School, Basketball, AJ

http://escaperatrace.blogspot.com/2011/07/moving-out.html

2011-07-28T08:43:00.001-07:00

I am moving out this weekend!

Refer to two posts back.. These are up at Fillmore West Station on Raymond Ave!

2011-05-17T10:01:00.000-07:00

I did the work of Raymond Station.

2011-05-17T09:34:00.000-07:00

Feeling (not so) Lazy in AZ

2011-05-12T07:13:00.000-07:00

2011-04-19T21:58:00.001-07:00

2011-04-19T19:17:00.001-07:00

Arizona comes to visit.

2011-02-28T23:40:00.000-08:00

Hi Bill,

I think he will be alright. He sped over to the hospital to have his jaw checked--scan found no dislocation or breaks, possibly just ligament damage. He was alright when I talked with him later on in the day. Brought up that the school should probably start employing a trainer or a nurse, could have diagnosed the injury and saved him a trip to urgent care. He's a big boy, accidents will happen, so no worries.

Glad it was fun today; more fun today than yesterday, that's for certain! Your friend's son, Joel, could indeed be beasting it up someday. Was sort of daydreaming about the possibility of having some such players! Also wouldn't mind a million bucks bein deposited into the old checking account.

Have fun at the beach! Jason Shen just mentioned to me that he'd like to join you all in your trip. I told him it'd be your group's trip and not to push adding himself. At any rate, he'll probably do so if he hasn't already. I'm sure you guys are packing sweaters along with your sunscreen!

Got a lot of prep to do for this week on my day off from the dorms. Will be sure to check in again with you before your departure, Coach. Has been a fun last couple of days!!

A.J.

2011-02-17T17:34:00.000-08:00

As always, Coach, thanks for the wise words! You are certainly lucky to have such a team. I think that we might have some kind of the same situation next year as well. We did have a lot of kids who love the game but were kind of thrown in together at the last moment, and though they have become, as some might say a bonafide team, there are factions within the squad that aren't the best of buddies, and kids who have checked out. Just like in real life. As you said before, you can't squeeze blood out of a rock.

Kids like Gene and Ryan, who love the game and are good at playing, were dropped into a new team and a new scheme, I understand how it is difficult to feel staked in the new situation, especially with rookie coaches. I am sure they would have loved to be a part of your successful squad as well! But things are how they are, and we have done the best with what we had. It's really very gratifying. After the playoff game this Wednesday, which we also have a small chance of winning (up against the 8th-ranked team in the bracket) I know I will look back on this season as a miracle in and of itself.

For when you arrive here, I have chosen Jim, Charlie and Demetry to help guide you and squad around campus. These are our future stars and each of them have been here for two-three plus years apiece. Would you be interested in having a intersquad dinner/informal banquet, perhaps at Souplantation when you arrive? Let's talk.

Finally, thanks for reminding me that patience is the key, and that small improvements add up! I have been at ESL instruction for a year and a half now, and nothing fires me up more than seeing the kids learn new things.

Have a good day, and again, good luck to you, Coach!
A.J.

2011-02-14T14:32:00.000-08:00

Hi, Bill!

Hope yours was a restful weekend! We got placed into a Div. 6-A wildcard game vs. Midland Academy, a boarding school way out in Santa Barbara county. They seem to have had the same type of situation as ours: terrible record last year, a positive turnaround this year. But their league seems much stronger than ours is. And they have a Tony Zhu-type player who scores at will (20+ ppg). We will see!

It was fun following the seeding process and finally seeing the school's name in the bracket. Coincidentally, I spent Valentine's Day weekend out in Santa Ynez and Los Olivos with my honey. SO at least I know how to get there! hehe.

Weird thing, though: the coach of Immanuel Christian, whose school faces Mesrobian (a team in our league) in another wildcard matchup, called me during the P. 1 final this morning. He was scouting out Mesrobian, whom we'd beaten twice this year. That was funny. I used a hushed voice to describe to him Mesrobian's catapult-like three point shooters and lazy defensive tendencies. I didn't feel bad about doing this because Mesrobian proved to us in two games to be bad sports this year.

Again, great luck against T-C, and enjoy the grading of Finals Week, Coach! I know I will!

A.J.

Southwestern Academy Basketball, 2010-11

2011-02-13T23:19:00.000-08:00

They are good...

2011-02-11T10:16:00.000-08:00

Hi Coach,

Another loss to Calv. Baptist. But on the bright side of things, the boys had fun, and with a 7-6 record in league play, we even squeaked into the playoffs! Awesome times for the kids.

A.J.

Playoff bound!

2011-02-10T11:15:00.000-08:00

Thanks, Bob! I grabbed those forms and will fill them out ASAP. Exciting stuff.

A.J.

From: "xxxxxx@southwesternacademy.edu"
To: A.J. Cabalu

Sent: Thu, February 10, 2011 9:21:01 AM
Subject: Boys Basketball in CIF Playoffs

Hi A.J.

Congratulations on making the playoffs! You need to go to the CIF-SS website - cifss.org - and read the Playoff Bulletin for Boys Basketball (see playoff bulletins at bottom of website) This will tell you everything you need to know. Also there is a form you need to fill out and send fax to CIF-SS right away. I will down load it an put it in you box. You will probably drew one of the top ten teams (in your box) one of which is Boron so you should start thinking about how to handle a long trip.

Robert Gibbs
Athletic Director
Southwestern Academy
You Belong at Southwestern Academy

2011-02-09T09:51:00.001-08:00

Good morning, Bill!

We had another good game yesterday, this time against visiting Delphi Academy. The boys were able to win, 58-42, despite playing sloppily, netting 32 turnovers, and three of our main guys having been in early foul trouble! Troy, Collin and Jim all scored in double figures (12, 13 and 15 points), while Troy had another monster day on the glass, going for 16 boards. The team had 12 assists on some great passing aside from a lot of wayward passes. The first quarter defense was outstanding, aside from our committing too many fouls. One of our junior guards, Charlie Mathias, seems to get a charge called against the other team every game!

We led, 21-5, after the first stanza and never looked back. The Dragons played with a lot of heart, though. Delphi got a lot of offensive boards and their point guard continually got easy entry towards the basket, so they were able to play evenly with us the rest of the way. They also played in a 1-3-1 defense, which hopefully gets us in a right mindset for Calvary Baptist tomorrow! We will have to pass quicker than the Calvary Baptist defense can try to smother us!

Here's a funny moment: Ryan had a mental lapse and made a layup for the other squad! The crowd seemed to enjoy that one. Well, at least it was entertaining!

By the way, Lou tells me there should be some time for my coming for a visit this coming Spring... For this, I am very excited because I have always wanted to visit the ranch campus. I will keep you posted!!!

Have a good one. REVIEW WEEK is rollin' along...

Take Care,

A.J.

2011-02-09T09:49:00.000-08:00

Hi Bill,

Good evening! The ups and downs of our season are readily apparent from last night's easy 12 point win against an OK but undersized New Harvest Christian to tonight's rough and tough replay game against big, crosstown Waverly. While they weren't as good as Calvary Baptist, we were still blown out by 20+. Too many turnovers and easy buckets for the Ravens.

The teams coming with good pressure defense separate themselves from our squad. We've been beating the teams we are supposed to beat, but it would be sweet to steal one from a tough team this year.

That said, I am delighted that we have managed five wins. Didn't expect that many. I'm happy yet disappointed that we coaches haven't been able to teach everything the kids need to beat the upper tier squads. We have been beating the lesser teams mostly with physical play and size. I'll give us some time to do this. It's our first go at it, after all!!

But I am absolutely thrilled about the games the two SWA teams will be playing together, if the plan does indeed come to fruition. Will be praying for your safe, eventful arrival!

Good luck against Rimrock tomorrow, Coach! Gene also is a bit dinged-up, with a swollen right ankle and needing some time to rest.

Hoosiers is such a great film! Have you seen Hoop Dreams? Also good, but in a heartbreaking way.

Have a good one, Coach!

A.J.

p.s. Gonna think abt giving u Kohan. We may have to shoot for captains, ha!

vs. Mesrobian, 1/26/2011

2011-01-27T09:50:00.000-08:00

Good morning, Bill. We did indeed bounce back yesterday, with another win over Mesrobian, 46-41. Aside from their usual barrage of threes (some of which came from waaay out past the NBA 3pt line), the defense was able to clog the middle and prevent easy scores.

What a difference a day makes! Graham Sole had five blocks and about 15 boards, Andy Wang dropped four three pointers and although Jim Kim didn't score much, he dished out 7 dimes, a career high. Collin Liang shot lights out from the field, going for 13 points. Gene and Sky had off shooting nights but played super D. Sky actually fouled out of the game. Troy Ruan made a career-high 6-8 from the line.

I was also glad because yesterday was my birthday, and to see the kids come out and play hard after getting soundly drubbed the day before just really made me smile. Truly a nice gift! We are at 4-5 and the playoffs are not a distant possibility...

Got to print some tests now, Coach. And a there's a whale watching trip tomorrow. Who says So Cal doesn't have nature to behold?

Take Care,

A.J.

P.S. That's a nice blurb about your last victory on southwestern.blogspot.com! You must have been an aspiring sportswriter at one time, like I was. Hehe!

vs. Emerson (Orange), 1/20/11

2011-01-21T10:02:00.000-08:00

Nice email!! Thanks, Bill. I didn't realize you are playing with only seven men! Of course due to the injuries, that's rough. But winning by 22 is a nice coup, congratulations! We played Emerson yesterday (all the way out in Anaheim a block away from Disneyland where coincidentally my mom works), a team we had beaten by 9 in the second game of the season. While I think we have improved, their team hasn't. We comfortably led 21-8 at the half and didn't look back. Consequently I was able to get all of the role players a whole quarter and a half of PT, and they extended our lead(!) en route to a 41-19 victory.

Tracy Lu, their best scorer, had torched us for 23 in that first game, targeting off of screens for open jumpers. This game we started on him and them with a "box-and-1" (the shadowing done by team captain Jim Kim) to keep him from killing us again. It worked, and with everyone putting a hand in the face of the shooter, they only managed two buckets in the first stanza.

We were able to get Graham, our tallest player, nine shots. I wish we could do this every game. We passed like pros, netting nine assists on twenty makes! Jim got 15 quick points, but had to be sat after a couple of minutes into the second half, when the lead had extended to twenty. He had taken a cell phone call-DURING THE GAME! (Sigh). I can imagine you shaking your head right now. Here's what happened: Sharleen had received a phone call from Jim's (who didn't have his phone with him) cousin. Jim's cousin was driving out to the match and needed directions and thank sweet God it was during free throws on the other side of the court. I just hope none of the other team, or coach, saw. Mortification. I gave him a good talking to (although I must also talk to Sharleen about flagging him down for the call) and shortly removed all of the starters, keeping in Gene (who scored 6 all on sweet jumpers, feet set) with the second group for a time. I even was able to let Andy play center for most of a quarter. It's nice to see the boys pass and play D, but boxing out is an almost impossible skill to instill, I am finding.

I'm sorry to hear about Tony. You'll persevere! How did you fare against Prescott Valley? Ryan tells me that some of the schools you face are hours away. I can't wait for you guys to get here... It is going to be a fun game. Maybe I could spot your squad Ryan and Jin? That would only be fair, and completely fitting. Let me know! As for playing 21, my jumpshot has improved, Coach! hehe. And Mike is a beast as always!

I just got the injured reserve reference, Coach. You are a player, though. Can't keep a good one down! Always a pleasure to hear from you. Gonna run uphill with the kids today, looking forward to that.

Take care,

A.J.

vs. St. Monica (Pasadena), 1/18/11

2011-01-21T09:58:00.000-08:00

Good morning, Coach.

Lost a close one last night, 36-42 to crosstown St. Monica. This was our first game back from break, so our players were understandably rusty. Our scoring 10 points in the first half and St. Monica's shooting the lights out with short jumpers made for a really sad start! We were down 26-10 at the half! But we made some adjustments, most notably on defense. Instead of trying to block every shot and getting out of position as a result, we simply closed out on each shot with a hand in front of the shooter's face.

The added defensive intensity worked, as St. Monica scored just 5 points in the third quarter. We were able to get some fast break points by Andy Wang (who scored 12 points and made two late back-to-back threes!) and Jim Kim, who also made a late three to pull us within just two with three minutes left! But a Southwestern win was not to be. The momentum shifted back to their side, and they had really good free throw shooters to keep them ahead at the end of the game.

Some things we still have to work on: free throw shooting, protecting the ball, boxing out.

Hope all is well with you, Bill!

-A.J.

PS Any more word on the I/C scrimmage?

on the eve of Christmas

2010-12-24T21:05:00.000-08:00

Happy HOLIDAYS, everyone!

I got myself everything I need, so my list from 11/27

(holiday wishlist (for those who would care!)

1. a (decent) image projector
2. a hatrack
3. gift certificates to office supply stores
4. laker tickets
5. books
to be continued...) is kinda useless, although a hatrack would be nice. The way the Lakers are playing these days makes me worried for tomorrow's matchup with Lebron, D Wade, Bosh et al.! I'd settle for some Clipper tix, those kids are dy-no-mite!

Catchin up (part IV) whew.

2010-12-24T21:02:00.000-08:00

Thanks for reading...Southwestern Sun boys' basketball sched here. This is the last email I wrote to my friend before the end of the break.

Good morning!

Team got a nice win, 49-40, last night against Mesrobian! We won every quarter in a game for the first time this season. The boys put down 14 assists on 22 makes. Awesome passing and good moving to and away from the ball. Ryan just about flashed up to the high post anytime the ball was swung around and was able to inflict damage with easy hoops, or nice passes. He did miss all of his free throws, though, because he dinged his hand up pretty good and had to have two of his right fingers taped. But he is okay. Also, one of our guards, Collin Liang, was whacked on the head early in the first Q on a breakaway layup. Either an elbow or a tooth(!!) gashed him and he had to be taken to the ER for five staples. He pretty much relaxed after the doc said they would not be shaving any part of his head (I am sure you know about these kids and their hair these days.)

We had three kids, Ryan, Graham and Jim, in double figures. Graham had ten rebounds and Jim is emerging as our top scoring threat (he even added two treys for good measure!) Some of our reserves, like Andy Wang (a tall wiry player) and Colman Li (who has good instincts), are coming along nicely and can be counted upon for some solid D. Boiling it down, this was a good win because the boys found open guys and made good defensive adjustments! They had an awkward-shooting 5'3" or so bomber who sank three of five from downtown! We could not solve those screens, but a 3-2 defense quickly discouraged those attempts. We were also lucky that the visiting team did not press much, if at all. We still need to work on beating that press.

But it is nice to go into the break on a (one-game) winning streak! Hehe. I only wish we could play more. You were right about shots eventually starting to fall. Things are looking much better. Now, the question is how to get these kids staying fit over Break? The emails are a good start.

Alright Coach, time for some prep now. Have a good one!

AJ

P.S. Ryan says you don't eat cheese, or red meat. I have adopted a vegetarian diet during weekdays and it is working wonders, surprisingly.

Catchin up (part III)

2010-12-24T21:01:00.000-08:00

Hi there Bill,

What a strange and crazy night. From the pregame (Sky decides not to play because I didn't allow him to wear another player's jersey) to the first half (we took a 14-12 lead; both teams built a house with those bricks), to my second-half ejection (precipitated by one of our starters not wearing a uniform uniform, which led to a technical and then my subsequent illegal standing, a second one), to ultimately losing the contest, 30-35.

During a game last week I let Sky wear another number other than his Beaver Creek 00 because he didn't wash his jersey. While getting our new jerseys is another entire unresolved problem in itself, after that game I made sure Ryan knew that he was responsible for making sure his jersey was clean for games. He agreed, but today before the game he complained of the smell of his jersey and requested again, to use another number. At first I relented, but then remembered our talk last week. To make a long story short, I gave him a choice to either wear his number or not play at all. He chose the latter. He was really steamed, but I remained calm. But I am looking forward to talking with him tomorrow and to keep communication open.

Starting the game off, the prevailing notion was that this was a team we could beat. When we were pressed, we broke it in a really unconventional way which worked. Also, we succeeded in passing into the high post, followed by some quick cuts to the basket and easy looks (but a lot of MISSED LAYUPS!) Our star tonight was Jim Kim, who turned up with 13 points and 17 rebounds, 2 assists before almost fouling out. He easily could have had 23 but missed five layups to start the game. Also, our defense is becoming stellar. We switched to a 2-3 zone: with Graham in the middle, Gene disrupting passes, and a team with a lot of height, we are a team which is hard to score on.

I just made a careless mistake, not making sure our players all wore white shorts. We were assessed a technical before tip-off. What a bonehead! I realize I should have pulled Troy, a smart, quiet pass-first player, and put some proper shorts on him. No, I let the ref assess the T. What was I thinking?

From what I gather from my assistants, after I was kicked out the refs called a horrible game, whistling many ticky-tack fouls and lots of traveling violations (some well-deserved, others not so). But the kids seemed okay afterwards and ready to take on the next team. I just feel as though I let them down. However, in this case I see how one practice (yesterday) can make a big difference in a team's play. I know you are a busy man, Bill. I appreciate your time and ideas. Good luck vs. Young tomorrow, Coach!

Best wishes,

A.J.

P.S. this is the first time in my life I wish, in a way, that there wasn't a holiday break. I just want to keep having practices! Also, I don't know if I have lost Sky, but I told Gene to try to talk some sense into him. I just don't want the kid feeling like he can do whatever he wants! Is that wrong, I wonder.

Catchin up (part II)

2010-12-24T21:00:00.000-08:00

Hi Bill!

A rough game tonight--lost 46-21 to a fairly tough Le Lycee team! Our first foray against a full-court press, and we were unprepared throughout. Though the few bright spots (senior Collin Liang made some good plays in the first quarter and led us in scoring and Graham grabbed ten boards again) didn't outweigh our many errors, we were still tied with them late into the first half. Then down by ten with four minutes left to play, our starters just looked tired and out of it, so we decided to let the reserves play. Game was much closer than final score reads, but we were outscored by 16 in the final quarter. Ouch.

But we just don't have many scorers, or many scores from

assists. We need to practice shooting the ball off of passes and even off of the dribble. There is still a lot to teach, perhaps impossibly so, but I don't feel daunted any more! There's always something positive I can see and a lesson to be learned. But how do you deal with your players second-guessing the coach's decisions, by the way? Still lots of resistance from Sky, who tried to do too much tonight although he was brilliant at times defensively.

We have St. Monica's tomorrow, a team we managed to beat once last year. Hopefully we can bounce back!

Have a good one, Coach!

A.J.

Catchin up (part I)

2010-12-24T20:59:00.000-08:00

Hi there, Bill!

Your boys sure do sound like they play with tons of poise. Congratulations on your win! I am finding coaching a game to be comprising 90% adjustments and 10% game plan, which is thrilling.

We, too, got a win tonight! We won, 46-37, against Emerson Honors in Orange. This school's makeup is surprisingly a lot like ours, with many Asian players and few Americans! So they were a smaller team, and we exploited this on the (especially offensive) glass. Graham ended with 11 boards and Sky wasn't far behind with seven! We took a 27-14 lead into the half on mostly layups and easy scores off some GREAT passes.

But this is where their coach made his adjustments. In the third quarter, he mainly got the ball to his best player-#9, a sharpshooter with a knack for the dribble drive (we fouled him five times!)- off screens and various plays. He, along with #8, a sprightly American guard who always seemed to be where the ball bounced, doublehandedly outscored our team 16-9!

We then put Gene (who has become our defensive stopper) on #9, who shortly entered some foul trouble and had to be taken out, and we alerted everyone to the screens and to help one another. We ended up outscoring them in the fourth and taking the game. The future looks bright, especially on the defensive end.

I am glad you are reaching success in a rebuilding year and hope you continue it. Good luck against American Heritage! We play our first road game this coming Tuesday, against Le Lycee (literally "the high school" in French) in LA. They are a well-coached team and KILLED us last year.

As for a scrimmage, I'm all for it! I'll get into Ken's and Bob's ears about one ASAP; well at least after the boss yells at me for spending too much money on uniforms!! Hehe. Take care, Bill! I am increasingly enjoying our e-mail correspondence but I'd better get some shuteye now!

Thanks, Coach!

First game!

2010-11-30T22:52:00.000-08:00

Southwestern boys' bball schedule

Hi, everyone. Here is an excerpt of an email I sent out earlier tonight to a good friend and colleague:

Hello Bill,

Glad you guys won! 36-22 does sound like an ugly game, though a win is a win! Our team did play today, and though we lost 31-41 to a scrappy-small Sahag-Mesrob Armenian Christian School squad, I am hopeful for the season. The negatives, first: a bucketload of turnovers, esp at the one spot. We particularly didn't have good point guard play, and it killed us. Next, Sky missed about four free throws (and some point blank shots!) to start the game, probably due to nerves. Finally, after our starting five, there are glaring holes in our defense. Ouch, we gave up a free throw on a technical foul and a resulting bucket (six players on the court!! ACH!)

We don't have any offense to speak of and hadn't hit double figures until the second quarter. However, there were some good things: after our backs were to the wall, we played great pressure D and got some easy scores as a result. We actually led the game for a brief moment in the second Q, and after a three by the opposition that put us down 14 in the third, we did not give up. In fact, we played HARDER. Jin amassed about five steals and eight points. Sky came through on a number of scores, including FT, some layups and even a three, for a total of ten!

I want to play to our strengths, which is a good paint D (last line of defense), with Sky and Graham (our 6'3" center) and Jin disrupting passes on the perimeter. Sky and Jin have a great two-man game going. Graham got some good passes to both of these guys. I feel like we can get something going, but it is going to take a LOT of work and patience.

(not included in the email)
also, I noticed that with 4 minutes left in the game, we ended up outscoring the opposition 7-3.

holiday wishlist (for those who would care!)

2010-11-27T18:15:00.000-08:00

1. a (decent) image projector
2. a hatrack
3. gift certificates to office supply stores
4. laker tickets
5. books
to be continued...

Calm me, Coach!

2010-11-21T09:20:00.001-08:00

So I have been named the head basketball coach at my school. I have been at the job for exactly one week and three days.

In practices, we have run a lot. We ran, uphill, to Lacy Park up Mill Road. There is a set of stairs where the neighborhood fitness-ites get their steel buns on. I had all of the kids run these stairs (there are about 75 or so of them) twice. This was all part of a weeding-out process as much as it is about building aerobic fitness for the kids who really do want to play.

We have covered the basics of ball-handling, passing and defense. I have two assistant coaches who are invaluable for their extra sets of eyes and observations as well as their presences in showing the kids the little things, the finer points of the game.

Our first game is the first day the kids come back to school, Nov. 30. Players will be jet-lagged and hopefully not sluggish from the week off! If they all lived in California, this wouldn't be a problem. We could hold a vacation-week practice. Not so at an international boarding school. We'll see how it goes.

2010-11-06T23:28:00.001-07:00

I have finished Jean-Michel Gondry's "The Science of Sleep" for a second time. It is sad that Stepháne and Stephanie don't end up together, but it IS nice that he can finally have a nice dream about the two of them together.

PS i am a known sleepwalker.

2010-10-31T21:59:00.001-07:00

Today I saw: 3 Where's Waldoes, 2 Super Marioes, one Ghostbusters ho and a God's gift to Women. I was dressed as one of those Goddamn Mormons and my girl was a Freudian Slip! Classy.

2010-10-11T21:07:00.001-07:00

I prefer watching sports games with the sound muted. Try it sometime. It's almost serene.

2010-10-05T22:32:00.000-07:00

I once drunkenly lost my cellphone in a Las Vegas cab on the way to a club. I had just lost my job and broken up with my girlfriend. My losing my cell merely added a smaller piece of shit onto the whole shitty pile. I ended up not even bothering to pay my last bill, or replace my phone. No one wanted to call me, so why have a phone?

Needless to say, T-Mobile had cancelled my service and I didn't use a cellphone of my own for a whole two years after that. I had been working random jobs: selling Chinese oil reproductions that my employers pawned off as "student works from a starving artist's colony in Africa," slinging espresso drinks at Swork, making soju cosmos at an Eagle Rock vegetarian restaurant. Nothing about these gigs made owning a cell necessary.

Then, not having a cell became kind of annoying. It was hard to do much of anything without a cellohone, really. I could no longer delude myself into thinking I would keep in good touch with my mom (who lived an hour away; I did not own a car at the time), get/keep a girlfriend, or grasp a decent 9-to-5.

So I caved and did the reasonable thing. Well, the thing was sort of reasonable: when I did get another phone, I didn't regain the old number of the phone I had lost in Vegas. One day (when I was drunk) I mistakenly dialed my old number. The following conversation ensued:

(Woman at my old number): Hello?

(Me, drunk): (realizes something wrong) uh, Hello? Angela (which is my sister's name)?

W: Umm. NO. Are you sure you're not looking for someone named A.J.?

M: I'm sorry, wrong number... WHAT? Uh, no! I AM A.J.!

W: Oh, Gawd. So many people call my line looking for you! It's really annoying! (not laughing) Why don't you tell them your new number! ?

M: Sorry. I know. Damn.

I had forgotten about this exchange until I recently received an email from an old friend/co-worker, Nikki, with whom I hadn't talked to/hung out with in a long, long time. Nikki claims that the lady on my old line is saying that her name is also A.J. and that this lady is not very nice.

I feel like I want to call this lady, out of pure curiosity of course, but I've forgotten my old number.

I can't remember my dreams any more.

2010-10-04T09:53:00.000-07:00

But I am sure that I am making them come true throughout my day.

2010-09-11T13:16:00.001-07:00

I still have to do mosta that to completion and general soddisfazione.

2010-09-02T00:05:00.003-07:00

syllabus and half of lesson plans for grammar.

B. lonch
2) tidy up apt til fixed-clean.
2a) paint in studio

C. din-din
3) ang@jamba(?)
3a) wifi shit

2010-09-02T00:05:00.001-07:00

I'm putting this out there because I want it to bop around a bit, then get put into actione:

A. petit dejeuner
1) fix up classroom tidy-like.
1a) write

2010-09-01T23:59:00.003-07:00

ht call "a catch."

2010-09-01T23:59:00.001-07:00

It's my laziness that makes me a part of the third string. No matter, this is easily correctable with effort and patience. Otherwise I am what some mig

she nose.

2010-09-01T17:02:00.000-07:00

The People Under the Stairs (Directed by Wes Craven)
I don't love this movie, but it gives me fond childhood memories. There is a sick hip-hop band of the same name, too.

Hello, Joe. WHaddaya know?

2010-07-31T09:34:00.000-07:00

2010-05-27T22:42:00.001-07:00

Been a minute.

Lakers have put the third win into the refrigerator. One more means another trip to the Finals. This is simultaneously pleasant and exciting.

Another school year is almost in the books. If the first year of teaching is supposed to be the hardest, then I can't wait for next Fall.

I am going on a vacation to another nation this summer. I have been wanting to do that for a long time.

Finally, I have someone to laugh with and hold in my arms. She makes peace for me wherever there is unrest. i can only hope I do the same for her.

These are thankful things

2010-02-21T20:03:00.001-08:00

Possibility is quite pregnant again. The sun coming out surprisingly gives birth to a cool day where the inevitable darkness is never really dark. And anything and everything can happen for the better, if only because the sun has cast its light upon all things a certainly favorable way.

2010-01-24T21:18:00.001-08:00

PFH2BIMBRFN!

2010-01-23T01:35:00.001-08:00

Having just finished a Double Del Bacon Cheeseburger from directly down the street, I sat in front of my childhood home while the occasional speedster dragged up Del Mar Blvd and, unbeknowst to myself, hatched a plan while thumb typing a blog post. This plan included becoming more of a person who returns things that they borrow or are somehow loaned in some small way.
In other words, while my stomach broke down some junk, my soul decided to shift gears and become one that is more considerate. Nothing is really ever given, anyway. We are all borrowing things- sugar, pens, time. At some point we have to give all of it back.

2010-01-18T19:59:00.001-08:00

"Homer, when a man's biggest dreams include seconds on dessert, occasional snuggling, and sleeping 'til noon on weekends, no one man can destroy them." -Marjorie Simpson

2010-01-13T22:30:00.001-08:00

She calls me and tells me of the curious things happening in her life. I know that she works at a gentlemen's club in a nearby city and she has one of my paintings. She is visiting a boyfriend who just got taken in for something, a felony of some sort, and since the jail is by my house she wants to stop by. She sounds older, more confident than the last time I talked with her, which was not long ago. She tells me of getting rohypnoled on new year's eve in Vegas, about how she's lost about twenty pounds, and that she is going to come over and return my painting soon. I don't quite know what to make of all of it except that the craziness in my chest does not stop, even after she's hung up the phone.

2010-01-13T09:40:00.001-08:00

Never before has a trifecta of email sunk and raised me up again. Just kidding. Sorta.

2010-01-13T06:43:00.001-08:00

Finally, a good one: it's Cleveland (or some town in the middle of LA and NYC). The history teacher is a lawyer. Having some beers at his house, which seems quaint and cluttered and fully stocked with jumbo bottles of liquor and beer in the fridge (feeling safe and at home here) when suddenly I notice something in my bottle. Rohypnol, it sticks at the bottom of the beer looking like a lost Mitsubishi. In the dream I recall feeling hazy, unable to control my thoughts, so I excuse myself to the bathroom, fearing the worst.
As I attempt to regain control, I walk out to the untidy livingroom, only to find it inhabited by two of my best friends from college. This is strange, and I want to leave. When I do, I find that the house is floating in midspace and the next-door neighbors (a single mom with sisters and about six noisy kids of her own) are complaining about us making too much noise. What nerve.
So I go back to the cluttered home, which has also transformed now into a mansion-like place. More friends are there and are arriving, even some b-list 90s child actors all grown up, most notably the beautiful redhead from my old job, who resembles a period-piece sitcom siren. One of my best friends, a guitar player, starts tuning a wii and plays a song for her. And although they have never met except in this dream, the melody and words are somehow familiar to me, they comfort and amuse me.

Annie Clark

2010-01-12T08:06:00.001-08:00

reposted from fuckyeahstvincent.

I like St. Vincent. haven't heard too many songs from the new album, Actor. I think Marry Me has a lot of awesomeness in it, though. Here's a pic of the singer-songwriter of St. Vincent, Annie Clark.

2010-01-10T16:43:00.001-08:00

This is the year that this man gets out of debt. Believe that.

2009-12-27T22:52:00.001-08:00

A dream about the school where its fields are rolling and more vast. Children walk freely in the grass. I have a pair of stilts upon which I am growing taller and taller. After a talk with a teacher who was fired from a different school (the talk was abt a student from my CURRENT school), I find myself unable to effectively use the stilts again. A student named Lauren walks by and moreorless says I am showing off.

Man, were those some nice hills though.

2009-11-27T11:30:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving weekend has started off nicely. I didn't partake in any of the Black Friday madnesses, but I already have everything I need. There is a whole mess of grading and reading to do, luckily I have FOUR WHOLE DAYS to do so. This past week I have felt pretty sick but not quite all-the-way crummy, and I am thankful to have spent most of this week with my family. I hope you all had good weeks too, buy anything?

2009-11-23T20:13:00.001-08:00

My own personal update from my phone. Sweeet.

2009-11-23T19:46:00.000-08:00

For morning assembly I made a game for the students to play. Basically I took a bunch of photos from around campus (and around town) and had them guess the locations. It was interesting enough, but the rules need some tweaking. Are you familiar with some of these?

Whirlygig Week ... whirlwind

2009-09-12T01:45:00.000-07:00

BUFFER'S END

would you like something there
between the heart and the ache?
for it does not excel at giving,
in fact it pounds at the take.

like rubber and cartilage, covered hard-ragged edges
remaining, ever-loyal friend.
when all the while it lays in wonder:
will you want a buffer end?

I'm no poet. This is obvious. But the past week I have had my eyes luckily opened to a lot of different developments in my life and these sights inspire me. Next week marks a new job and with it, new opportunities for growth and self-improvement. I am excited and truthfully a little bit daunted at being a teacher at a small boarding school in America.

I grew up loving the classroom; I was quick to the catch-on and had fun in the process (esp in college.. maybe a little TOO MUCH). This last couple days I spent with my new colleagues going over boring things like school and insurance policies, getting signed up for benefits and eating a lot of good meals and talking to my fellow teachers.

It seems there is a need to refocus on the school's goals and to instill more discipline in our students than has been evident in recent years. I think this is a perennial concern of all schools and all teachers, yet especially at my school, where the cost of tuition is not cheap. The last thing anybody needs especially in this economy is for an investment to go wasted.

Economy of energy is a must for me this year, especially since I also live at the school where I teach (I am a dorm advisor figure, where I have to watch and make sure the kids are keeping focused and not burning things.) I just swept and mopped my floor and did four loads of laundry. I have been really good at keeping my apartment clean. I could be some kind of junior neat freak except that it's just not true. Maybe one day.

But this week I have been humbled in terms of my fitness. To quote myself: "I am going to use mountains to build up my endurance cuz that's how he beat me." I don't know exactly what's so funny about that sentence and without going into too much detail, but certain people get a kick out of it.

Finally, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Enough said for now. I am tired, and I have one more meeting tomorrow morning before I leave for a weekendy jaunt to the LV.

Kate and Bill

2009-09-02T15:05:00.001-07:00

Summer's

2009-06-05T07:32:00.000-07:00

Elle est ici! Is summer feminine? In Spanish and French it is masculino/e (el verano and l'été). Armed with this knowledge I seek to spend summer getting smarter, faster and stronger.

Alas, I have been sleepwalking again. This morning I woke up and found my contacts lenses missing from their case and the space heater on. I atrribute this to the drinking.

Lakers are up 1-0, in the NBA Finals. They creamed the Magic last night, by at least twenty or so, and not in some kind of roundabout way. That was a old-fashioned whuppin'.

I Seen Up

2009-06-01T00:12:00.000-07:00

Man, what a good movie. I recommend it to EVERYONE. The elements of the work reminded me of Howl's Moving Castle, also an excellent film.

Peace out I got new Pumas and a new hat. Wert. wert.

I love Collage

2009-04-27T00:07:00.000-07:00

even mini ones. RIP DAD, luv u CAR, goodluck Wali and DBuq. Peace out y'all.

EDIT (4/29)
ps I took this one at an after-prom party for Oaks Christian... http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/orderpage.aspx?pi=0P7H006J000329&po=329

GO LAKERS

Some work, recently

2009-04-17T03:01:00.001-07:00

when will it ever get warm again? I want to swim in some sweat that my body has made and not from exercise. That's right, I want to sit in my sweaty drawls wishing I had bought the a/c unit on sale at Howard's.

Dude has like, two 'blogs (pound art)

2009-04-05T02:49:00.000-07:00

hey, what is the...

2009-03-29T20:28:00.000-07:00

Thanks, LA Photo Party!!!

New

2009-03-23T08:27:00.000-07:00

a painting for Marian.

my friend is crazy

2009-03-02T20:25:00.000-08:00

GET OVER IT.

I Want To Hang Out

2009-03-01T16:30:00.000-08:00

I want to go to a dairy and buy some scratchers, Flamin hot Chee-tos and a bottle of Yoo-Hoo. I have never been to one. If I won I would keep the money and walk away.

Sick as A Dog (Big Boy sketch 2)

2009-01-22T20:45:00.000-08:00

Study Hall was easy tonight. Most o the kids were out at basketball or field trips or just plain ill. As am I. I am on my way to the ER right now. This is a hour long effort:

EDIT 1/27/09: I added some last Sunday and tonight... another couple hours of work...maybe an hour and a half. First real drawing in a while. I am thinking of submitting this into the "I Love LA" show at the Echo Curio Gallery in Echo Park. Did I mention I have some work there now? The Auld Lang Syne art auction ends this Jan 30th.

EDIT 1/29/09:I have decided to submit this work to the "I Love L.A." Show this coming February. I just have to finish it by the 3rd! Piece a cake.

FINAL EDIT 2/3/09:Finished...pretty neat.

Big Boy/Turtle

2009-01-11T19:00:00.001-08:00

They've opened a new Big Boy in West Covina!

Evening Study, 6:45-8:00 PM (I WISH IT WAS VACATION ALREADY)

2008-12-12T06:54:00.000-08:00

I believe this is the first, pretty good one. Drawing it took me two hours (I sat at two study halls this week, Monday and tonight) total.

12/3/08 outlines`

2008-12-07T11:46:00.000-08:00

late and later.

I was too busy being celebreezy about Baby Lucy Rae that I forgot to post these. I was distracted during the process of sketchying, possibly because my back hurt and I was standing up. For those of you who are paying attention and on a side note: Brice Marden is a great artist, do you agree?

Welcome to the world, kiddo!

2008-12-03T22:35:00.000-08:00

Her name is Lucy Rae (b. 12/1/2008 [NOT 1982, that's the year her mom was born! -ed.] at 7:50 pm, weighing 6 lbs, 10 oz and 51 cm long) and I am now an uncle!

Sunday Is Like Every Day (school found art)

2008-11-23T20:32:00.000-08:00

In the good book, we read that God rested on the Sabbath. So, too, are we supposed to follow his lead.

Today I got more done at home, in one day, than I had maybe in the past two months combined. I don't get a chance to, esp since I get tired a lot from work. Sometimes I wish I had more time to see my friends.

My sister is due to have a baby any day now. Her name is Angela and she is having a little girl named Lucy Ray (Rae?). I am gonna spoil that little kid rotten.

I found some drawings in study hall some of the students left behind. I don't think each work is by the same artist but both are adorable, nonetheless.

Funny Made-up Face (SHS nov1208)

2008-11-12T21:08:00.001-08:00

can you spot it ? ?

Study Hall study (Bolsa Naranja)

2008-10-30T07:15:00.001-07:00

GO LAKERS. Happy Halloween!

Room Study, 10/27/08 (Trashcan Videogames)

2008-10-27T19:59:00.001-07:00

Today was weird. I took a nap after work (rare) and barely made it to dinner with the boarders. Naps generally are underrated-you should try them-but not if they interfere with life in general.
Bouta eat some leftovers now.

Common Room Item #3 (room study)

2008-10-26T22:37:00.001-07:00

Can you cook? If so, then someone must love you.

Seems like I am obsessed with chairs.

Study Hall Items (Happy Birthday Baby)

2008-10-23T06:38:00.000-07:00

This next one is a pic of my Lola and Mum moving to the USA. Beautiful aren't they?

thanks to Ben Random for the pic!

Wed nite Room Study (common room items, bibimbop!)

2008-10-15T20:47:00.000-07:00

Tonight at Southwestern was the Korean Cultural Dinner, which meant three things: FOOD, FOOD and FOOD. The Korean students also presented a short video compilation about the richness of Korea also making their own, silly video about how applying a Kimchi-based shampoo to your daily shower will get a guy all the ladies. Then a short skit about man-eating tigers being vanquished by an ancient benevolent force. It was fun. But the best part was the FOOD! Tonight (probably with a generous budget) the students provided dishes like bulgogi and japchae, oh man was it bomba.

I have included a how-to guide on making kimchi. And some drawings of the items on the wall in the dorm where the kids that I watch, live. I am dorm father, hear me snore.

Study Hall study: wed 10/8 (Messy Hair Baby Party)

2008-10-09T13:02:00.001-07:00

please click to enlarge.

Sitting Man Gets a Lapdance!

2008-10-03T22:06:00.000-07:00

haha.. something I drew back in college... seeing it made me chuckle.

Study Hall study: 9/24/08 (good day)

2008-09-25T07:19:00.001-07:00

I worked from 830am to 1030pm with about an hour and a half break (thanks, exercise and GoChi!) ...I wasn't even that tired. I hope I can keep it up until June.

Study Hall study: mon 9/22/08 (welcome back)

2008-09-23T07:13:00.000-07:00

Felt like writing. Or is it typing?

2008-09-21T22:03:00.000-07:00

Made a batch of Rigatoni (DiCecco, a blue plastic bag that comes with a red piece of tape on it for re-sealing. I used the whole bag thereby negating the need for this nice appendage) today. I dumped a bunch of Sriracha (Vietnamese, green-topped bottle of garlicky-hot sauce with the cock on the side) and cheap Kroger parmesan cheese (green cylindrical tube) on top.

Then I surmised that Chef Boyardee tastes the way it does because that fat Italian man dumps a lot of cheap cheese in every can. Kids love it. Cheese.

I wanted to send a text to my girlfriend and didn't mind having to drive down the block to send it because the cellphone carrier doesn't cover San Marizzle. Where I live is a hole in the middle of Los Angeles where for some reason I cannot receive any kind of good cell reception. At least my brain aint cookin from the waves 24/7. I missed her this weekend. I mean, I did and I didn't.

She's probably the sweetest hassle I ever met.

My cousin, the triathlete.

2008-09-16T22:15:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday I spent the whole day at Zuma Beach in Malibu. My cousin and her relay race partner swam, biked and ran their way through the Nautica Triathlon. Good job, Michelle! Especially fun was the post-race tequila and beers. It should also be important to mention that I saw the butts of JLo and Matthew McConaughey in wetsuits.

LA Downtown Artwalk, August 2008

2008-08-16T01:29:00.000-07:00

Work by Munk One [link]

Parking was scarce. We stayed true to the game and kept the car on the streets and out the hands of them lot hustlers. Them jive cats be askin us what's your name and phone number. But no time for the hungry, gimme lime for the thirsty. For reals, we Looked at some Art.

Catch A Fire.

I headed down with the hommie Ben to catch some sights and soak some substance. We linked up with my girl, C, by the raggay band on Main and Fourth, then was off! Random, being truly random, tried to channel energies through the work and subsequent wall by manual means. I think capturing videos was more successful in this regard, especially after efforts editing.

I was interested in seeing a work by Kelly Thompson [link] at MJ Higgins Fine Art and Furnishings because she is cool and I own one of her paintings! Though I think I still owe'er a bill for it! So Kelly if by chance you read this...I have not forgotten to pay you. The beauty of her paintings is that, though hanging vertically in the gallery, I would prefer the large, turquoise and black piece entitled "Here Comes the Sun" hung horizontally. You can see scale here, with the nice lady who gracefully posed for me. Haha, the lady's dress matches, see?

For me, the highlight of the night was a show at Fifty/24 Gallery on 6th Street. Pat Martinez [link] showed some of his work alongside Munk One. It was cool to see work that I have seen on covers of LA Weekly, in person.

All in all, a dope night. I intersected with my sister and her boyfriend and some friends...so we drove north a few miles to Chinatown. And now I am eating the leftovers!

Just a 5.6

2008-07-29T11:48:00.001-07:00

but I kept thinking as it built up... "this is it, this is it"
link to Recent Earthquakes in CA.

Watercolors from Sunday

2008-07-28T08:44:00.000-07:00

Been a nice weekend. I made this post at craigslist.org and no one came but I did get an email. Cool huh. I ended up making only two drawings. I guess you could call them paintings.

The first is of the chapel by my house. I was telling my infant niece about the dolphins who talk to ships at the beach, which explains the random aspect of the second drawing. I scanned the chapel in black and white because it looks better this way. Have a good one folks.

LA Downtown Art/Comedy Walks, July 2008

2008-07-12T22:31:00.000-07:00

Gallery Row, the heart of which seems to be on 5th St. in between Main and Spring in downtown LA, was a-poppin. We were greeted at a Latino Gallery by a reggae band playing on the sidewalk. Hipsters galore, gays with the sashay, beautiful ladies and kids and dogs. Lots of life. I forget the names of the galleries I visited (you can visit the Downtown LA Artwalk site for that) but here are some pics, sans captions! It was a good time. Toward the end of the night other organizers opened other venues for a Comedy Walkin the same area. Smart, huh? The art sites ostensibly were more popular than the comedy bits but in time I see the latter benefiting more from the former's built-in foot traffic. Good shit. Although again I apologize for quality of my pictures that were taken from a cellphone cam.

For Dave (Modigs repro)

2008-07-06T23:06:00.000-07:00

Finally done. I just had to insert something in the background. Sorry I took this pic with my cellphone.. got to get a decent camera soon. Anyone want to donate? (wink, wink..kiss, kiss) link to Wiki bio of Amedeo Modigliani, one of my faves.

link to original: which one you like betta? u aint got to lie...

2008-07-02T17:48:00.000-07:00

Funny things eye seen while riding bike up the hill the other day. Working people like me advertising the best they can. I especially liked the minivan; after getting Uncle JoJo outta the pen you can also have "Welcome Home" balloons ready as part of the deal!!!

Chillin ill in Philly

2008-06-20T19:57:00.000-07:00

Study Hall study: mon 6/2/08 (some sleepin', others readin')

2008-06-02T20:44:00.000-07:00

weird dreams

2008-06-01T22:01:00.000-07:00

I used to have this big huge pad of paper by my bed in case I woke up in the morning having remembered weird dreams. and I would try to materialize em.

i got to start doin that again.

THings you Find When you Clean your apartment, Part II

2008-05-15T21:51:00.000-07:00

I loved you
before I knew
what love is about
I changed, then
it was different
but here we are today.
Could you and I take
some time to make
something between us?
I would not mind
I would be kind
and try to figure out a way.

Study Hall study

2008-04-28T22:47:00.001-07:00

the Kids sure do love their laptops. the internet prevails again.

"My foot in a slipper," "Smoke-a-doke" (Study Hall doodles)

2008-04-21T20:58:00.000-07:00

possibly inspired by 420 and the pursuit of in light and meant?

Study Hall study: Girl's backpack.

2008-04-14T20:48:00.000-07:00

It ended up looking like a bed. Or if I added a turret/cannon atop, a tank!

Wed. Nite Study Hall study

2008-04-09T22:37:00.000-07:00

orange sharpie, delicious for the fumes.

more exercise

2008-04-03T22:37:00.001-07:00

no, not aunt jemima. or lauryn hill!

thanks, http://flickr.com/photos/osvaldo_zoom/1713987007/

An illustration...

2008-03-15T02:10:00.000-07:00

of a sweet little essay i read on a brother blog, Life Outside the Rat Race! if you read the story this picture makes some sense. I think.

Checking In (goin wild)

2008-03-13T22:53:00.000-07:00

words by Benja Peen, pic by AJC. link to LAObserved

Study Hall

2008-03-10T22:03:00.000-07:00

I'm settled in and ready to learn. Gonna leave Westridge after the summer to pursue art in the daytime. I can't wait.

Finally, another painting!

2008-03-04T07:21:00.001-08:00

this is angry dorm art. dry erase and washable markers on dry erase board.

I live at the foot of a grassy baseball field.

2008-03-01T16:03:00.000-08:00

One misty morning I went for a stroll along the concrete path by this field and I saw four: a man with his two infant children and dog grouped around the pitcher's mound. The toddlers, laughing, played with the dirt and what I presumed to be worms pushed up from the recent rain while the golden retriever seemed to be preoccupied with what the man held in his hand.
As I watched the man throw the ball a ways and the dog run to get the toss, I thought to myself, wow what a good father and friend. He was really getting a lot done on this gray morning: letting his kids play while getting some fresh air and exercise for himself and his dog. And then I realized something about growing older.
The amount of things, I think, into which we immerse ourselves seems to diminish. That said, I mean that over time we tend to focus more on things that are very important to us, especially since it is hard to maintain a high energy level for so many things once we get older. With work and interpersonal needs, it is really hard to fulfill or ever find out what live really has in store for us and vice versa.
This good man obviously had love for his life and life for love. I made these quick drawings immediately after to capture the moment. My friend Larry made a neat post about parenthood on his blog, which positively affected me even though I am no parent, at least other than in name, which only makes sense if you know about my night job.