Live and Learn - Learn to Live

"Now, I'm the only reaper of the seeds that I sow and when I walk the field of my stubborn will, It's a hard row to hoe. There's a price for getting smarter so I pay what I owe. While bridges burn let the  shadow fall behind me, I am wiser I know. We live and learn, always living and learning." - from Michael W. Smith's song Live and Learn

Life is a roller coaster of peaks and valleys. To appreciate the straightaways and the downhill thrills of this roller coaster, we have to endure the uphills that come our way. For most, these uphills in life create a challenge of hopelessness and despair. Some even try to avoid the uphills, just staying on flatland. We don't grow stronger through this because those uphills build our strength. We stick in the rutt until we die, never growing, never maximizing our potential, never taking any risks, never reaching out to others; just playing the waiting game until we die.
We all do this. This is now the culture. In 2012, this is looked upon as normal and acceptable. In 2012, we are born to get an education, to get a job to retire; and we retire to die. In 2012, we play for safety. We play for stability. We don't maximize our potential because the uphills are simply uncomfortable. Since our culture avoids and looks down upon these uphills, they are a rocky road; dark and lonely. I'm so guilty of this. I consciously and unconsciously avoid situations in which i'm taking the road less traveled upon. I dodge situations that are unfamilar, for the shear fact that i'm afraid of failure and making a complete fool of myself. I'm afraid of being alone and missing out too, even when I know I could be doing something better. This is a constant struggle that I compete with daily.
The thing is though, I know i'm not alone.
These uphills create foundations and the battle scars. They have the power to improve our quality of life and create a legacy that improves the quality of life around us too. They make our minds stronger, our hearts mightier, and our faith deeper. Through these uphills, we learn quite a bit about ourselves. Because when you put your heart on the table, you can see what your made of. We become wiser and through our wisdom, we have the ability to help others through their journey and let them know what it takes, so that our culture can escape the rutt.
Spring Semester 2012, I created some battle scars. I am wiser and ready to put my new found knowledge into practice. The journey is nowhere near over, but I think i'm at a new level in my growth as a man. God is standing there at the finish line, and i'm ready to put my all into this race in his glory and finish in his arms.
So, this summer, take a risk. Take a chance. Run so hard you puke, then come back for more. Reflect. Love. Communicate about everything. Believe in yourself and others because you believe and trust in God. Aim for success. Learn from failure. Embrace the pain of the uphill. Live and learn to learn to live.

An engaging temptation had me doing time. 'Cause when it starts a fire under strong desire
we are partners in crime. But hindsight is clearer. I can see where I've gone and never return.
It's a new man in the mirror.  It's a new freedom song to live and learn.

PA Announcement

This is a PA announcement of the Raleigh Relays 1500 featuring SRU's own Dylan Klein. This is for my Sport Communication class.

Arrigoni on the Air Podcast

This is my Arrigoni on the Air Podcast for my Sport Comm class. Talking about some track and field news....

Harden Hit

Last night the Lakers-Thunder game, Metta World Peace of LA made a layup and started to celebrate. When he was celebrating, he elbowed James Harden, OKC's star 6th man, in the head, which gave him a concussion. He was out for the rest of the game. Alot of analysts on Sportscenter are calling for high suspensions for Metta World Peace, saying that his hit was intentional. Personally, I don't think it was intentional. It just looked like he got caught up in the emotion and accidentally whipped in the head. I think alot of the controversy comes from World Peace's past antics and reputation. Give him a 2 game suspension just to remind him to keep his emotions at bay.

My Take on The Penguins

Tonight is game 4 of the Penguins vs. Flyers in the 1st round of the 2012 NHL playoffs. The Pens are down 3-0 and are in danger of getting swept in Philly tonight. Being from Pittsburgh, I am a hometown supporter of the team, not really a "fan" persay. If they do good, i'm happy about it. If they stink, I could really care less. But through my untrained hockey eye, the Pens do not deserve to win this series. The Flyers have looked superior on both ends of the ice, where the Pens seem so discombobulated with their puck control, looking like that of a pee-wee team. Would I be happy to see the Pens somehow pull off this miracle and win the series? Yes. But at this point, I would bet my house on the Flyers pulling this out. But I guess that is why they play the games, cause ANYTHING can happen

NBA Trade Deadline Deals

Another NBA trade deadline has come and gone, and there has been a variety of good and bad deals. Although, this trade deadline will be known for the people that didn't move. After weeks of spectulation, Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol, Rajon Rondo, Deron Williams, Josh Smith and Danny Granger all stayed put on their respective teams. The most impressive deadline deal in my opinion was the Lakers gettting Ramon Sessions and Jordan Hill and getting rid of Luke Walton's bad contract. Although they had to give up veteren Derek Fisher, they were able to bolster their bench, get quicker and younger at the point, and obtain more salary cap flexibility.

NBA Trade Machine FUN TIME

In my spare time, I like to play around with the NBA Trade Machine on ESPN.com. These are my most interesting trades I made up that I like the most.

Boston gets: Josh Smith, Jeff Teague, Ivan Johnson
Atlanta gets: Rajon Rondo, Chris Wilcox
I like this trade for a couple reasons. If your Boston, It gives you 3 young players to work with that will make your team better. Josh Smith is practically an all-star and is very versitile, Jeff Teague is a good young point guard that will be able to push the ball and work with his teammates, and Ivan Johnson is a young bench player that will give you good hustle minutes off the bench .
If your Atlanta, getting Rondo gives you a very good 3 headed monster of Joe Johnson, Al Horford, and Rondo. Fill in the pieces, and they would have a contend down in ATL.

Minnesota gets: Trevor Ariza
New Orleans gets: Michael Beasley
As a Timberwolves fan, I would LOVE if this trade would happen. Minnesota would get a defensive stopper and a solid young player in Ariza, who would fit with the make-up of this team and fill in some holes on the defensive end. New Orleans would get Beasley which would help them on the offensive side of the ball and give them a solid small forward and scorer to go along with Gordon, when he comes back from injury.

Golden State gets: Al Jefferson, Raja Bell
Utah gets: Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins
This trade gives Stephen Curry the reins there in Golden State and gives the Warriors a solid inside presence with Jefferson and Lee. Bell, even though he is getting old, is a good defensive and would be a good fit for Mark Jackson's coaching style. Getting rid of Biedrins would also give them some more cap space to get a good free agent signing this summer.  Utah would get a prolific scorer to fill that 2 guard spot and Biedrins would be a big body down there in the post to take up space.