![Amy, Ashley, and I in July. Amy, Ashley, and I in July.](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwocWCAlbqXb1sK4JYqbNyoxcR2g8waEOiXts9wYZEpxDkJX4eYEwT-5ptCbUeG1VamkfEeq3HWK0a8JuUkab9FrpP6URl0eObkKzB3ZNjmz49nSfwHC81_Izq6NlIRJtA9chUVnp9wvp/s320/Pictures+146.jpg)
Greetings readers. For those of you who were avid readers of my MySpace blog, I apologize for not keeping my nine month pace of every week recently. I also apologize because, eventually, I plan on adding those blog entries on this blog, probably with a little more added to them (it’s like when the band re-releases a CD with six new songs on it... I won’t point out any names, but the band’s name starts with an “F” and ends in “oo Fighters”... you can imagine how much that angers me... at least this is free though). Now that I’ve rambled with filler, I will tell you this: Nothing new to report. That’s right. Same job, same condo, same car, still no dog, no girlfriend, and no money... Yeah, I’m not thrilled about it either. Like all my posts, I wanted to include a picture. The one above of, Amy, Me, and Ashley was from when we went "camping" in Gunnison, I just haven't had a chance to post it anywhere until now.
What I wanted to share this time was some of my inner feelings and perspectives I’ve learned about my life lately (this is the part the warning above was talking about). Some of you realized these views when you were 9, some won’t realize it until your 49, and others won’t realize this at all... and that’s cool. Different strokes for different folks (who learned recently learned perspectives I did when I was 9, that I will when I’m 49, and that I will never learn). Without further delay:
• I have learned that life doesn’t always have to be heading in a new direction. For the first time in my life, I feel like things have slowed down. To be honest, I don’t know how to handle it. I feel like something should be coming down the pipeline. This year in itself has been go go go. New roles at work, new condo, new car, then BAM... nothing. Sure, I’ll be looking to get a dog sometime soon, and sure, I would love to start seriously dating someone, but no set time is in place for anything right now, and it’s different for me. I’m hoping I can adjust and enjoy it sooner than later, because, as we all already know, it won’t last forever.
• I'm getting kinda sick of this "I look out for me" attitude the world seems to be rockin' right now. Work, friends, people I don't even now... what's the?! Please... Apparently you've never heard of "game theory". The theory goes like this: If we all work together and make this the most tolerable to place to live, everyone benefits. But, there's always that one person/group of people that see how to take advantage of this situation to make themselves happier at the expense of everyone else... This leads to everyone then working to catch up to these selfish people and look out only for themselves, leaving the situation where is started and not at it's best... Think about this... I don't know why people don't live by the "Golden Rule" these days, but whatever.
• To go along with the point above, there are people who act this way because they're "pretty"... Okay, yes, as a society, we seem to treat you pretty nice because we're all looking for attractive people to be around for whatever reason (this is human nature, but it should only go so far...), but you know, just because you're naturally pretty doesn't mean you're better than everyone else... and guess what? Karma exists. What goes around, comes around, so don't be surprised if your looks fade someday and not only are people not as nice to you, some won't even acknowledge your existance...
• Moving on, I’ve realized it could be a good thing I don’t have a girlfriend. Why would I say that? Well, a number of reasons. Now that things have slowed down, I can focus a little on me that I would usually be devoting to others. As most of you know, I feel like I have no money these days, maybe not paying for dinners, dancing, drinks, driving, dates, and any other “d” word you can think of is a good thing right now. Instead, I can focus on getting in better shape, enjoying friends and family, seeing the movies I want to see, and possibly giving my attention to "Man’s best friend"... After all, I can’t single forever... right?...
• ... With that said, I don’t think being single is going to tell me much more about me that I don’t already know. I’ve been learning about me for the last 25 years (being single). I need to learn more about others, especially about someone I think would be worth making sacrifices for, but more importantly, I need to learn about me in a serious relationship, since I have really no experience at this point...
• Speaking of sacrifice, I’ve learned that relationships are going to take some serious compromises. I hear way too many people complain how their husband or wife (I know a lot of married people these days) won’t do what they want to do. To be that close to someone, sacrifices have to be made. Happiness has to come from being with that person vs. from objects, events, or people that you would spend a lot of time with otherwise (don’t get me wrong, you don’t need to spend all your time with this person, but come on). However, it shouldn’t be TOO much sacrifice. The last girlfriend I had didn’t sacrifice at all while I sacrificed too much, and obviously that didn’t work.
• Finally, ladies, if you read this, make sure you read the entire bullet point. I am not looking for friends right now. If I’m talking to a young lady, I won’t lie, I’m learning more about her because I want to take an interest in learning more and see what happens. I have enough people that I hang out with for fun and/or talk to often, or “friends”. With that said, I will gladly take on friends if things don’t work out because someone’s not interested. I just want to make sure that my intentions are clear stated. Sure, if you want to be friends, it’s a little demoralizing, but I’ll get over it.
Okay, I'm done with my "rant", now the fun part:
Below is the list of my top summer movies... 300, Grindhouse, Good Luck Chuck, and others you might expect to see are not included because they were released before May or After August. Check it out.
1) Knocked Up – Laughed the ENTIRE movie (probably even during the parts I wasn’t suppose to). Very original, great casting, lots of one liners, and just overall hilarious. And, as a bonus, it's aleady out on DVD (if anyone is looking for a gift for me).
2) Transformers – I liked the cartoon (not as much as other, but I did like it), and they did a great job adapting this from animation to “real life”. Bringing back the original voice of Optimist Prime was brilliant. Action was great, acting was sufficient, and Megan Fox is my “summer girl of 2007”.
3) Pirates of the Caribbean 3 – A great ending to a great trilogy of movies. Given, we all knew what was going to happen, but who cares? Johnny Depp’s “Jack Sparrow” is simply one of kind and a hypnotic character. The story was great despite being based on an amusement ride, and this is a flick I look forward to dissecting on DVD.
4) Superbad – I was excited since day one on this one, and it didn’t disappoint... after I thought about it. After I saw it, this movie was not this high on my rankings... But, the more I thought and talked about, the more I loved it. Great acting in this by the “kids” and the cops, and really funny (even though there are not a whole lot of one liners in this one). And come on, McLovin’? That was just too outrageous to ignore.
5) The Simpsons Movie – I know, many of you expected this to be #1, and with good reason. However, this movie added fuel to my fire that 30-minute animated shows should not be turned into movies... It’s like watching one long episode that seems to run too long since it’s 3 times longer than the show (that we are accustomed to). Other than that though, this movie was great. Very funny, not too long (for a movie), silly plot, silly characters, and Spider Pig. Kudos to the writers and producers for waiting 18 years to do this. South Park was smart to do theirs when they did, but if the Simpsons’ Movie would have came out 13 years ago, it would not have been as good or as funny.
6) Shrek 3 – You know I’m going to love anything with Mike Myers... And this was no exception. And let’s face it, Justin Timberlake has earned my respect since this flick and his Saturday Night Live performance (with the catch song about giving your girl a box with a gift inside). I need to see it again.
7) Live Free, Die Hard – Bruce Willis kicks ass... I think even more now then back then. Typical Die Hard movie, with Justin Long doing his thing, Kevin Smith making an appearance, and “Kumar” playing a henchman. Can’t go wrong.
8) Ratatouille – Pixar has not disappointed me yet. This movie was entertaining and heartwarming. You gotta ask how many more great concepts they have left. I liked the idea that I didn’t recognize any of the voices and did not have that distraction.
9) I Now Pronounce you Chuck and Larry – Adam Sandler and Kevin James never disappoint. Funny concept, funny movie. Yeah, Jessica Biel is very attractive, but I don’t think she adds much to the movie. All the “Happy Madison” actors are in this one, so you know it’s full of quick punch lines and physical humor.
10) Spiderman 3 – Action was great, but the story was lacking. I still have problem seeing “Eric Forman” (from that 70’s show) playing Venom, but he wasn’t horrible. This was my least favorite of all the Spiderman movies... maybe I need to see it again.
11) 1408 – I don’t usually like scary movies, but this one was pretty good. John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson are always decent, and the movie had lots of psychological thrills and things to make you jump. This was a flick that had you at the end of your seat the whole time.
12) Balls of Fury – ... Christopher Walken... enough said... but, to go on, this flick was very “Hot Shots”... really cheesy, but pretty funny.
13) Harry Potter 5 – The bottom of my list contains Mr. Potter. I think if you have not read the books, you would have loved this. But, being someone who has read them all (yes, I know how it ends), they have just been taking too much out of these movies to really enjoy them. I dunno how they are going to do the 5th and 6th ones, especially since they can’t cut out much from either book.
I would love to hear your feedback about any part of this. Thanks for listening. Happy to have this out there ;)
Hope you're doing great and loving life. Go Broncos! Go my fantasy teams, which aren't doing too much right now, and, probably most importantly right now, Go Rockies!
Check ya later,
Clint