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i've just seen a face
Sunday, Nov 8, 2009 11:47PM / Members only
the GOAT fucking band. the end.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbKGsEK_T9g
I've just seen a face,
I can't forget the time or place
That we'd just met, she's just the girl for me
And I want all the world to see we've met
Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm mmm mmm
Had it been another day
I might have looked the other way
But I had never been aware
And as it is I dream of her tonight
La, di, di, da di di
Falling, yes I am falling
And she keeps calling me back again
I have never known
The likes of this, I've been alone
And I have missed things and kept out of sight
But other girls were never quite like this
Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm mmm mmm
Falling, yes I am falling
And she keeps calling me back again
I've just seen a face
I can t forget the time or place
And we'd just met, she's just the girl for me
And I want all the world to see we've met
Mmm, mmm, mmm, la di di
Falling, yes I am falling
And she keeps calling me back again
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blog of basketball
Sunday, Nov 8, 2009 1:17PM / Members only
A few weeks ago I wrote about how a few weeks before that I pitched this story idea to several editors and was soundly rejected.
The story idea was that I wanted to write about the tremendous popularity of basketball in Asia (and worldwide...bball's got more appeal over the world than any other sport. North America* will NEVER, EVER give a flying shit about soccer or rugby and no one in Asia* will ever care about US Football or baseball). That's the main angle--how bball is blowing up here, how the average HK youth will care about Kobe more than any other US/European celebrity, and how Jordan will always, always rule the sneaker streets in Mongkok.
An interesting side angle I wanted to tackle is that through the popular of the NBA-a league that is 80% black--kids are being exposed to black culture without really trying to learn as well.
Anyway, I was reading Bill Simmons' 700 page book on all things basketball and he mentioned that as a kid, he loved basketball and the NBA so much he wanted to be black, even dubbing himself Jabaal Abdul Simmons.
I knew I had a point with the angle. I knew I wasn't the only one who felt that way. Simmons has long felt that way only he could never write about this for his day job because of all the stupid overly PC stuff. But everyone who's a genuine fan of basketball probably feels this. There are so many kids, who inadvertently pick up the mannerisms and swagger of a brotha due to love of basketball.
But yeah. I wanna get into the issue of race in the NBA now. Simmons' book touches on this alot and I fucking love the guy for telling it like it is. He's absolutely the most important sports writer in the world
right now, bar none.
One of the sections of Simmons book is he looks back at every MVP winner in league history and dissect that year's MVP race and decide if the winner deserved it or if it was a robbery (like Kobe winning it in 08).
In the early days of the league (from thr 50s to 60s), the league MVP was decided by peer voting--meaning the players vote for who the MVP is. Because the league was mostly white and black professional athletes were still rare and racial discrimination was still a huge part of the US in the 50s, there were some head scratching votes. For example, there are some seasons when Bill Russell was clearly the best player on the best team, yet he wouldn't win the award by a landslide (or not win at all) because some votes inexplicably went to a white player who averaged less impressive stats on a far less successful team. It makes no sense. Russell would average 17-20-5 on a 63 win team but some votes went to a white player averaging 18-5-4 on a 39 win team. There is no reason for that other than the voters didn't want to vote for the black guy.
I know what you thinking now:
Okay now, but we've progressed so much as a nation! that doesn't happen anymore. And black people are considered as cool anyways, right?
Yes. That's true. But this new mentality has led to a new form of racism. The reverse racist.
Steve Nash is the most hated, most dissed MVP of this generation by hardcore basketball fans. Why? Because people assume he won only because of his skin color. People can't fathom Steve Nash winning the MVP award in a league when Kobe Bryant and Lebron James are in their prime.
And on the surface--it does look ridiculous. 20 years from now when we think back to basketball in the 2000s, everyone will remember Shaq/Kobe in the early decade, then the Kobe/Lebron/Wade GREATNESS trio, followed by Lebron ripping the heart out of Ohio in the final year of the decade. That'll be the things people remember. Not Steve Nash and Dirk, who combined owned the MVP trophies for three straight years that decade.
Does that make sense? A white guy won the MVP award three straight years in a decade defined by Kobe/Shaq, Kobe/Lebron, KG/Duncan.
That's the thought going through everyone's head and that's why everyone is dissing Nash and his MVPs to this day (it doesn't help that Nelly Furtado namedropped Nash in her song Promiscuous: "Are you for real or are you talking trash? Is your game MVP like Steve Nash?" Seriously, nothing kills your streetcred more than being namedropped in a Nelly Futado song. I'm like a bird I just wanna fly away PUKE)
BUT the thing is, if you think about it, Nash won those MVPs because he was the most logical choice. In 2005, he turned a 20 win Suns team into a 60 something win juggernaunt that ran every team off the floor. Nash was the motor that made that team go. In 2006, the Suns lost TWO starters from the 05 team and everyone wrote them off--yet Nash led that team to 52 wins with a slightly above average supporting cast and went to the WCF.
And the players who are better than Nash just didn't qualify for the award during those two years because their team was mediocre. Lebron and Kobe were not on contenders and were no threats to win the title.
Yes, Nash won them awards due to a perfect storm of events that favored him, but hey, that's life. You can't make a case that anyone was significantly more deserving of those awards during those two years.
But he's hated because people assume he won the awards due to his skin color. 40 some years after Bill Russell was robbed of several MVP awards because he's Black, Steve Nash is getting eyerolls and wristflicked at his MVP awards because he's White.
But you know what, it's okay. Hate all you want. Steve Nash showed up every Spring in 05, 06 and 07 and destroyed everyone in his path. He was like Denzel in Training Day, with that crazy "KING KONG AINT GOT SHIT ON ME" stare.
Vengeance.
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polythene pam
Friday, Nov 6, 2009 9:34PM / Members only
got into work today and first thing i hear is another psycho shooting up innocent people in the US.
this type of shit happens far too often in the US.
lets focus on some good news because i am so tired of hearing moans and groans coming at me from all angle.
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/nov/04/inmates-credited-rescuing-hillsborough-deputy-duri/
this is a good story but at the same time the angle the journalist took--although perfectly understandable--is disturbing.
notice how the writer introduced the "good guys" (the ones who saved the guard) by going over their previous crimes. basically the angle the writer is trying to make is "even though he's a criminal and has done this and that, he somehow amazingly did a good thing here!")
another awesome part is the crazy looking vietcong guy is one of the good guys. i mean if you had asked me to pick who the "crazy villain" is in this story off mugshots alone i woulda picked the crazy vietcong guy with the 14 year old puberty mustache.
UPDATE 2:34am
a few hours after I typed this entry (referring to the army shooting), I learned there's another random shooting in the states in Orlando.
What the fuck.... is this world coming to? seriously.
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hype
Friday, Nov 6, 2009 1:16AM / Members only
Hype.
It's a bitch.
It's what ruined many a things--the PS3, Slumdog Millionaire, Green Day's latest album, the Sopranos series finale, etc.
None of the above can be considered bad by any stretch, but because of the insurmountable hype, they disappointed and left us wanting more.
Obama can join that group. Aside from being handed a Nobel prize for no real reason a few weeks ago, the man's approval have dropped and the novelty has worn off (yes, novelty. Obama himself is more than qualified to be President and there are many genuine supporters, but be real--half the asscats who put some form of "OBAMA!!!" facebook status back in Nov of 08 are bandwagoners who wanted to hop on board the hip, young, black celebrity President wagon because it was cool to do so. I remember seeing all these HK and British cats putting Obama on their MSN status and I was like "what the hell?"), Obama's got stuff to do.
Hype sucks. It made us roll our eyes at the PS3's lack of killer exclusive games (lets see, Metal Gear Solid, both Uncharted, Gran Turismo. That's it. Every other big PS 3 games can be found on the xbox) and hurl at Green Day's marketing team comparing their latest albums to Nevermind, Ok Computer, etc.
So yeah, Obama, between rooting for Lebron in NYC and preparing his March Madness bracket on the golf course, will be coming to Asia. First Japan, then Beijing, then South Korea. There will be plennnnnty to talk about.
Him taking missiles off Russia, the ridiculous health care plan that's like a porn scene--it looks and sounds better on paper than it does in real life, and realignment of US security in Japan, and of course the financial crap.
Hype once again will get the best of Obama, as he's expected to leave Asia with dirt off his shoulders and his hat real low (okay I know the Jay Z references are getting stale but come on it's late and I just want to do a quickie blog before I read BILL SIMMONS BOOK)
Be realistic, he'll touch on the issues, he'll flash that Dr J smile, and he'll try to find a happy medium between "us" and "them". That's all.
He ain't no Bill Clinton now. Now that's a fucking hip cat. Groping interns, smoking cigars, golfing with MJ, rescue Korean chicks and he ran the economy like Denzel ran shit in Training Day. And he plays the sax.
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for the love of the game
Wednesday, Nov 4, 2009 4:07PM / Members only
I finally got my hands on Bill Simmons' book yesterday. I read Malcom Gladwell's intro (with a hilarious line I'll go over later), which talked about why Bill is who he is, followed by the prologue and the first chapter. About 60-70 pages total read.
In yet another another "Danny Glover, you right" moment, I got really sleepy and tired around midnight and had to go stop reading and go to bed. In my younger days, like, 18 months ago, I would have stayed up and read at least 300 pages before I called it a night. Then I'd sleep for 3 hours and the next day I'd be fine assuming I have enough AC/DC through the ears, coffee through the mouth, and soul through the wire.
After the prologue, my initial reaction was "this isn't as funny as I had expected". I wasn't thinking that in a bad way though. The prologue was more than just comedy. It was...human.
Bill opens the book telling us why he is who he is and why he loves basketball so much. He tells us his history: his father got a tax return in 1973 and wanted to buy a motorcycle. Mrs Simmons refused. So he spent the money on Celtics season tickets. It just so happened that was the year everything clicked for the Dave Cowens Celtics teams and they won the championship. They'd win two of the next three, in fact. Bill, at age 6 or 7, spent 35-40 nights a season with his dad at Boston Garden and witnessed the action up close and personal. Bill tells us how that was before a time when all the athletes cared about were money, bling, and crap. They played with passion, they played with heart. The league, not yet hit by all the stigma for being um, hip hop, were rough and physical.
Then, he tells us how he and his father hoped and prayed the Celtics land Larry Bird after Cowen's reign ended. He tells us what it was like to see your team land a top five player, one of the most transcendent athletes ever, of all time and follow his entire career. He equates that to winning the life lottery--you don't win money, but you win plenty of memories.
The Cs upgraded the Simmons' season tickets to near the tunnel in the 80s, and that's when he first interacted with many a basketball players via high fives and 7 second conversations. Bill tells us he loved basketball and the league so much he wanted to be Black (something that may sound ridiculous to HKers but most Americans who loved ball all thought that at one point or another. I tried to grow a fro just a couple of years ago)
After Bird retired in 92, the Celtics spiraled into mediocrity for the next 16 years (except that one year The Truth and Toine went to the ECF). Bill tells us how his dad, tired of seeing unmotivated spoiled athletes lose games, thought about not renewing season tickets several times this decade. But the elder Simmons could never do it--he loved the team too much.
In 2007, with two potential "once-a-decade player" (Oden and Durant) about to enter the draft, the Celtics shamefully tanked away the 2007 season in order for a better shot to land either the 1st or 2nd pick. The Celtics, despite having the highest odds to land the 1st pick, ended up with the fifth pick. A worthless pick in a two-man draft.
All hope seems lost for the elder Simmons...when out ofthe blue, the Celtics landed Ray JESUS SHUTTLEWORTH Allen and Kevin Garnett in a trade. Suddenly the Cs were contenders.
Still, Bill and father didn't want to get their hopes up, they figured the Cs would take a year or two to gel. They gave the team a three year window to win.
But the Cs won it all the first year. And given KG's knee, the three stars's age, and the dillution of the league, it's not unlikely that this Celtics core is done--they won't be winning anymore. So for Bill Simmons, the 2008 title was yet another championship moment shared with his father, only this time, given the elder Simmons' age, it may be the last.
"I'm just glad I witnessed the Celtics win once more before I go," the dad was quoted saying in an article last year.
So yeah. This 700 page book of basketball will give me--and the millions of Simmons fans aroundt he world--what we love about Simmons' articles:
1: insightful, opinionated basketball talk that is aimed to start arguments
2: obscure ass random pop culture references that connects basketball with professional wrestling or Rocky Balboa, or Saved by the Bell, or The Departed
3: cheapshots at every Lakers, most notably Kobe and Kareem
and most importantly...
Heart. Passion. And why sports matters.
I've long been proud of my ultra passionate geek attitude towards all things I love. Other cats usually look at me like I'm weird because I get so passionate about basketball, or a movie, or a band, or a book. But I believe that being passionate about what you like--and what you do--is important to being happy. You have to let it be known that you love something. You must be willing to defend your point of view or argue to the death about your favorite anything. It doesn't have to be just movies, or an album. It could be anything. The point is--you can't be apathetic. If you like something--let the world know and share the love. There are others out there who are just as crazy about it as you are.
Bill Simmons loves sports. Detractors may argue that sports ultimately don't matter in the world and that there are more important issues at hand to worry about. But really that's not for anyone to say. Sports is the only thing that matters in his world.
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John Prymmerposted on Monday, Sep 7, 2009 11:55AM [Report]Hey Ben, thanks for the cool review of our shown a couple weeks ago. Hope you'll stop by The Wanch to catch more shows. Next time pls introduce yourself to us.. Keep on rocking John & Don't Panic. -
MissScarlettposted on Friday, Sep 4, 2009 6:02AM [Report]THought I'd swing by and make sure you aren't dead in a ditch or anything. I get paranoid when people deviate from their usual routines ;) -
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Gong Wu posted on Monday, Aug 10, 2009 10:39AM [Report]Hostile possibly, but that's what's great about opinions. You should be entitled to them.
I've always been a champion of musicians like AXL Rose and MJ. Not only because I love their music, but simply because they are reknowned as being a complete ASSHOLES or FREAKS! It gives me great pleasure when I hear people criticise them personally. Because normally I will say. Not matter what AXL is like as a person, His Music makes up for any flaw. Same thing for Michael Jackson. I love both of them because the fact is, no matter how weird or horrible they are. They have an amazing talent that they share with the world and are entitled to be assholes or weird. Whatever, music has always been first for me.
AnD get a lot of flack around here for having favouritism for 24herbs. I was hearing a lot of negativity about them and felt like because I know the guys on a personal level and a lot of guys don't, I should try and defend both parties somewhat in case there was some kind of underground scandal! I personally, have no passion for Hip Hop, just like my favourite girls are chinese. But nonetheless I can register the fact these guys work hard and have reason for being here. not all musically related!
I hated hearing people moaning about the comp being fixed. Some people read my words and didn't translate them too well. I never said that. I only ever said it was a flawed comp and not just this one, music comps in general are always subjective anyways.
As for fanning 500+ people. I never liked the idea of picking and choosing my friends (because trust me in HK when you're totally in the artist scene you have a lot) and tonnes of these guys I know through clubbing or working. So why not just fucking add them all and save the trouble when people secretly get upset that your friends but you aint a "fan"
I don't like the "friends and fan" seperation but I guess after being on this website for almost 2 years it kinda gets muddled up after a while. Go look at our facebook and you will see my "top friends list" comprises of my band and my band only, for fear of offending good friends who would be upset if I didn't have enough space on there for them.
Anyway judgeing from the tone on our blog I'm presuming this might be a wasted defence of myself but I hope you understand my logic, and if not, hate me as a person. but respect the fact we make music that people do love.
cheers for coming over and taking the time to comment bro.
Li -
Gong Wu posted on Monday, Aug 10, 2009 10:38AM [Report]Hostile possibly, but that's what's great about opinions. Everyone should be entitled to them.
I've always been a champion of musicians like AXL Rose and MJ. Not only because I love their music, but simply because they are reknowned as being a complete ASSHOLES or FREAKS! It gives me great pleasure when I hear people criticise them personally. Because normally I will say. Not matter what AXL is like as a person, His Music makes up for any flaw. Same thing for Michael Jackson. I love both of them because the fact is, no matter how weird or horrible they are. They have an amazing talent that they share with the world and are entitled to be assholes or weird. Whatever, music has always been first for me.
AnD get a lot of flack around here for having favouritism for 24herbs. I was hearing a lot of negativity about them and felt like because I know the guys on a personal level and a lot of guys don't, I should try and defend both parties somewhat in case there was some kind of underground scandal! I personally, have no passion for Hip Hop, just like my favourite girls are chinese. But nonetheless I can register the fact these guys work hard and have reason for being here. not all musically related!
I hated hearing people moaning about the comp being fixed. Some people read my words and didn't translate them too well. I never said that. I only ever said it was a flawed comp and not just this one, music comps in general are always subjective anyways.
As for fanning 500+ people. I never liked the idea of picking and choosing my friends (because trust me in HK when you're totally in the artist scene you have a lot) and tonnes of these guys I know through clubbing or working. So why not just fucking add them all and save the trouble when people secretly get upset that your friends but you aint a "fan"
I don't like the "friends and fan" seperation but I guess after being on this website for almost 2 years it kinda gets muddled up after a while. Go look at our facebook and you will see my "top friends list" comprises of my band and my band only, for fear of offending good friends who would be upset if I didn't have enough space on there for them.
Anyway judgeing from the tone on our blog I'm presuming this might be a wasted defence of myself but I hope you understand my logic, and if not, hate me as a person. but respect the fact we make music that people do love.
cheers for coming over and taking the time to comment bro.
Li -
Gong Wu posted on Monday, Aug 10, 2009 10:38AM [Report]Hostile possibly, but that's what's great about opinions. Everyone should be entitled to them.
I've always been a champion of musicians like AXL Rose and MJ. Not only because I love their music, but simply because they are reknowned as being a complete ASSHOLES or FREAKS! It gives me great pleasure when I hear people criticise them personally. Because normally I will say. Not matter what AXL is like as a person, His Music makes up for any flaw. Same thing for Michael Jackson. I love both of them because the fact is, no matter how weird or horrible they are. They have an amazing talent that they share with the world and are entitled to be assholes or weird. Whatever, music has always been first for me.
AnD get a lot of flack around here for having favouritism for 24herbs. I was hearing a lot of negativity about them and felt like because I know the guys on a personal level and a lot of guys don't, I should try and defend both parties somewhat in case there was some kind of underground scandal! I personally, have no passion for Hip Hop, just like my favourite girls are chinese. But nonetheless I can register the fact these guys work hard and have reason for being here. not all musically related!
I hated hearing people moaning about the comp being fixed. Some people read my words and didn't translate them too well. I never said that. I only ever said it was a flawed comp and not just this one, music comps in general are always subjective anyways.
As for fanning 500+ people. I never liked the idea of picking and choosing my friends (because trust me in HK when you're totally in the artist scene you have a lot) and tonnes of these guys I know through clubbing or working. So why not just fucking add them all and save the trouble when people secretly get upset that your friends but you aint a "fan"
I don't like the "friends and fan" seperation but I guess after being on this website for almost 2 years it kinda gets muddled up after a while. Go look at our facebook and you will see my "top friends list" comprises of my band and my band only, for fear of offending good friends who would be upset if I didn't have enough space on there for them.
Anyway judgeing from the tone on our blog I'm presuming this might be a wasted defence of myself but I hope you understand my logic, and if not, hate me as a person. but respect the fact we make music that people do love.
cheers for coming over and taking the time to comment bro.
Li -
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Martin Wongposted on Wednesday, Jul 22, 2009 3:28AM [Report]Cool. Next time you're in L.A., hit me up for cookies or something. -
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Alfred Hsingposted on Wednesday, Jul 15, 2009 9:36AM [Report]Eric sin from the bay area in cali? If we are talkin about the same person, yeah he is my boy! whats up? hows it goin? -
Marie Jostposted on Tuesday, Jul 14, 2009 5:44AM [Report]http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=103977881946&h=7f7GI&u=QpX8w&ref=nf
You can watch the series pilot for Mad Men from their site. Enjoy! - More comments >
Ben Sin's Music
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- In West Philly, born and raised. On the playgound's where I spent most of my days. Chilling out maxing relaxing all cool and all shooting some bball outside the......In West Philly, born and raised. On the playgound's where I spent most of my days. Chilling out maxing relaxing all cool and all shooting some bball outside the...
Nah, just kidding.
I'm like this half local half ABC dude. I've lived exactly half my life in LA and the half in HK. I'm not really like them westernized ABCs that hang around LKF everynight, but then I'm not really that local cause my Cantonese cussing is not up to par and I don't carry a freaking man-purse (that's the HK style, man. Not hating... just saying.) I'm stuck in the middle.
I used to write for BC and Beats Magazine. I did mainly movie reviews and the occasional feature here and there. Now I'm freelancing (aka unemployed). Yeah. Still writing though.
I love basketball. movies. music. food. poker. In that order.
- Occupation: Magazine Editor
- Gender: Male
- Total visits: 19,946
