Writing Exercises

For the past few months, I feel like I've been getting a little more dumb every day. Guilty pleasures like reality TV, tabloids and online commerce have made me feel stagnant and not as sharp as I used to be.

I was reading an article and Will Smith said something along the lines of, (paraphrasing) "If you read and run everyday, then that day was productive because you've made an effort to better yourself both physically and mentally."

I can honestly say that I have not been productive on both fronts for the last few weeks. However, my daily reading intake has increased, and it's basketball season again, so I'm making an effort. In addition, I've challenged myself to do small writing exercises to try and keep me sharp. The only drawback is that I have problems finishing things that I start.

I originally started writing a player profile for Los Angeles Lakers player, Trevor Ariza, but didn't end up finish it. I decided to do a short "free write" type exerise as a baby step to writing longer things.

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Particles in Motion

Everyday, we pass each other -

Merging on the freeway,

Finding our gate at the terminal,

Standing in line at an amusement park,

And on the way to work.

We run, walk, stop, sit,

And talk.

We stop, drive, rush and bike,

To get from point A

To point B.

And along the way

We interact.

These interactions spawn new directions

And new destinations

That mean everything and nothing at the same time.

But in the grand scheme of the universe

We are constants and variables in life’s equation.

A means to an end – balance.

And in its simplest form, we are just, particles in motion.

-- Mark Gabriel

Zack Attack!

You gotta give it up to Mark Paul Gosselar for doing something like this...




In related content, this is just as cool...

NBA FINALS!

I was fortunate enough to get tickets for Game 2 of the NBA Finals. After watching the Lake Show clobber the Magic in Game 1, I have a good feeling that I'll be going to a championship parade this year. Although it's always a little concerning when one team blows the other out in the first game. It can do a lot in terms of the mentality of approaching future games, and there's always the fear of a team becoming lackadaisical. Nevertheless, I initially predicted that the Lakers would take this in 6 games, but after last nights killing spree, I'm calling Lakers in 5.

I've been lucky enough to go to a ton of games this season, including a lot of playoff games. It's hitting my bank pretty hard, but I figure if this there is a year to go to a shitload of Laker games, this is it! And after every game I tell myself that I should make signs for the next game, but I never get around to it. Seeing as this will probably be my last game of the year, I finally made some signs!


















The Lamar Odom sign flips, and although it was my idea, it came from Staggs' inspiration of having a candy related sign for her favorite player.

Health providers on this side of town...

I thought I would be a team player when looking for a primary care physician (PCP), and pick a doctor that was "in the community", meaning party of the Filipino community. I went with Dr. Lansangan who has been my PCP for the last two years. I always wait until there are a few things wrong with me before I see her, so that I can maximize every visit. And after every visit, I leave with the feeling of this was a "good, but not great" visit. This time however, was horrible. In short, the waiting in the lobby is long, the waiting in the patients room is long, and I could have given myself the same evaluation that she gave me. The doc herself is really nice and polite, but the analysis and the whole waiting game was infuriating. On top of that, you have to pay for your time there in terms of parking fees.

On a happier note, I would totally recommend Blackstone Optometry for anyone looking for an optometrist to go to. Dr. Cheng is a really nice guy, they have a ton of hip frames there, and they are uber punctual.

On a totally different tangent, after I went to the doc's office, I headed to the bank and dropped my prescription on the floor. And I think this guy picked it up, followed me all the way to the teller line, and politely gave it back to me. If it is this fellow below, then I will make a conscious effort to stop making fun of him and his movies.

Places to go in Toluca Lake...

If you are in, or around Toluca Lake, and need some highlights, I'm going to post some pretty awesome places to visit. Today's spotlight is Ernie's Tacos on Lankershim (it's technically NoHo).

Ernie's has some delicioso Mexican food and if you go on the right nights, they have a trio that plays live music in the bar area. And if you go on a really special night, you can be a witness to some creepy dude trying to pick up on a girl and her date. Ernie's is pretty low key too, so there's never a long line, and there's a parking lot and street parking.

New York 2009 trip in a nutshell

Top Five 2009

It's time to refresh the freebie list for 2009! Last year's list included Vanessa Hudgens, Kim Kardashian, Rashida Jones, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Ramiel Malubay. The last name is always one that is questionable, as I try to fill it with a rotating reality start that is somewhat local. After some thoughtful debating with myself over the last few weeks, it's not surprising to see that some of my Top 5 freebies from last year made it to this year's list as well...





1. Rashida Jones
Still hot and her career is blossoming. Plus, Staggs said that if I can ever convince Rashida Jones to come back to the apartment, I've got the green light for the threezy!

















2. Kim Kardashian
She has been on and off of the list more than anyone. But you can't say no to that giant butt.

















3. Scarlett Johansson
She always has good taste in tops to wear.






















4. Emanuelle Chrique
Sloan (E's girlfriend on Entourage) is kind of a wildcard. Regardless, she's hot stuff.



















5. Kina Grannis
The #5 slot is always saved for a lower level celebrity...someone who is more of a reality star at the time and somewhat local. Kinna Grannis is an artist who won the Super Bowl commercial contest last year and who is also what I would consider a "viral celebrity." She's a great musician, and as my buddy Pierre always says, "she totally eye fucks you while she plays."