It has been a very, very long time since I've written. I started off writing about sports and current events, then somehow moved onto writing about my life. Well, life got boring in a hurry, then it got better. And nobody wants to read about someone with a good life. So I stopped writing about it. Then, I stopped writing about anything.
Then, I received a random comment a few weeks ago asking if I was going to start writing again, and I had no intentions of doing so. However, I have some thoughts about two current events that are longer than the 140 characters Twitter allows me, and I decided to start this back up. No promises I'll write much more than this post though.
Okay, so two current events. If you pay any attention to the news at all, you know what I'm talking about. The Aurora shooting, and the Penn State punishments.
Aurora
This is a tragedy. A horrible day, a sad story thrown in with the increasing amount of mass shootings going on these days. This whackjob, who I will not name by name because he doesn't deserve it, walks into a midnight premiere of The Dark Knight Rises and starts shooting. Kills 12. Hurt 70 more. Sad. Pathetic. I've already said he should be sentenced to the firing squad. Let them take shots at him, one by one. Hit him in the leg, cause him pain. Hit him in the arm, cause him more pain. People say, that's inhumane. Who cares?!?! Like this deserves any sympathy at all? Maybe he had a bad life. Maybe he had demons. You know what? Kill yourself then. Don't ruin other peoples lives because you're a psychopath.
This hit closer to home that it normally would have because my sister was visiting my cousins in Colorado that day and I know they had talked about seeing the movie at midnight. I wasn't aware of Aurora's location but apparently it was only about 20 minutes away from where they would've been seeing the movie. They didn't end up going that night but when I woke up the next morning and saw that on the news, my heart skipped a few beats. Two of the 12 victims easily could have been my sister and my cousin.
I hear a lot of people saying that this could've been prevented if we had better gun control laws and/or someone noticed the signs. No, it could not have. First off, regardless of what gun control laws we have, people ALWAYS find ways around them. Even if we outright made the sale and purchase of guns completely illegal, this guy could've gotten his hands on a few. Just like cocaine, weed, LSD, heroin...dealers will find a way to sell this stuff and with the internet the way it is, people like this psycho will always be able to find a way to buy it.
Noticing the signs? Come on, I would bet 40% of the world's population give off some signs of being unstable. I'm sure I do. That doesn't mean we are all going to shoot up a movie theater. Better security? Yup, cause we have enough cops to patrol every public place in America, every single day and night. Don't be stupid.
There was no way to prevent this. Bottom line, this guy was a smart guy. He was head of his class, on his way to a graduate degree in a very difficult subject and maybe just a little anti-social. So am I. You going to lock me away for being a threat to society? This type of violent behavior can come from anyone, anywhere, at anytime. There is no skeleton of how to spot someone who is about to snap, so stop pretending there is.
I didn't like the way the media covered this. For the first day after it happened, all I heard about was the victim who was a sportswriter. Or she wanted to be one, at least. Really, media? That's the only victim we are supposed to care about? The guy who worked at Target wasn't important enough?
Anyway, I hope this guy is put to death, in as inhumane way as possible. That is what he deserves.
Penn State
What has happened to you, my old love? Penn State was my favorite sports school since I knew was sports was. Unfortunately, they were hiding more than one secret....
So the punishments have been handed down to Penn State for covering up the Jerry Sandusky rapes. Four year bowl ban, $60 million fine and vacating all wins from 1998-2011.
What a joke. Way too many people think this is vindication and a harsh punishment and I don't think it's anywhere near enough.
Vacating wins. Ugh. I've heard this punishment before and it's ridiculous. Unless Doc Brown is going to show up and bring us back to 1998 so they have no chance to ever play those games, guess what NCAA? THEY HAPPENED. You can tell me 100 times over that they won no games from 1998 to 2011 but hey, they did. I remember the season they came within one win of the national championship. It happened. Whether you say it did or not.
And vacating wins now moves Joe Paterno from first on the all-time list, to 12th, I believe. Oh wait, no it doesn't. Because every single college football fan knows JoePa won every single one of those games. And he is probably looking up and laughing from hell, thinking that this somehow changes anything.
This wasn't about Joe Paterno not being a great football coach. You can take the wins away from him on paper, but it doesn't do anything. Joe Paterno WAS a great football coach. An excellent one. One of the best to ever step foot on the sideline. He deserves to be #1 on that list. However, he was NOT a good person. The victims (who this is supposed to be about), do you think they feel better knowing Joe Paterno's name isn't on the top of the wins list anymore? As they watch him look the other way while they are sexual molested.
And then the fine. $60 million is hefty, for sure. It's more than just a fine, as players will now decommit from Penn State and the progam will take years and years to recover. Great. That will make the victims feel better. Knowing the football team will struggle. Nevermind the student-athletes on the team, who did NOTHING wrong, and are now being punished.
Again, we run into the age-old problem at big schools. It's always about athletics. Sports always comes first. The punishments handed down by the NCAA hurt the SPORTS program. But what about the human beings? We don't care about them, just the sports.
I have given my life to sports. I love them more than I can put into words. But they are not everything. And we as a society are blinded by sports. There is a reason I put the Aurora shooting above the Penn State story in this post. If you can't figure it out, then you as well, are blinded by sports.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Monday, September 26, 2011
The Season of "What?"
This is a sports post, so all my non-sports friends, feel free to click out now.
Has anybody watched this NFL season so far? We are three weeks in, and I am pretty sure if there is one thing we can say for certain, it is that nobody had the slightest clue of anything coming into the season.
Let me start with the Bills, who I CALLED at the end of last season as a breakout team. Ryan Fitzpatrick looked incredible last year and I can say that I am thrilled that his success is continuing into 2011. A Harvard guy. Kicking the pants off of Tom Brady. Freakin awesome. Since my Dolphins are sucking like usual, I am tentatively jumping on the increasingly-crowded Bills bandwagon. Basically, I am for any team that makes sure the Patriots and Jets don't win.
Speaking of my Dolphins, ugh. That's really all I can say. Another year, another disappointment. This team, I honestly had high hopes for them coming into the season. What the hell has happened to this defense? Ranked 6th in the league last year, now they look like a bunch of second-teamers. I wrote on Phin Phanatic today that they are in desperate need of a coaching change, and I believe it should happen now. This season is basically a lost cause (less than 5% of teams that have started 0-3 have made the playoffs), so why not make the change now and let the new coach come in and access his personnel before the offseason starts. Please, Jeff Ireland, do something right.
Quick notes:
- Love what the Lions have done so far. If Stafford can stay healthy, this is a Super Bowl team, no doubt about it.
- What the hell Ravens? You kick the pants off the Steelers, somehow get beaten by the TITANS, and then destroy the Rams? Make a decision on the team you want to be, please.
- Speaking of the Rams, they were my Super Bowl sleeper pick this year. That's going well. Sam Bradford has regressed big time. They are injured. And the defense sucks. Oh well.
- Rex Grossman looks like a new man. I really hope the Redskins beat the Cowboys tonight and start the season 3-0. How's that for a big f you to Chicago?
- And on the topic of Chicago, did anybody that AWESOME trick play punt return at the end of the Packers game? I don't even care it was called back because of a non-existent penalty, that is the play of the year right there folks.
- Try not to cringe while watching this. Ouch. He was okay.
- Michael Vick. Have him in two fantasy leagues and so far, bleh. I knew this was a possibility when I drafted him, but it kind of sucks when it actually happens. His offensive line is worse than the one the Dolphins are putting out there on a weekly basis. He needs to get his act together, fast.
- How bout them Raiders? Pouncing all over the Jets, and I loved loved loved watching Darren McFadden run all over the critically-acclaimed Rex Ryan defense. I'll watch that any day.
- I will admit I was against Cam Newton coming into this season, and I definitely did not believe he was worthy of the number one pick. I know we are only three games in, but yes he definitely looks like the real deal. The Panthers are only 1-2, but I'm not sure you can blame Newton and his over 800 yards of passing for the two loses.
- Tom Brady is on pace for over 6,000 yards passing this season. The NFL record is 5,084 yards.
- Chris Johnson is on pace for a little over 500 yards rushing. Darren McFadden already has 400 yards rushing.
- I have no idea who is going to play in the Super Bowl, but how cool would it be to see a Bills-Lions Super Bowl?
Has anybody watched this NFL season so far? We are three weeks in, and I am pretty sure if there is one thing we can say for certain, it is that nobody had the slightest clue of anything coming into the season.
Let me start with the Bills, who I CALLED at the end of last season as a breakout team. Ryan Fitzpatrick looked incredible last year and I can say that I am thrilled that his success is continuing into 2011. A Harvard guy. Kicking the pants off of Tom Brady. Freakin awesome. Since my Dolphins are sucking like usual, I am tentatively jumping on the increasingly-crowded Bills bandwagon. Basically, I am for any team that makes sure the Patriots and Jets don't win.
Speaking of my Dolphins, ugh. That's really all I can say. Another year, another disappointment. This team, I honestly had high hopes for them coming into the season. What the hell has happened to this defense? Ranked 6th in the league last year, now they look like a bunch of second-teamers. I wrote on Phin Phanatic today that they are in desperate need of a coaching change, and I believe it should happen now. This season is basically a lost cause (less than 5% of teams that have started 0-3 have made the playoffs), so why not make the change now and let the new coach come in and access his personnel before the offseason starts. Please, Jeff Ireland, do something right.
Quick notes:
- Love what the Lions have done so far. If Stafford can stay healthy, this is a Super Bowl team, no doubt about it.
- What the hell Ravens? You kick the pants off the Steelers, somehow get beaten by the TITANS, and then destroy the Rams? Make a decision on the team you want to be, please.
- Speaking of the Rams, they were my Super Bowl sleeper pick this year. That's going well. Sam Bradford has regressed big time. They are injured. And the defense sucks. Oh well.
- Rex Grossman looks like a new man. I really hope the Redskins beat the Cowboys tonight and start the season 3-0. How's that for a big f you to Chicago?
- And on the topic of Chicago, did anybody that AWESOME trick play punt return at the end of the Packers game? I don't even care it was called back because of a non-existent penalty, that is the play of the year right there folks.
- Try not to cringe while watching this. Ouch. He was okay.
- Michael Vick. Have him in two fantasy leagues and so far, bleh. I knew this was a possibility when I drafted him, but it kind of sucks when it actually happens. His offensive line is worse than the one the Dolphins are putting out there on a weekly basis. He needs to get his act together, fast.
- How bout them Raiders? Pouncing all over the Jets, and I loved loved loved watching Darren McFadden run all over the critically-acclaimed Rex Ryan defense. I'll watch that any day.
- I will admit I was against Cam Newton coming into this season, and I definitely did not believe he was worthy of the number one pick. I know we are only three games in, but yes he definitely looks like the real deal. The Panthers are only 1-2, but I'm not sure you can blame Newton and his over 800 yards of passing for the two loses.
- Tom Brady is on pace for over 6,000 yards passing this season. The NFL record is 5,084 yards.
- Chris Johnson is on pace for a little over 500 yards rushing. Darren McFadden already has 400 yards rushing.
- I have no idea who is going to play in the Super Bowl, but how cool would it be to see a Bills-Lions Super Bowl?
Sunday, September 11, 2011
September 11th, 2001
I have yet to post any status or tweet today referring to 9/11. I didn't feel it was appropriate. What can I say about something like that? I could say "never forget", but if you somehow forget about 9/11, then you are a scumbag and shouldn't live in this country in the first place.
10 years ago. Tough for me to imagine it has actually been that long. Even tougher for me to realize that 10 years later, we are still fighting for our freedom.
Everyone I know always says they remember that day and where they were and what it meant and their reactions when they heard the towers had been hit. I had a different reaction.
I do remember where I was when I found out. I was in middle school, in Mr. Gordon's class. I'm pretty sure we got called to the auditorium and they announced it, but I do not remember if they let us watch the coverage or not. I remember being at home and seeing my mother's reaction, and then I knew it was serious. Until that moment, I had no idea how serious.
Honestly, the first thought that went through my mind was "what is the World Trade Center?" I had no idea. I knew it was in New York, and that was about as much as I knew at the time. I didn't realize the gravity of the situation, and it didn't sink in for some time that actual human lives were lost.
I look back and wonder if that makes me a bad American. No, it doesn't. I was a 12-year-kid and a pretty ignorant 12-year-old at that. As with today, I was much more familiar with sports than I was with news and politics, so why would I know what the World Trade Center was?
However, the point of this post is not to look back at that day. I want to focus on today.
I can't remember the last time I cried. I can't even remember the last time a tear welled up in my eye. For some reason, I seem to be void of the ability to cry.
But while watching the Ground Zero dedication today, it happened. You don't realize how many people were affected by this horrible tragedy until you hear the names. Until you see the loved ones that lost a husband or wife, father or mother, son or daughter.
Then later, while watching opening day of the NFL season. Every field, a full-sized American flag was unveiled. On every NFL team, every player, every athlete walked up and put one or both hands on the flag, standing side-by-side with firefighters, police officers, and other heroes.
We sometimes put athletes on such a high pedestal, like they are of a different species than us. Watching those athletes stand next to those true heroes, it was so very clear that regardless of our position, our standing in this country, we all have one thing in common and that is that we are all Americans. And on a day like today, that is really the only thing that matters.
There is so much more I could say, like banishing Bud Selig from baseball for life for not allowing the Mets to wear FDNY and NYPD hats tonight because of some stupid regulation, but I'll keep my mouth shut on that.
I would like to address one more thing that caught my eye today. I normally don't really acknowledge facebook statuses, because it is somebody's own personal opinion and that's fine. But one caught my eye this morning that really pissed me off. I won't name names, but if you are reading this, you know who you are.
It said, "i think i'm going to unfriend everyone who i see post "never forget" or its variations today." My initial response was, are you kidding me? Some of these people that we are not forgetting are the ones who GAVE THEIR LIVES so you could continue to say whatever the hell you want online.
Now I have never had a problem with you before, but for a day like today you really need to think before you post. That may have just been some little thing, you trying to be funny or whatever, but I don't really think this is an occasion worth joking about.
So I will say it loud and proud...
9-11-01, NEVER FORGET.
10 years ago. Tough for me to imagine it has actually been that long. Even tougher for me to realize that 10 years later, we are still fighting for our freedom.
Everyone I know always says they remember that day and where they were and what it meant and their reactions when they heard the towers had been hit. I had a different reaction.
I do remember where I was when I found out. I was in middle school, in Mr. Gordon's class. I'm pretty sure we got called to the auditorium and they announced it, but I do not remember if they let us watch the coverage or not. I remember being at home and seeing my mother's reaction, and then I knew it was serious. Until that moment, I had no idea how serious.
Honestly, the first thought that went through my mind was "what is the World Trade Center?" I had no idea. I knew it was in New York, and that was about as much as I knew at the time. I didn't realize the gravity of the situation, and it didn't sink in for some time that actual human lives were lost.
I look back and wonder if that makes me a bad American. No, it doesn't. I was a 12-year-kid and a pretty ignorant 12-year-old at that. As with today, I was much more familiar with sports than I was with news and politics, so why would I know what the World Trade Center was?
However, the point of this post is not to look back at that day. I want to focus on today.
I can't remember the last time I cried. I can't even remember the last time a tear welled up in my eye. For some reason, I seem to be void of the ability to cry.
But while watching the Ground Zero dedication today, it happened. You don't realize how many people were affected by this horrible tragedy until you hear the names. Until you see the loved ones that lost a husband or wife, father or mother, son or daughter.
Then later, while watching opening day of the NFL season. Every field, a full-sized American flag was unveiled. On every NFL team, every player, every athlete walked up and put one or both hands on the flag, standing side-by-side with firefighters, police officers, and other heroes.
We sometimes put athletes on such a high pedestal, like they are of a different species than us. Watching those athletes stand next to those true heroes, it was so very clear that regardless of our position, our standing in this country, we all have one thing in common and that is that we are all Americans. And on a day like today, that is really the only thing that matters.
There is so much more I could say, like banishing Bud Selig from baseball for life for not allowing the Mets to wear FDNY and NYPD hats tonight because of some stupid regulation, but I'll keep my mouth shut on that.
I would like to address one more thing that caught my eye today. I normally don't really acknowledge facebook statuses, because it is somebody's own personal opinion and that's fine. But one caught my eye this morning that really pissed me off. I won't name names, but if you are reading this, you know who you are.
It said, "i think i'm going to unfriend everyone who i see post "never forget" or its variations today." My initial response was, are you kidding me? Some of these people that we are not forgetting are the ones who GAVE THEIR LIVES so you could continue to say whatever the hell you want online.
Now I have never had a problem with you before, but for a day like today you really need to think before you post. That may have just been some little thing, you trying to be funny or whatever, but I don't really think this is an occasion worth joking about.
So I will say it loud and proud...
9-11-01, NEVER FORGET.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
My New Life...
Things have changed a lot in the past few weeks. It kind of happened all at once...
Starting with the news from the last post that I think everyone already knows, I have a girlfriend. I'm dating Ilene, which is seems like many of the people who knew us are absolutely shocked by. For these people, I ask you to read my post about college/post college relationships. Yes, me and her had differences in college. She knows I wasn't a huge fan of who she was in school. But guess what? School is over. We are both starting our lives. And we have found that we love spending time together, and we get along very well. I am extremely happy to be with her and I hope it lasts for a long time.
I started my job at FOX on Monday as a voice captioner. Let me tell you, it is freakin difficult. Seriously, I don't think I have ever done anything so hard. I know I've only been there three days, but I'm already starting to doubt whether or not I can do it. Some people have the ability to do it and some don't. I'm worried that I don't. But I'm not one to give up, so I will keep trying until they fire me or I get it. Hopefully it's the latter.
Besides that, I'm just trying to get everything together. I keep forgetting that I'm actually here for school and that starts in a week. I'm honestly not looking forward to it. I'd still rather do the full-time job thing over going back to school, but what can I do? I'm committed.
To summarize, I'm happy. For once. Things still aren't where I want them but I feel like they are moving in the right direction, which is a huge step over the past year. Ilene, I want you to thank you for giving me a chance and I hope I don't let you down. <3
Song Currently Stuck in my Head:
Never Let You Down - The Verve Pipe
Starting with the news from the last post that I think everyone already knows, I have a girlfriend. I'm dating Ilene, which is seems like many of the people who knew us are absolutely shocked by. For these people, I ask you to read my post about college/post college relationships. Yes, me and her had differences in college. She knows I wasn't a huge fan of who she was in school. But guess what? School is over. We are both starting our lives. And we have found that we love spending time together, and we get along very well. I am extremely happy to be with her and I hope it lasts for a long time.
I started my job at FOX on Monday as a voice captioner. Let me tell you, it is freakin difficult. Seriously, I don't think I have ever done anything so hard. I know I've only been there three days, but I'm already starting to doubt whether or not I can do it. Some people have the ability to do it and some don't. I'm worried that I don't. But I'm not one to give up, so I will keep trying until they fire me or I get it. Hopefully it's the latter.
Besides that, I'm just trying to get everything together. I keep forgetting that I'm actually here for school and that starts in a week. I'm honestly not looking forward to it. I'd still rather do the full-time job thing over going back to school, but what can I do? I'm committed.
To summarize, I'm happy. For once. Things still aren't where I want them but I feel like they are moving in the right direction, which is a huge step over the past year. Ilene, I want you to thank you for giving me a chance and I hope I don't let you down. <3
Song Currently Stuck in my Head:
Never Let You Down - The Verve Pipe
Saturday, August 20, 2011
For My Friend Charlie....
I've never been that good at expressing feelings through talking. I've always done it through writing, and it has always made me feel a little better, so I'm going to see if that I apply that logic to help a friend in need.
An old friend of mine from school, Charlie, just lost his mother. I don't know the circumstances around it so I have no idea if she was suffering or not.
I remember the summer before Charlie came to Hartford, we were recruiting for STN and all I remember seeing was Charlie's name on every sign up sheet we had. I remember asking the d-board, "who the hell is this kid?" I was concerned we had a stalker. I was a bit wrong.
He joined the organization and was instantly a hit, basically because he had passion like nobody I had seen before and he was honestly talented. I was obligated in school to say every reporter we had was good, but let's be honest, they weren't. Charlie was. And he loved it. He worked hard, impressed us all, and was friendly. He joked around a lot, always had a smile on his face and was fun to be around.
He worked so hard that after only one year, he was elected News Director. And I honestly was really excited to come back and work with him. And naturally, after only a few weeks, Charlie got the unfortunate news that he couldn't stay at the school and had to leave.
I have one memory that sticks out in my mind, and that was his going away party, and how you could tell how many people liked him. At that party, EVERYONE from STN was there, people who, in a million years, wouldn't hang out together outside of the office, were all there to say goodbye to him. It was one of those things that stuck out in my mind.
Even after he was shipped down to Florida, he still kept in touch. When he came back to play a show or visit, he would always let everyone know so we could see him. OH, and of course, the night me and Ilene went to see Alex's roller derby bout, and Charlie and his friend Kevin were there. We ended up hanging out that night, driving around Morristown and getting pretty freakin lost. That was awesome. Sorry, sidetracked.
Anyway, I get sad because Charlie was plenty of depressing statuses and stuff and I just want something good to happen for him. I look around and see so many good things happening to people who don't deserve it, and to someone who truly does deserve it, nothing.
Charlie, I'm so sorry about your mother. Keep your head held high though buddy. You have been an excellent friend to everyone and I know you will be rewarded for it soon.
And if you need us, you know your STN family will always be there for you. Stay strong, my friend.
An old friend of mine from school, Charlie, just lost his mother. I don't know the circumstances around it so I have no idea if she was suffering or not.
I remember the summer before Charlie came to Hartford, we were recruiting for STN and all I remember seeing was Charlie's name on every sign up sheet we had. I remember asking the d-board, "who the hell is this kid?" I was concerned we had a stalker. I was a bit wrong.
He joined the organization and was instantly a hit, basically because he had passion like nobody I had seen before and he was honestly talented. I was obligated in school to say every reporter we had was good, but let's be honest, they weren't. Charlie was. And he loved it. He worked hard, impressed us all, and was friendly. He joked around a lot, always had a smile on his face and was fun to be around.
He worked so hard that after only one year, he was elected News Director. And I honestly was really excited to come back and work with him. And naturally, after only a few weeks, Charlie got the unfortunate news that he couldn't stay at the school and had to leave.
I have one memory that sticks out in my mind, and that was his going away party, and how you could tell how many people liked him. At that party, EVERYONE from STN was there, people who, in a million years, wouldn't hang out together outside of the office, were all there to say goodbye to him. It was one of those things that stuck out in my mind.
Even after he was shipped down to Florida, he still kept in touch. When he came back to play a show or visit, he would always let everyone know so we could see him. OH, and of course, the night me and Ilene went to see Alex's roller derby bout, and Charlie and his friend Kevin were there. We ended up hanging out that night, driving around Morristown and getting pretty freakin lost. That was awesome. Sorry, sidetracked.
Anyway, I get sad because Charlie was plenty of depressing statuses and stuff and I just want something good to happen for him. I look around and see so many good things happening to people who don't deserve it, and to someone who truly does deserve it, nothing.
Charlie, I'm so sorry about your mother. Keep your head held high though buddy. You have been an excellent friend to everyone and I know you will be rewarded for it soon.
And if you need us, you know your STN family will always be there for you. Stay strong, my friend.
College/Post College
This is directed at those of you who are either currently in a relationship or have experienced one during college and after.
This may be a bit delayed, but I've been delayed, so whatever.
When me and Beth broke up, she said to me that maybe we made for a good couple, but not a good real-life couple. At the time, I was so upset that I couldn't even process what she said and I just moved on from it. But recently, I've started thinking about it and realized that that was actually a pretty profound statement. It got me wondering, what is the difference between the two and can two people who were in love in college really just not work after college because of the change?
So what's the difference?
College
You live within minutes of each other, so you can see each other whenever, but you aren't obligated to see each other all the time
If one goes out, the other usually goes with
Both usually have the same friends, or close enough
Money isn't usually an issue
Neither is a job
Big life decisions, such as marriage and kids usually wait until after college
(I think I hit the fundamental flaw on the last three)
Post-College
If you are living together, you very rarely are able to get away from the person
Decisions such as money and who you are spending time with suddenly become joint decisions
Careers as well
And of course, life decisions such as marriage come into play
And that is partially where my relationship fell apart. Partially. And ever since Beth told me about this, I look at relationships in that light.
It's funny, because now I look at people in school who I never in a million years would've dated while they were in school and I see them differently because of who they turned into after school. Horrible college couple, maybe not a horrible after-college couple.
So I wonder if anybody else sees people that way, I'm interested. It's kind of a weird way to look at relationships. But I think it works.
Song Currently Stuck in my Head:
Closer to the Truth and Further from the Sky - Butch Walker
This may be a bit delayed, but I've been delayed, so whatever.
When me and Beth broke up, she said to me that maybe we made for a good couple, but not a good real-life couple. At the time, I was so upset that I couldn't even process what she said and I just moved on from it. But recently, I've started thinking about it and realized that that was actually a pretty profound statement. It got me wondering, what is the difference between the two and can two people who were in love in college really just not work after college because of the change?
So what's the difference?
College
You live within minutes of each other, so you can see each other whenever, but you aren't obligated to see each other all the time
If one goes out, the other usually goes with
Both usually have the same friends, or close enough
Money isn't usually an issue
Neither is a job
Big life decisions, such as marriage and kids usually wait until after college
(I think I hit the fundamental flaw on the last three)
Post-College
If you are living together, you very rarely are able to get away from the person
Decisions such as money and who you are spending time with suddenly become joint decisions
Careers as well
And of course, life decisions such as marriage come into play
And that is partially where my relationship fell apart. Partially. And ever since Beth told me about this, I look at relationships in that light.
It's funny, because now I look at people in school who I never in a million years would've dated while they were in school and I see them differently because of who they turned into after school. Horrible college couple, maybe not a horrible after-college couple.
So I wonder if anybody else sees people that way, I'm interested. It's kind of a weird way to look at relationships. But I think it works.
Song Currently Stuck in my Head:
Closer to the Truth and Further from the Sky - Butch Walker
Sunday, July 31, 2011
The Last Few Days...
So, for those of you not aware, my mother is in the hospital. On Thursday, she came home early from work with serious stomach pains and laid down. About two hours and a useless doctor consult later, she asked me to drive her to the emergency room. She went in for a CAT scan, and (for privacy reasons I won't tell you what she has) but she had a serious, yet not uncommon illness. The doctors told her to lay off any solid foods for a few days (plus some antibiotics) and she should be good to go. On Saturday, for breakfast and lunch the doctors gave her some solid food in the hospital and she kept it down alright, so she was released to us Saturday night with a strict diet.
We had dinner Saturday night at home and everything seemed to be okay. She was a little sore but she was still on meds and we all went to sleep last night thinking everything was back to normal.
At 9:15 this morning, I was woken up by my mother's voice telling me she was in severe pain again and Scott was driving her back to the hospital. I showed up a few minutes after they got there, and the rest of the day has been hell. At first, we thought she would definitely need surgery. After they did another CT scan in the ER, it sounded like she just needed a few days of a liquid diet (longer than last time), and she could be released again. After the surgeon came in and looked at her CT scan, now we have to wait 24-48 hours and if she doesn't improve, it looks like surgery again.
This isn't a life-threatening illness, but it is still scary as hell. My mother is one of the strongest people I know, and she doesn't complain about pain unless it is really bad. To have her end up in the hospital is something new to me. My mother is never sick. Now she may have to spend a week or more in the hospital. To say this is trying me would be a dramatic understatement.
It's even tougher because of the absence of my sister. She is in San Diego and obviously there is no way she can fly across the country to be here, even though I know how badly she wants to. My family uses humor to get through tough situations and Jamie is my go-to-girl for humor. Not having her here is difficult. I know it's worse on her. I love you Jamie, and just know that we know you would be here if you could and you are here in spirit. Stay strong.
I'm moving in 12 days and that has taken a complete backseat to this at the moment. I haven't really thought about packing up or finding a job. All I want is for my mother to be home and healthy.
It's tough to be alone right now. Outside of my sister, there is only one person who I wish was with me right now and she knows who she is. It sucks that the people I want to see are the people who I am incapable of seeing.
Stay strong Mom. I love you so much.
Please keep her in your thoughts.
Song Currently Stuck in my Head:
Awake My Soul- Mumford & Sons
R.I.P Kyle
We had dinner Saturday night at home and everything seemed to be okay. She was a little sore but she was still on meds and we all went to sleep last night thinking everything was back to normal.
At 9:15 this morning, I was woken up by my mother's voice telling me she was in severe pain again and Scott was driving her back to the hospital. I showed up a few minutes after they got there, and the rest of the day has been hell. At first, we thought she would definitely need surgery. After they did another CT scan in the ER, it sounded like she just needed a few days of a liquid diet (longer than last time), and she could be released again. After the surgeon came in and looked at her CT scan, now we have to wait 24-48 hours and if she doesn't improve, it looks like surgery again.
This isn't a life-threatening illness, but it is still scary as hell. My mother is one of the strongest people I know, and she doesn't complain about pain unless it is really bad. To have her end up in the hospital is something new to me. My mother is never sick. Now she may have to spend a week or more in the hospital. To say this is trying me would be a dramatic understatement.
It's even tougher because of the absence of my sister. She is in San Diego and obviously there is no way she can fly across the country to be here, even though I know how badly she wants to. My family uses humor to get through tough situations and Jamie is my go-to-girl for humor. Not having her here is difficult. I know it's worse on her. I love you Jamie, and just know that we know you would be here if you could and you are here in spirit. Stay strong.
I'm moving in 12 days and that has taken a complete backseat to this at the moment. I haven't really thought about packing up or finding a job. All I want is for my mother to be home and healthy.
It's tough to be alone right now. Outside of my sister, there is only one person who I wish was with me right now and she knows who she is. It sucks that the people I want to see are the people who I am incapable of seeing.
Stay strong Mom. I love you so much.
Please keep her in your thoughts.
Song Currently Stuck in my Head:
Awake My Soul- Mumford & Sons
R.I.P Kyle
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Casey Anthony
This will probably be an unpopular post, but I don't care.
The uproar surrounding Casey Anthony's not guilty verdict has gotten to the point where I have to say something.
She was found NOT guilty people. I love how as soon as the verdict comes out, every single person in the world apparently pulled out their law degree. We all are now top lawyers. "She was guilty! Look at all the evidence that one network I watched for an hour showed me as to why she was guilty! HOW could she be found innocent?"
Look, as Americans we give the jurors and the judges the power to make these decisions. We have to live with the decisions we get. I have no idea if Casey Anthony killed her daughter or not, but guess what? Neither do you. The only person who knows for sure is Casey Anthony. The jurors made the decision that she did not do it. So in my eyes, she did not do it. You have no right to say anything if she was found innocent.
I've been hearing that some of the jurors are actually receiving death threats. Seriously? America, grow up. What happened to "innocent until proven guilty"? Not in this trial. The second this woman stepped up to the stand, the media and public were convinced of her guilt. And you know what? You were proven wrong. I loved watching CNN with the one expert who KNEW she was going to be guilty based on how long deliberations went on, and then had to eat his words when the verdict came out. So much for being unbiased.
Unless you were in the courtroom, one of the jurors, or a lawyer working on this case, you do not know all evidence and you have no right to be making verdicts of your own. This was an impossible decision this jury had to make and I'm sure it took its tole on them.
I'm not saying we should feel sorry for this woman. She obviously is an idiot, a waste of life, lied to detectives at least four times and probably should be rotting in jail for the rest of her life. But she isn't. She will be released on July 13th and we all need to accept that. If you can't accept that, either go to law school, become a judge, or shut the hell up.
R.I.P Kyle. And Caylee.
The uproar surrounding Casey Anthony's not guilty verdict has gotten to the point where I have to say something.
She was found NOT guilty people. I love how as soon as the verdict comes out, every single person in the world apparently pulled out their law degree. We all are now top lawyers. "She was guilty! Look at all the evidence that one network I watched for an hour showed me as to why she was guilty! HOW could she be found innocent?"
Look, as Americans we give the jurors and the judges the power to make these decisions. We have to live with the decisions we get. I have no idea if Casey Anthony killed her daughter or not, but guess what? Neither do you. The only person who knows for sure is Casey Anthony. The jurors made the decision that she did not do it. So in my eyes, she did not do it. You have no right to say anything if she was found innocent.
I've been hearing that some of the jurors are actually receiving death threats. Seriously? America, grow up. What happened to "innocent until proven guilty"? Not in this trial. The second this woman stepped up to the stand, the media and public were convinced of her guilt. And you know what? You were proven wrong. I loved watching CNN with the one expert who KNEW she was going to be guilty based on how long deliberations went on, and then had to eat his words when the verdict came out. So much for being unbiased.
Unless you were in the courtroom, one of the jurors, or a lawyer working on this case, you do not know all evidence and you have no right to be making verdicts of your own. This was an impossible decision this jury had to make and I'm sure it took its tole on them.
I'm not saying we should feel sorry for this woman. She obviously is an idiot, a waste of life, lied to detectives at least four times and probably should be rotting in jail for the rest of her life. But she isn't. She will be released on July 13th and we all need to accept that. If you can't accept that, either go to law school, become a judge, or shut the hell up.
R.I.P Kyle. And Caylee.
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