First 2005-06 Duke post.......

I was skimming online at CNNSi.com and came across an article written by one of their primary College Hoops writers, Luke Winn. Needless to say, he is first to jump on the anti-Duke bandwaggon for the 2005-2006 season. Why?

Well, he has already so "intelligently" predicted the outcome of Duke's December 10th game against Texas at the Meadowlands in NJ. And you guessed right if you guessed that Luke Winn chose a Longhorns victory over Duke. I'll let you read his own words:

"When the new 'Horns the almost assuredly top-ranked Dukies at the
Meadowlands on Dec. 10, they will be more than capable of knocking
the Blue Devils off their perch."

Despite the fact Andy Katz has Texas ranked #2 in his Top 25, I don't think it'll be so feasible to beat Duke, whether Duke plays in Durham or in NJ. Duke's lineup is just too deep and strong and will be spearheaded by JJ Redick, Shelden Williams, and top-ranked McDonald's High School All-American Josh McRoberts.

Back to JJ Redick and Shelden Williams. . . .

Both will be vying for the National Player of the Year award and Shelden might be also vying for Defensive Player of the Year.

First, JJ Redick will be tough to guard since adding more to his game than his monster 3-point ability. He shed 20 pounds before last season, which freed up some weight to take him to the hole. Texas better have a defensive stopper for JJ Redick. Let's look at the possibilities: Daniel Gibson, PJ Tucker, Craig Winder (all 6ft2in or taller). Daniel Gibson is a PG, primarily an offensive minded player and not known for his defense. PJ Tucker is closer to JJ's size at 6'5" but his position is Forward, not Shooting Guard, so he'll most likely guard Lee Melchionni or David McClure (if he earns PT as Dickie V says). I see no great defensive stop for JJ Redick.

Second, Shelden Williams (the 2004-2005 NABC Defensive Player of the Year) will look to live up to his name of the "Landlord," providing a big man for Coach K to rely on defensively and offensively. Shelden Williams also added another dimension to his game last season and is looking to continue improving on it -- the 15+ foot baseline jumper, which most definitely takes the opponent's big man away from the basket. Can anybody on Texas contain him? I think not, but let's look at the possibilities: LaMarcus Aldridge, a 6'10" sophomore and Connor Atchley, a 6'9" freshman. These boys will be nothing but punching bags to Shelden Williams.

The two seniors will be backed up by a large supporting cast, including sophomores DeMarcus Nelson and David McClure, as well as the best recruiting class of 2005 in their five freshmen: Josh McRoberts (#1 prep player - 2005), Greg Paulus (ESPY Award: Best HS athlete), Eric Boateng, Jamal Boykin, and Martynas Pocius.


Dear Luke Winn,

You may want to proof read your writing or even do some RESEARCH before you outright claim, in September, a Dec. 10 Texas victory over top-ranked Duke in New Jersey. Look for your prediction to die before it comes to fruition. If you simply research these things before hand, you won't seem like such an idiot.

Sincerely,

The guy who proved you wrong 2.5 months in advance.

190 horses... HELLO

So during the "grrreat weekend" (see Grrreat weekend. . . .) and on my way to pick Maria up to go swimming, I passed this modular home business and sitting in the parking lot was a bright red Honda Prelude. I've wanted a Prelude since I was 16 and I've recently over the past few years tried to talk my parents into letting me sell my car for one. So I decided "What the heck... might as well just check it out. I'm interested in how much they go for still."

I got out of my car and walked over the the Prelude and checked it out as best I could with it being locked and all. The interior is flawless, the exterior paint is good considering it's a 1993, the wheels were in perfect condition, and the price was right.

Not to mention it was the VTEC model. For those of you not educated in the world of Honda, this particular 1993 Honda Prelude has an H22A1 engine, which has 190HP and 161 ft/lbs. of torque. AND, that's not all! It's a 5speed! The Si model has 3o less HP , for those car enthusiasts.

After being impressed with the way the car looked on the exterior and interior, it was now to make sure the price was right.... and it was. Next came my gift for gab as I called up my mom and dad and talked my dad into letting me call the owner and set up a test drive and what not. So I test drove it on Monday at 12:30, checked out the engine -- no leaks, brought it to the apartment to get Patrick (knowledgeable about cars) to check it out for a 2nd opinion -- no leaks, no bad smells, nothing.

Called the rents back and told them it was in pretty damn good condition and talked my pops into coming on over to Farmville to give a good ol' look around himself. So yesterday he came down, test drove it and everything, even tried out the breaks and the VTEC power, and was impressed. So we decided it was a GO as far as buying it, so my 16 year old dream car (by that I mean an affordable car) is now mine! I even got Applebee's dinner out of my dad, and a Long Island iced tea.

So I will no longer be crusing along in that green Dodge Avenger, which I will miss somewhat......

Grrrrreat Weekend. . . .

So this week and weekend leading up to it has been somewhat unbelievable. Patrick's brother, Matt, Lindsey, April, Me, Thomas, and Maria were all included in a fun weekend. It was great to see the couple of people come visit us from Chester. Pino's was great and thanks again Lindsey for spotting me since I always seem to forget my wallet.

On Saturday night, we all headed over to Paula's apartment for a little bit of fun and I even stepped up my game in PONG, as Team M Squared dethroned their Chester counterparts April and Patrick. After that, we got killed TWICE by the REAL champs. But we do have bragging rights, Chester wise, for now. APRIL,PATRICK: Step it up folks. LOL

On Sunday, the Bucs proved they're back by winning their 2nd game of the season to reach a mark of 2-0 so far in this early NFL season. I know it's early, but the Bucs have really silenced quite a few skeptics and critics. Not even ranked in the top 20 of the Power Rankings on ESPN.com, they are now 10th on Power Rankings. Much of the Bucs' early success this season is their rookie RB from Auburn, Carnell Williams. The defense has always been there, they finally have an offense to back them up and now they don't have to carry the load.

That just about sums it up for this weekend. To figure out why this week has been so crazy and it's only Wednesday, see my post titled:

"190 horses... HELLO"

You don't say!

While doing what I love doing, READING, I came across a particular passage in the textbook I have for World History and it struck me that they might be hitting upon something astonishing -- we can all trace our origins to one particular place.... no way!

The passage reads:

Scientific theories can also be astonishing. Comparisons of genetic material
from contemporary humans around the world, for instance, have led some
scientists to claim that all of us can trace our ancestry to an "African Eve."
This single early hominid -- if the theory proves correct --lived in Africa
200,000 years ago.

Interesting.... really. I totally agree that we can trace our ancestry back to a single place at a single time period, but I don't agree that we can trace it to a "single early homonid" because it takes two humans (no matter what form of human scientists have conjured up over the years) to create another or others. Also, Africa wouldn't be the best choice for a starting point, but they're getting closer -- they most likely are referring to areas along the Nile River. But I still think it all began in the Mesopotamian region, in present day Middle East.

This particular "amazing theory" isn't so amazing and it's just that -- a theory. They could have been a little more original in the creation of this theory; I mean, if one would just read the Bible they can stumble upon the fact that all humans around the world can be traced back to one particular place and time period: Adam and Eve, The Garden of Eden (the first inhabitants on Earth).

I like the attempt by scientists to figure out the origins of life, but do you really think God would make it so easy for humans to mentally fathom the creation of life? I don't and that's the reason I rely on faith and The Bible. You should really try it -- you'll get results.

Professors, stick to teaching

Over the past couple years of being at college I have noticed a little something about most, not all, of the professors I've had here at Longwood. That something is the fact that they tend to interject not just their opinion on certain subjects, but their political opinion. I don't mind that they have their own personal political opinion on these subjects, but what I DO mind is the attitude they have regarding that opinion which is theirs.

I'm a history major for one and if I wanted to bicker over political views regarding the subjects we study, then I would've declared as a Political Science major. Keep what's political science in it's own realm and do your job as a HISTORY professor, please!

I don't even mind if the professors insert some of their political opinion; afterall, who can go a whole day without referring to something political in manner? I know I can't. The REAL problem I have is when a student speaks up and questions a professor's political opinion, that the professors usually shoots them down and in the process become smart-asses and proceeds to write that student off as ignorant.

First of all, if you (the professor) are going to bring up your political opinion, you had better be prepared to expect a student with a differing view to speak up. And when that student speaks up, you better receive his political opinion with an open-mind just as you expect students to.

I really have nothing against liberals, just as long as they don't interrupt something non-political to insert their political opinion and try to "convert" students who do not share the same view. And when a student disagrees, just remember, you brought it up! Also, take it like a man when we prove you wrong -- that is all.

Things are back in order. . . .

Aside from moving in and getting settled into my apartment here at Sunchase as well as becoming familiar with my new classes, life has pretty much been put back in order for me, and I'm so thankful and blessed. First of all, I owe it all to God and I must say the power of prayer cannot be matched.

By the title, I mean of course that I can no longer gripe about things not going my way. As of the middle of last week, my exgirlfriend (now girlfriend again) and I reconciled and we're back together. I must say, this is what I wanted from the start -- I didn't want to break up, but she needed space and I gave it to her. Now it's safe to say the best things are worth waiting for. We broke up on good terms, which probably helped in figuring everything out. So, life is great at the moment: I've got my family, I've got my friends, and I've also got Maria. I'm so glad we were able to get things right instead of throwing in the towel before we even started. She just makes me so happy and I'm in love, for those who are skeptics, and nothing could really keep that from me.

I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders and now I can concentrate on everything instead of being preoccupied without a focus on anything. With such a stressful situation worked out for the best, I can now focus on my senior year and getting done the things that need to be done in order for me to graduate and receive that good ole B.A. in History. Once I get that, I know I'm pretty much set. My goal is to significantly raise my already nice major GPA and in turn bring up my nasty cumulative GPA. I wasn't so proud of my freshman and sophomore self, but I want to honestly say I worked the hardest I possibly could for my junior and senior year at Longwood. You know, put some concrete meaning behind the piece of paper that says I've completed all the requirements to receive my B.A.

I really just can't wait to graduate, get a job, get that Honda S2000 I keep talking about, start my career, and then go to night school in order to earn my M.A. in History. I may follow the course to becoming a History professor in college, but who knows? We shall see. Life is really just beginning, so I'll just take it day by day and enjoy the little things.

Other than that, this year should be my best year of college. I'll be going to PANAMA (the actual country, not the place in Fla.) with Fernando, Thomas, and Patrick for about 6 days for Spring Break 2006. We're going to spend 2 nights or so in the capital city, and then head to the beach for about 4 days. Me and Fernando graduate in May, so we'll HAVE TO enjoy this Spring Break since we won't really have a summer. And we'll do everything in our power to take full advantage of the sun and the beaches.

Until then I'm going to study hard and just kick it w/ everyone here at Longwood. Yes, including YOU, APRIL. I finally gave you the shout out you deserve, happy now?

So....... here goes -- wish me luck!

Katrina Aftermath

I'm, in a way, immitating a section of my friend Patrick's blog regarding the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast of the US. So here goes my take on things, which will probably quite similar.

What was left in the aftermath of Katrina was of course an unfortunate tragedy and many people have lost pretty much everything they had, the most important loss being family members. I couldn't imagine losing everything I had nor losing any of my family members or close friends to a disastrous hurricane. I definitely, beyond the shadow of a doubt, sympathize for those affected by Katrina. So let me get that out of the way first -- i DO care about those who have lost so much in so little a time and if I had sufficient funds, I would be sending a personal check to at least help 1 person. Now, for those who have perverted the situation I have no respect and they will get the brunt of my criticism -- so here goes!

First, I would like to address the one who sticks out the most in my mind when it comes to people who have lost my respect as a result of things they have said. That person is Kanye West, whom I definitely had respect for UNTIL I saw what he said on what was supposed to be an informative, objective, and sympathetic TELETHON on NBC. Instead, Kanye West turned it into THE BLAME GAME, joining the ranks of the rest of the idiots blaming the president for a NATURAL, did I say natural, DISASTER!!!

Kanye West pulled out the race card in this game, which is sure to cause some controversy because of the way he did so. He blatantly blamed president Bush for failing to send aid because the remaining population of New Orleans had to wait for it.

Let's review what happened: Hurricane Katrina came with damaging winds and high volumes of rain, damaging New Orleans in effect. It rained so much, that the SUBPAR levees that are supposed to withstand a Category 3 Hurricane were breached. Another interesting fact: most places in New Orleans are not that high above sea level, which also played a major role in the immense flooding of New Orleans. Bridges were damaged, roads were damaged, and communication lines were completely destroyed. Most places where people needed to be rescued were surrounded by water.

What did Kanye want President Bush to do? FEMA is supposed to take care of the logistics of delivering supplies and food and healthcare to disaster victims, but they too were cooped up in some building because they simply could NOT get to everyone.

And I quote Kanye West's stupidity: "George Bush doesn't care about black people." First of all, let's not point out the obvious fact that Condi Rice (Secretary of State) is black AND female and one of Bush's most trusted aids. Let's not also forget the fact that he had Colin Powell in the same office the term before. Thanks for making yourself look like the typical race card thrower, making accusations before looking at the obvious facts. It's okay to be mad that they received aid a few days after, but don't pull the race card because you just look ignorant.

Also: "They're saying black families are looting and white families are just looking for food." First of all, I haven't heard any news correspondant say that, nor has anyone said that in any reports following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Please send me any manuscripts or video/audio recordings of people saying that, I would REALLY like to see that.

Yet again: "they're giving the (Army) permission to shoot us." By "us" I know you mean black people in this statement. Let's look at some vague statistics: the majority of the impoverished population in the city of New Orleans has historically been black and that trend has not changed. I'm not being racist whatsoever, but the population has historically been black. Race should not be an issue, but it is because of people like Kanye. The National Guard IS the military AND have been trained to shoot, and kill if necessary. Now when you have snipers shooting at police officers and aid workers, as well as national guardsmen evacuating ill and sick people out of a hosptial, they have every right to kill the bastards.

Kanye, thanks for regressing in a time of need instead of being progressive and trying to put in your part to fix the problem. Instead, you've just created more. Thanks for playing the BLAME GAME when you SHOULD have been looking for ways to better the situation. Just because you survived a car accident, wear an expensive backpack, wear sweater vests over button-ups, wear a Jesus "diamond piece," have so much money, have an artistic ability, and sold quite a few records DOES NOT mean you can blatantly blame President Bush for something that is not his fault. It would've been nice of you to take the opportunity in the telethon to HELP the people in need instead of bringing up a RACE ISSUE. Stick to singing about Jesus in one song and weed in another -- might be easier for you.