7 years in the making

This post has been 7 years in the making, ever since that 3-peat from 2000-2002, being a Lakers fan has been a roller coaster ride at best.

Dear Kobe,

You're an awesome player, probably the most complete player in the game offensively and defensively. You proved the doubters wrong, those critics, those haters, they just wouldn't drop it. Just like you said, it was like chinese water toture. Going back to 2008, when the green confetti fell from the ceiling at staples centre in game 6, I thought it was the end. Those Celtics were a team to be dealt with for years to come, and although injury to KG hindered the Celtics this year, this is a year for the Laker fans.

Let's go back to 04, the year with GP, Mailman and Shaq. That was supposed to be the year, but then there was the rape case. And let's face it, you effed up, big time. Laker fans stood by you while everyone in opposing stadiums were booing and taunting and calling you a rapist. But that was alright, cos you were Kobe, and you never let it affect your game. Slowly, you regained your fan base outside of Los Angeles.

Fast forward to summer of 07, and you demanded to be traded. That was the breaking point for a lot of your fans, we stuck through your crap, and now you want to leave. Opening night that season, you were booed by your own crowd at Staples Centre ... but we didn't mean it, we just wanted to send you a message.

June 2009, NBA Finals, averages of 32pts, 5rebs, 7 asts per game. Undisputedly, a dominating performance in the finals. Like Lamar Odom said "If Kobe wanted to be the best point guard in the world, he can". The only real blemish on this title was the fact that Dr Jerry Buss sent his son (Joey, I think?) to accept the trophy from commisioner David Stern, and he sounded like an ass (no offense). People have often criticised you for being guarded, tense, and even fake. But in that interview with Stuart Scott, the fans finally got to see the real you, and I'm sure the burden of winning a championship without Shaq has been lifted. And finally, to see the jam packed crowd at the Colisseum (click here for video) for the Laker's victory party was a sight I thought I wouldn't see for a long time.

Thanks for giving an old fan fresh hope.

It's great to hear the Lakers are still hungry for more championships.

p.s. looks like Bill Walton leaked some old family photos. Somewhere in the midst of his partying, Luke Walton is blushing.

Side note to Phil Jackson, you are a God among men, some say you're the reincarnation of Buddha ... I'm starting to believe that's true.

And finally to all those Orlando, Cavaliers, Detroit, Celtics, Nuggets, Rockets, Jazz, Mavericks, Bulls, Hornets fans out there ...

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City Nights

This post is slightly later than usual, and there's good reason for that.

The day began with early arrival at uni to study for the Phys Chem 1 exam that night. Tackling Physical Chemistry is like ... trying to break through the great wall of china with your head. Im serious ... haha nah it wasn't that bad.

The walk from uni to the station brought out a new perspective of the city on a friday night. Friday night at the city, you don't really think about photography, but here it is ...

This photo was taken from George St, Sydney with a fairly long shutter speed and converted to B&W using photoshop CS3. Times like this I do wish that I had the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L, the photo would look considerably better in terms of composition.

On a side note, the Lakers took a 3-1 series lead against Orlando in the NBA finals ... you can get the recap here. Also, don't forget to have a look at these images full size and feel free to comment on the blogs ... you don't need to be registered to comment (I think) :)

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Synergy, Synchronicity, & Serendipity

 "Serendipity is looking in a haystack for a needle and discovering a farmer’s daughter." 

~Julius Comroe Jr

It was almost certain that I wouldn't get a photo worth putting up today.  Another bleak, wet, depressing day in Sydney.  I was almost desperate to get a photo, and I didn't want to believe that I couldn't get one. 

Almost given up, on the way between my garage and the front entrance to my humble abode I found what I was looking for ... well sort of.  It was more like, I knew what I wanted ... but I didn't know.  

As usual I had my 50mm f1.4 on the camera, and realised I couldn't get close enough to get the type of photo I wanted ... I needed a macro, and more light as the sun was setting pretty early.  As quick as I could, I ran upstairs, switched to my Tamron 90mm f2.8 macro and mounted a Canon 580EXII flash with a diffuser.  After some basic processing in Adobe Lightroom, we have the result ...

Camera: Canon EOS 50D

Lens: Tamron 90mm f/2.8 macro

Shot Settings: 1/60, f/2.8, ISO 500, External flash fired

This photo is the farmer's daughter, the world is my haystack, and I had no idea what my needle looked like.  I'm a catholic, not a very good one, but one nonetheless.  And for this photo to happen, the raindrop had to be the perfect size, land on the perfect spot between 3 very symmetrical leaves, and on top of that I had to walk past at the right moment to pick up on the details.  Coincidence ... possibly.  

Since we live in a world of such synchronicity and serendipity where different elements combine to produce such a synergistic effect, it's hard not to believe in an omnipotent being.

Simply put, I'm just glad I was there at the right time

And until next time, Cheers

Side note: Dwight Howard had an amazing game today (40pts 14rebs) to lead the Orlando Magic to the NBA finals to play the Lakers in a best of 7 series.  Check out the recap here

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