It's been a while, eh? Last time I tippity-tappity-typed away was the week before the GREEN BAY PACKERS WON THE SUPER BOWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm in one of those pour-out-your-thoughts moods. And tonight, I have nothing but good thoughts. Life has been rather wonderful lately, and I can honestly say that I'm the happiest I've ever been in my adult life. (In a way, it's kind of pathetic, lol. But hey, I'm happy!)
I've got a lot of things about which to update all three of my readers.
So since January, the Packers brought Lombardi back to Titletown, Chris got a new job, the Brewers took over first place (twice), and much more! Well, not really much more, but a bit. Here goes...
So after the Packers showed the Steelers how it's done, I went out to celebrate. I had a great time with my friend Sarah and a couple of her friends. I miss hanging out with her; it's been a while. She's pretty awesome.
Now, skip to May right quick. A friend of mine, by the name of "Dale" (to whom I'm greatly in debt for the opportunity) recommended me for a job at his place of work. I came in for a trial day, and apparently they liked me, because I'm still there almost two months later. I'm now a chef at McGonigal's Pub and Park Avenue Wine Bar in downtown Barrington, IL. Our kitchen serves both restaurants, a traditional Irish pub and a higher-end wine bar. I really enjoy my job and the people with whom I work. It can be rather demanding on my feet and knees, but the reward is worth it (knowledge, experience, and MONEY!); if I want to sit down more than once during a shift, I have to go take a poo.
Now I haven't put this in written/typed form yet, so here goes a little something I've been thinking about for the past year or so but has come more and more evident in my mind over the last few months:
I want to open my own restaurant. Finally, after 26 years on this beautiful planet, I've realized what I actually want to do in life. I want my own place, full of yummy goodness and creativity. Now, this won't be any ordinary restaurant. This will be an American-style joint with a brewery attached! I'll run the restaurant while my twin brother, Mark, runs the brewery. I want a restaurant; he wants a brewery. Why not combine the two! A few names have come to mind, the most prominent and agreed-upon being Twin Brothers Brewpub. (Although my dad thought of Paka's Brewpub. Has a nice ring to it, not gonna lie.)
Now there's going to be a staple to my restaurant: burgers. I love experimenting with burgers. Name an item you want on your burger, and, chances are, we'll have it and gladly put it on a bun for you.
Now, with an American-style place, you can't just have burgers. You need fries, brats, salads, sandwiches, etc. But you know what an American-style restaurant really needs? That's right, you guessed it. A fish fry! And it won't just be any old fish fry. Our beer batter will be made with one of Mark's delicious beers! And say you want to drink the beer that went into that beer batter. Well you know what? You can! Is there a better way to wash down a delicious Wisconsin-style fish fry (is there any other way?) than with the delicious, made-on-site beer that's in the batter? Didn't think so.
And besides buying him drinks, my buddy "Dale" will be my Executive Chef, and he'll collaborate with me on the menu. Gotta give something back for giving me this opportunity at my current job, right?
Here's a little story about "Dale": "Dale" and I played hockey together for a year in high school. We essentially just coexisted on the ice. We hung out a bit a few years later. Then shit hit the fan, and we didn't talk for a while. Then, out of the blue, I see this guy at the bar, and despite the things said in the past, we talked. From there came a renewed friendship, and then later on, a job opportunity, which I jumped on and took full advantage of. Now, "Dale" and I are pretty good friends, I'd say, and he's been great through this entire process. And in turn for his teaching and training me in this new kitchen, I've taken him under my wing on the pool table and the dart board. Sure, I let him win on occasion in both, but the teacher still has to maintain his dominance.
But in all seriousness, thank you, Dave. You've been great, and I hope this friendship and companionship continue. You're good people, brah. Chelluh.
Okay, back to my (what will be) beautiful brewpub. There will be a pool table. There's no debating that topic. Unless you want to lose, of course. There will be delicious beer on tap, including the collection of our very own Mark Lukas. Mark will also have a burger named after him on our menu. The details of said burger shan't be enclosed, in fear of one (or all) of my three readers stealing the idea. I'm onto you! (Hint: It involves fries and cheese.)
Okay, switching topics now. How do you like that for my segway? Smooth, ain't it?
So keeping on board with the whole "changes" aspect here, I'd like to gladly announce that my brother and I have broken silence after almost two years. Things aren't all peachy-keen, but at least non-hateful words are exchanged. Everyone is happy to hear this, but no one more than my parents could be happier. I don't really want to get into too much detail with this; it's a rather sensitive subject to me. But I just wanted to let out the basics. And it's a segway to my next topic...
Next topic: Life is good.
Here comes the next topic. Are you ready? Are you sure you're ready? Positive? Okay. Here goes.
Are you 100 percent sure? Really? Really? No, really? Are you annoyed yet?
So with this new job (Thanks, Dale!), I've change my inner-me. I'm happier now. I'm more vibrant. I'm more focused. I'm more forgiving. But at the same time, I'm quick to eliminate those who bring me down. That may be harsh on my part, but I will not sit around and tolerate those who aim (intentionally or not) to bring me down. I'm happy. I enjoy being happy. I think it's safe to say, I'm happy that I'm happy. (Holy redundance, Batman! Is redundance a word?)
I'm working a job I love. I'm hanging out with people I enjoy. I'm still playing hockey, which, if you know me at all, you know it's my passion. But I'm playing defense instead of goalie! I'm learning something new and intriguing, and I love it! I'm actually kinda good at it, for only doing it for a few months. At least, in my mind I am. I do, however, miss playing goalie. And when (if) my knee heals up and rehabs correctly, I'll get back in net. But in the meantime, I'll continue to grow and learn on the ice in a position that makes sense in my head, but is still being molded physically.
So as I stated before, I'm completely happy for the first time in my adult life. There's only one piece of the puzzle missing: someone with whom to share this happiness. It's really not a necessity right now, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want it. Nonetheless, things are excellent. The only blemish really isn't much of a blemish. I really don't mind being single. I mean, it's only been over three-and-a-half years since I last had a girlfriend. Only three-and-a-half years. I'm content where I am currently. Hell, I'm super happy where I am. Throw "content" out the window.
I'm confident that in due time, someone will help me share the wondrous life that I'm presently living. It's a splendiferous thing when you don't dread going to work. I get paid to learn and grow and make awesome food. The only downside: I can't eat everything I make. Lucky customers.
Oh, before I go, I wanted to share something regarding my restaurant. There's a benefit to having a large family. And here's why:
David: manager, business plan writer
Andy: accountant
Ben: remodeling, maintenance
Mark: brewery
Dad: loan knowledge, old-man expertise
Mom: awesome recipes
Okay, I'm tired and going to bed. What an abrupt end to a lengthy blog entry. Aren't you upset and sad? I'm not. I'm tired. I also have to pee, so I'll do that first. Then sleep. I love sleep. Maybe I'll post more often. I guess time will tell, eh?
P.S. - I almost forgot the best update of all! Mark's home! It sucks that he had to leave Montana and all the new friends he met there, but it's great to have him back home. Now this also means that my trip out to Montana in August is now a no-go, which I was going to do instead of the annual trip to Hunky Dory with the fam. This year will mark the 24th consecutive trip to Hunky Dory for the Lukas family. Unfortunately, this year will also mark the first year which I will not be able to go, since it was too late to ask off work by the time Mark decided to move home. While fairly disappointed that I will not be able to go to Hunky Dory this year (or Montana, which I've seen in winter and would love to see in summer), I'd much rather take seeing Mark's hairy face every day over a vacation, whether it be the first trip or the 24th trip. My best friend is back. And to me, that's a rather wonderful thing. And you can't put a price tag on that or substitute it with anything. I really wish I could explain how great it is to have a twin. There's no person I'd rather spend time with than my twin brother. He is I and I am him. Somos son juntos. We are together. Again. And this brings me to my final point, a simple point which sums up this entire post:
Life is good.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Packers vs. Steelers
Before I get into this whole preview and stuff, I want to share a little knowledge with you that I learned yesterday. We all know the Packers' logo, the big "G." But do you know what it stands for? Hint: It doesn't stand for "Green" Bay. George Braisher created the logo in 1961. He was the Packers' equipment manager at the time. While pretty much everyone thinks the "G" stands for "Green" Bay, they're all wrong. It stands for "Greatness." I mean, we all know that 12 NFL championships (3 Super Bowls) means greatness, but I didn't know it was literally ingrained in our logo and history. Thanks to Tiki Barber for enlightening me.
Now, on to the preview/prediction...
I sit here, wearing my Rodgers jersey. I think he's going to be a big difference-maker in this game, spreading the ball around effectively. After a subpar game against the Bears, I think Aaron Rodgers will go off indoors against a vulnerable Steelers secondary (pretty much their only defensive weakness). He put up 31/36, 366 yds, 3 TD, against the Falcons indoors at Atlanta. While the Steelers have a much better defense, their secondary is still lacking, and I see Rodgers taking advantage of that. I don't think 260+ yards and 2+ TDs is out of the question for him. He's got the best receiving corps in the league to work with, and Troy Polamalu can't do everything.
I think James Starks will open up the passing game for Rodgers, making it easier for him to pick apart the defense. Starks has been good, but not great, this postseason. All that really matters is that he's gotten 22+ carries in each postseason game. He's averaging 3.8 yards per rush, which is above average. It's the attempts that count, though. The Steelers have the best rush defense in the league, but as long as Starks continues his decisive rushing style, he'll get a good amount of carries, which means it'll keep the Steelers defense honest, which means the Steelers cornerbacks will be picked apart by Rodgers, which will lead to a great day for him.
I think the biggest offensive factor will be the Packers receivers, though. They will be a lot for the Pittsburgh secondary to handle. Jordy Nelson and James Jones could both be a #2 receiver for most NFL teams, and they're #3 and #4 on a very talented Packers receiving corps. Even Brett Swain is reliable when he's called upon. Granted, he's only got 6 catches for 72 yards on the season (no catches since Halloween), but he never drops the ball when it's thrown to him. I hope he gets himself a catch in the Big Game.
I see either Jones or Nelson breaking out and having a large role in the outcome of the game. I think it'll be Nelson over Jones. Jones made that spectacular TD grab against the Bears in the NFC title game; it's Jordy's turn now. I think both Nelson and Greg Jennings will get a TD catch, and I see Nelson compiling at least 60 yards on 4+ catches.
It's almost always a player you don't expect who comes up with a big play (or plays) in recent games for the Packers, usually on the defensive side of the ball. In the Super Bowl, however, it'll be Jordy Nelson scoring the deciding touchdown.
Big Ben Rapistberger will have his hands full on Sunday. Every play starts with the center, and that's where the Steelers will start to show weakness and eventually unravel. With All-Pro rookie center Maurkice Pouncey officially ruled out, I'm seeing another big game out of B.J. Raji. (I'll get to the Packers defense in a bit, though.) If there's any glaring weakness the Steelers have on offense, it's their line. While it's not bad, it's not great, and being without Pouncey certainly won't help their cause. I think the loss of Pouncey will make for trouble up the middle and not only affect the passing game, but the running game as well.
Rashard Mendenhall is a great back, and I see him having a pretty good game, but not having Pouncey will affect his game. It'll be hard for the Steelers to run up the gut behind Doug Legursky (Pouncey's replacement), who gets the pleasure of not only trying to block Raji, but Howard Green as well. Howard and Raji combine for 677 pounds (at least on paper), and both are 6'2". Legursky is gonna have his hands full. (I'd say "no pun intended," but pun is always intended!) I see Mendenhall rushing for at least 65 yards, but no touchdowns.
That brings me back to Big Ben. While he might get flushed out of the pocket easily from up the middle, he does his best work when he's outside the pocket. (remember his TD throw to Santonio Holmes in SB XLIII?) With Mike Wallace and Hines Ward out wide (and Emmanuel Sanders, who can never be overlooked) and Heath Miller at TE, Roethlisberger has some reliable targets in the passing game. I think he'll be able to toss up 2 TDs, one by Miller in the red zone, and a long one to Wallace on a play where he's not guarded by Sam Shields.
As far as the Steelers defense goes, I think they'll be able to stop the run well, but they can't hold Rodgers off for too long, especially if they allow him to get in a rhythm early. I think Polamalu will have a good day. I don't know if I see a pick in his future, so I'll go with 0.5 o/u for him. I think he'll get a sack on a blitz, though. I see James Harrison getting a sack as well (hopefully not the kind he gets flagged and fined for). Overall, I think Rodgers and the deep Packers receiving corps will be too much for the Steelers to handle.
I've been itching to talk about the Packers defense, so finally, here goes. Tramon Williams stole the show defensively in Atlanta (and had the game-deciding INT in Philly), and Sam Shields did it in Chicago. I really want Charles Woodson to steal the show on Sunday, but I think it'll be Clay Matthews III. I think Woodson will get a pick, but I think Matthews will prove to the nonbelievers that he should have been Defensive Player of the Year with a fantastic game. I don't think 8 tackles, 2 sacks and a forced fumble is out of the question. Even on the plays where he doesn't get a stat on the scoresheet, he'll be a huge factor. I also see Nick Collins picking off a pass over the top.
I think the defensive line will play well, with Cullen Jenkins continuing his strong play from the NFC title game. B.J. "The Freezer" Raji will join in the fun, too, with at least 1 sack, and a couple tackles for losses. I think Jenkins can match those totals.
I think the linebacker corps in general is going to have a good game. My dad was calling for A.J. Hawk to make a big play. I don't think that's too much to ask for. I see a sack for Erik Walden, however.
I would assume Sam Shields will mostly have the duty of guarding Mike Wallace. Speed vs. speed. I think he'll shut down Wallace for the most part, but Wallace will have a big gain on a play where he's not guarded by Shields. I would imagine Williams will be on Hines Ward for the most part, with Woodson on him from time to time. I think Woodson will mostly be on Heath Miller, sharing those duties with Desmond Bishop, who's a pretty good coverage LB. I think Bishop will make a couple good plays on the ball, but I don't see any Super Bowl INTs for him.
I think most people are calling for a pretty low-scoring game. After all, the Steelers and Packers have the 1st- and 2nd-best defenses in the league, respectively. But I think this will be a little more of an offensive affair. I see the Packers winning it on a touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson with less than 4 minutes to play, followed by a late interception of Roethlisberger to seal the victory.
The Packers bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Titletown with a 24-20 win over the Steelers. Aaron Rodgers wins the MVP honors.
GO PACK GO!!!
Now, on to the preview/prediction...
I sit here, wearing my Rodgers jersey. I think he's going to be a big difference-maker in this game, spreading the ball around effectively. After a subpar game against the Bears, I think Aaron Rodgers will go off indoors against a vulnerable Steelers secondary (pretty much their only defensive weakness). He put up 31/36, 366 yds, 3 TD, against the Falcons indoors at Atlanta. While the Steelers have a much better defense, their secondary is still lacking, and I see Rodgers taking advantage of that. I don't think 260+ yards and 2+ TDs is out of the question for him. He's got the best receiving corps in the league to work with, and Troy Polamalu can't do everything.
I think James Starks will open up the passing game for Rodgers, making it easier for him to pick apart the defense. Starks has been good, but not great, this postseason. All that really matters is that he's gotten 22+ carries in each postseason game. He's averaging 3.8 yards per rush, which is above average. It's the attempts that count, though. The Steelers have the best rush defense in the league, but as long as Starks continues his decisive rushing style, he'll get a good amount of carries, which means it'll keep the Steelers defense honest, which means the Steelers cornerbacks will be picked apart by Rodgers, which will lead to a great day for him.
I think the biggest offensive factor will be the Packers receivers, though. They will be a lot for the Pittsburgh secondary to handle. Jordy Nelson and James Jones could both be a #2 receiver for most NFL teams, and they're #3 and #4 on a very talented Packers receiving corps. Even Brett Swain is reliable when he's called upon. Granted, he's only got 6 catches for 72 yards on the season (no catches since Halloween), but he never drops the ball when it's thrown to him. I hope he gets himself a catch in the Big Game.
I see either Jones or Nelson breaking out and having a large role in the outcome of the game. I think it'll be Nelson over Jones. Jones made that spectacular TD grab against the Bears in the NFC title game; it's Jordy's turn now. I think both Nelson and Greg Jennings will get a TD catch, and I see Nelson compiling at least 60 yards on 4+ catches.
It's almost always a player you don't expect who comes up with a big play (or plays) in recent games for the Packers, usually on the defensive side of the ball. In the Super Bowl, however, it'll be Jordy Nelson scoring the deciding touchdown.
Big Ben Rapistberger will have his hands full on Sunday. Every play starts with the center, and that's where the Steelers will start to show weakness and eventually unravel. With All-Pro rookie center Maurkice Pouncey officially ruled out, I'm seeing another big game out of B.J. Raji. (I'll get to the Packers defense in a bit, though.) If there's any glaring weakness the Steelers have on offense, it's their line. While it's not bad, it's not great, and being without Pouncey certainly won't help their cause. I think the loss of Pouncey will make for trouble up the middle and not only affect the passing game, but the running game as well.
Rashard Mendenhall is a great back, and I see him having a pretty good game, but not having Pouncey will affect his game. It'll be hard for the Steelers to run up the gut behind Doug Legursky (Pouncey's replacement), who gets the pleasure of not only trying to block Raji, but Howard Green as well. Howard and Raji combine for 677 pounds (at least on paper), and both are 6'2". Legursky is gonna have his hands full. (I'd say "no pun intended," but pun is always intended!) I see Mendenhall rushing for at least 65 yards, but no touchdowns.
That brings me back to Big Ben. While he might get flushed out of the pocket easily from up the middle, he does his best work when he's outside the pocket. (remember his TD throw to Santonio Holmes in SB XLIII?) With Mike Wallace and Hines Ward out wide (and Emmanuel Sanders, who can never be overlooked) and Heath Miller at TE, Roethlisberger has some reliable targets in the passing game. I think he'll be able to toss up 2 TDs, one by Miller in the red zone, and a long one to Wallace on a play where he's not guarded by Sam Shields.
As far as the Steelers defense goes, I think they'll be able to stop the run well, but they can't hold Rodgers off for too long, especially if they allow him to get in a rhythm early. I think Polamalu will have a good day. I don't know if I see a pick in his future, so I'll go with 0.5 o/u for him. I think he'll get a sack on a blitz, though. I see James Harrison getting a sack as well (hopefully not the kind he gets flagged and fined for). Overall, I think Rodgers and the deep Packers receiving corps will be too much for the Steelers to handle.
I've been itching to talk about the Packers defense, so finally, here goes. Tramon Williams stole the show defensively in Atlanta (and had the game-deciding INT in Philly), and Sam Shields did it in Chicago. I really want Charles Woodson to steal the show on Sunday, but I think it'll be Clay Matthews III. I think Woodson will get a pick, but I think Matthews will prove to the nonbelievers that he should have been Defensive Player of the Year with a fantastic game. I don't think 8 tackles, 2 sacks and a forced fumble is out of the question. Even on the plays where he doesn't get a stat on the scoresheet, he'll be a huge factor. I also see Nick Collins picking off a pass over the top.
I think the defensive line will play well, with Cullen Jenkins continuing his strong play from the NFC title game. B.J. "The Freezer" Raji will join in the fun, too, with at least 1 sack, and a couple tackles for losses. I think Jenkins can match those totals.
I think the linebacker corps in general is going to have a good game. My dad was calling for A.J. Hawk to make a big play. I don't think that's too much to ask for. I see a sack for Erik Walden, however.
I would assume Sam Shields will mostly have the duty of guarding Mike Wallace. Speed vs. speed. I think he'll shut down Wallace for the most part, but Wallace will have a big gain on a play where he's not guarded by Shields. I would imagine Williams will be on Hines Ward for the most part, with Woodson on him from time to time. I think Woodson will mostly be on Heath Miller, sharing those duties with Desmond Bishop, who's a pretty good coverage LB. I think Bishop will make a couple good plays on the ball, but I don't see any Super Bowl INTs for him.
I think most people are calling for a pretty low-scoring game. After all, the Steelers and Packers have the 1st- and 2nd-best defenses in the league, respectively. But I think this will be a little more of an offensive affair. I see the Packers winning it on a touchdown pass to Jordy Nelson with less than 4 minutes to play, followed by a late interception of Roethlisberger to seal the victory.
The Packers bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Titletown with a 24-20 win over the Steelers. Aaron Rodgers wins the MVP honors.
GO PACK GO!!!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World
So I just finished watching Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World. I'll be honest, when I first saw the preview on TV, I thought it was going to be mediocre at best. Now don't get me wrong, I really like Michael Cera. But I couldn't picture him in a role like this, and the whole plot line seemed kind of dumb.
Holy shit. Quick side note. I'm half-watching Conan that I recorded from Tuesday night, and I just half-saw a preview of a movie called Never Say Never. It's a movie chronicling Justin Bieber, and of course, it's in 3D. Someone please shoot me now. Well, shoot Justin Bieber, then shoot me. Thank you.
Okay, back to Scott Pilgrim. So a friend told me that this movie was actually pretty good, and I saw that it was on demand, so I decided I'd give it a shot. Like I said before, I like Michael Cera. I've seen Juno, Paper Heart, Superbad, Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, Youth in Revolt and Year One. I loved all those movies, except Paper Heart and Year One.
Paper Heart was alright, I guess. Just wasn't really my cup o' tea. Year One, however, I hated. I didn't necessarily dislike Michael Cera's character in it. Jack Black ruined the movie for me. He's just so damn annoying. Ugh. He ruins pretty much everything he's in.
Okay, back to Scott Pilgrim... again. I plan to stay on topic here, for a bit, at least. I'll be the first to admit that I was totally wrong in my assumption about this movie. It was very original (as original as you can be these days). I loved the whole comic book-/video game-style that was incorporated into it. And the fight scenes were fantastic! Some of it was over the top, but that's what made it so great! It was almost like watching a badass video game fight. Now I don't know if Michael Cera did his own stunts. I hope he did. He really nailed the fighting down well. I never knew he could be such a badass! This movie took him totally out of his realm, for the most part. He was his usual awkward self for much of the film, but when he put on his BAMF hat, he really effed shit up.
The plot was pretty good, too. It wasn't as dazzling as the fight scenes and their originality, but it was good nonetheless. He basically had to fight--and defeat--all seven of his new girlfriend's exes in epic, video game-style battles, complete with points and achievements and power-ups. While that was brilliant, it was just another typical love story. He even loses her briefly and has to win her back; like we've never seen that one before. But then again, what can you do? Everything's pretty much been done. You can only adapt it to a different setting or tweak it a little here and there.
If this movie were more about the love story and budding romance, then I wouldn't have liked it as much as I did. But because it was centered around the fighting and its comic-like and video game orientation, it was just great. I loved it.
After seeing the previews for this movie, I suppose I would have expected 2 out of 5 stars. But I've opened up my mind and eyes and am thankful that I have. I guess you could say I was wrong. Savor this one, too, because my being wrong is a rare occurrence, like when cicadas emerge from the ground once every 17 years. It was a great movie. Would definitely watch again.
Overall, I give Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World 4 out of 5 stars. Thank you, Michael Cera, for continuing to be awesome and getting the hot chicks. You're a hero to us all.
Holy shit. Quick side note. I'm half-watching Conan that I recorded from Tuesday night, and I just half-saw a preview of a movie called Never Say Never. It's a movie chronicling Justin Bieber, and of course, it's in 3D. Someone please shoot me now. Well, shoot Justin Bieber, then shoot me. Thank you.
Okay, back to Scott Pilgrim. So a friend told me that this movie was actually pretty good, and I saw that it was on demand, so I decided I'd give it a shot. Like I said before, I like Michael Cera. I've seen Juno, Paper Heart, Superbad, Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, Youth in Revolt and Year One. I loved all those movies, except Paper Heart and Year One.
Paper Heart was alright, I guess. Just wasn't really my cup o' tea. Year One, however, I hated. I didn't necessarily dislike Michael Cera's character in it. Jack Black ruined the movie for me. He's just so damn annoying. Ugh. He ruins pretty much everything he's in.
Okay, back to Scott Pilgrim... again. I plan to stay on topic here, for a bit, at least. I'll be the first to admit that I was totally wrong in my assumption about this movie. It was very original (as original as you can be these days). I loved the whole comic book-/video game-style that was incorporated into it. And the fight scenes were fantastic! Some of it was over the top, but that's what made it so great! It was almost like watching a badass video game fight. Now I don't know if Michael Cera did his own stunts. I hope he did. He really nailed the fighting down well. I never knew he could be such a badass! This movie took him totally out of his realm, for the most part. He was his usual awkward self for much of the film, but when he put on his BAMF hat, he really effed shit up.
The plot was pretty good, too. It wasn't as dazzling as the fight scenes and their originality, but it was good nonetheless. He basically had to fight--and defeat--all seven of his new girlfriend's exes in epic, video game-style battles, complete with points and achievements and power-ups. While that was brilliant, it was just another typical love story. He even loses her briefly and has to win her back; like we've never seen that one before. But then again, what can you do? Everything's pretty much been done. You can only adapt it to a different setting or tweak it a little here and there.
If this movie were more about the love story and budding romance, then I wouldn't have liked it as much as I did. But because it was centered around the fighting and its comic-like and video game orientation, it was just great. I loved it.
After seeing the previews for this movie, I suppose I would have expected 2 out of 5 stars. But I've opened up my mind and eyes and am thankful that I have. I guess you could say I was wrong. Savor this one, too, because my being wrong is a rare occurrence, like when cicadas emerge from the ground once every 17 years. It was a great movie. Would definitely watch again.
Overall, I give Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World 4 out of 5 stars. Thank you, Michael Cera, for continuing to be awesome and getting the hot chicks. You're a hero to us all.
Monday, January 24, 2011
NFC Champions!!!
GO PACK GO!!!
What a win by the Pack in Chicago to give them a spot in Super Bowl XLV! I almost lost my voice while screaming in celebratory fashion over this play (start at the 1:04 mark). O joyous day! Who would have thought that the Packers' defense would have saved the day and won the game? If you read my last post, you probably would have thought that Rodgers and the offense might have played that role. Don't worry, I thought so, too.While Aaron didn't play a great game, he was still more than effective, especially with that gorgeous bootleg/fake-handoff-to-Kuuuuhhhhhnnnnn-TD-run in the first quarter. (What a play call by McCarthy!) While he didn't throw a touchdown, he still made an impact, distributing the ball (he hit 7 receivers, and Quarless should have had three catches, which would have brought the total to 8; also, Tom Crabtree was targeted at least once) and making things happen on the run (39 yards rushing and a TD). The two INTs wasn't too glorious, although I'll only blame half of the first one on Rodgers, as it went off Driver's fingertips and into the gut of Lance Briggs. But it was a poor, low throw, and Driver couldn't haul it in. So half and half on the blame there.
James Starks had a better day than I thought he would. I didn't think he'd score his first career NFL touchdown, but he did just that in the second quarter to give the Packers a 14-0 lead. I think I called 18+ carries and 60+ yards. Starks finished with 22 carries for 74 yards and a TD. While that's only a 3.4 yard-per-carry average, 22 carries (plus another 10 combined between Rodgers, Jackson and Kuhn) really helped to keep the Bears' defense honest. I think I remember saying 25-30 total rushes or more would mean a Packers victory... or something like that. It's not necessarily the yards you get in the running game; it's the running plays that really make the difference. Even if the opponent is stopping the run well, you're still keeping them honest and opening up the passing game.
Two more offensive points before I get to the best defense in the NFL:
Greg Jennings continued to rip shit up with 8 catches for 130 yards. He was as great as ever, making plays after the catch and not dropping a single pass. Jordy Nelson also played well, with 4 catches for 67 yards. He's the next Wes Welker, in my opinion. He's not a small guy like Welker, but he's a tough white guy who exceeds over the middle. Those kinda guys are hard to come by these days.
The Packers' defense was really the MVP of the game. And Tim Masthay. Eight punts for a 41.8-yard average and 5 inside the 20 (1 touchback that was inches from being downed at the 1, raising the total to 6). And he got enough air on the punts to not give Devin Hester much of a chance in the return game (3 returns for 16 yards). And on his only kick return, Hester gained 24 yards. Easy to say he was kept more than in check all game long. But a helluva game by Masthay. Punters don't get enough credit most of the time. Give credit where credit is due, I say.
But back to the defense. The defense played a great game overall, I think. Granted, they let up 301 total yards of offense, but Caleb Hanie threw for 153 of those yards. The Bears gained 107 yards in the fourth quarter, I think due mainly to a heavy dose of the three-man rush Dom Capers sends out to accompany a prevent-style defense. While I don't like this style of defense, and have been bitching about it all season long, the defense bends and bends, but they don't break under it. Still, it's too close for comfort for my liking.
But turnovers were the big factor in this game. B.J. Raji's interception returned for a TD was off the charts! I recall yelling, "B.J. fucking Raji!" and almost spilling my beer, while he rumbled toward the endzone. Tack on Sam Shields' second interception of the game to seal the deal with 37 seconds left, and the Packers come out on top of the turnover battle, 3-2. Defense and takeaways win ballgames. As cliche as the saying is, it's entirely, 120% true.
Now onto the Bears. Ready?
Oh man. There are some bad things to say about the way the Bears' offense played. Their defense played great, but their offense... not so much. Let's start with the offense:
Jay Cutler is a pussy. There. I said it. Have you read the "hate mail" he's gotten on Twitter? My favorite quote is probably that of Mark Schlereth, whom I follow on Twitter, a former offensive lineman for the Redskins and Broncos (1989-2000): "As a guy who had 20 knee surgeries, you'd have to drag me out on a stretcher to leave a championship game!" In my opinion, Cutler deserves all the crap he gets from media, players, former players, and even fans. Word has it that it's a sprained MCL. But still, it's the NFC Championship. It's do or die, life or death. There's no quitting... except if you're Jay Cutler. If not for Caleb Hanie almost pulling a miracle out of his ass, Cutler would be cast in such a darker and more hateful light, fittingly so.
On top of his injury, Cutler played like shit (6/14 for 80 yards and 1 INT). He had one good scramble for 10 yards. He overthrew Hester at least three times by my count; one was a for-sure touchdown. He looked uncomfortable in the pocket the entire time, and I didn't see him set his feet much when he threw the ball.
But there was one big bright spot in the Bears' offense: Matt Forte. If I recall correctly (I'm too lazy to look), I called him to get 60+ rushing yards, 25+ receiving yards, and 1 TD. Forte finished the day with 70 yards on 17 rushes (4.1 average) and 90 yards on 10 receptions (9.0 average), but no TDs. So I called 85+ yards total, with a mental number around 100, and 1 TD. Instead, he compiled 160 yards without an endzone celebration. He was open all day in the flat and over the middle in the passing game, and he was making good cuts and seeing the lanes well in the running game.
Caleb Hanie played a great game, considering the circumstances. I don't know how he missed B.J. "The Freezer" Raji on his INT to him (I mean, he's only 6'2" and 337 pounds), but you never really expect a nose tackle to drop back in coverage. And his interception to Shields at the end was a desperation move on fourth down. You can't expect a third-string QB to come into a championship game and be cool as a cucumber and not get rattled. He went 13/20 for 153 yards with 1 TD and 2 INTs. That's pretty damn good, in my opinion. He only played for a quarter and a half.
Hanie would have had a chance to tie the game had the Bears (presumably Mike Martz) not called the worst play in NFC Championship history: That stupid end-around to Bennett on 3rd and 1 before the fourth-down interception by Shields that was the proverbial dagger. I mean, seriously, what...the...fuck? Why the hell would you try a trick play with the game on the line with a minute to go?! It's 3rd and 1! Run the damn ball up the middle or do a QB sneak! Horrendous and dumbshit play call.
There was lots of talk about the Bears' special teams and return game being a big factor in this game. Well, they were, but not in a good way. They only had 63 yards on 4 kick returns (15.75 average) and 38 yards on 4 punt returns (9.5 average). So, 101 total return yards on 8 returns. That's no bueno. The Packers' biggest weakness has been the return game defensively, and they really stepped it up in this one.
All in all, I think both teams' performances underwhelmed their fans and critics. But a W is a W, and the Packers came out on top with a berth in Super Bowl XLV to face the Steelers. That should be a really good game, and I can't wait! I'll have a preview for you in a week and a half or so. But until then, you get to read me talking about my boring life. Have fun! And...
GO PACK GO!!!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Packers-Bears preview/predictions
Big game coming up this weekend! I guess that goes pretty much without saying, though. What I don't get is why the Steelers-Jets game got the primetime slot, and the Packers-Bears didn't. Everyone and their mothers knows the latter will get better ratings anyway.
Fun fact: In their 91-year history, the Packers and Bears have both made the playoffs in only four seasons. This will be the second meeting between the teams in the playoffs (Bears won in 1941 in the Divisional round, 33-14, en route the the NFL championship). This monumental game has been 69 years in the making. People can say what they want to say about both meetings between the two clubs (split, 1-1), but the truth of the matter is, you can't really gather much about either game.
The first meeting (Bears 20-17) was in Week 3. That's only three weeks into the season. Teams are still forming and gelling at that point. Nothing's concrete. The Bears' offense is completely different now. The Packers are more disciplined. That's just a couple things. I won't go in depth about this game, because nothing in the NFL really starts solidifying until Weeks 6-9 or so.
The second meeting (Packers 10-3) was in Week 17. The Bears had solidified a first-round playoff bye and the #2 seed. They couldn't move up or down, no matter what happened that Sunday, in that game, or around the league. The Bears' offensive gameplan was similar to the first half of the season, where they passed heavily. They've developed a more balanced attack the second half of the season. But in that Week 17 game, the Bears showed an attack very much similar to what they had early in the season. They didn't want to give away anything or give anyone anything worth studying. Granted, they wanted to win that game for pride's sake (hence keeping the starters in all game; lucky Cutler wasn't injured with the beating he took), but the Bears weren't about to go revealing too much for their eventual playoff opponents.
The Packers, on the other hand, almost had to throw everything they had at the Bears in Week 17. It was essentially their first playoff game. Win or go home. That simple. Dom Capers and the defense pretty much released their whole arsenal upon the Bears' offense, whereas the Packers' offense pretty much kept up what they had been doing in previous weeks. Rodgers led the team with rush attempts (7) and yards (21) in that game. No bueno. Gotta give the rock to James Starks more often. Man, I like him... a lot. But I'll get to him in a sec.
So while the Packers barely squeaked out a win and playoff berth against the Bears in Week 17, they did it in sloppy fashion with a sputtering offense. That offense has been clicking again in the postseason, and it's something to be reckoned with. Here's where I get to James Starks:
I like this guy... a lot. In the three games (including playoffs) this season where he's gotten double-digit carries, he's posted 262 yards on 66 attempts, good for 3.97 yards per carry. While that's only above average, at best, take into consideration his yards after contact. While I don't know an exact figure, it has to be pretty good. The guy's always falling forward when he eventually is brought down. His legs are always driving. He'll get hit two yards deep in the backfield and drive/fall forward for a one-yard gain. 2nd and 9 is always better than 2nd and 12. He makes crisp cuts when he changes direction. He seems to read the defense well, and he hits the hole with authority and sans hesitation. I think he'll break 60 yards on Sunday, for sure. He's averaging 89.5 yards per game in two games this postseason, but the Bears' front seven is a daunting task, so I think 60 yards is a success against that group. I think he'll get at least 15 carries, helping set up the pass, which is really where the Packers want to attack the Bears. Not only because we want the game on Aaron Rodgers' shoulders, but because if there's any place the Bears' defense is vulnerable, it's the secondary. Safety Chris Harris's hip flexor (hasn't practiced through Thursday) should be a factor as well.
I'm seeing a pretty balanced passing attack from Rodgers on Sunday, as far as distribution goes. With Starks' 15+ carries, I see Kuhn and Jackson combining for 5-10 carries. I think 25-30 carries or so from the RBs should really keep the defense honest and let Rodgers open things up through the air. While I don't see him completing 31 of 36 like he did against the Falcons, I think 20 completions is more than reachable. Match that with 240+ yards through the air and 2 TDs, and you've got yourself a pretty productive day against a good defense.
While I'd love to see James Starks get his first career touchdown this weekend, I don't really see it happening, unless he breaks off a long run of 15+ yards. I see a 1- or 2-yard punch-in from Kuuuuhhhnnn, though, maybe with B.J. "The Freezer" Raji leading the way again.
I think the outcome of this game lies mostly on the Bears' offensive line. While it's been pretty solid the latter half of the season, it didn't look good in Week 17. I know the Bears didn't run their usual offense in that game, but it's no excuse to let up six sacks. I think if the line can be fairly dominant, the Bears have a great chance of pulling out the victory. If not, I see Cutler getting sacked and rushed and having to force throws, leading to picks, which we all know he's fond of doing. Even with an average effort from the line, I can see Forte surpassing 60 yards rushing, and tack on at least 25 yards receiving, and a touchdown.
I think, with Dom Capers' excellent scheming, the Packers will keep that line guessing and on their heels, leading to at least 4 sacks and 2 interceptions from Cutler. I think he'll toss a TD to Knox, though. He was kept quiet in Week 17, but I don't see a repeat this Sunday. I think he'll be good for at least four catches and 50 yards and that touchdown. Cutler should be good for 220+ passing yards with 1 TD and 2 INTs.
Another game-changing factor here is Devin Hester. While the Packers' biggest flaw is defending punt and kick returns, I think Hester will be kept somewhat in check. I don't see more than 140 total return yards on 4-6 total returns.
We all know turnovers are crucial, and I see the Packers winning the turnover battle. I think the Bears' offensive line will become suspect to the numerous packages and looks the Packers' defense will throw at them. I think that will lead to a long and painful day for Jay Cutler. I also think that the Bears' secondary will be susceptible to the deep and talented receiving corps of the Pack. The only way I see the Bears pulling out a win is if the defense can turn the Packers' offense into a one-dimensional attack, with the help of a great performance out of Hester in the return game. The Packers will succeed with the passing game and good defense, earning themselves a berth in Super Bowl XLV versus the Steelers. I don't know how the Jets have gotten this far, but they're not going any further.
Packers 27, Bears 17
P.S. -
GO PACK GO!!!
Fun fact: In their 91-year history, the Packers and Bears have both made the playoffs in only four seasons. This will be the second meeting between the teams in the playoffs (Bears won in 1941 in the Divisional round, 33-14, en route the the NFL championship). This monumental game has been 69 years in the making. People can say what they want to say about both meetings between the two clubs (split, 1-1), but the truth of the matter is, you can't really gather much about either game.
The first meeting (Bears 20-17) was in Week 3. That's only three weeks into the season. Teams are still forming and gelling at that point. Nothing's concrete. The Bears' offense is completely different now. The Packers are more disciplined. That's just a couple things. I won't go in depth about this game, because nothing in the NFL really starts solidifying until Weeks 6-9 or so.
The second meeting (Packers 10-3) was in Week 17. The Bears had solidified a first-round playoff bye and the #2 seed. They couldn't move up or down, no matter what happened that Sunday, in that game, or around the league. The Bears' offensive gameplan was similar to the first half of the season, where they passed heavily. They've developed a more balanced attack the second half of the season. But in that Week 17 game, the Bears showed an attack very much similar to what they had early in the season. They didn't want to give away anything or give anyone anything worth studying. Granted, they wanted to win that game for pride's sake (hence keeping the starters in all game; lucky Cutler wasn't injured with the beating he took), but the Bears weren't about to go revealing too much for their eventual playoff opponents.
The Packers, on the other hand, almost had to throw everything they had at the Bears in Week 17. It was essentially their first playoff game. Win or go home. That simple. Dom Capers and the defense pretty much released their whole arsenal upon the Bears' offense, whereas the Packers' offense pretty much kept up what they had been doing in previous weeks. Rodgers led the team with rush attempts (7) and yards (21) in that game. No bueno. Gotta give the rock to James Starks more often. Man, I like him... a lot. But I'll get to him in a sec.
So while the Packers barely squeaked out a win and playoff berth against the Bears in Week 17, they did it in sloppy fashion with a sputtering offense. That offense has been clicking again in the postseason, and it's something to be reckoned with. Here's where I get to James Starks:
I like this guy... a lot. In the three games (including playoffs) this season where he's gotten double-digit carries, he's posted 262 yards on 66 attempts, good for 3.97 yards per carry. While that's only above average, at best, take into consideration his yards after contact. While I don't know an exact figure, it has to be pretty good. The guy's always falling forward when he eventually is brought down. His legs are always driving. He'll get hit two yards deep in the backfield and drive/fall forward for a one-yard gain. 2nd and 9 is always better than 2nd and 12. He makes crisp cuts when he changes direction. He seems to read the defense well, and he hits the hole with authority and sans hesitation. I think he'll break 60 yards on Sunday, for sure. He's averaging 89.5 yards per game in two games this postseason, but the Bears' front seven is a daunting task, so I think 60 yards is a success against that group. I think he'll get at least 15 carries, helping set up the pass, which is really where the Packers want to attack the Bears. Not only because we want the game on Aaron Rodgers' shoulders, but because if there's any place the Bears' defense is vulnerable, it's the secondary. Safety Chris Harris's hip flexor (hasn't practiced through Thursday) should be a factor as well.
I'm seeing a pretty balanced passing attack from Rodgers on Sunday, as far as distribution goes. With Starks' 15+ carries, I see Kuhn and Jackson combining for 5-10 carries. I think 25-30 carries or so from the RBs should really keep the defense honest and let Rodgers open things up through the air. While I don't see him completing 31 of 36 like he did against the Falcons, I think 20 completions is more than reachable. Match that with 240+ yards through the air and 2 TDs, and you've got yourself a pretty productive day against a good defense.
While I'd love to see James Starks get his first career touchdown this weekend, I don't really see it happening, unless he breaks off a long run of 15+ yards. I see a 1- or 2-yard punch-in from Kuuuuhhhnnn, though, maybe with B.J. "The Freezer" Raji leading the way again.
I think the outcome of this game lies mostly on the Bears' offensive line. While it's been pretty solid the latter half of the season, it didn't look good in Week 17. I know the Bears didn't run their usual offense in that game, but it's no excuse to let up six sacks. I think if the line can be fairly dominant, the Bears have a great chance of pulling out the victory. If not, I see Cutler getting sacked and rushed and having to force throws, leading to picks, which we all know he's fond of doing. Even with an average effort from the line, I can see Forte surpassing 60 yards rushing, and tack on at least 25 yards receiving, and a touchdown.
I think, with Dom Capers' excellent scheming, the Packers will keep that line guessing and on their heels, leading to at least 4 sacks and 2 interceptions from Cutler. I think he'll toss a TD to Knox, though. He was kept quiet in Week 17, but I don't see a repeat this Sunday. I think he'll be good for at least four catches and 50 yards and that touchdown. Cutler should be good for 220+ passing yards with 1 TD and 2 INTs.
Another game-changing factor here is Devin Hester. While the Packers' biggest flaw is defending punt and kick returns, I think Hester will be kept somewhat in check. I don't see more than 140 total return yards on 4-6 total returns.
We all know turnovers are crucial, and I see the Packers winning the turnover battle. I think the Bears' offensive line will become suspect to the numerous packages and looks the Packers' defense will throw at them. I think that will lead to a long and painful day for Jay Cutler. I also think that the Bears' secondary will be susceptible to the deep and talented receiving corps of the Pack. The only way I see the Bears pulling out a win is if the defense can turn the Packers' offense into a one-dimensional attack, with the help of a great performance out of Hester in the return game. The Packers will succeed with the passing game and good defense, earning themselves a berth in Super Bowl XLV versus the Steelers. I don't know how the Jets have gotten this far, but they're not going any further.
Packers 27, Bears 17
P.S. -
GO PACK GO!!!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Another blog entry!
Anyone who read last night's post might think I'm suicidal or something. But I assure you: I'm not. I'm too much of a coward to take my own life, even if I wanted to. As bad as the bad times get sometimes (holy redundancy, Batman!), the good times make life worth living.
Just think, you can be beaten down and spit on (literally or figuratively, whatever floats your boat), but a smile from that cute girl you like, or a funny joke, can bring you right back up. It's those things we live for. I find it funny that sometimes the littlest of things can mean and/or do so much.
I find a lot of things funny. Helps me cope with the bad things. Helps me deal with my own flaws and problems. Anyone who says I don't have a good sense of humor doesn't know me at all. They might as well be a complete stranger. I'd like to think I have the best sense of humor out of anybody I know. I try to find humor in every facet of life. Even during sad moments, I try to find humor. As cliche as it is, I really do believe that laughter is the best medicine. A good laugh can do wonders for a person's mood and body.
I just enjoy making people laugh, even if it's at my own expense. I know I'm not perfect, but instead of pointing out my flaws and dwelling on them (while I'll admit, I do do this from time to time; who doesn't?), I find humor in them. If you laugh, I've succeeded.
Back to my sense of humor for a wee bit. I have such a wide array of humor. I love anything from toilet humor to witty humor to cheesy humor to sarcasm to puns. I love puns. I might even go so far as to say I'm a very punny person. (Badum ching!) Because of my humor, I can come across as weird or creepy to some people. Those people usually just don't get it. The ones who do get it are the ones worth keeping around. The woman I marry (hopefully one day) will not only be intelligent (nothing sexier than a good brain), but she'll have a great sense of humor. And that's not one of those things that's nice to have; it's a necessity. If your sense of humor sucks, don't waste my time.
Okay, so I just went to go pee, and that broke my train of thought. No bueno. I've decided to actually turn on some tunes now. "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars is first on the list. I've fallen in love with this song. I can't get enough of it.
I think I'm going to start saying what songs come up whilst typing out my entries. That way you can catch a glimpse into my taste in music, and maybe you can discover some new tunes. I'm all about new tunes, as long as they don't suck. "Magic" by B.o.B (feat. Rivers Cuomo) is next up. If you haven't heard B.o.B's unplugged version on MTV, listen now. That whole set was great. Who knew MTV still had good stuff on it? And don't get me started on Jersey Shore. Ugh. I barely made it through one episode, and I lost at least 12 IQ points.
This is starting to get kinda lengthy. Happens a lot, it seems. I just keep rambling and rambling. (The Who - Love Reign O'er Me) Eventually something useful will come from my fingertips.
I really want to talk about the upcoming Packers-Bears NFC title game (GO PACK GO), but I think I'll save that for its own entry. Maybe I'll do that at the end of the week. I'll give my predictions and analyze both teams based on my own knowledge. Of course, if you'd like to discuss with me, I invite you to do so, provided you don't be an asshole (that means you, Bears fans). (Ray LaMontagne - You Are the Best Thing) I'd like good talk with people who know their shit. So no idiots or assholes, please.
Alright, well I'm going to watch Around the Horn from Tuesday and head to bed. More to come later on today, I'd imagine. I've got nothing better to do on my day off. So until next time, umm, bye? Yeah, I guess that works. Bye!
Just think, you can be beaten down and spit on (literally or figuratively, whatever floats your boat), but a smile from that cute girl you like, or a funny joke, can bring you right back up. It's those things we live for. I find it funny that sometimes the littlest of things can mean and/or do so much.
I find a lot of things funny. Helps me cope with the bad things. Helps me deal with my own flaws and problems. Anyone who says I don't have a good sense of humor doesn't know me at all. They might as well be a complete stranger. I'd like to think I have the best sense of humor out of anybody I know. I try to find humor in every facet of life. Even during sad moments, I try to find humor. As cliche as it is, I really do believe that laughter is the best medicine. A good laugh can do wonders for a person's mood and body.
I just enjoy making people laugh, even if it's at my own expense. I know I'm not perfect, but instead of pointing out my flaws and dwelling on them (while I'll admit, I do do this from time to time; who doesn't?), I find humor in them. If you laugh, I've succeeded.
Back to my sense of humor for a wee bit. I have such a wide array of humor. I love anything from toilet humor to witty humor to cheesy humor to sarcasm to puns. I love puns. I might even go so far as to say I'm a very punny person. (Badum ching!) Because of my humor, I can come across as weird or creepy to some people. Those people usually just don't get it. The ones who do get it are the ones worth keeping around. The woman I marry (hopefully one day) will not only be intelligent (nothing sexier than a good brain), but she'll have a great sense of humor. And that's not one of those things that's nice to have; it's a necessity. If your sense of humor sucks, don't waste my time.
Okay, so I just went to go pee, and that broke my train of thought. No bueno. I've decided to actually turn on some tunes now. "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars is first on the list. I've fallen in love with this song. I can't get enough of it.
I think I'm going to start saying what songs come up whilst typing out my entries. That way you can catch a glimpse into my taste in music, and maybe you can discover some new tunes. I'm all about new tunes, as long as they don't suck. "Magic" by B.o.B (feat. Rivers Cuomo) is next up. If you haven't heard B.o.B's unplugged version on MTV, listen now. That whole set was great. Who knew MTV still had good stuff on it? And don't get me started on Jersey Shore. Ugh. I barely made it through one episode, and I lost at least 12 IQ points.
This is starting to get kinda lengthy. Happens a lot, it seems. I just keep rambling and rambling. (The Who - Love Reign O'er Me) Eventually something useful will come from my fingertips.
I really want to talk about the upcoming Packers-Bears NFC title game (GO PACK GO), but I think I'll save that for its own entry. Maybe I'll do that at the end of the week. I'll give my predictions and analyze both teams based on my own knowledge. Of course, if you'd like to discuss with me, I invite you to do so, provided you don't be an asshole (that means you, Bears fans). (Ray LaMontagne - You Are the Best Thing) I'd like good talk with people who know their shit. So no idiots or assholes, please.
Alright, well I'm going to watch Around the Horn from Tuesday and head to bed. More to come later on today, I'd imagine. I've got nothing better to do on my day off. So until next time, umm, bye? Yeah, I guess that works. Bye!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Been a while.
Ready for some melancholic and self-unappreciative words? Fire away, Cap'n!
I hate myself. I hate my life. I hate what I've become. I hate what I've been. I hate what I will be.
I'm a burnout. There's no way around it. There's no way to butter it up. I'm a waste of space. I've done nothing with my life. I honestly don't see myself doing anything with it either.
I'm 26 years old. At least I can say I've graduated high school with a diploma, and in due time. I've been through one year of college at Carroll College (now University). While it was a fun year, it was a worthless year. I have exactly zero transferable credits. I do, however, have a bond with a few fraternity brothers after I lasted through the tough pledging process. I know 99% of them don't give a shit about me, but a couple do, and those are the ones I still talk to. They're basically just good people I view as friends. Had it not been for pledging, I wouldn't have met them, so I guess I'm thankful for that. Still, none of them would take a bullet for me. I'm just a name, a picture, a story.
But alas, I'm still 26 years old and completely worthless. Okay, maybe not completely. But damn close. I've been single for over three years, so I've got nothing to strive for in the relationship department. I've had three legit relationships. None have lasted more than four months. Two have ended with the "she" part cheating on the "he" part. Not only do I not have success with dating, but it doesn't even seem like it's worth my time. And as invaluable as my time is, I like to think it's even just a little bit valuable. No woman has ever made that time more than just a little bit valuable. As each day passes, I become more and more convinced that the day where a woman can make my time valuable, will never come. I've essentially accepted this. It'll never happen, and I know it. I'm going to be Aunt Pat, except somewhat sociable. But I'll still have the stupid, bullshit stories no one cares about, and I'll ramble on and on, just like I do here in this blog that an entire three people read and don't even give a shit about.
My twin brother left me again to go back to his desolate and unfulfilling life out West. He needs himself some better surroundings, and I hope he takes advantage of the opportunities put forth in front of him. I miss him terribly, but he's supposed to be pursuing his dream, and I hope he pursues and catches that dream. After all, that's why he's out there.
You know, my mom told me I should be my twin brother's motivator. I should be the one to get on his ass about pursuing his dream. And, in turn, he should be my kick-in-the-ass, my motivator. But there's a glaring difference: I won't purse whatever half-assed dream I come up with. We all know it just as sure as we know Paris Hilton is a whore. So my job is to push my twin brother to do what he's set out to do. His job is to push me to do what I'll never do. And what I'll never do is be successful.
See, I'm the smart one in my family. I have the highest IQ. I have the highest test results of any kind. I'm the most knowledgeable and the most intelligent in general. You know what that makes me? The biggest failure. If nobody expects anything from you, you can't let anybody down. But when you've got the best brain in the family, you're expected to be great. All I am is a great disappointment.
I barely graduated high school. I got into the only college I applied to: Carroll College (Carroll University now). I went to Carroll, pursuing a degree in Graphic Communications. I flunked out after a year of hardcore partying. It was a very fun and unproductive year.
After I threw more than $20k down the drain in nine months, I came back home and continued to be a failure, working a low-income job at McDonald's. Not much has changed since 2004. I'm still working a low-income, dead-end job. I have a meniscus tear (I think) in my right knee which I can't even get checked out because I not only don't have insurance, but I haven't the money also. I should have graduated college in 2007 with a bachelor's degree and had a job at Quad Graphics. But instead, it's 2011, and I'm working a job where there's no room to advance or be promoted. I'm at a dead end, and there's plenty I can do about it. But we all know I won't do anything. Why? Because I'm Christopher fucking Lukas, and I'm a fucking burnout who has little will remaining and doesn't give a shit if anyone wants to lend some, because I won't take it.
So there you have it. Me, in a nutshell. Glorious, isn't it?
I hate myself. I hate my life. I hate what I've become. I hate what I've been. I hate what I will be.
I'm a burnout. There's no way around it. There's no way to butter it up. I'm a waste of space. I've done nothing with my life. I honestly don't see myself doing anything with it either.
I'm 26 years old. At least I can say I've graduated high school with a diploma, and in due time. I've been through one year of college at Carroll College (now University). While it was a fun year, it was a worthless year. I have exactly zero transferable credits. I do, however, have a bond with a few fraternity brothers after I lasted through the tough pledging process. I know 99% of them don't give a shit about me, but a couple do, and those are the ones I still talk to. They're basically just good people I view as friends. Had it not been for pledging, I wouldn't have met them, so I guess I'm thankful for that. Still, none of them would take a bullet for me. I'm just a name, a picture, a story.
But alas, I'm still 26 years old and completely worthless. Okay, maybe not completely. But damn close. I've been single for over three years, so I've got nothing to strive for in the relationship department. I've had three legit relationships. None have lasted more than four months. Two have ended with the "she" part cheating on the "he" part. Not only do I not have success with dating, but it doesn't even seem like it's worth my time. And as invaluable as my time is, I like to think it's even just a little bit valuable. No woman has ever made that time more than just a little bit valuable. As each day passes, I become more and more convinced that the day where a woman can make my time valuable, will never come. I've essentially accepted this. It'll never happen, and I know it. I'm going to be Aunt Pat, except somewhat sociable. But I'll still have the stupid, bullshit stories no one cares about, and I'll ramble on and on, just like I do here in this blog that an entire three people read and don't even give a shit about.
My twin brother left me again to go back to his desolate and unfulfilling life out West. He needs himself some better surroundings, and I hope he takes advantage of the opportunities put forth in front of him. I miss him terribly, but he's supposed to be pursuing his dream, and I hope he pursues and catches that dream. After all, that's why he's out there.
You know, my mom told me I should be my twin brother's motivator. I should be the one to get on his ass about pursuing his dream. And, in turn, he should be my kick-in-the-ass, my motivator. But there's a glaring difference: I won't purse whatever half-assed dream I come up with. We all know it just as sure as we know Paris Hilton is a whore. So my job is to push my twin brother to do what he's set out to do. His job is to push me to do what I'll never do. And what I'll never do is be successful.
See, I'm the smart one in my family. I have the highest IQ. I have the highest test results of any kind. I'm the most knowledgeable and the most intelligent in general. You know what that makes me? The biggest failure. If nobody expects anything from you, you can't let anybody down. But when you've got the best brain in the family, you're expected to be great. All I am is a great disappointment.
I barely graduated high school. I got into the only college I applied to: Carroll College (Carroll University now). I went to Carroll, pursuing a degree in Graphic Communications. I flunked out after a year of hardcore partying. It was a very fun and unproductive year.
After I threw more than $20k down the drain in nine months, I came back home and continued to be a failure, working a low-income job at McDonald's. Not much has changed since 2004. I'm still working a low-income, dead-end job. I have a meniscus tear (I think) in my right knee which I can't even get checked out because I not only don't have insurance, but I haven't the money also. I should have graduated college in 2007 with a bachelor's degree and had a job at Quad Graphics. But instead, it's 2011, and I'm working a job where there's no room to advance or be promoted. I'm at a dead end, and there's plenty I can do about it. But we all know I won't do anything. Why? Because I'm Christopher fucking Lukas, and I'm a fucking burnout who has little will remaining and doesn't give a shit if anyone wants to lend some, because I won't take it.
So there you have it. Me, in a nutshell. Glorious, isn't it?
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)