AYYYEEE THAT'S MY SONGGGGGGG!

Describe that moment when your favorite song comes on your iPod, radio, or TV. Most likely it will be a sudden, dramatic, freakish display of exuberant behavior. We all have heard that, "OOOOO THIS MY JAMMMMM!" or "AYEEEE THAT'S MYYYY SONGGGG" or "THISS MY SHITTT RIGHT HEREEE". If you're someone like me, no words or emotion are needed, just the maximization of the volume and preferably open space to account for my hood boy bounce or fake dread shake. I admit I can go nuts when music I'm extremely fond of comes on. My mom is always annoyed by all the noise and ruckus a floor up from her. When she calls me to either turn it down or calm down or for any other thing, I usually miss it when I have music playing because I either can't hear her or not in a truly conscious form to answer her.

Is music really that powerful that it can make people seem possessed by evil spirits? Yes. The power of music may be more overwhelming that that of sports honestly. There is something about lyrics, eighth notes, a beat, and some melodic harmony that transforms people. Have you ever had an extremely horrible or frustrating day and felt that nothing could change or soothe it until you pressed play? You notice how tranquil you feel? As the music travels through your ear canals, that negative energy or sadness seems to come out with the carbon dioxide as you breathe. The more you listen, the better you feel. I'm not easily frustrated or broken, but on occasion I need something to get my mind right and steady. Music does that for me and possibly you too.

It has been scientifically proven that music heals. It has positive effects on management of pain by reducing the sensation and distress of both chronic and postoperative pain. Music serves as a distraction. By taking your attention off your current issues mentally or physically (or both in some cases) and diverting them towards music, you are less likely to think about those problems. You are given more of a sense of control within yourself. Plus, music can cause your body to release endorphins to fight off that pain and frustration. If you listen to some really slow or chill music, it will relax you by slowing your heart rate and breathing rate. Not to mention, music also reduces your blood pressure, makes your heart healthier, boosts your body's immunity, and is a remedy for headaches, migraines and post stroke victims. So, it can be said that music can also raise your vitality levels.

Can music make you intelligent? No. (Sorry Peter Griffin) However, music can enhance your intelligence, learning and memory. It has been proven that your reading and literacy skills, mathematical abilities and spatial-temporal reasoning. In terms of memory, the simultaneous left and right brain action maximizes learning and retention of information. The information that is being studied activates your left brain while the music playing operates your right. Music also improves your concentration and attention. Listening to music while you are doing homework, studying or while at work makes you much more productive at doing tasks. I have a few playlists I listen to when I have a heavy workload and it makes it go by so smoothly, almost as if I had nothing to accomplish. Listening to music fights fatigue and anxiety while you are trying to be productive. The more upbeat the music is, the more energy you will find. It effectively eliminates exercise-induced fatigue and fatigue by monotonous work.

Headphones and music are almost synonymous to athletes before games. Take players such as Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder and James Harden of the Houston Rockets (both with endorsement deals from Skullcandy) for example. Both are always sporting headphones listening to music on their way to arenas to play basketball games. If you follow them on Twitter, they often tweet lyrics of songs they are listening to or really like. Then when they touch the court, they search and destroy. Why? Because music enhances athletic performance. Music makes exercise more like a recreational act rather than grueling work which it can be at times. Listening to music motivates to get up and do something, go out for a run, dance, ride your bike, anything. I've been on runs or been in the gym while playing music and it makes the time go by so fast. Like, there have been times I've been working out for hours and would never notice. But then again, I pump titanium so I may not be human. On a more serious note, music reduces fatigue as explained before, increases psychological arousal, physiological relaxation and motor coordination. It reduces muscle tension and body movement. So after practice, feeling stressed or close to body failure, listening to music is a good remedy.

Ever have trouble sleeping? A little anxiety, insomnia or just a completely restless night where your mind is just racing with thoughts? I have had a few of those (I usually KO early so mine are extremely rare.) Research suggests that 45 minutes of listening to relaxation music before you go to bed can help you go to sleep better. Relaxing music reduces the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, decrease anxiety, blood pressure, heart and respiratory rate and distract you from pesky thoughts. Music relaxes tense muscles that accumulate after a stressful day, and reduce your negative energy, making you feel more optimistic and positive.

Like sports, which if you haven't figured out by now is another one of my loves, music puts you into a zone. It can bring you to an alternate universe where nothing can disturb you or touch you. It brings upon you a certain serenity close to being in a Buddhist monastery. Music heals your soul. If you've been feeling very depressed or moody, music brings those psychotherapeutic benefits that can alter your mindset and bring about a positive change in your life.

In closing, whether you're dealing with a breakup, a bad day, a big game, or just need some plain relief, look towards the melodic harmonies of music  to come through in the clutch. Music may inspire something in you that alters society. Don't underestimate it.

Sports. My Heart. My Passion.

Today is Championship Sunday in the NFL, where we have the San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons playing for the NFC crown and the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens fighting for the AFC crown. During these games, most likely, (for a fan) the rest of the world that doesn't exist within your television or a 100yd long by 53yd field may be forgotten. You will enter a zone of comfort and intensity like no other while you experience approximately 17 different emotions while cheering on your favorite team or disrespecting another (possibly in spite that they beat your favorite team to get to this position). You'll snatch all of the snacks in your kitchen (fuck those fruits and rice cakes) and drag them to either your room or living room, with your team gear on reclined in the most relaxing position possible watching people hurt each other. During this time, your mind is a clear slate almost. You aren't thinking about your pile of bills under your coffee table that are due (if you are and adult of course), you aren't thinking about those homework assignments you put off all weekend and will probably cram and do late tonight or early tomorrow (if you are me never), nor are you thinking about having to attend to your annoying, whiny ass kids or having to cope with not having a damn thing to do period.

Wow, that sentence was quite long and committed sooooo many grammar crimes, but it's quite real. Sports puts us in an alternate universe. It's an outlet that many of us have to not so much disregard other factors in our life, but to bring us serenity and clear conscious. Ever watch a game, and just feel like your not on earth? It replaces all those worries in your mind with a positive, healthy passion that brings more happiness and joy to your life. I have been to a few games/competitions in my life and I have to say I have had some of my most precious memories while at them. From close, exhilarating games/shockers to being able to watch your family/close friend compete. There is nothing like it. I still remember watching my big brother in the CPS Championship game some years back and crying nonstop that night because they lost (my brother was the star shooting guard for Lindblom the year they lost to Bogan for the 'ship.) I almost got sick from crying so much. It was tough to experience that. I WANTED HIM TO WIN SO BAD! I know how much he wanted to win it so it heightened my want for it to happen even more. For Lindblom to have that L placed next to their name and my brother to come home without the trophy was very disheartening.

People are good for pulling the whole, "It's just a game" card. But NEVER underestimate the power sports can have on you. For some people (especially people directly involved in it like athletes, coaches, managers), it's life. Sports has the power to make people like me get teary eyed like I mentioned before simply because his brother lost. Today many fans will experience the same emotion when their team today loses. The same goes for every other game that will ever occur. It's a constant (unless we all become robots or get infused synthetically in the future). Sports has the power to make us feel sorrow, happiness, compassion and much more. It is infectious.

Every once in a while you hear of those rags to riches stories that feel your heart with joy. Most of those stories are accomplished through sports. We all know the story of Michael Oher as documented in the movie "The Blind Side" and if you need refreshing here you go http://abcnews.go.com/2020/BlindSide/blind-side-michael-oher-story/story?id=9390739 But I want to shed light on the story of Chicago Bulls SF Jimmy Butler for example. Not so long ago his mother kicked him out of the house simply because she "didn't like the look of him". So he spent the rest of his high school life on the couches and floors of various friends. In between all of that, the guy still had to go to practice and play basketball games. Can you even imagine how hard it was for him to stay composed? What could have kept him going you say? His love for basketball of course. No matter the turmoil Jimmy went through, he picked up that ball dribbled forward and didn't look back. Now, you can see Butler sporting Bulls black/red doggin' in the absence of DRose (scored 18 yesterday as a matter of fact.)

 The story of Derrick Rose, although not as compelling as Butler's, is a gem itself. Grew up in West Englewood (same as me, lived close to both him and his grandmother) and developed a love for basketball early on. While everyone else in the neighborhood resulted to gangbanging, dealing drugs or becoming complacent, Derrick stayed in the gym (Beasley, Simeon, Westcott, Chicago Park District wherever) To put something in perspective, Englewood and West Englewood alone accounted for 25% of Chicago's homicides in 2012. That is only two neighborhoods! While a lot of people believe that being a star high school athlete can grant you a pass in a situation as his, watch the recent ESPN 30 for 30 on former Simeon star Benji Wilson, you'll think different. While keeping his head in the right place and tunnel vision, Derrick ROSE above all odds to become the star we witness do extraordinary thing on the hardwood on a gamely basis today. Oh yeah just a message, PUT SOME PILLOW FLUFF IN YO KNEE AND GET YO ASS BACK ON THE FUCKING COURT NOW!!!!!!!!!!

Alright I'm done. But sports has helped change the life of so many athletes. It serves as an inspiration for people to expect more of themselves and ignore their situations and shoot for greatness regardless of their shortcomings. Think about the numerous people who idolize Derrick Rose or Albert Pujols or Lionel Messi. There are people in Argentina who can't afford to eat but if you gave them the opportunity to see an FC Barcelona game in person or a full course meal, which do you think they would pick? India has the world's 2nd highest population with a 30% poverty level that plagues the nation. However, when the Cricket World Cup existed, everyone no matter their status was tuned into the same game, cheering on the same team.

The most powerful thing about sports is it's power to bring us as people together. There are many things that people use to categorize each other, finances, races, religion, political affiliations, and so on. But when that one big game is on, it brings us closer than we realize. A Lio Messi hat trick brings screams from people from Spain and Catalonia (Catalonia is trying to become it's own independent nation from Spain). A Catholic and Jewish man both sit on the edge of their seats while Eli Manning makes a critical throw for a first down. A businessman taking a break from work is staring at the same TV inside Best Buy with a homeless man to see if David Freese is gonna get that clutch hit for the Cardinals to win the World Series. We all know the smack talk and group discussions that occur before, during, and after games and how they all either bring numerous laughs or get us all riled up. But that's the thrill. I know many times where I walked into Sports Management and there was always a discussion on the games of the previous days and an eventual Fuck LeBron or I Love LeBron rant (Big Walt and Jermaine). But I loved those arguments. Instant source of entertainment.

Think about all the people you have met because you are a sports fan or joined a sports team. I played baseball when I was younger and football in high school and I have met some of the most hilarious, charismatic people in my life. Cracking jokes or goofing off before and after practice or games were the best. Coordinating team get togethers like meeting up at restaurants or going over someone's house to hangout were great moments to bond and make memories that you possibly would never forget. I've met friends and I'm sure you all have as well, that may be in your life for a while simply because you share this one commonalty. From just sharing a liking in sports, you now have someone to confide in (if their not an asshole), someone to hang out with, someone to lend you cash (it'll happen more likely than not) and all kinds of other stuff just add in. A love of sports could also help you find the love of your life too. It has happened and if you love sports wouldn't it be great if your companion was as well? Just think about having sex with your mate while you both are wearing MJ jerseys. Bliss.

Sports is a release. When you are frustrated you can either turn on an NBA game or go outside and put up 1,000 shots until your arms fall off. You can be in the most humbling of environments or going through hell but once you go to practice or a game, all of that is forgotten. So while you are watching today's games or any other games, ask yourself whether what you are watching or participating in is really a game or not.

MJ Last Shot against Utah Jazz in 1998

DWade Story

JUST DO IT!

Just Do It can either be an average ordinary saying applying to finally building the courage to do something or you can try to act learned and say that it is synonymous with Nike (they trademarked the slogan as soon as it was made). Phil Knight and the Beaverton, Or company made the three words its slogan after consulting with Portland ad man Dan Wieden to help them overthrow Reebok in shoe and apparel merchandise sale lead. Wieden, with simple creative genius, decided to add the word "Just" to "Do It" (Do It was penned as a connective device that evoked an athlete's transformation to a great competitor. Just was added for emphasis and it definitely made it much more of a powerful statement). It was said that the line was gold, but gold just doesn't cut it. Personally, I'd say it was more antimatter (rarest and most valuable material in the world worth $62.5 TRILLION/gram). Nike may not be worth $62.5 trillion, but $67 billion isn't too bad.

Simple marketing developed one of the most memorable and money-making slogans ever. Hmmm, so what if people actually applied "Just Doing It" in their everyday lives? That's too much to ask for however. Most people nowadays are too self-conscious and culture driven that they spend so much time trying to conform and fit into norms rather than expressing their individuality and seeing the purpose of why everyone doesn't have the same name and same appearance. Other than censorship or a lack of finances, I believe the reason that so little is accomplished is that people are afraid to pursue their REAL interests. I know you are going to school for engineering, but what happened to that love for art you have buried under your old Calculus assignments and tests? Or those old songs you wrote in your earlier years you keep in your closet and sometimes sing to yourself when you are alone? Ever look at those old photos of you in your high school basketball uniform and then look to the side and find that jersey? Stop going after something safe because what you truly want to do seems unlikely. You control your success, so it is up to YOU if you become what you set out to be. You have absolutely no reason to not pursue what you love, no matter the stage and point of time because anything is possible. Let me put more emphasis on it. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE! Resemble anything mentioned before in this blog? The way I look at things, whatever won't kill you or make you lose your self-identity doesn't hurt to *try. Let's take out try because we're winners over here and replace it with **do (ignore the bad grammar please). Why be scared of asking out that girl or guy (girls can ask guys out too it has happened to me twice) who you have been crushing over like crazy and stalking on the low (be honest y'all) or doing something spontaneous and thrilling like skiing or surfing or getting in the gym/field/ice/cage to perfect your athletic craft or recording that song you wrote in English or etc, etc, etc. I can go on and on and on. Uncertainty, failure, fear (mostly criticism), insecurity and even thinking "realistic" are all mental blocks, negative ones to be of fact. Anything that halts your progress, development and potential joy as a person needs to be kicked and will keep you from reaching the goals you set for yourself and promised you would stop at nothing to achieve. You don't know how far something will take you until you keep traveling that path. The further you go down that path the more you will realize whether you want to keep going or retract. If you put everything you have into what you love or even like to do, and I mean everything (heart, soul, hair, left foot) it can take you far. Oh yeah, fuck anybody who doesn't support your pursuit of happiness.

Now before I get flak for it, those aforementioned situations aren't necessarily representations of my point because what if you came to the realization that particular path wasn't too fitting for you or wasn't going to take you far. However, that doesn't make it an excuse to completely give up on it. A lot of the time when people give up old hobbies or interests, they stop doing it recreational too. Ok, we've established that it wasn't going anywhere as a life pursuit, but why give up on it entirely. Didn't it provide you with relief and pleasure? Wasn't it an outlet for you when you were frustrated? Or are you afraid that if you start doing it again that it will rekindle how you once felt about it and bring you distress? That's all relative so I'll leave it be.

Me personally, I have no fears. I don't fear criticism, whether harsh or constructive, failure (it will happen and depending if you learn from it and gain experience from it rather than dwell on it it's always positive. Honestly, if you think about it, would it even be a failure anymore?), and not even death. I go after everything I want and work towards it. I say and do almost anything I want, which can be a problem at times, but I'm entirely comfortable with who I am as a person to not care about whether it is a problem. Now I'm not saying I'm successful, I'm still an 18 year old male high school student with no acclaim. I have failures too, many of them. But I don't let one failure stop me from pursuing different ventures though. I use what I learned from my last one and put it towards my current one in an effort to be more successful. I like to think I think way more positive than the average person. I can find a positive in almost any situation, especially one that didn't result in death (I'm good for the "At least your still alive" or "Your momma still love you" page). I have days where you could believe Just Do It is tatooed all over my body and m heart is shaped like the Nike swoosh.

So if you are still pondering whether you are gonna make your move on that attractive person or skydiving or picking up that lovely Spaulding to put up some shots, stop pondering, get off your arse and do it. What is the worse thing that can happen? Nothing truly bad can happen. Nike made a three word slogan to beat out and slaughter Reebok, I'm sure what your trying to do is pretty plausible. You just have to get out there and do it. To end this, I'll leave you with Jay-Z's verse to the remix to Diamonds from Sierra Leone with Kanye West. One of my favorite verse HOV has ever created. If you can't get motivated from this, I might ask you to do my taxes in the future.

Yup, I got it from here 'Ye, damn
The chain remains, the gang is intact
The name is mine, I'll take blame for that
The pressure's on, but guess who ain't gonna crack?
Haha! - pardon me, I had to laugh at that
How could you falter when you're the Rock of Gibraltar?
I had to get off the boat so I could walk on water
This ain't no tall order, this is nothing to me
Difficult takes a day, impossible takes a week
I do this in my sleep
I sold kilos of coke, I'm guessing I can sell CDs
I'm not a businessman
I'm a business, man!
Let me handle my business, damn
Kanyeez you got me, Freeway then Foxy
YG's, Teairra Mari, Peedi watch me
Bleek could be one hit away his whole career
As long as I'm alive he's a millionaire
And even if I die he's in my will somewhere
So he could just kick back and chill somewhere
Oh yeah, he don't even have to write rhymes
The Dynasty like my money last 3 lifetimes
Shirley Bassey's in the rear saying exactly
What I've been saying practically my whole career
A diamond is forever, I've been mining this forever
Now the Louis Vuitton Don's timing couldn't be better
People lined up to see the Titanic sinking
Instead we rose up from the ash like a phoenix
If you're waiting for the end of the Dynasty sign
It would seem like forever is a mighty long time
(I'm done, bitches)
Good night!