In Response to Chris Rock Article in New York Magazine

This is the link to the article. 

New York Magazine - Chris Rock

These are my feelings from a conversation with a friend...

"me:  his contradiction comes straight from the text. He should be able to realize. Rock says, "When Al Sharpton goes down to Ferguson, it feels like a media ritual rather than an actual civil-rights action. It’s a revival, where King was doing an original play. It’s a good part. The lead is open."

me:  ok. I agree with that. Anyone who participates in "civil rights movements" today, especially concerning blacks and whites, has a phony feel bc of MLK, but is that not progress? Bc to anyone reading it, it is. Then you follow it with this ignorant statement? "To say that black people have made progress would be to say they deserve what happened to them before." 

Amanda:  I guess he needs to address two things there. One is progress from reality and the other is the idea that blacks should "have" to progress from slavery as if it were deserved bc the reality is that blacks were slaves and no matter how you look at it, it happened.  

me:  and to say that they haven’t progressed? 

Amanda:  so blacks have made progress in terms of that? Yes. but he's only looking at it from the angle that it shouldn’t have happened in the first place 

me:  and he proves that by making fun of Al Sharpton.

 
Amanda:  but we can say that about most things. we've all progressed it's a good thing.

me:  Exactly. Move forward. What makes it worse is that he doesn’t even get it though. He comes off as whiny and ignorant. Straight up ungrateful to be the person he is - for me to even be caring to read this shit. During work hours, too!?!

me:  I’m funny as shit. where’s my cut?

Lakers Shorts Review (Bc I ball like that)

Originally submitted at NBA

Hit the court just like your favorite basketball player in the adidas® Los Angeles Lakers Pre-Game shorts. Featuring a 3-Stripes design and an embroidered NBA team logo, these shorts are sure to let your friends and opponents know where your allegiances lie. An elasticized waist provide...

adidas Los Angeles Lakers Pre-Game Shorts

Perdy Swik

By tdiddybop from Washington, D.C. on 12/3/2014

 

4out of 5

Sizing: Feels too large

Pros: Quality Construction, Authentic Look, Stylish, Shows Off Team Pride

Cons: Little Too Long, Waist Was A Little Too Sm

Best Uses: Anytime, Watching The Game on TV, Around Town

Describe Yourself: Sports Enthusiast

I use these shorts to play hoops in as well as to lounge around. Waist is a little too small and the shorts are a little long. Can't wait for Nike to get the NBA back bc these weird sizes are typical of Adidas.

Overall, the shorts are nice. They are quality and sleek looking. Not a bad buy - NBA could do better.

(legalese)

My First Home Brew

Jan. 28, 2012
Northern Brewer Pale Ale Kit aka "29"
5 gallons (19 l)

Speciality grains
6lbs. Gold Malt Syrup
1oz Cascade hops (60m)
1oz Cascade hops (15m)
1 package of Safale US-05 Ale Yeast

I followed the directions provided to a T.  I kept everything clean and made sure to err on the safe side of any questionable direction.  However, I didn't have a thermometer nor did I have a hydrometer (to measure the beer's gravity) so my detailed steps are actually irrelevant.  I have the ingredients for my next batch and I have bought a thermometer and a hydrometer so I will get into a little more depth about future brews.  Here are some pics of the bottling process.  Got about 40 or so bottled "29"'s and are waiting for the final carbonation/fermentation to take place in the bottles so that we can toss back a few.  Beer will be ready to be cracked 1/18/13 and I'll let y'all know what it tastes like but expect my second, more detailed batch of brew on here soon!

5 Reasons Why You Should NOT Be Hype for Euro 2012 (An American Perspective)

This is an even older one from roguescholarsociety.blogspot.com...my first ever!

Disclaimer: I am a fan of soccer/football.  My dreams are filled with a United States soccer league that rivals those in Europe.  Yet after reading Blessing’s post about “5 Reasons Why We Should Be Hype About Euro 2012,” I started watching the Euro 2012 tournament and thought to myself, what isn’t there to love about this?  What would a “normal” American see that would prevent them from the hype, love or appreciation for a sport someone like myself finds in such an event?

Well, here are five reasons that first came to mind…

5) Ties.  This one is obvious.  You disagree?  Oh really? Did you see the faces of the fans who attended the Italy v. Spain match-up on Sunday?  Those, my friends, were the faces of the supporters, after an exciting duel between two of the best teams in the world, ending in a draw.  In French, a “tie” translates to nul and in French the saying, “T’es nul,” loosely translates to, “You are a loser.”  Give one to the French for this beautiful summary of what a “tie” really is; instead a team being the loser in the end, the fan or viewer becomes the nul or loser.  People around the world could agree that they would rather see their rival team/country lose a game than tie.

4) Hair bands.  Not headbands.  Hair bands.  Americans have all summer long to watch the WNBA.

3) Not knowing when the game is over.  Honestly, would it not add to the overall ambiance or suspense of the game to be able to actually SEE the end of the competition nearing?  Americans do not like the unknown.  After 90 minutes of regular play, am I supposed to calculate the time spent on injuries? Why can’t there be a clock to let me know when the game is over? We are taught that everything happens for a reason, and when a game is called to end for no reason, we do not like that. 

2) Acting and Protective Gear.  The United States is known for Hollywood.  I just watched an awesome Hollywood film not two days before the European Cup and let me tell you, these Europeans sure do a good job.  Americans do not need to tune in to see some prima donna (Ronaldo and Torres are the first who come to mind) flail about when another player grabs their shoulder or kicks their “boot.”  I played soccer and I know how much getting kicked or someone stepping on your “boot” can hurt but remember, we are Americans.  Americans watch and play (well, at least used to play) real American “football.”  In “football,” we do not accept actors, magic spray or flailing about.  Wait, we accept flailing but only if you are having a seizure because a 250lb linebacker, who can run a 4.5 second 40 yard dash, just smashed your skull in.  

My proposal to solve this problem: Make a rule that states all players must wear a shin guard that actually covers the ENTIRE shin.  We love pads in America.  Pad up those European players and voila; you have a nation of annoying-yet-supportive fans across the pond forever trying to bridge the gap between football and soccer.

1) The Euro 2012 logo.  I have yet to determine why exactly the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) decided to go with a flowery-soccerball-with-yellow-flowers-blooming-out-of-the ball logo but I hope it has something to do with Poland or Ukraine (the two hosting countries) because this logo is about as un-American as it gets.  Any American who sees that logo (that is all-too-often seen, flashed after every replay, sewn on the sleeve of every player’s jersey, etc.) or that purple paisley border UEFA decided to have flashing around the perimeter of the field…I mean pitch…is going to be completely turned off.  I have never seen a less-American, less-manly logo in my entire life.  That logo even makes me want to turn away while watching these matches just because I feel like I turn a little more European and a lose a little of my American soul each time I see it…and I see it A LOT.

Started the new year off right with this three-bean-turkey-sweet-potato chili.

Facebook is Good For Something

Posted by a former professor of mine from Penn State...