Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Monday, August 25, 2014
KBPI Rock 'N' Roll Car Show
I spent my Sunday at the KBPI Rock 'N' Roll Car Show at Bandimere Speedway. It was my first time at this particular shindig and, I must admit, I was impressed with the entire event. Here is my review....
Entrance/Exit: We got there relatively early in the day so we had a little bit of a wait to get in but nothing like what we saw when we were leaving....it was backed up all the way to Alameda. Yikes! However, the staff and security handled the traffic well and balanced out the pedestrians and drivers to a nice even balance to make it run as smoothly as possible. Thumbs up!
Staff: Every single staff member I encountered from the booths to the concessions to KBPI staffers and everyone in between was wonderful. They were extremely helpful, very friendly, and handled their jobs quickly and efficiently. It was wonderful. After my crappy experience at Fiddler's Green a couple of weeks ago with the staff, I was starting to lose faith in venue staff but the staff at Bandimere renewed my faith in the Denver area and its friendly people. Thumbs up!
Seating: Of course there's not really a bad seat in the house at Bandimere but there was plenty of space to stand and watch at the rails as well. It worked out beautifully to watch the drag races and burn outs. Thumbs up!
Things to Do: While my kids didn't accompany me this time, there was definitely plenty for children to do there. There were bounce houses and plenty of kid-friendly concessions. My kids aren't car nuts so bringing them wasn't a great idea, in my opinion, as I wanted to be able to focus on what was going on instead of bored children. Definitely not fair to them or me. Thumbs up!
Variety of Cars: Definitely, definitely, DEFINITELY a wide variety of cars, trucks and bikes. I fell in love with a few myself, especially one particular truck that brought a tear to my eye. Thumbs up!
KBPI's part: KBPI and Willie B did an amazing job! Drag races? Incredible. Burnout contest? Incredible. Willie B's races? Incredible. Kudos to the KBPI family and Willie B for an awesome event. Thumbs Up!
Bonus Points: I'm giving bonus points to the owner of Bandimere for praying for a gentleman with terminal cancer that Willie B introduced. It was definite evidence of how things are run and I was very impressed. Thumbs WAY up!
OVERALL.....
I give a GIGANTIC thumbs up or a 10/10 for the KBPI Rock 'N' Roll Car Show and will definitely be attending again. I will also attend other events for both KBPI AND at Bandimere as both players in this event did an incredible job!
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Friday, August 22, 2014
Why I Oppose the Ice Bucket Challenge (with a few exceptions)
I've been away for awhile enjoying the summer with my crazies and getting some things caught up before school starts. With school now in session, I want to address something that is currently going on...the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. I don't want to play the heavy here but I'm not a huge supporter of the challenge itself. I have very strong feelings about it and have been heavily criticized on them. Here's a few bullet points as to what my feelings are on the topic.
It's a Trend This is where I'm most heavily criticized but they aren't even considering what I'm saying. I'm not saying there's no positive factors. It HAS caused a lot of funds to be raised. HOWEVER it IS a trend. It is something that people are doing because others are doing it or challenging them to do it. Look up the definition of "trend" and argue this fact with me some more, critics.
In MOST cases, it's about making a spectacle of yourself The reality is that a good portion of the videos I've seen posted scarcely mention the disease in passing. Few are actually educating themselves on the topic. Few are actually educating OTHERS to raise awareness. They're just dumping ice on their heads and daring someone else to do it. I believe Tosh.0 has featured a great many "challenges" (the cinnamon challenge, etc) but because this one has a disease attached to it, it's not noted that you're just doing it to make a spectacle.
You're not raising awareness, you're raising money. There's an up side here...you're raising money for the disease. With that being said, unless you raise awareness, this TREND will fade and the ALS Foundation will be in the same boat again. To the people that have posted videos where they've educated on the disease or told their story, I salute you. YOU are raising awareness and doing something amazing.
Just because I disagree with the challenge does NOT mean I'm shi**ing on ALS or any other degenerative disease I am actually very well educated on ALS as well as many other degenerative diseases. I donate to the causes regularly and support finding a cure. Just because I don't find it necessary to dump a bucket of water on my head to prove the point doesn't mean I'm shi**ing on ALS.
and finally.....
There are very few people that are being tagged in these videos that would donate EITHER WAY In MOST (not all) of these videos, people are being tagged that have NO intention of donating either way. THIS is the kind of trend bologna I'm referring to when I say that I am not in support of this challenge. They're dumping ice water on their heads on a dare. Yes, some people are definitely donating and I applaud these people. That's amazing. I especially applaud the celebrities that are using their fame for a cause.
To the critics who are cutting me down for not playing into this trend, you can go pack sand. Honestly, I was nominated and I donated money....QUIETLY. I didn't need to make a spectacle of myself and "dare" others. Badgering people into donating money is no better than a telemarketer that calls during dinner and guilts you into donating. Educate people...tell them your story and THEN maybe you'll find regular contributors that will be lifelong donors. You may not make as much money up front but in the long run, you'll get something even better....MORE funds and MORE compassion and education on the topic. After all, isn't awareness what it's all about?
It's a Trend This is where I'm most heavily criticized but they aren't even considering what I'm saying. I'm not saying there's no positive factors. It HAS caused a lot of funds to be raised. HOWEVER it IS a trend. It is something that people are doing because others are doing it or challenging them to do it. Look up the definition of "trend" and argue this fact with me some more, critics.
In MOST cases, it's about making a spectacle of yourself The reality is that a good portion of the videos I've seen posted scarcely mention the disease in passing. Few are actually educating themselves on the topic. Few are actually educating OTHERS to raise awareness. They're just dumping ice on their heads and daring someone else to do it. I believe Tosh.0 has featured a great many "challenges" (the cinnamon challenge, etc) but because this one has a disease attached to it, it's not noted that you're just doing it to make a spectacle.
You're not raising awareness, you're raising money. There's an up side here...you're raising money for the disease. With that being said, unless you raise awareness, this TREND will fade and the ALS Foundation will be in the same boat again. To the people that have posted videos where they've educated on the disease or told their story, I salute you. YOU are raising awareness and doing something amazing.
Just because I disagree with the challenge does NOT mean I'm shi**ing on ALS or any other degenerative disease I am actually very well educated on ALS as well as many other degenerative diseases. I donate to the causes regularly and support finding a cure. Just because I don't find it necessary to dump a bucket of water on my head to prove the point doesn't mean I'm shi**ing on ALS.
and finally.....
There are very few people that are being tagged in these videos that would donate EITHER WAY In MOST (not all) of these videos, people are being tagged that have NO intention of donating either way. THIS is the kind of trend bologna I'm referring to when I say that I am not in support of this challenge. They're dumping ice water on their heads on a dare. Yes, some people are definitely donating and I applaud these people. That's amazing. I especially applaud the celebrities that are using their fame for a cause.
To the critics who are cutting me down for not playing into this trend, you can go pack sand. Honestly, I was nominated and I donated money....QUIETLY. I didn't need to make a spectacle of myself and "dare" others. Badgering people into donating money is no better than a telemarketer that calls during dinner and guilts you into donating. Educate people...tell them your story and THEN maybe you'll find regular contributors that will be lifelong donors. You may not make as much money up front but in the long run, you'll get something even better....MORE funds and MORE compassion and education on the topic. After all, isn't awareness what it's all about?
Thursday, July 10, 2014
If you can't say something nice....
I'm relatively certain that most 20+ year old people in this country have heard the phrase...."Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one." It's as true today as the first time that I heard it. In fact, life experience makes it more true all of the time. However, I am of the mind that there is such a thing as tact and that exercising it is an important part of being a productive member of society. Here is my perspective....
Your opinions on things, when based on actual thought and education on the topic (as opposed to just going along with what others have to say) are part of what makes you a unique individual. When you expand your mind and educate yourself about the world, people, and everything else, you are opening yourself up to the possibilities. It's important to have opinions and viewpoints because it helps define you as an individual.
Debating opinions is healthy. In fact, it's another way to educate yourself. After all, how can you argue your perspective effectively if you don't know anything about the other side of the argument? When done in a healthy manner, debate is good for the heart, soul and mind. There are no physical attacks and words like "dumb" don't have to be used to describe things. Saying that someone's opinion is dumb is an indication that you believe that they like dumb things which, in essence, makes them dumb. It's not a nice word, period.
The fact is that too many people don't exercise tact when they debate issues. You remember tact right? It's the ability to express your opinion in a way that doesn't offend intentionally. There will always be someone that is offended by your opinion. The fact is that people define themselves wholeheartedly by their opinions sometimes, especially when it involves politics, religion or love. Overall, though, people have the ability to exercise tact. They choose not to.
Look, it doesn't make you a billy badass to call someone else's opinions or ideas "dumb" or "stupid" or "ridiculous." It doesn't make you "honest" or "straight forward" or "blunt." What it makes you is an asshole. You don't look stronger or more educated when you do this. You look like an idiot that is not confident enough of their opinion to support it with real evidence. If you have to verbally assault someone's opinion (or, worse yet, the person themselves), it means that you haven't educated yourself enough to back your thought process up. Now who's the idiot?
I guess what it boils down to is the fact that too many people get off on walking around feeling like they need to just spew their verbal diarrhea on everyone all of the time. They take pride in being a bitch (or an asshole) and they own the word like it's something to be searched for. There was a time when it was considered a good thing to be able to keep your opinion to yourself unless the situation called for it. It seems that our current world actually supports you throwing it out there, even when it's unnecessary. I can't see how that is a healthy way to live. Never practicing self-control is a dangerous thing.
The moral of my little rant is that there is a time and a place for expressing your opinion in a healthy way. It is not when a person is trying to be positive and spread the love. It is not when a person is mourning. Keep your verbal run-ons where they belong and try to practice just a little of what your parents probably taught you....a little thing called TACT!
End of rant.
Your opinions on things, when based on actual thought and education on the topic (as opposed to just going along with what others have to say) are part of what makes you a unique individual. When you expand your mind and educate yourself about the world, people, and everything else, you are opening yourself up to the possibilities. It's important to have opinions and viewpoints because it helps define you as an individual.
Debating opinions is healthy. In fact, it's another way to educate yourself. After all, how can you argue your perspective effectively if you don't know anything about the other side of the argument? When done in a healthy manner, debate is good for the heart, soul and mind. There are no physical attacks and words like "dumb" don't have to be used to describe things. Saying that someone's opinion is dumb is an indication that you believe that they like dumb things which, in essence, makes them dumb. It's not a nice word, period.
The fact is that too many people don't exercise tact when they debate issues. You remember tact right? It's the ability to express your opinion in a way that doesn't offend intentionally. There will always be someone that is offended by your opinion. The fact is that people define themselves wholeheartedly by their opinions sometimes, especially when it involves politics, religion or love. Overall, though, people have the ability to exercise tact. They choose not to.
Look, it doesn't make you a billy badass to call someone else's opinions or ideas "dumb" or "stupid" or "ridiculous." It doesn't make you "honest" or "straight forward" or "blunt." What it makes you is an asshole. You don't look stronger or more educated when you do this. You look like an idiot that is not confident enough of their opinion to support it with real evidence. If you have to verbally assault someone's opinion (or, worse yet, the person themselves), it means that you haven't educated yourself enough to back your thought process up. Now who's the idiot?
I guess what it boils down to is the fact that too many people get off on walking around feeling like they need to just spew their verbal diarrhea on everyone all of the time. They take pride in being a bitch (or an asshole) and they own the word like it's something to be searched for. There was a time when it was considered a good thing to be able to keep your opinion to yourself unless the situation called for it. It seems that our current world actually supports you throwing it out there, even when it's unnecessary. I can't see how that is a healthy way to live. Never practicing self-control is a dangerous thing.
The moral of my little rant is that there is a time and a place for expressing your opinion in a healthy way. It is not when a person is trying to be positive and spread the love. It is not when a person is mourning. Keep your verbal run-ons where they belong and try to practice just a little of what your parents probably taught you....a little thing called TACT!
End of rant.
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