Sunday, July 13, 2014

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."

Sunday, January 12, 2014

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!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

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

Thursday, January 17, 2013

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!!!




Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Leatherneck Basketball Returns

...and I could not be more excited!

On Thursday, Leatherneck hoops returns (kinda) in their first exhibition game of the year.  For those that followed me last year, you know I'm basically obsessed with this team, and it seems outrageously inappropriate to not post about them.

I'm thinking I'll probably be posting about them again this season, it just won't be as in-depth being that I'm no longer traveling with them/calling their games...:(...but I'll do my best to keep up!  It shouldn't be too hard because I know I'll be at every home game and listening to every road game.  I'll try and make it to a few road games as well, but some of those trips are prettttty far.

The first exhibition game is Thursday at home against Harris-Stowe State...who I've never heard of.  Tip is at 7pm, and you know I'll be there!

GO LEATHERNECKS!!!

P.S. Here's a link to highlights of last season for those who missed out (or just want to relive it)!

'11-'12 Leatherneck Highlights

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

The Microwave...

Oh how I despise this machine...

Here at the station HQ, we have this microwave...it is the bane of our existence   I have no doubts that it is the WORST microwave on the planet.  If you can get it to work for 30 seconds without "popping" and subsequently causing the power strip its hooked to to shut off, that would be considered "good."  It's gotten to the point where I just set the damn thing for 10 seconds and hope it gets through that, which it sometimes doesn't.  How absurd is that??

I swear, I'm going to go "Office Space" on this thing and beat it mercilessly until it is no longer recognizable.  On a daily basis it takes everything  I have not to toss it off the top of the building.  I have taken an oath that the day we get a new microwave, I will be taking this one into the back alley and "disposing" of it.  Hopefully I'll be able to create a video of it so you all can see this demonic devise meet its doom.

If you want to be kind and donate us a new microwave, you would be my hero until the end of time.  

That's all I really have for today, I needed to get that out of my system.  I'll be steppin' into the Glass Case at Noon per the usual routine.  

As a reward for following along with my little rant, here's an awesome music video featuring an awesome guy...  


May the force be with you...always.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Joining the "Real World"

For anyone who has not heard (I'm guessing there's not much of you who haven't), after sending out applications all over trying to find a job, I got a call out of the blue from Prestige Radio (where I interned at last summer) right here in Macomb with a job offer!  I immediately accepted and so it looks like Macomb, IL will be my home for a little while longer!


No, I do not have a problem staying in Macomb for now.  I still have lots of friends here and it is not an expensive place to live so I should be able to save money somewhat easily.


As of right now, I do not officially live anywhere.  The lease on our house for the past two years ended last week and so until I find my own place, I'm staying at a friends apartment.  I'm going to look at apartments today, so hopefully I will have my own place soon.

Now, the transition into the real world...up until getting this job, I had not been doing much of anything.  I would wake up whenever I felt like it and basically do nothing outside of working out for the rest of the day. Not a bad lifestyle in my opinion, but I was rather bored...a lot.  Then I started this job and everything changed.  I have to come in around 4:30am everyday and typically finish up around 12:30, depending on how busy I am (for instance, Fridays are usually busier).  Needless to say, I've had to adjust quickly.

Despite how abrupt my schedule change was, I think I've taken it rather well.  I have not minded getting up really early.  Don't get me wrong though, I have definitely found myself missing the "college" lifestyle at times, but I know that this is a necessary transition.  Plus, it's nice to have something to do everyday.  What I like the most is that everyday is different.  I hate doing repetitive work that requires the same thing over and over and so it's great that this job keeps me on my toes and lets me be creative.  

I like my co-workers a lot.  Generally, radio people are very easy to get along with and add in the fact that I was already here last summer and it made everything very easy on me.

That's it for now, I'll try to post some pics of the new job area at some point!