Time Heals, Time Reminds, Time Enlightens & Time Passes

Have you ever taken the opportunity to sit back and think about yourself and simply take a complete inventory or yourself ? There are many times when this is necessary for a person in their life, whether they are at a crossroads in their life, trying to decide which direction he or she needs to take; and there are other times when when a person is about to embark upon a new journey in life, whether it is a positive journey such as a new career, new hobby, new love interest, or a new void in life, such as the loss of a loved one or the ending of a friendship or relationship that had become a big part of your life. Then there is the unplanned self analysis : The analysis that takes place when you hear a particular song, see a special person, smell a specific scent or see a certain movie. This analysis allows you to really be in touch with your innermost most thoughts, thoughts that you didn't even know existed within your soul. All emotions, thoughts and actions are triggered by some type of starter. When these types of analysis take place a person is able to personally witness how they have been able to come full circle within a TIME in their life. Heartache, learning processes, past experiences that have prepared you for the moment your are currently at and for where you may be in the next 30 seconds in your life are all things that TIME Produces. Its is up to a person as an individual to determine if they will allow TIME to be their friend, their anchor or their springboard.

20 years ago today, the world of college basketball lost a star, but the "Heavens Above" gained another star. Eric "Hank the Bank" Gathers died of cardiac arrest during a collegiate basketball game. Gathers a star forward for the Loyola Marymount Basketball Lions was on the cusp of realizing his life's athletic ambition ; A career in the NBA. At the tender age of 23 years old gathers suddenly died from a heart condition which triumphed over him after he scored on one of his trademark dunks. Gathers passion for success and drive to succeed is what makes his story so inspiring, yet so sad. Hank Gathers was a living testament of the old cliche' "You have to find something in life that you are willing to do for," and Gathers found this in basketball. A communications major, Gathers had his track to success not only outlined athletically on the basketball court, but also academically as he was a regular summer intern for the KTLA as a newsbroadcaster. His career planned before him, his life was a testament of not only how to plan life to be successful and set goals, but also as to how not to take one day for granted, and maximize all of your life's opportunities and ambitions. Remember Hank "The Bank" Gather.

The "Cold" Blooded City Of Memphis

The temperatures have not reached no more than 35-40 degrees in the city of Memphis over the last few days. There have been ample warnings about potential snow storms and freeze warnings thrown from the meteorologists of the various news outlets not only in the city of Memphis, but nationally. Tonight the city of Memphis is on the eve of what has the potential to become an extremely, bitterly cold snow storm that is supposed to blanket the city tonight and remain for the next couple of days with temperatures dipping down to the single digits by this weekend. This week alone has produced 3 deaths that according to police reports have been weather related (Hypothermia). I'm guessing these weather related deaths have led the city to take drastic measures, which in this case means putting up "TENTS" that will help shelter the homeless from these frigid temperatures that the city of Memphis and surrounding areas isexperiencing. This is a plan that while has good intentions behind it, is an ultimate fail for the city in addressing the needs of the homeless during this most needed time for shelter. I propose that the city of Memphis opens the dormant venues, The Mid South Coliseum and The Pyramid as temporary Shelter for the homeless during this dire time. This step of resolution would offer the city a chance to help the homeless tremendously while getting a positive use out of both buildings. This is something that does not have to become a permanent effort, but could definitely become a temporary BENEFICIAL UPLIFTING for the City of Memphis. There has been so much negativity in this city this venture would allow for a positive opportunity for the city to come together and be of aid to the less fortunate. Lets take a look at would could possibly happen if we do not use accessible means to help the homeless. You have many individuals that commit crimes to go to jail and receive a place to sleep, take warm showers, and eat. This is costing tax payers of the city millions of dollars annually. In many cases, homeless people do not have anything to lose by going to jail, but they can gain more than they had by committing a minor offense and going to jail. For one they know that they will be out of this horrid cold weather. This approach may be beneficial to the homeless but once again it is costing the tax payers. If the tax payers are going to go in debt, let the tax payers at least go in debt with tax dollars being paid on these two venues (The Pyramid and The Mid SouthColiseum) being used to (A) aid the homeless and ( B) potentially minimize pre-meditated crime from homeless people trying to obtain shelter.

The "Cold" Blooded City Of Memphis

The temperatures have not reached no more than 35-40 degrees in the city of Memphis over the last few days. There have been ample warnings about potential snow storms and freeze warnings thrown from the meteorologists of the various news outlets not only in the city of Memphis, but nationally. Tonight the city of Memphis is on the eve of what has the potential to become an extremely, bitterly cold snow storm that is supposed to blanket the city tonight and remain for the next couple of days with temperatures dipping down to the single digits by this weekend. This week alone has produced 3 deaths that according to police reports have been weather related (Hypothermia). I'm guessing these weather related deaths have led the city to take drastic measures, which in this case means putting up "TENTS" that will help shelter the homeless from these frigid temperatures that the city of Memphis and surrounding areas is experiencing. This is a plan that while has good intentions behind it, is an ultimate fail for the city in addressing the needs of the homeless during this most needed time for shelter. I propose that the city of Memphis opens the dormant venues, The Mid South Coliseum and The Pyramid as temporary Shelter for the homeless during this dire time. This step of resolution would offer the city a chance to help the homeless tremendously while getting a positive use out of both buildings. This is something that does not have to become a permanent effort, but could definitely become a temporary BENEFICIAL UPLIFTING for the City of Memphis. There has been so much negativity in this city this venture would allow for a positive opportunity for the city to come together and be of aid to the less fortunate. Lets take a look at would could possibly happen if we do not use accessible means to help the homeless. You have many individuals that commit crimes to go to jail and receive a place to sleep, take warm showers, and eat. This is costing tax payers of the city millions of dollars annually. In many cases, homeless people do not have anything to lose by going to jail, but they can gain more than they had by committing a minor offense and going to jail. For one they know that they will be out of this horrid cold weather. This approach may be beneficial to the homeless but once again it is costing the tax payers. If the tax payers are going to go in debt, let the tax payers at least go in debt with tax dollars being paid on these two venues (The Pyramid and The Mid South Coliseum) being used to (A) aid the homeless and ( B) potentially minimize pre-meditated crime from homeless people trying to obtain shelter.

The Media : Friend or Foe ?

The Media Is Amazing. Yes Tiger Woods Has Cheated On His Wife, But For All intents and purposes He hasn't not broken any government laws, or had any criminal charges pressed against him. He is by no means right in any of his actions, and I do not Condone Any of Them. Ben Roethlisberger was charged with sexual assault, and the story has relatively been kept quiet; Louisville Head Men's Basketball Coach Rick Pitino admitted to cheating on his wife, and having his pregnant mistresses get an abortion, and nothing else has been said about the situation since his press conference. The media by Choice makes an attempt to destroy an individual. But even as this unfolds, He Is Still Currently the #1 GOLFER in The World. I Guess The Media Can't Take Everything !

The media has the ability to create an image and destroy an image. This happens all too often not only with celebrities in the worlds of sports politics, and entertainment, but also in the local world ofindividuals in the world. By local world I mean the people in a community, whether its a certain race of people, a church, police department, charitable non profit organization, etc. We as individuals allow the media to form our perspectives and viewpoints on how things should go, and how people should be viewed and treated, rather than by following the golden rule of treating others how you want to be treated. It is as if the media will allow themselves to sell their soul to destroy or magnify another human being, group or organization. This is one reason that I feel that the media is less credible than it was 40 years ago. IN the past the media was concerned about getting its viewers and readers the truth, and was also concerned about the person, subject, or subjects being reported on at that point in time. The media works in a "Monkey See-Monkey Do" Assembly line, always ready for praising or destroying.

The Media : Destruction & Praise

The Media Is Amazing. Yes Tiger Woods Has Cheated On His Wife, But For All intents and purposes He hasn't not broken any government laws, or had any criminal charges pressed against him. He is by no means right in any of his actions, and I do not Condone Any of Them. Ben Roethlisberger was charged with sexual assault, and the story has relatively been kept quiet; Louisville Head Men's Basketball Coach Rick Pitino admitted to cheating on his wife, and having his pregnant mistresses get an abortion, and nothing else has been said about the situation since his press conference. The media by Choice makes an attempt to destroy an individual. But even as this unfolds, He Is Still Currently the #1 GOLFER in The World. I Guess The Media Can't Take Everything !

The media has the ability to create an image and destroy an image. This happens all too often not only with celebrities in the worlds of sports politics, and entertainment, but also in the local world of individuals in the world. By local world I mean the people in a community, whether its a certain race of people, a church, police department, charitable non profit organization, etc. We as individuals allow the media to form our perspectives and viewpoints on how things should go, and how people should be viewed and treated, rather than by following the golden rule of treating others how you want to be treated. It is as if the media will allow themselves to sell their soul to destroy or magnify another human being, group or organization. This is one reason that I feel that the media is less credible than it was 40 years ago. IN the past the media was concerned about getting its viewers and readers the truth, and was also concerned about the person, subject, or subjects being reported on at that point in time. The media works in a "Monkey See-Monkey Do" Assembly line, always ready for praising or destroying.

Karma Is A .................

April 1, 2009. April Fool's Day... This is the day that all jokes and pranks are played on everybody, and is celebrated in this culture. 

Location: Memphis, TN

One of the biggest pranks of all time was played in the sports world on Wednesday. University of Memphis Men's basketball coach John Calipari announced that he would be leaving the University to accept his dream position of coaching the Men's Basketball program at the University of Kentucky. Calipari stated, that this was not about money, but simply about him following his goal of becoming head coach at the distinguished university. Calipari has taken the last 9 years to not only elevate the University of Memphis Basketball program to an elite and respectable program within the national landscape of Division I collegiate basketball, but he has also been able to elevate himself to an upper level, respected coach, and recruiter within the realm of collegiate basketball coaches. Calipari did this in a manner that on the outside appeared to elevate the stature of the University of Memphis as not only a force to be reckoned with on the basketball court, but also as a nationally respected and top notch university for students of all kind to attend. In actuality the total opposite happened. Calipari used his time at The University of Memphis to set himself up for the position which he has now accepted. His experience prior to coming to the University of Memphis ( A Final Four Team as Head Coach at UMASS and a short tenure  as Head Coach and Executive with the New Jersey Nets of The NBA) was a solid foundation which he used as a spring board at the University of Memphis. His abilities to recruit and sale ideas, dreams, goals, and hopes snowed an entire community over at its lowest period as a University. Prior to Calipari's hiring, Tic Price was handed the keys to the University of Memphis basketball vehicle, and seemed to be on his pathway to success with two productive seasons, a N.I.T. appearance and new following from the longtime supporters of the University. Price Resigned as head coach of the Tigers due to his admission of an affair with an undergraduate student at the University. Prior to Tic Price, the greatest name in the history of the University held the reigns as the Men's Basketball Coach; Larry O. Finch. As a homegrown player from Memphis,TN he single handedly influenced the city not only in the realm of athletics, but also racially bringing together a city that was adversely divided due to the turbeulent race relations, and the civil rights movemnt of the sixties. He led the University to its First Ever Final Four and NAtional Championship game as a player. He spurned offers to play in the NBA to remain home and play with the Local ABA team, and furthermore displayed his love for his Alma mater by becoming an assistant coach at then Memphis State University and eventually the head coach of Memphis State University and later the University of Memphis. His ability to recruit and relate with all of the players, especially local players was a gift that proved to be instrumental in his success within the University.

Coach Calipari had an agenda from day one. To make the University of Memphis a University that appealed to national prospects that could compete nationally. Calipari's ability to recruit and his experience on the professional level enabled him to gain the best prospects in the country, which in turn led to the development of a National Program that brought prestige and validity to John Calipari as a collegiate coach ; Not The University of Memphis. The greatest example of Coach John Calipari showing an interest in his personal career rather than the Univeristiy of Memphis as a university was when he rejected a bid for the University of Memphis to join the Big East. The Big East is widely regarded as the Premiere conference in college basketball. The joining of this conference would have solidified the University of Memphis's men's basketball program as one of the top programs in the nation. But the joining of this conference would have also caused for more competition for John Calipari, as he would have had to recruit with more proven coaches such as Jim Calhoun, Rick Pitino, and Bobby Huggins to name a few. This would have in turn led to more difficulties winning which would not have allowed Calipari to so easily claim the stake as a winner and great coach. He was somewhat exposed in every big game that he coached at The University of Memphis as a coach that could not win the big game ;2002 overtime loss to No. 4 Cincinatti 2005 N.I.T. Tip Off Championship Game Memphis Vs. Duke, 2006 Elite 8 UCLA Loss, 2007 Elite 8 Loss Ohio State, 2008 Home Loss to No. 2 Tennessee as Mephis was ranked No. 1, 2008 National Championship Games Loss in overtime after having a 9 point lead with 2 minutes to go in the game. These major losses have been covered by the fact that Coach Calipari has been able to win in a weak conference and get one-and-done players to the NBA. These things have done nothing to elevate the University or the overall basketball respectability of the University of Memphis. All of his actions have allowed him to look like a savior of a University, not a leader of a University.

After The loss of some of the top recruits in the city and a couple of sub par season the University of Memphis Fired Larry Finch; at a Concession stand in the Pyramid the home arena after a Tigers game. The firing was not the worse part, the manner in which the firing occurred was the most disrecptable manner in which a person that has been so loyal to a job can be dismissed, without the decency or privacy of a one on one termination.

Coach Calipari lost his last game as coach at the University in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Upon flying home, Calipari announced at the Airport that amid speculations about his Coaching Future, The University of Memphis is where he wanted to be. Fast forward a couple of days later, and the Great Calipari not only accepts the University of Kentucky's Men's Basketball Coach Position, but with it he will also possibly take some of the players from the University of Memphis as transfers, and the number one recruiting class which was to be enrolling at the university in the fall, putting the University of Memphis Men's basketball program in complete disarray as the summer approaches, and the uncertainty  of a solid head coach looms over the program. 

The same people that hailed Calipari as a genius and savior  for the University are now calling him a traitor and in total disbelief as to not only the fact the he left the program, but the manner in which he left the program. Coach Calipari made his intentions known via a text message to an ESPN reporter while University of Memphis Supporters, Boosters, and Fans were in total darkness as to his intentions.

I GUESS THIS JUST GOES TO SHOW HOW KARMA CAN COME BACK ON A PERSON, IN THIS CASE A UNIVERSITY !