Alzono Mourning Jersey Retired

Alonzo Mourning's Jersey was retired last night in Miami. He is not doubt Miami Heat's most successful player. He is their leading rebounder, shoot blocker, and he was also their leading scorer until Wade took it, he also became the first Miami Heat player to have his Jersey retire. He was apart of Team USA who won the Olympic Gold Medal in Sydney Australia 2000. During the Olympics he flew home for the birth of his child and still make it back in time to play and win the medal. It was that same year he was diagnosed with kidney disease. He was told he would never play basketball again. But Zo's a fighter, his work in the community was tremendous and it was like God sees a man with vigor and fight. For even though he can't play basketball he found a way to be a hero. He gave back to those who have looked up too him when he was playing. He gave back to want and need. In 2003 his second cousin Jason Cooper donated a kidney to him and before you know it he was back to the game and brought back life to the Heat. Along with Dwade and the help of veterans Shaquille O'neal, Gary Payton, Antoine Walker and Udonis Haslem he finally won an NBA Championship in 2006. No doubt Alonzo Mourning is one of the greats and have contributed a lot to the game of basketball. In 2007, Alonzo Mourning along with Andre Agassi, Muhammad Ali, Lance Armstrong, Warrick Dunn, Mia Hamm, Jeff Gordon, Tony Hawk, Andrea Jaeger, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Mario Lemieux, and Cal Ripken Jr. founded Athletes for Hope, a charitable organization, which helps professional athletes get involved in charitable causes and inspires millions of non-athletes to volunteer and support the community. He is 2 times Defensive Player of the Year. He was drafted in 1992 by the Charlotte Hornets (now Charlotte Bobcats) and was traded to Miami 1996. In his comeback after the kidney transplant in 2003 he played 1 1/2 seasons with the New Jersey Nets before reuniting with Miami until his retirement in 2008. He will not only be known for his effort and dedication on the hardwood but also for his charitable efforts in the community. He is 2 times Defensive Player of the Year.

Dwight Howard came into the league out of high school and became the 3rd high school player to be drafted number 1 pick. He like Lebron James came with high expectation and like James he did not disappoint. He was apart of the USA's redemption team to win the Olympic Gold Medal in Beijing. Like other big guys he dominated the paint and last night became the youngest player to reach 5000 rebounds at age 23. Passing Wilt Chamberlain who was 25 years of age. How cool is that.

Another big guy who had his Jersey retired was Vlade Divac of the Sacramento Kings. Drafted in 1989 by the Los Angeles Lakers. After 7 years with the Lakers he was traded to Charlotte Hornets (now Charlotte Bobcats) where he stayed 2 years and was then moved to Sacramento. After 6 wonderful years in Sacramento he was then again reunited with the Lakers for 1 more year in the NBA. He was born in Serbia and was among the first groups of European Basketball player to transfer to the NBA in the 1980's. He is one of the only three players in NBA history to record 13, 000 points, 9, 000 rebounds, 3,000 assists and 1,500 blocks (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Hakeem Olajuwon). Like Alonzo Mourning he is a humanitarian at heart. In October 2008 he was appointed as a government adviser in Serbia for humanitarian issues and in February 2009 he was elected President of the Serbia Olympic Committee.

The Mind

Whatever you hold in your mind will tend to occur in your life. If you continue to believe as you have always believed, you will continue to act as you have always acted. If you continue to act as you have always acted, you will continue to get what you have always gotten. If you want different results in your life or your work, all you have to do is change your mind.

What is Jamaica coming to these days. I know the that prophecy will have to be filled and that what was said of them in olden days must come to pass. But have mercy why are men so cruel. I mean how can one take the life of a child....an innocent child, my Lord. Living in Jamaica feels like living in the Middle East. It's not safe to even walk broad day light. Jamaica that was suppose to be the land of wood and water, have become the land of crime and violence. It has taken over not only our streets but our homes as well. Everytime you turn on the news you hear that another have been gunned down. Terror have become a normal reaction for us. We hear of wars in Iraq, Israel, etc and say we are happy we don't live there. But if we should take a step back and look at our beloved Jamaica we will see that we are no different from what is taking place in those countries. The crime has gotten so out of control that I think we are at a point of no return. You hear people say the government this and the government that. It is not the government's fault that people are having so many kids and can't provide for them. I always ask why have 6 children when you can only provide for 2. You see a woman with 7 kids with 6 different fathers. Sure sometimes you have a child and the coward bounce leaving you on your own. Then you find another man and you have another child for him and then he too leaves you. You know they say once is a mistake, but twice is a spite. Yeah we are all humans and nobody wants to be alone, but hell it's like you've never heard of birth control. And then you blame the government....the government weren't you were getting your groove on.

Then you have kids who go to school and waste time. Theirs parents spend their last dollar so to speak and send them to school, only to have them drop out. Young girls can't wait to grow up and young boys can't wait to call the shots. Ours kids are not kids anymore. They are being forced to have a job before they are old enough to go to high school. They are being exploited by the men they trust to protect them. They are being lied to and undermined. We are their protectors as was our parents of us. I was allowed to be a child, play games, have fun and do things that a child should be doing. Why wouldn't I want my son to have the joy that I did. Why wouldn't I protect him the way my parents protected me. Those are the questions we need to ask ourselves. We need to stop looking for a scape goat and start taking responsibilities for our actions. Sure the government is manipulative and deceiving. Sure they have something to do with what is happening in our country today and the world. Sure they have the power and authority to as they say screw us over. But we have the power to shape our own destiny. We have the power to decide our faith. We have the power to be honest and good. We all have a mind of our own and if we let our lives be a mirror image of our government, then who are we to judge. No one perfect only God alone is perfect. But we are like God, we were made in his image and likeness and that my friend means there is good in everyone of us. I am a strong minded young lady who believes that I can do anything I put my mind to. Some of us think that we are better than others and that we are perfect and can do no wrong. We feel that it is okay to find fault with others, but they are not allowed to find fault with us. We feel that if a person correct us or point out to us that we are wrong in any way, we feel that that person is trying to hold us down or fight against us. But the reason we feel that way is because deep down in our subconsciousness we are the one who is the fighter. True we are what we think of others. The 3 questions we need to ask ourselves are Who Am I?, Why Am I Here? and Where Am I Going? I think that once we can truly answer these questions honestly we will be free to trust God and live.

You know what I find very funny at times. Is that people who always like to speak their minds never like it when others do the same. I have a mind of my own and if I feel like speaking it there is nothing you can do about it. But I also like to know what's on the next person mind as well. So I don't have a problem when someone speak theirs. Mahatma Gandhi(Political and Spiritual Leader in India 1869-1948) had once stated that "You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy my body, but you will never imprison my mind". I believe him and a mind is a powerful thing cause it can dictate the heart. So if your mind tells you that I am trying to fight against you when I speak my mind then that's what you hold in your heart. Because you are like that then you feel in your mind that everyone else is like you. And again I say do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

My Wondering Mind

My son was feeling a little feverish so I gave him a ice bath and some fever medicine and he is doing much better this morning. I think I am getting a hang of this not worrying too much business. Usually as his temperature goes up, I get all worried and rush for the doctor. But now I a little more calm and dealing with it like any other mother. It's not like kids comes with a manuals, it's a learning process and I have a lot more to learn.

I don't believe in coincidences....really I don't. I believe that anything that happens, happens for a reason be it good or bad. I think now that's it official I can talk about it. ACS(Affiliated Computer Services) have acquired e-Services the company I work for. Now when we first heard everyone was like 'I'm gonna lose my job' and all the worrying that goes on when things like this happens. But that was cleared up by my amazing boss. Everything will apparently remain the same except for ownership of course. Anyways, I will just have to continue to do the work I have been doing to the best of my ability. However, when you look at the upside this might just be a good thing. I really don't have much to say, I am just happy that Mr. Casserly will be remaining with us and not leave us in the hands of only God knows who.

Ok, enough of that. The Playoffs starts April 18 and I can hardly wait. Cleveland is at the top of the league right now, which I don't have a problem with. I am just glad it's not Boston....ah shut up....I don't like them and I will knock them all I want....freedom of speech baby. The Lakers and Cavs for the Finals I am sticking with my prediction until one of them lose out in the Playoffs and then I will choose another team to cheer for....and it sure as hell won't be the Boston Celtics.

BTW, I feel great. I though you ought know that I am happy. I refuse to left my actions be dictated by others. I also have been going to the gym lately and I like the results. I also have been trying to eat right, trying being the objective word here, you know we have to eat unhealthy once in a while, right. Hey, if I don't lose weight I will live longer, unless I get hit by a car or a bullet. Cause the way Jamaica is going these days anything is possible. You know there are times when the people around gets on your last nerves and you just have to take a step back. Well, I am taking a step back and see if I can get a better look at things. We are all humans and we are not perfect. There will always be people out there that believes they are perfect and are never wrong. But I won't let that bother me. I don't worry over things like that. As long as I have life and my son has life and he is happy then I am happy.

That's it. That's all that was on mind mind today in brief details. Let's see what else am I thinking about....nothing, that's all folks.

Why So Angry???????

Sometimes I feel like people are deliberately trying to upset me or pick on me for some reason or another. I don't know maybe I'm delusional or something. Like when simple things happen and they blow it out of proportion. You know at one time I use to just speak my mind and don't care who gets hurt. I use to get chastised for it. People being like it's not what you said but how you said it. I didn't care about that, as long as I said what I have to say, that was it. But the older you get the wiser you become. You know like the older the moon the brighter the shine, something like that. I am still learning how to control how I say things and I am starting to be sensitive about the effect of what I say have on people. As a result of that to most people who never me before 2 years ago would say I am soft. But that's not it all. Ever since my son was born I have been on the path to redemption. I try to be a calmer more sympathetic person, but sometimes there is that one person or persons who are there to test your faith. I am trying to resist the temptation to blurt out what's on my mind there and then. But at times I just hold my tongue cause when I speak my mind I tell the truth about what think of the person which in most cases is way out of line. I also tend to wear my emotions on my shelves metaphorically speaking. So not only do I say what's on my mind I show the emotions that I am experiencing at the said time which is a terrible combination. What I started doing is counting to 10 before I answer and frankly it's working to an extent. I think I will get better at mastering the whole self control, but I am taking it one step at a time. Did you know for every minute that you are angry, you lose 60 seconds of happiness? I love to laugh I don't know why, actually I am still trying to figure that out. I don't like being angry and I hate to speak when I am angry. So when I get angry I listen to music or sing a song or just laugh at the whole situation. Cause if you speak when you are angry you'll make the best speech that you will ever regret. If you can't answer in a calm way then shout your trap for a soft answer turneth away wrath but grievous words stir up anger. I will try my best to be like the duck, calm on the surface, but always paddling like the dickens underneath. I think George Herbert(Welsh Poet and Priest) said it best "Be calm in arguing, for fierceness makes error a fault and truth discourtesy".

Joe Johnson

Joe Johnson happens to be one of the most underrated players in the league. Maybe it's because he is so quiet. He is a very effective player even though his game does not consist of a lot flair like his counterparts. His combination of outside shooting and ball handling skill makes him tough to guard. Because of that his opponents are forced to play him close which opens the lane and he has the size and strength to finish plays. He is an excellent catch and shoot guy, but did not get enough chances to utilize that due to the mere fact that most of Atlanta's offense was created through him. But all that changed since Mike Bibby was traded to the Hawks. Johnson is a 3 times All-Star and even though not considered a superstar is a solid defender who has the ability to play several positions. In 2007 he became the first Atlanta Hawks player to be named to the All-Star Games since Shareef Abdur-Rahim in 2002 when he was named a reserves replacement for Jason Kidd by Commissioner David Stern. He is said be the best all round player for the Hawk since Dominique Wilkins. In 2004-05 he became the 4th player in NBA history to make at least 150 three-point field goals and shoot over 45 percent from behind the arc in the same season (others — Glen Rice in 1996-97, Dana Barros in 1994-95 and Dale Ellis in 1988-89). He was a member of Team USA's Men's Senior National Team in 2006. Averaging 17.0 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.4 assist in his career makes Joe Johnson a very effective and stable player in the league. But all that goes unnoticed. While I love the hype that Kobe, Lebron, Wade, Shaq, etc generates I also pay attention to the simpler players who just love to play the game of basketball. I chose to post about Joe Johnson cause he is a good basketball player and I like to watch him play. Sure, he won't give you theatrical shots like Wade but he can hold his own. Like Delonte West he is underrated but they don't let that affect their games and that's basketball.

Kobe, Lebron & Wade Who Can Top Who Week

Monday night Dwyane Wade put on a performance that will be remembered for a long time. Lebron James saw what Wade did and was like 'Wade's my friend but that spotlight needs to be on me'. So Tuesday night when his team down 17 points going into the fourth quarter. He rallied his troupes and came back with a 87-83 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. Then last night Kobe was like 'oh ok, so that's how it's gonna be, I am going to show these young fellows how it's done'. So when the Houston Rockets limited him to only 6 points and 2 turnovers in the first half and went into the locker room with a 11 points lead he did not panic. He came out and played like the superstar he is. But what really got him going was a confrontation with Ron Artest (they both got double Technical). They were both being good competitors pushing and trash talk each other. But everyone should know that they should not get Kobe angry cause that's when he'll kick his game up a notch. He literally took over the game and scored 12 points in last 4 minutes of the game. Wade on the other hand was not satisfied with his performance on Monday cause he felt he need to prove it was not a flute. While no buzzer beater was needed, he guide the Heat to a 107-99 win over the defending champions Boston Celtics. The lost to the Celtics puts them 2.0 games behind Cleveland and just 1.5 games ahead of Orlando. I can't wait for April 18 when the playoffs begin. In the West the Lakers are 7.5 games ahead of second place San Antonio Spurs and I doubt they will catch them, so I guess it's save to say that they have won the West. While in the East the race for 1st, 2nd and 3rd seed is very close and could go either way. The Atlanta Hawks have stumble after the All-Star break but are doing all they can to hold on the 4th seed. Last season they brought everyone's attention back to them when they took the Celtics to 7 games in the playoffs last season....can they do it again....we will see.

Wade's World

The Miami Heat put on a show last night against the Chicago Bulls when they took a130-127 win in double overtime. Coming off a 89-99 lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night, the Heat knew they had to win in order to keep all hopes alive if they want to gain that 4th seed in the playoffs. The game was a once in a lifetime experience for most players. It was a show from start to finish. Dwyane Wade was hitting buzzer beaters after buzzer beater. With 6 seconds remaining in the first half he hit a buzzer beater to give the Heat a 2 points lead going into the locker room. At the end of regulation Wade hit another 3 pointer with 11 seconds remaining on the clock to send the game in overtime. Neither team was willing to give and hence a second overtime. Wade being the great player that he is did not gave up, he kept pushing and it paid off. With the game tied at 127-127 and the Bulls coming out of a time with 11 seconds on the clock. Wade took a gamble and stole the ball from Salmons and hit a running 3 pointer, another buzzer beater to win the game. My....it was amazing you had to see it to believe it.
I just love this game....it's so excited and fun, and wow. You from the start of the season everyone's been saying Lebron and Kobe for MVP, but Dwade is showing he can roll with the best of them. Yeah sure his team records are not as impressive as the Lakers and Cavs but he is getting the job done and that's all that matter at this point in the season. They are in the playoffs and that mean they have a chance to go all the way. I am just saying in this league you can never underestimate a team no matter how bad their records are. In 2006 the Heat won made it to their first ever NBA Finals in Franchise history and they won the championship courtesy of Dwade with the help of veterans Shaquille O'neal, Gary Payton, Antoine Walker and Alonzo Mourning. Those guys played great, but it was Dwade who made the big shots when it counted and they won. In the 2003 Draft Lebron and Carmelo was the talk of it all. Lebron won the Rookie of the Year which I thought Wade should have won because he not only played to a high standard but he took his team to the playoffs and he did that without Shaq and them at the time. Anyways, what I am saying is that Dwade to me is more like Mike than Lebron is. Don't get me wrong they are both superb basketball players and will be some of the greatest of all time. You can even argue that Lebron is better than Wade, but on the real Wade does have the hardware. In last night's game against the Bulls Wade recorded 48 points and 12 assist, making it 78 straight games scoring in double figures. He has also scored at least 20 points in 19 straight games putting him 1 game away from matching a Franchise record he currently own. The trade with Toronto did payoff. They gave up Shawn 'The Matrix' Marion for Jermaine O'neal and Jamario Moon, Miami gain and Toronto's lost. Now Miami have that big guy who can bang with the best of them and Moon who can give that energy and athleticism he is known for. Match all that with Wade's charisma, talent and skills, plus Micheal Beasley the up and coming rookie, the passing ability of rookie Mario Chalmers and the calm and cool composer of Udonis Haslem they can get back to championship status. They are a young team and they might not get at the top this season but with the young guys on the team and Wade as their leader they can be next season. Oh, don't say they won't cause in the game of basketball and in the NBA anything is possible. In 2006 they won, cool....then the following year they got kicked out if the first round of the Playoffs. Last season they had the worst record in the league. Wade was injury of course and they traded Shaq and Antoine Walker and Gary Payton retired....so what they weren't the same team as there were in 2006. But that's what I am saying unexpected things always happened in the NBA. That is why I love this game, so puzzling.

Home Court Advantage

The Cleveland Cavaliers buckled under the pressure, they couldn't beat the Boston Celtics. The Lakers proved they can beat the Celtics both at home and away. The Cavs fail to prove they can beat the Celtics on their own turf which will be very crucial when playoffs time come. The defense that the Celtics have become known for that won them the championship last year showed the Cavs what they will have to contend with if and when they meet in the conference finals. The Cavs failed to capitalized on the absent of Kevin Garnett who is said to be out at least another week due to injury. The Orlando Magic on the other hand did not waste anytime with Garnett and Rajon Rondo out they took advantage of the situation and use it to their benefit. Now they are 3 games from gaining home court advantage in the East. Boston and Cleveland are tied for first and the tie breaker no doubt will be on April 12 when they go head to head again. With the regular series tie 1-1 and non prove they can take each other on their own turf, home court will be the deciding factor if either teams where to make it to the Finals. That was the case last year and looks to be the case this year again. But they both need to watch out cause the Magic aren't going anywhere. As for out West the Lakers have the home court thing lock.

Men Who Hit Women Are Cowards

According to People Magazine "The pair reunited in Miami last weekend, spending time at the Star Island mansion of Sean "Diddy" Combs. A source close to the couple told PEOPLE that the couple was "definitely together" and working on a reconciliation." I said I wasn't gonna say anything about this....blog about it I mean. But now I have to speak out cause Rihanna looks like she is back again with the underage woman beater. Yeah I said so what, what you gonna do about? I love Chris Brown's music, I am not going to stop listening to him....I didn't stop listening to Bobby Brown....hell, then why would I boycott Chris's. But I will not agree with a man who thinks a woman is his child. I am a grown ass woman and if a man put his hands on me he will lose it, literally. I am not a child and I am sure as hell not your beating stick. If you mad go punch the wall or something, but if you ready to die, then you can hit me but first we'll both go pick out your coffin....why you laugh, I ain't joking. This is an outrage you hear me. Why does a man think he have to hit a woman? To prove he is bigger, hell we already know that. That why we women loves them so much. You know tall, dark and handsome. Yeah I know we women can be a bitch at times. I know it's hard to live with an independent, stand on my own, don't care what you think, do it my own way woman. I know I am like that. Men I know we can be a pain in the ass, but when that happens just walk away....you know be a man and walk away, cause we can go on and on and on, you get the picture. All I am saying ya'll get on our last nerves too, but you don't see us hitting you.

Back to Chris and Rihanna. What the @#$%% are you thinking girl? I mean I still refuse to believe that Chris did this but the writing are on the wall. Once a woman beater, will always be a woman beater. There is no rehab for this shit. I mean come on Rihanna you are a Caribbean girl, we don't take this shit, we are tougher than that. How well I can't expect every woman to be the same. I think Rihanna have the Whitney Houston Syndrome. Common symptoms are letting a man dictate your life, let him beat you, talk to you like you're trash, being dependent on him and let him sleep around on you. The cure is to be independent, confident in yourself, high self-esteem, and have an if you hit you dead mentality. Most men are afraid of a confident independent woman, cause he can't push her around. Men who hit women are cowards, full stop. If a man hits me, or talk trash to me he don't love me. I am strong black woman and ain't no man gonna take that away from me. Any man who can't love and respect me for who I am can hit the road and I'll be like Beyonce "to the left, to the left". If a man need respect he must first learn to give respect. How can you talk trash to me and expect me to respect you, I'm gonna talk trash right back at you. I will treat a man the way he should be treated if he does the same. Why the hell I am gonna take care of a man, wash his clothes, cook his dinner, and keep his house clean when all he does is cheat, beat on me, and treat me like a whore? Some women can do it but I can't, no way Jose. And because I don't want to go to jail or have a bad conscience, I will be a bigger woman and walk away, move on with my life. If Rhianna wants to take Chris back it's her call. No one can make the decision for her, she is a big girl. Maybe Chris is one of those rare women beater who can change. But it's their life and they can live it the way they want to. I know that we should forgive and forget. I will forgive, move on with my life...alone...but never forget. I am a Queen and that's how I should be treated. No man should abuse a woman, none.

Changes In My Life

Life has been good and bad so far, but I think I am getting a hang of it. You know dealing with the changes and all, and bracing myself for whatever comes my way. But sometimes that one unexpected change just hit and you are left wondering which road to take to make the best of a chaotic or maybe just a simple complicated situation. I have been at that crossroad numerous of times. Sometimes I take the wrong road and sometimes I take the right. You know what's strange, I have come to find the hard roads more likable than the easy ones. Why....I don't know maybe it's the challenge, but all I know is that I tend to learn more not just about life and life's encounters....I learn more about myself. It seems like I am always on a quest to discover myself in a way that only I can. I have made mistakes after mistakes but I have structured myself to learn from my mistakes. I try not to make the same mistake twice....once is an accident but twice is on purpose....that's how I view life. But you are probable thinking why make so many mistakes....but he who never made a mistake, never make a discovery. I have a motto for every aspect of life, whether it be spiritual or sentimental. One of my favorite is "I am who I am your approval isn't needed". You may think that's is a hash thing to say but what you must understand is if you live your life thinking about what others will to say, you will never really live your life. I am not one to let my life be dictated by what people think. I have done it before, you know let what I do be a reflection of what people think or say. But what I realized is that I became someone else and not who I really am. Why should I be someone else to please people when sometimes the person we are trying to please don't care. I have learn to let people accept me for who I am, if they can't then it's their lost. I think that if someone can't love me the way I am then they never really loved me. We tend to want to please the people who don't care when the one person we should be pleasing is ourselves. I will just be who I am and say what I feel cause those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. I don't believe in coincidences, I believe everything happens for a reason be it good or bad. I live my life one day at time....but also with a plan for the future. We all view life differently and have a different approach towards changes, but whatever actions we take will be that of our own.