ZUMBA

What do you know about ZUMBA??????

Well, aside from a friend expressing her undying love for it, I had absolutely no idea what Zumba was.  But as you may have come to learn about me by now...I will try anything once, except roller coasters, bungee jumping, sky diving, heli-skiing, bull riding, high altitude climbing, base jumping, or cave diving to name a few. But I digress.
Zumba I knew was safe and the slogan is "Ditch the workout, Join the party!"  So after hearing about it time and again, I decided to try it one day.  Luckily it is offered at Equinox and I happened to have gotten a one-month pass to any of their gyms in the city for $35!  
So, a couple days ago after work, i venture to the Equinox gym on 43rd and 5th in Manhattan, one block away from Bryant Park.  Clearly the eager beaver, I arrived a bit too early and decided to run a couple miles on the treadmill to warm up. I noticed some type of abs class was wrapping up in the same studio where Zumba was scheduled, so I grabbed a seat and watched the remaining stretches. The abs class was filled with ladies, and I began to wonder what the make-up of my Zumba class would be.
Time to Zumba!! I entered the studio, poised and ready to...do whatever Zumba requires I guess.  I noticed women piling into the classroom before and after me. I looked around a few times and finally accepted the fact that I was the only man in a studio with 21 young women (yes, i counted)! The instructor asks if it's anyone's first time.  With no shame at all I raised my hand, half expecting at least one other person to join me.  Nope.  Not only was I the only male there, I was the only one new to the situation.  So, there was a nanosecond where i felt slightly self-conscious.  The students all clapped, giving me encouragement and the instructor calmed any nerves by saying "we will take care of you."  Hey, what guy would not mind 21 women taking care of him? Fellas, can you hear me!!

What is Zumba?
Zumba is the name of a dance fitness program created by dancer and choreographer BETO in Colombia during the 1990s.  This program borrows from the following dance styles: Cumbia, Salsa, Merengue, Mambo, Flamenco, cha-cha-cha, Reggaeton, Samba, Belly-dancing, Bhangra, Hip-hop and Tango.  So you can imagine the various beats and tempo changes, which transition the workout from one toning, strengthening or cardio move to another, and targets every major muscle group in the body.

My Experience
The class begins, and the instructor explains that she silently teaches, meaning students would have to follow her lead.  No problem. I flowed through the first song pretty well, still somewhat self conscious but opening up to the idea that it is a fun exercise and who wants a stiff in class, or in life for that matter?  This is when I began to shine!
At one point the instructor notices how I'm dancing, or exercising, and she walks up facing me and starts dancing with me, in a manner similar to what the image above may evoke.  I veer a bit from her set dance and began to flip the script on her a bit, hit her with a Chris Brown freak 'em move while staying on beat, and she dug it!  The class continued, I was definitely sweating up a storm and shut everyone else in the studio out while I focused on her dances, and made sure the man in the mirror kept pace with everyone else.  There were times, however, when I felt the dance, or exercise, was strictly meant for ladies.  So when it came to gyrating with hands on my head, poking behinds out and waving arms with a somewhat limp wrist...I just did the best i could, and i did it my way, like Sinatra.
The instructor approached me again while at the same time looking at the door to the studio at a young lady watching.  She asks, "Is that your admirer or mine?"  I had no idea.  Made me wonder whether a guy had ever stepped foot in her class at all.  In fact, a family friend/Zumba instructor said she has yet to have a man show up in her class.  Man, I've got to get to her studio pronto!!! 
As the class winded down, I began to feel this workout making a difference in my abs, legs and arms.  The "gyrating" turned into an opportunity to really work my abs, and the "poking of the behind" I flipped into doing squats and was feeling invigorated as I saw the entire class moving as one to the beat. There was a lot of lateral movement, jumping, turning in circles with all types of footwork for about 45mins.

Sooner than later, the class ended.  Everyone seemed to have sweat buckets.  The instructor walks up to me and said, "Oh...my...God!! Are you sure this is your first time? You were awesome and you absolutely HAVE to come back next week!"  I promised that I would return the following Thursday no doubt.  As I left I turned and said, "I had a great time ladies, see you next week!"  They all gave me a huge smile and that was it.  That was my first Zumba experience.  I will probably only do that one class again and no more. I enjoy kickboxing, and while there is no dancing, I believe I work the same muscles and get that type of cardio workout, along with self-defense and peace of mind, at the dojo! And of course there's my bikram yoga!  Some guys may want to show up, score some points with the ladies as well.  You never know from whence your next opportunity will come!

Zumba is not totally my cup of green decaffeinated tea, but I at least have a point of reference and can now discuss the program with others interested, or maybe take a class with my friend I spoke of earlier one day.  Until then...

BIKRAM IN BLACK

Do you believe in love at first sight?  When it comes to romantic human relationships, I most likely have spent more time questioning the validity of such a phenomenon, to the point of renaming it "compelling chemical reactions at first sight" instead.  However, I have fallen in love with the following thus far, both oddly originating in India: butter chicken curry and bikram yoga, the latter being the focus of this post. I may bore you with my love for Halle Berry, Angel Lola Luv (Lola Monroe), or my mother some other time.

Allow me to first explain the nature of my physical activity and my limited perceptions of yoga prior to February 2010, when I first dared to begin the beautiful struggle that is bikram yoga.  I  had already embarked on a healthy course, having eliminated dairy, white sugar and soda from my diet, regularly drink half my body weight in ounces of water daily, completed a few lemonade diet master cleanses, survived bootcamp workouts with former green beret Eddie Lima @Trinity Boxing Gym, and I ran a NYC half marathon in 2009.  Clearly I was focused on wellness to some extent, but this is not a prerequisite at all to practicing yoga.
I was not familiar with yoga at all, let alone bikram yoga, until a school friend updated her facebook status asking friends if anyone would join her in trying it.  I was curious because yoga did not have a visible presence in black communities I knew.  Count me among the ignorant who believed yoga was an esoteric practice enjoyed solely by white folks, females and gay men.  The idea that non whites practiced often never really crossed my mind; none of my friends or family discussed or promoted it as I am now, for example.  I was quickly disabused of such fallacious reasoning after doing simple research and coming across an International Black Yoga Teachers Association, Yoga Teachers in Ghana, and the Society of Kemetic Yoga, to name a few.  A cursory search reveals that many Black people in the U.S., from Brooklyn to San Francisco, are learning about and teaching all types of yoga.  Take a look for yourself:  http://ynottony.com/yoga%20teachers.htm

Potentially being a part of this global network of Black yogis excited me as well so once my friend said we could purchase an unlimited initial one week package for $20, roughly the price for newcomers at any bikram yoga studio in NYC, I did not think twice!  To me, one week of anything geared towards self-improvement and wellness for that price is well worth a try.  I then feverishly began the research on Youtube and Google, watching videos on the topic, reading many testimonials, seeking insight from any experienced friends and coworkers, and listening to interviews of the mastermind of the practice, Bikram Choudhury.  What I learned motivated me to accept the challenge and step into what Bikram himself calls "the torture chamber."

                                   WHAT IS BIKRAM YOGA?

Bikram yoga is a 26 posture sequence, selected, developed and legally protected by Bikram Choudhury, that systematically works every part of the body, to give all the internal organs, all the veins, all the ligaments, and all the muscles everything they need to maintain optimum health and maximum function.  Before and after these postures there are two breathing exercises (known in Sanskrit as pranayama and khapalbhati breathing, respectively), and the studio is heated to at least 105 degrees. It is an intense 90 minute rigorous spiritual journey.  Yes, I said it...at least 105 degrees, also at about 40% humidity, for an hour and a half!! The heat is essential, since when you sweat, impurities are flushed out through the largest organ of the body, your skin.  Also the seemingly insane temperature level is meant to potect your muscles, allowing you to go deeper into a pose.  According to the Bikram Yoga College of India website, this style of yoga, known as hatha yoga, "flushes away the waste products, the toxins of all the glands and organs of your body. It provides a natural irrigation of the body through the circulatory system, with the help of the respiratory system. It brings nourishment to every cell of your body so that each one can perform its function and keep your body healthy."  When I found an online calories-burned calculator, I, at 200lbs, apparently lose 1361 calories in one session!!??  Feel free to calculate yours @  http://www.bikram-yoga-noosa-australia.com/weight-loss-and-yoga.htm  Although I am certain this calorie burned count may be debatable, I was still SOLD!!
The practice has been known to help decrease incidents of high blood pressure, heart disease, certain cancers, stress, migraines, injuries and works the following biological systems: cardiovascular, endocrine, renal, digestive, muscular, nervous, reproductive, respiratory, and skeletal, while boosting your immune system and even reversing the process of bone loss.  NFL players specifically use it often to heal leg, back and neck injuries.  Bikram himself attributes the healing of his shattered leg to the practice.  Without yoga, he may have taken the advice of European doctors, which was to have his leg amputated.  Since I had ACL surgery over 10 years ago, another goal I had was to hopefully help further rehabilitate my right knee (thanks Dale!).  Lastly, it is marketed as "healing from the inside out" and I had to experience this myself!

                              HOW WAS MY EXPERIENCE?

So, I met my friend at a studio on 116th between 5th and Madison in East Harlem, NYC, aptly named, "Bikram Yoga East Harlem."  I had also invited another friend and we all bumped into each other and waited outside to be buzzed in for the 6pm class with Vivian, an Asian instructor.  As we waited outside, more students showed up, predominantly Black and Latina women of various ages.  We were buzzed in, walked upstairs, greeted the receptionist, and I was pointed in the direction of the men's locker room and shower area.  Once I walked in, I saw two Black men, one an older man with dreads, drying off, having just showered after a session.  Always the inquisitive one, I peppered them with "quick questions" and learned that one of them had completed a 30-day challenge in the past, and the other spoke of his love for it, urging me to take my time and enjoy it.  With that, I took my shirt off, put on my shorts and was ready to go.  Before I left, they told me they believed the instructor was Japanese, who speaks fast and it may be hard for me to understand her.  I thanked them for their guidance, but knew privately that my time in Tokyo teaching English would help me follow along with no complications.
She was a great teacher, demanding at times but not overbearing.  I was sweating a river before the first two postures were done.  We were challenged to "go beyond your flexibility" and focus on our breathing throughout each posture.  I noticed some students needed to take a break, and we were told taking time out was okay; there was no judgment, and listening to our bodies was crucial.  Time flew, and the next thing I know I was in the final posture, shavasana, which Bikram calls the most important...and is featured in the inserted image.

Shavasana

This posture is also known as "dead body pose".  This is the final pose and the instructor asks students to remain in this posture for at least 2 mins, eyes closed, urging us to stay even longer so long as we leave before the next class, and some even stay for 15 mins.  Dead Body Pose "facilitates powerful blood flow, then lets circulation return to normal, creating internal cleansing and greatly magnifying the benefits of the postures that precede it."  Your goal here is to consciously relax every part and each muscle of your body, from feet to head, all the while deeply inhaling/exhaling through your nose.

As I walked down 116th after class towards the 2 train on Malcolm X Blvd drinking coconut water (you must replenish electrolytes lost through sweat), I simultaneously felt exhausted and exhilarated...a natural high, not minding the sound of honking horns, playful children, or the smell of fish from the local market.  I continued to breathe deeply while flexing my abs, squeezing out the bad air from my lungs as I learned in class. This feeling remained with me for at least two hours that night and I slept like a baby.  I began incorporating these breathing techniques in my daily life.  I returned about two weeks later to do a 30-day challenge (if you complete it you earn an entire unlimited month for free!!), which turned into almost 50 classes in a row!  I loved it, felt somewhat infatuated or obsessed, often traveling from my apartment in Newark, NJ at 4:30am, braving the winter elements to make the 6am class in East Harlem!  The love eventually grew such that I considered moving to the East Harlem area, to be closer to my baby.  And it loved me back in the form of an even better attitude of gratitude, deeper sleeps, and a reshaping of my body like never before (lost a couple inches in the waist)!  The love is so deep that people have begun to call me "bikram," as I often share stories with people in person and on Facebook about my experiences, how bikram has refined my ability to focus and empowered me to go beyond my comfort zone and overcome fears in other areas of life.   
The main fear I have overcome is expressing my feelings, being open, and honest/truthful.  The ego is more suppressed.  I can admit to almost falling in love with one of the instructors early on in my practice, half joking to myself that I wanted to either marry her, or someone who teaches bikram, or at the very least a woman who practices bikram faithfully.  The wedding ring on the instructor's finger was clear evidence that such a marriage was unlikely, so after awhile I rid my mind of that fantasy, and began to wonder why I started feeling this way (she is no longer there today).  And it dawned on me that one of the poses, the camel pose (ushtrasana in Sanskrit), may have been the culprit.

Ushtrasana

Camel Pose is an intense back bend and is known as a great heart opener. While in this pose, the instructor usually cautions students to be aware of powerful emotions that may surface, to embrace it while not letting it overpower us.  In the first few classes I recall thinking, "Whatever, there is no way some yoga pose is going to make me all sensitive and lovey-dovey!"  Well, it just may have.  In reading more about this posture, I learn that it represents the ability to accomplish the impossible: that if you feel disconnected from the world, family or other relationships, practicing camel pose "can help you express your feelings and find compassion towards others."  This posture opens up the heart chakra, the center in your body from which feelings of love emanate.  It benefits the body also by tightening the thighs, waist and hips, strengthening the arms, shoulders, knees and thighs, while massaging the kidneys and bladder.
Now I understand why I may have expressed certain things to certain people this year, or ended relationships that were unhealthy.  Now I see why I have become shy again, worried that I am feeling too much love too early, vulnerable even, and i am not adept at channeling it properly yet.  It explains why I decided to randomly contact and converse with my ex-father, my mother's ex-husband...who never bothered to contact me in any way since i was a pre-teen.  This may have led to my reading the entire Bible and the Qur'an this year. And I know it is what keeps me going back for more bikram, more love...and it is an eternal attraction.  

Before I completed this 30-day challenge, I was so obsessed I began to research what it would take to get a license to become an instructor, and possibly run my own studio one day as the lovely ladies of Bikram Yoga East Harlem below are doing.  This plan has been put on the backburner since I am certain one would need to have mastered each posture, and be among the most flexible to serve in that capacity, and I have a long way to go in that regard.  Word of this unique studio spread so fast that it was featured in many articles and blogs, on the morning news shows, and even the August 2010 edition of Essence magazine...all before the studio's 2nd anniversary.  And in January 2011, it was named among the top ten bikram yoga studios in the United States.  Feel free to read for yourself:  http://www.details.com/culture-trends/critical-eye/201102/10-best-bikram-yoga-studios-in-america   

Jennifer Pope & Stephanie Pope Caffey

Recently, I completed another 30-day challenge, which ended this year on October 30. This time i noticed feeling more powerful at the end of the month than last time and my knee has gained more strength than ever before.  I also noticed that my practice was getting stronger towards the end; my transitions from pose to pose were more fluid, and I think I felt a kind of awakening, a compelling clarity of mind/spirit that demanded further investigation.  The next plan is to complete a 60-day challenge in 2011, which may warrant it's own blog so keep an eye out for that.

Bikram yoga has facilitated personal healing and has allowed me to become more of an intuitive and alert being, I hope.  As such, I urge you to give bikram yoga a try, or any yoga for that matter.  If in New York, I recommend Bikram Yoga East Harlem, as you will meet great owners, be exposed to a diverse group of dedicated and supportive students and instructors, and a clean, non-judgmental, welcoming environment.  I dare you to transform via bikram yoga, "like a flower petal blooming."  No matter your age, shape, size or ethnicity, bikram yoga benefits everyone.  I congratulate the owners of this studio for "helping Harlem get healthy" one yogi at a time.  And I will continue to push the boundaries and challenge perceptions of what a yoga practitioner looks like. 

In closing, I give you Bikram Choudhury's words during a 2005 interview with a Southern California free yoga magazine called, "LA YOGA Ayurveda & Health Magazine ":

"I wish that every human being should do yoga. They should not suffer, they will never need drugs, medication, and have a happy, healthy peaceful life! No anger, which is the number one disease, especially in America."

Namaste
              

No Father Wants to be Laurence Fishburne Right Now

          Her name is Montana "Chippy-D" Fishburne.  You may recognize the last name.  In fact, she is the 19yr old daughter of one of my favorite actors of all time, Laurence Fishburne.  You've seen him in everything from Apocalypse Now, School Daze, The Color Purple, King of New York, and The Matrix, to What's Love Got To Do With It, and even in a solo production of Thurgood on Broadway in the Spring of 2008.  He of course has played many different roles, even a leading role alongside Angela Bassett in August Wilson's Fences, for which he won a Tony Award for Best Actor in 2006. We could ramble on for days about the roles this great actor has played.  But he now finds himself in a precarious situation, an unenviable role to say the least.
          Chippy D, "Othello's" daughter in the photo, has made her first career decision...and she made it publicly.  She has decided, with all of her conscious mind, and all her energy, creativity, resources and skills, to enter the very lucrative porn industry! She is quoted as having said that she was inspired by Kim Kardashian and the attention she received as a result of Kim's leaked sex tape.  For those who don't know, Kim Kardashian and singer Ray J made a sex tape and it leaked online in 2007, leading to a lawsuit ending in $5m settlement between Kardashian and Vivid Entertainment.  I personally cannot attest to the tape's value, or lack thereof, but since then Kim Kardashian has garnered a lot of attention and earned a lot of money.  This led Chippy D to say the following, "I've watched how successful Kim Kardashian became and I think a lot of it was due to the release of her sex tape by Vivid. I'm hoping the same magic will work for me. I'm impatient about getting well-known and having more opportunities and this seemed like a great way to get started on it."
          Some of you may have heard of a gentleman by the name of Brian Pumper. Me neither. Well, I recently saw a video of this gentleman talking about his porn business, how he goes about directing the videos and handling the women.  Apparently he will be the first man to unveil Chippy D to the porn industry!! He will in fact provide Chippy D, Laurence Fishburne's daughter, the paid opportunity to engage in sexual acts on video for the whole world to see. In the interview discussed above with Pumper and Chippy D, Chippy also says she believes she has the skills because she has had "plenty of at-home experience" and the camera loves her.
          Larry Fishburne must be fuming! This is every man's nightmare, or so I hear, once he has a daughter.  Well, one of his worst fears may be that the daughter might become a street prostitute on crack with no way back.  But it is all relative.  No father raises daughters to willingly have sex with every Tone, Vick and Larry before being able to legally drink alcohol.  A father has too much pride to be seen as the Dad of a daughter who has a Big Papa, especially not a Big Papa named "Pumper".
          This is telling to me not only because Larry's daughter has chosen the adult porn industry, but because she cited Kim Kardashian as her role model.  Chippy D says she is "too impatient about getting well known"?  I presume the whole going to acting school, landing commercial spots, cameos, etc was just too much work, time and effort with minimal and uncertain returns.  All I have to say is WOW!! I thought only hard up women in the hood or other economically impoverished area chose this lifestyle because there is no other viable way for quick money.  I mean, even Kim Kardashian is not happy her video came out because no man will marry her now! Right, Reggie?
          Fathers, I urge you to take care of your daughters.  Be there for them, teach them the value of their bodies, their lives.  There are so many dangers involved in the porn business, so many risks, and to do it all for immediate fame is scary. 
          Don't get me wrong. I'm all for "to each her own" and believe that people simply must pay the consequences of whatever actions they take.  But never did I think the day would come where a 19yr old daughter of a superstar Hollywood actor like Fishburne would first choose the porn industry* as a means to a celebrity end.

But what if Larry Fishburne is well aware of and supports his 19yr old's career goals?  Or maybe underneath there is a story to tell of neglect, and of Chippy D being able to roam free unsupervised as a teenager for months at times while daddy's away working?  Is Larry Fishburne going to denounce his daughter?
Will he dare to disown her like Alan Keyes treated his young adult daughter Maya in 2005 after his uneventful 2004 Presidential campaign when he learned Maya was a lesbian?  Maya no longer had a home.

Or will there be an intervention of sorts, where Fishburne works to save his 19yr old from such risky activity and direct her to Dr. Drew? She may need sex rehab. She could start her career there as opposed to starting and ending it through the porn industry. Is this a girl's cry for help or a woman taking control, like janet jackson? You decide.

*Please note I am not judging or disparaging the porn industry or any of its individual actors. It is legal. The industry rakes in $13b per year in the United States alone.  However, what too often comes along with the benefits are violence, disease, self/group disrespect and maybe death.

Who You Callin'...OBESE?? It's On!

There I was, relajandome on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro circa March 2006.  A few law school friends and I decided to visit during our final semester.  We no doubt remain thankful for the opportunity and for having shared an experience of a lifetime in "La Cidade Maravilhosa" together.  Visiting Rio (and Sao Paolo in my case for 3 days solo) merits its own blog anyway, but that's not my purpose here.  This picture has a deeper significance for me.
          Within a week of taking this picture, I visit the school doctor for a regular check-up (it had been a good year since I had gotten a complete physical, w/blood examined, etc.).  During the exam, and without any sort of warning, the doctor informs me that based on the BMI (Body Mass Index) formula, I was in fact considered obese! Now, at this point in my life at 5'10" I weighed the heaviest ever at 238lbs (law school function staples were beer and pizza after all).  But in no way shape or form would anyone conclude that there is an obese black man smiling at us all in this photo.  Right?

          Except my doctor...who looked me in my eyes after analyzing some chart and said, "You are obese."  So, you know we had to have a discussion because I totally disagreed with his assessment, having seen obese people with my own eyes, plainly noticing a drastic difference in their BMI and mine.  But doctors know best in their field so I peppered him with questions to get to the bottom of it all.  My first question: "Excuse me sir, but I am curious about this BMI formula. To determine BMI, there must have been subjects used as standards, correct? Bottom line, I would like to know if black people (males in my case) were used as standards at all in any study?"  The doctor said no, and I learned also that Asian body types were not considered...only white male body types served as the basis for determining my BMI.  Also, muscle mass is not taken into consideration.  Go figure. I hope one day that my doctor friends could create a BMI for nonwhites or one that considers muscle mass, if something similar does not exist already.

          The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measurement tool that compares your height to your weight and gives you an indication of whether you are overweight, underweight or at a healthy weight for your height.   A BMI of 30 or more is considered obese. Being obese increases your risk for serious conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

BMI = (weight in pounds/height in inches x height in inches) x 703.

BMI Categories:

Underweight = <18.5

Normal weight = 18.5–24.9

Overweight = 25–29.9

Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

          Yet and still, I had not seen a beachside photo of myself in awhile before this shot was taken.  After the judgment of obesity was levied, I gradually began to notice via this photo what I call "the inner-tube potential" developing.  Take a closer look.  I got gut, and one could see that gut expanding without an intervention of some sort.  Growing up, as athletically inclined as most long-term athletes, I always had a fear of becoming the chubby hubby, beer and remote in hand rubbing on his tummy with no motivation/energy.  It was on!
          So I ran. Lost twenty pounds that summer.  This photo represents the beginning of an awakening. Since then I cut out red meat, drink a lot of water no soda, no dairy, natural juice, only use almond milk only sweetener is agave, eat a lot of fruits/nuts/veggies and the gut is no more. In full disclosure, every now and then I indulge in some chocolate, some cookies and other sweets, while I never compromise on banning white sugar and dairy.  I have completed a few bootcamps (last one ended a week ago), ran a NYC half-marathon in '08, and suffered through many bikram yoga classes in 2010.  My arms are now much more defined.  Most importantly, I remain alert and energetic during the day (i do see zombies) and reject caffeine altogether.  As some rappers are known as "conscious rappers" I guess you can say I am a conscious walker, a conscious journeyman, and conscious of the fact that if we also focus on our health as a main priority, the rest will follow. I also urge all readers to have open and honest discussions with your doctors, doing research on your own and dedicating your life to personal change if need be. It is a great feeling to invest time in improving yourself and there is always room.  Here is an updated photo of yours truly taken in April 2011 while relaxing on the pristine Phi Phi Island in Thailand:

 
Stay active everybody!!  And Go hard!!

How I Came to Love Futbol, aka "soccer" in USA

(written during the Final game, Holland vs Spain for the championship - FIFA World Cup 7/11/2010 ---SPAIN WINS IN EXTRA TIME 1-0!!!!!!)

         In all honesty, I had absolutely nil interest in the game I used to call soccer before entering my first or second year at Wesleyan University.  As a kid the game was foreign to me and while it was offered at my private school, I never thought to learn anything about it.  You see, in this respect I was the typical American: ignorant and often consciously oblivious to all things un-American.  I spent the majority of my athletic years playing "respectable" sports like American football, basketball and track.  Soccer was not an interesting game to play, watch or discuss.  The only time a soccer ball was used in my neighborhood was to dunk it, if regulation size basketball was too big and tennis balls became too small.  
          So imagine my surprise when at Wesleyan I meet people from other countries for whom football serves as a source of inspiration, and even personal and national pride.  Watching Miriti Murungi (Kenya represent!) and William Wilson (Jamaican brother) and Gbenga (Ghana i believe or Nigerian) toy around with a soccer ball almost like Ronaldinho first sparked in me the sense of awe.  So naturally I would go to their games and enjoy every time they touched the ball. At that point, my knowledge of the game was weak, but I was slightly intrigued.  And I recall being somewhat engaged or at least watching Brazil win the '94 World Cup, which was held here in the United States. 
          Time passed and while I gained a certain respect for the impact the game had on people, I still had not totally immersed myself in it. I continued to be impressed, even in odd ways, with how this game impacts people off all cultures.  The '94 FIFA World Cup served as another source.  Not only did the impact Brazil's team had on the world captivate me, so did the story of Andres Escobar of Colombia. In Colombia vs US, he accidentally scored for the US, which ultimately led to his death back home.  People were dying over results of soccer games!!??  Really??!!  That alone piqued my interest in the game.  With this game came passion, heart, patriotism, and at times corruption.  Often the most powerful emotions I have ever witnessed were displayed while watching a football game.

          Fortunately, in 2001-2002 I had an opportunity to immerse myself in a culture that loves football.  I moved to Tokyo, Japan and taught English there for 1.5 years.  Coincidentally, the location for FIFA World Cup 2002 was shared between Japan (tokyo area) and South Korea!  So that year, often being educated by my Australian, Irish, British and French coworkers and Japanese friends, I learned more about the rules, like what constitutes an "off-sides" and yellow vs red cards, etc.  We frequented Irish pubs, sat among mobs of people and cheered loudly with friends (even one from Iran, my main man Younis).  I learned of "hoolaginism" there, because Japanese media seemed overly concerned with british fans' behavior in the city.  Security was in full force, and from what I recall, there was more Japanese hooligan activity than British.  Ironic, huh?  I of course blindly cheered when the US played, but found myself rooting more for other teams, mainly the global underdogs, and of course Brazil...back when Ronaldo was nice (although his haircut was not).
            Speaking of Brazil, I finally had an opportunity with law school friends in 2006 to watch a local game in Rio de Janeiro, involving a popular club named Flamengo in the world renowned stadium called "MARACANA"!!  Fans brought in instruments, wore face paint, brought signs and all their energy to the game!  The electricity was in the air, everyone was on their feet, man woman and child of all ages celebrating and rooting for their respective teams, collectively singing and dancing.  It was amazing being there and feeling the energy in such a historically significant arena in such a beautiful ciudade, among such beautiful people. Me and my boys (D,R,&A) partied along with them, and without knowing, developed a love of the Brazilian approach to the game and have rooted for Brazil ever since.  And having lived in Japan, I root for their squad as well.

          This brings us to FIFA World Cup 2010, set for the very first time in the motherland, specifically the beautiful nation of South Africa.  32 teams, eight groups vie for yet another Championship.  It should be noted that Ireland is not part of this Cup due to suspicious activity in a loss to France upon qualifying.  And Ronaldinho is not playing, apparently Brazil's coach decided to veer away from individual one-on-one skills, instead focusing on a more European style, where players pass more often.
          This World Cup for me was different because I became much more involved in many of the back stories of many sides.  I immersed myself in the rules, learning which key players were injured or could not play due to a red card in the previous game, understanding which team plays which defensive set and why, and more.  I engaged people from Ghana, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Nigeria in discussions before, during and after the games.  And they began to engage me.  Often I have been told by those with football in their blood, "I am impressed that as an American you are so interested in football." I felt proud that I could converse on a higher than basic level about each game, and continue to ask questions when confused.  I felt pain when Japan lost, Ghana and Brazil.  Once I began empathizing and internalizing pain that people from other cultures felt as a result of an unforeseen loss, I knew the love was deep.  I knew the love was even deeper once I began to offer suggestions as to how the integrity of the game could improve.  Anyone watching the Ghana vs Uruguay game would agree that a goal-tending rule, at certain times of the game and concerning shots within a certain distance from the goal, should be enforced.
          Now, I have a healthy understanding of the game, as presented on the World Cup level.  My newfound love has led me to seriously consider buying tickets to FIFA World Cup 2014 held in Brazil.  I plan on being there.  And I hope to transfer this deep interest in football to watching during the regular seasons, something I still have yet to do.  Thankfully, there is so much more to learn about the players, the relationship politics plays in each country, the coaches and where they trained, the naturalization process for teams with players not born domestically, salaries, coach/player relationships, racism in clubs and even spewing from European fans, etc.  Consider me a football fan.  I'm thankful for being exposed to such a great global pastime/sport, with such a deep international history, and for seeing the value in it.  My nephew Shane plays and is a beast, by the way.

later still

Day 3 Bootcamp

          So, day three involved a lot of ab work people! We began by doing 3 sets of various ab exercises, 2mins/set.  The first set were flutter kicks, as shown in the image above. Then we did horizontal flutter kicks. The last set we partnered up and did as many leg throws as we could in 2 minutes.  And we did another set of leg throws, however, once your partner throws your legs, the other partner, with legs straight, stops his/her legs from hitting the floor and does a circular motion in the air and lifts the legs up again for another throw.  People, this is a very difficult thing to do.  Sets are 2 minutes long and each set seems like an eternity. But working the core is so crucial that it is worth the pain.
          My partner that class was Stacey, and you should have seen how she rocked the next exercise, which was one set of ordinary sit-ups.  Stacey struggled to do 65 sit-ups, even after the previous exercises!!!  I was thoroughly impressed, especially after i could only do 30 sit-ups at that point.
          On to the relay. One partner of each team began an exercise, the first was one-legged squats on a bench, while the other partner ran around the block.  Once the running partner returned to repeat the same exercise, the other partner ran.  We repeated this, doing several different exercises between runs (standing 8s, Afghan squats, flutter kicks) and finished the class strong.
          Now my ab muscles are sore as are the top of my thighs.  This can only be a good thing.  Maybe I'll go for a run after these World Cup games today.  Ghana is tied with Australia at this time.  Until the next bootcamp, i'm signing out.

Bootcamp Day 2 - June 16, 2010

          I felt a lot better about my energy level and effort yesterday.  But it was ROUGH!! Now, I know this program is called "bootcamp," but please allow me to assuage any and all concerns about the nature of the trainer's motivational tactics.  The trainer, Eddie Lima, is not the in-your-face type of ex-marine. I have yet to hear him call anyone maggots, or otherwise scream profanity as a means to help us see the best in ourselves.  There is no "left, right left" chanting as we run.  Eddie simply asks that we do our best, even if we cannot complete the exercises.  If we cannot do anymore push-ups due to muscle fatigue, for example, he asks us to remain in the up position until time runs out.
          But on to the typical "warm-up".  As a warm-up, Eddie had us doing 3 sets of push-ups at 2 minutes per set.  In other words, do as many as you can for each set.  The first set were regular push-ups, the second set were diamond push-ups, where we connected our thumbs and index fingers in a triangular shape, and push-up that way.  The third set we did wide push-ups, where we spread our hands out as wide as possible and did as many in this way as we could for 2 minutes.  The group energy was great, as I looked around observing about 6 women and 8 men struggle beyond their level of comfort to squeeze out yet another push-up before plopping on the ground in total exhaustion.
          After the warm-up, my partner and I were told to take a 45lb barbell and do forearm curls with elbows close to the body.  So we're lifting the bar with the backs of our hands facing us.  We did decreasing sets, with me first doing 10, my partner does the same, then I did 9, and so on until we reached 1.  Then we did increasing sets of curls with the bar, lifting it with our palms facing us.  I did 1, my partner repeats, then I did 2, and so on until we both reached 10.  This clearly is upper body day, and at this point I was sweating profusely, but motivated by the mutual encouragement my partner and I gave each other.  I'm bad with names but I believe my partner's name was Anthony.
          The next move was to the bench, where we did reverse dips to focus on our triceps.  We had to do as many as we could in 2 minutes.  We may have done 2 sets of this exercise, and were then told to head downstairs to do 3 sets of 15 pull-ups.  Anthony and I were beat, spent, straight tired to the bone.  But we spotted each other when needed, and did as many as we could each set, at times hitting fifteen, and maybe the last set we did 10.  There was a tag team of young women down there with us as well, and it was just great seeing them struggle along with us.  We all motivated each other, and my thing was making sure I and others tried one more pull-up after we decided to quit, as a reminder that we have more power in us than we think and to not let our minds play tricks on us...by convincing us that we've had enough when there's more gas in the tank.
          Our next challenge was to complete 2 sets of 5 one-legged squats.  While inside the boxing ring, we held one hand on the middle rope for support, and squatted such that our butts touched our heel and the other leg was straightened out, then we stood up.  This exercise is crucial for me as I am still working on my right knee, where I had ACL surgery some time ago.
          After this we were told to run around the block once, and complete 10 pull-ups each when we returned and we'd be done.  What a way to start the day - 7am suffering through physical and mental challenges, supporting each other to be our best.  I enjoyed it and am looking forward to Friday.

Bootcamp Day 1 - June 14, 2010

So, i'm back!! As many of you know, I began bootcamp awhile ago.  I was working downtown near Ground Zero when I walked by the infamous Trinity Boxing gym in search of lunch.  On the outside I saw a sign advertising bootcamp.  I had always wanted a bootcamp workout, but never had the desire to join the military.  So, I saw this as my big chance to work out, if only for one month, bootcamp style!  These classes are very challenging, and at times your muscles are too fatigued to complete each exercise.  But the test is to work as hard as you can for as long as you can, at times to the point of complete exhaustion.  I even vomited in one session, but we later attributed it to my not providing my body the proper fuel; I have since grown to appreciate fuel like bananas, coconut water, and protein.  When informed of the incentive of improvement, a free month of boxing, I earned "Most Improved" status one month, recording 80 push-ups in 2 minutes, from the 40 i did at the beginning of that month, and running the 2-miles in 15mins, up from 18mins at the outset.  I've done a few months since then, but this is a blog about the bootcamp session i joined on June 14, 2010.  Although I feel Eddie's is the best, most affordable bootcamp, there are many in NYC and some in your area if you dare to try.  The results speak for themselves.

On Day 1, as usual, we are asked to perform diagnostic tests: max push-ups in 2mins, max sit-ups in 2mins, and a timed 2-mile race.  The instructor, Eddie Lima, is a retired marine, a former green beret who served in Afghanistan and Iraq for about 20yrs.  He and I have developed a good relationship.  He knows what I am capable of and he often shares with new or potential clients how i had the most energy in the class, often bouncing on both feet like boxers do in between exercises.  So, my reputation preceded me yesterday as I began the first full month there since Fall 2009.

I rocked the push-ups and felt satisfied with my sit-up game.  However, my legs turned to silly puddy during the 2-mile race.  I completed it in 18:35, just about third or fourth place out of the group, which varies in age and includes a few women. On the last day of bootcamp, we will take this same test again to determine who is the most improved, based on a scale Eddie uses from military standards, which considers our age and gender.  Clearly I need more cardio, and more cardio I will be sure to get.  After all, I just may get a free month of bootcamp if I improve more than everyone else.  Tomorrow I foresee pain and more mental challenges, so Follow me...

David & Goliath - Why David Won

          Just when I thought I knew the David and Goliath story, after taking time to actually read each word I learned something more probative that explains why David won.
          My perspective on this is written after I had already completed reading the entire Bible, front to back.  I finished Revelations on May 15, a day after my younger sisters birthday.  This is the first post since I accomplished that feat.  I wanted to be sure I added my two cents on the David & Goliath story because it appears we have misused it to a large degree.
          We all know the general story: David, sometimes seen as a young boy ultimately has to fight a giant man, maybe as big if not bigger than Shaq and David kills Goliath with a slingshot to the head and then beheads Goliath.  One moral of the story is that with the right amount of faith and determination, small people (either in stature or otherwise) can compete and dominate those who appear to be bigger and more powerful.  This moral is often invoked figuratively in adversarial competitions or arenas, be they physical, intellectual, etc.  However the perception has always been that on paper, Goliath had no business losing to this smaller sized human being.
          "Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath, came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel. He was over nine feet tall! He wore a bronze helmet, and his bronze coat of mail weighed 125 pounds. He also wore bronze leg armor, and he carried a bronze javelin on his shoulder. The shaft of his spear was as heavy and thick as a weaver's beam, tipped with an iron spearhead that weighed 15 pounds."  1 Samuel 17:4-7.

Goliath taunted the Israelites and challenged the following: "Choose one man to come down here and fight me. If he kills me, then we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves. I defy the armies of Israel today! Send me a man who will fight me!" 1 Samuel 17:8-10.  

This challenge terrified Saul and the Israelites. 

          The part we rarely focus on however is how prepared David really was for this particular encounter.  If attention is paid, one could reasonably conclude that David was well prepared for the fight and Goliath arguably was out of his league.  Here's David:

"'Don't worry about this Philistine,' David said to Saul. 'I'll go fight him!'  'Don't be ridiculous,' Saul replied. 'There's no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You're only a boy, and he's been a man of war since his youth.'  

But David persisted.  'I have been taking care of my father's sheep and goats. When a lion or bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club to rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death.  I have done this to both lions and bears, and I'll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!'"  

1 Samuel 17:32-37

  

          I can only speak for myself.  I would have put money on David without hesitation.  A boy who's skilled at rescuing lambs from the jaws of lions and bears is my friend indeed!  So the next time you hear someone apply the David and Goliath story to an actual situation, be sure that the "David" in that situation is more than just someone or some group who is small going up against a big person or group , a "Goliath".  The "David" must have spent time and effort preparing not only for a battle, but specifically for a battle tougher than his opponent had ever faced.  As this story is told, we only see Goliath as a "champion," a tall muscular fighter who is the best the Philistines have to offer. We are not told he fought dangerous animals like, lions and tigers and bears, Oh My!!  

          Knowing David had such a background fighting very dangerous and wild animals and rescued lambs from their claws and jaws reminds me to continue working harder than any potential opponent is, to master any craft I hold true, and be confident that proper preparation prevents poor performance no matter the enemy.     

I recommend that you go back and read the entire book of 1 Samuel involving, but not limited to, the story of David and Goliath, Saul's fall from God's grace, King Samuel's reign, Saul's attempts to kill David, David sparing Saul's life twice, Saul's ultimate death and more.

Job's Job

       Can you tell who this picture represents?  Well I guess one could assume based on the title of this post.  If this is your first piece written by me, I have as of today finished reading the entire Old Testament, the goal being to read the Bible in full.  Based on notes in the margins, I began and most likely finished this book on April 6, 2010 at 4pm on the third floor of the Union Square Barnes & Noble in New York City.

       You all I'm sure know the story of Job: extremely rich and blameless man in the land of Uz, who is challenged by God in severe ways, cries in anguish before his friends and questions God, ultimately submits himself to God's infinite wisdom and is given back everything God had taken away and more (kids, land, health).  You may have even applied or related that story in your own life - the story begging the questions:

"Why must the innocent suffer"; and
"Why doesn't God intervene when God has the power to do so?"
 

"The story of Job in my mind is the root of today's suspicious mantra, "God works in mysterious ways."  And of course you can take into consideration Bishop Desmond Tutu's stance back in 2003:

"One of the extraordinary things is that we have a God, the omnipotent one, who created all that is without our help. Yet, the paradox is that this omnipotent one is impotent - this God wants to wait on humans to collaborate with God on what God wants to do. God is quite willing to jeopardize his projects because God is willing to wait. He seeks to persuade unwilling partners." 

       But this note isn't about that aspect of the story.  Although the Bible is very dense, a close read will lead you to notice minor or major things you had never imagined would be in the Bible at all.  And of course certain stories leave you confused.  I've had many of these moments while reading the Old Testament.  The moment in question in the book of Job can be found within the first two chapters.  For me it was significant that Job, the 18th book of the Old Testament, is the first time a devil of any kind is even mentioned in the Bible.  Mine, a New Living Translation, does not clearly state that Satan is in fact the serpent in the Garden of Eden and most stories of destruction in the OT that I've read were by and large excused by God's blessing, or directed by God directly.

       The scene starts with God being approached by "The Accuser, Satan."  God casually asks Satan what he's been up to.  Satan responds, "I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that's going on."  Job 1:6-7.  Then God, almost in an effort to prove that such humans existed, replied, "Have you noticed my servant, Job?  He is the finest man in all the earth.  He is blameless, a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil."  Long story short, Satan then challenges God with indecent proposals and God ultimately agrees with Satan's wishes, which were to:

1) take away all of Job's possessions and have his family killed; and
2) force Job to suffer through painful boils all over his body as tests.   

       Ok, hold it right there.  This story basically begins by giving the reader the impression that God often gives Satan permission to wreak havoc on the masses below.  It's like the relationship between Hades and Zeus of Greek mythology fame, but I digress.  But why would God initiate that specific challenge to the Accuser, Satan...as if God had something to prove to Satan?  This baffles me and I've never seen more mysterious ways than that.  We always envision God punishing us directly, and Satan working in direct opposition to God, w/o God's permission.  To think they work in tandem is a bit scary.

And I haven't even touched on how the author was able to hear this entire conversation between God and Satan.  I simply cannot believe that aspect of the story, but ultimately...although the lessons learned in Job are valuable, the truth of the story to me not only is immaterial, but beyond my level of understanding (like the tortoise and the hare. C'mon son! Do you really think the hare would lose?).  So, discuss amongst yourselves if you are so moved and read the entire book of Job when you get a chance.  At the very least it shows how we should accept the bad with the good in life, while always striving to live blameless existences. 

Thanks for reading. Feel free to comment.

Sodom & Gomorrah

(Written after seeing "Clash of the Titans" and I can't help but see some similarities between God's relationship with the people in the Bible, and the gods' (like Zeus') relationship with the humans in Greek mythology, i digress once again).
Judging by the title, some of you might be wondering how I am going to approach such an oft-cited moment in biblical history.  But one reason I'm reading the Bible is to determine if, as is often said, there are moments where the Bible has been misused or misinterpreted.  For example, when I was growing up, Sodom & Gomorrah (S&G) represented evil, wicked cities where people had sex with everyone for sport.  This story conjures up images of homosexuals practicing "Sodomy" with reckless abandon...ostensibly against man's and God's laws. 

Sodomy: 

**Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French sodomie, from Late Latin Sodoma Sodom; from the homosexual proclivities of the men of the city in Gen 19:1–11

Date: 13th century

: anal or oral copulation with a member of the same or opposite sex; also : copulation with an animal

And I was taught that because of this behavior, God destroyed these cities. Of course later on I learned that God mainly destroyed these cities because too few righteous people lived there.  Here, I hope to provide a concise and complete summary of the demise of S&G.
First, this story should begin with the omnipresent/omniscient God discussing S&G's demise with Abraham (still known as Abram at this point), "I have heard a great outcry from [S&G], because their sin is so flagrant.  I am going down to see if their actions are as wicked as I have heard."  Genesis 18:20-21 (why does God have to 'go down' to determine wickedness of S&G? - also, 'going down' reminds me of Clash of Titans, where the gods similarly would often 'go down' to check on human population.  Abraham asks God if He plans on killing the wicked and righteous people alike.  Abraham intercedes on Sodom's behalf, trying to persuade God to spare the righteous (now i see he was not interceding on Sodom's behalf, but on his son's behalf as he knew his son and family resided in Sodom). He starts by asking whether God will still destroy the cities if 50 righteous people are found, and God said he would not.  Abraham chips away at this number, ending up with 10 and the Lord replied, "Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten."  Gen. 18:32. 

So, any basic reading of that last scripture reveals that homosexuality is not the issue with respect to the city's destruction.  God decided to destroy the city only if ten righteous people were not found in all of S&G.  But of course we all know God ultimately destroyed S&G, so presumably ten righteous folks could not be found anyway.

And the saga continues, with two angels appearing at the entrance of the city where Lot, Abraham's son, finds them.  Lot invites the angels to his home and they replied, "Oh no, we'll just spend the night out here in the city square."  Gen. 19:1-2.  Lot insisted and they went home with him.  He prepared a feast, they ate well, and before they retired for bed "all the men of Sodom, young and old, came from all over the city and surrounded the house. They shouted to Lot, 'Where are the men who came to spend the night with you?  Bring them out to us so we can have sex with them!'"  Gen. 19:4-5.  

Wow! Are they serious? Gang raping?  Well, yeah that would be a wicked thing...gang raping a guest of your neighbor!  Hello?  Very few experiences I imagine are more wicked.  They seemed intent on getting some same sex angel booty even when Lot offered his two virgin daughters instead, "Look, I have two virgin daughters. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do with them as you wish. But please leave these men alone, for they are my guests and are under my protection."  Gen.19:8.       

This guy is not making a LOT of sense.  I wonder if offering your virgin daughters (if so lucky to have any) was custom in the event a gang of anus-thirsty men came banging on your door to run a train on your male visitors?!!  Odd, I tell you.  Luckily the angels finally decided to use their powers by blinding all the rabid rapists, and they gave up their anal mission.  Lot and company escaped before the cities are burned, of course his wife turned back during the escape, against direct advice, and turned into dust.

But maybe homosexuality was accepted back then, and deemed wicked only a gang raping?  I say this because unbeknownst to me prior to this reading, another similar instance occurred in the book of Judges.  And here again, there is no clear admonishment of the gay lifestyle generally.  This is the story of the Levite and the Concubine, during the days when "Israel had no king and all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes".  Judges 21:25. 

This Levite was living in Ephraim, and he brought home a woman from Bethlehem to be his concubine.  She is angered by him and returns to her father in Bethlehem.  He chases after her, greets and eats with her father for a few days, left with her towards home, and made a pit stop in Gibeah's town (land of the tribe of Benjamin) square.  An older resident saw them and took them to his home to wash their feet, eat and drink.  And then....

"While they were enjoying themselves, a crowd of troublemakers from the town surrounded the house. They began beating at the door and shouting to the old man, 'Bring out the man who is staying with you so we can have sex with him.'"  Judges 19:22.  Oddly enough, the old man replies, "No, my brothers, don't do such an evil thing.  For this man is a guest in my house, and such a thing would be shameful. Here, take my virgin daughter and this man's concubine. I will bring them out to you, and you can do whatever you like. But don't do such a shameful thing to this man."  Judges 19:23-24.  Notice also how he didn't ask, but just offered up the Levite's concubine!!
In this story, the willing Levite throws his concubine out and the gang rapes her until the morning. The Levite discovers her dead before they reach home in the afternoon or evening.  "When he got home, he took a knife and cut his concubine's body into twelve pieces. Then he sent one piece to each tribe throughout all the territory of Israel."  Judges 19:29.  This sparked Israel's war with the tribe of Benjamin, which tribe was soundly defeated, and whose remaining men were provided wives by Israel.  See Judges 21.  (Incidentally, the tribe of Benjamin was allowed, after realizing that 400 virgins was not enough for their men, to lie in wait and kidnap women of Shiloh during an annual festival of the Lord. See Judges 21:10-24).

I think it is safe to say that S&G being described as the cities destroyed because of homosexuality can cease and officially be deemed a misinterpretation.  The story of S&G did not articulate that homosexuality was banned, deemed illegal or even immoral in God's eyes.  The gang raping was deemed wicked in both instances by God and man.  And it's direct evidence that the gang raping happened in other cities, albeit not as pervasively as S&G (notice how in the story in Judges, only "a crowd of troublemakers" were involved, whereas in S&G "all the men of Sodom, young and old" are implicated).

I choose not to fully address the treatment of women in this post, but these stories also illustrate what value is placed on women, as in both cases men volunteered (never was it demanded of them) their virgin daughters and concubines, and urged angry mobs to do whatever they liked with them, all in the name of protecting male overnight guests in town.  In closing, I did not walk away from either of these stories with the feeling that God outlawed homosexuality.  I walked away understanding the punishment of S&G to be more related to the fact that not even 10 righteous people could be found (God didn't demand that Abraham find 10 heterosexuals).  I also walked away with the feeling that homosexuality was a part of life back in those days, and that gang raping, of a woman or a man, was deemed wicked and shameful in the eyes of God and mankind.

My guess is that since this word (sodomy) and story (Sodom & Gomorrah) has been ingrained in our heads for such a long time, at such an early age, most who violently disagree with homosexuality (and base it on this story) tend to subconsciously relate it back to gang raping, anarchy, and generally "evil" lifestyle where even male angels were almost gang raped and cities were destroyed. Actual facts of this story beg to differ.  We just have not been using our heads on this one.  Thanks for reading and I remain open to hearing any interpretations of this story, biblically supported or not, that differ or contradict mine. Feel free to comment.      

The Creation and Noah

So, I thought it fitting to give thanks and stop where I am (just beginning Proverbs) and blog about my experience thus far in reading the Bible from the very beginning to the very end.  For what it's worth i also wish to share that I am reading the "New Living Translation" of the Bible.

Let me also state up front that my purpose is neither to criticize the Bible nor praise every word.  However, some of my reaction will involve things in The Good Book that confuse me, inspire me, and teach me something I had not previously known.  I imagine many people have never, and maybe will never, read the entire book and some of my reactions may prove informative for them, and may even lead some to read the book for him/herself.

But before I get into quotes and discussion, I would like to share an overall opinion.  Thus far, I get the impression that this book (especially the first five books of Moses, known as The Pentateuch) sets out to establish God's relationship ("unfailing love") and the concomitant covenants He made with the people of Israel, solely the people of Israel.  Any and all other people are treated as enemies unless such foreigners wish to join or ally themselves with Israel, ridding themselves of their gods and choosing instead to worship the all-powerful God of Israel.  Also, whenever the people of Israel lose focus and worship other gods, the God of Israel allows pagan nations, such as the Philistines and Egypt, to rule over Israel as punishment for any number of years.  Once they realize their demise is due to their sinning (worshiping other gods and ignoring God's regulations), they beg for forgiveness and the God of Israel returns and protects them once again.  Israel is portrayed throughout as God's chosen and highly favored people. 

But let me begin with interesting moments in the book of Genesis.  Other entities seem to be referenced in Genesis, leading me to believe God is working alongside similarly intelligent/wise beings. See Genesis 3:22 (Then the Lord God said, "Look, the human beings have become like us, knowing both good and evil.").  I presume God, in saying "us", is speaking about other celestial beings as Adam/Eve are banished from Eden, but it's not specified.  Not only is there a reference to other celestial beings knowing good and evil like God, there's reference to other humans in the world when God punishes Cain for slaying his younger brother Abel.  Cain's main fear with his punishment, "You have banished me from the land and from your presence; you have made me a homeless wanderer.  Anyone who finds me will kill me!"  Genesis 4:14.  So Cain seems to be aware of other human life that is not in God's presence as he was, and that those individuals are likely to harm him.  God shares the same awareness and replied (before putting a mark on Cain to warn anyone who kills him), "No, for I will give a sevenfold punishment to anyone who kills you."  At that moment of course, God seemed to be physically among Adam/Eve/Cain/Abel...physically present and visible.

So the story progresses, Adam/Eve have another son, Seth, and they all live for over 900 years, multiplying the earth until God sees nothing but evil all around. As you know, God destroys the world, and saves Noah, who back then was the only "blameless" man around.   All of the world is said to be descendants of Noah.

I will end this entry with my reactions to God's early punishments.  As mentioned earlier, Cain, a crop farmer and first son of Adam/Eve, slew his younger brother Abel, a shepherd, because of the following:

"When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. Abel also brought a gift - the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift."  Genesis 4:3-5.  We are not told why Cain nor his gift was rejected by God.  But God saw how dejected and angry Cain looked and said the following, ""You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master."  Gen. 4:7.  Maybe this was a test by God to see how the older brother will react to this favoritism God seemingly showed his younger brother.  Maybe God needed more than the crops Cain offered, or maybe Cain should have brought God his best crops, as Abel brought God "the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock."  Seems like a misunderstanding gone bad to me. 

Later, and after blameless Noah and his family are saved via the Ark during the flood, and after God confirms his covenant with Noah and his descendants, the relationship between Noah's sons (Ham, Shem, Japheth) is explained.  See, Noah cultivated the land after the flood and planted a vineyard. And as you know, he became drunk off the wine he had made and lay naked inside his tent.  Ham, father of Canaan, sees his father naked and tells his brothers, who, without seeing him naked, covered him with a robe.   Noah cursed Canaan, the son of Ham for what Ham had done, "May Canaan be cursed! May he be the lowest of servants to his relatives. May the Lord, the God of Shem, be blessed, and may Canaan be his servant! May God expand the territory of Japheth! May Japheth share the prosperity of Shem, and may Canaan be his servant." Gen. 9:25-27.

Of course i was confused by the "crime" and the punishment, confused further as to how Noah had power to curse anyone, let alone his own son's descendants.  Fast forward to the story of Lot and his daughters post destruction of Sodom/Gomorrah.  Lot's older daughter convinced the younger in an indecent proposal, "There are no men left anywhere in this entire area, so we can't get married like everyone else. And our father will soon be too old to have children. Come, let's get him drunk with wine, and then we will have sex with him. That way we will preserve our family line through our father."  Gen. 19:31-32.

Surely, God must have co-signed Noah's curse against Ham's child Canaan (the alleged ancestor of Africans), but why no cursing of the daughters of Lot, who got him drunk with intent to have sex with and be impregnated by their father?  Incest was accepted and in some ways expected back in those days.  But the reason why Canaan was cursed for his father Ham accidentally seeing his grandfather Noah naked escapes me.  And why Ham wasn't cursed is interesting as well.  In fact, I had always thought of it as Ham's curse, so i learned something new there!!  Incidentally, this curse has been used to justify the enslavement of Africans.

In my next entry I plan on discussing Sodom/Gomorrah and other issues.  Ride with me.       

On Reading the Bible

Well, ladies and gentleman. Yours truly has begun reading the entire Bible, aka "The Good Book" from front to back. Like many of you, I was raised with a Bible in my baby carriage, immersed in Christianity before i could even think on my own. And so was my mother, as was her mother, and so on until you reach far enough into the peculiar history and see this same religion being imposed on African slaves forcefully, the only option to conversion being death of course. Sadly, this was done before any slaves were even taught to read English. Very vivid images of this process and others can be seen in Haile Gerima's film entitled, "Sankofa". But I digress.

So, why am i reading "The Good Book?" I am reading it out of sheer curiosity. Mind you, I am reading this book with full knowledge that it has been edited, and edited, and I read it knowing full well that its translation to English significantly takes away its original meaning. The fact that books were purposely omitted is recognized as well.  As you know the Bible, after having been spread orally for centuries was written in Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic. It was translated to Old English in the 7th Century. I choose to read this book because it is one of the most important, most often read and discussed, books in world history. I simply want to empower myself in the event I end up in yet another discussion about the Bible.

This book has been promoted as the "infallible word of God." While it was written (and edited) by humans, it is said to have been inspired by God. I have been told many things about this book. And throughout the years I have developed my own opinions on the matter. But ultimately I thought to myself, how can I claim to have any footing or foundation in the Bible if I had never taken the time to read every word?  So i began reading it recently, while taking copious notes. I am in the end nothing more than a truth seeker, SO I SEEK (Remix of TLC's "So I Creep" is on the way)!!

I want to experience the book for myself for the first time. Sure, like many others, I've gone to church and heard others' interpretations. But I am not a great spectator, and I choose to use my freedom and education to develop and reach an informed understanding of The Good Book. Please share this experience with me as I blog every now and then throughout this process.

Before the end of 2010, and probably during Ramadan, i also plan on reading the entire Qur'an as well.  Insha'allah.