“Why Didn’t I Call?” A Night In Shock Trauma Through The Eyes of a Drunk Driver

My mouth had struck so hard that some of my teeth remained embedded in the steering wheel where the EMS team had to literally pick them out. This was the scene and it wasn’t pretty. Allow me to repeat that, my mouth had struck so hard that some of my teeth remained embedded in the steering wheel. Some other teeth had fallen to the floor uprooted from their home, they would never be the same.

From my lower lip to my chin there was nothing but serrated flesh, it had been completely ripped apart - gaping wide open - revealing my gums and the jagged dentin that remained. My smile no longer ruled. Just raw nerves totally exposed, and shocked as hell to be disconnected from their dominion. My jaw was now gazing out in all its glory and menacing in a world where it had no business and I would surely pay the price. It was a freakish and bloodied mess. What had I done? Continue reading “Why Didn’t I Call?” A Night In Shock Trauma Through The Eyes of a Drunk Driver

Cancer Fears Me: Putting A Positive Spin On A Negative Diagnosis

“Cancer Fears Me.” These three words strung together have the audacity to put the “C” word in its place. It’s original and pretty simple really: Cancer Fears Me.

Powerful words for a mother of three to come up with as she shuffles her children to and from various activities. This is not just any mother though. This is Sharon Perfetti, Executive Director and co-founder of the Cool Kids Campaign. Her mission and that of the Cool Kids Campaign is about helping and giving. It’s about working with kids who’ve been given a diagnosis of cancer. It’s about always thinking and doing, even if and when that light bulb moment hits her in the car.

“It just came to me. I spend so much time seeing these families and fear is an over-riding emotion,” Perfetti said, lamenting the many concerns and issues that are suddenly thrust upon the families she deals with day in and day out. “What’s going to happen, how quickly is it going to spread?” It’s hard to even imagine, let alone happen to a child. Continue reading Cancer Fears Me: Putting A Positive Spin On A Negative Diagnosis

Packing Heat and Painting Keisters: The Paintballer’s Guide to Vengeance

Picture your “favorite” politician in his bulging green Under Armour, protecting his house. Or a boss that just doesn’t seem to listen, let alone care. Picture the ignorant speedster who just cut you off on I-95 south, cell phone permanently affixed to their ear. Picture for just a moment, anyone who has wronged you or plucks your nerves.

Now picture yourself in an open field, you’ve got an automatic weapon in your hand, loaded, target at the ready. Focus. Steady. Aim. Fire. Splat…a rainbow of bright color bursts upon impact. Got em! Finally, ah-yes, picture that person’s keister, painted in neon. Damn, that feels good.

That’s why I play paintball. I’m not a gun-lover or a member of the NRA. In fact, when I was 8 or 9 years old my brother Jimmy accidentally shot me in the eye at close range with his BB gun. He got the belt and I got a Dairy Queen buster-bar. I don’t like guns. They scare me. What I do like is paint-ball. And I own a paintball gun. It’s done wonders for the gamer in me, as well as that part of my soul that exacts such cold and calculated revenge. Continue reading Packing Heat and Painting Keisters: The Paintballer’s Guide to Vengeance

Early ‘Birds Get the Worm at Baltimore Orioles FanFest

Camden Yards opened its doors Saturday to let the fans get a taste of spring and baseball. In spite of the nip in the air and below average temps., Maryland bird lovers flocked anyway, having to wear an extra layer. They came to check out the new faces on the diamond, to sample the stadium fare, to check out the new scoreboard and let their children play. The resounding question is - of course - will this year’s Baltimore Orioles come to play?

Debbie Borgerding of Perry Hall was struggling with her goodie bags when I met up with her in Pastimes Café on Eutaw Street. Not only was she indoors trying to keep warm but she was also in charge of carrying all of the family’s loot. You see her 10-year old son Zachary, (accompanied by his Dad) was out testing his arm with a pitching machine while Mom took refuge. And she was glad to do it once she wrestled down those bags. It was everything the Orioles were giving out. The Borgerding family made out, as many fans did!

Zach has been playing baseball since he was 4. He was totally into all the action on Eutaw Street and was particularly stoked with his new Brian Roberts bobble-head doll. He’s got a rocket of an arm; I can see it in his eyes. Continue reading Early ‘Birds Get the Worm at Baltimore Orioles FanFest

MacPhail’s Road to Baseball Glory: From Harford County Roots to the Hall of Fame

Ten things I love about Andy MacPhail (President of baseball operations for the Orioles)…

1. Troy Patton
2. Luke Scott
3. Mike Costanzo
4. Dennis Sarfate
5. Matt Albers

Bah-bye Miggy…(Miguel Tejada- Houston Astros)

1. Adam Jones
2. Chris Tillman
3. George Sherrill
4. Anthony Butler
5. Kameron Mickolio

Bedard-Gone…(Erik, you hurt me- but I am so over it…now a Seattle Mariner)

At first glance, it might appear that MacPhail is inflicting destruction within an already fragile Orioles lineup, what with getting rid of a 4-time All Star in Tejada and the ace of the pitching staff in Bedard. But make no mistake, MacPhail has come to play. And win. Continue reading MacPhail’s Road to Baseball Glory: From Harford County Roots to the Hall of Fame

Live From Israel, It’s NCAA Tournament Time With Aberdeen’s Own Jai Lewis

Breaking down the brackets with Jai…

That’s right, there’s only one Jai and you know him well.

He’s the man who led the George Mason (GM) Patriots on their unbelievable and unforgettable journey back in 2006 when they quietly turned the NCAA Tournament Brackets into frappe. He’s the man who helped put the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) on the map with the big dogs. He’s also the man who has taken his skills on the road in Israel where he’s currently playing basketball.

He’s our very own Jai Lewis of Aberdeen and he’s talking college basketball with me. So thanks to electronic mail direct from Israel, let’s get down to business. Here’s what Jai has got to say about the upcoming Madness. It’s Jai Time…

Continue reading Live From Israel, It’s NCAA Tournament Time With Aberdeen’s Own Jai Lewis

Looking For An Adrenaline Rush…And Maybe Some Bruises?: Harford Dodgeball Picks Off The Competition

Remember when you were in elementary school gym class and your teacher would unleash you with a bunch of rubber balls in the middle of the gymnasium?

You’d beeline to those balls, make your way back to the start position and the carnage would begin. You’d dip, dive, dance and hurl like a complete lunatic. It was survival of the fittest and, oh, what a pure adrenaline rush it was!

These days we don’t have to live on just memories. The Harford County Dodgeball League has it all worked out.
Continue reading Looking For An Adrenaline Rush…And Maybe Some Bruises?: Harford Dodgeball Picks Off The Competition

The Rocket Man Takes a Hit: “Misremembering” Roger Clemens’ Steroid Testimony

I had the opportunity to watch a good bit of the testimonials before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform that took place last Wednesday. You should know the one I am referring to whether you are a baseball fan or not. This was aired on Fox News and ESPN and Lord knows where else. Anyway, this was the Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee freak show where they took center stage to address allegations about steroid and HGH (Human Growth Hormone) usage from the Mitchell Report findings.

Many people feel that Congress has better things to do with their time. Since Congress has gotten involved and lit a fire under baseball commissioner Bud Selig’s butt, however, the implications have been impressive. Major League Baseball (MLB) has some of the strictest punishments for players getting caught of all the professional sports. Continue reading The Rocket Man Takes a Hit: “Misremembering” Roger Clemens’ Steroid Testimony

Super Bowl Sunday: Music, Food, Celebrities and, yes, even a little Football

Not a fan of the Patriots? Not a fan of the New York football Giants? Maybe football is just not your thing? Surely you know by now that there are other reasons that people tune in to the ‘big game,’ which airs Sunday on Fox at precisely 6:17 pm. Here is a sampling of some of my faves:

- First and foremost, I have to tell you about one of the greatest days that my husband, Neil, and I shared together. We were fortunate enough to be at the dance when the Baltimore Ravens beat the New York Giants in Tampa at Super Bowl XXXV. Let me tell you something: watching the half-time show was impressive. The performances were good, yes, but what I am really referring to is the construction and deconstruction of the stage on the field and how quickly they got it done.

That year MTV was responsible. After the first half convened and the players went to their locker rooms, the mammoth stadium screens came on and Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler and Chris Rock did pre-recorded skits with some of the musicians featured in the show. This bought time for the stage to get set. The field was dark. We could see all kinds of goings-on (when we weren’t watching the skits). It was amazing because once the show started: lights, camera, action! It was a full-scale production going on. Those girls and guys who worked diligently behind the scenes deserve major props. Continue reading Super Bowl Sunday: Music, Food, Celebrities and, yes, even a little Football

This Bud’s For You: The Major League Baseball Commissioner’s Call to Action

Bud Selig’s contract as the Major League Baseball Commissioner has been renewed yet again. What started out as an interim position has moved well beyond what the term “interim” denotes. It began in September of 1992 when Selig replaced Bart Giamatti (the commish that banned Pete Rose). Selig was elected unanimously by the baseball owners in July 9, 1998. He’s been along for the ride ever since.

Selig was born as Allen H. Selig on July 30, 1934 in Milwaukee. He made his money as a car dealer. He had strong community ties and a true penchant for the game. He bought the Seattle Pilots for $10.8 million.

Ultimately, he’d lose his investment and his team until 1970 when a Seattle bankruptcy court order brought the Milwaukee Brewers back into business. Eventually, he became a majority owner of the Brewers. He is the only baseball commish to have owned a franchise and upon the bestowing of his current title, he put his daughter in charge of the family franchise. In January of 2005 the Brewers were sold, putting to bed Selig’s 35-year run with the franchise. Continue reading This Bud’s For You: The Major League Baseball Commissioner’s Call to Action