Day after memorial day

So, the pool just opened at our apartment over memorial weekend...that's all I need, a constant stream of bikini clad girls right outside my window as I try to get something done around here. Anyway, I guess there are a few things on my mind that I can write about, so here goes.

First off, I watched the movie "Hotel Rwanda" last night, and if you have any idea what it's about you probably can already guess that it's a pretty sad afair. I myself was not particularly familiar with the events that took place there prior to viewing the movie, so I guess I wouldn't expect any of you to be either, so here's a brief description. Basically, the country was broken into two ethnic groups by Belgium colonists way back in 1916, ethnic groups that would basically seem silly by today's standards (all black people were split based solely on skin tone, nose width, and other personal characteristics, with one group being hailed as superior for no real reason). Anyway, many many years later in the midst of much conflict a civil war breaks out in which genocide at its purest is carried out against the weaker group. Within 3 months the militias and armies of the majority killed over 800,000 of the opposition in hopes of eliminating their ethnic group entirely.

The most ridiculous aspect of all of this is that the rest of the world basically sat around idley watching the slaughter occur on television without a care, as this group of Africans seemed expendable. Of course countries such as the United States did everything they could to remove American tourists from the country, but in the face of perhaps the most grevious act since the holocaust we did nothing. As the newly appointed Team America: World Police by the creators of South Park, where were we on this one? I must admit that I am not entirely sure when America really is responsible for intervention in such catastrophies, but with the current propaganda telling us that despite no evidence of WofMD in Iraq we still were justified to end the suffering of their people, how could we not intervene more heavily in something so much worse, with so much more life at stake? Now, it is worth noting that this occured during the Clinton administration, and the refusal of aid is obviously not an attack on Bush directly, but it just makes me all the more curious how much more personal the attack on Iraq must have been if this event was less worthy of military involvement. Anyway, I suppose I must mention that the movie itself was ok to good, not amazing, but certainly worth a look, and Don Cheadle was properly due the critical acclaim he was given for the film.

Also on my mind is an oh so brief mention of my memorial day celebration. Oddly enough, I was at the beach in Canada (near Port Huron) for the American holiday, and it was truly peaceful and beautiful. I was joined by Adam, Christy, Kevin, and Mills (the last two old friends of Adam's for those not familiar), and the oddities of Canada were enough to keep me entertained. For instance, they have a cookie brand in Canada called "Digestives." Also, at KFC you dont get mashed potatoes or coleslaw for your side dish, you get fries and a side salad (???). Lastly, Canadians drive too damn slow. They need to pump shit up to like 120 kmph. Alright, I'm going to get doing some other very valuable activities now, so until next time, cya later and leave a comment.

Defiling true tradition

So, maybe my loyal readers (whoever you are) are already aware of the terrible event that occured in Michigan Football lore this past week, but for the rest of you please brace yourselves...Michigan changed their fucking football jerseys!!! This is the same Michigan uniform that was voted as the greatest uniform in sports history a couple years ago on a multi-week ESPN.com poll. For a look at the new jerseys, go to mgoblue.com, it's a top story under football. Before it appears that I'm about to have an anerism, let me say that things could have been much much worse, but I'm still a little disappointed to say the least. Here's a breakdown of what the thinking behind all this is.

Basically, the biggest difference in the uniforms visually will be a design coming down from the neck hole to the base of the armpit. In the blue home jerseys this line separates two different colors of navy blue, and in the away jerseys it's a very thin yellow stripe on top of the normal white. In all reality the away uniform, although an even more dramatic difference, doesnt really bother me all that much. For one, the stripe will likely be nearly undetectable from any real distance, and secondly, it's not a terrible design either way. The home jerseys are what bothers me, as you can go to the site and look for yourself at home dramatic the 2 tone blue really looks. My only hope is that from a distance either on television or from the stands the contrast will not be as pronounced as it is on the web pics. Really, just look for yourself.

The whole reason behind this change however is quite honorable, as the jerseys utilize a new technology that only a few schools (most notably Miami Florida, whose jerseys look most similar to the new design) have thus far been given the op to use. They are 30% lighter, have special material to allow for air to circulate, and fit the players in such a way to allow for free movement while being so tight they're much harder to grasp (and henceforth tackle the wearer). Anyway, I've ranted about this topic enough, if you have the interest just go to the site and see for yourself, I really do hope that I'm overreacting.

Update

I decided much earlier today that I was going to post something today even if it killed, me and the fact that I forgot that I was going to go out tonight to celebrate Christy having completed another section of the CPA exam makes it that much more difficult for me to get anything of significance written. In place of a thought provoking blog I will instead just give a really quick update of any important events that I have occured in my life the past few days/weeks that I can get out in as few of words as possible.

First off, I have decided to just say fuck it to Michigan and move away as soon as next January. The reason for this move would be my recent decision to pursue the graduate school route to get my life back on track. I haven't had the motivation or credentials apparently to find anything meaningful to do with my life here in Ann Arbor so I have decided to apply to several grad schools in California. Based on my research thus far even a decent score on the GRE exam will assure me admittance into many of the schools that I have looked at thus far (average GPAs of students accepted this past year were generally 3.3-3.4). The biggest work i will have to do is find some letters of recommendation, but that shouldn't prove to be impossible. Also, let me just mention that the schools that I plan to apply to will be chosen for location and weather over academic status, as I do not plan to attempt to kill myself at some upper level school that I am not currently ready for. Some options in my early search have been San Diego St U and just about any UC not named Berkeley. Governator, here I come!

Also, on a more personal note, well, my dad's personal note, July 24th will be my dad's wedding! I don't even have to stand up in it too I found out yesterday. It should be a joyous occasion for all involved. I guess some people would be a little awkward with the whole situation I now face (my parents getting divorced after 27 years for no real concrete reason, then my dad getting remarried about 1.5 years later), but I honestly have grown to not care. The woman and family that he's marrying into seem fine to me, so God Bless them all. I will have two new brothers...weird.

Ok, I really better get dressed now as I am expected to leave here very shortly. Hope to write to all of you again very soon, maybe as soon as tomorrow. Have a nice day!

Getting late

So, it's getting a little late and I promised Mike that we would get up at 7:30 AM tomorrow to get some running in, so I'm going to have to limit myself to a quick preview here of what's (hopefully) to come. The first topic that comes to mind is my newest reality phenomenon, Next! on MTV. I promise to give some thoughts on this oh so genius program very very soon; however, do not wait for my review before checking the show out yourself, it is EASILY the best reality dating show I have ever seen (sorry Shipmates). Also, as mentioned long ago, I think it's time to give Conan the blog I promised him so long ago. Unfortunately, staying up and watching Conan isn't an option right now, as I just claimed it was timr to hit the hay. See all of you later.

Some observations

I have a few ideas floating around for some good blogs, but for some reason right now I'm not in the mood to write them, so I'm going to try something a little different - an observations blog. In mnay cases completely unrelated to the rest of the article, here are some thoughts that have come to mind recently that I would just like to jot down.

- When did making jokes about Star Jones become so popular? She's been on The View for years and years now yet everybody including Leno, Conan, Letterman, SNL, and basically anything comedic on television have been super heavy on the fat jokes. My best guess is that her recent attention grabbing stunts in relation to her wedding last year have painted an even bigger target on her back, that is if that much paint actually exists in the world.

- The Pistons will most likely win the title again this year. When I watch them play no matter how bad they're looking I never really feel they're going to lose the game. Tayshaun Prince is easily the most improved player in the NBA, although Simmons from the Clips will easily win the award (and I'm not really disputing that, statistically it's a really hard argument). What Tayshaun Prince can do using only one hand in the most competitive arena of basketball in the world makes me wonder what the rest of the league would have to do if he developed anything to his right.

- While discussing the Pistons, although he coined "Detroit Basketballllllllllllllll," their anouncer is easily the most annoying in sports. Names like Billups, Hamilton, and Wallace do not take 15 seconds to say under any circumstances.

- Battle of the gridiron stars on ESPN is hilarious. Hell, anything with Chad Johnson has to be good. I missed it, but I heard he and Carson Palmer were pretty good on another new favorite show, Teamates, also on ESPN. I'm not sure if this video is floating around on the net anywhere, but there's an interview out there with Chad right after a game in which he suffered a concussion. Nobody was aware of his status, so he played on and I believe caught something like 3 touchdowns. In the interview he realizes that he doesn't even remember anything about the game, and wonders how he remembered the plays when they were called. He even asks the reporter what TD celebrations he performed, and then gets quite upset to be told that he didn't do the one he had planned all week, the Pepto Bismol dance. Maybe one of the best interviews in sports history.

- Having a cigarette put out on your arm not only hurts, it leaves a really nasty mark.

- Nancy Grace is one scary woman. If you haven't ever seen her show, I think it's on Headline News at 8 every weeknight. She covers famous trials and legal battles all across the country. The show is unique because she chooses a side so vehemently that she'll yell at her own guests and onsite reporters to prove her point. Her glare has subdued some of the most respected legal experts in the country. If you want to get drunk playing a drinking game, play one where you take a shot every time she interupts or degrades one of her guests.

- The Evil Dead may be the most ridiculously gorey movie ever made.

- Have any of you ever heard of the conspiracies that man never really landed on the moon, it was all filmed in a studio and faked a million different ways? Well, if you believe any of this, you're extremely wrong. I watched a special about the conspiracy on the the National Geographic channel the other day and it took this one guy about 10 minutes to debunk every major concern any theorist ever brought up. For example, why are there no stars in the pictures taken from the moon, without an atmosphere they should show up brightly they all argue. This guy goes outside and takes tons of pictures of stars with the same film they used on the moon, and surprise surprise, it can't pick up such light features. Why haven't any of these theorists tried this simple experiment before writing entire books devoted to this subject among others? My only answer is that the leading theorist currently lives at a cat sanctuary, living among literally hundreds of cats. Enough said.

- I often wonder if when our generation gets older, will liberal thought win out in the political arena? Will we grow to be the same as our parents and moreso grandparents, and lean back right? Will we elect presidents for reasons not only completely unnecessary to the position (religious and moral), but that seemingly don't even apply to the candidate (Bush's immoral past)? Will growing concerns over money cause us to change our views? I hope our generation can carry all of our current values and ideologies through to future elections, as right wing radio figures alone make me confident that the left is actually the farthest direction from the devil.

- Would products that leave a woman's legs hairless for weeks work on a man's face? Do they not market this possibility simply because it's unsafe or potentially painful to apply in such locations? I'd be happy to not have to shave for a few weeks.

- This blog is getting amazingly long.

- People should comment on blogs more often. It creates for entertaining reading.