Playoff Post-Play

The Playoffs are done, and the NBA is is not returning until late October to start the 2011-12 season. With the Mavs having taken the title this year, defeating the Miami Heat in the process, I'd just like to comment on this series as a whole.

The series went 6 games, which is something the NBA world should be used to in this situation. In 2006, it was actually the Heat and the Mavs that met up in the finals, except back then it was the Heat who were victorious. This time around, the Mavs won it all in 6.

It's odd too many people because a team with players at the level of Dwyane Wade, who won the title in 06', and Lebron James, it was almost a guarantee they had the title, especially with all the hype of the off-season.

But I believe that the outstanding play of both Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry really was the difference maker. Dirk has grown and become undoubtedly one of the best clutch players, as well as possibly the best international player the game has ever seen. And the bench play of Jason Terry is just amazing. Scoring at high rates, as well as in the clutch with Dirk, he was probably the most underrated player on the Mavs, while at the same time always having a sense of "you better respect me and defend, or I'm gonna drop the shot in your face". And not just from a scoring aspect, he made great passes and plays that were crucial in games that led to victories.

When game 6 was being played, something happened that needs to be addressed. It doesn't even have much to do with the game itself, but here's what happened. Eddie House of the Miami Heat had just made a 3-pointer, and then a time out was called. When that happened, Deshawn Stevenson of the Mavs and Udonis Haslem got into a bit of a scuffle, which resulted in players having to stop a possible fight from breaking out between the two players, and then also led to a technical foul on the Mavs, and 2 given to the Heat.

This was unnecessary and unsportsman like behaviour to witness. Game 6, a title game for the Mavs and an elimination game for the Heat, people would assume that players would be focused on the game, and "intense" obviously, but not in this respect.

In short, the Heat fell short early on and faced the consequences of the Mavericks becoming champions.

It's not as one-sided as you might think.

The longest unit in media studies this semester was Gender Roles and Stereotypes, where we spent two months learning how women were objectified in the media. I vaguely remember a brief sidenote, saying 'Oh yeah, sometimes men are objectified too". Is this focus really deserved? As a guy I feel an enourmous pressure to be the fit, muscular alpha male constant depicted in every form of media that needs a male lead. However, this happens mostly in movies, with most young males preferring the big screen than newspapers or online media. muscleheads are everywhere in film. Even nerds are buff. In kickass, during one of the 'suit up' scenes (I couldn't find a better clip because the school blocks searches such ass 'kick ass', but this one works sufficiently) you can see that even Dave(kickass) , a social outcast is muscular under that wetsuit. I especially felt the pressure after watching 'Snatch' a movie about brad pitt playing an anatomically perfect illegal boxer.

Most of Brad's scenes are spent with the camera under him, making him look heroic, powerful and intimidating, in greyscale scenes with sharp and definite lines, because Brad's a man's MAN'S man. Be like Brad. He's the man.

I remember once I felt so bad about my own body image that for an instant, the words "If I'm not muscular my girlfriend won't have a reason to love me." crossed my mind. Of course , these words were instantly followed by a facepalm so hard I could have painted the wall with my brains. Guys are under just as much pressure from the media as girls. The main difference is that most guys are just ashamed to admit it, or cave under pressure and develop addictions to steroids, or even addictions to working out itself. (Not to say that girls don't develop psychological disorders aswell, of course.)

Royal Rumours

The royal couple, a dream come true or a tragedy in the making? It depends on whether you have been watching or reading the saga enfold. Not only a difference in media forms, but also in the story line.
Ever since the engagement, the television networks have been following this couple in a positive way. They have been keeping the rest of the world informed about the loving relationship these two people have. While on the other hand, magazine tabloid’s have been busy tearing up their past, present and future lives with unnecessary rumours and gossip.

If you were like me, and only watched the television broadcast of the Royal engagement and wedding ceremony, then you would have only heard the positive side of the festivities.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gxvdRpQrAk&feature=related

They talk about the ring, her gorgeous dress, her hair, how lucky they were to have each other and how much they were in love. They didn’t once say a negative comment about either one of their past lives, or made up rumors about this couple or their families.

http://www.ivillage.com/kate-middleton-pregnant-star-magazine/1-a-340860

In an article written in ‘Star’ magazine, they wrote about Kate possibly being pregnant before the wedding and thus the rushed engagement and hurried wedding date. Rumours, rumours, rumours’, that’s all they want to spread. Are they trying to make the community turn on them, and doubt their relationship? Where do they get this information from? What is their goal when giving this couple such poor publicity?

On the other hand, one tabloid source has her infertile.

http://www.zimbio.com/Kate+Middleton/articles/Snwk-Jbxvi8/Touch+Weekly+Kate+Middleton+Can+t+Get+Pregnant

In this article, the ‘after plastic surgery’ picture of Kate Middleton doesn’t even look like her. If it is true, which I doubt, they should have chosen a picture that doesn’t look like her head has been pasted on to a random body. Nice try!

http://www.nationalenquirer.com/celebrity/kate-middleton-plastic-surgery-shockers

Frankly, I would rather watch the positive aspects of their lives, even if it is exaggerated, rather than hear about her cross-dressing uncle, queer brother or her prostitute cousin. So be careful what you watch and especially what you read. Or as Ben Franklin once said, “ Believe none of what you hear, and half of what you see.”

Prom of your Dreams?

Its that time of year! Where the seiner classes gets to celebrate their four years of hard work. Its PROM! The high school event that everyone looks forward to, something to dress up for, something to get excited about!

But why does this event have such a big reputation?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YziwpXjY2o

In the media, prom is such a big deal. They make it seem like it will be the best night of your life. It is the event that is emphasized in every teen movie. When in reality, many people are just setting themselves up for a night of disappointment.

Before the actual night of prom, there is the preparation, which is probably the most stressful part. Finding a date, and the right dress are just some of the more important development steps you have to go through to get ready for ‘the best night of your life’. Also, the make-up, hair and nail appointments, limousine rides, and after party room will hike up the price of prom to the sky! These teenaged girls and guys (more particularly girls) spend hundreds of dollars for one night of your life! You don’t need to buy a $300 dress to have a good time.

What the media likes to say is that during your prom night, you will fall in love and have a happy life with that partner beyond high school and prom. You’ve finally pinned down that person of your dreams, that you thought you’d never get. At the end of the night you both become the Prom Queen and King, what an amazing night!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpi4AJzWTCI

You don’t need to have all the over-the-top details to have a good time. A good time is made up of good friends, laughter and memorable stories. It’s not what you wore or how much you spent. When you look back at this day, its not the limo’s, hair, and make-up that will make you feel warm, it’s beyond that.

So go ahead, celebrate the achievements, friendships and what the future has in store, not those $700 Gucci shoes.

PS3 Back up?

So one day I went home after hearing that the psn was back up, (You know I have no idea who said it but someone once said "if it sounds to good to be true it probably is" <--[who said that?, comment about it...]) when I got home and turned on my ps3 I tried to sign in, the game told me to renew my password... Are you serious? I didn't even remember my blog password, for real I have posted on like three blog accounts... After finding out what my password was I managed to sign in, the playstation store was still down but online was working. One week later the playstation store came back online and 2 of 5 games free to download to every ps3 owner. The games were; Little Big Planet 1, Infamous 1, Dead Nation, Wipe Out HD, And Stardust HD <-- Wtf is stardust?... Come on playstation at least give us some new games, playstation also gave so other things like themes and a month subscription to playstation plus. No, the thing's they gave us are not amazing but what ever, at least playstation did something for us.

Concerns With the Ever So Popular Twilight

I love vampire and supernatural books as much as the next person so I picked up the novel Twilight in grade seven at a book fair when the book was unheard of and newly released. I noticed a few odd concepts in the novel but at the age of 13 it doesn't register to a full degree.  By grade 9 the book was flowering with the popularity it was receiving and I read it again. I was disturbed by the new things I found that I now know isn't natural.

Edward Cullen. Main hot, sexy male character.

He is a stalker and a pedophile.

He watched Bella as she slept? He thirsted for her blood? He followed her home? 
There and then, the alarm bell started going, but Bella STILL fell in love with him! She's okay with the fact she watches her. She's okay with the fact that he thirsts for her blood and wants to EAT her.  Usually you would not be turned on or attracted to someone who takes their free time to watch you sleep or wants to eat you...you get a restraining order.

To top it,  he is over 100 years old. She is 17.  Can you say Pedophilia?
Think, if he did show his age?  He'd be ANCIENT.

Why is he in high school again? WHY would you want to repeat the thing most can't wait to get out of?
Possibly Edward has had hits to his manly pride as well. After all, he does Sparkle like a diamond in the sun.  What happened to the TRADITIONAL vampires? The ones who stayed inside all day? Who were afraid of crosses? Who hated garlic?
They were replaced with sparkling, human loving vampires like Edward.

Miss Bella Swan becomes SO RELIANT on Edward. Ditches her friends, ditches her friends and  lies to her father several times throughout the series.
Then he breaks up with her suddenly.
What does she do?
She sits, in a corner and mops. For MONTHS. In the SAME clothes.  She refuses to talk to anyone and shuts out the world.
WHAT?
GO GET SOME HELP.
She is a boy. We get it. You loved him but hunny, get over it.
Then he comes back and she goes on crawling back to him like a sick little puppy.

What does this teach the young girls of today who read these books?
Be reliant on your man.
WOW.
Independence? We fought for that! Why do you need a man? You can live just fine without one. Don't make me start quoting the Pussycat Dolls and their "I Don't Need A Man" song.

"I don't need a ring around my finger, to make me feel complete" -PCD
Yep, but Bella does. At the age of 18, she ditches University and her family and goes off to marry Edward. Smart move. Way to give up your entire life for a man.

Now after going though Biology in grade 9, I realize a HUGE problem.

BELLA GETS PREGNANT?

HOW?

That is biologically incorrect.

He has no blood and no semen therefore not only is it not possible for him to have intercourse with her, it is impossible to make her pregnant.
Also, WHY would you want the child of a vampire who will rip its way out of your body when its ready to come out?

Smart thinking...I guess they didn't think people learned biology. Or did they just wish for us to ignore the basic facts of reproduction?


Call me critical because I can't enjoy a basic vampire novel but I can only ignore so many details before it becomes unbearable to read without thinking WHAT THE...?