Why the LinSanity Approach of Playing Basketball is Better Than the Kobe System

In my recent essay about Jeremy Lin, I’ve mentioned that his approach of playing the game of basketball is the best way, therefore even better than Kobe Bryant’s.  Let me be clear that I am not saying that Lin is the better player.  Of course not.  Kobe is.  Just the approach or philosophy in playing basketball… Lin’s is better than Kobe’s.  The reason was already given and can be derived and understood from the past post already, but I think it’s better if I elaborate. 

I’m a big Kobe Bryant fan.  He’s my favorite player ever.  More than that, I look up to him because of his mentality and attitude.  The brilliant and rich set of skills, extensive knowledge and understanding of the game, accomplishments, and success that Kobe has now can be traced to this mentality and attitude, which –as I mentioned many times before – is Batman-like.      

The similarity between Kobe and Batman is the approach in which they totally give their all.  They obsessively drive themselves to improve as much as they can (thus, the skills) and pour out all that they can out of themselves during execution and performance.  My favorite Kobe quote sums it up:

“I’ve always been comfortable as a kid growing up to think that when my career is over, I want them to think of me as an overachiever despite the talent that I have.  To think of me as a person that’s overachieved, that would mean a lot to me.  That means I put a lot of work in and squeezed every ounce of juice out of this orange that I could.  Hopefully, they perceive me as person who did whatever he had to do to win above all else.  Above anything.  Above stats. If they say that about me I’ll be happy.”    

Kobe also once said that he’s “chasing perfection.”

That is what’s admirable about Kobe (and Batman), he wants to give it all his got for perfection.  He wants to “squeeze every ounce of juice out” from what talent he has, regardless of its amount. Therefore you can expect Kobe to give all his got in the hardcourt – and it shows.  Combine this mentality and attitude to his game, ruthlessness, and focus (which could still be somehow by-products of his mentality and attitude) and Kobe excels.  He wins. 

Kobe’s attitude and mentality is definitely admirable.  Way beyond admirable.  You can’t ask for more from his work ethic and work philosophy.  However, his approach on playing the game is still imperfect – still incomplete – because his end purpose is flawed.  Kobe is giving all he’s got for the sake of winning.  And it all ends with winning.  Winning becomes the fuel, focus, motivation, and the main purpose why Kobe gives his all.  Winning for personal satisfaction and glory. 

Like Kobe, Jeremy Lin also gives it all his got and strives for perfection and winning.  However, Lin sees the bigger picture than Kobe.    

Jeremy Lin is a Christian.  And his Christian faith is what dictates his approach on playing the game.  The Westminster Shorter Catechism states that the chief end of man is to glorify God.  This is something basic that a Christian believes.   His life is not his, but God’s and it should be used for God’s glory.  Thus, all his actions should ultimately give glory to God (“Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31). Aside from that, a Christian believes that doing one’s best in what he does is not optional, but a command from God (“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all of your might.” Ecclesiastes 9:10).  So if we connect these two truths, it means any Christian’s action or work deserves the best out of a Christian because  the action or work is meant as worship to God.   

      

These truths are very real to a Christian like Lin.  Thus, he put them into application.   

Jeremy Lin loves to win as much as Kobe.  But unlike Kobe, for Lin, it doesn’t all end with the winning – it goes beyond that.  Rather, winning is just part of the means.  As mentioned already, for a Christian like Lin, giving glory to God is the ultimate end.  Therefore, to win is for the glory of God, not for himself.  Lin knows that personal glories are perishable, that the happiness that can be derived from them is temporary.  So, he doesn’t chase for such perishable things, but rather, is aiming for an “upward prize”… a joy and glory that never ceases.  A joy and glory that can be found in God alone.  The Westminster Shorter Catechism also states that the chief end of man, along with giving glory to God, is to enjoy God.  As a matter of fact, enjoying fellowship with God goes hand-in-hand with – synonymous to – living by glorifying God.  For Jeremy Lin, winning is nice but full joy is found in God alone.
         

When the result is a loss and not the desired win after giving it all he’s got, Kobe would still push himself even harder, to seek revenge in a next clash.  This type of avenger-type mentality is very appealing to this world’s view.  But through heavenly eyes, we can see that Lin’s approach is still better. Lin’s philosophy frees himself from unhealthy pressure of getting the win no matter what.  Again, for Kobe, the win is the end, thus it is the most important thing.  For Lin, the win is valuable but it isn’t the end or the most valuable, giving glory to God is.  Thus, if he accomplishes the “giving glory to God” part, win or lose, Lin is victorious!  In Lin’s own words: 

“I had to learn how to give my best effort to God and trust him with the results. I have to learn to have enough faith to trust in his grace and to trust in his sovereign and perfect plan. I had to submit my will, my desires, my dreams — give it all up to God and say, ‘Look, I am going to give my best effort, go on the court and play every day for you, and I'm going to let you take care of the rest.’” 

For Lin, if he wins a game, glory to God, and if he loses a game, still, glory to God.  His part is just to give it is all in worship of God through playing ball.  The result is up to God, and whichever way it goes – a win or lose – the purpose of glorifying God is done already.  Lin may lose a basketball game, but he’ll always be a winner in the eyes of God and will receive the praise of “Well done, good and faithful servant” in the end.

And that’s the best approach, not only on playing basketball, but for all aspects of life as well.        

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God's Glory Displayed Through LinSanity

“LinSanity” is the most surprising and, probably, even the best story in the NBA this season.  Game after game, he proves that the hype is real.  Game after game, more and more notice and become believers of LinSanity (in my case, it took me till that game with the Lakers to be convinced this Lin is special).  Sure, 6 games is still a small sample size, but, nonetheless those 6 games weren’t insignificant at all.  Prior to the explosion of Linsanity, the New York Knicks were struggling badly (had a record of 8-15) as their stars Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire were sidelined because of injuries.  Now thanks to this 6’3 American-Taiwanese point guard who was nearly at the point of being cut by the team before becoming an overnight sensation, new life is breathed to these Knicks, as they won those 6 games thanks to Lin.

Lin’s meteoric rise is fascinating.  After playing for and graduating from Harvard University, Jeremy Lin entered the 2010 draft but was ignored and left undrafted.  However, the Dallas Mavericks – the eventual champions that incoming season – offered him to participate in their mini-camp and to play for their NBA Summer League team.   Lin got noticed during the Summer League when during a game against the draft’s first pick John Wall, he outplayed and stole the cheers from him.  Afterwards, teams offered to sign him (including my beloved Lakers) and he chose to join the Golden State Warriors – his favorite team to watch while growing up.  Lin would experience getting assigned to the D-League three times during his rookie season, but would be recalled by the Warriors each time. 

During the first day of training camp for the current season, Lin was waived by the Warriors.  The Houston Rockets would pick him up but would waive him before the start of the season.  It was the New York Knicks that would pick him up next.

Lin – being a third-string point guard – would once again be assigned to the D-League by the Knicks.  During that season, the Knicks were actually considering releasing Lin before his contract become guaranteed so they can make room for a new player.  But fate has other plans.  Lin would be given a chance to play by coach Mike D’Antoni.  On a game against New Jersey, teammate Carmelo Anthony (who was and still currently sidelined due to injury) suggested to D’Antoni during the half time to give more minutes to Lin.  Lin had 25 points, five rebounds, and seven assists – all career highs at that point – in that game as the Knicks won the game.  Prior to that game, Lin only played a total of 55 minutes through the Knicks’ first 23 games.  In the next game, which was against the Utah Jazz, Lin had his first career start and would finish with 28 points and eight assists and a win.  Then in the Knicks’ next game, with the Washington Wizards, Lin had his first double-double of 23 points and 10 assists. 

Leading the Knicks to a 3 game winning streak, Lin would face his greatest challenge against my favorite Kobe and the Lakers.  And in that game, it made me believe that the hype is real (and made me annoyed that the Lakers weren’t aggressive enough to recruit him when they had the chance).  Kobe, who is known to perform some of his best stuff in the big stage of Madison Square Garden (remember the 61 points a few season back?), was set on dismissing the rising legend of Lin as a mere myth.  Kobe intended to make Lin bow down to basketball royalty.  But Lin was never intimidated, he never backed down.  He rose to the challenge on clashing with a basketball god.  

And he was victorious.  Jeremy Lin outplayed Kobe (who had 34 points) and demolished the Lakers with 38 points, seven assists, four rebounds, and two steals.  Prior the game, Kobe was a bemused unbeliever.  During the game, Kobe would finally acknowledge Lin as a worthy challenge when he started guarding him.  

Afterwards, stubborn as Kobe may be, he does give props when it is due, and acknowledged that Lin is no fluke.  “Players don’t come out of nowhere,” Kobe said.  The Black Mamba would go on complimenting him and showing his brand of respect by recognizing Lin as someone worth seeking revenge on.  “Enjoy it.  They’ll receive judgment next year,” he said, obviously looking forward for the next duel.    

Lin’s legend continues after it.  He had 20 points and 8 assists over the Minnesota Timberwolves, as he made a game-winning free throw that lifted the Knicks.  Lin would be named Eastern Conference Player of the Week.  And a game after earning that honor, he had 27 points and 11 assists and made the gamewinning threepointer against the Toronto Raptors.  LinSanity fever gets hotter and hotter.   

Being an underdog and a nobody who became successful through hard work, he is a hero, model and inspiration for everybody (especially to Asians).  As Kobe Bryant pointed out, “A great story.  It’s a testament to perseverance and hard work. A good example for kids everywhere.”                        

But more than that, there is one thing about Jeremy Lin that makes him really special (and once I learned of it, it made me to finally root for him).  He is a Christian.

Thanks to a video of his testimony that is getting viral around Christian circles, we learn of Lin’s motivation and attitude towards the game.  The highlight of that testimony is when he quoted John Piper’s book “Don’t Waste Your Life”:

“God created us to live with a single passion to joyfully display his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life.” 

Lin would elaborate:

“When Paul wrote in Philippians to press on for an upward prize, he was living for that, and it made his life meaningful (Philippians 3:15). And I realized I had to learn to do the same. I had to learn to stop chasing the perishable prizes of this earth, I had to stop chasing personal glory, I had to learn how to give my best effort to God and trust him with the results. I have to learn to have enough faith to trust in his grace and to trust in his sovereign and perfect plan. I had to submit my will, my desires, my dreams — give it all up to God and say, ‘Look, I am going to give my best effort, go on the court and play every day for you, and I'm going to let you take care of the rest.’ This is something I struggle with every day.  Playing for great stats is nice, but that satisfaction — that happiness — is only from game to game. It's temporary.”                

For me, the perfect NBA player would be something of a combination of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Jeremy Lin.  LeBron has the raw talent, athleticism, and physique that allowed him to overwhelm opponents by those alone.  Kobe has the obsessive competitive fire, mental and physical toughness, and the rich skill-set.  Lin has the strongest motivation to give his all in everything (better than Kobe’s competitive fire) since he is doing those things for God.  Mix them all together and that would be lethal.  Still, these three types of players standing alone, Jeremy Lin would be still my pick, not necessarily as the best player, but as the player that knows the best way of playing the game.  Jeremy Lin isn’t pouring out this much effort in his game because he wants personal glory.  No, he is pouring out his best because he wants to glorify God.  “Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God” is a cliché in a Christian.  And Lin is living it out.  He is seeking his joy in God – a joy that is eternal and complete.

Now, God is blessing Lin for putting Him first in his life.

A Christian, because his life is dedicated to God, then even his life activities are dedicated to God – there are no longer activities that are trivial or without eternal significance.  Again, as what Piper has worded perfectly, “God created us to live with a single passion to joyfully display his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life.”  Yes, even in the hardcourt, God’s excellence should be displayed.

If indeed God will be glorified most through this, then surely, Lin’s legend would continue to rise.  I pray that Lin would continue to play basketball for God’s glory and that he wouldn’t lose his focus on why or for Whom he’s playing.  I pray he will be able to fight off the temptations that go with such lifestyle of being on top.   I pray he’ll be a greater role model and testimony than David Robinson (who was a prominent Christian NBA player) and enjoy greater honors than what David had in his career.  I pray he’ll even be a bigger star than LeBron or my favorite Kobe.  All for the glory of God.                     

(Also, I pray he'll become a Laker next season... please, Lord? ^__^)

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Some Thoughts on the Upcoming "Avengers vs. X-Men"

This coming April, Marvel will release their biggest crossover storyline this year with “Avengers vs. X-Men” or AvX.  The premise is very promising, plenty of potential epic moments with Marvel’s two top superhero teams pitted against each other. 

Of course, an awesome premise doesn’t assure us that it will meet our high expectations in its delivery.  The Civil War event years ago is an example.  It had an awesome premise and the elements of a brilliant and classic story.  It had its dramatic moments, but it failed to meet the high expectations brought by the premise’s awesome potential.   Civil War ended too soon; it was too short.  The conclusion wasn’t satisfactory.  It failed to divide the fans to two sides as it did the characters (Seriously, was there anybody who rooted for the Pro-Registration side?).  It made Iron Man a hated character (only thanks to Robert Downey, Jr. for bringing back the love to the character).  And, worst of all, it had terrible aftermaths: the assassination (and eventual “resurrection”) of Captain America, Spider-Man making a deal with the devil (ugh, how “One More Day” makes my blood boil), etc.  Good thing for Marvel, they made up for all the bad taste left by Civil War to everybody’s mouths by having the epic “Secret Invasion” a few years later.

In the case of AvX, I have a gut feeling that, this time around, it would meet what is expected of it.  There is no perfect time to have such war between these two legendary teams than now.  We see the 2000’s brought a lot of significant changes to the teams.  Both now has deep, diverse, and exciting rosters than ever before.  The Avengers now have heroes like Spider-Man, Daredevil, Dr. Strange, The Thing (of Fantastic Four), and Luke Cage –who were before were merely allies or reserve members of the team – as regulars.  New Marvel characters (2000’s created) like Red Hulk and Venom (Flash Thompson as host) are members.    

The 2012 X-Men also enjoys a dramatic augmentation with former opponents like Magneto and Juggernaut joining them, as well as the newly retconned “first mutant” Namor and the popular Deadpool.  They also have plenty of new interesting characters like Fantomex (a human mutant/sentinel hybrid) in their roster.  Most of the mutants from the X books we had enjoyed in the past are members.

Indeed, it’s going to be an epic clash.

What confuses me is the status of Wolverine, Beast, and Storm, who are members of both the X-Men and Avengers.  Which side will they stand?  According to what the promo art and covers suggests, they will side with the Avengers.  Still, let’s not forget that the X-Men now are divided into two camps (after the X-Men: Regenesis storyline), between those loyal to Cyclops and those loyal to Wolverine.  If Wolverine sides with the Avengers, will those X-Men loyal to him side with Wolverine and the Avengers, too?  But basing again with the promo art, there are X-Men in the Wolverine team fighting Avengers!  Really confusing how will this turn out.  Just have to wait and see.

One thing that’s bothering me is that Cyclops seems to be getting a little bit darker due to the past harsh experiences undergone by mutants and the X-Men (I.e. the depowerment of most mutants after M-Day).  Magneto warned that Cyclops is already sounding more like him.  Will this event ultimately lead Cyclops to the extreme side?  Will the moral Cyclops we know cease to be?  Will he be another Civil War Iron Man?  Let’s wait and see.             

Lastly, Captain Marvel is set to return during the event!  What is the purpose of this return?  How will this affect the conflict?  Will he be the key in stopping the war between the Avengers and the X-Men?  Again, let’s wait and see.

Oh boy, can’t wait.

               

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Top 10 Comic Book Publishers

I love comic books.  I credit comic books as one of the reasons I started loving literature since it is the first form of literature that ever caught my interest.  As far as I can remember, comic books have always been part of my life.  Thanks to my father who was fond of them, I was introduced to comic books.  Before I was able to purchase comic books on my own, he was the one who made the purchases (reading them before handing them to me).  I grew up loving comic books – loving them more than my father ever did.        

In my years of reading and collecting comic books, I’ve come across a variety of genres, titles, and styles of this literary medium.  Listed below are the top 10 comic book publishers that have produced the most beloved characters, stories, and titles that have given me great delight in my comic book reading.  By the way, this list didn’t consider the publishers that have printed compilations of newspaper cartoon strips in paperback or volume form; only traditional publishers of such in the form of comic books, magazines or digests, and graphic novels are considered.

10.) HARVEY COMICS ENTERTAINMENT

Harvey published stories of kid-friendly characters like Felix the Cat, Casper the Friendly Ghost, Richie Rich, and Hot Stuff, to name a few.  Aside from their original characters, the company also published comic books depicting other characters from other properties like Stone Protectors, Beethoven, Hanna-Barbera characters, Alvin & the Chipmunks, Popeye, Beetle Bailey, and even Ultraman.  I have enjoyed Harvey so much because you can find in it most of the immortal children cartoon icons outside of Warner Bros. (Bugs Bunny and friends) and Walt Disney (Mickey and Friends).

9.) THE BRUCE HAMILTON COMPANY (GLADSTONE IMPRINT)

This company was popular for publishing beloved Walt Disney stories – most prominently adventures by Donald Duck and Uncle Scrooge.  Though this wasn’t the publisher in which I got the most Walt Disney comic books (see no. 6).  My most favorite was the well-written mini-series chronicling the early days of Scrooge McDuck as he builds his business empire.    

8.) ISLAS FILIPINAS PUBLISHING CO., INC. (PILIPINO FUNNY KOMIKS)

It was my father who introduced to me and bought for me most of my early childhood comic books.  However, these comic books were American ones.  It was my mother who introduced me to Filipino comic books.  She was the one who would buy me the weekly Filipino-made children comics such as “Bata Batuta” and “Pilipino Funny Komiks”.  The latter – which was published by Islas Filipinas Publishing Co., Inc. – was my favorite.    

The Filipino comic book industry, in the present, is more or less extinct.  If there are still Filipino-made comic books out there, it is published by indie publishers and does not enjoy wide distribution around the entire Philippines.  But back in my childhood, Filipino comic books – romance, horror, or children – can be purchased easily from newsstands.  During those glory days of Filipino comics, I would excitedly wait for each new issue of “Funny Komiks” that comes out each week.  I would bug my mother to buy it for me. 

Each issue of “Funny Komiks”, though had included some one-shot stories once in a while, contained serial titles like “Bananaman”, “Tomas En Kules”, “Combatron”, “Tinay Pinay”, “Eklok”, “Bamper”, “Dragon Force” and “Planet Opdi Eyps” to name some.  Each issue is cheap but the art quality was mediocre.  The humor and stories, however, were very special and Filipino.  I have collected it and enjoyed it very much because of, probably, merely due to the sentiment of it being a Filipino children’s comic book.  

7.) ARCHIE COMICS

The charm of Archie Comics is its interesting gang of characters – especially Jughead – and its timelessness.  It follows no concrete continuity, thus, it is free to evolve with the time, without a change of age or setting.  Writers were able to enjoy the flexibility of depicting Archie and friends in different creative adventures, not only in the traditional way, but also in alternate settings like “Archie 1” (cavemen), “Little Archie” (when the gang were still kids), and “Archie’s Weird Mysteries” (supernatural events in Riverdale).  At the present, there is even this mindblowing series where the scenarios of Archie being married to Veronica and Archie being married to Betty are explored side-by-side – plenty of mysteries and heavy drama. 

Aside from Archie and gang, Archie Comics also have “Josie and the Pussycats” and “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”, and it’s implied that they are in the same universe with Archie and friends.  Archie Comics also ventured with superheroes (Mighty Crusaders) and published stories featuring other properties like “Sonic the Hedgehog”. 

6.) UNIVERSAL RECORDS PUBLISHING

During the 90’s – the decade which I spent most of my childhood – Universal Records ventured into licensing American comic book properties and re-publishing them here in the Philippines, selling them in more affordable prices. 

The first comic book series they published that I encountered was the “Mickey Mouse & Friends Comics”, which – as the title suggests – contained stories featuring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and the rest of the Disney gang.  I think I was able to get all of these comics as published by Universal Records.  I would buy (or rather, my parents would do so for me) as soon as a new issue comes out.  Universal Records would go on publishing other Disney comics as well, like comic book novelization of some Disney movies.  (Aside from Universal Records, another publisher – A-Z Group – republished Disney comics during those times.  Got a few comic books from that publisher also, but most of my Disney comics are from Universal Records).  Then, Universal Records started publishing “X-Men Adventures” (based on the hit 90’s X-Men TV show) next.  And as time went on, more and more titles by Marvel Comics, Dark Horse, and Wildstorm were licensed and republished by Universal Records. 

         

Though Universal Records doesn’t license and republish American comic book titles anymore, I am grateful of their run during the 90’s, allowing comic book fans like me to get exposed to more comic books in an inexpensive way.

5.) CULTURE CRASH COMICS

I thought CCCom would be the savior of the Filipino comic book industry.  But in the end, like other Filipino comic books, it ended up dying. 

But during its run, boy, it was glorious.  Its titles – “One Day, Isang Diwa”, “Pasig” (my favorite), “Cat’s Tail”, “Solstice Butterfly”, and, later on to replace a “Solstice Butterfly” in hiatus, “Kuburi Kikiam” – were compelling and well-written.  The art was beautiful.  And though the art was manga influenced, the stories and cultural identity remained to be very Filipino.

CCCom’s run of 2000-2004 was plagued with economic and schedule issues for the creators.  That’s why they were always late in their release schedule and were only able to publish 15 and a half (a special, non-continuity collector’s edition issue 5.5) volumes in their four years.  I have all but one and a half of the volumes; I wasn’t able to get issue 14 and that special 5.5 (though I have read them through friends). 

The financial problems were too much for the creators that they had to cease publishing CCCom.  It was terrible since all of the stories never had conclusions (they were probably never even half-way yet!), thus, I wasn’t able to know how the stories turned out to be.            

 

4.) CROSS GENERATION ENTERTAINMENT (CROSSGEN)

Too bad the company got bankrupt.  I really believed they have something special.  Instead of having a universe or multi-verse occupied with superheroes, Crossgen’s multi-verse had sci-fi and fantasy elements.  Crossgen’s universes, which Crossgen’s various titles explored, were exceptionally different from each other but are still somehow connected.  The common theme among the universes/titles is the Sigil-bearers, special and gifted individuals powered by a Sigil (the Crossgen logo).  However, though the titles (universes) shared this common factor, they rarely crossed over with each other. 

My favorite Crossgen title was “Ruse” which featured Simon Achard, a Sherlock Holmes-esque detective in a Victorian fantasy setting.  “Ruse” was finely written and Achard was a finely created character, making him one of my mostfavorite comic book characters ever.   

3.) DARK HORSE COMICS

Living up to its name, Dark Horse Comics is indeed the dark horse among comic book giants.  Dark Horse’s titles were great alternatives to the usual superhero-themed titles by DC and Marvel.  Dark Horse doesn’t concentrate much on superhero titles, though they have Hellboy and the Mask – if you would like to consider them as traditional superheroes (they aren’t). 

Dark Horse is well-known for licensing TV or movie properties and printing comic book stories out of them.  Their most popular of such were Star Wars, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Alien, and Predator comic books.  Aside from these, Dark Horse also published manga (translated and flipped) and indie or creator-owned comic books, the most popular being Sin City (by Frank Miller).        

2.) DC COMICS, INC.

DC is the home of Batman and Superman.  That reason alone is enough for putting DC in the no. 2 spot.  But aside from that, it can’t be denied that DC created some of the most popular comic book characters out there.  Moreover, DC printed Alan Moore’s “Watchmen”, one of the greatest stories in literature ever written. 

Right now, as an attempt to make their comics more accessible to newer readers (and, also, to beat Marvel in comic sales), they did a major overhaul of their universes, continuity, and timeline, informally calling this event as the DCnU.  Origins were changed.  Costumes were redesigned.  Massive retcons were made.  And the Wildstorm universe was formally merged with the DC universe.  All titles started with no.1.  Personally, I still can’t judge if this is an awesome or disastrous move for DC (though they were able to finally beat Marvel in sales).  I’m still in “wait and see” mode.       

1.) MARVEL WORLDWIDE, INC. (MARVEL COMICS)

Since DC was number two, it’s obvious already that Marvel will get the top spot.  More than half of my comic book collection is made up of Marvel comic books.  In general, I find Marvel Comic’s characters, history, and storylines richer and more fascinating than DC’s.  Thanks largely to the legendary Stan Lee, Marvel created such iconic characters as Spider-Man (my most fave), the X-Men, the Avengers, and the Fantastic Four.  Though DC’s Superman and Batman are still the most iconic comic book characters, Marvel’s quantity and quality (in general) of iconic characters are more than DC’s (in my opinion).  

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Top 10 Highlights of 2011 (in My Life)

2011 was awesome for me.  I’m not saying it was perfect and painless, but it was generally good and happy. Yes, it had been awesome (even though the Lakers’ failed to threepeat.  At least, the hated Miami Heat didn’t win the championship either).  My 2010 – my first full year as an adult – was great and filled with highlights.  But my 2011 upped it significantly. Keeping my fingers crossed for this pattern to continue with each succeeding year – that each year would be even better than the prior one.   

For my year summary for 2011, I’m going to do it in a “top 10” format.  For a change.  Also, lazy to write all the 2011 highlights worth recording in a year summary essay.  

10.) “ANGRY BIRDS” IS THE GAME I PLAYED MOST DURING THE YEAR (“RETIRING” FROM GAMING)

As one grows older, his free time (and energy) for his hobbies and interests lessens.  And when he only has limited free time, he has to choose which among these hobbies and interests are his favorites or most advantageous on which he will spend the available free time he has.  This reality slowly applies to me.  Now there are a lucky few which this doesn’t apply, especially those who found careers in their hobbies.  Well, good for them, but most of us aren’t that fortunate.  This depletion of free time for hobbies and interests come about to someone due to growing responsibilities (like career or family).  Or finding activities that one thinks to be more worthwhile than them – not necessary more enjoyable, just more worthwhile.  Or even because of finding new hobbies and interests that one derives more happiness from (to be fair, this is somehow a reason in my case. See no. 1).  Or just plain outgrowing them.

Now, I’m a person of many interests and several hobbies.  And one of my hobbies is gaming.  Ever since I was a kid, there is some form of gaming that I waste my time on – Nintendo (through the Family Computer console), arcades, and – mostly – PC.  But because of the sad reality that one loses more and more free time and the energy to go with it when one grows older, gaming was the first real hobby that took the hit.  Other hobbies and interests are affected too (still got a pile of books I got in 2011 that I haven’t read yet) but gaming was the first “casualty”.  

Well, it started slowly.  In the first place, gaming is such a time-consuming (aside from being greatly enjoyable, modern gaming is a sport.  You need to practice hard to be competitive), addictive, and expensive hobby that it would take only take some time before I realize that I – in my current condition – can’t afford such hobby.  In my latter part of college, I found myself stopping playing in Internet Cafes though I had still played at home.  But from that point, my gaming started to decline.  I started settling with only flash games and Facebook applications, like “Mafia Wars” (was hooked for three years).  Then in 2011, I realized they eat too much of my Internet time and free time, that I stopped playing “Mafia Wars” and the others.    That stopped my gaming altogether.  Uh, maybe I played one or two retro games (i.e. PC games of my childhood, Windows ’95 stuff) during the year, but those games are finished in a few hours.  I played maybe some online Texas Hold ‘Em Up, too, but not as much as I do before.  Though, I did get hooked with “Angry Birds” and played it for a few weeks, but only until I got most of the golden eggs.  The bottomline is I didn’t spend the type of time that gamers significantly spend on playing games.  

In 2011, I “retired” from significant gaming (kind of sad, really, but necessary).  

9.) EXPERIENCED DINING IN A CLASS RESTAURANT 

Last March 2011, my parents celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary.  They decided to bring my sister and me along with them to dine at, definitely, the best restaurant of the city (which is the restaurant of the best hotel in the city).  Crossroads is the name of the place (and St. Ellis is the name of the hotel).  Prior to dining there, I never had such eating experience before as what I had experienced there.  The restaurant is not exactly 5-star, suit-and-tie fancy, but could be the closest thing to fine dining we have here in Legazpi.  It had been awesome.  

I was actually hesitant to enter since I was wearing just a T-shirt, jeans, and slippers.  But since the security guard and our “maître d'” (if I dare to sound fancy) didn’t drive me away, I, with great haste, went to conceal myself at our table.  The appetizer part of the meal – bread sticks with oil and then tempura salad – had been delightful already.  The main dishes ordered – some BBQ and beef and I forget the rest – were fantastically delicious and enough to stuff me (who probably is the one with the biggest appetite in the family).  The mango (I think) shake was great.  But it was the truffles which had been really special – one of the best, if not the best, desserts I ever had.  There were also some live music, and my father asked me to request Elvis’ “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”  The singers were real pros.          

         

After that experience, I promised that, as much as possible (the promise won’t apply if someone again decides to treat me there), I would only return to that place when I finally get the sufficient success in life needed that allows me to afford inviting anybody there and to wear the appropriate clothing.    

Got myself another goal in life.

8.) EARNING A PAYCHECK FROM AN EIGHT-TO-FIVE JOB

From sometime in 2010 to August 2011, I derive income from tutoring Koreans and being a teacher-monitor in our church’s school. It was decent income, but it wasn’t exactly from an “eight-to-five” kind of job that is in line with what my course in college prepared me for.  I’m no teacher.  I could have stayed there, but I wanted to try some other work – something in an office environment.

By September, I got that kind of job.  Nothing fancy.  Just as a humble accounting clerk (in my alma mater).  It’s not even a permanent position, just by job order.   Still, it was the “eight-to-five” experience that I wanted.  And the main upside is such non-permanent position allows me to have some flexibility and no full commitments.  I could leave (or be fired) anytime, to look for the next step in my life as part of the work force, until I finally get my calling – the vocation I was meant to do and be productive on for the rest of my life.    

     

7.) GOT A PASSPORT

I only own two valid IDs.  First (which I had gotten in 2010) is a postal ID and the second is the passport I have obtained this year.  I got a passport, not because of a soon and certain possibility or plan of going abroad, but my father just asked me to get a passport for the sake of owning a passport.  So, for now, it serves as an ID. A very expensive ID.  (Note: My voter’s ID takes too long to get released!)   

But I believe that God has a purpose for everything.  When God has a plan or a gift for someone, He first equips and prepares him for it.  And this passport could be a preparation for a future blessing of God.  This passport will expire in 5 years (2016) and I have a great feeling – very optimistic – that sometime within this 5-year period, God will bless me the experience of visiting a foreign land.      

6.) PERFORMING IN A BIG STAGE

I am no stranger to performing in concerts or in front of big crowds.  Both in school and church activities, for years, I was able to perform.  Even just this year, we (my band) were able to perform in several events, both local and out of town.  But all of these are nothing compared to what I experienced this year at Will Graham’s “Celebration of Hope” that was held at Pili, Camarines Sur.  It was like being part of the Big Leagues.    

It was a major event.  There were celebrity guests performing and giving testimonies.  There were a professional stage and equipment.  There were pro roadies to assist you and other sound support.  There were cameramen.  There were directors.  And there were thousands in the audience.  The environment was like of that a concert of an international act.             

Prior to the event, there were auditions around the Bicol region for local artists (that’s how they termed it) good enough to perform at the event.  And our church was blessed to have the chance of sending about four acts to that event (moreover, our church’s talents also participated in two “heralding” events – which occurred weeks prior – for the “Celebration of Hope” event).  One of the acts was our band, Floodgates.  We opened for the Day 2 – April 29 – concert.  As the front act, it seemed we were used as “sound check” for the technicians to properly mix the sound and equipment for the acts ahead of us.  Still, it was a wonderful experience and exhilarating for us.  And according to the response, our performance had been powerful.  

Happy we were given a copy of the official video of it (private or individual video taking was not allowed during the event).    

Aside from the great experience of performing on the big stage, there were other wonderful experiences as well at the back stage.  There were conversations and fellowship with other performers.  But my most favorite backstage experience was being a few feet away from Barbie Almalbis.  I was walking alone and she, with an assistant, was walking opposite me.  I greeted her a “good evening” and she acknowledged with a smile and nod.  Such regret I have that I didn’t ask to have my picture taken with her (all because I don’t have a blasted camera with me).    

I thank God for the chance he had given to glorify Him through such glorious manner.  

5.) FROM GUITARIST TO KEYBOARDIST

At the later part of the year, the keyboardist of our band has to excuse himself from the band because of his work.  His work schedule disallows him from joining our gigs, practices, and Sunday service.  Thus, there is a void in the keyboardist spot.  And the band leader asked me to fill the void.  

Before this, I only play keyboard during the Wednesday night and Friday night services in our church.  But now I have to be the keyboardist in all church services and band performances.     

It’s always fun to make music and play with a band no matter what the instrument I play, but I love the guitar the most above all the instruments I can somehow play.  I love being a guitarist.  I have been a guitarist for years.  But I have to lay down the beloved guitar and have to embrace the keyboard.  For the good of the band.  I have to be the keyboardist until our original keyboardist comes back or a new keyboardist joins the band.  I’m not certain if I will be returned as a guitarist or be a keyboardist from now on, but I will be faithful to this new role that has been given to me.  (Praying for a personal keyboard to practice on at home.  Need to be the best keyboardist I can possibly be.)

4.) MISSION TRIP TO MANILA

My first ever mission trip was a wonderful experience.  Many first times.  Plenty of enjoyment.  And overflowing with God’s grace.  Some highlights:

• We went to Manila via air plane.  It was my first plane ride since I was ten years old.  And we went back home via air plane as well.  I now have a total of four plane trips under my belt in my lifetime.  
• We went ice skating and it was my first time. Really don’t know how.  And we finished our skating session without me learning at all.  
• We watched “Thor” in 3-d.  
• We performed a set of performances in the church that invited us.  
• We went to several places, most notably the Chinese cemetery.  I have been to Manila many times since I was a kid that I already lost count how many times.  But it was my first time at that Chinese cemetery.  Funny how the mausoleums there are more beautiful and bigger than most Filipinos’ houses (including mine).  
• I ate my first Burger King burger.  Man, it was the biggest burger I have ever eaten.  First time I got stuffed by one burger.  
• Stayed at the home of Pastor Ko, our host, during our first night and stayed at a hotel for the second.
• Visited several book stores.  Saw several graphic novels (rare to find graphic novels in Legazpi).  But didn’t see anything worth buying among the expensive literature being sold there.  
• Great bonding time (see no. 1).

3.) MY SITE'S 5TH ANNIVERSARY

In May 2011, http://bernel.blogspot.com had its 5th anniversary.  I’ve been blogging longer than that (6 years blogging in 2011), but this is where I have spent most of my blogging days.  It had been a splendid writing experience during all those years.  As I’ve said in the 5th anniversary post of this site: 

“I made this blog to house most of my written works.  Later on, I would also use it to archive my videos and host my photo albums.  But initially and primarily, this blog was for my writings.  I wanted to create a form of ‘autobiography’ of myself through my writing and discussion of various topics (and, now, also through the photo albums of my life and videos) and not just explicit journal-type writings of what happen in my life.  I write about all things that interest me or what was on my mind at a particular time, and through these, a reader might catch a glimpse of who Bernel is.

“In those five years, I had written more than a hundred posts – in essays or scribbles – on a range of topics in this blog.  I love to write.  I write to organize my thoughts.  I write as therapy (in fact I consider it as my best form of therapy for myself).  I write to chronicle a particular moment I want to look back to.  I write as a pastime.  I write for fun.  I just love to write.”    

So thankful that for this site.  So thankful I am able to write.  One of God’s great gifts to me.

2.) TURNED 22 YEARS OLD

Birthdays are always important highlights of each year. I didn’t get a birthday cake this year unlike in 2009 and 2010 – the first two birthdays of my adulthood.  But I had a birthday dinner with my family in a good restaurant (4 seasons).  Got gifts from friends.  Plenty of greetings from friends and acquaintances through text and Facebook.       

Wow.  I’m 22 already.  Time really flies fast.  And it’ll fly faster and faster as one gets older and older (just the psychological reality of time perception).  I’m getting older.  I’m getting fatter and slower (missing the insane teenage metabolism).  I’m getting wiser (hopefully). 

What were my realizations?  Aside from the one I mentioned in no. 10 about free time and hobbies, I also continue to realize how God has been – and is being – good to me.  In spite of trials and difficulties, I never experienced pains that destroyed me.  I never lacked anything I need.  I never begged to get my daily bread.  I never got sick seriously.  I enjoy overwhelming gifts and favors.  All thanks to God’s grace and providence.  This is an encouragement that God would, indeed, never leave me nor forsake me in the years to come.  So, I’ll continue to trust God and to desire to live a faithful life for His glory.        

1.) ARL

'Nuff said ^__^  ^.^

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Top 10 Movies of 2011

Before we go on to 2012’s jam-packed set of awesome movies (read the previews! watch the trailers!), let’s recognize first the awesome movies of 2011.   And as usual, it’s so hard for me to pick a top 10.  I have enjoyed several movies in 2011 (like every year) and really need to think and recall hard on what among them I had enjoyed the most.      

There are several 2011 movies that I haven’t watched yet that might have been part of this top 10 if I did.  Movies like “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”, “Tinker, Tailor, Spy”, “Tin-tin”, “The Muppets”, and “Hugo” (especially this) are very likely to make my Top 10 if I was able to watch them last year.  Such is always the trouble with movies that were released at the latter part of the year. 

And from among those that I was able to watch but didn’t make the list, “Drive”, “Melancholia”, “A Lincoln Lawyer”, “Source Code”, “Hanna”, “The Ides of March”, “The Rise of the Planet of the Apes”, and “Thor” (the number 11) were the closest in making the top 10. 

After evaluation, these 10 stood out among the rest…

10.) MARGIN CALL

The 10^th spot was a struggle between the reboot of “Planet of the Apes” (a revision of the origin on how the apes were able to take over the planet from the original origin of the continuity) and “Margin Call”.  But I have to give this spot to “Margin Call” since it could be the smartest movie I had watched in 2011. 

Graduating from a business course from college was a plus for me since it allowed me to follow most of the economic machineries involved and discussed in the movie – which was about the 2008 economic collapse in the US.  Actually, it’s not that hard to understand even if you were not familiar with the concepts.  That’s why I like it for being both intelligently technical, but nonetheless generally comprehensible by an average audience.  “Margin Call” is an excellent Wall Street movie and one would appreciate it more if one has some familiarity with the financial world.    

By the way, it was only halfway in the movie that I was able to recognize one of the main characters (the rocket scientist turned trading securities analyst who developed the model that predicted the toxicity of the company’s financial assets) as “Spock” in the “Star Trek” reboot.

9.) REAL STEEL

Ok, the concept of robots fighting for sport isn’t an original idea at all (try Medabots).  In fact, it does happen now in real life, though not as awesome and high-tech as that of “Real Steel”.  Robot fighting is not a unique concept.  Still, the gladiator robot combat scenes in this movie were greatly entertaining.  The story isn’t special and actually quite predictable (it’s quite obvious from the start that the robot Atom’s shadow-boxing mode would be somehow utilized by Hugh Jackman’s ex-boxer character).  But still I can’t help loving it.  It has a beautiful redemption theme.  It has an “underdog” element, which is something we always love.  It has a decent story – predictable and unoriginal but never corny.  It has Hugh Jackman.  But most of all, it’s filled with badass robot fights!

  

8.) ANOTHER EARTH

The movie was about Rhoda Williams, who was when a teenager, due to her irresponsible and careless nature (and fascination of the incoming Another Earth), crashed her car (she was intoxicated) against the car of John Burroughs who had his family with him.  This sent John to a coma and killed his wife and kid.  Rhoda was sent to prison, but being a minor, her identity wasn’t revealed to John.  After getting released from prison, Rhoda desired to “redeem” herself from what she had done by desiring to make John’s life a little bit better.  Aside from this objective, Rhoda also joined an essay contest on which whoever the winner is would be given a spot on the spaceflight to visit the other Earth (SPOILER: She won). 

  

The mirror Earth is of another universe and because of some cosmic incident, the two Earth’s became visible to each other.  The story didn’t really concern much on the mysteries and questions surrounding this phenomenon.  This, like “Melancholia”, wasn’t a straight sci-fi movie but dealt more on the drama and development the characters are dealing with.  The mirror Earth just served as an important backdrop or plot device to the story.  But it was a very interesting backdrop for the story at that.

Plenty of questions were raised from watching the movie, not only the science involved in the meeting of the two Earths and how the mirror Earth will turn out to be, but some philosophical questions as well.  Most of the questions weren’t answered and the movie will leave you in a state of thinking and wonder.

 

7.) HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 2

I were only able to go watch in the theater two times in 2011 (both instances in 3-d), first was “Thor” and the second was “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2”.  The first instance was not decided by me, it was a treat during our mission trip during the summer.  But the latter was something I decided on watching on a theater.  This HP movie was greatly hyped to be the most epic movie of 2011 by the reviews I read and heard, so I decided to watch it on a theater that I may fully enjoy the movie in the best medium and environment it can present itself. 

My assessment?  Well, for me, just like the HP franchise itself, it was overrated.  But only a bit.  It was still an awesome movie, but the hype created a greater expectation from me than what the movie actually is.  This is actually not the fault of the movie, but of my expectations.  Again, I say that this was an awesome movie.  I actually have to point out that this movie not only is the best HP movie ever made, but the best that came out from the HP franchise… ever.  I had greatly enjoyed everything about it.  The overall story, the necessary variations from the book, the perfect culmination of character developments, and the action sequences.  My favorite Bellatrix Lestrange was, as usual, brilliant.  Voldemort looked the most sinister here compared to what he was in the previous films.  I loved how the Battle of Hogwarths turned out.  The dialogues, lines, and highlight scenes from the book were delivered wonderfully (especially the “Not my daughter, you bitch” part.  Though I kind of find it a bit anti-climatic that the rest were just standing about while Bellatrix and Mrs. Weasley dueled).   

I have to agree with the critics that it was indeed epic.  Whether you love Harry Potter or not, a scholar of the HP mythos or not, had watched the previous movies or not, read the books or not, you will find “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2” enjoyable and worth appreciating by its own.     

This would have been rated higher if not for the epilogue.  I never liked the epilogue of the HP story.  Would have been better if the movie didn’t include it.  

6.) FRIGHT NIGHT

Usually, the idea of remakes of beloved movie properties is a bit of a turn-off to movie fans.  “Is Hollywood losing new ideas that they turn to old ones?” is the general thought.

I was able to watch the original “Fright Night” (and its sequel) and I had enjoyed it.  But I have to say I find this one set in the modern age more enjoyable.  The villain (Colin Farrell was just perfect) was nasty and cunning, and is easily hated.  I love the hero’s development also from skeptic, to pathetic scaredy-cat, to badass vampire slayer.  The story was solid and clever from start to end.  The climax alone – the final battle – makes this movie worth watching. 

But most importantly, the best thing about “Fright Night” is we finally have a good vampire movie after all the bad name all this “Twilight” crap gave vampires. 

5.) X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

For extremely die-hard X-Men history purists, the title alone is annoying.  “Those guys aren’t the first class!!!  Cyclops, Jean Greay, Beast, Angel, and Iceman were!”  But even these purists would admit that, disregarding the roster, this X-Men movie rivals X-Men 2 as the best X-Men movie made or even maybe better than X2. 

This is the type of comic book movie that almost digressed on the “super heroey, comic bookey” feel of the comic book it is based on.  It captivates you, not on the formulas that made the comic book it is based on loveable, but by splendid acting and storytelling.  The idea was to not allow the comic book dictate the movie’s identity, but merely let the comic book serve as the property the movie was based upon , end the relationship between movie and comic book there, and let the movie succeed and stand by its own as a movie.  And it worked!

The most interesting aspect of the movie was the depiction and exploration of the early friendship of Charles Xavier (Prof. X) and Eric Lensherr (Magneto) and how their ideals set them in different paths.  There was no Stan Lee cameo here, which was the usual in Marvel Comics’ movies, but I made an audible chuckle during the Wolverine cameo (better than any Stan Lee cameo).    

   

4.) CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER

To date, for me, among the installments from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (the continuity/universe of the movie Avengers), I think “Captain America: The First Avenger” is the best after “Iron Man”.  It had good story-telling and an entertaining premise.  The action sequences were solid.  The origin aspect of the movie didn’t have the feeling of being forced upon the movie (as what’s observed from first installments of a superhero’s movie franchise) but just flowed naturally with the movie and its overall plot.  The villain – the Red Skull – was effective and kudos to Hugo Weaving for that.  The use of the Cosmic Cube – referred to as the Tesseract – as a plot device was a thrill to the Marvel scholars out there, as well as the participation of the Howling Commandos.

As far as characters are concerned, Robert Downey, Jr.’s Iron Man is still MCU’s freshest and best depiction of an Avenger, but Chris Evan’s Captain America is second.  I love how Evans shed the cocky, childish, non-serious, happy-go-lucky characteristics of his Johnny Storm (Human Torch) as he donned the noble, courageous, honorable characteristics of a Captain America.  Evans perfectly depicted the Cap that we perceive to be.  Now Evans will always be Captain America to us, almost making us forget that he was the Human Torch first.
    
Now that the member had been all introduced, I’m very very very much excited for the Avenger movie. 

3.) MONEYBALL

I like “Moneyball” because it gave us a glimpse of the life of a sport team’s general manager.  I found it entertaining to watch the deals, meetings, and other GM duties being conducted. 

“Moneyball” is based on the book of the same name written by Michael Lewis that tells the story of the Oakland Athletics’ amazing 2002 season and their GM Billy Beane (Bradd Pitt).  Beane, with the significant help of his assistant Peter Brand, due to financial constraints, employed an unorthodox method of assembling a competitive team by the use of a complex sabermetric system in analyzing and scouting players. 

Hands down, one of the best sports-themed movies ever made.

2.) WARRIOR

The story of “Warrior” is about two estranged brothers (who are both estranged with their father as well) both entering a big mixed martial arts tournament.  The first was a physics teacher who has trouble with family finances and the second was an AWOL Marine Corps Iraq hero.  And as climax, the brothers would meet in the Finals. 

The MMA fights will satisfy any craving for testosterone-filled violence, but this isn’t a mere mindless action movie as it also contains a gripping story, superb acting, heavy emotion, and touching themes of humanity and reconciliation.  

1.) SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS

There’s no other movie I have enjoyed more than the new Sherlock Holmes movie.  And it’s not because of any bias due to Sherlock Holmes being a favorite fictional character of mine.  In fact, the movie Holmes and Watson, though of the core and important similarities, are different characters from their literary counterparts.   The Holmes in the movie is more prone to tendencies of clumsiness and emotion though he also moves with grace and can be a complete cold thinking machine (which I think the original Holmes was more so), probably a little bit wittier, and do as much action with his brawns as with his brains (compared to the original Holmes).  The Dr. Watson in the movie is a more active sidekick than the original (who was more of a passive observer with a chronicler mentality first), has more initiative, more of a “swashbuckler”, and possesses the greater Holmes’ influenced mental skills. This made the tandem’s movie version more entertaining. 

“Sherlcok Holmes: A Game of Shadows” employed engaging elements of the first movie such as the action choreography that applied “bullet time” techniques, Holmes’ mental simulation of a fight before executing his moves, outrageous and engaging action sequences, well-timed humor, references to the literature,  and mindblowing twists. 

It was great from start to finish.  The events leading to the climax of the movie was nicely done and the climax itself – Holmes and Moriarty’s last face-off – was brilliant.  And the conclusion itself gave great satisfaction.   

I do hope there are more SH movies to come.    

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