Friday, October 5, 2018
Documentary Review: Overturning Roe Vs. Wade
There is probably no more important documentary to watch right now.
The story begins in a present day courthouse. A woman is arguing vehemently about what motherhood has meant for her. How beautiful the experience was for her, how incredible it made her feel.
Here in the Texas House of representatives, it seems like the woman, will side with the men who hate the idea of abortions based specifically on religious grounds, and a graphic rhetoric for some late term abortions.
However in a turn of events, despite her strong feelings on motherhood, she insists that she does not believe that her situation needs to be the same as every other woman's.
From there, the documentary takes off and takes us down the rabbit hole of the most divisive, and least spoken about issue today.
Historians, religious leaders, activists from both sides, and everyday people tell their versions of a law that is most certainly in jeopardy, that according to economists, may have helped solve the crime epidemic of the 1990's.
Incredibly profound observations from the feminist movement in the seventies.
It talks about how in the early stages of the issue, that Republicans thought that the Government had no vested interest in telling a woman what to do with their pregnancy. They go on to explain as to why their politics would go on to change.
After about an hour we get to the essential argument of Roe Vs. Wade.
While it gets to the crux of the argument it becomes clear as to why a conservative court would have a 7-2 decision in favor of legalizing abortion. It is argued that the state should be interfering less in people's lives, that the state has no interest in controlling the population.
From there the story changes to the perspective of the religious right, it shows the anger of some people who became so filled with rage that they would go on to commit heinous crimes.
The story can be extremely personal, as a woman talks about caring a fetus to term that was going to be born without arms and legs, to the graphic imagery and language of "partial-birth"abortions, but through it all it manages to keep a professionalism through the story to tell it as objectively as possible.
The story comes together fully, with amazing footage and interviews that come across as unabashedly honest. It tells as whole a story as you could hope for in a little over an hour and thirty minutes.
If you want to understand the issue of why the Supreme Court is so important today, please do yourself a favor and watch this film.
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
The Last Mistake Gets Remembered Loudest. Why We As Penn State Fans Need To Move On
Then it happens so suddenly. It's a draw play, Sanders gets tackled in the backfield, and all of a sudden this incredible game is over, and Penn State has lost.
The pain that every player, fan, and coach felt at that moment was real and identical. That we felt like we had made just enough plays and that it was unfair.
That we deserved to win that game.
The last play, for it not to be in the hands of a player who, to this point, was the biggest reason for our offensive success, left everyone wanting more. It felt wrong.
That last moment feels incredibly more important than all the others because it happens last, and for that reason it becomes overly magnified as the sole reason for a win or a loss. There is no guarantee that if Penn State gets a first down, that in the next few plays they will win the game. The likelihood obviously goes up, but again, a kick could be missed, or blocked, or a turnover such as a fumble or interception could still occur.
This is a case of recency bias and it's important to acknowledge that while on its own, the call and outcome was far from what was desired, it was also just one part of a game that had several important plays go in the other direction.
No one has brought up the drop on the out pattern on a crucial third down, or the fumble at the end of the first half, or a missed field goal. Or the overthrows, or sacks. The plays that also contributed heavily towards the result.
The missed tackles in the open field, the inability to consistently stop the run, getting gashed late into the game.
It all counts.
You almost can't remember the positives. The one handed grab, the 50 yard scramble. The stop on 4th down. The interception. The way the team prayed for their fallen teammate and celebrated together as they scored one last time in the fourth quarter, seeming to have gotten up enough to relax just a little bit.
It all played a role in what was really a very close back and forth game.
But we still seem to focus on that bitter, bitter end.
It has probably, miraculously, made you forget about a well intentioned, but horrible, half-time show that had the Penn State theater group attempt to use microphones to add a vocal component to the blue band. It didn't work.
I bring this up because I don't want to lose sight of the positives that have taken us this far. I truly believe that this community's sports programs have done so well the last few years because of how we encourage one another, and we don't allow the negative energy of a loss, even one as devastatingly hurtful as Ohio State, bring us down.
That anger and divisiveness that stems from the frustrations of not winning two years in a row by a total of two points. That feeling of wanting to assign blame for your frustrations. It can be a feeling that can tear weaker teams apart.
In this community for the past seven or so years, we have always responded with more positive emotions rather than bad ones. We trust each other a little more instead of a little less. We help each other a little more rather than a little less. To make it blunt, at the times when we could say "We no longer care about this person or that thing because we don't like something" we instead choose an attitude that says "Let's get better, let's help one another."
Undoubtedly, I was not a fan of the last play call either. But I refuse to let that moment of disappointment define how I feel about the players or the coaching staff that has time and time again brought the best out of each other and the community.
Instead, it's time to move on to seeing what the team can do against Michigan State, and how we as fans get to look forward to an early October homecoming weekend.
Friday, September 28, 2018
In The City of Brotherly Love, My Little Sister Gets Married.
9/14/18
As we arrived in downtown Philadelphia, my mind was focusing on the cramps in my foot. I didn't think I was particularly dehydrated or tense, but suddenly as brake lights lit up and the echoes of engines filled the tunnel, my deliberate jab in my right foot turned into a prolonged stretch.
I couldn't tell my wife, who sat by my side, anything of my predicament due to the fact that I knew this would cause rise in her already visible anxiety; her jaw locked into a vision that screamed of cautious tension.
Thankfully the traffic was manageable, even if a bit slow at times, and we arrived at the valet area of the hotel.
This being the first time being valeted, I was a bit unsure of how everything was to go. I handed the gentleman my keys and they loaded all of our bags onto the luggage cart. My wife was quick to note that they were all Jess Simpson bags, a fashion brand and celebrity that she adores more than what doctors might say is a healthy amount.
As we walked into the elevator hallway and check-in station, it became apparent that this hotel was, quite simply, one of the best in the heart of Philadelphia. It would also become clear that if we touched anything in the mini-bar fridge it was going to cost us at least 20 bucks. The silver and black marbled walls gave the impression that this would be someplace to stay if you were a somebody, and not for the budget conscious.
The weekend had finally arrived where my little sister, Sarah, would be getting married.
My sister, who came into the world 4 years after me, has always been someone that I've been taught to and had an instinct to protect. From an early age it became clear that she had a bit of a sense of adventure, a willingness to challenge others, and an independent streak that led her to do things that might agitate others.
As we grew older, we had a bit of a small sibling rivalry. I was an introvert, who loved to stay at home when I wasn't participating in sports. I loved video games, books, movies and anything that took me away from my immediate reality. My sister on the other hand, loved to explore the world and make it her own. She rode horses, excelled in school, and enjoyed socializing and meeting people.
To me, Sarah was overly conscious of people's perceptions of her and how people might perceive me. Where as, I cared about comfort in my clothing, baggy pants and shirts that allowed me to move that may have been less flattering; she would look for brands and styles that complimented her.
I remember playing catch with her when I was maybe a junior or senior, and she was playing softball. The two of us were throwing the ball, gradually harder and harder until we lost control of our respective accuracy and had to start chasing the ball, rather than fielding laser shots into our hands.
We were in many ways very different personalities.
However we also recognize that in some ways we are exactly the same.
We were raised by the same family. Not just our mother and father, but aunts, uncles and grandparents. Our cousins were the same. So we, on some level, were shaped by the same culture. We both value laughter and jokes. I'd say that on the whole, we have the same sort of humor that goes between high and low brows.
We both understand our parents, perhaps as well as they understand themselves, and look out for both of them whenever we can.
But back to the Wedding Weekend.
After arriving and checking out the view from our 11th floor room at the Loews Hotel, my dad invited us to go to a little place called Moriarty's, which in addition to having my grandmother's maiden name, was also an Irish pub known for its buffalo style wings that were served with the drum and flat pieces attached. While my dad thought they might be ranked as one of the top wings in the Country (they do appear on Thrillist.com), I thought they were a solid buffalo wing but nothing crazy. My wife, however loved their cheesesteak egg roll, and they had a good variety of draft beers. It was a great way to get cozy in a city th
is large by getting some of the simple things.
After
that we walked back to the hotel, put on our semi-formal clothes for
the rehearsal dinner that would be happening at the Front Street Cafe in
the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia. As we contacted our
respective Ubers we became aware that my sister's Uber had actually hit a
cyclist and they might be a little late. This immodestly reminded me
of my last Uber experience in the city when a man driving with an
oversized cowboy hat and one arm barely got my friends and I to a Red
Hot Chili Pepper concert in one piece. Thankfully, as in my case, it
seemed no one was seriously injured and Sarah and her fiance Ryan were
OK and arrived maybe ten minutes after we did.
Speaking of music, my memory became jogged as I found out that the cafe was literally across the street from Kung-Fu Necktie, a little bar known for live music and where on of my own best friends/ groomsman from my wedding saw a live G-Eazy show before he became the major artist that he is today.
From there we drank exotic cocktails like maple whiskey sours, ja
lapeno margaritas, and an assortment of craft beers.
As more and more people came through, I recognized some of the bridal party, but for the most part, stayed back with my wife trying to let the party, on some level, come to me and to enjoy everything going on.
As we eventually sat for dinner, Ryan, my sisters soon to be husband made a toast to family, for that is what the event was all about. He talked about how he was nervous to meet our family, because if we were anything like Sarah, we might be a bunch of high energy, meticulous go-getters that wouldn't allow him to relax. I especially enjoyed the misconception of myself, a former Penn State football player being a meathead, which to my knowledge, I am not.
And so the night played on and eventually we Ubered back to the hotel, went to bed, and looked forward to the next day. The wedding day.
9/15/18
I didn't want to mess anything up. I wanted the day to go perfectly, fully aware that was impossible. As someone who got married two years ago, and as someone who is aware that the real world is so full of variables that it is nearly impossible to bend the world to your will.
We started the day early heading to what might be the best breakfast place that I have ever been to, outdoing even the famed Waffle Shop, called Green Eggs Cafe. All of the options on the menu seemed appetizing to me, from their Pumpkin Spiced Bombon, the six different ways to have eggs Benedict (the short-rib version really had my attention), as well as creme brulee and cookie dough stuffed versions of french toast.
I settled on the "The Kitchen Sink", which involved three scrambled eggs, Gruyere cheese, a pork sausage gravy poured on top of peppers, potatoes and sausage. Needless to say it was filling and full of comfort food flavor.
From
there we thought we'd walk over to a few different shops, milling about
before we got the bridal parties' lunch catered by a local deli and
bakery. Through it all it got me to thinking about what it means for me
as a big brother, to see Sarah in this light, as someone who has found
someone else to trust so absolutely and to help her through the rest of
her life, as well as someone she would be willing to do the same for.
As we walked, I took in the old and the new of the city. Philadelphia is one our country's oldest cities, was at a time its largest, and for a time it was the Capitol of America. It is without question one of America's greatest cities in terms of historical narrative, culture, and economic impact. It is not without flaws. As with many densely populated areas there are defects, flaws within the metropolis that are just as evident as its beauty.
It occurred to me that my little sister getting married at this moment was in someways a reflection of those aspects. She had grown so much from when we were little, from being a curious, independent girl to a complex, strident and confidant woman. Like the city that has flourished through the perils of the world, so has she.
I always have spoken highly of my sister whenever anyone asks me about her. I speak of her will, her ability to exist in fast paced, demanding environments. Her unflinching, and sometimes unbearably blunt ability to speak honestly. That she aspires to continue to grow and become a better person in whichever way she is able.
It filled me with pride.
Here she was about to go forward with her life one more time and take a chance, and I was thrilled to be a part of it.
Sarah had asked that I look the part and get myself a custom suit so that I looked good and fit in to what was sure to be a beautiful wedding. The buses would be late and we waited down in the lobby catching cocktails and drinks as we waited for our ride. It was a nice opportunity to practice my Mad Men look and drink something brown on the rocks, trying to pretend for the day that I was somebody of immense importance.
I
have to say the suit looked great, and I was happy to feature "Philly
Special" embroidered on the inside of the jacket. While I'm certainly
more comfortable in simple clothes and t-shirts, there is something to
looking your best for the day so that you can catch the eye of somebody
else, (in my case, my own wife who looked beautiful in her blush colored
dress.).
As we got off the bus, they began asking for me right away as I was to be given instructions regarding my reading during the ceremony. It was obvious the planners and everyone on staff were on top of their games. The small classical band on the side was playing some low key numbers as we took our seats in one of the oldest gardens along the east coast.
The ceremony was beautiful, and I remember that I just kept smiling, that I couldn't be happier except for my own wedding day. As I watched them read their vows I couldn't help but think about how lucky we all were on that day to experience something like this. A family united in their feelings of love and support.
Ryan, the groom of this equation is also not without some mention. Throughout the process his personality and clear care for my sister never wavered. In some ways I find his temperament and approach to life similar to my own. He's everything, from a brother's perspective, that you'd want to see in someone who is taking the vow to spend the rest of their life with a family member. Someone who is caring, honest, and supportive.
As the night progressed we danced and ate and did all the traditional things that happens at weddings. The cake, the booze, the dancing. It was as a wedding should be.
I did happen to make one mistake though. I was not aware that there was a videographer and that the camera being used was not taking still pictures of a moment that I was photo bombing, but rather a long extended video.
For this I am incredibly sorry. It was a magical moment to see my sister so happy with her life. It's something that I'm sure every sibling can attest to, when they see their family truly happy. My apologies if I put a small flaw on something that was so perfect.
We
traveled back to our hotel where I changed from my suit to shorts and a
T-Shirt as we entered a nightlife spot around the corner. We drank
some bud lights, and I'm pretty sure I made an unfortunate choice to buy
a round of tequila. Someone snagged a quick picture of Sarah and I as
we chomped on a few delicious bites of a Margarita pie.
It seemed like a fitting close to the day, where in the end, the simplicity of pizza can show how two unlike people can still be so similar.
9/16/18
The weekend wrapped up the next day after a delicious brunch in the hotel lobby. I was not feeling particularly great after the last rounds of tequila, but so it goes.
We talked about the highlights of the wedding, some of our trivial problems and a smidgen about the Penn State football program which never seems to be too far from our tongues.
All in all the wedding was a huge success and a lot of fun. It felt like an adventure in Philadelphia, where we came together to celebrate all that is good in the world. I'll always treasure the memory and whenever I go back to the city, the term "brotherly love" will always mean a little more to me.
As we arrived in downtown Philadelphia, my mind was focusing on the cramps in my foot. I didn't think I was particularly dehydrated or tense, but suddenly as brake lights lit up and the echoes of engines filled the tunnel, my deliberate jab in my right foot turned into a prolonged stretch.
I couldn't tell my wife, who sat by my side, anything of my predicament due to the fact that I knew this would cause rise in her already visible anxiety; her jaw locked into a vision that screamed of cautious tension.
Thankfully the traffic was manageable, even if a bit slow at times, and we arrived at the valet area of the hotel.
This being the first time being valeted, I was a bit unsure of how everything was to go. I handed the gentleman my keys and they loaded all of our bags onto the luggage cart. My wife was quick to note that they were all Jess Simpson bags, a fashion brand and celebrity that she adores more than what doctors might say is a healthy amount.
 |
| The view from the 1106 |
As we walked into the elevator hallway and check-in station, it became apparent that this hotel was, quite simply, one of the best in the heart of Philadelphia. It would also become clear that if we touched anything in the mini-bar fridge it was going to cost us at least 20 bucks. The silver and black marbled walls gave the impression that this would be someplace to stay if you were a somebody, and not for the budget conscious.
The weekend had finally arrived where my little sister, Sarah, would be getting married.
My sister, who came into the world 4 years after me, has always been someone that I've been taught to and had an instinct to protect. From an early age it became clear that she had a bit of a sense of adventure, a willingness to challenge others, and an independent streak that led her to do things that might agitate others.
As we grew older, we had a bit of a small sibling rivalry. I was an introvert, who loved to stay at home when I wasn't participating in sports. I loved video games, books, movies and anything that took me away from my immediate reality. My sister on the other hand, loved to explore the world and make it her own. She rode horses, excelled in school, and enjoyed socializing and meeting people.
To me, Sarah was overly conscious of people's perceptions of her and how people might perceive me. Where as, I cared about comfort in my clothing, baggy pants and shirts that allowed me to move that may have been less flattering; she would look for brands and styles that complimented her.
I remember playing catch with her when I was maybe a junior or senior, and she was playing softball. The two of us were throwing the ball, gradually harder and harder until we lost control of our respective accuracy and had to start chasing the ball, rather than fielding laser shots into our hands.
We were in many ways very different personalities.
However we also recognize that in some ways we are exactly the same.
We were raised by the same family. Not just our mother and father, but aunts, uncles and grandparents. Our cousins were the same. So we, on some level, were shaped by the same culture. We both value laughter and jokes. I'd say that on the whole, we have the same sort of humor that goes between high and low brows.
We both understand our parents, perhaps as well as they understand themselves, and look out for both of them whenever we can.
But back to the Wedding Weekend.
After arriving and checking out the view from our 11th floor room at the Loews Hotel, my dad invited us to go to a little place called Moriarty's, which in addition to having my grandmother's maiden name, was also an Irish pub known for its buffalo style wings that were served with the drum and flat pieces attached. While my dad thought they might be ranked as one of the top wings in the Country (they do appear on Thrillist.com), I thought they were a solid buffalo wing but nothing crazy. My wife, however loved their cheesesteak egg roll, and they had a good variety of draft beers. It was a great way to get cozy in a city th
is large by getting some of the simple things.
 |
| Wings and beer are a good start |
Speaking of music, my memory became jogged as I found out that the cafe was literally across the street from Kung-Fu Necktie, a little bar known for live music and where on of my own best friends/ groomsman from my wedding saw a live G-Eazy show before he became the major artist that he is today.
From there we drank exotic cocktails like maple whiskey sours, ja
 |
| The soon to be married couple |
As more and more people came through, I recognized some of the bridal party, but for the most part, stayed back with my wife trying to let the party, on some level, come to me and to enjoy everything going on.
As we eventually sat for dinner, Ryan, my sisters soon to be husband made a toast to family, for that is what the event was all about. He talked about how he was nervous to meet our family, because if we were anything like Sarah, we might be a bunch of high energy, meticulous go-getters that wouldn't allow him to relax. I especially enjoyed the misconception of myself, a former Penn State football player being a meathead, which to my knowledge, I am not.
And so the night played on and eventually we Ubered back to the hotel, went to bed, and looked forward to the next day. The wedding day.
9/15/18
I didn't want to mess anything up. I wanted the day to go perfectly, fully aware that was impossible. As someone who got married two years ago, and as someone who is aware that the real world is so full of variables that it is nearly impossible to bend the world to your will.
We started the day early heading to what might be the best breakfast place that I have ever been to, outdoing even the famed Waffle Shop, called Green Eggs Cafe. All of the options on the menu seemed appetizing to me, from their Pumpkin Spiced Bombon, the six different ways to have eggs Benedict (the short-rib version really had my attention), as well as creme brulee and cookie dough stuffed versions of french toast.
I settled on the "The Kitchen Sink", which involved three scrambled eggs, Gruyere cheese, a pork sausage gravy poured on top of peppers, potatoes and sausage. Needless to say it was filling and full of comfort food flavor.
 |
| A very delicious skillet |
As we walked, I took in the old and the new of the city. Philadelphia is one our country's oldest cities, was at a time its largest, and for a time it was the Capitol of America. It is without question one of America's greatest cities in terms of historical narrative, culture, and economic impact. It is not without flaws. As with many densely populated areas there are defects, flaws within the metropolis that are just as evident as its beauty.
It occurred to me that my little sister getting married at this moment was in someways a reflection of those aspects. She had grown so much from when we were little, from being a curious, independent girl to a complex, strident and confidant woman. Like the city that has flourished through the perils of the world, so has she.
I always have spoken highly of my sister whenever anyone asks me about her. I speak of her will, her ability to exist in fast paced, demanding environments. Her unflinching, and sometimes unbearably blunt ability to speak honestly. That she aspires to continue to grow and become a better person in whichever way she is able.
It filled me with pride.
Here she was about to go forward with her life one more time and take a chance, and I was thrilled to be a part of it.
Sarah had asked that I look the part and get myself a custom suit so that I looked good and fit in to what was sure to be a beautiful wedding. The buses would be late and we waited down in the lobby catching cocktails and drinks as we waited for our ride. It was a nice opportunity to practice my Mad Men look and drink something brown on the rocks, trying to pretend for the day that I was somebody of immense importance.
 |
| We looked the part! |
As we got off the bus, they began asking for me right away as I was to be given instructions regarding my reading during the ceremony. It was obvious the planners and everyone on staff were on top of their games. The small classical band on the side was playing some low key numbers as we took our seats in one of the oldest gardens along the east coast.
The ceremony was beautiful, and I remember that I just kept smiling, that I couldn't be happier except for my own wedding day. As I watched them read their vows I couldn't help but think about how lucky we all were on that day to experience something like this. A family united in their feelings of love and support.
Ryan, the groom of this equation is also not without some mention. Throughout the process his personality and clear care for my sister never wavered. In some ways I find his temperament and approach to life similar to my own. He's everything, from a brother's perspective, that you'd want to see in someone who is taking the vow to spend the rest of their life with a family member. Someone who is caring, honest, and supportive.
As the night progressed we danced and ate and did all the traditional things that happens at weddings. The cake, the booze, the dancing. It was as a wedding should be.
I did happen to make one mistake though. I was not aware that there was a videographer and that the camera being used was not taking still pictures of a moment that I was photo bombing, but rather a long extended video.
For this I am incredibly sorry. It was a magical moment to see my sister so happy with her life. It's something that I'm sure every sibling can attest to, when they see their family truly happy. My apologies if I put a small flaw on something that was so perfect.
 |
| Baney's gonna Baney |
It seemed like a fitting close to the day, where in the end, the simplicity of pizza can show how two unlike people can still be so similar.
9/16/18
The weekend wrapped up the next day after a delicious brunch in the hotel lobby. I was not feeling particularly great after the last rounds of tequila, but so it goes.
We talked about the highlights of the wedding, some of our trivial problems and a smidgen about the Penn State football program which never seems to be too far from our tongues.
All in all the wedding was a huge success and a lot of fun. It felt like an adventure in Philadelphia, where we came together to celebrate all that is good in the world. I'll always treasure the memory and whenever I go back to the city, the term "brotherly love" will always mean a little more to me.
Saturday, September 8, 2018
Dominate The State: Why tonight's game will be great to watch.
Tonight is going to be a great game between Pitt and Penn State, but not for the reasons you might think.
Yes the game will feature your standard football excitement, hard hits, long pass plays, controversial call and no calls and the like.
But it will also feature two teams who really can't stand each other.
The crux of the talk is something like this. The one school is the little brother of the other, and while one school has a seemingly mountain worth of prestige and money, the other little school has also had it's claim to fame for periods of time.
It was heightened by small words and phrases such as "Dominate The State" or "No different than beating Akron".
In all the is a real competitive dislike between the two schools. No it's not the competition or tradition of say Ohio State vs. Michigan, but the level of dislike is almost certainly as real.
This typically results in a very intense game with an inordinate amount of physicality and speed. A level of near recklessness from the players playing as hard as they possibly can for as long as they possibly can.
And that is what really makes for good television.
We don't watch sports solely to watch an outcome that we think will be decided. We watch to see two team display maximum effort and to do so with unbridled joy for the game that they're playing.
At 8 PM tonight all of Pennsylvania will likely be watching ABC as the Nittany Lions take on the Panthers for the 99th time under the lights. The stats will line up and through it all the Nittanly Lions hold virtually every historical and statistical edge.
But that won't matter for tonight.
Because tonight will feel like a near National Championship type feel to the home team. They will feel like they get their chance one last time to show they aren't just a little brother program. How will the Lion respond if that is the case?
I expect they will show more the same character that they've always shown through the past however many years. Unlike past teams, the current incarnation and vision of the Nittany Lions do not seem to care at all about what outsiders think and remained committed to playing their style and brand of football. One that is a true team and fights through adversity.
I expect tonight's game to be one of true intensity through the first three quarters, only to see Penn State pull away late in the 4th.
Execution, tackling, and sense of composure will be key for the Nittany Lions to prevail, otherwise, Pitt may just steal this game and pull off what Appalachian State could not.
Final Score prediction
Penn State 34
Pittsburgh 24
Yes the game will feature your standard football excitement, hard hits, long pass plays, controversial call and no calls and the like.
But it will also feature two teams who really can't stand each other.
The crux of the talk is something like this. The one school is the little brother of the other, and while one school has a seemingly mountain worth of prestige and money, the other little school has also had it's claim to fame for periods of time.
It was heightened by small words and phrases such as "Dominate The State" or "No different than beating Akron".
In all the is a real competitive dislike between the two schools. No it's not the competition or tradition of say Ohio State vs. Michigan, but the level of dislike is almost certainly as real.
This typically results in a very intense game with an inordinate amount of physicality and speed. A level of near recklessness from the players playing as hard as they possibly can for as long as they possibly can.
And that is what really makes for good television.
We don't watch sports solely to watch an outcome that we think will be decided. We watch to see two team display maximum effort and to do so with unbridled joy for the game that they're playing.
At 8 PM tonight all of Pennsylvania will likely be watching ABC as the Nittany Lions take on the Panthers for the 99th time under the lights. The stats will line up and through it all the Nittanly Lions hold virtually every historical and statistical edge.
But that won't matter for tonight.
Because tonight will feel like a near National Championship type feel to the home team. They will feel like they get their chance one last time to show they aren't just a little brother program. How will the Lion respond if that is the case?
I expect they will show more the same character that they've always shown through the past however many years. Unlike past teams, the current incarnation and vision of the Nittany Lions do not seem to care at all about what outsiders think and remained committed to playing their style and brand of football. One that is a true team and fights through adversity.
I expect tonight's game to be one of true intensity through the first three quarters, only to see Penn State pull away late in the 4th.
Execution, tackling, and sense of composure will be key for the Nittany Lions to prevail, otherwise, Pitt may just steal this game and pull off what Appalachian State could not.
Final Score prediction
Penn State 34
Pittsburgh 24
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
New To Me. Discoveries Along The Spotify Algorythms.
Every week if you're a Spotify user, Spotify will try and find new music for you based on the things that you've listened to and liked. I typically listen through the whole playlist at least once per week and on occasion find some things that I think are worth another listen or two. They belong at the very least on a playlist for someone or some event.
So I'm just gonna share some of my thoughts on some of the better tracks that got introduced to me via the system. Odds are you haven't heard these songs either but if you're taste in music is anything like mine, I think they're worth a listen.
Little Silver Cross by White Reaper.
Genre: Alt Rock
A steady pushed tempo with what I some punk rock vocals and riffs. This song stood out as something I would hear while watching a skate board video and driving down a coast line. This was the first song that my ears perked up and said, "Oh I haven't heard this, but I like it."
Change Coming-Layup
Genre: Alternative, electronic
I immediately got caught up in the unique vocals from Chris Henderson but for me it was a bit too repetitive as far as both musically and lyrically. Still Henderson has a unique talent and sound that makes me want to listen to more of his other band Bronze Radio Return
Humming Bird by Wildling
Genre: Americana Pop (If that's a thing. Think Walk the Moon or Moon Taxi)
I think a great song to end the Summer with, in the same vain as Walk The Moon's Anna Sun or whichever version of Boys of Summer, you like to enjoy (I'm partial to the Atari's version). It's a song about enjoying a Summer love, and then having that love seemingly dashed. However it's got a great sing along chorus that I think speaks to that rebellious summer chase.
"Stay a little bit
Take a hit
While the sun's out
Baby, it was sweet, you and me, chasing flowers
Don't think that I've forgotten
You're all I've ever wanted"
Set On Fire by MAGIC GIANT
Genre: Electric Pop Folk
I initially liked this song, but the more I listen to it the more I disliked it. It feels somewhat like a copycat of Mumford and the americana electric pop rock scene. It's not all together bad, but after a second listen it feels just a bit too much for me. That said, it's catchy enough that it might become a small radio hit.
The Dog Is Mine by K-OSGenre: Blues, Rock.
Nice solid groove song. It feels like something a modern day cowboy might enter a saloon to. The use of voice alteration is a bit overused, but it still adds a bit of attitude to this song. K-OS is more known for his rapping skills, but this is really a rock song through and through.
Figuring It Out by SWMRS
Genre: Punk
The sounds of pop punk and alternative rock surround this song about alienated youth. One can't help but think about Good Charlotte's The Anthem, or The Offspring's The Kid's Aren't Alright. Still it might push a little too hard with it's "whoa ohh" chorus that get's amped up maybe just too much in the early parts of the song.
Be My Fire by The Blue Stones
Genre: Blues Rock
Few bands have struck me as much as The Blue Stones. Sure they are following the model of a color and a random thing singing blues rock (The White Stripes/The Black Keys). I will say that this particular song comes alive with all the essentials. It has deep enough percussion and bass that you can feel it bounce when the dial is at a 6. The song builds and builds until reaches a face melting crescendo at the end.
Humble by Scary Pockets and Mia Dyson
Genre: Novelty Covers
Ok, the song is originally by Kendrick Lamar certainly has it's own sound, but this cover is such a fantastic take on the song that it holds up on it's own. Something about the words coming from a female perspective gives the words almost more weight.
Start It Up by Dry Reef
Genre: Reggae
A nice slow rhythm that goes well with Palm Tree's and vacations. Would also fit well with entertaining guests for dinner. Very easy to listen to and relaxing, fits well into the background.
Bitch, Baby by Pet Fangs
Genre: Alternative Pop
At first I thought this was TV On The Radio, but instead it's the relatively new pop/rock group Pet Fangs. With influences including Prince and David Bowie, you can count on this song to take you to a certain 'space' feel, as though the sounds are literally not from this world.
Good Thoughts by Frank Jaeger
Genre: Hip Hop
Hip-Hop isn't as prevalent on my Spotify Discover as alternative or rock is, but thankfully it's still there. This song was the only one on my list, but it's a good one. A very chill track that has its heart in the sounds of New York or Chicago. It has an almost cold weather feel to it, that as we say goodbye to maybe the sounds of summer we are entering a new season.
So I'm just gonna share some of my thoughts on some of the better tracks that got introduced to me via the system. Odds are you haven't heard these songs either but if you're taste in music is anything like mine, I think they're worth a listen.
Little Silver Cross by White Reaper.
Genre: Alt Rock
A steady pushed tempo with what I some punk rock vocals and riffs. This song stood out as something I would hear while watching a skate board video and driving down a coast line. This was the first song that my ears perked up and said, "Oh I haven't heard this, but I like it."
Change Coming-Layup
Genre: Alternative, electronic
I immediately got caught up in the unique vocals from Chris Henderson but for me it was a bit too repetitive as far as both musically and lyrically. Still Henderson has a unique talent and sound that makes me want to listen to more of his other band Bronze Radio Return
Humming Bird by Wildling
Genre: Americana Pop (If that's a thing. Think Walk the Moon or Moon Taxi)
I think a great song to end the Summer with, in the same vain as Walk The Moon's Anna Sun or whichever version of Boys of Summer, you like to enjoy (I'm partial to the Atari's version). It's a song about enjoying a Summer love, and then having that love seemingly dashed. However it's got a great sing along chorus that I think speaks to that rebellious summer chase.
"Stay a little bit
Take a hit
While the sun's out
Baby, it was sweet, you and me, chasing flowers
Don't think that I've forgotten
You're all I've ever wanted"
Set On Fire by MAGIC GIANT
Genre: Electric Pop Folk
I initially liked this song, but the more I listen to it the more I disliked it. It feels somewhat like a copycat of Mumford and the americana electric pop rock scene. It's not all together bad, but after a second listen it feels just a bit too much for me. That said, it's catchy enough that it might become a small radio hit.
The Dog Is Mine by K-OSGenre: Blues, Rock.
Nice solid groove song. It feels like something a modern day cowboy might enter a saloon to. The use of voice alteration is a bit overused, but it still adds a bit of attitude to this song. K-OS is more known for his rapping skills, but this is really a rock song through and through.
Figuring It Out by SWMRS
Genre: Punk
The sounds of pop punk and alternative rock surround this song about alienated youth. One can't help but think about Good Charlotte's The Anthem, or The Offspring's The Kid's Aren't Alright. Still it might push a little too hard with it's "whoa ohh" chorus that get's amped up maybe just too much in the early parts of the song.
Be My Fire by The Blue Stones
Genre: Blues Rock
Few bands have struck me as much as The Blue Stones. Sure they are following the model of a color and a random thing singing blues rock (The White Stripes/The Black Keys). I will say that this particular song comes alive with all the essentials. It has deep enough percussion and bass that you can feel it bounce when the dial is at a 6. The song builds and builds until reaches a face melting crescendo at the end.
Humble by Scary Pockets and Mia Dyson
Genre: Novelty Covers
Ok, the song is originally by Kendrick Lamar certainly has it's own sound, but this cover is such a fantastic take on the song that it holds up on it's own. Something about the words coming from a female perspective gives the words almost more weight.
Start It Up by Dry Reef
Genre: Reggae
A nice slow rhythm that goes well with Palm Tree's and vacations. Would also fit well with entertaining guests for dinner. Very easy to listen to and relaxing, fits well into the background.
Bitch, Baby by Pet Fangs
Genre: Alternative Pop
At first I thought this was TV On The Radio, but instead it's the relatively new pop/rock group Pet Fangs. With influences including Prince and David Bowie, you can count on this song to take you to a certain 'space' feel, as though the sounds are literally not from this world.
Good Thoughts by Frank Jaeger
Genre: Hip Hop
Hip-Hop isn't as prevalent on my Spotify Discover as alternative or rock is, but thankfully it's still there. This song was the only one on my list, but it's a good one. A very chill track that has its heart in the sounds of New York or Chicago. It has an almost cold weather feel to it, that as we say goodbye to maybe the sounds of summer we are entering a new season.
Monday, August 27, 2018
In The Chase. The sensations of running.
Sweat drips like a waterfall and I'm breathing heavily. I'm trying to
escape the pressures of the world and the demons in my mind. I'm
running away from them and toward my dreams. Toward my goals. With
each step I feel them loosening their grip on me, breaking forward and
exploring new places in the world. Finding out what else I'm capable
of.
I'm older now, and I'm aware that I used to be able to run longer and faster. Still, I can't stop myself from trying to get back to that place. The one where I kept running for me, because it gave me the confidence to be myself. I'm running up and down hills, near small houses and large. I run through the farmlands, I run on the pavement of the streets and sidewalks. I keep pushing myself, keep driving my legs and body forward and onward. I don't want to give up because I don't want to stay still. I need to continue moving in the right direction and doing the things that make me happy, and this is one of them.
I don't always run, but I find that running opens me up the most. When I feel my lungs burst and my legs churn with every step, I feel something primal, as though it was something I was always meant to do in some capacity.
However to get to this apex of emotional feeling, you must endure some stress, and perhaps in some context, some pain.
To start a run for me, requires a good bit of energy. I don't wake up spry, feeling like I can take on the day. I wake up, and either want coffee or to go back to bed.
My warm up usually includes me listening to some kind of song that I've hooked on to that excites me and pacing madly around the house looking for my ear buds that I probably misplaced from the night before. A little stretching so that I don't pull or twist anything, and then I'm off. Usually the paths are familiar, but every now and then I like to put in a little twist to extend the run or to explore another part of the area.
I've gotten in the habit of mapping and saving the runs to my smartphone to give me feedback. This helps me with judging my pace and whether I can reasonably pick it up, as well as monitor how often I've run in the past few weeks or months. It will be pretty interesting to see where all the numbers lie as the year progresses and things such as snow and the elements begin to have an effect.
When I run, my mind wanders back and forth about things. About my life in general, back to the road in front of me and everywhere in-between. Sometimes I don't think at all and just listen to whatever is playing on my headphones, losing myself in the rhythms and words of Eminem or The Record Company or whatever else is inspiring me for the day.
In the middle of the run, or sometimes near the end, I imagine that I'm being chased, maybe by a dog or a person. Every now and then I'm more creative and think it might be a mountain lion that springs out from the woods or a bear. It helps to keep me pressing on the pace and to realize that I may have more in my tank.
There's something about the completion of a run that seems to set me up though for the rest of the day. A feeling that I've somehow already beaten my toughest physical task and that from here on out everything will be a simple mental test of can you do it or not.
For others it might be time spent in the gym, lifting weights or doing yoga, and I've tried nearly all of them, but the simplicity of running just appeals to me more. I feel like I'm moving almost with the Earth itself, becoming part of the world around me rather than a feeling of being stationary and unable to move.
In life, sometimes that's what it feels like the most. This inability to move from one situation to another, as though you're stuck in mud and something is holding you back. While I run, it feels like I'm constantly breaking those chains and getting out of the muck. It's a sense of freedom that is unlike anything else.
I'm older now, and I'm aware that I used to be able to run longer and faster. Still, I can't stop myself from trying to get back to that place. The one where I kept running for me, because it gave me the confidence to be myself. I'm running up and down hills, near small houses and large. I run through the farmlands, I run on the pavement of the streets and sidewalks. I keep pushing myself, keep driving my legs and body forward and onward. I don't want to give up because I don't want to stay still. I need to continue moving in the right direction and doing the things that make me happy, and this is one of them.
I don't always run, but I find that running opens me up the most. When I feel my lungs burst and my legs churn with every step, I feel something primal, as though it was something I was always meant to do in some capacity.
However to get to this apex of emotional feeling, you must endure some stress, and perhaps in some context, some pain.
To start a run for me, requires a good bit of energy. I don't wake up spry, feeling like I can take on the day. I wake up, and either want coffee or to go back to bed.
My warm up usually includes me listening to some kind of song that I've hooked on to that excites me and pacing madly around the house looking for my ear buds that I probably misplaced from the night before. A little stretching so that I don't pull or twist anything, and then I'm off. Usually the paths are familiar, but every now and then I like to put in a little twist to extend the run or to explore another part of the area.
I've gotten in the habit of mapping and saving the runs to my smartphone to give me feedback. This helps me with judging my pace and whether I can reasonably pick it up, as well as monitor how often I've run in the past few weeks or months. It will be pretty interesting to see where all the numbers lie as the year progresses and things such as snow and the elements begin to have an effect.
When I run, my mind wanders back and forth about things. About my life in general, back to the road in front of me and everywhere in-between. Sometimes I don't think at all and just listen to whatever is playing on my headphones, losing myself in the rhythms and words of Eminem or The Record Company or whatever else is inspiring me for the day.
In the middle of the run, or sometimes near the end, I imagine that I'm being chased, maybe by a dog or a person. Every now and then I'm more creative and think it might be a mountain lion that springs out from the woods or a bear. It helps to keep me pressing on the pace and to realize that I may have more in my tank.
There's something about the completion of a run that seems to set me up though for the rest of the day. A feeling that I've somehow already beaten my toughest physical task and that from here on out everything will be a simple mental test of can you do it or not.
For others it might be time spent in the gym, lifting weights or doing yoga, and I've tried nearly all of them, but the simplicity of running just appeals to me more. I feel like I'm moving almost with the Earth itself, becoming part of the world around me rather than a feeling of being stationary and unable to move.
In life, sometimes that's what it feels like the most. This inability to move from one situation to another, as though you're stuck in mud and something is holding you back. While I run, it feels like I'm constantly breaking those chains and getting out of the muck. It's a sense of freedom that is unlike anything else.
Sunday, August 19, 2018
The Affair, Birthday's and Chicken Carbonara
Like many couples, my wife and I watch certain shows together. One of them happening to be "The Affair," which centers on the destructive power of trust being tarnished while giving the perspective of the character in the chapter.
For example, from Noah's perspective in the show he is a misunderstood hero character. Someone who is looking out for others while at the same time attempting to be the best father or companion he can be.
For me this is kind of how I'll approach this article. Written from my perspective about my lovely wife's birthday.
Part 1. (of 1)
Ben.
It really all started at Wegmans, where Ben would wander section to section for each individual ingredient. He didn't really know exactly where each item would be, and in fact the only basil he could find came as a full-on potted plant.
He fumbled his way getting the parsley leaves, wanting to not pay the $1.49 per bushel, he attempted to pull some out, put it in the bag and then weigh the item to see if he could pay less.
He couldn't. The only price available for the parsley was for the entire bushel. This meant he had to try and discard his prematurely stolen parsley, and not wanting to waste it, threw it with the small bag back behind the other bushels.
He was pretty sure no one saw him, except for whatever poor soul had to watch security tapes from the store.
On he went through the store picking out each ingredient he read off from his phone. The chicken, the eggs, the heavy whipping cream (He took 5 minutes to google the difference between heavy cream, half and half, and heavy whipping cream). Ben would eventually settle on the Upstate brand of whipping cream after careful cost and flavor considerations.
Upon exiting the grocery store, he had a few more stops to make. One being to the local jeweler to buy his wife something pretty.
Ben had never been one for attempting to make the world around him beautiful. He really barely knew how to dress himself in any kind of fashionable way, instead, relying on the work uniform, the advice of others, and an ability to stay away from daily social interaction to keep the myth that he understood what looked good or bad.
Buying jewelry was again, not exactly something he was good at. So he improvised, giving a budget and attempting to relay his goal to saleswoman. Something simple that would remind her of him, and he of this fun, fulfilling, and personal day.
When he arrived home, Ben began the cooking process as best he knew how. He prepped the ingredients as similarly as he could to the Blue Apron dishes he and his wife had gotten in the mail from time to time.
Needless to say at this particular juncture he was quite pleased with his efforts. It all seemed so neat and orderly, as though he was on his way to a successful dish with minimal hassle (save for finding the ingredients in the first place).
He then realized he had forgotten about the chicken, and his wife would be home soon.
While panic wasn't exactly striking him, a bit of unease and self-doubt certainly began to poke its head around the corner.
Quickly, he put the chicken in the oven to "roast" so that he could later shred and put in the pot.
The problem seemed to be the timing of it all. For all the prep work he had previously done, he had failed to preheat the oven, and now time was ticking away.
Thankfully there was an antidote to that.
For most people in general, after a day's work, and especially on your birthday you would probably want your vice. Like the vast majority of the world, Allie enjoys a glass of wine after work. For others, maybe a nice beer or a martini, or maybe you live in the free states like Colorado and California and like to light up some ganja.
In any case, this birthday meant she would be able to enjoy one her simplest and most guilty pleasures: boxed Franzia wine.
Yes, Ben could have bought a bottle of something else, but the reality has become clear to both of them that we can't detect a very discernible difference in most chilled wines. A Pinot Grigio or "Crisp White" blend from Franzia is going to be at least as good as a 15-25 dollar bottle of whatever random California, South American, or Western European wine. This obviously excludes Dr. Konstantine Frank's Gewurztraminer. (That is a white wine that I simply find out of this world with spice and flavor.)
When she finally gets home, she walks through the door and she is all smiles. Seemingly not a care in the world and so happy to be home. The feeling is completely mutual. They both feel all the pressures of the world just fade away. Here they are, home. They feel at peace, and nothing can hurt them.
They embrace for seconds, but it feels like days. Kisses and the typical couple talk ensues, and eventually time and place comes back into the fold.
Ben springs for the wine glass, pausing briefly in mid-stride to ask if she actually wanted the wine.
She's enthusiastic and buoyant with a proclamation of "Yes!"
The chicken comes out, but Ben feels it's still underdone. He shreds the chicken as best he can, then puts the chicken back into the oven and lowers the heat on the pancetta that he had started. The recipe called for the pancetta to slightly cool anyway while the water for the pasta boiled.
In a large bowl, Ben whisked together some of the prepared ingredients. He added slightly more pasta then the original recipe asked for and was hopeful that a slight adjustment for some of the other ingredients would be enough.
Once the chicken was cooked a bit more thoroughly, Ben combined the chicken and the pancetta, thoroughly mixing the two together and cooking on a medium to low heat. Then he poured the pasta on top, then the cream sauce, mixing it all together and becoming increasingly confident that the meal being created would be one of the best he had ever made.
From there dinner would be served the way that all meals are served. With a bit of garnish and flair so that when captured for a short Snapchat or Facebook post, it would make other people respond with a bit to share in that happiness.
But Ben, for what seemed like the first time in a long time, felt aware that there would be more to this story than just a quick little picture. So he decided to take many pictures of the process, and then write about it.
What was making this day wasn't one moment in particular, it wasn't one thing. It was the multitude of steps and moments strung together to make that delicious meal. Every thing moving as if connected on a string. It started with a trip to Wegmans, then as the moment hits about how special this day is going to be, to really stay in the moment and live it. To remember how it feels to celebrate the birthday of a loved one.
From there it becomes a journey and at the end you arrive at a place that's so unapologetically happy that you can't hide it. That it'll make you want to take pictures of your food and share them with others. To enjoying a night watching a fictional show that exploits the viewpoints of others to tell its stories. Ben felt that he had helped to make this birthday a successful one.
For example, from Noah's perspective in the show he is a misunderstood hero character. Someone who is looking out for others while at the same time attempting to be the best father or companion he can be.
For me this is kind of how I'll approach this article. Written from my perspective about my lovely wife's birthday.
Part 1. (of 1)
Ben.
It really all started at Wegmans, where Ben would wander section to section for each individual ingredient. He didn't really know exactly where each item would be, and in fact the only basil he could find came as a full-on potted plant.
 |
| He bought a plant. |
He fumbled his way getting the parsley leaves, wanting to not pay the $1.49 per bushel, he attempted to pull some out, put it in the bag and then weigh the item to see if he could pay less.
He couldn't. The only price available for the parsley was for the entire bushel. This meant he had to try and discard his prematurely stolen parsley, and not wanting to waste it, threw it with the small bag back behind the other bushels.
He was pretty sure no one saw him, except for whatever poor soul had to watch security tapes from the store.
On he went through the store picking out each ingredient he read off from his phone. The chicken, the eggs, the heavy whipping cream (He took 5 minutes to google the difference between heavy cream, half and half, and heavy whipping cream). Ben would eventually settle on the Upstate brand of whipping cream after careful cost and flavor considerations.
Upon exiting the grocery store, he had a few more stops to make. One being to the local jeweler to buy his wife something pretty.
Ben had never been one for attempting to make the world around him beautiful. He really barely knew how to dress himself in any kind of fashionable way, instead, relying on the work uniform, the advice of others, and an ability to stay away from daily social interaction to keep the myth that he understood what looked good or bad.
Buying jewelry was again, not exactly something he was good at. So he improvised, giving a budget and attempting to relay his goal to saleswoman. Something simple that would remind her of him, and he of this fun, fulfilling, and personal day.
When he arrived home, Ben began the cooking process as best he knew how. He prepped the ingredients as similarly as he could to the Blue Apron dishes he and his wife had gotten in the mail from time to time.
 |
| Blue Apron would be proud |
He then realized he had forgotten about the chicken, and his wife would be home soon.
While panic wasn't exactly striking him, a bit of unease and self-doubt certainly began to poke its head around the corner.
Quickly, he put the chicken in the oven to "roast" so that he could later shred and put in the pot.
The problem seemed to be the timing of it all. For all the prep work he had previously done, he had failed to preheat the oven, and now time was ticking away.
Thankfully there was an antidote to that.
For most people in general, after a day's work, and especially on your birthday you would probably want your vice. Like the vast majority of the world, Allie enjoys a glass of wine after work. For others, maybe a nice beer or a martini, or maybe you live in the free states like Colorado and California and like to light up some ganja.
In any case, this birthday meant she would be able to enjoy one her simplest and most guilty pleasures: boxed Franzia wine.
Yes, Ben could have bought a bottle of something else, but the reality has become clear to both of them that we can't detect a very discernible difference in most chilled wines. A Pinot Grigio or "Crisp White" blend from Franzia is going to be at least as good as a 15-25 dollar bottle of whatever random California, South American, or Western European wine. This obviously excludes Dr. Konstantine Frank's Gewurztraminer. (That is a white wine that I simply find out of this world with spice and flavor.)
 |
| A teacher's kryptonite |
When she finally gets home, she walks through the door and she is all smiles. Seemingly not a care in the world and so happy to be home. The feeling is completely mutual. They both feel all the pressures of the world just fade away. Here they are, home. They feel at peace, and nothing can hurt them.
They embrace for seconds, but it feels like days. Kisses and the typical couple talk ensues, and eventually time and place comes back into the fold.
Ben springs for the wine glass, pausing briefly in mid-stride to ask if she actually wanted the wine.
She's enthusiastic and buoyant with a proclamation of "Yes!"
The chicken comes out, but Ben feels it's still underdone. He shreds the chicken as best he can, then puts the chicken back into the oven and lowers the heat on the pancetta that he had started. The recipe called for the pancetta to slightly cool anyway while the water for the pasta boiled.
In a large bowl, Ben whisked together some of the prepared ingredients. He added slightly more pasta then the original recipe asked for and was hopeful that a slight adjustment for some of the other ingredients would be enough.
Once the chicken was cooked a bit more thoroughly, Ben combined the chicken and the pancetta, thoroughly mixing the two together and cooking on a medium to low heat. Then he poured the pasta on top, then the cream sauce, mixing it all together and becoming increasingly confident that the meal being created would be one of the best he had ever made.
 |
| A goober unnecessarily confident about his cooking |
But Ben, for what seemed like the first time in a long time, felt aware that there would be more to this story than just a quick little picture. So he decided to take many pictures of the process, and then write about it.
What was making this day wasn't one moment in particular, it wasn't one thing. It was the multitude of steps and moments strung together to make that delicious meal. Every thing moving as if connected on a string. It started with a trip to Wegmans, then as the moment hits about how special this day is going to be, to really stay in the moment and live it. To remember how it feels to celebrate the birthday of a loved one.
From there it becomes a journey and at the end you arrive at a place that's so unapologetically happy that you can't hide it. That it'll make you want to take pictures of your food and share them with others. To enjoying a night watching a fictional show that exploits the viewpoints of others to tell its stories. Ben felt that he had helped to make this birthday a successful one.
 |
| When you're so happy you just want to take pictures of food. |
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