Inspiration vs. Perspiration: Bloggin' On Empty

I heard a preacher or a writer or some sorta communicator type say that his work was "10% inspiration and 90% perspiration," and as a professional (who acts like an amateur) communicator myself, I thought, "Well, that sucks." I have since learned what the fellow, whose face and name I cannot for the life of me recall, meant.

Sometimes, it just doesn't flow. You sit in your chair beneath the glow of the 60 watt overhead bulbs and the whir of the ceiling fan you ought to be dusting...and stare at the softly lit computer screen with nothing to say. But you're a blogger. You have millions - or maybe a half-dozen - people waiting with bated breath to read what you write. You have to say something, don't you?

So, you reach way down deep into your soul, feel around in there, and find it empty. You rack your brain and find that hurts almost as much as racking your balls. Nothing in your heart. Nothing on your mind. So what do you do?

Do you do what I just did? Do you write anyway...about nothing and hope it flies? Or do you walk away and live to fight another day? I guess it depends on your work ethic. When inspiration is nowhere to be found, perspiration is bound to result.

So, there you have it, my fellow blogger: my advice when you are bloggin' on empty. Write anyway. Write away. Write now.

PS- I know this is a sports blog and it appears at first blush that this post has nothing whatever to do with sports. Look closer! I referenced racking balls, which, in its original context, is a billiards term. That's a sport. Right?

Detroit Journalist Rips On Bloggers

This McCosky guy is just way too proud of his pedestrian journalist gig. He hates bloggers and their blogs, but he says he respects the American idea of everyone having an opinion. How magnanimous! What a pompous ass(hole)!

Truth be told, he is likely just smarting over the fact that he and his craft are becoming more and more marginalized, and enjoying less and less "celebrity" status. He is having to learn to live with the notion that any asshole with one eye, half a brain, and a marginal command of the language can do his job.

All of that and he has to live in Detroit. I'd be pissed, too.

Poor fellow.

My Unbiased Opinion On Unbiased Opinions

Don't you hate it when someone asks for your "unbiased opinion" on something? What a pressure cooker! Little beads of sweat pop out on your forehead. You force that "unbiased," analytical, "sure-I-can-do-that" look onto your face, and nod. But you know good and doggoned well your opinion is anything but unbiased. The very fact that it was sought immediately biased you in some way. Admit it!

Unbiased opinion is just another of those fun little oxymorons we throw around. It makes about as much sense as jumbo shrimp, criminal lawyer, or Microsoft Works. I mean, good grief, who wants a criminal lawyer? These things make no sense!

Opinions are biased. That's what makes them opinions, dammit! You think what you think about a subject because of your biases, your preconceived notions, your affiliations, your beliefs, your likes and dislikes, what your momma told you, what your daddy didn't. It's just an opinion...and it is biased. But that doesn't make it tainted or irrelevant. It just makes it...biased.

You don't think the national media is biased? It is impossible - and decidedly "unhuman" - for them to be anything but. There is a reason Fox News and CNN can report the same facts and give you a completely different perspective or feeling about those facts.

Sports media is no different. They have their favorites...and their favorite whipping posts. Some in the "legitimate" media dismiss sports editorials like this because they are written by "fans." Pshaw! They are fans, too. If they aren't, who the heck cares what they think about sports in the first place?

I don't mind a sports journalist or reporter slanting or tailoring his work to suit his bias. I don't even mind it when his opinion is juxtaposed to my own (he's entitled to be wrong). Just don't do it with a stiff upper lip. Don't pretend to be above the fray, fair and unbiased. Don't be afraid of the truth, even if it does get in the way of your self-delusion.

So, why bring this up in the first place? Because everyone is entitled to my opinion. That's why.

Spags Fawns Over Woody

When your check is cut by Jerry Jones, you don't have to be a homer, but you have to enjoy home cooking. Mickey Spagnola certainly does. His Cowboys-tinted glasses makes the football field all silver and blue. Anyone who has read his columns or listened to his "Ranch Reports" on the Ticket knows that.

That's ok with us. We're homers too. We know it. We admit. We love it.

We also love the love the Mick gives Darren Woodson in his recent dallascowboys.com column. Without specifically calling Roy Williams out or overtly pointing the finger at the Parcells regime and yelling, "Dumbass!", Spags remembers the halcyon days when free safeties were interchangeable around here...all because of the versatility and football prowess of the great Darren Woodson.

You know the old adage about not knowing what you have until you don't anymore? Truth be told, we are all guilty of falling into that trap. These past couple of years, we have all known there was something missing in that Cowboys' secondary.

Mickey reminds us...it's not a what, it's a who.

Galloway is Right? The End Must Be Near

In a recent column, Galloway pointed out just how inept Dallas' so-called city leadership has been when it comes to dealing with just about everything sports-related. We could just say everything, period.

Galloway points out:

"The politicians over there (in Dallas) spent two years haggling with Jerry
about a stadium deal that never got off the table.
Arlington city leaders
got it done in two weeks."

Galloway admitted to having made a living by blaming everything Cowboys on Jerry Jones, but he lays the blame for the Cowboys slipping through Dallas' fingers on the right doorstep. He also accurately points out that it isn't the first time Dallas has lost the battle to keep the 'Boys. They lost them to Irving the first time. Says Randy,

In Dallas, they blame Jones for their failure. Lord knows, I understand the
sentiment. I've made a decent living over the years by blaming Jones for all
things Cowboy.
But four decades ago, different city leaders in Dallas and a
different owner of the Cowboys also disagreed over a new stadium issue. The late
Clint Murchison heard laughs when he said he'd move the team out of the city.
There was no laughing in 1971. That's when Texas Stadium opened in Irving.
But now it's a CYB mentality in Dallas. Cover Your Butt. Blame Jones. And
blame Arlington city leaders for caving in to Jones. Right, Laura Miller.

So, Randy got it right. I guess if you throw enough crap against the wall, something has to stick, right? Check out his full article here.