Getting crazy on the blog - two art posts in a row! I was called to duty last night to produce a birthday poster for my son's H birthday party.
It will also double as a "Pin the Eyeball on Mike" game as well. It was taken from a composite of two different models I selected of Mike that I found online. The perspective is a little screwy but it was already too late for me to change it. Anyway, I am pretty happy with it, considering all of it was done free hand and I spent all of ten minutes penciling it and then tracing it with a sharpie.
As usual, it was painted with acrylic paint while the lettering was done with map pencils because I'm lazy.
I was flying back home from a conference in October of last year when I started drawing triangles. Lots and lots of triangles. Triangles with different designs and shapes inside. Some designs were connected within larger triangles, others were contained.
It was fun and I was jamming out with some tunes, wasting time until I got home.
Then I started writing random numbers inside of them and I found myself lazily trying to create a code of some importance using math or combinations of numbers with letters, etc. We were starting to land, so I figured I would expand on this idea and create a proper self portrait. After a week or so of drawing a few triangles a night, here was the result:
The page was too big for my scanner so the edges are little blurry. Oh well.
Some triangles are homage to beloved pop culture items/people (you'll find Spider-Man, Kermit, references to Spurs, Weezer, etc.) Other triangles relate to religious iconography, verses, concepts, etc. including Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism. There are also a few philosophical concepts and questions taking up space. Of course there are personal coded messages from my past, including initials of people or events, years of note, etc. This includes relationships, friends, jobs, trips and events. Finally, there are the symbols and pictographs, many of which are symbolic and obvious, some symbols are not-so-obvious and others are, well, just designs or silly pictures that have no meaning whatsoever. If you like you could label them "red herrings".
There are "quadrants" (ironic in a picture of triangles to use that term) that are roughly (very roughly) set up chronologically around my life. So for example, most of my early and middle childhood memories are at the top. The caveat to that is that there are many triangles out of order but I figured that's a lot like our brains anyway. Our lives often are narratives that are pieced together out of tangled synapses and wrinkles.
The main message is that triangles are cool, man. Real cool.
Okay, technically I am starting with David Robinson's first year, 1989-90. I hope you'll forgive my indulgence but it wouldn't feel right to group the 1989-90 season with the 1980's.
The 1989-90 season was one of those magical turn-around seasons. You know the type. It's when a team that has been terrible for eternity break out with a star rookie and take their respective league by storm (for a 12 year old, 4 seasons is almost eternity).
San Antonio had David Robinson fever so bad they actually telecast preseason games. Yes, I still remember watching a preseason game against the brand-new Minnesota Timberwolves.
My dad manged to get us tickets to the regular season opener against the Lakers. I was thrilled to say the least and just like the 1988, the Spurs pulled off the upset. David was impressive with 23 points, 17 boards and 3 blocks. I don't have specific memories of the game, other than where our seats were and being really excited. For some reason, I remember my Aunt Nancy was in town, so when we got home, we told her all about the game.
Back in college I was getting rid of my old sports cards and came across this ticket. I had assumed it had just be lost in the sands of time. Although it's pretty banged up, I am happy to say I still have it.
The 89-90 season was wonderful. The Spurs ended up with the NBA record for best single season turn-around (which would be broken by the 1997-1998 Spurs team and later (I think) the Celtics in 2008. I watched or listened to probably every game that was possible. Back in the day, only about half the games were on tv (maybe even less), so that meant a lot of time sitting over a radio like it was the 1920's. I remember eagerly waiting for the sports on the 10 o'clock news so I could watch the highlights. Back then, if you saw a good play - you'd maybe see it twice in highlights in the next 24 hours and then (unless it was a buzzer beater or something really memorable) never again.
Just look at this. David was an athletic freak. It's weird to think the first few seasons of Robinson's career he wasn't perceived as soft. Until the playoff losses starting mounting....
Either in the 1989-90 season or the next season I called into a local sports talk show - I was very nervous but I had something to say (exactly what I have no idea). I remember Jay Howard (voice of the Spurs until 2000) being very nice and patient with a 12 or 13 year-old kid calling into the show.
The Spurs ended up winning the Midwest Division title that year, one game over the (already) hated Utah Jazz and it felt like a big deal. I remember the players celebrating in the locker room like they won a championship. At the time it felt so normal but now it seems pathetic. Now besides the obvious title championship, teams can only celebrate conference championships and even that should be a muted affair or you will turned into a gif and made fun of on Deadspin.
The 2nd seeded Spurs breezed past the Nuggets in the first round and then faced another up-and-coming team, the Portland Trailblazers. It was a classic series. Both teams dominated their home games in the first four games. Each of the four games were basically blowouts and the series tied up 2-2.
Here are some highlights from game 3. David was incredible: 28 points, 8 boards and 8 blocks. Also, watching this clip I forgot how much I loved that baby blue court. Check out a young - 40ish Coach Pop at the very end as well.
Anyway, there was the classic double overtime game 5 that the Spurs lost, followed by a Spurs blowout at home and then the first "Worst Moment in Modern Spurs History" happened. Of course this moment would be be up-ended 3 times in the future, but this was the first of four in my lifetime thus far. Each one getting progressively more painful and dramatic.
Ya know, first world problems suck, I tried embedding this from 26:44 but it didn't work, so you can find the beginning of the disaster at around the 26:44 mark.
This might actually be the first time I am seeing "the pass" in almost 25 years. It was that painful that I practically avoided it until now. I remember seeing a picture of it in the paper the next day and that image was burned into my brain (whether or not that actually happened, I'm not sure).
As we were watching the game, my family was packing up to go to visit family out of town, so the whole 4th quarter my parents were packing up (and if we were packing up for trip, they were probably fighting). Anyway, my Dad was pissed and was like, "Let's go!" after the pass and of course, I was like "No, Dad, maybe something will happen, we gotta stay!!" Well, there were no miracles and a long depressing trip to Corpus followed.
2015 reflections on "The Pass":
The pass isn't as bad as I thought it would be or remembered it.
Sean probably should have cut to the basket.
This is something Manu would do.
The "breakaway" foul called on Strickland on the other end was HORRID and utter BS.
All this is to say, it was still a very stupid thing to do.
After thinking about that breakaway call, I started to remember that I felt like Portland got all the calls in the game and basically got what they wanted in Portland the whole series....hmmm...(goes to basketball reference.com)....
Free Throws Attempted for the series:
Game 1 - Portland - 45 SA - 15 NOT A TYPO - +30
Game 2 - Portland - 43 SA - 23 (a little better but STILL)
Game 3 - Portland - 38 SA - 33
Game 4 - Portland - 34 - SA - 22
Game 5 - Portland - 45 - SA - 42 (one of the only two close games)
Game 6 - Portland - 27 - SA - 34 (the only time SA had more attempts)
Game 7 - Portland - 40 - SA - 31
Portland + 72 for the series on FTA, Adjusting for the first two games, it's still +22 which isn't that bad at all. Look, that Blazers team was great and we were a very young team. Portland had home court and were even missing Duckworth most of the series. They deserved to win. Finally, I would actually need to watch these games again to get a real sense of what was happening. As with all free throws, it's important to note when they happen rather than raw quantity. Lots of BS can be hidden by just looking at the stats.
At the time, I thought, this was only the beginning of many great things to come but it's strange to think this was the second closest David would get to the Finals until Timmy arrived (of course the Spurs made conference finals in 1995).
When you think about it....outside the 2 minute meltdown in game seven, they could have been in good shape to have a shot at the title. The Suns were next up in the conference finals, and while they were a good team, very beatable (Spurs won the season series 3-1). I don't think they would have beat the Pistons but stranger things have happened and the Hemisphere would have been crazy for games 3-4 (and possibly 5). At least it would have been fun and maybe changed Strickland and Larry Brown's future in SA (two keys as to why the Spurs got worse after both left town).
The following season was the regression to what would be "the norm" - perennial disappointment. Every season ended in defeat in the early rounds. Usually, we didn't even make it close.
This is the pocket schedule for 90-91. They STILL give them out at gas stations and restaurants in town. This is the oldest one I own. I am such a pack rat.
The next season the Spurs lost in the first round to the 7th seeded Warriors. In 1992 Robinson was injured then they were swept by the Suns (I had totally forgotten about this one). In 1993 they ended up beating the Blazers (it felt good but it was a different team than 90). Finally, in 93 they lost in the second round in six to the Suns with the famous buzzer-beater by Barkley that shut down the old Hemisphere Arena. When you think about it, the only inexcusable loss was to the Warriors and that was back when it was a 5 game series. I wonder if things would have been different if it was seven games....
At the time, it felt like the gods of basketball were just not smiling on San Antonio. However, upon reflection it was simple why the Spurs couldn't win. They had no consistency with the roster, especially with point guard or with the head coach. Besides Larry Brown, the coaches the Spurs did hire were a joke (Bob Bass filled in for a bit in 92) Jerry Tarkanian, Jerry Lucas and Bob Hill.
Although Robinson's peak would come in 1994 (not his 9' MVP season - more on this later), he was still an absolute marvel in terms of raw athleticism.
In the video above Robinson puts up 34 points, 14 boards, 7 assists and 8 blocks. Just watch it. A few other notes of interest in the video is that it takes place in the old Phoenix arena, which I loved the white ceiling, like a school classroom. Also, it's Greg Simmons on color - that's just a sin.
As an adolescent, I had quite a temper (sometimes it still
comes out) so when the Spurs lost, sometimes, things got broken. Including one
time I threw my radio, breaking off the antenna.
I remember late nights, watching the West coast games with
my Dad. Especially as I got older, he was the first to give up and go to bed
first; especially if the Spurs were losing (he’s still this way).
One Sunday night in 1990 or 1991, my sister was at the local bowling alley
(Bandera Bowl for those scoring at home).She called the house and told us David Robinson was there bowling and
that people were going up to him, asking for his autograph.I knew what I had to do.I begged my Dad to take me down there, and to
my surprise, he said yes.We got down
there as soon as we could and David was bowling with (I think) his mother and a
few other folks. I slowly made my way down the stairs to get to Robinson, who
was sitting at the scoring table.
I remember thinking his knees came up to my chest and
realizing just how tall he was.I was
pretty nervous, but this guy was my hero, so there was no backing down.Of course he was gracious and I remember telling
him “Good luck against the Wolves” as that was the next team they were playing.
He was surprised and said thanks.
For a many years, this was my most prized possession.
We would go to 2-5 games a year, depending on how many free
tickets we fell into.On Shaquille O’
Neal’s first visit to SA, our church youth group went along with hundreds of
other youth groups from around town.We
were near the “obstructed” view in Hemisphere and it was like a cave back
there.After the game, we were led down
to the lower level and Robinson, David Wood and maybe even Antonie Carr spoke. I say maybe because I have his autograph on the back of the half time stats sheet that I had found on the floor but I don't have any memory of his specifically speaking. I also got David Wood's autograph! Holy cow, David Wood has a highlight reel on Youtube. The internet is so full of win. I got a few more autographs along the way in the 90's.
During training camp of 1990, I saw TonyMassenburg and Steve Bardo at the Rivercenter Mall Footlocker. Massenburg had
beenthe Spurs 2nd round pick
in 1990 and he was shocked I recognized him. But as a 13 year-old, when I wasn't dreaming of girls, I was thinking about the Spurs, recognizing Tony was no biggie. I didn't
recognize Steve Bardo (as he was an invited camp player) but he gave me his autograph anyway. Massenburg would tie the NBA record for most teams played on (12) and would later be part of the 2005 championship team.
I have Dwayne Schintzius' autograph but have no memory of how I
got it. I think it might have been an HEB promotional event.
RIP Dwayne and that amazing mullet. He died a few years ago at age 43.
Sometime in the late 90’s I also went to an event at a mall
and got Avery Johnson’s autograph on a basketball card. So, I imagine my autograph
collection might be worth a whole nickel.
I loved the Spurs, I had a Spurs poster and for awhile, two David Robinson posters in my room. One of my posters is up in my garage!
In the summer of 1994, the Spurs made a big splash, and
traded fan favorite, Sean Elliott to the Pistons for Dennis Rodman, the Spurs
would never be the same.
I am a glutton for punishment. I decided to revamp our selection from theAnalects and just finished reading through all 20 chapters. No, I wasn't asked, it was just something I felt the urge to do it. Also, I find ancient Chinese philosophiesfascinating.
I think I just earned an extra dork patch for my vest.
Here's a pretty sweet one from the Analects:
[11:12] Chi
Lu asked about serving the spirits. Confucius said, “If you can't
yet serve men, how can you serve the spirits?” Lu said, “May I
ask about death?” Confucius said, “If you don't understand what
life is, how will you understand death?”
I loved text book covers. They would hand these out for us to "protect" our books but I loved just drawing all over my covers. Any excuse to doodle, I take it (even today).
This was from my Algebra II class. I actually ended up failing it for the entire year by 2 points. What can I say? I was a really, really terrible student in high school. It also hurt that I was lazy and didn't care all that much.
That kinda makes excelling at school difficult.
"Do You Fear the Wind?" was a song we sang for the men's chorus.
Our hard drive crashed back in January just one month after buying an external hard drive and backing up what we had.
Whew.
Felt like a boss.
So, our PC was down for the count while I figured out what to do (called wife's friend husband who graciously helped us out and gave us a new drive (and case). People are cool sometimes.
Writing the book up and up to over 8,000 words, I am shooting for 70,000 - 90,000. Slow and steady but I feel good about what's there. Aiming to finish next December.
Life is good, starting work on another study abroad this time to Ecuador in 2016. We have a former colleague that lives there and is helping us out. Should be coolio.
Planning an interfaith panel on campus in March, got all my speakers lined up, just a few kinks to work out.
Also bring Paul Chappell to campus in October. Keeping busy at work.
I feel like I have so much to write about Confucius, Spurs Memories, Peru Trip stuff, but little time (work, life, the book, etc)! If only I didn't need sleep!
Update on the CHILLIN:
H is obsessed with "Engine" Turtles. Oops, I mean "Ninja Turtles". It's funny because it's basically the only word he mispronounces and he's almost 3! He's 100% boy and yet during the Super Bowl at a friend's house he put on an Elsa dress and wore that for an hour. The other day after pretending to be lions and tigers that fought, he pretended to be Jasmine and I was Ariel (Disney princesses).
C is turning 9 in a few weeks. When asked what she wanted for her birthday a few weeks back she said (wait for it)....a jump rope! I am going to miss this innocence!! She's such a mature girl and yet she's also an actual 9 year-old. I am happy to say she still loves playing with dolls and don't tell anyone, but she'll sneak watch the kids shows when E and H are watching them (Sesame Street, Chuggington (sp??), etc.).
E (age 6) is basically in love with her Kindergarten teacher. It's adorable and sweet. She hugs her at every chance she gets. She has her meltdowns but it's almost always when hungry and/or tired. Whoo! That girl has passion! She gave me a sheet with hearts and peace signs that said I was the best dad ever. Look, I'm pretty good but not that good.
K and I had a silly Vday date. On the way there we talked about how we could basically remember two Valentine's Days dates, well, this one we won't soon forget. After being told it would be an hour wait, it turned into two hours, sat next to a booming loud annoying guy, they dropped my pizza, so they had to cook a new one, K's salad had a rotten tomato and her food was cold. It was peeved to say the least but it worked out, we had each other!
Finally on the last season of DS9 - I decided to give myself a break. Because I deserve it, gosh darn it. I felt like why watch every episode if some episodes happen to be terrible? I skip almost all Quark centered episodes and some of the other Worf centered ones as well, because, ya know Klingons (blah).
Quick nod to Jammer's website, it has helped guide me past all the horrible episodes and I usually agree with him with some notable exceptions. All said, DS9 iss probably the most compelling Star Trek series made to date. It is also the most consistent quality wise as well (at least 2-4 stinkers per season but that's nothing compared to Voyager and TNG. I hope the next series (whenever that might be) will be more serialized like DS9.
That's your update, my people.
In the meantime, stay warm, keep your socks clean and don't forget to turn out all the lights when you leave a room.
