No pressure over cappuccino Part 4

Yesterday, I sat down with an old classmate of mine from Ateneo after shooting episodes for the Sports Insider at the RCBC Towers in Makati. We ran with the same group of friends in high school but we were never close. But in spite of that, I always had this grudging respect for him. I told myself back then that if there was anyone who would be vastly successful from our class, he would have to be one of them. Our careers intertwined at one point and that was when we were in advertising. Even them, I was always impressed with him and what he had achieved.

While having a burger over merienda, he remarked that it must be fun doing what I am doing. And that has everything to do with sports. Well, I do have three jobs and I do work 24/7. It's why I constantly joke with friends that I have a 7-11 franchise. The sports part of my job is like therapy. But I do have to admit that I work with some people who can be extremely difficult. 

I've started unloading some of my work because I've been getting ill. But the rewards are great. And I will always be grateful. Like I also tell others, these are good problems. 

One topic that was discussed during the show -- although not in great detail -- is any competition between the online and traditional media. I belong to both and can see the points that each side. Three years ago, the online people were not allowed to cast our vote during for the UAAP Season Awards. It is still something that sticks in the craw of my online colleagues. I was able to vote because I also write for the traditional media. But like my friends, I have never forgotten that incident and am still wary of those who objected to us voting.

The online media is obviously the wave of the future. However, the are no rules in place and it's pretty much the Wild West in cyberspace. I think the online media are more passionate in what they do. Whether opinions, reports, photos, information, or plain ingenuity, the stuff they put out is even more impressive and has forced the regular media to somewhat adapt. Competition? I wouldn't know about that because I don't compete with the others.

It sure is cool though to be a part of it.

I am not yet done reading John Taylor's excellent book The Rivalry. Normally, if I really like a book, I finish it within a day or two. But this is like good wine. You drink it, savor the taste as it swirls around inside before taking another sip again. The book is essentially about the fortunes of two men -- Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. But what it achieves is tell the story of the early NBA. The stories of other players like Elgin Baylor, Jerry West and other are also told here. Other names that should be familiar to fans of the game -- Danny Biasone, Frank Maguire, Red Auerbach, and Harvey Pollack among many others come to life here. The chapter leading up to Chamberlain's epic 100-point game is great. I have never really read or seen much about that game and the re-telling by Taylor has my mind's eye working overtime. Meticulously researched, it's a book that never bores you and constantly keeps you wanting for more. And you do not have to be a fan of the Boston Celtics or Philadelphia 76ers to appreciate this book. After reading this, you will look at the NBA in a different (but positive) light.

The English Premier League -- the biggest moves have been, ironically, the managers and not the players. Let's see here -- Mark Hughes in Fulham while Roy Hodges in Liverpool. Avram Grant in West Ham. Good choices. Not much big name movers. A sign of the penny-pinching times? Could be. I'd say this is a two-team race between Chelsea and ManU. 

As for Arsenal, this whole are-you-staying-or-not thing with Cesc Fabregas is wearing thin. It's a good thing that Rob Van Persie is in form and healthy. But what a change for the Gunners. No Eduardo. No William Gallas. Let's see what Arsene Wenger does with this team.


Asked a friend of mine to pick up the Michael Jordan coffeetable book FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME at The Strand in Union Square. I checked the site that confirmed its availability but when she got there they didn't have any in stock. I lost almost all my coffeetable book collection during Ondoy (of which the first year anniversary is coming up) and have been trying to replace it. The CDs I lost I mostly have replaced but the books are proving to be real difficult. That's mostly because they are out of print. If there are copies out there they aren't in great condition. Darn.