LeBron - The Decision

So yesterday came the biggest decision in the basketball world. And to no real surprise to those in the know, LeBron chose to take 'his talents to South Beach' where he joins the returning Dwayne Wade and newcomer Chris Bosh to create a so-called Super Team. Being a Laker fan, as well as a basketball fan, it is quite intriguing, but doesn't mean a thing to me. It definitely is a great story, having three superstars team up together to get a champtionship.
With LeBron being a free agent, he certainly had the right to go where ever he wanted. I think he is getting a lot of heat for how he did it. Having a one hour special on ESPN at the Boys and Girls Club in Greenwich, Connecticut with a not so enthuiastic look on his face wasn't a very good idea. People, though, also questioned his choice of going to Miami and joining Wade and Bosh. Was it for a championship? Was it for his legacy? Was it for the money? If he wanted a championship right now, some have said that the place to go was Chicago. If it was for his own legacy, he would have gone to the bright lights of New York. If it was for money, he would have stayed in Cleveland where he gotten a max-deal and be paid more than any other team could offer him. I think he kind of chose the easy way out. Instead of going on his own and even having one sidekick with him, and challenging a team like Chicago or a Wade-Bosh combo in Miami, he chose to create a super team. A super team currently with only four players and three rookies, who are looking to sign players for a minimum salary.
I do prefer the old-school days, where Michael Jordan took on the challenge of the Detroit Pistons and the Boston Celtics of the 19080s. Nowadays, it doesn't seem as special anymore. LeBron James can get his money, win his championships and create his own legacy, but what does that all mean? I know he won't care what others say or think about him but if he does want to create that legacy and build his own world-wide brand then he should care.

P90X - Ass Kicker

Ok, I'm sure at some point in your late night channel surfing you've come across the P90X infomercials. It looks intense and believe me, it is! But more about that later! Anyway, a couple weeks ago, my dad saw the informercial and told me to get it. He is diabetic and needs to lose some weight, I looked at him and asked if he could handle it. He said that he could and I replied, Oook! So, I ordered it and it finally came last week. We started this past Monday, and wow, did it kick my ass! I started with the chest/back DVD and made a mistake of not pacing myself, on the first set, I did about 20-25 push-ups with many, many more to go. I did learn my lesson! I'm on day 5, feeling a bit sore, but feeling great! I've lost almost 3 pounds so far! My dad is taking it slowly but still going at it. He's lost a couple pounds as well! We're definitely making our way! More updates coming...

Can't Jump...Just Yet

So last week, I announced that I'd be moving this blog over to wordpress. As I was starting, I thought I had made the jump a bit too quickly and abruptly. Although certain things made me want to make the jump, I thought I should just make time for myself to blog and slowly make the move. So, I will still be blogging here but at the same time will be blogging at the new spot while learning the ropes and deciding which step I should take, if any. So keep tight, I'm not going anywhere, yet.

Short Love Poem

Recently, my mom gave me a case of my old school-work from grade school. Going through it all, I found this cute little poem and got a good laugh out of it.

Short Love Poem

It's hard to love
The tallest girl
When you're the shortest guy.
For every time
You try to look
Your true love in the eye
You see
Her bellybutton.

Almost Perfect

Paul Sancya / Associated Press

Last week, Armando Galarraga, of the Detroit Tigers, was on his way to pitch the 21st perfect game in baseball history. But, what was supposed to be the 27th and final out was blown by umpire Jim Joyce. It was a routine grounder hit to the second baseman by Jason Donald, who was called safe by Joyce but was clearly out.

There have been many debates about the call, the issue about replay, and even about reversing the call and giving Galarraga the perfect game. However, for me, the bigger part of the story is the reaction of Armando to the bad call. Instead of over-reacting and going crazy, he gave a sly grin to the ump Jim Joyce. I believe that small act allowed others to feel for Joyce. After the game, Joyce felt really bad and knew that he cost Galarraga the perfect game. The next day, he was emotional before the game as Armando presented him with the lineup cards.

Deep down, I feel this story is about being humble and not letting things, big or little, get in our way and living life. In life, sometimes things don't go our way but we can't let it ruin or disrupt our lives. We must go on with our lives and just enjoy the ride.

These two men will forever be linked. And I thank Armando Galarraga for teaching us this lesson about humility. He is not only what the sporting world needs but also our self-absorbed, celebrity obsessed society needs.

We all strive to be perfect but we always can't be.

John Wooden's Quote of the Week

In honor of John Wooden, who died yesterday at the age of 99, I would love to share his classic sayings in the coming weeks and months. In his 99 years, he has shaped not only the game of basketball but the lives of so many. Being a basketball coach, I have certainly shared some of his sayings and teachings. Here is one:

Be quick, but don't hurry.

RIP John Wooden, 1910-2010.

Nneka On Tour

Photo by marcnesium.de

My latest project with Cornerstone Promotion is working again with Nneka. Her new album, Concrete Jungle, is out in stores now. She is currently out on tour with Nas and Damian Marley on the Distant Relative Tour.

Usually, one of the perks of the job is getting into the concerts for free. Unfortunately, for this show, the record label wasn't able to get us tickets. It was definitely a bummer but I thought it would be fun to work the show anyway.
I got to meet a few people, give out posters and tell people about Nneka, who was opening the show. It was a nice evening on the streets of Oakland.

Make sure you go and pick up Nneka's album, Concrete Jungle and look out for her on the Distant Relative Tour.

For more info, go to nnekasworld.com/us.

A New Spot

I've been thinking for the past few days about making a move. I've been thinking about making a blogging move. I've been blogging here at Blogger off and on for almost two years now. I've grown up here in the blogging world and definitely have more growing to do. I've been going back and forth about it but it seems that going in a different direction is the way to go. I created my new home a few months ago but wasn't ready to make the jump yet. I think that with this new move, I'll have more access to blogging. Thank you all so much!

Come along with me to thathumbleswagger.wordpress.com!

Recovering From Memorial Day Weekend

First of all, Happy Belated Memorial Day to all those that gave their lives defending our freedom.

And with all that comes family get togethers, barbeques and food. Lots and lots of food! So the weekend started on Friday with a prayer service and family dinner for my mom's uncle, who died a week or so ago. Then, Saturday started with a bit of spring cleaning in the garage. My aunt and uncle came up to visit from L.A. so we all went up to Tracy to my other aunt's house for a little family get together dinner. It was a night of lots of food, the Laker game and some old family photos. A good night to hang out.

The next day was a friend's barbeque. That was night of lots of food, lots of booze and lots of laughs. I think it was too much food, booze and laugh. Especially the booze. I don't usually drink a lot but...that brought me to Monday. Where I spent all day nursing a good ol' hangover.

Oooh, my head...

But I'm all better now.

Excerpt of the Week

"I wanted so badly to lie down next to her on the couch, to wrap my arms around her and sleep. Not fuck, like in those movies. Not even have sex. Just sleep together, in the most innocent sense of the phrase. But I lacked the courage and she had a boyfriend and I was gawky and she was gorgeous and I was hopelessly boring and she was endlessly fascinating. So I walked back to my room and collapsed on the bottom bunk, thinking that if people were rain, I was drizzle and she was hurricane." – from Looking For Alaska, by John Green

Restart, Reset

So I've been doing a little cleaning and organizing in my room, doing a sort of reset. I know I haven't been around for awhile now and I keep saying that I'm back and disappear for a month. I have been busier so far this year than I've been before. But as I was doing a bit of spring cleaning, I was going through my old notebooks and realized that I miss drawing, doodling and writing with pen and pad. Technology is great and all, it definitely gets things done easier, but there's nothing like relaxing by yourself and just writing and enjoying your environment. Yes, I still love my new iPhone but I've pulled out a few notebooks from their hiding places and put it right next to my phone.

And from this little epiphany, a few things are starting to reset in my life, starting with this blog. I definitely want to do something with this little project. My creative juices are starting to flow again...will keep updating the greatest and the latest.

Amazing Games

In these times that I've been away from blogging, basketball season has been going on. This is the last week of the season and it started off today with an incredible game and effort.

So let me set this up for you. We started off the season with 21 kids and had to split them up into two teams. The team that played today started out with 10 guys. About midway through the season, one kid quit so that left nine. So, for this game, I was informed that a couple of the kids, who were two of the best players on the team, wouldn't be able to make the game because they had a baseball game at the same time. So that left seven. One kid, unfortunately, went to Hawaii to attend his grandmother's funeral. So, we're left with six. So, we're expecting six players.

As the game starts, not only did one player not show up, which would have been fine, but two players didn't show up! So me and my co-coach look at each other and shrug. We have to play with four guys and they were up for it. I told them to just play and have fun and see how it goes. As the game goes on, we're still very much in it. It's a close game, going back and forth. They do keep us in it by sending us to the foul line throughout the game. If we could hit our free throws, we would be up six to eight points. But it felt very much that we had a chance to win. These four guys ranged from one of our best players, who was aggressive with the ball but very chatty, one good player, who wasn't really a basketball player but was smart and played his role, one pontential player, who had lots of basketball IQ but needs to focus on getting better, and one player who wasn't athletic but is a great listener and tries hard. These wide range of players came together and pulled off the great win!

Before the game, I wasn't expecting much. I just wanted them to have fun and get them rest through the game. But when it looked like we had a chance to win, my heart was racing. It we getting too exciting! I must say that it did feel great to see the crowd, our fans, parents, friends, jump up and cheer when the buzzer went off. It was a great effort and I'm very proud of them!

My New Love

So, I've been MIA for a while now. Quite a lots been going on, just about started another job, projects have come and gone, I had a birthday...yes, another has come. But the best things about birthdays, besides the birthday cakes, are the presents of course! With my birthday presents, I have found my new love, my new iPhone! I've been addicted to this thing. My mom calls it my new girlfriend. My new girlfriend? What? Okay, well, I have been spending as much time with as I can. I've stayed up with it until two in the morning. But no commitments! Oh, but with the extra $30 a month, I'm past all that, aren't I? But I love my iPhone and you can't separate us! Anyway, I was hesitant to get it at first, but my mom wanted to get it for me for my birthday. And I sure am glad, getting a lot business done, including this latest post. Maybe I'll get more blogging done, only of I can get away from Twitterific, my Words With Friends games and the addicting Sunday Lawn. Can we please at least get a Blogger app going?

Jamie Cullum's Pursuit

Jamie Cullum is back with his 4th album, The Pursuit, which comes out March 2nd. He is known for his new jazzy sound as well as his unique covers of songs such as Pharrell William's Frontin' and on this new album, Jamie covers Rihanna's Don't Stop the Music. I'd love to share a couple of his new videos with you all.

I'm All Over It


Don't Stop the Music

How To Make It In America - San Francisco Screening

If you're in the San Francisco Bay Area or know someone who is, pass it on!

How to Make it in America
HBO Presents an Exclusive Screening
Wednesday, February 3 8:00pm - 11:00pm
Sounds by DJ King Most (HUF SF)
Please RSVP for Complimentary Food and Beverages
Location: 111 Minna Gallery 111 Minna Street
ID is required Must be 21 or Older to Attend Admission Based on Capacity
For more information about the show, please go to: http://www.hbo.com/howtomakeitinamerica
LIKE: http://facebook.com/howtomakeit
SHOOT: http://flickr.com/howtomakeit
LISTEN: http://www.last.fm/user/howtomakeit
TWEET Hustlers use #howtomakeit
Click Here to RSVP

Nneka's Concrete Jungle

Alright, after the holidays, I'm back on the go with more projects with Cornerstone Promotion and the FARM Team. I would like to introduce you all to Nneka, a fairly new artist who made her debut a couple of years ago in Europe. Now, she's coming to the States with her new album Concrete Jungle, which is coming out next month, February 2nd. Her sound is a mix of Bob Marley, Nina Simone and Erykah Badu. Enjoy!




Nneka's new video for The Uncomfortable Truth

Pharrell's Keynote at MIDEM 2010

Pharrell Keynote at MIDEM 2010 from thecashmerethinker on Vimeo.

This past week Pharrell Williams was the keynote speaker at the MIDEM 2010 music business conference that was held in Cannes, France. He was interviewed by Rob Cohen, who is the co-CEO of Cornerstone Promotion (so, being a field rep for Cornerstone, he basically is like my big big boss) and the co-publisher of Fader Magazine. Enjoy!

Nothing Beats the Classics

Here I am just minutes from 1 o'clock in the morning, watching TV, flipping through the channels and I come to a familiar movie, Running Scared. Not the movie that came out a few years ago with that dude from the Fast and the Furious movies, the 80s movie with Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines. I remember watching this movie when I was younger, I watch it every time it was on the TV or pop it in the VCR. Classic movie!
And speaking of classics, the Cartoon Network aired a marathon of the Looney Tunes cartoons. They rarely shows those anymore so it was great to see them again. Nothing beats those old Looney Tunes cartoons. It is timeless! The artwork, the stories, and the music, most certainly the music. If you listen close, the orchristrated music is the best. Nothing beats it and you can't get it from today's cartoons.
The classics definitely bring you back, maybe not to better times, but to memorable ones.

Happy Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!!! It's 2010! A new day, a new year, a new decade! It's definitely the time that everyone looks at things with a new perspective. The new year gets people to come up with their New Year's resolutions and after a couple of weeks or months, it's gone. I don't think I've done the resolution thing for a while. But I guess, I'll do one this year. My resolution is to look at each day, each week, each month with a new perspective. Treat each day like it's January 1st.

Have a great new year, everyone!