Before and After Basketball (+How I Became a Celtics Fan) Part 1

Before you continue to read on, please be aware that I'm no bandwagon fan. Na - uh. You know why? My following post will tell you precisely when and how I became a Celtics fan, and how I went through all the lackadaisical days of the C's, the continuous growth of hope and faith between off seasons, the grueling challenge to stand loyal and support the dying desire of winning in a basketball team and in the end, the dreams that become a magical reality.

First off, I was never a fan of basketball. The only sports I loved growing up since 9 years old was, well, wrestling. I knew wrestling isn't a 100% legit sports, but it was pure entertainment and it was the golden ages of wrestling at the time. I remember one time, when me and my family visited my cousin's house in Singapore, there was an NBA match showing on the TV, and my dad, who was a school player for basketball during his younger days, grabbed my attention as he told me a basketball match was going on. I looked like i never bothered anything, I just glanced, and that was it. There was no interest at all in my eyes.

Few years later, 2004 precisely, I went to this game store to stock up on latest games. For sure, I was still a wrestling fan during the time, and I have always been an avid video gamer since I was small. So, normally I would check on Gamespot for the latest video games released, and I would always buy most of the best rated games, since I love trying all genres possible. In the batch of May 1st 2004 video games, one of them was NBA Ballers. Don't get me wrong, I have a few basketball games before this but they were all courtesy of my brother's. Surprisingly, that was the very first time that I, Benyamin Abd Halim, bought a basketball game.

After playing with the game for awhile, honestly saying, I was hooked with its creative gameplay and stunning (yes, very stunning even for today's standards) graphics overall. All of a sudden, basketball meant something to me. I would say that this game was one of the most important turning points in my life. I started playing basketball, researching basketball and yes, watch the NBA. During the time, I never knew much about NBA teams except for the Los Angeles Lakers (since they were heavily publicized, with Shaq and Kobe running the show). So, when the 2004 NBA Finals were on, I, as a noob, fresh casual fan of the game, (sadly) was rooting for the Lakers against the underrated Detroit Pistons team. A bandwagon fan would understand why (because they will root for the BEST and most favored team.. True Story).

Post NBA Finals, I started digging in the NBA deeper, with researches online and purchasing video collections of the league's history. I became an NBA history addict, and learned slowly how the league started, and all of the important figures and moments in NBA history. Then, something stumbled across me. That one franchise which displayed richness in history as well as championship pride written all over them. Their name was mentioned in almost all important aspects of the league. From championships, to Hall Of Fame members, to successes, EVERYTHING. That franchise was the Boston Celtics.

Another coincidental incident was me and my brother playing a quick game of NBA in ESPN NBA Basketball video game. We were playing All - Star teams, with me choosing the East and my brother the West (or was it the other way around?). Anyway, on a random in - game play, a goaltending occured. Usually, a player's name and picture will appear corresponding to the foul/turnover that happened. In this case, the goaltending was made by an unheard of player, named PAUL PIERCE. That was when both me and my brother knew the name, one of many NBA players.

In some other time, I played basketball with my brother and dad. Out of the blue, my dad mentioned about the success of the Boston Celtics during the 80's, and their unmatched, utterly ridiculous dominance of basketball in that era. My dad then asked me, "Who was the best player for the Celtics?", and I proudly answered "Larry Bird!" since I have done a lot of studies about the history of the league. My dad, then continued asking, "Who is the best player for the Celtics now?"... me and my brother both threw blank stares at each other, not knowing the answer to it.

I just couldn't keep my hands away from researching more and more about the NBA from the Internet. In one of those researches, was when I found out, that the "goaltender", Paul Pierce, is actually the current best Boston Celtic. Well, my research answered my dad's question. Then, everything just came into place. Me acknowledging the Boston Celtics as the most historic franchise in the NBA, the weird incident with Paul Pierce, my dad's surprising questions.. What did all that mean? From then was when I have decided on who I want to root for, who I will be following in the future and who I will declare as my basketball idol: BOSTON CELTICS, and Kansas forward PAUL PIERCE. It all seemed right, and it all was fate.

PART 2 WILL BE COMING SOON.. STAY TUNED.. ;)

I'm like Arnie cos I'M BACK.

Yeah, you heard me.. Aren't you a lil' surprised now that I actually am updating my blog? After, a year and a day? Haha it has really been a long time!

Anyway, just to update what happened in the past one year that weren't here:
1. I felt sad that the Los Angeles Lakers won the most recent Finals :( but don't sweat it.. The new season has already begun and it looks like their signing of Ron Artest is more of a publicity rather than an upgrade. So, GO CELTICS!!

2. I finished my Foundation in Computing like 4 months ago, and earned satisfying results (Alhamdulillah).. I am now in my final weeks of my Bachelor Of Computer Science first semester.. Man, time really does fly..

3. I still don't have driving license.

4. So far, I'm quite happy with the life I'm living here in Bandar Sunway, since everywhere I go I live with my family, so there isn't much difference.. but I do wish I could go back to good old Seremban for much needed air to breathe..

So far, these are what I can think of.. I know there's more, but I bet most of them are whining topics.. Haha that needs a lot of time for expression, so I just keep it short for now. Well, I'll be returning soon (probably another 2 years).. XD So off I go now.. Have a nice day!

Socialisers and Bullies

There are big,major differences between the two of these categories.A breakdown on each category is what you need to know to understand and realize why cliques and separation between people in the society exist.

Socialisers.What do you think of them?They hang out with their friends almost every week.Having fun is all what they wanted to do.Clubbing,pubbing,partying..you name it.The only question is,what do these people achieve out of their doings?Well,i never been such an experienced outing person,but i can tell few things.First,of course they achieve happiness and the feeling of togetherness among their peers.They also have the friendly attitude with other people,as they are taught naturally with the skills of communicating with people.The attitude developed might help them in their future career.Some could be a TV host,some could be just somebody famous...who knows...but they have that certain skills that are useful in the future.I'm OK with that,its quite good.

What about the side effect?Well,people who socialise a little too much,is a problem as well.They tend to have so much fun without realizing the actual goal of life and what to succeed.I admire people who can do both things at the same time,socialising and achieving at the same time...but most people nowadays they become some sort of a nobody in the end.Sure,they might be well known among their peers,but with their bad habits of clubbing and drinking and stuff?Don't even think about 'achieving' at a professional level.

Bullies.Everybody hate bullies.Your past times,your crying times.Why these people even exist?In this case,bullies for me refer to people who thinks with a tough,gangster mind and beat the fuck out of everybody who gets in their way to achieve everything they wanted,and by fighting it will solve all their problems.Well guess what?Fuck you.Its just a cover up for you being stupid and shallow minded.Do you think its really smart to fight to solve problems?You people are so influenced by movies nowadays till you never realize its just a movie.What you achieve in fighting?Oh let me guess...bruises,criminal records,years in jail..that's suppose to make you good?Damn you people who are exactly like this are the real losers who never achieve anything and i mean ANYTHING.In other words,you suck.

Where...

Where the hell can i get guys like Afiq,Ilyas,Sucin and Joel as my new friends?

Guys are just soooo the same.(I know i sound like a girl commenting) but its just a fact.What the fox..(credits to KD for the swearing invention).

2 Weeks Later.

After 1 week of tiring,blistering and torturing orientation in GMi,i decided(decision was made during the orientation btw)to leave that place for good.Don't start calling me pussy because i sound like i couldn't live on my own on the 10th floor of an ill-designed hostel.No,no and NO.I could,and i would...IF the environment was really good.Unfortunately,its a place full of people i really hate.No offense,these animals are called Mat Rempits...or retarded "M" people.Well i don't wanna waste my time describing these people because i know from "mat rempit",you will say "Oh stop there before i f*cking kill myself"....and so the happy news comes after this..

...my father decided to register me in Taylor's College to put me out of my misery.(Thanks Dad)Taylor's is a 5 minute walk from my place,its so convenient i couldn't stp smiling...reason number 1 why its a good news...reason number two is,the environment.There's nothing not to like about it.Its just a place where i belong..and can get along.I enjoyed the one week in Taylor's so much more than i ever did in GMi.Well i won't blame my dad at all for picking the place for me,nobody knows what kind of animals they kept there.So after two weeks im in Taylor's,all i can say is...im happy with where i am now.I can really study here.Thank God,Alhamdulilah...and btw i have no fun relevant picture to put up with this topic so,here's one for the day.Enjoy. ;-)

Dirty Lungs.

Whats with almost everybody i meet smokes?Is this some kind of viral infection going on?Or is it just me not knowing the number of lungs damaged is actually critical?Well i don't wanna sound like an essay assignment giving points about smoking,but i discovered that:

People smokes not only because of addiction,but ultimately trying to be cool and all that pussy shit.Well totally no offense to smokers out there,but something tells me you better stop this shitty habit.Im not running an anti-smoking campaign in my free time,im just annoyed by tobacco consumers.To be honest i tried one or two cigarettes one time,it really does make you feel like a badass...but its only a feeling..reality is,you're just who you are and nothing close to being badass...more like asswiped posers to be exact.The only thing badass about you is your lungs...just look how much bruises it took all this time..and hey its black too!! Whoa awesome man!! (seriously,you will die from lung cancer...have fun suffering being cool)

I Feel Good.

GAME OVER has never been happier for me with this game.