Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Real Sports
You know what's not a sport? Swimming.
In my mind sports are athletic competitions in which there is relatively an offense and defensive interacting. Now, I know that it takes an immense amount skill and ability to do some other activities, but that's how I define the word 'sport'. All other so called 'sports' I don't think are technically 'sports'. This includes, bowling, track & field, skying, golf, and others. Now, don't get me wrong! I love a lot of these. I love playing golf and bowling isn't too bad either. But, under a technical scope I don't categorize them as 'sports'. I think they are more 'competitive activities' in which to compete. You know, "Who can do this one thing better?".
Who can swim this pool length faster"
Who can finish this par 5 dogwood in the fewest strokes?"
Who can get the highest bowling score?"
But, I think basketball, baseball, and certainly football are much more complicated because the two teams interact with each other during play and have an equal effect on what occurs in the game and scoring of each team..
However, for the record, due the social forces and norms that now dictate what are sports, I have no problems with swimming, golf and those others mention being categorized as 'sports'. Those who compete in them are certainly talented and worked hard enough to get recognized on ESPN.
But then again, how is 'tire changing' or 'house building' or 'vodka drinking' not a sport?
(I suppose if Vodka drinking was a sport Paul Valentine would win every time and the whole sport would get very boring)
In my mind sports are athletic competitions in which there is relatively an offense and defensive interacting. Now, I know that it takes an immense amount skill and ability to do some other activities, but that's how I define the word 'sport'. All other so called 'sports' I don't think are technically 'sports'. This includes, bowling, track & field, skying, golf, and others. Now, don't get me wrong! I love a lot of these. I love playing golf and bowling isn't too bad either. But, under a technical scope I don't categorize them as 'sports'. I think they are more 'competitive activities' in which to compete. You know, "Who can do this one thing better?".
Who can swim this pool length faster"
Who can finish this par 5 dogwood in the fewest strokes?"
Who can get the highest bowling score?"
But, I think basketball, baseball, and certainly football are much more complicated because the two teams interact with each other during play and have an equal effect on what occurs in the game and scoring of each team..
However, for the record, due the social forces and norms that now dictate what are sports, I have no problems with swimming, golf and those others mention being categorized as 'sports'. Those who compete in them are certainly talented and worked hard enough to get recognized on ESPN.
But then again, how is 'tire changing' or 'house building' or 'vodka drinking' not a sport?
(I suppose if Vodka drinking was a sport Paul Valentine would win every time and the whole sport would get very boring)
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Twitter? Why am I supposed to do this thing? Really? Why? I don't see any huge benefits. Do you? Not unless you're some kind of hipster, I suppose. According to Paul Valentine,"Twitter is only used by sports recruits, sports recruiting agents, and communists!" So, which one are you? Now, I don't like to jump to conclusions, but I'll take Mr. Valentines word over anyone's. Now it seems that on Twitter you tend to follow two types of 'Tweets" (that's the dumb name the gave people who use it). You can follow celebrities, and your friends. Well, when it comes to celebrities couldn't you just read the news? I mean if its anything important happens it will probably be on some celebrity new website within 15 minutes. So unless you're really interested in what kind of cheese omelet Shaq ordered for breakfast I don't think you really need to follow his twitter. And as for your friends, I mean, come on. This inter networking of social communication on the Internet is getting a little out of hand. I mean I do care about what my friends are doing but not to the point that I think I should be checking up on their "micro blog" every few hours. Doesn't feel good to actually run into a friend, in person, and find out what their up to? And you already know which people and friends are going to be using twitter and which ones aren't. So what, you can't communicate with friends that don't have twitter? You'll never be able to hang out with them because they don't have a 140 character sentence telling you and everyone else what their doing? Give me a break. We seemed to get by just find before. You know what I'm gonna do? I'm going to call them to see what's up. I'm even going to text them to see what's going on. I'll even go as far as to Facebook message them! But, twitter? No, that's where I draw the line. Anyway, I here this whole technology thing is on the decline. Yep, carrier pigeons! That's where the future is!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
No More Manu
Yesterday, a friend told me some startling new. San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Manu Ginobili is out for the rest of the season as well as the playoffs. After sitting out for over a month due to a stress fracture in his ankle, Ginobili returned to the Spurs, only to play in a few games before straining his ankle again. So it is with a heavy heart and great reluctance that I say "the era of Ginobili is over."
Considered one of the greatest guards in the game, Ginobili spent seven years in the NBA all of them with the Spurs. The 57th draft pick overall he was later regarded as a one of the greatest draft steals of all time. Known for his aggressive style as well as his clutch play, Ginobili became and integral part of the Spurs lineup. He became a necessary sixth man to continue offensive play when the starters went out. Out of the seven years, Ginobili and the Spurs won three NBA championships. He is also the only player to win the Euroleague, an Olympic gold medal, and an NBA Championship, as well as being the second Latin American to be an NBA All-Star. At the age of 31 one it seems more likely than not that Ginobili will never be able to produce in the manner and consistency that he once did. He will be missed. And I'm sure numerous people will be wearing Ginobili costumes for many Halloweens to come.
Ginobili....................................FOR THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Considered one of the greatest guards in the game, Ginobili spent seven years in the NBA all of them with the Spurs. The 57th draft pick overall he was later regarded as a one of the greatest draft steals of all time. Known for his aggressive style as well as his clutch play, Ginobili became and integral part of the Spurs lineup. He became a necessary sixth man to continue offensive play when the starters went out. Out of the seven years, Ginobili and the Spurs won three NBA championships. He is also the only player to win the Euroleague, an Olympic gold medal, and an NBA Championship, as well as being the second Latin American to be an NBA All-Star. At the age of 31 one it seems more likely than not that Ginobili will never be able to produce in the manner and consistency that he once did. He will be missed. And I'm sure numerous people will be wearing Ginobili costumes for many Halloweens to come.
Ginobili....................................FOR THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
(Warren Buffet + Tom Osborne) x Corn = Jobs
So the unemployment rate for last month when up in 49 states. Which state actually had a drop in its unemployment? Nebraska
http://money.cnn.com/2009/03/27/news/economy/state_unemployment/index.htm
Why was Nebraska the only state to be gaining jobs?
Theory 1: Well it's simple, Warren Buffet is considered to be one of the worlds successful investors and businessman. While Tom Osborne is considered one of the greatest college football coach (and three term congressman) in the twentieth century. Together they challenge unemployment to try and take their states jobs. But how can the basic consequences of an unregulated free market business cycle stand up against two of God's emissaries (It's in the Bible, look it up.)? You can't. Not if they control 1/4 of the countries corn supply; roughly 12% of the world's. Nope as long as there's corn to be husked and 'Bo Big Red' shirts to be sold, Nebraska's economy will thrive. Some even say that Tom Osborne can't be killed, that is blood is made of pure success. It's a good thing I cut my wrists last week and got a blood transfusion from him.
Theory 2: Inhabitants of Nebraska leave at the first chance they get. The only thing holding them there is a job. So, as soon as they loose that, they're gone. And along with them goes their unemployment statistic.
Theory 3: Bo Pelini's job is the only job that counts.
http://money.cnn.com/2009/03/27/news/economy/state_unemployment/index.htm
Why was Nebraska the only state to be gaining jobs?
Theory 1: Well it's simple, Warren Buffet is considered to be one of the worlds successful investors and businessman. While Tom Osborne is considered one of the greatest college football coach (and three term congressman) in the twentieth century. Together they challenge unemployment to try and take their states jobs. But how can the basic consequences of an unregulated free market business cycle stand up against two of God's emissaries (It's in the Bible, look it up.)? You can't. Not if they control 1/4 of the countries corn supply; roughly 12% of the world's. Nope as long as there's corn to be husked and 'Bo Big Red' shirts to be sold, Nebraska's economy will thrive. Some even say that Tom Osborne can't be killed, that is blood is made of pure success. It's a good thing I cut my wrists last week and got a blood transfusion from him.
Theory 2: Inhabitants of Nebraska leave at the first chance they get. The only thing holding them there is a job. So, as soon as they loose that, they're gone. And along with them goes their unemployment statistic.
Theory 3: Bo Pelini's job is the only job that counts.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Opening Day - Sunday April 5
On Sunday, Major League Baseball begin it's regular season. This 162 game period graces our presence every spring, summer and fall with exuberance and joy. Baseball's timeless institute that we so desperately need now. With our country is economic and political despair, and with the entire American population realizing that Barack Obama is neither a terrorist, nor the son of God sent down to us as a savior, where can we turn? When because of no more oil, what do we watch? Who do we cheer for when basketball turns into game for only superhumans like Lebron, Kobe, and Ginobili, full unimaginable dunks and layups that can't be done on the public court down the street? When the entire game of football is played by only the biggest, strongest, and fastest who can now single handily play all the positions, then what do we do? When soccer is.................ah...............when soccer..................when soccer starts....................when it starts to be ......................dominated by hordes of wild bears who play in regional bracket systems and have no sympathy for electing a world champion! Then what?! Well, we'll always have baseball. A sport where you don't need to be the strongest man alive (despite what Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez told you), where no one needs to be shirts or skins, where you can't run out the clock, where if you succeed 3 out of 10 times you're considered a good player, where you can use 'ghost runners' if you don't have enough players, and where you're wife won't mind you getting excited over someone else's curves.
Some people say it's boring, I say they're communist. You must try and enjoy the finer points and occurrences of the game. There is no more smoothing sound than that of a ball hitting a bat right in the sweet spot. Nor is there more a angelic image than a swung on strike three, split-finger fastball. The skillful throw to second by the catcher on a 4th inning steal that lands in the perfect position for the field to make the tag creates an awe inspiring image. "OUT!" God, there is nothing like it.
Baseball is a game to be savored, not gulped. There's time to discuss everything between pitches and innings. Talk with your friends, reminisce, eat a hot dot, try to put the batter off his swing at the critical moment by neatly timed disparagements of his wife's fidelity and his mother's respectability. I enjoy the baseball season every year, and even more so when the Braves make the playoffs. But the game it self provides for a relaxing stimulant to help us in our lives that seem far too fast paced for our own good.
"The two most important things in life are good friends and a good bullpen."
-Jesus Christ 31 CE
Some people say it's boring, I say they're communist. You must try and enjoy the finer points and occurrences of the game. There is no more smoothing sound than that of a ball hitting a bat right in the sweet spot. Nor is there more a angelic image than a swung on strike three, split-finger fastball. The skillful throw to second by the catcher on a 4th inning steal that lands in the perfect position for the field to make the tag creates an awe inspiring image. "OUT!" God, there is nothing like it.
Baseball is a game to be savored, not gulped. There's time to discuss everything between pitches and innings. Talk with your friends, reminisce, eat a hot dot, try to put the batter off his swing at the critical moment by neatly timed disparagements of his wife's fidelity and his mother's respectability. I enjoy the baseball season every year, and even more so when the Braves make the playoffs. But the game it self provides for a relaxing stimulant to help us in our lives that seem far too fast paced for our own good.
"The two most important things in life are good friends and a good bullpen."
-Jesus Christ 31 CE
Matt Damon vs. George Clooney
So a friend of mine who shaves probably once a year, also has some baldness in his family. So he, in defense of his own physical short comings that he will eventually have to suffer with, through no fault of his own, decided to make a particular statement to me."I would rather go bald than have to shave."
Well, America, do you consider yourself among those who share in the opinion of my esteemed colleague? I certainly don't. If I had to choose between shaving and going bald, I'm pretty sure I'd choose shaving. Which would you choose?
Unfortunately, we can't choose. So do go out and heckle some 'baldies', as I like to call them, for just being who they are. Simply sit back and realize that when you're 38 and shaving one morning before work, you can walk into your office and/or metting with a full luscious head of hair. Hair that no matter what, will stick with you and not desert you like baldie's hair will. Your hair has something his does not, Loyalty.
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