Good Kid MAAD City

 

Okay now i know i was alittle preachy yeaterday talking about keeping religion out of your vote and going into the debate or look at things with an open mind.with that being said there has been a lot of buzz around this new hip hop artist Kendrick Lamar. The first i heard of this guy i was with my friends (who are huge hip hop fans) they have influenced me to Lupe Fiasco, J Cole, Kid Cudi, Drake, and many many others. we were driving to get food somewhere in downtown LA i believe we were either headed to Pinks or to Fred 62's but the album that was on was section 80 and it made me double take. I had them start the very first track over and began asking who this stranger was. with the way music is changing so much and everyone going away from the that "thug, gangster" sound and embracing the hipster skinny jean fad. I have nothing against either style but it is refreshing to hear someone who is trying to niether. Kendrick Lamar on this album Good Kid MAAD City is telling a story. this something i feel isn't always done and it's an amazing album from start to finish he keeps the west coast style with beats dy Dr. Dre, HitBoy (who might be the best producer out right now) and kills them all. it's exciting to have someone from the west coast relevant in the game of hip hop that has been dominated the past years by chicago, detriot, and the east coast. i hope he brings that spark and has people flowing about what matters to them and not about what everyone wants to hear. I love this album and i will defintitely call this the best hip hop album of the year.

Be who you want to be

I sit here waiting for my day to come to an end and the only thing i can think of is what am i going to do when i get home. the basic answer is put on my favorite pair of black nike basketball shorts and watch some TV. but there is part of me that wants to do more than that. I have had the urge to go out and do anything. I like staying in and watching TV but that also leaves me alone. I think that is a fear most people could relate too. I don't know why i'm putting it on a blog no one probably ever reads or even knows it exists. But hopefully this reaches that one person who decides to keep reading what i'm writing. In today's society it's all about being different, which is a good thing. But don't be different because its cool. Don't be popular because you think thats the right way to go. You should be you! I saw a movie Wednesday called "Perks Of Being A Wallflower" and that's the single greatest message that movie gives. Be yourself, don't try to mold yourself into something you aren't proud of. Anyone who looks at you different or makes you feel ashamed of you isn't someone who you want to hang around with. I don't know why im putting all my thoughts together like this and just rambling on and on about nothing. I just think it is a great story and idea. I am not going to  sit here and say i have never done anything influenced by peer pressure because that would be a lie. But as i got older and alcohol, marijuana, bars, pointless sex just didn't do it for me anymore. Don't get me wrong they are expierences that led me down a path that got me here and maybe i needed each expierence to make me the person i am today. All i know as i get older i care less and less about what other people think, i only care about how i live my life. But i must be careful and not think about all the things that brought me to this point i must continue to contribute to life and continue to live my life and not hide in my room because "Life might pass you by"

Thank you

Choices and Beliefs

With the presidential election looming you can see who swings to which side. Facebook has become a forum for arguement and bashing of candidates and people. Does it matter which way you vote? One of my good friends goes in the complete opposite direction i do on almost every issue but we don't let it tarnish our friendship. Everyone needs to understand this and move forward because it is so easy to criticize others but to actually be sympathetic to their cause is something not everyone can do.

I am a religous person and firmly believe in eternal life after death. I believe there is a heaven and a hell, but with that being said i will never let that influence how i vote. I understand not everyone feels the way i do and that this country was founded on the freedom of religion so how can we chastize people who don't share our same beliefs. I believe in equality for all, whether you like men or women, or if your black, white, brown, purple, green, or yellow it doesn't matter everyone has a right to exist in whatever way they see fit. How is two men getting married going to change the way i live my life? It won't, everyone is so quick to turn to the bible and say God wanted us to be with opposite sex. It is their choice to sin and be with the same sex. First of all the bible was written by man and should be taken with a grain of salt. There was only one person who has been flawless and he died for our sins. Secondly the issue of the bible the majority of the world uses is the King James edition, this king decided what was put in it and what wasn't. How can we be 100% sure there isn't more that's left out. Third not everyone believes in the bible or chooses to follow it what makes your choice in believing the bible better than everyone elses? If you want to keep them out of the church i can't argue that there is the seperation of church and state, but we must remember this bible is the same thing that said black people and white people should not be allowed to marry. How can we put so much faith in a book that can be manipulated so many different ways. I am not sitting here trying to trash religion because i will never do that, what you believe is your right just like it is the right for others to marry who they see fit. Who are we to throw judgement toward them. And last but certainly not least God has promised two things one is eternal life that i firmly believe in. Am i going to spend eternity in heaven? I certainly hope so. Maybe everything about the bible was right, maybe millions have spilled blood and lost their lives all for the name of God. Maybe the radical Christian KKK have it right and lynching is okay. Maybe gay people are inferior and are an abomination on the world, but if that's the case then i do not accept that eternal life. I choose to let everyone be treated as equals i choose to judge people not by their sexual orientation but by the content of their character. I choose live and let live. I choose to love unconditionally without expecting something in return. This is the world i want to live in. And last but certainly not least God gave us a choice. A choice to love who we want too, he gave us a choice on how to live our lives, and if I choose to love another man then it is my right as a human-being to do so. If choose to practice Catholicism then it is my right to do so. I don't belive God wants everyone to judge each other or take away choices he wants us to live life with compassion, love, friendship, religion, integrity. So incase you haven't noticed about my long run on paragraph I am voting President Barrack Obama because he understands there isn't a certain class that is more superior or inferior he believes in equality for all.

 

Thank you and maybe the 2 people who will actually read this might look at things with an open mind.

Slow Club - Beginners

I am a huge Harry Potter fan and when I came across this video I watched it simply for Daniel Radcliffe but once I heard the band I knew it was something special. Enjoy the artsy video.

Adversity Doesn't Build Character It Reveals It

This is what everyone has wanted! From the start of the shortened NBA season there have been two stars that night in and night out have been at the top of the sport and they are going head to head in the NBA Finals. In one corner you have the younger more publicly like Kevin Durant who might very well go down as the purest scorer in NBA history. His road to the finals has been one of loyalty and respect to the game and is very well deserved. The other is one of the most hated athletes in the entire world. He is by far the best player on the planet and has gone through so much criticism about his game, him not being able to close, or him going to Miami to chase the elusive title so many great NBA players can't get. The difference between both Lebron and Kevin is Lebron has had this pressure since day one and is in the process of turning in one of the greatest postseasons in recent memory. The man can will a team to win as he did in Game 6 against the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. While his skill set may be getting better (if thats possible) he is maturing right before our eyes the once "look at me" attitude he carried has turned into anything I can do to help the team win. Lebron has had to overcome far more obstacles than Kevin Durant and I ultimately believe this is going to be the X factor and why the heat will win the finals this year. LBJ has set his sights at 16 wins he has 12 and need just 4 more to raise that gold trophy high and solidify his legacy as one of the greats to ever play the game. But he must get by a young man who is trying to prove you can win on any team and you don't need to leave for more money to be a winner. I don't care who wins I want Lebron to get his ring but it's going to be an amazing finals one that basketball so desperately needed.

Top 10 Greatest Sports Movies of All Time

My best friend and I were talking about some of the greatest sports movies of all time, and it was a big argument but after much debate we still haven't agreed on a top 10 mostly because he is wrong. Here is a list of my top 10 sports movies of all time.

10.

VARISTY BLUES

This is an easy number 10 pick for me. When this movie came out it was an action packed movie and showed how big football is in some parts of the country. There is a huge variety of young actors in this movie from Paul Walker, James VanDer Beek, Ali Larter the list is full of celebrities that got a break in this movie. The bad parts are obviously the acting by everyone in this movie but the football scenes are good and some what realistic besides the excessive celebrations in the end zone.

9.

THE SANDLOT



Now while this is by far an epic favorite by most kids who grew up in the 90's I have it this low because of the way baseball is portrayed in this game. The swings they take the way the throw the ball makes it a little less believable. There are some refreshing themes throughout this movie like pickling the beast, creating life long friend hot days at the pool things like that, but the way baseball was displayed took some points away from this movie and moved it down in my opinion. But the reason it's still here is because it's a classic. I wanted to wear a dodger jersey with skinny jeans and PF flyers. Oh well one can only dream.

8.

MIRACLE

I have never seen this movie but have heard nothing but great things about it. Any movie that is based on a true story gets moved up in my book and during this time it wasn't just USA vs USSR it was democracy vs communism, freedom vs dictorship. It united a nation that was divided because of war. You can't ask for anything better than that. I def need to see  this movie.

7.

THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED

I liked this movie a lot. Shia Lebouf comes into his own in this movie as he plays a young amateur golfer from a non wealthy family and breaks all the rules that went with golf in the 1920s. This is a older version of Tiger Woods without the skin color, but he faced the same hard ship and discrimination. It's the story of david vs goliath a young man who wasn't suppose to be there but triumphs to win the US open. The way golf was played in the movie was as good as any other movie that has been made about golf. The action that took place kept you entertained and kept you in suspense the whole time. Great movie in my eyes.

6.

A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

By far one of the best all around movies I have ever seen. Tom Hanks in anything is a homerun but this is a great movie about baseball. The way they play is suspect at best but from established actors learning a new trade they do a good job. Way better than anyone in Angels in the Outfield. It's more of a comedy but anyone who has played the game of baseball passed the High School level knows a skipper who acts the way JimmyDugan (Tom Hanks) does. There is a scene at the end of the movie where sisters are pinned against each other and one pitching one hitting and that's what it's about. I've played against some friends and I wanted to hit the ball down their throat. That's the competitive drive that is sometimes lacking in movies. But all in all you won't be disappointed with this movie.

 

5.

HOOSIERS

This is one of the first basketball movies I have ever seen. Gene Hackman is a great coach in this movie who has a team of average players who he gets to buy into his philosophy and win! The movie is set in a small town but from a basketball stand point i think it is done very well. They overcome adversity deal with real life team issues fans parents teachers things of that nature and overcome all odds and win. Whenever I see Gene Hackman I can't help but think of him as a basketball coach.

4.

HE GOT GAME

This is an amazing movie! Not only does it star one of the best actors in the world (Denzel Washington) but it also stars the best 3 point shooter to ever play the game of basketball (Ray Allen) This movie does a great job of showing what a lot of 18 year old kids deal with when getting recruited to play at the next level. From agents who are sharks to universities who will do anything to land the top recruit. There is a scene where Jesus (Ray Allen) plays his dad (Denzel) in one on one and Jesus is frustrated with his dad because he was never there, something a lot of kids can sadly relate too. It is one of my favorite movies of all time not only in sports but in general. It's a must see movie.

3.

BULL DURHAM

Anytime you can get an actual baseball player to star in a movie then you are going in the right direction. Bull Durham is top 3 for me based on the way they show the game being played. There is a lot that goes into the mental part of the game and what players deal with when they play a game that has set you up to fail. It's a mental grind like most sports but the way the game is depicted in this movie is perfect. That has always been a concern when I watch sports movies, they may get a big named actor to star in the movie but if he looks awkward throwing and swinging then its going to be a terrible movie. Kevin Costner stars in this movie and you can see he has been around the game of baseball based on the way he speaks carries himself and hits and swings. It's a must see movie and one of my favorite baseball movies of all time.

2.

MAJOR LEAGUE

This is one of the funniest movies ever made. The one liners are amazing and having hall of fame announcer Bob Euker in this movie was classic. The baseball that is played in this movie is above average and you can tell they know what they are doing. Bob Euker keeps everyone interested with the losing ways of the Tribe as he provides one liner after one liner. The action is really good and Charlie Sheen and Wesley Snipes play great rookies who have a ton of talent but haven't quite learned how to use it yet. You have your premadonas on the team and your washed up has beens who have a great knack for the game mix  that with a manager who doesn't care who you think you are you get a damn good baseball movie.

1.

REMEMBER THE TITANS

This is hands down to me the best sports movie ever made. It deals with some real life issues and a segrated school that for the first time alows african american students to play. You hate most of the players in this movie but as the movie progresses you learn to be compassionate and watch how their attitudes and thinking changes. This is a great movie and no matter when it is on I have to sit and watch it. I can talk about this movie for hours but will leave with...IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THIS MOVIE GO BUY IT AND SIT DOWN AND ENJOY AN AMAZING TRUE STORY ABOUT LIFE, FOOTBALL, FRIENDSHIP AND ADVERSITY.

Down With Reality TV

Why is most of America obssessed with reality TV? I can't stand it. It's not really reality. These types of shows is what's wrong with our country, people are content being lazy living vicariously through these fake celebrities who do nothing to influence or even help america. Why are we glorifying girls who are pregnant at such a young age? The one great thing about this country is the ability to go from literally nothing to top of the food chain, and it doesn't take luck but hard work. Work that most americans don't like doing. In today's society its all about making a quick buck or sueing someone who wronged you. That is not how the world should work and that is not the world our forefathers invisioned when they laid their lives on the line. God did not send his only son to take away the sins of the world in exchange we put talentless hacks on TV and pay them millions when our teachers, police officers, firefighters and branches of the military struggle to stay a float. Good job America. We need to put an end to this type of Reality and start actually live in reality. I mean the only way i'd keep up with a Kardashian is if one of them was in front of my truck.