It’s that time of the year again.

Western Conference Champions: Phoenix Suns over Houston Rockets in 7
Eastern Conference Champions: Boston Celtics over Detroit Pistons in 6

NBA Finals: Phoenix Suns over Houston Rockets in 6.

MVP: Lebron James
Scoring Champ: Kobe Bryant
Rookie of the Year: Kevin Durant
Coach of the Year: Glenn “Doc” Rivers
Defensive Player of the Year: Ben Wallace

For either Eddie Curry or Zach Randolph. Plus others, including future draft picks, of course.

I have this really bad habit of buying bottled water and only drinking halfway. On my desk in my room, you’ll find five or six water bottles . What a waste of money and space! In the backseat of my car, it’s not uncommon to see like 8 water bottles (i get free bottled water at work)–collected over the past month or so of not finishing the water and leaving it in the car.

Seeing that I should drink my water to keep me hydrated, I decided to look up some of the nicer water bottles out there. After extensive research, I came across the Camelbak 0.75L water bottle. So I bought one at the local sports equipment store and so far it’s been one of the best under $20 investment I’ve spent in awhile. Since then, I’ve been drinking a lot more water, it seems like, and I feel healthier. Because I pretty much carry this around me wherever I go (even got a clip to hook it to my laptop bag), I haven’t felt the need to go buy bottled water. Not only will my wallet thank me, but so will the environment! And my gut.

It’s simple. Double the amount of calories you burn. Cut in half the # calories you normally eat. You should be able to lose weight this way if you do this consistently.

I started this today and will try to exercise twice a day (burn between 500-900 calories per day) and eat half of what I normally eat. For lunch and dinner, I’ll only eat half of what’s on my plate and will either give away or discard the rest. Will also order and prepare healthier meals instead of cheesesteaks, ribeye steaks, and 1/2 pound burgers. I know, I need to check into rehab for food whoring.

My plan is to do mostly elliptical (i like it b/c I can read a book or study while i’m on the elliptical) and the rowing machine. Starting in December, I’ll incorporate weights into my regimen.

Ever seen someone drop 50 points and hit a half-court shot to send the game to overtime. And the team still loses?

I don’t know what’s bugging me lately, but the last, i dunno, maybe month or so, haven’t been all that great, to put it mildy. Although it’s not like i have any major issues or anything. Strange. Perhaps it’s knowing that i haven’t experienced anything major–good or bad–in a while…kinda been in a rut for a long while, and just realizing it now. Maybe that’s it. The best way to describe that feeling is that even if you had everything you wanted in life, you still wouldn’t be ‘happy’ (we’re not talking about feeling satisfied, that would be a much easier situation to deal with). That Happiness is unattainable. And in those rare moments where you ‘feel’ happy, after a short while you convince yourself (a conscious decision?) that it’s all one big %#$! tease. I think the idealistic/optimistic side of me is in constant battle with the realistic/pessimistic side…and the realistic/pessimistic side has been winning. Constantly weighing the odds of this or that occurring, deliberating between freedom of choice versus fate, etc.

Some things really just bug the hell out of me (that is much too complicated to add here). Life’s strange twists, cruel ironies, etc.

I think a lot of my goals are different from those of most people. For instance, I don’t necessarily feel like I need to get married or have kids in my lifetime. I’ve seen enough screwed up kids and failed marriages. Or living in a nice, big house. Have a well-paid job in a respectable field. I really could give a shit about those things. It’s not that i’m not ambitious, it’s just that i don’t want to be a fool and fall for things that are mere facades. I guess like with most people, I just want to be happy. But how does one attain happiness?

Maybe I just need another vacation.

I’m really excited about the upcoming NBA season. Here the things to watch for:

1. How Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen and the rest of the Celtics will fare against the rest of the Eastern Conference. The pundits have them rated #1 in the Eastern Conference. I feel that, on paper, they’re one of the top two teams in the East already. Their bench is a concern and so is the point guard and center positions. But KG, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen is one heck of a trio.

2. The Houston Rockets’ offseason acquisitions of Steve Francis, Luis Scola, Mike James, and the return of Bonzi Wells (who flourished under Rick Adelman, now coach of the Rockets, at Sacramento a couple years ago) make them a instant title contender in the West. In my power rankings, I have the Houston Rockets at #2 in the West (behind San Antonio).

3. The Shaq and Penny reunion. Who would’ve thunk this? Shaq and Penny have had a frosty relationship over the years (’frosty’ may be an understatement). But apparently, they’ve kissed and made up and are ready to give it another go. At 36 and with banged up knees….many are skeptical that Penny Hardaway still has it. But we’ll see. The Heat will still make the playoffs, but aren’t the same dominant team that it was a couple years ago. I have them at #4 in the Eastern Conference (behind Boston, Detroit, and Chicago).

4. Rashard Lewis as an Orlando Magic. I think the Orlando Magic overpaid to get Rashard Lewis. I don’t know if he’s worth the max contract that he got and the sign and trade really puts the Magic in a bind financially for the next 5-7 years. While I think Lewis and Howard complement each other rather well, i don’t see how the Magic’s players at the other positions can score enough points to win games. I have them at #7 in the East.

5. Grant Hill in Phoenix. I believe Grant Hill’s still got it. He’s one of the most versatile players in the league (similar to Lebron, Kobe, and D-wade) and gives Phoenix another playmaker. He runs the floor pretty well and is a great fit for the Phoenix Suns. Seems to always make the right decision. Excellent pickup for the Suns. Suns are #3 in my power rankings out West.

6. Rookies Kevin Durant and Yi Jian Lian. As I’ve indicated in an earlier post on the NBA Draft, the Portland Trailblazers made a huge mistake by passing up on Kevin Durant and sticking with the ’safe’ choice, Greg Oden. Kevin Durant is the real deal and he has the potential to be one of the best players in the league. Yi Jian Lian is another intriguing rookie that has a lot of upside, from what I’ve seen. I think he’s a much better defensive player than many give him credit for, from what I’ve seen on YouTube clips, and he can run the court like a guard, although he stands at 6′11″. Very soon, you will hear analysts rave about how he runs the floor (and you’ll know where you heard it first).