I'm done with the whole one-post-a-day thing. It's too frustrating for me to try to do it and keep missing it as I have done a couple times recently.
Originally I had in mind to keep it up until the school year started even though I don't think I ever mentioned that, so I'm decently satisfied with somewhat accomplishing that about 5 weeks into the school year. Well, 5 weeks into my school year I guess. I'm all too aware that some schools haven't even started yet.
Anyway, my whole intention was to become more consistent with posting on this blog. I think at the very least I've become much more comfortable writing on here and it's become more than an afterthought.
My posts will be much more regular than they were before, although of course not as numerous as once a day. Hopefully a few times a week if all goes well. I think this is a good thing since I have noticed that I just don't really have anything to say, interesting or otherwise. And it is sort of unfortunate to clog up this blog with random nothings.
So yes, expect more updates and posts. Just not every day.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
English as a First Language
I'm taking Latin 201 this semester and it's been pretty interesting since the last Latin class I took was 2 years ago in high school. It's really cool since even though the language obviously hasn't changed, the learning environment has but I'm actually enjoying taking it again, probably because it's not for a grade.
But one thing I've noticed in both high school and college is that some people just don't get it. And it's not that they don't understand even somewhat complex things like grammatical constructions, it's just pretty basic things that they can't put together. What I don't understand is how you can't translate a three word sentence when you know: a) what each word means, b) what part of speech each word is and c) how each word is used (e.g. subject, direct object).
I mean it's not too hard. Assuming you don't know Latin, you may not be able to translate the sentence "puer amat canem" but if I told you that "puer" means boy and is the subject, "amat" means to love, and "canem" means dog and is the direct object, I'm guessing you'd be able to piece together what that sentence means rather quickly.
But some people in my class couldn't even do that. It's actually kind of disturbing. In my Biblical Hebrew class we were learning about verbs. One girl said she didn't know how to translate one of the words into English because she didn't know what the 2nd person singular pronoun was.
I mean this really isn't complex. And I really do hate it when people think I'm just being elitist or looking down on other people. I should just let them learn at their own pace and not worry about it. But the thing is, this is basic English stuff. We're not talking about being behind a couple days or even a couple weeks. This is elementary school level stuff.
It's funny to me that English classes in high school and college are basically just about literature and writing. Maybe a little grammar review thrown in somewhere wouldn't hurt.
But one thing I've noticed in both high school and college is that some people just don't get it. And it's not that they don't understand even somewhat complex things like grammatical constructions, it's just pretty basic things that they can't put together. What I don't understand is how you can't translate a three word sentence when you know: a) what each word means, b) what part of speech each word is and c) how each word is used (e.g. subject, direct object).
I mean it's not too hard. Assuming you don't know Latin, you may not be able to translate the sentence "puer amat canem" but if I told you that "puer" means boy and is the subject, "amat" means to love, and "canem" means dog and is the direct object, I'm guessing you'd be able to piece together what that sentence means rather quickly.
But some people in my class couldn't even do that. It's actually kind of disturbing. In my Biblical Hebrew class we were learning about verbs. One girl said she didn't know how to translate one of the words into English because she didn't know what the 2nd person singular pronoun was.
I mean this really isn't complex. And I really do hate it when people think I'm just being elitist or looking down on other people. I should just let them learn at their own pace and not worry about it. But the thing is, this is basic English stuff. We're not talking about being behind a couple days or even a couple weeks. This is elementary school level stuff.
It's funny to me that English classes in high school and college are basically just about literature and writing. Maybe a little grammar review thrown in somewhere wouldn't hurt.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
What's Hot
Recently I had to interview some people about trends and what's cool for one of my internships. And by the way, if you were one of the people I talked to, I really appreciate the time you took to talk to me.
Anyway, it kind of got me thinking about how trends get started and are determined. I'm sure that this topic has been beaten to death, but it is interesting how we sort of adopt certain values and tastes just by being exposed to them even without being taught.
I mean really, if you just look at how some people dress, I'm thinking specifically about "bros" although you may know them as "douchebags" and sadly, that's not a joke, it's amazing that they think they look good. With the backwards cap, sloppy basketball style jersey and the studs in their eyebrows, you gotta think that somewhere out there is a mother cowering in shame. Either that or a proud father high fiving other dads over a six-pack or three.
It's weird how we make determinations in our mind that some people are cool and some aren't. I can't say that I haven't done or don't do that. But I like to think I'm smart enough to know that some people just have "it," a coolness that seems to ooze from within that can't be duplicated.
But then there are the unfortunate who don't realize that and try to copy it anyway. Some say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But I think it can also be the purest form of stupidity.
Anyway, it kind of got me thinking about how trends get started and are determined. I'm sure that this topic has been beaten to death, but it is interesting how we sort of adopt certain values and tastes just by being exposed to them even without being taught.
I mean really, if you just look at how some people dress, I'm thinking specifically about "bros" although you may know them as "douchebags" and sadly, that's not a joke, it's amazing that they think they look good. With the backwards cap, sloppy basketball style jersey and the studs in their eyebrows, you gotta think that somewhere out there is a mother cowering in shame. Either that or a proud father high fiving other dads over a six-pack or three.
It's weird how we make determinations in our mind that some people are cool and some aren't. I can't say that I haven't done or don't do that. But I like to think I'm smart enough to know that some people just have "it," a coolness that seems to ooze from within that can't be duplicated.
But then there are the unfortunate who don't realize that and try to copy it anyway. Some say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But I think it can also be the purest form of stupidity.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
School Loyalty
It must be really easy to support and cheer for your school when you're strong in something. Like Texas football or North Carolina basketball or Cal Tech engineering.
But what makes the fans of those small schools tick? Like when Mcneese State goes out and plays another school that 90% of the nation hasn't heard of, what makes the fans scream and holler when they're going for it on 4th and short in the middle of the 2nd quarter?
But what makes the fans of those small schools tick? Like when Mcneese State goes out and plays another school that 90% of the nation hasn't heard of, what makes the fans scream and holler when they're going for it on 4th and short in the middle of the 2nd quarter?
Missed Again
And why?
Because I've been recently playing this game for about a week.
It's fun. Check it out.
Back again with another post later today. I hope.
Sleep time now.
Because I've been recently playing this game for about a week.
It's fun. Check it out.
Back again with another post later today. I hope.
Sleep time now.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Odds Pt. 2
I recently found a game on Facebook called Farkle. It's pretty fun and addicting and actually an interesting application of odds and probability.
Basically you start with 6 dice and roll them all at once. You score points by rolling a 1 or a 5, a three/four/five/six of a kind, three pairs, or a straight. After the initial roll, you take off any of the dice whose score you want to keep and then roll the remaining dice. Once you hit a certain threshhold of points for that set of dice, you can stop rolling or continue to roll and try to score until you're out of dice.
The odds part comes in because if you roll the dice and don't have any scoring dice (i.e. no 1s, no 5s, no three of a kind, no straight) then you have Farkled and you lose all the points for that round. However, if all 6 of your dice score, you get to reroll with a new set of 6 and continue to score for that round. The game lasts 10 rounds as you try to get the highest score possible.
The simple Farkle variation on Facebook is just a high score game, but originally I think it's a multiplayer game as you try to get to 10,000 points the fastest.
It's an interesting application of probability and risk/reward, one which I honestly don't really understand. I kind of just keep rolling as long as I'm "feeling it." But it is a fun game, one I'd suggest everyone who's got some free time to check out.
Basically you start with 6 dice and roll them all at once. You score points by rolling a 1 or a 5, a three/four/five/six of a kind, three pairs, or a straight. After the initial roll, you take off any of the dice whose score you want to keep and then roll the remaining dice. Once you hit a certain threshhold of points for that set of dice, you can stop rolling or continue to roll and try to score until you're out of dice.
The odds part comes in because if you roll the dice and don't have any scoring dice (i.e. no 1s, no 5s, no three of a kind, no straight) then you have Farkled and you lose all the points for that round. However, if all 6 of your dice score, you get to reroll with a new set of 6 and continue to score for that round. The game lasts 10 rounds as you try to get the highest score possible.
The simple Farkle variation on Facebook is just a high score game, but originally I think it's a multiplayer game as you try to get to 10,000 points the fastest.
It's an interesting application of probability and risk/reward, one which I honestly don't really understand. I kind of just keep rolling as long as I'm "feeling it." But it is a fun game, one I'd suggest everyone who's got some free time to check out.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Question about elevators
Does the "close door" button ever work? I push it almost all the time no matter what elevator I'm in, but the doors never seem to close any faster than usual. I don't understand why there's a button there if it doesn't do anything.
Maybe it's only for emergencies or something? And there's some kind of sensor that lets it only work outside of normal operations? I have no idea.
Otherwise I'm going to keep thinking of it as the appendix of elevator systems.
Maybe it's only for emergencies or something? And there's some kind of sensor that lets it only work outside of normal operations? I have no idea.
Otherwise I'm going to keep thinking of it as the appendix of elevator systems.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Words
I think it's obvious that the adage that "words can never hurt" is completely incorrect.
But perhaps less obvious or at least less focused on is the timing. Of course, content and tone are important, but there are also times when certain comments are inappropriate when they would be completely reasonable other times.
This past week gave us some great examples.
There was of course Kanye's rant, which, while no doubt rude and uncalled for, probably wasn't too off base as Beyonce's video did win Video of the Year. Now, if he had waited until after the show maybe like a day or week later and said that he was happy for Taylor Swift but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time, would there be any controversy? I don't think so. Instead, he stole Swift's limelight and is now being bombarded in the media and by society in general.
Then there was Senator Joe Wilson yelling "You lie!" at President Obama during a speech. This was incredibly disrespectful regardless of who was telling the truth. Of course his word choice wasn't the best either, but even the most well-crafted and respectfully worded statement would have been hugely inappropriate in the middle of Obama's speech.
And then we have Obama calling Kanye a "jack***" while being recorded. We expect the president to use cleaner words, not to use language we might consider beneath him. But this was in preparation to go out and address the media. He was pretty much just kicking it with some reporters. Let him be his own man.
Freedom of speech can be one of the most controversial and straight up confusing subjects. What kind of speech is appropriate? And when and where? Let it be a reminder to always choose your words carefully.
But perhaps less obvious or at least less focused on is the timing. Of course, content and tone are important, but there are also times when certain comments are inappropriate when they would be completely reasonable other times.
This past week gave us some great examples.
There was of course Kanye's rant, which, while no doubt rude and uncalled for, probably wasn't too off base as Beyonce's video did win Video of the Year. Now, if he had waited until after the show maybe like a day or week later and said that he was happy for Taylor Swift but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time, would there be any controversy? I don't think so. Instead, he stole Swift's limelight and is now being bombarded in the media and by society in general.
Then there was Senator Joe Wilson yelling "You lie!" at President Obama during a speech. This was incredibly disrespectful regardless of who was telling the truth. Of course his word choice wasn't the best either, but even the most well-crafted and respectfully worded statement would have been hugely inappropriate in the middle of Obama's speech.
And then we have Obama calling Kanye a "jack***" while being recorded. We expect the president to use cleaner words, not to use language we might consider beneath him. But this was in preparation to go out and address the media. He was pretty much just kicking it with some reporters. Let him be his own man.
Freedom of speech can be one of the most controversial and straight up confusing subjects. What kind of speech is appropriate? And when and where? Let it be a reminder to always choose your words carefully.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Quick Kanye/Taylor thoughts
Just something I was thinking about when I heard about the Kanye West/Taylor Swift incident last night at the VMAs.
I used to like Kanye when he first came on to the scene but ever since then he's become more and more annoying. He's so arrogant and full of himself and generally carries himself like a douchebag most of the time. Of course last night was no different.
I'm bothered by what happened not so much because I don't think anyone should treat my future wife that way, but more because it's just going to be blown over with a couple all caps blogs and tweets by Kanye and an appearance on Leno.
What if things were a little different? What if say, Jason Mraz was presenting an award to Beyonce and pulled that? Wouldn't be see an outcry against his blatant racism? Wouldn't people like Al Sharpton, P. Diddy and Kanye be making a stink about how black people can't get any respect?
I fail to see the difference.
EDIT: I was remiss in not mentioning Beyonce's actions in the original post. How classy was she to invite Taylor Swift back on stage to have the moment she deserved.
And it was nice to see some celeb (well, arguably...) support for Swift on Twitter and otherwise:
NLiukinBeyonce & Taylor Swift......<3
LoBosworthWE LOOOOOVE TAYLOR SWIFT!!!!!!! Wow, kanye-manners? My goodness.
KevinDurant35wow taylor swift won over beyonce and lady gaga???? congrats to her!! buuuuut kanye trippinnnnnnn, that was disrespectful
KevinDurant35WOWWWW KANYE THAT WAS CRAAAAAAAAAZZY...RUINED HER LIL SPEECH
KevinDurant35Man he went a lil too far man..i feel sorry for Taylor Swift
katyperry F*** U KANYE. IT'S LIKE U STEPPED 0N A KITTEN.
And Kelly Clarkson also had a long post about it.
I used to like Kanye when he first came on to the scene but ever since then he's become more and more annoying. He's so arrogant and full of himself and generally carries himself like a douchebag most of the time. Of course last night was no different.
I'm bothered by what happened not so much because I don't think anyone should treat my future wife that way, but more because it's just going to be blown over with a couple all caps blogs and tweets by Kanye and an appearance on Leno.
What if things were a little different? What if say, Jason Mraz was presenting an award to Beyonce and pulled that? Wouldn't be see an outcry against his blatant racism? Wouldn't people like Al Sharpton, P. Diddy and Kanye be making a stink about how black people can't get any respect?
I fail to see the difference.
EDIT: I was remiss in not mentioning Beyonce's actions in the original post. How classy was she to invite Taylor Swift back on stage to have the moment she deserved.
And it was nice to see some celeb (well, arguably...) support for Swift on Twitter and otherwise:
NLiukinBeyonce & Taylor Swift......<3
LoBosworthWE LOOOOOVE TAYLOR SWIFT!!!!!!! Wow, kanye-manners? My goodness.
KevinDurant35wow taylor swift won over beyonce and lady gaga???? congrats to her!! buuuuut kanye trippinnnnnnn, that was disrespectful
KevinDurant35WOWWWW KANYE THAT WAS CRAAAAAAAAAZZY...RUINED HER LIL SPEECH
KevinDurant35Man he went a lil too far man..i feel sorry for Taylor Swift
katyperry F*** U KANYE. IT'S LIKE U STEPPED 0N A KITTEN.
And Kelly Clarkson also had a long post about it.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Odds
Is anyone else fascinated by how odds work? I sort of am even though odds and probability and all that stuff, but that sort of adds to the mystique.
I think the weird thing is that it isn't very intuitive, at least not to me. Like how saying something has a one in ten chance of happening doesn't mean it'll happen one every ten times.
Or how flipping a coin 5 times and getting HHHHH as the result is just as likely as flipping the same coin 5 times and getting HTHTH.
I don't really get this stuff. This is probably why I wouldn't be a very good gambler.
I think the weird thing is that it isn't very intuitive, at least not to me. Like how saying something has a one in ten chance of happening doesn't mean it'll happen one every ten times.
Or how flipping a coin 5 times and getting HHHHH as the result is just as likely as flipping the same coin 5 times and getting HTHTH.
I don't really get this stuff. This is probably why I wouldn't be a very good gambler.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
The Oven
Having gone to school at Arizona State for a year now, I really appreciate the great weather we have here in Southern California. It really hit me again today when I flew in from Phoenix. Stepping off the plane at John Wayne was marvelous.
I mean understand that it really was like around a 20 degree difference. I thought I would be fine with the heat and I'm pretty used to it at this point, but I think I did underestimate it a bit. Temperature is one of those things that I think you can't really get unless you've experienced it. I mean I've heard about low temperatures and how cold it gets in the Midwest and up north and such, but, despite having spent Christmases in Boston and Minneapolis, I really can't say I've been in anything too cold. Maybe something like 40-50 is the coldest I've actually been out in, not the crazy negative temperatures with windchill.
The heat is the same way. The first time I went to Tempe last year (and, as I've found out, every subsequent return in the summer) I was really amazed at the scorching heat. In the summer, we may get like 90s in Irvine or maybe up to 100 or something in the LA area, but there is a huge gap between 110 and 100. The level of heat feels completely different. Opening a door really feels like opening the door into an oven as the sun just bakes and scorches you.
I don't know why I chose this topic for today. Think of it as a poorly written love note from me to the pleasant conditions in Irvine which I get to experience for another day and a half before returning to the sun scorched valley of the devils' gate, or whatever that announcer says before our football games.
I mean understand that it really was like around a 20 degree difference. I thought I would be fine with the heat and I'm pretty used to it at this point, but I think I did underestimate it a bit. Temperature is one of those things that I think you can't really get unless you've experienced it. I mean I've heard about low temperatures and how cold it gets in the Midwest and up north and such, but, despite having spent Christmases in Boston and Minneapolis, I really can't say I've been in anything too cold. Maybe something like 40-50 is the coldest I've actually been out in, not the crazy negative temperatures with windchill.
The heat is the same way. The first time I went to Tempe last year (and, as I've found out, every subsequent return in the summer) I was really amazed at the scorching heat. In the summer, we may get like 90s in Irvine or maybe up to 100 or something in the LA area, but there is a huge gap between 110 and 100. The level of heat feels completely different. Opening a door really feels like opening the door into an oven as the sun just bakes and scorches you.
I don't know why I chose this topic for today. Think of it as a poorly written love note from me to the pleasant conditions in Irvine which I get to experience for another day and a half before returning to the sun scorched valley of the devils' gate, or whatever that announcer says before our football games.
Friday, September 11, 2009
What's your fantasy?
Nope, this post is about Ludacris's song. I don't think that would be too appropriate.
Anyway, with the beginning of the NFL comes the beginning of fantasy football. For some reason I decided to play this year and not just one, but two leagues. It's weird because I'm not an avid football fan nor do I really like fantasy football. I'm not too sure what was going through my head.
I think it's because I've been getting more into fantasy sports and predictions this year. Whether it's betting on centsports.com, picking fights on MMAPlayground or making daily picks on ESPN.com's Streak for the Cash, I've been testing out my prognosticating (SAT word?) skills in sports more this year than I have probably ever.
I wonder what it is that makes fantasy sports and sports betting so appealing. Maybe because it adds some extra entertainment when we watch games? It doesn't really help us feel more a part of the game, at least not anymore than just being a fan in my opinion. Maybe it's an egotrip? Maybe we just like being right. I know I certainly do. It is nice to have some validation that you know something about sports.
I don't really know. As usual I'm just kind of throwing things out there. All I know is I've got some players to be rooting for on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
Anyway, with the beginning of the NFL comes the beginning of fantasy football. For some reason I decided to play this year and not just one, but two leagues. It's weird because I'm not an avid football fan nor do I really like fantasy football. I'm not too sure what was going through my head.
I think it's because I've been getting more into fantasy sports and predictions this year. Whether it's betting on centsports.com, picking fights on MMAPlayground or making daily picks on ESPN.com's Streak for the Cash, I've been testing out my prognosticating (SAT word?) skills in sports more this year than I have probably ever.
I wonder what it is that makes fantasy sports and sports betting so appealing. Maybe because it adds some extra entertainment when we watch games? It doesn't really help us feel more a part of the game, at least not anymore than just being a fan in my opinion. Maybe it's an egotrip? Maybe we just like being right. I know I certainly do. It is nice to have some validation that you know something about sports.
I don't really know. As usual I'm just kind of throwing things out there. All I know is I've got some players to be rooting for on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Froyo
It was really nice when a Yogurtland opened up somewhat near campus last year, but it would still be nice to have some more froyo spots around Tempe.
Sure there are some places like Chill or Mojo or Spoon Me, but nowhere I've been has quite met the expectations I've had from places like Yogurtland or Pinkberry or even Red Mango. I don't know if it's a psychological thing or maybe just the difference in franchises but the froyo out here just doesn't taste as good. Kind of sad.
Please Pinkberry, come out to the desert!
Sure there are some places like Chill or Mojo or Spoon Me, but nowhere I've been has quite met the expectations I've had from places like Yogurtland or Pinkberry or even Red Mango. I don't know if it's a psychological thing or maybe just the difference in franchises but the froyo out here just doesn't taste as good. Kind of sad.
Please Pinkberry, come out to the desert!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Mic Check
Today I came home from class, sat around for a little bit and since then, I've been watching the US Open. With Cinderella story Melanie Oudin facing off against one of my new favorite tennis players Caroline Wozniacki (see previous post) in the first match and Roger Federer playing Robin Soderling in the main event, this seemed like a pretty good plan. And it was.
But this was really the first extended stretch of the US Open I've watched and one thing that jumped out to me was courtside reporter Pam Shriver.
Shriver was one of the best American women to play tennis and (formerly?) married to ex-Bond George Lazenby.
Before the Oudin/Wozniacki match started, she was interviewing Oudin's sisters, her twin and their 9 year old sister. Oudin's crew were wearing shirts with "Believe" on the front. At the end of the interview after talking to Melanie's twin, Shriver abruptly cups her hand over their younger sister's eyes and says, "Now spell 'believe.'" Perhaps feeling the heat of the moment or maybe just because she's 9, she didn't spell it correctly.
Perhaps Shriver was sensing the "wtf" factor of what she just had that girl do and tried to explain it away saying, "I'm not a great speller either." Uh, still, wtf just happened.
After the match was over, Shriver tried to convince Oudin, who had just lost, for an interview. Remember, the girl's 17, just made (and lost) her first appearance in a Grand Slam quarterfinal, a hard-fought match that was much closer than its 6-2, 6-2 score. Still, Oudin, though she looked to be putting on a strong front, agreed to it.
Shriver opens with this gem, "Usually we don't interview the loser." Are you kidding me? Of course she followed it up commenting that Oudin wasn't really the loser tonight, but the fact of the matter was, she just came out and won just 4 games in her first quarterfinal, her first night match in the cavernous Arthur Ashe stadium. Is that really what she wants to hear?
After that classic, she walked across to interview the winner Wozniacki. When talking about her next match, Shriver used a mocking and sarcastic tone when talking about Wozniacki's next opponent, Yanina Wickmayer, telling her she'd be a huge favorite. At this, there were (rightly) some boos from the crowd, prompting Shriver to ask, "What did I say?"
It wasn't that she suggested that Wozniacki, a top 10 player, is a big favorite going into the semis. But she needs to show some respect for Wickmayer, a teenage Belgian who's quietly worked her way into her first Slam semifinal. Of course, she didn't rack up the impressive hit list Oudin did on her run, but she is ranked a full 20 spots higher and certainly will rise more after the US Open.
I don't really know what Shriver was thinking tonight nor do I know if this is something that's become the norm throughout this tournament. But I sincerely hope that someone talks to her about respecting these players and people.
On a side note related to yesterday's post, how cute and gracious was Wozniacki in victory? She actually apologized to the New York crowd afterwards, saying she knows many of them wanted Melanie to win but also saying she hoped she won over some hearts with her performance. I think that's beyond question at this point.
But this was really the first extended stretch of the US Open I've watched and one thing that jumped out to me was courtside reporter Pam Shriver.
Shriver was one of the best American women to play tennis and (formerly?) married to ex-Bond George Lazenby.
Before the Oudin/Wozniacki match started, she was interviewing Oudin's sisters, her twin and their 9 year old sister. Oudin's crew were wearing shirts with "Believe" on the front. At the end of the interview after talking to Melanie's twin, Shriver abruptly cups her hand over their younger sister's eyes and says, "Now spell 'believe.'" Perhaps feeling the heat of the moment or maybe just because she's 9, she didn't spell it correctly.
Perhaps Shriver was sensing the "wtf" factor of what she just had that girl do and tried to explain it away saying, "I'm not a great speller either." Uh, still, wtf just happened.
After the match was over, Shriver tried to convince Oudin, who had just lost, for an interview. Remember, the girl's 17, just made (and lost) her first appearance in a Grand Slam quarterfinal, a hard-fought match that was much closer than its 6-2, 6-2 score. Still, Oudin, though she looked to be putting on a strong front, agreed to it.
Shriver opens with this gem, "Usually we don't interview the loser." Are you kidding me? Of course she followed it up commenting that Oudin wasn't really the loser tonight, but the fact of the matter was, she just came out and won just 4 games in her first quarterfinal, her first night match in the cavernous Arthur Ashe stadium. Is that really what she wants to hear?
After that classic, she walked across to interview the winner Wozniacki. When talking about her next match, Shriver used a mocking and sarcastic tone when talking about Wozniacki's next opponent, Yanina Wickmayer, telling her she'd be a huge favorite. At this, there were (rightly) some boos from the crowd, prompting Shriver to ask, "What did I say?"
It wasn't that she suggested that Wozniacki, a top 10 player, is a big favorite going into the semis. But she needs to show some respect for Wickmayer, a teenage Belgian who's quietly worked her way into her first Slam semifinal. Of course, she didn't rack up the impressive hit list Oudin did on her run, but she is ranked a full 20 spots higher and certainly will rise more after the US Open.
I don't really know what Shriver was thinking tonight nor do I know if this is something that's become the norm throughout this tournament. But I sincerely hope that someone talks to her about respecting these players and people.
On a side note related to yesterday's post, how cute and gracious was Wozniacki in victory? She actually apologized to the New York crowd afterwards, saying she knows many of them wanted Melanie to win but also saying she hoped she won over some hearts with her performance. I think that's beyond question at this point.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The Next Sharapova?
In 2003 as a 16 year old, Maria Sharapova spent her first full season on the WTA Tour and did very well for herself, collecting wins over several highly ranked players as well as her first singles titles. However it wasn't until 2004 when she won Wimbledon and finished in the top 5 in the year end rankings that she really burst on the scene, attracting as much attention for her looks as for her game.Many hailed her as the next Anna Kournikova, due to being a hot young Russian tennis player, although most noted that Maria won singles tournaments while Anna never did.
Now Maria's had a rough road recently with injury problems, falling out of the top 10 and not having won any tournaments this year.
But now at the US Open, we might be seeing the emergence of a successor to Maria in Caroline Wozniacki.
Wozniacki is a 19 year old player born in Denmark and living in Monaco and she's been making a splash on the WTA for about a year or so, winning her first tour wins last year. It's clear that 2009 has been her true breakout season though as she's entered the top 10, won three singles and one doubles titles (both of which doubled her career totals) and, as of yesterday, reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal beating Svetlana Kuznetsova at the U.S. Open.
She's facing fellow teenager Melanie Oudin, a 17 year old from Murietta, GA, in her next match and it should be an entertaining battle between the two young players.Wozniacki definitely has the talent to make it far on the tour, which she's already shown. In my opinion she's also got the looks and personality to make a cultural splash as well.
She already loves New York from the time she's spent there and has been talking about getting an apartment there.
Wozniacki's also spent time at Yale during the Pilot Pen and said she'd love to take classes there because she's fascinated by the American college experience.
Who knows what will happen. It's very possible she suffers a career ending injury or has some kind of implosion and we never hear from her again. But that's pretty doubtful, and having seen her play, it really would be a shame to lose one of the up and comers who, along with Oudin, Victoria Azerenka, and other young players currently lurking outside the top 10, will be sure to lead the new guard when players like the Williamses and Kim Clijsters decide to call it a career.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Hebrew
I have my first quiz on Wednesday. I've been finding it kind of hard to study for. I think I underestimated how hard it would be to learn a new alphabet as well as new vocabulary within this new alphabet.
I mean they've got like 14 vowels. In English (and I think most other Indo-European languages?) we've got like 5 or 6 if you want to count "y." Because some people do.
And the characters are mostly pretty dissimilar from the letters we have in English. I guess I really should have known this coming in. But now that I'm trying to study it, the differences are become extremely apparent. And it's still just the basics. But I'm having a good time with it so as long as it doesn't own my GPA it should be fun anyway.
I mean they've got like 14 vowels. In English (and I think most other Indo-European languages?) we've got like 5 or 6 if you want to count "y." Because some people do.
And the characters are mostly pretty dissimilar from the letters we have in English. I guess I really should have known this coming in. But now that I'm trying to study it, the differences are become extremely apparent. And it's still just the basics. But I'm having a good time with it so as long as it doesn't own my GPA it should be fun anyway.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Gimmicks for the win
So I had Sonic tonight. For those of you that don't know, it's a drive-in fast food place where you can order from your car and the servers will rollerblade up with your order.
Now, the food there is pretty good and happy hour is a great deal for drinks. But I couldn't help but wonder if their sales would change without the drive-in service and without the rollerblading waiters.
How much do gimmicks make a difference? And what if something like say, Burger King had some crazy thing like a tv in every booth or something. I don't know, I'm just throwing things out there. I mean sometimes we like weird things. We like things that are different from the norm. How much does this affect our spending habits? That I would like to know, just for curiosity's sake.
Now, the food there is pretty good and happy hour is a great deal for drinks. But I couldn't help but wonder if their sales would change without the drive-in service and without the rollerblading waiters.
How much do gimmicks make a difference? And what if something like say, Burger King had some crazy thing like a tv in every booth or something. I don't know, I'm just throwing things out there. I mean sometimes we like weird things. We like things that are different from the norm. How much does this affect our spending habits? That I would like to know, just for curiosity's sake.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
KD and SB
So I follow Kevin Durant on Twitter. Today he had a series of posts about Soulja Boy.
KevinDurant35Soulja boi is the worst rapper of all time..if u just sit there and listen 2 what he say then u will agree...im sorry
KevinDurant35Let me get this str8, i said soulja boy cant rap..i like his music, but he cant rap...i still listen 2 it
KevinDurant35on to the next subject...this gettin outta hand..lol..I RESPECT SOUJLA BOY HUSTLE AND YES HE IS GETTIN BETTER, YALL HAPPY NOW!
I actually completely agree. I think Soulja Boy really doesn't have much talent as a rapper and as a lyricist he's just...I mean you just have to listen to the words of any of his songs to see some of the gems he lays. The chorus of "YAH!" and any part of "Kiss You Through the Phone" stand out, and those are just his singles, the ones he deemed good enough for radio. I'm afraid to even see the lyrics of the other songs on his album.
But yeah, I still do listen to his songs. I think they're pretty catchy and kind of fun to listen to. Even though he can't rap. Is that weird? I kind of think it's the same thing with movies like Transformers. I know they're not good, but I'm still entertained anyway. Sometimes I wonder why, but usually I just sit back and enjoy it for what it is.
KevinDurant35Soulja boi is the worst rapper of all time..if u just sit there and listen 2 what he say then u will agree...im sorry
KevinDurant35Let me get this str8, i said soulja boy cant rap..i like his music, but he cant rap...i still listen 2 it
KevinDurant35on to the next subject...this gettin outta hand..lol..I RESPECT SOUJLA BOY HUSTLE AND YES HE IS GETTIN BETTER, YALL HAPPY NOW!
I actually completely agree. I think Soulja Boy really doesn't have much talent as a rapper and as a lyricist he's just...I mean you just have to listen to the words of any of his songs to see some of the gems he lays. The chorus of "YAH!" and any part of "Kiss You Through the Phone" stand out, and those are just his singles, the ones he deemed good enough for radio. I'm afraid to even see the lyrics of the other songs on his album.
But yeah, I still do listen to his songs. I think they're pretty catchy and kind of fun to listen to. Even though he can't rap. Is that weird? I kind of think it's the same thing with movies like Transformers. I know they're not good, but I'm still entertained anyway. Sometimes I wonder why, but usually I just sit back and enjoy it for what it is.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Angels or Demons?
I saw this trailer before District 9. I don't know what to make of it, but I will say that I felt more like a godless heathen after I saw the movie than I did before.
I couldn't embed it, so here it is, the trailer for Scott Stewart's new movie Legion.
What do you guys think?
I couldn't embed it, so here it is, the trailer for Scott Stewart's new movie Legion.
What do you guys think?
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Matthew 6:25-34
One of my favorite passages and one we went over tonight. Hopefully it'll be an encouragement to someone.
- 25.
- "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?- 26.
- Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
- 27.
- Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ?
?- 28.
- "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
- 29.
- Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
- 30.
- If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
- 31.
- So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
- 32.
- For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
- 33.
- But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
- 34.
- Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Guess who's gay
We had a thing at Barrett tonight called "Guess Who's Gay." They brought up a panel of CAs and we in the crowd got to ask them pretty much any question and at the end tried to guess who was gay, straight, or other.
It was kind of interesting and pretty amusing. It was kind of shocking how open the people were though and I don't know if that would be something I could do. The idea of sexuality has come a long way and even though I have no training in this subject at all and know nothing about the history of it, I do know that society today is far more comfortable with far more things than we were even 10 years ago.
I guess some people would consider that a good thing. I don't really know where I stand on this. In a lot of ways it's good that we have this opennness and acceptance, but I think that also opens the door for a lot of things which are just flat out wrong.
As usual I don't really know where I was going with this. But the activity tonight actually was a pretty interesting exercise in how we stereotype people and what we think defines and determines sexuality. I can't say I think we're moving in the right direction.
It was kind of interesting and pretty amusing. It was kind of shocking how open the people were though and I don't know if that would be something I could do. The idea of sexuality has come a long way and even though I have no training in this subject at all and know nothing about the history of it, I do know that society today is far more comfortable with far more things than we were even 10 years ago.
I guess some people would consider that a good thing. I don't really know where I stand on this. In a lot of ways it's good that we have this opennness and acceptance, but I think that also opens the door for a lot of things which are just flat out wrong.
As usual I don't really know where I was going with this. But the activity tonight actually was a pretty interesting exercise in how we stereotype people and what we think defines and determines sexuality. I can't say I think we're moving in the right direction.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Rip your face
I was walking past the tennis courts on campus today and seeing some people play made me a little nostalgic for a game I used to play when I took lessons.
The game was called "Rip your face (off)" or affectionately "RIP." It's a team game, so you need probably at least 6 people, but the more the better. There are two teams and they stand on opposite sides of the court in a line. One player from one team starts by hitting it over the net and then goes to the back of his/her line so that when the other team returns it, the next person in line hits the ball. It goes on like this until someone loses the point. Whoever was up for the team that lost the point, whether he/she made an error or got a winner hit on them, has to go sit on the service line. They can sit wherever they want but they can't move after they sit down.
This continues on so usually you'll get a couple people sitting down on each side in a short time. Here's the interesting part. There are two ways to win. The first is to get everyone on the other team out. The second, and much more fun, way is to hit one of the players sitting on the opposite service line. It doesn't matter if you graze their foot with a slice backhand or rocket a forehead off their dome (which I have done), a hit is a win.
Of course, leaving them defenseless does seem a bit sadistic, so sometimes we play with the rule that the players sitting down get to keep their rackets with them. If they return the ball successfully, they get to come back in, but if they make an error, then the person who was up is out and probably won't be too happy with them.
Anyway, it was just fun to reminisce and maybe someone out there will read this post and be inspired to play this game and spread the joy.
The game was called "Rip your face (off)" or affectionately "RIP." It's a team game, so you need probably at least 6 people, but the more the better. There are two teams and they stand on opposite sides of the court in a line. One player from one team starts by hitting it over the net and then goes to the back of his/her line so that when the other team returns it, the next person in line hits the ball. It goes on like this until someone loses the point. Whoever was up for the team that lost the point, whether he/she made an error or got a winner hit on them, has to go sit on the service line. They can sit wherever they want but they can't move after they sit down.
This continues on so usually you'll get a couple people sitting down on each side in a short time. Here's the interesting part. There are two ways to win. The first is to get everyone on the other team out. The second, and much more fun, way is to hit one of the players sitting on the opposite service line. It doesn't matter if you graze their foot with a slice backhand or rocket a forehead off their dome (which I have done), a hit is a win.
Of course, leaving them defenseless does seem a bit sadistic, so sometimes we play with the rule that the players sitting down get to keep their rackets with them. If they return the ball successfully, they get to come back in, but if they make an error, then the person who was up is out and probably won't be too happy with them.
Anyway, it was just fun to reminisce and maybe someone out there will read this post and be inspired to play this game and spread the joy.
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