Feb 5,2021
It’s Feb 5 and I Don’t Know …
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I am not bragging or complaining. I am simply stating A FACT regarding my personal societal evolution circa 2021.
It is February 5, 2021 and I do not know one single “current ACC Basketball player” on ANY team.
In fact I cannot name ANY current College Basketball Player … on Any Team PERIOD. I simply don’t care any more.
I have seen this coming on for several years but I never expected it would ever reach the “not ONE single one on Any Team” level.
I do know that neither UNC nor Duke is doing very well at all this season. I read that their game this weekend is the first time that neither team was “ranked” since (Insert a random 19th century date). YIKES!
That must be traumatic for their respective fanbases for whom these biennial encounters are OMG occasions. Will the national sports world still stop spinning on its axis to pay its respects?
Assuming there are still 14 teams in The ACC … I CAN name Six ACC Head Basketball Coaches – Roy … Coach K … Boeheim … WhatsHisName at UVA … “that guy at Notre Dame” … and “the guy that was at Duke at Pitt”. I should know “the State guy” but nope …
And there was a time I would frantically tune my little transistor radio to hear Ray Reeves from “William Neal Reynolds Coliseum” do The Dixie Classic.
As my Mom would say – “Old Man Usta is dead and buried”. … sigh.
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I WAS planning to at least have the TV on for the Super Bowl this weekend … BUT … I read that it was going to be a 4-hour BLM / Faux Social Justice Commercial. So I guess I’ll pass on that.
I’m assuming Every SB commercial MUST have either All Black actors and/ or all inter-racial couples ? Right?
I do realize that for 50+ years there were No Black actors in commercials. That was short-sighted on Madison Avenue’s behalf.
To make up for that we are now seeing the rapid disappearance of the White family in commercials … and of heterosexuals in general. Equally short-sighted on Madison Avenue’s behalf … in my opinion.
I no longer watch “commercial TV” … opting for “streaming” via a dozen different options, so my opinion need not be factored in to such boardroom decisions.
Speaking of “streaming”…
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This past week I binged the existing two seasons of Monarca… on, I believe, Netflix.
The show’s executive producer is Salma Hayek but she does not appear in the show.
Imagine Dallas or Dynasty or Falcon Crest … set “today” in Mexico … with, of course, a totally dysfunctional family – The Carranzas – fighting over control of a Tequila Empire. Factor in the ubiquitous “Cartels” – of course – and a national government that might be as corrupt as “ours”.
For any government to be portrayed “as corrupt as” America is a very high bar to set. … Rimshot …
Has “America” surpassed Mexico in total corruption? Every public official “on the take” and taking perverse pride in being so. Yep … sound familiar?
NOTE: In a recent Facebook commentary I referenced … “the upcoming Kangaroo Trial of Donald Trump being orchestrated by a deranged 80 y/o junior high school “mean girl” .
That one got “shared” a lot. As most of my Facebook mini-commentaries are. Unless you have terminal TDS, you really should check’em out…. HERE.
With due respect to the scandalous provocativeness of Dallas – Dynasty – Falcon Crest in their 70-80s heyday … Monarca takes on-screen provocativeness to a 21st century level.
OF COURSE … one of the feuding Carranza family members is Gay. yawn… Well actually “40% Bi” on whatever scale such preferences are measured. The on-screen menage a trois is telegraphed far enough in advance for you to hit Fast Forward … or not.
Brother “Joaquin” is the worst of the bunch. Zero redeeming features. Andreas’ – the gay guy – wife (its complicated) Jimena – also lacks any likable quality. All the kids are following in their parents’ yucky footsteps. The 17 y/o daughter dating the 42 y/o reprobate is a real doozie.
By the end of Season 2 you are hoping for Total Annihilation of The Entire Family Carranza.
With such a scintillating review … How can you resist?
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You may recall, I “usta” be a St Louis Cardinals’ baseball fan. I weaned myself off that too. The Cardinals made a BLOCKBUSTER trade this week … getting Superstar 3B Nolan Arenado from The Rockies in exchange for “three guys named Moe”.
It is being touted as THE #1 Most-Lopsided Trade in MLB History. Replacing Lou Brock for Ernie Broglio back in 1960-something..
St Louis’ self-acclaimed BFIBs – Best Fans In Baseball – are perplexed because …
The BFIBs HATE their GM John Moziliak and Owner Bill DeWitt for all the reasons most fans hate GMs and Owners. … because “they” – the fans – think “they” should have complete control over all personnel and in-game strategy decisions.
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MORE of BobLeeSays ?? – HERE
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Just saw where two UNC players, Armando Bacot & Day’Ron Sharpe, are responsible for a game being canceled tonight for appearing unmasked at the Duke victory rally Saturday Night. Total shame for them that it wasn’t a BLM rally. Both of them would have been hailed as brave social justice heroes. Maybe even a statue erected of them where Silent Sam once stood.
I would be curious what % of TarHeelNation is “getting tired of the whole thing”. I realize “we” are not a valid focus group. But “we” may not be all that out of the norm …??? I was wuth some longtime UNC fans last night for dinner and the general cynicism was apparent.
I wonder if it’s mainly the struggles of past two seasons or the combination of factors? Would another Natty cure that cynicism? Pre-COVID I had regular contact with a few LL-Rams but haven’t seen or spoken with them for almost a year.
The mediocrity of the past two seasons is a contributing factors. UNC BB fans – like most fans of traditionally successful college sports programs – are spoiled and quick to grumble when they can’t brag and boast and enjoy the vicarious association. On top of that is the whole BLM crap and one/done etc tc … I don’t see Roy being a Top five program again… I don’t think he has the energy / drive to do so. “This” can’t be any fun for him.
It surprises me that either was able to find the rally. I think Granville Tower is a block away from the corner of Franklin & Columbia, so I would have thought they would have gotten lost going there. Bacot only strikes me as someone as predictable as a gorilla with a hockey stick. I understand that he is in the running for most human like tele-tubby.
College Kids doing stoopid stuff is what college kids have traditionally done. Sure a CELEBRATION of a Duke victory this year is silly … but “silly” is better than most crap we see on campuses these days.
Didn’t see any of the game but did see the crowd on Franklin Street. Chancellor Guskiewicz went full Dean Wormer on the “student” afterwards. Bonus points for being able pronounce his name correctly on the first attempt.
Apparently the “national sports media” is having a ball ridiculing “them” and – IMO – rightfully so. Is this the equivalent of “winning” a participation trophy? “WE ARE THE BEST TEAM WITHIN 7 MILES OF I-85 / 15/501.” … HOORAY FOR US!
Having a website to out your fellow student who participated in the celebration is about as 2021 as it gets. What happens in 90 days when summer school is fully in person attendance, but kids are being taken to honor court over trying to have fun in the most unfun of places these days?
Have they made those 3% labor cuts yet?
While I do believe celebrating this particular “Victory over The Most Hated of All Rivals” was Quite Silly. “Going to College” has traditionally been the last time one could be Quite Silly. The last chance to “eat a live goldfish … “run nekkid thru campus” … “TP the Chancellor’s Manse” … or … or … celebrate a whatever.
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Mr Orwell, you DID warn us.
Ha silly sports celebrations. I saw UNC rush the football field against Georgia Tech simply for beating a ranked team. And a couple of years later, a Franklin St party after THAT 2OT win against Duke, even though Duke was winless in the ACC and UNC was #2 in the country. Unfounded sports celebrations are as Carolina as argyle unis. College students, even in this woke era, should be granted a little grace. Same for the ones who think the world is going to melt in 5 years if the cafeteria doesn’t switch straw vendors. They are young and know… Read more »
And THAT is why Jesse Helms and Chubb Sewell famously suggested “put a fence around it and it’s our state Zoo…”!
Have you watched Bloodlines on Netflix? If you liked Monarca, you would enjoy Bloodlines. The Duke- UNC game last night was entertaining with the game in question until the last few seconds. The UNC students rushed out onto Franklin Street in a peaceful assembly to celebrate the win. They are still not allowed to attend class in person but Covid is less likely to spread after a UNC win according to convenient science. The Masters golf tourney prides itself on coverage with limited commercial interruption it would be nice if the Super Bowl could do the same going forward. Eric… Read more »
Not sure I “liked” Monarca. It was a bit like watching roadkill. After 4-5 episodes of S-1 I almost quit. None of the characters had any redeeming qualities. What kept me interested was the obvious comparisons to Mexican and US government corruption. I’ve had an “arrogance” about the obvious corruption in Mexico for years … and realizing I was throwing stones from a glass house. I will check out Bloodlines, Thanks.
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Forgot to watch the game until 8:30 and it was over. The UNC kids celebrating like a NatChamp is getting a lot of laughs from national media.
Bloodlines was very enjoyable. Living in Florida I read they only stopped the serial due to the state of Florida cancelling their tax exemptions. It was an enticement to get movies filmed here in Florida.
I intend to check out Bloodlines since I usually like “Coach Taylor” in whatever he does.
I do not wear the same badge of honor you proclaim, yet. But I am heading in the direction of dis-interest in all things college athletics which has been my passion “since Hector was a pup”. Got my Wolfpack Club reminder to re-up the donation this week and got to thinking about where that money could go other than to support the hopeful education of athletes who may or may not care about the educational experience. BK would be the first to tell me they value an education as seen by the unusually large % of our football team with… Read more »
I am not intending to set an example or lead a crusade re: College Athletics. I’ve simply found – IMO – better uses for my time & to be entertained. To me thats all it ever was – an Entertainment option. My daily breakfasts at one of 5-6 local diners/cafes gets me out&about … and theres my walks with my audiobooks … and fishing at 4-5 area lakes / ponds when the weather cooperates. AND FaceTime with the grandkids of course. . I spend VERY little time watching “The News” via any media platforms. Just enough to get some column… Read more »
BobLee:
At this point, I know my daughter’s name, and the names of the other girls on her Varsity Basketball team. That, as well as watching them live, playing homegames is enough.
On Netflix, check out A VERY SECRET SERVICE. It is French, subtitled in English. It is also very good, set in 1960, to begin. Best part, the show actually pokes fun (lots) at…the French. They get their licks in on everyone else, but the French, themselves, get blasted regularly. It is very enjoyable.
Never been much for “subtitles” but I will check it out.
BL, this piece resonates with me so well, I am putting a note in my last will and testament that if my later generations want to know what “grandpa” was like, I refer them to read your columns 🙂
YIKES! If I show this to “Kid” (or to Blondie) their eyes will never stop rolling. Actually I plan a similar tactic to yours. I will “will” my BLSays archives to our grandkids – Scout, Ruthie and Little Danny. . “Mom, Granddad was kinda strange but “a good kinda strange”. I think he was talking to “us” for all those years he was writing his columns. We sure are glad we had a chance to know him if even for just a little while. …” . “OK, finish your dinner and maybe we will read a couple of his old… Read more »
I just want my kids and grandkids to say to others that “he was a character.”
Careful … “a character” is one click away from “Crazy Cuzzin Eddie”!
After I’m gone if my kids and grandkids remember me by simply saying “he was a character” that will just fine with me. If Mamamel’s eyes roll back in her head it’ll be even better.
I’ll settle for a laminated copy of PDEW taped to my ash urn.
Thanks for a great commentary on ACC basketball ( which I totally agree!) Oh for the Dixie Classic days. The SB will be a “no watch” for the K’s. Wishing for you a great weekend.
I assume The ACC does its marketing focus groups … and I am no longer in their target audience. They are no longer in mine either. It’s a mutual thing.
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Who knew there were sooooo many Fishing Videos !!!
Would Madison Ave dare waste their money with all biracial gay ads during the Super Bowl? Does anyone do demographic research to weigh off the virtue signaling?
I’m right there on acc hoops too. Kind of like smoking, once I quit, I’m not sure if anything would get me back to the old habit.
As I note … there were NO blacks in TV commercials during the 20th Century. I have to assume there WERE black consumers out there not being represented. ,.. that said … about 6-9 months ago there was a massive flip to Black actors in Every Commercial regardless of the nature of the product. The most in-demand actors these days have to be “”is he/she black … or not?” types.
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I betcha EVERY SB commercial will be predominately black. FWIW: THAT is not the WHY reason I don’t watch The NFL (or NBA) any longer.
It’s either your age or you long for the good ole days.
I’m just making different choices driven by different priorities … AND my previous “priorities” have changed rather radically in recent years.
I agree RE: Ray Reeves. Add Penfield was a great one, too.
My “coming of age” in the 60s paralleled the growth of ACC Basketball that exploded in 1957 with UNC’s NatChmp and Case v McGuire … Dixie Classic … et al.
Same with me. Great memories!