Rocky Road

I just finished watching Rocky Balboa and I have to say once again that I simply love this movie! I can't get enough of it. You may find it strange that a boxing movie has the power to move a man, but that's the way it is.

One of my favorite quotes from the movie comes when Rocky is having a teaching moment with his son, which up until that point has been nothing but a whinny brat.

"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you. You're better than that!"

This movie brings out my emotions like few things can....odd...yet awesome at the same time!

Life

Sometimes life sucks and your dreams conspire against you, causing you to swallow sadness.

Sometimes life is great and you wake up happy, having had fun, uplifting dreams.

Sometimes you make 6 pies in an evening and then it doesn't matter, cause you have 6 pies!

Respect

Noun—the condition of being esteemed or honored

Having had good seats for the past three home football games, I’m pretty sure I’m gonna be in the nosebleed section for the Holy War. Yesterday I was in the north endzone, right behind the goal post—probably the best seats I’ve had all year. I was also sitting right in front of the self acclaimed Power of the Wasatch.

If you know me at all you know I have no love for the BYU marching band; a friend of mine has dubbed them the Semi-Mobile Concert Unit and I couldn’t agree more. I graduate in April and I can only think of one decent field show in all my time here. Let’s break it down point by point:

Talent—I’ll be the first to admit they’ve got talent…who else could ruin something as near and dear to my childhood as Star Trek with one 8 minute field show?

Marching Prowess—There’s a reason we call ‘em semi-mobile. I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen them hustle, let alone march. I feel like I’m watching a squadron of penguins waddle about, except that would be enjoyable.

Musical Ability—On this I must give them credit…they don’t sound worse than a high school marching band.

Before you think I’m a hater, allow to explain that marching band is something I love. My buddy Keith and I traveled to Idaho to watch a high school marching band competition—it was a lot of fun. I’ve been to Denver twice to experience the magic of Drum Corps International. I was in marching band back in high school. I have high expectations for a group that proclaims itself the “Power of the Wasatch.” I expect something good!

Their underwhelming nature isn’t really the musicians’ fault. The fault lies with program itself; a non-competitive program will never produce anything beyond mediocrity, it’s that simple. The musicians are not pushed by anything besides an angry director with a megaphone; there is nothing to reach for. Until that changes, I don’t expect the SMCU to impress.

One last note: For the sake of football STOP PLAYING Popcorn Popping at games!!! It’s an embarrassment to our football program. Jan Jorgenson, when asked what song he would like the band to learn to help pump up the team, answered “I wish they would unlearn Popcorn Popping.” I couldn’t agree more, though I would say that getting some actual pep band music could help out too. I’m pretty sure they only play 5 or so legitimate songs these days. If they needed help, they could go ask American Fork—a program deserving of the title “Power of the Wasatch.”

Dear Manpoint, Who would win in a battle? Aquaman or Edward Cullen?

Although answer your question has forced me to learn more than I ever wanted to know about Twilight, for the sake of the people I have taken it upon myself to answer your soul searching question. All I can say is Thank Goodness for Wikipedia…without it I might have had to taint myself by actually reading/watching something involving either of these characters…

Powers/Traits—let’s face it, when it comes down to it, the one with the cooler powers will win. I’ve never had much respect for either of these characters, so I feel like this might be an exercise in mediocrity, the winner being the slightly less lame character, but let’s see what happens…

Edward—superhuman strength, speed, endurance, and agility, does not need to breathe, can read minds of anyone within a few miles, plays the piano

Aquaman—telepathic ability to communicate with marine life, which he can summon from great distances, as well as other creatures that live off the sea and creatures that have evolved from the sea; the ability to breathe underwater; superhuman durability high enough to remain unaffected by the immense pressure and the cold temperature of the ocean depths, this also makes him tough enough to be invulnerable to machine gun fire; superhuman strength; He can swim at very high speeds, capable of reaching speeds of 10,000 feet per second; He can see in near total darkness and has enhanced hearing granting limited sonar; a magical hand made of water with the ability to dehydrate anyone he touches with it, killing them instantly; the ability to change the shape and density of the hand; the ability to shoot jets of scalding water; healing abilities; the ability to create portals into mystical dimensions; the ability to communicate with the Lady of the Lake through the waterbearer hand; and the ability to nullify magic.

Sorry Twilighers, but there’s just no way Edward’s lame powers could stand a chance against Aquaman’s surprisingly better than lame powers. Initial advantage goes to Aquaman.

Weaknesses—It would be unethical to not consider weakness. Those familiar with Elijah Price’s words would be wise to remember that every true super hero has one. Aquaman becomes weak if he remains on land for extended periods of time. I couldn’t find any glaring weaknesses for Edward, which leads me to believe he’s not a real superhero… However, Edward could use this to his advantage, though I think Aquaman’s dimensional transportation ability, allowing him to escape to a realm of water at a moment’s notice would more than compensate for this. Advantage Aquaman.

Date-ability—let’s not kid ourselves, no matter who’s stronger, what really matters is who spends their Friday night out with a lady friend compared to who spends it reading comic books.

Edward— is described as being inhumanly beautiful, his scent and voice are enormously seductive, 108 year old man that likes 17 year old girls

Aquaman—King of Atlantis

If we subscribe to the adage that girls don’t like boys they like cars and money, then the obvious winner is Aquaman; he’s got a kingdom all his own! To me Edward seems like a pedophile and hopefully no one finds that hot. Advantage Aquaman.

In the end, the decision is clear; Aquaman is actually a lot cooler than Edward and would rock his world in a battle of Mortal Kombat. Who knew?

Fun with Homework

For my Portuguese 322 class we had to write a news story. I made one up. Use translate.google.com if you don't read Portuguese but still want to know what I wrote. It does a decent enough job that you'll get the main idea.


Taran Esplin Ganha o Prêmio Nobel de Paz


14:22 hrs, Provo, Utah, Estados Unidos da America

Numa decisão surpresa, o comitê do prêmio Nobel escolheu o joven Taran Esplin como recipiente do prêmio Nobel de Paz. A notícia lhe surpreendeu, pois Taran nem sabia que o nome dele se considerava. Ele ficou sabendo quando a mãe dele lhe ligou, o acordando às 05:21 da manhã.

“Eu estava assistindo ao programa Good Morning America como sempre faço,” disse ela, “aí o nome dele passou! Ainda não acredito que meu filhinho tenha ganhado esta honra, mas eu sempre sabia que ele era especial.”

Taran, que ficou acordado até às 02:30 horas da manhã para completar um ensaio, não atendeu ao chamada do telefone imediatamente. A mãe teve que ligar várias vezes, aí foi um amigo de quarto, chateado por ser acordado tão cedo, que bateu nele para que atendesse o seu telefone.

“Não me importa quem esteja ligando, cinco horas da manhã é cedo demais,” disse o Paul, amigo de quarto de Taran.

A Universidade de Brigham Young, onde Taran estuda, declarou um feriado na honra dele. O Presidente da Universidade, Cecil Samuelson, ficou emocionado ao receber a notícia do prêmio. “Chorei lagrimas de alegria,” ele disse, “ Jamais alguém fez mais para o futuro desta universidade do que Taran Esplin. O exemplo dele guiará futuras gerações!”

O comitê do prêmio Nobel já está defendendo a sua escolha de alguns críticos. O comitê cita o ensaio que Taran escreveu na sua aula de American Heritage para apoiar sua decisão. Num comunicado emitido hoje, o comitê fala da potencial que Taran mostrou ao comparar George Washington a Abraham Lincoln. O comitê falou que jamais leram um ensaio tão poderoso, e a apesar de Taran não ter feito nada ainda, ele “tem grande potencial.”

Taran acha que “é legal” ele ter ganhado o prêmio. “Agora vou ter todas as moças!,” disse ele, “Não posso agradecer ao comitê suficientemente.”

I Don't Need You!!

So today I felt like apples, so I borrowed the magical corer/slicer/peeler and went to town. I made three pans of apple crisp; the best part is I didn't use a recipe! I'm pretty sure this is the first time I've ever attempted to make apple crisp, and it turned out pretty good. I might do some researching next time around, but it's nice to know I still got some culinary might...

Nobel FAIL!!!

Hope...Change...say those words long enough and you too can win a Nobel Peace Prize. All of the sudden Nobel Prizes seem easier to win than Emmy's...sad day indeed.

I'm not here to bag on Obama. He's doing what he feels is best for this nation...I just can't get over how slimy this award feels. There are hundreds of people that have sacrificed their entire lives to peace; maybe someone who actually DID something deserves this just a tinge more than our favorite celebrity president.....I guess it really is just a popularity contest these days...