It's Gotta Be the Shoes!

Has anyone else noticed the extravagance and importance placed on footwear lately?  Shoes, nowadays come in all kinds of different sizes, shapes, colors, styles, and anything else you can think of.  People are expected to wear "nice" shoes to church, job interviews, weddings, etc.  But why?  So they can feel more accomplished, look more stylish, or appear more respected?  Perhaps.  Shoes are often reflective of class status.  That's why there was such a rash of theft among Air Jordans, because they were a status symbol more than anything else.  I recently saw a bunch of sorority girls walking in flip flops while carrying fancier high heeled shoes with them.  I can only assume they were going to put the heels on when they got to their house so they could show off how much more sophisticated they are as people.  It seems silly to me that you would wear certain shoes to get somewhere only to put on different shoes because they are supposedly "nicer".  Which leads me to the real question at hand.  Why are "nice" shoes so uncomfortable?  And why can't we wear comfortable shoes in all settings?

How many of us have complained at one point or another that our feet hurt?  I'm guessing almost everyone.  So why don't we make every effort possible to wear comfortable shoes?  I mean, we invented comfortable shoes for a reason.  We were tired of our feet hurting!  But yet, if I wear Nikes to work so I can be more comfortable at work, I'm looked down upon as unprofessional.  What does wanting my feet to not hurt have anything to do with my professionalism?!  If a sorority girl wants to wear flip flops to a chapter meeting she should be able to without being looked down upon.  It's not disrespectful, it's just looking out for your own personal well being. 

Tell me these aren't classy!

Now I know there are certain instances where appearance counts and you want to make a good impression.  But if you are being judged solely on your choice of footwear, there is something seriously wrong.  People should be allowed to wear comfortable shoes without fear of persecution.  It is our right as humans to take care of our bodies, especially our feet, which we use so prominently in our everyday lives.

What happened to the courtesy wave?!

I've been noticing a lot lately that people aren't giving a courtesy wave when appropriate.  For instance, when another driver lets you in a lane in heavy traffic, you should courtesy wave.  As a pedestrian, if a driver stops to let you cross the street, you should courtesy.  These are just a couple examples. 

Now, I realize that lifting your hand and giving a slight wave could be a bit strenuous.  I mean, you could have just come from the gym or maybe you just changed 100 light bulbs and your arms are really tired.  But suck it up, and give a little wave.  Or maybe someone put super glue on your steering wheel.  Then give a nod or something.  It's just polite and courteous and helps our society maintain a certain level of kindness. 

We have to acknowledge the smallest acts of kindness before they are completely absent from society.  So please, continue to give a courtesy wave, even if you're not sure it's necessary.  The world will thank you for it.

Haikus

How many of you have written a haiku recently?  How many of you answered that question out loud?  You realize I can't hear you, right?  That's cool, I probably would have done the same thing.  But back to haiku's.  They really are a lot of fun.  You should try it.  It's an easy way to have fun, kill some time, and express your personality.  I wrote a few just to show you how awesome it is. (Lani, you might want to check my math)

Leggo my Eggo
No, seriously, it's mine
Syrup makes life great

In Living Color
Fly Girls and Fire Marshall Bill
Homey don't play that

Root Beer rocks my world
Drops of heaven on my tongue
Mmmm, sarsaparilla

Hootie sings the songs
And the Blowfish play along
That's not their real names

Chickens in the road
Please stay on the other side
It's safer for you

Entrance Music

While sitting at a Dbacks game with a friend this past weekend, he posed an excellent question which got me to thinking.  He asked what my entrance music would be when I stepped up to bat.  I didn't immediately have an answer.  This is a tricky question because you want to pick a song that will make an impact on the audience and exude an aura of confidence and swagger that will also intimidate the opposing team.  Or you could just pick your favorite song.  But I don't think "Ain't no Mountain High Enough" is the right choice for stepping up to the plate.  So here is my top ten list (in no particular order) of songs I would consider for my entrance music.  Let me know what you think and what song you would choose.

1. "Regulate" by Warren G
2. "Turn this Mutha Out" by MC Hammer
3. "So Fresh, So Clean" by Outkast
4. "Damn it Feels Good to be a Gangsta" by Geto Boys
5. "Who Am I (What's my Name)?" by Snoop Dogg
6. "This is How We Do It" by Montell Jordan
7. "Rollin' With Kid and Play" by Kid 'n Play
8. "Ditty" by Paperboy
9. "No Sleep 'til Brooklyn" by The Beastie Boys
10. "I'm Bad", "Rock the Bells", or "Mama Said Knock You Out" by LL Cool J

The Unaired Useless Facts Episode

So this week marks the first Friday of the school year.  Some may think I would be sad about that since I am no longer teaching.  I'm really not.  What I am sad about, though, is that this will be the first Friday in seven years in which an episode of Mr. Davi's Useless Facts of the Week doesn't air.  For some reason, this silly little show took on a life of its own and became one of the most popular segments of my school's announcements.  It even spawned two short films.  Now, honestly, I'm not sure if anyone else really cares that there will be no more useless facts, but I'd like to think they do. 

As I was compiling the episodes from the final season, I came across an episode we filmed at the Grand Canyon that never aired.  I shared the screen with a mule, and if you are thinking that I look a little nervous while standing next to the mule, I am.  Before we started filming he tried to take a bite of my elbow, so I was a little apprehensive about incorporating him into the fact.  But I think it turned out pretty well.  So, watch and enjoy.

I'm also including the Useless Facts Goes to Disneyland movie in case you haven't seen it.

Simple Pleasures

Life is full of simple pleasures.  I try to enjoy them any chance I get.  Recently, I've had a craving for a nice ham and cheese sandwich.  That might sound silly to some of you, but for me a good sandwich is incomparable.  In fact, back in college I used to stick to a very strict lunch routine in which I made sandwiches every Wednesday and Sunday.  That helped me appreciate how good my sandwiches really were.  Now, I make sandwiches fairly frequently.  In short, I love them.  Unfortunately, I have been out of cheese for about a week.  One other thing you should know about me is that I'm very particular about my cheese.  I need to have Tillamook cheddar for my sandwiches.  Finally, yesterday I made it to the store to get some.  So today, I'm making the biggest, tastiest sandwich ever for lunch!  It's amazing how the simplest little thing can help brighten your day.  I'm sure all of you have simple pleasures that you may take for granted.  I challenge you to embrace those pleasures and let them enhance your life.

Ode to the 90s

Here it is everybody, my poetic tribute to the 1990s.  It's not perfect, I know, but I wanted to get it posted and hopefully get some feedback.  Let me know what you think, good or bad.

Ode to the 90s

“Let me show ya something!”

Oh the 90s

How awesome you were

With music unparalleled

And fashion misunderstood

Remember watching Doug, Ren and Stimpy, and Rugrats

Yakko, Wakko, and Dot

I sure did like them a lot

Saved by the Bell was a big hit

But don’t forget about California Dreams

With the songs that they sing

And then there was Baywatch…

Enough said

Melrose Place

and 90210

Sure did bring the sleaze

Party of Five and X-Files

Made life a breeze

Friends and Seinfeld

Were good for some laughs

Don’t forget about Clarissa, Hey Dude, and All That

Could TV get any better?!

I really can’t fathom

But one thing I know is

TV in the 90s sure was ‘da bomb’

How about listening to your discman

Preventing the discs from all skipping

Mariah, Nirvana, 2pac, and Biggie

 “Come as you are”

Because it’s “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thing”

We all rocked out to BBD and that New Jack Swing

It’s a “Doggy dogg world”

So “Jump Around”

Bust out some Pearl Jam and Metallica for good measure

Feel those “Good Vibrations”

Because life was Sublime

Even Britney and N’Sync couldn’t ruin ‘99

And “Now that we found love”

“All I wanna do” is have some fun

Music of the 90s made people feel happy

It kept people singing, laughing, and dancing

Cell phones were still huge

And couldn’t fit in your pocket

So you carried a beeper

And used numerical codes

Parachute pants, Starter jackets, baggy jeans

Oh how the fashion trends sure have changed

Break out your pogs and Power Ranger toys

And wear your slap bracelets, too

'Cuz if you don’t you’re just not cool

The fads of the 90s were really quite strange

Like flannel in the summer to be like Cobain

Movies were more than just superheroes and sequels

Before Michael Bay “transformed” Shia Laboeuf

He turned Will Smith and Martin Lawrence into Bad Boys

Forrest Gump showed us all that,

“Life is like a box of chocolates”

While Austin Powers came and took the movie world by storm

Pulp Fiction was awesome

Blair Witch was a scare

There’s Something About Mary

Provided new gel for your hair

Overall in the 90s

Movies sure were a blast

Independence Day, Boogie Nights, even The Mask

I could go on for days

Singing my praises

But one thing’s for sure

The 90s sure were amazin’

They were simpler times

Without Facebook or Myspace

No texting, IMing

We talked face to face

Oh how I wish I could go back in time

'Cuz the 90s are one decade I miss

If you agree with my thoughts, then join me in saying

I give the 90s, “Two snaps up, a twist, and a kiss!”

Game Show Ecstasy

Has anyone else noticed how stupidly excited people get when they win on game shows?  I mean, I understand that it is probably an exciting experience and believe me, it's something I would love to experience.  But some of the reactions I see just seem way over the top.  I guess if you win a million dollars you have the right to act however you want.  But if you win a steam shower on The Price is Right, try to temper your enthusiasm a little.  What exactly are you going to do with a steam shower anyway?  What even is a steam shower?  I can't foresee myself going that insane over winning something that I wouldn't even know what to do with.  But maybe it's simply the idea of winning that makes people go crazy.  It doesn't matter what they win, just that they won.  Winning is awesome.  And we live in a society that emphasizes winning.  As much as we want to say that winning isn't always important, it's how you play the game, we all know that simply isn't true.  People love winning.  People love winning so much, they don't even care what they win.  Even if it's a boat, a motorcycle, an ipod shuffle, or the Deal or No Deal Home Edition.  We feel special when we win and apparently most people have a hard time controlling their emotions when it happens.  I hope one day I have the opportunity to be on a game show and experience the winning that comes along with it, just to see how I might react.  Although, I can't seem to figure out how to actually get on a game show.  Where do you apply?  How do they find these people?  If anyone knows please let me know.  But for now, consider yourself a winner for reading this post.  So go crazy, right now.  Ok, that's enough.  We'll be right back after these commercial messages.