Bookworm, sports nut, overall weird dude.

First things first: Remember this blog? Needless to say, it took me forever to really start reading. I finally cracked open Hit and Run this past week--and finished it in last night, taking approximately 5 days (+/-). Real good book. It was the third and final tale within a series of books about Lawrence Block's protagonist, Keller--an ironically likable hit man. Fun story with several twists and turns, and a fun ending.

I'm still finding it too difficult to dive into Wild at Heart, a book gifted to me from my best friend--who no longer speaks to me. So it's back on the shelf for now. Heart-wrenching bookmark and all.

So the current pick: The Testament - John Grisham

This is just one of at least 6 unread Grisham books on my shelf. If I like it enough, I could very well have a very Grisham summer, 2010. We shall see. Ideally, I'd like to try and knock out a book a week for as long as possible. At current pace, should be an OK goal.


Moving on: Helluva sports day. I mean, epic. I mean, so much so that even if you're not all that interested in sports, you should appreciate how big a sports day today has been. And if you don't, well...I probably don't have much to say to you.

World Cup: Team USA needed to win, or they were done. Correction, they could have moved on with a tie, but only if England tied and scored less than 2 in their game. Or something. Huge stakes. Knotted at nil-nil and knowing England had already won, the drama was intense. In extra time, Landon Donovan punched in the winner, sealing perhaps the most thrilling soccer victory in United States history. President Clinton was there, watching in person--in tears and had lost his voice. I'm just saying...


Wimbledon: John Isner, United States. Nicolas Mahut, France. If you don't know the names, you will. Or...check the record books in about 500 years and their names will still be there. Longest match ever. In the history of tennis. Ever. By far. Ever. In fact, the 5th set alone has lasted longer than the next-longest match ever. Oh yeah, and it's not over yet. Play was suspended today (again). They will resume tomorrow, having already played 9 hours, 58 minutes. The 5th set is tied 59-59. The only word I have to describe this: Superrinsanecrazyludicrousridiculousness!

Utterly ridiculous day in the world of sports...and the Cubs don't even play until 9:10 tonight.

Lastly, I have effectively managed to put my entire foot in my mouth on multiple occasions (same topic) already this week. But it needed to be done. It was something I was hesitant about, but decided to listen to the advice of a friend [Thanks, Brit] and go ahead with it. So glad I did, too. It's out of my hands now...big relief. Time to move on from that situation. Like I've said before--in regards to other topics--I've done all I can.


Happy reading,
Derrick

What's my age again?

I was already plotting a post about age this past week--and officiating little kids' basketball games this weekend strengthened the desire to put something down.

"Grow up."
"Act your age." --just a couple things people often say (not to me; OK, sometimes to me). But why?

Don't mistake me, I get it. I understand the importance of learning from things as we get older, and putting that knowledge to use as the years go by. Whatever. But...it leads me to a few questions:

Why is maturity essentially synonymous losing one's sense of humor?
Why is maintaining a sense of humor synonymous with immaturity?

Why can't adults just relax and live life?

Tell jokes, laugh at yourself, have fun...enjoy life to the fullest. Corny cliche, but a necessary reminder, I think.

I've never understood why most people seem to hit a wall in life where they immediately become boorish and lacking in the heartfelt compassion that we possess by the truckload as children.

And don't feed me the load of bull about more responsibilities, bills, etc. That's hooey. If you think you're mature enough to live in responsible situations, be mature enough to roll with the punches and deal with whatever life throws at you.

While reffing several kids' basketball games this weekend, it hit me--adults suck. Half those kids were there because they love to play the game; half because they get to be around their friends. And while various parents lived and died with every call, their child would simply run the other way and shrug it off.

Only adults carry grudges--children are far too wise.

Opinion: Just because you know more stuff, it doesn't make you smarter.

"You're only as old as you feel," they say. Well...stop feeling so old, dummy. Do whatever it takes to feel young. Be a kid--even if just at heart.



Ironic thought: I've never heard a senior citizen complain about being old. Not once. All the 'I'm getting old' rants I hear are generally from people under 30 who don't know what being old even means.

"Respect your elders." - well that's just a given. Do it. Sir, ma'am, please, thanks, and so on. But you know what? Blaming a lack of respect on today's youth is pretty ignorant--and lazy, if you ask me. Do a better job of instilling respect as a parent, and you won't have to complain about it down the road. Simple as that.

Disclaimer: I am almost 25. I feel sore a lot after playing basketball--but I love it. I relish that sore feeling. Makes me feel like I've done something, accomplished something. And besides, better than not feeling anything at all, right?

Few more fun quotes about age...

"Every man over 40 is a scoundrel." - George Bernard Shaw

"None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm." - Henry David Thoreau

"A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman's birthday but never remembers her age." - Robert Frost

Finally, I'll leave you with a clip of a commercial I've always loved, featuring perhaps the best soccer player in the world, Ronaldinho. I think it's brilliant.



Act whatever age sounds like fun,
Derrick

Ah, technology. I miss the quiet already...

Day 29: INcomplete

Morning session: N/A
Evening session: 6.93
Total distance: 6.93 miles

No morning run again. Was heading out the door when it started pouring, so I didn't end up going. Disappointing once again.

Rejoined Facebook, MySpace, MSN, Yahoo tonight. Figured I earned it--just not based on the performances of this past week! ;)

No pop, or "junk" food indulgences yet, though. Still two days left. I need to hit 350, or I'll be very disappointed--goal, or no goal. 14 miles to go. Easily do-able.

No sports movie tonight, but I'll watch the one I got from the library sometime tomorrow: Victory.

Haven't seen it yet, but it's got Sly Stallone, and Pele in it, so it can't be half bad, eh?

No Top 10 list tonight. Laptop battery dying, and I have other stuff to get to. Apologies. I'll make it up tomorrow. Maybe another Top 15? ;)

D, out.