Since I have been married, I have yet to watch an entire football game uninterrupted. Honestly, it doesn't bother me, it is more of a running joke in my house that Nikki has watches more football and MMA than I have. I usually get bored during a game or match and decide that there are more pressing things to do than to be entertained. Because of our routine around the house Nikki often winds up watching the games as she folds laundry and she will keep me updated of each games progress. Nikki has actually become such a fan of football and MMA that she has corrected me of player's and fighter's names and information. I gotta admit, it is pretty cool how knowledgeable and passionate Nikki is about the two sports I enjoy the most.
It was a slow day at work and I was contemplating what approach I could take that would ensure that I would be able to watch a game in its entirety. Sorta preparing for the more important games later in the seasosn. And it occurred to me that my approach may be wrong. I thought about how eloquent the Teleprompter, errr, Barak Obama is and how persuasive it, errr, he is with his speeches.
It was a slow day at work and I was contemplating what approach I could take that would ensure that I would be able to watch a game in its entirety. Sorta preparing for the more important games later in the seasosn. And it occurred to me that my approach may be wrong. I thought about how eloquent the Teleprompter, errr, Barak Obama is and how persuasive it, errr, he is with his speeches.
It does seem that it is just Americans that are easily swayed by Barak Obama's speeches. He has recently addressed the United Nations and the International Olympic Committee without garnering the same level of praise and results from abroad that he has had lavished upon him in the U.S. Considering that my audience will be American I figure I will try my hand at a speaking like Obama and trying to use flowery words to get the results I intend.
Even though I will be without a teleprompter I think that the following speech will be enough to persuade my family of the importance of football season.
**Ladies and gentleman: it is my honor to address you and I come before you humbled by the responsibility that you have placed upon me; mindful of the enormous challenges of our moment in history; and determined to act boldly and collectively on behalf of our family. It has been two years since we came together as a family. Two years since a Grandstaff, a Puentes, a Ridenhower and a Tvedt came together as individuals and became the Supertastics. During these past two years we have adapted to each person's weaknesses and we have become unified by accentuating each person's strengths. We have also welcomed into our arms and our hearts a fifth member, Jensen Curry, who has fortified us as Supertastics.
I am well aware of the expectations that I have chosen to bear are enormous. These expectations are not about me. Rather, they are rooted - I believe - in a discontent with a status quo that has allowed us to be increasingly defined by our differences, and outpaced by our problems. But they are also rooted in hope - the hope that real change is possible, and the hope that we can be individuals that promote such change.
In the past, my statements have been met with skepticism and distrust. Part of this was due to misperceptions and misinformation about my motivations and my approach or my choice of words. Part of this was due to opposition to specific agendas, and a belief that on certain critical issues, some have acted unilaterally, without regard for the interests of others. And I must remind you that this can no longer be.
Like all of you, my responsibility is to act in the interest of my faith and my family, and I will never apologize for defending those interests. But it is my deeply held belief that in the year 2009 - more than at any point in human history - the interests of all of us is shared.
In this room, we each come from different perspectives, but we share a common future. No longer do we have the luxury of indulging our differences to the exclusion of the work that we must do together. Because the time has come for all of us to move in a new direction. We must embrace a new era of engagement based on mutual interests and mutual respect, and our work must begin now.
We have set a clear and focused goal: to work with all members of this family to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat negativity and its harmful effects. I am outlining a comprehensive agenda to seek the goal of a house without strife this weekend and for weekends yet to come. I am putting forth an idea so that we can all realize contentment this very day and in the days that lie ahead. The choice is ours and if each one of us moves forward with an unshakable determination we will realize greatness, we will realize what is most important in this house.
Since my first day in this family, I prohibited - without exception or equivocation -tattling, pinching and biting. I ordered that all parties would be held responsible for the words and actions, as well as their lack of appropriate words and actions. I have subjected myself to the same discipline as others. In return I am asking that I be allowed the the same liberties that have been rewarded to the rest. Each one of us must know: The time has come to realize that the old habits and arguments are irrelevant to the challenges faced by each Supertastic.
I am not naïve. I know this will be difficult. But all of us must decide whether we are serious about peace, or whether we only lend it lip-service. To break the old patterns - to break the cycle of insecurity and despair - all of us must say believe in a goal greater than our own self interest.
We know the future will be forged by deeds and not simply words. Speeches alone will not solve our problems - it will take persistent action. So for those who question the character and cause of my demands, I ask you to look inward and determine to overlook my own hypocrisy. I ask that you adhere to the new rules of the road and strengthening regulations so that we all can eradicate self centeredness and selfishness.
Certainly, it will be tempting to sit back and wait for others to move first. But we cannot make this journey unless we all move forward together. The changes that I am speaking about today will not be easy to make. And they will not be realized simply by coming together in forums like this. All of us need to promote harmony that can be sustained and shared. And we can obtain that harmony by allowing Dad to watch this week's football games. As we head into this weekend let us resolve to focus on what each of us can do for the sake of our common future. Let us all resolve that this weekend will be the weekend that Dad gets to watch an entire football game from beginning to end without interruption, without questions, without demands upon him.
We have reached a pivotal moment. The Supertastics now stand ready to begin a new chapter of cooperation - one that recognizes the rights and responsibilities of Dad to enjoy football season. Yes, in the future there will be games of greater significance, but we must begin somewhere. We must establish an attitude of tolerance and understanding now rather than later. With confidence in our cause, and with a commitment to our values, I call on all members of this family to join me in building the future that we all deserve. Thank you.**
**Ladies and gentleman: it is my honor to address you and I come before you humbled by the responsibility that you have placed upon me; mindful of the enormous challenges of our moment in history; and determined to act boldly and collectively on behalf of our family. It has been two years since we came together as a family. Two years since a Grandstaff, a Puentes, a Ridenhower and a Tvedt came together as individuals and became the Supertastics. During these past two years we have adapted to each person's weaknesses and we have become unified by accentuating each person's strengths. We have also welcomed into our arms and our hearts a fifth member, Jensen Curry, who has fortified us as Supertastics.
I am well aware of the expectations that I have chosen to bear are enormous. These expectations are not about me. Rather, they are rooted - I believe - in a discontent with a status quo that has allowed us to be increasingly defined by our differences, and outpaced by our problems. But they are also rooted in hope - the hope that real change is possible, and the hope that we can be individuals that promote such change.
In the past, my statements have been met with skepticism and distrust. Part of this was due to misperceptions and misinformation about my motivations and my approach or my choice of words. Part of this was due to opposition to specific agendas, and a belief that on certain critical issues, some have acted unilaterally, without regard for the interests of others. And I must remind you that this can no longer be.
Like all of you, my responsibility is to act in the interest of my faith and my family, and I will never apologize for defending those interests. But it is my deeply held belief that in the year 2009 - more than at any point in human history - the interests of all of us is shared.
In this room, we each come from different perspectives, but we share a common future. No longer do we have the luxury of indulging our differences to the exclusion of the work that we must do together. Because the time has come for all of us to move in a new direction. We must embrace a new era of engagement based on mutual interests and mutual respect, and our work must begin now.
We have set a clear and focused goal: to work with all members of this family to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat negativity and its harmful effects. I am outlining a comprehensive agenda to seek the goal of a house without strife this weekend and for weekends yet to come. I am putting forth an idea so that we can all realize contentment this very day and in the days that lie ahead. The choice is ours and if each one of us moves forward with an unshakable determination we will realize greatness, we will realize what is most important in this house.
Since my first day in this family, I prohibited - without exception or equivocation -tattling, pinching and biting. I ordered that all parties would be held responsible for the words and actions, as well as their lack of appropriate words and actions. I have subjected myself to the same discipline as others. In return I am asking that I be allowed the the same liberties that have been rewarded to the rest. Each one of us must know: The time has come to realize that the old habits and arguments are irrelevant to the challenges faced by each Supertastic.
I am not naïve. I know this will be difficult. But all of us must decide whether we are serious about peace, or whether we only lend it lip-service. To break the old patterns - to break the cycle of insecurity and despair - all of us must say believe in a goal greater than our own self interest.
We know the future will be forged by deeds and not simply words. Speeches alone will not solve our problems - it will take persistent action. So for those who question the character and cause of my demands, I ask you to look inward and determine to overlook my own hypocrisy. I ask that you adhere to the new rules of the road and strengthening regulations so that we all can eradicate self centeredness and selfishness.
Certainly, it will be tempting to sit back and wait for others to move first. But we cannot make this journey unless we all move forward together. The changes that I am speaking about today will not be easy to make. And they will not be realized simply by coming together in forums like this. All of us need to promote harmony that can be sustained and shared. And we can obtain that harmony by allowing Dad to watch this week's football games. As we head into this weekend let us resolve to focus on what each of us can do for the sake of our common future. Let us all resolve that this weekend will be the weekend that Dad gets to watch an entire football game from beginning to end without interruption, without questions, without demands upon him.
We have reached a pivotal moment. The Supertastics now stand ready to begin a new chapter of cooperation - one that recognizes the rights and responsibilities of Dad to enjoy football season. Yes, in the future there will be games of greater significance, but we must begin somewhere. We must establish an attitude of tolerance and understanding now rather than later. With confidence in our cause, and with a commitment to our values, I call on all members of this family to join me in building the future that we all deserve. Thank you.**
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