People, I enjoyed one of the greatest lunch breaks of my life last week. I was playing the ESPN Game in my lunchroom and just happened on something that completely toppled paintball as the most ridiculous thing to be televised on a sports network.
Sport Stacking.
The 2006 World Sport Stacking Championships, to be precise.
Do not let the name deceive you. These kids are clearly stacking cups. However, in 2004, the World Sport Stacking Association (WSSA - I swear I'm not making that up), changed the name of the activity from cup stacking to sport stacking in order to give it "immediate identification as a competitive sport."
This is ridiculous, but watching televised sport stacking clearly IS NOT. It is hypnotic and amazing. I learned so much about 3-6-3, 6-6, 1-10-1 cycles, relays, doubles competitions and everything else this amazing competitive activity* has to offer.
But just like anything the world has ever invented, the Germans have found a way to be better at it. Those kids are MACHINES. Seriously. Little German kids just stacking away with ruthless efficiency.
Some coworkers and I were really into it, cheering for our American kids (to no avail) and having a grand old time.
Too bad it'll never be shown again. At least until next year's world championships.
P.S. I'm pretty sure Alone Together (aka Josh and I) had the idea for an acoustic "Hey Ya" cover first, but I think this guy's execution was a little better.
*Note the obvious omission of the word "sport."
8.28.2006
8.22.2006
Ironically, it's a very childish act
There is one solid example I can point to in order to certify that I am now, in fact, a practicing adult.
When I purchase a new loaf of bread, the first thing I do is throw away the front heel. I'm never going to eat it and quite frankly, I grow weary of reaching around it every time I go for bread.
It is my bread and I feel just fine with my decision.
I'm so grown up.
When I purchase a new loaf of bread, the first thing I do is throw away the front heel. I'm never going to eat it and quite frankly, I grow weary of reaching around it every time I go for bread.
It is my bread and I feel just fine with my decision.
I'm so grown up.
8.10.2006
Lock up your guns, unlock your bibles
Here's some fascinating reading for your Friday.
I've often heard of Bob Jones University, one of the most fundamentalist Christian colleges in the country. But it's mostly in a political context - when a politician goes to speak there, you can be sure they're trying to shore up their conservative base.
But an offhand comment on The Colbert Report the other week made me wonder - what is life really like for students at BJ University? I did a little digging and found pretty easily just how awesome campus life is. They're not shy about it. They put it right out there:
Student Expectations
Dress Code
Campus Life
Here are some of my favorite excerpts.
Students may work in town until 10:25 pm on weekdays and midnight on weekends. Freshmen must have a prayer captain, assistant prayer captain, or upperclassman with them.
In the event that the assistant prayer captain is unable to fulfill his or her duties...
(Wait, my mistake. Women can't be prayer captains. DUH!)
Sophomores and upperclassmen may work alone.
No man works alone, BJU. You should know this.
Students may not serve alcoholic beverages when waiting tables at restaurants.
Come to think of it, don't even look at alcohol. Don't even think about it. Erase the word "alcohol" from your vocabulary. We're trying to set an example here.
Hair must be cut in a traditional, conservative style–not shaved, spiked, tangled, or shelved.
Shelved? What the crap does that mean? Does that mean I couldn't do my hair like Kid from Kid 'n' Play? Is that shelved? Geez, BJU. If you have students trying to shelve their hair, you have more problems than nonconservative hairstyles. You have some sort of time paradox on your hands.
Necklines may come no lower than four fingers below the collarbone.
Unfortunately for BJU, I measure necklines using giant foam fingers.
Students are required to keep their rooms clean and neat. Rooms are inspected daily.
Also, your telescreen may be dimmed, but there is no way of shutting it off completely. (Second 1984 reference in one week, thank you very much.)
Music must be compatible with the University's music standards:
Residence hall students may not watch videos above a G rating when visiting homes in town and may not attend movie theaters.
So, no Passion of the Christ then? No Left Behind: Tribulation Force? Geez, I don't even think Carman's Greatest Hits - The Videos got a G rating.
All weapons must be turned in for storage. Trigger locks are required for pistols.
Actually, for this demographic, that rule makes perfect sense.
So I think what I'm saying here is that I know of one guy who is seriously thinking about going back to school. Because the first time around was simply too much ...oh, what's the word...fun.
I've often heard of Bob Jones University, one of the most fundamentalist Christian colleges in the country. But it's mostly in a political context - when a politician goes to speak there, you can be sure they're trying to shore up their conservative base.
But an offhand comment on The Colbert Report the other week made me wonder - what is life really like for students at BJ University? I did a little digging and found pretty easily just how awesome campus life is. They're not shy about it. They put it right out there:
Student Expectations
Dress Code
Campus Life
Here are some of my favorite excerpts.
Students may work in town until 10:25 pm on weekdays and midnight on weekends. Freshmen must have a prayer captain, assistant prayer captain, or upperclassman with them.
In the event that the assistant prayer captain is unable to fulfill his or her duties...
(Wait, my mistake. Women can't be prayer captains. DUH!)
Sophomores and upperclassmen may work alone.
No man works alone, BJU. You should know this.
Students may not serve alcoholic beverages when waiting tables at restaurants.
Come to think of it, don't even look at alcohol. Don't even think about it. Erase the word "alcohol" from your vocabulary. We're trying to set an example here.
Hair must be cut in a traditional, conservative style–not shaved, spiked, tangled, or shelved.
Shelved? What the crap does that mean? Does that mean I couldn't do my hair like Kid from Kid 'n' Play? Is that shelved? Geez, BJU. If you have students trying to shelve their hair, you have more problems than nonconservative hairstyles. You have some sort of time paradox on your hands.
Necklines may come no lower than four fingers below the collarbone.
Unfortunately for BJU, I measure necklines using giant foam fingers.
Students are required to keep their rooms clean and neat. Rooms are inspected daily.
Also, your telescreen may be dimmed, but there is no way of shutting it off completely. (Second 1984 reference in one week, thank you very much.)
Music must be compatible with the University's music standards:
- Contemporary Christian music is not permitted (e.g., Michael W. Smith, Stephen Curtis Chapman, WOW Worship, and so forth).
Residence hall students may not watch videos above a G rating when visiting homes in town and may not attend movie theaters.
So, no Passion of the Christ then? No Left Behind: Tribulation Force? Geez, I don't even think Carman's Greatest Hits - The Videos got a G rating.
All weapons must be turned in for storage. Trigger locks are required for pistols.
Actually, for this demographic, that rule makes perfect sense.
So I think what I'm saying here is that I know of one guy who is seriously thinking about going back to school. Because the first time around was simply too much ...oh, what's the word...fun.
8.07.2006
A very important announcement
ATTENTION, DENIZENS OF MYSPACE:
When I get to your MySpace profile page, the very first thing I do is PAUSE YOUR MUSIC. I think it is great that you are totally into Gnarls Barkley and good Lord it is NOT EVEN THE SONG "CRAZY," GOOD FOR YOU, but that does not stop it from being ANNOYING AND DISRUPTIVE.
You may think that your music selection says a lot about you, but the only thing it says to me is that you are very interested in interrupting the music I AM CURRENTLY LISTENING TO. I repeat, I AM CURRENTLY LISTENING TO MY OWN MUSIC.
In conclusion, please take down your music selection off your profile page. If you absolutely insist on choosing a song to represent your entire being, feel free to include in the "About Me" section the following phrase: "I would normally be playing _________ right now, but TimmyTapeworm's impeccable logic has caused me to come to my senses, so I will merely tell you about it."
Also, Oceania is at war with Eastasia. OCEANIA HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT WAR WITH EASTASIA.
THAT IS ALL.
P.S. It has taken me three weeks to gather the courage to post this.
When I get to your MySpace profile page, the very first thing I do is PAUSE YOUR MUSIC. I think it is great that you are totally into Gnarls Barkley and good Lord it is NOT EVEN THE SONG "CRAZY," GOOD FOR YOU, but that does not stop it from being ANNOYING AND DISRUPTIVE.
You may think that your music selection says a lot about you, but the only thing it says to me is that you are very interested in interrupting the music I AM CURRENTLY LISTENING TO. I repeat, I AM CURRENTLY LISTENING TO MY OWN MUSIC.
In conclusion, please take down your music selection off your profile page. If you absolutely insist on choosing a song to represent your entire being, feel free to include in the "About Me" section the following phrase: "I would normally be playing _________ right now, but TimmyTapeworm's impeccable logic has caused me to come to my senses, so I will merely tell you about it."
Also, Oceania is at war with Eastasia. OCEANIA HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT WAR WITH EASTASIA.
THAT IS ALL.
P.S. It has taken me three weeks to gather the courage to post this.
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