Fourth of July Weekend

by Conor Levis




I made a mistake in the last post. I said that my favorite patriotic song was "Stars and Stripes Forever" which is but only as the song itself. My favorite version of any one patriotic song is "America the Beautiful" by Ray Charles, the one playing at the top, hands down. It's the kind of song I can listen to any time and any place. Plus, Ray is incredible in singing it...maybe one of my favorite vocals in a song. So there you go.

Today's Random Thought
by Conor Levis

Don't you hate it when technological advances are made in something that actually makes it more difficult rather than easier just to advance that certain something....totally contradicting the goal of technology? I'm referring to the paper towel dispensers in public restrooms. Who's idea was it to convert every paper towel dispenser to motion sensor? All it really did was make life harder. How difficult should it be to gain access to paper towels? I shouldn't have to sit there waving my hands in front of a sensor because it couldn't detect motion the first 800 tries. And the worst part is that they give you one sheet of paper at a time. Really? When has one sheet of paper ever been enough for someone who just washed their hand?. We use towels at home to dry our hands and they think one sheet of thin paper is going to do the job. Do us a favor public restroom people...either give us multiple sheets at one time or give me a fucking lever! I can't understand why we ever got away from the lever. Not only is it quick and easy, but you get to choose the amount of towels you need. I'm just sick of wasting my time because I have to wave my hands in front of a dispenser like a mongaloid. There's gotta be a way we can get this changed. Only in America.

"Just say no to no-hands dispensers"

4th of July Weekend

Like today's blog, it was definitely an action packed Fourth of July Weekend. Here were some of memorable moments from the weekend:

• The weather. After what seemed like an eternity filled with rain, we finally got some good weather for the 4th.
• Unfortunately, I had to work most of the day but I recall driving around and seeing people outside, family cook outs, fathers and sons playing catch and playing ball, everything that you could want on Independence Day. It was great to see.
• Nothing beats your own family cookout. I stuffed my face with all the hot dogs, hamburgers, and steaks I wanted...and with the people I love most. It doesn't get much better than that.
  
• The TV specials, first the one in Washington, D.C. which was surprisingly entertaining and included performances by Sesame Street, The Queen of Soul herself...Aretha Franklin, Barry Manilow, and then my favorite which was a Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons cover group called "The Jersey Boys" who performed Four Season hits such as "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Sherry", "Working My Way Back to You", "Walk Like a Man", and "December, 1963 (Oh What a Night)". Then of course the Boston show with Neil Diamond and the Boston Pops along with spectacular fireworks as usual. I was very delighted.
• I was supposed to go to a big camp out thing with about 60 people at Weirs Beach that night but ultimately decided not to go because most of my friends were either already there or weren't going. I really didn't feel like driving all the way up by myself...especially because I don't care much for most of the people who were there anyway.
• I ended up having a 1970's type night with a group of friends which ended with us driving to Francetown, NH at around 2 AM doing, well....let's just say illegal activities if you catch my drift. It was the perfect end to a near perfect day.

"When it comes to the 4th of July, this picture has it all"

Remembering Steve McNair

Not all was joyous on our nation's birthday. We learned that former NFL Quarterback Steve McNair, the 2003 NFL MVP who led the Tennessee Titans to the Superbowl in 2000, was found dead at 36. He was killed by his 20 year old girlfriend in an apparent murder-suicide. I couldn't believe the news when I first heard it for McNair was always a favorite player of mine. I heard it after receiving a text from my best friend but didn't believe it until I had it confirmed on the news. At Celtics, Music, Hot Bitches, we choose to remember Steve McNair the football player. A three-time Pro Bowler and the 2003 MVP of the NFL, McNair joined Hall of Famers Fran Tarkenton and Steve Young as the only players to pass for 30,000 yards and rush for 3,500 yards. One of my favorite football moments was watching the last drive of Super Bowl XXXIV when McNair led the Titans down the field, down by 7, and came up 1 yard short from throwing a game-tying touchdown on the final play. That season and every season there after, Steve McNair was my favorite non-Patriots football player. I remember asking for a Steve McNair jersey for four straight Christmas's but never got one. I drafted Steve McNair as my fantasy football quarterback every season...including his 2003 MVP campaign. Steve McNair left his mark on the game of football as one of those rare players who could beat you in so many ways. Whether it was through the air, with his feet, or even pure desire or stength. There will be very few players that come and go in this league that we will be able to compare to Steve McNair in all those different dynamics. Very few could play the position like he did at all different levels. R.I.P. Steve McNair.


The Rasheed Wallace Era Begins!

It's now official. After what were initially rumours all of last week, Rasheed Wallace has become a Boston Celtic. I'm going to save my thoughts on the signing for the next blog but just know that this is a tremendous boost for our Boston Celtics. Welcome aboard 'Sheed!



Video of the Day:

To stay with the theme, Jimi Hendrix comes out on the final morning of the Woodstock Festival and drops this rendition of the Star Spangled Banner for a remedial crowd of hippies and people of the 60's counterculture alike . Truly as good as it gets.