Arrogance of Olympic proportions

Okay, so my wife tells me tonight that some Russian ice skating male has said if someone can't do a quadruple spinning putzjammer (or some crap like that), then they shouldn't win the Gold Medal. Not that I give two dead flies about it. He apparently says this after the American, who claims he opted to not do the spin or twist or whatever the hell it is, won the Gold Medal. So,in my eyes, not only do I not give two dead flies about it, I now don't give two dead flies about it, AND he's a sore loser.

So what does he do after this? He apparently awards himself a "Platinum" Medal. He can't lose graciously. He has to throw some hissy fit and do something asinine. So now, I don't give two dead flies, and he's an arrogant sore loser.

Wish one of the American hockey players would have body checked his little sequin wearing, flitting around ass into the stands. I would have DVR'd that and played it over and over and over. And over.

On that note, why do we even have the Olympics? I mean, even though it is reminiscent of when the best and the strongest competed in Ancient Greece in the original Olympic games, and is a great test for young athletes to show their talents and hard work, and brings countries together for a pride in their nation that says "we're the best by beating the best", and shows truly what America is about--working hard, performing well, and sometimes falling, but when you do, you pick yourself up and finish; and sometimes, winning--and being magnanimous either way. in this arena of ideas where every kid gets a trophy just for showing up to events, where no one country should be better than another, and where mediocrity is not just encouraged but revered, is it right for us to celebrate our country's victories over another because we are all supposed to be on the same level? Why aren't people crying, wailing, and gnashing their teeth over this? I find it kind of ironic.

But, maybe I'm just being bitter because the U.S. didn't even place in curling.

Alone for the moment

My wonderful wife is about 120 miles north of me right now, on a conference for business. That means it's a few "man days" as my 7 year old twins call them.

I love being a dad. We were hanging out, just playing video games and got a good insight on what modern 7 year olds are like. They're pretty cool, in a goofy, geeky-without-knowing-it kind of way. They say some pretty funny things, but act way silly. I have already contacted my parents and apologized profusely for how I acted. They are my children. Right down to the armpit farts.

Anyway, they're good kids. I just wouldn't want to do this whole parenthood thing alone all the time. My wife is my partner in it, and we make a pretty damn good team.

They watched "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" earlier. They'll finish it tomorrow night before I turn it back in. Pretty boring day. But, I wouldn't change it for the world.

Oops...

Missed this past weekend's post with Valentine's and all....I'm a cad. I got my wife a card, but no gift. Why? Because I suck at giving gifts. She even said so. She claims it's the effort I put into it, and not the gift itself. Maybe I can get her new shoelaces for her running shoes. Not that she needs them, mind you, but I can say, "yeah, but I put a lot of thought and effort into this gift." Since that's what counts. I can ask her mom and her friends, but I guess I need to really think about what to give. The only problem is, what I think she'll like is maybe totally different than what she likes. And I get some awesome things. Like my IPod touch.

I got angry. I guess she wants me to put a lot of thought into getting her a Snuggie (which she would hate and probably re-gift)than get her a nice card with a nice sentiment written inside. which is what I gave her (the card, not the Snuggie). But, if I suck at giving gifts,and she knows it, she'd be doubly disappointed because the gift would suck. And he being underenthused about some of what I have given her in the past has kind of made me gun shy to even try.

I was frustrated and I had to take a drive to clear my head some and driving fast on the back roads of my youth with some Uncle Ted (Nugent, for the uninformed) blaring out of the speakers calmed me down. I don't know why hard, bass thumping, screaming guitar rock and roll does it for me. Maybe that's what I heard in the womb. Maybe it's my friend's brother Steve whose to blame. After all, I first heard "Cat Scratch Fever" at his house. And was introduced to KISS. Or maybe, like the real Delta and Texas blues, it's real. But, I digress....

So, anyway, I have an idea for something. It's something I have been thinking about for a long time to get back into the good graces, and show her that no matter how bleak things seem, I do love her. I think it's time. I'll let y'all know how it goes.

Top 20 guy movies (my picks)

Okay....after much deliberation about what I should blog about, I decided on something that has been debated...the top 10 movies every guy should watch with a nice steak. This is not all-inclusive, but it's a good start. Neither is it in order, but rather just a list as I think of them. Remember, this is a matter of taste and opinion, so here it goes....

#20) "Walking Tall"

Joe Don Baker's version, not Dwayne Johnson's. Joe Don Baker taking Teddy Roosevelt's advise about carrying a big stick.

#19) "Every Which Way But Loose"

"Right turn, Clyde". A tough guy named Philo Beddoe, an Orangutan, and Momma. Need I say more?

#18) "Monty Python's Quest for the Holy Grail".

One of the most quoted movies ever, and for good reason.Drunk or sober, funny as hell.

#17) "Rocky"

Classic story about the underdog. Sly Stallone's second best movie. (Best is at #4)

#16) "El Dorado"

John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, and James Caan. Or is it "Rio Bravo"? Oh, well...basically the same film. Whichever one has John Wayne throwing dynamite to get the bad guys out of the house.

#15) "Death Wish"

Charles Bronson out for revenge on the scum who killed his wife and raped his daughter.

#14) "Dirty Harry".

Eastwood. .44 mag. 'Nuff said.

#13) "Pale Rider"

Often overlooked, a preacher helps some prospectors in the early california gold rush. But, the preacher isn't as peaceful as he seems.

#12) "Lone Wolf McQuade"

Have to get Chuck Norris in here somehow, and this is better than his other films...the fight with Bruce Lee is a close second.

#11) "The Dirty Dozen"

12 misfits released from military prison to do a job no one else wants to do.

#10) "Under Seige"

Before we all knew he was a vegetarian green spewing self proclaimed Lama reincarnation, Steven Seagal could kick some major ass. He couldn't act then, or now, but his Aikido was awesome. That is why I chose his last best movie, "Under Seige". At the time heralded as "Die Hard" on a battleship, it had everything any guy could want...firepower, explosives, high body counts, and Erika Eleniak. He played a ex-seal turned cook on a warship who had to save the world from a crazy Tommy Lee Jones and even crazier Gary Busey.

#9) "Patton"

Need I say more? A movie about one of the best generals this country ever produced, and showing why Hitler feared him and the Japanese hated him. George C. Scott was phenomenal and it makes you proud to be an American.

#8)"Goldeneye"

One of (IMHO) the best James Bond films ever, right next to Goldfinger, Pierce Brosnan's first foray into the Bond role. Again, firepower, explosives, and the ubiquitous Bond girls (Famke Janssen and Izabella Scorupco), with the bad guys getting their come-uppance in true secret agent fashion.

#7) "The Magnificent Seven"

Akira Kurosawa's "The Seven Samurai" in an "Americanized" format, as seven hard cases help a poor Mexican town from banditos. Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, and James Coburn all in one film. Truly a Hollywood classic.

#6)"The Quiet Man"

You can talk about Bogey and Bacall (or Bergman), or Tracy and Hepburn, or even Pitt and Jolie, but my favorite is Wayne and O'Hara. Yes, this seems like an odd choice, but this is a "chick flick" guys can like. Not only does it have John Wayne in it, playing a boxer who returns to his Irish ancestral home, it has one of the most scandalous scenes for the 1950's. The fight is classic, and the supporting characters make things interesting. A slow pace, but you're not bored.

#5) "Bullitt"

Any cop this badass is one cop I don't want to cross. Also, it has a 1968 Ford Mustang 390 CID Fastback. Although the Mopar freak in me was rooting for the 1968 Dodge Charger R/T 440 Magnum, (I cried when the Challenger blew up in "Hellraiser", but that's another story.), you have to give the 'Stang it's props. Arguably the best automobile chase scene ever......ever.

#4) "First Blood"

Don't mess with a special forces trained Vietnam Vet with PTSD.

#3) "Ben Hur"

Have to give Charlton Heston his props with this entry. Great story, and the chariot race scene makes it worthwhile.

#2) "Predator"

By far, Arnold Schwarzenegger's best (again, in my opinion). Man vs. alien in a no-holds barred shootout for the stake of the planet. Just wished the ending would have stopped any sequels, or even AVP.

#1) "Apocolypse Now"

My favorite "AntiWar" War movie. And, I think the role that really drove Marlon Brando nuts (otherwise, why would he have taken the role of Kal-El in "Superman?").

Graphic, gritty, and disturbing. I find myself playing the strafing scenes over and over for their sheer beauty and for "Ride of the Valkyries".

Feel free to add any you think i omitted, or just post your views on the ones I chose. Feedback is always welcome.

Once a week.

Okay, I've promised myself for months now that I would keep coming back. But, my ADHD has been acting up, and other things (usually Snood) keeps me from posting things I need to. I have a lot to say, and my wife is really the only one who hears my ramblings. I'm sure she wishes I had another outlet. Oh, wait, but I DO!!!

So, here, on my blog, I promise to post something--even if it's a period or one word that describes my mood--once a week. I have a great idea to start things off with. But, you have to wait until Saturday night (it's Thursday now) to find out what it is.

Until then, I will leave you with this--sometimes I feel like Mr. Krabs, sometimes like Plankton, and sometimes like Patrick. But I have NEVER felt at all like Spongebob.