Tuesday, June 9, 2015

What will decide the NBA Finals?

Pick Credit:  Getty Images

With the NBA Finals in full swing and many of the experts picking Golden State to win the series I thought about the difference between winning and losing.  Many of the stats and metrics all point to a probable win but are numbers enough to predict a winner.  I say it’s not.  It’s the unseen that affects the game.  It’s the things that we don’t hear about until it’s a documentary on 30 for 30.   

Human Nature

Beyond the court these players are men.  Some are swinging bachelors while others are happily married with children.  Their life beyond the court is what can make or break a series.  If a player is experiencing stress in his personal life can he overcome it?  Most of the great players can and are able to compartmentalize their personal and work life.  On the other hand there are those who let it affect their performance at work. 

I see this often in my job as an academic advisor.  I work with some of the brightest students on campus.  Their motivated and driven until something happens at home.  They lose a loved one or they become pregnant.  These unexpected stressors can affect them so badly that they drop out of school but then there are others who buckle down and push forward valiantly.  The ones who make it through are able to keep the end goal in mind and find some way to deal with it in a positive way. 

Luckily for athletes, playing sports is a great way to deal with stress unless you have millions of eyes on you and reporters waiting to make you the G.O.A.T or the latter.  This is probably why some of them can be found wearing headphones before the game.  Trying to silence the negative voices and bring them into the present so that they’re not worried about past performance or future legacy. 

What happens when a person can’t deal with stress? 

In a short study on WebMD I found that stress can cause:

1.  Headaches
2.  Sleeping Problems
3.  Upset Stomach
4.  Excessive Sweating
5.  Muscle Tension (neck, shoulder and lower back)

These effects would definitely affect a player’s performance.  You ever wonder how players can miss a free throw when their paid to do it.  The affect of stress is the reason.  No matter how much you practice if you can’t deal with the pressure of taking the shot it won’t matter because your body will be fighting itself. 

What can a player do? 

In one word, breath.  Breathing is one of the most powerful tools athletes and we can use to stay focused, relax nerves and muscles.  It’s also a great predictor of stress.  I bet if you try to check on your breathing while your stressed you’ll find you’re either holding your breath or breathing rapidly.  I’ve worked with students who experience test anxiety.  Many times breathing exercises helps these students calm down and allow the hours of study to pay off.

Even though I can’t see beyond the court I believe you can predict a game based on the way players are breathing on the court.  Does it look like their holding their breath?  Are they gasping for air early in the game?  These things are indicators that an individual or a team are succumbing to the pressure and whatever coach can bring them back to the present will be able to win the series.

Who will be that team?  Will it be the Golden State Warriors?  They have all the talent and coaching needed to win but how will they react to the bright lights.  Will the Cavs win it all?  Can LeBron control his breathing as he looks at history in the face?  With five finals under his belt he should have the experience necessary to deal with this stage.  All these questions will be answered in a few days and to all the fans out there planning on watching the game remember don’t forget to breath.     

       

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Movies 1/2 Off

If you are a movie goer like myself, you know itʻs hard to watch a movie in our day and age.  Ticket prices are ridiculously high and the concessions can cost you an arm and a leg.  So how do you watch movies without breaking the bank.  Iʻve found a great way to get at least half of your movie watching bill taken care of.  All it takes is a click of a button or many clicks on apps and websites such as Bing, Swag Bucks and Viggle.  Through these various sites, I have gathered almost $200 dollars worth of movie tickets in 3 months.  In addition, using a Regal card and a $3 popcorn bucket has also brought down some of the concession costs.  The rewards Iʻve received in the past 3 months are listed below.  

2 Free Movie Tickets - Star Trek
Swag Bucks - 4 $25 Gift Cards
$3 Popcorn Bucket
Regal Theaters Card - Free Movie, Discount Popcorn and Drink
Bing - 4 $5 Dollar Fandango Promotional Codes
Viggle - 10 $5 Dollar Fandango Promotional Codes

By going through tedious web searches (Bing), watching tv (Viggle) and taking surveys (Swag Bucks) has allowed me the pleasure to enjoy the movies listed below this summer.                

$10.00






$10.00



$20.00

$22.50

















$22.50



$2.00  





$22.50
$20.00


















$10.00


$20.00




















Total = $159.50

As you can see from the total, I would have dished out about $160 to just watch these movies let alone buy popcorn or a drink.  So if you have the time and the passion for movies, I would suggest you google the application and sites I listed above.  What do you have to lose? 

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Iʻm Back

Wow!  Itʻs been a while since I posted anything on this blog.  With the start of my new job and moving 3 times in the span of 9 months, Iʻve been occupied and quite honestly, lazy.  So in the midst of summer ending, Iʻve decided to jump back on the horse.

So whatʻs been going on since I last wrote...

1.  My job is awesome!!!  Advising students, weed eating the mala (yard) and sailing on a waʻa (boat) are just some of the things my job has me doing.  Currently, Iʻm preparing for my Super Bowl a Transfer Orientation for Native Hawaiian students.  Iʻve never done anything like this before so Iʻm nervous and pumped to see how it turns out.  



2.  Baby number 2 is on the way.


As you can see, I need to invest in a shotgun.  

3.  This may seem worldy but I have a flat screen, blu ray player and HD channels.  Once you go HD you never go back.  Can you say, "Are You Ready For Some Football!" 




4.  Iʻve found a magical way to pay for my movie addiction.  "Swagbucks"  Will be dedicating an entire blog post to this.  COMING SOON



5.  Finally started lifting weights again.  Iʻve already reached my bench max of 225 lbs.  Who needs to do crunches when you can bench your way to thinner looking you.



6.  My grandma has made herself at home in her new place.  Has already grown her own grass in the backyard that once looked like a giant litter box.


7.  Noweo is sleeping without her diaper and has had little to no accidents.  Now she just has to learn to sleep without us.


8.  Preparing for the math portion of the GRE.  Yes, there is an app for that.



9.  Finally got a smart phone.  Now everyone on facebook can see my family through my eyes.



10.  My relationship with my daughter is better then ever.  It was kind of rocky while on Maui but now she is opihi to me.  I think she knows mommy wonʻt be able to spend the same amount of time with her.  So she has attached herself to me.  Canʻt complain until I get kicked in the man region.  Need to buy me a cup.    

     

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Coming Out Of The Darkness

In the past month life has been rough.  Leaving my childhood home behind.  Moving away from my grandmother.  It was like my heart had been cut out.  Even my wife commented that I had changed.  I was no longer the fun loving person.  I had a shorter fuse.  Angry at the world.  Angry at myself.  Hope had been sucked out of me.  It was as if the air of life had been punched out of my lungs and Iʻm waiting to get knocked out.

So whatʻs holding me up?  Whatʻs stopping me from tapping?  During this period, itʻs been the usual things Iʻve employed when I feel rocked by life.

  1. Spending Time With My Family
  2. Praying 
  3. Reading Scriptures
  4. Expressing Myself

But even these usual tactics werenʻt enough.  So I decided to listen to music.  Listen to words of inspiration as I searched for a match to light my flame.

Here are some of the videos that have kept me fighting.













I hope you find these videos useful when you feel like submitting to life.             

 

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving

In honor of Thanksgiving, I thought Iʻd make a list of things Iʻm grateful, which arenʻt so obvious and I take for granted everyday.  Now before I start, I would like to admit that in our day it may be hard to be grateful when we are facing this...


Unrest in the Middle East

Pic Credit:  Frugal Cafe Blog Zone

Unemployment

Pic Credit:  Washington Post

No Twinkies!!!!



Despite these dark times, life is still good.  And this is why...

Pic Credit:  Mom Goes Green

Toilet Paper

Pic Credit:  filtersystem.blogspot.com
  
Clean Water

Pic Credit:  vulture.com
  
No War In Our Backyard

Now do you believe there are people this very second who donʻt have any of the blessings I just mentioned.  As Americans, lets always be grateful for the small things because other people donʻt even have that.    



Monday, November 19, 2012

Thank You Grandma

Just been watching inspirational videos since Iʻve moved to the Big Island. Hoping to be inspired, I came across this youtube video:  




I teared up while watching the video and appreciated all the things my grandma has been for me.  Now unlike the person in the video, Iʻve told my grandmother how much I appreciate her.  But watching his heart felt words made me want to shout to the world how much of an impact my grandmother has been in my life.  

1.  Sheʻs been an ear when I felt like no one was listening. 

2.  She taught me to say "thank you" and "please".  You may not know it but find people with manners isnʻt common.  

3.  She showed me love when I felt like no one in the world cared.  

4.  She went to all my baseball and football games.  It was nice to see someone support me no matter if I sucked or not.  

5.  She read me bible stories and taught me how to pray.  

6.  She drove me to my practices.  

7.  She taught me how to drive.  I tried to learn from my parents and grandpa but they were a little too scary for me.  

8.  She took care of me when I was sick. 

9.  She shared with me stories of the old days that I will always cherish and plan to pass down to my children. 

10.  She told me I was a "GOOD PERSON".  

There are many more things I could write but itʻs safe to say, she was a wonderful grandmother/mother/friend/mentor to me.  



If you have anyone like my grandmother in your life, donʻt forget to tell them thank you.      

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Where Would I Be Without Her? #2

Pic Credit:  Pink Berry Shortcake

This might be a guy thing or a me thing but I didn't know the difference between conditioner and shampoo until I married my wife.  I thought the only difference between the two was that one made my hair softer.  Who knew that you were supposed to use the two simultaneously.  I didn't know.  Luckily, my wife has taught me the importance of hair care.  If she hadn't I would still be using conditioner on its own for a month.  Thank you honey.