Tuesday Afternoon Ramblings

October 26, 2010 D.A. Adams Leave a comment

Here’s an update on the farm. I’m researching and learning about aeroponics and will begin construction on my first prototype of an aeroponic unit this weekend. It’s gonna be a lot of work, a lot of trial and error, and a lot of learning, but it will also be an amazing opportunity to move forward on the farm. Pre-constructed units cost thousands of dollars, and we simply don’t have that kind of money starting out. Therefore, I get to relive the Erector Set days of my childhood and build my own concoction.

I’m not sure I can put into words how excited I am about rolling up my sleeves and building something. Once upon a time, I thought I was going to be a design engineer, and I spent many years in drafting and industrial arts to learn the basics. Then, I realized that my math skills were not strong enough to be an engineer, and I gravitated to writing as an outlet for my creative drive. When I started clearing the land last spring, I reconnected with that part of myself, and now I’m chomping at the bit, so to speak, to get on this project. I’ll probably even stop at Home Depot on the way home to window shop.

On a more specific note, we’re setting ourselves a tangible goal of nineteen months for having the farm fully operational. It will take a tremendous amount of work to get there, but I’m so desperate for a change in my career that I’m willing to put in the time to make it happen. Nineteen months means three more full semesters and one more summer session of teaching. Then, hopefully, I can retire from education and focus on the farm and my books. When that day arrives, I will be one of the happiest people on the planet, in addition to already being the luckiest.

One day next week, I’ll post an update on how the prototype is coming. That’s all for now.

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General Posts

Monday Morning Ramblings

October 25, 2010 D.A. Adams Leave a comment

I’ve been thinking about the $75,000 fine imposed on James Harrison for his hits on two Browns receivers a week ago. Now, I’m all for player safety, and I agree that helmet to helmet shots need to be phased out of the game. Of all people, I understand the long-term effects of a severe concussion. However, I have a problem with the hypocrisy of fining Harrison for his hits and not holding other people accountable as well.

For instance, the offensive coordinator designed a pass route that brought his 190 lb. receiver into the zone of the 260 lb. defensive MVP who is known for his unreal strength (I think he benches nearly 600 lbs.) and nasty disposition. Instead of penalizing Harrison for doing what he’s been trained to do, which is deliver punishment to offensive players who enter his territory, why doesn’t the NFL fine the coordinator for putting his player in harm’s way? Maybe the offense should design pass routes that keep their receivers matched up with defensive backs.

Also, the quarterback who threw the pass should have seen Harrison lurking in that zone. Maybe if his throw had been more accurate, the receiver would’ve had more of an opportunity to protect himself. Shouldn’t the one who threw the bad pass be just as accountable as the one who delivered the blow? If QBs had to pay fines for nearly getting their WRs killed, maybe they would be a little more careful where they put the ball.

My point is this: Football is a brutal sport. Everyone who has ever played the game is aware, or should be, that on any given play, their body could be maimed forever. Defensive guys are by nature a mean-spirited and nasty lot. We enjoy hearing the groans of pain when we smash into an offensive player’s body. That’s what they get for thinking they could get by us. No amount of legislation or enforcement can remove the instinct to inflict pain. For at least 32 years, season after season, the NFL has tilted the rules in favor of the offenses, trying to make more exciting games with more points and more passing. At some point, the league needs to accept that as long as football is a contact sport with pads, there will be serious injuries, including blows to the head.

I’m not saying that helmet to helmet blows should be legal or that players shouldn’t be fined for cheap shots. What I’m saying is that the offense needs to be just as accountable for these hits as the defense. If offensive coordinators and QBs shared in the blame for putting their receivers into prone positions, the defensive guys would have fewer opportunities to deliver these blows, but I guarantee that in the hypocrisy that is the NFL League Office, there will be no attempt to rein in the offensive side of the ball.

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Humor

Political Correctness Ramblings

October 22, 2010 D.A. Adams 5 Comments

Now that Juan Williams has been fired, I had the opportunity to apply for the host position on “Talk of the Nation.” Having long been a fan of the program, I was excited about the chance to take over the helm and use my talents for this prestigious show. The following is a transcript of my interview:

D. A. Adams: Thank you for the opportunity to interview for this position. I believe I’m the right person for the job.

Averly Sensitive: By person, are you implying only humans are qualified for this position?

DA: Um, yes?

Ima DeBaller: So you discriminate against other species?

DA: Well, I thought the ability to speak English would be a prerequisite for a national radio host.

Averly: Hmmph, so you don’t like other nationalities, either?

DA: Um, what?

Ima: You closed-minded white male bigots are all the same.

DA: I’m a little confused. Can we start over?

Averly: We at NPR pride ourselves on our open-mindedness and commitment to free speech. You clearly are not objective enough to work here.

DA: Look, I believe all people deserve respect and dignity, regardless of race, religion, social class, gender, whatever.

Ima: So you are against the elderly.

DA: What?

Ima: You didn’t include the elderly in your little rant. Obviously, you must be an ageist.

DA: (Due to the sensitive nature of this blog, Mr. Adams’s Irish-tempered outburst has been omitted to protect innocent eyes.)

Averly: (Sobbing) I’ve never been called those words before.

Ima: Look what you’ve done! You brute.

DA: (Content removed.)

Obviously, I didn’t get the job, and NPR will have to continue their search for someone who is open-minded, sensitive, and domesticated enough not to offend any culture or sub-culture by saying something that can be misconstrued out of context as offensive. In this manner, free speech and liberty shall be preserved ad infinitum.