Congratulations to Sugarland, who scored a trophy for Duo of the Year at the CMA Awards last night in Nashville; singer Jennifer Nettles also won Song of the Year for "Stay." Never mind that the song in question is from the Atlanta-based duo's second album "Enjoy the Ride," which was released way back in 2006; it's still a feather in the cap for the group, who scored their first No. 1 album earlier this year with "Love on the Inside." Of course, at the rate they're going, Nettles and Kristian Bush are going to need to buy some new caps to accomodate all the feathers they're earning these days. But there are worse problems to have.
A heartfelt congrats, as well, to the Atlanta Hawks (to go along with the exuberant, fist-pumping "yeah!" I sent their way last night). That might sound like an odd sentiment when you consider the Hawks lost 103-102 to the Celtics last night in Boston, and that loss could be seen as heartbreaking when you consider that that game-winning point came in the last half-second of the game. But although the Hawks lost the game, they've clinched something far more valuable: respect. They got it from the Celtics, who are viewing this 6-1 team much more warily than they did during last season's first-round playoff series. They have it from the sports media and the NBA. And they have it from the fans here at home. Yeah, they're a little bummed that that six-game winning streak has come to an end. But that's more than made up for by the fact that these Hawks are for real.
Only seven games into the season, it's way too early to talk about playoff hopes, and dyed-in-the-wool Hawks fans are probably waiting for the other Nike to drop. But whether this moment proves to be fleeting or a sign of greatness to come, there's nothing wrong with exulting in the moment. Lean back and, as Sugarland would counsel us, enjoy the ride.