Caps Running Journal Continued

8:25- 3rd period underway. Canadian announcers just mentioned the Caps were outshot 15-6 in the 2nd. Wow, can't repeat that and win this one.

8:28- Holy Shit! Ovechkin just flipped Habs Defenseman P.K. Subban on a hit, then drew a penalty from Subban! Could be a momentum shifter...

8:30- Well, so much for the momentum. Caps lose the power play as Brooks Laich gets his 2nd penalty tonight.

8:34- Varlamov is really playing well tonight. Keeping the Caps in it. I like Varly, so hopefully this and more similar performances will quiet the critics who think the Caps need to trade for a more experienced goalie to advance in the playoffs.

8:45- Not much action, and not much Caps offense. Varly still solid, best player for the Caps tonight.

8:50- Action starting to perk up. Each team getting an exciting chance, but these goaltenders are keeping their teams in it.

8:52- Habs get ANOTHER power play after Laich's 3rd penalty tonight. Hey Bruce, how bout not playing Brooks anymore tonight.

8:54- Caps LW Jason Chimera denied on a short-handed breakaway. Announcers just said that other NHL players voted Chimera one of the fastest skaters in the league. Huh, I wouldn't have guessed that. Good info Canadian announcers.

8:58- End of Regulation. Disappointing for the Caps after their early 2-0 lead.

9:00- Overtime. 4 on 4 hockey! Should favor the Caps, but they don't start with Ovechkin and Backstrom out there. Curious move by Bruce. Maybe sending a message?

9:06- Two good chances for the Caps in OT so far, but they can't light the lamp.

9:07- Pileup in the crease as OT ends! Caps were so close! Habs Goalie Price fell down as John Carlson lined up a shot, but it hit a Habs Defenseman. And we're going to a shootout!

9:10- Nicklas Backstrom hit the post! Had Price beat, but no goal.

9:11- Habs score, 1-0.

9:12- Varly stones Habs Defenseman James Wisniewski. Caps are still alive!

9:12- Caps are dead as Price stones Ovechkin to end the shootout. Caps continue to struggle, fall 3-2 in shootout.

Thank you for reading the initial Caps Running Journal! Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions. This is something I'd like to continue doing, and I want it to be readable and helpful. Hope to hear from you!

Caps Running Journal

In the first game after the All-Star Break, the Caps take on last year's playoff nemesis, the Montreal Canadiens. This is an important game for the Caps, because they're at home and they need a win to keep pace with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Southeast Division. To the game!

Note: I'll post the time at the beginning of each entry. Time is CST.

6:33- I'm watching this game online, so I've got a Canadian crew broadcasting, and their announcer just said that the Caps aren't really ready to compete in the NHL because they're too young. What? They won the President's Cup last year! Freakin' Canadians.

6:43- And we're underway! Not a good start as the Caps have a bad early turnover, but a nice save by goalie Semyon Varlamov keeps it even.

6:45- GOAL! Young Caps Center Mathieu Perreault tallies the important first score. I love Perreault as a player, he always seems to make things happen out there.

6:52- Caps continue their power play struggles.

6:53- GOAL!! In my face! Mike Knuble puts it away with a great pass from Mike Green. It's

2-0 Caps and Perreault was involved again with a nifty give and go. First power play goal in 6 games for the Caps.

6:55- One thing I love about hockey: the PA guy announces the goal scorer afterwards, firing the crowd up again.

6:58- Habs (Canadiens) hit the post, they're getting good looks on their power play.

7:06- My friend Mark texts me, "first good first period they had all year."

7:08- With 4:22 left in the first, the Caps need to finish strong here.

7:10- Habs get another power play. Crap. So much for finishing strong.

7:14- Caps kill the power play after a good clear by LW Brooks Laich.

7:16- Ovechkin draws a stupid slashing penalty as the first period ends. The Habs player flopped like he was shot. Good first period overall for the Caps, but 2 bad penalties to close.

7:38- 2nd period underway, and 3 good saves already in the first 4 minutes for the Russian Varlamov.

7:46- Tampa Bay leads Philly 3-0. Bad news for the Caps.

7:47- More bad news for the Caps as #21 Brian Gionta scores to cut the lead to 2-1.

7:49- Even MORE bad news as the Habs go on the power play.

7:55- Great 8 (Ovechkin) more aggressive this shift, leading two separate rushes.

7:58- Terrific save by Habs Goalie Carey Price on a shot by Boyd Gordon.

8:01- Caps with a great but fruitless chance after a fancy move by Ovi in front.

8:03- Damnit! Habs tie the game on 2nd Gionta goal after a careless drop pass by Caps Defenseman John Carlson.

8:05- The tables have turned completely here in the 2nd period. Habs playing with energy and momentum.

8:07- End of 2nd period. Game tied 2-2. BIG 3rd period ahead for the Caps.

State of the Union

President Obama just finished his third State of the Union address, and boy was it boring. Good thing some members of Congress sat with a date during the speech, so they could nap on each other's shoulders. Seriously, I did think the speech was boring. It was also necessary, and good.

"We are poised for progress" President Obama told us, and then mapped out a plan for progress full of investments in education, research, and innovation. Except for the final five minutes, the speech focused exclusively on the economy, jobs, and American's exceptional spirit. So much for the Republican argument that President Obama doesn't believe in American exceptionalism. The president talked about America's exceptional workers, scientists, and colleges for nearly half the speech. It wasn't a raucous crowd, but that section sure felt like a pep rally.

Speaking of Republicans, I enjoyed Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan's Republican Response. I listened intently, but am confused. Rep. Ryan said during the speech that Americans are living in a time of "unlimited prosperity" but are headed toward a "day of reckoning." (Yikes!) How is that the case? More important: how should I be feeling, happy or scared? Since it was the Republican Response, I'll assume I should be scared.

Also, I don't understand why Republicans continue to harp on our national debt. They tell us about it over and over. We get it more so than they do. For example, the recent tax deal between President Obama and House Republicans continued to give tax cuts to the richest of rich Americans, those who earn over $250K annually. That deal adds over $700 million to our deficit, which is different from the debt, but still adds to it. If they were really serious about eliminating debt, then why was that such a vital issue to them? In addition, talking about the debt is not an effective strategy to attract new voters. If it was, then no Republicans would be left after President Bush's two terms, two wars, and massive tax breaks skyrocketed our national debt.

Lastly, I want everyone to know that I love Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell. Just love him. When asked what he thought of the speech by NBC's Brian Williams, the first thing Rendell said was that President Obama missed an opportunity by not talking seriously about gun control in tonight's speech. Just because it (gun control legislation) might not happen doesn't mean that it isn't the right thing to do was Rendell's sentiment, and I agree wholeheartedly. I can understand why the president didn't address gun control, but I respect the hell out of Gov. Rendell for bringing up the issue immediately. Kudos to him.

The Forever War

"Perhaps in the hideous present some larger good was being born, struggling painfully and awfully, but coming into the world just the same. And perhaps this new world might one day justify the death and suffering unfolding below...."

-Dexter Filkins, The New York Times

There are still 101 pages left in Dexter Filkins's The Forever War, but I've read enough to know that it is a great and important book. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are not at the front of our national consciousness. But just because they don't dominate the headlines doesn't mean they are over. As veteran journalist Tom Brokaw wrote before November's elections, "No decision is more important than committing a nation to war. It is, as politicians like to say, about our blood and treasure. Surely blood and treasure are worthy of more attention than they've been getting in this campaign."

Tomorrow night is President Obama's third State of the Union address. The speech will most likely focus on economic topics like jobs and the upcoming Congressional battles on spending. But what about the real battles? Will we hear about our president's plans for the wars, other than sure-to-change timetables and assurances that those who do evil will be brought to justice? I hope so.

These wars have been costly, both in American dollars and American lives. The Forever War highlights the painful realities of both. Every story Filkins's tells reminds me. I hope the last 101 pages are as good as the 244 before them. I'll let you know.

Low Point

This is the lowest I've ever been as a sports fan. I've moved past anger to apathy. I don't care much anymore. My two favorite teams, the Orioles and Redskins, are awful. I start each season optimistic, hoping that I'll see some improvement and passion and pray for a winning season. But it's not the case, not even close. They get worse and worse every year, and the worst part is that they don't seem to care.

Why do I care so much? Why should I care so much? The players and teams certainly don't care about me. Each time I get excited about a game or a series or a play I feel foolish because they end up losing, usually badly. And afterwards I'm pissed for several reasons, one because a team I root for lost, and two because it seems they don't care that they lost. It's just demoralizing to be disappointed time and time again. Why make an enthusiastic investment in the games when they only bring me frustration and disappointment? When will my support be rewarded and justified? When will my teams be good? Hell, I've settle for respectable at this point.

All this whining is useless. I won't stop pulling for the O's and Skins, and I certainly won't start supporting other teams. That's unacceptable as a sports fan. I'll just have to keep the faith and continue caring and rooting, even if that means more frustration and anger. Because it will pay off...some day. Eventually my teams will be good again, and then it'll be sweet redemption.

Until then, I'll root hard for the Capitals. At least they're good.

Friday Night Lights

As sports books go, I've never read one as intense as H. G. (Buzz) Bissinger's Friday Night Lights. Most people have seen or heard of either the movie or TV show that bears the same name, but they both come up short when compared to the book. In Bissinger's original version, published in 1990, he follows the 1988 Permian Panthers football team in Odessa, Texas.

But the book is about more than football. It's about putting young men, kids, on a pedestal and in a spotlight so harsh that they can't help but lose focus on their priorities. School and careers and future plans can wait until after football season, because they're just distractions from the prize anyway, trivial obstacles in the way of the Texas State High School Football Championship.

The people of Odessa have turned young high school football players into idols that they worship and live through vicariously. It's sad and scary and all too real. Racism, sexism, violence, and an insufficient education system are exposed by Bissinger's honest and compassionate reporting. Friday Night Lights uses football as a backdrop, but it's really about life in a hard, tough, and true 1988 West Texas town, a 1988 America.

I've Friday Night Lights before, but this time I'll do it differently. I want to see how much I think life has changed since then. Sports is obviously more than a game, especially sports played at a high level of intensity and athleticism. Do we view sports differently now as we did then? Are athletes seen as barbaric gladiators, or just skilled professionals who give us highly entertaining and profitable games, matches, and events? How do we treat athletes who aren't as good as they once were? And why do we care so damn much about sports and teams and games, to the point that our days are ruined because our favorite team lost? Why do we care?

Recently I've been reading, rereading, and listening to the hilarious essays of David Sedaris. I had forgotten how funny they are. While listening to "Jesus Shaves" two nights ago, I had to pause the recording so I could finish laughing before he got to, in my opinion, the funny parts. Normal, simple sentences become a crack-up when read aloud by Sedaris. I may not survive listening to "You Can't Kill the Rooster" because I'll probably lose consciousness due to extreme laughter.

In "You Can't Kill the Rooster," Sedaris describes and (tries to) explain the way his brother Paul speaks, and the special yet strange relationship Paul and their father have. Both are blunt communicators, but only Paul is vulgar. Very vulgar. I have to close the book and compose myself after reading the section where Paul explains why he came to a family holiday dinner party with a black eye. Having read that essay at least ten times, you'd think I wouldn't continue to laugh with each reading. That's not the case. In fact, I laugh harder and more often now than I did at first reading.

Like the Sedaris's father, I appreciate blunt communication, even if it's overtly blunt. At least it's genuine and you know where that person stands. I curse too much myself, but I know that curse words are often stronger words and convey more meaning, although that meaning is usually inappropriate for the setting in which I use it. That's something I'll continue to work on.

And I'll also work on reading and listening to more Sedaris. I highly recommend you do too.