A New Day

As a student of politics and history, I became jaded during college toward the bureaucracy and corruption that I have seen in our federal government in my short lifetime.  Living in California, I didn't have to hear and read about the day to day political fighting that I got so tired of seeing on the TV and in the newspapers.  

I thought I had escaped what I didn't want to see and hear about, but now I want to be a part of it again, and more than ever.  My patriotic spirit is renewed with a vigor and fire that I have never felt before.

When I was 12, I stood on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.  My Dad and I reflected on the person that MLK was and his importance on our culture and history.

It has been years since I thought about that trip and now I realize what he died for; America.  Even though a part of the country hated him, he did not just die for African Americans and the civil rights movement, he died for all Americans and the beliefs in which America was founded upon: equality and opportunity.

Today his death is not in vain.  MLK's DREAM has not fully been realized, but a huge step has been taken.  And, over the next four years President Obama will work toward the fulfilling that DREAM of equality and opportunity for all Americans.

I have never had more hope and belief in the ability of this country and its people to achieve what our forefathers envisioned for us, as I do today.

I have never been a more proud American.

This is merely the beginning to a new chapter in American history.  The task at hand is large and intimidating, but, if we as Americans work together and find strength in each other; we shall overcome.

We shall overcome all the obstacles we face as a nation because, as they say, history repeats itself.  America's history is marked by defying the odds and winning in the face of immense adversity.

That is not something I say with hope; but something I say with conviction.  The history of this nation has shown that every generation has stood up to its challenge, and today we begin battling the challenges that my generation will face.

Never, for one second, can we as Americans doubt or question our ability to unite for a single cause.  Partisanship is not an option when it comes to working towards the continuing success of our country in the near and long term future.  We stand together today not as Republicans, Democrats, and Independents, but as AMERICANS.

As Lincoln once said and Obama echoed today:

"A house divided against itself cannot stand."

-President Abraham Lincoln - June 16, 1858 - Springfield, Illinois

This is THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and we will PERSEVERE.

Championship Weekend Picks

Arizona vs. Baltimore in the Super Bowl.

First Lakers Game

I went to my first Lakers game last night. I know, I've lived here for a year and a half and haven't gone yet, but I finally got to a game and it was awesome to say the least. Kobe and the Lakers faced off against D-Wade and the Miami Heat. It came down to the last 30 seconds and the Lakers pulled it off, winning 108-105. Celebrities at the game: I walked by Cuba Gooding Jr and saw Denzel and Jack Nicholson.

The craziest part of the night was that after the game my college roommate Jesse and I ran into the Maryland Terrapins quarterback Chris Turner outside the Staples Center. Originally from Simi Valley, Chris is a friendly guy and we spent a few minutes talking about Maryland football. He likes his young receiving corp and thinks Maryland can have a good season next year, even with the loss NFL-bound WR Derrius Heyward-Bey. He said that Boise was a fun town and that he was glad to bring back a bowl victory to College Park.

I'm definitely going to some more Lakers games.

Do you have $200,000 for a car-plane?

Check this out: World's first flying car prepares for takeoff

Our New Spot

My roommates (Mark & Jimmy) and I found a new place to live on Thursday.  The location is amazing.  It's right off Santa Monica Blvd in West Hollywood.

The place is 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment with a loft and rooftop patio, a major upgrade.  The complex has a pool and gym.  You can walk to just about anywhere that is popular on Sunset and Santa Monica.

Words cannot do this place justice and as soon as we move in on the 21st I will put pictures up.  Until then check out the craigslist posting that has more pictures here.

Check out the location via Google Maps here.

NFL Divisional Weekend Picks

I didn't do all that well with last weeks predictions but I am convinced this week will be better.  I gave Miss Cleo a call and she gave me the down low on this weeks action, so...

Here are my picks for this weekend's divisional playoff games:

1.  Baltimore (+3) over Tennessee and the under (34.5)

2.  Arizona (+9.5) over Carolina and the over (48.5)

3.  Giants (-4) over Philly and the under (40)

4.  Pittsburgh (-6) over San Diago and the under (38)

Reasons:

1.  Baltimore showed that the NFL's number 1 defense came to play this postseason with a +4 turnover margin last week.   The highlight of the defensive effort had to be a touchdown and two picks by the best safety in football, Ed Reed.

This week I like how the Ravens secondary matches up with old-timer Kerry Collins.  Pennington is a better quarterback than Collins and you saw what happened to him last week.  Ray Ray will again be amped up as ever and I expect  him and the rest of the linebackers to stop the two-headed rushing attack of Chris Johnson and LenDale White.  Expect a low scoring game.

On the other side of the ball, the Ravens will need another strong showing from Joe I-don't-look-like-a-rookie-quarterback Flacco.  Whoever wins the turnover margin will win this game, so I like the Ravens.

Matchup to watch: Tennessee QB Kerry Collins vs. Baltimore S Ed Reed

2.  Arizona won last week with Warner having his best game in a month.  Even Edgerrin James pitched in for over 70 yards on 16 carries.  This week the Cardinals take that momentum to Carolina for a high-scoring pass-happy game that is sure to have some of the best highlights of the weekend.

The Cardinals have to throw deep and on defense, slow down DeAngelo Williams to win this game.  For Carolina, expect Steve Smith to have at least 100 yards and 1 touchdown, he was the best wide receiver this season (and was on my Championship fantasy football team).

Matchup to watch: Carolina WR Steve Smith vs. Arizona CB Dominique Rogers-Cromartie

3.  The Giants are rested and ready to face a familiar divisional foe, the Eagles.  First off, I'm a die-hard Redskins fan so I hate both these teams during the regular season, but since the Redskins didn't make the playoffs I have to root for someone.  So I'm going to root for the Giants and pick them to win.  After what Eli did in the Super Bowl how can you not pick them?

The Giants rushing attach of Jacobs and Ward is too much for Dawkins and the Eagles D to handle, sorry but its the truth.  Once Jacobs turns the corner and goes North-South he looks like a bowling ball destroying duck pins.  Snow and wind will both be factors.

The Eagles need RB Brian Westbrook and rookie WR DeSean Jackson to combine and have 200+ yards and 3+ TD's to win.

X factor: Donovan McNabb - which McNabb will we see; the one who got benched over a month ago or the one that went to 4 straight NFC Championship games?

Matchup to watch: New York RB Brandon Jacobs vs. Philadelphia Defense

4.  This game is all about the weather.  The current forecast calls for temps in the mid-twenties and snow.  If this holds true San Diego will lose.  Pittsburgh is rested, ready to play, and used to this kind of weather.  Even after sustaining a concussion just two weeks ago in week 16, Ben Roethlisberger is still the toughest QB in the league and will prove it on Sunday.  Expect WR Hines Ward (also on my Championship fantasy team) to ahve 100+ yards and a TD.

Ladanian Tomlinson is banged up to the point that he will not be a factor.  Darren Sproles is going to have to carry the rushing load and make something happen to open up the passing game for Rivers.

X Factor: Philip Rivers - plays with as much if not more heart than Roethlisberger but isn't physically as strong.  He needs to get Antonio Gates involved early to have a chance in Terrible Towel Town.

Matchup: Pittsburgh WR Hines Ward vs. San Diago CB Antonio Cromartie

NFL Wildcard Weekend Picks

Here are my picks for this weeks NFL action. I'm taking:

1. Arizona(-1.5) over Atlanta and the over (51.5)

2. Indianapolis(-1.5) over San Diego and the over (50)

3. Baltimore(-3.5) over Miami and the under (38)

4. Minnesota(+3) over Philadelphia and the over (41)

Reasons:

1. Kurt Warner is due for a good game and has 3 receivers over 1,000 yards.  I know Matt Ryan is the AP Offensive ROY, but its the playoffs, and I have to go with Warner.

2. I like San Diego at home, Rivers and Manning are both on hot streaks, but LT has a torn groin ligament so I have to go with Indy.

3. Baltimore's D, led by Ray Ray Lewis (who's returning to where he played while at the U), is going to make Chad Pennington wish the game would end at halftime.

4. Adrian Peterson is going to have a HUGE game, despite his lingering ankle injury.  McNabb is as reliable week to week as a Yugo.

Quote of the week

As you might have heard earlier this week, former NBA star and current TNT NBA analyst Charles Barkley was pulled over for speeding/running a stop sign and then arrested on suspicion of DUI in Phoenix, AZ.

The real reason he blew the stop sign? Oral stimulation.

When asked why he ran the stop sign, Barkley replied:

“You want the truth? I was gonna drive around the corner and get a blow job”

To top it off, he told the cops that he would tattoo their names on his rear end if it would get him out of the DUI charge.

I wonder how much Kenny Smith and EJ are going to roast you about this one, Chuck.

Wheatgrass: Its worse than drinking cheap vodka but better at the same time

So I started my diet today and it’s going well so far. I had 4 ounces of wheatgrass and some fresh OJ this morning. That was followed by a salad with balsamic vinaigrette and grilled chicken for lunch. For dinner I had steamed shrimp with cocktail sauce and a side of mixed vegetables. As bland as it sounds everything tasted good…except the wheatgrass.

For anyone who hasn’t had the pleasure of tasting wheatgrass, you are NOT missing out on flavor. You might know and even enjoy the smell of fresh cut grass when driving by your neighbor’s fresh-cut front yard. All I can say is, imagine that smell as a taste, and that is exactly what wheatgrass is like.

When you order, it comes with an OJ chaser; which is the only way that I (or anyone I know) can stand the taste. I might be able to throw back a couple shots of cheap vodka without a chaser, but this stuff is wayyyyy worse. But unlike the horrible, mind-bending hangover cheap vodka will give you; drinking 2 ounces of wheatgrass is like eating 2 POUNDS of fresh vegetables. I’ll deal with the taste and take the health benefits. Now a part of my daily routine, we’ll see how may days I can drink wheatgrass before turning green.

Hello 2009

One of the resolutions I made this year is to write a blog about my daily life and experiences. Personally, the year 2008 has been amazing; from landing a great job to getting on national TV, it was the best year of my life so far.

I know they say that college is the “best years of your life” but I have to disagree. Being raised all of my life in Maryland and moving to Los Angeles is a culture shock (in a good way). Not having to deal with bad weather and winter is a blessing. Though of course, I do miss my friends and family and it’s always nice to go home.

Hopefully, this blog will be a way to connect with people from back home. It’s meant to be entertaining and to give a glimpse of what it’s like to live in Hollywood. Topics will range from current events to sports to celebrity gossip, nothing is out of bounds.

So to start off, here are a few of my resolutions for 2009:
- Get back in the gym
- Eat healthier
- Start a blog (already happening)
- Start a business
- Go to a Lakers NBA Finals game

Now I’m not going to guarantee that all of these happen, but hopefully a few will, especially the Lakers in the Finals.

Today is a big day here in L.A., the Rose Bowl starts in about a half hour and I have all my USC gear on, as you can see. I’m heading up to the Happy Ending Bar (no it is not a whore house, it’s actually a bar run by some guys from NYC) to watch the game with some friends.

FIGHT ON! GO SC!