The World According To Kate » opinion

Thoughts On David Ortiz’s Steroid Use

Kate Czlapinski — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 03:28:21 +0000

I wasn’t going to comment on the recent news concerning David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez testing positive on a performance enhancing drug test back in 2003, but I thought as a proud Yankees fan, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention it. The thing is… well, it’s complicated. My feelings about it are a bit complex and I didn’t want to just hastily bang something out and then realize that I left out important ideas.

As a life time Yankees fan living in Connecticut, I’ve always been very familiar with the Yankees/Red Sox Rivalry and all the trash talk that goes along with it. I’ve learned to dish it out and take it with the best of them. In the past decade (has it really been that long?), there have been some ups and downs – mostly ups for them and downs for us. The tables had turned and we were humbled. As I’ve grown and matured as a fan, I’ve learned that a classy fan is a quiet fan. This is why I was so hesitant to make any comments at all about the subject.

Am I shocked? Of course not. It was 2003 – right around the time he went from your average player to a baseball superstar. And it was just before they really started cracking down and testing for the use of performance enhancing drugs in baseball. There’s a lot of pressure on these guys to be great. I get it… I want to be great at my job, too. And if so many people were doing it, and it sounds like they all were, how could they not? They had to keep up with the competition, right? I get it.

This should quiet some of the smack talk I’ve had to endure the past few years… I’ve grown tired of always hearing about A-Rod (who hasn’t heard him referred to as A-Roid?), Giambi and Pettitt and everyone else using steroids and getting called cheaters. It was only a matter of time before news broke of a Red Sox player testing positive for steroid use. I hear Big Papi is a really good guy, and you almost feel bad, but he was so outspoken about being against them!

This is what Ortiz said in Fort Myers, Fla., last Feb. 16: “I know that if I test positive for using any kind of substance, I know that I’m going to disrespect my family, the game, the fans, and everybody, and I don’t want to be facing that situation. So what would I do? I won’t use it . . . you test everybody three, four times a year and that’s about it. You do what you got to do. Yeah, whatever they say. Ban them for a whole year.’’

It got headlines. Ortiz says one-year ban for players who test positive. It played well to the masses.

Again, I’m not really going to say anything bad about the Sox… On Facebook the last couple of days, I’ve seen lots of Yankees fans running their mouths. That’s just not my style. A healthy dose of schadenfreude feels good once in awhile, but lord knows we have our own pile of dirty laundry. Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones and Yankee Stadium is one unbelievably fragile glass mansion.

Dan Shaughnessy of The Boston Globe really summed up my own ideas best is his article, Suffering From Roid Rage:

The timing and the numbers are particularly damning for Big Papi. He was ordinary before 2003. Then he cheated. Then he was great. Now there is testing and he is less than ordinary. You don’t need Jose Canseco to connect the dots.

As for Manny, what is left to say? When he got caught this year, Sox fans wanted to believe he started cheating after he left Boston. Now his entire career is flushed down the toilet. Along with Ortiz.

It’s horrible.

No more innocence.

No more fairy tales.

The 2004 Red Sox really were Idiots. Just like the Yankees and everybody else.

Our cheaters were better than their cheaters.

Yahoo.

The Red Sox have really been no different from the Yankees all these years. Welcome to the club, RSN, we’re all rooting for overpaid, overgrown children. They’re jerks and they shouldn’t be worshipped as heroes, but they’re our jerks.

Blasphemy in Ireland

Kate Czlapinski — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:15:11 +0000

Conversation from the other night on our way to dinner

Kevin: So hon, I hope you had no plans of going to Ireland anytime soon…
Me: Huh?
Kevin: They’re making blasphemy illegal, with a fine of €25,000.
Me: What???
Kevin: Yeah
Me: Really???
Kevin: Yup
Me: Well, Jesus F@*# Christ!

Yes, that could end up being a very expensive trip for us… But really??? Really??? How backwards is that?

Ireland Passes Blasphemy Law

Strip Search of 13 Year Old Was A Violation of Fourth Amendment Rights

Kate Czlapinski — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:50:02 +0000

Hey, remember a couple of months ago when I went on a rant about the 13 year old girl who was strip searched at school because she might have Ibuprofen ? No? Well she was… And if you ask me, it was fairly ridiculous.

Well, the case went to the Supreme Court and yesterday it was ruled that it was illegal and a violation of the girl’s Fourth Amendment rights.

Gee, ya think?

You can read more about it here:

Court Calls Search of Student’s Underwear Illegal

They Come in Three’s

Kate Czlapinski — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:00:09 +0000

So in the past week, we’ve now seen the deaths of three celebrities.

Some initial thoughts about them:

Ed McMahon - This is sad in the sense that it’s always sad to hear of someone’s death, but he was old. He was 86 years old and lived a pretty full life. While sad, it wasn’t exactly shocking news.

Farrah Fawcett – This morning we heard of the death of Farrah Fawcett. This one is really sad - probably a little more saddening than hearing of the death of Ed McMahon, because of the manner in which she died. She’d been very sick with cancer for a long time and she was only 62 years old. Really, really sad, but in no way is her death shocking. It seemed that it was really only a matter of time.

Michael Jackson – I’m not home from work for 5 minutes and I hear about this one… WTF? No, really… W. T. F? I guess my reactions to his death are much the same as my reactions to his life. I am both shocked and confused. Weird. Only 50 years old. And no matter what you may think of his bizarre personal life, there’s really no denying his legend status in music. He was an amazing talent. While I don’t know how sad I find this one (hello, I’m still shocked!), you have to feel really bad for his kids. That just sucks.

Wow. Just wow.

Wife Camp

Kate Czlapinski — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:48:45 +0000

Kevin sent me a link to this article from Mother Jones about a sort of “Wife Camp”, a summer camp in Montreal for 10 to 14 year old girls in which they will

develop confidence, social charm and grace, a sense of style and refinement. Participants will learn an array of skills from social etiquette, personal presentation skills, personal grooming and care, choice and co-ordination of attire, reception planning and hosting, to singing and dancing, Students will also be introduced to selected disciplines of music and fine arts (such as painting, and piano). At the end of the event, participants will host a cocktail reception for their parents to celebrate the results of their efforts in a real-life setting.

Yuck… well, that just reeks of a certain 1950′s housewifery. While I can admit that a lot of teenagers these days (not all – I don’t want to hear about your own super charming children) have about all the social grace of a door knob, this is really a bit much. Oh, and why is this only for girls? Yeah, I just don’t like it.

And should I be concerned that Kevin sent me this link? What exactly is he trying to tell me? :p

Wife Camp for Canadian Girls

LEGALIZE! The Decriminalization of Marijuana

Kate Czlapinski — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:22:20 +0000

This was a really interesting article by Mike Miliard from The Hartford Advocate that I came across this afternoon about the progress made in the fight to legalize pot. It’s a little bit lengthy, but definitely an interesting read. While I’m by no means a pot head these days, I have smoked a little marijuana (in my checkered past :p) and, like our boy Obama, “I inhaled frequently…That was the point.” I (and most people I know for that matter) feel that it’s just plain ridiculous that it’s illegal.

IS NOW THE TIME TO LEGALIZE POT?

The Death of “The Cougar”

Kate Czlapinski — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:12:30 +0000

In this piece, Linda Holmes goes on a rant about why she feels the term “Cougar” should die a slow painful death… and I couldn’t agree more. It’s kind of sexist and super creepy and they’ve made a really horrendous reality show about it. Yuck. Yes, I do believe it’s officially time to kill “the cougar”.

American Idol Top 3: Who’s Going Home?

Kate Czlapinski — Wed, 13 May 2009 22:36:43 +0000

Awww shit! It’s that time again!

So we’re down to 3… and someone’s going home tonight. This is where it really gets exciting. I won’t lie, I really am excited – even though, overall, American Idol causes me ridiculous amounts of hate and rage every damn season. But I am excited.

Who do we have left? These guys:

So yeah, America, if Adam ends up going home tonight you’ll have disappointed me almost as badly as that time you re-elected Bush back in 2004. Don’t make me consider moving to Canada twice in less than a five year period.

AT&T U-Verse

Kate Czlapinski — Sun, 03 May 2009 14:33:03 +0000

So Kevin and I are considering switching our cable/internet/phone package from Comcast over to AT&T U-Verse, as it is now available in our area and I’ve been harassing Kevin about wanting some form of DVR, because everyone I know has that option and I feel like we’re living in the Dark Ages.

I may hate television, but really that’s not due to a of lack of good programming (sure, there’s a lot of HORRENDOUS stuff on, but there are some bright spots as well). We have tons of channels and there’s a lot on – just nothing I want to watch when I want to watch it. Also, during the week, there are a couple of shows that I would love to watch and think I would enjoy, but they unfortunately conflict with other viewing commitments.

And anyway, while Comcast does offer the DVR option, in comparing the packages offered it just seems that you can get a lot more bang for your buck with AT&T U-Verse.

We unfortunately don’t really know anyone who has the service or has used it and it would be nice to hear from someone who has actually had some experience with it.

Anyone have them? If so, your opinions on it?

Sierra Trading Post

Kate Czlapinski — Sat, 02 May 2009 12:36:03 +0000

Running can be a very inexpensive hobby when compared with the expenses of other sports. Think about it, all you really need is a good pair of running shoes, which will probably have to be replaced every few hundred miles. You will probably also want to buy at least a few good pairs of shorts or moisture wicking t-shirts to run in as well, but they’re not really necessary.

Many of us, however, will make it an expensive hobby by buying new shoes well before they are worn out and by not just purchasing a few pairs of shorts and technical tops, but LOTS and LOTS. This is the category that I fall into. What can I say? I love stuff

I have at least learned that a lot of money can be saved by buying your gear online. My favorite place to buy all my running shoes and apparel is Sierra Trading Post. I have bought nearly all my running gear from there and have saved a TON of money on some really great stuff.

On my most recent order, for example, I purchased 4 long sleeved wicking shirts, 2 pairs of running shorts, and a pair of sunglasses. This all came to $104.41 shipped. On this order, I saved $174.49 off normal retail prices. This is actually a pretty typical savings. Since I started buying my gear there, I’ve actually saved $451.16 off regular retail prices. C’mon, that’s exciting stuff!

While their prices are always great, I always make sure to use a coupon code. Once you start buying things from them, you regularly receive online coupons for 10%, 20% or, once in awhile, even 30% off their prices… sometimes even including free shipping if you spend a certain amount. Or if you don’t like a coupon that you have, you can usually find a number of coupon codes online on sites such as RetailMeNot.com or Coupon Mountain.

So if you’re in the market for any sort of outdoor gear or apparel, I highly recommend checking to see what Sierra Trading Post has to offer before making a purchase anywhere else!

Muahahaha! Human Cloning???

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:55:26 +0000

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/fertility-expert-i-can-clone-a-human-being-1672095.html

Dr Zavos, a controversial fertility doctor claims to have cloned 14 human embryos and planted 11 of them into the wombs of 4 women. None of the transfers led to a viable pregnancy, but the doctor fully believes that with intensified efforts the world could see it’s first healthy cloned baby within the next year or two.

What?

Ummm… anyone see anything wrong with this? While I’m thrilled that it CAN be done (it’s awesome that the technology is out there), I’m not so sure it should be done… Weird.

Hey, on a brighter note we could one day have our own clone army! The future is here.

Case of 13 year old Strip-Searched in School Goes to Supreme Court

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 22:18:23 +0000

13 year old Savana Redding was strip searched in school, because it was believed that she may be in possession of prescription strength Ibuprofen.

- Strip-Searched? Isn’t that taking it a little far???
- She was 13… I remember when I was 13. It would be really uncomfortable as an adult. At 13, it would be pretty traumatizing.
- She was an honor student…with no record of misbehavior. How did they treat the bad kids?
- All that for prescription strength Ibuprofen (the equivalent of 2 Advil)? What if it were something a little more serious?
- Oh yeah, and she was clean… no Ibuprofen.

IBUPROFEN??? Really??? Really???

It just all seems pretty ridiculous, if you ask me. The case was heard in the Supreme Court today… If you want more details (my rants weren’t enough?), you can check it out here:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103326158