Caner-Medley’s Corner- A tough loss softened by a visit from Mom

In this week’s entry for “Caner-Medley’s Corner,” Nik gives us an inside glimpse into the frustration of losing a close game, and he also shows us around Astana.
Skyline of Astana, Kazakhstan.

Skyline of Astana, Kazakhstan.

For all the amazing places his career has taken him around the globe, Nik doesn’t get much time to really experience and enjoy the cities that he plays in, but with his mother and girlfriend visiting for the holidays they went out looking for fun stuff to do.
Here’s what Nik had to say this week:
I hate losing. And the only thing I hate more than losing, is losing and having to wait an extended period of time before playing again.
We played my second game back from injury this past Sunday and lost by one point at home on a controversial shooting foul (Nik scored 18 points with 4 rebounds and 2 assists in the loss).
The only thing that can make losing like that at home worse? Having a thirteen day break waiting for you.
I try to look on the bright side because at least I can spend a couple weeks with my family, but the reality of it is now my family has to deal with me talking about this game most of the time.
Caner-Medley having Christmas dinner with his mom and girlfriend in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Caner-Medley having Christmas dinner with his mom and girlfriend in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Sitting on a loss for two weeks, especially with it being only my second game back from injury is not on my list of fun things.
I did however find a few things out here in Kazakhstan over the past week that do make the fun list. My mom and my girlfriend were here and “we” wanted to get out a little bit, (they wanted to and convinced me).
Caner-Medley and his mom, Janet Caner, outside a karaoke bar in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Caner-Medley and his mom, Janet Caner, outside a karaoke bar in Astana, Kazakhstan.

I usually don’t have this much free time but due to the break I’m just working out from 12-4, with the rest of the day open.
I have heard that people here are really serious about karaoke, but I didn’t know how serious they were talking! I thought I had experienced some pretty serious karaoke sessions, (I’m all about serious karaoke sessions).
Here's an old picture of Caner-Medley and me performing a sparkling rendition of "All My Life," by K-Ci and JoJo with a couple longtime friends.

Here’s an old picture of Caner-Medley and me performing a sparkling rendition of “All My Life,” by K-Ci and JoJo with a couple longtime friends.

But this was a whole new level of seriousness when it comes to karaoke. I’m talking about big stage, bright lights, American -Idol-at-the-finals type of serious!
And the people who got up on stage were playing no games, they were dressed up like they were at the Grammys, I was loving it!
Astana was built in the late 1990s with billions of dollars of oil money, similar to Dubai. So there are things here that would normally make no sense. For example, they built the world’s largest tent, then put a mall, a theme park, and an indoor beach in it. It’s called the Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center.
The Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center in Astana, Kazakhstan.

This beach was crazy, picture a man made beach around a huge pool that has volleyball nets, cabanas, bars, restaurant, hot tubs, saunas, and water slides. It was wild to experience and I will be definitely be spending my days off there. It is Maine-cold out here, so it will be a good place to get away from that.
Caner-Medley at the indoor beach in the Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center.

Caner-Medley at the indoor beach in the Khan Shatyr Entertainment Center.

We don’t play again until January 4th, so in the meantime I’m just staying/getting in shape and checking out what this place has to offer. It should be interesting to experience New Year’s Eve here. Take care, Happy Holidays, and if you have any questions or want to hear about anything in particular let me know!
Chris Shorr

About Chris Shorr

Chris is a sixth generation Portlander who loves all things Maine. He has worked with mentally ill and marginalized adults at a Portland non-profit, on a lobster boat in Casco Bay, at several high-end Portland restaurants, and at a local meat packing plant. He also ran for Portland City Council in 2013, wrote a weekly column in the now defunct Portland Daily Sun, and currently writes a weekly column in The Portland Phoenix.