communication breakdown

Karma Police

It's funny how things work out. A couple of days ago I'm talking with some guys at work about how I've never been to Chicago, and how cool everyone thinks it is, and that we should plan a trip soon to see a Cubs game or something. Well, the very next day, I found out that several of my fraternity brothers are on the way up to Chitown next weekend to see Man. U vs. Bayern Munich and were looking for someone to buy their spare ticket. Talk about an offer I couldn't refuse! I've never been to a major soccer match, so that should be an experience. Plus, there's the opportunity to tour around Chicago with some buddies of mine - not to mention, it's all very convenient for me, because I can get there in like 6 hours. I'm already looking forward to it...

Good thing this trip came along, too, because at the moment I'm really bummed about a trip I'm missing this weekend. There was a TaeKwon-Do tournament in Madison, Wisconsin that I've been planning on going to for awhile. It was going to be a cool opportunity for me because they were going to do a point-sparring competition (the kind where they stop action after each point is scored, i.e. Karate Kid), which I've never done before - every tournament I've ever been to does 2 minute continuous sparring. Plus, Sunday was going to be a chance to get together with all the other black belts who are planning to test in November, along with other high-ranks who could answer questions and provide valuable guidance that I need right now. But alas, I wasn't able to go. Why not, you ask? Well, that brings me to my next point...

The back situation. I don't know what's going on with my back. One day it feels fine - the next it's sharply painful. I've been somewhat diligent about no strenuous activity, sticking to ice packs at night and gentle stretching/exercises - but again, those have varying results per day. Because of the variability I can't really tell if it's getting better or not. It's been 3 weeks now - and it's beginning to test my sanity. Maybe this is God teaching me a lesson in patience - I hope so, in order that something good may come of this. At the moment it's painless, so let's hope that lasts through the night. I just want to be past all of this so I can get back to living my life.

For those who know me well, I violated one of my personal creeds today - I finally submitted to a viewing of "The Princess Bride". Most people probably don't know why, but suffice it to say I had vowed not to see the film. However, someone reserved one of the large training rooms at work today to watch the movie, as an "It's Friday Afternoon, So Let's Take A Break And Not Work Hard" activity. Basically it was either watch the movie and take a couple of hours off, or sit in front of a computer screen and keep working - when put that way, it wasn't hard to relent. I knew it was only a matter of time anyways. I guess it wasn't as horrible as I expected, but it also wasn't anywhere near The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread, which is what many people I know seem to think of it. A review of it will be posted shortly...

Recommendation of the day: if you're at all interested in politics and ever wanted to run your own country, check out NationStates. The site is basically a plug for Max Barry's novel "Jennifer Government', but it's a cool political simulator. Basically, you get to create your own nation, and decide policy decisions that affect how your nation operates. You can join the UN and vote on resolutions, etc. It's a minor time-consumer but it's kind of fun and gives you a chance to exercise the Little Gray Cells for a few minutes per day. You know what they say: use 'em or lose 'em....

Lastly, the craziest thing that happened this week. Lately, we've been going out on lunch break to play some horseshoes about once a week. Given the kind of weather we've been having this summer (low 70s), it's actually possible to do this without combusting. Anyways, a couple of weeks ago I go to Target to purchase a horseshoes set, because any self-respecting man owns one. There was the SportCraft $20 set that looked pretty decent, and then there was the Eddie Bauer Special Limited Edition Professional Quality Luxury Hardcore Set. Those suckers were like gold-plated, came in a Samsonite bulletproof suitcase, and cost about $60. Anyways, I figured I'll get the $20 set, because: hey, horseshoes are horseshoes, right? Wrong, my friend. We're out there this week, using them for about the 4th or 5th time. In the middle of the second game, one of my co-workers throws a dead ringer. One problem though: there's only half a horseshoe wrapped around the stake. The rest of it flew halfway across the pit. The freaking stake split the horseshoe in half! I've never seen anything like it. However, I can't say I'm too surprised - after examining the inside of the horseshoe, we realized that, when SportCraft says it gave you "metal horseshoes", they really meant "crappy synthetic semi-metal pseudo-horseshoes". Moral of the story: Eddie Bauer's kung-fu is the best, baby...