“The System”

He smiles way too much!

As mentioned previously in my posts, I associate Sports with my life a lot whether it is through social interactions or my approach to work, very often. It’s very easy for me to relate something and somehow tie it in with sports because it’s something I know very well whether it is knowingly or unknowingly.

About a year ago, I watched a documentary on Paul Westhead. Paul Westhead was an assistant basketball coach in the NBA for the LA Lakers who because of insane luck (Then Lakers head coach Jack McKinney had gotten into a bicycle accident and could not coach the team for the remainder of the season after about 14 games in of an 82 game season) was able to be the Head Coach of the Los Angeles Lakers who had two of the top 10 NBA players of all-time: innovative Big Man, Kareem Abdul Jabbar and the transcendent Earvin “Magic” Johnson.

Paul given his shot at the big time to coach the legendary Lakers immediately implemented his unique style of basketball on the team. It was a fast break/uptempo street-ball way of playing basketball, he called “The System”. Paul was influenced by playing street-ball growing up in Philadelphia

“The System” at first glance to even the most casual of basketball observer looks like a chaotic mess, though when you pay attention, it’s actually a disciplined, deliberate system designed to put a lot of points on the scoreboard and wears down the opposing team mentally and physically to the point of exhaustion.

“The System” requires the point guard to immediately move the ball down the court as fast as possible while shooting guard and the small forward run down the court parallel down the edges of the court to shoot while the Power Forward goes down the middle with the Center acting as the trailer and cleaning up the rebounds.

To be honest, as a basketball fan, it’s pretty frickin exciting to watch but at the same time, “The System” to the knowledgable NBA fan is hard way to win a championship.

It’s hard because while “The System” allows a team to score a lot of points, it will also allow the opposing team to score a lot of points because it relies on risk-taking defense that gives the opponents many chances to score and teams also eventually got wise and took measures to slow the game hence making slowing down “The System”.

Paul in his first year as a Head Coach for the Lakers ended up winning the NBA title with the Lakers leading them to 60 wins and defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in the Finals where in the clinching game, undersized Point Guard Magic Johnson playing the Center position because Kareem rolled his ankle during the series. This kickstarted the Laker franchise into winning 4 more titles in the 80’s.

Eventually Magic Johnson grew tired of Westhead’s “System” and demanded Westhead be fired in his 3rd season despite winning a title. Ownership who had just given Magic, the richest contract in basketball relented to his wishes and fired Westhead and promoted Pat Riley to head coach running a toned down version of “The System” now called “Showtime” with an emphasis of tough, physical defense. Pat Riley led the Lakers to the remaining four titles in the 80’s.

Paul immediately took on another NBA job for the Chicago Bulls, again implementing “The System” but without the great players like Kareem and Magic or even players who fit the system, they finished 28-54 and was immediately fired.

Paul considered giving up on coaching until Loyola Marymount University (LMU), a small private college in Malibu, California offered him a job to coach their team, which he took realizing his radical “System” would be better embraced to young players eager to play in college.

Paul again lucked out when two Philly area High School stars, Sharpshooter Bo Kimble and Undersized Hard Driving Big Man Hank Gathers transferred to LMU from USC. Finally, Paul had the willing players he needed to truly implement “The System”.

The results were immediate and LMU broke NCAA scoring records and made the NCAA Tournament, 3 consecutive seasons.

Paul finally felt that sense of personal “nirvana” only a few people will ever achieve in life. Something he truly believed in was finally getting the recognition and with perfect players for the system, Bo Kimble and Hank Gathers. Hank lead the NCAA in his junior year in points and rebounds and was an exciting player to watch because of his high-flying, hard charging slam dunks.

Paul’s luck changed for the worst eventually. During LMU’s conference tournament, Hank Gathers after finishing a dunk off an alley oop immediately dropped to the floor and was immediately rushed to the hospital. Hank died of an enlarged heart, tragic irony considering he played like he had one. Earlier that year, he had an irregular heartbeat, when the heart medication he was taking was slowing him down, he decided to no longer take them which eventually started the path to his eventual death.

Despite Hank’s tragic passing, Paul, Hank’s friend Bo Kimble (who in tribute to his friend Hank, shot his first free throw left-handed and swished it because Hank liked shooting free throws with his left hand) and a galvanized LMU team running “The System” began a Cinderella run for the NCAA title upsetting the defending National Champion and the #2 seed only losing in the Elite 8 to the eventual NCAA champion, UNLV Rebels.

Hank’s family who were justifiably upset in losing a loved one, after the season immediately sued Westhead and LMU claiming they caused Hank’s death especially because of Westhead’s “System”.

While the Gathers family dropped Paul from the suit realizing this was not his fault and eventually settled with the school, Paul was too overwhelmed by everything and decided to leave LMU immediately back to the NBA where he tried to implement his system with the Denver Nuggets only for the team to give up a lot of points and Paul losing his job after 3 years.

Paul despite all the what happened to him with people doubting his system and bouncing around from job to job. Never relented or gave up on “The System”, even admitting, he was too stubborn to give up on it.

Paul’s bouncing around lead to the WNBA’s Phoenix Suns. Paul implemented “The System” with this group of girls including star female Basketball player, Diana Taurasi. Again with the right players who were willing to buy in to “The System”, this time Paul’s luck didn’t run out. The Phoenix Mercury ended up winning the WNBA title with Paul Westhead being the only coach to ever win a NBA title and a WNBA title.

Why am I telling you this story?  This isn’t a story about basketball, it’s a story about sticking to your beliefs and your convictions despite all who will try to bring you down and the crazy things in life that can happen that can shake your beliefs. Paul despite what many told him and he would probably concede that they were right never gave up for what he believed was the right way of winning basketball and eventually he was able to prove it to everyone. If there was a class about “Sticking to your beliefs”, this is the case study of how perseverance really can work out in the end.

Have a Good 4th of July Burrito!

-V. for Vinnie

 

He stuck to his guns and won

Sports Nerd

Sports Nerd... Yep

I love sports. Wait scratch that, I really love sports. Sports is a big part of my life. I have been hooked on Sports since I was 6 years old when I saw “The Shot”.

“The Shot” is from the 1989 NBA Eastern Conference First Round in the deciding Game 5 between the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers had the Bulls number all season, winning all 6 games in the regular season. In the playoffs fueled by the Megastar/Basketball God Michael Jordan, Bulls bounced back and was playing a decisive game 5 with the Cavaliers to determine who moves on into the playoffs. Cleveland was ahead by one point with about 3 seconds with the Chicago Bulls inbounding the ball. Michael Jordan nails an amazing breathtaking jumpshot and posterized Craig Ehlo (“Posterize” is b-ball slang means that player’s play was so remarkable it would be on a poster which also embarrassed the defender who gave up the score) to hit the basket and win the game.

While the Chicago Bulls were eventually eliminated by the defending champions, the Detroit Pistons twice in 2 years, that shot arguably started the Chicago Dynasty and 2 years later began a championship run that won 6 NBA titles in 8 years and solidified Michael Jordan as arguably the Greatest Basketball player.

I remember my dad was watching the game, and I probably was playing with my Tonka trucks and my Alvin and the Chipmunk Dolls (don’t judge me). I remember Jordan nailing that shot then Chicago’s Head Coach Doug Collins running on to the court like a Fat Guy at a free buffet celebrating the Bulls win… I have been hooked ever since.

I LOVE all Sports: NFL (Football), NBA (Basketball), MLB (Baseball), NHL (Hockey), NCAA (College B-Ball and Football) Euro Soccer, NASCAR, F1, etc. Well most of the sports. I follow Golf for Tiger but thats it. I have tons of jerseys, baseball caps and even retro t-shirts (people at work or my friends have probably noticed).

I am a student of the games. I constantly study games, players and specific plays almost got on two Sports Trivia shows though because I was too sexy for TV (my excuse), I didn’t make the show despite my knowledge of sports.

I am a New Yorker so I follow my local teams: Yankees, Knicks, Jets, Rangers, Boston College Football and St. Johns University Basketball. My euro soccer clubs are Barcelona and Chelsea though if they play each other in the Champions League, my allegiances is with Chelsea given my connection to the soccer club. I follow other teams that are interesting especially if they play exciting like the Dallas Mavericks, or Washington Capitals.

Sports to me are like the Greek Myths, Daytime Soap Operas, Melrose Place and World Wrestling Federation all in one. Sports prove that “Reality is Stranger Than Fiction”. I mean you have the OJ running from the cops and his trial for murder. “The Battle at the Palace” in which players from the Indiana Pacers went into the stands to beat up some fans because one had thrown a soda at b-ball player/head case Ron Artest and he got pissed. You also saw the Olympics, when stoned American Snowboarders win the Gold Medal with amazing displays and then try to eat the Gold Medal thinking it was Chocolate… Ok I made that last one up but it likely happened.

I live and die with Sports every second a game with my team is playing. Sports is my natural icebreaker with people especially given how awkward/shy I am. It’s very easy for me to talk sports. For instance, there is an awesome girl at work, Sarah. I would’ve had a difficult time ever trying to engage in her conversation until I knew she was a University of Florida Gators fan which made it easier for me to talk to her.

My favorite sport is definitely, Football. There is such a communal feel to watching Football that other sports have tried to copy but can’t. Where fans of different teams congregate together to watch football together. Every weekday during the season, I have a mental clock in my mind on how many days it will be to saturday (College Football) and sunday (NFL Football), so I can game plan what games I will tape, what sports bars to go to, Nachos or Mozzarella Sticks? Jersey or No Jersey? Blue Moon or Yuengling? Why Erin Andrews is so freakin hot, and I would like to kick Cam Newton in the balls. I have met amazing people through Football 🙂

My favorite team is the New York Yankees. Call me a frontrunner, given the Yankees amazing history of winning and hall of fame players but I grew up in bad Yankee years when Scott Sanderson was the Yankees Ace in 1991 on a 4th place team. I saw a freakin Canadian team, The Toronto Blue Jays with Joe effin Carter dominate the AL East from 1991-1993 until the Yankees were able to build a dynasty that ran off with 4 titles in 5 years when I was a teenager. Yankees are my team through thick and thin 🙂 Win or Lose.

Are there times I can get carried away with Sports. Yes, but it’s never a detriment to myself. I am grounded enough to know at the end of the game that it is a “game” and the players are “human beings”, well except Brett Favre who is a douchebag.

Some of my friends aren’t big sports fans and borderline from not interested to somewhat casual. I want torecommend 3 Sports Documentaries that you should watch that are very riveting to even the non sports fan:

The Two Escobars: It’s a documentary about the parallel lives of Tragic Colombian Soccer Star Andres Escobar and Colombian Druglord Kingpin Pablo Escobar who are not related and how Pablo’s drug money funded the amazing Colombian Soccer Teams in the early 90’s.

Hoop Dreams: Early 90’s documentary about two top Chicago Area High School Basketball players and their travails as youngsters playing basketball while being recruited to play basketball.

Winning Time- Reggie Miller vs. the New York Knicks: Another great basketball documentary though it’s very sad for me as  Knicks fan watching Reggie Miller just kill us. The great thing about this documentary plays up the hilarity of the rivalry of between Reggie and the New York Knicks with Comedic Opera music setting the tone.

If you don’t watch sports, give these movies a chance, trust me 😉

Well back to Sports! Good Night World!

-V. for Vinnie

Goob’s “Nowitzki” Moment

Lost in a Moment. What I want in Life

Why do I want to be like this 7-Foot Basketball Playing German?

Last night, I watched the NBA Finals and saw the underdog Dallas Mavericks and it’s humble superstar, Dirk Nowtizki (yes those reading this who does not follow basketball, Dirk is German) finish off the hated Miami Heat and it’s vaunted big 3 consisting of megastars LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh to win the NBA title.

The most striking thing to me was what happened when the game ended and Dallas became champions. Dirk immediately left the court without celebrating with his teammates. The TV camera cut to Dirk in the hallway looking like he was about to cry going into the Dallas locker room.

Dirk Nowitzki has been quite an amazing player since coming from overseas to the NBA and becoming a Top 30 NBA Player of all-time, the face of the Dallas Mavericks and the franchise’s best player.

Dirk is an egoless, fun-loving German who always jokes with his teammates, is accessible to the fans and is not afraid to laugh at himself. While he’s a fun-loving guy off the court, he is an assassin on the court with his arsenal of insane jumpshots and post moves.

In 2006, Dirk had his best chance at his first NBA title when the Mavericks faced the Miami Heat, who had Dwayne Wade and Shaq for the NBA title. Dallas took a 2-0 lead in a Best of 7 (You have to be the first team to win 4 games in as many as 7 games to win the title) but lost 4 straight to Miami despite questionable bad calls by the referees that gave Miami, the edge to win the title. Dirk in Game 3 missed two key free throws and faced a lot of flack for losing the title.

In 2007, Dallas rebounded from the lost and had it’s best season in Franchise History winning 67 games and a long deserved MVP for Dirk but they ended up getting upset by the 8th seed Golden State Warriors in the first round. Dirk also received a lot of flack again for losing in the first round.

Then came the NBA Finals, this year. Miami had a loaded team with 2 of the top 5 players in the NBA in LeBron James and Dwayne Wade and a top 20 player in Chris Bosh. Everyone seemed to lean Miami to win because of it’s starpower despite what Dirk and his teammates have accomplished as a team as opposed to Miami who won because of a collection of 3 mega-talented individuals and people didn’t trust Dirk’s ability to win because of his past.

Dirk Nowitzki while nothing “extraordinary” in terms of his stats in the Finals proceeded to come through in the clutch in the 4th quarter in all 4 Dallas games outplaying Wade and LeBron (who mocked him during the series) hitting the “Winning Baskets” in 3 of the 4 wins despite a broken left middle finger on his non-shooting hand and playing one game with a 102 degree fever.

After the win, When asked by a reporter what ask why Dirk ran into the locker room after the game instead of celebrating on the court. He admitted that he was lost in the moment and needed to reflect on his own while crying.

Dirk had the weight of the world on his shoulders, going into the Finals with people doubting him. He probably doubted himself, given the past steeped in failure and heartbreak. This time around, he proved everyone wrong. This time, he was the best for that one moment. Nothing was handed to him, he went out busted his ass and took it and all he wanted.

All Dirk wanted to do last night after winning was take a moment of clarity, reflect on all what has happened to that point, let out those tears of joy and take it in alone because he’s the only one who knows how that feels.

I so badly want that moment of clarity. I feel like I went through my own hardships,failures and heartbreaks in my life with people including myself doubting me hoping that “one day”, that “one day” I will get my shot to prove to myself I can do it. I know I am capable of being special, I just need my shot.

If that happens, I will probably make a beeline to the bathroom or some quiet place myself. Look back at everything, and just let it all out. I live for that moment. I will trade anything for that moment. I would offer my soul for that moment.

Seeing what happened last night, I firmly believe that moment is coming and when it presents itself I want to take advantage of it.

Enjoy your moments people and never let them go.

-V. for Vinnie

List of Random Little Things I Enjoy

I wanna get Yoohoo wasted!

Don’t get me wrong I enjoy “big things” like a big burger, or my expensive “Beats by Dre” headphones which automatically increase my “funky” (urban coolness not body odor) meter and my street cred though it’s kinda taken a hit when I sung Michael Bolton at a karaoke bar months back similarly to the current recession. By the way, the song was “Time, Love and Tenderness”… Don’t hate!

But things I really do love the most are the “little things” in life and here’s a list of “10 random little things in no particular order” and why:

1) Yoohoo: I love, love, loooooooooooove Yoohoo. It’s like the Chocolate Gods (Count Chocula, The Nesquik Bunny and former NBA Player Darryl “Chocolate Thunder” Dawkins amongst those Gods)  created a heavenly spring for the people who craved a magical chocolate drink in a yellow glass bottle and a cool name. When I first tried it granted I was 2-3 years old in my sensitive toddler phase (all toddlers are emo, by the way) I cried tears of joy. I must have it, once a week.

2) Billy Ocean: The greatest Jamaican pop singer ever. Why Red Stripe never did a 100 million dollar Ad campaign with Billy as their spokesperson is a wasted Marketing opportunity, no disrespect to the Red Stripe Ambassador (Hooray Beer!). He’s so fucking cool.

His songs are like battle cries for me. “When the Going Gets Tough (The Tough Get Going)”, made me wanna get tough, Jamaican style. “Get Out of My Dreams, Get into My Car”, made me wanna hit on a hot lady at work and say “Hey you! Get into my car. Yes you. Get into my Car” though they may go to HR understandably when I ask them to “Touch my bumper and let’s make a deal, make it real” though I don’t have a car.  It really is lyrical poetry by Mr. Ocean.

3) Uniqlo: I have been looking like if Jimmy Kimmel had became a male fashion model with my nice new clothes recently. I have been getting my clothes at Uniqlo, which is a Japanese clothing store in SoHo.

It’s like a muuuuuuuuch cooler Old Navy when Old Navy was actually cool in the mid 90’s but much better clothes. Though this makes people accuse me as a Hipster alot… Which I deny! I am a mix of dork, nerd, jock, hipster and preppie or “donejohippie” as I like to call it 😉

4) “Cheap Seats”: I am a sports nut! Wait, scratch that… I am a sports lunatic. To quote Weed-Rappers “Cypress Hill”, I am “Sports insane in the membrane”. My favorite sports show was “Cheap Seats”. “Cheap Seats”, was on ESPN Classic hosted by twin brothers/stand-up comedians Jason & Randy Sklar where they provided “snarky commentary” on classic and classically obscure sports (Spelling Bees, Putt Putt, and Ultimate Frisbee). It obviously tickles my snarky belly button.

Especially one episode they did of a 90’s National Spelling Bee where the winner from New York, was a young tween girl who was weirder than weird. When she spelled, she would breath into her hands and spell the word. When she realized at the end, she knew the word and was going to win it all had something similar to an “Orgasmic” jubilation and spelled the word as such (needed a cigarette after that episode).

5) Remote Control: Quite simply, there has never been as small an object that can cause so many emotions for any human being. Whether it is realizing you forgot to tape “Jersey Shore”, got a call from a friend to change the channel to see a donkey kick a guy right in the balls on “Tosh.O” or the 2 minutes of being inconsolable when you’re remote’s batter dies similar to Spicoli’s face when Mr. Bone confiscated his pizza in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”

6) The One Hit Wonder: There is no power unlike singing aloud about liking Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain, or putting on a fake long blond wig and singing to a girl that you can’t “Live with out her Love and Affection” or asking some hot irish chick to “Come On Eileen”

Seriously, everyone has at least some random “One Hit Wonder” on their iPod they love. Me, personally I have at least 200 of them on my iPod including “Rico Suave” by Mexican Rapper, now Accountant (not kidding) Gerardo.

7) Baseball Caps: Can be for the sports fan or the non-sports fan. Can be cool. Can be something casually simple. Can be a Fashion statement. Can be hiding some bad hairstyle or 6 months of procrastinating that hair cut before you have hair that exceeds Robin Williams chest.  Can be to rock your city/team’s colors. It’s just that simple

8) Waffles: As the late genius stand-up comedian, Mitch Hedberg said “Waffles are like Pancakes with Syrup Traps”. Never has any joke been so true. Whether it’s leggo my eggo, homemade or as a cool form of a french fry.The waffle is the greatest breakfast invention ever. Yes, over the toaster, Egg McMuffin, the McGriddle, and even the Cold left-over pizza.

9) Euro Soccer/World Cup: Best Soccer in the World! There’s nothing like waking up at 6am on a Saturday morning. Yes I said 6am on a saturday morning! Wake up in your pajamas (Scooby Doo), brush your teeth (remember people, brush your teeth in concentric circles) pour yourself a big bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal, turn on the HD flatscreen TV and put on ESPN 2 or Fox Soccer and watch what truly is “The Beautiful Game”

10) Blankets: I laugh at you “Snuggie” wearers! Get a blanket ya cult looking douche! Seriously when has anyone in the history of world felt uncomfortable in a blanket? The only thing negative about a Blanket was that Michael Jackson (RIP King of Pop) named his kid one which was really creepy considering he liked sleeping with kids in his bed and had like the big “Kool-Aid” smile when he said that.

I think the Blanket industry was able to overcome that and the Snuggie fad. Seriously, get a blanket, Snuggie person. I am not kidding. I will buy you a blanket.

Those are my favorite lil’ things 🙂 Enjoy your Waffles and Goodnight World!

-V. for Vinnie

Rapture Shmapture Saturday

F.U. Rapture and Ivan Drago!

Happy Rapture Day Friends!

My Rapture is going well today.

I woke up at 5:30am per usual tradition of catch-up on my DVR, have some coffee and mentally will myself to get my chunky butt to the gym which involves playing the Rocky IV soundtrack on a constant loop until I have a rage to want to beat the living shit out of an evil robotic, roid juicing tall Russian Communist Boxer to avenge my flamboyant Muhammad Ali-acting friend who got killed in the ring in front of James Brown in Atlantic City in what was suppose to be an a goodwill exhibition boxing match.

Ok, that veered off, then again I really love “Rocky IV”.

My DVR is always at Max Capacity and I also watch Hulu and On Demand, the shows I watched today: Blue Bloods (Selleck’s Mustache!), Flashpoint (Canadian SWAT w/ feelings), Law and Order SVU (Cheesy as hell, yet I cant stop watching), Parks & Rec (RIP Lil’ Sebastian), South Park (Cartman got a 2in weiner!), Tosh.0 (Tosh loves the movie “Rad”, enough said), CSI (cue The Who music), Game of Thrones (if ‘The Wire” and “Lord of the Rings” got drunk and had a baby),”An Idiot Abroad”, “Bones” (I heart Emily Deschanel), The Office (I hope Spader becomes the Boss!)…

Yes, I saw all those shows today and still have more to catch-up including Sports Games I had taped in order to do some “research”, if you know what I mean.

Today is the perfect chill day after another crazy week at work. I want to just stay in my bed with my blanket, my teddy bear Sir Hugsalot, and order takeout as I catch up on DVR.

Yeah, the week was tough. The first few days weren’t bad, then a monkey wrench got thrown in and messed stuff up. It happens. I am glad the weekend is finally here.

Last night, I saw “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”. It will never measure up to the first and second films. But it was a heck of a lot better than the third film, “At World’s End” which went off the rails in terms of plot and execution. Too many plot twists killed the 3rd film. “On Stranger Tides” was much more simpler, though it was too simple. It was a “Safe” film. Not as risky as the first and second, but not bold either. Depp can play Captain Jack Sparrow in his sleep and Penelope Cruz is muy caliente, she bubbles my “Sangria” if you catch my drift.

Tonight, I am also gonna chill. I am working on a secret project I’ve been developing for a while which I hope can get “The Powers That Be” at work to finally take notice of me … I am gonna catch the Subway Series (Fuck You, Mr. Met! Ya Roid Freak Mascot!), Mavericks vs. Thunder Game 3 and the SNL Finale! Justin Timberlake is hosting!

Tomorrow, John Leguizamo on Broadway!!! with the family and my bestie/cuban big sister Liz! 🙂

Enjoy the Rapture and your Chicken Burrito today!

-V. for Vinnie

Vacation is All I Ever Wanted…

Should I go to Seattle aka The Emerald City?

I’ve been debating where to go on Vacation this year. I haven’t been on one in awhile since my fun London trip, 2 years ago when I go to see my friend Leah.

I want to do something simple and relaxing. I really don’t feel like going anywhere tropical or too hot. Just not my thing. I prefer Urban Adventures or something simple.

I’ve been debating several options:

Montreal: Beautiful, International City with nice culture, awesome nightlife especially Jazz Clubs and amazing scenery. It’s pretty much the closest thing I can get to going back to Europe without going to Europe (though I plan to get back to London or go to Paris or Rome next time). A couple of drawbacks are I was kinda hoping to catch a game but the Canadiens season is over and the Expos left town 8 years ago, it is really expensive a city to go too.

Seattle: Nice Urban Metropolis with public transportation, awesome music and sports city. I can go to the Space Needle (after a couple of beers for courage cause I am afraid of heights), The Experience Music Project, Pike’s Place and the Original Starbucks!!! The drawback would be airfare and it would be a loooooong flight given my fear of flying.

Los Angeles: The Other Major City. Has everything that I would love in a city especially with things to do, great food, sports, etc. I do have family over there which is great.  The only drawbacks would be: It’s hard to get around with public transportation, loooooong flight, and money.

Chicago: The Other Other Major City. Same thing as LA, has everything I would want with things to do and it’s much easier to get around than Los Angeles. I have a lot of family and friends in Chicago. I could also take the train to Milwaukee, also and catch a game there too.

Orlando: I haven’t been to Orlando since I was 11 years old.  Given I am a “Mature Rejuvenile” 😉 that would be a fun place to go, chill, go to Disney World and Universal. I can hangout around CityWalk and mingle. The only drawback: Too many tourists.

Atlanta: Bustling Southern City with public transportation with great food and friends. Also a sports town, though the Braves suck!!! I do have friends there. Easy trip. I am tight with Ludacris (not really, I don’t know him).

Miami: Home of my Favorite Will Smith rap song after “Parents Don’t Understand”. I have friends and family (though they are closer to Ft. Lauderdale) there. Cuban Food! Can try to learn spanish and gives me a cool reason to wear cool Fedora’s, Tropical Shirts and stuff. Michael Westen kicks badguys ass there.

Boston: Red Sox Suck!!! But it’s a close city, good for a weekend. Sports city. Underrated Music and Food City. Can easily take a Bus there. Have friends there. Jillian’s. A lot though I have to fight the urge to punch a douchy Sox fan in the dick at Fenway.

Austin: Great bohemian and active city. Amazing food and music scene. The film geek in me can go to the Alamo Drafthouse every night. I can have Tex-Mex and Texas BBQ everyday!

Philadelphia: Phillies Suck!!! Close city, good for a weekend. Sports city. Underrated Food city. Can take a bus or a train there. Can get a beer with Mac and the Gang at Paddy’s Pub.

Baseball Trip: I was thinking of maybe flying to a place like Milwaukee and do a quick road trip and visit other Ballparks in the Midwest for a week. I could possibly do Milwaukee, Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City. Or catch a Yankees road series @ Tampa Bay or Cleveland. Hmmmmmm.

I have soooooooooooo many options! What should I do?!

-V. for Vinnie

Wo Hop, Bridemaids and Friends: A Good Weekend

Best Greasy Chinese Place in NYC

It’s been a tough few weeks at work (actually more like a tough last two months). Especially all the work I am doing, dealing with the fact, the head of my agency does not like me despite all the great work I do and guilt I have from something that happened a few weeks ago which makes me worry about a dear friend who I miss a lot.

I couldn’t wait for the weekend to happen and boy I was right. I am actually am having a great weekend, so far 🙂

Last night, I got to hang out with Carly, one of my best friends. Carly is one of the most awesome people, I have ever met. I’ve known her now for about 5 years through a mutual friend who I also miss very much who now lives in London. She’s funny, smart, independent and definitely bring the “Goofy” (I have photos to prove it) which is always plus with me.

I talked her into going to Wo Hop, the best greasiest Chinese restaurant in Chinatown despite she had a 5K to run, the next day, proving that Confucius proverb “Greasy food will always win out” right. We got to share work stories about how insane our jobs are, talk politics, South Park, her trying to will herself to stop eating the rest of the greasy chinese food and me offering to attack with chopsticks as an intervention to stop her from eating all that greasy food. We proceeded to grab some Guinness’s at a bar then called it a night.

It was a great night, something I needed. To be with a friend and just talk, makes me feel good and reminds me how blessed i am to have friends like her and my other friends.

Earning my trust as a friend is really hard. I am a very nice person and I am always friendly, but I have a good radar/protection barrier about knowing who my “true” friends are and know who to avoid or not talk too much too. I can grow to befriend that person once I can get know him/her more but it’s really tough with me especially on first impressions.

I only gravitate towards people who I feel are genuine, honest and always keep an open mind. The great thing especially with my best friends, Carly and Liz. They are like that as well and I have met many new friends/acquaintances through them because they associate with great, interesting people. I mean Liz’s boyfriend Garrett, loves food like me and does social interactive games!!! Instant awesome bud in my book though I have to get that guy to a baseball game (note to self: get him to a game, might use the allure of the Yankee Stadium Garlic fries to get him to one).

Today, I had one of my usual weekend adventures in NYC after working out the chinese food/guinness and catching up on DVR (Holy Shit on what happened on “Fringe”). I was going to go to the Yankee-Red Sox but I had a change of heart (rightfully so, Yankees are getting their ass kicked right now to fucking Boston…Fuck man, we need some starting pitching).

Best Pizza Slice in NYC!

I ended up hanging around the Upper West Side of NYC. I first started at my favorite “NY Style Sliced Pizza Place” in NYC, called Sal and Carmine’s, It’s on 102nd and Broadway. It’s amazing pizza though you have to tough out the mean very old italian guy who makes the pizza. Then got to go to Barnes and Noble to get books then changed mind and just book the ebooks on my iPhone (Damn you “There’s an App for that”).

Debated about going to Zabar’s for some Fro-Yo but ended up at Starbucks for a Venti Iced Soy Caramel Macchiato. I love that drink cause it’s like a Hot Cocoa (if hot) or Rocket Boost Chocolate Milk when you shake it like a Polaroid picture.

Then my journey lead me to the main purpose, to see “Bridesmaids” at the AMC Lincoln Square Theater. Holy Shit, Kristen Wiig from SNL in her first true starring role is a fucking comedic genius! She not only starred but co-wrote the script. It’s essentially the bravado of “The Hangover” but with the heart of “The 40 Year Old Virgin” and it also had Rose Byrne (Celebrity Crush #8), Erin from “The Office” (Celebrity Crush #10) and Wiig is an underrated hottie herself. Oh man, that movie was fucking awesome!!!

Funny Movie!!!

I, then went to my favorite sushi place in Times Square called Kodama to have some Sushi. I love that place, I found it with Liz one day, few years ago when we were looking for a place to eat before we saw “Pan’s Labrynith” at the AMC Times Square Movie Theater. I love their Canada (salmon, garlic sauce, cucumber) and Sweet Potato Tempura rolls, a lot. There are tons of Broadway stars who eat there also like David Hyde Pierce, Stephen Lynch and even Matthew Broderick.

Su Su Sushio

Now I am just chillin in bed watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs and writing a blog you may or may not heard about…How very meta of me 😉

My wisdom of today: Embrace the Weekends with yourself and others when you can get them and put the worries from the Weekdays behind you cause it all starts over again on Monday except you have to go back to work… ugh.

-V. for Vinnie

Love/Hate: 5 Things

General Tso: Honorable General and Good Chicken

The 5 things I Love and Hate from the week of 5/2:

LOVE

1) “Thor”: Kenneth Branagh and Marvel reversed engineered a Superhero story and it worked. Usually in terms of Superhero movies, it’s usually a man becoming a Superhero. In “Thor”, it is in reverse. Fresh take  and it is setting up “The Avengers” very nice. I want a Mjolner (big-ass Super hammer). I am falling more and more in love with Kat Dennings (Celebrity Crush #4) and Natalie Portman (Celebrity Crush #6)

2) General Tso’s Chicken: If they ever got into a chicken war, General Tso’s would decimate Colonel Sanders. First reason, He’s a frickin General. 2nd Reason, He is very hot and spicy. Last reason, doesn’t waste time with weird neck ties.

3) NBA Playoffs: This has to be one of the best seasons in the NBA since 1995. The irony being as much I hated “The Decision”, it might have been the kickstarted the NBA I loved when I was younger.  Memphis improbable run as the 8th seed, Hawks not folding like Oragami, Derrick Rose, Rondo’s heroics despite dislocating his elbow, Mavericks sweeping the Lakers and Andrew Bynum pulling the “dick move” of the season after clotheslining JJ Barea (surpassing when KG punched Channing Frye in the balls)

4) Lunch on The Highline: Despite the recent stress of my job, this has been one of the sole bright side/sanity checks I have at work lately. To have  a nice, simple lunch on a such a beautiful elevated park with a view of the Hudson, not a worry in the world (until I have to go back to work)

5) Cult 80’s Films: This weekend, I saw “Rad” (Cru Jones is the freakin man! and I want to BMX race on Helltrac!), The Wizard (Fred Savage Video Game Movie that introduced the World to Super Mario 3) and Christian Slater’s Skateboarding Amateur Teen Detective movie “Gleaming The Cube” which has the epic scene of Tony Hawk in a Pizza Hut Motor Scooter playing chicken with an Arms Smuggler/Murderer on a hill.

HATE

1) Chinese Restaurants that don’t do Lunch Specials on Weekends: What the Fuck! Seriously! That should be mandated rule in Chinese Restaurants: Lunch Specials are 7-Day Lunch option and it must include an Egg Roll or Wonton Soup option.

2) Mondays: I just hate them.

3) Snotty Action Movie Guy/Critic: It’s not “Lawrence of Arabia”, dick! and 80’s Hong Kong Action Director John Woo is not coming through that door! Action movies are meant to be “Suspension of Disbelief” with little or no character development. Anyone who holds “Fast Five” to the standard of  “Citizen Kane” oughta get kicked in the dick.

4) Andrew Bynum: Pretty much surpassed Kevin Garnett in terms of “Dick Move of The NBA Season” by clotheslining JJ Barea as he went up for a lay-up. JJ Barea who is a foot smaller and 100 lbs lighter.  Pick on someone your own size, jerk! Disgrace to the Purple and Yellow and it’s legendary Zen Master

5) Rashard Mendenhall: It’s called Freedom of Speech, not Freedom to act like a Ignorant Asshole. It’s one thing to express yourself with rational thought, a completely different thing to speak out of your ass for the sake of it.

-V. for Vinnie

LIVE like you mean it

Best Coach in the NFL

As many know, I am a diehard Sports fan. I live and breathe Sports. My favorite coach is Rex Ryan, the Head Coach of the New York Jets, the football team I root for.

Those who are not familiar with him, Rex Ryan is considered by many a sports fan (and non-Jets fans), a brash, cocksure blowhard who thinks he’s better than anyone by everyone. Because of that “label”, it took him a longtime to get a Head Coaching job with the Jets.

Rex in his two years of coaching the Jets, guaranteed the Jets would make the Super Bowl twice despite an inexperienced QB and one of the most dysfunctional football teams, while refusing to bow down to the Juggernaut franchise in the AFC, the New England Patriots and it’s genius, well-respected coach, the stoic Bill Belichick. Twice despite being underdogs, he nearly fulfilled that guarantee against all odds only to come short by 1 game.

What many people don’t realize is Rex, really is a Genius. What most think is a Cocky douchebag is really a Confident Mastermind putting the pressure on himself and away from his team thus uniting them in a “They don’t believe in us, I believe in you” mentality that has made the Jets in a team to be reckoned with.

I am currently reading his autobiography, “Play Like You Mean It” and I love this guy even more. His conviction, his candor, his determination, his approach to his craft and most importantly, his self-confidence is something to be admired.

I need to be more like a Rex Ryan. I need to know I am the best at what I do, not just think it. I need to stand up at what I believe in even though others may not agree because I know it’s right and nothing is going to change that. Lastly, I need to know eventually like it did for Rex, if you keep trying and want something badly enough, you can achieve it.

-V. For Vinnie