Way to cancel the health benefits.

There seems to be a huge amount of people riding their bikes as of recent. Now, Oskaloosa isn't a huge town but I have seen quite a few people riding bikes around. So, good thing right? Saving the environment and getting a little exercise shouldn't be an issue.
WRONG
People are riding their bikes everywhere, but they are also smoking cigarettes. Now, I am not a fan of cigarettes but if you want to destroy your lungs it is your own choice. SERIOUSLY THOUGH? ARE WE SERIOUS? DO YOU REALLY NEED TO SMOKE AND RIDE A BIKE?!?! ALL THE BENEFITS YOU COULD'VE RECEIVED FOR RIDING THE BIKE ARE NOW NULLIFIED! WHAT A WASTE!
This irritates me way more than the smashed bread people from one of my last posts. I mean come on folks.

My Biggest Work Pet Peeve

I have been working as a courtesy at Fareway for almost two years. I feel personally that the age group of people who shop at Fareway is that of an elderly group. So, there are many old people who complete the short conversation I have with them at the checkout the same way. However, it isn't always the elderly. People of every age make the same comment that irritates many people who bag groceries.
"Will plastic be okay?"-Max
"Yes...oh! Make sure not to squash my bread."-Shopper

MY GOAL IN LIFE ISN'T TO SQUASH YOUR BREAD LADY! People ask you to not squash their bread as if it was the only intent you had. Seriously? Do you think I would be able to hold down my job if I was squashing people's bread? Pretty sure that would get me fired alright. "Oh hey yeah my name is Max and I will be sacking your groceries tonight, I just wanted to give you a heads up that I have taken many classes at the local learning annex on how to properly squash bread. Do you mind if I practice on your order?" This question would allow you to ask me to now squash your bread. I HAVE MUCH BETTER THINGS TO DO THAN SQUASH YOUR BREAD, SO DON'T ASK ME AS IF I HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO IN MY LIFE.

That stuff bugs me...all I'm saying.

USA V.S. England

This game was one for the ages. A replay of the Revolutionary War in little bit over 90 minute time frame. The first time these two teams have played each other in the cup in the past 60 years. Last time these two teams met the United States won 1-0 and the game was considered the miracle match. Reporters had thought they had recieved bad information when they heard about this 1-0 match and thought that it must have actually been 1-10 (in England's favor).

The hype surronding this game was endless. England expected to walk over their Yankee counterparts and the USA had to come out and prove that they were willing to perform on the largest stage. It didn't look good for the USA however after England scored in the fourth minute. Throughout the entire game USA truly had poor defense, but this would be the only time England would capitalize on it. Another observation was on the lack of movement on the USA's side. They rarely switched the ball when they could which allowed England to focus on one side. However, when Clint Dempsey got that ball at about the 25 and spun around his defender twice the atmosphere changed. He ripped a shot and it bounced off the goalie's hands and rolled across that white line into the promise land.

The game was tied 1-1. Which is the score that it ended at. It was overall a very good game. Wayne Rooney should've been a much bigger factor for the English side and was very well shut down for most of the game. Landon Donovan wasn't a huge offensive threat for the USA side, but he played crucial defense and got back very well. Overall, this game was fantastic. I enjoyed watching the USA team play together as a team and pull out a 1-1 tie after being down very quickly. Very good game to watch. The England goalkeeper however will be remembering that shot from number 8 (Clint Dempsey) for a long time.

World Cup Synopsis (to date)

The world cup started yesterday. This event is the largest sporting event in the world. Most people in the U.S. can't comprehend something bigger than the super bowl but this kicks the super bowls butt. Easily. So here is what I have thought of the games I had a chance to watch so far.

South Africa v.s. Mexico
This game ended in a 1-1 tie. However, Mexico seemed to dominate the possession most of the game. South Africa however wouldn't let that stop them as their defense played like beasts. This eventually allowed S.A. to score the first goal off of a fantastic shot into the upper 90 across the goalie. In due time Mexico tied it up however off of a defensive lapse by South Africa. Overall, I was rooting for South Africa just because I am not a fan (at all) of the Mexico National Team.

France v.s. Uruguay
This game was boring bottom line. 0-0 tie. I had a hard time paying attention. However, I didn't really have preference for ether team. I was rooting for France in this throw down, but Thierry Henry didn't get into the game until the very end. He is one of my favorite players from this France team. I would've prefered an Ireland versus Uruguay game. That rant is for another time though.

Similes?

Kids these days use similes in situations in which they shouldn't. Now in movies the stereotypical blonde may end up using the word like more than they should. Everyone in the crowd knows what kind of character they are just from that. However, it seems these days that many kids are using the word "like" willy-nilly. I am being a hypocrite when I say this because I sometimes forget and get excited and use like more than I should, but I am conscious of it otherwise and try to avoid it. You are suppose to use a simile to describe a situation in which one may not be familiar with and compare to one in which the listener is used to. YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO USE IT TO DESCRIBE IT AS EXACTLY IT IS.

Had to get that rant out.

What makes a grad party?

With graduation this weekend there are a large variety of different types of graduation parties. Everyone places emphasis on different aspects of their party. Atmosphere, food, and location are the three most important things to consider in your graduation party planning.

Atmosphere needs to be laid back and relaxed. You should be able to at least talk to the graduate for a few seconds and then be able to see some pictures and just relax for a few minutes. With a large amount of parties to go to you are going to want to be able to sit back and relax in between them.

Location can pretty much be summed into two parts. Density and parking! You want to have a large enough area that there is room for everyone at your party but make sure that you don't have too much room. Parking!!!! I don't want to have to walk three miles to get to your party, and if I do it better be a great party.

Food is one of the most important aspects to me. Great food and great cake! People need to be willing to step outside the bubble and not do just pork sandwhiches. This is overdone, and cold meat sandwhiches are starting to become over done as well. Show some individuality by picking some new and different.

The Men Who Stare At Goats

It is hard to watch a movie when you hear someone else tell you what they think about it. You then go into the movie having a preconceived notion. I did not have the liberty of seeing this movie (The Men Who Stare At Goats) in theater, but it recently came to the top of my queue. I had almost forgotten about it when it arrived in my mailbox last week, but those first few moments of "what is this?" quickly turned into "oh snap!". The first moment of free time I had allowed me to watch this movie that I had been waiting for. Now, I went into the movie thinking that it would start strong and only have a couple of good parts. For this is what my friends told me. However, I wanted to give it a fair chance so I watched with an open mind.

The concept of this movie is that the U.S. Army tried to create psychic warriors to give them an edge over other countries. The main character, Bob Wilton, is a journalist who finds an ex-psychic warrior who leads him on this "mission" he was given in the middle east.

There were many parts that I really enjoyed in this movie. I almost felt like my friends were too harsh on it. There were times however that I couldn't grasp. Knowing that these men had honestly tried to just run through walls and such. I couldn't wrap my mind around that concept, but maybe that is why I can't walk through walls. Overall I would give it a 3 out of 5. I would recommend renting it.