"The man in the black fled across the desert, and the Gunslinger followed.."

I went to Maine. Maine is almost like another country; really it is folks. A slice of land crooked in between the rest of America and Canada, Maine is indeed unique. Broken English is spoken, shooting menacing squirrels with a BB gun while sipping your morning coffee is optional (nobody in my family, humane society), while at the same time recent memory suggests that a hermit up the road used to keep a deer as a pet in his cabin. The traditional clock seems non-existent as days pass by without stress or strain. Our claim to fame is lobster, an enormous statue of Paul Bunyan, and the greatest fiction writer of modern times. Damn I love my home state.

Maine was fabulous. I read three books in four days, almost got sun poisoning for the second time this summer (who the hell said you were allowed to get sun poisoning in Maine?), I ate lobster, drank club soda by day and Pabst by night, and found out my youngest brother can now do more pushups than me. Father time is sniffing away at me. Or maybe that is me losing interest in the weight room. I also was brought back to my days of purity by my youngest cousin, who is more intellectual and cuter than I will ever be, at the age of seven.

On the way home from Maine I returned to an empty parking lot at Siena College and a automobile full of my possessions. Siena had kicked me out for good. My job started the next morning and I was to be thrown into the big leagues without a place to call home.

Full time employment does not wait for you to find a place called home. Full time employment does not wait for the two 1990's TVs to stop falling over at every stop sign or sharp turn in your car. I stock and sell rugs for a living people. I move 12 by 15 rugs from the loading dock to the floor for half the day and do my damn best to sell them to uncertain customers the rest of the day. What the customers don't know is I know even less than they do about rugs. Touche. Anyways work isn't so bad. One thing I've gathered from a full week on the job is that times are tough and I am lucky to have a job. Things are rough all over, and if moving rugs for half the day and pretending I am an expert on them for the other half is what I have to do to make some coin, I'll do it with half a smile on my face.

A whole week has passed since I was dropped off at Siena and I am still sleeping around Albany. Friends (maybe just acquaintances) take me in on a night by night basis. Over the past three weeks I have inhabited one bed, one futon, and illegally slept at Siena College on two separate occasions. My car remains packed to capacity with personal belongings. I have made enough room to see out of every mirror in the car, making it barely street legal. One week from today I will no longer be overstaying my welcome or committing misdemeanor crimes according to Siena. Either my own, or my roommates credit was approved by either the government, the FBI, or Area 151, and the cheapest two man apartment in the Capital Region is now ours.

I am catching up on some brief R and R these next two days. I will bet small amounts of money on horses tomorrow and pray that the nice car my mother has lent me will be fixed by a nice man named Bob. Bob gave it a sticker today that passed inspection, and then Cory stalled out on the busiest street in America. Cory's phone was almost dead and he was almost stranded in the most abandoned parking lot in America for the duration of the evening. For once in my life I praised AT@T for its durability, and cursed KFC for the worst "wait for a tow truck meal of my life". Bob seems like an honest mechanic and I have faith in him to fix the car that has most of my belongings in it.

Take care people, this has been a strange, yet educational and fulfilling summer. I am indeed almost grown up. I will only be bothering the few followers of this blog just once more this summer. My next blog will be my last for a while.

Check it out: The title of this blog has little to do with my life in transition and more with a novel that I read in Maine. Check out Stephen King's novel, The Gunslinger. A story of a Gunslinger (the last of his kind) and his unknown need to find The Dark Tower. And just a reminding memo to Stephen King's neighbors, "Don't worry ma'am, we ain't tourists, we're fans."

My own graduation and college in a nutshell

It happened a little later than it does for the majority of America's youth, but tonight, I unofficially graduated from college. There was no graduation music, no arena or civic center filled with family and friends. I didn't get a hat or tassel, there were no dinner plans for after the ceremony, and most importantly the only person that was honored was me. Call me selfish, different, or just flat out weird, but I'll take the emphatic hug in an empty room at Hudson Valley Community from my sign language teacher, followed by a spaghetti dinner and a couple celebratory Pabst Blue Ribbons any day of the week. I guess it's just the way I roll, blog world. Here is college in a short, but long nutshell.

Get to college earlier than everyone. I'm an athlete! Big stuff on campus boys and girls.

I realize quickly, girls like me better here than in high school. This is great and sucks at the same time. Great they notice me, sucks I have know idea how a woman's mind works, or my own for that matter.

Basketball season comes, and I become friends with everyone. Some of the older players take interest in me. They show me the way. There all still my friends today.

I play on ESPN and hit a three pointer. Everyone in my hometown texts me. Hard work pays off, right world?

We lose in the MAAC championship game my freshman year on national TV. I play but don't do too much significant. I watch two of my friends shed one or two afterwards. I watch a manager bawl his eyes out, and realize how big this monster is... I like it though, being a part of something bigger than you is good for the soul, right world?

Something bad happens that summer. It was awful and changed my life. I miss these people, I guess I thought about it more and more that summer and the year that followed. But still, once and a while something makes me think of these people. Sometimes it makes me sad, and sometimes these people help me smile and get through a tough day.

Sophomore year begins. I find a girl that is well worth trying to figure out and I try not to look back. I start some games as a Sophomore year. Don't always do great, but play hard every single game. No regrets in that regard world.

We go to the NCAA tournament. I'm nervous as hell but love it. I make a few under the radar plays and feel sweat on my back when the buzzer sounds and we celebrate a win. Hard work pays off right world?

I go to Italy. I have no expectations on my way into this trip. I stay out late some nights. Other nights I stay in with a good friend and enjoy scenery. This isn't really my cup of Joe, but there is something special about being somewhere foreign isn't there world?

I buy a rabbit on a groggy Sunday morning in the fall of my Junior year. I had never had a pet and I fall in love with her. My teammates make fun of me and my girlfriend is terrified of her, but she is special to me. Not usually my cup of tea, but college is supposedly built for change and experimentation, right world?

I begin questioning whether or not I want to pursue a career in professional basketball for the first time in my life. Basketball at the division one level is a job. I think of everything I've been fortunate enough to see and do because of basketball and press forward.

Shortly after my questioning my love of basketball, I get hit in the head; real damn hard. I bleed excessively, stumble around, get caught by a couple teammates, and get some staples in my head. I tell coach I'll be ready for the next practice; this has happened to me a few times. This blogger has had his fair share of cobwebs before. Little did I know my first true love was in a way, breaking up with me. Nobody said relationships would be easy, did they world?

It was a terrible breakup. Basketball tries to press charges against me. I won't give it up. I show up when it doesn't want me there and it tries to get a restraining order on me. Now I'm not only upset with basketball, frankly I'm mad at you world. The breakup is so bad I feel like throwing up during most days and migraine headaches follow. Breakups hurt don't they world?

Restraining order is now in effect and basketball says it doesn't want to see me the way we have seen each other for sixteen years ever again. Basketball says it is for my own health and well being permantly breaking up with me. I'm done being pissed off now. Basketball agrees to be just friends. Friends help us through tough times, so I accept. Good decision, don't you think world?

Basketball and I get along just fine again. Most of the pain is gone. Without basketball I see other things. I discover the power of pages filled with words. Some people read these words, some people like them, others do not. I discover Stephen King is fun, and even a little horror here and there is OK, especially when it is so well written, right world?

I say goodbye to a great coach and a friend. Someone who always looked out for me, simply because he believed in me. A new face is now at the helm at my old stomping grounds. He is a man who cares for me as well. It's nice when hard work pays off for people, isn't it world?

Now I am here tonight. Life is uncertain, a bit scary, but downright exciting. I'm one of the fortunate people on this planet to still stand with special people around him. Damn I'm lucky, aren't I world?

This time next week I will be sitting on a lake watching bats fly aimlessly in the nights sky. I will spend my days playing whiffle ball home run derby, burning my Irish skin, eating lobster, and sipping diet cokes. It will be my first and last run of carelessness this summer. The day I get home I start a job. Hopefully by that time my pending apartment will be a sure thing. Something inside me says it will be world.

"hey-oh, lets go"

Looks like my luck with playing the game of grownup is turning around little by little for the time being.

Big boy Magee is now officially employed. I won't go to work everyday and sit in a cubicle. I won't go to work every day in a lumber yard. I won't be payed to write (or maybe I will from time to time, we will talk about that soon) but I did stumble upon a job that will give me ample amount of hours along with a paycheck bigger than anything I have right now; which is of course nothing. I will also wear a purple shirt every single day to work. Us beggars can't be choosers now can we?

It is weird how things fall into our laps. At one point in the last month I was a phone call away from begging my dear mother to let me shack up at my parents house. Instead I marched on with the ever so tedious and frustrating adult life search.

I applied to ten places online. One of these places I decided to just stop by and see what they had going on. The supervisor saw me and saw me resume in hand. I filled out a application and interview one was finished in ten minutes. Interview two with the president of the company was set for three days later. With my great charm and famous scent I wooed the president into giving me a job. I also convinced him that giving me some time off to explore sports radio endeavors with the Siena men's basketball team come winter time was the right thing to do. We will see if he is singing the same tune come November.

With one job in another job is out. I worked a total of two days at Saratoga. I sweated so much that people looked at me like it may be a health problem. Three years ago I made cash there. Three years ago I was a waiter. Present time had me as a busser in a section that was struggling to breathe. To all the go getter's out there that stuck it out in Toga God Bless you. I hope you put your money in the bank and don't bet on the gray horses... They NEVER win.

In the process of applying for nearly every single job I came across on the Internet one struck gold with me. The ad read "HOT NEW FREE LANCE WRITER NEEDED TO WRITE SPORTS REVIEWS, MOVIE REVIEWS, AND BOOK REVIEWS." This ad was telling me it would pay me by the word to write for their online magazine. Immediately I applied and sent writing samples. I informed them that I was their guy and I was ready to sling words at them whenever they asked. I promptly received a email the following morning. They were intrigued. They then asked me a series of questions pertaining to how I would be able to reach gay and lesbian readers, and if I would be comfortable covering these kind of events. Apparently in my rapid fire method of applying for jobs I missed the fact that this was a gay and lesbian online magazine. I have yet to respond to the email that was sent to me a couple days ago, and I owe it to them to respond. I still am not sure what I will say. I love writing and would love to do it for money, even if it were chump change. But I also don't know if my writing has reached this kind of versatility yet. Maybe it is better if I leave that job up to someone who is more comfortable.

I am now one class away from saying goodbye to this place as a academic haven. I need a "C" in this class, and my friend the sign language teacher knows this. I got a 93 on a recent quiz and plan on hanging it up in my new apartment. Well, I hope it is my new apartment, my application is currently pending. Apparently things like credit and proof of salary are vital in the real world. Lets hope for the best, otherwise I will be crashing on a couch near you in just a few days.

I almost got all hot and bothered the other day while walking in Washington Park with my girlfriend. Two men who were clearly high on life on something other than natural air began trying to hold a conversation with us. We politely said hi and kept walking. Next thing I know a dirty and derogatory term was slurred out of one of the drunks mouth at my girlfriend. If it wasn't for head injuries and the possibility of concealed weapons I may have turned around for a good old fashioned mid day afternoon brawl in the park. As of this moment I am glad I decided to continue to walk away. My late grandfather who was a amateur boxer always stressed staying away from bare knuckled brawls. Setting this great piece of advice aside for a brief moment, I have been giving some serious thought to getting my own concealed weapon. A samurai sword seems to suit me just fine. Lets face it people, nobody messes around with a guy carrying around a sword.

Well the whole world isn't angry and corrupt. Over the past two days I have acquired seven Stephen King novels free of charge from two different sources. To the kind souls who still read this blog, take care and stay lucky.

Check it out: Inception

I'm back.

Well boys and girls, it has been a while. I told you on July 13th that I would return a week later with a big fat grin on my face and an improved outlook on my surroundings.

A tragic event in my hometown occurred that reminded me of a devastating time in my life, along with the lives of a entire town. Over the past week I have worked on a piece that has yet to see the light of day. I'm not sure what is holding me back on publishing it, I just can't seem to do it yet. Reminiscence of this event was painful, but has helped me to take a step back into reality and appreciate what I do have, rather than the job that I don't have. Sometimes you just have to roll with the punches and have faith. So although the future is still uncertain in Magee's world (isn't it always uncertain for us all), I will take a break from searching for jobs on Craigslist, The Times Union, The Career Center, and any poor saps ear who will listen to me complain about unemployment.

In all honesty things have continued to look more and more jumbled for me, but I'm trying to stay positive. I've got some great people close to me, along with some people who are trying there best to look out for me; it just seems the world doesn't want to cooperate yet. Who knew that four years of college at a more than respectable school would result in such a struggle to even acquire a part time job. This irks me quite a bit but I suppose it would do more than just irk me if I wasn't on a athletic scholarship for close to five years.

Three summers ago I mad a killing at the Saratoga Race Track. A place where money fluctuates quicker than Usain Bolt can run the forty, is now having trouble keeping myself and other experienced workers consistently on staff. What they do is put you "On Call" and then call you the morning of when they expect you to work. This morning they called me an hour after they expected me to be there. Earlier in the week I was told via phone that they would call me the day before they wanted me to work... Frustrating people. In the meantime I have been feverishly searching for part time employment around the Capital District. Even the Siena connections I have haven't panned out thus far. Companies usually looking for part time summer employment are now downsizing. Turns out the economy I could have cared less about during college is now having a huge effect on my current state of living here in Albany.

For now I will keep searching and keep my head up. It has been hard not to get frustrated and at times curse out loud, but as I've mentioned I'm lucky enough to have some great people in my corner; can't ask for too much more than that.

On a positive note I have less than two weeks remaining in my prolonged academic career. The light is near and I still barely know a lick of sign language, but my teacher is a sweetheart and see's that I am an effort guy. She jokes with me that she can't talk and I can't sign... God bless her soul.

Enough about my own life, let's talk about two other peoples. As most Siena basketball fans already know Kenny Hasbrouck will be signed by the Miami Heat on what seems to be a temporary contract. I never knew these things existed, but congratulations to Kenny. Kenny is more than a great basketball player, he is a great friend, who always looks out for those close to him.

Phil Cahill isn't a household name like Kenny Hasbrouck, but he is also a great friend of mine who could come in handy for some of you readers in the Capital Region looking for exemplary baseball instruction for your children (or if your a middle aged man holding on to dreams of the big leagues). Phil's clinics will focus on mainly middle school aged boys, but is willing to take on younger kids as well. The clinics will focus on any aspect of baseball that is needed. Phil was a four year starter at Siena and earned All-MAAC honors his Junior season. He also spent last summer playing professional independent ball in Illinois. Phil is a young coach who has an bright future coaching at the division one level. His playing days as a catcher makes him versatile to work with any position. If you're looking to get better as a young ball player in the Capital Region, Phil Cahill is your man.

That is all for now folks. If you have a job opportunity for me, I'm all ears. I work hard and can lift fifty pounds over my head.

Suggestion of the week: Contact Phil Cahill for a baseball lesson... Shoot him an email at pcahill@siena.edu OR visit his website for more information at http://tristatebaseballcamp.webs.com/

Almost Famous Friends In Famous Places...And I'm Lost In Translation

SPOILER WARNING: If you're not interested in reading a piece on my loathing of the past week or so, head for the hills.

We'll to spoil the spoiler, this piece isn't entirely gloom and doom, just mostly. This summer has been uneventful and stressful, thus far. Business affairs such as finishing college, looking for a job, and finding arrangements take top priority. Who am I to be talking about stress and uncertainty? I'm finishing five years of tuition free college. I can't complain much, but every ones gotta do their belly-achin once in a while. Nobody said trying to play grown up would be easy, fun, or angst free... But damn this monster named adulthood is creeping up on me quick and its breath smells terrible.

I officially have one month to vacate the place where I've called home the past five years. On May 15th I moved into Hennepin Hall, a dormitory built for Sophomores to study for biology exams and smuggle booze into on Friday nights. We'll I'm 23 and find Hennepin a terrible study environment, and at 23 if I were to smuggle booze into anywhere I would probaly be committing a crime. It's safe to say I've started to wear out my welcome here at Siena. Familar faces that used to greet me with a smile and a pat on the back now greet me with questions of my future. What they really mean to say is: "When the hell is this guy skipping town?"

Ok, Ok, enough gloom and doom. I'm down to one class- American Sign Language 2 at Hudson Valley Community College. Back to gloom and doom, I'm head and shoulders above anyone at being the absolute worst signer in the class (Who the hell said being a English Major required a upper level foreign language?). I thought I gave up caring about what other people thought of me until this class started, but having 20 sets of eyes burning a whole through you as you try you're best is no fun for anyone. There is also a no talking policy, and our teacher is deaf, so that leaves me... Well I'm lost in Translation.

I ventured to the great town of well, lets just call it "the great town", today to check out a one bedroom apartment that I found on the all mighty Craigs list at a price range that LeBron would use as tissue. My appointment was at 11:30 A.M. Despite running low on gas and self esteem, I was excited to check something new out. Before today "the great town" was just a road sign on the highway. On this morning it became toned down version of the television show The Wire. Now I'm a low maintenance guy, but the building where my "room to be" was just didn't cut it. Rust oozed from all angles and heat seemed to radiate off the building (Cory and heat don't mix, we know this). People were out enjoying the sun, many in the middle of the road, smoking cigarettes and taking in the heat of July. Anyways I never got the courage to walk into the building... Call me a coward, but this is coming from a guy who reads everything Stephen King has ever published...That could have been half the problem...


Most of my Siena basketball friends have gone home or are on the road recruiting. That leaves me alone here taking a four hour class two nights a week with a bank account that looked sexy three weeks ago, but now looks like Shelly Duvall from The Shinning. But as the title indicates, I have some almost famous friends doing some awesome things in famous places. Kenny Hasbrouck killed it for the Miami Heats summer league team the other night scoring 24 points and looking like the most comfortable guy on the floor. Ryan Rossiter and I watched Kenny do hi thing like two kids on Christmas in the only air conditioned room in Hennepin That guy simply preserves through everything that stands in his way, something I should take a note or two from. The big three in Miami would be lucky to have a teammate like Kenny around.

The pride and joy of Siena baseball, Dan Paolini, par-took in the inaugural College Home Run Derby. Pao was one of 8 guys who swung for the fences for the last time at the famous Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha Nebraska (New Stadium being built). Pao only hit one, but was forced to swing first (Damn mid major discrimination if you ask me), and had some hefty winds coming in at him. Plus some other poor sap got shut out. There could be worst things in life then hanging out with Frank Thomas and Mike Schmidt for an afternoon.

Friends from alternative rock band The Polar Bear Club have gone from obscurity to taking over the punk rock world as there touring on Vans Warped Tour. I can finally go into a music store and claim I know people in a band.

Lets hope the next few weeks outshine the couple. Otherwise I may be forced to leave Albany and then you all know what it is for me....I know what you were thinking, and no it's not a career as a Chip In Dales Dancer in Vegas... I already applied. Apparently they frown on out of shape men with no dancing rhythm. If you made it this far I commend and thank you, because for this particular moment, I have nobody else to talk to. You may now return to you're regular scheduled lives.

Suggestion: I got nothing, I'll be watching Rescue Me tonight in the heat, join me... Seriously, join me. Next week I'll put on my smile.

Burnt To A Crisp On A Lake In Western New York... Burning Alive In Albany New York

Hello July- I hate you.

June was nice. Alot of people complained about you June, and I was one of them. The weather here in the Capital District was schizophrenic. The days were strange. It was sunny, it was cloudy, it was rainy, it was muggy, it was mildly hot, and there were a few thunderstorms. "What does it take to get some consistent weather?" many of us asked.
Now July is here. A month reserved for American pride and summer lounging. Well I'll tell you what July- The first person I meet that feels like showing any ounce of pride or any ambition to lounge in this weather I will feel like slapping them right across the forehead. Well pride is okay, if you have the mental and physical toughness to do that in this heat, God bless you, and America.


This past weekend I was called home for a couple of great reasons. A car was available for my belonging and at twenty three, is a neccesity. This weekend was also a family celebration for us.My little brother turned twenty yesterday and we all ate cake (another plus). While I was home I was invited to a fourth of July celebration with great high school friends on Canadagiua Lake. Two days of swimming, eating beans, and swimming in a lake that felt more like a bathtub than a lake- What is there not to love there? Well friends I have inherrited some sensitive Irish skin. I love my heritage, minus the whole misconception of being a short fused Irishmen who is constiently looking for trouble, being Irish is great.

Then there is the skin and the sun problem. I applied sun screen, oh yes I applied it, I even have witnesses. However apparently it was not applied well enough. I woke up on the fourth of July with no shirt on and my skin sticking to the floor with which I called home for a night sleep. When I stood up I could have sworn half of my skin was still on the floor. Now I'm burnt bad. I now have sun blisters on my chest and a farmers tan that could make my red neck friends in Boise Idaho proud. I guess I could be to blame. I had alot of fun on July 3rd, maybe to much fun. I felt the sun doing it's deed. It found my Irish skin early in the day and latched onto it hard. I kept my shirt on for the fourth, and plan on keeping it on for the rest of July.

I returned to Albany yesterday to find the heat following me. Not only was the heat following me, it was getting even hotter. On the news they are suggesting elderly folk to stay in doors for the next couple days. Now here is my question: What defines elderly? In my book it is twenty three in older, giving me a pass to stay inside and do as I please in the own discomfort of my room, avoiding the ultra violet rays that wait outside. My suggestion to anyone reading this is don't "man up" and go outside. Stay inside people. Find a wet towel, put it on your forehead, and give thanks for the cooler days of September. Or you can hope that July takes a note from its neighbor June, and decides to take some days off. I've never prayed for rain so much in my life.
Sorry I'm a complainer, I have sun poisioning and don't have a job.

Your friend,Cory The Lobster

Today's suggestion: Is this even a question? I guess you should find a COLD pool, lake, or ocean, and go swimming- WITH A SHIRT ON.

Trinity Burdine, Roc Brookins, and the return of Ryan Rossiter and Tommy Gavin

This is my fifth summer at Siena. Every summer the brand spankin new freshman basketball players come to Loudonville sporting their high school apparel. They take a couple courses, become acquainted with a college weight room, and play pick up with their new teammates. Some come in with the deer in headlights look; some do not. Siena's recruiting class is small this year, consisting of only two. It is only July, and I have always been a firm believer that you do not fully know the impact freshman will have on a team until practice begins, sometimes even later. However these two have impressed me enough in the past two weeks for me to give them some free publicity... So for the six followers I have in the blogosphere, and the handfull of others that periodically check out my words, here are some EARLY thoughts on Trinity Burdine and Roc Brookins.... And of course Ryan Rossiters return from mid summer hibernation and Tommy Gavin's return from hell.

Trinity Burdine- 6'6 Wing-
I got a taste of what this kid is all about a month ago. He tagged along with Donyell Marshalls AAU team for the Gym Rat Challenge last month. By tagging along I mean he made it a point to find his way into the weight room to work out on both Saturday and Sunday. I stepped in the weight room to say what's up to him and it felt like hells waiting room in there; point is this kid seems to really want it. The weight room is a good idea for this young pup, he does need added strength like almost all freshman, however on the court he plays stronger than he looks. With a reputation as a long range sniper, Trinity has lived up to that billing; if he is open from three and you're on his team, you can usually start backpeddiling the other way. He has a simple shot from three, a bit of low release, however it is the same shot everytime (mark of a great shooter). One unique thing about Trinitys game is he ALWAYS follows his own shot, which often leads to a easy lay up for him. Unlike many other incoming freshman he has a basketball IQ of a upperclassman and will fit into Siena's dribble and kick offense. Very good at making hard decisive cuts to the rim for lay ups. Defensively he has the potential to be a heck of a defender with his length and basketball IQ. With the work ethic he has shown thus far, I think you can expect him to become a great defender over time.

Roc Brookins- 5"11 Lead Guard-
My first taste of Roc was a bit different then that of his classmate. Like his freshman counterpart, Roc came in willing to work hard in the weight room; the kid was so amped up to get started in the weight room he went into overdrive; by this i mean he drank one to many protein shakes on his first day of lifting, and lets just say he was limited on his first day of college ball. Day 2 for Roc was a different more settling tale.... He dominated pickup that day, showing his ability as a shooter, play maker, and more importantly leader. My theory of not being able to read a freshmans impact on a season until October or November is usually amplified with point guards. Sometimes you just know though... The kids got the look of a killer in his eye when he has played this summer, and has that Philly demeanor that Siena fans have come to love over the past four years with that other guy we used to have (I think his number was 25).

As I have said it is EARLY.... but I think it's safe to say Coach B has two good young ones on his hands right now that will both find time on the floor next year... How much time you ask? Time will tell I suppose... I'm no fortune teller, and I'm certainly not Dick Vitale... Although I met him when I was twelve and he was just as balled then as he is now.

Ryan Rossiter has been on the IR for around a month now. Throughout this month he has spent a lot of time with me on the sidelines, watching pickup and doing something we like to call brown baggin it (Which means in our lingo, two guys just hanging out). Anyways two days ago he played his first pickup game in a month. I think we have found a leader in Ryan. One good way to measure leaders, especially during sloppy unorganized summer pickup games, is if they raise the level of a game. It seemed everyone played better and harder with Ryan on the court. For four games Ryan looked better than ever, exploding to the rim for dunks I've never seen him do, dropping dimes to flashing cutters, and finding open three point shooters. Games five and six Ryans wind caught up to him and he began to look more like... Well a more skilled version of me if I laced them up.... Don't worry though fans, his wind will be back by November.

Rescue Me-Tommy Gavin died, went to pergitory, then went to hell. Then Tommy was revived. DUH! Of course he did, there is two more seasons of Rescue Me left, and there would have been a slew of pissed of fans to deal with if they were to put him six feet under. Any who, Rescue Me is back and seems to be better than ever. This show has everything the American public want in a late night TV show: Drama, and of course anything that is sinful.... Well I watch it on Tuesday nights with my door locked and the fan turned off, so once again if you're of the mature age, give it a whirl.

Hope you enjoyed some Siena basketball material. Have a satisfying fourth of July people. I will be hunting down a burger or two somewhere around the Capital Region.

Check it out: Dexter- I've heard so much about this show and finally I'm getting on my horse and getting into it.... Thus far it has lived up to the hype.