Me and My American Teamates Before a Game. "we be ready"

We have a big game tomorrow so I really have just been chilling since practice. I have alittle cold that I probably got because of that cold gym. It took me getting sick for them to turn the heat on.

But it’s game time tomorrow so I’m gonna have to be ready regardless. . . but then again I was born READY.  I stay warm for the games,  I’m like Campbell soup just reheat me baby!!!

Earlier this season my team was ranked 11th out of 12 teams. We are currently in 9th and trying to move up and make it in the top 8 so we can make the playoffs, So every game is a big game for us, because we can’t afford to lose.

We want to try and make the playoffs and only the top 8 teams go.  We play Galatasary tomorrow and they just signed Tameka Catchings. They also have Sophia Young and Katie Douglas. (I think I have an old scouting report of the Indiana Fever somewhere that may come in handy for this weekend ).

As You can see I have tunnel vision right now, its all about the game this weekend.  I’m getting in the “zone” for this game.. So I’ll talk to you guys on Monday and let you know how things went down.

BTW I just came up with these lines before I started writing this blog. . .It goes alittle something like this..

YO somebody give me a beat . . . . .

I love this game can’t you see.

If I wasn’t a baller I don’t know what I would be.

I’m so focused right now on the game .

I hope the rest of my teammates are feeling the same.

Botas Spor gotta get in the top eight.

Alot of teams think we can’t,  but yall just wait.

Gametime tomorrow, gotta go get some rest.

Tomorrwo Botas Spor has a very big test..

I’m out..

I am a little delirious from my medicine so I just started making up these lines after dinner. I don’t know what over the counter drugs do to you, but as you can see it makes me a little crazy.  N E wayz I’m out.

-Chasity,

Aka Jay Z.….. I mean Chaz Z… from N-Ceeeeeeeee!

Okay so it’s cold here in Adana Turkey this week and we have practiced for the past three days inside the coldest gym ever. . it is actually colder inside the gym than it is outside. I have been trying not to complain as much this year as part of my new years resolution, but yesterday was a challenge. I tried to get the staff to get us some heat but it didn’t’ work.  So we continued to practice without feeling our hands. Needless to say I wasn’t very good cold.

I did eventually warm up after I took my hot shower in the locker room. I was feeling great then, two bad practice was over! I just pray I don’t get a cold, nothing is worse then being sick overseas by yourself!

Washington Wizard’s Gilbert Arenas was suspended for the rest of the season without pay for his felony gun charge. Gilbert has done a lot of great things in the DC community but this one mistake is probably what he will be remembered for.

Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone’s  mistake is written about, seen over and over again on television and the internet. Sometimes being a professional athlete is a gift and a curse.

I heard the news about Portland’s Trailblazer’s Greg Oden’s nude picture traveling across the Internet. This guy has had two season ending injuries, and now his ex-girlfriend post these photos. If there is a such thing as bad luck this guy has a big dose of it.

I’m sure everyone has heard the news about the Tiger  entering  a sex rehab clinic.  Really does everyone have to know that?Why can’t it be that he is just doing everything to make his marriage work.

The guy has already put the game that has been number one in his life on hold. To be honest with you I don’t know many athletes who do that for their relationship. Just drop the sport they love?? Nah,  I haven’t  heard that over and over again in the media..

You know as an athlete myself, I’m not gonna bash these guys. Sometimes I do get very upset at them when I first hear about what has happened, and want to judge them, but the more I think about it, I realize that could of been me.

Everyone in life makes mistakes. I heard someone say that the biggest mistake of all is to be surprised at them as if you had some hope of never making any.

No ones means for mistakes to happen, and believe me everyone has made them. As an athlete we have to learn that our mistakes will be made and when we make them the entire world will see. The same media that built us up will be the same media to tare us down.

Sometimes I feel as a professional athlete, you can never let your guard down. You can hardly trust anyone, you fear for your life when you go out to have a good time. Things get crazy when family,  friends, partners, teammates get jealous of you. You could end up of losing your career and even worse tarnishing your image as a respected person forever.

One mistake and the rest of the world takes that as who you are. At the same time all your good charitable work, the time you give back is looked upon as if that is what your suppose to do.

You never read the huge headlines with those stories about athletes, but hey that’s just the way it is.

I’m not condoning the mistakes some of us athletes make. But I firmly believe everyone deserves a second chance.

Me at a local Resteraunt in China wondering what was what.

Last but not least I read today that there are some people that do eat dogs and cats some places in China. I played in China last season and  while I was there I ate a lots of vegetables .  I’ve never had better tasting vegetables  anywhere else. The way they seasoned there vegetables was very delicious. They are now trying to put a law through in China banning eating dogs and cats.

I really didn’t believe that some people in China ate dogs and cats, but I’m sure that other countries can’t believe we eat Pigs, Deer and other animals.  You know we love some pork back in the states especialy in the South where I am from.  Almost every Family Outdoor event we have back home we put a whole pig on a grill and we have what you call a “Pig Picken” . And in some countries  Pork (Swine) is forbidden .

Me and My Uncle at one of our Families "pig pickens" . . the pig is on the grill behind us.

I’ve learned when in Rome do as the Romans, unless you can politely excuse yourself.  I’ve heard China is the the one country that within the next 15 years or so, there could possibly be a food shortage. So I guess they have to make use of everything.

I personally don’t want to have to  eat cat or dog, pig feet, chitlins, or snakes either. Some people out there enjoy eating those dishes. I say let the person decide what they want to eat.

Making a law against it maybe is taking it too far, What if they tried to pass a law here in the states against eating Chickens. I would definitely be in jail or paying a fine..LOL I gotta have my chicken and eggs, well I don’t know if I could do jail, so I guess I would  just start eating alligator. I had some in Kenya and it tasted alot like chicken. . . LOL. Can you imagine a restaurant called ” Kentucky fried Alligator”

Me having Dinner with my Team in China in 2009. When in Rome . . .

I was thinking today about how sad I was over the weekend. I missed my Dad’s birthday party and kept imagining how all my sister’s and brothers were at home having a great time.

My sister told me they all missed me. I was thinking how many times over my career have I heard that “We really missed you Chas”. You would think by now I wouldn’t get sad anymore, but I still do.

Me and My Maternal Grandmother who turns 84 in Feb.

Now my siblings are planning a big birthday party for my Grandmother. She hasn’t been doing to well lately and they are trying all of the family to come.  She’s starting to forget  a lot and we would like for her to get a chance to see all her children and grandchildren all together which hasn’t happened in a long time.  It doesn’t look like I will make that either.

Every since college I’ve been missing holidays, weddings, Baby Showers, Graduations, Funerals  etc. All for the love of the game.  Personal Relationships have been just as hard to keep, and friends just don’t understand why you can’t “make it”, and forget about trying to explain it to your nieces and nephews.

Making these types of sacrifices are the hardest part of my job for me. That’s why in my down-time and off-season I just want to kick it with my family and good friends. I try to catch up, but I’ve missed out on so much.

I think many fans of professional athletes don’t understand just how much they sacrifice and invest into their sport. I once would get irritated with my mom because she would always call and ask if I can ask my coach for a day off to come to some event.

I don’t get mad anymore because I realized she just don’t understand, athletes just can’t take days off. It has to be extremely personal and an immediate family issue for you to be excused. The worse case is if you are injured, then you are able to be at  home while someone else is taking your position and place.

I joke with my friends all the time not to get married till such and such  month, “I’ll be home for sure then,  it’s my off -season”.  Needless to say , I haven’t been in very many weddings.

Even though I try to  send gifts and flowers to things  I can’t attend, I still just want my friends and family to know I’m thinking of them even though I can’t be there.

I know that playing this sport is only a short part of my life and I’ll have a lot more to look forward to after I’m done. Today I found this quote that has really inspired me for I can truly relate to it.

Can miles truly separate you from friends… If you want to be with someone you love, aren’t you already there? -Richard Bach

Facebook has been a God Send!!! People don’t understand how much Facebook and Twitter means to people who stay away from friends and family for long periods of time like Pr0-Athletes and People in the Military.  As for me, it is there I can catch up with friends and family and see pictures of kids and events I missed.

Now they can just tag me in the photos and it’s like I was there.  LOL.. Okay that’s pushing it but you do get what I’m saying right?

To all my friends and family out there I love you. No matter where I am you are on my mind and in my heart.

And BTW just in case your getting married or planning your birthday Party . . . my off-season is mid September to November!! LOL

Love ya!!!