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Saturday, July 19, 2008

Currently Listening
Facing Future
By Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
see related
All You Need is Love

I didn't expect this to kinda be two blogs in one haha so it's pretty long (at least for me). My bad to the lazy people of the world.

Florida
Since I got back from Florida I've been kinda getting down by the fact that the peak of my summer has most probably just passed. Don't get me wrong, I am so thankful for the places I've been able to go this summer. But I guess since I have nothing else to really look forward to, I'm doubting how good the second half of my summer's gonna be. All my boys are either working, home for college, doing their own thing, or you know....changed. So here I am, home pretty early after a night of ball, searching for a job online. Haha I'm not about to make this a depressing post though so lemme up you on what's been going on lately. It's all good, I swear.

Before I start, you gotta excuse me if I sound dead in this post...I'm mad tired and really just writing because I'm bored haha. Alright moving on....

So like I said earlier, I went Florida last week with a few of my friends for a youth conference. I've been in this youth group called YFC (or CFC-youth for you noobs) for about six years now and every year they have a national conference where they get everyone together. It's been killing me every year man because I can't not go but it's so expensive. Toronto, Maryland, Cali, Ohio, Houston, Jersey, and Jax. Haven't missed a year yet and my wallet hurts just as much every time.

Anyway, we left Wednesday night, got there Thursday at noon. We stayed at Ryan G's house with Norcal, chilled there for the night, and left the next day for the actual Conf. I'm not gonna lie, before every conference I always have so many doubts. It's not gonna live up to next year. The talks aren't gonna be that great. Yada, yada, yada. It didn't help that all my friends from Jersey went to the other youth conference in Seattle and it was just about 20 of us in Florida. Every year, though, I'm always proved wrong. I was thinking there would be 300, 400 max right? Over 700 people there man. I was just shocked. A good shocked haha. Everything throughout the conference just fell into place too. From Tito Ricky opening it up with a beatboxing number, to competing in almost every competition with Cali, to every talk being on freakin point, to 700+ having adoration, to having Hawaii close out the conference with their performance, to chillin after Conference with Socal and Norcal an extra night. I could really go on and on about every little thing that made this trip to Florida and this conference one of the best, if not the best, conference I've ever been to. So yeah man. Praise God.

I was planning on writing a detailed play-by-play of the trip but who wants to hear about a 15 hour drive and 85% humid weather? If you really, really, gotta know how and why and what happened in Florida feel free to talk to me about it. But getting into this post really made me want to talk about something else kinda sorta related but uhh...

Anyway, if you've made it this far into my blog, lemme award you by opening up a little haha.

Being a Christian
My whole life, I've gone to mass, stayed up spiritually, made sure none of my friends fell off, gone to youth groups, and all that good mess. What I've lacked throughout my life, though, is something that a lot of my friends have never hesitated to have: pride. Not that cocky, over-confident kind of pride. That pride in knowing who the hell you are, you know? I never had that. I would be a Christian, sure. But I would kind of whisper it to myself while others were screaming it. And if anyone asked me if I'm a Christian? Sure, I won't deny it. But I wasn't about to tell every single person on campus either. Why? Because I care what other people think. Straight up. And I know it's wrong to care what my non-religious friends think or even what a stranger might think but that's how I've always been. I know how touchy the subject of religion is and I never wanted anyone to look at me differently simply because I happen to be a Christian. I mean, if someone met me, got to know me, and still thought I was wack then fine that's on you....your loss haha. I wouldn't care. But if someone were to dismiss who I am just because I'm carrying a rosary? Nah I would never be able to handle that.

This past weekend, though, the pride I had for being a Christian was so much greater than it usually is. I didn't care about any bad images or stigmas that have been placed on Christians in the past. I didn't care that so many people have grown to hate Christians because of how some Christians tend to judge others. I didn't care because, for one, I knew the kind of Christian I am and I was comfortable with that. I also didn't care because I knew in my heart that if anyone were to hate on me for who I am, that's totally on them. The theme of this conference was love. The very thought of hate was just lost in how much love there was that weekend. To think that I would hate anyone that would hate on me? No, no, no. Love unconditionally and courageously, even when that love isn't reciprocated. If there's one thing that stuck out for me this conference, it was that.

So here: I'm a Christian. Hi Hater.
- 1:07 AM
- email

Friday, July 04, 2008

Currently Listening
Fight With Tools
By Flobots
see related
With No Handlebars

I just heard this song by the Flobots called "Handlebars". Confused the hell out of me. But the beat was catchy and, even though the rapper couldn't really sing, he could kinda spit. So I was intrigued and did my research. These guys are apparently some anti-establishment group similar to Rage Against The Machine, just a little toned down. I read the lyrics online. Still confused. Then my good friend Wikipedia came through for me with this quote from the lead MC:

"The song is about the idea that we have so much incredible potential as human beings to be destructive or to be creative. And it's tragic to me that the appetite for military innovation is endless, but when it comes to taking on a project like ending world hunger, it's seen as outlandish. It's not treated with the same seriousness."

We've proven time and time again that, as human beings, we are capable of practically anything. When we were told we couldn't fly, the Wright Brothers thought otherwise. When Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles were told that sight was required to play music, they turned a deaf ear. And when this nation was denied its independence, we took it anyway.

So why is the very thought of a world free of hunger and homelessness unimaginable? Is it really that impossible? If we so chose to take on such a project, there's no doubt in my mind that we'd be able to accomplish it. Our potential as human beings is endless. We simply choose not to make such things among our top priorities. Instead, priority goes to developing things like the MacBook Air, ice-less ice skating rinks, and the most fuel-efficient car. Don't get me wrong, I don't have any problem with new innovations that make life easier. But why make such an effort to make our lives, which are already pretty easy, easier when others are struggling to live in the third world?

I might be getting too worked up over this. I guess I do that a lot haha. But I just wanted to put this out there: we have more power in this world than we might know. The influence of a single person can affect the world if one so chooses to make the effort. Gandhi knew it. Mother Teresa knew it. Dr. King knew it. They had visions and dreams that defied what people understood as the norm and took action despite the struggle that inevitably followed. We all have endless potential. Whether or not we choose to take action, however, is entirely up to us.

EDIT
I'm part of a group that works towards ending poverty and homelessness in the Philippines. If you'd like to help, go to http://www.gawadkalinga.org

Any donations would be much appreciated....Thanks!

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Currently Listening
Seeing Sounds
By N.E.R.D.
see related
Eat Great, Even Late

This xanga's been kinda dead lately...mostly because of how busy the summer's been and how lazy it's made me. Since I'm back in Jersey though I really wanted to write about something/anything before I leave next week for Florida. Vegas and Cali was great btw (more than I expected) and thanks to everyone that made it everything it was.

My time on the West Coast opened my eyes to a whole new world. A whole new world....of food haha. Man I love the food on the west coast. So, being the definite fat ass I am, I decided to give every other fat kid from Jersey some great spots to check out. If you're ever in Vegas or Cali and on a college student's budget, you definitely gotta follow through. Kimmy was right...I DO eat too much. Oh well...consider this my excuse to write about food.

Best Name:

Jack in the Box - Ok, so this one doesn't really count. In fact, I didn't even have Jack in the Box while I was on my trip. But hearing all the nicknames locals give it like Jack in the Crack, J-Box, and Jack in the B-Fish (the "ox" looks like a fish haha), I just had to throw it in. Call it what you want but, in Jersey, this place is missing and I'm gonna miss hearing the nicknames.

Best Portions:

L&L Hawaiian Barbeque - I always finish my food. But sometimes, it gets hard to. L&L made it hard. The food was so good though that I found a way haha. It was either L&L or Ohana, but since I've always loved L&L, I'll give it to them. Hawaii, here I come.

Best Free Samples:

Teavana - Yeah, I bum on samples. In fact, we probably downed gallons of this junk without actually buying any of it. Been walking for 2, 3 hours straight? Ain't got no water or money? Head to Teavana! It's what kept us going in 100-degree weather. Good looking out, Teavana.

Best Drink:

Tropical Smoothie Cafe - I had doubts at first. Jamba Juice and Sonic have been my drink source since I can remember. But no lie, I think I'm feeling Tropical Smoothie more than either. Especially during "Buy One Get One Free" Happy Hour. Can I get a Blue Lagoon and a Sunrise Sunset? Now that, that is a good look.

Best Chicken:

Buffalo Wild Wings: This one was tough because I love chicken haha. It was either Buffalo, Hurricane, or El Pollo Loco but I gotta give it to Buffalo for their quality and number of sauce choices. Just another piece of gold missing from Jersey.

Best Burger:

Cheeburger Cheeburger - I left my favorite food for last. The first thing I think about when I get to the West Coast is In-N-Out. It's become something of a "damn I'm finally here" meal. But while we went to In-N-Out almost everytime we went hungry at midnight, Cheeburger Cheeburger still gets this one. Unlimited free toppings, free sauces, and 375,000 different shake flavors equals fatass heaven. The real reason this gets the award though is because of the Pounder (which is actually 4 ounces more than a pound). When you finish it you get your picture on the wall and whatnot. Look for me and my friends lined up on the Vegas Cheeburger under "Repeat Offenders". Messes.

Well that's my "essentials" list. There's a lot more I wanted to write, but I'm not up to it right now. So eat on, Jersey. Hope this made you want to get food from California and Las Vegas. I also hope this didn't make me look like too much of a mess haha. Oh well, that happens when you chill with my friends.
Still jet-lagged, but I really gotta sleep. Goooodnight, xanga.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Currently Listening
Across The Universe [Deluxe Edition]
By Original Soundtrack
see related
Loser Swag

I just recently read a post by some random girl talking about writing for enjoyment vs. writing for attention. She argued that anyone who claims to write simply for enjoyment over attention is lying to himself/herself. I'm not gonna lie. At first, I started this thing to get things off my mind when needed. Lately though, it's become something of a "how many comments can I get with this" kind of deal. It's wack because I'd start writing about something I wanna write about, the way I wanna write it, then think, "Yo no one's gonna care about this crap." But shoot, why should I care what you care about? Haha sorry to be so frank.

I know what you might be thinking. "Why do you care so much about what people think? Just be yourself!" It's definitely good advice. I know because I say and hear it all the time.

"Hey guy/girl/brother/cousin, you don't need to be so fake. Just do you and everything will be good."

Lemme fill you in on something, though. I'm self-conscious. Not on the outside, all of that's good....haha. I'm self-conscious because I'm probably the biggest dork/nerd you'll ever meet. Go ahead and quiz me on anything Marvel Comics, see me at any video game, chill with me on the couch with Spongebob on, and you'll know why. When I start going on rants about Dr. Doom, using endless combos to pwn you at Marvel vs. Capcom 2, and laughing uncontrollably at Patrick Star when he starts laughing with his one tooth, yeah you'll definitely know why. Funny thing is even though I know I'm a nerd, I try to hide it to a lot of my boys so they don't see me differently. I don't tell them I like to write, I don't tell them I know how Winter Soldier was the real muscle behind Captain America (haha....). I don't bring up my "loser side" so we can still talk about hip hop, play pickup games at the park, or take trips without me getting ragged on every 20 minutes. I can picture it now....

"Yo Mikko, we were having an intense debate just now. Can you remind us how Superman beat Iron Man that one time in Issue #49283 of the Fantastic 4? It was the Kryptonite, right?"
- To which I'd call them all noobs for pairing a DC hero with a Marvel hero. Then they'd laugh some more.

What I'm trying to say is this: yes it sucks that I feel I can't just be a loser around my friends but I'm not about to put up some front on xanga, too (where it really doesn't matter at all). So before I continue to post useless crap on this thing, I wanna make it a point to be completely "non-fake" and not care who thinks I'm an idiot aha.
- 4:33 AM
- email

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Currently Listening
Bayani
By Blue Scholars
see related
Abraham Obama

"The worldly implications of this years American presidential race have incited a large outpouring of unconventional support from many sources. The legion of Upper Playground artists and affiliates have had a strong allegiance to Democratic candidate Barack Obama. Previous works from the likes of The Date Farmers, MunkOne, Alex Pardee, Morning Breath, Mac, and Sam Flores comes another artist to join the ranks. Legendary pop-artist Ron English has reappropriated a classic portrait of former American president Abraham Lincoln in the likeness of Obama."

credit: hypebeast.com

I thought English really came through with another dope pop-piece here, as he usually does. If you're not too familiar with his work, he usually takes corporate iconographies or pop icons, twists them, and turns it against the corporations or societies they're meant to represent. Even though we're pretty much sure by now that Obama's gonna get the nomination, and probably the Presidency, it's obviously way too early to compare him to Lincoln. What immediately came to mind, for me, was whether English meant to portray Obama this way because of his "potential greatness" or because of the disturbing possibility of a similar ending. I can see either way but because I'm a positive person, I'll stick with the "potential greatness" thing.

On a side note, I had my first In-N-Out burger for the first time in maaaad long. Haha yessssss. This trip has been everything I've hoped so far and it just started. We're in Vegas right now and Cali's coming up again so it's almost time to cheeel with my Cali kids. Looking forward to it...

Oh and if Jasmine's reading, we ARE going through Diamond Bar so we definitely gotta kick it.

Goodnight, kids. Lakers FTW.