Syracuse Memories: How Was Something So Small So Big Back Then?

So yesterday I had fun speaking with a friend from my old neighborhood on Facebook, along with my sister, about the good old days growing up in Bridgeport, NY. I don’t do it often but it is sometimes fun to think back and remember those times.

The house posted above is the house I spent most of my childhood in. The funny thing about seeing that picture and our conversation was the realization of how small the place looks now compared to when we were young.

That is not a knock at my parents for having a small house because I am thankful for my upbringing and the friends I made in Bridgeport. It is more me remembering that in that very yard, we would play wiffle ball and hide and seek and the yards and house seemed so big. And yet I drive back now and wonder, how did we not hit more home runs over the fenced in yards if they were that small (needless to say, none of us made MLB rosters either so that may be part of it)?

I remember how shoveling that driveway felt like it took forever or wrestling matches in the front yard could turn into huge rumbles. Or playing tag and hide and seek provided endless room and hiding opportunities for you to search before everyone ran back to the light pole. I remember thinking Mom and Dad must have had the loudest voice to holler that loud when it was time to come in at night (though you knew if the street lights came on, you best be somewhere close to home anyway or over someone’s house and calling to let them know). That was home for us and that was fun. Even the Bridgeport Field Days felt like it was an amusement park and now I go back and realize I can walk the whole thing in less than a couple minutes (I could do it in less but I have to stop by the beer tent for another refill). These do not diminish my memories one bit but it just catches me off guard at times thinking about it.

On top of that discussion, there is also a song on country music radio right now that I am totally in love with called Home Sweet Home by a new band called The Farm, which by the way features a very beautiful and talented singer from Batavia, NY named Krista Marie. Here is the video:

As I approach my 40th birthday this year, I can’t help but wonder, did the view change or was it just my memories of the place? To be fair, I didn’t hit my growth spurt until my last year in Bridgeport but still, I don’t think my height impaired my view that much. I try to get back to Syracuse as often as I can and the only thing that looks bigger than I remember is my old high school CNS (Cicero-North Syracuse) but to be fair, I think that has. Everything else seems to be smaller than I remembered except the memories of hitting that home run thinking I was Gary Carter and the Mets have just won the series on my home run into the next yard.

Does anyone else go back home and realize how much it differs from your memories at times and yet those memories are as fresh in your head as Gianelli Sausage at the New York State Fair?

I guess in part the saying is true that you can’t go home again because even though it is still there, it is so different compared to what you remembered and the friends and family who made it home are all gone in their own directions.

Father’s Day Ideas For The Syracuse Dad

Picture courtesy of syracuse.com

So on June 17th this year is Father’s Day and if you’re like me, you still have no clue what to get dad and may even have a limited budget. Of course you could do tickets if he has a favorite team (sadly single game football tickets are not on sale until August but if you really love dad, you could go season tickets). There is also Scranton vs. Syracuse if he likes baseball on Father’s Day at 2pm and you can get tickets here.

Maybe you could do the opposite of Scoop’s Dad above and start your own Team Dad in bright orange clothing. I say start a new tagline like “Team Dad: Putting the Swagger in SwaggerCuse since (insert his birth year)”.

Speaking of clothing, before they steal that concept, be sure to check out Manny’s for that dad who does bleed Orange. If you only have about $20 to spend on him, check out this awesome hat that I am sure he will love (if he wears hats):

Yes there are cheaper and there are oranger hats at Manny’s but as a dad, sometimes it is a great feeling wearing that Dad clothing, especially if you have a kid who went to the school.

Does dad like being outdoors and watching boats race? Check out Race On The Lake on the 16th and 17th. The event is held at Onondaga Lake in Liverpool and is promoted as “NASCAR on the Water…dedicated to boat racing and family fun! This year’s event promises to offer excitement and fun for the whole family.”

There is also the CNY Pride Festival on June 16th in case your father is gay and proud of it. We live in an era that still contains many who do not support the lifestyle and do not believe they should have equal rights so why not show your support and spend a few hours with him at Inner Harbor Waterfront Park?

If he likes country music, you can get tickets for Country Throwdown Tour 2012 featuring Gary Allan, Sunny Sweeney, Florida Georgia Line, and Rodney Atkins at the Fairgrounds on the 17th for only $36 in advance, $45 at the door. Maybe you could also go with him even if you don’t like country just to spend the day doing something he loves.

And my last idea, swing by Wegmans and cook him a nice dinner that he truly loves and just spend time with him. Depending on your dad, you can probably save a few dollars on a card and simply get him some beer or the food of his choice (maybe some cupcakes or ice cream too for after). I may have adopted my daughter so I can’t sit around and talk about her days in a diaper but I truly enjoy spending every minute that I can with her and my 7 month old granddaughter, who it is my mission to ensure she also appreciates the Orange the way her Bompa does. And if you are hurting financially, get together with your siblings (or other family) and everyone pitch in an item and let dads rest. Or just do something for him like clean his car (or have it painted orange), a coupon book with items like free snow shoveling when he is tired, or sit down and watch The Express with him.

Regardless of what you do, keep in mind it is only about 2 weeks away and time flies when you are having fun…or get busy and forget. Just let him know you love him and I assure you, he will be a happy man and if you can, spend some time with him as well. No matter how much we love our Syracuse sports, the one thing we always love more are the daughters or sons who make us proud just be seeing their smiling faces…but something Orange from Manny’s never hurt either.

Memorial Day: A Day To Remember Those We Lost In The Name Of Freedom

“Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can’t ride you unless your back is bent.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.

I could just say thank you to all my brothers and sisters in uniform who didn’t make it home to their families and friends but I wanted to do more today.

I spent 4 years in the US Army and my father, uncles and various other family members have served this country honorably. I currently have a nephew Josh who is serving now and I am proud of him and the work his unit is doing. They say there is no such thing as a former Marine or former Army because the values you learned stay with you and that pride is like when a Syracuse student sees someone with that “S” on their chest. It is a brotherhood/sisterhood that can never be forgotten. I am thankful for the ones I served with, those who came before us and those who continue to serve to the best of their ability with honorable intentions. This song played in basic training and still gives me goosebumps when I hear it performed:

I could sit here and tell you that my serving was completely out of a sense of duty but truthfully, that is only part of it. I was doing terrible in college, I could not find my way in life and I wanted a new direction. So I left college to join the Army but that does not mean I didn’t have a sense of pride. I may not have been the best soldier either but I did my best to wear the uniform with pride and still have it when I put on anything with the word Army on it. I was raised in a military family and taught to have respect for my country and those who served and I still believe in that to this day.

I truly believe our military is the best in the world and they are willing to defend our liberties and freedoms to the best of our abilities. Make no mistake about it though, we still have a long way to go before we truly our free. For example, check out this video from Garth Brooks that I truly believe speaks to the heart of freedom:

We have lost many great men and women who fought to preserve our freedoms and we are still losing great people today for the same reasons. Some wear military uniforms, some wear police or fire uniforms and some are just average citizens standing up because they believe in defending the freedom of others being oppressed by those who seek to control them or force their will on them. Enemies of freedom are not always dressed in military uniforms or carry guns but we as American citizens still owe it to their memory to continue to fight for our freedoms to live a life they wanted us to lead.

Former president Ronald Reagan once said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” So today I ask you to enjoy your time with your family, your time grilling or swimming and appreciate our freedoms we have thanks to those who died but do not forget that our freedoms are always in jeopardy of being lost and we all must be soldiers in the fight to preserve our freedoms, our liberties, and our justice for all.

Thank you to all those who died in the name of freedom so that I could sit here watching a TV with several channels, typing these very words and eating whatever I choose (as long as I can afford it) because without you, our options would be few if any.

Let me leave you with one of the best speeches in film history (even if the actor portraying him maybe not be a shining example).

HOOAH!

Hey Syracuse, Being Nice May Actually Come With An Award Thanks To @NNEASY

As many of you may know by now, I like to find the positive things in life and for purposes of this blog, positive things about Syracuse. This morning I found a great program and I have to share it with you.

I found an article on syracuse.com this morning about the convenient store chain Nice N Easy getting some national love (which I highly recommend clicking here to read more about). I always enjoy my experiences with the store when I am back in Syracuse but honestly did not know it was a small chain that is based in Canastota (also the home of the Boxing Hall of Fame).

This post is about more than spotlighting a company based in Central New York and my finding a clever way title to get your attention. It is about a video I found while looking into this company. Instead of explaining it in long detail (and we know I can get long winded), I will let you see it for yourself:

I LOVE THIS IDEA!

Let me emphasize why I love this idea. I hear many people complain about how Syracuse, and New York in general, are filled with rude people while many go south because they are more polite. Personally, I have lived in both New York and North Carolina and I assure you that there are many rude AND polite people in both places. I do however, no matter the area, love the idea of acknowledging random acts of kindness, manners and respect for your neighbor.

I doubt anyone from the company will read this but I am not writing this simply to acknowledge their great campaign but in the hopes it encourages others to take similar steps and we as people to see not the rewards but also see how good it feels to do good things for other people. One of my favorite people to follow on Twitter is Cory Booker, the mayor of Newark, New Jersey who I enjoy because he not only discusses stuff like this but also ways to do it (like leaving money in a vending machine just to help out the next person who comes along to a simple free item or staying at a door a little bit to hold it for someone even if you are in a hurry). I truly believe little deeds not only add to your personality but they also go a long way in building our communities. I have truly learned that the best high you can achieve in this world is making someone smile and if their day was bad, making it that much better and giving them faith.

I hope they continue to keep this campaign going and I hope others not only participate in similar ideas but just see how we can truly make a difference just by taking a few seconds out of our day to say thank you or let a car out in front of you in traffic. I personally have not had the best weekend but seeing this video above gave me a boost knowing that maybe, just maybe more people are seeing the positives we can make in each others lives simply by being nice.

Plus, it looks like Nice N Easy have many Syracuse fans in their company and we all know one great thing about Orange Nation is that we may disagree at times but we support those who support us and this video shows that they love their Orange:

My Open Letter To @Cuse Head Football Coach Doug Marrone

Dear Coach Marrone,

I will start off by saying that I support you and your coaching staff. Syracuse football is my favorite sport team in all of sports and I take great pride in the program. I must also admit that before you were hired, I wanted other people to have the job but now I am drinking the Orange Marrone Kool Aid and think you are the man to turn this team around.

I am not blinded by my Orange love and I do see the faults and I remember very well how the season ended last year following a huge win against West Virginia. When the team/program was declining under the previous administration, I knew we were in trouble and if it starts to go in that direction again, I have no issue stating I was wrong but I like what I see so far.

I attended my first “game” recently in well over 2 decades when you had the free Spring Game as I happened to be back in Syracuse for a conference/vacation. I have to admit, I kept in mind that sitting to the immediate left of me were guys like Alec Lemon, Justin Pugh, and others who could impact this team not playing so I had realistic expectations. I also knew there were others not on campus yet and this was an exhibition of sorts long before the season starts but I have to say, I truly enjoyed the experience (and not just because I sat front row on the 40 yard line).

I also love listening to your interviews as you are open and very respectful of the program and our traditions (and you did such a great job on this Quick Bites interview with the Syracuse University Alma Mater that I wish it was my ringtone). By the way, I still think this was a great start to your Syracuse coaching career:

Now I know you have some fans who will point out the negatives but I know that nobody bleeds Orange more than you do and you realize them too and are working on them. I know you were not handed a program that was a BCS championship either so my goals are more realistic. I won’t blow smoke up your butt however I have to admit, seeing that Pinstripe Bowl victory was awfully sweet and I know it’s only the first of many that you will lead this program through before your time is over. For those who forgot, here is a video to refresh the memory:

I believe you and your staff have the knowledge, the respect for our culture, and the drive to turn this program back into what it once was that game us great names like Jim Brown, Floyd Little, Ernie Davis, Donovan McNabb, Dwight Freeney and a man you once blocked for (who I think was cheated out of the Heisman), Don McPherson. The build may be slow but I have seen the signs that you are bringing in guys who want to be here and will leave everything they have out on that field.

I am about to turn 40 years old and I still have memories of watching Syracuse football on TV and the joy I felt (we couldn’t afford to go to games most times but loved watching them when I could). I have worn my Orange proudly during my time in Texas and Germany during my stay in the Army and since I moved to North Carolina in 96 and I will be buried in my Orange because I love the university and the football program that much. If I did not believe in you, I would not write this but just like when you see that pretty girl at a full bar and you have this feeling that she is the special one for you, when I see you on the sidelines or hear you in interviews, I feel confident you are working hard and you are meant to be our leader.

I will end this by saying, please continue to work as you do and stay who you are. Please continue to embrace our traditions as I know you once did as a player who bled Orange on the field. Please do not let those who are constantly negative guide your view as you have many more who right now are sitting by just waiting to thank you for restoring this program to the glory it once knew. I have a 7 month old granddaughter now and I would love nothing more than to raise her saying I remember when you were hired and proudly watching games raising her on Orange football as I was once raised, hopefully with you still in charge for many years to come.

I thank you for your time and dedication. LET’S GO ORANGE!

Why Is It So Bad To Be A #Syracuse Homer?

Hello, I am Orange Chuck and I am a Syracuse homer. I am not insulted by the phrase despite some trying to use it as such and I am proud to bleed Orange.

In light of some new recruits that Syracuse football has had recently, I responded in favor to the progress (which you can read about in this syracuse.com article). I pointed out how I thought this team was improving and digging itself out from a hole that was so bad, the only way we made ESPN College GameDay was this clip talking about how bad the football program had become:

I was then told by others that I was a “homer” and a fan who was content with mediocre football. Really? I wasn’t barely in tears watching SU finally win the Pinstripe Game and I was happy to see the way the season ended last year? Anyone who knows me that I was ecstatic to see that bowl win and it hurts when they lose so save the “I enjoy mediocre football” comment but I will say this, I would rather build someone up than constantly tear them down and I gladly stand by Coach Marrone and the program as long as I see progress…and I have.

As for me being a homer:

People, I use Orange Chuck (or orangechucke) on everything from my email to my billing accounts to my Twitter and website member names for a reason, I love Syracuse. I vacation in Syracuse not only because some awesome family members are still there but because I love all things Syracuse/Syracuse University. Half of my clothes, my car and even things like pens and drinking cups are orange. I live in North Carolina and have a blog called Syracuse State Of Mind. if that doesn’t make me a homer, I am not sure what more I could do to make it more obvious.

Let me also make this clear, when the video above aired on ESPN, I too saw the writing on the wall after the Akron loss and though I did not give up on the team, knew we needed a change. In fact, on my last blog, I was even saying we needed a change because there was no sign of hope or progress from Coach P.

I do not feel that about Coach Marrone because I have seen reason to have hope. I was at the Spring Game and I know this season will not be a cake walk but I think we have some very talented players on this team who can make a difference and we could possibly be in another bowl game if they play to the best of their ability. Last year, despite their late season decline, they play a great game against WVU that will turn out to be the last one played annually unless the teams find a way to renew the rivalry later.

But let me also get this point out there, I believe that the coaching staff knows their flaws and do not need me to point them out often and I prefer to lift up this team, this program, this university, and this community rather than take every chance I can to completely bash them all. I may not have played sports on a higher level than little league but in my experience, and by talking to others who have played on multiple levels, I know that having just a little bit of confidence in players goes a lot further than trashing their every mistake. When I did play sports, I knew when I messed up and did not need someone yelling at me to tell me I did, I would rather have had someone pull me aside and thank me for my effort but maybe politely point out ways I can improve it next time if it was something I repeatedly am doing wrong.

I am fine with pointing out faults but what bothers me is constant negativity and calling for someone to be fired despite the progress they are making in building a program we will be proud to root for. I understand they are not perfect but neither am I and I would prefer not to have everyone bash me and point out my flaws every chance they get. How does being constantly negative even remotely help this team or help our fan base? I bet that will help get those recruits with all the stars next to their name.

I admit, I am an optimist and I love Syracuse. When I am buried or cremated, my hope it is in bright orange or my 44 football jersey that my brother gave me years ago and I wear often even in ACC country (though soon that may not be as awkward). I am proud of getting goosebumps when I visit Marshall Street and can look up at Syracuse University. I will gladly support SU softball, ice hockey, tennis or any sport they play (in fact, for years my favorite wrestler was Mike Rotunda because he wrestled at Syracuse before becoming a professional wrestler). I used to ride my bike to the town library just to read up on Syracuse and all the amazing things they had to offer. When I see something orange in the store, I get excited to check it out. And you know what, if that is insulting to you or makes me any less of a supportive fan in your eyes, tough crap because this is me and I LOVE SYRACUSE! So the next time you try to insult someone for being a homer, maybe you should realize that some of us are proud of that name and it is not seen as a knock but a badge of honor I wear proudly with every breath I take.

GO ORANGE!

If You Can’t Have Fun In #Syracuse, Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

So today just for the heck of it, I wanted to try something different. I took my computer and I Googled two words: Syracuse Fun. I was overwhelmed at how easy it is to find fun in Syracuse though not shocked because I know Syracuse and the surrounding area have a lot to offer.

I found Fun Junction and Fun Warehouse which if you enjoy laser tag in Cicero, Dewitt and Syracuse along with some pizza, will provide some great times. One of the Fun Junctions is located in Shoppingtown Mall, which may not have as many shops as they once did but does also offer an indoor skate park. There are also numerous bowling alleys and golf courses all over as well. And if you like family fun, there is no greater value than a day at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. If you don’t love animal fun for only $4 a child and $8 for adults, I am not sure I can help you much anyway. And you can check out Hugo:

If you prefer more adult entertainment and you tell me you can’t find a place to have fun, just do yourself a favor and stay home. There is Marshall Street, if you prefer the college crowd, Empire Brewing Company, Nibsy’s, Ale and Angus Pub, Al’s Wine and Whiskey Lounge and The Beginning II (the home for Bills and Red Sox games in Syracuse)among MANY other options. There are several options and when the weather gets warm, there are festivals and field days/fairs all over the area just about every weekend. And of course, the holidays are always enjoyable at the local bar/pubs as seen below:

I know what some are saying, “But it snows in Syracuse and there is nothing to do in the cold weather.” I am sorry, would you like a little cheese with your Lamoreaux Wine ? Yes I know shoveling it sucks but the sledding and skiing do not. Not to mention, Syracuse is very prepared to handle the roads so if you need to get it, it is not like here in Charlotte where merely forecasting snow means bread and milk shelves empty like Armageddon is upon us. Heck if you got kids (or just the heart of one), you can even get out there and have some snow ball fights and build some snowmen. And of course, there is always Winterfest:

If you like sports, Syracuse may not have any major league teams but between SU sports, the Chiefs, the Crunch and other events that come to town like Monster Jam, WWE and golf tournaments, you have several options.

If you prefer your time maybe a little more cultured, look no further than Everson Museum of Art and The Erie Canal Museum (and now I will have that song in my head all day). There is the Syracuse Symphony and the Syracuse Opera or if you prefer other stage productions, there is Syracuse Stage and even the Syracuse Children’s Theater which apparently even Coach Boeheim and wife Julie say that their daughter enjoys (and if it is good enough for a Boeheim dang it, it is good enough for you).

And let’s not forget that there is Little Italy, Carousel Center/Destiny USA, the view of the sun rising and setting on the lakes, several food options like Tullys and Dino that people who live outside Syracuse wish they could enjoy. There are parks like Onondaga and Burnet, Wise Guys Comedy Club, a Tops Market with the Syracuse Orange theme (though sadly they have to compete with Wegmans) and of course Armory Square (where the park may not be huge but the fun is abundant). And SOOO MANY more things to find if you know what you want.

So after reading all of that, can someone please tell me how you would say there is nothing fun to do in Syracuse? Or if you are still bored, maybe you can be creative and do something like this:

My Thoughts On @SyracuseU Graduations

“All our dreams can come true…if we have the courage to pursue them.” Walt Disney

Above is one of my favorite quotes ever. How do you dispute a man who took a cartoon of a mouse and turned it into an empire? And today is a day where so many Syracuse University students wrap up their college career and began the next step in their journey to fulfill their dreams…graduation day.

I had to write this because truthfully this class has some special friends among those graduating. For most fans, they will tell you about the players graduating like KrisJo, Scoop, Jenna Caira and Antwon Bailey (congratulations to them and all the rest of our senior athletes) but this one is a bit more personal for a Twitter addict like me.

Most reading this blog probably know that I never graduated college despite dreaming of attending Syracuse University. I spent hours at the Bridgeport Library reading up on it but my school work left a lot to be desired. So because of that sometimes, I enjoy living vicariously through a variety of SU students and learning what they share via Twitter or other media. I loved following hashtag discussions, learning about the different schools and watching as they explored life before they step off campus and into the working world. This was part of why my trip back, which I wrote about here, was so special, to be able to meet some of them and experience the campus for myself.

I got to watch part of the iSchool graduation ceremony and caught it just in time to see someone I respect immensely be rewarded for her hard work. Alyssa was the recipient of iSchool’s Graduate Leadership Award presented to her by Professor Rotolo (which you can read about here). Her speech was great and I believe one day she will help revolutionize they way we view media (I remember seeing her when she was working on Citrus TV a couple years back and seeing her potential there). Heck, I think the reason she wears sunglasses so often is because of this:

Next up are David and Adam. Both of them have been great friends and getting to hang out with them when I could over the past year and seeing they are as sincere and real as you’d think on Twitter made the experience better (they were both also major reasons I wanted to attend the #140Cuse conference). I fully expect one day to see their names in Forbes magazine linked to some start up company that makes Facebook look like the 2012 version of Myspace. These two are great examples of Syracuse students who led by example and worked hard but weren’t afraid to enjoy their time as well.

Some of you may have seen a couple posts I have done using my friend Lauren’s pictures whether it was showing off her pride or her view from the car along the Onondaga Parkway (all with her permissions of course). Lauren may have had her graduation already but choosing to get into the medical field is a commendable achievement. She is not shy about having a good time and I enjoy following people with different views on life. Lauren and I have a mutual friend and we have actually only gotten to know each other over the past couple months but I enjoyed watching her pull out that 4.0 with pride.

And last but not least I have one more and her name is Kelly. Unlike the rest, Kelly and I do not talk often even via Twitter. My respect for is because of her support for the Syracuse women’s softball team. I loved playing baseball and softball in my youth and I am a huge fan of the sport in general (I still think the Olympic committee are ignorant not bringing it back). Kelly’s tweets about the team kept my interests peaked and I am thankful. And if you don’t know her, you may also recognize her as the dark haired girl in this video (you had to know I would find a reason to put this video on my blog somehow):

So I would like to take this time to not only say thank you to those mentioned above but others as well who helped me experience what life is like being a Syracuse University student. Congratulations to all of those graduating today and their families for that great feeling of #OrangePride you carry in your hearts today. I have faith that even though the work force is not a dream situation, you will take the advice of Mr. Disney and have the courage to pursue your dreams. Utilize the every possible tool from networking to Career Services and don’t be afraid to fail, strive to learn and succeed. Life is short and your 20 year reunion will be here before you know it so go out there and enjoy your life. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people. And one day, when you see that look of your grandchild smiling at you and you melt like you never thought you could, you will look at that child and remember your times growing up and the days when you could walk into Chuck’s without feeling like an overage creepy guy. You will know every step you took, every decision you made and everything you accomplished in your time on the campus was worth it and it made you the great person you will eventually become. Good luck with whatever you decide.

And lastly, I could not find a more fitting way to end this blog entry than with a video of the Syracuse University Marching Band performing the SYracuse University Alma Mater in Yankee Stadium preceding their team’s 2010 Pinstripe Bowl victory and adding the lyrics in case you wish to sing along and are unfamiliar (or just prefer to read them over the video):

Where the vale of Onondaga
Meets the eastern sky
Proudly stands our Alma Mater
On her hilltop high.
Flag we love! Orange! Float for aye-
Old Syracuse, o’er thee,
Loyal be thy sons and daughters
To thy memory.

When the evening twilight deepens and the shadows fall,
Linger long the golden sunbeams on the western wall.
Flag we love, Orange,
Float for aye,
Old Syracuse o’er thee!
Loyal be thy sons and daughters
To thy memory

When the shades of life shall gather, dark the heart may be,
Still the ray of youth and love shall linger long o’er thee’.
Flag we love, Orange,
Float for aye,
Old Syracuse o’er thee!
Loyal be thy sons and daughters
To thy memory

Poetry Corner: You Are You (And I Love You)

Occasionally I enjoy dabbling in writing things such as poetry and short stories so occasionally I may post them here. Most of them will be based on Syracuse but I wanted to share something today because I wrote it being bothered by the image of many of our young women in society. I think our society is better when we uplift those around us including our women so I wrote this. And have no fear those who prefer more light weight material, I am sure my next poem will probably be turning some Kesha song into a Syracuse theme.

You Are You (And I Love You)

You view them as imperfections
But it’s what makes you perfect to me
The mirror deceives your mind
Because it’s beauty that I see
Please stop viewing those magazine covers
With their air brushing and cosmetic surgery
Thinking you must live up to their expectations
I want a real woman, not some imagery

Your negativity appears to me like insanity
Because everything about you is beautiful to me
You lack confidence in the genes you were given
But I think your jeans look good when you’re in them
Don’t change what the good Lord gave you
You’re unique and I’m thankful you are you

You spend time wishing you were different
Unaware your being different got my attention
I’m attracted to you for who you are
Not some unknown potential to go another direction
I didn’t fall in love with a cookie cutter image
Or some advertisers so called ideal
I want the woman I have in my life now
I don’t want fake, I want what you are, real

You hope you can be like a centerfold
I don’t want anyone other than you to hold
Or you spend time dreaming of being a movie star
Not knowing you’re the star of my dreams by far
I beg you not to change what the good Lord gave you
You’re unique and I’m thankful you are you
Thank God, you’re unique and you are you…I love you

Syracuse State Of Mind: The TV Show

Below is a video about a television sitcom pilot that was filmed in Syracuse titled “Upstate” and actually aired in the Syracuse area. Here is a bit of a behind the scenes look and yes, I chose it because there is a scene with a guy in a SU fleece.

As I watched the season finale of my favorite show, Big Bang Theory, my creativity got the best of me and I was wondering, what would I do if I had the chance to pitch a TV show to executives and have it based in Syracuse? How much Syracuse can you put it in and still attract a national audience?

First off, let me say this. As someone who lived in Syracuse and knows the area well, I thought the idea for this pilot was exactly the route I would go. Local blue collar workers struggling in the current economy but refusing to leave because they love the area.

I am sure NBC’s The Office fans loved the video of the “Syracuse Branch” even though they never really show Syracuse (the mention is enough sometimes). So is a mention like this sufficient?

I personally think Syracuse has many great attractions and sites that would be great for story backdrops. There so many great shops and restaurants you could find ways to sneak into store lines to make it authentic whether you actually shoot there or not. Snow sucks to shovel but it provides beautiful and fun scenery. And for the record, Syracuse has some of the best people you will ever meet as well.

Now, my idea. I would steal the name of my blog and call it Syracuse State Of Mind and I would have a group of high school friends who chose different fields (a family physician, a Syracuse University professor, a small business owner, and a factory worker just back from his time in the Army) but still live in their hometown and meet up often at the local bar. The area is not merely manufacturing/blue collar so why not show off all it has to offer with diverse characters (yes they would also vary in race, sexual orientation and one would even be female)?

The story lines would be based on the area and the current environment but also deal with their responses to national issues. And of course they would wear Orange often, how can you live in Syracuse and not have a lot of Orange clothing especially hoodies? I would also try to get my BFF Otto a reoccurring role in the show as well.

So what would you do if you could base a TV show on Syracuse? Or would you have the perfect story that work better as a movie? Or maybe you are a literary person and prefer to write a book. I wrote a book about it once titled Jake’s Fate, though sadly the editing was horrible but maybe you can do it better and sell more than 10 copies (I still love the story but hate that I did not notice the errors until after the release). Or maybe you can work with my buddy Michael Borkowski and do a Syracuse comic book with a superhero who’s strength is derived from Tully’s Tenders.

Finally, I will leave you with a clip that has nothing to do with Syracuse but it is my favorite show, this is my blog and I said so…besides, life is always better when you leave the crowd smiling