Best of 2004

Alright, alright. I might as well get on the bandwagon and do my own personal list of favorites and memorable experiences from 2004. Remember, this is a personal list, and does not necessarily reflect the popular view.....

BEST SPORTS MOMENT OF THE YEAR, NATIONAL

For me, the best moment in this category was the systematic thrashing of the "spend your way to a championship" New York Yankees, by the Boston Red Sox, in the world series. I'm not a BoSox fan, in any sense, but it was great to see the mighty Goliath and all those cocky front office bastards get theirs. In a big, big way. It ranks up there with seeing the same philosophy Detroit Red Wings get thrashed in the playoffs over the past few years, when they were clearly the season favorite. Spending does not always win championships. Heart and character do. Money breeds laziness.

WORST SPORTS MOMENT OF THE YEAR, NATIONAL

This is almost a dead tie for me, between two equally disgusting events:

The first is the steroid scandal. Yeah, we all pretty much "knew" that Bonds, et al. were juicing up big time, but I think the little kids in all of us didn't want to believe it. Now that it's out, and we realize just how FAR this all goes, it's a true travesty. I feel dirty, like sports now has this dark secret that we all know about, and someone is going to have to decide what to do about it. Fast.

The second is the almost assured cancellation of the entire NHL season. I'm still amazed that this hasn't been worked out somehow. The owners, claiming poverty, set themselves up for this mess by offering 5-6+ million dollar contracts to guys who weren't even scoring 20 goals a season. I think 5-6 million is more than ANY hockey player should be making, and several fat pocket owners decided to just go crazy on the salary structure. And who can really blame an average at best player (or anyone for that matter) for taking as much as they could get. But now it's time for the sides to come to some sort of agreement on how to fix this mess, and the two are being so bullheaded, they are truly jeopardizing the future of the NHL.

BEST SPORTS MOMENT, LOCAL

The Reading Royals hockey team, affiliate of the Manchester Monarchs and LA Kings (of the soon to be defunct? NHL), had their first playoff appearance of their brief 3 year existance. They had to overcome an away do-or-die qualifier on the last day of the season, then entered as the lowest seed, meaning they would not have any home ice advantage. They rolled through two tough fought series and made it to the conference finals, where they went down 2 games to 0 in a best of 5. With games 3 and 4 at home, the Royals totally spanked the opponent (Florida), winning 6-0 and 4-1. It was a classic shellacking. The crowd was so into the moment. I don't think any Florida player could probably think at all, with the noise in the house. They went down by a goal in the deciding game 5, which would have put them in the finals, but all was not lost. It was a fantastic run, one that will be remembered for a long time in this championship starved region.

BEST ALBUM

I have to go with my boys, U2 on this one. The album is a very strong representation of what a true "band" can do when they pour their minds and hearts into a project. I can't wait to see some of these tunes performed live in the 2005 tour, which may be the tour of the year for next year.

BEST CONCERT I PERSONALLY ATTENDED

This one is a sentimental choice. I saw Phil Collins in his (sure to be) announced farewell tour, in Philadelphia. The show was full of energy, and the musicianship, and Phil's voice were top notch that evening. It was truly a trip down memory lane. All the years I've followed Phil (from about 84 on) came rushing back for me that night. Each song sparking a wave of memories of the past. It was quite cool. Perhaps the highlight was when Phil and the band broke into the Genesis classic "Misunderstanding". It was the first time I'd ever seen Phil play a "Genesis" song in a solo concert. And with the background screen showing the 1981 video with Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks, and with Chester Thompson and Darryl Steurmer playing on stage with Phil, it was probably the last time we'll ever see "Genesis" all together on one stage. Quite moving.

BEST "WARDROBE MALFUNCTION"

I'm going to have to go away from the obvious choice here, and pick Tara Reid. There's something sexy about a really sexy girl standing on the red carpet, giving an interview, with her entire left breast hanging completely out of her dress, and not noticing it. A classic moment, when her publicist had to physically pull her dress back up after about 20 seconds of her standing there, flashbulbs popping, being totally oblivious. She's MUCH hotter than Janet, too.

BEST VACATION 2004

I spent a wonderful 5 days in Toronto, ON, and a great 7 days at a conference in Chicago, but nothing tops the 2 days spent (WIFELESS) in Dewey Beach, DE with my old compadre Hap and Jimmy C. It was a fantastic 48 hours of just hanging out and drinking. It didn't matter that it was 52 degrees in the middle of August, we had enough anti-freeze going that it was irrelevant. I haven't drank that much in a LONG LONG time. Our bar tab between the 3 of us the first night was nearly 200 dollars. Craziness. It's something I rarely get to do anymore, but seems like a necessity to recharge the batteries from time to time.

BEST POLITICAL MOMENT

I hate politics. Moreso now that ever. I'm a Bush supporter, but not a straight Republican. Anyway, my "best" moment of 2004 was the minute that the election was conceeded. I don't think I could have handled any more BS coming from either candidate's mouth, and the prospect of another few months of recounts and whining was almost too much to bear.

Well, enough for now. If I don't get back "blogging" before the weekend, everybody have a great New Year, and drink some for me.

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