All-Star Story: Josh Hamilton July 15, 2008
Posted by thegoodson in Uncategorized.1 comment so far
Glass Tubes May 2, 2008
Posted by thegoodson in Uncategorized.1 comment so far
A friend and I were shooting the bull the other day and we started talking about a great show that only aired for a couple seasons when I was in high school: Sports Night. I was only a teenager but I loved that show. I haven’t talked about it since high school, and I forgot how much I enjoyed it. Try combining Sportscenter with the West Wing. It was great. We then talked about William Macy and he showed me this clip of a superb William Macy monologue. I thought I’d share.
To set it up, obviously the show is about a television program and like all television programs their main concern is ratings. The clip starts off with several corporate execs criticizing the show manager Isaac (he’s the african-american fellow) for the dip in ratings and for the shows unresponsiveness to all the notes, e-mails, memos that they have been send regarding “Sports Night.” They then talk to William Macy’s character (a management analyst/advisor of sorts) about the situation. That’s a good intro but watch from 0:00 to 2:50 to really get a feel for what’s going on.
The next scene consists of the three execs sitting in a meeting room simply berating the writers, reports, and producer for their productivity. You don’t have to watch that part.
After the staff leaves the meeting room for a 5 minute break from the meeting, William Macy steps in to briefly talk with them before their meeting was to resume. Watch the monologue from 6:05 – 8:58. This is the really relevant portion.
So, to recap:
0:00-2:50; 6:05-8:58
Here’s the video:
Direct link here.
Watch the video before you proceed to read.
I have a philosophy. When it comes to stressful/difficult situations, there are two types of people in the world. People who makes things easier, and people who makes things harder. You can either be of use and get something done, or you can make things difficult by just pointing out problems and complaining.
I hope to be one of those people who makes things easier when presented with a difficult situation. Even if it’s hard, even if I don’t get it, even if I don’t see the complete vision, I hope to make things easier. I hope to make glass tubes.
Like William Macy’s character said, as I mature and progress in life, I hope that people come to understand that “when I enter the room, I’m someone who can get something done.” I’m someone who can help. I can do something.
Be of some use. Don’t just sit there and complain and make things harder. Make glass tubes.
We got distracted during our study session today April 23, 2008
Posted by thegoodson in Uncategorized.2 comments
The first words out of my mouth?
“PUPPIES ARE SO ADORABLE THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO FLY!”
Music can have such a profound impact April 21, 2008
Posted by thegoodson in Life, Music.add a comment
Even someone who describes himself as perpetually happy and optimistic can get a little under the weather sometimes . . . comparatively. Spider bites on your hand are such a downer . . .
Alright, the picture doesn’t do it justice, but the pink spot is the bite and it’s really red and puffy in real life. You’d feel bad if you saw it in person.
Anywho, I’m just astounded how every once in a while just the right song can set you right. Well, this one did it for me today.
Just a nice reminder of how terribly important it is to always surround yourself with good music. Just be careful what you listen to, watch, say, participate in. It can have such a profound impact on who you are and who you’ll become.
“Follow Through” by Gavin Degraw
Oh, this is the start of something good
Don’t you agree?
I, haven’t felt like this in so many moons
You know what I mean
And we can build through this destruction
As we are standing on our feet
So, since you wanna be with me
You’ll have to follow through
With every word you say
And I, all I really want is you
you to stick around
I’ll see you everyday
But you have to follow through
You have to follow through
These reeling emotions they just keep me alive
They keep me in tune
Oh, look what I‘m holding here in my fire
This is for you
Am I too obvious to preach it
You’re so hypnotic on my heart
So, since you wanna be with me
You’ll have to follow through
With every word you say
And I, all I really want is you
you to stick around
I’ll see you everyday
But you have to follow through
You have to follow through
The words you say to me are unlike anything
That’s ever been said
oh what you do to me is unlike anything
That’s ever been
Am I too obvious to preach it?
You’re so hypnotic on my heart
So since you wanna be with me
You’ll have to follow through
With every word you say
And I, all I really want is you
you to stick around
I’ll see you everyday
So since you wanna be with me
You’ll have to follow through
With every word you say
And I, all I really want is you
you to stick around
I’ll see you everyday
But you have to follow through
You have to follow through
You’re gonna have to follow
Oh, this is the start of something good
Don’t you agree?
The stripped version is particularly good, in my opinion.
Long overdue . . . April 16, 2008
Posted by thegoodson in Uncategorized.Tags: Mal
3 comments
I really should be working on my paper right now, but I am so close to finishing that I didn’t think it would be inappropriate to step away for a moment. Additionally, I am in bit of a writing mood so I knew I needed to strike while the iron is hot, so to speak. So I decided to take a break to write about something/someone that is very dear to me: my fiancé.
For the vast numbers of you that actually read my blog (all 2 of you), I wanted to let you know that on March 18, 2008, I proposed to the love of a life time: Mallory Beth Meteer. Here she is:
Joy. That best describes the feeling that overcomes me when I am with her, when I talk with her, when I think of her. Most definitely joy.
She has been such a huge source of joy for me during this last year. It’s amazing how easy even the most stressful tasks appear when you know you can come home to someone who loves you and thinks the world of you. It’s amazing how you want to be the best man you can be because you know that there is someone who thinks you are the best man there is. It’s amazing how much easier it is to treat people more kindly and lovingly when someone gives you so much love on a daily, hourly basis. It’s amazing how much easier it is to find the desire to change and strip yourself of traits holding you back when you see someone giving her all to forget herself and think more of you. It’s amazing how easy it is to smile, when someone is always smiling at you. It’s amazing how easy it is to give, when someone is constantly giving to you. It’s amazing how easy it is to love, when someone loves you.
I love her. I love her very much. I told her today that when I fell for her, I knew I no longer needed to look. There no longer was a need because I knew no one else could understand me the way she understands me, I knew no one else could support and uplift me the way she supports and uplifts me, I knew no one else could make me laugh like she makes me laugh, I knew no one could love me the way she loves me. I hope to tell her that again next week. And the next year. And in 20 years. And in 50 years.
For you readers, I want you to know that I am excited. Thrilled. Ecstatic. In a word, I am happy. Happier than I have ever been. I look forward to June 21, 2008. I can’t wait for June 21.
For you, Mal, I want you to know that I love you. You make me happy. You make me smile. You make me work harder. You make me reach that which I feel I could not reach without you. I want to be with you. I want to live with you. I want to work with you. I just plain want you. I love you so much.
Fascinating . . . February 18, 2008
Posted by thegoodson in Life, TV.1 comment so far
So for Valentine’s Day I received a wonderful gift from Mallory. It was nothing other than the DVD set of the Discovery Channel’s Planet Earth!
We’ve watched a total of 3 episodes thus far: Caves, Deserts, and Ice Worlds. It is some of the most interesting and visually stunning television I have ever watched. And the best part of watching it is that after I’m done watching an episode, I actually feel like I have learned a thing or two. Some of the highlights of the episodes thus far are:
-100 meter bat dung pyramid
-Crystal caves
-The Penguins in -40 degree C weather
-The Whales
I had an interesting thought while watching the Ice Worlds portion last night. We saw how the humpback whales would dive deep into a swarm of shrimp-like creatures, release air bubbles to corral their meal, and then surface to eat what they had collected. It was so interesting how the largest animal on the earth was utterly dependent on some of the smallest creatures (one of the animals the whales eat doesn’t even weigh close to a fraction of a fraction of a percentage of the whale’s entire body weight).
Apply that to our lives. There is so much going on in the world, and so many things that seem “necessary,” even “essential,” to our survival. Often it seems like we are supposed to need the job that pays the big bucks, the largest plasma screen TV available, the fanciest car, or the most luxurious meal. [Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating that we all move to the forests and live in lean-tos. While that would be fun for about a week, I admit that I like having the occasional nice thing.]
But it’s not the big events or the big things that really sustain us. The big things don’t provide happiness. Happiness . . . health . . . life is found in the little, daily events. It’s the little things that matter and that truly make life rich. Being kind. Taking time out to help a friend in need. Giving a loved one a hug. Talking. Laughing. Smiling. Exercising faith by doing the little daily things that God would have us do.
The point? While it is nice to have nice things and have lucrative opportunities, perhaps that shouldn’t be our life’s pursuit. Make sure you do the little things. Make sure you treat your family well. Let them know you love them. Serve others. That way, when life does throw you the occasional period of good fortune, you can more richly enjoy it. Particularly with those who are closest to you.
Smile, you have a lot to be happy about.
Ah, what a wonderful career I have ahead of me . . . February 8, 2008
Posted by thegoodson in Law.add a comment
Yesterday, about an hour south of Cincinatti a public defender was “one-shotted” by his client. [Click here for NBC video.] It just caused me to reflect on what a wonderful profession I have entered into and on all the great experiences I’ll be having this summer and after graduation. Thankfully, I won’t be the guy standing next to the angry inmate. I will have a ringside seat however.
Columbus City Attorney’s Office. Here I come!
37 Years Young February 7, 2008
Posted by thegoodson in Parents.1 comment so far
Today is my mother’s 37th birthday. If such were the case, that would put me at a ripe old age of 5. What can I say? I’m a child prodigy. That or I suffer from Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria syndrome. I like to believe that I’m a prodigy.
Anywho, I just wanted to take the opportunity to wish my mother a Happy Birthday. She means so much to me and is a big part of who I am. I love you, Mom.
Jack is Back February 6, 2008
Posted by thegoodson in Mal, Music.2 comments
Jack Johnson has been around for quite some time now, but he’s been more of a recent development for myself. I’m always one who is wary of “jumping on the band wagon” if you will. I think it’s that attitude that causes me to take so much pride in the fact that I’m a Bears fan. But that’s besides the point. That’s always besides the point. I need to move on . . .
A couple years ago, my best friend Cody happened to have a spare ticket to a Jack Johnson concert. I decided to come along even though I thought it might be the trendy thing to do. I mean, what could be the harm?
Well . . . a couple of interesting things happened to me that night. First, one of the two partially intoxicated girls in the row in front of us climbed over her seat and proceeded to dance with me. Apparently, I wasn’t dancing enough for them. They clearly must have been impaired because it is common knowledge that I am an excellent dancer. But more importantly, that night I found a deep appreciation for Jack’s music. I had heard only one song before that point but discovered that I really enjoy everything that he has released.
He released his 4th album this week: “Sleep Through the Static.” It’s great. I can listen to all the tracks back to back just like I can with his other three albums. To me, that is a sign of a truly great album where I have neither desire nor inclination to skip to a different track.
I have a few favorites already, but I really like “Angel.”
I’ve got an angel
She doesn’t wear any wings
She wears a heart that could melt my own
She wears a smile that could make me want to sing
She gives me presents
With her presence alone
She gives me everything I could wish for
She gives me kisses on the lips just for coming home
She can make angels
I’ve seen it with my own eyes
You’ve got to be careful when you’ve got good love
Cause them angels will just keep on multiplying
You’re so busy changing the world
Just one smile and you could change all of mine
We share the same soul
Perhaps I’m a little sentimental at the moment. But that’s probably just a wild guess. Regardless, it’s a fabulous song. Other quality songs on the album are “Go On” and “Losing Keys.”
Freedom! February 5, 2008
Posted by thegoodson in Site Maintenance.1 comment so far
I’ve loosened the restrictions, so anyone can post a comment on my writings. But so help me, if I get any comments from LiZzEe3442 about how great this new ED medication is, then the restrictions will go back up!
