Schlagwort-Archive: hobbies

Marketing

Clippers Fire Head Coach Dunleavy

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In one of the stranger front office shakeups in recent NBA history, the Los Angeles Clippers have ‚relieved‘ Mike Dunleavy of his head coaching duties effective immediately. He’ll remain on board as the Clippers‘ general manager, and both he and the team cited the demands of the forthcoming trade deadline and free agent market as a catalyst for the change. Dunleavy leaves as the most successful head coach in the team’s less than distinguished history.

Not surprisingly, there is much speculation as to the back story behind the move. Some with knowledge of the situation suggest that Clippers‘ owner Donald Sterling wanted to fire Dunleavy altogether, but relented due to the $5 million the team will owe him in the final year of his contract next year. More recently, a bizarre rumor has been circulating that Sterling has approached Isiah Thomas about taking over Dunleavy’s coaching position and becoming team president. These rumors have had enough traction that Thomas issued a denial this weekend, stressing that his focus is still on his current assignment as Florida International University head coach.

Dunleavy issued this statement, playing along with the team’s insistence that the decision to give up coaching was ‚mutual‘:

„I’ve come to the conclusion that this is the ideal time for me to direct my efforts toward the many personnel opportunities that lie before us, such as the trade market, the draft and the free-agent process. We fully expect to be active and productive on all those fronts.“

Team President Andy Roeser gave this statement:

„We fully agree with Mike that this is the right time to make this change. It just seems clear that the team needs a fresh voice and we hope that our players will respond in a positive way.As we approach the trade deadline, the NBA draft and the upcoming free-agent period, our team is very well positioned from a salary-cap standpoint. Mike’s experienced input will be vitally important as we continue to develop our young talented nucleus and shape our team’s future.“

Dunleavy’s agent Warren LeGarie continued the spin:

„This is something we’ve been contemplating for some time. There’s a shelf life to coaching sometimes. So you constantly have to keep measuring whether [the team’s inconsistency] is because of injuries, because of you, or something else. And at some point you have to make a judgment call about what’s best for the team, and that’s what Mike did.“

The Clippers have lost 7 of their last 10 games to fall to 21-29 on the year. They’re 17 games behind the Western Conference leading Los Angeles Lakers and 8 games out of the final playoff spot. The schedule won’t get any easier for the Clippers over the next week, as they host the red hot Utah Jazz on Tuesday and head into the All Star Break with a game on the road against the Golden State Warriors. They’ll resume play after the break as they head to Portland’s Rose Garden Arena to take on the Blazers.

Ross Everett is a highly respected cheerleading coach and a consulting handicapper for Anatta Sports. He provides Internet and broadcast media outlets with daily free sports picks when not working with Olympic bound ice skaters. He is a widely published writer specializing in sports handicapping, falconry, auto racing and wombat breeding. He lives in Las Vegas with his Asian houseboy, three dogs and a wombat.

Photography

Fun And Easy Ideas To Use Photo Books For Your Pictures

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People who love taking pictures are usually those who also love collecting photos. Collecting photos is a great avenue for someone to express their creativity and style. If you are fond of capturing and collecting photos, then pay attention to the tips and ideas this page has provided below.

Make sure that your pictures are all placed in a photo book. You can get a scrapbook at any local bookstores and customize it with your preferred designs. This is a fun way to put your creativity and photography skills into practice.

A photo book created with a theme in mind is a great idea. Make sure that you group and classify your photos and then find a theme for your groups. You can label the book on the front cover in words or phrases which will be the title of your photo book.

Another great idea you can do with a photo book is to vary the patterns or styles of photos. It is an opportunity for you to be as creative as you can be, you can try collage form, black and white look or anything else that you want. The internet is a source of endless designs and patterns that you can use for your templates and patterns.

Lastly, you need to make a story in your photo book. Captions composed of a few sentences will surely lend your photo book an interesting air. There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to creating your captions so go ahead and express yourself.

These are simple and easy ways that you can do to use your captured photos to the max. Photo books will serve as reminders of the wonderful memories that you have made throughout the years. This photo book can become a treasured heirloom that can be passed down to the next generation.

For those events you need a more professional look be sure to see this photographer in San Diego. You can see how good he is from his work as a San Diego Wedding photographer.

Marketing

UFC Pioneer Kimo Leopoldo Victim Of False Death Reports

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Former UFC fighter Kimo Leopoldo is alive and well after numerous mainstream media reports of his death. The New York Daily News was first to report the story that Kimo had died of a heart attack, and it quickly spread to other media outlets. MMA insiders were immediately skeptical, as there were few details or any independent confirmation.

A few hours later, the story began to unravel. First, Kimo’s agent indicated that he had spoken to him at 11 PM Monday night and that he was alive and well. He did add that he hadn’t spoken to him since, but that he had not received word from anyone close to Kimo of a problem nor had he been contacted by any authorities. Shortly after 2:00 PM Tuesday, Kimo’s attorney reported that the fighter had been located and was alive and well. Theres still a question of how the report that he was dead made it out in the first place, but the New York Daily News isnt providing much of an explanation–theyve simply deleted the report without comment and will presumably pretend it never happened. There’s some suggestion that the rumor started in an online MMA forum, and Kimo has suggested that he’ll pursue legal action against the perpetrator.

The false death rumors are the most recent twist in the bizarre life of Kimo Leopoldo. A native of Munich, Germany, Kimo–he claimed later in his life that he had legally changed his name to simply ‚Kimo‘–was the UFCs first over the top personality back when the promotions events were still in the single digits. He burst onto the scene at UFC 3 when“in his pro MMA debut“he gave the legendary Royce Gracie a brutally tough battle. Gracie had won the tournament style format at UFC 1 and 2, and managed to eventually defeat Kimo via armbar submission but took so much of a beating that he was forced to forfeit his UFC 3 final against Harold Howard.

By the end of 1997, Kimo had compiled a 6-2-1 record with his only losses coming to Gracie and another UFC Hall of Famer, Ken Shamrock. He also earned a draw against a third UFC Hall of Famer, wrestling specialist Dan Severn. His career would be downhill from that point, the result of better fighters entering the sport and his own self destructive lifestyle choices.

Kimo became known as much for his flamboyant personality as for his toughness as a competitor. He was a devout Christian, and sported many religious tattoos“most famously a large Jesus inscription across his stomach.

Kimo has battled drug and alcohol addiction throughout his life, and in recent years has reportedly became addicted to meth. In one of his more recent run ins with the law, he was playing with a yo-yo in a parking lot while wearing an orange jumpsuit made for law enforcement disaster response. He was approached by police who questioned him about the outfit, and upon searching him he was found to be in possession of marijuana and subsequently arrested.

Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and noted authority on NFL football betting. His writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sportsbooks and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Las Vegas with three Jack Russell Terriers and an emu. He is currently working on an autobiography of former energy secretary Donald Hodell.

Marketing

Iowa Survives Tough Test Against Michigan State

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Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi completed a 7 yard touchdown pass to Marvin McNutt as time expired, allowing the Hawkeyes to take a 15-13 road win over Michigan State University and preserve their undefeated season. Trailing 6-3 at halftime, Iowa mounted a furious drive after Michigan State had scored to take a 13-9 lead with 1:37 remaining in the game. Iowa moved to 8-0 for the first time in school history for the win, and has won twelve straight games overall. Michigan State evened their record at 4-4 with the loss.

When you bet on college football you learn that you can’t count your money until the game was over and such was the case here as Iowa even managed to cover the pointspread as they won outright as +2 road underdogs. Iowa improved to 5-2 against the spread while Michigan State dropped to 3-4 against the number. The 28 combined points went UNDER the posted total of 42′.

Stanzi threw three incomplete passes into the end zone before he hit McNutt with the game winner. There were 2 seconds left on the clock when the play began, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz commended McNutt on his effort to get open on the play:

„He made a nice break inside, made a great grab.“

Ferentz was also proud of the way his team responded after falling behind late on the road:

„It speaks to our players, the character that they have. They realized they still had time.“

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio also praised his players for their tough defensive stand at the end of the game:

„When we scored at the end, I thought that we had it. I’m proud — not happy. Proud of the way our football team responded.“

The Hawkeyes became only the second team in Big Ten history to win at Penn State, Michigan State and Wisconsin in the same season. Michigan was the first to accomplish the trifecta when they did it in 1997.

Michigan State will take to the road next weekend for a game at Minnesota. They’ll host Western Michigan the following Saturday before playing away at Purdue on November 14. Iowa will play their next two games at home, starting with Indiana next Saturday. They’ll host Northwestern a week later before a big game on November 14th on the road against Ohio State.

Ross Everett is a freelance writer and noted authority on soccer betting. His writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sports news and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Las Vegas with three Jack Russell Terriers and a kangaroo. He is currently working on an autobiography of former energy secretary Donald Hodell.

Marketing

NFL Flashback: Colts Top Jets In AFC Championship Game

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Peyton Manning threw three touchdown passes as the Indianapolis Colts rallied from an eleven point first half deficit to beat the New York Jets and advance to the Superbowl for the second time in four years. New York held their own in the early going but had no answer for Manning and company in the second half as the Colts scored 17 unanswered points to take the 30-17 victory. Indy will now take on the New Orleans Saints in Superbowl 44 in Miami.

The Colts also rewarded NFL football betting enthusiasts who had laid the -7′ points with the pointspread victory. The Jets finished their campaign with an 11-8 record against the NFL pointspread. The 47 combined points scored went OVER the posted total of 40. The Colts have now gone OVER in five of their last six contests.

Manning and the Colts didn’t have much to say in the week prior to their confrontation with the Jets, which the four time NFL MVP insisted was by design:

„I thought we just kept our mouths shut and went to work this week. We talked about being patient against these guys. We knew it would be a four-quarter game.“

Linebacker Gary Brackett added these thoughts:

„We’ve been here before, we had seven comeback wins this year. I think the guys were a little rattled at first, I think we took their best shot, but we came back. I think we did a great job of being the hunters and imposing our will today.“

Indy head coach Jim Caldwell was pleased with his team’s resolve despite their slow start:

„The guys have always been a very confident bunch and they do a great job of hanging in there. Peyton had just an outstanding game. He’s one of those guys that can adjust to different situations. … A real champion.“

Jets‘ coach Rex Ryan sounded a philosophical note in defeat:

„Today wasn’t our day. There’s no question. You have to give credit to the Colts. Obviously they’re the cream of the crop right now.

Ross Everett is an widely published freelance writer specializing in sports handicapping, auto racing, fencing, clogging and fantasy role playing games. He is a staff handicapper for Oddsbay and is responsible for providing free sports picks to a variety of broadcast media outlets. He lives in Las Vegas with three Jack Russell Terriers and a retired racing wombat.

Marketing

NFL Flashback: Saints Beat Vikings To Advance To Superbowl

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Until Sunday, it looked as if the return of Brett Favre to the NFL would have a storybook ending and propel the Minnesota Vikings to the Superbowl. Instead, the New Orleans Saints will be heading to the Superbowl for the first time in franchise history. Garrett Hartley nailed a 40 yard field goal in overtime to give the Saints a 31-28 victory in the NFC Championship game after Brett Favre was intercepted deep in Saints territory during the final seconds of regulation. Favre may be headed back to retirement, while the Saints are headed to Miami to play the biggest game of them all.

The Vikings did reward NFL betting fans who took them as +4 underdogs with a pointspread cover. Minnesota finished the season a solid 11-6-1 against the NFL pointspread. The 59 combined points scored went OVER the posted total of 53′. The Saints went OVER for the second consecutive game after playing four straight UNDER verdicts to close out the regular season.

After the game, head coach Sean Payton drew an analogy to the city of New Orleans‘ recovery after Hurricane Katrina:

„This is for everybody in this city. This stadium used to have holes in it and used to be wet. It’s not wet anymore. This is for the city of New Orleans.“

Winning quarterback Drew Brees extended that same metaphor:

„In reality, we had to lean on each other in order to survive and in order to get where we are now. The city is on its way to recovery, and in a lot of ways has come back better than ever. We’ve used the strength and resiliency of our fans to go out and play every Sunday and play with the confidence that we can do it, that we can achieve everything we’ve set out to achieve.“

Place kicker Hartley was low key despite securing the victory with his overtime field goal:

„Just helping my team get to Miami. Just doing my part.“

Brett Favre didn’t have much to say in defeat:

„I’ve felt better. It was a physical game. A lot of hits. You win that and you sure feel a lot better.“ Mississippi native Favre did throw his support behind the Saints:

„I would have loved to represent the NFC. But, as I told Sean throughout the year when we talked, if it’s not us, I hope it’s you guys.“

The Vikings gave up a total of five turnovers including three fumbles. That, said running back Adrian Peterson, was the game:

„We really gave those guys the game. Too many turnovers. It’s eating me up inside.

Ross Everett is a staff handicapper for Oddsbay. He’s a highly respected expert on soccer betting, as well as a published freelance writer specializing in sports betting, harness racing, judo and model railroading. He lives in Las Vegas with his Asian houseboy, three dogs and a retired racing wombat.

Marketing

MMA Flashback: Lashley Blitzes Cook In Maximum Fighting Challenge Main Event

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Here’s a word of advice to future opponents of Bobby Lashley–don’t make fun of his background in professional wrestling. Mike Cook found that out the hard way in the co-main event of the Maximum Fighting Championships MFC 21: Hard Knocks event. After spending the run up to fight week making fun of Lashley’s tenure in the WWE, Cook lasted a mere :24 seconds before being choked unconscious via a guillotine choke.

Perhaps Cook felt he was creating some sort of self doubt in the former WWE superstar by suggesting that he was out of his element in a real fight, but he turned it up a notch at the weigh in and in his ring entrance by donning a Mexican Lucha Libre mask. In prefight interviews, Cook had suggested that Lashley would soil himself once he entered the ring (though in not so erudite terms). That clearly incensed the massive 64 250 pound Lashley, who despite his inexperience in MMA is hardly the sort of individual prone to losing bowel control at the prospect of a fight.

A smirking Cook attempted to tap gloves with Lashley before the fight, but his obviously insulted opponent would have none of it. Even after the opening bell rang, Cooks arrogant approach to the fight continued as he immediately clinched with his opponent as if he had no regard whatsoever for Lashleys strength. Lashley immediately locked in a guillotine choke and basically yanked Cook down to the mat by his head. Once on the canvas, Lashley cinched it in deeper as Cook flopped around“partially in an effort to escape, partially in an involuntary muscle reaction as he sunk into unconsciousness. Cook didn’t even get the chance to tap out as veteran referee Big John McCarthy recognized he was out cold and pulled Lashley off of him.

After the fight Lashley gave his opponent a hug and flashed his trademark megawatt smile as if to say I told you so. In his postfight interview, however, he did slip in a final verbal jab toward his vanquished opponent saying that he didn’t come to play and that he is all business.

Despite the fact that mixed martial arts and professional wrestling have been interwoven from the beginning, the American Top Team trained Lashley has been singled out by less knowledgeable fans for his tenure in the WWE. Against his next opponent, Bob Sapp, hell be facing a foe that has also spent some time in the worked environment of professional wrestling. In addition to his legit fighting experience in K-1 and PRIDE, Sapp has worked for several Japanese pro wrestling organizations and briefly held the prestigious IWGP Championship. The IWGP title has been held by pro wrestling legends such as Keiji The Great Muta Mutoh, Antonio Inoki and Tatsumi Fujinami, as well as reigning UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.

Even though Sapp’s days as a serious fighter are long past and he likely spends less time in the gym during a given year than Lashley does in a month, he does present an element of danger. Hes still got decent punching power, and his sheer bulk will be a challenge for Lashley who could give up as much as 100 pounds come fight night. Still, Sapp’s only victories in several years have been against overmatched and/or outsized opponents. In his last fight against an opponent of similar stature he was destroyed in under a minute by Jan Nortje who entered the matchup with a 1-6 career MMA record. Sapp remains a hugely popular personality in Japan, however, and simply by fighting him Lashley’s marketability in the lucrative Japanese fight sport market increases significantly.

Ross Everett is a widely published freelance sports writer and respected authority on soccer betting. His writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sports news and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Las Vegas with three Jack Russell Terriers and an emu. He is currently working on an autobiography of former energy secretary Donald Hodell.

categories: pro wrestling,MMA,UFC,sports,entertainment,recreation,hobbies,leisure

Photography

Capture The Moment

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Pro photographers have known for years the wondrous enchanting ability to just capture a moment when they press the shutter at the right millisecond. Occasionally such moments can be planned, and frequently they can’t. Occasionally they’re just there, and you’ve got to snap it without thought for composition or lighting or any of the other elements we all know are critical for quality photography.

As an example, you can plan for a photograph full of the energy of the wind when someone or a vehicle crosses the line of sight.

Or when you know something impressive is ready to occur, like the arriving of a baby, having a camera prepared for that first moment of life could lead to an amazing picture. Such life moments can be caught if you’re prepared with your ability and talent and apparatus.

That moment when just the right elements come together for surprising composition, is usually nothing that you may have planned or set up. Lately my partner and I escaped and spent a weekend in the mountains where, one evening at dinner, we were seated on the porch of the dining room. Just as our salads were served, the sun moved from behind clouds and the brilliant metal roofs of mountain homes were illuminated across the meadow. Bright red and green and blue and gray roof colours flooded our senses as if a bucket-full of marbles had been tossed against the green and brown mountainside.

The sight was so full of vitality and virility that we could hardly talk with the vibrancy of it all.

That moment wasn’t planned. It just happened. Often such experiences can be imagined before the circumstance. As an example, you know a crop moon will be a magnificent sight, and you can make arrangements for shooting it by being in the right spot at the right time. The unpredictable can be made simply manageable with a little forethought.

You can visualize what may be, before it actually occurs. Demonstrating patience may open doors for a selection of abnormally composed stills, especially if you need to attend on just the right natural light, or shade, or form or energy.

you can find some pieces you will really want to learn about the Polaroid instant cameras range from the Polaroid Instant Cameras site.

Photography

For A Canon Digital Camera Powershot!

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The Canon PowerShot of digital cameras gives great pictures and it is so straight-forward. The combination of high megapixel resolution and 3-4x optical zoom along with Optical Image Stabilizer makes sure glowing, detailed pictures.

The best spot for a Powershot purchase is almost certainly Amazon.com. Amazon is the net equivalent of Walmart. Due to their awesome volume of purchases you should buy a pleasant new or used camera with extraordinary ease, and at such great value prices that are almost wholesale too. Of any Canon PowerShot is certainly one you have to test out, and online it is not uncommon to find savings of almost 48%%.

But Select A PowerShot?

When you’re looking to purchase the best of the best confirm your Canon Powershot camera incorporates complicated DIGIC 4 Image Processor features with the latest Face Detection Technology for extraordinary control. The DIGIC optionidentifies and tracks the faces of any people who are moving until you’re all ready to shoot, then delivers perfect digital camera focus keeping each face in each photo looking its very best.

Here are some customer reviews…

Canon PowerShot A1100 – The camera itself and the software included with it are astonishingly intuitive. Even though there are plenty of manual settings possible , I set the camera in Auto mode and just clicked away…

The PowerShot SD1200 – I failed to hold that high of expectations of the camera, but after buying it, I have had tons of fun with it. It’s easy to use, really easy to set, FAST, and good low light. You don’t always require to put on the flash…

PowerShot SD780IS – I work for a camera store and each day I am reviewing cameras forfolks and when this came I took one look at it and the list of the features and told my boss ‚Oh yeah, we’ll be out by tomorrow‘ and indeed we were. It sells really FAST. Why? As it’s a GREAT experience…

Author Marcel Torres discusses the Canon Powershot at his Camera website.

Marketing

Brian Bowles Shocks Miguel Angel Torres At WEC 42

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Brian Bowles used a counter right hook late in the first round to defeat Miguel Angel Torres by TKO and win the WEC Bantamweight title in the main event of another exciting fight card from Zuffas MMA promotion showcasing the lighter weight classes.

One day after a UFC 101 card that was lackluster at best and disappointing at worst, MMA fans were hoping that the WEC would deliver an exciting event as they almost inevitably do. They werent disappointed, and there really wasnt a bad fight on the card which featured several brutal knockouts along with tightly contested decisions. The event will be remembered for the main event and the shocking upset of Torres, whom commentator Frank Mir had been championing as the pound for pound best fighter in the sport of late. Torres certainly had the credentials“a fighter equally as dangerous on his feet as on the ground, hed compiled a 37-1 record entering the fight against Bowles. Since a 2003 decision loss to Ryan Ackerman, Torres had run off 17 straight victories including his most recent triumph by decision over a tough challenge from Japanese striking machine Takeya Mizugaki.

Bowles quickly announced his presence with authority rocking Torres with an overhand right and scoring a takedown within the first minute. After a groundfighting sequence, the two fighters exchanged punches again and initially it looked like Torres was getting the best of things as he landed a multiple punch combination that sent Bowles backing up. Almost out of nowhere, however, Bowles countered with a perfectly placed short right hook that sent the champion to the canvas. He followed up with some nasty ground and pound punches including a big left hand that knocked his opponent unconscious and forced the referee to wave off the fight.

In his postfight interview, Bowles was clearly pleased but not exactly surprised by the result. His comments indicated that hed been very well prepared for Torres considerable skills and though he conceded that hed been stung by the punching barrage waited for the opening to throw the right hook that ended the fight. Bowles displayed considerable class in victory, and Torres conducted himself in a matter befitting a champion as he accepted the defeat.

A rematch between Bowles and Torres is almost inevitable, but theres plenty of talent in the WEC bantamweight division. The semifinal bout on the card pitted two of these competitors in what may have been an elimination match for #1 contender status as Dominick Cruz handed feisty Joseph Benavidez his first professional loss via unanimous decision. The unorthodox and insanely athletic Benevidez had a good deal of trouble with the superior height and reach of Cruz. Benavidez managed to give a good account of himself, but in the end the physical disparity along with Cruzs repeated takedowns and sharp striking skills spelled the difference in this matchup.

Further muddling the picture in the bantamweight division was an earlier fight on the card, in which Takeya Mizugaki outlasted Jeff Curran to win a split decision victory. Mizugaki had trouble with the active guard of Curran, but scored takedowns in all three rounds. He did enough from the top position while fending off submission attempts to earn the verdict and to make his claim for #1 contender status.

Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and noted authority on sports betting odds comparison. He writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sports news and sportsbook directory sites. He lives in Northern Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and a kangaroo. He is currently working on an autobiography of former interior secretary James Watt.