???????

Seriously, wtf is the big deal about this guy. I can't believe Tha Carter III is drawing comparisons to Illmatic and Ready to Die. Most talented rapper alive? HOW?

"Do you fools listen to music or do you just skim through it?"
-J-A-Y hyphen, controllin, manipulatin

It's Only Appropriate

So it's only appropriate I write in this thing durin FINALS WEEK (enter obligatory w00 w00) so I though I would share with you a secret of mine for the past week.

Last Sunday, in the midst of unpacking my things, I noticed that I had left my deodorant at home. Now the weather forecast for the week did not look like it was going to favor my absentmindedness but I did not want to buy another one and I sure as hell wasn't going to drive back home for some stupid deodorant. After debating for a few minutes on whether I should just use Alan's, I just figured I would go the week without it.

My conclusion? Deodorant is overrated. Let me tell you how many people commented on any excess B.O. or moisture through this complicated formula.

0+0+0+0+sin(π)+0+0+0+0+3-2+cos(π/2)+1-2+ln1 = ZERO

I am now going to end this entry prematurely because I am tired.

There is Nothing to be Sorry About Between Friends

Dear Vince;

I can't believe it's already been over two months since you've passed. I remember that when you were still with us, I would start wondering where you were if I didn't have any contact with you after two days. The world hasn't been too different since your funeral but my life has been completely changed. Every now and then, I just randomly drift off and remember a conversation I had with you and it really hurts me that these memories are all I have left now.

When I first found out you passed away, I was filled with regrets. I felt sorry that for all the times you asked me to come out and I stayed home to study or all the times that I got annoyed or got in an argument with you. All I saw were hundreds of missed opportunities that I took for granted. I mean how could I have taken them for anything BUT granted? You were such a health freak that I thought you would be alive until you were over 100. You can't imagine how your passing hit me, because it just didn't add up. I sat at my desk dumbfounded for what seemed like hours after Matt called me.

After the initial shock subsided, I didn't know what to do other than to pray. I was praying for you while you were battling that tumor and that was the only option I felt I had left. In my prayers, even though I was absolutely wrought with grief and shock, I couldn't help but thank God that you were a part of my life. I was so thankful to have your influence in my life and I still am. All the conversations, laughter, and arguments that we shared were things that I felt had a lasting impact on me and they were all things that I couldn't help but thank God for. It's funny because that night, I was just praying that I could hear from you one more time and all of a sudden, my phone rang. I was disappointed at the fact that my caller ID showed the name "Timothy Lee" (j/k Tim!) but while we were talking, he just encouraged me with his condolences and also by just reminding me to trust God.

You have no idea what kind of impact you left on the people you came in contact with. Even people you met for just a couple of hours remembered you as a good guy and a positive person. I was talking to Steve that night and I remember he responded to the news by saying "What the heck!?!? I LIKED VINCE!" It's a real tragedy that more people didn't get to experience your influence in their lives.

Later that week, Steven led a prayer with a bunch of my friends and he shared with us this verse from James, "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away (James 4:14)". It's no mystery that we all have short lives on this planet but how sudden your passing was really helps me be reminded to truly appreciate the time and love of all those around me. Your passing has a put lot into perspective and I really want to make sure that I do not lose sight of this invaluable lesson.

Matt and I visited your parents not too long after your funeral and all four of us just couldn't help laughing when we were sharing our stories about you. It's incredible how even after you've left us, just the memories we have of you are filled with such positivity. At your viewing, Vince's dad asked all of your friends to not remember death as a part of you, and to remember you as a positive, healthy, funny, loving person. He was absolutley right, your death is not a part of you in any way. Matt and I actually joked that the way you passed doesn't even coincide with your character because we figured that the only way you would go out is doing something crazy or stupid (like racing Chik down Fullerton on a rainy day).

I titled this post "There is Nothing to be Sorry About Between Friends" because it was a quote from the movie 친구, which was one of the last times we were all together. It's incredible how much truth is in such a simple line, because I realize that even though I may have regrets, there is no point in being sorry. All I have is constant thanks for the memories we have and whenever I feel overwhelmed by your passing, I just remind myself to be thankful that I was able to have such a wonderful influence in my life since as long as the 5th grade. Every time I visit your gravesite on Sunday after church, I can't help but laugh at least once when I reflect upon the memories I have of you.

I think it goes without saying that it is a real tragedy that you did not get to see your 21st birthday, but all of us who loved you are here celebrating your memory Vince. I can't describe how much I miss you and I hope that you are finally finding some time to relax. Thank you so much Vince, and be good up there bro.

Your Friend,
Henry

Why Lakers Fans Should Not be Warriors Fans

Just another useless roadblock in the Western Conference

This entry is in response to the surge in Warriors love.

1. Warriors are taking up space in a tight western conference playoff race

We all know how competitive the fight for playoff spots is in the west so why should any one like a team that we have to compete with to just make the playoffs. They're not in the same division but there is still the chance that the Suns clinch the Pacific spot and leave us fighting with all the mutts for a playoff spot. Therefore, a pox on GSW

2. Warriors are a bunch of clowns that do not even deserve to be on the same floor as our beautiful triangle offense

Does jacking up treys make for entertaining basketball? Arguably so. But does it indirectly insult the Lakers? YES! The Warriors are spitting in the face of Tex Winter and Jackson by saying "hur hur hur look at us, all our players shoot threes and beat our chest after every shot. chest bumps for everyone!" This may seem a little off-kilter and this entry is careening into a joke entry but c'mon, Lakers play beautiful ball, while the Warriors play H.O.R.S.E. amongst each other.

Does anyone else laugh to themselves when Warrior fans chant "DE-FENSE!" Makes me think of a room full of parrots sqwaking away.

3. Warriors fans are not fond of the Lakers

I basically pulled this claim out of my ass based on a bunch of hearsay but I think it is an undisputable fact that Warriors fans hate Kobe & Co. So why not return the favor? Ain't no love in Lakerland for those that cringe at the sight of purple & gold. F the Warriors!

4. California only has ONE basketball team worth rooting for

For those of you who are a little confusd, HELLA NORCAL is not its own state. Yes, surprising, I know! But, let me ask you a few questions. Who brings championships to lovely sunny California? None other than your Los Angeles Lakers! All the Warriors bring are competition to Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey. Kobe posterizes another player and gets ready for business at the other end of the floor. Baron posterizes AK and gives us a peek at his nipples. C'mon man. The only basketball players in California with poise, panache, and class are wearing purple & gold (even our marijuana loving friend Lamar)
And please do not mention the Kings or the Clippers. Imagine going to a Kings - Clippers game. Even the League of Nations had more on the line than that game.

Thanks for reading this unbiased and purely objective entry!

Remember, never refer to the Warriors as our team or us unless they become a hockey team and the conflict of interest is dissolved.

Who's In Your Five?

"Ain't no one named pookie getting in my five"


Now that the NBA All-Star starters are out, I thought I would give my allstar votes but not just for the NBA. I will be picking a player from football, soccer, basketball, baseball, and one wild card (the wild card is because I don't watch any other sports). These spots will be given based on A) performance during the most recent season and B) personal bias. Factor B will have the greatest weight in these picks. So without further ado, my five:


A. Takashi Saito - LA Dodgers (RP)
Killer slider, serving up strikeouts and saves like no other. And he's on the Dodgers which makes him automatically cooler than all the other closers. Especially anyone on the Angels.


B. Antonio Cromartie - San Diego Chargers (CB)
10 INTs, 3 TDs, and a lighting bolt on the helmet. A f*ckign lightning bolt that goes CHA POW you got laid the f*ck out! Oh where's the ball? #31 is running with it towards the endzone!


3. Cesc Fabregas - Arsenal FC - DMF
Arguably the integral part of the reason why the gunners are fighting for a premier league title this season. And at only 20, he'll be trouncing the scousers, MANUre, chelski, and the scum for years to come. COMMMMEEEE ONNNN YOUUUU REDDSSSSSSSS


4. Lebron James - Cleveland Cavaliers - SF
Leads the league in nails bitten, as well as nails in the coffin (check the 4th quarter stats for the season). Plus, he has to deal with Larry Hughes, who doesn't contribute anything. For proof, go to www.heylarryhughespleasestoptakingsomanybadshots.com


5. Paul Pierce - Boston Celtics - SF
F*ck you, the Truth is awesome.

Why no Lakers? I don't know, I just have a huge man crush on Lebron right now and Pierce is, and has been, my favorite NBA player.

And that is my perfect list.

Cheers y0

Rationalizing the Faith

I think I'm going to sneak in one more post before I call it a night.

The lot of us seem to be bothered by a lot of theological questions because it seems that any form of organized religion and the concept for "the power of ourselves" seems to deeply contradict. The whole idea of submitting to an anthropomorphic (or maybe not depending on your faith) deity seems to be clear cut proof of the claim "religion is for the weak". I admit, shamefully, that I felt that religion had absolutley nothing it could offer to my personal growth and development.

So why do I got to church and why do I proclaim that I am a Christian and a humble servant of Christ. What caused the change and what driving force further pushes this change?

The very first sermon I attended at my current church, DFC (Downey First Church), my pastor was going over the book of Ephesians and his sermon was centered around "living a worthy life". This sermon really resonated with me because I have always placed a huge emphasis on education in my own personal development. Being versed in metaphysics, ethics, debt securities, torts -- I always felt that the measure of a man was equal to the measure of his knowledge. However, this sermon lead me to question what the worth in such a world view was. It was obvious that the focus in such a view was ME. The rationale was that I know what is best for myself because I know what I need to do be considered succesful, cultured, and a good person. However, what is the WORTH of such a view? Is there any value in such a relentless pursuit of self aggrandization? Can there be any fulfillment? Basically, what the f*ck are we living for?

And that was when I knew. A life of value, of worth -- a good life, is a life that is not centered on yourself. It is a life of service. Service to mankind and more importantly, service to the LORD. Outside our own little narcissistic bubbles, I feel that there do exist obligations that we must fulfill. There is an expectation for us, as human beings, to serve one another. And what better light is there for us to follow in such a quest than Christ who served all of humanity through the ultimate sacrifice. It seems to me that such an obligation to LOVE one another through service is our calling because of what Christ did for us. I think that is why so many people see the Bible as a crock of sh*t, because it is unfathomable that such a selfless sacrifice can exist in the world today. It sounds so unreal that it can ONLY be a fairy tale. However, regardless of what others may think, I feel that if I live to serve as Christ served, than how is it possible for me to live anything other than a worthwhile life?

During our college retreat a few weeks ago, my small group leader asked "what do you think is the biggest change in your life since you became a Christian". And to me, the answer was obvious. I no longer feel any sense of misdirection or aimlessness in my life. I know that I am fulfilling a purpose that I know is worthwhile and that I know will help me grow into who I want to be. Of course there is still uncertainty, and there are a ton of things I am crossing my fingers about. But as a Christian, you have a feeling that you are standing on solid ground, and that the path ahead of you, while difficult, will always take you where you want to go. Call it foolishness, weakness, or irrationality, but trust me when I say that this kind of faith requires much more out of you than any midterm or final will, and the rewards are far greater.

I know that this post was really jumbled, filled with grammatical errors, and not very clear (I usually try and make it a point to map out my posts so that I can practice writing techniques) but it was something that I really wanted to write for a while now and I didn't want to give myself any excuses this time. Thanks for reading.

Cheers,
henrO

You Really Got Me 2007

Did anyone else think that 2007 was a f*ckin awesome year for movies? Considering that there are still at least a handful of movies I want to watch, it seems that the studios really delivered this past year. Here's a quick recap of what I thought were the highlights:

Ratatouille

Best. Pixar. Movie. EVER. Yes, better than Toy Story. An awesome story about reading beyond the cover of a book through the story's unlikely heroes. Plus, the visuals were absolutley mesmerizing. When you see Remy going through the sewers, you realize how far Pixar has come.

Once

The raw feel of the movie really emphasized what a gritty task chasing your dreams can be. I think it gave a very robust picture of human interactions, desire, and the "human spirit".

Superbad

The foulest movie I have seen in a while. This movie made up for a plot that I thought dragged a bit with a plethora of one liners that we will all be reciting when drunk for years to come. You see, the funny thing about my back is...

Knocked Up

Alright, personally, I did not find this movie funny at all. I can't remember any particular scene where I went beyond a mere smirk. However, I think that 'Knocked Up' is a very authentic movie about good intentioned people who f*ck up that you can look back on with a lot of fondness.

Juno

I still think the Moldy Peaches suck but Ellen Paige's razor sharp wit, Michael Cera's honesty, Cat Power, and Belle & Sebastian make this movie a win in my book. And FYI, Paige is wrong. Sonic Youth is not "just noise", it is ART.

A short list I know but unfortunatley I still haven't seen 3:10 to Yuma, Michael Clayton, Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Persepolis, There Will Be Blood, and Eastern Promises (which all look very promising).

Smart Things People Say, Pt. 2

A small group of people leaving a bar pass by

A: Your people are loud

B: I take it by my people you mean Koreans

A: Yes



nioce!

Groupthink and the Spurs

I don't understand why everyone thinks the Spurs are boring. Say the Clippers or T'Wolves are boring, then I will absolutley agree with you. But the 4-time NBA Champions? I understand that Tim Duncan is not exactly TO or Ocho Cinco when it comes to handling the press. But how can you NOT marvel at how easy he makes it look when he banks in his little 7 footers? And aside from Tim Duncan, the Spurs also have Tony Parker and Ginobili. Personally, I think Ginobili is one of the more exciting players (especially this season) to watch in the league.

Seriously, the Spurs give you more than just jacking up 3s (AHEM GOLDEN STATE AHEM). They have slashing drives to the basket, laser guided missle passes, and those pretty little floaters that make them a rael pleasure to watch. It's true that beyond TD, Parker, and Ginobli (and POSSIBLY Horry), they lack any real starpower. But then again, look at the biggest bandwagon around, the Warriors. Imagine Bob Costas doing the intro for game 7 of the WCF sans Baron Davis and maybe Stephen Jackson.

"TUNE IN TODAY FOR AN EPIC SHOWDOWN. AL HARRINGTON, ANDRIS BIEDRINS, MONTA ELLIS AND PATRICK O'BRYANT! YES LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PATRICK O'BRYANT! THEY WILL TAKE ON THE MIND NUMBINGLY BORING SAN ANTONIO SPURS! YES THE SPURS SUCK BECAUSE THEY ARE BORING AND SUCK AT EVERYTHING! WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TIM DUNCAN AND A QUADRIPALEGIC? NOTHING! AHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"But Ginobli's a flopper!!!!"

Part of the game buddy. If you get the call, you get the call. I don't see how flopping is preferrable to whining to the ref for the next minute after the play has already ended.

So think to yourself, are the Spurs really boring are you just saying that because it is the cool thing to do?

For your consideration:

Nicomachean Heller

After busting my head over the Nicomachean Ethics, eupraxia, prohanesis, and other borderline incomprehensible subjects, I found myself thinking back to this short quote from Catch-22. It's one of my favorite quotes from the book and one thing I noticed is that the very last line is written in a way that makes it seem that it is directed specifically towards the reader.

"Well, maybe it's true," Clevinger conceded unwillingly in a subdued tone. "Maybe a long life does have to be filled with many unpleasant conditions if it's to seem long. But in that event, who wants one?"
"I do," Dunbar told him.
"Why?" Clevinger asked.
"What else is there?"