So I've keeping up on my reading lately.  I'm actually beginning to surprise myself with how much I am reading these days.  If you're wondering, I've read more books in the last two months than I have in the last two years!  It's weird; I'm a teacher, and I harp on my students about how they should be picking up a book at night instead of a video game controller, yet I spent most of my time working on my stats in Madden or MLB The Show.  Hypocritical?  Maybe; I mean, I am the adult in the equation, but sometimes it seems that I should take my own advice.

So I did.  I read Bump & Run, loved it, and then read the sequel, Redzone.  Another great read, although not as good as the first.  Lots of corruption, just like the first, but for some reason I just liked Bump & Run better.  It was then that I went over to the bookshelf in the living room.  I picked up our copy of The Hunger Games.  Katie read it a few weeks back and loved it; couldn't stop talking about it.  I decided to give it a try.  Man am I glad I did!

That is one of the most intense books I think I've ever picked up.  It is cover to cover non-stop action, and suspense.  It also has a bit of young love for those who crave that in their books.  The connection between the two main characters just intensifies the rest of the book and actually makes it so much better.  It isn't the type of connection that's all mushy and drives male readers away.  I wish I could give a summary like I did with Bump & Run a few weeks ago.  If I did, I would ruin the read.  

So if by chance you are still reading this, stop now, and go find a copy of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.  It took me less than a week to finish, so it's quick.  The only down side:  the sequel, which you will be dying to know what happens next, doesn't come out until September.  I'm already on the Barnes and Noble pre-sale list for it.

Rough Night

Alright, so it's been awhile since I've shared my random thoughts to whomever might be reading. But whatever, here goes another thought.  

Holy crap what a great game the SuperBowl was tonight!  Yes of course I'm disappointed the Cardinals didn't come away victorious, but wow, talk about defeating every OTHER odd that was placed against them.  I have been a Cardinals fan since I moved out here in the early 90's, back when we cheered for the Phoenix Cardinals.  I've seen players join the Cardinals team, suck it up royally, then go on to other teams and be fantastic players (Michael Pittman anybody?).  But I think that tonight, Big Red made a statement.  No longer will they be be the doormat of the NFL.  I think no matter what, that title now belongs firmly on the doorway in Detroit.

The Cardinals achieved something truly phenomenal tonight.  I know they'll be the team who Pittsburgh goes into the books as getting their record 6th championship title against, but more than that even, they showed that even through all of the (cliche word alert) adversity, they still went to the SUPERBOWL!!!  Not the Patriots, or the Giants, or Eagles, or even the Ravens.  Yes the Arizona Cardinals stood tall in Tampa when 28 other teams couldn't.  

And for that, I am a Cardinals fan.  I was when they went 4-12; I was there when Denny Green blurted out "We are who we thought they were!"  I was there when nobody said they should be playing past Week 17, and I still am tonight.  Now I really can't wait until next fall when they strap up again and take the field.  Hopefully again led by the big three: Warner, Fitz, and Q.  

So Arizona sports fans rejoice!  No Lombardi Trophy in the case at Cardinals Stadium, no ring on the fingers, and no cheerful plane rides back to Sky Harbor Airport, but definitely smiles on our faces, joy in our hearts, and a fresh look forward to next year.  Go Cardinals!