Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Heroes
My blogger friend Caryn has asked for personal essays on Heroes. This thrills me to no end. Heroes is one of my all-time favorite shows! And the timing couldn't be more perfect - Season Three kicks off in two weeks. It's a great time to reflect on the show's greatness thus far.
What's that? You don't watch Heroes? Well, first off, shame on you. But second, never fear, I'll fill you in.
Heroes is about a bunch of random people in random places that have random special powers. And I do mean random - one guy reads other peoples' thoughts, one lady can make you see things differently than they really are, one guy can fly, one guy stops time, one girl can shoot electricity out of her fingers. The list goes on. Really unrealistic stuff. But I digress.
Anyway, these people all meet up somehow (as frequently happens on well-written television shows) and share their angst about their special powers.
Why all the angst, you may ask? Well, some of these special people don't want their special powers. They resent being forced to be different from everyone else. Never mind the fact that you can FLY, for crying out loud, the important thing here seems to be not standing out. Never mind the fact that you have obviously been given a gift here. You can FLY! No one else can fly. No one that I'm seeing. Just you. But rather than seeing it as a gift, rather than asking yourself why you, and why this gift, and where did this gift come from, you just complain about the possibility that people might stare at you...
Sorry...got a little carried away with that one. Good television does that to you. Keeps you all wrapped up in the characters and their issues. Even if their issues are totally unrealistic. Imagine real people hiding who they really are so they can be just like everyone else. How stupid would that be? But let's get back to the show.
So, we've got these people with these special powers. And this angst. But despite the angst, they manage to meet up and fight evil. (Except the evil ones - they all meet up to fight good, but that's to be expected.) And this is the actual focus of the show, the fighting evil. Because what good is having a special power if you don't do anything with it? Isn't that what being a hero is all about? Taking the gifts you've been given and using them to make the world a better place? Taking your special powers and helping other people?
Which is why Season Three has a new tag line: Heroes and Villains. See, there's this whole cast of characters who have special powers, but can't be called heroes. Because they use their gifts simply to advance themselves. They don't use their powers for anyone else. That's why they aren't heroes. Heroes aren't selfish. Heroes aren't looking out for number one.
See, it isn't the special powers that make you a hero. It's what you do with the special powers that makes you a hero. Use them to take over the world? That makes you a villain. Use them to pull your neighbor out of a burning building simply because you can? That makes you a hero. To loosely paraphrase Rick Warren, heroes don't think less of themselves, heroes think of themselves less.
So tune in on Monday nights for a brand new season of Heroes. But don't look for any great life lessons. Heroes is a great show, but it's pretty unrealistic.
What's that? You don't watch Heroes? Well, first off, shame on you. But second, never fear, I'll fill you in.
Heroes is about a bunch of random people in random places that have random special powers. And I do mean random - one guy reads other peoples' thoughts, one lady can make you see things differently than they really are, one guy can fly, one guy stops time, one girl can shoot electricity out of her fingers. The list goes on. Really unrealistic stuff. But I digress.
Anyway, these people all meet up somehow (as frequently happens on well-written television shows) and share their angst about their special powers.
Why all the angst, you may ask? Well, some of these special people don't want their special powers. They resent being forced to be different from everyone else. Never mind the fact that you can FLY, for crying out loud, the important thing here seems to be not standing out. Never mind the fact that you have obviously been given a gift here. You can FLY! No one else can fly. No one that I'm seeing. Just you. But rather than seeing it as a gift, rather than asking yourself why you, and why this gift, and where did this gift come from, you just complain about the possibility that people might stare at you...
Sorry...got a little carried away with that one. Good television does that to you. Keeps you all wrapped up in the characters and their issues. Even if their issues are totally unrealistic. Imagine real people hiding who they really are so they can be just like everyone else. How stupid would that be? But let's get back to the show.
So, we've got these people with these special powers. And this angst. But despite the angst, they manage to meet up and fight evil. (Except the evil ones - they all meet up to fight good, but that's to be expected.) And this is the actual focus of the show, the fighting evil. Because what good is having a special power if you don't do anything with it? Isn't that what being a hero is all about? Taking the gifts you've been given and using them to make the world a better place? Taking your special powers and helping other people?
Which is why Season Three has a new tag line: Heroes and Villains. See, there's this whole cast of characters who have special powers, but can't be called heroes. Because they use their gifts simply to advance themselves. They don't use their powers for anyone else. That's why they aren't heroes. Heroes aren't selfish. Heroes aren't looking out for number one.
See, it isn't the special powers that make you a hero. It's what you do with the special powers that makes you a hero. Use them to take over the world? That makes you a villain. Use them to pull your neighbor out of a burning building simply because you can? That makes you a hero. To loosely paraphrase Rick Warren, heroes don't think less of themselves, heroes think of themselves less.
So tune in on Monday nights for a brand new season of Heroes. But don't look for any great life lessons. Heroes is a great show, but it's pretty unrealistic.
I Wonder....
When did slapping a plastic bag over a gas pump nozzle become the universal sign for "no gas here"?
This....Is.....Sportscenter.
Da Da Dum. Da Da Dum.
OK, so we spent our Saturday morning at the ball fields. Daniel had a game at nine AM, and Ben had a game across town at noon. I took the camcorder, with high hopes of great highlight footage. During Daniel's game, I did the ole "confuse record with standby" trick that I'm so good at. I think I'm recording, and hold the camera until my arm gives out. Then I turn it on and set it down and get great footage of my feet. I also got a good ten minutes of the sky. At Ben's game, I got lots of footage. Lots of footage of Ben standing at shortstop doing nothing. Then I turn it off and he makes a play. There is no justice.
You'll just have to settle for my post-game commentary.
The Galaxy brought their record up to 2-2 with a 3-0 shut-out of last year's championship team. (I'm all about the kids, and the sportsmanship, and the having fun and all that, but there is something extremely satisfying in shellacking the team that eliminated you the last time you played.) And during the post-game, Daniel won the Galaxy award! His coach gives two awards after each game: the MVP goes to the player who does the best athletically (or has the most skills, as Napoleon Dynamite would say), and the Galaxy award goes to the player who has the best attitude. DP was presented with a king size Reese's cup for his troubles.
Ben's team continued their winless streak. Ben started at catcher, then moved to short for several innings, and then pitched the final inning. He didn't see much action in the field, but he pitched well, retiring three batters and only walking one. He also got to bat three times - one solid hit, one walk, and one K.
Considering I did nothing but sit in a chair all morning and perspire, I'm surprisingly tired. Looking forward to a quiet night at the homestead.
OK, so we spent our Saturday morning at the ball fields. Daniel had a game at nine AM, and Ben had a game across town at noon. I took the camcorder, with high hopes of great highlight footage. During Daniel's game, I did the ole "confuse record with standby" trick that I'm so good at. I think I'm recording, and hold the camera until my arm gives out. Then I turn it on and set it down and get great footage of my feet. I also got a good ten minutes of the sky. At Ben's game, I got lots of footage. Lots of footage of Ben standing at shortstop doing nothing. Then I turn it off and he makes a play. There is no justice.
You'll just have to settle for my post-game commentary.
The Galaxy brought their record up to 2-2 with a 3-0 shut-out of last year's championship team. (I'm all about the kids, and the sportsmanship, and the having fun and all that, but there is something extremely satisfying in shellacking the team that eliminated you the last time you played.) And during the post-game, Daniel won the Galaxy award! His coach gives two awards after each game: the MVP goes to the player who does the best athletically (or has the most skills, as Napoleon Dynamite would say), and the Galaxy award goes to the player who has the best attitude. DP was presented with a king size Reese's cup for his troubles.
Ben's team continued their winless streak. Ben started at catcher, then moved to short for several innings, and then pitched the final inning. He didn't see much action in the field, but he pitched well, retiring three batters and only walking one. He also got to bat three times - one solid hit, one walk, and one K.
Considering I did nothing but sit in a chair all morning and perspire, I'm surprisingly tired. Looking forward to a quiet night at the homestead.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
The Rest of the Story
In Saturday's baseball game, Ben played third base for a couple of innings. At one point, the ball took a bad hop and caught him right in the face. He tried to play it off, but he cried, and the coach came out to talk to him. We assumed he was imparting great words of encouragement - win one for the gipper kind of stuff - because Ben shook it off and stayed in the game. We were proud of his determination and grit.
After the game, we asked Ben what the coach said to him. Apparently, the conversation went like this:
Coach: "You OK?"
Ben: "No."
Coach: "You wanna come out?"
Ben: "Yes."
Coach: "Oh. Well, I don't have anybody else who can play third."
Ben. "Oh. OK. I guess I'll stay in."
Coach: " 'Preciate it."
And now you know the rest of the story.
After the game, we asked Ben what the coach said to him. Apparently, the conversation went like this:
Coach: "You OK?"
Ben: "No."
Coach: "You wanna come out?"
Ben: "Yes."
Coach: "Oh. Well, I don't have anybody else who can play third."
Ben. "Oh. OK. I guess I'll stay in."
Coach: " 'Preciate it."
And now you know the rest of the story.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Fall Baseball Gets Underway
Fall baseball got underway this weekend. Ben had games yesterday and today. "The Doc's" lost both games, but they played well. Fall ball is more about instruction than regular season, so players move around a lot. Ben got to be the starting pitcher yesterday - he only pitched one inning in a regular season game prior to that. He did well - he only gave up two hits - he walked a few, but got five strikeouts. All in all, it was a good outing. He played catcher today. It was only about 150 degrees on the field, the all the gear he had to wear didn't really affect him. :) He also went three for five over both games at the plate. Good times all around.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Even More Movie Quotes
You know what to do:
1. "Well, let's get started. Moby Dick. Chapter one. Call me Ishmael..."
2. "My friend and me got a hankerin' for Switzerland chocolate and a good smoke."
3. "I take a vitamin every day. It's called a steak."
4. "I have a special practice. I handle one client. Now you have my number. I'll wait for your call. By the way, I admire your pictures very much."
5. "Will you take me home?"
6. "What are you talking about? You don't even like money. You like money less than you like fun, if that's possible."
1. "Well, let's get started. Moby Dick. Chapter one. Call me Ishmael..."
2. "My friend and me got a hankerin' for Switzerland chocolate and a good smoke."
3. "I take a vitamin every day. It's called a steak."
4. "I have a special practice. I handle one client. Now you have my number. I'll wait for your call. By the way, I admire your pictures very much."
5. "Will you take me home?"
6. "What are you talking about? You don't even like money. You like money less than you like fun, if that's possible."
Galaxy Wins!
Our second game was last night, and the Galaxy won it 3-2! We scored one early, then the other team tied it and eventually took the lead 2-1. With only about four minutes left to play, we scored twice!! It was a magic moment. (Technically, a couple of moments, I guess.)
Daniel played the whole game again - he was a limp noodle when it was over, but he's loving it.
Daniel played the whole game again - he was a limp noodle when it was over, but he's loving it.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
What I'm Reading Now
The Historian, by Elizabeth Kostova.I was aware of some hype around this book, but I didn't really know much about it. I bought it on sale at BAMM, and didn't even read the back cover. I started it totally cold, not having any idea what it was about.
Boy, have I been surprised. It's good so far - the pace is pretty slow, but it certainly has my attention. It's very well written - it has the feel of a classic.
The only other thing I'll say is that it inspired the naming of the car. Hmmmm.
I'll keep you posted....
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
First Soccer Game of the Season
The Galaxy lost their season opener 2-1. But we played really, really well - we just ran out of gas in the second half. We had one sub, and the other team had about nine. We refined our strategy - score early, and then make the keeper do all the work in the final minutes.That's D kicking the ball toward #19. He played HARD all game, and even had a shot on the goal at one point. He passed it up to let another kid take the shot (#19, in fact) but he wasn't expecting it and the moment passed. Oh well. Good times anyway.
Naming the New Car
I don't routinely name cars. But the most perfect name came to me today, so I am officially naming the new car.
I'm naming it Vlad. Vlad the Impala.
Do you get it? Please tell me you get it....
I'm naming it Vlad. Vlad the Impala.
Do you get it? Please tell me you get it....
Monday, September 1, 2008
New Car Syndrome
It's official. I've got new car syndrome. You know what it's like - you've been there. Parking waaaaay out in the lot so no one will ding your doors. Wiping off every fleck of dirt you find every time you get near it. Keeping the GM Goodwrench paper mats on the floorboards so you don't actually put your feet on the floor mats. Breathing deep the new car smell every time you get in. Yep. I've got it bad.
And I wonder: when does it stop?
In Chattanooga on Saturday night, we parked in a public lot, and then wandered around until we found the stadium. In about the second inning, I got my bearings and realized the lot we parked in was just past the center field wall. I panicked. What if someone hits one out?!?!?! What if it hits the new car!?!?!? I realized that had we driven the Olds, I sooo wouldn't have cared if we got dinged by a moonshot. I probably would have been happy about it. I could have told people "See this crater in my hood? Got that from a guy who now plays third base for the Brewers. Good times."
See what I mean? The Olds used to be a new car. And I had new car syndrome with the Olds. MAJOR new car syndrome. We bought it brand-spanking new eleven and a half years ago. It was the first car I was ever really jazzed about. I'm not a car person, but I loved that car. I still loved it when we traded it on Saturday. But it was not the same car. Not the same car at all.
When we traded it, only one station on the radio worked. There was a foot and a half gash cut into the driver seat upholstery. The carpet on the floorboards was stained to a whole new color family, or just completely worn down into nothingness. The window tinting was peeling away, and the paint on the back was chipping off.
When did these things stop bothering me? I don't remember being bothered by any of it, really. How do I not remember slicing open the upholstery? Where did those stains come from? Where did the newness go?
When does a new car stop being a new car? It's a hypothetical question, but comments are welcome.
And I wonder: when does it stop?
In Chattanooga on Saturday night, we parked in a public lot, and then wandered around until we found the stadium. In about the second inning, I got my bearings and realized the lot we parked in was just past the center field wall. I panicked. What if someone hits one out?!?!?! What if it hits the new car!?!?!? I realized that had we driven the Olds, I sooo wouldn't have cared if we got dinged by a moonshot. I probably would have been happy about it. I could have told people "See this crater in my hood? Got that from a guy who now plays third base for the Brewers. Good times."
See what I mean? The Olds used to be a new car. And I had new car syndrome with the Olds. MAJOR new car syndrome. We bought it brand-spanking new eleven and a half years ago. It was the first car I was ever really jazzed about. I'm not a car person, but I loved that car. I still loved it when we traded it on Saturday. But it was not the same car. Not the same car at all.
When we traded it, only one station on the radio worked. There was a foot and a half gash cut into the driver seat upholstery. The carpet on the floorboards was stained to a whole new color family, or just completely worn down into nothingness. The window tinting was peeling away, and the paint on the back was chipping off.
When did these things stop bothering me? I don't remember being bothered by any of it, really. How do I not remember slicing open the upholstery? Where did those stains come from? Where did the newness go?
When does a new car stop being a new car? It's a hypothetical question, but comments are welcome.
Just a Few Movie Quotes
Just a few quotes for you to chew on. If you don't know the rules, scroll down.
1. "If I was gonna kill you, I'd use my hands."
2. "Do you have the slightest inclination of what you're getting into?"
3. "Well, I'll get your stupid paper, but you just better start showing me a little appreciation around here, Mr. Man."
Enjoy!
1. "If I was gonna kill you, I'd use my hands."
2. "Do you have the slightest inclination of what you're getting into?"
3. "Well, I'll get your stupid paper, but you just better start showing me a little appreciation around here, Mr. Man."
Enjoy!
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