Aunt J made some really cute baby clothes for us. She crocheted them and it was so neat to get the package from her and see the craftmanship that she did. Someone in the United States actually did something that was not on a computer or on paper and has a function.
Our society seems to have gotten so far away from craftmanship. Everything we buy is made someplace else. Our cars, our furniture, our electronics, our food...
The thing Aunt J told me to do was to make sure to keep the items in the family when we are done with them. It had not really occurred to me how important that is, but it was a great reminder of the need to be creative and have things to pass down to future generations. My great grandfather O was an amazing mechanic. When he died, we got his tools.
It also reinforces the idea of making our own stuff. Why not? My wife made pillowcases for the family for Christmas. I know that I am going to be using that pillowcase for Christmas for the rest of my life. I even helped... I ironed them a little.
And of course, my Dad's paintings will always be treasured. My sister and I feel loss every time someone else buys his work. We kind of want to horde them all up. Of course, we cannot do that, but I hope to have many more paintings of his.
27 January 2008
26 January 2008
Not So Sly...
I don't get it. I really don't. What is with Sylvester Stallone doing Rocky and Rambo lately? Are these really such endearing characters that we have to see them again? What is wrong with creating something new, Sly? What is with our stupid sequel-oriented society? All we do is watch sequels. All they give us is sequels.
People who love making money probably think sequels are just the best thing ever. They probably marvel at the idea. How brilliant. Some movie company happened to make something that we enjoyed once, so they are just going to give them the same thing over again and demand our money. Then, they are going to give it to us again and again and again.
Look at the movie, Jaws. What a great movie. Then, look at the sequels! How embarrassing! Yet, the sequels probably made so much money that they dwarfed the original! But, they are such forgettable movies. Spielberg had no interest in a sequel. He made the movie. That was the movie. He killed the shark. Why would another shark come to the same cold water? Why would the shark have the same theme music? But yet the producers guessed right. All they needed to have was some scared kids in sailboats out in the middle of the ocean and there is our Jaws movie.
Think about this formula. Someone comes up with a creative movie. And, people go to see it and it makes all kinds of money. Then, the producers are thinking sequel. So, they bring back as much as they can from the original. But wait! We are going to have in this one a funny little Asian kid as Indy's sidekick. Or, we will have the Karate Kid be a girl. That will really throw them. So, there is no art left in it at all. It is just the constant pandering of these studios trying to target the audience.
And they wonder why people aren't going to movies anymore. The creativity is not there. They are not bringing us anything. They just regurgitate the same formulas. If movies cannot bring us a new, fun experience, then maybe they need to change. And I hate to say that because I love movies.
People who love making money probably think sequels are just the best thing ever. They probably marvel at the idea. How brilliant. Some movie company happened to make something that we enjoyed once, so they are just going to give them the same thing over again and demand our money. Then, they are going to give it to us again and again and again.
Look at the movie, Jaws. What a great movie. Then, look at the sequels! How embarrassing! Yet, the sequels probably made so much money that they dwarfed the original! But, they are such forgettable movies. Spielberg had no interest in a sequel. He made the movie. That was the movie. He killed the shark. Why would another shark come to the same cold water? Why would the shark have the same theme music? But yet the producers guessed right. All they needed to have was some scared kids in sailboats out in the middle of the ocean and there is our Jaws movie.
Think about this formula. Someone comes up with a creative movie. And, people go to see it and it makes all kinds of money. Then, the producers are thinking sequel. So, they bring back as much as they can from the original. But wait! We are going to have in this one a funny little Asian kid as Indy's sidekick. Or, we will have the Karate Kid be a girl. That will really throw them. So, there is no art left in it at all. It is just the constant pandering of these studios trying to target the audience.
And they wonder why people aren't going to movies anymore. The creativity is not there. They are not bringing us anything. They just regurgitate the same formulas. If movies cannot bring us a new, fun experience, then maybe they need to change. And I hate to say that because I love movies.
There Is No Eye in Team
Recently, I had a discussion with my friend, L, on team commitment in sports. He got me to understand his point of view, even though I felt his style was not terribly considerate.
Team commitment is one of the initial steps it takes to having a good cohesive group that can win ball games.
I grew up with a Father who loved Fastpitch Softball. He lived and breathed it each weekend. He had the opportunity to manage a team of players after he had played a number of years. Part of being a manager was the concept of getting people to be there. If they did not have nine guys, then chances are they would have to give me a glove and have me go play right field. I don't think this ever happened, thank goodness, but I think it was brought up as a possibility. I know that in his city league, they would pick up people off the street and they would be out there in their jeans... Jeans! How embarrassing!
So why not recruit more players to the team? This could work if everyone on the team understands that they do not get as much playing time. But people sign up to play sports because they want to play. If my Dad had 18 players and all of them did show up, then half the team would have to sit on the bench. It was usually a tough decision for Dad to have to bench any players who sacrificed their time to come play. People also have egos. They complain or may jump ship to another team if they do not get their time on the field. Dad would often have to sit himself and he hated that, because he always wanted to play.
The main issue I have with commitment is the consideration one has for the other players on the team, especially the person in charge of the team. This goes for any type of sports team, whether it is some bowling league or a soccer team or a church basketball team. The initial goal for the manager is to make sure enough people are going to show up. Now, an objection to this might be "if not enough people show up, then obviously it is not very important to them to even play, so what does it matter?" It matters to those people who do show up. They look forward to playing week to week. This is how they choose to spend their free time. If people only come out to play when they feel like coming out or it is convenient to them, then the team and manager is forced to not trust them.
Trust is an initial component in many types of relationships. Family, business, and of course sports all rely on trust to start getting things going in the direction they want. Once the trust is established, then the team starts working together toward a common goal. In Family, the goal is to have love and joy. In Business, the goal is to make money. In Sports, the goal is to win.
The concept of winning is a little controversial in some of our namby pamby circles. We have this movement in children's sports which has kids dress up in the cute uniforms and all their expensive cute gear just so they can stand out there, not learn the game, do whatever they want and be awarded for it. I suppose the argument is if kids learned that winning and losing is part of the game, they may become upset, cry and go shoot up a mall somewhere. The child out there picking flowers on the ground, staring at the clouds and twirling in circles is encouraged. This is our future, non-committed, totally unique sports player.
My radical concept is this: The players go out there, work together as a team, learn how to improve their skills, and win. People like winning. People like doing their best and seeing the reward on the other end.
Now, does everyone like winning? Obviously not. Some people, like the twirling child, show up when they want, go out and do what they want with no expectation at all from anyone else or any team members. They have no interest in the team, nor helping the team get better.
Some non-committed players are good and they may hit home runs, score goals, spike the ball, score touchdowns, etc. But when they do not have the trust of the team, it becomes confusing to the players how to work with this individual. People get frustrated with team members who do not care about them. If there is no respect, even when there is some success, it is hard to have joy.
I am a big proponent of team. My favourite sport is volleyball and one could not ask for a more team sport. Every player has to work together. But it is not just with volleyball. I see it in every team sport. The trust and the teamwork have to be there and when it is not, it might as well be the children playing in the clouds.
I think there is a place for these people who do not care about their team. They could try the golf course. Oh wait! There may be people behind one depending on them to go faster. So forget that. Try tennis. Nope. Can't do that because their opponent depends on one to show up. Aha! I know where the non-committed individual fits in. The computer. There, they can play whatever they want, whenever they want. They can have a team. Or not have a team. They can win or lose. No one cares. And with a wii, they can actually mimic the sports actions.
Look at computers! They are so perfect... Perfect for people who have no desire to have relationships with mere mortals who want to have fun together and win.
Team commitment is one of the initial steps it takes to having a good cohesive group that can win ball games.
I grew up with a Father who loved Fastpitch Softball. He lived and breathed it each weekend. He had the opportunity to manage a team of players after he had played a number of years. Part of being a manager was the concept of getting people to be there. If they did not have nine guys, then chances are they would have to give me a glove and have me go play right field. I don't think this ever happened, thank goodness, but I think it was brought up as a possibility. I know that in his city league, they would pick up people off the street and they would be out there in their jeans... Jeans! How embarrassing!
So why not recruit more players to the team? This could work if everyone on the team understands that they do not get as much playing time. But people sign up to play sports because they want to play. If my Dad had 18 players and all of them did show up, then half the team would have to sit on the bench. It was usually a tough decision for Dad to have to bench any players who sacrificed their time to come play. People also have egos. They complain or may jump ship to another team if they do not get their time on the field. Dad would often have to sit himself and he hated that, because he always wanted to play.
The main issue I have with commitment is the consideration one has for the other players on the team, especially the person in charge of the team. This goes for any type of sports team, whether it is some bowling league or a soccer team or a church basketball team. The initial goal for the manager is to make sure enough people are going to show up. Now, an objection to this might be "if not enough people show up, then obviously it is not very important to them to even play, so what does it matter?" It matters to those people who do show up. They look forward to playing week to week. This is how they choose to spend their free time. If people only come out to play when they feel like coming out or it is convenient to them, then the team and manager is forced to not trust them.
Trust is an initial component in many types of relationships. Family, business, and of course sports all rely on trust to start getting things going in the direction they want. Once the trust is established, then the team starts working together toward a common goal. In Family, the goal is to have love and joy. In Business, the goal is to make money. In Sports, the goal is to win.
The concept of winning is a little controversial in some of our namby pamby circles. We have this movement in children's sports which has kids dress up in the cute uniforms and all their expensive cute gear just so they can stand out there, not learn the game, do whatever they want and be awarded for it. I suppose the argument is if kids learned that winning and losing is part of the game, they may become upset, cry and go shoot up a mall somewhere. The child out there picking flowers on the ground, staring at the clouds and twirling in circles is encouraged. This is our future, non-committed, totally unique sports player.
My radical concept is this: The players go out there, work together as a team, learn how to improve their skills, and win. People like winning. People like doing their best and seeing the reward on the other end.
Now, does everyone like winning? Obviously not. Some people, like the twirling child, show up when they want, go out and do what they want with no expectation at all from anyone else or any team members. They have no interest in the team, nor helping the team get better.
Some non-committed players are good and they may hit home runs, score goals, spike the ball, score touchdowns, etc. But when they do not have the trust of the team, it becomes confusing to the players how to work with this individual. People get frustrated with team members who do not care about them. If there is no respect, even when there is some success, it is hard to have joy.
I am a big proponent of team. My favourite sport is volleyball and one could not ask for a more team sport. Every player has to work together. But it is not just with volleyball. I see it in every team sport. The trust and the teamwork have to be there and when it is not, it might as well be the children playing in the clouds.
I think there is a place for these people who do not care about their team. They could try the golf course. Oh wait! There may be people behind one depending on them to go faster. So forget that. Try tennis. Nope. Can't do that because their opponent depends on one to show up. Aha! I know where the non-committed individual fits in. The computer. There, they can play whatever they want, whenever they want. They can have a team. Or not have a team. They can win or lose. No one cares. And with a wii, they can actually mimic the sports actions.
Look at computers! They are so perfect... Perfect for people who have no desire to have relationships with mere mortals who want to have fun together and win.
18 January 2008
A Very Precise Procedure
This week was Movie Night with T, a double feature on Wednesday. As part of this, we decided to pick up some wings. Well, I know that I cannot do KFC. I get sick there. And, I guess Wingers just does not quite match up to...(drum roll please)
Being the magnanimous one, I decided to brave it and pick them up (the wings), even though it would be much closer for T to get them. I guess I did not really think about it at the time, but this makes me look really bad. Oh yeah, I am really magnanimous, going out of my way to pick up chicken wings at a place populated with tip-hungry babes in tight tank tops and shiny orange shorts hiked up to their armpits.
This place is kind of taboo in this particular state with this particular culture, so one can imagine the anxiety of approaching the building. I see a guy smoking in the parking lot and I want to acknowledge him and have him give me the nod of approval to somewhat signify that we are all in this together. But he doesn't. The place just seems like a stripper bar from the outside. There are no friendly open windows. There are some that face the west, but they are all shaded and darkened (mainly because that direction faces the sun for the better part of the day during the summer), but still...
I walk in and I am immediately intimidated. I don't want to be. I want to just get my wings and go. I have nothing to prove here. But there the staff are, all bunched up together waiting for the evening rush to start. They look like a chick clique from high school. Or college. Absolute control on their part. I hate that!
One of them is friendly and asks if she can help me. I told them I was there for take-out and I had called in.
They then needed to call Monica, who I guess was the one who took my order over the phone. I remember her name, because the beyond belief fake-boobed chick at the counter kept calling her "Mon! Mon! Monica! Mon! Hey Monica!" This really threw me off. Why could this other girl not just ring me up? Why did Monica, who was apparently busy with something else in the back, have to ring me up? Unfortunately for Monica, it was not until much later that I figured out the reason.
So, I sign for the receipt and it came to $14 for a 20 piece meal. Since I called in, I figured not much tip is really necessary, so I left a buck, making it an even $15. I grabbed my wings and left.
Some may say that this is not a very big deal, but upon reflection, I realized a couple things. First, this is Hooters. The whole idea of it is to have big hootered women serve guy-type meals to dudes. The women are made to look athletic with not too many clothes on. They act extraordinarily friendly, even flirtatious as part of their job. So, all of that comes in a complete package. Each person who orders gets their own special Hooters girl. So that goes for when one comes to sit down or if one calls in. Monica was my Hooters girl and I gave her a dollar tip.
My wife says so what. When someone calls in one expects that there is no tip necessary. But, I feel bad. Whether one likes the system or not, there is still the Hooters experience. Sure, my Hooters experience was only a couple minutes, but the girl did everything she could to make it Hooterized. She dropped the wings in a little before I got there. She smiled and had on the outfit. I think that going to Hooters is a little different than going to Denny's or Outback or Fuddrucker's. More is expected of the customer.
Even if the system is not part of one's standard procedure, one should still respect it. I may visit another church and as they pass around the collection plate, it is only courtesy to drop in some money. Or, if my cousin does the magazine drive shakedown from her school, I should at least pick up a subscription to France Weekly.
If I am willing to go to such lengths for other situations, then why should I not give more money to some girl who is essentially selling her body to make a living?
Being the magnanimous one, I decided to brave it and pick them up (the wings), even though it would be much closer for T to get them. I guess I did not really think about it at the time, but this makes me look really bad. Oh yeah, I am really magnanimous, going out of my way to pick up chicken wings at a place populated with tip-hungry babes in tight tank tops and shiny orange shorts hiked up to their armpits.
This place is kind of taboo in this particular state with this particular culture, so one can imagine the anxiety of approaching the building. I see a guy smoking in the parking lot and I want to acknowledge him and have him give me the nod of approval to somewhat signify that we are all in this together. But he doesn't. The place just seems like a stripper bar from the outside. There are no friendly open windows. There are some that face the west, but they are all shaded and darkened (mainly because that direction faces the sun for the better part of the day during the summer), but still...
I walk in and I am immediately intimidated. I don't want to be. I want to just get my wings and go. I have nothing to prove here. But there the staff are, all bunched up together waiting for the evening rush to start. They look like a chick clique from high school. Or college. Absolute control on their part. I hate that!
One of them is friendly and asks if she can help me. I told them I was there for take-out and I had called in.
They then needed to call Monica, who I guess was the one who took my order over the phone. I remember her name, because the beyond belief fake-boobed chick at the counter kept calling her "Mon! Mon! Monica! Mon! Hey Monica!" This really threw me off. Why could this other girl not just ring me up? Why did Monica, who was apparently busy with something else in the back, have to ring me up? Unfortunately for Monica, it was not until much later that I figured out the reason.
So, I sign for the receipt and it came to $14 for a 20 piece meal. Since I called in, I figured not much tip is really necessary, so I left a buck, making it an even $15. I grabbed my wings and left.
Some may say that this is not a very big deal, but upon reflection, I realized a couple things. First, this is Hooters. The whole idea of it is to have big hootered women serve guy-type meals to dudes. The women are made to look athletic with not too many clothes on. They act extraordinarily friendly, even flirtatious as part of their job. So, all of that comes in a complete package. Each person who orders gets their own special Hooters girl. So that goes for when one comes to sit down or if one calls in. Monica was my Hooters girl and I gave her a dollar tip.
My wife says so what. When someone calls in one expects that there is no tip necessary. But, I feel bad. Whether one likes the system or not, there is still the Hooters experience. Sure, my Hooters experience was only a couple minutes, but the girl did everything she could to make it Hooterized. She dropped the wings in a little before I got there. She smiled and had on the outfit. I think that going to Hooters is a little different than going to Denny's or Outback or Fuddrucker's. More is expected of the customer.
Even if the system is not part of one's standard procedure, one should still respect it. I may visit another church and as they pass around the collection plate, it is only courtesy to drop in some money. Or, if my cousin does the magazine drive shakedown from her school, I should at least pick up a subscription to France Weekly.
If I am willing to go to such lengths for other situations, then why should I not give more money to some girl who is essentially selling her body to make a living?
13 January 2008
N
I have a friend named N, who I really respect as a writer. He has not written anything in at least 10 years, but I still know he has it in him. I asked him to read my blog and comment on it. I want his critique. Sometimes I know I go for the cheap joke and I would appreciate it if he was there to call me on it.
I have an Uncle N too who is a great director. He has made lots of great movies. Even though he has not done a movie in quite awhile, I still know he has it in him. And, Uncle N has a way of calling me on stuff too.
I need to have N write a script for Uncle N. Then, I could be entertained, because that is what I miss.
I enjoy the creative world. I feel saddened by all those who give it up. I know it is a lot of effort, but please don't. Just do something, even if it is small...
I have an Uncle N too who is a great director. He has made lots of great movies. Even though he has not done a movie in quite awhile, I still know he has it in him. And, Uncle N has a way of calling me on stuff too.
I need to have N write a script for Uncle N. Then, I could be entertained, because that is what I miss.
I enjoy the creative world. I feel saddened by all those who give it up. I know it is a lot of effort, but please don't. Just do something, even if it is small...
12 January 2008
I Like High Mountain Huckleberry Soda
I am reading the Adventures of HuckleBerry Finn right now. I remember reading it as a kid and seeing this really cool HBO mini-series on it. But now that I am reading it as an adult, it speaks to me much more than it did before.
Huckleberry Finn is this boy who is caught up in the whole slavery dilemma. He thinks slaves are property, but then he has a real friendship with Jim, a black man. He is actually in a situation where he is somewhat driven to do the right thing even though society tells him it is not. Huck is a fascinating character, because he is sort of the rebel of the town. He is not a character many people would normally be able to identify with. But Twain writes it in such a way so as to make you feel like Huck is totally normal (or totally Twain).
I think most people are not as fortunate as Huckleberry Finn in their ability to be free of society's restrictions. We grow up going to school, church and thinking a certain way. Our families raise us to take a certain political stance. We come to see ourselves as people who have a certain place within that society. An importance. I was not raised to hate other races, but I know that at some point I had to recognize the differences in race and come to some conclusions about them. Whether those conclusions were right or wrong, they were important in recognizing who I was and what I could do.
Huck Finn was a boy who was forced to see those differences a little earlier in his life than most. But, in being a rebel and a boy instead of a man, he is not cornered into making a societal choice. He is free to think over what to do. He has society telling him slavery is the way things are supposed to be. He also sees Jim as a person and a friend. Reading this as a boy, the answers are so obvious. Reading this as an adult, there is a very profound metaphor about the way man is and what needs to be overcome.
It is more than just slavery that Huck has issues with. When it comes to man's relationship with God and the practical notions of prayer, he has a real hard time. Why pray when there is no visible evidence that it works? It is the common man mentality of wanting to see proof before one does something. Even though I have a pretty firm belief in prayer myself, I still see how someone who has no upbringing with that might have problems relating to it.
Going down the river with Jim to help him become free was not Huck's only goal. He was essentially escaping himself from the tyranny of his father. So, having Jim along helped him with his loneliness and in making decisions. I do want to help other people in life, but on the way, I want to play volleyball, basketball, golf and many other sports. I want to write, create, program and learn. I want to make money, save it and spend it. I want to be married and have children. I want to watch movies, read books and listen to CDs. I can do all this self-interest and still help others right?
Oh! And I want to drink High Mountain Huckleberry Soda...
06 January 2008
Football... Leading the Way to Bigger Egos
You know what I love about College Football that bothers me about the NFL? Yep! You guessed it! Celebration Penalty! How I wish that those idiots in the NFL would cut that celebration crap out after every stupid play. It's so embarrassing and it takes so much away from the game.
Some may ask why it takes away from the game. I feel that there are three main issues with this.
1. The player is acting in a proud way which directs more attention to him. He is essentially saying that "I tackled the quarterback!" or "I ran it into the end zone!" or "I got away with the pass interference!" But that is just it. He may have done those things, but he did not do it without the help of his team. They are making it so that people remember them regardless of their actual play. And, maybe that is a smart decision when it comes to making more money, but it is so sad to see that results do not count on their own.
2. They are taunting the other team. They are rubbing their noses in it and I was always told that that is poor sportsmanship. Those guys are out there playing their guts out and suddenly one play happens to go the wrong way and the opposing player gets to do his Lights Out dance. So when my kids are playing football with their friends and the quarterback gets sacked by my boy, I am to expect my son to get up and jump up and down pumping his fists in a squatting position? Well, that is what his football idol does. Those are the kind of people I do not want to play with.
3. It becomes a matter of one-upmanship which has nothing to do with the sport. The player makes a touchdown and pulls out a Sharpie to sign the ball and give it to a fan. Or another player scores and gets in a lame bowling stance. The shock-factor becomes more to them than the game. Each one of them has to have their own little dance or signature. And once again, the player is making sure the focus is all on him.
I see this stuff and I do not want to even watch football. I do not want to see my team do that. I feel like they are not my team when they act in that way.
And what is the excuse that they make for this poor behaviour? Well, the kids love it. The kids look up to this form of creative expression that the individual players have out on the field. To me, the creative expression comes in the performance of the game. When a running back dances around to avoid tackles and makes significant yardage, that is the art I want to see. Those are the moves that are proper for the game. It is almost as if the players insist on bringing the Super Bowl Halftime Show to each game. And we all know that those are the worst performances ever...
I remember playing sports and getting excited when I did something well (do something well. I still play), but at that point, the game is far from over. If it is the last play, it is okay to celebrate and dance around, because at that point, the game is over. One celebrates a victory. One does not celebrate and dance around over a single play. Because we all know what happens next. The following four plays the guy gets burned. Nothing is said about that though.
I think the problem is the showmanship of football. It is the biggest sport in the United States of America. It has a ton of money in it and so many fans. And, it just keeps getting bigger and bigger. The players not only have the biggest egos, but they are getting paid so much money. So, there is no end to it. With that ego comes a bigger focus on the individual and the team means less and less.
But then, the league loves it. As long as it brings in more money, the NFL does not care. They could care less if they are helping to create poor sports and egotistical jerks both on and off the field. Make it a penalty to do that stuff like in College. Let's head back to college and learn something. If nothing else, the future of American sports would have some hope with the team concept...
Some may ask why it takes away from the game. I feel that there are three main issues with this.
1. The player is acting in a proud way which directs more attention to him. He is essentially saying that "I tackled the quarterback!" or "I ran it into the end zone!" or "I got away with the pass interference!" But that is just it. He may have done those things, but he did not do it without the help of his team. They are making it so that people remember them regardless of their actual play. And, maybe that is a smart decision when it comes to making more money, but it is so sad to see that results do not count on their own.
2. They are taunting the other team. They are rubbing their noses in it and I was always told that that is poor sportsmanship. Those guys are out there playing their guts out and suddenly one play happens to go the wrong way and the opposing player gets to do his Lights Out dance. So when my kids are playing football with their friends and the quarterback gets sacked by my boy, I am to expect my son to get up and jump up and down pumping his fists in a squatting position? Well, that is what his football idol does. Those are the kind of people I do not want to play with.
3. It becomes a matter of one-upmanship which has nothing to do with the sport. The player makes a touchdown and pulls out a Sharpie to sign the ball and give it to a fan. Or another player scores and gets in a lame bowling stance. The shock-factor becomes more to them than the game. Each one of them has to have their own little dance or signature. And once again, the player is making sure the focus is all on him.
I see this stuff and I do not want to even watch football. I do not want to see my team do that. I feel like they are not my team when they act in that way.
And what is the excuse that they make for this poor behaviour? Well, the kids love it. The kids look up to this form of creative expression that the individual players have out on the field. To me, the creative expression comes in the performance of the game. When a running back dances around to avoid tackles and makes significant yardage, that is the art I want to see. Those are the moves that are proper for the game. It is almost as if the players insist on bringing the Super Bowl Halftime Show to each game. And we all know that those are the worst performances ever...
I remember playing sports and getting excited when I did something well (do something well. I still play), but at that point, the game is far from over. If it is the last play, it is okay to celebrate and dance around, because at that point, the game is over. One celebrates a victory. One does not celebrate and dance around over a single play. Because we all know what happens next. The following four plays the guy gets burned. Nothing is said about that though.
I think the problem is the showmanship of football. It is the biggest sport in the United States of America. It has a ton of money in it and so many fans. And, it just keeps getting bigger and bigger. The players not only have the biggest egos, but they are getting paid so much money. So, there is no end to it. With that ego comes a bigger focus on the individual and the team means less and less.
But then, the league loves it. As long as it brings in more money, the NFL does not care. They could care less if they are helping to create poor sports and egotistical jerks both on and off the field. Make it a penalty to do that stuff like in College. Let's head back to college and learn something. If nothing else, the future of American sports would have some hope with the team concept...
Watching Your Team Lose
One of the difficult things in life is watching your team lose. Spending the 2 or 3 hours of pain experiencing the trauma, the disappointment, the weakness and everything that is included with losing can be so frustrating. Why is it so disappointing? Why do we hope so much for our team to win? What do we have invested in it, besides our time for those couple hours?
It is half time right now of the San Diego Chargers - Tennessee Titans Wild Card Game and the Chargers are losing 6 - 0. They look terrible out there. This is a team that made it to the playoffs? Where is our star running back, LT? Our defense is doing pretty well, but our offense just looks poor. Tennesse has been just plugging away with short gains. We keep going for these big plays to save us. Isn't that something that they should have learned from years of playing the game? Get the first down. Get the first down. Charge up the field, slow if you have to, but just dominate. We keep getting to 3rd and long and have to rely on an amazing play to save us.
Now, I am just about to start up the second half and I hope that they come out and decide to be champions. Sports can be so tough to watch. You think it is just so mental. And from playing, I know that is true. So, what is it that these guys need? Do they need Gene Hackman to come in there and give them a rousing speech?
Norv Turner was brought in this year and still made the playoffs proving us all wrong that doubted he could do it. I figured he was a terrible coach, because he does have a losing record in the NFL. He is a good offensive coordinator I guess. But by making the playoffs I figure he proved something. He could do what Marty Schottenheimer could. Now, it would be nice if he could show us that he can do even more. Let's win a playoff game.
It is half time right now of the San Diego Chargers - Tennessee Titans Wild Card Game and the Chargers are losing 6 - 0. They look terrible out there. This is a team that made it to the playoffs? Where is our star running back, LT? Our defense is doing pretty well, but our offense just looks poor. Tennesse has been just plugging away with short gains. We keep going for these big plays to save us. Isn't that something that they should have learned from years of playing the game? Get the first down. Get the first down. Charge up the field, slow if you have to, but just dominate. We keep getting to 3rd and long and have to rely on an amazing play to save us.
Now, I am just about to start up the second half and I hope that they come out and decide to be champions. Sports can be so tough to watch. You think it is just so mental. And from playing, I know that is true. So, what is it that these guys need? Do they need Gene Hackman to come in there and give them a rousing speech?
Norv Turner was brought in this year and still made the playoffs proving us all wrong that doubted he could do it. I figured he was a terrible coach, because he does have a losing record in the NFL. He is a good offensive coordinator I guess. But by making the playoffs I figure he proved something. He could do what Marty Schottenheimer could. Now, it would be nice if he could show us that he can do even more. Let's win a playoff game.
03 January 2008
Man's True Best Friend (Or At Least Mine)
It's fun to be with my wife. We have a good time together. We are able to laugh at things we do and say.
Over the Christmas break, we slept in each morning and spent a lot of time reading. We did a little work, but as little as possible.
I was very impressed with her ability to paint as we started our new roommate's room. I felt a little bad that she had to do it, but she is much better at it than I am. I did learn a lot after making some big mistakes myself, but when we went to do the second coat, she was the champion.
If you look closely at this photo you will see a couple things that will make you smile and then possibly a little angry at me. She is wearing a mask because of the paint fumes. She is working hard to paint with a roller, because her husband was kind of clueless when he tried to do it. Also, I am taking the picture of her back while she is working.
She did not like it though when I told her of my intentions to stretch this room project out 4 months. All I was trying to say was that we did not have to get it all done immediately. The reason for this in my eyes was that I did not want to have to demand help so quick. In fact, I think I was secretly trying to figure out how to do it all on my own without having to ask anyone for help.
It is nice to be with someone who is fun to be with. It is nice to look at her and be amused or impressed. I like how she handles things and people and the way she reacts to stuff. Could this be any more vague?
It's hard to express love in more than just the pronouncement of love. It is difficult to know all the things to say. When we are with friends, they will ask her questions and I want to hear what she has to say. I look forward to her way of telling a story. Her exaggeration.
I suppose it may be difficult to say stuff like this, because I would have to explain it all later. Whereas, if I just write about the dog, he has no way of defending himself, much less reading what is said about him...
But I love my wife, A.
Over the Christmas break, we slept in each morning and spent a lot of time reading. We did a little work, but as little as possible.
I was very impressed with her ability to paint as we started our new roommate's room. I felt a little bad that she had to do it, but she is much better at it than I am. I did learn a lot after making some big mistakes myself, but when we went to do the second coat, she was the champion.
If you look closely at this photo you will see a couple things that will make you smile and then possibly a little angry at me. She is wearing a mask because of the paint fumes. She is working hard to paint with a roller, because her husband was kind of clueless when he tried to do it. Also, I am taking the picture of her back while she is working.
She did not like it though when I told her of my intentions to stretch this room project out 4 months. All I was trying to say was that we did not have to get it all done immediately. The reason for this in my eyes was that I did not want to have to demand help so quick. In fact, I think I was secretly trying to figure out how to do it all on my own without having to ask anyone for help.
It is nice to be with someone who is fun to be with. It is nice to look at her and be amused or impressed. I like how she handles things and people and the way she reacts to stuff. Could this be any more vague?
It's hard to express love in more than just the pronouncement of love. It is difficult to know all the things to say. When we are with friends, they will ask her questions and I want to hear what she has to say. I look forward to her way of telling a story. Her exaggeration.
I suppose it may be difficult to say stuff like this, because I would have to explain it all later. Whereas, if I just write about the dog, he has no way of defending himself, much less reading what is said about him...
But I love my wife, A.
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