Good for Hockey - Good for Sports

Victory! Watching the Pittsburgh Penguins hoist the Stanley Cup was nothing short of amazing. Considering the odds stacked up against them throughout the entire series, I'd say their comeback effort was more than impressive. There are wins and there are wins. The Penguins triumph over an aging Detroit hockey club sends shockwaves throughout the sports world that extend far beyond hockey. The message it conveys is that of a changing of the guard. Yes, it signifies the arrival of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin as annual cup contenders, but it also shows how the infusion of youth SUPERSTARS in sports can translate into immediate success. Until the young Pens, the only other major young superstar under 27 who has achieved a championship of some kind is Dwayne Wade (unless you consider Ben Roethlisberger a superstar...pshh yeah right). Lebron failed (twice), Dwight Howard came up short, David Wright has yet to taste postseason glory, and even Pujols and Longoria couldn't get it done in the World Series. The NFL has many young budding stars, but none that has the universal appeal of a LeBron or DWade so we needn't even mention any of them yet. Lionel Messi did score a goal in a UEFA Champions League Final but who really watches that stuff anyway? (at least here in the US). So what's my point? My point is that young superstars finally overcoming older more experienced and seasoned opponents is an anomaly that hopefully sets a precedent. Obviously, it's great for hockey. Not only are the Penguins the best team in hockey but they are also the most exciting to watch. It's also great for sports in general. Finally we see young superstars tasting success. It leads to hope for fans that others like Lebron, Dwight Howard, and maybe even guys like Matt Ryan and David Wright can follow suit. Exciting times are ahead for the future of American professional sports. So many of these under 25 titans of their game will provide us with epic battles for years to come. Lets hope that the sight of young Sidney Crosby hoisting the cup is the inspiration needed for other young stars to cross the threshold and win something other than endorsement deals.

The Stanley Cup Finals

As tonight's Stanley Cup Finals Game 1 featuring the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings approaches, I can't help but cling to hope. By virtue of the geography of where I grew up, I've always had an affinity for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The acquisition of Sidney Crosby followed by the subsequent attainment of Evgeni Malkin and Marc-Andre Fleury grew that affinity into a solid obsession with Pens hockey. I recently had the honor and privilege of observing the composure of a brilliant symphony of hockey excellence while attending my first playoff game of any sort. I watched as the Penguins decimated not only the defense of the Carolina Hurricanes and Cam Ward's confidence, but also the hopes of the Hurricane faithful angrily looking on as I and the Penguin fans around us went totally bonkers. Watching these young superstars evolve into battle tested playoff warriors has been nothing short of a privilege. But I can't help but feel sick to my stomach at the thought of taking the ice against the Red Wings for a second year in a row. The heartache of watching Detroit dominate in last years final still remains in part in my subconscious. Here comes a beleaguered hodge podge of old (Chris Chelios is 47!!!) veterans, gods of NHL years past, that many have children nearing their 20's. And yet, this group still ran rough shot through the entire Western Conference playoffs, seemingly untested (I'm writing off Detroit's 7 game nail-biter against Anaheim as a fluke; yes flukes can happen for an entire series). I, being a student and teacher of history, know full well how history has an uncanny ability to repeat itself. The Pittsburgh faithful cannot simply accept the thought of coming so close to hockey euphoria 2 years in a row and coming up empty. Besides, the prospect of the Pens losing the Stanley Cup again means Pittsburgh fans will have to suffer through watching the Pirates underachieve all summer until Steeler training camp begins. Many questions have to be answered to make an accurate prediction as to the outcome of the series; Does another year of playoff experience push the Penguins over the top? Are the Red Wings too old and slow to keep up with the speed and youth of Pittsburgh? Does experience and age benefit Detroit? Can Malkin and Crosby keep up their torrid and feverish point scoring frenzy? Is Detroit's defensive scheme to difficult for the Penguins to overcome? While you can't make assumptions and devise completely accurate responses these questions from one game, I surely will feel either better or worse about some of them tomorrow morning. As for my prediction, VINDICATION - Pens in 6. You might say, "Well Caleb, isn't that a little biased considering you're a Penguins fan?" My response, ABSOLUTELY. LET'S GO PENS!!!!!!

Barbecue Debate

As a part of my morning routine before students arrive at school, I check the news. I came across this article from CNN.com http://www.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/05/22/barbecue.quest/index.html?iref=t2test_travelfri
The article discusses the different variety of barbecue across the country and which, if any, is better than the other. Now I grew up in the north (Pennsylvania), so you could make a case that I'm not qualified to have an opinion on this. Barbecue in the north consists of cooking meat and covering it in store bought commercial sauce from Kraft or some other major distributor. Upon being introduced to real barbecue here in the south, I am obliged to have an opinion. It is my understanding that there are 3 competing styles of barbecue; North Carolina Vinegar based BBQ, Memphis style, and Texas barbecue. The major differences are the sauce concoctions as well as the spices and smoking wood used to cook the meat. To date, all I've had is the North Carolina version. In my short time here, I've been privileged to be able to sample it in my new stomping grounds here in Charlotte, NC. There are a few restaurants in Charlotte that I've been to for BBQ that have impressed me. Jim and Nick's is a BBQ place that has a solid reputation. The meat is tender and the sauces are very tasty. Mac's Speedshop has two locations in Charlotte (South Blvd, Sandy Porter Rd) and ceases to amaze me everytime I eat there. I can honestly say that Mac's BBQ is pound for pound, the best flavored food I've ever consumed. Their incredible sauce flavors are matched only by the variety in which they present them in their menu. The BBQ cuisine ranges from the traditional meat platter smothered in sauce (pulled pork, beef brisket), to barbecue salads and beer can chicken. I look forward to continuing to sample all their menu has to offer. Unfortunately, with the exceptionally excellent, there are the exceptionally bad. The 3rd BBQ place I going to discuss doesn't even deserve to have their name mentioned in this conversation at all (it's a chain restaurant that rhymes with "Schplonny's"). It's not that often that you taste something so vile that you actually remove the food from your mouth with a napkin. As a poor young teacher, I've developed the ability to save food and stretch my dollar to the max. Even with my frugal nature, I still had not the slightest problem throwing 90% of this meal away. This establishments corporate attempt at BBQ is laughable at best. The meat flavor screamed "processed beef livers/lips/hearts/lungs" and the sauce resembled the oral sensation one might receive from licking the bottom of an old pair of tennis shoes. To this establishments credit, I've only eaten there once, and I will concede that there may be some other items on the menu that aren't as detestable, but judging by the quality of the one meal I did receive, I find it increasingly difficult to muster the courage to attempt it again. To sum it up, the "Pupperoni" treats I give my dog smell and most likely taste better than the steaming pile of crap I was served.
With all that said, I'd have to say that I've most definitely become a lover of southern BBQ. When and if I get the chance to sample the 2 other popular styles mentioned above, I'm positive that my newfound love and appreciation for the stuff will only be enhanced!

LeBron James

So I return to my apartment last night after being embarrassingly eliminated from our adult kickball league playoff game, and I flip on Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic. I watched as Cleveland began to struggle for the first time in the NBA playoffs. If you didn't watch this particularly interesting basketball game, Orlando pulled it off 107-106. The purpose of this article is not to discuss the playoff game, rather some observations I've made of Lebron James. I as well as many others, have watched LBJ's career intently from Day 1. I still remember watching him take the tip off, catch a pass on the baseline, and drain his first jumper in the NBA like he'd been doing it for years. Lebron entered the NBA with perhaps the most hype of any athlete in history. With that hype came immense expectations, (comparisons to Michael Jordan) and many were unsure of this 18 year old rookies ability to live up to them. I must admit that I myself, looked on with nervous anticipation of his young career. I've always been a Lebron supporter, nay a devoted Lebron enthusiast. I've argued with many a critic about the up and downsides of the next "MJ" and have even attempted to make a case for potential "greatest player ever." I've observed many sports pundits on various tv shows and online articles throughout the last 5 years question his abilities, his character, his potential, his maturity, and his status among sports superstars. I suppose it's their job to do so, but I can't help but feel vindicated. Lebron continues to impress with every effort on the court. Set aside the thunder dunks, the speed and dribbling skills, the embarrassing rejections of Dwight Howard, and the newly found deeeeeeep ball, perhaps Lebron's greatest attribute is that he's still getting better. Lebron is arguably the best player in the NBA (recently awarded the 2009 NBA MVP, Lebron's first - coincidently the same number of MVP's Kobe Bryant has) at age 24. Not even MJ himself could have bragged that feat. It boggles my mind that everytime I watch this guy go to work, I see some facet of his game that has gotten better. The offense and the ability to finish around the rim is a given; that's always been there. This year especially, Lebron has turned up the defense 10 notches, his assists are at a career high, as well as rebounds too! Now I don't want get too carried away. Lebron does have room for improvement, but I'm going to go ahead and make a bold statement; Lebron James could be selected as 1st Team All NBA in every single starting position. Obviously there are exceptional players all across the NBA at all positions, but could any of them be successful in all 5? The answer is NO. It is this simple observation that lends some weight to my argument that Lebron will become the greatest player in NBA history. Many factors could alter this including criminal mischief, steroids, injuries, etc., but given what we are observing, I truly believe that goal is attainable for him. As we watch this young mega-star evolve and develop, I pray none of those aformentioned factors play a role. And who ulitmately benefits the most? We, the fans, who have the privilege of watching a modern day athletic giant.

Volume 5 - Colleague Collaboration

Blogs can also have a positive effect on instruction through methods that do not directly involve the students. By posting certain methods I use in teaching history and by receiving feedback, comments, criticism, and/or praise from other History teachers, my instruction and methods can not only be improved, but become more well-rounded. Certain aspects of History are more difficult for students to comprehend than others, and with colleague collaboration on ideas of what methods work better for certain eras in history, a more lively, interesting, and effective classroom environment can be created thus creating higher levels of overall comprehension.

Volume 4 - Student Evaluation

This blog can be extremely beneficial to me, the educator, in the aspect of constant student evaluation. By allowing students to post their opinion of my instruction, it allows me to better craft my lecture and/or lessons/projects/assignments to better suit each individual class. To have constructive criticism from those who have to hear me speak everyday (and who know best my effectiveness) is a valuable and necessary tool for me and this blog affords that opportunity.

Volume 3 - Student Discussion Board

Students subscribing to a teachers blog can be given the opportunity, either for their own benefit, or for an actual grade in the course, to reply to posts of mine on this blog. I could post a topic pertaining to History that I either would like to discuss, or already discussed, and advise the students to discuss this topic academically on the blog via post replies. I feel this to be valuable to students who are shy in class and may not necessarily like to speak up and freely discuss topics in front of other students. This could also help students who may not understand a certain concept very well to read and react to the comprehension of everyone else in the class. This again, could be a very important study tool for students.