The 80s!

So anyone who knows me, knows that I love the '80s! The music is fantastic, the culture was incredible, the cartoons some of the best created, the '80s were great! Well, this blog post isn't about the '80s, but rather the 80s of the 100 Interesting Things About Scott list.

81. I'm not afraid of heights. I'm afraid of falling.
82. I'm currently on a diet.
83. My high score in Yahtzee is 522.
84. My middle name is Roy.
85. My dad's middle name is Roy.
86. My dad's middle name comes from Roy Rogers.
87. I hate black licorice.
88. From 1989 to 1998 I didn't write in cursive.
89. I have an addictive personality.
90. I have vowed to never live north of the Utah, Nevada, California border.

X-Men or X-Minus

So earlier this week I went and saw X-Men 3. But before I begin on that, I want to give a disclaimer. I'd actually prefer if you didn't read this review until after you've seen the movie. I don't want you going in there expecting this or that and have it jade your view on the movie. I will not give any spoilers in this review, so don't worry about that.

The move is good. The acting is well done I think. Hugh Jackman and Halle Berry do very well as their characters. You get to know Storm a little more than previous. (But you might have expected that, as she told the franchise that she wouldn't do X3 unless she had more screen time.) But I have no complaints there. Storm is an excellent character. The action sequences are good too. It is exciting. Those who liked the first two movies will enjoy this one.

That said, here is what I didn't like about the movie. It was only mediocre. The character development was kept very minimal. While there were many changes in storyline and character development, we didn't get to see any of it. For example (a broad one), a sub-character in the movie comes to a decision which will alter her life. Rather than see how she works through the process or how it affects her family and friends, we have a two step process. First, she states what she's thinking about. Second, she's already done the deed. And that's it. It happens that way on almost every issue "tackled" in the movie. The two main focus characters (Wolverine and Storm) aren't tackling tough decisions, there isn't character development with them at all. My friend Aaron said it right, "This is like half of a movie!" The writers, director, and producer needed to add a whole lot more character development and let us learn what these people had to face. This really was the "Hugh and Halle show".

The movie also had some jaw dropping events. But they didn't pause on them at all. We didn't have a chance to take them in before they were glossed over. It felt like someone was giving a synopsis of the full movie.

So all in all, I am disappointed with X-Men 3. It had such a great potential built up in the first two movies (especially the second). But it failed to meet them. So I give this movie a B-. Sad.

A Question of Mine

Is there such a thing as a Second World country?

Michelle Washington, D.C.

Dear Michelle:

Third World countries (now known as "developing nations") are countries with a low "Human Development Index." First World countries (like the United States, Japan, and Germany) score much higher on the HDI. A nation's HDI is determined by its literacy rate, poverty rate, life expectancy, etc. There is indeed a Second World, though the expression isn't exactly parallel to the other terms, and these days, few mention it. According to Nations Online, the phrase refers to "former communist-socialist, industrial states, the territory and sphere of influence of the Union of Soviet Socialists Republic." For example, Romania, Hungary, Latvia, and of course, the big bear -- Mother Russia. China is also considered a Second World nation. Thanks to the fall of the Soviet Union, the term "Second World" has become rather meaningless. Nowadays, a country's economic strength (not its government) determines how it's classified. Countries in Europe and North America as well as Australia are primarily First World, while Africa and South America are mostly made up of developing nations. Hopefully with economic aid and other support, the gap between the haves and the have-nots will grow smaller, and the need for words to distinguish them will disappear.

===================================

I've always wondered what a second world country would be. I actually had guessed about the same thing as what they stated, except for the former soviet thing. I figured that former communist countries were second world because of their economy, not their government. But I was spot on for guessing that Romania was a second world country. I'm guessing that the terms "second world" and "third world" have been eliminated in order to be more politically correct. After all, "second world" would make it seem that the country in question is 'second class'. But we'd probably have to ask our resident expert, Bob. Bob, are you there?

Regulate your blog!

I blog. If you're reading this, then you already know that. I enjoy blogging. if you know me, then you already know that. I write about things that catch my interest. Sometimes it's something I read in the news, sometimes it's something from my own experience, or happenings in my life. I've enjoyed blogging immensely and reading your comments on my musings. It's pretty cool.

Well, I just read an interesting article about blogging. It appears that students of Libertyville, Illionois will now have to be a little more careful about what they write.

"The board of Community High School District 128 voted unanimously on Monday to require that all students participating in extracurricular activities sign a pledge agreeing that evidence of 'illegal or inappropriate' behavior posted on the Internet could be grounds for disciplinary action."

One parent of a student at said high school rebuttled, "I don't think they need to police what students are doing online. That's my job."

I agree. Students should have the ability to write whatever they like on their blogs. And this is certainly an invasion of privacy.

Rebuilding

I just read an article from Yahoo news about the rebuilding of the first skyscraper on site of the September 11th attacks. That makes me proud. This building replaces the third skyscraper that fell because of the attacks. It also has state of the art safety features. Despite all of this, the owners have only leased one fifth of the office space. I think it will just take a little time to fill. I don't think it's necessarily that people are afraid of there being another attack and destruction of the building. At least I hope not. We are a resilient nation. To quote Chumbawumba, "I get knocked down, but I get up again. You ain't never going to keep me down."

This Summer's Blockbuster!

Radio Free Monticello

So awhile ago I heard about a website compiled by some members in our ward about the greivances, breaches of contract, negligence, and miscommunication with Monticello Apartments Management. I asked around for the address, but no one knew it. Well, thanks to my brother (who googled my name) I found the site. It gave me satisfaction to see all of our problems listed out. I hope that people don't forget about this site and will update it. After I ask for my deposit back, we'll see if I need to add another entry.

Here's the link: http://www.radiofreemonticello.info/index.php/Main_Page

Goblin Valley Trip

Okay, so I just got Anthony's pics from our Goblin Valley trip. They are excellent! I am happy to say that the trip went exactly as planned with no problems. It feels good to have been in charge of one of those. lol. This is generally my first trip of the season. This was my ninth time to go. So I know it rather well, as you can imagine. But on to the pics!

Breaking StrongBad... I mean news!

Okay, so you have to see the latest StrongBad e-mail.
It is hilarious! Especially if you have ever worked in a call center of any sort.

The Seventies!

71. I don't believe that "hell" and "damn" are swear words.
72. My favorite calling has been Sunday School teacher.
73. I'd like to invent silent Velcro.
74. I've lived in Utah 18 years.
75. I can't ice skate, roller skate, or rollerblade.
76. I don't chew gum.
77. I purposely never got my Eagle scout badge.
78. I've been first counselor in two branch presidencies.
79. If I had to get a piercing, I would get a tiny silver ring on my left eyebrow.
80. I don't like Yoda.

Yeah! I have my list back!

Side Notes.

So I am now officially moved in to my house. My roommate left today and I moved into his room. I have never had so much storage space before! This beats WHN just in my bedroom. I have a closet that I haven't even used and several shelves that I have nothing on. And my room is still roomy. This was definitely a good choice. I kept working till the other room was exactly as I found it. Now my last tasks will be to put all my food away. Unluckily, (or luckily depending at how you look at it) the shelves I want to put my food on are occupied with food already. I don't know if the guy who just left left them behind, or if it was someone else. I'll wait a day before I move them over and move in. But I am quite pleased with myself right now.

Odd side note. So in the previous post I referenced 'Joey' from 'Full House'. I just IMDB'd him. He was a voice over for "Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo", "The Jetsons", "Muppet Babies", "The Muppet Show," and "The Real Ghostbusters." Wow. He voiced for many of my favorite cartoons from my childhood.

He also introduced Candace Cameron Bure, then his co-star on 'Full House', to hockey player, and her future husband, Valeri Bure at a charity hockey game.

He was the first lover of Alanis Morissette - they met at a celebrity hockey game. And interestingly enough, she wrote "You Oughta Know" about their relationship. The relationship ended when Coulier who was 15 years her senior wanted to start a family, but Morissette felt she was too young.

And now you know...

Treizeci

11. Shout out a response to "Are you ready to rock?" Unless sarcastically.

12. Use the word collated on his resume. Unless you're an ecclesiastical cleric. Look it up!

13. Hold a weekly house meeting with roommates. I've never done that ever. And if you have roommates at 30, then you're all adults, it shouldn't need a meeting.

14. Name pets after Middle Earth characters. Chris!

15. Jokingly flash gang signs while posing for wedding photos. I've never done that. But I guess it's never too late to start.

16. Give shout-outs. I thought only TRL gave shout-outs.

17. Use numbers in place of words or locations, such as "the 411" for information, or "the 313" for Detroit. Yeah, you wouldn't want to lose your gangsta.

18. Hug amusement-park characters. Oh come on! What girl doesn't like a guy who can hug a giant Winnie the Pooh!

19. Wear Disney-themed neckties. I think that should stop at nineteen anyway.

20. Wake up to a "morning zoo." Now here I disagree. Music tastes are one's own.

21. Request extra sprinkles. Does anyone in double digits do that anyway? Sprinkles don't taste good in the first place.

22. Air drum. No comment.

23. Eat Oreo cookies in stages. I think eating them in stages is cool as long as you don't leave behind the cookie. WHN!

24. Volunteer to be a magician's assistant. Well, you have to get your adventure somehow.

25. Sleep on a bare mattress. I've never done that... bedsheets are nice.

26. End a conversation with "later skater." No comment.

27. Hold his lighter up at a concert. Well, unless you're a biker.

28. Wear Converse All Stars with a tuxedo. Unless you're Joey Gladstone and wear themed pjs.

29. Propose via stadium Jumbotron. I don't think you should do that ever. We ask creatively for dates, not for marriage. Get down on one knee and propose.

30. Decide anything based on the ruminations of Howard Stern. No one anywhere, anytime, should decide anything based on anything to do with Howard Stern.

The Big Three Oh

Well, since I moved, I have not been able to find my "100 Interesting Things About Scott" list. But if my roommate moves out tomorrow, then I will be moving into his room and organizing things better. I'm hoping that I will find the list then. But in the interim, I have found another interesting list. I didn't create this list. However, there are a few entries that are not classy at all, so I will omit them. And I commented in the italics.

Things A Man Should Never Do Past 30.

1. Coin his own nickname. Actually, you should never coin your own nick name. They are earned!

2. Use a wallet that is fastened with Velcro. True.

3. Rank his friends in order of best, second best and so on. Did anyone ever do this?

4. Hacky sack. I never could play hack anyway. It always goes between my leg.

5. Hang art with tape. I don't think it's art if it can be hung with tape.

6. Hang The Scream, unless he stole it from the Munch museum in Oslo. Which I have read is not that hard to do in the first place.

7. Ask a policeman, "You ever shoot anybody with that thing?" Dang.

8. Skip. At first I asked myself, "Skip what?"

9. Let his father do his taxes. Considering that it has instructions... anyone can do their own.

10. Tap on the glass. I'll assume that this refers to fish tanks. And I think that everybody, no matter the age taps on the glass.


There are many more of these, which I will be adding in future posts.

Fictional Truth

"The truest stories can only be told in fiction."

As you may know, I am a big fan of science fiction. Star Trek is my favorite, but I love Star Wars, X-Men, and many other stories, shows, and films. It has the ability to tell compelling stories while incorporating a moral or analogy for issues that affect our lives. I believe science fiction is one of the best forums to tackle current issues. By moving the issue into a fictional realm we are able to view the ideas in a third person perspective. And I've found in my life that third person perspectives help me make sound decisions.

I Need a Hero!

You scored as Batman, the Dark Knight. As the Dark Knight of Gotham, Batman is a vigilante who deals out his own brand of justice to the criminals and corrupt of the city. He follows his own code and is often misunderstood. He has few friends or allies, but finds comfort in his cause. Batman, the Dark Knight 71% Captain Jack Sparrow 58% James Bond, Agent 007 54% The Amazing Spider-Man 54% The Terminator 50% Lara Croft 50% Neo, the "One" 50% Indiana Jones 46% William Wallace 42% Maximus 42% El Zorro 25% Which Action Hero Would You Be? v. 2.0 created with QuizFarm.com