Vancouver 2010: Heeeeere's Johnny! . . . Johnny Weir that Is!

{Video from Nationals - Same performance}

After watching the Short Program of Men's Figure Skating during the Vancouver Winter Olympics, Johnny Weir (USA) held his own with a stellar performance even though he placed 6th with 82.10 behind his nemesis Evan Lysacek (USA) now in 2nd place with a personal best of 90.10. Considering Johnny and PETA haven't been significant BFF's since he himself is a fan of sporting fur on his costumes; it later lead to getting death threats from the animal activists putting Weir in fear of his safety sleeping somewhere else - that was a performance that deserved much higher scores.



Weir has been quite the topic of "controversy" in regards to Men's Figure Skating and that may have been an incentive to unfairly score him. Categorized as "colorful" or better yet, "flamboyant" when describing the outspoken witty skater are the favorite terms to use when others don't know what to make of him. Johnny is .. well, Johnny. Johnny Weir that is!







After watching his reality show, "Be Good Johnny Weir" on the Sundance Channel, you have a better understanding of Weir's upbringing and relentless tenacity to succeed. He was never coaxed into ice skating - he begged his parents to start skating at the age of 12 years old. He would practice in front of the television imitating the skaters before ever being professionally trained. Growing up in the countryside, he would skate over the cornfields in the winter. If that doesn't scream trendsetter or star in the making, how about adding a bit of spice to a sport that not many used to really care about. Myself included, I never really watched Men's Figure Skating as closely until Weir stepped into the picture.





Athletes not afraid to be themselves while fusing it together to be a successful talent are strongly encouraged here. His honesty and wit are delightful along with his analogies. Although Johnny needs to be "good" and has quite a mouth piece on him, it's good for the sport. He thinks outside of the box and should in retrospect be paid for the promoting and income he's increased for the sport. Tonight, Lysacek even had to step it up, performing in not just a regular tight black outfit - even better, he added some Weir to it with frilly type of feather pieces around the shoulderblade. Weir and Lysacek have had an ongoing beef since their childhood and are complete opposites in styles - I guess until now. Thursday will be the final round of Warfare.





Make sure to Follow Johnny Weir Via twitter @JohnnyGWeir as he prepares for round 2 - the Long Program. Also the great thing about this new age media, the wonderful ability to post links with thumbnails and up to date pictures can be found on the Johnny Weir Facebook Page.

Tebow Super Bowl Commercial

The "Tim Tebow Super Bowl Commercial" ended up being more overhype than harmful to Tebow's career as far as the presumed message the anti-abortion ad would convey. A sigh of relief came upon me seeing that Tebow wouldn't completely slaughter his career. When word first hit regarding Tebow's pro-life ad, it suggested that it was going to be a quick reenactment that would overdramatize its point.

Pam Tebow recounts her pregnancy in 1987. After getting sick, she ignored the doctors' recommendation to abort her fifth child and gave birth to Tim, a Heisman Trophy winner.

The news had initially prompted women's groups in a protest campaign. The ad was funded by the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family.

Two versions of the commercial were apart of the Super Bowl festivities, one aired during the Super Bowl pregame while the other aired during the actual Super Bowl making sure to get 1st Quarter viewers.

- #1:


Pam Tebow: “I call him my miracle baby. He almost didn’t make it into this world. I can remember so many times when I almost lost him. It was so hard. Well he’s all grown up now, and I still worry about his health. Everybody treats him like he’s different, but to me, he’s just my baby. He’s my Timmy, and I love him.”
Tim Tebow: “Thanks mom. Love you too.”


- #2:

.. Was I the only one that thought it was hilarious a Quarterback was tackling? .. LOL!


The extended interview of Tim Tebow's story with his parents has now become available for your viewing enlightenment. His story and his courage are admirable.

Super Bowl Commercials

Super Bowl commercials are typically the fun-loving or heart-jerking, emotionally-moving spot that doesn't chose a side on a controversial topic. It does usually bring both sides for some comedic relief to advertise the product.



Sure, any topic can be considered controversial depending on whom you debate with and how passionate your stance has become. Controversy can be good sometimes, it'll surely boost ratings at some point and create a buzz if you're neither a Colts or Saints fan. If I hadn't joined in the friendly-wager pool, didn't think it was going to be a good game, or had zero interest in the annual commercial buzz, I probably would watch the Jersey Shore Marathon. Besides how did having controversy with a side of dicy content become acceptable over a star on Janet's "tittay". They all go under the category of steering away from the purpose of the celebration of football.

Athletes that have a mental backbone can always be respected, but come on man... it's the SUPER BOWL! You could have at least waited for Baseball season or something.

Here's the commercial, it comes off harmless, but we'll see how "innocent" it becomes after millions have seen it. They first aired this commercial during the CBS Super Bowl pregame show. The second will air during the actual Super Bowl.



Pam Tebow: “I call him my miracle baby. He almost didn’t make it into this world. I can remember so many times when I almost lost him. It was so hard. Well he’s all grown up now, and I still worry about his health. Everybody treats him like he’s different, but to me, he’s just my baby. He’s my Timmy, and I love him.”
Tim Tebow: “Thanks mom. Love you too.”


Here are some of the good Super Bowl commercials that were used to create buzz for the others.

Baseball Players: Athlete or Other?

The statement: "Baseball players are not athletes .. Although they make athletic plays from time to time" will continue to echo in my cranium until a diagnosis of sorts may be resolved to such a vile comment. Sadly enough, this is not the first time the intended message has been stated.



So with any attempt in a fruitful debate in defending the players and America's Favorite Pastime, a definition from the recently controversial Merriam-Webster's Dictionary would only be sensical.



: ath·lete
Pronunciation: \ˈath-ˌlēt, ÷ˈa-thə-ˌlēt\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin athleta, from Greek athlētēs, from athlein to contend for a prize, from athlon prize, contest
Date: 15th century
: a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina


: ath·let·ic
Pronunciation: \ath-ˈle-tik, ÷ˌa-thə-ˈle-\
Function: adjective
Date: 1636
1 : of or relating to athletes or athletics
2 : characteristic of an athlete; especially : vigorous, active
3 : mesomorphic
4 : used by athletes



The consistency in needing physical strength to complete tasks including: running, tackling, kicking or dribbling can commonly be construed as formulating an athlete in an exercise or sport type of manner; while standing in a field with a mitt or in a chalk-outlined box with a wooden stick in their hands may seem to take less effort to the non-baseball fan. According to Webster or Merriam whichever you prefer, an athlete must be one who trains in their sport that requires a physical strength, agility or stamina. Minus the juice heads, Baseball players train just as hard as any committed human being would be to their respective sport. It does require physical strength along with proper training that creates the stamina and agility to swing a bat, strike a batter out, pitch a no-hitter, or even dive to catch a ball that could save a last inning from turning disasterous. Jumping out of the box or beating a throw to the base takes an athlete to complete the task at hand.



To make any type of athletic play, one must be an athlete to make plays that would be considered athletic. An athlete commits themselves to their sport. Being called an athlete of course can not be taken lightly. But whether it is Soccer, Snowboarding, Synchronized Swimming or Baseball it still takes an athlete to take part in those events. Athletes compete against other athletes using their agility to out-compete the other. No matter the size of the athlete, just like in football they've trained to do their job and play their role on the team.

In closing: Baseball players physically train to compete, ergo Baseball players are athletes.

:: Los Angeles Dodgers Update ::

Either I enjoy gossip and rumors then investigating them further or the possibility of the Dodgers strengthening their roster makes me a giddy little baseball fan considering they've consistently lost to the Philles when it mattered the most.

Possibility #1: 4th Outfielder May Soon Be Finalized

So first up as of yesterday and seems to be getting closer to the final shabang - Former Chicago Cub, Reed Johnson looks to be finalizing a deal with the True Blue Squad for a $800k contract for one year (pending a physical). According to ESPN Chicago mixed with other sites including the Los Angeles Dodgers News site, the Cal State Fullerton Alumnus will be the 4th outfielder on the squad just beating out So.Cal favorite and now an Atlanta Brave, Garret Anderson as well as Brian Giles (San Diego Padres), and Gabe Gross who as of today signed a 1-year deal with the Oakland A's.


This Catch just pumps be up for the Season!


The 4th spot would fill Juan Pierre's spot when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox in December. Pierre's socks as well as the Jay-Z Song will always be missed in Dodgers Stadium as he takes on new endeavors in good ole Chi-town.



Funny enough and perhaps not as funny for Johnson's pocket, he had asked the Cubs for almost three times what he may get from the Dodgers. Although Johnson became a fan favorite, when the Cubs signed Xavier Nady they forgot who was that other guy. Word on the street has it though, if Johnson would had asked the Cubs for the same deal that he reportedly will sign with the Dodgers, they would have agreed on a deal two months ago. Hmm.. is this where you shrug your shoulders and pretend to speak French? ... "C'est La Vie" ... Well, good thing he loves the game.



There does seem to be some promise for the Dodgers 4th string of sorts, but hopefully he'll remember all of those acrobatics he had no problem doing in Chicago. After hitting .303 with the Cubs in 2008, injuries limited Johnson to 65 games and a .255 average in 2009. The 7-year veteran outfielder missed time with a broken foot and back spasms. Back problems have been an ongoing condition for Johnson the last three seasons.



Possibility #2: An East Coast Reunion of Sorts

According to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports, the Los Angeles Dodgers are interested in pitcher Chien-Ming Wang.

The Dodgers will happen to be in Taiwan for two exhibition games in March and are looking for some Wang (to join them on the pitchers mound). The True Blue squad are interested in Wang, major-league sources say, but not because of their scheduled spring-training trip to his native land. Wang may be worth the risk as a number five starter if he comes cheap. He has a 55-26 record with a 4.16 ERA over 5 seasons with the Yankees. However, Taiwan's baseball stud is just coming off a season-ending shoulder surgery last July 30, and is not expected to be ready before May 1. The Mets and other teams also are monitoring his rehabilitation.



Manager Joe Torre has experience managing Wang with the Yankees, and the Dodgers are still looking for another starting pitcher.