So the question that has been bothering me for the last few weeks has been the trade for one life for another. Not delving into the death penelty, but I wonder when a human adult has a child and decides to pour their entire life into their child, does society better itself by this trade? Parent for Child?
We all know people that have made sacrifices for their children, and my question is when a person abandons their dreams to provide for their child - is that a selfish and, dare I say, a cowardly decision? Isn't it easier to focus one's efforts simply on making money for your children than exploring what you truly want to do? I argue that it is.
This may tie into the great self discovery that one does throughout their life, but I posit that the search for yourself is much harder than grinding out a salary. That being said, which one benefits society more in a utilitarian sense? I don't know.
Not to say that own personal philosphy is completely utilitarian, but the process of reproduction in modern times kind of facinates me. Personally, I can't wait to have children, but I imagine that when I do, I will more focused on my children's growth than my own. And as a continually evolving being, will this leave with regrets? Will I be able to reconcile, this fact? Will I resent the child? I hope I don't, but I feel that the majority of people in this life make their living by other means than what they truly want to do.
What did Langston Hughes remark on a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? The only thing that gives me comfort from quoting Langston Hughes in my blog (which I acknowledge is pretty ridiculous) is that Puffy played the lead role in a made for TV movie only a few weeks ago...
Sports
It's been a few days since Free Agency has begun in the NFL and we've (and by we I mean the fans) already since ridiculous contracts been thrown around by teams. ESPN calls the G-Men one of the losers from FA, because they lost Mitchell, Gibril Wilson, and Reggie Tobor. I welcome this - I am glad that the Giants haven't given the deals to those players they lost and I struggle to find a contract that was given in free agency that comes away as a good deal for the team that landed the player (Randy Moss - the exception).
In support of Gang Green, I do like the moves that they have made on their offensive line, but they have to boost their skill positions through the draft. I think their siging of Calvin Pace could have better served chasing down Michael "the burner" Turner, but apparently they feel that Calvin Pace is the Adailius Thomas player that will make the difference. Here's a clue - he's not - at least not at 6 yrs @ 42M with 22M guaranteed. The only more ridiculous contract were all Raiders contracts
The Arizona Cardinals have yet to produce talent that the league can sign: the exceptions are Thomas Jones (who kind of finally panned out but prob not worth the high draft pick that they spent on him) and the greatest Card of them all - Aeneas Williams. Aeneas also holds the distinction for ending Steve Youngs career. There's a youtube clip package I can't wait for - hits in the NFL that ended other player's career - from Chuck Cecil/Al Toon, LT/Theisman, Leaping Lavar Arrington/ Aikman, Williams/Young, Tim Huack/ Michael Irivin, this list could go forever....
As for the Jets, they also swapped one dissappointing NT for another and lost Jonathan Vilma who I thought was one of their shining stars. But again - who cares about the Jets.
One more sports note, as I write, my team, the Houston Rockets are on their way to their 17 straight victory (4 or 5 without Chairman Yao). This could be the year that they finally get out of the first round...doubtful. I think if they draw the Hornets or Nuggets they can win - if not - I see them folding like some sort of folding chair.
Film
Recent Films that I have seen:
- Dragon Wars - Never before in the history of cinema has their been a more misleading title to a film. It would be as if you went to see a film called Predator vs Aliens and it was 2 hours of the Predator sitting down with Wallace Shawn doing a "My Dinner with Andre". The only Dragon War (Dragon v Dragon) that occurs in the film happens at the 75 minute mark of the film and lasts approx 12 minutes. I (and my friend that I saw this with) was flabbergasted.
- The only thing that made this better was that we threw on Boondock Saints after which provided a nice sorbet-like palate cleanser. Does it get better than Dafoe in that film? He's better in this than Platoon.
- In Bruges - This was a film that wasn't sure what it exactly was. It has the elements of drama and comedy - both of which are effectively dramatic and comedic. The tone of the film can't make up its mind and the viewer is a bit frustrated. I would reccomend this as a rental because Farrell, Gleason, and Fiennes are all highly watchable. The message of the film might have been don't kill, but I can't convince myself that it's more complicated than that....I offer this review by one of my recent favorite reviewers which savages the film: http://filmfreakcentral.net/screenreviews/inbruges.htm
- Hamburger Hill - 1987 film made about a battle in Vietnam that wasn't a critical misson to the war but eventually drew news coverage from the US media due to the loss (or perceived loss of life) for such a non-crucial target. The acutal battle came towards the end of the war: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hamburger_Hill. The film wasn't great but did feature decent performances by young Leo Fish (Dylan McDermott), Cheadle, Steven Weber, and Courtney Vance. The film suffers from the fact that they try to make you care about all 14 soldiers that are storming the hill and what your left with is caring about none of them. As I saw this on basic cable with commercials, I believe that certain films (war films included), don't benefit from the interrupption by an animated Spanish bee hawking Nasonex or the numerous erectile disfunction adds that seem to dominate the airwaves - maybe that's just me....
- Do the Right Thing - Another film that I had to catch on basic cable (which is a mistake), but I had never seen it start to finish. If you haven't seen it (which is akin to have you never had to suffer through Steve Harvey's comedy), you should. It's really good (which again, I don't think I'm going out on a limb here - I just really enjoyed it).
- Boogie Nights - Not much to said for this except its a joy to watch for all the individual performances like most PTA films. Highly enjoyable - my favorite part (besides Molina playing Eddie Nash) is the conversation between William H Macy and Ricky Jay in the parking lot following Macy catching his wife getting plowed by some dude in the middle of a party with a group of people looking on.
What I'm Listening To:
- Handsome Boy Modeling School - The Projects
- Oasis - Don't Believe The Truth - The Importance of Being Idle
- The Who - A Quick One - So Sad About Us
- Donovan - Greatest Hits - Sunshine Superman
- Queens of the Stone Age - Rated R - Lost Art of Keeping a Secret
So there has already been significant moves, by many teams in the early hours of free agency. And the only moves I kind of care about happen in the NFC East: Asante Samuel to the birds, Flowzell Adams stays with the Boys, Todd Collins (totally worth 3m a year) resigns with the Skins,
But the largest signing to me was Kavicka Mitchell, former NY Giant and super bowl champ signed with the Bills for a longterm deal for 5 years. As a Giants fan, I shed no tears over his loss - he really wasn't that good but did win a regular season game for Big Blue.
Neighborhood
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