Gratefulness

Everyone has something or someone that they are thankful of. It can be as trivial as baseball or Pop-Tarts, or as paramount as family or shelter. Rightfully so.

Often overlooked are the basic skills and general knowledge that go along with the American culture and education. Some people learn algebra; fewer people learn geometry; and even fewer learn calculus. There are places in the world where people don’t even know addition or subtraction. It’s not necessarily their faults; they don’t grow up being told that knowing it is important. Perhaps there is nobody in the village capable of teaching them.

The problem goes beyond simple mathematics. As youngsters, we learn such “simple” concepts as “don’t talk to strangers” and “look both ways before you cross the street.” There are areas of the world where people don’t know that. It is common knowledge to us that birds don’t swim and pigeons don’t fly. It isn’t to everyone. What exactly falls under the category of “common sense” is dependent on perspective.

Living in America, it is knowledge that witchcraft is fictional and doesn’t exceed the boundaries of Harry Potter or Charmed. Sadly, I ran across this story when checking sports scores. The gist of the story was that a riot ensued during a soccer match in Congo when the crowd believed an opposing player was using witchcraft, causing a stampede for the exits. Thirteen people died. One phrase from the article sticks out in my head. Most victims were between the ages of eleven and sixteen.

Africa is a mess. When people aren’t dying from AIDS or genocide, things like this are happening. The fact that this tragedy occurred during a soccer game, one of the few positives that unites Africans, makes it that much more horrific. The problem in Africa is a lot deeper than poverty; the money funneled into Africa to feed starving children mostly ends up going to waste. Of course, food is needed; but the root of the problem stems from a lack of basic education and common sense.

Don’t have sex with people with AIDS. Knowledge is the cornerstone of existence. Killing is wrong.

Sadly, one thing that makes America so great is the gap between us and third world countries, not just in terms of dollars and resources, but this so-called “basic” knowledge. There are many people and organizations trying to help; for example, Dikembe Mutumbo was recognized during George Bush’s State of the Union for his efforts in Zaire. He has helped build schools and a hospital, and his efforts have inspired teammate Tracy McGrady to start a network of schools in Kenya. Others with less star power are also doing their best to aid such a dire cause.

Don’t have sex with people with AIDS. Knowledge is the cornerstone of existence. Killing is wrong. Until we can successfully impart this message onto Africans, we are doing nothing more than treading water.

I Love it When Playlists Just Make Themselves

Which is basically what happened when I plugged in my iPod. Because all of my music is back home, I had become content with just listening to music on my iPod with headphones. Until I discovered that I could plug in the iPod, fondle with a few settings, and voila!

So I thought I'd share with all my computer genius.

1) You-

Okay I'm not doing step by step. But if you open the folder containing the actual iPod hardware (possibly the E: drive), and allow for hidden folders to be displayed, it's all there. The obvious downside to this method is music is cluttered, unorganized, and... anonymous. You can see the artists names, but, for example, "Fireman" by Lil' Wayne is actually "ARZQ" by Lil' Wayne.

The Playlist:
1) Are You Gonna Be My Girl- Jet
2) She's Gotta Be- Keith Urban
3) Guns and Roses- Jay-Z
4) Garden Grove- Sublime
5) Flat on the Floor- Carrie Underwood
6) I'll Take You On- Howie Day
7) The Mountains Win Again- Blues Traveler
8) All- Collective Soul
9) Daughters- John Mayer
10 Jesus, Take the Wheel- Carrie Underwood
11) It's Not Me- 3 Doors Down
12) Summertime- Kenny Chesney
13) Pork and Beans- Weezer
14) Love Song- Sara Bareilles
15) Warmth of the Sun- Beach Boys
16) Talkin' Bout It- Lil' Wayne
17) Disturbia- Rihanna
18) It's Working- Mark Wills
19) Trade Yourself In- Shinedown
20) Designated Drinker- Alan Jackson

Beautiful. Yes, I am annoying the crap out of my roommate playing excessive country music, which serves him right. I came back from class today and BET was on. On MY TV. I'm pretty sure my TV has been designated sporting events-only, but he must not have gotten the memo.

Also, I was 11-4 in picking Week 2 NFL contests, bringing my season record to... 11-4. I probably should have begun predicting games in the first week to maximize my victories.

My fantasy team exceeded all my wildest expectations. Who could have expected Justin Tuck to have two sacks AND an interception AND a touchdown? Who could have expected both J-Beast AND Chris Gamble to force fumbles and record 8 solo tackles apiece? Most stunningly, who could have expected Darren McDaniels AND Jon Stewart to have two rushing touchdowns apiece? Hasselbeck kinda blew though. So here's my strategy, following the buy low-sell high mantra:
Old Crappy Team --> Harlem Globetrotters of Fantasy Football plus a White Quarterback

Trade 1:
Matt Hasselbeck Jake Delhomme and Dwayne Bowe --> Drew Brees Andre Johnson and Jamarcus Russell (cutting Jamarcus Russell, signed Trent Edwards)

Trade 2:
Jon Stewart and Chris Perry --> Jamal Lewis and Felix Jones (return yards & TD's do count)

Trade 3: Michael Turner, Michael Jenkins and Pittsburgh Defense --> MBIII, Laurence Maroney, and Buffalo Defense (Hurts to give up Pitt's D, but now I have both of Dallas's RB's and Lo-Mo. I believe points are awarded for jumping through SUV's)

This might be the most disorganized blog post in my brief blogging career. Just admire the my playlist-creating and general management skills.

Prodding versus Pushing

I was inspired to write this piece by Mark Davis, a VCU classmate of mine, who wrote a very insightful piece for our Focused Inquiry blog.

Many a day, there is a man standing outside of Commons who loudly attempts to force his Christian views upon us. He utilizes inflammatory propaganda to help make our decision for us. Check yes, and you will not be judged poorly by the Lord, says the flier covered in fake blood. Check no, and prepare for a post-life of Hell. Literally. By checking no, you will not automatically submit to this screaming maniac’s wishes, you admit that you have, are, will lead a life of hate and atrocity.

I have walked past this man many a time, each time considering myself fortunate not to be the target of his rage. The one time I did find myself face-to-face with him, I just took his pamphlet and peaced out. (It may help his act if he used some mouthwash. That was one of the worst smelling conversations I’ve ever had.) However, after reading Mark’s blog, it was brought to my attention that his forceful have led to shouting matches that may have gotten physical had the individuals not been restrained.

Obviously, this man is very passionate about what he feels and believes. There is no amount of money you could pay me to act like that, to be that forceful and confrontational with people, especially with something as sensitive as religious beliefs.

Everything that has happened in my life has somehow shaped my morals and beliefs. Having nearly reached the light at the end of the tunnel regarding my beliefs, I can say the people who have been most influential on me have shared several common traits. They are all kind, supportive, and informative; but mostly, they are all very respectful of the fact that it never was and never is there decision to make for me. It is just my personality to shrivel up and shy away from something that I am forced to do, especially if I do not see the good in it; others might attack the situation head-on. Either way, the result is not positive.

If Person A believes in X, and Person B believes in Y, and I am person C, trying to decide between the two, I obviously want to make the decision that is best for me. Let’s say that hypothetically, Person A is forceful and over-the-top in sharing his convictions, whereas Person B is much more give-and-take, and much more patient and understanding. This could go one of two ways. I would either be much more turned off by the brutality of Person A’s argument, or I would submit to his ways just to make him relent. In the first example, I immediately rejected his beliefs; in the second, I went with them, but not necessarily because I believed in the reasoning behind them. So either way, it did not go well for Person A, if his goal truly was for me to embrace his views.

In a country as diverse as the United States, many different political and religious views attempt to co-exist. I have my convictions, and another person might have theirs. So long as they are strong in their faith and belief, it would be wrong to question them, because their belief is just as strong as mine. So while I might try to show them the light, and convince them that my beliefs are truer, I would never bombard them or accuse them of wrongdoing. Everyone in this country has a right to practice whatever religion they please, and law aside, it is disrespectful to call them a sinner because their beliefs differ.

So maybe, Person A standing in the middle of Student Commons, you do believe your views are correct above all others. And I’m sure in a school of 21,000 undergraduate students, you can find at least a few willing to listen to your points, to impart your beliefs on. But literally forcing yourself on them is not the way to go. And trying to trick students with the bold imagery of your shameless propaganda is not the right way, either.

College Football, Week 3 in Review

--USC clearly established themselves as the deepest, most athletic, and team to beat this season. And Ohio State is not as bad as they looked.

In my opinion, the differences between USC and Ohio State are quarterback play and big play ability. That's it. Ohio State has a defense that includes at least three first round draft picks (DB Malcolm Jenkins, LB's Marcus Freeman and James Lauranitis), but none of them have playmaker skills they way USC's defenders do. USC has game-changing players at each of the three defensive tiers (particularly on the line), as in players who can make tackles for loss, force fumbles, and come up with interceptions. A similar story could be told on the other side of the ball. With Beanie Wells out, USC had four running backs better and more athletic than anyone Ohio State put out there. Damien Williams emerged as a deep threat at receiver. In fact, I would venture a guess that the only USC-level athletes Ohio State has are Wells and Terrelle Pryor. Wells, of course, sat out with injury, and Pryor was inexplicably held out for too many plays. He was their only consistently effective player.

Despite the lopsided score, the game was actually fairly even, at least over the first half. Ohio State had statistical advantages in every category except for scoring. Both had one turnover; Ohio State dominated time of possesion, and had more total offense; they just didn't have the athletes to finish off their drives. Terrelle Pryor also had a very good showing, establishing himself as capable of leading a BCS caliber team. Seeing his outstanding play, and seeing USC chase Boeckman around in the second half, makes me wonder if there's a correlation between OSU's big game flops and Boeckman's shaky QB play. If the Buckeyes can get some sort of consistent quarterback play (perhaps starting Pryor?), I still see them as a top 10 team who perhaps won't lose again all season.

--The only other top team that proved themself unworthy of National Championship discussion was Auburn. Both Auburn and Georgia engaged in hard-fought, defensive battles with lesser SEC foes. But Georgia's 14-7 win is somewhat condonable, because it came against South Carolina, who has a vastly underrated defense. Even the best teams have these close-fought games with good but not elite teams. So long as this is not a regular occurance, I lost not confidence in Georgia (I was actually impressed with their defense), and I fully expect them to dominate Championship pretender Arizona State next week. Auburn, on the other hand, won 3-2 against Mississippi State. If you can't score but 3 points against Mississippi State, you aren't winning much of anything.

-Despite USC's dominance, I still have Florida pegged as my National Champions. Florida has nearly as many weapons as USC, a developing defense, and an O-Line that will both improve over the course of the year. I fully expect them to find a consistent running threat, too. While USC is better overall, the Gators have a quarterback who is not only the best player in the country, but has National Championship experience and big-game poise unmatched by USC slinger Mark Sanchez. Were these two teams to meet in the championship, I fully expect the difference in QB play to be the deciding factor in this hypothetical game.

Here is how I would rank the championship contenders, with their projected final regular season records:

1) Florida. Even if they lose one game, they have an advantage over other contenders because of the schedule strength that goes hand-in-hand with playing in the SEC. They probably will lose one regular season game, but so will everyone else. Nobody is capable of beating them in the SEC West, so a conference championship seems very tangible. PROJECTED FINISH: 11-1.
2) USC. When Sanchez stumbles for the first time, the opposing team will take advantage. Oregon State? Cal? at Stanford? at UCLA (who will be healthy by then)? They will lose somewhere. 11-1
3) Missouri. That offense is legit. Both Chase Daniels and Jeremy Macklin are Heisman candidates, and while the defense isn't suffocating, it has its fair share of playmakers (such as William Moore at safety). Is this team better than Kansas? Yes. Oklahoma? I don't know. Texas? Probably, but I haven't seen Texas play. Until then I can't really project a record for the Tigers.
4) Oklahoma*. This comes with an asterisk because while they have a superb offense, I haven't really seen their defense. I'm sure it's like it has been in years past- bend, but don't break- meaning someone (Texas? Missouri? Texas Tech?) will break them. 11-1
5) Georgia. Injuries have hurt them, especially on the offensive line, but historically the team gets better as the season moves on. Unfortunately, they won't be better than Florida when they play. 10-2
6) LSU. They have a shot, even in a reloading year, and they will win the SEC West and get to the SEC championship and probably a BCS bowl. They could lose to Florida twice though. 10-2
7) Texas. I don't think they are the 7th best team, but if they can win big games they have a better chance than many. I don't think they'll beat Oklahoma. 10-2
8) Wisconsin. Like Texas, it's about scheduling. If they can get by Penn State and Ohio State, they could finish undefeated, because they are not very susceptible to upsets. And if a team beats Penn State and Ohio State and finishes undefeated, you can't shut them out of the National Championship. Ohio State will beat them, though. 11-1.

Also, there is a very good chance both BYU and Utah will probably be undefeated headed into their matchup. I haven't formulated an opinion about who will win this game, but if the winner is undefeated there will be some debate over their national championship participation.

--I'm a pretty big believer in the Stewart Mandel cyclical conference strength theory. Over the past two years, it's indisputable that the SEC and Big 12 have been the two strongest conferences (so far this year, they account for more than half of the top 25. Wow). In two years however, look out for the ACC. I fully expect Miami to be a top 10 team. Duke, North Carolina, Maryland, Georgia Tech, and Florida State will all improve. Wake Forest, Clemson and Boston College won't fall off. Maybe UVa and Tech will, and NC State will be a bottom feeder still. But overall, it will be a very strong conference, as the Big 12 is now. On the flipside, I can't see Texas Tech, Kansas, or Missouri as top 15 teams two years from now. And in the Pac 10, the gap between USC and the field is widening every year. This is what I foresee the top 15 looking like in two years:

1) USC
2) Ohio State
3) Georgia
4) LSU
5) Oklahoma
6) Miami
7) Alabama
8) Texas
9) Wisconsin
10) Notre Dame
11) Florida
12) Florida State
13) Ole Miss
14) Boise State
15) South Florida

Opinions?

Sorting out Sunday

Hey gang. Here with those NFL picks for tomorrow:

-Chicago v. Carolina - Unfortunately, Brian Urlacher hasn't been deployed at quarterback yet this season. Leading me to believe Chicago will again play with no quarterback and, resultingly, a ten-man offense. Panthers 23, Bears 7
-Tennessee v. Cincinnati- This is as close to prison football as it gets. I'm still unclear as to why the Bengals didn't sign Rae Carruth to help shore up their receiving corps. Titans 19, Bengals 10
-Green Bay v. Detroit- Imagine my delight when Darren Woodson says his receiver of the week will be Calvin Johnson. With a good game, perhaps I can use him to acquire Andre Johnson, who is actually good. Lions 24, Packers 14
-Buffalo v. Jacksonville- The Bills' special teams and defense easily outscore their offense on a weekly basis. This week they willl also outscore the Jaguars defense, unless of course Fred Taylor hits some linemen over the head with liqour bottles. Bills 21, Jaguars 7
-Oakland v. Kansas City- It's an impacting game for me, depending how many carries Darren McDaniels gets. I think I'm just going to refer to him as McDaniels for the rest of the season in homage to Emmitt. Raiders 21, Chiefs 20
-Indianapolis v. Minnesota- Emmitt's Take: "This game is a very big game. The team that win this game have to play hard all sixty minutes, or two hours, so to speak. Adrian Peterman have to carry the team on his shoulders, which mean he need to have good balance. Peyton Manning and Rudy Wayne must has a good...no...well...connection, which I can see happening." Thank you, Emmitt. Colts 28, Vikings 21
-New York Giants v. St. Louis- I'm pretty sure I could win the game if I played the St. Louis Rams. Giants 155, Rams -23
-New Orleans v. Washington- Fantasy Football Deity Drew Brees takes on the powerful Redskins defense. Er, powerful might not be a good word. How about they take on London Fletcher, a dancer, and 9 other guys? But with my man Justin Samson in the stands, the Redskins have a little magic and pull out the home V. Redskins 23, Saints 21
-San Francisco v. Seattle- Lofa Tatupu is the man. I see a 32 tackle game for him. Vernon Davis is pretty much San Francisco's only real threat, but every time out of his three point stance, instead of running his routes, he stands up after two steps and says "Click. Clack." Seahawks 35, Niners 0
-Atlanta v. Tampa Bay- Now that Jeff Garcia is bench, The Falcons D will mob Tampa's greasy quarterback Brian Griese. Perhaps Michael Turner can bust out another 200 yard game. Falcons 20, Bucaneers 6
-Miami v. Arizona- I'm pretty much apathetic to the whole football aspect of this game. I want to see if a) Ricky Williams can get charged with possession of marijuana when you are actually in the game (and if its a 5-, 10-, or 15-yard penalty), and b) if Matt Leinart develops into the not-so-good, desert version of Chris Cooley in terms of relations with cheerleaders. Dolphins more, Cardinals, less, My level of concern even less
-San Diego v. Denver- Denver will win 12 games this year. I'm convinced. Perhaps they might even win the division. This is actually a serious prediction. Broncos 27, Chargers 17
-New England v. New York Jets- Tom Brady throws for 342 yards and 3 touchd- what?? he's out for the season? THEN WHY DID YAHOO DRAFT HIM ONTO MY TEAM. Cassell holds his own and Moss hauls in a touchdown. Pats 28, Jets 10
-Pittsburgh v. Cleveland- Brady Quinn could be the best backup quarterback in the NFL. Unfortunately for Poop fans, Derek Anderson might be amongst the worst. Jamal Lewis gets completely shut down by LaMarr Woodley and Co., Slick Willie Parker slides into the end zone on several occasions. Steelers 28, Browns 10
-Philadelphia v. Dallas- Ideas for Terrell Owens' latest celebration: imitation of Michael Phelps, Alley-oop-to-self dunk over the goal post, running up to McNabb with hand outstretched seeking daps. McNabb gets chased silly by the 'Boys defense all day. MBIII has 2 touchdowns, and Jessica Simpson is not persecuted by Cowboys fans even though her music sucks. Cowboys 35, Eagles 17
-Baltimore v. Houston- Houston is only three games out of the Wild Card. Hunter Pence and Roy Oswalt both qualify for "Officially On Fire" status. Lance Berkman is a rabid hyena, slobbering all over opposing pitchers. The football team is not that good. Maybe Andre Johnson should use the JUGS machine as his quarterback and just go deep every time. Ravens 17, Texans 7

Truth be told, I am much more enthralled with the collegiate lineup this weekend. The Maryland game is going swimmingly so far (so long as you are not a Berkeley resident or student). USC wins tonight in the C*llision at the C*lliseum. I feel so dirty just saying that phrase.

Also, Houston storms back to make the playoffs. 'Stros before Hos.

Turns Out Everyone Who Works at Target is a Filthy Liar

I say this, because, "battery sold separately" usually implies that you must buy the battery and the object it powers with separate purchases, or at least two distinguishable items within the same purchase. So either the Redshirts lied, were clueless, or were pretty much apathetic about my whole battery situation, because the battery did come with the camera (but in "separate" packaging. Tricky).

I guess based on my own experience in the service industry, your only real option for entertaining yourself is acting at others' or your own expense. Target doesn't provide ample opportunity to toss ice cream into a cup, sing horrific songs, or recreate the 1993 NBA Finals in the checkout line. Whenever we did that at Cold Stone, I was ALWAYS John Paxson. For those of you who don't know the legend of the 1993 NBA Finals, that means I drained the basketball (or Birthday Cake Remix) and stared down whoever was standing next to me (Hopefully not Tobe, who is an ex-con frozen-desserts-server-turned-Marine).

So I guess at Target, the entertainment comes from deluding, beguiling, and confusing customers to the point where they just buy whatever the heck you're pitching them so they don't have to hear your ramblings about megapixels and PMP and return policies. Shooooooo, that's what I did. Threw down a buck fifty (as in $150, not $1.50. That's how much I spent me on two packs of Orbit). You could argue that they cost themselves the opportunity to rip me off even further, by selling me some batteries that I so badly desired. I would have been game for it too, because I had no idea what kind of batteries my techno-trinket took. But I also know that you could sell an Airplane or you could sell an Anteater, and you'd still make the same lousy hourly wage. (No, the airplanes-and-anteaters juxtaposition is, sadly, not an SD original. A professor actually used it. Quirky.)

Anyways, this gizmo is wicked capable. First and foremost, it has an hi-def video recorder. It can take beautiful pictures and voice record as well. In tandem with the memory card I purchased (maybe those Target guys didn't do so bad pushing product after all), I can elicit some combination of 70 minutes of video and 384 snapshots. It can also zoom in and out.


This is the first picture ever taken on this black beauty. Not really anything ritzy, just my dorm setup. I mean I'm not going to go outside on a Friday night in Gangstaville, VA, all by my lonely, with a camcorder. Carmelo Anthony and the Stop Snitchin' campaign would probably frown upon that. So I captured the spot "where the magic happens." If magic happening means sheets not getting washed. Those little red organisms on my sheeting happen to be lobsters in case you were wondering. The Tostitos bag also snuck in to make a cameo appearance in the inaugural photograph.


And congrats to the USF Bulls tonight, for roaring back and knocking off Kansas with a time-expiring, game-winning field goal from their kicker, Frodo Baggins. Seriously, he was like my size.

Contrastingly, South Florida Defensive End/Office Linebacker George Selvie is a complete monster. Though not quite the monster my mom will be this weekend because her alma mater suffered the angush of defeat. I picked a really bad weekend to ask her about taking that Utah trip. Good thing I'm 100 miles away. Good thing she's a muggle and can't Apparate here as well.

There's George (95) and his Lamanite friends!

Come back tomorrow (later today) for NFL predictions. Out.

EDITOR'S NOTE: My mom actually went to Tulsa, not KU. Tulsa just sucks at sports so she pretends like she went to Kansas during football and basketball season.