Thoughts and Prayers

CNN.com is my homepage. And it will forever remain my homepage because it gives me constant updates of breaking news going on all around the world. In less than 2 minutes I can skim over every headline from all different parts of the world. When I hear about Gadhafi and Libya I'm concerned but it doesn't directly affect me. When I read about the 21 oil workers rescued in Columbia I'm happy but again it doesn't directly affect me. But then I'm following this Japanese Tsunami story and I realize that I know/have played basketball with two people in the last year, who are now there. One, a teammate of mine last season, and former Stanford standout Taj Finger, who I learned today was safe. And another Japanese player who came to our team last season to work out with us who we simply called Ishi. I learned today that his city was the one that got hit directly and our coach, who communicates directly with his team, has not been able to get in touch with him. Although he was only here for a few months and his English needed work, there was still that "I'm away from home playing basketball and you are away from home playing basketball" sort of connection. We'd eat together and attempt conversations after practice and even though that was the extent of it, he's still someone I feel concerned about. And that is why, in this case, a simple tweet saying "My thoughts and prayers are with #Japan"didn't seem like enough.

Life is not promised and I don't think we should forget that. When I was in Elementary school at PS 153 (The Helen Keller School) I remember learning this quote "although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it" -Helen Keller. So that's where my prayers are at. That Japan can overcome this disaster. And my thoughts today are with trying to build upon relationships I've made in the past and present so that I don't have this "what if" feeling in the future.

"Do What You Do" --blackhercules21

What Would You Do For 100€?

I've heard Money is the root of all evil...“So you think that money is the root of all evil. Have you ever asked what is the root of all money?” 
 I've heard Money can't buy you happiness... “Money, if it does not bring you happiness, will at least help you be miserable in comfort.”

Now money is a crazy thing, it will cause girlfriends to leave boyfriends, it will cause boyfriends to get girlfriends...it was cause depression, suicide, and some of the biggest smiles in the world. But this is not a blog about money. I'm lucky enough to be in a position where I can gamble a little bit of my money on occasion...I bet my teammates 10€ they can't hit five 3-pointers in a row, 20€ they can't go between their legs and dunk 50€ they can't hit a half court shot and 100€ they can't perform the Dough Dance by the end of the week. Let's just say I made money on the 3 pointer, made money on the between the legs dunk, made money on the half-court shot...but LOST on the dancing bet. Now for those of you that don't know what the Dough Dance is...check it out

And for those of you that don't know the story of Taj Finger, let me get you up to date. He's a Stanford alumni (and the smartest  guy on the team after myself). He is an aspiring movie director who unfortunately dislocated his shoulder a few months back. The rehabilitation process has been humbling, as he's lost a ton of weight and strength, but his spirits are high as the team is continuing to rally around his energy and support to continue winning games. Although he hasn't practiced in God Knows How Long...he's as much a part of this team as anyone and is a great asset to us all out here...okay enough of that mushy sh*t. Taj is currently on a strict rehab cycle that doesn't allow him the perks of a day-off. Between the pool workouts, the shoulder program, the stationary Tour De France and skyping with his girlfriend, he doesn't necessarily have time to pick up a new hobby. So one night a few weeks back, we're out celebrating after a game and we were talking about something, which led to some other topic which finally landed us at The Simpsons. Now Homer's catch phrase was D'oh and when we were talking Simpsons, I remembered this Dough Dance that I had seen earlier in the week. A few BananWeizens later, I told Taj that there is a dance that if he could do, I would give him 100€. Knowing that Taj is from New York I assumed he could dance a little bit, but then I looked again and said...nahhhh. It was a sure win for me right? Wrong. It didn't take Taj but 5 hours to go home and learn the dance, and today, his performance has hit a little known site called YouTube. I'm out 100€ but if you guys enjoy this then it was all worth it.

Quick Sidenote: Last year, I would go through money likeitwuddentnuffin, a dinner and a movie with my girlfriend was always pushing that Green Bill, but looking back, especially in comparison to that, this may be the best 100€ I've ever spent.

Do What You Do      Hallelujah Hollaback      ...blackhercules21...

Giving Thanks

How lucky am I to be playing professional basketball? Very Lucky

How lucky am I to be in great physical health? Very Very Lucky

How often do I count my blessings and really appreciate my luck? Not Enough

A few weeks back, I had a chance to get over to the Children's section of the Gottingen Klinikum (hospital) and shoot around with some of the kids there (we set up a hoop, they don't have basketball courts in the hospital). The orange team was out there giving the golden children the business.

It was a ton of fun and it meant a lot to these kids. I've been lucky in the sense that I've never had to spend too much time at the hospital (knock on wood). My family genes are pretty strong and there is no history of anything running in the family of those I love.

That being said, the hospital still gives me the heebie-jeebies. I don't like the smell, I don't like the food and I don't like seeing people in pain, but a visit is due every once in awhile to remind me just how lucky I am.

After shooting around with them, we signed some autographs and gave away some cool prizes but the best part of the whole experience was meeting Vincent. He's a young kid who had to have a bypass heart surgery and he's the epitome of toughness. It didn't hit me until one of my teammates (whose name I won't say) asked him if basketball was his favorite sport. His mother told us that his "heart has never been strong enough to play sports" and I almost broke down. It made me really think that every time I hate running sprints or hate going to practice, there are people out there that would give anything to be in my shoes...and that's the kind of stuff that keeps me going.

Stay Strong Vincent...You are the Man

Happy Thanksgiving

Do What You Do       Hallelujah Hollaback      ...blackhercules21...

My Dear Friend Taj

This impromptu blog is dedicated to my teammate Taj for the hurtful comment he left on one of my previous blog posts, the one his girlfriend actually commented was my best post yet. So Taj do me a favor, in between the chronic "Ostrich Strangling" sessions you'll have over the next three days...don't watch this movie...wouldn't want you to cry like you did when I blocked your dunk earlier this year...

PS I just tried the trail mix you made me to take on the flight (all my bitches make me something) and it sucked...see you when we're back homie

Do What You Do      Hallelujah Hollaback      ...blackhercules21...

My Homie Toni

So we went to this team barbecue last weekend and it was pretty chill, a way for the team to get together outside of basketball and just chill. They had more steaks than I could eat and some of the best pasta salad I've ever had. I actually just finished the leftovers before I sat down to write this blog.

But long story short, while I was there, I was talking to this kid Toni, who was excited to have time to talk to us players. He sings for the local boys choir here in Gottingen and had been dealing with some bullies at school. Since I'm not allowed to show up to his class and beat the crap out of 4th graders, I tried to explain to him that I was the same way when I was his age. Shy, soft spoken, and reclusive are the best adjectives to describe a good chunk of my childhood and I definitely dealt with my share of bullies. Although I don't know what ever happened to them, I pray every night that I could run into them again, but I'd be willing to bet I'm better off than they are.

What I tried to explain to Toni was that most people grow out of their shell and start to socialize more but it'll take a little bit of swagger. He told me he was told "that no one that sings is cool, and I reassured him that even basketball players wish they were singers and that I'd definitely come watch him sing at some point during the year. I gave him email address so he could send me this picture we took together, and along with it, he wrote me the coolest email ever. Although his English needs some work, if any of you make fun of him, I may have a flashback to when I got picked on and beat the crap out of you.

hey Boone here are the pics from us thank you for the time is wos grate with you i forget to thay hello from my mom  and my dad they can´t come with us. I must say you from lena my sister that you are the best player she dont no what it mean in english so she dont tell you and, you are my favorite player too please anwer me  when you become this mail  then i now that you reat it. It wos nice too meet you 

How cool is that? This is definitely the most overlooked and under appreciated part of my job life.

The other good part of the barbecue was that Taj Finger brought his girlfriend and it was the first time we all had met her. "Taj, what are you doing?"

That's actually Toni's sister, not Taj's girlfriend...haha

Be sure to read Taj's blog at http://www.mourningwould.com/

Do What You Do      Hallelujah Hollaback      ...blackhercules21...

Learned early, to fear none little Nas was huntin
Livin carefree laughin, got jokes on the daily
Y'all actin like some old folks y'all don't hear me
Yo I'm in my second childhood"

--Nas- 2nd Childhood