T-shirt #250: Etnies with Ryan Sheckler autograph

Go here for my latest autographed t-shirt donated by Etnies: T-shirt #363: Etnies Ryan Sheckler Autograph (#3)

This shirt was donated to me by Etnies (thanks Christi and Rob!), and I couldn’t believe it when I heard it was on its way!

If you don’t know who Ryan Sheckler is, you can check him out here: http://www.ryansheckler.com/bio

He just won his third gold medal in skateboarding at the X Games this year, and you can watch him doing that here: http://www.ryansheckler.com/videos/post/sheckler-skates-at-x-games-16

For more Etnies stuff, go here: http://etnies.com/

And the auction for this shirt (with $$ going to Hope Lodge) is here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320587360678#ht_500wt_1154

The only skateboarding related story I can think of is loving the skateboarding scenes from Back to the Future and how everyone in my grade wanted a purple-splatter Valterra skateboard like Marty McFly. That’s all I got…

T-shirt #249: New Jersey Devils 1995 Stanley Cup Champs

This shirt is a donation from my friend Christi (thanks again!), and I knew I had to wear it before the hockey season started. I hope seeing me in anything other than a Bruins shirt wasn’t too shocking to anyone!

This shirt reminds me of May 1995, and the first round playoff series between the Bruin and Devils. The series started on May 7, 1995 and the Bruins lost 5-0. I was in the middle of finals and at the peak of my problem drinking, and consumed everything alcoholic that was in the apartment. Like the Bruins had played, I just didn’t care anymore.

The next day, my friend Drew came to the rescue. I hadn’t thrown up that much and after seeing all the empty bottles, Drew was pretty sure I had alcohol poisoning. He took me to the hospital, and they gave me charcoal to soak up the rest of the alcohol. My parents came to see me in the hospital and although I had already given them plenty of reasons to yell at me because of my drinking, they only showed support and love. My doctor and parents both wanted me to go to rehab (which I had been to a year earlier), but I had no desire to. I did realize one thing: If I didn’t want something like this to happen again, I had to stop drinking.

With a bad attitude, I told my parents I would go to McLean’s, but wasn’t going to put any effort into recovery. I think I was more pissed at myself than anything else. When we got there, my attitude changed. I realized I had to try and get something out of it while I was there, and told my mom everything was going to be okay. Unfortunately, the Bruins’ fate was out of my control.

As I continued my rehab, the B’s fell down 3 games to 2. My father came to visit me one day with really bad news that reminded me hockey is just a game (yeah, I said it). While I was in the hospital getting treated for my alcohol poisoning, a friend of mine had passed away. His name was Justin, and I had met him three years earlier while we were both getting treated for cancer. He was a great, bright, funny kid and we would request to be in the same room when we were in the hospital at the same time. Justin had asked his mother to call me so he could see me when things started looking bad, but I was too busy being stupid and selfish in the ER. Shocked by the news, I threw the closest chair I could find and retreated to my room at McLean’s.

I knew I would never be able to forgive myself for not being there for Justin, but I also knew that I couldn’t let drinking prevent me from being there for someone again. At one of my inpatient AA meetings, another struggling alcohol abuser said something that made my future with drinking certain. The 30something-year-old said “My name is _______, and this is my 8^th time in rehab.” I told myself I never wanted to say that, ever. And I knew there was only one way that was going to happen: never drink again. And, I haven’t.

On May 14, I was one week into rehab and the Bruins were playing the Devils in game 5. It was the last official hockey game at the Boston Garden, and the Bruins lost 3-2. Adam Oates score the last goal (see picture by my dad), and the Devils advanced to the next round. Although the Bruins (like they had every year of my life) failed to win the Stanley Cup, I finally won my two-year battle with drinking. Looking forward to the Bruins finally coming through for me and my family…

T-shirt #248: NO SOUP FOR YOU! (Soup Nazi)

Although this shirt is more of a 90s T, it was donated to me from 80s Tees (http://www.80stees.com, http://www.80stees.com/products/Soup-Nazi-Seinfeld-T-shirt.asp )…thanks again 80s Tees!

Seinfeld has been one of my favorite shows for a long time. Right up there with The Simpsons, it’s a series that I have seen every episode and can find a quote from for just about any situation (my family and friends just love this).

SOME SOUP NAZI INFO:

For more information on The Soup Nazi, go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Soup_Nazi

This episode, a fan favorite, is based on a real-life soup guy who recently reopened his doors in New York (http://www.originalsoupman.com).

What I didn’t know and just found out was the actor who played the Soup Nazi (Larry Thomas) was nominated for an Emmy for his work.

Hope everyone is having a great long weekend! Here’s some Soup Nazi to enjoy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2lfZg-apSA

T-shirt #247: I LIKE IT ON TOP

This shirt was donated from Snorg Tees (http://www.snorgtees.com/, http://www.snorgtees.com/ilikeitontop-p-456.html…thanks Snorg!), and it reminds me of sleeping in a bunk bed growing up, the movie Big, and choices of where to sleep in college.

Up until I was 14 and my older brother went away to college, I had to share a room with my brother Tom (it was all 3 brothers in one room until my parents put an addition on the house). Tom and I shared a bunk bed for a majority of our time in The ‘Boro and over the years, it got some mileage. I always had the top bunk, and that proved to be dangerous for Tom a couple of times (in addition to Tom telling me “You were talking in your sleep” many, many times). Once when I was on the top bunk, I could feel it giving way and yelled to Tom that he better get out of the way. Just like Indiana Jones, he spun out of the way just before me, the mattress frame, and the mattress came crashing down. The other time I wasn’t on the bed and it did fall on top of him, but he managed to hold it up enough to make another narrow escape. Luckily both times, he didn’t have a whip or hat to grab on his way to safety. One summer night, we had just gotten back form PEI when I heard a strange sound coming from under the bunk bed. With no idea what it was, I quietly asked Tom if he heard it to (I would describe it as a rustling of some sort). He did hear it, and my plan was simple: I was going to count to three, and we were going to run to our parents’ room. After my dad investigated, it turned out to be a squirrel that had managed to get inside while we were away and our kitchen was having some construction done on it (I guess the carpenters weren’t to concerned about the house door being open or shut). Another burning bunk bed memory was when once again, the top bunk fell through when Tom wasn’t around. Making fun out of our dysfunctional bed, Tom and I propped my mattress at an angle on the top frame and had our very own slide in our bedroom. Our parents were good sports about it, but didn’t buy it when I tried to convince them that we could keep it that way and I could fall asleep at a 45-degree angle. It was worth a shot.

Moving on to college, I picked the one-person loft in the forced triple room of my freshman dorm. My face was about 6 inches from the ceiling, but I had plenty of experience sleeping so high up so I wasn’t too concerned. When alcohol came into my life, the decision to take the bed with the highest altitude proved costly. Luckily for me, I usually had my friend Patrick by my side to make sure I got safely up into the bed. When sophomore year rolled around, I was again faced with the decision of where to sleep. This time, it was an easy one. It didn’t take much convincing for Patrick to agree that the bottom bunk was where I should sleep. However, as my problem drinking escalated, even getting into the bottom bunk was challenging some nights. Again, Patrick was there for me and made sure I at least got back to the room without any incidents. Junior year, I graduated to just a box spring and mattress on the floor. It was the end of bunk beds in my life, and eventually would be the end of my drinking days.

If you have never seen Big with Tom Hanks, you should check it out sometime…”Okay, but I get to be on top!”

T-shirt #246: HELLO MY NAME IS Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.

This shirt is from my awesome brother Jon who saw it and thought it was a “must” for the blog…I couldn’t agree more. If you don’t get the reference, I really, really, really feel bad for you…

15 years ago today, Jon and his wife Jen got married. I was lucky enough to be the best man, and didn’t surprise people when my toast started with a reference to the Bruins (Jon was born less than a week before Bobby Orr’s Stanley Cup winning OT goal in 1970). Part of my toast questioned if I could find anything wrong with either Jon or Jen (other than Jen’s allegiance to the New York Mets), and 15 years later they have added to their list of great qualities by bringing three priceless gifts into both of their families and creating a family of their own.

Now as “Daddy” and “Mommy”, Jon and Jen have passed down their willingness to help others, gift of laughter, intelligence, and passion for sports to their children. Like their wedding started 15 years ago, their house is full of love. Hearing the welcoming excitement that “Uncle Dave is here!” puts a smile on my face every time I walk in the door. It is the perfect cure to anything bad that might have happened that day.

One of the passions that brought Jon and Jen together was a love of movies. Before I get to that though, I’d like to share this story: It was the summer of 1993, and I was calling my friend Kristen (Jen’s sister) to see if she wanted to hang out. Kristen (who had told me that Jen liked Jon) wasn’t home, so I asked Jen why she hadn’t called Jon and asked him to do something. She was afraid he would say no, and I (although I hadn’t spoken to Jon about it) grunted her if she asked him over to watch a movie he would say yes. She said, “Well, I don’t know…”, but before she could finish her sentence I yelled downstairs, “Jon, phone call!”

Jon did end up going over and spending time with Jen that night, and yes, they got along quite well. Although I’m not sure if it was the first night, I know one of the movies they watched when they started dating was The Princess Bride (Kristen can write add details to this story about this if she wants to). It was a fitting beginning to a wonderful romance that, like in the movies, you can tell it was meant to be. So congrats Jon and Jen for 15 years and thank you for making every life you touch a better and happier one, I love you!

T-shirt #245: COEXIST

Unlike yesterday’s shirt, I know exactly what this one is all about…

I’ve written it before, but I still think there are two major contributors to just about all of the world’s problems: religion and greed. Today, as the shirt suggests, I will be focusing on religion.

There really is only one way to peace, and that is for everyone to accept other’s viewpoints when it comes to religion. Just about every major religion has some version of the Golden Rule:

Bahá'í Faith - Lay not on any soul a load that you would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for anyone the things you would not desire for yourself. (Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings)

Buddhism - Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. (The Buddha, Udana-Varga 5.18)

Christianity - In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. (Jesus, Matthew 7:12)

Confucianism - One word which sums up the basis of all good conduct....loving-kindness. Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself. (Confucius, Analects 15.23)

Hinduism - This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you. (Mahabharata 5:1517)

Islam - Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others 
what you wish for yourself. (The Prophet Muhammad, Hadith)

Jainism - One should treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated. (Mahavira, Sutrakritanga 1.11.33)

Judaism - What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour. This is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary. Go and learn it. (Hillel, Talmud, Shabbath 31a)

Native Spirituality - We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive. (Chief Dan George)

Sikhism - I am a stranger to no one; and no one is a stranger to me.
Indeed, I am a friend to all. (Guru Granth Sahib, p.1299)

Taoism - Regard your neighbour's gain as your own gain and your neighbour's loss as your own loss. (Lao Tzu, T'ai Shang Kan Ying P'ien, 213-218)

Unitarianism - We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. (Unitarian principle)

Zoroastrianism - Do not do unto others whatever is injurious to yourself. (Shayast-na-Shayast 13.29)

(Thanks to http://www.scarboromissions.ca for these quotes)

So if all of these major religions have the Golden Rule, where does all this religious intolerance come from? Here are my guesses:

People thinking that their religion is THE religion, and all other religions are wrong.

People taking other parts of scripture and twisting it to justify their actions (“This is what God wants me to do”).

People thinking that if someone claiming to be a certain religion acts in a certain way (extremist, violent, intolerant), then EVERYONE from that religion will act that way and believe the same principles.

People teaching their children religious intolerance.

People thinking that their idea of God and how to get into heaven is more important than how they treat other people.

So, what is the solution? This shirt has the answer. In order to live in peace, we need to accept that not everyone will have the same religious beliefs. We need to teach the next generation to not judge others based on religion. The major religions should focus on the Golden Rule above all other rules. Honestly, what do you think God (if you believe in God) wants? For people to argue and fight over what is the “correct” way to worship, or to treat others with love?

I was raised Catholic, but I no longer believe in this church (for many, many reasons). I go to Mass a few times a year but I do it for my family, not for God. I think Jesus had a lot of great ideas on how people should treat each other, but I can’t honestly say I believe he was God in the flesh. I do believe God will come to earth when one of two things happen: Either things get so bad here that God has to do the biggest episode of Intervention ever, or we get it right and God comes to congratulate us. I believe that The Holy Trilogy did get it right:

Jedi / Star Wars - It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together. (Obi-Wan Kenobi)

Everything in the universe is connected, and the only way to live peacefully is to believe we are all in this together…

T-shirt #244: Dolphin Rider

Even Busted Tees (http://www.bustedtees.com), who donated this shirt, isn’t sure what the meaning is. They claim “This is either a Wave Race 64 reference, or our vision of a perfect world” (http://www.bustedtees.com/dolphinrider). I think it’s a weird combination of Flipper and Jet Moto (the Playstation version of Wave Race), but I’m hoping it means something more than that…any ideas?

I did find an ancient Greek story about a dolphin rider named Arion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arion), but I don’t think he had the equipment that the rider in this shirt has.

I wondered if I could find a picture of Aquaman riding a dolphin, and interestingly found out that he actually had a romantic relationship with one (a character named Dolphin, not an animal!). Dolphin was a girl taken by aliens and mutated so she could live undersea (typical). After she and Aquaman defeated a common enemy, they entered into a romantic relationship. I never knew Aquaman had a girlfriend OR an ex-wife, but it’s all here: http://www.comicvine.com/dolphin/29-13570

Hey, I did find a picture of Aquaman with a dolphin!

I was looking for a funny Family Guy Aquaman clip, but the quality of the one I found was sub-par. I did find a trailer for an Aquaman movie that doesn’t look good at all. Maybe I should write a live action Superfriends script…

Well, that’s about all I have to say about dolphins, dolphin riders, and people who communicate with sea life. Looking forward to watching disc 2 of Undeclared. Happy Hump Day everyone!