plancher: take three

As an editor in college, I wrote about Ereck Plancher -- who, in 2008, collapsed and died at UCF's training facility after drills. I admittedly angled the piece to focus on pressure being that I was writing for a university setting. (I apologize for the redunfancy of pasted paragraphs from that link, it's a Wordpress malfunction from back in the day.) It was a mess of heat, a heart condition and coaches doing more than coaching. Indeed, I used the column as a soapbox to lash out out at the system because there's no coming back from a dead teen.

I was listening to the radio this morning and heard that the case was coming to a close. This is three years later. Negligence is the call from the jury. Plancher's parents are awarded $10 million. I doubt any monetary amount will heal their pain.

My position has not changed on this issue. It won't anytime soon. I am content with how I approached the piece given the setting I was in -- and I would do it again if I had to. I remember thinking about this story in our newspaper office; how could I make it relevant? That is what I came up with on deadline.

After the story was published, I was approached by someone who asked me how I justified knowing what college coaches go through. At the time, I think I said something rude, snarky like -- "freedom of speech, it's my column, I'm the sports editor." In hindsight, that should have been my time and place to say the following: The issue was not what the coaches did, it's what they didn't do. This turns into a moral issue, not a pride booster or boasting 40 times. Plancher was struggling mightily toward the end of his workout. What did the coaches do? Nothing. Then, as it goes, it was too late.

So, do I know what college coaches go through? No. I don't pretend that I do. I do know when enough is enough. You can't blame a kid for knowing when to call it quits with immeasurable pressure.

spatch

Dispatch happened last weekend at the TD Garden. It was another gem in my concert quest of 2011. Dispatch is my favorite band of all time without question. There music has had such a profound impact on my life. If I have only one song to listen to before my time is up, it's passerby. They happened to play it, too. There was so much energy among the crowd. It truly was a show where each song is potentially memorable.

Trying to put something the full concert into words is difficult since it was the type of show that consumes you.  I can say this: when you get 20,000 people together that love what Dispatch stands for, appreciate their role as arguably one of the greatest independent bands of all time and understand their balance of lyrics -- you have a recipe for Saturday's show.  They way in which they joke between songs, tell stories and blend in impenetrable chemistry makes for an energetic and thoughtful performance.

It's funny because they disbanded in 2002 citing "the wrong reasons." That is just other words for they were getting so large. And, it was becoming a head game. Nonetheless, they never signed on to a large record label. Their music lived on and fans could not let go -- and Dispatch did not want them to. Now, as most of the music world has seen, they sell out unprecedented venues because there is that much attraction, that much pull, that much influence. It's all documented in their documentary, Last Dispatch.

"They're your band, it's not like they're corporates band."

Who knows when their next tour will be. It does not come around often.The last time they played Boston prior to this weekend was 2004. Shame on you if you missed it!

I do, however, have some audio of 'decent' quality you can listen to. 

Little foggy -- but Pete sporting some Bruins gear

Stage

JP and his newly purchased kelly green Celtics Dispatch logo shirt

And, of course, I had to capture some Garden rich photos. The band -- especially Chad being a Boston native -- alluded to the Bruins on numerous occasions; wearing jerseys, speaking of the cup during songs, in between song banter and even references to Patrice Bergeron, who was in attendance.

knot just a passing afternoon

With a beautiful blend of Jewish and British traditions -- chalk full of fascinators and hava nagila -- my sister, Samantha, got married this weekend. It encompassed the collective merge of families from both sides of the pond with dear friends in tow, and manifested itself elegantly in Simsbury, CT.  I have never seen my sister so full of joy and nerves. She grabbed my hand before we started to walk and I knew we were all in for something special. She was composed, though, and managed to hold it together. She was a stunning bride. My new brother in law, Adam, is a stand up guy. The ceremony went swimmingly as did the entire wedding. The speeches were humorous and heartfelt. Tears were shed.

What amazed me this weekend was the politeness, love and overall welcoming nature of the new people I met. I speak mainly of the British and some Scottish friends/family who, with open arms, made the experience even more memorable. Learning cultural differences, debating sports, embracing the uniqueness of people when they're in an unfamiliar atmosphere and sliding back a cocktail or two made it special -- well, even more special.

Those are rich iotas in life. The surprises that make an already great experience greater.

Congratulations to Samantha. To Adam. And to believing in the immense power of love.

Colourful Tuesday

Dallas Green -- also known as City and Colour -- released Little Hell today. I have been anxiously waiting. He's really grown on me in the last five months or so. I've posted on his music before alluding to his melancholy lyrics, but praised his guitar skills. His new album is a bit louder. All that really means is that it's not nearly as acoustic. What's Little Hell? I read an interview of his about the title and he said that everyone goes through their own hardships -- or Little Hell if you will. Music is his escape and outlet. The music has the same effect for his fans. It seems fitting since we all have our bad days. Liberation of sorts.

Have a listen : O Sister

Album artwork: Little Hell

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welcome back three-daze.

It's entirely feasible that the Bruins winning made this weekend more enjoyable. I remain in awe of how this team pulled it together at precisely the right moment on the biggest stage. Anyways, the weekend was great. For starters, the girlfriend and I headed to Connecticut so she could partake in my sister's bachelorette party. My sister is in full wedding mode and we'll be headed back to CT in three weeks for the wedding. I'm stoked.

Meanwhile, while they frolicked around, I headed to visit my roommate from college, Brian. We spent nearly two hours on his back porch embracing summer's warmth while listening Iron & Wine and crushing beers before going out. It brought back fond college memories with the kid, and we're still able to enjoy the simple things to this day.

We were roommates. I enjoyed college.

 

For your viewing pleasure: Iron & Wine - Upward Over the Mountain

Other weekend things: kayaking the Charles River with friends, getting my golf swing back and a beer-b-que hosted by another friend from college. 

Three day weekends, you're spot on.

movin' parts

Oh, those Bruins. After such insufferable collapses and game seven follies, it's such a relief. No need to harp on this. Vancouver it is.

That said, I'm back and sorry for the delay. Rather, a shortened hiatus as rain soaked New England took its toll. Perhaps beautiful weather was just the inspiration needed. And this long weekend.

Dolly is back for another weekend-stay-cation in Newton. The heat is getting to her a bit. Her panting has become white noise at this point. Regardless, we took some time to look out the window today.

Intimidating watchdog

In unrelated news, it's almost time to kiss the impala holla goodbye. She's been solid all these years and still drives well. At the very least she is tolerable. The reason she'll be gracing Craigslist after summer is because I'm moving and will no longer need her services. Indeed, my commute to work is short -- it's about five minutes depending on when parents are dropping their children off at school. In general, though, I am tired of driving and can take the T to and from work with minimal walking. But I digress. The girlfriend and I picked out a Brighton apartment (edge of Comm. and just up the hill from Cleveland Circle to you Bostonians) today after a relatively short search and put down a deposit to avoid the September 1 rush. We can now comfortably enjoy summer without a search looming, which is something we deemed important from the moment Newton became an afterthought. Newton has been an above par first apartment and an overall joy. Residing close to Boston is nice, but living in Boston is nicer. Moving to my second apartment has taught me one important iota: you know it when you see it. As was the case in Newton, our new apartment fits the bill -- literally and figuratively -- to become our next niche. I suppose the point of this post was to ask if anyone wants to buy a rugged 2000 chevy impala that has a broken fuel gauge, 120K miles and persistent low tire pressure?

Yeah, I wouldn't want it either.

Plans for the long weekend? Maybe seeing an old pal, Musuem of Fine Arts, kayaking the Charles.

Cheers.

reading, listening, making

Reading: "The Way" by Michael Berg. It focuses on the fundamentals of Kabbalah with a balance of past and modern societal ideals. It does not preach nor extend an agenda, either. What it does do, essentially, is lay out the methods to better your life in terms of spirituality by realizing what's proverbially above you. It also stresses levels of fulfillment, which is really the crux of the book. I find similarities in my own life with some of its aspects; not to mention the carry over displayed in daily life. Nonetheless, a difference of opinion is quite prevalent as well. I suppose that's the beauty of it. I originally read it in college when balancing an internship at Hartford Magazine, being a staff writer at The Informer and taking on a full course load. I'm not sure what prompted me to re-read the metaphors and tales that were -- perhaps still are -- so convincing. It allows you to lose yourself and evaluate from a new perspective.

*Side read: Joel Stein's latest in TIME taking aim at Twitter and, of course, the pressure of following/being followed*

Listening: This is rather obvious coming from me. Dispatch released a new EP yesterday as their summer tour kicks off in about a month. They still demonstrate the undeniable chemistry that paved the way for independent music. There's a splash of State Radio, Braddigan's south american influence and Pete's folksy/bluesy-storytelling-ish lyrics from their respective solo work. The overall sound remains near and dear to my heart.

Making: Just finished jalapeno, corn and black bean rice. It's all sort of southwestern. 

Throw that down Bobby Flay.