Rejoice friends, for it is the day of reckoning. The time has come for great battle to once again stake its claim on the Gridiron. Football. Is. HERE.
This is the greatest time of the year. The leaves are changing colors, the cool wind is blowing and the aroma of BBQ and hot wings fill the air. This is my holiday season and the Super Bowl is my Christmas. This year marks an important year in football history as teams fight for a spot in the 50th Super Bowl. The legacy of this grand event has left its mark on the memories of millions. For some, it's a bleak reminder of the day their team lost it all in the last seconds and for others, it's a day of hope. Hope that one day that one day they will finally see their team play the game of games.
Football is more than a game. It is a part of everyday life for some. It is a joyous gathering that leaves it's eternal mark on our memory. Football is here, and it's the most wonderful time of the year.
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Sleeper #2
"Luke."
Someone else is here with me. I am not alone.
"Luke."
Startled, I lift my head from my bed. Nothing. The voice still reverberating through the walls of my room, I couldn't place it's source.
This is all just a bad dream.
I close my eyes, hoping for an escape from this nightmare. It was as if my eyes were still open, my room still in my vision, now accompanied by a bright silhouette standing at the foot of my bed.
What was that?!
I shoot my eyes open, my body now shaking with adrenaline. My room was as empty and dull as it was when I fell asleep. The voice was still apparent like a ghostly fog.
I have to wake up. I HAVE TO.
I force my eyes shut, finding the apparition next to me, looking me over. I was paralyzed, helpless. The figure then approached the door before turning, seemingly starring at me. Reaching out to open the door, words precipitated toward me, "We have something we need to tell you." The figure exited into what seemed like an endless black. Curiosity a curse now, I roll to crawl out of my bed. My feet land and I pause.
I have to know.
Approaching the door, I extend my hand, opening to find what looked like some sort of forest. I enter, closing the door behind me.
As I begin to scan my surroundings, I soon find the door had gone, leaving me in this strange place. Leaves rustle and I see a light jutting through the brush, hiding from my sight. Stepping closer, I find a familiar object.
Someone else is here with me. I am not alone.
"Luke."
Startled, I lift my head from my bed. Nothing. The voice still reverberating through the walls of my room, I couldn't place it's source.
This is all just a bad dream.
I close my eyes, hoping for an escape from this nightmare. It was as if my eyes were still open, my room still in my vision, now accompanied by a bright silhouette standing at the foot of my bed.
What was that?!
I shoot my eyes open, my body now shaking with adrenaline. My room was as empty and dull as it was when I fell asleep. The voice was still apparent like a ghostly fog.
I have to wake up. I HAVE TO.
I force my eyes shut, finding the apparition next to me, looking me over. I was paralyzed, helpless. The figure then approached the door before turning, seemingly starring at me. Reaching out to open the door, words precipitated toward me, "We have something we need to tell you." The figure exited into what seemed like an endless black. Curiosity a curse now, I roll to crawl out of my bed. My feet land and I pause.
I have to know.
Approaching the door, I extend my hand, opening to find what looked like some sort of forest. I enter, closing the door behind me.
As I begin to scan my surroundings, I soon find the door had gone, leaving me in this strange place. Leaves rustle and I see a light jutting through the brush, hiding from my sight. Stepping closer, I find a familiar object.
This is from that damn dream.
The orb slithered into the pathway, bouncing in acknowledgement of my existence. The object traveled down the trail as I tread behind until we came to a large stump where it had placed itself. As I begin to step closer to it, a bright flash emanates from the orb, temporarily blinding me. When my sight cleared, I found myself in the shadow of a tall, faceless figure, cloaked in a flowing sheet that looked as if it was a fragment of space itself.
"What do you want?!,” I asked, frustrated, frightened.
"We have come to deliver a message, a message of hope. Hope that we are not too late," the giant said in a voice that sounded like a ghostly choir.
"Too late for what? Who the hell are you?!”
"We are Gaia. We are the life source of all celestial bodies; Planets of which you must save."
"Haha, me? You want me to save...planets?" I said chuckling nervously and in disbelief. "You're joking right? This is just some messed up dream. This isn't real, you are not real."
The figure reached out, striking me in the chest.
Holy shit, this might actually be real, I thought painfully.
"What do you want?!,” I asked, frustrated, frightened.
"We have come to deliver a message, a message of hope. Hope that we are not too late," the giant said in a voice that sounded like a ghostly choir.
"Too late for what? Who the hell are you?!”
"We are Gaia. We are the life source of all celestial bodies; Planets of which you must save."
"Haha, me? You want me to save...planets?" I said chuckling nervously and in disbelief. "You're joking right? This is just some messed up dream. This isn't real, you are not real."
The figure reached out, striking me in the chest.
Holy shit, this might actually be real, I thought painfully.
"Luke, you must find it within yourself to become what you must. There is much more at stake than just your Earth. We haven't much time. Go now, and the answers will be illuminated for you, much like this path."
I hear the leaves rustling. Trees swaying in the wind, branches creaking like the floorboards of an old house. Suddenly everything became very real.
How could I be dreaming all of this?
HOW?! How could I possibly do anything to save anyone?!
I looked up at the empty canvas of a face on the featureless skull, "What if I can't? What if I never find it within myself to do what I need become your savior?", nearly shouting now, "Why me?"
"You will, Luke. There is reason we are here. There is a reason you are here."
"How do you know?! I exclaimed.
The giant of a figure lowered itself near my face, ironically making me feel much smaller. Inches from me, it whispered into my ear with heavy words, "Because everyone is counting on you."
It was then that I was stricken by a force so great I was like paper in the wind. As I made contact with the ground, everything went black.
Coherence began to come back to me. I raised my head, lifting the upper half of my body off the surface, slowly opening my eyes.
My room was as empty and dull as it was when I fell asleep.
I release a sigh of relief.
It was all a dream.
I was finally able to close my eyes as I collapsed back into my pillow.
"Luke."
I hear the leaves rustling. Trees swaying in the wind, branches creaking like the floorboards of an old house. Suddenly everything became very real.
How could I be dreaming all of this?
HOW?! How could I possibly do anything to save anyone?!
I looked up at the empty canvas of a face on the featureless skull, "What if I can't? What if I never find it within myself to do what I need become your savior?", nearly shouting now, "Why me?"
"You will, Luke. There is reason we are here. There is a reason you are here."
"How do you know?! I exclaimed.
The giant of a figure lowered itself near my face, ironically making me feel much smaller. Inches from me, it whispered into my ear with heavy words, "Because everyone is counting on you."
It was then that I was stricken by a force so great I was like paper in the wind. As I made contact with the ground, everything went black.
Coherence began to come back to me. I raised my head, lifting the upper half of my body off the surface, slowly opening my eyes.
My room was as empty and dull as it was when I fell asleep.
I release a sigh of relief.
It was all a dream.
I was finally able to close my eyes as I collapsed back into my pillow.
"Luke."
Friday, September 11, 2015
Sleeper
The cold, gritty sand is a strange feeling beneath me.
What is this place? Why am I naked?
I stood, confused and anxious. I became aware of the ominous mountain in the distance and the glistening of the celestial sky on the fragmented mineral that spread the horizon.
What was that?
The earth began to tremble beneath my feet. A strange blue light began to slip through a crack at the base of the mountain, resembling the majestic movement of an aurora borealis. Creeping towards me, the earth continued to break open stopping just short of my feet.
Everything became silent and still. The sand, like sapphire, shone across the desert plane, reflecting the light projecting from within the earth.
A strange orb of light, slightly larger than my head rose from the crack, stopping eye level where it sit hovering almost hauntingly.
Startled, I began to step away. I hear what sounds like a voice, stopping my retreat. I begin to step forward curiously; the voice now sounding like whispers in the wind. I become almost attracted to this strange object.
The voice now voices, echoing in my mind: "Choose"
As if I lost control of my limbs, I reach out to touch the source, now only inches from my face. My palm tingling as my hand gets closer. I can almost grace the surface now. The orb implodes in a giant flash-bang, blinding me and throwing me on my back.
The sheets curl between my fingers, the pillow damp with sweat. My ceiling becomes more than a silhouette as my eyes open and begin to adjust.
That damn dream again.
What is this place? Why am I naked?
I stood, confused and anxious. I became aware of the ominous mountain in the distance and the glistening of the celestial sky on the fragmented mineral that spread the horizon.
What was that?
The earth began to tremble beneath my feet. A strange blue light began to slip through a crack at the base of the mountain, resembling the majestic movement of an aurora borealis. Creeping towards me, the earth continued to break open stopping just short of my feet.
Everything became silent and still. The sand, like sapphire, shone across the desert plane, reflecting the light projecting from within the earth.
A strange orb of light, slightly larger than my head rose from the crack, stopping eye level where it sit hovering almost hauntingly.
Startled, I began to step away. I hear what sounds like a voice, stopping my retreat. I begin to step forward curiously; the voice now sounding like whispers in the wind. I become almost attracted to this strange object.
The voice now voices, echoing in my mind: "Choose"
As if I lost control of my limbs, I reach out to touch the source, now only inches from my face. My palm tingling as my hand gets closer. I can almost grace the surface now. The orb implodes in a giant flash-bang, blinding me and throwing me on my back.
The sheets curl between my fingers, the pillow damp with sweat. My ceiling becomes more than a silhouette as my eyes open and begin to adjust.
That damn dream again.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Purpose, Path, and Possibility
Purpose, Path, and Possibility.
Three words that drive us all.
Three words that we strive to achieve.
Be it understanding or fulfillment of these, some of us never find them.
I find myself feeling more and more the need to understand and fulfill these each and every passing day.
I've been thinking a lot lately, not that I never was, and I am so mentally drained that it makes me physically tired. Not to be conceded, but I'm an intelligent guy, and it is so demoralizing to see so many of my friends whom I graduated high school with graduating college (good for them) and beginning (or continuing, depending on who it is) successful, happy lives. And yet, I'm here. I have a job that doesn't pay well. No college degree to get one. Sure, I'm in school to get one, but even that is not guaranteed. I attended ITT Tech for a while which ended up being the biggest mistake of my life. Now I'm once again a "freshman" because none of my credits transferred, but hey what is $20k good for, right? I have so many things that I want to do, but I came to a point where I had to throw away the thought of growing toward what I want to do so that I could jump on the fast-track to a degree I had no desire to have. Did I at one time? Maybe, though I'm sure the voice in my head saying, "This is what is best for you. This will get you a job quicker" did a good job of making believe I wanted it. I don't want to be in an office for the rest of my life saying "Here you go Mr. Employee Sir! Look how much more money we've made so far this year! We're going to go ahead and cut your hours so that we can keep this going. Couldn't do it without ya!". If you know what you love, do it. Don't waste your time picking dandelions thinking they're flowers. There are few moments where I completely lose myself, doing what I love, and I cherish every chance I get. Being on a sideline surrounded by so much possibility and knowing that I have the ability, the chance, the possibility to change someone's life within those 60 minutes drives me. It gives me a sense of purpose. I NEED to be out on the hot, dusty desert of a practice field. I long for it.
Though I have helped coach Mighty Mites since 2008 when my little brother Gabe was in 4th grade, the fall of 2011 was a special time. Gabe had moved up to Middle School football and had ended mine and my dad's coaching run, or so it seemed, until my dad and I were given the opportunity to take over a football team for their last year of Mighty Mites. I believe they had only won 1 or 2 games in the three previous seasons combined. It was rough at first, but we turned it around when we beat Cassville 24-0. Soon after, we went on to beat the defending champs in a RIDICULOUS game against Mt. Vernon to move on to the "Super Bowl". That game will always be imprinted in my thoughts. I will never forget standing out on the field coordinating the defense, only seconds left, in our final stand. It was chalk lines between us and taking a team that no one would give a second look to to the "Super Bowl". The ball is snapped, everything slowed down. The anticipation was crazy. The ball flies out of the quarterback's hand and found its way into Bradley Hudson's hands as he fell to the ground. That was it. Game over. We had just made it to the "Super Bowl". I felt like I jumped 10 feet in the air, until I got halfway tackled by Coy Butterworth whilst twisting my ankle.
I know, I know, "Dude, it's Mighty Mites."
It isn't just Mighty Mites.
It's the happiness, the joy, frustration, the blood, the sweat, the determination, the many hours and days of practices and games, the strategy, and knowing that at the end of the day those kids will always remember the time they beat the defending champs.
THAT is the purpose I want to serve. THAT is the path I want to take. The opportunity to see so much potential and possibility and help them recognize it, on and off the field.
I find myself feeling more and more the need to understand and fulfill these each and every passing day.
I've been thinking a lot lately, not that I never was, and I am so mentally drained that it makes me physically tired. Not to be conceded, but I'm an intelligent guy, and it is so demoralizing to see so many of my friends whom I graduated high school with graduating college (good for them) and beginning (or continuing, depending on who it is) successful, happy lives. And yet, I'm here. I have a job that doesn't pay well. No college degree to get one. Sure, I'm in school to get one, but even that is not guaranteed. I attended ITT Tech for a while which ended up being the biggest mistake of my life. Now I'm once again a "freshman" because none of my credits transferred, but hey what is $20k good for, right? I have so many things that I want to do, but I came to a point where I had to throw away the thought of growing toward what I want to do so that I could jump on the fast-track to a degree I had no desire to have. Did I at one time? Maybe, though I'm sure the voice in my head saying, "This is what is best for you. This will get you a job quicker" did a good job of making believe I wanted it. I don't want to be in an office for the rest of my life saying "Here you go Mr. Employee Sir! Look how much more money we've made so far this year! We're going to go ahead and cut your hours so that we can keep this going. Couldn't do it without ya!". If you know what you love, do it. Don't waste your time picking dandelions thinking they're flowers. There are few moments where I completely lose myself, doing what I love, and I cherish every chance I get. Being on a sideline surrounded by so much possibility and knowing that I have the ability, the chance, the possibility to change someone's life within those 60 minutes drives me. It gives me a sense of purpose. I NEED to be out on the hot, dusty desert of a practice field. I long for it.
Though I have helped coach Mighty Mites since 2008 when my little brother Gabe was in 4th grade, the fall of 2011 was a special time. Gabe had moved up to Middle School football and had ended mine and my dad's coaching run, or so it seemed, until my dad and I were given the opportunity to take over a football team for their last year of Mighty Mites. I believe they had only won 1 or 2 games in the three previous seasons combined. It was rough at first, but we turned it around when we beat Cassville 24-0. Soon after, we went on to beat the defending champs in a RIDICULOUS game against Mt. Vernon to move on to the "Super Bowl". That game will always be imprinted in my thoughts. I will never forget standing out on the field coordinating the defense, only seconds left, in our final stand. It was chalk lines between us and taking a team that no one would give a second look to to the "Super Bowl". The ball is snapped, everything slowed down. The anticipation was crazy. The ball flies out of the quarterback's hand and found its way into Bradley Hudson's hands as he fell to the ground. That was it. Game over. We had just made it to the "Super Bowl". I felt like I jumped 10 feet in the air, until I got halfway tackled by Coy Butterworth whilst twisting my ankle.
I know, I know, "Dude, it's Mighty Mites."
It isn't just Mighty Mites.
It's the happiness, the joy, frustration, the blood, the sweat, the determination, the many hours and days of practices and games, the strategy, and knowing that at the end of the day those kids will always remember the time they beat the defending champs.
THAT is the purpose I want to serve. THAT is the path I want to take. The opportunity to see so much potential and possibility and help them recognize it, on and off the field.
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
Superheros on the Big Screen
If you have a TV or have been to the theater in the last 15 years, chances are you've watched a superhero movie. I'm positive that this is now considered an American tradition. Being very passionate about almost anything nerdy, I have certainly absorbed myself into this tradition. Maybe it is just a personal tradition, but I have rarely missed an opening night to a superhero movie in the aforementioned time frame. We are in what is called the "Golden Age" of comic book movies and I absolutely love it, even when I don't. I have witnessed the rise and fall (and resurrection and fall again) of some superhero franchises. I have witnessed the complete re-imagining of franchises that have blown my mind. It is indeed a great time to be a comic book fan. There are those that think the cinematic market is flooded with superhero movies, and I have to disagree. To me, there are just as many if not more terrible cop movies or movies about zombies, but you don't hear anyone complaining about them. That's because those aren't good movies. With superheros, there is literally no limitation to what can be done and I think the fact that we are getting good superhero movies as frequent as we are scares the living hell out of movie critics. "Superheros are for kids". Watch The Dark Knight and tell me that 1. it's for kids and, 2. that it isn't one of the best crime movies of all time. If you can do that, there is a really good chance that you like terrible cop movies or just didn't watch it. Granted, there are definitely superhero movies that are aimed toward being "family friendly", but that doesn't mean that they aren't enjoyable. After all, if you enjoy something, isn't that all it takes for it to be "good"? Don't get me wrong, I have definitely watched so terrible movies that I enjoyed, but those movies knew they were terrible.
Sunday, September 6, 2015
This I believe freewriting
I believe that intelligence affects musical taste. I feel that most of society likes pop music or country music because it is simple music. A lot of the extremely intelligent people i know listen to classical music or progressive metal that has its roots in classical music. Music theory is something that is huge in these two types of music something that is hard to understand. It almost likes like complex math at times. I wonder if there are formulas that can help right classical music. music music music dumb country music dumb rap music dumb pop music. I wonder how many musicians are exceptional mathematicians? Simple creatures crave simple things. Can't focus can't focus can't focus Tool used Fibonacci's Sequence in their time signatures for the album Lateralus. I don't see Katy Perry doing that anytime soon.
This I Believe List
- I believe we are not alone
- I believe I am important
- I believe our political system is corrupt
- I believe in the power of thought
- I believe that determination is the key to success
- I believe society is purposely dumb-downed
- I believe materialism is destroying us
- I believe that religion hurts humanity
- I believe in being a good person
- I believe in doing the right thing
- I believe that the US is not the greatest country in the world
- I believe that the US has the most potential to be the greatest
- I believe that we were visited by superior beings in ancient times
- I believe we should focus on scientific research, even if it can be inhumane at times
- I believe there is a cure for Diabetes
- I believe video games do exponentially more good than harm
- I believe that music is therapeutic
- I believe art should be a greater focus in schools
- I believe our school system should not be standardized
- I believe that football is the greatest sport in the world
- I believe intelligence affects musical taste
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