So hey there loyal subjects. Me again.

It has been three long, literally insane months since I posted about Madbum leaving San Francisco.

The holiday season got hectic with family, shopping, my girlfriend’s birthday, etc. Then I admittedly got lazy for the remainder of winter break (thanks COD), and vowed to return once school started.

But then school started and I got distracted with my last two classes, trying to end on a positive note with two high A’s.

Then we tragically lost Kobe Bryant.

It’s crazy how, even as I type this months later, it’s still so surreal and just bizarre to say we lost the Mamba. I found out at work while I slaved over a mountain of dishes, and was in a daze for the rest of my shift, kind of just going through the motions numb, like a zombie. When I got home, I pulled my Kobe jersey off the rack, and broke down. Watching highlight videos online still draw a few tears.

I wanted to post, but just didn’t have the strength to do so for a little while. And just when I felt good enough to finally show my appreciation to Kobe Bean in writing, the world stopped spinning AGAIN with this coronavirus stuff.

Man, what a world, right?

So before I keep on, just want to say thank you Kobe, for everything. You sacrificed so much to accomplish all that you did, and all that you did brought so many people joy. Including me. From the ’08-’09 championship run (I was a little young for the Shaq three-peat/really only loved baseball then) to being sent into complete delirium watching your final game in my freshman dorm with my buddies, thank you. We will never forget you. And take care of Gigi.

Switching gears, this COVID stuff totally stinks. My favorite time of the year is, well, right now. The NBA moves towards the postseason, with teams battling for playoff berths, while Major League Baseball ramps up Spring Training to get ready for their season. But the pandemic the world faces put everything on hold, and for good reason.

But selfishly, holy hell am I frustrated and bored. The Lakers were rolling dude; just beat the Clips and the Bucks at home. Now they’re on lockdown ‘cuz some Nets tested positive and they played them last. Part of me is glad the older Lakers can get some rest, and stay healthy on all fronts. But LeBron James ain’t gettin’ any younger folks, and this is only burning up whatever’s left in that superhuman body.

So, again, I know the Earth needs to get healthy and past this COVID-19 business, but man oh man what I wouldn’t do for this to have happened when we had 20 wins and not 49.

On the baseball front, the young Giants were making some noise in Scottsdale, but that’s now on hold too. I liked what I was seeing from Bart and Dubon in their brief appearances, among other good things coming from the youth. So whenever they do resume play, I’m still looking forward to the rebuild.

In football news, the Browns made some moves, most notably picking up Case Keenum. Not sure if this is a “get it together or else” nudge to Baker, or just some insurance in case of injury/hoping Baker can learn some things from a guy with a little experience. Either way, word from longtime Browns sufferer Ray McKenzie is that we as Browns fans should never expect happiness no matter what…but I’m generally optimistic so maybe I can help his morale.

Other football stuff OMG BRADY LEFT NEW ENGLAND. The GOAT now resides in Tampa Bay, which is definitely one of the weirdest jersey swaps I can remember in any sport (close seconds are KD to the Dubs and Brian Wilson in a Dodger uni.) I kind of think he wants to just live in Tampa as he grows even older and towards retirement more than anything, but who knows? Maybe he’ll take the Bucs to new heights and they’ll be the first city to host the Super Bowl and play in it.

And with that, I thinks that’s everything we missed since December 17th, darling. I still have homework, I still have to work, they don’t know when my graduation ceremony will be/if there will even be one, and we’re already low on my favorite muffins from Costco.

But petty shit aside, wishing good health and good times to all of you during this lockdown. And if you’re feeling like the world’s ending, here’s my list (in no particular order) of stupid stuff I already miss/ are sad about:

-the Lakers
-the Giants
-my family
-my dogs
-eating out
-watching any and all live sports
-going to the movies
-going to the gym for basketball & lifting
-high-fives
-Black Widow, F9, Marvel Disney+ series being postponed (sad)
-hitting the bars
-Disneyland
-still going to work even though we serve like 20 people a day (why)
-seeing toilet paper in the aisles at stores
-waiting in line to get into Costco (lowkey just wanted a hot dog)
-non-coronavirus memes (they kind of bum me out)
-the feeling of looking forward to a game(s) all day
-LeBron dunking mercilessly on people
-AD midrange jumpers
-Alex Caruso
-the Lakers again
-Alex Caruso again
-Steph draining threes (like dude he JUST came back)
-sanitizing my hands constantly (necessary but dude sucks/hurts when you have dry skin)
-trips to Pho Mai off Landess Ave. at midnight
-playing catch with my dad & girlfriend (she was finally getting the hang of it)
-the Lakers one more time

Keep washing those hands, lads. Stay safe.