Gonzo But Not Forgotzo

I have been a big fan of Hunter S. Thompson ever since Gary Trudeau channeled him in Doonsebury, and then through his Fear and Loathing novels, and later when he became a contributor to ESPN's fledgling Page 2.  His writing was always engrossing even when it was sloppy. His stories were about presidents and athletes and rock stars but really, they were about him.  You never lost track of the fact that you were reading the words of Hunter S. Thompson.  His personality was a watermark on every page he wrote.  And until he died, Hunter S. Thompson and I shared a birthday, which is funny because his life was filled with a level of recklessness, defiance and paranoia that I feared and loved but mostly envied.  I'm still not a fan of guns and weapons, or plastic cigarette holders for that matter.  But Thompson was gonzo to the bone.

Here is a great link to ten memorable Hunter Thompson quotes.  It's really worth reading the entire list.  I think #1 is devastating.



What prompted this post was an entry on Gawker this morning that showed a contract Hunter Thompson "signed" from a TV production company.  It's hilarious and in its own way, inspiring.



When you read the top 10 quotes, and if you snoop around the web for any of his other writing, it is clear that Thompson was tapped into what makes our social networking, blogging, web-surfing, reality tv, Sims 2, talking heads, consumerist society so pitiable, tragic, alarming.  The world shrinks into the palm of our hand, and our imaginations with it.  We check our Blackberries every five minutes at our own peril.  Virtual life is no life at all.  Hunter, I promise to unplug more often, but I don't promise to get high on ether and blow up shit.  Do we have a deal?

Lancelot Linkage!

My friend Scott Lukas is a marketing/advertising guru.  Two weeks ago he sent a post raving about the Tiger Woods Nike ad that has since been ripped to shreds by most folks.  I responded to his rave review, as did some of his other contacts.  He posted my response on his blog.  My comment is the one in blue font. 

I also would like to give a shout out to Muggsy Mutombo who writes a great blog, Mojo Hoops, and not too long ago posted my analysis of the Wizards' personnel decisions since Ernie Grunfeld came on board, a hiring that I was really excited about at the time but now wish they'd hired Bernard King instead.

This blog synergy is just running hog wild!

Howe About That!

Another reason to love hockey: Check out this excerpt from a NY Times article today about William Clay Ford - yes, that Ford family - and his lifelong love of hockey.  Ford spearheaded the effort to bring the NCAA Hockey Final Four to Detroit this year.  At age 52 he still plays defense on a top-notch adult amateur team.  Here is his story about meeting Gordie Howe when he was a kid:

Ford said one of his happiest childhood memories was attending a summer camp led by the hockey great Gordie Howe in suburban Detroit. Ford, then 8, wanted to show Howe — his hockey idol — his work ethic and toughness.

He spotted Howe and put his head down to skate hard.

“My heart just jumped,” Ford said of first seeing Howe. “The next thing I know, I was slammed. I’ve never been hit so hard in my life. I’m lying in this heap, and it’s Gordie looking down at me.

“He says, ‘Son, always skate with your head up.’ I was so honored to have been checked by Gordie Howe. That was the coolest thing that ever happened to me.”

Gotta love hockey (and Gordie Howe).