Vina St. Fran

Yesterday evening, I was at a nice restaurant in Novi, enjoying dinner with my son. I then overheard the party sitting across from us totally bashing the Lions. Okay, they deserve it, right? Well, last year, was the winless season that wasn’t, so I would say hell yeah for 2008. However, this is 2009.

I need to clarify my position here. I am not a huge NFL fan. I prefer college football because the players play with more heart, and it is great rooting for them, and seeing them make that transition into the NFL and do some pretty amazing things, in most cases, however, there are some exceptions to the rules, shall we say, Charles Rogers, Joey Harrington?

The problem here is that this playful group of ten were from Pittsburgh and they had driven down to cheer for the Steelers and a comment that came from one of the gentlemen, was that they were here to watch the Lions lose. Ouch! A statement made was,”How could they win? They don’t know what that means, look at their owner!”

My goal for this evening was to have a great dinner, and a glass of wine, and just chill. Trust me, that so went out of the window, the chill part, at least! These idiots felt entitled to a win, and pre-celebratory drinks were flowing all over. I want to examine the question that was posed by the Steelers fan because it opens up a dialogue that could ignite something, at least from my prospective.

How can the Detroit Lions win,  and I am not talking about just against the Steelers? First, let’s start with their name. According to Webster’s definition, a person who resembles a lion has the strength and ferocity as the animal itself. Sorry to say, but none of the Lion’s players with the exception of Kevin Smith, pop into my mind.

Hey Coach Swartz, can you remind the team of this in meetings? Can you take the players out on a field trip to the Detroit Zoo perhaps, to show them how a real Lion roars, and is feared, and revered because of its character? I would love to see the Lions live up to their name and play with such fierceness that earns them respect, initially for themselves, and I am sure it will trickle down to both the fans and foes.

The symbol of the lion itself, is much like that of the unionized, blue-collar spirit city of Detroit, and the surrounding surburban areas. There is strength, and courage despite hard economic times, that will recover in time, but never at the capacity in which it was in the past. Detroiters (this includes everyone within the tri-county areas) are fierce, and when they fall, they get back up, and find a way to get it done. No excuses!

So, the comment I posted above from the Steelers fan, “How can they win? They don’t know what that means, look at their owner?” My response is the Lions can start from the beginning, by learning what the lion really resembles, other than a team name, and to take pride to have such a name bestowed upon them. Secondly, I hope the Lions don’t look at their owner, Mr. Ford, as motivation for winning. Instead, I hope as they drive down Woodard Avenue viewing the beauty and the apparent blight on their way to Ford Field, that they are motivated by the support of fans of all economic backgrounds who are resilient and in their own personal life, play to win. No excuses! That, my friend is a good start.

The Steeler fans are a passionate group of “folks”, as I would like to use another expletive word, but I will refrain from this, at this time. Besides, some words in my opinion, are better spoken in person, than written, as there is power in the interpretation and delivery that can leave a lasting effect.

I recently completed a character interview with Cyndarella Worthy of One Foot Outside The Door for theplot.com. This is a great opportunity to get into the mind of Cyndarella and I hope you not only take the time to read it, but enjoy it as well. Here is the link of the interview. Enjoy!

http://theplotline.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/vina-st-fran-interviews-cyndarella-worthy-of-one-foot-outside-the-door/

Please check out my thoughts on this which was featured today at the American Chronicle.

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/60316

Hi all,

I am currently on a VBT all of May and I invite you to follow me on my journey. I have partnered with two amazing dynamos, Cheryl Malandrinos and Dorothy Thompson of www.Pumpupyourbookpromotion.com to coordinate the event. My first stop is at Inspired Author, the link is listed below.

http://inspiredauthor.com/v3/blogs/litekepr/promotional-interview-vina-st-fran-0

It was announced earlier today that Rev. Wright would be attending a NAACP annual dinner as a keynote speaker in Detroit on April 27, 2008. So, what I want to discuss is a  number of items that popped into my head as this news blared from my car stereo this morning. <p>

Senator Obama is running a campaign based on change, I get that part. I hope that Wright does too. Last Friday, April 4, 2008, marked the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assasination. Could you imagine if Rev. Wright appeared before the group of I am sure a record number of more than 10,000 with a rabbi, priest, and other influential religious leaders and apologized for the offensive sermons he preached in the pulpits?<p>

Within the past 40 years since King’s death, racist issues hasn’t gone away because it has not been addressed in a way that would bring healing. Dr. Wright  provoked much anger, yet there seems to be a fascination with the minister and he should use this tool as a way of helping heal the divide across the lines. Granted, Wright isn’t Superman by any means. Albeit, he is one person who could help heal a wounded nation by reaching out to other religious leaders and working hard to come together instead of encouraging divide. Dr. King would be proud.<p>

History could very well be in the making here. However, at what cost? Rev. Wright is a brillant scholar, with  exemplary military honor. Yet, I am sure that he has, as many others been subjected to things that have made him angry throughout the years, and as real as those feelings are, they can no longer be allowed to accumulate. It is baggage from yesterday which we cannot take into the present. Let’s keep in mind, lots of us weren’t there when it happened. Yet, because of stories we’ve heard from family & friends, or individual personal experiences, we share a bond of familiarity with Rev. Wright that indeed does hurt at some point, but then, you move on. <p>

So, when Rev. Wright gets up in front of thousands and stands before members of the NAACP and hungry news channels like CNN, Fox, and others, I want him to know that I am looking forward to him being an agent of attitudinal change for the next 40 years, not for the past. He can’t erase that. However, he can bring forth so much more and leave a lasting legacy that is truly bigger than he could have ever imagined it to be.<p>

Detroit is being pulled through the mud because of a selfish, scandulous mayor who refuses to step down from office. It would be best if Wright would concentrate on the nation, and not the city of Detroit’s personal dealings, meaning this should not be a Kodak moment for Kilpatrick. We are the laughing stock of the country and will continue to be until the case is settled in court.