So this past weekend i decided to hang out with one of my friends in milwuakee. I drove all the way down to the campus of UWM to hang out. Little did I know though, that she was going to make me go to the rocky horror picture show.
Now, I don't know about anyone else, but I haven't heard too much about it. All that I knew about it was that it had a "cultish" following. As soon as I got down to the theatre I immediately regretted coming. Just looking around at all of the people, I was in a totally different world, I mean, there were men dressed as women and other crazy stuff going on.
To try and explain a little bit about this "show". It's basically a movie from the 80's and as the movie is going on, people act it out. And not only is the movie being acted out but the whole audience gets into the movie. Throughout the course of the movie, I had to dodge people throwing bread in the air, rice in the air, beach balls and I even got hit with a bunch of water with what i can only assume was a couple of people shooting some sort of water gun. This isn't just random though, everyone in the crowd does this at the same time indicated by the movie. And not only do people throw things, but throughout the entire movie the whole audience is screaming certain lines for the movie.
At first I really regretted letting my friend drag me along, and by all means I don't plan on going again. But I will say that I'm glad that I did go, if for nothing else than the experience. It is something that really cannot be truly and accurately explained, but one has to be there to understand. It is a trip and I would suggest everyone to go to it at least once, just to say you did.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
cpr certification should be a requirement for all
There are many things I have learned this semester in school including CPR. I learned not only how to perform CPR but I also learned many other first aid techniques. After learning all of that I have come to the comclusion that it should be a requirement for people to be taught it.
Not only has just the classes helped me to realize that everyone should learn it but also because of one of my friends. My friend one night decided to go work out after work at a 24 hour fitness center. He was only one of two people in the center at the time and was just doing his own thing. But when he turned to look at the other person who was working it, she was on the ground not moving. He had no clue what to do and called 911.
Thankfully the woman survived and didn't suffer and lasting injuries. It got me thinking though, what if she died? Could he have saved her if he knew CPR? What if she have brain damage from lack of oxygen to the brain? All of these could have been real possiblities and it scares me to know that I could at some point possibly be in the position as that woman and maybe die because someone didn't know CPR.
I think that it can only help out if everyone was required to learn CPR. It doesn't take a long time, only about 8 hours to be certified. Isn't it worth 8 hours of your life to maybe help save someone's life, and know that someone else may be more capable of saving yours?
Not only has just the classes helped me to realize that everyone should learn it but also because of one of my friends. My friend one night decided to go work out after work at a 24 hour fitness center. He was only one of two people in the center at the time and was just doing his own thing. But when he turned to look at the other person who was working it, she was on the ground not moving. He had no clue what to do and called 911.
Thankfully the woman survived and didn't suffer and lasting injuries. It got me thinking though, what if she died? Could he have saved her if he knew CPR? What if she have brain damage from lack of oxygen to the brain? All of these could have been real possiblities and it scares me to know that I could at some point possibly be in the position as that woman and maybe die because someone didn't know CPR.
I think that it can only help out if everyone was required to learn CPR. It doesn't take a long time, only about 8 hours to be certified. Isn't it worth 8 hours of your life to maybe help save someone's life, and know that someone else may be more capable of saving yours?
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Hannibal, arguably one of the best tactitians of all time
I was recently watching the history channel and they had a show on that talked about different leaders throughout history. This particular episode was about Hannibal of Carthage. The show talked about everything that he went through during the 2nd Punic War.
For those of us who don't know the 2nd punic war took place basically in modern day italy between Carthage and Rome. Hannibal was the young leader of the Carthaginians and had a deep running hatred towards rome. Because of this hatred he decided to try to invade Rome and destroy the city.
Hannibal had to try and get into roman territory but couldnt do so because of a roman army was in his way, so instead of trying to take on the army, which greatly outnumbered him, he decided to take his army through the alps. This move alone is what Hannibal is greatly known for, he took his army through the alps, but what was even more amazing is that he had a bunch of war elephants that went with him through the alps. Though him and his army did make it through the alps, it wasn't without a cost, Hannibal lost about 1/3 of his army doing so.
After he entered italy, Hannibal faced a couple of battles against the romans and won all of them. He had to rely on certain tribes to defect to him in order to get more men for his army. He defeated every legion that the romans sent at him(some outnumbered him by more than 2-1) and eventually they gave up trying to defeat him and went to other tactics. He eventually lost when he was forced to go back to northern africa in order to defend carthage. Even though he lost, he is still recognized as the father of strategy because of some of his impressive wins over a far greater roman army.
For those of us who don't know the 2nd punic war took place basically in modern day italy between Carthage and Rome. Hannibal was the young leader of the Carthaginians and had a deep running hatred towards rome. Because of this hatred he decided to try to invade Rome and destroy the city.
Hannibal had to try and get into roman territory but couldnt do so because of a roman army was in his way, so instead of trying to take on the army, which greatly outnumbered him, he decided to take his army through the alps. This move alone is what Hannibal is greatly known for, he took his army through the alps, but what was even more amazing is that he had a bunch of war elephants that went with him through the alps. Though him and his army did make it through the alps, it wasn't without a cost, Hannibal lost about 1/3 of his army doing so.
After he entered italy, Hannibal faced a couple of battles against the romans and won all of them. He had to rely on certain tribes to defect to him in order to get more men for his army. He defeated every legion that the romans sent at him(some outnumbered him by more than 2-1) and eventually they gave up trying to defeat him and went to other tactics. He eventually lost when he was forced to go back to northern africa in order to defend carthage. Even though he lost, he is still recognized as the father of strategy because of some of his impressive wins over a far greater roman army.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Instant Replay for baseball
As of saturday I am a believer in instant replay for baseball. I know right now that the MLB has implemented instant replay for home run disputes but I believe it should be expanded. It should be expanded to be used in other situations during the game, but not many.
I know that in the game of baseball there are a lot of controversial calls that can be made either way, most of which are dependent on the umpire to call it. This is why I believe the instant replay should be be expanded but still limited. I agree with it being made for home run disputes, but I also think it should be made for calls on the bases as well.
On Saturday the Brewers were playing the Cubs and the Cubs had the bases loaded with 1 out. After a routine grounder was hit, the Brewers tried to turn the double play, they however did not successfully make that double play, but only because the umpire had made a bad call. I can see how he made that call when the game was going at regular speed, but after looking at it in slow motion, it was definately a double play. This allowed a run to be scored and the Brewers eventually lost the game by 1.
The instant replay should be implemented for close calls on the bags to decide whether a base runner was truly out or safe. However I know that baseball is a long game and that adding instant replays could lengthen it, so to counter act that, each team will be allowed 1 instant replay on out or safe calls on the bags per game. This could eventually decide games, and as we saw last season, it only takes 1 game to make or miss the playoffs.
I know that in the game of baseball there are a lot of controversial calls that can be made either way, most of which are dependent on the umpire to call it. This is why I believe the instant replay should be be expanded but still limited. I agree with it being made for home run disputes, but I also think it should be made for calls on the bases as well.
On Saturday the Brewers were playing the Cubs and the Cubs had the bases loaded with 1 out. After a routine grounder was hit, the Brewers tried to turn the double play, they however did not successfully make that double play, but only because the umpire had made a bad call. I can see how he made that call when the game was going at regular speed, but after looking at it in slow motion, it was definately a double play. This allowed a run to be scored and the Brewers eventually lost the game by 1.
The instant replay should be implemented for close calls on the bags to decide whether a base runner was truly out or safe. However I know that baseball is a long game and that adding instant replays could lengthen it, so to counter act that, each team will be allowed 1 instant replay on out or safe calls on the bags per game. This could eventually decide games, and as we saw last season, it only takes 1 game to make or miss the playoffs.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Brewers 09
The 2009 mlb season has just begun and its anyone's guess who will win it all. The Brewers are coming off of their first playoff appreance in decades and expectations are high. But how far will the brewers make it this year? Could they win it all, over even make it into the post-season?
For the last few months of the 2008 regular season the brewers were basically riding on the arm of CC sabathia. But now that he is gone, how will the brewers look? Not only did they lose an ace in CC but they also lost another ace in Ben sheets. They do however have a rising star in Gallardo and hopefully he can pull through, Manny Parra will be solid again and Bush was looking very good at the end of the year. The rotation isn't bad but its no where near good and they lack depth.
Even though the rotation may not be as good as it was last year, the brewers are bringing back their main core and with it, all of their power. The brewers have many good position players that have been the reason for their recent success. Players like Braun, Hardy, Fielder, and Hart help keep the team afloat. However the brewers also have 2 young stars in the minor league that have the possability of being starters on the team. One of those players is a very good batter, Gamel, but has issues with fielding. I honestly believe that Gamel should replace fielder at first base and trade Fielder. If the brewers trade fielder they can get a decent starting pitcher to help solidify the rotation and the wont lose much since Gamel will replace Fielder.
All in all the brewers will probably not have as good of a year as last year. They lost too much in free agency and didn't pick up anything. Either way the brewers are in the running for another playoff appearance IF they can keep it up at the end of the season.
For the last few months of the 2008 regular season the brewers were basically riding on the arm of CC sabathia. But now that he is gone, how will the brewers look? Not only did they lose an ace in CC but they also lost another ace in Ben sheets. They do however have a rising star in Gallardo and hopefully he can pull through, Manny Parra will be solid again and Bush was looking very good at the end of the year. The rotation isn't bad but its no where near good and they lack depth.
Even though the rotation may not be as good as it was last year, the brewers are bringing back their main core and with it, all of their power. The brewers have many good position players that have been the reason for their recent success. Players like Braun, Hardy, Fielder, and Hart help keep the team afloat. However the brewers also have 2 young stars in the minor league that have the possability of being starters on the team. One of those players is a very good batter, Gamel, but has issues with fielding. I honestly believe that Gamel should replace fielder at first base and trade Fielder. If the brewers trade fielder they can get a decent starting pitcher to help solidify the rotation and the wont lose much since Gamel will replace Fielder.
All in all the brewers will probably not have as good of a year as last year. They lost too much in free agency and didn't pick up anything. Either way the brewers are in the running for another playoff appearance IF they can keep it up at the end of the season.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
More intramurals
Many of us are unable or choose not to participate in competative sports at the collegiate level. This is why intramural sports are helpful for the rest of us who don't play any sports at the collegiate level. It may not be as competative but it still can be fun for all of those who are involved.
Intramurals have a lot of benefits to all those who are involved. First off, they help people socialize with everyone else who is playing them. Also, depending on the sport it can be a good way to exercise and help keep people in shape.
I know that I have a very hard time getting myself to go and work out. I just can't find the motivation to do it. But when it comes to going and playing sports, I jump at the chance for doing it, and I know that I'm not the only one that is like that.
So if we had more intramurals then more people could get the chance to participate and have more games. This can help people socialize and get a workout. I know its a stretch to have more intramurals especially because of the space we have to work with, but if it could work out then it would be beneficial to all those involved.
Intramurals have a lot of benefits to all those who are involved. First off, they help people socialize with everyone else who is playing them. Also, depending on the sport it can be a good way to exercise and help keep people in shape.
I know that I have a very hard time getting myself to go and work out. I just can't find the motivation to do it. But when it comes to going and playing sports, I jump at the chance for doing it, and I know that I'm not the only one that is like that.
So if we had more intramurals then more people could get the chance to participate and have more games. This can help people socialize and get a workout. I know its a stretch to have more intramurals especially because of the space we have to work with, but if it could work out then it would be beneficial to all those involved.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Band of Brothers: A Review
Band of Brothers is a war movie that follows the United States 101st airborne division, Easy Company, during World War II. It is a 10 part series that follows all of the battles and traumatic events that took place within easy company on the western european front. As you go along in the series you get to know certain characters (all the characters are based off of real life people) better and become connected to them.
It starts off in the middle of training with their less than likelable company leader. He treats them horribly and makes them work harder and more often than any other company in the division. And on top of all that he shows horrible leadership skills and the men are afraid that if he leads them into battle, he will get them all killed. They are thrilled though to hear that he no longer will be their leader and now have a new person to lead them into battle.
It next shows all the men ready to make the jump on D-Day. As the movie progresses Easy company goes into many battles. We see men die and get injured. Each episode for the most part has 1 character that it really follows closely and you get to see what each soldier had to go through. You get to see the war not only from the eyes of a regular soldier, but also from a company leader, a medic, a soldier who others lost respect for and had to gain it back, and also from replacements trying to fit in with the others.
Band of brothers is by far the best movie/series that I have ever seen. It shows all of the events that the soldiers had to go through and how much courage they had to have. It also gets us to connect on some level with the characters and essentially feel what they feel during all of this. I believe that this series depicts the war very well and I can say I have a lot more respect for those WWII veterans because of it.
It starts off in the middle of training with their less than likelable company leader. He treats them horribly and makes them work harder and more often than any other company in the division. And on top of all that he shows horrible leadership skills and the men are afraid that if he leads them into battle, he will get them all killed. They are thrilled though to hear that he no longer will be their leader and now have a new person to lead them into battle.
It next shows all the men ready to make the jump on D-Day. As the movie progresses Easy company goes into many battles. We see men die and get injured. Each episode for the most part has 1 character that it really follows closely and you get to see what each soldier had to go through. You get to see the war not only from the eyes of a regular soldier, but also from a company leader, a medic, a soldier who others lost respect for and had to gain it back, and also from replacements trying to fit in with the others.
Band of brothers is by far the best movie/series that I have ever seen. It shows all of the events that the soldiers had to go through and how much courage they had to have. It also gets us to connect on some level with the characters and essentially feel what they feel during all of this. I believe that this series depicts the war very well and I can say I have a lot more respect for those WWII veterans because of it.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Football, the ultimate team sport
Most popular sports today involve teams and teammwork. But what sport is the "true team sport"? I believe that football is one of the only true team sports today.
Many sports today that do have teams involved like baseball and basketball aren't true team sports. Take baseball for example; a team can have a dominant pitcher and whenever it is their day to pitch he can basically single handidly win his team the game. Take C.C. Sabathia for example, last year he for the most part won the game every time he went on the mound for the Brewers.
Basketball also isn't a true team sport. Basketball can easily be dominated by 1 or 2 players on a team. Take Lebron James for example, he is the heart and soul of the Cavaliers and without him I don't think that the Cav's would have anywhere near the number of wins that they do now.
Football on the other hand is more of a team sport than almost any other sport out there. No one player can win his team the game. Even if a team has a dominant quarterback, he still has to have at least 1 good wide reciever to throw it to and have a good offensive line to protect him long enough the throw it. Football also has a group of players for offense and another group of players for defense which not many sports do. This makes it so that even if there is one dominant running back or quarterback on a team, they would also need a pretty good defense to stop the other team. Also, everyone on the team has to be on the same page throughout the whole game. If someone on defense blows an assignment it very well might end up with the other team scoring because of it. In football everyone has to work together and know what not only he has to do, but also what their teammates are doing to in order to win. And that is why football is the ultimate team sport.
Many sports today that do have teams involved like baseball and basketball aren't true team sports. Take baseball for example; a team can have a dominant pitcher and whenever it is their day to pitch he can basically single handidly win his team the game. Take C.C. Sabathia for example, last year he for the most part won the game every time he went on the mound for the Brewers.
Basketball also isn't a true team sport. Basketball can easily be dominated by 1 or 2 players on a team. Take Lebron James for example, he is the heart and soul of the Cavaliers and without him I don't think that the Cav's would have anywhere near the number of wins that they do now.
Football on the other hand is more of a team sport than almost any other sport out there. No one player can win his team the game. Even if a team has a dominant quarterback, he still has to have at least 1 good wide reciever to throw it to and have a good offensive line to protect him long enough the throw it. Football also has a group of players for offense and another group of players for defense which not many sports do. This makes it so that even if there is one dominant running back or quarterback on a team, they would also need a pretty good defense to stop the other team. Also, everyone on the team has to be on the same page throughout the whole game. If someone on defense blows an assignment it very well might end up with the other team scoring because of it. In football everyone has to work together and know what not only he has to do, but also what their teammates are doing to in order to win. And that is why football is the ultimate team sport.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Baseball Salary Cap
Why is it that so many professional sports have salary caps yet baseball still has none? Does baseball enjoy having some teams be able to spend over 200 million dollars on payroll yet have others spend only 40? I know that the MLB is a players league but I think that it has become a little bit too rediculous.
The New York Yankees are a perfect example. The yankees play in one of the biggest markets in the MLB and therefore have money to throw around. Just this past off-season the Yankee's spent around 100million on free agents such as C.C. Sabathia and Mark Texiera. But if you look at teams like the Tampa Bay Ray's their payroll is less than 50 million a year. Such a drastic difference between the two teams goes to show why a salary cap is necessary.
Since there is no salary cap and because some teams can afford to spend a lot more on talent than other teams, some teams then have an unfair advantage over others. I know that payroll alone doesn't decide who will win, but it doesn't hurt any. But if we look at other leagues like the NFL we can see how the salary cap makes almost every team competitive.
Also, why is it that players in the MLB can get so much more than players in other sports? I personally believe that if any group of players should get the most money it should be the NFL players. They put their body on the line every game and are at risk of injury more so than baseball because of the added contact. So baseball should implement a salary cap. It would help to make the league more competitive and help reduce the insane amount of money that baseball players are getting these days
The New York Yankees are a perfect example. The yankees play in one of the biggest markets in the MLB and therefore have money to throw around. Just this past off-season the Yankee's spent around 100million on free agents such as C.C. Sabathia and Mark Texiera. But if you look at teams like the Tampa Bay Ray's their payroll is less than 50 million a year. Such a drastic difference between the two teams goes to show why a salary cap is necessary.
Since there is no salary cap and because some teams can afford to spend a lot more on talent than other teams, some teams then have an unfair advantage over others. I know that payroll alone doesn't decide who will win, but it doesn't hurt any. But if we look at other leagues like the NFL we can see how the salary cap makes almost every team competitive.
Also, why is it that players in the MLB can get so much more than players in other sports? I personally believe that if any group of players should get the most money it should be the NFL players. They put their body on the line every game and are at risk of injury more so than baseball because of the added contact. So baseball should implement a salary cap. It would help to make the league more competitive and help reduce the insane amount of money that baseball players are getting these days
Monday, February 16, 2009
College football playoffs
It has recently been a hot topic with many college football fans: should the bcs switch to a playoff system? I personally would love to see it changed to some type of playoff system. The current way the bcs does things, a lot of teams are left out of contention even if they have done everything they could to be considered the best in the nation.
These past few years have left many people questioning the system in place. This past year Utah went undefeated, won thier bowl game against what was, for a majority of the season, the number 1 team. Also a few years back Boise State went undefeated and also won their bowl game. Its teams like that, who go undefeated throughout the whole season and win their bowl game that don't get a chance to prove that they are the best in the nation.
I know that some people make the argument that teams like Utah and Boise State don't play the type of caliber teams that others play and that their conference is weak. But with wins in the bowl games against powerhourse teams, why can't they get shots at national championships? They have proved that they can beat the "better" teams and stick with them.
If college football switched to a playoff system it could fix all of these problems. I know that some people argue that the current system makes the whole season count and not just the end. But if it was switched to a 12 team playoff system it could fix that. With 12 teams, four of the teams would get a first round bye, this makes it so that the regular season games do matter and that the best teams get to make it to the second round automatically. The remaining eight teams play it all the way through. This would make it so that even the teams that are from "weaker" conferences but are still undefeated get a chance to become the national champions.
These past few years have left many people questioning the system in place. This past year Utah went undefeated, won thier bowl game against what was, for a majority of the season, the number 1 team. Also a few years back Boise State went undefeated and also won their bowl game. Its teams like that, who go undefeated throughout the whole season and win their bowl game that don't get a chance to prove that they are the best in the nation.
I know that some people make the argument that teams like Utah and Boise State don't play the type of caliber teams that others play and that their conference is weak. But with wins in the bowl games against powerhourse teams, why can't they get shots at national championships? They have proved that they can beat the "better" teams and stick with them.
If college football switched to a playoff system it could fix all of these problems. I know that some people argue that the current system makes the whole season count and not just the end. But if it was switched to a 12 team playoff system it could fix that. With 12 teams, four of the teams would get a first round bye, this makes it so that the regular season games do matter and that the best teams get to make it to the second round automatically. The remaining eight teams play it all the way through. This would make it so that even the teams that are from "weaker" conferences but are still undefeated get a chance to become the national champions.
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