Wasted Time

On Wednesday June 24 "Transformers: Rise of the Fallen" was released, raking in $60.6 million, coming in behind "The Dark Knight" for all time debuts. However that is not the story surrounding the film, instead people are leaving theaters upset over two autobots, Skids and Mudflap. The two robots have hit many sensitive nerves with their 'stereotypical' portrayal of African Americans, they are jive talking, goofy, quick to fight characters, essentially they're the movie's blackbots. Obviously whenever stereotypes find their way onto screens, problems will follow, but for people to feel offended by these characters is ridiculous.

It should be noted that this is not the first time director Michael Bay included a blackbot in a Transformers film. The Pontiac, that was easily killed by Megatron, was seen break dancing and also heard jive talking during the first film. Yet there was no outrage then, so why now? The characters are just funny, changing the tone for a minute and allowing the audience to laugh. Putting these characters into context, we have to remember they're robots! There is absolutely nothing 'black' about first being a robot and second in their appearance (unless of course ONLY black people have gold teeth), as they do not have dreads, cornrows, a do rag and so forth. Those offended need their skin thickened, plain and simple. Leave the robots alone and get serious about a real issue.

What A Clown

By now many of you have heard the details surrounding the will.i.am/Black Eyed Peas and Perez Hilton feud. The incident in Toronto was not a big deal, a guys got punched. That's all that happened, no one's life was ever in danger, no weapons were used and no threats of future violence were made. Worse happens every weekend in bars across America, and the only reason we are being bombarded with 'news' reports on the matter is because this cry babe sought some more attention. Perez Hilton it is certainly time you took a little criticism, especially after certain remarks you made.

While 'reporting' your account of the fight via a videoblog, Perez said, "I like reporting on other people's drama. I don't like drama in my life." Seriously?! There are consequences to people's actions in real life Perez. You can not continually throw or dig up dirt on people and not expect a backlash. What you do pisses people off, especially since it is not merely reporting but also chalk full of opinion. Then to top it off, Perez admitted to calling will.i.am, a straight man, a faggot. Again, seriously?! This is the same judge, who during the Miss America Pageant, blasted Miss California for opposing the legalization of gay marriage. Anyone else seeing the hypocrisy? Perez, an open homosexual, ought to know better and he has no plausible explanation for using the term.

Before this incident I had no opinion of Perez, I had never read his blog or payed attention to anything he did. However, following this incident I can not help but form an opinion on the man, and I have to say he is an ass. I can not respect someone who slings mud while wearing white expecting not to get dirty. The only shameful thing from this incident, is that the manager of the Black Eyed Peas did not knock him out.

This Is AMER-ican Idol

Nearly 9 years ago Fox premiered a new program, which sought America's next pop sensation. And after 8 seasons American Idol still reigns supreme, dominating airways and making celebrities out of contestants. Initially the show was must see TV but not because of the talent they had found, rather because of the talentless singers and incredibly mean evaluations from judge Simon Cowell. Every Tuesday millions upon millions of people tuned in to hear the horrible singing and funny/oh my god did he really just say that moments, and after several weeks of such, the TV show was a hit. I am no hater of the show, in fact I was a fan early on, but what amazes me is the turn out year after year in cities across America.

Yesterday in Chicago 12,000 people lined up at the United Center to audition for their chance at fame and fortune. Prior to coming to Chicago, auditions also held in Boston and Atlanta drew crowds of 9,000, making the 3 city total 30,000. They all waited in these long lines for a chance to make the cut to later auditions for executive producers and then as a third cut audition for judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi. So before ever getting the chance to see your favorite judges, you have to endure 2 days of gruelling waits with thousands of people.

One would think, that especially after 8 seasons, such a process would deter folks from coming out year after year, to city after city, but it doesn't. Which makes me wonder 2 things, what are they thinking and where are their friends? Normal people understand what their physical limits are and whether or not you can sing is obvious after puberty. So what are people who make dogs howl thinking? For example I think I am good at baseball but I am not running to open try outs, waisting time and money because realistically I know I am not good enough. But understanding some people have warped minds, I next am stuck on where these people's friends are. Friends are supposed to be the people who keep you grounded, making sure your ego is always in check. So why aren't they telling these people to give it up? If any of my friends are bad at something they know about it, no matter what it may be, drinking games, video games, pretty much anything you can think of.

To those with talent, legit talent, I am glad American Idol is around. Without it Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood could still be undiscovered talents, meaning it does serve a purpose. However for every contestant who makes the final cut there are about 10,000 people who tried out and failed, even after 9 seasons. The maybe 5 minutes of fame can not possibly be worth it, so please, pretty please, people get a better grasp of reality. My tool belt can't fit all of you.

I Need A New Barber

I have long been a fan of graphics in hair. Being from Humboldt Park I am no stranger to seeing crazy designs and phrases on the back of someone's dome. But when it is done right I think it is some of the coolest stuff you can do, it's a temporary head tattoo. For instance this year when Lakers forward Lamar Odom donned a faint star on his head, I thought that is dope. Then the playoffs came and ex Bull/current Rocket Ron Artest had the Rockets logo cut out on his head, that idea and design easily took the cake. But while surfing the web I cam across this dude and his cut, and for the life of me I have no idea why I never thought of this?!? These graphics are not only hilarious but brilliant. Just take it and imagine seeing this dude in a class of yours or walking past you on the street. Dude is a showstopper.

Beatin the Case

GRAY

Whoop that trick Wednesday:
Wide Recievers just have it easy these days.

I don’t know if it’s possible to make whoop an entire county in the state of Florida. But in the wake of Donte Stallworth’s ridiculously light sentence for taking a life, I’m going to give it a try this Wednesday. In March of this year,Stallworth, a Cleveland Browns WR, was boozing and cruising in his 2005 Bentley late one evening in Miami Beach when he struck and KILLED a pedestrian, Mario Reyes, a 59 year old construction worker. Stallworth was arrested and charged with a DUI and vehicular manslaughter. Now different states have different laws when it comes to DUIs. And in Florida, vehicular manslaughter is vehicular manslaughter, whether the driver was drunk at the time or not. So, despite Stallworth being smashed with a blood alcohol content of .12, the legal system in Miami-Dade County treated this case as they would any other negligent death in which a careless driver hit a pedestrian.

After posting bail, Stallworth was extremely contrite about what he’d done, as expected. The humble and well respected wide receiver offered public apologies to the Reyes family over and over again, and made a point to work swiftly with his attorney’s to compensate the family for their loss. During the months leading up to his arraignment, he avoided any civil lawsuit by reaching a financial agreement with the Reyes family and he publicly announced his plans to plead guilty and throw himself at the mercy of the court. Well mercy ended up being an understatement. Yesterday, Stallworth was sentenced to just 30 days in jail for ending Reyes’ life, and he will reportedly serve just 24 days of that sentence.

I’m whooping Miami-Dade County for actually trying to convince themselves, and the rest of us, that 30 days in jail is punishment enough for taking a man’s life. I understand that accidents happen and sometimes those accidents end in death, but despite Stallworth’s contrition and heavy conscience, his crime was ridiculously hanus. Stallworth was smashed, doing 50 in a 40 when he popped a curb and hit a man waiting at the bus stop to return home after finishing his late shift. It was 7:15 in the morning, and the man he hit wasn’t even in the crosswalk. F how sorry he was after the fact, all Stallworth has to do is hire someone to drive his Bentley when he’s smashed and this hard-working crane operator gets to live to see 60. But of course, he’s a wide receiver in the NFL, so he has to stunt at all times. The maximum sentence for vehicular manslaughter is a year in jail. So 24 days is a joke in my opinion. Stallworth certainly delivered the maximum penalty to Mario Reyes when he struck him while driving drunk,….so a little reciprocation in the legal system would be nice.

The Hall

Sixteen year old Las Vegas high school sophomore, Bryce Harper, is being featured on the latest cover of Sports Illustrated. He is being touted as the next big thing in sports. In fact the cover even claims he is the most exciting prodigy since Lebron James. In their interview with the young man he speaks of, at 16 mind you, his aspirations to be enshrined at Cooperstown. Had it been any other sport, the young man would not have thought to mention the Hall. Because although being immortalized in Canton or Springfield is still quite the honor, neither means as much as Cooperstown.

Baseball statistics have long been the most heralded in the sporting world. Milestones such as 500 home runs, 300 wins and 3,000 hits are more than statistics. Kareem Abdul Jabaar's career point total or Jerry Rice's touchdown total, for example, are some ridiculous numbers. But Ken Griffey Jr. hitting 600 home runs still means more. Even if it is 100 short of the all time record. But with the release of several books, a senate report, and positive test results, the numbers of the last 10-20 years have been deemed 'tainted'.

Steroids has taken claim of its own era in baseball history. Potential first ballot (I only say potential because Mark McGwire is still waiting for the Hall's call) Hall of Famers played pivotal roles during this dark era, many wonder now how do you distinguish these dirty players from the rest. And now the asterisk is even more popular than it was in 1961, as the most popular suggestion is to create a new asterisk wing to the Hall. The wing would serve as a way to induct those whose numbers were sky high during this era of inflated numbers. To this and any other suggestion promoting segregation, I say, "Really? No, really?"

Is the NFL creating a separate wing for today's players? No. But why don't they? In comparison, due to many rule changes, today's game is far less brutal and wide open. Leading to the inflated numbers of many- along with prolonging their careers. How about the NBA, are they protecting the legacy of their players by letting the fans know how much more 'hands on' defense used to be? Of course not, instead it's perfectly fine with David Stern when Lebron or Kobe are shooting free throws when they create the contact.

Major League Baseball and the Hall of Fame need not take any action. Barry Bonds, steroids or not, was still the best player in the league. Roger Clemens was still one of the best pitchers to take the mound. Rules and context surrounding the game constantly change. Once sports writers and baseball consider putting asterisks next to the plaques of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, or Ty Cobb and so forth, then I will be open to the idea of an asterisk wing. All these players were merely products of their time. Just like you can't fault those players for playing in an all white MLB, you can't fault today's guys for being susceptible to the lore of millions of dollars. They're all just products of their time.

Double Trouble

"Double your pleasure, double your fun with..." we have all heard the Doublemint Gum jingle, courtesy of Wrigleys, informing us that double the mint truly is better. Now if double the mint is better than obviously that logic can apply to other things. Such as money- yeah it works or days off work- no complaints there and free meals- love them. But there is one thing I love dearly that will not double my pleasure or fun, girls. Girl on girl action is the most overrated cheap 'thrill' out there and I can live without it.

Now if you're a guy and reading this you probably want my man card and are questioning my sexuality. Because girl on girl is certainly the most common of male fantasies. And understandably so, because you have all those things guys love about girls times two. But really I am 23 years old now. Girls making out was cool when I was still able to count how many pubes I had. The novelty has faded away.

Two girls making out in a bar is nothing more than PDA. And what is hot about PDA? I am not getting in on the action so why would or should I care to see it? I don't. People don't go crazy and get turned on when a guy and girl make out and grope each other. In fact many think it's gross. Now for those who claim they don't want to see another guy do work, you watch porn which is chalk full of complete strangers doing far more than bumping and grinding. So there should not be a difference in opinion when two girls publicly engage each other. Bottom line, guys stop egging girls on to do this crap, it's just no kosher. And girls stop agreeing to do it, especially if you claim to be straight.

Damn Smarch

Summer time has arrived, or so the calendar says. With temperatures in the 60s and rain two or three times a week, it certainly has not felt like summer. Meaning you have to spend less time enjoying the outdoors and more time inside. So what are you doing with your time? Video games and movies are great but only in moderation. Why not blow the dust off some favorite board games? The games that you loved playing while young are still a blast, and here are the top 3 BUSE favorites.

3. CHESS 

It's a classic game, in which everyone's style is as unique as a snowflake. Whether you play with a timer or not, countless hours can be passed in pursuit of your opponents king. And surprisingly a good game of chess does lend itself to quite a bit of s--- talking. So be prepared to step your game up.

2. CHUTES & LADDERS 

Certainly not as popular as chess but still just as fun. You and

 your character (I loved being the dark skin kid doing a hand stand) race others to the blue ribbon climbing ladders while trying to avoid the chutes. There are also pitfalls and aides throughout the board that keep it being a dull point A to B game. If you don't know, now you know, Chutes & Ladders, what up.

1. SCRABBLE

Forget all those online scrabble games. Go out and get the actual game to bring out your inner wordsmith. Sure by now the last spelling test you took was eons ago but this game is more than just plopping tiles down to make the first word you see. Always look for those bingos.

Obviously I excluded games involving solely cards, like Gin. And there was no mention of dominoes or other games as Operation. But this was about board games, so let me know what your list includes.

Adam Lambert Comes Out...No one surprised.

GRAY
"I'm Gay."
-Adam Lambert in an exclusive interview with Rolling Stone.


No Kidding. Of course you’re gay Adam. So why is this news. Has Rolling Stone really succumb to the non-newsworthy sensationalism that is a staple of wak publications like US Weekly, People, and Cosmo?…… it shouldn’t matter at all that Adam Lambert is gay, because it shouldn’t matter that anyone is gay; it’s really not that uncommon. The article in the Rolling Stone is certainly trying to capitalize on Lamberts popularity despite losing American Idol, by hyping up the most noticeable difference between he and the shows other competitors,. his sexuality. But if it looks like a duck, and sounds like a duck, it’s usually a duck. That said, NOBODY should care that Lambert is a duck….and here’s why.

Since homosexuals aren’t really registering at city halls across America, there are no true numbers that can estimate what percentage of our nation is gay. But based on regional censuses taken since 2000, the total number of gays in the US could be as high as 11% or as low as 3%.....Black people are 12% of the US population and Asians are 3.6%........thus being gay is about as common as being black or being Asian….or somewhere in between. Do you get excited when you see a black person in this country? Do you stop and read an article bcause the celebrity on the cover is Asian? I doubt it. It’s simply apart of American culture, as is homosexuality. This isn’t the 80s or early 90s where coming out should be such a big deal to anyone besides the individuals in the person’s life. Lamberts family and friends are the only ones who should yearn to learn more about his sexuality and truly understand him….for the rest of us, he’s just a dude who sings well and dresses his ass off..(and likes snakes)….Lambert is a singer, and assigning significance to Lambert’s sexuality when it has nothing to do with whether or not he can sing is the height of homophobia.


Though today is Tuesday, I could not provide a tutorial for I had to put in my 2 cents on this topic. If Rolling Stone and People can get away with this…..I want the next edition of Vibe magazine to feature DMX on the cover…and it should read,…”I’m black…as hell.” It will be as racist as the Stone is homophobic,…but it will be at least 8 times funnier.

Cats and Dogs

Many guys may have steered clear from the chick flick starring Julia Roberts, My Best Friends Wedding. Nonetheless the movie's subliminal message was understood loud and clear: men and women can not be best friends. Sure friendships between the sexes can and do exist and at some point these friends may even believe they are best friends. But that's all a farce. There are a few reasons why the sexes can not maintain strictly platonic and close relationships.

FEELINGS- Guys have feelings too, so this is not a calling out of women. Instead it is only an acknowledgement that it's natural for someone to develop some type of feelings in this situation. As best friends spend countless hours together, many of which without strife. During this time they easily open up and share their most intimate thoughts, feelings and experiences. How can anyone avoid this trap? Zack and Miri couldn't.

SEX- Between the sexes there is nothing that muddles the waters more. After having been broken up for quite some time, Jerry and Elaine decided to get back into bed together after coming across some porn. Having sex once then threatened their friendship as they thought they would try dating. Only to once again realize they weren't a good couple. Having sex made them reconsider what they had already deemed a bad decision. For those friends who have not dated before and/or do not have their lives preordained by a group of writers, sex can be much more damaging.

SIGNIFICANT OTHERS- If the umbrella being cast now still has you in the rain, no worries, you will be dry soon. Once you enter a relationship you have symbolically said that this person is the best member of the opposite sex for me. So that leaves your 'best friend' in second place. When your best friend is the same sex, this is not a problem because nothing is really expected to change between the two of you. Whereas now you can not be taking calls from a member of the opposite sex past midnight, especially while with your partner. Those long nights just hanging out alone are now put under the microscope as well. And the bottom line here is there are just too many expected or necessary changes to be made in order to keep things afloat with your partner. For example, if you have seen, You, Me & Dupree then you would know that the only way that is happening is if Dupree is a man. Because regardless of how down and out Owen Wilson was, had his name been Owena or Duprina, Kate Hudson is telling Matt Dillon, "NO. NEVER."

Now by no stretch of the imagination am I discouraging opposite sex friendships, but let's be realistic here. Everyone fooled around on Friends and since art is often an imitation of life (often without any real consequences) why do so many people insist they are so different? If you think you are one of the immune, please elaborate.

Kobe Kobe Kobe

Ladies and gentlemen, I present Kobe Bryant and his new look. Apparently this look means he is determined and really really wants it. All I see is a stupid look. When did he come up with this? Playing in the living room with daughter while pretending to be a monster? Does he realize how stupid he looks? Why aren't his teammates calling him out and saying, put your jaw away.

Kobe is great, and is most likely going to win the finals this year. But Kobe this look is stupid. I mean look at it. I want to my computer as I type this. Step your trademark look game up Kobe.

Sportsman

What's done is done. And since our scientists have not mastered time and space there is nothing we can do to change the actions of yesterday. So regardless of how bad the NBAs King and Most Valuable Player, Lebron James, looked by refusing to shake hands nothing can be done about it. But the incident can still be used. Used as a learning tool for those playing and aspiring to play sports, of sportsmanship.

What Lebron James did is not unprecedented. Isiah Thomas and a slew of other Detroit Pistons rushed off the court after Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls beat them in 1992. Blackhawks goalie Ed Belfour didn't shake hands with the Red Wings after losing in the Conference Finals in 1995. And you never see any Major League teams congratulate an opponent. So what Lebron did is not that crazy, but given his status it does not look for him or the league.

Sportsmanship is important to the integrity of any game. That is fact, backed not only by the countless sportsmanship awards dolled out in amateur sports. But also by the rules against taunting and such throughout professional sports. When Dikembe Mutombo is told to stop wagging his finger at opponents after blocking a shot or when Chad Ocho Cinco is flagged for celebrating a touchdown, their respective leagues are trying to set an example. An example for the legions of young fans of what is unsportsman-like. You do what you can to best your opponent but you do not embarrass them, act like you have been there before is the adage.

Whether you are a professional athlete, weekend warrior or youngster it is vital to show humility, especially in the face of defeat. In doing so you are setting a proper example for whomever may be watching. For example this past weekend Guayama (Buse's softball team) lost two games in extra innings and after each loss we shook the hands of our opponents. And that's something that, if I were a father, I would be incredibly proud of. Because regardless of how much of a competitor I am-Lebron- I took the time to give credit where credit was due. Remember it is just a game, no matter how heated things get while playing be humble, gracious and a big enough sportsman to accept defeat. You can't be called a winner until you learn to lose.

Chosen One?

Gray

Monday Mullings:
I am not Impressed

I have already broadcasted to Buse nation my strong affinity toward Kobe Bryant and my relative aversion toward Lebron James. So it is probably no surprise to anyone that on a Monday following a weekend in which Kobe advances to the finals and Lebron is “gone fishin”, that I am mulling on the state the game in regards to the two best players.

As much as I would have loved to see the matchup between Kobe and Lebron for the ultimate basketball crown, I am happy with the way things ended this weekend, as we saw the side of Lebron James that I always knew was there, but couldn’t say anything about. I have never liked James’ personality from day one. And even though he is marketable, has a great smile, is personable, and a great image for the NBA and ambassador for the US sports….I hate his hoopin personality. After losing game 6 to the Magic, not only did James leave the court without shaking his opponents’ hands, he refused to answer questions from the media following the loss, and forced his teammates, (role players) to bear the brunt of not meeting their championship expectations. His excuse the next day was that he “hates losing” so why would he congratulate the team, or address the media after losing in the playoffs.

So now, I finally feel vindicated for having openly disliked Lebron all along, because I knew this was his true personality and it has finally come forth. Lebron, everyone hates losing. Hating to lose is an excuse a 6th grader gives when he refuses to shake hands after a basketball game, not “the chosen one.” I’m not clamoring for good sportsmanship because these are grown ass men, their feelings won’t be hurt by a missed handshake. But if you want to clap chalk on everyone, dance on the sidelines during garbage time of a game in which your team is blowing the opponent out, and pose for the crowd every time you make a lay-up….i think you should be able to say good game Dwight after he scores 40 points on you to knock you out the playoffs. If you’re going to seek out the media like a PR guru answering 30 questions after you go for a triple double….you should talk to the media when they ask you...why, a member of the first team all defense is guarding Rafer Alston, instead of Hedo or Rashard Lewis.

I’m ecstatic to see that Kobe will have a chance to win another ring, Shaq-less this time in order to silence the haters. And I’m happy that all those “witnesses” actually witnessed the side of Lebron that I had a hunch was there all along. In the end I don’t care how many triple doubles you have, you ARE NOT the leader of your team when you bounce and leave Anderson Varejao to tell the Cleveland media…i.e. your fans why your team just got worked.