Week 3: Trust Falls

definition: A trust fall is a purported trust-building game often conducted as a group exercise in which a person deliberatlely allows himself to fall, relying on the other members of the group (spotter) to catch him. -wikipedia

("Traditional" trust fall)

Trust falls are a classic ropes course tradition that builds and creates trust, as you gain confidence in those around you allowing them to catch all your weight. I think that this is great, and having been a part of it, fun. Successfully having a group of people be there for you and catch you when you are vulnerable is an exile rating feeling. The new "comical" trend version in our society has changed the traditional approved trust building game, and put a "surprise" element towards it.


"surprise" trust fall definition: When you preform a trust fall on an unsuspecting victim while yelling "SURPRISE TRUST FALL."-urban dictionary


Hey guy! I'm going to walk up to you and yell "surprise trust fall" hoping you catch me before I split my head open on the pavement! I will admit, based off of the comedy show Tosh.0, surprise trust falls are absolutely hilarious. This is the problem. Just because it is funny on a comedy show, doesn't mean it will be funny in real life! Like previous blogs, I just can't believe some peoples stupidity. Taking a gym class team building game and turning "stunt" based just doesn't seem to work. The young people seem to be hung up on preforming "tricks," apparently making them higher up on the cool meter. The point is, leave it to the gym/campgrounds. Hurling your body on someone is not by any means "cool."

(New "surprise" trust falls)

Week 2: Parkour

definition: A sport or athletic activity in which the participant seeks to move quickly and fluidly through an area, often an urban locale, by surmounting obstacles such as walls and railings and leaping across open spaces, as in a stairwell or between buildings."-the free dictionary.com

Jump off extremely high buildings, and most likely shatter my ankles? Sign me up! Parkour is a new tried hitting younger age groups nationwide, which involves "tricks". The whole goal of park our is to preform the impossible, at a fast paced speed. In a sense, the objective is to get from point A to point B in the fastest amount of time, without going around, but rather over objects. Yes, park our can be extremely cool, when let to the professionals as seen below.

(Cool parkour video)

This is the acceptation however. Having been through high school, I have seen all the kids try to "reenact" these stunts in a variety of settings, and the results are not pretty. What are you guys trying to prove!? My question is what is the big fascination? Do kids today really lack that much common sense? At what point does it become "a good idea" to jump from building to building? To me these kids just seem like a bunch of adrenaline seeking junkies! Even Time Magazine is speaking out. I mean come on.

(Not so cool parkour video fail)

This movement is just crazy. To often do we see these above results, it just aggravates me. Just remember, a building is meant to provide shelter and residence, not jumped off for thirty seconds of fame. I can only hope we begin to smarten up, because this is an embarrassment that provides nothing besides comedy to those surfing you tube. Oh, and maybe a hefty hospital bill.

(Great sign)

Week 1: Silly Bandz

Expensive rubber bands for everyone! Silly bandz are a new bracelet trend that has taken over our school systems nationwide. Having worn a few here and there, I can understand why they are such a big deal. I mean colorful bracelets shaped like animals and objects that come in multiple colors, who wouldn't want them? I for one, feel that when kept in moderation they are fine. One or two to cover your wrist makes sense to me, but fifty covering a little kids whole arm while he still has another 500 in a bag? That is what I call overkill. At the end of the day it is important to remember that we are wearing cheap rubber, and ultimately getting ripped off. We pay $5.95 for a 24 pack, that probably cost about 5 cents to make. Rip off. Just remember, when kept in perspective, silly bandz are a fun, acceptable fad. But when blown out of proportion, as the collector you really do come off as "silly."

(Silly Bandz song)

I'm not going to say I feel strongly enough about silly bandz to make a "jam" like this kid, but I will say he does bring up some valid points.

(The "up the arm" style comes off as ridiculous)