Yeah, that whole upkeep on the blog thing is not going so hot. Lots of things going on in the world and I'm not quite sure how to interpret them. The whole Wisconsin thing is frustrating. I feel even worse, because now that I do not live there anymore it doesn't have a direct effect on me. I have a wife who is becoming a teacher and side with the teachers (and other state employees) on the issue. I don't think it's good business to take over as Governor and immediately piss off most of your employee's. I do think they should have to pay for parts of benefits and pension, but also think that they should be given breaks because what they do does serve the public. And I also think it doesn't bode well for people who would have gone into public sector jobs. Why would you want to if the leader of your state has no respect for your position.
On the other hand, I can see the reason for making the change. I just think the Governor is doing it all wrong. I have always thought the tax bracket thing was garbage. Probably because I have always fallen in the lowest bracket. I personally believe that everyone, regardless of wealth, just gets taxed the same. Whether you make 10,000 a year or a million a year, you pay the same. Seems easy enough, why can't we make it work. Taxes are a way of life, and I honestly think they would be better served to use them in a way that people understand. Just tell us we are getting taxed 5 percent on everything. Easy. Done. When it gets hiked to 6 percent let me know, and I will be okay with that too. You know why? Because I liked my teachers and police officers. And I have no problem with them getting yearly raises. Sure knows they do a hell of a lot more for the public than I do.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
As the Other Foot Falls....
It may not be much, but I feel as though I am maturing into an adult. Whether that be getting married, keeping down a steady job, or paying bills, I am essentially an adult. But I had a realization this past week that may show the lengths of that maturation. My first realization was when I was discussing with the wife and we stumbled upon sports. I was once told that the only reason people have pets, is so that the pet can bring a little extra joy into the owners lives. That's essentially what sports is. People identify with a player or team and then revel in the success of said players and team. And I have come to the conclusion that people who are centered around their pets are less weird and creepy than people who define themselves with sports. At least a pet is a tangible thing. You can come home and pet the dog or brush the cat. They will respond and show affection towards you and you get that good feeling. sports teams can't do that. Sure, teams can supply that feeling but it is very rare. Every year 4 of the 120 major sports franchises will win a championship. That means 3% of people who follow sports end the season on a good note. Not good odds my friends.
So now on to my grumblings about Bears/Packers. I was consigned to the fact before the game that no matter the outcome I would be happy. Sure my happiness would have been about 100 points higher had Chicago pulled it out, but happy non-the-less. The game actually played out like I expected. I expected the teams to play poorly and have multiple mistakes each, and ultimately being decided by the latest mistake in terms of time left in the game. (That would be your BJ Raji house run for 6) All in all, I can cheer for the Packers in the Super Bowl. Will I enjoy that? Not particularly, but I follow conference lines and will always root for the NFC representative. I don't think the Packers should be favored as they are right now, but then again, what do I truly know.
I do have huge issues with people questioning Jay Cutler's heart and toughness. He went out with a knee injury and did not return, and people have labeled him a quitter. Not quite understanding that logic. Guy played all year behind a sieve, took nearly 200 shots, and suffered a concussion. Played all but one game in a league where only 12 qb's started all games for their team. So seriously people, stop questioning his toughness.
If there is one thing I learned from playing and then covering sports, it is the notion that you do not question a player when he is injured. People are different. Every body is different. They are built to handle things differently, in different doses, and different impacts. So questioning him is ridiculous
The part that really bugs me, is the fact that since Cutler is not the "Alpha Male" personality, he gets ripped. People just expect quarterbacks to talk to the media, give thoughtful answers, and focus on only football. He doesn't do those things, so he gets killed and thrown under the bus. I assure you, had he stayed in the game thrown 3 picks, and then after the game we heard about the injury, he would get killed. People would ask why he kept himself in the game and being reckless. So the dude can't win.
I just hope we as a people can realize that people are different. They are not robots. There is not always a black/white, cut and dry way to do things. All things said, he got his team to an NFC Championship in a year when they should have won a max of 6 games. I appreciate the toughness and heart it takes for a team to over-achieve. I can only hope people realize how foolish they have been in this situation. Will Cutler get people to apologize to him? Probably not. And that's the worst part. Blind assumptions being thrown around. And when it comes down to it, it is just football.
So now on to my grumblings about Bears/Packers. I was consigned to the fact before the game that no matter the outcome I would be happy. Sure my happiness would have been about 100 points higher had Chicago pulled it out, but happy non-the-less. The game actually played out like I expected. I expected the teams to play poorly and have multiple mistakes each, and ultimately being decided by the latest mistake in terms of time left in the game. (That would be your BJ Raji house run for 6) All in all, I can cheer for the Packers in the Super Bowl. Will I enjoy that? Not particularly, but I follow conference lines and will always root for the NFC representative. I don't think the Packers should be favored as they are right now, but then again, what do I truly know.
I do have huge issues with people questioning Jay Cutler's heart and toughness. He went out with a knee injury and did not return, and people have labeled him a quitter. Not quite understanding that logic. Guy played all year behind a sieve, took nearly 200 shots, and suffered a concussion. Played all but one game in a league where only 12 qb's started all games for their team. So seriously people, stop questioning his toughness.
If there is one thing I learned from playing and then covering sports, it is the notion that you do not question a player when he is injured. People are different. Every body is different. They are built to handle things differently, in different doses, and different impacts. So questioning him is ridiculous
The part that really bugs me, is the fact that since Cutler is not the "Alpha Male" personality, he gets ripped. People just expect quarterbacks to talk to the media, give thoughtful answers, and focus on only football. He doesn't do those things, so he gets killed and thrown under the bus. I assure you, had he stayed in the game thrown 3 picks, and then after the game we heard about the injury, he would get killed. People would ask why he kept himself in the game and being reckless. So the dude can't win.
I just hope we as a people can realize that people are different. They are not robots. There is not always a black/white, cut and dry way to do things. All things said, he got his team to an NFC Championship in a year when they should have won a max of 6 games. I appreciate the toughness and heart it takes for a team to over-achieve. I can only hope people realize how foolish they have been in this situation. Will Cutler get people to apologize to him? Probably not. And that's the worst part. Blind assumptions being thrown around. And when it comes down to it, it is just football.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Very Sad...
This was my feeling over the weekend as I was watching news footage from Arizona over the shooting and killing of 6 people at a grocery store. It seems as though things like this always happen far away, but still hits you in the heart. I watched the coverage and was dumbfounded. It was not a campaign rally. It was a mock meeting at a grocery store. As it stands six are dead including a nine year old girl. She was born on September 11th, 2011, and then died like this 9 years later. And her grand father was a World series winning manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. Bizarre coincidences that make the story even more chilling.
The part I find particularly unnerving is America's search to place blame. When something terrible happens we as a people need some justification to make us feel better. It must be violent movies, or heavy metal music, or the Grand Theft Auto game, they will say. Those that fall far to each political side will blame each other. And yes, I realize that finding blame brings some sort of closure. But in instances like this, finger pointing and blaming is the worst possible thing you can do. Trying to find blame only gives, those deranged enough to commit an act like this, an out. I have no idea what strikes someone to commit such acts. Whether that be the shootings at Columbine or people who try to smuggle things on planes. It is impossible to pinpoint their motivation or so-called breaking point. But to place blame on a particular item is ridiculous and counter productive. Why don't we take a look at how we do things, and figure out how we can do good in the community? If we focused on that, at that elementary level, maybe we could nip things like this in the bud.
Right before posting this I finished reading a story about the Westboro Baptist Church of Kansas and their plans of picketing the funeral. You have probably heard of them doing things like this in the past. They picket funerals of soldiers from over seas, and funerals of open homosexuals who have died. And they essentially blame their deaths on America's loss of God in their life and this being his way to respond to us as a people. Well, come to find out the Arizona legislature has swung into action and actually made it a misdemeanor for anyone to picket within 300 feet of the funeral. Now I am all for freedom of assembly and freedom of speech, but a big thumbs up to the legislature for passing this. We as a country are grieving a senseless act of violence against over 30 individuals that have either died or are injured. Those 30 could have done great good for their community, and now we will never know for some. And it would have been an absolute atrocity for an outside group, regardless of belief, to hijack this remembrance.
Finally, both sides of the political spectrum have come together to create something good and actually useful. Hopefully, we can re-examine the way we do things in this country and put our best foot forward. Because trying to find blame just runs us in circles. And leaves us open to this kind of thing happening again.
The part I find particularly unnerving is America's search to place blame. When something terrible happens we as a people need some justification to make us feel better. It must be violent movies, or heavy metal music, or the Grand Theft Auto game, they will say. Those that fall far to each political side will blame each other. And yes, I realize that finding blame brings some sort of closure. But in instances like this, finger pointing and blaming is the worst possible thing you can do. Trying to find blame only gives, those deranged enough to commit an act like this, an out. I have no idea what strikes someone to commit such acts. Whether that be the shootings at Columbine or people who try to smuggle things on planes. It is impossible to pinpoint their motivation or so-called breaking point. But to place blame on a particular item is ridiculous and counter productive. Why don't we take a look at how we do things, and figure out how we can do good in the community? If we focused on that, at that elementary level, maybe we could nip things like this in the bud.
Right before posting this I finished reading a story about the Westboro Baptist Church of Kansas and their plans of picketing the funeral. You have probably heard of them doing things like this in the past. They picket funerals of soldiers from over seas, and funerals of open homosexuals who have died. And they essentially blame their deaths on America's loss of God in their life and this being his way to respond to us as a people. Well, come to find out the Arizona legislature has swung into action and actually made it a misdemeanor for anyone to picket within 300 feet of the funeral. Now I am all for freedom of assembly and freedom of speech, but a big thumbs up to the legislature for passing this. We as a country are grieving a senseless act of violence against over 30 individuals that have either died or are injured. Those 30 could have done great good for their community, and now we will never know for some. And it would have been an absolute atrocity for an outside group, regardless of belief, to hijack this remembrance.
Finally, both sides of the political spectrum have come together to create something good and actually useful. Hopefully, we can re-examine the way we do things in this country and put our best foot forward. Because trying to find blame just runs us in circles. And leaves us open to this kind of thing happening again.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Ring Ding Dong.....
What's going on kids? That's right no posts in two months is turning me into Lane Kimble. Hell, who are we kidding, I would need to go 9 months between posts to be that guy. Well I am back, and certainly not better than ever. For post number 100 I decided to just say I plan on posting more. I truly enjoy writing, even if the things I talk about are the same. So with that I give my resolution to post a little more often for 2011. Or at least January.
Main reason the posting fell off in November and December is that my life was swept up with the seasonality. There was Thanksgiving, my birthday, Christmas, and then new years. And, oh yeah, I decided to get married in the middle of all those things. So I basically got my first feeling of what every year from here on out will be. All out chaos for about a 45 day period. I figure it won't be as stressful because the wedding is done, and though that leaves an anniversary, there will not be nearly as much work that needs to be done.
I want to say thank you to everyone who helped with the wedding and made it possible. We hit our bumps and problems, but all in all, it was still better than I had expected it to be. We had a great ceremony, fun picture time, and if I must say a pretty BA reception. I've never been to another wedding where there was a choreographed version of Bye, Bye, Bye by the wedding party. That in itself makes ours number 1.
Special thanks go out to my groomsmen because they were awesome. And they get special thanks because I know from time to time they peruse the blog and do a little reading. They were fantastic and helped keep me in check all day long. It was a great time and hope they enjoyed it as much as I did.
Well, that's about it for the wedding talk. I will be posting more, though I'm sure it will revolve around sports, movies, TV shows, and penis jokes. Hey, stick with what you know. That's what I always say....
Main reason the posting fell off in November and December is that my life was swept up with the seasonality. There was Thanksgiving, my birthday, Christmas, and then new years. And, oh yeah, I decided to get married in the middle of all those things. So I basically got my first feeling of what every year from here on out will be. All out chaos for about a 45 day period. I figure it won't be as stressful because the wedding is done, and though that leaves an anniversary, there will not be nearly as much work that needs to be done.
I want to say thank you to everyone who helped with the wedding and made it possible. We hit our bumps and problems, but all in all, it was still better than I had expected it to be. We had a great ceremony, fun picture time, and if I must say a pretty BA reception. I've never been to another wedding where there was a choreographed version of Bye, Bye, Bye by the wedding party. That in itself makes ours number 1.
Special thanks go out to my groomsmen because they were awesome. And they get special thanks because I know from time to time they peruse the blog and do a little reading. They were fantastic and helped keep me in check all day long. It was a great time and hope they enjoyed it as much as I did.
Well, that's about it for the wedding talk. I will be posting more, though I'm sure it will revolve around sports, movies, TV shows, and penis jokes. Hey, stick with what you know. That's what I always say....
Monday, November 1, 2010
Randy Moss....That's the Punchline.....
Seriously it's become that bad. Randy Moss has joined the likes of Michael Jackson, Lindsay Lohan and Charlie Sheen. You say their name and people laugh. No joke is told. No limerick is uttered. The simple presence of their name emotes laughter. Now granted Moss hasn't done as much as the others to get to their point, or at least his actions aren't as extreme. But he has made a mockery of himself and his talents.
Moss actually falls where a lot of people fall. They can be explained and described under the hot/crazy scale that was unveiled by Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother. As Barney would say, you put up with a girls craziness if her hotness is always in positive territory. With Moss you would put up with the craziness if his talents on the field were beneficial to your team. He reached the point where he fell under the Mendoza line and no longer was beneficial to the Minnesota Vikings. Reports say he was not practicing and having detrimental effects to younger players on the team. That's the deal breaker for me. The minute his persona starts having adverse effects you cut the line.
And the really weird thing is that nothing is official yet. No papers have been filed. Nothing signed. Something smells like a rat. But I wouldn't be surprised to see Moss show up back in New England, all in Patriots garb, because Belichick is some sort of reincarnation of Lucifer. He plots how to take over the NFL, and some of his plots are starting to come through.
And lastly, I couldn't be happier that the Vikings suck. At 2-5 they will not make the playoffs. At best they finish 8-8, but I think under .500 is a greater possibility. And I don't feel bad for the fans. They honestly thought they were going to catch lightning in a bottle twice. you do not stand pat with your roster in the NFL and get better or stay the same the next year. It is a fluid animal. The Packers were up and coming and grew because they were young. The Lions revamped their front 7 and had a QB entering his second year as starter. Hell, even the Bears at least through money at a big name player in Julius Peppers. The Vikings thought they could get one year older, and still have the division by the balls. And you heard it here first kids. We will not have an NFL season in 2011 because of labor issues. And when it comes back in 2012, the Detroit Lions will run rough shot over this division. 2012 standings go Lions, Packers, Bears, and Vikings.
Moss actually falls where a lot of people fall. They can be explained and described under the hot/crazy scale that was unveiled by Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother. As Barney would say, you put up with a girls craziness if her hotness is always in positive territory. With Moss you would put up with the craziness if his talents on the field were beneficial to your team. He reached the point where he fell under the Mendoza line and no longer was beneficial to the Minnesota Vikings. Reports say he was not practicing and having detrimental effects to younger players on the team. That's the deal breaker for me. The minute his persona starts having adverse effects you cut the line.
And the really weird thing is that nothing is official yet. No papers have been filed. Nothing signed. Something smells like a rat. But I wouldn't be surprised to see Moss show up back in New England, all in Patriots garb, because Belichick is some sort of reincarnation of Lucifer. He plots how to take over the NFL, and some of his plots are starting to come through.
And lastly, I couldn't be happier that the Vikings suck. At 2-5 they will not make the playoffs. At best they finish 8-8, but I think under .500 is a greater possibility. And I don't feel bad for the fans. They honestly thought they were going to catch lightning in a bottle twice. you do not stand pat with your roster in the NFL and get better or stay the same the next year. It is a fluid animal. The Packers were up and coming and grew because they were young. The Lions revamped their front 7 and had a QB entering his second year as starter. Hell, even the Bears at least through money at a big name player in Julius Peppers. The Vikings thought they could get one year older, and still have the division by the balls. And you heard it here first kids. We will not have an NFL season in 2011 because of labor issues. And when it comes back in 2012, the Detroit Lions will run rough shot over this division. 2012 standings go Lions, Packers, Bears, and Vikings.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Oh Boy....
I have not been updating this blog recently and for that I apologize. Things have gotten a little wild recently, with trips to Illinois and lots of wedding stuff going on. I honestly have no qualms about getting married and am super excited. At the moment, I'm not even nervous. I know that will change when things get closer and especially on the day of. Not because I'm scared about what I'm doing, but because I tend to be the type of person who dislikes having all the attention on them. I realize weddings are supposed to be about the bride, but I will be standing up there also with a bunch of eyes on me.
That's what makes me nervous. So I will try and deflect all that as well as I can and enjoy myself, which I ultimately will. It will be a fantastic day and is just around the corner. I look forward to spending time with my friends and family, and will look to them in support. I have no idea who will be coming, but it will just be nice to catch up with friends and the like. Even just chilling with the Groomsmen beforehand. Those are the little things that I look forward to.
And with that I finish up wedding talk. Not much going on in the world of pop-culture for me to comment on. Though I will say the whole Brett Favre dong danglin' scenario makes me happy (note: not with an erection). I try not to be a spiteful or vengeful person, but sometimes people have it coming and deserve this. Yes, personally he has been through a lot with his family, but if it is true that he was sending pics out shortly after his wife was diagnosed with cancer, he deserves everything he gets. It takes a special kind of man to cheat on his wife under those circumstances. In related news, I really enjoy the now coined phrases "dick pics" and "cock shots." I don't know if there are two more self-explanatory phrases in the English language.
That's what makes me nervous. So I will try and deflect all that as well as I can and enjoy myself, which I ultimately will. It will be a fantastic day and is just around the corner. I look forward to spending time with my friends and family, and will look to them in support. I have no idea who will be coming, but it will just be nice to catch up with friends and the like. Even just chilling with the Groomsmen beforehand. Those are the little things that I look forward to.
And with that I finish up wedding talk. Not much going on in the world of pop-culture for me to comment on. Though I will say the whole Brett Favre dong danglin' scenario makes me happy (note: not with an erection). I try not to be a spiteful or vengeful person, but sometimes people have it coming and deserve this. Yes, personally he has been through a lot with his family, but if it is true that he was sending pics out shortly after his wife was diagnosed with cancer, he deserves everything he gets. It takes a special kind of man to cheat on his wife under those circumstances. In related news, I really enjoy the now coined phrases "dick pics" and "cock shots." I don't know if there are two more self-explanatory phrases in the English language.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Season change....
The seasons have changed rather abruptly, with the temperature hovering above 65 on a daily basis. I do love it however. Any type of climate that allows me to comfortably wear shorts and a sweatshirt is moneybags for me. So it's time to run down things I enjoy about the quick switch of the seasons.
I love the switch to Oktoberfest beer. However, something I have found this year is the sales that stores put on summer beer in September. Just this past week I was able to score a 12 pack of "Honey Moon" (Blue Moon's summer dumpster baby) as well as the seasonal "Rope Swing" from Redhook. They are both fantastic and it really doesn't have to be a summer month on the calendar for me to enjoy a light and tasty beverage. So my advice to all those, go peruse local liquor stores to see if they have any deals on summer delicacies.
I love the chill in the air as I fall asleep. We keep the window open for about half the night and just let that cool air roll in. It is the best way to sleep. For show.
I love that the baseball post-season is just around the corner. I can be a homer and follow the Twins and maybe try and luck my way into some playoff tickets. The Cubs have been DOA since about April, but that doesn't mean I can't cheer for the Twins. The MLB playoffs and World Series are my second favorite sporting event (next to March Madness) and it has nothing to do with my team being there. God knows the Cubs don't do anything there. I just love the pagentray and the fact that only 8 teams get in. Exclusivity at its best.
I love that football is back, and at the moment I have something to cheer for. At the moment those cheering points are Pro-Bears/Anti-Vikings. I realize that from 1995-2007 my hatred for the Packers was 100% Brett Favre. Without him, I find them a very likable bunch. Who knew? But at the moment I am salivating over this Monday night with Bears/Pckers from Soldier Field. Should be a good one.
And lastly I love that my wedding is just a few fleeting months away. It came around fast, and I am excited to be together with family and friends as I get to marry my best friend. (Cue sappy music)
Seasons change and I get a little bit older, and I learn to appreciate things more and more. These have been some of those things.
I love the switch to Oktoberfest beer. However, something I have found this year is the sales that stores put on summer beer in September. Just this past week I was able to score a 12 pack of "Honey Moon" (Blue Moon's summer dumpster baby) as well as the seasonal "Rope Swing" from Redhook. They are both fantastic and it really doesn't have to be a summer month on the calendar for me to enjoy a light and tasty beverage. So my advice to all those, go peruse local liquor stores to see if they have any deals on summer delicacies.
I love the chill in the air as I fall asleep. We keep the window open for about half the night and just let that cool air roll in. It is the best way to sleep. For show.
I love that the baseball post-season is just around the corner. I can be a homer and follow the Twins and maybe try and luck my way into some playoff tickets. The Cubs have been DOA since about April, but that doesn't mean I can't cheer for the Twins. The MLB playoffs and World Series are my second favorite sporting event (next to March Madness) and it has nothing to do with my team being there. God knows the Cubs don't do anything there. I just love the pagentray and the fact that only 8 teams get in. Exclusivity at its best.
I love that football is back, and at the moment I have something to cheer for. At the moment those cheering points are Pro-Bears/Anti-Vikings. I realize that from 1995-2007 my hatred for the Packers was 100% Brett Favre. Without him, I find them a very likable bunch. Who knew? But at the moment I am salivating over this Monday night with Bears/Pckers from Soldier Field. Should be a good one.
And lastly I love that my wedding is just a few fleeting months away. It came around fast, and I am excited to be together with family and friends as I get to marry my best friend. (Cue sappy music)
Seasons change and I get a little bit older, and I learn to appreciate things more and more. These have been some of those things.
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