this pressed from – BBC Sport – Jimmy Neesham’s bat drilled with holes by US customs officials

BBC Sport – Jimmy Neesham’s bat drilled with holes by US customs officials.

Jimmy Neesham’s bat drilled with holes by US customs officials

New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham had holes drilled into his bat by United States customs officials during an apparent drugs search.

Neesham’s bat showed at least four holes following its brush with customs officials

Neesham, 23, was travelling in America with Caribbean Premier League side Guyana Amazon Warriors when his bat was inspected on Thursday.

The ruined bat was returned to Neesham, who posted a picture of it on Twitter. 

“Imagine if your gear went through America and they drilled holes in your bat to look for drugs,” he said.

There is no suggestion Neesham, who has played four Tests and 11 one-day internationals, was under any suspicion by the customs officials.

While the bat is unlikely to be swung in anger again, it may yet have a future as a museum piece.

Parle moi d’amour Lucienne Boyer and sountrack of Henry and June: make musisc part of your life

Football War Breaks Out in Honduras (1969)

The Football War was a four-day war fought between El Salvador and Honduras. Though political tensions between Hondurans and Salvadorans were the main factors contributing to the war’s outbreak, hostility between the two countries was further inflamed by rioting when they met during a qualifying round for the 1970 FIFA World Cup. Though short-lived, the war claimed thousands of lives and displaced several hundred thousand people. When did the two nations finally sign a peace treaty? More… Discuss

word: ransack

ransack 

Definition:	(verb) To search carefully for plunder; pillage.
Synonyms:	foray, reave, rifle, loot, plunder, strip
Usage:	My apartment looked like a tornado had torn through it after it was ransacked by a band of thieves. Discuss.

Life, poetic thought by George-B (my poetry collection ©ALWAYS)

Life, poetic thought by George-B

I’m strong in my weakness
I’m weak in my strength

I fear no change, I know what to expect
The closer the goals, the longer it takes and
The further it gets and yet
What’s to come, has come and passed,
In the past, like a turning wheel or
A turning page, one of many identical ones,
or
The wind prevailing from the South-West
Most of the time,
I know what’s to come,
From what has been passed…

my strength in my weakness,
my weakness in strength, and yet
still time to live with no regret,
knowing that giving was by far
the conquest

today’s birthday: Jim Thorpe (1888)

Jim Thorpe (1888)

Thorpe was one of the most versatile athletes in modern sports. He won Olympic gold medals in the pentathlon and decathlon, starred in college and professional football, and played basketball and Major League baseball. He lost his Olympic titles, however, when it was discovered that he had played minor league baseball prior to competing, thus violating the amateur status rules. His medals were later restored to him. Legend has it that Thorpe began his athletic career in what casual way? More… Discuss

QUOTATION: H.G. Wells

The uglier a man’s legs are, the better he plays golf—it’s almost a law.

H.G. Wells (1866-1946) Discuss

Impressions from the trail: April – Spring – 2014- A Good Year (photos taken on trails at Puente Hills Nature… (My photo collection)

This gallery contains 11 photos.

Related articles Puente Hills Fault Known Could Cause More Damage Than the ‘Big One’ – Sara Welch Reports

THIS DAY IN THE YESTERYEAR: TIGER WOODS BECOMES YOUNGEST GOLFER TO WIN MASTERS TOURNAMENT (1997)

Tiger Woods Becomes Youngest Golfer to Win Masters Tournament (1997)

Despite recent personal problems that took him off the tour circuit for a time, Eldrick “Tiger” Woods is still considered one of the greatest golfers of all time. In 1997, at the age of 21, he became the youngest player ever to win the Masters Tournament—winning by a record margin of 12 strokes. That same year, he won five other PGA tournaments and became the youngest player ever ranked first in world golf competition. Woods coined the term “Cablinasian” to describe his ethnicity, which is what? More… Discuss

Related articles

• This Day in Black History: April 13, 1997

ARTICLE: AICE HOTELS

Ice Hotels

Ice hotels are temporary buildings made entirely out of snow and sculpted ice. They are built each year in the coldest regions of the world as a way to attract vacationers, who pay for the privilege of spending a night surrounded by ice in near-freezing temperatures, dining on ice tables, drinking from ice glasses, sitting on ice chairs, and sleeping on ice beds. The world’s first ice hotel was built in Sweden in 1990, but it was not originally intended for that purpose. What was it meant for? More… Discuss

ARTICLE: CURLING

Curling

Curling is a team sport in which players slide heavy stones with handles toward a target or “tee.” The stones closest to the tee at the end of play earn points. After a stone is hurled, players called “sweepers” use special brooms to sweep the ice ahead of the stone. This affords them some measure of control over the stone’s trajectory and allows them to get it closer to the tee or even knock away or block the opposing team’s stones. Though curling is very popular in Canada, it originated where? More…

Related articles

• What is Curling? and How to Pretend to Understand it
• Everything you ever wanted to know about curling
• Let’s Sweep the Ice!
• The Ultimate Curling Playlist

 

TODAY’S HOLIDAY: FIESTA DE LOS VAQUEROS

Fiesta de los Vaqueros

This weeklong event in Tucson, Arizona, features the “world’s longest non-motorized parade” and the largest outdoor midwinter rodeo in the United States. The fiesta starts with the parade—a two-mile-long procession of more than 200 entries, including old horse-drawn vehicles such as buckboards, surreys, and Conestoga wagons. The eight days of rodeo include the standard events, as well as daily Mutton Bustin’ contests. In these, four- to six-year-olds test their riding skills on sheep. There are also demonstrations by the Quadrille de Mujeres, a women’s precision-riding team. More… Discuss

 

THIS DAY IN THE YESTERYEAR: ENTIRE US FIGURE SKATING TEAM KILLED IN PLANE CRASH (1961)

Entire US Figure Skating Team Killed in Plane Crash (1961)

February 15, 1961, was a dark day in figure skating history. On that day, 72 people, including all 18 members of the US Figure Skating team and 16 family members, coaches, and skating officials, died when their flight from New York to Brussels went down in a field just miles from its destination. A farm worker on the ground also perished. The skaters had been en route to the 1961 World Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia. What did the event’s organizers do to honor the dead athletes? More… Discuss

 

WORD: ARDOR

ardor 

Definition:	(noun) Feelings of great warmth and intensity.
Synonyms:	fervency, fire
Usage:	He spoke with great ardor at the rally, inspiring the crowd with his passionate words. Discuss.

 

ARTICLE: THE LONGEST PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL GAME

The Longest Professional Baseball Game

When players from the minor-league baseball teams the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Rochester Red Wings took the field at around 8 PM on April 18, 1981, they had no idea they would soon be making history. With the score tied, play continued into the frigid morning. Players burned broken bats for warmth, and the 1,740 fans in attendance dwindled to 19. The game was finally called at 4:07 AM after eight hours—and 32 innings. When the game resumed two months later, it took Pawtucket how long to win? More… Discuss

 

Adventurer Account, by George-B

Adventurer Account, by George-B

I have been walking Northbound
until there was no mere North to go to
and then I took the opposite direction,
found myself upside down hanging by
the branches of the Southern tree…
I was by exhausted,
hungry,
unshaven…
So I took a long rest
next day
I started west, and kept at it, for a while
and then I hit a bump in the road
at Greenwich
and had to heal my foot…
Then I considered continuing my walk
same direction

Late that year I draw a conclusion
and build a house of red bricks,
a picket fence
a kidney bean pool
a tennis court
a trail with 5 flights of stairs, wooden,
to the sandy beach. 

Today’s Birthday: BERYL MARKHAM (1902)

Beryl Markham (1902)

A British-born Kenyan aviatrix, adventurer, racehorse trainer, and writer, Markham is best remembered for her historic east-to-west solo flight across the North Atlantic in 1936 and for her 1942 memoir West with the Night, which chronicles her many adventures. The book had only modest success at first and soon went out of print, but it was rediscovered and reissued in 1983 and is now considered one of the best adventure books ever written. What controversy arose regarding its authorship? More… Discuss

 

ARM WRESTLING

Arm wrestling is not just a way to settle an argument—it is also a competitive sport. In official contests, two opponents sit facing each other, with hands interlocked and elbows firmly planted on a table surface, and attempt to force the other’s arm down. Strength alone does not make for a successful arm wrestler. The significant twisting force arm wrestling puts on the humerus bone of the upper arm can be quite dangerous, so good technique is also vital. How do arm wrestlers avoid broken arms? More…Discuss

 

Today’s Birthday: ALICE MARBLE (1913)

Alice Marble (1913)

Marble was an American tennis player who began playing at age 15 and rose rapidly in the national tennis rankings after 1931. She won 18 Grand Slam championships: five in singles, six in doubles, and seven in mixed doubles. Her personal life, however, was filled with tragedy and intrigue. Her husband was killed during World War II, just days after Marble had suffered a miscarriage. She attempted suicide but recovered and, in 1945, began spying for US intelligence. What was her mission? More… Discuss

 

Predator Nation on Democracy Now

Predator Nation on Democracy Now (Click to follow the smell of money…)

This Day in the Yesteryear: THE RUNNING OF THE FIRST CHICAGO MARATHON (1977)

The Running of the First Chicago Marathon (1977)

The largest marathon in the world at that time, the first running of the Mayor Daley Marathon—now the Bank of America Chicago Marathon—drew 4,200 participants. Since then it has grown both in size and prestige. The race is now capped at 45,000 runners and is considered one of the world’s most renowned marathons. The 30th anniversary running of the race was unique in several respects. For one thing, it featured a special CEO challenge, and for another, it was halted after just 3 ½ hours. Why? More…

 

Todays Birthday: EMIL ZÁTOPEK (1922)

Emil Zátopek (1922)

Zátopek, the “Czech Locomotive,” was a long-distance runner who won three gold medals at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. He won gold in the 5,000-m and 10,000-m runs, and he amazingly earned gold yet again after deciding at the last minute to compete in the first marathon of his life. His wife, competing in the javelin toss, added a gold medal to the family collection at the same Olympics. Zátopek’s success was likely due to his grueling training methods. What did he wear while training? More… Discuss

 

I am… I shade -_- The Heat is On: Thermography (my photo collection)

I am… I shade -_- The Heat is On (my photo collection)

F.Shubert, Rondo A dur for violin & string, D 438

NCE “Kyiv Soloists”, conductor – B.Kotorovych, soloist – T.Yaropud

This Day in the Yesteryear: DOUBLE EAGLE II BECOMES FIRST BALLOON TO CROSS THE ATLANTIC (1978)

Double Eagle II Becomes First Balloon to Cross the Atlantic (1978)

By 1978, there had been at least 14 failed attempts to cross the Atlantic by balloon, during which five people died. One of the failures was that of the Double Eagle Iin 1977. A year later, however, Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman landed the Double Eagle II in a field in Miserey, France, 137 hours after leaving Presque Isle, Maine. After their successful flight, the trio drew straws to determine who would get to sleep in a bed at the US Embassy once slept in by whom? More… Discuss

 

Paganini Caprices in A Op.1 No.24 – Itzhak Perlman, Violin

In A minor Tema con variazioni
Itzhak Perlman, violin

Borodin In the Steppes of Central Asia – Svetlanov

Borodin: In the Steppes of Central Asia – Musical picture

USSR Symphony Orchestra
Evgeny Svetlanov, conductor
Rec. 1966

The musical picture “In Central Asia” was written in 1880 and premiered in St.Petersburg under Rimsky Korsakov’s baton that year.

USA TODAY -_- Day In Celebrities and Top News

USA TODAY -_- Day In Celebrities and Top News (click to access top news)

Strange Obsessions

From sports to art to personal interests, obsessions commonly drive the way Americans think, act and relate to the world and the people around them. But these obsessions may be a little out of the ordinary.

Quotation: Jerome K. Jerome on Love :)

If you would taste love, drink of the pure stream that youth pours out at your feet. Do not wait till it has become a muddy river before you stoop to catch its waves.

Jerome K. Jerome (1859-1927) Discuss

Oklahoma Catfish Noodlers

Catching fish with your bare hands, or noodling, is a popular pastime in Paul’s Valley, Oklahoma.

Hooked: Return of the Monster Fish :http://channel.nationalgeographic.com…

Liszt – Spanish Rhapsody, S254 (Hough)

Franz Liszt’s sunny Rhapsodie Espagnole, played by Stephen Hough. IMO, this performance is really playful, beautiful and elegant, spiced with the feeling of improvisation, from which this piece is very likely to have come out from beneath Liszt’s fingers.

National Geographic -_ – Pictures We Love -_- June (just a thought: “National Geographic: Geography is our Personality!”

National Geographic -_ – Pictures We Love -_- June

From ProPublica – Remember When the Patriot Act Debate Was All About Library Records?

From ProPublica – Remember When the Patriot Act Debate Was All About Library Records? (Click to access report)

“THE This Day in the Yesteryear: CINDERELLA MAN” BECOMES WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION (1935)

“The Cinderella Man” Becomes World Heavyweight Champion (1935)

For budding boxer James J. Braddock, 1929 was a bad year. The promising pugilist narrowly lost a 15-round championship fight and, months later, the Great Depression struck. Braddock, struggling to support his family and losing many more bouts than he won, eventually gave up boxing to work the docks. In 1934, he returned to the ring, and a year later, he landed a title shot against Max Baer. Braddock was a 10-to-1 underdog but won in a stunning upset. Who beat Braddock for the title in 1937? More… Discuss

 

This Day in the Yesteryear: SECRETARIAT WINS THE TRIPLE CROWN (1973)

Secretariat Wins the Triple Crown (1973)

Thoroughbred racehorse Secretariat was the first US Triple Crown champion in 25 years, setting records in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes that still stand today. In fact, in the 40 years since, only one Derby winner has even come close to matching Secretariat’s time of 1:59.40. Secretariat advanced from last to first to win the Preakness and won the Belmont Stakes by an unprecedented 31 lengths. What controversy arose regarding the time calculations of the 1973 Preakness? More… Discuss

 

This Day in the Yesteryear: PRO WRESTLER OWEN HART FALLS TO HIS DEATH IN THE RING (1999)

Pro Wrestler Owen Hart Falls to His Death in the Ring (1999)

Regardless of whether one considers professional wrestling a sport or merely choreographed entertainment, one cannot deny that wrestlers often risk serious injury in the ring. High-flying stunts and feats of flamboyant showmanship are now par for the course. Tragically, the dangerous nature of wrestling was graphically illustrated in 1999, when Hart, one of professional wrestling’s most respected stars, was killed during a live event. The tragedy unfolded when what stunt went horribly wrong? More… Discuss

Owen James Hart (* May 7 1965 in Calgary , † May 23 1999 in Kansas City ) was a Canadian wrestler . He was the brother of the successful wrestler Bret Hart , son of Stu Hart and brother of Davey Boy Smith and Jim Neidhart . In 1999 he came during a WWF event large enough for a non-secured and failed Stunt killed.

The Long Ships – Golden Bell

Uploaded on Nov 9, 2007

Riding on the success of Richard Fleischer‘s epic, The Vikings, this low-budget offering starring Richard Widmark and Sidney Poitier played it light and humorous. Having found the Mother of Voices (a gigantic golden bell) the Vikings and the Moors attempt to transport it to their ship.

Related articles

• My hero Mr. Sidney Poitier (vstalent.wordpress.com)
• At AFI…the legend of Sidney Poitier (aurorasginjoint.com)
• The dignity of Sidney Poitier (cbsnews.com)
• Sidney Poitier debuts as a novelist with ‘Montaro Caine’ (repeatingislands.com)
• The Sidney Poitier (marlonhall.wordpress.com)

Today’s Birthday: FANNY BLANKERS-KOEN (1918)

Fanny Blankers-Koen (1918)

Representing her native Netherlands, Blankers-Koen made her Olympic debut at the 1936 Berlin Games but failed to medal. Two years later, she set her first world record in track and field. Unfortunately for her, both the 1940 and 1944 Games were cancelled due to WWII, so she had to wait until 1948’s Summer Games in London to compete again. In addition to losing precious years, the athlete gave birth twice in the interim. Still, she went on to win four gold medals in London, earning what nickname? More… Discuss

 

This Day in the Yesteryear: THE TRIPLE SIX FIX (1980)

The Triple Six Fix (1980)

The Triple Six Fix was a plot to rig the Pennsylvania Lottery. Masterminded by Nick Perry, the lottery’s television announcer, the scheme focused on the Daily Number game, in which players pay to select a three-digit number in hopes of matching theirs to the one drawn from a container of numbered ping-pong balls. The balls are selected by a vacuum, so Perry planned to cheat the game by weighting all but two of the balls—numbers four and six—and buying combinations of those numbers. Did it work? More…Discuss

 

Surveillance Video Related to Boston Marathon Bombings (Traditionally, Prestigious International Event, nothing short of a one day Olympic Event ( no security in sights!)

Published on Apr 18, 2013

More at: http://www,fbi.gov/bostonbombings
Submit tips to: https://bostonmarathontip.fbi.gov
Related articles

• Arrest made in Boston marathon bombing, suspect to be brought to court (riehlworldview.com)
• You: No arrests yet in Boston Marathon bombings (latimes.com)
• Boston Marathon Bomb Suspect in Custody (wtvy.com)
• Boston Bombing Investigation [VIDEO] (radio.foxnews.com)
• UPDATE: FBI says no official arrests in Boston bombings (kfor.com)
• FBI scouring surveillance video for clues in Marathon bombing (fsn.typepad.com)
• Boston bombs: Hunt for two men (smh.com.au)

Two Sheds plays “You” : This one goes to you Boston together with our prayers!

Two Sheds plays “You” at Chavez Park on May 22, 2009. Dave Brockman on Drums.

Shotokan Karate-Do J.K.A. – Nakayama Legacy 10/11

Japanese Masters of JKA Japan Karate Association, with stories and explanations of Sensei Masatoshi Nakayama (1913-1987). One of the best video work about Shotokan Karate-Do.

My take on the Shotokan as practice of self discovery and betterment:

A journey into the potential we all have and few further one breath at a time: Karate is about self discovery, to the extend where the most fundamental reaction in others can be predicted, by your own reactions: Because fundamentally we are one.

Find out more about the father of modern karate, and founder of the Shotokan School of martial arts Ghichin Funakoshi at: http://www.gichinfunakoshi.com/gichin.htm

What is Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan): Ultimate martial Art

Taijiquan_Tai chi Chuan

TAI CHI CHUAN FOR HEALTH, COMBAT AND SPIRITUAL CULTIVATION

What does Tai Chi Chuan mean?

Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) is a wonderful martial art. Besides being very effective for combat it is also excellent for health promotion and spiritual cultivation. Many people, however, are not aware of its combative and spiritual aspects. Even those who practise Tai Chi Chuan solely for health often do not get the best benefits of its health aspect. This article will explain why, and suggest ways you may adopt to get more benefits from your Tai Chi Chuan training.

The term ‘Tai Chi Chuan’ is a short form of ‘Taiji quanfa’. ‘Taiji’ is the Chinese word meaning ‘the grand ultimate’ or the cosmos. And ‘quanfa’ means ‘fist techniques’ or martial art. Tai Chi Chuan, therefore, means ‘Cosmos Kungfu‘. Indeed every movement in Tai Chi Chuan is made according to martial considerations, i.e. a Tai Chi Chuan practitioner moves the way he moves in a Tai Chi Chuan performance because that particular way gives him the best technical advantage in a given combat situation. Hence if you say that you practise Tai Chi Chuan for health and not for fighting, you probably do not realize that Tai Chi Chuan actually means Cosmos martial art, and that virtually all great Tai Chi Chuan masters in the past practised it for fighting.
(Read more at: http://www.shaolin-wahnam.org/taichi.html)

Yerba Mate – Friends Share: Did you have your cup of mate today?

Teenagers share drinking mate on a park bench

Never  late to try a cup of Yerba Mate:
Start today!

Today’s Birthday: Annette Kellerman (1887)

Annette Kellerman (1887)

Kellerman was an Australian professional swimmer, vaudeville and film star, and writer. Her 1907 performance of “water ballet” is often credited with popularizing the sport of synchronized swimming. Kellerman was also known for advocating the right of women to wear one-piece bathing suits and was once famously arrested for indecency for doing so herself. In 1908, a Harvard University professor named her the “Perfect Woman” because of the similarity of her physical attributes to what figure? More… Discuss