I've been sick the last few days and its the first time in a long time that felt like this. It took a while to recover w/ a store-brand multi-symptom caplets. It didn't do much to get me back on my feet. But the Dayquil and the Nyquil - that's a difference! In about 3 days, I pulled through nicely....I have gained a renewed sense of optimism as well as going with the fun. I'm gonna start taking pictures again and get back to the creative aspect. Last time I was really active with that was in the late-90s & early-2000s. I gotta bring that side of Jonnyroobs back to the scene. Its 2012. Perhaps this'll put EVERYTHING in perspective from here on out.


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I'm really seeing the physical aspect done to my body after drinking up to 3-4 bottles of soda during the last 2 weeks. I got myself a gut and it looks atrocious. Plus, I haven't worked that much too as it's been pretty slow with activity at my job. So tonight I was able to get my out-of-shape self back on the treadmill burning up to 200 calories in a span of one hour. Yeah, that's kinda less than usual. I had to lessen the speed a bit because I'm not in super shape just yet. Maybe the next day or so, I'll go faster. One thing's for sure: at least 1 can of soda a week should suffice and the rest should be juice, water, and milk. Plus I gotta ease down on the rice intake, too. Yup, I gotta get back into being in shape again with spring coming just a few months away - and that I can go back to shooting hoops at the park.

Dropping by '2300 Jackson Street' (Michael Jackson's Childhood Home) in ...

Me and Rizz had an assignment today at Gary, Indiana. Locals told us that 2300 Jackson Street (a/k/a Michael Jackson's Childhood Home) was just about a mile away from where we were working (at Family Dollar). Afterwards, we decided to proceed to that address and found the small house that once sheltered all the Jacksons (before they left for CA during the middle of the Jackson 5's fame). Today marks our first-ever visit to the place. Nearby is Roosevelt High School in which the Jackson 5 first entered a talent contest which led to their claim-to-fame in Motown. In the middle of a decaying, blighted neighborhood - at least their home still stands out for the world to see and realizing where the dream began. I am very happy to have made it here. It took years to make it happen - and it finally came to be.

It's gonna be slow with work next week. And tax returns couldn't have come at a greater time. I plan to take advantage of it, too. Hmm, I wonder how much I'd get back once it's all said and done. I'm gonna team up with the folks from H&R Block to make it happen. They were wonderful to work with last year.

Looking at the Galaxy Nexus (as shown on G4's Attack of the Show), I am falling instantly in love with it. Could it be my next mobile phone? That's one of my prospects (should it be available in Sprint). I already rule out the iPhone because of its kinda-obsolete technology compared to its competitors, as well as its slow 3G speed. Thanks to my good friend Greg S. for the valuable input regarding the iPhone's disadvantages (as I needed to hear an earful).

I finally got my own Derrick Rose edition AdiZero 2.5 kicks by Adidas valued at $110. Lightweight, sleek-and-stylish (in appearance) and comfortability are the qualities are what I wanted for my next purchase. And I believe that it meets or supersedes the mentioned qualities. This'll be the 3rd Adidas-brand basketball sneakers that I have in my collection. And like the last 2 that I bought, the AdiZero is also great with the feet. The typical Adidas sole has held pretty well when performing hoops action on the court in addition to standing for an extended period of time. The AdiZero sole should do just about the same. That experience will have to wait for a while because it is still winter. But come around April and May, I am ready to get the AdiZero 2.5 going. Thanks to Derrick Rose for being who he is - a team player who works hard day in, day out on the court. I wish there were more players like him who rely more on skill than personality and ego.

Whitney Houston (1963-2012)

"The golden voice loved by millions around the world, is suddenly silenced...it's a sad day...unreal."

It is with profound sadness to let all of you know that songstress/ pop diva Whitney Houston has passed away at age 48. Her body was found inside a hotel located in Beverly Hills. I just came home from grocery shopping upon hearing the news of her untimely death. Houston leaves behind a resume of successful music hits that has spanned well over 2+ decades. She is survived by her ex-husband Bobby Brown and their only daughter together - Bobbie Kristina.

This has been a great week for the New York Knicks and their rising star, point guard Jeremy Lin! In his last 4 starts (including last night's win over the Los Angeles Lakers), Lin was able to rack in 89 points total. That's the most from a player since the ABA/NBA merger back in the late 70s. Also, Lin is able to accomplish other feats: 1) he's a Harvard grad making it to the league and 2) he is the first-ever US-born Chinese to achieve superstar status. And he can follow the ranks of Asian NBA great Yao Ming. Lin's road to the NBA has had its shares of ups-and-downs. He was cut a few times from the NBA's D-League as well as only having limited play-action with the Rockets and the Warriors. And now is his opportunity to shine among the elite. While there are big-time money-making ballers in this day and age, there are the great stories that are rooted from those that still yearn for the dream. Jeremy Lin is the definitive example of that. Maybe the world has yet to see a lot of b-balling talents from those sitting on the bench in several teams. Perhaps even Lin's sudden-success can influence many talents globally, especially from China, Japan, Korea, or even the Philippines to make it to the NBA. So Kobe said he's never heard of Jeremy Lin or what he's done lately. Looks like the 38-pt effort he put on the Lakers has made it loud and clear for Kobe to know who he is now. Lin-sanity has now made a mark in the NBA. Can his success continue once Carmelo and Amare take the court soon? We'll just have to see where this'll go. Maybe Coach D'Antoni can mix it up some and if so, then the Knicks can be a formidable force in the east. We'll see if they can even steam out the Miami Heat. One just may never know what happens next.

The Amazing Spider-Man - Official Trailer #2 (HD)

Am I completely sold and convinced on this new cinematic take of the comic book webcrawler - with Andrew Garfield now donning the redesigned Spidey suit? I sure am now. This latest movie trailer of 'The Amazing Spider-Man' shows so much promise of a great story compared to what was shown in the teaser released a few months back. The only drawback of the Spidey movie franchise is that it cannot be linked to the other Marvel slate of superhero action movies like The Avengers, Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, etc. (due to the fact that Sony Entertainment currently owns the movie rights to Spider-Man). [Note: This is also the same for 20th Century Fox that owns the X-Men and Fantastic Four movies.] But going back to Spider-Man, I think its definitely worth the price of admission with popcorn & soda as its time for us moviegoers to move on from the Raimi-Tobey Maguire Spider-Man trilogy ... July seems like so long, but what the heck - it's February now. The months seem to go by fast this year already. I am stoked about 'The Amazing Spider-Man.'

The good life..is there such a thing, or is it something false I was led to believe in? I haven't witnessed it yet. I haven't sensed the change maybe because I focus myself on working a lot. I hope it isn't too late to dream even when I'm an aging 37-going-on-38 year old....The good life...it starts with me...


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I didn't had time to post on the blogosphere last night because I was watching the game intensely while at the same time, I was going 'LIVE' on Facebook having interactive chat/ comments to friends & family in real-time. Congratulations to the New York Giants on their Super Bowl XLVI victory last night against the Patriots. It went right down to the wire with 5 seconds left. Make that the longest five seconds which seemed like forever to us, viewers. LOL. It definitely lived up to the hype and it is most likely to go down as one of the best SB's ever seen in history. This marks the 2nd consecutive Super Bowl that the Giants won over the Patriots. Looks like there'll be more rivalries to come for the cities Boston and New York City, no matter what type of sport it will be - football, basketball, baseball, hockey, etc.

Dolphin Tale - Official Trailer [HD]

This feel-good movie will make you laugh, cry, cheer, and be totally inspired! From the producers that brought us 'The Blind Side,' comes a touching story between that of a shy, quiet young boy, an injured dolphin he befriends named 'Winter' (who loses her tale from infection on her tissues), the helpful staff of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, as well as a prosthetics specialist who comes up with an artificial tale for Winter ... I rented 'Dolphin Tale' yesterday from a nearby redbox kiosk and it was what I expected it to be. It had the perfect formula to make it the ideal family movie for all ages. It had a good story and a brilliant cast that includes A-list actors Morgan Freeman, Kris Kristofferson, Ashley Judd, Harry Connick, Jr. and introducing newcomer Nathan Gamble, who plays Sawyer. Rizz and I absolutely fell in love with it. Perhaps we'll even take a future visit down to Clearwater, FL to check out Winter, herself in the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Hmm, maybe when we're FL residents later next year, we can visit as many times as we want - since it's not far at all from Orlando. For now, I recommend you guys to either rent or purchase 'Dolphin Tale.' You'll love it!

It took me awhile to back down on my Facebooking activities - but it finally has come to a reality. For most of this week, my time with Facebook has lessened to a huge degree (having only minimal log-ins daily). And I must say, I am getting quite used to it. It gives me a chance to free up some time in my daily life and do other things, especially on the goal-setting part that I've mentioned in my previous entry. The consequences of me abandoning Facebook (for the time being), I was expecting. I foresaw that I wouldn't be receiving as much notifications, group invites, and messages - and I am totally OK with it. I'm better off being in a world having at least 10-20 real friends that know me so well in life (rather than the rest within my 371 friends I have there now presently on my profile) ... I can now concentrate furthermore in handling other facets in my life in which I have evaluated carefully and need major improvement on. I'm working more on my mechanics on how about to make it successful in this world and it starts with me. With Facebooking activities out on the wayside, there's no way I can lose now with what I have to do. It's a major sacrifice but I think it's for the best. And if those friends still wanna reach out to me, they know that I'll be there for 'em - even during this 'quiet' phase.

Baghdatis Blows Up Big Time at Aussie Open

Appreciating the awesomeness of Marcos Baghdatis! No one does it better!

I know Dwight Howard's days as an Orlando Magic are numbered now as his impatience brews towards his teammates who fail to bring their best in the last few games. Probably after all-star weekend, he will most likely land somewhere else, thus leaving his playing years with the Orlando Magic behind. And of all the teams he can choose, I think Dwight Howard is best with one, in particular: the Chicago Bulls. With a winning record, they got what it takes to make it to the playoffs and a great chance of making it to the finals. However, having Howard in the Bulls can break away the chemistry among present teammates there. With the movement of certain Bulls' players for Dwight Howard (should it happen), it can be very risky. Everything that is earned thus far with the wins can go down. But there's gotta be the positives. Derrick Rose has a big man now by his side and they can't afford to lose. I do think they still should keep Luol Deng to make it a lethal trio - and not trade him off to the Magic. If Rose, Howard, and Deng stay, this can be the biggest thing since LeBron, Bosh, and Wade of the Miami Heat ... The photoshopped picture of Howard in a Bulls uniform can become a reality. I hope he goes to the Bulls. It's a good choice. Better than the Nets, the Bulls, or the Mavs. I approve and support it. Dwight wants a winning team. And they are IT!