The Blind Side

A trip to the local video store is enough to convince me that today’s Hollywood rarely makes movies that I am interested in seeing. Clearly the business end of the motion picture industry has taken over. Studios are churning out movie after movie to do one thing, generate money (what are we on now… Saw 7, 8?). So when a movie like the “The Blind Side” opens in the theaters, it’s needless to say I go in as a skeptic.

The movies chronicles the amazing true story of Michael Oher (now a lineman for the Baltimore Ravens). Sticking to what the trailers have already revealed, “Big Mike” struggled throughout his entire childhood: a mother moving from one drug to another, foster homes that were never “homes,” and surroundings filled with one temptation upon another. Until one day everything changed.

Love reached out. A Memphis couple opened their home to Michael. His first bed, his first wardrobe, and his first real family.

Michael’s strongest trait? Protective instincts. Finally, he had a family that his outstretched arms could embrace. His external strength was emboldened further by his strength from within. To watch Michael open his heart to his new family is most engrossing experiences I’ve had at the movies.

You will cheer for Michael, Sandra Bullock, and the Ole Miss Rebels. This movie helps break down barriers while embracing the true meaning of family: Love. Yes, Love. You will cheer for love, unabashed, undaunted, and unafraid. Join the Touhy family with Michael, and discover the true meaning of the family unit.

As your family scans the movie listings for the next outing, be sure to put “The Blind Side” at the top of the list. In today’s Hollywood, it’s hard to believe this one was coming.

ver•is•tic  adj.

1. True to natural appearance.

Her veristic flower painting emanates the smells of rose petals.

Word credit to Rachel G.

Definition from Gardner’s “Art Through the Ages” (11th. ed)

I am relatively new to the website, but I wanted to jot down some great ways to start reaching out to your old classmates.

Join Communities
(high school, college, and employers)

When you join communities you will be instantly connected with other members who share the same background. For instance, when I entered my high school and the years I attended, I was able to immediately see a list of members who had been at my high school during those years. I could also narrow down the list to see members who graduated the same year as me.

On each list, you will have the option to view other members profiles, send a message to them, or send them a friend request.

Utilize Communities

After becoming a part of a community there are a variety of options open to you. The website provides standard pages for each community. On my high school’s site the tabs include: school home, member list, message board, and photo albums.

The website also has homepages for each graduated class. Class pages have tabs that include: class home, member list, message board, photo albums, announcements, and events.

Take time to explore these options.

Gold Membership (optional)

Right now the website is offering an annual gold membership for $9.95 (it states the normal rate is $39). Gold membership offers distinct benefits.

1. View guestbook signatures
2. See where friends live now
3. Read all your bulletin board notes
4. Send Classmates Email anyone can read
5. Read all Classmates Email you receive
6. Plan reunions and events

Personally, I do not have the Gold Membership. However, for marketing purposes, it may be a wise decision to have the opportunities listed above.

My Review

It’s a good website, that serves a distinct purpose. The only advantage that I have seen so far is in marketing. On Facebook, advertising can only target graduates of a specific college and not a high school.

Recently, a client had the need to target his high school classmates. For now, Facebook does not offer the option to target graduates of any high school, just students who are currently in high school. For my client, Classmates.com was the best option for his needs because the gold membership gave them the option of e-mailing classmates directly.

I will continue to explore this site, and perhaps provide an update in the future.

BEWARE: The website is advertisement heavy — Way too much. It feels intrusive. I still prefer Facebook, but this is specifically for reconnecting with classmates (obviously).

but•tress

3. Something that serves to support, prop, or reinforce.

My Uncle John uses peanut butter to buttress the flavor of vanilla ice cream.

Definition from The Free Online Dictionary:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/buttress

truc•u•lent

1. Disposed to fight, pugnacious

Born with a stiff lip and a furrowed brow, Garret was the most truculent public school student on the bus.

Definition from The Free Online Dictionary:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/truculent

ol•i•gar•chy

1. Government by a few, especially by a small faction of persons or families.

Thanks to the current government for today’s word.

Definition from The Free Online Dictionary:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/oligarchy

con•jec•ture

1. Inference or judgment based on inconclusive or incomplete evidence; guesswork.
2. A statement, opinion, or conclusion based on guesswork

Typically, the word is used in the phrase “Heresay and conjecture;” however, I would venture to say that it could be used in 10 other ways.

Thanks to Alicia D. for the word of the day.

Definition from The Free Online Dictionary:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/conjecture

The Redskins have a storied past: 3 super bowls, 25 hall of famers, and one of the greatest owners in NFL History – Jack Kent Cooke. Gosh, we were in the playoffs just two years ago! Wha’ Happened!

Here’s the thing – all of the sudden we can’t score. I was at the Lions game this year when the Redskins failed to punch in a touchdown from the 1-yard line. They would eventually lose that game to the Lions, helping to alter NFL history forever (it’s still the Lions only win in a long, long time).

I just don’t know what to say. I mean – I could blame the coach, owner and quarterback, but to what end? They aren’t scoring points, and they have some playmakers on the offense (Portis, Cooley, Moss). I am pretty sure the offensive line is decent, although they are usually banged up or injured.

Here would be my next steps:

1. Bench Jason Campbell (sorry, guy)
2. Give Clinton Portis at least 25 touches a game
3. Line up Santana Moss at the No. 3 spot, set up for inside crosses, etc. Make him more of a Wes Welker type
4. Consider the flea-flicker, it worked in the past… bring it back.
5. Draft Tim Tebow (hear me out): Strength, Speed, Agility, Arm… but most importantly, he brings heart and a will to win, which are desperately needed right now.
6. Blitz More: the sit back and adjust isn’t working

Well, those are just the beginning of the changes needed by the Washington Redskins. I like Jason Campbell, I wish the best for him; however, he isn’t getting the job done (ever). It’s time to shake things up, try some new schemes, and experiment. The traditional smash-mouth football style is not paying dividends.

Let’s crank up the diesel!

Hail to the Redskins!

]]> http://thedailytoot.wordpress.com/2009/11/08/the-washington-redskins-whaa-happened/feed/ 0 sethrhinz http://thedailytoot.wordpress.com/2009/11/08/the-beginning/ http://thedailytoot.wordpress.com/2009/11/08/the-beginning/#comments Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:54:16 +0000 sethrhinz ]]> It’s the only logical place to begin. I was born in 1983.

The Five Biggest Happenings in 1983 (thanks to Wikipedia for the 1983 time line):

1. March 23 – Michael Jackson first performs “Moonwalk“
2. January 19 – Apple Computers releases “Lisa“
3. October 5 – Microsoft Word first released
4. October 16 – Baltimore Orioles win the World Series
5. March 18 – A hero is born