Finding our Niche

Two weeks ago, Tim asked if his lack of up updating was the leading contributor to the demise of our last website [that hasn't been updated since 2005]. Back then, Hoi and I were working hard on content. He made some animated graphics. I made the layout. He wrote about "jock itch." I wrote about wrestling finishers. Tim, though, was reluctant to write.

Two years later, Tim is finally ready. (Word on the street is that he's stalking up on content, and hopefully, he'll post something soon to prove his existence to our new readership). Tim was the driving force behind this resurgence. My plan was to sit back and write an article every now and then to supplement his content.
...but I caught the bug for blogging.

Last Sunday, I was checking the same 6 or 7 sports websites that I check everyday. Something was extremely peculiar, though. When I checked celticsblog.com, I noticed the words "THeM dudes" listed among the names of legit publications like the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun Times. My Celtics article (Do the Celtics have a shot at 72 wins?) was featured that day as one of their Daily Links on 12/9 for Celtics fans. WOW!

I had all kinds of people visiting my site for the next couple of days and the fifteen minutes of fame must have gotten to my head. I had a strange desire to blog. I realized that the world is a lot smaller on the world wide web, and people might need cool stuff to read everyday...especially with all the garbage circulating online.

I started typing things like "how to write a successful blog" into Google toolbars. The best advice I read was actually from the CEO of CelticsBlog:

"I actually had another general sports site that I ran with my friends years earlier, but I think our readership could be counted on our fingers and toes. Still, it was a good experience and taught me the value of focusing in on one subject that I'm passionate about and finding that niche audience that shares my passion."

Passion and niche, huh? Well, since I know what I'm passionate about, it got me thinking about what the target niche of THeM dudes should be. What is the niche, you ask?

themdudes.blogspot.com is for

"Christian guys and the girls who love them"

Dictionary Hopefuls: OOTG

OOTG [prounounced: ooot-ga]

Noun
1. A girl who frequently hangs out with guys [men] and joins them in doing guy stuff (like playing video games, talking sports, overdosing on meat, or simply being at a venue where no other girls are present) without feeling out of place.
Example: Dude, that girl is such an OOTG!

2. (Less commonly.) A guy who hangs out with girls and joins them in girly activities (like braiding hair, shopping aimlessly, or watching MTV original programming based on Californians) without feeling out of place.

Adjective
3. Pertaining to or characteristic of an OOTG.
Example: Dude, that girl is so OOTG!

The Story
In 2006, Jimmy and I realized that whenever we hung out after a Capella practice, we were always with a sizable bunch of guys and ONLY 1 girl. Though completely normal behavior in a beehive, this occurrence was found to be unique enough to merit new terminology. By taking the phrase "one of the guys" and abbreviating it to O.O.T.G., we were able to fairly describe the girl hanging out in our male-dominated circle of friends.

For a short time, we used the term OOTG as a word that only our guy friends were allowed to know because we didn't know if girls would enjoy being labeled as "one of the guys." We began telling girls that OOTG stood for "out of the goal," as if it referred to someone who valiantly stepped out of their comfort zone.

When the truth came out though, so did many closet OOTGs. At the present time, OOTG has become a term of affection (for girls at least). In fact, many guys have admitted a strong affinity for OOTGs. Girls, who were heavily influenced by their brothers and guy friends in their formative years, are no longer ashamed to grasp onto their true identities as OOTGs and "kick it freely with the homeboys." Gone are the days of OOTG oppression in the United States. As we speak, there have been ongoing efforts to increase OOTG awareness in Mexico City and South Korea. It is my hope that one day the word "OOTG" will be accepted to any dictionary of its choice.

The Return of the Millbox

Approximately 5 years ago (December 2002), I was a hotshot high school senior. I thought I had all the answers to the world's problems. (Essentially, I became a prototypical Brown freshman, but blossomed a year too soon). I even had an advice column on my website. I didn't limit the questions to any particular subjects, but because my readership was filled with 16-18 year olds, I happened to always be asked questions about dating, girls, and dating girls.

I haven't read any of my responses in years, but I bet I might not agree with everything my 17-year-old alter ego had to say. (If you're curious, though, you can check out WHAT I HAD TO SAY BACK THEN.)

Today, I want to announce the return of the Millbox (a play off of the word "Mailbox"). Five years after its inception, I no longer believe I have all the answers, but I still think I've seen an awful lot of things and can at least offer an entertaining anecdote for almost any topic. You can still ask me anything you want (even if all you think about is dating). Ask for my advice, opinions, or even my own personal experiences with something. Take advantage of your one (and only) chance to control the content of this blog!

So this is how it works.

Post your question as a comment to this post (or any future Millbox posts where I answer questions). That way, you can post anonymously and not be embarrassed when you ask the juicy questions. I actually prefer that all the questions be anonymous. (Note: Good pseudonyms usually involve alliterations like Sleepless in Seattle, Heartbroken Hercules, Miller's Mommy, etc.) So, ask and you shall receive!

The Biggest Problem with Christian Conferences...is Bedsharing?

Winter vacation is almost here, which means Christian collegians may be headed to a swanky urban hotel to cultivate their passion for God, for the world, and for swanky urban hotels. As a veteran of numerous conferences of the sort, allow me to let you in on perhaps the most awkward situation that can occur at said swanky urban hotel.

Contributing Factor #1: Because the hotel is both swanky AND urban, the cost for using such a facility is not for the weak at heart; therefore, be prepared to share a bed with a friend...OR a complete stranger. (Most likely it will be four to a room with two beds.)

Contributing Factor #2: Most people do not travel in even numbers. In fact, most of the time we travel in ones. So there's a 50/50 chance you WILL share a bed with a complete stranger. (I know there's hope that the numbers will work out so you happen be the one person at the conference that gets his/her own bed, but c'mon, let's be realistic. Do you think the guy making the room assignments is going to pass up his/her very own sleep member bed?)

Contributing Factor #3: At larger conferences (such as the ones happening during winter vacation), attendees travel from various different places and arrive at the swanky urban hotel at various different times. In fact, do not be surprised if you do not meet your mystery roommate until Day 2 of the conference!

Contributing Factor #4: The scheduling of such a conference is usually non-stop action-packed excitement. Translation: the first night is probably no different, so just drop your luggage off at your room and go to the speaker session (I don't care if Men in Black happens to be on television like it always seems to be during these conferences!).

Contributing Factor #5: Distant travel + Packed scheduling + Affinity for late night mingling + College sleep habits = someone in your room is bound to be in bed long before everyone even makes it back to the room.

All these factors come together to form the following situation:

For whatever reason, you don't get back to your hotel room until real late and the person you're supposed to share a bed with....just happens to already be asleep...AND just happens to be someone you've never met before!

So what are you supposed to do? Can you just crawl into bed with some dude you've never met before? I dunno....if I woke up with a stranger next to me, I'd feel a little violated. So, should you at least wake him up for a quick introduction? That could be considered rude. It's quite the quandary. What's the solution?

From what I've heard from people in this predicament...the solution is usually to just sleep on the floor until you've had a proper introduction. Some go on to finally share the bed on Night 2, but others never recover and sleep on the floor for the whole conference (which makes the floor a pretty expensive floor).

So gimme some feedback and answer these 2 questions:
1) What would you do in the same situation? (be specific)
2) Do you think females have the same problem? Or is it just a guy thing?

Don't be shy! Even if I've never met you before, just leave a comment. (Honestly, I'd rather you do that than jump into a with me.

Do the Celtics have a shot at 72 wins?

ESPN has started a page to compare the 2007-2008 Boston Celtics to the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls that set the all-time record for regular season Wins and Losses (72-10).

As of this point in the season (18 games played), both of these teams had records of 16-2, so the C's are on pace. But if the Celtics want a legitimate shot at the record, they're gonna hafta work harder because those Dennis Rodman Bulls had an 18-game winning streak at one point in the season.

For your viewing pleasure, I have highlighted all the remaining games I can see the Celtics losing and whether I think they'll win or lose (match-ups to watch for are in parentheses):

12/8 - @ Chicago (win) - Chicago has had an awful season, but will have a lot to prove in front of their home crowd. It should be a close game, but I think the C's will pull it out. (Kevin Garnett vs. Ben Wallace) Celtics won 92-81

12/19 - vs Detroit (win) - Everyone thought this would be the Celtics first real litmus test of the season. I think otherwise; Celts will win this one by at least 10 points and stay undefeated at the Garden. (Ray Allen vs. Rip Hamilton w/ Reggie Miller as special guest referee)
12/23 - vs Orlando (win) - No way do they lose to the Magic again. (Dwight Howard vs. Chik-fil-a: you think the faith-based chicken joint regrets their decision to not "use faith as a marketing tool?")
12/29 - @ Utah (loss) - I think THIS GAME will be the only game the Celtics will lose in the remainder of 2007. Boozer, Okur, Kirilenko, and Deron Williams all present match-up problems. The key match-up though will be off-the-court though. (Mitt Romney's loyalty to Mormons vs. Mitt Romney's loyalty to Boston; will he flip-flop on this issue and doom his presidential campaign?)
1/2 - vs Houston (win) - It would be just like the Celtics of old to lose a game in which I was in attendance. Finally, Houston vs. Boston will mean more that some crummy "Asian American Night" gimmick at the Garden. I hope they don't invite the lion dance people to do half time again. I have a feeling that this game will be close. (Yao Ming vs. the lion dance)
1/5 - @ Detroit (loss) - The DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEtroit Basssssss-Ket-Balllllllllllllllll guy will make the difference in this one. (Detroit's Public Announcement Guy vs. the common cold)
1/25 - vs Minnesota (win) - I DO anticipate the Celtics losing one fluke game this year. If Toine scores 50, T-wolves will win. Otherwise, the Wolves don't have a shot. (Big Al vs. Big Baby vs. Big Wiggle)
1/27 - @ Orlando (win) - This will be a huge win on the road. (Stan Van Gundy vs. Walt Disney)
1/30 - vs Dallas (win) - Dallas is too soft. (Battle of the High Socks: James Posey vs. Jason Terry)
2/5 - @ Cleveland (win) - If Lebron plays, Celts win. If not, Celts lose. (Anderson Varejao vs. Scot Pollard)
2/10 - vs San Antonio (loss) - This one will be humbling. (Brent Barry vs. Brian Scalabrine)
2/20 - @ Golden State (win) - This will be a blowout; it's just a matter of who gets blown out. (Leon Powe vs. the most playing time he'll ever get)
2/22 - @ Phoenix (loss) - Celts will play an even better run-and-gun team (although Golden State uses the kind you put bullets in). They'll be too tired to win this game. (Marcus Banks vs. Tony Allen)
2/27-3/7 - five home games against Cleveland, Charlotte, Atlanta, Detroit, and Chicago (4 wins, 1 loss) - Don't be surprised when the Celts lose at home to Atlanta in a sloppy game. That loss, though, will fire them up for Detroit and Chicago. (Celtics vs laziness)
3/14 - vs Utah (win) - The Celtics will get a another chance to beat the Jazz. By that time, either Carlos Boozer or Deron Williams will be hurt. (Mehmet Okur vs. Eddie House in a 3 point contest)
3/17-3/20 - Texas Road Trip against San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas (3 losses)- This will determine whether the Celtics can make a little bit of history because it's smooth sailing for the rest of the season. If all my predictions work out and the Celts lose all 3, they would move to 58-10 on the season. This mini-crisis, however, would spark an incredible run of 14 straight wins heading into the playoffs leaving them in a tie with those Bulls of yesteryear.

So, yes I think the Celtics can go 72-10. But injuries OR a 50-point showing from Antoine Walker could keep them from adding their names to the record books.

iPod Apoptosis

Vocabulary:
Apoptosis (pronounced ă-pŏp-tŏ’sĭs, apo tō' sis) is a form of programmed cell death in multicellular organisms.

Disclaimer: I realize that an iPoD is not a multicellular organism, but I do imagine that the gadget is intricate enough to compare to such an organism. Also, apoptosis is not even mentioned again in this article, but ask yourself if you think iPods are programmed to die.

Looking at this picture of the first generation iPod from 2001, you are probably not very impressed. Since then, you've seen iPods that are fluorescent pink, iPods that can play video, iPods that are smaller than a dental floss dispenser, and even iPods that got Nike endorsements.

One thing has never changed though. No matter what kind of iPod you have ever owned, it probably died on you after about 3 years after your purchase (and from taking a rough survey, they ALWAYS seem to die right around the 3 year mark).

If you ask me, THIS is the real genius of APPLE. They make an exceptional gadget, but only make it exceptional enough for you to stay away from the apple store for three years. And when you go back to the store looking for a new battery, they inform you that a replacement costs about the same as the brand new model of iPod. Genius! The mark of a great inventor is the ability to make a product that is both awesome AND imperfect. If the product were perfect, the inventor has given the customer no reason to ever seek him again.

Which brings me to my point...

A month or so ago, my histology professor said something like "When a woman is pregnant, the weight of the baby is pressing directly upon her bladder. If you ask me, that's reason enough to disprove an intelligent designer." For the casual observer, this makes a lot of sense. If the design were perfect, pregnant women probably wouldn't be forced to pee every 15 minutes.

...but I don't think an "intelligent designer" would make it that simple. An intelligent designer like...let's say....an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-Madden team God....would probably be smart enough to realize that His creation should be designed well but not to the point where he will be ignored or forgotten. Yes, I believe that God made you and me....to be awesome, but by no means perfect.

Welcome!

Tim, Hoy, [and] Miller are childhood friends from Boston Chinese Evangelical Church in Boston, MA. Although all three of them were pretty much going to church since infancy, it took them some time (and occasional hardship) to become really good friends. They've made movies. They've made websites. They've even made girls cry. Their mission now, though, is to make you waste your time reading this blog. Enjoy!
(Left to Right: Hoy, Tim, et Miller)