Blog Aboot Blogging

I'm not sure what it is I want to talk about. I thought about maybe doing something witty and provocative about my recent escapades at university (it sounds more elegant than college). I thought about doing a piece on the charges filed against Kobe Bryant, I do so enjoy watching him play basketball, and if he really did make the mistake of doing what he's accused of, it is going to be a shame (I'll talk about this in a minute). I'm also thinking about something disruptive, like a political discussion, say on, abortion or the death penalty. I don't have particularly strong views on either, I'm wishy-washy really. I can represent either side convincingly, defending or attacking the arguement at will. But I don't really have a specific view, or guiding doctrine as to how I should feel about either. I generally like to think I come to my own conclusions on things, but it's just a misguided belief. I love being sidetracked.

Let's start with Kobe and the Lakers. Be forewarned if you don't like basketball skip this paragraph. Two days ago, (Wednesday) the Lakers signed Karl Malone and Gary Payton for the 2003-2004 season. Karl Malone is the second highest scoring player of all time in the NBA, and one of the best power forwards to ever play the game. He fills quite possibly the biggest gap on the Lakers team. Gary Payton is one of the best defensive guards in the NBA over the past 10 years, and he fills an important spot too. I believe the Lakers gave up the most points per game last season because their defense was sucky. He will fill a gap as well, not to mention Mr. Payton had the second or third most assists last season. Add these two fellows to a healthy (hopefully) Shaq and Kobe (barring jailtime) and you have a completely and utterly legendary team.. assuming they can share the ball and work together. If things fall into place, the Bulls old 72-10? record may very well be threatened, which would just be awesome to see. And it wouldn't be a surprise to see them just own their way to the title like they did a few years back. Records could start falling left and right, but we'll let time tell on that one. In other, more serious news, Kobe Bryant has actually been charged with felony sexual assault in Colorado. He'll return there to attend court on August 6th. And just recently updated on CNN.com, Kobe came out with a statement saying he's guilty of adultery, but not assault. Oy, just lost some respect for the Kobe-meister. I should see if my sister's dog is getting a name change, yes I have a nephew-dog named Kobe. We'll see what happens, it will be inescapable news-wise for the weekend, and again come early August.

I'm gonna skip the political discussion today, and I'll go for a discussion on decision making and beliefs. As stated above, I like to think I come to conclusions on things myself. But I don't know if I can truly say that and mean it in as many words, because I am influenced by everything in the world; the media, my family, my friends, etc. Though, I guess they can influence me, the conclusion is still up to me. I make the final decision on what I believe, and say and do, not anyone else. No matter if it conflicts with their view, I am entitled to the conclusion I make and no one can take that away from me.

For instance, my parents want me to marry a Jewish girl, (both of them are Jewish, my sister and her husband are Jewish, and I am Jewish--there reasons are good, nothing bad against anyone not Jewish here mind you).. To which I respond, good luck with that. I have nothing against my religion, or the people who practice it, but I will be damned (originally unintentional pun) if I am going to limit myself to that small of a dating/marriage demographic. It may provide me with fewer problems when it comes to children, but we are in the 21st century. I will love, fall in love with, and procreate with whomever it feels right to do so. That's my perogative, and if they don't want to attend or have anything to do with a wedding where I marry a gentile, that's there's. (Not saying that would happen, I mean, they wouldn't be thrilled, but I don't think that would happen (though I have been surprised before). The example being, my parents want me to do something, tell me I should do this, for reasons x, y, and z, and I come to a conclusion on my own that that isn't going to happen, and if it does, it won't be because they said so, it will be because that is what I want, not them. Hmm, did I just come to a conclusion?

Anyway, work is wrapping up soon and I'm off to play some Racquetball, I'll add some stuff later, probably a review on "The Quiet American" with Michael Caine and Brendan Fraser. We shall see.