NBA's Second Season

There aren't many things better than the NBA playoffs. It is the NBA's second and better season. So many things hang on every game. They have the possibility to reshape a franchise, make superstars, and create dynasties. What I love about the playoffs, is the type of game that is required to win. A team like the Suns will never, ever take it. They dont play defense. Over a 7 game series any good team will figure out ways to stop you from scoring. It's possible to overcome a great offense (everyone misses shots), but nearly impossible to overcome a great defense (because they will cause you to miss those shots). This is important, because it creates the coveted playoff environment. Everything is grity and dirty, boxing out, hedging on screens, knocking down cutters; all that fun stuff. (Pistons anyone?) Well, I'm excited for the Bulls to be in the midst of the playoffs. They are built for playoff basketball, and if Curry and Deng had been healthy, they would be going much farther (if they dont already with the 'ship this year). It's great how you can talk about the things you love forever, and while many other things occupy this category for me, the NBA playoffs is definately in there (for many reasons beyond basketball).

Far Too Long

It's been far too long, because i've been far too busy with school. This actually pisses me off, because I'm going to have enough homework to do next year, I should be living it up this year, but no, instead I have the hardest semester of my high school career. Well anyways on my haitus I've found a Christian Revolutionary, well if not revolutionary, at least a great example. Mother Theresea. She was definately a role model and icon for a generations, but as wonderful a person as she was, she didn't change the world politically, which is very important. I mean that is where all the world's problems generally stem from, and it is also where they can be solved; the political arena. So I love Mother Theresea, but I want more.

Question of the Moment

Why haven't there been any 20th Century Christian political revolutionaries?

Revolutionary Figures

The interesting thing about revolutionary figures (i've referring specifically to gandhi and che, but I'm sure the rest apply as well) is the way they get hero-ified. It's just human nature. Everyone wants the ultimate; an example of what is worth living for. Yet no man is perfect. Che went on to murder many people, whether for noble purposes or not, he murdered people. He was also much more of a womanizer than The Motorcycle Diaries lead you to believe. Gandhi was guilty of some flip flopping and had some sexual desires he could not control at times. Yet there are two reverred figures, so why can these things be simply looked past? Well, we need someone to look up to. If you tried to motivate a group of Indian nationalists by saying, "Gandhi liberated his countrymen without even lifting a finger to war, but he did have problems with sex." That just wouldn't work. We harp upon the bad. One bad apple could spoil an entire bushel of ripe apples. Therefore our society makes heroes. As it may seem dishonest and idealistic, I have nostalgic connections to it. I dont want to know about Michael Jordan's gambling problems. I want to remember him for all the opportunities he gave me and my dad time to sit down and watch him growing up. I want to remember Jordan for his amazing shots, and inspiring performances. I want to remember Jordan for being the one thing I could rub into my uncle's face (who is a Pistons fan). On a much grander (and more important) scale, Gandhi and Che provided this. They motivated and turned entire countries around, and the fact that I'm talking about them right now, is a testimony of the amazing reach their influence still has today. We all know heroes really aren't heroes, but my hats off to all those heroes out there.

The Motorcycle Diaries

I saw The Motorcycle Diaries several times this weekend, and quite suddenly it has become my favorite movie. I've tried to anayzle why, but it seems to escape me. From the moment the movie started, I was already in love with it. Maybe because it portrays something I wish I could do; something I wish I had the courage to do, change the world forever.

A Revolutionary Life

How will I be remembered? How will you be remembered? Will we be remembered? Such thoughts entered into my mind as I watched The Motorcycle Diaries and made another dent into Che this weekend. Ernesto, "Che", seemed to live a very normal life up until the momentous roadtrip he took on. He was a medical student only a semester away from his degree, but he let it all go. He let go of security for something more. He risked it to become something more. Isnt that a staple of greatness, great risk? Ernesto could have easily gone back home after a life changing, perspective changing journey to become what his parents expected him to be, but instead he wanted more, not only for himself but for everyone. He was one of the many people that recognize social injustice and truely take notice, but he was one of the rare people that actually do anything about it. I can't comment on his life as a revolutionary, as I've yet to fully research it, but I must say I'm very impressed with his life; just as I was with Gandhi's. They both grew up with stable and successful futures ahead of them, a doctor and lawyer respectively, yet through God's providence they each reached a breaking point. They were each shown something which they couldn't tolerate, and possesed the fortitude to change it. It's amazing, because we all have this potential. We all have the potential to be great, to be something more than is expected of us, but we must reach that point where society's definition of success isn't acceptable; when money is no longer an acceptable meter for success, when a courage becomes not an exception to normal activity, but the normal activity. That is how we can live a revolutionary life.

Fruits/Vegetables?

I'm curious as to what the scientific differences are between fruits and vegetables. I've never seen or heard of a specific list of characteristics. Usually the fate of the food's classification has just been taken in faith or by a blind guess. So, if someone can show me a list, that would be interesting, and probably make me a better person somehow.

I'm Proud of my Illini

As you all know at this point, the Illini fell to UNC the other night 75 to 70. It was heartbreaker to say the least. Lutherhead, Powell, and Deron are probably all leaving which meant this was probably the Illini's one and only shot at the 'ship. Yet, was this season a failure because they didn't win? I dont think so. Not at all. In many ways, I think they had a more of a successful season than North Carolina did. North Carolina was extremely talented but it never felt like they earned or worked for a win. When they won, it was because they were supposed to. Illinios wasn't supposed to do any of this. Even when they finished the season with one loss people doubted them. Yet they came out and gave it their all every night. Some nights the shots didn't fall or they didn't get the calls, but it wasn't because they weren't trying. I'm glad to call myself an Illini fan, and they most likely will not have a team this good next year or maybe ever again. The Illini, this season, demonstrated what is meant by winning even when you lose. By no means will I ever forgot the Arizona game or this season as a whole. I'm proud of my Illini.

South Carolina

I'm back from Charleston, and I can't even put into words what happend. As Clew said, "there is no adjective I can attach to it". He's right. It was just perfect. Even when it was going bad or unpleasant, it was perfect. Everything about it just screamed divine control everything from highways carved out of mountains, to trickling waterfalls, to the sweet ocean air, to the bountiful shells, to the sand stuck in my toes, the Columbia capitol building, Clyde letting loose, Chris waking up, half man-half drugs, yelling at each other, grilling hot dogs, beautiful Charleston streets, tasting coffee, swelling feet, waffle house, Mario, orangeburg, bread everywhere, car smelling like fruit and bread, my jam, hogging the blanket, running next to the car during a traffic jam, throwing food out the window, craving donuts, best ice cream in the world, useless basketball, hours upon hours of frisbee, losing the throw, putting on shows, chris belly flopping into the ocean, kids throwing sand at each other (and baby), lost butterfly kite, running baby, wheaton north bartender, wrong mapquest directions, weird dude, loud kid, quiet time, out like a rock in the backseat, total and fruit loops, and so much "freakin" more. I have to spread this out over a couple of entries since this one doesn't even make sense, unless you were there.