They asked for his medal back, and he couldn't find it!

To quote Robin Williams, it was around his fucking neck!

Poor Michael Phelps. How the mighty have fallen. On top of being banned from competing by USA Swimming for three months, and losing his contract with Kellogg, Phelps is also facing possible criminal charges. Will he be convicted? Doubtful, but the cops feel compelled to ensure that everyone knows not even mega-star athletes can get away with being a pothead. Can you honestly say that you were very surprised to see the photo though? I mean, look at him:

Does he not look a like a pothead already?

In other news, there are two movies currently in theatres that more than merit the eight or nine bucks it costs to go see them. "Underworld: Rise of the Lycans" and "Taken". Regarding the former, the Underworld franchise is in my opinion the only recent franchise that has gotten progressively better with each installment, vs. the typical Hollywood norm of sticking with the moneymaking formula and sacrificing quality. Despite being a prequel, "Rise of the Lycans" reprises the roles of several veteran actors of the series, as well as introducing new characters and enhancing the storyline all while keeping the viewer engaged and entertained, despite that fact that anyone who has seen the original "Underworld" will know exactly where the movie is going.

"Taken", starring Liam Neeson, has nearly all the ingredients of a perfect action film, with none of the cheesiness. Great stunt work, an original, mostly plausible story, and a solid leading actor all combine for a great action flick atypical from whats been offered lately. Another big plus- a lack of excessive explicit language. Not that it bothers me, but in some cases, such as "Wanted", or "Boondock Saints", its rather distasteful to go out of your way just to throw 'fuck' around five or six times every sentence.

Drums and paint

In my last posting I mentioned my trip to Las Vegas, and decided  to elaborate a bit on it.  My family and I stayed at The Mirage, famous for its erupting volcano and Siegfried and Roy's white tigers.  Friday night, my mom and brother went to see the Cirque du Soleil show "Love", which brought to life some of The Beatle's most famous songs.  Now since I myself am not a Beatles fan, I did not attend, and as my dad wasn't about to let me roam the strip by myself, we went to the Venetian to see Blue Man Group.

They did not disappoint.  From their trademark drumming involving splashes of neon paint and  unorthodox yet thrilling use of various pipes and tubes, combined with cutting lighting and other visual effects,  this show easily surpassed my greatest expectations and all the reviews I'd experienced going in.  If you ever find yourself with an opportunity to experience Blue Man Group, don't pass it up.  Here's clips of them in Vegas performing "Drumbone" and The Who's "Baba O'Riley".

Looking back on the weekend... and the last 21 years.

For those of you who don't know, I travelled to Las Vegas to celebrate my 21st birthday this past weekend.  I had a blast.  I'll probably  put some pictures of the trip up on here in a few days.  On the flight back, I spent a great deal of time reflecting on my life thus far.  Friends I've gained and lost, decisions regretted (both made and unmade), and every direction my life has taken, whether I've wanted it to or not.  

One of the first things that came to mind is how fortunate I've been.  Due to no faults but my own, I've landed myself in a somewhat day-to-day sort of existence, and have squandered a great many opportunities that have come my way.  I have my good days, and my bad days.  Days where I enjoy life and love those around me, and days where gaze longingly at at ceiling or of photos from the past and wonder where  my life has gone.  While I contemplated the last 21 years, several memories of pivotal times in my life came to mind.  The first friends I came out to, Alex and Jessica.  Moving from Colorado and leaving my girlfriend at the time, Amy.  Cory, my first boyfriend, and the good and bad times we shared.  The deaths of my paternal grandfather, and my mothers twin siblings all within two months of each other.  My longest relationship to date, with Chris, and how lying and hiding from the truth can destroy some one's life.  Coming out to my family with mixed, but ultimately positive and accepting reactions.  Realizing I have problems, but never strong enough and too blinded by pride to seek help, even as they cost me educational and personal opportunities.  I think of the countless times I've lied to my friends and family, as if afraid that I must constantly strive for there approval and to impress them.  

I'm often surprised at myself for coming this far.  It seems that every triumph is followed by an eclipsing and overshadowing defeat, usually caused in some part by me.  But what keeps my going is not that I enjoy my life (and I do most of the time, don't get me wrong), but my closest friends and family.  Those who have been with me through it all.  My loving family; for a better one I could not ask, and my friends.  From those who have stayed with me after my move from Colorado, those who cared enough to worry when I would disappear for days at a time, to those who make such an impact on my life either from the moment I meet them or at just the right time when I needed it the most.  And finally, and most recently, there are those who either enter or are brought in to your life for just a day or two at a time, and in their short appearance can cause you to question everything in your life up to that point and where and with whom it may go in the future.  These people inevitably beg the question, what if?  Should I change or risk what I have for the possibility of something different or much better?

It is all these things combined that have shaped me into who am today.  While I can never be proud of it all, it is nonetheless this collection of characters and events that will continue my life life on its present course, and also determine where and with whom it will take me. 

Thanks to B/a, C-C/a, C/o, P/c, A/c, B-B-B/c, S/m-a, K/m, S/a, S/c, J/m, N/a, A-A/a, J/a, T/o, L/h, V/a, W/a K/a, and most recently, J/n.

-For those confused by the above series of letters, it is simply a way for me to acknowledge those who have made the biggest impacts in my life without naming them outright.  If you figure it out and find yourself among it, congratulations and thank you for being a part of my life.