The Blackest Purse

This is about the time of the year where financially, I do pretty well for myself. In years past, I have treated myself to an iPod, an Xbox 360, and Christmas gifts for all my friends and family. Usually, it's some combination of having a big payday, plus Xmas, plus my birthday around the corner. This year is different because the only money I really have access to is my student loan money, which so far, I have not been shy about spending. It's a shame too, since I need it to eat and pay rent - there isn't a whole lot to go around.

However, I've never done Black Friday and for the first time, I'm in a real position to control my own finances (without parental interference). I don't need it, but I could really use a new TV. A nice one that's flat screen, HD, and big enough so I won't ever have to squint ever again. Plus, my current TV is about 4 years old, makes weird noises, occasionally the screen acts like it's been magnetized, and is heavy for a tiny sucker.

I'm thinking about getting this TV, which seems pretty reasonable. On the other hand, this is something I want, not a necessity. This is a necessity. Well, at some point anyway.

-Ryan

Chicago v. Rio

I haven't posted on this in a while - got sidetracked with life, liberty, and the pursuit. A lot has happened in the world since my last blog post. Hope to update this more often since there is more free time on my hands than I know what to do with.

I was watching the Scott Van Pelt show today on ESPN2 (a radio show that simulcasts on Cable TV; also, one of the more thoughtfully done shows on the sports networks) and he brought up a point about sticking with your home team(s), no matter how much they currently have tanked. In Van Pelt's case, his teams are the Maryland Terps (NCAA), the Washington Redskins (NFL), and the Washington Nationals (MLB) since he is from the Washington DC area; unfortunately for him, these three teams haven't done so well in recent years.

However, his point about supporting home teams even if you don't live there anymore brings up a dilemma for modern people, who don't really come from one place anymore. For example, some are still debating President Obama's origins, especially since he can claim ancestry in Hawaiian and Kenyan roots, and still call Chicago home.

As my closest friends know, this concept of "home" has always been a struggle for me, too. You see, I was born here, grew up here, but really consider myself a native of this place. This makes answering the icebreaker "Where are you from?" a long story. Unlike Van Pelt, though, I'm lucky my home teams currently range from decent to spectacular. The Chicago Bears are one of football's most storied teams, Brazil's soccer is world-class (five-time World Cup champions, a title in Portuguese we call Penta Campeão), and Florida....erm, well...maybe 2 out of 3 isn't so bad.

I bring this up because Chicago and Rio are both strong contenders for the 2016 Olympics, again presenting a problem for me - which city do I root for? The truth is both cities are great places, with wonderful people, beautiful sights, and interesting reputations in the international community. Both cities would also benefit from the added publicity and money the Olympic games would bring. However, despite their campaigns to say otherwise, neither city has the infrastructure or the space needed to host the big event. The locals of both places also have mixed feelings about hosting, probably because the Olympics have a reputation for weird construction and ruining cities. (See Beijing 2008 and Athens 2004).

Of course, I'm honored the places I'm from are even on the table. Chicago has been in the news quite often recently, although not always for the best. Rio always conjures up pleasant images...or the constant reminder of this. Maybe I should just be excited to have this personal debate; after all, whichever city gets the Olympic nod, my home team still "wins."

As always, let me know what you all think about any of this.

-Ryan

PS. Apologies to my fellows from Coral Springs. It was a lovely place to grow up. I haven't been there in a while, but from what I understand, Coral Springs is struggling a little (not sure if this is the SWAT incident that happened earlier this year - difficult to find a news link). Imagine if the Olympics came to CS!