I've got to admit I'm realiy happy for Shaq. After his stupid feud with Kobe Bryant and his "ouster" to Miami, he made good on his promise that he would be in the finals before Kobe and the LA Lakers.
(Need tickets? Click on the title of this post.)
Monday, June 05, 2006
Matt Hasselbeck and Nate Burleson Mark 2006 Seahawks Passing Game
Seattle Seahawks install their passing game this week. I think the addition of Nate Burleson will give them the speed at wide receiver they certainly need. I can't remember anyone other than Joey Galloway as a real burner for the team.
Matt Hasselbeck OK, on hand for passing camp
Healthy QB not among questions
By CLARE FARNSWORTH
P-I REPORTER
KIRKLAND -- The Seahawks open an eight-day passing camp this morning, but will the defending NFC champions have their passer for the final full-squad session of the offseason?
Yes. In fact Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was throwing at the team's facility Friday and will be on the field today.
Hasselbeck's status appeared to be in question after he was spotted on crutches at Sea-Tac Airport 10 days ago. He had bruised a tendon in his foot and the crutches allowed him to keep weight off the inflamed arch.
The passing camp will include four 90-minute practices this week and next, with the players off on Fridays. After that, the next time the players gather as a team will be for the start of training camp practices July 29 at Eastern Washington University.
Here are some of the things the coaches will be watching during the passing camp:
Seneca Wallace: Hasselbeck's backup needs to show continuing growth in running the offense. The club continues to look for a veteran QB, which would allow Wallace to be used as a situational runner, receiver and passer. But with no QBs available at this time, the primary focus for Wallace is assimilating and executing the offense.
Left guard: Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack has stepped in for All Pro Steve Hutchinson, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings in free agency. Rookie Rob Sims was working as Womack's backup at the post-draft minicamp last month. Womack must prove he can stay healthy after missing time with injuries in three of the past four seasons, while Sims' task is to show he can step in if needed.
Nate Burleson: Coach Mike Holmgren's hybrid of the West Coast offense was made for Burleson's combination of skills, and vice versa. The more comfortable Hasselbeck gets with the free-agent addition from the Vikings now, the better their rapport will be during the season.
Defensive additions: Linebacker Julian Peterson. Cornerback Kelly Jennings. Defensive end Darryl Tapp. Each is new, but all are expected to make significant contributions to the Seahawks' improving defense. Peterson, a former Pro Bowl player with the San Francisco 49ers, was signed in free agency to play the strong side -- and make plays from sideline to sideline. Jennings and Tapp, the team's top two picks in April's draft, are expected to fill major roles. Getting comfortable in the defense now will allow them to play more instinctively during the season.
P-I reporter Clare Farnsworth can be reached at 206-448-8016 or clarefarnsworth@seattlepi.com.
Matt Hasselbeck OK, on hand for passing camp
Healthy QB not among questions
By CLARE FARNSWORTH
P-I REPORTER
KIRKLAND -- The Seahawks open an eight-day passing camp this morning, but will the defending NFC champions have their passer for the final full-squad session of the offseason?
Yes. In fact Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was throwing at the team's facility Friday and will be on the field today.
Hasselbeck's status appeared to be in question after he was spotted on crutches at Sea-Tac Airport 10 days ago. He had bruised a tendon in his foot and the crutches allowed him to keep weight off the inflamed arch.
The passing camp will include four 90-minute practices this week and next, with the players off on Fridays. After that, the next time the players gather as a team will be for the start of training camp practices July 29 at Eastern Washington University.
Here are some of the things the coaches will be watching during the passing camp:
Seneca Wallace: Hasselbeck's backup needs to show continuing growth in running the offense. The club continues to look for a veteran QB, which would allow Wallace to be used as a situational runner, receiver and passer. But with no QBs available at this time, the primary focus for Wallace is assimilating and executing the offense.
Left guard: Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack has stepped in for All Pro Steve Hutchinson, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings in free agency. Rookie Rob Sims was working as Womack's backup at the post-draft minicamp last month. Womack must prove he can stay healthy after missing time with injuries in three of the past four seasons, while Sims' task is to show he can step in if needed.
Nate Burleson: Coach Mike Holmgren's hybrid of the West Coast offense was made for Burleson's combination of skills, and vice versa. The more comfortable Hasselbeck gets with the free-agent addition from the Vikings now, the better their rapport will be during the season.
Defensive additions: Linebacker Julian Peterson. Cornerback Kelly Jennings. Defensive end Darryl Tapp. Each is new, but all are expected to make significant contributions to the Seahawks' improving defense. Peterson, a former Pro Bowl player with the San Francisco 49ers, was signed in free agency to play the strong side -- and make plays from sideline to sideline. Jennings and Tapp, the team's top two picks in April's draft, are expected to fill major roles. Getting comfortable in the defense now will allow them to play more instinctively during the season.
P-I reporter Clare Farnsworth can be reached at 206-448-8016 or clarefarnsworth@seattlepi.com.
Cincinnati Bengals Player Conduct Problems - NFL.com
I don't normally post on matters of player conduct, but they seem to happen at such an alarming rate I've changed my mind. Plus, they seemed to have cropped up over the last week.
I saw the following posts on two Cincinnati Bengals players, Chris Henry and A.J. Nicholson, the latter a rookie with the team. Henry was charged with drunk driving and Nicolson with theft -- stealing. Henry has been arrested three times since December, which means he's due for another scrape in August of this year, then again in October. But I'll discount October under the theory that he's too busy playing ball to get into real trouble.
Henry was a rookie and now Nicholson?
Geez.
Here's the NFL.com article:
A.J Nicolson:
Bengals pick Nicholson charged with theft
NFL.com wire reports
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (June 3, 2006) -- Cincinnati Bengals linebacker A.J. Nicholson was charged with burglarizing the apartment of a former Florida State teammate.
The 21-year-old Nicholson also was charged with grand theft and vandalism. He was being held at the Leon County jail on $16,000 bond, with a first appearance before a judge scheduled June 5, a spokesman with the Sheriff's office said.
Nicholson and Fred Rouse, another former Florida State teammate, are accused of breaking into the apartment of Seminoles running back Lorenzo Booker and stealing $1,700 worth of electronic equipment late last month.
The 20-year-old Rouse, a former wide receiver kicked off the team in January after his freshman season, was arrested May 27 in Tallahassee and charged with burglary and grand theft. Nicholson was in Cincinnati when the charges were filed.
Nicholson has a history of off-field problems, including a suspension for the Orange Bowl in January after he took a woman to the team's Miami hotel in a violation of team policy. She accused him of sexual assault, but Nicholson has not been charged.
Nicholson, a fifth-round draft pick, has been participating in the Bengals' voluntary workouts. Team officials declined to comment. A message left for Nicholson's agent was not immediately returned.
Chris Henry:
Bengals' Henry arrested for third time
NFL.com wire reports
MOUNT CARMEL, Ohio (June 4, 2006) -- Bengals receiver Chris Henry was charged with speeding and drunken driving early June 4, his third scrape with the law since December.
Henry registered a blood-alcohol content of 0.092 on a breath test and was clocked at 82 miles per hour in a 65-mph zone, said Sgt. Craig Cvetan, a State Highway Patrol spokesman. The legal limit is 0.08.
The 23-year-old Henry cooperated with investigators, who issued him a citation and released him into a friend's custody, Cvetan said. The player has an initial appearance set for June 9 in Clermont County Common Municipal Court on the misdemeanor charges.
Messages were left with Henry's lawyer, David Fussell, and his agent, John Frederickson. The Bengals said they wouldn't comment until the case is resolved.
Henry was charged in January with pulling a pistol on a group of revelers in downtown Orlando. He pleaded not guilty to a charge of carrying a concealed weapon and is set for trial Aug. 21.
He avoided jail time on marijuana charges from a December arrest in Kentucky after pleading guilty and agreeing to enter a drug rehabilitation program.
Henry had 31 catches for 422 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie last season, when he developed into the Bengals' No. 3 receiver behind Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
Henry's latest arrest came a day after linebacker A.J. Nicholson was charged with grand theft and burglary in a break-in at a former Florida State teammate's apartment in Tallahassee, Fla. Nicholson, the Bengals' fifth-round draft pick in April, also was charged with criminal mischief, a misdemeanor, and posted $15,500 bond. His initial court appearance was set for June 5.
I saw the following posts on two Cincinnati Bengals players, Chris Henry and A.J. Nicholson, the latter a rookie with the team. Henry was charged with drunk driving and Nicolson with theft -- stealing. Henry has been arrested three times since December, which means he's due for another scrape in August of this year, then again in October. But I'll discount October under the theory that he's too busy playing ball to get into real trouble.
Henry was a rookie and now Nicholson?
Geez.
Here's the NFL.com article:
A.J Nicolson:
Bengals pick Nicholson charged with theft
NFL.com wire reports
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (June 3, 2006) -- Cincinnati Bengals linebacker A.J. Nicholson was charged with burglarizing the apartment of a former Florida State teammate.
The 21-year-old Nicholson also was charged with grand theft and vandalism. He was being held at the Leon County jail on $16,000 bond, with a first appearance before a judge scheduled June 5, a spokesman with the Sheriff's office said.
Nicholson and Fred Rouse, another former Florida State teammate, are accused of breaking into the apartment of Seminoles running back Lorenzo Booker and stealing $1,700 worth of electronic equipment late last month.
The 20-year-old Rouse, a former wide receiver kicked off the team in January after his freshman season, was arrested May 27 in Tallahassee and charged with burglary and grand theft. Nicholson was in Cincinnati when the charges were filed.
Nicholson has a history of off-field problems, including a suspension for the Orange Bowl in January after he took a woman to the team's Miami hotel in a violation of team policy. She accused him of sexual assault, but Nicholson has not been charged.
Nicholson, a fifth-round draft pick, has been participating in the Bengals' voluntary workouts. Team officials declined to comment. A message left for Nicholson's agent was not immediately returned.
Chris Henry:
Bengals' Henry arrested for third time
NFL.com wire reports
MOUNT CARMEL, Ohio (June 4, 2006) -- Bengals receiver Chris Henry was charged with speeding and drunken driving early June 4, his third scrape with the law since December.
Henry registered a blood-alcohol content of 0.092 on a breath test and was clocked at 82 miles per hour in a 65-mph zone, said Sgt. Craig Cvetan, a State Highway Patrol spokesman. The legal limit is 0.08.
The 23-year-old Henry cooperated with investigators, who issued him a citation and released him into a friend's custody, Cvetan said. The player has an initial appearance set for June 9 in Clermont County Common Municipal Court on the misdemeanor charges.
Messages were left with Henry's lawyer, David Fussell, and his agent, John Frederickson. The Bengals said they wouldn't comment until the case is resolved.
Henry was charged in January with pulling a pistol on a group of revelers in downtown Orlando. He pleaded not guilty to a charge of carrying a concealed weapon and is set for trial Aug. 21.
He avoided jail time on marijuana charges from a December arrest in Kentucky after pleading guilty and agreeing to enter a drug rehabilitation program.
Henry had 31 catches for 422 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie last season, when he developed into the Bengals' No. 3 receiver behind Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
Henry's latest arrest came a day after linebacker A.J. Nicholson was charged with grand theft and burglary in a break-in at a former Florida State teammate's apartment in Tallahassee, Fla. Nicholson, the Bengals' fifth-round draft pick in April, also was charged with criminal mischief, a misdemeanor, and posted $15,500 bond. His initial court appearance was set for June 5.
"Bigdaddy" - A New Google Data Center
A friend of mine passed a link to a blog by Matt Cutts who works for Google and currently features a great conversation about a major change in Google's URL search system called "Bigdaddy."
Matt offers great tips on the kind of links one should have and poo-poos the practice of buying links or reciprocal links. Leaving me to think that the best overall strategy is the one I'm doing...
Matt offers great tips on the kind of links one should have and poo-poos the practice of buying links or reciprocal links. Leaving me to think that the best overall strategy is the one I'm doing...
Friday, June 02, 2006
Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Bill Parcells On Greg Ellis: His Days Are Numbered
On May 18th, the agent for Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Greg Ellis said the player's worried about his role on the team. Well, his prospects didn't get any better today, as Cowboys Head Coach Bill Parcells said that Ellis -- who's camp attendance has not been stellar -- was infomed that his days "are numbered." He said this in a press conference I am watching on The NFL Network.
(As a note, I didn't link to the Fort-Worth Star Telegram article that posted the article because it was so poorly formatted the text was in the left margin! Fix it!)
(As a note, I didn't link to the Fort-Worth Star Telegram article that posted the article because it was so poorly formatted the text was in the left margin! Fix it!)
Thursday, June 01, 2006
New Batwoman is a lesbian - DC Comics Rolls The Dice - CNN
Well, she's got great legs! That's all I have to say.
New Batwoman is a lesbian
Editor: 'We decided to give her a different point of view'
Thursday, June 1, 2006; Posted: 8:47 a.m. EDT (12:47 GMT)
NEW YORK (AP) -- Years after she first emerged from the Batcave, Batwoman is coming out of the closet.
DC Comics is resurrecting the classic comic book character as a lesbian, unveiling the new Batwoman in July as part of an ongoing weekly series that began this year. The 5-foot-10 superhero comes with flowing red hair, knee-high red boots with spiked heels, and a form-fitting black outfit.
"We decided to give her a different point of view," explained Dan DiDio, vice president and executive editor at DC. "We wanted to make her a more unique personality than others in the Bat-family. That's one of the reasons we went in this direction."
(DC Comics, like CNN, is a division of Time Warner.)
The original Batwoman was started in 1956, and killed off in 1979. The new character will share the same name as her original alter ego, Kathy Kane. And the new Batwoman arrives with ties to others in the Gotham City world.
"She's a socialite from Gotham high society," DiDio said. "She has some past connection with Bruce Wayne. And she's also had a past love affair with one of our lead characters, Renee Montoya."
Montoya, in the "52" comic book series, is a former police detective. Wayne, of course, is Batman's true identity -- but he has disappeared, along with Superman and Wonder Woman, leaving Gotham a more dangerous place.
The "52" series is a collaboration of four acclaimed writers, with one episode per week for one year. The comics will introduce other diverse characters as the story plays out.
"This is not just about having a gay character," DiDio said. "We're trying for overall diversity in the DC universe. We have strong African-American, Hispanic and Asian characters. We're trying to get a better cross-section of our readership and the world."
The outing of Batwoman created a furor of opinions on Web sites devoted to DC Comics. Opinions ranged from outrage to approval. Others took a more tongue-in-cheek approach to the announcement.
"Wouldn't ugly people as heroes be more groundbreaking?" asked one poster. "You know, 200-pound woman, man with horseshoe hair loss pattern, people with cold sores, etc.?"
DiDio asked that people wait until the new Batwoman's appearance in the series before they pass judgment.
"You know what? Judge us by the story and character we create," he said. "We are confident that we are telling a great story with a strong, complex character."
DiDio spent most of the morning fielding phone calls from media intrigued by the Batwoman reinvention.
"It's kind of weird," he said. "We had a feeling it would attract some attention, but we're a little surprised it did this much."
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New Batwoman is a lesbian
Editor: 'We decided to give her a different point of view'
Thursday, June 1, 2006; Posted: 8:47 a.m. EDT (12:47 GMT)
NEW YORK (AP) -- Years after she first emerged from the Batcave, Batwoman is coming out of the closet.
DC Comics is resurrecting the classic comic book character as a lesbian, unveiling the new Batwoman in July as part of an ongoing weekly series that began this year. The 5-foot-10 superhero comes with flowing red hair, knee-high red boots with spiked heels, and a form-fitting black outfit.
"We decided to give her a different point of view," explained Dan DiDio, vice president and executive editor at DC. "We wanted to make her a more unique personality than others in the Bat-family. That's one of the reasons we went in this direction."
(DC Comics, like CNN, is a division of Time Warner.)
The original Batwoman was started in 1956, and killed off in 1979. The new character will share the same name as her original alter ego, Kathy Kane. And the new Batwoman arrives with ties to others in the Gotham City world.
"She's a socialite from Gotham high society," DiDio said. "She has some past connection with Bruce Wayne. And she's also had a past love affair with one of our lead characters, Renee Montoya."
Montoya, in the "52" comic book series, is a former police detective. Wayne, of course, is Batman's true identity -- but he has disappeared, along with Superman and Wonder Woman, leaving Gotham a more dangerous place.
The "52" series is a collaboration of four acclaimed writers, with one episode per week for one year. The comics will introduce other diverse characters as the story plays out.
"This is not just about having a gay character," DiDio said. "We're trying for overall diversity in the DC universe. We have strong African-American, Hispanic and Asian characters. We're trying to get a better cross-section of our readership and the world."
The outing of Batwoman created a furor of opinions on Web sites devoted to DC Comics. Opinions ranged from outrage to approval. Others took a more tongue-in-cheek approach to the announcement.
"Wouldn't ugly people as heroes be more groundbreaking?" asked one poster. "You know, 200-pound woman, man with horseshoe hair loss pattern, people with cold sores, etc.?"
DiDio asked that people wait until the new Batwoman's appearance in the series before they pass judgment.
"You know what? Judge us by the story and character we create," he said. "We are confident that we are telling a great story with a strong, complex character."
DiDio spent most of the morning fielding phone calls from media intrigued by the Batwoman reinvention.
"It's kind of weird," he said. "We had a feeling it would attract some attention, but we're a little surprised it did this much."
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Carnaval! - My Video Tour Of San Francisco's Carnival (Carnaval?) Steet Fair
"Carnaval" is San Francisco's annual parade and street fair held every Memorial Day weekend in the Mission District and literaly taking over the neighborhood. I love this spectacle of people, sights, and sounds. What I most enjoy is the vast and diverse crowd. It's a reminder of how really very much common we all are.
Take a look here (best quality): Carnaval Tour The YouTube version is below:
Take a look here (best quality): Carnaval Tour The YouTube version is below:
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
NFL To Play Some Regular Season Games Outside US In 2008
I think this is great news, but I worry that football may become too well-exposed. Still, it's the logical next step: Worldwide NFL games.
League eyeing more games outside of U.S.
NFL.com wire reports
DUESSELDORF, Germany (May 27, 2006) -- The NFL has proposed playing two regular-season games outside the United States starting in 2008, league officials said.
Mark Waller, head of NFL international development, said the proposal to play abroad was put to team owners in Denver. It came after the 49ers and Cardinals played last October before a regular-season record crowd of 103,000 in Mexico City.
The owners will discuss the issue again in October. The games would be played in Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany, where five of the six NFL Europe teams play.
"I will say the reception we got from the owners was incredibly positive -- all the questions were on the practical issues," Waller said.
Plans were also announced to add two more teams to the six playing in NFL Europe by 2010. Last year, owners gave the league a five-year operating license -- ending years of threatening to pull the plug on the operation because of the cost.
"It now gives us a platform to grow the game internationally with a concept of clarity," Waller said.
Outgoing commissioner Paul Tagliabue said developing the game internationally may rank as one of his top five accomplishments during his 16 years in charge.
"I feel the international initiatives we made, along with the owners, may become more significant over time," Tagliabue said.
The league's effort to make an impact internationally began in 1986, when NFL teams began to play preseason games overseas.
The German cities of Hanover and Leipzig are the leading candidates to get NFL Europe expansion clubs as the league concentrates on Germany. The Amsterdam Admirals are the only current NFL Europe team located outside Germany.
NFL Europe would then be split into two four-team divisions with the schedule expanded from 10 to 12 games. The league hopes to develop local stars for NFL Europe, as well as international stars in the NFL.
"It's clearly critical to the future of the game internationally," said Jim Connelly, managing director of NFL Europe.
League eyeing more games outside of U.S.
NFL.com wire reports
DUESSELDORF, Germany (May 27, 2006) -- The NFL has proposed playing two regular-season games outside the United States starting in 2008, league officials said.
Mark Waller, head of NFL international development, said the proposal to play abroad was put to team owners in Denver. It came after the 49ers and Cardinals played last October before a regular-season record crowd of 103,000 in Mexico City.
The owners will discuss the issue again in October. The games would be played in Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom and Germany, where five of the six NFL Europe teams play.
"I will say the reception we got from the owners was incredibly positive -- all the questions were on the practical issues," Waller said.
Plans were also announced to add two more teams to the six playing in NFL Europe by 2010. Last year, owners gave the league a five-year operating license -- ending years of threatening to pull the plug on the operation because of the cost.
"It now gives us a platform to grow the game internationally with a concept of clarity," Waller said.
Outgoing commissioner Paul Tagliabue said developing the game internationally may rank as one of his top five accomplishments during his 16 years in charge.
"I feel the international initiatives we made, along with the owners, may become more significant over time," Tagliabue said.
The league's effort to make an impact internationally began in 1986, when NFL teams began to play preseason games overseas.
The German cities of Hanover and Leipzig are the leading candidates to get NFL Europe expansion clubs as the league concentrates on Germany. The Amsterdam Admirals are the only current NFL Europe team located outside Germany.
NFL Europe would then be split into two four-team divisions with the schedule expanded from 10 to 12 games. The league hopes to develop local stars for NFL Europe, as well as international stars in the NFL.
"It's clearly critical to the future of the game internationally," said Jim Connelly, managing director of NFL Europe.
John Paulus Thinks Clay Aiken Is Gay, and I Don't Care!
Really. Why should I give a big deal of concern over what Clay Aiken does in his house? I'm still confused by all this. Who does it help to know this?
Well, I guess it's good to know it so you don't have to worry about your girlfriend running off with him, but in this day and age, you never know.
Well, I guess it's good to know it so you don't have to worry about your girlfriend running off with him, but in this day and age, you never know.
I Worked As An Intern For Lloyd Bentson In His Dallas Office...
and never got the chance to meet him. The one day he came in, I had to attend a class. Well, I didn't have to, but I was young and didn't know better. I was a freshman at Texas-Arlington in 1980. Still, working for his staff was fun and I was the receipient of all of his collection of Congressional Records. About 300 books.
"Fight Club" In Menlo Park A Subsitute For Guys Who Can't Find Girls - CNN
So instead of having dreams about a fine lady, they have fantasies about inflicting pain on some guy. It's said that fighting is another form of sex, so I think this kind of nutty practice is not only an admission of not being able to make it with a woman, but in a way seems to demonstrate a desire for other men. Real weird in my view.
Of course, while these guys are beating each other up -- and almost to death -- I'm enjoying the company of a great woman, not to mention women friends.
I must also say this practice is in total violation of any respect for life.
Computer techs turn to fisticuffs for fun - CNN
Fight clubs are chance to be 'a superhero for a night'
Monday, May 29, 2006; Posted: 8:49 p.m. EDT (00:49 GMT)
MENLO PARK, California (AP) -- They may sport love handles and Ivy League degrees, but every two weeks, some Silicon Valley techies turn into vicious street brawlers in a real-life, underground fight club.
Kicking, punching and swinging every household object imaginable -- from frying pans and tennis rackets to pillowcases stuffed with soda cans -- they beat each other mercilessly in a garage in this bedroom community south of San Francisco.
Then, bloodied and bruised, they limp back to their desks in the morning.
"When you get beat down enough, it becomes a very un-macho thing," said Shiyin Siou, 34, a Santa Clara software engineer and three-year veteran of the clandestine fights. "But I don't need this to prove I'm macho -- I'm macho enough as it is."
Inspired by the 1999 film "Fight Club," starring Brad Pitt and Ed Norton, underground bare-knuckle brawling clubs have sprung up across the country as a way for desk jockeys and disgruntled youths to vent their frustrations and prove themselves.
"This is as close as you can get to a real fight, even though I've never been in one," the soft-spoken Siou said.
Despite his reserved demeanor, he daydreams about inflicting pain on an attacker. "I have fantasies about it," he said.
In recent months, police in New Jersey and Pennsylvania have broken up fight clubs involving teens and preteens who posted videos of their bloody battles online.
Earlier this month in Arlington, Texas, a high school student who didn't want to participate was beaten so badly that he suffered a brain hemorrhage and broken vertebrae. Six teenagers were arrested after DVDs of the fight appeared for sale online.
Adult groups are more likely to fly under the radar of authorities.
Menlo Park police hadn't heard about the local club and said they wouldn't be likely to take action because the fights are on private property between consenting adults. That could change if someone complains or is sent to a hospital, police said.
Gints Klimanis, a 37-year-old software engineer and martial arts instructor, started the invitation-only "Gentlemen's Fight Club" in Menlo Park in 2000 after his no-holds-barred sessions with a training partner grew to more than a dozen people. Most participants are men working in the high-tech industry.
"You get to be a superhero for a night," Klimanis said. "We have to go to work every day. We're constantly told to buy things we don't need, and just for a couple hours we have the freedom to do what we want to do."
Fencing and hockey masks are the only protective equipment used. Several fighters have suffered broken noses, ribs and fingers.
Men involved in fight clubs often carry bottled-up violent impulses learned in childhood from video games, cartoons and movies, said Michael Messner, a University of Southern California sociology and gender studies professor.
"Boys have these warrior fantasies picked up from popular culture, and schools sort of force that out of them," he said. In these fantasies, "The good guys always resort to violence, and they always get the glory and the women."
There is also a sadomasochistic thread running through underground fight clubs, said Michael Kimmel, a sociology professor at Stony Brook University in New York.
"Real-life fight clubs are the male version of the girls who cut themselves," he said. "All day long these guys think they're the captains of the universe, technical wizards. They're brilliant but empty.
"They want to feel differently. They want to get hit, they want to feel something real."
Five-year fight club veteran Dinesh Prasad, 32, a heavily tattooed Santa Clara engineer, said he once broke a rib in a match but never complained to his fellow combatants. He also recently skipped his first wedding anniversary to attend a fight rather than drive to Los Angeles, where his wife is finishing law school.
"I came here to get over my fear of fighting, and it's working," he said. "I'm much tougher than I was five years ago. I'm not at the level of these other guys, but if things were to get tough, I can get tough, too."
Of course, while these guys are beating each other up -- and almost to death -- I'm enjoying the company of a great woman, not to mention women friends.
I must also say this practice is in total violation of any respect for life.
Computer techs turn to fisticuffs for fun - CNN
Fight clubs are chance to be 'a superhero for a night'
Monday, May 29, 2006; Posted: 8:49 p.m. EDT (00:49 GMT)
MENLO PARK, California (AP) -- They may sport love handles and Ivy League degrees, but every two weeks, some Silicon Valley techies turn into vicious street brawlers in a real-life, underground fight club.
Kicking, punching and swinging every household object imaginable -- from frying pans and tennis rackets to pillowcases stuffed with soda cans -- they beat each other mercilessly in a garage in this bedroom community south of San Francisco.
Then, bloodied and bruised, they limp back to their desks in the morning.
"When you get beat down enough, it becomes a very un-macho thing," said Shiyin Siou, 34, a Santa Clara software engineer and three-year veteran of the clandestine fights. "But I don't need this to prove I'm macho -- I'm macho enough as it is."
Inspired by the 1999 film "Fight Club," starring Brad Pitt and Ed Norton, underground bare-knuckle brawling clubs have sprung up across the country as a way for desk jockeys and disgruntled youths to vent their frustrations and prove themselves.
"This is as close as you can get to a real fight, even though I've never been in one," the soft-spoken Siou said.
Despite his reserved demeanor, he daydreams about inflicting pain on an attacker. "I have fantasies about it," he said.
In recent months, police in New Jersey and Pennsylvania have broken up fight clubs involving teens and preteens who posted videos of their bloody battles online.
Earlier this month in Arlington, Texas, a high school student who didn't want to participate was beaten so badly that he suffered a brain hemorrhage and broken vertebrae. Six teenagers were arrested after DVDs of the fight appeared for sale online.
Adult groups are more likely to fly under the radar of authorities.
Menlo Park police hadn't heard about the local club and said they wouldn't be likely to take action because the fights are on private property between consenting adults. That could change if someone complains or is sent to a hospital, police said.
Gints Klimanis, a 37-year-old software engineer and martial arts instructor, started the invitation-only "Gentlemen's Fight Club" in Menlo Park in 2000 after his no-holds-barred sessions with a training partner grew to more than a dozen people. Most participants are men working in the high-tech industry.
"You get to be a superhero for a night," Klimanis said. "We have to go to work every day. We're constantly told to buy things we don't need, and just for a couple hours we have the freedom to do what we want to do."
Fencing and hockey masks are the only protective equipment used. Several fighters have suffered broken noses, ribs and fingers.
Men involved in fight clubs often carry bottled-up violent impulses learned in childhood from video games, cartoons and movies, said Michael Messner, a University of Southern California sociology and gender studies professor.
"Boys have these warrior fantasies picked up from popular culture, and schools sort of force that out of them," he said. In these fantasies, "The good guys always resort to violence, and they always get the glory and the women."
There is also a sadomasochistic thread running through underground fight clubs, said Michael Kimmel, a sociology professor at Stony Brook University in New York.
"Real-life fight clubs are the male version of the girls who cut themselves," he said. "All day long these guys think they're the captains of the universe, technical wizards. They're brilliant but empty.
"They want to feel differently. They want to get hit, they want to feel something real."
Five-year fight club veteran Dinesh Prasad, 32, a heavily tattooed Santa Clara engineer, said he once broke a rib in a match but never complained to his fellow combatants. He also recently skipped his first wedding anniversary to attend a fight rather than drive to Los Angeles, where his wife is finishing law school.
"I came here to get over my fear of fighting, and it's working," he said. "I'm much tougher than I was five years ago. I'm not at the level of these other guys, but if things were to get tough, I can get tough, too."
The Apprentice 5 Nearlng Close - One Blogger Calls The Two Finalists "Buffoons"
With ratings as low as this latest Apprentice has posted, perhaps the best event will be the final show of this season. I'm not excited about the people on the show, and neither are bloggers like this person over at Fresh Inc., who called both Sean and Lee buffoons.
While I wouldn't go that far, I do think it's a mistake to focus on young people all the time in casting for the show. Life begins at 40, and Trump and his crew would have a better show and richer exchanges with a more mature audience. Hey, there are hot women over 40, too!
While I wouldn't go that far, I do think it's a mistake to focus on young people all the time in casting for the show. Life begins at 40, and Trump and his crew would have a better show and richer exchanges with a more mature audience. Hey, there are hot women over 40, too!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)