This season has been one of the most interesting college football seasons that we've seen in the past decade. Last years champions, the Alabama Crimson Tide, have lost three games this season and Ohio State, who was ranked number two at the beginning of this, may not even win their conference. Oregon, Auburn, and TCU are the only teams that are undefeated, with Auburn and Oregon as the front-runners for the chance to play in the BCS Title Game.
One of the biggest surprises this season is Auburn quarterback, Cam Newton. Newton is leading his team to a BCS Championship in his first season with them, something that rarely occurs. He is currently the front-runner for the Heisman trophy with the other three candidates being Andrew Luck of Stanford, LaMichael James of Oregon, and Kellen Moore of Boise State. All of these players have been fantastic thus far, but for sure Cam Newton has been the most outstanding.
Boise State, who also had a fantastic opportunity to get to the Championship, lost in overtime against conference rival Nevada. They were hoping for either Oregon or Auburn to lose, which is looking like it wont happen now. Their hopes for Championship is absolutely destroyed. Maybe in years to come, they will have a chance but will more than likely never happen.
Yes, college football has been very different this season. The expected match up of Auburn and Oregon will be one to remember, as the two teams have never played one another. Only time will tell if things will stay the same in the standings and we as the football fans are going to be able to witness such an amazing game.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
NHL All-Star Game
The NHL has been known as the joke of all professional sports leagues in the US, other than soccer. Americans have been unable to connect with the sport as our northern friends in Canada have, but fortunately, this trend of being a joke is changing. In order to bring some attention and change, the NHL announced that it would be changing the format of its All-Star Game, which is to be held in Raleigh this year.
In years past, the All-Star Game has had two sides, Western verses Eastern. Fans voted on the players that they wanted from each conference and the players with the most votes made the roster. This year, in an attempt to bring in more viewers, the NHL is drastically changing this traditional format. In this edition of the All-Star Game, fans will vote for all the different players, regardless of conference, and thus make a pool of players that are set to be participating. Then, the two players with the most votes will be declared captains and these two players will draft their teams from the pool of players. No more Eastern verses Western. Now, it will be just a head-on-head with all the greatest hockey players in the world.
In its own way, this idea is somewhat of a throwback. Brandon Shanahan, the man who is responsible for this change, says that the All-Star Game is just taking hockey players back to their beginning. It will be just like the days back when kids gathered together in the neighborhood and picked teams. The idea is to allow the players to have fun and enjoy the process and that this will translate to fun and thrilling moments for the fans.
This new Fantasy Draft idea is brilliant and will hopefully show to be successful come January 28 of next year, the official beginning of the All-Star Weekend. This format should bring in lots of new fans and peak the interest for people who have always been somewhat skeptical of the NHL. It makes for lots of hype, which the NHL can always use. It will be interesting to see if other leagues take on this draft style as well in years to come and hopefully bring forth success for this very under appreciated sport.
In years past, the All-Star Game has had two sides, Western verses Eastern. Fans voted on the players that they wanted from each conference and the players with the most votes made the roster. This year, in an attempt to bring in more viewers, the NHL is drastically changing this traditional format. In this edition of the All-Star Game, fans will vote for all the different players, regardless of conference, and thus make a pool of players that are set to be participating. Then, the two players with the most votes will be declared captains and these two players will draft their teams from the pool of players. No more Eastern verses Western. Now, it will be just a head-on-head with all the greatest hockey players in the world.
In its own way, this idea is somewhat of a throwback. Brandon Shanahan, the man who is responsible for this change, says that the All-Star Game is just taking hockey players back to their beginning. It will be just like the days back when kids gathered together in the neighborhood and picked teams. The idea is to allow the players to have fun and enjoy the process and that this will translate to fun and thrilling moments for the fans.
This new Fantasy Draft idea is brilliant and will hopefully show to be successful come January 28 of next year, the official beginning of the All-Star Weekend. This format should bring in lots of new fans and peak the interest for people who have always been somewhat skeptical of the NHL. It makes for lots of hype, which the NHL can always use. It will be interesting to see if other leagues take on this draft style as well in years to come and hopefully bring forth success for this very under appreciated sport.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Packers Breakdown 2.0
This season has had many surprising story lines thus far. The Super Bowl hopeful Dallas Cowboys have fallen to a 1-7 record and have fired their coach, Wade Philips. The Kansas City Chiefs were the last undefeated team in the league, something nobody saw coming. Another surprising story is that the Green Bay Packers, who were hoping to be the best team in the league, have not reached their preseason expectations.
The Packers have a 6-3 record, which is good enough to make them a part of the elite teams, but this is in now way what they had hoped for. In their defense, they have been plagued with numerous injuries. They lost their sack leading player in Clay Matthews for two weeks, in which they lost both of those games. They also lost Nick Barnett, a key linebacker, for the entire season. The list goes on, but the most impacting injury without a doubt came when Ryan Grant, the Packers 1,200 yard rusher from a season before, went out for a run and injured his leg, ending his season only after it had just begun.
The Packers have been buried by a last second field goal in regulation and by two over time field goals. Needless to say, those games could have gone either way and we could honestly be looking at an undefeated Packers squad. Hopefully, they can still recapture some glory and make a run in the playoffs. Unless they get to the Super Bowl, this season will be somewhat of a let down for this growing team despite having a depleted roster. It is still possible to have a good season, but in Lambeau, expectations will be getting higher and it will be interesting to see if this young team can meet them.
The Packers have a 6-3 record, which is good enough to make them a part of the elite teams, but this is in now way what they had hoped for. In their defense, they have been plagued with numerous injuries. They lost their sack leading player in Clay Matthews for two weeks, in which they lost both of those games. They also lost Nick Barnett, a key linebacker, for the entire season. The list goes on, but the most impacting injury without a doubt came when Ryan Grant, the Packers 1,200 yard rusher from a season before, went out for a run and injured his leg, ending his season only after it had just begun.
The Packers have been buried by a last second field goal in regulation and by two over time field goals. Needless to say, those games could have gone either way and we could honestly be looking at an undefeated Packers squad. Hopefully, they can still recapture some glory and make a run in the playoffs. Unless they get to the Super Bowl, this season will be somewhat of a let down for this growing team despite having a depleted roster. It is still possible to have a good season, but in Lambeau, expectations will be getting higher and it will be interesting to see if this young team can meet them.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Cooking
Without a doubt, cooking is one of my passions. From cooking omelets in the morning to fettuccini alfredo for dinner, virtually all kind of cooking is exciting and interesting to me. My specialties are fried rice, grilling, fettuccini alfredo, and virtually all breakfast foods. My favorite part about cooking is that I get to customized it to my liking. I am able to spice my food how I want to and I am able to cook it as long as I want to.
My father, a very good cook as well, is the one who probably has helped me developed in my cooking the most. My dad likes to add lots of ingredients to his food items, which has allowed me to see how to prepare each ingredient, such as garlic. Preparing fresh garlic is very important and it is valuable for a good cook to know how. My father has taught me how to use fresh garlic and it is a skill that I am very happy that I know, although it is not at all difficult.
Also cooking has allowed me to have a larger appreciation for fresh food. In today’s world, virtually all food is prepared for us. Although most people love this, I detest it. I think it is a tribute to how lazy our society has become, but that is a totally different topic. Knowing how to cook allows me to be able to understand how much different things are when they are prepared in your own kitchen as opposed to just heating it up in your own kitchen. It also has allowed me to understand the value of healthy foods and how to prepare easy yet tasty meal that are good for our bodies.
Knowing how to cook is something that I take great pride in and something that I intended to practice throughout my life time. I will always be glad to cook for myself and for others and I hope that I am able to help others know how to cook in the future. To me, there is nothing like being able to run around the kitchen frantically while preparing the meal, and then being able to sit down and enjoy the food with others.
My father, a very good cook as well, is the one who probably has helped me developed in my cooking the most. My dad likes to add lots of ingredients to his food items, which has allowed me to see how to prepare each ingredient, such as garlic. Preparing fresh garlic is very important and it is valuable for a good cook to know how. My father has taught me how to use fresh garlic and it is a skill that I am very happy that I know, although it is not at all difficult.
Also cooking has allowed me to have a larger appreciation for fresh food. In today’s world, virtually all food is prepared for us. Although most people love this, I detest it. I think it is a tribute to how lazy our society has become, but that is a totally different topic. Knowing how to cook allows me to be able to understand how much different things are when they are prepared in your own kitchen as opposed to just heating it up in your own kitchen. It also has allowed me to understand the value of healthy foods and how to prepare easy yet tasty meal that are good for our bodies.
Knowing how to cook is something that I take great pride in and something that I intended to practice throughout my life time. I will always be glad to cook for myself and for others and I hope that I am able to help others know how to cook in the future. To me, there is nothing like being able to run around the kitchen frantically while preparing the meal, and then being able to sit down and enjoy the food with others.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Creeper Trail
The autumn in North Carolina and Virginia is truly more beautiful and greater than any other location in the United States. The pleasant coolness of the weather and the dashing colors of the leaves changing is a wonder to behold. The Creeper Trail, although it sounds strange, is a wonderful site to observe and enjoy this glorious autumn.
The Creeper Trail is located on White Top Mountain, VA. It was formally used as a rail road track, but was transfomed into a beautiful path for bikers to enjoy. The entire path is aproximately twelve miles long and an average three percent downgrade. It is optional whether one would like to ride up the mountain or down, but it is obviously much easier when going downhill.
There are many beautiful bridges that lead bikers over rivers treetops throughout this trail and there are plenty of spots for photographers to stop and capture the natural beauty. Obviously the most spectacular aspect of the ride is the wonderous colors of the many leaves on the branches of the trees that one passes. The beautiful red, yellow, and bright orange make for excellent viewing and truly make the ride enjoyable for all. If one is to ever have this oppurtunity, it would be a drastic mistake to miss it. Regardless of colder or warmer weather, this is truly one of the greatest sites one will ever witness.
The Creeper Trail is located on White Top Mountain, VA. It was formally used as a rail road track, but was transfomed into a beautiful path for bikers to enjoy. The entire path is aproximately twelve miles long and an average three percent downgrade. It is optional whether one would like to ride up the mountain or down, but it is obviously much easier when going downhill.
There are many beautiful bridges that lead bikers over rivers treetops throughout this trail and there are plenty of spots for photographers to stop and capture the natural beauty. Obviously the most spectacular aspect of the ride is the wonderous colors of the many leaves on the branches of the trees that one passes. The beautiful red, yellow, and bright orange make for excellent viewing and truly make the ride enjoyable for all. If one is to ever have this oppurtunity, it would be a drastic mistake to miss it. Regardless of colder or warmer weather, this is truly one of the greatest sites one will ever witness.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Illegal Money
This season, UNC football has had many problems. They were supposed to have good team this year, but due to the suspensoins that have been handed out to many of the starters, they have struggled greatly. These suspensions have been due to money given to certain players, which directly violates NCAA policies. These suspensoins have brought great misfortune to the overall success of the team and will more than likely continue to plague them if they continue.
These suspensoin have been handed to thirteen different players, eight of which are starters. Obviously, these have dramatic effects on the overall success of the once highly ranked team. The major problem with this is that the agents of these highly recruited players have absolutely no reprimmands. These agents are the ones who strongly push for the extra money to be paid to the players because they gain a large percentage of this profit. Although yes the player and team are commiting illegal acts, they should not be the only ones punished. In all fairness, the agent should be recieving punishments that are equal, if not more than that of the players.
Although UNC is the only major team to be caught for doing this as of late, they are in no way the only team doing it. Players and agents are becoming more and more greedy and college football programs have plenty of money to offer to these semi-pro athletes. If this problem is not addressed by the NCAA, it will only become worse. The same thing that is happening in the MLB with performance enhancing drugs will occer in the NCAA. Major League Baseball has had many problems as of late with numerous players, some even being all-stars, coming out and admitting to taking these drugs. The MLB is now having to find these players and dealing with them as needed, but it could have been avoided if they had taken care of it when the problem became apperent.
If the NCAA doesn’t take care if this illegal giving of money, the problem will most definitely come back against them. They must root out those teams that are providing this money for the players and issue the appropriate punishments. The game itself is changing drastically, especially at the college level, but if this problem is not dealt with, the game will take a dramatic step in an undesired direction.
These suspensoin have been handed to thirteen different players, eight of which are starters. Obviously, these have dramatic effects on the overall success of the once highly ranked team. The major problem with this is that the agents of these highly recruited players have absolutely no reprimmands. These agents are the ones who strongly push for the extra money to be paid to the players because they gain a large percentage of this profit. Although yes the player and team are commiting illegal acts, they should not be the only ones punished. In all fairness, the agent should be recieving punishments that are equal, if not more than that of the players.
Although UNC is the only major team to be caught for doing this as of late, they are in no way the only team doing it. Players and agents are becoming more and more greedy and college football programs have plenty of money to offer to these semi-pro athletes. If this problem is not addressed by the NCAA, it will only become worse. The same thing that is happening in the MLB with performance enhancing drugs will occer in the NCAA. Major League Baseball has had many problems as of late with numerous players, some even being all-stars, coming out and admitting to taking these drugs. The MLB is now having to find these players and dealing with them as needed, but it could have been avoided if they had taken care of it when the problem became apperent.
If the NCAA doesn’t take care if this illegal giving of money, the problem will most definitely come back against them. They must root out those teams that are providing this money for the players and issue the appropriate punishments. The game itself is changing drastically, especially at the college level, but if this problem is not dealt with, the game will take a dramatic step in an undesired direction.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Lake Forest
Sometimes one’s life becomes overwhelming and the many difficulties seem to bring one down. The best way for one to escape these trials is no doubt to have a place of comfort. For me and my family, our place of comfort is the place known to us as Lake Forest. Lake Forest is located on Kerr Lake in Clarksville, Virginia. Going to our lake home is always an escape from life and an excellent get away from the problems of society.
Our lovely lake house is located on the top of a kudzu field that overlooks the tress and lake below. The activities of this home are virtually endless. They vary from lake activities to the many woodland games that can be played. In our basement are many games such as pool and ping-pong. Regardless of the crowd, there is never a moment for boredom.
The very entertaining activities are what make the get away home. Along with the fun they bring, the also bring the people together. Going to our lake home is always its own vacation and enjoyable to have others come with us. Our family is always jumping at the oppurtunity to escape society and cannot wait to return to our favorite vacation spot.
Our lovely lake house is located on the top of a kudzu field that overlooks the tress and lake below. The activities of this home are virtually endless. They vary from lake activities to the many woodland games that can be played. In our basement are many games such as pool and ping-pong. Regardless of the crowd, there is never a moment for boredom.
The very entertaining activities are what make the get away home. Along with the fun they bring, the also bring the people together. Going to our lake home is always its own vacation and enjoyable to have others come with us. Our family is always jumping at the oppurtunity to escape society and cannot wait to return to our favorite vacation spot.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)