Why are companies pushing us away?

Something I have really noticed over the past few years is that major companies and retailers are choosing profits over customers. It is hard to imagine a company nowadays offering a great deal on something just to be a nice and try to get customers. Companies and retailers have been trying to pull customers from other companies, but now it seems we are getting pushed from one to another, as if we are not wanted.

My first example is Netflix. They recently were faced with a dilemma. Their business model wasn’t working. They had been offering customers both streaming and DVD’s in the mail for a small monthly rate of $10. However, just recently, they decided to scrap that and separate the two, offering them only as separate deals and no longer packaging them in a deal. You can still have both, but you pay $6 a month more. Netflix knew their $10 a month plan for both services wasn’t making them a ton of money, but instead of keeping it to keep customers happy, they took it away from us. They chose themselves over us, the customers.

My second example is Bank of America and Wells Fargo. Bank of America has decided to implement a $5 monthly debit card fee for any one of their customers who uses a debit card. Their reasoning is that they have been capped on how much they are allowed to charge retailers when a customer swipes their debit card. Many have made their displeasure heard. Meanwhile, Wells Fargo, my bank, is only testing out the fee in various markets and locations. I have not been charged with that fee yet, but if I do start getting charged monthly, I will find a way to go without my debit card or find another bank.

My advice to companies, banks, and retailers out there: Stay OUT of the spotlight. Do not do anything drastic. I know, the economy is hard on us all, but the retailers and companies that will profit the most are the ones that just try to tough it out and not do anything stupid like Netflix or Bank of America. We consumers are smarter than they think. We will NOT hesitate to switch banks, grocery stores, electronic stores, you name it, in order to save the most money. It’s the unfortunate truth that companies nowadays care less about customers than ever. Well guess what? We customers care even less about how companies do. If Netflix, Bank of America, or whoever goes under, we really don’t care (unless we work for them). Another one will come along.

My advice to us, the customers, is just to be smart, and if a company changes a policy or the price of something, do not hesitate to switch companies or products. If a company makes you upset, don’t be afraid to protest or boycott them. I boycotted Starbucks for almost three years because their CEO sold the Sonics. Share with your friends and family your displeasure with a company, share it on Consumerist, let people know so that the companies feel a dent when they lose a lot of customers.

Hopefully, in the somewhat near future, the economy will get better. When it does, I expect companies to come crying back to us and begging for our forgiveness. But they must know we won’t be hurrying back to them so fast.

2012: My Year to Shine

Hello, all. I am writing a blog post about something I’ve never really written about before: My future plans. Normally I talk about my favorites or sports or entertainment, but today I wanted to talk about what lies for me in the future. Over a year ago, I did a blog post on Ten Things I am Looking Forward to Most in My Future: http://briguy17-briguy17.blogspot.com/2010/09/top-10-things-i-am-looking-forward-to.html I have already accomplished one of those things, the one I named as honorable mention, buying a car.

However, I really feel 2012 is my year to shine. I’ll even admit to you since I graduated in Spring 2010 (when my last quarter of school was Winter 2010), I have not done much. I have continued working at Safeway and earning a fairly steady paycheck. I was able to buy a car. I also tried out the “Insanity” workout, but I only did about 40 of the 60 days because of an illness.

This past spring I came so close to applying to an online school called “Full Sail”: http://www.fullsail.edu/ They specialize in the arts and entertainment industries and I was particularly interested in their sports marketing program. You see their advertisements all the time in gaming magazines, which is how I learned about them. They’ve had quite a few graduates have extremely successful careers, such as the director of the Saw series (Darren Lynn Bauman). However, just as I was about to apply, I had realized needing a car was extremely imminent. That may have been a wrong look at my priorities, but my parents pretty much put their foot down on me driving their car the one mile to work and back almost every day. I’m not blaming them, but for me, it was kind of bad timing. I blame myself for that one.

So, here I am in the fall of 2011, still working at Safeway, still telling people I’m between schools. I am seriously going to take another look at that Full Sail Sports Marketing program (which is a Bachelor’s Degree) and more than likely apply next year. I say more than likely because some other opportunity may arise. You never know. There are no guarantees in life.

But I promise you this. I will give it my all next year to get back into school. I will go back to school. I will apply somewhere, most likely Full Sail, but like I said, no guarantees. I am saying this and putting this in writing so that I will actually commit. That is my glaring weakness and the only reason I am not in school now. I hate committing to things. Not people, but things (Don’t worry Amanda). But I also hate change. So you can see how sometimes I’ve been between a rock and a hard place.

You might ask me what I hope to become, what my dream job is. The problem is that I don’t know. I don’t despise work, but there are a lot of jobs I would be uncomfortable having. But I do like business and marketing and I do love sports, so that’s why more than likely Full Sail’s sports marketing program is for me. Oh sure, I’d love to be an actor, an athlete, or a singer/musician. But the fact is, I don’t have the talent or skill to be any of those professionally.

I will also hopefully continue to rise in the ranks at Safeway. I’m hoping that my pay will rise a bit faster or that I will apply for a PIC position. If neither of those works, I will try to get another job to pay for my schooling. Right now I’m saving money trying to get back up to a comfortable mark in my savings account, trying to get it near where it was before I purchased my car. With a little help from my parents, my own savings, and some financial aid, I should be able to afford school when I go back.

One more thing: I mentioned the Insanity workout for a reason. In 2012, I will do the Insanity workout yet again, and this time I will complete it, even if I get sick. I will do it because personally, I’d love to have a better body than I do now. Plus, to say you’ve done it is a huge accomplishment. I can’t say I’ve completed it because I haven’t.

So there you have it. I hope this gives you an idea as to what my plans are and what lies in store for my future. I know that 2012 will probably be the biggest year of my life, with Amanda possibly moving up to Seattle and me going back to school. But for the first time in years, I’m psyched, I’m ready, and I’m forcing myself to be committed to getting the job I really want.

My thoughts and reviews on everything Star Wars

Well, I did this already for Harry Potter, and I think I will also do this for Lord of the Rings once I read it and watch the movies again, but for now, it is time to review everything Star Wars. I will review each of the six movies, plus a few video games I have played. The video games will go in chronologically, so if it takes place before Episode I, I will review it first.

Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic (The video game)
Rating: 9/10
This is a very good role-playing game if you’re into that sort of game. It has a great story with very interesting characters that develop over time: From Carth and Bastilla to Mission and Canderous, this game is phenomenal. Very few flaws in this game—one being the constant load screens. But the development of the characters and the gameplay make this one of the better Star Wars games.

Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords (The video game)
Rating: 8/10
Very similar gameplay to its predecessor, The Sith Lords has new characters, of course, but they are less interesting than the characters in the original KOTOR. Kreia is creepy, Atton is a poor imitation of Han Solo, and Bao-Dur has no personality. The plot also has a less interesting concept—i.e. there is no Revan-like twist (Kreia being a Sith Lord is not a twist, IMO). The gameplay is about the same as the original. But if you don’t play the original and you play this, you’ll see it’s really not a bad game at all. It just pales in comparison to the original.

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (The movie)
Rating: 7/10
Sometimes I feel generous giving this film a 7/10. Sometimes, however, I feel it deserves it. It’s not an awful film as some people make it out to be, but like many other films, it pales in comparison to its original—in this case, the original trilogy. This film really didn’t give us a reason to care about a lot of the characters, and in a lot of cases, there was no drama with certain fight scenes because we knew a certain character was going to survive (i.e. Obi-Wan vs. Maul, Anakin flying the Naboo ship). That problem lingered throughout the trilogy, which is why it is so hard to make a prequel, especially a prequel series.

Star Wars: Obi-Wan (The video game)
Rating: 7.5/10
This game is set before and during the events of Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Obviously, you play as Obi-Wan Kenobi. I do love the missions you go on, such as rescuing the queen from the Tusken Raiders and battling Darth Maul, just like in the film. Some parts of the game, however, are far more difficult than other parts, making it always way too easy or way too hard in some areas of the game, depending on the difficulty you play on. However, it follows Obi-Wan’s journeys well, and it’s a must play for any Star Wars gamer.

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (The movie)
Rating: 6.5/10
I have to say this: Every time I watch this film, I like it less and less. First time I saw it, I loved it. When I got it on DVD, I still really liked it. About a half dozen views more on DVD later and now I’m starting to dislike it. The dialogue, plot, acting, special effects, you name it—all suffered in this film. It’s not a horrible film, but even with less Jar Jar and no “Little Ani”, it still isn’t much of an improvement, if any, from The Phantom Menace. Hayden Christensen was a poor choice for Anakin. His scenes with Padme make me cringe more and more each time I watch it. Yoda fighting with a lightsaber was a letdown. Just everything about this movie is a disappointment. At first I had decided Episode I was the worst movie of the trilogy, but I have now decided it is Episode II. There is something in almost every scene that makes you think “What was George Lucas THINKING?”

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (Video Game)
Rating: 5/10
Ok, so I only played the Game Boy Advance version, but boy does it kinda suck. It's just hard, not fun to play, and has you do things that really were nowhere near what was in the movie. For it being a Game Boy Advance game, the graphics and sounds were ok, but I've hardly logged any time into this because it is so difficult and repetitive.

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (The movie)
Rating: 8/10
I gave this an 8/10 based on the quality of the film, not on how much I enjoy it. Anyway, Revenge of the Sith is probably the best out of the Star Wars prequels. It actually doesn’t disappoint when it comes to connecting the prequel trilogy to the original trilogy. The way Anakin turned to the dark side did, however, disappoint me. I feel it should have been more drawn out and Anakin should have slowly turned to the dark side. I also felt his means to turning to the dark side were farfetched. So, he turns to the dark side and kills dozens of younglings just so he can save his wife, whom he later causes the death of. That’s my biggest critique of this film. Aside from that, the Jedi execution scenes, the scenes on Mustafar, and the scenes with Yoda were all done pretty well and were pretty emotional. Heck, I’ll even admit I still sometimes get misty-eyed when I hear Obi-Wan yell “You were the chosen one!”

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (The video game)
Rating: 6/10
This game looks like it took just a few months to make. The graphics are lacking, the controls are such as that you just button mash the whole time, and it becomes somewhat boring. It follows the movie pretty well, and I love the alternate scene where Anakin defeats Obi-Wan, then kills the emperor, declaring the galaxy belongs to himself and himself alone. But this is really at best an average video game based on a movie. Not entirely worth it unless you are a huge Star Wars nerd like me.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (The video game)
Rating: 8.5/10
Incredible, incredible game. The graphics are unbelievable, the controls are very easy to understand, and you start to get attached to the protagonist known as “Starkiller”. In it, he is Darth Vader’s secret apprentice, and this game has a very nice climax, which (SPOILERS) results in Starkiller’s death. Not many video games out there have the protagonist die in the end, but this one does. (END SPOILERS) The few critiques I have are that the idea of Darth Vader having a secret apprentice is a little farfetched and that Starkiller would be turned so easily. Other than that, very good game.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II (The video game)
Rating: 6/10
How could a sequel have such a dropoff, you might ask? With a bogus concept, a shortened game, and no advancements in graphics or controls. It feels like they rushed this game. I completed it in two or three days, whereas the original took me a few weeks at least. The plot is based on Vader creating clone of Starkiller to try to make this one more obedient, to no avail. The one plus I can say about this game is that the battle scenes with the Gorog were done really well and are very exciting. However, you find it hard to care about this guy since he is a clone and not the actual Starkiller. Disappointing game to say the least.

Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Rating: 9.5/10
Ah, the movie that started it all. Imagine if something had prevented this movie from being released. There would be no Star Wars. This is the classiest, most famous, and most people’s famous film: the original Star Wars. At the time, it was just called Star Wars, but as sequels came out they added a title to this one. This Star Wars movie still proves that you don’t need special effects or battles every ten minutes in order to make a quality Star Wars film. Unfortunately, the series went downhill from here.

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Rating: 9/10
Some people consider this film their favorite Star Wars film and I can see why. The beginning has a battle and at the end we are left with a cliffhanger (What will happen to Han?) and a huge plot twist (Darth Vader being Luke’s father). I believe George Lucas came up with the idea of Vader being Luke’s father AFTER filming A New Hope, because of the way Obi-Wan described Luke’s father and what happened to him in that film.

Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Rating: 8.5/10
I wish Lucas didn’t try to use gimmicks in his films just to get certain people to watch, but they first became evident in ROTJ. The main gimmick of this film is the Ewoks and their ability to somehow overpower an entire fleet of the “Emperor’s Best”. That’s like saying a bunch of schoolchildren could kill guys that have been trained for the US Army. For this simple thing alone, I can’t rate it any higher than an 8.5. However, this is still a quality film and the Original Trilogy is not complete without it. The scenes with Luke, the Emperor, and Darth Vader were perfectly done. I definitely enjoy this film, but most people consider it the weak link of the Original Trilogy.

Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
Rating: 8.5/10
This is one of my favorite PC games of all time. In it, you play as an outcast Jedi named Kyle Katarn who gets “reborn” in the force after his companion Jan Ors is taken from him. It’s an extremely fun game to play and the plot is compelling. The bosses are just tough enough and you get a variety of weapons (including the lightsaber) and force powers to use on them. The downside to this game is that it’s a bit repetitive with some of the enemies and the final boss can be extremely difficult to kill. But I would definitely have to say this is in my top 3 of Star Wars games.

Star Wars Battlefront I
Rating: 8/10
Solid, solid game, I must say. This game isn’t really set during a certain time period or even have a conceivable storyline or plot. It just is a shooter game where you can take control of any soldier (Stormtrooper, Trade Federation droid, even Wookies). Basically, you are on a battlefield (usually somewhere on a famous Star Wars locale such as Hoth, Endor, or Tattooine). You try to control these “Command Posts” by standing near them. The more command posts you have, the likelier you are to win. It’s negatives are its simplicity and lack of different types of gameplay, but it at the time made for a fun game to play online with other people.

Star Wars Battlefront II
Rating: 8/10
The sequel to Star Wars Battlefront II didn’t really improve much at all. They added the ability to play as a Jedi, but changed little else. Again, limited game modes. There are certain campaigns you can do, but still, no story. I liked some of the locales they added (such as the Death Star) and they also added being able to fly in planes, but I have never liked that game type. I’m not a huge fan of big changes made to sequels in games, but you gotta have more changes than this did.

Star Wars Galactic Battlegrounds (The video game)
Rating: 9/10
Based on the Age of Empires engine and gameplay, Star Wars Galactic Battleground is a sort of Star Wars empire simulator. My favorite part about the game is how it takes you to actual events in the Star Wars universe, such as the battle of Naboo’s grassy plains, the battle of Endor, and the battle of Hoth. It also has campaign missions that take place before and after a lot of the Star Wars films. My one critique is its lack of realism—the size ratio of things is way off. Look at Luke Skywalker compared to an AT-AT walker. Is that the way it looked in the film? Nope. Plus, huge machines like Walkers can board air and water transports that are like 1/3 their size—unrealistic to say the least. But if you can get by that, it’s a really awesome game.

My Take and Thoughts on Disneyland

Disneyland is aptly dubbed “The Happiest Place on Earth” and now I can see why. The entire mood of the park is optimism, happiness, and everything is right with the world. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s a fantasy land you can visit to get away from your troubles, that’s for sure. I enjoyed not only the rides, but the eateries and shops and “exhibits” they have, if you will. I will try to go through each part of the park and give my thoughts on it.

First off, you have Main Street, U.S.A. It is the location for many shops, eateries, city hall, and more. This is where Amanda and I did most of our shopping and this road is almost always packed with visitors. At the beginning of the street (or end, if you are leaving the park) there is a courtyard where we watched a ceremony with the marching band. Definitely a must see.

Going clockwise you then have Adventureland to the left which Amanda and I unfortunately didn’t really visit but walked through. There was the Indiana Jones ride I wanted to go on as well as the Enchanted Tiki Room, but we just didn’t have enough time. Next time we visit we’ll make Adventureland a must.

Next is the New Orleans Square which we visited both days. On the first day we went on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, one of the better overall rides in the park. You ride in a boat and see certain scenes and very realistic pirates fighting over gold and doing what pirates do. On our second day we went into the Haunted Mansion, which actually becomes a ride (and surprisingly not THAT scary). Then we stopped at the Blue Bayou for lunch, and I must forewarn anyone reading this: It is a pricy place that recommends getting a reservation for. Each menu item is around $30. However, the appeal is the darkness of the restaurant and being able to see a part of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride off to the side.

Then there is Critter Country which Amanda and I only visited for Splash Mountain which we rode on our first day. A long 45 minute wait preceded it, but it was worth it. Also here, you can meet Winnie the Pooh and some of his friends (Tigger, Eeyore) so it’s definitely a place to visit for any Pooh fans.

After Critter Country is Frontierland which is enjoyable for kids and adults. On our second day Amanda and I took the raft and visited Tom Sawyer Island, which is a must visit at some point for anyone visiting the park. We didn’t do much else in Frontierland except catch the train and circled the park, which is another thing everyone must do at some point. It also helps you get from one end of the park to another.

At the very north end of the park is a fairly newer part called “Mickey’s Toontown”. Amanda and I had lunch here on our first day and visited Mickey’s House. Mickey’s Toontown is the place to go to see all the characters such as Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto. There isn't much in terms of rides here, but it’s still a place to explore and see all that they have.

In the very heart of Disneyland is Fantasyland which has mainly kiddie rides but a couple others adults can appreciate as well. It has “It’s a Small World” which is appreciated by all ages as well as the “Mad Tea Party” where the famous teacups are. This area also has a lot of things younger girls will appreciate such as Alice in Wonderland, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, and the Disney Princess Fantasy Faire. There is also the Matterhorn bobsleds, but unfortunately when Amanda and I visited, the ride was out of order.

On the east side of the park is my favorite section, Tomorrowland. This section features Space Mountain, a ride Amanda and I enjoyed on our second day. Space Mountain is, well, wild. That’s the best word to describe it. It will whip you back and forth and you won’t even know which way you’re about to turn. Definitely not for those who get sick easily. There is also the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage which again, another long wait, but totally worth it. You ride in a submarine and watch certain “scenes” from Finding Nemo, changed a bit for the attraction. Finally, there is Star Tours—The Adventures Continue, where you wait in line for eternity, but then you get to go on this ride with 3D glasses. You are put on a Star Wars spacecraft and you navigate battle scenes and a random planet (we got the ice planet Hoth). This ride actually left me feeling queasy because it does jerk you and whip you a bit. But definitely a must for any Star Wars fan like myself.

Disneyland is definitely a place I want to visit again. I saw a ton of children (tons of people, actually), and the park is really well maintained and 95% of the employees seem really happy to work there. The park is so well done, so expansive and so big that you experience and see something different every time you visit the park. Concessions are a bit pricy (3 dollars for a soda), tickets themselves are pricy, but it is totally worth it. They are usually open from 8am to midnight so you can definitely get your money’s worth because their tickets last all day. I actually hope to go back there fairly soon, like in the next 2-3 years, because Disneyland is just a place you have to visit more than once.

2011 NFL Predictions, Part 2 - The NFL

Well, I already completed Part 1 of my 2011 NFL Predictions which went through each Seahawk game, now I am going to go through each team, division by division, predict their W-L record, and then go through the playoffs. I have now gone through and reviewed each team and how I did, why I was right or wrong. Those recent parts will be the last section titled "Review".

AFC West

San Diego Chargers: I expect Rivers and Co. to be very hungry this year, especially after barely losing the division last year. People think Rivers is elite, but to me he is just a semi-decent quarterback who puts up good numbers. You don’t become elite until you have success in the playoffs.
Predicted record: 10-6
Odds of winning division: 60%
Review: The Chargers battled inconsistency and injuries. Surprisingly, they didn't fire Norv Turner, but they did fire their GM. I expect them to be back and better next year.

Kansas City Chiefs: I think they will regress this year. They don’t have as much talent as the Chargers and they are still a young team. Cassel and Charles will have good years, but their defense isn’t good enough to win the division for them again.
Predicted record: 8-8
Odds of winning division: 25%
Review: The Chiefs regressed more than I thought they would (thanks to injuries), although they did win some impressive games, such as handing the Packers their first loss.

Denver Broncos: Enough with the talk of Tim Tebow. Look, odds are, Tebow won’t even be in the NFL 5 years from now. He’ll probably be a pastor or something. Bottom line is, they are still rebuilding and new head coach John Fox will have to take his time.
Predicted record: 6-10
Odds of winning division: 10% - Oops
Review: Tebowmania! That's all I have to say about him. I also underestimated their defense.

Oakland Raiders: The Raiders lost a BUNCH of talent this offseason: Asomugha, Miller, Gallery, and head coach Tom Cable. They need to start from the ground up and quit trying to rebuild by adding small pieces here and there.
Predicted record: 4-12
Odds of winning division: 5%
Review: Wow, the Raiders did better than I predicted and they still fired their coach. The team did played inspired ball after Al Davis passed but apparently they have high expectations


AFC North

Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens have a lot of veterans complemented by young talent (Ngata, Flacco, Rice), which usually is the combination for success in team sports. The Ravens will win the AFC North in 2011 because they will have their best offensive output in their history. I still, however, pick them to lose to the Hawks, though.
Predicted record: 12-4
Odds of winning division: 45% - Spot On
Review: Wow, I was right about their division win AND losing to the Hawks AND their record. Their offense was better, but they were inconsistent.

Cleveland Browns: That’s right. I have the Cleveland Browns at 2^nd in the division. They are one of a few teams that has struggled a lot the past decade but is on the upswing (see Detroit Lions). I think Mike Holmgren is steering them in the right direction. They won’t get to the playoffs, but they will have a successful season.
Predicted record: 8-8
Odds of winning division: 10%
Review: Oops. Well, I knew one of the Ohio teams would do better, I just got the wrong team.

Pittsburgh Steelers: I predict the Steelers will suffer from the Super Bowl loser curse, or at the very least, I hope they do. Plus, I gotta have at least one surprising pick. Typically the past decade, the Super Bowl loser struggles the following year and usually fails to make the playoffs, the Seahawks being one of the exceptions. I don’t expect the Steelers to be an exception. Perhaps Big Ben will get injured. You’ll see that I’ve given them a 45% chance of winning the division, but I am going out on a limb and saying they won’t.
Predicted record: 8-8
Odds of winning division: 45%
Review: No division win - Correct. Loser's curse - Incorrect, somewhat. They did make the playoffs, but lost their first game.

Cincinnati Bengals: This is a team that will be clearly starting the rebuilding process. They will have to try to build around Andy Dalton and Andre Smith. They lost Chad Ochocinco and Carson Palmer has quit on them. I will be shocked if they get more than 5 or 6 wins. They will be one of the teams vying for the #1 pick in the 2012 draft.
Predicted record: 3-13
Odds of winning division: 0% - They had a chance, but I gave them none.
Review: I can't believe I gave them such bad odds, but I totally underestimated Andy Dalton and their defense. Apparently Palmer and Ochocinco were cancers to the team. Good for them.

AFC South

Indianapolis Colts: Peyton Manning will actually benefit from the lockout because he is a veteran and probably still worked on his game in the offseason. That’s why I am picking the Colts to repeat as AFC South champs. They won’t dominate, but they will win the division.
Predicted record: 11-5
Odds of winning division: 50%
Review: This was when we still thought Manning would play this season. Oh well.

Tennessee Titans: The Titans made bold moves by drafting Locker then signing Matt Hasselbeck to be his mentor and start the year for them at QB. They lost Kerry Collins and Vince Young, but neither of those were very good. If Chris Johnson stays healthy and Hasselbeck adjusts to yet another new system for him, the Titans will be hard to beat.
Predicted record: 9-7 (Wild card team)
Odds of winning division: 25%
Review: I predicted their record spot on, but they didn't make the playoffs like I thought they would. CJ struggled, which hurt their chances.

Houston Texans: They had a letdown season last year going 6-10 following their first winning season in history. I expect the Texans to compete, but in the end they will fall short of the playoffs like they usually do. They just need a bit more talent in the secondary and on the lines to get to the next level.
Predicted record: 7-9
Odds of winning division: 15%
Review: I said they needed more talent in their secondary while forgetting they signed Jonathan Joseph in the offseason. And their O-Line, while being a no name O-Line, was very good, which is why they won their division.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Sure, they finished in 2^nd place in the division last year, but I don’t see them repeating this year. Last year, they had the struggles of the Titans and Texans to rely on, but this year both of those teams are expected to be better, which means someone has to be worse.
Predicted record: 6-10
Odds of winning division: 10%
Review: I was just one game off, and I used logic for this prediction and it worked.

AFC East

New England Patriots: Many people, including myself, expect the Patriots to benefit from the lockout because they are such an experienced and veteran team. They were dominant last year, going 14-2, and a disappointing playoff loss to the Jets derailed their season. I expect them to be just as good this year (or close) without any playoff slipups. More on that later.
Predicted record: 13-3
Odds of winning division: 60%
Review: Record? Check. No playoff slipups? Check. I couldn't have really predicted any better.

New York Jets: The Jets had a good season last year and were one step away from the Super Bowl. I still think they are another year away from REALLY competing. Hard to compete when you have the Patriots in your own division. Plus, Sanchez is still a long ways from being as good as Brady.
Predicted record: 10-6 (Wild card team)
Odds of winning division: 35%
Review: They lost their identity and were inconsistent, something that's hard to predict.

Miami Dolphins: It’s evident that this division will have two great teams and two bad teams. The Dolphins will be one of the bad teams. They are still a franchise QB and a few key defensive players away from contending. They lost both Ronnie Brown AND Ricky Williams in the offseason, which will hurt them.
Predicted record: 5-11
Odds of winning division: 5%
Review: Just one game off, but losing Brown and Williams didn't hurt them since Reggie Bush stepped up. But losing Chad Henne to injury certainly hurt them.

Buffalo Bills: This team is still in rebuilding mode as slowly the fans in Buffalo are giving up them. Gone are the glory days of Jim Kelly, OJ Simpson, Andre Reed, and Eric Moulds. Not a lot more to be said about this team. They won’t be terrible, but don’t expect a good season from them.
Predicted record: 5-11
Odds of winning division: 0%
Review: No one, not even I, saw that fast start. But they regressed and finished just one game away from my prediction. Still in a rebuilding mode, but we saw signs of promise.

NFC West

St. Louis Rams: Sorry, Hawks fans. We won the tiebreaker last season but I think the Rams will get it this season. I do see the Seahawks and Rams staying neck and neck all the way through, but the Rams will have more success against our division than we will.
Predicted record: 9-7
Odds of winning division: 35%
Review: Haha woops! But I certainly wasn't the only one to overestimate the Rams this season.

Seattle Seahawks: It will be odd, having a better record than last year but not making the playoffs. Some will consider that a disappointment but if that happens, I will consider it a positive season. This isn’t the year for the Hawks to try to win it all, so I have semi-low expectations for this team. We will be somewhere near .500, but the Rams will be improved from last year.
Predicted record: 9-7
Odds of winning division: 30%
Review: Just two games off, but I was right that we'd miss the playoffs by a little bit and we'd be near .500. The inconsistent offense and penalties really hurt us.

San Francisco 49ers: New coach Jim Harbaugh has a bit of work to do. It’s a pretty similar team to last year’s, but they did add new rookie quarterback Colin Kaepernick. I expect him to get some time on the field this year. The 49ers will eventually win the NFC West again, but not this season. Jim Harbaugh is the right guy for them, but it won’t happen in his first year.
Predicted record: 6-10
Odds of winning division: 20% - Not too bad considering.
Review: Wrong, wrong and more wrong I was. Kaepernick did not factor or play games, they did win it in Harbaugh's first year, and a coach can be the difference.

Arizona Cardinals: They got their man, Kevin Kolb. He will do about as well as Matt Schaub did in his first season with the Texans. The Cardinals won’t be a complete embarrassment, but Kolb is no Kurt Warner. He’ll take some time to lead this team back to the playoffs.
Predicted record: 5-11
Odds of winning division: 15%
Review: Just two games off and pretty spot on with my assessment of Kolb. I, however, did not see John Skelton being the difference maker.

NFC North

Green Bay Packers: There is a new dynasty in the NFL, and they are the Green Bay Packers. Last year’s Super Bowl won’t be their only one with Aaron Rodgers as their QB. I expect big things from the Pack again this year, because they have a ton of talent surrounding one of the elite QB’s in the game. It’s hard to believe they had to get into the playoffs last year via the wild card, but the same won’t be said this year.
Predicted record: 12-4
Odds of winning division: 50%
Review: The only thing I missed on was their record; I didn't think they'd be as dominant as they were. But these Packers are here to stay, it seems.

Chicago Bears: I tell you, the NFC North will be one of the best divisions in football, and the Bears will again be competitive. They won the division last year and were one win away from the Super Bowl. I expect them to either get a wild card playoff spot or be very close to one. Jay Cutler will have one of his best seasons, I predict.
Predicted record: 10-6 (Wild Card team)
Odds of winning division: 25%
Review: Hard to see both Cutler and Forte getting hurt. Had they not gotten injured, I think the Bears easily could have been 10-6 and would have kicked the Lions out.

Minnesota Vikings: Hard to tell how good this team will be. They got Donovan McNabb. They still have one of the best running backs in Adrian Peterson. They still have a good offensive line and some good key defensive players. But I can’t see them having too much success playing in a tough division.
Predicted record: 8-8
Odds of winning division: 15%
Review: McNabb is done, something I didn't see. This team is now going through a rebuilding process, but they're hoping they have their guy in Christian Ponder.

Detroit Lions: Another team on the upswing is the Detroit Lions. They now have two beasts on their defensive line with Suh and Fairley. Matthew Stafford should be healthy and bounce back (Comeback player of the year, possibly?) They still have a year or two to go, but I expect them to be an improved team. They’ll probably still finish in last, but that is only due to the toughness of their division.
Predicted record: 7-9
Odds of winning division: 10%
Review: Matthew Stafford might very will win Comeback Player like I suggested. But they were much better than I thought.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons: They won 13 games last year but had a huge letdown losing to the Packers in the playoffs. I expect them to be good again, but not as dominant in the regular season. I don’t think they will win it all, but they’ll compete and beat a lot of teams.
Predicted record: 11-5
Odds of winning division: 45%
Review: Just one game off their record and I correctly predicted them in the playoffs. The only thing I missed was that they didn't win their division.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs have a young franchise quarterback, an improving defense, and a lot of talent that just needs experience. They will get back to the playoffs starting this season. They barely missed out last year, but not this year.
Predicted record: 10-6 (Wild Card team)
Odds of winning division: 30%
Review: MY BAD. I had a lot of hope for the Bucs and they let me down. I thought they'd be similar to the 2010 Green Bay Packers, but I was wrong.

New Orleans Saints: The Saints will go from Super Bowl champs to losing to the Seahawks in the playoffs to not even making the playoffs. My how the mighty have fallen. They won’t be bad, don’t get me wrong, but too many other teams have gotten better while the Saints have not.
Predicted record: 8-8
Odds of winning division: 20% - Again, not a bad prediction.
Review: Haha how wrong I was. I'm just going to say I totally blew this one.

Carolina Panthers: The Panthers will take some time to improve and rebuild, but at least they have two young solid QB’s (Newton and Clausen) to rely on. If one fails, there’s a good chance the other won’t. They don’t have much chance of anything this year due to the toughness of their division and the rest of the NFC, but they will be slightly improved from last year.
Predicted record: 4-12
Odds of winning division: 5%
Review: They were better than I thought, mainly because another team, the Bucs, took over last place.

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles: They added more talent in the offseason than anyone has really seen in NFL history. I could name them: Asomugha, Rodgers-Cromartie, Steve Smith, Vince Young, Jason Babin, the list goes on and on. Their biggest loss was a backup QB. This year their success rests on Michael Vick. If he plays well, they will do well. If he doesn’t, well, you get the picture.
Predicted record: 12-4
Odds of winning division: 45%
Review: I think everyone missed on the Eagles. We all know what happened there.

Dallas Cowboys: They always look good on paper, but always underperform. It’s kinda funny. It gets even funnier when you see Jerry Jones’ disappointed face. Anyway, the Cowboys will have another up and down season, but this year will have more ups than downs. Romo should stay healthy. Jason Garret should be the right coach for them. But they will miss the playoffs.
Predicted record: 9-7
Odds of winning division: 25%
Review: Just one game off the record prediction, but Romo did not stay healthy. They did, however, miss the playoffs like I predicted.

New York Giants: I don’t expect much from the Giants this year. I said in part 1 about the Seahawks that I think Eli Manning will either struggle or get hurt. Then again, I say this a lot about the Giants and then they go on to win the division. We’ll see what happens, but for now, I say a very average season.
Predicted record: 8-8
Odds of winning division: 20%
Review: WHAT DID I JUST SAY. I bolded it to emphasize it. EVERY SINGLE TIME I say they will be average at best, and they do really well. I say they do well and they struggle. Wow.

Washington Redskins: Their QB controversy is Rex Grossman or John Beck. Wow. I can’t see the Redskins even having as many wins as last year, which was only 6. Mike Shanahan has his work cut out for him. They have too many holes and not enough talent to compete in another tough division. Many Redskins fans will start wearing paper bags to their games.
Predicted record: 3-13
Odds of winning division: 10%
Review: It wasn't as bad as I predicted, but they did finish in last just like I thought.


Ok, now time for the playoffs! Here are the seedings based on my predicted records:

AFC
1. New England Patriots (13-3)
2. Baltimore Ravens (12-4)
3. Indianapolis Colts (11-5)
4. San Diego Chargers (10-6)
5. New York Jets (10-6)
6. Tennesee Titans (9-7)

NFC
1. Green Bay Packers (12-4)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-4)
3. Atlanta Falcons (11-5)
4. St. Louis Rams (9-7)
5. Chicago Bears (10-6)
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-6)

PLAYOFFS

AFC Wild Card:
(6) Titans at (3) Colts: Colts win Neither team in playoffs
(5) Jets at (4) Chargers: Chargers win Neither team in playoffs

NFC Wild Card:
(6) Buccaneers at (3) Falcons: Buccaneers win Falcons did lose first playoff game.
(5) Bears at (4) Rams: Bears win Neither team in playoffs

AFC Divisional:
(4) Chargers at (1) Patriots: Chargers win Um... oops?
(3) Colts at (2) Ravens: Ravens win Ravens did win first game, which was also the Div. Round

NFC Divisional:
(6) Buccaneers at (1) Packers: Packers win Missed the Packers losing
(5) Bears at (2) Eagles: Eagles win Neither team in playoffs

AFC Championship:
(4) Chargers at (2) Ravens: Ravens win Ravens lost the AFC Champ, but were close.
(2) Eagles at (1) Packers: Packers win Packers missed NFC champ

Super Bowl XLVI:
Packers at Ravens: Packers win, 20-17

There you have it. I’ll probably be totally wrong (Yep!), but hey, it’s fun to do with the NFL season coming up. And it’s fun to look back on it a few months from now to see what teams I was right on the mark with and what teams I totally missed. I can’t wait for this upcoming season, and as always, GO SEAHAWKS!

2011 NFL Predictions, Part 1 – The Seahawks

Well, the 2011 NFL season is almost upon us, so that means that it’s time for me to make my predictions for the year. Last year, I combined my Seahawks predictions and NFL predictions into one post, but this year I will be separating them. This first part will be all about the Seahawks. I will go through each game on their schedule, saying the Seahawks odds on winning the game and what I think will happen.

Game 1 – September 11 at San Francisco 49ers
The Seahawks open in San Francisco on the 10 year anniversary of the September 11^th terrorist attacks. The 49ers, like the Seahawks, are in a “rebuilding” phase and I use quotes because both teams could either win the division or finish in dead last. But neither is going to dominate. We have had our struggles at Candlestick in recent years, and I expect that to continue.
Seahawks odds of winning: 40%
My prediction: 49ers 27, Seahawks 16
Seahawks record: 0-1

Game 2 – September 18 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Boy, the schedule makers didn’t make it easy on the Hawks. If they lose their first game, they will more than likely fall to 0-2 to start the year. The Seahawks have played twice on Heinz Field since Super Bowl XL, losing both times, and neither were close defeats. I expect the Seahawks to certainly put forth effort, but not have enough talent to win.
Seahawks odds of winning: 15%
My prediction: Steelers 24, Seahawks 10
Seahawks record: 0-2

Game 3 – September 25 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Finally, a home game! The Seahawks will be welcomed back with enthusiastic cheers despite the fact they will probably be 0-2. The Seahawks have had great success against the Cardinals at home, even when the Cardinals had Kurt Warner and were doing well. I expect the defense to be the key for the Seahawks in this one.
Seahawks odds of winning: 70%
My prediction: Seahawks 20, Cardinals 7
Seahawks record: 1-2

Game 4 – October 2 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Last year, the Falcons came to our turf and beat us. The Falcons have just as much talent as they did last time, so I don’t expect much to change. Matt Ryan and Michael Turner will not be stopped. I don’t see a blowout, but I can’t see the Seahawks keeping it too close.
Seahawks odds of winning: 40%
My prediction: Falcons 28, Seahawks 17
Seahawks record: 1-3

Game 5 – October 9 at New York Giants
Last time the Hawks made a trip to New York to play the Giants, they got blown out 44-6. For some reason, I have a feeling the Giants will slip this year. Maybe Eli Manning will get hurt. Maybe they’ll get plagued with other injuries or turnovers. But if I had to pick a game all season the Seahawks would upset someone on the road, this is it. They would simply have the mentality of refusing to fall to 1-4.
Seahawks odds of winning: 35%
My prediction: Seahawks 24, Giants 16
Seahawks record: 2-3

Game 6 – October 23 at Cleveland Browns
The Seahawks make a trip to see their old buddy, Mike Holmgren! In case you didn’t know, Holmgren is now the President of the Cleveland Browns. I expect a close, gritty, tight football game. But I don’t expect the Seahawks to win two in a row on the road, even if this one is after the bye week.
Seahawks odds of winning: 45%
My prediction: Browns 23, Seahawks 20
Seahawks record: 2-4

Game 7 – October 30 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
It’s no surprise: The Bengals are in rebuilding mode. Carson Palmer, their QB, has quit on them. They drafted their QB of the future, Andy Dalton, but he won’t be a solid starter for a few years. Many are picking the Bengals to finish with one of the worst records in the league, myself included. This is a game the Seahawks would be embarrassed to lose.
Seahawks odds of winning: 90%
My prediction: Seahawks 31, Bengals 13
Seahawks record: 3-4

Game 8 – November 6 at Dallas Cowboys
Someone might have to correct me, but I don’t think the Seahawks have ever beaten the Cowboys in Dallas. At least, they certainly haven’t recently. Even if the Cowboys are only performing at a .500 level or if Romo gets hurt, I still expect the Cowboys to win, regardless of the circumstances. This is a game that is just too hard for the Hawks to win.
Seahawks odds of winning: 15%
My prediction: Cowboys 34, Seahawks 7
Seahawks record: 3-5

Game 9 – November 13 vs. Baltimore Ravens
I predict by this point, Clipboard Jesus AKA Charlie Whitehurst, will have taken over at quarterback either by a Tarvaris Jackson injury or bad performance. This is a game that will be very tough for the Hawks to win, but if the defense steps up and the crowd gets into it, the Hawks have a legit shot at winning and I predict they will. The Ravens are a low-scoring, tough team, but with home field advantage, the Hawks can beat almost anybody.
Seahawks odds of winning: 45%
My prediction: Seahawks 17, Ravens 16
Seahawks record: 4-5

Game 10 – November 20 at St. Louis Rams
The Rams will probably be one of the contenders to win the NFC West this year, with many young, talented players such as their quarterback, Sam Bradford. If Bradford is on the mark and healthy, this is a game the Seahawks would have to be extremely lucky to win.
Seahawks odds of winning: 35%
My prediction: Rams 31, Seahawks 21
Seahawks record: 4-6

Game 11 – November 27 vs. Washington Redskins
The Redskins top two quarterbacks are Rex Grossman and John Beck. I can’t see them being very good at all. Coach Shanahan is going to have to be a complete genius to get their team to .500. With home field advantage against a team without a good quarterback, the Hawks will win, and handily.
Seahawks odds of winning: 80%
My prediction: Seahawks 26, Redskins 13
Seahawks record: 5-6

Game 12 – December 1 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
It’s hard to say how this game is going to go. The Eagles stocked up on talent in the offseason, but will they be as good as they are on paper? I’m going to have to go somewhere in between: The Eagles will be very good good, but not extremely good. However, the Eagles will have to travel around 3000 miles on a short week and come into CenturyLink Field. This is another upset for the Hawks.
Seahawks odds of winning: 40%
My prediction: Seahawks 21, Eagles 20
Seahawks record: 6-6

Game 13 – December 12 vs. St. Louis Rams
The Seahawks will be coming off an 11 day rest period, unlike the Rams, so I look for them to have a ton of energy. Sam Bradford is still young, and just like last year’s final regular season game, I expect him to struggle. Hawks come out on top unless they blow it somewhere.
Seahawks odds of winning: 60%
My prediction: Seahawks 24, Rams 17
Seahawks record: 7-6

Game 14 – December 18 at Chicago Bears
The Bears are expected to be a solid team this year, and I expect Jay Cutler will be out to prove how capable he is. The Bears will more than likely desperately need this game to get a good playoff position, so I don’t see a way the Seahawks can win. We just can’t win at Soldier Field.
Seahawks odds of winning: 25%
My prediction: Bears 30, Seahawks 10
Seahawks record: 7-7

Game 15 – December 24 vs. San Francisco 49ers
I expect the Seahawks to be gunning for a playoff spot at this point. With a road game to end the season, this would most likely be a must win game. It shouldn’t be too hard to beat the 49ers at home, especially, if as I predict, the Hawks will be 7-7 at this point and vying for the NFC West title again.
Seahawks odds of winning: 65%
My prediction: Seahawks 22, 49ers 21
Seahawks record: 8-7

Game 16 – January 1 at Arizona Cardinals
Hard to tell if this will be a must win, should win, or a meaningless game for the Hawks. We did manage to win 36-18 last time in Arizona, but even if they have Kevin Kolb, I don’t expect it to be too one-sided. The Cardinals will finish in last place and the Seahawks will finish the season having won 5 of their last 6 games.
Seahawks odds of winning: 45%
My prediction: Seahawks 27, Cardinals 18
Seahawks record: 9-7

So, will the Seahawks win the NFC West and make the playoffs for the 2^nd year in a row? How will the rest of the NFL teams fare? Find out in a bit when I post part 2 to the 2011 NFL season predictions.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 Review

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 Review
By Brian Holland

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 is about as good as it gets with all the Potter films. There was action, drama, and suspense throughout with even a bit of comedy sprinkled in, as in most Potter films. I would have to say this is the best Harry Potter film out of all eight, not because it followed the book the closest (which it didn’t), but because it was truly a great film with an intense climax.

I tried looking at this film not as a movie based on a book, but as a continuation of the first part of the movie. After doing that, I realized that this was a superb film. The acting was outstanding, direction was great, cinematography, costumes, music, you name it, it was great. I would be shocked if this film didn’t get nominated for at least one or two Oscar awards. Even non-Harry Potter fans would probably enjoy this film. And it’s pretty easy for them to understand: A group of teenagers is trying to hunt down objects to help destroy a very powerful bad guy and they return to their school to 1) Find one more object and 2) To help protect it from the bad guys. The way J.K. Rowling and the screenwriters made it that simple to understand makes this movie watchable by any moviegoer.

Now, I have to say that I was a bit disappointed in how the movie didn’t follow the book too well. To me, whenever they make unnecessary changes (and believe me, they did), it is a bit of a slap in the face to author J.K. Rowling and her writing, saying that it’s not entertaining enough. However, while they did change many things, they still managed to keep things relatively close to the book, and changed very little which would contradict things from the book. For example, they had Goyle dying in the Room of Requirement, not Crabbe, which contradicts the book, but they needed to do that because the actor that played Crabbe was arrested. Other than that, very few changes that bothered me. I understand why they made all the other changes, because even I will admit the death of Voldemort in the book was a tad anti-climactic, so they had to spruce it up a bit in the film.

My favorite parts of this film were Snape’s memories and King’s Cross Station. Both were done extremely well and followed the book. Alan Rickman was amazing as Snape, especially in the Pensieve scenes, which is why I award him my “Best acting performance” award. Maggie Smith, Ralph Fiennes, and Helena Bonham Carter were also very good in their roles. There really were no bad acting performances, except I wish we could have seen Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid more in this movie, because he always shines as the loveable caretaker.

I would recommend this film, obviously to any Harry Potter fan, but to any casual moviegoer. You really don’t need to have read the books, or have even seen Harry Potter films 1-6. All you have to really do is see the first part of this film. It is an enjoyable film for anybody 10 or older and this is definitely one film I want to see again—in theaters.

Rating: 9/10