Ra'a

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

...and that's when I finally understood Rocky III


I took a sick day from work on Monday. I took a sick day from church the day before. It was on this day that I viewed Rocky III for the 9,297,013th time. While I'm embarrassed to admit it, this was the first time I really got the part when Rocky and Adrian are arguing on the beach in LA, while Rocky is training for his rematch with Clubber Lang (played by Mr. T).

About...48 minutes before this scene, Rocky's long-time trainer (Mick) breaks the news to him that for his last 10 fights, his opponents have been "hand picked" because Mick believed Rocky shoudn't even be alive from his fights with Apollo Creed. All the while, Rocky had believed for the last 3 years that he was fighting the best competition out there. It is because of this that Mick does not want Rocky fighting the number 1 contender, who at this point is Lang.

To fast forward a bit, Rocky fights Lang and loses. Mick dies, leaving Rocky with no trainer...enter Creed. Apollo teaches Rocky about quickness, agility, moving on the balls of his feet, etc. One day, Apollo takes Rocky to the beach to do sprint training, during which Rocky gives up, leading Apollo to remark that his chances of regaining his title are "over."

It is at this moment that Adrian approaches Rocky and tells him that he shouldn't quit because she believes he is the fighter he has been led to believe he was all this time. Rocky, however, makes the exclamation "Nothing is real if you don't believe in who you are!", suggesting that he now views his title-defenses as bogus because he was beating fighters who were easy competition and no longer has faith in his boxing skills.

For years, this statement "nothing is real if you don't believe in who you are" made no sense to me in the context of the movie, mainly because the tape at my parents house is an illegal copy (hope no one at the FBI reads this) and the sound was pretty ghetto-fied. So, now that I was able to view this film in decent audio quality, I finally understand what Rocky was yelling about. Most of you who read this probably understood the movie perfectly. I mean, come on, its Sylvester Stallone. But I get it now, so don't fret. And I totally blame poor sound for my original blur.

Many of you may be waiting for some biblical parallel to be drawn here...

Nope, I just really wanted to share my new Rocky knowledge (but I'm currently reading 1 Samuel 1-10 and am very impressed with Hannah's committment to her original promise)

Until next time,

dm

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

What a day, what a day...



Wow, yesterday was quite interesting. A system overload for me, if you will (and if you won't...choke). I learned very exciting (and surprising) news.

The first came around lunch time, with one of my best friends, Mike Reading, calling me in a panic, saying that his wife had taken 2 EPT tests, both of them saying she was pregnant. He was on the way to take her to a doctor to find out for sure if they were going to have a baby. Sure enough, Amber is 8-10 weeks pregnant. Considering they've been married only 8 months, it was quite the surprise. I was happy to accept the role of the child's godfather. And by accepting the role, I mean I asked Mike "Hey, can I be the godfather...I don't want to take care of the kid if you die, but I just want the title." He said "Sure, why not?"

So, in 7 months, I'll be THE GODFATHER...

On to my next piece of news from yesterday. Another one of my best friends, Travis Ashby (from high school), let me know that he is getting married April 28th. He also asked me to be his best man, which I was honored to agree to.

So I've been named a godfather and a best man all in the same day. Please, if anything major happens in anyone else's life in the near future, don't tell me for a little while. I've had too much information for one week.

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Sat. Sat.


A new tradition emerged roughly a month ago here in Little Rock. Ok, the tradition is not really a Little Rock thing, but a Grant, Nathan, Chris, and Me thing.

It started when Grant and I dropped off our roommate (Justin) at the airport one Saturday morning and needed a place for breakfast...or lunch...brunch. We first went to a restaraunt in the Little Rock airport. The menu looked pricey and we guessed the food would not be that great. So, we opted to go find some place new, some place different, some place...good.

Our decision...Satellite Cafe.

Though not much to look at, this place boasts great food, one great piece of art, and a yuppy crowd to make you think that you are richer than you actually are. Its subtle, small, and always busy. The one true downfall is the price. For instance, a glass of orange juice costs $4.25. One pancake is $3.00. I usually get "Rodney's breakfast sandwich" which is 3 egg whites on 9-grain bread with pepper jack cheese and salsa fresca. I like to get a side of a pancake or hashbrowns, something to take the edge off (i don't really know what that phrase means, but I've always wanted to use it and it seems to work there).

We've named this event "Sat. Sat." for obvious reasons. All that to say, if you are ever in Little Rock on a Saturday around 11:00 a.m., you can expect to see me and my entourage at Satellite Cafe. I highly recommend it...but bring your wallet!

Thursday, February 08, 2007

My Attempt at Abstract

Focus on...

Resurrection

Projects
Eternity

Training

The Word

Finances

Father

Social Life

Sovereign

Love

Kingdom

Friends

Love

Family

People

Future

Truth

I AM not

Meditate

Prime time

I AM

Myself

Redemption




Focus on...

Thursday, February 01, 2007

The Worst Tasting Supplement...Ever


"Eureeka! Eureeka!"

Those were the words uttered by the genius that discovered the catapult. Though those weren't quite the words I said the first time I took a gulp of Amino Fuel, I have certainly found the worst tasting supplement known to man.

I've tried a lot of supplements: proteins, carb drinks, creatine; but this stuff beats all of them in its ability to literally make me cringe at the thought of taking it. Why do I continue? Because I was raised by a CPA who used to always tell me anytime we were in a restaraunt, "Order whatever you want, as long as you eat all of it." Well, I take those words to heart, especially now that I have to pay for everything myself. And I'm not about to let my hard earned money go to waste.

The truth is I bought the stuff with a gift card that I found in my wallet from when I graduated college. Yeah, I don't know how I've had it for almost 2 years and not used it. It felt like finding a 5 dollar bill in your jeans that you forgot about. Bliss...

Also, who is Beechnut? I'm guessing Jenny? Identify yourself, anonymity is only for hitmen.