Thanks Again

I wanted to let everyone who read my "Thank You" post that my grandma went home to be with the Lord early this morning. In the end, her body just couldn't fight anymore. In addition to the stroke she had many other health problems, which probably didn't help in this case. She had actually improved some in the ICU on Wednesday and I even had a "conversation" with her over the phone that day. The docs decided to move her to a step down room I thought was a mistake. Once moved, her health rapidly declined, and her body just shut down.

I wanted to write and take the time to thank YOU! You guys not only read my first post on this (and made it the most read post on my blog) but you guys prayed for comfort no matter what may happen, and I am grateful for that! I am especially grateful to the person who left the kind words on that post:

I just prayed for strength for you, and healing and speedy recovery for your grandma. Thanks for sharing with us about what you are going through right now. God knows and remember He is always there for you regardless of what happens the next day. He created us and He loves us. Always remember that.

Take care,
A Justin Bieber fan

I don't know who it was (and probably never will) but thank you to that person nevertheless! Although she is gone, I am relieved that she does not have to suffer anymore and is in Heaven where there is no more suffering and no more pain. I will continue to listen to "Pray" to help me get through tough times. Thanks again!

It's The Apocalypse?

Okay, it's not really the apocalypse, but many Beliebers thought so Monday. Justin Bieber-you may want to sit down for this-got a haircut! Yes, the teenage heartthrob who makes the girls melt with his signature hair flip cut his hair pretty short. I first saw the story break on Twitter as the Biebs tweeted that he was going to get a haircut. Later, photos were submitted by him to TMZ showing his new 'do while on the set of his music video of "That Should Be Me" with country superstars Rascal Flatts. 

Once the photos surfaced, the social media universe exploded. Many people chimed in against the haircut and, at one point, even the hashtag #RIPHairflip was the #1 trending topic on Twitter. I saw a tweet from someone I followed that said Bieber even lost followers all because he cut his hair.

Here's what I have to say. Beliebers, are you kidding me? I can't believe people get so upset over things like this. At last check, the guy does have his own life and I'm pretty sure he can do what he pleases with that life. Second, people (myself included) jump to conclusions. No one ever takes a breath and looks at the reasons why things happen. It turns out the hair that was cut will be auctioned off for charity. Now I'm sure this wasn't the only reason the Biebs cut his hair, but he's a great person for doing the auction. Personally, I like the new hairstyle. It's still a little long but just short enough not to have to get hair out of your face constantly. My message to Beliebers is: if the man wants a haircut let him get a freakin' haircut!

Thank You

I want to take a second and thank Justin Bieber. Over the past few days I have become even a bigger fan of his mainly because one of his songs has helped me get through all that's happened with my grandma. In case you haven't read my Twitter account (which you should) my grandma has been in the hospital for about a week recovering from a stroke. It all happened last Monday, and I was shocked and (of course) very upset. After talking to my mom and praying about ten minutes, I listened to Justin's song "Pray".

While I listened, I thought about my grandma and all that she's been through and, I'll be honest, I started crying. I was sad but his song gave me the hope that, with God and prayer, anything is possible. My grandma did improve some Thursday and Friday of last week, but started to decline again over the weekend.

I know Justin himself will never see this, but I thought I would just put it out there. That's what this blog's about anyway! So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you Justin Bieber for that song. I never knew it would mean so much to me! Please continue to pray for my grandma and for our family as we go through this diffficult time.

The Power Of Prayer

In the wake of what happened to my grandma last week, I have to say prayer is such a great thing! Although her health is declining some at the moment, she did improve Thursday and Friday and that wouldn't have been possible without prayer. Another sign? My mom told me Sunday night that she said a prayer directed to God. Well, God answered the prayer as the son of an old friend of my grandma's, who is a nurse in the ICU, was the nurse taking care of my her overnight Sunday to Monday. Now you tell me there's no such thing as an answered prayer!

'Forget You'

As a music buff (and fan of many of the nominees) I watched the Grammys, but was surpirsed by some of the winners. First off, Best New Artist. Of course, as a fan, I was hoping that my boy Justin Bieber would win. In fact, I had already figured he would win at least this category. Nope, he didn't! Some no name named Esperanza Spalding won. I was shocked! I mean, how much work do you have to do to get recognized? Oh well, he'll get 'em next year! Now on to Lady Antebellum. I'm a big fan of theirs as well, but I was surprised with some of the awards they won. They beat out many other faves for the Grammy, which I'm happy for them but a little shocked.

Now on to the other huge shocker of the night: Album of the Year. I'll go ahead and say the winners, Arcade Fire, shouldn't have won. They beat out Eminem, Lady A, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry for the award. I mean, at least give the award to a well known act! I was pulling for Lady A and Katy Perry, but they were both beat! Even the crowd favorite (Eminem) didn't win. It was a shock!

I was very shocked (and pretty upset) about what happened at the Grammys. I don't know what the voters had in the heads, but they didn't do a good job. I say we get a new voting academy! Anyways, congrats to the Grammys for getting my Oops Award.

A Super Mess

With all of the glitz and glam of Super Bowl XLV, this storyline didn't truly surface until today, and I think it deserves my Oops Award for the week. Apparently the Cowboys Stadium officials and the NFL "forgot" to get the fire marshal to inspect the tons of temporary seats before the game, casuing about 1,200 paying fans to not have seats. Officials found different seats for about 850 of the fans but they couldn't for the other 400, which didn't settle very well. The NFL commissioner said that this was a "failure" on their part and it was quite embarassing for stadium crew as you could imagine.

Ok, let me just say that I would be beyond upset if this happened. It's not so much the money, it's the whole experience itself. As a consolation, a security guard in the section provided an "explanantion" for this debacle. He said that the winter storms in Dallas "set back work on the temporary seats." Really? Is that all you got? That is no excuse whatsoever! Like my Sport Management professor said today (who I first heard this story from) the Cowboys Stadium people (including Jerry Jones) knew this event was coming to their stadium.

There's no excuse for not having everything up to standard before the game. Worst part is they didn't even inform the ticket holders of this problem, which would have saved a lot of heartache (maybe). It's ashame how much laziness and carelessness was displayed in this situation by both the Cowboy's Stadium officials and the NFL.

Read the full story here.

Super Bowl Ads

I think this was kind of an off year for the Super Bowl ads, at least that's just my opinion. Despite this, I still had a few favorites, which are below...

5. Chevy "Tommy"

4. Doritos "Pug Attack"

3. Bud Light "Product Placement"

2. Pepsi Max "Torpedo Cooler"

1. Best Buy "Bieber and Ozzy"

Why Bother?

This is my second post regarding the way ticket disrtibution works. However, this time I'm focusing on colleges, specifically NC State. I hate to rag on my own school, but after what I've seen this week, I have to. First off, I wanted to say the way student seats are distributed is ridiculous. I at the very least thought I would be able to sit close to the basketball court during games. WRONG!

Those precious sideline seats are only for members of the Student Wolfpack Club, where you have to donate like $30 or so per year. That may sound little, but to get tix (if you get any) you have to travel all the way to their ticket office, which is near Carter-Finley and the RBC Center. I really love how their brochure says "For True Pack Fans" like no one else matters. Belive it or not, some people don't have the money for something like that.

Next, the regular student ticket lottery. Since I never joined the Student Wolfpack Club, I was left to "fend for myself" in the regular lottery. On advantage is everything is done online, so there's no traveling to get your tix. However, there are some issues I have with it. If you are lucky enough to get tix, you are awarded loyalty points for actually attending the sporting event.

These points help determine seating and other things, so they're pretty important. I received a ticket for the Pack's Mens Bball game against Va. Tech, but unfortunately couldn't make it to the game because I was sick. I just thought I wouldn't get my point for showing up. Oh no! They actually took away a point from me! I was pissed. I know it's just a point, but that could mean a lot more down the road.

Another presumption I had about being a student was it would be easier to get tix to the Men's ACC Basketball Tourney. Wrong again! Sure students can get tix to the tourney, but they have to fill out an application, take it to the ticket office (near the RBC Center/Carter-Finley) and pay $396.00 per book of tix. Now I want someone to tell me, what college student is going to be able to pay that? Let's not forget that this is a lottery as well so you're still not guaranteed tix by doing all of this!

So, congrats to the NC State Athletic Ticket Office (and others like it) who make it so hard for students and the little man get tickets!