[ b u l l - w h i p p e d ]

"You will never find a more retched hive of scum and villainy"

No, no one was referencing the Pepsi Compound.  Those words were first spoken by Obi-wan Kenobi in Star Wars over 20 years ago.  It was one of my favorite movies growing up.  I know I've watched it over a hundred times both at the theatres and  on video.  When they re-released it last year, I dragged a friend of mine to the theatre for what could only be described as one of the premiere whippings of 1997.

It's one thing for someone to talk during a movie, it's entirely another for the person next to you to recite every line and conduct the music, too.  I'm thankful  my friend Lisa didn't pull some dress blues out of that big Oak Cliff  purse she carried and off herself . . . or worse still, off me!  Still, for as many times as I've seen it before, the magic has not worn off.

I cannot say the same for the Bulls championship runs.

The word escapes me right now, but it's German I think.  If my memory serves me right it was also, at one point, a surname.   Whatever it is, it means someone who is unhappy with the success of another and takes joy in the other's downfall.  I think that is part of my attitude towards the Bulls.  The other part of my attitude is "ENOUGH ALREADY!"  Time to let someone else on the swing.    It's getting to the point where you know how it's all going to happen:  "Bulls win series.  Bulls win series.   Bulls win series."  Aug!  Nothing personal against, you Messrs. Jordan, Pippin, Jackson, et al . . .  You are perhaps the best team ever to take the parqueted floor, but to be entirely honest, even I had to take about a ten year break from Star Wars to be able to enjoy it as much as I did this last time.  Do us all a favor:   Mike, retire.  Scottie, take the big money and run.  Phil, New York is calling.  Dennis . . . go wrestle.  Just give someone else a turn to win the big one, OK?

And may the Force be with you.