Archive for February, 2010
Mitsuharu Misawa died in Hiroshima, Japan earlier this year less than a week before his 47th birthday. He was in a tag team match for his Pro Wrestling NOAH promotion with Go Shiozaki against Bison Smith and Akitoshi Saito. Saito hit a back suplex on Misawa, which appeared to knock him unconscious. Medical staff attempted to revive him in the ring, but when CPR failed he was taken to a hospital by ambulance. He never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead on arrival.
That’s at least a small bit of solace amid the tragedy of Misawa’s death–he died in the ring doing what he loved, and what he did better than just about anyone on the planet. Misawa’s last moments were spent working the kind of brutally stiff, athletically realistic match that got a generation hooked on Japanese wrestling.
A top level amateur wrestler in high school, his skill gained the attention of All Japan Pro Wrestling president Shohei Giant Baba. He made his professional debut in’81, and got his first big break in’84 when he was chosen as the second Tiger Mask replacing Satoru Sayama. In’90, he had his longtime tag team partner (and occasional rival) Toshiaki Kawada unmask him.
Misawa would wrestle as himself from then on, and become an even bigger star in the process. In June,’90 he became one of the top stars in All Japan Pro Wrestling when he defeated Jumbo Tsuruta. That match was his first main event appearance at the famous Nippon Budokan. He soon faced Triple Crown Champion Stan Hansen in an unsuccessful challenge for the title, and would become the biggest star in Japanese pro wrestling for the next decade.
He had legendary battles against Kawada, Hansen, Kenta Kobashi, and Steve Dr. Death Williams in singles competition. Misawa would continue as a mainstay in AJPW until the early part of this decade. After the death of Giant Baba, he left to establish Pro Wrestling NOAH. He would serve as the companys president while wrestling a full time schedule until his untimely death.
Japanese pro wrestling served as an introduction for many American fans into shoot fight sports and MMA. Before the Internet, fans would trade videotapes to stay up on the latest matches from Japan and along with Jushin Thunder Liger and The Great Muta Keiji Mutoh it safe to say that Misawa is one of the wrestlers most responsible for getting a generation of American fans hooked on the product. Were it not for the subculture he created in America, later wrestling promotions like Ring of Honor and MMA promotions like the UFC wouldn’t have had a ready made audience to tap into.
Ross Everett is a freelance writer and noted authority on World Cup 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 a kangaroo. He is currently working on an autobiography of former interior secretary James Watt.
Change is always a little scary. When it comes to jobs and careers, it can be even scarier because your financial security will depend on the changes that are taking place. Take the time to learn how to deal with change one step at a time and it might be a little more tolerable.
The workplace is constantly changing and growing. Taking on these changes even in the most ideal conditions can prove to be stressful. However, when those changes become negative and include things like layoffs, downsizing, and struggling to keep the company afloat, even the most peaceful person can easily become overwhelmed and stressed out. In these tumultuous times, the last thing that you need is more stress, which is why you need to learn how to take career changes in stride, no matter how big or small they may be. Focus on getting through today, and then worry about tomorrow when it comes.
When you work for a company where you constantly see people getting laid off and let go because of the economy, it’s hard not to question your own job security. However, trust in the fact that you are still there, and start preparing yourself for the loss in case it does happen. You don’t need to panic. Really, that is the last thing that you want to do. Just try to remain calm, go home and prepare your resume and start gathering your resources for job hunting, and just carry on with your daily tasks at work as best you can. Don’t think that it can’t happen to you, but don’t let yourself become overwhelmed with worry because it might.
Many people who had the mentality that they could not be replaced are now learning very differently. In fact, it is usually not that they can be replaced but that there is no room for their jobs in the current economy. They are laid off from companies that they probably thought they’d spend their lives working for, and left to move on with their lives outside of that company. When it comes to changing jobs because of the economic situation, you probably aren’t going to be looking for your dream career. More likely is the situation where you’ll be looking for any job that can help you get by and pay the bills until something better comes along.
Whether the modifications that you are experiencing is associated with company alterations or losing your job, you want to be equipped. That is the exclusive way to be capable of accepting matters in good spirits and deflect entering panic mode unnecessarily. Panic is good for nothing, so you had better try to avoid it when you are able to. Alternatively, concentrate on the positive and work out what you are able to arrange in order to improve your current situation and move onto the next venture in your life. Whether that’s a brand new job or a new function inside your current employment Six Sigma Online is a leading online resource for information on careers and employment. Learn more today at http://www.sixsigmaonline.org.
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The New Orleans Saints used a 14 point fourth quarter to defeat the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 on Sunday to win their first Superbowl in franchise history. Drew Brees broke open a tight game midway through the final quarter with his touchdown pass to Jeremy Shockey, and Tracy Porter scored on a 74 yard interception return as the Colts were driving on the next series to secure the victory. Brees completed 32 passes in the game, tying New England’s Tom Brady for the all time record in that category.
After enthusiasts had come in early on the favored Colts, a good deal of buyback on the Saints had pushed the line to -4′ and the New Orleans backers were enriched by their team’s outright victory. The underdog has now covered three straight Superbowls and taken the money in five of the last seven games. The 48 points scored stayed well under the posted total of 57, which was the highest over/under number in Superbowl history.
In his postgame comments, a fabulously elated Brees gave much of the credit to the city of New Orleans:
“We play for so much more than ourselves. We played for our city. We played for the entire Gulf Coast region. We played for the entire Who Dat nation that has been behind us every step of the way. It means everything. We’re here because of their strength and everything they fought through here the last few years. They’ve given us so much support, so we owe it all to our fans.”
“Just to think of the road we’ve all traveled, the adversity we’ve all faced. It’s unbelievable. I mean, are you kidding me? Four years ago, whoever thought this would be happening? Eighty-five percent of the city was under water. Most people left not knowing if New Orleans would ever come back, or if the organization would ever come back. We just all looked at one another and said, ‘We’re going to rebuild together. We are going to lean on each other.’ That’s what we’ve done the last four years and this is the culmination in all that belief.”
Never known for his elocution, Peyton Manning had little to say after the game particularly about the decisive interception return:
“Made a great play. Made a great play. Corner made a heck of a play. Certainly disappointing, very disappointing. Disappointing.”
Saints’ coach Sean Payton made a bold call at the beginning of the second half when he called for an onside kick. New Orleans recovered and linebacker Jonathan Casalis suggested it was a game changing play:
“We were really excited when he made the call. That changed everything.”
Payton explained the unorthodox decision:
“We’re going to be aggressive. We’d seen the onside kick all week and guys executed it well. It turned out to be a big change of possession.”
The city of New Orleans will celebrate their team’s victory with a parade. With Mardi Gras celebrations already scheduled to begin shortly thereafter, it could be quite some time before New Orleans returns to business as usual.
Ross Everett is a consulting handicapper for Anatta Sports where he is in charge of providing daily free sports picks to Internet sites and broadcast media outlets. He is a widely published freelance writer specializing in sports handicapping, auto racing, wombat breeding and falconry. He lives in Southern Nevada with three dogs and a wombat.
Ingemar Johannson died in a Swedish nursing home in January 2009 at the age of 76. He’d lived in the nursing home in the Swedish coastal city of Kungsbacka since the mid’90’s when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and had suffered from a tough case of pneumonia immediately prior to his death.
Johannson rocketed to international fame and rock star like superstardom in Sweden by virtue of his 3rd round knockout victory over Floyd Patterson on June 26,’59 to become only the 5th heavyweight champion born outside of the US. Johannson was considered the underdog going into the matchup, and due to the perception that he wasn’t training particularly hard entered the bout a 5/1 underdog. Johansson was frequently seen in Catskill nightspots during his training camp with his attractive young secretary in stark contrast to Patterson’s disciplined regimen in preparation for his title defense.
His performance against the champ that night in Yankee Stadium shocked the boxing world”after a tentative first two rounds, Johannson floored Patterson with a short right early in the third. The champ never recovered and with no three knockdown rule in effect was knocked down a total of seven times before referee Ruby Goldstein called a halt to the proceedings and awarded the Swede the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world.
Johannson would hold the title for just under a year before he lost it back to Patterson in a rematch at the Polo Grounds in New York City. Patterson was the aggressor from the opening bell, and would eventually regain his title as he knocked Johannson out cold in the fifth round with a looping left hook. Johannson went down like he got shot, and took a ten count staring up at the lights with his leg twitching and blood dribbling out of his mouth. In the immediate aftermath of his victory, Patterson displayed the class of a champion as he was more concerned about Johanssons well being than celebrating his win. Patterson sat on the canvas with his fallen opponent cradling his head as medical personnel tended to Johannson. Floyd Patterson had just become the first man to regain the undisputed heavyweight championship, but his thoughts were with the man hed taken the title from.
Johannson would again face Patterson less than a year later, with the champ retaining his title via 6th round knockout after an exciting slugfest that saw both competitors taste the canvas. Eventually, however, Patterson’s superior conditioning prevailed and he earned the victory. Johannson would fight only four more times after that, all in his home country of Sweden, before retiring for good in’63.
Patterson and Johannson remained close lifelong friends and would travel to visit each other every year until the American champion died in 2006. While it is commonplace today for former in-ring adversaries to become close personal friends(eg: Oscar De La Hoya and Shane Mosely, Mickey Ward and Arturo Gatti), it was less common in the’60s. Johannson remained a big star in Sweden, occasionally appearing in movies and enjoyed good health well into his 60’s when old age began to take its toll.
Johannson was married and divorced twice, and is survived by five children. Ingemar Johannson enjoyed rock star like status in Sweden during his title reign and remained a widely respected and admired sportsman throughout his life. He’ll be remembered by the international boxing community for the vital role he played in popularizing the sport in Europe and Scandinavia.
Ross Everett is a well known freelance writer experienced in travel, poker and sports handicapping. He is a consulting handicapper for Anatta Sports where he is responsible for providing daily free sports picks. In his spare time he enjoys fine dining, fencing and scuba diving. He lives in Southern Nevada with four dogs and a pet coyote.
After a month long free agency soap opera, both Lamar Odom and the Los Angeles Lakers got what they really wanted all along. The Lakers retained the services of their valuable sixth man, and Odom will return to the team after an intense recruiting pitch from the Miami Heat. Odom officially signed his new contract with the NBA Champions and along with the addition of Ron Artest the Lakers may actually be stronger than last years title winning squad.
Terms of the deal were similar to the contract offer that was pulled in early July, starting the entire drama. After negotiations broke down due to some miscommunication between Odom’s agent and Lakers’ owner Dr. Jerry Buss it looked for awhile like Odom was headed elsewhere. While Odom worked to mend fences”including several personal phone calls to Dr. Buss”his agent was receiving interest from Miami, Portland and Dallas.
When it was all said and done, Odom didn’t want to leave Los Angeles At the official signing ceremony, he hinted that a dynasty could be in the making:
“I guess basketball-wise, I feel complete. I want to feel it again. It’s kind of an overwhelming feeling. I get goose bumps when I think about it, and as long as I continue to play professional basketball, I want to always feel that. The way I feel during the summer, I always want to feel that. If we can win six, seven, eight, nine, 10 championships in a row, I want to experience that.”
While talk of 10 straight championships may be mere hyperbole, theres no reason the Lakers cant run off a repeat or better with their current lineup. In fact, with the teams signing of Ron Artest the lineup may be better than a year ago. Artest brings not only his infamous swagger and intensity, but an element of toughness and versatility that Ariza lacked. Such was Odoms commitment to the Lakers is that even during his free agency, he helped recruit Artest to sign with the team:
“I spoke to Ron two days before he signed, and I told him how important I think it is for him to come here. Because I know how hard he works, he needs to experience basketball at its best, at the highest level, and he needs to become a Laker. Two days after that, he signed.”
Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak was understandably elated at Odom’s return:
“Three or four months ago, I didn’t think it could be possible that we could basically bring this team back in whole. Lamar had a wonderful season that ended on the best possible note you could have, and Lamar had a lot of options. … Here it is, July 31, and we have brought back everybody that we wanted to bring back.”
Odom has spent most of his career in L.A., either with the Lakers or the Clippers, and he noted that the city is home to him and his family:
“I didn’t want my kids to have to change schools — just the little things. I’m comfortable here. I’ve been here since I was’ years old. I’m proud to be playing for what I think is the most popular brand in sports.
Ross Everett is a freelance sports writer and respected authority on sports betting odds comparison. He writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sports news and betting odds portal sites. He lives in Southern Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and an emu. He is currently working on an autobiography of former interior secretary James Watt.
Less than a month after his demolition of Japanese pop culture icon Bob Sapp, former WWE superstar turned MMA fighter Bobby Lashley has opted to return to the scripted world of professional wrestling. Lashley made his debut for #2 US wrestling promotion TNA on their Victory Road PPV in late July. Lashley had already made several on-camera appearances for the promotion, but the signing will mark his return to in-ring action. Lashley’s last in-ring pro wrestling appearance came in Mexico on a show for Lucha Libre promotion AAA.
Hes not planning to give up his MMA career. In interviews prior to the TNA signing Lashley left open the possibility of a return to pro wrestling for its significant financial upside, while remaining committed to his shoot fighting efforts. Lashley trains in Florida with the prestigious American Top Team, and ran his record to 4-0 with his victory over Sapp in late June. A press release issued by TNA this morning further validated his suggestions that he planned to do both sports. Lashey himself is quoted as saying:
I want to do both because I can. TNA is giving me the opportunity to compete in both sports which I have a passion for. I will bring MMA fans to wrestling and wrestling fans to MMA
TNA President Dixie Carter also praised Lashley in announcing the signing:
This is a great opportunity for Bobby to do something that has never been done before. He is the perfect ambassador for both sports. We are excited to have him join TNA, he is a true star that brings so much to the table as a member of our roster.
Despite TNAs claims that Lashley is the first active MMA fighter to compete full time in pro wrestling, that’s not the case. Its very common in Japan, where fighters frequently compete in shoot fights like MMA while simultaneously appearing in worked (eg: pre-determined) pro wrestling contests. In fact, Josh Barnett, originally slated to face Fedor Emelianenko at the ill fated Affliction: Trilogy event still makes several appearances a year for Antonio Inokis Inoki Genome Federation (IGF) promotion. Following his positive drug test in California, he may spend ore time in pro wrestling. Lashley isn’t even the first to pull the feat in the US, though hes definitely the highest profile fighter/wrester to turn the trick since MMAs overwhelming boom in popularity. Dan The Beast Severn at one point simultaneously held the UFC heavyweight title and the NWA heavyweight title in pro wrestling.
Lashley left the WWE in early 2008 under some degree of mystery and a hint of controversy. He indicated at the time that his departure was not of his own volition but due to circumstances beyond his control. Making this assertion more curious was the fact that Lashley had been used in high profile storylines by the WWE and was very popular among fans. The plot thickened when it was reported that unlike most wrestlers leaving the promotion Lashley wasnt subject to a standard non-compete agreement. Speculation at this point suggested that he may have left in response to a racial incident, a theory given more validity when WWE writer (and former member of the Fabulous Freebirds tag team) Michael Hayes was suspended for a racial slur. Neither Lashley nor the WWE has ever confirmed the reason for his departure.
At the time he was released from the WWE, Lashley began training for MMA building on an extensive background of amateur wrestling from both college and the military. The UFC took a pass on Lashley due to the perception that they couldnt market him successfully so soon after Brock Lesnars debut.
Ross Everett is a widely published freelance writer and respected 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 Las Vegas with three Jack Russell Terriers and a kangaroo. He is currently working on an autobiography of former interior secretary James Watt.
There are many reasons that a person may need to find the best Phoenix auto glass repair shop in their area. When you are looking for a shop, there are a few tips for getting the quality that you want at an affordable price.
Some people look for a repair shop to replace their standard windshield with a tinted or specialized windshield for their car. Other times, the services will be needed because there has been a break-in or natural damage has occurred that requires immediate repair of the vehicle.
When you are looking for a shop, there are often several within easy distance of your location. Finding the shop that is reputable and has the type of window that you need will be available and installed quickly. In most cases, a windshield can be installed relatively quickly if the team has all of the tools and equipment required.
Before taking your car to a shop it is important to visit and look around the area. Glass shops are one area that should be clean and dust free. When your window is put into place the debris in the shop can significantly impact the seal that is used to affix the windshield to the frame of your car.
The steps involved in installing windshields is very complex. There are several layers of sealant used on the windshields to assure that they will stay in place securely for the life time of the vehicle. In addition, after being sealed to the frame with special silicone, a protective rubber strip is heat sealed on top of the windshield to keep any moisture from getting into the area.
Repairing a rear window often requires special equipment and training. The features that can be found in a rear window include a defroster, heater, can wiper system. All of these systems are controlled by computer chips and wiring that connects the system to the front panel of the vehicle. Repairing or replacing the window will require that the technician have knowledge and expertise in the wiring that is used.
When selecting an auto glass repair shop, you will usually be offered a warranty on their services. The warranty will be important and you will want to read it carefully before you commit to have your glass repaired at the shop.
Learn more about replacement car window. Stop by Lori Windows’s site where you can find out all about Phoenix chip repair and what it can do for you.
People are used to hearing about electronic services being promoted by tele-seminars, but that is not their only use. You business depends on advertising for it’s success and using a tele-seminar to do this makes a lot of sense. You can hunt and peck trying to find a great way to market your business, or you can use the same methods that have yielded so much success to so many others. The most convenient way to set up registration is through a website.
Once you have reached a comfortable number of registered users you can send an e-mail advising them of the time and date of the tele-seminar. This e-mail can include the telephone number and pass code the user must use to log into the seminar.
Showing courtesy by starting your tele-seminar on time is a must. Structure for it is easy. Always start out by introducing yourself and listing your qualifications, then introduce any guests you have. Using this platform allows you to demonstrate or advertise your services to your guests. You could talk about price, the benefits of owning the good, and how the consumer could obtain the product.
Ideally you would allow anyone with any feedback to speak so you can use their feedback in further service development. This practice will reveal to you exactly what users are getting from using your product. The price of your service will even be discussed. You may even learn additional features that people will pay extra money for.
The advantages do not end at digital products but continue to include any goods or services that are conventional in nature. Given that you have a receptive an interested audience of voluntary attendees, making sales and closing deals is easy. Some marketers might say that it is as easy as shooting fish in a barrel and the analogy is not poorly placed. Seeing the power of the internet for advertising your business will bring focus to your advertising. Saving your advertising money is just one side effect of using a tele-seminar to introduce your services and refine your marketing options. You will also appreciate the controlled environment that a tele-seminar affords you.
Focusing on tele-seminars will help you refine your business approach so that you aren’t even dealing with phone calls anymore. Using tele-seminars will put your service in the hands of eager customers faster than any other selling method.
The author enjoys writing articles on make money with teleseminars & how to do a teleseminar. Click on the links above to learn more about these topics!
The hobby of keeping aquarium tanks has been with us since the late 1800’s. The original aquaria were fairly crude, as you would expect back then.
These ancient aquariums generally only had one side made of glass. The rest? Made of metal or wood! Most aquarium fish tanks contained only fish that were native to the owner’s area, simply because that was all that was easily available. Most of these ancient fish tanks also contained only fresh water fish. Salt water, as you might expect, would corrode the metal frame that held the aquarium together. Fish such as the Siamese fighting fish just weren’t keepable.
Back in the 1960’s the invention of silicone adhesive changed everything. Metal frames became obsolete and much more persons started to keep salt water fish and invertebrates. Recently, a wider selection of tanks has become available simply because of the flexibility and strength of acrylic.
Acrylic aquarium fish tanks are far a lot more forgiving than glass tanks. If a heavy object strikes a glass tank, it will nearly certainly break – with the consequent loss of fish and possible danger of injury to you, with all the broken glass.
Acrylic tanks have a flexiblity that may prevent breakage from happening in the first place. In addition, acrylic offers more flexibility in design than glass. Acrylic aquariums have been made into everything from coffee tables to gum ball machines. In fact in numerous cases the aquarium is so decorative you no longer need any extra aquarium ornaments.
There are disadvantages in having an acrylic aquarium tank, as every owner will explain. They will scratch quicker compared to glass, a lot more quickly than glass. When cleaning an acrylic fish tank be mindful never to use paper towels, or tough or abrasive chemical substances. They will have a tendency to scratch the acrylic surface area of the aquarium.
You should always use a cleaner specifically referred to as safe for acrylic. Make use of plastic-type or rubber scrubbers, instead of metal to scrub the sides of an acrylic fish tank. Furthermore, take particular care not to pick up a bit of substrate or gravel when cleaning the inside of the tank. If you do scratch the tank there are some acrylic repair kits offered at speciality pet shops and of course on the net.
It doesn’t matter where you buy the acrylic tank starter kit, but it is very important to purchase your fish from an established vendor. In the event that you get your fish from a good livestock supplier, they may be more likely to make it and that, after all, is actually what it’s about!
I love New Year’s because I don’t get to dress up that often, and this is one of the days where I’ll get to do that. A New Year’s Eve dress is practically a must! Don’t you want to reward yourself for a year well spent by wearing a teen fashion dress you’ll remember always? I certainly do.
A running theme for New Year’s Eve has always been silver white-ish colors which I found out on realy fun websites for kids, so why not stick to the old tradition with these fabulous silver-grey finds.
I found this silver dress at Target for $31.99. It’s strapless, so you’ll want to wear a sweater over it and find some new hairstyles for fine hair. But I like it because it just screams New Year! Tights would look cute under this dress in basically any color you like. You could even try some cool printed tights for a real bold look.
This dress is for a more casual New Year party. The ruffle at the top is what makes the dress great, and at $24.50 from Old Navy, the price is great too. I would wear this little fella over a pair of skinny pants with some long silvery chain necklaces. You could also wear a long sleeved shirt underneath it if you’re cold. That’s what’s so excellent about spaghetti strapped dresses!
This dress is probably my favorite out of them all. It hales from Forever 21 and quenches every need for a New Year’s Eve dress. First of all, it has long sleeves. So the trouble of finding a good sweater to go over your dress is absolutely gone! Secondly, it has the hue I need, and thirdly there’s a whimsical ruffled front that keeps it stylish. What more do we need? The ruffled edges at the cuffs are also a great touch. Wear it with sparkly tights and some slouchy boots, and you’re off to a great start this New Year.