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Olympia TV Live 11/11/2009

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:26:54 +0000

I went live for the 2nd time this week, and our viewership is growing! The show started off on a more serious note, seeing as I have a deep side. I chose to discuss the subject of "the hater era". This is a term I coined myself, as I often do, but if you want to understand more of what I'm talking about, watch the show. Remember, it's always better live, but I post the show afterward in case you missed it. Enjoy!

Olympia TV Live Trial Run

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:48:13 +0000

Today, I decided to go live online to test the audio and video settings of the new platform I'm using, Livestream.com. I invited viewers to join in, and assist with the test, and to my surprise several of my Twitter and Facebook friends along with teammates, current and former, joined me. There's a chat module attached to the video, so everyone who wanted to join in on the fun, could. I appreciated their comments, and participation in general. Since it was only a trial, I didn't have a plan of attack whatsoever, I just wanted to get up and running. It didn't seem to matter though because we had a blast and didn't run out of things to talk about. Watching the video after the fact, you may not be as entertained as one watching and participating live, but I still chose to post it, for those of you that may want to see what you missed.

President’s Cup Presentation in the City of Mersin

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:24:26 +0000

And the celebration continues. The President’s Cup was indeed a great accomplishment, and since we won in Ankara, Turkey and not in Mersin, we had a pre-game trophy presentation for the fans and city of Mersin to enjoy. We turned down the lights, dropped confetti and ran in as we were individually announced and given flowers. The fans were amazing and we shared the trophy with them by parading it around the arena for them to touch.

After all of the hoopla, it was time for us to play our first regular season game. We won 78-58 vs. Kocaeli, an Istanbul team that just moved into the 1st Division this season. For game stats click here.

Mersin Wins President’s Cup Vs. Fenerbahce 86-74

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:12:19 +0000

I am so very proud to announce that last night, 10/21/09, my basketball team, Mersin Buyuksehir Bld. won the President’s Cup for the first time in history beating Fenerbahce 86-74! The President’s Cup is a huge game to start the Turkish Basketball season between the previous season’s 1st and 2nd place teams. Since we made history last year by taking Mersin to the finals for the 1st time, this was also a historic 1st appearance in the President’s Cup.

Upon arrival in Mersin this year, each player was aware of the magnitude of this game. We were swept in the finals last year, and felt as if we had something to prove. Also, Fenerbahce is the proverbial giant in Turkey because of their huge budget, tendency to keep the same core group of players each season and their dominance in the Turkish league year in and year out. We also really wanted to win because we understood that our coach and organization hand picked each of us, including the returning players, as the personnel that would be able to accomplish the huge task of taking down this giant.

Another Season in Mersin

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:05:57 +0000

I’m excited to be back in Mersin, Turkey playing for Mersin Buyuksehir Belediye Sport Club for another season. Last year, although we fell short of our ultimate dream of winning the Turkish Championship, the organization, city, fans, and the team were overjoyed that we came so close by taking 2nd place. Yes we were pleased with making history for the team, but we definitely weren’t satisfied. At least I wasn’t satisfied. That’s a big reason I’m back. To finish what was started last year, a journey to win it all!

So far, I’ve been here 2 weeks, enough time to get settled-in and to play 4 preseason games. Our team won the Botas Cup in Adana, Turkey, even though we clearly looked like a new team. The Americans on our team are: Barbara Turner, Erlana Larkins, Ivory Latta, Cori Enghusen and myself. Barbara, Cori and I were able to practice together for a week before the Botas tourney, while Erlana only had 1 practice, Ivory, 0. Needless to say, the chemistry wasn’t quite there yet, but the potential has me bubbling over. I know our coach and organization created this team with one thing in mind, winning the Turkish Championship, and I can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Personally, I played OK. I was glad that each game was a progression from the last. The first game I had 6 points and 9 rebounds. The 4th and final game I had 19 points and 14 rebounds. The good thing about our team, similar to last year, is that each game, there will be different people leading the charge. This will make us a tough match for many teams.

We’ll host a Mersin tournament on Oct. 12th-16th. Another opportunity to flex our skills against different opponents. I’m looking forward to it, just like I look forward to practice everyday (except the 12 minute warm-up run LOL), because it’s another opportunity for us to grow into the team we are here to become.

Technorati Tags: women's basketball,Mersin,Turkey,TBBL,Adana,Botas,basketball,WNBA,Europe,Botas Cup

Selective Morality in Sports

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:53:28 +0000

I always find it funny and disturbing, how people have selective morality when it comes to talking about what punishments should be levied against players that get into altercations during sporting events. The events that transpired during the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays game recently, when a bench clearing brawl erupted late in the game, due to pitchers throwing at or behind hitters. I thought how differently that incident is viewed and bantered about on baseball programs, with that of what happens in other sporting arenas when similar events occur. The two main people in the brawl Jorge Posada and Jesse Carlson last night were only suspended 3 games a piece which is laughable. 3 games in a 162 game schedule is like a drop of water in a bucket. The length of suspensions depend on the severity of the incident, but more often than not they don’t exceed 5 games. You can argue that the Yankees are in a race to win the AL East so it affects them greatly, but Posada isn’t a everyday catcher and they’re 6.5 games ahead of second place Boston with 16 games to play as of this being written. Can Boston catch them? Sure, if the Yankees completely tank the rest of the season.

The Curious Case of LaGarrette Blount

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:22:58 +0000

When LaGarrette Blount punched Byron Hout after the Oregon and Boise State game, my initial reaction was wow he’s going to get suspended a couple games. After today’s decision by The University of Oregon to suspend him the rest of the regular and post season was very excessive. I’m not in anyway condoning what took place but the blame for the totality of what happened should be spread around. Hout was the antagonist in the situation. In the video clips it’s very clear he skipped by Blount smacking his pads and saying something while Blount was walking with his head down, that obviously Blount took personally. Only those two know what was actually said, but anyone with any sense at all knows it was something disparaging about how Oregon fared in the game. What Hout said that started the whole fracas is seeming to be pushed aside and a great deal of the blame placed on Hout’s plate. If you haven’t been an athlete competing in a hostile environment or a big game you can’t begin to understand the energy and emotions that run through all players before, during and after the game. In a game that meant so much to both teams, this energy and emotion had been building up since the schedules for both teams came out. So after putting so much preparation, effort and anticipating a great game for months to simply turn it off once the game was done is something that is done differently by each individual player. Which leads me back to Hout had he said and done nothing, then instead of talking about what happened after the game, we’d be talking about what happened during the game. Including how good Boise State’s defense looked, and their chances of going undefeated this season, after dispatching their toughest opponent on paper for the season. Yet here we are.

What was Minnesota Timberwolves GM David Kahn Thinking?

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:23:20 +0000

This week Ricky Rubio, who was the top draft choice this year for the Minnesota Timberwolves decided to stay in his native Spain at least for two more years and play, he made new general manager David Kahn look very foolish for wasting the pick on him. David Kahn the rookie general manager has put his reputation and possibly his job on the line by not putting people around an emerging dominant post player in Al Jefferson. Anyone else reminded of the previous gm Kevin McHale and how he did the same to one Kevin Garnett? McHale had numerous chances to surround Garnett with players that could compliment his perennial all-star power forward. If Kahn isn’t very careful he will doom his current burgeoning star to the same fate as Garnett.

Legacy What Does it Mean and What are its Boundaries in Sports

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:55:14 +0000

Yesterday soon after Brett Farve ended his brief retirement and signed with the Minnesota Vikings, all the talk was has Favre stained or tarnished his legacy by coming back yet again. I will say the Vikings mishandled the situation with all the mixed signals and on again off again deadlines while awaiting a decision from Favre. While the whole process was tedious and reported on almost daily to the point of driving many following or reporting on it crazy. How has what transpired detract from Favre's legacy? Did he somehow lose a big game or throw another interception while trying to be the gunslinger people have exalted him for being? No, he went to a division rival of the former team he will forever be linked with carrying for 17 years and rejuvenating the team and city in the process. Legacy in terms of a player in sports are things a player is remembered for by fans and media and how they are celebrated and remembered. Yet somehow something that really doesn't belong to anyone but athletes, in this case Favre is being negatively talked and bantered about. It's as if everyone but him has a say in how, who and when he should play or not play for. Pundits wondered what it will do to legacy he established with the team that he is a symbol, but didn't want him starting anymore. This is completely the circumstances of today's NFL. No one let alone an iconic figure in the NFL should be judged or told they shouldn't play for a certain team or within a certain division, because it's somehow wrong. If that's the case with that logic no one who had an established career could play anywhere else but where they established themselves. That's utter lunacy.

Mike Vick Signing With Philly, Will it be Good or Bad?

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 06:57:05 +0000

Mike Vike just recently signed a two year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. Yes, the same person guilty and convicted of heinous crimes against animals. Vick's name is very well known in almost all homes nationwide as a supremely talented Pro Bowl quarterback turned unmerciful dog fighter and killer. The latter offense is which he is seemingly most remembered for.

Did Donte Stallworth Receive Too Short of a Jail Sentence?

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:09:25 +0000

Donte Stallworth a wide receiver for the Cleveland Browns has recently been convicted of DUI manslaughter in the state of Florida. This type of offense usually carries a 10-15 year prison sentence, as well as permanent drivers license revocation along with other restrictions and conditions set by the judge upon release from prison. Stallworth received a 30 day jail term, 2 years of house arrest, 8 years of probation, and community service. He also settled a civil suit with the family of the victim for an undisclosed amount. This is ridiculous, he should at least be serving 2-3 years in prison along with all of the other sanctions the judge imposed against him. I can't believe this judgement. You can get 30 days for DUI manslaughter the same as a low level misdemeanor if convicted.

To put Stallworth's sentencing in to perspective, let's look at ongoing case of of Plaxico Burress currently a high profile free agent wide receiver in the NFL. Who's case is in New York City. He shot himself in the leg while in a night club. He with the assistance of another teammate tried to cover up what happened, but weren't able to. Burress has admitted wrong doing and has since been trying come to an acceptable plea with the district attorney so that jail time would be avoided, so he could play possibly this year in the NFL. Burress has conceded to doing a year in jail since the district attorney said jail time will be included in any plea deal. Yet the district attorney wants at least two years in prison. Which would almost certainly put an end to Plaxico's playing days.

The Revealing of the 103 Players That Tested Positive in MLB

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:53:08 +0000

This year's MLB season has be turned on it's ear from the recent unveiling of positive a tests from an"anonymous and private" 2003 banned substances list. The results of the testing revealed three of the galacticos of the current game, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, and Alex Rodriguez had tested positive for performance enhancing drugs or PEDs. The current MLB testing policy wasn't in place until the 2006 season, rendering these tests hollow and void. As heavily as it's scrutinized and reported on, you would think that the players knowingly violated the rules. Not the rules of the United States as relating to illegal steroid use, but what rules MLB had in place, at the time. MLB didn't have steroids, HGH, or many of the other PEDs that are now on the banned list.

Agree 2 Disagree Sports & Current Events Blog

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:46:26 +0000

Agree 2 Disagree is a sports and current events blog, written by Rachman Crable, that's moved here to Olympiahoops.com. Relevant issues that get to the heart of the matter always make for good reading, especially when sports and hot topics are involved! It’s sure to peak your interest whether you agree or Agree 2 Disagree.

Athletes Broadcasting Themselves Without Media Coverage

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:57:41 +0000

In today's fast paced rat race our society more than ever wants all their information immediately and easily accessible. The media outlets have changed with the times giving the public what they want. Some media outlets have used Twitter, Facebook and other social networks to get their consumers exactly what they want and fast. Athletes have followed this trend by giving their fans what they crave multiple daily updates via Tweets or UStream. These forums allow athletes to give fans a different perspective of themselves, outside of giving perfunctory answers that sports interviewers often get. The athletes get to convey how they feel on a myriad of different topics from their normal day to day activities to dancing or giving their takes on what's going on in the sports world.

Olympiahoops.com is a FINALIST For the 2009 Black Weblog Awards

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:12:00 +0000

I’d like to announce that my blog is a FINALIST for the 2009 Black Weblog Awards Best Sports & Recreation Blog.

I’d like to thank all of the readers that voted for my site to make this possible! Your readership and support is greatly appreciated.

Please continue to support my blog/website by voting for me to win a 2009 Black Weblog Award in category # 24 Best SPORTS and RECREATION Blog . Don’t forget, after you vote, check your email to confirm it. Thanks again for your support! To vote CLICKE HERE!

Technorati Tags: Award,2009 BWA,Black Weblog Awards,Website,Blog,Sports,2009 Black Weblog Awards

Time Management and Parenting

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:05:14 +0000

As a busy multi-tasking mom, I'm constantly looking for ways to organize my family life, days, goals, plans, appointments, thoughts…my life in general. Many of my friends who are also parents voice the same concern. The burning question for many, seems to be: "how do I balance parenting with my personal and/or business life?"

Time management for parents is a valuable tool. With all of the resources out there, how does one go about finding the right solution? Is there a solution? I believe there is, unfortunately, it's not a quick fix. To me, the solution may very well be a hodgepodge of the various resources available. I've compiled a list of tips from the information I've found on time management in books and around the internet:

Balancing work and family life is a conscious decision. Understand that balancing family life with the other areas of our lives is a conscious, daily decision, not a timeless state of bliss that we'd love to exist in.
Clarify and prioritize family values. A value is defined as “a principle, standard, or quality considered worthwhile or desired." This is important because our values drive our goals and actions and some values may be in conflict with one another. For example if you believe it's important to get to work early, yet you also don't leave the house until the kitchen is clean, this may cause a conflict. Determining the hierarchy of your values may help determine your actions.
Set realistic goals and expectations and learn to say 'NO'. Understanding that perfection is unattainable, lifts the burden to accomplish everything. With values prioritized, goal setting is easier. Learning to say no is important because we cannot be all things to all people, and our children cannot have everything they want. When we remind ourselves of this, saying no is much easier.
Keep a time diary. Before creating a plan of action and a schedule, some suggest keeping a time diary. I would suggest doing so for a week to really give yourself an opportunity to analyze the rhythm of your days and to see where all of the time has gone. You can take this a step further, as this is your 'pre-planning phase'. You can count the hours in a week and see how many are going towards the different values and goals you have. If you see the imbalance in your time diary, you can plan accordingly. This time diary gives you a visual analysis of your days. This is a task that I have my life coaching clients complete before we begin a program. A very effective tool anyone can use to organize their life.
Create a plan of action/schedule or rituals and routines. Determine the amount of time to allocate to different tasks, appointments and so forth and document them in a central calendar for everyone. Have your own personal and/or business calendar that you keep in sync with this central family calendar. (If the family is completely digital-on computers and smart phones-this may be accomplished through a free online shared calendaring system like Google Calendar). Creating rituals and routines in your household is helpful because children respond well to them. This also allows for daily tasks like getting ready for bed or school to be accomplished quicker because the rhythm of a routine has been established.
Manage distractions. Distractions like the phone, internet, or TV. When in the midst of completing a task, the phone rings. Do you answer it? Not every call needs to be answered immediately. With caller ID, and voicemail, you're never out of the loop, so if necessary, instead of answering a call, completing tasks or continuing with family fun time, is a good idea.
Build a support team. Teach your children tasks, and delegate throughout the family. There's nothing like teamwork!
Be flexible. Just because you have an amazing plan of action, doesn't mean it will happen. Life happens!
Keep work at work and home at home. By separating the two, you are able to focus on each one within the allotted time.
Schedule down-time for yourself. Everyone needs a recharge. And just as children benefit from routines, so do we, especially if we know it's sit back and relax time!

Do you have any time management tips you'd like to share?

Via Super Parenting Social Network

Technorati Tags: Parenting,Time-Management,scheduling,calendar,family,balance,life

Getting Back to Nature in 25 Hours

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:23:05 +0000

With all of the technological innovation going on, we’re becoming more and more glued to our seats. Thanks to the internet, the world is at our fingertips. While this statement holds true, the world is…out there. It’s outdoors, and many of us are missing it. I know I find myself online or on my computer busy at work, trying to change the world one keystroke at a time for hours or days on end. I have to force myself to leave technology behind sometimes, so that my family and I may truly enjoy the time we are spending together, outdoors.

What prompted this ‘ode to mother nature’? I’ll tell you. Some of you may already know that I took a very long drive yesterday. 25 hours from Sioux Falls, SD to Los Angeles, CA. My fiancé Rock and I split the time between us, not evenly, but close enough. Other than the gas and bathroom breaks, we drove straight through. I couldn’t help but stare at nature and the sky out the window, thinking about the beauty of America. We have so many different climates. I wish we weren’t so anxious to return to LA because I would have really liked to stop and take pictures of several of the places we drove through.

Olympia is Blogging for Yardbarker

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:04:03 +0000

If you’re a true sports aficionado, you’re either already on Yardbarker.com or you should be. It’s where everyone’s an insider. Athletes, bloggers and sports fans all hang out spreading sports news, debating issues, or just soaking up a sports ambience through videos, photos, articles, blogs, comments, and discussions.

Michael Jackson: A lesson in Legacy

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:23:16 +0000

Whenever someone close to us or famous passes away, we are reminded of how precious this gift called life can be. We are reminded that we are on borrowed time and to cherish every moment. Michael Joseph Jackson, God bless his soul, lived August 29, 1958 to June 25, 2009. His time here on earth, was a gift to not only his family and friends, but to ~~an entire generation~~ many generations. His life was a gift to the history of music…to our own personal histories. Most of us can recall a memory linked to at least one Michael Jackson song. We remember watching the full length Thriller video and imitating the zombies dance routine; loving how he glided across the lit-up dance floor in Billie Jean; feeling awestruck by little Michael and his brothers while he showed why he was the lead singer; learning the new dance step he introduced in Remember the Time; or countless other songs and memories. Even my 10 year old daughter was moved by his life and music, and he hadn’t produced a record since she was 2.

Say it Again Sam!

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:28:57 +0000

I’m one of those people who likes to reiterate what I say. I drive a point home when I believe that there’s a message attached for us to learn from. I view life’s journey as a series of lessons we are learning in accordance to our specific purpose. We must learn the lessons that will enable and strengthen us to do what it is we are here to do in our lifetime. Just as students in a class have a teacher, a book has an author, a TV show has an MC, I believe that I’m here to pass along a message. That I’m a messenger of sorts. I think my message is tied to my experiences, as I see them. A bunch of lessons along a path…toward my destiny.