The Best Speech Ever. Jim Valvano. Enjoy.

Update.

I know I suck right now.  My lifes been moderately busy with school, work and most importantly 12 hours of sleep a night.  I'm kidding, but seriously.

Ive got some stuff ready just not enough time to do it justice.  So I will when I get a moment, until then enjoy this..

The Lights

Hello again.  I haven't posted in a while. For a couple of reasons, one, I have been slightly busy and thanksgiving took its toll.  Second, I have been at a loss for a good topic to write about but last night I think I found one.  Story time.

So last night were on our way back from Washington HS in Fremont where we watched the boys varsity team dismantle a much weaker team from LA whose coach probably had some serious anger issues, and high blood pressure. but enough about that.

Were driving on the freeway, I'm in Joeys Car and Collins driving DJ in his car, so were listening to J Cole, who for those who don't know is very talented, my favorite rapper out right now, but I digress.  So Collin passes us and on the exit to redwood road gets pulled over.  DJ texts me saying "hahaha Collin got blurped." So as we drive by I yell "FREE COLLIN" the chp looks over at me, and I quickly rolled up the window in fear.

As we meet up shortly after Collin tells the story and talks about how nervous he was and that makes me think about the times I've been pulled over in the past...

After a brief trip down memory lane I can remember off the top of my head being pulled over 5 times.  I know its a lot, don't judge me.  And only 1 ticket, as I jinx myself.  But what gets me every time you see those lights is the feeling of: stomach drops, heart races, and of course you just say damn, this blows.

Ill mention a few times I've been "gunned down" first, id had my license for only a short time I was coming home from the doc, and I was doing 58 in a 35.  I basically peed myself I was so nervous that the cop gave me 50 which prolly shave about 100 bucks off so ill take it. 

Another time was when we took my buddy Sean's quads for a ride around town, his neighbor called the cops.  Me and Flem tried to convince the cop they were street legal.  To no avail naturally.  He said, do you see a license plate? I said no, good point, and we walked them home.  Thankfully no ticket again.

So, in conclusion.  Whether its speeding or driving your quads around town, use good knowledge.

Well

Well I have been doing some thinking lately and have decided there are 2 things I want to do.  I mean there are actually a lot of things I want to do but many of which aren't feasible at this current juncture. 

But the two things are... one: write a screenplay. And two: run a marathon or half marathon.

As for the screenplay it is something I have wanted to do for sometime but due to the fact that my co-writer/ friend/ fellow blogger, Matt Thompson has time management issues... the writing process has unfortunately been delayed, months.

Now to the marathon or half marathon, I dunno why but I have become kind of into running now.  Before it was always punishment but now that I longer play sports its not so bad.  I figure a half marathon would be best to start with, because I don't want to go big and die on mile 23 or something.

But as for now nothings changed, ill keep you posted.

Inspirational

I was sitting in my room watching TV and I flipped over to ESPN Classic.  I was surprised to see a man by the name of Kyle Maynard, who has no arms or legs, doing something I didn't know was possible... He was Wrestling.  And winning.  Kyle wrestled through high school at if I remember right at 103 pounds.  It was absolutely crazy to watch, he was choking people out and taking people down and just truly competing. 

After high school he began training to become a mixed martial artist, and also began looking for a fight.  He faced much criticism, from not only Internet bloggers but UFC President Dana White.  Who said basically that it was an "F-ing joke" that a guy who was disabled would try to fight. So kyle trys to get an opponent to fight him and one guy drops out, and Kyle says during the documentary that he realises that its basically a lose-lose situation for whoever fights him. That if he loses then your the person who beat up a guy with no limbs, and if he wins then your the guy that lost to a guy with no limbs.  So after tons of training and waiting he gets an opponent.  Some dude from nowhere Wisconsin.

On the documentary they show you the fight and it would be tough to describe, but for the entire fight kyle keeps pushing, dodging punches and trying to take the other guy down. He loses by decision after 3 rounds 30-27.  But he says for him it wasn't about the win or loss it was about doing something that no one thought he could do, and how he overcame the odds and showed the doubters and haters he could persevere past his disabilities.

It was a really well done show by ESPN, I thought it was pretty cool and I encourage you all to watch it.

Finally #1

If you dont know what I'm talking about.

THE SF GIANTS ARE WORLD SERIES CHAMPS!!

MAYBE I SHOULD DO THE REST OF THIS BLOG IN CAPS JUST FOR EMPHASIS.
ok maybe not.

I really just cant believe it. A team that many thought wouldn't make the playoffs, actually won the world series. I know everyone will say they are true giants fans, but if you know me you know how much I have, and always will love the Giants.  I remember growing up and always hearing crap about the Giants and how they suck and how the A's are better. But I stuck with them all those years of poor seasons and questionable moves.  But that's what being a true fan is all about.  Anyone can jump on a wagon. Anyone can be a fair weather fan.  But to those who have been a true fan for years. This is something special. I listen to the radio and to hear old guys who have followed the team for 50+ years be just overjoyed that their team. The Giants. Finally did it. And did it in dominating fashion led by a group of young pitching and some timely hitting. Also to also see what it has done to the bay area. This place is lit up! I'm stealing this from FP, but people no matter how bad things may be going, people have something to be happy about. It really is a feel good story, its just awesome.

The team never had an elimination game. They Beat the best the league had to offer. And say what you want but playoffs don't lie. I could go on forever but I would get carpel tunnel. I leave you with this.

Through the ups and downs. The Good and the bad. The team that knew how to win. And wanted it the most came out on top.

A year ill never forget.  Thanks Giants.

My First Ride Along

Hello again faithful followers, whoever you are.  On Saturday I had my first ride along for my EMT class.  It was a fun experience where I learned some things and got some good sleep.  And made a minimal affect on a few people. Here's a little outlook on my day.

7:15- wake up and get ready
8:15- arrive at AMR head quarters and check in
8:45- we finish getting the Ambulance ready and we roll out
9-10- we sit on some street in San Leandro waiting to be called or transferred.. I briefly fall asleep
10:05- we leave to be posted in Newark
10:30 to 11:35- We sit in front of a Starbucks and I fall asleep in the back of the ambulance.. great nap by the way
11:40- time for our first call, so we smash over to Newark Memorial High School, where we find a girl who ate a weed brownie and passed out. We get her in the ambulance and the paramedic in the back Angie says that if she doesn't start talking the people at the hospital will poke her with needles until she says whats wrong so then she shouts out moments after that her name is Paula, I thought that was funny so I turned my head and tried not to laugh. She went to the hospital and to the best of my knowledge was fine.  but as we came back later we saw her talking to her mom.. lord knows how that convo went
12:45- We post at a different Starbucks in what I think was union city, just as I am falling asleep a call comes in to go to a Elderly Living community, we arrive there and see fire is already assessing this older man, we find out shortly that he passed out and had 3 seizures. He was very combative, cursing constantly at us when we tried to help him onto the stretcher. Thank god one of the nurses talks him into going.  We take him to the hospital, we have him sign off that we transported him. He complains for 5 minutes about how were trying to pull a fast one on him.  Eventually he signs. Thank God.
1:45- We post at a Chipotle. I eat in the back of the ambulance. In retrospect. A terrible decision. I fall asleep again, get woken up by sirens as we go to a Home Depot. Where there is a 300 plus pound man laid out on the floor, and restrained by the police as he got caught shoplifting, so we put his heavy ass on the backboard, it took 4 ppl.  He is unresponsive, and on the way to the hospital he looks up at me.  I stare back and say, "hows it going"? he pauses, puts his hands up shrugging his shoulders and passes back out. I try and hold my laughter, but i couldn't so I do the old school cough laugh to try and hide it.
4:00- We post at an In-n-out. I didn't eat, still full from the Chipotle. So i play a little tetris on my phone.  Take a nap. And eat some gold-fish I found in my backpack.  Then we get what happens to be our last call of the day. We go to union city Bart where a lady drove her car across 3 lanes, hopped a curb and smashed into a parked car.  We find out shortly that her blood sugar was 40, super low for anyone. Especially a diabetic.  We transport her giving her a ridiculously large amount of sugar. By the time we get to the ER she wont shut up shes on such a sugar high. The paramedic and her are discussing there favorite bottles of wine. They ask me for my thoughts and I tell them I'm 20, what do I know about wine. The lady got a real kick out of it for some reason. But I've never been a guy who didn't mind a good audience. We take her in, she was very thankful. And high on sugar. Which helped I guess.

All in all a great experience, and some great on the job experience, the 12 hours flew by. The naps prolly helped.

Last 3 Years

Like most of my posts I don't really know where this post is headed I just kinda type and it figures itself out.  But Anyways, were sitting at Twons house watching "The Wrestler" an underrated movie by the way. And someone.. I forget who, says, "What if these last 3 years were all a dream?" Collin takes my usual line saying that's an idea for a movie.  And Justin says that's already a movie, its called Click, starring Adam Sandler. Everyone laughs, that understands the joke. That's his go-to line if you didn't know.  But anyways, after that we all start saying what we would have done differently, DJ says he would have went to college.  D-Flo said he wouldn't have joined a band. Etc. But really thinking about that makes me think about the decisions I have made and the things I wish I would have or should have or could have done.  But honestly sitting here now I know you cant live like that.  Whats done is done, a line that I use I cant remember who I stole it from is, "Hindsight is 20/20"... and its really true.  So what I guess I'm trying to say is that you cant live in the past, and if you've screwed up, well learn from your mistakes, persevere, and try and be a better person everyday.  Just writing this made me think of a quote.. I pulled up the clip its one of my favorites.

From The Last "Rocky".. great movie btw... He's talking to his son and he says, "It's not how hard you can hit, its about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward."

Don't know why I threw that in there, just seemed appropriate.  And its Rocky... haha.

" "

I didn't title this post because I'm not really sure what this post is going to be about.  I guess I can update you on a few things that are going on that I believe to have some relevance.  First, and most importantly the Giants are going to the playoffs!!! Mike you owe me $20... I would give you my thoughts on the 25 man roster but I would like my 4 followers to continue visiting on occasion. So I will refrain.  Second, Yesterday was my Birthday. Big 2-0. Its the same as 19 I'm just a decade away from 30 now, and a lot closer to having to be a productive member of society.  Which I really cant wait for. (sarcasm)... Third, I got a truck. And Shes a runner. After much deliberation I have named her.. "The Great White Hope". Btw if you haven't named your car or bike or scooter or however you get from A to B. I encourage it.  But yea, its an 86' Ford F250 Diesel.  With a considerable amount of rust that I hope to deal with.  Besides that I'm just living. Ill try not to bring so much excitement next time.

Used Car Shopping

So. I guess im on a once a week posting schedule now.  You could call me lazy, but when you have so much material crammed in your head, it takes time to find the words worthy for the official "Good Knowledge" blog.  But, enough of about that.

Roughly two weeks ago I was on my way home from freshman football practice, where I spending evenings molding young minds and making kids do push ups.  Entertaining and Fulfilling I know.  But as I left the school and made the treck up the hill and onto my street, I turned the wheel to the left and put the car in reverse to back into my driveway, as I usually do.  Suddenly, a loud noise, almost like a whining sound came from beneath the hood and in reverse my car began to roll down the street.  Long story short, my transmission went out, making my car, next to useless.

So now with a car which will need 2,000 dollars plus of repairs, my parents decided a used car would be the best bet.  Now I have thought of a comparison to describe my feelings about buying a used car...

And I quote myself..

"Buying a used car is like picking out a goldfish, you want something that will look good, but wont die when you bring it home."

So its safe to say im on the hunt.  With little money and low standards.

San Diego...

So... this morning we flew home from San Diego where we spent the last 3ish days.  Today was a day which consisted of some good old R and R.  But don't worry I have bounced back, well somewhat, but I figured that a trip like this needs to be shared with the world or at least with the 1 or hopefully 2 people who will read this.

I don't know exactly how to do this trip the justice that it truly deserves, so in an attempt to paint a picture I will list some of the moments off of the top of my head that I feel are memorable, and that were absolutely hilarious. Enjoy.

Some of these may not make a whole lot of sense ill do my best to explain.

-At the airport on 9/11 running through scenarios about what we would do to take out a terrorist
-Brian through out the trip telling us how much he hates bro's (or so-cal d-bags)
-Twon yelling Andrew!
-Everyone yelling He went to Bosques!
-The German Girl (aka Rm. 402) (I love her btw)
-The C-Blocking incident....
-The pass out position
-Daddy long legs or Lsquared or just Long Legs 
-Saying 309 at the Dip
-Alberta Taco
-Andrew saying how moist and tender the chicken is and Matty calling him gay
-Emily continuously yelling White Power
-The Shot Pump
-The Fountain
-Danny's air Mattress by the door
-Sunday morning me yelling Good Morning to this really hott chick as she walked by and her being really surprised
-7/11
-Getting a plain doughnut for some reason and it being absolutely awful
-Sitting at the bus stop staring at this black lady while I ask Matt if he would give me 10 dollars to hit on her
-Emily driving to BJ's and almost killing me and mike like 4 times
-The blender
-Yelling at Frat Fags
-Me Saying "what up" 3 times as we passed sorority's
-Mike carrying Dannys air Mattress up the stairs
-The Trash in the Elevator
-Matt making (4-6) Quarters in the shot glass at Chili's and watching the manager get pissed
-The Host at Chili's (i know this is veg but she was something else lol)
-Danny ordering and asking literally 13 questions
-Matt holding his Ipod on his shoulder like a boom box, and Collin doing his gangster walk
-The Kitchen Bed... Brian.
-Matt and Matt ripping ass all night on the massive bean bag
-The lady at McDonald's who charged me 80 extra cents and how that's a crime
-Collins face at 5 am

... well. That's all I have for now if I think of any more ill put them up. Cheers.

Awkwardness

Its been a while since I have posted, but I figured I would give my thoughts on a matter that I feel affects all of us in some way.  Ill start with a story.  A few nights ago in an evening fire class our teacher was asking us why we wanted to be firefighters.  Various students responded, but there was one kid in the back who said the answer we all were thinking but weren't gonna say, and I quote. "The chicks love firefighters!" At that point the class burst into laughter, and possibly some applause.  The teacher also laughed and said that's true, but his smile turned and he went into story about how his wife divorced him and is now taking half his pension.

On the way home as me and Collin recapped the class as we often do, which usually consists of how much we hate Chabot and cant wait to transfer.  But I digress, So were talking and we bring up this situation.  And Collin says that the teacher should have gotten a Pre- Nup or (Pre Nuptial Agreement) for those who were born in a barn.  So I asked Collin, Is there anything more awkward then asking your future wife for a Pre Nup?  I mean seriously, basically saying to your fiance, the woman who you will soon marry,  I don't really trust you, so sign this and if you feel like you want to divorce me in about 15 to 20 years you wont get a dime.  Now if I was like a millionaire or the owner of the San Francisco Giants who are ascending rapidly and are playoff bound I might add, it would probably be a no brainer.  But just to ask something like that, you gotta have some stones.  Those are my thoughts.  Ill try and muster some more awkwardness soon.

My Thursday Quote

A good leader doesnt make followers.  A good leader makes more leaders.



P.S. If you feel the need you may steal.  Just like I did.

My First Post

I will begin my first post by saying that I fully understand that a select, but chosen few will probably read this post, or any others in the future.  But, to be honest blogs are trendy and who doesn't want to say they have a blog, or write pieces of literature.  Second, I have a fair amount of time on my hands where I do very little, so some semi constructive writing couldn't hurt.  And finally, I almost always have something to say, most of the time its absolute nonsense, but its something.