Archives for August, 2008
15
Aug
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Leguna Seca
After a four-week break, the team and riders headed to the Czech Republic for this weekend’s round in Brno where Casey Stoner has apparently apologised to Valentino Rossi for the remarks he made after the last round of the Championship at Leguna Seca.
Rossi now has a 25-point lead on Stoner, despite Stoner winning the previous three races, but this morning during the pre-event press conference, the pair shook hands.
Stoner blasted the riding of Rossi at the US round leading too much criticism for the Ducati rider, however, Stoner admitted that on reflection he had overreacted.
The two riders will no doubt go head to head again at Brno for round 12 although it has not always been the best race for Rossi.
Rossi said,
“I had a bad race here last year but some good results here in the past. It is a track that I like and where I won my first Grand Prix in 1996. I am very curious to try it out on Bridgestone tyres and to understand the grip and the potential of the new surface.”
The surface at the Brno circuit has recently been resurfaced so it will be a contest between Bridgestone and Michelin to see who has produced the best compound.
In the past two years, it has been Bridgestone-shod riders that have been at the front, setting the fastest laps, pole-positions and victories, however, with a new surface to contend with it means that both tyre manufacturers have had only the two days of testing back in June to make their decisions.
Bridgestone said that although the test riders struggled for grip, the new smooth surface meant that they could still ride at the same speeds,
Michelin are expecting the new surface to be hard on their front tyre but less so on their rear with the times being even quicker.
It should be an interesting race, with Rossi and Stoner both striving for those important points in a Championship which still has seven races to go. Tyre decision is going to be a major factor for the teams and riders at this weekends race.
15
Aug
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In the wake of their loss to Greece in the 2006 World Championships, the US looked to the play of their defense as the major area of concern. Hellas scored 105 points… in 40 minutes of basketball. Angola wasn’t involved people, we’re talking about the USA.
Fast forward to Beijing, 2008. The US definitely had something to prove. Unlike everywhere outside North America, young basketball players in the US of A do not grow up thinking about a gold medal. Dwyane Wade was not imagining hitting the game winning shot on the last day of the Olympic tournament as a kid in Robbins, Illinois. The reputation of what everyone deems to be the best basketball nation in the country had taken a hit from 2002-2006, but it takes time to develop that pride and desire to fend off the charging hoards. It looks like the two years since that loss to the Greeks have helped.
The US seemed a little more confident in its first two walk-in-the-park games versus China and Angola - not cocky, but ready. Even while playing those games, it was today’s rematch against Greece that would really show how far they’ve come. The game stayed close in the 1st with the Greeks trailing by four after 1. For most of the 2nd, starters Kobe Bryant and LeBron James were joined by reserves Chris Paul, Wade and Chris Bosh. The Greeks were outscored by 15 as the US displayed some serious passion and some frantic feet and hands on the defensive end. There is no doubt, the US is the most athletic team on the planet, and the bench really fired up the superheroes in white.
Dwyane Wade is back. And, I mean, 2006, win the championship on his own, back. Chris Bosh has been the team’s best big man; maybe all his Olympic-loving Euro teammates in Toronto have rubbed off on him. And, Chris Paul is most definitely this squad’s best PG - the “leadership” of Jason Kidd is not needed and is severely lacking, as pointed out in this terrific live blog by Mr. Skeets. The US had dunks on 4 straight possessions caused by their defensive intensity in the Q as they started to pull away. The normally savvy Greeks were rushing things, taking shots with hands in their faces because they were rattled. Greece hadn’t seen this much fire since their post-game saganaki celebration in ‘06; the Americans sure didn’t bring any in that semi-final game. This isn’t often said about this collection of players, but the USA wanted it more today.
So, what is it all USA in this 23-point win, or did the Greeks just play poorly? The easy answer is “a little bit of both”, and that maybe the case, but it’s often the squad that takes it to the other team, that ends up on top (see: the Celtics beating the Lakers this past June.) Spain is the other team in this tournament that seems to be able to turn their game up another level when they need it. It should be a goody this Saturday, 10:15 am EST, the Americans and the Spaniards.
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15
Aug
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Team USA exacted a bit of revenge by shutting down the Greek pick-and-roll in a win early Thursday morning.
15
Aug
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Beware The Martial Arts “Open Mind” Police was written by Matt Numrich from jkdondvd.com
If you are going to pursue any kind of martial arts — whether it be in the classroom, at a seminar or even in a home study course — then I want to warn you about what I call the “open mind police.”
These are people who teach martial arts and make it a point to go on and on and on about “keeping an open mind” when, in reality, it’s the last thing they do themselves.
And make no mistake, these people are extremely dangerous.
Why?
Because in their classes and in their writings these people will always preach hard about keeping an open mind and rail about not being prejudice with other arts.
Only problem is, if you talk to them one on one, review the last five years of their training, or creep inside their inner thoughts, you’ll find the exact opposite.
You’ll find they pay lip service to having an open mind but will pathologically cling to their traditions and rarely ever look at anything else in any kind of depth.
And that’s a big mistake. A big, big, BIG mistake. A mistake that can even cost lives.
Because as Bruce Lee discovered 30 years ago — while dissecting dozens of the most combative martial arts in the world — the only way to be able to adapt and deal with any violent situation that can happen in real life, you have to borrow and use whatever works.
Whether it’s “mainstream” or not…whether it’s “accepted” by your peers or not…and whether it goes against “tradition” or not.
Why am I telling you this?
Because, as you learn more about fighting, here and anywhere else you seek knowledge from, you will be tempted to shut out certain skills, tactics and techniques if they don’t fit in with what you’ve previously learned.
Please never do that.
Always consider everything. Try to work new moves and ideas in to what you know. If you find it doesn’t fit or work, then discard it. But if it does work, then by all means, use it!
In other words…REALLY do have an open mind. It can make all the difference in the world should you ever find your back to the wall on the street some day.
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15
Aug
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Become A Dangerous Martial Artist — Fast was written by Matt Numrich from jkdondvd.com
If you would like to literally double the speed in which you become a truly dangerous opponent to anyone who attacks you on the street, then you’re going to love the secret contained in this article.
Check this out:
All you have to do, whenever you learn a new fighting skill, tactic, technique or move — such as the information you get in a martial arts class or video or even an article like this — is teach whatever skill or technique you just learned to someone else.
It doesn’t matter who you teach it to, whether it’s a friend, family member, neighbor, co-worker — anyone who is interested.
Does this sound almost too simple?
Then realize this:
Every expert in any subject — especially fighting, self defense and martial arts — knows there’s no better way to sharpen up your skills, knowledge and abilities than teaching what you learn to someone else.
It’s absolutely true.
In fact, doing this one simple thing — which can take as little as five or ten minutes in most cases — will literally double your fighting skills (and the amount of damage you cause anyone dumb enough to attack you) in no time flat.
Try it yourself and see.
Next time you learn a new martial arts or self defense move, tactic, or idea, teach it to someone else. Preferably someone you love and care about — like your mother, father, son or daughter. Doing so will only further cement the teaching in your own mind and make you that much more a master of that skill yourself.
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15
Aug
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Call Your Martial Arts Training Partner An An “A-Hole” was written by Matt Numrich from jkdondvd.com
Sometimes in my street-fighting martial arts classes…I will purposely put two people who don’t like each other (or even hate each other) together during sparring sessions.
In some cases, when I really want them to make progress, I’ll encourage them to tease, taunt and even verbally abuse each other.
Why do I do this?
Is it because I’m some kind of jerk who gets a rise out watching people yell at one another?
Not at all.
I do this because making people train in emotionally-charged situations like this is one of the single best ways to teach them how to control their emotions and keep their priorities straight.
You see, in a real fight on the street, you are going be exposed to a level of emotional intensity that you simply will not feel anywhere else. Anywhere.
And so, if you can learn how to distance yourself from your anger, your fear and your frustration — by training yourself how to block it out while sparring in an emotionally-charged situation — then your chances of walking away from a real fight in one piece go up dramatically.
And you should do the same thing when you spar and train. Taunt and tease each other. Call each other names. Push each other’s hot buttons.
Just make sure you do NOT do this without a third person present to mediate things, especially if either of you lacks self control.
In fact, be very careful with this. Because if either (or worse, both) of you have deep hostility towards each other, then you could end up going much farther than sparring.
So like anything — especially when it comes to training how to fight — use common sense.
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15
Aug
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I traveled ALL day yesterday and don’t know what the heck is going on in the world of tennis, so I’ll play catch up today and try to get up to date this evening.
Right now I’m watching the match between American James Blake and Switzerland’s Roger Federer. Blake is holding his own and looking good.
Everyone have a great day!
15
Aug
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Many fans don’t watch golf unless Tiger Woods is playing.
(Lauren/Flickr)
“WITHOUT TIGER, TV GOLF IS IN A TAILSPIN” said the headline of a recent story at Golf.com.
“Golf’s TV ratings have fallen into the abyss,” wrote Sports Illustrated Senior Editor Dick Friedman. “Despite Padraig Harrington’s thrilling victory on Sunday at Oakland Hills, the overnight rating for the PGA Championship was 3.0, down 55% from last year’s final round at Southern Hills — an event won by (surely you recall) Woods.”
In an effort to dig deeper, ARMCHAIR GOLF interviewed a devoted Tiger fan to get his reaction to the current state of pro golf.
Q: What effect has Tiger’s season-ending injury had on your golf-viewing habits?
WHISKERS: Meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow. Meow, meow meow meow, meow meow meow meow meow meow.
Q: You’re not alone. The ratings are way down. But we’ve been told you’re getting more exercise. That’s good.
WHISKERS: Meow.
Q: So what have you been doing now that you’re not watching Tiger play?
WHISKERS: Meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow.
Q: Anything else besides spending more time outdoors?
WHISKERS: Meow meow.
Q: Are you going to watch the Ryder Cup?
WHISKERS: Meow!
Q: Really? But you would if Tiger played?
WHISKERS: Meow, meow meow.
Q: Sure, I understand. Thanks for taking the time.
WHISKERS: Meow meow.
15
Aug
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…at a country club no less. Here’s the memo that ensued –>
Subject:Dress Code Vilolator of the Day
Importance: High
This guy had Baggy skateboard Camouflage Cargo shorts. Shoes: (non visible) Flip Flops. Shirt: street, un-tucked, rolled up sleeves. His buddies did not look much better.
[Redacted] told them nicely that they had to conform and buy some clothes in the proshop. Three cheers for [Redacted]. I nominate him for employee of the month.
Enforcing the dress code is the answer to this problem.
Update Just to clarify: this memo was written by a friend of mine who is a board member at a country club. He knows I write about golf fashion and dress codes, and as such, he shared the memo and enclosed snapshot, with me.
15
Aug
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“I did not have three thousand pairs of shoes, I had one thousand and sixty.”
If that quote from Imelda Marcos resonates with you… at all… you’ll want to have a look at the amazing Nycole St. Louis golf shoe line. Yes, these are definitely golf shoes for the shoe whore aficionado.
Nycole is Canadian, she’s based in Mont Tremblent, the whimsical Quebec mountain village famous for its ski slopes and chalets, but also known for its breathtaking golf courses. So Nycole does boots and golf shoes. And for both lines she selects leathers from Italy. But not just any leathers; these are uniquely colorful leathers, metallic and prints too. …And she blends these eccentric colors and textures with ultra traditional elegant styling. The resulting look is pretty awesome. In my opinion. And the Imelda quote definitely resonates with me.
