I know there has been a lot said locally about the Washington Redskins home opener against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday September 20th, so I will do my best not to repeat too much of what anyone else had to say. The weather for the game was ideal and spirits going into game time were relatively high as the Rams have long since been surmised as a team beatable by just about anybody. The first quarter, without any one exciting play showed a Redskin offense that capably moved the ball down the field. The defense, however, showed a stark contrast in playmaking ability as they seemed relatively impenatrable. Cornelius Griffin, Chris Horton and London Fletcher all played remarkably. The defense as a whole managed to sharply improve their tackling skills, particularly on both special teams and punts. There were a few missed tackles which should have been easier to pinpoint as during the week prior, there were just too many to mention. I was just happy not to see our punting team being dragged down the field by punt returners until there were 4 or 5 more Redskin bodies attached to the pile. Hits were clean and some were even hard. Overall, the defense gave up something to the tune of 245 total yards to the Rams' offense.
Offensively, the Skins made notable improvements between 20-yard lines but something happened every time they found themselves in the red zone. 3 field goals by Suisham was all that was produced from 5 visits to the red zone. the field goals came from the 21, 28 and 23 yard lines which is hardly a challenge, even for the less-than-stellar track record of Suisham. While quarterback Jason Campbell showed far less fear during his game with the Rams, the trepidation in the red zone can be attributed to the play calling of Jim Zorn. This is a personal disappointment for me as I was a Zorn fan when he played with the Seahawls back in the early 80's and therefore should have a better understanding of the neccesity of letting the quarterback have some autonomy in scoring situations. Rather, Zorn simply placed the handcuffs on Campbell and called for the very plays the Rams' defense was ready for - the ensuing results proved that. what couldn't have possibly been called were the dropped touchdown passes by Mike Sellers and Devin Thomas. Those dropped passes is what likely marked the forfeit of the psychological and 12th man factor the Skins could have used to have a higher scoring game.
Bottom line, the game could have been a higher scoring game against one of the worst teams in the NFL. Bottom line, a "W" is a "W" regardless of how the Redskins come by it. However, what made this game memorable to me is the proverbial turning of the backs on the redskins by the fans. The booing started shortly before half time and resumed noticably in the last 5 minutes or so of the game. After taking the significant risk of trying to get into the end zone while only 2 or 3 yards away, the Redskins took a 2 yard loss on the last play of the series due to the aforementioned "most predictable play in the world". The Redskins defense did a great job at bringing the offense back onto the field literally where they left the ball just the series prior, the offense still couldn't get things done. From there, the clock had been run down to the point of even a Redskin turnover being a harmless folly and what the crowd got was one knee, two knees, three knees, four and the game was over. 9-7, Redskins beat the Rams - barely and not nearly as badly as they could have. The Rams team is still made up of relatively unknowns with no noteworthy players and so is generally still the same team they were last year. It has become clear what Jim Zorn needs to work on next - Jim Zorn. The fans are certainly tired of mediocrity and are looking forward to having something to look forward to rather than a repeat of last season. I know that building a team is not an overnight process but I certainly hope that as we go into next Sunday against the Detroit Lions we are able to look less like the team everyone seems to continue to see despite the improvements they have made. Let's go Skins......
Monday, September 21, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Never Back Down
I saw the preview for this movie while waiting for the main feature to come on in a theater sometime this past year. It looked engaging from the standpoint that I've always liked fight movies, so I thought I'd give it a shot......When it came out on one of the premium channels. Cinema movies are expensive any more! Not more than three weeks ago, Never Back Down made it's way to one such channel. I decided that one morning was the perfect time to watch it, so I did. Here are my thoughts...
Synopsis:
The movie is centered around high school student Jake Tyler, the star player on a high school football team who ended up being displaced to Florida after his younger brother scored a tennis scholarship. The brothers had recently lost their father in a drunk driving accident in which Jake was involved. Jake, feeling responsible for his father's death due to not insisting that he drive rather than his inebriated father, bears this burden which leads to an on-field fight during a football game that results in Jake being thrown off the team just prior to their departure to Florida. This fight plays a significant role shortly after the Tyler's arrival in Orlando, Florida. An angry Jake, a seemingly resentful Mrs. Tyler and an inexplicably oblivious younger brother Charlie find an apartment in Orlando and settle in, to include Jake going to a new high school. After vowing not to play football any more back in Iowa, Jake forays into this new school and immediately encounters an odd incident when he witnesses what appears to be a brutal fight on school grounds involving two boys and a small audience. Jake tries to stop the fight only to be intentionally struck by Max Cooperman, one of the participants and asked to leave by the observers of the fight. Later that day, Max engages Jake familiarly during lunch. Max explains that the fight Jake witnessed was sanctioned (it isn't made clear who "sanctioned"the fight, but anyways...) and that he is training under Jean Roqua, "one of the greats". As Jake begins to wonder where this conversation is headed, Max informs him that a video clip of Jake's fight on the football field in Iowa has circulated around the school and has already won him some popularity amongst the student body. Max begins to advise Jake that he needs to add more skill to his fighting repetoire and offers to bring Jake to where he trains but Jake rebuff's Max's offer.
Enter Baja Miller, the requisite sought-after high school girl. Jake catches her attention when he rescues her in the english class they have together and in turn, she invites him to a party which he accepts. Jake attends the party which is held at an elaborate house and is greeted by Max. As Max guides Jake through the house he introduces Jake to Ryan McCarthy, one of the observers of Max's earlier fight. Ryan begins to ask about Jake's background and lets on immediately that he knows quite a bit more about Jake than Jake thinks. As the three walk through what can only be described as a sea of bikini-clad girls, Ryan tells Jake that "this isn't where it's at".When Jake asks what Ryan means, Ryan directs Jake's attention over a railing to Ryan's back yard where there is a fight similar to what Jake witnessed Max being involved in going on. After watching several fights, Jake informs Ryan that fighting really isn't his scene. Ryan disagrees. Ryan begins to reveal to Jake that Jake was led to the party for one reason - to be the main event. When Jake indicates that Baja had invited him to the party, Ryan dispells any illusion that Baja is on the market by kissing her. As Jake wishes everyone good night and tries to leave, Ryan begins to goad Jake into fighting. When the initial inducements don't work, Ryan brings up Jake's father and implies Jake's responsibility in his father's death. This finally prompts Jake to fight. After a few minutes of fighting and grandstanding by Ryan, Jake is defeated.
After Jake misses a couple of days at school, Max shows up to Jake's apartment and re-extends the offer to join him at Jean Roqua's school and hands him a DVD with training and fight highlights. Jake initially refuses Max's second offer but shows up at the fight school later. Max greets him at the school and immediately introduces Jake to Jean Roqua, who instantly sees through Jake. Jean offers Jake to join the beginner's class with Max, but Max immediately advocates for Jake and Jake asks to be given a chance to be in the advanced class. Jean gives Jake a chance to jump into a conditioning routine with the class right then and there and convinces Jean that he is worthy to be in the advanced class. Upon earning a place in the advanced class, Jean informs Jake that if he is found to be fighting outside the gym that he would no longer be welcomed there. Jake agrees and begins to train.
Throughout the movie, Jake's rage seems to grow more out of control as tensions between him and his mother increase at home, Baja's apology is turned against her and Jake is resistant in the gym. His rage cumulates one day as a Hummer pulls too close to the rear bumper of Max's prize antique mustang at a stoplight after being asked to leave the gym for being too hot-headed. Jake exits the car and is met by the four large occupants of the Hummer. They exchange words with Jake and Jake lays them out savagely. Jake's next visit to the gym leads to Jean learning that Jake had fought outside the gym and Jake is summarily dismissed from the gym. Shortly thereafter, Jake and Max devise a plan to get Jake back into training, but not before Jake has another run-in with Ryan at a park where Ryan challenges Jake to fight him in "the Beatdown" the ultimate underground mixed martial arts tournament. The tournament takes place at a location undisclosed until the last minute. Jake and Max wait until Jean has to go food shopping and Jake follows Jean into the store to plead his case. After a tearful explanation of what Jake has gone through, Jean agrees to train Jake again. After a montage of training sprinkled with the rest of Jake's life coming together in all other facets to include making things right with Baja who had since broken up with Ryan over his cruelty, Jake decides to break the news to Max that he will not fight Ryan in the Beatdown. This news travels to Ryan through his friends who also inform Ryan that the "word on the street" is that Jake can defeat Ryan. Upon hearing this, Ryan lures Max to his house one night by picking him up from Jean Roqua's school and asking Max to share what he's learned with Ryan and his friends. Once they arrive at Ryan's house, Ryan beats Max mercilessly and Max is left in front of Jake's apartment complex. After one of Ryan's friends rings Jake's doorbell and runs off, Jake discovers his friend laid out on the sidewalk and goes to seek out Jean. Jake tells Jean what happened and what he intends to do. Jean tells him that if Jake chooses to fight Ryan in the Beatdown that Jake will never be allowed in the gym again. Jake refers to Jean's own family situation in which Jean's father held him responsible for the murder of his own brother which led to Jean's self-imposed exile from Brazil to Florida and how Jean must take up the fight for his father's forgiveness. Jake manages to tie Jean's situation into his own by saying that everyone has a fight and that backing down has it's consequences too. As Jake begins to make sense to Jean, Jean advises Jake to control the outcome.
Jake goes home to gear up for the beatdown and is discovered by his mother. He is forthright with her and heads to the club where the Beatdown is to take place. Jake wins fight after fight as does Ryan until Ryan gets disqualified for an illegal maneuver. Jake learns of this and taps out of a fight before he even makes contact with his opponent. Battered, Jake goes to leave the Beatdown with Baja when Ryan chases him out to the parking lot. After exchanging words yet again, Jake and Ryan fight in the parking lot where for the majority of the fight Ryan dominates Jake. Just when the fight appears to be over and Ryan is at serious risk of killing Jake, Jake takes control of the fight and knocks Ryan out.
The movie ends with Jake and Max going to the same park as earlier in the movie where Jake sees Ryan in the parking lot and they exchange knowing and respectful glances. Jake meets up with Baja and Max gets attention from another girl from their high school. The movie cuts away to Jean closing up the school and holding a plane ticket along with a picture of he and his father. Roll credits.
Review:
Yes, there is a scary similarity between this movie and the Karate Kid, this movie's predecessor by 24 years. Upgrade the fighting style from garden variety karate to Mixed Martial Arts, bring the cars and the pop culture/technology up to date and there you have it. Admittedly, the music was much better than that of the cheezy music featured in the Karate Kid. The entire movie lacks originality but sometimes you can appreciate a different version of the same thing over and over again. The actors were great though the writing in some of the lines was weak. The biggest name in the movie is Djimon Hounsou of "Blood Diamond" fame. Hounsou's character is a believable one as an immigrant from Senegal to Brazil to Florida who is fleeing his demons. The second biggest name in the movie was Cam Gigandet who played the part of antagonist Ryan McCarthy. If you watch the OC then you probably recognized him right away. Everyone else has a minimal major film or TV history with the exception of Leslie Hope, a movie and TV veteran who plays Jake's mother. Each actor and actress selected fit their part perfectly, though I feel they were let down by some weak writing.
Just like Daniel Laruso was the poor kid in a neighborhood of rich Californian kids, Jake Tyler was the financial inferior to his all-too-well-to-do Orlandoan counterparts. There was a definite contrast in the degree of wealth between The kids in the Karate Kid and those in Never Back Down. Name me one kid who can afford a brand new Cadillac Escalade with aftermarket rims on their own. Every kid, even the quirky Max lived in mansions that look like they're owned by Columbian drug lords. At least Daniel Laruso had a bike as Jake Tyler had only public transportation available to him. However, both Laruso and Tyler lived with their struggling single mothers in apartments that only accentuated their poverty - only Tyler had a sibling. Max kind of reminded me of Freddy from Karate Kid, but at least Max stuck around Jake where Freddy bailed after Daniel-san's first ass beating. Both Roqua and Miyagi lived where they trained their respective prodigies and both mentors were running away from their respective personal demons (although Miyagi's weren't revealed until the KK sequel.) Even Ali from the Karate Kid and Baja from NBD had striking similarities. Though Ali had already left her sadistic boyfriend and Baja hadn't yet seen the light until after the first fight, both were blonde and had 2 snotty sidekicks although you can replace one of Ali's nameless sidekicks from KK with a gay guy in NBD. Both Laruso and Tyler are accosted twice by their antagonists before getting their respective revenge in the end. I think that the difference between Miyagi supporting Laruso at the All-Valley tournament and Roqua not being there for Tyler in the Beatdown was lent to the fact that Roqua had to go face his fears where Miyagi had none. Both films only had a thin veil of an anti-violence message but ultimately both main characters' problems are solved directly through the use of violence. Heck, Johnny Lawrence and Daniel Laruso end up friends, though not flagrantly so as do Jake Tyler and Ryan McCarthy. There are so many similarities between the two movies that one only needs to watch one to have seen the other. If you're one of those people that the storyline never gets old, then it's a great movie, but certainly no better than any of the others with similar plots.
There were a couple of things in Never Back Down that didn't make sense to me, such as the indifference of younger brother Charlie to his own father's death. It's as though the younger sibling ended up with the coping skills that the older sibling should have had. I've already touched on the wealth factor of the kids in Orlando. I think it was a bit excessive and made the movie more unbelievable. (Not that a fight club organized by high school students that holds secret tournaments in public night clubs is too believable either.) To look at Faris (Tyler) and Gigandet (McCarthy), you can easily determine that they're a bit too old to be in high school. Of course casting actors in their young-20's to play high school kids is a widespread mistake being made in movies and TV alike these days anyway, so why should this movie be any different? There seemed to be an inconsistency in Roqua's policy on fighting outside the gym as Tyler was thrown out once and almost thrown out pre-emptively a second time for doing so. Max, the mouthpiece for Roqua's gym was found to be fighting outside the school and yet no consequences ever became of that. I'm sure if I watched the movie again, I'd be able to find a few more inconsistencies, but I'd rather not.
In spite of these shortcomings, I liked the movie. I particularly liked the music tracks used throughout the movie as they seem to fit perfectly song to scene. Each actor seemed to fill their respective roles adequately and though Sean Faris does look a bit like a recycled Tom Cruise, though that didn't seem to hurt his acting. I think the fight and training scenes were framed in homeroticism. I guess maybe the intent was to give the girlfriends who were dragged to see this movie something for their troubles but that's kind of hard to justify in a room full of mostly high school-aged boys who paid to see a brawler movie. If depth of charcter, unpredictability and complexity of plot that commands any level of thought is what you're after, then this movie is not for you. If all you're looking for is to be entertained for about 90 minutes and you're in the mood for a few fairly brutal fight scenes, this movie is as good as any other.
Synopsis:
The movie is centered around high school student Jake Tyler, the star player on a high school football team who ended up being displaced to Florida after his younger brother scored a tennis scholarship. The brothers had recently lost their father in a drunk driving accident in which Jake was involved. Jake, feeling responsible for his father's death due to not insisting that he drive rather than his inebriated father, bears this burden which leads to an on-field fight during a football game that results in Jake being thrown off the team just prior to their departure to Florida. This fight plays a significant role shortly after the Tyler's arrival in Orlando, Florida. An angry Jake, a seemingly resentful Mrs. Tyler and an inexplicably oblivious younger brother Charlie find an apartment in Orlando and settle in, to include Jake going to a new high school. After vowing not to play football any more back in Iowa, Jake forays into this new school and immediately encounters an odd incident when he witnesses what appears to be a brutal fight on school grounds involving two boys and a small audience. Jake tries to stop the fight only to be intentionally struck by Max Cooperman, one of the participants and asked to leave by the observers of the fight. Later that day, Max engages Jake familiarly during lunch. Max explains that the fight Jake witnessed was sanctioned (it isn't made clear who "sanctioned"the fight, but anyways...) and that he is training under Jean Roqua, "one of the greats". As Jake begins to wonder where this conversation is headed, Max informs him that a video clip of Jake's fight on the football field in Iowa has circulated around the school and has already won him some popularity amongst the student body. Max begins to advise Jake that he needs to add more skill to his fighting repetoire and offers to bring Jake to where he trains but Jake rebuff's Max's offer.
Enter Baja Miller, the requisite sought-after high school girl. Jake catches her attention when he rescues her in the english class they have together and in turn, she invites him to a party which he accepts. Jake attends the party which is held at an elaborate house and is greeted by Max. As Max guides Jake through the house he introduces Jake to Ryan McCarthy, one of the observers of Max's earlier fight. Ryan begins to ask about Jake's background and lets on immediately that he knows quite a bit more about Jake than Jake thinks. As the three walk through what can only be described as a sea of bikini-clad girls, Ryan tells Jake that "this isn't where it's at".When Jake asks what Ryan means, Ryan directs Jake's attention over a railing to Ryan's back yard where there is a fight similar to what Jake witnessed Max being involved in going on. After watching several fights, Jake informs Ryan that fighting really isn't his scene. Ryan disagrees. Ryan begins to reveal to Jake that Jake was led to the party for one reason - to be the main event. When Jake indicates that Baja had invited him to the party, Ryan dispells any illusion that Baja is on the market by kissing her. As Jake wishes everyone good night and tries to leave, Ryan begins to goad Jake into fighting. When the initial inducements don't work, Ryan brings up Jake's father and implies Jake's responsibility in his father's death. This finally prompts Jake to fight. After a few minutes of fighting and grandstanding by Ryan, Jake is defeated.
After Jake misses a couple of days at school, Max shows up to Jake's apartment and re-extends the offer to join him at Jean Roqua's school and hands him a DVD with training and fight highlights. Jake initially refuses Max's second offer but shows up at the fight school later. Max greets him at the school and immediately introduces Jake to Jean Roqua, who instantly sees through Jake. Jean offers Jake to join the beginner's class with Max, but Max immediately advocates for Jake and Jake asks to be given a chance to be in the advanced class. Jean gives Jake a chance to jump into a conditioning routine with the class right then and there and convinces Jean that he is worthy to be in the advanced class. Upon earning a place in the advanced class, Jean informs Jake that if he is found to be fighting outside the gym that he would no longer be welcomed there. Jake agrees and begins to train.
Throughout the movie, Jake's rage seems to grow more out of control as tensions between him and his mother increase at home, Baja's apology is turned against her and Jake is resistant in the gym. His rage cumulates one day as a Hummer pulls too close to the rear bumper of Max's prize antique mustang at a stoplight after being asked to leave the gym for being too hot-headed. Jake exits the car and is met by the four large occupants of the Hummer. They exchange words with Jake and Jake lays them out savagely. Jake's next visit to the gym leads to Jean learning that Jake had fought outside the gym and Jake is summarily dismissed from the gym. Shortly thereafter, Jake and Max devise a plan to get Jake back into training, but not before Jake has another run-in with Ryan at a park where Ryan challenges Jake to fight him in "the Beatdown" the ultimate underground mixed martial arts tournament. The tournament takes place at a location undisclosed until the last minute. Jake and Max wait until Jean has to go food shopping and Jake follows Jean into the store to plead his case. After a tearful explanation of what Jake has gone through, Jean agrees to train Jake again. After a montage of training sprinkled with the rest of Jake's life coming together in all other facets to include making things right with Baja who had since broken up with Ryan over his cruelty, Jake decides to break the news to Max that he will not fight Ryan in the Beatdown. This news travels to Ryan through his friends who also inform Ryan that the "word on the street" is that Jake can defeat Ryan. Upon hearing this, Ryan lures Max to his house one night by picking him up from Jean Roqua's school and asking Max to share what he's learned with Ryan and his friends. Once they arrive at Ryan's house, Ryan beats Max mercilessly and Max is left in front of Jake's apartment complex. After one of Ryan's friends rings Jake's doorbell and runs off, Jake discovers his friend laid out on the sidewalk and goes to seek out Jean. Jake tells Jean what happened and what he intends to do. Jean tells him that if Jake chooses to fight Ryan in the Beatdown that Jake will never be allowed in the gym again. Jake refers to Jean's own family situation in which Jean's father held him responsible for the murder of his own brother which led to Jean's self-imposed exile from Brazil to Florida and how Jean must take up the fight for his father's forgiveness. Jake manages to tie Jean's situation into his own by saying that everyone has a fight and that backing down has it's consequences too. As Jake begins to make sense to Jean, Jean advises Jake to control the outcome.
Jake goes home to gear up for the beatdown and is discovered by his mother. He is forthright with her and heads to the club where the Beatdown is to take place. Jake wins fight after fight as does Ryan until Ryan gets disqualified for an illegal maneuver. Jake learns of this and taps out of a fight before he even makes contact with his opponent. Battered, Jake goes to leave the Beatdown with Baja when Ryan chases him out to the parking lot. After exchanging words yet again, Jake and Ryan fight in the parking lot where for the majority of the fight Ryan dominates Jake. Just when the fight appears to be over and Ryan is at serious risk of killing Jake, Jake takes control of the fight and knocks Ryan out.
The movie ends with Jake and Max going to the same park as earlier in the movie where Jake sees Ryan in the parking lot and they exchange knowing and respectful glances. Jake meets up with Baja and Max gets attention from another girl from their high school. The movie cuts away to Jean closing up the school and holding a plane ticket along with a picture of he and his father. Roll credits.
Review:
Yes, there is a scary similarity between this movie and the Karate Kid, this movie's predecessor by 24 years. Upgrade the fighting style from garden variety karate to Mixed Martial Arts, bring the cars and the pop culture/technology up to date and there you have it. Admittedly, the music was much better than that of the cheezy music featured in the Karate Kid. The entire movie lacks originality but sometimes you can appreciate a different version of the same thing over and over again. The actors were great though the writing in some of the lines was weak. The biggest name in the movie is Djimon Hounsou of "Blood Diamond" fame. Hounsou's character is a believable one as an immigrant from Senegal to Brazil to Florida who is fleeing his demons. The second biggest name in the movie was Cam Gigandet who played the part of antagonist Ryan McCarthy. If you watch the OC then you probably recognized him right away. Everyone else has a minimal major film or TV history with the exception of Leslie Hope, a movie and TV veteran who plays Jake's mother. Each actor and actress selected fit their part perfectly, though I feel they were let down by some weak writing.
Just like Daniel Laruso was the poor kid in a neighborhood of rich Californian kids, Jake Tyler was the financial inferior to his all-too-well-to-do Orlandoan counterparts. There was a definite contrast in the degree of wealth between The kids in the Karate Kid and those in Never Back Down. Name me one kid who can afford a brand new Cadillac Escalade with aftermarket rims on their own. Every kid, even the quirky Max lived in mansions that look like they're owned by Columbian drug lords. At least Daniel Laruso had a bike as Jake Tyler had only public transportation available to him. However, both Laruso and Tyler lived with their struggling single mothers in apartments that only accentuated their poverty - only Tyler had a sibling. Max kind of reminded me of Freddy from Karate Kid, but at least Max stuck around Jake where Freddy bailed after Daniel-san's first ass beating. Both Roqua and Miyagi lived where they trained their respective prodigies and both mentors were running away from their respective personal demons (although Miyagi's weren't revealed until the KK sequel.) Even Ali from the Karate Kid and Baja from NBD had striking similarities. Though Ali had already left her sadistic boyfriend and Baja hadn't yet seen the light until after the first fight, both were blonde and had 2 snotty sidekicks although you can replace one of Ali's nameless sidekicks from KK with a gay guy in NBD. Both Laruso and Tyler are accosted twice by their antagonists before getting their respective revenge in the end. I think that the difference between Miyagi supporting Laruso at the All-Valley tournament and Roqua not being there for Tyler in the Beatdown was lent to the fact that Roqua had to go face his fears where Miyagi had none. Both films only had a thin veil of an anti-violence message but ultimately both main characters' problems are solved directly through the use of violence. Heck, Johnny Lawrence and Daniel Laruso end up friends, though not flagrantly so as do Jake Tyler and Ryan McCarthy. There are so many similarities between the two movies that one only needs to watch one to have seen the other. If you're one of those people that the storyline never gets old, then it's a great movie, but certainly no better than any of the others with similar plots.
There were a couple of things in Never Back Down that didn't make sense to me, such as the indifference of younger brother Charlie to his own father's death. It's as though the younger sibling ended up with the coping skills that the older sibling should have had. I've already touched on the wealth factor of the kids in Orlando. I think it was a bit excessive and made the movie more unbelievable. (Not that a fight club organized by high school students that holds secret tournaments in public night clubs is too believable either.) To look at Faris (Tyler) and Gigandet (McCarthy), you can easily determine that they're a bit too old to be in high school. Of course casting actors in their young-20's to play high school kids is a widespread mistake being made in movies and TV alike these days anyway, so why should this movie be any different? There seemed to be an inconsistency in Roqua's policy on fighting outside the gym as Tyler was thrown out once and almost thrown out pre-emptively a second time for doing so. Max, the mouthpiece for Roqua's gym was found to be fighting outside the school and yet no consequences ever became of that. I'm sure if I watched the movie again, I'd be able to find a few more inconsistencies, but I'd rather not.
In spite of these shortcomings, I liked the movie. I particularly liked the music tracks used throughout the movie as they seem to fit perfectly song to scene. Each actor seemed to fill their respective roles adequately and though Sean Faris does look a bit like a recycled Tom Cruise, though that didn't seem to hurt his acting. I think the fight and training scenes were framed in homeroticism. I guess maybe the intent was to give the girlfriends who were dragged to see this movie something for their troubles but that's kind of hard to justify in a room full of mostly high school-aged boys who paid to see a brawler movie. If depth of charcter, unpredictability and complexity of plot that commands any level of thought is what you're after, then this movie is not for you. If all you're looking for is to be entertained for about 90 minutes and you're in the mood for a few fairly brutal fight scenes, this movie is as good as any other.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Coming Home To Roost
I know I haven't written anything in a while, as seems to be the case more and more often these days. When you have a life such as mine, it's not every day something noteworthy happens and I have learned that dwelling on any one thing or another is just tiresome. I figure what the heck, I'll just wait until I have a few things to talk about and write when I have time. Well, that has certainly happened and I certainly have the time and inclination to write now so here it goes-
We received some wonderful news in the mail the other day. Before I go into what kind of good news it was that we had received, it will involve a backstory so I will give it here. Not long after the beginning of the year, I had made the mistake of writing a column about certain personal viewpoints and made the greater mistake of incorporating my accounting of an event involving some family members into the column. This prompted a reader that I didn't know I had to surreptitiously take a very specific course of action against me that could have produced extremely adverse consequences, the nature of which were certainly not commensurate with the event that I had detailed. The results of this person's interference in my affairs (which I can honestly say I invited upon myself by posting family affairs online for all to read.) ended up being a very stressful time and involved a specific organization which put our family life under a microscope. We were given a reprieve in the form of being "asked" to attend classes sponsored by this same organization. Initially, our attendance of this class was reluctant however as time went on we were grateful to be there. We learned a lot and we have put some of the things we have learned to good use. When the interference of this organization first started in our lives, we obsessed over who might have taken this course of action against us. Throughout our time in the class, we still wondered who felt that they had the right to involve this organization in our lives. Now the class we were encouraged to attend is over and we have done our part to correspond with this organization in regards to the completion of their class. We also had since let go of our obsession over who might have done this to us to the point of it not even beeing a fleeting thought. This is where the good news comes in...
We received a letter from this organization acknowledging our compliance with their suggestions and commending us for the same. Along with outlining what the final outcome would be as far as the organization is concerned, the letter informed us of our right to have disclosed to us the identity of the person who involved this organization in our lives if we feel that the call placed to this organization was made out of malice. We believe it was. We also have a good idea of who is responsible for this. Discussions have been held with legal counsel and a course of action has already been decided upon. Because I am more mature than to specifically mention the name of the person we already know is responsible for this act against us, I only have one question for that person.... How nervous are you right now?
We received some wonderful news in the mail the other day. Before I go into what kind of good news it was that we had received, it will involve a backstory so I will give it here. Not long after the beginning of the year, I had made the mistake of writing a column about certain personal viewpoints and made the greater mistake of incorporating my accounting of an event involving some family members into the column. This prompted a reader that I didn't know I had to surreptitiously take a very specific course of action against me that could have produced extremely adverse consequences, the nature of which were certainly not commensurate with the event that I had detailed. The results of this person's interference in my affairs (which I can honestly say I invited upon myself by posting family affairs online for all to read.) ended up being a very stressful time and involved a specific organization which put our family life under a microscope. We were given a reprieve in the form of being "asked" to attend classes sponsored by this same organization. Initially, our attendance of this class was reluctant however as time went on we were grateful to be there. We learned a lot and we have put some of the things we have learned to good use. When the interference of this organization first started in our lives, we obsessed over who might have taken this course of action against us. Throughout our time in the class, we still wondered who felt that they had the right to involve this organization in our lives. Now the class we were encouraged to attend is over and we have done our part to correspond with this organization in regards to the completion of their class. We also had since let go of our obsession over who might have done this to us to the point of it not even beeing a fleeting thought. This is where the good news comes in...
We received a letter from this organization acknowledging our compliance with their suggestions and commending us for the same. Along with outlining what the final outcome would be as far as the organization is concerned, the letter informed us of our right to have disclosed to us the identity of the person who involved this organization in our lives if we feel that the call placed to this organization was made out of malice. We believe it was. We also have a good idea of who is responsible for this. Discussions have been held with legal counsel and a course of action has already been decided upon. Because I am more mature than to specifically mention the name of the person we already know is responsible for this act against us, I only have one question for that person.... How nervous are you right now?
Thursday, July 9, 2009
MMA?
OK folks, here's the long-and-short of it: I'm bored!!! I haven't written about my fitness quest in a long time and here's why - I fell asleep reading it myself! GOD I'm boring! It's been the same stuff over and over for a year. Yeah, I tried some Crossfit stuff and I've talked about the diet I just can't seem to hold to. I have definitely planed out and I haven't seen results since I-don't-know-when. I keep lifting and the weight numbers keep going up and I swear I'm not getting any bigger. My run time hasn't moved in what I feel like is months. Every time I run it's the same - 2 miles in 17-something. OK, I get it. I'm aging and should not look to achieve the greatness I once achieved in the Army. I've had little problems here and there throughout the year, but hey, I'm a far cry from where I was this time last year when I thought I was starting to look good. I saw beach pictures from last year and I cringed. I guess I should expect progress to be slow at this point. But anyway, that's not why I'm here...
I got to play basketball for a thing at work a couple of months ago and I was thrilled. It was something that while I didn't see myself being too good at it, I got to do it and it just felt great to do something different. I miss mixing it up like I used to in the beginning of this whole attempt at getting in shape. Swimming was great in the beginning but now that's out of the equation as the pool's availability became sparce. Biking was a good alternate dry-land kind of thing but I got bored quickly (as many tend to do on a stationary bike). The elyptical machine has probably been my best friend, although my more memorable achievements have been on the treadmill which has conversely not been my friend throughout the year. It is now that I find myself at a critical junction in my endeavor. It's time yet again to switch things up. I think back to my one-time experience with basketball a couple of months ago and I know it's time to do something new, something that will stay with me even if only for a little while.
I was made mildly curious about MMA a little less than a year ago by an old neighbor of mine. I'm not big into watching it, but I wouldn't mind participating. Not to fight, but just for the training. I wrestled in high school and got out of high school with very limited boxing skills. I picked up boxing again 11 years later when I returned to the Army and got fairly good at it. I never made anything out of it really, but I look upon the wrestling and boxing skills as a good base for Mixed Martial Arts. I also did various martial arts over the span of 17 years which would be helpful in training. Sometime in 2005, the Army introduced MMA as the official combatives of the Army, so I got a year's worth of MMA training with my unit before I got out. I miss it. I remember looking forward to Wednesday morning PT sessions when we would do 'combatives' (MMA). I actually got fairly good at it and wanted to go into competition on post, but because of some physical restrictions, I wasn't allowed to. The same went for the various levels of certification that one could get through the Army to become an instructor. My point is, I loved doing it and I think I want to get back to it. It would be a great new thing to do for cardio and it would definitely break the monotony of running. Problems - time, partners and resources (facilities). It would certainly ensure that I would start doing the stretching that I need to be doing and haven't been. It would force me to build an entirely different stamina than what you get from running (although I imagine running would still be an integral part of conditioning.) I also see a therapeutic aspect of this training for me as well. I see being able to get out a number of aggressions through the training. Not hurting anybody, but the struggle that MMA becomes would be excellent for that purpose. There's always something that can be taken away from training like that. Lots to apply to real life scenarios. One of these days I hope to find the resources and the time to train. I guess until then it's going to be sticking to the old routine.
I got to play basketball for a thing at work a couple of months ago and I was thrilled. It was something that while I didn't see myself being too good at it, I got to do it and it just felt great to do something different. I miss mixing it up like I used to in the beginning of this whole attempt at getting in shape. Swimming was great in the beginning but now that's out of the equation as the pool's availability became sparce. Biking was a good alternate dry-land kind of thing but I got bored quickly (as many tend to do on a stationary bike). The elyptical machine has probably been my best friend, although my more memorable achievements have been on the treadmill which has conversely not been my friend throughout the year. It is now that I find myself at a critical junction in my endeavor. It's time yet again to switch things up. I think back to my one-time experience with basketball a couple of months ago and I know it's time to do something new, something that will stay with me even if only for a little while.
I was made mildly curious about MMA a little less than a year ago by an old neighbor of mine. I'm not big into watching it, but I wouldn't mind participating. Not to fight, but just for the training. I wrestled in high school and got out of high school with very limited boxing skills. I picked up boxing again 11 years later when I returned to the Army and got fairly good at it. I never made anything out of it really, but I look upon the wrestling and boxing skills as a good base for Mixed Martial Arts. I also did various martial arts over the span of 17 years which would be helpful in training. Sometime in 2005, the Army introduced MMA as the official combatives of the Army, so I got a year's worth of MMA training with my unit before I got out. I miss it. I remember looking forward to Wednesday morning PT sessions when we would do 'combatives' (MMA). I actually got fairly good at it and wanted to go into competition on post, but because of some physical restrictions, I wasn't allowed to. The same went for the various levels of certification that one could get through the Army to become an instructor. My point is, I loved doing it and I think I want to get back to it. It would be a great new thing to do for cardio and it would definitely break the monotony of running. Problems - time, partners and resources (facilities). It would certainly ensure that I would start doing the stretching that I need to be doing and haven't been. It would force me to build an entirely different stamina than what you get from running (although I imagine running would still be an integral part of conditioning.) I also see a therapeutic aspect of this training for me as well. I see being able to get out a number of aggressions through the training. Not hurting anybody, but the struggle that MMA becomes would be excellent for that purpose. There's always something that can be taken away from training like that. Lots to apply to real life scenarios. One of these days I hope to find the resources and the time to train. I guess until then it's going to be sticking to the old routine.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Michael Jackson
Well, it's pretty much old news now that Michael Jackson has left us. I was in fourth grade and living in the Seattle suburbs when "Thriller" first came out. I remember I had 5 Michael Jackson pins and obviously my copy of "Thriller" on cassette that I'm surprised lasted as long as it did for having been played so much. As time went on, I relocated with my family to Connecticut after my 6th grade year and that ended the happy memories I had of my childhood as the town we relocated to was a bit of a culture shock for me. Not long after I moved there, Michael Jackson had put out "Bad" which didn't have the appeal that "Thriller" had but still made me think back to living in Washington state and all the people who were a part of my life there. I remember the boat my father had which found itself in Lake Sammamish, Lake Washington or Lake Union almost every weekend possible. I remember the architecture of the houses, the layout of the schools, the mountains, the trees and overall just pure happiness. Maybe that happiness was just ignorance of the real world. Nonetheless, if I could relive any part of my childhood, my time in Seattle would be it. Time stood still and I had plenty of friends to bide my time. What seemed like all the while, Michael was playing in the background.
Now he's gone. A major contributor to the soundtrack for the happiest time in my childhood is gone and unlike so many other performing artists that have died during my time on this earth, his death hurts. If I had to guess why it hurts like it does, I would guess that it is because memories don't last for me now and any memories I may have are valuable to me. Ever since my last time in Iraq, I have struggled to remember even some of the happier times in my life - but they've all been wiped out of my memory banks. Fortunately, every time I heard some music from that time I can remember little bits of being in one place or another. Michael Jackson always brought me back to Bellevue, Seattle, Mercer Island, YMCA summer camps, soccer, fourth grade, break dancing, SeaFair........ Just happiness.
What I can't believe is the merciless way people are treating his death. It has gone from tragedy to travesty and fodder for rumors and speculation. This has happened and it happened in no time flat. All the talk of Michael's debt, who's getting his kids and why he died has become the focal point of his death rather than the fact that 25 years after what most would call his most relevant work, he could still pack stadiums and collect premium prices for each seat. There weren't many other performing artists that would have turned down having Michael Jackson collaborate with them on a song. Bands such as Alien Ant Farm re-made songs of his and did so tastefully. Despite his very sad personal life, Michael Jackson was a legend in his own time. Any time the television, the papers or the internet has something to say about Debbie Rowe claiming that the children she's mothered aren't Michael Jackson's hurts and angers me. Why is it that he's not been buried yet and already, people are trampling on his grave? The bitterness which has spawned the lack of remorse in Mrs. Rowe has created a caricature of a true worldwide superstar as a dysfunctional freak. Even as I sit here and think about it, the thought saddens me almost to tears. I guess I'm just being protective of someone who is such an integral part of the fondest childhood memory I have and I don't want him turned into something he has never been to me. Even at 36 years old watching his videos on Youtube, I feel the child I used to be wishing I could have met him or that I was able to dance like he did. Nothing is sadder than knowing that I'll never see him dance again but through his old videos. I always excused the plastic surgeries and the skin pigmentations and I never believed that he mistreated any child that he allowed in his home. If it's alright with everyone else, I'll stick with those opinions.
I'm sure I'm not the only person who feels this way. To watch clips of his performances in various countries and see how people in the audience still cry and faint like they did in 1983 makes me wonder how there's anyone who is capable of, for lack of a better term, trying to villify Michael Jackson. Without trying, the man brought people together. He loved the world and he tried to make us all smile. He made grown-ups and children alike happy, even if only for a few minutes at a time. The way he met his end is tragic. I think he died of a broken heart. Honestly, the way he was treated by the media that put him on such a pedestal most of his life also hung him in effigy and cast doubt into the minds of one-time fans. I can see why that might be too much to bear for one person. When I heard that Michael Jackson died, part of me died too. I will forever listen to his songs, trying to recapture the same happiness I felt as a child while listening to his music. I'll miss you Mike. You are not alone.
Now he's gone. A major contributor to the soundtrack for the happiest time in my childhood is gone and unlike so many other performing artists that have died during my time on this earth, his death hurts. If I had to guess why it hurts like it does, I would guess that it is because memories don't last for me now and any memories I may have are valuable to me. Ever since my last time in Iraq, I have struggled to remember even some of the happier times in my life - but they've all been wiped out of my memory banks. Fortunately, every time I heard some music from that time I can remember little bits of being in one place or another. Michael Jackson always brought me back to Bellevue, Seattle, Mercer Island, YMCA summer camps, soccer, fourth grade, break dancing, SeaFair........ Just happiness.
What I can't believe is the merciless way people are treating his death. It has gone from tragedy to travesty and fodder for rumors and speculation. This has happened and it happened in no time flat. All the talk of Michael's debt, who's getting his kids and why he died has become the focal point of his death rather than the fact that 25 years after what most would call his most relevant work, he could still pack stadiums and collect premium prices for each seat. There weren't many other performing artists that would have turned down having Michael Jackson collaborate with them on a song. Bands such as Alien Ant Farm re-made songs of his and did so tastefully. Despite his very sad personal life, Michael Jackson was a legend in his own time. Any time the television, the papers or the internet has something to say about Debbie Rowe claiming that the children she's mothered aren't Michael Jackson's hurts and angers me. Why is it that he's not been buried yet and already, people are trampling on his grave? The bitterness which has spawned the lack of remorse in Mrs. Rowe has created a caricature of a true worldwide superstar as a dysfunctional freak. Even as I sit here and think about it, the thought saddens me almost to tears. I guess I'm just being protective of someone who is such an integral part of the fondest childhood memory I have and I don't want him turned into something he has never been to me. Even at 36 years old watching his videos on Youtube, I feel the child I used to be wishing I could have met him or that I was able to dance like he did. Nothing is sadder than knowing that I'll never see him dance again but through his old videos. I always excused the plastic surgeries and the skin pigmentations and I never believed that he mistreated any child that he allowed in his home. If it's alright with everyone else, I'll stick with those opinions.
I'm sure I'm not the only person who feels this way. To watch clips of his performances in various countries and see how people in the audience still cry and faint like they did in 1983 makes me wonder how there's anyone who is capable of, for lack of a better term, trying to villify Michael Jackson. Without trying, the man brought people together. He loved the world and he tried to make us all smile. He made grown-ups and children alike happy, even if only for a few minutes at a time. The way he met his end is tragic. I think he died of a broken heart. Honestly, the way he was treated by the media that put him on such a pedestal most of his life also hung him in effigy and cast doubt into the minds of one-time fans. I can see why that might be too much to bear for one person. When I heard that Michael Jackson died, part of me died too. I will forever listen to his songs, trying to recapture the same happiness I felt as a child while listening to his music. I'll miss you Mike. You are not alone.
Friday, June 19, 2009
This Healthcare Business...
I've been reading a lot about what the President is trying to do with healthcare and it scares me. I don't want socialized medicine and I am certainly not a proponent of the government telling private industries what they can and can't do either, but what has gone on in the health care industry (as with many other industries) is criminal. The free market may apply to a lot of things, but it doesn't apply to health care and it hasn't since the advent of insurance companies. The problem with health care isn't quality of care. There are two contributors to what is wrong with modern day health care - overzealous doctors performing unneccesary procedures and charging unreasonable amounts for things like aspirin and insurance companies that feel they may regulate what procedures a patient will get by deciding that they will or won't pay for certain things.
The root of the problem is that medicine (the practice) is not an across-the-board industry. You can take the same ailment to ten different health care practitioners and get ten different courses of treatment. There is no one right way to deal with any one ailment, though there are certainly plenty of wrong ways. I will not sit here and argue that overzealous doctors are the problem because without doctors like that, my father would be dying of cancer as we speak. I have seen some fairly aggressive diagnistics being done on battlefield injuries to include three different types of imaging done to find one tiny piece of metal. Sometimes, that kind of proactive treatment (or run-up to treatment) is necessary and will be worth the cost to a patient, particularly if it saves their lives or spares them a lifetime of pain. I don't however agree with being charged the cost of a bottle of perfectly effective aspirin for a single aspirin in a hospital. If I have to pay $5 for an aspirin, I should be handed the whole bottle. It's as though the health care industry doesn't think that people like me know how to bargain shop. If I can do it, why can't they?
The other demon of the health care industry is the conglomerate of insurance companies involved in the health care racket. Of course all of these companies claim to have medical professionals who apparently have become involved in claims departments. Ever stop to think what kind of doctor is making decisions as to what the company they represent will and won't pay for? Probably the type that you wouldn't want working on you in the first place.... And that's your best case scenario. the worst case is that they have people with no medical experience whatsoever examining your claim and making decisions as to what will be paid for. I find this equally disturbing. Seeing as though doctors, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants and the like are the medical professsionals, I trust their judgment more so than I would a 'suit' in what's best for me when I am sick or injured. I feel that if those companies who wish to dabble in the insurance game feel they have the power to deny claims, then they should be governed by being held to the same hippocratical oath as doctors are.
Don't get me wrong, I don't really think that the free market on the whole should be regulated, but when it comes to life and those things that determine one's well-being, I think there has to be something governing that leg of industry. This includes banking. Money has a direct link to well-being. Money will buy your transportation to work, pay for the health care you need and buy you a house and therefore is directly tied to one's well-being. There are entirely too many predators out there who are willing to bilk you out of money and by some obscure regulation (or absence of regulation) are allowed to do so. There are plenty of doctors out there who take cash, credit or would be all too happy to bill you. As I may have mentioned in an earlier column I wrote, what would be wrong with putting the money one would ordinarily invest in their health care into an interest bearing account? Insurance is the same thing but the money goes into a 'kitty' more or less, all the while these people are betting on the fact that you will more often than not be healthy. Think of the kind of money you must pay per month (based entirely on your age, family history of medical issues, etc.) while not seeking treatment. Now combine that with the millions of others paying the same health care provider as you who aren't currently seeking treatment of any kind. You'd think there would be an overabundance of money to pay for your claim in its entirety because after all, that's what you pay them for. Unfortunately, there isn't because an obscene amount of that money is going to the top 20% of those running that company, to include the head of the claims department who denied the claim for your $2000 MRI.
Why not be your own HMO or PPO? Put whatever amount of money you wish into an interest bearing account while you live a healthy life and when the time comes, you'll have the money to pay for whatever procedure or prescription you want or need. I understand that this makes heath care coverage an individual responsibility, but that's precisely what it ought to be. The same could be said for auto insurance. If free market is what you want, then the consumer has to empower themselves against those that feel that they can regulate what you pay for certain items. I was charged for one-half of a tire during my last auto accident. Never mind that there was nothing wrong with the wheel or tire that was replaced. The insurance company determined that a tire needed to be replaced which had half of its life left and decided that because they felt that I had to have a new tire, that I would be responsible for half the cost. It is this mentality that insurance companies have been allowed to build up to because we have relied upon them for the past 60 years. There is a way to evade this kind of reckless and involuntary spending of the money in your pocket by a company who has been collecting premiums from you for what's likely been years - become more self-sufficient. This will choke out an industry that nobody likes anyway and deters the government from feeling as though they have to step in and regulate or overhaul the health care industry. Without insurance companies (or should I say "with the power returned directly to the consumer"), the quacks and the hacks will quickly be weeded out and prices for medicine and medical procedures will become competitive again while quality will not only not suffer, it will improve.
The root of the problem is that medicine (the practice) is not an across-the-board industry. You can take the same ailment to ten different health care practitioners and get ten different courses of treatment. There is no one right way to deal with any one ailment, though there are certainly plenty of wrong ways. I will not sit here and argue that overzealous doctors are the problem because without doctors like that, my father would be dying of cancer as we speak. I have seen some fairly aggressive diagnistics being done on battlefield injuries to include three different types of imaging done to find one tiny piece of metal. Sometimes, that kind of proactive treatment (or run-up to treatment) is necessary and will be worth the cost to a patient, particularly if it saves their lives or spares them a lifetime of pain. I don't however agree with being charged the cost of a bottle of perfectly effective aspirin for a single aspirin in a hospital. If I have to pay $5 for an aspirin, I should be handed the whole bottle. It's as though the health care industry doesn't think that people like me know how to bargain shop. If I can do it, why can't they?
The other demon of the health care industry is the conglomerate of insurance companies involved in the health care racket. Of course all of these companies claim to have medical professionals who apparently have become involved in claims departments. Ever stop to think what kind of doctor is making decisions as to what the company they represent will and won't pay for? Probably the type that you wouldn't want working on you in the first place.... And that's your best case scenario. the worst case is that they have people with no medical experience whatsoever examining your claim and making decisions as to what will be paid for. I find this equally disturbing. Seeing as though doctors, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants and the like are the medical professsionals, I trust their judgment more so than I would a 'suit' in what's best for me when I am sick or injured. I feel that if those companies who wish to dabble in the insurance game feel they have the power to deny claims, then they should be governed by being held to the same hippocratical oath as doctors are.
Don't get me wrong, I don't really think that the free market on the whole should be regulated, but when it comes to life and those things that determine one's well-being, I think there has to be something governing that leg of industry. This includes banking. Money has a direct link to well-being. Money will buy your transportation to work, pay for the health care you need and buy you a house and therefore is directly tied to one's well-being. There are entirely too many predators out there who are willing to bilk you out of money and by some obscure regulation (or absence of regulation) are allowed to do so. There are plenty of doctors out there who take cash, credit or would be all too happy to bill you. As I may have mentioned in an earlier column I wrote, what would be wrong with putting the money one would ordinarily invest in their health care into an interest bearing account? Insurance is the same thing but the money goes into a 'kitty' more or less, all the while these people are betting on the fact that you will more often than not be healthy. Think of the kind of money you must pay per month (based entirely on your age, family history of medical issues, etc.) while not seeking treatment. Now combine that with the millions of others paying the same health care provider as you who aren't currently seeking treatment of any kind. You'd think there would be an overabundance of money to pay for your claim in its entirety because after all, that's what you pay them for. Unfortunately, there isn't because an obscene amount of that money is going to the top 20% of those running that company, to include the head of the claims department who denied the claim for your $2000 MRI.
Why not be your own HMO or PPO? Put whatever amount of money you wish into an interest bearing account while you live a healthy life and when the time comes, you'll have the money to pay for whatever procedure or prescription you want or need. I understand that this makes heath care coverage an individual responsibility, but that's precisely what it ought to be. The same could be said for auto insurance. If free market is what you want, then the consumer has to empower themselves against those that feel that they can regulate what you pay for certain items. I was charged for one-half of a tire during my last auto accident. Never mind that there was nothing wrong with the wheel or tire that was replaced. The insurance company determined that a tire needed to be replaced which had half of its life left and decided that because they felt that I had to have a new tire, that I would be responsible for half the cost. It is this mentality that insurance companies have been allowed to build up to because we have relied upon them for the past 60 years. There is a way to evade this kind of reckless and involuntary spending of the money in your pocket by a company who has been collecting premiums from you for what's likely been years - become more self-sufficient. This will choke out an industry that nobody likes anyway and deters the government from feeling as though they have to step in and regulate or overhaul the health care industry. Without insurance companies (or should I say "with the power returned directly to the consumer"), the quacks and the hacks will quickly be weeded out and prices for medicine and medical procedures will become competitive again while quality will not only not suffer, it will improve.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Tying The Hands of Time...
I managed to get up to Connecticut this past weekend to play golf for a children's hospital at the behest of a friend of mine local to that area. "A good time" I thought. "It'll be nice to see how the area has changed." After a relatively daunting trip with a few muckity-muck traffic areas, particularly that of the Meritt Parkway, I made it to my destination. I saw friends along the way and made some new ones as well. What was amazing to me was how little things had changed in Connecticut. It was as though I had gone through a time warp back to 2000, which might as well have been 1993. Everything looked exactly the same. It was odd, however to travel on a bit of highway that I traveled back when it was first built and see it in a decrepit state. Quite frankly, that was one of the only markers of any passage of time that I had seen. After spending time in Tolland, I managed to get up to the Simsbury/Granby area and see a couple of people. What I found particularly interesting and a bit sad was how quiet things had become in my old stomping grounds. Not the good quiet - it was as though the place had been abandoned. Businesses had been refaced and others had changed hands. A Getty gas station had shut down completely and its sign was literally devoid of any color from having been beaten by the sun. Strange, I thought, for Simsbury to let any property become an eyesore. The place felt dirtier than I ever remember it feeling. It wasn't quite overwhelming but definitely distracting. It was as though the town of Simsbury had become a shell of its former self. Not that it was ever a bustling metropolis but at least it was a bit more lively. The entire weekend was gray, but it was still a great time. My golf game was garbage which I had half expected it to be, but it was made up for by comparitively good playing on the part of the rest of my threesome. I got a few good pictures and we had a lot of great laughs. I was excited to wake up after the first night there to find out that my next visit there had been already set in stone. This is good because I feel drawn to see more of this change/lack of change...
As I've said already, it was good to be back but there was a deifinite sadness and melancholy to my having been there. I did say at some point that I thought it might be a bittersweet experience returning to Connecticut and it was. Sweet to see my friends and have such a good time but bitter to see what parts of my formulative youth have become.
As I've said already, it was good to be back but there was a deifinite sadness and melancholy to my having been there. I did say at some point that I thought it might be a bittersweet experience returning to Connecticut and it was. Sweet to see my friends and have such a good time but bitter to see what parts of my formulative youth have become.
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