… of one’s political affiliation, the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy last night is sad news.
Now, my opinions on Ted Kennedy as a public official have always been somewhat split, as I admire the important legislation he helped pass for the Civil Rights movement but can’t let him off the hook for his role in the 1969 Chappaquiddick incident (and the consequent death of Mary Jo Kopechne).
However, my abiding memory of Kennedy won’t be either of those things (or of any of his other political triumphs or failures). Instead, it will be the memory of his courageous appearance at the 2008 Democratic Convention a mere two weeks after undergoing both a stroke and surgery to remove a brain tumor.
As I watched Kennedy in that moment— as he stood in front of the country weak and quivering and vulnerable— all my biases and politics were temporarily thrown aside.
Because what was suddenly on display was not a man campaigning for the Democtratic party but rather, was a man showcasing the vulnerability of the human condition and the ever-enduring strength of the human spirit. Kennedy’s showing up that day took an enormous amount of bravery, will, and spiritual fortitude.
And so while I, when thinking of Ted Kennedy, will never forget Chappaquiddick, it is this triumphant moment in 2008 that I will choose to remember first.
It’s being reported that a war of words is now underway between Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise. Apparently, Brad told German magazine Stern that Cruise’s WWII flick Valkyrie, “was just a ridiculous movie.”
Brad’s manager has since released a statement saying that this quote is erroneous. “Brad has never seen Valkryie,” his rep says. “So this is not accurate.”
Now, is it just me, or is confirming that he didn’t even take the time to watch Valkyrie actually more insulting than calling it ridiculous?
What did the five fingers say to the face? Sllllllappp.
In a related story, I never saw Valkyrie either. Why, you ask?
I heard on the radio yesterday that Biloxi, Mississippi just got rated as having the WORST dental hygeine of any city in America. Meanwhile, I was preparing myself for a blog clowning their jacked up grills until…
I found out that Greensboro, NC ranks 7th worst.
Dude, this ain’t good.
Listen, fellow citizens of central North Carolina: go get ya some floss. Some toothpaste. Maybe even one of them’ water pick things.
At least do something…
I mean, 7th worst grills in the country? This is just downright embarrassing.
… my baby sister, Elizabeth Carty, begins her first day as a special education teacher at Archdale Trinity Middle School in Archdale, NC.
And today, the American public school system just got a little bit stronger.
Because here’s what you need to know about my sister:
She’s loving.
She’s kind.
She’s patient.
She’s honest.
She always puts others first.
And most important, she wants to better people’s lives.
Equipped with the most infectious spirit I’ve ever seen, I know Elizabeth is going to be an absolute hit with these students.
The privilege of being her big brother has been, perhaps, the greatest blessing of my life. I have no doubt that someday soon, countless kids will be saying the same about having been her students.
I’m so proud of you, Liz. Now get out there and change some lives!
My buddy was on a flight out of Atlanta the other day with Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag. Obviously, being in the presence of such self-important people, my friend had to get a couple photographs. Spencer was a little finicky about having his picture taken so my buddy had to snap this shot of him on his way to the bathroom. Fortunately, though, Heidi was kind enough to sit down for this great photo-op on the right.
There are lots of things I miss about high school and college, but this ain’t one of ‘em.
The two-a-day practices in the 100 degree heat. The 2 mile runs in under 12 mins (that no one— outside of the team brown nose— ever made). The pretending like we really wanted to be there when all we wanted was to be home watching Saved By The Bell and eating Bagel Bites.
Loved the sport. Hated the preseasons.
I just drove by the 2009 High Point University soccer team training today and all I could think about was how happy I was to be heading home to the couch.
In a related story, my Bagel Bites will be ready in 5 minutes.
… anyone other than me wonder why these dudes, The Verve Pipe, were such massive duds?
Armed with a super affecting sound, they released one of the catchiest, most angsty ballads of the 90s, and then…
nothing.
They weren’t lying when they said they were merely freshmen. Freshmen with all the potential in the world who decided to drop out rather than graduate.
