Heeeere's Johnny!

After a tough loss to the winless Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer finds himself on the hotseat. With his 16 completions on 41 attempts and an interception, it's easy to blame Hoyer for the loss to a winless team. However, Hoyer isn't all to blame for the game. Yes, he played poorly. Because of that, the pressure for Hoyer to perform well this Sunday against another winless team, the Oakland Raiders, is at an all-time high, because Johnny is lurking through the door and into the hearts of many Browns fans everywhere.

Brian Hoyer
(photo courtesy of sportsrants.com)

Johnny Manziel on Draft Day
(photo courtesy of cleveland.com)

 Manziel was the Browns' first round selection in this past year's NFL Draft, and a team that drafts a quarterback in the first round usually means that the quarterback will take over the starting role somewhere in the future. That plan has since been put on the back burner, since Hoyer has been playing so well by not turning the ball over, and putting his team in the best chance to win football games. But, since he played poorly against a winless team, he must win this weekend in order to secure his job as the starting quarterback as well as a contract with the team for next season. Manziel has been notorious for his gutsy plays and success in college, and many hope to see the Heisman trophy winner in an NFL game soon. That all depends on this weekend. If Hoyer plays well, then Johnny and his supporters will have to continue to play the waiting game. If Hoyer doesn't play well, then Manziel Mania will finally become a reality in Cleveland.

Why Do Bands Change Their Sound?

Over the course of many, many decades, bands and artists have paved the way to what music is today. No matter what artists tell you in today's times, they always have their inspirations from musicians from the past, and in the future, artists will look at musicians of our time for inspiration, too. But, to many bands, too much of the same thing can be boring. Many of them abandon their initial sound in exchange for a different, sometimes better or worse, sound, most notably in the Rock n' Roll genre.

Metallica in the late 1980's
(photo courtesy of loudwire.com)

In the early 1980's when glam metal was the scene of music, Metallica was formed. Their intentions were to play the fastest, hardest, and the most badass way possible to "stick it to glam metal." Their popularity grew as the 80's went on, and pretty soon, they found themselves playing at the Grammy Awards in 1989. Until then, Metallica had always been known for playing fast and loud, but after their Grammys appearance, they realized their true potential. They abandoned their seven-minute speed songs for slower, more groove-oriented five-minute songs that eventually made up the "Black Album," one of the best selling rock albums in the world. Although it sounded great, many Metallica fans claimed that the band had abandoned their roots for mainstream success.

Metallica in the 1990's, during their mainstream success
(photo courtesy of tetrades.com)

Many bands do change their sound for mainstream success. Avenged Sevenfold abandoned their screaming vocals from their first two albums in favor of singing and is one of the most popular rock bands in the world right now. Linkin Park abandoned its nu metal roots for a more electronic rock sound. These bands change because they don't want to put the same music out over and over. It gets too boring and people begin to lose interest. The bands that change dramatically, however, receive mixed reactions from their most loyal fans, while attempting to gain new fans. There is a certain line that bands should not cross when altering the sound of their music. Sure, a small change stylistically here and there never hurt anyone. It's the large changes that rub fans the wrong way, and is ultimately why they quit listening to the bands that they loved.

The Age of Smartphones and How We're Missing Out on Life

Attending concerts, watching a game on tv, or going to a party. Those three things all have one big thing in common: Almost everyone there is on his or her phone. Whether it's recording their favorite band playing a live show or taking selfies with friends, our phones have begun to take over our lives. We smartphone users are missing out on important things in life because we're too busy updating our Facebook statuses or posting a picture from the party we're at on instagram. While we're busy doing those things, life seems to be passing us by.

I'm gonna tell a little story about my own personal realization that my phone was taking over my life. About a year ago, I went to a concert to go see one of my favorite bands. I couldn't believe that after so long of a time, I would actually be seeing them play in person. When they first came out on to the stage, I was freaking out. These guys are in the same building as me. Seeing these guys on tv wasn't even close to being as cool as seeing them in person. I immediately grabbed my phone to take a video of the first song, like everyone else in the crowd did. I became so obsessed with recording this concert that I wanted to get every song on my phone. I worried about my phone more than I actually paid attention to the concert.

(photo courtesy of theorange.co)

This past summer, I saw the same band again. This time, however, I realized that I didn't feel the need to record the whole concert again because they had played many of the same songs as when I saw them a year ago, give or take a few songs. I didn't take my phone out one time during that concert, but this time, I had one of the best nights of my life. I got an experience that I can't view on my phone because it's just not the same. So, next time you're thinking about reaching for that phone when something good happens, don't. Enjoy that experience and store it in your memory. Life is too short; don't miss out on it.

Dumb and Dumber To!

Ever since I first heard the announcement that Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels would be reprising their iconic Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne roles after 20 long years for Dumb and Dumber To, I've been ecstatic to say the least. Days go by, inching closer and closer to November 14th, when I will finally get to see my favorite comedy duo on the big screen again. It's amazing that the sequel was able to keep the same directors and many of the actors from the first film 20 years later, ultimately giving a positive sign that the movie will be (hopefully) just as hilarious as its predecessor.

Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels as Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne

(photo courtesy of screencrave.com)

However, as we've seen before, sometimes sequels aren't nearly as good as their originals. One recent sequel that comes to mind is Anchorman 2. Now, many think that Anchorman 2 was just as funny as the first one, but I didn't see it. Anchorman is in a different stratosphere compared to its sequel. The sequel seemed like it was trying too hard to be funny, which didn't make it funny at all. That's one worry for Dumb To; they're going to try to be funny when they don't have to be.

Ever since the unsuccessful Dumb and Dumber prequel Dumb and Dumberer, I've been aching for a Dumb and Dumber sequel to redeem the prequel. Hopefully, the sequel will do justice to the original and will try not to do too much comedy-wise. But, then, all I can do is sit and wait until November 14th to see for myself how great the movie really is. Long live Lloyd and Harry!

What's the Fun in Baseball?

Having played the game of baseball for almost my entire life, I can advocate that yes, I enjoy playing the sport. Watching it on the other hand, not so much. Sure, if there is nothing else on tv, I'll flip the channel to the sunday night baseball game or some college baseball, but that's just about it. To me, the game is too boring to sit and watch for nine innings or more. That's the bad part about it- you never know how long the game is going to take. It could last two hours, or it could last six hours.

 The Minnesota Twins Celebrating a Jim Thome Walk Off Home Run

(photo courtesy of brucekphoto.com)

So, what is the fun in baseball? The fun is being at the games in person, cheering on your team right there in the stands with your friends and having a good time. Nothing compares to a walk-off hit or home run in which your team emerges victorious. The experience is truly amazing. Maybe, if you're lucky, you'll make it to a playoff game. Nothing compares to being at a winner-take-all game seven in which your team has a chance to advance further into the playoffs. So, I encourage you; go to a ball game with your friends or family, even if it is a college or minor league game. Every baseball game is fun to be at. The memories you make there might be memories that will last your lifetime.

Response to Ciara's "Is The HPER Doing Too Much?"

These new rule changes for the HPER Center are ridiculous. I am at the HPER Center frequently, and I understand the need for students to carry their ID's. That makes me feel safer when I am in there, especially when I turn on the tv and see yet another school shooting. However, keeping the student employees from doing their homework while they work long hours is a bit much. There is only so much a student employee can do at work. What are they supposed to do when there is no work to be done? Sit there and twiddle their thumbs? It's not like they can go home when the job is taken care of; the students must work their full shifts. It is completely understandable that so many workers at the HPER Center have quit their jobs, because I most definitely would.

They're Baaack

Last night, the Cleveland Cavaliers scrimmage was attended by 16,000 fans. 16,000 people to attend a scrimmage. That's the hype that's surrounding the NBA's new "Big Three," consisting of Kyrie Irving, newly acquired Kevin Love, and, of course, LeBron James. It's been a long time since Clevelanders had something to look forward to, and 16,000 people showing up to a scrimmage proves that the hype of the Cavs is real.

The Cavs' New "Big Three" (L to R: Love, James, and Irving)

(Photo courtesy of sircharlesincharge.com)

In just one year, the Cavs went from a mediocre pile of garbage- laughable almost, to championship contenders. After northern Ohio's golden boy LeBron James announced he would be returning home to Cleveland, All Star forward Kevin Love announced that he would be leaving Minnesota to join LeBron and Irving to form the newest "Big Three." Certainly a happy time for Cavs fans and Clevelanders in general where the mentality there is championship or bust. Wouldn't it be great if LeBron and company could finally bring a championship back to Cleveland after 66 long years? The thought is unfathomable and is enough to give me the goose bumps. For the first time since LeBron's infamous departure, I'm definitely excited to watch the Cavs play this year.

Paying to Play a College Sport?

Not many college student athletes have to worry about paying money to participate in their respective sport. Some, like us division 3 athletes might have to pay for a warm-up jacket or a pair of cleats but that's usually it. That's not necessarily the case for Wittenberg Baseball. Its players are being charged with the task of raising money for their own college baseball team in order to participate. That might happen in high school sports, but college athletes shouldn't have to raise money to support their sport no matter what division they play in. The baseball players are expected to pay $800 for the upcoming spring season, or use time that could be better used for studying, doing homework, or even practicing, to go out and get sponsors or donors for the team. That doesn't seem right to me. Last year was even worse when players were expected to pay $1200 dollars to play in the 2014 spring season. These players are paying 20,000+ dollars to go to school and another 1,000 to play baseball. Is the school that mismanaged that sports programs can't even afford to pay for some players to play for one season? It seems that way to me and something needs to be done about it.