As the Tour of Britain enters stage 4 today in Stoke on Trent we have already seen the dangers faced by riders and the injuries that can be sustained by professional cyclists. Stage 4 takes the riders from Stoke on Trent to Llanberis, taking in the scenery of North Wales and a few hills on the way throughout their 116 mile journey.
These athletes are pushing their bodies in their bids for glory with little protection should they fall, other than a crash helmet. We witnessed throughout the Tour De France the various injuries which could be sustained as a result of crashing alone, with this fear something riders have to contend with.
In stage 2 Sir Bradley Wiggins escaped serious injury in a crash as a result of the persistent rain. He was fortunate not to sustain injury considering he was travelling at around 30mph downhill until the Italian Giovanni Visconti in front took a tumble which led to Wiggins landing on top of him. The rainy conditions are yet another thing for riders to contend with through the Tour of Britain.
Knee Injuries
Falling off your bike can be very painful and cause a lot of damage to both soft tissue and your joints, depending on how and where you land. You would typically expect either the knee, wrists or elbows to take the full force of impact following a fall.
Knee injuries can be extremely painful and effectively end cyclist's hopes of continuing in a race. Whilst knee injuries themselves can be less common than high impact sports such as tennis and football it is falling from a bike which can cause impact damage. A crash can cause inflammation to the joint limiting movement as well as being very painful.
There are various methods of rehabilitation following a knee injury as a result of impact. Such an injury can normally be self-limiting and will get better over time with rest and stretching with ice being used to help manage the inflammation and pain. A knee support can be used to help manage inflammation and pain as well as offering additional support during movement.
There are a number of knee support options available on the market, each designed to manage specific conditions or injuries from sprains and patella tendonitis to knee ligament damage and osteoarthritis of the knee. Following an impact injury you need a knee support which can offer compression and stabilisation of the joint, allowing you to remain active for longer.
Thigh Injuries
Muscle injuries are typically as a result of overuse or overstretching, something which can be quite common among athletes who are continually pushing themselves to go harder and faster. Riding a bike puts an immense amount of strain on the lower limbs and the muscles including the calf and thigh, with riders exceeding speeds of 30mph even up hill.
Thigh injuries can be common place following a taxing stage, whether from overuse or a failure to warm up or cool down. Whilst rest and ice will typically manage such a condition the use of a thigh support can also help to offer compression and manage inflammation. The use of a thigh support can also help to reduce pain and with it, allow the patient to remain active for longer than they would have done otherwise.
A thigh support can be available in either a thigh wrap or in the form of compression shorts, the latter also offering compression to the hamstring and groin area. The main purpose of a thigh support is to protect the muscle from further injury by stabilising the muscle and alignment. The compression offered by the thigh support can also help to reduce pain and enhance performance by allowing the patient to stay active for longer.
Sports Braces and Supports
It is essential in the modern world of sport for stars to remain active and keep playing for as long as possible and avoiding injury at all costs. Whilst injuries are sometimes unavoidable the use of sports braces following an injury has become more prominent in recent years. There are sports braces for every type of injury, whether as a preventative measure, to be used post injury and even those to be used following an operation.
Knee support is designed to help manage conditions and injuries pertaining to the knee. There are different types of material used for each knee support, but typically neoprene of BioSkin are used for those wishing to wear the brace during active play. These types of material allow the knee support to breathe and are flexible to conform to the patient's skin so that they can be worn under clothing and are comfortable.
There are exceptions however with the likes of knee ligament braces such as the CTi which have a rigid carbon fibre exoskeleton to protect against impact damage. A knee support such as the CTi simply offers protection against impact damage and would not normally be seen on a tennis court, but more on a BMX rider or skier.
The thigh support or compression shorts both offer the same levels of compression, with some coming complete with a cinch strap to offer an even greater level of compression. As with a knee support, a thigh support is designed to be breathable and be discreet, so that it can be worn under clothing and work with the patient rather than against them.
Final Thoughts
Recovering fully from an injury is the most important thing before training once again, as failure to do this can cause further problems in the future and subsequent injuries. We have to remember that those competing in the Tour of Britain are professional athletes who have trained for such distances but like the amateur rider are susceptible to the same risks in terms of falling off their bike and picking up joint and muscle injuries.
If you pick up an injury you should stop and rest and if it fails to remedy itself within a couple of days then seek professional guidance. Typical rehabilitation routes can include rest, light exercise, surgery, physiotherapy and even the use of a brace such as a thigh support or knee support as discussed above.
2013年9月29日星期日
Juventus 4-3-3 Formation 1996
Italian giants Juventus played with a 4-3-3 formation when they won the Champions League by beating Ajax in the 1996 final. The 4-3-3 formation consists of four defenders, three midfielders and three attackers. This system of play is a development of the 4-2-4 the Brazilian national team played with when they won the 1958 FIFA World Cup.
One of the first teams in the history of football to use the 4-3-3 formation was the Brazilian national team coached by Moreira in the 1962 FIFA World Cup. The Brazilians were using a 4-2-4 formation but Zagallo dropped to the midfield to create a new system of play. The 4-3-3 formation was also used by successful Dutch teams in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
Teams that use the 4-3-3 formation normally have a flat back four (the sweeper system was used by many teams from the 1960s to the 1980s). The midfield can be arranged in a linear or triangular organization. The triangular organization can be defensive or offensive in character. The defensive form of the triangular organization has two players in the bottom of the triangle, while the offensive form has one player in the bottom and two on the top.
Marcello Lippi's Juventus organized their midfield in a line when they defeated Ajax (1-1 aet, 4-2 on penalties) in the 1996 Champions League Final. The trio Deschamps, Sousa and Conte formed a dynamic midfield that was well supported by the other lines. Del Piero, Vialli and Ravanelli possessed offensive qualities that made it easy for defenders and midfielders to set them up. Vierchowod and Ferrara were central defenders and Pessotto and Torricelli were wing-backs. Juventus played with long balls either behind Ajax's defensive line or towards Ravanelli's head or chest. This meant that the midfield had time to push forward and help the offensive trio. Apart from the long ball, the wing-backs were used to create width, which is a must when a team plays 4-3-3. Juventus had a physically strong team that managed to create coherence between the lines.
Juventus starting eleven in the 1996 Champions League Final
Goalkeeper: Angelo Peruzzi Peruzzi played more than 200 matches for Juventus and he was capped 31 times with Italy. Peruzzi was a hero when he saved the penalties from Davids and Silooy in the penalty shoot-out against Ajax.
Central-defenders: Pietro Vierchowod and Ciro Ferrara Vierchowod was an experienced man to man marker. The 37-year old created a strong defensive duo with Ciro Ferrara. Ferrara was capped 49 times and played over 250 matches with Juventus. He was one of the best defenders of his generation.
Wing-backs: Gianluca Pessotto and Moreno Torricelli Although right-footed, Pessotto played on the left side of the pitch. He scored on his penalty in the penalty shoot-out. Right-back Torricelli played football on a part-time basis when Juventus played a friendly against his amateur club Caratese. They liked him and the 22-year old amateur was purchased by the Italian giants. Torricelli played with a lot of heart and was liked by the fans.
Midfielders: Paolo Sousa, Antonio Conte and Didier Deschamps The fact that all three in this Juventus midfield today are coaches explains the intelligence this trio had. Paulo Sousa was the director of the midfield. He had great vision and was an excellent passer. Conte played over 400 matches for Juve and he is a real legend for their fans. He was a fantastic midfielder who combined both quality in attack and strong defensive work. Deschamps had a winning spirit and was one of the best defensive midfielders in the 1990s. He was an ideal partner for Paulo Sousa and Conte. They created one of the best midfields in the history of Champions League Football.
Attackers: Fabrizio Ravanelli, Gianluca Vialli and Alessandro Del Piero Ravanelli was the striker who was famous for his white hair. He was one of Europe's best goalscorers in the 1990s. Vialli was the captain of Juventus in the Final against Ajax. He was very strong and a very good finisher inside the box. Del Piero is a Juventus legend and one of the greatest superstars of his generation. He played 19 seasons for Juventus until he was released in the summer of 2012. Del Piero holds the club records both for goals (290) and appearances (705).
One of the first teams in the history of football to use the 4-3-3 formation was the Brazilian national team coached by Moreira in the 1962 FIFA World Cup. The Brazilians were using a 4-2-4 formation but Zagallo dropped to the midfield to create a new system of play. The 4-3-3 formation was also used by successful Dutch teams in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
Teams that use the 4-3-3 formation normally have a flat back four (the sweeper system was used by many teams from the 1960s to the 1980s). The midfield can be arranged in a linear or triangular organization. The triangular organization can be defensive or offensive in character. The defensive form of the triangular organization has two players in the bottom of the triangle, while the offensive form has one player in the bottom and two on the top.
Marcello Lippi's Juventus organized their midfield in a line when they defeated Ajax (1-1 aet, 4-2 on penalties) in the 1996 Champions League Final. The trio Deschamps, Sousa and Conte formed a dynamic midfield that was well supported by the other lines. Del Piero, Vialli and Ravanelli possessed offensive qualities that made it easy for defenders and midfielders to set them up. Vierchowod and Ferrara were central defenders and Pessotto and Torricelli were wing-backs. Juventus played with long balls either behind Ajax's defensive line or towards Ravanelli's head or chest. This meant that the midfield had time to push forward and help the offensive trio. Apart from the long ball, the wing-backs were used to create width, which is a must when a team plays 4-3-3. Juventus had a physically strong team that managed to create coherence between the lines.
Juventus starting eleven in the 1996 Champions League Final
Goalkeeper: Angelo Peruzzi Peruzzi played more than 200 matches for Juventus and he was capped 31 times with Italy. Peruzzi was a hero when he saved the penalties from Davids and Silooy in the penalty shoot-out against Ajax.
Central-defenders: Pietro Vierchowod and Ciro Ferrara Vierchowod was an experienced man to man marker. The 37-year old created a strong defensive duo with Ciro Ferrara. Ferrara was capped 49 times and played over 250 matches with Juventus. He was one of the best defenders of his generation.
Wing-backs: Gianluca Pessotto and Moreno Torricelli Although right-footed, Pessotto played on the left side of the pitch. He scored on his penalty in the penalty shoot-out. Right-back Torricelli played football on a part-time basis when Juventus played a friendly against his amateur club Caratese. They liked him and the 22-year old amateur was purchased by the Italian giants. Torricelli played with a lot of heart and was liked by the fans.
Midfielders: Paolo Sousa, Antonio Conte and Didier Deschamps The fact that all three in this Juventus midfield today are coaches explains the intelligence this trio had. Paulo Sousa was the director of the midfield. He had great vision and was an excellent passer. Conte played over 400 matches for Juve and he is a real legend for their fans. He was a fantastic midfielder who combined both quality in attack and strong defensive work. Deschamps had a winning spirit and was one of the best defensive midfielders in the 1990s. He was an ideal partner for Paulo Sousa and Conte. They created one of the best midfields in the history of Champions League Football.
Attackers: Fabrizio Ravanelli, Gianluca Vialli and Alessandro Del Piero Ravanelli was the striker who was famous for his white hair. He was one of Europe's best goalscorers in the 1990s. Vialli was the captain of Juventus in the Final against Ajax. He was very strong and a very good finisher inside the box. Del Piero is a Juventus legend and one of the greatest superstars of his generation. He played 19 seasons for Juventus until he was released in the summer of 2012. Del Piero holds the club records both for goals (290) and appearances (705).
Law of Attraction and Dreams, Premonitions or Predictions
Recently, I received an interesting email in which a woman told me that when she was 10 years old, she was shown in a dream how one day she would have a son and he would die at a certain age in a specific fashion. She also reported that this did, in fact, occur. Her question to me was, "How can I believe the Law of Attraction is working when some things seem beyond our control?"
What's happening when we have dreams, premonitions or receive a prediction that something (usually unwanted) is going to take place in the future? Or when it does happen we remember having received foreknowledge?
Here are three things you might consider:
1. Time only exists here on earth for us humans. Quantum physics teaches that although everything; every event, every experience, every possibility exists at the same time--in the NOW--man has invented time: the past, the present and the future, to bring some sort of order into these experiences. Religions call this Eternity--the place where time has no beginning and no end.
2. The Law of Attraction teaches us that everything vibrates and every vibration affects all other vibrations. I like the way Abraham-Hicks put it: "Everything vibrates and is communicating, reacting, responding and integrating with other vibrating things." ~Well Being Cards
3. Our subconscious mind is directly connected to the Super Conscious Mind (Source, Higher Power, Inner Being and Holy Spirit) and we are all learning how to translate this information for "human consumption." Remember, the translator is a person with their own agenda, fears and ideas about the meaning of this information.
I have been experiencing dreams, visions and prophetic words since 1987--actually, I had many experience of this nature as a young child, followed by years of rare occurrences. What I've found is that ANY piece of information can be interpreted through a filter of fear or love. When it is filtered through fear, it usually brings an ominous feeling to the prediction. When it is filtered through love, the message uplifts, encourages and strengthens people. And the choice is in the hands of the interpreter. I have decided to interpret dreams, visions and prophecies in the most positive life-giving way! Any thing less does not feel good to me.
So, my answer to the question: "How can I believe the Law of Attraction is working when some things seem beyond our control?" is this--
All things are connected at Source. Believe the best interpretation you can give to your dreams, premonitions, and all such occurrences. And if the prediction should come true--or you receive an outcome which is different or less than you would have chosen--KNOW THIS: you are indeed blessed to have been PREPARED for this event.
When I was pregnant with my fourth child, Sarah, I had a premonition that something was not right with the child I was carrying. I even told one of my girlfriends, "You know how people say, 'I don't care if it's a boy or girl, as long as it's ok?' Well, I can't say that about this baby. I CAN say, 'I don't care if it's a boy or girl and it's ok if it is not ok.' All will be well." And of course, when Sarah was born it was still surprising that she was born with Down's Syndrome. And yet, I felt so SPECIAL, because I HAD been prepared.
I truly believe in the prevalence of Goodness. I believe the knowledge of an event before it occurs is a gift. Something in us attracted this knowledge so that we could consciously prepare for it. Does that mean we have no choice or say in such matters? Sometimes the vibration of another person becomes a part of our life and deep down inside of us, we DO have a corresponding harmonious vibration. Sarah chose to be born different genetically. Her true self wants to experience life here on earth different from most people. I have a vibration in me that loves her and wants to encourage and support her along her journey.
What's happening when we have dreams, premonitions or receive a prediction that something (usually unwanted) is going to take place in the future? Or when it does happen we remember having received foreknowledge?
Here are three things you might consider:
1. Time only exists here on earth for us humans. Quantum physics teaches that although everything; every event, every experience, every possibility exists at the same time--in the NOW--man has invented time: the past, the present and the future, to bring some sort of order into these experiences. Religions call this Eternity--the place where time has no beginning and no end.
2. The Law of Attraction teaches us that everything vibrates and every vibration affects all other vibrations. I like the way Abraham-Hicks put it: "Everything vibrates and is communicating, reacting, responding and integrating with other vibrating things." ~Well Being Cards
3. Our subconscious mind is directly connected to the Super Conscious Mind (Source, Higher Power, Inner Being and Holy Spirit) and we are all learning how to translate this information for "human consumption." Remember, the translator is a person with their own agenda, fears and ideas about the meaning of this information.
I have been experiencing dreams, visions and prophetic words since 1987--actually, I had many experience of this nature as a young child, followed by years of rare occurrences. What I've found is that ANY piece of information can be interpreted through a filter of fear or love. When it is filtered through fear, it usually brings an ominous feeling to the prediction. When it is filtered through love, the message uplifts, encourages and strengthens people. And the choice is in the hands of the interpreter. I have decided to interpret dreams, visions and prophecies in the most positive life-giving way! Any thing less does not feel good to me.
So, my answer to the question: "How can I believe the Law of Attraction is working when some things seem beyond our control?" is this--
All things are connected at Source. Believe the best interpretation you can give to your dreams, premonitions, and all such occurrences. And if the prediction should come true--or you receive an outcome which is different or less than you would have chosen--KNOW THIS: you are indeed blessed to have been PREPARED for this event.
When I was pregnant with my fourth child, Sarah, I had a premonition that something was not right with the child I was carrying. I even told one of my girlfriends, "You know how people say, 'I don't care if it's a boy or girl, as long as it's ok?' Well, I can't say that about this baby. I CAN say, 'I don't care if it's a boy or girl and it's ok if it is not ok.' All will be well." And of course, when Sarah was born it was still surprising that she was born with Down's Syndrome. And yet, I felt so SPECIAL, because I HAD been prepared.
I truly believe in the prevalence of Goodness. I believe the knowledge of an event before it occurs is a gift. Something in us attracted this knowledge so that we could consciously prepare for it. Does that mean we have no choice or say in such matters? Sometimes the vibration of another person becomes a part of our life and deep down inside of us, we DO have a corresponding harmonious vibration. Sarah chose to be born different genetically. Her true self wants to experience life here on earth different from most people. I have a vibration in me that loves her and wants to encourage and support her along her journey.
2013年9月26日星期四
Jake Shannon – Quitting Smoking by Committing Suicide?
Jake Shannon – Everyone knows that cigarette smoking is bad for those around you and even worse for your own health. That’s one of the reasons why smoking is banned in Utah bars and restaurants, besides it’s costly and disgusting, and can kill you and those you care the most about.
According to the New England Journal of Medicine, nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke were 25% more likely to have heart disease. The good news is, after just 5 years of non-smoking, the odds of dying from lung cancer drops by almost half! And after 15 years, the risk of heart disease is equal to that of a nonsmoker, and the risk of dying from lung cancer is only slightly higher than that of a non-smoker. How
Recently, doctors have been prescribing a new drug from Pfizer named Chantix to help smokers quit. The Chantix website boasts, “CHANTIX has been proven to help people quit.” It boasts a 44% cure rate verses 18% for a placebo (which is a pretty good rate for a sugar pill really!).
What the advertising likes to marginalize are the behavioral effects. The fine print of the Chantix advertisement reads,
“Some patients have reported changes in behavior, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal thoughts or actions”.
These side-effects have recently manifested themselves in some truly tragic ways (as these articles can attest):
* FDA Issues Public Health Advisory on Chantix
* This is My Brain on Chantix article from New York Magazine.
* Can Chantix Cause Depression?
* As Bad News Mounts, Chantix Prescriptions Crumble article from the Wall Street Journal.
So while you can potentially quit smoking with prescription Chantix, you may also quit living too.
According to the New England Journal of Medicine, nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke were 25% more likely to have heart disease. The good news is, after just 5 years of non-smoking, the odds of dying from lung cancer drops by almost half! And after 15 years, the risk of heart disease is equal to that of a nonsmoker, and the risk of dying from lung cancer is only slightly higher than that of a non-smoker. How
Recently, doctors have been prescribing a new drug from Pfizer named Chantix to help smokers quit. The Chantix website boasts, “CHANTIX has been proven to help people quit.” It boasts a 44% cure rate verses 18% for a placebo (which is a pretty good rate for a sugar pill really!).
What the advertising likes to marginalize are the behavioral effects. The fine print of the Chantix advertisement reads,
“Some patients have reported changes in behavior, agitation, depressed mood, suicidal thoughts or actions”.
These side-effects have recently manifested themselves in some truly tragic ways (as these articles can attest):
* FDA Issues Public Health Advisory on Chantix
* This is My Brain on Chantix article from New York Magazine.
* Can Chantix Cause Depression?
* As Bad News Mounts, Chantix Prescriptions Crumble article from the Wall Street Journal.
So while you can potentially quit smoking with prescription Chantix, you may also quit living too.
Jake Shannon – Solving the Immigration Problem
Jake Shannon – For some reason, the mainstream media has been pushing “immigration” as a problem in search of a solution. Why this “smoke and mirrors” issue is being pushed so hard, in light of MORE sweeping legislation being passed by the 111th Congress like the Dodd-Frank Bill, is a bit disconcerting to me.
For some reason, the mainstream media has been pushing “immigration” as a problem in search of a solution. Why this “smoke and mirrors” issue is being pushed so hard, in light of MORE sweeping legislation being passed by the 111th Congress like the Dodd-Frank Bill, is a bit disconcerting to me. The solution to immigration seems to be a self-evident one; simply allow any foreigner, without a criminal background, that is actively seeking work to stay here.
Now please note, I am advocating freedom of entry and residency, and not “amnesty” or the granting of U.S. citizenship. Anyone working here, that is producing or otherwise contributing to the overall economy should be able to freely.
If we had no welfare state, there would be few valid arguments against opening our borders, assuming the foreign citizens weren’t allowed to vote and they didn’t have a violent or fraudulent criminal history. However, if foreign citizens are allowed to vote, take food stamps, Social Security, “free” medical care, and “free” education, then there are some very serious conflicts of interest.
Immigration is really a secondary issue. End welfare, Social Security, Medicare, the progressive income tax, the minimum wage, public education and the War on Drugs and you will end the enmity towards immigrants (assuming they aren’t violent criminals). Keep those institutions and you create bad incentives.
For some reason, the mainstream media has been pushing “immigration” as a problem in search of a solution. Why this “smoke and mirrors” issue is being pushed so hard, in light of MORE sweeping legislation being passed by the 111th Congress like the Dodd-Frank Bill, is a bit disconcerting to me. The solution to immigration seems to be a self-evident one; simply allow any foreigner, without a criminal background, that is actively seeking work to stay here.
Now please note, I am advocating freedom of entry and residency, and not “amnesty” or the granting of U.S. citizenship. Anyone working here, that is producing or otherwise contributing to the overall economy should be able to freely.
If we had no welfare state, there would be few valid arguments against opening our borders, assuming the foreign citizens weren’t allowed to vote and they didn’t have a violent or fraudulent criminal history. However, if foreign citizens are allowed to vote, take food stamps, Social Security, “free” medical care, and “free” education, then there are some very serious conflicts of interest.
Immigration is really a secondary issue. End welfare, Social Security, Medicare, the progressive income tax, the minimum wage, public education and the War on Drugs and you will end the enmity towards immigrants (assuming they aren’t violent criminals). Keep those institutions and you create bad incentives.
Jake Shannon – A Tea-O-Con Case Study
Jake Shannon – With the recent ouster of Bob Bennett, it seems many incumbent Republicans are scrambling and cranking up the spin-machine in an attempt to jump aboard the recent “Liberty/Tea Party” freight-train. I like to call these folks Tea-o-Cons; Neo-Conservatives who leverage true-blue American libertarian rhetoric to get elected, then once they are in power they actually legislate against liberty and libertarian values.
With the recent ouster of Bob Bennett, it seems many incumbent Republicans are scrambling and cranking up the spin-machine in an attempt to jump aboard the recent “Liberty/Tea Party” freight-train. I like to call these folks Tea-o-Cons; Neo-Conservatives who leverage true-blue American libertarian rhetoric to get elected, then once they are in power they actually legislate against liberty and libertarian values. It’s the old “bait & switch” scam and they are essentially Neo-Conservative wolves in Sheep’s clothing.
On July 12th, 2003, Rep. Ron Paul gave a speech to Congress where he described the Neo-Conservatives (“neo-cons” for short) as former leftists (he calls them former-Trotsky-ites) and their beliefs:
1) Permanent revolution; violent as well as intellectual
2) Re-drawing the middle east through force
3) Pre-emptive war to achieve desired ends
4) The ends justify the means
5) No opposition to the Welfare state
6) Strongly endorse American empire
7) Lying is necessary for the state to survive
8) Believe a power Federal government is a benefit
9) Pertinent acts about how a society should be run should be decided by the elite and withheld from those who don’t have the “courage” to deal with it
10) Neutrality in foreign affairs is ill-advised. Force should not be limited to the defense of our country
11) They dislike and despise libertarians
12) Attacks on civil liberties are necessary
13) Unconditionally support Israel
In essence, Neo-Cons are pro-war, anti-liberty, anti-accountability, deceptive, and pro-Zionist. Tea-O-Cons are simply Neo-Conservative wolves in Tea Party sheep’s clothing. Since I am running for the same office currently held by former Democrat, now Republican Jason Chaffetz, I thought I’d apply a Tea-O-Con analysis toward his legislative legacy. Now, those who’ve seen incumbent Rep. Jason Chaffetz (UT-3) on The Colbert Nation being soundly defeated in leg wrestling (which is even funnier given he was a kicker for BYU) or doing photo-ops with a goat know that Mr. Chaffetz is very likable. I am in no way whatsoever contesting Mr. Chaffetz’s affability. And to be totally fair, Rep. Jason Chaffetz, has never claimed to be libertarian or to be a staunch defender of the Constitution or Bill of Rights, as far as I know.
With the recent ouster of Bob Bennett, it seems many incumbent Republicans are scrambling and cranking up the spin-machine in an attempt to jump aboard the recent “Liberty/Tea Party” freight-train. I like to call these folks Tea-o-Cons; Neo-Conservatives who leverage true-blue American libertarian rhetoric to get elected, then once they are in power they actually legislate against liberty and libertarian values. It’s the old “bait & switch” scam and they are essentially Neo-Conservative wolves in Sheep’s clothing.
On July 12th, 2003, Rep. Ron Paul gave a speech to Congress where he described the Neo-Conservatives (“neo-cons” for short) as former leftists (he calls them former-Trotsky-ites) and their beliefs:
1) Permanent revolution; violent as well as intellectual
2) Re-drawing the middle east through force
3) Pre-emptive war to achieve desired ends
4) The ends justify the means
5) No opposition to the Welfare state
6) Strongly endorse American empire
7) Lying is necessary for the state to survive
8) Believe a power Federal government is a benefit
9) Pertinent acts about how a society should be run should be decided by the elite and withheld from those who don’t have the “courage” to deal with it
10) Neutrality in foreign affairs is ill-advised. Force should not be limited to the defense of our country
11) They dislike and despise libertarians
12) Attacks on civil liberties are necessary
13) Unconditionally support Israel
In essence, Neo-Cons are pro-war, anti-liberty, anti-accountability, deceptive, and pro-Zionist. Tea-O-Cons are simply Neo-Conservative wolves in Tea Party sheep’s clothing. Since I am running for the same office currently held by former Democrat, now Republican Jason Chaffetz, I thought I’d apply a Tea-O-Con analysis toward his legislative legacy. Now, those who’ve seen incumbent Rep. Jason Chaffetz (UT-3) on The Colbert Nation being soundly defeated in leg wrestling (which is even funnier given he was a kicker for BYU) or doing photo-ops with a goat know that Mr. Chaffetz is very likable. I am in no way whatsoever contesting Mr. Chaffetz’s affability. And to be totally fair, Rep. Jason Chaffetz, has never claimed to be libertarian or to be a staunch defender of the Constitution or Bill of Rights, as far as I know.
2013年9月25日星期三
Montana - The Last Hurrah And The Breathtaking View Atop
My heart pounded. The sweat soaked my shirt. The sun was merciless beating down on my back and shiny forehead. I could see the summit just up ahead, so I pushed a little harder. And when I got there - I could see the top ANOTHER quarter mile or so up ahead! Those false summits will kill me yet!
This was the summer that I was going to do it! The Dieties and I had studied and approached Little St. Joe Peak in Montana’s Bitterroot Range a half dozen times over the past 3 or 4 years, and each time vowed that the next time we came up we were “going to do that peak - no doubt about it!” Friends and I had camped at the overlook below the peak at the end of the road a couple of times, started up the peak in slushy snow, or too late in the day. I had made it up to the last hurrah of rock hopping to the top realizing my time for the day was past, and I turned back.
Little St. Joe is not one of the most outstanding peaks of the Bitterroot Range but certainly very approachable, following the windy dirt road past the Charles Waters Recreation Area and Bass Creek Campground, between Florence and Stevensville, Montana. The road up onto the bench below the peak, hits a fairly well marked trail from the parking towards the peak. Truly a favorite, at the end of road 1136, the trailhead begins at a perfect parklike picnic spot with a cliff drop off right next to it. A wonderful lookout viewing point from those cliffs affords a view of the cliffs across Bass Creek canyon and a sweeping panoramic view out across the entire Bitterroot Valley. When my kids were little we picnicked and camped there often, with treasured times settled in camp chairs perched out on the cliff overlook. With the expansive view we watched the mountain mists playing across the Bitterroot Range peaks.
Then again there was that pesky trail... . Finally, all the conditions were perfect. I had an early start on that day in July, the snows had receded on the higher slopes - and I had the whole day to myself and my Cosmic Companions to work this climb without rushing.
The trail departs the parking spot, taking a steep decline off down into the next draw. Passing through a wonderful patch of salmon berries, they delay further movement up the trail, sidetracked into working the berry patch. Taking a sharp incline, the trail almost crawls up the next ridge. Hitting the top of that ridge I am again captivated by the awesome view from yet another outcropping cliff, looking out across Bass Creek canyon far below.
Past the outcrop the trail departs the cliffs, into heavier timber for the next mile or so. Working over logs, and zigzagging through the trees it leads ever higher up the mountain’s flank. I find again that living, working, and training for such adventures down there along the Missoula valley hills leaves something to be desired. I marvel as I hike short distances up to the next turn, then stand there - breathing hard, waiting for the pounding heart to calm. I wonder then that I had suddenly gotten so fifty something old and out of shape. After all, I routinely do 4 to 6 miles training treks up and down my local hills and hardly break a sweat! Of course, the elevation difference of around 3/4ths of a mile from the valley floor serves a rarefied air, forcing me to work to take in enough oxygen to maintain a pace up here. A factor to keep in mind - unless you’re younger than dirt anyway.
From the trailhead to the last hurrah at the base of the peak the trail climbs through the timber from around 6,200 feet to around 6,800 feet. Breaking out of the timber again, spectacular views abound from cliff outcroppings down into Bass Creek and of the ranges to the south. For the lunch stop, I sat above the high mountain basin to the north of the trail. This wonderful basin opening out to the north side features a stream, waterfalls, and high mountain ponds. The Dieties have made sure that it is nearly impossible to get enough of this high country splendor.
The hard part: the last hurrah. The trail nearly disappears as I work up, around and through a series of boulder fields. Where dirt - probably younger dirt than myself - does appear between the rocks you know that you are following some version of high mountain trail. The scramble over the rocks tediously continues for the next hour or so, through boulder fields toward that summit right up there!
The false summit hits me as the true summit finally comes into view - another quarter mile on up the boulder fields! An incredible area though, as I pause in my stumbling up the ridge, turning to catch my breath on the exposed face. I absolutely revel in the views up and down the Bitterroot Valley and over across the Sapphire Range to the east.
That last hurrah: a push from 7,200 feet to 9,033 feet, a good 1,800 foot elevation climb, nearly the undoing of this tired old body. But the absolute thrill! Little St. Joe’s summit was achieved at last..., the little pile of rocks..., the jar with signatures..., and the view - the splendid view in all directions! Absolutely worth every aching muscle, every drop of sweat, a perfect place to settle in for a while with the Cosmic Companions, drinking in the surrounding mountainous wonder.
And of course, perched there, reveling in the surroundings, the pathway leading across the connecting ridge and on up to the summit of St. Joseph Peak standing even taller behind Little St. Joe looks so available. Oh my, another day perhaps, another lifetime maybe.
This was the summer that I was going to do it! The Dieties and I had studied and approached Little St. Joe Peak in Montana’s Bitterroot Range a half dozen times over the past 3 or 4 years, and each time vowed that the next time we came up we were “going to do that peak - no doubt about it!” Friends and I had camped at the overlook below the peak at the end of the road a couple of times, started up the peak in slushy snow, or too late in the day. I had made it up to the last hurrah of rock hopping to the top realizing my time for the day was past, and I turned back.
Little St. Joe is not one of the most outstanding peaks of the Bitterroot Range but certainly very approachable, following the windy dirt road past the Charles Waters Recreation Area and Bass Creek Campground, between Florence and Stevensville, Montana. The road up onto the bench below the peak, hits a fairly well marked trail from the parking towards the peak. Truly a favorite, at the end of road 1136, the trailhead begins at a perfect parklike picnic spot with a cliff drop off right next to it. A wonderful lookout viewing point from those cliffs affords a view of the cliffs across Bass Creek canyon and a sweeping panoramic view out across the entire Bitterroot Valley. When my kids were little we picnicked and camped there often, with treasured times settled in camp chairs perched out on the cliff overlook. With the expansive view we watched the mountain mists playing across the Bitterroot Range peaks.
Then again there was that pesky trail... . Finally, all the conditions were perfect. I had an early start on that day in July, the snows had receded on the higher slopes - and I had the whole day to myself and my Cosmic Companions to work this climb without rushing.
The trail departs the parking spot, taking a steep decline off down into the next draw. Passing through a wonderful patch of salmon berries, they delay further movement up the trail, sidetracked into working the berry patch. Taking a sharp incline, the trail almost crawls up the next ridge. Hitting the top of that ridge I am again captivated by the awesome view from yet another outcropping cliff, looking out across Bass Creek canyon far below.
Past the outcrop the trail departs the cliffs, into heavier timber for the next mile or so. Working over logs, and zigzagging through the trees it leads ever higher up the mountain’s flank. I find again that living, working, and training for such adventures down there along the Missoula valley hills leaves something to be desired. I marvel as I hike short distances up to the next turn, then stand there - breathing hard, waiting for the pounding heart to calm. I wonder then that I had suddenly gotten so fifty something old and out of shape. After all, I routinely do 4 to 6 miles training treks up and down my local hills and hardly break a sweat! Of course, the elevation difference of around 3/4ths of a mile from the valley floor serves a rarefied air, forcing me to work to take in enough oxygen to maintain a pace up here. A factor to keep in mind - unless you’re younger than dirt anyway.
From the trailhead to the last hurrah at the base of the peak the trail climbs through the timber from around 6,200 feet to around 6,800 feet. Breaking out of the timber again, spectacular views abound from cliff outcroppings down into Bass Creek and of the ranges to the south. For the lunch stop, I sat above the high mountain basin to the north of the trail. This wonderful basin opening out to the north side features a stream, waterfalls, and high mountain ponds. The Dieties have made sure that it is nearly impossible to get enough of this high country splendor.
The hard part: the last hurrah. The trail nearly disappears as I work up, around and through a series of boulder fields. Where dirt - probably younger dirt than myself - does appear between the rocks you know that you are following some version of high mountain trail. The scramble over the rocks tediously continues for the next hour or so, through boulder fields toward that summit right up there!
The false summit hits me as the true summit finally comes into view - another quarter mile on up the boulder fields! An incredible area though, as I pause in my stumbling up the ridge, turning to catch my breath on the exposed face. I absolutely revel in the views up and down the Bitterroot Valley and over across the Sapphire Range to the east.
That last hurrah: a push from 7,200 feet to 9,033 feet, a good 1,800 foot elevation climb, nearly the undoing of this tired old body. But the absolute thrill! Little St. Joe’s summit was achieved at last..., the little pile of rocks..., the jar with signatures..., and the view - the splendid view in all directions! Absolutely worth every aching muscle, every drop of sweat, a perfect place to settle in for a while with the Cosmic Companions, drinking in the surrounding mountainous wonder.
And of course, perched there, reveling in the surroundings, the pathway leading across the connecting ridge and on up to the summit of St. Joseph Peak standing even taller behind Little St. Joe looks so available. Oh my, another day perhaps, another lifetime maybe.
Bingo - Become A Bingo Millionaire With These Great Tips
Have you ever want to become rich just by playing your favourite online bingo game? I’m giving you the chance to become instantly richer just by playing the game of bingo. All you need are some basic tips on how to make the game of bingo work for you. Thankfully the Internet has provided people with the chance to upload their best tips and strategies. Once you have covered the best ways to play bingo, the money will start piling in. Let’s begin!!
First off, play at a well-known bingo site where you’re certain your money will be kept safe. This will also ensure that your winnings are paid out. If you’re already playing at a reliable bingo site, then this tip won’t apply to you. Wherever possible, try to register with bingo sites that offer an instant 100% or 300% match bonus on your deposit. Many bingo sites offer a 50% match bonus on all future deposits. Play at as many bingo sites as offer this bonus. This will increase the starting amount of your cash!! Play 25c bingo games as they offer the biggest cash jackpots.
It’s very important to note the time that you play online bingo. It makes all the difference. Remember that fewer people equal more winnings!! It’s a fact that at any one time, a player has to claim a bingo, so the fewer the players the less the competition - and the bigger your chance of gaining some bucks!! Try not to play between 6-9 am or 6-11pm as most of the bingo halls are packed during these bingo peak hours. Try playing on a Monday or Tuesday, there are guaranteed to be fewer players in the bingo hall. Stay away from the bingo halls on a Friday or Saturday when bingo players tend to log on only to socialise with their buddies.
Join a chatroom immediately once you register. Besides the fact that you’ll have the opportunity to meet people from all around the world, you’ll have the chance to qualify for the chatroom bonuses on offer. Try to make as many friends as possible; relationships are always important when it comes to online bingo.
Register for the bingo site’s newsletter. It’ll keep you up to date with all the latest promotions so you’ll be the first to know about new promotions. Try out instant games. You’ll be able to play for free or for real. Playing for real will instantly increase your winnings. There is such a large variety of ways to play that you’ll find many ways to increase your cash.
If a bingo site offers you the choice to change your cards, go for it!! There are zillions of bingo sites that offer this function and it can only benefit you. Refer your favourite bingo sites to friends. You’ll receive a certain amount of money just for spreading the word of a cool bingo site. Be generous with your winnings. If you give out a dollar to your opponents, the favour could easily be returned if your neighbour wins with your dollar.
There are so many ways to become a bingo millionaire. The opportunities to win have been greatly increased thanks to the Internet. Always be persistent when playing bingo games; eventually, once you get the hang of things, you’ll create your own luck. And the greatest thing of all is that you can enjoy all this while sitting in front of your computer in the comfort of your own home.
First off, play at a well-known bingo site where you’re certain your money will be kept safe. This will also ensure that your winnings are paid out. If you’re already playing at a reliable bingo site, then this tip won’t apply to you. Wherever possible, try to register with bingo sites that offer an instant 100% or 300% match bonus on your deposit. Many bingo sites offer a 50% match bonus on all future deposits. Play at as many bingo sites as offer this bonus. This will increase the starting amount of your cash!! Play 25c bingo games as they offer the biggest cash jackpots.
It’s very important to note the time that you play online bingo. It makes all the difference. Remember that fewer people equal more winnings!! It’s a fact that at any one time, a player has to claim a bingo, so the fewer the players the less the competition - and the bigger your chance of gaining some bucks!! Try not to play between 6-9 am or 6-11pm as most of the bingo halls are packed during these bingo peak hours. Try playing on a Monday or Tuesday, there are guaranteed to be fewer players in the bingo hall. Stay away from the bingo halls on a Friday or Saturday when bingo players tend to log on only to socialise with their buddies.
Join a chatroom immediately once you register. Besides the fact that you’ll have the opportunity to meet people from all around the world, you’ll have the chance to qualify for the chatroom bonuses on offer. Try to make as many friends as possible; relationships are always important when it comes to online bingo.
Register for the bingo site’s newsletter. It’ll keep you up to date with all the latest promotions so you’ll be the first to know about new promotions. Try out instant games. You’ll be able to play for free or for real. Playing for real will instantly increase your winnings. There is such a large variety of ways to play that you’ll find many ways to increase your cash.
If a bingo site offers you the choice to change your cards, go for it!! There are zillions of bingo sites that offer this function and it can only benefit you. Refer your favourite bingo sites to friends. You’ll receive a certain amount of money just for spreading the word of a cool bingo site. Be generous with your winnings. If you give out a dollar to your opponents, the favour could easily be returned if your neighbour wins with your dollar.
There are so many ways to become a bingo millionaire. The opportunities to win have been greatly increased thanks to the Internet. Always be persistent when playing bingo games; eventually, once you get the hang of things, you’ll create your own luck. And the greatest thing of all is that you can enjoy all this while sitting in front of your computer in the comfort of your own home.
Poker Tools - Online Poker Tools
Poker tools can be a valuable addition to any poker player’s arsenal. There are a variety of tools available and this article will examine the different types available to assist players. The most commonly used poker tools are hand history databases, computer playing programs, online poker assistants and online poker tools.
Hand History Databases
Most online poker rooms offer players the ability to download the histories of the hands that they have participated in. These hand histories are in a text format and while it is possible for a player to scan and analyse a single hand, it quickly becomes difficult and tiresome for multiple hands. Hand history databases offer the features like win rate calculations, opponent analysis, hand replay, analysis by position and much more. The most popular poker tools of this type include "Poker Tracker" and "Poker Office".
Computer Playing Programs
Programming computers to play a strong game of poker is extremely difficult and it is only recently that they have become about the same strength as an above average player. Compare this to games such as chess and backgammon, where computers have now surpassed all but the strongest humans. These programs allow players to practice and improve their play without having any money at risk. Most also offer advice and the ability to setup and analyse certain situations. The strongest playing poker programs available to purchase are "Poker Academy" and Turbo series of programs produced by Wilson Software.
Online Poker Assistants
With the explosion in popularity of online poker, much software has been developed to assist players while they are playing. There are a couple of what are termed "bots" that make all of the decisions for a player but these are not very strong and if discovered using one of these programs a player can be banned and lose the money in their online poker room account. Other types of software that are also available are programs that overlay tables with statistics summarising hand odds as well as the playing style of other players (for example listing how often a certain player raises, calls or folds) in real time. Examples of these online poker assistants are "Pokerbility" and "PokerAce HUD".
Online Poker Tools
There are a number of web sites that provide free online poker tools to their visitors. Some of the tools available are odds calculators which analyse the probabilities for games such as Texas Hold'em, Omaha and Seven Card Stud poker, and tournament equity calculators. Whilst they may not directly assist a player while they are playing they are great at improving a player's knowledge which then can later be applied at the table.
Hand History Databases
Most online poker rooms offer players the ability to download the histories of the hands that they have participated in. These hand histories are in a text format and while it is possible for a player to scan and analyse a single hand, it quickly becomes difficult and tiresome for multiple hands. Hand history databases offer the features like win rate calculations, opponent analysis, hand replay, analysis by position and much more. The most popular poker tools of this type include "Poker Tracker" and "Poker Office".
Computer Playing Programs
Programming computers to play a strong game of poker is extremely difficult and it is only recently that they have become about the same strength as an above average player. Compare this to games such as chess and backgammon, where computers have now surpassed all but the strongest humans. These programs allow players to practice and improve their play without having any money at risk. Most also offer advice and the ability to setup and analyse certain situations. The strongest playing poker programs available to purchase are "Poker Academy" and Turbo series of programs produced by Wilson Software.
Online Poker Assistants
With the explosion in popularity of online poker, much software has been developed to assist players while they are playing. There are a couple of what are termed "bots" that make all of the decisions for a player but these are not very strong and if discovered using one of these programs a player can be banned and lose the money in their online poker room account. Other types of software that are also available are programs that overlay tables with statistics summarising hand odds as well as the playing style of other players (for example listing how often a certain player raises, calls or folds) in real time. Examples of these online poker assistants are "Pokerbility" and "PokerAce HUD".
Online Poker Tools
There are a number of web sites that provide free online poker tools to their visitors. Some of the tools available are odds calculators which analyse the probabilities for games such as Texas Hold'em, Omaha and Seven Card Stud poker, and tournament equity calculators. Whilst they may not directly assist a player while they are playing they are great at improving a player's knowledge which then can later be applied at the table.
2013年9月24日星期二
Free Family Card Games - Easy Card Games To Entertain
My own experience makes me feel that every child will benefit from playing card games.
It is a healthy experience for a child to play with grownups as an equal; and to play with other children without noticing difference in age.
It is good for the child's character to get practice in losing without squawking and in winning without crowing. (Many adults could use some of this practice too!)
A young child can learn about numbers and easy arithmetic from a simple card game. A child of any age can exercise his brain by the logical thinking that is needed in the more advanced games.
Moreover, card games are fun. And this is the best of all reasons for teaching them to children.
These games are for children who are too young to think... and for grownups who would rather not think! Sometimes it's hard to tell whether the children or the grownups laugh harder!
PIG
This is a very hilarious game for children or for adults to play with children. Anybody can learn the game in two or three minutes, and one extra minute makes you an expert!
Number of Players: 3 to 13. Five or 6 make the best game.
Cards: Four of a kind for each player in the game. For example, 5 players would use 20 cards: 4 Aces, 4 Kings, 4 Queens, 4 Jacks, and 4 10's. For 6 players you would add the four 9's.
The Deal: Any player shuffles and deals 4 cards to each player.
Object: To get 4 of a kind in your own hand, or to be quick to notice it when somebody else gets 4 of a kind.
The Play: Each player looks at his hand to see if he was dealt 4 of a kind. If nobody has 4 of a kind, each player puts some unwanted card face down on the table and passes it to the player at his left, receiving a card at the same time from the player at his right.
Each player looks at his hand as it appears with the newly-received card. If, still, nobody has 4 of a kind, each player once again passes a card to the left and gets a new card from the right.
The play is continued in this way until some player has 4 of a kind in his hand. That player stops passing or receiving cards since he is satisfied with his hand as it is. Instead of playing on, he puts his finger to his nose.
The other players must be quick to notice this, and each of them must stop passing in order to put a finger to his nose. The last player to put a finger to his nose is the Pig.
DONKEY
This is the same game as Pig, except that when a player gets 4 of a kind he puts his hand face down on the table quietly instead of putting his finger to his nose. He still gets a card from his right and just passes that along to the left, leaving his 4 of a kind untouched on the table.
As each player sees what has happened, he likewise puts his hand down quietly. The idea is to keep up the passing and the conversation while some player plays on without realizing that the hand has really ended.
The last player to put his cards down loses the hand. This makes him a D. The next time he loses, he becomes a D-O. The third time, he becomes a D-O-N. This keeps on, until finally some player becomes a D-O-N-K-E-Y.
The D-O-N-K-E-Y loses the game, and the winner is the player who has the smallest number of letters.
These two card games will be a hit with even the youngest player!
It is a healthy experience for a child to play with grownups as an equal; and to play with other children without noticing difference in age.
It is good for the child's character to get practice in losing without squawking and in winning without crowing. (Many adults could use some of this practice too!)
A young child can learn about numbers and easy arithmetic from a simple card game. A child of any age can exercise his brain by the logical thinking that is needed in the more advanced games.
Moreover, card games are fun. And this is the best of all reasons for teaching them to children.
These games are for children who are too young to think... and for grownups who would rather not think! Sometimes it's hard to tell whether the children or the grownups laugh harder!
PIG
This is a very hilarious game for children or for adults to play with children. Anybody can learn the game in two or three minutes, and one extra minute makes you an expert!
Number of Players: 3 to 13. Five or 6 make the best game.
Cards: Four of a kind for each player in the game. For example, 5 players would use 20 cards: 4 Aces, 4 Kings, 4 Queens, 4 Jacks, and 4 10's. For 6 players you would add the four 9's.
The Deal: Any player shuffles and deals 4 cards to each player.
Object: To get 4 of a kind in your own hand, or to be quick to notice it when somebody else gets 4 of a kind.
The Play: Each player looks at his hand to see if he was dealt 4 of a kind. If nobody has 4 of a kind, each player puts some unwanted card face down on the table and passes it to the player at his left, receiving a card at the same time from the player at his right.
Each player looks at his hand as it appears with the newly-received card. If, still, nobody has 4 of a kind, each player once again passes a card to the left and gets a new card from the right.
The play is continued in this way until some player has 4 of a kind in his hand. That player stops passing or receiving cards since he is satisfied with his hand as it is. Instead of playing on, he puts his finger to his nose.
The other players must be quick to notice this, and each of them must stop passing in order to put a finger to his nose. The last player to put a finger to his nose is the Pig.
DONKEY
This is the same game as Pig, except that when a player gets 4 of a kind he puts his hand face down on the table quietly instead of putting his finger to his nose. He still gets a card from his right and just passes that along to the left, leaving his 4 of a kind untouched on the table.
As each player sees what has happened, he likewise puts his hand down quietly. The idea is to keep up the passing and the conversation while some player plays on without realizing that the hand has really ended.
The last player to put his cards down loses the hand. This makes him a D. The next time he loses, he becomes a D-O. The third time, he becomes a D-O-N. This keeps on, until finally some player becomes a D-O-N-K-E-Y.
The D-O-N-K-E-Y loses the game, and the winner is the player who has the smallest number of letters.
These two card games will be a hit with even the youngest player!
Roller Skating Tips - The First Roller Skating Boom
Roller skating, one of America's primary mass participant sports, has traveled a long and sometimes hard road since the day two centuries ago when an anonymous Dutchman first attempted to transfer skating from ice to ground. The Netherlands ice-skating enthusiast, who could scarcely wait for the canals to freeze over each winter, nailed some large wooden spools to wood strips which he attached to his shoes, and went bumping along his merry way. Apparently his crude attempts at "ground skating" were not too successful, for nothing more was heard of a substitute for ice skating until mid-eighteenth century.
Then an ingenious Belgian mechanic and musical instrument maker, named Joseph Merlin, devised a pair of skates, which ran on small metallic wheels. In London, where he had moved to become director of several museums, he fascinated the local gentry at a Soho Square party with his skates. However, he could neither turn nor stop his forward progress on skates and dashed himself against a huge mirror at a fashionable masquerade party while skating and playing the violin. According to a contemporary account, "He impelled himself against a mirror of more than 500 pounds value (approximately $1,300 at today's exchange rate), dashed it to atoms, broke his instrument to pieces, and wounded himself most severely.
After this disastrous occurrence in 1760, roller skating disappeared from public notice until after the French Revolution. Then, as France was gripped by the reign of terror following the overthrow of the monarchy, a Parisian die maker named Vanlede invented a wheeled skate in 1790. His device, called the "patin-a-terre," or ground skate, became known in Germany, but roller skating again disappeared from public attention until its reappearance on a Berlin ballet stage in 1818. The following year, roller skates were used on the streets of Paris, and several varieties of wheels attached to boots and shoes were invented and used in various entertainments and exhibitions. None of these, however, caught the public fancy. The two to four rollers on these devices did not permit the user to travel in anything but a straight line.
Strangely enough, roller skating enjoyed the greatest public acclaim since its inception nearly a century before, in 1849, at the Paris Opera House. Almost overnight, roller skating slid into a starring role in a famous opera and a ballet, both of which were sensational successes - artistically and financially. The opera, which gave roller skating its greatest dignity and catapulted it into international fancy as a pastime, was Meyerbeer's "Le Prophete" (The Prophet), with its third-act ice-skating scene.
In those days, synthetic ice was unknown and real ice could not be successfully transferred indoors and kept fit for skating. A Paris machinist solved the problem of simulating ice skating on a wooden stage floor by developing a fairly practical skate running on iron wheels. For male members of the cast, he made a skate with two wheels in a straight line. Female members wore skates with four wheels each, not in a straight line but coupled front and rear for a broad-bearing surface. Shortly after the opera's successful premiere, "prophete skates" became the rage of Paris and were widely used on the asphalt streets and marble or parquet floors.
The success of the opera and of skating spread quickly to London. Similar success followed the Paris premiere of an entire ballet devoted to skating. After spreading through Europe, roller skating made its debut in the United States where it continues to be an enjoyable pastime.
Then an ingenious Belgian mechanic and musical instrument maker, named Joseph Merlin, devised a pair of skates, which ran on small metallic wheels. In London, where he had moved to become director of several museums, he fascinated the local gentry at a Soho Square party with his skates. However, he could neither turn nor stop his forward progress on skates and dashed himself against a huge mirror at a fashionable masquerade party while skating and playing the violin. According to a contemporary account, "He impelled himself against a mirror of more than 500 pounds value (approximately $1,300 at today's exchange rate), dashed it to atoms, broke his instrument to pieces, and wounded himself most severely.
After this disastrous occurrence in 1760, roller skating disappeared from public notice until after the French Revolution. Then, as France was gripped by the reign of terror following the overthrow of the monarchy, a Parisian die maker named Vanlede invented a wheeled skate in 1790. His device, called the "patin-a-terre," or ground skate, became known in Germany, but roller skating again disappeared from public attention until its reappearance on a Berlin ballet stage in 1818. The following year, roller skates were used on the streets of Paris, and several varieties of wheels attached to boots and shoes were invented and used in various entertainments and exhibitions. None of these, however, caught the public fancy. The two to four rollers on these devices did not permit the user to travel in anything but a straight line.
Strangely enough, roller skating enjoyed the greatest public acclaim since its inception nearly a century before, in 1849, at the Paris Opera House. Almost overnight, roller skating slid into a starring role in a famous opera and a ballet, both of which were sensational successes - artistically and financially. The opera, which gave roller skating its greatest dignity and catapulted it into international fancy as a pastime, was Meyerbeer's "Le Prophete" (The Prophet), with its third-act ice-skating scene.
In those days, synthetic ice was unknown and real ice could not be successfully transferred indoors and kept fit for skating. A Paris machinist solved the problem of simulating ice skating on a wooden stage floor by developing a fairly practical skate running on iron wheels. For male members of the cast, he made a skate with two wheels in a straight line. Female members wore skates with four wheels each, not in a straight line but coupled front and rear for a broad-bearing surface. Shortly after the opera's successful premiere, "prophete skates" became the rage of Paris and were widely used on the asphalt streets and marble or parquet floors.
The success of the opera and of skating spread quickly to London. Similar success followed the Paris premiere of an entire ballet devoted to skating. After spreading through Europe, roller skating made its debut in the United States where it continues to be an enjoyable pastime.
Speed Reading Program - Using Phrase-Reading To Improve Your Reading Speed
The basic skill of rapid reading is learning to read in phrases. This simply means taking wider "visual bites" as your eyes move across a line of type. As I explained in the introduction, your eyes read words in a series of stops, or "fixations", jerking to the right after each stop to take in the next portion of the line. You read only when your eyes are stopped. The more words you can take in at each bite, the fewer stops will be necessary on each line and the faster you will read. By widening what is called your "span of recognition" you automatically increase your reading speed.
To test your present span of recognition, try focusing your eyes on the sixth word in the next line. Although you will be consciously fixed on a single word, your span of recognition should let you read the word to the left and the word to the right - perhaps a bit more. As you practice stretching your side-vision the span of recognition will widen, and you will absorb more words with each fixation.
If you were reading a list of unrelated words you would have to read word by word. But in normal reading the words are held together by the broader meaning of phrases and sentences. Sentences are made up of units of meaning. The eyes and mind can be trained to absorb these units of meaning far more readily if you read in phrases rather than at the plodding rate of one word at a time.
The Three Kinds of Readers
To understand more clearly how phrase reading improves skill, let's find out what kind of reader you are now. There are three types, and it is a simple matter to test yourself.
First, the motor reader. He forms words with his lips, just as though he were reading aloud, and so he can grasp only one word at a time. You could still be a motor reader, even though your lips do not move. Give yourself this test: Put your fingers on your throat. Now go on reading. If you feel any movement in your larynx now (except from the pulse there), you are still a motor reader, grasping only one word at a time. This means that you can read silently only as fast as you can read aloud.
Second, the auditory reader: Though his lips and larynx do not move, he hears every word in his "mind's ear." You can test yourself on this, too. Open a novel, if you have one handy, though any book will do. Fix your eyes on a page but before you start reading say aloud some such nonsense phrase as "Mary had a little lamb." Repeat it several times and then start reading, still saying aloud "Mary had a little lamb" as you try to read. If you are unable to comprehend what you are reading - if the words are just a meaningless jumble - then you are definitely an auditory reader.
Even though you understood fully what you were reading in spite of the nonsense you were repeating, you could still be an auditory reader. Read the next few paragraphs in the book on which you have just tested yourself. Now stop and think back. Were you conscious that you were reading words? Did you hear them in your head? Then I am afraid you are still an auditory reader.
The auditory reader can read much faster than the motor reader, but he is still handicapped in reaching high speed, because he is held back by the necessity of "hearing" words in his head.
Third, the sight reader: With him, the eye-mind relationship I described in the introduction is fully adjusted. His eyes photograph words which are translated by the mind instantly into ideas without the aid of either the vocal or auditory senses. Obviously he has a head start toward becoming a rapid reader as quickly as he is trained in the techniques which will make him aware of how to use his talent.
To test your present span of recognition, try focusing your eyes on the sixth word in the next line. Although you will be consciously fixed on a single word, your span of recognition should let you read the word to the left and the word to the right - perhaps a bit more. As you practice stretching your side-vision the span of recognition will widen, and you will absorb more words with each fixation.
If you were reading a list of unrelated words you would have to read word by word. But in normal reading the words are held together by the broader meaning of phrases and sentences. Sentences are made up of units of meaning. The eyes and mind can be trained to absorb these units of meaning far more readily if you read in phrases rather than at the plodding rate of one word at a time.
The Three Kinds of Readers
To understand more clearly how phrase reading improves skill, let's find out what kind of reader you are now. There are three types, and it is a simple matter to test yourself.
First, the motor reader. He forms words with his lips, just as though he were reading aloud, and so he can grasp only one word at a time. You could still be a motor reader, even though your lips do not move. Give yourself this test: Put your fingers on your throat. Now go on reading. If you feel any movement in your larynx now (except from the pulse there), you are still a motor reader, grasping only one word at a time. This means that you can read silently only as fast as you can read aloud.
Second, the auditory reader: Though his lips and larynx do not move, he hears every word in his "mind's ear." You can test yourself on this, too. Open a novel, if you have one handy, though any book will do. Fix your eyes on a page but before you start reading say aloud some such nonsense phrase as "Mary had a little lamb." Repeat it several times and then start reading, still saying aloud "Mary had a little lamb" as you try to read. If you are unable to comprehend what you are reading - if the words are just a meaningless jumble - then you are definitely an auditory reader.
Even though you understood fully what you were reading in spite of the nonsense you were repeating, you could still be an auditory reader. Read the next few paragraphs in the book on which you have just tested yourself. Now stop and think back. Were you conscious that you were reading words? Did you hear them in your head? Then I am afraid you are still an auditory reader.
The auditory reader can read much faster than the motor reader, but he is still handicapped in reaching high speed, because he is held back by the necessity of "hearing" words in his head.
Third, the sight reader: With him, the eye-mind relationship I described in the introduction is fully adjusted. His eyes photograph words which are translated by the mind instantly into ideas without the aid of either the vocal or auditory senses. Obviously he has a head start toward becoming a rapid reader as quickly as he is trained in the techniques which will make him aware of how to use his talent.
Pipe Smoking - A Brief Look At The History Of Pipe Smoking
Smoking may have been practiced more than 2,000 years ago, according to the ancient Greek historian, Herodotus. He describes Scythian tribesmen in Asia Minor, who "have a tree which bears the strangest produce. When they are met together in companies, they throw some of it upon the fire 'round which they are sitting, and presently, by the mere smell of the fumes which it gives out in burning, they grow drunk, as the Greeks do with wine. More of the fruit is then thrown on the fire, and their drunkenness increasing, they often jump up and begin to dance and sing. Such is the account which I have heard of these people." The fruit referred to by Herodotus is supposed to have been hemp.
One of the first descriptions of tobacco smoking in the New World reached France through a report of Jacques Cartier, who explored the St. Lawrence River as far as where Montreal, Canada, now stands. In giving his account of the voyage, Cartier describes the Indians' use of tobacco:
"There groweth also a certain kind of herb, whereof in summer they make great provision for all the year, making a great account of it, and only men use it, and first they cause it to be dried in the sun, then wear it about their necks wrapped in a little beast skin, with a hollow piece of stone or wood like a pipe.
"Then when they please they make a powder of it, and then put it in one of the ends of the said pipe, and laying a coal of fire upon it, at the other end suck so long that they fill their bodies full of smoke, till it cometh out of their mouths and nostrils, even as out of a chimney. They say that this doth keep them warm and in health; they never go without some of it about them."
The sixteenth-century French explorer and his fellow countrymen had little liking for the peppery fumes, and tobacco was not mentioned again in France for another twenty years.
When the conquering Spaniards first witnessed the American Indians puffing violently at smoldering tobacco leaves, they tried it out themselves, and soon fell into the habit of pipe smoking. The sailors then proceeded to carry the practice of pipe smoking back to Europe, where it grew and spread.
The settlers in the new world were quick to exploit the increasing demand for tobacco in Europe, and many British colonists in Virginia made small fortunes in tobacco cultivation. At first, they grew the native North American variety, Nicotiana rustica, which they had seen raised by the Indians. But the fortunes of the tobacco growers greatly increased after 1612, when John Rolfe, the husband of the Indian princess, Pocahontas, imported seeds of West Indian tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum, to Jamestown. This more desirable variety was an instant success and from then on every British-bound ship leaving the colony carried many bales of tobacco in its hold.
By this time, the value of tobacco had become so universal and so well established that the settlers used it as currency. Some of the colonists, starved for female company in the predominantly male settlements, advertised in England for wives, offering tobacco in payment for their passage. They were willing to deliver one hundred and fifty pounds of tobacco for the passage of each of "a hundred young women of agreeable person and respectable character," making each prospective bride literally worth her weight in tobacco.
One of the first descriptions of tobacco smoking in the New World reached France through a report of Jacques Cartier, who explored the St. Lawrence River as far as where Montreal, Canada, now stands. In giving his account of the voyage, Cartier describes the Indians' use of tobacco:
"There groweth also a certain kind of herb, whereof in summer they make great provision for all the year, making a great account of it, and only men use it, and first they cause it to be dried in the sun, then wear it about their necks wrapped in a little beast skin, with a hollow piece of stone or wood like a pipe.
"Then when they please they make a powder of it, and then put it in one of the ends of the said pipe, and laying a coal of fire upon it, at the other end suck so long that they fill their bodies full of smoke, till it cometh out of their mouths and nostrils, even as out of a chimney. They say that this doth keep them warm and in health; they never go without some of it about them."
The sixteenth-century French explorer and his fellow countrymen had little liking for the peppery fumes, and tobacco was not mentioned again in France for another twenty years.
When the conquering Spaniards first witnessed the American Indians puffing violently at smoldering tobacco leaves, they tried it out themselves, and soon fell into the habit of pipe smoking. The sailors then proceeded to carry the practice of pipe smoking back to Europe, where it grew and spread.
The settlers in the new world were quick to exploit the increasing demand for tobacco in Europe, and many British colonists in Virginia made small fortunes in tobacco cultivation. At first, they grew the native North American variety, Nicotiana rustica, which they had seen raised by the Indians. But the fortunes of the tobacco growers greatly increased after 1612, when John Rolfe, the husband of the Indian princess, Pocahontas, imported seeds of West Indian tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum, to Jamestown. This more desirable variety was an instant success and from then on every British-bound ship leaving the colony carried many bales of tobacco in its hold.
By this time, the value of tobacco had become so universal and so well established that the settlers used it as currency. Some of the colonists, starved for female company in the predominantly male settlements, advertised in England for wives, offering tobacco in payment for their passage. They were willing to deliver one hundred and fifty pounds of tobacco for the passage of each of "a hundred young women of agreeable person and respectable character," making each prospective bride literally worth her weight in tobacco.
2013年9月22日星期日
In awe of the Williams sisters
Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images
This story appears in the Sept. 7 issue of ESPN The Magazine.
What if I told you about two white brothers from a trailer park on the tattooed side of the tracks? Their father decides -- against all logic -- to teach them a rich man's sport, golf, even though he's a complete chop himself. They become great on the weedy public courses, turn pro and dominate the sport. Just wipe the Tour up. Golf harrumphs in disbelief.
Then the two brothers grow disinterested with golf and get into motorcycle building. They nearly stop playing altogether.Then they grow disinterested with being disinterested and decide, What the hell, let's go thump again. So they crush all new saps, until it's obvious nearly every major is going to be won by one or the other.
Preposterous?
Well, change their color to black, their sex to female and their sport to tennis, and you have the Williams sisters, who now have 18 majors between them -- 11 for Serena and seven for Venus. Eighteen! If this were golf, Serena would be tied with Walter Hagen for third, and Venus would be tied with Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead and others for seventh. From one family, one coach, one house in Compton. It's the single most underplayed story in American sports in the past 25 years. Where's their postage stamp?
Do you realize a Williams has six of the past 11 women's majors? That they've outlasted not one generation of rivals but two? Martina Hingis, Justine Henin, Lindsay Davenport, Jennifer Capriati. All gone.
There has never been a sibling combo like this in American sports history. Baseball's DiMaggios, Waners, Alous? Not even close. Skiing's Mahres? No way. Football's Mannings? Please. One championship each?
It's the most underplayed story in sports.
The Williams sisters are bigger than sports. Their achievements rank with any set of sisters in American history, along with the Stillwells -- Revolutionary War heroines -- and the Andrews Sisters, the biggest American singing act in the 1940s. The only difference is the Williamses are in their second decade of greatness, going on a third.
The problem is deciding which one you want to have win the next major. It's no good just throwing your hands up and saying, "It's going to be a Williams." You have to pick one. You can't root for both the Yankees and the Red Sox, the Clintons and the Bushes, Coke and Pepsi. You have to choose: Venus or Serena. They're two entirely different people with entirely different personalities.
Venus is like grass courts, steady and calm. Serena is like hardcourts, slick and fast. Venus kills you with her forehand. Serena kills you with her backhand. Venus takes too few chances. Serena takes too many. When they screw up, Venus glares, Serena smiles.
Venus talks about nothing but tennis. Serena talks about anything but tennis. Serena will do 45 minutes on the TV show she's writing or her book that's coming out (On the Line, in September) or her last Twitter tweet. To wind Venus up, ask her about equal prize money.
As kids, Venus was the one you let babysit. Serena was the one you got babysat. They're still like that. Venus is 29 going on 40. Serena is 27 going on 18. Once, at Wimbledon, when Serena was confused about what to do in front of royalty, Venus whispered into her ear, "Curtsy."
Venus keeps most of it in, and Serena lets most of it out. Or don't you remember those swimsuit pictures? Venus is a reader. Serena is a reality-TV freak. Venus dates a golfer, Hank Kuehne. Serena dates a rapper, Common. Are there two more opposite dates?
They're both fashionistas, but Serena likes to push it: the Lycra catsuit, the denim skirts with boots, the white trench coat. And that's just stuff she's worn on the court.
Serena's the better player, but that's like saying Paris is the richer Hilton. They're both a NASA space launch past everybody else right now. Their only legit competition is the Russians, and lately the sisters have made them look like weekend coaches at the Moscow Country Club.
Go ahead. Take your time picking your Williams. Thanks to their dad's brilliant long-term coaching strategy -- and their desire to step back from tennis to study fashion and acting -- their minds and legs are fresh. They're not burned-out (Capriati, Hingis, Henin), and they're not worn-out (Rafael Nadal). They plan on kicking booty through the 2012 Olympics and maybe, they say, clear through the 2016 Games.
But if somebody doesn't throw them a ticker-tape parade pretty soon, I'm running for Congress.
This story appears in the Sept. 7 issue of ESPN The Magazine.
What if I told you about two white brothers from a trailer park on the tattooed side of the tracks? Their father decides -- against all logic -- to teach them a rich man's sport, golf, even though he's a complete chop himself. They become great on the weedy public courses, turn pro and dominate the sport. Just wipe the Tour up. Golf harrumphs in disbelief.
Then the two brothers grow disinterested with golf and get into motorcycle building. They nearly stop playing altogether.Then they grow disinterested with being disinterested and decide, What the hell, let's go thump again. So they crush all new saps, until it's obvious nearly every major is going to be won by one or the other.
Preposterous?
Well, change their color to black, their sex to female and their sport to tennis, and you have the Williams sisters, who now have 18 majors between them -- 11 for Serena and seven for Venus. Eighteen! If this were golf, Serena would be tied with Walter Hagen for third, and Venus would be tied with Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead and others for seventh. From one family, one coach, one house in Compton. It's the single most underplayed story in American sports in the past 25 years. Where's their postage stamp?
Do you realize a Williams has six of the past 11 women's majors? That they've outlasted not one generation of rivals but two? Martina Hingis, Justine Henin, Lindsay Davenport, Jennifer Capriati. All gone.
There has never been a sibling combo like this in American sports history. Baseball's DiMaggios, Waners, Alous? Not even close. Skiing's Mahres? No way. Football's Mannings? Please. One championship each?
It's the most underplayed story in sports.
The Williams sisters are bigger than sports. Their achievements rank with any set of sisters in American history, along with the Stillwells -- Revolutionary War heroines -- and the Andrews Sisters, the biggest American singing act in the 1940s. The only difference is the Williamses are in their second decade of greatness, going on a third.
The problem is deciding which one you want to have win the next major. It's no good just throwing your hands up and saying, "It's going to be a Williams." You have to pick one. You can't root for both the Yankees and the Red Sox, the Clintons and the Bushes, Coke and Pepsi. You have to choose: Venus or Serena. They're two entirely different people with entirely different personalities.
Venus is like grass courts, steady and calm. Serena is like hardcourts, slick and fast. Venus kills you with her forehand. Serena kills you with her backhand. Venus takes too few chances. Serena takes too many. When they screw up, Venus glares, Serena smiles.
Venus talks about nothing but tennis. Serena talks about anything but tennis. Serena will do 45 minutes on the TV show she's writing or her book that's coming out (On the Line, in September) or her last Twitter tweet. To wind Venus up, ask her about equal prize money.
As kids, Venus was the one you let babysit. Serena was the one you got babysat. They're still like that. Venus is 29 going on 40. Serena is 27 going on 18. Once, at Wimbledon, when Serena was confused about what to do in front of royalty, Venus whispered into her ear, "Curtsy."
Venus keeps most of it in, and Serena lets most of it out. Or don't you remember those swimsuit pictures? Venus is a reader. Serena is a reality-TV freak. Venus dates a golfer, Hank Kuehne. Serena dates a rapper, Common. Are there two more opposite dates?
They're both fashionistas, but Serena likes to push it: the Lycra catsuit, the denim skirts with boots, the white trench coat. And that's just stuff she's worn on the court.
Serena's the better player, but that's like saying Paris is the richer Hilton. They're both a NASA space launch past everybody else right now. Their only legit competition is the Russians, and lately the sisters have made them look like weekend coaches at the Moscow Country Club.
Go ahead. Take your time picking your Williams. Thanks to their dad's brilliant long-term coaching strategy -- and their desire to step back from tennis to study fashion and acting -- their minds and legs are fresh. They're not burned-out (Capriati, Hingis, Henin), and they're not worn-out (Rafael Nadal). They plan on kicking booty through the 2012 Olympics and maybe, they say, clear through the 2016 Games.
But if somebody doesn't throw them a ticker-tape parade pretty soon, I'm running for Congress.
693 reasons it's tough to get an ace
Jake Reilly for ESPN.com
Rick got his hole in one -- but it wasn't easy, nor technically legal.
This column appears in the Sept. 21 issue of ESPN The Magazine.
I got sick of reading the stories, is why I did it. I know it was wrong and unethical and even unholy, but I just couldn't stand the stories anymore.
A 5-year-old in Belleville, Ill., sank a hole-in-one ... A 102-year-old woman became the oldest ever to ace ... A man in Bowling Green, Ohio, has now made holes-in-one both right- and lefthanded.
Really? Because I've been playing since I was 13, and I'm 51 now and not hideous, and I've never made one righty, lefty, with a walker, a lollipop or anything in between. So maybe they can all kindly choke on a divot?
The one that made me snap was this one: 62-year-old Unni Haskell of St. Petersburg, Fla., made an ace a few months ago on the first swing she ever took on a course.
And that's when I lost it. I vowed to go to my local par-3 course and keep playing, round and round, like a rat after cheese, until I made a hole-in-one. I didn't care if it took me an hour, a week, a month.
With my 22-year-old son and caddie, Jake (he's made one -- barefoot!), I arrived at the Golf Courses at Hyland Hills, in Westminster, Colo., and set out on the dinky nine-hole North Course: 673 yards total.
"My dad's made five," said Hyland's director of golf, Todd Coover (seven). "One went off a tree. I kid you not!"
"How cool!" I lied, chewing through my lip.
The odds against making an ace are about 12,500-1. I guessed I'd played 50 rounds a year for 38 years. That's 7,600 par 3's. At that pace, I'd have my ace when I turned 75. Maybe. Unless I did the sensible thing: cheat.
I figured at 10 shots a hole, nine holes a round, seven rounds a day, my ace would arrive in no more than eight days. I would be divorced, unemployed and fused at the T3 and T5 vertebrae, but I'd finally be a golfer.
My first shot missed. So did my second. In fact, my first 63 missed. My 64th, though, hit the pin and ... rolled away. My 77th lipped out. "We'll be done by lunch!" yelled Jake, standing by the hole and pounding his baseball glove, ready to catch any shots that didn't have a chance.
But after three loops, I was 0-for-270. Many of them gloved.
After 5 hours 43 minutes -- and five loops -- I was fried like a fritter and 0-for-450, with two pins, two lip-outs and one O.B. (don't ask). Jake was looking like he wanted to be adopted. "We're really doing this again tomorrow?" he groaned.
You bet your inheritance we are.
Day 2: 20 more; 120 more; 200 more. Nothing. I repeated holes. I skipped holes. I hit 20 shots per hole. I tried not caring, caring too much, singing, one-handed, Happy Gilmore ... all useless. The golf gods had spited me.
As my back spasmed and hands gnarled and Jake's eyes became shark-dead, I asked myself, What if I never do it? Am I less of a person? Besides, Ben Hogan never had one, right?
My self answered: 1) You'll feel like ferret droppings; 2) yes; and 3) Hogan had two.
And then, when all seemed hopeless, on my 694th shot of the quest, on the tiny 52-yard second, I hit a gorgeous little punch sand wedge that went straight as a Jonas Brother, landed exactly 11 feet from the pin and rolled directly and obediently into the cup like a happy little gopher off to bed.
Ho-lee hole-out!
Jake threw his glove about 50 feet high. I threw my sand wedge god knows where. We ran at each other like we were in a feminine hygiene TV ad. We collided in midair -- me falling on my sore back and Jake falling on top of me. And it didn't even hurt.
I had done it. I had achieved the achievable. Climbed the world's smallest mountain. Slept with Madonna. It had taken 6 hours 23 minutes, over 500 ball-mark fixes and 12 Advil, but it was done. Suck on that, Unni Haskell.
To the pro shop to report the news!
"I hate to tell you this," Todd Coover whispered, "but it's not technically recognized by the PGA. Sorry." And I thought, Umm, Todd? I was hitting 20 balls per hole! On a golf course the size of a throw rug! What made you think I gave a mole's pimple about "official"?
The reaction from my friends was also less than congratulatory.
"A 50-yard ace?" e-mailed my pal the Vanilla Gorilla (two). "That's like a 150-foot putt."
Do I care? No. Am I going to tell people how I came to mine (one)? No. And what will I say when I read the next story about a legless 104-year-old blind nun who got her first hole-in-one Tuesday while a live wombat chewed on her clavicle?
Rick got his hole in one -- but it wasn't easy, nor technically legal.
This column appears in the Sept. 21 issue of ESPN The Magazine.
I got sick of reading the stories, is why I did it. I know it was wrong and unethical and even unholy, but I just couldn't stand the stories anymore.
A 5-year-old in Belleville, Ill., sank a hole-in-one ... A 102-year-old woman became the oldest ever to ace ... A man in Bowling Green, Ohio, has now made holes-in-one both right- and lefthanded.
Really? Because I've been playing since I was 13, and I'm 51 now and not hideous, and I've never made one righty, lefty, with a walker, a lollipop or anything in between. So maybe they can all kindly choke on a divot?
The one that made me snap was this one: 62-year-old Unni Haskell of St. Petersburg, Fla., made an ace a few months ago on the first swing she ever took on a course.
And that's when I lost it. I vowed to go to my local par-3 course and keep playing, round and round, like a rat after cheese, until I made a hole-in-one. I didn't care if it took me an hour, a week, a month.
With my 22-year-old son and caddie, Jake (he's made one -- barefoot!), I arrived at the Golf Courses at Hyland Hills, in Westminster, Colo., and set out on the dinky nine-hole North Course: 673 yards total.
"My dad's made five," said Hyland's director of golf, Todd Coover (seven). "One went off a tree. I kid you not!"
"How cool!" I lied, chewing through my lip.
The odds against making an ace are about 12,500-1. I guessed I'd played 50 rounds a year for 38 years. That's 7,600 par 3's. At that pace, I'd have my ace when I turned 75. Maybe. Unless I did the sensible thing: cheat.
I figured at 10 shots a hole, nine holes a round, seven rounds a day, my ace would arrive in no more than eight days. I would be divorced, unemployed and fused at the T3 and T5 vertebrae, but I'd finally be a golfer.
My first shot missed. So did my second. In fact, my first 63 missed. My 64th, though, hit the pin and ... rolled away. My 77th lipped out. "We'll be done by lunch!" yelled Jake, standing by the hole and pounding his baseball glove, ready to catch any shots that didn't have a chance.
But after three loops, I was 0-for-270. Many of them gloved.
After 5 hours 43 minutes -- and five loops -- I was fried like a fritter and 0-for-450, with two pins, two lip-outs and one O.B. (don't ask). Jake was looking like he wanted to be adopted. "We're really doing this again tomorrow?" he groaned.
You bet your inheritance we are.
Day 2: 20 more; 120 more; 200 more. Nothing. I repeated holes. I skipped holes. I hit 20 shots per hole. I tried not caring, caring too much, singing, one-handed, Happy Gilmore ... all useless. The golf gods had spited me.
As my back spasmed and hands gnarled and Jake's eyes became shark-dead, I asked myself, What if I never do it? Am I less of a person? Besides, Ben Hogan never had one, right?
My self answered: 1) You'll feel like ferret droppings; 2) yes; and 3) Hogan had two.
And then, when all seemed hopeless, on my 694th shot of the quest, on the tiny 52-yard second, I hit a gorgeous little punch sand wedge that went straight as a Jonas Brother, landed exactly 11 feet from the pin and rolled directly and obediently into the cup like a happy little gopher off to bed.
Ho-lee hole-out!
Jake threw his glove about 50 feet high. I threw my sand wedge god knows where. We ran at each other like we were in a feminine hygiene TV ad. We collided in midair -- me falling on my sore back and Jake falling on top of me. And it didn't even hurt.
I had done it. I had achieved the achievable. Climbed the world's smallest mountain. Slept with Madonna. It had taken 6 hours 23 minutes, over 500 ball-mark fixes and 12 Advil, but it was done. Suck on that, Unni Haskell.
To the pro shop to report the news!
"I hate to tell you this," Todd Coover whispered, "but it's not technically recognized by the PGA. Sorry." And I thought, Umm, Todd? I was hitting 20 balls per hole! On a golf course the size of a throw rug! What made you think I gave a mole's pimple about "official"?
The reaction from my friends was also less than congratulatory.
"A 50-yard ace?" e-mailed my pal the Vanilla Gorilla (two). "That's like a 150-foot putt."
Do I care? No. Am I going to tell people how I came to mine (one)? No. And what will I say when I read the next story about a legless 104-year-old blind nun who got her first hole-in-one Tuesday while a live wombat chewed on her clavicle?
Why I love my job
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
Tom Brady is one of the many reasons Rick Reilly loves covering sports.
This column appears in the December 14 issue of ESPN The Magazine, which is the ESPN 100 year-in-review issue.
When I was a college sophomore and just starting to write for the Boulder sports section, my journalism professor edged me aside, looked me in the eye and said, "You're better than sports."
Lurching into my fifth decade in this business, I still think she's wrong. I will never be better than sports. This is why:
Sports is real. It can't be faked. If you're Henry Fonda's son and you want to act, you get to act. If you're Chelsea Clinton and want to govern, you get to govern. But just because you're Nolan Ryan's son doesn't mean you get to pitch in the Show. Money, family, looks mean diddly in sports. If Tom Brady suddenly can't throw the 30-yard out, he's benched, dimple or no dimple.
Sports is Oprah for guys. I knew a Boston dad and son who hadn't spoken in five years. Some disagreement that just grew too big to see around. But when the Red Sox won it all in 2004, the son came home. They hugged and cried and laughed, and if you think it was about baseball, you don't know men.
Sports fans can be buried in a coffin that is painted in their favorite team's colors and logo. Anybody buried in a Chicago Symphony Orchestra coffin lately?
Sports has mercy. The big and strong take care of the small and weak. In an Illinois prep football game this year, a Downers Grove South kick returner broke into the open at the 40 and was gone. Except, when he got to the 1-yard line, he stopped and went out of bounds. He and his teammates wanted to get an autistic teammate the only touchdown of his life. He got it on the second play. Ever see that on Wall Street?
Sports is woven deeper into American life than you know. You may change religion or politics, but not teams. "I was raised a Packers fan and taught my kids the same," writes a mom in Milwaukee. "Everyone comes to my house for games. My oldest son is battling addiction, and he comes too. We shout and curse and eat green and gold food. Whatever the joy or drama in our lives, we live and die with the Packers together."
No wonder Obama watches SportsCenter.
Sports has no gray areas. It's black or white, win or lose, hero or goat. Nobody has to form a committee to figure it out. Not true in dance or art. Who was better, head to head, Matisse or Monet? If it were sports, we'd know. (Matisse, 13-8.)
Sports is unscripted. President Obama just went to China, a trip choreographed from touchdown to takeoff. He knew exactly where he'd sit and eat and what he'd say. Knew it before he left. And yet, in the PGA Championship this year, a nobody named Y.E. Yang came from behind to beat the god named Tiger Woods. No wonder Obama doesn't watch Headline News. He watches SportsCenter.
College football teams fill 100,000-seat stadiums. Seen the history department do that?
Sports has honor. In a Texas girls high school volleyball playoff this season, one of the East Texas Christian Academy girls suffered a head injury and was taken away on a stretcher. The East Texas girls were too upset to continue and forfeited. But their opponents -- Summit Christian -- refused. They insisted on rescheduling. They said they couldn't win that way. And yet last year in Alaska, Senator Ted Stevens (R) ran for reelection despite seven felony convictions.
Sports has the best words, and every CEO steals them. It's a slam dunk. It's a grand slam. It's a complete whiff. And yet, in 32 years, I have never heard an athlete say, "That was just a total filibuster out there!"
If sportswriters are so trivial, why did Frank Sinatra want to be one? Hell, the first Heisman winner, Jay Berwanger, turned his nose up at being the NFL's No. 1 draft pick in 1936 to write for the Chicago Daily News. Berwanger said, "It paid better."
Sports has a heart the size of a knuckleball mitt. A man in Oahu named Chris Pablo once found a golf ball stamped with the words BEAT LEUKEMIA. Weird, since he'd just learned he had leukemia. Pablo decided he hadn't found the ball, the ball had found him. His story got out and, next thing you know, hundreds of people volunteered for bone marrow donation. Now there are purposely lost balls on courses all over the country that say BEAT LEUKEMIA. Golfers find them and feel obligated to help. Sometimes they don't just save $3 -- they save a life. Lastly -- and most important -- sports is the place where beer tastes best.
So here's to you, professor. I'm glad to know I'm not better than sports. But you did show me I'm better than one thing: advice from professors.
Tom Brady is one of the many reasons Rick Reilly loves covering sports.
This column appears in the December 14 issue of ESPN The Magazine, which is the ESPN 100 year-in-review issue.
When I was a college sophomore and just starting to write for the Boulder sports section, my journalism professor edged me aside, looked me in the eye and said, "You're better than sports."
Lurching into my fifth decade in this business, I still think she's wrong. I will never be better than sports. This is why:
Sports is real. It can't be faked. If you're Henry Fonda's son and you want to act, you get to act. If you're Chelsea Clinton and want to govern, you get to govern. But just because you're Nolan Ryan's son doesn't mean you get to pitch in the Show. Money, family, looks mean diddly in sports. If Tom Brady suddenly can't throw the 30-yard out, he's benched, dimple or no dimple.
Sports is Oprah for guys. I knew a Boston dad and son who hadn't spoken in five years. Some disagreement that just grew too big to see around. But when the Red Sox won it all in 2004, the son came home. They hugged and cried and laughed, and if you think it was about baseball, you don't know men.
Sports fans can be buried in a coffin that is painted in their favorite team's colors and logo. Anybody buried in a Chicago Symphony Orchestra coffin lately?
Sports has mercy. The big and strong take care of the small and weak. In an Illinois prep football game this year, a Downers Grove South kick returner broke into the open at the 40 and was gone. Except, when he got to the 1-yard line, he stopped and went out of bounds. He and his teammates wanted to get an autistic teammate the only touchdown of his life. He got it on the second play. Ever see that on Wall Street?
Sports is woven deeper into American life than you know. You may change religion or politics, but not teams. "I was raised a Packers fan and taught my kids the same," writes a mom in Milwaukee. "Everyone comes to my house for games. My oldest son is battling addiction, and he comes too. We shout and curse and eat green and gold food. Whatever the joy or drama in our lives, we live and die with the Packers together."
No wonder Obama watches SportsCenter.
Sports has no gray areas. It's black or white, win or lose, hero or goat. Nobody has to form a committee to figure it out. Not true in dance or art. Who was better, head to head, Matisse or Monet? If it were sports, we'd know. (Matisse, 13-8.)
Sports is unscripted. President Obama just went to China, a trip choreographed from touchdown to takeoff. He knew exactly where he'd sit and eat and what he'd say. Knew it before he left. And yet, in the PGA Championship this year, a nobody named Y.E. Yang came from behind to beat the god named Tiger Woods. No wonder Obama doesn't watch Headline News. He watches SportsCenter.
College football teams fill 100,000-seat stadiums. Seen the history department do that?
Sports has honor. In a Texas girls high school volleyball playoff this season, one of the East Texas Christian Academy girls suffered a head injury and was taken away on a stretcher. The East Texas girls were too upset to continue and forfeited. But their opponents -- Summit Christian -- refused. They insisted on rescheduling. They said they couldn't win that way. And yet last year in Alaska, Senator Ted Stevens (R) ran for reelection despite seven felony convictions.
Sports has the best words, and every CEO steals them. It's a slam dunk. It's a grand slam. It's a complete whiff. And yet, in 32 years, I have never heard an athlete say, "That was just a total filibuster out there!"
If sportswriters are so trivial, why did Frank Sinatra want to be one? Hell, the first Heisman winner, Jay Berwanger, turned his nose up at being the NFL's No. 1 draft pick in 1936 to write for the Chicago Daily News. Berwanger said, "It paid better."
Sports has a heart the size of a knuckleball mitt. A man in Oahu named Chris Pablo once found a golf ball stamped with the words BEAT LEUKEMIA. Weird, since he'd just learned he had leukemia. Pablo decided he hadn't found the ball, the ball had found him. His story got out and, next thing you know, hundreds of people volunteered for bone marrow donation. Now there are purposely lost balls on courses all over the country that say BEAT LEUKEMIA. Golfers find them and feel obligated to help. Sometimes they don't just save $3 -- they save a life. Lastly -- and most important -- sports is the place where beer tastes best.
So here's to you, professor. I'm glad to know I'm not better than sports. But you did show me I'm better than one thing: advice from professors.
An image-rehab plan for Tiger Woods
This column was originally published on Dec. 9.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Hopefully, Tiger's people have Oprah's people on the phone already.
Tiger Woods is the first person in history to run his car into a hydrant and set himself on fire.
His reputation is shredded. His once-perfect name has been dragged through more mud than a Nantucket clam digger's boots. A once-spotless life is now an episode of "Cops."
So what now?
First, Oprah Winfrey.
"It has to be Oprah," says the king of Las Vegas publicity men, Dave Kirvin. "If you did a poll on who's most disgusted by this whole mess, it would be women. To win over those women, you need to win over Oprah. You win over Oprah, you win over America."
Once he's on Oprah's couch, he says this:
"To my wife, to my kids, to my family, to my friends, to my fans, I am so sorry. You believed in me. You looked up to me. You thought I was different, and I let you down. I'm ashamed of myself. My mom is ashamed of me. I'm sure my dad would be ashamed of me. I'm an idiot." Then he has to go full Tebow: "From this day forward, you will never see somebody work harder, 24 hours a day, to win back your trust."
It has to be next week and no later, because every day the British tabloids have him sleeping with everybody but the Page 3 girl. "The sooner he makes his public act of contrition, the sooner he takes the oxygen out of the story," Kirvin says.
Second, he needs to shut down his public life.
He needs to skip San Diego, skip the Masters, maybe even skip the U.S. Open. When your house is rubble, you don't go play the Buick Open. Tiger needs to prove to his wife, Elin, sponsors and fans that morality is more important than majors.
Third, he needs to clean house. If he wants to keep his wife, he has to get a new agent, a new caddie and some new friends. It's hard to believe all this went on without their help or knowledge. How can she see them as anything but enablers?
Fourth, he needs to freeze his corporate sponsors before they freeze him. He needs to tell them, "I'm not doing any ads or taking any payment until I can again prove myself worthy of your products. I'm sorry I've let you down. It won't happen again."
Fifth, he needs to write his Tiger Woods Learning Center a check for $5 million with a note that says, "Keep studying hard. I'll be back to help you fundraise in 2011."
He needs sincerity and commitment and honor now because he might have just ruined a lot of lives, maybe even his own.
He needs transparency. Let us into your life a little. Do the "A week on the road with Tiger" story. Give a home interview once in a while. Let people check in the closets and under the bed. Prove to the world you've changed. Because "no comment" and three security guards are only going to make people suspicious.
Sixth, a few manners wouldn't kill him. No more terrible-twos temper. No more swearing. No more throwing clubs. And instead of pulling his signature blow-by move on the hundreds of autograph seekers waiting for him after every round, stop and sign for 15 minutes. Hasn't hurt Phil Mickelson any.
This fall is straight out of the Book of Wallenda. Not so much because his bottom was so low, but because his top was so high. His image, his likability, his hero factor were in the clouds. He was the kid with the 10,000-watt smile from the public golf course -- he brought golf to people of color all over the world. He was the great black hope of the game who made good.
A golfer? With two young kids at home? Alleged to have had affairs with numerous women? The best swinger becoming the biggest swinger? Overnight? Unthinkable!
Seventh, he has to return to the Tour and take the ridicule he has coming. He'll feel as though he's being paraded down Main Street, naked, in a glass box. Women will be wearing TIGER, YOU FORGOT ME T-shirts. Guys will be holding ELIN OVERCLUBBED signs. Babes will be hollering, "Hey, Tiger! I took my name off my voice mail like you said!"
He can shoot 42 over par; he just has to get through it. Then he has to play in a major, maybe the British at St. Andrews, where he won last time. And then he has to start winning again.
"There's four steps to getting past this in the public eye," Kirvin says. "First tournament. First major. First tournament victory. First major victory. Only then will the media let us get over this. The public will forgive him. They won't ever forget, but they'll forgive."
He'll come out of this as an even better player, if that's possible. The golf course will be the one place where he can go to forget, and he will want to forget constantly. Where he once spent six hours on the range, he will spend eight. Where he once had the will of 10 men, he will have the will of 100. He will win again -- win huge -- and people will call it a comeback.
But it won't be a comeback. He never lost his game. He only lost his mind.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Hopefully, Tiger's people have Oprah's people on the phone already.
Tiger Woods is the first person in history to run his car into a hydrant and set himself on fire.
His reputation is shredded. His once-perfect name has been dragged through more mud than a Nantucket clam digger's boots. A once-spotless life is now an episode of "Cops."
So what now?
First, Oprah Winfrey.
"It has to be Oprah," says the king of Las Vegas publicity men, Dave Kirvin. "If you did a poll on who's most disgusted by this whole mess, it would be women. To win over those women, you need to win over Oprah. You win over Oprah, you win over America."
Once he's on Oprah's couch, he says this:
"To my wife, to my kids, to my family, to my friends, to my fans, I am so sorry. You believed in me. You looked up to me. You thought I was different, and I let you down. I'm ashamed of myself. My mom is ashamed of me. I'm sure my dad would be ashamed of me. I'm an idiot." Then he has to go full Tebow: "From this day forward, you will never see somebody work harder, 24 hours a day, to win back your trust."
It has to be next week and no later, because every day the British tabloids have him sleeping with everybody but the Page 3 girl. "The sooner he makes his public act of contrition, the sooner he takes the oxygen out of the story," Kirvin says.
Second, he needs to shut down his public life.
He needs to skip San Diego, skip the Masters, maybe even skip the U.S. Open. When your house is rubble, you don't go play the Buick Open. Tiger needs to prove to his wife, Elin, sponsors and fans that morality is more important than majors.
Third, he needs to clean house. If he wants to keep his wife, he has to get a new agent, a new caddie and some new friends. It's hard to believe all this went on without their help or knowledge. How can she see them as anything but enablers?
Fourth, he needs to freeze his corporate sponsors before they freeze him. He needs to tell them, "I'm not doing any ads or taking any payment until I can again prove myself worthy of your products. I'm sorry I've let you down. It won't happen again."
Fifth, he needs to write his Tiger Woods Learning Center a check for $5 million with a note that says, "Keep studying hard. I'll be back to help you fundraise in 2011."
He needs sincerity and commitment and honor now because he might have just ruined a lot of lives, maybe even his own.
He needs transparency. Let us into your life a little. Do the "A week on the road with Tiger" story. Give a home interview once in a while. Let people check in the closets and under the bed. Prove to the world you've changed. Because "no comment" and three security guards are only going to make people suspicious.
Sixth, a few manners wouldn't kill him. No more terrible-twos temper. No more swearing. No more throwing clubs. And instead of pulling his signature blow-by move on the hundreds of autograph seekers waiting for him after every round, stop and sign for 15 minutes. Hasn't hurt Phil Mickelson any.
This fall is straight out of the Book of Wallenda. Not so much because his bottom was so low, but because his top was so high. His image, his likability, his hero factor were in the clouds. He was the kid with the 10,000-watt smile from the public golf course -- he brought golf to people of color all over the world. He was the great black hope of the game who made good.
A golfer? With two young kids at home? Alleged to have had affairs with numerous women? The best swinger becoming the biggest swinger? Overnight? Unthinkable!
Seventh, he has to return to the Tour and take the ridicule he has coming. He'll feel as though he's being paraded down Main Street, naked, in a glass box. Women will be wearing TIGER, YOU FORGOT ME T-shirts. Guys will be holding ELIN OVERCLUBBED signs. Babes will be hollering, "Hey, Tiger! I took my name off my voice mail like you said!"
He can shoot 42 over par; he just has to get through it. Then he has to play in a major, maybe the British at St. Andrews, where he won last time. And then he has to start winning again.
"There's four steps to getting past this in the public eye," Kirvin says. "First tournament. First major. First tournament victory. First major victory. Only then will the media let us get over this. The public will forgive him. They won't ever forget, but they'll forgive."
He'll come out of this as an even better player, if that's possible. The golf course will be the one place where he can go to forget, and he will want to forget constantly. Where he once spent six hours on the range, he will spend eight. Where he once had the will of 10 men, he will have the will of 100. He will win again -- win huge -- and people will call it a comeback.
But it won't be a comeback. He never lost his game. He only lost his mind.
2013年9月20日星期五
You Oughta Know: BMW Championship
Jim Furyk YOK
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Jim Furyk leads Steve Stricker by a shot heading into Monday's rain-delayed conclusion of the final round of the BMW Championship. Here’s what You Oughta Know from Conway Farms:
• Jim Furyk (first), Brandt Snedeker (third) and Tiger Woods (fifth) have established themselves as perennial playoff contenders. The former FedEx Cup winners are each in the top five here at the BMW.
• Furyk hasn’t won since the 2010 Tour Championship. In fact, he is winless in his last five attempts with at least a share of the 54-hole lead: 2013 PGA (second), 2012 Tampa Bay (playoff loss), 2012 U.S. Open (T-4), 2012 WGC-Bridgestone (T-2) and 2012 McGladrey (third). In his career, he has converted just nine of 22 third-round leads.
• Since 2000, the third-round leader at the BMW has won just six of 13 times. Justin Rose was the last, in 2011. This season, the third-round leader has gone on to win just 16 of the 36 stroke-play events.
• Zach Johnson had only one top 10 in his first 16 starts of the season, but he’s turned it on late with five in his last six events. He’s solo fourth at the BMW, three shots back.
• Tiger Woods is four shots behind heading into the final round. The largest final-round comeback in tournament history is seven shots, by Tom Kite in 1986.
• The only players in FedEx Cup history with lower scores than Matt Kuchar’s third-round 61 are Furyk (59, Round 2, 2013 BMW) and Johnson (60, 2007 Tour Championship).
• Since 2007, only three players have recorded top-10 finishes in all four FedEx Cup events in a single season: Rory Sabbatini (2007), Padraig Harrington (2009) and Dustin Johnson (2012). Graham DeLaet is the only player with a chance this year, but he’s T-41 through 54 holes at BMW.
• Furyk and Stricker, 1-2 on the BMW leaderboard, are tied for the most top 10s in FedEx Cup history, with 11. Stricker, with 59, has the most career playoff rounds in the 60s.
• Jordan Spieth is on the verge of becoming the sixth rookie to reach the Tour Championship, following John Huh (2012), Keegan Bradley (2011), Marc Leishman (2009), Andres Romero (2008) and Brandt Snedeker (2007). At 20 years, 1 months and 26 days, Spieth will also become the youngest player to compete at East Lake.
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Jim Furyk leads Steve Stricker by a shot heading into Monday's rain-delayed conclusion of the final round of the BMW Championship. Here’s what You Oughta Know from Conway Farms:
• Jim Furyk (first), Brandt Snedeker (third) and Tiger Woods (fifth) have established themselves as perennial playoff contenders. The former FedEx Cup winners are each in the top five here at the BMW.
• Furyk hasn’t won since the 2010 Tour Championship. In fact, he is winless in his last five attempts with at least a share of the 54-hole lead: 2013 PGA (second), 2012 Tampa Bay (playoff loss), 2012 U.S. Open (T-4), 2012 WGC-Bridgestone (T-2) and 2012 McGladrey (third). In his career, he has converted just nine of 22 third-round leads.
• Since 2000, the third-round leader at the BMW has won just six of 13 times. Justin Rose was the last, in 2011. This season, the third-round leader has gone on to win just 16 of the 36 stroke-play events.
• Zach Johnson had only one top 10 in his first 16 starts of the season, but he’s turned it on late with five in his last six events. He’s solo fourth at the BMW, three shots back.
• Tiger Woods is four shots behind heading into the final round. The largest final-round comeback in tournament history is seven shots, by Tom Kite in 1986.
• The only players in FedEx Cup history with lower scores than Matt Kuchar’s third-round 61 are Furyk (59, Round 2, 2013 BMW) and Johnson (60, 2007 Tour Championship).
• Since 2007, only three players have recorded top-10 finishes in all four FedEx Cup events in a single season: Rory Sabbatini (2007), Padraig Harrington (2009) and Dustin Johnson (2012). Graham DeLaet is the only player with a chance this year, but he’s T-41 through 54 holes at BMW.
• Furyk and Stricker, 1-2 on the BMW leaderboard, are tied for the most top 10s in FedEx Cup history, with 11. Stricker, with 59, has the most career playoff rounds in the 60s.
• Jordan Spieth is on the verge of becoming the sixth rookie to reach the Tour Championship, following John Huh (2012), Keegan Bradley (2011), Marc Leishman (2009), Andres Romero (2008) and Brandt Snedeker (2007). At 20 years, 1 months and 26 days, Spieth will also become the youngest player to compete at East Lake.
Stricker, Furyk share thoughts on Woods' penalty
Steve Stricker
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The game’s top player has been involved in three high-profile rules controversies this season.
This latest incident, which occurred Friday at the BMW Championship, could not only affect this tournament but also the $10 million FedEx Cup.
Tiger Woods is still in position to win the third leg of the playoffs, but he’ll have to erase a four-shot deficit in the final round. He shot 66 Saturday, a day after being assessed a two-shot penalty when a rules official determined that his ball moved behind the first green.
“I looked (at the replay),” said BMW leader Jim Furyk, “and I didn’t realize that ball moved. It was so minute, it was probably tough to pick up.”
BMW Championship: Articles, videos and photos
Not tough enough to slap Woods with a two-shot penalty, however. Even after Woods had a “very good discussion” with Tour rules official Slugger White, the ruling was upheld.
When asked whether it seemed unusual that the rules official and player had differing opinions, and that the ruling didn’t err on the side of the player, Woods said, “I don’t know, but I went from five back to seven back real quick.”
“The rules are tough,” Steve Stricker said, “and there’s always a fine line between oscillating and moving. A player can see it as one thing and the camera is going to obviously pick it up differently. … It’s unfortunate that he’s been at the center of this about three times this year. I don’t know why, if it’s just because all the TV is on him or what.”
That would seem one of the likely reasons, as Woods’ under-the-microscope career is even more scrutinized with the advent of high-definition cameras. In Abu Dhabi and Augusta, Woods admits that he made the improper call. That wasn’t the case this time.
Said Furyk, “The scrutiny that he’s on television, and every step, every little thing he does is not only watched but then everyone has to weigh in on whether it was good or not. I thank the Lord that I don’t have to live that way on a daily basis.”
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The game’s top player has been involved in three high-profile rules controversies this season.
This latest incident, which occurred Friday at the BMW Championship, could not only affect this tournament but also the $10 million FedEx Cup.
Tiger Woods is still in position to win the third leg of the playoffs, but he’ll have to erase a four-shot deficit in the final round. He shot 66 Saturday, a day after being assessed a two-shot penalty when a rules official determined that his ball moved behind the first green.
“I looked (at the replay),” said BMW leader Jim Furyk, “and I didn’t realize that ball moved. It was so minute, it was probably tough to pick up.”
BMW Championship: Articles, videos and photos
Not tough enough to slap Woods with a two-shot penalty, however. Even after Woods had a “very good discussion” with Tour rules official Slugger White, the ruling was upheld.
When asked whether it seemed unusual that the rules official and player had differing opinions, and that the ruling didn’t err on the side of the player, Woods said, “I don’t know, but I went from five back to seven back real quick.”
“The rules are tough,” Steve Stricker said, “and there’s always a fine line between oscillating and moving. A player can see it as one thing and the camera is going to obviously pick it up differently. … It’s unfortunate that he’s been at the center of this about three times this year. I don’t know why, if it’s just because all the TV is on him or what.”
That would seem one of the likely reasons, as Woods’ under-the-microscope career is even more scrutinized with the advent of high-definition cameras. In Abu Dhabi and Augusta, Woods admits that he made the improper call. That wasn’t the case this time.
Said Furyk, “The scrutiny that he’s on television, and every step, every little thing he does is not only watched but then everyone has to weigh in on whether it was good or not. I thank the Lord that I don’t have to live that way on a daily basis.”
FedEx Cup projections: Big names on the bubble for East Lake
Dustin Johnson
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – With one round remaining before the season-ending Tour Championship, much remains to be decided as one final stretch of FedEx Cup number crunching awaits the field of 70 players at the BMW Championship Sunday.
For overnight leader Jim Furyk and Steve Stricker, who trails Furyk by one shot, the goal is top five in the overall standings, a placement that would allow them both to control their own playoff fates at next week’s finale. Furyk entered this week 15th in points but could rise to third with a win, while Stricker, currently eighth in points, would climb to fourth with a runner-up finish, perhaps further with a win.
Both players indicated that projected points are the furthest thing from their mind heading into the final round.
BMW Championship: Articles, videos and photos
“It would be nice, obviously, but that’s kind of putting the cart before the horse,” explained Furyk. “I’m really thinking about trying to win this golf tournament.”
Stricker explained that he doesn’t plan to pay any attention to the standings until after the conclusion of play Sunday.
“All that other stuff kind of takes care of itself,” he said of the points race, choosing instead to focus on the task of chasing down the 54-hole leader.
With 18 holes to go, world No. 1 Tiger Woods is projected to return to the overall top spot heading to East Lake, as he enters the final round in fifth place, four shots behind Furyk. Current No. 1 Henrik Stenson would drop to second, with Furyk, Stricker and Adam Scott rounding out the top five, each of whom would then win the overall FedEx Cup with a win next week in Atlanta.
A second points race will occur near the 30th position, as only the top 30 players will advance to next week’s Tour Championship. While points remain fluid with one round remaining, D.A. Points, Harris English and Dustin Johnson currently cling to the 28th, 29th and 30th positions in the standings, respectively.
Currently on the outside of the bubble sit Charles Howell III, Kevin Stadler and Jimmy Walker, projected to occupy positions 31-33, respectively. Howell and Stadler have been unable to gain any traction this week in Chicago after beginning the week 31st and 32nd in the standings, each hoping to crack the top 30 and earn berths into each of the first three majors for 2014, a perk that accompanies a Tour Championship appearance.
Walker, meanwhile, began the week 45th but has moved up thanks to three rounds that have left him tied for 11th, seven shots behind Furyk.
Through 54 holes, the only player in position to play his way into the top 30 is Nick Watney, who began the week 34th but is now projected to rise to 27th as he begins the final round in a tie for eighth. The player projected to move out of the top 30 at Watney’s expense is Lee Westwood, who started the week at No. 30 but is projected to fall all the way to 44th after struggling to an 80 on Thursday.
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – With one round remaining before the season-ending Tour Championship, much remains to be decided as one final stretch of FedEx Cup number crunching awaits the field of 70 players at the BMW Championship Sunday.
For overnight leader Jim Furyk and Steve Stricker, who trails Furyk by one shot, the goal is top five in the overall standings, a placement that would allow them both to control their own playoff fates at next week’s finale. Furyk entered this week 15th in points but could rise to third with a win, while Stricker, currently eighth in points, would climb to fourth with a runner-up finish, perhaps further with a win.
Both players indicated that projected points are the furthest thing from their mind heading into the final round.
BMW Championship: Articles, videos and photos
“It would be nice, obviously, but that’s kind of putting the cart before the horse,” explained Furyk. “I’m really thinking about trying to win this golf tournament.”
Stricker explained that he doesn’t plan to pay any attention to the standings until after the conclusion of play Sunday.
“All that other stuff kind of takes care of itself,” he said of the points race, choosing instead to focus on the task of chasing down the 54-hole leader.
With 18 holes to go, world No. 1 Tiger Woods is projected to return to the overall top spot heading to East Lake, as he enters the final round in fifth place, four shots behind Furyk. Current No. 1 Henrik Stenson would drop to second, with Furyk, Stricker and Adam Scott rounding out the top five, each of whom would then win the overall FedEx Cup with a win next week in Atlanta.
A second points race will occur near the 30th position, as only the top 30 players will advance to next week’s Tour Championship. While points remain fluid with one round remaining, D.A. Points, Harris English and Dustin Johnson currently cling to the 28th, 29th and 30th positions in the standings, respectively.
Currently on the outside of the bubble sit Charles Howell III, Kevin Stadler and Jimmy Walker, projected to occupy positions 31-33, respectively. Howell and Stadler have been unable to gain any traction this week in Chicago after beginning the week 31st and 32nd in the standings, each hoping to crack the top 30 and earn berths into each of the first three majors for 2014, a perk that accompanies a Tour Championship appearance.
Walker, meanwhile, began the week 45th but has moved up thanks to three rounds that have left him tied for 11th, seven shots behind Furyk.
Through 54 holes, the only player in position to play his way into the top 30 is Nick Watney, who began the week 34th but is now projected to rise to 27th as he begins the final round in a tie for eighth. The player projected to move out of the top 30 at Watney’s expense is Lee Westwood, who started the week at No. 30 but is projected to fall all the way to 44th after struggling to an 80 on Thursday.
Weather suspends final round of BMW Championship
LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Final-round play has been suspended at the BMW Championship, an ominous sign with rain in the forecast all day at Conway Farms.
Officials suspended play at 10 a.m. local time Sunday as heavy rain continued to pound the Windy City. There was no lightning in the area, but puddles had begun to form in the fairways and on the greens.
The forecast for the rest of the day isn’t much better, either.
Temperatures are expected to remain in the low 60s with at least a 75 percent chance of rain through the afternoon.
Monday’s forecast looks more promising, if the BMW is extended another day: high of 64 degrees, mostly sunny, and winds gusting to 20 mph.
The final group of Jim Furyk and Steve Stricker was scheduled to tee off at 12:40 p.m. local time.
Officials suspended play at 10 a.m. local time Sunday as heavy rain continued to pound the Windy City. There was no lightning in the area, but puddles had begun to form in the fairways and on the greens.
The forecast for the rest of the day isn’t much better, either.
Temperatures are expected to remain in the low 60s with at least a 75 percent chance of rain through the afternoon.
Monday’s forecast looks more promising, if the BMW is extended another day: high of 64 degrees, mostly sunny, and winds gusting to 20 mph.
The final group of Jim Furyk and Steve Stricker was scheduled to tee off at 12:40 p.m. local time.
2013年9月17日星期二
Common Reasons People Get A Free Psychic Reading
Maybe you are considering about shifting into a greater property but have issues about switching your children's faculty, and so forth. Psychic recovery can assist tackle these factors and more.
Working WITH Reduction
1 of the most challenging items individuals deal with is the loss of a loved one particular. Demise is the most absolute factor in this existence but it is some thing that no 1 can totally recognize or value. Psychic recovery can aid folks arrive to conditions with the loss of life of an unique family members member or critical buddy.
Introduction
Psychic skills most often make by themselves identified in childhood. Young children who realise they have such skills are much much more sensitive to their surroundings, selecting up on nuances that non-psychics overlook. These kids might typically have family with psychic abilities, who create their talents, practising tarot readings, giving readings and other forms of clairvoyance.
Reading Their Atmosphere
The youngster who realises she is diverse from others begins to comprehend that she is much more vulnerable to her surroundings. As she gets to be accustomed to her talents and intuition, she, along with a relative, may possibly perform on establishing her exclusive expertise. In accordance to the Kent College web site, a psychic is a particular person able to detect "non-physical" energies.
Numerous individuals have an capacity to delve into their unconscious head - but the skilled, professional psychic has discovered to open herself even far more, turning out to be added sensitive to the energies bordering her. If she will take instruction on decoding these energies, she can eventually find out how to anticipate how the energies may well impact other men and women.
This skill reveals itself in diverse methods to distinct psychics - some hear one thing telling them what to say during a reading through. Other folks may well see things in their head whilst, at other moments, they really feel the energies emotionally or physically.
Interpreting Energies and Emotions
Knowledgeable psychics may possibly have been educated by an older relative. These relatives realize the energies and capabilities in their younger family users, working to assist them create their abilities. As they instruct their young charges, these older psychics explain what the indications and symbols suggest - for occasion, a do-it-yourself pendulum can transmit an electrical sign to a realm in which the psychic is ready to read the prediction and understand the sign.
Formal Schooling
Psychics born with the capacity to sense communications outside of the potential of non-psychic individuals may possibly make a decision to refine their inborn understanding at school. Programmes these kinds of as the College of Meta-Bodily Scientific studies are available, providing coursework in non secular healing, metaphysics, tarot readings and other subjects so they can develop an comprehension of their items and how to use them to assist other folks.
Activities these kinds of as belly dance can support psychics to get even closer to their inner lives. Utilizing respiration manage, beat and head therapy, they use the dance as a prayer, therapeutic and meditation.
Conversation From a Larger Power
A increased energy (soul, God) communicates with the psychic, who then passes the messages onto them and this is how they interpret your lifestyle. Making use of their potential to talk with God and sense nuances around them, psychics open their minds to what is before them.
Working WITH Reduction
1 of the most challenging items individuals deal with is the loss of a loved one particular. Demise is the most absolute factor in this existence but it is some thing that no 1 can totally recognize or value. Psychic recovery can aid folks arrive to conditions with the loss of life of an unique family members member or critical buddy.
Introduction
Psychic skills most often make by themselves identified in childhood. Young children who realise they have such skills are much much more sensitive to their surroundings, selecting up on nuances that non-psychics overlook. These kids might typically have family with psychic abilities, who create their talents, practising tarot readings, giving readings and other forms of clairvoyance.
Reading Their Atmosphere
The youngster who realises she is diverse from others begins to comprehend that she is much more vulnerable to her surroundings. As she gets to be accustomed to her talents and intuition, she, along with a relative, may possibly perform on establishing her exclusive expertise. In accordance to the Kent College web site, a psychic is a particular person able to detect "non-physical" energies.
Numerous individuals have an capacity to delve into their unconscious head - but the skilled, professional psychic has discovered to open herself even far more, turning out to be added sensitive to the energies bordering her. If she will take instruction on decoding these energies, she can eventually find out how to anticipate how the energies may well impact other men and women.
This skill reveals itself in diverse methods to distinct psychics - some hear one thing telling them what to say during a reading through. Other folks may well see things in their head whilst, at other moments, they really feel the energies emotionally or physically.
Interpreting Energies and Emotions
Knowledgeable psychics may possibly have been educated by an older relative. These relatives realize the energies and capabilities in their younger family users, working to assist them create their abilities. As they instruct their young charges, these older psychics explain what the indications and symbols suggest - for occasion, a do-it-yourself pendulum can transmit an electrical sign to a realm in which the psychic is ready to read the prediction and understand the sign.
Formal Schooling
Psychics born with the capacity to sense communications outside of the potential of non-psychic individuals may possibly make a decision to refine their inborn understanding at school. Programmes these kinds of as the College of Meta-Bodily Scientific studies are available, providing coursework in non secular healing, metaphysics, tarot readings and other subjects so they can develop an comprehension of their items and how to use them to assist other folks.
Activities these kinds of as belly dance can support psychics to get even closer to their inner lives. Utilizing respiration manage, beat and head therapy, they use the dance as a prayer, therapeutic and meditation.
Conversation From a Larger Power
A increased energy (soul, God) communicates with the psychic, who then passes the messages onto them and this is how they interpret your lifestyle. Making use of their potential to talk with God and sense nuances around them, psychics open their minds to what is before them.
Not Sure How To Prepare For Camping? These Tips Will Help!
This article will help you know all about camping as a recreation! Camping allows your family to share in a wonderful experience. If you desire to get the maximum out of your camping experience, make sure that your mind is fully engaged before you continue reading.
Try several ways of packing your bags before leaving. When you try different ways, you can find the most efficient way to make everything compact and also discover if you forgot to pack something essential.
If you are camping at a public campsite, make sure you turn your lights off or have them on timers. Some RV owners and operators leave the awning lights on throughout the night. There is no good reason for doing this, and it disturbs those who are trying to sleep in nearby camps.
If you are going on a camping trip, you want to be sure that you have a knife or two on hand. This knife is a must-have for campers, and you should have a spare in case something happens to the first one.
Make sure to discuss your trip with your doctor if you have a medical condition. There are a lot of things that could go wrong that you didn't consider. You may need to take some extra precautions that you didn't consider.
Never forget to see what the weather will be like in the area you will be camping at, prior to leaving. There are many great websites that can also give you a good idea of what weather is typical for the area during the time you plan to visit. This way you will know what type of clothing to pack and the equipment you need.
Preparation could mean the difference between a good camping experience and a dreaded one. Be sure you don't go camping until you are fully prepared with all the supplies you need. If you are going to a new place, make sure you do some research about the local wildlife, as well as the local geography and climate.
If you pet is accompanying you on your camping trip, then be sure to keep them leashed and under control at all times. Some people are afraid of dogs. This will maximize the respect that you have for others while camping. Your dog might even damage someone else's property if not properly supervised.
Duct tape is an interesting item to be included in your inventory while camping. Its multipurpose properties aren't only useful at home, they can be used in the wild too. It is perfect for fixing an air mattress. Duct tape can also seal other rips, such as ripped tents or sleeping bags. You can even use it to help prevent blisters on your feet. It even works as a bandage.
Successful campers know that camping is a great life experience. You must research before you can plan for the perfect camping trip. Use the ideas from the article, and you should be able to set up your tent and start camping whenever you want.
Try several ways of packing your bags before leaving. When you try different ways, you can find the most efficient way to make everything compact and also discover if you forgot to pack something essential.
If you are camping at a public campsite, make sure you turn your lights off or have them on timers. Some RV owners and operators leave the awning lights on throughout the night. There is no good reason for doing this, and it disturbs those who are trying to sleep in nearby camps.
If you are going on a camping trip, you want to be sure that you have a knife or two on hand. This knife is a must-have for campers, and you should have a spare in case something happens to the first one.
Make sure to discuss your trip with your doctor if you have a medical condition. There are a lot of things that could go wrong that you didn't consider. You may need to take some extra precautions that you didn't consider.
Never forget to see what the weather will be like in the area you will be camping at, prior to leaving. There are many great websites that can also give you a good idea of what weather is typical for the area during the time you plan to visit. This way you will know what type of clothing to pack and the equipment you need.
Preparation could mean the difference between a good camping experience and a dreaded one. Be sure you don't go camping until you are fully prepared with all the supplies you need. If you are going to a new place, make sure you do some research about the local wildlife, as well as the local geography and climate.
If you pet is accompanying you on your camping trip, then be sure to keep them leashed and under control at all times. Some people are afraid of dogs. This will maximize the respect that you have for others while camping. Your dog might even damage someone else's property if not properly supervised.
Duct tape is an interesting item to be included in your inventory while camping. Its multipurpose properties aren't only useful at home, they can be used in the wild too. It is perfect for fixing an air mattress. Duct tape can also seal other rips, such as ripped tents or sleeping bags. You can even use it to help prevent blisters on your feet. It even works as a bandage.
Successful campers know that camping is a great life experience. You must research before you can plan for the perfect camping trip. Use the ideas from the article, and you should be able to set up your tent and start camping whenever you want.
How to Locate a Leading Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer
A lot of of my buyers are word of mouth referrals, referred by acquaintances, men and women in their network or their lawyer. Becoming referred is the beginning step, but how do I, as a potential client, know if this criminal defense lawyer is most acceptable for me? My administrative assistant, Cynthia, is the very first particular person who has communication with a prospective buyer. Cynthia is frequently asked if the criminal lawyer has any practical experience dealing with criminal court trials just like theirs and what is my accomplishment fee? Usually the consumer will directly request me individuals identical question.
People are terrific questions that want to be answered honestly. But how do you know if your criminal defense lawyer is honestly telling you the truth? "Purchaser beware"- there are a great deal of attorneys out there who will exaggerate the details when it comes to their qualifications and past knowledge - my investigator, refers to this puff as the lawyer at law "offering wolf tickets".
To enable you come across a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who is appropriate for you and your criminal court case, here are five straightforward methods to enable you select a competent criminal defense attorney.
5 measures to locate a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles
Know the crime you have been arraigned with. Inquire colleagues and close friends for recommendations to criminal attorneys. Word of mouth is a fantastic way to discover an attorney that's right for you. You will feel additional confident hiring a criminal defense legal representation who was encouraged by an individual you trust.
Go on the web to broaden your listing. A very good web page to come across good criminal attorneys is lawyers.com. Basically sort in the region of law and area to ascertain your query. For example, "Riverside criminal attorney", or to be even additional precise, "drug trafficking lawyer San Diego".
Study the checklist of attorneys you've place together. Come across out how extended they have been practicing criminal law (general rule of thumb is at least 15 many years), how several criminal law court litigations they have won/lost. In California, you can look up an attorney's undergraduate and law college schooling and how long they have been admitted to the bar at The State Bar of California internet site. Does the defense counselor inquire appropriate, sensible concerns? Will he/she manage the case or let junior associates do the perform?
To employ the best Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, request to see their track record in creating and then go to the court and verify them out!
The availability of criminal defense attorneys has raise with accordance with the improve in the occurrence of crimes. Normally individuals assume that if a person is accused of committing a crime, he or she doesn't deserve to be tried in the court of law. These days there are so numerous items that are counted as a crime. For example if you download anything from an illegal web site, it is deemed a crime, even even though you weren't conscious of the web page being illegal. Acquiring arrested can be scary, even men and women who knowingly commit a crime or violation concern staying arrested. So if you are caught in this unfortunate event then you should know that it is time to search for a criminal defense attorney.
People are terrific questions that want to be answered honestly. But how do you know if your criminal defense lawyer is honestly telling you the truth? "Purchaser beware"- there are a great deal of attorneys out there who will exaggerate the details when it comes to their qualifications and past knowledge - my investigator, refers to this puff as the lawyer at law "offering wolf tickets".
To enable you come across a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who is appropriate for you and your criminal court case, here are five straightforward methods to enable you select a competent criminal defense attorney.
5 measures to locate a criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles
Know the crime you have been arraigned with. Inquire colleagues and close friends for recommendations to criminal attorneys. Word of mouth is a fantastic way to discover an attorney that's right for you. You will feel additional confident hiring a criminal defense legal representation who was encouraged by an individual you trust.
Go on the web to broaden your listing. A very good web page to come across good criminal attorneys is lawyers.com. Basically sort in the region of law and area to ascertain your query. For example, "Riverside criminal attorney", or to be even additional precise, "drug trafficking lawyer San Diego".
Study the checklist of attorneys you've place together. Come across out how extended they have been practicing criminal law (general rule of thumb is at least 15 many years), how several criminal law court litigations they have won/lost. In California, you can look up an attorney's undergraduate and law college schooling and how long they have been admitted to the bar at The State Bar of California internet site. Does the defense counselor inquire appropriate, sensible concerns? Will he/she manage the case or let junior associates do the perform?
To employ the best Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, request to see their track record in creating and then go to the court and verify them out!
The availability of criminal defense attorneys has raise with accordance with the improve in the occurrence of crimes. Normally individuals assume that if a person is accused of committing a crime, he or she doesn't deserve to be tried in the court of law. These days there are so numerous items that are counted as a crime. For example if you download anything from an illegal web site, it is deemed a crime, even even though you weren't conscious of the web page being illegal. Acquiring arrested can be scary, even men and women who knowingly commit a crime or violation concern staying arrested. So if you are caught in this unfortunate event then you should know that it is time to search for a criminal defense attorney.
Realistic Golf Swing Tutorials Programs Around The USA
Have you recently taken up the sport of playing golf, or perhaps you have been playing golf for years? Either way, there are always things that you can learn about golf that you never knew existed. What you are going to read about golf in the following article may take you by surprise.
When first learning to play it is best to get the correct grip on the club. Most commonly, people try to grip the club hard in hopes of hitting the ball further. Instead you should use a grip that is soft but firm. Hold the club as if you are holding a bird. Tight enough so that is wont fly alway but soft so you don't hurt it.
A helpful tip when it comes to golf is to try to avoid wearing glasses when playing. This is important because your prescription or sunglasses may actually effect your depth perception and cause you to perform sub-par. Of course, if prescription glasses are needed you would most likely need to have contact lenses as a backup option.
Watching the pros golf on TV is a great way to improve your game, but it's even better if you're there in person. You can walk alongside the pros and really get a feel for what they're doing to hone in on their game so methodically. The live atmosphere is great for learning.
Be sure that you have the proper footwear for playing a game of golf. You want to have shoes that have grips on the bottom so that your feet are planted in place. By wearing regular shoes, you could trip and fall or move a certain way that causes the ball to go off its intended course.
If you find yourself in a bunker outside the initial green area or along the fairway and you do not have to content with a high lip to the trap, consider going with an iron with more distance than your sand wedge. While it takes practice to get used to the effect that sand has on your high to middle irons, learning to use these clubs from the sand will increase your chances to avoid extra strokes that are commonly the result of ending up in a trap. Visit You Can Check Here for great suggestions.
A helpful tip when it comes to golf is to make sure that you always keep an eye on your golf clubs while at the course. This is important because due to the value of many golf clubs, somebody else probably already has their eye on them and might take them at their first chance.
You really don't have to be President or rich or in any position of privilege to be a golfer. The wealthy and powerful enjoy the game simply because it's an enjoyable game that anyone can play. Make sure that you're using what you learned here to improve your game. Take a few strokes off and work on your swing!
When first learning to play it is best to get the correct grip on the club. Most commonly, people try to grip the club hard in hopes of hitting the ball further. Instead you should use a grip that is soft but firm. Hold the club as if you are holding a bird. Tight enough so that is wont fly alway but soft so you don't hurt it.
A helpful tip when it comes to golf is to try to avoid wearing glasses when playing. This is important because your prescription or sunglasses may actually effect your depth perception and cause you to perform sub-par. Of course, if prescription glasses are needed you would most likely need to have contact lenses as a backup option.
Watching the pros golf on TV is a great way to improve your game, but it's even better if you're there in person. You can walk alongside the pros and really get a feel for what they're doing to hone in on their game so methodically. The live atmosphere is great for learning.
Be sure that you have the proper footwear for playing a game of golf. You want to have shoes that have grips on the bottom so that your feet are planted in place. By wearing regular shoes, you could trip and fall or move a certain way that causes the ball to go off its intended course.
If you find yourself in a bunker outside the initial green area or along the fairway and you do not have to content with a high lip to the trap, consider going with an iron with more distance than your sand wedge. While it takes practice to get used to the effect that sand has on your high to middle irons, learning to use these clubs from the sand will increase your chances to avoid extra strokes that are commonly the result of ending up in a trap. Visit You Can Check Here for great suggestions.
A helpful tip when it comes to golf is to make sure that you always keep an eye on your golf clubs while at the course. This is important because due to the value of many golf clubs, somebody else probably already has their eye on them and might take them at their first chance.
You really don't have to be President or rich or in any position of privilege to be a golfer. The wealthy and powerful enjoy the game simply because it's an enjoyable game that anyone can play. Make sure that you're using what you learned here to improve your game. Take a few strokes off and work on your swing!
2013年9月16日星期一
busana muslim modern
Coral in its fiery mound embellished by slate Grey and arctic white - this combination is the most modern undertaking into the foray of inside decoration. Grey is a shade which is soft and relaxing in its primary character. A residing area to current a comfortable truly feel has to be decorated with Grey coloration accessories. Most interior decorators choose this Gray structure to other worn-out mixture. It can sync with dazzling coral and flourishes of white. You can furnish your furniture, carpet and some other comfort and ease fixtures with layers of Grey tones.
See to it that the styles and will make littered in the space are basic samples but, trendy shapes. You have to co-relate your cushions and curtains with coral on the partitions. Your fabric choices need to also be dominated by a touch of Gray, in purchase to current a glimpse of sophistication. Other showroom items like wall-clocks and flower vases can also portray a tinge of Gray or white to make it stand out and elevate the design assertion of your dwelling space.
Duck-egg blue is a shade of classic society and layered with pink, it is resourceful and evocative nature responds to our thirst for attractiveness. Interesting duck-egg blue and pretty rose pink offers a frothy admixture of style and magnificence. Your residing home with this color development elevates the visitors to cloud nine. Preserve the freshness of this mix. You can paint the partitions in this tender blue shade to prompt a relaxing sentiment to the onlookers. Find flooring and upholstery in neutral hues and then incorporate a pulsating paint of pink.
Give an Japanese sense to the atmosphere. Merge the gentle coloration curtains and cushions with embroidered layouts, dim wooden furnishings with presentable flooring - the statement of elegance reaches its grand finale. Orchids and decorative goods add to the floating feeling of grandeur. Other extras viz. picture frames and ceramic tiles can flourish a shade of rose accents.
Refer to inside structure and interior design and style thoughts for more helpful products. Go in for traditional models, modern kinds, country kinds, eclectic models, modern-day styles. Opt for various models of the faculty of Art viz. Abstract Art, Common Art, Naturalistic Art, Representational Art to specific your aesthetic sensitivity and inventive sensibility. Now, make a colour base with higher than coated combination to create a fascination which you will enjoy eternally.
Infinite varieties of kitchen area wall tiles are trending to build a clean up, healthy, long lasting house in your households. These designs, colors and textures transform your imagination into truth. You can obtain timeless models, rustic and charming ranges with fantastic color ranges and designs. Basic subtle colors like the white, neutral tones, effects of natural stones, and dazzling colours are gaining popularity. The hottestcraze is to insert texture or colour splashes with tiled characteristic partitions, vertical mosaic strips of tiles, borders and include ornamental inset tiles. Match the floor with these wall tiles in matching colors. The pioneers in the tile industry are ready to give you suggestions and strategies centered on the newest styles.
The authorities have offered some ideas on assortment of tiles for the kitchen area partitions. They suggest that they must often be sourced from a very good provider.
See to it that the styles and will make littered in the space are basic samples but, trendy shapes. You have to co-relate your cushions and curtains with coral on the partitions. Your fabric choices need to also be dominated by a touch of Gray, in purchase to current a glimpse of sophistication. Other showroom items like wall-clocks and flower vases can also portray a tinge of Gray or white to make it stand out and elevate the design assertion of your dwelling space.
Duck-egg blue is a shade of classic society and layered with pink, it is resourceful and evocative nature responds to our thirst for attractiveness. Interesting duck-egg blue and pretty rose pink offers a frothy admixture of style and magnificence. Your residing home with this color development elevates the visitors to cloud nine. Preserve the freshness of this mix. You can paint the partitions in this tender blue shade to prompt a relaxing sentiment to the onlookers. Find flooring and upholstery in neutral hues and then incorporate a pulsating paint of pink.
Give an Japanese sense to the atmosphere. Merge the gentle coloration curtains and cushions with embroidered layouts, dim wooden furnishings with presentable flooring - the statement of elegance reaches its grand finale. Orchids and decorative goods add to the floating feeling of grandeur. Other extras viz. picture frames and ceramic tiles can flourish a shade of rose accents.
Refer to inside structure and interior design and style thoughts for more helpful products. Go in for traditional models, modern kinds, country kinds, eclectic models, modern-day styles. Opt for various models of the faculty of Art viz. Abstract Art, Common Art, Naturalistic Art, Representational Art to specific your aesthetic sensitivity and inventive sensibility. Now, make a colour base with higher than coated combination to create a fascination which you will enjoy eternally.
Infinite varieties of kitchen area wall tiles are trending to build a clean up, healthy, long lasting house in your households. These designs, colors and textures transform your imagination into truth. You can obtain timeless models, rustic and charming ranges with fantastic color ranges and designs. Basic subtle colors like the white, neutral tones, effects of natural stones, and dazzling colours are gaining popularity. The hottestcraze is to insert texture or colour splashes with tiled characteristic partitions, vertical mosaic strips of tiles, borders and include ornamental inset tiles. Match the floor with these wall tiles in matching colors. The pioneers in the tile industry are ready to give you suggestions and strategies centered on the newest styles.
The authorities have offered some ideas on assortment of tiles for the kitchen area partitions. They suggest that they must often be sourced from a very good provider.
The Truthful High Status Humor Analysis: ALARMING Discoveries PUBLICIZED
In this article you will notice an index of High Status Humor. It's really a fast shop around the statements this product owner Zach Browman makes over it.
High Status Humor is a guide that will teach you the way to be a little more available and more popular with girls. High Status Humor turns every monotonous and person into a special women' guy obviously, if you have always believe it is not easy to open up to the people (notably women and guys you meet), High Status Humor will show you how you can take control of your nervous about speaking and will cause you to become a friendlier person.
There isn't any question, if you want to date ladies that are in demand you'll need to stand out from your bunch. To complete that, you must engage both her emotions and her mind in a fashion that pays her on all amounts, permitting you for the obvious choice.
Remember fondly the method it felt if you heard the sound of a nice-looking woman giggling at your jokes or wordplay? What exactly could it be about this seem that is so attractive? It is because her fun is truly a clear sign that her shield and ice wall originates down. It's this sign that informs you... she is allowing you to come in to her mind. By making use of High Status Humor, you may understand how to enter the minds of gorgeous women and keep them giggling while you make your way towards the bag.
Zach Browman, the author of the software, thinks another process of attracting gorgeous females... investigating everything as more science than art. This really is ideal for men who believe they do not possess a love of life, because Zach shows not merely is comedy a learnable ability, only one any guy can learn. The principles with this type of science is normally a bit tricky for typical guys to comprehend by themselves. This really is where the HSH program is accessible in; it is a manual that will help any guy be a master making use of humor to bring in women.
Today, everyone's observed that girls are fascinated by humorous guys. Nevertheless when it comes to attracting women, do not suppose all comedy is created equal. Make use of the wrong sort of laughter having a woman, and it'll ensure it is impossible for a female to view you as just a just a friend.but utilize the best kind, too as be difficult on her part TO not examine you with want. In Zach Browman's HSH plan, it shows essential differences between attractive wit and unattractive wit. If you believe about it, it appears wise. That is as Vince Vaughn why Rob Schneider will not get the maximum quantity of activity.
Therefore will there be a vital to attractive humor? Well, it's really a blend of the right words, stated the proper manner, in the right time. The thing that makes women laugh in a really bar will not just like what makes them laugh inside a grocery store. The wonderful information is the truth that High Status Humor will show you the exact formula for producing the greatest type of humor for any scenario.
Is really a snippet of what you'll understand with High Status Humor:
How to create a girl laugh in seconds of meeting her
How to attract women 'out of one's league'
How to just stand out from other guys
How to feed her tests
How to take advantage of the CORRECT type of humor to change her on rapidly
If you require to want to have an illegal advantage over other guys, and pull the greatest females, you actually owe it to you to ultimately try High Status Humor. It'll allow you to take on an even more charming, appealing style making use of a wonderful sense of humor. It may be the distinction between getting trapped inside the buddy zone, and being the girl is actually got by the man who.
High Status Humor is a guide that will teach you the way to be a little more available and more popular with girls. High Status Humor turns every monotonous and person into a special women' guy obviously, if you have always believe it is not easy to open up to the people (notably women and guys you meet), High Status Humor will show you how you can take control of your nervous about speaking and will cause you to become a friendlier person.
There isn't any question, if you want to date ladies that are in demand you'll need to stand out from your bunch. To complete that, you must engage both her emotions and her mind in a fashion that pays her on all amounts, permitting you for the obvious choice.
Remember fondly the method it felt if you heard the sound of a nice-looking woman giggling at your jokes or wordplay? What exactly could it be about this seem that is so attractive? It is because her fun is truly a clear sign that her shield and ice wall originates down. It's this sign that informs you... she is allowing you to come in to her mind. By making use of High Status Humor, you may understand how to enter the minds of gorgeous women and keep them giggling while you make your way towards the bag.
Zach Browman, the author of the software, thinks another process of attracting gorgeous females... investigating everything as more science than art. This really is ideal for men who believe they do not possess a love of life, because Zach shows not merely is comedy a learnable ability, only one any guy can learn. The principles with this type of science is normally a bit tricky for typical guys to comprehend by themselves. This really is where the HSH program is accessible in; it is a manual that will help any guy be a master making use of humor to bring in women.
Today, everyone's observed that girls are fascinated by humorous guys. Nevertheless when it comes to attracting women, do not suppose all comedy is created equal. Make use of the wrong sort of laughter having a woman, and it'll ensure it is impossible for a female to view you as just a just a friend.but utilize the best kind, too as be difficult on her part TO not examine you with want. In Zach Browman's HSH plan, it shows essential differences between attractive wit and unattractive wit. If you believe about it, it appears wise. That is as Vince Vaughn why Rob Schneider will not get the maximum quantity of activity.
Therefore will there be a vital to attractive humor? Well, it's really a blend of the right words, stated the proper manner, in the right time. The thing that makes women laugh in a really bar will not just like what makes them laugh inside a grocery store. The wonderful information is the truth that High Status Humor will show you the exact formula for producing the greatest type of humor for any scenario.
Is really a snippet of what you'll understand with High Status Humor:
How to create a girl laugh in seconds of meeting her
How to attract women 'out of one's league'
How to just stand out from other guys
How to feed her tests
How to take advantage of the CORRECT type of humor to change her on rapidly
If you require to want to have an illegal advantage over other guys, and pull the greatest females, you actually owe it to you to ultimately try High Status Humor. It'll allow you to take on an even more charming, appealing style making use of a wonderful sense of humor. It may be the distinction between getting trapped inside the buddy zone, and being the girl is actually got by the man who.
The Greatest Info Of North Carolina Culinary Schools
The birth place of Pepsi Cola and Kipsy Kreme Doughnuts, North Carolina is famous for its versatile cuisines and vast recipes that are not only rich in favor but are also unique in texture and taste. There are a number of North Carolina Culinary Schools that teach home and corporate cooking to those who are willing to learn and who are reliable enough to maintain the name of North Carolina in the field of culinary industry. The competition in the culinary schools is so intense that each year, the schools are forced to reject hundreds of admission entrees because of the limited number of seats. Therefore to become a student at North Carolina Culinary Schools, it is very important to be prepared beforehand.
Cooking As A Profession.
The statistic show that the culinary industry is growing by 11 percent every year on average; thus the number of jobs being offered to culinary students is also increasing. The graduates of North Carolina Culinary Schools are offered starting salaries between $ 20,000 and $ 35,000, which increases to $ 60,000 per month as you, are promoted to executive chef or a sous chef. Most of the the culinary schools place their hard working an deserve students at good hotels on their own; while some of the the culinary schools also hire their own students as research associates or teacher's associates - so once you graduate from the culinary schools, you are bound to get a good job with a reasonable salary.
North Carolina Culinary Schools Programs And Degrees.
Most of the cooking schools offer a four-year degree in hotel management, catering services, culinary management, bakery and pastry chef and special degrees in corporate cooking and management. Some of the cooking schools also offer two-year programs for culinary education and diplomas in restaurant management; almost all the famous and professional chefs believe that getting a proper certified degree in culinary is necessary to secure a position in a good working environment with a reasonable salary package. Therefore, while choosing your options for a degree program, it is very important that you select that program that interests you the most - so that you are able to enjoy your education and learn the art of cooking in its true essence. The North Carolina Culinary Schools have good faculty that has been able to produce some of the best chefs in United States. Because of the high amount of competition, it is important that you apply to more than one university, so that you are easily able to get an admission and pursue your dream of becoming a chef.
Top North Carolina Culinary Schools.
Among the best North Carolina Culinary Schools, the name of The Art Institute cannot be forgotten. It accepts students from all over the country and offers both four year and two-year certification programs to the students. Whether you want to learn baking, cooking or want to become a corporate chef, the Art Institute is the best place to be. Along with this, the Johnson and Wales University also offers some excellent programs in culinary arts and food services management that many of the students may be interested.
Cooking Schools In Charlotte.
The cooking schools in Charlotte include the Kings College and the Central Piedmont Community College, which offer degrees in Hospitality Services management, food and nutrition and culinary arts. Both these cooking schools are best for all those who are looking forward to a serious career in the corporate culinary industry.
Cooking Schools In Greensboro.
Greensboro has most of the good North Carolina Culinary Schools; Benet College, University of North Carolina and North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University are some of the best institutions in the state with good international ranking as well. Along with offering degree in food and services, these culinary schools also have a special degree of culinary technology for the students, which is all about innovation in food and recipes. Getting admission in these institutions may be a little difficult because of high merit requirements; therefore you will have to pay special attention to your grades and admission form if you really want to get into these culinary schools.
Cooking Schools In Raleigh.
Meredith College and Wake Technical community college are two good culinary colleges found in Raleigh. Both these colleges offer programs in food and management with a four-year degree. The best thing about these North Carolina Cooking Schools is that they fee structure for international students is also comparatively reasonable, that is why a number of international students are also seen at these institutions.
Cooking As A Profession.
The statistic show that the culinary industry is growing by 11 percent every year on average; thus the number of jobs being offered to culinary students is also increasing. The graduates of North Carolina Culinary Schools are offered starting salaries between $ 20,000 and $ 35,000, which increases to $ 60,000 per month as you, are promoted to executive chef or a sous chef. Most of the the culinary schools place their hard working an deserve students at good hotels on their own; while some of the the culinary schools also hire their own students as research associates or teacher's associates - so once you graduate from the culinary schools, you are bound to get a good job with a reasonable salary.
North Carolina Culinary Schools Programs And Degrees.
Most of the cooking schools offer a four-year degree in hotel management, catering services, culinary management, bakery and pastry chef and special degrees in corporate cooking and management. Some of the cooking schools also offer two-year programs for culinary education and diplomas in restaurant management; almost all the famous and professional chefs believe that getting a proper certified degree in culinary is necessary to secure a position in a good working environment with a reasonable salary package. Therefore, while choosing your options for a degree program, it is very important that you select that program that interests you the most - so that you are able to enjoy your education and learn the art of cooking in its true essence. The North Carolina Culinary Schools have good faculty that has been able to produce some of the best chefs in United States. Because of the high amount of competition, it is important that you apply to more than one university, so that you are easily able to get an admission and pursue your dream of becoming a chef.
Top North Carolina Culinary Schools.
Among the best North Carolina Culinary Schools, the name of The Art Institute cannot be forgotten. It accepts students from all over the country and offers both four year and two-year certification programs to the students. Whether you want to learn baking, cooking or want to become a corporate chef, the Art Institute is the best place to be. Along with this, the Johnson and Wales University also offers some excellent programs in culinary arts and food services management that many of the students may be interested.
Cooking Schools In Charlotte.
The cooking schools in Charlotte include the Kings College and the Central Piedmont Community College, which offer degrees in Hospitality Services management, food and nutrition and culinary arts. Both these cooking schools are best for all those who are looking forward to a serious career in the corporate culinary industry.
Cooking Schools In Greensboro.
Greensboro has most of the good North Carolina Culinary Schools; Benet College, University of North Carolina and North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University are some of the best institutions in the state with good international ranking as well. Along with offering degree in food and services, these culinary schools also have a special degree of culinary technology for the students, which is all about innovation in food and recipes. Getting admission in these institutions may be a little difficult because of high merit requirements; therefore you will have to pay special attention to your grades and admission form if you really want to get into these culinary schools.
Cooking Schools In Raleigh.
Meredith College and Wake Technical community college are two good culinary colleges found in Raleigh. Both these colleges offer programs in food and management with a four-year degree. The best thing about these North Carolina Cooking Schools is that they fee structure for international students is also comparatively reasonable, that is why a number of international students are also seen at these institutions.
What Countries Grow The Best Tasting Coffee Beans?
Do you love coffee? You aren't alone; unfortunately, this drink can be very costly if you purchase it straight from the shop. You shouldn't do this. It's possible to brew coffee from the comfort of your own home for a lot less money. Determine how to do this by reading the article below.
If you have trouble sleeping at night, cut off your coffee drinking before 3PM. It's easy to forget that a tasty cup of coffee can keep you up way past bedtime. It's best that you don't drink caffeinated coffee past 4 p.m., so that it doesn't disrupt your normal sleep.
Do you plan to serve coffee to your visitors? Think about decorating your lattes. Practicing flowers or leaves can leave your guests highly impressed. Simply combine chocolate and milk and try it out.
If you purchase whole beans, be certain not to grind them too far in advance of brewing. As soon as coffee is ground, its flavor starts to dissipate. Do not try to grind all of it ahead or you will be treated to a weaker grade of coffee.
If you often find yourself needed only one cup of coffee at a time, consider investing in a Keruig coffee maker. It will let you make just one cup of coffee, of any kind that you want. In fact, there are many kinds of makers to choose from as well, all of which have different features.
You have lots of flavors of coffee to pick from. Some people prefer the full flavor of dark roast, and others prefer a flavor that is mild and smooth. Additionally, you can also purchase beans that are pre-flavored. You can even buy creamer that is flavored so you can have many different choices.
Don't throw away coffee that you haven't used. But neither should you reheat it. What you should do is place the unused coffee in a plastic container and put it inside of your refrigerator. This provides you with iced coffee to enjoy at your leisure.
You can easily froth milk at home without having to purchase any special equipment. Place your milk in a measuring cup or microwave safe mug, and heat until it steams. Put a wire whisk in the milk, and rotate the handle quickly between your palms. Maintain this motion until the milk is adequately foamy. Whole milk and cream will give you the best results.
When you have finished brewing your coffee make sure to remove the pot from the coffee machine. If you leave it on it cooks the coffee and ruins the taste. If you will not use all of it before it cools, transfer it into an insulated container to keep it warm.
If you are very busy during the day at home with a baby, and unable to take the time to brew a quality pot of coffee in your home, find a nearby coffee shop. You could easily go out for a quick drive, grab a cup of your favorite beverage and drink it on your way back home or to work.
As stated before, brewing good coffee routinely is a challenge for anyone who lacks the proper knowledge. Use what you have learned here to get the coffee you dream of having.
If you have trouble sleeping at night, cut off your coffee drinking before 3PM. It's easy to forget that a tasty cup of coffee can keep you up way past bedtime. It's best that you don't drink caffeinated coffee past 4 p.m., so that it doesn't disrupt your normal sleep.
Do you plan to serve coffee to your visitors? Think about decorating your lattes. Practicing flowers or leaves can leave your guests highly impressed. Simply combine chocolate and milk and try it out.
If you purchase whole beans, be certain not to grind them too far in advance of brewing. As soon as coffee is ground, its flavor starts to dissipate. Do not try to grind all of it ahead or you will be treated to a weaker grade of coffee.
If you often find yourself needed only one cup of coffee at a time, consider investing in a Keruig coffee maker. It will let you make just one cup of coffee, of any kind that you want. In fact, there are many kinds of makers to choose from as well, all of which have different features.
You have lots of flavors of coffee to pick from. Some people prefer the full flavor of dark roast, and others prefer a flavor that is mild and smooth. Additionally, you can also purchase beans that are pre-flavored. You can even buy creamer that is flavored so you can have many different choices.
Don't throw away coffee that you haven't used. But neither should you reheat it. What you should do is place the unused coffee in a plastic container and put it inside of your refrigerator. This provides you with iced coffee to enjoy at your leisure.
You can easily froth milk at home without having to purchase any special equipment. Place your milk in a measuring cup or microwave safe mug, and heat until it steams. Put a wire whisk in the milk, and rotate the handle quickly between your palms. Maintain this motion until the milk is adequately foamy. Whole milk and cream will give you the best results.
When you have finished brewing your coffee make sure to remove the pot from the coffee machine. If you leave it on it cooks the coffee and ruins the taste. If you will not use all of it before it cools, transfer it into an insulated container to keep it warm.
If you are very busy during the day at home with a baby, and unable to take the time to brew a quality pot of coffee in your home, find a nearby coffee shop. You could easily go out for a quick drive, grab a cup of your favorite beverage and drink it on your way back home or to work.
As stated before, brewing good coffee routinely is a challenge for anyone who lacks the proper knowledge. Use what you have learned here to get the coffee you dream of having.
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