From Julie Zorrilla, musician: 

"Sometimes things happen. Without a reason. Without a warning. Things you never think could happen to you. Disaster always seems worlds away; Like it's some mythical tale you'll never play a part in. The truth is anything can happen to any one of us at any given moment. We don't know how or when we're going to go. There are so many things we put off for tomorrow, so much that we think we'll have time to do later but what if we don't? What if today is all we have and we're wasting our time on all the wrong things? LOVE is what matters… LOVING the people around you, LOVING what you wake up to do every morning, LOVING yourself & your life every moment despite how hard it gets. At the end of the day we are here. We are alive and right now in this second we have the ability to laugh, and love and create anything we want! We have the power to create a world with LOVE. So let's do that! And maybe little boys won't grow up to shoot up movie theaters, school or malls. Let's #healtheworld ♥"

Some people may not like the summer Olympics. But I'm glad NOT to be one of them. I actually like it. It's been a long time coming (the last one in 2008). And I look forward to seeing whatever sport competitions they have on TV. If no one's interested in it, either you turn the TV set off (or if you're in London, don't plan on showing up at the site itself) and live your lifestyle accordingly to the way you wish. No one's forcing you to watch it in the first place...Go, TEAM USA

Music Track of the Day - Propellerheads feat: Miss Shirley Bassey - History Repeating

This song has been stuck in my head for weeks since it's been playing constantly in almost every JCPenney retail store that me and the work crew has inventoried so far. I actually like it. Great collab between the Propellerheads and Shirley Bassey. It's got that jazzy/pop thing going on. I wish there can be more music like this heard on the radio besides the usual stuff that's always on. It can really get the day going. I hope to add this to my MP3 collection sometime.

I'm so stoked of the Olympics coming up in just a few days! I already purchased my Nike-brand USA t-shirt. Go Team USA in all sport competitions!

And so it is indeed the end of the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy as we know it. The story of billionaire Bruce Wayne and his caped-crusader alter-ego was brilliantly told in such a realistic way and approach never done before in the modern Batman movies (from the years 1989 to 1997. It's gritty, violent and psychological - none of that campy, circus, colorful nonsense. Each Nolan-directed Batman movie has a certain theme and tone applied and he did it so well in terms of execution to what is seen on screen through the subtlety as well as the noise, the deeper story/plot and its roots involving the characters, and lastly the technological elements which fittingly goes well with Batman's use of gadgets and vehicles. Christian Bale is believable as Bruce Wayne from beginning to end in this arc. Though the raspy voice may be somewhat 'off' to some, it's awesomely perfect especially being that of the Batman. The rest of the supporting cast are superb with their respective roles in this latest installment, especially Anne Hathaway as the sexy Selina Kyle. And as for Nolan's version of Bane, whoa, that dude should rank next to Darth Vader for best villain ever on cinema.

Now as for the ending, it was justified, appropriate and done right told well in the Nolan fashion. Many of us probably didn't expected it to go that route as we yearned for a different ending - but I am most certainly OK with this one giving my seal of approval. While it brings closure, it also gives way for a new beginning signaling a new promise of hope for Gotham and its citizens. In all of the Batman movies from years past, there never was a fitting ending - more like, incomplete really.

I can still envision Bale's Batman saying 'SWEAR TO ME!' That rocks.

Art imitates life. Then life imitates art in a really sick, demented way...The senseless, chaotic life-like violence brought on the masses by the semi-masked character Bane (in this 3rd installment of the Nolan-directed Batman movies) has become a grim, tragic reality for many of those in attendance who were on-hand for 'The Dark Knight Rises' midnight showing at the Century 16 Theater in Aurora, Colorado. A gunman dressed in a gas mask and Kevlar gear made his way from the theater's exit area later proceeding towards the big screen where the movie was playing. Then he released what appears to be teargas and later went on a hellbent, merciless rampage shooting everyone at random no matter who they were regardless of age or racial background. In various media reports he used up to 3-4 guns (including an AR-15 and a .40 Glock semi-automatic pistol) in total during the massacre. Over 10+ lives fell victim to the gunman's bullets. Over 50+ were wounded and/or treated for light injuries. And as of the time of this blog post, it is said that 9 are still in critical condition. The gunman is identified as University of Aurora college student - James Holmes, 24 ... I am in total disgust of what happened, but not shocked at all especially we're now living vigilantly in an era post-9/11 and Columbine High tragedies. Any sicko out there these days who gets some sort of financial backing, possessing a gun license or have open access to firearms can cause something of epic proportions (to the general public in an open area) utilizing high-tech weaponry or any type of ammunition, perhaps even explosives. The federal government and authorities need to work aggressively to make sure nothing of this magnitude can never happen again to all citizens of this great nation. Gun control will always be a highly tout controversial issue pitting gun owners against their opponents who think the opposite of them. It doesn't matter what side someone's on. Something has to be done before its too late to save the lives of the innocent. I'd hate to see more and more of these horrific tragedies unfold while our government continues to remain split on many proposals and laws such as gun control. But sometimes that alone cannot prevent this from happening either. It all rests on the power of the individual him/herself in handling their own dealings with life. But what's detrimental is how mentally weak he/she may become. This is when all hell breaks loose prompting them to unleash their fury to all. And this right here sways our minds from gun and arms. It becomes psychological now ... Reflecting from the 9/11, Columbine and Virginia Tech tragedies as a whole, we as proud Americans will have closure and healing that bridge all people and communities as a whole. God will give us the strength as a nation to move on. And may those who are held accountable for their own actions be brought forth to justice from the crimes they put on the innocent.

A dear friend has passed away last Saturday. And he lived life to the fullest retaining the charm of always being young-at-heart. I enjoyed every moment spent with "Lolo" James from our days working at the job TO an evening of karaoke in which he sung his heart out TO eating filipino food at someone's home for a quick lunch. Plus he drove wild as heck, too, in his Hyundai Tiburon. Ha ha. But he's taught me some good pointers about life especially dealing with relationships and people, in general. Most importantly, he wanted for me to be myself. I will definitely miss him but now is his time to be with God. He truly deserves every shining moment in the heavens above. See you when I get there one day, "Lolo." Much love!

Ab Roller Plus 15 Minute Power Program

Looks like there has been remarkable progress so far in terms of my physical activities ranging from kettlebell workouts, shooting hoops, and running/powerwalking on the treadmill. I can see the effects on my body since performing these way back in April. I appear quite leaner and toned on my arms as well as on my waist, which is very obvious now going a size down. The next plan is to target my abs. There is some slight definition as we speak, but I'm planning to take it to the next level:  utilizing the newly-purchased Ab Roller Evolution (which isn't the product you see in this 1995 instruction video for the Ab Roller Plus). This exercise equipment now includes upper body workouts targeting the chest muscles and arms ... Of course, there are doubts that are raised when it comes to any promotional product shown in infomercials. But I do believe in results, especially what has happened since my kettlebell routines. I think it's worth forking over $30 in getting this. It doesn't hurt trying. Tomorrow, I'll be able to start working out with the Ab Roller Evolution. That also means I'll have to improvise my workout schedules. Jogging/powerwalking and/or shooting hoops will be on separate days. And kettlebell workouts will blend in with the Ab Roller Evolution's. I plan to apply some of the exercises shown in this vintage video clip. I just love to experiment with workout equipment. What's next - The Rack? Who knows.

Its been a few days now since coming back from Valparaiso, IN. I worked a lot in the job assignment there, but a part of me felt quite inactive. I hadn't worked out for about 4 days now and I did sense the rhythm lacking this morning. Although, I garnered 103-points in my morning hoops solo session, I started feeling fatigued and out of steam when I reached 50+ points. But I continued pacing on every moment I was tiring out. I guess that's what happens when I don't lift weights/ exercise and constantly eating food as well as drinking soda (I was addicted to it this week). Its time to get things back where it ought to be and that's to continue being in shape and healthy.


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I'm blogging from a hotel in Merrillville, IN as me and the work crew are staying overnight. The conditions aren't really what I expected. Workers pounding on roof making repairs. No microwave to heat food. No refrigerator to cool food or drinks. Toilet tissue has 1/4 left on a roll with no spare ones in the room. And NO internet as its wireless connection is down. This is perhaps THE WORST experience ever w/ this brand-name hotel. I loved 'em in Virginia and Florida, but here in Indiana, its a different story. At least I'm satisfied of one thing: a roof over my head for a night. Its better than nothing.


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Music Track of the Day: Nsync - Tearin Up My Heart

I gotta take it old school with this one - back to the days when the fellas were together as a group, especially Justin Timberlake who's now scoring it big as an actor than just a solo R&B/pop singer. I admit I miss pop the music the way it was. Catchy beats. Decent lyrics. A sad reminder of what once was. But it's good though that some new boybands from the U.K. are cropping up namely The Wanted and One Direction, respectively. Hopefully it'll start another resurgence/wave of this particular pop music genre.....I played this on my iPod for everyone to hear at work last night in a store - and it got the lady employees' attention most certainly. I heard one that reflected on her time as a kid hearing this during the 5th grade. Ahh! Memories! "Tearin Up My Heart" is still a good song, even if years have passed so fast,

If most b-ball players get it their way of going to other teams to team-up with other big namers to form their own dream team, the league should just about eliminate all teams who would never ever make it to the Finals' dance in a million years...Maybe its best if the NBA just cut it to 4 teams in the west and 4 teams in the east with these teamed-up all-stars. I'm just saying...................it's not fair to others. But this'll make the ones left out even more hungrier, if they're willing to go the distance. Take for instance, the Indiana Pacers. There was that spark there and almost proved it w/ some games in the playoffs vs The Miami Heat.

"Its funny..every day can seem the same..but looking back it can seem like everything has changed... life.. time.. they both just keep moving without skipping a beat..but every beat is never on the same line.."

David C, friend in Orlando, FL 

I just watched last Thursday's episode of Impact Wrestling via DVR. And its so awesome to see my friend (also once a co-worker of mine's) back on the big wrestling circuit again, especially returning to Orlando, FL. He's none other than Kenny Layne (known to the wrestling world as Kenny King). He is known for his debut appearance in WWE's Tough Enough TV reality show and in Ring Of Honor.


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1984 I Want My MTV Commercial

I WANT MY MTV back the way it used to be: a 24-hr music channel just like the concept was in the 1980s! Not the stupid stuff that's on it now (which isn't even music anymore)

My brother Jeffrey's got skills! Here's his latest pencil drawing illustration of actor Samuel L. Jackson as S.H.I.E.L.D.'s general, Nick Fury (from Marvel's The Avengers). Jeff was able to incorporate Sam's trademark smile into the drawing. The detail is absolutely stunning! I look forward to more of his drawings in the times to come!

Music Track of the Day: Colbie Caillat - I Do

I'm glad there are still music artists like Colbie Caillat. She's got some really good songs. I can go all day listening to her sounds.

I just realized now how stupid I am for not knowing who the veteran Aussie pop songstress, Sia, 36, really is all this time. As we're all aware, Sia is featured singing backup vocals in Flo Rida's latest smash hit 'Wild Ones.' I was led to believe at first that the pretty Afican-American chick in the music video was Sia, BUT I was wrong. (and I'm sure not to be the only one thinking like that, too). She was only a visual of the typical Flo Rida music video. The same was applied a few years back when he put Ke$ha on the track 'Right Round.' This was before Ke$ha herself made it big with her songs...Sia is a great vocalist. Her voice is amazing whether its an uptempo track or a soft love ballad. I will have to check out more of her sounds on the Spotify app.


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My lower back problems have been an issue for a few years now ever since I've worked in a position that requires light physical labor. And that also involves lifting a few heavy things like work equipment from the vehicle and boxes of miscellaneous items in a store stockroom. Then, there's the physical stuff associated outside of work in which I do use most of my muscles - kettlebell workouts, basketball, and running..It seems my body is telling me something: to ease down on the physical activities or else it can get worse in the years ahead..I'm trying my absolute best to find another job (in an office environment) which is a process that can take forever to complete being on a waiting list to be interviewed, tested on skills, etc. I can still do my present one but it would have to be minimal on the physical aspect perhaps 2-3 assignments a week...There is no way I want to give up on exercises and workouts. I've already made it this far w/ my toned body and recent weight loss. That's a lifestyle I prefer to retain and not lose...in summation, I'm living on borrowed time with my backpain. Maybe things will improve. There's no absolute guarantee what's going to happen next for my back, but applying at different job places is a sure sign of hope. Its just a matter of time when the right job will come and that my health is going to be far superior than where it is now. For now, borrowed time is ok. Every day is an opportunity to make life better.


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It feels odd and weird sporting the #12 Dwight Howard Orlando Magic jersey again, especially on the heels of a bitter, soured relationship between that of the Magic organization and its star player who's been wanting out lately (and preferring to go to Brooklyn this time around). Dwight Howard no longer has the heart to wear the Magic colors anymore while I don it proudly for a different reason: to remember the Dwight of old for who he really was and what he stood for - a humble athlete who loved life to the fullest, the team (Magic), the city (Orlando) and the throngs of fans just as much as he had passion for the sport of basketball. Those were the great years (from 2004-2009). I was privileged enough to see some games for myself during my residence in O-Town (Orlando) seeing Dwight and company do their thing on the court showing to the home crowd what they're made of against their opponents. Unfortunately, this'll be the last image of Dwight being that teammate. It definitely pales in comparison to what he has become lately: a self-centered diva. This all started when the Magic lost to the Lakers in the 2009 NBA Finals. Dwight sat down for a few moments alone with teammate/ draftmate, Jameer Nelson, as they looked at Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers celebrate their Finals' win on the Magic's home court. Spoiled by the Magic's shortcomings of not winning the 'ship (championship), Dwight personally wanted to make changes to the organization and the Magic were nice enough to do so. But as the players' performance in the team start to dwindle as well as the coaching techniques by then-head coach Stan Van Gundy, so did Dwight's attitude. It just gotten worse over the course of a few months up to a year and even beyond that ... And this is where I stand right now, with this Dwight Howard jersey on - in a very hot summer day in which it is 97 degree temperature outside. As I said, it feels weird and odd wearing it now. It feels like I'm Hester Prynne from the book 'The Scarlet Letter' wearing the 'A' letter of shame (which stood for adultery) and being ridiculed by the public. But that's so non-related to Howard's situation itself because he never did commit adultery, just a big big mouth really filled with confusion and more questions to be raised. It's just the attention that he's been stirring have already made this Orlando Magic jersey a prime target for naysayers, haters and such. I didn't do all to well in the basketball court today probably not just for my lack of sleep (because of working late night) but maybe - just maybe it was also from wearing that Dwight Howard jersey. In a way, it's psychological. Imagine being a fan and seeing all that's going on - and I was one of many that once believed this athlete who I thought really loved Orlando from the get-go but later founding out the truth the hard way. Even worse was when he mentioned about loyalty, yet he didn't know the real meaning behind that, especially on us Magic fans. We were all misled thinking he would've really loved Orlando but it seemed he never did. He was one of a plethora of reasons why I want to go move back and live there next year. Who wouldn't wanna watch him every game, right? Going back to my day of hoops, I managed to get 101-pts in 50 minutes which wasn't bad, but man - my mind was playing on me sometimes because of the fact I'm still wearing this jersey and the man himself don't wanna sport these colors anymore. He wants to move on. And I will, too. I've decided to semi-retire the jersey from being worn in the general public (wearing an Orlando Magic athletic dry-fit shirt over it) and instead, wear it to the basketball court sweating the heck out of it the way the Dwight-of-old has done every game night. I do have an alternate Magic jersey in my closet, too. It's my very own customized black-colored Adidas swingman Magic jersey in which I go with the number 74 (since 1974 is my birth year) and my alter-ego/alias 'Jonnyroobs.' I don't see myself going anywhere from the Magic anytime soon or even making persistent complaints of going somewhere else via trade. LOL. I'm a Magic fan for life, and will always appreciate what Dwight Howard stood for in that organization and city during those golden years. I did the same for Shaquille O'Neal a few years later proudly wearing the old-school #32 Magic jersey in the public eye and on the basketball court. He looks back on Orlando in a positive light and hopefully Dwight will, too, one day, if he ever plans on doing so post-NBA career ... Go, Magic! Next stop for me next year: Amway Center. I enjoyed those memories at Amway Arena, especially getting that ball cap on Fan Night (pictured with the Dwight Howard jerseys).

Special thanks to my longtime pal, Ray for sending a pic of him and his sweetheart that was from their honeymoon cruise. Glad to know they enjoyed their time!

The weather temps haven't been nice at all during the last few days. Here in Illinois, we had triple-digits. Its so hot, humid and sticky outside, even in the evenings. Shooting hoops in the park has been played down to 30 minutes for me as I sweat profusely perhaps losing more calories than jogging/ walking on the treadmill alone. Its not as super hot like in VA but its also not as breezy/ less humid like FL. Best bet is to continue staying indoors cranking up the A/C unit to cool and keeping ourselves hydrated with water. But I do feel sorry for the thousands still left without power in a few states including Illinois. Here's hoping power will be restored really quickly!




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I'm turning out to be a nocturnal glass-eyed freak because of late night assignments associated with my job in inventory. Its happening most of this week and I'm on my 2nd night in a row hanging out w/ Rizz. Wow! Had it not been for Mountain Dew Code Red soda, I'd probably wouldn't be this wide awake and alert. Just wanted to share some insight about my lifestyle as it is right now. Maybe in some alternate dimension, I'm probably in a tropical setting already asleep snoring so loud...err..I mean softly...Dream on, Jonnyroobs.


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A Happy 4th of July (Independence Day) to ALL in the USA, including its citizens and the brave men & women in the military who are abroad...We are blessed to commemorate our nation's independence through patriotic colors of red, white and blue as well as seeing a fireworks show in the evening. No matter where one is in the USA (in the metro big city area or the small towns/ farmlands), we join each other in unity to celebrate our nation's independence in its wholesomeness. God bless America and to the nations around the world that it supports.


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Music Track of the Day: HAVANA BROWN - WE RUN THE NIGHT Featuring PITBULL (Official Lyric Video)...

Love this track! Great collab with Pitbull. I can dance and party to this song all night long :)

The Dwight Howard flip-flopping soap opera continues on. Last we heard, he had 'loyalty' to his team (The Orlando Magic) changing his mind the last minute of being traded. Fast forward a few months later, he's rehabbing from a back injury and staying in Los Angeles to recuperate. Since then, he hasn't returned to Orlando and is communicating less with the Magic organization (especially since the firings of Van Gundy, Otis Smith and Adonal Foyle within management). Dwight wants out and prefers to play for the Brooklyn Nets alongside friend Deron Williams. Enter Rob Hennigan, the new general manager who talked with Howard last Friday. He has no intentions of trading Dwight that easily. There has to be a good bargain achieved first in which the Magic can get a good set of players from another organization in exchange for their big center. Howard accused the Magic organization of blackmailing him into signing the opt-in clause. (Note: As of 7/2, Yahoo Sports reports that Howard denies using the term 'blackmailing')

From my personal standpoint, it's gotten really ugly. As a fan of the Magic or Howard for that matter, I don't like it. Dwight Howard, who was once revered and loved by a city and Magic fans alike - will undoubtedly become their worst enemy. This'll be probably as equal or is gonna be beyond as worst just like what LeBron James did to the city of Cleveland and the Cavs fans (when he announced to the world he'll be taking his talents to South Beach, not even acknowledging/thanking Cavs fans and Cleveland). Had it not been for the Magic's big loss against the Lakers in the 2009 NBA Finals, maybe things would not have happened this way. Unfortunately, it is happening right now beyond crazy. Dwight should've approached everything correctly right from the get-go being honest with everyone including those that looked up to him (myself included) who bought his #12 jersey and Adidas sneakers. I've lost trust and even perhaps my respect for Dwight for what he's done. He's misled the Magic organization, the fans, and the city of Orlando. He thinks he's Superman. Looks like he just never was as we've come to really find out. He socked that gimmick to us really good. But in reality, he's just a man-child who just can't seem to get a grasp on how the logistics of free agency really works in the real world. We loved him for being a humble, talented b-baller who was so infectiously happy on the court laughing pulling some pranks and being the man-child he is, but it seems that we're now so fed up with his 'man-childness' consisting of 'I want this' or 'I don't want this' sounding sobbingly or acting depressed, what have you, etc. He is spoiled. He is self-centered. He craves attention. But there's always a chance of redemption. Hopefully along the way, he can find it in himself to handle things appropriately (with all the time that's left) and to make an easy transition to another team via free agency without the heavy baggage of controversy that he created in the first place.

The 2011-2012 season was a season of mediocrity for Dwight Howard. The soap opera flourished, the chemistry/loyalty with his teammates questioned and his hunger on the court stifled with bad games right to the end with the back injury.

Now it leads me to this next question: So what will happen to the #12 Magic (Howard) jerseys I have now that's hanging in my closet?

Most likely, I will keep it rather than burn it in the bonfire with all the Magic fans that would so hate him right now. But I say it again: I'll keep it. Yeahhh, that's how much I still like the man...err..kinda...sorta (although he probably would less likely care anyways for his fans at this juncture). Maybe he'll get appreciation one day once he calls it quits and possibly get that love back to Orlando. I have done the same for Shaquille O'Neal tolerating what he did with the Magic in years' past, but later having that respect of his great stellar NBA career in which he joined 5 teams in total. And Shaq still loves the Magic, too, even residing in O-Town for all these years.

Wow this segment itself is gonna play a huge role in my transitioning to Orlando for next year. As Dwight Howard wants OUT of Orlando right, I want IN for a return to live there. Most likely, I may not even see him playing with the Magic ever again, this time rooting against him than for him. I can see it now into the future - all the Magic fans booing and hurling insults right at him. I can't blame 'em for being that way. They loved him religiously. They followed him vigorously. They campaigned heavily for him to stay. But all of this certainly wasn't enough for him to really love Orlando and hang in there. Dwight made it more of a sensitive issue that is seemingly uncomfortable and downright nauseous. It wasn't just about free agency. It was crazy drama that added fuel to the fire. I stand solid with the Magic and will remain supportive of their decision on what's best for their interest and betterment for the organization.

New GM Rob Hennigan said it best: "We are looking for players who love basketball and are committed to building something greater than themselves."

They will find just that :)

And I look forward to buying tickets to games in the Amway Center and rooting on my favorite team - The Orlando Magic - once the move to Orlando is complete.