I recently had a question of mine get through on the Big Ten Blog at espn.com. Looking back, it was the result of being a little tired and overly annoyed with the constant "pay-for-play" debate going on in college sports. Basically, they have been talks of giving student athletes a stipend ON TOP of what they've already earned for scholarships. The response Adam Rittenberg gave me was not what I was hoping for, but I've gotten used to that. It was actually pretty civil compared to the "band nerd" pokes I received in the comment section from a 35 year old man...
First off, band nerd? I mean, really!? I heard that in middle school and even a little bit in high school, but come on.
Anyways, I'm used to music taking the backseat to sports. It's happened countless times, so it should be no surprise that once again they are talking about giving them more benefits. I guess the free tuition, housing, food, books, clothing, bowl game gift bags (last year included iPads for the entire football team) just isn't enough for our oh-so-fragile athletes.
Don't get me wrong, I love Nebraska football as much as the next guy. I grew up with it and have been a die hard fan my entire life. I've been used to the fact that they rule the school and state. But if we start paying them stipends for "the cost of living" (which I think can be argued that they really don't need) then pretty soon we're gonna start saying "Oh, well they all need cars to get around town. Here's a car." The NCAA has a rule that says athletes can't get certain jobs, which is absolutely ridiculous and should be removed immediately. At least give them work study or something.
My point is college is hard for everyone. The student athletes label has STUDENTS first because they are primarily STUDENTS. Yes, they bring in tons of money for the school, but this isn't the NFL. If they want extra spending money, take out a loan and pay it off once you make it in the big leagues.
I LOVE the NCAA, so let's keep it the same; not change it to the minor leagues.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
My roommate of the past 9 months was so gracious in allowing me to be a groomsmen at his wedding today. I knew one of the other groomsmen very well. Two of them I met but very short and vaguely. The other two I had not met at all. The fun that we had was unprecedented.
It always amazes me how much fun I have when I hang out with solid, Christian guys. No pressure to drink, no pressure to smoke, and no stories about the last time we "got some."
Thursday night was the bachelor party, and listen to this. The seven of us guys, half of us or so being "of age," went out to eat, where the best man actually had the groom drink an irish car bomb. We then proceeded to go bowling. That was it. One of the guys even spoke up at dinner when most of us (including me) were talking about a crass subject, and props to him for that. We played 2 games of cosmic bowling and that was basically it, but man, it was fun.
After the wedding rehearsal last night we all went out to where the reception was being held and had dinner. It was a local church camp and the bridesmaids and groomsmen all spent the night out there in the cabins, by ourselves. Dinner was destroyed and all of us groomsmen just ran around doing the most random stuff. We grabbed weapons, which consisted of wooden planks, a chair, a kickball, and a dartboard. We ran from the bridesmaids and all hid behind the dartboard to shield ourselves. No one even thought of bringing alcohol. It was pure fun.
Of course, we did end up hanging out and talking with the bridesmaids, but there was no talk between us of "so-and-so blah blah guy talk about hott girls blah blah." It was clean fun.
And today was so great. The bride and groom provided us with gifts of 5 hour energy, aviators, sweat bands and rock star (for the dance at the reception). The groomsmen formed a worship band to begin the wedding ceremony and I LOVED playing with all those guys. We took ridiculous pictures. We watched close friends of ours give their lives to each other and Jesus. We ripped up the dance floor to Backstreet Boys.
I'm rambling. I needed the gratuitous amounts of pure clean fun I had this weekend. I feel so spiritually rejuvenated and we honestly didn't even have a bunch of deep talks about our faith. We did talk about some things here and there, but for the most part we just did stupid stuff. So if you were involved in the wedding, and you're reading this, thank you SO much for such an incredibly awesome time. We groomsmen should definitely see more of each other!
Acts 2:44
It always amazes me how much fun I have when I hang out with solid, Christian guys. No pressure to drink, no pressure to smoke, and no stories about the last time we "got some."
Thursday night was the bachelor party, and listen to this. The seven of us guys, half of us or so being "of age," went out to eat, where the best man actually had the groom drink an irish car bomb. We then proceeded to go bowling. That was it. One of the guys even spoke up at dinner when most of us (including me) were talking about a crass subject, and props to him for that. We played 2 games of cosmic bowling and that was basically it, but man, it was fun.
After the wedding rehearsal last night we all went out to where the reception was being held and had dinner. It was a local church camp and the bridesmaids and groomsmen all spent the night out there in the cabins, by ourselves. Dinner was destroyed and all of us groomsmen just ran around doing the most random stuff. We grabbed weapons, which consisted of wooden planks, a chair, a kickball, and a dartboard. We ran from the bridesmaids and all hid behind the dartboard to shield ourselves. No one even thought of bringing alcohol. It was pure fun.
Of course, we did end up hanging out and talking with the bridesmaids, but there was no talk between us of "so-and-so blah blah guy talk about hott girls blah blah." It was clean fun.
And today was so great. The bride and groom provided us with gifts of 5 hour energy, aviators, sweat bands and rock star (for the dance at the reception). The groomsmen formed a worship band to begin the wedding ceremony and I LOVED playing with all those guys. We took ridiculous pictures. We watched close friends of ours give their lives to each other and Jesus. We ripped up the dance floor to Backstreet Boys.
I'm rambling. I needed the gratuitous amounts of pure clean fun I had this weekend. I feel so spiritually rejuvenated and we honestly didn't even have a bunch of deep talks about our faith. We did talk about some things here and there, but for the most part we just did stupid stuff. So if you were involved in the wedding, and you're reading this, thank you SO much for such an incredibly awesome time. We groomsmen should definitely see more of each other!
Acts 2:44
Cohabitation Conundrum?
I've talked a lot about this with friends of mine recently, and quite a few friends at that. Specifically about 2 close friends of mine that JUST got married. I mean that very literally, as I was ripping up the dance floor at the reception about 2 to 3 hours ago.
These friends are a Christian couple. Looking to serve the LORD and have Jesus at the center of their lives and the basis for their relationship. When talking to other close friends of mine about it (I lived with the groom for the past 9 months), I had many question the fact that they were not living together. I got plenty of "well, they don't want to try it out and see if it works?" or "wait, they haven't slept together yet and they're getting married?!" etc. As we all know, sex before marriage is not okay with God. I would expect nothing less of my newly wed friends and they handled the situation perfectly.
Even so, I thought it'd be a good idea to spill some facts about this subject, considering most arguments against Christian views are "there are no facts." Here's some SECULAR facts:
"65 percent of altar-bound men and women live together before getting married."
--Bride's Magazine
"Research indicates that people who live together prior to getting married are more likely to have marriages that end in divorce."
--The Boston Herald
"A recent study on cohabitation concluded that after five to seven years, only 21 percent of unmarried couples were still living together."
--The Boston Herald
Now, those stats speak for themselves and I'm honestly not trying to get on a soapbox and jam my beliefs down your throat. But there IS something to the Christian view on this topic, and sure, there are probably a few special cases, but not living together before you're married is the best route to go. I'm just tired of it being questioned. I guess it's not normal for this day and age, but it's certainly not stupid by any means.
Hebrews 13:4
These friends are a Christian couple. Looking to serve the LORD and have Jesus at the center of their lives and the basis for their relationship. When talking to other close friends of mine about it (I lived with the groom for the past 9 months), I had many question the fact that they were not living together. I got plenty of "well, they don't want to try it out and see if it works?" or "wait, they haven't slept together yet and they're getting married?!" etc. As we all know, sex before marriage is not okay with God. I would expect nothing less of my newly wed friends and they handled the situation perfectly.
Even so, I thought it'd be a good idea to spill some facts about this subject, considering most arguments against Christian views are "there are no facts." Here's some SECULAR facts:
"65 percent of altar-bound men and women live together before getting married."
--Bride's Magazine
"Research indicates that people who live together prior to getting married are more likely to have marriages that end in divorce."
--The Boston Herald
"A recent study on cohabitation concluded that after five to seven years, only 21 percent of unmarried couples were still living together."
--The Boston Herald
Now, those stats speak for themselves and I'm honestly not trying to get on a soapbox and jam my beliefs down your throat. But there IS something to the Christian view on this topic, and sure, there are probably a few special cases, but not living together before you're married is the best route to go. I'm just tired of it being questioned. I guess it's not normal for this day and age, but it's certainly not stupid by any means.
Hebrews 13:4
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Semester of...who knows...
Well, tomorrow marks the begin of second semester after being delayed a couple days by snow. It is going to be the busiest and financially difficult time of my life. However, I am so incredibly psyched for everything I have going on. Here's what my weekly schedule looks like:
Monday- Class 9:30am to 3:20pm/Drive to Beatrice, Lessons 4:30pm to 6:00pm, Rehearsal 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
Tuesday- Class 9:30am to 11:50am/Donate Plasma/Drive to Omaha, Dojo sectional 5:00pm to 8:00pm.
Wednesday- Class 9:30am to 3:20pm/Work 4:00pm to 11:00pm.
Thursday- Class 9:30am to 11:50am/Drive to Beatrice, Lessons 4:30pm to 6:00pm, Rehearsal 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
Friday- Class 11:30am to 3:20pm/Drive to Omaha, Dojo rehearsal 6:00pm to 11:00pm.
Saturday/Sunday- Dojo rehearsal.
I figured that I'll be driving nearly 500 miles a week. Keep in mind, I also have homework and drumming to do in between times not listed AND need to come up with money for rent and the remaining $375 for Dojo. Insane, but awesome. In March, Dojo heads to Nashville to compete in WGI and in mid April, we head out to the World Championships in Dayton, OH.
Pray that I get through this semester and am still able to "maintain the faith." This past semester was a bit rough on me, but if I thought that was bad, I'm in for something completely different.
Goals:
Become more solid in EVERYTHING.
Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”
-Isaiah 44:8
Monday- Class 9:30am to 3:20pm/Drive to Beatrice, Lessons 4:30pm to 6:00pm, Rehearsal 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
Tuesday- Class 9:30am to 11:50am/Donate Plasma/Drive to Omaha, Dojo sectional 5:00pm to 8:00pm.
Wednesday- Class 9:30am to 3:20pm/Work 4:00pm to 11:00pm.
Thursday- Class 9:30am to 11:50am/Drive to Beatrice, Lessons 4:30pm to 6:00pm, Rehearsal 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
Friday- Class 11:30am to 3:20pm/Drive to Omaha, Dojo rehearsal 6:00pm to 11:00pm.
Saturday/Sunday- Dojo rehearsal.
I figured that I'll be driving nearly 500 miles a week. Keep in mind, I also have homework and drumming to do in between times not listed AND need to come up with money for rent and the remaining $375 for Dojo. Insane, but awesome. In March, Dojo heads to Nashville to compete in WGI and in mid April, we head out to the World Championships in Dayton, OH.
Pray that I get through this semester and am still able to "maintain the faith." This past semester was a bit rough on me, but if I thought that was bad, I'm in for something completely different.
Goals:
Become more solid in EVERYTHING.
Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”
-Isaiah 44:8
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