What's a Ball Hawk? Meet Zack Hample

When I came across one of Zack's "YouTube" videos I couldn't help but salute the man. He's a likeable baseball fan who has compartmentalized his passion for ball-hawking right down to a science. 

If Zack's visiting your ballpark with his baseball glove, you might as well have left yours at home. Because fly balls hit into the stands are likely to find the web of his glove by hook or (dare I say) crook. He's tenacious when it comes to retrieving baseballs in the stands. You see, Zack is a ball hawk. Whether it be a foul ball, home run or batting practice, Zack is on his game snagging ballpark gifts dropped from the heavens of baseball Gods. 

What you've gotta love about Zack is that he comes to a ballpark prepared. He'll switch from wearing the home team cap and jersey to the visitor's gear, depending on which is holding batting practice; whatever it takes to get a ball thrown his way. And the strategy works!

He'll climb, stretch, scramble, scrum and even dive to come up with a baseball that's left the field of play headed toward his section of the ballpark. And though he's fast and aggressive during the hunt, he never seems to cross the line of courtesy and consideration for others. 

Where Zack really earned my respect is when I saw him giving some of the baseballs he'd come up with to young kids in the stands. To have a passion for something and be able to share your earnings from that passion unconditionally is what being a fan of anything is all about; giving back. It's fans like Zack that gives fandom a sweet smelling aroma. We who are sports fans have a duty to pass our love and respect for the game on to future generations. There's no selfishness in baseball!

How unselfish is Zack? Well he gives tips to fans on how to snag major league baseballs in his book titled.....(wait for it)……."How to Snag Major League Baseballs." It appears Zack has a few published books to his credit. Take note kids, if you got a passion for something find a way to market it and make a few bucks.

Because Zack visits different ballparks and wears different team gear in his videos, I'm not sure what team he's an actual fan of. But I do know that he's a fan of the game of baseball, and that puts him in a category I share; that of a true sports fan.



If you've read this little blogpost about a special individual and wanna learn more, check out Zack's YouTube page and maybe give him a shout out.  Who knows, one day you might just catch him snagging baseballs in your home team's ballpark.


Zack at San Francisco's AT&T Park
Zack at Oakland Coliseum (diving catch)

MLB playoffs: Who is Zack Hample? Ball hawk denied by Aaron Judge at Stadium 

Oh No, Was I wrong about Zack Hample being unselfish? 

Maybe I was just late to the dance: Kershaw shuts down Hample Douche

HIPPOCAMPUS

hip·po·cam·pus

ˌhipəˈkampəs/

noun

Anatomy

noun: hippocampus; plural noun: hippocampi

1. the elongated ridges on the floor of each lateral ventricle of the brain, thought to be the center of emotion, memory, and the autonomic nervous system.

Body Language Analysis

Raiders Choke On Florida Humidity - Week 3

Again, we Raiders fans are forced to suffer a football game loss that looked full of promise early. Again, the Raiders were dominant through three quarters but couldn't close out an opponent. And again we are left to wonder "What If" Khalil Mack were around to pressure the opposing quarterback when it counted most, the fourth quarter.

So many questions, so few answers. The Raiders are a team that with a bit more discipline and a few more playmakers could be playoff contenders. Right now they are what their record says they are; a wobbly 0-3. After this most recent loss different players said that they're close to being a good team, just a play away from winning. Marshawn Lynch himself spoke to the media about how together this team is and how close they are to winning. But in the end you're still left struggling to understand how the team can go from contenders to pretenders in the same game.  You question whether the game ending collapses could be an indication of a conservative game plan approach after halftime by coach Jon Gruden. Coaching staff seem like deer caught in the headlights of oncoming traffic in all aspects of fourth quarter play.

Are opponents figuring out the Raiders schemes by halftime or do we blame the past two losses in the Rocky Mountains and Florida Swamps on weather conditions? Sure it was hot and humid during yesterday's game, but the opponent found ways to plow through it. I'm not sure where the blame lies in this loss. Maybe the solution is to score early and often when you're hot. The Raiders squandered a few opportunities to score touchdowns early, having to settle for field goals or worse; coming up short on fourth and goal from the 1-yd line. Score on that drive and you're up 14-0 midway through the second quarter.



The Good News is that WR Jordy Nelson was featured in the offense big time with an early 66 yard play and a touchdown. But the woeful fourth quarter is so unkind to our quarterback. Another endzone interception thrown by Derek Carr during a crucial time in a game is of big concern.  Is it Carr that the defenses are figuring out late in games? 

It pains me to say this, but What Would Brady & Belichick do?

Another Sunday, Another Blown Save, Ongoing Disappointment. When will it end?

Final Score
Raiders Lose


Weekend Sports News - Tiger Wins as Crowd Cheers Him On

Raiders Run Out of Gas....Again!

Two games into the 2018 NFL season and our Oakland Raiders are looking offensively and defensively sound in the first and second quarters.  Fast forward to the third and fourth quarters and you see exactly why the team is winless; empty tanks. It's not only the players who look like their running on fumes, but also the coaching staff calling the plays.

Sure this week featured some of the hottest weather ever for a football game in Denver, but I find it difficult to attribute some of the miscues and questionable calls to heat and altitude exhaustion. The good news is that QB Derek Carr and WR Amari Cooper were in pro bowl form as they showed the high power production we expect to see from them. Marshawn did his thing on the ground and the defense all but shutdown Denver in that first half. Conley and Melvin are looking like the best starting cornerback duo the Raiders have had in ages. 

The problem with all the good today is that it withered away in the second half just as it did in week 1 at home on Monday Night against the Rams. The Raiders had their chances to put away the Broncos and simply ran out of gas. So their homework this week is to figure out how to keep enough fuel in the tank to put away an opponent in the second half of play. That or ramp up the points in the first half so that opponents are seen from your rearview mirror miles behind choking on your dust.

The question I have is can the coaching staff figure out a fix for the team before the season is past the midway point. The Raiders can't begin to move past the questionable decision to trade Khalil Mack until they begin winning games. The sting of seeing a defense struggle without Khalil is almost as hurtful as seeing the meltdowns of these past two games. Is it possible conditioning, or lack thereof, plays a part in their second half problems?  Time will tell. Problem is the team is leaving Oakland soon and time is of the essence to Raider Nation. We want more than what we've been getting from our team. Don't tell us you're a good team, show us!

And learn how to execute a measly Point After Attempt please.....


Score
Raiders Lose

The Raiders Don't Deserve Mack.....

Bears reach agreement to trade for Khalil Mack

Sure, it's just Bizness in the NFL. But us Raiders fans know from past bombs being dropped on us that this latest explosion was launched by the Raiders organization. I don't call it salary cap issues, I call it incompetence. You gotta get a deal like this done. Other teams coulda done it, why not you McKenzie & company.

Then to make matters worse you blame the victim. Come'on Man!

You can't treat a franchise type player like Khalil Mack as if he's just another helmet. And if you can't pay him like the superstar that he is then talk to him and tell him your pockets are short. Better yet, tell us fans. But don't go letting a newly hired coach take pot shots at him publicly, trying to degrade his importance to the team. Mack is our guy, our fearless leader. Don't hate on him because you can't afford or won't pay him his due. 

As a fan of the Oakland Raiders I'd much rather see our boy Mack get paid bigtime elsewhere than to see the team stiff arm him like they've done us fans with the future move to the desert. And as I've heard all week on radio talk, what big name superstar will want to come to the Raiders knowing that the price of superstar performance in Oakland buys you a one-way ticket to perhaps Chicago. 

Honor, Gratitude, Loyalty for services rendered to a team?????
That kind of owner/player relationship went out of style decades ago. Don't be hard on Mack Raider Nation. You ain't letting nobody stop you from getting paid, don't stop Khalil. 

Thanks for your Commitment to Excellence Khalil!

GONE

September 1, 2018

NFL News Headlines Feature Raiders Transactions

1. Mack agrees to a six-year, $141M deal with Bears
2. McKinnon suffers torn ACL during 49ers practice
3. Cuts tracker: NFL teams finalize 53-player rosters
4. Martavis Bryant cut by Raiders, faces suspension
5. Eagles planing to start QB Foles in season opener
6. Griffin survives cuts, make Ravens' 53-man roster
7. End of an era: Cowboys release kicker Dan Bailey
8. Newman is retiring, joining Vikings coaching staff
9. Trade! Raiders acquire QB McCarron from Buffalo

Julia Flores Colque - 118 years young in Sacaba

picture of Julia Flores Colque taken in 2013 in her hometown of Sacaba, Bolivia - by Matt Brown

I just love a story with the everlasting fragrance of immortality. Julia is a modern day methuselah and boy would it be a treat to sit by her side and hear stories about life in Bolivia during the early 1900's. Not that I'm interested in Bolivian history so much, but I'd enjoy hearing and seeing her talk about living in a time and place so far removed from my 2018 North American world.

Looking at photos of Julia it's easy to imagine the many stories hidden in the crevices of her hands and the creases outside her eyes. She really is a beautiful human being to behold with strong grayish eyes that appear to be gazing into your soul.

I've had the honor of knowing healthy persons in their 90's and a few on the doorstep of 100. I treasure the moments spent in their presence. If ever I've experienced that feeling of "reverence" reserved for Godly moments in life, spending time with individuals like Julia is without  a doubt one of those times. Interesting that reverence can also be felt in the presence of babies.

I wish nothing but the best for Julia and her Bolivian family in the infinite future. Her family is so fortunate to have such a seasoned soul to turn to when fear and doubt rear their ugly heads. For nobody lives to the ripe young age of 118 without knowing how to conjure up courage and strength when times call for it. Because at 118 years old, what is there to fear, death? Nonsense! I'm sure when she's ready she'll welcome the eternal rest with a "what took you so long" when it comes knocking at her door. But only when she's ready.

Stay Woke Julia

118-year-old bolivian woman might be oldest in world

World's Oldest Lady 

A Day in the Life of White Dollar Crime

Witch Hunt turns up two American Warlocks

Cohen pleads guilty to campaign-finance violations as Manafort found guilty of tax fraud 
Former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort on Tuesday was found guilty on eight charges including tax fraud, as the president’s former lawyer Michael Cohen said he violated campaign-finance law at the direction of a candidate for federal office.

House of Prayer (Mosque)

Nasir al-Mulk Mosque in Shiraz, Iran

By Hesam.montazeri - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52038863

Surah I (Al-Fatihah)

The Opening

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Praise be to Allah The Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds;

Most Gracious, Most Merciful;

Master of the Day of Judgment.

Thee do we worship and Thine aid we seek.

Show us the straight way,

The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace,

those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.

Reason Terrell Owens should participate in NFL Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies

The biggest reason why I feel the man should show up is for his kids. Terrell has a right to deny fans and fellow hall of famers the privilege of his presence at the ceremony. But to deny one's kids the honor of seeing their father's accomplishments highlighted on a stage witnessed the world over is simply selfish. It could also be one of the biggest regrets he'll never be able to forgive himself for.

Father's are busting their butts trying to give their kids the things they themselves might not have had as kids; things like good meals, safe and loving homes, education, protection, fatherly advice, family, respect. Those father's, just by giving their kids opportunities, are Hall of Famers' in their own right. Then you see the so-called superstar athlete who might've undeniably struggled to make it to the top but nonetheless has climbed a mountain few are destined to conquer. What makes his accomplishment so special is not just his talent to climb but also the treacherous challenge the mountain presented. You would like to believe that what drove his relentless climb was his love for family and the opportunity to challenge himself to do something great. 

Now everybody who witnessed his outstanding athletic feats wants to share in honoring him and he turns down their invitation. Forget the fans, does he not realize that he's turning down another chance to provide opportunity to his kids? The opportunity to see with their own eyes and hear with their own ears the love, honor and respect their father earned outright. An honor their father earned not just within a small community but on a worldwide stage. An honor reserved for those who seem to be a notch above what we call good and excellent. A notch reserved for those labeled super, extraordinary, all-star, the greatest.

But hey, kids are known to be resilient and get over the many hardships and realities that life coldly brings to their young lives. I'm sure the kids of a superstar athlete have seen and heard much about their all-star parent that makes them proud to be of the same flesh and blood. Maybe they think, as all kids do, that their super dad is capable of doing anything. Anything that is except maybe being a humble dad. They'll never miss watching their father tear up and humble himself at a Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony because you can't really miss what you never got. Isn't that what the underprivileged kids say about their absent parents and unloved homes? Maybe by now they're actually immune to parental disappointments like many of us were as youngsters. Hey, nobody has perfect parents right? 

Some decisions we make in life are made not because of how we feel but because of how it'll make those we love feel. Here we have a great athlete who is chosen to represent the best that ever played the game. Not everyone liked him and he didn't always say and do things acceptable to the status quo. But not one person denies that he was a great talent and is deserving of Hall of Fame honors. To be the child of such a great athlete and have the opportunity to see and hear other greats lift him onto their shoulders in praise of all he's accomplished is the vision the word Pride exemplifies. It would be a shame to see a child or children miss out on receiving such a gratifying gift that only a heroic father can give. A priceless gift that'll keep on giving for generations, long after father is laid to rest.

Goals: Strong Mind, Big Heart

Should any of T.O's kids read this blog post, know that your father is an NFL Hall of Famer, which means he was one of the greatest that ever played the game of professional football. And let nobody tell you anything different. 

Emlen Tunnell: A Largely Unknown NFL Great

ALL BLACKS SHOW IN SAN FRANCISCO

Rugby anyone?  The Rugby World Cup Sevens International tournament came to town and if views from outside AT&T Park were any indication, the 24 team, 3 day event was a total success.

American fans were in the minority as expected. I saw wild and pumped up fans from places that worship Rugby: Fiji, Australia, England, Scotland, South Africa, Uganda, Jamaica and Canada (Oh Canada, Oh Canada) . Of course America had a team and I believe they faired well against the competition.  

Rugby is an exciting game to watch. Where else but in Rugby can a guy sit on teammates shoulders to snag a high pass? The more you watch the more you want to see. It's an organized team scrum. I once predicted it would someday become popular in America. Maybe that day has arrived. By the time I considered actually buying a ticket from the box office, remaining seats were priced at $176 per day. For a fan with no dog in the fight that's a helluva price tag. 

I was drawn to the event by my affection for the All Blacks New Zealand team. I saw their black uniforms many years ago and simply equated them with my Silver and Black Oakland Raiders team. Their winning history and tradition mirrors that of the Raiders with bad boy mystique and all. What really sets the All Blacks apart in the rugby world is their legendary Haka performance done before and after games. The Haka chant and movements resemble that of primitive natives calling down the Gods of their forefathers to assist in a battle to the death. Faces with bulging eyes and elongated tongues sticking out are as intimidating as the roughness the sport is known for. It's enough to make any fan lose their mind in anticipation of a game. 

Instead of kicking down $176 I took a few pics and was home in time to see the All Blacks squeak by France 12-7.

The New Zealand Women's Black Ferns team took down France 29-0 in the Championship Final today. They were as exciting to watch as the men, showing speed, toughness and team effort in a dominating performance. Those girls were on a mission and didn't let up until they'd reached their goal. U GO GURLS!

As for the Men's All Blacks team, they might've been mediocre in the first two days of the tournament, but on this the final third day they simply cranked up the juice and reminded fans exactly why they're the defending Rugby World Cup Sevens champion. From passing to their speed and overall heads up and hustle style of play, the All Blacks played championship level Rugby period.

If my Raiders can bring anything resembling the teamwork and commitment I saw in the champion All Blacks, we'll see silver and black making a run for the NFL championship this season Fo'Sho.

Congratulations New Zealand 
All Blacks  and Black Ferns Champions!



beat Fiji 22-17 in Semi-Finals
beat England 33-12 Championship Finals

beat USA 26-21 in Semi Finals

beat France 29-0 in Championship Round

Finances Compromise U.S. President - Follow The Business Money

Jun2018



Dec2017



Trump secret deal with Justice Kennedy

Brett Kavanaugh Once Argued that sitting Presidents are Above The Law

Historically Unjust Laws

Whassup Cousin Boogie!

That's right ya'll. The Golden State Warriors have added 4x NBA All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins, better known as Boogie. For reasons nobody can explain Boogie wasn't getting signed. Sure he's coming off an achilles tendon injury, but players have come back from worse.  Seems it was Cousins who contacted the Warriors with a make me an offer attitude. What were they to do? They couldn't turn him down at a mid-level price. 

Comments around the league and from fans are crying foul and calling the signing downright unfair. We Warriors fans see it as preparation meeting opportunity. As NBA Back-2-Back Champions they know what it means to never get comfortable with success. They're always preparing for the next challenge. With Lebron and Rondo joining their Pacific Division Lakers and taking Warriors center JaVale McGee with them, the Warriors had to fire back.

Boom goes the dynamite. Cousins is a Warrior and everyone with a playground's understanding of the game knows what that means; did someone whisper 3-Peat?

I'd like to thank two-time champion JaVale McGee for all is hustle and hard work. It's been 2x Real my brotha! Stay up on your asthma meds in Los Angeles. That pollution in their air can be suffocating.

Welcome to the Warriors my Cousins. While the rest of the league are moaning and groaning from news of your signing, we here in the Oakland/SF Bay Area just caught Boogie Fever!

Boogie Fever - The Sylvers (1976)

Boogie fever, got to boogie down
Boogie fever, I think it's going around

I took my baby to the drive-in show
She turned the speaker down
And then she turned on the radio
I watched a silent movie, diggin' funky sound

She's got the boogie fever
She likes to boogie down
Boogie fever
I think it's going around

I took my baby to the pizza parlor (pizza parlour)
To get a bite to eat, na na na
I put some money in the jukebox for her
You know she ate her pizza dancing to the beat

She's got the boogie fever
She likes to boogie down, oh
Shes got the boogie fever
I think it's going around

SOLD 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe Daytona Blue w/Dk. Blue interior, 327...

Classy & Beautiful Model

Her curves and measurements have mesmerized the eyes and minds of men and boys. In all shades her body begs to be admired and worshipped. Beauty is not in the eyes of her beholder, its in her. 

I fell victim to her charms upon first sight of her perched on a model stand bracketed along my cousin's bedroom wall in the 1960's. She stood out from the other classic model exhibits. And over fifty years later she still just twitterpates my heart from every angle!

1963 Cheverolet Corvette Split-Window Coupe Color: D A Y T O N A   B L U E
Model courtesy of Diecast.org

History of Split Window Corvette

Why Celebrity Suicides

An article I read at the website "The Federalist" had one paragraph I felt hits the mark on why having a deeper understanding of life helps guide us through the darker phases of it. 

As Kate, Anthony, Robin, and so many other entertainers show, even giving joy to others, in the end, is not enough. So in the end, why bother? How can we not be defeated when we set our eyes on the brokenness of this world? The answer: to fix our eyes on another world. The writer C.S. Lewis famously said that, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” If we believe this life is all there is, the darkness will blind us to the majesty and beauty of life.

What we "fix our eyes on" in this world can be the difference in whether we feel surrounded by hope or despair.

Maybe you don't necessarily need to believe in a traditional God, but there must be Some Thing in our being for us to set our sights on and look up to that's indestructible and eternal. That thing cannot be another person or product of a person(s) because as we all know, persons and their products are not indestructible nor eternal.

The only Thing inside myself that I've glimpsed as being indestructible and eternal is the soul. And it might sound crazy but I don't believe it belongs to us. As I watched the soul of my mom depart I felt like a witness to a solar eclipse. A shift of perspective occurred before my eyes that was felt deep in my soul. I was stilled by a familiar presence as it passed before me.

There was light, then shadow, then light again. Some Thing happened that connected with and touched me the viewer. Some Thing was making Itself known again to me; a reminder if you will. It was wonderful. Maybe if we know what it means to die a glorious death we can envision what it means to live a glorious life. 

The article reminds me of a quote I used to put at the bottom of emails. It's from the society called "The Christophers" - A single sunbeam is enough to drive away shadows.

What Took Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain Wasn't Mental Illness  by Caroline D'Agati