It has been some time since I last wrote about anything. For a variety of reasons I’ve had a block about writing as it had lost its allure to me. But today, things are different. If I can’t find inspiration today, right now, then check my pulse. The Giants are 27 outs away from their first championship since 1954 and their first since moving to San Francisco. Football may have supplanted baseball as our nation’s pastime and basketball may have passed baseball in entertainment value but baseball still holds the trump card: history. Baseball has history and everything that goes with that. In no other sport are fans attached to their team as they are to baseball; they can’t be, they haven’t been around long enough. Only in baseball are there tortured franchises. Only in baseball do you wonder if your dad or granddad will die without seeing their team win a title. The connection runs deeper in baseball. My Grandpa is 82 and became a Giants fan when they moved to California, his son – my dad – was born in 1955. For 56 years each season has always ended in heartache. I know enough about baseball to know that you don’t get to this point often. I know enough about the Red Sox and Cubs to know a title can change everything and every year you don’t win one you fall deeper in a hole.
So that’s why I’m writing tonight, keeping a diary of this game. For the great-grandparents and grandparents who deserve to see a title, for the parents who have grown up with the Giants wondering if they made the right choice in introducing the Giants to their kids and for everyone that has been swept up in this team of “misfits”.

4:53 pm – National Anthem. Is that guy wearing black face paint? It’s a fair question, this is Texas.

4:57 pm – Bruce Bochy refuses to play the same line-up two games in a row. Ross batting 4th, Burrell back in, Rowand batting 9th playing Center. He knows something I don’t? I suppose we have to trust this guy now. The Rangers go with the same guys: booorrrrriinnnggggg.

5:02 pm – Posey breaks up the no-no!! As I’m writing this, Ross pops out to short. Cliff Lee looks sharp. He scares me.

5:03 pm – I have a confession to make. I have done everything imaginable to jinx this team. 1) I’m writing this diary, 2) I bought champagne, 3) I broke a mirror while dressed as Buster Posey. The last one didn’t happen. I’m sorry, don’t be mad. I’ve knocked on wood A LOT today. Also, I have a secret weapon, a good luck charm: since the playoffs began I’ve talked to her during every game. She’s amazing. She doesn’t even like baseball but this team has won her over too.

5:06 pm – I laugh every time I see Lincecum. Who doesn’t want to kick-it with this guy? On a sidenote: I keep hoping for a repeat of Game 1 in the NLDS. We haven’t seen him dominate since that game. LET TIMMY SMOKE!

5:10 pm – 1, 2, 3 inning. Lincecum looks equally sharp. Suck on that, Bushes.

5:15 pm – Uribe strikes out to begin the second inning. Fun stat: that’s his 175 strike out of these playoffs. I will say this, the dude swings hard.

5:18 pm – Burrell lines out to left to end the inning in order. At least he didn’t strike out. We can build on this!

5:24 pm – I’ll be honest, I just missed the bottom of the second while I was getting a drink. Apparently something about six pitches, two nuns and one beating a drum. That a kid Timmy!

5:26: pm – Forgot to mention I’m watching this with my parents, they’re the reason I’m a Giants fan after all. It’s a challenge. Dad likes to yell at the TV when the pitch is below 88 mph and it’s not hit for a home run. Mom says things like, “why are those people wearing bright green?” (Answer: they’re selling beer.) Wouldn’t have it any other way.

5: 31 pm – Giants strand Torres at first to end the top of the third after a nice play by Lee to snare a line drive. Is this finally the pitchers duel we’ve been waiting for since Lincecum-Halladay NLCS game 1?

5:40 pm – Lincecum strikes out the side with a walk mixed in to end the third. He made all four hitters look AWFUL. I’m convinced Moreland got the walk because he was just frozen on every pitch.

5:42 pm – Posey leads off the 4th. Did you know he’s only 23? Just checking in case you’ve missed the 439 times Fox has mentioned it.

5:50 pm – Giants go down in order. Ho-hum.

5:51 pm – Just checked on the Monday Night Football game. Colts 0, Texans 0. Almost forgot about it. C’mon Arian Foster!! Joey Yanks & Jay420 (my fantasy team) needs you to be big tonight!!!

5:54 pm – Fox shows a graphic on how great the Giants’ pitching has been. Who saw this coming, for them to be this good? Partly why they have captured all of northern California. Also, Michael Young breaks up the no-no. Damn you, Fox!

6:00 pm – Lincecum strikes out Hamilton and Cruz to end the 4th. He’s sooo good. Also, I’m terrified every time Cruz and Kinsler are up. They were so hot in the first two rounds and I’m just waiting for them to get hot again and start killing pitches. It’s the Tortured Giants fan in me.

6:03 pm – I cannot wait until tomorrow is over I don’t have to see any more political ads, answer automated phone calls or receive any mail that takes up my entire mail box. I wish I could tell them they won’t get my vote because I’m tired of hearing about them. Alas, they wouldn’t care.

6:05 pm – I’ll be honest, the Giants have gotten most of the breaks not only in this World Series but in the first two rounds as well. You make your own luck, right? Huff just hit a high bouncing ball, Kinsler makes a great barehanded play but Moreland drops it. When you’re hot, you’re hot.

6:09 pm – Renteria bounces into a double play to end the top of the 5th. What was I saying about being hot?

6:15 pm – Wait, what just happened? I was looking at photos on facebook from Halloween of a group of girls with daddy issues…. Groundball, strikeout, groundball. End of 5. Timmy’s dealing. Did I already mention my man crush on him?

6:23 pm – After a 2 out hit by Freddy Sanchez, Buster Posey gets my heart racing with a drive to the right-center wall. Cruz makes the catch. Such a tease Buster, such a tease.

6:30 pm – lead off base hit by Moreland goes for naught in the bottom of the 6th as Timmy retires the top of the Rangers order in order…To restore order. Order.

6:31 pm – MNF update: Colts 14, Texans 0. Schaub just threw a pick six. He’s 3 for 10 for 22 yards. Meanwhile all Arian Foster has done is rush for 65 yards on 7 carries. 9.3 YPC! Give him the damn ball!!

6:35 pm – Cody Ross lead off base hit. Ross the boss! Followed by a base hit for Juan Uribe. Lee’s cut! The Russian is cut! Finish him!!!

6:38 pm – Aubrey Huff bunts the runners over as Tim McCarver is amazed a major league baseball player who gets paid millions of dollars can lay down a bunt. Second and Third, one out. Up comes Burrell. Please don’t strike out, please don’t strike out.

6:40 pm – Fact: Bengie Molina is huge.

6:42 pm – Guess what just happened. Guess, seriously. Just do it… Pat Burrell struck out.

6:44 pm – EDGAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

6:44 pm – Edgar Renteria his a 3 run pop up home run! Down goes Lee!

6:45 pm – Giants 3, Rangers 0 going to the bottom of the 7th. Is this real life?

6:47 pm – The Giants should win the title based solely on their God Bless America singers. Who can top Tony Bennett, the lovely Zooey Deschanel, members of the Grateful Dead and the crazy hat lady from Beach Blanket Babylon? No one, that’s who!

6:51 pm – Dad just helped himself to another beer but with more pep in his step. Does everything taste better when you when a title?

6:52 pm – Cruz hits a solo shot deep to left. I told you he scares me. Giants 3, Rangers 1.

6:58 pm – The Rangers have the tying run up and Fox brings up 2002. I hate you, Fox.

7:00 pm – Timmy!!! Strikes out the last two to end the inning. After 7, Giants 3, Rangers 1. 6 outs away. Shhhhh, don’t tell.

7:04 pm – Neftali Feliz comes in to pitch the 8th. I thought Ron Washington wasn’t allowed to do that. Good move three games ago, Ron.

7:09 pm – Giants go quietly in the 8th.

7:10 pm – I’m going to punch Gary Kubiak in the neck. Arian Foster has just 8 carries in the first half. Schaub’s thrown the ball 15 times. Foster has twice as many yards as Schaub.

7:12 pm – Lincecum back out on the mound to start the 8th. Aaaaannnnd, he strikes out Moreland to start the inning for strikeout number 10. Did I mention my man crush on him??

7:15 pm – 3 up, 3 down. 3 outs away. Holy hell.

7:18 pm – 9th inning starts. I want the giants to bunt three straight times to get the top of this inning over. I can’t handle this. What’s the rule on tequila shots before champagne?

7:19 pm – Stop showing me the past, Fox!!!!

7:23 pm – Giants go down in order. Burrell strikes out again. Fitting.

7:26 pm – The Beard on to close out the season.

7:27 pm – Down goes Hamilton!

7:27 pm – Vlad Guerrero’s carcass grounds out on the first pitch.

7:28 pm – Am I dreaming?

7:30 pm – strike out. Strike out? Strike out!!!!!

I wish I were in San Francisco. I wish they were in San Francisco tonight. It doesn’t get any better then this. I can’t stop smiling as tears run down my face. This is what it feels like. This is what it feels like to step out of the cracks of the 1989 Earthquake series, to step out of the shadow of Barry Bonds’ enormous head and the 2002 collapse. This is for Mays and McCovey and the great teams of the past that deserved better. This is for San Francisco. It doesn’t get any better.
I hope this feeling for Cubs and Indians fans. It’s worth the wait.

Joining us on The Couch today: Kris Allen, Kumar, Bobby Flay and, because it’s baseball season, Tim Lincecum and Jordan Schafer

Yea, I know it’s Season 8 of “American Idol” but I’m still hooked. It’s a problem. I’m sure there’s a medical term for my condition. But out of my devout love comes some good (I would say my improved singing voice is also a plus, although some close to me might object). So, without further delay, my suggestions to make my true love just a little better. I critique because I love.

Where does American Idol go next?

“American Idol” has been airing for close to seven years now and it really is quite a remarkable show. Every season both the performance show and result show are consistently in the top five rated shows for the week according to Nielsen Media Research. And you can say what you want about the mild success of season winners like Taylor Hicks, Fantasia Barino or Ruban Studdard – ok, in some cases, nonexistent success – but the fact is “American Idol” is responsible for some of the most relevant pop music acts. Consider this: “American Idol” alum have a combined fifteen American Music Award wins, have taken home seven Grammies and even one Academy Award; all of this in just in less than seven years.

 

Quick tangent: Can you guess how many combined Academy Awards Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Will Smith have? That would be zero. How about Keira Knightly, Julianne Moore, Wynona Ryder and Selma Hayek? That’s right, bupkis. Kate Winslet had to wait unitl her sixth nomination to win her first Oscar! How pissed were they when Jennifer Hudson received the win for not only her first nomination but her first movie. Ever.

 

And we’re back. The point is that “American Idol” is a juggernaut. We all know this. They know this. They also know they can not simply stand still and rely on their current product. We have seen the changes: The increase to the age ceiling, giving the contestants the option of playing instruments, adding a judge, axing a host and, this season’s most current wrench, a safety net for the top contestants in the event that American messes up. But if “American Idol” is not resting on their laurels, and they’re not, and their stars continue to get more hits than a baseball player on steroids, then where do they go next? Iconic shows of the past, such as Mash, Friends, and Seinfeld, tell us that they should go out on top, ride off into the sunset. But reality TV seems to be a different beast. The plot lines and drama are reinvented each season so we’re not subjected to repetitive love triangles and stale bickering. So, with no foreseeable end on the horizon I offer American Idol my top five changes to keep American Idol fresh (you’re welcome American Idol. You’re welcome America).

 

1.      Cue Cards for Paula: Enough is enough. Just because she dances like a four year old during every up-tempo song while the other judges sit awkwardly around her does not mean that she needs to speak like a one. If I hear Paula Abdul use one more cliché or idiom incorrectly I’m going to hire MC Skat Cat from the “Opposites Attract” music video to scratch her eyes out. Form a sentence Paula! T-t-t-t-t today Junior.

 

2.      Guest Judges: I know they added a judge this season and so five might be a little much, but if Paula is going to continue to her assault on the English language they might as well distract us with some more entertainment. I’m not picky with my guest judges either; knowledge of music is not a requirement here. Why can’t we watch Bill O’Reilly verbally assault a singer after their version of “My Cherie Amour” because it was un-American? I want to see Al Pacino give the contestants an impassioned speech about the importance of inches at the beginning of the night. This is just the tip of the ice berg. Run with this!

 

3.      Costumes: Why can’t we have our American Idols wear costumes? Who would be against this? Picture this: Michael Jackson night. Ten contestants. Each contestant wearing a different Michael Jackson themed outfit. You would watch. The possibilities are endless with this. Let’s put those professional make-up and wardrobe artists to work.

 

4.      Rap Week: Let’s be honest here, it’s the elephant in the room. Just because Randy says the word “dog” every show, does not make “American Idol” well rounded and, ok, I just can’t get the picture of Clay Aiken singing Tupac’s “Picture Me Rollin’” out of my head. Priceless. This is my dream. Rap music is American and we can’t know who the American Idol truly is without seeing how they handle a little hip-hop. They owe us that much; and it really is a win-win when Carrie Underwood hits us with Da Brat or David Archuleta lays down the classic Nate Dogg and Warren G hit, “Regulators.”

 

5.      “Real Word” style Drama from the house: We already know the American Idol Finalists get shipped out to Hollywood and get to live in a Real World Style mansion equipped with a hot tub and a large kitchen, add a few pretty good looking 20 somethings and we have drama. I want cameras in the bedroom, a confessional and clear shower doors. If the powers that be of “American Idol” insist on making the result show sixty minutes, let’s cut the fat and intertwine the show with clips from the house throughout the week: clips from the confressional in which the saved contestants bash on the booted singer from the previous week, highlights from a night on the town that ends up in a hot tub party and some bad decisions. Come on Simon, this is TV show gold!

 

“American Idol” has two choices: become stale and settle with merely producing platinum albums and star alumni or change with time and give the people what they want. We want change, we deserve change and we believe they can give it to us. Yes They Can! Yes They Can!

Mr. President, you have a seat in TQ’s living room for life.

As a writer we’re told the only mortal sin, the only act of grand treason,
is being speechless; being unable to express ourselves. Today, I felt
speechless. I felt so many things today: hope, pride, joy, compassion,
honor, excitement. And, I felt overwhelmed. This morning when I woke up
and began watching the re-birth of our great nation, I wondered, and
doubted, that I would ever feel this way again. This is a once in a
lifetime feeling. The weight of this historic day carries with it much
more than a day of voting, or two years of campaigning, or eight years of
desolation; it consists of lifetimes of persecution, centuries of
injustice, and a history of struggle.
Today is a day that symbolizes a summit for not only black Americans or
minority Americans, but all Americans who prayed and hoped and wished for
the dream of our great country to be realized; for true equality to be
had. Today is not the peak of this incredible climb but it is a point
where we are able to see the peak much more clearly. Today is a day that
we will tell our children, and grandchildren about, and of which we will
wish to speak to those who have already passed on, those who could have
barely fathomed this remarkable event, but whose eyes would have sparkled
and hearts swelled. Today is a day that joins just a handful of other days
in our history where our country stood still, came together as a united
voice and felt hope and responsibility and a renewed sense of pride. Today
is a day that a champion of hope was unveiled.
So let us not forget the way we felt today, if at all we could forget this
feeling. Let us remember our sense of togetherness and the pride we feel
and blend it with a heighten sense of humility. Let us heed the call of
civic responsibility and follow a trail of Hope to better our great
nation. Let us remember this day, January 20, 2009, the day after our
celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, as a day freedom rang. Let
us remember today as the day that we live out the true meaning of “all men
are created equal.” That today marks a day where sons and daughters of
former slave owners and sons and daughters of former slaves will indeed
sit at a table of brotherhood. We should remember that today a dream was
realized in which a man was judged, and celebrated, because of the content
of his character and not the color of his skin.
This is a day we can all be proud of. The world will remember the millions
descending on the capital in an attempt to see the new symbol of Hope. So
let us extend our hands to each other and to the rest of the world, for
though “our stories are singular, our destiny is shared.”
As I thought about the historic magnitude of this event I became more and
more at ease with the idea of being speechless – though it speaks to my
ineptitude as an artist – because I realized that in the rarest of circumstances,

sometimes words – in the place of tears and smiles and joy and hope – simply wont do.

Welcome to TQ’s Living Room. Thanks for coming in, I’m glad you could make it. I’ll be honest with you though, some will be able to stay and some are going to have to get off the couch. But seeing as these are just the introductions, we wont be giving anyone the boot yet. That doesn’t mean it’s not coming, oh it is; the BCS,  Stephon Marbury, the economy, and the little boy who sold me “fresh squeezed lemonade” for $2 (we both know that was out of a can) are all on notice. Of course there will also be those who get to kick it on the couch: College Football, Stephon Curry, The President-elect, and my new puppy Boo among others. 

But there will be time for that later. Back to me. So, With a push from ESPN columnist Scoop Jackson I’ve decided to find myself and use that as an introduction. Right now I’m running on three or four hours of sleep (I’m not quite sure because of the damn daylight savings time) and I’m in a plane on my way  back to Irvine. For some strange reason in my biology I’m incapable of taking a nap when running on less than five hours of sleep; yes, that’s my curse. Anyways, with seven extra bags of honey roasted peanuts by my side for energy and a glass of ginger ale (for my nauseous stomach) and a mix of Kanye West, Coldplay, John Legend, Eric Hutchinson and Minus the Bear playing in my ear I begin my quest to define who I am by stating what I believe.

I believe in the healing power of a marathon length solitaire session – Vegas style.

I believe in love at first sight even if my love doesn’t.

I believe the nation is obese because of a lack of self-control and a willingness by parents to please their children.

I believe in God.

I believe religion is overrated.

I believe if Ashley Simpson can become famous there is hope for us all

I believe Brittany Spears is one of the worst singers I’ve ever heard with a record deal.

I believe if Brittany Spears was on American Idol she wouldn’t make it into the top 30.

I believe American Idol is the biggest waste of an hour possible.

I believe I have watched American Idol religiously since it began.

I believe Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa saved baseball.

I believe Mark McGuire and Sammby Sosa ruined baseball.

I believe Barry Bonds is the best baseball player of all time. Bar none.

I believe Muhammad Ali was, and is, the greatest sports figure ever.

I believe if Muhammad Ali was an athlete today we would shun him and criticize him and belittle him.

I believe music and sports are the two things that can unite nations.

I believe studying is overrated.

I believe in the importance of an education.

I believe the most important things a kid learns happen outside of any classroom.

I believe in the immense power of parental love.

I believe soccer will never become a top American sport. But it will continue to be the world’s sport.

I believe in helping others who are less fortunate than you. I believe the welfare structure in this country needs to be reformed. Desperately.

I believe Morgan Freeman is one of the best actors. Ever. I believe he should not have won an Oscar for Million Dollar Baby. He should have won one for Shawshank Redemption

I believe Clint Eastwood has become one of the best directors of all time.

I believe Mystic River and Million Dollar Baby are two of the best movies of all time from top to bottom.

I believe everyone should have the right to marry regardless of sexual preference.

I believe every President since Kennedy has used a war for personal reasons.

I believe there is still an enormous amount of racism (conscious or sub-conscious) in the U.S.

I believe I could not have been more proud of my country on November 4^th.

I believe there will never be an African-American commissioner in American sports.

I believe Michael Jackson is the greatest entertainer of all time and is largely misunderstood. I believe he brings most of the trouble upon himself.

I believe Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame.

I believe NHL playoffs are the most intense and passionate 60 minutes in sports.

I believe Biggie and Tupac are the greatest rappers of all time.

I believe Eminem is a better lyricist then either one of them.

I believe Survivor needs to go away.

I believe there should be a sports network for women.

I believe watching (and playing) Texas Hold ‘Em is more addictive than crack or crystal meth.

I believe there is not a better friend in the world than your dog.

I believe there cannot possibly be 50% of this great country that approves of Sarah Palin.

I believe Jon Stewart is one of the smartest and funniest men alive.

I believe CC Sabathia would look like a 7 foot, 350 pound man in Yankee pinstripes… I guess he’d look pretty much the same.

I believe Red Sox-Yankees is the best rivalry in sports right now.

I believe, if they are patient, Notre Dame fans will see a return to prominence under Charlie Weis. Starting over with a new coach would only stunt their progress.

I believe ditto for Mike D’Antoni and the Knicks. Although, I guess that’s different since he’ll have LBJ in a few years.

I believe I’m an optimist.

I believe the Eagles will never make it back to a championship game with Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb.

I believe you can be in love with sports.

I believe sports will never love you back.

I believe being in love is the best high in the world.

I believe Marriage has been taken for granted.

I believe Forest Gump is the best movie of all time.

I believe with the right marketing Basketball could become the most popular sport in the world.

I believe there should be no asterix next to any record in any sport. Let those who wish to remember it remember it and those who wish to forget it forget it. Got it?

I believe we can all change the world.

I believe laughter is the best medicine.

I believe Mos Def is an underrated entertainer.

I believe Mos Def when he says, “A life without knowledge is Death in disguise”

I believe I have much more to learn.

 

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