a letter to one of the parents on our Little League team

As the assistant coach of the Rangers, I had the misfortune of hearing you lambaste Coach Mike during tonight's game.

And while I appreciate your seemingly civil tone after the game, I hope you'll consider sending an apology to the parents who heard your uncalled for tirade. I'm only glad my family -- including my mother visiting from California -- left moments before your outburst. Sadly, the kids on the bench and most of the parents were within earshot of your remarks and subjected to your totally inappropriate behavior. I can't envision a more embarrassing or lower point of the season, which is saying something given, as you loudly pointed out, our on-field performance.

Do I need to say I share your frustration? Of course I do. As a coach and parent, I want to win. Deeply. I want my son to do his best. I want all the kids to succeed wildly, to learn the game, to play it well. I'm delighted by the little successes and breakthroughs we see at practice. Some are about baseball. Some aren't. These kids are 9. They're still learning the game and how to get along with others. They're out to have fun. I hope they do. I think that's still the point. Which stands in contrast to the view you shouted to Mike that "this isn't any fun for the parents." Wow. Has it really come to this?

When I raised my hand to be a coach, I was naive enough to think the challenge would be in managing the kids. Tonight, I was reminded how wrong my thinking was. Having said that, I'm grateful for and impressed by most of the Rangers' parents who continue to exhibit patience and support for the players, the coaches, and the team.

I only hope the next time you approach the dugout, you'll come with encouragement for the kids who, in my opinion, are learning and trying their best. Or for Coach Mike who continues to sacrifice his time, money and energy to do what he thinks is best for the kids who make up the team.

Religious Nuts

spiritualfruitsm, originally uploaded by koliver.

Jeff and OJ

cabin trip 2007-2 079.jpg, originally uploaded by koliver.

Excited Jeff

IMG_1495.JPG, originally uploaded by koliver.

Jeff and Mao

Jeff and Mao, originally uploaded by koliver.

Lunch at Costco

Lunch at Costco, originally uploaded by koliver.

I highly recommend the Hot Dog / Drink combo at Costco if you're stuck there for two hours getting new tires on your wife's car. It's only $1.50, which leaves you enough to get the $1 footlong churro...

Love and complimentary breakfast is in the air

As I motored northbound from downtown Wednesday, I was drawn to the letters hastily arranged on this Super 8 Motel sign that read:

Punja--

Will you marry me?

Anil

I hope Anil first inquired at the Mansion, Anatole, and W about the availability of signage there before settling on the Super 8. Seems like that might surface in counseling.

And I hope Punja was driving northbound. Not that the free HBO offer on the southbound side wasn't compelling . . .

Even better than the real thing . . .

Mary and I celebrated St. Patty’s day Monday by seeing the U2 3D film at the IMAX.

Quite simply, it was mindblowing.

For one, the visual effects were stunning. This wasn’t the 3D cheese of Dr. Tongue’s Monster Chiller Horror Theater. We ducked the neck of Adam’s bass as he moved toward the camera. The flyovers of Larry’s drum kit were exhilarating. And as we were about to ask the people in front to sit down, we realized they were actual concertgoers – part of the film, not our IMAX audience.

Aurally, the film delivered the goods, too. The sounds – from the subtle piano to the primal percussive, from Bono’s glorious Pavarotti impersonation on “Miss Sarajevo” to the crowd’s thunderous approval – were pitch perfect. My only complaint was the volume, which should have matched the volume and intensity of the concert footage.

U2 3D challenged my notions of a filmgoing experience. I left the theater feeling emotions I’ve never had walking out of a film.

That’s because the third dimension served to break down the barriers typically established between you, the passive observer, and the characters you watch on screen.

In that way, the subject matter was perfect for this next generation of 3-D technology: For decades, U2 has transcended the vast spaces of arenas, stadiums and massive festivals to give performances that somehow feel intimate.

What a joy for this fan, who most recently paid hundreds of dollars for the privilege of standing 70 yards from the band when they played AAC, to be accorded unprecedented access to U2 (for eleven bucks, no less). All from the comfortable perspective of a plush cinema seat with plenty of leg room, cool 3D specs, and cupholders. A sharp contrast to the constant jostling with the hundreds of others who surround you on the arena floor, all vying for a good sightline and seizing any chance to inch closer to the band. For me, that experience ranges from a mere distraction to creating hostility.

Which is why I was struck by my reaction to the audience as I watched the concert on film. On one hand, I felt like I was part of them as I, too, was experiencing the electricity of a U2 show. But overwhelmingly, I felt like a detached observer watching their joy, their passion for the concert. This differs from previous concert films I’ve seen where my reaction would lean toward envy. As in, “I wish I was there. Those lucky so-and-sos, getting to see U2 . . .” Maybe because I had the best seat in the house and didn’t have to hassle with parking. Whatever. I shared their joy. Their unity in song, in dance, in reacting to the actions of the band, was a big smile.

In that way, the film was a celebration of humanity. Tens of thousands of people together, sharing a powerful experience and uniting for a moment.

That sounded a bit heavy. Sorry.

But it also served to make the band more human, too. At times, U2 3D makes you feel like a fifth member of the band who is just kind of exploring the stage. (Hey, what’s up, Edge?) Which makes the band feel lifelike, lifesize, real. If not short. As opposed to the glorification and magnification that comes with seeing them live. (At least from the seats I usually have.) With the proximity the film offered, I found myself focusing more on how well they work together to create affecting music and performances.

I highly recommend the U2 3D film. It was astonishingly real. I actually started to check the newspaper the following morning for a review of the concert. (Of course, it wasn’t particularly newsworthy, since it took place in South America about a year ago.)

Good news from Charlotte

Love