Each week, the ChicagoNow community manager, Jimmy Greenfield, suggests a theme that’s intended to spur us into writing action. We’re not required to write a post on the theme, but they’re frequently thought-provoking and/or fun.This week’s challenge is to write about what we believe. Jimmy wrote a fantastic column for RedEye about eleven years ago in which he wrote his own version of the “I believe in…” speech that Kevin Costner’s character, Crash Davis, delivered to an impressed and excited Annie Savoy (Susan Sarandon) in the film Bull Durham.You can read Jimmy’s column here. YouTube has the scene from Bull Durham, which you can watch here, but be sure that no children, easily-offended co-workers, or anyone capable of firing you are within earshot, because it’s rather saucy at the beginning.The scene is almost as effective as just words on a page, so here it is verbatim:I believe in the soul, the [bleep], the [bleep], the small of a woman's back, the hanging curve ball, high fiber, good Scotch, that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent, overrated crap.I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, soft-core pornography, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days.We’re always encouraged to interpret the theme in whatever way we choose, and I’ve played some of them rather fast and loose. With this particular theme I think the beauty’s in the brevity though. It’s definitely where the fun is.Without further ado, here’s what Crash Davis would have said if he were me:I believe in patience, fresh food, the sacredness of youth, taking the scenic route, and that showing someone you love them is better than telling them, although you should do both.I believe in New York City and London Mills. I believe in innate goodness, perverse thoughts, laughing at myself, staying up late, day baseball, and progressivism. I believe in never drinking just one beer, and that a good run always makes you feel better. And I believe in genuine, intense, reflective appreciation for my wife, my kids, and every good thing in my life. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++I also believe that you want to like my Facebook page, Brett Baker Writes. Like it, please.
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