This one won't be long today dear readers, but I think its important and I hope you will read it!
Like many die-hard Razorback fans, I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the program that Coach Bobby Petrino has built in his four years at Arkansas. Seemingly, he has done it the right way, building an identity, having a plan, building depth from the ground up and then developing the talent available and taking it to a higher level. Because of that plan, hard work by the coaches and players, and the support of the fans, Arkansas enjoys one of its highest rankings ever and is now pointed to a game on Friday with SEC West Rival and Top Ranked LSU. The winner has a good chance of playing for a national championship. It feels good to just be able to say that out loud. PLAY for a national CHAMPIONSHIP. I can remember the minutes just after Arkansas beat Duke in 1994 for the Basketball National Championship. Elation and joy are two terms that come to mind.
Sunday, I was driving home from Memphis and listened to several different sports talk shows discussing the BCS Bowl picture and the messes that could possibly be created. Callers and hosts were arguing their points vehemently, talking about how "criminal" the system was and how its architects should be shot or hanged or worse! Really? It's football guys. Fans get so worked up over their teams and the perceived slights they have received. How this team deserves this and depriving the players of this opportunity was more unfair to them than anything imaginable.
I remembered that caller vividly when I got the news regarding Garrett Uekman and his untimely death. His being 19 and not living any longer is much more unfair than not playing in a BCS bowl game. I have attended a few more funerals this year than I have in the past. As we get older, friends and family age and become ill and pass. Its a fact of life. Without exception, the funerals I have attended have all shared a theme of the loved one going on to a better place, leaving their pain behind, or being in a much better state. The tragedy regarding Garett Uekman was that he wasn't suffering anything that we know of. His health was good, he was doing what he loved where he wanted to do it and was surrounded by a strong cast of friends. By every account I have read he was a good person, someone you would want your kids to be friends with. The tragedy to me would be living a life not being touched by people like Garrett Uekman. We come across people in our lives that have profound and positive and lasting effects on us. They take the shape of friends, teachers, pastors, bosses, love interests and family members. I would challenge each of us to take a few minutes every day, and especially Thursday on Thanksgiving, to recognize these people and let them know the difference they have made in our own lives. Tell them how important they are to you and that you are a better person for having them in your life. If we don't learn anything from Garrett Uekman except for the fact that none of us is promised anything past the next breath we take, then learn and live that.
As a follow up, I have read rumors and stories of Garrett's funeral being protested by a group that I refuse to recognize by naming them. This group has protested at other funerals, some less successfully than others. I can't for the life of me imagine the thought processes that would go through the head of a grown person that would approve of such behavior. I fully support and will fight for anyone's right of free speech. However, I was taught growing up that my rights stop where another person's start. And I will fight for their rights as well. The Uekman family has suffered a tragic loss and will have the support of friends, family, the Razorback nation as well as other college football fans. They should NOT have to suffer the foolishness of fools. And folks, these are FOOLS. I don't know when the funeral is, but it is my hope that the Arkansas Alumni Association puts a call out to every football player that has ever donned the uniform and invites them to stand as color guard at Garrett's funeral. I have seen the players walk through thousands of fans outside of stadiums and the looks of joy on their faces. I can only imagine trying to walk through a gauntlet of thousands of Razorbacks fans and players trying to prevent the disruption of such a solemn ceremony. I wouldn't want to do it! I hope the reports aren't true and that the protesters stay away from the funeral. He lived a life of example in his 19 years on the planet. Maybe they should follow his.....
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
A pregame for soccer parents and friends
I wrote this a few weeks ago after a soccer tournament and am republishing it here now. As most of you know, I referee soccer on weekends and enjoy it immensely. At times it can be a bit challenging dealing with all the different personalities on the pitch, this might give a bit of insight before you attend your next (or first!) match.
Before every soccer match, the refereeing crew gets together to go over expectations, style, etc., for how the game will be worked. I would like to do a pregame with the parents watching my next match. I think it would go something like this.
First, thank you all for your enthusiasm and for being involved in your children's athletic endeavors. Having said that, there are a few things you should know about today's game.
1. Soccer is a contact sport. To borrow from a friend of mine, if you don't want contact, go get yourself a set of golf clubs. Your child may get pushed, pulled or knocked over. This doesn't necessarily mean they have been fouled. It also doesn't give little Johnny or Susie free reign to whack whoever they choose.
2. Just because the ball hits a player in the hand, that does not necessarily constitute a foul. Concepts like undue advantage and natural position come into play.
3. Nowhere in the rule book is there a foul entitled "high kick." Nowhere. There is a dangerous play caused by lifting your foot into a dangerous position relative to an opponents head. That requires an opponent to be involved in the play.
4. There might be five players in an offsides position. That doesn't mean they are offsides. The number of variables involved is vast and almost unimaginable.
5. We will be playing the advantage today. That means some fouls that are fouls won't be called.
6. In an average football game there are 80-100 plays. After each play, the whistle blows, everyone stops, catches their breath and gets ready for the next play. In soccer, play doesn't stop. There is an actionable play about every three to five seconds. Over a 90 minute games, that's conservatively 1080 plus actionable plays. Soccer crews have three or four refs, football has eight. An average center referee runs between 5-8 miles per game, assistant referees 2-4 miles. If this is a tournament weekend, I'm probably doing anywhere from 6-10 games.
7. I will miss a call today. Maybe more than one. If I make 99% of the calls correctly, that means i will miss 11. Most good referees agonize over missing one. I do. I will replay my blown calls over and over until I recognize them from every angle so I don't miss it again. If you don't think that's true, ask me about the missed handball in the Lakewood Fallfest under 14 boys final from 2010. I still remember it.
8. Yell if you must, get emotional and passionate, but be respectful of everyone, the coaches, your opponents, the referees, but most importantly, support the kids. It's the reason we are here, right?
Before every soccer match, the refereeing crew gets together to go over expectations, style, etc., for how the game will be worked. I would like to do a pregame with the parents watching my next match. I think it would go something like this.
First, thank you all for your enthusiasm and for being involved in your children's athletic endeavors. Having said that, there are a few things you should know about today's game.
1. Soccer is a contact sport. To borrow from a friend of mine, if you don't want contact, go get yourself a set of golf clubs. Your child may get pushed, pulled or knocked over. This doesn't necessarily mean they have been fouled. It also doesn't give little Johnny or Susie free reign to whack whoever they choose.
2. Just because the ball hits a player in the hand, that does not necessarily constitute a foul. Concepts like undue advantage and natural position come into play.
3. Nowhere in the rule book is there a foul entitled "high kick." Nowhere. There is a dangerous play caused by lifting your foot into a dangerous position relative to an opponents head. That requires an opponent to be involved in the play.
4. There might be five players in an offsides position. That doesn't mean they are offsides. The number of variables involved is vast and almost unimaginable.
5. We will be playing the advantage today. That means some fouls that are fouls won't be called.
6. In an average football game there are 80-100 plays. After each play, the whistle blows, everyone stops, catches their breath and gets ready for the next play. In soccer, play doesn't stop. There is an actionable play about every three to five seconds. Over a 90 minute games, that's conservatively 1080 plus actionable plays. Soccer crews have three or four refs, football has eight. An average center referee runs between 5-8 miles per game, assistant referees 2-4 miles. If this is a tournament weekend, I'm probably doing anywhere from 6-10 games.
7. I will miss a call today. Maybe more than one. If I make 99% of the calls correctly, that means i will miss 11. Most good referees agonize over missing one. I do. I will replay my blown calls over and over until I recognize them from every angle so I don't miss it again. If you don't think that's true, ask me about the missed handball in the Lakewood Fallfest under 14 boys final from 2010. I still remember it.
8. Yell if you must, get emotional and passionate, but be respectful of everyone, the coaches, your opponents, the referees, but most importantly, support the kids. It's the reason we are here, right?
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Occupy....a job?
I know, I know....you start a blog and then you don't write. Aren't you a writer? The answer is yes...how good remains to be seen. I've been busy. Doing what you ask? "Thank you," says the writer, "and smiles at the self-serving segue." I've been WORKING. Oh, excuse me for a moment. Yes...pay that bill and that one...push these other two out a couple of weeks until after the tuition payment is due. Check the schedule, yes, I can work the soccer tournaments in Memphis and Dallas. Dallas will be big, Thanksgiving weekend. I'll miss some family time...but you do what you have to.
Okay...where were we? Oh yes...WORKING! I work. Most of us do. We work because we have responsibilities or obligations. A mortgage, car note(s), groceries, utilities...on and on. So we work to pay for those things. Some of us have more obligations than others. College loans, child support, alimony, second mortgages, yacht payments. Ok, I threw the last one in. I don't have a yacht payment and don't know anyone that does. The point is the added obligations might be a choice or they might not be. The reason doesn't really matter...its the obligation that's the point.
And now to the point of the article. I was scanning my homepage this morning and came across an article about an Occupy America group getting arrested and moved out of a park in New York City. Apparently, this campground has been in operation for two months now. What? These guys are still around? I thought they just took a break from playing their Xbox for a weekend, yelled through a megaphone for a while and then went home. They are still protesting? What exactly are they protesting? Find one of the people involved in these "protests" and ask them. They don't know. So I googled Occupy America and read seven different articles about protests in different cities. I still don't know what they are protesting. One protester said they are protesting banks. What about them? It seems banks charge fees to their customers in order to make a profit. (Gasp in shocked horror) NO! The scoundrels. Shame...Shame....Shame. Another protester says they are protesting universities and the reduction in scholarships. The quote that made me smile the biggest was, "If college is only for people with money, it will be a very unrewarding experience for everyone." Didn't do so well on the ACT did you? The most articulate protester I read was angry that he had graduated from college with Bachelor's and Master's Degrees and couldn't find a job in his field that would allow him to pay off his debts and maintain a decent lifestyle. My heart goes out to you bro. Articulate, yes...unrealistic and acting entitled? Absolutely.
Look at the pictures from these "protests." A lot of 20 and 30 somethings angry because they are finding the world isn't being handed to them in the manner they want. HELLO! Earth to Generation Y. Please pay attention to the following Public Service Announcement....the world doesn't owe you anything. If you want something, be prepared to go out and work for it. And in the real world, you might bust your ass for months and years to reach some lofty goal. And you might fail. Miserably. And you might not get the big house, Lexus, mountain chalet and ocean front villa. You might even have to work (no, no, please....not THAT) a second job to make ends meet. (Gasp, louder this time)
I went to a Human Resources managers meeting recently where a speaker talked about the different generations in the workforce today. For the first time in the history of our economy, four distinct generations are represented. Traditionalist, Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y. The Millenials aren't too far away, so get ready for them too. Note to the reader, yours truly fell into Generation X...mainly because my parents are Boomers. I don't necessarily share Generation X philosophies. But more on that another time. Interestingly, if you look at the Occupy protesters, the majority of them fall into the Generation Y category. What do we know about the Gen Y'ers? Technologically savvy. The "I want it now" approach. Raised by the first batch of "Helicopter" parents that brought forth the fantastic philosophy of "Everyone gets a trophy." That's right, all you have to do is show up...and you get a trophy.
Can it be that simple? Can the underlying philosophical and psychological underpinnings of Occupy America really lie in the fact that these protesters are angry about...not getting what they want by just showing up? Look at the articulate protester...I have my Masters and a bunch of student loans that I can't pay off with the jobs I am being offered, so I am waiting to get the job that will allow me to pay them off and maintain a decent lifestyle. Really? Then I read further...twenty somethings are moving back home, living with their parent's longer, delaying kids and marriage because they are unable to find the jobs they want. Really really? The government needs a program....I shouldn't have to pay back these loans...its not fair that I can't get what I want.....WAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!! REALLY?
Ok...deep breath. You can do this...without being self-congratulatory or a know-it-all. No one likes a know-it-all. Attention Occupy America.
1. GET A JOB. I love that college students walk out of college with a diploma and say, "Here I am world, hire me!" I thought that for a bit after college. The real world woke me up quickly. Bills. A wedding...new house, used car (Don't buy new cars Gen Y, its not a good investment, buy good used ones. That advice is a freebie). I also get that Gen Y'ers are looking for a higher level of job satisfaction. I would love for everyone to love the job they have. But you have to start somewhere. Many many many successful people of all ages started at the bottom. Its a great place to start to get to the top. Supreme Court Justices started as law clerks. CEO's started in the mailroom. Do they have mailroom's still? I read an article about the Managing Partner of an Engineering firm whose first job out of college was with a construction company. As a GENERAL LABORER making minimum wage. There isn't a job that is beneath you. Really. Your identity shouldn't be taken from the job you have. Your identity should be taken from who you are as a person.
2. Be a grown-up. Being a grown-up starts with getting out of your parents house. Get an apartment. Can't afford one? Get a roommate. Split the bills...it can work. Really. The longer you stay under mom and/or dad's roof, the longer you put off being responsiblr. Paying rent/mortgage, utilities, all the things that grown-ups do. Start saving if you can. Really. Saving your money is something I wish I had done a long time ago. Because I didn't do that well back in the day, I am having to work that much harder now. Make a plan and stick to it. This applies to saving as well as your job/career/life plan.
3. Be a grown-up Part II. I will repeat something I said earlier. The world doesn't owe you anything. Take this to heart and learn to live it. If you want something, get ready to work for it. You don't love your job, find one that you do love. You don't want college loans...study more and get merit based scholarships. You don't want to pay back your college loans? BE A TEACHER or any of several other programs that will allow you to defer your payments or even have them forgiven. Put the video game controller down, stop drinking a $5 cup of coffee every day and put your big boy/girl pants on. It can be a scary thing being on your own. But the rewards of doing it and doing it well are beyond what you can imagine.
I count myself among the very fortunate. I have a great job that gives me a very good living. My annual pay falls in the upper-middle class range and I am blessed to have it. I work hard at it though. I earn it. With all that, I still have obligations that exceed my income. Those that know me know that for that reason I have a second job that I enjoy tremendously that I use to meet my obligations. If my boss is reading this, please note the second job in no way, shape or form interferes with my primary job. The end of the story for me is that being a grown up means that you do what you have to do in order to take care of what needs taking care of. I work hard. I am among the millions of people that work hard. I don't ask for special recognition. I don't ask for a trophy because I showed up. I get my rewards internally...my obligations are met. College tuition is being paid. As is the mortgage on a house I really like. A car that gets me where I need to go. And my kids are getting what they need and want. Like the end of the Visa commercials....PRICELESS!
Okay...where were we? Oh yes...WORKING! I work. Most of us do. We work because we have responsibilities or obligations. A mortgage, car note(s), groceries, utilities...on and on. So we work to pay for those things. Some of us have more obligations than others. College loans, child support, alimony, second mortgages, yacht payments. Ok, I threw the last one in. I don't have a yacht payment and don't know anyone that does. The point is the added obligations might be a choice or they might not be. The reason doesn't really matter...its the obligation that's the point.
And now to the point of the article. I was scanning my homepage this morning and came across an article about an Occupy America group getting arrested and moved out of a park in New York City. Apparently, this campground has been in operation for two months now. What? These guys are still around? I thought they just took a break from playing their Xbox for a weekend, yelled through a megaphone for a while and then went home. They are still protesting? What exactly are they protesting? Find one of the people involved in these "protests" and ask them. They don't know. So I googled Occupy America and read seven different articles about protests in different cities. I still don't know what they are protesting. One protester said they are protesting banks. What about them? It seems banks charge fees to their customers in order to make a profit. (Gasp in shocked horror) NO! The scoundrels. Shame...Shame....Shame. Another protester says they are protesting universities and the reduction in scholarships. The quote that made me smile the biggest was, "If college is only for people with money, it will be a very unrewarding experience for everyone." Didn't do so well on the ACT did you? The most articulate protester I read was angry that he had graduated from college with Bachelor's and Master's Degrees and couldn't find a job in his field that would allow him to pay off his debts and maintain a decent lifestyle. My heart goes out to you bro. Articulate, yes...unrealistic and acting entitled? Absolutely.
Look at the pictures from these "protests." A lot of 20 and 30 somethings angry because they are finding the world isn't being handed to them in the manner they want. HELLO! Earth to Generation Y. Please pay attention to the following Public Service Announcement....the world doesn't owe you anything. If you want something, be prepared to go out and work for it. And in the real world, you might bust your ass for months and years to reach some lofty goal. And you might fail. Miserably. And you might not get the big house, Lexus, mountain chalet and ocean front villa. You might even have to work (no, no, please....not THAT) a second job to make ends meet. (Gasp, louder this time)
I went to a Human Resources managers meeting recently where a speaker talked about the different generations in the workforce today. For the first time in the history of our economy, four distinct generations are represented. Traditionalist, Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y. The Millenials aren't too far away, so get ready for them too. Note to the reader, yours truly fell into Generation X...mainly because my parents are Boomers. I don't necessarily share Generation X philosophies. But more on that another time. Interestingly, if you look at the Occupy protesters, the majority of them fall into the Generation Y category. What do we know about the Gen Y'ers? Technologically savvy. The "I want it now" approach. Raised by the first batch of "Helicopter" parents that brought forth the fantastic philosophy of "Everyone gets a trophy." That's right, all you have to do is show up...and you get a trophy.
Can it be that simple? Can the underlying philosophical and psychological underpinnings of Occupy America really lie in the fact that these protesters are angry about...not getting what they want by just showing up? Look at the articulate protester...I have my Masters and a bunch of student loans that I can't pay off with the jobs I am being offered, so I am waiting to get the job that will allow me to pay them off and maintain a decent lifestyle. Really? Then I read further...twenty somethings are moving back home, living with their parent's longer, delaying kids and marriage because they are unable to find the jobs they want. Really really? The government needs a program....I shouldn't have to pay back these loans...its not fair that I can't get what I want.....WAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!! REALLY?
Ok...deep breath. You can do this...without being self-congratulatory or a know-it-all. No one likes a know-it-all. Attention Occupy America.
1. GET A JOB. I love that college students walk out of college with a diploma and say, "Here I am world, hire me!" I thought that for a bit after college. The real world woke me up quickly. Bills. A wedding...new house, used car (Don't buy new cars Gen Y, its not a good investment, buy good used ones. That advice is a freebie). I also get that Gen Y'ers are looking for a higher level of job satisfaction. I would love for everyone to love the job they have. But you have to start somewhere. Many many many successful people of all ages started at the bottom. Its a great place to start to get to the top. Supreme Court Justices started as law clerks. CEO's started in the mailroom. Do they have mailroom's still? I read an article about the Managing Partner of an Engineering firm whose first job out of college was with a construction company. As a GENERAL LABORER making minimum wage. There isn't a job that is beneath you. Really. Your identity shouldn't be taken from the job you have. Your identity should be taken from who you are as a person.
2. Be a grown-up. Being a grown-up starts with getting out of your parents house. Get an apartment. Can't afford one? Get a roommate. Split the bills...it can work. Really. The longer you stay under mom and/or dad's roof, the longer you put off being responsiblr. Paying rent/mortgage, utilities, all the things that grown-ups do. Start saving if you can. Really. Saving your money is something I wish I had done a long time ago. Because I didn't do that well back in the day, I am having to work that much harder now. Make a plan and stick to it. This applies to saving as well as your job/career/life plan.
3. Be a grown-up Part II. I will repeat something I said earlier. The world doesn't owe you anything. Take this to heart and learn to live it. If you want something, get ready to work for it. You don't love your job, find one that you do love. You don't want college loans...study more and get merit based scholarships. You don't want to pay back your college loans? BE A TEACHER or any of several other programs that will allow you to defer your payments or even have them forgiven. Put the video game controller down, stop drinking a $5 cup of coffee every day and put your big boy/girl pants on. It can be a scary thing being on your own. But the rewards of doing it and doing it well are beyond what you can imagine.
I count myself among the very fortunate. I have a great job that gives me a very good living. My annual pay falls in the upper-middle class range and I am blessed to have it. I work hard at it though. I earn it. With all that, I still have obligations that exceed my income. Those that know me know that for that reason I have a second job that I enjoy tremendously that I use to meet my obligations. If my boss is reading this, please note the second job in no way, shape or form interferes with my primary job. The end of the story for me is that being a grown up means that you do what you have to do in order to take care of what needs taking care of. I work hard. I am among the millions of people that work hard. I don't ask for special recognition. I don't ask for a trophy because I showed up. I get my rewards internally...my obligations are met. College tuition is being paid. As is the mortgage on a house I really like. A car that gets me where I need to go. And my kids are getting what they need and want. Like the end of the Visa commercials....PRICELESS!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Remakes versus the original--A True Grit retrospective
I went and saw True Grit last weekend at the theater. I had seen much review and ado about how this movie was going to be SO much better than the original. The Coen brothers stuck to the original work by Arkansas native Charles Portis more closely. Jeff Bridges was going to be a better Rooster Cogburn than John Wayne was. The scenes would be more realistic. The characters better. By the time I got through the reviews, it was hard to remember that The Duke won his only Oscar in this movie! As someone that has seen a LOT of movies, I will say that the remake of True Grit was a good movie. However, I still found the original to be a better movie overall. Jeff Bridges did a good job in his portrayal of Rooster Cogburn, but more than once it sounded to me like he was trying to make him sound like Billy Bob's character of Carl in "Sling Blade." I kept waiting for Bridges to say, "How much you want fer them french friend pertaters, mmm hmmm?" You can't beat Robert Duvall as Ned Pepper, and frankly, I thought the young girl in the first movie was better than the second, if only slightly.
The remake was better in a couple of areas. First, Josh Brolin's portrayal of Tom Chaney was much better than the original. He brought a sinister quality to the character that was lacking in the first one. Second, the scenery was much closer to the book than the first. The novel was set in the east of Oklahoma/Fort Smith areas and the Coen's stuck to that look very well. The original movie looked like it was shot somewhere in the lower Rockies. Good job Coen's on remaking a classic, but this writer prefers the Duke's version hands down.
So this thought spurred another. What remakes ARE better than the original? Hollywood seems to be running out of original ideas at times, hence the large number of remakes that are put out every year. Do them well and you have a fan here, do them poorly and off into trash bin please. Did I just read that they are remaking "Footloose" and "Red Dawn?" Please, someone stop THAT madness now. My top 5 movies in which the remake surpassed the original are as follows:
1, The Thomas Crown Affair. The remake was sleek and sexy, Pierce Brosnan was a stylish Art Thief/multi-gozillionaire. In the originial, Steve McQueen robbed a bank. Nothing too stylish there. Throw in a very heated over-40 sex scene (let's here it for people of a certain age!) and the remake wins hands down.
2. Oceans Eleven. Yes the original with the Brat Pack rocked. Yes, Sinatra and Martin are the essence of cool. I never have figured out the Sammy Davis Jr. thing. I mean, yes he can sing and dance, but beyond that, he's "The Candy Man" guy. Who can take a rainbow.....sorry, I digress. The original shows what Vegas used to be like. The remake shows the big business that it is today. Again, the remake is more stylish and I haven't seen many on screen pairings where the timing is as good as between Brad Pitt and George Clooney in this film.
3. 3:10 to Yuma. Again, loved the original. The remake was better. Christian Bale and Russell Crowe bring more depth to their characters than in the original. The shooting was pretty good too!
4. Cape Fear. Robert DeNiro plays a pyschopathic bad guy. Do you really think anyone does it better than him? Enough said...
5. The Maltese Falcon. Okay, unless you are a HUGE movie buff, you probably wouldn't know that Bogey's version wasn't the original. The Maltese Falcon came out first in 1931, but as Bogart's version is one of the top Ten movies of all time, it has to be on this list.
Agree or disagree? Other movies to add? Would love to hear what you think!
The remake was better in a couple of areas. First, Josh Brolin's portrayal of Tom Chaney was much better than the original. He brought a sinister quality to the character that was lacking in the first one. Second, the scenery was much closer to the book than the first. The novel was set in the east of Oklahoma/Fort Smith areas and the Coen's stuck to that look very well. The original movie looked like it was shot somewhere in the lower Rockies. Good job Coen's on remaking a classic, but this writer prefers the Duke's version hands down.
So this thought spurred another. What remakes ARE better than the original? Hollywood seems to be running out of original ideas at times, hence the large number of remakes that are put out every year. Do them well and you have a fan here, do them poorly and off into trash bin please. Did I just read that they are remaking "Footloose" and "Red Dawn?" Please, someone stop THAT madness now. My top 5 movies in which the remake surpassed the original are as follows:
1, The Thomas Crown Affair. The remake was sleek and sexy, Pierce Brosnan was a stylish Art Thief/multi-gozillionaire. In the originial, Steve McQueen robbed a bank. Nothing too stylish there. Throw in a very heated over-40 sex scene (let's here it for people of a certain age!) and the remake wins hands down.
2. Oceans Eleven. Yes the original with the Brat Pack rocked. Yes, Sinatra and Martin are the essence of cool. I never have figured out the Sammy Davis Jr. thing. I mean, yes he can sing and dance, but beyond that, he's "The Candy Man" guy. Who can take a rainbow.....sorry, I digress. The original shows what Vegas used to be like. The remake shows the big business that it is today. Again, the remake is more stylish and I haven't seen many on screen pairings where the timing is as good as between Brad Pitt and George Clooney in this film.
3. 3:10 to Yuma. Again, loved the original. The remake was better. Christian Bale and Russell Crowe bring more depth to their characters than in the original. The shooting was pretty good too!
4. Cape Fear. Robert DeNiro plays a pyschopathic bad guy. Do you really think anyone does it better than him? Enough said...
5. The Maltese Falcon. Okay, unless you are a HUGE movie buff, you probably wouldn't know that Bogey's version wasn't the original. The Maltese Falcon came out first in 1931, but as Bogart's version is one of the top Ten movies of all time, it has to be on this list.
Agree or disagree? Other movies to add? Would love to hear what you think!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Razorback Sports
Happy New Year! By and large, those that know me know I am a huge Razorback fan in all sports. The 2000's have been a decade marked by transition and rebuilding among the many Razorback sports programs, especially the major sports, Football, Basketball, Baseball, as well as the retirement of legendary athletic director Frank Broyles. That is another topic that could take up several blogs and will be touched on at some point.
Today I would like to wax poetic about the rebuilding job assigned to John Pelphrey and how his task has turned out to monumentally bigger than the task so successfully undertaken by football coach Bobby Petrino. Pelphrey is in his fourth year, Petrino is in his third. The past two seasons for Pelphrey have produced a losing record. The past two seasons for Petrino have resulted in consecutive bowl appearances, Arkansas' first BCS appearance ever, and a return to national prominence significance.
There has been much unrest in Razorback-land over the state of the basketball program and that has shown itself in the low attendance numbers over the past few seasons. 5,000 and 6,000 numbers have become commonplace in a stadium that seats almost 20,000 and when first built, had an extensive waiting list for season tickets. Razorback fans, where are you? It's time to get your butts back in the seats because the bandwagon is going to fill up quickly under THIS coach. Here's why:
1) Housecleaning-John Pelphrey inherited a mess. A much bigger mess than most people know about. Under former coach Stan Heath, discipline was an afterthought to winning basketball games. He recruited several athletes that could play, but considered themselves bigger than the team or the program. Offshoots of this atmosphere included poor academics, poor class attendance, drug use, and other criminal behavior by the players. Heath did as well as he and his staff could trying to control their team, but were ultimately unsuccessful. When Pelphrey took over, the majority of the team was academically insufficient and in danger of being ineligible. It has take multiple suspensions, intense focus on academics, and team/character building to dig out of the hole that was partially dug by his predecessor, and partially dug by the current staff as it affects API, grades, and students transferring. Without placing blame in just one area, the staff has turned the numbers around off the court and the results are easy to see. This team is a TEAM. One that plays together, and yes, plays for their COACH. Is every player going to be happy 100% of the time? No, and its not realistic to think that they would be. But as one that has attended games and talked to other fans that have, the atmosphere around this team is markedly different than at any point in the past four years. This only portends good things to come.
2. Player development. Does anyone remember Delvon Johnson's averages last season? 2.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and .5 blocked shots. This season? 10 points, 9 boards and 4 blocks per game. He's a completely different player. Julysses Nobles? 4 points, and 2 assists last season, 9 points and almost 4 assists. Glenn Bryant is better, Marcus Britt is better. Why are these players important? They are the supporting cast. No one would argue that Rotnei Clarke and Marshawn Powell are the two best players on the team. Clarke has been playind as good as last year and Powell looks to be back to full speed after breaking his foot in the off-season. The players mentioned before have all raised their level of play to that of legitimate SEC players. And the team is peforming better for it. I just finished watching Arkansas "upset" Tennessee at home in both teams SEC opener. Did Arkansas play to the level when they were nationally ranked and significant? NO. Are they playing better than last season? ABSOLUTELY. The difference? In this game, it was Nobles and Johnson. Both had monster games as did Rotnei Clarke. But the first two are better BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN COACHED UP. It's obvious to anyone that knows basketball.
3. Recruiting. Arkansas' recruiting class for next season is ranked as high as number 3 in the country by one ranking service. It is inarguably made up of elite players. Three things attract elite level players. 1) Opportunity for playing time, 2) Opportunity to play in a program/system that will get you ready to play at the next level and 3) Coaching Staff. That's it...bottom line. Many people have made the argument that the "Big Three" of next year's recruiting class is coming to Arkansas because they are from Arkansas. That's simply not true. Each of the players from Arkansas has stated they are coming to Arkansas because of John Pelphrey. The two players from out-of-state echoed that same sentiment. They want to play for Pelphrey and they want to play winning basketball. AND THEY CAN PLAY. I was fortunate enough to see some of them play in person over the holidays and the future is bright for Razorback basketball.
As of today, Arkansas is 11-3 overall, 1-0 in the SEC with that one win coming against an SEC East team that we were supposed to lose to. Yes, the loss to Texas this week was inexcusable both in size of loss and in effort put forth by the players. But one loss does not a season make...as one win does not either. This team has a chance to win the SEC West this season and WILL play in the postseason this year. The SEC is down, there is no question about that. 20 wins in the SEC may not guarantee a trip to the NCAA tournament. If we finish as successfully as I think we will, we might need help to get to the big dance. Looking in my crystal ball, this writer forsees a record at the end of the year of 21-9, 10-6 in the SEC and co-champs of the SEC West. Will this get us to the tournament? I hope so! Will we be better next year under THIS coaching staff? Absolutely. So find your seat on the bandwagon...if you wait until next year, there may not be room!
Today I would like to wax poetic about the rebuilding job assigned to John Pelphrey and how his task has turned out to monumentally bigger than the task so successfully undertaken by football coach Bobby Petrino. Pelphrey is in his fourth year, Petrino is in his third. The past two seasons for Pelphrey have produced a losing record. The past two seasons for Petrino have resulted in consecutive bowl appearances, Arkansas' first BCS appearance ever, and a return to national prominence significance.
There has been much unrest in Razorback-land over the state of the basketball program and that has shown itself in the low attendance numbers over the past few seasons. 5,000 and 6,000 numbers have become commonplace in a stadium that seats almost 20,000 and when first built, had an extensive waiting list for season tickets. Razorback fans, where are you? It's time to get your butts back in the seats because the bandwagon is going to fill up quickly under THIS coach. Here's why:
1) Housecleaning-John Pelphrey inherited a mess. A much bigger mess than most people know about. Under former coach Stan Heath, discipline was an afterthought to winning basketball games. He recruited several athletes that could play, but considered themselves bigger than the team or the program. Offshoots of this atmosphere included poor academics, poor class attendance, drug use, and other criminal behavior by the players. Heath did as well as he and his staff could trying to control their team, but were ultimately unsuccessful. When Pelphrey took over, the majority of the team was academically insufficient and in danger of being ineligible. It has take multiple suspensions, intense focus on academics, and team/character building to dig out of the hole that was partially dug by his predecessor, and partially dug by the current staff as it affects API, grades, and students transferring. Without placing blame in just one area, the staff has turned the numbers around off the court and the results are easy to see. This team is a TEAM. One that plays together, and yes, plays for their COACH. Is every player going to be happy 100% of the time? No, and its not realistic to think that they would be. But as one that has attended games and talked to other fans that have, the atmosphere around this team is markedly different than at any point in the past four years. This only portends good things to come.
2. Player development. Does anyone remember Delvon Johnson's averages last season? 2.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and .5 blocked shots. This season? 10 points, 9 boards and 4 blocks per game. He's a completely different player. Julysses Nobles? 4 points, and 2 assists last season, 9 points and almost 4 assists. Glenn Bryant is better, Marcus Britt is better. Why are these players important? They are the supporting cast. No one would argue that Rotnei Clarke and Marshawn Powell are the two best players on the team. Clarke has been playind as good as last year and Powell looks to be back to full speed after breaking his foot in the off-season. The players mentioned before have all raised their level of play to that of legitimate SEC players. And the team is peforming better for it. I just finished watching Arkansas "upset" Tennessee at home in both teams SEC opener. Did Arkansas play to the level when they were nationally ranked and significant? NO. Are they playing better than last season? ABSOLUTELY. The difference? In this game, it was Nobles and Johnson. Both had monster games as did Rotnei Clarke. But the first two are better BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN COACHED UP. It's obvious to anyone that knows basketball.
3. Recruiting. Arkansas' recruiting class for next season is ranked as high as number 3 in the country by one ranking service. It is inarguably made up of elite players. Three things attract elite level players. 1) Opportunity for playing time, 2) Opportunity to play in a program/system that will get you ready to play at the next level and 3) Coaching Staff. That's it...bottom line. Many people have made the argument that the "Big Three" of next year's recruiting class is coming to Arkansas because they are from Arkansas. That's simply not true. Each of the players from Arkansas has stated they are coming to Arkansas because of John Pelphrey. The two players from out-of-state echoed that same sentiment. They want to play for Pelphrey and they want to play winning basketball. AND THEY CAN PLAY. I was fortunate enough to see some of them play in person over the holidays and the future is bright for Razorback basketball.
As of today, Arkansas is 11-3 overall, 1-0 in the SEC with that one win coming against an SEC East team that we were supposed to lose to. Yes, the loss to Texas this week was inexcusable both in size of loss and in effort put forth by the players. But one loss does not a season make...as one win does not either. This team has a chance to win the SEC West this season and WILL play in the postseason this year. The SEC is down, there is no question about that. 20 wins in the SEC may not guarantee a trip to the NCAA tournament. If we finish as successfully as I think we will, we might need help to get to the big dance. Looking in my crystal ball, this writer forsees a record at the end of the year of 21-9, 10-6 in the SEC and co-champs of the SEC West. Will this get us to the tournament? I hope so! Will we be better next year under THIS coaching staff? Absolutely. So find your seat on the bandwagon...if you wait until next year, there may not be room!
Friday, December 31, 2010
2010!
Wow, what a year! Time flies when you are having fun. Of course, it seems that time flies even if fun is not a component. Those of us that parent teenagers are all too familiar with that concept. More on that later...maybe not tonight, but at some point, parenting a seventeen year old daughter will fill enough pages here I am certain. It has been said that the end of the year/start of a new year is the perfect time to reflect...think about what we have achieved and what we still need to work on. Goals to set! New Years Resolutions! Christmas presents to return...wait, that's another topic for another day as well! Blogging is new to me, so patience, grasshopper. Good things come to those...ok, enough cliches for one paragraph.
Instead of a recounting of events/achievements/failures/aspirations, I think I will reflect a little on what I learned in 2010. Hopefully this will cover the aforementioned categories as we go.
1. I learned that the publishing business is a complicated business. There are no road maps or sign posts and opinions on the right paths to follow are almost as numerous as those with the opinions! Pepper Jack was launched in June 2010, self-published through Author House, a print-on-demand company. I will say they have been great to work with, very supportive and not to pushy when it comes to trying to sell me things along the way! Knowing what I know about self-publishing versus traditional publishing, would I have done the same thing with Pepper Jack? I think so...it was time for it to be out and Jackson and Jessica's story to be told. They are still talking to me by the way, so look for a sequel to be coming sometime hopefully in 2011. In the meantime, I am finishing up the writing on "St. Christophe" and hope to have updates on it soon! Note to all...if you are an agent/publisher or know a good one, I am entertaining conversations on what to do with this next novel!
2. I learned the worst/best job in the world is parenting a teenager. I have three of them now and depending on the day, hour, and which teenager, I am doing a great/mediocre/crappy job being a Father. I'm a great Dad...movies, sports, fast food I totally rock at. But being a Father is a different job altogether, one that I am still learning and one that I am not sure I will ever have the answers for. Thanks to all the other parents in my world for the advice/direction. I have taken all/some/none of yours and appreciate it immensely!
3. I have learned that selling a house in a down economy and the worst housing market since ______ isn't a whole lot of fun! My house is still for sale dear readers....a charming 4/5 BR, 2500 sq foot house that needs a bit of work. New Years Resolution #5 on the unpublished list.
4. I think that Jeff Long may be a fantastic athletic director. I will be mixing in some sports related blogs as well as I am a HUGE Razorback fan. Those that know me remotely well know that already, but to those that are new readers/followers. WOOOOOOOOOOOO PIG SOOOOOOOOOOOOIEEEEEEEEEEE! What an amazing year. BCS Bowl in Petrino's third year. Top 5 Recruiting classes in football, baseball, and basketball as of today. The baseball program annually has a realistic shot at Omaha and the College World Series. Now if we can just get basketball back to where it was, all will be right in Hog Land! And to the doubters: Yes, Petrino built the program to where he wanted it in three years, but he had a different cupboard left to him by the Right Reverend Nutt than John Pelphrey was left by Stan Heath. A separate blog on this soon!
5. I have learned that the older we get, the more we realize the importance of family in our lives. Some of us learn earlier, some later, but as long as we all get to the same party, then its all good! While it didn't seem as Christmassy this year as it could have been, it seemed more important than ever to have the family around for trimming the tree, cooking and eating together on Christmas day, and saying Merry Christmas to each other! I hope yours was a great one!
As a new and starving author, I welcome thoughts, comments, and constructive criticisms and will answer e-mail if you send them! I hope everyone has a happy and healthy New Year!
Instead of a recounting of events/achievements/failures/aspirations, I think I will reflect a little on what I learned in 2010. Hopefully this will cover the aforementioned categories as we go.
2. I learned the worst/best job in the world is parenting a teenager. I have three of them now and depending on the day, hour, and which teenager, I am doing a great/mediocre/crappy job being a Father. I'm a great Dad...movies, sports, fast food I totally rock at. But being a Father is a different job altogether, one that I am still learning and one that I am not sure I will ever have the answers for. Thanks to all the other parents in my world for the advice/direction. I have taken all/some/none of yours and appreciate it immensely!
3. I have learned that selling a house in a down economy and the worst housing market since ______ isn't a whole lot of fun! My house is still for sale dear readers....a charming 4/5 BR, 2500 sq foot house that needs a bit of work. New Years Resolution #5 on the unpublished list.
4. I think that Jeff Long may be a fantastic athletic director. I will be mixing in some sports related blogs as well as I am a HUGE Razorback fan. Those that know me remotely well know that already, but to those that are new readers/followers. WOOOOOOOOOOOO PIG SOOOOOOOOOOOOIEEEEEEEEEEE! What an amazing year. BCS Bowl in Petrino's third year. Top 5 Recruiting classes in football, baseball, and basketball as of today. The baseball program annually has a realistic shot at Omaha and the College World Series. Now if we can just get basketball back to where it was, all will be right in Hog Land! And to the doubters: Yes, Petrino built the program to where he wanted it in three years, but he had a different cupboard left to him by the Right Reverend Nutt than John Pelphrey was left by Stan Heath. A separate blog on this soon!
5. I have learned that the older we get, the more we realize the importance of family in our lives. Some of us learn earlier, some later, but as long as we all get to the same party, then its all good! While it didn't seem as Christmassy this year as it could have been, it seemed more important than ever to have the family around for trimming the tree, cooking and eating together on Christmas day, and saying Merry Christmas to each other! I hope yours was a great one!
As a new and starving author, I welcome thoughts, comments, and constructive criticisms and will answer e-mail if you send them! I hope everyone has a happy and healthy New Year!
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