After witnessing a craptastic loss to the lowly t-wolves, i've come to a few conclusions:
1. 7th Ave should immediately be renamed "King James' Way"
2. If D.Lee and Nate Robinson were put on the presidential ballots, NYstate would most definitely go orange n blue
3. Coach 'Antoni' doesn't deserve a "D" in his name
4. Step aside Spike...Turtle (yes, from Entourage) is the ultimate Knicks fan
5. "hey, where you going? there's still twelve minutes left!!" is no longer a valid question/statement while attending knicks games
6. Knicks City Dancers :-)
7. I'm Oh for Six!!!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Top of the Moooorning to ya, laddy!
...yes, i know that's not what British people say - but their reactions to my ignorance were priceless. i dunno what it is, but mocking the whole english culture and way of life was too easy, and very entertaining. i think it was the fact that they played along with our jokes almost every time that really made it easy and fun. almost every conversation between us and a local started off with a fake/really bad attempt at a british accent and ended in one of three ways:
1. blatantly ignoring us
2. "oi, piss off!"
3. a big smile, some laughter and questions about where the hell we were really from
we even tried to hustle unsuspecting pedestrians an umbrella for one pound...we almost got em, until they realized that the umbrellas were being given out for free. not to mention, we also out-hustled a hustler himself...and then he realized we were smarter than his tricks, so he laughed nervously and commended us on our skills...he ran away
speaking of pedestrians, those tiny london streets cannot handle the crazyyy amounts of people. every direction you walk, turn, or cross the street, you're bumping into someone - i earned the name "baby hitter" because i accidentally ran into a stroller...luckily the mom was cool about it and apologized before i could realize i almost knocked over her child. at that point, i figured it would be reallllly entertaining to see a pedestrian round-about! since the country already doesn't make any sense, why not have pedestrians use round-abouts as well? i'm sure it would help control the massive crowds - i think i'll bring that to their parliament's attention one day
after 3 days of wedding stuff (btw, congrats to iqbal n sabira), and a day of shopping in london, i find myself in Amsterdam....normally, that would be a fun time, but i'm stuck at the airport for a good 12 hours. it wouldnt be so bad, but europe is so FRICKIN expensive! i went to the currency exchange, handed the lady a $20bill...after exchange rates and "processing fees", i was handed 10euros and 87cents. That bought me a mcdonalds meal, candy from some store and some coins to take home as a souvenior. 20 damn dollars, GONE! not to mention, i had to cough up 16euros ($23) to get internet access for the night. they're a buncha scammers!
as a way to channel my frustration, i learned how to curse in arabic...it worked for a while, until a buncha somali's understood what we said and lashed back - yea, we ran!
all in all, a good trip...it was nice to experience something different
england - fun place to visit...to live, not so much my kinda style
1. blatantly ignoring us
2. "oi, piss off!"
3. a big smile, some laughter and questions about where the hell we were really from
we even tried to hustle unsuspecting pedestrians an umbrella for one pound...we almost got em, until they realized that the umbrellas were being given out for free. not to mention, we also out-hustled a hustler himself...and then he realized we were smarter than his tricks, so he laughed nervously and commended us on our skills...he ran away
speaking of pedestrians, those tiny london streets cannot handle the crazyyy amounts of people. every direction you walk, turn, or cross the street, you're bumping into someone - i earned the name "baby hitter" because i accidentally ran into a stroller...luckily the mom was cool about it and apologized before i could realize i almost knocked over her child. at that point, i figured it would be reallllly entertaining to see a pedestrian round-about! since the country already doesn't make any sense, why not have pedestrians use round-abouts as well? i'm sure it would help control the massive crowds - i think i'll bring that to their parliament's attention one day
after 3 days of wedding stuff (btw, congrats to iqbal n sabira), and a day of shopping in london, i find myself in Amsterdam....normally, that would be a fun time, but i'm stuck at the airport for a good 12 hours. it wouldnt be so bad, but europe is so FRICKIN expensive! i went to the currency exchange, handed the lady a $20bill...after exchange rates and "processing fees", i was handed 10euros and 87cents. That bought me a mcdonalds meal, candy from some store and some coins to take home as a souvenior. 20 damn dollars, GONE! not to mention, i had to cough up 16euros ($23) to get internet access for the night. they're a buncha scammers!
as a way to channel my frustration, i learned how to curse in arabic...it worked for a while, until a buncha somali's understood what we said and lashed back - yea, we ran!
all in all, a good trip...it was nice to experience something different
england - fun place to visit...to live, not so much my kinda style
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Laying the Foundation
"You never get a 2nd chance to make a first impression"
...if I could define this past semester in one phrase, it'd most certainly be that quote. If anything, it will probably be my motivation through out the rest of my career and life goals. Who knew, all it took was missing one particular class during the first week of school, way back in August to set the tone for the coming months.
I was constantly barraged with that saying every wednesday by a man who I thought was just trying to make an example out of me and embarrass me in front of my peers. Not only did I hear this from him, but from everyone else in that class as well. It really sucked being the "bad" example for everyone. Every time he deliberately looked at me while saying that damn quote, he was basically saying "hey everyone, make sure you don't do what Reza did."
Long story short, I basically stuck it to the man, kicked ass on the most difficult presentation in my college career, and made him say "i was very impressed"
...but that's not where I'm trying to go with this
Back to making a solid first impression...I realized that all this tormenting from that class really lead me on to something greater. How could I really make a kick ass impression among my school's administration, professors, peers, family, and friends...not to mention every single grad school I apply to as well as corporate america as a whole?
Sounds like a tall task...but I think 3 little letters will accomplish that
C-E-O...yea, big things happening
keep on the lookout
...if I could define this past semester in one phrase, it'd most certainly be that quote. If anything, it will probably be my motivation through out the rest of my career and life goals. Who knew, all it took was missing one particular class during the first week of school, way back in August to set the tone for the coming months.
I was constantly barraged with that saying every wednesday by a man who I thought was just trying to make an example out of me and embarrass me in front of my peers. Not only did I hear this from him, but from everyone else in that class as well. It really sucked being the "bad" example for everyone. Every time he deliberately looked at me while saying that damn quote, he was basically saying "hey everyone, make sure you don't do what Reza did."
Long story short, I basically stuck it to the man, kicked ass on the most difficult presentation in my college career, and made him say "i was very impressed"
...but that's not where I'm trying to go with this
Back to making a solid first impression...I realized that all this tormenting from that class really lead me on to something greater. How could I really make a kick ass impression among my school's administration, professors, peers, family, and friends...not to mention every single grad school I apply to as well as corporate america as a whole?
Sounds like a tall task...but I think 3 little letters will accomplish that
C-E-O...yea, big things happening
keep on the lookout
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
"I can ride a bike with no handle bars, no handle bars..."
...sick song.
Anyways, I probably should not be taking this study break, due to the copious (yes, i know semi-big words) amounts of reading up that I need to do...
I spent my last two weeks analyzing why people buy the things they buy, understanding Native American Folklore, asking myself why anyone would want to become an accountant, learning everything about purple pills (no, not like the D-12 song) to sell it legally to an imaginary doctor, and flooding my brain with the Dose-Response Curve so I know the exacttt point where I can stop taking DayQuil before I Oh-Dee
Speaking of DayQuil...this is the first time I've taken it in a longggg time. Which only means that it cannot be a good thing. Being sick while having to take 4 exams is no fun at all.
I think I have spent more time at the library each day, than I do in my own bed...mmm, sleep...
Gotta stop thinking about sleeping! Get Focused! Okay, time to get back to work...
Anyways, I probably should not be taking this study break, due to the copious (yes, i know semi-big words) amounts of reading up that I need to do...
I spent my last two weeks analyzing why people buy the things they buy, understanding Native American Folklore, asking myself why anyone would want to become an accountant, learning everything about purple pills (no, not like the D-12 song) to sell it legally to an imaginary doctor, and flooding my brain with the Dose-Response Curve so I know the exacttt point where I can stop taking DayQuil before I Oh-Dee
Speaking of DayQuil...this is the first time I've taken it in a longggg time. Which only means that it cannot be a good thing. Being sick while having to take 4 exams is no fun at all.
I think I have spent more time at the library each day, than I do in my own bed...mmm, sleep...
Gotta stop thinking about sleeping! Get Focused! Okay, time to get back to work...
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
On a Mission
After an early morning of classes, an afternoon of meetings, and a 3-11pm work shift, I walk out of the ARC, down the long concrete steps and make my way across the parking lot and suddenly stop...I'm in awe, of everything thats in front of me...
There she was...Pearl White dress, elegant Black shoes, Gorgeous Angelic Blue Eyes and the right amount of shiny jewelry. Every man longed for a beauty like this, but could only get so close. She's the type that would invoke love at first sight, yet break your heart the very next moment.
She can be right in front of you, and before you know it, you're chasing her, trying to keep up but you're just not fast enough. And just like that, gone! All your dreams shattered in a blink of an eye. But there always hope. Hope that you two will one day cross paths again, and this time, win her over.
414 of the finest-tuned German-Engineered Horses were staring right back at me. Taunting me. Telling me that I wasn't good enough.
Yea, she's way out of my league. But one day, I will make sure she comes back and never leaves my side.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
"The Car Committed Suicide"
Yes, I know, my jetta is not a bmw...
too bad I had to find out the hard way. i mean, its not like i didn't know my v-dub isn't even close to being what a beemer is, but i liked being naive about it. i liked thinking that i was behind the wheel of a beautifully engineered german machine that people revered as well as envied (i think those two words mean sorta the same thing, but oh well, im stickin to it). being in my own world was a good feeling.
what's even worse is that it was being driven by a person who has a 3-Series! it was like, "hey, look what i can do!" and then realizing "oh wait, this isn't like my car"
next thing you know, we're pulled over on the grass, poppin the hood, standing outside on the hottest day of the year, and just blankly staring at the guts of my imaginary beast. clearly, the car isnt a beast...more like an over-pampered pitbull. kinda disappointing, i know.
just when i thought my problems couldn't get any worse, i look down I-287 and see a big green roadsign looking right back at me..."fuck, its parsippany!" Damn, i'm oh for two in this place! Reason number 4925786 why i hate New Jersey.
i find a Shell Gas Station and this Malu dude named Thomas...
Me: "can you fix her"
Thomas: "yes"
Me: "Price range?"
Thomas: "Daddy's credit card will do"
8 Hours later...car is towed to VW. you'd think the professionals would be, well, more professional. So i decided to let them handle it, thinking that they'd cut me a break...
VW Asshole: "looked it over"
Me: "how much we lookin at?"
VW: "i own your soul"
...douchebags
Thomas: "ah, you're back"
So yea, i got eff'd...badly. Total damage, including 2 tow charges, diagnostic fees by the nazis, and the vet bills to perform surgery on the pitbull...$1,100
Parsippany, New Jersey...the place where fun goes to die!
too bad I had to find out the hard way. i mean, its not like i didn't know my v-dub isn't even close to being what a beemer is, but i liked being naive about it. i liked thinking that i was behind the wheel of a beautifully engineered german machine that people revered as well as envied (i think those two words mean sorta the same thing, but oh well, im stickin to it). being in my own world was a good feeling.
what's even worse is that it was being driven by a person who has a 3-Series! it was like, "hey, look what i can do!" and then realizing "oh wait, this isn't like my car"
next thing you know, we're pulled over on the grass, poppin the hood, standing outside on the hottest day of the year, and just blankly staring at the guts of my imaginary beast. clearly, the car isnt a beast...more like an over-pampered pitbull. kinda disappointing, i know.
just when i thought my problems couldn't get any worse, i look down I-287 and see a big green roadsign looking right back at me..."fuck, its parsippany!" Damn, i'm oh for two in this place! Reason number 4925786 why i hate New Jersey.
i find a Shell Gas Station and this Malu dude named Thomas...
Me: "can you fix her"
Thomas: "yes"
Me: "Price range?"
Thomas: "Daddy's credit card will do"
8 Hours later...car is towed to VW. you'd think the professionals would be, well, more professional. So i decided to let them handle it, thinking that they'd cut me a break...
VW Asshole: "looked it over"
Me: "how much we lookin at?"
VW: "i own your soul"
...douchebags
Thomas: "ah, you're back"
So yea, i got eff'd...badly. Total damage, including 2 tow charges, diagnostic fees by the nazis, and the vet bills to perform surgery on the pitbull...$1,100
Parsippany, New Jersey...the place where fun goes to die!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
GOL!!!
"Barca! (clap, clap clap) - Barca! (clap, clap clap)"
Yea, i was sitting in Giants Stadium, but it sure didn't feel like it. Looking around and across the field to the other side of the stadium, all i saw were signs, banners and flags of Spain and FC Barcelona floating in a sea of Maroon and Blue. Behind me, the pounding sound of drums and bull-horns set the tempo for the entire night. If I had taken a video of my surroundings, anybody would have mistaken New Jersey for a crazed soccer town in Latin America or Spain.
Witnessing this event made me appreciate European soccer even more than I already do. I realized that soccer/futbol is more than just a sport. Its a culture, and for some, as ridiculous it may sound, a way of life. From the sound of it, you're probably envisioning a stadium packed with latin americans, but in reality, this was one of the most diverse sporting events I've ever been to. It united people from many different heritages, all in hopes to witness some of the greatest players in the world take the field and play an amazing game...
...and the fans got what they wanted. Before this night, I constantly backed-up US Soccer and said that Americans are fast-approaching the European skill level.. I knew they had some work to do, but never did I imagine this type of result. 3-0 in the 28th Minute. 4-1 at Halftime. 6-2 at Full Time...Barcelona handled the RedBulls with ease. Domination was an understatement. Not to mention, the Spaniards no longer have Ronaldinho, and they're next best player Messi was a no show.
'Gol' after 'Gol', the stadium rocked, fans went crazy, and the bull-horns seemed to be the least of the noise. I've never experienced such an event like this - it left me speechless and in awe of everything and everyone around me. Amazing!
Now I understand why Futbol is considered the "Beautiful Game"
Yea, i was sitting in Giants Stadium, but it sure didn't feel like it. Looking around and across the field to the other side of the stadium, all i saw were signs, banners and flags of Spain and FC Barcelona floating in a sea of Maroon and Blue. Behind me, the pounding sound of drums and bull-horns set the tempo for the entire night. If I had taken a video of my surroundings, anybody would have mistaken New Jersey for a crazed soccer town in Latin America or Spain.
Witnessing this event made me appreciate European soccer even more than I already do. I realized that soccer/futbol is more than just a sport. Its a culture, and for some, as ridiculous it may sound, a way of life. From the sound of it, you're probably envisioning a stadium packed with latin americans, but in reality, this was one of the most diverse sporting events I've ever been to. It united people from many different heritages, all in hopes to witness some of the greatest players in the world take the field and play an amazing game...
...and the fans got what they wanted. Before this night, I constantly backed-up US Soccer and said that Americans are fast-approaching the European skill level.. I knew they had some work to do, but never did I imagine this type of result. 3-0 in the 28th Minute. 4-1 at Halftime. 6-2 at Full Time...Barcelona handled the RedBulls with ease. Domination was an understatement. Not to mention, the Spaniards no longer have Ronaldinho, and they're next best player Messi was a no show.
'Gol' after 'Gol', the stadium rocked, fans went crazy, and the bull-horns seemed to be the least of the noise. I've never experienced such an event like this - it left me speechless and in awe of everything and everyone around me. Amazing!
Now I understand why Futbol is considered the "Beautiful Game"
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
"you 'member, 'member??"
things i'll never get out of my head as a result of this weekend:
1. pineapple jokes
2. george lopez
3. witnessing "grown men" constantly singing 'pocket full of sunshine'
4. "ohwuohwuwhoa" (C Minus!)
That's pretty much what you get when you bring together 7 fools, a minivan, an 8hour drive (each way) and neighboring hotel rooms.
After gettin spanked by almost every team in the tournament, i guess you have to find the silver lining somewhere to make yourself feel better...our method of consolation - Halal Popeyes!
1. pineapple jokes
2. george lopez
3. witnessing "grown men" constantly singing 'pocket full of sunshine'
4. "ohwuohwuwhoa" (C Minus!)
That's pretty much what you get when you bring together 7 fools, a minivan, an 8hour drive (each way) and neighboring hotel rooms.
After gettin spanked by almost every team in the tournament, i guess you have to find the silver lining somewhere to make yourself feel better...our method of consolation - Halal Popeyes!
Friday, August 1, 2008
C 'eh' N 'eh' D 'eh'
In an attempt to recreate the semi, only not so much successful '06 Tournament in Toronto, I'm road-trippin all the way up to Canada Land for the weekend, yet again.
See, year after year, tournament after tournament, loss after loss, we all come with the overly confident "nothing's gonna stop us 'cause we're from New York and nobody can beat us at our own game" approach. Clearly, that hasn't worked since 2003. Quite frankly, I'm just tired of all that nonsense. Losing, pointing fingers, re-structuring the team...over and over again. When every new plan the team comes up with has failed, what's next?
Hell, I wasn't even gonna play in the tournament until the very last moment. Yea, I had my doubts and said to myself "why would I wanna travel up to Toronto just to lose again?" After being convinced by almost everyone on the team, I decided to sign up. At first I regretted the decision because I thought that everything will turn out to be the same. The politics, lack of participation and the wasted time at every Friday night practice. But, somehow, things seemed different this time around. I couldn't quite point my finger on it. Maybe it was the fact that "Coach Caaaarter" had come back from 'retirement', or that older players decided to step-down and take one for the team. Whatever the case may be, things started to look good. As far as I'm concerned, everything that occurred during the previous 5 years is done with. Needing to prove myself over and over, getting disrespected by the two who I admired the most, and finally still needing to fight my case to even be considered NY A-Squad material - all of that is in the burner, out the window, 6 feet under...however you wanna phrase it.
This is why I'm setting a different mentality for myself. To me, it's just another game. Another day on the blacktop with my best friends, playing the game because we love it. Not to win or lose, not for bragging rights, not for un-doing the 5 year drought...none of that. This is for fun, for teamwork, and for the one chance to say that we played the tournament of our lives - regardless of the outcome.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Gasoffeine
Starbucks or Gasoline??
Do I fuel myself, or my car...i dunno what to do.
Those of you who know me well enough, are probably thinking "doesn't Reza hate coffee??" Well, yea, but not any more? See, about 3 or 4 weeks ago I would have never found myself in this situation because I couldn't even stand the smell of coffee, let alone its horrid and terrible taste. Well, thanks to a particular person who shall remain nameless (cough cough, Zamena!), I now have formed a slight addiction to Starbucks coffee. Not really the coffee, but more along the lines of their extremely sugary hot drinks. Every morning I find myself heading to the corporate root of all evil to support their line of ridiculously over-priced and over sweet coffee blends. I try to justify it by saying that I need something to wake me up in the morning so I can get a good start at work. Really, thats a buncha nonsense on my part, but for some reason I fall for it everytime.
You're now probably thinking to yourself "The guy is addicted to coffee - what's the big deal and why am I wasting my time reading this?" Actually, I dunno why you're wasting your time, but since you've already come this far, might as well read the rest.
Anywaysss, back to my original point. With me spending $4+ on coffee every morning, I can't afford gasoline. In New York, a gallon of gas is the same price as a Tall White Chocolate Mocha (not including the Whip)...and i love whipped cream, so thats like an extra 36 Dollars. (its only like 50 or 60 cents, but definitely seems like a hell of a lot more). It's times like this that I wished I lived in Jersey...wait, i cant believe i just said that. Screw it, i'd rather die than be from jersey. Ask my brother, he was a traitor and he'll tell you how much that place stank - literally. (i really gotta stop goin off on ADHD tangents...I feel like Foggy Aseef - "they have Balloons!")
Without fueling myself, I can't get to where I need to be mentally, especially in the morning. Without fueling my car, I cant get to where I need to be physcally. Looks like I'm stuck paying $8+ just to get around. Wow, the toll price for the GW Bridge doesn't look so bad anymore...but that leads to Jersey, so why would I wanna go there anyways?
Disclaimer: If you're from Jersey and think I've bashed your worthless wasteland of a state enough, you might not want to read later posts
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Living a Routine...
I wake up every morning at 6.30 to the obnoxious Franz Ferdinand ringtone, leave the house at 7.05 to catch the 7.17 train outta Ronkonkoma (yea, try pronouncing that), grab a seat with my father and the usual crew, pretend to read the NY Times while listening to my "Slow Down" playlist...pass out after the Central Islip stop...
"Penn Station, Last and Final Stop"
8.26am...like clockwork, I open my eyes to conductor yelling over the loudspeaker. I step off the train, walk thru Penn Station and out to 7th Avenue. Stop at Starbucks (I'll get to my newfound coffee addiction another time) to get my White Chocolate Mocha, and then head over the Dunkin Donuts (Blasphemous, i know) to get me a Chocolate Chip Muffin, Toasted with "BUTTAH"...then I head to work
Basically, ALL my mornings are pretty much exactly the same...
...the afternoons, not so much.
Between Aseef being his usual Foggy self, Shelly "she's my" Pal acting like a blonde, Abbas bumpin 90's Dance Music and Menudo, and Imran constantly pressing the "Easy Button" and singing "There's a Hole in my Bucket", life in the office can be pretty damn interesting.
This is actually the one job, where I don't feel like I'm working, even though I'm never home before 8pm.
I hate Routines, but this is actually one that I look forward to every morning...
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