Victor de la Cruz

“Sweep the leg!”

From: The Karate Kid (1984)

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: “Sensei” John Kreese

The story behind the quote: This is actually my second quote from the original Karate Kid film. I mentioned before that the movie has become a timeless classic because of the unorthodox training method Mr. Miyagi used on Daniel Laruso. However, there was another reason why the movie was so enjoyable. It was because John Kreese, the “sensei” of the Cobra Kai dojo.

“Sense” John Kreese (Martin Kove) is an incredibly ruthless teacher and always has to win… no matter what. During the match to determine the champion of tournament, Kreese orders Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) to attack Laruso’s injured leg.

Geek wisdom: While it may seem unsportsmanlike, it’s actually a good strategy to target the weak points of an obstacle to overcome them. Problems are problems because they are difficult to resolve. So, it only seems natural to look for possible ways to solve them.

However, there are obviously some repercussions if your solution is unethical. You also have to be able to accept the consequences of your actions.

“Do you think love can bloom even on the battlefield?”

From: Metal Gear Solid

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Hal “Otacon” Emmerich

The story behind the quote: Here’s another quote from the highly rated Metal Gear Solid. The game tackles a lot of weighty topics, such as genetic engineering, the evils of war and, for this post, love.

The quote is mentioned during one conversation between Hal “Otacon” Emmerich and the hero of the game, Solid Snake. After Snake managed to get up a huge staircase, Otacon shows up. Knowing that Otacon is good with machines, Snake requests for the tech genius to check what’s wrong with the elevator. However, before that, Otacon asks Snake a rather personal question.

Geek wisdom: Love is something that will appear when you least expect it. You may find your significant other when you least expect it. Or you may already know that person but never thought of him/her in a romantic fashion. Love is funny and unpredictable. But, when you do find it (or it reveals itself to you), be sure you’re ready to accept it wholeheartedly.

“Homey don’t play that!”

From: In Living Color

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Homey D. Clown

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from In Living Color. The show is a sketch comedy series and is the brainchild of Keenan Ivory Wayans and Damon Wayans. The show actually became the launching pad for a lot of big stars before they became big. Big name stars such as Jim Carrey and Jennifer Lopez were relative unknowns while they were on it but managed to become extremely successful soon after.

The quote is the catchphrase of one of the show’s more popular characters, Homey D. Clown (played by Damon Wayans). Homey is a clown but not by choice; he has to portray the character as part his work release program. He also is unlike any clown as he refuses to make a fool of himself. When someone asks him to perform a gag on himself, he usually responds with the quote.

Geek wisdom: Just because people tell you to do something, that doesn’t mean you have to do it. If you feel that something is something you don’t want to do, you don’t have to do it. They may tell you it’s the “in’ thing to do or it’s what all of the cool people are doing. None of that matters. If you feel uncomfortable with it, you can decline whatever it is.

It can be difficult to say no, especially if you’re friends are pressuring you to do it. But, if they are your friends, they would understand.

“Sing Soft Kitty.”

From: The Big Bang Theory

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Sheldon Cooper and Penny

The story behind the quote: The Big Bang Theory is a sitcom that tells the story of a couple of guys (who just happen to be kinda nerdy) notice that a cute blonde girl moves in to the apartment across the hall. One of them, Leonard Hofstader (played by Johnny Galecki), instantly falls in love with the girl, Penny (Kaley Cuoco). While the premise make it seem that only nerds and geeks will love the show, the characteristics of each person in the show made it into one of the most popular shows in recent history. Jim Parsons has actually won three Emmy awards because of his portrayal of Sheldon Cooper, Leonard’s roommate.

The quote is actually a running gag of the show. Soft Kitty was the song Sheldon’s mother sang to him when he was ill. Even though he is already an adult, he still feels the need for people to sing it to him. It appears that, now that he has taught the song to Penny, she has to bear the responsibility of singing it to him… most of the time.

Geek wisdom: Everyone has fond memories of their childhood. While we can outgrow some of the things we did as children, we still hold on to some of those practices and memories. Even though some of these things may be silly (much like Sheldon needing to hear Soft Kitty when he’s sick), if they do work in making you happy, you should keep doing them.

Adult life is so full of seriousness. There’s no harm in trying to relive your childhood joys when you feel the need to cheer yourself up. A good dose of nostalgia is always good if it keeps your spirits up.

“They call it a Royale with cheese.”

From: Pulp Fiction

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Vincent Vega

The story behind the quote: Pulp Fiction is a crime noir film from Quentin Tarentino. The movie is about a series of stories strung together and connected in various ways. This is considered to be Mr. Tarentino’s breakout film as well as credited for resurrecting John Travolta’s acting career as he was nominated for Best Actor for his role as Vincent Vega.

The quote comes fairly early in the film. Vincent Vega and his partner Jules Winnfield are going to retrieve a briefcase from an “associate” of theirs. On the way there, Vincent describes his recent trip from Europe to Jules and the little differences he noticed. Such as the famous Quarter Pounder of McDonald’s not being called a Quarter Pounder over there because of their unfamiliarity with the metric system…

Geek wisdom: Like Vincent Vega said, every country and every culture has these little differences. We may even find these differences funny and silly. However, these little differences can cause misunderstandings and even petty squabbles. It’s understanding that there are always going to be people that are different from how you think and how to react to things.

These differences can be difficult to bridge because they can be so divergent from our own way to doing things. But we have to keep an open mind. You may learn something new and, maybe, even something great if you are more tolerant to these differences.

“Plug your Controller into Controller port 2.”

From: Metal Gear Solid

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Col. Campbell

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the highly acclaimed Metal Gear Solid for the original PlayStation. The game has you controlling Solid Snake who is on a mission to stop the elite FOXHOUND squad from stealing the latest version of the Metal Gear mobile nuclear launcher, Metal Gear Rex.

The quote comes during the middle of the game, during Snake’s battle with Psycho Mantis. Normally, your attacks will not connect on Mantis as he is constantly reading your mind so he knows when to avoid your attacks. Defeating him is almost impossible if you play normally.

However, if you contact Col. Campbell (your commanding officer) enough times, he figures out that Mantis is actually reading your controller inputs! He suggests to Snake (actually, the player) to use a controller in the other port so the mindreader will not be able to check on your movements.

Also, if you cannot use controller port 2 for any reason, Col. Campbell and Naomi Hunter gives you another way to defeat Psycho Mantis…

Geek wisdom: It’s always best to look think out of the box to find great solutions. This is much easier said than done. But by looking at a problem from a different angle, we can, at times, find extremely simple but brilliant answers to them.

Never restrain yourself by looking at a problem one way. Get another person’s views. Put yourself in another person shoes. Try to come up with solutions that are “impossible” to do. You can even try talking to yourself about the problem! There are a lot more ways to “think outside the box” than what’s mentioned here!

“Good day, sir! … I said good day

From: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Willy Wonka

The story behind the quote: The quote comes the film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The general plot of the film is that five kids find golden tickets in the candy bars produced by Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. This entitles them to take a tour of the factory and also participate in a special contest. The winner of the contest will win a lifetime supply of chocolate.

The quote itself is uttered by Willy Wonka (played by Gene Wilder). Charlie Bucket, the only “good” kid who got a Golden Ticket managed to win the competition. However, Willy Wonka angrily informs Charlie and his Grandpa Joe that, since they drank some Fizzy Lifting Drinks without permission, Charlie has been disqualified. Willy Wonka wants Charlie and his Grandpa to leave (delivering the first part of the quote). When Grandpa Joe argues with him, Willy immediately cuts him off (delivering the second part of the quote).

Geek wisdom: When it comes to arguments, we can sometimes get caught up in the heat of the moment and say really harsh things. While this is understandable, especially with emotions running high, this doesn’t mean this cannot be avoided. Actually, it is totally avoidable!

Take the time to immediately end the fight and, once you’ve calmed down and composed yourself, then try to have a discussion with the other party in a rational manner. It can be difficult to do; that’s why it’s important to end it quickly before it gets out of hand.

“Challenge accepted!”

From: How I Met Your Mother

Genre: Television

Who said it?: Barney Stinson

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the hit CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother (abbreviated as HIMYM). The premise of the series is that the narrator, the future Ted Mosby, is telling his children the story of how he met their mother. However, he just doesn’t tell them the story about how they met (that would be a very short sitcom). Rather, he sits them down and relates the events in his life that led to him meeting his mother. Ted says it’s important to tell them all of that since, because of everything he went through, he became the man their mother fell in love with.

Anyway, the quote comes from Barney Stinson (played by Neil Patrick Harris). This is actually one of his catchphrases. Barney will utter these words when someone makes an off-hand comment about something that cannot be done. He will then try to perform the “impossible” (even though “the challenge” wasn’t even issuing a challenge in the first place).

Geek wisdom: People generally don’t want to tackle problems. They would rather not deal with issues and the problems of life. However, if we do not accept these challenges life gives us, they will always prevent us from getting better.

We should always be ready to accept these challenges and strive to overcome them. It is difficult but, once you do defeat the problem, then the problem doesn’t have to bother you anymore.

“Merry Christmas, you filthy animal… and a Happy New Year!”

From: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: “Johnny”

The story behind the quote: Thanks to thegreatiaino for the huge correction regarding the movie as noted in the comments section below.

The quote comes from Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. The first Home Alone movie was very successful and it actually spawned another feature length film as well as three more made-for-TV films. However, this was the only other film to feature Kevin McCalliseter (portrayed by Maculay Culkin); the other films featured a different family and a different kid. Also, Home Alone 2 is the only movie in the series that didn’t take place in the protagonist’s home.

The quote comes from, apparently, a mobster film called Angels with Even Filthier Souls, which is the sequel to Angels with Filthy Souls, a mobster movie that Kevin was watching in the first Home Alone. Johnny (played by Ralph Foody), the head mobster, accuses a woman of cheating with other men. Kevin uses this scene from the movie as a distraction to escape from the hotel staff.

Geek wisdom: It’s the holidays! Don’t forget to wish people a Merry Christmas! And a Happy New Year as well!

“Kick! Punch! It’s all in the mind!”

From: PaRappa The Rappa

Genre: Video Games

Who said it?: Chop Chop Master Onion

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from one of the first games to come out for the original PlayStation, PaRappa The Rappa. It became a big success for Sony’s new console because of its very unique look as well as having some pretty memorable songs. The game tells the story of PaRappa, an anthropomorphic dog who has a crush on Sunny Funny. Throughout the story, PaRappa goes through different events in his quest to impress Sunny Funny.

The quote comes from the very first stage of the game, entitled I Need To Be A Hero. After watching a superhero film, PaRappa and his friends go hang out at their local burger joint. They get accosted by the local bully before they are “rescued” by a person named Joe Chin, who seems to have impressed Sunny Funny. PaRappa then imagines becoming a hero and taking down the bullies. But, before he’s able to do that, he realizes he needs to be good at fighting. So, he visits Chop Chop Master Onion to learn karate from him.

Geek wisdom: Sometimes, we can set limitations with the things we can do. We can have self-doubt tell us that something is impossible. Bashfulness and shyness can actually prevent us from doing great things. And the fear of failure can stop up from even trying something.

But, like Chop Chop Master Onion said, “It’s all in the mind!” Self-doubt, shyness and fear of failure are pretty much barriers from achieving greatness. So, kick and punch out these things from your thoughts!