O Brett: Just Hang It Up Already

In March, I wrote a “rant” praising Brett Favre’s career and his accomplishments. I am not about to take those comments back, as no one can argue that Brett Favre has not been one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. However, his latest antics of all but confirming a comeback have rubbed me the wrong way. Since March, NFL fans have been pummeled with so-called rumors of Favre’s potential return, but to Packer’s fans chagrin, those rumors have been false. It would appear though that this latest rumor is indeed true and we may in fact see Favre back on gridiron in August, but not for the Packers.

As I understand it, Favre has asked for his unconditional release from the Green Bay Packers, which in itself signals that he wants to explore other options. Why would Favre want to explore other options? Since his “retirement” in March, the Packers have proclaimed Aaron Rodgers the next savior of the organization. In terms of a team’s morale, it helps to know who your new “field general” is. Favre on the other hand, claims that the Packers rushed him into making his retirement decision. As is obvious, Favre is again ready to play football, but the Packers do not want him back.

This puts the upper echelons of the Packer organization in a tight spot. They can either release him and their fan base will surely be up in arms. If the Packers chose to keep him (and do not let him play) to ensure that he does not move to a division rival, they again face a potential mutiny by the fans. As an adamant Bears fan, there is nothing better than seeing the Packers squirm. But then again, Favre’s latest antics lean on uncouthness. I cannot understand the relentless pull that a sport has on a great athlete, as I am not exactly the optimal definition of a true athlete. However, regardless of the pull, Favre had a great career and the chances of him coming back with any team and winning the Super Bowl is slim.

If Favre wants to keep his immortal legend status intact, he should do the right thing and simply let things be and ride off into the sunset.

Poor Hollywood

A recent study conducted in a variety of technologically advanced nations (i.e. nation’s that have DVD players and recorders) revealed that one in three individuals copies DVDs. This is not exactly news, but there is some substance to this study. As is probably obvious, this particular study was commissioned by a company who has a vested interest in DVD sales (Macrovision). Evidently, the studios and DVD makers alike are not making “enough” money off of their cinematic endeavors, at least as of last year (2007) when DVD sales began to sag. The thing is, I do not believe that DVD copying is to blame for this sag in sales and this is why.

For one, the advent of Bluray has surely curtailed regular DVD sales to a degree. Eventually when everyone has a flat screen TV capable of outputting HD, Bluray will more than likely be in every household in the world. That is to say is not the natural progression towards Bluray what the major studios and DVD makers want? If one has not noticed, Blurays tend to cost a “bit” more than your average DVD, which leads to me to believe that Hollywood will start to see profits skyrocket in good time.

Second, many high profile movies are now available for download or streaming from such companies like Apple (iTunes) and Netflix. For the foreseeable future, it is fair to assume that these alternative formats will take a good chunk of the market share away from DVDs. Not to mentioned that Netflix actually rents out DVDs in mass quantity, which if one figures, also dents the profits of Hollywood. If I can view a movie for $2 instead of having to buy it brand new for $20, I like many others am going to lean towards the $2 method.

Copying a DVD is not illegal either, only as long as you actually own the DVD that you copy for “backup” purposes. Many complain that they do not want to sit through “forced” previews and the other garbage that studios pack on DVDs. In order to get around that, they simply burn their copy of the disc onto a new one where the previously mentioned garbage has been magically erased- nothing illegal about that. But one can get into trouble if a DVD is copied and distributed or copied from a disc that an individual does not own (i.e. from a movie rental establishment).

The point is that I find it amusing that Hollywood has a complete breakdown if they fall a few hundred million dollars short in a “staple market.” Every year, those in Hollywood get richer and richer, regardless of what they say. Maybe giving the “poor public” a break here and there would not be so bad in the long run. But what do I know? Maybe income disparity is just a myth.

The Challenges of the Job Market

In my search for gameful employment in the mart of competitive commerce, I have come to a few realizations. That is, I have had an epiphany of sorts. That epiphany is the fact that many employers in both the public and private sector are hypocritical to an extent. No matter the employer, they claim to want “new and young blood” within their respective organizations. Yet, every job description that I have read through requires experience, even for many entry-level positions. Can you see the conundrum here?

I am aware of the fact that education can make up lack any lack of experience, but only to a certain degree. The trouble is that with the more education one has, the more an individual becomes over qualified for entry- level positions. Instead, these individuals tend to look for positions that are a bit higher up in the chain of command within an organization. However, these positions tend to require a fair amount of experience, which to many individuals who have gone on to obtain an advanced degree, is rather lacking.

My personal theory on remedying this situation is to go for broke and apply for positions that are within my educational range, regardless of the experience requirement. I did not go into an “astronomical” amount of debt to start at a job that pays pennies instead of quarters. When going for such a position, it is absolutely vital that one’s resume and cover letter are in top-notch form, as it is necessary to show a potential employer that one is serious about a job. If that can be communicated, you indeed have a chance at getting a call. But as I have noticed, those calls tend to be sparse, which is another reason to be on top of your “game” when a call eventually comes through.