Football likes and dislikes Oct 2, 2006
I watched the Bears pummel the Seahawks for a little while last night, and I was reminded again that I sometimes like watching football just for the sake of watching football, regardless of whether or not I like the teams or if the outcome can possibly affect me in any way.  Football is a great sport, and here's why: 

1.  Linebackers.  Somebody should make a video of Brian Urlacher or Tedy Bruschi and call it "How to Play Football".  Guys like this do things right.  They hit hard, they tackle perfectly, they intercept passes, they rush and sack the quarterback.  In my opinion, linebackers are the defense. 

2.  Fullbacks.  The average fullback is one of the most under-appreciated players on the field.  This is the guy who makes the star running back the star running back.  He runs, catches passes, and throws powerful blocks by running through people.  He's the offensive equal to the linebacker. 

3.  Perfect tackles (the action, not the position).  I'm not talking about the "big hit" or the knee shot.  I'm talking about a tackle straight out of the instruction manual.  "Wrap both arms around player's legs; squeeze; watch player fall to ground."  It's not showy or exciting, but it's simple and gets the job done.  I'd rather count on a player's ability to take an opponent down than on his ability to hit. 

4.  Solid blocks.  There's just nothing better than watching somebody make a perfect block.  It usually happens downfield, when a player is running with the ball and defenders are running towards him.  That's when somebody like a fullback runs full-force into an unsuspecting defensive back, lifts him off his feet, and sends him to the ground.  [Physics content] Never underestimate the power of momentum. 

5.  The stiff-arm.  Although most people hate Terrell Owens, he has one thing going for him:  He can stiff-arm better than anyone.  When little tiny defensive backs try to grab onto him to bring him down, he just sticks out one of his gigantor arms and keeps the defender's head away from him.  Without a head, a defender has quite a difficult time tackling. 

6.  Endzone celebrations.  Though controversial, endzone celebrations are a blend of happiness, team pride, and entertainment.  Think of where the world would be without the Joe Horn cell phone call, the Randy Moss mooning incident, and the now-common Lambeau Leap.  It adds a whole new dimension to the game:  Pride for the winner, shame for the loser. 

These things are what make football a great sport.  But then there are a few things that take away from football's greatness: 

1.  The low hit.  This is a difficult one.  Low hits are perfectly legal.  In fact, they're necessary.  A defender can't take down a running back if the running back gets lower than the defender.  He'll have nothing to grab onto.  But you only need to witness one severe knee injury to hate everything about the low hit. 

2.  Defensive back tackles.  As opposed to a linebacker tackle or the "perfect tackle", a defensive back tackles by impact.  It's stupid, unnecessary, largely ineffective, and often causes injuries.  The only reason defensive backs are able to take people down is because several of them team up like a swarm of bees to attack a foe.  If it was one defensive back against one offensive back, the offender would plow right through the defender's armless tackle.  It's the exact opposite of what's taught in the instruction manual. 

3.  Sideline reporters.  Although this has nothing to do with the actual game of football, it's an unavoidable by-product of watching a televised game.  I personally have no interest in anything Tony Siragusa or Pam Oliver have to say.  I think that not only do they add nothing to the game, they actually take something away from it.  Listening to them scream into their microphones while a play is happening shows that they have no concept of what's actually happening on the field. #sports
Jeremy Shockey (2) Sep 26, 2006
To people in the New York area, "Jeremy Shockey" is a recognizable name.  He's a tattooed, showy, emotional tight end for the New York Giants.  I'll ask the question we're all dying to ask:  "What's your problem, man?"  Every play of the game seems to offend you or go against you in some way or another.  Did you think you should've gotten that pass?  Should the refs have thrown a flag?  Were you being held or blocked in the back?  Did you think Eli should've seen that you were wide open?  After you got tackled, did you feel like you were being held down for too long?  Do you think everybody's against you?  Were you mad that when you finally got a pass, it wasn't thrown exactly where you wanted it?  Do you hate your quarterback for being too timid?  Do you hate your coaching staff for being ignorant?  What's the deal? 

Honestly, I'd really like to know what this guy's problem is.  I'd like to get a microphone hooked up to his helmet to hear what he's saying, because I honestly have no idea.  He's constantly mad at everything, even when there's nothing to be mad about.  In his defense he says, "I let my emotions get to me at times".  At times?  How about every time.  How about all the time.  Constantly.  Never ending.  Without fail.  Ad nauseam.  If you know your emotions often get the best of you, do something about it.  Prevent it.  Drink a cup of tea.  Punch a punching bag.  Read the comics.  Letting your emotions spill out all over the football field is obviously doing nothing for your team. 

Just to set the record straight, I'm "officially" an Eagles fan, though I'm very admittedly a fair-weather fan.  Since Eagles games aren't regularly on TV in the New York area, I'm forced to watch Giants games.  Hence, I'm a Giants fan while sitting on my couch on Sundays.  Also, when the Eagles are doing bad, I magically become more of a Giants fan.  And when the Giants do bad, I become more of an Eagles fan.  Right now I'm leaning towards the Eagles. #sports
NFL predator Sep 13, 2006
I think it's funny that every NFL team has a "predator":  A black guy with long dreads that stick out the back of his helmet.  It's funny because it's the most impractical hair style imaginable, especially for an extremely physical game like football.  It wouldn't take much to yank one of those things right out of a person's head.  Thankfully, most of the NFL's predators are defensive backs, so they aren't usually "the ball" when everyone else is playing "kill the man with the ball".  It the predator was a running back, he'd have a pretty tough life.  It's also impractical because they're black people, and I've been told that black people have enough problems with their hair as it is (correct me if I'm wrong). 

The other reason it's funny is because every team has one.  If I randomly browse through some team rosters, I find this guy from the Bears, this guy from the Browns, this guy from the Saints, this guy from the Seahawks, this guy from the Buccaneers.  The list goes on. 
#sports
More thoughts on hiking Sep 5, 2006
I went hiking again this past weekend.  It was a disaster.  Here are some things I learned: 

1.  Distance:  I did 26 miles in one day.  It was definitely overkill.  I would say that a maximum comfortable distance to do in one day is 15-18 miles. 

2.  Weather:  It rained for 18 of those 26 miles.  The rain itself wasn't too bad because I was carrying 40 lbs on my back and walking up and down mountains.  I couldn't tell the difference between my sweat and the rain.  But I got really cold as soon as I stopped for a break.  Solution:  Keep going.  But when I finally did stop for the night, rain got in my tent and got my sleeping bag and clothes soaking wet.  There's no way I could've slept another night in a cold, wet sleeping bag.  In the future, I'd be happy to call off the trip in the event of inclement weather.  It's just not worth it. 

3.  Time:  Even though the sun doesn't officially set until around 7:30pm, it starts getting dark in the middle of the woods about an hour before that.  And a headlamp and an air horn in the middle of the dark wilderness is hardly any consolation.  For future reference, stopping at around 6 or 6:30pm is probably a good idea. 

4.  Starting the trip off with a few miles at night wasn't as good of an idea as it sounded.  After walking 5 miles to my campsite on Friday night, I was tired, but nowhere near tired enough to get a good night's sleep on the hard ground. 

5.  Waterproof everything.  The next pair of shoes I buy will be waterproof.  I'll keep my eyes peeled for a waterproof sleeping bag.  A waterproof backpack cover might be a good idea.  And I'm not talking water resistant.  I'm talking waterproof.  [Update (2006-09-15 1:43pm):  They don't make waterproof sleeping bags, but they do make waterproof stuff sacks which come in a variety of sizes, able to fit a sleeping bag, clothes, etc.] 

6.  Quick-drying clothes are good, but they won't dry off if it's cold and/or wet outside.  However, if you have to put on wet clothes, it's better to put on some lightweight, quick-drying clothes as opposed to some sponge-like cotton monstrosities.  Plus, body heat quickly warms up the moisture in quick-drying clothes. #sports
Sports stores Aug 30, 2006
I think it's funny when people go to sporting goods stores and park in the closest spot they can find.  It's just sort of ironic.  Who goes to sports stores?  Usually, it's the people who are relatively young and/or relatively in-shape.  There are the kinds of people who can afford to walk a few extra feet.  It's also funny that these kinds of stores have escalators and elevators.  And if there were stairs, people would go out of their way to use the escalators and elevators.  Once again, the young athletic types should be in good enough shape to climb a few stairs. #sports
Volleyball Aug 23, 2006
Volleyball is one of the most common sports played as a pick-up game.  Whether it's on the beach, at a BBQ, or during the 10am and 3pm breaks at work, volleyball can be easily played by people of all shapes and sizes, backgrounds, and levels of ability. 

However, volleyball is one of the most misunderstood sports on the planet.  Everybody knows the basic idea:  The team on one side of the net hits the ball to the team on the other side of the net.  But what amazes me is that a lot of people don't know much more than that (if that).  People don't understand why the ball goes in random directions when they fold their hands and hit it with their knuckles.  People don't know how to hit the ball if it comes at them above their waist.  People aren't able to hit the ball over the net on a serve.  People don't understand the idea of scoring and winning/losing the serve. 

I'm not saying that everybody should be awesome at volleyball.  Heck, I'm no virtuoso.  I'm just surprised that a majority of people still don't have a grasp on the sport they so readily enter into playing. #sports
Treadmill bike (1) Aug 21, 2006
The Treadmill bike is a "bike" that's powered by walking/running on a treadmill instead of by pedaling pedals.  The idea is somewhat interesting, but the video on the site shows that the product is laughably ridiculous.  Other "bikes" on the site include the Couchbike, the HulaBike, and the Rowingbike.  I would say the website is a joke, but videos prove that these products exist and can be used.  (via Mental Floss) #sports
Performance underwear (1) Aug 11, 2006
Last week, I learned of an important product called performance underwear.  Made out of material similar to that of Under Armour products, performance underwear is meant to dry quickly and ... well, that's really it.  They probably claim to "wick moisture away from the body", but I'm not sure I believe that.  I wore them while hiking some trails around Mount Saint Helens, but I can't really say I noticed a difference in "performance".  I still huffed and puffed while walking up steep hills, and I still sweat like a pig (do pigs even sweat?).  All in all, I wasn't too impressed with this idea of "performance" underwear, but I do like the idea that they're quick drying.  That way, when I'm hiking through the woods on a 90-degree day and I'm covered head-to-toe with sweat, at least my underwear will be dry. #sports
UFC Jul 25, 2006
I'm an unlikely fan of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.  A sport that mixes boxing, kickboxing, martial arts, and wrestling doesn't sound like something that would appeal to me.  I'm more of a ball sport kind of guy.  And even then, I'm not much of an athlete, nor am I very macho.  I prefer the company of puppies and butterflies.  Not really. 

But there's just something awesome about watching two guys beat the life out of each other.  And it's not just about punching each other in the head like boxing.  It involves a lot more strategy and strength.  And it has nothing to do with getting your opponent in a certain position and holding him there for a certain amount of time like wrestling.  It has everything to do with knocking your opponent out with repeated elbows to the face.  It has everything to do with getting your opponent to submit by trapping them in an armbar or a chokehold.  It has everything to do with punching and kicking and kneeing your opponent until they're incoherent, all the while attempting to dodge your opponent's retaliation and escape his submission holds. 

As a Christian, it seems kind of wrong to support violence and bloodshed.  It's difficult to be a Christian and legitimately support things like war and the death penalty.  So in a way, I wish I didn't like UFC.  I wish I didn't find it interesting.  I wish I didn't find it morbidly fascinating.  But the fact is, it's an incredible sport.  I watch it while partially covering my eyes.  The shedding of blood and the tolerance for pain is almost sickening.  But it's just so cool. 

In my defense, I'll claim this:  People participate in this sport as a choice.  They're not drafted in.  They're not drugged or enslaved.  They're not offered huge salaries or mega-fame (though there's some of each involved).  They enter knowing full well that their bodies will be bruised and beaten and that they may suffer major consequences as a result.  Like my brother-in-law claims of his job as an army captain, "It's a volunteer army."  And while that point may be argued, it certainly can't be argued for this sport.  It's a choice.  They choose to fight.  I choose to watch. #sports
E-Glide Powerboards Jul 17, 2006
An E-Glide Powerboard is a skateboard powered by an electric motor, capable of going 0-20 mph in 4 seconds and traveling 12-15 miles per change.  I saw one in Venice Beach when I went to California a couple months ago.  They're controlled via a cable-connected brake and gas "gun".  Great idea for people who can't exert the energy required for a real skateboard. #sports