Disney Has Done It Again!

As any great producer, director, and/or author knows, the key to getting someone to enjoy their movie, TV show, or book is get the audience attached to its characters. Think about all the shows and books that you've enjoyed throughout the years.........most likely you found them exciting or interesting because you got to know the characters and felt an emotional attachment to them.
Lately, we've talked about "Reality Shows" on this blog. The common ingredient in each reality show and why one enjoys watching them is the personalities on stage.

Think about that for a second.....the first episode, you're not really into but by the 3rd or 4th, you have been sucked in. Why? Because you've emotionally attached yourself to someone on the show. You want them to be successful. You want them to get the girl or guy and/or "live happily ever after."

Walt Disney knew this better than anyone. He knew how to get his audience "emotionally attached." Therefore, each "Disney movie" contains a common theme: The absence or loss of a parent(s).

Think about the Disney movies that you've seen in the past....most likely each one that you come up with involves a parent of the main character dying in the beginning or he or she doesn't have parents at all.

What does this accomplish? It tugs on your heart strings and makes you immediately attached (emotionally) to the main character. You feel for him/her. You mourn for him/her. And you hope that by the end of the movie, he/she "lives happily ever after."

Well, the latest Disney movie doesn't disappoint. It's called "WALL.E" and I took my boys to see it on Friday. Disney writers have come up with every conceivable storyline trying to weave their theme throughout:

Girl has no parents at the beginning and therefore is a step-daughter (Cinderella, Snow White). Girl's mom dies at the beginning (Bambi). Girl gets ripped away from parents (Sleeping Beauty, Pocohontas). Girl gets lost in a hole and has to survive without parents (Alice in Wonderland). Dad gets injured and daughter must fill in (Mulan). Girl has no mom and a crazy dad (Beauty and the Beast). Girl has no mother and a very demanding father (The Little Mermaid).

Boy has no parents (Aladin, Peter Pan). Boy has no mother (Pinocchio). Boy's father dies (The Lion King). Boy can't live with parents until he proves himself (Hercules). Boy gets dropped off in jungle by parents (Tarzan). Boy has no father from the very beginning (Treasure Planet).

Anyway, you get the point. So now what does Disney do? They create a robot who not only has no parents and no friends but no correspondence of any kind. Yet within 10 minutes of the start of the movie, the little robot watches a movie that includes a romantic scene where the people on the screen hold hands and the robot realizes what he has been missing his whole life: Someone or something that cares for him and loves him for who he is (a loving robot that condenses trash into a small block).

I mean....who couldn't love this robot? Isn't that what we look for in man/woman? Someone that will take our piles of trash (literal and symbolic), gather them up, and put them into a small condensed block...never to be seen again? Talk about true love.....

Anyway, within 10 minutes, we (the audience) are now emotionally attached. We want "WALL.E" to find that someone. We want "WALL.E" to live......"happily ever after."

And so, we watch the movie with anticipation. There is very little dialogue throughout the hour and a half movie but we don't care and we don't notice. All we care about is that "WALL.E" finds that someone or something.

Yes, I knew what Disney was doing. Yes, I had it all figured out. Yes, I knew the ending. And yet, I enjoyed it just like I have the other 30 Disney movies I have seen that have a similar theme.

Maybe we are all just WALL.E's or Snow White's or Cinderella's or Aladdin's or Hercules' at heart and that is why we love Disney movies so much. In the end, all we really care about is for someone to hold our hand in that gentle way that tells us, we are loved and that even through disastrous times (an atom bomb gets dropped in this movie), we will in fact live....."HAPPILY EVER AFTER."

Reality Shows: Love em or Leave em?

This is a very curious question to me. Answers may vary depending on one thing: Can it be an anonymous response? If not, most people will emphatically say, "LEAVE EM!" If able to answer anonymously, most people will quietly say, "LOVE EM."

Since the inception of "reality shows" we have seen a HUGE gravity pull from the general public to the boob tube. "Survivor" I believe, was the first to hit the set and many were attracted to the show's concept of "outplaying, outwitting, and outlasting" your opponent. Those who were honest and true to themselves and others were quickly eliminated while those who cheated, lied, and formed alliances lasted the longest and were the most successful. (metaphor for life? Maybe).

Anyway, it was at this juncture in our TV lives that it was "cool" to watch "Survivor." It was new. It was fresh. And it was good water-cooler fodder.

But like most things in life, things that are new and fresh sooner or later become old and rotten. (No offense to the "more mature" people that read this blog). :)

What usually happens is that when something is exciting and popular, it becomes overused, overdone, and overplayed. There is an imaginary pendulum that swings in the air and therefore, instead of being "cool" because you watch the show, you are now considered a "loser" with nothing better to do.

Imagine this scene four years ago: You walk up to the water cooler and there are others standing around talking about certain events and you say, "You guys see "Survivor" last night. Isn't Rob and Amber the perfect couple?" Everyone nods their head in agreement, slaps you on the back, and all of sudden you are leading the discussion. In essence, you are "cool."

Now four years later, same thing happens. You go and get some water. Same people are there from before and you throw out this beauty, "You guys see "The Bachelorette" last night. I can't believe she cut Graham." Everyone furrows their brow, turns their back to you, and all of a sudden you are shuffling back to your desk wondering what happened. In essence, you are a "fool."

But here's the whole point and what you have to realize: Those same people that "furrowed their brow" and looked at you like a "loser" are also watching the show and deep down, they really wanted to discuss it with you. However, the pendulum had already swung. It is now taboo to discuss reality shows openly in a public setting. Everyone thinks you have nothing better to do with your time and therefore labels you accordingly BUT the underlying secret is that most people are still watching in the privacy of their homes.

How do I know this?

See my last blog post. I got the most comments I've ever gotten throughout my 6 months of blogging. People are still interested, they are just not "publicly" confident to show that interest.

I make a plea to all of you: Let it go. Shed the label. Swing the pendulum back and make it "water cooler" cool again. Be confident in yourself and others will be drawn out as well.

You know you all watch them. You know you all love them. It's time to publicly admit it. Don't "cheat, lie, and form anti-reality show alliances" but instead be "honest and true to yourself and others" and together we will be the last ones standing on the island.

Let me be the first to say it:

My name is DRO and I LOVE watching "The Bachelorette!"

The Bachelorette

Figured I better give "The Female" her due. It's called Title IX at the high school level: Equality for both the male and female in the sporting arena. Consider this post, my support for Title IX.

Yes, I have been watching The Bachelorette. Yes, I have a blog. Yes, I like being tan. Yes, I live in Laguna. Fortunately for me, YES, I am married and my wife will support my heterosexuality. (hopefully).

Anyway, Deanna has made some interesting choices throughout the show. I've mentioned to my wife, on more than one occasion, that she continues to choose the "hot" guy. (wait, scratch that. I didn't just say "hot guy" did I?). What this means is that her impending marriage has no chance because those "type" of guys are on the show for one reason: to be seen on camera. They do not have an interest in marrying Deanna...they just want to beat out 24 other dudes. Think of the inflation one's ego would get if you were the last one standing! 95% of the guys on the show are those "type" of guys.

There has been one relationship that has lasted since the inception of this show and that is because Trista chose a quiet, shy, nice, and somewhat subdued guy. He didn't care about being on the camera, he cared about finding a soul-mate. She realized this and made the right choice.

Question is: Will Deanna?

The final four are:

1. Jeremy

2. Jesse

3. Graham

4. Jason

There is one of these guys that (if chosen) will give Deanna what she wants and needs. The rest are just "eye candy" for you ladies. (so why am I watching this show again?).

Breakdown:

1. Jeremy (loser. butt kisser. knows what to say and when to say it. buyer beware.)

2. Jesse (stud. cool guy. immature. not yet ready for marriage.)

3. Graham (one night stand material. she's keeping him just for the "come back to my suite" episode.)

4. Jason (he's got baggage "4 yr. old son" but is on the show for her. nice guy. that's why he will finish last.)

Prediction:

First to go: Jason.

After that: Jesse.

Graham and Jeremy go head to head: Graham loses. Jeremy wins.

Marriage doesn't last 6 months when she realizes what a loser he is.

I know what you're thinking after reading this blog.....It's clear to all of you who the REAL loser is.

Hopefully this entry will self-destruct in 5 minutes.....

Did She Walk????

If you've read the blog this past week, you know that I had a little dilemma with a senior who failed my class. After numerous opportunities to pass and catching her cheating a few different times, she finally drew her last straw and the camel's back broke. (I'm guessing she probably smoked the last straw but that's a different story).

Anyway, I digress.

Yesterday was graduation for all seniors who had actually passed their classes. It was a great event held at The Pageant of the Masters forum theatre. When the seniors accepted their diploma, they actually showed a picture of them when they were babies up on the big screen behind the podium. A special time for them and their parents.

Many of you believed that power and prestige would rule over honesty and hard work. Fortunately for Laguna Beach and its reputation, the administration didn't give in to the pressure of the hierarchy: The girl DID NOT walk with her classmates. She was in attendance but was not able to be a part of the celebration.

YEA FOR MANKIND IN LAGUNA BEACH. (sidenote: I believe I've just used "broke","back","mankind" and "Laguna Beach" all in one blog post. Why do I find that funny?)

The rumor, however, is that very soon she will, in fact, graduate. I heard that she is making up my class as we speak and all she had to do for independent study was do a book review on 4 novels. I'm sure she'll get on the Internet and have that done in no time.

The camel's back may be broken but somehow, someway she'll be riding off in the sunset, the last laugh (of course) being hers.

What Makes A Leader....A Leader?

Interesting question. We've seen many different types of leaders throughout the years both inside and outside of sports. Being the "sports" guy that I am, I believe that life can be metaphorically compared to sports in one way or the other. Therefore, when speaking of "leadership qualities" one must look no further than the court, the field, the course, or the rink.

Some lead by example. Some lead by voice. Some lead by friendship. Some lead by fear.

I truly believe that anyone can be a leader and can use any of one of the qualities above or even a combination of all four; however, the one quality a leader must possess (and Aretha Franklin said it best)
R E S P E C T.

Since the NBA finals is fresh in my mind and I have gone on record talking about the greatness of Kobe Bryant, I decided to watch the finals with a different perspective. I didn't watch necessarily to see who won, I watched to see if Kobe had finally become a leader. When comparisons to him and Michael Jordan are made, most would agree that talent wise, they are very close. Where the argument gets fuzzy is when the ability to lead other men gets brought up. Most would argue that MJ knew how to lead. He made others around him better and thus helped himself and a bunch of other scrubs win multiple championships.

How did he do it? FEAR. He had one of the most menacing stares ever to come upon the face of a man. He would stare down an opponent and have him shaking in his nikes. He would stare down a teammate and have him saying, "Yes MJ. Whatever you want MJ. Here is the ball MJ." He would stare down an referee and as if to say, "I could call David Stern right now and have you fired on the spot." (sidenote: MJ never fouled out of a single game after his rookie year).

And this "stare" created MJ the leader. Sure he led by example and that is how it started but he struck so much FEAR in everyone around him, that he became a great leader and thereby earned R E S P E C T.

Now on to Kobe. We all know that MJ is his hero. He has mimicked his every move since being drafted out of Lower Merion High in Philadelphia. He wags his tongue. He flies through the air. He mastered the turnaround jumper. He buddied up to Phil Jackson. And.....he tried to mimick Jordan's menacing stare.

As I watched the finals these past few weeks, I concentrated on Kobe. I wanted to see if he had indeed become a leader. He plays harder than anyone. He practices harder than anyone. He wants to win more than anyone. You would think that just purely through example, that Kobe could and should be a great leader. When he gets on the court and sees things are going the wrong way, he tries to STARE down his opponents, his teammates, and the referees BUT here is where the difference lies between him and Michael Jordan:

All those people STARE back.

Result = Kobe doesn't get the calls. Kobe doesn't create the fear. Kobe's teammates don't respond positively. And therefore Kobe does not garner the R E S P E C T that I think he deserves.

Is it his fault? Maybe. But that is not the point. It doesn't matter who's fault it is, what matters is that Kobe lacks respect and therefore is not a leader. This was so clear to me as I watched the finals. They always had the camera on the circle of players during timeouts. When Kevin Garnett or Ray Allen or Doc Rivers spoke, everyone listened. You could see it in their eyes. They had their respect and therefore whatever those guys said, the players did. They believed it could and would happen.

When Kobe was yelling at his teammates in the huddle, you could also see it his teammates eyes: They doubted. I saw no respect for Kobe or his ability to lead. Phil Jackson wouldn't even be looking at him sometimes (I think he was actually looking for his dentures behind the bench....what his he now 70 years old?).

Anyway, some people have it and some people don't. Can one develop leadership qualities...sure. But it's not the man that decides he can lead, it's the people around him that decide if he's a leader.

Beauty is "truly" in the Eye of the Beholder?

Okay, quick...what do you think of when you hear this cliche?

I admit it, I think of females. I probably have heard this cliche muttered a thousand times in my life and yet every time I hear it, I think of outward appearance vs. inward. Basically what the person mutters it is trying to convey is that, "Ugly things can be beautiful too."

However, over the weekend, I have finally come to understand the true meaning of what this cliche means.

The PGA Tour plays 4 Majors every year. Basically 4 tournaments that are BIGGER than the rest. They are considered golf's "holy grail." If you play in at least one throughout your career, you are da man. If you win one, well then...you are really da man. And if you happen to win more than one, then you are approaching god status. (Tiger has won 14 of them, so what does that make him?)

However, most of us don't even get the opportunity to attend a Major, much less play in one. For whatever reason be it money, time, location, etc. we just don't make it a priority to buy a ticket and attend the event. We think to ourselves, "I can watch it on TV, I don't have time anyway, it's too expensive, I don't want to battle the crowds, etc."

After this weekend, I'll never make that mistake again!

But here's the point to my whole post. I went on Saturday because the U.S. Open was being played down in Torrey Pines for the first time ever. San Diego is about an hour away and my dad (being the greatest dad in the world) bought tickets. I got there around 11 am but due to having to be back by 5 pm, I had to leave earlier than I wanted. I walked around, followed a few players (Mickelson and Scott), sat on hole #1 and watched others tee off, bought some souvenirs, and then headed home.

It was fun but I was disappointed. Disappointed that I had to leave early. Disappointed that I missed my friends and our rendezvous time. Disappointed that I didn't get to see Tiger. And basically thinking, "This was kinda a waste of time and money."

I then talked to my friends that night on the phone who were also there. They had driven a long distance and were basically there all day. One of my friends saw almost every shot Tiger hit and he told me, "I basically sprinted 18 holes today Dro but it was the greatest sporting event I have ever attended." My other friend then told me, "Dude, we were right next to the 13th green when Tiger drained his 60 footer for eagle. It was so awesome to be there!"

Okay, refer back to the title of this post and maybe you can see where I am going. How many times in your life have you seen the "ugly" while others have seen the "beauty?" How many times have you muttered, "this sucks" while others have said, "this rocks?" How many people have you met and came away thinking, "he or she's a jerk" while someone else thinks "he or she's da bomb?" How about when you visit some place or move somewhere and say to everyone who will listen, "there's nothing to do here" while those same people are thinking, "this is the greatest city in the world."

After talking to my friends on Saturday night, I thought about this the whole day Sunday and was internally struggling with this concept. I was bummed but then all of a sudden....I had an "AH HA" moment. You know those times when you finally understand something. When you finally just "get it" and want to jump in high in air and scream..... "AH HA!"

You see, I realize that I BLEW IT. It was all me. I had a chance to make something ordinary....extraordinary. I had a chance to attend the US Open and make it a memorable experience and yet, I didn't. Sure it was fun to follow the players and watch them play but I could've, "sprinted 18 holes." I could've, "watched Tiger drain a 60 foot eagle." It could've been, "the greatest sporting event I have ever attended" and yet I BLEW IT.

How many times have we "blown it" in our lives? How many times have we had the opportunity to get to know a person, a city, a ward, a school, an event, etc. and yet meandered around, feeling sorry for ourselves, and muttering, "This sucks. I wish I was.....(fill in the blank)."

Beauty is "truly" in the Eye of the Beholder. You see, life's experiences are what make us who we are. We are the ones that create those experiences. We are the ones that can shape those people, cities, wards, schools, and events to how we want them to be. Sure, everything can "suck" in life but everything can also be the "GREATEST.....(fill in the blank)."

Okay...end of the story. Most of the time we don't get a second chance in life. Most of the time after we have our "AH HA" moment, we don't get to go back; we just have to learn our lesson and move on. BUT, as is the joke with my friends and family, I once again got the "lucky bounce."

On Sunday, Tiger Woods made a birdie on 18 to force an 18 hole playoff to be played on Monday the next day. As the putt goes in the hole, my dad turns to me and says, "You know, we have four tickets for tomorrow's round. Maybe you should go." (You could say that my reaction was similar to the picture below).

I could not believe my ears. I could not believe what I was hearing. I had an immediate chance to make up for my mistake and make this event "AWESOME!" I immediately called in sick for work. I made plans to get there early and stay there late. And then my brother (Jeff) and my brother-in-law (Cort) headed down to San Diego at 6:30 am the next morning.

To make a long story short....I sprinted here and there. I stood right next to tee boxes and talked to the players. The Greek God (Tiger Woods) stood right next to me. I sat in the stands and yelled "Get in the hole." I told Rocco Mediate that he "had Tiger right where he wanted him" and Rocco looked at me and said, "Yea right. I got him right where I want him?" I snuck my way onto a platform (high above the crowd) and watched Tiger birdie 18 once again. I not only was there...BUT, I "experienced" the US Open and it was (in my eyes), truly....."BEAUTIFUL!!!!!"

The Saga Continues.....

Okay, I'm sure you are on pins and needles, checking the blog over and over again, wondering if in fact "entitlement" overcame common sense.

RECAP:

One of my seniors has been missing class, assignments, and tests all semester. She has a 42% and needed a strong B or an A on the final to graduate. She truly believes that when push comes to shove, she is "entitled" to graduate and that no first year teacher is going to stand in her way.

Anyway, I gave the seniors their final yesterday. It included 78 multiple choice questions and 2 essay prompts. I haven't had a chance to grade her essays; however, I did grade the multiple choice portion. Believe it or not, she did pretty good (for her anyway). She got 54 out of 78 correct which comes out to a C. I was shocked but also a little scared. If she did decently on her essays then she might get up to a 58% and then I would be faced with a tough decision. (Quick, ask yourself, What would you do?)

As I was pondering the answer to that question, I decided to compare her test to another a student's: One who sat next to her throughout the final. Guess what? Yep.......90% of her answers were EXACTLY the same!

Problem solved, right? I had proof that she cheated. She wasn't going to graduate. The next step was a tough one. I took her test and the other student's and showed them to her counselor and the assistant principal. I told them her background, much of which they already knew. (sidenote: earlier in the year, she had been arrested for a DUI and they were aware of this as well). They concurred that she would not be able to graduate and had me call her father right then and there. (Not a phone call I was looking forward to). But I called, explained to him what had happened, and asked him to bring his daughter to a meeting this morning where everything would be explained in more detail.

Keep in mind that this isn't some regular town. This is Laguna Beach where parents and their children are used to getting their way. They are powerful, rich people who think that even when they go #2, it doesn't stink.

Well, we had the meeting this morning. I explained what had happened, showed them the test, and said (with all due respect) that she had cheated and therefore would fail my class and not be able to graduate. (I figured if I said, "with all due respect" that I then could say whatever I wanted and it would be okay...but maybe her father hadn't seen "Taladega Nights").

She denied it. Said she studied all night, which her father mentioned as well. She said she didn't know how or why the answers were the same. The meeting lasted 30 minutes. We went back and forth. They asked if they could take the test over. I said, "No." They asked for extra credit. I said, "No." Dad mentioned that she would be the first in their long family line not to graduate and if there was anything "we" could do, he would appreciate it.

Talk about pressure. Here I am this punk, 36 year old, first year teacher at the school, standing up against tradition, a family's lineage, and the history of Laguna Beach High School. Not too many here at this school (if any) fail and don't get to graduate.

So how does it end? I don't know. I told them she was going to fail my class and she will. From my end, she will not walk next week with her friends and classmates. BUT, will she? One would like to believe that the "buck stops here" but one is not so ignorant and naive.

Let's just put it this way, I won't be surprised if I hear her name announced from the podium next week, see her walk up, get handed her diploma, smile at me, and give me a little wink.

I'll let you know.....

Do We Have to Fail...Before We Succeed?

Most would say emphatically, "Yes." After all, we've heard this our whole lives....especially after we fall down, lose a game, or miss a putt. We feel dejected, embarrassed, and hold our heads low; however, it is at this point that a loved one steps in and (wanting to help) usually offers up this beauty...... "You know, all the great ones fail before they succeed."

How many of you (at that moment), wanted to punch that person in the neck? Probably not the greatest advice given during your moment of dejection.

Anyway, it is this very topic that I have been pondering lately. Many of you know that I teach high school. This year I was given the indelible task of taking on Laguna Beach's Senior Class. All I heard (before I took the job), was that I would soon be faced with a challenge that I hadn't seen in my 10 years of teaching: The challenge of "entitlement."

What do I mean? Let me explain because I didn't really understand what those people were talking about either.

Entitlement is defined as: the right to guaranteed benefits.

Basically what I was being warned against was the student who believes that they are "entitled" to whatever they want. They've grown up in wealthy homes, been given whatever they've asked for, and been protected throughout their lives by the very people that supply them with those wants. Therefore, when it comes to their education, the same thing (at least in the kids and sometimes in the parents' minds) should apply.

If a kid is struggling: bring in the private tutor. If that doesn't work: put pressure on the teacher. If that doesn't work: put pressure on the administration. If that doesn't work: put pressure on the district supervisor, etc. etc.

Before you know it, the kid has the grade he desires but doesn't quite deserve. Does the kid care? No. On the contrary....they believe they are "entitled" to this privilege.

Anyway, why do I bring this up? Tomorrow, my seniors take their finals. I have one student in particular who has struggled all year. Struggled to turn in work. Struggled to come to class. Struggled not to cheat. And therefore, struggled to get a passing grade. She is "earning" a 42% right now and if she can't get up to 60% by tomorrow, then she will in fact FAIL my class and thereby FAIL to graduate. She will not walk with her friends, she will be humiliated, and the tears will definitely flow.

She approached me today and said, "Mr. Hendrickson, I have to pass this class or I won't graduate." My response, "Really, that's unfortunate." Her look of "entitlement" stared back at me. You know....the look that said, "Oh, I WILL get a passing grade." She spun on her heel, turned around, and marched back to her desk.

So what to do? Things are going to get U G L Y. Tomorrow, she will most likely FAIL the final (unless she cheats), and then I will be (once again), be faced with the indelible task of "teaching" her a lesson.

I will put my arm around her in a comforting mentor-like touch and tell her this sage advice......."You know, all the great ones fail before they succeed."

I wonder if she'll punch me in the neck.

When Something is too good to be true.....

It usually IS.

I don't know how many times this happens in life (more often than not) but it seems when things seem so easy and so smooth that something bad is bound to happen. You ever get that feeling like, "Okay, things are going way too good right now, what is tomorrow going to bring? And you actually brace yourself for the impact because you know it's coming..."

It's sorta like a car crash in a way. You have your seat belt on, you're strapped in, and yet you still put your arm out in front of your wife or loved one thinking that your arm will lessen the blow. I've been in a car crash before and I got news for you....it doesn't work....and in life even if you "put your arm out" the "bad" still happens.

Many of you know that things have fallen perfectly in place for us since about 1 year ago. We've made some crazy "jumps" over the past year that seem unbelievable (like Evil Knievel jumping over the Grand Canyon) and yet every time we've launched ourselves into the air, we've miraculously found the ground awaiting our arrival.

Jump #1

While living in Riverside, we found ourselves in financial trouble. Things were stable with my job but it seemed we spent what we earned and then some. We knew we needed to make a change but didn't know what that change would be. Most people move to Utah or Texas in order to save money and we knew we didn't want to do that. Nothing is wrong with those two states but they were "wrong" for us...that much we knew. Then the call came. "I'd like you to apply to be an English teacher at Laguna Beach High School." Crazy, right? Who in their right mind that is having financial trouble moves to Orange County?!?! After much prayer and fasting, we decided to take our first "jump."

Jump #2

Luckily I didn't choke in the interview and I got the job. So we had to decide what to do about our house in Riverside and where to live in Orange County. We put up our house for sale but nothing seemed to be happening even as we lowered the price. Then when things were looking bleak (miraculously), a friend of a friend asked Lou Ann if we would be willing to rent our home to them at a price similar to what we were paying for our mortgage. We hastily accepted their offer and they've been living there ever since with no issues or problems like most have when renting out their home.

Jump #3

For some reason we knew we needed to rent in the Beacon Hill area in Laguna Niguel but rental prices were high and it didn't seem like it would be possible. We were living with Lou Ann's parents at the time and it seemed like we were in for the long haul; however, one day at school I decided to check Craigslist.com. What do you know? A house in Beacon Hill (in our price range) had been posted that morning. I called, we checked it out after school, and signed the papers as soon as we could.

Jump #4

It's now a year later. We've had some great experiences. We live right next to the elementary school, the community pool, and the kids have made some great friends. But again....we feel the need to move on. We feel a pull towards Laguna Beach and that ward and that community. Crazy right? After all, how could we afford to move there? Anyway, we just knew we needed to make the jump so I asked my students if they knew of a house (in our price range). At first, they laughed and said, "Good luck." A few days later, a senior tells me that her neighbor is moving and maybe their house would be perfect for us. Come to find out, (a few days later) they would love to have a Mormon family living there and would keep the rent at a price we could afford. (By the way, it's two doors down from the principal of my school who is also Mormon and who got me the job in the first place).

Well, why do I tell you these things? It seems that every time we jump, we land on our feet safely on the other side the "canyon." However, even though we put our arms out and tried to brace for the impact, yesterday we got THE email: "Dear Lou Ann: My husband was just fired from his job and we can no longer afford to rent your house in Riverside. We're sorry but we have to move."

Can you hear the metal grinding, the brakes squealing, and our car getting ready for a serious impact? When my wife showed me the email I felt like that one skateboarder last year in the X Games. You know the guy that was 30 feet in the air but lost his board. Next image is of him floating down towards the concrete, with his legs kicking only but air, and landing with a THUD.

Jump #5

To be determined but if you know of someone who wants to live in Riverside or rent a home in Orangecrest....let us know? The Grand Canyon is a long drop......

2nd Favorite Time of the Year

Well, my 2nd favorite time of the year is quickly approaching. If you are new to this blog, then you don't know that my "favorite time of the year" is spring time. (see earlier post). However, now that the spring is almost over, we segue into summer and Dro isn't any less happy. (Yes, I just referred to myself in the 3rd person....am I cool now or what???)

Once again....with apologies to David Letterman, here are my top 10 reasons that I LOVE SUMMER!!!!

#10 The Weather (nothing beats hot summer days and beautiful summer nights....especially in Laguna). :)

#9 The Beach (no comment necessary but this was the beach I grew up on and am now teaching at the local high school and living only a few blocks away.....life has definitely come full circle).

#8 Baseball (it's the only major sport thus SportsCenter is that much more enjoyable)

#7 The US Open (One of golf's 4 majors....notice in the picture below the foreshadowing comment in the upper left hand corner......told you the NBA was fixed) :)

#6 Summer School (I've been teaching summer school for 9 years now. Sometimes I feel like Mark Harmon in the 80s movie....What a classic!)

#5 No work (If you can't find me in the month of August...I'll either be at the beach or on the golf course).

#4 Shorts and Sandals (When summer rolls around, you never have to worry about your wardrobe. Shorts and sandals every day!!!!)

#3 Being TAN!!! (no need to worry about being orange when summer rolls around)

#2 Sunburns and Staying Cool (ever feel like the girl in the picture below...gotta love summer!)

And the #1 reason I LOVE SUMMER..................

Wife is.......HAPPIER!!!!

NBA Finals!

As predicted before the playoffs began, (see my earlier blog post about a month or so ago) we have exactly what the NBA and David Stern wanted: Lakers vs. Celtics in the NBA Finals. Shockingly both teams made it and now we are subject to watching and hearing about "The Rivalry" from the 1980s. True to form, the NBA even rigged up a press conference (via telephone) today. You would think that perhaps Kobe and Paul Pierce or Kevin Garnett would be up there front and center but NO....instead the NBA puts on Larry Bird and Magic Johnson?!?!?

Read between the lines....this is what the NBA is basically saying, "We know that the NBA hasn't been the same since these two retired. We remember the good ole days just like all of you. For 15 years we have wallowed in mediocrity, thugism, tattoos, highlight-reel dunks, and street cred and have seen our ratings fall almost as low as the NHLs. But LOOK EVERYONE, that is no longer the case. It's BOSTON vs. LOS ANGELES again. It's MAGIC vs. LARRY. Come back mid 30s guy. Come back white America. Come back casual NBA fan. We are back. The rivalry is back. And so are our ratings."

Somehow, someway the NBA has gotten exactly what it needed when it needed it the most.

Somehow, someway Kevin Garnett got traded to the Celtics for a few scrubs and some chowder(ironic that Kevin McHale is the Tiberwolves GM and his buddy and Boston teammate, Danny Ainge, is the Celtics GM. Here's McHale getting a free round of golf and probably more from his buddy Ainge).

Somehow, someway all star Pau Gasol got traded to the Lakers for the biggest scrub in the NBA and a signed picture of Diane Cannon. (ironic that one of the greatest Lakers of all time, Jerry West, happened to be the Grizzlies GM and was there presenting the Western Conference Finals trophy to Mitch Kupchak as if to say, "Here Mitch. I got you what I promised. Wink, wink.")

Anyway, I digress. Let's just sit back and enjoy the return of the NBA and not worry about how or why it happened. I'll be watching on Thursday night just like millions of other Americans.

The ratings will be the highest they've been in (let me guess)........15 years????

ps Lakers in 6.

LOST Finale!!!!

As the old timers of this blog know, I am a big "Lost" fan and look forward to it every week. I am intrigued with the concept of the show and think there is a lot of symbolism and it is up to each individual viewer to figure out what the symbols mean to them. Each week presents new problems to figure out as some old ones are solved and others leave the viewer hanging. I believe the producers have done a masterful job of creating a timeline from which there is no beginning and no end and therefore each week they are free to jump ahead in time and/or go back. Definitely a show well worth the hour (well 40 minutes if you have DVR).

Anyway, a few days ago, it was the season's finale. Usually finales are BIG letdowns. They build them up and you get pumped to watch all week and then a few hours later you are left with an open mouth, a furrowed brow, and a "that's it?" expression on your face; however, with "Lost," this was not the case. I can honestly say this was the best season finale I have ever witnessed. It answered many questions (even from seasons past) and also left us with a few problems unsolved; thus, we are eager for next season to begin.

Okay, if any of you watch and have been avid supporters of "Lost," I am eager to hear your opinions about the island and what it all means. Here are mine:

I see the island as the "spirit world" drawn from the Mormon concept. I am convinced that one of the writers is Mormon and has thrown some of his ideas into the mix. The Mormon "spirit world" is sort of a waiting place where good and bad people live. It is divided into two parts: Paradise and Prison.

"In the Spirit World those in paradise experience happiness and peace, and are free from trouble, sorrow, and pain. They continue to associate in family relationships and engage in worthwhile activities. The spirits in prison are those who, for whatever reason, did not accept the gospel while on the earth. They cannot partake of the blessings received in paradise nor are they allowed to enter it. In this sense, it is considered a prison. However, those who never had the opportunity to hear the gospel during their earthly life will be given this chance while in spirit prison" (lds.about.com).

Okay, now fit those on the island into this concept. There are good people and bad people. There are those who "associate in family relationships and engage in worthwhile activities" and there are those who aren't free to see certain parts of the island. Also, miracles happen on the island almost each and every week (ie John Locke when arriving on the island is now able to walk, etc.) I also believe that there are some in the spirit world who are free to come and go but also know that being on the island (or spirit world) is better than any other place (like Earth). This character is obviously Ben but he sacrifices that role in the finale (by moving the island) and turning it over to Locke. Then there's the mysterious Jacob who goes unseen yet is the "supreme ruler" that helps Ben and now Locke decide what is best for the people on the island.

There are always those who think they know what is best but do not have all the knowledge but are continually searching for it. Jack fits this role. He leads in the way he thinks is best but (as the finale seems to suggest) now realizes that he made a mistake and yearns to go back. It appears that Locke was able to leave the island (just like Ben was able to) and in my opinion has turned over the keys of the islands' mysteries to Jack.

Jack now needs to convince the other five that they need to go back so that they can live in "paradise" with all the knowledge that they now or will soon possess. You see, they need to go back and visit those in the "spirit prison" and try and convince them that they were wrong before but now know where true happiness can be found.

Granted there are probably many holes in my theory and I could go on and on BUT that is the whole point. The show can touch us on so many levels and if we allow the symbolism to sink in, we just might be able to use a 60 minute TV show to help us in our busy life.

Are you someone who thinks you have all the answers and try and lead others by yourself (Jack)or are you someone who knows you don't have all the answers and therefore have to and need to ask an unseen being (Jacob/Heavenly Father) to help you answer some of those questions? (Locke)

Okay....since it is the Sabbath Day, I feel like I need a scripture to back up my point so here goes:

In the Book of Mormon the prophet Alma said:

"The spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow."And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good... these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil." (Alma 40: 12-13)

I choose paradise.......sounds A LOT more appealing.