Sunday, November 28, 2010

Thanksgiving, a tradition in Cinci





This past Thanksgiving, I woke up early. Instead of family brunch or a nice breakfast, I had a bowl of cereal. The rain was coming down hard and it was going to be a long day. I was headed to the 101st Turkey Day 10k in downtown Cincinnati. Despite the awful weather, a group of guys and I, as well as 10,700 others, decided it was well worth the satisfaction of finishing a 10k and then stuffing our faces at Thanksgiving dinner in the rain. The race started and ended outside Paul Brown Stadium and it crossed over the Ohio River twice. The race was considered a fun run to some, but a true race to others.

In the article, the individual clearly missed out on the great running experience in Cincinnati, and I truly feel sorry for him. What a fun way to start off Thanksgiving: in the pouring down rain when it is cold and we are running six miles. But he really did miss out. All 10,000 runners/walkers bonded together for a Thanksgiving experience for the 101st time in Cinci History. WOW.

In the group of guys I was with who attended the race, Drew Harris (my hero), was one of them. What a race he had. He was convinced that this 10k was a fun run, but what domination for just clowning around. He has always said that he can hold a pace forever, and he sure was telling the truth. He went faster than he or I thought possible, especially since the cross country season was over.



Drew Harris is my Hero.

-B

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Straight outta Detroit

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/51942/232673


The White Stripes have been a musical experience since 1997, coming out of Detroit, Michigan. White is the youngest of ten children and is a multi-instrumentalist. He began his musicianship with the drums at a very young age and then learned to play the guitar in her first band, The Upholsterers, formed with his boss at an upholstery shop in Detroit. This thirty-five year old has been involved in music since he was eighteen years old and has been considered one of the better guitarists of all time.

The White Stripes has been White’s getaway for some time outside of his solo career, and bands the Dead Weather and The Raconteurs. He enjoys getting back to the basics and his roots of blues rock when he connects with Meg White for each White Stripes album. The basis of the band is about being children, with a name based on peppermints and a color scheme of red and white for every outfit the two person band wears.

In this recent article, Jack White is quoted in hinting there will be another White Stripes album in the near future. Their most recent hit was in 2007, and Jack has been busy since then. With side projects such as the music for movies (Quantum of Solace, Cold Mountain) and his side bands, Jack has had little time lately for Meg and being childish. But The Raconteurs members are returning to their band The Greenhorns, and members of the Dead Weather are recording with their other bands as well. So Jack has been given a break, and the only way he should fill that void is through the White Stripes.

Some of you may be thinking, “How can this be related to Drew Harris?” Well it’s very simple. Jack White is an incredible guitarist. Drew Harris once wanted to be a guitarist of sorts. He even picked one up once. It was my grandfather’s. He was so good he even broke a string or two. I have never seen Drew pick up a guitar since, but I am sure he has been practicing away to get up to the level of White’s playing.

Jack White is my favorite, but Drew Harris is my hero.

-B

Sunday, November 14, 2010

2010 Cross Country State Meet


Page 7, Top Article “Cotton’s state title leads area runners”


                This article summarizes the performances of local area schools in the High School State Cross country meet held at Scioto Downs outside of Columbus, Ohio on November 6th, 2010. The main focus is of the Summit Country Day men’s cross country team and the St. Ursula women’s cross country team. What can be gained from this article is that Colin Cotton is a beast. He is a senior at SCDS and the captain of the team, leading them to a modest finish as a team with his gold medal in the division III race. Congrats Summit. They were a tough competitor for Mariemont’s boy’s team all year long.

St. Ursula also has a strong team with depth. The differential between their first runner and number five runner on their varsity squad is only two minutes and fifteen seconds. This is a team led by and eighth place finish by Sarah Mazzei, putting the team in eighth as well. Way to be girls.

What this article should focus on is Mariemont’s varsity squad. What a story. Drew Harris, Conor Coyan, Emmett Saulnier, and Nathan Kuck (all members of Mariemont’s varsity), are also members of the Regional Runner Up varsity soccer team. They not only run every Saturday in grueling 5k races, but they then play a physical soccer game that lasts an hour and twenty minutes. Drew Harris, the number seven man at the regional race, was the game saver in Mariemont’s tournament game against Dayton Christian. He is an athlete like Cincinnati has never seen before. Standing at six foot five, and weighing much more than I, he is truly a Mariemont WARRIOR. Even as an athlete, his grades are phenomenal. What a kid.

This article is well written, but should be longer. It discusses very important information about very successful teams, but it should have more on one of the most well-rounded teams in the city. Congratulations MHS.

Drew Harris is My Hero

-B

Sunday, November 7, 2010

127 Hours=Thriller

http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/45905/231025


Danny Boyle is most famous for his oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire, but this new film 127 Hours will change his directing career. In this article in the newest edition of Rolling Stone Magazine, it gives an overview of the new film, while discussing James Franco's groundbreaking role.


James Franco, in recent years, has been in many blockbuster movies, but until now, has not had an Oscar worthy performance. James Franco has been described as "amazing"and having "the best performance of all time." In the trailer for the film (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlhLOWTnVoQ), it is obvious that Franco will draw a crowd to see the thriller 127 Hours. The film came out on Friday November 5th and I am sure it was a popular film to see.

In the premier and early showings of the movie, two individuals fainted at Franco's performance and the intensity of the movie. Based on a true story, an incredible true story, Franco potrays Aron Ralston perfectly in this new thriller.


In the article it describes the summary of the film, and it makes me want to see it so much more. I cannot wait to see it, and this article is just making me crave this Oscar worthy performance even more.

Danny Boyle's fame comes not only from Slumdog Millionaire, but also thrilling films such as 28 Days Later. He is a sckilled director and the combination of him with James Franco is instant Gold. A must see.

I know how much of an outdoorsman Drew Harris is, so I am sure, considering he is my hero, that he and I will see this movie together. He spends his summers mountain biking across the whole lot of America, so I am sure he can easily relate to the story of Aron Ralston.

Drew Harris is My Hero

-B