Inspirational Images:Hakim Warrick gets the ROYAL treament.

"We have no right to ask when sorrow comes, "Why did this happen to me?" unless we ask the same question for every moment of happiness that comes our way." ~Author Unknown

"I knew that with all the good of being a possible NBA draft choice and a great defensive player Karma would (voice muffled) catch up sometime."

~Royal Ivey

One of my all time favorite "dunked on" plays. Hardly anyone remembers that it didn't count and that Warrick was assessed a charge for it. Doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. Both these guys made the league, and both have money so I am sure it is easier to look back on now, but for a while, this was one of the worst College Dunks, in history. Truly a jaw dropping (pun intended) play from Warrick. Context: Final Four, Sycrause vs. Texas, and Royal Ivey is the only one left baseline under the basket.

So nasty it gets unprecedented treatment with a bonus alternate angle photo:

The People (of God?) vs. PJ Morton

I don't write much about music on this blog. Well, I guess that's a bit disingenuous...

...

I don't write MUCH on this blog.

Because of that, I guess that many of my interests and favorites aren't ever brought up much.

If you do know me personally, though, you know that I love music. And not that excrement they pump sonically through the radio. I mean MUSIC. At first I really only listened to gospel. Then for about a semester (after rooming with co-blogger Steven LaiHing), I surrendered to the depths of hell and embarked on a journey into rap music and hip hop.

(lol just kidding Steve. I actually did enjoy some of what I heard. I still have to pray for strength to not set Tupac's "When We Ride on Our Enemies" as my alarm some mornings...)

Anyway, over the last 7 years I have forayed into just about every genre, listened to everything at least once or twice, and really expanded my own knowledge and perspective on what music actually IS.

That's why, when I finished wandering across the musical landscape, my heart and mind returned to two genres: gospel music and R&B.

For that reason, PJ Morton is one of my favorite artists. To keep the background brief, he is the son of two pastors, Bishops Paul and Debra Morton, who also are recording artists. So PJ was raised both in the church and in the music biz. He started a group called "Freestyle Nation," who I actually saw perform at Madison Mission in 2003, and from the beginning his songs and themes were different than the big-choir church music his parents performed. His music was not widely accepted in the church.

Six years later, PJ is on the cusp of a breakout as an artist. He is performing for packed audiences and getting invited to perform across the country.

Only problem is...now he is considered a secular artist. His style, musical content, and overall goals haven't changed. He even won a Stellar award for "Song of the Year" in 2008, so his ties to gospel haven't been broken. But he tours as all other soul/R&B musicians do these days, sometimes in concert halls, sometimes in clubs.

So apparently within the last week, CNN actually contributed a segment to this debate, discussing PJ, his book "Why Can't I Sing About Love?", and the debate surrounding his "secular" music career. The segment flashes between PJ explaining his stance and Tye Tribbett offering the opposing perspective. You can watch the video here.

After watching that video, as well as PJ's response to the segment on YouTube, I felt a lot more passionate about this subject than I had expected to. I actually ended up writing an enormous comment to post on YouTube (and I have NEVER posted a comment on a video before). The comment was so enormous that, in fact, it was too big to even post on YouTube. So I ended up just sending it straight to PJ's account. There's a major chance that he never ends up reading it, but either way I had to at least put it out there.

So here is the message I sent. As a disclaimer before the disclaimer, I was writing a message with YouTube in mind, so my shifts in conversation between speaking generally and speaking to PJ specifically were supposed to make sense in that context. In this one...not so much. So just bear with me...it.

This was what i sent to a friend, and then i fixed it up for YouTube, but then realized it was too big to post, so...yeah, here you go.

---------------

PJ, I agree with you AND Tye in this situation. FIRST off, if the debate is about only writing songs about Jesus then Tye really needs to be more introspective, because nothing about "Good in the Hood" was edifying Christ! But honestly I don't even think that Tye is attacking PJ's situation. When Tye & GA were in the secular world they were there as vocalists and background performers, and they had to follow the lead of whatever the artists were doing, in the way they lived and the songs they sang. PJ is a lead artist who controls his own songs, the lifestyle he lives on the road, the places he will and won't perform, and every other aspect of his career/ministry. So whereas I agree with Tye (and the Bible) that "no man can serve two masters," I think that in his secular experience Tye DID serve two masters, whereas PJ is on a path that, I believe through my own experience with his music, is both God-led and God-inspired.

In my humble opinion, PJ is a CHRISTIAN artist. He reflects Christian principles in his music. A LOT of artists within the genre of "gospel music" perform songs that are less about Jesus and really more about Christian themes and Christian life like PJ's music (Examples: Mary Mary, Kierra Sheard, Karen Clark, Deitrick Hadden, Kirk Franklin, J Moss, etc). So I can't understand why GOSPEL artists get so much leeway in what they can and can't perform, but then a Christian artist who presents a message in seemingly every song is seen as being "out there" or "out of God's will." I think we need to think about this a little bit...

Lastly, here's what I suggest we fix: instead of calling BLACK church music "Gospel" and WHITE church music "Christian" (and yes it's true, check iTunes, Amazon, wherever you want!), why don't we stop defining ourselves and our music by race? We can call songs about Jesus "Gospel music" and songs that exemplify the principles of godly living "Christian music". Then PJ wouldn't have to call himself R&B at all.

But then again, until we stop treating love as a secular principle (1 Cor 13), we are just sounding brass and tinkling cymbals anyway. I'm 25 years old, and it's time to "put away childish things"...like that way of thinking.

PJ, just know that the good folk in Dallas are supporting and praying for your ministry. I mean...career. Lol or whatever they wanna let you call it! God bless.

_____

So what do you think on this issue? Hit the comments section, tell me I'm stupid, whatever you desire. Hopefully this debate will lead to positive changes within the gospel music industry. What those changes are, I guess, is what remains to be seen.

Inspirational Images: Shawn Kemp has a moment with Dennis Rodman

"A dwarf standing on the shoulders of a giant may see farther than a giant himself."

Robert Burton

"A Power Forward sitting on the shoulders of a defender may see farther downcourt than the defender himself."

Shawn Kemp

Sorry I was late this week folks, I didn't realize it until 5 minutes ago. For some context: 1996 NBA Finals, game 4, 2:00 left in the 3rd quarter. Seattle leads Chicago 73-57. Isoed on the baseline. Shawn Kemp gives Dennis Rodman a nauseous spin move, and Rodman follows him under the basket to challenge, ending with Kemp hanging...well just look at the pic!! One of the best Finals Dunks in NBA History. Here's the Video for those that care.

"KEMP WITH THE REVERSE!! And lands on Rodman, and is enjoying it!"

Marv Albert

My stance on Mike Vick/PETA. Enough is enough.

*Make sure you vote on the poll question!*
OK. I promised myself I wouldn't get involved with this entire Mike Vick mess, but now it's struck a nerve with me after months and months of absorbing all the media coverage and comments from Animal Lovers and Peta supporters. I'm making a stand here. Mike Vick paid back society for his crime, and I am happy that he is getting another chance to play football. There. I said it. Here is the PETA statement released after Mike Vick was signed by the Eagles:

PETA and millions of decent football fans around the world are disappointed that the Philadelphia Eagles have chosen to sign a man who hanged dogs from trees, electrocuted them with jumper cables, held them underwater until they drowned in his swimming pool, and even threw his own family dogs into the fighting pit to be torn to shreds while he laughed. What sort of message does this send to young fans who care about animals and don't want to see them be harmed?

PETA certainly hopes that Vick has learned his lesson and feels truly remorseful for his crimes—but since he's given no public indication that that's the case, only time will tell. At this point, all Eagles fans can do is cross their fingers and hope that they won't ever have to explain to their sons and daughters what a "rape rack" is and why their favorite player was using one, as Falcons fans once had to.

Interestingly enough, the statement read on ESPN is exactly like this, except for the last "rape rack" line. ESPN apparently chose not to read it on the air (?). Here is my thing, and my major issue with PETA's involvement/responses.

PETA takes the stance that a

Human life is the equivalent (or less, depending on the wacko you are talking to) then an animal life. This includes fish ( they call them sea kittens!), dogs, cats, pigs (which according to a flier here on campus, are smarter then dogs and human toddlers), flies and even ants (!). I simply do NOT agree. If it was between my girlfriend Ebony dying or her beautiful purebred yorkie (see pic below), well Felicity, you had a good run. And it would be an easy decision. I will always place Humans and their welfare on a

higher rung of my personal priorities then an animal. Sorry. I guess it goes back to even Creation, where Christians believe that humans were "given dominion over them" them being nature and animals.

My issue #2: No where in the constitution or in society is it stated or given that someone who makes a mistake of this nature cannot have a second chance. People do prison time for murder, get out, and (although difficult) find jobs. Same for manslaughter, robbery, and DUI. Are we saying as a society that DUI which ends in the KILLING of a human being (Stallworth, and others) is NOT as bad as killing and torturing animals, and running a kennel/illegal gambling ring? Both times required horrible decisions on the part of the perpetrator to be made. Both showed a lack of respect for life, one human, one animals. Both are frowned upon legally. And even with that said, as bad as both crimes are, I just don't see the correlation. From a technical standpoint, dogs have a lifetime of what, 20 years max? They bring joy and love to families as well as protection. Well what does a human do?! I like to think I will live 70 years or longer, and that I have brought joy and love to my family, as well as some protection to my girlfriend by my presence. THEY AREN'T EQUIVALENT.

I have read the comments posted on the official PETA blog, and some of them are sick too. " I hope he never has happiness?" "He doesn't deserve to LIVE?" "He is SCUM of the EARTH?" I think this takes it a little far. Though I actually would have no problem with Vick sitting down for a Psych evaluation just to see what the results were from a scientific perspective, I have reached the end of my rope when it comes to catering to these special interest groups. They are trying to hold the NFL, Mike Vick, and other fans as hostage until we get rid of Mike Vick from society, That cannot happen. They question "What will this teach our kids about animal abuse?" Well, my humble answer is that it will teach them that it is wrong on a moral and legal level, BUT if you are a world class athlete (or have any valuable job skills of any kind) after you pay your debt to society SOMEONE will want you. In other words, better yourself, and become the best at whatever it is you do. Why is it ok for Mike to suffer through JAIL, loss of of his fortune, and now have his first love (football) taken away, yet for other worse crimes, people talk about how it's rough they can't find work post-prison? I have arrived at the point that I feel PETA will NEVER be happy or pacified as to Michael Vick's presence in the NFL, and they will do everything in their power to disrupt games, practices, and fiscal developments with the NFL and the Eagles. I support the Eagles making this decision, and hope it doesn't cost them to many sponsorships who kowtow to this fringe element. Michael Vick deserves to be allowed the opportunity to find work in a field of his choice, outside of anything to do with dogs. He was approached by a business interested in his talents, and he signed. Deal with it. Boo him. But don't do anything crazy, it won't bring anymore positive press to your cause/organization. It's reputation is pretty bad as it is.

'Simply Guitar', A Bible Study Course

About a year ago I decided to learn to play an instrument, along with a few of my friends. Because of desirability, instruments already chosen by my friends, and my parent's desire to not hear incredibly noisy racket coming from upstairs in their home, I went with the acoustic guitar.

When I finally purchased my first guitar (CraigsList), I went to Barnes & Noble to find a book that would teach me the basics--how to tune a guitar, restring it, play basic chords, and so forth. I found exactly what I was looking for, one that included a DVD with lessons for beginners.

What I didn't expect to find, though, was a spiritual lesson I was sorely in need of.

What follows is the introductory letter to my beginner's book, Simply Guitar. Without dumbing it down or overexplaining it to you, let me just say that from the very first time I read it I could almost hear God's voice sort of saying "You know...if this information is that groundbreaking to you, maybe you need to apply it in some OTHER aspects of your life." Things like patience and practicing/applying what you read seem like such simple concepts when learning a musical instrument, yet they seem so foreign and difficult at times when in the context of Bible study.

So read it for yourself. As you do, think of how the tips can apply to your Bible study and, ultimately, your spiritual life. I have tried to minimize the amount of bolding and underlining so you can just read it for yourself and not be worried about what I am thinking. Ok, I said I TRIED...but either way, enjoy:

 

Simply Guitar

To benefit from this book, I recommend you review all the materials as often as you can. Make sure you fully understand everything that has been discussed before you move on to other subjects.

The most important things to remember are the two ‘Ps’; patience and practice. Be patient enough to slow things down and run them over and over, refining your technique with the tips outlined in this book and practice daily.


You will not progress if you don’t practice. I cannot stress enough the importance of daily practice and a regimented, disciplined approach to doing so. Practice all of the priority topics before you mess around. Allocate a few minutes each day to focus purely on your technique. Critique your own playing – could you do that better? is your technique as good as it could be? Does that sound as good as when your teacher plays it? 15 minute practice Monday to Sunday is better than no practice during the week and eight hours on the weekend. (Doesn't that just SOUND like it's talking about how we CRAM all our time with God into one day a week? Oops, didn't mean to intterupt...)


Consolidate your knowledge. I teach a lot of students things that they don’t realize they already know, simply because they haven’t ‘joined the dots’. For example, if I can play a G major chord, I also know that the root not is a G note. Therefore, I know where the G note is on the neck. Using the musical alphabet, I can easily find F# or G# or any surrounding notes from that G note.


Make sure you think about everything you have learnt and everything you know, and try and ‘join the dots’. Try and apply the knowledge you have to your playing.


Listen to great guitar players. Listen to the guitar in songs that you like. Always try and define what you like about them and what you don’t like. Talk to musicians. Use the internet. Buy the videos and books to further your understanding of guitar. Get a good teacher. Try a few different teachers. Play with other guitar players, even if they are beginners. Teach other people what you know, because verbalizing and teaching is a great way to reinforce what you yourself have learnt.


In conclusion, I hope that you have understood my explanations and learnt a lot more than you knew before reading this book.


Keep playing!

Part 1 - Anatomy of a Champion: 1989-2009

What makes a champion a champion? Or more accurately, who?

In thinking about this question, I thought about the players on the championship teams I’ve seen in my lifetime (since the 1989 champion Detroit Pistons were the first team I ever saw playing the sport, I think this is more than appropriate). What I discovered was that, while players varied by ability, age, and position, many of the same roles seemed to apply whether in the late ‘80s, early or late ‘90s, or in the current decade.

This is Part 1, which will take a look at the players that make up each of the 13 Roles. Now mind you, this list is only as exhaustive as my feeble mind, and if you see necessary additions, please leave them in the comments.

And in Part 2, I will make whatever additions are necessary, whether they are player roles or actual players, and then break down each of the champions/dynasties by what exactly made them special.

So here we go—the first player you need…is sort of obvious. Unless you’re the Detroit Pistons circa 2004, that is.

1. The Anomaly (in the Matrix, lol) – the player who came to the team and he’s waaaaay better than anyone else in his time. Game plans are changed when he’s on the court—for both teams.

See:
• Isiah Thomas (Pistons ’89-90)
• Michael Jordan (’02-03…just kiddin…but he still was better than Koooobeeeee!!! Lol)
• Hakeem Olajuwon (’94-95)
• Tim Duncan (Spurs ’99, 03, 05, 07)
• Shaquille O’Neal (2000-02…no we cannot include ’06. We just can’t)
• dang it…Kobe (’09) –could’ve been you, LeBron!!



2. The Surprise – the guy who was never expected to be as good as he is, but he is
See:
• Scottie Pippen (Bulls ’91-93, 96-98)
• Tony Parker (Spurs ’03, 05, 07)
• Chauncey Billups (Pistons ’04)
• Tayshaun Prince (Pistons ’04)
• Ben Wallace (Pistons ’04) - Yup, the Pistons had THREE of these
• Rajon Rondo(Celtics ’08)

3. The Foul Magnet– for some reason, as soon as he comes in the game, the other team starts running out of big men…

See:

• Bill Laimbeer (Pistons ’89-90)

• Michael Jordan (Timeless)

• Tim Duncan (Spurs ’99, 03, 05, 07)

• Manu Ginobili (Spurs, 03, 05, 07)

• Tony Parker (Spurs, 03, 05, 07) – Spurs have THREE of these!!!!

• Shaquille O’Neal (2000-02, ’06)

• Kobe Bryant (Lakers ’00-02, ’09)

• Rip Hamilton (Pistons ’04)

• DWYANE WADE (!!!)(Heat ’06)

• Leon Powe(Celtics ’08)

4. The Giver-and-Taker – This is the player who is the KEY to the team’s chemistry—the one who is good enough to demand the ball more, but is unselfish enough to make the rest of his team work even better by sacrificing his numbers

See:
• Isiah Thomas (Pistons ’89-90)
• Scottie Pippen (Bulls ’91-93, 96-98)
• David Robinson (Spurs ’99, 03)
• Kevin Garnett (Celtics ’08)
• Pau Gasol (Lakers ’09)
• Lamar Odom (Lakers ’09)

5. The guy who EATS jumpers and layups– He’s in his prime, he’s angry, he has crazy leaping ability, and he wants to win. Shoot at your own peril

See:

• John Salley (Pistons ’89-90)

• Hakeem Olajuwon (Rockets ’94-95)

• Shaq (Lakers ’00)

• Ben Wallace (Pistons ’04)

• Alonzo Mourning (Heat ’06) – Clearly he was out of his prime, but he has to be included. He single-handedly ended Game 6 on the road against the Mavs

• KG (Celtics ’08)

6. The Big Shooter– he can moonlight as a 4 or 5, but his shooting range extends to where he almost could be a passable 3
See:
• Bill Laimbeer (Pistons ’89-90)
• Horace Grant (Bulls ’91-93, Lakers ’00)
• Carl Herrera (Rockets ’94-95)
• Robert Horry (Rockets ’94-95, Lakers ’00-02, Spurs ’05, 07. Seriously.)
• Memhet Okur (Pistons ’04)
• Rasheed Wallace (Pistons '04)
• Pau Gasol (Lakers ’09)



7. The Old Vets who want to win– they all had varying levels of talent when they were young, but now they have just enough talent left to maximize their basketball experience to be in the rotation—and all they want to do is WIN
See:
* James Edwards-Vinnie Johnson-Mark Aguirre (Pistons '89-90)
• Kenny Smith-Otis Thorpe-Vernon Maxwell (Rockets ’94)
• Kenny Smith-Drexler-Mario Elie (Rockets '95)
• Rodman-Harper-Kerr (Bulls ’96-98)
• Vinny Del Negro-Sean Elliot-Avery Johnson (Spurs ’99)
• Harper-Horace Grant-Glen Rice/Brian Shaw (Lakers ’00-01)– Yo…that dude Glen was ready. lol
• Shaq-Mourning-Payton (Heat ’06)
• Garnett-Pierce-Allen (Celtics ’08) - Quite possibly the most talented 3 members of this category in the HISTORY of professional basketball

8. The Powder Keg – the guy who’s gonna take the ROOF off the building with a HUGE in a home game at the exact moment your team needs it

See:

• Michael Friggin Jordan (Forever)

• Dennis Rodman (Pistons 89-90, Bulls 96-98)

• Kobe Bryant (Lakers ’00-02, ’09)

• Ben Wallace (Pistons ’04)

• Rasheed Wallace (Pistons ’04)

• Stephen Jackson (Spurs ’03)

• Kevin Garnett (Celtics '08)

• Dwyane Wade (Heat ’06)

9. The Syringe full of Testosterone--the guy who cheers like he was created to warm benches – He has the talent to MAYBE be in the league for another year or so, but his cheering ability is unparalleled, and helps to drive his often-older teammates to push themselves even further

See:

• Cliff Levingston (Bulls ’91-92)

• John Salley (Bulls ’96-98)

• Mark Madsen (Lakers ’01-02)

• Darvin Ham (Pistons '04)

• Sam Cassell (Boston Sam)
• Rony Turiaf (Lakers '…oh wait, he DIDN’T win with them, lol)

10. The guy with the big nutzzz who is 1000 times more valuable in the clutch, for some reason…--he may have taken the entire regular season off, or just not produced big numbers, but all of a sudden, LOOK OUT!!!

See:

• Joe Dumars (Pistons '89-90)

• John Paxson (Bulls ’91-93)

• Robert Horry (Rockets ’94-95, Lakers ’00-02, Spurs ’05, 07)

• Sam Cassell (Rockets '94-95)

• Tony Kukoc (Bulls ’96-98)

• Rasheed Wallace (Pistons ’04)

• Steve Kerr (Bulls ’96-98)

• Stephen Jackson (Spurs ’03)

• Derek Fisher (Lakers ’00-02, ’09)

• Ray Allen (Celtics ’08)
• James Posey (Celtics ’08)
• Eddie House (Celtics ’08)
• Trevor Ariza (Lakers ’09)



11. The guy who might SNAP…at any moment – you might call it a scoring outburst, but it really just refers to a guy who can get CRAZY hot for his team at any moment, and it doesn’t surprise anyone…actually everyone was just waiting for it.
See:
• Joe Dumars (Pistons ’89-90)
• Isiah Thomas (Pistons ’89-90)
• Vinnie Johnson (Pistons ’89-90) (The Bad Boy Pistons had THREE guys who could snap and give you 30…monstrous)
• Michael Jordan (∞)
• Kobe Bryant (Lakers ’00-02, ’09)
• Manu Ginobili (Spurs ’03, 05, 07)
• Rip Hamilton(Pistons ’04)
• Ray Allen (Celtics ’08)
• Paul Pierce (Celtics ’08)

12. The Mouth – He’s not even the best player on his team, but he takes up for his teammates, never backs down from a battle, and when teams get distracted and start talking back to him, suddenly...the game is over

See:

• Bill Laimbeer (Pistons ’89-90)

• John Salley (Pistons ’89-90)

• Michael Jordan (Don't ever talk to him. seriously. Yes you, John Starks.)

• Ron Harper (Lakers ’00-02)

• Rasheed Wallace (Pistons ’04)

• Alonzo Mourning (Heat ’06)

• James Posey (Celtics ’08)

• Eddie House (Celtics ’08)

13. The Crusty - The old guys who are old and smart enough to NOT screw up a good thing – they may be there because they are nearing retirement, or because they are near death

See:
• The end of Phil Jackson’s bench (Bulls ’96-98 (full of old Pistons), Lakers ’00-02 (full of old Bulls))…lol

Part 2 coming soon!!! Please leave your comments.

Inspirational Images: McGrady-Bradley meeting at the rim

"Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us."

…

"Thank God, because my reputation just had gym shorts in it's face!!!"
Thomas Paine (& Shawn Bradley)

Starting something a little new, Monday's I am going to post a pic (or 2) under the banner of "Inspirational Images." Short caption with it, just to get your minds right for the week. Probably sports related, sometimes current or even a historical moment. The first one is above.

For some context: NBA Playoffs 2005, first round West. Rockets-Mavericks, AKA the shootout in Texas. American Airlines Arena. First Quarter, score 19-18 in favor of the Rockets. Mac is in the corner isoed on Dirk, beats him baseline and meets up with the human dunk prop and destiny. One of my favorite all time McGrady dunks. Get healthy Mac!

"Here come McGrady! OH! He just sucked the gravity right out of the building!"

Have a good week!

Some gripes and thoughts on the Palm Pre. By a HTC Winmo fan.

I am currently a Sprint wireless customer (don't groan! they are treating me very well) and I have a HTC Touch Pro. Great phone. Lots of features, etc. If you have been living under a rock, Palm is trying to revive it's business by bringing out the Palm Pre phone. So far estimates are over 500,000 sold since it's June 6 debut. I love the Palm Pre, and could have had one a long time ago, except i am waiting for it to get some key features before i take the web OS plunge:

1) I want more apps. Like, several hundred. This is supposed to be something which makes the pre comparable to the Iphone and separates it from Winmo. Now that the SDK is officially out for developers, I would hope that apps by the dozens are added weekly, but it has been pretty slow. On the other hand, the homebrew community has an apps catalog over 100 now, and with some basic linux knowledge and following of directions you can root your Pre, place it in developers mode, and mod it to your heart's content (see precentral.net)

2) Hack for the ability to force roaming. On most Winmo phones, the application files and files which control the entire phone can easily be accessed using the "file explorer," Entire communities exist (ppcgeeks, xda-developers.com) which write programs (most for free!) that you can use to mod or edit the functions of your phone simply using a usb cable or text message download. For instance, Sprint since last year has taken away the user's ability to force the phone to roam on another network, even if Sprint service is available. This seems fine until you realize that the phone will fight for sprint service even if you cannot complete a call before switching over to another network. This is a real pain, as a lot of the time if you are in the boonies you will be stuck with a phone with unusable sprint service. A .cab file was made which restored the ability to force roam, all one had to do is put it on the phone and open it, and voila! Under network settings, force roaming is an option. In my opinion, the locked down nature of the Iphone and other verizon smartphones is the reason I will never switch carrier. Sprint is known for not locking down attributes and abilities of phones, such as file transfer by bluetooth and GPS.

3) Video capabilities. Why this wasn't implemented at launch i will never know!

I have also discovered that the Pre lacks the ability to zoom in before taking a picture, something the Touch Pro does.

4 )Improved battery life

The Touch Pro has pretty bad battery life, so I will let this one slide; I would probably get the extended 2600 mah battery anyway.

5) Louder ringtones and customizability options. I have read that the ringtones on the Pre aren't as loud as expected, to the point where some people can't hear their phone ring. As a former Nextel customer, this is a sin. At the very least, the phone manufacterer can ensure that the phone makes itself heard in everyday life situations. Also, I would like the ability to customize a ringtone to a contact's incoming text message.

6) More space. I understand that it only comes with 8GB of space (7GB usable) and no room for a memory card, like the Iphone. This is crazy. In 2009, people want the ability to add disk space. My 2008 Touch Pro allows MicroSD cards up to 32GB! Don't charge me extra to have built in space and not give me the ability to add to it. I do have a feeling that later generations of this phone will have more space, like the Iphone.

Now, don't get me wrong. Most of the things on this list i am sure can be done by OTA updates, which would be great. It's a sexy looking phone with a revolutionary OS, wonderful touch screen and processor abilities, and lots of buzz. An actual Iphone competitor. However, unless I can get it for less then retail, I probably won't be making the jump from my trusty touch pro anytime soon.

Here is a side by side comparison between the HTC Touch Pro and the Palm Pre (via phonescoop.com):

Compare Phones

Phone	HTC Touch Pro (CDMA)	Palm Pre (CDMA)
Current U.S. Carriers	Alltel Sprint U.S. Cellular Verizon Wireless	Sprint
Global Availability	Released	Released
Avg. User Rating	3.9 User Reviews	3.92 User Reviews
Add Phone	Remove	Remove
Specifications
Modes	CDMA 850 CDMA 1900	CDMA 850 CDMA 1900
Weight	5.3 oz (150g)	4.76 oz (135g)
Dimensions	4.01" x 2" x 0.71" (102 x 51 x 18 mm)	3.9" x 2.3" x 0.67" (99 x 58 x 17 mm)
Form Factor	Slide	Slide
Antenna	Internal	Internal
Battery Life	Talk: 3.8 hr Standby: ?	Talk: ? Standby: ?
Display	LCD (Color TFT/TFD) 480 x 640 pixels 2.8" Colors: 262,144 (18-bit)	LCD (Color TFT/TFD) 320 x 480 pixels 3.1" Colors: 16.7 million (24-bit)
Platform / OS	Windows Mobile Professional (Pocket PC)	(proprietary)
Memory	328 MB	8 GB
Phone Book Capacity	shared memory	shared memory
	HTC Touch Pro (CDMA)	Palm Pre (CDMA)
Features
GPS / Location	Yes	Yes
Accessibility
Adjustable Text Size	Yes	-
Digital TTY/TDD	Yes	Yes
Hearing Aid Compatible	-	Yes M4 (very compatible)
Multiple Languages	Yes	Yes
Alerts
Polyphonic Ringtones	Yes	Yes
Vibrate	Yes	Yes
Connectivity
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes
PC Sync	Yes	-
USB	Yes	Yes
Wi-Fi	Yes	Yes
Contacts
Multiple Numbers per Name	Yes	Yes
Picture ID	Yes	Yes
Ringer ID	Yes	Yes
Voice Dialing	Yes Speaker-independent (automatic)	-
Customization
Custom Graphics	Yes	Yes
Custom Ringtones	Yes	Yes
Real-Music Ringers	Yes	Yes
Data & Network
Data-Capable	Yes	Yes
Flight Mode	Yes	Yes
Packet Data	Yes 1xEV-DO rA	Yes 1xEV-DO rA
WAP / Web Browser	Yes	Yes
Input
Predictive Text Entry	Yes	-
Side Keys	Yes	Yes
Text Keyboard	Yes QWERTY	Yes QWERTY
Touch Screen	Yes Finger	Yes Finger
Memory
Memory Card Slot	Yes microSD (TransFlash)	-
Messaging
Email Client	Yes	Yes
MMS	Yes *	Yes
Text Messaging	Yes	Yes
Text Messaging Templates	Yes	-
Music
Headphone Jack (3.5mm)	-	Yes
Music Player	Yes	Yes
Photo & Video
Camera	Yes 3+ megapixel	Yes 3+ megapixel
Streaming Video	Yes	Yes
TV Output	Yes	-
Video Capture	Yes	-
Productivity
Alarm	Yes	Yes
Calculator	Yes	Yes
Calendar	Yes	Yes
To-Do List	Yes	Yes
Voice Memo	Yes	-
Software
Games	Yes	Yes
Voice
Speaker Phone	Yes	Yes
	* Some versions only
	HTC Touch Pro (CDMA)	Palm Pre (CDMA)