Monthly Archives: May 2014
Happy Memorial Day!
Today is one of the annual occasions when we all pause and pay special tribute to the men and women (veterans and those serving right now) who protect and defend the freedoms we treasure so much in the United States.
To all those in the armed services: Thank You!!!
God Bless the U.S.A.!
He’s Got 23 Tickets to Soccer Paradise
No Brad Evans.
No Clarence Goodson.
No Terrence Boyd.
No Michael Parkhurst.
No Landon Donovan.
These five players did not receive itinerary for Brazil. The omission of Landon Donovan from the final 23-man roster was the most shocking, but the other four left-out are curious and telling as well.
Coach Klinsmann is taking a chance with his back four, especially with the inclusion of Omar Gonzalez, Geoff Cameron and DaMarcus Beasley (presumed 3 of the 4 starters). You can guarantee that if Beasley starts (who likely replaced Parkhurst or Evans), Ghana, Portugal and Germany will attack on that flank all game long. And they’ll only need to convert one chance on Beasley’s side to potentially sink the United States. Trading defense for a chance offensive counter-attack. Good decision?
No Goodson in the middle of the defense? Anybody else remember Jay DeMerit back in 2010? I do. It was embarrassing. There has to be a solid presence directly in front of Howard. Period. Goodson could have played that role. One concern is that both Gonzalez and Cameron have been caught off-guard on more than one occasion on the national team as central defenders…
No Terrence Boyd? It would have been fun to see a true forward come in late in a game and play without fear of his opponent, which seems to be the style of Boyd. He’s also athletic and can score in a variety of ways. They’ll need that presence in all three of their games and it seems like he would have been a logical option to come off the bench for the Americans.
And now Donovan.
Admittedly, I have criticized Donovan in the past for getting lost in big games, including 15 to 20-minute intervals at any given time. He never seems to play in just one position either, which contributed to the need for a GPS tracker to be wrapped on his ankle. Regardless, he is the leading scorer in USMNT history (57) and the leading scorer in World Cups (5), he has serious wheels, he can shoot and pass with precision, he’s won championships and this was his last shot at playing in a World Cup. Granted, he’s played in three World Cups already, but this was it. He’s done now with the USMNT. He’s 32. If he didn’t make it this time, there’s zero chance of him making the squad in four years. Klinsmann has made that clear.
The U.S. is still sending some talented players to Brazil (Tim Howard, John Brooks, Michael Bradley, Mix Diskerud, Julian Green, Graham Zusi, Jozy Altidore, Aron Johannsson and Clint Dempsey), but why not include Donovan? Even as a super sub (Algeria, Algeria, Algeria…)? It’s one spot. He’s easily better than half of the players who made the final roster. It makes no sense. There’s no logic to it, except if there’s some sort of personal issue between Donovan and Klinsmann. Either way, it’s just downright confusing.
This is only a quick reaction to the roster news that broke last night. There will be plenty more in-depth analysis between now and the start of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil right here at Jimmy’s Daily Planet for the United State and the rest of the talent-heavy field.
There were good selections and bad omissions on USMNT final roster.
In about a month, we’ll find out if Klinsmann handed out the right 23 tickets that made his trip to Brazil either paradise or a nightmare.
The Hope for Justice
“Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice”
Ladies and gentlemen, two years out from its release date, at least we can take comfort in the fact that the title is awesome.
It’s common knowledge that the Man of Steel sequel will take super leaps and bounds towards a Justice League movie. Add in the fact that there will be an epic battle between arguably the two biggest superheroes of all-time and the potential for this film is becoming increasingly limitless.
Still, there are a few questions that remain/should be asked:
- Will Ben Affleck succeed as the guardian of Gotham? After Christian Bale’s masterful performance (and throw Christopher Nolan’s vision and expertise into that mix as well), all things Batman will be scrutinized. Quite frankly, after The Dark Knight trilogy, it should be. Playing this character is tricky because if an actor cannot make an audience believe they really are a dedicated and skillful crime-fighting force in an adult bat costume, while also gallivanting as a billionaire playboy in modern day Gotham City, well, then that universe falls apart in a hurry (remember George Clooney and Val Kilmer?). As we watch his portrayal on the silver screen, we’ll find out quickly what truly motivated this controversial casting decision.
- Why not give Superman a second movie by himself to battle with Lex Luthor and a surprise villain, in which Wonder Woman and/or Batman could be teased at the end of the sequel? Man of Steel was a gritty, realistic (for a superhero movie) story of how an alien adapted to his adopted planet, adopted parents and adopted citizens with his evolving super powers. It was an origin story. Consequently, this warranted only one scene of vintage Clark Kent flirting with Lois Lane. Shouldn’t fans get a full movie of Superman battling an enemy/enemies on Earth as a newly declared human within Metropolis with Lois Lane close by? Trust me, Superman can carry a movie by himself. Just judging by the title, a little patience would have been nice…
- Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor? If he can duplicate his performance from The Social Network, he could shine as the digitally-deft villain from the Millennial generation. Like Christopher Reeve, Margot Kidder and Terence Stamp, Gene Hackman is forever treasured as an icon in the Superman cinematic universe. Fans will and should compare the performances of the aforementioned actors and actress from the 1978 classic to today’s portrayals. Like the Ben Affleck casting, the Eisenberg choice will go either really well or really badly. Quick question, was Billy Zane considered for Lex Luthor? Actually, that not a quick question, that’s a very serious question.
- Will Wonder Woman get a worthy and well-deserved character introduction with a background story or will she be introduced as more of a super sidekick? This is a powerful moment for a female superhero to shine in the spotlight for multiple generations of women and girls to see and relate to. Are they crowding the Justice pool with too many characters too quickly? Does Wonder Woman deserve an origin story?
The expectations will be super (pun intended) around this time in 2016 for Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Will this movie do the modern superhero story and its beloved characters justice by soaring to new cinematic heights?
Either way, it seems fitting to put our hope in the man of steel.
Generation C
Graduation.
Whether it’s from high school or college, it’s an event of celebration, reflection and some lighthearted humor.
Plus, a life lesson or two.
Interestingly, high school graduation feels more like a collective achievement because we all made it to that singular destination (college). Our high school class grew up together, from our first memories at preschool. Regardless of the specific university, we were going to college.
We did it!
Graduating from college is more of an individual achievement because we (more than likely) went to school with people from different towns, states and maybe even countries. Our studies were specialized to our interests. At this point, after walking across the stage with our diploma in-hand, we had to find our specific destination within the gigantic and chaotic thing called “the real world.”
Can I do it?
Six years later, I’ve thought about what I would like to hear if I was just now graduating from college. Or, what I wished I had heard six years ago.
Here it goes, a shortened version anyways.
——————————-
The world we live in is a crazy place. And I mean crazy! Just watch or read the news at any hour of the day and you know what I’m talking about.
“Why have they spent the past 24 hours telling us they haven’t found this plane yet?”
The world is a busy and random place. The people we come across on a daily basis ranges from normal to the absurd, yet everything seems to function as it’s supposed to, like clockwork.
How does all this come together to work?
I guess it’s all just kind of imperfectly perfect.
Anyways…Doctor. Lawyer. Captain of Industry.
These are the sough-after “money” positions. These are the jobs we should pursue, right?
Yes and no.
If it fits for you, then sure, absolutely. If not, find something that fits you better, whether it exists or not.
My sincere advice?
Whatever ranks you decide to join or invent as an entrepreneur, be sure to add your special kind of craziness to the mix, both in and out of the workplace.
What do I mean?
Be crazy nice and always open the door for the person behind you or in front of you.
Be crazy awesome and launch a business that makes dynamite food concoctions (FYI- Voodoo Doughnut in Portland nailed it with their Bacon Maple Bar doughnut!).
Be crazy in love and dedicate yourself to that special someone in your life.
Be crazy creative and market in ways thought to be too “outside the box.”
Be crazy compassionate and volunteer at the local Food Bank in your spare time and connect in ways you never imagined.
Be crazy inspiring and wash the windows at a local hospital in a superhero costume as excited kids watch.
Be crazy dancing guy/girl and make someone laugh on a Wednesday.
Be crazy enough to believe you can bring something to the “real world” that makes it a little better.
In this economy, jobs are few and far between. Past assumptions about living post-college are flying out the window. Will the above result in your dream job? I have no idea, but for this generation, you must be dedicated to thinking that you have the opportunity (and necessity) to bring some positive craziness to a world that’s becoming increasingly crazy and uncertain. If you do, then maybe that one person will take a chance on you for that job you’ve always wanted? Maybe that one person will say “yes” to a date? Maybe that one person will inspire you to do something you’re passionate about, but were too nervous to do before?
Instead of looking for a needle in a haystack, become that needle in a haystack. Be a bright, shining presence who is ready for their shot when the right person looks in your direction.
You’d be crazy not to.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 