After last year’s embarrassing NBA Final’s lost against the Boston Celtics in Game 6, it was evident that the Los Angeles Lakers were motivated to take a victory in Game 1 against the Orlando Magic, held at the Staples Center.

For the fans, watching the game was not the hardest task. For those who were present, getting tickets was the impossible. The cheapest tickets were $80.00, but were seats at the very top, or as a Channel 7 News report said, “at the nose bleed”. Lol. To my knowledge the most expensive tickets, were about $13,000+. Wow!

Throughout the game it became very clear that Hollywood celebrities were at the game. And although Lil Wayne was not there, ESPN.com had a post which stated that the New Orleans native rapper favors the Lakers, even making a song called “Kobe Bryant”.

Speaking about Kobe Bryant, the man was a beast at tonight’s game! He scored 40 points, and had 8 assists, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals. (His best performance in an NBA Finals game)

Although the Lakers are thankful to have Bryant as the team leader, the victory would not have been possible without Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. After his injury, Bynum had not performed as well throughout the season, but he was able to be aggressive. In addition, Gasol with the help of Bynum were able to defensively attack Dwight Howard. It is clear that these two bigs must continue to perform as well as they did to ensure that the Lakers become the 2009 NBA Champions.

The following game will be held at the Staples Center, with games 3-5 at Orlando, and the last two, if needed, back here at home.

I wish the Lakers the best of luck! LET’S GO LAKERS! ;D

Writer Daniel Hernandez, who has spent the last 18 months in Mexico City researching youth culture for a book project, will be visiting Los Angeles later this month, attending the wedding of a Roosevelt teacher (not yours truly), and giving a public lecture on Thursday, June 25 at 7:30 pm at MoCA downtown as part of the Zocalo series.

Now before you say to yourself, “Public lecture? And your point is?” I want to let all of you know that Daniel came to speak to my journalism class a couple of years ago and had the whole class captivated by his storytelling. Not only does this guy kn0w how to write, he also knows how to keep an audience’s attention.

Swine flu, a contracting economy, rising unemployment, a wild and bloody conflict with drug traffickers, the constant threat of natural disasters and ransom kidnappings—Mexico faces several serious challenges. Since the contested 2006 presidential election there, the country has suffered crisis after crisis, constantly testing the Mexican people’s ability to realign their everyday lives. Some seek economic refuge in the United States, but most remain home, adapting, tuning out, dancing with Death. Daniel Hernandez, a former Los Angeles Times and LA Weekly writer who has spent the past 18 months blogging Mexico City, visits Zócalo to share his insights on that sprawling capital, its youth culture, and the alternately defiant and detached, resigned and resistant approaches of Mexican people to threats always looming.

Hernandez has put out a special request for young people to attend his lecture, so I encourage Rough Riders to represent in full force.

But I’d like to envision a different kind of dynamic for this lecture. Bring the kids. There are few things I enjoy more than speaking about my work to audiences of young people. I am constantly amazed by the sophistication of their thinking, by their ability to quickly synthesize new information and challenge assumptions.

MoCA is located at 3rd and Grand, just a short bus ride away. From Boyle Heights, you can take the 31, Montebello 40, 68, or the 720 Rapid Bus. Check the Metro Trip Planner for exact directions.

Click here to make reservations.

We are finally done with school, and there is nothing to do besides sleep and wake up late. Pretty much do nothing until graduation practice. Lately, I have been reading news stories on the internet and they piss me off with comments they have. For instance, on May 3, a three year-old boy was abducted. The young boy was reunited with his family today after being found in Mexicali, wondering the streets. If you read the comments, there are so many people who leave racist comments, because it was a mexican child. I really don’t think that is right and it gets me mad how nobody does anything about it. Why would you leave those comments on there? I understand we have an illegal immigration problem, but even though many people are illegal, some of their children do a lot for this country. Some maybe doctors, own restaurants, stores, but many are in our marines, army, navy, or air force. When it comes down to that, many people don’t say anything, but yet they still say that because of “us” being here we mess up there country. I disagree with them, but that is just me!

Earlier today I was watching the Tyra Banks Show. The episode focused on whether or not being gay was the new black? In other words, is the gay community the new oppressed minority group in America? It was commented on the show that Barack Obama noted that the fight for gay rights is not just a “gay” issue, but a civil rights issue. Why? Because rights are being taken away from gays, but ultimately from Americans, from people.

Recently, Prop 8 in California amended the Constitution, which made same sex marriage illegal. Critics, but foremost those who feel that being gay is wrong said that being gay is a choice, it wasn’t a given.

“You can stop being gay, but you can’t stop being black”, stated one of the guest.

I was outraged when I heard this remark because being gay is not a choice. Why would individuals want to be called derogatory names in public? Or “have the gay beaten out of [them]“?

After seeing the show, I went to the tyra banks show website to see the comments on the message boards about this issue.

Many argued that being gay is not the new black, but they did favor that the gay community should be given rights. Some were simply against the whole thing, in reference to providing rights to gays.

Personally, I feel that people have to accept everyone for who they are. Whether or not you chose to be gay, or whether you’re black or not, we are all human beings. We have to be able to recognize individuals who are different from us and those who are the same. In addition, those who attempt to validate that gays have no rights must try to validate it without using the bible. If you haven’t noticed, there is a seperation from state and church. If we tend to adhere to the word of God, then we must eliminate certain “commodities” from our government, marriage being one of them. [An extreme, yes I know.]

Learn to appreciate every individual for who they are. Differences makes us unique!

Since the journalism class is on C track, and we’re switching to a traditional calendar this year, the Rough Rider will be off until September. Hopefully we will be back then. In the meantime, one of the students or I may decide to write a post from time to time, and you can always leave comments on existing posts. Thank you for all your support. Look for bigger and better things next year!

If you had not heard me say, “You need to watch X-men origins Wolverine,” then you must be deaf. You need to watch X men Origins Wolverine

Unlike the rest of the X men movies this one is focusing on the origin of my favorite X-men character WOLVERINE. In this movie there is a twist to it, Sabr tooth is Wolverine’s half brother, which is a different approach from the TV and the comic book series. In this movie you are going to see the long awaited appearance of Gambit and some other marvel comic characters.

Wolverine is going to be played by Hugh Jackman who has been playing Wolverine ever since he was called up to be the third Wolverine actor. The big question for this film is what will be Gambits part in the movie will he be an antagonist or will he be a superhero?

This movie is going to blow your freaking mind!!! you must go and watch it, this movie is going to be in it’s league of it’s own. Hugh Jackman and Liev Schrieber and the rest of the actors worked their asses off in order to make this movie awesome. You must come and commemorate all their effort blood sweat and tears they shed from making this movie.

If you want to be part of history then you must go see X men Origin Wolverine May 1st.

As we just passed Earth Day, celebrated in the US on April 22nd, a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment, it is important for us to not only do something for the earth just on that specific date but to do a continuous amount of work throughout one’s daily routines.

Whether it’s the hectic holiday season or a special occasion, today there are thousands of manufacturers and retailers offering great products made from recycled bottles and cans. From creative gift-wrapping ideas to eco-friendly entertaining.

In addition to recycling and buying products made from recycled materials, there are many simple things you can do all year to help protect the planet. In 2007, Californians alone threw more than 7 billion bottles and cans in the trash instead of the recycling bin. First of all recycle, recycle, recycle!!! Buy products made from recycled materials, get out of the car one day a week, conserve energy.

Let’s save the planet!! You guys can also check out these cool websites that can give you a few pointers on what you can do to save the planet.

http://www.bottlesandcans.com

http://www.greengiftguide.com

I’m not really one to watch superhero movies, I mean like they’re okay but not like to wake up at midnight to go line up outside of the theater to be one of the first ones to watch the movie. I’m more into Comedy movies but I kind of want to go watch this movie for some reason. Looks kind of cool to me but I’ll be the judge when I go watch it.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine is an upcoming superhero film based on the fictional Marvel Comics Wolverine that will be released by May 1st, 2009. The film is directed by Gavin Hood and stars Hugh Jackman as the title character. It is a prequel to the X-Men film trilogy, focusing on the mutant Wolverine and his time with Team X, before Wolverine’s skeleton was bonded with the indestructible metal adamantium.

X-Men Origin Wolverine Trailer