END OF THE WEEK:
Wow, what a week! From the announcement that "Arrested Development" might be coming back to the news of Al Davis' death, this past week was just one major development after another. With that in mind, I present to you a brand new "End of the Week" to highlight just some of those top developments. As always, I hope you enjoy:
Deaths of the Week: Apple Co-Founder and Former CEO Steve Jobs & Oakland Raiders Owner Al Davis
Two deaths, each occurring this week, each occurring to titans in their own profession.
The first, Jobs (who passed away on Wednesday after losing his seven year fight with pancreatic cancer), was an innovator and a revolutionary who would help change the way technology worked, and how people would use it. With him as CEO of Apple, devices such as the Macintosh copmputers, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad were created, devices that would not only change both the direction that technology was going and how people would use it in their everyday lives, but were also so innovative (and massive hyped at the time of its creation) that it helped make the public company into the world's second largest. Jobs was influential in the entertainment industry as well, with the iTunes store changing how people would buy, listen and view not only music, but also movies and TV shows. In the meantime, his 25 year ownership of Pixar helped the once small animation company with potential to become a terrific multi-billion dollar animations studio releasing one fantastic film after another (with the exception of those voiced by Larry the Cable Guy, that is).
The other, Davis, was one of the most influential figures in pro football and one of the most successful. His maverick spirit and "Just Win Baby" attitude helped him become one of football's most colorful characters and turned his Raiders' into the ruthless bad boy image of the '60s, '70s and '80s. His Raiders won four titles during his time as owner (1 AFL title, 3 Super Bowls), making him one of the most successful owners in pro football history. In addition, his efforts as AFL commissioner during the 1960s was nothing short of pivotal as he was an instrumental part in creating the 1970 AFL-NFL merger that would mash two leagues together and helping to slowly transform the league into the $9 billion sports powerhouse that it is today.
Sure, none of these men were perfect. Jobs was never a very charitable type (at least publicly), his treatment of Chinese factory workers would occasionally make Phil Knight jealous, and he often acted as an authoritarian tyrant during his time as CEO. Davis, meanwhile, was a terrible owner of the Raiders in the last ten years of his life, ordering one bad draft pick and free agency signing after another. He also became a caricature of his former self, with people mostly talking about him in the media to either mock his delinquency or poke a few jokes at his rather unpleasant looking face. Nonetheless, these were still great men who built quite a legacy, and for that we should at least respect them.
Video of the Week: "Lilly's Disneyland Surprise"
I don't know what's the best part of this video: the clever presents that the mother that gave clues to their Disneyland trip, or the girl being so grateful for her fortunes that she cried tears of joy. Either way, I still love it. Hopefully, their trip to Disneyland went well.
Rejectors of the Week: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin
for both announcing this week that they will not run for the Republican presidential nominee in 2012 (first Christie, then Palin). Man, Mitt Romney and Herman Cain just seem to keep getting more and more breaks for their campaign by the day, aren't they?
Return (?) of the Week: "Arrested Development"
Mitch Hurwitz has cried wolf many times before. He better not be doing the same thing again. I'm afraid I've blued myself too many times hearing one 'AD' return story after another.
Stories of the Week:
-The Actual Story of the Week: Occupy Wall Street: Week 2
- The Tiger Woods Saga of '09 Memorial Story of the Week: Hank Williams Jr. Permanently Yanked From "Monday Night Football"After Calling Barack Obama Hitler
Honestly, what did you expect from someone that looks like the treasurer of an NRA group?
Renewal of the Week: "The Simpsons" for a 24th and 25th season
It may be a shell of their former greatness. And yet. I'm still glad that this show's going to continue. Watching a new episode of it Sunday night is like spending time with a good friend, and with the next two seasons looking like it's going to be their last, I'm going to enjoy the time remaining with them even more.
Person of the Week: Amanda Knox
Well, she was acquitted of all charges against her in that infamous roommate murder case Monday, allowing her to come back to her home in Seattle, Washington days later, ending one of the most infamous trials of the past five years. I don't think you need another reason in this case.
And that's the way it was! Enjoy the rest of your weekend, everybody!
Sincerely,
Your pal: mj15
If you have any opinions on today's post, or if you just have any suggestions or tips for my next blog entry, e-mail me at: mj1599@aol.com. Your e-mails are greatly appreciated.
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