IRISH CHANNEL YOUTH BASKETBALL LEAGUE

In February 2009, Jason and Ashley Nix hatched an idea to start a youth basketball program for the kids in our Irish Channel Neighborhood. Its purpose is to provide the kids with positive activities to occupy their free time and to give them life lessons about teamwork and sportsmanship. Oh, and we hope they learn a little about basketball, too. Over a 2 month period, Jason, Ashley, Ed, Kara, Trey, Johnston, Blake, Nate, Nell, Will, Noah, and I volunteered our time to get this idea "off the ground." Chris Paul renovated two full-size basketball courts at Clay Park (4th and Chippewa) and, for the most part, these courts were not being used by anyone---which is a perfect location for the league.

We held try outs during the last weekend in March and the first weekend in April to determine how many kids were interested in the basketball league. Our turnout was very good-forty kids, between the ages of 8 and 12- which resulted in a league consisting of four teams.

On April 18, the Young Stars, Uptown Hurricanes, the Rockets, and the Hot Shots played the inaugural games of the ICNA Youth Basketball League. The regular season ended today and the standings are as follows:

Uptown Hurricanes
3-1-1

Young Stars

3-1-1

Rockets

1-3-1

Hot Shots

1-3-1

I coach the Young Stars along with my assistants, Johnston, Will, and Noah. The Young Stars' roster consists of the following players:

Cleveland

• Left handed point guard that reminds me of a little of CP3 in the way he handles the ball and sees the floor. His ability to anticipate and make steals on the defensive end of the floor also reminds me of Chris Paul. As he gets bigger/stronger, he will only get better.

Clejohn

• Shooting Guard that has a nice touch and some range. He is Cleveland's brother and he also needs to get bigger/stronger.

Terry

• Power Forward that can do a little bit of everything. He is a very good passer for his age.

Rashard ("RoRo")

• Power Forward that is extremely athletic and reminds me a little of KG.

Willie

• Center that is 11 years old in 4th grade and is 6'2. Not kidding. Great kid with good hands. When his coordination catches up with his body, he could be very good. Answers to "Fatman."

Dewan

• Small Forward that has improved the most over the course of the season. I couldn't have been prouder when he hit a free throw with 20 seconds left to win a big game for us. However, he also told me that JSH was "DA BOMB!" before that same game.

Lee

• Small Forward that always seems to be around the ball. A real "glue guy" that has a nice touch around the bucket. Lee is also one of the nicest kids out there.

Shannon

• Guard that is a little too young for the league. He originally quit after the first game and then came back last week (I have no idea why). Then, he told me halfway through his first game back from quitting that he was quitting again. But, he was at practice on Friday so I guess he changed his mind. He plays great defense but when he gets the ball, he looks like he is running a power sweep into the end zone for the Saints---dribbling optional. Shannon did a "We got jerseys" dance across the free throw line when I told him everyone got tshirts.

Tarron

• Combination Guard that is probably our best player. He is a smart kid and has a high basketball IQ---the problem is he knows it. He reminds me a little of Brandon Roy in his ability to play both guard positions.

I can't tell you how much fun I have had over the last 6 weeks since the ICNAYBL started its season. It has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life and we hope to have continued success into the summer with Season 2.

If you aren't doing anything on Saturday, May 30th, the ICNAYBL playoffs will start at 9am. Please come support our kids as they finish their season.

Tryouts

Pass and Slide Drill

Pass and Slide Drill #2

Picking Teams

The Young Stars--Season 1

Front Row (sitting) from L to R:

Clejohn, Shannon, Cleveland

Back Row (standing) from L to R:

Coach Johnston, Dewan, Coach Will, RoRo, Terry, and Me

Not Pictured: Willie and Tarron

Game 1: Young Stars v. Uptown Hurricanes

If you look closely, I think you can tell who the ball was stolen from in this play

Lil' Harms For Sale

JSH and I put our house on the market in February. To date, we've had tons of lookers but no offers.

Even though I have referenced our "for sale" house in previous posts, I guess it could be classified as "dicta." Eh, fellow lawyers? Okay, I just threw up in my mouth.

Anywho, this post is meant to directly address that 931 Harmony Street (aka "Lil' Harms") is in need of a buyer.

If you or anyone you know is in the market, please check it out or pass it along.

http://www.latter-blum.com/RLNet/Listings/ListingDetails.aspx?ListingId=1172266&List=Y





Thanks,

JSH/DBH

Larry Bird Birthday---Staycation 2009

Last Wednesday was my 33rd Birthday---the Golden Birthday in my world. Larry Joe Bird's number.

I would like to thank my friends and family for their thoughtful wishes and the annual "Tax Day" jokes (HI RICHARD).

JSH surprised me with a Staycation at the Ritz Carlton and we spent Saturday and Sunday in the French Quarter. There is one positive note to being an attorney---the Louisiana State Bar Association offers pretty good rates at the Ritz for lawyers. Eat your heart our doctors, engineers, and accountants.

Moving along, after my Irish Channel Neighborhood Association Youth Basketball League game on Saturday morning(more on this later), we headed to the Ritz. Uncle Craig and Auntie Bee-Fense were nice enough to take care of the Stinx (Indie) while we were away. Last weekend was also French Quarter Festival in New Orleans so we got to fold that into our Staycation.

After checking in, JSH and I strolled through the French Quarter, taking in all the sights and sounds. It was nice to "not have a plan" nor be bound by time constraints. We listened to music, sat out by the river, hit up some bars, and just hung out. We also stumbled upon the recent opening of the Hermes Bar at Antoine's. Pretty cool. If you have ever been to a formal event at Antoine's, the bar is the "staging area" and you can walk into the bar from the street.

Jen and Marston were in town for FQF and met us for a drink at the Hermes Bar. It was great to catch up with them----as always.

On Saturday night, we had a great meal at Bayona and more drinks in the courtyard at the Ritz (I always think of Regarding Henry when I discuss this hotel). I believe we were in bed by 11pm. What a perfect day.

On Sunday morning, we had breakfast at Stanley---which was very good. I highly recommend it if anyone is looking for a breakfast/lunch joint. The rest of the day was spent shopping, eating cookies, and looking at houses.

It was the best birthday I have had in a long time. I love you, JSH.

In typical JSH/DBH fashion, we are always diligent in charging the camera and bringing said camera to events such as our Staycation. We are not so diligent in using the camera. I could lay some bullsh*t on my readers that we get too caught up in enjoying life's moments to document our activities. But, I hate bullsh*tters. We just forgot to use it.

So, thanks to the iphone, I give you Staycation 2009:

IHOP to open on Canal Street. Discuss.

Cute dogs...Per JSH request

Twitter: Redundant for the FaceBook Status Application

I'm sorry. I just don't get it.



What is the difference between Twitter and the FaceBook Status application? And, why didn't I think of something so simple?

FaceBook: "What are you up to?"

Twitter: "What are you doing?"



Really. If you are on FaceBook (I will spare y'all the FaceSpace Nation reference in this post), you most likely have some type of smart phone that allows you to download the mobile application. Thus, if you are one of those people that has to use Twitter every 5 seconds to update what you are doing, you are probably the same person that has to update his/her status on FaceBook from his/her phone. Why would you need both? And, how did Twitter take off despite its redundant nature. I mean---that's all you needed to make a fortune? It's like the pet rock.

I feel like Bryan Flannigan in Cocktail when he finds out Doug married the wealthy girl (also the hot doctor-girlfriend of Dalton (Patrick Swayze) in "Roadhouse") and can't find his "flooglebinder" to make him rich.

Twitter is the Status Update on FaceBook----just broken out into its own world.

BTW--those of you that update your life every 1o minutes--either via Twitter or FaceBook--- need to get one.

Steve is late. Maybe you wouldn't be late if you would get off of FaceBook or Twitter.

Joe is updating his status on FaceBook and/or Twittering right now. Ha. Witty.

John is at work. Obviously NOT working.

Susie is bored. See getting a life described above.

Sandra has the best boyfriend ever. You are probably single and he is make-believe.

Nick's girlfriend is the bomb. And requires air.


Are people that starved for attention that they have to show the world every aspect of their lives? Do we have so little attention span that we are enthralled by something so simple and shallow? Just my thoughts.



Although, I have this blog. Pot or Kettle?

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.

Last week, I attended an American Health Lawyers Association conference on Medicare/Medicaid (I know-exciting stuff) in Baltimore. While the conference, as always, was extremely informative and the presenters were top-notch, I was mentally drained by Thursday night. Thus, I decided to visit Blackwelder and Chris in DC, enjoy happy hour, and watch the NCAA tournament Sweet 16 games (specifically, Duke, as Blackwelder and Chris are alums---don't hold that against them).

Soooooo, after my last seminar session, I hopped in a cab to Penn Station and caught an Amtrak train to Union Station in DC. From Union Station, I caught the Metro to Metro Center and made a two minute walk from the Metro Center to the Laughing Man at 13th and G where the festivities were located. All in all, the trip was about one hour and fifteen minutes from the hotel to the Laughing Man. After some consultation with Blackwelder, it was decided the trip would not be worth it if I had to obey the "Amtrak Curfew" in order to get back to Baltimore and, thus, miss the Duke game. Blackwelder was generous enough to let me crash at his place.

On Friday, Blackwelder and I caught a 7:30ish am Metro train from his place and I was on an 8:10am Amtrak train from Union Station to Baltimore. I was back in my hotel room by 9:15am and ready for my final few seminar sessions. My flight back to NOLA left Baltimore about 4:30pm and landed in New Orleans at 8:30pm (via Tampa). JSH and I were sitting at La Thai on Prytania having dinner by 9:15pm on Friday night.

Where am I going with all this? If you are scoring at home (or if you are all by yourself), in 5 days, I took 4 separate flights, 4 cabs, 2 Amtrak trains, 2 Metro trains, and was in the following cities for a substantive amount of time: New Orleans, Birmingham, Baltimore, Washington D.C., and Tampa.

It may be a simplistic view but it always fascinates me that in a 24 hour period I was sitting at a bar in D.C. hanging with Blackwelder, Chris, Jeff, Allison, Little Blackwelder, and the other Dukies, made a trip back to Baltimore from D.C., and ended up on Prytania Street, 5 minutes from our house, having dinner with JSH.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles will get you places..........the places where you will be happiest.

FaceSpace Nation: Where Awful Family Pictures Happen

Most of you know that my generic name for all things FaceBook and/or My Space is "FaceSpace Nation."

While I have enjoyed catching up with many people from high school and college via FaceSpace, it does "put your sh*t out there for all the world to see." Yes, I know you can restrict how much of yourself you give to the citizens of FaceSpace Nation but it does make the world a little too small and definitely reinforces the idea that technology has truly made the world flat.

For the Templeton Family Reunion this summer, old pictures have been posted all week for use in, what I would imagine will be, some type of video or photo collage. Thus, any one of my "friends" has the privilege of looking at some or all of these awkward, cute, or embarrassing pictures from my childhood, my brothers' childhood, and my cousins' childhood.

In order to trump "Da Nation", below is sampling of a Templeton childhood in Terre Haute, Indiana. Go easy.


Summers by Aunt Dee's pool. Yes, that is leopard skin or cheetah....not sure which. Either way---short and tight is not a good look for the boys or men for that matter. But at least I am not Charlie Murphy. His cash and prizes are now on FaceSpace.




Summer Vacation "Out West" 1991

15 years old. 5'8, 125 pounds. Define "awkward."

Also note that this is the Templeton Stair step picture.

I am third in line here at 15 and, today, the 4 boys behind me in the line (which include my 3 younger brothers) have all passed me up. I am also 73% sure that Nancy could make a case to move ahead of me depending on the type of shoes she is wearing. Such is life. BTW--whatever happened to umbros?




This is a picture from "the Cabin"---our family's "lake house" in Hymera, Indiana. It's actually an old strip mine pit that was filled in with a pond. We spent most summers there growing up. I would like to take this time to note that I was not a cute kid. That awful bowl haircut that my mom thought was cute for all her boys, the dark circles under my eyes, and my scrawny physique---goo-- I look like a bobble head






Cousins Sleepover at Grandma's house. The "Hong Kong" jammies were very popular at the time. I bet you can't tell which are the 3 Haynes Boys. See bowl haircut referenced above.




Note: I will be in Baltimore all week for work. Next post will be next weekend.

O'Haynes St. Patrick's Day Party--2005-2009

Our final St. Patrick's Day Party was last weekend and, despite the awful weather, I think it was a nice finale. While it was not as well attended as parties' past, it seemed like there were more people because everyone was inside. Being the eternal optimist in these types of situations, I did not want to address the idea of getting a "tailgate tent" for the keg area because that would be giving into the awful weather forecast. In addition, the idea of purchasing yet another thing that would be stored in our "backyard" along with the folding chairs, storage tub full of paint, tools, caulk and caulking gun (my garage), and my uptown lawnmower (weed eater) was not that appealing to me or JSH.

The weather held out most of the morning and then the skies opened up at 11am---which was also the start time for our party.

After waiting to see who would show up and when the house filled up by 1pm, it became apparent that a tent was needed. I, reluctantly, started to consider a trip to Wal-Mart for a tent--then it stopped raining.

When the second band of rain showers came through, my friend Daniel (who also happens to live down the street from us) offered to go get his tent. Perfect timing. Thus, it took a little stress off the house as more people decided to stay outside under the tent and near the keg. Thank you, Daniel.

All in all it was a great party. The second keg lasted until 8pm.....ish. Jody and Emily made food for those of us that were still there in the early evening. It was fantastic.

JSH and I got in bed at 11pm---exhausted.

Unfortunately, we have no pictures from the party as I really think the weather had a prohibitive effect on any really good photography. Although, I do think a few people have some pictures.

Thank you to everyone that helped to make it such a great event. Specifically, Lizzie and Craig for bringing the balloons and helping us keep the place somewhat clean. We had a pretty good tag team system set up for trash pickup and Indie 'cleanup'.

Mary, Johnston, Emily, and Katie for bringing food to add to the Popeye's and beer. If I am forgetting anyone that brought anything I am sorry.

While I am thanking my guests, I would specifically like to thank the person or group of people that decided to "smoke it up" (and I am not talking tobacco) and then walk through my house immediately after doing so. It left a nice smell in my living room. I am not judging and I don't care what you do on your own time but don't bring it in my house. There were children, babies, bosses, and moms and dads in my house and it was not appreciated nor appropriate. Go back to your parents' basement or the frat house if you want to do that sh*t.

Okay, I am done.

We will miss having our St. Patrick's Day Party and seeing all of our friends and family. Although, judging by the real estate market, we may have a sixth party after all.