Archive for the ‘Sports’ Category

Dimes

May 24th, 2013

A great game to play at a baseball game, better with more people, but I have played with as little as 3.

It is your batter…

Out = -.10
1B = +.10
2B = +.20
3b = +.30
HR = +.25
Beach Ball on Field = -$1
HBP = +.10
Walk = +.10
Sacrafice = Even
Reach By Error (unless it is a single and an error etc) = Even
RBI = +.10
SB = +.10
CS = -.10
K Swinging = -.10
K Looking = -.25

Paid out to each player, or from each player

Cheaters Never Prosper?

August 29th, 2012

A little disorganized rant:

I posed this statement on facebook the other day:

do the ends justify the means? I love lance for his fortitude in fighting cancer, for his perseverance and determination to raise money thru his foundation. For that, call him a hero if you want. Please do not call him a hero for his cycling. Cheating can be forgiven. But cheating itself is despicable and does not make you a hero. Does the end – all his cancer awareness and funds, justify what it took (and what he took) to be noticed?
http://www.forbes.com/sites/richkarlgaard/2012/08/24/did-lance-armstrong-quit-the-fight-to-hide-more-dirt/

Witchhunt – Cheaters never prosper
Do I agree with the witchhunt to convict Clemens, Palmerio, McGwire, Armstrong, Bonds etc? No. I think the government and these governing agencies have their own vendetta to teach a bigger lesson of “Cheaters Never Prosper.” It was a phrase I heard over and over as a child, as my parents wanted to teach me the value of ethics and honesty. These governing agencies are just trying to spank these cheaters, and prove a lesson to the rest of the world. But the cheaters are prospering How much money and fame have these people gotten? Despite admitting to taking things that improved their performance (sure, debatable), their personal accomplishments are still revered. Thier stats are still held as “records.”

The act of cheating is forgivable. Im not a saint. There have been many decisions and choices and actions that I am ashamed of, that I belive I was wrong for. I am grateful that I don’t have to stand trial in the court of public opinion like these people do. The bible says “all have fallen short…” I am no different than these people, in that I too have made mistakes.

Lance Armstrong was never found fraudlent in his drug tests. Well at least in his tests that were submissable evidence (technicalities). However he recently dropped his fight, conceivably, because of the insurmountable evidence against him, that included many eye-witnesses. It was a good PR move. Quit (he was never a quitter before), when it got too rough, when he didnt want the new evidence coming out, and before his name was dragged thru the press again, this time with the required proof.

Cheaters should not be revered as hero’s.

Lance can be considered a “hero” for all of his work that he and his foundation have done to raise awareness and funds for cancer research.
Lance can be considered a hero for his own fight and victory over testicular cancer (was this cancer caused by PED’s?).
Please do not consider Lance a hero for his cycling or his hard work that he put into his cycling. This was all negated by his cheating.

ryan braun – mvp
arod – former MVP soon to be hr record holder
bonds – former mvp current hr record holder
Mcgwire – former hr season record holder
Clemens – countless cy youngs

Im fed up with people gaining exposure, fame, money, and reverence because they excelled at something, and cheated to do so.

Links:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/richkarlgaard/2012/08/24/did-lance-armstrong-quit-the-fight-to-hide-more-dirt/

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/sportingscene/2012/08/lance-armstrong-decision-not-to-fight-doping-charges.html

http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/armstrongcharging0613.pdf

http://www.forbes.com/sites/richkarlgaard/2012/06/13/lance-armstrong-hero-cheat-and-tragic-figure/2/

http://deadspin.com/5938299/

Beerfest

June 3rd, 2012

Was just retweeted by Zane Lamprey to his 46K followers. How fun.

Retweeted by Zane Lamprey

Oh What A Finish – Christiano Ronaldo

April 12th, 2012

A wet dream of orgasmic proportions. These goals are amazing, the commentary is comment worthy. Ronaldo and Real Madrid vs Athletico Madrid this past week.

It’s got more ups and downs than space mountain.

Oh What A Finish – Raul

April 12th, 2012

Raul, so smooth, so classic. I love the deft deke of the goalkeeper in this game between Raul’s Schalke vs Hannover from this past week.

Oh What A Finish – Dorlan Pabon

April 12th, 2012

A powerful shot from the game between two Colombian teams – Nacional vs Peñarol Copa Libertadores April 10, 2012.

World Cup Memories

July 14th, 2010

The World Cup just ended this weekend.  I am sad.  But my body is rejoicing as that means no more 4:30 am games to wake up for, and the ability to sleep in on Saturday as well.

1994 hosted in USA
The first year that I remember the World Cup.  USA was hosting, and therefore there was TV coverage.  Although, all of the games were not on tv, only a select few.  I remember specifically the game on July 4th.  USA was playing Brazil in the knockout stage.  The USA was wearing these garish blue uniforms with stars all over them, and red shorts.  I believe it was a Sunday and after church, found my seat in my parents room and watched the TV.  It was a 1-0 loss.  I don’t remember much else from that year’s event.  Robbie went to a game in Pasadena (with Lane?), saw Camaroon play.  He bought me a souvenir shirt.  I kept that shirt, and believe I still even have it in storage.

1998 Hosted in France
This world cup was the first time I had watched more than just USA games.  I had graduated from Westmont only a month before, and had been home for only a couple of weeks.  We lived in Green Valley, and I had turned Robbie’s room into my living room.  I had a couch in there, my stereo, my television, and my blue recliner.  A summer earlier, I had been in France and seen a lot of the hype and build up to this event.  Being fresh out of school, I did not have a job quite yet.  This was going to be the summer I immersed myself into the tournament.

The first games of the day were around 6 or 7 am if I recall.  This is very early in the day for a recent college student.  I remember dragging myself out of bed daily, down the hall, and sitting in the recliner with a blanket as I listened to Dave Revsine do the pregame show.  Still to this day, anytime I hear this guy’s voice, I think back to that wonderful summer.

So continuing, I would wake up early, watch the game while half falling asleep, and I would stay in that chair drifting between sleep and awake to watch all the games of the day.  I don’t think I quite watched (or sat there for) every game of the tournament, but I think I came close.  Though, I can’t tell you much about that tournament orther than blue recliner and an announcer, but it was my first full dive into the World Cup.  I will cherish it forever.

2002 Hosted by Japan and Korea
I will consider this the Lost World Cup.  I do not have much reccollection of this tournament.   I know I watched some of it.  I just don’t remember where and when and with whom.

It was the summer after I began officially dating Lisa.  I was working at Tierra.net. Had I moved into 4s Ranch yet?  Or was I still living at home?  Hmmm

2006 Hosted by Germany
This was a really fun year of watching the World Cup.  Other than the summer of 98, probably my favorite one yet!  I was living in RB with Juan and Mike.  I was working at Emerald.

During the day at work, I would have a window open on my computer to TVU.  This is a program that plays tv from around the world.  I would listen to the audio, and as soon as I heard some excitement, I would alt+tab to that window and watch live streaming television of the game.  It was awesome.

Then, for the month long tournament, every weekend Juan, Lisa and Myself would spend the night at the Oceanside beachhouse.  We would wake up early for games, and then nap and hang out at the beach all weekend.  It was like a weekly holiday.  I loved it!  Having beach weekends all month, in the summer, with world class soccer, with 2 of my best friends will always be one of my favorite all time memories of the world cup.

This was also the first time there was a World Cup when HD TV existed.  Fortunately for us, the beach house had an HD tv. I remember the final was played on a Sunday, and Tom and Sue also came out.

2010 Hosted by South Africa
Another fun World Cup.  I nearly watched every game.  But the schedule caught up with me.  The first game of the day was at 4:30 in the morning, followed by 7:00 am game, and then a 11:30 am game.  Some days, I would wake up for the first game, bright and early.  I would shower and get ready for work during halftime.  And then when the game ended, I would go to work so I could be there by 6:30.

I would then try to avoid scores all day, as my work no longer allowed the use of TVU.  When I would go home, I would then watch the 2 games I missed, on Tivo.  But being so tired from the early game, it would always be a struggle to keep my eyes open.  Although, I did.  And then I would go to bed at 8pm if I could.

On the weekends, I would go over to Juan and Lisa’s condo, and watch the first two games.  Then at 9:30 am, would go nap by their relaxing pool.  Then would watch the 11:30 am game after that.

For the finals, we had a little gathering at my parents house to watch the Dutch play against Spain.  Everyone was sort pulling for the Dutch, except Juan and Lala.  Dressed in orange, we had a fun time, and Spain won in extra time.

I look forward to 4 years from now, when the time zone will be a little bit closer.  Brazil 2014.  Where will I be then?  For every World Cup I have watched, I have lived in a different house.  What will change in the next 4 years?

I can hardly wait!

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbn3rOPmR9w

Awesome World Cup Pictures

July 14th, 2010

Click on the links below for are some amazing pictures from a really fun World Cup.

4.  2010 World Cup comes to a close

3.  Halfway in – 2010 World Cup

2.  Opening weekend – 2010 World Cup

1.  Preparing for the World Cup

World Cup Fever

May 21st, 2010

I think Nike would be my dream company to work for.  I have mentioned this before, but their marketing campaigns are always so clever, and so…perfect.

They have once again succeeded.  Their recent ads for the world-cup sent chills throughout my entire body.  As Seth Meyers tweeted:

Second to the games the most exciting thing about a WC is the accompanying Nike ad. http://bit.ly/aPzWGLless than a minute ago via web

Though, one downside is the use of Ronaldhino will be more than he actually plays this summer, since he was left off of the Brazilian Team.  Plus, one other detail, is that he no longer worthy of the number 10 on the Brazil squad, and hasn’t been the 10 in some time.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idLG6jh23yE

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsJKPYN5_vY

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSr4QnwOePQ

He’s Got An Awesome Mustache

March 10th, 2010

Billy Crudup as Russell Hammond in Almost Famous

If you recall a recent snide of mine, you will recall that I was going big, bushy, and walrussy with my beard.  Well, now that March has rolled around, it is Mustache month.  I recently shaved my beard down into a mustache for the month.  I wasn’t sure what to do with my sideburns at first, so I decided to just keep them long and bushy.

I think I resemble a little,  Billy Crudup.  A little bit like when he plays guitarist, Russell Hammond in the band Stillwater,  in the movie Almost Famous.

But I especially think I look like him when he played Steve Prefontaine in the 1998  movie, Without Limits.  Without Limits follows a couple of story lines, including the invention of the shoe brand Nike.  But the main story line is of the life of Pre.  Pre was a world class runner, that refused to follow your typical trends and protocols when it came to sport.  He competed furiously in the Olympics and for University of Oregon.  His life died before he was able to fulfill his tremendous talents.  If you have never seen the movie, you can borrow it from me.  I highly recommend it.

Billy Crudup as Steve Prefontaine

I don’t want to turn this snide into a review and campaign for this movie, but the truth is, is it is a very inspiring movie.  Here are a couple of great quotes:

Bill Bowerman: Running, one might say, is basically an absurd past-time upon which to be exhausting ourselves. But if you can find meaning, in the kind of running you have to do to stay on this team, chances are you will be able to find meaning in another absurd past-time: Life.

And in another point of the movie, Pre says:

Steve Prefontaine: I don’t want to win unless I know I’ve done my best, and the only way I know how to do that is to run out front, flat out until I have nothing left. Winning any other way is chicken-shit.

Ok, now lets get back to the main reason of this snide, my beautiful mustache.

And now for a very catchy mustache song.  Make sure you watch till the end, as the best part is at the end when they say “he’s got an awesome mustache.”

This Week I'm Thinking About: Jason Roth