Wednesday, February 22, 2006

My Olympic moment...

Since my return to the blogosphere I've done a terrible job of posting and keeping up on things, despite the fact that I have a lot to say. I just can't find the time to just sit down and concentrate and really put my thoughts into words.

Anyway...it's olympic time. Not that anyone cares. Ratings are down (while the X-Games ratings are up. Hmmm.) and I just haven't gotten into them. Well, with one exception.

Curling.

The sport we all make fun of has become my latest obsession. I love it. And I still don't understand all of it. There are some crazy rules I still haven't caught on to, but I sure am addicted. Makes me want to move to Canada. Or Bemidji, Minnesota. Might just have to subscribe to the CBC so I can get it year round.

If you're not familiar with curling, it's kind of like a combination of shuffleboard, bocci ball, and housecleaning, played on ice with chess-like strategies. A real thinking sport. And the beauty of it is, anyone can play. Even I could play. You don't have to be buff, ripped, rail-thin, tall, short, or anything. You could even be a gray-haired, slightly overweight, non-athletic man approaching his 44th birthday. And I think I might still have four years of college eligibility left.

I feel like a new man!

Thursday, February 09, 2006

U2 Dismantles the Grammys

I'm a naysayer. I generally dismiss awards shows as politicized popularity contests. Kind of like electing a third grade class president. Only the most popular kid wins. Regardless of talent, poliltical platform ("I promise to try to get candy in the cafeteria!"), or any sort of substance.

Last night's Grammy Awards proved me wrong. Kinda. I'm not ready to give up on my cynicism yet. U2 walked off (or should i say "walked on") with five Grammys: Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Rock Album, Rock Song, and one of those awards they seem to create in order to just give out more awards: Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal (I think). More on that in a minute. But to see a band of substance (full disclosure: Yes, they are my favorite band. No, I'm not obsessed), a band with talent, a band that not only transcends musical labels but transcends the entire music scene itself (there are very few entertainers I can take seriously when they start talking politics) win on music's self-title "most important night"...it gives me some faith.

Not only were they the big winners, but they beat out top nominees Mariah Carey (substance?) and Kanye West (What Would Kanye Do?). All in all a good night, and wasn't it interesting to see Sly Stone again, even if he was trying to do his best George Clinton impersonation?

I promise to try to blog here more often. That is my intent, but the days fly by and work is busy, family life is busy, and there is just a heck of a lot going on. But just to tease you, my intent is to start a series called "What's wrong with the church?" Could be a long series....