Why getting robbed sucks

I'm currently a student in Provo, Utah at a private religious university with strict moral and ethical standards. The area has, deservingly or not, become known as "happy valley." But I happen to know that in this valley of happiness you're still living in the real world. It's easy to forget this at times, but every once in a while something happens that brings you back to reality: Somebody stole my bike seat!

My wife and I only have one car, so naturally I have taken to cycling as a means of transportation. For some time I kept the bike inside our apartment, but as it was always in the way I took it outside and chained it up in the bike rack outside our apartment. This afternoon I took the garbage out and realized something was different about the bike, and then it hit me, there was no seat. I unchained the bike and took it back in the apartment and started voicing my frustration with my wife, and I even called my dad. But in the end it was to no avail, I still had no bike seat. That is when I realized, getting robbed produces a frustration that isn't easily overcome. Initially you think, "where are they? I wonder if I can find them and get my (blank) back (in this case bike seat)." However, after cooling off you realize tracking the perpetrators down is not likely. Then you, or me in this case, demonstrate anger through words and expletives, or substitutes thereof. Following this verbal attack on the vanished enemy you, or once again I, attempt to rationally understand why someone would do something like this to me of all people.

However, I realized and so will you, there is no explanation. You don't know why they took your bike seat, and for now you just have to ride standing up, and that is why getting robbed sucks.

Impossible? Not in America!

I'm a sucker for the feel-good inspirational movies, I tear up when they start chanting "Rudy, Rudy" and I am inspired when Wallace rings out "FREEDOMMMMMMM!" There are a number of stories, books, and movies that make my inspiration list, and thanks to the U.S. men's 400 Free Relay performance in Beijing I've added another to the list. My wife and I were watching the race live and listening to the announcers from the clip above. As Lezak began the final stretch of the relay I couldn't believe what was happening. First, I was sad that Phelps wasn't going to have the opportunity to try for 8 gold's in a single Olympic games, but second and more importantly, I was angry that the French had talked trash saying they were going to "Smash the U.S." and that they were actually going to do it. Then every thing changed. As Lezak made his final turn and started gaining ground on the French I was on my feet jumping and screaming. As Lezak somehow came from behind to pull off an unbelievable comeback and upset the French I got those same Rudy watching happy feelings. The feelings that come from watching someone endure strife and exhibit unnatural strength and discipline to achieve victory. The feelings that come from watching someone do the impossible.

After I cooled down from my own celebration Jesse and I couldn't stop talking about what we had just witnessed. In the course of our discussion I realized that comebacks and impossible victories like the one we just saw are the American dream. That is what America is all about. I'm not saying other countries don't produce athletes with similar drive and an uncanny ability to perform under pressure, just look at the Chinese divers and gymnastics teams. But there is something about being an American that breeds the thoughts and feelings that anything is possible. It's in our blood, we are all the product of people who had the courage to do the impossible. Somewhere up our ancestry line someone did the impossible. They left their countries, families, and professions to set out for a new land. They weren't sure exactly how they would do it or what would become of them, but they had a dream that life could be better so they came to the land of opportunity. Nothing comes easy, not even in America, but at least here anything's possible. All around us are stories of people rising up and becoming better, escaping and becoming more, believing and achieving what was previously considered impossible. As I watch the games I have found myself cheering along with Visa, "Go World." But when it is all said and done I'm proud to be an American!