RIDICULOUS!

Marc Stein of ESPN came out with his predictions for this year's NBA season today. I have serious problems with this list.

Rank (Last Wk)		Team	Rec.	Comment
	1 (3)	Pistons	54-28	You know by now the treatment defending champs get here. Especially when their roster looks better, with Dice and Delfino, than it did in June.
	2 (1)	Spurs	57-25	Pop says he 'hated' the Shaq trade because beating the three-peaters was the ultimate challenge. The bet here is he'll get over it once these Spurs start rolling.
	3 (2)	Timberwolves	58-24	No one doubts them in the playoffs any more. The doubts of note are attached to Cassell's hip, because Sam I Am absolutely has to be healthy for Minny to stay up here.
	4 (14)	Heat	42-40	The committee has always found South Beach to be a bit overrated. But that was before it became Shaq-apulco.
	5 (4)	Pacers	61-21	Yup. That really is three teams from the East in the top five. And, yes, Pacer People: Your arguably underrated squad has to start out third after what Detroit and Miami did.
	6 (9)	Nuggets	43-39	It's a big jump up here, true, but Nuggets' frontcourt rotation really is one of the biggest and best. K-Mart, Camby, Nene . . . before you even get to Melo? Solid.
	7 (12)	Rockets	45-37	As with Denver, some will say this is too steep a climb, especially since Rockets have PG issues. But we like the T-Mac move that much, along with the Juwan throw-in.
	8 (6)	Kings	55-27	Maybe no team is harder to assess at this stage. Kings still have C-Webb, Peja, Bibby, Bobby Jax and Brad Miller . . . but start anew with more tension and doubt than they've seen in years.
	9 (10)	Jazz	42-40	Joining Jerry Sloan's overachieving kids this week: Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur and the rehabbed Matt Harpring. Three boosts for a team no one liked playing before.
	10 (7)	Mavericks	52-30	There's still too much there to drop Dallas out of the top 10 sans Nash. That said, looks like Mavs still have too many scorers and not enough passers, even if they do improve on D.
	11 (21)	Suns	29-53	Yet Nash is rated highly here, which is why Suns have risen so dramatically. The glut of swingmen, mind you, could be a trouble spot unless one of them (Marion most likely) is moved.
	12 (8)	Grizzlies	50-32	Hubie's back and Grizz might be even deeper than they were, but the surprise factor is gone. Memphis won't sneak up on anyone any more, which makes that next step even tougher.
	13 (5)	Lakers	56-26	It's only out of respect for Kobe's prodigious talents and Rudy T's ability to connect with stars that LA is this high. Seriously: LA's smallish roster is no lock for a playoff spot.
	14 (13)	Trail Blazers	41-41	West is so ridiculously deep that Portland is hardly mentioned anywhere as a playoff contender, even after landing Van Exel to join Zach, Theo and Reef.
	15 (16)	Warriors	37-45	This really isn't a top-15 team, but Warriors had a better summer than most clubs in this vicinity, just by hiring Mully and empowering him to start changing the culture up there.
	16 (15)	Bucks	41-41	Milwaukee can handle not being able to sneak up on folks now. The bigger problem is replacing the guard play of T.J. Ford, a quietly huge factor in last season's breakout.
	17 (22)	Cavaliers	35-47	You would have expected a steeper PR drop after Boozergate, but that's the state of the East outside of Detroit-Miami-Indiana. With LBJ, a playoff spot is forthcoming even without Booze.
	18 (20)	Celtics	36-46	We might be shortchanging Boston. Doc Rivers has lots to do, but the volatility (GP/Ricky Ricky) is talented, and joined by Paul Pierce and a good frontline by East standards (Blount/Raef).
	19 (11)	Nets	47-35	Like its opponents in the '02 Finals, Jersey lost a lot of its soul since the spring. And with Kidd unlikely to rush back from knee surgery, the first six weeks could empty out what's left at the Meadowlands.
	20 (17)	Hornets	41-41	They have moved to the West. They have a franchise player (Baron) who wants to relocate. They have lost Mash for the season already. Summers don't get much worse.
	21 (18)	Knicks	39-43	Instead of capitalizing on NJ's disintegration, look for NY to go the other way. That means a Lenny Watch, Steph passing sparingly and the usual logjam of undersized PFs.
	22 (29)	Magic	21-61	The names sound somewhat appealing: Stevie Franchise, Cuttino, Hedo, Dwight Howard . . . maybe even a Grant Hill sighting. Of course, they're just names 'til we see some games.
	23 (23)	76ers	33-49	With Iverson, Dalembert and Coach Obie, you have to give Philly a chance to grab the eighth spot. But that's really all we can give.
	24 (24)	Hawks	28-54	In talent and ticket-selling terms, Atlanta isn't any better off than it was. But just enough happened in the offseason ('Toine, Harrington, Woodson) to make us curious, if no one else.
	25 (26)	Bulls	23-59	Kirk Hinrich is worth watching, and so is Andres Nocioni, but we're not going to be gullible again. Baby Bulls can expect little to zero slack from the committee.
	26 (27)	Raptors	33-49	Vince is another guy who has exhausted our patience, which explains why a team that added two committee favorites -- new coach Sam Mitchell and Cal State Fullerton draftee Pape Sow -- is lower than it probably should be.
	27 (25)	Wizards	25-57	Antawn Jamison will help, but only so much. It's tough to do well in the Power Rankings when you look so thin at the power positions.
	28 (28)	Clippers	28-54	Last time Lakers cratered, after Magic Johnson's HIV-forced retirement, LA actually became a Clips town ever-so-briefly. Don't expect that miracle again.
	29 (19)	SuperSonics	37-45	Only two teams in the West have no shot at the playoffs, and this is No. 1 on that list. The return of Nick Collison will help, but it was another way-too-quiet summer in Seattle.
	30	Bobcats	-	Emeka Okafor is a nice kid and a decent prospect . . . but that's probably the most positive thing we'll be able to say about these guys for a while.

I normally respect Marc Stein, but this is a joke! I'll agree with the first three... hey, I know talent when I see it. The Pistons, Spurs and T-Wolves didn't alter their rosters too much over the summer. Why change a good thing, right? But come on, ranking the Heat at number 4?!?! Shaq's good, but not THAT good! The players that helped the Heat get so far last season are now all on the Lakers, with the exception of their phenom point guard, Dwyane Wade. And please, we give number 5 to the Pacers? The Pacers are starting to look like an old team, with Reggie Miller still trying to lead them to victory. I'll admit, they may be able to rely on Ron Artest and Jermaine O'Neal, but seriously, they never really had a chance at the championships, and they haven't changed much since.

Rankings 6 to 10 are a bunch of Western Conference teams. I'll agree with some, though I honestly believe that the Lakers deserve to be up in the mix. And no, I'm not just speaking from a biased perspective... here's why. The Nuggets have a lot of potential, though Kenyon Martin isn't always the most consistent player. He couldn't perform very well with the Nets and always buckled under pressure in the finals with Kidd. Maybe a change of scenery might be good for him, though. We'll have to wait and see.

The Rockets think that their newest addition of T-Mac will improve their chances. HA! They are so wrong! I would venture to argue that the greatest duo to play basketball after the John Stockton/Karl Malone pair would be the Stevie Francis/Yao Ming combo. What were they thinking when they broke up the lethal 1-2 punch??? Yao's learning to become more dominant... let him continue to learn with Francis. But NOOOO, the Rockets decide to bring in T-Mac, who's probably gonna ball-hog, and lead them to Orlando Magic status... which is last place in the NBA.

The Kings are playing like sh.t.... and no, that's not more biased commentary. Even Sac fans realize that once they gave up Vlade Divac to the Lakers, the dynamic within the Kings team changed. Furthermore, Peja's dying to get traded. Hmmm... may that be because he doesn't like his team??? (Peja, you can come to LA and join your comrade, Vlade.) That leaves Mike Bibby (Kermit the Frog) and C Web. Maybe if they actually used Bobby Jackson as a starter, they may have a chance. Duh!

The Jazz was never a big threat in the playoffs... I've yet to be convinced that their new additions of Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur will affect much change. And lastly, the Mavs... never had any much defense, only offense. And now Dirk must do it without Steve Nash. Maybe Erick Dampier will help a bit.

Nash has been moved out to Phoenix, who ranks at number 11. Okay, this is the Phoenix Suns we're talking about. The same team that sold tickets so cheap that Caroline, Elaine and I flew THERE to watch a Lakers game. And now even they're ranked above the Lakers???

Hahha, Grizzlies, what a joke. And finally... number 13 goes to the Lakers. I think the Lakers will, in the end, surprise everybody. The team is filled with a lot of raw talent. No longer is this a team full of superstars, a complete 180 from last year. This is a big reason why people are so skeptical of the Lakers' future. We no longer have 4 future Hall of Famers, we have like 1.5 (.5 being Malone, depending if he comes back). But what we have now may be better! Kobe may still need to drop a good 30 points every night, but we can also depend on our role players. Like I mentioned already, we picked up a good portion of last year's Heat team (Odom, Butler and GRant) AND the heart of the Kings team (Vlade). No word on who the Lakers will eventually keep on their roster, but I see a lot of promise in newbies like Tony Bobbitt, Tierre Brown and Sasha Vujacic. We're gonna to have a really good running team once everybody is healthy, mainly Kareem, Slava, and Vlade (all the veterans!). They almost remind me of the Pistons team that won last season... no big superstars, just a bunch of good, solid players that knew the roles they were supposed to fill. So yeah... don't count out the Lakers just yet!

In my book, the teams ranked 20-30 don't matter. I say disband half of them and combine all the players to make better teams... it'll do wonders to the sport of basketball. But no, let's create ANOTHER losing team, have Nelly be a partial owner, and call them the Charlotte Bobcats!!! Stupid.

It scares me to know that I hold so much hate in my heart for one person. Maybe it's not the person that I hate... but rather myself for believing. I always thought I was smarter than that... smarter than to fall for a bunch of pretty words and false promises. Maybe it was because I really wanted to believe that this time, things would be different. Silly of me to think that you were special. Instead, you're the worst one. Thank you for up and leaving me like a "psychotic jackass." I regret the day I met you, because you have made me hate myself. I can't walk down that road again. You have been expelled from my life. Goodbye.

Said my sister: "Look at what boys make you do! They make you forget your umbrella!"

F.ck. I am going to fail not one, but TWO midterms! How can I read day in and day out and still be soooo far behind?! Sociology 180 is American Society. I'm an American... how hard can it be, right? WRONG! I'm behind 3 books for that class! I thought I didn't have to read one of them because it's about government, and hey, I'm a Political Science major. Big problem though... it focuses on international politics! Darn me for shying away from IR!

For my Sociology of Poverty class, there are only 2 books to read... yay! BUT, I've only read one of two! And yes, that will be a problem when the midterm only has 2 questions. You can be sure that each question will cover the two books. F.ck... I'm so screwed.

And lastly, guys are SO flakey! So I'm supposed to be in a study session instead of writing an angry rant on blogger. But no, here alone is where I sit. I can't trust anybody around here! It's just more calls forwarded to voicemail. Can someone just throw me a frickin' bone?! I'm in dire need of some human contact instead of reading between the lines of piles and piles of dead trees. I'm starting to hallucinate objects and hear voices in my head. It may be the fever that's talking though... and the Red Sox are playing right now, as are my Lakers. I hope, at least they have a good night. Good night, moon.

Hahaha, look at the great picture I dug up! This is so old that I don't even remember when we took it!

Wow, he REALLY is a family guy and was even voted Father of the Year by the National Father's Day Council. I know it's not exactly Christmas yet, but for anybody that cares, I know what I want. Haha, yes, this year for Christmas, I want Andy Pettitte. But if I can't get the real thing, a poster will suffice.



Is it just me or does anybody else think he looks like Tony Reali, AKA Stat Boy?

I had dinner with Mo last night. Mo and I always share deep thoughts. He serves as my therapist, as I do for him. I always take away from these conversations at least one important "universal truth" (at least in Jamie and Mo's world... but then again, what do we know? we're both f.cked up in the head). This time, I learned that we live in patterns and these patterns are hard to break. More simply put, bad habits die hard. So true, as I find myself resorting to my old ways. It seems that I am MOST attracted to the things that I know are so bad for me.

It REALLY is like Christmas in October! Astros took out the Giants today. Hurray for Andy Pettitte and company!

LA MAY just redeem themselves in the world of sports after all. Despite a disappointing basketball season (which we won't talk about and will forget from hereon after), both the Dodgers and the Angels have clinched their respective division titles today! (And just for the record, yes, I DO consider the Angels to be partly from LA, though I will allow Anaheim to claim them as well.) If I'm not mistaken, this is the FIRST year that both the Dodgers and Angels took division champs in the same year. Nobody had faith... except me. Everybody KNOWS these were my teams from the VERY beginning of the season: Dodgers, Angels and Astros. I'm just waiting for the Astros to clinch the NL Wildcard, and I'm set to have a great post-season playoff.





Hero of the day - Steve Finley!

KERRY ALL THE WAY

At least that's what I think. Despite all the mixed reactions from last night's presidential debate, I got a bit of privileged insider information today from a little birdie in DC that told me Bush's camp of people were NOT happy at all after the debate. Actually, make that all DURING the debate. Everytime Bush said something stupid or ridiculous (basically, every time he spoke), his entire campaign staff standing (or rather, dying) backstage wanted nothing more than to end the debate and drag his sad, pathetic monkey face offstage. Said one campaign staffer, "Can't we just CREATE a terrorist attack here?!" I won't analyze too much... I may scare off people like Alan. (Bad date, ask me or Gabby if you want the full story.) At least I know that we're not too insanely crazy about politics. There are people worse than us... according to Gabby, they are called PAID political analysts.

WONDERING

I know I have what it takes. I can make you better. But how do I break out of the role of political consultant or life advisor and transform myself so that you can see me as something more? Will you allow me to make you better? Can you make ME better? I know everything about you, and at the same time, I know nothing. Is it personal? Impersonal? Is this still a strictly professional relationship or have we passed that phase?

You're MY Stat Boy from New York.

When things are getting me down, there's nothing better than retreating to my world of sports. Tonight was another day in paradise. Another three for three night! The Angels are now tied for 1st with the A's in the AL West. Exciting stuff... this ain't looking pretty for Nor-Cal fans!

Can't touch the untouchable
Break the unbreakable
Shake the unshakeable
It's "Kobe" baby

Can't see the unseeable
Reach the unreachable
Do the impossible
It's "Kobe" baby

Wow. I think I'm high on sports right now. There's nothing like coming home to find out that ALL your teams won today! My Dodgers have really been on a roll lately. Gagne apparently had two big innings late in the game today against the Giants. (Boo to the Giants... bunch of LA-haters!) And Angels are kicking some A's butt! It was a good weekend for the Nor-Cal/So-Cal rivalry. (Of course, So-Cal came out on top!) And lastly, my dark horse of the season, the Astros... all the sports commentators initially left them out to die, especially after Andy Pettite couldn't produce the way they had anticipated. But regardless, they're hanging on in the NL Wildcard race. I STILL believe they have a chance. Boy, it would make my season if the Giants got left in the cold. Either way... great day! Dodgers, Angels and Astros all won today! It would've been better if I was ACTUALLY at the Dodgers/Giants game... but watching it on TV by myself isn't so bad anymore... I've been doing it for quite some time already.

CURTESY OF GEORGE STRAIT

Do you love me, do you wanna be my friend?
And if you do, well then don’t be afraid to take me by the hand
If you want to
I think this is how love goes, check yes or no.

I have strange friends. Those are pillows on their heads!!!

Really, that's my sister! And yes, we look nothing alike.

More Gabby and Jamie!

I just like this picture.

TAIWAN 2004

I figured it was about damn time I put up some pictures from my relaxing summer. Here are a couple of my favorite shots from my two weeks in Taiwan. The trip was really wonderful, as I got an inkling of what it would be like to have grown up with a huge extended family... too bad it wasn't longer.


My "baby" brother and me. This is the very first picture of our trip. Always a memorable one!



The family at Marine World in Kaohsuing. My dad's old college helped to fund this park!



My Aunt Judy and me at Maobitou. This is a landmark located at the southern tip of Taiwan. If you look directly behind my Auntie's head, you'll see the Maobitou, which loosely translates to mean Nose of Cat.



Me clowning around.



Terri as a terracotta artifact.



Two families combined... my 2nd uncle's family and ours. My 2nd uncle used to be the chairman of the Hualian Kiwanis and once broke the record for swimming in the southern region of Taiwan.



The family and my grandmother. They used to say that I look a lot my like my grandmother. I think she's BEAUTIFUL!



This is a picture of all the cousins on my mom's side, minus Tom, who's currently in the army, and Maggie in Vancouver. Also, woman in light pink (2nd from the right) is my cousin's new fiance. I don't know if I like her yet. I don't think she's good enough for him.



Ah, such a candid shot.



People always say that my brother looks a lot like my dad. And they also say that my cousin Vinnie looks like my dad... so now y'all can be the judge. Jerry, Vinnie and my dad, do they look alike?



My cousin Mego and me.



And here is the end of our trip!

RAINDROPS ON ROSES...

This is great. I have finally gotten away from the madness that was. With all my abundance of time each day, I have been able to enjoy things that make me happy. Though I miss my days in office, I can't really complain about what I have gained instead. This is some of the things I have been doing to fill my days.

-Thanks to Pablo's philosophy to life, I now take my time walking from Point A to Point B. Funny all the things you notice if you just stop to look.

-I can take longer showers just to enjoy the scent of my body wash. And after my showers, I can take the time to lather myself up with lavender scented lotion. But the best part of the post-shower ritual is using my Foot Lotion from The Body Shop. Trust me, it's good stuff.

-Every day, I come home right on time to have lunch dates with Tony Reali. Nothing beats food and Around The Horn. And... since I'm always the first one home, I greet each of my roommates as they come home.

-I have the time to pamper myself. Two days ago, Gabbo helped me find a program to replace my old Kobe screensaver that had mysteriously erased itself. This new program is better than before! AND... the clincher to my happiness, Tina and Tony Vibrational Fragrance. Apparently the stupid company went bankrupt, which means I've been living life scentless. (Gabbo swears the perfume is what gives me the Jamie-esque scent.) Well, while I was searching for the screensaver, I also came across their official website, which actually still sells the perfume. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping my scent comes sooner than later.

-I can sit on Sproul and people-watch/sunbathe without feeling guilty.

-I have oodles and oodles of time for my friends!

-Because of my lax class schedule, I only have basketball class Mondays and Wednesdays for just one hour... and no class on Fridays! (Tuesday and Thursdays are killer!) This leaves me with SO much time to actually work... like work for money. Haha, what an odd concept, work=money.

Despite everything, I'm still behind on homework. But this year, at least I'm not behind on life.

I am one of two girls in my basketball class this semester. Yup, lost in a sea of hot basketball-dribbling men. I think I've had really good dreams that have started this way. Unfortunately, my class ain't paradise.

From the second I set foot into that gym today, all the guys turned to me and started sizing me up. Naturally, I did the same. No big deal. I've been running with the "big boys" all my life. I always get scoffs at first. That's until they get swiped by me, then they stop doubting. Our teacher, whom also happens to be a woman, wasn't there yet. So everybody was just shooting around... with two freakin' balls! Out of a class of 30, and only two balls?!?! (We must be facing really tough budget cuts.) Anyway, some guys decide to stand around. I was done sizing up people and decided to shoot around and show my skills. Mind you, to actually get to shoot, I had to first rebound the ball. I am, without a doubt, the shortest person in class. Yes, the tallest guy is SO tall that even if I jumped, I still can't tap the top of his head.

I eventually win over a rebound and proceed to shoot. I decide to take my ever-popular shot by the right wing about a foot before the 3-point arc. That's usually my sweet spot. *swoosh* First shot: nothing but net! Some guy tosses me my change and I take another shot, with much more confidence this time....

F.ck. Second shot: air ball! The guys laugh as I creep back into the middle for another rebound. I guess, sometimes, a girl just can't get a break. So much for my GREAT skills.

Please excuse this entry. It's a thought that I've had for a very long time, but always had problems articulating. But with the recent proceedings in the Olympics, I figure it's as good as any of an example to use.

The human race is very interesting. We seem to act more united when a common enemy poses a threat. However, when that enemy disappears, we seem to ache for something or somebody to fight against, so we turn on each other. Let's take basketball, for example. The NBA is hands-down the best basketball organization in the world. Within the NBA, there are exactly 30 teams. These 30 teams aren't supposed to normally get along. Anybody that knows me KNOWS that I'm a die-hard Laker fan. But this morning, at 5:30 to be exact, I found myself cheering, quite loudly if I might add, for players like Tim Duncan and Carlos Boozer. Mind you, these are players I usually despise during the season. However, when playing against Spain, I'll gladly root for Team USA, even with players I hate.

Now, take this concept to a more worldly illustration. I remember watching Will Smith's Independence Day and thinking, "Oh, so this is how you reach world peace." Though the movie isn't all that realistic, what IS real is how people would react should Earth ever be attacked by aliens. Despite whatever war or dispute nations may be having against each other, when met with a bigger threat, I'm positive that people would put their differences aside.

As best put by my brother, when a greater evil threatens our society, people will come together. But all this leaves me wondering, isn't there any other way to achieve world peace???

There's a reason why I haven't blogged in so long. Lately, I've been noticing that my vocabulary has dwindled. I think I'm no better than my 15-year old brother. Language is something that needs to be practiced and worked at. It's been two years since I taught my last SAT course, and going on a 14-day English hiatus doesn't exactly work wonders for my rhetoric. I hate when words are at the tip of my tongue but I can't figure out which word I'm exactly trying to use. I think I might start acting like my sister and read the dictionary for fun.

I guess some things just weren't meant to be.  Was tonight solely my fault?  Solely his fault?  Perhaps nobody's fault.  Don't tell me I ain't got no game!  For your information, the drink I "bought" for you was paid for by another man.  Ha, joke's on you!

DEFINITELY A RANT...

I've been noticing a trend. It seems like lately, my older male friends have discovered the art of dating the young beauties of 1986. If you do the math correctly, these girls are the newly graduated high school class of 2004. My sister falls under this category, but I've been keeping her away from lecherous guys. You see, I have a lot of issues with newly graduated high schoolers dating a bunch of newly graduated college students! These girls haven't even stepped onto a college campus and they're ALREADY dating guys that have done the bar scene and assimilated to the "frat-life" way of doing things. I don't mean to categorize or make it seem like ALL guys are terrible, but what the f.ck are you doing with girls that still "riTe lYke DiS"??? Even maturity levels are different. Yes, we all know guys mature slower, so maybe high school girls ARE at your maturity level. But let's not be stupid, there's also a sexual maturity level, which let's face it, doesn't always develop as fast for young girls. It's not so much the age difference that bothers me. Hell, I've dated MUCH older guys. But come on, at least wait 'til these girls have moved into a co-ed dorm before you start hitting on them!

SNEAK PEEK INTO THE FUTURE...
 
Feeling too lazy to back my car out of the garage and drive it, I decided to take my dad's van out for a little joyride and pick up my little brother from his friend's house tonight.  Mind you, I have NEVER driven this van before, partly because it is the company van, which means I'm not insured under it.  I don't know what compelled me to take the van, or where I found the courage to do so, but I did.

I don't know why I was ever so scared to drive it.  Driving that big tank felt like the most natural thing to me.  For a fleeting 20 minutes tonight, I felt very much like a soccer mom, driving my brother and his friends around.  If this is any indication of what's in my future, I'm not complaining.  Rather, I welcome it. 

It's funny how much priorities change within a matter of a couple of years.  I recall a particular person telling me back in high school that I would make a horrible mother and wife.  As much as I tried to block out those hurtful words, it has actually helped to reshape my current priorities.  Even the way I measure success is different.  To me, success is measured by the number of lives you touch.  But, more importantly, it starts with affecting positive change within the people you love the most, and for me that means being the best wife and mother that I can be.

THELMA AND LOUISE...
 
...AKA Jamie and Gabby, or Gabby and Jamie, whichever way DJ Julio wants to announce our names over the microphone is fine with us.  "Reunited and it feels so good, reunited 'cause we understood..."  It's a shame we didn't sing this song, since we totally rocked the house at Sapphire.  My partner in crime and I have been separated for much too long.  Tonight was the long-awaited reunion.  I'd like to announce, we're back and better than ever before!    Totally fun night, with so much more to come...  Welcome back, Gabbo!

SPORTS, SPORTS AND MORE SPORTS

For as long as I can remember, the Dodgers have always been the underdogs.  But I love my boys in blue just as much as my purple and gold Lakers.  However, this just may be the year of the Dodgers.  Rumor has it that the Dodgers may be involved in the trade for "The Unit," which may dramatically improve their chances for the playoffs.  Either way, tonight was an exciting game.  Initially down with a 2-1 deficit, they tied it up in the 8th inning against the Padres.  Like always, the Dodgers turn on the magic in the 9th.  At the bottom of the inning, Adrian Beltre came up big and brought the game to an end, knocking one out of the park.  Very exciting!  Tomorrow, I will ACTUALLY be at the game.  Hope the boys come up big again.

Aside from the baseball game, I also managed to catch, not 1, not 2, but 3 basketball games today.  Yes, the infamous Whittier Tournament, better known for putting teams through intense playing schedules.  These boys in green won all three games.  *yay*  As for me, I'm completely "basketball-ed" out.  Driving back and forth is exhausting!  I was the only "parent" that stuck around for all three games!  But wait, it gets better... my brother is playing in 2 tournaments this weekend, which means a whopping 4 games tomorrow!  The upside to all this: I have an admirer!  The downside: He's WAY too young.  Totally R. Kelly-style.  It's just my luck; they're either too old or too young.  This one reminds me of a particular track star from back in high school.  Very cute!  Joe, call me when you turn 21.     

I think I've reached a new low this time.  I have these shows that I watch late at night.  I consider them to be my secret indulgences.  The types of shows that I deem so bad, that they're so good.  Yes, those trashy dating shows like Blind Date, Elimidate, and 5th Wheel.  Well, add another one to the pile.  The newest addition to the malarkey is MTV's Wanna Come In.  This is the show where smooth-talking guys play Cyrano de Bergerac to a less-than-handsome Christian, in order to win over Roxanne and hear those three golden words: "Wanna come in?" 

Imagine my surprise when I see guys that I have chilled with before ON THE SHOW!!!!  Yup, I see my guy acting a fool on the show.  I SURE do know how to pick winners.  I'm stewing in a pot of regurgitating slime.  I think it's time to get out.      

But the worse news yet: Vlade Divac is coming back to the Lakers.  Thinking about my sister's "Slam Dunk King" donning a purple and gold jersey makes me what to puke.  But if this will give Kobe and the Lakers more depth, I can be a team player too.  I just won't cheer very loudly for him!

The slippery slope argument never held up in any high school round of debate, but if ever it were to be used and actualized, it would be now. 
 
I never fully recovered from the first.  And since then, I've jumped from pit to pit.  I can't differentiate the good from the bad; I just treat them all the same.  I've become aloof and flakey.  And it's only because that's what has been done to me.

I just found out my grades from summer school.  If ONLY my summer school grades from the past 3 years were calculated for my GPA, I'd be staring at a PERFECT 4.0.  Unfortunately, such is not so.

"I'M A LAKER AT HEART."
 
Did you honestly think I wouldn't blog on one of THE most important day in Laker history?!  I was glued to FSN as of noon today, anxiously anticipating Kobe's momentous decision.  I all about screamed and leaped for joy when the news finally hit... Kobe has re-signed with the Lakers!!!  Good thing, cuz I don't know what I would've done if he had gone with the Clippers.  All is right in LA again.  And I'm not tripping about Shaq leaving... and here's why...    
   



Shaq is overweight and old.  He couldn't hack it against Big Ben and Rasheed this past season, and that was with Kobe.  I honestly don't see him being able to do it with a youngster like Dwayne Wade or an aging Eddie Jones (though I still love Eddie!).  Granted, Shaq is VERY dominant and it definitely is a big loss to the Lakers.  The Lakers' roster is currently very small, with an even smaller Brian Grant playing the center. 
 
On the other hand, Kobe is definitely WAY overpaid at $136.4 million over 7 years.  I believe that makes him currently THE highest-paid NBA player.  Is it really worth it?  Maybe.  Kobe's barely 25; he's got YEARS ahead of him.  And he's nowhere near the peak of his career yet.  I think building a team around him will give more flexibility for him to grow as a player.  He said in the press conference today that his goal will be to try to make his teammates better, and I truly believe him.  Kobe ain't stupid, he knows that there's a lot of pressure and responsibility now put on him to continue to build the Laker legacy.  He's gotta be an even more mature player if he wants to take the Lakers to another Final series. 
 
However, all that is long-term.  Short-term, Shaq and the Heat might see more success, purely because they are in the East.  They're biggest competitors will be the Pistons and maybe the Pacers.  The Lakers gotta go toe to toe with the improved Rockets, Spurs, and Timberwolves.  (Don't count out the Warriors, either.  They picked up *tear* Derek Fisher.)  However, give Kobe a couple of years to work out all the kinks.  He'll get it together.  I AM sad about seeing the Zen Master, Phil Jackson, leave.  But who knows, let's give Rudy Tomjanovich a chance.  He can't be any worse than Del Harris, right?   



Though Kobe is my first love, I gotta show some love to Allie Mac.  Thanks for going shopping with me today, with a fan tucked under your arm the whole time! 

EVERY ROAD LEADS BACK TO YOU

Even hundreds of miles away, every little thing still reminds me of you. I try to get away from you, but with every step I take forward, I take two steps back. How hard is it to find another guy that also loves the Lakers and Dodgers as much as you do? Apparently VERY!

I miss the way...

...you'd call in the middle of the day just to say "hey."
...we would stay on the phone for hours talking about nothing.
...we'd run into each other at parties.
...you used to think I never paid any attention to you.
...we shared stories about J&S and King Taco.
...you'd get all excited about seeing me.
...you would talk about your mother like a little mama's boy.
...you used to beg me to stay the night.
...you sat about lost and would look to me for answers.
...you would look at me and tell me I'm beautiful.
...you kissed me tenderly on the forehead.

I love that thinking about you brings a smile to my face... but I hate that no matter how wrong you are for me, you're always on my mind.

I'm dating the Russ to my Ross.

WEDDING OF THE CENTURY

I went to the first wedding of my life last night: Tim and Sally's. What an honor for theirs to be my first. The ceremony was beautiful. But instead of going on and on about how perfectly wonderful their wedding was and how perfectly wonderful their relationship is, I'm going to focus on (surprise surprise) the guests...

I don't know how many Schurrites still read this blog, but it's nice to know that some things never change. The wedding was very much like a Schurr reunion, about half a decade earlier than expected. Speech nerds reunite! Jane and Lisa are still inseparable. Felicia's still chasing after Peter (except now she has her own record deal and fashion line). Delwin and Allison are still together. And I still feel like the little sister that they let tag along. It's nice.

And just for the record, despite my fears of committing social suicide, going to the wedding solo was the best idea ever. I ended up scoring the best date ever.

SPIDERMAN II




My favorite superhero has always been Spiderman. I don't know what it is about him, but if you ever asked, I'd say that Spiderman could beat Superman any day. I used to sit for hours and hours reading Spiderman comics and then watch Spiderman, the cartoon. Having just gotten back from watching Spiderman II, I'm so stoked! It was like one intense rollercoaster. Though the dialogue wasn't all that great, the action was superb. Or maybe it's just cuz I don't like Kirsten Dunst as MJ.

Haha. Irony plays cruel jokes.