From One Year to the Next

It's New Years Eve. That's right, a whole year has passed and another is on the way. With less than twelve hours until the ball drops on the new decade, a theme to take into consideration for this New Years is reflection.

It's insane to think that it's been 10 years since the craziness of New Years Eve 2000. How many of you can remember that night? Where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, it all comes back when reflected upon.

Deeper reflections reveal how we lived our respective years and pinpoint our personal growth. Through the good times and the bad, I can say this has been the year where I have grown the most as an adult.

I ask you, in which areas of your life have you grown the most in the past year? Did you make the most of 2009? Was this year pivotal for you?

Reflect on your current relationships, new and old. Have you been a good friend or significant other? How about vice versa? Have you surrounded yourself with people who inspire you and make your life more enjoyable?

Our friends slightly reflect who we are, and you reflect certain aspects of their lives. Be grateful for those who have made your year happy. It's often the little things that make us love each other in the ways we do, and those little things are what build strong relationships. Inside jokes, sharing little bits of your life with each other, going to movies; things like these we might take for granted at the moment, yet they're embedded in our minds.

Reflection on your mistakes in the past year can be helpful going forward. I know I've done a lot of dumb things. I've said things I didn't mean, held back things I wanted to say or do, and did some pretty stupid things that got me in a lot of trouble. Reflecting on my mistakes makes me realize how much I have grown as a person.

It is the low points that help us grow, right? What were yours in 2009? How did you grow from those experiences?

2010 brings the next chapter in world history, and we're all apart of it. That's why we're celebrating. Yeah, we get to drink our heads off and hopefully kiss a special someone when the clock hits midnight, but what we're really doing, what we're really celebrating, is our place in history.

In 10 years people will be talking about the decade that was. How will you make your mark?

Brooke Lopez: Born a Twin, One of Kind

Brooke Lopez has been considered one of the best young centers in the NBA for a little over a year now, and with good reason. The seven-footer with gym ropes for arms is barely into his twenties and already has people thinking of the potential he has.

It's just a shame that he's on a team with no motor, but I'll argue that the New Jersey Nets have more potential despite their horrid record.

Lopez's game is something I've been dying to see in a center since Tim Duncan came into the league: a center with great shooting range with an array of of post moves, great court awareness and positioning, and can rebound and block like a veteran. This is a rare breed in basketball.

Most other young centers who are beaming with talent like Dwight Howard and Andrew Bynum are huge and stake their territory on the low block and in the lane. They are both extremely good in this area, but can they step out and shoot 18-footers consistently?

Lopez has a finess game that is not often seen in a big man. His talent as a pick-and-pop guy is difficult to defend as most centers in the league are looking to protect the basket more than following their man out of the paint.

Lopez's shooting stroke is smooth for a man his size, and he makes opposing defenders pay for not respecting it. His court positioning on the outside reminds me a lot of Brad Miller, which is something that Duncan doesn't have quite in common as he works a more mid-range game.

What happens when Tim Duncan and Brad Miller have a kid (Wow, that sounds incredibly wrong)? You get Brooke Lopez. Sorry Robin.

Hopefully Lopez's team will get a little boost after the season, as it will be interesting to see what happens this summer when the Nets will be chasing big free agents like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh.

Lopez already has an All-Star point guard in Devin Harris to run with, and if they can grab one of the big name guys (or possibly a few) come July, they'll have the word dynasty written all over them.

In the mean time, let the kid keep developing his game and puzzling coaches.

Quick Note: Cherishing Family Over the Holidays

One of the first things that comes to my mind when pondering about the holidays is family. When it comes down to it, I hold them closest to my heart.

I grew up with a lot of cousins, aunts, and uncles who all lived very close to my own immediate family, and I can guarantee they would all attest that we are as close knitted as they come. Christmas is one of the most special times for us as we all pack together in my grandmother's basement and share each other's company for the night.

Not everyone shares the same holiday experiences or benefits as myself, but the feeling of being loved by a family is something we can all share. Whether it's with your own, a significant other's, or a friends, the holiday spirit brings out the best in us all.

Some of my favorite memories come from Christmas experiences with my family. Whether it was playing Catchphrase, watching silly movies, or sharing hilarious life stories, just being in each other's presence was/is enough to make us glow with happiness.

There is nothing more pure than spending the holidays with the people we love. So when getting together with the people you'll be sharing the holidays with, remember that it is times like these that we will cherish for the rest of our lives.

Lakeview Area= Pizza Heaven

Chicago has always been widely considered to have some of the best pizza in the world. With the traditional deep dish and stuffed pizzas that have become must eats for tourists, it's hard to argue against the claim.

If you're living in the city, though, getting those huge, greasy slices can put a damper on your health as well as your wallet. That is why the north side of city, in the Lincoln Park and Wrigleyville areas, is the best place to live for a pizza lover (college student).

When I first moved to the city back in 2007, the only pizza I ate was Giordano's, which by no means was a bad thing, but as my time here passed I found other places with their own takes on the American tradition of pizza baking.

Here are my top choices for pizza in the Lakeview area:

Giordano's- Whenever I meet up with someone who is visiting the city and wants to experience Chicago food, this is one of the first places I'll point them to.

Giordano's stuffed pizza is ungodly when in the right mood. You can taste the freshness of their ingredients in the sauce, crust, cheese, and whatever else you decide to put in it. I usually stick with either sausage or pepperoni, but don't let that stop you from trying other toppings like pineapple or peppers.

The only negative thing about Giordano's are the prices, which in all honesty are fair, but you're not exactly stretching your dollar when you eat there. It's usually worth it, though.

Chicago's Pizza- I would consider this place to be a step below Giordano's only because their pizzas can be hit or miss. Sometimes it's fantastic, other times it's still good, but nothing great.

Their slices aren't as thick, but that actually works out pretty well if you're not looking to pig out. Their prices are more reasonable, too.

They have basically the same menu options as Giordano's, so I don't really know what else to say except that if you're looking for a late night deep dish delivery, Chicago's is your best option.

Lou Malnati's- I would consider Lou's to be the best competition against Giordano's in the deep dish/stuffed realm of Chicago's pizza chains.

I know some people who prefer Lou Malnati's over Giordano's, and some who don't. It's comparable to how the people of Chicago are divided when it comes to baseball season: you're either a Cubs fan or a Sox fan.

Okay, maybe it's not that intense, but wouldn't it be entertaining if people started fighting over the topic of which place has better pizza?

Lou Malnati's brings a more urban feeling to their restaurant, while Giordano's seems like more of a traditional Italian restaurant.

I guess it's just a matter of a person's taste. All I can say is, try both!

Ian's Pizza- Although Ian's is originally from Wisconsin, it still has a place in Chicago pizza.

They're more of a pizza by the slice, walk-in place, but it doesn't take away from the quality and imagination of this place.

These guys will throw anything on a pizza. Literally, ANYTHING! I've seen so many crazy styles, from BBQ chicken and ranch (no sauce), s'more pizza, to Cajun shrimp toppings.

Every time I go there, which is probably twice a week, there are never the same options as the last time. I have discovered tastes for toppings that I never would have dreamt about before I found Ian's.

If you're visiting Wrigley Field and need a quick bite, I recommend Ian's.

Bacci Pizza- Oh, how I remember the first time I walked into this place. My eyes nearly popped out of my head when I saw how big the slices were.

They say their slices are as big as your head, and they're not joking. You'll need two hands to eat a single slice because they're over a foot long and pretty wide (that's what she said). Good luck finishing one in a single sitting. If you do, don't plan on moving much for the next hour.

Bacci's is a walk-in pizza place with your basic options: cheese, sausage, or pepperoni. Although it would be nice to see more options toppings-wise, it's a place everyone should have at least once while being in Chicago.

From stuffed pizza to the abnormally large slices, Chicago offers a wide variety. Whatever your preference, you're bound to find a slice you'll enjoy every time.

What Happened to Hip Hop?

Just so you know, this is not going to be a post that's all about ripping on today's hip hop stars, but rather a refresher course of the roots of hip hop music and where the genre has gone in recent years.

Hip hop has come a long way since the pioneers of the genre took the world by storm. Back then, not many rappers were making the millions of dollars that a lot are making today, and it's a damn shame because the lyrics had so much more meaning compared to some of the stuff that is popular today.

A Tribe Called Quest, Run D.M.C., De La Soul, Eric B. and Rakim, Dr. Dre, Nas, Grand Master Flash, Public Enemy, and N.W.A. are just some of the artists who 'inspired' a lot of rappers today, yet a lot of their early works are often overlooked in this new hip hop generation.

Back then, hip hop wasn't listened to by as many people compared to today. The people of this decade are more into dance beats and metaphoric lyrics that don't tell a story. I'm not saying this is a bad thing because I do enjoy some of the artists who employ these two things, but doesn't it get repetitive listening to artists who use similar techniques?

Maybe it was just my upbringing. There probably aren't many white people who were brought up on gangster rap like myself. I remember being four years old and my brother putting on the song "Wake Up" by Bone Thugs N' Harmony and being instantly hooked. How can I speak for the majority if I didn't live like the majority?

The things in hip hop that caught my attention then are barely around in the genre anymore. The stories of hardships, chilling back in the day, violence. The artists wanted to bring listeners into their actual lives through music. Tell me, how many hip hop acts do this today?

Even some of the artists who used this method of songwriting in the early part of this decade have started to shy away from it. 50 Cent brought that gritty, gangster style with Get Rich or Die Tryin'. After that? Well, he was the trend setter for this new age crap that's all about money, girls, cars, sex, and self image. That's not creative music, it's just a bunch of metaphoric lyrics that anyone can write. It's not very difficult to think of a metaphor for why I like to party and have sex with multiple women.

I don't care what you do with your money. Tell me how you got to that point in your life.

Back in the day, rappers weren't trying to tell us how hot they were or about the ridiculous things they spent their money on. They were more focused on the story they were telling. What is Lil' Wayne exactly saying in his songs? The lyrics sound awesome, but what's the plot of the song? She licked him like a lollipop... Sweet...(?)

(I will say that his first album, Tha Block is Hot, is pretty sweet, though. Not many of his fans listen to it much, but they should)

Have we as a culture stopped caring about lyrical substance? Thank god for rappers like Kanye West, Common, Jay-Z, Nas, and Kid Cudi, who haven't exactly kept to the early styles of hip hop, but they're mainstream and still bring substance to their music.

I always felt that music was supposed to inspire us. All of the greatest musicians have defied time with their music. The Who, Led Zeppelin, Miles Davis, B.B. King, Chuck Berry, Frank Sinatra, Jimi Hendrix, and basically everyone who was involved with MoTown moved us then, now, and will always.

Other than Lil' Wayne's album sales, what about his music will stick with us as we get older?

The 80s and 90s are called the Golden Age of Hip Hop for a reason. They were changing the genre with every new album.

Do you disagree with me when I say a lot of today's rappers sound exactly the same? Read this quote from Jay-Z (the king of hip hop) that was in his interview for Esquire magazine concerning this trend in today's hip hop genre, "It's simple addition by subtraction: to save the culture, the artists that routinely damage it by simply following trends must perish."

Think about it.

(Other rappers to look into for substance over flash: Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Notorious B.I.G., Busta Rhymes, The Roots, Dead Prez, Beastie Boys, EPMD, Wu-Tang Clan, Method Man, RZA, old Snoop Dogg, old Eminem, old Nelly, OutKast, 213, old LL Cool J, Afrika Bambaataa, Dumate, Ice Cube, Ice Tea, The Game, Magoo, and Matisyahu)

Great Beyond Productions Presents: For Butter or Worse

In 2007, two freshmen at DePaul University were making a short film for a class, and rest will hopefully be history.

Adam Bialy and Jesse Rubin-McCarry have been filming short films since, and with their newest short, For Butter or Worse, are looking to continue the fun that has been Great Beyond Productions.

Although all of their shorts have been for classes, they have never held back on language or their style of humor in favor of more family friendly material. In all honesty, though, it brings a more realistic view of their humor.

For Butter or Worse was written and directed by Rubin-McCarry. It contains strong language and displays images of people drinking a lot of alcohol.

World Cup 2010: U.S. Players to Watch

The World Cup in South Africa is still six months away, but the excitement has already consumed the hardcore soccer fan's mind.

For this U.S. soccer fan, the draw for the group stage put the Americans in prime position to advance to the knockout stages. While Algeria and Slovenia are no cake walks by any means, the U.S. should have a clear advantage over either side with their World Cup experience and deeper talent pool.

You read that correctly: the U.S. is the second deepest squad in their group. When was the last time you heard those words?

With the first game against an in form England squad that is overflowing with world class talent, the U.S. will face it's toughest test from the get-go. The question that all American soccer fans are asking is: who is going to step up big for our nation?

This American squad has a solid foundation of players who are capable of taking them to the quarterfinals or better. Here is an idea of which players could step big when late June comes around:

Landon Donovan- He is the face of American soccer, and he'll have the weight of his team and country to carry on his 5'7" frame throughout the entire tournament. After a poor showing in Germany 2006, he will be looking to show all his doubters that he is a world class talent.

With a late collapse against Brazil in last year's Confederations Cup Final and his bizarre missed penalty in last month's MLS Cup, Donovan will be hungrier than any other player on the squad. Expect him to have a hand in almost every American goal with his creative dribbling, timely passing, and deft strikes.

Clint Dempsey- The Texan has been on a tear for Fulham in the English Premiere League as of late, and expect that form to carry over to next summer.

Dempsey has been criticized for looking lost during long stretches of games for the U.S., but he always seems to find a way to score in the big moments. His goal against Egypt last summer is a prime example.

The U.S. squad has been very successful when he and Donovan are on the flanks, counter attacking opposing defenses. Don't expect this tactic to change. Dempsey is by far the most stylish player on this squad, with his flashy dribbling and knack for finishing crosses.

Don't be surprised if he's putting away late game winners next June and July.

Tim Howard- Following the tradition of world class American goalkeepers, Howard shows more passion on the field that few can match.

He is one of the top keepers in the world, and has a knack for making incredible saves in close games. It is hard to find a time when he has allowed a goal that was squarely his fault.

U.S. fans should feel safe with Howard in goal, and his knack for saving penalty kicks will be huge in a tournament where the majority of goals come from the spot.

Jozy Altidore- He will probably be one of the youngest starters for any team in the tournament, but you wouldn't know it by looking at him. The kid is huge, and although he has yet to score a Premiere League goal for Hull City, he has been showing fine form as of late.

He showed everyone last summer that he is going to be a force in coming years, with his goal against top ranked Spain showcasing the strength and skill that is rarely seen in an American player.

He is one of those players who seems to improve with every passing day, and he'll want to show the world how good he can be next summer when he goes up against a world class English defense led by one of the all-time great defenders, John Terry.

Expect him to have his way against lesser defenses in Slovenia and Algeria.

Other players to keep an eye on are Jonathan Spector at outside back, Benny Feilhaber at center midfield, and Stuart Holden as a substitute.

Spector has been logging good minutes over in Europe, and should have the right back position locked up.

Feilhaber has started to show the promise he displayed a few a years ago. His deft passing is needed whenever the U.S. takes a lead and more possession is needed.

Expect to see Holden come on when the U.S. needs scoring. The U.S. is a squad that has shown much success finishing crosses, and Holden's ability to put dangerous balls into the box from the outside flank will serve the squad well if they find themselves tied or a goal down.

This is a dangerous U.S. team that has earned the respect of the world's elite squads. With the amount of scouting that manager Bob Bradley puts into his game plans and tactics, the squad will be prepared and ready to put on a show that will be watched by the most American viewers in World Cup history.

U.S.A., all the way? Probably not, but can we entertain the thought?

Tiger Woods: Falling in Line With Other Great Athletes

There has never been an athlete who transformed their sport the way Tiger Woods has done with golf. He has been a picture of class (most of the time, anyway) and quality throughout his illustrious career.

With the recent events surrounding his affair with another woman and the early morning car accident, Tiger has broken away from the 'perfect man' mold he has sustained since he blasted onto the golf scene over a decade ago. No one saw this coming.

While Woods has brought on the most difficult time of his life, remember that he is not the first global icon to put a bad mark on his career. Take a look at the past twenty years alone.

Magic Johnson becoming the first major athlete to be diagnosed with AIDS in the early '90s and revealing that he slept with hundreds of women ended up cutting his career shorter than he would have liked. He owned the '80s like no other athlete with his time spent with the Lakers and his rivalry with Larry Bird, and just like that, his career took a bad turn. Since then, though, he has rebuilt his reputation as a major voice in the fight against AIDS, showing us all that he is still the man we thought he was.

Michael Jordan retired from basketball because he wanted to pursue a career in baseball, his murdered father's favorite sport. In the middle of his prime, though? In the midst of winning three straight championships? Riiiiiiight. He was making sports gambling too easy. If you had placed a bet on the Bulls winning the NBA Championship, you had a high chance of winning. How do you think the people running gambling rings felt about that? Could it have played into his father's death? It was a sticky situation for someone even as big as Michael Jordan, and it seems that's why he took those 2 years off. He eventually came back, and became an even bigger icon after another three-peat.

Brett Favre was on his way to becoming an NFL star when he went through tough times. Remember the addiction the pain medication? Things weren't looking great for Mississippi Kid at the time. What could he do to persevere? Only win the Super Bowl and become the only player in NFL history to win three straight MVP awards.

What about the Kobe Bryant sexual assault trial? He put up the best statistics of his career during and after the whole debacle. 81 points, anyone? Not to mention he won another NBA title last year. See a familiar trend going on here?

Iconic athletes are not perfect. They live everyday with the eyes of millions watching their every step. From TMZ headlines to box scores, they are constantly in the public eye. How would you like it if this was your life?

Being perfect is a difficult task for anyone, let alone professional athletes. We all do things we're not proud of, and we all must face the consequences, however big they might be. The question you have to ask yourself, then, is how do you persevere?

Tiger must face the consequences of his actions. The upcoming golf season will probably be the most watched in history. It will also be the most trying of his career.

The man is as tough as nails when he steps onto the course. All of the controversial greats that have been mentioned have/had the same competitive edge that Tiger has shown us so many times. If history has taught us one thing, it is that the great become greater in the face of adversity.

Tiger Woods, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Brett Favre