http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzo2qLbQ81A

Lakers vs. Grizzlies

...but I think I have an idea on why it may have passed, and why people with similar views to mine may have said 'yes.'

Let's forget the slanderous ads that we all heard and actually look at the issue. Obviously this is an equal rights issue; I would hope that any other logical individual could recognize that. And obviously, homosexual couples deserve the exact same rights as heterosexual couples. Tax advantages, inheritance and other estate benefits, child adoption, familial status for visitation purposes, etc....even the economic pain and suffering inherent in divorce. This is all a given, I'm sure, even for some people that said 'yes.' But I couldn't vote that way because eliminating unions between homosexual couples sets them back further than if those judges had just let things be. I can only imagine the subsequent legal challenges brought forward to further reduce gay rights, and that's just not okay. Adopting the simple mantra of 'live and let live' would be consistent with how I look at it. And why the hell not!?!

However, there is a truly inherent and biologic difference between hetero and homosexual 'life couples.' It is the instinctual defense of this difference that is so personal that makes it hard for most people to vocalize it....and also may have caused them to say 'yes.'

This biologic difference is that of a biological bond that a heterosexual couple can form that a homosexual couple cannot form, no matter how hard they try. It's not about rights, it's about science. And not even all heterosexual couples can form this bond....I have family that can't, and you probably do, too. That bond is the ability to procreate.

A homosexual couple cannot have offspring that has purely half of each of their DNA in it. That is something that is unique to most heterosexual couples. See, this isn't even a gay issue when you really think about it. It could have been decided by the people that got defensive and really were just saying, "hey, I have a kid that my husband/wife and I made. Can you two do that? I think not!' And surely any homosexual couple would have to concede that point. So what does this have to do with marriage?

Marriage is just so deeply rooted in religion that it's practically a religious word. Surely matrimony is a religious word, it is a sacrament after all. Most religions passively associate procreation with the matrimonial union by discouraging sex before marriage. We all know how often that's heeded in today's society, but it is still an ideal the deeply religious aspire to.

So, perhaps it's understandable that religiously inclined Californians, the land of 26 Spanish Catholic Missions and a highly Catholic Hispanic population, got a bit skiddish with homosexual couples adopting the same title of 'Marriage, Married, etc.' Perhaps these religiously inclined are fearful that their special bond, that bond which includes the ability to procreate, will no longer be recognized.

I guess if someone were to come up with a new, cooler, better name for matrimony and marriage, then religiously inclined folks everywhere could start using that name instead, and the civil courts (because I hope nobody thinks that they're going to force a Bible Belt Baptist to marry a gay couple. Live and let live, remember?) could issue Marriage Certificates.

I have a revolutionary idea, though. How about we give everybody blanketed equal rights under the law like the United States of America and the Great State of California are supposed to, and just call homosexual unions 'civil unions' (or a name they'd like to make up, if they'd prefer), and let's continue recognizing the biological distinction that the word Marriage passively recognizes. After all, that's how the government is able to get around the 'separation of Church and State' argument when issuing marriage licenses. Marriage has been a religious institution longer than a civil one.

What is so wrong with that idea? Huh? Why is that not good enough!?! And why is that too much!?! Live and let live, people!!!

I was accused of something very serious last night.  Yes, on my own birthday.  I love my brother in law, but I could have dropped him for questioning my fanhood!  Except, he didn't stand alone on the issue; the room questioned it as well!  So I, as a student of the game, am here to defend my good name and my fanhood.

Now, what does it mean to be a student of the game?  It, at least in part, means that I follow more than one team (and at various levels of the sport) and have a distinct appreciation for the game itself.  This will lead me to be inclined to dislike some teams less than others.  And again, since I am a student to the game, there will be teams that temporarily fall into this category, and there will be others that are instiutuional members I'll always have respect for (doesn't mean I like them).

Chris, what f**king game are you talking about!?!

Well a few, actually.  Naturally, since Los Angeles does not have a pro football team, I am much more of a student to the NFL game, year in and out.  But, I am always interested to know how the Niners and the Chargers are doing.  Defintiely my prefered teams in each conference.  I respect Green Bay, dislike Denver, feel sorry for Oakland, and have never been able to figure out how I feel about the Pats.  That said, I like the college game 100x more.  Since I'm such a huge fan of Pete Carroll and his methods of coaching, of course I'm a USC fan.  However, if I were to preferentiate my teams into a top 5 to establish my fanhood, it'd have to be...

1- USC
2- UCLA
3- Notre Dame
4- whichever other Pac-10 team is doing well that year (NOT STANFORD)
5- this will be a placeholder for teams I feel neutral about across the NCAA

and my top 5 'hated' (had to Dr. Evil it, because hate is such a harsh term)

1- LSU
2- The rest of the SEC
3- the current team of the week's jock that ESPN is on that is placed somewhere on the East Coast.
...that is all; see, I love more than I hate! ;)

But I was born with basketball in my blood, and I'll always be a true student to that game.  I will wear my purple and gold through times without playoffs, and I will most certainly be wearing when those June occasions come around.  And I will especially wear it in hostile territory; I'm just that damn proud to live in the land of the Lakers! BTW, I'll be the one laughing at Portland right behind their bench tomorrow night.  Watch the game; you won't miss me, I promise!  HOWEVER, since I am a student of the game, but Angelino first, my order of affections are as follows....

1- LOS ANGELES LAKERS
2- Los Angeles Clippers
3- Golden State Warriors
4- Phoenix Suns (and it's too bad they went and got Shaq)
5- Boston Celtics (I love KG and Ray Allen, and I'm an 80's baby)
**honorable? mention... Detroit Pistons, the new Cleveland Cavaliers, New Orleans (big ups to Byron Scott!) Hornets

But again, I'm a huge fan of the college game.  So, as I'm sure you can assume where my allegiances may lie, my college top 5....

1- Santa Clara (duh!)
2- UCLA
3- USC
4- LMU (I told you, I'm an Angelino, dammit!)
5-whichever Pac-10, WCC, Big West, WAC teams are doing well that year (NOT STANFORD and NOT GONZAGA)

And the statistics pain me as to how many of our own kids we lose to East Coast schools with more exposure and prowess.  If they stayed home, NBA recruiters might never leave California.  Hmm....getting ideas.... ;)

Wow, that was long!  But, I hope I have sucessfully defended my fanhood and cleared any confusion.  Whew!

Everyone seems to love Valentine's Day and celebrates it in one form or another.  Good for you all, but I just can't stand the 'holiday.'  It's just so impersonal and a blanket sentiment to cover every couple's relationship.  How can Valentine's Day be as important as an anniversary or other significant moment in your specific relationship?  Then there are the obscene expectations set forth by the commercialization of the holiday, which I am SO against.  $200 dollars on dinner, $50 on flowers, possibly a limo, and God forbid you forget the gift you were supposed to drop at least another 2 bills on.  Add that up, and you're lucky to clear V-Day for less than $600-$800.  And then you have no money to do anything fun for about a month. 

Maybe it's a selfish motivation on my part, since my birthday is 10 days after Valentine's Day, and I'd have a hard time breaking the bank for anybody to then turn around and have to spend my birthday at home.  In any event, V-Day hasn't sat well with me for quite some time.  It's stressful, petty, and for the last four holidays, has done nothing but serve to remind me that I'm alone.  As if I needed that de-motivating reminder! 

So how did this all come about?  Why am I so damn jaded?  Let's take a look at my V-Day's in the 2000's….. 

2000 – I was just a kid; not yet 18.  I was naive and still adored the ideal of Valentine's Day.  I was like the altar boy unsuspectingly looking up to the noble priest. 

2001 – I was recently single, and celebrated the holiday as more of a freedom day 

2002 – I had found out my 16 year old sister was pregnant that week.  Needless to say, my heart wasn't in the holiday that year. 

2003 – This was probably the best Valentine's Day.  I drove down the state from SCU to LMU to watch the basketball game, and afterward was able to take my girlfriend out for dinner and then we walked on the beach in Playa (ironically enough, that is now MY beach by my house!) 

2004 – Both me and my girlfriend were at extremely busy points in our life.  Our relationship was beginning to be strained and was almost 'on the rocks.'  It lasted another 28 days.  Why I still remember that, I don't know. 

2005 – Single.  I believe I watched 'Friends' that night and if I were a betting man, I'd put money down that I probably ate Pita Kitchen.  After all, when you drive 15 miles out of your way in LA for a craving, chances are you've done it before and will do it again! ;) 

2006 – Single.  I was moving from Sherman Oaks to Playa Del Rey.  I believe my sweaty-ass had pizza that night.  Might have even be a candle-lit dinner since I'm sure we hadn't set up the utilities yet, but as much as Scotty would love it, I don't swing that way.  But I will feign marriage to him for football tickets! 

2007 – I refereed a Soph/Frosh and JV basketball game at Santa Monica High School, went home, chilled, then woke up at 3:45am the next day to go to work….oh, how I miss waking up at the butt-crack BEFORE dawn!  Har. 

2008 – Turtle racing at Brennan's in Marina.  How less romantic can you get?  Definitely fun as hell, but the chauvinistic refereeing tactics (which I fully support, btw) aren't your typical V-Day faire.  

So I believe I finally hit the groove as how to celebrate V-Day, my way.  Maybe next year I'll go to Hooters, but Texas Loosey's has tri-tip and scantlier-clad women (is that a word?).  Of course, there's always the possibility that I fall madly in love and fall back in line with the whole V-Day debauchery, but given my post-collegiate experiences so far, it would be mighty naive of me to put any stock in that. 

Anyway, I'm done scroogin'!  Hope those of you that have somebody enjoyed your designated day of romance, but now on to the lecture that will be at hand in 8 days….. a night on the town for my B-Day!  But sh*t, I haven't figured out where to go just yet. Suggestions?  And who's joining me for "A Night Soon to be Forgotten in a Drunken Stupor?"  Holler.

Weak!  Well, I guess it makes sense with all of the surveys people do on this site!  But I posted a bulletin about 3 weeks ago outlining the amazing year in music that 2008 is about to be, and now it's gone.  So, since I'm lazy and don't want to write out every badass artist and album due out, I'll just drop the link on you.
{ http://www.metacritic.com/music/upcomingreleases.shtml } Basically, every artist that you love, that hasn't had an album out in at least 3 years, is set to blow in 2008.

And it has begun....who likes Jack!?!  'Cause Jack's back, with Sleep Through The Static.  You've got to get yours!  Now, I do like to buy my music, support my artists.  But when I tell you that I paid $2.39, my hunch is that you might not feel so adverse to buying it, either.  Where did I find this, you ask?
{ www.gomusic.ru }  You're welcome for the free advertisement, Ruskies!

Next big ball to drop, if you don't count Coolio (Feb 19), the Black Crowes (March 4), Fat Joe, Van Morrisson, or Keith Sweat, would be The Counting Crows and Panic! at the Disco on March 25th, releasing alongside Snoop Dogg.

June, however, will be the best month of the year, as both the Good Doctor and his protoge Jayceon are set to come out with Detox and LAX.

Kobe Bryant dislocated his finger in tonight's game.  He still played in the second half, finished with only 6 points, and the Lakers still took New Jersey by 15 tonight in ugly fashion.  Maybe Kobe will even miss a few games.  Who cares, it doesn't matter.

The big storyline that has rung throughout at least the Los Angeles area is that the Lakers were headed out on a 14 day, 9 game roadtrip; the longest in some 30 years. Lakerhaters everywhere were quick to emphasize this as a roadtrip that would 'correct' their record back to mediocrity.  Yet with 4 games down and one historic trade completed, the Lake Show has taken 3 in a row after losing to Detroit on a Teyshaun Prince game winner.

So with Andrew Bynum back in Mid-March and Ariza back in time for the playoffs, I believe Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, and Derek Fisher can lead the young, energetic supporting squad in which Farmar, Walton, Radmonovic, and Vujacic all contribute.  Big Drew's return is only going to result in greater dominance and one of the tallest front 3's in the league, with essentially 3 seven footers on the court.

Was I forgetting somebody?  Oh yeah, that's right.  The best individual player to ever set foot on the court.  24.  Yeah, he plays for us.

BUT....the most important factor that fortells how the regular season will wrap up is that of the top 10 teams (currently) in the league, the Lakers will only play 8 more this entire season.  In contrast, the Phoenix Suns, who have a 2.5 game lead on the Lakers, have played 2 more games than LA and play 15 more games against the top 10 teams in the league.  So who do you think is taking the Pacific, now?

So, as Mikey Z so sussinctly pointed out to me, it's gonna be Lakers Vs. Cetltics and the NBA Playoffs all over again, just like when we were kids.  Kickass!

Darkness.  Despair.  Deciet.
Lonliness.  Loveless.  Lies.
Broken promises. Empty talk.
Possible desires, leading on.

Commonplace.  Widespread.  Habitual.
Crushing.  Killing.  Dreams.
Heart Broken, Guard Up.
Pain and hurt.  Unable to grasp why.

Stagnant.  Simple.  Underachieved.
Grief.  Self-loathing.  Solitude.
An empty void.  A lost soul.
Wants to be filled, wants to be found.

Left alone.  Kicked to the curb.
An Afterthought.  An oversight.
Burning alone, not bright as beofre.
Jaded.  Disillusioned.  Sheepish.  Done.

Ashes.  Resurrection.  Rededication.
Self-reliance.  Solitary.  Strong.
Eyes fixed forward.  Self-sucess, the goal.
No distractions.  No disillusionment.

Truth.  Happiness.  Fulfillment.
From within.  From all that is real.
You.  Yourself.  Nobody else.
Let go.  Be free.  Fly!

As calculated by iTunes for singles in 2007....

25.  Hey There Delilah - Plain White T's
24.  Tell Me What We're Gonna Do Now (ft. Common) - Joss Stone
23.  Shadow of the Day - Linkin Park
22.  Wall to Wall - Chris Brown
21.  A Dream (ft. Will I Am) - Common
20.  Makes Me Wonder - Maroon 5
19.  Paralyzer - Finger Eleven
18.  Not Too Late - Norah Jones
17.  No One - Alicia Keys
16.  Apologize - One Republic
15.  Sexy Lady - Yung Berg
14.  Stronger - Kanye West
13.  Like This - MIMS
12.  You and Me - Lifehouse
11.  Boardmeeting (ft. Magoo) - Timbaland
10.  Let it Go (ft. Missy Elliot, Li'l Kim) - Keyshia Cole
9.    The Donque Song (ft. Snoop Dogg) - Will.I.Am
8.    Southside (ft. Kanye West) - Common
7.    Because of You - NeYo
6.    Get Buck in Here (ft. Akon, Diddy, Ludacris, Li'l John) - DJ Felli Fel
5.    Good Life - Kanye West
4.    This Ain't A Scene, It's an Arms Race - Fall Out Boy
3.    Tell Me 'Bout It - Joss Stone
2.    Way I Are (ft. Keri Hilson & D.O.E.) - Timbaland
1.    She's Like the Wind (ft. Toni Sunshine) - Lumidee

....and there's such a gap after the first 6 that they're on a level of their own!

Just a passage I found interesting that I read the other day....

"There is nothing for it: the feelings of devotion, self-sacrifice for one's neighbour, the entire morality of self-renunciation must be taken mercilessly to task and brought to court: likewise the aesthetics of 'disinterested contemplation' through which the emasculation of art today tries, seductively enough, to give itself a good conscience.  There is much too much sugar and sorcery in those feelings of 'for others,' of 'not for me,' for one not to have to become doubly distrustful here and to ask: 'are they not perhaps - seductions?'  That they give pleasure - to him who has them and to him who enjoys their fruits, also to the mere spectator - does not yet furnish an argument in their favour, but urges us rather to caution.  So let us be cautious!


And for those of you that don't want to try and wrap your brain around that one, the point is this:  society says that we should constantly be thinking of others, what we can do for them, the whole happiness through making other people happy and being a good samaratin lecture.  But be cautious, becuase aren't we supposed to be happy, too!?!

What on Earth is a guy to do???  Well, I'll have plenty of effin' time on my hand, so I'm sure I'll be spewing my mind on here, per the usual.  Damn, it's been one hell of a weird-ass transition into my new J-O-B, too.  I think I'm finally getting settled, too, which makes it even more weird to be out for a week, but they're practically making me take it! 

Anyway, that whole realization made me reflect back on the year, as I'm sure we're all doing about now.  And how much did 2007 BLOW, people???  I'm officially not a fan of this year, and for one, am eager not only to bring in '08, but also to give 2007 two big birds on the way out......I'm getting ssssssoooooo f$%^&'d up for New Year's; it's decided!  I'm cabbin' it to Hermosa, will be at least with one good friend even if everyone else bitches out, as has been the theme o' the year. so I don't care dammit. 

I haven't really let loose since, well, probably New Year's '06 in Pasadena.  I remember talking shit in the middle of Colorado Blvd. and being scared that Blake was gonna kill somebody that night, but most of the rest is a blur....and I still made it up in time to walk back down to Colorado to watch the beginning of the Rose Parade! 

Won't quite be doing that this year, but whatever, here's another chance to start anew.  Now how 'bout I don't flake on it this time?  hehe.

And since it's almost the year end........get ready for my Top 25 of 2007!!! ...did you really think I'd slip???