Sunday, October 31, 2010

The Uses Of Red LED Flashlights

By Christopher Loughten

Flashlights have long been staples of outdoorsmen, security teams, and military troops. Over the past several years, however the use of LED flashlights has become increasingly more popular for both professional and recreational purposes. These lights are available in red, blue, green, ultraviolet, and the choice of color is determined by its specific use.

Green flashlights are used by hunters and fishermen. The green light provides them with illumination while not scaring away the animals they are hunting or fishing for. Green lights also do not attract insects like yellow lights do. Blue lights are used by security and military personnel that need to see charts and maps in darkness to avoid detection. Ultraviolet light is used to detect trace amounts of blood protein and other types of chemicals in crime scenes. They can also be used to detect counterfeit cash, among other things.

The red types provides another color that is often preferred by police and military personnel in order to illuminate hazy or smoky environments and improve night vision. This kind of light cannot be seen for long distances which make it almost impossible to detect. Also, many photographers will use the red colored versions when taking pictures at night.

If someone needs a red diode flashlight, then they should know how to choose the best kind from the many options available. The first thing that is important to check is the battery usage for the flashlight. LED bulbs are much more energy efficient than other kinds of light bulbs, like halogen bulbs or incandescent bulbs. However, the red flashlight may use batteries much quicker if it has several diode bulbs. Choosing a flashlight that is rechargeable or that uses rechargeable batteries might provide a better option so that the necessity of having to purchase new batteries all the time can be avoided.

You should also educate yourself about the durability and features of the red flashlight. As previously stated, red lights are generally used for missions and ops by the military and the police. They should be weatherproof, shockproof and have steel or rubber casings. They must be durable to serve in emergency situations.

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Mixed Media Art Classes In LA - Get Encouraged With The Surrounding Towns

By Clara Berta

Mixed Media Art Classes in LA and its neighboring cities and towns could be truly inspiring especially if you are an artist. What with all the wonderful beaches, bay walks, great architecture, great sunsets together with its lovely people, LA could be a wonderful destination to get your mood on in making your mixed media classes because of the inspiration you can take out of your environment along with various settings of la. You can arrange for numerous quick tours of different areas of LA to get out of your 'rut' and be enlightened once again in making art.

Downtown you'll be able to acquire images of your favorite architectural design or the skyline of the city during the night would be lovely. You may use different mediums of sketches or paints to differentiate the different layers of your photo and encapsulate it in your mixed media painting. You may also have a look at MOCA, or the Museum of Contemporary Art in LA and get your vision encouraged by some other mixed media artists as well. Prepare your vacation there and check out online for the schedules of their several displays. MOCA features a long-term display and in other rooms, feature different artists who are new in the business or who're already known.

Outside of LA, you can go to the many amusement parks and get inspired through the happy times each individual is sharing with their loved ones there. You may either stop by Disneyland, the happiest place on earth, to Knott's berry farm, to Universal studios to be motivated with pop culture, and the list goes on and on. Select a theme park or a zoo; you will come across lots of delighted faces there to inspire you.

You may also relax and take a scenic route for instance a 64-mile route from the city through the desert foothills and into the mountains. This byway, also a designated state panoramic path, gets you out of the smog and up into areas that have some elbow room. The two-lane highway is paved, with frequent scenic turnouts. Traffic is reasonably busy throughout the week and busy on weekends. Special attractions: Wide-ranging vistas, downhill and cross-country skiing, hiking, camping, unique geology, historic sites. All these different locations can give you such a fantastic base for your mixed media painting. There are even aerial tours of Hollywood and also the homes of famous people that you can do. Although it's rather a little bit expensive, any kind of aerial sight of a great town or city supply you with wonderful inspiration for a painting. Make sure to bring your sketch book or your digital camera to enable you to record your experience.

Mixed Media Art Classes in LA can teach you not only ideas and practical ideas in this interests but could also give you motives on your art. Allow the setting of la condition your thoughts and how the city and its community form your art. You can compose your painting with image and myth, employing various mediums of painting.

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What You Must Know About The Des Moines International Airport

By Phil Guye

Are you an American who is wanting to fly out of the region? If that's so, you will have to find out an international airport to journey in and out of. If you are located in or around Iowa, you might really want to explore the Des Moines International Airport. Soon after you have totally researched and reviewed the airport, you will very likely find that it has every thing which you wish, along with everything that you require.

The Des Moines International Airport, like various airports, is simply maintained by a restricted range of airlines. Those airlines consist of Allegiant Air, American Eagle, Comair-Delta, Continental Express, Midwest Airlines, Northwest Airlines, United Airlines and also, US Airways. In the event that you are working with the Des Moines International Airport for the purpose of flying out of the country, you may discover that not all airlines have intercontinental flights. That may be the reason why it is recommended that you keep this in mind when picking an airline to travel with.

Once you have prepared the proper airline reservations, you can commence to be prepared for the remainder of your journey. Particularly, your packing. Whenever doing so, it can be recommended that you keep every air travel rules in mind. In addition to the air travel rules that you must stick to domestically, you are recommended to acquaint yourself with the procedures which can be found in other nations. It really is the best method to make sure that you will manage to have a pleasurable encounter, in order to actually make it to your supposed destination. You can without difficulty do this by calling the Des Moines International Airport specifically or by visiting the online website of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). That online website may be spotted at www.tsa.gov.

Once you arrive at the Des Moines International Airport, you may have to show the proper forms of identification at the initial check-in stage. This ought to be where a person may get all of your boarding tickets. If you are traveling out of the nation, you will need to have additional identification documents. These types of documents may include your passport, a certificate of citizenship, or a replicate of your own birth certificate. The sort of documents necessary will almost certainly rely on where you are traveling to and which airline you are flying with. In the event that you do not have the proper types of identification, you will likely be banned from continuing any further.

Given that you have the appropriate kinds of identification, you should manage to proceed to the next security checkpoint. At the Des Moines International Airport, similar to other international airports, you may find that at the airport security checkpoints are more intensive than those for local flights. That is the reason why it can be incredibly significant that anyone appear at the airport very early. The Des Moines International Airport advises that you show up at least 2 hours earlier. For international routes, they highly recommend that you arrive even earlier.

Determined by how you plan on arriving at the Des Moines International Airport, you may need to make extra accommodations. In case you might be able to obtain a trip to the airport from somebody that you know, your journey can be as easy as it can probably be. In the event that you might be arranging on driving yourself to the airport, you will have to acquaint yourself with airport parking and fees. When you have to have support getting to the airport, you will discover that several buses and taxi cabs support the area.

If you have currently made your flight bookings, out of the Des Moines International Airport, you will want to acquaint oneself with the airport layout, if you have not already done so. In the event that you are not familiar with the airport, you can very easily examine its format on the internet. In reality, you can additionally print off a little, however detailed chart of the complete airport. You may locate this chart, along with different valuable facts by going to the Des Moines International Airport website. That internet site can be found at www.dsmairport.com.

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Everything You Require To Learn Regarding The Louisville International Airport

By Phil Guye

Looking for a cheap way to fly out of the country? If so, do you live within or close to the Louisville, Kentucky area? If you do, there is a great chance that you will be flying out of the Louisville International Airport. The Louisville International Airport is actually identified as being one of the area's finest airports, not only whenever it comes to supplying support, but any time it comes to offering low-cost travel alternatives. For that reason, if you did not already picked an airport to fly out of, you will need to examine the Louisville International Airport and anything that it has to provide.

When deciding on an airport to fly out of, you might end up being worried regarding the airlines which service it. Even though this is a legit concern, you usually do not have to be uneasy. You will see that the Louisville International Airport is maintained by a considerable variety of popular airlines. Those airlines consist of American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Midwest Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Express, and US Airways. Primarily, this means that anywhere you are headed, you ought to be able to locate the trip that you are on the lookout for, whether that flight be non-stop or not.

While it comes to flying in or out of the Louisville International Airport, the airport security employs all principles put in place by the Department of Transportation (DOT), along with the Transporation Security Administration (TSA). This signifies that on all domestic and international flights, razor-sharp objects and liquids are forbidden from your carryon baggage. However, most products, with the exception of combustible or explosive items, are allowed in your checked in luggage. Considering that issues may arise, it is recommended that you can come at the airport, at least, one or one and half hours before hand. When you are due to fly internationally, it is advised that you arrive actually much earlier, just in case.

Like with all other international airports, the Louisville International Airport requires that you have the suitable forms of identification. These items are required before you happen to be granted to enter your plane. It really is critical to realize that these documents have a tendency to differ from those required pertaining to domestic flights. Determined by which airline you are traveling with and where you are going, you might also require to provide your passport, your visa, your birth certificate, or a certificate of citizenship. You're informed to assess with your airline to decide which documents are demanded.

When it comes to parking at the Louisville International Airport, you can find that you have numerous alternatives. In the event that you will be leaving for an international location, but you require to leave your vehicle behind, you can do so at the several long-term parking lots. In addition to long-term parking lots, you'll find also short-term lots accessible. In the event that you are being dropped off at the airport by an individual that plans on assisting you get inside, these people may use the short-term parking lots for a good price. When it comes to paying out for parking, the Louisville International Airport will take, cash, most credit cards, as well as checks.

All these information should have been enough to provide you with exactly what you will need to know, however if you are exploring for much more information, you may do so online. You happen to be urged to examine the Louisville International Airport's online website. That site may be identified through checking out www.flylouisville.com.

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Are You Paid For Your Ideas

By William Clark

There are a great number of individuals who are finding themselves without a job due to the difficult economic climate, and staying ahead of their bills is a challenge for them.

No matter if you are getting unemployment, your benefits have expired, or you just don't have enough cash flow, I am positive that you would like to get some more money to help pay the bills.

Online paid surveys offer you an excellent opportunity to utilize your free time to earn additional cash. Who doesn't like to have others listen to their opinion? Now you can actually make money for sharing what you think!

Consider this. It is natural for us to discuss how we feel about products and services, we are always telling friends and family about our experiences.

Most people do this without even realizing it. Businesses are looking for feedback from their target audience and you can earn money by doing just that.

Businesses will pay you to know what you think about their product just so they are able to remain competitive in their market. They need to determine whether their products and services are meeting the needs and expectations of the consumer in order to operate profitably.

Your opinion is very important, and you can take surveys pertaining to electronics, fashion, sports equipment, or almost anything you can think of! They will pay you for giving your opinion for the things you have already bought and have in your home.

The amount of money you earn from taking these real paid surveys, will not make you a great deal of money fast. However, the money will provide you with extra income that will allow you to pay those overdue bills and also to take that much needed vacation that you have not been able to enjoy because of a lack of additional money. Try it out today and see how much you can earn. You can earn plenty of money by signing up!

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Saturday, October 30, 2010

Denny Hamlin Wins NASCAR Race At Pocono

By Ross Everett

Denny Hamlin, pegged as a future NASCAR superstar, ended a sophomore slump of sorts when he won the rain delayed Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono Raceway. The race had originally been scheduled for a day earlier but was pushed back due to rain. The win was Hamlin's first of the season and broke a 50 race winless streak. His last victory had come in 2008 at Martinsville Raceway.

After the race, an emotional Hamlin dedicated the victory to his grandmother who passed away late last week at the age of 91. His grandmother reportedly watched every race holding her #11 teddy bear"with her eyes just a few inches from the screen as her vision worsened with age:

She understands the competition of the sport and she understands how much she means to me. Like today, she's pretty proud. We definitely had some angels with us today."

The unique triangle shaped track at Pocono has bedeviled many drivers, but Hamlin has always done well on it. He swept both races here as a rookie in 2006 and after the race his boss J.D. Gibbs made note of that fact:

I told him earlier, we're going to lobby for a few extra races at Pocono"

Hamlin moved up to fifth in the NASCAR championship points standings after the victory. Tony Stewart increased his points lead over second place Jimmie Johnson to 197 points with a top ten finish.

Juan Pablo Montoya finished second, moving him up to 8th place in the overall points standings. Clint Bowyer finished third and expressed pleasure with the solid performance in his postrace comments:

"Things haven't been going our way all year long so it feels good to have something swing our way.

Former Indy Car driver Sam Hornish, Jr. took fourth"his best finish since coming to NASCAR. Kasey Kahne rounded out the top five.

Points leader Stewart will have a good opportunity to increase his lead this weekend, as NASCAR heads to Watkins Glen, NY to race on the road course there. Stewart is considered not only the best road course driver among current NASCAR competitors, but arguably the best of all time.

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Argos' Home Woes Continue In CFL Loss To Stampeders

By Ross Everett

Judy Garland famously said in her role as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz that theres no place like home. The Toronto Argonauts would likely take issue with that sentiment. On Friday night, the Argos lost a close one to the Calgary Stampeders at the Rogers Centre by a final score of 23-20. The loss extended the Argos franchise record home losing streak to ten consecutive games, while dropping their overall record on the CFL season to 2-6. Calgary evened their record at 4-4 with the victory.

Calgary hasnt done well in Toronto in recent years,and Henry Burris was happy with the victory despite the Argos recent struggles on their own field:

"Rogers Centre has never been a fun place for us to play. We've had some tough games here against some hard-hitting Argos teams. This team has been through a lot and with the belief we have in one another, we were able to fight back and respond when it really counted."

Toronto could have tied the game, but Argos coach Bart Andrus kept the offense on the field for a last ditch effort to score a touchdown rather than go for the tie.

Placekicker Justin Medlock has only missed one field goal attempt all year, and Andrus is already hearing some criticism of this decision:

"I'll take the heat on the call to not kick the field goal. The distance bothered me. That was my worry. The 57-yarder against Winnipeg came with the roof open. I just wasn't comfortable with it."

Medlock all but second guessed his coach as he expressed his wish for a shot at the game tying field goal:

"I definitely thought I could've made it but never got the chance. Maybe I should've run on to the field. I hit the crossbar in practice from 60 yards out."

Calgary has won both games against Toronto this season, beating the Argos 44-9 at McMahon Stadium earlier this season. Stamps coach/GM John Hufnagel was particularly pleased with his team's effort on the road:

"If it was going to be a close game I wanted our defence on the field at the end to protect the lead and that's what happened. I think it's really a big step for this football team. I'm very pleased with the defence, I'm very pleased with the offence in the second half when they had to answer points . . . we got the momentum back each and every time."

Next up , Calgary will host Edmonton on Labour Day, and the teams will rematch in Edmonton four days later. Toronto and Hamilton will go at it in their traditional Labour Day tilt, with the first game of the set at Hamilton and the rematch back at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.

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Oklahoma QB Bradford Looking At Season Ending Surgery

By Ross Everett

Oklahoma's junior quarterback Sam Bradford will likely opt for season ending shoulder surgery. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner was to announce his plans at a Wednesday night press conference, but that has been canceled with no official word from Bradford expected before Saturday. Despite the delay, unnamed sources close to the situation indicate that there is "a very good chance" that Bradford will go under the knife in hopes of insuring a better opportunity with a NFL team next season.

Despite every indication that the decision to undergo surgery to repair an injured AC joint in his throwing shoulder is to eliminate the potential perception that he is 'damaged goods' in advance of the NFL draft, University officials stressed that there has been no official decision in this regard. He passed on the NFL draft last year in hopes to win a national championship at Oklahoma.

On Wednesday, Sooners' coach Bob Stoops addressed the media about Bradford and the canceled press conference:

"He just wasn't ready to fully answer everything that'll want to be asked and for sure what he wants to do just yet, until he has a few more people to visit with. That's it. I won't say another word about it."

"Sam's whole situation, he'll have something to say when he knows what his path will be, and that isn't right now. I'm not the one to answer it. He will. And I will once he feels he's ready to and knows for sure what he wants to do."

Bradford had hoped to contend for a national title this season, but that is no longer a realistic scenario with Oklahoma's record. OU quarterbacks' coach Josh Heupel talked about the conflicting issues that Bradford is currently dealing with as he tries to decide what the best course of action to take is:

"I think it's extremely difficult for him, coming back for all the right reasons, wanting to have an opportunity to go compete on the football field, compete for championships and then having all those things taken away from you. There's a lot of hard work that goes into it and when you invest that much, it's going to be extremely disappointing. It's not an easy situation for him, certainly."

Despite their 3-3 record, Oklahoma has played well this year. The losses came to top level opponents BYU, Miami and Texas by a total of five points. Still, there's no real hope for a return to national championship contention.

Had Bradford opted to go to the NFL last season, he could have been one of the highest players selected in the draft. He had a monumental season last year, throwing for 4,720 yards and 50 touchdowns. With his struggles this season and his injury, his future at the next level has grown somewhat more problematic. He could elect for surgery and opt for the draft this season, realizing that he'd be viewed as something of a 'risky choice'. Otherwise he could return for his senior season in hopes of improving his stock though that is always a dicey proposition due to the risk of additional injury.

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Safety First When Vacationing: 5 Key Tips That Can Make Your Holiday More Enjoyable And Safer

By Phil Guye

It will always be a great adventure to go to different countries. You'll be able to learn diverse cultures, and you'll also have the opportunity to take a look at many of the most stunning sights in the world. However, you should always remember that you always have to consider that safety first when traveling ought to be your top priority.

Wherever you're planning on going, it is important to keep in mind that your and your traveling companion's safety should always be first. Besides, in case an incident will occur, it is going to definitely make the rest of the getaway unpleasant.

Preparing vacations or trips is not only about arranging which locations you should visit, but it's likewise concerning being completely ready with regards to problems that might occur. So, here are several travel basic safety tips that you should always keep in your head for you to experience a more pleasurable and safer holiday.

Transportation is the first thing that you should plan in advance. You need to keep in mind that even when you're still in your own country, airports and bus stops are infamous for pickpockets as well as robberies. Always remember that you ought to frequently keep your valuable travel possessions with you all the time.

Have your own luggage clearly marked in order to avoid having somebody take it by accident thinking that it's his or her luggage. Furthermore, rather than using inexpensive suitcase, always go for quality products and well-known as well as reliable brands. By doing this, you'll never worry about your own luggage busting or suddenly springing wide open in the middle of the airport terminal.

When you land in your desired destination country, often ask which taxis are safe to ride in. You could check this with a police officer or from the information counter at the airport terminal. Furthermore, never ever share taxis with stranger. And also, when it comes to public transit, stay clear of it late at night, particularly if you aren't certain in which you are going.

Also, even though backpackers will recommend hitchhiking, you must avoid doing this as much as possible.

Whenever you are checking in to accommodations, be sure that the hotel you checked-in is located in a very good area. Often be aware of the emergency exits and do not open your hotel room door to all strangers and don't invite individuals you just have became acquainted with in your hotel room. Also, use the hotel room door lock and chain at night time.

Clothing is another thing that you ought to consider to have a safe getaway. The key to traveling safety is by never looking like a vacationer. Always blend with the general public when it comes to style. Don't ever put on any expensive accessories, such as precious necklaces, expensive watches, rings, and other affluent items. Never ever put anything that you can afford to lose in your pockets or purse. If you can, try buying a small bag that you could wear close to your body. A small bag as big as a wallet that can be worn as a necklace is a good idea. A belt bag can likewise provide you with security and peace of mind.

Avoid using money constantly. As much as possible, always use your credit card. And, when it's time for you to pay, never leave your eyes on your credit card. Accompany the waiter to the cashier when paying with a credit card to be sure that your card doesn't get swiped with a credit card copier.

Remember these tips and you can be assured that you will have lots of fun on your travels. By maintaining safety on your first concern when traveling, you can be positive that you and your travel companions will have a great time during your getaway or your holiday wherever it may be.

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Embattled Zorn Given Reprieve Until End Of NFL Season

By Ross Everett

Washington Redskins head coach Jim Zorn is off of the hot seat-at least temporarily. After a recent swoon that saw him stripped of play calling duties for the NFL team, Zorn got a vote of confidence from upper management on Friday. His head isn't entirely out of the noose, however, as the reprieve will last only to the end of the season unless some marked improvement is seen in the second half. The Redskins' defense has played well this year but their offense has been marked by a profound lack of productivity.

Executive Vice President of Football Operations Vinny Cerrato had the following statement:

"Jim Zorn is the head coach of the Washington Redskins and will be for the rest of this season, and hopefully into the future."

"The frustration is very high, everywhere around here. But the relationships internally within this organization, quite frankly, remain the same."

For his part, Zorn was unaffected by the vote of 'semi-confidence':

"I don't necessarily have a reaction to that because I am the head coach. I want to be here for the next 10 years. That's my story."

While he didn't express much personal relief from the management statement, he said he hoped it would benefit his players:

"If it comforts the players - awesome! But I think our players are focused regardless of what the situation is. Whatever has to be said, I guess it has to be said, but we go on."

Quarterback Jason Campbell sounded relieved that the drama was over for the time being:

"That should relieve a lot of tension and a lot of stress. Guys don't have to worry about thinking about it or talking about it. We were the soap opera for the NFL the last two weeks so hopefully it'll calm down a little bit."

Ceratto also had a different take on the removal of Zorn's play calling duties:

"Look at all the things that we've done to try to help. You could have done other things drastically. No, you have confidence in him, because you want him to do well. Hopefully we can just concentrate and focus on winning football games.

He also expressed confidence in offensive consultant-and new offensive playcaller-Sherm Lewis' ability to do the job:

"You don't forget how to ride a bike if you hadn't rode your bike in four years."

The Redskins have slumped to a 2-4 record in the early part of the NFL season despite being the first team in league history to play six straight games against winless teams. Washington will host the Philadelphia Eagles this Monday night before a bye week. After the bye, they'll return to action on the road against the Atlanta Falcons on November 8.

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Friday, October 29, 2010

Broncos Still Undefeated After Win Over Chargers

By Ross Everett

The Denver Broncos are for real. The NFL's most surprising undefeated team certainly answered any remaining doubters on Monday Night Football as they used a fourth quarter surge to put away the San Diego Chargers 34-23. Broncos' QB Kyle Orton had another solid, mistake free game as he passed for 229 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Denver's special teams also excelled, with Eddie Royal becoming only the 11th player in NFL history to return a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns in the same game.

NFL football sports betting fans that backed the Broncos as +3 road underdogs were rewarded with the outright victory and Denver continued their season opening undefeated run against the pointspread (now 6-0 ATS). The Chargers, meanwhile, have only covered one of their five games this season. The 57 points scored went OVER the posted total of 44'.

Royal was virtually untouched on both of his kick returns, a first quarter 93 yard kickoff return and a second quarter 71 yard punt return. After the game, he gave credit to his blockers:

"Man, it was a great feeling. The guys did a great job of blocking. I've got to give them a lot of credit. They opened up the seams and it was a home run."

Despite the rarity of his feat, he said he wasn't surprised that he turned the trick:

"You've got to believe it can happen before you do it. I've got a lot of faith in the guys in front of me, so I wasn't surprised."

Broncos coach Josh McDaniels also praised Royal's blockers:

"I think our guys did a great job of blocking and giving Eddie a chance to get started."

While losing coach Norv Turner lamented his team's poor kick coverage:

"It doesn't matter who you are playing; you give up two big returns on a punt and a kickoff and it makes it tough"

Chargers' QB Phillip Rivers talked about the loss and the team's slow start to the 2009 NFL season:

"It's going to be tough. We have to get over this one quick or we'll find ourselves in trouble in Kansas City because it's a short week."

Denver will get a week off to enjoy their 6-0 start before returning to action on November 1 at Baltimore. The following week they'll host the defending Superbowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night Football before traveling to Washington, DC to face the Redskins. San Diego will play at Kansas City this weekend with the Chargers a -5 road favorite and the total set at 44. They'll return home to face their hated rivals, the Oakland Raiders, on November 1 before a road game against the New York Giants the following Sunday.

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Carlos Palomino: Mexico's Welterweight Boxing Legend

By Ross Everett

Vince Lombardi once said "Winning isn't everything, its the only thing". For most of the mainstream sports media, that couldn't be more true. Countless hours on sports talk radio are spent deriding NBA players like Charles Barkley and NFL players like Dan Marino for never winning a championship. Simply stated, no one remembers the runner up and the mainstream sports media helps reinforce this 'frontrunner' mentality.

While frequently maligned by the mainstream sports media, the sport of boxing more than any other sport lives by the how you play the game mantra. Serious boxing fans talk more about great fights than in terms of who wins or loses. The greatness of fights like the Ward-Gatti trilogy, the Barrera-Morales trilogy, Hagler-Hearns, Hagler-Leonard and, most recently, the Morales-Pacquaio classic from March 2005 are almost exclusively about how the game was played. Most of these fights were very closely contested, but even in the event of a decisive victory like Hagler-Hearns much credit is given to the opponent for making the fight great. Perhaps the best case in point is the first fight between Manny Pacquaio and Juan Manuel Marquez, which was at or near the top of most serious boxing journalists fight of the year lists for 2004. Despite the fights wall to wall action, the official decision was a draw.

In that context, an undefeated record for a veteran fighter is almost a mark of derision. After a fighter has a dozen fights or so under his belt, an undefeated record is often construed as a reflection of a poor quality of opposition and not a sign of dominance. There are exceptions, of course: Floyd Mayweather, Jr. has a zero in the loss column and thats due to his ungodly skills as a prize fighter. Assuming that Mayweather doesn't stay in the game longer than he should, hes got a decent shot at retiring undefeated. Nevertheless, simply being undefeated wont earn him the mantle of greatness in the eyes of boxing historians. That has to be earned in the ring.

Carlos Palomino was a fighter who earned the respect and admiration of fight fans both for his championship skills as well as how he played the game. A native of Sonora, Mexico, Palomino was the welterweight champion of the world for over two years during the mid to late 70s. During this time, he became the first world champion boxer to earn a college degree (from Long Beach State University in California).

Palomino immigrated from Mexico as a child and began to train in boxing as a teenager. He showed a lot of promise as an amateur, but delayed his professional debut until'72 in order to serve in the US Army. While enlisted, he became All Army Welterweight Champion and won the national AAU championship. After turning pro, he worked his way up the ranks steadily until he finally won the title in June'76. Palomino scored a TKO victory over Englishman John Stracey in London, England and would defend his belt seven times before dropping the title via split decision to another first rate champion in Wilfred Benitez. He lost his next fight to yet another great in Roberto Duran, and decided to retire from the ring. He posted a credible 4-1 record during a late'90's comeback before deciding to retire for good.

Palomino got into acting after his boxing career came to a close, and has worked steadily both in television and film. He's also done a number of commercials, most famously the early Miller Light Beer 'tastes great/less filling' TV spots.

In the ring, Palomino was something of a hybrid of Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales"a very intelligent, technically sound fighter with deceptive power. His best power shot was a left hook, but he'd more frequently break his opponent down with a punishing body attack. He may have been a more tactical competitor than the prototypical blood and guts Mexican fighter, but a worthy claimant to the proud tradition of great fighters from south of the border.

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Alexis Arguello: Remembering A Champion

By Ross Everett

Nicaraguan boxing legend Alexis Arguello was found dead of an apparent suicide in his home in early July. At the time of his death, he served as mayor of Nicaragua's capital city.

Arguello is best known to fight fans for his epic battle in'82 with Aaron The Hawk Pryor when he moved up in weight after dominating at lighter weight classes. Though Arguello would lose via knockout (amid some controversy due to an apparent mystery drink offered to Pryor by his trainer Panama Lewis) it was a thrilling toe to toe battle that even the most knowledgeable boxing experts remember fondly to this day. Promoter Bob Arum offered these thoughts on Pryor/Arguello:

"It was a brutal, brutal fight. That was something I will never, ever forget as long as I live. That was one of the most memorable fights I ever did."

While the first Pryor fight may have brought him the most mainstream notoriety, boxing cognoscenti are aware that Arguello is arguably the best lightweight and junior lightweight in the history of the sport. Arguello would end his career with an astounding 82-8 record with 65 knockouts and championships in three different weight classes.

Ironically, Arguellos career didn't get off to a good start and he lost his debut in'68 via first round TKO. After that, he seldom lost again. He was at his best against his toughest adversaries including Ray Mancini, Bobby Chacon and Ruben Olivares. Bob Arum remembered him not only as a great fighter, but as a great man:

"Not only was he one of the greatest fighters I've ever seen, he was the most intelligent fighter. He was a ring tactician. Every move was thought out. And he was a wonderful, wonderful person."

The articulate, intelligent Arguello was also a quote machine on the fight game and how champions should conduct themselves. Here, he speaks of his attitude toward his opponents:

"Of course after the fight you want to make sure that you're okay and so is the other guy, its a brotherhood in there, so you want to make sure everyone is okay after the war is over."

Arguello didnt fight for his first title until he'd had 58 fights, and would frequently admonish boxers who didn't show the same respect for the sport or their status as champion:

"When you won that title you should know now that you are representing a whole country or nation with your actions and you are now in a glass house or under a microscope and you better be ready to make your people proud."

Most significantly, Arguello loved boxing and sought to protect it from those who would undermine its greatness:

"I respect boxing because it has given me so much and thats why I will never allow anyone to mistreat the sport of boxing if I can help it."

While the modest, dignified Arguello would never say it himself, that was for from a one sided debt--he also gave immeasurably to the sport of boxing with his grace, intelligence, talent and toughness.

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Saints Top Vikings To Advance To Superbowl

By Ross Everett

Until Sunday, it looked as if the return of Brett Favre to the NFL would have a storybook ending and propel the Minnesota Vikings to the Superbowl. Instead, the New Orleans Saints will be heading to the Superbowl for the first time in franchise history. Garrett Hartley nailed a 40 yard field goal in overtime to give the Saints a 31-28 victory in the NFC Championship game after Brett Favre was intercepted deep in Saints territory during the final seconds of regulation.

The Vikings did reward NFL betting fans who took them as +4 underdogs with a pointspread cover. Minnesota finished the season a solid 11-6-1 against the NFL pointspread while the Saints head into the Superbowl with a 9-9 ATS mark. The 59 combined points scored went OVER the posted total of 53'.

After the game, head coach Sean Payton drew an analogy to the city of New Orleans' recovery after Hurricane Katrina:

"This is for everybody in this city. This stadium used to have holes in it and used to be wet. It's not wet anymore. This is for the city of New Orleans."

Winning quarterback Drew Brees extended that same metaphor:

"In reality, we had to lean on each other in order to survive and in order to get where we are now. The city is on its way to recovery, and in a lot of ways has come back better than ever. We've used the strength and resiliency of our fans to go out and play every Sunday and play with the confidence that we can do it, that we can achieve everything we've set out to achieve."

Place kicker Hartley was low key despite securing the victory with his overtime field goal:

"Just helping my team get to Miami. Just doing my part."

Brett Favre didn't have much to say in defeat:

"I've felt better. It was a physical game. A lot of hits. You win that and you sure feel a lot better." Mississippi native Favre did throw his support behind the Saints:

"I would have loved to represent the NFC. But, as I told Sean throughout the year when we talked, if it's not us, I hope it's you guys."

The Vikings gave up a total of five turnovers including three fumbles. That, said running back Adrian Peterson, was the game:

"We really gave those guys the game. Too many turnovers. It's eating me up inside.

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Profiling Japan's Mixed Martial Arts Legend Kazushi Sakuraba

By Ross Everett

Whether he competes in boxing or mixed martial arts, the toughest decision any professional prizefighter must confront is deciding when to end his career. Boxing history is littered with countless once great fighters that diminished their legacy and put their health and well being at risk by sticking around too long. As evidence that MMA has matured as a sport, it appears to be experiencing the same phenomenon with fighters such as Ken Shamrock soldiering on despite being well past their prime. Kazushi Sakuraba is definitely the most legendary fighter in the history of MMA in Japan, but unfortunately he too must be added to that list following his brutal knockout loss to Melvin Manhoef at DREAM 4.

While MMA has exploded in popularity in the United States, there's not one individual fighter who can be credited with the boom. In Japan, however, Sakuraba is widely acknowledged to have brought the sport to the mainstream of that country's popular culture. His legendary feud against the Gracie family, highlighted by his epic 90 minute war with Royce Grace at PRIDE's 2000 GP event, elevated him well past superstar status into the realm of national hero.

Sakuraba's record definitely justifies the high regard in which he's held, but the reality is that he's done nothing to build on his legacy for a number of years. His last really impressive win was over former UFC light heavyweight champ Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson, but he hasn't even defeated a credible opponent of any sort since his 2003 win over Kevin Randleman.

Boxing pundits frequently speak of a fighter's age in terms of 'ring years'. For that reason a younger fighter who has endured a series of grueling fights against high level opponents can be considered 'old in ring years', while an older fighter who has taken an easier path is considered 'young' by the same metric. Under this evaluation, there's no doubt that Sakuraba has to be considered old in 'ring years'. His 90 minute battle with Royce Gracie alone took a significant toll on Sakuraba, and he continued to face high level opponents after that.

Compounding Sakuraba's 'ring age' was his tendency to face much larger superstars--these 'dream matches' would sell tickets in Japan, but are the sort of matchup that would never get sanctioned in the better regulated US fight sport industry. The quality of opponent he faced at heavier weights is mind boggling and includes Wanderlei Silva, Mirko Cro Cop, Vitor Belfort and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Unfortunately, the old saying that 'a good big man will beat a good little man' was proven true in these matchups with most ending in losses for Sakuraba by brutal KO or stoppage.

Despite his recent setbacks, Sakuraba has made no indication that hell be retiring anytime soon. Hopefully, this decision doesn't put his long-term health and future well being at risk.

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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Lions End 19 Game Losing Streak With Win Over Redskins

By Ross Everett

The Detroit Lions nineteen game losing streak is over. On Sunday afternoon at Ford Field in Detroit the Lions held on for a 19-14 win over the Washington Redskins. The Lions hadn't won a game since December 23, 2007 and had already tied the second longest losing streak in NFL history. Their run of futility included a 0-16 mark in 2008, the first winless season since the NFL expanded its schedule to sixteen games.

If you were going to bet on a NFL football game this past weekend, the Lions may not have been the most attractive position. Sports betting enthusiasts who took Detroit as a +6 home favorite were rewarded with the outright victory. It was the Lions first pointspread cover of the 2009 NFL season, while the Redskins have yet to get the money for their backers this year. The 33 points went UNDER the posted total of 39. It was the second UNDER in three regular season games for both teams.

Lions owner William Clay Ford said in postgame comments that he hopes the end of the streak signals a new winning tradition for his team:

"We not only got the monkey off our back, we got King Kong off our back. I'm hoping that this gets us over that hump and gives us a winning attitude."

Longtime Lion Dominic Raiola expressed his relief that the streak had come to an end:

"I've always watched, but I've never been in this situation before. No team has been in this situation before. No one has gone 0-16 and then had to try to win a game the next year."

Rookie QB Matthew Stafford had the best game of his young career, throwing for 241 yards on 21 of 36 passing with a touchdown and no interceptions. He gave his thoughts on the late game anticipation that preceded Detroit finally putting one in the win column:

"I'm having fun. It's a great game we get to play. I figured I'd just let the crowd noise tell me what happened. When it got really quiet, I couldn't take it, so I looked up, and saw them running, and then the tackle, and then I saw the clock was at zero."

Detroit will try to start an actual winning streak next weekend as they take on the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Bears are 11 point favorites in that contest. Detroit will host the Pittsburgh Steelers the following weekend before a road trip to Green Bay and game against the Packers on October 18th. Washington will host Tampa Bay next Sunday, with the Redskins a -7 home favorite. They'll play at Carolina on October 11th and then return home for a game against Kansas City the following weekend.

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Denver Beats Portland In NBA Action

By Ross Everett

Carmello Anthony scored 41 points and the Denver Nuggets used a second half comeback to give the Portland Trailblazers a rare 97-94 loss at their Rose Garden Arena home venue on Thursday night. The Blazers held a 67-62 lead heading into the final quarter but for the second time in as many games had trouble putting their opponent away. Brandon Roy led Portland with 30 points, and Greg Oden was the high rebounder for the home team with 9 boards.

NBA pointspread players who took Denver as +8 road underdogs enjoyed their outright victory and the ensuing payday. The Nuggets have covered the number in both of their victories this season, while Portland evened their ATS mark at 1-1. The'1 combined points went UNDER the posted total of 200. Portland has gone UNDER in both games this season while Denver evened their NBA totals mark at 1-1.

After the game, Anthony was happier about the victory than his personal offensive outburst:

"We came out here and stole the win. It wasn't just an important win. It was a battle."

Anthony made 7 of 9 shots from the floor and 9 of 10 free throws in the decisive fourth quarter run:

"My shots were going in. I was trying to attack. I got to the rim and the foul line."

Portland's Greg Oden was taking the loss hard, as he missed a couple of late game free throws that could have given the Blazers a lead:

"This is a tough one. I definitely stepped up there with confidence thinking I was going to hit both and it didn't go that way. I put this loss on me. I need to step up and make those."

Team leader Brandon Roy said that he'd give the Blazers' big man a pep talk:

"The biggest thing is to let go. We all miss shots, you've got to forget about it."

Roy also added that the choppy pace of the game with a lot of fouls called benefitted Denver playing in back-to-back games:

"I think it benefited them a bit more coming off a back-to-back. They were tired but anytime you slow the game down that much, it gives them a chance to recover."

The Blazers will now head to Texas for a rematch against the Houston Rockets. Portland beat the Rockets to open their NBA season. They'll play at Oklahoma City on Sunday before returning home for a game at The Rose Garden against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. Denver will head back to 'The Mile High City' for a game against Memphis on Sunday before an east coast road trip with stops in Indiana and New Jersey early next week.

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Florida State Comes From Behind To Upend North Carolina

By Ross Everett

Florida State won their first ACC college football game of the year on Thursday, though it certainly wasn't easy. The Seminoles were down 24-6 midway through the third quarter before mounting a furious comeback to defeat North Carolina 30-27. The Seminoles improved their overall record to 3-4 while North Carolina dropped to 4-3.

College football betting enthusiasts who overlooked the Seminoles dismal record against the spread were rewarded by Florida State's outright win as +2' road underdogs. FSU covered for only the second time this season, upping their record against the college football pointspread to 2-5. The Tar Heels haven't been a very good investment either, and the loss left their ATS tally at 2-4.

The win also should help settle some of the talk about the future of head coach Bobby Bowden, at least for the moment. With the uncharacteristically slow start by Florida State, there has been a good deal of speculation that the venerable coach should step away from the program. He expressed some relief in his postgame comments:

"The talk that we've had down there, there's only one thing that solves it. Winning. Play close and fight your guts out? Who cares? You've got to win."

Winning QB Ponder suggests that the comeback win demonstrates the toughness of this Seminoles team:

"This proves how good we can be, and I'm just proud of the way we fought back. Down what, 24-6? And we could have given up and we didn't. That's just the character of the guys on this team."

The game was supposed to be a showcase for North Carolina, which entered the game with the nation's #3 ranked total defense. Tar Heels' coach Butch Davis observed that rankings are irrelevant once the game begins:

"It's a little bit of a wake-up call for the defense. Reputations and rankings and stats and all that stuff is somewhat insignificant. You've got to play."

Added Tar Heels' cornerback Kendric Burnley:

"It's too frustrating. I don't know what to say or how to explain anything right now. It tears you apart."

Florida State can get back to .500 next weekend with a home game against another team looking for their first ACC win of the season, North Carolina State. That'll be followed by two tough games on the road at Clemson and Wake Forest. The Tar Heels, meanwhile, must regroup in time for another nationally televised Thursday night game at Virginia Tech next week. After that, they'll return home to take on Duke and Miami in successive weeks.

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UFC 88 Flashback: Evans Dominates 'The Iceman'

By Ross Everett

Rashad Evans was fighting for respect. He earned it and then some with a devastating 2nd round TKO of Chuck Liddell in the main event of UFC 88: Breakthrough.

If Evans needed any more validation of how little respect he was getting, he could have taken a look at the UFCs text message prediction poll of the main event which favored The Iceman by a whopping 81% to 19% margin. Or he could have listened to the UFC announcers, who had all but penciled Liddell in for a return to light heavyweight title contention after his inevitable victory.

From the opening horn, Evans showed no fear of Liddell's once legendary power. Instead, he danced and moved (which was dumbly criticized as showboating by the UFC announce team), using his slick footwork and speed to dart in and out of range of Liddell's punches. In the process, he was able to use his superior handspeed to get off first. His punches weren't exactly highlight reel power shots at this point, but were nonetheless effective as evidenced by a cut opened under Liddell's eye. For his part, Liddell scored with a few shots of his own, but was clearly frustrated by the evasiveness of his opponent.

Evans highlight reel power shot was to come in the 2nd round. Liddell backed Evans up near the cage wall and went to throw an uppercut. Simultaneously, Evans responded with an overhand right that landed quicker, harder and more accurately. The perfectly placed punch knocked Liddell out cold. Evans' KO was one of the most devastating in the history of the sport, and made all the more so by the status of the man on the receiving end.

Rashad Evans raised his record to 17-0-1, with the lone blemish a draw against Tito Ortiz at UFC 73. Liddell, meanwhile, saw his record drop to 21-6"with three of those six losses coming in his last 4 fights.

Liddells loss notwithstanding, it was a good night for UFC veterans as Rich Franklin and Dan Henderson won their fights in impressive fashion. Franklin looked particularly sharp in dismantling tough Matt Hamill, eventually prevailing by 3rd round TKO.

This was the UFCs first trip to Atlanta and despite a good attendance the crowd itself was somewhat disappointing. In a marked contrast to the knowledgeable and enthusiastic fans at the Target Center in Minneapolis for UFC 87"arguably the best MMA crowd ever at a US venue"the live crowd at Phillips Arena often acted as if they were at a taping of Georgia Championship Wrestling. Every foreign fighter was booed mercilessly"including South Korean Kim. Perhaps the audience didnt realize that South Korea has been a US ally since its establishment after WW II.

More problematic was the crowds utter lack of respect for the fighters postfight. Poor Dong Hyun Kim was booed during his postfight interview like he was Professor Toru Takana cutting a heel promo on Mr. Wrestling 2 after winning the Georgia Heavyweight Title by throwing salt in his opponents eyes while the referee was distracted. Not quite the respect that a 4th degree judo black belt whod just won a very tough fight deserves. Kim's treatment by the fans cant be written off as a reaction to a close split decision victory; Rashad Evans was booed after his victory over Liddell, and short of decapitating 'The Iceman' there was no way his win could have been more decisive.

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Habs Rip Struggling Islanders

By Ross Everett

The Montreal Canadiens have gotten off to a slow start this season, and entered Thursday night's game against the New York Islanders having gone thirteen games without a win in regulation dating back to last season. Apparently, all they needed to cure their ails was a team that was struggling more than they are. The Habs jumped on them early scoring three goals in the first two periods en route to a 5-1 victory at the Bell Centre. Montreal improved to 4-5-0 with the victory while the Islanders dropped to 1-4-3.

NHL hockey betting devotees who weren't scared away by the -180 home favorite price tag on Montreal cashed their tickets with the Canadiens' big win. It was the sixth win for the Habs in their last eight meetings with the Islanders. The six goals scored just managed to go OVER the posted total of 5'. The Canadiens went OVER for only the fourth time in nine games, while the Islanders have gone OVER in five of their nine contests.

The struggling Montreal offense finally woke up, helped by a 43-22 shots on goal advantage. When Montreal opened a 2-0 lead in the first period it marked the first time this season that they'd led by more than a goal, a fact that surprised left winger Mike Cammalleri:

"We're making it hard on ourselves. That's something -- I didn't realize that until right now but that makes sense. Every game's been so tight, and it's important to try and win in tight games and find ways to win those games but at the same time you can't do that 82 times a year and then however many games in the playoffs, so it was important to get out to a little bit of a lead and hang on to one tonight."

Montreal goaltender Jaroslav Halek played well in relief of starter Carey Price, but lost his shutout bid when he misplayed a puck just seconds into the final period. Cammalleri described a conversation he had with Halek after the game:

"After the game I went to give him a hug and he said, 'I don't like shutouts. And I said, 'Well, you better like shutouts!' But he played great when we needed him tonight, made some solid saves, and we'll let that one go."

Islanders' coach Scott Gordon admitted that his team made it easy for the Habs' to dominate:

"We were a pretty easy team to play against. Defensively we were on our heels because of all our turnovers and it wasn't just in one area, it was coming out of our zone, it was situations where we had full control of the puck and we're not making plays. It's probably the worst that I've ever seen it tonight and it's something that we've got to get better at."

Montreal plays their next two games at home, hosting the New York Rangers on Saturday night and welcoming the Islanders back to the Bell Centre for another game next Monday night. They'll then head to Pittsburgh for a game against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Penguins on Wednesday. The Islanders have a Saturday night home game against the Washington Capitals before their return engagement with Montreal.

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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Jets' Sanchez Should Play Despite Minor Knee Pain

By Ross Everett

New York Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez has been a crucial factor in the teams 2-0 start, showing a poise and head for the game very rare for NFL newcomers. Still, there wasn't much worry at the revelation that hes suffering from tendinitis in his right knee. The Jets announced Sanchez's injury on Thursday, and hes listed as probable on the official NFL injury report. Every indication from Sanchez and the Jets' staff suggests that he'll be able to play.

Sanchez practiced on Thursday, and though he was seen stopping to stretch and rub his right knee on a few occasions didn't seem to suffer any impairment in his mobility. He participated in the entire practice, and there didnt appear to be any sort of effort to prepare Kellen Clemens to assume the starting role. Clemens took his usual snaps with the team, though not any additional work that would indicate a concern that Sanchez wouldn't be able to start.

Jets head coach Rex Ryan confirmed the injury while downplaying its significance:

"It's not that big a deal. He has something. I don't know how to describe it than just to say its a little tendinitis. But, he's fine. I mean, he fully participated and moved around great, I thought."

New York offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was even more emphatic in his statement:

"Mark's totally fine."

Ryan then added a sarcastic note that brought laughs from the assembled media: "Make sure he's on that list. I don't mean anything by that."

Ryan was referring to the Jets receiving a fine from the NFL for not properly disclosing injuries to then-QB Brett Favre late last season. Favre was suffering from a torn biceps tendon, though the team didnt list him on the official NFL injury report. The team was fined $75,000 while GM Mike Tannenbaum and former coach Eric Mangini were each fined $25,000 each. While he wasn't with the team at the time of the incident, Ryan has expressed his displeasure with the fine.

The Jets are less optimistic about the condition of cornerback Donald Strickland, who is suffering from a sprained right ankle. Ryan didnt offer much hope that hed be able to see action on Sunday:

"I don't think he's going to be able to play this week. I'm not declaring him out right now, but I don't think there's any way he's playing this week."

The Jets host the Tennessee Titans at the Meadowlands this Sunday afternoon. After that, the Jets will take to the road for their next two games. Theyll play the New Orleans Saints on October 4th before heading to south Florida to take on the Miami Dolphins the following Monday night.

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How I Received My DVD Player

By James Q. Juniper

A couple of weeks ago I was having a nice relaxing lunch with a couple of old buddies. There was this massively cool restaurant downtown, and we decided to go there. You can listen to guitar music while you eat your vegetables. And they way you order your food is pretty cool. You can either go old school, and order straight from the menu, or you can have the chef cook up whatever he thinks is best for you.

Then they announced that they were going to give away several prizes. We weren't aware of it, but this was the restaurant's one year anniversary. They were going to give away gifts to thank the customers for their ultimate loyalty to the restaurant. There was this huge tank of fish swimming around, they were going to use them to somehow determine who the winners of the various prizes were going to be. I was very excited.

Then they showed the prizes. And the biggest prize was a fantastic looking portable DVD player. These things have become incredibly popular lately, and for several powerful reasons. One of the most popular uses is to use them on long car trips. The kids can watch DVDs in the back seat, and not bother mom and dad who are up front arguing over where to stop for lunch, or why the gas tank is suddenly empty.

And many people besides families use these as well. They are for anybody who wants to pass the time while in an otherwise boring situation. This was illustrated to me in a story by my dining companion. At his University you could rent lectures on DVD. If he ever started dozing off during a boring lecture, he would simply watch one of these educational DVDs while the professor was droning on about something.

Another example would be jury duty. Instead of sitting around all day wondering if they are going to call your name, you could use a DVD player to help pass the time. If you've ever been to jury duty, then you know how incredibly boring it can be.

When the time came to give away the portable DVD player, I was really hoping I'd win it. Both my friends have one, but I don't. And much to my surprise, I did win it, and went home a very happy man. I will be a loyal customer of that restaurant now for the rest of my life.

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Gamecocks Slap Top Five Ranked Rebels

By Ross Everett

The South Carolina Gamecocks used a nasty defensive effort, combined with an efficient and mistake free performance from quarterback Steven Garcia to upset #4 Mississippi 16-10 at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC. The Gamecocks ended a 22 game losing streak against top 5 ranked teams, while Ole Miss dropped their sixth straight SEC opener.

College football betting enthusiasts who took the Gamecocks as +4 home underdogs were financially rewarded with South Carolina's outright victory. After falling behind 3-0 after the first quarter, South Carolina led 6-3 at halftime and never trailed again. The 26 combined points went UNDER the posted total of 51.

The last time South Carolina had defeated a top five opponent was back in 1981, when they upended North Carolina. After the game, Gamecocks QB Garcia said that it wasn't the prettiest game but the victory negated that:

"It was a pretty ugly win, but a win and we'll take it every time."

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier concurred:

"It was good to get a win when everybody watches. It was good for all Gamecocks. We thought we could beat them. Thought it was a toss-up game. But the way it turned out, the way our defense played, 16 points was enough."

In particular, the defense completely shut down highly touted Ole Miss QB Jevan Snead. He made no excuses after the game:

"We really hurt ourselves and we continued to do it all throughout the game, into the last series. It's tough.

Ole Miss entered the game with their highest national ranking since 1970, when Archie Manning prowled the Rebel backfield. Despite that, head coach Houston Nutt didnt sense any undue pressure on his team before the game:

"I never did sense that we were feeling a lot of pressure. Now it is what it is. You've lost your first conference game. You've got to work hard and win the next conference game."

Rebel offensive lineman Bradley Sowell, meanwhile, contradicted his coachs observation with a clear expression of relief:

"I'm glad it's over with so everyone can just stop talking about it.

The Gamecocks improved their 2009 college football record to 3-1 (1-0 SEC). Theyll host FCS opponent South Carolina State in Columbia next weekend before resuming their SEC schedule the following week against the University of Kentucky. Theyll take to the road on October 17th for what figures to be a tough game against the University of Alabama. Ole Miss is right back into SEC play next week, facing Vanderbilt on the road in Nashville, Tennessee. Theyll then return home for their next two games beginning with Alabama on October 10th. Theyll play the University of Alabama-Birmingham the following weekend.

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Burnley Wins First English Premier League Game By Knocking Off The Champs

By Ross Everett

The English Premier League season is only a couple of weeks old, but newly promoted Burnley has already pulled off what may be the biggest upset of the season in all of European soccer. In their first home game at the top level of English soccer in 33 years Burnley upset reigning league champions Manchester United before 20,000 jubilant fans at their Turf Moor home pitch.

The Clarets were putting good pressure on Man U goaltender Ben Foster early in the game, and Blake made their effort pay at the 18 minute mark when he scored on a near post volley. Man U would hold a 19-9 shots on goal advantage for the game, and hold a lopsided 67%/33% time of possession edge.

Still, Burnley would hold the advantage on the big scoreboard at the end of the game thanks to the steady play of their netminder Brian Jensen who withstood the Man U onslaught to preserve the historic victory. Jensens biggest save came on a penalty shot by Michael Carrick just before halftime. Man U also had an apparent equalizer by Michael Owen ruled offside to add to the frustration of the afternoon. Afterwards, Burnley manager Owen Coyle commended Man U general Sir Alex Ferguson with his graciousness in defeat:

"Sir Alex dealt with defeat in the gracious manner I would expect of someone like that. He is the best manager in world football and I still expect Manchester United to be champions."

Burnley has been the favorite to be relegated back to the Champions League, and they looked like they didnt belong after a 2-0 opening game loss to Stoke City. Coyle addressed the teams critics in his postgame comments:

"One or two have already written us off. I am not surprised about that. When you look at the financial side, we will have to produce every week. Outside this club, everybody looked at our first five games and expected we would be on zero points. We were disappointed on Saturday and we needed to be brave this time. Now we have a massive game on Sunday against Everton, although whatever happens we are three points better off than we were at this stage in the Championship last season."

Sir Alex Ferguson conceded that his team didnt play well:

"It was a bad performance considering the chances and possession we had. Maybe if we had got the penalty just before half time it would have made a difference but in saying that we were too frivolous with the chances we had. It has been a long time out of the top flight for them and you cannot deny them their victory."

Burnley will host Everton this weekend, while Manchester United will try to get back on the winning track on the road against Wigan at DW Stadium.

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Boise State Stomps Bowling Green

By Ross Everett

Bowling Green played Boise State tough on their home field this weekend--at least for one quarter. Things looked good for the host Falcons at the end of the first quarter, as they'd held the #6 ranked Broncos scoreless and were right in the thick of things in a scoreless game. It was all downhill from that point for Bowling Green, as Boise State exploded for 29 unanswered second quarter points. The Broncos would eventually win 49-14, improving to 4-0 on the season.

The Broncos easily covered as -16 road favorites. The 63 combined points went OVER the posted total of 51. Boise State needed four plays or less on their first six scoring drives, and amassed a season high 529 yards of total offense. Their defense also forced the Falcons into three costly turnovers.

Boise State coach Chris Petersen had insisted on more quick strike scoring drives in the week before the Bowling Green game. They most definitely delivered, and the coach commented to their performance after the contest:

"On offense, that's always the name of the game. It makes it a lot easier when you don't have those 15- and 17-play drives."

Broncos quarterback Kellen Moore threw 17 completions in 21 pass attempts for a total of 247 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. 195 of his total yards came during the 2nd quarter onslaught, where he completed 8 consecutive passes during one stretch. After the game, Moore indicated that his team wasnt resting on their impressive season to date performance:

"There's a lot of football to go and a lot of things to work on.

Coach Petersen concurred with his quarterbacks mindset:

"These guys are a fairly mature bunch and if not, we have a staff of mature coaches to keep them focused.

Bowling Green head coach Dave Clawson sounded somewhat in awe of the Broncos 'quick strike' offense:

"That's what they do. When they have 500 yards of offense, it will always be 10 to 12 plays where half their offense came from."

The Broncos, who are enjoying their highest regular season ranking in school history, looked sharp all around on offense despite the absence of second leading rusher DJ Harper. Harper is likely out for the year after a knee injury.

Bowling Green will take a step down in class of opposition next weekend as they host the Ohio Bobcats. Theyll play on the road the next two weeks, traveling to Kent State and Ball State. Boise will return home for a game against FCS opponent UC Davis next Saturday. Theyll play on the road at Tulsa the following weekend, before enjoying a bye week.

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Tuesday, October 26, 2010

My Stunning DVD Adventure

By James Q. Juniper

I went shopping with a couple of buddies of mine last week. It was this absolutely huge electronics shop. We were just looking around at all the cool stuff. I hadn't planned on buying anything, so I was just going along with my friends. I think my friend was thinking about getting a DVD player or something. What changed my mind completely was when I saw what they had for sale.

They had these portable DVD players that you could take anywhere. I never knew they even had DVD players that you didn't need to plug into a TV. But not these amazing little pieces of advanced technology. They weren't very big, kind of the same size as those electronic dictionaries you see foreign exchange students carrying around with them all the time. Of course this included the screen also. I was overcome with joy, until I realized you'd have to plug it in to some kind of electrical outlet. These can be hard to find in some parts of town.

That's when the beautiful sales assistant came by and explained to me that they can also run from batteries. And some of them can last several hours on a single charge. I started to imagine all the possibilities. I could to sit in the park and watch movies, or go to the library and pretend to study, all the while watching my favorite DVDs. This was wonderful. Hold on a second. Wouldn't the sound from my DVD player bother all the people who were around me and trying to study or something?

That's when I discovered another wonderful thing about these wonderful little devices. Most of these DVD players come equipped with little headphone jacks, so when you listen, you can listen in total privacy. Nobody around you would feel bothered. It was the perfect solution. And no matter what the sound was in your environment, your headphones would block them out, enhancing your DVD watching experience. Just as I was dreaming of my future, I thought of another problem. I could never afford one of these marvels. Surely they just cost several hundred, or even a thousand dollars.

This is where I was delivered the most startling revelation I have ever heard. Most of these were around a hundred dollars. Some were a bit more, and some were a bit less. I probably have that much money on the floor in my car. As lady luck would have it, this particular store accepted all major credit cards. So I bought my own portable DVD player, and I have been happy ever since.

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Switzerland Shocks World Cup Favorite Spain

By Ross Everett

In the first major upset of the 2010 World Cup, Switzerland used a Gelson Fernandez goal in the 52nd minute to shock Spain 1-0. Spain entered the competition as one of the favorites to win the entire tournament, but was shut down by a feisty Switzerland defense. Spain controlled possession throughout and outshot their opponents 25-9, but only 5 of their shots were 'on goal'. It was the 5th consecutive World Cup shutout for the Swiss team, who made it through the entire 2006 World Cup without conceding a goal before being eliminated on penalty kicks in the quarterfinals.

Not surprisingly, the Switzerland victory also produced a hefty soccer betting payday for their financial supporters. The Swiss were a +1100 underdog to take three points from their opening game. Spain had been installed as a -400 favorite, with the odds on the draw priced at +400.

Switzerland employs a 'bend but don't break' defensive style, which allowed Spain to control possession and play but yielded very few significant scoring chances. For the game, Spain held a 74% to 26% time of possession advantage and outshot Switzerland 25-9. Spain's passing game was beautiful-they completed 574 passes, which is the most so far in the 2010 tournament. That is small consolation to the Group H favorites who now find themselves without a point after one game.

After Gelson Fernandez scored on a rare Swiss counterattack, Spain wasn't able to recover. After the game he seemed as shocked by his second goal in International play as anyone:

"To be fair, I'm not used to scoring goals, so I was a bit surprised. It was a bit of luck."

Switzerland coach said that not playing Spain's preferred style was the key to victory:

"These were three unexpected points. If you play an attacking game against Spain, you'll lose and suffer one goal after the next."

Spanish coach Vincente del Bosque was undeterred by the loss:

"Today wasn't our day. We have two games ahead of us. We have to find a way to win them."

Despite Spain's #1 FIFA ranking and status as pre tournament favorites, they had a lot of history against them. Only two of the last eight reigning European champions have won their opening match in the World Cup, with the last being Germany in 1998. Furthermore, Spain has never advanced past the quarterfinals in World Cup play since its fourth place finish in 1950.

None of this will help Honduras, who'll have to face Spain in the second game of Group H play. Their undisciplined play combined with a formidable foe that needs to win will most likely produce a blowout result. Spain will have a more difficult time against a solid Chile side in their final Group H game. Switzerland will look to continue their defensive mastery of opponents on Saturday against Chile before they finish their group play schedule on June 25 against Honduras.

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Jets Thump Texans Behind Rookie QB Sanchez

By Ross Everett

New York Jets rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez tracked down NFL legend Joe Namath before the game looking for a pep talk and some pointers. What the NFL Hall of Famer told him had a very beneficial effect. Sanchez looked very decidedly not like a rookie as he threw for 272 yards and a touchdown against one interception. More importantly, the Jets easily beat the host Houston Texans 24-7.

NFL sports betting enthusiasts who took the Jets as +4 road underdogs cashed their tickets with the outright win. New York improved to 10-8 ATS as an underdog over the past three NFL seasons.

After the game, Sanchez recounted what Namath had told him in his ersatz pep talk:

"What a pep talk. That was Joe Namath, just taking all the credit from himself and throwing it back to me and just saying, 'Good luck.' To hear that from a legend like that, it just kind of gives you the chills. It was something special to be a part of, an emotional start, an emotional little pep talk."

For his part, Namath said he wasnt surprised at Sanchez's solid debut performance:

"No, I was hopeful and I'm satisfied more than I thought I'd be. His offensive line did a hell of a job, but he did a great job of finding time with his feet, just to move subtly ... I don't doubt even a little bit that he doesn't have poise at this stage."

The Jets defense also had a great afternoon. The run defense was particularly stifling, holding Steve Slaton to just 17 yards on the ground. Afterwards, Slaton couldnt believe what had just happened:

"It's just insane. You work for six months leading up to this first game. You have all offseason to prepare for this game and then to come out and play like that is upsetting."

Texans coach Gary Kubiak took the blame for his teams substandard showing:

"The offensive football team gave us no chance and that starts with me. There's nobody that can feel anything good coming out of this football game."

Houston will start from scratch on Sunday as they travel to Nashville to face the Tennessee Titans. The Titans are a -6 home favorite with the total set at 40. The Jets will play their next two games at home, beginning this weekend against the New England Patriots. New York is +4 home underdog to the Pats, with the total set at 47.

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UFC 92 Flashback: Mir Shocks Nogueira

By Ross Everett

Two titles changed hands at UFC 92, with Rashad Evans defeating Forrest Griffin by TKO to win the light heavyweight title and Frank Mir knocking out Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira to claim the UFC interim heavyweight title.

While nominally taking subordinate status to the Evans/Griffin main event the most shocking result by far was Frank Mir's second round TKO stoppage of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Nogueira was the overwhelming favorite coming into the fight and had never been stopped inside the distance during a career where hed faced the best of the best:

Mir, meanwhile, had been on the verge of a full time move to the broadcast booth before his victory over WWE superstar turned MMA fighter Brock Lesnar. The conventional wisdom concerning Mir was that hed never fully recovered from a serious motorcycle accident in 2004. He eventually returned to the octagon, and after two TKO losses in his first three comeback fights began to consider the possibility that he just didnt have it any more.

When the fight against Brock Lesnar was signed, the perception among most fans was that Mir was a high profile setup for the former WWE champ"a big name on the downside of his career that would be physically overwhelmed by the strength and athleticism of his opponent. The expectation was that after a one-sided loss to Lesnar that Mir would transition into the next phase of his career as a broadcaster.

For the first minute of the fight, it looked like the above scenario was going to play out"Lesnar manhandled Mir from the opening horn, taking him down and landing punishing hammer fists on the ground. That was rendered irrelevant, however, when Lesnar made a rookie mistake and dangled his leg in easy reach of the BJJ blackbelt. Mir locked in a deep knee bar and Lesnar was forced to tap.

There would be no such reprieve against Nogueira, according to many pundits, as he was too experienced and too good of a BJJ player in his own right to give Mir any such opportunities for a fluke submission. Mir entered the UFC 92 fight as a +305 wagering underdog, meaning that oddsmakers and the betting public agreed that he had little chance to prevail in this matchup against a highly experienced veteran that had never been stopped inside the distance.

The fight was certainly one-sided, but it was Mir who was in control throughout. From the opening horn he demonstrated surprisingly sharp striking skills, and knocked Nogueira down twice in the first round.

Though Mir appeared in full control of the fight as the second round began, the end would come with startling suddenness and brutality. After a low kick attempt by Nogueira, Mirs counter tagged his opponent and he followed up with a big right hook that sent the Brazilian crashing to the canvas. Herb Dean jumped in to stop the fight almost immediately, awarding Mir an improbable TKO victory at 1:54 seconds of round #2.

In the light heavyweight championship match, Forrest Griffin got off to a good start in his title defense by using his superior height and reach and an impressive array of kicks to keep Rashad Evans just out of range for two full rounds. That changed dramatically in the third, as a flash knockdown by the challenger gave him the opening he needed to mount Griffin and unleash a brutal ground and pound assault.

The most highly anticipated match on the undercard also featured a lopsided TKO finish as Quinton Rampage Jackson dominated Wanderlei Silva in the third fight between the two men. It was Jacksons first fight since his well publicized hit and run incident in Orange County, California and he looked very sharp throughout before bringing the contest to a close with a perfectly placed left hook to the cheekbone. Silva immediately collapsed to the canvas and the referee started to step in before he hit the ground.

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