Guys Vent Too, You Know

So there was this game tonight that I was reffing. Most games go by with a bit of talking, a bit of yipping, and that's ok... nobody's perfect. When a player approaches me with specific things that we are consistently missing, then I am grateful, believe it or not. Seriously, I understand I don't see everything with my own two eyes.
With this in mind, there is also a very wrong way to approach a referee. Take tonight for example... at the halftime of an intensely physical game we pull the captains aside and lay down the law. "You need to understand that we are the refs and we make the judgment calls." And one captain replies simply: "Ok, then start reffing" and the other captain, "Ya, at least we agree on something", and they shake hands and walk off, and I continue to quote, "Ya, we're not mad at you guys" (to the other captain), and they go off talking about how much the refs suck.
I felt inclined to T them up right then and there. But knowing there are articles floating around in the Daily Universe about how intramural refs are hypersensitive and too quick on the T's, I held off. However, I decided right then and there to give them what they wanted. For the first time in my reffing career, I called every single ticky-tacky would-be-a-foul-in-a-granny's-game contact, and wouldn't you know both of those captains fouled out. One of them did get a technical foul, as a result of another technical foul, as a result of a foul not called... it's amazing how it builds up so fast!
Wow, you were right all you critical BYU students who are better at reffing than the refs themselves. We ARE lousy and hypersensitive! And who cares what our superiors tell us about keeping order in the game, you payed a fraction of 30 bucks to be there tonight and enjoy your moments of glory in the next best thing to the NBA: intramural middle division ball. And you know what, why don't we just invent a time machine so we can go back in time whenever you tell us we missed a call and do it your way, the right way.
In all honesty, and no sarcasm now, I was worried that my job as a referee would really sour me on BYU this year. It hasn't... yet. Most games the people have really displayed more maturity than the average person, and it helps that we have more experienced officials this year than probably ever before. Still, articles like this don't help at all. I would reply, but that wouldn't go anywhere, I know. This Carlson guy (and a few of the commentators) only solidifies the notion that most people revert to the natural man on the basketball court--that being selfish and egocentric. This explains their need to blame their misfortunes on others, and if everybody's blaming the refs, it only seems the natural thing to do.
If we look at this in a spiritual light, heaven forbid, I see myself as one trying to keep order in a recreational game. Order is the way of heaven, is it not? So, with that in mind, we don't always do the best job of keeping a game in order. But you must understand that you have to help us, not hurt us (everyone else). You are the one promoting the spirit of contention with your fighting, arguing, bickering, punching, obscenity shouting, and writing of spiteful articles dwelling on some past wrong like a childish grudge (I'm sorry, it wasn't advice, it was venting on a mistake that an official made). Yes, now I am the one pointing the finger.
The world is full of jerks. What can one do when surrounded by rampant selfishness and utter disregard for one's neighbor? I will stand on my soap-box and preach at you all that you have the agency to start at the basketball games. Choose a higher path! You don't have to be like the rest of the world! The church doesn't have to have the reputation that it does with church ball! I have made this choice already. It isn't easy, I assure you, but it is doable. I know the refs miss calls, but they are not missed out of malice or spite against me personally, or my teammates. Ineptitude certainly, but this is easily forgivable and even more easily remedied. Unfortunately, that remedy and forgiveness eludes most of the Christian world. If you are telling yourself right now that this is simply impossible, you are part of the problem.
There. Consider yourself lectured. Too bad Christian Carlson won't be reading this (did you catch the irony with his name?)

Chuggin Along and Fighting Raptors

Life has some weeks which you foresee are going to be crazy busy. This semester has been full of them. Then again, compared to last semester, every day is crazy busy.
However, when life is crazy busy, it is stressful and causes anxiety, but it also feels so good... I think they call that eustress. If I was ever to start a counciling firm of any type, I would call it "You-Stress", and fill people's lives with good habits until they became crazy busy. Hugs all around!

So, about last week. Well, there was this one instance where I was reffing in the trail position (which is on the perimeter of the 3-point line), and I was watching my area and this guy totally throws me the ball. Not having the reflexes to dodge, or to even not catch the ball, I catch the ball... and I stand there for a few seconds as the players wonder what I am going to do. I wonder what I am going to do too... Then I think of a solution: Why don't I play the ball as if I didn't have the reflexes of a sloth! So I toss the ball over my shoulder and call it out-of-bounds and the team that mistaked me for their teammate.
I later realized that was a bad call... sorry team that mistaked me for their teammate.
But what is with me? People are always throwing me the ball thinking I am their teammate! It happened again today (which marks about the fifth time so far this semester), but I certainly didn't catch it! Nope, I took it right in the chest. It hurt. The ball stayed in play and the team got it back. Hooray.
Moving on with last week, I visited one of my oldest friends who recently returned from her mission. She made Dutch food which was excellemente, and then we watched Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, which made me giggle... a lot! Then we danced to milli vanilli youtube videos. Blamin' it on the rain, baby!
So I got home and compulsively decided to go to a Country Dance shindig at the wilk, which was fun. That's the first time I've been dancing this year, so I was a bit rusty. Most girls just laughed at me. Hooray.
Then on Friday I had a date. Hooray.
Apart from all this, Lost started up again, I played more volleyball, taught a Sunday school lesson where I depicted Cain as Hayden Christiansen, wrote a song about "Bogeys in my nose", went to the temple, worked out twice, and got several papers done. And I reffed some more. And I babysat. Crazy busy. Hooray.
So after a week like this, I feel so good that it's done! Then again, it was rather enjoyable, but still good to be over with. Sometimes I get so backed up with obligations and assignments I feel like I am on a fast train and velociraptors are jumping on from all sides. I shoot the raptors off the train with some kind of laser gun, but they just keep piling on. Somehow, I always manage to escape the raptor's clutches, but I don't think the swarm will ever end. If they do represent responsibilities in all it's shapes and forms, then they will only get more numerous as life goes on.
Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Doppleganger Week

So there was this "doppleganger" week on facebook, in which everyone posts a picture of a celebrity that they've been told they look like... or that they believe they look like. It got me thinking-who do I look like?
Once upon a time, in a galaxy far far away, some girl told me I looked like Hayden Christiansen. That's ok I guess, as long as I don't act like him.
More accurately, this is what I believe a combination of would best suit me:

A bit of creepy pirate

And a bit of suave

Throw in a bit of Smeagol to balance out the looks and I think you've got me!


My birthday is coming up, so I issue a challenge to any ninjas reading this right now! You bring your ninja pals, I'll bring my pirate buddies... we'll see who is more powerful. LASER ASSAULT!!