The End of Dominance?

I watched Gonzaga play (lose to) St. Mary's Thursday night on ESPN2. During the broadcast, they aired a package that looked like it was made by a college student who had just learned how to edit (you know the type: quick cuts, graphics that a 4 year old could do). The package asked if it was the end of Gonzaga's dominance in the WCC. The package irritated me to say the least, because I find it hard to believe that after this season with the Zags' sole senior Steven Gray gone that they won't be back on top. (And I'm not saying Gray's the problem, just noting that he is the ONLY senior.)

These are just a few of my shirts (including one jersey).

Yes, I'm a die hard Zags fan, which means I could be biased (and probably am). I was a Zags fan in diapers listening to my recent Gonzaga Alum father talk about some guy named John Stockton. Then with the creation of the same network responsible for the tragically produced package, I was granted my most memorable Daddy/daughter moments; even now when we're 3,000 miles apart. 


Growing up in South Carolina we weren't able to watch Gonzaga that often, but we always kept track. Then the Zags bested the Clemson Tigers in 1997, and daddy and I could watch and not just discuss the team that we loved. We watched Dan Monson take the Zags to the Dance. I was given tickets for Christmas to see the Zags play live, once was for March Madness and another for the Peach Bowl Classic. Being a true sports fan, these events are seared into my memory--including the fights with a drunk Michigan State fan and the entire Georgia Bulldog pep band.


My love for the Zags is very dear to my heart. I'm a HUGE Daddy's girl and our love for the Zags alone is a bond that I'm sure most girls wish for. I find it very hard to believe, and maybe it is my blind adoration, that one season marks an end of an era of dominance. 


Duke hasn't always won the ACC but they are still dominating. Every team needs a season every 10-12 years to rebuild (most need one every 4-5 years). We have outstanding freshmen who need to get a little more experience. We have that guy John Stockton's son David this year. He's played very well for the most part this season (however, I did want to ring his neck on Thursday for taking an unbalanced 3-point shot with roughly 20 seconds left and no shot clock running). 

Pulled from slumz.boxden.com

I have high hopes for my Zags and Coach Mark Few.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed (and toes and anything else crossable) that we win the WCC tournament, because with our current record I don't know if we will make it to March Madness if we don't. But being a part of the Dance or not, my heart will be in Spokane with my Zags. 

I'm Done Believing

That's right, Ryan Murphy, I'm no longer a Gleek of any kind. (I'm sure my husband will be over the moon to hear this!) Glee has been a guilty pleasure for the musical theater geek in me, but I don't need that pleasure any more. It pains me to no longer watch a musical show, but I simply cannot support some one like you. I love what your show has done for chorus members and musical theater; however, you just insulted every artist that wants to do music once they leave high school or possibly college.


I rolled with the pathetically weak scripts of each episode because I enjoyed the music. I even grinned and beared the unworthy Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. I grumbled to a few choice friends and family that it was a tragedy you were nominated and true, original comedies like How I Met Your Mother were not. That's right, I said "original;" which I know you like to claim. BUT let's be honest, I rushed home from elementary school to watch Kids Incorporated-which in a lot of ways IS your show, only not in prime time.

My generations Glee (How quickly we forget).

It's an outrage that you had a temper tantrum because authentic artists didn't want to relinquish their hard work to you. Your show doesn't do rock, or at least not very well. Why on earth would Kings of Leon or Slash want to hand you a blank check with their integrity attached? Slash is far from having his career over. He's an icon who is touring with another icon (Ozzy) and is still putting out quality music. I pity you that you are short sighted enough to not give them the credit they deserve, but I'm not terribly surprised by it. Slash was inspiring kids before you were even a twinkle in Hollywood's eye.

Slash performing 1/4/2011 with Alter Bridge. He was the cherry on top of an awesome rock show!

So, Murphy, I will not help your ridiculous ratings. You don't need my number any way. In a few years your show will fizzle out (probably sooner rather than later if you keep insulting true musicians). I wish you the best of luck in learning that bees are more attracted to honey than vinegar for the next pop star you wish to include in your repeating story lines.

From Clerks to Red State



Pulled from movieposter.com



I love Kevin Smith! (I know: insert eye roll here.) But I do. The man gave me many laughs all through high school and college; and anyone who knows me-laughs mean all the world to me. Even yesterday, I was quoting Mallrats (“Foc-us”) and I can't tell you how often I quote Clerks ("I'm not even supposed to be here today.") I think of the milk maids often and the search for the longest expiration date with everything in life. Chasing Amy is one of my favorite films of all time. I also brought my mother into the Askewniverse with Dogma. It is her all time favorite movie, and brought about one of her overused comeback: “Where was God? Probably playing Skeetball somewhere.”

But, I have to admit that I’ve become disenchanted by him for the last couple of years. I adored the Askewniverse, but Jersey Girl was not up my alley (I fell asleep 6 times before I finished it). I madly enjoyed his Evening With DVDs. I didn’t quit paying attention though. I joined twitter roughly a year ago and immediately began following him. He’s just as hysterical as any fan remembers. Then the news rang out that he was doing a horror film; my FAVORITE genre (a post about that later). However, just a horror film was not enough to reinvigorate my love for that Kevin Smith. No, it was him simply arguing with crazy and the inspiration behind one of his characters of Red State.

I have spent countless minutes and hours venting to family members about Westboro Baptist Church and their picketing families’ private, mourning tragedies. (Feel free to Google them, but I must warn you: if you fall in the line of thinking “love one another as I have loved you,” you will be disgusted to say the least).  Last week I was able to view Mr. Smith going back and forth with members of the Phelps family and I was elated. I truly believe you get nowhere by arguing with crazy, but it sure is entertaining.

I haven’t seen Red State, but I desperately want to. Smith is currently doing a tour across the US, but no screening is scheduled for Los Angeles thus far. I have my fingers crossed while I impatiently wait for the October release. Until then, hats off to you, Mr. Smith, for standing up to the Phelps on twitter and with creative art above their heads!

Pulled from greatnewmovies.com

Any Other Name

I’ve been inspired by several of my friends to start a blog. I know that most of the things I write about won’t matter to many because it’ll be about things I enjoy/dislike/inspire me. But I’ve tossed the idea around for a while because it seems like a fun way to amuse myself—and if you can’t make yourself laugh, no one else will either. Hopefully, anyone who chooses to read this will also be amused; and if not, they don't have to continue to read.

The first struggle I encountered with this blog is a title. Once, it's decided it's just there. True, I could always start another somewhere else, but that's kind of cowardly. I wanted to get the title right. I pondered it for several days after one of my inspiring friends told me to sleep on it. Come to find out days and lists later, I chose my first idea. It gives me no constraints on how often, what topic, what day, what focus. I'm a very random person (even my iPod has schizophrenia) and thus the title fits me.

The largest struggle, though, is that I've always been a writer in some capacity. BUT other than school assignments and being forced into competition by amazing teachers, I've kept my work very private. (I even have a full novel that only two people have set eyes because I'm terrified to send it out). So, writing a blog is a very LARGE commitment and fear conquering thing. I really hope this will be the first of many and my nerves don't get the best of me...