Boxing great "Hurricane" Peter McNeeley once famously warned a recently de-incarcerated Iron Mike Tyson that he was going to “wrap him in a cocoon of horror” during the course of their upcoming bout. McNeeley, renowned knockout victim to a bonafide who’s who list of professional pugilists (as in, “who?”), proceeded to back up the chest-beating by sadly succumbing to an encapsulation of his own within 89 electrifying seconds. For those first 88 seconds, however, the club fighter-turned-circus-attraction floated like a … well … he floated like a Buick and stung like a breeze. And yet, he took his shot. With a limited arsenal, he climbed into the ring with the most feared man of his generation not named Willard Huyck (Don’t believe me? Watch Howard the Duck.), and flailed like the drowning tourist he was.
It is tempting to consider only the likely consequence and not the potential glory when it comes to our own personal and professional aspirations. We foresee the carnage of a half caved-in cranium instead of a hand raised in stunning upset victory. Lest we forget that Buster Douglas was the original Peter McNeeley, sans the stark difference in outcome, anything can happen when we man up and step through the ropes and into the bright lights.
No, David does not always slay Goliath, but each defeat paves the way for ultimate victory. Fortunately, most of us are not tasked with warding off the advances of large humans intent on malice for a living, so the defeats are only painful to our psyches. As we took turns waxing non-nostalgic and eulogizing the recently interred 2009 last month, pardon me for hopping back in line for another turn at the mic. This time, however, I reserve the soliloquy for channeling all of that lingering angst and lament into actionable rededication. No more sitting on the stool, waiting for the corner to throw in the towel. No more hand-wringing over how all of our ails will be resolved, and by whom.
I may have a career year, I may get knocked upside the head. Can't be sure which until the bout ends next December. One thing is certain, however. Somebody or something is getting wrapped up in a cocoon of horror before it's all said and done. Believe that.
2010 … let’s do this thing.
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I like your style Paul - go get em' in Scottsdale!
Paul ~ It's never too late for motivation! Here's to having a career year!
Paul, expect the best, look forward to good things, love your wife, kids, parents, siblings and friends. Always make the choice to do the right thing over the easy thing and take the time to enjoy all of the little pleasures in life that don't require anything other than your eyes, your taste buds and your heart. Yes, we will get knocked down but we will get up again. If not right back up, then a day later. I loved the stung like a breeze line!! Very clever. Ali was my hero as a kid. love, love, loved him! The jaw was broken but the mouth lived on (which was on the cover of one of the magazines at the time). That's how I see you!
(Was that virtual background music The Boxer or the Rocky theme song?)
When you're ready to lose, you're most prepared to win. Now you're living the victory, choreographing your winning moves...now that's a champion!
Thank you gals for humoring the type of post I normally despise. :)
Paul, my friend you always leave me going "say whaaaaat". I did not understand some but most and loved it all! Let's do go do this thing! Make 2010 a great year! I'm planning on it. Seeing the world through the eyes of wonder! You truly have a gift for writing and I so enjoy my trips over here!
Oh Paul, we all know you have a sweet side.
If you have a career year I'll ship you a case of my favorite Oregon microbrew or pinot noir wine. Your choice.
I plan to have a kickin year...as soon as I get some sleep ;-)
I like those terms, Melina. So much, in fact, that I will go ahead and proclaim this a career year. Now where's my beer?
Cocoon of horror? I'll settle for a cape of hysteria to ward off the seasonal depression of a Northeast winter.
Valid point, Andrew. Given our 70 degree January temps, I suppose a cocoon might be a bit restrictive. Somehow, though, a v-neck of languidity just doesn't muster the right bravado.
um...It's January. If you are having a career year already then you must have stunk before...Talk to me in December. You need to be thinking about Wheat, Stout, Pale Ales, Raspberry Beer...on and on...
Three little letters, Melina: IPA. Everything else is just wasting valuable shelf space.
Hi Paul...As long as you stay in the ring, you'll be a winner. You've got plenty of fans. Wishing you plenty of clients.
Kate
Thanks, Kate. Wishing you the very same. Matter of fact, generous as I am, you can have a couple of mine. ;)
I love the posts because they always give me great vocabulary to use with my unsuspecting friends and family. Sometimes I even use them in the wrong context just to throw them off (okay who am I kidding, even I am unaware at times of the misused context)
Good luck this year.
Peter lived about 25 minutes from me. It was all a show for sure. He did not think he had a chance!
He was spot on in that bit of self-admission, Bill. All the more noble that he took the inevitable beating like a man. Earned him enough residual "fame" of sorts to string together a couple more televised bouts that would have otherwise never come his way. Even in brutal, thumping defeat, he gained something.
As for the guy that Larry Holmes leaped onto from the hood of a Cadillac in a street fight several years earlier (Mitch "Blood" Green), still looking for the moral victory somwhere in that debacle.
Paul, I pray that 2010 leaves us unrecognizably successful, as opposed to the bloodbath of the last two years or so. And don't use my picture anymore, k?
Speaking of unrecognizably successful, there is zero chance of me dropping your photo from my marketing. Business has tripled since I swapped my head shot for Dawn Maloney's Folgers Crystals.
Oh yeah brutha ! That was a deep rally call fro my little ears !!! I'm sure I'll hit the canvas a few times this year too, but the horror wrap is in my gloves and I'll bounce back up each time !
2010 - it's on like Donkey Kong baby !!!!!
Gosh Slay-er - if this wasn't so well written, I'd gag:-)
You can gag anyway, Inna. I did. :)
Get'er done, Sheldon!