Not Just A Hat Rack

Building Walls Against the Neighbors

9:30pm... 25 degrees outside... just came in from another half hour of snow shoveling.

The Himalayan range of snow between us and our neighbors to the west has now reached the height of my hips. Utah cities are reporting that they they have exhausted their street-cleaning budgets, or... run out of places to put the snow. Put the snow. Like, "we got such a good deal on potatoes we bought 30 pounds and we don't have a place to 'put the potatoes.'" Put the snow? You pile it up. You push it around. It melts! Nope, not here, not this winter.

I'm officially impressed. We haven't seen our grass since Thanksgiving weekend - that's nine straight weeks of snow on the ground. The ice is 2" thick in a couple spots in the driveway. I've tried to create a consistent snowplow path to move the trash cans from the garage to the sidewalk. Now, this is winter. I don't remember this much white stuff in Chicago in ten winters there. Sure, you'd get a foot here and there but it goes away. You don't have to come up with places to "put it."

Today's storm hit mid-morning with a wall of black clouds that looked like an oncoming tornado. It was 40 degrees when I took Lucca to school at 8:30 - yet the clouds brought 75mph wind, a precipitous drop in temperature and 4-6 inches of snow in less than three hours. It was cool. I saw a half dozen accidents and slide-offs in the four mile circuit from my office to Lucca's school to home. On my way back to work, I tried to play good samaritan and answered a woman's plea for a ride from a bus stop near my house to a pharmacy about a mile away. But the pharmacy was up a hill and the first road, (400 South which leads to the football stadium) was closed by police. 200 South was open, but I watched a Honda SUV make it half way up, start sliding backwards and narrowly miss a parked car. Fortunately a snow plow came by. I circled around the block to follow him up the hill. He made it halfway. And stopped. He couldn't make it either. After 15 minutes, my hitchhiking passenger decided to walk. Hope she made it.

The far more serious news here in the Beehive State today is the passing of 97-year-old LDS President, Seer, Prophet and Revelator, Gordon B. Hinckley. As much as I can be cynical about the "dominant religion" here, I have been impressed with this man, his work and his legacy. Every organized religion deserves a servant and leader so humble and with such conviction.

His 80-year-old apparent successor, Thomas Monson, seems a little creepy to me... he sold newspaper advertising... then managed and served as director of the Deseret News (LDS-owned) daily newspaper, and also oversaw KSL, the church's TV station... how many media sales people do you know that you'd have confidence in to direct your global religion with 13 million followers? Who am I to say... he's not my prophet, revelator and seer.

Black List

Mrs. 'Hat Rack and I made it to Park City for a Sundance film for the first time in our four winters in Utah. (Supplemental draft? Times like this and I miss MLS absolutely not at all!)

The World Premiere documentary Black List did not disappoint. It's not often you can say, "starring Slash (the guitarist), Colin Powell (the cabinet member), Chris Rock (a really skinny funny dude), Toni Morrison (Nobel Prize winner), a museum curator, dancer, Negro Leagues baseball player and the Chairman of Time-Warner - for starters. Director Timothy Greenfield-Sanders and ex-NY Times movie critic Elvis Mitchell ("the interviewer") were on hand to introduce the film and take questions from the audience. Watch Keenan Ivory Wayans here:

Two Cents on Draft Day

I don't know!

Everyone wants to know what everyone else thinks of their draft today. Certainly, Jason Kreis is "unequivocally" convinced that RSL had a successful day - he said so on the Bill Riley (sounded a lot like Spencer Checketts) show today.

What do I think?

* FIRST, the Toronto Sun apparently is doing some thinking for me... "Many people consider James to be the best player (in the draft)," said Steve Pastorino, former general manager for Real Salt Lake. Except that I'm not sure who I ever would have said that to... and where did they find it and decide to quote me? Because I've never met Dean McNulty, the story's writer.

* No one saw it coming (don't play poker with Garth!), but RSL's Tony Beltran pick is safe. In the "win-now" mentality, he's a Generation Adidas kid, so that leaves one more roster spot for a Ritchie Kotschau or international veteran to give you the very best possible 18-player senior roster. Flank players are hard to come by in MLS (Beasley, Convey, Ralston, Brad Davis, Klein being a few over the years) and Beltran showed he can get up-and-down the field in the U20 World Cup last year. Plus, considering Seitz, Movsisyan, Sturgis, Besagno and Beltran (I think) don't count against the roster or the cap - that gives them some depth.

* I don't know anything about the kid from ODU - Horst. It's unfair to base his future on his former teammates, but recent draftees Jared Kent (RSL pick in '07), Trevor McEachron, Brian Cvilikas are all Monarchs who didn't stick in MLS. Carlos Mendes made it and has stuck in NY - but not until after three USL seasons.

* Somehow I never thought Nimo would end up here. I think the earliest he'll see playing time is 2009, maybe 2010. I wouldn't have guessed that RSL would want to take on such a long-term project in its "win-now" situation. They have a lot of work to do to find him a place to live, help him graduate high school if he's not done yet, etc. But how can you NOT root for him.

* I love seeing how certain players and certain coaches end up in the same place... I usually have a hard time comprehending what Fernando Clavijo is doing in Colorado... They drafted Leighton O'Brien's little brother, Ciaran. For Clavijo's sake, I hope O'Brien-the-Younger is 10x quicker than Leighton. Cool name, Ciaran, but his descriptions sound somewhat like Mehdi Ballouchy. Do they play side by side?

* What's with the Revs drafting the All Academic team? Three from Duke and another from Brown?

* I like some of Chicago's picks... but they're usually either right on (Rolfe) or miss badly (Buete). Their late-round small-school guys are sleepers to watch.

We'll know a lot more come September.

Draft Day

The night before the draft last year, I was visiting with RSL fan Mike in Indianapolis, while catching up with former Fire GM Peter Wilt and entertaining offers for the #4 pick overall. Tonight, instead, I attended a writer's group that I have participated in for more than a year, talked to Mom, checked in with the Tribune about my column which should run tomorrow ... and I go to sleep unworried whether Patrick Nyarko or Julius James might be available for RSL's pick - 3rd overall - at about 12:15pm Friday. As usual, I bet something no pundit predicts takes place tomorrow... and RSL has the choice of one of those two players - and a decent trade offer in hand. I predict Garth & Jason decide .... "Time out."

Draft day's fun... especially when a year of preparation isn't on the line. Here are some things I'm thinking 2,085 miles from the Baltimore Convention Center:

* I'm watching to see where Alex Nimo gets picked. RSL filed a discovery notice on him about 18 months ago. Our claim was denied. I may have to devote a column to MLS' arcane rules. I could never accept MLS' rationale on denying our claim, when they had just handed Chivas USA rights to a U20 National team player in Carlos Borja. Long story for another day.

* I haven't seen Brek Shea play. But based on raves about a 17-year-old left midfielder with pace, size and crossing ability, I'm sure he goes in the top half of round one. Quick - name the best left mid in MLS not named Brad Davis.

* Julian Valentin & Pat Phelan are Wake Forest teammates who have attracted a lot of interest for several years... Their values may be inflated by the Riley-Parkhurst-Thompson pipeline from Winston-Salem. Regardless of when they're picked, I think we'll know by September whether they're MLS players.

* I hope Nik Besagno shuts up all the critics this year.

* Did you know Luis Tejada scored three goals for America of Cali in the Fall Copa Mustang in Colombia... or that Sergio Galvan Rey had six? I wonder how many Luis Tejada references I can make in 2008 :)

* Speaking of rules, what's a Galaxy withTHREE designated players, look like on Opening Day? How are they paying Chris Klein? Dutch-flavored Euros?

* Sleeper pick not invited to combine... Yannick Reyering of UVA. The next Nate Jaqua?

* I don't get a good feeling about these guys in MLS: Videira, Iro, Lambo, Balc... (I'd compare them to Colaluca, Veris, Countess, Barrett) Time will tell, of course.

* I think either Brandon Owens or Mike Zaher of UCLA may surprise some people down the line...

But what do I know? Be sure to tune in to ESPN2 at Noon MT for all the fun.

The Best Two Years

On a Friday night with Mrs. 'Hat Rack out of town, and the kids asleep, I found myself watching The Best Two Years on BYU TV. Outside of Utah and a certain religion's meeting houses, no one will have ever heard of this movie. It's a (not particularly funnny) comedy about four LDS missionaries' experiences during their two-year service stint in Netherlands.

Knowing Mormons who have served in exotic locales like London, Houston, Pittsburgh and Mexico City, just to name a few, the "inside" jokes weren't so foreign to me and the look at four individuals' trials and tribulations kept my interest for a little while before I fell asleep. (Falling asleep watching movies is one of my trademarks - whether it's an Oscar winner or the worst "Mormon cinema".) Even though I liked some of the music.

Anyways, we awaken today to a full-color photo of Mitt Romney (is he Mormon? really?), the presidential candidate in prayer - comprising 2/3 of the front page of the Salt Lake Tribune's Religion section. There's also a story about a book on faith and presidential candidates, and a (much funnier than the movie) column by satirist Robert Kirby on his revealing encounter with a non-LDS couple that actually likes living in Utah. For what it's worth, there's also a story about a woman suing British Airways, which won't allow her to wear a simple Christian cross on her necklace while working.

It's just another week in the most comprehensive theocracy in America, aka Utah. Say what you want about the Bible Belt, Utah is obsessed with religion, which seeps into our everyday existence like NOWHERE I have ever been. In fact, my attempts to compare Utah to Israel have been shot down by Jews, who say their secular state is not so culturally infused with its religion as Utah. But I'll leave that debate for someone more scholarly than me. Especially since I've never been to Israel.

Back to Mitt. I knew the story would soon be told about the presidential candidate who was once church bishop. The rest of America has a hard time with this, I think. How can a greedy, uber-Capitalist from Bain Capital have a softer side that counseled real people about real problems like, "I want an abortion", "I'm a poor French-speaking immigrant from Haiti trying to make it in America" (both real from the article) or "church interferes with my kids' nap schedule" (I made this one up). The rest of America doesn't understand this. We think parishes should be run by feeble old men who lived in a monastery, clean-cut men who attended Notre Dame or studious young men and women (gasp!?) who immersed themselves in seminary. But not by Wall Street capitalists. It's as if the rest of us think that spiritual compassion is incompatible with money-grubbing capitalism. Mormons don't make this distinction. From my observation, it appears that the more successful a capitalist you are, the more likely you are to be called to service of your ward or stake. Catholic parishs have priests. LDS wards have CEO's. That's how I see it.

Anyways, I'm certainly not claiming "holier than thou" or pretending to be an expert on these things. Rather, I guess I feel like I've been here long enough to make these observations. Like, do we need a 2/3-page photo of "thoughtful" Mitt? Is that more important than 2/3 of page on Mitt's policies? Mitt's flip-flops? Why Mitt has more political experience than the Chicago Kid, Barack? How about 2/3 of a page tomorrow on the "worst air quality in America" that will descend on Salt Lake tomorrow now that the snowstorms have abated? Or 2/3 of page on how a Delta-United merger could cause an economic recession in Utah? I give up.

In summary, the best paragraph in today's Religion section (and I give the paper credit for its comprehensive coverage of faith - it reflects Utah well) comes from the book review on faith and presidential politics.

"My reading of American religious history is that religion always functions best from the margins of society and not in the councils of power," Balmer writes. "Once you identify the faith with a particular candidate or party with the ultimate quest for political influence, ultimately it is the faith that suffers."

Add, "And the candidate," I would say.

Gotta go find The Best Two Years On Demand. I have to find out if one guy got the girl. If another got the conversion. And if the third one became president of Bain Capital.

This and That...

Sir Edmund Hillary passed away yesterday. Ironically, I was working on a 2008 trekking preview for Snow Lion, including an ascent up the "Hillary Route" to Everest Base Camp, when I learned the news. It's safe to say that the company, and the Himalayan trekking industry, would not exist, at least in their present form, if it were not for the gentle 6'5" beekeeper whose humanitarian work on behalf of the Sherpas is immeasurable. "Nothing Venture, Nothing Win" was the book-length biography I read as a teenager and has inspired me to back down from no challenge ever since.

The current issue of Runner's World has a gripping series of stories on the 2007 Chicago and New York Marathons. Two of the largest races in the country, both were marked by tragedy. The magazine took a Newsweek style approach to understanding the factors that led to the cancellation of the Chicago race several hours in, due to extreme heat conditions. Then, editor Amby Burfoot spent several days following up on the death of U.S. marathoning star Ryan Shay at the Olympic Trials in New York City. Good stuff, whether you run or not. Speaking of running, it's Disney Marathon weekend in Orlando. Mrs. 'Hat Rack is going after another personal first. She'll run the Half Marathon on Saturday and the Full Marathon on Sunday (that's 39.3 miles in all) - all in pursuit of a medal shaped liked Goofy. That is goofy. But we love her!

Kevin Sites' In the Hot Zone is worth a read, folks. And not just because we both graduated from Medill, Northwestern's journalism school! He visited 20+ war zones in one calendar year including the obvious ones, Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan, etc. He also checked in on the Maoist insurgency in Nepal, the tenuous ceasefire in Congo, monks vs the military in Burma/Myanmar, the aftermath of war in Vietnam and Laos, etc. I'm in awe of his dedication to shed light (and hope) on some of the most depressing examples of humankind's dark side. I think I'd have post-traumatic stress disorder. I bought it in the Fall, which makes it's references to events from last July all the more remarkable. You don't get much more current than this in a widely published book these days!

I talked to RSL GM Garth Lagerwey this week in anticipation of my next Salt Lake Tribune column next week, which will be on the MLS SuperDraft... He should be in Florida by now at the Player Combine. Knowing the pressures of the chair in which he sits, its challenges, and the passion that you have to bring to it, I'm rooting for him.

I'm also rooting for the Red Rocks. Utah's nationally ranked women's gymnastics team takes on nemesis and defending NCAA champion Georgia tonight at Huntsman Center. I won't make it, but if you're in the neighborhood and have never attended a meet, don't miss it! Arrive early - this one might sell out. (That's right, 16,000 people at a gymnastics meet. Gotta love it!)

O-BOM-BA! O-BOM-BA!

My 2-year-old daughter has picked up her first political phrase tonight...

We're going with the Chicago Kid (and we don't mean Frank Klopas!) This household has followed Barack since before his incredible speech at the convention four years ago. I just wish today were the end of the primary process, not the beginning. With all due respect, John Edwards' populist message is spirited and invigorating, but I'm not sure he's presidential material. As for Hillary, I desperately want to see a woman legitimately challenge for the nomination, and sit in the presidency. For that reason alone, I'd love to see her win. But I think Hillary as President would be a circus, not good for her, the office or our country. This country is ready for a young, dynamic president to bridge, and hopefully further eradicate, the color barrier. Go O-Bom-ba!

O-speaking of those other guys, no tears were shed here that Mitt's millions weren't nearly enough to save him from himself. As for Huckabee, one of the nicest things I can say about him is that at least he's funnier than Jay Leno. He's very likeable - as my preacher, maybe. Good Luck Grandpa McCain.

This is going to be a fun primary season, huh? Too bad it will be over in a month!

Taking the Bait...

Ok, I'll fess up. I'm very aware that the Luis Tejada deal didn't work out for RSL.

I knew that folks would jump all over that comment in yesterday's Tribune, but I put it out there for one reason. As GM, I had to live with every move RSL made - good and bad. I live with that one.

But I'll also argue that finding goalscorers in MLS is like an endless search for the holy grail - you can't win without scoring, and true finishers are few and far between. RSL had one in Jeff Cunningham. For that matter, we had one in Jason Kreis as well - particularly in 2005 and 2006. But we never had a big target forward, someone to take up space and draw defenders in the box - and free up those two, or Chris Klein or our all-time non-existent-left-midfielder-by-committee for more opportunities. So we went after a guy who scored the most incredible goal of the 2005 Gold Cup (against Mexico no less), was part of a "golden generation" of young Panamanians who led them to their best finish ever in both the Gold Cup and World Cup regional qualifying. Tejada was not that expensive, and it's no real loss to have taken a chance and failed with one player who MIGHT have become a Mamadou Diallo or Stern John (guess not!), or a Naldo. PS - he wasn't a malcontent. He didn't talk enough - to anyone! - to cause any problems.

We move on. The feedback (direct to me, and indirect via SLTrib.com, RSLfm.com, Big Soccer, etc.) is about what I expected. I hope people give the column at least a few readings before they make their judgements...