Monday, April 16, 2007

It's All In How You Look At It

I am highly amused at the amplified and exaggerated presentation of televised sports. It seems each contest is now presented as a “game for the history books”, a “race like we’ve never seen” or the “matchup of the century”. Each athlete is also portrayed in a heroic manner with their own heartbreaking, often tragic and desperate story. It is only an unusual and inspirational inner strength that allows them to play the “game of their career” today.

Come on. It’s just a game. They’re just regular people. The games and the athletes only seem superior and more exciting when they are elevated to such exceptional and extraordinary status by the television sports commentators. In fact, even the most presumably mundane life can appear to be special, exciting and inspirational if you just look at it the right way.

Sally Scrapbooks Until Midnight!
Sally scrapbooks today with a determination that we haven’t seen in years. Sally has failed in meeting her scrapbooking goals during her last 5 crops. Sally does admit to falling behind in her photo and page prep work compared to her more dedicated peers. A recent Personal Trimmer injury only added to her lackadaisical attitude. At crops, she has been seen chatting and eating the snacks more than other scrapbookers who took the crop more seriously. This has caused her to lose sight of her ultimate goal of completing a baby album for her son. This crop, however, Sally has refocused her efforts and has been sighted with a Power Layouts box. This can only mean that Sally is determined to rise above her past failures and finally reach the scrapbooking pinnacle that she has always dreamed about-a completed album. Success is virtually guaranteed.

Chuck Changes the Oil!
Chuck comes from a long line of oil changers. It’s hard to believe, but Chuck’s father changed his own oil before there was such a thing as synthetic. Chuck’s grandfather changed his own oil until he was 83 years old. And of course we can’t ignore the stunning fact that Chuck’s cousin Fred has changed the oil in his car, truck, boat, motorcycle, jet ski and generator-all in one weekend. With such obvious familial endowment for oil changing, it is no surprise that there was significant pressure on young Chuck to change oil as soon as he could be trusted not to use the creeper as a skateboard. Chuck was eventually recruited by the Jiffy Lube Corporation right out of his Jefferson High School auto body class. Chuck’s talent was recognized by that organization when he was named Employee of the Month an unprecedented 7 times. After 5 years, Chuck parted ways with the Jiffy Lube Corporation when he decided to take a position at the local Walmart because they had better benefits. Chuck currently lives outside of Omaha with his wife and 3 children where he now changes oil for pleasure only.

Sharon Shops ‘Til She Drops!
Sharon grew up in a disadvantaged shopping environment. She came from a dysfunctional shopping family that insisted on having a budget and planning each purchase. It wasn’t until Sharon got to college that she was finally given the opportunity to fulfill her shopping destiny. It was at UCLA when Sharon was introduced to her shopping mentor, sorority sister and lifelong shopaholic, Impulse Irene. Irene was instrumental in giving Sharon the tools to become the truly extraordinary shopper we see before us today. Sharon was determined to not be intimidated by her wealthier and more aggressive shopping sorority sisters. As Sharon absorbed all of the teachings of Impulse Irene, she gained shopping confidence. By the end of her 4 years at UCLA, Sharon had learned how to pay one credit card with another, that Saks Fifth Avenue always does their markdowns on Monday evenings and that no matter how depressed she gets, shopping will always make her feel better. Sharon now lives by the philosophy that every woman should have 3 good friends to get her through the tough times. Sharon highly recommends Kate Spade for her handbags, Jimmy Choo for his shoes, and Roberto Cavalli for his Italian made, flutter sleeve jersey dress from his spring 2007 collection.

So you see, we just need to look at things the right way, like the television commentators do. It appears we all can be full of inspiration and determination as we live our own “unparalled life”-just like the exciting athletes we see on TV. Now, where is that number for Nike? I want a big shoe contract.

Check This Out!

Sausage Ragu Bolognese
Saute an onion, 3 carrots and 3 celery stalks, all finely diced, in a little bit of olive oil or cooking spray until soft. Add 1 pound Italian sausauge, crumble and cook until no longer pink. Add 1/2 bottle of white wine or similar amount of chicken broth and simmer until fully absorbed. Add 3 or 4 cups of milk or cream and simmer until fully absorbed. Add a few shakes of nutmeg and 3 15oz cans of diced tomatoes. Throw in some basil if you have it, as well. I usually mash the mixture a bit with my potato masher to help break up the tomatoes. Simmer mostly covered for 3 1/2 hours or until the kids come in from playing outside. Toss the whole mess with a pound of rigatoni. Enjoy a little piece of heaven.

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