A Little of Everything

I haven't posted in a few days sooo let's see what's been goin' on. First of all, tomorrows my birthday, so this isn't gonna be a long post. In any case, I'm turning 20 tomorrow. Meaningless. Nothing good happens. Besides the obvious perk of turning 21, which I obviously can't wait for, I've been to the Jersey Shore twice this summer (so far) and I'm dying to go to Atlantic City to gamble. And now, I still have 365 days to go and it's killing me. For the first time, I hate being younger than everyone in my year. Last weekend, I had an awesome time at the shore with my friends from the camp where I worked for the previous two summers (Kuhn Day Camp). We had a ton of fun...I just don't remember it. And then we spent Sunday recovering and watching the deluge of rain that closed the Schuykill and delayed our trip home, which didn't disappoint, cuz I'm pretty sure we saw a dead guy (my first) under a truck in a car accident. Sick weekend.
It kinda sucks that I'll be leaving for school so soon because I'm really gonna miss all those guys (and girls). Which brings me to my next topic.

I have 10--yep, just 10--days until I leave for school, a semester abroad in Hong Kong. I'm wicked excited. I have no doubt in my mind it will be the time of my life seeing China, studying abroad, and traveling Southeast Asia (and hopefully Australia!). This summer has been full of anticipation for next semester and now I can hardly believe how close it is. Like I said, it's bittersweet; it's obviously going to be an incredible experience, but I'm also leaving behind the comforts of unbelievable fun friends at home, a tight-knit group of friends at school (who are going abroad 2nd semester so I won't see them for so long), and just being back at SU. So yeah...wish me luck! I'll be posting on here from China, so you can all still hear from me once in a while :-)

Oh, and today was my last day of work for the summer. I spent the summer in Jean Claude Bradley's organic chemistry research lab at Drexel University, and it was a great experience for me. I was able to get great lab and research experience and had 2 great mentors in Dr. Bradley and the Post-Doc in his lab, Khalid Mirza. I'll be a big chem nerd and do a post on that sometime in the next week (I'll be out with camp friends for most of the week again!) but I just wanted to check in and say hi to everyone!

'Roid Rage

It just never ends. I was shocked when I found out Alex Rodriguez was found to have used steroids. He was supposed to be the savior of baseball through the Steroids Era, and he failed. I was shocked when I found out Manny Ramirez was found to have used steroids, too. He was one of the most feared hitters in the Major League Baseball, but it was all a fraud. Now? I honestly wasn't surprised when reports surfaced that David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez (yep, again), are also on the same list as A-Rod of players testing positive for steroid use in 2003. Ortiz is another of baseball's great clutch hitters (or was...though he's getting back in his groove), but sadly, the steroids reports are no longer surprising. In fact, I would venture to say they're expected, if not already assumed.

So now what? Out of 104 player's names on an anonymous, confidential list of positive steroids test from 2003, only a few names names have been released: Ortiz, Ramirez, Rodriguez, and Sammy Sosa (geez Sammy, way tot bust up the alliteration). All big names. All illegally released (or leaked). Absolutely ridiculous. First of all, why did none of this come up in the Mitchell Report (or click here to read the summary in lieu of the 409 page report), the 2007 report commission by the government and headed by US Rep. George Mitchell to wrap up all steroids allegations? Secondly, who's leaking these names? The testing was anonymous and only MLB and the government have access to the sealed file. Whether it's an MLB staffer or a fed, there's a leak on the inside somewhere. And to boot, it's a federal crime. Also, why didn't Ortiz know about the positive test, or so he claims? Either he was stalling to talk to agents and lawyers, or he really didn't know. And I hope it's now the latter; if it wasn't bad enough to blindside the fans, it's ridiculously unfair to blindside the players...Finally, why are these names just trickling out? If you're leaking the list, man up and leak the whole thing. It's unfair to Manny, A-Rod, Big Papi, and Sosa (damn Sammy, get a sweet nickname...Slammin' Sammy ruins my rhythm again!) for them to be singled out. Yes, they're the biggest headline-making names and allows for idiot journalists to focus in on just one player at a time, but it's not good publicity for baseball. Every time a name is released, the anti-steroid, anti-baseball sentiment spikes and the rumors and reports fly off the shelves. Slowly but surely, tensions ease (for a month or two), and then the cycle starts over again. It's a painful situation for the players, teams, owners, and most of all the fans. It's taxing. It's tiring. And it needs to end. Two options:

1. Seal the List. For Good. Sniff out the leak, stop releasing names, and persecute the heck out of the rat. After all, it's a federal offense and someone's gotta make an example to keep this from happening again. Is it fair? Almost 100 players get off for free while the superstars named that's year take all the blame. It's immoral for sure, but at least it's legal.


2. Spill the Beans. Release all the names and get it over with. No more names trickling out, no more circus acts in the clubhouse, and all the guilty parties will be known. Yes, things may be hectic for a while, but one spike is more manageable and less taxing than repeated flare-ups. But it's illegal...So unless the seal is removed, then someone's gotta break the law.

But seriously, enough's enough. A slew of players and managers, including Torii Hunter and Ozzie Guillen, have said it's time for the list to be released. There's only so much of this reporting that everyone can take. I too think the list should be released. The Steroid Era is essentially over, and with all the names released then we can stop dwelling on the darker days of baseball.

And you know the craziest part of it all? Jose Canseco was right...the whole time. He was chastised for releasing his two books detailing the Steroid Era, and no one believed him, but as it turns out, he was right all along. Here's his take on today's news: "When you tell me something I didn't already know, I'll be surprised". I think I would start taking Canseco seriously (even if he challenged Vai Sikahema, a former NFLer to a boxing match..and lost. Badly. The video is hysterical). And now Canseco says MLB has a huge problem on their hands: though he refused to name names, he said there is a steroid user in the Hall of Fame. McGwire, Sosa, Palmeiro, Bonds, and Co. haven't made it in yet, and hopefully the Baseball Writers of America will take a stand and ban them from the Hall. But if what Canseco says is true, and I believe it is, then I am seriously worried for baseball when that controversy explodes. But for now, let's stop the bleeding. Release the list and end the tortuous cycle.

P.S. For another, albeit similar take on this, check out Curt Schilling's blog (I wouldn't be surprised if his name was next...). Always controversial, never afraid to speak his mind. Et voila.

BroLance (A poor play on Bromance)

So today finally marked the end of the 3500km, 3 week, king of all cycling races--the Tour de France. As some of you, or at least my followers probably know, Lance Armstrong is one of my life's role models, an absolute inspiration, and a real-life superhero. And to see him stand on the lowest rung of the podium on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, with the Arc de Triomphe, and not clad in the yellow jersey was a strange sight to say the least. It had never happened before, Lance not finishing the race on top. But no one, not even the bad-mouthing French who look for any and every way to hate Lance Armstrong, thought badly of Lance today. Three and a half years without cycling competitively and at 37 years old, Lance came back and nearly on top. It's crazy that anyone could leave a sport like cycling and return over three years later and be competitive. But Lance one-upped the odds. Not only was he competitive, but he re-asserted himself right at the top of the sport like he never left. What a remarkable feat. This year's Tour just adds another chapter in the storied life of Lance Armstrong.

So he is human. He can't always win. But that just makes him all the more likeable, which is exactly what he needed. Announcing his return, Lance never said he was coming back to win (although it clearly was a great motivator), but to raise awareness for his Livestrong foundation and campaign for finding a cure to cancer. Lance rode for Astana for no salary. He rode hand-painted bikes which will be auctioned off with proceeds going to Livestrong (on the final stage, his bike was covered in dead butterflies). He promoted Livestrong in the Tour Down Under, the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, and every other race on his docket. He scheduled meetings with heads of state and cancer researchers worldwide, before, after, and during his races. And he once again proved that even if you're down, you're never out of it. Hats off to Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck for placing 1st and 2nd in the Tour, but Lance and Livestrong were clearly the real winners. And if his work with Livestrong didn't make him enough of a winner, he brought up TV viewership of the Tour almost 60% from 2008. Maybe, as Lance says, it's not all about the bike. This year's tour proved it's all about Lance.

Furthermore, Lance announced his sponsor for the Tour de France in 2010--yes, he will ride again!--is Radio Shack. Thus, after Columbia-HTC and Garmin-Slipstream, Team Radio Shack will be the third major American team in the professional cycling circuit, truly a sign that the sport is gaining in popularity in the US. For lots of Americans including myself, seeing an American (regardless of the fact that it was my role model) standing on the podium at the conclusion of the greatest race in the world is a huge motivator to pursue cycling, whether it be as a hobby or as a career. Though it's a year away, next year's tour promises to be even greater than this year's Tour; Contador will be on a new team, Lance will ride for Radio Shack with a full year under his belt, the Schleck brothers and Bradley Wiggins will be stronger, and maybe well find out if anyone will ever beat Mark Cavendish on a sprint...I can't wait.

Kickin' The Bucket

So I guess this is sort of the home-stretch of summer...under 4 weeks until I head off to school, my work in the organic chemistry lab I've worked in this summer is coming to a close, and I'm realizing I have less and less time to see all the people I won't see for another 5, or possibly 12 months. This weekend was a great way to start it all off: Thursday I went to NYC and spent the day, albeit mostly alone, to get my visa! I got to see a bunch of people there at night though (Madison, Emma, Ray, and my sister), had a great time, spent the night, and came back in the morning. I spent the rest of Friday and all of Saturday with my co-workers from the past two summers, and we always have a good time. I visited them all at work (a day camp for inner-city kids in Philly) and a ton of kids remembered me, which was a totally awesome feeling. Saturday I went out with them again for a day of fun: tubing on the Delaware River, dinner, shopping, and hanging out/relaxing poolside at night. I hadn't seen them in a really long time, so seeing them was a great time. Finally, yesterday I saw Bruno with my dad and brother, which was hilarious. Yea, it was inappropriate and insensitive, but if you didn't think it was funny then I seriously doubt you have a sense of humor.

So far, I've covered all my bases. Some family time, some friends time, and some time preparing for next semester. Plus, I've been watching the Tour de France--sadly, Lance looks like he's relinquishing his chances of winning the tour to Alberto Contador, but 2nd place isn't bad for a 37 year old man. Yet he still maintained his graciousness, even in defeat, and I believe he is one of, if not the classiest athlete in all of sports. In any case, managing all my time like this had me really thinking about my future, both near and far. Thus, I've come up with a sport-y Bucket List of things I want to do in the next 20 years, inspired by ESPN's Rick Reilly. Check it out, it's a great article, though I would certainly differ from a few of his. But I guess that's why everyone has their own bucket list.

1. Run a Marathon. Hopefully in under 4 hours. I've been exercising a few times a week to keep my body in shape, but I think it will take a lot more time, a lot more exercise, and a lot more dedication to run a marathon. I was never a great (or good) athlete, so completing one of the most difficult challenges in all of sport would be an incredible accomplishment for me.

2. Complete a Triathlon/Iron-Man. Pretty much along the same lines as the marathon, but it takes a completely well-rounded athlete to do this. Yes, I can swim 1.5km. I can bike 40km. And I can run 10km. But consecutively? I don't stand a chance. Moreover, an ironman is truly epic: 2.4mi swim, 112mi bike, 26.2mi run. A marathon AFTER swimming and running?! That's downright insane. But hey, hopefully I can give it a shot someday.

3. Catch a foul ball. I've been to at least 100 baseball games in my life, I've never caught an elusive homerun or foul ball. You figure once in my lifetime, I'll be one of the lucky 20-30 fans a game who catch a ball. Out of 40,000. If nothing else, Karma will hopefully send one my way.

4. Attend a championship clinching game, hopefully for one of my favorite teams. I can't imagine a better feeling than seeing your team win a championship, in person, surrounded by thousands of strangers with the same feeling as you.

5. Play a round of golf at Augusta National. Even though I'd have to pay an arm and a leg to get in, and even though I stink at golf, it's iconic. There's so much history there. Not to set foot on the hallowed grounds of Augusta, where so many legends have walked before, would be a crime.

6. Dunk on a basketball net. Yeah, its 10 feet tall, but this is what a bucket list is for! Plus, I would take it even if Shaq picked me up, let me sit on his shoulders, and I dropped the ball in.

7, 8, 9. Attend an event at each of the following (this could be a separate bucket list all in itself): Fenway Park (Red Sox vs. Yankees, on the Monster preferably). Wrigley Field, afternoon game. Wimbledon. See the Tour de France ride down the Champs Elysees. Kentucky Derby. The Masters. Ohio State v. Michigan at the Horseshoe. See a cricket match. And go to the World Cup.

10. Ride in the Tour de France. I watch this event every year, and I love cycling. I'm a pretty good climber, and if I ever found the motivation (besides this Bucket List) to train and excel in this sport, then riding in the TdF would be my ultimate dream...some kids want to be astronauts, I want to ride up the Alpe d'Huez--the most difficult and storied climb in the history of the tour, pictured here. I don't need to win, I don't even need to come close. I just want to do it. Hey, I can dream, can't I? While my head's in the clouds, how bout making it to the Olympics?

I like to set lofty goals...so sue me. It could happen. And if and when they do, I'll be sure to let you know and rub it in your face.

P.S. Any suggestions? Additions? Replacements? Let me know!

P.S.S. I love lists. My friend Nate wrote a great blog entry on the Top 10 moments of the year thus far. Check it out, fo sho.