Rest In Peace, Sir Terry Pratchett

I only learned about the Discworld late - maybe late-20's, early-30's. But it was such a fascinating universe - and so funny. At times, even laugh out loud funny.

Never got over the first book, so I ended up buying pretty much the entire Discworld series (I think there's still the odd stray book running around uncaptured somewhere). Every book was funny or satirical, some more than others. But ALL of them were Good. And I looked forward to (pretty much) the annual Discworld book.

Above all else, I remembered the characters more than the story lines. Lord Vetinari, Sam Vines, Moist von Lipwig, Granny Weatherwax, Tiffany Aching, Death. And somewhere in there, there was a vegetarian vampire.

There are many who were much more greatly influenced by his books. They may have been classified as Fantasy, but in truth, Pratchett's books were much more rooted in human nature. Accordingly, his books have influenced me - but probably more along the lines of the things I find funny.


"Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened." 
- Sir Terry Pratchett, Moving Pictures.


Rest In Peace, Sir Terry Pratchett.
I will miss you, as will many others.
Thank you for Discworld.
Rest In Peace.

Celtics on the Up ...

He's traded away whatever stars he had on the roster. What's left is a bunch of up-and-comers, scrappers, journeymen veterans and undrafted pick-ups. He even hired a coach without any NBA experience.

BUT that coach is proving that he's got some chops, that he's picking up the nuances of the NBA game. That coach has got his team playing hard - even through the seismic roster changes. That coach has got his team on an improbable playoff hunt, just off the playoff spots in a deplorable Eastern conference.

And last night the Boston Celtics beat the Memphis Grizzlies.

Granted, the NBA is a 82-game grind and there are bound to be some shocks purely based on schedule and the volume of games. Still, the Grizzlies have legitimate hopes for the NBA title.

And just like the pre-2008 teams, watching the process (and Danny Ainge at work) is FASCINATING. It's a different feeling from when the Celtics were contending for the NBA title but watching Ainge stockpile draft picks, trade exceptions and free up salary cap space is really rather interesting. I'm in Finance, so sue me.

And convincing Brad Stevens to coach the Celtics through the rebuild ... WoW!
Not as straightforward as it seems since roughly half the successful college coaches couldn't cut it in the NBA...


Tony Allen of the Memphis Grizzlies after the game :
"as far as their future, they’re going to be pretty good, man. Danny Ainge knows what he’s doing. He’s a wizard. He knows what he’s doing."

“Just look back at the 2004 class when he drafted me, Al Jefferson, Justin Reed, Delonte West. He got some good draft picks that year, so I know that’s what he plans on doing. And then before you know it, he’ll make a blockbuster trade. I know it’s in him.”

The Courage To Follow Your Heart

The heart's decision is known to be the right one. There may be True LOVE after all.