The Power of the Dark Side

I love this kid...

2005-07-02T10:38:00.000-07:00

RETURN OF THE JEDI TheNewsTribune.com Tacoma, WA

The more and more I learn about Mr. Snelling the more and more I'm glad he's in the Mariners organization, while slowly becomming my favorite player. There's nothing to like about the guy, he's a class act, works hard, and would be a star right now if he didn't run into injuries. He's still young, and has a lot of time to develop, I hope he can become a MLB star, but if he stays where he is now, I'd still admire him as one of the greatest players to lace up his cleats.

Lindsay's "Boob Job"

2005-06-23T17:09:00.000-07:00

Lindsay Lohan taken off posters to promote Herbie: Fully Loaded - Brand Republic

Well, looks like I won't be seeing this one now... thanks parents. Why the heck do you think the owners of Herbie let her drive him in the first place? I doubt it was due to her racing skill. Hey, maybe this will drive her to depression and an appearance in Playboy ;-). She's 18, right?

Mmmm, MLB draft day...

2005-06-07T17:26:00.000-07:00

I've spent the majority of the day watching the MLB First Year Player Draft, and learned a few great things. First off, I learned my name would not be called. Second off, I learned how ridiculous this sport can be. There's a 50% success rate for these kids, and by success, I don't mean fame, fortune, and a plaque in the hall. But success as in making it to the majors. This includes those guys who play for a year or two, and then get shipped back off to some small town like Reading to play out their career, bringing in maybe 100k a year - wishing they were making the big bucks. Seventeen, Eighteen and Nineteen year old kids, who are considering whether they should sign their life over, to perhaps be a career double-A baller, or go to college.

The draft itself is amazing: two days, 50 rounds, no crap time in between picks. The teams know who they want, can't trade picks, and some come out great winners (1988 Dodgers, drafting Mike Piazza in the 62nd round, 1390th overall) or bigtime losers (2002 Seattle Mariners, John Mayberry, Jr., 28th overall, who opted to go to Standford). Huge names come through this draft: Alex Rodriguez, Manny Ramirez, Derek Jeter, but some come through other methods; foreign free agency brought us Ichiro, Nomo, Cabrera.

The draft has even touched Schuylkill County, with a few names from the area being drafted in the last few years. Chris Nabholz was drafted twice, first by the Cleveland Indians in the late rounds of the 1985 draft, and then three years later, by the Montreal Expos, where he made a successful career, going 37-35 with an ERA of 3.94 for his career. Not too shabby for the Pottsville phenom.

Going into this draft, the favorite for number one was high schooler, and brother of MLB player B.J. Upton, Justin, and he eventually was the first overall pick. It will be a few years before we hear his name regularly, but he's bound to end up on the Diamond for the Diamondbacks in the next couple years. Names like that of Upton, Maybin, Clement, and Tulowitzki could be just as common as Jeter, Rodriguez, Ramirez, or Johnson within the next 10 years. But only time and fate will tell for these young hopefuls.

Been a while...

2005-05-31T11:48:00.000-07:00

I haven't updated on here for what seems like forever, and I really have no excuse. I just wanted to let those who read this know that I recently signed up for the "AudioBlog" program. This allows me to leave an audio clip, via cell phone, on this site from anywhere (for free of course). I haven't tried it yet, but hope to in the future.

In other news, my birthday was May 29, and I am now 19. Kind of a pointless birthday stuck between 18 (age of legality), 20 (a new number in the 'tens' column), and 21 (what could be special about this?). I was able to do a lot over a three day period. Leo's graduation party started the festivities on Saturday, then on my actual birthday I went to mass, followed by a good batting practice at baseball, then going to Heisler's and Dunk. Yesterday, I had a party for the family to gather, and a couple of my good friends were able to make it. Then a excursion to Gettysburg took place, and a good time was had by all.

Well that's all for now, I will be attempting to update at a better pace than what I have been. Talk to ya.

Pray for Terri Schiavo

2005-03-20T13:57:00.000-08:00

House GOP Fails to OK Schiavo Legislation

Only time will tell how this outrageous and ridiculous situation ends, you can help by making calls, and without a doubt by your prayers. Terri is a living woman, with the right to remain living. It's amazing at this time of the year, one supposed to be filled with hope and awe for the Ressurection can be tainted by something so horrible.

Writer Hunter S. Thompson kills himself

2005-02-21T11:38:00.000-08:00

Thompson dead at age 67

A brief post for the mourning of the man who brought us "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas". An all time great book, and amazing movie adaptation that will be viewed in the eyes of fans as great forever. Seeming to play to the cult crowd, and giving the view of a drug dominated trip to Las Vegas, gives people a view through the eyes of a junkie, and portrays the high like never before shown or told. An activist for people who were underreprestented, his views may have not been great, but his courage and knowledge, as well as life experience are hard to match.

R.I.P.
Hunter S. Thompson
July 18, 1937 - February 20, 2005

Switchfoot

2005-02-03T19:02:00.000-08:00

Official SWITCHFOOT Website

I would like to thank Joe for giving me the oppurtunity to appreciate this band. They have such a great message, clever lyrics, and a great sound. I've spent a lot of time here at college listening to their latest CD, and I am hoping to get their earlier albums shortly. I've taken what they have to say in, and really can appreciate and relate to their music. I'm doing my best to get the word around to my closer friends who I think would appreciate them, and I think this is a good way to do it... so that's my Switchfoot promo.

Faith by way of a shroud...

2005-01-30T08:35:00.000-08:00

Turin shroud 'older than thought'

Though the thought of having the burial cloth of Christ is amazing, and a reason to beomce excited, people have taken this excitement to measures beyond what is truly necessary. Some people have come so far along with the shroud as a point in their mind, they've lost what is really significant about it. The fact that so many people are excited about having this "relic" should show them how wonderful and loving our God really is. By giving us his Son, to die for our sins, he set us free, and gave us new life. No matter the burial shroud, be it this one, or one we will find in the future, what is truly significant is the actions and events of what happened to lead us to our belief. Our faith should not rely on a piece of fabric, a statue, or a holy item, but upon what happened, and Jesus' sacrifice for all of us. To base your faith on this shroud is completely and utterly a disservice to what Christ has done for all of us. Instead of focusing on this, many should rearrange their priorities and look at what their faith really is.

Fly Eagles Fly!

2005-01-24T11:07:00.000-08:00

Let's go birds! Michael Who? -7 total yards... wow! My props go to the Eagles defense, who stepped it up bigtime. Congrats to the Birds, and look out Jacksonville and Pats. Hopefully, we'll have some Pat's to celebrate our victory over the Pats. Wouldn't that be great. Damn straight.

Survivor: Federal Prison

2005-01-19T10:40:00.000-08:00

USATODAY.com - Hatch gets plea deal in tax case

Well, Hatch will probably be a popular new inmate for Bubba. And CBS or more likely FOX will probably air a reality show about this ordeal. I'll be sure to avoid that one, to think great reality shows like Big Fat Obnoxious Boss fail, but if this would happen, odds are some sick freaks would watch it.

42 Year Old #22 Wants $22 Million

2005-01-18T16:26:00.000-08:00

Major League Baseball : News

Roger Clemens sets a record with the highest arbitration request in the history of baseball. Is Clemens that selfish, or is he just making a statement to the Astros, that they're spending money on Clemens that they should have on Beltran. I think that's his point, I'm looking forward to seeing what the arbiter decides.

Should be amazing...

2005-01-17T16:12:00.000-08:00

Jackson: Remaking 'King Kong' is a dream

Though some people laugh off Peter Jackson's next adventure as dumb, I see it as a chance for him to show off his great direction. The original King-Kong was captivating, original, revolutionary, and powerful. PJ has to keep this in line, while not wooing movie-goers with dazzling special effects, something they have become accustomed to, it really doesn't work the same way anymore. I'm excited about the release, and then will wait for Mr. Jackson to start his next project, hopefully titled "The Hobbit".

Abortion in a "bottle"

2005-01-17T16:07:00.000-08:00

FDA set to decide on morning-after pill

Hopefully this will go through as it should, and then steps can be made to make the pill completely illegal in the United States. These pills take the responsibiliy aspect of sex away, and make it even more a pleasureable pastime, something it's definitely not intended to be. Not only do they provide a health risk, they're an easy alternative to the already completely evil act of abortion, and remove life before it even takes the form of a child. Making these pills legal would say life begins at abortion, except in the cases of an "accident". It's tampering with what God wants, and biology, and can only open the door for more and more horrors in the future.

Finally, some one with a little sense...

2005-01-13T12:09:00.000-08:00

The Village (2004)

After watching "The Village" with Joe, Leo, Kevin, and BJ, not only did I enjoy it more than the first time, I saw the reason why many did not like it. Thoughout the movie, BJ, who isn't as familiar with film as the rest of us constantly asked questions about where the plot was moving. He's used to the films that spell everything out, and practically tell you what's going to happen before it does. I'm not saying this to slight BJ one bit, because he is in good company. America's viewing interests have been reduced to seeing the entire film before it happens. For example, in a cop movie, the plot may be layed out, drawn out in front of you, before anything actually happens. In a romance, you meet two characters and they fall in love. In comedies... well in comedies, actors say "balls" a lot. Gone are the days where you watched every move, listened to every line of dialogue, and kept track of each character in your head, and in the end, everything was resolved in your mind, rather than on camera.

Many people went to this movie, because it was going to live up to the "Sixth Sense", and though contrary to popular belief, it surpassed what "Sixth Sense" did. It was a multi-layered trip through the human psyche that asked you the questions. Some of my most trusted closest friends went into this movie, "knowing" they wouldn't like it, and then criticized Shyalaman because the know I love the film. From comments like "He shot too many trees." to "I didn't relate to the characters.", I've heard it all. But when you sit down, look at the way Shyalaman uses shots, angles, sound, music, and positioning, you'll have to agree, he's a pretty darn good director.

In using a blind girl, Shyalaman opened up a door that would seal the fate of his movie in the minds of many true film and literature fans. He could create one of the greatest characters on screen. One who could not see, happened to have the greatest "vision" of the whole village, and was able to conquer her fears, and also give something extra to the "towns". Joaquin Pheonix is brilliant, and says so much by saying so little, and Adrien Brody is downright frightening.

Those of you who were "dissapointed" in the twist ending, or "saw it coming" congratulations, you're exactly the person Knight wanted to "kick in the balls" with this film. Those of you who didn't think the creatures were "scary", maybe use your minds a little bit, and you'll figure out just how horrifying they really were. Those of you who "didn't like the trees", I think Harold and Kumar is more your speed.

This film is undoubtebly the best of 2004, and one of the best ever made, though no "big shot" movie critic will say this. It's sad what's happened to us as a people, and I truly believe, if many of the amazing movies of the past were released tomorrow, they'd completely "flop" like this beautiful film.

Interesting Message Board Topic...

2005-01-11T13:02:00.000-08:00

IMDb :: Boards :: Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Star Wars or Lord of the Rings?
I came across this message board last week, and started to post. Ignoring some of the childish people who know nothing about film, it's interesting to read some of the thought on both of these movies. My screen-name on here is BlueHarvest1983 (Which happens to be a mostly unknown Star Wars reference), I hope you enjoy my comments, and the rest of the board (It might look like a lot to read, but you can skip through a lot of the stupid comments to good ones, and it becomes a lot shorter).

Casablanca (1942)

2005-01-10T22:57:00.000-08:00

Casablanca

Everything you ever wanted to know about the greatest film ever made :-D.

100 Best Movies of All Time by Mr. Showbiz

2005-01-10T22:55:00.000-08:00

The Lists

Finally found an OK top 100 movie list online. Even the reader's picks are somewhat impressive. Personally, I think Empire belongs on the list, but that's debatable. Notice no Donnie Darkos, no Mementos, no other new movies that are good, but don't even come close to being considered top 100 material are here. In twenty years, if people still reguard Donnie Darko as a great film, you can call me an idiot.

P.S. I own and enjoy Donnie Darko.

Postmodern Liturgist Resources

2005-01-10T21:46:00.000-08:00

Postmodern Liturgist Resources

Joe showed me this, good stuff.

The Concept of my Blog

2005-01-10T13:05:00.000-08:00

Hello, since I use my Xanga for mostly complaining, and nonsensical ramblings, I'm dedicating a more serious nature to my blog. If I come across something that interests me, I will post it on here, though this may not be updated as much as my Xanga. Enjoy.

Controversial films win at People's Choice

2005-01-10T12:48:00.000-08:00

Controversial films win at People's Choice

Thought some one would enjoy this, talk about irony.