Finals Realizations

Earlier today, the Boston Celtics bludgeoned the Los Angeles Lakers, 131-92 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Massachusetts to close out their Finals best-of-seven series at four games to two. Meaning Danny Ainge's moves during the last offseason paid off as Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett got their first-ever NBA championship ring. Not to say that it was Boston's Big Three alone that did the job. The Celtics campaign were replete with heroes the entire season and post. For the entire playoffs, Doc Rivers, the much-maligned Boston head coach kept reminding his boys to avoid attempting the "hero plays"--- incidents when an individual plays errr individually to "save his team." Good one, Doc because apparently that one worked as the entire Boston team played impressive team basketball on both ends of the floor especially on the defensive end. Well, that made them a very successful team during the regular season and it was only apt that this was the aspect that made them even more successful in the championship run.

A few notes before going to the NBA off-season (One of my favorite parts of the year, especially if my team sucked during the season);

• James Posey is the next Robert Horry (prime). This isn't new at all, as some forums have already discussed the parallel. James still can't still hold a candle to Big Shot Bobby, but he is turning into Big Shot James in his own right and as seen during his stint with the Miami Heat (2006 champions) and now the Celtics. Like Horry, he can defend multiple positions from the high scoring SG's and SF's (wingmen like Kobe or Lebron) to the taller and heavier power forwards (Posey was the primary defender against the taller Dirk Nowitzki during the Heat run). The question is can Posey match Horry's seven (7) championship rings? i doubt it. But two out of the last three years is a nice start. Too bad Posey had to play with lowly teams like the Denver, Houston and Memphis early in his career.
  
• Kobe is not Michael Jordan. Ok, this isn't new at all as well. Every year basketball fans from the MJ nuthuggers to the Kobe fanboys have this same and redundant argument. i hope this one is settled in 2008 and will not ever, personal or otherwise, go into an in-depth discussion of this again.
  
• Kevin Garnett is closer to Karl Malone than Tim Duncan. Meaning, i still think that TD is way better that KG but Malone is lower in my rankings. All three great 4's have shown one thing; they play with passion and heart. Duncan, the most reserved and Garnett, the most expressive with Malone a balance right in the middle. But there's one thing that you got to be impressed with Garnett when putting him against a Malone; KG motivates his teammates (From a Tony Allen to a Ray Allen to a Leon Powe to Paul Pierce) like nobody else. It seems it's not only that energy that rubs off to his teammates, it's his passion and heart as well. And at any level? That is a big thing. Just glad that KG got his ring and Malone still has zero.
  
• Sam Cassell should not have been signed by the Boston Celtics. That was the bad news, the good news is that the season is over and they can let him go... After the parade in Boston.
• Eddie House should be the Finals MVP. Not really of course, but i am waiting for the time when a single scrub (or they are called a very good role player since they reached the championship round) wins the NBA Finals MVP because he exploded for 20 points, 10 rebounds or 10 assists during a dominating 4-0 run by his team.

Lucky Bastard

Blame Bonks for the now rather infamous and sort-of-flattering moniker. Was accused as such since time immemorial... Since probably the 6th Grade when i got (i was already a very good "researcher" at that time) the landline number of a certain Iris Hardinero--- a mutual crush between the two of us. Now, here's the gist: Iris, two to three years older than us, was the hottest (Ok, you never used that word when you were 12 years old, so replace that with "cutest") girl in our barangay ("Tinago" was the name of the barangay, in English it's translated to "hidden") and it so happened that when going home after school, Iris would also be waiting at the same kanto where Bonks and myself commute--- meaning it was a daily treat to us, the apple of our eyes waiting for a tricycle and both of us hoping we'd be riding the same tryk as well. You can only imagine when Bonks discovered that i did get the number eventually (and before him). i am not sure if he called me a lucky bastard then; but the words of envy could be something that resembles such. It's insignificant that six years later (college) Bonks became Iris's friend by being a friend of a friend of a friend of Iris. She just wasn't my type anymore (though she'll be always be my crush) and i've grown up quite a bit but i was the luckiest 12 year old before i want to keep that memory with me and forever remind Bonks about it.

However, Bonks would also remind me how lucky i was all the time. i never quite understood if it's meant as an insult or as a compliment... Knowing Bonks, it's both. (Not directly from him) i've created a short list of how lucky i was over the course of this lifetime:

• A king among aces. Staying with the "star" section for my entire elementary and high school. On the average, there were 45 students in the class. i always placed 40th to 44th in the class standings. i don't care. i just was so happy i stayed with that group for my entire pre-and adolescent stage.
  
• Couples for Christ. That's the (religious) organization of my Pa and Ma during my errr..."formative years" For the most part, i disliked prayer meetings at home and even more disliked the group gatherings and parties with it since it means that i should socialize with other kids and parents. While i never really got developed the socializing part, i thought it strengthened and defined Pa an Ma's relationship--- meaning, it's one well-knit family despite the barrage of financial woes and other unavoidable family members feuds.
  
• Vocalist by default. Never could carry a tune but i didn't know to play any instrument either. The band, cheezepaper (with Bonks, Fiel and Ronald) knew this so i was "forced" to step up (No actually forced them) to grab the mic! (Note: Our debut performance was our farewell performance.)
• Sports bets. My career-best win was a couple of thousand bucks win in a USA against the world bet during the 2006 FIBA World Championships. i have a knack for selecting the right team or side and has won quite a few bucks in this form of should i say "friendly" gambling.
  
• This job. They actually pay me to write about sports. Siyet. i could do this for free (half-kidding)

That's just some but what led me to refer to the moniker once more was because of my first-ever not-so-friendly (financially) Texas Hold 'Em (regular, rake) Poker at some new-found friends new-found place last Saturday. Buy in was at 500 pesos. What they did not tell me was that this was "regular" poker meaning it's practically unlimited buy-ins for all. There were 10 players all in all including the new friend named Allan, who invited me via references from old friends. He was a very hospitable host and made us newbies very comfortable in their place. (i was with Che, who still had undeveloped guts to actually join any real poker and who took the pictures posted here.)

Another important thing about the 500-peso buy-in was that all of the drinks (alcoholic and otherwise) were unlimited! Meaning you can practically drink yourself to your poker death because you'd be too drunk to bluff! And that's not a bad deal at all. Poker and a few drinks can really make a day passable.

So anyway, there i was with my knees shaking and hands as pale as the unlit tip of a Marlboro Lights by the first hand... i can talk about how i won some hands and looked real good during some stretches or i can talk about my stupidity on some calls (too much emotion, too much thinking etc...) in the end it DID not matter that i lost the 500 pesos (though we ordered some hotdog ,maybe a pair of a pair of SML's, a pack of ML Gold, french fries and a couple of Coke Zero.) IN short, while it did not cost me much, it was the experience that i considered priceless. It's a matter of time now if i decide to take this game to another level... A matter of conscience to take friendly gambling to not-so-friendly territories... A matter of pride to consider this "hobby" as a major part of a dull and blunt normal workaday world... And finally, a matter of practicality if indeed this has a potential to be an investment. Win and lose, of course.


An oh, i almost forgot how i became one lucky bastard that night:

Last hand for everyone, as a goodbye game to cap the night, Allan introduced me to the No-Look Poker. Same rules with Texas Hold 'Em with a little bit of a tweak; no one gets to take a look at their hands as the flop-turn-river (They even added an ocean!) is exposed; 100 peso each buy-in for all the player (There were 14 who joined the fray)... Then each player turns up their hands one at a time... The flop-turn-river showed a couple of 6's and some... Fourth player showed he had a 6 and a 7... Trips... He grabs the lead and can smell the 1,400 bucks in his hands... 5th player, 6th 7th... Nobody had enough to outdo Mr Fourth Player (Am bad with names and he was one of the unfriendly ones anyway so i don't care about his real name)... 8th.. 10th... 12th... No success at all. 13th, Che shows a 3 and 4... Still no luck.. My turn. Last hand of this goodbye game... i turned up my cards one at a time... i showed a 6... i smiled a very large sheepish grin.. Prayed for a high card to outdo Mr. Fourth Player... Flipped it over, then showed everyone i had an... ACE! i win!

No Look Poker. No Skills Needed. Just some heaven-sent Luck. No Look in Poker? i am the Jason Williams of Texas Hold Em Poker, somebody should have warned them. Lucky Bastard.

Celts and Lakes status message play by play

June 13 status messages:

At half time i said Boston will start the 3rd hot and will cut down the lead to a single digit before the final canto. Lakers will then have a mini-run.

Middle of third quarter:
KG's passion is inversely proportional to KG's aggressiveness: KG 4/9 FGs (8 pts) - Inside the paint 1/2 FGs (2 pts) and the sissy jumpshots? 3/7 FGs (6 pts)

Start of fourth 11:12 am: Boston loses on a Kobe game-winner. i can smell it.

Late fourth:
Finally, something inside the lane for Garnett. 12 points. C's ties the ball game at 77.
Kobe starting to heat up and will set up what i just predicted earlier. Book it.

Princess Pau, now you know why.

Two minutes to go. Or maybe not. KG is actually attacking the hoop. That is UNEXPECTED.
30 seconds to go. Allen attacks the basket. Easy. Sasha left, Pau did not help.
Eddie House free throw. Book it. This one is over. KG one win away from a ring. Good thing.

Eddie House for the NBA Finals MVP
(#50 House scored 11 points on 4-of-9 FG shooting including a mid-range pull-up jumper that gave the Celtics an 84-83 lead late in the fourth. Was it 83-82 or 85-84? Eddie doesn't care. All he knows is he is a shooter so he shoots the ball at any point of the game be it a blowout or a close one. He chucks even in clutch, that he doesn't quite know.)

And oh, Garnett was 2 of 3 in the fourth quarter. All three shots right inside the paint (well not too close to a real post-up power move but he was attacking...)
Garnett's passion is inversely proportional to his aggressiveness which is directly proportional to a Boston W. And a ring..

Last status message for the day: Eddie House for the NBA Finals MVP

Sadik's purpose of life and farewell party

i am not sure how many pictures per post does blogspot allow so might as well experiment with it right now. Posted are images from Sadik's farewell (from/to what, i don't know, the only clear fact is he wants to return to schooling) or despidida party last Friday, June 6. While i want to talk about Sadik's history with alcohol, his take on the purpose of life, his take on women and relationships, there's just no time and too many points to tackle. So maybe, the set of pictures can paint a thousand words.

Quick question first before viewing; If an Avid god leaves the Avid room, can each still be called such?

Sports Desk, Finish Line, House of Hoops and now Sadik, what's (or who) next to go for this team?

Pasig pals, Pipoy and Sadik (i was a former group member); Going home to Pasig, Sadik was always tasked to pay for the taxi fare; what's next for Pipoy? Forever jeepney to Rosario-Tulay?

The original Pasig boys (Well, we are still looking for Sir Noel Z's picture.)

Sadik with Kristian; Could he be the reason why he left?

Sadik with Crosby; Or could he be the reason...

AP Kristian with EP Gelo.

Pierre and Paolo at it again.

All of them, at it again.

Ah. The classic taxi-ending. Pipoy and Sadik, at it again.

And so, Sadik's search for the purpose of life begins. It actually began after something ended, maybe that should tell us about the purpose of our lives.

By the end of the year, i will be on everyone's Ignore List.

i think that perhaps that i should apologize to a lot of people. i think. Perhaps. But as i have told bluntly albeit some,ANYone late last week: If my honesty can't save me, i don't know what will (Uulit uliton ko yan sa payo ko). So here's a bicol-english blog for a forgettable-unforgettable week that was. In bicol, mas totoo dangogon eh. Kaya uya ang para sa mayo:

Nagpoon ang gabos kang su Miyerkules o Huwebes ata. Nakikiulay ako paagi kang maasahan na imbensyon na apod YM (Greatest invention since the wheel) sa sakong kras duman sa business center kang Metro Manila duman sa balyong opis kang sakong kompanya (In short, nagpipirit na magpacute) So anyway, sa tahaw-puro kang magayagayang paguulay nakaabot kami sa ulayan ning sakong imbitasyon na magluwas (maski ano talaga, pamahaw, i-snak sa aga, pangudto, i-snak sa hapon, pamanggi midnight snak sa midnight, maski arin saro dyan)... Tapos nakaabot kami sa urulay ngani na may lakaw daa sya (Forever busy ining kras ko) over the weekend (In short, pseudo-basted weekly ang pagmati ko kada semana!)... So si sakong pirit na magpacute (actually, na makaiba sya, iyo lang talaga yan ang rason) nagpara-insist ako na maiba na lang ako sa lakaw nya. Apparently, may church service or something sya (Religous-slash-maboot siya) kaya sabi ko maduman na lang ako tapos mahapit... Tapos sa sakong sobrang pagigiging brutal na pranka nasabi ko na arog kaini (not exact words and syempre taglish): aram ko dae na kami close ni Lord pero siguro man maiintindihan nya na maduman ako BAKO dahil saiya kung dae saimo.

In short, that was quite a sweet thought until the point na nasabi nya na she doesn't appreciate ang arog kaidtong pagiisip... (Napangirit na lang ko sa sadiri ko mga panahon na ini ta diretso ko lang nasabi, saka maski si Hesus, nagngingirit man to, sigurado ako namatean nya man ma pseudo-in-love kang panahon nya sa mundong ini)

Dag dag mo pa si simbag ko: If my honesty can't save me, i don't know what will.

Tapos iyo na yan. Tapos na urulay. And sa hiling ko? Tapos naman ang tsansa ko na maka-pamahaw, i-snak sa aga, pangudto, i-snak sa hapon, pamanggi midnight snak sa midnight siya. Kumbaga sabi ni Old Man Noel: It's Over. Haay, buhay, ano?

So akala ko iyo na to ang katapusan kang sarong kind of malaen na semana pero dae. Kang su Biyernes sarong barkada ko naman ang sakong napranka; Siguro dara naman kang arak and emosyon, pero medyo sa hiling ko may mga tao lang talaga na nagooverreact as well as GARO TALAGA ako KASTA (asshole) paminsan.

Habo ko na pagulayan pa ang detalye sa blog na ini, ang gigibohon ko kakaulayon ko na lang harapan, and prankahon pa si barkada kong lalo.

So all in all, nangiiwal lang talaga ako this week. Pati sa forums naghahanap ako kasimbagan. (and nakahanap ako) Si Don gusto ko pangahon, si Christian sipaon, si Budoy latakon, si Bonks bayagon, si Che sapakon. Suluon ang Barranca, gabaon ang sadit na istaran sa Antipolo. Email blast gabos na kabisto with just two words: LOSI MO.

Gabos ko yan gigibohon ta lab ko gabos yan. Lalo na itong naenot na duwa sa istorya ko (yeee.)

By the end of the year, i will be on everyone's ignore list

Die-now-or-later poll update

While five people showed the guts (albeit stupidly probably) and has decided to face Death now, eight others seem to enjoy life's pleasures (albeit stupidly probably) and has chosen to be there until the end of time.

Yet a lonesome single person took the third option and maybe, just maybe, that was the best choice.

The results:

Q: Would you rather...

Die first? (Meaning, now) - 5 votes

Die last? (Until after every human being is dead which means you are still alive roughly 5 minutes before doomsday) - 8 votes

Not answer the question (It's sick and it's real creepy... i take HYPOTHETICAL questions too seriously. Heck, come to think of it, i am taking life too seriously) - 1 vote

Honesty and You.

It's too grand of a word. So big it is both overrated and underrated. So misunderstood it's over-appreciated and under-appreciated. i don't even know what to say anymore. If honesty can't save one person, i don't know what will.

GOAT: Air Jesus

This has been bugging me for the longest time. The what-if question of... Jesus Christ playing basketball! Indeed, the question begs, what if The Son of Man decided to come down and play professional hoops... In the National Basketball Association. Fret not (religion) fanatics, there is zero blasphemy in this. So much so i thought He appeared to me the last couple of nights telling, and inspiring me to write this particular piece...





















Now, we know by now God works in mysterious ways and Jesus might as well follow his Father's lead because this was the message that he told me: "Sure that Michael Jordan guy can walk in the air, but can he walk on water?" Jesus talking trash? i know then deep deep inside that it's His will that i prove that He could have been the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in basketball history. (Heck, remove the word basketball)

And proofs i have:

Jesus > Michael Jordan

Jesus Walks on the Water - Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear. (Matthew 14: 22-16)

Self-explanatory really. We've seen footages of Jordan walking (flying) in the air (most notably in Space Jam) in various clips. You don't need clips for the water-walk, do you?

Jesus Trusts His Coach

Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Luke 23:46)

A lot of players today does not trust their head coach. Jesus is not one of them. He listens to His mentor and as the passage above describes, He is willing to give in to the coach's whims.

Jesus could even be an Adidas endorser:

Jesus looked at them and said: "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:25)

Jesus > Paul Pierce

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 4:16)

Paul Pierce is known as The Truth. Well, Jesus is way more than that, he is the way and the life as well. We know so much about how versatile Paul's game is... But with The Son of Man claiming he has more, it speaks of His versatility as well meaning he could be averaging a triple double these days. Also worth noting is his dedication to defense ("... Except through me.")

+++

That's just five reasons why i think he is the GOAT. THERE ARE MORE. i can't give you a link on where i get such quotes. You have to search it yourself. Maybe even, search yourself.

NBA FINALS: Rivalry Renewed

Without so much going into the facts and the details (you can go to ESPN or NBA sites for that one) it goes without saying that this year's NBA Finals is the biggest championship series ever since Jordan left Chicago. The Spurs and Lakers juggled rings left and right making them this decade's dynasty but their best-of-seven series against their respective opponents were to a point, one-sided and quite expected.

Not the case for this year. The Lakers after raping the Memphis Grizzlies in the Pau Gasol-trade last February will meet the Boston Celtics, which re-tooled (understatement) during the off-season acquiring Kevin Garnet and Ray Allen via separate deals. Of course, with established superstars Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce staying with their teams, the murmurs during the regular season was that these two rivals is bound, no destined, to meet in the postseason... And with the (Hollywood) stars aligning plus a little Irish luck... Bahm! David Stern's wildest and wettest dream: Boston vs. Los Angeles in what could (and would) be a best-of-seven epic (If it reaches Game Seven, you know Stern's "wildest and wettest" is another understatement)

Not enough words to describe the hype... Plus the fact that every other basketball blog or site has their own previews anyway so i just will post why i think the BOSTON CELTICS will WIN this one:

• SENSE OF URGENCY. Garnett is 32 years old, Allen is turning 33 this year and Pierce is not far behind at 31 by October. For the Lakers, Gasol will be 29 next month; Odom is a year younger than Pau. Obviously the major players for the C's is getting up there. Father Time in basketball decides to take a knee or two and a passion and a half by the mid-30's. Add the fact that KG, Ray and Paul have won a combined 0 rings in their combined 32-year NBA career, nobody needs to mention that their time should be NOW.
• KB24 vs. LOTS OF CELTICS. Can't stop Kobe you can only hope... He shoots more. Kobe has realized that this season can be really special if he plays within the system and let others contribute. He also has a knack for taking over the game (not news) and is simply amazing when he decides to turn it on. That said, nobody in the Celtics roster can singlehandedly stop him. Make that, nobody in the NBA. However, the C's can practically throw the entire kitchen sink at him and at least he works for his points (He will get it nonetheless)... i believe that at some point in the series James Posey's length and strength will bother Kobe a little bit and that is where the Celtics should take advantage. Ray-Ray and PP will also have their shot at Kobe on the defensive end. But more importantly, i feel that both wingmen should also make Kobe work on the defensive end. Heck you can't stop the guy... But maybe he can't stop you too...
• KG EXPLOSION. i always believed this since i was a Memphis Grizzlies fan: Princess Pau is Kevin Garnett's bitch. The latter would always abuse the Spaniard in their head to head match-up. i really feel that we will see less of those fade-away-from-the-top-almost-near-the-three-point-line jumpshots from KG. Enough sissy plays when the guy guarding you is a sissy as well. And KG will realize that right off tip-off of Game One.

Boston wins in six games if they win their first two games at home. If not, they win in seven games. So there, a fearless forecast. More than the thousand bucks (and more) i had in various office bets, it feels so good being able to be right on point with predictions.

Fight Fate! Create your own Destiny!

i have an idea for a... errr... a concept for the blog. The title of this entry pretty summarizes that idea. Now, i can't delve too much into it because i might just spoil it. However, there's also a thing called hype (or called personal pressure) which i might not achieve at all.

So there, it's called pre-planning for the pre-plans before the actual planning stage without sacrificing much of the spontaneity. This is called blogpostpadding as well when i all really want is to remember the phrase, fight Fate, create your own Destiny because i have been uberforgetful as of late.

Eight hours off work...

Actually, reviewing my math, it's still 15 hours away... Eight hours is just the bus ride from Naga to Manila. Add a few more minutes for the trip to Antipolo, back to the place where i work.

It's always like this. There's always a feeling of melancholy as i wait for my Ma's pechay-giniling dinner; as i wait for my pamangkin to wake up from his short siesta for this afternoon; as i talk to my Pa about future plans for the house and other family stuff; all of them and some i will miss, one way and the other and it kind of hurts a little bit that i have to return to work again after spending just 48 hours or less in Naga...

In a word, it SUCKS that i have to work very far far away from what you would like to call home.

i ALWAYS envy friends and officemates and some that live in Manila where their family and close friends and some are located--- the simple happiness that brings you to a smile after a hard day's work, or just the fact that they are there after a lazy morning during weekend or self-declared weekends that is a Thursday because you just want to bum around and sit and sit and sleep and eat and sleep and sit some more on that day.

Work, here i come again. Better not bore me this week and this month and the rest of the year. i might just consider leaving it ALL so i can return to Naga... To bum around and sit and sit and sleep and eat and sleep and sit some more.

The sum of a world of difference is your indifference

So much for your apathy. Here's a mad try to complete this poem, free verse or whatever it's called.

The sum of a world of difference is your indifference

can there be a happy ending
with out a beginning?
a ray of hope
that empties itself
to a world void of you
your world can never be mine,
your world, so so fine
my world created
by an endless fire of a past
in a world of ire

can there be a new beginning
with reservations for a same old ending?
a hopeless light
tries to shine bright
in a world void of you
your world, i wish it was mine
your world, so so fine
my world, it could be yours
ah! such empty hopes like the past
recreated by a world of indifference

can there be a middle ground
in all of these unreasonable extremes?
a hopeful sight
even in a world void of you
your world is not mine
and mine can never be so so fine
but it could be yours
give in, give up, give all
the savior is a world of difference

can anyone save me now
from this open apathy?
hope (against hope)
voids a world with out
your world that will never be mine
a world as fine as your empty smile
i could be yours
you could be mine
if only the sum of this world of difference
is not defined by your indifference

Biting the Bullet

Heck. Lately, i can't think of anything to write. It must be lack of sleep again. Anyway, a few random realizations this Friday in bullet points!

(i assume everyone agrees that the "bullet point" is the greatest typographical symbol invented in the history of writing civilization. Imagine! You actually have a chance, and a choice, to not "settle" and use the more formal, and oft-times more required, "paragraph" form of writing. Take that, grammar and writing pow-lice!)

• Our team was assigned to shoot the APT Ray Ban Celebrity Tournament at Dusit Hotel last Tuesday...
  
• i was excited since it involved poker but not everyone in the team felt the same way... Well, i was probably the only one excited...
  
• Poker coverage won't work if the freaking tournament director can not follow instructions!
• Come to think of it, celebrity poker coverage won't work if the freaking celebrities can not follow instructions!
• Quick explanation on the last two bullets: even with a lipstick camera one or two persons can NOT really monitor the cards!
  
• So good luck to our team putting up the graphics because of the tournament director, who wouldn't do his job and the celebrities who couldn't follow instructions...
• Speaking of graphics... Since we will be rather short on the "resources" this calls for another creative escape...
  
• It's called "manipulating the graphics" and you won't ever notice what, how and why it still worked..
• Watch the celebrity tournament 2-3 weeks from now... Yes, it will take that much time to edit this shit..

Other notes...

• Meetings can tell you about lots of people's tendencies... and their potentials... or how worthless your boss (one of them, anyway) is.
  
• Well not exactly worthless... You just hope that your boss showed more errrr... spunk and emotion in that meeting, i mean it's part of the responsibility, right?
• But, no... and worthless was exactly the right word.
  
• ...Impressive was the pair of "bosses" from other channels.
  
• You almost wish you were transferred to those other channels. Indeed, i can learn a thing or two or three or more about my job and other things if i was under them...
• i DID not catch their names but i won't forget how they handled themselves in a meeting such as that one. It was a lesson on organization and poise, we hope one boss took the cue...

Still more notes:

• When i try to talk, and there's is still no conversation, what is it called? Indifference, baby. Indifference is the right word.