I have bone to pick with the powers that be behind some of the moves made yesterday in the NBA. It has been very hard for me to remain true to my team, the Houston Rockets these past few years. No it is not because of the losses, or the no Championships since 1995; no my pain extends beyond that. Yesterday the Rockets traded away Shane Battier and Aaron Brooks.
Let me start with Brooks. This is the man who kept the team together and gave them a real chance of beating the Lakers in the playoffs a few years ago and took them to a game 7. Yes, he's been hurt this year, but that is no reason to trade him away when he's in his prime and can still get you to where you need to go.
The real problem is Shane Battier. He does so much more than score, he's a tremendous defender, great passer, and is one of the smartest players in the game. The man went to Duke for crying out loud and won a national championship. He is one of the most underrated players in the league and he deserved better.
Can I address the real issue which is management and coaching? This is where my struggles to remain loyal have come into play. Rudy Tomjonovich, the Coach during their back to back championship runs, is the man I want back at the helm. I know he's battling cancer and is enjoying retirement, but the legacy he left behind of a team who played with heart has been replaced by men who don't know what they have and can't get the best of what they have.
Jeff Van Gundy was just the beginning. He had very little to no success getting the Knicks to a championship. Yes, he got them to the Finals in 1999, in a strike shortened season, but they lost the Spurs and rookie Tim Duncan. When he took over the coaching responsibilities, the team lost focus, respect, admiration, and a lot of games. He resigned rather than being fired for lack of productivity.
Then there is current coach Rick Adelman. I have no respect for this man as a coach. I'm sorry. I find him to be a whiner and a complainer, I find that his players don't really respect him, and I don't believe he knows the best way to get the best from the people who play for him. Look at the 1992 Portland Trailblazers who lost to the Bulls in six games. They were up 14 in the fourth qtr of Game 6 and the Bulls came back and won their second consecutive title. If you watch the game as much as I have, you will see a guy who blamed officials, blamed players, but no one blamed him for having the wrong guys on the floor at the wrong time. Then there was the 2001 Western Conference Finals where he allowed the Lakers to beat the Kings and go on to win 3 championships. The man doesn't know how to succeed. His teams don't play with heart. That is what is needed, and that is what he allowed the Rockets to trade away.
The organization is the next bone I want to pick. They make bad decisions for even worse reasons. They allowed one of the greatest big men to ever play the game, Hakeem Olajuwon, to leave the organization after 17 seasons with the team to go to Toronto where he was rarely used, and eventually retired. He retired as a Raptor, not a Rocket like he should have been.
The man had heart, and his team played with heart. The organization used to have heart and it's hard to remain loyal. When people ask me who I like, or who is my favorite team, I was proud to shout, the Houston Rockets... I still say it, but I don't say it like I used to. I don't shout it, but rather I say it with regret.
Stop making lame decisions! Recapture your heart, and being in the talent and the leadership that will keep your fans loyal and reward them for their devotion. You owe us that.
Until next time
P
Friday, February 25, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Wasted
A few weeks ago I had a day off. I had a day where I literally had nothing to do; Monday was non-school, non-basketball day for me. It was a wonderful day off from the chaos that has been my life these last few weeks with games almost every other day and subbing almost four days a week since January. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love the work, love the sport, and love the rewards, but when I got a day off, I took advantage of it. Not in the way that you might think though, some of you may call this a wasted day, but others, well, you might admire what I did. Just before the Christmas break, I injured my back which resulted in me going to a chiropractor and getting fixed three times a week. I am on orders not to engage in anything to strenuous so as not to undue the work being done. I bring this up so that you understand why I did what I did.
My wife and I have a Nintendo Wii, and on this amazing device is our Netflix. SHE got me hooked on this by the way, so if there is anyone to blame it is her.
I was flipping through the vast array of old movies and tv shows to watch when I came across a show I had never heard of before, and is no longer on. The show was called Hidden Palms. Written by Kevin Williamson, the writer of Dawson’s Creek, the Scream movies, and other teenage TV dramas. I read the description for the pilot and thought, what the heck, I’ll give the first episode a try.
By the end of the day, I had watched 8 episodes, the entire first season, and well, the entire series of the show, which lasted only 8 shows. To say it was addicting is putting it mildly. Here is the premise:
Johnny Miller, a studious and level headed high school junior, witnesses his father’s suicide and spirals downward into a world of drugs and alcohol. He goes to rehab and 6 months later, the show begins… His mother, remarries the father’s business partner and moves to Palm Springs in the summer in a lavish and almost perfect community where luxury and wealth run rampant. There, Johnny meets next door neighbor and community jerk, Cliff Wyatt. The kid who gets whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Across the street is Liza, the pretty quiet girl who spends her days in the garage conducting experiments in hopes that one day she will work in pharmaceuticals. Then there’s Gretta Matthews, the hottie with secrets. She’s also independent being that her mother passed away from leukemia when she was nine and her father is a high priced attorney who is never around. Johnny learns that the house his family has moved into has a secret. The teenage boy who lived in the room, Eddie, committed suicide, in the very room that Johnny sleeps in every night. WOW, like Johnny needs this over his head. Over the course of the show, Johnny learns that Eddie was best friends with Cliff, dated Gretta and was secret bff to Liza. Secrets become uncovered with each show and we learn that it wasn’t suicide but murder. Johnny tries to find out who killed Eddie and why.
I don’t want to give anything about plot away, but let me tell you, riveting. I wanted to see a season 2. I wanted to know what happened next. I wanted to see the next phase of this show.
Now, yes, it has its flaws, has its problems. Parents are drunk and arguing all the time, kids have not boundaries and no morals, and don’t even get me started with the dress code. This is Palm Springs, in the SUMMER. I’ve been there during this time, and at no point in time would anyone be caught outside in black shorts or pants, a black t-shirt, and a HOODIE…. A HOODIE! Come on. You would spend the entire time in an air conditioned home and rarely go for a swim because you would get sunburn quickly. Not here, they golf, the wear lots of clothes, they bundle up when they go to sleep, it’s ridiculous. However, the stories grab you, and they keep you coming back.
I regret nothing about watching this show. Yes, you might think it was a wasted day, but I didn’t. My wife thinks otherwise, and she and I joke about it, but I am glad I did it. Now, I am back at work, back at school, and I am a happy man. I highly recommend that if you have a day like I did, take advantage of it. There is nothing wrong with relaxation. You may call it wasted, but I call it fun. I think life needs to have more fun in it. Don’t you?
Until next time
P
My wife and I have a Nintendo Wii, and on this amazing device is our Netflix. SHE got me hooked on this by the way, so if there is anyone to blame it is her.
I was flipping through the vast array of old movies and tv shows to watch when I came across a show I had never heard of before, and is no longer on. The show was called Hidden Palms. Written by Kevin Williamson, the writer of Dawson’s Creek, the Scream movies, and other teenage TV dramas. I read the description for the pilot and thought, what the heck, I’ll give the first episode a try.
By the end of the day, I had watched 8 episodes, the entire first season, and well, the entire series of the show, which lasted only 8 shows. To say it was addicting is putting it mildly. Here is the premise:
Johnny Miller, a studious and level headed high school junior, witnesses his father’s suicide and spirals downward into a world of drugs and alcohol. He goes to rehab and 6 months later, the show begins… His mother, remarries the father’s business partner and moves to Palm Springs in the summer in a lavish and almost perfect community where luxury and wealth run rampant. There, Johnny meets next door neighbor and community jerk, Cliff Wyatt. The kid who gets whatever he wants, whenever he wants. Across the street is Liza, the pretty quiet girl who spends her days in the garage conducting experiments in hopes that one day she will work in pharmaceuticals. Then there’s Gretta Matthews, the hottie with secrets. She’s also independent being that her mother passed away from leukemia when she was nine and her father is a high priced attorney who is never around. Johnny learns that the house his family has moved into has a secret. The teenage boy who lived in the room, Eddie, committed suicide, in the very room that Johnny sleeps in every night. WOW, like Johnny needs this over his head. Over the course of the show, Johnny learns that Eddie was best friends with Cliff, dated Gretta and was secret bff to Liza. Secrets become uncovered with each show and we learn that it wasn’t suicide but murder. Johnny tries to find out who killed Eddie and why.
I don’t want to give anything about plot away, but let me tell you, riveting. I wanted to see a season 2. I wanted to know what happened next. I wanted to see the next phase of this show.
Now, yes, it has its flaws, has its problems. Parents are drunk and arguing all the time, kids have not boundaries and no morals, and don’t even get me started with the dress code. This is Palm Springs, in the SUMMER. I’ve been there during this time, and at no point in time would anyone be caught outside in black shorts or pants, a black t-shirt, and a HOODIE…. A HOODIE! Come on. You would spend the entire time in an air conditioned home and rarely go for a swim because you would get sunburn quickly. Not here, they golf, the wear lots of clothes, they bundle up when they go to sleep, it’s ridiculous. However, the stories grab you, and they keep you coming back.
I regret nothing about watching this show. Yes, you might think it was a wasted day, but I didn’t. My wife thinks otherwise, and she and I joke about it, but I am glad I did it. Now, I am back at work, back at school, and I am a happy man. I highly recommend that if you have a day like I did, take advantage of it. There is nothing wrong with relaxation. You may call it wasted, but I call it fun. I think life needs to have more fun in it. Don’t you?
Until next time
P
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Shameless
OK, I don't want to do this, but I feel that I have to. I have this platform to express my thoughts and opinions and I need to express something that, well, might appear shameless. A year ago, I published my first novel, Better Days. I am currently in the process of writing the sequel, which doesn't have a title yet, but I do have ideas. I self published, and the book is available online through my publisher, xlibris.com, my own website, prestonkerr.com, or through barnes and noble and borders. It is also on Amazon.
BUY MY BOOK people! :) Just kidding. But seriously, buy my book. I personally think that I written a pretty good book, and I am proud of it.
Here's the jist. What makes you happy in this life? Your job? Friends? Things? Car? Family? What happens to you when those things are taken from you? The joy of your life is lessened because you found joy in is no longer there. Therefore, your life is less happy and you feel less fulfilled.
In my book, I explore that feeling through my main character Brady McEwing. I know great name, right? Brady is a good guy. He does things for the right reasons, and his friends love him for his selfless ways. However, the role of being there has created a feeling in him that joy is wrapped up in being needed.
Slowly the friends come to rely on him less and less, which makes his joy less and less and reveals what happens when you place joy in the things that can be taken away at any given moment.
Now, being happy with your friends and people the mean something to you are important, I don't take anything away from that. But, when it's you SOLE source of joy, that's where things get bad.
So where are you supposed to find this joy? Well, read the book and find out! I am not going to spoil the whole thing for you.
My story centers around Brady McEwing and his friends, Jordan Miller, Sean Cunningham, Nelson Matthews, and and Amanda McCoy. I start you off at their high school graduation, take you through college, and early adulthood. Each chapter is a new year. Highlighting the events of the year and showing how Brady is slowly turning into a joyless person who's lost and in desperate need of guidance.
Yes, I know, this is a shameless way to promote my own book, but like I said, I have this forum available to me, and I will use it in anyway that I see fit.
Please, go buy my book. It's good. I promise. Just ask my wife, she read it.
Until next time.
P
BUY MY BOOK people! :) Just kidding. But seriously, buy my book. I personally think that I written a pretty good book, and I am proud of it.
Here's the jist. What makes you happy in this life? Your job? Friends? Things? Car? Family? What happens to you when those things are taken from you? The joy of your life is lessened because you found joy in is no longer there. Therefore, your life is less happy and you feel less fulfilled.
In my book, I explore that feeling through my main character Brady McEwing. I know great name, right? Brady is a good guy. He does things for the right reasons, and his friends love him for his selfless ways. However, the role of being there has created a feeling in him that joy is wrapped up in being needed.
Slowly the friends come to rely on him less and less, which makes his joy less and less and reveals what happens when you place joy in the things that can be taken away at any given moment.
Now, being happy with your friends and people the mean something to you are important, I don't take anything away from that. But, when it's you SOLE source of joy, that's where things get bad.
So where are you supposed to find this joy? Well, read the book and find out! I am not going to spoil the whole thing for you.
My story centers around Brady McEwing and his friends, Jordan Miller, Sean Cunningham, Nelson Matthews, and and Amanda McCoy. I start you off at their high school graduation, take you through college, and early adulthood. Each chapter is a new year. Highlighting the events of the year and showing how Brady is slowly turning into a joyless person who's lost and in desperate need of guidance.
Yes, I know, this is a shameless way to promote my own book, but like I said, I have this forum available to me, and I will use it in anyway that I see fit.
Please, go buy my book. It's good. I promise. Just ask my wife, she read it.
Until next time.
P
Friday, January 14, 2011
Resolve
Welcome to 2011, a new decade. I’m excited. I’m looking forward to a new year, a new opportunity, a new season of life. It’s a time for new beginnings, new events, and new chances. However, what it is not time for, is resolutions.
I am against making New Year’s resolutions. Always have been, always will be. I don’t see the need to make this declaration of change at the start of the New Year. To me, if you’re set on making changes in your life, like losing weight, getting a job, having children, or writing a book, why did you have to wait till the New Year to do it? Why couldn’t you do it last year?
Then there are the other things that people decide will be different in this coming year like, “I’ll be nicer to people,” or “I’ll stop procrastinating.” I don’t get it. I don’t understand how the power of the year changing makes it all right to make serious changes in your life? Why did you wait? Why couldn’t you just make these changes when you first thought of them?
That brings up the other question, why didn’t you think of them before? What made New Year’s Eve so powerful that you couldn’t think of these important things in the previous year? I get that you want to make changes, and I applaud that. I am too am in the process of making changes in my life. The only difference was I didn’t wait till the clock stuck midnight on January 1st to enact those changes.
I believe that if it’s important, then you shouldn’t wait for a date on the calendar, you should do it right away. You should make the impact that you desire immediately. I resolve that I will not make any declaration this year to be done in the future. If I need to do something, and or make changes, the moment I think of it, is the moment I will start doing it.
I don’t want to offend people who take the time to make their resolutions. If it’s something you’ve done for years and look forward to, go for it. Maybe you need to dedicate yourself to a fresh idea and give yourself a time table so that you can build up your courage to make this change in your life. That makes sense to me. But, I want you to know that you already have the courage. You’re admitting that you want to change something or make things better, or bottom line, become a better person. You don’t need the change of a calendar to make this change. Do it now, do it when you realize it. Resolve to be a better person now, and not to wait until 2012. No need for it. You can do it.
Until next time
P
I am against making New Year’s resolutions. Always have been, always will be. I don’t see the need to make this declaration of change at the start of the New Year. To me, if you’re set on making changes in your life, like losing weight, getting a job, having children, or writing a book, why did you have to wait till the New Year to do it? Why couldn’t you do it last year?
Then there are the other things that people decide will be different in this coming year like, “I’ll be nicer to people,” or “I’ll stop procrastinating.” I don’t get it. I don’t understand how the power of the year changing makes it all right to make serious changes in your life? Why did you wait? Why couldn’t you just make these changes when you first thought of them?
That brings up the other question, why didn’t you think of them before? What made New Year’s Eve so powerful that you couldn’t think of these important things in the previous year? I get that you want to make changes, and I applaud that. I am too am in the process of making changes in my life. The only difference was I didn’t wait till the clock stuck midnight on January 1st to enact those changes.
I believe that if it’s important, then you shouldn’t wait for a date on the calendar, you should do it right away. You should make the impact that you desire immediately. I resolve that I will not make any declaration this year to be done in the future. If I need to do something, and or make changes, the moment I think of it, is the moment I will start doing it.
I don’t want to offend people who take the time to make their resolutions. If it’s something you’ve done for years and look forward to, go for it. Maybe you need to dedicate yourself to a fresh idea and give yourself a time table so that you can build up your courage to make this change in your life. That makes sense to me. But, I want you to know that you already have the courage. You’re admitting that you want to change something or make things better, or bottom line, become a better person. You don’t need the change of a calendar to make this change. Do it now, do it when you realize it. Resolve to be a better person now, and not to wait until 2012. No need for it. You can do it.
Until next time
P
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Chad
I received word today that a dear friend of mine passed away last week. Unless you were part of Laguna Hills High School in the late 90s, you may not know the man Chad Underkoffler, but he was a great friend and a great man.
I was working there at the time as an assistant varsity basketball coach and was the head coach for the Sophomore team when I met Chad. He was the basketball programs team manager and his love and passion then was being around the guys. They loved him right back and appreciated his work and his fun spirit.
I fondly remember sitting with him during games and his laughter and joking ways making light of some intense situations. He was funny, he was kind hearted, and he always had something positive to say. I lost contact with him after I left the school but learned that he got married and had a daughter. I was so very happy and proud for him. He deserved that kind of happiness. He deserved to be loved on after all the love he gave to others.
During practice he was like another coach, always telling guys what they need to work on, and would get guys the ball, or water, or whatever. He saw his role not as a lackey, which he was not, but more of a person who could help, and that he did. He ran the scoreboard during games for me, he filmed games, he did the book, he did it all. He did it all with a smile. He was just happy to be part of something at the school that was great.
I can remember bus trips with him and the guys talking and laughing with him, sharing stories, whatever, they respected him. I felt like I had a friend to talk to in Chad. Run ideas by him, and generally, just talk. He was a great listener, and a very insightful person.
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He was a great man, father, husband, and friend. The world is a sadder place without his laughter and smile and to brighten our days.
Rest in peace, Chad. Take care my friend. God bless you and your family.
Until next time
P
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Questions
I have no real reason for writing this, but I have some questions. I'm sure we all have those questions that we want answers to but don't have and probably won't have. I have been thinking about this lately, and I ask them to you, my loyal readers to maybe share some insight.
1. Why don't people use their blinkers anymore? Seriously. I can't recall the number of times I have been cut off because people don't think they have to use their blinkers. They're there for a reason, USE THEM!
2. How many different coffee houses do we need in a 3 block radius? Everywhere I look there is new coffee house trying to outdo the competition, or there are multiple stores of the same branch less than 300 yards away. Do we need that much coffee in that short amount of time?
3. Why do people think Margaret Cho is funny? Really, is she that hysterical? I don't get it. Maybe, I'm not supposed to get her humor and that's why it isn't funny, but I listen to her or watch something she does or says and I ask myself, who keeps telling her to make jokes?
4. How many reality shows about cooking or surviving a competition to we need? Honestly, I hate reality shows, but I like, no love, I'll admit it, love Amazing Race. It's the only one that requires skill. The others, just are a popularity contest. My suggestion, less reality more scripts. Give me something to care about!
5. Why do all high school basketball warm up cds have to be all rap? OK, this one isn't a big question, but it's something that I have noticed being a high school coach, and have to listen to. If you were to come to one of my games, I make the cds, and I don't allow rap. I'm all about the 80s metal rock, or arena rock. Something with soul, something with heart, something that is tolerable. I just don't get it. The last few days I have heard the worst of the worse. At one point I wanted to cut off my own ear. That's bad.
6. Do all politicians just belittle their opponents rather than talk about what they can do? All I hear is why the opposition shouldn't be elected and how bad they are. No one talks about the real changes that need to be made or the ways to go about making the changes. It's all nonsense and garbage.
Those are some of my issues. I have more, but I don't want to bore you. Let me know what you think.
Until Next time
P
1. Why don't people use their blinkers anymore? Seriously. I can't recall the number of times I have been cut off because people don't think they have to use their blinkers. They're there for a reason, USE THEM!
2. How many different coffee houses do we need in a 3 block radius? Everywhere I look there is new coffee house trying to outdo the competition, or there are multiple stores of the same branch less than 300 yards away. Do we need that much coffee in that short amount of time?
3. Why do people think Margaret Cho is funny? Really, is she that hysterical? I don't get it. Maybe, I'm not supposed to get her humor and that's why it isn't funny, but I listen to her or watch something she does or says and I ask myself, who keeps telling her to make jokes?
4. How many reality shows about cooking or surviving a competition to we need? Honestly, I hate reality shows, but I like, no love, I'll admit it, love Amazing Race. It's the only one that requires skill. The others, just are a popularity contest. My suggestion, less reality more scripts. Give me something to care about!
5. Why do all high school basketball warm up cds have to be all rap? OK, this one isn't a big question, but it's something that I have noticed being a high school coach, and have to listen to. If you were to come to one of my games, I make the cds, and I don't allow rap. I'm all about the 80s metal rock, or arena rock. Something with soul, something with heart, something that is tolerable. I just don't get it. The last few days I have heard the worst of the worse. At one point I wanted to cut off my own ear. That's bad.
6. Do all politicians just belittle their opponents rather than talk about what they can do? All I hear is why the opposition shouldn't be elected and how bad they are. No one talks about the real changes that need to be made or the ways to go about making the changes. It's all nonsense and garbage.
Those are some of my issues. I have more, but I don't want to bore you. Let me know what you think.
Until Next time
P
Monday, December 6, 2010
The Bodega
This one isn't for everyone. It may not be your cup of tea, but I ask that you read it all before you make your decision to stop reading my posts. This is a promotion for a friend. I have this platform at my disposal and this time I'm using to help out a friend.
It may not be your type of music, it may not be your scene, and it may not be something you're interested, but I think it's worth checking out. I have a friend, who has released his first hip hop album called the Bodega. His name is K Wylin, and I have become a believer.
I was raised on rock and to this day, it is where my heart pulls me. There's a lot of rappers out there that make me sick. They hurt my head with their insane lyrics, horrendous messages, degrading messages, violent images, and just plain irresponsible. Now, not all of them are like this, and I acknolwedge that, but there are those that the above accurately describes and it gives the genre a horrible name. It is the reason I stay away from it.
Then there's my friend. I can tolerate him. No, scratch that, I appreciate him. His works, talent, lyrics, message, and poise separate him from a list of wannabes and pretenders.
Last night, at his release party, my wife and I, who are not hip hop fans, sat and watched him perform and we heard several of the songs from his new album, and many times during the night, my wife and I would lean into each other and say, "I liked that." The songs were fun, both lyrically and musically. He's up front that his album is a message between him and God, and that every song was inspired by his faith in Jesus.
I admire his talent, his passion and his heart for people. A few of his songs he had released a few years ago, and to him, they were very arrogant and egotistical. He told the crowd last night that they came off as though it was about him, and how awesome he is. He took the time to rewrite the lyrics to illustrate clearly that the point he was making is that he is awesome, but only through the grace of God. I loved the originals, but love the newer ones too.
If you know him, one of the phrases or words you will hear him say repeatedly is, "I appreciate you," or "appreciate." It's not just a word or expression to him, it's what he feels, genuinely. Obviously he wants this to be his career choice, but his goal isn't to make a million dollars year, or sell ten thousand units a week. His goal is to have the opportunity to reach that one person that doesn't know Jesus and encourage him to see that his life has meaning and he can something more than he is.
His words are encouraging, he message is strong, and his personality is approachable. What more are you looking for?
That's one of the many reasons that he is different than other hip hop performers out there. He understands that he is not the focus, his songs aren't the focus, but rather it's his message that should be the focus. One of his songs, entitled, Giving Children Hope, is about the responsibility that we have in the society we live in to get kids off the streets and away from the gang lifestyle and to give them the hope that they can be more than murderers and thieves.
K Wylin understands that his job is not just to sell records and pursue a career in hip hop, but that he also has a responsibility to his faith and to the people that listen to him. He isn't positioning himself as a role model, but rather showing listener who they should look to as a role model, and that is Jesus Christ. He is modest, entertaining, humble, funny, talented, and more.
So, where you're a fan of hip hop or not, and I know there are many, if you're looking for something with positive messages and entertaining songs, look to K. Wylin. I'm not just promoting this because he's a friend of mine, but I believe in what he's doing and believe in what he's promoting.
Kwylin.com is his website
You can buy his album the Bodega on itunes.
Until next time
P
It may not be your type of music, it may not be your scene, and it may not be something you're interested, but I think it's worth checking out. I have a friend, who has released his first hip hop album called the Bodega. His name is K Wylin, and I have become a believer.
I was raised on rock and to this day, it is where my heart pulls me. There's a lot of rappers out there that make me sick. They hurt my head with their insane lyrics, horrendous messages, degrading messages, violent images, and just plain irresponsible. Now, not all of them are like this, and I acknolwedge that, but there are those that the above accurately describes and it gives the genre a horrible name. It is the reason I stay away from it.
Then there's my friend. I can tolerate him. No, scratch that, I appreciate him. His works, talent, lyrics, message, and poise separate him from a list of wannabes and pretenders.
Last night, at his release party, my wife and I, who are not hip hop fans, sat and watched him perform and we heard several of the songs from his new album, and many times during the night, my wife and I would lean into each other and say, "I liked that." The songs were fun, both lyrically and musically. He's up front that his album is a message between him and God, and that every song was inspired by his faith in Jesus.
I admire his talent, his passion and his heart for people. A few of his songs he had released a few years ago, and to him, they were very arrogant and egotistical. He told the crowd last night that they came off as though it was about him, and how awesome he is. He took the time to rewrite the lyrics to illustrate clearly that the point he was making is that he is awesome, but only through the grace of God. I loved the originals, but love the newer ones too.
If you know him, one of the phrases or words you will hear him say repeatedly is, "I appreciate you," or "appreciate." It's not just a word or expression to him, it's what he feels, genuinely. Obviously he wants this to be his career choice, but his goal isn't to make a million dollars year, or sell ten thousand units a week. His goal is to have the opportunity to reach that one person that doesn't know Jesus and encourage him to see that his life has meaning and he can something more than he is.
His words are encouraging, he message is strong, and his personality is approachable. What more are you looking for?
That's one of the many reasons that he is different than other hip hop performers out there. He understands that he is not the focus, his songs aren't the focus, but rather it's his message that should be the focus. One of his songs, entitled, Giving Children Hope, is about the responsibility that we have in the society we live in to get kids off the streets and away from the gang lifestyle and to give them the hope that they can be more than murderers and thieves.
K Wylin understands that his job is not just to sell records and pursue a career in hip hop, but that he also has a responsibility to his faith and to the people that listen to him. He isn't positioning himself as a role model, but rather showing listener who they should look to as a role model, and that is Jesus Christ. He is modest, entertaining, humble, funny, talented, and more.
So, where you're a fan of hip hop or not, and I know there are many, if you're looking for something with positive messages and entertaining songs, look to K. Wylin. I'm not just promoting this because he's a friend of mine, but I believe in what he's doing and believe in what he's promoting.
Kwylin.com is his website
You can buy his album the Bodega on itunes.
Until next time
P
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