I've always been a boxing fan, but I've never liked MMA. Something about boxing that I find superior to MMA. Probably that in boxing, there seems to be more rules. You can only use your fists and your wits. Sure you need agility, balance and reflexes -but all those don't matter if you can't throw a punch.
During the "Fight of the Century" which turned out to be a disastrous fight for boxing-I thought Mayweather would beat Manny. I was correct. Most people who understand how boxing works thought the same thing. This got me into trouble.
A good friend of mine said it was "scary" that I supported Mayweather over Pacquiao. He said it "frightened him" that I could support Mayweather. This is a guy (my friend, shockingly I do have them) who is a hero. He's a veteran, biker, plays with guns-basically one tough guy. Somehow me saying I thought Mayweather "scared him".
I tried to explain to him that no, I don't like Mayweather personally. In fact, I think he's a thug and several other unprintable words. I do try to keep this blog PG-13, after all. It was hopeless. It was like talking to a wall. Someone he couldn't get over the fact that thinking someone would win a fight because he is the better fighter doesn't mean he is the better person morally. Though Manny is no saint either, for the record.
So, so many people are like my good friend. They can't separate their own subjective feelings from accepting and seeing objective talent. Bluntly put, Floyd Mayweather is one of the best boxers of all time. He's a undefeated in his fights-a staggering record of 49-0. Rocky Marciano, another of the best boxers of all time-is also 49-0. That's outstanding. Floyd has a defensive ability that is like no other I've ever seen.
But like I mentioned-he's a scumbag. He has domestic violence issues and is overall an unpleasant person. But that doesn't mean he's not a good boxer. I can't let my personal dislike of him cloud my judgement of his talent.
By the way, I have nothing against MMA. It's a legit sport that I can easily see why people like. It's just never been my thing, nothing more.
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Friday, May 13, 2016
Album of the weekend
Metallica-Kill em All
Remember the days of compact discs? When you could manually program songs you wanted to listen to in order? I jumped from cassette tapes (good friggin riddance to them) to cd's and never looked back.
This is one CD that, after listening to the first time-I realized I was programming every single song whenever I listened to it. It's another album by Metallica that is bittersweet to listen to, just because it shows you how stunningly good they were. Megadeth fans like me say it's because of the influence of Dave Mustaine, but in reality the entire band as priceless here.
Hit the Lights, The Four Horsemen and Motorbreath set the stage for this albums dark, loud and very fast mood. Sure, having the title "Kill em All" doesn't mean you are into a cupcakes and rainbows time, but all the songs have a dark and moody tone. Like most good, old school Metallica albums this one also has an incredible instrumental song, "Anesthesia".
You can headbang to this and if you are a wresting legend, you can use it as your entrance song. This album is correctly viewed as a trash metal classic, and it is truly glorious.
This is the kind of music they play in heaven. Flawless.
Remember the days of compact discs? When you could manually program songs you wanted to listen to in order? I jumped from cassette tapes (good friggin riddance to them) to cd's and never looked back.
This is one CD that, after listening to the first time-I realized I was programming every single song whenever I listened to it. It's another album by Metallica that is bittersweet to listen to, just because it shows you how stunningly good they were. Megadeth fans like me say it's because of the influence of Dave Mustaine, but in reality the entire band as priceless here.
Hit the Lights, The Four Horsemen and Motorbreath set the stage for this albums dark, loud and very fast mood. Sure, having the title "Kill em All" doesn't mean you are into a cupcakes and rainbows time, but all the songs have a dark and moody tone. Like most good, old school Metallica albums this one also has an incredible instrumental song, "Anesthesia".
You can headbang to this and if you are a wresting legend, you can use it as your entrance song. This album is correctly viewed as a trash metal classic, and it is truly glorious.
This is the kind of music they play in heaven. Flawless.
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Mormons and R rated movies
As most people know, active LDS aren't really "allowed" to watch R rated movies. To non-members, the terminology "allowed" is creepy. Even to members, it can seem creepy sometimes.
It is true that LDS leaders and prophets have cautioned members against watching R rated movies. As we all know many R rated movies show inappropriate conduct that LDS try to avoid. Sometimes it's the language, sometimes it's the sexuality. It can also be the violence.
I watch very little movies, and most movies I do watch are documentaries. I can't talk about the content of movies today, though I've heard people complain that even PG-13 movies nowadays are worse than R rated movies were twenty years ago. For the most part, I don't believe it. Every single generation has thought the standards they have in the current times are worse than the standards they grew up with. It's just part of the growing up process. The phone was considered immoral when it first was created, as was the automobile. Is their more cursing in PG-13 movies now than there was when I was growing up? I have no idea but I sort of doubt it.
There is also a difference in context. You can't make a war movie where the guys in the trenches say "Steve, I haven't seen my wife or girlfriend in six months. Golly gee shucks, I sure do miss her!" You can't make a movie about the mafia where Tony Soprano shakes hands with his New York City adversary and they go off into the sunset for lemonade and hugs. I'm not saying you should watch R rated movies-whatever you do is your own business-but I am saying you should be careful not to condemn every single R rated movie out there as "filth."
You also shouldn't beat yourself up and hold yourself out to be the last martyr of decency. If you are on a plane or a bus where an R rated movie is showing, constantly complaining about it and demanding it be shut off will make everyone not listen to you. Instead of making a scene, put your headphones on. Read a book. Engage someone else in conversation. No one likes "that guy/girl" who tries to be a killjoy. You can listen to the spirit and be a good moral example without being a buzzkill.
It is true that LDS leaders and prophets have cautioned members against watching R rated movies. As we all know many R rated movies show inappropriate conduct that LDS try to avoid. Sometimes it's the language, sometimes it's the sexuality. It can also be the violence.
I watch very little movies, and most movies I do watch are documentaries. I can't talk about the content of movies today, though I've heard people complain that even PG-13 movies nowadays are worse than R rated movies were twenty years ago. For the most part, I don't believe it. Every single generation has thought the standards they have in the current times are worse than the standards they grew up with. It's just part of the growing up process. The phone was considered immoral when it first was created, as was the automobile. Is their more cursing in PG-13 movies now than there was when I was growing up? I have no idea but I sort of doubt it.
There is also a difference in context. You can't make a war movie where the guys in the trenches say "Steve, I haven't seen my wife or girlfriend in six months. Golly gee shucks, I sure do miss her!" You can't make a movie about the mafia where Tony Soprano shakes hands with his New York City adversary and they go off into the sunset for lemonade and hugs. I'm not saying you should watch R rated movies-whatever you do is your own business-but I am saying you should be careful not to condemn every single R rated movie out there as "filth."
You also shouldn't beat yourself up and hold yourself out to be the last martyr of decency. If you are on a plane or a bus where an R rated movie is showing, constantly complaining about it and demanding it be shut off will make everyone not listen to you. Instead of making a scene, put your headphones on. Read a book. Engage someone else in conversation. No one likes "that guy/girl" who tries to be a killjoy. You can listen to the spirit and be a good moral example without being a buzzkill.
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Sarah Palin
I don't ask for much in politics. I accept that my political heroes (Ron Paul, Ronald Reagan, Rand Paul, Barry Goldwater and JFK) are also human and subject to the same weaknesses as I am. I am a political realist.
In the interest of full confession, I liked Sarah Palin back in 2008. I thought she was capable, smart, and totally over bashed by people who claim to love "smart women".
I was wrong. Well, partially. She was over bashed back then. Now she is correctly bashed, and she brought it all on herself.
Mistake number one was resigning from the governorship. It made her seem like she was giving up and going into a different career. If she really wanted to advance her causes she would have stayed in politics and tried to run for higher office.
In the society of today, reality TV is viewed as the tabloid of TV. Perhaps popular but vapid, fake, and trashy. There is some truth to this even though I do confess to liking Big Brother, Survivor, and some other reality shows. This was mistake number two for her, starting up her own reality show. It made her seem like she was desperate for publicity.
Mistake number three is her family drama. For her daughter Bristol to be an "abstinence educator" but have multiple baby daddies is the epitome of "bad hypocrisy". Her next career move should be to endorse Trojans and then keep her mouth shut on sexual affairs. Abstinence is moral, even admirable. But trying to make a living in the abstinence field and then getting knocked up on the side isn't admirable or moral.
Finally, Sarah did the ultimate career suicide in endorsing Trump. For a woman claiming to be a "serious" political commentator this was like...well, talking about abstinence while you sleep around.
I'm not trying to insult or degrade her or her family. I'm not perfect and God knows I've made many mistakes in my life-sometimes sexual, sometimes not. But I don't claim to be morally pure and the last thing I'm qualified to give advice on is morality.
Perhaps it would be best if Sarah Palin and her family took a break from the public eye and worked on their own issues. When she's gotten those fixed, then she can come back and attempt to be a serious person again.
In the interest of full confession, I liked Sarah Palin back in 2008. I thought she was capable, smart, and totally over bashed by people who claim to love "smart women".
I was wrong. Well, partially. She was over bashed back then. Now she is correctly bashed, and she brought it all on herself.
Mistake number one was resigning from the governorship. It made her seem like she was giving up and going into a different career. If she really wanted to advance her causes she would have stayed in politics and tried to run for higher office.
In the society of today, reality TV is viewed as the tabloid of TV. Perhaps popular but vapid, fake, and trashy. There is some truth to this even though I do confess to liking Big Brother, Survivor, and some other reality shows. This was mistake number two for her, starting up her own reality show. It made her seem like she was desperate for publicity.
Mistake number three is her family drama. For her daughter Bristol to be an "abstinence educator" but have multiple baby daddies is the epitome of "bad hypocrisy". Her next career move should be to endorse Trojans and then keep her mouth shut on sexual affairs. Abstinence is moral, even admirable. But trying to make a living in the abstinence field and then getting knocked up on the side isn't admirable or moral.
Finally, Sarah did the ultimate career suicide in endorsing Trump. For a woman claiming to be a "serious" political commentator this was like...well, talking about abstinence while you sleep around.
I'm not trying to insult or degrade her or her family. I'm not perfect and God knows I've made many mistakes in my life-sometimes sexual, sometimes not. But I don't claim to be morally pure and the last thing I'm qualified to give advice on is morality.
Perhaps it would be best if Sarah Palin and her family took a break from the public eye and worked on their own issues. When she's gotten those fixed, then she can come back and attempt to be a serious person again.
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
50 Cent and Autism
Recently, the rap star 50 Cent got himself in serious trouble for apparently making fun of an autistic guy-I guess at an airport or something.
His actions were low class and rude, he definitely should apologize. And he has. He should admit he did something wrong-and he has. He should work to rectify the situation-and he has. In fact, he donated a large amount of money to an autism charity.
I want you to be honest with yourself. Have you ever said something mean, rude, low class or insulting to someone that you wish you could take back? I know I have. Many times, actually. Have you ever rectified it by donating thousands of dollars to a charity? I know I haven't. I doubt you have as well.
This wasn't to make you feel bad-we've all made mistakes and said stupid things. If you think you haven't, you are either lying or a sociopath. Usually it's the people who admit that they've made mistakes that don't do it again. Sociopaths don't admit to ever making mistakes, so they tend to do the same wrong things over and over again.
A Facebook friend said it best. "The way society is today, people need something to complain about. It makes their own lives seem more moral." My friend was exactly right. Hopefully 50 Cent can get by this and become a better person in the end. He's already on the right path and he's done the right things so far.
His actions were low class and rude, he definitely should apologize. And he has. He should admit he did something wrong-and he has. He should work to rectify the situation-and he has. In fact, he donated a large amount of money to an autism charity.
I want you to be honest with yourself. Have you ever said something mean, rude, low class or insulting to someone that you wish you could take back? I know I have. Many times, actually. Have you ever rectified it by donating thousands of dollars to a charity? I know I haven't. I doubt you have as well.
This wasn't to make you feel bad-we've all made mistakes and said stupid things. If you think you haven't, you are either lying or a sociopath. Usually it's the people who admit that they've made mistakes that don't do it again. Sociopaths don't admit to ever making mistakes, so they tend to do the same wrong things over and over again.
A Facebook friend said it best. "The way society is today, people need something to complain about. It makes their own lives seem more moral." My friend was exactly right. Hopefully 50 Cent can get by this and become a better person in the end. He's already on the right path and he's done the right things so far.
Monday, May 9, 2016
Ozzy and Sharon
By know, many of us have heard that it looks like Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne have decided to end their 30+ year marriage. Cal Ripken and his wife also have also divorced after a long marriage. It's very sad. I have no snarky comments or jokes to make about this.
Upfront-I'm not perfect. In fact, I am a bad husband/boyfriend/domestic partner. I have made many mistakes that disqualify from holding political office, holding a church office, etc. If someone wanted to point out the hypocrisy in my life and believing in standards that I personally have not lived up too, they would be here for days. So take what I say with a grain of salt. There but for the grace of God go I.
Divorce is dreadful, heartbreaking, and yes, sinful in the eyes of Christians. That does not mean that every divorced person is going to hell-like I mentioned in the upfront paragraph I am not perfect and forgiveness is always available. In 2016 people are changing. I meet many couples (religious and non religious) that are firmly against divorce. Given that Generation X, Y and the millennials are among the first children to be products of widespread divorce perhaps we can change societies views on it. No, fifty percent of marriages do not fail. It's only true if you count people who have been married over three times. Half of love does not end in divorce.
In the LDS world early marriage is common. Usually kids gets back from their mission and within a few years, get married. I do not like this part of our culture at all. I think you should wait several years before getting married. The pressure to get married quickly and start popping out kids is horrifying to me. It was horrifying to me as a non-member, and it's horrifying to me now. The WORST thing you can do is get married quickly, have babies, and then realize you needed more time to grow up. Take that from me firsthand.
I feel nothing but compassion and sorrow for these couples. Whenever you see a long marriage end in a tragic way, it's not a reason to celebrate or to look for "new opportunities" and "new freedom". It's like a death. In some ways marriage itself is a living, breathing entity and when you divorce you are killing it. That doesn't mean that there aren't valid reasons for a divorce-abuse and adultery do come to mind.
This sounds "judgmental" and I'm not sorry for it. To repeat myself (because I do not want to be misunderstood) divorce isn't the ultimate sin, it's not "the end" and no, you shouldn't be held to a life of celibacy and isolation. In fact, I know many people who have gone through messy divorces and ended up in new, fulfilling relationships. But most people do regret-in one way or another-getting into a situation where divorce was needed in the first place.
Upfront-I'm not perfect. In fact, I am a bad husband/boyfriend/domestic partner. I have made many mistakes that disqualify from holding political office, holding a church office, etc. If someone wanted to point out the hypocrisy in my life and believing in standards that I personally have not lived up too, they would be here for days. So take what I say with a grain of salt. There but for the grace of God go I.
Divorce is dreadful, heartbreaking, and yes, sinful in the eyes of Christians. That does not mean that every divorced person is going to hell-like I mentioned in the upfront paragraph I am not perfect and forgiveness is always available. In 2016 people are changing. I meet many couples (religious and non religious) that are firmly against divorce. Given that Generation X, Y and the millennials are among the first children to be products of widespread divorce perhaps we can change societies views on it. No, fifty percent of marriages do not fail. It's only true if you count people who have been married over three times. Half of love does not end in divorce.
In the LDS world early marriage is common. Usually kids gets back from their mission and within a few years, get married. I do not like this part of our culture at all. I think you should wait several years before getting married. The pressure to get married quickly and start popping out kids is horrifying to me. It was horrifying to me as a non-member, and it's horrifying to me now. The WORST thing you can do is get married quickly, have babies, and then realize you needed more time to grow up. Take that from me firsthand.
I feel nothing but compassion and sorrow for these couples. Whenever you see a long marriage end in a tragic way, it's not a reason to celebrate or to look for "new opportunities" and "new freedom". It's like a death. In some ways marriage itself is a living, breathing entity and when you divorce you are killing it. That doesn't mean that there aren't valid reasons for a divorce-abuse and adultery do come to mind.
This sounds "judgmental" and I'm not sorry for it. To repeat myself (because I do not want to be misunderstood) divorce isn't the ultimate sin, it's not "the end" and no, you shouldn't be held to a life of celibacy and isolation. In fact, I know many people who have gone through messy divorces and ended up in new, fulfilling relationships. But most people do regret-in one way or another-getting into a situation where divorce was needed in the first place.
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Scripture Sunday-Mosiah 3:17
Every single member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has heard what I am about to say: You guys are not Christians!
We actually are.
Like Acts 4:12, this passage makes it very clear. "There shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent."
Amen!
We actually are.
Like Acts 4:12, this passage makes it very clear. "There shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent."
Amen!
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