Well I'm back from my week long electronics sabbatical. Honestly I thought it would be a lot more interesting. I guess the "highlight" if you can call it that was my wife getting mad everyday because she couldn't get a hold of me. Maybe it was just because it was such a short time, who knows, but I think last week bothered her a lot more than it did me.
Anyways, here are 3 things I learned:
I need to get my watch fixed - My watch strap broke maybe 2 years ago. I never got it fixed because I honestly never used it. Even when it was on my arm I found myself checking my phone for the time. When I wasn't at home last week, it was frustrating not knowing what time it was.
I was not as bored as I thought I would be - The times I thought I would be bored (sitting at the doctor's office, downtime at work, etc.) were just replaced by other things to keep me from being bored. Instead of surfing the internet, I read a few books. Instead of watching TV, we played card games. The only time I was really bored was when I finished reading my book at work and had nothing else to do. Other than that I found myself surprisingly entertained.
I am going to try and achieve more goals - The day I finished my book I sat around for awhile with nothing to do. Then I started thinking about a list I made in high school which was either 50 or 100 goals, I can't remember which. Anyways I realized that I have not tried to really achieve any goals in a long time, so I made a list of things I want to do. I only came up with 16 things this time, but I decided to put a lot more attention towards it. One of my goals is to weigh less than 200 pounds, even if just for a day. I set a challenge for myself to see if I can lose 20 pounds in the month of June. We'll see how it goes.
I wasn't sure if I would get anything out of avoiding using my phone/computer/other stuff for a week, and in a lot of ways I really didn't. Nonetheless, I'm glad I did it. I am not very spontaneous and I usually tend to over think everything. Maybe doing this one stupid thing will help me to be more spontaneous and just do things for the hell of it. Maybe I will stop needing sufficient reasons for every action I take in life. Maybe my reluctance to try and achieve goals is because I over think everything. Maybe I will stop constantly finding reasons why I shouldn't do things. Or more likely, I'm just overanalyzing the relevance of last week.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
going offline
I mentioned in a recent post that I was thinking of going without the internet for a week just to see how much it actually impacts my daily life. I started thinking about it more and decided I am going to expand on it a little.
In addition to not using the internet I will try and refrain from using any other electronic devices. No Ipod, no cell phone, no text messaging, no email, no apps, no watching tv or movies, and no playing video games. I use a computer most of the day at work, so I will restrict my computer usage at work strictly to the jobs I am working on. The only other exception will be emergency phone calls.
I was trying to think of reasons why I shouldn't do this but the only thing I could think of was that it isn't convenient. That seems like a lazy answer. I am not sure what I expect to get out of this and it may not be interesting at all, but how will I know if I don't do it.
My week will start Sunday May 13th. I'll post something after that for those interested in how it went.
Friday, May 4, 2012
ten things i think i think
1. I think this is a nice quote "The illusion of freedom of the press is perhaps more damaging and dangerous than knowing that you are being lied to and that everything you hear is censored." Here is the article it came from.
2. I think it is interesting how Ron Paul has been ignored the past few months. Is it because he doesn't have enough cash to constantly keep him relevant with the media? Is there a reason the media does not want him to win the nomination? Is it because people already know everything about him and there is nothing "newsworthy" left to report? I refuse to believe that it is simply because he is trailing too much in the delegate race. That is no reason to completely disregard the only other nominee left. I'm not saying I would even vote for the guy, but it is just another sad example of why our country is failing. This article and this article shed some light on the poor job the media has done of equally representing the candidates.
3. I think this is another interesting quote, kind of in line with my previous thought.
“Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear.” - Harry S. Truman
4. I think the rest of this post will have no more politics.
5. I think it's funny that at least one person in my office at work still plays the Friday song every Friday.
6. I think I am going to go without the internet for a week. There is a guy that is going a year without the internet, but I am not that dedicated. It shouldn't be that big of a deal, but it will be interesting to see how much I actually rely on the internet for. I know one week isn't long, but I'll just start with next week and see how it goes from there.
7. I think the NBA playoffs suck. 7 game first rounds are ridiculous and not having a team to root for makes it even worse. Not to mention that I don't think I've actually watched a full game in like 3 years. Would the Kings move up here already!
8. I think this is a funny video. At least those stupid voice recognition things are getting better for those of use who can actually be understood.
9. I think Sounders games are better to watch live than the Mariners, Seahawks, or former Sonics for the following reasons:
- You can see everything that is happening on the field no matter where you are sitting.
- It is more kid friendly before, during, and after the game than any of the other sporting events.
- The cost is significantly less.
- The environment is always hostile towards opponents and enthusiastic for the Sounders. I know the Seahawks games louder and crazier, but I have never been to a Sonics or Mariners regular season game that has the overall crowd excitement of a Sounders game. - The players acknowledge the fans, win loss or draw, after every game.
10. I think I hate automatic flushing urinals. I get that it is cleaner and more sanitary, but I hate not knowing exactly it will decide to flush and having to dodge the backsplash. All new products should be tested by me first before they are allowed to be dispersed amongst the general public. Hmm.....now that I think of it, I think I have the wrong job. I wonder how much a product tester gets paid. Perfect job for a pessimist!
2. I think it is interesting how Ron Paul has been ignored the past few months. Is it because he doesn't have enough cash to constantly keep him relevant with the media? Is there a reason the media does not want him to win the nomination? Is it because people already know everything about him and there is nothing "newsworthy" left to report? I refuse to believe that it is simply because he is trailing too much in the delegate race. That is no reason to completely disregard the only other nominee left. I'm not saying I would even vote for the guy, but it is just another sad example of why our country is failing. This article and this article shed some light on the poor job the media has done of equally representing the candidates.
3. I think this is another interesting quote, kind of in line with my previous thought.
“Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear.” - Harry S. Truman
4. I think the rest of this post will have no more politics.
5. I think it's funny that at least one person in my office at work still plays the Friday song every Friday.
6. I think I am going to go without the internet for a week. There is a guy that is going a year without the internet, but I am not that dedicated. It shouldn't be that big of a deal, but it will be interesting to see how much I actually rely on the internet for. I know one week isn't long, but I'll just start with next week and see how it goes from there.
7. I think the NBA playoffs suck. 7 game first rounds are ridiculous and not having a team to root for makes it even worse. Not to mention that I don't think I've actually watched a full game in like 3 years. Would the Kings move up here already!
8. I think this is a funny video. At least those stupid voice recognition things are getting better for those of use who can actually be understood.
9. I think Sounders games are better to watch live than the Mariners, Seahawks, or former Sonics for the following reasons:
- You can see everything that is happening on the field no matter where you are sitting.
- It is more kid friendly before, during, and after the game than any of the other sporting events.
- The cost is significantly less.
- The environment is always hostile towards opponents and enthusiastic for the Sounders. I know the Seahawks games louder and crazier, but I have never been to a Sonics or Mariners regular season game that has the overall crowd excitement of a Sounders game. - The players acknowledge the fans, win loss or draw, after every game.
10. I think I hate automatic flushing urinals. I get that it is cleaner and more sanitary, but I hate not knowing exactly it will decide to flush and having to dodge the backsplash. All new products should be tested by me first before they are allowed to be dispersed amongst the general public. Hmm.....now that I think of it, I think I have the wrong job. I wonder how much a product tester gets paid. Perfect job for a pessimist!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
bruce irvin?
My world has been pretty boring lately, so there hasn't been a lot on my mind. Still I felt the need to write about something. The most controversial and/or interesting thing that I have thought about lately has been the Seahawks draft, in particular Bruce Irvin. I'll admit, I was just as shocked as most everyone else when they announced the selection. But after taking a further look into why he was selected, I found myself excited about the pick. Regardless of whether Irvin turns out to be a great player or not, I think he was the right choice and here is why.
The biggest argument I have heard about why the Seahawks should not have selected Bruce Irvin is that the hawks reached for him. He supposedly had a 2nd or 3rd round grade. According to who? Mel Kiper? The same Mel Kiper that said JaMarcus Russell will be a top 5 QB within 3 years of being drafted? Just because the "draft experts" say a guy is going to get picked in the 2nd round, common sense will tell you that is not necessarily true. Just ask Courtney Upshaw or Stephen Hill from this years draft. Ask Brady Quinn what he thinks about draft projections. If you're talking about 2nd or 3rd round grades, ask Chris Polk why his "grade" failed to even get him drafted. The draft experts have proven themselves wrong just as often as the teams selecting players. Yet time and time again people base their opinions of the draft on the opinions of these experts.
Based on projections, it was decided that Bruce Irvin would have been available when the Seahawks picked in the 2nd round. Then a few days later it was reported that the Jets were planning on taking Irvin with the very next pick. In addition there were between 3 and 7 teams that would have considered Irvin with their first picks. Considering the run on DE's that happened right after the Seahawks pick, I think it is safe to say that even if the Jets report was false there is still no way that the Seahawks would have been able to get Irvin in the 2nd round.
I think a lot of the people judging the Seahawks pick don't really understand the defensive scheme that the Seahawks run. Nearly all of the experts that were deciding who the Seahawks should draft overlooked the simple concept of which player fits their defense the best. The Seahawks have a pretty unique defense. They run a 4-3, but their strong side DE is Red Bryant. Yes the 6' 4" 333 pound Red Bryant who just signed a big contract extension. The other DE is team sack leader Chris Clemons. Both are starters and there is no way any rookie would have taken either of those spots. One side is a run stuffer, one side is a pass rusher. Everyone knew the Seahawks needed a pass rusher, but more importantly they needed a specific type of pass rusher. Not a run stuffer, their future is set there. They needed a guy that can come in on passing downs and get to the QB, and hopefully eventually take over for Clemons when he starts to decline. Some DE's may have been more complete, but that is not what the Seahawks defense needed. A guy like Quentin Coples realistically had no place on their team. They would have had to completely change their base defense for a rookie. How stupid does that sound?
The biggest need for the Seahawks was a 3rd down pass rusher, a middle linebacker, and maybe a WR or OG. Luke Kuechly was probably the only ILB worth taking that high and he was gone. Dont'a Hightower would have been a possibility. The only other pass rusher I could see that would have fit the Seahawks scheme is Chandler Jones. So should they have taken a WR? They could have stayed at #12 and taken Michael Floyd. But I also think they have receivers capable of putting up some decent numbers this year. I would have loved to see David DeCastro here, but based on how their injury depleted OL excelled at the end of last year, I don't think it was necessary to draft more linemen. I think Melvin Ingram would have been a good pick at OLB/DE. The only problem is that K.J. Wright played well last year and they resigned Leroy Hill. Still, I think Ingram could have challenged for a starting spot and would be able to play all 3 downs.
The success or failure of Bruce Irvin will be compared to guys like Coples, Ingram, and Jones. Regardless of how it turns out, I like the thought behind the pick. They didn't draft a pass rusher last year and could not afford to do it again. They took the guy who they felt fit their team the best and ignored what other people said. I recently read an article about Bill Walsh's NFL draft philosophy. Reading that article just reaffirms my belief that the Seahawks front office knows what they are doing and made the right choice.
Hopefully something more thought invoking than lions trying to eat kids or Kate Upton doing the Cat Daddy happens in the next few days so I have something besides sports to write about.
The biggest argument I have heard about why the Seahawks should not have selected Bruce Irvin is that the hawks reached for him. He supposedly had a 2nd or 3rd round grade. According to who? Mel Kiper? The same Mel Kiper that said JaMarcus Russell will be a top 5 QB within 3 years of being drafted? Just because the "draft experts" say a guy is going to get picked in the 2nd round, common sense will tell you that is not necessarily true. Just ask Courtney Upshaw or Stephen Hill from this years draft. Ask Brady Quinn what he thinks about draft projections. If you're talking about 2nd or 3rd round grades, ask Chris Polk why his "grade" failed to even get him drafted. The draft experts have proven themselves wrong just as often as the teams selecting players. Yet time and time again people base their opinions of the draft on the opinions of these experts.
Based on projections, it was decided that Bruce Irvin would have been available when the Seahawks picked in the 2nd round. Then a few days later it was reported that the Jets were planning on taking Irvin with the very next pick. In addition there were between 3 and 7 teams that would have considered Irvin with their first picks. Considering the run on DE's that happened right after the Seahawks pick, I think it is safe to say that even if the Jets report was false there is still no way that the Seahawks would have been able to get Irvin in the 2nd round.
I think a lot of the people judging the Seahawks pick don't really understand the defensive scheme that the Seahawks run. Nearly all of the experts that were deciding who the Seahawks should draft overlooked the simple concept of which player fits their defense the best. The Seahawks have a pretty unique defense. They run a 4-3, but their strong side DE is Red Bryant. Yes the 6' 4" 333 pound Red Bryant who just signed a big contract extension. The other DE is team sack leader Chris Clemons. Both are starters and there is no way any rookie would have taken either of those spots. One side is a run stuffer, one side is a pass rusher. Everyone knew the Seahawks needed a pass rusher, but more importantly they needed a specific type of pass rusher. Not a run stuffer, their future is set there. They needed a guy that can come in on passing downs and get to the QB, and hopefully eventually take over for Clemons when he starts to decline. Some DE's may have been more complete, but that is not what the Seahawks defense needed. A guy like Quentin Coples realistically had no place on their team. They would have had to completely change their base defense for a rookie. How stupid does that sound?
The biggest need for the Seahawks was a 3rd down pass rusher, a middle linebacker, and maybe a WR or OG. Luke Kuechly was probably the only ILB worth taking that high and he was gone. Dont'a Hightower would have been a possibility. The only other pass rusher I could see that would have fit the Seahawks scheme is Chandler Jones. So should they have taken a WR? They could have stayed at #12 and taken Michael Floyd. But I also think they have receivers capable of putting up some decent numbers this year. I would have loved to see David DeCastro here, but based on how their injury depleted OL excelled at the end of last year, I don't think it was necessary to draft more linemen. I think Melvin Ingram would have been a good pick at OLB/DE. The only problem is that K.J. Wright played well last year and they resigned Leroy Hill. Still, I think Ingram could have challenged for a starting spot and would be able to play all 3 downs.
The success or failure of Bruce Irvin will be compared to guys like Coples, Ingram, and Jones. Regardless of how it turns out, I like the thought behind the pick. They didn't draft a pass rusher last year and could not afford to do it again. They took the guy who they felt fit their team the best and ignored what other people said. I recently read an article about Bill Walsh's NFL draft philosophy. Reading that article just reaffirms my belief that the Seahawks front office knows what they are doing and made the right choice.
Hopefully something more thought invoking than lions trying to eat kids or Kate Upton doing the Cat Daddy happens in the next few days so I have something besides sports to write about.
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