Nnamdi Signs With Eagles

Oakland Raiders 2003 1st round draft pick, Nnamdi Asomugha, has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. The four-time pro bowl cornerback out of Cal is leaving the Bay Area Nest and as BB King once said:

And now that it's over

All I can do is wish you well

We Raiders fans have nothing but love for Nnamdi and wish him all the best on the east coast. But they'll never love you like we do Nnamdi, remember that.

Nnamdi joins a defensive backfield loaded with stars. It appears that Philly will have one heck of a squad this season.

Congratulations Nnamdi and Thanks for hanging with the silver & black through the rough years!

Mets Spikes Under A Giants Uniform

San Francisco Giants right fielder Carlos Beltran dives to catch a popout by Philadelphia Phillies' Jimmy Rollins in the fifth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, July 28, 2011, in Philadelphia. San Francisco won 4-1. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

New Giants outfielder Carlos Beltran debuted in Philadelphia tonight. His sliding catch in shallow center field revealed he hasn't had time to get fitted for San Francisco orange & black spikes. But that's okay, he brings a winning presence as the Giants took the game and the series.

Meanwhile, it seems Phllies' manager Charlie Manuel, along with many of their fans, are finding the recent Giants domination of their team impossible to believe. Philly came into the 2010 NLCS against the Giants just as they came into this week's three game series; addicted to their own self importance. They've lost both series and still see it as a kind of fluke.

Their denial of the Giants legitimacy as champions is as strong as that of an illegal substance or alcohol abuser. Will someone please tell them recovery begins with admitting you have a problem!

"They're not in our heads," he said. "I don't think so. Really, I don't think so at all. It's just the fact we've got to get after them."

Phillies Manager Charles Fuqua Manuel, Jr.

Champions Welcome Carlos Beltran

While the World Series Champions were putting down the Phillies 2-1 in Philadelphia today, the front office was dealing to pave the way for Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran to join the champs, pronto.

The deal is done and becomes official in 24hrs. The much needed slugger is expected to help the San Francisco Giants make a legitimate run at repeating as National League & World Series Champions. They gave up pitching prospect Zach Wheeler and cash for for the 13-year veteran.

My judgement of Beltran's acquisition is still a wait-n-see call. My message to the veteran slugger is this:

Now that you've joined a champion its expected you play like one. Play Ball!

Carlos Beltran #15(RF)

34 years old

Throws Right

Switch Batter

-2011 stats to date-

.289 Avg

102 Hits

30 2B *

2 3B

15 HR *

66 RBI *

60 BB *

61 SO *

* Team Leading Stat

Giants vs Phillies Game Recap 7/27/11

PHILADELPHIA -- As he did last October, Matt Cain muzzled the Philadelphia Phillies, limiting them to four hits in seven-plus innings Wednesday night as the Giants captured a 2-1 decision.

A Citizens Bank Park Giants Moment

Making The Cut

The Raiders should take a page from their Raiderette cheerleading squad when it comes to keeping certain free agents. Some are just too gorgeous to let go of.

Take for instance Oakland Raiderette Voz Davis shown above. Voz is back for her third season with Football’s Fabulous Females. A recent graduate of the University of California – Berkeley, Voz now works for her alma mater in the sociology department. Voz aspires to become a criminal defense attorney.

What billionaire in their right mind would part ways with such a lovely creature?

Listen to Voz chat about her life as a cheerleader in the NFL: link

Listen to internet radio with NexxLegacy on Blog Talk Radio

NFL Lockout I$ Over

It was a tightly fought game between the Billionaires and Millionaires that went into sudden death. The two teams finally agreed to a 10-year contract today, making 2011 the football season that almost wasn't.

The millionaires say it wasn't about the money. The billionaires have no qualms about their desire for a bigger piece of the revenue pie.

I hope both teams feel they came out of this near sports disaster with some of what it was they didn't have before the lockout. Lord forbid some squeaky lawyer catches a contract oversight and nullifies the last hour deal.

Hurry, Let's play some football!

Movie Review: Storm Warning

By W. Powell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME) This review is from: Storm Warning (DVD)
All in all not a bad movie to watch given it was made in 1950. The beginning has a great film-noir style setup with dark themes and scenes. But then actor Ronald Reagan enters as a wannabe tough guy in the role of detective/prosecutor and the hitchcock type magic is lost. It was like watching a mediocre magician's act, where you know the outcome of the trick but you watch anyway hoping this time the magician surprises you with a new twist on the outcome.

Good acting by Ginger Rogers probably saved this movie from being a complete flop. Though the movie attempted to expose and belittle the white supremacist ku klux klan organization and its hold on a small town, the main focus was on Rogers as a concerned sister reluctant to indict her sister's husband (a klan member) for a crime she witnessed him commit. Yes, its a crime detective story where you know who did it and why before the detective does.

This movie might've been ahead of its time in dealing with a serious american terrorist issue, but by depicting the root of this klan klavern as a few crazed and corrupt individuals, it gives the dangerously misleading perception of civic and community innocence when it came to klan activity. But give hollywood credit, their history of pulling a rabbit out of a hat and convincing viewers that its real has stood the test of time.

"Storm Warning" would've made a better book. I'm currently reading "Blood Justice" by Howard Smead. Its the true story of the 1959 Lynching of Mack Charles Parker in Mississippi. It doesn't appear there will be any rabbit popping out of a hat in this tell all book. Real mob justice engulfs with rage and fear the entire town it proposes to protect and defend.

Review of Harlem Hit

5.0 out of 5 stars

A Hit Man To Die For - Loved It!, July 19, 2011

By

W. Powell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Harlem Hit (Radcliff No. 1) (Paperback)

The story itself might be from the 1970's blaxploitation era, but the writing is definitely not. The author describes the times, peoples and places in such matter of fact manner that you easily get the picture. Many books like this overdo it with funky cliche's and over the top early 70's jive talking, but in Harlem Hit you'll find very little of that. Not only does the story get you thinking smart like a hitman, you also feel good when.......taking out the trash.

I thought it possible that the author could've been a non-black because of some of the language and actions, but that doesn't make the story any less thrilling.

Here you have a bad ass professional hitman code-named Radcliff doing what he's paid to do, clean up trash. He learned how to kill while serving in Vietnam, calculating that uncle sam's pay added up to about $50 a head. Radcliff figured he could make bigger profits using his talents back home against underworld figures. In "Harlem Hit" you'll find Radcliff back home with "Baby,"his weapon of choice, battling street punks, underworld thugs, a shady Harlem leader and police. He does this for the bread (money), because when off-duty his silky lifestyle calls for fine women of different shades.

I did not expect this story to be so thrilling. Rooting for Radcliff gave a much needed boost to my summer selection of books.

excerpt from Harlem Hit -
"Then get the tear gas ready. We gotta flush that bastard out before he knocks off half the city. Tell the men not to take any chances; that sonuvabitch has sent too many people to hell in the last twenty-four hours!"

Cruel Lawyer Joke. Well, Maybe Not!

A blind bunny and a blind snake were born at the same time, and grew up together, becoming the best of friends. Neither one knew what kind of creature the other one was, and one day decided to touch each other and describe the sensations. The snake went first - "You're all furry, have two ears and a fluffy little tail." The bunny was overjoyed, shouting, "I'm a bunny, I'm a bunny!" Then the bunny felt the snake - "You've got slimy skin, beady eyes and a forked tongue." The snake moaned, "Oh, no, I must be a lawyer..."

Inspector Salvo Montalbano

"Il commissario Montalbano" Il gioco delle tre carte (original title) 2006

translates to: three card game play

I stumbled across this episode of Detective Salvo Montalbano (season 6 episode 2) and have become an instant fan of the series. This show is everything that detective shows in the U.S. use to be; suspenseful and hypnotizing with a cast of characters that move the story along in a very convincing and sometimes humorous way.

The main character, played by actor Luca Zingaretti, plays the lead inspector role to perfection with smart determination.

The crisp Sicilian cinematography is off the charts with authentic scenes of village architecture, inhabitants and surrounding landscape. There's no shooting, no car chases, no beat downs or violent acts of any kind. It’s just one suspicious death that sends curious detective Salvo's investigation down a series of corridors toward the discovery of truth.

The whodunit keeps you wondering throughout with an ending that's so incredible it'll have you applauding, at least I did. I hope to see more episodes of this sensational series and definitely plan to watch this episode again.

As for the "women" part in my review title (wine, women and wonderful suspense,) there's a beautifully shot scene with actress Barbara Tabita in a taut pink dress, walking past the inspector and his assistant so provocatively that no man can deny nor resist the power of a seductive woman. Salutari!
Sicilian with English subtitles version

Blog Break

Sorry Joey, Kobayashi Owns 2011 Title

The Nathans Hotdog Eating contest for this July 4th was won by Joey "Jaws" Chestnut of San Jose, Calif., but it was an unofficial holiday hotdog eater that scored the most points with fans this year.

The eating tsunami from Japan is back. Takeru Kobayashi didn't want Nathan's getting all the glory and money from this year's event, so he staged his own simulcast event atop a New York City rooftop. Not only did he break Joey Jaws 2009 record of 68 hotdogs in 10 minutes, he outdid the Nathan's champ by seven hotdogs today to become "Disputed Hotdog Eating Champion of 2011."

It takes a champion like Kobayashi to screw the big business event organizers and maintain his image as a champion of the people. It appears that Nathan's wanted to screw Kobayashi in contract negotiations, so the Tsunami simply went James Brown Soul on Nathan's with an "I'm about ready to get up and do my thang," and did.

Not to take anything away from Joey Jaws, but in upstaging Nathan's with an event of his own, simulcast at the same time as the annual Coney Island 4th of July event, Kobayashi won more than any mustard-yellow belt could ever represent; the Tsunami won street cred!

Hardest Working Man in Eating Competion Unleashed

Major League Baseball Franchise Files For Broke

It's something I always said I wouldn't wish on my worse enemy. Oh well, so much for enemy wishes. Just so happens that today my worse enemy in baseball experienced the wrath of double-dipping financial management. Yes indeed, the once proud franchise known as the Los Angeles Dodgers are now under Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection, a historic event.

Nobody here in the land of World Series Champion Giants are shedding any tears for the bums in blue. What did they expect representing the land of make believe and plastic people, that it would last forever?

My only concern is that the franchise I've loved to hate might relocate, leaving us Giants fans without a team to curse and wish bad omens on. Guess that bottle of voodoo juice I opened on the Dodgers early in the season actually worked. As with Kobe and the Lakers, the Dodgers have been made helpless and are no longer relevant. Stick a fork in them, they're done!

Happy Fathers Day

For Years I was afraid of You

But now I know better

You were just protecting what You Loved

From being harmed

I love You for giving Me that hereditary trait

I pray I can stand as strong as long as You have Father

Happy Father's Day

Your Youngest Son

I wrote this for my father for Father's Day some ten or more years ago, sending it pasted inside the card shown above. The card's princely picture captured everything I felt my father stood for during my childhood; guardianship, loyalty, dedication, duty and all that goes with overseeing a kingdom built from scratch.

My father may not have been a king of royal blood, nor was our home a palace full of material riches, but he was royal in his pride of family and you couldn't tell him his home was anything but a castle. Of all the riches he earned for his family there is one that will never lose its value; Respect.

Though he passed away two years ago, and I had many Father's Days in between to bond and enjoy his booming voice, I always return to the Father's Day I gave him this card and poem. For it was on this Father's Day that I first saw the love of a child melt a man with the heart of a lion and bring him to tears; tears of true accomplishment. My father stood guard long enough to see his son become a respectful man.

One of the greatest joys of fatherhood is receiving confirmation of love, honor and respect from his child. These I'll never stop showing you Dad.

Happy Father's Day

INTERMISSION

Taking an intermission break from Sports Blogging.

Okay, So Dirk Can Ball

Battling flu-like symptoms Dirk Nowitzki played one helluva game of basketball in leading his Dallas Mavericks over the Miamia Heat in game four 86-83. The fix may be in for this finals series, now tied at 2-2, to go seven games, but Dirk is playing every game like its the last. The big guy seems determined to hoist the championship trophy even with the odds against it happening.

Miami's D'wade is also playing like an all-star, making shots and scoring like there's no tomorrow. Wade had Chris Bosh as a sidekick and Dirk had Jason Terry ratcheting up his game. So guess who's missing on the all-star highlight film? Yep, the MJ of this century, Lebron James.

Player POS MIN FGM-A 3GM-A FTM-A O D T AST PF ST TO BS PTS LeBron James F 45:43 3-11 0-3 2-4 3 6 9 7 4 2 4 0 8

The King simply disappeared down the stretch when Miami could've used that Jordanesque jumper or steal. Is it possible that The King is 'on the take' and controlling the game in ways only a gambler could imagine? I know, I know, he's as ringless a Nowitzki and needs one bad if he wants to continue wearing the crown. But looking at his performance last night I'd say something more than the Dallas Mavericks kept Lebron from being a factor in the game.

I shouldn't and might regret implying it, but must report what I and a few other conspiracy theorists have been thinking of these NBA Finals.

Say It Ain't So Lebron! Say It Ain't So!

Did U Know: Former Golden State Warrior Erick Dampier along with Eddie House are on the Mavericks roster but were scratched for this game?

SF Giants Keep Fans Up Past Midnight

Freddy Sanchez is mobbed after his game-winning single in the 13th inning.

Forget that I'm writing this a day later, after a 2-1 Giants loss to the same Washington Senators. Last night's 13-inning Giants comeback win (SF 5 Wsh 4) was as special as any this season. Sure the bats continue to struggle, but we fans know that if we hang in there with the team they'll reward us more times than not.

The call by Dwayne Kuiper when Freddy Sanchez smacked a base hit to bring the winning run home for the Champions brought back memories of the 2010 post season run. Yes my friends, a world series title is truly the gift that keeps on giving. This Giants season is so special for us San Francisco fans simply because we waited so long and are not ready to let the party end. Ever!

So on night's like last night, when you're staying up late struggling to make it with your team to the bottom of the 13th inning, the reward of a walk-off win is more than just a win; its a continuation of a remarkable era of Giants baseball. And you watch because you don't want it to end and when it does, as all dreams must end, you've got the memories, the trophy and the ring to make it legendary.

Today's Not A Good Day To Die!

You've heard news reports of sanitation worker union strikes, nurses' union strikes, hotel union strikes and even professional sports (NFL) union lockout type strikes. Well today's union striking news is just wrong; dead wrong.

A grave diggers' union, along with other cemetery personnel at Colma's Woodlawn Memorial Park in California has put down the shovel and taken up the picket sign in a dispute with owner's over pay decreases, pension replacement and increased health insurance contributions.

Immediately I chose to side with the gravediggers. I know businesses must tighten their budgets in this economic downturn, but when Houston Service Corporation International, the largest cemetery company in the United States and owner of Woodlawn, cleared net profits of $126 million in 2010, I say they can afford to continue providing for the workers that make it all possible. Shucks, the CEO only pocketed $2.65 million in that profitable year, compared to Goldman Sachs that's janitor's pay. Why not continue spreading the wealth amongst all?

In the meantime, Union Representatives for Local Union 265 of the Service Employees International Union, are continuing talks with the corporate owners while employees walk picket lines at the entrance to the cemetery grounds.

The corporate owners have brought in non-union (SCAB) workers to do the digging and keep the grounds looking.........undisturbed and peaceful. But this fight is in the early rounds and I suspect the gravediggers aren't planning to roll over and give in to corporate pressure. Nobody's gonna 'stiff' them out of anything.

There are 16 other cemeteries in Colma which service the San Francisco Bay Area. Woodlawn has the only non-local owner after being sold in 1997. Figures that only an out-of-towner would be so inconsiderate and disrespectful of workers who provide a unique service to humanity. A service mind you, that a large majority of us will come to use one day.

Just pray that day don't come anytime soon or you might find yourself or a deceased loved one in a shallow grave, tilting towards hell after heavy rains soak the unlevel burial ground. Let Us Pray!

In Colma, cemetery workers picket over pay cuts

A Monday Morning Quote

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." --Bertrand Russell

NBA FIX?

I'd turned the game off after watching a gazillion replays of the Chris Bosh put back slam with maybe seven minutes left on the clock. Somewhere in between replays, Dwayne Wade extended the Maimi Heat's lead with a three pointer, making it 88-73.

After texting a cousin of mine about the mismatch on the court I get this reply back:

"It's like a grown man with his hand on a child's head, while the child is just swinging trying to make contact. It's OVER!!!! :'(

That child my cousin was texting about was the Dallas Mavericks at that point of the game. They looked completely overmatched by the Harlem Globetrotting Miami Heat squad of Wade, Bosh and King James.

Then I awake this morning to news about the miraculous Nowitzki and company comeback to "stun" Miami. I think this can't be, I must still be dreaming, I pinch myself and run out for a newspaper and coffee. Sure enough, there's a pic of Dirk pumping his fist with D'Wade lying on his back on the floor, like he'd been knocked the freak out and couldn't answer the bell.

Don't get me wrong, I wanted to see a competitive NBA finals as much as the next guy, but at the expense of the Heat taking a dive in a game they had to work at to lose? No Thanks.

I've voiced my suspicions before about today's sports competitions and the money behind the machine. While we fans become somewhat blinded by our allegiance to the sport or a team, there are happenings taking place that defy logic in the outcome of many a sporting event. Even seeing my Giants win the World Series was something I and every Giants fan felt defied logic. But we'll take it, we're fans.

Here's a good example, take the Indy 500 race this past weekend. A youngster (23 year old J R Hildebrand) is rounding his final curve in a sure fire upset of the racing field only to smack into the wall and slither home in second place. In the same race female driver Danica Patrick led the field for 10 laps, a first for any woman.

I'm sure the kid wanted to win that race, but somehow it wasn't in the cards for him. Was it his over enthusiasm in being so close or was it someone in the pit making sure he wouldn't cross the finish line first? In either case, someone won loads of money while someone lost a bit. As for Danica, maybe she's earned her accomplishments, but the thought of Nascar attracting more female fans, which equals female dollars from marketing Danica, sure makes for seeing to it that she races well. Both these incidents made for high drama in the race, which truly hooks viewers.

So Game 3 of the NBA Finals is this Sunday in Dallas,Texas. The Heat and Mavericks are tied at one game apiece. Because of last night's dive the networks are guaranteed the airing of three games from Dallas. I have a hunch they'll be airing from Miami before this series is over, and not because the Mavericks are so competitive a team.

The Fix Is In!

Maybe I just read a bit too much and have what's called an "overactive imagination."

But then again..........Miami loses to Dirk in final minutes???????

Come'on Man!

'CYMOTRICHOUS'

Again: CYMOTRICHOUS

That my friends is why 14-year-old eighth grader Sukanya Roy of South Abington Township, Pa., is hoisting the winner's trophy and your not. This young lady survived the brutal, stress-filled, 15 round competition we've all participated in at some level once upon a time.

Sukanya is the 2011 National Spelling Bee Champion, out-spelling 274 contestants. Imagine, you've gone 14 rounds, now there's only one brash 12-year old from Canada standing between you and the national crown. Wait a minute! What's a canadian doing competing in "Our" national spelling bee?

Puts more pressure on Sukanya to win one for the nation. Oh well! As fate would have it, the Canadian falters and your up to take a swing for the walk-off.

You approach the podium, the same podium that kids have been known to faint at. The moment is silent and tense as your body tingles with cold perspiration. From the speakers you hear a cold, composed voice speak the word you're to spell.

CYMOTRICHOUS

You nail it!

When asked about her accomplishment, winning the 84th Scripps Tournament, Sukanya had this to say:

"I went through the dictionary once or twice, and I guess some of the words really stuck."

Sukanya tied for 12th in 2009 and 20th in 2010. Not only can she spell, but she has the persistence of a champion. Never Give Up.

CYMOTRICHOUS - relating to wavy hair