I think its funny...

Paul Hamm and Gold at the 2004 Olympics

As I am sure you are all aware, a US gymnast won the gold metal in the all around competition at the 2004 Olympic Games. The gymnasts name was Paul Hamm and he was the first US gymnast to ever complete such a feat. But, as often happens with the world's greatest sport, World War III almost broke out. You think you know why North Korea is building its nuclear aresnel? Well, you don't... At least until you read this...

The place, Sydney, Austrailia. The time, Summer 2004. The US team had placed second in the team competition, losing to Japan by 1.715 points (about 10 points in a football game). However, the individual competition is when the heat would really build (as it did in me while watching the competition!). Paul Hamm was leading the all around competition after 3 events. But then in a surprise occurance, Paul fell on his vault, a handspring double front, which he competed and stuck during the team competition. His fall was severe, and he nearly took out a couple judges, but, luckilly, he was stopped by a table. Such a fall results in a 0.5 point deduction, taking Paul down to 12th place and seemingly out of the competition. But then Paul got mad, and everyone knows what happens when a 5'4" gymnast gets mad, he gets even.

Competing next on paralell bars, arguably the most painful event (and the event US gymnast Jiar Lynch placed second on in the 2000 Games) Paul pulled his nerves together and scored a 9.837 to win the event. This left Paul in 5th place with the most exciting event remaining, the high bar. In a ruitine (which can be seen here) Paul effortlessly connected 3 reverse Hechs leading into a double twisting double-back landing and a score of 9.837 to win the event and the all around.

Here is the contraversy. In the act of judging, one of Korean Yang Tae Young's moves was not regarded as it should have been, resulting in a loss of a tenth in his starting score. Had that tenth been awarded to him, he would have won. However, in the paralell bars, a gymnast is only allowed 3 hold moves, whereas Young had 4. This was not taken into effect, though had it been, it would have resulted in a loss of 2 tenths. In a desprate move, Young and the Korean team petitioned the Internaltional Olympic Committee (IOC) and FIG (something like Federation International Gymnastics, but in french) to change the score and award the metal to Young.

After a court battle and an 11 and a half hour hearing, the case was dismissed. FIG and IOC stating that the call was made in fair mind on the floor and claiming a FIG rule that petitions must be entered the day of the meet, not a week later as the Koreans did. Altough many believe that in leiu of the 2 judging errors, Young would have ended up with no medal, so they dropped the case. In any event, Paul Hamm took first place causing the Koreans to accept 2nd and 3rd (and to hold their tears during the star spangled banner). Also, they needed to quickly create excuses so as to not be put to death by the communist leader Kim Jong-il.

Since he is an insecure prick and does not take losing to the great country of America well, and because he has a small weiner, Kim Jong-il has been building his nuclear arsenal since that day in court. The Hamms, both Paul and his twin brother Morgan, are kept in safe locations so Kim Jong-il does not bomb them (Morgan to just in case Kim Jong-il cannot tell them apart). If only Paul and Morgan had two more twin brothers, then they would kind of be like the Ninja Turtles and be that much more awesome. But in anycase, that is the story of the 2004 Olympics and why US-Korea relations are so bad. President Bush, reportedly, asked the US Ping Pong team to lose to the Koreans in last years World Championships (televised on the OCHO) for fear of being bombed, and it worked. THE END

March 2007... The Month That Will Be Hard To Beat

I wish my prose were as witty as Nicky J's, but it's not. But here we go anyway...

So Bob Seger is pretty much the shit, right? He is from Ann Arbor/Detroit and has played a concert in house in which I dwell. His song "Mainstreet" is rumored to talk about the street about a mile or so to the west of where I sit and write this. I have heard arguments that this would be cool were it 1978 or some other year around that period, that Bob Seger has not been relevant in over 20 years... Yeah, so? I have not farted in like 5 minutes, but that one I let go back then is sure relevent. Not to compare Bob Seger to a fart, I was talking about the power they both controlled and the cone of influence they both initiated. My gas caused someone to leave the room; Bob Seger caused millions of people to enjoy some kick ass tunes. So, in a way, Bob Seger is like a fart; but he would be a fart that smelled like sweat, Michigan soul, awesomeness, and coolality.

Okay, I am not really sure what happened in that last paragraph, but I'm gonna keep going.

The reason these topics are intertwined, is that both happen in March of 2007. Bob Seger will tour through on the 13th and the other event will happen on the 23rd. What is it you ask? The most anticipated film of the centurty... Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! (a link here goes to the trailer). Need I say more?

Alright, I had some high expectations for this post... but I slowly realized that no one really cares about the things that I do. So even if I have to go to both alone, I will. Screw all of you. I'm gonna go eat some Orea Pie. At least I have that on Nicky J! Hahahaha.

U of M's Idea of Diversity is Flawed

I sincerely apologize for writing this, because it is counter-productive to the point I would like to make, but bare with me for a second. Furthermore, please realize this is only an attempt to speak about university admissions and tuition assistance.

I would like to pose a question to administrators and student groups. In what ways are you addressing the problems of racism and race relations and how well is that currently working? I can smash my skull against a wall for the cause of diversity and capture the same results as opposing Proposal 2 and continuing a blind faith in affirmative action based on color.

A better approach involves the realization that race is not the key factor in how many opportunities a given person has. What matters is socioeconomic status.

Yes, I agree racism is a problem, and I agree most people in poor areas are minorities. And I also agree that many reasons for that are past atrocities committed by white people in America. I feel guilt that my race has done such things, as I am sure others do as well. So what should we do? Continue to attack the problem by focusing on nothing but skin color?

Of course not; we need to start addressing the bigger problem which is the repercussions of the awful choices made in the past. We need to focus on helping the poor. By that act minorities who have no need for help will receive none (again, only in admissions and tuition assistance), thus reserving the University’s resources for students in poor areas who cannot or can barely escape the lack of opportunity they were born into. The reason the current enactment of affirmative action is bad is that the more help you give to those who can do without means more who need help and won’t get it.

In short, “by any means necessary” is never the right approach to take. Even in cases where no answer is correct, one will be more correct than another. Addressing diversity of economics, while not perfect, is better than addressing race alone. Give up the fight against Proposal 2 and the status quo and accept that there are better answers to the problem of inequality and racism than promoting assorted pigmentation. Or continue smashing your heads against the wall, just don't use the money I give you to pay for your aspirin.

It's been a while!

Hello. I sure have not written here in a while, sorry 'bout that. BUT, I think I am going through a Nick crisis. I am fat, lazy, and unmotivated. Therefore I am adopting a new Steve, though I won't give it a catchy name (since that would really be ripping off Nick).

Christmas was good, I got a new guitar. I play it a lot and will hopefully continue to. I can nearly play the intro to Stairway to Heaven. I think I need to learn Nothing Else Matters next and then maybe work on Layla some more. But this guitar has many more reasons for being noted first here.

I have played guitar, there should probably be quotes in there, since 6th grade (maybe earlier) and I suck. This is because I am lazy and never practice. But now I am going to practice. I am as heavy as I have ever been, and I am going to work out more.

I am perfectly set up for a sweet last couple semesters of college. I am going to work hard and get good grades and leave school with 3 degrees in 5 and a half years. I am going to graduate with honors on my masters and I am going to get a sweet job. I am going to eat healthy. I am going to get enough sleep. I am not going to procrastinate. And I am going to go above and beyond what is needed for school. I am not really going to drink, because I am much too poor. That is really about it, but for me that is a lot. Oh yeah, I am going to be neater too (for my roommates sake).

I am glad you guys (only Nick and Dave since they are the only ones who read this) are reading this. I don't think I can chilax next weekend unlike I told Dave. It will have to be the weekend after next.

Later.

Alice Cooper
Be My Lover

She struts into the room well I don't know her but with a magnifying glance I just sort of looked her over hmm
We had a drink or two well maybe three and then suddenly she starts telling me her life story
She says baby if you wanna be my lover you better take me home
'cause it's a long long way to paradise and I'm still on my own
Told her that I came from Detroit city and I played guitar in a long haired rock and roll band
She asked me why the singer's name was Alice I said listen baby you really wouldn't understand
And I said baby if you wanna be my lover you better take me home
'cause it's a long long way to paradise and I'm still on my own on my own
Oh baby if you wanna be my lover you better take me home
'cause it's a long long way to paradise and I'm still on my own

That is a damn good song. I promise to write more soon, but now I am going to bed.

Eat Shit and DIE!!!

Alright, so I don't really want anyone to eat shit or die, because if they do no one would read this blog or the people reading this would simply have a bad taste in their mouths... In actuality, the heading was geared towards the media and the New York Yankees. Since the day the Tigers beat the Yankees in game 4 of the ALDS, I have heard little to nothing about the Tigers. Will the Boss fire Torre, what will become of A-Rod, and, man, did the Yankees blow it...

Screw that. A-Rod has no balls and sucks in the playoffs. Torre is a great manager who can handle the Egos rampaging through that dugout, and the team lost because their pitching is a bunch of old men who are no longer good and a bunch of young men who were never good. Brian Cashman is a fool with a blank check to build a team, but what he does not realize is that chemistry is much more important than people believe. How often do teams who do not really like each other win? Think about it, most (generalizations lie ahead) teams that win championships are relatively close knit. The Pistons, the Red Sox, others... You see my point.

So, in order to make the Yankees better, they need to kick A-Rod to the curb and make him a problem for some other team with a shitty GM. Trade him for some young pitching, starters and bullpen. Do the same with Giambi, maybe even Sheffield. Keep Jeter, Cano, Jesus, Melky, Wang, and some other players I am too lazy to look up right now. They have some good players, but they need good people too. Good team players. Players that are not so disenfranchised that they will play hard no matter what. And why am I giving the Yankees time on this blog, the media already talks about them enough. Screw them, let's get to more important things.

The game tonight. Tigers A's, Robertson and Zito. I believe that Robertson is a highly underrated pitcher. How many complete games did he pitch this year and last year that he LOST because of NO run support? That is my only concern tonight. I think the Tigers and the A's are very comparable. Both have good defense, timely hitting, and great pitching. Also, as mentioned above, the A's and Tigers are tight teams. Once the Yanks were broken, the Tigers walked all over them. The A's will not be broken in a similar manner. I think this will be a tightly contested series that... the... TIGERS will win. Read the previous blog to notice that I picked both the Tigers and the A's. So now, Big Steve, is picking the Tigers.

But why? I believe that Leyland has the heart and the confidence of his team and that will carry them through. Ken Macha is a good manager, but I don't think he is as inspirational as the Leyland. Did you see the celebration after the Tigers beat the Yankees? This Tigers team cares for one another and those bonds will carry them through. How individual games turn out, I cannot say, but one way or another the Tigers will win.

Finally, I had another reason for the above title. It refers to in-genuine people. Recently I have been around people who say one thing and do another. This bothers me to no end, because you never can know where these people are coming from. You have to give people the benefit of the doubt, but there are those people who take every advantage of that. I could give many examples, but that would not be fair to those shitheads who are lying and dishonest. It would not be right to those assholes who take what you give only to turn a cold shoulder on you in response. I know my words are worthless to stop it, but I am frustrated about it anyway.

I realize this blog is getting overly vague and pointless, so let me end it. If you have a history or are friends with someone and then you turn your back on them, you are dumb. If people reach out to help you and you spurn them, you deserve no help anymore. If you take what people are offering you, you owe it to them to return it back to them (unless it is those coupon people or people handing shit out in the diag). I guess what I am trying to say is that the people around us make us who we are. The impact you have in the world is on others. It is your duty as a human being to make that impact positive. And if someone is a dick and continues to be a dick, only then can you tell them to eat shit and die!

More Tigers Baseball and Your Ideal Mate

Today, after the game was cancelled last night, the tigers and future rookie of the year Justin Verlander, beat the Yankees in game 2 of the ALDS. The Yankees (fans) thought they would walk all over Leyland's boys, but that won't happen. Wes "The Gambler" Potts was sure the Tigers would blow it like they did game 1. But I said to him, I said "Leyland won't let that happen. He won't let them lose." And I was right... as far as game 2 was concerned.

Game 3 will feature Kenny Rogers against Randy Johnson... The Gambler against the Unit. What I see happening is the Tigers will come out well and will win game 3. Then, against a wall, the Yanks will take game 4 on Bonderman's start and a huge first inning. Then, in game 5, the Tigers will beat the Yanks again on another good start from Verlander to take the series.

As for the other series, the A's are going to win in 4 or 5. The Twins will not complete the comeback. Radke is old, Garza is too young (this not affect Verlander because he is cooler), Bonser has a weird first name "BOOF" sp?, and Santana cannot pitch 2 more games. Therefore the Twins will lose.

Hence the A's will play the Tigers in the ALCS. I really think people have overlooked the A's. They have 5 strong starters, some great infielders, and a good bullpen. Being an optimist, the Tigers will take them in 5. Therefore, I need to start working on my parents for an early Christmas present...

LET'S GO TIGERS!!!

Alright. Now for the "iffy" part of this blog. As we all know, I don't have much luck with women. I was very lucky to date a wonderful girl for nearly 6 years who taught me more about myself than I thought someone else could. Maybe I should thank her for that... Maybe she will read this... Anyway, we all know I suck at talking to girls. So, while chillin' with some friends the other day I said something to the effect of, "What I need is a dude with boobs and a vagina." That may come across as really dumb and somewhat "iffy" (in many ways). But I really thought about it, and I still maintain that it is true.

Things about me anyone stumbling upon this already knows, I am very lazy, I like picking on people, I love sports, am stubborn, and am very low maintenance. I would like a girl who likes sports, is low maintenace, can go out wearing a t-shirt and jeans, and can drink a beer and rip on me for the many stupid things I do (rule number steve) while I rip on her for the stupid thing she did recently.

I realize that saying, "I do not want a girly girl" would accomplish about the same while not having the strange undertones of what I said before, but that is one more reason I stick with my previous statement. Anyone who cares about the way I put it originally stated my thought would probably not fit into the type of person who can take and give some verbal sparring (in jest of course).

So there you have it. Take it for what you will. I cannot think of anymore cliches, so I am done. I would like to hear what you others think. Girls, guys, what would you like to see in a potential "whateversexyouareinterestedin"friend? This way I can also see who is reading this.

GO TIGERS!!!