Happy Birthday Dad...

I didn't realize it was my father's birthday until I pulled up the calendar while doing something else. It's been close to ten years since I felt his embrace and heard his soothing words. He was the most amazing man I've ever met and it isn't because I was observing him through the rose colored glasses of a nine year old. I say this because I haven't met anyone able to duplicate the things he could do. His pure athleticism and competitive talent is second to no man who walked this earth. I mean, how many cancer patients have you seen that were able to do walking handstands etc... But what I marveled at the most was his mind. He could crack any stone cold business man while also having the intuitiveness to discuss obscurer topics e.g. rare rubies that are so obscure that the general population believes them to be fake (really interesting story). I don't scratch the surface of this man's accomplishments for the reader, but I am doing it for myself so that I never forget him. His voice has slowly faded away while his proverbs remain. His strongest one was family comes first and for me that extends far beyond blood. I digress. If some day, I could become half as well read as he was, or personable as he was, or as intellectually superior he was, I would be happy. For now I wish him a happy birthday and my thoughts of missing him. I think of him daily and at times try to convince myself that good has come from his death and I am some how better because of it. I am stronger, but I have benefited nothing else. Maybe, though, what I needed more than anything else were the early trials to strengthen me for the long hall. Either way, when we meet again, with our cardboard wings, I'll be anxiously awaiting to hear what you have been up to Dad. 

One Speed for One Reason: Hanley

    You learn amazing things on the History Channel and nothing less should be expected from the show Modern Marvels being hosted by Jay Leno. The topic of discussion on the fine day I happen to turn it on was steam. Steam is used in cooking, bathing, and most importantly engines. A hundred years ago you would find automobiles hissing down the street as opposed to roaring like today, so naturally the hardware under the hood is completely different. Comparatively speaking, when using a pressure cooker there is a pressure regulator on top that starts making a hissing sound when your food is ready. This also prevents the cooker from exploding and redecorating your kitchen wall. The same concept works when operating the governor on a steam car: two balls. Upon reaching maximum velocity/speed, the car can go no faster while the balls swing out wide and produce the expression: "balls out". After a hundred years later and few hard hitting videos on youtube, this expression has a different meaning but expresses the same thing: full throttle, nothing left to give, goin hard and heavy, or if your a Trecky, "I'm giving her all shes got captain!" etc...

    I just read something about a colleague that really disturbed me, "Hardest working person I've met in four years". (insert phrase where I am incapable of doing so myself because of frustration)...............still trying............but legitimately this disturbs me. Why? Cause I'm a Hanley. That name may meaning nothing to most, but here's what it means to me: establishing a territory before it was a state, establishing a business first of its kind, blazing the field while being a trend setter, the Trail of Tears, an immigrant with nothing more than the Protestant work ethic, and most of all--preferring to fight in Afghanistan because when state side--you relax to much and don't have enough work. My history is who I am, not because that's how I was raised but because I choose to embrace my rich heritage.

   Back to why this disturbs me. I've had my ass handed to me on the football field plenty of times, while I've been dunked on the basketball court, and struck out on the baseball field plenty of times, but I enjoy that. I enjoy knowing there is someone better than me because that means there's more for me to achieve. Essentially, I haven't reach the limit. For people like Chris Johnson, he may have with running an unofficial 4.18. With people like Ty Cobb, I doubt anyone will bat as well, as long, ever. Sorry MJ, Bill has 11 rings (not including the ones he has from a managerial position). What MJ has that I do think will never be beat is a season record 72-10. I say this with the intent of pointing out how they got there: being the hardest worker.

    I'm certainly not the most gifted in the family. What I am though, is the hardest working. I do have a bad habit of being lazy in school, but I'm finally breaking that (waiting for the comment, "4 years later and about time"). Reaching back to my roots, I've decided to go to one of the oldest and proudest colleges west of the Mississippi: Mizzou. Grandfather was their valedictorian, Football 2nd Team All-American, and a hell-of-a-lot more other things. Uncle was a preferred walk on and was one of the few underclassmen to eat at the trainers table, scholarship and non scholarship. My father was there during the computer revolution and help establish part of their program there. My mother was a beast as well, but I tired of rehashing their story. I'm ready to write mine.

    In high school, as a freshmen I would stay up at school till 8 working out, while others would go home and play video games. Every lunch I would watch film to get in the head of my opponent, instead of flirting at lunch tables or gaming on my laptop. In the summer, I would take the afternoon work out session while still working outside in the mornings so that I had better conditioning. I took the heaviest man (290lbs) during two-a-days drills for three years and during the hottest August EVER in Texas. Started for three years of my high school career while having two potential career ending injuries, but played through one for a whole season. Unlike most, this is not my career's conclusion; better yet, it is just the introduction. Some know I was switched to being a lineman by the coaches because of insufficient needs, but what most don't know is that I was converted after a couple practices. At tight end, I got to catch the ball and make the pretty plays. As lineman I got to fight. Freshman year, I was tailored against the trio of the meanest s.o.b.s you ever did meet--and I like it. I'd get my ass kicked every practice, but for me it was a challenge. Can I take their best shot and still get back up? Better yet, can I make a play? Can I piss them of, get them to hit me harder, and then see them destroy someone Friday night? Yes. That's what I enjoyed about being a lineman. You were told to not play nice and actually got in trouble if you did. I never had that same experience the next 3yrs. I would dominate, compete, or get hurt. Never again did I really get my ass kicked. Not even by some of the same guys that next year...and I miss it. (Now I reread this and I swear I'm not a sadist) I miss someone having the ability to choke me at will because it forces me to fight. I miss not remembering the previous play because of hard hit. I miss the violence. Tackle was too much a finesse position and that's why I enjoyed the transition to guard. Rule of thumb: the further inside the line and too the right, the more violent the position. Exception: centers against a 4-3 because then they just chip and chop all day, which pisses off people, but isn't as violent, unless he's choppin a backside linebacker. I enjoyed these things, but I never fully got to enjoy them though. I had, what I think is a school record, 5 decleators & two stingers in one game as a gaurd before tearing my ACL the next. The next year I sustained a shoulder injury during preseason that I played through, but later found out it required the removal of a piece of bone that broke off, four sutures, reattaching another ligament, and the shrinking of my rotater cuff. So again, not a real productive season with all that and a still bad knee because of poor post op treatment.

I say all that, not to give excuses, but to give reasons to all those who had the same expectations I had for myself. This also leads into why I am not continuing my football career, though having several offers and guarantees. I say this to let people know my intentions of beginning a fighting career. My freshmen and sophomore years were nothing but fighting for my life against stronger more experienced upperclassmen. My junior and senior years have been spent learning how to walk and sleep again. But that's who I am. That's what God made me to be: a warrior. Though I don't understand why it had to be this way, I do understand why. I know that when I'm driving down a road in Afghanistan and an I.E.D. goes off, I have nothing to worry about--I've already learned how to live without an arm or a leg. When my values in college get tested, I'll know how to fight back. And when I have trouble getting up tomorrow because I couldn't sleep, I'll be ready. You know why? Because I'm a Hanley.

Idk y eye'm ^ late, hbu?

I don't understand why I am blogging at one in the morning. Freud would say that I would be insane to not be fulfilling my desire to voice my self deepest emotional conundrums to an impersonal  entity in cyberspace or simply put, to blog. Why do I find it irrational to to be blogging at 1 in the morning? Because I also desire going to church in less than 8hrs. Then again, Freud would say I was insane because of my belief in God and tolerance of religions hindrance upon my "natural instinct". So to put it frankly, to hell with this guy and this first paragraph of utter nonsense. If you enjoyed this first paragraph, then continue reading the following, but be forewarned: you I.Q. may continue to drop at a rapid right upon further perception of these readings and this first paragraph my be as good as it gets. If it makes you feels any better, the fact you clicked on this in the first place doesn't mean you have to worry about losing much ;).

But on a real note, I was inspired to blog again because of a girl named Meredith at my school. She smart, but her wits didn't inspired me because I've never spoken to her. She memorable, but her stature hasn't directly impressed itself upon me because I can't remember the last time I was in her presence. She is strong, but not relating to the fact she can kick my butt after having shoulder surgery because anyone could do that at the moment. She beautiful, but I'm not attracted to because well...for one that's illegal and two I'm not really looking to be attracted to anyone soooo...let's move on. I could go on and on, but I think you already have the point and instead of boring you by continuing on and treat you as a 3rd grader, let me reiterate. Besides obviously being a creation of God (which is easily the greatest achievement we can accomplish), she is herself, she's SPECIAL. This phrase gets thrown around a lot, but I'm not referencing the light hearted usage of this phrase to comfort a child that gets their feelings hurt because of a lack of accomplishment. I'm reference the deep felt, soul shaking, heart breaking moments when this is used.

Now think of such momentS (emphasis on plural) when you have thought this or when someone has said this to you. It's ok I can wait...

Now that you have thought of this and hopefully others, what do they have in common. The correct answer is, "The positive impact upon others' lives, whether intentional or not". She is special because she has positively impact live inadvertently of people she doesn't even know. "How?", you might ask. Well thanks for asking because I'll tell you. (Did we just have a conversation that stretched over time and space? Yes, yes we did. Do you want to wire all your money to my bank account? Yes, yes you do,)

Elaborating upon this, she is special because she has inspired me to blog again because i have seen the effects of her blogging and how they have touched others. If I could only have an ounce of that effect, man...

So I originally began this with the intent of going somewhere, but in the process I have forgotten what that was. So if you will excuse me, I promise once I recall it I'll either add it on later or create another post. So let me leave you with this: be special.

UFC 123: "Stagnet" Jackson vs. "Your Passive Aggressive Ex-Girlfriend" Machida

UFC 123 was no blockbuster and forgetable for most, but for the die hard cauliflower ears UFC 123 was reminder of MMA classics with the future of the sport taking over the night while the veterans went dancing.

George Sotiropouls vs. Joe Lauzon may have been the first fight, but easily became the fight of the night after a back and forth display of heart and will. Joe Lauzon, an understudy of BJ Penn, dominated the beginning of the first round with a flurry punches and the avoidance the take downs. The young gun looked as if he was going to claim the round until Sotiropouls turn it on. Sotiropouls flipped the switch and went from blind shooting and surgical jujitsu take downs which left him on top Lauzon searching for an armbar at remainder of the first round.  Lauzon came out of his corner swinging the in second but not with the same fire he showed in the first. Carrying over the momentum, it was only a matter of time until Sotiropouls had Lauzon on his back trying to avoid an arm bar or a kimura. Lauzon struggled to try and get back to his feet, but Sotiropouls never gave him the chance by sealing the deal with a crisp kimura.

The next fight featured was Phil Davis (the picture above is him at weigh in) vs Tim Boetsch. This fight became an instant classic with a never before seen kimura executed with one arm. Phil Davis came into the fight as the more dominant wrestler but opened the fight by displaying superior striking than Boetsch. Trying to make a statement, he repeatably passed at the opportunity to keep the fight on the ground to continue the punishment on his feet. In the second when Davis was tired of playing with his chew toy, he shot, gain sided control, and began the punishment. With control on the right side of Boetsch, Davis reached under and gained wrist control of the left arm while slowly dragging  it behind Boetsch. It was not evident what Davis was doing until Boetsch arched into a bridge in agony revealing the kimura giving Davis the submission. After the fight, Rogan proceeded to call this never before seen move the "The Wonderful" after the man who was the first to execute it: Phil "Wonderful" Davis.


All that needs to be said about the Gerald Harris vs. Maiquel Falcao fight is that Harris' extreme reach advantage is negated by his unorthodox stance (leaning very far forward with his arm exended trying to feel out his opponent) and is only to jab extremely well but in the process sacrifices off hand hooks and leg kicks. Falcao took advantage of this and did whatever he willed for two rounds and looked extremely well but lacked the heart to go three rounds and just looked uninterested in the third. Falcao is a good fighter that may take longer to earn the respect he deserves because of his lack of killer instinct.

 The night before the fight I pulled an all nighter reading Matt Hughes' book "Made In America". So when I spent 7hrs reading his book to see him get knocked out in 21 seconds all I could think was,"...at least he wasn't knocked out faster than Coal Uno".  After spending two days going day and watching the previous Hughes vs. Penn fights, it's evident that Penn is the perfect kryptonite for huges because Penn take down defense is the perfect counter for Hughes wrestling and after the rare occasion of Hughes getting him down, Penn would quickly contort out out. In the fight that Hughes won and against Penn on the ground, it was late in the 3rd and Penn has always had a history of not being well conditioned. This combination exposed Hughes weak striking defense and in both loses to Penn, Hughes was struck with a left hook, taken to the ground, and ether TKO or submitted. After seeing this trilogy between two of the greatest, it  appears BJ Penn is motivated again and Hughes could use some lessons from Freddy Roach. With the rise of Penn again it sems that the only way to beat a motivated Penn is to take the fight to Penn with intense non stop striking just like Frankie Edgar did in Edgar vs. Penn 2. I saw that fight and the Penn in the ring 118 was not the same man that showed up motivated in 123. Though today Penn could take the title, he will have to wait in line behind Gray Maynard (my personnel favorite in the lightweight with Edgar shortly following) and prove to Dana White that he won't lose his motivation like he did for those few years.


THE MAIN EVENT or The Pillow Fight of the Night or a repeat of UFC 122

Let me start of by saying, both of these fighters were extremely well coached. Machida, like he always did, was able to avoid the knock out ability of Rampage. Machida went to town on on Jackson's leg lead leg clearly slowing him down. The same goes for Jackson's ability to get Machida against the fence and strategically go to town on hisback/striking leg which slowed down Machida's kicks and his mobility in his elusive karate style which has been his success in all his previous fights. With that being said, this was almost as sickening as Marquardt vs. Okami in UFC which was also a shot at the title. The only thing that brought any excitement to this fight was Jackson shooting late in the fight only to see why he was coached not to play into Machida strength of countering. In a matter of seconds Machida had Jackson in an arm bar almost locked out when Jackson stood and slammed him to the mat. The fight finished with some flurries after that but nothing spectacular. This fight was a victim of good coaching and either man could have left being called a genius depending on if they one. Machida could have easily been called genius for being patient for two rounds and frustrating Jackson into walking into a submission. Instead, Jackson came out looking like an angel by being able to control Machida along with his aggression for two rounds and with the cherry on top being able to escape the submission king of the light heavy weight class.

Names to remember for the future: Brain Foster, George Sotiropoulus, Penn (if he is this motivated in the future he could still be the future of the light weight) and last but not least PHIL DAVIS!!! Pretty soon Rampage and the rest of the division will have to worry about him.

Final thoughts: the past few fight that have offered a shot at a title in any weight division, the fighters have been so hesitant to leave everything thing on the line because they have been so concerned with the title shot. Dana White has to do something about this or else all the hype after UFC 121will have been lost and may hinder UFC as the fastest growing sport.

My Fears...

The post below is something I previously had under my notes on Facebook, but I decided to move it over here so I don't lose it.

Been meaning to write a note (not really sure why, but maybe the thought of helping someone has finally overwhelmed procrastination).

"Only thing we have to fear is fear itself." -FDR-

Smart guy, had to in order to be President, but not completely accurate. If we disregard our fear we spiral into a false sense of reality which only ends in greater heart ache than facing the fear. If we over aggressively confront the fear blindly we lose our sense of barring and like a fearless linebacker over pursing the running back; we take ourselves out of the play. Medal of Honor recipients are an accurate display of over coming fear with overwhelming courage while executing decisions flawlessly. The truly fearless are afraid, but not afraid to act.

My fears...

I fear God and that day of judgment when all my deeds shall pass through the flame to be tested. I also fear sitting with God and going through all my sins one day, even though I will be in heaven. I fear potential because potential is nothing more than wasted success. I fear not telling someone I truly love, good bye and whispering the gentle three word phrase in their ear to comfort them in their final moments. I fear the broken hearts of girls as I collect the pieces off the ground, only to realize...I can't help this time. I fear betraying a friend's trust because I am a very condemning and judging person (though I do not like and fight it daily) and I realize they will someday judge me with that same ruler. I fear the thought of failure more than I enjoy success because the scares of failure take longer to mend than the fleeting moments of enjoyment.  I fear being too kind to others, trying to spare their feelings, and by doing so sacrificing their integrity in order to preserve their image. Second to last...I fear hurting those close to me.There is something inside of me that is cold and barren and seeks to kill like a cancer; always spreading without knowing friend or foe. I fear that with a passion and it drives me to try and put others before me but yes, I fail. Most of all I fear God's plans for me, for he has planned great things, vast things, things that zap the blood from an introverts face for the magnitude of them. I wish I were being metaphorical, but I am not an artisan gifted with words.  Instead, I am a man that can be overwhelmed by his passionate hopes to change just one life by sacrificing time, sleep, and what little conscience brain power he has just to be spat upon and passed along like hand towel waiting for its next user. It does not bother me as much as it would seem. It doesn't because there is hope.

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is insight" Proverbs 9:10

I don't dare try to comprehend the depths of this statement, let alone try and explain it. All I know is God does not fear anyone or anything (the benefits of being omnipotent) and frankly, that's the only God I desire to follow; one that doesn't need me while I need Him.

You know I guess it would have been more appropriate for FDR to have said, "the only thing to fear is ONE'S self". For we are the one's who make the decisions to carry scares for a lifetime while passing on the opportunity to love for a short time. Individuals are the only people that can allow themselves to get hurt or make stupid decisions while passing on opportunities.

For now I leave you my thoughts and emotion wide open for you to see but the questions is now, "are you willing to do the same?"

The First

For several years now I have had family and friends telling me to blog, but why should I? I'm concerned with my representatives, not politics. I love sports, but even ESPN needs a break from itself. I'm obsessed with history; but really, how much history can you discuss before you need to create some. What I wish to discuss is knowledge; wisdom in it's truest form. Not Calculus, English, or even History, but life lessons that improve your everyday functions and interpersonal relationships. The concept of improving life with sage advice via apprenticeship or mentoring is a fleeting concept that I wish to reignite. I don't know it all--but I desire to. Proverbs 4:6-7, "Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding." The bible has a funny way of putting into words that which you are incapable of doing yourself.