Save The Tiger

Image licensed under Creative Commons by Tambako the Jaguar

Save The Tiger: The Big Apology is due shortly after we write this.  And the similarities between Tiger's apology and the themes of this classic '70's movie are both striking and frightening.  The first example being the tagline for the film - "(Harry Stoner) will do anything to get one more season".  Seems like our man might be in the same position.  He's putting himself out there on that stage and - we believe - he's going to get back into that game.  Many have said and will continue to say "Golf can't go on without Him".  That's not quite right, its that the game just wouldn't be the same without him.  Just ask his throngs of adoring fans. 

The game was great before Tiger's era and will continue to be great after Tiger is gone and is playing 18 holes in the next world.  Ben Hogan and Sam Snead will be right there with him, on the heavenly greens.  Just think about it, chances are you're a golfer.  Right?  Suppose Tiger shows up on your green and asks if he can join your threesome or asks if he can play through.  What are you going to say?  Uh-huh, we thought so.  Given half-a-chance, most people would almost certainly play with Tiger.  Of course, there's no way they could match the caliber of his game, his handicap nor the arc of his swing.  No way.  But would they miss the opportunity?  Uh-uh, no way buddy.  You can bet the farm on that. 

Its this spirit of the game that will keep Tiger from feeling the same isolation of Harry Stoner.  He may feel a lot alone on that big stage, making the biggest swing of his life and career.  A Lot Alone.  Wagner and Shakespeare couldn't have invoked more drama and expectation.  In that regard, its kind of a thrilling moment.  One of the greatest athletes of all time has been humbled.  And he's being humbled again.  But he'll get up and go back to what he was doing in the first place.  That takes a great deal of character.  More than most bloggers got, chum.

Morality and ethics?  What about those you ask?  Yeah, since when do those have to do with what goes on in a player's...er, sorry...Freudian slip...athlete's life outside of the arena?  You've probably slipped up somewhere along the way, at least just a little.  Oh it was for a good cause, right?  It was forgiveable.  Half of the time, these things are forgiveable.  Half of the time, probably not.  Look at some other great figures in history - in general - that took a fall...  Recall the proverbs, "Even Homer nods" and "Let he who is without sin...".  And what about the damage to his personal life?  Not really any of our business, even though the media and celebrity make it our business.  Which is why even write and talk about Tiger and others, anyway.  You see, if there were nothing to talk about, then there would be nothing to talk about.  Right?  Yeah, lets leave that argument where it is, because it is an argument that has no ending.

And that half-joking crack and others about being a player?   Or a sport?  That's going to go on and on...  He might just have to grin and bear it.  You see those things can be a help.  Help him keep his eye on the ball.  Groan... Keep him from tripping over his club...er, shaft...er, bag...Oh never mind!  The point is, there are a lot of jokes and superstitions and lore about golf that go on and on with or without Tiger.  It doesn't make things a farce.  One bad thing, however.  The name.  Before there even was a Tiger Woods, there has always been this stupid superstition about the tiger being a symbol of disappointment and disaster.  Well, it may ring true.  But those things can be overcome...look at Katrina, Banda Aceh...and well, others...

But what about his brand, his business, his craft...his, his money?  What about it?  Do you have a brand?  Do have a worldwide enterprise with charitable works based solely on your talents, your celebrity and - well - how the people have responded to you?  Nope.  Nothing like it?  There has never been a brand like Tiger.  Never will be.  Until the next Great One shows up.  And chances are, he or she is gonna have a fall too...

Bit.ly: http://bit.ly/9K28MO

FOM: Repentant Woods sorry for affairs ,Tiger Apology, Tiger Woods Apology Didn't Please Everyone, Did Tiger's Body Language Betray Him? and Tiger's Mother Defends Her Son




Revised/Updated: Friday, February 19, 2010; Sunday, February 21, 2010

Winter's Reign - A Prose Poem

cascades Image licensed under Creative Commons by baxterclaus

Winter's Reign, A Winter Rain
In January
Walking outside
In the winter rain.
Its raining here
In January
Where its usually
24 - 15
24/7.
Trees still spring
From the earth
Waiting for spring
To releaf.
Cold and brown now
Not the conifers
In the winter rain
A miracle witnessed.
Trees still spring
From the earth
Even in the winter rain.
Where just a week ago
Tiny brown birds,
Gamboled and gyred and frolicked
On the wing
Like children at play
In the cold winter sun.
Springing from my
Favorite Queen Tree
From her lips I hear
"Out of winter, springeth green".
Numbed by her word,
Not the cold
I walked along
Dazed and alone
In my hand-me-sideways
Nautica green jacket
And my yellow rain poncho
I stepped and slipped
On icy floes
Thinking its a miracle
And water flows
And freezes
Under my feet.
From out of winter,
Cometh spring.





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The Best Worst Job in the World

The Best Worst Job in the World: http://bit.ly/4EGqmt Our senior editor has not had a "regular job" in several months - due to several issues. And disqualified for UI benefits, his single source of income is the $ 7.71 he's gathered in revenue on AdSense. (Of course, Google doesn't pay until you hit the $100 milepost, and then there's fees and all that. That's why he calls this the best worst job in the world. We just tell him he's mildly retarded...

Please note: This posting appears simultaneously in our sister publication, The Anti-Zen Dictionary.