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What about the case of an individual like football’s JaMarcus Russell, who despite getting the high draft pick and the market amount of draft pay has been a complete bust? Yes, names like Akili Smith, Tim Couch, Heath Shuler, Tony Mandarich, Ryan Leaf, Quincy Carter, and Lawrence Phillips come to mind.

Then comes a name that makes many a fan roll their eyes and mutter, ‘again?’

Russell in the Wind By will martin – mrwill316@blitzweekly.com

E

very once in a blue moon we come across a feel-good story where you hope someone finds the road back to redemption through a way of life, a passion or labor of love that was once within their grasp. Life sometimes throws a curve or humanity being as it is we sometimes think a situation is a given and the road ahead will be easy.

Lord, we love it when a troubled soul does good on a second chance. Former New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner felt that way when going the route of Father Flanagan with players fighting demons like Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden, even a Steve Howe. What did Steve get, nine chances?

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It was reported recently that ‘numerous teams’ were interested in the possibility of giving onetime Louisiana State University/Oakland Raiders quarterback a look-see as to what he can do. It seems he has shed some 50 pounds and returned to his playing weight of 265 after being more scaled at the 315-320 mark for some time.

Russell hasn’t seen much of anything since the 2009 season. You may recall that the Tiger was the first overall pick of the 2007 National Football League draft by the Oakland Raiders. In three seasons he compiled a total of 18 touchdowns, 23 interceptions, and a career passer rating of 65.2. He rushed for 175 yards and completed only 52 percent of all passes attempted.

Talk to the Raider nation and they will no doubt respond in kind with the same kind of disdain as the people of Dallas have for Lamar Odom. A waste of potential, not motivated to do better, not able to adjust to the speed of the NFL much less read defenses, a $39 million waste of an investment.

Now he wants to attempt a comeback after three years away? Is he broke? Is there a good support in place for Russell this time around? Is he completely clear from whatever problems plagued him at the time of his ‘Purple Drank’ incident? Will any team in the NFL really give him a chance?

My guess is no. This to me is nothing more than an agent tossing mud onto the wall and seeing what sticks, especially when it was further revealed that Russell wants to ‘join a team and sit on the bench while learning from an established starter.’

That in theory sounds pretty good but...does the average fan want to hear that? To paraphrase a one-

time agent for Terrell Owens, ‘We can think of 39 million reasons why JaMarcus Rusell should not get a chance in the NFL.’ NFL.com has reported that ‘numerous teams have shown significant interest’ in Russell’s availability. Much like the numerous UFO or Sasquatch sightings or D.B. Cooper’s great escape, the tale grows larger by the elapsed days, months and years.

Have you ever noticed how an empty tin can with a pebble inside can make a lot of noise? Yet, you are still aware that the tin can is indeed very empty with nothing to offer. Being proven wrong always is a challenge I welcome.

Based on all that I have read and said it is this writer’s humble opinion that what lies ahead for Russell will require a trip above the border to the Canadian Football League where the footprints of Vince Ferragamo (Montreal Alouettes), Warren Moon (Edmonton Eskimos), even a Joe Theismann (Toronto Argonauts) can be found.

The game and the rules are different there. To quote a classic Sinatra tune, ‘If you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere!’ Two solid years under the wing of the CFL may be exactly what Russell needs to remember the reasons why he needs to be absolutely clear about his intentions to play football again. In a sport where the average lifespan is a little over three years, it could be said that since football is the ultimate team sport many a teammate were let down by a perception of a lack of work ethic or wanting to get better.

315

Russell’s weight before dropping 50 pounds for his tryout with the Bears

Weight loss is an amazing thing.

Society is indeed forgiving if indeed the intent and the effort is there.

Like Chicken Little, proclaim a fallen sky once too many and you will fall on deaf ears.

Having said that, it takes a lot of moxie and discipline to drop 50 pounds. Many things change including outlook, confidence, goals, dreams, inspirations, and being a good role model. From this standpoint may JaMarcus Russell truly be in his element, True Poultry In Motion.

Honor Code Why Jimmy Johnson should join his team in the Ring of Honor J VOL. 6 - ISSUE 6

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By Jay Betsill – @THEFAMOUSJAY immy Johnson belongs in the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor. Period.

Johnson rose to national prominence during his five-year run as head coach of the University of Miami Hurricanes. His reign included the school’s first undefeated regular season in 1986 (although they lost to Penn State University in the Fiesta Bowl), the school’s first Heisman Trophy winner, Vinny Testaverde in 1986, and the national championship in 1987 by defeating Barry Switzer’s top-ranked University of Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. In his five years at Miami, Johnson compiled a 52–9 record and appeared in five New Year’s Day bowl games.

players and eight draft picks, including their first-round selection for the next three years. It was the largest trade in the history of the NFL. In 2008 it was chosen by Sports Illustrated as the worst sports trade of all time. To rub salt in the wound of Vikings fans, Walker would rejoin the Cowboys in 1996 and finish his NFL career in Dallas.

After going 1-15 in his first season in Dallas, the

In 1989, he left this tropical paradise behind to join his former University of Arkansas teammate and new Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to take over the struggling, aging America’s Team that had posted a 3-13 record in 1988. More important, he was succeeding the Cowboys’ legendary head coach Tom Landry, who had coached the team since its beginning in 1960 and Jones had controversially shown the door.

Johnson served as head coach of the Cowboys from 1989 through 1993 and laid the foundation for the ‘dynasty’ team that would win three Super Bowls in four years. Among the many savvy moves made by Johnson while in charge of the Cowboys roster include drafting quarterback Troy Aikman, running back Emmitt Smith, fullback Daryl Johnston, cornerback Kevin Smith, safeties Darren Woodson and Brock Marion, center Mark Stepnoski, defensive tackles Russell Maryland and Leon Lett, defensive end Tony Tolbert and wide receiver Alvin Harper. He also was bringing in many high profile trades such as Tony Casillas, Thomas Everett and Charles Haley to Dallas.

Then there was the move that is simply known to Cowboys and NFL fans alike as the ‘Herschel Walker Trade.’ It took place in 1989, four games into the season when Johnson traded Walker and four draft picks to the Vikings for five

Cowboys improved to 7-9 in 1990 and 11-5 in 1991 before winning back-to-back Super Bowls over the Buffalo Bills.

And then, following rumors that he may be interested in taking over the football operations of the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars and subsequent rumors that Jones said 500 coaches could take that particular Cowboys team to the Super Bowl, Johnson was gone. Not only was Johnson no longer the coach of a team that would be going for an unprecedented third-straight Super Bowl title, Jones ended up voiding the last five years of his contract, and gave him a $2 million golden parachute.

“Jimmy orchestrated the thing brilliantly,” Aikman said. “He wanted out, he saw a crack, and he took it. He got a ton of money, and he got everyone to feel sorry for him.”

Meanwhile, Jones tried to prove his “500” coaches theory by hiring another of his former Razorback teammates, Barry Switzer. The 1994 Cowboys would fall to the eventual champion San Francisco 49ers in the NFC title game in a game that saw Dallas commit three first quarter turnovers and Switzer himself draw an unsportsmanlike conduct flag after bumping a referee while arguing a no-call on pass interference on the 49ers

Deion Sanders covering Michael Irvin. The final score was 38-28 and Cowboys fans blamed Jones for the loss because there was ‘no way this would happen if Jimmy was still here.”

Johnson is one of only six men in NFL history—(including Vince Lombardi, Don Shula, Chuck Noll, Mike Shanahan, and Bill Belichick)—to coach consecutive Super Bowl winners, winning Super Bowl XXVII in 1992 and Super Bowl XXVIII in 1993 and many Cowboys fans give him the credit for the Cowboys Super Bowl XXX victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers when Switzer was roaming the sidelines. Dallas fans can all agree on the greatness of the Jimmy Johnson-era and what was accomplished by the crew he assembled and, yes, the dynasty days of the 90s Cowboys did come prior to the salary cap-era that basically deconstructed

the depth of Johnson’s group almost instantly.

The last hurrah for the core that Johnson had established was Dec. 28, 1996 with a 40-15 win over Minnesota in the Wild Card round.

A big part of the reason Jimmy Johnson belongs in the Ring of Honor is because of what has happened in Big D since his departure. The Cowboys have been the textbook definition of mediocre with one playoff victory since 1996 -- the 34-14 win over Philadelphia in the first season of Cowboys Stadium -- and Charles Haley (widely identified as a 49er AND a Cowboy) has been inducted into the Ring of Honor. Haley was in a Cowboys uniform for 63 games and Johnson was on the sidelines for 80 and, while there is no denying the effect that both men had in Dallas’ success, it opens the door for someone who was not exclusively a Cowboy. It is also a given that Deion Sanders will be in the ROH and while he was instrumental in the Super Bowl XXX victory, Johnson had a much bigger impact in Dallas.

When Jones hired Bill Parcells in 2003, the underlying sentiment was that for the ‘first time since Jimmy was here, Jerry was not calling the shots.’ Parcells, like Johnson, ran the drafts and made the deals, that is until Cowboys Stadium passed in the ballots and suddenly, with moves like bidding farewell to Keyshawn Johsnon and signing Terrell Owens, it was clear that Jones was ready to be back in charge. The foundation that Parcells built, turned into a roster filled with guys like Adam ‘Pacman’ Jones and Tank Johnson and left fans watching Johnson on FOX NFL Sunday with thoughts of good ol’ days syndrome. With every move that Jerry makes, Jimmy’s legend grows.

Jimmy Johnson was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.

It is time that he adds the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor to his legacy.

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in h c a

eM h t nd a r he t a e The next time we’ll see Mayweather in the ring such disdain would cripple them for competition, yw a will be his Sept. 14 bout against Canelo Alvarez. but Mayweather is only interested in whether or M Predictions and opinions have started flooding not those with an opinion have paid up for the

by Keysha Hogan – @TheKeysha

S

tephen Espinoza, Showtime’s head of sports, is betting big on Floyd Mayweather’s staying power. For Mayweather, the power of his opponent’s left hook isn’t the only stress he faces.

It is crucial for him to bring in at least one million pay-per-view buys in each match-up of his lavish six-fight, 30-month deal that has been called the “richest individual athlete deal in all of sports.”

Mayweather has cornered a substantial share of fight revenues by serving as his own promoter through his aptly named firm, Mayweather Promotions. In turn, he gets a piece of all revenue from pay-per-view, sponsorships, and tickets while simultaneously covering the costs of things like his adversary’s purse.

Unfortunately the details of this massive deal are confidential, but there is no way that a man with the aka of “Money” would leave boxing juggernaut Home Box Office for chump change. He averaged around the $40 million in his last three times in the ring. So, with six fights and massive pay-per-view interest, it puts Showtime’s guarantee at about $250 million.

If he’s able to pull off all six fights at age 36, he will have to amp up his schedule. In the past five years he’s only been inside the ring five times.

But if Mayweather can find some prime bankable opponents and stay undefeated then he can push those figures much higher.

A large reason Mayweather has been able to dominate all things financial is most likely due to the fact he has cast himself as a fighter cloaked in arrogance and ego. Being abrasive, trash talking his opponents and blatantly flashing wealth is what drives these big payouts when he enters the ring. Each fight, half of the audience is hoping to watch him dominate while the other half just wants to watch him take a Manny Pacquiao-esqe nap on the canvas. To some athletes knowledge of

show. And you better believe that Floyd “Money” Mayweather sees the violent act of pummeling the guy across from him back into the chitterling circuit of boxing as “a show.”

the online boxing forums, and experts like Hall of Fame trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristáin have thrown in their two cents. He was quick to not dismiss the young Mexican fighter.

Over his career Mayweather fully embraced boxing as entertainment and spectacle, as well as sport. He grew up in the shadow of the ultimate athletic showman, Muhammad Ali. Every pre-fight utterance Ali spoke was recorded and fawned over by reporters and fans alike. He would make headlines by saying “If you even dream of beating me, you’d better wake up and apologize.” Ali allowed the press and black-and-white TV to show him as the hero of every tale he told.

“In his last fights he (Mayweather) hasn’t looked so good and now Canelo has a great opportunity,” Beristáin said. “It would be a historic triumph for Mexican boxing.”

The world gazed in wonder when this young black man in the midst of the Civil Rights era would eloquently discuss the world’s problems. He would speak frankly about popes, faith, presidents and the Vietnam War. Then he’d slip in a “rope a dope” comment and slam Forman, and the world smirked with him. But in comparison, the only time we hear anything from Mayweather outside of the ring, is when he is fighting domestic abuse charges and reflecting on his time in and out of jail, a slight bit less eloquently.

At the beginning of his rise to fame, legendary boxing writer Larry Merchant said that Mayweather had to learn the fine line between showboating and showmanship. And it has always been evident that Mayweather was using Ali’s career as a playbook, but he seems to be reading it backwards. Through all the grandiose and controversial behavior, the public eventually become enamored with Ali and turned him into an American icon after his career. But with Mayweather, the more the public is exposed to his self-assured swagger, the less they like him. After his fighting days are over, there will be no arguing his achievements in the boardroom and ring, but don’t look for him to light the cauldron at the Olympics while a teary global audience looks on and waves flags.

Wise advice On speNding

“If saving money is wrong, I don’t want to be right!”

William Shatner get blitzed

Mayweather is banking on a motivated Hispanic audience to turn out and tune into his pay-perview fights for Showtime to drive his bottom line even higher.

In September both fighters will be looking for their chance to step up their game and give boxing the highly competitive televised fight it so desperately needs. Fans will be looking to see if Canelo can force Mayweather to prove he can still withstand a knockdown, drag-out fight. If Mother Nature doesn’t put the brakes on the older but more experienced Mayweather, this will be a fight worth watching.

In the coming months, the promotional teams will be ramping up the hype to make this fight the battle royale of the season. There will be images of both fighters skipping rope and glaring into the camera with stone cold expressions. Alvarez will be covered in the colors of Mexico’s flag while whatever Mayweather chooses to wear will be trimmed in gold.

Either way the winner in this scenario will be Showtime and Mayweather. Together they have created a monster of a machine that eats money and captivates boxing fans. After the first bell rings, all the big talk and flashy behavior will come to a stop. Mayweather may fall short and end up making statements that sound nothing more than idle threats, or he’ll continue his streak of dominance and infuriate the haters who think his time is up. But the machine that this mega-deal has created will keep churning and keep him on top until the next kid with swagger comes along.

POOR advice On speNding

“Kobe Bryant is a living legend but I bet $275k on the Spurs and Danny Green got me that green. ”

Floyd Mayweather

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FIGHT CLUB

ufc 162 Preview By brian beard – comments@blitzweekly.com

Tim Kennedy (15-4-0) vs. Roger Gracie (6-1-0) This fight will feature a crafty veteran versus a relative newcomer. Kennedy has been in the game for a long time and his quite a bit of experience. He is very well rounded and very athletic. Roger Gracie is the fourth member of the Gracie family to fight in the UFC and the first in a while. He is an up-and-comer with a ridiculous submission game. He is an absolute beast on the ground and pretty well rounded too.

He has wins over five UFC vets already in only seven fights and will definitely show up to fight. Unfortunately for Mr. Gracie I think he is going to have some problems with Tim Kennedy. Kennedy has fought world class grapplers for five rounds (Jacare) and survived without being submitted. My prediction: I think Kennedy wins via TKO in the second round.

Frankie “The Answer” Edgar (14-4-1) vs. Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira (16-3-0) I feel bad for Charles Oliveira. Edgar is one of the best fighters on the planet and is coming off of a three fight losing streak and they were all for the title and to world champions. Oliveira is a very talented young man with an extremely bright future, but he may be in for a rude awakening here. Edgar is a great wrestler with some of the best footwork in the game. This cat can box his ass off. His submission defense is on point too. I look for Edgar to use his wrestling in a defensive manner and keep the fight standing. He will out box Oliveira to a decision.

My prediction: Oliveira will go for broke and will leave it all in the cage but he will come out on the losing end.

PRESENTED by get blitzed

Anderson “The Spider” Silva (33-4-0) vs. Chris “The All-American” Weidman (9-0-0) Will anyone ever be able to dethrone Anderson Silva? 10 title defenses and complete domination of the division for almost seven years! Every warrior will deteriorate at some point. I’m not saying that Silva is there yet but it has to be coming one of these days, right? Weidman is THE up-and-comer in the middleweight division.

Like Georges St-Pierre said, Weidman is a very bad match up for Silva and this could be the fight that Silva finally loses.

Let me break it down for you…Weidman is an outstanding wrestler who is very athletic. He is also a pretty solid striker. Silva has not done well with these types of fighters in the past (see his first fight with Chael Sonnen).

Weidman has all the tools to give Silva problems and smash out a decision.

I won’t bet against Silva though. He has a knack for winning and this will be no different. My prediction: Silva will win via TKO in the third round.

Weidman will be world champ before his career is over.

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VOL. 6 - ISSUE 6

JULY 2013

BIG M NEY BALL

CultureHype Public Relations and Marketing

Can Money Still Buy Wins in Baseball?

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By Rodney Fisher – @RodneyRFisher

Photo Courtesy: Darryl Briggs

or decades, Major League Baseball has been divided between the “haves” and the “have nots”. Teams in major markets with large revenue potential have had the upper hand in putting together winning rosters, so much so that many baseball fans conceded their team’s season before the opening pitch.

What about the newbies at the big boy table? The 2012 Miami Marlins started their first season in a brand new stadium built with tax money and a payroll just north of $118 million, more than double the previous year.

The result was a disastrous mid-season fire sale and finishing last in the NL East at 69-93. In 2013, they have the second lowest payroll in league, but still have the newest stadium.

F

Enter revenue sharing among all teams, good and bad. It’s a move that Major League Baseball thought would level the playing field.

Unfortunately, the low salary teams saw this as a way to make a profit with a bad team, versus increasing their spending on free agents. The larger revenue teams still benefited with wins and championships, i.e. the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Enter the current MLB collective bargaining agreement that runs until 2016. Small-market and low-revenue teams will have the ability to obtain additional supplemental-round draft picks through an annual competitive balance lottery. The 15 teams in the largest markets will be disqualified from receiving revenue sharing by 2016.

The concept was for lower revenue producing teams to be able to build with cheap new talent rather than spend more money. Notice the new agreement states that the 15 teams in the largest markets stop receiving revenue sharing by 2016.

Regional broadcasters like Fox Sports saw an opportunity to secure long-term broadcasting deals with those franchises, which gave them all a huge influx of cash. Which they spent immediately overpaying for every top free agent that hit the market.

The New York Yankees, with the benefit of their YES network, have been able to operate around the $200 million mark since Derek Jeter was a rookie. The results have been five world championships, the last was in 2009. The YES network has a 30-year broadcasting deal with the franchise, and last year sold 49% to Fox Sports for a whopping $3 billion. The Yankees have the luxury of trial and error on their side.

Spending money is business as usual.

9

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim shocked most people at the 2011 winter meetings by signing both C. J. Wilson and Albert Pujols for a combined $331.5 million total. Days later, owner Arte Moreno announced a new television deal with Fox Sports worth $150 million per year for 20 years. The 2012 season, the Angels finished third in the AL West, 89-73 and out of the postseason. With more money to spend, the Angels again went after big free agent Josh Hamilton this offseason. Currently, they are several games behind first place in the AL West.

The other LA team, the Dodgers, may be the biggest example that big money may not equate to big wins. After starting the season with the second highest payroll of $216,302,909, the Dodgers find themselves at the bottom of the NL West. The owners however have a $7 billion, 25-year deal with Time Warner to rely on.

In contrast to big spenders, teams that have used the collective bargaining agreement to stockpile young talent have been the big surprise winners. Take the Oakland A’s of 2012 for example. They had the lowest payroll in MLB, $52.9 million, yet won the AL West. In 2011, the Arizona Diamondbacks with a $53.6 million payroll won the NL West.

Over the last two years, MLB teams in the postseason have been split evenly 8-8 in regards to payrolls above or under the $100 million mark. If you combine the payrolls of the World Series champions from both seasons it would be under what the Dodgers or the Yankees are spending for 2013. Teams have to realize that in today’s baseball, money does not buy wins.

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VOL. 6 - ISSUE 6

Rangers at Midseason

By mark miller – mmiller@blitzweekly.com

Despite June lull, team is where leadership expected

A

The Future

dmit it, Rangers fans, your favorite team’s June slump had you panicking and calling for wholesale changes which is the complete opposite of where the Texas executive team stands at the halfway point in the 2013 season.

As manager Ron Washington likes to tell, every team goes through slumps. Last year’s for the Rangers came at season’s end when they could do little about it. They hope this season’s only happens in June when there’s still plenty of time to assess the future.

Despite a six-game losing streak that cost them the top spot in the American League West division, the Rangers were not far behind the Oakland A’s and in the middle of the wild card hunt as of late June. That’s not too bad for a team that went into the offseason with eight free agents and started the year with a bunch of injured pitchers and plenty of question marks.

“We’re more or less where we hoped to be vying for first place in our division and vying for one of the wild cards,” said assistant general manager Thad Levine. “We knew we’re going to have a meaningful facelift and there would be a different complexity to the team especially on offense. We also made some investments in injured players.”

The investments were in Joakim Soria, the former closer for the Kansas City Royals, and holdover starters Colby Lewis and Neftali Feliz. The Rangers knew it would be at least mid-season before Soria (Tommy John surgery rehabilitation) could contribute and even later for Lewis (right flexor pronator surgery rehab) and Feliz (Tommy John surgery rehab). What they didn’t expect were rookie Martin Perez (broken left wrist), and veterans Matt Harrison (inflamed nerve in lower back) and Alexi Ogando (right biceps tendinitis) going down in March, April and May, respectively.

Additional injuries to offensive regulars A.J. Pierzynski, Ian Kinsler and Mitch Moreland clearly hurt the offense. Thanks to strong months of April and May, the Rangers remain among the American League elite even while giving their fans heartburn they’d like to get rid of in the coming months.

The team has the same goal in mind but on a more patient and controlled level. With Levine’s help, here’s more assessment of where the Rangers have been and might be going the rest of this season.

Offense When a team loses players like Josh Hamilton, Michael Young and Mike Napoli, there’s bound to be a dropoff in offensive production. That’s certainly been the case as the Rangers, who led the major leagues in average (.280) and runs scored (443) at the get blitzed

So where would the Rangers turn if they decide they need help? With young players like Profar, Tepesch, Grimm, Scheppers and others already in the major leagues, there’s not really much immediately available in the minor league system.

Photo Courtesy: Darryl Briggs

“The next wave may be here already,” Levine said.

2012 All-Star break, have collectively hit just .263 (eighth overall) with 319 runs (12th) through June 20.

anchored by closer Joe Nathan (1-0, 22 of 23 saves, 1.81 ERA), and Scheppers (5-0, 1.00) who has been an eight-inning specialist.

The good news is that young talent has been a major factor in keeping the team afloat. If they continue to improve, so will the Rangers.

But there’s been plenty of impressive numbers starting with always-steady third baseman Adrian Beltre (.304 average, 14 HRs, 39 RBI), catcher A.J. Pierzynski (.301, 6, 22), second baseman Ian Kinsler (.299, 7, 26), first baseman Mitch Moreland (.288, 12, 29), and right fielder Nelson Cruz (.265, 18, 50).

Unfortunately Kinsler and Moreland missed considerable time with injuries, time that corresponded with the Rangers’ slump that saw them win just seven of 21 games from May 26 to June 18.

But perhaps the biggest explanation is veteran catcher Pierzynski. While Rangers fans may not have been very familiar with him, baseball people like Levine always knew his worth which is why they signed him to replace Napoli.

With time still on their side, Levine said the Rangers are in no rush to make decisions as they analyze their needs over the next month before the July 31 trading deadline.

The problem as Levine sees it is when the Rangers hit well, everybody is hitting well but when they slump, they also do it together.

That’s what’s happened in the three weeks after the team raced to a 32-17 record, the best first 49 games in team history.

Pitching The multitude of injuries forced the Rangers to move rookies Nick Tepesch and Justin Grimm into their starting rotation and youngsters like Joe Ortiz, Tanner Scheppers, Michael Kirkman and Robbie Ross in key bullpen roles. The staff had a 3.76 earned run average as of June 20, compared with 3.78 at last year’s All-Star Game.

“He’s been a winner throughout his career,” Levine said. “If you look at all the teams he’s played with combined they are well above .500. While there may be some coincidence, I think he has had something to do with it.

“We’re open for business and if the right things come up within the next month we’d certainly look at them but otherwise we’re in a position of evaluating the state of the union from both a health standpoint and performance standpoint,” he said.

“What he’s done with our pitchers has been even better than expected. He’s like a pitching coach on the field. With his skills helping our inexperienced pitchers he’s benefited us tremendously.”

“We built a team that we hoped would be competitive and as the season progressed we hoped we’d start getting our pitchers back in a wave without having to go through the trade route or free agent signings.”

Bench Much Improved One of the main objectives entering 2013 was to improve on a bench that was virtually non-existent last year. Just to have enough versatility to allow the starters to rest would be good enough.

“Considering the volume of injuries we’ve had and to still be near the top of many pitching categories is remarkable,” Levine said.

Consider that goal met so far thanks in major part to veteran Jeff Baker. In 37 games before going on the disabled list June 18, Baker hit .317 average with nine home runs.

Though their numbers aren’t as good as Baker’s, veteran catcher Geovany Soto, rookie infielders Leury Garcia and Jurickson Profar, and outfield platooners Leonys Martin and Craig Gentry have played well enough to help.

Reason No. 1 is Yu Darvish, who clearly has become the staff starting ace with a 7-3 record and 2.84 ERA with 137 strikeouts in 101 innings. No. 2 is an improved bullpen

“Unlike years past where we felt such a colossal dropoff from our starters to our bench players, the level of play this year has been very different,” Levine said.

Soria and Ogando are the closest to returning, most likely before the All-Star Break if not already. If all goes well, Lewis, Feliz and Harrison will pitch sometime this year.

The question remains will the Rangers play well enough to remain close enough to make a final push if they ever return to full strength?

“We feel we’ve been in the upper levels this year and the next line of defense is on the disabled list and getting healthier,” Levine said.

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Lola

esy: Court ores o t o l Ph rmo F Guille

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“One of the best things for a woman to hear is that she is sexy.” ― Scarlett

Johansson

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VOL. 6 - ISSUE 6

By Mateeka Lanee

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P

aul Salfen bursts through a random side door at Cedars Social in downtown Dallas, and immediately notices me sitting at the bar. He doesn’t carry the aura of a man who takes pleasure in name-dropping, although he could. He doesn’t even carry the scent of a man living out of suitcases, although he kind of, sort of, is. Rather, Paul Salfen, our declared Coolest Guy in Dallas, is the epitome of the rocker high school kid, all grown up and living the dream, while most of us are stuck in an endless sea of cubicles with the highlight of our day being that our favorite Doritos are finally restocked in the break room vending machine.

Perhaps best known for his role as co-host and resident lifestyle guru on Fox Sports’ The Drew Pearson Show, Salfen is a writer, editor, TV personality, business consultant, and respected interviewer. His entire life is a wellorchestrated balance of business and pleasure, where even the most serious of work is play.

“Everything I love – music, movies, and travel – I’ve turned into work,” he said as if in awe of that fact himself.

He couldn’t be more right. In college, Salfen put his natural gift of conversation to use by interviewing bands performing at the music store he managed. He eventually started one of the first online music magazines, DallasMusicGuide.com, launched into cyberspace to fill a void in good online content, and helped put Salfen and the city of Dallas on the map as go-to sources for great new music. His exclusive interviews featured big-name stars he jokes that “we had no business” talking to, and opened the doorway to opportunities to write full-time.

“That’s kind of everyone’s dream,” I tell him, to which he nods. “…and I do it,” he smiled. “I don’t know if I do it well, but I do it.”

There are, in fact, many things that Paul Salfen does, and from the looks of things, he does them all with excellence. On this Tuesday evening, he’s just returned from a trip to St. Lucia, where he covered the island’s jazz and arts festival. As a travel writer with Scoreboard Monthly, he has opportunities to visit international locations, eat at the finest restaurants, and enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery in the world while working.

It’s an opportunity that came to him at first through a random offer to visit the Riviera Maya resort in Mexico, while he served as Editor-in-Chief at Envy Magazine.

“That’s kind of been my whole career, really,“ he said. “Stumbling into things, and being in the right place at the right time, meeting the right people.”

Since high school, Salfen has been steamrolling his way into meeting all the right

JULY 2013

sorts of people. When asked who some of his most memorable interviewing experiences are, he ponders for a moment before naming Presidents Carter, Clinton and Bush – “W” as he’s sure to point out – plus Tom Cruise.

“I interviewed him twice, and the second time I saw him he goes ‘I’ve seen you before’ like he knew,” Salfen said.

That doesn’t seem far-fetched at all; leaving an impression appears to be a job requirement for Salfen. To his credit, he’s had opportunities to interview a lineup that includes Angelina Jolie, John Travolta, and Sir Anthony Hopkins.

A direct byproduct of his often-glitzy work life is the acquisition of personal and professional acquaintances of various power and influence.

The man is a perpetual handshaker having to be prepared at a moment’s notice to give a kind inviting smile or a familiar “how’s it been?”

In this business no one can be a stranger.

At one point, he pauses to shake the hand of the owner of Cedars Social whom he knows by name. The apparent distraction was second nature to him, almost effortless. No train of thought derailment or awkward moments, just a front row seat to observe the mastery of the art of multitasking people while each person involved feels as though they are the only one in the room.

It’s not hard to see why he has so many friends. Even sitting on couches in a darkened corner of the restaurant where real books line decorative shelves, Salfen’s whole demeanor is the essence of comfort and chill. His openness, perhaps molded by years of doing interviews himself, is inviting, making him easy to talk to. He states more than once that he could comfortably start conversation with just about anyone that he meets.

“I can sit on the plane next to anybody and talk about what I do and chances are there’s something that strikes a cord,” he said.

His confidence seems to come from a place of deep appreciation for what he‘s achieved as a writer, especially given that all of it has come not from education or connections, but from a dogged determination to do what makes him happy.

“I have to do what I love or I’m going to fail miserably,” he said. “So, I’m doing what I love and hopefully not failing miserably.”

Salfen looks back at his early days working in the corporate world, struggling to leap into

writing full-time, and remembers a moment of clarity: “I was on the elevator, and I saw a sign with a picture of this older lady celebrating 40 years working there,” he said. “I was like, I can’t imagine walking into this building every day for 40 years.

I can’t even imagine doing it for four years and I think it’s those kind of things that make you realize you only have so much tolerance” for doing something you don’t care about.

“There’s no passion in it. There’s no love in it. I’m just not built for that. I have to do something I love or I’ll crumble.”

Salfen was approached during this time by an investor looking to expand DallasMusicGuide. com, then in its early stages, to 10 cities, and remove him from his 9-to-5 status.

“We go to lunch and he asks me ‘how much would it take for you to quit your job and do this full time?’ “ he said. “I gave him a number and he wrote me a check right there.”

Soon after, the website was brought to the attention of Microsoft, who sought to make a deal but were blocked by technology crashes. However, all was not lost. With DallasMusicGuide.com’s expansion, the Dallas Morning News took notice and hired Salfen as part of the Quick entertainment guide. He served as a gopher, making trips out of state for interviews the newspaper employees were unavailable to do.

Even while making his scheduled interviews, Salfen was surprised at how much good raw material had to be trashed due to lack of necessity at Quick. Rather than sitting on exclusive interviews, he began selling his writing to other markets, and was eventually taken on as the Editor-in-Chief at Envy Magazine, the first of many times he’s played such a role.

“Sometimes, it’s a little bit of a strange reality,” he said behind a Dennis the Menacetype grin.

As a music and film buff, Salfen immersed himself in the world of entertainment from a young age, transcending his love for rock and roll into an opportunity to meet artists and experience life through their eyes. It has been his wandering spirit that’s led him to an array of once-ina-lifetime experiences. It’s also helped him become the engaging communicator he is as he lounges at the restaurant. He describes the strokes of wonderful luck, chance, blessing, or whatever you want to call it as being the result of, to put it simply, asking the right questions.

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When asked how he landed the opportunity to work alongside Drew Pearson, he tells of his time as an interviewer on producer Tom Stokes’ show Rock Out the Red Carpet.

“I don’t even know how far that footage went,” he said with a smile, “but (Stokes) told me about this Drew Pearson Show he was going to start doing and I was like ‘hey, if you’d like an ugly white guy to come in and do (something involving) entertainment, I’d be happy to’ and he said ‘yeah, actually, that’d be great.’ ” Good communication and a lack of fear are both positive traits in any person, and particularly necessary in the entertainment world. Even with big names under his belt, Salfen explains that interviewing isn’t a task he fears these days, and breaks down his process with something of a metaphor. The formula for a good interview, he said, involves “a certain something, a mutual respect. It’s like they agree to do the interview and you agree to write a decent story, and you pair it up.”

The arsenal of interviews he’s done in the 13 years of his professional career has influenced him even to write a book.

“At some point, that would be kind of cool, to leave behind as my legacy,” he said. “Like, mom, I wrote a book, it’s floating around out there somewhere.”

Since he’s already living his dream, the only thing left for Salfen to do is something bigger and better. If you’re going to write, why not write a book? His topic of choice?

“I thought about doing something along the lines of ‘Everything I’ve Learned, I’ve Learned from Interviews,’ “ he said. “All the good advice I’ve gotten through the years. I feel like I could write a book with a lot of wonderful inside quotes from people.”

Communication, even life in general, is simple enough for Salfen. Still, his personal and professional lives are something of an odd couple. He’s quick to admit that maintaining a personal life is hard. And how could it not be? Jet setting comes with its far share of relationship layovers.

“Sometimes, it’s a little bit of a strange reality,” he said behind a Dennis the Menace-type grin.

“I was in St. Lucia and missed Mother’s Day. It was kind of this bizarre thing; I’m at an R. Kelly concert, on Mother’s Day instead of being with my mom. There’s something not right in the universe about that.”

His universe is one characterized by unplanned flights, unexpected invites and late hours. A world that would bring we mere mortals to the very brink of exhaustion, but as the time rolls on it becomes apparent that the calm rocker kid sitting across from me is no mere mortal. You couldn’t be The Coolest Guy in Dallas if you were. www.blitzweekly.com

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In his professional life, everything Salfen loves has translated into professional success.

He is considered a guru in all media areas, and consults for several city clubs. It seems everything he takes a chance on, he does exceptionally well. He believes that this is a result of being passionate about what he does.

“People always say ‘man, you have the best life,’ because they’re looking at me on Facebook. That’s like my highlights reel.”

“I spend all day and night talking about it, looking at it, researching it, you know I spend every waking hour looking at this stuff so you acquire this vast amount of knowledge about things just because you love it,” he said.

With professional success in the bag, it’s unusual to hear Salfen say that his personal life is slacking. He smiles, describing his dilemma.

It’s this passion that has allowed him to land some of his most coveted gigs.

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“That kind of interest and passion causes me to get more work because people see it… sometimes they don’t even know what they want me for, they just know that they want me involved with them,” he said.

No matter what he’s doing – interviewing, writing, or just being a gentleman during what always has the potential to be an awkward interview experience – Salfen does with class and humility. It’s not something that you could notice from a resume or a Wikipedia page, but is what makes him truly the coolest guy in the city. Of course, when asked how he feels about such a title he errs on the side of selfdeprecating modesty.

“It’s nice that anybody would think that,” he said. “I mean I don’t really think so and maybe that’s not a good thing to say, but I guess that’s because I have to live with myself every day.

“I do think that I have the coolest life professionally of anyone in town,” because he chooses his own hours, serves as his own boss, and meets interesting people for a living.

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“It might not be the most lucrative thing in the world, but I think as far as life experiences go, it’s very rich in that sense. I’ve made some incredible friendships with some of the most amazing people you could ever meet.”

It’s these human experiences that define him, and make even unexpected events worth traveling the distance from family and friends.

Still, living the dream has its challenges.

Even when work is play, some work really is work, and Salfen said he spends much of his time waiting around in airports, and staying up late pounding out stories on his computer.

“I think most people I know are happy for me and proud that I’m out there and doing it, but sometimes relationships can get caught in the fog of a random work schedule.

“Friends have asked ‘oh, what celebrity are you going to be with instead of hanging out with us on Saturday?’ That’s not what I’m going for.”

Even with these challenges, Salfen finds it hard to say no when opportunity knocks. He talks about the new TV show he’s working on, a spin-off of The Drew Pearson Show called The Weekender.

“You know, (Dallas is) a Top 5 market, and there’s so much cool stuff going on, but nobody died, nobody got hurt, so they’re not sending a news crew out, so…we’ll do it,” he said.

With Salfen’s presence Pearson covers the city’s plays, arts, music, and more, giving insight into the exciting but unrecognized aspects of what Dallas has to offer. He even speaks of another opportunity on TV. “I was just approached by a network that wants to capture everything that I do: the travel, music, movies, you know, everything fun that I do, along with the behind-thescenes stuff too,” he said.

That includes showing whatever unexciting parts there may be in Paul Salfen’s life. He shrugs.

“It could be worse and it has been worse,” he said. “Sometimes I have to sit back and think ‘wow, I’m actually doing it.”

Perhaps that’s the best part.

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T

he choices in life are many. There’s the question of where to live, a bungalow on the outskirts of Grand Prairie or the coast of the French Riviera? What to eat, cup o’ noodles from QuikTrip or John Dory-prepared by your personal chef for the night Gordon Ramsey? Who to date, Matilda in accounts payable or Bar Rafaeli…and her sister? And then there is the ever-important question of what to drive, your uncle’s vintage Triumph Stag or 007’s go-to transportation an Aston Martin DB9? Now if it were up to me, I would be driving to my pied-à-terre on the French Riviera to have my dinner prepared by Chef Ramsey with Bar Rafaeli (and her sister) in the passenger seat of my DB9, but that’s because I’m a damn gentleman. Make your own decisions.

Whatever you decide on for the other things the DB9 is a non-negotiable. Getting behind the wheel of the 2013 British supercar is a cultural adventure that will make you forget all about that pesky revolution and give you a whole new appreciation for the home of the Queen Mum. Built in the spirit of last year’s groundbreaking Vanquish the DB9 bolts from naught to 60 in 4.1 seconds. For those of you that squawk at that number saying the Lamborghini and Ferrari do it faster, of course

JULY 2013

they do but do they do it while bearing the extra weight of premium leather, a huge and hideous ancient navigation screen, heavy walnut dash and trim (carbon fiber optional) and rear seats for God’s sake. Plus its Italian counterparts don’t even have a place to put their lattes – how uncivilized.

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Off the Bone

ummer is in full swing and thoughts of the backyard bird smoking for a few hours is awfully enticing, but not nearly as provoking as meandering stealthily into a few dozen barbecue joints our city has to offer. And that is just what we have been doing over the course of the past few weeks.

Dallas has a reputation for being a barbecue city, but in actuality we haven’t been able to back up those bragging rights until just the past few years. Sure, in earlier days before mass production took over the city, and with the passing of legends such as Sonny Bryan, many would say we were doing well with our ribs and briskets. But only in the past several years did we actually experience this marvelous renaissance of smoke. Dallas now is a contender and we have a list to direct you to some of the best ribs, brisket and house-made sausages the city has experienced in many, many years.

Pecan Lodge

Rank: 6 The Breakdown: Ribs. Off the Bone serves other items besides ribs, but the baby backs are what this place is all about. In fact there is an all-youcan-eat option for the insanely hungry. The sliced brisket and smoked chicken also are formidable adversaries in the BBQ realm.

Pro Tip: Great place to sober up since they are open late on weekends for après bar crowd, but be aware since this is located next to the police station on Lamar.

Side Kicks: The Cole slaw and charro beans are the way to go here, but save room for dessert.

The cakes are all home-made from scratch.

Clientele: Cops and neighbors from South Side at Lamar.

Hard Eight BBQ

By Steven Doyle – cravedfw.com

Rank: 7

Rank: 1 The Breakdown: The only downside to the No. 1 barbeque restaurant in Dallas is the terrible hours. Unless you are into beefy late breakfasts or can withstand waiting in line behind hundreds of hungry enthusiasts, Pecan Lodge can prove difficult at best. But if you are one of the fortunate few hundred people who each day withstand the long lines that snake across the bowels of Shed Two at the Dallas Farmers Market from Wednesdays through Sundays, you’ll experience amazing ribs that easily relent from the bone along with comestible brisket and house-made spicy sausages smoked just feet away from where you stand in line.

Pro Tip: Follow these boys on Facebook and find out when they are serving burnt ends, which are the cap of the brisket, cubed and sauced then smoked for an additional few hours to create this amazing flavor bomb.

Side Kicks: The Mac and Cheese is smacked with green chile and bacon.

Clientele: BBQ purists and Guy Fieri fan boys

Lockhart Smokehouse Rank: 2 The Breakdown: Open all day, but they often run out of the good stuff just after lunch. Upside is they smoke all day for a fresh supply of meat for the dinner crowd. Look for kick-ass brisket smacked down with post oak for an ethereal flavor profile that is all Texas. The sausages are imported from Kreuz in Lockhart, Texas, and are insanely good. You order by the pound here, and it is best to spread your wealth amongst a trifecta of meats and include the mouth-watering ribs.

Pro Tip: Thursday is beef rib day, and you’d best wear your big boy eatin’ pants, because those ribs are monsters. Follow these folks on Facebook for additional specials like the occasional goat or lamb cooked whole for your dining pleasure.

How To…

Meshack’s BBQ Rank: 3 The Breakdown: The rib plays king at this Garland BBQ outpost. Smoked with hickory you will enjoy a rack sold for just over $10 a pound, or part of a healthy diet which would include a trio of meats including a juiced up brisket or hot link.

This is an old school walk-up smoke house found road side and ready.

Pro Tip: Take on the sausage wrap which is no more than a link wrapped in white bread and served with sauce for dipping. Arrive early and bring a lawn chair or be prepared to sit on the hood of your car.

It doesn’t make you a barbecue connoisseur to only eat your ribs Texas style. Show people that when the bones hit the plate, you’ve had it all.

“Volcano Walker” L&L Hawaiian Barbecue – Plano “Gangnam Grill” Omi Korean Grill & Bar - Carrollton “Secret Service Special” Brazil Brasileiro – Richardson “’Cue Cone” Epic Cones – Deep Ellum

Side Kicks: Baked beans are the only side we would order, but the cobbler is a worthy component.

Clientele: Neighborhood families, local businesses on break and an occasional tourist.

Mike Anderson’s Rank: 4 The Breakdown: Open only during the day and Mike Anderson can usually be found at the carving station offering a good story and fantastic sliced brisket. The ribs are formidable as well, but the bacon wrapped, brisket stuffed jalapeno is nearly a meal unto itself. A fistful of the jalapenos could satisfy any hombre.

Anderson also is known for his giant stuffed baked potatoes.

Pro Tip: Go early and order enough to take home for later.

Side Kicks: Bleu Cheese laden slaw is amazing, as is the Rib Jam available only when they feel like making it.

Side Kicks: Sides at most BBQ haunts are usually after thoughts, but the potato salad and other sides are all house-made and will remind you of mom (if your mom can cook as well as Mike’s).

Sides are served buffet style so you can go piggy on it if you wish.

Clientele: Hungry BBQ pros in the know and Oak Cliff hipsters.

Clientele: Blue collars and docs between heart surgeries from nearby Parkland.

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REFINE YOUR BARBECUE PALATE

Slow Bone Rank: 5 The Breakdown: Owned by Jack Perkins, the celebrated restaurateur who runs Maple and Motor Burger in Dallas, Slow Bone is the latest addition to the BBQ landscape. We dare say that Slow Bone is a happy work in progress with excellent potential. The restaurant is working out kinks with recipes, but the brisket is a winner and enough to justify being added to this list. There is a choice of sauces to make your meat happy, but it stands just fine without any additional seasoning. The ribs are very good, but by the time this is printed I suspect will be closer to amazeballs delicious since there are a few changes afoot which could actually elevate Slow Bone up in rank.

Pro Tip: Avoid busy hours during lunch for parking.

Side Kicks: Amazing Brussels sprouts with cauliflower (just order it dammit) and a fantastic mac and cheese with a jalapeno kick.

Clientele: Excited BBQ fantastic and educated foodie types who follow the likes of the owner.

The Breakdown: For those willing to make the trek up to Coppell great BBQ is to be had. The brisket (moist and flavorful) is a must and the ribs fall off the bone. Get the jalapeno sausage for some kick. The chicken is very underrated. It’s a pick-and-poke spot, cafeteria style. The meats are sold by the pound. You’ve been warned!

Pro Tip: Go early because the line starts early and this beer swilling crowd comes hungry.

Side Kicks: Grilled corn and the beans complement the BBQ nicely. Save room for the apple cobbler if you have a sweet tooth.

Clientele: Neighborhood families, local businessmen and BBQ diehards.

Bonus Round

Back CountRy Bar-B-Q The Breakdown: They’ve been around since 1975 and a Greenville Avenue staple. So with tradition comes expertise. The chopped beef sandwich is one of the best in town. The ribs are cooked to perfection with a sweet rub that adds a nice flavor. Add some sauce as it won’t drown the flavor. An overlooked meat that they do well is turkey, sandwich or dinner; you won’t be disappointed. Spacious dining area with a very legitimate old school feel. Plus they have the friendliest staff you’ll ever meet.

Pro Tip: The Friday two meat combo of brisket and hot links will make your day.

Side Kicks: The large baked potato with beef rivals the best in the city. The spinach casserole might be the best kept secret. The hot beans are a nice change of pace.

Clientele: Loyalists and the lunch rush crowd from nearby businesses.

FACT: Pennsylvania based BA BBQ has a barbecue grill refashioned from an 18-wheeler trailer. The 30-ft truck has 10 grills, a wood smoker, and can accommodate two whole pigs and 300 chickens. Chew on that.

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JULY 2013

Write Out

By ARTHUR BELLFIELD – abellfield@blitzweekly.com

I

n an exclusive interview, hip-hop legend Copywrite opens up to Blitz about his new album Carbon Copy’s Phony Art Pub Scam, getting bored listening to hip hop music, creativity, emulating other rappers, and more.

You’ve recently released a free album Carbon Copy’s Phony Art Pub Scam which is a homage to the Beatles Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. What was the inspiration for this project and why do you feel that now is the perfect time to release it?

I was just kinda bored with rap. I had just done two albums, three albums really – God Save the King, God Save the King Proper English Version, and MHz Legacy. So, I had done three albums in one year. I was sick of the format of rap, I was burned out. I had been listening to it since ‘88 you know? As it happened, I didn’t have to go back and catch up on it on the Internet, a few things here and there. But I was pretty much a sponge for it since I was a kid. You get sick of it as far as the format of basic four-bar, eight-bar loop structure. So, what I liked about what was on the Sgt. Pepper album was its odd structures, its odd formats. It was a real challenge to write a lot of that.

That’s deep! What did you mean by that statement?

I’m saying that if you feel that he’s great, wait til you hear me. Not to take nothing away from Lil Wayne, but I know it when I hear it.

And, I’m just talking shit. I like Lil Wayne. He’s cool for what he is. But, lately he’s lost it. He’s completely lost whomever was writing for him or helping him or whatever was going on, it’s

over. Dedication 1 was great. Tha Carter was great. Tha Carter II was great. But, I stopped paying attention a while ago.

I think maybe Lil Wayne got bored with hip hop like you did.

I don’t get bored with making it. Making it is the fun part because the stuff that I feel lacks is what I put into my music. When I’m like damn somebody should do that, that’s how I come up with my ideas from other people’s shortcomings. I’d be like they should have done this, I’m doing it. I just happen to know how to produce and rap my ass off.

I love hip hop and I love making it, but I was bored of listening to it, that’s what I’m saying.

To me this is what I feel is lucky when I was a kid. I was lucky enough to catch the very first episode of Yo! MTV raps with Public Enemy performing I think “Don’t Believe the Hype.”

I was in love with it. But, I feel like I’ve heard everything when I take a ride or go on a trip.

With rock there’s a lot that I didn’t hear because all I was about was hip hop. So, now there’s so much rock that I’ve had to catch up on of late it’s opening up my mind to new ideas and aspirations. It’s given me more to add my style, to my repertoire as an MC and as an artist.

Damn, when you said that so-many rappers came to mind. You have all these cats emulating each other.

That’s it. It’s like a child and a father in a household. You’re just emulating the greats.

There’s a little Jay. We all do it. I’ve done it but later on we want to be ourselves, we get sick of doing that.

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Sports Reporter: MVP (Monotone Vain Puzzler)

By Posie Pockets After a heartwrenching breakup, there has to be that next beau to get you back in the game; even if you’re a sobbing wreck of a human, it’s simply inevitable if you crave any chance of a mended heart. It had been four months since my tumultuous, rotten breakup with the so-called “love of my life.” It was my birthday weekend and I was still feeling like a loony nutcase from the breakup, but was finally hopeful of moving on and perhaps uncovering a romance once again. To my surprise, one of my female television reporter friends texted me and inquired about my relationship status. On the other end of the phone she possessed a ray of hope just for me: a dapper young squire who made his living as a sports reporter wanted to take me out. Call me shallow or simply local TV “star-struck,” but I was flattered, a handsome TV reporter would pay me a lick of attention; furthermore, that he’d request an encounter with me.

At the time, I felt like the least worthy, most insignificant girl. Crazy how breakups will do that to women. So I metaphorically peeled my self esteem from the pit of my stomach and hoisted it up with all my might. I tried to remind myself of how breezy and confident I was prior to the breakup. I informed my friend that I was single and ready to mingle. Mingle I would, with a good-looking sports broadcaster. With a tiny fingerprint brush of a touch screen, I was back in the dating game. I was consumed with dread and hope all at once.

Well my sporty prince charming didn’t have such an impressive start. He received my digits from our mutual friends and proceeded to text me. Not again with the texts fellas. If you want to take a girl out, just call her. I’m not going to get on my soapbox about this again, but it really disappoints me when a guy doesn’t call a girl and formally invite her on the date. I decided I wouldn’t be a picky little bitch, as I was eager to simply get my feet wet again. At least I wasn’t accepting dates from the trucker strangers at gas stations I‘d be invited on. This man is on television for goodness sakes, so he must be a reputable guy, even though he’s texting me like a lame ass. Our date was set and I was eager to get it going and get it under my belt.

I thought it appropriate to rush off to the Galleria and purchase new duds. If I felt like shit, I wanted to at least look like a million bucks while feeling that way. And this was a sports reporter after all. I was certain he’d wined and dined all sorts of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, models and other leggy, bodacious women around town.

The day of the date I was of course starving myself all day so I could have a flat stomach –

Photo Courtesy: cas1der

once again, a girl’s mentality in the dating game.

As I was deprived of nutrients for the day, I was in a foul mood. The date was set for 7 p.m. and I didn’t know how I’d make it until the date. It was 4 p.m. and I was getting pretty ticked off, as I hadn’t even heard from the son of a gun.

Finally I decided to call him an hour prior to our scheduled date time. The time that he selected, I may add. No answer. I was fuming and sad. I didn’t even know this fool existed and now he’s hurting my feelings. He initiated everything and I was the one feeling disappointed. Of course I was all dolled up, sitting there on my couch, waiting by my the stupid phone. Finally he texted me. Not called me back, but texted me. He apologized for the tardiness and then made plans to come pick me up for drinks.

Once he picked me up, he overwhelmingly underwhelmed me. His TV personality was so much more vibrant and upbeat on camera. In person he was like a monotone bore. As we drove to the restaurant, I kept kicking myself for agreeing to the date. I had a gut feeling I was going to feel worse at the end of the night.

We went for drinks at my favorite Mexican restaurant. Although he said we were just getting drinks, he ordered an entire meal, so of course I followed eagerly as I was famished. That’s another thing I don’t get. Guys will ask you out for drinks and then order dinner too. Just call it dinner when you ask us out!

The entire conversation was simply mediocre and truth be told, he was kind of whiney. We were not vibing, but it wasn’t as miserable as I feared it would be. At the end of the night he got out of his car and hugged me, which I appreciated and gave him points for. He also left me with the “let’s definitely do this again.”

Time went by, tick tick tock, and no word from the dude. As I hadn’t dated a lot of guys at this time in my life, I thought if they said they wanted to go out again, they truly meant it. Well in this instance, he didn’t mean it. I was a little offended by the whole situation. No one wants to be rejected, especially when they weren’t that interested in the person anyway.

So Mr. Sports Reporter pretty much escaped my mind completely and then months later, he texted me out of the blue on Christmas Day, telling me I was a beautiful girl. What the hell?!

This was the first instance where I learned they always creep back up some how. Whether it’s through Facebook, email, texting, a phone call, you name it, they will pop into your life again when you least expect it.

Although Mr. Sports Reporter was basically arrogant and puzzling, I am grateful I took the dating plunge with him. I’m still scratching my head, wondering what is going through his.

At least he sparked the ignition of my dating roundup and got me swinging back in the game. www.blitzweekly.com

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JULY 2013

VOL. 6 - ISSUE 6

Bummers In The Summers –

The Curse of the Cape

Awful Seasonal Songs

By GARY DOWELL – www.movieink.net

Photo Courtesy: Jeff Victor

M

an of Steel opened last month, starring Henry Cavill as Superman. The careers of many of the actors who played the character in film and television have usually tanked afterwards, and some even suffered personal tragedy — enough to demand the question “Is there a Superman curse?” We take a look at the actors who have played Superman in live-action performances, the projects they appeared in, and the effect the role had on them.

Kirk Alyn

Starred in: The film serials Superman (1948) and Atom Man vs. Superman (1950). Ten years after his debut in comic books, Superman made his first live-action forays on the silver screen via these 15-part serials.

Effect on Career: Alyn had trouble finding work before his two gigs as Superman, and the problem continued afterward. Apart from Blackhawk (1952), he had only sparse TV and film roles — some of them uncredited — prior to his retirement. He was offered the lead role in the Adventures of Superman TV series in 1951, but turned it down.

George Reeves

Starred in: Superman and the Mole Men (1951) and Adventures of Superman (1952-58). Mole Men was the first feature-length Superman motion picture, and served as a back-door pilot for the Man of Steel’s first television series. Both were runaway successes, and the series enjoyed a healthy 104-episode run. It was also one of the first TV series filmed in color.

Effect on Career: Reeves had intermittent success as an actor before rocketing to national celebrity status as Superman. However, the shooting schedule was harsh and the pay was shockingly low, and Reeves was never able to escape the role.

Sadly, Reeves allegedly took his own life in 1959.

Christopher Reeve

Starred in: The movies Superman (1978), Superman II (1980), Superman III (1983), and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987). Reeve channeled the selfdeprecating, good-natured charisma of Cary Grant in Bringing up Baby for his take on Clark Kent, and brought a more modern masculine male image to the role of Superman. Unfortunately, the quality of the franchise quickly plummeted after the firing of director Richard Donner during production on Superman II. Reeve was promised story input on Superman IV and a chance to direct the fifth installment, which was scuttled after the box office failure of Quest for Peace.

Effect on Career: To this day, Reeve is considered by many to be the definitive screen incarnation of the Man of Steel. Tragically, he was rendered quadriplegic after being thrown from a horse in 1995. Though he never achieved his vow to walk again, he proved to be a real-life hero by working as an activist on behalf of people with spinalcord injuries and for human embryonic stem cell research. He succumbed to complications from his condition in 2004. get blitzed

Dean Cain

Starred in: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993-97). An interesting post-modern take on the character, Lois & Clark followed the lead of the late-’80s comics reboot of Superman in treating Clark Kent as the real personality and Superman as the alter ego. As the title suggests, it also focused on the relationship between Clark and Lois Lane, resulting in an adventure-rom-com with broad appeal.

Effect on Career: Cain started the Angry Dragon Entertainment production company in 1998, and has appeared in a number of small roles over the past 15 years, including that of a villain during Season 7 of Smallville (see below). Lois & Clark remains his biggest role to date.

Tom Welling

Appeared in: Smallville (2001-2011). Pitched as the chronicles of the young man who would grow to become Superman, with a strict “no tights, no flights” rule, Smallville broke Clark Kent down to the bare essentials and then built him back up again. Well-received by fans and newbies alike, the series had an astounding 10-season, 218-episode run and earned a number of accolades.

Effect on Career: Though he’s been largely under the radar lately, Welling’s career has been robust.

He rose to executive producer over the course of the series, made his directing debut in Season 5, and went on to direct six more episodes of the series. He recently scored a key role in Ivan Reitman’s upcoming football drama Draft Day.

Brandon Routh

Appeared in: Superman Returns (2006). In the tradition of the original, Routh, a young unknown actor, was cast. He had the proper blend of vulnerability and strength, as well as an uncanny resemblance to Christopher Reeve. Unfortunately, Brian Singer’s take was a bit too beholden to the previous films, and the lackluster plot failed to grasp viewers.

Effect on Career: Routh was well received as Superman, and had been contracted to appear in at least two sequels; however, the film’s disappointing performance at the box office resulted in cancellation of those plans. Like other actors who have played the Last Son of Krypton, Routh has been relegated to small film and TV roles for the time being.

Photo Courtesy: Anton Emdin

W

By Peter Gerstenzang – pzang7@optonline.net

hen summer is here, people tend to get so mellow, they also seem to totally suspend their critical faculties. And claim to be cool with everything from waterboarding to listening to Kenny Loggins’ songs. Two activities I feel similarly about all year round. But what about summer songs? Sure, folks have long lists of favorites that were hits during this season. But nobody ever mentions the crappy ones. I think it‘s about time. So here my friends, is a summery shortlist of musical monstrosities that send some folks running for the beach. And the rest of us for the Dramamine.

“Beach Baby”-First Class, 1974: A ghastly song, by the worst Beach Boys Tribute Band ever. Except maybe the one currently led

by Mike Love. This onerous homage to Brian Wilson was somehow allowed in the ‘70s. Since then, however, we’ve enacted tough legislation regarding lame Beach Boys ripoffs. Yep, there’s actually jail time involved.

Plus, that three-strike rule. Okay then. You’ve been warned.

“Danger Zone”-Kenny Loggins, 1986: Once the poster boy for the dangers of both soft rock and learning macrame, Loggins did something even more horrifying in the summer of ’86. He actually sang this stinkburger about how cool it is to get into a jet and kill somebody. Aside from that macrame accident of ’75, where he allegedly also killed somebody? This is Kenny’s worst offense to date. But stay tuned. The decade is young.

“Kokomo”-The Beach Boys, 1988: This is not so much a song as a horrible moment in American history. Like the burning of our Capitol in 1814. Or, in 2000, when Britney Spears sang “Satisfaction”. The fact that this ghastly, accordion-driven tune is also attributed to ‘The Beach Boys’ makes it doubly horrifying. Like a champion spitter who can hit you with a loogie in both eyes simultaneously.

Mike Love sings this shingle-inducing, fauxCaribbean fatwa. And yet they call Brian crazy?

What’s up with that?

“Soak Up The Sun”-Sheryl Crow, 2002: I’m all for summer songs. But this Sheryl Crow tune seems so boring and contrived, it’s the musical equivalent of reality TV. There’s real drama inherent here, though. Question: soaking up the sun, or listening to this song constantly?

Which will give you skin cancer faster? That’s a horse race for you.

“Summer Breeze”-The Isley Brothers, 1974: I really don’t mind the original, by Seals and Crofts. That’s not exactly a compliment. It only means the deprogramming wasn’t successful, after I was rescued from that cult. But the original was short and sweet. Here, the Isleys defy the time-space continuum by making this song seem longer than a trip around the sun. Plus, it starts with the endless plucking of a Japanese koto. Which sets up expectations that someone is going to bring you sushi. And anyone can tell you that sushi delayed is sushi denied. That alone absolutely qualifies this tune to be on the list.

hard 8 By mark beneventi

VOL. 6 - ISSUE 6

JULY 2013

1. Ever notice that if you re-arrange the letters in RETRO and VINTAGE you can spell WHITE TRASH – as in “That’s a nice leopard print sofa!”

5. What’s the scariest thing about leaving Deep Ellum at 3 AM? Having Whataburger as your only food option!

2. Some Harley dudes were telling me how their bikes are like fine china and I said “Why, because you only use it a few times a year?” They said “No” and then beat the crap out of me.

6. Nike may be sponsoring a teen suicide hotline. I’d kinda like to see them employ their “Just Do It” catch phrase on that one.

3. You know things aren’t working out for you if you have to pay with a check at CiCi’s Pizza!

4. So, who will win more games this year? The Cowboys, the Mavs or Stevie Wonder at the U.S. National Dart Tournament.

7. Playboy has come out with a video game.

They should have no problem programming the artificial women for it.

8. You know you’re getting old when you lose the flexibility to shave your own back.

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MAYBE A CELLMATE ‘SWEETIE PIE’?

Anthony Thompson, of Dallas, must not have a sweet tooth?

Recently, he sold 100 large boxes of Little Debbie cakes for $500, one-tenth of their retail value, $5,000. And, that’s too bad, ‘cause he needs more cash. His bail in jail is set at $15,000. That’s because these treats were in the back of a delivery truck he stole.

By Andrew J. Hewett • www.chewednews.com SHOCKED? LOOK THIS UP YOURSELF The Washington Post reports when President Obama and family visited Africa recently, with all involved, including hundreds of security agents, an entourage of planes and ground vehicles (56 support vehicles, including 14 limousines and three truckloads of bullet-proof sheet glass to cover windows at the hotels where they stay), the estimated cost of this trip is well over $60 million.

GET MAD HERE, PLEASE! Remember Army Major Nidal Hasan, who is accused of shooting and killing 13 while wounding 32 in November 2009, at Fort Hood, Texas? As of May 2013, while avoiding trial for 43 months, Hasan has “earned” $278,000 (and counting) in salary and benefits...because his pay cannot stop until he is convicted; while, according to WFAA-TV, some of the 32 surviving victims cannot even get worker’s compensation or disability treatment money from the Army. Why? The Army refuses to classify the spree-shooting as a “terrorist attack.”

Cancer June 22 – July 22 You’ll return home from a month long trip overseas only to find out that your bird sitter has trained your parrot to whisper “You’re going to die!” in a sinister voice.

Libra September 23 – October 22 Congrats! You finally landed a new job at a funeral home. Your boss will threaten to fire you if you don’t “lighten the hell up” with the grieving clients.

Capricorn December 22 – January 19 Next week while at the supermarket an elderly woman will ask you for directions to the produce aisle. She’ll give you an awkward hug afterward while lifting your wallet.

Leo July 23 – August 22 Later this week you’ll hear your roommate moaning your name while taking a shower.

Scorpio October 23 – November 21 This weekend while sexting your girlfriend, she’ll reply with a link to a penis enlargement company ad.

Aquarius January 20 – February 18 While cuddling on the couch with your girl watching TV, she will smile and murmur, “You smell just like my dad!”

Virgo August 23 – September 22 You will wake up early this week, make the trek to work only to find out it’s your day off. After getting back home, your boss will call asking you to come back since you’re already up.

Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Your parents will blow your inheritance in their quest to finish building their replica Hobbit house in their backyard.

Pisces February 19 – March 20 Since it’s summer, your neighbors will invite you over for a nude barbecue.

Aries March 21 – April 19 Later this month your roommate will splash out on a prostitute. When your iPhone and wallet go missing his only words will be: “Shit happens, bro.”

Taurus April 20 – May 20 You’ll register on an irritable bowel support group while unknowingly linking it to your Facebook page.

Gemini May 21 – June 21 Next week you’ll be woken up by your drunk girlfriend calling you and saying how much she loves you. She’ll then stop and tell the guy she’s with to be quiet because you’ll hear him.

www.blitzweekly.com

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JULY 2013

VOL. 6 - ISSUE 6

Dating in the City A Fool-Proof Guide

By Amber LaFrance – alafrance@blitzweekly.com

A

h, the dating scene in Dallas. I’ve been on my fair share of disaster dates, but hell I’ve had some fun too!

What I dig in a guy is a sense of adventure, creativity and willingness to try new things. My favorite date, whether or not it’s my first or 15th, typically revolves around some kind of adventure.

No, I don’t want to go to Chili’s and I don’t want to see the new Blockbuster release.

Here are a few of my favorite summer date ideas, give them a try and let me know what you think @AmberLaFrance.

FOR THE GIRL YOU’VE JUST MET

FOR THE GIRL WHO’S TOO CUTE TO JUST BE YOUR FRIEND

First dates can be so easy if you don’t overthink them. Try focusing on a fun activity that’s light-hearted. Believe me, you don’t want to spend the night awkwardly staring at each other in silence - you’re practically strangers! Avoid pricey activities, fancy dinners and overly romantic atmospheres this early in the game. Your wallet won’t hurt and she won’t feel pressured. If the sparks don’t fly, relax, there are more fish in the sea.

Let’s face it, being in the “friend zone” sucks. Why? Because you’re the guy who’s always there for her, but for some reason it hasn’t gone to that next level.

Take my advice, grow some balls and take her somewhere

where you can have fun together and get flirtatious. Ideally,

she’ll start to entertain the idea of dating you and stop looking

at you as just a friend.

Try this: • Learn how to play Pétanque (the French version of Bocce ball) at Klyde Warren Park (July 6) • Get your groove on with Fitz & the Tantrums at the House of Blues (July 12) • Challenge her to a game of dodge ball at Life in Deep Ellum (July 17)

FOR THE GIRL YOU WOULDN’T INTRODUCE TO MAMA Let’s be honest here, this girl has something you want and it’s not a relationship. Maybe you’re just friends with benefits, maybe it’s a no-strings-attached situation, but either way you’re not dialing up the romance meter for this one. Take her somewhere where you can enjoy a night of heavy drinking.

Try this: • Chug a beer and challenge her to a game of beer pong at Bombshells (every Wednesday night until July 17) • Down a carafe of mimosas, light a handful of sparklers and do some table dancin’ at Sunday School at Hotel Zaza (every third Sunday of the month) • Get rowdy with the lovely ladies of DFW Burlesque for the Fourth Annual Heavy Metal Burlesque at Trees (July 20)

Try this: • Explore tasty local brews at the Deep Ellum Brewing Company (tours Thursdays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at noon) • Bask under the stars and enjoy local music at the Nasher by Oil Boom (July 19) • Watch a movie, old-school style at the Coyote Drive-In in Fort Worth (screenings start at 6 p.m. daily)

FOR THE GIRL YOU DO WANT TO INTRODUCE TO MAMA Your theme song is no longer “Area Codes” by Ludacris. You’ve finally found someone who’s worthy of meeting the ‘rents. Don’t get too relaxed though, now that

you have her you’ve got to keep her around. Show her you can

be spontaneous and keep the sparks flying.

Try this: • Channel your inner wino and ferment your own wine at Su Vino Winery in Grapevine • Cuddle up at the Highland Park Film Festival for Sunset Boulevard, an American film noir from 1950 (July 15) • Wow her with your sushi-rolling skills at Central Market’s cooking class (July 25 at 6:30 p.m.)

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Your Prescription Is Ready!

469.964.5980 yourbrandremedy.com

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