Hate It or Love It

When you learn stepped in this game
After "What's The 411?", things ain't been the same
And I can't complain,
But with all this fame comes a whole lot of pain
But I'm so glad to be here
And my music's still sincere
Lets get back to the story
All of this pain and glory
And 94 was "My Life" and my life wasn't right
So I reached out to you and told you what I've been through

Hate it or love it the underdogs' on top
and I'm gon' shine homey until my heart stop
Go head and envy me, I'm a soul hip-hop queen
and I ain't goin' nowhere but you already know me

- Mary J Blige on "Hate it or Love it (remix)"

The Weekend Comes

Not feeling so great after a semi-big night out. Though feel good in the sense that I hadn't seen a lot of the guys in a while and was cool to just chill out, drink, boogie on the dance floor. Given that we are all working now and me being busy with working & studying, and also being lazy, I actually hadn't gone out with them in a while.

So we hit up Belgium Bier Cafe for some mussels and Hoegardens (and no, they don't come from my garden). The Tintin Au Congo mussels were awesome with a nice coconuty flavour. For me, cause I hadn't seen anyone in a while, just being in the presence of friends and chilling out was the place to be. Catching up on Rahul's unorthodox crosstraining, Bosco's aspirations to be a scholar, and hassling Fat Chris's denial of a girlfriend (we know, playa!).

Then it was off to the Retro @ Bristol Arms! This club is dodgy. It's reputation easily preceeds itself. Plays 80's music and is populated by 40-60 year olds. I was actually quite suprised by the number of young people in da club downstairs. Getting there around 8pm, it was actually starting to fill up.

I reckon that most of the young people go there just to take the piss out of it. By this time we were doing tequila shots, bourbon & cokes, coronas, tooheys new, cowboys, anything we could get out hands on. Let's just say that some of us were a bit tipsy and just started tackling each other on the street. At one stage I had Jerm in a bearhug while Ed gave him the infamous nipple gripple, and then I think I gave Ed a few swift kicks to the mid section.

It was around 10pm when we went to an Asian dance party @ Skygardens. We got in as Ed had the hookup, and bumped into a heaps of ex-uni, highschool, and church people. The place was dead though it slowly picked up whilst we had more tooheys extra dry and a couple of bourbon & cokes. Caught up with a friend of mine and I dont know, I can't put my finger on it but she's changed. Maybe it was the smoking, the swearing, the tone, who knows. We caught up for a minute & promised that we'd meetup again.

Whole night was fun even though some us didn't make it through the night :P

Last weekend
Last weekend was alright too. It was a farewell for a colleague of mine, and yeah same story. Drinking and clubbing. It was funny in the sense that the girls we were with, kept getting picked up on the dancefloor. Bumped into Caz and met some of her friends. Got home at 3am, seems like a regular thing on the weekend these days. The next day I went to Cruise bar for a 21st birthday, man I feel so old these days.

That's all I have to say for today.

I'm out like the weekend,

DJ Ho.

Will there ever be peace in the Middle East?

Just finished my exam today so I'm feeling very relieved but also very tired. It's weird in the sense that I'm 24 and just finished half of a Masters degree. I guess there's a lot of young people out there doing extra study so I shouldn't be that suprised.

In the last couple of days when I shoulda been studying but was doing everything but that, I started reading up on the Middle East conflict. It is a shocking and frightening situation. It is just very sad that the human race has come to this - fighting with each other. It is a complex situation - this political, reglious, racial turmoil. More than two soldiers being captured by the Hezbellah. Seems that both sides have a lot of pent up rage. As soon as I started reading about it, it was just ludicrous how Israel was just bombing Lebanon's highways, airports, infrastruture. A disproportionate response.

It's obviously got a deeper storyline behind it but at the end of the day, can't we all simply get along? I guess that's a very idealistic notion because as long as I have been alive, there has never been peace in the Middle East. What's my definition of peace? Not waking up in the morning and reading about another bombing, another attack, people dying in those countries. This tit for tat reaction by both sides can only produce additional response.

I wish that in my lifetime that one day these people will know what it is to live in a time of peace. A day without worrying about suicide bombers. A day without worrying about tanks coming through the front door. A day without running for cover as soon as the bullets start firing. Maybe that is wishful thinking, but hey we gotta hope for a better day.

Will there ever be peace in the Middle East?

To all the killers and a hundred dollar billas......

"Son, they shook...'cause ain't no such things as halfway crooks/
scared to death, scared to look they shook/
'cause ain't no such things as halfway crooks/
scared to death, scared to look...."

- Mobb Deep on "Shook Ones 2"

I must admit I'm not a huge fan of Mobb Deep, but they are coming to Sydney, Australia next month and I'll probably go. It's $60 @ The Metro Theatre, August 3rd. If you want to come, holla back player.

I love their big hits like Shook Ones, Shook Ones 2, and Quiet Storm. Those songs are just mad, not sure about their other stuff. But then again, most concerts that I go to I'm not always familiar with their whole catalogue of music.

GZA Concert Photos
Here are some photos from the GZA concert that I promised y'all a while ago.

A blue smoky haze: Pre concert entertainment at 11pm or so

The man of the hour arrives: GZA aka The Genius. All the Wu members have their own style, but arguably GZA is one of their best lyricists.

GZA signing autographs. If you look to the left of the screen, there is someone holding a baggie of weed. Dude, are you sure you want that signed?

GZA doing the power handshake

Killah Priest, an affiliated member of the Wu Tang Clan wearing an ODB dedication t-shirt.

Killah Priest telling everyone to raise their hands in the air. Just in front of him, is the Australian rapper Figg Kidd - one with the shaved brown head. I see that guy at nearly every concert i go to, with his backup singers/Bankstown Basketball team.

Thanks for Nathan for the photos and the heads up on Mobb Deep.

I got you stuck off the realness/

we be the infamous you heard of us/

official Queensbridge murderers/

the Mobb comes equipped with warfare beware/

of my crime family who got nuff shots to share/

I'm out like the shook ones,

DJ Ho

For the love of the game part II

I really should be studying for my exam on Wednesday, but procrastination has truly set in. Here is the All-Future Team (chosen by yours truly). Maybe I just like them because they can throw down spectacular dunks!!

Gerald Green has ups: The Next T-Mac?


Dwight Howard has only played 3 seasons but is easily the best young big man in the game. This guy can also get up.

Speaking of vertical, Josh Smith is the New Dunk King. I really think his future is bright - a true gazelle. Can run like the wind, jump outta the building and reach for the sky.

Man wasn't supposed to fly but Vince Carter could briefly.

For the Love of the Game

Admist all the worldcup fever, one thing remained constant: my love for the game of basketball. You can take the ball from the baller but you can never take the ball from a baller's heart.

Evidence #1:
I recieved a pay rise a few weeks ago. So I went and bought this all white lebron james jersey:

Evidence #2

I couldn't really resist this Carmelo jersey either. It does look exactly the same, but hey it says "Anthony"!

Evidence #3

Since I was on a roll, I figured I might as well get this one since it was on sale too. At this point you kinda give up resisting, and just buy it.

It's actually a little tight, but the worst part is I don't even like the Spurs though I like Manu (expecting to cop a lotta flack from Tim on this one)

Evidence #4:

You know when your shopping and you think, hey I need another basketball? Do you ever get that urge?

Evidence #5:

And then you think, hey I need a "backup basketball" because the other one I bought is too expensive to use outdoor.

Resistance is useless!

So I'm walking around the shopping centre, holding 3 basketball jerseys and 2 basketballs. I'm a self confessed basketball junkie. I'm very easy to please when it comes to Birthdays/Christmas.

Please explain

I can't explain why I love basketball so much. Part of is the athleticism of the NBA players. The characters and larger than life personalities. The excitement of a slam dunk, a crossover or an awesome pass. The thing is its such an easy game to follow. No complexities like American Football or baseball. It's an adrenalin rush every time you watch and play the game. And its so easy to play.

For me, the peak of basketball was during the early to mid 90's. When were in high school and trading basketball cards. Looking up the prices in Beckett, going to Artbox on wednesday after school sport to buy a packet of cards. The trades during recess and lunchtime. Playing basketball as school sport for almost 6 straight years (winter and summer!).

Although I still love the game, its kinda lost its lacklustre after the really big name players fizzled out. I grew up in an era that featured Jordan, Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon, Sir Charles Barkley, David "Admiral" Robinson, Karl "Mailman" Malone, Reggie Miller at the peak of their careers.

In the Mid-90's came the guys that were the superstars of early 2000. Guys that have either peaked or became fading superstars. Players like Allen Iverson, Chris Webber, Penny Hardaway, Grant Hill, Kevin Garnett, Shaquille O'Neal. Those the guys were fresh outta the box like new sneakers and represented the new school. These guys redefined the game from Iverson's speed, Shaq's raw power moves to Garnett's decision to jump from high school to the NBA. Then you had C-Webb, Penny, Grant, and Garnett - guys with skills that were just outta this world. The ability to do it all: rebound, pass, shoot, dribble and play multiple positions. The shiznit.

Now? The biggest stars in the game are Lebron, Carmelo, D-Wade, Kobe, Yao Ming, Dirk Nowitzki. Admittedly Kobe and Dirk were from the late 90's draft class. My point is something happened with the NBA. I just can't connect with these new cats because I didn't grow up with them. It's like music - you love music from the era that you grew up with, but this new stuff just doesn't sound the same.

I'm out like all your payrise on basketball jerseys,

DJ Ho

Now that is why you don't touch another man's nipple...

"Dont push Zinedan cause he's close to the edge/ He's about to use his head - aha aha"

I'm out like Zinedan's career,

DJ Ho

Everyday Struggle

I don't wanna live no mo'
Sometimes I hear death knocking in my front do'
I'm living like a hustle
Another drug in trouble, another day another sorrow

- The Everyday Struggle by Notorious Big

Seeing all these new interns join my company and working with them reminds me of a time not so long ago, when i used to be one of them. Energetic, young, full of enthuasism, ready to prove myself. Now that I'm slightly older, with some work experience under my belt, I wonder if anything has really changed?

Am I still that young, inexperienced youngster? In them I see myself. Naieve, scared, nervous in speaking to new people but hidden by a confident exterior demeanour. To be honest, I don't think that much has changed.

I've come to the realisation that nothing in life is given, it is earned. In the work environment, that is more true than anything. I've had my struggles and dilemnas, my ups and downs, grown stronger with the praises, fallen down with the criticisms. We all have. To me the difference in life is how we deal with the times we struggled, how fast we picked ourselves up and whether we got up again to fight another day. If it doesn't kill you, it only makes you stronger right?

The work environment is a unique environment, very different to any other environment I've experienced. Everyone is a lot more serious, there are time constraints, there's politics to deal with, and its real.

I reckon that 90% of the stuff I learnt at uni is irrelevant to my job. For me, the biggest learning curve has been work itself. Dealing with people, doing things I've never done before, learning the technical side, remembering the processes. Then there's the expectations and deadlines and simply doing things right (!).

Ah, the everyday struggle. Just trying to survive and excel. More than anything I just want to be successful and respected at what I do. I know I'm dedicated and have that inner drive, the question is if I will ever show it and reach my potential. If I can just improve my weaknesses and take advantage of my strengths. I've got to show and prove.

I'm out like the everyday struggle,

DJ Ho.

Bulls steal Big Ben!

I not sure whether to celebrate or think twice about the Bulls decision to sign Ben Wallace. He's a great defensive player, one dimensional (in that he only plays defence), has virtually no offense and isn't as consistent as he used to be. He's 32 years old and we offered him a 4 year contract for $60million? Ben's game is totally based on his energy, athleticism, hustle, and I'm pretty sure he wont be able to keep it up til he's 36.

Still I think its a very good move for the Bulls and we had to overpay for him, otherwise he wouldn't even think about leaving Detroit. The Bulls are now a pretty deep team at every position with excellent young talent and now a veteran centre. Though there is a huge log jam in the "defensive beast with no scoring ability" position with Chandler (who may be traded) and new draft pick Tyrus Thomas as well. We (the Bulls) still have no low post scorer, but we easily have the best defensive team considering that we led in field goal % defense last year. Adding Ben gives us someone that actually can play center.

The Bulls now look extremely talented though not sure in a couple of year's time with an aging Ben Wallace. After the signing, the Bulls are in the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference (after Miami) and possibly at the same level as the Cavaliers.

Possible Starting Lineup:

Ben Wallace - C
Andre Nocioni - PF
Luol Deng - SF
Ben Gordon - SG
Kirk Hinrich - PG

Bench: Tyrus Thomas (F), Chris Duhon (PG), Tyson Chandler (C), Michael Sweetney (PF/C), Malik Allen (F).

That is a really strong and deep team. The Heat better watch out!!!!!!!

Attack of the Random Asian Female and more.......

It's Saturday night 11pm, and I've been home all night watching a combination of Grease Lightning and CSI. Yes folks, that is sad. That is what my Saturday nights have come down to.

It's all good though, since I just came back from playing basketball @ Central. I had to go into work to get something, and thought I'd wander by the basketball courts near Central Station. I came across Basketball Mecca. It was totally packed out, halfcourt games going on over two courts. I bumped into Calvin and we played about 5 straight games of 4 on 4. After running around like mad for two hours, I was too tired to go to a girl's b'day drinks because........

I had enough to drink on Friday night. Starting off at Cargo bar for some chick's b'day drinks. I actually haven't been to Cargo bar on a Friday night but it's a happening place and has an awesome view of the harbour. Pretty packed on level 2 as well, and one of the bar tenders was quite hot (i was tipped off by another colleague).

Cargo's also has a balcony area and I was sitting outside on the couches minding my own business talking to a female colleague about relationships, our weekend plans, etc.... when random Asian female walks through a crowd and in a husky voice says "Can I sit here?". So my colleague and I eyeball each other and I'm like "Sure, take it". (NB: husky voice could be attributable to the cancer stick she was smoking).

I'm in a dilemna (albiet a nice one). What's a single male blogger to do? I continue talking to my colleague because well I don't want to ignore her and give said female the cold shoulder. After a couple of minutes and two more puffs of her cancer stick she goes away. Great move DJ! You ignored her! Brilliant! We both laugh, childish behaviour really. I'm thinking maybe I should have said "So how you doin'?. However, I figure that only works if your Joey from Friends.

Later on, I'm talking to my two friends and another random Asian chick walks over and says "DJ HO ! How's it going?". She actually said my real name in full so I'm racking my brain like crazy. I'm thinking "Who is this chick?". She continues "Don't you remember me, I'm from your primary school?". The CPU in my head computes her identification recognition at an alarming rate. Asian? Female? Friend? Primary School? Cute? Long hair? "Oh, your W* from my primary school, that's right!". Internal thought: I probably shouldn't have teased you back at primary school and you definently looked a lot different back then!

After that, we all went to 3 Weeds, which is a pub in Rozelle. It's a local pub, tucked away from the main roads and the hustle and bustle of the city. Still, the locals were out in full force. It's quite a big establishment with a proper dining area. At about 10.50pm we left the place and went to Town Hall. My friend and I literally ran from KFC on Bathurst street to Town Hall station, and then at Central station we ran up several flights of stairs to get one of the last trains home. The things people do.

What a Friday night!

I'm out like randoms at Cargo Bar ,

DJ Ho.

* Real name not used to protect indentity.