alex's uber blog

Alright Hipsters! I'm playing movie critic again. This time it's a movie called The Boondock Saints. I just bought it yesterday, it was pretty good never heard about it but fell in love with it just like reservoir dogs. It's a movie about two Irish twins that get a vision from god telling them to rid of all the evil on earth so the good can prosper. It turns out the two brothers become hostile and go vigilante against all the mobsters and gang members in Boston. It is definitely a well done flick by director Tory Duffy. He utilizes a similar directing method that Tarintino uses in his movies. But nevertheless a good movie in his own right. Much controversy has plagued this film to be a "cult" movie. If you ask me do I believe this? No I don't I think some movie critics take movies to far, they blow movies out of proportion, movies are intended to be an escape from reality and critics take it to far when they call movies a cult movie. But once again if your looking for a new kind of movie check out The Boondock Saints. But I must warn you again, strong language and some gorey scences are in this movie. So all you with queasy stomachs get ready to make a b-line to the toilet LOL.

posted by Alex J @ 12:43 AM 0 comments

The freedom of choice in the United States.

In my opinion the freedom of choice in the United States is so backwards.
First of all the freedom of choice that we have are as materialistic as we can possibly get. I mean come on we have the freedom of choice of 101 soft serve ice cream flavors at Sunset grill, or we have the freedom of choice what new cell phone that comes out, pick one of the new 100 models. Or how about the numerous unhealthy, diabetes prone, trans-fat, 1500 calorie meals at one of the hundreds of Fast Food chains we have in the United States. Not to mention of the countless number of cigarette brands in the United States, or liquor stores or gun stores. If you ask me, we have all the freedom of choice in the wrong industries. We have the choice of thousands of things that can potentially kill us: cigarettes, liquor, guns, and fast food.
I mean come on the couple of choices of freedom that we could use is political parties, oil companies, broadcast news channels, banks.
It’s pretty pathetic in this time of age of increase of poverty, inflation, health problems, terrorism, racism, price fixing and corruption, that the citizens of the United States of America have only two political parties to choose from.
But we don’t have a single choice of freedom that can save our lives. What is that you may ask? Well that my friends is health care. The one of many things this country needs is a health care plan for its citizens. Not one health care is available upon citizenship; no you have to pay extra for that. With the increase of obesity, cancer, aids, and other health problems you would think the health of the United State Citizens would be at the top of the list. But in Canada, they have granted all of their citizens with health care since 1984 don’t you think it’s about time The United States caught up?

posted by Alex J @ 12:39 AM 0 comments

Reservoir Dogs

Reservoir Dogs the movie is by far one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. I had to watch it 3 more times after the first viewing. Quentin Tarintino is an amazing director the way he mixes the scenes around to fit the descriptions of the characters is quite innovative and neat. Rather than the normal linear plot that nearly all movies follow. The actors in this movie are all amazing in their own right. Each character brings in a secret ingredient that makes the movie into a suspensefull thriller. Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, Sean Penn, Lawrence Tierney and Michael Madsen my favorite are all part of an elaborate scheme to pull a heist. I won't get into too much detail but this is definitely a flick that everybody should see. It's a movie where most people either really love it or really hate it. But I must say the beginning when they walk in slow motion makes the whole movie, I kept saying to myself how "gangsta" is that, and the song "Little Green Bag" by the George Baker Selection is the perfect fit of the scene. Definitely a must see for all those that like suspenseful thrillers. But this movie contains some language and a gorey knife scene so I warn all those with queasy stomachs to beware.

posted by Alex J @ 11:32 PM 0 comments

For the love of the game or for the money?

It is a question asked by most sports critics, that speculate the true motives of professional athletes. Just about everyday you hear in the sports world of some famous baseball player signing a new contract for 50 Million dollars, or Lebron James signing a shoe contract for 45 million dollars. It is hard to ask yourself is he in it for the money or the love of the game. Now I'm not ragging on LeBron he is an amazing athlete in his own right. However he is a prime example of excessive revenues that professional athletes make. The sports industry is the most popular as it's ever been. It has grown to one of the leading money-makers bringing in astronomical figures. TV Commercials, Product promotions, and sports memorabilia. Just recently a baseball player from Japan negotiated a contract with the Boston Red sox for over 50 million dollars just to negotiate a contract now that is ridiculous in my opinion. I mean this guy must be quite the prodigy to pull a scheme off like that.
If you were to take at a look at some of the sports that aren't quite mainstream as The NBA, NFL, or MLB. You would see athletes that are dedicated to the game just for the love not just for a fat paycheck. Take National League Lacrosse, It's just starting to become viewed on TV. But nearly all of the athletes in the league have a full time job elsewhere. Whether it be teaching, construction, Lawyer, or etc. They are only paid a 14,000 a year for the average player. Obviously this is not enough to live on, yet alone buy multi-million dollar mansions, luxurious vacations, or the latest SUV with 26 in wheels. If you ask me it's the athletes in the sports like soccer, lacrosse, volleyball and other "underground" sports that have not become "corporate" and influenced by the $ sign. They are the real athetic heroes, they still have the passion and love for the game. The kind of athletes that would still play the game even if weren't paid a dime.
If anybody has some input on this subject please don't hesitate to state your opinion.

posted by Alex J @ 9:07 AM 0 comments

Financing Work

Personal experience from minimun wage
Flipping valuable lessons
To work for ipods, cell phones
successful labor instead of academic endeavors
Balancing money management skills
Can still focus on extracurricular activities
Burgers, checkbooks, cars, insurance
Is motivation for improving their lives financially
Punching high school education out of focus
To maintain cheap labor

posted by Alex J @ 8:49 AM 0 comments

A reflection of 2006,
Another year has passed it was the year I turned 17 years old. I must say it has been the greatest year so far. I but don't view the year as most people do. I think many people see the beginning and ending of a new year as starting fresh. However I do not think this way. I see the year changes in the way of the seasons changing. Anywho.... This year has been extraordinary I have a better grasp on what I want to do with my life, and where I want to go. This year I have excelled in lacrosse, I have gotten more exposure to college scouts and I feel that I am more comfortable with the college experience. I have also made many new friends this year. I have new friends from different territories in New York and Canada, I also have new friends in hamburg, and south buffalo. Through playing lacrosse in the summer with kids throughout western new york I have gained many friends. I also had the chance to compete at the NAIG in Denver. Denver is a very beautiful with the rocky mountains. There is no place like it on earth it's the most magnificent place I've been in all of my travels...
After 2006, this next year will be a hard year to follow. Getting accepted into college is the next thing that is in my goals. College preparation will be the next goal of mine.

posted by Alex J @ 8:58 AM 0 comments