Gus Johnson Appreciation

BAPTISTA WITH THE CAAAAAATTTCHHHH!!!!

Gotta love when dude does Knicks games too...

Santa's Gmail

LOL @ Elfbang.

And still got my Nike Boots

Long overdue.

It's a Cold Lonely World

So, Thanksgiving day I went to visit my grandma for the first time in almost two years. To keep a long story short, some family drama breaks out, divides the family, and ends up making seeing/talking to each other that much more difficult. It didn't hit me until that afternoon when I realized that it's truly a sad lonely world we live in.

My brother and I head over to my uncle's crib where she's been living at for the past, 50 years? I haven't been there in years, but it hadn't changed a bit. So my uncle accompanies us to see her in the bedroom where she spends where I'd say about twenty-two hours of her day.

When I walked into the room, a harsh reality hit me folks. I went to give my grandma a hug. Instead she resisted, held out her right hand and came at me with a handshake. I was confused. My brother was confused since he got the same treatment. She looks at my uncle and asks "Who are these two tall boys?" "They're your grand children" he said, telling her our Chinese names. "Who's kids are they?" It began to sink in. She's gone almost 98% senile.

This is the same woman who accompanied me to my first day of Kindergarten. The same woman who cut up fruits for me and brought out snacks after I finished my spelling homework. The same woman who was always over-protective of me both as an adult and child, and gave my bro a beat down if he laid a hand on me when we were kids. (lol sorry Jay) What is even crazier, is that she didn't even recognize my pops when he came to visit.

The memories of her children, grand children, and who knows what else, gone. Just like that. It's a bitch what old age can do to you. It's sad. The majority of her days she spends in her room. With the accompany of a bed, a broken drawer, a dusty table with a blanket over it and a dimmed light fixture. I guess I can understand the reasoning of her not leaving the house. She can barley recognize her own family, yet alone expect her to roam the streets.

But yeah folks. If there's any amends you've gotta make, beefs you need to settle, or need to just say hi to someone you haven't seen in a while. Take a little time, and go about doing so. Nobody deserves to go on living life like that. It's not worth it.

Sayonara folks!

The Knicks

I'll post my views on their latest moves later in more detail... I am just so fucking tired right now.

Masterful Use of the Free Agent Wire

11/9 P.J. Pope (Den - RB) Add Free Agents Tom Cruise Line cigi
11/9 Ryan TorainP (Den - RB) Drop Tom Cruise Line Waivers cigi
11/9 Ryan TorainP (Den - RB) Add Free Agents Tom Cruise Line cigi
11/9 Le'Ron McClainP (Bal - RB) Drop Tom Cruise Line Waivers cigi
11/9 Le'Ron McClainP (Bal - RB) Add Free Agents Tom Cruise Line cigi
11/9 Carson Palmer (Cin - QB) Drop Tom Cruise Line Waivers cigi 7
11/8 Carson Palmer (Cin - QB) Add Free Agents Tom Cruise Line cigi
11/8 Jamaal Charles (KC - RB) Drop Tom Cruise Line Waivers cigi

Background Story: Fantasy football is some serious business man. So serious that so far this season, we've had money drama, racial epithets, physical threats, and even one GM calling to being in the local authoritahhhh. hahahaha

In this case, the GM for "The Jets Suck" calls out the GM for the "Tom Cruise Line" franchise whom happens to be the league clown/idiot/cry baby/virgin/racist.

Either way, this league has been straight up comedy since the start.

I'm about to lose my game this week, making my team a horrendous 6-5. Fucking dude I'm facing had Peyton Manning, Addai, Ted fucking Ginn, and DeAngelo Williams. Talk about epic FAIL.

hahaha oh well... Peace out haters.

Withdrawl

I haven't wrote anything relevant for a while, and I figured it's time to get in some practice before I lose my touch. Anyway, a few weeks ago I experienced a rude awakening. I've decided that I'm going to make an attempt to cut my smoking down to "social smoking" status. This would mean limiting myself to such activities like heavy drinking. Hopefully, I'd get around to quitting in general.

My friends and I have assembled a "Redeem Team," in an effort to prove we're not a bunch of "old wash ups." We're scrimmaging against the "ISS Flight," a bunch of trash-talking and annoying (haha remind you of someone) Chinatown high schoolers and college kids. It was my first time actually playing ball since the summer, and the first time since I'd say college since I've actually run a full court game.

So we're all doing our thing. 10-15 minutes into it, I'm on the court feeling outta breath. A little dizzy and I start feeling the taste of blood with every breath I took. I thought to myself, what the fuck this is not good. I got someone to sub in for me, and while I stood hovering over the sink in the bathroom coughing. My phlemn was black. Some pretty nasty stuff man.

Being the stubborn dude that I am I said to myself, "Aiite, if I switch from Menthols to Parliment Lights, it should make things better. It's gotta be the fiberglass," and all sorts of bologna. Did that, played again two more weeks and like last week I wasn't spitting out ash. But I felt like I was hit by a fucking Mack truck. If I wanted to continue rolling with my boys, I'd better take care of this.

Also, the girl that I've been seeing these past couple of months expressed her displeasure for smokers this past weekend. She let me know the deal and said she "told herself she'd never date a smoker," and that now that she's dating one is something new for her. Kind of got me thinking at first, because I figured she already knew my deal when we first met. But that's irrelavant. hahaha come to think of it, none of the chicks that I've seen really approved of my vice. But hey, she's put up with it this long, and hasn't been on my case like some people why not give it a shot for her? I think I owe it to my family, friends, and most importantly myself. Life is way too short. I've got too much to live for.

It's going to be a long and brutal process lol. But yeah, I'm going to finally try to fulfill a new years resolution I've had for three years. Until next time haters, be good and stay safe.. Holla at ya boy.

You gotta admit....

As stupid as she may sound, you're going to miss her... I know I'm not the only one! SNL FTW!~

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard that history has been made we've now elected a new president. Congrats to Obama. I can only wish him the best of luck...

Lebron James & Nicole Scherzinger- After Six

What's funny is that Nicole's boy toy Hamilton is signed to Reebok. hahaha @ the irony.

Halloween was the jumpoff! If you weren't out, you seriously missed out. People these days are just so damn original it's crazy. My bad to those of you I wasn't able to meet up with. Unfortunately, I was only able to be at one place at a time.

Be good folks.

Cristiano vs. Veyron

Dos Santos! ^___^

Leave Nothing

I just feel like breaking something after watching this. It's art baby. Pure genius.

Hunger Pains Are No Joke

Brutal

Jacked this from Mike's photo album. This is one of the papers he has to grade for his class. The following pictures captions.

"this is the worst writing i hav yet to get ..
.(this is about welcoming someone)
Welcome to ..
truck chose and i like to chose a truck.
and i like to chose a very good truck.
and i like very good truck.
and i like truck."

"i made him face the wall fer 15min cause of this ..."

hahahahahahahahahaha

SMH @ Danny making fun of the kid...

Fucking Served!

So I call conEdison at 10:15 p.m., stay on hold until 10:53 p.m. when an operator finally answers my call. I have the chick on speaker. I press the speaker button, "Yes, I have a question in regards to my latest billing." No answer. "Hello?" No answer. *dial tone*

Yeppp... conEd's system is updated from 11:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. Therefore, they can't help me until after 1. Yeppp... What a way to end a shitty day. hahahhaha

Never seen the "Karate Kid"?

Here's a five second summary of what went down. Enjoy.

Rain Makers

So, Hurricane Hanna really fucked up my Saturday. Not only did I get drenched on my way back home @ 2 in the morning, I was basically locked down in my building today since EVERY single time I stepped outside, it would downpour. The rain God's seriously hate me.

Thankfully there's college football on. Maybe the rain will die down soon, so that I can drink away my stress until Monday.

A friend of mine decided that he wanted to form a Queens "Redeem Team." Apparently, the Olympic Gold Medal winning U.S. basketball team has gotten to his head so much, he wants to I guess "feel" the same glory the Olympians did? Either way, to show how serious and dedicated he is, he created scouting report on PowerPoint.

Lucky me! I was selected (due to the lack of real talent) to join his squad. Here is his in-depth analysis on my game.

• John Leong
• Hofstra U. ’07
• 6’1 135 lbs.
• Comparables: Jason Kapono/Mike Dunleavy Jr.
• Position: SG/SF
• Strengths: Outside presence. Ability to fire in crunch time.
• Liabilities: Needs to be more aggressive.

Shit, I always thought I had the weapons, arrogant swagger, and terry cloth persona to be compared to Sasha Vujacic. But I guess the two overpaid white boys listed above will do.

08-09 FFL Fantasy Football Draft a.k.a Sausage Fest 2008

Live from Craigs basement Friday night marked the first ever Live "FFL" fantasy football draft. It consisted of ten General Managers from different franchises spanning throughout the East Coast. Most of the parties were present at the draft, but two teams were represented via Webcam/Internet.

Cell phones were ringing, papers were turning, GM's were screaming. It doesn't get more serious/official/sad than this. Rocafeller only wishes he were here. Instead, he opted to go on a date with a hot chick. HAH! What a loser.

The Draft Lottery


The "Official" FFL podium


Someone ain't happy with last pick?


Nice Cp3 jersey Brian. To bad this was a Football draft. Someone didn't get the memo.



This kid actually announced his pick for 15 straight rounds........


Judging by this picture, are you honestly surprised he picked up the "Chris Brown" sticker, when he wanted to draft Ronnie Brown?


Brian with the thumbs up. James in the background frantically deciding who to 14th pick like it actually mattered.


Matt reppin last season's Superbowl Champs. And yet, he chooses Tom Brady with his first round pick.


Final product.



My team at the end of the night:

Round 1: L. Tomlinson
Round 2: Maurice Jones-Drew
Round 3: Marques "KING" Colston
Round 4: "Fast" Willie" Parker
Round 5: Roy Williams
Round 6: Edgerrin James
Round 7: Laveranues Coles
Round 8: San Diego Chargers Defense (Yes, I fucked that one up)
Round 9: Donovan McNabb
Round 10: Kevin Smith
Round 11: Ahman Green
Round 12: Kevin "Slim Thug the" Boss
Round 13: John Kitna
Round 14: Vincent Jackson
Round 15: Stephen Gostkowski

Does anybody else find this sad?

Call me a hater. I know I suck at this game. But come on now.

16-year-old drops out of school to play Guitar Hero

Sun Aug 17, 2008 2:29PM EDT

Regular readers know that I love video games as much as the next guy. In fact, my right ankle is still sore from drumming my way through a marathon Rock Band session last night (who knew calibrating the TV would make such a difference!?), and I'm always looking for the latest titles to pop into my Xbox.

But how much gaming is too much? For North Carolina native Blake Peebles, there's no such thing. Guitar Hero is his title of choice. "I usually play till I can't anymore," he says, in this profile from the News & Observer.

In fact, young Mr. Peebles is dropping out of high school... in order to focus on Guitar Hero full time. Peebles hopes to join the small but growing crew of players looking to make gaming a job. Citing his victories in Guitar Hero tournaments, which include "gift certificates, gaming equipment, and chicken sandwiches," Peebles thinks he has the chops to play competitively and earn actual money in the process. As the story notes, top gamers on the competitive circuit can earn up to $80,000 a year (though $25,000 is more common). Peebles, of course, can count his 52 Chick-fil-A combo meals toward that total.

I was at first inclined to disparage the decision by his parents to let Peebles drop out of school, but it seems a little less ridiculous when you delve into the facts. Peebles hahdn't been doing well in school and wasn't liked, and even now he isn't gaming full time. He has a tutor that provides a private education, and his parents say he's doing well with the more focused instruction and that their son now even does his homework without complaint. (Presumably he can hit the axe sooner after he's finished his studies.)

However, I worry that Peebles, who's just 16, may have a tough road ahead trying to break into competitive gaming. The costs of traveling to tournaments alone can totally outstrip earnings, and the amount of training can be grueling. Sponsorships are often a pipe dream. And then there's the issue of games going out of date and being replaced by something new. Traditional athletes never have to worry about, say, distance running being upgraded with a new version, but many games can go out of style, fast. In the end, there's just not much cash there: One gamer, quoted at the end of the linked article, says that in eight years his total earnings are about $25,000 total, and that's including a national championship in Halo 2.

Source

Ohhhhhh Deeeeee

Still Famous

Yes, I know that I've posted this before. Either I'm to eager for the new college basketball season to start, or I still can't get over the three seconds of fame that I had on national television... Jerry, Joe, Rory, Scott and I will forever be solidified in Youtube history. LOL! Holla at ya boy!

Guido Beach

Because the "My New Haircut" video is getting old. Here's to the Oompa Loompa lookin, Puma sweatsuit wearing, juiced up grease clowns broski...



Now I've got to get rid of this fucking headache...

CHAMILLI CHAMILLI CHAMILLI

After all, everybody seems to be doing an "A-Milli" freestyle these days. Koopa goes in and murks this joint. My second favorite freestyle, next to Fabs. Check it out!

SPARTAAAAAA!!!!

Check out more artwork here.

WTF is up with my Gatorade?

javascript:void(0)

I've got to see "The Dark Knight"

ASAP. Anyone else down for IMAX tomorrow? Holla at ya boy.

SMH

Chase Utley to New York fans....

Done Son!

R.I.P. - Air Jordan XI
D.O.B. - 1995
C.O.D. - Kevin Shih (Foot Stomp)

It's Not that Serious!

lol, seriously... This lady who works in my building starts bugging out because she missed an elevator. (which usually comes every 10 seconds)

Lady: These people are so fucking inconsiderate! Did they not see me running?!
Me: *shrugs* I guess not... It's all good though, another will arrive in no time.
Lady: How do you know that?
Me: There are six elevators on this side. It'll be here soon.
-20 seconds later-
Lady: WHERE IS IT?!
Me: (Elevator arrives) Here we go!
Lady: Damn it! Finally!

Total Elapsed Time: 30 seconds

That lady's impatience made my day. Hahahaha

Progress

I've had only two stoges today. It's now 7:18 P.M.

Who's proud of me?

I'm a Complete Catch!

One day, I can only wish to have the same swag as this clown.


Douchebag Phone Message - Watch more free videos

Everyone Runs Faster With a Knife!

All this video game talk I've been hearing brings me back to them college days Freshmen year. Classic shit.

BOOM HEADSHOT!

DIABLO III

Say goodbye to my social life...

http://www.blizzard.com/diablo3/

New Acura NSX: Paparazzi Shots

The spies at KGP Photography have captured the first shots of the next Acura NSX in its prototype form. Gone is the makeshift S2000 bodywork the car has been photographed in before, replaced by what appears to be its true form: a classic, long-hooded sports car profile that is significantly more muscular and aggressive-looking than the Advanced Sports Car Concept. The camo effectively hides most of the juicy details, particularly up front,. Still, you can make out the three well-defined intake openings there, as well as headlamps that are larger than the slitlike units shown on last year's concept car. In back, stacked square dual exhausts suggest plenty of underhood muscle, which makes sense since a V10 is expected to be nestled under the car's lengthy bonnet. The mule depicted above also suggests a BMW 6-series-like decklid aft of the rear glass, though there's no way of knowing if it incorporates taillamps that run the width of the rear, as we saw on the concept. No matter. It all adds up to something we want to see a lot more of, and soon.

Via Autoblog.com

Wow, can't wait for it to finally be unraveled. Then again, am I the only one who feels this looks like an beefed up 350z?

Westside Story Pt. I

I believe a one week, three city tour of the West Coast is a little too much, especially if you're looking to "relax" on your vacation. There is just way too much fucking moving around, it's almost impossible to really enjoy your vacation if you've got a flight to catch first thing in the morning, or have to hop into the car for a 3 hour road trip.

Since landing in Vegas Tuesday afternoon, I still have not been able to find a decent night's sleep, due to the persistent gambling in Vegas, the grimey hotel sheets in San Diego, and Liquid Cocaine shots in L.A.

I'm also still having a bit of trouble adjusting to the time zone change here. I found myself pounding Red Bulls straight up at 9 in the evening last night trying to push myself to stay awake and get rid of the spins that I acquired by sleeping for a total of 30 hours in five days.

Unfortunately, I've never been a very well documenter for any trip that I have been on, and neglected to take pictures or shoot any video footage. However, I plan to steal some of Phil's footage that he's recorded for the past couple of days. It sucks cause last night it was the first time I'd ever seen homeboy get faded and wasn't there to get any of it for all the people back home. Shame on me...

The Lakers have a due or die game tonight in Los Angeles. I've got a feeling shit will be going down in downtown Los Angeles if the Celtics end up smacking up Kobe and Co. tonight. Should be interesting.

Holla at ya boy!

Nobody's Safe!

Got this from the e90post forums. Apparently, a brand new M3 was parked outside a Walgreens parking lot for three days before it was finally taken away. Fucking thieves these days man. Straight up grimey. =/

I guess these losers aren't just targeting Ricers and Big Wheels.




http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=146885

Countdown - 8 Days

Till straight up Mayhem!

Can't wait!

Kendrick Perkins

Terrible pictures. But if you're familiar with the covenant elite in Halo, the comparison is uncanny.

18 days son. HOLLA!

El Orfanato

Aka The Orphanage. Probably one of the most scariest movies I've seen in a while. WOW! Literally had me rolled up like a little bitch all movie. hahaha So, if "Untraceable" is all taken out, and you've got nothing better to rent, go see it.

Photo courtesy of "prodigal sun" on Flickr.

Passing The Torch

I hate the Boston Celtics. It's no surprise. But after watching this interview, I couldn't help but push the Celtics up one spot on my list of teams to win the Championship. Thank Bill Russell for the encouraging, teary-eyed speech.

So here's my current list:
1. Pistons
2. Cavs
3. New Orleans
4. The Lake Show
5. Spurs
6. Celtics
7. Utah

"Because life ain't about how many breaths you take. It's what you do with those breaths."

I think it's about time I take a break from the bickering and bitching. I'd suggest giving the text a read. Don't let the amount of words discourage you. It's worth it.

Article: http://www.postgazette.com/pg/08125/878966-85.stm

Teen is running out of innings, but the game still isn't over

A TALE OF COURAGE

Sunday, May 04, 2008

By Mike White, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The 18-year-old kid dying of cancer gets his wish, a chance to swing a bat maybe one last time in a real baseball game.

He hasn't played in a few years, but he's called on to pinch-hit. His eyes light up at the first pitch and he puts all of his 5-foot-5, 93-pound frame into one mighty swing, making contact and sending a line drive into right field for a single -- if he can reach first base. The cancer he's been battling for almost two years has spread to his pelvis, making running nearly impossible.

The kid worries about falling as he hustles down the first-base line. When he gets to the base, he lets out with a yell. "I did it! I did it!"

Safe at first with a hit and an RBI, the kid is hugged by a crying first-base coach. The opposing pitcher takes off his glove, starts applauding and his teammates follow suit. The kid's teammates run onto the field to celebrate.

It sounds like the climax to a heart-tugger movie. But there was no producer or film crew at the game between Freedom and Aliquippa high schools two weeks ago. The scene was as real as the tumors in John Challis' liver and lungs.

John is a kid with cancer, a senior at Freedom in Beaver County who was told a few weeks ago by doctors that cancer was winning and it was close to the end. The disease that started in his liver was now taking over his lungs.

"They said it could be only two months," he said, fighting back tears.

He paused before his seemingly never-ending optimism came through again.

"I told my mom I still think I can get two more years."

But his story isn't about dying. It's about inspiring.

His story, words, actions, beliefs and courage have become known around Freedom and surrounding areas in Beaver County, bringing people together from other communities and other schools.

Three weeks ago, Freedom baseball coach Steve Wetzel organized "Walk For A Champion" on Freedom High's school grounds. The purpose of the walk-a-thon was to raise money for one of John's wishes -- a last vacation with his mom, dad and 14-year-old sister, Alexis.

More than 500 people took part, including baseball teams from eight Beaver County high schools and members of Center High School's football team. John also used to play football at Freedom.

Mr. Wetzel, who calls the teen his hero, hoped to raise $6,000. That total was easily surpassed "and people are still calling with donations," he said.

The family has booked a cruise for June.

The Challis effect

A Beaver County church had planned a fundraiser, but John and his family asked the church instead to conduct the event and give the money to a fifth-grade boy in Beaver County who has a brain tumor.

"His family can use it more than we can," John said. "That's just common sense. Someone does something good for you, then you help someone else."

Actions and statements like those are what has inspired so many others. All of Aliquippa's baseball players wear John's jersey number "11" on their hats. At the walk-a-thon, Aliquippa star athlete Jonathan Baldwin, a Pitt football recruit, presented him with a ball signed by Pitt players.

After the walk, John addressed the crowd.

"He spoke from his heart," Mr. Wetzel, the coach, said. "He said, 'I've got two options. I know I'm going to die, so I can either sit at home and feel sorry, or I could spread my message to everybody to live life to the fullest and help those in need.' After hearing that, I don't know if there were many people not crying."

Last Thursday, Beaver pitcher Manny Cutlip tossed a three-hitter against Freedom as John watched in street clothes. After the game, every Beaver player came up to him and shook his hand. Some hugged him and some said they were praying for him. Manny Cutlip asked Mr. Wetzel if he could go to lunch some time with John. It happened the next day.

"I don't know what to say. I just wanted to get to know him better and see if I could learn anything from him to help me in my life," said the young pitcher, an imposing 6-foot-3, 225-pound standout athlete who will play football at IUP.

At lunch, he gave John a new football with a handwritten personal message on it. Part of the message read, "You have touched my heart and I will always look up to you as my role model."

Talk to John and you'll laugh at his sense of humor when he says things such as, "You can't let girls know that you know how to text message because they won't leave you alone."

But listen to his mature views on life and his philosophies ... and you might cry.

"I used to be afraid, but I'm not afraid of dying now, if that's what you want to know," he said. "Because life ain't about how many breaths you take. It's what you do with those breaths."

Figuring it out

It's been almost two years since John found out about his cancer. He knows the date like a birthday. June 23, 2006.

He discovered only recently that doctors didn't expect him to last through that first summer. "To me, that's already an accomplishment," he said.

In the first few months after the cancer discovery, John's father, Scott, would get up in the middle of the night, peek into his son's bedroom and see him wide awake, staring at the ceiling.

"He would just be thinking," the elder Challis said. "He's always been one who had to try and find an answer for everything. He wants to figure things out."

Through his own thoughts and through his deep Catholic beliefs, John believes he has "figured it out." He answers questions with maturity, courage and dignity, traits that have become his trademarks.

John requested that his mother, Regina, not be interviewed for this story because it will be too hard for her. He talks to his father about what to do after he dies.

"I sit up with him at night until 1 or 2 in the morning," Scott Challis said. "He'll tell me, 'Dad, when I'm gone, you have to do this or that. You have to watch your weight.' He's worried about my weight. He tells me I have to take care of mom.

"When the doctors told him a few weeks ago about how the cancer was winning, he had a lot of questions about what it was going to be like and about being comfortable. Later on, he broke down with me and you know what he did? He apologized. He was upset because he felt like he was letting everyone down who had been praying for him."

Scott Challis has found talking about his son makes the situation easier to deal with. But many people like to talk about John. Shawn Lehocky is a senior and one of Freedom's top athletes. For every football and baseball game, he wears a red wrist band with John's No. 11 on it.

"It seems like everyone in this community knows who he is now and he really has brought so many people together," Shawn said. "He's always on my mind. To see him and what he's going through, I don't know if I could act like that. He said some pretty strong words at that walk-a-thon that you don't hear 17- or 18-year-olds say every day."

John fought back tears a few times during last week's interview.

"Sometimes I cry, but people cry for all different kinds of reasons," he said. "Sometimes I just want to know why, but I think I figured that out. God wanted me to get sick because he knew I was strong enough to handle it. I'm spreading His word and my message. By doing that, I'm doing what God put me here to do.

"It took me about a half year to figure all that out. Now, when I'm able to truly believe it, it makes it easier on me. And when you know other people support what you're thinking, it makes it easier."

When asked where he gained his wisdom, he answered, "Through cancer."

"They say it takes a special person to realize this kind of stuff," he said. "I don't know if I'm special, but it wasn't hard for me. It's just my mind-set. A situation is what you make of it. Not what it makes of you."

He regularly wears his Freedom baseball hat. Under the bill of the cap is his name, plus this line: "COURAGE + BELIEVE = LIFE."

"I guess I can see why people see me as an inspiration," he said. "But why do people think it's so hard to see things the way I do? All I'm doing is making the best of a situation."

John then raises his voice.

"Why can't people just see the best in things? It gets you so much further in life. It's always negative this and negative that. That's all you see and hear."

John tries to keep complaining to a minimum, but he acknowledges his moments of crying.

"If I'm mad at anything in this, it's that I'm not going to be able to have a son, I'm not going to be able to get married and have my own house," he said, fighting back tears again. "Those are the things I'm mad about. But not dying."

The role of sports

John loves sports. He is an avid hunter -- "got three buck and two doe in the last year," he said.

He played baseball through Pony League and always loved football, despite his small stature. As a sophomore, he started on Freedom's junior varsity team as a slotback and cornerback.

"I was 108 pounds. I had to be the smallest player in the WPIAL," he said with a laugh.

The cancer forced him to stop playing football as a junior.

"But I will never forget," his father said, "when he first got sick he told me, 'Dad, I have to dress for a football game one more time.' "

He got his wish in the final game of his senior season, against Hickory. Coaches let him kick off once. He was supposed to kick and immediately run off the field to avoid danger. Instead, he stayed on the field and got a little excited when the kick returner started heading his way before being tackled.

Later in the game, the coaches put him in for two plays at receiver. Mr. Wetzel and others who saw the game proudly tell how, on one play, John tried to block a defender, fell down, but got up and pushed another defender.

Mr. Wetzel said seeing John play in that last football game, doesn't compare to seeing his hit against Aliquippa in that April 14 baseball game. John vividly remembers the details leading up to the hit. When he walked into the batter's box, he saw Aliquippa's catcher wearing a protective mask with the initials "J.C." and the number "11."

"I just looked at him and said, 'Nice mask.' "

He then noticed an Aliquippa coach saying something to the pitcher.

"I'm thinking, 'If they're going to walk me or throw easy to me, I don't want it handed to me,' " he said. "But sure enough, he threw me a fastball. That's what made it so good. ... There were only about 20 people there watching, but everyone was cheering."

Mr. Wetzel said: "We made it to the state [PIAA] playoffs two years ago and I thought that was the best feeling. I got to play in WPIAL championships at Blackhawk as a player. But that day, that hit, that moment ... That was the best feeling I've ever had in sports."

Six days later, Freedom played a game at PNC Park. John attended the game, but had an IV line in his arm for a treatment he was getting. He took out the IV line and asked Mr. Wetzel if he could pinch-hit again.

"Unbelievable. He told me the doctor said he could take it out for up to seven hours," Mr. Wetzel said. "He told me he just wanted to be a normal kid one more time."

So Mr. Wetzel let him pinch-hit. This time he struck out.

They have a unique coach-player relationship. Mr. Wetzel invited John to be part of the team a year ago and John calls the coach one of his best friends. They talk every day, at least on a cell phone, and go to lunch together once a week.

"The kid has changed my life," Mr. Wetzel said. "I cry for him just about every day. I'm 32 and I'm getting married in September. You know what he told me the other day? He told me to save him a seat in the front row of the church, because even if he's not there, he'll be there in spirit.

"He just keeps doing things and saying things that are just unbelievable. I know our team will never forget this season because of Johnny."

The two want to start a foundation in John's name for young cancer patients.

"Even if [the foundation] is something that can help only one kid or one family, to see people in a different way like I have, it will be worth it," John said. "Maybe it will help younger people who haven't gotten to see the finer things in life that I got to see."

John plans to attend Freedom's prom May 9 and plans to graduate in June. As John ended this interview, he said he wondered how his story will come out in the newspaper.

"When you write this, don't overthink things," he said. "I've learned that. There are a lot of unanswered questions in this world and the reason they're unanswered is because if you think about them too much, you're always going to come up with different answers. So don't confuse yourself and think about this too much."

Mike White can be reached at mwhite@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1975.

WOW!

It amazes me how fucking hot some girls are...

AIYOOOOOOOOOO!

Didn't know Bernie liked it like THAT!

"In the Butt!!!!!!"

Sister Busted By Brother - Watch more free videos

hahahha

*Yawn*

Why the hell am I so sleepy?

Revelations

MARCH MADNESS!!!!

It's begun bitches! A little early, but I don't give a fuck. Here's my bracket.

hahahaha

Pic courtesy of Ray @ Mighty Healthy.

Drained

Fucking mad tired...


Shit's gonig to get worse to....

"Man, look how high we is!"

Dwight Howard > You

4 Fast 4 Furious

Dunno bout the title, but a fourth movie in the Fast and the Furious series is in the making.
Don't even front, you know you're going to pay to see this shit, no matter how bad it is.

Here's a peek at Brian's (Paul Walker) STI.


Go here, to see more, including Dom's (Vin Diesel) riced out Mustang GT.

CHAMPIONS : GGGGGGGGGGG-MENNNNNNN!

"You can't stand in the way of destiny." -David Tyree

That's mothafucking right! Giants bringing supremacy back to New York! Storybook ending to an epic game. Everyone did their thing. Defense shut down Brady. Held down Moss, and contained the running game. Not even their bitch ass short yardage passes could get the job done.

Eli, unstoppable. Plax stepped it up second half. Tyree with his amazing acrobatic catches. Slim Thug the Boss with the big play. "One of the biggest upset in Superbowl history."

Who's going to the parade? Taking one of my personal days for this.

Holla at ya boy.

By the way,
http://www.rbk.com/us/perfectville/

12 Personalities Guaranteed to Ruin Your Superbowl Party

Leave it to these fuckers to ruin the a good time. Best advice, never allow these tools (especially #11) to infiltrate your Super Bowl party, or keep them isolated in their own given space. (Away from the group)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Guy Who Hasn't Paid Attention to the NFL in a Decade

He won't be able to get over the fact that the 49ers aren't in it this year and may ask if Reggie White or Walter Payton still play football. If you're bored, it's fun to make football references to him all night so he feels like he is some sort of eunuch-like non-man.

The Guy Who's in It for the Commercials

He won't pay attention to the game, but he'll shoot to the TV like a laser when the commercials come on. He'll spend the first few minutes after each commercial break--important plays or not--analyzing what everyone else just saw, routinely mentioning that "that last ad was pretty good, but not even close to the George Costanza Rold Gold ad in '98 or the P-Diddy Pepsi truck ad in '04." This guy also probably loved the Bud Bowl and will get really quiet and attentive during the ads for E.D. drugs.

The "Tomorrow Should Definitely Be a National Holiday" Guy In this tool's view, a day when everyone's hung-over and unproductive would fit perfectly on the federal holiday ledger between the day in mid-January commemorating civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and the day in mid-February commemorating Presidents Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.

The Guy Who's in a Squares Pool at Work

In a squares pool, everyone throws in a buck or two, and a couple people walk away with an extra 50 bucks. It's a friendly way to keep everyone involved, but there will always be one overly intense guy who shows up to your party with his own squares chart from work, where he bought a $250 square and--as he'll be certain to remind you--could win a ton of money if the Pats manage a field goal and a safety, and the Giants get a touchdown and a two-point conversion. You'll be able to spot him as the one furiously shouting, "Why the hell didn't they go for two?" when the Pats score a TD to go up 14-3.

The Football Pro Guy Not necessarily a fan of either team, the Football Pro will spend the whole party watching the game on one of the smaller TVs on the fringe, "because I don't want to miss a play and I can't hear the announcers in that other room." He's likely to be a meatier fellow, probably will spend halftime reminiscing about high school football and will constantly use phrases like "fade hook route" and "flanker-back." He'll also let is slip at some point that he would have made it to the pros if not for an unfortunate knee injury in high school. Which may be true. Although the fact that he's 5-foot-8 with short, stubby sausage fingers probably didn't help.

Obnoxious Girl Who Cheers Way too Hard

Moderately attractive but not actually hot, she'll be decked out in full regalia of whichever team the guy she wants to sleep with likes. She'll celebrate a relatively innocuous first quarter field goal like it's just clinched the win, and will instantly show a disturbing amount of concern if a player on her adopted team is slow getting up. It'll be clear that she was molested by her father during NFL games as a child, and should be pitied, not reviled.

The "Is it Cool If I Smoke in Here?" Guy Even though people will be politely smoking in the backyard, at least one guy will pop up during a semi-important moment in the game and ask, "I don't want to miss this drive--is it cool if I smoke in here?" The answer, as always, is an awkward "I guess," although it's definitely not cool at all.

The "Line Just Moved Half-Point" Guy

Likely to befriend the Guy Who's in a Squares Pool at Work, this guy will bet on everything and let everyone know it. He'll lose $150 on the opening coin toss, but hit nice on his 6:1 wager that a tight end will produce the first score. He'll be really concerned that the third-quarter line moved a half-point during halftime, but he'll look real good on the over, so he won't mind laying that extra half-point. He also threw down $10 bucks at 850,000:1 that a tornado will tear through the stadium during the third quarter... you know, just for the hell of it.

The Little Kid He's there because his parents were too cheap to hire a babysitter for the night. And while they brought their kid, they probably forgot to bring the chips and beer they signed up for. So while it's not really the kid's fault that he is there to keep sticking his hand in the pretzels after picking his nose, if he does it again he's getting cracked upside the head with a beer bottle.

The "Told You So" Guy

This guy will spend the entire game informing everyone that everything that he predicted would come to pass has happened. Did he? Probably not. But who knows--no one has listened to the #$$@%%+% that constantly flows from this guy's mouth in years.

The "Favored Team Apparel Guy" You can spot this guy immediately upon entering the party--he's decked out in logoed apparel of the team favored to win the game, in this case The Patriots. The stuff is so new it looks like he may have picked it up at the mall on the way over to the party. The tags may even still be attached. You can attempt to call the guy out on his duplicity: "Hey, weren't you a Colts fan last year and a Steelers fan the year before that?" But he'll just mumble something about having an aunt who lives in his new favorite team's city which is why he's rooted for them since he was a kid. It's all #$$@%%+%, of course, but at least the guy isn't completely lacking in loyalty. Which, he'll be sure to tell you, is why he still lives with his parents.

The "Fantasy Football Guy"

Fantasy Football Guy spends the entire game pointing out to all who would hear which players were on his fantasy football team this year and in years past. "Oh, man. Great touchdown by Laurence Maroney there. I wish he would have done that more for my fantasy team this year." Hey, buddy, if you like fantasies so much, here's one for you: we all hope you're killed by a drunk driver on the way home tonight.

The Shining

This is the unreleased trailer of the 1980 classic, "The Shining"! LOL!


R.I.P. Heath Ledger

NBA Dunk Contest Contestants Announced

So here's the lineup for this years All-Star Game Dunk Contest.

1. Rudy Gay
2. Dwight Howard
3. Gerald Green
4. Jamario Moon

The fuck is a Jamario Moon? He's got a cool name though. Which gives me an idea. Top 10 names in sports, coming to you in the near (or distant) future.

I'll be cheering for him though!

Did You Know?

That it's impossible to lick your elbow?
































I told you, fucker!

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

"People are often led to causes and often become committed to great ideas through persons who personify those ideas. They have to find the embodiment of the idea in flesh and blood in order to commit themselves to it." -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. -Feb 13, 1961

Yeah, no work today! Be good folks.

-J

The Giants are in the Superbowl? WTF?!

Fucking right baby! The G-Men are going to Glendale to play the almighty, record-breaking, 18-0, New England Patriots.

It didn't come easy though. Fucking Lawrence Tynes came so very close to me having a heart attack. I was seriously looking up pacemakers on eBay.

Eli Manning really is unstoppable, even without his Citizen Eco-Drive watch!

Plaxico Burress is a BEAST!

Holla atcha boy!