Monday, March 17, 2008
My Favorite Player: Chris Paul
This is the most inspiring basketball video I have ever seen. For Sports Psychology, I have been assigned to study and track a professional athlete's training habits and lifestyle. I chose Chris Paul, point guard for the New Orleans Hornets in the NBA because he is my favorite player and the player who I try to base my game on when I play. I like him because he looks to pass first and shoot second, and he makes his teammates so much better by distributing the ball and leading his team. I love watching him play. This video has a great story behind it though. When Chris Paul was a senior in high school, he averaged 31 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, and 6 steals per game on his way to becoming North Carolina's "Mr. Basketball" for 2003. Tragically however, during his senior season his grandfather was beaten to death in his own carport during a robbery at 61 years of age. In memory of his grandfather who he loved dearly, Chris scored 61 points in his next basketball game and then intentionally missed the free throw so he could stay at 61 in honor of his grandfather. He walked off the court to hug his father and cried on the sideline. When I first heard about this, I thought it was amazing, and it just made me like Chris Paul even more and I respect him more as a person. He did an incredible thing in honoring his grandfather--may he rest in peace.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Movie Review: Vantage Point *May Contain Spoilers*
It had been a long time since my last visit to the movie theatres, but I decided to make my return last Saturday night to see the movie Vantage Point starring Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox, and Forest Whitaker. The movie takes place in Spain, and the entire plot revolves around a 25 minute time period from noon to 12:25. How is that possible? Director Pete Travis takes an interesting and new approach, by telling the story from eight different perspectives. Dennis Quaid and Matthew Fox star as secret service agents to the President of the United States, who is in Spain giving a speech. Things go terribly wrong however when the President is shot dead while on the podium. Quaid's character sees the shooter though, and Whitaker's character catches parts on camera. Basically, a wild goose chase occurs from all different angles and points of view in trying to solve the crime and find the person responsible for the assassination of the President. This movie relates to me because I am very interested in politics, and this movie was an example of how corruption can occur within our government, and how even though we think we're prepared for everything, we can't necessarily stop everything from happening. I found it intriguing and liked the story told from different aspects and different people. Overall, I give it 3.5/5 stars! Go see Vantage Point!
Presidential Speech
I'm running for class president and I've got real tough competition. I'm hoping my speech will win me over a lot of our grade members! This is it:
What's up class of 2010
My name's James I am your friend
I'm up on stage, to speak to ya'll
about being your president come next fall
I've been at Punahou since the Wilcox days
I've seen a lot of things up to this stage
And I must admit, Academy is great
not too many things that I really hate
but I have ideas, a few things I wanna do
to make Junior Year unforgettable for you!
HOW YALL DOIN!!
Now that I have your attention, I would like to revert to my caucasian self and speak proper english. As you all know, the class president runs all of your assemblies. As your president, I can assure you all fun, funny, and best of all...SHORT assemblies next year. I know that now, all of us come to assembly and count the minutes till we are released, but I want to make those precious minutes as exciting as possible for all of you! As for ideas to help make the Academy a better place for all of us, I am 100% open to hear. I want to know what all of YOU think our school could improve on, and then I can promise my full attention towards making your wishes come true. I will strive to organize more class events, such as more dances to go along with Junior Function next year! Cafeteria food? I'm thinking a snackbar weekly chicken special...maybe Popcorn chicken! What I'm trying to say is, vote James for President, and I will make sure the Junior Class is well represented next year! Thank you.
What's up class of 2010
My name's James I am your friend
I'm up on stage, to speak to ya'll
about being your president come next fall
I've been at Punahou since the Wilcox days
I've seen a lot of things up to this stage
And I must admit, Academy is great
not too many things that I really hate
but I have ideas, a few things I wanna do
to make Junior Year unforgettable for you!
HOW YALL DOIN!!
Now that I have your attention, I would like to revert to my caucasian self and speak proper english. As you all know, the class president runs all of your assemblies. As your president, I can assure you all fun, funny, and best of all...SHORT assemblies next year. I know that now, all of us come to assembly and count the minutes till we are released, but I want to make those precious minutes as exciting as possible for all of you! As for ideas to help make the Academy a better place for all of us, I am 100% open to hear. I want to know what all of YOU think our school could improve on, and then I can promise my full attention towards making your wishes come true. I will strive to organize more class events, such as more dances to go along with Junior Function next year! Cafeteria food? I'm thinking a snackbar weekly chicken special...maybe Popcorn chicken! What I'm trying to say is, vote James for President, and I will make sure the Junior Class is well represented next year! Thank you.
Malama Jam
Malama Jam has become one of the most popular concerts on Oahu since it was first created by River Kim and Tierney Morikawa back in 2004. River and Tierney are both Punahou graduates of 2007, and I have known River since I was in 1st grade, because he is one of my best friends' brother. River is a personal hero of mine for multiple reasons. He is a selfless and genuine individual, who truly cares about others and is willing to put them before himself. He reaches out to those less fortunate than himself, and that is why he created Malama Jam. Malama Jam is an annual concert arranged and planned out completely by students, and featuring student bands from schools across the island. The best part about it however, is that all of the proceeds are donated to a charity that the students choose at the beginning of each year. Some of the charities that have benefited by Malama Jam already include Children's Alliance, IHS, and HUGS. This year is the first year Malama Jam is being coordinated without the help of River or Tierney because they are off at Yale and Harvard, respectively. River's younger brother St. John and I are on the commitee this year to help carry on the wonderful tradition, and help continue what River proudly started.
I was very pleased when I was informed I was chosen to be on this year's committee, because giving back to the community is something I not only love doing, but I feel like I need to be doing. Going to Punahou School for the last eleven years is a blessing, and few others are as lucky as myself and I look at this as an opportunity to help those less fortunate. I want to help provide opportunites for those who rarely get any, and I want to help make a difference in the lives of others. Malama Jam is such a great event, and I am proud to say that this year's concert is going to feature some wonderful entertainment and a diverse silent auction featuring items from companies and businesses across the state. World-famous surfer Carissa Moore has even been kind enough to donate one of her national-competition-winning surfboards to the auction this year! Overall, this year's concert should be one that no one will want to miss! April 6, 2008 at Mamiya Theatre at St. Louis High School. Be there!
Humans
Humans are the most diverse, highly capable and physically and intellectualy advanced living organisms on earth
Backyard Sanctuary
Nothin goin my way
at my house today
my mom disagreeing with every word i say
gotta get outta here
change the mood around
find a good place
to maybe chill and sit down
without hearing anything but my breath makin a sound
or better yet get out to my basketball court
grab a ball, put on a jersey, play my favorite sport
finally im outside, feel the fresh air
no more screamin in my ear or any other affairs
just me and the hoop, a man's best friend
wishin I could stay out here until my life comes to an end
I wrote this short poem because this was exactly how I was feeling today. I was stuck at home, forced to do chores, and I was insanely bored! My mom kept demanding more and more things to be done, and I couldn't help but argue against her. I really needed a break from her and the pointless pacing I was doing around my house, so I went to my sanctuary...in other words, my backyard. It was just one of the many, many occasions that basketball has saved me because it is a constant in my life that is always there when I need to turn to something. Basketball is my savior.
at my house today
my mom disagreeing with every word i say
gotta get outta here
change the mood around
find a good place
to maybe chill and sit down
without hearing anything but my breath makin a sound
or better yet get out to my basketball court
grab a ball, put on a jersey, play my favorite sport
finally im outside, feel the fresh air
no more screamin in my ear or any other affairs
just me and the hoop, a man's best friend
wishin I could stay out here until my life comes to an end
I wrote this short poem because this was exactly how I was feeling today. I was stuck at home, forced to do chores, and I was insanely bored! My mom kept demanding more and more things to be done, and I couldn't help but argue against her. I really needed a break from her and the pointless pacing I was doing around my house, so I went to my sanctuary...in other words, my backyard. It was just one of the many, many occasions that basketball has saved me because it is a constant in my life that is always there when I need to turn to something. Basketball is my savior.
Monday, March 10, 2008
The History of "Feel No Way"
Five times. Five times. That is the number of times my mom has asked me the same question: "James, what does "Feel no way" even mean?" Every time I hear it, I smile, casually turn my head to face her, and say, "Mom, it means "No worries"." Of course, my mom is referring to the name of my eight member island/reggae band Feel No Way, of which I am the lead singer.
This band began back in April of last year, 2007, when my good friend Phil enthusiastically came to me with his idea and plans for a new band. In other words, Phil was the scout, and he recruited myself and all of the other members of the band, which was and still is made up of eight sophomores at Punahou School. These eight are: Phil, who is our guitarist and leader; St. John, who plays ukulele, sings, and plays keyboards; Geoff, who sings and plays ukulele; Ryne, who plays the drums; Kainoa, who plays the bass; Dylan, who plays the saxophone, keyboards, and sings; Thurston, who plays the bongos; and myself, James, and I sing.
After just a couple of "Jam seshes" consisting of playing songs we liked, eating, talking story, and fooling around we realized that we weren't that bad, but we were not very serious, and it seemed like just a fun activity to do every month or so. Then, we were invited to play at two parties, and after both of them were successes, Feel No Way had taken off, and officially hit the music scene. Thurston's sweet sixteen in the summertime was the first time we played in front of about fifty of our best friends. It wasn't the smoothest show, but the kids danced and for only having played together three times before, we did a good job.
Sadly after that however, Feel No Way was quiet for a very long time due to football and basketball practices, and heavy conflicting schedules between group members. We could never find the time to jam together again until December...five months later. Our dream was to follow our predecessors, Auana, a band made up of seven members of the Punahou Class of '07, and play at the Punahou Sophomore Luau for our peers in March. After that one December jam session, we had none in January. Sophomore Luau was getting closer, and I was becoming afraid that we would never be able to play, or even worse that we would never be able to play WELL. I'm not the most confident person in the world, and as for singing in front of my entire grade--I was terrified. I was not thrilled about getting up on stage with barely any band practice and not too much confidence in us. However, we pulled our act together throughout the month of February, refining our songs and headed into the luau full speed ahead with a full tank of gas!
March 1st was a night that I will never forget. That fateful night of Sophomore Luau was Feel No Way's greatest performance to this date, and one of the best nights of my entire life. We all arrived early to help set up our equipment in the cafeteria. We were set to play at 7 pm, after Manoa DNA played for an hour in the gym from 6-7. The deans didn't expect too much from us, and expected us to play a few tunes while the kids ate. They thought wrong. Feel No Way rocked the house, and shook the cafeteria for the full hour time slot we were allotted. The kids ate, they danced, they sang along, and many of them fully participated, which added heavily to the level of our performance. Everything seemed to come together for the band, seeing as how we were relying a lot on luck without too much practice time. St. John, Geoff, Dylan, and I sang well; Phil played his guitar solos with ease; Kainoa was solid on the bass; Ryne nailed his drum entrances; Dylan glided thru his saxophone solos; Thurston did his thing on the bongos. Everything turned out perfect!
Feel No Way has become the talk of the Sophomore class as far as music goes, and has received a lot of recognition since their performance at the luau. They now have three more shows already lined up for the summertime, including a big opening for Natural Vibrations, an extremely popular Island/Reggae band in Hawaii at a graduation party. It's amazing to think that this has lasted almost a year now, and we have already done so much more than we ever would have thought. Performing is truly a wonderful experience, and the adrenaline that builds up can't be matched by many things in this world. "Feel No Way" has even more of a meaning behind it to me, because when I think of the words, I know that that is how I like to live my life. I try to be smooth, easy-going, not complain so much, and just be as happy as possible. I want to spread joy everywhere I go, just like Feel No Way spreads its joyful music and melodic messages at each performance. In the wise words of Steel Pulse: "Life without music, I can't go..."
This band began back in April of last year, 2007, when my good friend Phil enthusiastically came to me with his idea and plans for a new band. In other words, Phil was the scout, and he recruited myself and all of the other members of the band, which was and still is made up of eight sophomores at Punahou School. These eight are: Phil, who is our guitarist and leader; St. John, who plays ukulele, sings, and plays keyboards; Geoff, who sings and plays ukulele; Ryne, who plays the drums; Kainoa, who plays the bass; Dylan, who plays the saxophone, keyboards, and sings; Thurston, who plays the bongos; and myself, James, and I sing.
After just a couple of "Jam seshes" consisting of playing songs we liked, eating, talking story, and fooling around we realized that we weren't that bad, but we were not very serious, and it seemed like just a fun activity to do every month or so. Then, we were invited to play at two parties, and after both of them were successes, Feel No Way had taken off, and officially hit the music scene. Thurston's sweet sixteen in the summertime was the first time we played in front of about fifty of our best friends. It wasn't the smoothest show, but the kids danced and for only having played together three times before, we did a good job.
Sadly after that however, Feel No Way was quiet for a very long time due to football and basketball practices, and heavy conflicting schedules between group members. We could never find the time to jam together again until December...five months later. Our dream was to follow our predecessors, Auana, a band made up of seven members of the Punahou Class of '07, and play at the Punahou Sophomore Luau for our peers in March. After that one December jam session, we had none in January. Sophomore Luau was getting closer, and I was becoming afraid that we would never be able to play, or even worse that we would never be able to play WELL. I'm not the most confident person in the world, and as for singing in front of my entire grade--I was terrified. I was not thrilled about getting up on stage with barely any band practice and not too much confidence in us. However, we pulled our act together throughout the month of February, refining our songs and headed into the luau full speed ahead with a full tank of gas!
March 1st was a night that I will never forget. That fateful night of Sophomore Luau was Feel No Way's greatest performance to this date, and one of the best nights of my entire life. We all arrived early to help set up our equipment in the cafeteria. We were set to play at 7 pm, after Manoa DNA played for an hour in the gym from 6-7. The deans didn't expect too much from us, and expected us to play a few tunes while the kids ate. They thought wrong. Feel No Way rocked the house, and shook the cafeteria for the full hour time slot we were allotted. The kids ate, they danced, they sang along, and many of them fully participated, which added heavily to the level of our performance. Everything seemed to come together for the band, seeing as how we were relying a lot on luck without too much practice time. St. John, Geoff, Dylan, and I sang well; Phil played his guitar solos with ease; Kainoa was solid on the bass; Ryne nailed his drum entrances; Dylan glided thru his saxophone solos; Thurston did his thing on the bongos. Everything turned out perfect!
Feel No Way has become the talk of the Sophomore class as far as music goes, and has received a lot of recognition since their performance at the luau. They now have three more shows already lined up for the summertime, including a big opening for Natural Vibrations, an extremely popular Island/Reggae band in Hawaii at a graduation party. It's amazing to think that this has lasted almost a year now, and we have already done so much more than we ever would have thought. Performing is truly a wonderful experience, and the adrenaline that builds up can't be matched by many things in this world. "Feel No Way" has even more of a meaning behind it to me, because when I think of the words, I know that that is how I like to live my life. I try to be smooth, easy-going, not complain so much, and just be as happy as possible. I want to spread joy everywhere I go, just like Feel No Way spreads its joyful music and melodic messages at each performance. In the wise words of Steel Pulse: "Life without music, I can't go..."
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