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I’m not sure how often (if at all) this happens to anyone.

Sometimes there are those moments that seem to make me think about specific times or events in my life. One such moment occurred last Friday at my nephew Nick’s play production of “Fiddler on the Roof”. Now I’m sure you’re thinking about the acting, or the symphony, or the general ambiance however you’d be completely wrong.

The event I’m referring to is my dear Aunt Sylvia and her bringing in contraband Junior Mints. Some may know where I’m going with this but many will not.   My brother Craig was a few seats down from me and he offered me some of these fine candies, and when he did we both took it to the same place.  Now for me, every single stinking time I see or hear about Jr. Mints I think one thing…Seinfeld. If you don’t know what that means read the following lines from a specific episode.
Jerry: Why did you force that mint on me? I didn’t want the mint!

Kramer: Well, I didn’t believe you.

Jerry: How could you not believe me?!?

Kramer: Who’s gonna turn down a Junior Mint? It’s chocolate, it’s

peppermint– it’s *delicious*!

Jerry: That’s true.

Kramer: It’s very refreshing!

The Best of Kramer – Junior Mints

If you want to see specifically what I’m referring to then scan ahead to around the 3 minute mark, but the whole clip is hilarious.  (Thank you Hamada 2700 for the clip on YouTube)

Just one of those things that always triggers a memory for me. What are some clips, songs, shows, movies do you think of in situations like this? I look forward to your stories.

Alan…is this really what it feels like? Seriously, I feel much worse for you now than I ever have. My sympathies go out to you. Thank you to whoever had this video available, I am eternally grateful. You made my morning.

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I hope that everyone today takes a moment and thanks a veteran or at least remembers those who have defended our rights even at the cost of their own lives.

Regardless of your opinions on the military or the services they provide, no one can deny the sacrifices these individuals make on a daily basis and have done so since we fought for our independence. Without these sacrifices we would not have the rights and privileges we do today.

Without these freedoms, three brothers would never be allowed to post their foolish ramblings online…what would we do then with all of our free time and energy?

So again…to all the veterans out there and the ones that came before, the words Thank you are not nearly enough. But I will do my best to live a life that honors what you have given to me and all Americans.

This may end up being an overly lengthy, rambling piece but I suddenly felt the need to contribute.  I am just beginning Cemetery Dance and felt the need to write.

I must first thank Alan for getting me hooked on these authors and their books.  For the last 4 years plus all I had read was text books for masters classes and this didn’t often leave me time to read anything out of pure interest.  The books I was reading were of great professional and personal interest but weren’t the type of read that I could just pick up for a couple chapters whenever I had a few moments.

It was about the second year of my masters program that Alan let me borrow “Still Life for Crows” by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child.  This was the first novel I read centered around FBI Special Agent Pendergast and I now can’t get enough.  Just to get a taste of what the character and his exploits are all about, try perusing this site created by another of P & C’s character’s Corrie Swanson.  http://www.agentpendergast.com/   These authors develop intricate plots entwined with exquisite details, all of which can be followed and appreciated by any reader.  Their environments are beautifully described and often span multiple time frames.  The characters are richly developed with complicated histories and connections.  While the stories can be a tad on the graphic and gruesome side, they are written not to glorify these acts of violence but to explore the human nature of criminals, victims, witnesses, and law enforcement.  I really should not try to attempt an explanation of any one of these novels.  To do so would not do them justice, and so I suggest the aforementioned website.  Most of their stories have hints of occult or paranormal mixed in, which only adds to the thriller aspect of the plots.  For me this is an added bonus, and  I have yet to be disappointed.

Another great aspect of these two authors is how they entwine all of the characters in all of their books together.  Not all appear in every storyline, but some reappear here and there.  Each book is written to be either a stand-alone novel or part of the bigger picture in the Pendergast legacy.  I wish I could suggest one in particular, but I can’t pick just one.  I really have enjoyed them all equally.  Pick up one or more but I really think everyone should try at least one.  These books combine forensic science, psychology, personal tragedy and spirutuality (as well as a myriad of other human characteristics) and do so wonderfully I might add.

The Pendergast Novels:

*  Relic (yes which was a movie that did the book no justice whatsoever although was remotely entertaining despite its lack of the Pendergast character), and its sequel Reliquary.

*  The Cabinet of Curiosities

*  Still Life with Crows

*  Brimstone, Dance of Death, & The Book of the Dead (The Diogenes Trilogy)

*  The Wheel of Darkness

* Cemetery Dance

*  Fever Dream (The newest of the series)

There are also the non-Pendergast novels which center around other characters found in the above books.  I have read only a few of these but have found them to be equally as enjoyable.  Mount Dragon, Riptide (which takes place off the coast of our home state of Maine), Thunderhead, and The Ice Limit are these titles. They both also have many works that they have written individually but I haven’t really had the chance to explore those titles yet.

Douglas has a connection to Maine since he now resides here as well as other possible Maine connections which, for me, increases my desire to read more.  I am completely hooked and can’t seem to stay away.  Here’s to hoping these two continue to write for years to come.

For those of you who aren’t Saturday Night Live fans (which I am not) or those of you who do not listen to sports talk radio, this clip may have made it past you.  Peyton Manning seems to be Mr. Wholsome American Hero, until you see this. I am a personal fan of his commercials anyway (my wife doesn’t find any humor in them) so this more than made me chuckle. And for all of you Tom Brady fans…while Tom seems to spend his time prancing around NYC and LA flicking his locks here and there, Peyton is becoming more of a marketing machine. Oh and he can fling the rock a little too….So take a minute and watch this video. Again, this is a SNL skit with this particular video clip being from Hulu.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/1603/saturday-night-live-united-way

I know I have been absent from this site for quite some time, between work, moving into a new home, and finishing a master’s degree I have been more than pre-occupied.

Well, on my travels today I had to tolerate the poor pitiful Red Sox talk that has overwhelmed me for quite some time.

Fact: The Sox have had more than their share of injuries and are still having a very successful year with many players that wouldn’t ever sniff the big club in most years. The frustrating part about this is that despite their success, I am listening to the excuses that many fans say they don’t make. It’s one after another and get this…they’re still in the race for the postseason. So what’s to complain about.

Fact: There are other teams that have more than their share of injuries and are still in the playoff hunt. The Dodgers have had quite a few players injured (in fact one individual starting tonight had to send letters to teams letting them know that he was available if any were interested).

The reason I have written this is because the sports casters were discussing how NO team has had many injuries. Then I counted the Phillies DL list. They have placed 15 very key players on the DL for significant amounts of time. Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley (3 MVP caliber players) have all missed very long stretches of time. In fact there are only 2 starting fielders who have not spent time on the DL along with many back up players. All the while, the Phillies are in hunt as well. We can get into the argument of AL versus NL at some other point. We can also look at the fact that the Sox are chasing two very good teams.

What I want is for Sox fans to just enjoy the run they’re on. They could still make the playoffs and this is something enjoyable to watch (although I know it is difficult cheering for this many reserve players night in and night out). This is not your typical red sox season as of late but it’s not a wash. So please just stop complaining, stop throwing in the towel, stop asking for sympathy. It could always be worse…think of the fans in KC, Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

So first of all I’d like to apologize for my absence from the site (although I’m quite certain my brothers did fine in my stead). Working full time, coaching, and finishing up a master’s program is a little more time consuming than I at first expected.

Now onto the issue at hand. I’d like to express my enthusiasm on getting Roy Halladay and at the same time my sadness at losing Cliff Lee. What an ideal rotation it would have been to have Halladay, Lee, Hamels, Haap and whoever they chose as their fifth starter. Unfortunately the powers that be did not think this was a reality.

Now, many people have asked me for my opinion. Many of these same people made comments about how much better it would have been to get Halladay the first time around and now are insisting this is a bad move.

While Lee’s postseason run was epic it is no way a guarantee that he’ll repeat this effort year after year. Yes I know he’s won a Cy Young award but, he has also been demoted to the minors so consistency has been a concern. That being said, it was not my concern but it is legitimate. I also got the impression that Lee’s agent was playing hard ball and wanting a Sabathia style contract but that’s neither here nor there. There was no promise of having Lee in Philadelphia after this year and despite his comments to stay apparently Ruben Amaro Jr. did not see the reality of this either.

As far as Halladay goes, you’re getting a pitcher who is just as much of a work horse. Throws complete games like he’s from the golden age of baseball, has a nice compliment of pitches to chose from, put up great numbers while pitching in Toronto, and has had much success and has while facing the Red Sox and Yankees for about a third of his starts. That’s not exactly having the runner up for homecoming queen as a date now.

Unfortunately Lee’s time in a Phillies uniform has endeared him to many Phillies fans (myself included). And quite possibly an injury to one or both pitchers could make this argument look very different, however, the extension Halladay signed allows the Phillies to be competitive for years to come and also still gives them money to play with down the road.

I think this was in many ways a lateral move (as they moved one ace and obtained another) but it also has long-term potential to solidify the Phillies as dynasty in the years to come.  I think Halladay, despite being a year older, has the slight edge since his numbers have been great against a tough AL East and most of Lee’s numbers match up with the AL Central.  In the end it could be a wash either way, or it could turn out to be a bust. 

Pitchers and catchers is right around the corner and then it’s time for spring training. Bring on the hard ball…it’s been a long winter without baseball and I’m ready to watch the defense of that NL championship.

Please remember to thank those brave soldiers who have served and are serving to preserve the rights of this great nation.  These amazing men and women lay their lives on the lines daily so that we can continue to express our democratic privileges, so hug and thank as many as you can today and every day.

Happy Veteran’s Day from the Derosby brothers (and their extended families)

Being a die hard Phillies fan (as you may have guessed from my brother’s derogatory statements on this site) living in a passionate Red Sox Nation hasn’t been easy on me. I’m also sure that I haven’t been the easiest non-Sox fan to live with either (apologies to my understanding wife).

But tonight I implore all of you members of Red Sox Nation to relive the glory days. Find that love in your heart for the self-proclaimed “Old Goat”.  Pedro is taking the mound in the Stadium that George built, quite possibly for the very last time in his hall of fame career. I’m asking you to put away any anger or resentment you might have (this means you too Alan, for after all this wouldn’t have been possible if the Mets didn’t fund these surgeries…so in a way this game belongs to you as well) and embrace that glowing smile, and the arm of Pedro.

Let two nations become one, at least for tonight. Phillies Nation and Red Sox Nation, bound by more than Pedro, but by a common hatred for tonight’s opponent. I know I will be waiting for every pitch, every out, and every inning with bated breath. I will frequently hear my wife tell me to calm down yet it will be to no avail.  My blood pressure will ebb and flow with every second that passes, as I’m sure will all of yours will as well.

So please, let’s all join hands…cause I believe that Pedro is our future. Love him well and let him lead the way…(I’m sure Whitney would approve of me altering her lyrics this one time).

This game 6 is momentous, we can worry about tomorrow when tomorrow gets here. For me today, every breath and thought will be for tonight’s game, and I hope you’ll all join me.

I know it has probably been done before, and most likely much more effectively than I can do it here. But I was thinking on my drive this morning, where I was 8 years ago this day.

I was just starting my third year of teaching, and I was in room 318 (during second period I believe) when a student of mine from another period came down the hall to inform me that a plane had crashed in New York. They weren’t sure but they thought it had hit a building (which they incorrectly assumed it was the Empire State). It seemed so unbelievable so we continued on with class. Shortly thereafter an announcement came on informing the school of the horrific news. The towers had been hit and the total damage had not been assessed, however the outlook did not look promising. I sat with my class of students as they begged for information that I did not have access to. We dealt with the possibilities of terrorist attacks as well as other options. Slowly the realization set in that too many lives had been lost and the heroic efforts of others had helped to save some.

It was on this day that so much changed for myself and many others. Until this point we could not imagine an attack of such magnitude occurring on our own soil. We sat around watching the news for days, weeks, months, etc. We were engrossed and horrified at the details. There was much confusion in our lives, minds and hearts. Now, we had fear and doubt. We were filled with anger and confusion. There weren’t the answers we wanted or expected.

I only posted this because even after 8 years, the events are so vividly etched into my memory. There are days that I can’t remember what I had for breakfast, yet these details never escape me.

I often look for songs that have deeper meanings or background. If you have the moment, check out the youtube video for Tom Morello’s “No One Left”. He’s listed as the Nightwatchman and it’s his personal expression of the events. He stated that in all songs, no one was able to capture how he felt and so he wrote this.

Please feel free to share how you felt and what your experiences were during this powerful, traumatic, and impacting time in American history.