Bert - The Minute Man

I rode that night with my good friend Paul Revere , we rode for liberty .
My name is Bert I owned a farm down the road and those selfish Redcoats of Britan wanted to take it away from me .
To my surprise there was a man that had a plan , he wanted to stand up to these Redcoats.
I worked on my farm all day and night , but to my dismay the British King taxed me and wanted to soon take it away.
I could not sleep at night knowing there was no freedom , and my wife and children feared for their lives.
I sat along the the river watching this ship , it belonged to the British King . It struck fear in the eyes of the innocent people as it had sixty-four cannons . It watched everyone like a hawk ... those who fled to escape the Red Coats would probably lose their lives . Was there such a man that would dare flee these Red Coats ?
One day I was walking in Boston and noticed a man in his shop . He was a silversmith and a fond one at that as he made teapots , cream pots , buckles , bowls , spoons , jugs , and cups. I looked around at his fine work as I could not believe one man could form such fond objects such as these .
I had very little money in my pocket , but I wanted to purchase something for my wife.
" No ! No ! Your money is no good here my friend ," Paul said waiving me off as I reached into my pocket.
I was shocked as my face went blank and my hands were numb. How could a man work so dilagently on these objects and not want a sum of money for a hard days' work ?
Paul and I talked for awhile and he was very adiminte about one thing in particular.
" I want liberty for all fellow men such as yourself fine sir . I believe the King of Britian has no right in making you follow his logics or follow him in the fear of losing what you have worked so hard for."
Paul's face was as bright red as the flames lighting up his silvershop . This silversmith had brass; no man I knew would dare express himself in the streets of Boston . I watched as Redcoats lingered , but Paul still spoke of liberty as he talked with his hands and tugged on his blue coat as blue as the sea .
He said Bert there is a way for such liberty for I will ride under the midnight moon . I spoke to him about being caught by the Redcoats. He said such an ordeal he would risk , but he would not get caught. He spoke of crossing the stream and having men waiting for his arrival because there were fellow brethern out there that wanted such liberty and believed in Paul's logics.
I waved farewell to my new friend . He waved me on as Paul said , " We shall meet again!"
As soon as I arrived to the farm my wife ran out. She was yelling at the top of her lungs.
" The Redcoats will be here ! Their coming for our guns , gunpowder , and Jim down the road said their taking some of our men ... oh no!" she shouted as frieghtend as can be.
I would have been frantic and fearful for the well-being for the people of Medford , but I just could not help but hear the words of that brave optimistic silversmith from Boston.
When the night came I gathered my family and locked the doors. I heard the Redcoats were near . People were running around in panic , as they were in doubt what would come.
The moon went down I could not help but yell out , " He will soon be here ... He will soon be here ! "
My wife asked me , " Who will be here ? Who will be here?"
I soon stood up from my chair and there he was ... he was here .
" He is here ... He is here ," I yelled at the top of my lungs .
My wife asked me , " Who is here ? Who is here ?"
I opened the door and there he was ... he had kept his word . He had men with him ready to go. They were on horses and held laterns . I opened the door and I let him in .
" Dear let me introduce to my new found friend ... his name is Paul the Silversmith from Boston," I said to my wife.
" Their here ! Their here ... the Redcoats are here," yelled a man running into his house.
Paul gave me a smile and I grabbed my rifle from the closet ... We ran down the road and into the night . We gathered everyone we could sight .
" What are you men doing ?" asked a waving Paul down.
Paul just smiled at me and said to the man , " Fighting for liberty ... would you like to join in?"
The man told us to wait for him. He soon returned with a box of filled with guns , gun powder , and his neighbors followed him.
" I am ready my friend ... let's take on these Redcoats!"
Paul couldn't help but smile from ear to ear as he let out a gutwrenching laugh.
This my friends was how Paul Revere formed the Minute Men that rode into Lexington to fight for freedom and form the land we call the United States of America .

A Gift For Baby Phant

There once lived an Elephant named Ello and that lived with his wife Ella , and they had a little elephant baby that they named Phant.
Baby Phant was a handful .Though he ate his spaghetti , oranges , and green beans ; Baby Phant was never satisfied with what he wanted to drink.
Ello would give his little Phant milk , but he would go ... oooh yuck !
Ella would offer her little Phant ice tea , but he would go ewwww ... and then give that devilish grin when his bottle would going flying across the room ... Weeee !!!
Ello would get grumpy , as he would groan and grunt . Ella would go , " Oh dear! Its a stage our little one is going through.
Every night after dinner Ello would go outside along the fence. He would meet up Bubby Bear and Gino Giraffe . They all would laugh when Ello would grab a rootbeer and pop it open in disgust .
" Hows the wife there Ello," Bubby Bear would ask .
Ello would grunt , " Goood " .
Gino knew how to fire up Ello and he would .
" Say there Ello ! Hows that boy of yours !"
Ello would mutter , " Fine I guess ."
Gino would turn to Bubby , and Bubby tried to hold in a laugh and try to stop Gino from starting trouble .
As everything would seem calm , the three would attempt to take a sip of their frosty rootbeers.
Ello held the can to his lips and suddenly Gino bellowed , " Say Ello what's the boy been dinking lately ? !!!!"
Ello would get red in anger , and Bubby would shoot rootbeer out his mouth , as he could no longer hold a gut buster of a laugh .
The two roll on the ground laughing as Ello would dromp his feet towards the house.
Ella sits up reading her book and Ello turns out his nightlight and shuts his eyes.
The overhead light comes on and Ella turns and asks , " What's wrong dear?"
" That gosh darn kid of ours ! He will not drink anything! Darn it ... Darn it ! Darn it !"
Ello hears Baby Phant crying and goes into his room .
Baby Phant says , " Dink Dink Dink !!! "
Ello yells , " What in the Blue moon are you babbling ... Ella what in flying jets is dink ... dink ... dink !!"
Ella rolls over from a peaceful sleep and says , " I believe Baby Phant wants a drink dear!"
Ello mutters , " Here we go agian," as he lifts Baby Phant from his crib.
He sits his son down at the table and sits him in his high chair .
Baby Phant lips his little elephant hands in the air and yells playfully , " Dink ... Dink ... Dink !"
Ello scans the fridge to see what's inside .
" Hmmm ... Orange juice ... Grape Juice ... milk ... and ice tea ... oh and some pine apple punch ," Ello says gathering up the beverages and approaching the table .
" Would you like some Orange juice?" Ello asks his son .
Baby Phant says , " Yee Yee !"
Ello hands the Orange juice only to hear Baby Elephant say , " Muck ! Muck ! ," as he pushes the orange juice off the table.
Ello puts his hand over his eyes and then looks at his baby son .
" Would you like some Grape Juice boy ?" Ello says composing himself .
Baby Phant nods and says , " Yee Yee !"
Ello hands his son the grape juice hoping this is it !
Baby Phant cringes his trunk and yells , " Blah Booo ! "
Ello puts down his head down as he watches grape juice pour into his lap .
Ello shakes his head and looks up at his son .
" How about some milk son ?" Ello finally asks trying to bite his tounge .
Baby Phant smiles at his father and shakes his head up and down .
To Ello's dismay his son spits the milk out his trunk and yells , " Heee Hee ... Horray !"
Ello wipes the milk from his face and groans , " Oh my ! I can't please this boy ... I wish my dear were here !"
Ella walks into the room and gives her husband a pat .
" Would like to try it dear ?"
Ella grabs the ice tea and offers Baby Phant a glass .
He just smiles and says , " Noooo ! Noooo ! "
Ella laughs and gives Ello a hug and says , " Well dear keep trying ... I'm heading back to bed."
Ello puts his hand on his chin and stares blankly at the pineapple punch.
" I do not suppose you would like to share some pinapple punch ... would ya ?" Ello asks taking a long drink himself . He finally lets out his hand and offers his son a glass .
Baby Phant shakes his head , he doesn't even attempt to try a sip ... he just closes his eyes.
Ello puts his head down he feels defeated , he hears a silence so he decides to close his eyes .
" Dink ... Dink ... Dink ! ... Dink ... Dink ... Dink ! " yells Baby Phant as he awakes his father from a long period of dozing off .
" I can't take this ... I can't ! I can't !" yells Ello in a rant .
He grabs his son and carries him out of the house and down the street . The neighbors all look out the windows as they hear the tromping of Ello's feet .
" Where is he taking his boy this hour of the night ?" a neighbor asks .
Gino yells out the window , " Maybe he is putting his boy on a six A.M. flight!"
Ello knows there is only one person that would put up with such confusion . His father Elvan who stayed up with Ello when he was a wie little Elephant chap .
Ello races to his father's door ... he is pleased to see the light on !
Before he could reach the steps the door swings open . It is Elvan in his silver robe and matching slippers , and he has a pipe hanging from his mouth.
" Come in my boy ! I just was on the horn with Ella ... she says your in quite a pickle !"
Ello just shakes his head and says with a sigh , " I suppose I am Pop ."
" Oh cheer up old boy ... there has to be something I could do ... I pulled off a miracle time to time you know ."
" How's that Pop?" asks Ello .
Elvan just takes a puff of his pipe and says with a chuckle , " I hushed you up time after time ... your mother couldn't shut you up !"
Elvan looks at Baby Phant and waves hello .
" So little chap you need something to wet that whistle of yours!"
Ello lets out a moan , " I offer him orange juice , grape juice , ice tea , pine apple punch ... and milk ! ... Nothing seems to please this boy he doesn't want a drink !"
Elvan strokes his chin and then smiles a delightful smile . He walks over to the fridge and opens it up.
" Awe ... Awe ... Yes indeed I have something that just might work!" Elvan bellows out .
He comes to the table and sets down a gift box.
" Go ahead little one ! See what is inside ."
Ello looks on as he is curious himself .
Baby Phant lifts the top off and says , " Wooo Woow !!! "
There before him is sparkling glasses of cola . Elvan twists the cap and his grandson's eyes light up as he hears the fizzles . Elvan takes a sip and smiles at his grandson .
" That's the ticket little one ... would you like some," Elvan asks .
Baby Phant raises his hands and says , " Plez Plez Plez! "
Elvan walks over and says , " Open Open !! "
He pours the cola into Baby Phants mouth . The little one swallows and to Ello's surprise nothing is spit out .
Baby Phant just looks around and then says , " Mo Mo Mo ," as he reaches out his small elephant hands.
Elvan hands the gift box to Ello and says , " Well my boy ! I believe my job is done!"
Ello thanks Elvan before he and Baby Phant leave , and Baby Phant waves at Elvan as happy as can be.
Ello is happy that his little one is happy , he watches in delight when all the way home Baby Phant yells , " nite nite nite !"
Ello puts his son to bed , and then climbs into the sack himself . Ella asks what Elvan did .
" I guess a little cola goes along way dear ... that guy is a pro what can I say ?!!!"
The two sleep for hours with no interuptions as it has been a long day . The two awake at noon as Baby Phant is still sound asleep in his room. Ello and Ella decide not to wake their little one , as they decide to go back to bed themselves .

SHAQ Will Be Back ... #1 Target ... KOBE .

Kobe Bryant uttered the words , " I got one more than Shaq," at the Game 7 post-game news conference , as he smirked his punk-ass off about winning another NBA title.
Congradulations Mr. Bryant ! You are a target for the ... The True Superman of the NBA ! I have a feeling SHAQ is loving that and it will motivate him to spoil your projected Three Peat ! But then again it wouldn't surprise me if he settles the rift between him and Dwight Howard ... as slaps on the Orlando Magic blue and white to end his career with another title down south.
Does Lebron want Shaq to return ? From the looks of the eastern conference semi-final chaos that ended in a loss to the Celtics one would think not. Knowing Lebron though , he will see to it SHAQ is back in the middle in Cleveland ... even if he comes off the bench.
When it comes to SHAQ he loves when ingreats like Kobe Bryant add fuel to his fire. Truthfully if O'Neal decides not to return to the Cavs he cannot be blamed. The guy deserves to win at least one more championship before he calls it a career , and it has to come with derailing the Lakers title-train.
Now Superman has put on his cape once before as he helped Dwayne Wade win a title ... could a Heat Quest for the Title Part 2 be in store ? I think its too obvious ... Pat Riley would have to be apart of this . As much as the Magic comeback would be satisfying to watch ... Shaq is not guaranteed a title ... A Phoenix return would be good , but lets face it ... there is nothing there ! The only place that Superman can comeback and contend for the O'Brein trophy is in Cleveland alongside the King ... He did say he would win one for the King ... In three years one title can come out of it all . The Cavs need to add Chris Bosh and make a few adjustments in role players ... then the title is a lock. Who will coach the new-look Cavs ? Will it be Phil ? How about Larry Brown ? Anyone want Byron Scott ? Very tough to say who the bench boss will be ... I have a feeling someone unpredictable will show up ... Who does King James want ?
SHAQ is looming around somewhere waiting for Lebron to decide ... I am sure James won't disrespect SHAQ . I am sure the King and the Marketable Big Man will stand side by side again looking to do what the Celtics couldn't . Kobe's 3 Peat will be spoiled and SHAQ will say nothing as if to say ... " Don't ever disrespect me again!"
SHAQ will win one more .

Dina Manzo Quits ... YAWN !!!!

Well it wasn't the show she signed up for huh ! Its a shame isn't it ! So what happens to Dina Manzo now ? She will have to leave Bravo for HBO or something or E perhaps ! Who carrrrres !

She thought the direction of the show would be different ... excuse me when I hold in my tears of laughter ! Its a reality show dumbass ! You bring the drama and people watch ... Nobody wants to see fun little things you speak of . They want to see the fancy dinner ware flying ... you bitching when a foe runs up the dinner bill ... uninvited . I thought you were a rebel Manzo ... you got an ex-convict for a bodyguard ... this was your swawn song for leaving a big ass pay day ? Na !! I think Bravo just said keep the fancy car , house , and everything else you mooched off of us putting your over-rated self on camera each and every week ... and get the hell out !

Manzo called the show poison and she couldn't get rid of it because she was under contract . Excuse me while I'll get my metaphoric violin out and play it ... then rip out all the strings before I bash it on the ground . Watching this bs every week as you had people do week after week ... hello you get paid to be and deal with the bitchiest of bitchy !

Manzo and Danielle Staub were having an off-camera dram-sode . Staub was rumored of making up lies and sending bogus texts about Manzo ... all the little things that keep women and maybe even men watching the tv week after week for this beat and played out series.

It always seems that when these reality show egos leave they have beef with one another , but the camera rolls and they meet at some resturant to add more redness to the beef ... until its bloody rare and the envy is let loose ... metophoric head bashing and mind games and such go astray ! Why not meet at a fancy pancake house and dump mable syrup on each other ... dumping coffee on each other? ... A splash of orange juice in your face !

Just get your own damn show and be done with it ok Dina ! You didn't dissapoint any of your fans because your still getting paid and are living in an over-priced living space ... driving around in a car thats value you can save third world countries ... so save us the trouble and Shut Up !

Enough Izzo Chat Please !

To all the basketball minds out there ... did you consider this guy only won one national title (2000 over Florida) . Its great that he compiled all these Big Ten conference wins and he is the all-time winningest coach at Michigan State , but truthfully it will not mean anything at the NBA level ... Why ? The guy has to win in Cleveland with alot of expectations. This is not Larry Brown , Rick Pitino , or John Calipari for that matter. If Izzo is a bust in the NBA he'll tarnish every Michigan State had ever cast upon him ... A successful coaching legacy .
Why even look into such a task ? Starting all over and jumping into the daunting task of trying to contain the mega powers and egos of the NBA ... your kidding me right ? Izzo is a wreck as it is come Saturday afternoons ... picture the guy come April/May of next year in a Game 6 with Orlando or Boston with pressure mounting on every X and O . He'll be dripping in sweat and Rick Pitino will be sittng at home shaking his head going ... Ugh Tommy you could've been done in March ! He makes enough money to buy his own NBA team someday and he could lose every game for the Spartans next season ... and the guy would still have the Michigan faithfull behind him. Go to Cleveland and ruin all that go head.
I would much rather see Coach K go to the Cavaliers than Tom Izzo ... If Coach K left Duke for a shot to coach King James you can't hate on the guy. Coach K is Duke basketball because he built the basketball-empire out of ruins. Tom Izzo has been at MSU since 1995 and only has one national title ... how about that blowout to North Carolina ... did Izzo get a memo that the Spartans were in the national title game ?
All this texting , snubbing of reporters , and wanting to talk to Lebron in the flesh ... what for Izzo ? If you want to make a lump some of cash and consider yourself a pro coach go coach the Cavs . Just say I want the cash ... don't leave Michigan State players , recruits , and fans waiting. Pretty much you leaving just shows how greedy the NBA will make you. Hell ! Billy Donovan was smart enough to head back to gator-country. You obviously know there is alot of pressure on you , but Lebron doesn't seem to mind. That would be a hint that King James figures there are so many more qualified coaches out there that wouldn't mind signing up for a pay day with the closet thing to his airness soaring through the air , as he sells out city to city every NBA season.
Izzo in the NBA has no marketing texture . Noone will be hmming and haaaing about him on ESPN , TNT , or ABC because the guy will probably make people go ... Damn he should have stayed in college ... that's when Kobe is hoisting another O'Brian trophy at the end of the season. The Cavaliers should look into Larry Brown... at least if he can't get it done ; everyone will go he's a burnout anyway !
Its just sickening these college coaches that leave pro sports' fans wondering what if then they blow their possiable legacy . Money might talk but it chokes you because it gags the over-priced and over-rated minds who think that the pros are easy as college. Larry Brown only got it done in Detroit because he mest up so many times that the Pistons finally thought up a way to win. There is nothing impressive about college coaches leaving the top in college with only one national title and a handful of conference title to their credit. If he left right after the 2000 national championship year , Izzo would have been more respected . You can't leave a program with a mouthful of bitterness ; a blowout to the Tarheels still is keeping Spartan fans up at night !
Stay in Michigan Coach Izzo ! The Cavaliers fans want to win a championship ... not just their conference year after year ... Stay in school fool !

New Karate Kid Movie ... Yawn !!!

The Karate Kid with Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan ... I rather watch a boring episode of The View !
Seriously ! How many remakes are Hollywood producers going to jam down our throats as we waste gas and valuable time digging our fingers in popcorn and chugging soft drinks waiting for these boxoffice eyesores to end.
Childhood stud moves to China ... meets girl and bully gets jealous... then there is hip-hop dancing and fights involved ... Oh boy let's go watch ... Na thanks ! How much dancing and childhood fights on the big screen can one stomach ? Then Jackie Chan starring as the school maintance worker ... anyone ready for some martial arts action down in the boilerroom ? How about a broom to the face with a backflip ... followed by a High Ya kick !!!
There is a cultural difference between the kid and his crush ... oohh aww ... she plays the violin how nice ! Then there is a disapproving teacher who thinks she should be bearing her mind in her work instead of going around with the bow-wow looking kid who is acting like Chuck Norris . We are in 2010 and their throwing karate movies at us still ? Shouldn't we be watching hightech cars flying in the air with big muscular heroes and attractive women fighting gangsters out of New York City or LA ? Instead we are watching an urban city kid moving to China with his mom ... You could've least put Yao Ming or Eminem in the movie ! Hell I'll settle for Kid Rock!
Wikipedia gives away the whole movie ... even the ending ! Classic ! It just shows you how this movie will be when an electronic encyclopedia gives away every factor of a movie... That's funny !
So I won't give away the big clincher of this upcoming box office bust ! Just want to say its the typical thing that happens in all martial arts movies ... The villian takes a cheap shot and the heroe walks out on top.
A definate 1.98 movie at the local video store !

Being Present is Art Work

In Russell Simmon's book DO YOU ! ... He speaks how being present is the most powerful step to realizing your potential.

A great Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh once expressed , " The miracle is not to walk on water . The miracle is to walk on green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly alive." ( Also a quotation from Russell Simmons DO You ! )

I can add my own experiences and input to the logic of being present.

One who feels life is the same thing but a different day needs appreciate their surroundings around them. I believe that there will be life after death that you will be able to enter the world again as anything. I want to enter as a dog.

The dog starts out as a puppy that is innocent and perfect. It attracts attention right from the start as its head is pointed upright and body is relaxed in growing with the air it breathes and the surroundings it walks. Though closed in ... a puppy dreams of what could be. It usually pays no attention to parking of older dogs because it is slowly learning how the world is and what could be. Its much more interested in tasting food and drinking water ... being playful with people and other dogs.

A dog soon becomes immuned to being taught right from wrong ... walking around upright as it knows its domain ... also a dog uses its presence as a form of curiosity. When a dog barks at another animal , it uses the art of being present because it is using its mind and vision to explore the unknown and what could be. When a dog walks around either on a leash or astray it uses the art of presence because the mind sends messages of what could be around the corner. The dog already uses its developed ability inorder to approach something unpredictable.

Another example of being present is one who listens and doesn't respond verbally. One might laugh or give a look of understanding or confusion , but without that present person ideas and expression are meaningless. Presence develops growth around the earth's surface. There has to be people , animals , plants ect . inorder to live a productive life.

One feeling his or her breath is characteristic of presence being an art. You are appreciating a simple thing that leads to bigger and greater things. You are able to breathe air inorder to walk the earth and smell the freshness of the world , and you can take your dog for a walk and express your ideas with friends and those you just met.

Taking a step outside your house is art because you are taking on what is , seeing what could be , and taking steps towards what to come. Those who swim , run , play basketball , ect . use presence to mold stronger bodies , minds , and souls because they are sending messages to their bodies that creates movements and natural highs that lead to a happy and healthier life. A heart beating a mile a minute after an explosive cut to the basket ... A cramp after an unsettling bending of the knee during a track workout ... or the leg kicking out too far it sends pains to your abs during a swim race ... this is presence as art because these individuals are exploring potentials through being in a zone ... it comes through taking what already and exploring what has yet to come.

The first step to anything you wish to accomplish is being present . Being present is using what you already have , and with that one can take steps towards what could be. You hold what it takes to accomplish ... You just have to search deep within yourself . This all starts with Presence.

Remembering The Wizard of Westwood

His legacy extends far from the hardwood . He was a preacher that knew the importance of life , and he managed to mold men who loved the game of college basketball.
Coach John Wooden knew how important it was for his players to cherish life inorder to succeed in life. He coached future NBA stars such as Kareem Adull-Jabar , Bill Walton , Jamal Wilkes , and Gail Goodrich to name a few. The score did not matter to Coach Wooden because he felt the preperation was more important than the outcome of the basketball game.
Coach Wooden played for the Perdue University Boilermakers where he played guard , he led the Boilermakers to the 1932 National Championship . He was the first player ever to be named a college All-American three straight times. During Wooden's college career he earned the nickname "The Indiana Rubberman" for his suicidal dives on the hardwood. Wooden was enshined into the basketball hall of fame as a player in 1961 and later as a coach in 1973; only Lenny Wilkens and Bill Sharman have been honored in that reguard.
After Coach Wooden's college career ended he played in professional basketball leagues before joining the Navy in 1942 where he served three years as lieutenant.
Coach Wooden was a very spiritual man who was devoted to the christian faith . He and his late wife Nelle always attended church services and formed spiritual groups during the week. Coach Wooden always made it clear that his faith and family was always his passion ... coaching basketball was a blessing but he never wanted it to be his ultimate endeavor.
After a short coaching stint at Indiana State University in 1946-48 , Coach Wooden became the head basketball coach at UCLA. He only wanted to stay three seasons when he signed a three year contract with the Bruins in 1948 , he stayed 20 plus seasons after turning down a huge offer from Minnesota University. He respected his wife Nelle's decision to remain at UCLA . Coach Wooden was surprised as Nelle disliked Los Angeles. She stuck with her husband as she knew how much his knowledge meant to his players , the school , and the community.
Coach Wooden turned a 12-13 Bruins' team into a basketball power their first season , as they posted a 22-7 record at the end of the season. Wooden went on to post four 30-0 seasons as he earned the famed nickname " Wizard of Westwood". He accomplished remarkable feats in a short period of time as he led the Bruins to an unprecedented 10 National Basketball Championships in a 12 year period. His Bruins team had a winning streak of 88 games. Coach Wooden's Bruins won 38 straight NCAA Tournament games and also posted an impressive 98 game home winning streak at the famed Paulie Pavillion.
Coach Wooden's final game at Paulie Pavillion came in a 93-59 Bruins victory over Stanford on May 1, 1975 as he annouced his retirement from college basketball four weeks later after the Bruins beat Louisville in the Semi-Final of the NCAA Tournament. Coach Wooden left the UCLA Bruins as a champ , his team won their 10th NCAA National Championship after defeating Kentucky.
Coach Wooden remained the ultimate mentor as he sat behind the bench at UCLA home games and sometimes traveled on the road to watch the Bruins basketball teams. He was never heard in practices , but his presence was felt. Coach Wooden gave advice to players and coaches alike , as he not only expressed his basketball knowledge ... he gave input on the importance of preperation and most important being one with your faith and cherishing life.

She Was Already Gone

A creative piece inspired by Sugarland's song


Already Gone
By - Carl Waxmonsky

The look in her eyes told the story she knew it was over .
The night sky was surrounding as the cool night sky sent a chill down her neck. Looking into the distance Monica looked at the pavement a foot way. She never knew she would be visioning Luke's footsteps alone in isolation.
The last time she saw Luke , Monica left him on his front porch alone . See look had fire in his eyes and confidence , but truthfully Monica knew she had left him before it was offically over.
She took a long drive in a beat up station wagon . The rattle of tarnish blue automobile was her chariot. She hit the gas peddle hearing the shaking from the front of the car , but Monica heard more than just the ping ping of a useless piece of machinery. She heard her upset stomach and the ringing of ears as her heart dropped in her chest.
"He's a bastard ... He's a bastard ," Monica said as she pulled over and shut the car off.
She ran to the nearest wooded area looking into a dirty canal and ripping a necklace Luke had given her off her neck. She ripped it into little pieces and sprinkled it like salt into the dirty bug infested waters.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she thought about Luke. She saw him walking into his house when he said he had work. He had cars in driveway in the middle of the night , and there was the night they were suppose to look out into the night sky at the park. He was nowhere to be found until she saw his car at the bar.
" He looked into the eyes of the waitress ... with the same spark he looked at me," Monica said pulling her hair back trying to fight back tears.
She felt a hand on her shoulder ...
" Life is a runaway train you can't wait to jump on ... you were already gone," a man walking around saying to himself.
She looked up and the guy was moving around ... standing there with his hands on his hips.
Looking at her and his eyes bulging out of head he said once more , " Life is a runaway train you can't wait to jump on."
The man picked up his tan hat with a black stripe accrossed it. He turned around and nodded to Monica as he walked in the opposite direction to the road.
She kept her arms crossed as she looked at the man walk slower and slower. He picked his head up and then looked up , and then he looked down at the gound with his hands in his pockets . The man then continued on with his walk.
Monica just watched the man walk and began to look at her engagement ring Luke had given her. She began to cry and shook as she could barely breathe.
"Excuse me can I see that ring ?"
Monica looked up and saw the man standing in front of her . She looked up and asked , " What did you say?"
The man asked once more ,"The ring ... may I see it ?"
She ripped the ring from her finger and handed it to the man.
With one look he shook his head in disbelief and threw it to the ground. He had his hands on his hips and paced like lawyer awaiting to make his final case to the jury. He paced and he paced , and then he picked up the ring and handed it to her.
He handed it back to her and looked quickly into her eyes. He gave her half a smile as clenched his lips together .
"What ?" Monica asked .
He looked her dead in the eye .
" Don't lose your heart yet ," He said looking at her wrecked and worn out.
She looked up at him and asked , " Don't you think I did ?" She could barely get up so he helped her , and they walked on .
" How is that his smile yearned me to want to enter this danger. And the fire in his eyes sparked my feelings like flames to a paper? Why did I fall for him?' Monica asked in a state of deep concern.
The man looked at her and stood blankly at her . He remained still as Monica moved her eyes back and forth waiting for an answer.
He walked faster this time and ran down the hill entering the the light of the speeding cars and trucks in the road.
Monica walked back to the tarnish blue station wagon. She thought about what the man meant by life being like a runaway train ... how could life be a train she couldn't wait to jump on? How was she already gone.
He rubbed his the end of his nose and said , "You were already gone."
As she drove down the road she thought of Luke and how she hung out with him . They went to the bar in all hours of the night , and she couldn't believe her mother had let her do that. Then she thought back to what her mother told her before going out with Luke which was :
" Monica you have to go because you have to figure out hands to shake and what hands to hold."
She was done driving all over , as Monica turned in the other direction towards Luke's house. Monica had finally figured it all out.
Luke stood there waiting for her. The two sat on the porch hugging and crying tears as they cast blame on one another. Monica held on to him tight into the night as she fell asleep in Luke's arms.
" Hold my hand ," Luke said as he attempted to lead her into the house.
Monica thought about it for a moment and then stopped dead in her tracks.
She slipped off the ring and then put it in her hand. She pulled Luke's hand back as they stood face to face . Monica looked at him and shook Luke's hand.
" It was fun Luke ," Monica said as she put the engagement in Luke's hand and crushed his hand closed until Luke held up a tight fist.
She then walked to her car and came back with a box . She dumped it in front of him. Clothes , Dishes , Pictures , and socks in one box.
" What the hell Monica!" said Luke in a tone of disbelief .
" That's our life Luke down to one box," Monica said .
Luke had nothing to say . He watched Monica open the car door and look at him in content because there was closure. She beeped the horn and waved to him. Monica pulled out to the end of the driveway and rolled the window down .
She got Luke's attention as he looked out at her.
" Luke . Life is like a runaway train and I couldn't wait to jump on ,"
He was puzzled as Luke just looked like a kid in math class sweating because he didn't know the answer.
" What's that mean ?" Luke asked in a tone of uncertainity.
Monica just stared at him and said , " I was already gone."
She drove down to the bar and pulled into the parking lot . Monica placed the keys on the top of the car . The station wagon had been a getaway car since she met Luke , and Monica was tired of running . She bought a train ticket and headed to the nearest town.
As she proceeded to the train's exit , Monica noticed a man sitting close by. He sat there alone with a white shirt , black dress pants with a crease , and black shoes polished like a new car fresh off the lot.
"Would you care to join me for dinner?" Monica said as she was embarrassed she randomly blurted that out.
" Sure !" The man said letting out his hand.
He introduced himself , " Ty Cooper .
Monica placed her hand in Ty's as they walked to the nearest resturant.
As they were walking Ty accidently blurted out , " Life is like a runaway a runaway train,"
before he could catch himself Monica looked at him and said , " I can't wait to jump on!"

DRAMA According to WAX

So I'm driving in my car on my way to the place I consider Paradise ... the thing that sends you a check for doing your dues ... Yeah a job ... well I consider being like John Madden ... I have to look over my shoulder to see if a cop car is behind ... Its like I'm taking money ! Anyway ! So I'm in my car watching the bright lights coming from all the little food establishments ... I'm always thinking about food ! Anyway ! I pull into a McDonalds and I hear all this profanity and screaming ... I'm thinking well someone isn't getting a happy meal today !

I have to say drama kind of fazed me ... people yelling at the top of their lungs and getting red as they used explicit language. We all joke around and say things but truthfully do you really mean it? I mean yeah there are alot of assholes out there that talk shit and you would love to take a bowl of chilli and dump it all over their pencil-neck geek looking head ( Freddy Blassey ) as you roar in delight and walk off to a standing ovation ! But truthfully all the drama I been associated with is like an episode of Survior or Jersey Shore ... Damn that guy who punched Snookie in her face ... All the fans will let you have their shots for free ... right in the kisser. Where was I ? Oh yeah so its really like an episode of Survivor ... random stuff comes up then the chatter starts ... And then its well ok I said this and you said this ... and then the next week rolls around and you like well what's up how have you been. Its like being in a basketball game... little vibes come up , and your in the heat of the moment and you start chattering away. Then I smile and laugh it off ... Hell I did that for a long time !

See drama costs money and then ruins you , so shake it off . Like if you decide to punch somebody ... you have to pay all this money and it goes to court ... what's the sense in that! Play some basketball and run your mouth ... then let all the tension turn into a craving for a koolaid. GO for a walk and curse ... roll up the window and drive down a vacant road as you yell at the top of your lungs ... Listen to rap music with a ton of curse roads ... make a never ending playlist. Then put a smile on your face and wave to this person ... see its probably just something you said and it really is a joke , but your so tensed up your believing you want a feud . I'm reading Russell Simmons' Do You ... where he talks about drama and he says turn drama into something positive ... Like when your pissed off at someone go to grocery store and buy up things ... make it a night out . Chances are when you hop back in your car your going to see what time it is and want to go home and do other things. Then you wake up and feel rejuvinated and the drama becomes positive energy to do something else.

Simmons also said the best cure for drama is comedy and poetry . If you get into a fight with someone try to release yourself in poetry ... write a poem of why this situation is bugging you and keep it with you every time you feel yourself wanting to go into an uproar or want release your tension in a negative way. Now as for the comedy part people say things and you don't like them but try to laugh it off or walk away ... then echo the words that are pissing you off in your head . Now imagine yourself as a comic ... there has to be something about them that makes you crack up ... even if your pissed off ! You can actually laugh off things because noone is perfect and something about everybody makes you go damn! Thats not drama but its a way to stop drama from going too far. As long as you laugh things off Drama is nothing. Noone is saying that there isn't drama ... and you have to take shit nor should you , but explore the avenues a little bit because maybe noone is to blame ... it might have just come off wrong , but once you see its not anything to worry about then drama becomes positive and its in good fun.

Like all these jokes and glares ... and goofy looks about my hair and the way I talk ... and act . It doesn't really bother me because noone is perfect or normal ... what the hell is normal ? Everybody has their oppinion of everybody , but its cool ... there is no right or wrong. Now people hurt people with words , and this is very wrong. However ... some people joke around and it comes off as wrong , but take a moment and explore the avenue of laughing it off ... the more you laugh something off the chances are the ball breaker and the audience will look at you ... the target and go ... damn your not phazed ... or no comeback ... and they'll join in on your behalf and the whole thing becomes fun ... and after analyzing this for years its true. 99.9% of the things I say in drama-related instances are joking and if I calm off the tension there is nothing there ... this is why mostly all the people I have drama with I talk to the next time I see them ... I was always told life is too short ... but truthfully my life is going to be long because drama doesn't phase me because if I'm smiling afterwards and shaking it off as I always do ... its just a purpose to reflect and change ... if you say things then you said them , but leave it alone and live another day because one who just let things go will be more respected and looked upon as a stronger person than one who wants to let tension explode and throw blows . Not saying you shouldn't express yourself ... one could only take so much. Its like being on a highway and the guy or girl is going slow as hell ... you are patient for so long until you realize the person is on their cell phone and then you go ... well you know the rest ! Its like playing football and you get hit late your probably going to shake it off and let it slide , but then you get hit again and you either curse out loud or deck the guy ... let it slide then take another hit ... chances are nobody will let it slide because pushing gets negative attention from everyone around you.

After just hearing a variety of hurtful being said , I just said its pointless to get into an uproar like that. First of all don't curse at women guys if your upset. We know where it leads and truthfully 9 times out of 10 some people end up regretting it. Just backoff and let the words come out . I don't know how the situation at the McDonalds turned out ... the parking lot where the couple stood was dark ... there were no cop cars , so I'm guessing everything turned out ok. Everyone says things they don't mean ... They also do things they don't mean ... its being human. So instead of making these flaws of humanity something you will regret... take time to reflect on what could happen ... turn the negative notion into positive energy . As much as you want to curse out someone or tell them off sometimes its better to do something for you and feel good ... then you'll forget your frustration and know what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger.

One who swallows their pride will live a life of endless possibility ... the one who dwells and surrenders to animosity and paranoia will fade away to a world of restriction and despair.

Take time and reflect on who you are and want to be ... As John Legend once expressed we should be the change we want to see ... If your ready we can shake the world ... We don't have to wait for destiny . Don't let things in your life change you ... Change you to live life .

The King Without A Crown

This Summer the NBA world will be focused on one figure ... its most dominant player in marketing ... all eyes will be focused on Lebron James .

He says he wants to be up with Jordan , Magic , and Larry Legend , so I ask this ... Why not just sign back with Cleveland ? Jordan struggled with Detroit , Magic struggled with Detroit and the Lakers , and Larry had to knock off the Lake show to return to greatness. So Lebron is right there ... he is surrounded by mediocre players around him ... SHAQ was too late returning and the Jamison experiment went up in smoke against those damn Celtics ... the east slept on them and woke up in the nightmarish feeling of defeat.

He is right there where Jordan once was ... a coach who could not help Lebron because he could not help himself in the pressures of winning in the post-season. Out there lurking is a coach that could turn around Cavaliers ... who is it? Doc Rivers is talking about leaving coaching , but why would the guy pass up the oppurtunity of coaching the top name in the NBA ( yeah Kobe fans I said it !) .

Pat Riley has to be hungry to coach again , so why not just leave Miami and coach the King . See the free agents this Summer are talking about winning rings , so why not pull one of the biggest moves ... take some pay cuts and sign the best players. Dwayne Wade , Chris Bosh , and Lebron James could all play on the Cavaliers if they take less money ... add in Pat Riley and Shaq ... I see a remake of Chicago Bulls that went 72-10.

Lebron knows he has to win in Cleveland. The great players won their titles in the cities they were drafted. All the money in the world cannot define NBA history because lets look at Kobe Bryant who won three titles in the beginning of his career and won one as the veteran leader of the Lakers ... Now how can Lebron expect to be in the " Greatest of All-Time" talks if he couldn't win as the leader ? As much as I cringe about the possibility of this but it could work . Larry Brown might just be what James needs to get to the top . Take the Pistons before Brown showed ... loaded with talent but they couldn't play defense when it mattered ... they couldn't play together because they didn't have roles. Brown walks into Cleveland and he can tear everything apart and give players roles ... add in alot of defensive pressure and Lebron will win an NBA championship next season. Hello ! The Pistons knocked off the Cavaliers to win Larry Brown his first NBA title.

Now Pat Riley coming to Cleveland is a long shot because Dwayne Wade would have to included in this whole deal , but there could just be a way. Lets take SHAQ saying he has three more years left in him. There has to be a title push somewhere in there ... the Celtics and Lakers can only be powerful for so long ... two teams are lurking ... the Spurs will be back . So the east next year will run through the Cavaliers because Boston will have their off year and everything will go bust. This Celtic team that knocked off the Cavaliers are like the last Bird-led team. They bought into the sleeper-persona franchise. Garnett got himself back in time for the playoffs , Allen found his shot in time , and Pierce stepped it up as always ... but where did this come from ? Doc Rivers and his coaching philospy ... which comes from who? Well Doc Rivers was on that New York Knick team that was knocked off by Houston in 94 ... Damn Ewing if only you dunked ! So as much as it is a long shot ... Pat Riley might come back and coach Lebron , but we could see Doc Rivers on Cleveland's bench.

So the King's crown is right there for him in Cleveland. The Cavaliers' front office just needs to bring in the right coach, and Lebron needs to trust the mind that has already experienced basketball greatness. Who will it be ? Larry Brown is an obvious pick but there is a defensive mind in Boston that every team would love to have ... Tom Thibodeau is the top defensive mind in the NBA today ... he was a major factor in 2008 when the Celtics contained Kobe Bryant on their way to the title. Everyone saw Lebron was rattled by the Celtics defense in the Eastern Semi-Final ... I wonder who laid out the blueprint for that ! And the New Orleans Hornets are not going to wait huh ! I could see the Cavaliers' defense being number one next year ... hey a certin number six will probably win a defensive player of the year award . I don't see Lebron wearing any other jersey until he wins one in Cleveland. How will he ever be up there with Jordan if he just bails to another city for money ? Lebron stays in Cleveland ... stay tuned .

Eeyore - Symbol of Strength

There is always a symbol that makes someone stronger ... Jordan ,Gatorade , Nike , Booda ...ect

The Disney character to me symbolizes my strength ... This lovable donkey was portrayed as a loser-prone individual ... but in fact he wasn't a loser at all .

A loser quits completley and accepts defeat ... this donkey's house of sticks was always blown down in the gloomy area of the fictional Hundred Acre Woods . He walked around with eyes to the ground and his tail hanging on by a thread ... with his docile tone.

He is uncoordinated and always steps on his house of sticks , but there are friends to help him all the time. He is a simple individual who stands strong even though as he comes off as out of his element and a loner to what most would depict as normal society . In fact what is normal society because Eeyore would be normal to people who have overcome so much in life because he just doesn't quit because he has individuals with their flaws helping him because they see his problems as minor setbacks. Putting a few sticks together for a living area didn't come as so complicated for that lovable bear who craved honey ; he was about lending a helping hand for the fortunate knowing he wasn't perfect himself. Everyone talked him up like he was invincable or something ; he found his droopy-eared donkey friend someone he could rely on because eventhough Eeyore came off as having nothing ... he had a heart ; maybe a heart shattered 90% of the time , but Pooh saw the other 10% of that heart and said my little bit of help can never compare to the sad donkey's endless amount of strength and patience.

There are always alternative routes in life because there are so many barriers that come at you . Instead of letting frustration and your fear of losing defeat ... stand tall and remain strong because there is always a light at the end of the tunnel . The Hundred Acre Woods characters represented flaws backed up by attitude to stay poised because their will to improve and stay positive helped them recieve the help they needed to go on. One will never fail if they do not give up on themselves. Ones that have already lived their lives and experienced your setback will step in and help you to go on and live your life to the fullest. They understand that you are feeling distraught and feel defeated , but they also see you have your whole life ahead of you and your achievements and overcoming past mishaps ; they know you are worth helping because you just won't quit.

Eeyore represents the will and determination to come back once defeated because eventhough his house of sticks came crashing down and his heavy heart caused him to continue to make the same mistake ; he always stayed strong and made the best of his surroundings ... he made the best of his situations. He represents somebody who'll give you a drink when your thirsty and miles away from home ; one who will give you the last bit of money to catch a cab home ; one who'll give you his/her jacket in pouring rain. Though an invidual such as this is feeling down on herself or himself ... they always manage to put others first and that's what Eeyore represents.

Noone is a failure in life because noone sits around accepting being defeated ; they find ways to make best of their situations inorder to move into a positon to advance and accomplish their goals.

Being Competative and Obsession ... There is a Known Difference

I'm actually going to take a shot at my All-time favorite NBA player . Michael Jordan will always be in my eyes the greatest to play the game of basketball. The only thing now the guy is obsessed and its beginning to sicken me ... the fan who built my competative nature from him.

He walked away from the game and returned ... twice ! He brought the same flare and helped fill that void ... I was so sick of Kobe Bryant getting all the hype for winning rings ... thank the basketball powers for convincing MJ to lace em up for two seasons ... it could have been a Grizzlies jersey and I still would have watched him.

But as much as I want to dub the man the greatest competator ... I just can't . See Michael Jordan chose to leave the game of basketball and had nothing to be ashamed

of , but now he is just being a bully to those

who want to develop.

If you want back in ... then lace em up !

I'm sure everybody would be in favor of

His Airness deciding to bark orders out

in a Bobcats uniform. I know I sure

would. The Wizards were a bust , but

I know I sat practically on top of the Tv

to see MJ knock down shots. I traded

Kobe for him in my fantasy leaugue... I

would trade Kobe for Juwan Howard ...

So happy there is Lebron James and not

to mention he gave a Kobe a mouthful

loser-pudding on Christmas Day!!

So see there are those who compete and

those who are plain obsessed. The ones

who compete walk away from the game

accepting they don't have anymore to

give or step away with nothing to lose.

Larry Bird and Danny Ferry are two

examples of competators that that

accept the fact they don't have to be on

the court to contribute to a team.

Their voices are rarely ever heard but

they make the moves possiable to keep

winning. Unlike Michael Jordan who

pouts and decides to not show up for

his team. Really is that being a

competator? You shout at players

and are hard on them , but you

don't let them play ... and you can't

even sit down and watch a basketball

without being worked up... your

just coming off that you can't practice

what you preach.

The obsessed ones always seem to

have to always be in front of the

camera. Prime example is Terrell

Owens ... gifted athlete but doesn't

have a clue with when to shut the hell

up ! How could you even want to be

up there with Jerry Rice when all

you do is look like a clown and cry

about the stupidest things. Deion

Sanders made the " The whole world

shines on me " work . He knew when

to take the field and help a team win.

Another example is Ron Artest ...

YOU ARE NOT DENNIS RODMAN!

You can wear all the numbers that

add up to ten ... do all the interviews

bragging about being a defensive

player when you know full well your

just an overpaid athlete who may

get a few rings when its all said and

done. Your just copying but you

can't even do that right. Obession

is having an I attitude and you

do everything for you and only you...

there is no love involved or will ...

its really just like selling a car at a

dealership ... bs and walk over

everyone to get something for you.

I feel that alot of the pro athletes

today just want their money and

could careless about a ring. This

whole needing money at the end

of a terriable year is just funny

to me. Then they cry if some

team puts them on the bench

and doesn't play them at all. Play

for the love at least ... play like

your going to lose it all ... these

individuals just set themselves up

for a ticket straight out of pro

sports. What's the sense of putting

someone on the roster who is just

looking to collect the pay check ...

its about winning or losing ... its

about how you play the game.

If your obsessed about making

a name for you rather than

having the desire to win ... then

retire once your first three years

are up. Seriously fans want to see

championships... and their won

team-minded individuals not those

who are egotistical and material-

istic.

Live A Rocky Balboa Type of Life

There is too much going on and people feel like their backs are to the wall and people are out get them ... just be you and keep at it ... Get up ... You Gotta Get Up ...

I watch the movie Rocky Balboa its just an inspirational story of how heart takes over when the mind and body decide to take a hiatus .

Noone is out to get anything ... unless you let them , and truthfully if they respect you ... they will only care about you , support you , and will not hurt you. One is in control of his or her own life until you decide to let

everything slip away. To compare

people to others is not something that

makes sense. People are all

different and human . What you don't

think is right could be a human

instinct ... what's not right to one

could be not a big deal to another.

It doesn't make it right or wrong ...

you just have to let life take its

course.

Noone makes a person do anything

they don't want to do . You choose

what happens next ... so to blame

people or say they were

influenced is a really a stupid ass

thing. 6th graders ... 12th

graders are influenced ... but if

your a legal adult its your choice

what you do. Don't think

just because someone you know

did something life-altering that

the next person you know will do

it. Life is learning by experience

and from what I go by ... one

minute could make or break you

have standards and know that

you could lose it all if you take life

as a right ... your privlaged to live.

Don't break any bonds you have

with people . Listen to all sides

and see their perspective . It

may sound like them bickering

or taking over , but its them

caring for you. You do things

and what you do could not hurt

a thing , but have some

perspective from those who

have lived. I have heard my

whole life Do what you want ...

your going to do it anyway. I am

going to do what I want , but

take what you learn and what

people say ... even if you get

pissed off at the time ... use it .

You might actually go ... I see

what they mean . Noone is

is perfect , so why not have

help. Your life isn't about

reading a manual and hooking

everything up ... and its all

nice. Its learning and taking

in and sticking with people.

They may even push you

away or irritate you at

times... see their

perspective ... there is

always a reason. You

stick by them and help

them even if they make

things hard .

There will come a day

when you go ... I'm done

and its not a bad thing ...

you do what you can

and see them when they

want . Its even ok to

vent about these people

but know there are

people who see this

bothering you and will

support you. It may be

that their influenced by

someone , but in the

end... Nobody is forcing

you to do anything ...

that's a crime and I

don't see police officers,

a missing person report,

or any other acts of

crime. You ever hear

of a phone or hopping

in the car ... why ask

what's happening ...

take some time and

see somebody . Don't

use anybody as an

excuse ... use a damn

form of communicat-

ion. When you want

something don't

expect to get it

because when you

act like nothing is

wrong ... the person

your hurting ... their

support system

begins to say ... We're

Done ... you don't

want to bother with

the one we love ...

use your own damn

gas , phone , and

stop making

excuses ... You are

how old? Ok grow

up then . I don't

want to be

compared to family

in another state or

choices they make

I'm my own person

its all because one

individual can't

grow the hell up.

I'm in a

relationship and

my family

supports that

because I"M

HAPPY ... your

the damn reason

things are said

and sometimes

it could hurt ... but

it really doesn't

cause I knocked

you out when

I met the love of

my life and the

family here

are Together

Forever .

My GF is

her own

person and

compares to

noone ... sure

as hell not

your other.

I got my mom

and dad's

teaching I'm

My Own

Damn Person

and make my

own choices.

My mom

and dad

think

highly of

my GF and

her Family

Its just a

damn

shame your

so damn

delusional.

I love the

guy on

road near

the store

that just

closed

down ... I

just laugh

my ass

off

because

he's

clueless.

Like

Rocky

said It

Ain't

Over

Till Its

Over ...

Its Over.

I'm me

and

Nobody

I know or

LOVE

compares

to you or

anyone

else.

Forget

YOU ...

Your

just not

worth

losing

sleep

over

Anymore

This all

compares

to

Rocky

because

I'm

leaving

this

how

I want

to go

out

Beat

Issue

Carl's

done

talking

about it.