Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
So those old sayings are true?
I was at a friend’s house last night to watch what ended up being a great episode of entourage. As I walked into the house, I noticed for the first time this epic sign that she had hanging in the dining room, something along the lines of – “If at first you don’t succeed, do it the way your mom told you.” I had to laugh very hard at this, I find it extremely funny because it statistically is probably a good bet that your parents’ way of handling things will probably be good for you. Of course not all the time, but better then fifty-fifty I believe.
I have always been a big proponent of inspirational sayings. For instance, my friends were making fun of me because one of my buddies the other day quoted Vince Lombardi saying “Practice does not make perfect—Perfect practice makes perfect.” I had forgotten the last time I heard this, but immediately I knew this is what I would use, or a similar version, when I start coaching volleyball again. Sincerely, though, little sayings and motivational quotes are everywhere in my life. I used to always get girlfriends those little cards that go in your wallet that have sweet sayings on it. My own home is littered with different sayings, and I probably haven’t seen or a better would, noticed, all of them in my own home. This sign in my friends’ house last night got me thinking about certain sayings and how they are true, how they are not true, or how some need to be improved.
Here is one that always grinded my gears until a few days ago, “There is a silver lining in every cloud.” My mom would say that all the time growing up, but I never fully understood it until the other day. One of my friends said some obscene things to me during the week, most notably the first night. I actually got so upset that I visualized close-lining (a wrestling term) him off of the balcony. Luckily, I had not had any booze in me, and all I did was breathe and try to stay calm. Had it been anyone else other than this “friend”, I definitely would have accosted him because I was feeling so disrespected at what he said. The next day when I woke up, I realized, thank the big guy upstairs that the first time I heard these over the top hurtful remarks I was not drunk, or angry, and thank god they came from one of my buddies and not some random Phillie fan at a bar, I would have crushed someone else. So after my long drawn out story, my point is this, some of the old sayings need to be touched up. For instance, I think it should go something like this “There is a silver lining in every cloud--YOU JUST HAVE TO SEARCH FOR IT.” I think this more accurately describes what the person who created that quote was trying to outline.
There are plenty of others, I’m just feeling a little drained right now from my week. Vacations are fun, if you are on them with the right people. You have to know what to expect from people and be realistic about it. Anyways, I’ve got hundreds of these quotes I think need to be tweaked a little bit. Do you have any?
I have always been a big proponent of inspirational sayings. For instance, my friends were making fun of me because one of my buddies the other day quoted Vince Lombardi saying “Practice does not make perfect—Perfect practice makes perfect.” I had forgotten the last time I heard this, but immediately I knew this is what I would use, or a similar version, when I start coaching volleyball again. Sincerely, though, little sayings and motivational quotes are everywhere in my life. I used to always get girlfriends those little cards that go in your wallet that have sweet sayings on it. My own home is littered with different sayings, and I probably haven’t seen or a better would, noticed, all of them in my own home. This sign in my friends’ house last night got me thinking about certain sayings and how they are true, how they are not true, or how some need to be improved.
Here is one that always grinded my gears until a few days ago, “There is a silver lining in every cloud.” My mom would say that all the time growing up, but I never fully understood it until the other day. One of my friends said some obscene things to me during the week, most notably the first night. I actually got so upset that I visualized close-lining (a wrestling term) him off of the balcony. Luckily, I had not had any booze in me, and all I did was breathe and try to stay calm. Had it been anyone else other than this “friend”, I definitely would have accosted him because I was feeling so disrespected at what he said. The next day when I woke up, I realized, thank the big guy upstairs that the first time I heard these over the top hurtful remarks I was not drunk, or angry, and thank god they came from one of my buddies and not some random Phillie fan at a bar, I would have crushed someone else. So after my long drawn out story, my point is this, some of the old sayings need to be touched up. For instance, I think it should go something like this “There is a silver lining in every cloud--YOU JUST HAVE TO SEARCH FOR IT.” I think this more accurately describes what the person who created that quote was trying to outline.
There are plenty of others, I’m just feeling a little drained right now from my week. Vacations are fun, if you are on them with the right people. You have to know what to expect from people and be realistic about it. Anyways, I’ve got hundreds of these quotes I think need to be tweaked a little bit. Do you have any?
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Let It Rain Let it Rain Let it Rain.... LET IT RAIN
The last time we spoke, I was about ready to head to a bar after the Giant Game. We went to this real cool bar Rusty Rudder. I had a blast with some of my buddy Frank’s friends—they are all true gentleman. One of his boys, D-Roc, has the bar scene broken down to a science as I do a poker game, or a math equation. Pretty impressive skill set, it was extremely fun being on the prowl with him that night. The only problem I have with the bars is that they close at 1am here and I’m still on NY time and need them to close 2 hours later, or I have to go out two hours earlier—so I’m finally adjusting and going out earlier today.
Yesterday I woke up a mess. My buddy woke me up 15 minutes before we had to go golfing. I’m not a good wakeup person. I can get out of bed at any time, but I need the same 45 minutes to an hour to gather my thoughts and my self for the day. For the first time ever I actually enjoyed golfing—or at least had the patience to get through it. Perhaps because this was the first time I was not really trying to do well, I was just trying to have fun. We had eight guys, two foursomes, and played “best ball”, which is a great way to play the game when you’re playing with people on all different skill levels.
After some lunch at a bar, and a long nap, I was ready again for an evening session. We went to this bar north beach which was very good—except for one thing. My only complaint was that the live band was not as good as the two previous nights before. The night ended with a little tomfoolery and my buddy cooking up some late night dogs and a nice long conversation about the glory days of Tech Volleyball and what it takes to be a champion with my buddy John.
Raining here today, so I expect to do some work later. I’m getting tempted to let some of my poetry out. It’s trouble when that goes down!
Yesterday I woke up a mess. My buddy woke me up 15 minutes before we had to go golfing. I’m not a good wakeup person. I can get out of bed at any time, but I need the same 45 minutes to an hour to gather my thoughts and my self for the day. For the first time ever I actually enjoyed golfing—or at least had the patience to get through it. Perhaps because this was the first time I was not really trying to do well, I was just trying to have fun. We had eight guys, two foursomes, and played “best ball”, which is a great way to play the game when you’re playing with people on all different skill levels.
After some lunch at a bar, and a long nap, I was ready again for an evening session. We went to this bar north beach which was very good—except for one thing. My only complaint was that the live band was not as good as the two previous nights before. The night ended with a little tomfoolery and my buddy cooking up some late night dogs and a nice long conversation about the glory days of Tech Volleyball and what it takes to be a champion with my buddy John.
Raining here today, so I expect to do some work later. I’m getting tempted to let some of my poetry out. It’s trouble when that goes down!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Dewey Patrol
So apparently you really are supposed to leave your watch at home when you go on vacation! I am having a blast here at Dewey beach right now, we have a sick house. The iPod’s been bumping (Pump It up @ Johnny), and the grill (charcoal), has been on both nights thus far. We were at a great bar last night, caught this cover band that was playing the widest array of music—and pulled it off well. Been playing some Madden, not thrilled with the game this year, although I think Collinsworth is mad smart in the game so we know right there the game is flawed! I mean he is putrid on the microphone usually. Then again, as a met fan, I have high standards with the way Gary, Keith and Ron call the Met games each night. Two former players, and an artist on the play by play is Gary Cohen makes for the best three man booth in all of baseball.
So The Giant game is on Tonight. Not for nothing, I have high hopes for this year; I could definitely see a playoff season. As we learned a few years back, once you get into the dance, impossible is not in some people’s vocabulary. Well I’m off to the beach; I have been reading a pretty cool book about evolution. I think all of the theorists are wrong, but that’s just me. Hope your Monday was not terrible! I’m out, time for cigars, a crab burger, seeing my New York football Giants and you know—Doing me!
So The Giant game is on Tonight. Not for nothing, I have high hopes for this year; I could definitely see a playoff season. As we learned a few years back, once you get into the dance, impossible is not in some people’s vocabulary. Well I’m off to the beach; I have been reading a pretty cool book about evolution. I think all of the theorists are wrong, but that’s just me. Hope your Monday was not terrible! I’m out, time for cigars, a crab burger, seeing my New York football Giants and you know—Doing me!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Houie, Louie and..... DEWEY
Delay in the blog this morning. You’ll notice, Monday- Thursday they get started early. However, Thursday night is bar night for me, and I tend to be a touch slow Friday mornings. I had lots of serious ideas about what to write about today, whether it be an idea for this invention I’ve been thinking about, or about my bizarre day yesterday but I figured I’d go with the fact I’m heading to Dewey Beach on Saturday. I rarely go on vacations, and want to start traveling a lot more (like to Europe and around the US). Now understand, my idea of a good work week is this-- I figure if you can be well behaved for the first part of the week and Thursday night signify the start the weekend, but in a subdued way—no getting vehemently drunk. Speaking of vehemently drunk, I am leaving for Dewey Beach Delaware tomorrow, should be a great time, as it was last year when we went down for a stay.
Last year my friends and I went down to the same place, only the results of the trip weren’t as great as they could have been. My first day down I may or may not have (that definitely means I did it) thrown up on someone else’s carpet of their bedroom. You have to understand the situation, however. I left on a Saturday morning and was in the car 6 hours by the time I got their, loads of traffic. When I arrived, all my friends were already at the bar. So instead of being smart and eating something, maybe showering and hitting the bar, I decided it would be a good idea to go straight to bar and start having vodka orange crushes races. I paid for it that night. I woke up in the morning on the bathroom floor, and when I want upstairs my buddy was sleeping perpendicular to the back screen door legs way up in the air.
This year it’s going to be different. Although I am a little disappointed it is a dreary forecast for Monday and Tuesday, there’s a reason I purchased Madden 11’ the other day. Also, reading a few books right now and of course there is the blog to try and upkeep. I’m giving myself one day to while out, and that will be on Sunday. It’s hard to “sip” every time you go out, but I’m learning. Heck, last night 3 beers lasted me about 3 hours! .
Anyways, everyone have a good day and weekend. Oh and I just want to let my buddy Dave know, if he does not let me have a parking spot, I will punch a hole through a wall, because that’s something normal people do. Oh wait!
Last year my friends and I went down to the same place, only the results of the trip weren’t as great as they could have been. My first day down I may or may not have (that definitely means I did it) thrown up on someone else’s carpet of their bedroom. You have to understand the situation, however. I left on a Saturday morning and was in the car 6 hours by the time I got their, loads of traffic. When I arrived, all my friends were already at the bar. So instead of being smart and eating something, maybe showering and hitting the bar, I decided it would be a good idea to go straight to bar and start having vodka orange crushes races. I paid for it that night. I woke up in the morning on the bathroom floor, and when I want upstairs my buddy was sleeping perpendicular to the back screen door legs way up in the air.
This year it’s going to be different. Although I am a little disappointed it is a dreary forecast for Monday and Tuesday, there’s a reason I purchased Madden 11’ the other day. Also, reading a few books right now and of course there is the blog to try and upkeep. I’m giving myself one day to while out, and that will be on Sunday. It’s hard to “sip” every time you go out, but I’m learning. Heck, last night 3 beers lasted me about 3 hours! .
Anyways, everyone have a good day and weekend. Oh and I just want to let my buddy Dave know, if he does not let me have a parking spot, I will punch a hole through a wall, because that’s something normal people do. Oh wait!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Is Shtat an Island?
I consider my self to be, what some would call, “a smart kid.” I love to read and learn and ask questions. However, sometimes I can’t see the most obvious things right under my nose. Last night was one of those occasions for me where I said to myself, “You are definitely an idiot.” For the first time in twenty five years of living on this earth, and Staten Island, I finally asked my mother the following question at dinner. What does Staten Island stand for? She said she did not know and that all she knew was the joke about it (which I also had not heard) – Two men with deep accents were on a boat, they pointed at Staten Island and said “Is shtat an island?”
Ironically enough, in the paper, was a link to the following website: http://www.si350.org/1661-why . I encourage every Staten Islander, current or former, to go out to the website and read a little bit about the history of Staten Island. There is something for everyone on the entire site. I offered an article that I found particularly interesting to me to link above. The reason I found it so interesting is it spoke about Walloons, who were French-Dutch settlers here. One of my good buddies, and volleyball teammates in High School, lived on Walloon St. in Mariners Harbor. Sometimes it’s fun to take a step back and think, “Man, imagine what it was like when they were designing all this.”
Now Staten Island today gets a lot of negative publicity, and I understand why. Many people in Staten Island have a narrow, shallow view of the world. Many people on Staten Island are also spoiled, for instance we drive more than any other borough. However, despite all this, Staten Island does have things that every good old fashioned town should have. We have good- well defined neighborhoods. You have to look no further than my street for an example of this. On Saturday, two blocks down from wear there has been brutal violence, we had a block party. Families of all different backgrounds, races, colors, religions came together and enjoyed each others company. I had a barbecue and saw some old friends I had not seen in over ten years! Staten Island also has the ferry, what I believe, is the best way to commute. It’s nice to just look at the city having just left it after a long days work, leaving the fast pace behind and returning to a much more subdued island.
All in all, I think where you live has a lot to do with what you make of it. I think we as Staten Islanders need to go back to our roots, and that’s why I encourage people to take a gander at that URL above and learn about Staten Island whether you live here or not. It might change your opinion, as most what we know about Staten Island comes from what we say from the Jersey Shore cast.
P.S. - I could not write a sports blog again. Let me just make it specifically clear. The Mets should win an Emmy for best Drama on TV. It’s like not even a sport any more, strictly a soap opera.
Ironically enough, in the paper, was a link to the following website: http://www.si350.org/1661-why . I encourage every Staten Islander, current or former, to go out to the website and read a little bit about the history of Staten Island. There is something for everyone on the entire site. I offered an article that I found particularly interesting to me to link above. The reason I found it so interesting is it spoke about Walloons, who were French-Dutch settlers here. One of my good buddies, and volleyball teammates in High School, lived on Walloon St. in Mariners Harbor. Sometimes it’s fun to take a step back and think, “Man, imagine what it was like when they were designing all this.”
Now Staten Island today gets a lot of negative publicity, and I understand why. Many people in Staten Island have a narrow, shallow view of the world. Many people on Staten Island are also spoiled, for instance we drive more than any other borough. However, despite all this, Staten Island does have things that every good old fashioned town should have. We have good- well defined neighborhoods. You have to look no further than my street for an example of this. On Saturday, two blocks down from wear there has been brutal violence, we had a block party. Families of all different backgrounds, races, colors, religions came together and enjoyed each others company. I had a barbecue and saw some old friends I had not seen in over ten years! Staten Island also has the ferry, what I believe, is the best way to commute. It’s nice to just look at the city having just left it after a long days work, leaving the fast pace behind and returning to a much more subdued island.
All in all, I think where you live has a lot to do with what you make of it. I think we as Staten Islanders need to go back to our roots, and that’s why I encourage people to take a gander at that URL above and learn about Staten Island whether you live here or not. It might change your opinion, as most what we know about Staten Island comes from what we say from the Jersey Shore cast.
P.S. - I could not write a sports blog again. Let me just make it specifically clear. The Mets should win an Emmy for best Drama on TV. It’s like not even a sport any more, strictly a soap opera.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
BaseBol Summer
If you were to tell me the Mets were going to entertain me until August training camps, I would have signed for that in April. Now last night, however, Talk about bizzaro land. Any baseball fan who knows the baseball works in New York City knows this: The Yankees are the best, and the Mets are their bumbling younger brother who can never do anything right. Going in to last nights game if you were to tell me that one of the two new York teams were going to win, and their closer was going to have a flawless ninth inning, I would have put money up that this team would have bene the Yankees. For once, it was not.
In a wild game, the New York Mets had one of their best wins of the year. Facing Ubaldo Jimenez, (In case you don’t know, he has a record of 17 and 3 and is one of the best pitchers in the game, if not the best), the Mets young stud Mike Pelfrey was up to the task. In his best performance over the last month, Pelfrey took the ball confidently and threw quickly. He had pace to his game, and a vision on the mound. The Mets scratched out a run against the aforementioned Jimenez in the 7th, before getting big outs from their bullpen and securing a win to pull them back to five hundred on the season at 56 and 56.
In Texas, Aj Burnett took to the hill looking to erase from his mind a start to the second half of the year that has been as bad as anyone’s in baseball. Burnett even had his start against the Red Sox skipped on Sunday by manager Joe Girardi. It’s time for Yankee fans to give him his credit. Like a true winner, when tested, Burnett answered the call and through seven innings of solid baseball. He gave up three runs, pitched well enough to win, but settle for a no decision.
The bottom line is this, maybe I’ll have to root for the Yankees more often. For those of you who don’t know, I jokingly said I’d root for the Yankees last night since I added Burnett to one of my fantasy teams. If each game was anything like last night, I’d take it every time!
In a wild game, the New York Mets had one of their best wins of the year. Facing Ubaldo Jimenez, (In case you don’t know, he has a record of 17 and 3 and is one of the best pitchers in the game, if not the best), the Mets young stud Mike Pelfrey was up to the task. In his best performance over the last month, Pelfrey took the ball confidently and threw quickly. He had pace to his game, and a vision on the mound. The Mets scratched out a run against the aforementioned Jimenez in the 7th, before getting big outs from their bullpen and securing a win to pull them back to five hundred on the season at 56 and 56.
In Texas, Aj Burnett took to the hill looking to erase from his mind a start to the second half of the year that has been as bad as anyone’s in baseball. Burnett even had his start against the Red Sox skipped on Sunday by manager Joe Girardi. It’s time for Yankee fans to give him his credit. Like a true winner, when tested, Burnett answered the call and through seven innings of solid baseball. He gave up three runs, pitched well enough to win, but settle for a no decision.
The bottom line is this, maybe I’ll have to root for the Yankees more often. For those of you who don’t know, I jokingly said I’d root for the Yankees last night since I added Burnett to one of my fantasy teams. If each game was anything like last night, I’d take it every time!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Guess who's back
Lately I have heard a lot of talk surrounding Eminem’s latest album entitled Recovery. For the most part, I have seen three types of responses to the album. There are some who love it, some who say it is not as good as his old stuff, and some who think its okay. I can not argue with those who say that this album is not as good as his old albums, for instance the Marshall Mathers album. However, what we have to remember is that the only thing in life that is constant is change. Everyone changes, and just because Eminem is rapping about something different this time, does not make it any less deserving of accolades.
I am reminded of a clip from the Marshall Mathers album, don’t quote me. But Eminem is trying to do something different, rap about something other than money and drugs, and the producer’s don’t want to hear it. Perhaps, Eminem’s new album is not identifiable with those who loved his first albums that were more anger driven. In this album, Eminem is more thankful for what he has, or what he could have lost, his life. In one song saying basically he realized he could have died, and all of the things he would not have gotten to say. He talks about how he was held down by drugs, and fame and the glitz and glimmer, and how it all almost killed him and who he is. While I find the entire cd to be as complete as the recent Jay Z album, my favorite songs on the album include #2 with Kobe, talking to myself. That is a good song for anyone who has ever felt lonely and wanted to bust out. Also, I really like #’s 6-9, 11, 14-16. Every song on the album offers something different, from beat, to flow, to lyrics; Eminem has shown his full array of talents with this album.
The last thing I want to talk about is number 12, “25 to life”. I have heard a lot of people say it’s too slow, or that it’s about rap. This song is an entire double or maybe even triple entendre and is filled with little double entrendre’s all throughout. This song is open for interpretation at so many parts and I specifically wanted to outline some of the lines where interpretation is open, I put some parenthesis at the end of lines specifically that caught my attention:
“All I ever felt was this helplessness imprisoned by a selfish bitch ( what bitch,just rap? Or drugs and love too)
chew me up and spit me out, I fell for this so many times, its ridiculous and still I stick with this
im sick of this, but in my sickness, an addiction your as addictive as they get ( rap again? Or maybe the fast lane, drugs, women?)
They get evil as they come vindictive as they make em my friends keep asking me why I can’t just walk away from 'em. ( what is em here? Short for them, what them? Rap? Or is it walk away from em as in walk away from EM, Em- eminem the rapper)
addicted to the pain, the stress, the drama im drawn to, shit I guess imma mess cursed and blessed
but this time imma aint changing my mind im climbing out this abyss ( depths of depression?)
you screaming as I walk out that I’ll be missed but when you spoke of people who meant the most to you
you left me off your list fuck you hip-hop im leaving you, my life sentence is served bitch”
( end game, some people think this means he’s not coming back for another album, I think this means he’s just about to fully let loose and let whatever creativity he wants spit out and I cant wait for his next album to drop)
Thats all for today folks, oh and I officially gave up hope on the Mets after this weekend. Pathetic, Lets go Giants.
I am reminded of a clip from the Marshall Mathers album, don’t quote me. But Eminem is trying to do something different, rap about something other than money and drugs, and the producer’s don’t want to hear it. Perhaps, Eminem’s new album is not identifiable with those who loved his first albums that were more anger driven. In this album, Eminem is more thankful for what he has, or what he could have lost, his life. In one song saying basically he realized he could have died, and all of the things he would not have gotten to say. He talks about how he was held down by drugs, and fame and the glitz and glimmer, and how it all almost killed him and who he is. While I find the entire cd to be as complete as the recent Jay Z album, my favorite songs on the album include #2 with Kobe, talking to myself. That is a good song for anyone who has ever felt lonely and wanted to bust out. Also, I really like #’s 6-9, 11, 14-16. Every song on the album offers something different, from beat, to flow, to lyrics; Eminem has shown his full array of talents with this album.
The last thing I want to talk about is number 12, “25 to life”. I have heard a lot of people say it’s too slow, or that it’s about rap. This song is an entire double or maybe even triple entendre and is filled with little double entrendre’s all throughout. This song is open for interpretation at so many parts and I specifically wanted to outline some of the lines where interpretation is open, I put some parenthesis at the end of lines specifically that caught my attention:
“All I ever felt was this helplessness imprisoned by a selfish bitch ( what bitch,just rap? Or drugs and love too)
chew me up and spit me out, I fell for this so many times, its ridiculous and still I stick with this
im sick of this, but in my sickness, an addiction your as addictive as they get ( rap again? Or maybe the fast lane, drugs, women?)
They get evil as they come vindictive as they make em my friends keep asking me why I can’t just walk away from 'em. ( what is em here? Short for them, what them? Rap? Or is it walk away from em as in walk away from EM, Em- eminem the rapper)
addicted to the pain, the stress, the drama im drawn to, shit I guess imma mess cursed and blessed
but this time imma aint changing my mind im climbing out this abyss ( depths of depression?)
you screaming as I walk out that I’ll be missed but when you spoke of people who meant the most to you
you left me off your list fuck you hip-hop im leaving you, my life sentence is served bitch”
( end game, some people think this means he’s not coming back for another album, I think this means he’s just about to fully let loose and let whatever creativity he wants spit out and I cant wait for his next album to drop)
Thats all for today folks, oh and I officially gave up hope on the Mets after this weekend. Pathetic, Lets go Giants.
Friday, August 6, 2010
He's heating up
Come on, NBA Jam? You know you have said that line, at least 185 times in your life if you grew up a super nintendo, arcade or sports fan in general. Well, no video game here, but the upcoming NBA season is going to be one of the best season the league has had in years. I might be jumping the gun here, with baseball still having 1/3 of their remaining schedule left to play however, with football mini camps opening, I thought we would talk something other than Brett Favre will he wont he.
For starters, of course, this has been one of the NBA's busiest offseason's in recent history. With King Lebron on the market, as well as many other top notch players, the NBA seemed to steal more backpages then usual this summer. The Eastern Conference this year is going to be a wide open race. The Heat are the overwhelming favorites at less than 2-1 to win the nba championship next year. They do have three great players, but I am gonna go out on a limb here and say that lebron james is not a winner flat out. If he develops his game like scottie pippen did and become a solid "robin" to dwayne wade, then absolutely they have the best chance. However, I have heard alot of people comparing this to jordan winning three titles in a row with pippen and rodman and players x and y filling out the rest of the bulls roster from 96-98. People making these comparisons need to becareful. First, Jordan had the sixth sense that I'm not sure lebron has. Wade has shown himself to be clutch, but can his body handle the wear and tear of a nine month season if they make a run deep into june?
My point in writing this article is that the East is going to be wide open next year. Realistically, the top four teams are going to be in dogfights starting with the second round of the playoffs. You can not discount the celtics after adding both Jermaine and Shaquille O'neal to bolster their front line. As for Orlando, you can't sleep on what I believe is the best Center in the game, Dwight Howard. It is imperative that he continues to develop his low post game ( Hey Ewing can you please teach him a better drop step, and a baseline jumper). But considering he is an eraser on defense, and the team has been playing with the same core for a few years now, and are well coached, Orlando has a decent chance to come out of the east and they are 10-1 to win the nba championship. The last team who has a chance, and its a smaller one, is the Chicago Bulls. They have a lot of talent on their team, and adding carlos boozer this off season may be up there as the best signing after what Miami did. Boozer is perfect for that team. He has another big man Noah who does not need the ball and will rebound with him. Boozer can be the scoring big man, and open things up for rose, hinrich, and deng. The bulls remind me of the atlanta team a few years ago that surprised everyone by taking the celtics to a 7 game series, I could see them testing the #1 seed Heat like that in the second round of the playoffs.
Enjoy your day, weekend, Lets hope the mets sweep the phillies otherwise its officially football season!
For starters, of course, this has been one of the NBA's busiest offseason's in recent history. With King Lebron on the market, as well as many other top notch players, the NBA seemed to steal more backpages then usual this summer. The Eastern Conference this year is going to be a wide open race. The Heat are the overwhelming favorites at less than 2-1 to win the nba championship next year. They do have three great players, but I am gonna go out on a limb here and say that lebron james is not a winner flat out. If he develops his game like scottie pippen did and become a solid "robin" to dwayne wade, then absolutely they have the best chance. However, I have heard alot of people comparing this to jordan winning three titles in a row with pippen and rodman and players x and y filling out the rest of the bulls roster from 96-98. People making these comparisons need to becareful. First, Jordan had the sixth sense that I'm not sure lebron has. Wade has shown himself to be clutch, but can his body handle the wear and tear of a nine month season if they make a run deep into june?
My point in writing this article is that the East is going to be wide open next year. Realistically, the top four teams are going to be in dogfights starting with the second round of the playoffs. You can not discount the celtics after adding both Jermaine and Shaquille O'neal to bolster their front line. As for Orlando, you can't sleep on what I believe is the best Center in the game, Dwight Howard. It is imperative that he continues to develop his low post game ( Hey Ewing can you please teach him a better drop step, and a baseline jumper). But considering he is an eraser on defense, and the team has been playing with the same core for a few years now, and are well coached, Orlando has a decent chance to come out of the east and they are 10-1 to win the nba championship. The last team who has a chance, and its a smaller one, is the Chicago Bulls. They have a lot of talent on their team, and adding carlos boozer this off season may be up there as the best signing after what Miami did. Boozer is perfect for that team. He has another big man Noah who does not need the ball and will rebound with him. Boozer can be the scoring big man, and open things up for rose, hinrich, and deng. The bulls remind me of the atlanta team a few years ago that surprised everyone by taking the celtics to a 7 game series, I could see them testing the #1 seed Heat like that in the second round of the playoffs.
Enjoy your day, weekend, Lets hope the mets sweep the phillies otherwise its officially football season!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Sharks are out during Shark Week
Let me preface this by saying, I am not a fan of shark week. However, I can't help but take notice at all the negativity regarding shark week. I see multiple facebook status updates saying how stupid it is, friends saying how they HATE shark week and anyone who watches it is "stupid." This discourages me a little. I was thinknig about it today how unfair that is. So last night, while my mets were getting clobbered I sat down and watched a little of shark week.
I have to be honest, the programming does not interest me. But i learned to respect the creativeness and the message behind what the producers of the show are trying to portray here. I understand why it might spark peoples interest and grab the attention of so many. Lets put it this way, I spent the morning working on my fantasy baseball keeper league trying to iron out some deals that will help my team out next year because it sucks this year. Do you think anyone other than a sports fan who knows fantasy sports would find this the LEAST bit interesting? No, but as my buddy's girlfriend so eloquently puts it " I just make the baseball cupcakes for the draft, and let him enjoy the season"
I guess what I'm saying is if we could be a little more tolerant, things might be a little easier on everyone. And if we could be more tolerant with something silly like what show someone watches, and expand that to greater endevours, and be understanding of others situations, imagine what we would be able to do as a team, as society!
I have to be honest, the programming does not interest me. But i learned to respect the creativeness and the message behind what the producers of the show are trying to portray here. I understand why it might spark peoples interest and grab the attention of so many. Lets put it this way, I spent the morning working on my fantasy baseball keeper league trying to iron out some deals that will help my team out next year because it sucks this year. Do you think anyone other than a sports fan who knows fantasy sports would find this the LEAST bit interesting? No, but as my buddy's girlfriend so eloquently puts it " I just make the baseball cupcakes for the draft, and let him enjoy the season"
I guess what I'm saying is if we could be a little more tolerant, things might be a little easier on everyone. And if we could be more tolerant with something silly like what show someone watches, and expand that to greater endevours, and be understanding of others situations, imagine what we would be able to do as a team, as society!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Isn't it nice not to have to click a button?
I was born in 1985. I am not one hundred percent positive, but I believe this is the year Nintendo was released. I can vividly remember my brothers first communion, explaining to my family members how to play Mario Brothers. I have always been good at video games, nd things involving technology. I am typing currently while watching the television, I am not sure how i developed this skill, perhaps it was keeping up with chatting with girls on the original AOL instant message. I have this question on this evening however, Isn't it nice not to have to push a button?
I was never a big watch guy, more of a bracelet kind of guy. Recently I started wearing the watch, and discovered how much nicer it is just to look at my watch rather than locate my phone, hit my button on my phone to see the time. Earlier today I was on the ferry reading, and I thought about buying a kindle. I realized that there is just something about the feel of a book that is nicer than actually reading off of the kindle, same thing with reading the hard copy of the newspaper rather than online.
Basically, technology is a powerful thing. I'm all about using it to advance the lives we can lead, however we must not exterminate all of the old fashioned ways of operating. Some things have lasted this long for a reason.
I was never a big watch guy, more of a bracelet kind of guy. Recently I started wearing the watch, and discovered how much nicer it is just to look at my watch rather than locate my phone, hit my button on my phone to see the time. Earlier today I was on the ferry reading, and I thought about buying a kindle. I realized that there is just something about the feel of a book that is nicer than actually reading off of the kindle, same thing with reading the hard copy of the newspaper rather than online.
Basically, technology is a powerful thing. I'm all about using it to advance the lives we can lead, however we must not exterminate all of the old fashioned ways of operating. Some things have lasted this long for a reason.
The Power of a Story
All good stories have at least one thing in common, and that is they unite people together to listen. Throughout all of history, whether it is the President on television giving an address, or a story from the Bible, this fact is true-- the person telling the story is looking to engage a group of people. Their purpose in telling the story, a moral or to conjure up awareness, does not always translate to the person reading or listening. However, a good story teller will always move the person who is listening.
I fully realized the power of a story when I was a senior in High School. There was this very pretty girl that I had known for awhile. She finally was single but I did not know exactly the right way to approach her and get her to feel comfortable around me. I had never felt this before; I had been with other girls but no one made me feel the way this one made me feel.
One day, after a long volleyball tournament, there were a few parents standing outside the gymnasium talking. Included in this group, was my own mom, and in fact the girl that I had a crush on. For some reason, I have always been good with parents. The Dads I respect, and can talk sports with. The Moms I can joke with, and be nice to, as well. I did not know how I could capture the attention of the room. Suddenly, when the topic changed to little children’s toys, I saw my opportunity, just like seeing an open spot on the volleyball court, and I told the following story.
When I was three, we used to always have yard sales. This was a good way for mom to clean up some of the older items we did not use anymore, and to help out those who were in greater need than us. I used to love coming outside and helping collect the money, we charged mere dimes for everything but it was a few bucks we got to keep for helping out and definitely a great way to spend a weekend morning with my family. The rules of the Yard Sale were always very simple, we parked one car in the back of the driveway and I had to stay behind that car if I was going to play with my toys.
So it was your regular, autumn morning, beautiful out. I remember playing with one of my favorite toys. It was a big green zoo, and it had a wide variety of animals glued to the green base which was the grass. I had to go to the bathroom so I ran inside. When I came outside, much to my dismay, my mother had sold the toy to another family while I was going to the bathroom. Even at the young age of three I gave my mother a hard time by saying I would not go to the bathroom because she might sell another one of my toys.
Long story short, that girl ended up becoming the first girl that I ever loved. I believe our friendship has reached the depths it has because of that one day. Stories last generations, and the best way to ensure of this is have a blast creating the events that go in the stories, then write them down the next day ( usually hungover with a cup of coffee and a cig).
Good Marnin's to everyone, how about those new york metropolitans... As jim carrey says... "SO YOU'RE TELLIN' ME THERES A CHANCE"
I fully realized the power of a story when I was a senior in High School. There was this very pretty girl that I had known for awhile. She finally was single but I did not know exactly the right way to approach her and get her to feel comfortable around me. I had never felt this before; I had been with other girls but no one made me feel the way this one made me feel.
One day, after a long volleyball tournament, there were a few parents standing outside the gymnasium talking. Included in this group, was my own mom, and in fact the girl that I had a crush on. For some reason, I have always been good with parents. The Dads I respect, and can talk sports with. The Moms I can joke with, and be nice to, as well. I did not know how I could capture the attention of the room. Suddenly, when the topic changed to little children’s toys, I saw my opportunity, just like seeing an open spot on the volleyball court, and I told the following story.
When I was three, we used to always have yard sales. This was a good way for mom to clean up some of the older items we did not use anymore, and to help out those who were in greater need than us. I used to love coming outside and helping collect the money, we charged mere dimes for everything but it was a few bucks we got to keep for helping out and definitely a great way to spend a weekend morning with my family. The rules of the Yard Sale were always very simple, we parked one car in the back of the driveway and I had to stay behind that car if I was going to play with my toys.
So it was your regular, autumn morning, beautiful out. I remember playing with one of my favorite toys. It was a big green zoo, and it had a wide variety of animals glued to the green base which was the grass. I had to go to the bathroom so I ran inside. When I came outside, much to my dismay, my mother had sold the toy to another family while I was going to the bathroom. Even at the young age of three I gave my mother a hard time by saying I would not go to the bathroom because she might sell another one of my toys.
Long story short, that girl ended up becoming the first girl that I ever loved. I believe our friendship has reached the depths it has because of that one day. Stories last generations, and the best way to ensure of this is have a blast creating the events that go in the stories, then write them down the next day ( usually hungover with a cup of coffee and a cig).
Good Marnin's to everyone, how about those new york metropolitans... As jim carrey says... "SO YOU'RE TELLIN' ME THERES A CHANCE"
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Your normal 5 oclock ferry boat
When the whistle sounded at work yesterday, I was more happy then usual to make my way to the Staten Island Ferry to head home after my day. When i got off the R train from city hall to whitehall ( just three stops), I was coming up the steps and as I got closer to the top the yelling got much louder. There was a man waving a chinese flag, screaming that "Blacks in Port Richmond should be given jobs."
As I walked by this big man, my size, 6'3 but less weight maybe 220, he muttered something at me. Immediately, I pounced on the opportunity to talk to him. He was still yelling during the beginning of the conversation and we were only 5 feet away from eachother. I asked him first why only the blacks should get jobs, and not both sides mexican and blacks. I'm all about peace in my neighborhood, not the fighting that's been going on. The gentleman began to scream some more about china. Finally I was able to get him to agree to put his flag down as I felt it disrespectful to wave the flag on our soil.
Here is the kicker-- I don't feel it's wrong to have complaints about America. I mean, we would have no constiution without complaints about previous rule. However, I do have a big problem with how he was trying to get his message across. Screaming, and waving just makes you look like a deranged man. This man had history knowledge more than any teacher I had ever had in High School ( For Staten Island Tech aluni who know mr guss, this guy had to be his father.) He was just going about it the wrong way.
While i left alot of the good parts of this story out, it ended with me giving him a cigarette because I had no change on me. As i walked away because my buddies little brother had just run into me ( Franklin), we walked towards the boat and this gentlemen was screaming " don't do anything at the board of ed till your tenured, I got fired from there!" My buddies little brother asked me what he probably got fired for. I answered, isn't it obvious " He spoke in the wrong manner, to the wrong person, too loudly."
Just remember folks, especially from this guy, there's a very fine line between genius and insanity.
As I walked by this big man, my size, 6'3 but less weight maybe 220, he muttered something at me. Immediately, I pounced on the opportunity to talk to him. He was still yelling during the beginning of the conversation and we were only 5 feet away from eachother. I asked him first why only the blacks should get jobs, and not both sides mexican and blacks. I'm all about peace in my neighborhood, not the fighting that's been going on. The gentleman began to scream some more about china. Finally I was able to get him to agree to put his flag down as I felt it disrespectful to wave the flag on our soil.
Here is the kicker-- I don't feel it's wrong to have complaints about America. I mean, we would have no constiution without complaints about previous rule. However, I do have a big problem with how he was trying to get his message across. Screaming, and waving just makes you look like a deranged man. This man had history knowledge more than any teacher I had ever had in High School ( For Staten Island Tech aluni who know mr guss, this guy had to be his father.) He was just going about it the wrong way.
While i left alot of the good parts of this story out, it ended with me giving him a cigarette because I had no change on me. As i walked away because my buddies little brother had just run into me ( Franklin), we walked towards the boat and this gentlemen was screaming " don't do anything at the board of ed till your tenured, I got fired from there!" My buddies little brother asked me what he probably got fired for. I answered, isn't it obvious " He spoke in the wrong manner, to the wrong person, too loudly."
Just remember folks, especially from this guy, there's a very fine line between genius and insanity.
Poppin My Cherry
I figure the first post should be the about me. It only seems natural to me that I open up first. So let's see, as many of you know I was born and raised in Port Richmond Staten Island. Unfortunately, Port Richmond is getting some negative publicity right now because of the bubbling race war. Its really just a hardworking part of the island, its a shame, but I gotta be honest I LOVE having the thirty extra police cars around. Makes me feel safe as can be out there.
Anyways, I went to college at Mount Saint Vincent in the bronx for Mathematics and Education. I not like, LOVE volleyball, whether it be playing ( I set), or coaching ( assistant coach of girls volleyball at concordia in bronx.) It took me a little bit to get out of school, as i left for the glitz and glammer of Wall Street here in NY. While i did love life in the fast lane, it was better for me to get out while I could ,and currently I work for the Department of Education here in New York City.
As far as writing, I always loved writing but had been discouraged from writing by a few teachers in High School. In fact, funny story ( i have tons just ask), my ap english teacher in high school offered me an 80 if I just sat in the back of the classroom and did not interject into the class. Of course as a 17 year old with a hot girlfriend and volleyball practice later, i gladly accepted this much to the chagrin of my father. My first passion was math, but I have always had a love for writing even if I may not be the greatest at it.
As far as my passions go, I have a few. Firstly, there's sports. I absolutely love the new york metropolitans and am a former season ticket holder. The team is garbage as they can't get a big hit in a clutch situation, but as far as entertainment value their the best. I like to compare them to a girlfriend you know is cheating on you, but there good in bed, so you hang around a little bit longer before leaving them in the dust. Other interests i have are reading, not really fiction more non fiction. Basically anything that impacted someone a lot I would love to read because i would like to know why it hit home so much for them. My favorite book is either To Killa Mockingbird or Mitch Albom's Tuesdays With Maury/ have a little Faith ( notice the title isn't capitalized, no error there). Lastly, I'd like to thank my cousin Bobby for hooking it up with the idea for the blog, and for everything he's done over the years. After my brother, he is the closest thing to a brother that i got. He is also brilliant, visit ohsanfran.com to see just how brilliant.
Have a good one everyone, remember one random act of kindness today..
- Matt
Anyways, I went to college at Mount Saint Vincent in the bronx for Mathematics and Education. I not like, LOVE volleyball, whether it be playing ( I set), or coaching ( assistant coach of girls volleyball at concordia in bronx.) It took me a little bit to get out of school, as i left for the glitz and glammer of Wall Street here in NY. While i did love life in the fast lane, it was better for me to get out while I could ,and currently I work for the Department of Education here in New York City.
As far as writing, I always loved writing but had been discouraged from writing by a few teachers in High School. In fact, funny story ( i have tons just ask), my ap english teacher in high school offered me an 80 if I just sat in the back of the classroom and did not interject into the class. Of course as a 17 year old with a hot girlfriend and volleyball practice later, i gladly accepted this much to the chagrin of my father. My first passion was math, but I have always had a love for writing even if I may not be the greatest at it.
As far as my passions go, I have a few. Firstly, there's sports. I absolutely love the new york metropolitans and am a former season ticket holder. The team is garbage as they can't get a big hit in a clutch situation, but as far as entertainment value their the best. I like to compare them to a girlfriend you know is cheating on you, but there good in bed, so you hang around a little bit longer before leaving them in the dust. Other interests i have are reading, not really fiction more non fiction. Basically anything that impacted someone a lot I would love to read because i would like to know why it hit home so much for them. My favorite book is either To Killa Mockingbird or Mitch Albom's Tuesdays With Maury/ have a little Faith ( notice the title isn't capitalized, no error there). Lastly, I'd like to thank my cousin Bobby for hooking it up with the idea for the blog, and for everything he's done over the years. After my brother, he is the closest thing to a brother that i got. He is also brilliant, visit ohsanfran.com to see just how brilliant.
Have a good one everyone, remember one random act of kindness today..
- Matt
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