Mateo's tree

Ever since I was a kid, I loved to doodle. Not doody, but doodle. Grab any sheet of clean paper, or junk mail envelope, or important math test, and doodle. One of the items that I always consistently doodled was...a tree.

I'd try everything to make my tree look real. Most people don't realize that there is a mathematic algorithm that determines the placement of branches on a tree, called the fibonacci sequence, which is a patterned set of numbers that exist all throughout nature. It is why every leaf gets enough sun for the tree to survive, or why waves curl as they crash onto shore, as well as determining the spiral of a seashell. As a kid I didn't even know what fibonacci sequences were, but I could sense that there was a pattern there and I was gonna figure it out, like that crazy dude from the movie PI. Get my drill!!!! arrrghh!

I'd try branches here, a leaf there, maybe more bushy in the leaves..no, maybe wispy like in winter time. There are many trees that are in my hall of fame of Lakan's "best drawn trees", and the one I painted in Mateo's room ranks up there. Probably top-5, definitely not better than the one I drew during a two-hour Calculus lecture at UCLA. I think I was inspired then. But, Mateo's tree is definitely #1 because of what it means. Getting grown, a giving tree, a moment in time, and an expression of love for my son. Anyways...mushy stuff aside, don't the drips make it look like a fat burner on the subway?

haha. peace.

laks

just kickin' it...

Cindy is about 23 weeks into the pregnancy this week, and little Mateo (our current name for the baby) is starting to get his Bruce Lee on. Apparently, whenever Cindy is feeling hungry, so does Mateo and he begins a series of kicks and punches to her gut to let her know he means business. Just kidding, he's not violent at all, but he likes to let her know he's around.

Unfortunately, I hadn't felt any of these kicks for myself until yesterday. It felt like a little finger poking into the middle of your hand, very subtle but noticeable for sure. Made me jump back and kick myself. Very cool stuff.

Today, Cin said she was playing some Planet Rock in the ride and Mateo was getting his kick on something furious. Then she switched it out to some cool out Miles Davis and he went straight to sleep. Cindy thinks he's gonna be a breakdancer when he gets grown.

that's it for now. oh, and...no to artest in LA and Go Warriors...I BELIEVE!

Laks

building allegiances...

purple and gold. from the cradle to the casket.

ok, so they didn't win this year. the entire southern half of california is crabby, depressed, and the outlook seems bleak. my friend who hates baseball will be going into hibernation until the first NFL exhibition game. meanwhile Texas is riding high on three teams: Houston, San Antonio...and Dalla..oops, make it two teams.

i will love my son with all my heart, and he will love the lakers. there's just really no getting around this fact. i realize now that I am setting him up for a lifetime of peaks and valleys, with the shadow of death following our playoff hopes as of late. he won't even know why he likes them so much, but he will don the purple-and-gold onesie with pride. he will have a hard time sharing his toys with kids wearing kings or celtics diapers. overall, i am building his object of dejection.

is this like a racist passing on his antiquated beliefs knowingly to the next generation or making sure the kid's values are in line with the GOP by the time he is old enough to know what a teletubby is? i've thought about it and....i say NO its not the same, and at the same time it is, kinda.

sports are great because we can build this competition against each other, but in the end, everything is decided between the lines of the game and people learn just as much after winning as they do losing. there is still a side that we "hate" but its only during gametime, afterwards there is respect and admiration for a game well played. at least the way i look at it. in the "game" of war, which is what most people compare modern sports to, the lines are grayer, and winning or losing is relative.

in sports...winning is the goal. by winning, you can be admired and lauded with praise. it gives you confidence and a sense of accomplishment. in our capitalist society, the top of the pyramid has the best view. but losing, and learning how to lose without losing your head..can teach people a lot..about humility, the need to improve, strength to face adversity and respect for another person's "game". i hope he wins a lot, but i also hope that he can learn to lose like a man.

I honestly hope he loves the lakers, and maybe not HATE a team like the Kings, but definitely get lightheaded when he sees someone with a Webber jersey on. For sure, anytime he sees a Miami Heat logo, it will make him a little irritated.

Mitch, Phil, Jerry..and Kobe...you better get your butts in gear, cuz i'm building you a superfan before he's even born. Don't sleep this offseason! Step it up!!!

laks

marley.

Man...I'm gonna have to share this backseat at some point. Better live it up!

Getting grown pt. 1

When I turned 18, I was all geeked because my parents gave me the only thing a kid ever wants in the whole wide world. A new car. It was a Honda Civic EX Coupe and I couldn't wait to drive that damn thing when I got it. I had just learned how to drive a stick, and I remember clunking down San Fernando Boulevard. I was stalling after every light just because I was so impatient and excited. It gave me a sense of freedom, and the feeling that I was growing up.

Well, yesterday Cindy and I, with the help of her parents (and mine) bought our first car together. A new Toyota Rav4. We had heard many great reviews about it from friends and family and we liked how it was big enough to be a family car, but not decadent enough to ruin the environment (too much). A hybrid would have been nice...but damn..you needs some scrill to save the world I guess.

Needless to say, the whole process of getting a car is VERY stressful, as the people you deal with, namely the car dealers...are INSANE. We were lucky enough to run into a few good people along the way, and they helped us get a good deal. In one instance, we were being stonewalled by one of the dealers after a few rounds of offers being lobbed back and forth. This so-called "manager" thought our offer was too low, and instead of dealing with us like real people and working with us, he started getting a bit forceful and pushy accusing us of not knowing what we wanted. This didn't sit well with Cindy's mom, and she let his colleagues know that he was being a real buster. After the dust settled, that salesman's superior came in and worked hard to keep our business and calm us down. His perkiness, bright red face and loud multi-colored striped shirt (think, "night at the roxbury" on meth) eventually bridged the gap and we were able to strike a deal. Well, it is worth saying that having our parents there for "backup", and they had our backs fo' sho, was a great comfort.

Its a strange and surreal thing to be driving a new car, and smelling that new car smell, especially when you have had the same car for 14 years (honda civic R.I.P.). Not to mention that this car is TOTALLY designed for a growing family: car seat latches, air bags EVERYWHERE, IPOD connector (that's for me)...and just the general familyness look of it.

I'm just as excited to drive it with our little boy in the backseat, as I was zooming through traffic in my fancy sportscar back in the day. Anyways, Cin and I are happy with it, and it is one more step towards...getting grown. I think having kids forces you down that path whether you like it or not. Beep...beep...baby on board...step the f*** back fool!!!

laks

Old Navy aka Babylon System

So Cindy was able to convince me to go to Old Navy on Sunday to shop for cool maternity gear. Something about her needing new pants, and that the tighter they get, the crankier she'll be. Needless to say, i can take a hint.

Its really amazing how affordable Old Navy clothes are. They probably pay the people that work on this stuff, close to nothing (believe me, it crosses my mind). Man, its so easy to find stuff too that is somewhat cool. I mean, Jeans for $17.99, the kuripot gene in my DNA cannot keep me from passing that up.

Anyways, there are also all these clothes for kids. I have to say, they have some really nice stuff. Makes me wanna be a kid so i can have some camo underwear with some little monkeys on it. Not to mention the one piece illness with the built-in feet. Ah, memories. Meanwhile, I keep thinking that this kid is gonna cost me some serious buckaroos, but shoot he'd look awesome in some rasta flip-flops.

The other funny thing is, you know he ain't fitting into a 4T for like 2 years, but you're like, "Yeah, he'll grow into that, and when he does...he'll be rockin' the sick navy shirt, with the sailor pants..word booty!"

Well..this is what I've been driven to. Cooptation at Old Navy...hope you appreciate it kid. Oh shoot, those tye-dye booties are sweet!

Laks

I'm a Duppy Conqueror..

Yes me friend, me friend
We 'pon deh street again
yes me friend, me good friend
Dem SET ME free again

the bars could not hold me
force could not control me
they tried to keep me down
but Jah put I around

yes I've been accused, many times
and wrongly abused now
but through the powers of the Most-I
they've got to turn me loose

dont try to CUT ME OFF on this bridge now
I' ve got to reach Mt. Zion
so if you a BULLBUCKA, let me tell you this
i'm a duppy conqueror, conqueror

yes me friend, me good frend
we deh'pon street again
yes me friend me good friend
dem say we free again

dont try to CUT ME OFF on this bridge now
ive got to reach Mt. Zion
so if you a BULLBUCKA, let me tell you this
i'm a duppy conqueror, conqueror

yes me friend
dem say we free again
yes me friend
dem set deh street again

-- Bob