College World Series

Out of everyone I know, I am probably the only one who keeps up with college baseball. And considering many of my friends are more addicted to sports than drugs, I'd say that's saying something. I asked my friend, "Moose", why he didn't like college baseball and he simply said because it was sloppy. Good players are already in the pros, and the quality of play isn't on par with even college softball. I'd agree that the quality of play isn't there, but there is still a passion for the game with these athletes. Winning matters to them. And that's something you can't say about the San Francisco Giants.
The past 3 years have been extremely exciting for me especially. I am a huge UNC fan, and they've made it to the CWS the past 3 years. What was even more exciting was actually knowing some of the players. It's always cool to say you knew somebody playing on national TV. And not only do I know them, I actually played baseball with them growing up. So not only am I watching my favorite school play, but they are doing it with people I can actually connect with.
Needless to say, their success meant way, way too much to me. And when they lost in the championship series, not once, but twice to Oregon State, it completely sucked. This year? Going into the CWS as the #2 team in the country with the best pitching staff in the nation, I actually felt good about our chances. But alas, the dream always dies. On Sunday, UNC was defeated by Fresno State 6-1. A team they had beaten the day before and probably should've beaten again. With success, comes disappointment. Only winning it all would've satisfied the team. Being one of the last teams to compete is always nice, but it leaves such a dissatisfying taste. In baseball, a weakly hit popup counts the same as a hard line drive to the left fielder. At the end of the journey we are always told that the most important part of it was the journey itself. In baseball, it's only the result that matters.
How do we apply this to our lives? By no means am I saying that results are the only thing we should worry about. Baseball has many events happen throughout the course of the game that will determine the outcome. But in the end the only thing people will remember is the final result. Our lives have many events always occurring that will determine the type of person or life we will have. The journey makes us who we are, but in the end the only thing people want to know is the end.
So as I contemplate the latest UNC loss, I ponder what next year brings. The hope of a new season. The hope of a new dream. The good news if it doesn't happen next year? There's always the next.

Introduction to Tone Loc

For all of you who may not be familiar with Tone Loc, first of all, let me say that I am sorry. Tone Loc was an influential musician back in the early 90's. You may remember his hit single "Wild Thing". As you can tell, this man became basically the black Vanilla Ice, only less popular and cooler. He has an incredible voice that can only be described as deep and throaty. He also became more than just a "one-hit wonder".

After "Wild Thing", Tone, excuse me, I mean Mr. Loc came back with another single called "Funky Cold Medina". It is one of those songs that everyone knows, but nobody knows who sings it. My friends and I often play this little game to amuse ourselves. The most memorable one for me was when my roommate nailed who sang "Show Me Love" (that girly 90's pop song) in approximately 2 notes. It was incredible. I had never seen an acclaimed "straight" man accomplish this feat in such a record time. Needless to say, after being incredibly impressed by his astounding knowledge, I have become nervous as to the possibility that he is gay. Only time will tell.

After his music career faded, Mr. Loc extended his talents into the movie industry where he starred in a film named "Surf Ninjas". "Surf Ninjas" has it's appropriate fan base among boys 18-24 who were into the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle" movies and "3 Ninjas" movies. One of my ex-roommates who lives in Oklahoma, broke down which movie was better "3 Ninjas" or "Surf Ninjas". "Surf Ninjas" was narrowly defeated in a tight battle. I reject this notion and still believe to this day that it is a superior movie. Of course, it goes without mentioning, but Mr. Loc turned in an Oscar-winning performance, but was snubbed by those self-righteous twits.

I hope you have learned a little bit about Mr. Loc and his illustrious work and hope you'll visit back and check in to see how everything is doing!