My Thoughts on Road Trips

Tomorrow is the last leg of my two month vacation. Two months of traveling, seeing the globe. I've seen more aspects of he world through that time then I ever had in my life. This road trip that I've been on was one of the most enlightening experiences of my life. I left Minnesota a few days ago after visiting with Emily and her family. Since then, I've been driving back home. I had never driven this long before, but tacking 3000 miles onto my car has really helped put some perspective on the rest of the country.

The variations in different regions of the nation really make themselves clear when you're spending 6-8 hours on the open road. For example, when I stopped in rural Ohio for the World Cup game on Thursday, I was shocked about how tight knit the community was. And likewise, visitng Bard College in Red Hook, NY was a new way to meet some very interesting young adults, in addition to catching up with one of my oldest friends.

I think the coolest part of driving alone is all the reflecting I was able to accomplish on my trip. Especially on my drive yesterday, through northern Pennsylvania, I spent a lot of time thinking about my life up to this point, and on my life going forward. For me, time alone is nice. It provides piece of mind for me to sit by myself and let my mind run like my corolla, endlessly galloping down the open road.

Driving is relaxing. When it's beautiful out, and I have new, exciting scenery to see, it provides a bliss that I would have never known until this trip. I can't wait to do it again, no matter when it ends up being.

My Thoughts on Father's Day

I'm aware that it's been awhile since I've blessed the internet with my horribly articulated opinions. I'm aware that, since I am no longer posting these to Facebook, my readership will remain practically zero. But I've decided that I'd like to pick up this blog again, if only as a personal journal of sorts, although, slightly less private than most.

Today was Father's Day. I'm sure many people are aware of that, but for me, it was a tough one. For the first time in my life, I did not have the privilege of spending the day with my dad. As I'm sure I've alluded to, if not outright said,  my dad and I are very close. He is the single largest male influence on my life in so many more ways than he could possibly imagine. I told him earlier that I hope to someday be a fraction of the man that he is, and I don't know if he understands how literally I mean that. The selfless way that he goes about his day-to-day life is something that I continually strive to accomplish.

For years now, he has worked tirelessly to provide for my family. He and my mother have made quite the dynamic duo in terms of raising my sisters and I. The other day I was having a conversation and this is what he said to me, "I work hard every day. I've gone to work for 30-something years now, never complaining, and always with you and your sisters in mind. I have driven you guys all over for social gatherings and sporting events, I provide pretty much anything you guys ask for, and what do I get as a reward? The opportunity.. To pooperscoop"

Well dad, I hate to tell you this, you drew the short end of the straw. While I know that sometimes it may suck to imagine a life like that, I can't imagine what my life would be like if you had done otherwise. Everything I ever accomplish can be directly credited to you and mom, and I like to think that you two will one day share in whatever those accomplishments may be. Although there is only one day where society dictates I acknowledge your brilliant parenting, I'd like for you to know, that I remind myself every day how lucky I am to have a father like you.

For me, my personal thoughts on Father's Day consist of this: to serve as a reminder that few, if any, people in the history of the world, are as lucky as I consider myself.

I love you, dad.

My Thoughts on Why Books are (Almost) Always Better than Movies

I watched One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest yesterday for the first time. For years, my mother has been telling me I would love it, and I certainly did. Jack Nicholson was spot on as R.P. McMurphy. He did a fantastic job flirting with that line between sanity and not, just as Ken Kesey intended with his novel. I read the book last summer, and (just because this is such a classic cliche) the book was way better.

Obviously this is one of the most common and annoying phrases, and everybody says it. However, there are two primary reasons everybody says this after they see a movie that is based on one of their favorite books. The first of these is that books allow your imagination to do what it is designed for. The way I imagined Chief as I was reading Kesey's classic was not quite the way that Milos Forman imagined him in his film adaptation. Not that there is anything wrong with Chief's portrayal, but I like to let my brain create images and sceneries that are specific to me. This is a truly beautiful quality of books that movies simply cannot replicate.

The second big reason, for me at least, that books are usually better is because books do a much better job at really explaining some of the finer details of a plot. I like to use A Song of Ice and Fire as an example for this one. I started watching the HBO series A Game of Thrones prior to reading the books. Because of this, my imagination was not free to create the characters the way I saw fit, I imagined Ned Stark as Sean Bean in my head, Robert Baratheon as Mark Addy, etc. However, one aspect of the book that was far more useful than the show was the explanation behind the history of the 7 kingdoms. Martin goes into great detail about Robert and his rebellion, while the show does not do a great job fully explaining this. The same is true in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The relationship between Chief and McMurphy was a close, intimate bond in the book. Chief connected with McMurphy for a number of reasons, and this was why he killed him at the end, instead of letting R.P. live out his days as a vegetable. I didn't think the movie emphasized this relationship enough, which was a bit of a shame.

Obviously there are exceptions to this rule. For example, I love the Fight Club book. Chuck Palahniuk is a phenomenal author. However, the movie Fight Club spoke to the adolescent teenage boy I was like no movie ever had. It remains my favorite movie ever, and although the book is great, it does not quite compete.

But there is a reason literature is a timeless art. Although the nature of books is evolving, I don't think it will ever be replaced as Ray Bradbury predicts. I believe that inherently, humans yearn to be creative. Books allow us to do that. While a story is being told to us, it is up to the reader to create the imagery and visualize the action. That is something that a movie will never be able to recreate.

My Thoughts on the 2013 Boston Red Sox

In 2011, when the Red Sox collapsed during the month of September, I remember walking into my bedroom at school and crying. I watched my favorite team let the division and then the wild card slip out of their grasps on the last day of the season and I literally cried. The next year, I sat idly by and watched my beloved Sox suffer their worst season in decades.

However, this season felt different, from the very beginning. I remember watching games on NESN in early April and all of the commercials for the team were basically aimed at gaining the trust of the fans back. After the debacle that we had gone through over the last two years, this team was concerned with marketing themselves in a light that regained the respect of us fans.

They've done it. This memorable season is in the books and I have wanted to write this blog since early August. I've never dedicated as much time, energy, or passion towards a sports team before. From the very beginning, I was watching almost every game. The opening night win over the Yanks, Nava's three run homer in the wake of the Boston Marathon Bombings, and Bucholz's (sp?) incredible start. I've never invested this much time into a Sox team, and maybe that's why tonight's win meant so much to me.

However, that's not the only reason. As I've mentioned in previous posts, this was my last summer at home. This was the last summer that my dad and I had the opportunity to sit together, night after night, and watch the Sox do their thing. And that's exactly what we did. With the exception of 7:30-8 every night (so my mom could watch Jeopardy) we watched pretty much every game. Every dramatic win, every heartbreaking loss, we watched it together. Since I've been back at school, we haven't eased up, and we will text each other probably close to 20-30 times during the course of every game. This year's team was not only incredible for what they accomplished, but sharing the excitement and joy with my dad was something that we both will always cherish.

Every part of this team completely erased the disgrace of 2012. Jonny Gomes's lively attitude. Jacoby's baserunning. Nava's dedicated approach. Papi's speech. Pedroia's leadership. Lackey's comeback. Lester's second half. Everything was amazing. Was I upset when they traded Iglesias? Of course, kid was a stud. Was it worth it? You can answer that for yourself....

After that first game of the season, I made the prediction that the Sox were going 162-0. Obviously that was a joke, and an incorrect prediction. There's no doubt in my mind that what the Sox did this year was incredible and I will never forget it.

I just want to sign off by thanking the Red Sox. You accomplished your goal: you've gained the trust and appreciation of the fans. You were amazing to watch, and I will never forget this season.

#fearthepineapple
#BostonStrong

My Thoughts on Alex Rodriguez

Dear Alex,

What happened? I remember being an 8 year old kid, passionate about the sport that you had become famous for, and I loved watching you play. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Sox fan, so Nomar was obviously the preferred shortstop, but you were elegant. You were artistic. You played the game beautifully and it was amazing to watch. You were younger than I am now when you came into the league. Just a kid. Just like that 8 year old kid I once was. I guess a part of me still wishes I was that naive 8 year old....

You did what everyone does: when your contract expired, you ran for the money. I didn't blame you for that. You were still possibly the most amazing ballplayer I had ever watched. You were playing for that crappy team in Texas, so I didn't care. And you went there for SO much money.. What was it, like 252 million? I'm 21 years old and I'm freaking out about finding a big boy job next year, meanwhile you've been a millionaire since you were my age. But it wasn't enough. I guess that one sentence pretty much sums it all up, nothing was ever enough.

And then Texas wasn't cutting it so you split. Went to New York. At first, I was so pissed because the Sox had been in the discussion of acquiring you and it fell through. Now you were the enemy. You were the scumbag who put on pinstripes. I no longer admired you, I thought you had become selfish. You were starting to lose touch with baseball, and with the beauty that you once played it with.

And then you admitted to my worst fear as a fan: using steroids. I know many people don't mind steroids, they think it adds an element to the game and raises the bar. My problem is that it takes away from the purity of the sport. I wouldn't be able to make comparisons to Jimmie Foxx or Ted Williams knowing the modern player had an unfair advantage. How would DiMaggio feel if somebody got a hit in 57 games because they took a pill that helped them. How did Aaron feel in 2007?

And now this Biogenesis scandal. This is the icing on the cake. You have become possibly the least likable person in baseball history. To me, you are worse than Pete Rose. Worse than Roger Clemens. Worse than the 1919 Black Sox.

I just read today that there are now allegations that you, or a member of your entourage, ratted out the rest of the guys from Biogenesis. Alex, all I want to hear is the truth. For me that has been the worst part. You've fought every allegation and denied every accusation. Everyone knows that it's true. Nobody doubts that you've cheated the game that gave you so much. There is literally one thing you can do that will ever redeem you in the eyes of the people:

And that is to be honest.

You will never be that same 20 year old kid on the diamond. Blowing bubble gum, hitting home runs, and goofing around with Junior. You will never be looked at as potentially the greatest hitter to ever play the game. I hope that 100 years from now, you still will not be in the hall of fame for how much disrespect you have shown the game. But if you were to admit to this. Admit to all of the atrocities you have committed, I could find in my heart to forgive you.

But I will never forget it.

My Thoughts on Egypt

The comparison I made about the way the rest of the world is handling the crisis in Egypt is a pretty basic one: it's like if there was a fight at recess and the principal and all the teachers just stood around watching.

I definitely do not consider myself an expert on foreign policy. Or even a novice for that matter. I know nothing about political strategies, international relations, or how governments work. I have been following along this Egypt story for sometime now. I get it, the protesters weren't happy with Morsy so they booted him. Now his supporters aren't happy with a military government so they're in uproar. Again, these are issues that we kind of take for granted because we are living in a first world country, where we can't imagine this kind of thing happening. A civil war is on the cusp and everyone is ideally watching it. I just read this morning that some of the larger countries in the EU are going to hold a phone conference to discuss what future actions to take.

...So now it's like a school yard fight were the teachers and principal are all debating whether or not to get involved....

Again, I don't know much about this subject so I'm not going to rant for as long as I usually do. I think something needs to be done. I do not necessarily think the United States is solely responsible, but the UN needs to get together and figure out a course of action soon, or else we're going to be looking at extended chaos and turmoil.

My Thoughts on Immigration Reform

I've mentioned before that one of my best friends, Priscilla, moved to the United States with her family from Kenya when she was a toddler. While she speaks Dholuo (I have no clue how to spell that) and is very in touch with her Kenyan roots, she always has considered herself to be a member of this country. Her family is well educated, both her parents have great jobs, and she and both her older brothers have been successful. This family fought to obtain their citizenship for the longest time. It was not until her brother Paul chose to join the Navy that they were all actually granted citizenship.

Now, maybe it's just me, but that seems pretty selfish. To me, that's basically the United States saying, "We do not want these wonderful contributing members of society to be a part of this country... Unless it can benefit us directly". I understand that is how the world works. Very few people will do anything for someone else unless they can get something in return. Herein lies the problem with our immigration system in the US.

Republicans and Democrats in Washington are continuously bickering about how to go about fixing this flawed system. Republicans are calling from greater border control and Democrats want the path to citizenship to be loosened. My question is, why can't we have both?

On the one hand, I do think that it is far too easy for people to just sneak in and live normal lives here as illegal immigrants. We have a system of laws set up to prevent this, and for whatever reason, these laws are often neglected. There are far too many people taking advantage of the American way of life without paying their dues. It is not fair for those who work hard every day to make up for it.

However, the thing I don't understand is why we can't just grant them citizenship? I'm not saying anybody who wants to can become a citizen, but the process that we have now is far too difficult. I've seen some examples of the questions that they pose on the tests, and I can say with 100% certainty, if I had to take one of those, I would be deported instantaneously. Why can't we ease up on these tests? People clearly want to be here, that's why they immigrated here to begin with, why don't we reward them for their determination to assimilate to the US? Why did it take my friend's brother's willingness to risk his life for this country before we responded, "Okay, we guess you can stay".

All this being said, I do think that border control has to increase as well. I think both sides have great ideas, but why do they refuse to work together?

As I've said, I grew up in a very diverse town. Everybody I knew, whether they were Brazilian, Puerto Rican, Mexican, white, black, Asian, Jewish, Christian, or whatever, they identified with these ethnicities/religions/nationalities. However, every single one of them is proud and happy to live in the United States. Whether they were legal or not, they considered themselves American. So why can't we allow that to be the case?