Is Hope Solo related to Hans?

Above is a video of Keith Olbermann saying that Hope Solo should be suspended for her domestic abuse charge back in February.  I made the same argument back then!  Hope is accused of attacking her half-sister and nephew.  During the piece they show several videos.

1. Hope Solo saying SHE is the victim that she was attacked by her 17 year old nephew who is "6'9" 280 pounds".  
2. Her half sister talking about Hope slamming nephews head into the concrete over and over again.  Her (the half sister) getting punched in the face and spitting out a tooth and yelling for 911 to be called.  
3. Hope being upset that she is being compared with Ray Rice
4. Video of what I assume is Hope in the court room (her charges were dropped due to procedural issues....her sister and nephew refused to a second set of depositions...more on this later) while a police officer does a voice over of how she behaved at the scene (lets say it is very Britt McHenry like).  

So here is where I have trouble with all this, and really why I am writing this, where is the outrage over Hope Solo?  Ray Rice was scum.  Adrian Peterson worse than scum.  But Hope Solo isn't?  Is it because she is a beautiful woman while Rice and Peterson are male?  Is it race?  Or is it because the NFL is something big and FIFA World Cup not so much (in America except when it is happening).  

I think it is all of the above with a mixing of race sprinkled in for flavor!  Let me say that I struggle with suspending athletes for this stuff.  I do!  I know I said I called for Hope to be suspended, and I did, but I struggle with it.  If I beat my significant other will I be suspended or fired?  I don't know to be completely honest...that is a good question...but I don't think I would.  If I worked at McDonald's I wouldn't.  So why should they?  And there isn't an easy answer for that.

NFL players, again I don't know about Hope, sign a collectively bargained set of rules and also have guidelines in their contract.  If, in either of those, there is a morals clause then they are screwed.  That is what the NFL got both Peterson and Rice on, damaging the integrity of the shield (what they call the NFL because of the logo).  The NFL didn't really give to craps about Rice beating his wife or Peterson his son.  What they cared about was that it damaged the way people looked at the NFL.  For that reason and that reason alone they suspended them.  Peterson is back with the Vikings while Ray Rice may never play football again!

But Hope Solo continued to play soccer for the US team.  They just beat the Aussies if I remember correctly (and I think Keith said it in the video).  She was suspended for 30 days when her husband was arrested for DUI while driving a team van.  Wait...doesn't that sound familiar?  Hurting the integrity of the shield/league?  Ah yes, now I get it.

People didn't associate Hope Solo with soccer because she is bigger than the sport!  She is on magazine covers and Dancing with the Stars damn it!  You think Hope Solo you think that beautiful woman from DwtS who also is a goalie or something.  So she beat up her sister...well half sister so it only half counts!  Wait...what car was her former NFL star husband driving?  OUR VAN!  DAMN IT HOPE!  

Another ESPN video about this two soccer analyst basically says that the one good thing that comes out of all this is this team is used to Hope Solo being in the news.  That they'll gather round, close the nest around her and go into protective mode.  What?  So what this woman is saying is that the team accepts Hope for Hope so it is okay?  I'm so confused!

I am so confused as to what is okay and what isn't for "stars" and "role models" anymore!  I do not support Ray Rice or Adrian Peterson or Aaron Hernandez (the NFL star who is now a convicted murder) or Hope Solo.  I don't.  I find anyone who beats or kills another human being for any reason other than self defense or my entertainment (pro wrestling, boxing, MMA, etc.) to be scum of the Earth and I have no purpose for them...but that doesn't mean that I won't watch the NFL or soccer (if I was a fan...which I'm not).  

But again why does Hope get a pass?  That is what I want to know.  We've shown outrage for others but not her. 

WelL I've ranted and raved long enough.  Until next time....Abyssinai!! 

Did I really just read an article about masturbating On The Q Train While Eating a Gyro? (that is what we call clickbait!)

A few weeks ago or whenever an old high school friend suggested I start blogging again (mostly due to my random nerdy comments and the hilarious zingers I post....this is my blog and my reality so shut up you!) I thought a while and did it.  I thought to myself that this time it'll be different.  I will just do the nerdy stuff, book reviews, movie reviews, some pro-wrestling stuff perhaps but nothing heavy.

That is why I stopped last time, I found myself doing more political stuff and heavy stuff.  I don't want to but it is what I find myself writing about again and again and again.  I find myself confused by the ignorance and stupidity of the average person until the anger and bitterness flows out of me on this blog!  I have half a dozen half written posts I stopped because they were "old Gene" rantings. Then I realized something, it wasn't "old Gene" come out to play, but just me.  So fuck it, I am going to be me!

Two things I am going to talk about.  Caitlyn Jenner and the is the stupid Facebook post I found from Anna Breslaw dating back to December of last year!

I should know that when you start anything off with "let me explain my position" or "I know this is going to sound sexist but..." that I am probably opening a can of worms better left closed but I'm not that smart!

I know this is going to sound sexist but I hate feminist.  I do.  Why?  Because they are just sexist with a better sounding name!  I am all for equality, I really am despite the jokes I make at times...but they're all funny so it is okay.....like when you make jokes about Republicans or Sarah Palin.  Some of the most influential people in my professional life have been women.  I won't say their names here because I don't have permission but my first IT boss and the store manager at a certain bookstore in Twin Falls Idaho taught me a lot about how to treat people professionally, something I forgot at times.  I believe that women should get equal pay if they do the same job at the same skill level as anyone else.  I believe they should get more time off after having younglings (I also believe the father should get the same time off to be there and support the mother of his baby).  I am for EQUAL rights. However I am not for this "I want everything equal but treat me different" that some feminist want.  I treat everyone equal until you give me a reason not to.

There now that you guys are properly skewed to hate me and everything my white male privileged view point will give let me continue this horribly written rant!

A friend posted an old Twitter post from a Anna Breslaw who has written such excellent articles for Comso as "7 sad but true reasons women fake orgasms" and a blog post for Cosmo entitled "I Had Sex With Myself On The Q Train While Eating a Gyro."  No I did not read either but if I call myself a journalist I guess she can too!  Oh and she her twitter description is "crone.  debut novel 4 teenz SCARLETT EPSTEIN HATES IT HERE (Razorbill/Penguin 2016)"  Sorry this makes it sound like I am attacking this person who does something for a living I'd like, I'm not really but I want to give background on the person a bit.  I tried to see if there was a wikipedia page and this came up "do women who have anal sex get more orgasms? Slate, October 11, 2010".  I can't really do much more research on her here at work while waiting for Office to install!

Anywho Anna posted that on twitter back on 12/13/14 "My Sister is doing an experiment:  Whenever men walk towards her,e she doesn't move out of the way first.  So far she has collided with 28 men."

My sister is doing an experiment: Whenever men walk towards her, she doesn’t move out of the way first. So far she has collided with 28 men.

— Anna Breslaw (@annabreslaw) December 13, 2014

Being the journalist I am I found an article on her sisters "experiment" here.  There are so many things I want to say about this so let me begin....

• There is no science behind this.  How many men moved verse how many didn't?  How many women moved verse how many didn't?  What was the control?  
• 28 people ran into her in New York in how long a period?  I would assume only 28 people in NYC is a good day!
• Why is she so entitled that she shouldn't have to move?  Because a man should give way to a woman?  
• This is what I am talking about, equal but different.  YOU move for ME!  I am not saying these men are correct in not moving for her but why should they have to move for her
• Was she on the correct side of the sidewalk/store/etc.?  Its like a street people

I could go on but this is insane!  Now the article brings up "Manspreading" which apparently is a mass transit things where guys take up several seats because we sit with our legs spread (and honestly almost every man does, I am doing it at my desk right now without realizing it until I typed this).  It apparently is a major problem and I actually had a friend post a different article on it.  I'd like to say I could explain it but I can't.  I guess it is because of our extra bits down there I don't know but I sit that way and for that I guess I am sorry!  I would like to say I don't sit that way in public areas like a train or an airplane but I don't know if I do or not.  Anyway this article, and the other I read about it, imply (and I believe flat out say) that men do this to show that we are dominate over women.  I thought our penis did that! (a horrible joke....leave me alone!).  Seriously though is this true?  Is that what women think?  Is that what men think (consciously or subconsciously)?  I usually have to pay people extra to dominate me!  (YES!  MORE SEX JOKES!)  

I guess my problem is that I have this problem at the store all the time and at no point did I assume it is because they are male or female but just rude.  Is it because I am the privileged white male that I don't assume someone is doing something to me because of what/who I am?  I am not being a smart ass (this time) but actually wondering if that is the case.  

I guess I hate to see this out there with nothing substantial to follow up with it.  Nothing but one person making "observations" that are extremely slanted one way.  Here I should say I am not denying this or saying that the findings are false in any way.  I do not doubt that she had this experience but could her perception influenced her reality?  Its like saying that all babies are loud and annoying.  Guess what, all the babies you notice or experience are probably going to be just that.  

And I could be wrong.  Perhaps all men are leg spreading knocking down people assholes.  If that is true I guess I need to stop moving aside for people. 

I guess I won't go into Caitlyn Jenner as I've ranted and raved more than enough on this and actually took some time to research some of this.  

Until next time, as always, Abyssinia!

(full disclosure I did end up reading the article about having an orgasm why eating a gyro...which was possibly the worst thing I've read since this blog.)

What would you do?

If you have not watched the Flash season Finale there is a slight plot spoiler (basically I mention the plot but with no spoilers as to what happens) below so you've been warned....






Okay you were warned.  I won't spoil anything but the plot of the episode is that Doctor Wells give Barry a chance to save his mom and send Wells back to his time.  Throughout the episode Barry had to decide what to do.

If anyone knows my history should know these storylines hit a little close to home.  My dad was in a car accident when I was six and passed away a few days later.  The question of going back in time and changing it is something I have thought about so many times late at night when I couldn't sleep.

Of course that brings up the big time travel paradox doesn't it.  One life doesn't just change my life and that of my families.  Everything would change in that instance.  If Frank Bennett doesn't get in that accident on Lansing Road EVERYTHING is different.  Everything that I am would be different, or could be.

This is the what Barry faces in the episode.  There is also the episode of Doctor Who (and sorry it is from 2005, it isn't a spoiler if it 10 fucking years old) where Rose saves her dad from being killed.  A different outcome (I don't think weird mantis dragons would come) but same idea.  Everything changes.  One life changes EVERYTHING.

So the question is what would you do?  Would you save that loved one knowing that it chances everything or do you keep "the time line"?  I'll be honest, I don't know what I'd do.  I've been through so much that some people point to that moment in time.  That one moment in time.  Had his car gone another 100 yards he wouldn't have gone under the semi.  One moment in time helped forged who I am.  Helped forged who all of you are.  Could you change one of the most important moments in time in your life?

I'm not even talking about going back and killing Hitler or Bin Laden or something like that.  Think about Back to the Future.  One kissed changed everything.  One moment in time.

I've thought about this alot, both the idea of going back and the idea of that one moment in time.  One missed phone call could be the difference between having that love of your life and never seeing her again.  One less drink could mean you're on the wrong plane on a certain September day in 2001 (supposedly Seth McFarlane missed his plane that day because of a hang over).  One moment in time. To go back to Doctor Who one left turn instead of a right turn.  Not taking a day off after 30 days and 164 hours in two weeks and maybe you don't get fired.  One moment.  One split second decision.

So again I ask would you do it?  How do you know what could have been is better than what is? What would I do?  I don't know.  I really don't.  I've thought about this for 30 years.  30 motherfucking years and I don't have an answer.

If the stories we read are anything to go off of nothing good comes from changing the time line. Didn't work out well for Marty for sure.  Rose nearly destroyed the Earth and maybe all of time and space (I don't remember how bad it was going to be).  Lets not forget the wonderful unknown movie Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel.  Nothing good at all!

But it is an interesting question isn't it?  Again I don't know.  To have to watch, like Rose did in Doctor Who, because I was there and wasn't sure, is probably worse than anything.  If I was there, in the moment, I know what I'd do.  I'd do anything to stop it.  But would I go back is the better question I guess.  That I don't know.

I can't say what Barry Allen does, because I don't want to ruin it.  But I am willing to bet you can figure it out because he is the superhero and they almost always make the right decisions.  I am just a man and lets be honest, like most normal mortal humans, I'd probably make the wrong decision...for the right reasons.

I promise I'll try to post a more uplifting blog in the future.  Something funny....with fart jokes....but I guess this pulls the curtain back a bit as to what goes through my mind late at night.  It isn't all fart jokes and thoughts of pretty girls...just mostly

I used to always end my blogs with a quote and I like this quote.  It doesn't quite fit the post but it talks about looking for a better self, which I think is what I'd hope for if I did go back and change any of the "important" moments in time.  A better Gene (which is almost impossible!).  This is from the end of Mad Max:  Fury Road

“Where must we go, we who wander this wasteland, in search of our better selves.”
—  The First History of Man

As always, in the immortal words of Col Henry Blake....Abyssina!

Ying and Yang....Kingpin and Dare Devil

I have started to watch the Dare Devil series from Netflixs recently.  Gotta keep up with the ever growing Marvel Universe after all.

A few things that has surprised me thus far:

• Dare Devil apparently has radar.  He can tell what is in a building just but "listening" but I didn't know that half a box of nails had a sound
• Sadly Dare Devil doesn't always wear the cool horned red leather outfit.  But now that I think about it it does look a little Batman light
• I don't know much about Dare Devil but I'm shocked on how violent he is.  It is quite different then the rest of the Marvel Universe.  Dark and Gritty...again very Batman like.
• This seems like a very different version of Kingpin.  The problem is that Vincent D'Onofrio plays him pretty much like his character on Criminal Intent
• I like that Dare Devil and Kingpin seem to be the same just going about it different ways.  
• My one major complaint is that it is dark.  Like visually dark.  A few times I've had problems figuring out what was going on.  
• The "dirty cops" are a little cliche for me.  Obvious as to what is going on with them.  The writing of the characters is piss poor too
• While D'Onofrio does a great job as Kingpin I think Michael Chiklis could have done it well as well, although his height would be a problem.  I am kind of sad that Michael Clarke Duncan isn't around.  He had everything for the part including the voice.  

I am glad it was a Netflix show as I don't think there is enough to make me watch on a weekly basis. A bulk viewing though works well for it I think.  

The Asylums "Road Wars" review

Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, whenever it is you're reading this blog.  I am back for another of the Fat Man's movie reviews.  This time it is "Road Wars" from The Asylum!

First I'll give you my thoughts as I watched then a full review:

• Why in post apocalyptic worlds do the chicks always have weird hair and eye paint?  Oh and goggles....so many goggles.  And leather!  What do they do raid a fetish shop?
• One thing I'll never understand is how easily people get "infected" in these movies.  They've survived an outbreak for who knows how long and then do something really stupid.  
• YES!  More goggles
• Awesome.  They just pulled out Nunchucks!  OH HELL YEAH!  Nothing beats up some "infected" like nunchucks
• I hate shaving when there isn't an apocalypse happening, but if the world goes to shit I ain't going to take the time to shave.  Just saying
• Wait...this guy is wearing Finlay shoulder pads BEFORE the end of the World?
  
  
  
  
• Its the end of the world, you can pick any car you want, why not an armor car?  I'd probably not pick a dune buggy
• I can't write dialog, trust me I've tried, but then again neither can the writers on this flick!
• A big bunch?  5?  
• No water but plenty of gas for a flame thrower.  What about Mountain Dew?  Is there still Dew?
• Is this little kid related to Carl?  Put a leash on your kids after the world goes to hell!  (and before...not a fan of younglings)
• If this group is my only chance at survival I'd end it right now!
• YES!  Motorcycle helmet, goggles, eye paint AND deer antlers on the helmetalong with a baseball bat with a saw blade in it.  Looks like someone plays video games
• Also finally someone with a beard
• Awesome shitty surfer type music
• Where would you get a supply of pink hair dye after the world ends?
• That guy has tusks!  When the world ends I'm getting tusks put in
• Okay the above statement about the Finlay jacket was false, I should have waited for the rest of this shitty movie
• I know that when I'm in the desert the first thing I am going to want to wear mid-day is a fur coat!
• This flick is completely random, but I think the writers read "I am Legend"

Okay that was...that was bad.  I don't have anything good to say about it sadly.  I usually try to find something good to say.  The acting is bad.  The story is...I guess the story is okay and kind of interesting but not fleshed out.  Lots of random people showing up and reveals like we should know who these people are.  I mean they did get the movie made and people are watching it so that is better than I can say I've ever done, so there is that.  

Spoilers below:

The idea that the virus makes them Hydrophoic was interesting.  However it is hard to tell what else it does.  Are they undead?  Zombies?  Vampires?  Just infected like 28 Day Later?  Again not quite fleshed out enough.  Over on IMDB I gave it a 3 out of 10.  Not enough to make me go higher but just enough for me not to completely bury the flick like others I've watched.  

There you go, another movie review.  I'll randomly do more as I find movies to watch, good or bad!  As always (and I forgot to say this last time!) Abyssinia!