Re: Mj Vs Kobe

“Is it fair to try to measure what’s inside someone’s chest or between their ears when so many other factors can potentially dictate an outcome?” – Stephen A. SmithDoesn’t this go along with the phrase, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”? Aren’t we taught not to do this during our whole upbringing? I feel that there are too many pressures for one to be perfect. One is bound to crack or be caught in a point of weakness at least once during their life. And things are only going to get worse. I’m not sports literate by any means, so I’m going to relate to this totally different.I don’t mean to keep putting my family on center stage but my brother would be a good example for this one. Thursday night [September 18th 2008] my twin got his first DUI. So many things went wrong for him that night. He wasn’t supposed to drive that night. The plan was that his best friend Dustin was in charge of that. Dustin sports a single cab, two seated, Chevy Colorado. So when Dustin started inviting all of their other friends, his car was no longer suitable. Erik, [my brother] HAD a SUV that seated 7. Erik was quickly nominated to be the driver of the night. He agreed only with the terms that he be reimbursed with gas money [which never happened]. He loaded his car and they set off for the worst night of their lives. First destination was Johnny’s Bar in Huntington Beach. They met up with friends already there, celebrating a birthday. They drank way too much and got the boot from Johnny’s. One had a desire to try their luck at a strip club in La Habra, so they took off swerving to a place four cities away. They proceeded to get kicked out of Taboo as well. Just then, Joy called and wanted to party with them too. They jumped in the car, speeding and swerving toward Silver Lake to pick her up. It was amazing that they made it that far without A) getting caught and B) hurting someone. It was the right turn leading into Dustin’s neighborhood [the place they were to stay and sum up their night of partying] that was does them in. Attempting a sharp right hand turn going 60 mph, my brother jumped the center divider and took out a “NO U-TURN” sign. The tires screeched, the contact made a bang, the air bags deployed, and the lights started flashing. Just as their world literally spun out of control, two cops just happened to be patrolling the neighborhood. My brother was taken in where he would spend the remainder of the night in a jail cell. The pressures to be perfect or that shining star isn’t at home. It’s within his group of friends. Erik is the party guy. The guys that everyone wants to know or have people know that they know him. They constantly call him to meet up a bar or party or work party. Younger idiots tell him that he’s their idol. [He is everything to me] but there’s nothing really that separates him from anyone you meet. Maybe it’s the occupation [Pirate, at Pirate’s Dinner and Adventure], or the rat tail [that everyone attempts to grow after seeing him], or the bands he’s played in or hangs out with. If he was cool before, the DUI doesn’t make him any cooler. He realizes that it’s not worth it. His friends could have gotten really hurt that night. And if they were his friends at all they wouldn’t have let him drive like that. The parties may be a blast that night, but not so much as hugging the toilet bowl is the next morning. Erik is tired of trying to keep up with his friends. He lost himself for a minute. This isn’t who he is. In one night, Erik went from the guy with the looks, the car, and the time; to the guy without car, whose money will go towards the DUI, and the time will be spent in alcoholic classes and AA. Which makes him that less attractive to the potential single female.In regards to Kobe, maybe he isn’t the speech giving, ass slapping, cheer leading, role model that everyone wants him to be. To me, there isn’t anything wrong with just being a great athlete on a great team. He doesn’t need to be MJ. He needs to concentrate on being Kobe Bryant. When we start trying to live up to everyone else’s expectations is where we get into trouble. Sandra was strong enough to stay true to herself and not try to be like her brothers. She succeeded and in the end everything worked out. Professor Hsiao, you mentioned that there is a tie to everything and I know you were referring to the blogs but I am seeing one in the class discussions and assignments. The constant energy you keep going in the class is inspiring. I look forward to class every Monday and Wednesday. =)