Plan B, Movie Reviews

When I look at my library I notice all forms of books from many different authors.  It is almost as if I am schizophrenic or something, as they range from George Carlin to the King James version of the Holy Bible.  But two of the authors really stand out and probably reveal something about my deep inner thoughts, namely Norman Vincent Peale with “The Power of Positive Thinking” and Bobby Knight, “The Power of Negative Thinking” both stand tall on my shelves.  So, does that make me positive or negative or do I see the point of each?  Good question but I would say my attempt to do my eighth Ironman triathlon last weekend was a combination of positive/negative and the results was a total mess.  I had not waited 10 years to do my next Ironman to have it end the way it did.  I had worked extremely hard, probably the hardest ever, to do well in this event and even had some kind of weird thoughts that I might possibly make it to Kona.  How far wrong I was on that and the realization of what had happened this day came to my thick head sometime in the next few days after the event. 

 What I could say is that  at the start it was just too rough and overpowering with 2200 athletes kicking, clawing, biting, punching, kicking, cussing, and swimming like fish, around me.  Even though this was true it was not the reason from my dismal swimming performance.  The fact is my swimming sucks and has sucked all my 30 years of doing triathlons.  However, on this day the realization set in that I had gotten away with it over the years with just simple out right “athleticism” and it had overpowered my inadequate swim position and stroke with just “football” mentality of getting through it with my physical athletic ability no matter what it looked like. BAM, BAM go for it!!  

 BUT!!  Alas on this day I presented the triathlon world with a completely new look, I was now 74 years old and had never done this distance during this age.  What I found was that my mind was still athletic but my body was not and low and behold my arms just gave out.  No matter how much I thought mind over matter, and I am strong, and get out of my way swimmers I am still in it, it just wasn’t reality.  So, when I was invited by the authorities to leave the water I did so with relief and joy, by God I had not drowned and could still walk(but not on water!!).  So, I have re-examined my future in triathlon and have promised myself I will only enter open water swim events that allow wetsuits and will do mostly sprint pool swim events.  I can still stay in very good shape and have more time for other things. While the Ironman distance is still the ultimate, I have my eight and the tat on the left arm, so why do I need any more?  This coming weekend I will be doing my 350th triathlon at the infamous Milkman Triathlon and the swim is 500 yards with a wetsuit, so beware I am going to enjoy this fun!!!

Movie Reviews:  

“The Big Wedding”, ***, This was an entertaining movie and worth a full ticket.  A romantic comedy in which, to the amusement of their adult children and friends, long-divorced couple Don and Ellie Griffing(played by Robert DeNiro and Diane Keaton) must pretend to be happily married to preserve the wedding of their adopted son (Ben Barnes). Many details left out so you can go see for yourselves. Susan Sarandon plays the current wife of DeNiro and Robin Williams does a small part as the Catholic Priest.  Rated R for language sexual content and brief nudity.

“Ironman 3”, ****, This is the third of the Ironman sequels and is very good. While it is not as good as the original it is very good and has a believable performance by Robert Downey Jr., as the rich guy who still performs as Ironman.  He does humanize the character and recognizes what matters most in life.  He actually sleeps with his long time secretary and now lover played by Gwyneth Paltrow.  Ben Kingsley plays the villain and does a great job.  It is action packed and promises that Ironman will return!  Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence throughout, and brief suggestive content.  

EA, SH.........:)!

greerman

Hero? Not! Movie Review, Book Review

Sometimes things come up that bug me, not to be confused with anger or disgust, they just “bug” me.  Bugging is not a completely defined word and must be a slang word for pissed off, angry, befuddled, confused, or just wonder why about something not to be confused with curiosity.  So, with that said I must say I am “bugged” about the recent announcement that professional basketball player Jason Collins came roaring out of the closet with the proclamation that he is gay.  With all the comments by so called prominent people they are actually declaring him a “hero” and that really bugs me.  Okay now let me explain that I don’t care whether someone is or isn’t gay, that is their business, but why do I have to see news items revolved around this personal proclamation?  While he is the first professional athlete to come out(meaning that other sports must also have gay men or women) of the closet he comes from a professional sport that I care nothing about, so I have no axe to grind here.  Coach Bobby Knight once said it best when he said he had rather watch two frogs making love than a professional basketball game, and I must confess that is also my feeling.  My point of the day is this is not a heroic act, it is just a confession of a very personal thing and I hope the press has got their fill of it.  Of course now I expect a nice thick hard bound book to come out giving all the dirty details.  Stay tuned!

While I am at it, a couple of articles in the sports pages carried some quotes from Dallas Cowboy owner Jerry Jones.  He informed the loyal Cowboy fans that rather than be just a statistical leader amongst the previous Cowboy quarterbacks, he was going to work harder to become a “win” the critical games type quarterback.  To do this he is going to adapt Payton Manning type work ethics.  This means for his new contract of $105 million he is going to work out in the off season and spend more hours practicing so that he will become the winner the fans expect.  You see Romo is a great quarterback, just like Hall of Fame Fran Tarkenton was but they have two things in common, they have never won a Super Bowl.  This is the point of measurement that is used in all pro football quarterbacks.  While Tarkenton took the Vikings to 3 Super Bowls he never won one.  In the case of Romo he has never made it to the big show and has the distinction of losing the big games.  Now what “ bugs” me about this is that Romo is being paid this big money and Mr. Jones is so proud that he is going to work over time in the coming years.  But, as I write this it will be safe to say that no matter the amount of time he puts in on the field he will never win the big one!  Now Mr. Tony man prove me wrong!  As a life long Cowboy fan who has turned North to watch a real championship quarterback in Peyton Manning, it would be fun to see Romo win in the Jerry Bowl!  God save the King! 

Movie Review:

“Pain and Gain”, 0(Zero), This is one of the worst movies I have ever seen and wastes some very good actors.  It is a true story about 3 body builder trainers headed up by Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and Anthony Mackie.  They plot a kidnapping which includes extortion and murder.  This is actually a true story but I really don’t see how anyone could be as dumb as these three would be criminals.  Not worth seeing how bad it is even if it is free.  Rated R for bloody violence(you mean when they slice up two bodies with a chain saw?), crude sexual content, nudity, language throughout and drug use. 

Book:  “The Complete Nutrition guide for Triathletes”-Dr. Jamie Cooper.  This has some great new state of the art nutrition ideas for any type of athlete, but is centered on the sport of triathlon. 

EA, SH..........:)!

greerman