Life speeds past you when you are lazy

self-portraits of being sick at work
Originally uploaded by russdogg.

I've been so lazy this semester and its due totally to the fact that I only have one class left till I graduate. Super fast update: Pittsburgh lost to the Patriots thus ending any Super bowl hopes this year, we watched the game on my projector so it was a huge 80 inches of footbally goodness. I've been sick with something since last saturday, so I've been miserable all week, The power was out in my entire town yesterday for hours, and to pass the time we threw fireworks at passing cars. Honestly, I'm 25, still in college, throwing firecrackers at people driving by. Something is seriously wrong with me. Just when it dawned on us that we could probably go loot the town unnoticed, the power immediately came back. Not like we seriously would,you belive me right??? Nobody better report me to the honorcode gestapo! uhmmm.... anyways... word to the wise: dont go to the gym sick. Lifting weights while light headed is listed under the category of "dumb-ass ideas". I slept for 6 hours in a nyquil-induced haze this afternoon, and as such I'm now blogging at 3:00 am. It seems like the last few weeks past by in a blurry haze.

Hosoi is back!

hosoi is back!
Originally uploaded by russdogg.

In the midst of all the bad stuff going on lately,its good to remember the best news of last summer: Christian Hosoi is back!! For those who don't know, Hosoi was one of the biggest skateboarders back in the day. After the skate bubble burst at the end of the 80's, Hosoi and several other top pros fell on hard times. He actually was in prison for the last 5 years for shipping drugs to Hawaii, but he's been outsince last june, and reborn, literally. He's now a Christian (church-wise, no pun intended) and has hit up the stunt wood once again. I just found these pictures and had to put em up. He was spotted in hawaii last summer skating the Hickam Air Force base skate bowl right after his release, and if this picture is any indication, he's back in the game. Its awesome to see guys still ripping it up and skating because it's what they love. To get some perspective on how long he's been around, I remember going to the public library in 6th grade, n looking at books on skating. Hosoi was literally on every other page.

Will Smith does good with Hitch

Back in Hawaii, and things have actually been good. It was totally random, but my buddy Rich and I got free tickets to a sneak preview of the latest film starring Will "big willy style" Smith. I didn't expect much since it didn't seem like a movie fit for the Fresh Prince. They were grilling everyone at the entrance for camera phones or video cameras, any kind of recording device. They told us a million times during our hour wait in line, yet we saw about 20 or 30 idiots get turned away for having camera phones! dumbass!. The movie turned out to be pretty funny, with Will as this date doctor that is able to get you into your dream relationship in 3 dates. Of course when it comes to himself, he screws it up at every turn. Yada yada yada, Will and Eva Mendez hook up in the end. A very pg-13 film, but you don't really notice since it is so funny. Those are the best kind of movies. I would rather have a movie be rated R, to keep it interesting, rather than water it down with a lower rating, but this is one of those few that can appeal to all crowds. Good to see Will back in the game. Highly recommend it to those who actually go to movies instead of downloading them. This is one of those suprise films that are actually good in january.

Christmas was good; New Years was blah

Its been nice to be back in Cali for a few weeks, what with all the nieces and nephews now. Its hard to keep track. I ended out spending 200 bucks at friggin Toys'R'Us. Overall, I even made out pretty good on the presents angle. Heres my haul of gifts:
1. Poker Chip Set
2. Taschen's 1000 Favorite Websites book
3. Mr. T in your pocket --------->
4. White church shirt
5. Wienerschnitzel skateboard
The web book is pretty good, its all photos of tight websites. The best though, is the Mr. T in your Pocket. Its a keychain thing that plays all of Mr. T's best saying. You know, I pity the fool, and Don't gimme no jibbajabba. Its classic. My sister saw it on Leno's worst christmas gifts, and knew I had to have it. New Years we all sat around and played cheesy board games, pretty uneventful. I'm gearin up to go back home to Hawaii, but first I got the General Council Meeting with my Indian Tribe on wednesday. That always adds color to my month.

Infamous Pali Lookout

Infamous Pali Lookout
Originally uploaded by russdogg.
I finally made it to California. My homie Travis turned out to be on my same flight, but the punk sitting next to me didnt want to move to Travis' spot. As soon as I got home I found out my parents' new house is going to be finished in 5 weeks instead of 3 months like originally quoted. That means I've been hauling stuff back and forth to their storage unit for the last couple days, and trying to convince my dad to throw away old junk he's been hangin onto for years. Its been nice to be home again, but also more of a confirmation that when I do finish school I'm not gonna be living at home!

Hell week status: finally over

finally graduated... heres the proof!
Originally uploaded by me, Me, fool!.

Well, all week I've been trying to get all my finals done, and I finished my last math homework assignment at 8 on Friday night. Talk about cutting it close! My parents made it to the ceremony which was pretty cool. I still have 2 classes to take next semester, so I'm not officially done, but atleast the hard classes are done with!

My "final" finals

More fun than math, 10 sec. exposure
Taken by me, fool. Russdogg. Believe dat.

Been studying for finals and bored as hell. My new camera's given me new ways to cure that boredom. My parents came in today, and they're staying at Laie Inn. It soo ghetto, the blankets even have huge holes in em. I graduate in 4 days... hard to believe, huh? I don't feel any different, but I don't think that's the point. Someday I'll figure out just what the point was. Tommorrow is my class' art show, but true-to-form I didn't make the posters till yesterday, so we'll see if anyone even comes! Did I mention Steelers won again on Sunday? Barely beat Jacksonville with a kick in the last minute. Haha. eleven and "Oh", baby. Peace.

Pain can be for a good cause, right?

with finals this week and next week, my graduation ceremony, and my parents flying in soon for it, I've been super busy trying to finish all of my late assignments and homework I was to lazy to do months ago. In the midst of my hectic schedule, my roomates convinced me to join 24 Hour Fitness, a gym/health club. The way I figured, I'd be more likely to do stick to exercising if I'm paying for it. Its really really nice. Highly recommend it. I'm super sore though. I can barely lift my arms. but its all for a good cause, right? the best part by far is the fact that nobody bothers you, and you can dress however you want. (unlike my school's gym, where the dresscode is strictly enforced by some nazi employees) Oh yeah, the hot tub and sauna are nice touches. And I can go to any one in Hawaii, (and the rest of the US too) where they have olympic swimming pools and basketball courts and stuff. Who knows, maybe I'll actually get in shape for once in my life.

Vans Triple Crown 2004

pink shirt guy
Originally uploaded by russdogg.

Had to take my new camera, the Canon 20D, for a spin at the surf contest this weekend. Finally the waves are back. It's been flat ocean for a while then, boom, waves. It seems like the girls come out when there are waves, too. I borrowed the 300 mm lens from my work and took action shots of the surfers from the beach. the good thing about an 8 megapixel camera, is even if it looks tiny, you can crop it and it will still be great quality.

Basket-brawl in Detroit

Artest beats down a Detroit fan
found by russdogg.

So I'm at work, watching basketball. I know, I know, I wasn't really working in a literal sense, but I digress. Pacers were playing the Piston in Detroit. Now I happen to be anti-Detroit, since they won the championship last year, so I was cheering for Indiana's Pacers the whole time. In the last 45 seconds of the game, all hell breaks loose. I'm talkin players fighting players, players fighting fans, kids crying, fans rioting, objects thrown at players including beer bottles, ice, popcorn, and even a freakin chair! This went on for like five minutes. The game was called, - whens the last time that happened? - and people were left in a daze having witnessed the craziest scene ever in NBA history, I'd bet. Basically, it went down like this: Artest fouls Ben Wallace hard, intentionally, but not too hard. Wallace gets crazy and slams both hands in Artest's face, throwing him backwards hard. Artest, who is always somehow in the thick of this stuff, realizes its a no win, and backs off. To prove he's doin nothing, he lays down and chills on the scorer's table. Everyone else is holding back ben wallace who is still goin crazy. Then, a fan nails Artest in the face with a cup full of beer. Artest jumps up, runs 5 rows up to this lil punk, and starts beating him down. Then it went crazy. Detroit fans are insane. Crazier than Fresno State fans, even.The coolest was Jermaine O'Neil, who punched this one crazy dude so hard in the face that the guy went sailing. Did I mention some fan threw a chair??? This is up there with, if not the, all time craziest NBA scenes ever. If i had my DVR set up I would have clips, but for now go to ESPN.com.

Steelers beat Browns like a red-headed step child

Steelers stomp
found by russdogg.

Dang. Pittsburgh wins again! Getting sick of hearing that? Because I'm not. They're now 8 and 1. This game was a great win because of the huge rivalry between the two teams. There was even a fight before the game even started! And once again, our defense kept the others from scoring, while rookie QB Ben Roethlisberger cleaned house, all while lookin like he barely broke a sweat. Even with lead rusher Duce Staley out on injury ( I'd be hurting too if I rushed over 100 yards 4 games in a row) Last year, the Steelers weren't even considered as contenders for the playoffs. This year, one could easily argue they have the best record of the season. I'm predicting a superbowl win at this point. Mark my words. It'll be interesting to see who jumps on the fan bandwagon when they get to the playoffs.

ODB, R.I.P.

ODB, R.I.P.
Originally uploaded by russdogg.

ODB, The Wu-Tang Rapper (Ol Dirty Bastard for those not into berevity) died a few hours ago. What a trip. He was in the studio had chest pains and died. This dude had been in trouble with the law and in and out of jail for some time now. I remember when he tried to change his name to Big Baby Jesus. That one didn't last. RIP, homie. I'll be sure to pour one out on the curb for ya. P.S. can I have those gold teeth with the diamonds in em?