For those of you who are closest to me know I am an obsessed Star Wars nerd, I won't spend time on the why's, as it is a long rant mingled with philosophy and scripture. As a result, I'm a big fan of all things nerd, I've seen every episode of Star Trek the next generation, I own all of the matrix movies including the AniMatrix (I figured it out the matrix while watching it) and much much more, so naturally I play a lot of video games. ESPECIALLY Star Wars video games.
Up until about 5 years ago, I stuck to a steady regimen of Madden, Halo, and Star Wars Battle Front. While playing battle front I noticed an add for another Star Wars game named, "Knights of the Old Republic. It wasn't a typical game I had played before, it was a "role playing game" or in gamer speak, and RPG. The style was quite different, I wasn't just running around blowing stuff up and shooting storm troopers, the games starts the player as a Jedi padawan and through the events of the game you gain experience and gear to level your character into a full on Jedi master. Yes you even have your own R2 unit and a space ship to call your own.
The game developer released a sequel, to Knights of the Old Republic, and it was just as awesome, needless to say I fell in love with the franchise. About 3 years ago it was announced that there would be a new Old Republic game released! But to my dismay I found out it was going to be in the same style as another very popular game, that to many at the time seemed, UBER nerd, it was going to be a "Massive Multi-Player Online Role Playing Game". Basically, just like World of Warcraft! I WAS LIVID! I wasn't going to play that! MMORPG's are for virgin's living in their mothers basement. I never saw myself playing it, I was bummed, there was going to be a new KOTR and I wasn't going to play it. Because, I am not ONE of THOSE nerds...right? Or am I.....
Fast forward a year, I find myself on the internet checking out the KOTR website, looking at what content had been published so far, I was drooling. I knew I was going to want to play this game, no matter how nerdy it was, it was Star Wars and that is all that mattered. But I had no clue how to actually go about playing an MMO, so after reading other readers comments I saw some readers had started their own guilds, and were starting to recruit! So I decided I better learn, but how? Play WOW? Nah, I couldn't that would make me a loser...but my desire to learn an MMO was greater than my fear of becoming a nerd. So I found an free trial for WOW and started a Human Paladin (that was the closed thing to a Jedi, as far as I could tell). And here I am a year later with 2 level 85 characters or "toons" and a hand full of characters between lvl 30 and 50.
So there it is, I PLAY WORLD OR WARCRAFT, and guess what, it's awesome! I love it, its more fun than any game I've ever played. The player versus player, and co-op play is the best. It's like playing on a football team, every player has a job to do, and if one guy can't do his part, the group fails. So there it is, laugh if you want, shake your head if you desire.
So why am I telling you this, well, when I have fun with something, I like to do it with my friends, with Star Wars the Old Republic releasing in December, I wanted to start playing with people that I like and know. So here is a call to all you other nerds out there, closet or otherwise, come play SWTOR with me, I even started my a guild NinjaJedi's, because there is nothing more bad ass than a ninja, except a Jedi. I have it listed as Player vs Player guild but I'll be doing all the PVE (player versus environment) content as well.
If you want to get started learning the ways of the MMO, start a toon on the Uldum server on WOW and let me know, here are the links to my two 85's a Paladin and a Death Knight, I'm currently leveling a hunter and a druid as well.
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/character/uldum/Jaykahn/simple
http://us.battle.net/wow/en/character/uldum/Arhnold/simple
If you want to start let me know we get bonuses if I "recruit a friend"
if your not sure if you wanna try it, there is 10 day free trial,
On 12/20/2011, I'll be starting a Jedi gaurdian and a Smuggler, check out all the info at www.swtor.com
There I got it off my chest...now you know
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
My goggles are very very blue right now
Fall Camp starts Saturday, so here is what I think we will see from my Cougars this year.
As a former football coach and a student of the game I try to keep my opinions and projections with in the bounds of logic and common cents. I've read a lot of break downs on BYU's upcoming season but I just wanted to throw in my two cents as well and provide some analysis from an experienced coach/player.
BYU fan's goggles are bluer than I've ever seen before, I have to admit, mine are getting bluer than normal. I've seen some articles from some stating there is to much kool-aid drinking among fans. Here is why I believe that its safer than normal to let your goggles tint a little more than you would normally let them.
#1 Jake Heaps, I won't get into it, its been covered, he has all the tools to be great just needs to prove it.
#2 Our O-line could be one of the strongest in the country, one thing that a lot of folks in the media haven't given enough emphasis to is how strong we will be at this position. Any coach will tell you, your team will only go as far as your o-line will take you. Matt Reynolds returning is HUGE, just his leadership and knowledge aside from his skill are invaluable. It has been an absolute pleasure to watch him go about his business, in my opinion most dominating O-Linemen we've had since Bronco took over, will most likely be a top ten draft pick in next years draft.
#3 Bronco calling the D, He's a master technician when it comes to calling plays, now that he has charge of the defensive game plan don't count on seeing those gaping holes in the middle of the field kill us like they did before, Hill's play calling was mediocre at best. We will see sophisticated blitz packages that will eliminate much of the frustration fans felt with Hill.
#4 Combine Bronco's play calling with what could be the greatest front 7 BYU has ever seen. With Four legit NFL prospects at LB, and a beast nose tackle, most teams will find it very difficult to run against us or get on the edge. The cougars have seen a lot of screens and stuff over the middle in years past to deal with BYU's blitz scheme. I believe a Bronco coached defense will make up for the mental errors on screens and draws, the middle is the middle, in this style of D its sort of what you give an offense in order to stop the run. The trick is getting to the QB before he can make the throw, and with our backers and D-lineman I think we will win that battle more often that not this year.
#5 Doman at OC, while the jury is still out, many may not realize he was heavily involved with play calling last season, and in his senior year under Crowton called most of the plays him self. The guy is a offensive savant, and I'd bet he's is going to do a masterful job at doing something Anae was simply atrocious at, making adjustments and tailoring an offensive package to the specific strengths and weaknesses of both his team and his opponent.
#6 Our WR's are perfect for Doman's style of offense, they will stretch defenses like we haven't seen since Collie. Our TE's are still a question mark, but as long as there is at least one who is a good blocking TE in the run game it won't matter as much. Doman's offense can make use of a great tight end or be adjusted to compensate for a mediocre one.
#7 RB's in the passing game, I can't wait for the dink's and dumps to JJ/Juice, they are going to drive defenses crazy.
#8 RB's in general will be dominate behind a steam rolling o-line.
#9 Run to set up the pass, will allow Doman so many options in the passing game he must be giddy,
#10 Ben Cahoon as a WR coach, tired of those awful routes and dropped passes last year? Well say good bye, Cahoon is a surgeon, our WR's will be back to precise route running and will stop using their chest to catch a ball on a rope.
So that sums it up, When I can sit here and list good thing after good thing I know we have something special, I would feel sorry for any football fan who doesn't pay attention to BYU for the next two years, they will do some amazing things.
Areas of doubt and concern:
#1 DB's as always, but there could be hope, we won't know until fall camp and or Ole' Miss, but it won't be such a glaring issues as I expect the front seven to create so much havoc for OB's the DB's jobs could be done for them many times.
#2 slight concerned about RB's if Juice goes down,
#3 who will be our solid pass catching TE???
#4 full back, lead blocking was crucial to Anae's run offense. Not sure if Doman will be relying on one, or using the same schemes for that matter, options with in his scheme will allow him to implement or employ other methods.
#7 Lots of new young coaches....I've drank the koolaid and decided they are all awesome, but the coach in me remembers that experience counts,
I truly believe 12-0 is possible, if we lose it will be to Ole Miss, UT, or TCU, the Utah game is a lock IMO this year, they are so dwindled I almost feel sorry for them, and chow's offense won't be clicking until he gets his recruits in there. Hard to run a pro style O with players that were recruited and coached to run the spread. USU, I can't wait to chew you up and spit you back out and send you back to red headed step child land.
final shot... best case BYU 12-0 worst case 10-2 with loses to either UT/TCU or Ole Miss/TCU
oh and Jake Heaps will place 2nd or 3rd in Heisman voting this year
BYU fan's goggles are bluer than I've ever seen before, I have to admit, mine are getting bluer than normal. I've seen some articles from some stating there is to much kool-aid drinking among fans. Here is why I believe that its safer than normal to let your goggles tint a little more than you would normally let them.
#1 Jake Heaps, I won't get into it, its been covered, he has all the tools to be great just needs to prove it.
#2 Our O-line could be one of the strongest in the country, one thing that a lot of folks in the media haven't given enough emphasis to is how strong we will be at this position. Any coach will tell you, your team will only go as far as your o-line will take you. Matt Reynolds returning is HUGE, just his leadership and knowledge aside from his skill are invaluable. It has been an absolute pleasure to watch him go about his business, in my opinion most dominating O-Linemen we've had since Bronco took over, will most likely be a top ten draft pick in next years draft.
#3 Bronco calling the D, He's a master technician when it comes to calling plays, now that he has charge of the defensive game plan don't count on seeing those gaping holes in the middle of the field kill us like they did before, Hill's play calling was mediocre at best. We will see sophisticated blitz packages that will eliminate much of the frustration fans felt with Hill.
#4 Combine Bronco's play calling with what could be the greatest front 7 BYU has ever seen. With Four legit NFL prospects at LB, and a beast nose tackle, most teams will find it very difficult to run against us or get on the edge. The cougars have seen a lot of screens and stuff over the middle in years past to deal with BYU's blitz scheme. I believe a Bronco coached defense will make up for the mental errors on screens and draws, the middle is the middle, in this style of D its sort of what you give an offense in order to stop the run. The trick is getting to the QB before he can make the throw, and with our backers and D-lineman I think we will win that battle more often that not this year.
#5 Doman at OC, while the jury is still out, many may not realize he was heavily involved with play calling last season, and in his senior year under Crowton called most of the plays him self. The guy is a offensive savant, and I'd bet he's is going to do a masterful job at doing something Anae was simply atrocious at, making adjustments and tailoring an offensive package to the specific strengths and weaknesses of both his team and his opponent.
#6 Our WR's are perfect for Doman's style of offense, they will stretch defenses like we haven't seen since Collie. Our TE's are still a question mark, but as long as there is at least one who is a good blocking TE in the run game it won't matter as much. Doman's offense can make use of a great tight end or be adjusted to compensate for a mediocre one.
#7 RB's in the passing game, I can't wait for the dink's and dumps to JJ/Juice, they are going to drive defenses crazy.
#8 RB's in general will be dominate behind a steam rolling o-line.
#9 Run to set up the pass, will allow Doman so many options in the passing game he must be giddy,
#10 Ben Cahoon as a WR coach, tired of those awful routes and dropped passes last year? Well say good bye, Cahoon is a surgeon, our WR's will be back to precise route running and will stop using their chest to catch a ball on a rope.
So that sums it up, When I can sit here and list good thing after good thing I know we have something special, I would feel sorry for any football fan who doesn't pay attention to BYU for the next two years, they will do some amazing things.
Areas of doubt and concern:
#1 DB's as always, but there could be hope, we won't know until fall camp and or Ole' Miss, but it won't be such a glaring issues as I expect the front seven to create so much havoc for OB's the DB's jobs could be done for them many times.
#2 slight concerned about RB's if Juice goes down,
#3 who will be our solid pass catching TE???
#4 full back, lead blocking was crucial to Anae's run offense. Not sure if Doman will be relying on one, or using the same schemes for that matter, options with in his scheme will allow him to implement or employ other methods.
#7 Lots of new young coaches....I've drank the koolaid and decided they are all awesome, but the coach in me remembers that experience counts,
I truly believe 12-0 is possible, if we lose it will be to Ole Miss, UT, or TCU, the Utah game is a lock IMO this year, they are so dwindled I almost feel sorry for them, and chow's offense won't be clicking until he gets his recruits in there. Hard to run a pro style O with players that were recruited and coached to run the spread. USU, I can't wait to chew you up and spit you back out and send you back to red headed step child land.
final shot... best case BYU 12-0 worst case 10-2 with loses to either UT/TCU or Ole Miss/TCU
oh and Jake Heaps will place 2nd or 3rd in Heisman voting this year
Monday, February 28, 2011
The ol philosohies of men mingling with consecration routine
Who loves the Matrix? I know I do, I remember when I watched the first film I rented a VHS copy from riverside market in P-Town and the tape went fubar right as the machines where on the verge of overtaking Neo. I was LIVID, it took me another week before I got to see the ending. In the 2nd act, Neo had a conversation with the Oracle that changed how I see the world, and she made one of the most poignant statements I have heard up to this point. "You've already made the choice Neo, now you are here to understand the it". Understanding choice as it seems, is one of the important principle learned in this thing we called life.
Now on to the meat....In a recent oped in the Salt Lake Tribune Mr. Troy Williams of KRCL radio in Salt Lake City wrote about the economic history of the ancient civilizations of the Book of Mormon. I am not writing to entertain a discussion about the validity of the book, I maintain that it is canonized scripture and is another testament of Jesus Christ and together with the Bible and other modern day revelations represent the complete Word of God. If you would like to know more about it please come to my house and I will promptly teach you and baptize you. (if you are in need of baptism by the correct authority). In the article Mr. Williams makes some interesting claims here is a quick synopsis.
The Fact remains that Mr Williams, has absolutely no clue whether or not socialism was actually practiced. Further more he has very little evidence aside from some obscure passages that reflect the righteousness of the people rather than their economic environment. The fact is Mr. Williams doesn't know, and I don't pretend to know for that matter.
Now its easy to look at socialism and say, hey that's not a bad idea, lets share with everyone. I agree its a great idea, here is the problem, sharing isn't socialism. The problem I find is most people don't understand the actual differences between the three economic "isms". I find most of them haven't take a business or economics course or didn't pay close attention. Here are the fundamental differences
Communism: The government runs, and controls everything, very little personal freedom, all property and (here is the kicker) all of the MEANS OF PRODUCTION are owned by the state. Sounds peachy huh :)
Socialism: A milder form of communism personal property can be owned and controlled by individuals, but all of the (here it is again) MEANS OF PRODUCTION are owned by the state. Most services are provided by the government, there are private companies but they are generally heavily taxed and regulated, each socialist country has their own spin.
Capitalism: Free market enterprise (pretty simple) There is no limit to what a person can own.
Mr Williams claims that the benevolent act of redistributing wealth is the answer to all of our problems just like the ancient societies of the Book of Mormon did. Except their is one problem, it never says "and it came to pass they all received equal assistance according to their need". First the Book of Mormon wasn't written to tell us what political party to join or what economic system is best. The Book or Mormon is designed to draw men closer to Christ, that is it. Nothing fancy, pure and simple, so when ever someone uses it to prove either side of the political argument I gotta put on the brakes, and say....keep your opinions to your self, you or I haven't any exact knowledge on the hows and whys. He makes an argument that some how LDS members who follow a conservative ideology are some how at odds with its teachings and are evil greedy capitalist money grubbers. (ok that's extreme but give me some artistic license for entertainment value). He uses several prominent members who are very wealthy as examples.
So let me sum this up with one simple question, is it better to choose or to be forced? I believe that question was asked at a very important meeting at a very important council in a place we all came from. "Here am I send me" I will make all of them come back, they will be obedient and none will be lost. Or, lets give them agency, let man choose their destiny and we will provide away for them to return home. Hopefully Mr Williams understands what all that means (if you're lost consult your local Mormon Missionary) I wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't thought of it in those terms.
In essence socialism is less about helping the impoverished and more about control. There are reasons America is the most prosperous land that has ever existed. Its citizen's can exercise their own freedoms. If we allow more and more aspects of our lives to come under the control of a select few, then we have will be lead to communism by a flaxen cord.
If you wonder what modern day prophets have said on the matter here is a link to a talk given by Presiden Ezra Taft Benson about the evils of socialism and communism. He mentions an interesting conversation with Krustev the Russian President at the time. He said "we will feed you socialism a bit a time". During this time support of anything resembling communism was basically treason. Oh how times have changed. In fact the First Presidency at the time issued a warning that it was not the United Order discussed in the Doctrine and Covenants. Mr Williams doesn't understand what the differences are between the Law of Concentration and Socialism/Communism. It comes down to two factors, under the United Order (the Law of Consecration) a person still retains the ownership of their property and they CHOOSE to participate. Pretty cut and dry, it comes down to choice, forcing someone to participate is evil, allowing them the choice, well that's pure Christianity in my book.
http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=6162&x=51&y=8
"The Book or Mormon is the most correct book that has ever been written" because it teaches a man HOW to choose. And if the right choice is made there will be "no poor among them".
Couple of questions: How do we know that reason there was "no poor among them" is because the inhabitants were very industrious and all worked hard for their own pay?
If the United Order is socialism, then why does President Benson call socialism evil?
When will liberals finally get a clue? (j/k I know a few who have a clue they just haven't chosen to understand the clue)
Parting Shot: Most Book of Mormon historians (people who do it for a living not radio producers) maintain that the economic system of the ancient peoples of the Book or Mormon were very capitalistic in nature. I'll let you do the research Mr. Williams you need practice.
Now on to the meat....In a recent oped in the Salt Lake Tribune Mr. Troy Williams of KRCL radio in Salt Lake City wrote about the economic history of the ancient civilizations of the Book of Mormon. I am not writing to entertain a discussion about the validity of the book, I maintain that it is canonized scripture and is another testament of Jesus Christ and together with the Bible and other modern day revelations represent the complete Word of God. If you would like to know more about it please come to my house and I will promptly teach you and baptize you. (if you are in need of baptism by the correct authority). In the article Mr. Williams makes some interesting claims here is a quick synopsis.
- Mr Williams claims the civilizations were most righteous when they were practicing socialistic principles
- Mr Williams claims that because there were no poor during these instances "suggests a society invested in public infrastructure and welfare for the whole." they were obviously practicing socialism.
- Mr Williams suggests that "Early Mormon leaders advocated a United Order to redistribute wealth for the benefit of all Saints."
The Fact remains that Mr Williams, has absolutely no clue whether or not socialism was actually practiced. Further more he has very little evidence aside from some obscure passages that reflect the righteousness of the people rather than their economic environment. The fact is Mr. Williams doesn't know, and I don't pretend to know for that matter.
Now its easy to look at socialism and say, hey that's not a bad idea, lets share with everyone. I agree its a great idea, here is the problem, sharing isn't socialism. The problem I find is most people don't understand the actual differences between the three economic "isms". I find most of them haven't take a business or economics course or didn't pay close attention. Here are the fundamental differences
Communism: The government runs, and controls everything, very little personal freedom, all property and (here is the kicker) all of the MEANS OF PRODUCTION are owned by the state. Sounds peachy huh :)
Socialism: A milder form of communism personal property can be owned and controlled by individuals, but all of the (here it is again) MEANS OF PRODUCTION are owned by the state. Most services are provided by the government, there are private companies but they are generally heavily taxed and regulated, each socialist country has their own spin.
Capitalism: Free market enterprise (pretty simple) There is no limit to what a person can own.
Mr Williams claims that the benevolent act of redistributing wealth is the answer to all of our problems just like the ancient societies of the Book of Mormon did. Except their is one problem, it never says "and it came to pass they all received equal assistance according to their need". First the Book of Mormon wasn't written to tell us what political party to join or what economic system is best. The Book or Mormon is designed to draw men closer to Christ, that is it. Nothing fancy, pure and simple, so when ever someone uses it to prove either side of the political argument I gotta put on the brakes, and say....keep your opinions to your self, you or I haven't any exact knowledge on the hows and whys. He makes an argument that some how LDS members who follow a conservative ideology are some how at odds with its teachings and are evil greedy capitalist money grubbers. (ok that's extreme but give me some artistic license for entertainment value). He uses several prominent members who are very wealthy as examples.
So let me sum this up with one simple question, is it better to choose or to be forced? I believe that question was asked at a very important meeting at a very important council in a place we all came from. "Here am I send me" I will make all of them come back, they will be obedient and none will be lost. Or, lets give them agency, let man choose their destiny and we will provide away for them to return home. Hopefully Mr Williams understands what all that means (if you're lost consult your local Mormon Missionary) I wouldn't be surprised if he hasn't thought of it in those terms.
In essence socialism is less about helping the impoverished and more about control. There are reasons America is the most prosperous land that has ever existed. Its citizen's can exercise their own freedoms. If we allow more and more aspects of our lives to come under the control of a select few, then we have will be lead to communism by a flaxen cord.
If you wonder what modern day prophets have said on the matter here is a link to a talk given by Presiden Ezra Taft Benson about the evils of socialism and communism. He mentions an interesting conversation with Krustev the Russian President at the time. He said "we will feed you socialism a bit a time". During this time support of anything resembling communism was basically treason. Oh how times have changed. In fact the First Presidency at the time issued a warning that it was not the United Order discussed in the Doctrine and Covenants. Mr Williams doesn't understand what the differences are between the Law of Concentration and Socialism/Communism. It comes down to two factors, under the United Order (the Law of Consecration) a person still retains the ownership of their property and they CHOOSE to participate. Pretty cut and dry, it comes down to choice, forcing someone to participate is evil, allowing them the choice, well that's pure Christianity in my book.
http://speeches.byu.edu/reader/reader.php?id=6162&x=51&y=8
"The Book or Mormon is the most correct book that has ever been written" because it teaches a man HOW to choose. And if the right choice is made there will be "no poor among them".
Couple of questions: How do we know that reason there was "no poor among them" is because the inhabitants were very industrious and all worked hard for their own pay?
If the United Order is socialism, then why does President Benson call socialism evil?
When will liberals finally get a clue? (j/k I know a few who have a clue they just haven't chosen to understand the clue)
Parting Shot: Most Book of Mormon historians (people who do it for a living not radio producers) maintain that the economic system of the ancient peoples of the Book or Mormon were very capitalistic in nature. I'll let you do the research Mr. Williams you need practice.
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