GOOD NAMES FOR ROCK BANDS
The Flying Shards
The Fierce Prune-Eating Hamsters from Space
Marcel and the Turpitudes
The Groin Whappers
Dave Barry
31 January 2007
politico
"I would usually smile and nod and say that...there was - and always had been - another tradition to politics...a tradition based on the simple idea that we have a stake in one another, and that what binds us together is greater that what drives us apart, and that if enough people believe in the truth of that proposition and act on it, then we might not solve every problem, but we can get something meaningful done."
The Audacity of Hope
Barack Obama
The Audacity of Hope
Barack Obama
the life
"...'Ben has the life, doesn't he?' Paul comments...'Works all day, comes home to the woman he loves. You couldn't ask for a better life,' Paul says."
Through Painted Deserts
Donald Miller
Through Painted Deserts
Donald Miller
08 October 2006
Cutillion
Humans are weird. Some traditions that we have are quite funny if you think about it. I was at dinner tonight and two of these social mores occured and I actually thought about them for once, and they were just goofy.
- After dinner, everyone knew my grandfather was going to pay the tab but my dad pulled out his wallet as if to pay. He knew he wasn't going to but it would have been improper to act (not act like he was going to pay) on that knowledge. So society says, my dad had to whip out the wallet and get in a pseudo argument until the waiter brings the check and hands it to grandpa - which everyone knew was going to happen anyways.
- Similar, is how we are told to accept payment for menial service. The whole act, "No, you don't need to do that....well, if you insist." We all do it -- it's just funny. We know we are going to get paid, but we have to act like its superfluous - even though its not.
The things that drive us to action are weird. We're obviously influenced by society's standards - or else we wouldn't feel awkward simply accepting payment for watching the neighbor's dog. And society's standards are just flat out strange. It's like there's this golden rule regarding proper acceptance of a favor - argue with the person, "put your wallet away dad, i'm paying." After that we express how unnecessary their proposal is and why, "you're our guest, we're treating you tonight, c'mon i got it." then sigh "sigh" and thank them, "thanks dad."
- After dinner, everyone knew my grandfather was going to pay the tab but my dad pulled out his wallet as if to pay. He knew he wasn't going to but it would have been improper to act (not act like he was going to pay) on that knowledge. So society says, my dad had to whip out the wallet and get in a pseudo argument until the waiter brings the check and hands it to grandpa - which everyone knew was going to happen anyways.
- Similar, is how we are told to accept payment for menial service. The whole act, "No, you don't need to do that....well, if you insist." We all do it -- it's just funny. We know we are going to get paid, but we have to act like its superfluous - even though its not.
The things that drive us to action are weird. We're obviously influenced by society's standards - or else we wouldn't feel awkward simply accepting payment for watching the neighbor's dog. And society's standards are just flat out strange. It's like there's this golden rule regarding proper acceptance of a favor - argue with the person, "put your wallet away dad, i'm paying." After that we express how unnecessary their proposal is and why, "you're our guest, we're treating you tonight, c'mon i got it." then sigh "sigh" and thank them, "thanks dad."
27 September 2006
just something to mull on...
The idea of Tabula Rasa - "unscribed tablet"-"clean slate" - is the philosophical idea expressed by Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas, but then more notably by John Locke. Locke proposed the modern idea of Tabula Rasa that our mind (at birth) is a blank slate. Therefore there are no built in formulas or neural connections and that everything is developed and learned. The important theory (to me) is the connection to the spiritual idea of Tabula Rasa which follows that we are born with no sin.
It's an interesting theological quandary as there is no way for humans to deny sinfulness, however, we do acknowledge our baptism into Christ as a day of dedication in which we are cleansed by the holy water and made anew:
"The liturgy of baptism in (certain) traditions makes clear reference to baptism as not only a symbolic burial and resurrection, but an actual supernatural transformation, one that draws parallels to the experience of Noah and the passage of the Israelites through the Red Sea divided by Moses. Thus baptism is literally and symbolically not only cleansing, but also dying and rising again with Christ. Catholics believe that baptism is necessary for the cleansing of the taint of original sin, and for that reason infant baptism is a common practice."
If this is the case that baptism marks our burial and resurrection with Christ; does it then follow that our spiritual re-birth (our baptism) marks our real birth and therefore our birth into a state of our minds as a tablet unscribed upon by the chisel of sin?
It's an interesting theological quandary as there is no way for humans to deny sinfulness, however, we do acknowledge our baptism into Christ as a day of dedication in which we are cleansed by the holy water and made anew:
"The liturgy of baptism in (certain) traditions makes clear reference to baptism as not only a symbolic burial and resurrection, but an actual supernatural transformation, one that draws parallels to the experience of Noah and the passage of the Israelites through the Red Sea divided by Moses. Thus baptism is literally and symbolically not only cleansing, but also dying and rising again with Christ. Catholics believe that baptism is necessary for the cleansing of the taint of original sin, and for that reason infant baptism is a common practice."
If this is the case that baptism marks our burial and resurrection with Christ; does it then follow that our spiritual re-birth (our baptism) marks our real birth and therefore our birth into a state of our minds as a tablet unscribed upon by the chisel of sin?
Hmmm...
Okay, so I recieve a call between classes today, and my mom asks me, "What happened to Terrell Owens?" Upon hearing this, about a million different things welled up inside of me and I wanted to say, "well where do you want me to start?" I assumed (correctly) that this was a more pointed question - she then told me that news had broken that he had alledgedly attempted suicide. I got home and read the article, and I'm just mad about this whole thing.
I do not think Terrell Owens is the best role model on the planet, however, his treatment is absolutely horrendous. He does little dances in the end zone - so what? If he were a scantily clad girl then no one would have problems with him dancing in the end zones after scores. (That is a whole other topic). So what that he is attention starved? Does that make him a leper in America? If these people who are so content to peer in and criticize Owens' seeming arrogance and disillusionment would only peer in so keenly to themselves (and everyone else in the world) they'd find exactly the same problems. The difference - Owens is in the national spotlight.
So here's where the line has to be drawn. I believe that the combination of Vicodin and supplements doped him up, and that he didn't attempt suicide. However, from the past couple years, its obvious that the man has some emotional problems (as if we "normal people" don't) and we "normal people" think that its fine and right to push those buttons and try to draw those problems out of him. We are appalled at animal testing because it subjects animals to cruel treatment in the name of science. Well what we do to people like Owens' is far worse - we are subjecting him to cruel treatment (if you disagree with that - then think about how you felt when you saw the treatment Jim Carrey's character received in Truman Show). We are subjecting him to this treatment not in the name of science, or anything that even has remote beneficial qualities - we are putting this on him just to ostracize and demonize him. It makes us feel better to point and say, well I'm better than him.
That's weak.
I do not think Terrell Owens is the best role model on the planet, however, his treatment is absolutely horrendous. He does little dances in the end zone - so what? If he were a scantily clad girl then no one would have problems with him dancing in the end zones after scores. (That is a whole other topic). So what that he is attention starved? Does that make him a leper in America? If these people who are so content to peer in and criticize Owens' seeming arrogance and disillusionment would only peer in so keenly to themselves (and everyone else in the world) they'd find exactly the same problems. The difference - Owens is in the national spotlight.
So here's where the line has to be drawn. I believe that the combination of Vicodin and supplements doped him up, and that he didn't attempt suicide. However, from the past couple years, its obvious that the man has some emotional problems (as if we "normal people" don't) and we "normal people" think that its fine and right to push those buttons and try to draw those problems out of him. We are appalled at animal testing because it subjects animals to cruel treatment in the name of science. Well what we do to people like Owens' is far worse - we are subjecting him to cruel treatment (if you disagree with that - then think about how you felt when you saw the treatment Jim Carrey's character received in Truman Show). We are subjecting him to this treatment not in the name of science, or anything that even has remote beneficial qualities - we are putting this on him just to ostracize and demonize him. It makes us feel better to point and say, well I'm better than him.
That's weak.
22 September 2006
Today is Friday (or Rosh Hashanah)
It's true today is Rosh Hashanah. It says so on my calender. So as I was fervently rubbing the sleep out of my eyes this morn I was struck with a familiar sense of curiosity. Curiosity, has a feminine voice mind you, she said to me, "what is Rosh Hashanah - for that matter, what are all these holidays that I never celebrate?"
So since she has such a seductive voice - Curiosity that is. I decided to oblige and follow up. After class, I ran home in the drizzle and logged on to Wikipedia. I found out that Rosh Hashanah is simply New Years in the Jewish tradition. So I was a little bummed that it was so bland - oh but then I found the "fun nugget" I'd been looking for:
"In fact, Judaism has four 'new years' which mark various legal 'years'."
Okay, so basically whats going on here is the Jewish calender is absolutely crazy - well crazy to me, an average Joe who abides by the simple 12 month, 365 day variety. There are four new years, as I mentioned. Before we move to that however, the Jewish calender is somewhat different than the typical American one. It includes 12 months of 30 days each. (The previous statement isn't completely true because some months contain 29.75 days, and other fractional differences). But in the long run the year rounds out to a full 360 days. This is significant because their calendar is envisioned as a circle and how many degrees are in a circle? You got it - 360. 360 degrees in a circle, 360 days in the rotunda-ish calendar of the Jews.
The first month on this circular calendar is Nisan, the word Nisan itself is Babylonian and is translated as "spring." It is rooted in the Sumarian "nisag" which literally means "first fruits." Nisan is a spring month consisting of 30 days and usually falls in the March-April range. It is the first month of the calendar because, "The LORD told Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 'this month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you...' " (Exodus 12:1-2)
So, Moses and Aaron listened and now Nisan is the first month on the ecclesiastical calendar (month seven on the civic calendar) - and therefore 1 Nisan = New Year's Day.
The second New Year celebration is the first day of Tishrei, literally - "beginning" derived from the Akkadian surru - "to begin." Rosh Hashanah - literally, "head of the year" (which is today - lest you forget) is the civic New Year. That being said, there are huge ecclesiastical calendar implications on this "civic" holiday. Why? Well, this celebration is derived from Leviticus 23:24, "And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the people of Israel,' saying, 'In the seventh month, you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a holy convocation' " - the line, "with blast of trumpets" is literally translated as, "The Day of the Blowing of the Shofar."
In tradition, during the month of Elul (literally "to search") which is right before Tishrei, the Shofar (a musical instrument made from a ram's horn) is blown every morning, 'to awaken the listener from his/her slumber and alert them of the coming judgement.' Rabbinic literature (and even the liturgy) refers to Rosh Hashanah as the day of judgement. Therefore this month of Elul is similar in many respects to Lent (for Christians). The 'day of judgement,' in Christianity is Holy Saturday when Jesus rest in the tomb and in spirit performed the 'harrowing of hell' by descending to the depths and breaking free the bondage of those held captive by sin. The next day, Easter, marks the grace and mercy shown by God as Jesus ascended to Heaven. In Jewish tradition, however Rosh Hashanah is pictorialized as "God sitting upon a throne, while books containing the deeds of all humanity are open for review, and each person passing in front of Him for evaluation of his or her deeds." Then for the next ten days Jewish tradition observes the Yamim Noraim ("Days of Awe") known as Assaret Yemei Teshuva ("Ten Days of Repentance"). The Yamim Noraim culminates on 10 Tishrei with the celebration of Yom Kippur - Yom Hakkipurim - "The Day of Atonements." For obvious reasons this is the holiest day of the year and is marked by a 25 hour fast and very intensive prayer throughout the day.
This celebration is markedly different from the fiest that takes place on 1 Nisan. The latter is a celebration of the idea of a year, whereas the former celebrates the turning of a page in the lives of the Jews. It is a celebration of all the greatness of the past year; and alternatively a celebration of the forgiveness of sin from the previous year. The Yamim Noraim obviously is a huge, huge part of the Jewish year. The other New Year celebrations, on the other hand are not. The next New Year - Elul, the twelfth month of the ecclesiastical calendar is held as the New Year for animals.
Tu Bi'Shevat, or the fifteenth day of Shevat is marked as the New Year for trees. (Tu) is the American translation for some squiggly lines that in Hebrew mean 15, and (Shevat) is the eleventh month of the Jewish calendar. The day is known as Rosh Hashanah La'llanot ("Head of Year of the Trees.")
- These holidays do not begin until sun down - if you look at your calendar it should say, "Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown" that is because the day changes at sundown, not at the American usual of midnight.
So tonight, when the sun goes down and the chill of fall rests in the air, you may want to dig into a meal of apples and honey to symbolize a 'sweet new year,' and some challah to symbolize the wheel of life (round calendar) that just took one more spin. As you do, hear this, "ketiva ve-chatima tovah (may you be written and sealed for a good year)."
So since she has such a seductive voice - Curiosity that is. I decided to oblige and follow up. After class, I ran home in the drizzle and logged on to Wikipedia. I found out that Rosh Hashanah is simply New Years in the Jewish tradition. So I was a little bummed that it was so bland - oh but then I found the "fun nugget" I'd been looking for:
"In fact, Judaism has four 'new years' which mark various legal 'years'."
Okay, so basically whats going on here is the Jewish calender is absolutely crazy - well crazy to me, an average Joe who abides by the simple 12 month, 365 day variety. There are four new years, as I mentioned. Before we move to that however, the Jewish calender is somewhat different than the typical American one. It includes 12 months of 30 days each. (The previous statement isn't completely true because some months contain 29.75 days, and other fractional differences). But in the long run the year rounds out to a full 360 days. This is significant because their calendar is envisioned as a circle and how many degrees are in a circle? You got it - 360. 360 degrees in a circle, 360 days in the rotunda-ish calendar of the Jews.
The first month on this circular calendar is Nisan, the word Nisan itself is Babylonian and is translated as "spring." It is rooted in the Sumarian "nisag" which literally means "first fruits." Nisan is a spring month consisting of 30 days and usually falls in the March-April range. It is the first month of the calendar because, "The LORD told Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 'this month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you...' " (Exodus 12:1-2)
So, Moses and Aaron listened and now Nisan is the first month on the ecclesiastical calendar (month seven on the civic calendar) - and therefore 1 Nisan = New Year's Day.
The second New Year celebration is the first day of Tishrei, literally - "beginning" derived from the Akkadian surru - "to begin." Rosh Hashanah - literally, "head of the year" (which is today - lest you forget) is the civic New Year. That being said, there are huge ecclesiastical calendar implications on this "civic" holiday. Why? Well, this celebration is derived from Leviticus 23:24, "And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the people of Israel,' saying, 'In the seventh month, you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a holy convocation' " - the line, "with blast of trumpets" is literally translated as, "The Day of the Blowing of the Shofar."
In tradition, during the month of Elul (literally "to search") which is right before Tishrei, the Shofar (a musical instrument made from a ram's horn) is blown every morning, 'to awaken the listener from his/her slumber and alert them of the coming judgement.' Rabbinic literature (and even the liturgy) refers to Rosh Hashanah as the day of judgement. Therefore this month of Elul is similar in many respects to Lent (for Christians). The 'day of judgement,' in Christianity is Holy Saturday when Jesus rest in the tomb and in spirit performed the 'harrowing of hell' by descending to the depths and breaking free the bondage of those held captive by sin. The next day, Easter, marks the grace and mercy shown by God as Jesus ascended to Heaven. In Jewish tradition, however Rosh Hashanah is pictorialized as "God sitting upon a throne, while books containing the deeds of all humanity are open for review, and each person passing in front of Him for evaluation of his or her deeds." Then for the next ten days Jewish tradition observes the Yamim Noraim ("Days of Awe") known as Assaret Yemei Teshuva ("Ten Days of Repentance"). The Yamim Noraim culminates on 10 Tishrei with the celebration of Yom Kippur - Yom Hakkipurim - "The Day of Atonements." For obvious reasons this is the holiest day of the year and is marked by a 25 hour fast and very intensive prayer throughout the day.
This celebration is markedly different from the fiest that takes place on 1 Nisan. The latter is a celebration of the idea of a year, whereas the former celebrates the turning of a page in the lives of the Jews. It is a celebration of all the greatness of the past year; and alternatively a celebration of the forgiveness of sin from the previous year. The Yamim Noraim obviously is a huge, huge part of the Jewish year. The other New Year celebrations, on the other hand are not. The next New Year - Elul, the twelfth month of the ecclesiastical calendar is held as the New Year for animals.
Tu Bi'Shevat, or the fifteenth day of Shevat is marked as the New Year for trees. (Tu) is the American translation for some squiggly lines that in Hebrew mean 15, and (Shevat) is the eleventh month of the Jewish calendar. The day is known as Rosh Hashanah La'llanot ("Head of Year of the Trees.")
- These holidays do not begin until sun down - if you look at your calendar it should say, "Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown" that is because the day changes at sundown, not at the American usual of midnight.
So tonight, when the sun goes down and the chill of fall rests in the air, you may want to dig into a meal of apples and honey to symbolize a 'sweet new year,' and some challah to symbolize the wheel of life (round calendar) that just took one more spin. As you do, hear this, "ketiva ve-chatima tovah (may you be written and sealed for a good year)."
21 September 2006
interesting
While I was writing that title, I wanted to spell it "intresting" because thats how we pronounce it. Anyways...
Speaking of pronunciation, I'm can't stand it when people mispronounce easy words...libarry? What?! Well I heard another one the other day. I forget what it is, but my hairs stood on end.
I see that today is September 21, and my last post entitled, "Race Relations" was written on August 22. A full month - I just needed a little breather.
I am taking a class called Race & Ethnicity in American Literature. Its pretty fun, but at the same time, pretty demoralizing. I debate every day whether to walk out the door and go on with life, or to exit the room by jumping out of the fourth floor window of Perkins. That's not actually true, but the angst is in that general vicinity.
Long story - short, that is why this whole race deal has been so grossly entrenched on my mind. At first, I feel this sense of dread - you know, the "oh crap I'm walking into a room, where I am about to get absolutely roasted by a bunch of people who are mad at me" feeling -- wait, maybe thats not a normal thing after all. However, after I realize that those feelings are just me being an idiot, I actually open my ears (if thats possible) and hear the conversation in the room and it is unbelievable.
All I can say to expound on the unbelievabilility (wc?) is that situations (race being one of them) where there is a cataclysmic amount of brokenness is where redemption is the most real. We claim to be so easily lured into idolatry because of all we have in America. However, in a place like this class - a place where real issues aren't matador-ed, but where we actually grab the bull by the horns and deal - thats where we can truly see past all of these objects and idols that we have grown to worship. It's really amazing.
I wrote a paper the other day for this class, it's a response paper to "Heart of Whiteness" by Robert Jensen. Well here's an excerpt about the necessity of standing in the path of the bull rather than waving the red flag.
"The third emotion Jensen deals with is fear. Fear is a much broader topic than anger or guilt; which are both very pointed. With guilt and anger there is always a beginning point – there is always a reason for guilt and a point of anger. Fear can often be a feeling without any rational reason. The problem, herein, is that fear presents itself in so many different fashions and is incredibly hard to overcome. Jensen makes a few points to this matter. The most explicit example is one where he makes the proclamation that black people gaining more power is the white man’s worst fear, “This is perhaps the deepest fear that lives in the heart of whiteness…Are non-white people capable of doing to us the barbaric things we have done them?” (54). He also testifies that in some instances when meeting with a person of different ethnicity he feels scared. “Why am I feeling afraid of you? I know I have no reason to be afraid, but I am,” he feels this sense of fear – for some unknown reason (57). The fact that there is no definitive root of this fear reveals the true depth in which it lies. Fear goes much deeper beneath the surface than we understand. Phobias are a perfect example – people are afraid of fairly normal things. These can’t be simply explained, yet there are ways to overcome them.
The fear of heights is a very common phobia which can be beaten. The only way to overcome this fear is to face heights. That person must stand on ledges and deal with those feelings there, where they can truly engage them, rather than sitting on solid earth and worrying about the fear they might face. Similarly, this ‘phobia’ that seems to plague white people can only be overcome by facing them. Facing them does not mean simply acknowledging that these feelings: feelings of anger, guilt and fear exist, but really getting down to the root by communicating openly with the people who strike those emotions. Open dialogue is something that has been discussed as a path to redemption. In my brief time in this class I have seen some redemption take place. Many feelings of guilt and fear have dissipated as I have intentionally sought to spend time with people who are not white. Communication is a grassroots movement. But with a problem like white supremacy which rears its ugly head in the personal levels of relationships – the grassroots is the place to start. Nothing we do will ever change America’s racial complex from the top (government) down. These feelings, these emotions are the ‘real’ white supremacy, the real lingering of racism. As long as I can still acknowledge to housing feelings of anger, guilt and fear; so too can I assume that our politicians and people of power harbor those same feelings. Until that changes there will be no redemption. Until we are able to look at a black friend without any anguish, there will never be real relational equality. Furthermore, until we are able to (as a society) look into the eyes of a black man or woman and feel no semblance of any of the aforementioned feelings we can not draw near to a society that is balanced between the ethnic groups."
- Communication (the means) toward the end of the big three.
Andy Blasius
9/8/06
I've got another story coming about another class, but thats for another day and another time. Til, then fare thee well my faithful few.
xoxo,
AB
Speaking of pronunciation, I'm can't stand it when people mispronounce easy words...libarry? What?! Well I heard another one the other day. I forget what it is, but my hairs stood on end.
I see that today is September 21, and my last post entitled, "Race Relations" was written on August 22. A full month - I just needed a little breather.
I am taking a class called Race & Ethnicity in American Literature. Its pretty fun, but at the same time, pretty demoralizing. I debate every day whether to walk out the door and go on with life, or to exit the room by jumping out of the fourth floor window of Perkins. That's not actually true, but the angst is in that general vicinity.
Long story - short, that is why this whole race deal has been so grossly entrenched on my mind. At first, I feel this sense of dread - you know, the "oh crap I'm walking into a room, where I am about to get absolutely roasted by a bunch of people who are mad at me" feeling -- wait, maybe thats not a normal thing after all. However, after I realize that those feelings are just me being an idiot, I actually open my ears (if thats possible) and hear the conversation in the room and it is unbelievable.
All I can say to expound on the unbelievabilility (wc?) is that situations (race being one of them) where there is a cataclysmic amount of brokenness is where redemption is the most real. We claim to be so easily lured into idolatry because of all we have in America. However, in a place like this class - a place where real issues aren't matador-ed, but where we actually grab the bull by the horns and deal - thats where we can truly see past all of these objects and idols that we have grown to worship. It's really amazing.
I wrote a paper the other day for this class, it's a response paper to "Heart of Whiteness" by Robert Jensen. Well here's an excerpt about the necessity of standing in the path of the bull rather than waving the red flag.
"The third emotion Jensen deals with is fear. Fear is a much broader topic than anger or guilt; which are both very pointed. With guilt and anger there is always a beginning point – there is always a reason for guilt and a point of anger. Fear can often be a feeling without any rational reason. The problem, herein, is that fear presents itself in so many different fashions and is incredibly hard to overcome. Jensen makes a few points to this matter. The most explicit example is one where he makes the proclamation that black people gaining more power is the white man’s worst fear, “This is perhaps the deepest fear that lives in the heart of whiteness…Are non-white people capable of doing to us the barbaric things we have done them?” (54). He also testifies that in some instances when meeting with a person of different ethnicity he feels scared. “Why am I feeling afraid of you? I know I have no reason to be afraid, but I am,” he feels this sense of fear – for some unknown reason (57). The fact that there is no definitive root of this fear reveals the true depth in which it lies. Fear goes much deeper beneath the surface than we understand. Phobias are a perfect example – people are afraid of fairly normal things. These can’t be simply explained, yet there are ways to overcome them.
The fear of heights is a very common phobia which can be beaten. The only way to overcome this fear is to face heights. That person must stand on ledges and deal with those feelings there, where they can truly engage them, rather than sitting on solid earth and worrying about the fear they might face. Similarly, this ‘phobia’ that seems to plague white people can only be overcome by facing them. Facing them does not mean simply acknowledging that these feelings: feelings of anger, guilt and fear exist, but really getting down to the root by communicating openly with the people who strike those emotions. Open dialogue is something that has been discussed as a path to redemption. In my brief time in this class I have seen some redemption take place. Many feelings of guilt and fear have dissipated as I have intentionally sought to spend time with people who are not white. Communication is a grassroots movement. But with a problem like white supremacy which rears its ugly head in the personal levels of relationships – the grassroots is the place to start. Nothing we do will ever change America’s racial complex from the top (government) down. These feelings, these emotions are the ‘real’ white supremacy, the real lingering of racism. As long as I can still acknowledge to housing feelings of anger, guilt and fear; so too can I assume that our politicians and people of power harbor those same feelings. Until that changes there will be no redemption. Until we are able to look at a black friend without any anguish, there will never be real relational equality. Furthermore, until we are able to (as a society) look into the eyes of a black man or woman and feel no semblance of any of the aforementioned feelings we can not draw near to a society that is balanced between the ethnic groups."
- Communication (the means) toward the end of the big three.
Andy Blasius
9/8/06
I've got another story coming about another class, but thats for another day and another time. Til, then fare thee well my faithful few.
xoxo,
AB
22 August 2006
Race Relations
Alright, so here's something that's been whisking around in the cauldron upstairs: race relations. Sure I'm taking a lit. course in it this semester, but also the church I attend deals with it quite a bit; and I assume that if I am to be an "enlightened" individual I must wrestle with her at some point. So here goes.
There is always a series of events that lead to a writing topic, and I'll do a little background to connect the dots here. You know, 1+1=2 type stuff.
So, one, I hear a story in a sermon the other day about a child at Austin-East High Schools Graduation two years ago. He had recently gotten into a scuffle with law enforcement and well, he fought the law and he won. Obviously he was quickly a cult hero, and when he walked across the stage the entire gym erupted in applause. Why? Why would you cheer a boy for beating the crap out of a cop? I have no idea.
+
And, one, I watched The Aviator last night and I absolutely hated it - worst movie I've ever watched. I suppose if Howard Hughes is interesting to you there is some merit in watching it, but Howard Hughes absolutely drove me crazy. If Leonardo di Caprio did his job right, then I would absolutely loathe Mr. Hughes. Anyway, one thing that I noticed (and was made crystal clear in the movie) was Hughes' irrational fear of not only germs, but also of being spyed upon. This fear, is one that is well documented, as I believe Hitler also was crazy and killed off his officers on flimsy suspicion of treason. This fear that one is being watched seems to confirm itself by the natural instinct to pay closer attention to details than one would normally. If someone glanced at Hughes he believe they were spying, etc.
There is always a series of events that lead to a writing topic, and I'll do a little background to connect the dots here. You know, 1+1=2 type stuff.
So, one, I hear a story in a sermon the other day about a child at Austin-East High Schools Graduation two years ago. He had recently gotten into a scuffle with law enforcement and well, he fought the law and he won. Obviously he was quickly a cult hero, and when he walked across the stage the entire gym erupted in applause. Why? Why would you cheer a boy for beating the crap out of a cop? I have no idea.
+
And, one, I watched The Aviator last night and I absolutely hated it - worst movie I've ever watched. I suppose if Howard Hughes is interesting to you there is some merit in watching it, but Howard Hughes absolutely drove me crazy. If Leonardo di Caprio did his job right, then I would absolutely loathe Mr. Hughes. Anyway, one thing that I noticed (and was made crystal clear in the movie) was Hughes' irrational fear of not only germs, but also of being spyed upon. This fear, is one that is well documented, as I believe Hitler also was crazy and killed off his officers on flimsy suspicion of treason. This fear that one is being watched seems to confirm itself by the natural instinct to pay closer attention to details than one would normally. If someone glanced at Hughes he believe they were spying, etc.
=
My conclusion, two, is (and I am not trying to downplay the presence of racism in the world - because it does exist) that when people of a minority are super sensitized to a certain stigma, when they claim victimization from a stereotype foe, they make that foe more real. Perhaps, the aforementioned cop was cracking down on the high schooler because of immoral, racial reasons. But, perhaps he had a legit reason to indict the kid. It doesn't matter, because when a human believes that they are the victim of a social sin - they becomes crazed to the point of irrationality toward a given stimulus - say being arrested.
No doubt does racism exist and need to be slowed to a stop, no doubt. However, what we are doing now - black leaders reinforcing black people to stand up against white people is nothing more than instigating reverse racism and inciting more hatred between the two predominant races. The only way things will ever change is when white people and black people are encouraged by society, by our leaders, and by one another to stand up with one another, to create communities with one another, to create Shalom between the two groups instead of pointing out all of the inconsistencies and deficiencies.
My conclusion, two, is (and I am not trying to downplay the presence of racism in the world - because it does exist) that when people of a minority are super sensitized to a certain stigma, when they claim victimization from a stereotype foe, they make that foe more real. Perhaps, the aforementioned cop was cracking down on the high schooler because of immoral, racial reasons. But, perhaps he had a legit reason to indict the kid. It doesn't matter, because when a human believes that they are the victim of a social sin - they becomes crazed to the point of irrationality toward a given stimulus - say being arrested.
No doubt does racism exist and need to be slowed to a stop, no doubt. However, what we are doing now - black leaders reinforcing black people to stand up against white people is nothing more than instigating reverse racism and inciting more hatred between the two predominant races. The only way things will ever change is when white people and black people are encouraged by society, by our leaders, and by one another to stand up with one another, to create communities with one another, to create Shalom between the two groups instead of pointing out all of the inconsistencies and deficiencies.
14 August 2006
fantasy sports.
It's no lie that I enjoy a little fantasy baseball. This is the first year I have participated in this pathologicalically depressing endeavor. However, I have enjoyed the 3 a.m. lineup switches, the hurrying to the computer to pick up Mark DeRosa because he just hit a homer and all the other little novelties of fantasy sports addiction. All of this is irrelevant to the issue at hand, but is necessary for a little bg (background).
I play in a league on Yahoo Sports. The interface is quite user friendly and all that other stuff that makes it fun for a computer dumb-dumb like myself. However, there is one point that absolutely drives me nutty.
Every time one of my players is in the news there is this little post it note that shows up next to their name. When you click on it, it will show you the news clipping of that player. This has been very handy as the balance of my team enjoys the trainer's table more than the field. That is beyond the point - the thing that drives me crazy is when it gives advice.
Sometimes the "news" will be presented like this:
Aug 14 Glaus injured his knee swinging and missing a pitch.
Advice Glaus is batting .264 with 31 Home Runs and 86 RBI's.
The first problem I have with this is the actual news. One, my player (as usual) is injured. Second, he injured himself in the process of striking out. That is fantastic. The second problem I have is the advice. I would love advice that says something like this, "Glaus will be out for a long time, you should drop him and pick up Edwin Encarnacion off of the waiver wire." That would be terrific - that would be really helpful. However, no, Yahoo can't do that for me, but what advice they can give me is how productive that player who is now injured has been all year. Thank you Yahoo for slicing open the crux of my knee and seasoning the open wound with salt.
I play in a league on Yahoo Sports. The interface is quite user friendly and all that other stuff that makes it fun for a computer dumb-dumb like myself. However, there is one point that absolutely drives me nutty.
Every time one of my players is in the news there is this little post it note that shows up next to their name. When you click on it, it will show you the news clipping of that player. This has been very handy as the balance of my team enjoys the trainer's table more than the field. That is beyond the point - the thing that drives me crazy is when it gives advice.
Sometimes the "news" will be presented like this:
Aug 14 Glaus injured his knee swinging and missing a pitch.
Advice Glaus is batting .264 with 31 Home Runs and 86 RBI's.
The first problem I have with this is the actual news. One, my player (as usual) is injured. Second, he injured himself in the process of striking out. That is fantastic. The second problem I have is the advice. I would love advice that says something like this, "Glaus will be out for a long time, you should drop him and pick up Edwin Encarnacion off of the waiver wire." That would be terrific - that would be really helpful. However, no, Yahoo can't do that for me, but what advice they can give me is how productive that player who is now injured has been all year. Thank you Yahoo for slicing open the crux of my knee and seasoning the open wound with salt.
28 July 2006
but I won't do that.
I have two things for you this evening. The first is of no importance and the second is of similar status.
- Today I went to a pawn shop for the first time. When I walked in I was reminded of this common thread of thought that I entertain about background music. I was reminded because a muffled, tinny tune was seeping from the speakers in the pawn shop, and it just created an absolute perfect "chi"(sorry I had to) for the pawn shop. The song? "I would do anything for love" by Meatloaf.
- Also I was thinking a bit more about this idea I have for a screen play. It got me thinking about some advice I recieved from someone who is much more theatrical than I. The advice was, "no plot is original, it's only the characters that can be original."
I think that is beautiful, I'll mold it a little, and say in life, "no idea is orignial, but it's our character that is."
- Today I went to a pawn shop for the first time. When I walked in I was reminded of this common thread of thought that I entertain about background music. I was reminded because a muffled, tinny tune was seeping from the speakers in the pawn shop, and it just created an absolute perfect "chi"(sorry I had to) for the pawn shop. The song? "I would do anything for love" by Meatloaf.
- Also I was thinking a bit more about this idea I have for a screen play. It got me thinking about some advice I recieved from someone who is much more theatrical than I. The advice was, "no plot is original, it's only the characters that can be original."
I think that is beautiful, I'll mold it a little, and say in life, "no idea is orignial, but it's our character that is."
22 July 2006
New Law
You know, looking back at my posts from the past I am realizing one thing - and one thing only. I am incredibly long winded; either that, or I try to jam every sentence to the brim with thought. In order to simplify all of that, I'm enforcing a new law on the Super Bowl Shuffle blog. That law states that: I will no longer write anything that is over three paragraphs in length.
If that is disappointing I'm sorry, however my hunch is that most of you will wipe your brow and exclaim, "phew, it's about time."
If that is disappointing I'm sorry, however my hunch is that most of you will wipe your brow and exclaim, "phew, it's about time."
15 July 2006
utopia?
Movies, writers -- society at large, has this philosophy -- this philosophy that lies in the inevitable human let down. The betrayal by humanity, some sort of pseudo-Deity feeling of great remorse for the ultimate lowering of one's standards for those who live with and around. So obviously, as social pressures do, this philosophy weighs down on me and gives me this sort of ultimatum that goes like this, "either accept the faultiness of humans now: accept that no human will ever treat you right; or you will be broken cruelly and unexpectedly in the future." Obviously, there is an innate sense of right and wrong -- and this sense is something that humans share -- and thusly, I suppose I am born with a sort of utopian idea that the things I deem right or wrong are ultimately right or wrong for everyone. Somehow.
So, maybe in my youth, or in my naievety I have yet to subscribe to the inevitable fatal human let down. Sure, sure I know that we are all sinners. However, as a sinner, I'm unable (as of now) to fully commit to an idea that says everyone will fail me -- I suppose I still believe that there are (and will be) people in my life who do nothing but good.
Anyhow, I was driving around town this morning after a good jog thinking about this and the fact that I was really happy that I didn't wear the Carhartt pants I was thinking about wearing. Instead I opted for shorts which turned out to be a much better idea in the 90 degree heat.
For obvious reasons the former occupied my thoughts for far longer than the latter and I began to think and stew on it for quite a while.
This was abruptly met by a quite hornery bank teller. The destination of my aforementioned driving was to cash a check at the bank. As I walked up I noted that the calendar still marked the 14th which was yesterday and the clock above the calendar read 9:14 - surely with two workers mulling around in the back the bank was open for business. Much to my chagrin they were not. Not only was the bank not open, but when I was caught off guard by such news and uttered a brainless, "reeeally?" I recieved a quite terse and sarcastic, "really." (i feel like if we announced punctuation points verbally she would have said, "really period" emphatically). Needless to say, I looked at my shoelaces and sauntered off like a scolded dog.
Luckily, this particular bank branch is located inside a Kroger - which is in a shopping center with a Starbucks. I ventured over to the Starbucks to sit in the sun, sip a coffee, and console myself for my rude treatment. As I sat there, these thoughts of utopia and people began to migrate more into the field of occupations - as this has been something very bothersome to me lately. It was a saturday and as I sat in Starbucks doing a little people watching I noticed countless men and women sitting in there with wedding bands on and just chattering away on their cell phones or clicking away on laptops. I saw three or four business meetings with very professional looking men who had just come from Brooks Brothers. I found all of this quite depressing. It's Saturday. Don't married people have spouses sitting at home? Don't some of them have children to play with?
All of this culminated with this idea of why are people so serious about life? I have no idea why people think that everything is so important. Why did that lady deem that those extra fifteen minutes were so important that some unsuspecting customer should recieve a trite remark? Why did these men think that money or power or their company or whatever was so important that they were neglecting far more important things - like teaching junior how to throw? This is one thing that I absolutely do not want to get caught up in. Then, right as I was about to leave, I saw a beautiful vintage Mercedes convertable pull in to the parking lot. A man, and I presume his wife, emerged and began to walk into Starbucks. When they were a few feet away from me I noticed that the man wasn't wearing any shoes.
This, to me, was brilliant. He got his paper and his coffee and was perfectly content sitting in the sun with his wife, reading the paper, drinking his coffee all the while being barefoot in a very public place - that is life. As I glanced to the right one table there were two guys stewing over the fact that his frappucino took "like 10 minutes" and commenting that "that lesbian barista is a sack of shit!" Is it really necessary to get so riled up over a drink taking a few minutes more than usual. I then glanced back and there was such a huge contrast between the seemingly carefree man reading his paper and the two 30 somethings cussing and carrying on about the lousy barista.
Maybe, this idea that people are incomplete is true. However, I'm beginning to think that the problem isn't so much in the people that do let you down. It's our failure to be inspired by people that don't. It's our failure to find great joy in simply seeing an old guy trouncing around barefoot in Starbucks because he doesn't care. It's the simple fact that we are too busy whining about the barista, or our bottom line, or our boss, or even those friends that do let us down -- that we completely miss those who don't. We completely miss our families, our good friends, and those random encounters that help us to recalibrate ourselves and see what is truly important.
So, maybe in my youth, or in my naievety I have yet to subscribe to the inevitable fatal human let down. Sure, sure I know that we are all sinners. However, as a sinner, I'm unable (as of now) to fully commit to an idea that says everyone will fail me -- I suppose I still believe that there are (and will be) people in my life who do nothing but good.
Anyhow, I was driving around town this morning after a good jog thinking about this and the fact that I was really happy that I didn't wear the Carhartt pants I was thinking about wearing. Instead I opted for shorts which turned out to be a much better idea in the 90 degree heat.
For obvious reasons the former occupied my thoughts for far longer than the latter and I began to think and stew on it for quite a while.
This was abruptly met by a quite hornery bank teller. The destination of my aforementioned driving was to cash a check at the bank. As I walked up I noted that the calendar still marked the 14th which was yesterday and the clock above the calendar read 9:14 - surely with two workers mulling around in the back the bank was open for business. Much to my chagrin they were not. Not only was the bank not open, but when I was caught off guard by such news and uttered a brainless, "reeeally?" I recieved a quite terse and sarcastic, "really." (i feel like if we announced punctuation points verbally she would have said, "really period" emphatically). Needless to say, I looked at my shoelaces and sauntered off like a scolded dog.
Luckily, this particular bank branch is located inside a Kroger - which is in a shopping center with a Starbucks. I ventured over to the Starbucks to sit in the sun, sip a coffee, and console myself for my rude treatment. As I sat there, these thoughts of utopia and people began to migrate more into the field of occupations - as this has been something very bothersome to me lately. It was a saturday and as I sat in Starbucks doing a little people watching I noticed countless men and women sitting in there with wedding bands on and just chattering away on their cell phones or clicking away on laptops. I saw three or four business meetings with very professional looking men who had just come from Brooks Brothers. I found all of this quite depressing. It's Saturday. Don't married people have spouses sitting at home? Don't some of them have children to play with?
All of this culminated with this idea of why are people so serious about life? I have no idea why people think that everything is so important. Why did that lady deem that those extra fifteen minutes were so important that some unsuspecting customer should recieve a trite remark? Why did these men think that money or power or their company or whatever was so important that they were neglecting far more important things - like teaching junior how to throw? This is one thing that I absolutely do not want to get caught up in. Then, right as I was about to leave, I saw a beautiful vintage Mercedes convertable pull in to the parking lot. A man, and I presume his wife, emerged and began to walk into Starbucks. When they were a few feet away from me I noticed that the man wasn't wearing any shoes.
This, to me, was brilliant. He got his paper and his coffee and was perfectly content sitting in the sun with his wife, reading the paper, drinking his coffee all the while being barefoot in a very public place - that is life. As I glanced to the right one table there were two guys stewing over the fact that his frappucino took "like 10 minutes" and commenting that "that lesbian barista is a sack of shit!" Is it really necessary to get so riled up over a drink taking a few minutes more than usual. I then glanced back and there was such a huge contrast between the seemingly carefree man reading his paper and the two 30 somethings cussing and carrying on about the lousy barista.
Maybe, this idea that people are incomplete is true. However, I'm beginning to think that the problem isn't so much in the people that do let you down. It's our failure to be inspired by people that don't. It's our failure to find great joy in simply seeing an old guy trouncing around barefoot in Starbucks because he doesn't care. It's the simple fact that we are too busy whining about the barista, or our bottom line, or our boss, or even those friends that do let us down -- that we completely miss those who don't. We completely miss our families, our good friends, and those random encounters that help us to recalibrate ourselves and see what is truly important.
12 July 2006
youth vs. experience
As expected the AL beat the NL. (yawn) -- actually this year was a little more intriguing. The NL takes a one run lead into the ninth. Trevor Hoffman (who is second in all time saves) comes into the game to seal the deal. Right. There are three points that any intelligent person could have noted to predict what was about to happen.
One, the NL never beats the AL - no matter what. This is like the University of Tennessee beating Steve Spurrier. It just doesn't happen.
Two, the AL hitters were not going to be held to one run. I know the NL pitchers threw like champions tonight, but regression toward the mean is a truth as real as gravity. If a batter starts off 2 for 3 the chances of him getting a hit in his fourth at bat aren't so hot. Conversely if a whole lineup is cold for a long stretch of time, it is inevitable (usually) that there will be a stretch of heat.
Three, lately Trevor Hoffman has been getting about as many saves as those raging televangelists who condemn people to hell, if they don't wrap a 200 lb boa constrictor around their neck. Sure he's got 420 for his career but he blows more saves that Todd Coffey. It's horrendous, if you want stats then just bring back Dennis Eckersley to toss that ninth inning.
One, the NL never beats the AL - no matter what. This is like the University of Tennessee beating Steve Spurrier. It just doesn't happen.
Two, the AL hitters were not going to be held to one run. I know the NL pitchers threw like champions tonight, but regression toward the mean is a truth as real as gravity. If a batter starts off 2 for 3 the chances of him getting a hit in his fourth at bat aren't so hot. Conversely if a whole lineup is cold for a long stretch of time, it is inevitable (usually) that there will be a stretch of heat.
Three, lately Trevor Hoffman has been getting about as many saves as those raging televangelists who condemn people to hell, if they don't wrap a 200 lb boa constrictor around their neck. Sure he's got 420 for his career but he blows more saves that Todd Coffey. It's horrendous, if you want stats then just bring back Dennis Eckersley to toss that ninth inning.
::
What we've learned by watching 83 games:
1) The Cubs will never win the World Series. Who cares if they have Dusty Baker, Derek Lee, 'the next Lima' Zambrano*, healthy Mark Prior and Kerry Wood. Who cares if Glenallen Hill, Shawon Dunston, Ryne Sandberg, and all their other greats come back. Who cares if Marmol-aid, 'The other' Cedeno**, Matt Murton and all their little kiddos come through. Who cares. The Cubs won't win the series until Henry Rowengartner and Chet Stedman decide to ham up and lead the pitching staff. Right now that staff is so weak that Garth Brooks could make the team.
*'the next Lima' Zambrano refers to Carlos Zambrano and his eerily similar style to one, Mr. Jose Lima.
** 'the other' Cedeno refers to Ronnie, as opposed to Roger. If you come in second in the Cedeno lines to a one hit wonder base stealer, you know you're not on good footing. Sorry Ronny.
2) The White Sox should be banned from sports. My new theory is that the American sports (NBA, MLB, and NFL) should get together and hire Vince McMahon. His job would be to fashion a new sports league that no one will ever watch. Then the leagues can toss all the teams that don't belong (Raiders, Pistons, White Sox, Steelers, Knickerbockers, Globetrotters, Yankees) into Vince's care and watch them rot.
3) The stretch run is going to be absolutely insane. The AL will obviously win. However which AL team? The scary as Freddy in Halloween Angels who always underachieve? The foursome (Mauer, Morneau, Liriano, Santana) in MN? The terrorists (White Sox)? The nursing home (Yanks), the "I see dead people" Tigers? or maybe, jus maybe the good ol' boys in Boston.
10 July 2006
sports fights.
Fighting in sports is one thing that I am for. Now, I did not say that I mean fighting like they do in hockey or boxing -- where the point of the sport is to fight -- I mean the spontaneous mound charging, shove in pit row or even better fan vs. NBA superstar fight. However classless and degrading for the certain player they definitely spice up a sporting event.
Now the addendum about boxing and hockey: both are fine, but the fight I'm talking about is the one that is completely unexpected. Fighting in a boxing match is not all together unexpected and fighting is hockey players second favorite things to do behind hooking up with Russian supermodels.
In lieu of Zizou's recent actions I have composed a top five sports fights list.
1. Obviously Zidane's headbutt is on here. Here is one question, if you could bury your dome in some dude's chest and send him crumpling to the ground like a rag doll wouldn't you? If you answered no, then either you are female or have no competitive bone in your body. Also, I would propose a new idea that soccer could adopt - instant replay. No, this would not serve to detect goals or offsides or any other rubbish. IR would be to determine if a player took a dive. If so, then out comes Zidane, in true Terry Tate Offensive Linebacker Style, and plants a vicous headbutt in the offender's chest. I'll guarantee flops are completely gone after one perpetrator ends up with two collapsed lungs.
Sure Zidane ended on a sour note to most folks -- but he did the best thing he could have ever done for his career. Now he goes on to be the star of a hit action TV show, a la Chuck Norris.
2. The Classic. A sprightly Robin Ventura gets beaned by the big Texan - Nolan Ryan. Note number one to Ventura: you don't get in a fight with an ole boy from Texas. Note number two: even if you win, the league hates you. Ventrua heeded neither notes and charged Ryan with a full head of steam. At this point, whenever you see flashbacks it pans over to Nolan and you can see him thinking:
N.R.: haha, oh this kids in for it
conscience: he's a youngster just protect yourself but don't embarass him.
N.R.: are you kidding, look at this little shit
conscience: well....you're right, he plays for the White Sox, beat the crap out of him.
At that point Ventura gets to the mound, Ryan proceeds to grab Ventura's head and tucks it under one arm and throw his 43 year old fist in Ventura's head numerous times. Oh, and the best part is that Ventura got suspended and Ryan did not.
3. This has to go to the Pistons-Pacers melee. No, not because Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson went into the stands. Not because there was a year suspension for Artest. Simply for the full on sprint into a slide and punch that Jermaine O'Neal threw at that fat guy from The Mighty Ducks. If you don't know what I'm talking about click here.
4. Sox-Yanks. Has there been another rivalry that spawned more hilarous fights. First, there is Pedro rolling Don Zimmer like a bowling ball. Then there is Jason Varitek clocking A-Rod and then that stupid Yankee pitcher (who doesn't even have a name) going into the Boston stands to fight a guy and getting absolutely demolished by like 20 Sox fans.
5. Delmon Young's bat tossing. There has never been a more unexpected of funny video than that of Delmon Young striking out, getting tossed for lingering in the box too long, calmly walking away and then from out of the picture his bat comes flying back into the picture and clocks the umpire in the shoulder - priceless.
There are obviously more fights. Kyle Farnsworth Troy Polamalu-ing some batter that tried to charge him, Michael Barrett-A.J. Pierzynski, etc. Those five are the real deal, and the great thing about a sports fight is the amount of publicity the event gets. Zidane's headbutt has to go number one, because that move overshadowed Italy winning the biggest sporting event in the World. Not many people can claim that. Not many actions could have caused that much talk - but a vicous headbutt to the chest was just what the doctor ordered.
Now the addendum about boxing and hockey: both are fine, but the fight I'm talking about is the one that is completely unexpected. Fighting in a boxing match is not all together unexpected and fighting is hockey players second favorite things to do behind hooking up with Russian supermodels.
In lieu of Zizou's recent actions I have composed a top five sports fights list.
1. Obviously Zidane's headbutt is on here. Here is one question, if you could bury your dome in some dude's chest and send him crumpling to the ground like a rag doll wouldn't you? If you answered no, then either you are female or have no competitive bone in your body. Also, I would propose a new idea that soccer could adopt - instant replay. No, this would not serve to detect goals or offsides or any other rubbish. IR would be to determine if a player took a dive. If so, then out comes Zidane, in true Terry Tate Offensive Linebacker Style, and plants a vicous headbutt in the offender's chest. I'll guarantee flops are completely gone after one perpetrator ends up with two collapsed lungs.
Sure Zidane ended on a sour note to most folks -- but he did the best thing he could have ever done for his career. Now he goes on to be the star of a hit action TV show, a la Chuck Norris.
2. The Classic. A sprightly Robin Ventura gets beaned by the big Texan - Nolan Ryan. Note number one to Ventura: you don't get in a fight with an ole boy from Texas. Note number two: even if you win, the league hates you. Ventrua heeded neither notes and charged Ryan with a full head of steam. At this point, whenever you see flashbacks it pans over to Nolan and you can see him thinking:
N.R.: haha, oh this kids in for it
conscience: he's a youngster just protect yourself but don't embarass him.
N.R.: are you kidding, look at this little shit
conscience: well....you're right, he plays for the White Sox, beat the crap out of him.
At that point Ventura gets to the mound, Ryan proceeds to grab Ventura's head and tucks it under one arm and throw his 43 year old fist in Ventura's head numerous times. Oh, and the best part is that Ventura got suspended and Ryan did not.
3. This has to go to the Pistons-Pacers melee. No, not because Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson went into the stands. Not because there was a year suspension for Artest. Simply for the full on sprint into a slide and punch that Jermaine O'Neal threw at that fat guy from The Mighty Ducks. If you don't know what I'm talking about click here.
4. Sox-Yanks. Has there been another rivalry that spawned more hilarous fights. First, there is Pedro rolling Don Zimmer like a bowling ball. Then there is Jason Varitek clocking A-Rod and then that stupid Yankee pitcher (who doesn't even have a name) going into the Boston stands to fight a guy and getting absolutely demolished by like 20 Sox fans.
5. Delmon Young's bat tossing. There has never been a more unexpected of funny video than that of Delmon Young striking out, getting tossed for lingering in the box too long, calmly walking away and then from out of the picture his bat comes flying back into the picture and clocks the umpire in the shoulder - priceless.
There are obviously more fights. Kyle Farnsworth Troy Polamalu-ing some batter that tried to charge him, Michael Barrett-A.J. Pierzynski, etc. Those five are the real deal, and the great thing about a sports fight is the amount of publicity the event gets. Zidane's headbutt has to go number one, because that move overshadowed Italy winning the biggest sporting event in the World. Not many people can claim that. Not many actions could have caused that much talk - but a vicous headbutt to the chest was just what the doctor ordered.
06 July 2006
identity crisis.
I am having a bit of an identity crisis. I'm not sure if its a mid life crisis type thing or if its just the usual asking of the question "why." I have no idea.
However, over the past few weeks I've really felt insecure with this question: "What is this blog about?"
Why is this a big deal...well there are a few possible explanations. One, Mrs. Anna Marie Hughes drilled this idea of a thesis statement into my head so fervently that the 'learning' could have been more aptly considered 'branding.' This idea of having a thesis statement is so branded to me that I am insecure when I do anything without a detailed description of why I'm doing it.
The second reason is that perhaps I am just insecure by the fact that no one will read something that is about nothing. If I want to read about baseball, I go to mlb.com. On the other hand, if I want to read the news I go to drudgereport.com. No one in their right mind would go to my blog (whose only fundamental trait is randomness) with any purpose other than to waste time.
Now this wasting time idea is quite scary - as this throws my writing into the same category as these online games that children play with. I'm not sure that I'm okay with that.
Anyhow, I believe the first reason - the 'must-have-thesis' mentality is at blame for much of this identity crisis. I don't know why I'm doing this. I don't know why I get on here and publish. I don't know why I've written 70 some odd things (and yes, things is the only way to describe them) over the past four or five months. I don't know why....(trail off)
I suppose this gets me back to the point at the beginning. The question why -- it is ruthless.
The question why is my booby trap. Everytime I begin taking off through the woods on this wild goose chase that I call writing, I am tripped by this question of why. Why am I pursuing this? To be quite honest with you, the answer is that I have no idea. And the scary part is that that is the answer for most of my why's. I don't really know much about why I do anything.
That's scary and is why I have such a hard time with this. It seems that people who are simpler in their thought (simpler is not a slight) are much better at sticking to the how questions. How do I get (X)?
It's those of us who are so delusioned to believe we can think down the world by our constant asking of the question why who are leashed to the tree and are too busy running around in circles to see that our world is getting smaller. Why is a pointless question when talking of love. It simply cannot be understood no matter how much time we waste mulling over it. Neither can forgiveness or joy. These are all things that don't fly in the why zone (terrible I know). They can't be understood or reasoned down. Therefore is it, that those of us who are so crised (past personal tense of crisis) about our identity - are so, because we are unable to accept the way things are? The way we are, the way others are, and the way this blog has no backbone?
However, over the past few weeks I've really felt insecure with this question: "What is this blog about?"
Why is this a big deal...well there are a few possible explanations. One, Mrs. Anna Marie Hughes drilled this idea of a thesis statement into my head so fervently that the 'learning' could have been more aptly considered 'branding.' This idea of having a thesis statement is so branded to me that I am insecure when I do anything without a detailed description of why I'm doing it.
The second reason is that perhaps I am just insecure by the fact that no one will read something that is about nothing. If I want to read about baseball, I go to mlb.com. On the other hand, if I want to read the news I go to drudgereport.com. No one in their right mind would go to my blog (whose only fundamental trait is randomness) with any purpose other than to waste time.
Now this wasting time idea is quite scary - as this throws my writing into the same category as these online games that children play with. I'm not sure that I'm okay with that.
Anyhow, I believe the first reason - the 'must-have-thesis' mentality is at blame for much of this identity crisis. I don't know why I'm doing this. I don't know why I get on here and publish. I don't know why I've written 70 some odd things (and yes, things is the only way to describe them) over the past four or five months. I don't know why....(trail off)
I suppose this gets me back to the point at the beginning. The question why -- it is ruthless.
The question why is my booby trap. Everytime I begin taking off through the woods on this wild goose chase that I call writing, I am tripped by this question of why. Why am I pursuing this? To be quite honest with you, the answer is that I have no idea. And the scary part is that that is the answer for most of my why's. I don't really know much about why I do anything.
That's scary and is why I have such a hard time with this. It seems that people who are simpler in their thought (simpler is not a slight) are much better at sticking to the how questions. How do I get (X)?
It's those of us who are so delusioned to believe we can think down the world by our constant asking of the question why who are leashed to the tree and are too busy running around in circles to see that our world is getting smaller. Why is a pointless question when talking of love. It simply cannot be understood no matter how much time we waste mulling over it. Neither can forgiveness or joy. These are all things that don't fly in the why zone (terrible I know). They can't be understood or reasoned down. Therefore is it, that those of us who are so crised (past personal tense of crisis) about our identity - are so, because we are unable to accept the way things are? The way we are, the way others are, and the way this blog has no backbone?
03 July 2006
The Midsummer Classic?
Okay, so I generally avoid writing critically about baseball because I love it so dearly.
However, the All Star game is absolutely terrible.
One, the game is in Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, really?
The random selection of host city is horrible - the game should be played in the stadium of the defending World Series Champs - yes that means Southside. Reward the reigning champs.
Two, the voting is so screwed up that it rivals the cycling doping scandal for horrible sports news.
Fans have to vote - thats the point of the All Star game. However, if fans are going to vote (which they are) then the game cannot be so instrumental. 20 of the past 25 World Series winners have had homefield advantage.
...and when fans vote, the winners get by on their reputation (their year in year out performance). If the game is about the stars of the game then yes, this if fine. However, if the game is a year-to-year occasion rewarding the best players for the first half of the season, then it needs to be based on that years performance. In which case people like Freddy Sanchez should be starting.
Three, the AL hasn't lost since 1995.
C'mon is this even suspenseful anymore. I'm a baseball fan, I'd love to see the NL win, but how likely is that?
Four, where is the participation?
I used to love the All Star festivities because I got to see Ken Griffey (in his prime) vs. Mark McGwire and all the big bashers compete in the home run derby. Now we're lucky if Rick Ankiel and Danny Almonte participate.
Five, the game is upstaged.
The Futures Game and Old Timers Softball game are always more intriguing. Why, well the players get to play. There isn't any of this 2 innings bull crap that the managers pull in the "real" All Star game. However, in the futures game you get pitchers like Francisco Liriano and Justin Verlander matched up. Both of whom, this year are deserving starters for the AL. Too bad Johan Santana has a choke hold on the SP position for the AL.
And then the Old Timers game is just fun. You can see people enjoying themselves, playing the game. Isn't that what we are supposed to see?
Ultimately, the All Star game should just include the 9 starters 2 bench players and 3 or 4 relievers. The bench players should know they probably won't get to play and the relievers will only pitch if needed. Then, remove the homefield advantage reward and let the players play. That way the All Stars will actually get to play instead of making cameos. It will also, make the voting much less important because there is far less weight hinging on the outcome of the game.
Will it happen? No, but it should.
However, the All Star game is absolutely terrible.
One, the game is in Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, really?
The random selection of host city is horrible - the game should be played in the stadium of the defending World Series Champs - yes that means Southside. Reward the reigning champs.
Two, the voting is so screwed up that it rivals the cycling doping scandal for horrible sports news.
Fans have to vote - thats the point of the All Star game. However, if fans are going to vote (which they are) then the game cannot be so instrumental. 20 of the past 25 World Series winners have had homefield advantage.
...and when fans vote, the winners get by on their reputation (their year in year out performance). If the game is about the stars of the game then yes, this if fine. However, if the game is a year-to-year occasion rewarding the best players for the first half of the season, then it needs to be based on that years performance. In which case people like Freddy Sanchez should be starting.
Three, the AL hasn't lost since 1995.
C'mon is this even suspenseful anymore. I'm a baseball fan, I'd love to see the NL win, but how likely is that?
Four, where is the participation?
I used to love the All Star festivities because I got to see Ken Griffey (in his prime) vs. Mark McGwire and all the big bashers compete in the home run derby. Now we're lucky if Rick Ankiel and Danny Almonte participate.
Five, the game is upstaged.
The Futures Game and Old Timers Softball game are always more intriguing. Why, well the players get to play. There isn't any of this 2 innings bull crap that the managers pull in the "real" All Star game. However, in the futures game you get pitchers like Francisco Liriano and Justin Verlander matched up. Both of whom, this year are deserving starters for the AL. Too bad Johan Santana has a choke hold on the SP position for the AL.
And then the Old Timers game is just fun. You can see people enjoying themselves, playing the game. Isn't that what we are supposed to see?
Ultimately, the All Star game should just include the 9 starters 2 bench players and 3 or 4 relievers. The bench players should know they probably won't get to play and the relievers will only pitch if needed. Then, remove the homefield advantage reward and let the players play. That way the All Stars will actually get to play instead of making cameos. It will also, make the voting much less important because there is far less weight hinging on the outcome of the game.
Will it happen? No, but it should.
theology of brokenness
If we putter along with no sense of our lives as important then there is no way we can fully adhere to the 'breath of God' philosophy of creation. If we see our lives as a menial series of events that simply connect birth and death then we will inevitably, ultimately, fall prey to the idea of our existance - and therefore existance in general - as a massive accident. Then, we, if at our core believe life to be accidental then we will never be able to break free into a rich and possessed life full of purpose: of faith, hope and love - the manna of life everlasting.
In living a life of accident, we are relegated to a life of which all blessings are accidents (or are created by our 'virtue'). Then, slowly we will remove ourselves from the living, breathing people of the Kingdom and cast ourselves into a realm of unbelief and accidental creation. This accidental life commandeers our belief system, and we eventually go from believing in life as accidental to believing ourselves as accidents. For what we believe is the heart of who we are.
Ghandi said, "you must be the change you wish to see in the world." This idea of 'being' a belief is the core of who we are. If we believe the world is an accident, then so too do we believe that we are an accident. Conversely, if we believe that the world is a place of divine providence, then so too do we believe that we have a higher purpose. Then, and only then, can we subscribe to the 'breath of God' philosophy and live important, whole lives.
In living a life of accident, we are relegated to a life of which all blessings are accidents (or are created by our 'virtue'). Then, slowly we will remove ourselves from the living, breathing people of the Kingdom and cast ourselves into a realm of unbelief and accidental creation. This accidental life commandeers our belief system, and we eventually go from believing in life as accidental to believing ourselves as accidents. For what we believe is the heart of who we are.
Ghandi said, "you must be the change you wish to see in the world." This idea of 'being' a belief is the core of who we are. If we believe the world is an accident, then so too do we believe that we are an accident. Conversely, if we believe that the world is a place of divine providence, then so too do we believe that we have a higher purpose. Then, and only then, can we subscribe to the 'breath of God' philosophy and live important, whole lives.
01 July 2006
toothpicks.
Every man, needs to embrace a good toothpick. Now, I wasn't aware of the difference between a toothpick and a "good" toothpick until just recently.
There is a restaurant called Quaker Steak & Lube. Now, upon first impression, I'll admit the whole Quaker State and Lube play off doesn't make me salivate. It sounds like some guy named Johnny Ray slathers up some fried catfish and chicken in motor oil and serves it with a handle of cheap whiskey - and maybe, just maybe your car will get a 10 point inspection in the parking lot.
That, however is not what Quaker Steak & Lube is. It's just good chicken wings (have to sign a waiver they're so hot chicken wings).
Anyway, the real impressive thing about QS&L is their toothpicks. You can take this little folder type thing that contains 10 toothpicks and they are hard as stone. You know how a toothpick is great for about 10 minutes but then you start chewing on the end or you actually pick something out of your teeth, or saliva simply weakens the wood so much that it starts to fall apart. Yeah, I hate that. Well these don't. I have been chewing on this one all morning and it is still just as delicious as it was when I first removed it from its little folder.
All I know is that a good toothpick is a good thing. It's a great occupant of time, a tool for keeping the teeth clean and a manly alternative to gum and/or cigarettes. All I'll say is that you should just hope that at some point a good toothpick will come along and you'll get stuck.
There is a restaurant called Quaker Steak & Lube. Now, upon first impression, I'll admit the whole Quaker State and Lube play off doesn't make me salivate. It sounds like some guy named Johnny Ray slathers up some fried catfish and chicken in motor oil and serves it with a handle of cheap whiskey - and maybe, just maybe your car will get a 10 point inspection in the parking lot.
That, however is not what Quaker Steak & Lube is. It's just good chicken wings (have to sign a waiver they're so hot chicken wings).
Anyway, the real impressive thing about QS&L is their toothpicks. You can take this little folder type thing that contains 10 toothpicks and they are hard as stone. You know how a toothpick is great for about 10 minutes but then you start chewing on the end or you actually pick something out of your teeth, or saliva simply weakens the wood so much that it starts to fall apart. Yeah, I hate that. Well these don't. I have been chewing on this one all morning and it is still just as delicious as it was when I first removed it from its little folder.
All I know is that a good toothpick is a good thing. It's a great occupant of time, a tool for keeping the teeth clean and a manly alternative to gum and/or cigarettes. All I'll say is that you should just hope that at some point a good toothpick will come along and you'll get stuck.
26 June 2006
ahem.
Today is June 26.
One June 24, David Ortiz hit a walk off home run that inspired me to write - asking the question, "Is David Ortiz the greatest clutch hitter of all time?" to which I concluded yes.
Well today, on June 26, Ortiz decided to cement that idea with another game winning hit. It's the bottom of the twelfth and there are two outs, Mark Loretta is up. This is not a slight against Loretta, but you have got to give your firstborn to science before you give Loretta a free trip down to first. Poor Clay Condrey (evidently) wasn't aware of the heinously large man standing on deck and walked Loretta. This brough Papi to the plate. Here's the scenario - and the facts.
- if there is a runner in scoring position and Papi is at the plate, that runner will score.
- if the game is on the line, Papi will come through.
So Condrey is faced with a scenario in which there is a runner in scoring position and the game is on the line. Two will's exist to make even Tom Cruise cringe with doubt. Well those will's exist for a reason, and as expected Condrey payed dearly. Ortiz laced a single into center and Youkilis scored from second to end the game and end the series with a Boston sweep.
The moral of the story is: David Ortiz is as clutch as Larry's steal, Horry's threes, Squintz' kiss, the '84-'85 Villanova Wildcats, the Flutie-Phalen connection, every Viniateri field goal, Laettner's shot, Joe Carter, Kirk Gibson, Michael, Dwyane, and Henry Rowengartner's floater all rolled into one.
One June 24, David Ortiz hit a walk off home run that inspired me to write - asking the question, "Is David Ortiz the greatest clutch hitter of all time?" to which I concluded yes.
Well today, on June 26, Ortiz decided to cement that idea with another game winning hit. It's the bottom of the twelfth and there are two outs, Mark Loretta is up. This is not a slight against Loretta, but you have got to give your firstborn to science before you give Loretta a free trip down to first. Poor Clay Condrey (evidently) wasn't aware of the heinously large man standing on deck and walked Loretta. This brough Papi to the plate. Here's the scenario - and the facts.
- if there is a runner in scoring position and Papi is at the plate, that runner will score.
- if the game is on the line, Papi will come through.
So Condrey is faced with a scenario in which there is a runner in scoring position and the game is on the line. Two will's exist to make even Tom Cruise cringe with doubt. Well those will's exist for a reason, and as expected Condrey payed dearly. Ortiz laced a single into center and Youkilis scored from second to end the game and end the series with a Boston sweep.
The moral of the story is: David Ortiz is as clutch as Larry's steal, Horry's threes, Squintz' kiss, the '84-'85 Villanova Wildcats, the Flutie-Phalen connection, every Viniateri field goal, Laettner's shot, Joe Carter, Kirk Gibson, Michael, Dwyane, and Henry Rowengartner's floater all rolled into one.
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