Friday Nights Lights

I was fortunate enough to read the book when I was in high school, but the message of the book didn't hit home until I fully reached adulthood.

I played a role (albiet a severely minor one) in my high school's football team's success.  In my four years in high school, we lost only seven games, reaching the state semi-finals our senior year.  I witnessed first hand the sacrifices kids (yes, I said kids; more on this in a bit) made to play, to be part of that success.  I saw coaches quietly confer about a player's health.  I saw favorites fall by the wayside as soon as the season concluded.

For all this, high school football is still a great thing to watch.  I've lived in my new home town for the last eleven years, and in the past five or six years I've started going to games regularly. This past Friday, I got to attend my first Friday Night game this season.  Our new stadium is quite nice, with the brand spankin' new turf and larger facilities.  Sweetness.

For the most part, no surprises.  The game was a pleasure to watch.  My son truly enjoyed the overlal atmosphere.  The cheers, the lows, and bands playing; it was all simply a joy to watch.  I don't think those kids should be put on a pedastal any more than they are:  they summons thousands to watch them play a game as it is.  The players are kids.  Many times, overzealous parents and spectators expect professional players to throw a frozen rope within a two-yard spot, expect a defense to clobber the opponent.  These players are kids.  We can have high expectations, but remember that they are kids playing a game.  The fun is in the competition.  In the end, I hope that people remember that Friday Night Lights is an event for fun and games, not a means to reliving youth lost.  

Edit:  I just remembered.  My buddy wrote about fall.  That's just so football season.

Rant over; I still had fun at the game.

Sins of the Father: I Hate Studying

I always hated studying. I'd lie to Mom and Dad, conveniently forget my homework, and just flat outdeny ever having any to Mom, Dad, teacher, and everyone else. I simply learned early on that homework sucks the hind teat.

Yeah, I was one of those kids that just simply wasn't going to do homework. In fact, I think one of the comments my teacher told my father was "He is an excellent student in school, but he doesn't do his homework blah blah blah."

At this point, my son is in school and has school work on a regular basis. The Dyl-Man is pretty smart and quite creative. Of course, he's just like his dad: he hates homework. We spent two hours last night going over twenty words.

I guess this is my cross to bear. Thanks be to God.

Happy Birthday Bro

     Yesterday, my brother had his birthday.  I don't think it really matters how old he is [cough frickin old cough], but he and I had a conversation yesterday, and on my way to work today, I really reflected on what he means to me.

     I remember a time when I really resented my brother.  He was always bigger than me, as most big brothers are.  For a while, during his infatuation with wrestling, he loved to practice the latest finishing move on me, usually somehow convincing me to set up on the bed and wait for the inevitable pile-driver.  As fate decided, he and I were separated for a brief time, and fate decided that we needed space and separation.  

     My brother and I probably didn't talk for a great many years.  At this point, it doesn't matter.  In fact, that time probably allowed both of us to overcome some personal issues.  Today, he and I are probably closest than we've ever been.  The profound love and mutual respect we have for each other is irreplaceable.  

     Is everything perfect?  No, far from it.  We have our issues, but it always comes back to that love and respect.  We talk frequently, more often that weekly, share our troubles and successes, 

nudie pics (not really, but heh...), and the occasional overnight trip.  My life is that much sweeter with a big brother.  Even at my old age, I still have that almost looking up to him that probably will never leave.

   

 I don't imagine anyone without siblings would understand.  Sisters understand the bond, as do brothers.  It's such a simple thing.  I guess maybe John Lennon was onto something when he penned "All You Need Is Love"

Guilty Pleasures: Cheesy Music

I really like Weezer.  Thanks to Rock Band, I've had a really good introduction and have procured three of their albums.

Why are they cheesy?  Well, quite honestly I doubt that Rivers Cuomo would come out and say that his band is the coolest and hottest band out there.  In his own self depricating manner, he would probably say something like, "Yeah, we're okay, but we're not as hot as Rhianna or the Jonas Brothers."  Their music is what firmly plants them into this fizzy guitar-riff filled teen angst-that- even-middle-aged-adults-feel sound that, well, is easy to relate to.  

Yeah, that's right.  Even middle aged adults feel those uncomfortable situations found socially, where the "cool ones" ignore the "outcast".  Going through most of the albums I have, many of their songs have a quite similar feeling.  Such as any long-lasting artist, Weezer has a unique sound.  Just like the Foo Fighters and Red Hot Chili Peppers, Weezer is able to really convey their "sound" into most of their music.  

At this point, I'm considering using one or two of their songs in the class.  The details I'll work out later, but it just reminds me of how one teacher used Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire" to teach a research/history lesson all together.  Something like that.  I read at one blog how "In the Garage" and "Heart Songs" are just name-dropping anecdotes for the typical survival that makes up teen angst.  I would agree, but that's not a bad thing.  Aren't the greatest love songs such because they evoke a passionate message within us?  Those tear jerker movies, those impassioned pleas for greater humanity, and the transcending humor that can be found in most any culture:  all these fuel that which makes us human.  And for a great part of American society, teen angst exists in one form or another.  Weezer's been able to tap into that and well...for me, offer a reminescent reminder that life isn't perfect, but more so (being a teacher) that what much of my students are going through right now.

Is it cheesy?  Maybe, but I simply would retort, "WTF?!!?"  Who are others to judge you based upon merely one group that you happen to enjoy?  Vanilla Ice (7 million albums) , Milli Vanilli (14 million albums), any hyped-up boy/girl band all had their fans and support, but no one will admit to it.  

I guess that's why it's a guilty pleasure.