In my opinion, the above line is one of the most infuriating lines in all of move/television, if not the most. Here is my reasoning; a choice always exists. Many times there is a great deal of pressure or duress that pushes you excessively to one direction, in which case it is the most logical of choices in an effort to save the girlfriend/family member, or protect someones job, or save the Declaration of Independence (yeah, I can't really recall if they used that line, but I think they may have). Anyway, the show that is most on my mind is Chuck. I have recently been rewatching Chuck with Sam, who had never seen it before. So often in that show, Chuck or Sarah say that they didn't have a choice (in relation to choices mentioned above... except for the Dec. of Ind. That has nothing to do with this show, really). Now I will admit, if my loved ones were being threatened that same way Chucks were, I would probably be unable to consider a possible scenario to save them and the government secrets in my head (yeah, spoiler alert; Chuck has a government super computer in his head). I think a more apt line would be something along the lines of "this is what I feel I have to do" or "this is the best way I can think to save them/it/etc." I know this is a bit nitpicky of me, but traditionally, doesn't something happen that alters the situation and the good guys win? Therefore, you did have a choice that still would have saved them, you only didn't think of it. Or, you could let them die (not much of a hero character, am I?), or bring snipers, etc. etc.
Okay, enough with that. Time for the story of Mario Kart. It can be a wonderful family game. There is a simple problem with my playing it; I am competitive. I once spent an entire game of Monopoly having my credit card thrown at me because I was playing so ruthlessly (it was modern monopoly, so instead of money you had a card that the transactions were rung up on. Anyone ever played that way? I don't prefer it). I didn't even want to play it that night. Anyway, my mom decided to play Mario Kart 64 with us for her first time ever. We set up four player mode, she gets her kart, and spends the entire first race trying to learn to drive. It is complicated severely by Wario pelting her with shells, laying bananas for her, and running her over when she is shrunk by lightning... I was Wario. She was distraught, traumatized by the events of the evening. She claimed she would never play the game again. A few years later, my sister was in charge of the Strawn family game night, something we were all required to participate in, if we were home, for at least 15-30 minutes. She chose Mario Kart 64. My mom fought it, but precedent was against her, and she was compelled to join the game. the thing is, there were six of us, and we only had three operable controllers by this point. I came up with the solution that we should team drive; one person would steer and use items, the other would operate the gas and brake, jump button, and the zoom in on the screen. I also offered to team with mom so that she would not have to deal with my ruthless tactics. The first race, she was driving, and I was trying to give her directions, and told her to turn left. She was hesitant, so my voice got higher, louder, and shrill. I ended up yelling, rather comically, "LEFT LEFT LEFT!!!" and my mom started sputtering with faux tears and laughter. My entire family now uses this. Whenever we give direction, we shout 'left' as loud as we can... I think it is because we think we are funny...
Also, for those who missed it, I am an official member of the St. Norbert College Track Team! I am really excited for this opportunity to run again competitively (see above re: competition). I have a steep curve to overcome, and a bit of weight to drop. Shoulders, lats, and pecs do very little to speed up your 10k time, and I could use to lose about 10 pounds in my torso moving forward. I am not sure what my events will be, but Coach Augustine has brought up Steeple Chase, 400 hurdles, and the 10k as possibilities.
