This is the sorry post...

WOW! I have not posted at all in soo many shows. Since I last wrote, I have been to San Diego, Oakland, LA, Denver, Oklahoma City, and Dallas. That is 6 cities that I have not filled you in on. Of course I have been busy working, but mostly playing. SD was pretty uneventful to say the least. Then we did a show in Oaktown, which was ghetto as all hell. What else would you expect in the Bay? I went out with my boys to San Fransisco for a night, which of course led to some good stories. In summary of that night: mexican arm wrestling, gay bar, puking cab ride. Fill in the stories as you want, but they are everything that you would expect from me.

Then we did a show in LA, but were there for 4 total days. That was way too long. Got to see Neil and company, so that was good. After that show, we stopped in Utah
for a few hours on our long ride to Denver. The One and Only was the only bar in St. George, go figure. Luckily, we didn't stay the night and got the hell out of there. Denver was good times, nice city. Marks friends were cool, so that was another good night, not a good next morning...

We then headed to the OKC, and of course had a blast. It was a crew members bday, so we all got together and went out for it. Lets just say that the party didn't stop till 530 and we were in front of the hotel lol. On our way out of town we headed to the Oklahoma City bombing memorial. Cant say too much about that experience other than the fact that it was heavy. Just walking in you get goosebumps and tears just come to your eyes.

Sorry for that, it was just a moment. Well we just left Dallas. We only had one night there so I didn't get to do much, but its a nice place. The hotel was amazing, but a little to ritzy for me. We are on the bus now headed to Houston, and another ritzy hotel. New Orleans is Friday, and Memphis Sunday. Then I come home for a quick break.

Things are going really well at this point of the tour. I am starting to feel like one of the crew and we are all getting together to do things and go out. So things are definitely looking up in the social category. I am really trying to have some good stories to bring home, so stay tuned. I'm out for now, ill def update sooner than later this time. Until then,

Cheers

Viva Las Vegas and Nor Cal Stop 1

Wow, I want to start off by saying that I am sorry that I haven't updated this for a few days, its been hectic.  We have done alot of traveling in the past few days and I am in San Diego right now.  My time in Vegas was one trip tom remember, but I think it was too long.  Vegas is a city that has so much to do, but it takes a wallet full of bills to make it happen.  I was very happy with the Hard Rock Hotel, it was pretty much spring break in a hotel.  The Pink Taco was the best mexican food ive ever had, so I went a couple times.  I was also happy to get to check out Undefeted, the sneaker shop, right across from the hotel.  I got a pair of Jordan 1's to add to the sneaker collection.  The days i spent in Vegas were kinda tough because I was alone the entire time.  It is starting to get to me that I am doing everything by myself, so I have been making a great effort to change this.  Just on a side note, Flava Flav was at the show and he was pretty funny.

So we are leaving Vegas, on a 10 hour ride to Sacramento, and we got stuck in accident traffic for 2 hours.  So as we sat there on the highway, with the bus stopped, me and King Handles chilled in the back.  King is from Vancuver and is competing for the contract on the tour.  While we were in the traffic, we started talking to a hispanic family next to us.  This family was composed of a mom, dad, 15 yr old daughter, and 9 yr old son.  The daughter was very attractive, ahd to say lol, for her age and kept staring at me and King lol.  Well the point of this story is that the family was listening to music and taking requests which led to the whole family singing "straight outta compton" hahahaha.

So we get to Sacramento, stay at a shitty hotel, and nothing really happened.  I was so pissed that the only bar I could find within walking distance was some bowling alley, so that was interesting.  It was real hot for the show, and it was a pain sitting outside in it all day.  So anyway, I thought I would get to see Steph at this stop, but she was busy with competition, congrats to her for even being there.  

Well, I am here in San Diego, with a show tomorrow morning.  I went shopping today, in the many shops here, and got another pair of sneakers (force highs). I went out to a few spots for some beers today, but again, I am alone so its just not that fun.  After the show tomorrow, we will head to LA for 2 days, got to Oakland for 2, then back to LA for a show.  This whole travel lineup doesnt make much sense to me at all.  LA will be good because we are staying in the hills.  So untill then,

Cheers

First Stop, Seattle

Alrighty, so the first show is over and done with and surprisingly went quite smooth. My end went well and the competitors seemed to really enjoy the no drama, chill show that they dont get with HIN. The game was pretty fun to watch, lots of entertainment. I'm about to take my first bus ride, and it will by far be the longest at 16 hours. So this tour could get interesting fast.

As for the trip itself to Seattle, I really had a good time. This is a great city and you should definitely come check it out sometime. Seattle Joe was kind enough to show me around and even took me out to the mountains. Going out to the bar may have been a mistake, but meeting his friends was dope. I dont have much else to say to you guys right now, im sortof rushed to eat and hit the road.

It has been real great hearing from you guys on the net when im online and from facebook, soo thanks for that. I love to hear from my people on the moon. I should have more to say here, but im still trying to take this all in and settle down. Check out my picture site at ballertim.myphotoalbum.com , ill be posting all my pics on that site.

1 down, 29 to go. Cheers for now. Laters

Bye, Bye, Bye

Well, the day has finally come... I am leaving for the summer. I was pretty unaware about the seriously good friends that I have from RMU. This weekend/ past 2 days has shown me how good my friends are and how much they mean to me. Not to sure what all happened with the whole Ashley thing, but hopefully we can work things out when she has the time. I am speechless and owe so much to the people that came out and helped me have some good memories to take with me on the road. I am sitting here writing this with 4 hours until my flight leaves, and I am not at all tired. I have just been going over my regular travel checklist in my head over and over, it is just so weird that this trip will not end for so long.

I am hoping that I will be able to talk to everyone as often as possible, and see as many people on my July 4 break. I will be in the tri state are these following dates, so come out and try to see me. We can surely rock out in Cleveland.

SUN	29	Washington, DC	Verizon Center
AUGUST
DAY	DATE	CITY	VENUE	TIX
WED	1	Norfolk, VA	Constant Center	June 2
SAT	4	Cincinnati, OH	US Bank Arena	June 2
WED	8	Cleveland, OH	Wolstein Center	June 2
SAT	11	Buffalo, NY	HSBC Arena	June 2
WED	15	Manchester, NH	Verizon Wireless Arena	June 2
SUN	19	Philadelphia, PA	Wachovia Center
WED	22	Hartford, CT	Civic Center Coliseum	June 2
SAT	25	New York, NY	Madison Square Garden

Those are all the dates from the tour that get decently close, so try to come check it out. I don't think im going to go to sleep now, I'm just going to finish getting things together and think about the great friends that I have. I'll post again once I get settled in Seattle. Until then, Cheers

Travel Plans Set, Website Up

Well, my flight has been set and I am leaving on the 30th, next Wed. I have been very busy with this tour so far trying to get the word out and recruit cars. Its so nice that I have someone on my back right now making sure I get the cars... I am pretty ready to leave this place and get on the road. All i have to worry about from home is getting my summer class work done. I dont have much more to say so here is some info on the show if you care...



Streetball is bigger and better than ever and coming to a court near you! The trash-talking. The sizzling one-on-one face-offs. The crazy dunks. Streeball has been rejuvenated, the excitement is back, and fans can get closer than ever to the action this year with the launch of the 30-city arena *Ball4Real Streetball Tour*. Presented by Mountain Dew, the tour features top stars made famous on *ESPN's* "*Streetball*," the best streetball players in the world. The tour* *kicks off on June 1, 2007 in Seattle, WA at the Key Arena and culminates in the ultimate showdown at the world famous Madison Square Garden in New York City on August 25, 2007. Brought to you by the masterminds and basketball talent behind the previous years' *AND 1 Mixtape Tour*, the electrifying Ball4Real Streetball Tour is nothing but real: the members of this tour are not just players in the game. They own the game. *Lisa Fusco* – former GM of the AND 1 Mixtape Tour – and the game's hottest streetball players founded *and* own *Streetball Entertainment* and the *Ball4Real Tour*, which means they answer to no one but the game and the fans of the game. It doesn't get any more real than that! Ball4Real will play in the biggest and best venues in the country, but will pay homage to the streets where all the players got their start by offering fans arena-level play at playground prices, with *lower level* *tickets ranging from $10-$30*. The *Block Party*, a free event in conjunction with the tour featuring a live DJ, a custom car show, food, prizes, merchandise, interactive activities, and much more…but most importantly great streetball action with local hotshots competing against the professional streetballers for a shot at the big game and ultimately a $100,000 Ball4Real contract. Inside world-class arenas thousands of fans can see their favorite players formerly on ESPN's "Streetball" as part of the revolutionary, brand new, player-owned Streetball Entertainment Ball4Real Tour. Players include *AO*, *Main Event*, *Spyda*, *50*, *½ Man ½ Amazing*, *Shane the Dribbling Machine *, *Circus*, *Special FX*, *I'll Be Right Back*, *Killa Kirby*, *High Octane *, *Pharmacist*, *Coach Steve Burtt* and *Mr. 720* (formerly *Air Up There*), who performed the first-ever 720º dunk during a game in Houston last season!

Preparing for the tour...

So here's whats going on...

I signed on to do the Ball 4 Real Worldwide tour (www.ball4real.com). I will be traveling the country with this basketball show to put car shows on for added entertainment. The show covers 30 cities in the span of 90 days. The first stop is in Seattle, and finishes in NYC. Check the website for the complete schedule. I am hoping to write a weekly blog, or even more, about my adventures. I hope to include pictures and videos along with the written blog. This tour is a huge opportunity, not only for myself, but for my company the NCCA. ESPN2 will air 13 episodes documenting the tour.

This chance of a lifetime is something that I am diving right into, and leaving everything behind. Family, friends, and a special lady will all have to wait 3 months for me to get back. Now that I am "done" with college, I have to get myself out there if I plan on doing big things. I am hoping that this will launch me into what I have been looking for. Working the Hot Import Night shows has been one hell of an experience for me, and has led me to many very good relationships with competitors, industry leaders, and other known faces within the custom car world. This simple hobby that I started to love so many years ago, is quickly turning into a lifestyle and career. With the help of some very big names, I hope to one day reach that kind of status.

I am worried that leaving for this long will be hard physically and emotionally, but I have never been one to let those things slow me down. There comes a time in life when you have to look out for yourself, and now is that time. I have made some everlasting relationships and friends while in college, and some that are even getting more serious, but they will all be put on hold for my new job. When I look back on these next three months I will surely have zero regrets, and hopefully have many doors opened for me.

I am writing this first post on the eve of my final HIN show here in Philly, and hope to make the best of the chances I have received so far with this company. Tomorrow I will not only be leading the staff to a successful show, but I will be meeting the new bosses that I will have for the summer. Life is about experiences and not about regrets, the things you do will only make good stories. The more you try and experience in life, the better the stories that you will be able to tell in the future.


That is all for now, I will post again before I leave to let you know about all the preparations I will make for the tour and to let you know how this show went. Until then, cheers.