Don't Try This At Home

Anderson Silva vs Bonnar

Professionals 

I Don't Know Who These Guys Are

Not Anderson Silva

Don't Stick Your Chin Out

 Leave It To The Professionals!

Where Would I Be Without Her?

This post will be one of many, which I hope to use to remind me when marriage gets rocky how life would be different without her.  So when those days come and the grass (single life) seems greener I can look back on my blog and say, "Where would I be without her?"  And today has been one of those days that I thank my lucky stars I was fortunate enough to meet her.

For over a year now, my family and I have been living with my grandmother.  A grandmother whose more like a mother to me.  A person who gave me the care and love I needed to direct my life in a positive way.  This past year, she has gone through some rough times.  Being faced with the decision to sell her house, which she has lived in for 50 or so years.  A home that I grew up in.  She struggled through the mixed emotions of losing the house.  It's almost like losing a loved one.  She had to go through the grieving process and when she did we were there and my wife specifically to help her through the selling process.  

Since I had so much history with the house, it's been hard for me to handle the emotions of losing the property and so I've relied on my wife a lot.  Because at times I didn't want to even hear that we were selling.  I wanted to pretend that everything was going to be okay and that maybe some miracle would happen and she wouldn't have to sell.  But sadly, life isn't a Disney cartoon and bad things sometimes happen to good people.   

So today, after months of searching for the right house for my grandma.  And with us about to move in a few weeks.  My wife was able to find the perfect home for her.  A home that was the best she had seen.  Which is saying something because my grandma had been very particular.  I guess when you live in one home for 50 years, you like things a certain way.  

Where would I be without her?  

I'd be stressing out and worrying if my grandma was happy and safe.  I probably wouldn't be able to accept the job in Hilo.  In shorthand, I'd be a mess.             

Flopping Rule

With the NBA on the horizon, I've been thinking about the affect that the new flopping rule will have on the game.  If you haven't heard of this new rule yet, here is a link that explains it.  Flopping Rule

In summary, the flopping rule is meant to deter players from pretending to get fouled like this...

and like this...

What's funny is that some of the best floppers are on winning teams.  Based on a players poll taken by Sports Illustrated in 2010-11 here are some of the players on good teams that are considered floppers by their peers.  

1. Manu Ginobili

2.  Shane Battier

3.  Kobe Bryant

4.  Paul Pierce 

Based on the two videos I've posted, I'd say James Harden and Chris Bosh can be put on that list as well.    

So how will the game change?  How will players evolve?  Will scoring in the league rise?  How will this affect championship contenders like Miami, Thunder, Spurs, Lakers and the Celtics who have a few players that like to act?  

Don't know and excited to see how it turns out.  This rule will be just another added spice to the NBA season, which I predict should be another great one.    

Unemployed No More

FINALLY!!!  

Were the words that popped into my head when I heard, "WE WANT TO OFFER YOU THE POSITION".  I couldn't say "yes" fast enough as I silently pumped my fist and did a touchdown dance.  

In my daughter's words, "I did it!"  I had finally done it.  Broken through and gotten the job I had wanted for the past year.  After filling out 50 or more applications to Universities (BYU and all the universities in Hawaii) and Kamehameha.  After countless interviews over the phone and Skype.  After several near misses that had me thinking I had gotten the job.  After nearly giving up on my dream to be a counselor/adviser at a university.  I was blessed to land a position that not only provides for my family but gives me the experience necessary for my long-term goals (Ph.D.).  

All I can say is, "Thank you".  Thanks to my family who supported me through this hard economic time.  Thanks to my grandmother and my in-laws who were kind of enough to open their homes to lessen the financial burden.  Thanks to the friends who kept an eye out for me.  Thanks to those who wrote all my letters of recommendation.  Thanks to the members of my faith who supported me through service and words of wisdom.  And finally, thanks to my Heavenly Father who never forgot about me.

What else can I say?  I'm blessed and hope that my children and others forge through the nay Sayers and the doubts to capture their dreams.  It wasn't easy and I'm not done yet but one of my dreams have come true.  So hope for a better future and fight for it.  Even though you will get beat up through the process I promise that when you score that touchdown it'll be all worth it            

What I Would Say To Myself

Ever since my body weight peaked at 250 lbs I've longed for my high school physique.  With stretch marks decorating my stomach and clothes increasingly shrinking I've realized that I was a smart dummy in high school.  I was smart enough to get A's and B's in class but dumb enough to believe I was a fat whale when I weighed only 150 lbs.   

Why did I feel this way?  Was it because I hung out with the Alpha males of my high school?  Guys who probably had six packs in elementary school.  Or was it because I was fat in elementary through intermediate?  

My early years in public school were filled with encounters with bullies.  I remember being called Shamu as well as other colorful adjectives back then.  Unlike some big boys who may have fought back, I wasn't willing or able to fight, which made me an easy target.       

So what happened in high school?  In one word, "football".  It surrounded me with the alpha males of the school, which kind of buffered me from any bullying.  In addition, it put me in contact with weight lifting, which stopped the 10 lbs I would gain every year.  Then I was blessed to hit a growth spurt that evened out my weight.  So in essence, I grew up.  

But even with my obvious body change, I still felt flabby.  No matter how many crunches I did, I couldn't get a six pack, which to me was a barometer of what made a man sexy.  Which is probably why I was a stuttering fool around girls.  I constantly thought, "What girl would want to be with me?"  Oh, how I wish I could go back in time to slap some sense into me.  

This isn't a high school photo but I am around 185 lbs. Can you imagine what I looked like at 150.    

This is me a few weeks ago. 250 lbs and holding my piglet. Around 7 years later this is what my wife ended up with. Luckily I'm not under warranty.

If I could go back in time, what would I say?            

1.  Stop comparing yourself.  150 lbs doesn't make you overweight.  

Picture Credit:  Vezapost Blog

 
2.  If you're healthy, you're good.  Skinny don't always mean you fit.
    

Picture Credit:  Oddee Blog

3.  Start practicing good eating habits.  You're not going to be playing sports forever.  

4.  Practice yoga.  Flexibility will be your greatest asset when your older.  

Picture Credit:  Suite 707 blog

5.  Get into water sports like surfing so the activities you do on your spare time keep your body physically busy.  

6.  Finally, enjoy the body you have.  You only get one.  

Picture Credit:  Acquired Tastes Blog

       

Don't Count Your Eggs Before They Hatch

Stephen Strasburg and Ryan Zimmerman

Tonight was the end of a great run by the Washington Nationals.  Losing 9 - 7 to the "Never Say Die" Cardinals, Nationals fell in the 9th inning and their dreams for a World Series were dashed.  Now many in the media are probably going to pose the question, "What if?"  What if Strasburg was playing?  What if the Nationals hadn't shut him down?  We'll never truly know but what we do know is that they're not getting out of the first round.  

Now I'm not here to scream it's end of the world and everyone needs to be fired.  On the contrary, I think it's a shrewd business move that is long-term focused.  Thinking long-term is important but it's playing it safe.  It may pay off if they're able to prolong Strasburgs career (get a bang for their buck) but that doesn't guarantee they'll win any championships because of the move.  In sports, you need to live in the moment.  If you have a chance to make it to the World Series and you have one of the best aces in the game (Click if you want to see Strasburg stats) you roll the dice and play him.  The future isn't guaranteed.  

Think about the Chicago Bulls.  The past 2 years they were the talk of the NBA.  They had a young superstar in Derrick Rose and a tough core of players surrounding him.  Their future was bright until Rose lay crumpled on the court in the playoffs last year.  Now this upcoming season looks like a wash with Rose possibly missing the entire season and who knows if he'll be able to bounce back fully.  If he does bounce back the players around him like Boozer, Deng, Hamilton will be another year older.   

So you see, Nationals need to beware.  Remember, the Braves were on your tail last year and they are just as young if not younger than you.  Plus the Phillies aren't going to be as bad as they were this year.  Furthermore, whose to say Strasburg doesn't get injured next year or Zimmerman or Harper.  You don't know and no matter how safe you play it bad things can still happen.  It's sports, people get hurt.                 

NFL Roundup Week 5 Results

 
Week 5 Results = 8 out of 13 


Dolphins at Bengals 
Bengals:  It'll be a close game that could go either way.

17-13 Dolphins
I said the game would be close but just picked the wrong winner. 

Packers at Colts
Packers:  Expect Rodgers to have a big game and get back into the passing grove.  Should be a blowout.   

30-27 Colts
I guess not even the Colts defense can help Rodgers and the Packers offense. 

Ravens at Chiefs
Chiefs:  Ravens run defense isn't as good as they were in the past.  Jamal Charles will have a big game.  

9-6 Ravens
At least I was right on Jamal Charles having a big game.    

Falcons at Redskins
Redskins:  Last week Falcons showed that they aren't unbeatable.  They're going to face another mobile quarterback, whose confidence is ridding high. 

24-17 Falcons
Redskins might have won if it wasn't for Griffin being knocked back to college.   

Browns at Giants
Giants:  Should bounce back at home.

41-27 Giants
Talk about a bounce back. 

Eagles at Steelers
Steelers:  With their two defensive stars back from the disable list the fans as well as the team should be fired up to play.    

16-14 Steelers
It was nice to see Rashard Mendenhall back. 

Seahawks at Panthers
Panthers:  Russell Wilson isn't as good as people thought. 

16-12 Seahawks 
Even with the poor play of Wilson, Seahawks keep winning.  The new Tim Tebow.  

Bears at Jaguars
Bears:  If Cutler is in a good mood the Bears should roll over the Jaguars.  

41-3 Bears
Cutler was in a good mood.  

Titans at Vikings
Vikings:  At home and with Locker out the defensive line of the Vikings will be chomping at the bit. 

30-7 Vikings 
Vikings are for real. 

Broncos at Patriots 
Patriots:  Bill knows how to game plan for Peyton.  Being on a new team, Peyton's teammates won't be able to overcome the scheme that will be thrown at them.   

31-21 Patriots 
Whew!! The Patriots almost threw the game away. 

Bills at 49ers 
49ers:  If the Patriots can run wild last week, what do you think the run heavy 49ers will do.  

45-3 49ers 
49ers opened up another can on the AFC East. 

Chargers at Saints
Saints:  I can't see Bree's allowing his team to lose on the night he'll probably surpass another milestone in his career.  

31-24 Saints
Bree's made sure they weren't losing this game.

Texans at Jets
Texans:  It's going to get ugly and I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't Tebow time after the half.  

23-17 Texans
Wasn't ugly and Tebow time didn't happen but at least the Texans won.   

What Kind Of Fan Are You?

During a hard fought game between the Ravens and the Chiefs, Matt Cassel was knocked unconscious during this play.  

  
 You can't hear through the video but the fans cheered when they saw their quarterback laying on the ground.  I guess his play had been terrible enough to warrant cheers for his physical demise.  


Here is a quote by Eric Winston (Chief's offensive lineman) in reaction to the home field fans that cheered.  

  
What does it say about us as a people?  I know I've been guilty for cheering when others have gotten rocked on a football field.  I've even screamed for Vitor Belfort to pop and break Jon Jones arm during their fight.  

    
Does that make me a bad guy?  Am I blood thirsty?  Or am I and most Americans detached from reality?  Of course I don't feel like a bad guy and to my knowledge I'm not a vampire.  So I must be detached.  

How have I gotten this way?  Personally, I think it's the fact that it's on the tube, which has desensitized me to violence.  For example, you can see a person's head blow up on a popular show like "Bones".  So when you see a guy get crushed on the field, it doesn't seem as violent.  

Secondly, professional athletes like to talk a lot of smack (to build up fan excitement).  So much smack that you think they really do hate each other and like most reality shows, it's all about the drama.  So like any drama the audience ends up taking sides and viewing the "other side" as a villain (deserving of poor fortune). 

How do we become reattached to reality?  By visualizing if we personally knew the players.  We need to realize that the personalities we see on television aren't 100 percent real.  Bad guys aren't that bad and good guys aren't that great.  We need to recognize that every athlete is a son, husband and father.  If we were to see them as a family or friend we might not cheer so enthusiastically for them to get their arm ripped off.   

When we are able to do that we'll be a better fan.  A humane fan who realizes a person's life is greater then a win or a loss.     

NFL Roundup Week 5

 
Here are my picks for NFL Roundup Week 5:  

Dolphins at Bengals

Bengals:  It'll be a close game that could go either way.
 
Packers at Colts
Packers:  Expect Rodgers to have a big game and get back into the passing grove.  Should be a blowout.   

Ravens at Chiefs
Chiefs:  Ravens run defense is a good as they were in the past.  Jamal Charles will have a big game.    

Falcons at Redskins
Redskins:  Last week Falcons showed that they aren't unbeatable.  They're going to face another mobile quarterback, whose confidence is ridding high.  

Browns at Giants
Giants:  Should bounce back at home.

Eagles at Steelers
Steelers:  With their two defensive stars back from the disable list the fans as well as the team should be fired up to play.    

Seahawks at Panthers
Panthers:  Russell Wilson isn't as good as people thought. 

Bears at Jaguars
Bears:  If Cutler is in a good mood the Bears should roll over the Jaguars.  

Titans at Vikings
Vikings:  At home and with Locker out the defensive line of the Vikings will be chomping at the bit. 

Broncos at Patriots 
Patriots:  Bill knows how to game plan for Peyton.  Being on a new team, Peyton's teammates won't be able to overcome the scheme that will be thrown at them.   

Bills at 49ers 
49ers:  If the Patriots can run wild last week, what do you think the run heavy 49ers will do.  

Chargers at Saints
Saints:  I can't see Bree's allowing his team to lose on the night he'll probably surpass another milestone in his career.  

Texans at Jets
Texans:  It's going to get ugly and I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't Tebow time after the half. 

The Future Of Baseball

For the past couple of years especially after players such as Bonds, McGwire, Sosa and Clemens were crucified for taking performance enhancing drugs, I've heard many announce the death of baseball.  With the homerun record tainted and big names such as Jeter, Chipper Jones and Alex Rodriguez getting older.  I wondered if those talking heads were right.  Was baseball going to become insignificant?  

I think the 2012 season has proven that baseball is going to make a comeback.  With the old farts getting older a new crop of superstars have arrived.  From the MVP caliber play of Mike Trout to the dominating pitching of Stephen Strausburg.  There are dozens of young players making a name for themselves this season.  Here are just some of the players that make me think baseball's future is safe. 

26 Years And Younger 

1.  Mike Trout (CF):  21 years old
Stats:  .325 BA, 30 HR, 83 RBI, 129 Runs, 48 SB 

Having one of the greatest rookie seasons of all time and possibly an MVP season.  This youngster is a cocktail of speed and power.  Barring any injuries, he could become the greatest player since Barry Bonds (younger version). 

2.  Bryce Harper (CF):  19 years old
Stats:  .270 BA, 22 HR, 59 RBI, 97 Runs, 18 SB

If it wasn't for Trout, Harper would be getting more of the buzz.  He was one of the most hyped young players in the off season. 

3.  Stephen Strausburg (SP):  24 years old
Stats:  3.16 ERA, 15-6 W-L, 197 SO

These numbers could even be better if it weren't for that stupid inning rule.  I really hope this doesn't bite the Nationals in the butt during the post season.  Unless they're playing my Braves.  
  
4.  Jason Heyward (RF):  23 years old
Stats:  .267 BA, 27 HR, 82 RBI, 91 Runs, 20 SB

With Chipper Jones retiring, Jason and the other youthful Braves will become the face of the franchise.  I think the Braves future is looking as bright as it has since the Braves of the 90's.    

5.  Craig Kimbrel (RP):  24 years old
Stats:  1.02 ERA, 42 SV, 113 SO

One of the most dominating young closers in the majors.    

6.  Kris Medlen (SP):  26 years old
Stats:  1.57 ERA, 10-1 W-L, 120 SO

Coming off of injury, Kris has been lights out for the Braves.  After being put into the starting lineup, he has possibly become the most dominating pitcher in the majors.  The stats he accumulated has been after starting only 12 games.  Can you imagine what it would look like if he had a full season under his belt.   
 
7.  Evan Longoria (3B):  26 years old
 Stats:  .283 BA, 14 HR, 52 RBI, 36 Runs, 2 SB 

It's a down season for Longoria but I don't expect it to be a trend.  Just last year he had 31 HR's and 99 RBI's.  

8.  Felix Hernandez (SP):  26 years old
 Stats:  3.06 ERA, 13-9 W-L, 223 SO

Can you imagine what his stats would like if he was on a better team.    

9.  Buster Posey (C):  25 years old
Stats:  .337 BA, 24 HR, 102 RBI, 78 Runs, 1 SB

After a horrible injury last week he has really bounced back this year. 

10.  Andrew McCutchen (CF):  25 years old
Stats:  .327 BA, 31 HR, 96 RBI, 107 Runs, 20 SB

The biggest star on the Pirates.  The team has a bright future if they can hold on to him.  

11.  Giancarlo Stanton (RF):  22 years old
Stats:  .291 BA, 37 HR, 86 RBI, 75 Runs, 6 SB

Can you imagine how bad this team would be without him.  I smell another Miguel Cabrera in a few years.  

12.  Clayton Kershaw (SP):  24 years old
Stats:  2.58 ERA, 13-9 W-L, 221 SO

The Dodgers resurgence will be based on Matt Kemp and Clayton's arm or the health of it.  

13.  Carlos Gonzalez (LF):  26 years old
Stats:  .303 BA, 22 HR, 85 RBI, 89 Runs, 20 SB

What a surprise.  Another power hitter coming out of Colorado. 

14.  Yoenis Cespedes (LF):  26 years old
Stats:  .289 BA, 23 HR, 82 RBI, 69 Runs, 16 SB

A big reason why the A's are good this year. 

Here is a highlight reel of Mike Trout, the future of MLB.