death

The Last Lesson I Learned from John Wooden

by Jose 06.08.2010

When John Wooden died, I didn’t quite know what to make of it. I didn’t grow up in his era of dominance, never met him or watched him much in TV interviews, and didn’t go to school on the West coast. I assumed he was a great man by the way men like Bill Walton [...]

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RIP Jaime Escalante, Famed Math Teacher

by Jose 03.30.2010

It is with regret that I report about Jaime Escalante’s passing today. He was 79. He lived his life inspiring all types of people within the education system, but with little money left to treat his terminal bladder cancer. I am amongst that number of people who he inspired through the seminal work about his [...]

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No More Heroes

by Jose 03.08.2010

Last week, the whole world found out that Guru a.k.a. Keith Elam of the world-renown hip-hop duo Gang Starr had (ostensibly) died of a recent heart attack he suffered the day before. Entertainment bloggers reported it. Wikipedia reported it. Celebrities who are usually in the know said it. Then, I typed up a dedication to [...]

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Augmented Reality

by Jose 11.22.2009

In the latest edition of Esquire Magazine (yes, I read Esquire, at least once a year, particularly their end of the year specials), Stephen Marche has an article entitled, “A Thousand Words About Our Culture: Aren’t We Enjoying All This Death A Little Too Much?” In it, he analyzes this idea of celebrity death, its [...]

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Patrick Swayze Goes Ghost (RIP)

by Jose 09.14.2009

As many of you heard by now, sources have confirmed Patrick Wayne Swayze’s death a few minutes ago, to the shock and chagrin to many of the people who follow my writings in various information sources. While I find myself semi-numb to the idea that famous people have died left and right, I grow rather [...]

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Against All Odds

by Jose 06.16.2009

Today will mostly be remembered for 2Pac Shakur’s birthday. The once and still prolific MC carried on a legendary life, evidenced by his persistent legacy and demigod status within multiple communities. He constantly ranks amongst the most profitable dead celebs, and his style continues to pervade some really popular MCs. People like me were also [...]

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Even Pac and Big Wished for Better Dayz …

by Jose 03.09.2009

I wrote this sometime in October 2008, but for whatever reason, people who I sent this to never actually published it. Some of the stuff I wrote in the original blog I’ve edited to fit my more informed views now, but the message remains the same. Please read and discuss below. Also, for more Biggie [...]

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A Eulogy for Ruben (If There Ever Was One)

by Jose 02.24.2009

“I often wish that I could save everyone, but I’m a dreamer.” – Scarface, “Smile” Ruben, As one of my first students, I remember you as a portly one. Always dressed in funky colors, and had style for days whenever you weren’t in uniform. Never really in a gang, but had a tag name (think [...]

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The King’s Labor of Love

by Jose 09.30.2008

Who gets to say their real last goodbyes? Late in August, right before school started, the week that my mentor and friend left to another school for a more prominent position as a math coach, one of the eternal spirits of the school, Mr. N, died, and in surprising fashion. With the vast changes in [...]

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Jail’s a Revolving Door; The Casket’s Not

by Jose 06.15.2008

There I go, quoting another rapper again. I consider myself a rap fan by most standards, but today especially, I recognize the power of their words. When Jay-Z speaks of the “genesis of a nemesis” when telling of the birth of a drug dealer, when 2Pac speaks of hopelessness throughout most of his records, and [...]

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