Training has been good. For the better part of a month my diet has cleaned up rather...well...slightly. But it is a start. I have bought groceries more often than fastfood and I prepare smaller meals throughout the day. Today, however, was a bomb. I just downed half a batch of brownies. Usually my diet goes to shit when Im not busy and on the go. For a stretch of about three days I was particularly good. I had several smaller meals with adequate supplemntation with my protein products. There are undoubtedly some muscular gains that are visually apparent from that span of days...at this point in my life when my hormone levels are up and my genetic makeup being good for muslce growth I am capable of makign gaisn VERy quickly. Its something that Im very glad to possess. Thank you Jesus.
Lately ive been focusing on using more perspective in terms of physics into my throwing an dbecome more intelligent with the concepts of throwing. It is helping a lot. There is also a lot of regard to neurology in any type of athletic event and the thrower who understands and applies these principals the most usually has a depper understanding...some people achieve this naturally...others have to realize it...such as myself. I am pretty good in terms of physical athleticism but my native ability to throw the discus is FAR outdone by other guys throughout the country. My primary sport in high school was basketball which isnt much of an explosive sport...its more a sport that deals with length, positioning, and any jumping is a result of a plant-extend action. Throwing utilizes a more explosive aspect and this is what i lack a lot. Most people have that advatage over me...and a lot of people have an advantage over me in terms of just pure talent...im not a bad athlete but I wasnt born with a native ability to throw well...my advantage however (and one that I am quite sure of)...is my intellect towards the sport. I apply a lot of physics to what im doing and compliment it with knowledge of neurology...its helps me understand the throw thoroughly...I believe it will help in the long run. A lot of my approach is directly related to how I approach practicing trombone. They have a lot in common...most capable minds I talk to agree with me on this...musicians and athletes alike.
I assume I will start throwing the shot-put again within the next month or so after spending all summer just focusing on discus. It is obvious that shot-put is a secondary event to me...discus is far superior and beautiful!!! seriously though. However my coach wants me to compete in shot-put because I can be good in it if i gave it more effort and it would help the team a lot in terms of points for meets. UH has definitly given me great opportunities and the coaching staff is great...putting in time to be competitive for shot-put is no problem at all when I consider how much I have to owe to a wonderful group of people who have helped me. it's the least I can do for UH. My goal for the 2007 indoor season is to hit 60' and get 61-63 feet in the outdoor season. Its definitely within my grasp right now. That distance should be good enough for maybe 5th at the NCAA national meet.
A good majority of people never feel a sense of team pride when it comes to track and field...me being one of them. But I think im now starting to feel an obligaton towards the team and the coaches and to help the team aspect. Ever since our new coach Leroy Burell took over for hall of famer Tom Tellez, he has had an undying and honest mission to become a national championship contender. Coach Burell is an outstanding track mind (Olympic medald and world records on his belt) and his comeptitive attitude for championships leaks over to his coaching. Its great to see him workin as he is always very enthusiastic and a great leader/mentor to the team. This year the team ended up 15th in the nation which is not bad but for anyone in the locker room far from where we want to be. I hope that I can provide a huge impact for this team to realize its goals of bcome a nationally recognized track team. That is why I am more than willing to give a little more effort in the shot-put. The goal is for my senior year to win both shot-put and discus titles in teh NCAA. I will estimate that 210' will win the discus and 66 feet will with the shot-put when i am a senior. Usually the discus title is right aroudn 200' feet but there is a very strong wave of underclassmen talent such as myself right now...and it is great..im looking forward to the competition!
Beginning tomorrow I am likely to begin writing my thoughts on how politics has perfectly shown how dumb human beings are capable of being. To sumarize, I will give my reflections upon how this nation has treated war, my views on the inconsistent treatment of what to label this war by the conservative sector, pick on the conservative sector, and comment on how people never seem to let themselves be face to face with the issues at hand. This is not a writing that involves propoganda for the liberal ideal. Those who know me knwo that I am not outspoken about american politics...I am a progressive however. Rather, this writing will be through the eyes humanity-with reason and perspective- showing how political people and minds have veered away from being reasonable and closing in on what is absurd. This will be my first ever attempt at voicing my thoughts politically but I have confidence...because I dont plan on losing my perspective. I will post it on here, on Xanga, and submit it to the Daily Cougar which is University of Houston's daily reader.
until then God Bless,
JL
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
The best reply to anything: "Why?"
Today I saw a very well made informative documentary called "Why We Fight". As you could imagine it is adressing the state of our nation's history in war. Why we fight? A question that has no uniform ansswer across our nation especially pertaining to the most recent war in Iraq. The film takes a rather obvious anti-war bias but the rhetoric in which the film communicates is clear and fair. The film ends with an opinion of a retired defense secretary. She was asked, "Why do we fight?". The answer: "Because no one has stood up and asked that same question in congress".
This update is not an attempt to reflect my views upon our recent war as it is evident that our government hides so much from us and I don't know how it is possible for anyone like me to make any conviction. Rather, I would like to point out a devastating lack of use of the divine right to ask "Why?". None of our elected officials honestly asked "why?" to war. They may have shown some type of disapproval but no honest effort of questioning was sutained by any member of congress...or anything known to the civilian world. When we don't ask why we are failing to a) learn the truth and most importantly b) understand the truth. Our inability to ask "why?" ,however, isnt always a product of or passiveness...rather, it often occurs from our inability to deal with being subject to rediculing, embarassment, inconvenience...etc.
In my fields of music and athletics i often come across people who are not willing to consider aspects of performance in great detail...thus delaying their understanding of ...anything. Maybe their ignorance is truely...bliss. But I cannto live with that...I have to know WHY....to anything. WHY should I do this? WHY shouydl I do that? Not trying to be a pest here...im tryign to UNDERSTAND. It's sad how the world we live is has turned away from gainign true understanding and now aims towards molding to a group ideal as they internally sustain confusion. How can anything be true without proper understanding?
This is something that I feel the christian sector lacks quite a bit...it is improving however. But there are many unanswered questions....what reply do most of us get to them? Usually something that tells us not to question...something that tells us to rely on faith...just to let it not be questioned.
I am a believer in God...I am a child of God...one who is seeking (or awaiting) answeres from God to help me understand him. Again, there is no true undestanding without questioning...without knowing. This is one thing I think christians must adress as they spread the Gospel. There has to be an effort to help peopel UNDERSTAND God...and WHY God... before we can try to help them any more. I see so many people accept Jesus into their hearts and where do they end up in a few years down the line? Peopel have to pursue anything with understanding...
Its late and im kind of getting spacey with my writing as you can very well see...but the message here from me... ask WHY... WHY? So that we can understand... so that we can research...study...find out what justifies what we have been told...only then can you truely love.
-JL
This update is not an attempt to reflect my views upon our recent war as it is evident that our government hides so much from us and I don't know how it is possible for anyone like me to make any conviction. Rather, I would like to point out a devastating lack of use of the divine right to ask "Why?". None of our elected officials honestly asked "why?" to war. They may have shown some type of disapproval but no honest effort of questioning was sutained by any member of congress...or anything known to the civilian world. When we don't ask why we are failing to a) learn the truth and most importantly b) understand the truth. Our inability to ask "why?" ,however, isnt always a product of or passiveness...rather, it often occurs from our inability to deal with being subject to rediculing, embarassment, inconvenience...etc.
In my fields of music and athletics i often come across people who are not willing to consider aspects of performance in great detail...thus delaying their understanding of ...anything. Maybe their ignorance is truely...bliss. But I cannto live with that...I have to know WHY....to anything. WHY should I do this? WHY shouydl I do that? Not trying to be a pest here...im tryign to UNDERSTAND. It's sad how the world we live is has turned away from gainign true understanding and now aims towards molding to a group ideal as they internally sustain confusion. How can anything be true without proper understanding?
This is something that I feel the christian sector lacks quite a bit...it is improving however. But there are many unanswered questions....what reply do most of us get to them? Usually something that tells us not to question...something that tells us to rely on faith...just to let it not be questioned.
I am a believer in God...I am a child of God...one who is seeking (or awaiting) answeres from God to help me understand him. Again, there is no true undestanding without questioning...without knowing. This is one thing I think christians must adress as they spread the Gospel. There has to be an effort to help peopel UNDERSTAND God...and WHY God... before we can try to help them any more. I see so many people accept Jesus into their hearts and where do they end up in a few years down the line? Peopel have to pursue anything with understanding...
Its late and im kind of getting spacey with my writing as you can very well see...but the message here from me... ask WHY... WHY? So that we can understand... so that we can research...study...find out what justifies what we have been told...only then can you truely love.
-JL
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Summerland III
Hello,
As the weeks pass the rest of my summer looks as if it is forming into shape. I will be takign two mini-mester courses...basically a lot of effing class cramm\ed into about 6-7 weeks. My break is ending...which is ok. The courses I will be taking are Italian and American Literasture as I am an English minor. Italian is required for my bachelor of arts degree in music. What degree I get for music really does not matter as long as I am playing well...thats what matters...the set of letters that sit after you name in a business card has no bearing to whats important...how you sound. Plus the BA is letting me take foreign language...I chose Italian and later in life I will take up German. That'll put me into a general knowledge intot eh three main languages of music- French, Italian, and German.
I have been invited to spend time on the ranch of Tom Tellez who is the former UH track and field coach and a member of the UH and USA Track and field Hall of fame. It is quite an honor to be invited by him personally to spend time with him on his ranch and train...and also maybe ride some horses...they better be strong! It'll only be me and him on his ranch...that's intense. He's coached many greats most notably Carl Lewis, 9-time Olympic gold medalist. He's also coached all of UH's top throwers in history and several olympians in the throwing events...hes an all-around stud coach. Hopefulyl I will be able to fit time in between now and the end of summer to go up to his ranch. I am honored nonetheless.
Musically Im doign fine this summer. Im feeling my chops bending back into shape most recently but Im finding some frustruations with my horn. It seems to be backing up on me as I play it. It raises concerns. I may be looking out for a better instrument to play. I am also gonan have to study hard to place out of as many music courses as I can for the fall. I took plnety of these courses at SMU but theyre making me do test to shwo that I still remember...and any real performer wont remeber everything they learned in class...its not important for me to compeltely understands all the modes in early music...its just not important. I learned it once, I dont need to learn it EVER AGAIN.
And a rant...
I recently read an article on Men's Health Magazine that offered advive on hwo to conquer competition. It discussed a method which involves invokign a mental war...thus altering your opponen't ability by mentally attacking them. I read this article in pure DISGUST. When pursuits of this kind occur, it is a true indicator that the love of what you are doing is out of the window. America has become so oriented with dominance it has told us that we should take measures to altar the other party in order for us to feel dominant. Competition should be beautiful, truthful, and well...perfect. That is the true pursuit with love and passion. There is no accomplishment in winning when you've faced someone who was not able to put forth their best. It is truely pathetic to thrive on one's inability to do their best...what does it say about you? I think musicians are particularly good in dealign with competition...though there are idiots who offer exceptions...for the most part musicians pursue comeptitons and auditions with love, pursuit of beauty, and the burden of sharing. Their comeptiton is themself and the obstacles that otehr spresent to them...their competition is not the other people...the competition lies in a divine purpose....the purpose of accomplishment and satisfaction to one's work. ..and in my case, a happiness offered to my creator. It is absolutely pathetic to rely on someone else's bad day in order for you to thrive and salivate at the opportunity to capitalize...its not beautiful.
later,
JL
As the weeks pass the rest of my summer looks as if it is forming into shape. I will be takign two mini-mester courses...basically a lot of effing class cramm\ed into about 6-7 weeks. My break is ending...which is ok. The courses I will be taking are Italian and American Literasture as I am an English minor. Italian is required for my bachelor of arts degree in music. What degree I get for music really does not matter as long as I am playing well...thats what matters...the set of letters that sit after you name in a business card has no bearing to whats important...how you sound. Plus the BA is letting me take foreign language...I chose Italian and later in life I will take up German. That'll put me into a general knowledge intot eh three main languages of music- French, Italian, and German.
I have been invited to spend time on the ranch of Tom Tellez who is the former UH track and field coach and a member of the UH and USA Track and field Hall of fame. It is quite an honor to be invited by him personally to spend time with him on his ranch and train...and also maybe ride some horses...they better be strong! It'll only be me and him on his ranch...that's intense. He's coached many greats most notably Carl Lewis, 9-time Olympic gold medalist. He's also coached all of UH's top throwers in history and several olympians in the throwing events...hes an all-around stud coach. Hopefulyl I will be able to fit time in between now and the end of summer to go up to his ranch. I am honored nonetheless.
Musically Im doign fine this summer. Im feeling my chops bending back into shape most recently but Im finding some frustruations with my horn. It seems to be backing up on me as I play it. It raises concerns. I may be looking out for a better instrument to play. I am also gonan have to study hard to place out of as many music courses as I can for the fall. I took plnety of these courses at SMU but theyre making me do test to shwo that I still remember...and any real performer wont remeber everything they learned in class...its not important for me to compeltely understands all the modes in early music...its just not important. I learned it once, I dont need to learn it EVER AGAIN.
And a rant...
I recently read an article on Men's Health Magazine that offered advive on hwo to conquer competition. It discussed a method which involves invokign a mental war...thus altering your opponen't ability by mentally attacking them. I read this article in pure DISGUST. When pursuits of this kind occur, it is a true indicator that the love of what you are doing is out of the window. America has become so oriented with dominance it has told us that we should take measures to altar the other party in order for us to feel dominant. Competition should be beautiful, truthful, and well...perfect. That is the true pursuit with love and passion. There is no accomplishment in winning when you've faced someone who was not able to put forth their best. It is truely pathetic to thrive on one's inability to do their best...what does it say about you? I think musicians are particularly good in dealign with competition...though there are idiots who offer exceptions...for the most part musicians pursue comeptitons and auditions with love, pursuit of beauty, and the burden of sharing. Their comeptiton is themself and the obstacles that otehr spresent to them...their competition is not the other people...the competition lies in a divine purpose....the purpose of accomplishment and satisfaction to one's work. ..and in my case, a happiness offered to my creator. It is absolutely pathetic to rely on someone else's bad day in order for you to thrive and salivate at the opportunity to capitalize...its not beautiful.
later,
JL
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