Today is Memorial day, and I am actually ok with it being National BBQ day as well. Since Mericans work their can off with the least amount of time off in the industrialized world, I think they deserve that.
That by no means undermines the meaning of the day in general, a day we remember those who have died before us, specifically those who wore the Uniform.
IT is important that we look into the mirror and our honest about those deaths. Repeating silly memes on freedom does no one any favors.
It is important to remember that in the almost 240 years of this countries existence, we have fought two wars for actual freedom, and during decades in between, fought lots of wars over bullshit.
Now you can get upset if you want, I really do not give care, cause I am not happy that you, and others would dare pretend some glorious reason to send our loved ones off to die when in reality it has zero to do with your freedoms, which are fought and lost on the legislative floor, and everything to do with greasing some fat asses pocket.
It is time we as an educated society set aside the Emotional BS and stopped it, stopped allowing ourselves to be used as nothing more than sacrificial pawns. We can elicit a change, but we have to start now.
RIP to those who died well serving, I remember the lies which took your life, and I will do my best so those same lies are not repeated in the future.
Monday, May 25, 2015
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Freddie Roach & Crew Dropped the Ball Big Time.
I am gonna go ahead and say it, but Roach dropped the ball on this big time.
His training camp was clearly a joke, his sparring partners included a MMA fighter? Are you KIDDING ME! Going against the greatest defensive fighter of all time and you bring in a MMA FIGHTER?
Now it turns out that Manny was injured with a torn rotator, and you still go on with the biggest fight of the supposed century without your fighter being 100 percent?
Further you admit he was drugged up? Well that explains the listless look going into the ring.
I want to know Mr Roach, were you paid off? Was Bob Arron? This was disgusting.
Lets go over this.
Every single thing that Floyd wanted he got, The date, the location, even the select weight which FAVORED HIM! Oh and lets not forget that Flo even picked Mannys gloves, seriously?
Who allows that to happen? Manny is a fighter with a huge heart, but clearly not the brightest light bulb in the box. His management from the top to the bottom completely failed him. The result was a under prepared fighter who stepped into the ring unsure of himself, that was clear from the moment he walked into the arena, looking listless and tired.
Then two minutes before the fight started his gloves were finally on and he is warming up? I NEVER EVEN MADE THIS MISTAKE AS An AMATEUR!
Further there was zero attempt to roll to Floyds right and open him up, NONE!. FLoyd played the same game against the ropes time and time again, waited until Manny rushed in too close to do anything then rolled to his own left, OMG IN 12 ROUNDS THE SUPPOSED GREATEST TRAINER IN HISTORY COULD NOT TELL MANNY TO CUT HIM OFF AND QUIT OVER COMMITTING?
15 million dollars a round for both of these clowns and all we have is the winner being unanimously booing for being afraid to box. For that price we also get two fighters without a mark on their face?
I am fine with using the ring, but you HAVE TO BOX!
the nearest comparable fight I can think of would have been Sugar Ray and Roberto Duran, and guess what, PEOPLE WERE ON THEIR FEET IT WAS SO EXCITING!
Sugar ray used the ring but PUNCHED LIKE CRAZY. Duran cut him off and did what a puncher is supposed to do, Frigging PUNCH!
Further Floyd should have been penalized in every round. He choked, hit to the back of the head and even pushed Mannys head down, where were you Freddie? You should have been standing up for your man, demanding penalties when they happened.
Regardless even with those points deducted I Still do not think Manny put forth enough effort to deserve the W.
IMO it should have been a No Contest and both fighters forced to refund the money of everyone in the gym and on PPV.
Roach should be fired, and hopefully he loses all credibility as a trainer. A genius? Hell no, just a paid off man who lost all my respect, and judging from the lack of applause in the post fight press conferance, everyone elses as well.
His training camp was clearly a joke, his sparring partners included a MMA fighter? Are you KIDDING ME! Going against the greatest defensive fighter of all time and you bring in a MMA FIGHTER?
Now it turns out that Manny was injured with a torn rotator, and you still go on with the biggest fight of the supposed century without your fighter being 100 percent?
Further you admit he was drugged up? Well that explains the listless look going into the ring.
I want to know Mr Roach, were you paid off? Was Bob Arron? This was disgusting.
Lets go over this.
Every single thing that Floyd wanted he got, The date, the location, even the select weight which FAVORED HIM! Oh and lets not forget that Flo even picked Mannys gloves, seriously?
Who allows that to happen? Manny is a fighter with a huge heart, but clearly not the brightest light bulb in the box. His management from the top to the bottom completely failed him. The result was a under prepared fighter who stepped into the ring unsure of himself, that was clear from the moment he walked into the arena, looking listless and tired.
Then two minutes before the fight started his gloves were finally on and he is warming up? I NEVER EVEN MADE THIS MISTAKE AS An AMATEUR!
Further there was zero attempt to roll to Floyds right and open him up, NONE!. FLoyd played the same game against the ropes time and time again, waited until Manny rushed in too close to do anything then rolled to his own left, OMG IN 12 ROUNDS THE SUPPOSED GREATEST TRAINER IN HISTORY COULD NOT TELL MANNY TO CUT HIM OFF AND QUIT OVER COMMITTING?
15 million dollars a round for both of these clowns and all we have is the winner being unanimously booing for being afraid to box. For that price we also get two fighters without a mark on their face?
I am fine with using the ring, but you HAVE TO BOX!
the nearest comparable fight I can think of would have been Sugar Ray and Roberto Duran, and guess what, PEOPLE WERE ON THEIR FEET IT WAS SO EXCITING!
Sugar ray used the ring but PUNCHED LIKE CRAZY. Duran cut him off and did what a puncher is supposed to do, Frigging PUNCH!
Further Floyd should have been penalized in every round. He choked, hit to the back of the head and even pushed Mannys head down, where were you Freddie? You should have been standing up for your man, demanding penalties when they happened.
Regardless even with those points deducted I Still do not think Manny put forth enough effort to deserve the W.
IMO it should have been a No Contest and both fighters forced to refund the money of everyone in the gym and on PPV.
Roach should be fired, and hopefully he loses all credibility as a trainer. A genius? Hell no, just a paid off man who lost all my respect, and judging from the lack of applause in the post fight press conferance, everyone elses as well.
Motorcycle ADV Riding Tips.
After 24 years of Riding and shunning the MSF and all that nonsense I would run into Lance Holst. Nice guy and I decided to take his Advanced Rider Clinic, holy shit did I learn a ton.
Not only would I do it again, I would love to take other courses as well and I am very interested in Lee Parks Total Control.
Tips:
Careful who you take advice from, even those who have ridden for years know very little about riding in all actuality, but hte pros? Be it dirt or track, they have to know their shit. Myths and misconceptions do not win races, which unfortunately the average rider is full of nothing but nonsense. If you are talking to someone and they do not know what counter stearing is or thinks laying a bike down is a good optino, walk away, and do not look over your shoulder or GOD WILL TURN YOU INTO A PILLAR OF SALT! :))
Most people riding at what they think is 80 percent are actually riding at 120 percent, let that one sink in for a minute before reading on.
Track days are a big one to help gain confidence and learn skills, you learn a bunch right there and myths have to quickly go out the window.
Cycling actually transfers directly over and really helps with balance as well as endurance, if you are healthy you are more alert and fatigue less easily. I also believe that riding horses in my younger years helped as well.
Riding off road should be done with lighter bikes before the big boys, get yourself a 250 which has plenty of power for any size, go and practice, play around, be a hooligan and learn tons.
Eat right and stay hydrated, again this transfers over directly to being alert and being a better rider.
Be comfortable with all your gear as well as the bike, if you are not comfortable you are not alert and paying attention to the road.
Be it pavement or dirt, look well far away as your body cannot react if you simply look right in front of you.
Look where you want to go in any situation.
Always stay committed and go for whatever it is you are doing, if you hit a corner too hot do not hit the brake, stay on the throttle and go for it, same goes if you are riding something technical and it seems you are fubar, You will wreck far more often simply giving up half way than you ever would have just staying on it and going for it. It will be scary, I promise but it is far better than the alternative.
Trust your tires, todays tires are amazing and will hold the road very well, trust them and go with them, that goes along with the new tires are slick BS, nonsense. Even if they are (which they are not) being afraid of a new tire implies you would be unable to handle your bike in rain, snow or mud.
Quit making excuses, if something happens it probably is rider error, be objective, set aside your ego and be honest about what just happened, otherwise you are not helping yourself or anyone else at all.
The street is no place to race. While we all enjoy a spirited ride from time to time, there are simply too many factors which can impede your ride which do not exist on the track. Those factors may be dirt, cow shit, animals or even a car simply stopped around the corner, you do not know and owe it to your family to COME HOME LATE AT NIGHT.
Dont get me wrong, I believe strongly in living and enjoying your life, but the chest beating idiocy and acting like a teenager does no one a favor, save it for a controlled environment.
Bright Colors save lives, this is not even up for debate on any level.
A well Maintained bike adds to your confidence, be it on a long trip, or a spirited canyon ride it will help bring you home safely.
Tell people where you are going and keep ID on you. Your cell phone should also be programmed with an emergency contact. If you are on medications, a list of those should be on your person.
Not only would I do it again, I would love to take other courses as well and I am very interested in Lee Parks Total Control.
Tips:
Careful who you take advice from, even those who have ridden for years know very little about riding in all actuality, but hte pros? Be it dirt or track, they have to know their shit. Myths and misconceptions do not win races, which unfortunately the average rider is full of nothing but nonsense. If you are talking to someone and they do not know what counter stearing is or thinks laying a bike down is a good optino, walk away, and do not look over your shoulder or GOD WILL TURN YOU INTO A PILLAR OF SALT! :))
Most people riding at what they think is 80 percent are actually riding at 120 percent, let that one sink in for a minute before reading on.
Track days are a big one to help gain confidence and learn skills, you learn a bunch right there and myths have to quickly go out the window.
Cycling actually transfers directly over and really helps with balance as well as endurance, if you are healthy you are more alert and fatigue less easily. I also believe that riding horses in my younger years helped as well.
Riding off road should be done with lighter bikes before the big boys, get yourself a 250 which has plenty of power for any size, go and practice, play around, be a hooligan and learn tons.
Eat right and stay hydrated, again this transfers over directly to being alert and being a better rider.
Be comfortable with all your gear as well as the bike, if you are not comfortable you are not alert and paying attention to the road.
Be it pavement or dirt, look well far away as your body cannot react if you simply look right in front of you.
Look where you want to go in any situation.
Always stay committed and go for whatever it is you are doing, if you hit a corner too hot do not hit the brake, stay on the throttle and go for it, same goes if you are riding something technical and it seems you are fubar, You will wreck far more often simply giving up half way than you ever would have just staying on it and going for it. It will be scary, I promise but it is far better than the alternative.
Trust your tires, todays tires are amazing and will hold the road very well, trust them and go with them, that goes along with the new tires are slick BS, nonsense. Even if they are (which they are not) being afraid of a new tire implies you would be unable to handle your bike in rain, snow or mud.
Quit making excuses, if something happens it probably is rider error, be objective, set aside your ego and be honest about what just happened, otherwise you are not helping yourself or anyone else at all.
The street is no place to race. While we all enjoy a spirited ride from time to time, there are simply too many factors which can impede your ride which do not exist on the track. Those factors may be dirt, cow shit, animals or even a car simply stopped around the corner, you do not know and owe it to your family to COME HOME LATE AT NIGHT.
Dont get me wrong, I believe strongly in living and enjoying your life, but the chest beating idiocy and acting like a teenager does no one a favor, save it for a controlled environment.
Bright Colors save lives, this is not even up for debate on any level.
A well Maintained bike adds to your confidence, be it on a long trip, or a spirited canyon ride it will help bring you home safely.
Tell people where you are going and keep ID on you. Your cell phone should also be programmed with an emergency contact. If you are on medications, a list of those should be on your person.
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Manny Paquiao, where were you?
I wanted to keep quiet, I did as my wifes family are Filipino, but I cannot take it.
It was sometime after Tysons fall from glory that I lost interest in Boxing, the bad judging and reffing just finished it off for me, or so I thought. My interest would peak as two amazing fighters would rise up at relatively the same time, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Paquiao.
For years this is the fight everyone wanted to happen, everyone even those of us who have long since lost interest in boxing talked about how much we wanted this fight to happen.
Years of Floyd seemingly ducking Manny, with excuse after excuse, it simply made us talk even more.
Finally a supposed chance encounter at a basketball game would set the ball in motion. It seemed odd to me then that these two great fighters would not only be at the same game, but sitting across from each other, brilliant promotion I guess.
Numbers were exchanged and dates set, Floyds dates.
I hate Floyd, I wont even lie saying otherwise, however he is a genius. Floyd makes sure people fight on his terms, that is what a fighter should do. He set the date, and he set the weight, at his natural weight making a smaller Manny come up to meet him, he even dictated which gloves Manny should use.
I am not sure what Moron in the world would agree with this on Manny's team, but they did. I know Manny has a huge heart, but is it possible to have a dumber team than Tyson did? Apparently the answer is yes.
Without a doubt Manny felt he could beat the bigger fighter, and I still think he had the ability to do so, however the smart move on his side would have been to bring Floyd down to his weight, Pick a date and make that date in your Country, throw Floyd off, make him the one having to play catch up.
Floyd was desperate, he had to have this fight to fulfill his legacy, that pout the negotiations and game on team Paquiao, at least it should have. Somehow Pac Mans management messed up this part, what was the biggest payday in Boxing history, should have been even bigger, but beyond that this was for Mannys people.
More problems in Mannys camp as a menagerie of odd not exactly the most talented fighters were brought in to spar Manny. Well ok, Freddie Roach is supposed to be a genius, he knows what he is doing right?
Apparently not.
Fight night comes and we see a listless Manny walking in. Minutes before the fight when Manny should have been warming up we see him struggling to put his gloves on still, come on really? The biggest fight of his life and he is not even ready until a couple minutes before he walks into the ring?
Then the fight happens and I am not exactly sure where the brilliant Boxer is, other than Floyd.
Floyd did what he always does brilliantly, rolled and kept a fighter off him. What Manny did not do, was anything at all. He seemingly thought going in slow straight on and simply throwing a single punch here and there was enough. Why was this? why was a fighter known to be one of the fastest busiest strikers in the game seemingly not bothering to throw punches in bunches?
Exactly what was he doing when he did have Floyd on the ropes. I realize he is a master at blocking and deflecting, but to simply quit punching and step away?
Floyd managed to have one of the worst referees in history on this fight, and that showed as Floyd continuously punched below the belt and at times I thought I was watching a MMA fight when Floyd would hook PacMan in a guillotine and nothing would be done about it.
How on earth could you fall for the same trick over and over again? Floyd draws you straight into the ropes, you rush in and Floyd rolls off to his left, was it magic? No it is the same thing he always does, nothing was done to even attempt to close that door.
One of the keys when fighting as a south paw to open up a fighter with your opposite stance is to roll to their right, did Roach just fail to tell Manny? And where were all those angles you are famous for Manny? Where were they?
Dude we all love you, but when at the end of a fight you think you won, and the person interviewing you is asking what the hell you did wrong, a clue should be forming. When that announcer is asking why you were not trying hard enough, something more should click.
What failed? Was it his corner? What exactly happened here? Was your corner not telling you to move more, to let those hands go free? Were they not telling you that you were behind and needed to get with it?
I love Manny, any man with a heart as big as his deserves that love, but I am sorry, unless there was a pay off somewhere, there was zero excuse for that lack luster performance. Beyond all the point deductions that should have happened against Flo, he still handily won.
Congratulations on your Pro Debut, the boxing legend we all love you to be, was not in the ring tonight.
I will however Congratulate Floyd on being humble and respectful, and Manny, where was your respect? you should have flat out said you got beat by the best in the world, because you did.
You said "I have fought bigger" was this really in your head before you stepped into the ring with the best defensive fighter boxing has ever known? Save maybe, and I mean maybe Willie Pep?
I refuse to believe that it was this lopsided, I refuse to believe that Floyd frustrated Manny so, when men Floyd had trouble beating, Manny absolutely destroyed.
Oh well, it is what it is, as someone else said tonight "Boxing is dead" Indeed it is, the greatest match up of the century was bust and the bad guy won, so now what?
On with our own lives is all I can say.
It was sometime after Tysons fall from glory that I lost interest in Boxing, the bad judging and reffing just finished it off for me, or so I thought. My interest would peak as two amazing fighters would rise up at relatively the same time, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Paquiao.
For years this is the fight everyone wanted to happen, everyone even those of us who have long since lost interest in boxing talked about how much we wanted this fight to happen.
Years of Floyd seemingly ducking Manny, with excuse after excuse, it simply made us talk even more.
Finally a supposed chance encounter at a basketball game would set the ball in motion. It seemed odd to me then that these two great fighters would not only be at the same game, but sitting across from each other, brilliant promotion I guess.
Numbers were exchanged and dates set, Floyds dates.
I hate Floyd, I wont even lie saying otherwise, however he is a genius. Floyd makes sure people fight on his terms, that is what a fighter should do. He set the date, and he set the weight, at his natural weight making a smaller Manny come up to meet him, he even dictated which gloves Manny should use.
I am not sure what Moron in the world would agree with this on Manny's team, but they did. I know Manny has a huge heart, but is it possible to have a dumber team than Tyson did? Apparently the answer is yes.
Without a doubt Manny felt he could beat the bigger fighter, and I still think he had the ability to do so, however the smart move on his side would have been to bring Floyd down to his weight, Pick a date and make that date in your Country, throw Floyd off, make him the one having to play catch up.
Floyd was desperate, he had to have this fight to fulfill his legacy, that pout the negotiations and game on team Paquiao, at least it should have. Somehow Pac Mans management messed up this part, what was the biggest payday in Boxing history, should have been even bigger, but beyond that this was for Mannys people.
More problems in Mannys camp as a menagerie of odd not exactly the most talented fighters were brought in to spar Manny. Well ok, Freddie Roach is supposed to be a genius, he knows what he is doing right?
Apparently not.
Fight night comes and we see a listless Manny walking in. Minutes before the fight when Manny should have been warming up we see him struggling to put his gloves on still, come on really? The biggest fight of his life and he is not even ready until a couple minutes before he walks into the ring?
Then the fight happens and I am not exactly sure where the brilliant Boxer is, other than Floyd.
Floyd did what he always does brilliantly, rolled and kept a fighter off him. What Manny did not do, was anything at all. He seemingly thought going in slow straight on and simply throwing a single punch here and there was enough. Why was this? why was a fighter known to be one of the fastest busiest strikers in the game seemingly not bothering to throw punches in bunches?
Exactly what was he doing when he did have Floyd on the ropes. I realize he is a master at blocking and deflecting, but to simply quit punching and step away?
Floyd managed to have one of the worst referees in history on this fight, and that showed as Floyd continuously punched below the belt and at times I thought I was watching a MMA fight when Floyd would hook PacMan in a guillotine and nothing would be done about it.
How on earth could you fall for the same trick over and over again? Floyd draws you straight into the ropes, you rush in and Floyd rolls off to his left, was it magic? No it is the same thing he always does, nothing was done to even attempt to close that door.
One of the keys when fighting as a south paw to open up a fighter with your opposite stance is to roll to their right, did Roach just fail to tell Manny? And where were all those angles you are famous for Manny? Where were they?
Dude we all love you, but when at the end of a fight you think you won, and the person interviewing you is asking what the hell you did wrong, a clue should be forming. When that announcer is asking why you were not trying hard enough, something more should click.
What failed? Was it his corner? What exactly happened here? Was your corner not telling you to move more, to let those hands go free? Were they not telling you that you were behind and needed to get with it?
I love Manny, any man with a heart as big as his deserves that love, but I am sorry, unless there was a pay off somewhere, there was zero excuse for that lack luster performance. Beyond all the point deductions that should have happened against Flo, he still handily won.
Congratulations on your Pro Debut, the boxing legend we all love you to be, was not in the ring tonight.
I will however Congratulate Floyd on being humble and respectful, and Manny, where was your respect? you should have flat out said you got beat by the best in the world, because you did.
You said "I have fought bigger" was this really in your head before you stepped into the ring with the best defensive fighter boxing has ever known? Save maybe, and I mean maybe Willie Pep?
I refuse to believe that it was this lopsided, I refuse to believe that Floyd frustrated Manny so, when men Floyd had trouble beating, Manny absolutely destroyed.
Oh well, it is what it is, as someone else said tonight "Boxing is dead" Indeed it is, the greatest match up of the century was bust and the bad guy won, so now what?
On with our own lives is all I can say.
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