Team Chemistry

How important is team chemistry? I'm not just talking about the NFL, but throughout all sports. There are teams with a lot of talent that do not win championships. Take last year's Miami Heat for example. I'm not a pointing finger at any team in particular, but the reason I write is to come to some sort of conclusion as to why “good teams” do poorly.

My personal opinion (right now) is that it is the General Manager's job to put the team together so that they succeed. However, blame should not rest on 'one person's shoulders'. It can definitely be the coach, the 'figure-head', the 'scape-goat'. Call it what you will. It could be the owner, or even the players. I simply ask all you sport's experts out there, who is to blame? Can it be fixed in the course of one year? And is team chemistry the all important value to a team's success?

Kantian Metaphysics

Having trouble reading Kant? You're not alone. And please don't say you 'Kant' do it! It's just not funny. Here's the deal: if you want to understand transcendental idealism, imagine that the the world or reality as you know it is part of you, not vice versa. Now take an object such as a pen, and hold it in front of you and realize that its existence is dependent on your a priori synthesization of it and that is how you come to know of it and its 'being'. Hope this helps!

Panic

To Panic? What does this really mean? We often think about panicking when we view the world as "do or die" type situations. Fight or flight? That is a common statement we often hear? But when is it right or wrong to panic, and can it be a good thing.

It's obvious that panicking when there is no need to -- well -- is bad. But it might just be the right thing to do, when the time is right... to stand up and fight! And while this blog is not totally about the Miami Dolphins, it surely has inspired me to think about how important human emotions really are.

The 'Panic Button' has been pressed. This is when -- as a philosopher -- and a critic wants and needs to see what kind of results will happen in the future. I'm just being critical, no bias needed. I want to see how human beings react, by placing them in certain situations. Now I will say, that panic has been in Miami from the start. To say that is fair -- not my judgment. Does one run and hide or does one stand and fight? It all depends on the confidence that a person has and the insight they also need to have when they are in the panic position.

We are now beyond "cool, calm, and collected." Why don't we get back there?

Giving Golf a Good Swing

If you want to improve your golf swing here are some basic tips that will surely keep your ball on the fairway and onto the greens. This is especially important for novices since the basic tips for swinging a club are crucial to your game. That said, it isn't as easy as it looks.

For beginners and novices alike, going to the driving ranges is a good strategy just to get the 'feel' of the club in your hands and to practice by hitting the ball as many times as possible. Practice makes perfect.

If you are brand new to the game of golf, here are the very basic tips that will help you adapt and at least be able to play the game. First, and perhaps most important, is your stance. Make sure your feet and hips are squared up to the ball. What does this mean? When you are squared up to the ball in the correct manner it will help the ball stay straight after you hit it. So stand in front of the ball with your feet apart as the same distance of your shoulders are apart so that your body forms and nice 'square' straight line. This is very important when trying to be accurate. Also, depending on your arm length stand back from the ball in a comfortable position, perhaps around three feet away. This way when you connect with the ball, it will connect cleanly and your club should not hit the ground.

Secondly, and equally as important is how one holds their club. If you are right handed, simply grab the end of the club with both your hands. Put your right hand in front, placing your thumb on the club pointing towards the ball. Your left hand should be behind your right hand acting as an anchor to keep your swing stable. However, a good grip is important but remember to keep your wrists loose for when you actually swing the club.

Now that the golfing stance has been explained the swing itself should be made easier. While keeping your body straight-forward, pull the club back, bend the knee just a bit, and give a slight twist of the hip (this helps to add power to you back-swing). When the club is extended to around a ninety-degree angle in juxtaposition to the ball, swing the club with your body, and make sure your arms remain straight and let your wrists do the aiming.

Lastly, after connecting with the ball, the follow-through is just as important because if it is done correctly the ball will not 'slice' or basically go in the direction that you did not intend it to go. Simply, keep your arms straight and twist your hip back in place while bringing the club behind you and slightly relaxing your legs so that your feet are in position with your back foot's toes facing the grass. Practicing the art of swinging the club will drastically improve your golf game.

Bacon Sundae

If there is anything more American and more hilariously fatty (I do know about the KFC sandwich) it has to be Denny's Bacon Sundae! Lol, just thinking of it makes me want to laugh. At a cheap 2.99 the sundae is layered with vanilla ice cream, maple syrup, and crisp hickory-smoked bacon! Mmm-hmm. If you have a weight problem or think you need to gain some go out there and buy yourself a bacon sundae. There will be no way you could ever regret eating fat and sugar piled on cream. Now, if we could only start adding hamburger meat to cannolis!

March Madness Breakdown!

This is a great time of year: College Basketball and the start of Spring. If it is basketball you're interested in -- it's even better! I have three rules for picking the teams in you're bracket. Believe me, I am no expert; but then again, neither are the experts. If you want to win that office pool, keep these in mind:

1. Location. Location is pivotal for what team is going to win. Remember theses are kids with a lot of work to do and in little time to do it in. Pick teams close to their school or region.

2. Guard Play. We all love the big guys. The dunks, the rebounds, and the intensity. But who controls the game and makes those 3-point buzzer beaters? The guards. Good guard play will ensure a team can make a run.

3. Coaching. The better the coach -- the better the team. If you got serious cash on The Tourney or want bragging rights, go with a good coach in an upset. Research were they have played, who they have played under, and most importantly who they have coached with.

Hopefully these three tips will make you king of the water-cooler! Of course -- with all the parody -- best of luck; you're going to need it!

Cheers!

Liyba: The Next Domino?

To answer my own question: I don't think so. While they are (seemingly) violating the Just War Theory, things get a bit complicated when it is a civil war -- and that is exactly what it is. If, at all, the protesters take over the oil-rich nation, it will probably only be a part of the region. Qaddafi isn't like other leaders in that region, he is tyrannical and bold to say the least. He will fight and his chances of losing power near Tripoli I find far from happening. I'm not one to get to political but on occasion I will offer my opinion. I do realize what happened in the past between Libya and the U.S. but this is a European affair. The U.S. has its own problems to deal with -- Iraq and Afghanistan, not to mention within its borders -- and it wouldn't be prudent to get involved in another. Let Libya settle its own disputes and the U.N ( with majority of it being European) help to resolve this -- now -- worldly affair.

Charlie Sheen

All of this talk is getting to me about Sheen. So what? He is a great actor and not past his time. Sure he parties and has his escapades; but who doesn't? He is just in the limelight because of who he is. I'm not saying, "give him a break." But isn't there other things to focus on than his life. Let him live the way he wants. Isn't that what everyone wants for themselves? Be a man and act like one, just the way he is doing it.

Antimalware Doctor: Follow up

Okay. Wasn't as simple as I thought, and I almost lost my computer to this bug. I want all to know that there is a program ( I downloaded it and it really helped) called Spy Bot: Search & Destroy. This program is free and simple to download. Just make sure it is through a site on cnet.com. It can take a while -- depending on the amount of data on your computer -- but it can help eliminate viruses and adware such as the disguised antimalware Doctor. If you have any problems remember: Spy bot: Search and Destroy!

Antimalware Doctor

There is a malware virus going around and it does not seem to be as potentially dangerous as others but still be weary. If you are browsing the internet and this ad for malware comes up and says your computer is infected and to click on this or that to get rid of potentially dangerous worms and other malevolent trojans DO NOT agree or click yes for a scan. This is a scam for your money and may actually let virus' in. You can get rid of it by googling Antimalware Doctor or dispose of it manually just make sure too back up all of your programs. Good luck.

Valentine's Day

Ahh, it's Valentine's Day once again and making money because of it overshadows the meaning of this day. Go get the flowers, the cards, the chocolates, and feed into one of the most brutally capitalistic days of the year (hey, I do it too). It is very interesting that this day is so ingrained in the minds of American citizens, that while on the subway today I saw many people holding roses. I don't hate the holiday whatsoever, but let us remember and celebrate it for what it is for, not to just go through the motions for being afraid of getting thrown into the "dog house." Have a wonderful and delightful Valentines Day!

Crisis in Egypt

As all of us know there is a crisis in Egypt. People are upset, and want change. That is fine. Part of people's rights are to rebel against their own state if they feel that reform is needed (does any of this sound familiar?) The problem is that our beautiful nation has a hand in the situation. If the Islamic brotherhood wants to assume power -- then let them. It all makes sense if the people are happy doesn't it. Now, if things do not work out with new leadership, the U.S. is not be be blamed for we let everything take place without being involved. Then if we have to get involved we will. But as for now, it is their country and let them deal with their own problems, just like we are trying do do over here in our great country.

Philosophyworks.org

I saw this advertisement on the subway for philosophyworks.org. I checked out their website because I was curious and found it to be a bunch of crap. I already have a B.A. in philosophy and an M.A. in English and from what I saw, never pay for a class of this garbage. Philosophyworks.org is there to feed you the "tender" side of philosophy -- while most scholars would agree -- philosophy is more a more rigorous type of scholasticism. Lastly, philosophy is not for everyone!

Security Positions

Hello fellow New Yorkers! I'm writing this blog because recently there have been many accounts of fraud by these companies as far as gaining money to teach classes so you can work. Do not give any money to these small company classes. If you really want a security position go to the government website directly, they will take your money. There are a lot of these groups and I recently had a run-in with GM security LLC and they run a scheme that takes advantage of those trying to find work in a rough economy.

Good luck finding work and especially in these times, take care of what little money you may have.