Music

For those of you that know me well, you know I love music.

Many times I've tried to describe what music is to me and why I love it to such a degree. I've looked up quotes, lyrics, heard other people talk about it, listened to more songs and musical styles than I could possibly count and I've drawn a few conclusions:

• Music is, in fact, indescribable at times. It just consumes you and takes you somewhere you never thought existed.
• Sometimes music is the cure you never knew you needed. I couldn't tell you how many times I've gotten home after a rough day, turned on some good tunes, and felt better almost instantly. It's like a drug that's always free and always there when you need it.
• The feeling you get that sends chills all over when you here a truly great song is one of the best damn things in all of existence.
• It's always there for you and doesn't know how to betray you.
• There is a song for every feeling, even if it's one you can't describe. Then, when you find the song that fits that unknown feeling, it leaves you almost speechless.
• There is no such thing as a "perfect" song (Although I must admit Stairway to Heaven is pretty much flawless in every way).
• There is no "right" style of music. Everyone loves music for different reasons. Don't judge someone because they like a particular artist/type of music or don't like something you like. At the same time, don't be embarrassed for liking something a person tells you isn't cool. Don't make excuses for loving your favorite band or song. Love it because it speaks to you and you just love it. As stated earlier, music is indescribable at times and sometimes that's the point!
• Sitting in a dark room with a glass of whiskey (or beer or wine or whatever your heart desires) and just listening to great tunes can make for a better night than you think.
• Wayne's World is the single greatest movie of all time (OK, that doesn't really have anything to do with the rest of this, but it felt like it needed to be said).
• I can't imagine my life without music.

I could really go on forever. I will add one more thought, though: Maybe you're not supposed to be able to describe in a few words what music truly is to you. Maybe it's just a feeling left inside us for us to love and let consume us when we need it the most.

A New Beginning

Hello fellow Bears fans.

We have finally, mercifully reached the end of what I can only describe as the most painful Bears season I can remember. I'm leaving it at that. The 2014 Chicago Bears are done; it's time to move on.

Now, as I'm sure you're all aware the Bears decided to fire General Manager Phil Emery and coach Marc Trestman today. I was not surprised by the move and, in fact, welcomed it. I had no emotional moment where I said "thank God" or jumped out of my seat with joy. The right move was made.

However, what has drawn some significant reaction is what has transpired as the day went on. Specifically, the press conference with Bears chairman George McCaskey and president Ted Phillips. McCaskey was asked what his mother Virginia, principal owner and granddaughter of the legendary George Halas, has had to say about the team.

This was McCaskey's reaction:

“She’s pissed off. I can’t think of a 91-year-old woman that that description would apply to but in this case I can’t think of a more accurate description.”

God bless that woman. FINALLY after months of apathy and players and coaches appearing not to give a damn, somebody has stepped and said that what is happening with this great organization is not right.

McCaskey even added that his mother is "fed up with mediocrity."

Here is a link to see what George said.

Damn straight. It feels like a breath of fresh air to know the ownership of this team cares, wants to see change, and wants to see this team return to glory.

So my friends, here is to new beginnings. I don't know what the future holds, but for the first time in awhile I feel hope that the Bears will one day return to the promise land. And that feels pretty damn good after months of feeling so down about the team I love so much.

Here's to you, Virginia. As always, BEAR DOWN.

Every Simpsons Ever

Since my foot has decided to be hurt and I'm moving as little as possible, I've decided to grab a drink and blog about what may be one of the greatest things to happen in my lifetime...the Every Simpsons Ever Marathon on FXX.

I've loved The Simpsons as long as I can remember. Literally. One of my earliest memories is asking my sister if we can watch "the yellow people" on TV. I even own the first 11 seasons on DVD and one day I will have them all. I college, I wrote a paper about how great of a show The Simpsons is.

So, naturally, this marathon of every single Simpsons episode ever was right up my alley.

How has it been so far? Everything I had expected it to be. When I haven't been at work I've been watching the marathon. I can't stop. It's starting to effect my life.

Earlier today I had to get out and run some errands but finding a good break in the marathon was like finding a needle in a haystack. I kept saying to myself "after this episode" and something like three hours later I finally managed to pry myself away from the epicness to get out of the house and take care of some business.

The fact my foot is hurt is making it better. It's given me a (in my mind) a legitimate excuse to sit on the couch all day and watch this thing. I've accepted my fate.

I have no regrets.

I can't thank FXX enough for doing this. I mentioned earlier this may be one of the greatest things to happen in my life. I mean it. Seriously...how often does your favorite show of all time get displayed non-stop for 12 straight days? Incredible.

I hope this post finds you sitting in front of the TV and watching the marathon, just like me.

Good luck, and may the Force be with you.

Always a Fan

I wrote this awhile back, right after the Bears lost to the Packers and lost a chance at the playoffs last season.  Not sure why I never posted it, but it seems like it should be...so, enjoy reading a piece of my mind after an especially heartbreaking loss...


Sometimes after I watch Bears games like the one today I catch myself thinking, for just a second, why do I love this team so much?  On a relatively consistent basis they find a way to rip my heart out.  Why do we love something that hurts us?  What if you apply the same thing to relationships?  If a person hurts you over and over, eventually you'd drop them and move on...but with sports, we roll with the punches.  But why?

Maybe the answer is something as simple and stupid as, hope.  Holding onto the hope that one day, they won't let you down.  One day, they'll stand on top of the mountain and you'll get to experience that special feeling reserved for the fans of Super Bowl Champions.

However, I think the answer is beyond true description.  When you love a team, truly love them, you don't have a real reason.  I remember the moment I became a Bears fan.  It just hit me.  It felt right.  Something about the team spoke to me.  I've been obsessed ever since.  There's no reason, it just happened.

So, even though watching my team come up just short today and dealt me yet another heart-ripping moment in a long history of heart-ripping moments, I'll continue holding my love for this team.  I'll continue my unconditional faith and belief in this team we call "Da Bears."

Finding Bigfoot

Unequivocally my number one guilty pleasure show is Finding Bigfoot.  Anyone who follows me on Twitter (@trislerstudz if you don't already) knows it.  Really, anyone that's ever been around me when I've mentioned it knows how much I love/hate the show.

For those of you who are blissfully unaware, Finding Bigfoot follows the adventures of some truly ignorant people, who are members of the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO), as they attempt to prove the existence of the mythical Bigfoot (a beast they commonly refer to as a "squatch").

Obviously, they have failed...so far.

When it comes down to the bare-bones of the show, what these people do is go into the woods, make a bunch of noise (which includes doing some rather ridiculous thing called a "bigfoot howl"), and for the most part assume any noise they hear back MUST be bigfoot.  They also talk to some eyewitnesses and hear their stories/encounters with the strange beast.  Pretty much every time, the stars of the show say "I believe you saw a bigfoot."  No matter how insane the story is.

But possibly the most insane, and really insulting part of the show, is all the little facts they have about bigfoot.  They say these things as FACTS.  They 100 percent believe these things they say are true characteristics of bigfoot.  For instance, did you know bigfoot like to follow power lines?  It's like their highways.  What proof do they offer to back up this outrageous statement?  None.  Because it's just a fact...didn't you know that?

They say these things with little to no evidence to back them up, and expect you to just believe them.  It insults human intelligence.  It really does.  Like, do you expect me to believe this when you have NO evidence to prove it?

These idiots once spent 50 minutes of one episode proving there are, in fact, deer in the woods.  I kid you not, that is the only thing I got from the episode.  Of course, what they said (and what they say at the end of every episode, no matter how little they have proven) is "after seeing what we've seen here, I do believe there are sasquatches in ___."

What have I learned form the show?  That bigfoot is basically a collection of random facts no one can associate to any one specific animal.

My point here is the show is rather addicting.  While I'd rather not give these idiots more viewers, I suggest checking it out if you're looking for a laugh or just want to feel better about your life.  I promise you will.

That's all I have.  I could probably write a book on how insane these people are but I'd rather let them speak for themselves, so here's a link to a video of those insane howls I wrote about earlier.

Happy squatching!

The Marathon

It's been awhile...

For those that did not hear, I ran my first Marathon this past Sunday (May 19th).  It was, to say the least, fucking awful (excuse the language, but that's truly the best way of describing it).
That being said, it was without a doubt one of the greatest experiences I've ever been through.  I had to really fight to the finish.  I cramped up, it was hotter than Hell, and by the time I crossed the finish line I was completely exhausted.
I've been working towards this goal literally all of 2013.  Well, before that actually.  I started a "pre-training" phase at the beginning of December by going through "Insanity" for the second time in a year.  Then after that was done, I jumped right into my official training program and I've been grinding ever since.
The journey was not easy.  The biggest obstacle was when I had a bit of a hip injury develop about half way through my training and had to really dial things back for a week.  I even went as far as to change my running style to ensure it got healthy and stayed that way.
The journey I went through from the beginning of training to crossing the finish line is an experience I could have never imagined myself going through and it has definitely changed me for the better.

Here's some pictures:

Getting some stretching in before the race in the hotel room

The starting line

Getting focused before the race

Simply waiting for the to say "go"

And we're off

Mile 6 I think?

Same mile

Mile 13 I believe

No more than 50 yards from the finish and I cramped...again...had to stop and work it out cause my right leg wouldn't move

FINALLY

I'll explain who this girl is below

You develop a whole new appreciation for chairs after you run 26.2 miles

Ok, so the girl in the picture above.  Her name is Krystal and she's an ANGEL.  I mentioned I had cramped during the race, well my calf totally seized up around mile 23.  Krystal happened to be running by and she stopped, helped me work it out, then stuck it out with me all the way until the finish line.  There is no way I could have made it without her!

I've never been so exhausted in my whole life, but damnit I made it.
Don't let the pain I went through discourage you.  If you're thinking about doing a Marathon, go for it!  The pain is completely worth it.

Will I ever run another one?  I have no clue right now.  MANY people have told me that you have to forget how your first Marathon felt before you run another...so I'll just be content to revel in my victory for now.

Before I end things I wanted to send out a big time "thank you" to everyone that reached out to me and gave me there support/congratulated me when it was over!  It definitely gave me some extra motivation.

PEACE!

P.S. I post pretty frequently on my blog for work, check that out...http://wnlffm.com/on-air/studz

The Rematch

For the past 318 days the Leatherneck Basketball players and coaches have thought of very little other than that heartbreaking 52-50 OT loss to South Dakota State in the Summit League Championship game.  That's a type of game that sticks with you.  One you never forget.  It stings you deep down.  It's a pain you have trouble putting into words.

The Leathernecks were devastated after that game.  Tonight in Western Hall they have a chance to exact a measure revenge.

While this game may not be for a trip to the National Tournament, it's a chance for the Leathernecks to show the Jackrabbits that this isn't 2012 anymore.  To show them that they're for real.  Tonight, along with the big game versus North Dakota State on Saturday, they can show the entire conference that this Leatherneck squad is a force to be dealt with.  A storm that isn't going to settle.

When the Jackrabbits enter Western Hall tonight they're going to enter an electric atmosphere that the arena hasn't seen for many, many years.  Maybe even ever.  The stands will be packed.  The crowd will be loud.  The environment is going to be something SDSU has likely never experienced inside Western Hall:  hostile.

I know for a fact that since I've been here there hasn't ever been this much hype about a Leatherneck home game.  The entire community is talking about it.

The Leathernecks have certainly earned that support.  They enter the game at 14-3 overall, 6-0 in conference play, tied for first in the conference, and riding a program record eleven game winning streak.

Over the next few days the Leathernecks have a chance to send a message to the rest of the conference.  To make a statement that simply says:  the Conference Tournament may be held in Sioux Falls, but the road to the top of the Summit goes through Western Illinois!

GO LEATHERNECKS!!!