The term Hoosiers has for almost 200 years referred to anyone born in or resident of the State of Indiana. Its derivation is not clear.
In 1986, Hoosiers became the title of what I consider the best sports movie ever. It was written by Angelo Pizzo, directed by David Anspaugh and stars Gene Hackman, Dennis Hopper, Sheb Wooley and Barbara Hershey.
15 years earlier, Hackman portrayed Popeye Doyle in the marvelous police drama The French Connection (see 12/19 post), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor.
27 years earlier, Hopper received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay (co-written with Peter Fonda and Terry Southern) for the film Easy Rider (award won by William Goldman for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid). Hopper and Fonda also starred in the film.
34 years earlier, Wooley played Ben Miller, one of four gunmen determined to kill Marshal Will Kane (Gary Cooper) in the great western High Noon (winner of four Academy Awards - see 3/15 post). The brother of Frank Miller (Ian MacDonald), the leader of the gang, Ben was the first to be killed on the streets of Hadleyville.
In the same year (1986), Hershey portrayed Lee, one of three sisters in Woody Allen's Hannah and Her Sisters (see June post).
Hoosiers is based on the true story of the 1954 Indiana state high school boys basketball champions, Milan High School. With only an enrollment of 161 students, their basketball team defeated Muncie Central, a much larger school, in the championship game.
In the film Hoosiers, Norman Dale (Hackman) is hired by the principal (Wooley) to coach the Hickory (Indiana) High School boys basketball team. He then hires the town drunk and father of one of his players to be his assistant (Hopper). Dale develops a romantic relationship with a teacher at the school (Hershey).
Hoosiers follows the team's ups and downs through their very successful basketball season (1951-1952), culminating in the Indiana state championship.
Before the semi-final game, Coach Dale gives an incredible motivational speech to his team. To me, it speaks volumes about what athletic competition should be about.
"There's a tradition in tournament play not to talk about the next step until you've climbed the one in front of you. I'm sure going to the state finals is beyond your wildest dreams. So, let's keep it right there."
"Forget about the crowd, the size of the school, their fancy uniforms and remember what got you here. Focus on the fundamentals that we've gone over time and time again. And most important, don't get caught up thinking about winning or losing this game. If you put your effort and concentration into playing to your potential, to be the best that you can be, I don't care what the scoreboard says at the end of the game. In my book, we're gonna be winners."
Sunday, July 5, 2020
Sunday, June 28, 2020
High School, Chapter 6
The weekend brought a respite from the ups and downs of high school. I needed a break, to think of something else. And that something else was baseball.
Tryouts for the freshman baseball team would not start until next March, but I wanted to start practicing to improve my chances.
Dad took me to the park on Saturday to play catch. We gradually lengthened the distance between us to build up my arm strength. But, I didn't want to over do it. It's September, I have six months.
Then he hit me grounders, first some easy ones and then gradually those more difficult. After a rest and some sandwiches, we worked on catching line drives and fly balls. Next Saturday, Dad promised to take me to a batting cage.
Sunday afternoon, the whole family went to a minor league baseball game not far from home. It was a great baseball weekend.
Take me out to the ballgame,
take out to the crowd,
buy me some peanuts and ...
Why do I keep thinking about Delores?
Tryouts for the freshman baseball team would not start until next March, but I wanted to start practicing to improve my chances.
Dad took me to the park on Saturday to play catch. We gradually lengthened the distance between us to build up my arm strength. But, I didn't want to over do it. It's September, I have six months.
Then he hit me grounders, first some easy ones and then gradually those more difficult. After a rest and some sandwiches, we worked on catching line drives and fly balls. Next Saturday, Dad promised to take me to a batting cage.
Sunday afternoon, the whole family went to a minor league baseball game not far from home. It was a great baseball weekend.
Take me out to the ballgame,
take out to the crowd,
buy me some peanuts and ...
Why do I keep thinking about Delores?
Sunday, June 21, 2020
Ratified the Constitution
Listen my children and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the eighteenth of April in Seventy-five:
Hardly a man is now alive
Who remembers that famous day and year.
He said to his friend, "If the British march
By land or sea from the town tonight,
Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch
Of the North-Church-tower, as a signal light,
One if by land, and two if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be,
Ready to ride and spread the alarm
Through every Middlesex village and farm,
For the country-folk to be up and to arm."
The immortal words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) give us the beginning of the American struggle for independence from the British. However, it would be another 15 months, until July 4, 1776, when the leaders of the independence movement openly declared it in a document published in Philadelphia.
The British rulers set out to crush the rebellion militarily (unlike the Portuguese monarchy in Brazil 46 years later). However, after six years of fighting and dying without victory in sight, the British gave up and started negotiating a diplomatic solution. The result was the Treaty of Paris signed on September 3, 1783 which gave independence to each of the thirteen former North American colonies.
Those thirteen newly independent States soon discovered they needed to create a better form of governmental union than what they had originally devised (The Articles of Confederation). Representatives from all the States met again in Philadelphia and crafted a new document.
Such new document, the United States Constitution, was adopted on September 17, 1787. Article Seven states, "The ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the same."
In December 1787, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey ratified the Constitution. In January 1788, Georgia and Connecticut followed suit. In February, Massachusetts joined the fold. Maryland in April and South Carolina in May. Eight down, only one more to go.
On June 21, 1788 (232 years ago today), New Hampshire ratified the Constitution, the ninth to do so, fulfilling Article Seven, thus creating the United States of America.
At that point, the States of Virginia, New York, North Carolina and Rhode Island were considered foreign countries. However, Virginia ratified the Constitution four days after New Hampshire and New York one month after Virginia. North Carolina ratified the Constitution in 1789 and finally Rhode Island in 1790. All thirteen of the original British colonies were now part of the new United States of America.
Happy June Twenty-First! And happy father's day!
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,
On the eighteenth of April in Seventy-five:
Hardly a man is now alive
Who remembers that famous day and year.
He said to his friend, "If the British march
By land or sea from the town tonight,
Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch
Of the North-Church-tower, as a signal light,
One if by land, and two if by sea;
And I on the opposite shore will be,
Ready to ride and spread the alarm
Through every Middlesex village and farm,
For the country-folk to be up and to arm."
The immortal words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) give us the beginning of the American struggle for independence from the British. However, it would be another 15 months, until July 4, 1776, when the leaders of the independence movement openly declared it in a document published in Philadelphia.
The British rulers set out to crush the rebellion militarily (unlike the Portuguese monarchy in Brazil 46 years later). However, after six years of fighting and dying without victory in sight, the British gave up and started negotiating a diplomatic solution. The result was the Treaty of Paris signed on September 3, 1783 which gave independence to each of the thirteen former North American colonies.
Those thirteen newly independent States soon discovered they needed to create a better form of governmental union than what they had originally devised (The Articles of Confederation). Representatives from all the States met again in Philadelphia and crafted a new document.
Such new document, the United States Constitution, was adopted on September 17, 1787. Article Seven states, "The ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the same."
In December 1787, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey ratified the Constitution. In January 1788, Georgia and Connecticut followed suit. In February, Massachusetts joined the fold. Maryland in April and South Carolina in May. Eight down, only one more to go.
On June 21, 1788 (232 years ago today), New Hampshire ratified the Constitution, the ninth to do so, fulfilling Article Seven, thus creating the United States of America.
At that point, the States of Virginia, New York, North Carolina and Rhode Island were considered foreign countries. However, Virginia ratified the Constitution four days after New Hampshire and New York one month after Virginia. North Carolina ratified the Constitution in 1789 and finally Rhode Island in 1790. All thirteen of the original British colonies were now part of the new United States of America.
Happy June Twenty-First! And happy father's day!
Sunday, June 14, 2020
Surgery
In the summer of 1971, my ex-wife Bonita and I traveled through Europe with stopovers in Paris, Rome, Naples, Dubrovnik, Budapest and Vienna. And then we took an overnight train to Venice. That's where the trouble started.
Bonita and I spent the night in a six-person compartment, three seats facing three seats. We had the middle two on both sides. While sleeping, I had my legs stretched out with my feet on Bonita's space and her feet on mine. During the middle of the night, a bag fell from the overhead rack and landed on my right knee.
The above event didn't seem important at the time nor when we woke up the next morning and arrived in Venice. We found a place to stay and walked extensively through the fascinating city. After lunch, we returned to our "hotel" and rested.
When I awoke this time, my right knee started bothering me to such an extent I had difficulty walking. The next day I was fine. This on again, off again problem with my knee continued for the next four years.
In August of 1975, with Bonita's pregnancy (with my daughter Rachel) staring me in the face, I decided to take the advice of an orthopedic surgeon and have my right knee fixed. I did not want to enter fatherhood hobbling around on an untrustworthy knee. I wanted to be physically fit for my child.
The surgery was performed at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Manhattan (the entrance to which was used by Woody Allen in Hannah and Her Sisters), adjacent to Central Park. I had to be admitted the night before. Soon such surgery, to remove torn cartilage, would be done on an outpatient basis, not requiring an overnight stay. This time I would remain in the hospital for a week.
The night before surgery I was left in a ward with six beds for men with a variety of medical problems. I remember the young guy to my left had severe back issues. An older gentleman on the other side of the room was recovering from a heart attack.
A male nurse came in and told me to shave my right knee in preparation for the surgery. As I had never shaved it before, I asked him to do it, which he did reluctantly.
The next morning I was scared to death. As this was my first hospital experience since birth, the great unknown was all around me. I was placed on a litter and taken to the surgical area. There, I was placed in a queue with several patients ahead of me.
I feared I would be put in the wrong room with the wrong procedure done to me. Finally, upon entering my room, I insisted I not be given anesthesia until I saw my doctor. He eventually arrived and asked me to confirm which knee was to be operated on. I think he was kidding. Then in an instant, I was asleep.
I woke up in recovery and proceeded on the road to recuperation. However, my convalescence did not include physical therapy. Two years later I had to have surgery on my right knee again, but this time with subsequent physical therapy.
Taking up running (see Jim Fixx) brought my right leg back to full size and strength, but also eventually led to problems with my left knee which required two surgeries on it. After my fourth surgery in total, I gave up running which I had loved doing for ten years. No fifth, please!
Bonita and I spent the night in a six-person compartment, three seats facing three seats. We had the middle two on both sides. While sleeping, I had my legs stretched out with my feet on Bonita's space and her feet on mine. During the middle of the night, a bag fell from the overhead rack and landed on my right knee.
The above event didn't seem important at the time nor when we woke up the next morning and arrived in Venice. We found a place to stay and walked extensively through the fascinating city. After lunch, we returned to our "hotel" and rested.
When I awoke this time, my right knee started bothering me to such an extent I had difficulty walking. The next day I was fine. This on again, off again problem with my knee continued for the next four years.
In August of 1975, with Bonita's pregnancy (with my daughter Rachel) staring me in the face, I decided to take the advice of an orthopedic surgeon and have my right knee fixed. I did not want to enter fatherhood hobbling around on an untrustworthy knee. I wanted to be physically fit for my child.
The surgery was performed at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Manhattan (the entrance to which was used by Woody Allen in Hannah and Her Sisters), adjacent to Central Park. I had to be admitted the night before. Soon such surgery, to remove torn cartilage, would be done on an outpatient basis, not requiring an overnight stay. This time I would remain in the hospital for a week.
The night before surgery I was left in a ward with six beds for men with a variety of medical problems. I remember the young guy to my left had severe back issues. An older gentleman on the other side of the room was recovering from a heart attack.
A male nurse came in and told me to shave my right knee in preparation for the surgery. As I had never shaved it before, I asked him to do it, which he did reluctantly.
The next morning I was scared to death. As this was my first hospital experience since birth, the great unknown was all around me. I was placed on a litter and taken to the surgical area. There, I was placed in a queue with several patients ahead of me.
I feared I would be put in the wrong room with the wrong procedure done to me. Finally, upon entering my room, I insisted I not be given anesthesia until I saw my doctor. He eventually arrived and asked me to confirm which knee was to be operated on. I think he was kidding. Then in an instant, I was asleep.
I woke up in recovery and proceeded on the road to recuperation. However, my convalescence did not include physical therapy. Two years later I had to have surgery on my right knee again, but this time with subsequent physical therapy.
Taking up running (see Jim Fixx) brought my right leg back to full size and strength, but also eventually led to problems with my left knee which required two surgeries on it. After my fourth surgery in total, I gave up running which I had loved doing for ten years. No fifth, please!
Sunday, June 7, 2020
Hannah and Her Sisters
Hannah and Her Sisters is a 1986 comedy/drama written and directed by Woody Allen. Its starred among others Allen, Mia Farrow, Barbara Hershey, Dianne Wiest and Michael Caine. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture (won by Platoon) and Best Director (won by Oliver Stone for Platoon).
Hannah and Her Sisters won three Academy Awards: Allen for Best Original Screenplay, Wiest for Best Supporting Actress and Caine for Best Supporting Actor.
The three sisters from the title are Hannah (Farrow), Lee (Hershey) and Holly (Wiest). In addition, there are three story lines that are interwoven. I found the one involving Mickey Sachs (Allen), the ex-husband of Hannah and the future husband of Holly, to be the most interesting.
Mickey, a TV writer, is a hypochondriac. He's always running to doctors with real or imaginary complaints. But Mickey is deathly afraid of hospitals.
On one occasion, Mickey visits his GP because of a perceived loss of hearing in one of his ears, which one he is not sure. Reluctantly, he agrees to the Doctor's decision to make an appointment for him at Mt. Sinai Hospital where there are better diagnostic equipment to determine what is going on inside his head. While waiting for the appointment, Mickey learns that on "the dark side of the spectrum is brain tumor."
After undergoing various tests including an MRI, Mickey fantasizes he has an inoperable brain tumor. He thinks, "It's over. Face to face with eternity, not later, but now. I'm so frightened I can't move, speak, breathe."
However, in reality the doctor tells Mickey he's fine. He leaves the hospital literally jumping for joy. But suddenly, Mickey has an epiphany. Back in his office, he discusses it with his assistant.
"You realize what a thread we're all hanging by? You understand how meaningless everything is? No, I'm not dying now, but you know when I ran out of the hospital I was so thrilled because they told me I was gonna be alright. I stopped 'cause it hit me. I'm not gonna go today, I'm not gonna go tomorrow, but eventually I'm gonna be in that position. I managed to stick it in the back of my mind because it's a very horrible thing to think about."
Looking for answers about life and death, Mickey tries a variety of religions, without success. Eventually, he attempts suicide with a rifle, but fails.
Afterwards, Mickey walks the streets trying to calm himself. He enters a theater showing Duck Soup, an uproarious comedy with the Marx Brothers from 1933. Mickey's mood is lifted by the happy images on the screen. Later, he explains his revelation to his girlfriend and future wife Holly.
“What if the worst is true? What if there is no God and you only go around once and that’s it? Well, don’t you want to be part of the experience? You know, what the hell. It’s not all a drag and I’m thinking to myself, jeez, I should stop ruining my life searching for answers I’m never gonna get and just enjoy it while it lasts. And after, who knows, I mean you know maybe there is something. Nobody really knows. Yeah, I know maybe is a very slim read to hang your whole life on, but that’s the best we have. And then I started to sit back and I actually began to enjoy myself.”
We should all just sit back and enjoy ourselves.
Hannah and Her Sisters won three Academy Awards: Allen for Best Original Screenplay, Wiest for Best Supporting Actress and Caine for Best Supporting Actor.
The three sisters from the title are Hannah (Farrow), Lee (Hershey) and Holly (Wiest). In addition, there are three story lines that are interwoven. I found the one involving Mickey Sachs (Allen), the ex-husband of Hannah and the future husband of Holly, to be the most interesting.
Mickey, a TV writer, is a hypochondriac. He's always running to doctors with real or imaginary complaints. But Mickey is deathly afraid of hospitals.
On one occasion, Mickey visits his GP because of a perceived loss of hearing in one of his ears, which one he is not sure. Reluctantly, he agrees to the Doctor's decision to make an appointment for him at Mt. Sinai Hospital where there are better diagnostic equipment to determine what is going on inside his head. While waiting for the appointment, Mickey learns that on "the dark side of the spectrum is brain tumor."
After undergoing various tests including an MRI, Mickey fantasizes he has an inoperable brain tumor. He thinks, "It's over. Face to face with eternity, not later, but now. I'm so frightened I can't move, speak, breathe."
However, in reality the doctor tells Mickey he's fine. He leaves the hospital literally jumping for joy. But suddenly, Mickey has an epiphany. Back in his office, he discusses it with his assistant.
"You realize what a thread we're all hanging by? You understand how meaningless everything is? No, I'm not dying now, but you know when I ran out of the hospital I was so thrilled because they told me I was gonna be alright. I stopped 'cause it hit me. I'm not gonna go today, I'm not gonna go tomorrow, but eventually I'm gonna be in that position. I managed to stick it in the back of my mind because it's a very horrible thing to think about."
Looking for answers about life and death, Mickey tries a variety of religions, without success. Eventually, he attempts suicide with a rifle, but fails.
Afterwards, Mickey walks the streets trying to calm himself. He enters a theater showing Duck Soup, an uproarious comedy with the Marx Brothers from 1933. Mickey's mood is lifted by the happy images on the screen. Later, he explains his revelation to his girlfriend and future wife Holly.
“What if the worst is true? What if there is no God and you only go around once and that’s it? Well, don’t you want to be part of the experience? You know, what the hell. It’s not all a drag and I’m thinking to myself, jeez, I should stop ruining my life searching for answers I’m never gonna get and just enjoy it while it lasts. And after, who knows, I mean you know maybe there is something. Nobody really knows. Yeah, I know maybe is a very slim read to hang your whole life on, but that’s the best we have. And then I started to sit back and I actually began to enjoy myself.”
We should all just sit back and enjoy ourselves.
Sunday, May 31, 2020
High School, Chapter 5
First period is math and I'm surrounded by boys. That's OK. I need to concentrate in class. Good grades matter.
Second period is Portuguese. Should be interesting. A new language. Just my good fortune I'm sitting next to Delores, the prettiest girl from my old middle school. She had her pick of boys, certainly not me.
Before class begins, I try to start a conversation.
"Say, Delores, how was your summer vacation?"
Delores slowly turns in my direction and gives me the impression I am a bug. Then she slowly turns back. For a few moments, my self-confidence takes a hit. Can't win 'em all. I think of Ann.
When you walk through a storm, keep your head up high...
Third period is home economics class. My luck changes. I'm surrounded on three sides by females, Alexandra, Beulah and Carla (the ABC girls). They are friends and by being a little aggressive I'm included in their little circle. What a treat. Some giggling before the teacher arrives.
It was a mixed day, good and bad. Why do I keep thinking about Delores, when I can think instead of Ann and the ABC girls? Well, she is the prettiest and most desirable. On the other hand...
Be happy with what you have...
On the other hand, should I treat Delores as a challenge or just...forgetaboutit
Second period is Portuguese. Should be interesting. A new language. Just my good fortune I'm sitting next to Delores, the prettiest girl from my old middle school. She had her pick of boys, certainly not me.
Before class begins, I try to start a conversation.
"Say, Delores, how was your summer vacation?"
Delores slowly turns in my direction and gives me the impression I am a bug. Then she slowly turns back. For a few moments, my self-confidence takes a hit. Can't win 'em all. I think of Ann.
When you walk through a storm, keep your head up high...
Third period is home economics class. My luck changes. I'm surrounded on three sides by females, Alexandra, Beulah and Carla (the ABC girls). They are friends and by being a little aggressive I'm included in their little circle. What a treat. Some giggling before the teacher arrives.
It was a mixed day, good and bad. Why do I keep thinking about Delores, when I can think instead of Ann and the ABC girls? Well, she is the prettiest and most desirable. On the other hand...
Be happy with what you have...
On the other hand, should I treat Delores as a challenge or just...forgetaboutit
Sunday, May 24, 2020
Benjamin N. Cardozo
In 1981, my ex-wife Bonita and I bought the house at 69-43 Cloverdale Boulevard in Bayside, Queens. Why there? Because of the schools in the neighborhood our daughter Rachel (and future son Bret) would be able to attend.
The gem of such schools is Benjamin N. Cardozo High School on 223rd Street, a short distance from our house. Rachel graduated, class of 1993, and Bret, class of 2003.
So, who was Benjamin N. Cardozo? A man who rose to be a justice of the United States Supreme Court.
Benjamin N. Cardozo was born in New York City on May 24, 1870 (150 years ago today). All his grandparents were descendants of the Portuguese Jewish community which had emigrated from Holland to British North America before the Revolutionary War.
Beginning in 1889, Cardozo spent two years at Columbia University's law school, leaving without a degree. However, in 1891, he passed the New York State bar exam and began practicing law.
In 1913, Cardozo was elected to a fourteen-year term as a judge on the Supreme Court of the State of New York. In 1917, he was appointed by New York Governor Charles Whitman to the Court of Appeals. In 1926, Cardozo was elected (as both a Democrat and a Republican) to a fourteen-year term as Chief Judge of the State.
In 1932, Cardozo was appointed by President Herbert Hoover (and confirmed unanimously by the Senate) to the United States Supreme Court to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes.
As a tax accountant for thirty years, I was impacted by a US Supreme Court decision, whose opinion was written by Cardozo: Welch v. Helvering, 290 U.S. 111 (1933). He held that Welch's "expenses were too personal, were too bizarre to be ordinary." Cardozo "did not consider them ordinary and necessary business expenses and therefore not deductible under Section 162 of the Internal Revenue Code."
Benjamin N. Cardozo died on July 9, 1938 at the age of 68. He was succeeded on the Supreme Court by Felix Frankfurter. In 1967, a new high school in Bayside, Queens was named in Cardozo's honor.
The gem of such schools is Benjamin N. Cardozo High School on 223rd Street, a short distance from our house. Rachel graduated, class of 1993, and Bret, class of 2003.
So, who was Benjamin N. Cardozo? A man who rose to be a justice of the United States Supreme Court.
Benjamin N. Cardozo was born in New York City on May 24, 1870 (150 years ago today). All his grandparents were descendants of the Portuguese Jewish community which had emigrated from Holland to British North America before the Revolutionary War.
Beginning in 1889, Cardozo spent two years at Columbia University's law school, leaving without a degree. However, in 1891, he passed the New York State bar exam and began practicing law.
In 1913, Cardozo was elected to a fourteen-year term as a judge on the Supreme Court of the State of New York. In 1917, he was appointed by New York Governor Charles Whitman to the Court of Appeals. In 1926, Cardozo was elected (as both a Democrat and a Republican) to a fourteen-year term as Chief Judge of the State.
In 1932, Cardozo was appointed by President Herbert Hoover (and confirmed unanimously by the Senate) to the United States Supreme Court to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes.
As a tax accountant for thirty years, I was impacted by a US Supreme Court decision, whose opinion was written by Cardozo: Welch v. Helvering, 290 U.S. 111 (1933). He held that Welch's "expenses were too personal, were too bizarre to be ordinary." Cardozo "did not consider them ordinary and necessary business expenses and therefore not deductible under Section 162 of the Internal Revenue Code."
Benjamin N. Cardozo died on July 9, 1938 at the age of 68. He was succeeded on the Supreme Court by Felix Frankfurter. In 1967, a new high school in Bayside, Queens was named in Cardozo's honor.
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