Oscars, Race, and Spotlight.

I stayed up last night, relaxing on a day off and happened to have the Oscars turned on while I was browsing E-Bay for fun orders (Didn't pull the trigger on those Adult Moon boots).

Over the past few months the Oscars, and Hollywood in general, are being criticized again for their lack of diversity.  With so few nominations for Black actors and actresses despite movies that were headliners such as "Concussion" and "Straight Outta Compton" 

Rock didn't hide from the Elephant. 

Rather than comment on the actual controversy, I'd like to comment on what happened at the theater itself.  It felt on some level uncomfortable for those celebrities in the room to feel somewhat guilty about their craft. No matter who was about to pick up their trophy, there seemed to be an air of tension and that one should say something to attempt to diffuse the situation and spread the idea of love and appreciation.

Awards shows are on many levels a facade in the first place, and we all know it.  How do you really judge a performance such as DiCaprio this year in the The Revenant vs Cranston in Trumbo?   It's all subjective, the things we think that are dramatic, that are funny, may not be to someone else.  The stories are different, but maybe no less important.

Still, I thought Chris Rock did an excellent job navigating some very rough waters.  Not wanting to bite the hand the feeds him, yet still insisting that there be more opportunity for black and minority actors.

As white winner after white winner took home an Oscar presented seemingly often by a black presenter (including best picture which, incidentally, features no prominent dark skinned roles), one couldn't help but feel how each winner wanted to acknowledge something positive yet be sympathetic to a very real problem that exists within their community. 

In the middle, Rock had a "man on the street" type piece where he asked people near a Compton movie theater about the movies and about the controversy.  The piece missed the audience mark, but was one I found that represented how much certain communities are simply not interested in certain Oscar movies.  I too had never really heard of Spotlight, and had someone surprised me on the street, 2 weeks ago the only movies on my mind were Star Wars and the Leonardo movie.

In fact all I heard about going into the show were The Revenant and The Martian because of the star power behind those two in Matt Damon and Leo.

 Eventually as Gold Confetti rained down in the air it seemed as though everyone had come together, that everyone that had watched this experience was exposed to the very real issue of race relations in America and was better for it.  I wondered if this best picture winner was markedly better than Straight Outta Compton, which was one of my favorite movies in the past few years.

While I must agree with most critics that it was a tremendous movie, it was no better or worse than Straight Outta Compton, though they do both share a similar theme.

Both movies deal with an outsider theme.  Outsiders trying to stop or topple the system.  While one could certainly be judged as more serious, and with more known and experienced actors, both stories felt authentic and well produced.  If I were a critic, I would recommend both equally, yet without it being nominated, Hollywood is suggesting that is not the case.

 I'm hoping that just like the movies, Hollywood will eventually practice the equality it has preached about.

Will Rock Ever Be Cool Again

Competition

The rush of the win.

The pride in the effort and work.

The respect and relationships forged.

In games, or athletics, or even in certain life goals, the aspects of competition seem to fill my life.

This is probably the result of both the environment as well as my genetic coding that I am a 'competitive' person.

It started when I was a young child, I remember playing games of 'memory' where you flip the cards and then must match with a corresponding matching card. While I was happy to win, I would become devastated at losing.  I hated it.  I would cry and sob that I lost.  

As I became older, I found that I had a pretty good aptitude for athletics and as I joined sports teams, I enjoyed rising through the ranks based on skill and not politics (for the most part.)

Every sport I started to play I was bad at to start.  In fact I remember I hated basketball at a young age because I couldn't get the ball all the way to the rim.

Now, as I go through my adult life, I attempt to guide my competitive nature to more contemporary goals such as savings and workouts.  While the rewards change the spirit and enjoyment of the process thankfully remain.

Nostalgia reigns supreme in 'The X-Files' return

Yesterday I revisited my past, jogging down memory lane with the moment I really fell in love with the game of football which was brought about by, well, the video game of football.

Blast from the Past

Today I'm reminded of the Sundays of my youth as I binge watch the X-Files current mini-series airing on Fox.

The first two episodes hint at the continuation of their main plot line involving government conspiracies and extra-terrestial life.  While these episodes were often well done and left me feeling like I wanted to learn more, I was even happier to watch the next two episodes that featured some fun, tongue in cheek humor.  

The writing is superb, delivering both witty jokes from one of the best smart-ass playing actors, as well as deep emotional portrayals such as when Scully questions the morality of her own decisions.  

I remember that my parents, and sometimes even my sister (who is not the biggest fan of long form media) would gather around and watch every Sunday evening as Mulder and Scully would solve paranormal mysteries. 

In that way I can't help but be complimentary of the show as all the same things that made the series great, return.

The show was creative, exciting, dramatic and fun, and to have it all come back even if only briefly is a welcome hit of nostalgia. 

Falling in Love in '92. Even Though John Madden was a Liar.

There was something to watching how the game unfolded, almost like a set of live domino's that just took hold of me.  These little Green, or Blue, or Red digital men seemed to be able to do anything.  And better yet I was in control.

These gladiators relied on all of their physical gifts, combined in a team environment, all in front of a grand stage.  The idea of it all was just awesome to me.

This game probably started my 20 plus love affair with Football

At age 8, and proud new owner of his first ever video game system in the SEGA Genesis, my first game (at least to my recollection) was Madden 92.

I loved it.  It kept track of the statistical achievements and thus I began to have a bit of a small obsession with the sport.

I, like probably every kid in the 90's in those days, I wanted to play running back.  Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith dominated the NFL headlines.  And I loved the idea of blending speed with power, running through the field.

Barry was the first guy that probably got compared to a video game.  The incredible change of direction and speed defied physics.

But I really liked the green team from Philadelphia.  I remember my parents taking me to the zoo there once, and my Uncle lived there, so it sounded good.  Besides, they were rated really highly.  Even better than the Cowboys, who incidentally would go on to win 3 Super Bowls in the 90's.

Sometime I wonder, if John Madden actually ranked Seattle better that year I may have been a Seahawk fan.

However on some level I never truly thought the violence in the game was ever brutal or real.  Tackles were always simple animations and the most exciting plays were always on the offensive side of the ball.  Even while watching games on television I thought the tackles were rarely malicious or meant to hurt someone (although I could be a bit naive as a child).

Players always got back up.  There were no injuries just yet as far as I could remember.  In fact a neat little thing would happen where in later years injuries were dealt with in rather comical fashion via player running over ambulances.

Now watching it all years later, it blows my mind the development in computer and game technology.  I should imagine in another 20 years a near photo like realism will be pretty close to being achieved. 

Failure and Bouncing back. A Tale of the Solo Bachelor Weekend, (and THON...Kind Of)

"It's 6:30 PM, the energy is low this Friday night as I sip my Manhatten.  But I'm anxious.  I can't stop my leg from nervously tapping.  I want to try and be social but I'm torn as most of my friends are working for the moment.

My fiance is out of town.  

Most of my best friends in cities and states away.

I'm home alone in my hometown."


That was the beginning of what I was hoping to be an ambitious project to write about an evening out while it was happening.  A live mobile blog, which I still might do, but obviously it being Monday and the fact that this my next post after a relatively long break.

The goal of the blog was to be a catalyst for me, a personal challenge to write creatively every single day for 40 days.  It didn't have to be long.  The words don't have to be correct, but I had to post.

It started out alright, a few introductory posts, and then some longer pieces on politics and sports.  But then the fatigue and the repetition began to get to me.  I felt like I deserved a break.  I had been so good for the past few weeks I deserved some me time.

And my solo bachelor weekend began.

3:00AM Friday Morning

I had no plans for the weekend and plenty of off time.  My fiance is leaving town to go visit her mother for her birthday, bringing along her aunt as a surprise.  As I crawl into bed I have visions of video games, eating some good pub food and hanging out on the other side of the bar until late in the night.

9:30 AM Friday Morning

There is so much time in the day.  In the feel that it's overwhelming I start by just playing a few games on the computer (Heroes Of The Storm for you nerds out there).  I do a workout, I watch some television, and a movie and all of a sudden it's

5:30 PM Friday Evening

It happens just that fast.  The day is gone, and while the workout was healthy, I did not produce anything of substance for my blog.  Something I was trying to be consistent with.  Something I am very publicly trying to make a priority.  Around this time I hatch the idea for the 'live from the mobile phone' idea.

7:30 PM Friday Evening

I'm back at home.  I think about going out but my time out for dinner has made me feel tired.  My entire day has mostly revolved around occasional beers, food, and occasional cocktails.  I had moved the living room recliner to directly in front of the television to give myself literally the best possible view.  Then, inexplicably, I have an intense craving for more food.  Specifically pizza.

There may be no other food I fear more than the well made pizza.  The blend of cheese and red sauce, with fresh bread, the taste of pepperoni and bacon makes my mouth instantly water.  Feeling no particular pressure to go out (It was THON weekend and it had been slow the previous two nights at work) I stayed in housing pizza and watching X-Files until....

11:30  PM Friday Night

I feel awful, like a puddle of pizza grease and shame.  While my indulgences at the time felt great, I now feel as though the only thing I want to do is feel better by tomorrow morning.

10:30 AM Saturday Morning

I feel better but not great.  I decide on a double workout today.  Working out is in many ways my best medication for mental stress.  Picking up my energy levels really sparks everything else including my mind.  I still get in a little television and video games (now becoming my favorite past time), but I put off writing.  I figure I may still be able to get my entry in later when my shift ends tonight.  Besides, I figure why not just make this weekend mine.  It's free of almost any obligations, other than the ones I made to myself.

6 PM Saturday Evening

The bar is busy but winding down from all indications.  All of my co-workers are on the same page and delivering the effort needed to have a successful evening.  Eventually as we get later in the night it becomes pretty evident that the night will not have that pop that we might typically see on a Saturday night.  Eventually the idea of a possible cut is introduced to help with payroll efficiancy as well as to make everyone's time more valuable.    I take the cut after another coworker declined it.  I'm pretty ecstatic to get to enjoy more freedom.

So what if my recliner is a foot away,no one is here to judge me.

What did I do with my said freedom?  While tempting to possibly stay around and socialize, or possibly go out to cover THON for a possible article and keep with the idea of keeping this blog with the original values of the project, I again chose to go home, indulge and fall asleep.

Sunday  11AM

I had failed all weekend to produce an article for the blog.  I tried, briefly, but it didn't work out.

I know on some level that I will be judged, and should be judged negativly for not doing the things I had set out to do.  I had plenty of time and opportunity to succeed.

Today, as my Fiance was due to return from her trip, I picked up the house in an attempt to atone for the rampant indulgence and procrastination.  Over the next 5 hours I clean every nook and cranny of the place, do the dishes and the laundry, knowing full well that while the work will be appreciated, it does not fulfill my actual obligation.

So then I wondered, should I give up on the project altogether?  Should I put the pen down and admit defeat?

Then I watched the THON results being displayed on Facebook.  The philanthropic endeaver run and organized by the students of Penn State.  For the past two the students sacrificed their time that could have spent getting ahead in class or socializing or doing a great many things to help generate money to help children with cancer and the Four Diamonds fund.

They are the spirit of this town and spirit I try to emulate as often as possible.  They raised over 9 million dollars and while some news articles will remind you that they fell well short of the records previously set, the lack of canning weekends were clearly seen.  Yet while they may not have achieved their ultimate goal, the process for them and money they were able to bring was real.

Sometimes life will beat you.  You will not attain  all of your goals, no matter how noble or forthright you are.  If you want to truly become great at something, you will fail along the way.  Because on some level, you may have never tried everything.

So I pick up my pen again this Monday, trying to recover from my weekend of indulgence, willing and ready to push again.  

Day 8: I write Poetry. I don't share it on Facebook. Anymore. Maybe later.

Some poetry.  And by poetry, I mean I want one of my musician friends to STEAL THESE SONG LYRICS AND PUT THEM TO MUSIC so we can get famous and rich.  I'll settle for 10%.  Probably.  

Dancing Late at Night With Jack and Mary

Blood flows into a vessel of mind and action

Find the beast in the bed of rhythms and rapture

But we can't find the heart to tell you the truth

We'll live in the movement, in the forever of youth. 

(Oooooh, the river of youth) <---------(For Song only.   Lol)

Promised forever, but we'll settle for the night

The Spirits, they take us for ride of our lives

Oh we've lost our minds with the sense of time

Dancing late with Jack and Mary we'll always shine

Sometime later the morning comes

And we'll wonder where it all came from.

And where we lost it all

Sometime later the morning comes

Promised forever, but we'll settle for the night

Find the beast in the bed of rhythms and rapture

Oh we've lost our minds with the sense of time

Dancing late with Jack and Mary, we'll always shine

Bad Timing

Tell me a story; she said 'please'

She asked "How'd you come to be'

Tell me a story; she said 'please'

Then I told her how I came to be.

I've been on beaches of golden sand

Weathered the hurricanes of Isolation

I've never been the Ringo of the Band

Loving another is my full time Institution

But I hope you never ask to see my hand.

Sing a song, he said 'please'

He asked, "why did she have to leave"

Sing me a song, he said 'please' 

Then she sung the song of 'me'

Day 7: Benz Buzz Fed. Quick little stories, etc.

Short stories and commentaries.

Deadpool--It's something I'm sure every comic book geek over the age of 15 has been waiting for.  The first legitimate R rated Super Hero Movie.  Where the Super Powers result in the blood and gore they're capable of.  That the Super Heroes and Villains curse and the fantasy of being a superhero takes an interesting turn that breaks the "4th wall."

The story of Deadpool is played out in Satirical fashion, with Reynolds playing what should have been his role to play all along.  As a Franchise, don't be shocked if this takes off.

Politics--In my estimation I believe only Sanders would look out for American citizens rather than special interests.  Every other candidate I have severe trust issues with.  

Personal-- I shot 3 air balls in my last game, all of which turned into layups for my team.  I'm not sure that analytics wouldn't suggest I keep shooting since they all resulted in points.

Also, I took out the trash, and I find it amazing how braving cold weather to empty a 2 pound plastic bag somehow made me feel like I was tough.  How pampered is the world today?

Bar-- We've had a great last few weeks at work.  It's been busy, and everyone seems to be happy to be there.  Pretty solid meme contest held in house.

TV and Pop Culture-- Master of None is one of the best new comedic shows I've seen in a while, and the return of the X-Files reminds me so much of my childhood that I bought a giant comic book off Amazon.com

Day 5 and into Day 6. Welcome Home, Jordan Norwood.

There are many success stories coming from the State College Area, but there are few that play out as publicly as Jordan Norwood's recently has.

This past February 7th, he played for the Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos, playing Wide Receiver for the team as well as handling the Punt Return duties.  

Now while most of the media may have been caught up in the hoopla of the Panthers, here in State College we were looking forward to the side story of watching one of our own get an opportunity after overcoming various obstacles.  

There were numerous mentions before the broadcast that in the history of the Super Bowl there had been no Punt Returns for touchdowns and that the Carolina Panthers featured Tedd Ginn Jr.  An incredible highly touted athlete from Ohio State that was the ninth overall selection in NFL draft in 2007.  With 7 career touchdowns to his credit and the pedigree of being considered one of the best athletes on the field, his path was one that seemed to be pre-ordained for greatness.

By contrast, Jordan was seemingly lightly recruited out of high school, his slight stature making it seem as though the physical demands of playing major College Football may be beyond him.  That even if he did bulk up, it may take away his biggest asset, his incredible quickness and athleticism.  

He almost took a scholarship to play both football and basketball at Bucknell, but at the last minute a spot opened up for him at Penn State.

I believe I met him at Sea World while I was a Walk-On myself in 2002 (He'll have to forgive me if that's not the case as my memory gets hazy about 14 years ago.).  His father, Coach Norwood to me, was in charge of guiding me along to the rest of my teammates as I was a late arrival due to my status as a non-invited walk-on (I had to try out). 

I felt slightly alone at the time, 18 and traveling essentially by myself (as a late introduction I was still in process of finding friends and trying to see where I could fit in with a group of highly competitive people).  Coach Norwood helped me feel at home in a place far away from where home really was for me. 

Jordan's father was coaching special teams at the time and he offered to help guide me around for a bit, while I attempted to contact some of my other State College contacts on the team.

I also distinctly remember Coach Norwood holding me accountable when I failed at a drill by doing push-ups, but he seemed to do so with a smile on his face that said to me "I'm going to try and make you better." 

While with the group of Norwoods, the details are now fuzzy thinking back some 14 years ago, but I always felt the sense of altruism that existed within the family.  That doing the right thing is important, and necessary for one's success.  

Later on in his Collegiate career he began getting some playing time, eventually playing a starting role in a spread style system that had dual threat QB Darryl Clark throwing to Norwood, Deon Butler, and Derrick Williams.

His collegiate career ended sadly with a vivid reminder that his stature could leave him vulnerable as an extremely vicious and ILLEGAL hit by USC safety Taylor Mays knocked him from the game.  He then went through the draft process having been passed on by every team.

Still he tried to pursue his NFL dream.  He chose to persevere and continue to try and make a career playing the game he loved.  Perceptions be damned, he was going to try and achieve his dream.  

He went from practice squads with the Eagles and Browns, to finally finding a home on the Broncos.

Then, when it seemed like he might be ready to start making regular contributions to the team, he tore his ACL.  Again he would battle back, getting into the receiver rotation with other stand-outs such as Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas.

So to see Jordan take center stage on the Super Bowl that night was nothing short of one of the best feel good stories of the year.  

Then he made the play that he will be remembered by those who grew up here, for all time. The one we are all probably still talking about.  The record setting play that helped push the momentum further for the Broncos and helped set them up to win the Super Bowl.  To some, that might be all they know.

But within the community Jordan is known as just an all-around good guy.  Someone that is incredibly appreciative of what he's been blessed with and remains humble and polite.  Someone who knows he was part of some extremely special teams (Did I mention he also was part of a State Championship for State High in 2003?)

This past Friday night, I heard through mutual friends that he would be coming out in a rare appearance to celebrate.  Having got word of this I wanted to stop by and congratulate him on behalf of all the other guys that might not be there in person to say just how awesome his personal story was and how proud I was to call him a friend. 

I had imagined that we would get together, share stories of playing at the IM building, and our experience at Penn State or how the town of State College helped mold some incredibly talented, yet humble and warm people.  Maybe share Joe Paterno stories, both legendary and personal. Maybe talk about how his Dad is doing as a coach and how life is for his siblings. 

But before Jordan entered the bar, I found out the main reason for his coming out in State College, may not have been as much for himself to celebrate any of his achievements, as much as it was to celebrate another friend's birthday.

This celebration wasn't even really for him, it was for somebody else, which really goes to show the type of person Jordan is.  As I approached him, a fellow patron and fan asked him for a selfie pic, and as the crowd grew, I got a sense of paranoia wash over myself.  I didn't want him to feel like he was in a zoo, nor did I want to be an active participant in creating a zoo-like atmosphere when they're just trying to celebrate a friend's birthday.

We exchanged hello's and I introduced my fiance to him (she always wants to meet people I have stories about from my past).  Instead of peppering him with any long form questions, I just gave him Congratulations and room to operate and celebrate with his closer peer class and friends. (I'm about 3 years older).

And in the end that's why his story is so special.  Not because he is a Professional Athlete, or that he is famous all the way to Brazil.

His well deserved "hero's welcome" may never truly come because Jordan Norwood won't let it.  He appears far more satisfied being just one of the group than revered as something more than anybody else.

And that is what I believe this community is all about.

Congratulations Jordan.  You've earned everything. 

Day 4: I didnt go to sleep yet so its still Saturday to me dammit.

Posted, ethical Lent maintained.    Up next, Hometown Athletics.

Day 3: Politics on Facebook suck. Now In 4 Flavors!

If you were ever interested in politics and how our government works, Facebook and politics to me has the potential to be great.

In some ways, the internet age and social media has given us all unprecedented access to candidates, their supporters, and most importantly, an exchange of ideas.

So why is it that instead the majority of what I see on my news feed is meme's designed to be both humorous, as well as serve as propaganda for a given candidate?  Instead of long form debate about our judicial system as a whole, we simplify the equation to only 2 possible answers.  Whatever the red team wants vs whatever the blue team wants.

Here are some that I found with some pretty basic search criteria:

I chose these simply because of their name recognition.  I'm sure there are thousands more of the other candidates or past presidents.  

These are simple lampooning attempts, reasonably harmless enough, meant to get a laugh, and maybe a "like" from like minded people.  However, what seems to be abundantly clear is that the actual dialogue between people isn't that much more advanced.  That the election, as elections are wanted to do these days, is about rhetoric more than it is ideas.  

Most of our discussion in politics deal with demographics and talking points.  How does one appear on camera, do we think the economy will or won't improve under their policies?  Yet there is so much information that it becomes overwhelming and we settle for the quick little blurb that can easily be digested in seconds.

I believe we, as private citizens, owe a bit of a civic duty to educate ourselves on the issues and explain our positions without resorting to simplistic rhetoric and propaganda often shared today. Sometimes it can prove difficult to explain your position in a timely fashion, that other people may disagree even with your long, thought out opinion. 

But your full opinion matters, and it is worth expounding on, if not on Facebook, then in table discussions and work banter.  The point is to keep it civil, and to keep the dialogue beyond a 2 second digestible meme.

Day 2. Straw-Ber-Rita's and Natural Supplements

My morning started around 10:26 AM, with a Coffee, a water, a Straw-Ber-Rita, and a little of natural supplements to keep me healthy.

Then it's right into the writing process at 10:45.  I start and stop a few times trying to get the momentum of the moment.  The feel of my voice going to the pages so that when I'm writing, I'm coming across in such a way that it feels like I'm talking.

A lot of things I love in one picture

If I can first accomplish this, then I can go on to tell my story, whatever it might be.  This process actually can take a while and it's a part that I feel many writers and journalists can struggle with.
Anyway...on to today's subject: me!

Because you're probably Facebook friends with me, you probably know at least the basic tenants of my personality.  I'm mostly polite.  I'm tall and athletic (sometimes I may not look it lol).  I graduated from Penn State. I was able to "walk-on" to the PSU football team my freshman year.  I also left of my own volition within that year. I graduated with a degree in Communications with an emphasis on Journalism with a minor in English.

Now, I work as a bartender and relief manager at the Hotel State College, where I write on the side and oh yeah, I'm getting married.  I think most of my immediate audience probably knows all of this, thanks mostly to the advent of social media.

BUT I think the real me, is the me that gets behind this computer and writes about myself and the world as I perceive it with honesty and hopefully a sense of style.

See, I love stories, whether they be in the forms of news articles, books, or television, video games or movies.  Often I find the best stories to come from athletics.  They tell of underdogs, of love, of passion, of defeat.  There are so many metaphors with sports that they become an endless boon for this media age.  In fact, sports are covered with more veracity than pretty much any other subject.

Other than Sports stories, I love the Spice of Life stories.  The stories of people who don't take life as seriously and try to enjoy its splendor. Stories of late night shenanigans with a

Because, why not.

rock band, or an escapade with a group of friends in Atlantic City or Las Vegas.  Even the simplicity of a family vacation to Michigan or San Francisco could have its own unique tale.

My other favorite form to write about, or in, is poetry.  I think of my love of music, and a lot of it deals with the lyrics and how a writer will build a story around rhymes and rhythm.  So you'll probably see a few of those over the next few weeks.

Over the next 38 days, I hope to write articles that will grab your bored social media browsing attention and give you a form of entertainment.  At the very least I hope to get into the groove of writing regularly again for my own benefit.




Up Next.  Day 3.  The First Real Article.

Day 1.  For Me, This Will Be A Religious Experience


This July 30th, I, the actual real person behind these words, will be getting married.  I presume that it will be one of the happiest days of my life, barring anything profoundly stupid or tragic happening that might be out of my control.

From the time I've proposed until now, I've had a bit of writers block.  I couldn't find the the thing to write about that I really, truly cared about, at least not in a way that could be truly heard.

I felt badly that I couldn't (or didn't) write anymore, but no experience I could write about seemed appropriate.  I had also, at the time, been taking on more responsibilities at work and had multiple health problems in the late Summer and early Fall.

In short, it never felt right.

The concept for this particular blog came to me a few days after meeting the Deacon that is to perform the marriage.  Thoughts of Faith and Love, and Spirituality and the timing of it all.

That perhaps writing, like love, is never forced.

EVERY DAY for the next 40 days, (as some call it, Lent) I will be posting a piece of writing dealing with any number of topics.  The writing may be an essay on sports or pop culture, it may be a poem, or heck, maybe I'll throw in a fictional short story.  This is done mostly for my own benefit as a writing exercise, but I hope that you, my potential audience, gets some enjoyment out of the content as well.

Some topics I'll likely touch on.

-Bar Work/Something Bar Related
-Actively changing mindsets, from 20's to 30's or Holy Shit, Ryan Reynolds looks kinda old now.
-The Business of Athletics
-Am I Doomed to Hate New Music?
-Kobe and Jordan vs Curry and LeBron?  Kobe and LeBron vs Jordan and Magic?  The difficulty in cross comparing eras.
-What it's like to walk away from a dream.  My experience leaving Football.
-First Fictional Heroes

Plus More!

Not that I'm really selling this.  It's all free.  I'll be trying to figure out fancy graphics or something later. But really, you probably just clicked because you're bored and this showed up on your social media feed.

Should be fun.

Up Next: Day 2. A proper introduction.