A song that chokes me up

I'm a patriot. In today's divisive politics, that word gets misused. I believe in the liberties in our Constitution, I believe in the greatness of this country and all it has done, and I still believe we hold the best hope for freedom in the world. Are we a perfect nation? Of course not, but none is. They are all shot through with human failings, but we, as a people, try to do what we think is right and, in most cases, eventually wind up in the right place.

There is a song that came out when I was young, a song that struck a chord the first time I heard it, because it reflects my family's history. I am descended from Eastern European Jews, people who were attacked, enslaved, oppressed and killed because of who they were. But there was one country, one shining light that offered us hope. Yes, some of our people were turned away in times of need, as some are today. Again, not a perfect nation. Still, it was a nation whose "Father" and first President promised to the Jews over 200 years ago, "To Bigotry No Sanction, to Persecution No Assistance."

So it is fitting that the song was written and sung by a man of my background, descended from Eastern European Jews. Yes, hold your groans, I'm talking about Neil Diamond, and the song is called America.

Just reading the lyrics makes his feelings clear:

Far
We've been traveling far
Without a home
But not without a star

Free
Only want to be free
We huddle close
Hang on to a dream

On the boats and on the planes
They're coming to America
Never looking back again
They're coming to America

Home, don't it seem so far away
Oh, we're traveling light today
In the eye of the storm
In the eye of the storm

Home, to a new and a shiny place
Make our bed, and we'll say our grace
Freedom's light burning warm
Freedom's light burning warm

Everywhere around the world
They're coming to America
Every time that flag's unfurled
They're coming to America

Got a dream to take them there
They're coming to America
Got a dream they've come to share
They're coming to America

They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
They're coming to America
Today, today, today, today, today

My country 'tis of thee
Today
Sweet land of liberty
Today
Of thee I sing
Today
Of thee I sing
Today

As sappy as it may seem, some of those lyrics bring tears to my eyes, especially when I hear him sing them. "Free. Only want to be free. We huddle close. Hang on to a dream."

I can see my ancestors, risking their lives, making their way across Europe and across an ocean to a foreign land, leaving all they knew behind for a chance at a new and better life for their children... for me.

"Home, don't it seem so far away. Oh, we're traveling light today. In the eye of the storm. In the eye of the storm."

I don't know that I would have had the guts to do it. To leave everything behind and risk it all on a chance at that better life.

If you've never heard the song, or even if you have, take a look at this clip from the 1980 movie The Jazz Singer, where Neil Diamond's character (who name is Jess, by the way) wins over his father (played by Sir Laurence Olivier) with the song:

Rugby photos, continued

Click on them for larger versions...














Love his thighs




You don't see a lot of mohawks these days!

That will do it for today!

More Bingham Cup

If you guessed that he's from a French team, you're right! :)




This guy was a really good player!


Thought you might like a going away shot!


He scores a try.




Some of the Gotham boys in a pre-match huddle.


Kieran with the ball.








Some local guys climbed up on the wall to watch the tournament (presumably, they live in the houses on the other side).









Still (plenty) more to come!

Bingham Cup photos (Dublin, June 2008)

Time to start sharing some rugby photos! But one quick note before I do. I made an error in the prior post, reversing the name of Mr. Hunter Parrish (it's fixed now). Sorry, Hunter baby. Come on by, and we'll make it up to you! ;)

The Bingham Cup has a few nice features. First, unlike our usual opponents, many/most of which are straight teams, Bingham is a gay rugby tournament. These are guys who like sleeping with other guys! It makes it extra special when I can hear things like the discussion one morning between two members of another team, regarding one of their teammates being late for the match: "I think I saw him go home with two guys." "I hope they both were tops, because two tops and a bottom can work, but two bottoms and a top usually is a problem."

Now that's the kind of chat I like to hear! So where were these hotties when I was lusting after the jocks in high school?

Another nice thing is that there are so many teams. Normally, when I share photos with you, it's just Gotham and one other team. But with this, I've got lots of material to share. So here we go...












Love the color of this team's uniforms






















A number of these were at the tournament. They're part of the necessary equipment for a rugby tournament!

More to come!

Last Ireland post (except for rugby photos)

Before the rest of the Ireland photos, I want to mention something. We're watching an episode of Weeds, and I need to say this. Hunter Parrish, I know you're just 21 (and usually that really is too young for me to be interested, but in your case I'll make an exception). If you read this, just know that, as long as I have a face, you have a place to sit!


Hunter Parrish

Okay, now on with the rest of the Ireland photos.


Our trusty steed.


The east coast, south of Dublin.


My other half, pursuing his photographic endeavors!


I shot the photo of this jogger not because he was cute (he's okay, but there were outright hotties around there) but because of the shirt. Can you see the logo on the breast? On the east coast of Ireland, and the jogger who goes by is wearing an NYPD shirt!




This is very Ireland--the grassy hills going right up to the beach.




This was at a condo development on our way. They had a lighthouse theme and this "lighthouse" at the end of the parking lot. Behind it, you can just see a lightship docked there.


They did have a nice marina there. I guess that's part of the attraction of those condos.


This church was on our way and looked nice, but we couldn't get a good angle for a photo.




The Rock of Cashel




Hore Abbey below/across the way (or what's left of it)


Another view of the Rock.


Back on the road. How about that for a tight fit? See where the tires ran? Yes, it's that narrow!


One last stop.


Again, I couldn't get a good angle for a shot (unless I wanted to stand in the high-speed traffic, one land in each direction, no shoulder road--in which case, I wouldn't be alive to share these photos!).


A look inside the abbey.

Okay, that does it for Ireland, except for the rugby photos. And there are plenty of rugby photos to share!