Scum comes to life

This past weekend was Memorial Day weekend! Holla no school! I was up in Utah (holla spontaneous road trips) so Monday morning I met up with the Gunderson clan on the Nebo loop for a BBQ, games and chit-chat. We then proceeded to the Fountain Green Cemetery because we have family from both my Gunderson grandparents there.
But while we were BBQ-ing, we played a raucous game of Scum. (Of course, knowing my family). The first round I came out victorious and became president. Round after round I re-pledged my victory. Round after round the cousin-folk rolled their eyes at me and stated the unfairness of the situation. I didn’t seem to notice. I mean, it was fine for me; I received the 2 best cards from the scum of the group, the peasant if you will. In return, I gave them any 2 cards of my choice - usually my lowest 2 unless my strategy said otherwise. But all too soon the tides changed. My power was usurped by my next to kin – VP Cousin Heather. My social status was dwindling and I didn’t like it one bit. I was now the VP. I now only received ONE top card from the next-to-scum, while only getting rid of one useless card. It was a downward spiral from there. Next I was just in ordinary civilian. I had to make it all on my own. I wasn’t getting help from anybody. It was the worst. After coming from the top, it all started to make sense. My good pal Karl, the radical conflict theorist, knows what he’s talking about. He likes power. I like power. The “haves” have the ability to exploit the “have-nots.” This was capitalism to a T! A dictatorship of the bourgeoisie! (haha RHYME.) Our game was being run by the wealthy class – which was awesome when it was me. But horribly awful and frustrating when it wasn’t. We were stuck in a bind – a bind where the rich got richer and the poor got poorer. How cruel. Trickle-down economics? Obviously false in this game of war of the social classes.
Luckily for me, we packed up and left before my rotten spell of luck could go forward and lead me the role of scum. That's a stigma aint nobody wants!

Since it was Memorial Day and all, I’ll just put in this little plug for 'Merica… but really…. Although this was just a fun game, It made me glad we live in the society we live in. I’m thankful for the freedoms we have and the ability we have to vote and support the leaders of our country. I’m so thankful for the great number of people who risk their lives so we can be the Land of the Free because of the Brave. Thank you!

And it all started that one time Scum came to life.
It should be renamed Marxism. 

Karl Marx  - Photo from Wikipedia

Missed Opportunity

I consider myself a pretty big baseball fan. I love going to games and relishing in the baseball atmosphere. I love following baseball and checking in on how all the teams are doing. Most importantly, I love the Arizona Diamondbacks.
This year at Dbacks Fan Fest they had an instagram scavenger hunt. They had 7 objects for you to find and take a picture of (a picture with Baxter, World Series trophy, Paul Goldschmidt bobblehead, Racing Gonzo, favorite ballpark food, back the dbacks sign, picture of your favorite player). Once you found them you posted them on instagram with the hashtag #dbacksfanfest. They are really good at advertising. Sorry if you are one of the few who follow the whole Gunderson clan on instagram… picture OVERLOAD that day. But it wasn’t for naught…

It just so happens that I won! With this beauty right here! 

Funny story, I was too cheap to actually buy the two dollar hot dog. Matthew bought it and I just took a picture with it. Hahaha ssshhhhhhhhh! I got 2 free tickets to the August 10, Paul Goldschmidt bobblehead game.

Well then opening day rolls around. I figured it was high time to check an item off my bucket list and go to an opening day game. So away we went!

I made this little collage right here and posted it on instagram. I think I saw a sign somewhere that said use the hashtag #backthedbacks, so I did… not knowing what it was.

Then the next home series I went to another game. I HAD to; I mean there were $5.32 tickets in celebration of the 5 hour and 32 minute game the series before (longest game, time wise, in Chase Field history). They were cheap and it was … like… a part of history… Kinda… a celebration of history? I don’t know, I’ll take any excuse I can get.

The next week I went back up to school and thought my time with the Dbacks was over until August when I return again to the sweltering heat.

But alas, a few weeks later I received a comment on my little collage. “Congrats on winning our #backthedbacks instagram contest! Please email us @__________________ for details.”

WHAT?!?! I didn’t even know I entered that contest! I emailed them and found out I won 4 infield box tickets to a home game of my choice this season. AS WELL as an opportunity to be a part of their PHOTOSHOOT for advertising and marketing collateral throughout the season!

That’s where the MISSED part of the title comes in… I live in Idaho now, the Diamondbacks are in Arizona. Oh bum.

But at least I asked them if 2 of my siblings could go in my place. And they said YES. So if you see any billboards or posters or commercial things on the jumbotron or anything with some Gunderson sibling on it… that’s why. SO BE ON THE LOOKOUT!!

Until then, Peace fools. I’ll just be here in Idaho getting all learned up in Psychology! :)