Sunday, October 31, 2010
POP SHOP/THE GIRL NEXT DOOR
"Fatigués des BB Brunes, Plasticines et autres groupes baby rock parisiens surfaits ? Et bien j'ai ce qu'il vous faut. [...] " = http://thegndblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/jukebox-3-mondrian.html.
Pro Team rumores Paintball, Parte 2
PRO Paintball Team Rumors, Part 2 PRO rumores Paintball Team, Parte 2
PRO Paintball teams across the country are working on deals for the 2011 season. equipos profesionales de Paintball en todo el país están trabajando en ofertas para la temporada 2011. Read on as we share the latest paintball news & gossip surrounding Sacramento XSV and the Philadelphia All Americans. Lea sobre como compartir las últimas noticias y chismes que rodean paintball Sacramento XSV y los estadounidenses de Filadelfia todo.
Sacramento XSV Sacramento XSV
PRO Paintball insiders report that Shawn Walker (of NPPL and RPL fame) is in negotiations with Rich Telford . Paintball PRO privilegiada informe que Shawn Walker (de NPPL y la fama RPL) está en negociaciones con ricos Telford . Word is Shawn & DGX paintball would like to buy an ownership position in Sacramento XSV. La palabra de paintball Shawn y DGX gustaría comprar una posición de propiedad en Sacramento XSV. Rich Telford would continue to Captain and field the pro team and all final team-oriented decision making would remain with him. Rica Telford seguiría al capitán y el campo del equipo profesional y todas las decisiones finales en equipo orientado quedaría con él. Sources suggest Shawn is interested in leveraging the Sacramento XSV brand to draw outside sponsors into paintball to support his league and XSV. Algunas fuentes sugieren Shawn está interesado en aprovechar la marca de Sacramento XSV sacar patrocinadores del exterior en el paintball para mantener a su liga y XSV. DGX Paintball is Planet Eclipse West Coast Service Center. Paintball es DGX Planet Eclipse Costa Oeste Centro de Servicio. DGX's involvement signifies that a deal with Planet Eclipse is a possibility for the 2011 season. participación de DGX significa que un acuerdo con Planet Eclipse es una posibilidad para la temporada 2011. Shawn Walker runs the RPL paintball league and has partnered with Sacramento XSV to reff his events and provide clinics for players. Shawn Walker se ejecuta la liga de paintball RPL y se ha asociado con Sacramento XSV reff a sus eventos y ofrecer clínicas para los jugadores. We expect that with Shawn involved in ownership and potentially funding the team that the players would continue to work with his RPL paintball series. Esperamos que con Shawn involucrados en la propiedad y, potencialmente, la financiación del equipo que los jugadores se continuará trabajando con su serie de paintball RPL.
Sacramento XSV skipped PSP World Cup due to lack of funds. Sacramento XSV saltado PSP Copa del Mundo debido a la falta de fondos. The team has indicated that they will be competing in one of the two pro paintball series in the 2011 season but as of writing no decision has been reached. El equipo ha indicado que estarán compitiendo en una de las dos series de paintball profesional en la temporada 2011, pero de ninguna decisión por escrito se ha llegado. In Monday's NPPL Rumor report , we mentioned that the RPL would be a feeder series to the NPPL. En la NPPL Lunes informe Rumor , mencionamos que el RPL sería una antesala a la NPPL. Based on the above information, our guess is that XSV will be competing in the NPPL in 2010. Con base en la información anterior, nuestra hipótesis es que XSV estarán compitiendo en la NPPL en 2010.
Pittsburg All Americans Pittsburg Todos los estadounidenses
Adam and Billy Gardner were spotted at PSP World Cup making their rounds and talking to several big players in the paintball industry. Adán y Billy Gardner fueron vistos en PSP la Copa del Mundo haciendo sus rondas y hablando con varios grandes actores de la industria del paintball. According to sources, the Gardners are interested in bringing back the Pittsburg All Americans. Según las fuentes, los Gardner está interesado en traer de vuelta a los estadounidenses de Pittsburg todo. After the Smart Parts bankruptcy the Gardners went off the radar, presumably to focus on rebuilding their paintball business. Después de la quiebra de Smart Parts los Gardner se salió del radar, presumiblemente para centrarse en la reconstrucción de su negocio de paintball. World Cup 2010 saw the re-introduction of the Luxe paintball gun with several improvements. Copa del Mundo de 2010 vio la re-introducción de la pistola de paintball Luxe con varias mejoras. Long time All American player Darryl Trent has been a major player behind the scenes at DLX. Largo tiempo de All-American jugador Darryl Trent ha sido un jugador importante detrás de las escenas en DLX. He has been hard at work developing a Luxe 2.0 and another DLX marker and we anticipate that he will be very much involved should a revival of the All Americans come to fruition. Él ha estado trabajando duro para desarrollar un Luxe 2.0 y otro marcador DLX y anticipamos que va a ser muy involucrado debe el renacimiento de los americanos Todos vienen a la fruición.
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Stay tuned for part 3 of our PRO Paintball Rumor Report as we share the latest rumors and news surrounding Chicago Aftershock , San Diego Dynasty , Tampa Bay Damage , San Antonio X-Factor and many more. Manténgase en sintonía para la parte 3 de nuestro PRO Paintball Rumor Reporte compartimos los últimos rumores y noticias en torno a Réplica Chicago , San Diego dinastía , Tampa Bay daños , San Antonio de Factor X y muchos más.
Noticias Paintball PRO y rumores, Parte 1
Newport Entourage Newport Entourage
Rumor has it that Rodney has been trying to merge Entourage with another Xball team for 2011. Se rumorea que Rodney ha estado tratando de combinar Entourage con otro equipo Xball para el 2011. PRO Paintball insiders suggest that Rodney first attempted to work a deal with Dynasty but moved on when he learned that the team has well over 10 players. iniciados PRO Paintball sugieren que Rodney primer intento de trabajar a un acuerdo con la dinastía, pero se mudó en cuando se enteró de que el equipo tiene más de 10 jugadores. Sources report that an Entourage and Ironmen merger is on the table. Las fuentes informan que una fusión Entourage y Ironmen está sobre la mesa. A potential merger would combine the strength and experience of veteran Ironmen players with the speed and agility of Entourage players. Una posible fusión que combina la fuerza y la experiencia de jugadores veteranos de triatletas con la velocidad y la agilidad de los jugadores de Entourage. It is worth noting that Kevin “SK” Bredthauer, Rodney's friend and former teammate on Dynasty, is coaching the Ironmen and this could increase the potential odds for a merger. Cabe destacar que Kevin "SK" Bredthauer, amigo de Rodney y ex compañero de equipo en la dinastía, es entrenar a los triatletas y esto podría aumentar las posibilidades potenciales para una fusión. That is of course if Dave Youngblood signs off on it. Eso es, por supuesto, si Dave Youngblood signos de descuento en la misma.
Los Angeles Ironmen Los Angeles Ironmen
Sources around the Ironmen camp suggest that 2011 will be a new year for the men. Fuentes de todo el campo de Ironmen sugieren que 2011 será un nuevo año para los hombres. PRO Paintball insiders suggest that the Ironmen will be refocusing on local players in an effort to reduce cost and build the program. iniciados PRO Paintball sugieren que la Ironmen será volver a centrarse en los agentes locales en un esfuerzo por reducir costos y crear el programa. The first player released from contract was Ryan Cohen and we expect a few more cuts are in the works. El primer jugador liberado de contrato Ryan Cohen y esperamos unos cortes más se encuentran en las obras. As of writing their is no word as to what Oliver Lang will be doing. A partir de su escritura no es la palabra en cuanto a lo Oliver Lang va a hacer.
Russian Legion Rusia Legión
The Russians dominated Chicago Aftershock in the PSP World Cup 2010 Finals for a strong 1st place finish. Los rusos dominaron Chicago Réplica en el PSP Final de la Copa Mundial de 2010 para un final de la 1 ª fuerte. PRO Paintball insiders let on that the Russians may be considering testing their luck in the 7-man arena. iniciados PRO Paintball que el que los rusos puedan estar considerando probando su suerte en la arena de 7-hombre. As far as the roster is concerned we do not see much if any movement. En cuanto a la lista le preocupa que no se ve mucho si cualquier movimiento. Word has it the management is very happy with the teams performance this season and plan to continue full speed ahead. Palabra de ello es la gestión está muy contento con el desempeño del equipo esta temporada y planea continuar a toda velocidad. As rumored during the PSP World Cup, the Russian Legion has dropped Draxxus/Procaps and will be a GI Sports flagship paintball team in 2011. Como se rumoreaba durante la Copa Mundial de la PSP, la Legión de Rusia ha disminuido Draxxus / Procaps y será un buque insignia de las indicaciones geográficas deportes de equipo de paintball en el 2011.
Stay tuned for part 2 and part 3 as we share the latest rumors and news surrounding Sacrament XSV, Chicago Aftershock, San Diego Dynasty , Tampa Bay Damage , San Antonio X-Factor and many more. Manténgase en sintonía para la parte 2 y parte 3 ya que compartimos los últimos rumores y noticias en torno a Sacramento XSV, Réplica Chicago, San Diego dinastía , Tampa Bay daños , San Antonio de Factor X y muchos más.
NPPL Paintball Noticias y Rumores
Big changes for the NPPL in 2011? Grandes cambios para el NPPL en 2011?
The following are the latest news & rumors from the NPPL 7-man paintball series. Las siguientes son las últimas noticias y rumores de la serie de paintball NPPL 7-hombre.
New Leadership Nuevo Liderazgo
The NPPL is making a leadership change. La NPPL está haciendo un cambio de liderazgo. Word is that Chuck Hendsch is stepping down from day to day operations. Se dice que Chuck Hendsch dejará el cargo a partir del día a día las operaciones. Replacing Chuck will be Mike Peveril of Pev's paintball as president of the NPPL. Sustitución de Chuck será Mike Peveril de paintball Pev como presidente de la NPPL. A search for the new commissioner is underway as well. Una búsqueda de la nueva comisaria está en marcha también.
Huntington Beach Huntington Beach
The NPPL website has confirmed the dates for Huntington Beach as April 1st, 2nd and 3rd of 2011. El sitio web de NPPL ha confirmado las fechas de Huntington Beach, 01 de abril, 2 y 3 de 2011. Start searching for deals on airline flights as rates are said to go up 10% in 2011. Comience la búsqueda de ofertas de vuelos de las aerolíneas ya que las tasas se dice que suben 10% en 2011.
New Super-7 Format New Super-7 Formato
The NPPL is evaluating and fine tuning the Super-7 format during the off season for use throughout 2011. La NPPL es evaluar y afinar el formato de Super-7 durante la temporada baja para el uso a lo largo de 2011. The Super-7 format debuted at the 2010 DC Open and utilized a match style game system in a best of 3 format. El Super-7 en formato debutó en el Abierto de 2010 DC, y utilizó un estilo de juego en el sistema de partido al mejor de 3 en formato. PRO Paintball Insiders speculate that the Super-7 format will be in play throughout the 2011 series, at least on the pro level. Insiders PRO Paintball especulan que el Super-7 en formato estará en juego en toda la serie de 2011, al menos en el nivel profesional.
PRO Paintball teams are said to be debating wether to go to a 5 point format as opposed to the current 3 points. equipos PRO Paintball se dice que debatir el tiempo para ir a un formato de 5 puntos en comparación con los actuales 3 puntos. The argument in support of 5 point matches rest on the concept that more points and more action will do a better job of entertaining the spectators. El argumento en apoyo de cinco partidos, punto de descanso en el concepto que más puntos y más acción va a hacer un mejor trabajo de entretener a los espectadores. The argument against suggest that the league would be replicating the PSP with semi auto guns. El argumento en contra sugieren que la liga se replicar la PSP con pistolas semi auto.
Affiliates Afiliados
The RPL will be an NPPL affiliate league in 2011. El RPL será una liga afiliada NPPL en 2011. Hopefully the feeder system actually feeds a few teams in this time around. Esperemos que el sistema de alimentación alimenta realmente unos pocos equipos en esta ocasión. The RPL is predominantly a 3-man and 5-man league. El RPL es predominantemente un 3-hombre y de la liga de 5 personas. As of writing we have not received any info as to how Shawn Walker plans to (or if he will) restructure his league to support the 7-man format. Como la escritura no hemos recibido ninguna información en cuanto a cómo Shawn Walker tiene previsto (o si lo hará) la reestructuración de su liga para apoyar el formato 7-hombre.
New PRO Paintball Team? Nuevo equipo de Paintball PRO?
PRO Paintball insiders suggest a new NPPL franchise team is in the works. iniciados PRO Paintball sugieren un nuevo equipo de NPPL franquicia es en las obras. Sources suggest the team is from the East Coast but not much beyond that is known. Algunas fuentes sugieren que el equipo es de la Costa Este, pero no mucho más allá de lo que se conoce.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Mamma Told Johnny Not to Go Down Town
When I joined the Navy a lot of people said it was a bad move, that I wasn't the type of person for that life and that I have a problem with authority. In addition I just never appeared to be that gung-ho type of dude. It is probably more of a surprise that one of my favorite things that I have done in the military was running cadence in Officer Candidate School. Navy OCS is not only run by Marine Corps Drill Instructors, but the best ones they have. In turn there are some serious son of a bitches working your ass fifteen hours a day.
My Drill Instructor was Gunnery Sergeant Carlsson. He was a Recon Sniper. He was a thin 150 pounds with 250 pounds of bad ass stuffed into him. I liked him a lot, and he didn't hate me which is probably the mushiest a man like that gets. When we'd run cadence, feet hitting the ground every 3/4 of a second with precision screaming about killing someone halfway around the world...you really felt like you could take on the world; and win.
"Just hit the sand and I know I am in Iran, we're gonna kill who is in command...."
"Greased Gun, K-Bar by my side, these are the tools that make men die..."
"Running through the jungle it's hot and dry, can't stop running boy you're gonna die, when up jumped a cobra and he looked at me, wanna be Recon go through me..."
"Up from the rack in the middle of the night, I make a head call and I'm ready to fight..."
"When I get to heaven, St. Peter is gonna say, How'd you make your living boy? How did you earn your pay? I replied with a whole lot of anger, lived a live of death and danger..."
Some of them are funny, others are terribly motivating but there is one in particular that is quite beautiful, and in this version one can actually hear the emotion of the Drill Instructor's voice while he and the men chant is moving down the road. In its entirety: (The first verse is interwoven after every verse)
Lo Right, Lo Right, Leeeeefta
Lo Right, Lo Right, Leeeeefta
Lo Righty, Lo Righty, Lo Righty Lefta
Mamma told Johnny not to go downtown
The Marine Corps recruiter was hanging around;
But Johnny went downtown anyway
To hear what the recruiter had to say
The recruiter asked Johnny what he wanted to be
Johnny said I wanna join the infantry.
So Johnny caught a plane out to Vietnam,
To fight some people called the Viet Cong.
Killed a hundred men with his rifle and blade,
Only god knows how many lives he saved.
Johnny was bad and he was brave,
Johnny jumped on a hand grenade.
Saved the lives of the men he led,
But now poor Johnny he was dead.
Before he died this is what he said,
To tell his momma when he was dead
Momma, momma, don't u cry,
The Marine Corps motto is Semper Fi.
Singin' Lo Right, Lo Right, Leeeeefta
Lo Right, Lo Right, Leeeeefta
Lo Righty, Lo Righty, Lo Righty Lefta
It is beautiful, touching and it almost makes me cry every time I listen to it. I think about Johnny's mom crying over his grave when she is handed a folded flag. About the Honor Guard firing three times in precision. About how that took place countless times throughout the years.
Then other times I think about Johnny being some punk high school kid with a bad attitude in a white t-shirt with a pack of cigarettes wrapped in the sleeve making fun of the athletes and the geeks, working on cars and cruising the strip. How they shaved that duck tail off his head and put him thousands of miles away to kill people he never even knew existed. And how even though Johnny was not the typical recruit he eventually was made into a man, when the time came he made the right decision. How thousands of Johnnys made the right decision time and time again for their comrades, their country and so many other reasons they never even thought of or new about.
I am confident that in this recording there was at least one recruit who was a Johnny but instead of 'Nam he lost his life in the mountains of Tora Bora or Fallujah. Right now there is another one singing this cadence in the early morning haze and heat of Paris Island who will do the same. It supports the idea, the existential idea that all those Johnnys are still living, as long as the Uniform survives so does the man, as long as there are men willing to sign on that line, so does his spirit and with that so do us all. "Lo Right Lo Right Leeeefta, Lo Right Lo Right Leeeefta..."
Here is the actual song, the video is worthless as the song is beautiful.
PSP World Cup Final 4 Scouting Report
PSP Scorekeeper Cade Coleman has put together several factoids for the top 4 Pro Finalist at the 2010 PSP World Cup.
Playing for 1st and 2nd place is Chicago Aftershock and Russian Legion.
Chicago Aftershock
- 5-6 during the regular season Prelims, with an Overall record of 7-8.
- Undefeated in overtime matches (2OT wins)
- Best finish was a Podium match win (3rd) in PHO beating Infamous 7-5.
Russian Legion
- 10-1 during the regular season Prelims, with an Overall record of 12-4.
- Have seen the PSP Podium twice with a 4th and 1st in 2010.
- Best finish was a Finals match win in MAO beating Impact 7-2.
Playing for 3rd & 4th place is Tampa Bay Damage and LA Infamous.
Tampa Bay Damage
- 9-2 during the regular season Prelims, with an Overall record of 12-5.
- Undefeated versus Semi-Final Opponents
- Best finishes were two 2nd spots during the PHO and the MAO Finals.
LA Infamous
- 7-4 during the regular season Prelims, with an Overall record of 10-6.
- Have seen the PSP Podium twice with a 4th and 1st in 2010.
- Best finish was a Finals match win in CHO beating Damage 7-5.
GI Sportz 68 caliber Paintballs
Earlier this week we learned that GI Sportz signed on as a sponsor of the PSP and would be launching a premium paint line just in time for World Cup. We caught up with former pro paintball players Steve Rabackoff and Chris Lasoya who represent the GI Sportz line of paintballs for a few details.
Video interview with Chris Lasoya coming online shortly.
According to Steve Rabackoff, the formula for the GI Sportz legendary imperial paintballs is similar to what was used by top pro paintball team Avalanche during their prime. These paintballs feature an ultra brittle hard to see purple shell with a vibrant yellow fill. According to Steve, this new paintball has provided top pro teams like Russian Legion and Chicago Aftershock the edge they needed to move on into the final round.
Stay tuned for a video interview with Chris Lasoya for an inside scoop at GI Sportz line of 68 caliber paintballs.
PSP World Cup PRO Results & News from the field, Sunday
Today is the 4th and final day of the 2010 PSP World Cup where the best of the best compete for the World Championship Title. Read on for the latest scores and reports from the field.
Quarter Final Results:
08:00am – Damage (5) vs. Dynasty (4) – Quarter Game 1
Damage came back from a 4 to 2 deficit to win in over time against Dynasty. Both teams received 1 major. Very intense match up. Damage will move on.
08:50am - Infamous (7) vs. X-Factor (4) – Quarter Game 2
Infamous received 1 major while X-Factor received 2 minor penalties. Infamous will move on.
Semi Final Results
10:45am - Russian Legion (7) vs. Tampa Bay Damage (2)
11:30am – Chicago Aftershock (7) vs. LA Infamous (2)
Final Schedule:
01:45 EST – Tampa Bay Damage (7) vs LA Infamous (2)
Infamous received two majors on the final point. Tampa Bay Damage wins the series title for the PSP. Along with the series title for the NPPL, Damage has two series titles in the same season. The last team to accomplish this feat was Dynasty in 2005.
Chicago Aftershock (0) vs Russian Legion (7)
Final Standings:
1st – Russian Legion
2nd – Chicago Aftershock
3rd – Tampa Bay Damage
4th – LA Infamous
5th – SD Dynasty
6th – San Antonio X Factor
7th – Ironmen
8th – Vicious
9th – Impact
10th – Entourage
11th – Naughty Dogs
PSP World Cup PRO Results & News from the field, Saturday
We are proud to present Saturday’s PSP World Cup PRO Paintball Results and News from the paintball field. In case you missed it, check out the paintball photos from Thursday, and Fridays PRO Scores and Paintball News and photos.
Saturday Rumor Round Up:
A major disconnect between top pro paintball teams and their sponsors seems to be brewing. We’ve heard reports that Eclipse, Empire, GI Sportz, Sly and Draxxus are making moves in one form or another.
Russian Legion is rumored to be signing with SLY Equipment for Goggles and other gear and GI Sports for paintballs. This photograph of Russian Legion from Friday seems to all but confirm the SLY rumor.
Chicago Aftershock and Russian Legion are shooting GI Sportz 68 caliber paintballs at World Cup and word is they will continue next year.
08:00am – Entourage (5) vs. X-Factor (7)
X-Factor wins their first match at Cup and their record is now 1-2. Entourage has lost 3 consecutive matches and their record is 0-3. Aside from the penalties that the team received, 2 majors and 1 minor, Entourage had a strong match.
08:45am – Infamous (1) vs. Aftershock (7)
Chicago Aftershock has been shooting the new paintballs from GI Sportz and they seem to be working out very well. Infamous received 3 majors and 4 minors throughout the match.
09:30am – Impact (6) vs. X-Factor (7)
Impact’s Ryan Moorehead cleaned house on the dorrito side but had a dirty hang and started the game off on the wrong foot. Impact received 4 majors while X Factor received 1 major and 1 minor. When X Factor scored the 7th and final point there was 19 seconds in regulation play on the clock. X-Factor is now 2 wins, 2 losses. Impact is 2 wins, 1 loss.
10:15am – Aftershock (7) vs. Entourage (1)
11:00am – Impact (5) vs. Infamous (6)
This was a clean match, no penalties on either team and the clock expired. Impact is now 2 wins, 2 losses. Infamous is 2 and 1.
12:15pm -Russian Legion (7) vs. Naughty Dogs (1)
01:00pm – Ironmen (7) vs. Vicious (6)
01:45pm – Damage (1) vs. Dynasty (7)
Damage received three majors throughout the match.
02:30pm – Ironmen (7) vs. N.Dogs (1)
Naughty dogs received one majors and two minors.
03:15pm – Dynasty (3) vs. Vicious (7)
Dynasty received one minor.
04:00pm – Damage (2) vs. Legion (7)
Looks like Spence from Damaged received a suspension due to unsportsmanlike conduct.
Sunday Quarter Final Schedule:
Dynasty v Damage at 8
Infamous v XFactor at 8:50
Russian Legion and Aftershock receive buys into the semi finals.
W/L Prelim Event Standings
Group 1
(2-2) Impact
(3-1) Infamous
(3-1) Aftershock
(0-4) Entourage
(2-2) X-Factor
Group 2
(2-2) Damage
(4-0) Legion
(2-2) Dynasty
(2-2) Ironmen
(2-2) Vicious
(0-4) N.Dogs
Special thanks to Cade Coleman and Rob S.
PSP World Cup PRO Results & News from the field, Friday
We are proud to present the PSP World Cup PRO Paintball Results and News from the paintball field.
Scores from the field:
08:00am – Infamous (7) vs X-Factor (3)
08:45am – Impact (7) vs. Entourage (3)
09:30am - Aftershock (7) vs. X-Factor (0).
X factor received two majors and was unable to recover. Cody Bayless, Dusty Odell and Ryan Cohen (Ironmen) are back with X factor.
10:15am - Infamous (6) vs. Entourage (3).
Entourage had the flag and was half a second from their 4th point when the match ended. Aaron Tholey from XSV has joined Entourage.
11:00am - Impact (7) vs. Aftershock (6).
Shock started with a 4 point lead against Impact but was unable to hold the Canadians back. Shocks Cody Mickowski receives a major and Impact ties up the match 6 to 6. After a brief time out Impact scores the final point.
12:15pm - Vicious (7) vs. Naughty Dogs (5)
01:00pm – Legion (7) vs. Dynasty (3)
Alex Goldman is not playing with Dynasty this event. Mike Mesa of Aftermath has joined Dynasty.
01:45pm – Damage (7) vs. Ironmen (4)
02:30pm - Dynasty (7) vs. N.Dogs (1)
03:15pm - Legion (7) vs. Ironmen (1)
04:00pm - Damage (7) vs. Vicious (0)
Special thanks to Cade Coleman and Rob
DYNASTY 2011 PRO Paintball Jersey
PRO Paintball is proud to present a first look at the new DYNASTY 2011 jersey by EMPIRE Paintball. This jersey is based off the new EMPIRE LTD.
Dye 2011 Pro Jerseys
New gear from Dye keeps rolling out. Yesterday we saw the DM11 and 2011 NT and now the Ton Tons, Nexus, Naughty Dogs, Ironmen, and Damage have new Jerseys. We are still on clear if any of the teams will be wearing the new gear tomorrow.
Friday, October 29, 2010
POP SHOP/WE ALL WANT SOMEONE TO SHOUT FOR
POP SHOP/STEREO MUSIC CONNECTION
Thursday, October 28, 2010
"OL'55" Tom Waits- Closing Time
It's quarter after twelve and I have to be up in five hours for work. My girl just kicked me out of her apartment after a fight, and sitting here now I'm thinking about what kind of mess my life is and how much I hate every minute of it. The thing is I usually think that, it isn't a depression or a negativity issue, hell I don't really know what type of issue it is but I do know it is always with me.
The funny thing it is difficult for people to have compassion with my situation. And they are right to feel that way. Once a week I play golf at a private club that is 200k a year to join and I don't pay a dime. Every other day I eat and drink like a King at a very famous and elegant restaurant in Manhattan where a meal for two will run over five hundred dollars and I don't pay that either. I am my own boss and make my own rules. I have two cars in Manhattan one of which has a set of plates on it that lets me park anywhere and do anything without any consequences. Women hit on me even though I have a gut these days, I go to parties in penthouses. And when that gets lame I paddle out and surf (quite competently) a sport which people seem to take up and fail at constantly. Afterwards I'll take the Penn out and Striper fish. I know how to fly, drive a boat, played a professional sport....but even sitting here now reading it all doesn't cheer me up. Single, in a relationship and anywhere in between and I am still just numb and stumbling through life most of the times.
But there was one time in particular when I felt totally whole. When things could never get any better and I was living in the moment like an Alzheimer's patient looking for his slippers. In the moment. Not thinking. Not knowing. Not caring. Not worried. And while at that time I was not listening to this song it is all I think of when it is played.
I was driving on Route 98 or Lilian Highway on the outskirts of Pensacola. I just crossed the Lilian Bridge and on the left was two trailers sandwiched together making an adult book store. I laughed looking at it when I passed by thinking of the time my old roommate and I drove there at two in the morning just to check out the crowd, a roommate who was now long gone and never to be seen again. A man who had been a bike messenger, a veterinarian and a trader on the Chicago Futures Exchange. In short a man who was never at a loss for a good story. I continued to drive along barefoot with a bathing trunks on and a linen shirt unbuttoned. If Kiara Kabukuru and Manute Bol had a child I was darker than him at the time and my waist still fit into those Dolce & Gabanna 31 jeans I just gave away to the clothing drive a month ago. The carburetors in my 1988 Grand Wagoneer were ticking and sputtering through the early morning purple as the sun was about to rise at my back. There was no soundtrack except for those carbs and the wind noise passing through the triangle window on the passenger's side. I had forty three dollars, two twenties and three singles in my webbed pocket of my trunks, the last time I had been with a woman was over a year ago and there wouldn't be one for almost another year.
When I finally turned around the sun was dead in my face so I threw on my issued aviator glasses, turned the A/C off, rolled down the windows and smelled the sweet humid air of the south permeating through the old leather seats and mixing in with the coconut air fresheners I had scattered throughout the tan interior. Back past the adult book store, over the bridge and due south until I hit the bridge that lead into Perdido Key. Once a top the sun was cresting over the gulf on the left, on my right I could see far into Alabama. After the bridge I took the gradual right turn and floored the heavy V-8 for the three mile straight away that took me through the state park, through just empty sand dunes on the right and a glass blue-green sea on my left until I hooked a full right hand turn down Lafitte Reef where my house was the third on the left. I parked the Wagoneer under the stilt house, walked into the back yard which was a canal that connected to the intracostal waterway, jumped off the dock, rolled on my back and kicked around.
I climbed the decayed wooden ladder on the dock, walked the small boardwalk back to my house, sat on the wrap around porch and took a fresh pinch of Copenhagen. My mind was still blank, empty and effortless. Opening the sliding doors I passed out on my couch with the windows open and a small breeze wafting though the room.
I've had times like that before, and I've had times like that since. But I always keep coming back to that one time. They have always gone quickly, they have always been holy and man I was feeling alive right then and there. I don't think there is any message in that. It isn't something I lament over the passing of, it is something that just is and when it is it is perfect in every way. When lady luck is with you it is something you just can't explain.
POP SHOP/RIDE THE TEMPO
" [...] songs such as Tofu Farmer you’re hooked in by the melody and rhythm. Not to mention that adorable piano sparkle. If you actually need the lyrics they are on the bandcamp page. Love, a collision layers on the noise with a flute? synth and strings and some female vocals. In Last Breakfast on Planet Surf you get some pure indie pop bounciness. LHG brings me back to the laid back 60s era, almost surf pop like. The banjo you hear from the song can also be heard throughout the album in songs such as Very Wary. Things That Money Can Buy is a more dance indie track, reminiscent of LCD Soundsystem. My favorite track of the EP is probably the very last one, Best Kept Secret which mixes all the great elements you find throughout the album into the one final track. [...] " = http://ridethetempo.com/2010/10/25/listenreview-mondrian-pop-shop-ep/.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
POP SHOP/GROUND CONTROL TO MAJOR TOM
"[...] L’EP est rempli de sucreries pop, acidulées. Tofu Farmer reste dans la tête comme un chewing gum sous la chaussure. Le banjo et les claps de Love, a collision pétillent dans les oreilles comme du freezy pazzy dans la bouche. Mais arrêtons-là les métaphores tirées de la confiserie. Jamais mélancoliques toujours enjouées, les mélodies de Mondrian sont rafraîchissantes comme la pop nordique de Yoyoyo Acapulco et intelligentes comme du Belle And Sebastian." = http://groundcontroltomajortom.typepad.com/blog/2010/10/mondrian-pop-shop-autoproduit-octobre-2010-.html.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
POP SHOP/POP REVUE EXPRESS
Jolie surprise, et belle découverte que ce groupe français qui, en quelques chansons pop folk joliment troussées avec guitares banjos, percus et claviers bontempi parvient à convaincre de son utilité. Si le style de Mondrian renvoie à des tas de choses entendues au cours de ces dernières années, il dévoile suffisamment de qualités, notamment dans les mélodies, pour rendre ce Ep vraiment attachant. Il va sans dire que l’on espère un album très vite. [7.5/10]" = http://poprevuexpress.blogspot.com/2010/10/mondrian-pop-shop.html.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
"When God Made Me" Neil Young-Prairie Wind
While it has a beautiful Melody "Imagine" is on my list of most hated songs. Written by a pompous hypocrite who screamed of equality while living in The Dakota above those "average people". Mr. Peace and equality also not only cheated on his first wife but was known for beating her at will. He abused and neglected Julian, would go on violent, drunk benders for periods of a time and also stood in the face of other musicians spouting vile hatred. Such behavior is of course par for the course for some musicians and stars and to be honest it is not that behavior I am condemning but rather the blatant hypocrisy the man portrayed.
The song "Imagine" in my mind is such a polarizing attack at religion and in a way subverts the message he is trying to instill. Because the problem is not religion (and in full disclosure I am not religious in any way) but rather the followers of said religions that hold a viewpoint that cannot be changed. Kinda like John's....It is hard to write a song about acceptance while asking the listener to imagine a world without a method of life that the majority of the planet hold dear to their hearts. But I guess we aren't as smart as John and can't make decisions for ourselves.
Strangely enough Neil Young's politics are on par with Lennon's and 180 out from my own but this song is the song "Imagine" hoped it would be. It is a cry for tolerance without denouncing any particular race, religion or country while asking. Neil's genius is using that deity's, who causes so much strife in the world, viewpoint to question the beliefs that followers of said deity hold so true. He isn't saying that God is a bad thing, nor is the belief and dedication to him. I think Neil is saying that the man himself doesn't care. I think that he presents his questions of religion in simply that, a question and not a demand; and does so in terribly simple, beautiful verse.
Did he give me the gift of love
to say who I could choose?
Did he give me the gift of voice
so some could silence me?
Did he give me the gift of vision
not knowing what I might see?
Did he give me the gift of compassion
to help my fellow man?
It sings like a lullaby. It makes one think right there on the spot the beautiful attributes of man and what we do with them. It makes one think of how fortunate we are and how incomprehensibly intelligent a being would have to be to create us with said attributes. How we can chose who we love instead of being forced by blind genetics. How we can see beauty and more so horrible sights that will certainly change us because we have free will.
In the end my beliefs of what God is like is that of a parent, he puts some ideals into our heads and lets us run wild without restraint hoping that we will act steadfast to those principles. We can or we can't but he isn't going to make us do either. And this is the reason why I love this song and these idea and keep them close to my heart. True tolerance is tolerance. Period. I'd like to imagine a world where this was true. And that means that because I don't think homosexuality is a way I would want to live my life or my children live theirs I am not a bigot. It also means you shouldn't push that life style on me or my children because they are mine. Like God I will instill ideals in their minds and if they chose to live as a homosexual I will be happy for them. It means that because I don't think dogs should be in the house that I hate dogs, nor do I think you should keep them out of yours.
Three days ago I was walking down Worth Street here in Manhattan and a man wearing a Texas Rangers hat and jersey was walking in the other direction. In my mind it is fully acceptable to hit that person on the back of the head with a solid steel pipe and watch him fall to the ground. And the reason why is because he is doing it on purpose, he doesn't like the Rangers that much. What he wants to do is start controversy. That man is not unlike the Gays parading down Fifth Avenue shoving their beliefs in our faces or the Muslims trying to build a Mosque when 80% of the people don't want it there. That is not tolerance. That is not trying to live peacefully with one another and that is exactly what Lennon does in "Imagine"
Neil on the other hand leaves it for us all to decide and he does it more beautifully and with more class than any before. He does it coming from a somewhat radical background of political activism but a background devoid of hypocrisy and hatred. A background of true tolerance, from such a background it is no wonder he is such a beautiful man and artist.
"War" Edwin Starr-June 10th 1970 Single
On January 31, 1968 The United States launched the Tet Offensive. In the course of one year 4,124 American forces were killed, 19,295 were wounded and 604 are still missing till this very day. There were riots over civil rights at The Universities of Wisconsin, North Carolina and Howard, Martin Luther King Jr. was shot dead with Robert Kennedy. The Zodiac killer was running rampant through the streets of San Francisco, and HIV made its arrival in the United States. That same year Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield penned one of the most famous protest songs of all time and gave it to The Temptations. But it was never released until it after Edwin Starr's version in 1970.
Things were not getting better for the United States at that time. Early in the year Jeffery MacDonald murders his wife and family at Fort Bragg, My Lai takes place, The US invades Cambodia and four students at Kent State were killed by Ohio State National Guardsmen. Jimi Hendrix dies and the US repeals the Gulf of Tonkin resolution. These events changed the face of America, scarred it and left it with wounded pride.
But the music of this era is in my mind the best we ever had to offer. There was The Stones and The Dead, Airplane, Joplin, Motown, Folk, Dylan; while America was losing its footing on the world stage it was solidifying its place as the music center of the world. Whether it be love or hate when we are tuned up we are at our most creative, we are alive and at our most full animalistic selves.
Within four seconds Starr comes in with full Baritone and captures the feeling of the era. There are no if ands or buts about it here, the listener is getting thrown right into the riots and walking through the jungle scared shitless. He's watching a monk burning himself in the streets, watching his friend bleed to death screaming about going home while medics stick needles of morphine into his chest. And if that doesn't put you in the fight from the start when the boots start stomping in at the last minute visions of polished black leather coming for you certainly will.
There's B-52s at 20 thousand carpet bombing while A-4s drop napalm on villages. There's mosquitos on every visible part of your sweat stained body as you walk through the jungles waiting for a booby trap to go off or the man in the black pajamas to jump out from the bush. There's a woman with bushy underarms and saggy breasts burning her bra on a street corner next to a black panther extending a leather glove into the air. Jim Lovell is one hundred miles above the earth trapped in what he deems his final resting place, and a scared Second Lieutenant makes a decision that will change the course of his life. All these events are bottled up in that first four second drum roll until it comes back out with all the venom, spit and hatred that marks the dark side of man.
War itself has existed without stoppage for over four thousand years. As much as we want it to stop it never will. For one decade the effects and affects of war produced some of the most amazing soundtracks ever laid down. It makes me wonder why we are so different today. Maybe it is because we like to say we are concerned about the war but we don't feel it ourselves at home, maybe if your son was over there scared, shaking and wondering if this day will be his last while you sit at home worried sick over him, thinking the same thoughts we would feel it. But instead there's that new reality show on tonight and what the fuck I'll just throw a new plasma on the credit card so I can watch it in style. The moral bankruptcy on all levels is as heartbreaking as the intellectual and artistic dearth in popular culture. From my count the United States has had three Viet Nams since the first one but only one that spurned musical genius. I don't think that says a lot about us or at least it doesn't say anything good. The only thing that war was good for is gone in the present day: Music.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
"Seven Year Ache" Rosanne Cash-Seven Year Ache
The day I had my old Porsche delivered a guy around my age who lived in my building came down into the parking lot for a look. He had shaggy blond hair, a small belly hanging over his stone J Crew pants that fell over Gucci Loafers, his blue oxford shirt tucked in except for the back which hung over his bridle leather weathered belt. He looked like a typical wealthy southern boy from an upbringing foreign to my own and of course I didn't like him for one second. However we started talking about cars for a while and he told me I inspired him to go get his old jalopy out of the garage for a spin. I had to go back to work for the remainder of the afternoon so I said I'd see him later and maybe we'd catch a drink but I said it in the way we ask someone how they are doing as a greeting and never pause to hear an answer.
When I returned home I saw a silver 1962 Ferrari 250 with red leather interior sitting next to the Porsche. It had some patina to it, the seats were torn, the headlights were inoperable and it smoked terribly. He threw me the keys saying "Have you ever driven a Ferrari?" which I had many times but never one from this era, followed by "...well if you can fly a plane you can drive a Ferrari" We cruised around town with thick blue smoke wafting through the air along with the notes of twelve cylinders of steel clanking up and down five thousand times a minute.
We would go on to be great friends. And he would tell me how he thought I was a tanning salon douche bag from Miami with bad taste when he first saw me. That first day we saw each other before the cars when he was looking at the apartment that he would eventually buy. We would go on to have nights upon nights of drunkenness, whether it be at his place at the Ritz Carlton where we made a pitcher of martinis in a pewter cask forged by Paul Revere or at the Timuquana Country Club where Ella would feed us drinks until we headed to the men's locker room where a big old black man would make us some more until the final one when he would pour it into a Styrofoam cup and send us on our way. We'd head out to my old Range Rover, put both of them in the cup holder, fire up that eight cylinder, roll down the window and put this song on. Like many things he introduced it to me. He also introduced me to TSI which was some strange hipster bar downtown which was usually our next destination.
In TSI we stuck out like pornstars at a NOW rally. Khaki pants, button downs, Rolex Submariners and some form of Italian loafers for both of us. We'd sit at the end of the bar and watch old communist propaganda videos that were projected on the wall while the Brooklyn Carpetbaggers (or wannabe Brooklynite dreamers) danced the night away in their usual sway and uninterested manner. I remember drinking ice cold Kronenbourg 1664 while hacking Marlboro Lights. I remember him telling me this song was about me and remember thinking about it and not fully understanding what the hell he meant, it could have meant a lot of things and to this day I am not quite sure I know for sure.
But what I know for sure is that Rosanne Cash is a wonderful talent. As much as I don't like her father as much as 99% of the rest of the world (read: as much as those hipsters who had no idea who he was until he did a Nine Inch Nails cover and became cool to them) I think she certainly got a good share of his genes. Her voice has the range and her lyrics have that simple dead in you face purity that the old man had a knack for nailing down. I have always loved the way so many of her lines in this song roll off the tongue and while the 80's style engineering in the behind it is so passe I think it works.
So what does it mean? I always took it to mean I was slumming it with the women I was running with around town at the time. Of course there were good ones but there were a lot of sleeved tattooed ones walking in and out of my door with substantial emotional problems. There was an ex Playboy Bunny with two kids who flew off the handle constantly, another who drank Jack Daniels like a Hell's Angel, a bosses twenty year old daughter...Then I also think it speaks to where I was then in life and how I was holding myself back in so many ways.
However I don't really care what the song means, who I was or how many years we took off of our lives those two years. It was one hell of a ride, often times quite literally and as much as I hated being in that town we sure made the best of it while we were there. He moved more south, I moved up north and am always waiting around for him to call at the last minute to tell me that he is in town and if I wanted to grab a drink later, just like that first time surrounded by those two beautiful machines on the river in our parking lot.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
World Cup Asia
ABOUT WORLD CUP ASIA
The World Cup Asia (WCA) materialized from over 5 years of planning and execution. Held annually in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the World Cup Asia is one of 3 internationally organized World Cup tournaments in the world of paintball. The other two are the World Cup - Orlando (USA) and World Cup – Paris (Europe).
E
very year, numerous international vendors make an appearance at the tournament, benefiting the country socially, politically, and economically. The tournament has been covered extensively by local and international media, including international paintball magazines FaceFull and Splat, and televised broadcasts by ESPN.
World Cup Asia has seen teams from countries such as Belgium, UK, US, Iran, United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Guam, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia. This year, with an expectation of over 40 international teams, and over 80 local teams, World Cup Asia 2010 is poised to continue setting the standard for paintball in Asia, with Malaysia at its heart.