, or made the playoffs, but wasn't competitive (Colts). Or worst yet, was the height of arrogance when your coach decided to throw the ball on the 2-yard line instead of run it in with Lynch (Seahawks). Stop crying because we keep winning. We are a good team, with good players who play well together. That's what it takes. But go ahead and let everyone know how much you think we cheat, and how you "totally called it" in the comment section of all the stories out today about the suspension being upheld. Brady will see the NFL in court.

Sorry, where was I... Oh yes, my thoughts, random as always.

Text Message Stories: 160 Characters or less

2015-07-27T18:33:00.000-05:00

As a person who has committed to writing as a career, I am always looking for ways to challenge myself and hone my skills. Over the weekend, I exchanged text messages with friends and I realized that many of my friends break the character limit (160 characters) during their messages. I thought about how I text and how often I break the character limit. Quite often.

This got me thinking about how to tell a story, and how much space is necessary. Many people, writers especially, know the (tall) tale of Hemingway writing a novel in six words. While "For sale: baby shoes, never worn" has passed into legendary status, I'm looking for something a little more manageable. I present to you "Text Message Stories: 160 Characters or less." Let me know what you think.

I'm running late. It's 3:55pm. The bank closes at 4pm, and I'm 3 minutes away.

The light changes to green. I'm off down side streets.

3:57pm. Will I get there??

My head nods as my eyes close. I'm jarred awake by the motion.

The computer screen slowly fades into focus.

Project Development Budget.

I sigh. I need coffee.

I press send, now I'm waiting. Will she respond? How long will it take?

Is she expecting me to text?

My phone buzzes in my hand. A smile dances across my face.

Perhaps now it is your turn, dear reader. Try your hand at this type of "Flash Fiction," but remember the rules. Your story must not be longer than 160 characters (including spaces). Use the text message function on your phone to check yourself. Feel free to leave your stories as comments. I look forward to seeing what you create!