Get your limited-edition, personalized Kareem Abdul-Jabbar bobblehead NOW

I was thinking about Kareem Abdul-Jabbar today.  ****  What?!?!  As if you weren't...  Seriously, though.  I was because I posted earlier about age restrictions for guys trying to enter the NBA.  If remember correctly, he's pro-age restriction and I'm against it.  Anyway, back to the message I'm trying to communicate...

I just caught up with my Twitter feed and I noticed that Kareem (i.e. @KAJ33 on Twitter) has been posting about personalizing messages and selling bobbleheads.  Well, needless to say, since I'm a huge fan I had to check it out.  I went to his website, http://www.kareemabduljabbar.com/ <-- ****  Who can't figure that out?

This is what I found:

Seeing as that I skipped a day of medical school to head to MC Sports and to have him sign a hat for me, I couldn't pass up the chance to have some stuff delivered to me.  The NBA's All-time Leading Scorer is one of the reasons I fell in the love with the Lakers and he should have this skyhook pose captured in a statue one day in LA.  However, until that day, this image will have to sit on my shelf (i.e. once UPS delivers the goods).

There are only 250 of these available.  At only $39.95 plus delivery etc, this is a steal for Kareem fans everywhere, so get yours now!!!  Here is the URL: http://store.kareemabduljabbar.com/skbo.html  ****  I already placed my order and received my confirmation, so I should be OK.

Woohoo!  Looks like Christmas came early this year!!!


THE WIRK

College football and basketball players shouldn't get a cut of TV revenue

I have the day off today, and it's raining, so I decided to check on my baby (i.e. this blog).  I'm not sure what happened yesterday, but my blog stats went through the roof!  Well, in an effort to not neglect you all and to stay focused on this endeavor, I took a quick look at ESPN.com and found a poll that struck a cord with me...  I figured I'd get your thoughts.

While I was surfing the net, I came across a Sports Nation poll asking whether college football and basketball players should receive a cut of their schools' TV revenue.  Below is a picture of the current results.

If you know me at all and/or have been following this blog, you know how much I appreciate money...  Initially when I read this questions, I jumped to YES for my answer.  I thought to myself, why shouldn't they get paid?  The athletes contribute to the program and as stars of the team they draw ratings...  However, I started to think the question through and realized that there are many other issues that need to be considered.

1.  Not all colleges/universities have the following (i.e. storied history) to attract viewers, ratings, and TV numbers.  Some school are simply too small and don't produce quality teams consistently enough to land the TV deals.  Growing up, I heard all the Notre Dame jokes about their teams playing in a "cereal bowl", but their fan base is loyal. 

2.  While an athlete might be incredibly talented, the focus of amateur athletics should be education.  If these individuals want to be paid as professionals then they need to take it up with the National Football Players Association (NFLPA) and the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) regarding age restrictions etc.  ****  I'm not going to research the particularities in this matter, but I've argued with former players about this matter in the past, and I think age restrictions are lame.  Caveat emptor (i.e. let the buyer be ware).  If a team is willing to risk its money on a very young prospect, it should be its right.

3.  I don't want to hear about how the athletes need the money.  More or less everyone in college and even adulthood will argue that they "need the money".  That argument doesn't hold any water.

Out of curiosity, I specifically checked the stats for Ohio.  I'm from Ohio and Ohio generally makes the "final" decision when it comes to who becomes President and other decisions.  Further, it's the Midwest - middle America, and therefore more or less "average".  Needless to say, when I checked, Ohio was split 50-50...

Just some thoughts from a girl who's too lazy to head out in the rain...

THE WIRK

Phuket ~ Paper Lanterns and James Bond Island

Phuket is such an easy travel destination when you're in Singapore that my friends and I decided to go out there for a weekend in October.  Since I'd already been to Phuket and have also completed a post about it, I'll give you the highlights.

This time around, my friend and I released paper lanterns over the ocean.  If you haven't done this before it's very cool! 

In addition, we spent one day on a boat touring/traveling to other islands (i.e. Hong Island, Phang Nga Bay, etc.), taking a kayak ride, and visiting James Bond Island. 

If you're a James Bond fan you can recognize James Bond Island from a scene in the movie "The Man with the Golden Gun".

Enjoy the pictures.

THE WIRK

Amir Khan v Lamont Peterson ~ Capital Showdown Press Conference

For boxing fans out there in the DC area, I have some good news for you.  Yesterday's press conference between Amir Kahn (26-1) and Lamont Peterson (29-1-1) was a sight to see (i.e. standing room only for fans and late arrivers) in the DC area.  Representatives from Golden Boy, HBO Boxing, Events DC, and both players' camps spoke at the event. 

Especially since this was a local event for both of us, I should've expected to see ESPN's Dan Rafael, but was still surprised to see him again.  He and I had met and talked on the plane back from Dallas, after the Antonio Margarito v Manny Pacquiao fight.  He told me that I'd be hooked after the fight, and he was right!  Since Margarito v Pacquiao I've seen Sergio Martinez knock out Paul Williams, and Pacquiao defeat Shane Mosley.  But I digress...

Seeing as that Peterson is from DC, he definitely had hometown advantage...  Further, since the fight is being held in DC against Khan, who is currently the unified WBA Super and IBF Light Welterweight Champion, a joke was made that it was "gangster" of Khan to come to DC to fight Peterson in his own house.

It was a packed house at the W Hotel, as media and fans came out to watch the press conference. The Capital Showdown will occur at the DC Convention Center on December 10, 2011. It's the first time in 18 years that HBO has come to DC showcase boxing.

I will admit right now that I'll take Khan in this fight.  He's trained by Freddie Roach and Alex Ariza.  Both Freddie and Alex are in the Philippines (i.e. or on their way back from the Philippines), where they were training Manny Pacquiao, so they weren't in attendance for yesterday's event.

Fans of Khan and Peterson should follow them on Twitter since both more or less invited their fans to come on out and support them at the presser. 

Below are their Twitter details:

Khan: @amirkingkhan

Peterson: @kingpete26

Approximately 12,000 tickets will be sold for the Capital Showdown.  In consideration to the fans, it's expected that the the lowest price point is expected to be $25 for the event. 

For you heavyweight fans out there Seth Mitchell (23-0-1), from Maryland will also fight on the undercard.

People say that boxing is dead, but judging from the buzz around yesterday's events ~ boxing isn't dead in DC... 

THE WIRK

RFK Stadium is turning 50 ~ I Remember

Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday, RFK Stadium...
Happy birthday to you!

I'm not originally from the DC/VA/MD area, but I've been in the area long enough to consider it "home".  Yesterday, I attended a press conference to kick off the RFK Stadium 50th Anniversary Celebration.  Some notables in attendance, were Vincent Gray (i.e. the Mayor of DC), Kevin Payne (i.e. President and CEO of DC United), Charles Mann (i.e. former Washington Redskin), Gregory McCarthy (i.e. Vice President of the Washington Nationals), and Norm Everson (i.e. former player for George Washington University).  If you're like me, you'd never heard of Norm either, but if you were at the event, I assure you that you'd never forget him. 

Greg O'Dell, President and CEO, of Events DC kicked of the event and various government and team officials spoke about their own RFK memories.  Everything from football games, to baseball coming back to DC, to boxing, to musical performances have taken place at a building that was described as having "soul".  The "I Remember" campaign is personal and definitely had people more than willing to recall their own experiences at the venue.  Norm's story was the last one and had people talking (i.e. if you want the details, "google" it)!

As someone who moved to the DC area in 2004, I was bummed to hear that I missed the Michael Jackson "Victory" tour and surprised to learn that boxing matches had taken place there.  I've only been to RFK a handful of times, and it was for the Washington Nationals, the Military Bowl, and a DC United Game... 

Well, RFK Stadium, I look forward to creating more memories with you.

Through the "I Remember" campaign, fans can vote for the RFK All-Stadium Team.  This "team" will be 50 of the greatest athletes and entertainers in stadium history.  Fans can also share pictures and memories with each other.  The URLs are: http://www.rfkstadium50.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/RFKStadium.

In addition to numerous events occurring at RFK the rest of the year, October 29 is RFK Stadium Appreciation Day.  Memorabilia will be on display at the DC Armory from 9AM-7PM.  The event will also feature family-friendly activities (i.e. player appearances and giveaways).  Further, tours of RFK Stadium will be given at 10AM, Noon, and 2PM.  These tours will give visitors a behind the scenes look at the locker rooms and the field.  The tours are free, but please register at the following link: http.://www.rfkstadium50.com/


THE WIRK

2011 Singapore Grand Prix - Recap of my first F1 race adventure

I'd to a NASCAR race before, but in September I went to my first Formula 1 (F1) race in Singapore.  The Singapore Grand Prix is unique because it's a night race, and basically an entire weekend of parties (i.e. concerts and racing events) and was a lot of fun.  I ended up purchasing Premier Walkabout tickets for all 3 days. 

These tickets were ideal for me, since I don't like having restrictions as to where I can go and I wanted to be able to travel from Zones 1-4 easily.  As an added bonus, these tickets also gave me the opportunity to ride the Singapore Flyer for free. 

How could I pass up the opportunity to see the track and the views of Singapore at night, when the trip was gratis?  I couldn't.

As for the highlights of the weekend here goes:

• Sebastian Vettel won the race.  For those of you that have no idea, here are some details about him:
• He's German
• Races for Red Bull Racing
• Current World Champion
• I saw Rick Astley perform in concert.  Here are my 3 cents on this experience.  ****  Why 3 cents, you ask?  Because I have more sense than the average person and I'm louder.
• If you are a man and you're not there with your significant other, you shouldn't be in a pavilion taking up space watching Rick Astley perform.  You need to listen outside the pavilion and give your "seat" to a female.  It's just the right thing to do.
• Rick talked to the crowd about the humidity in Singapore.   ****  Tell us something we don't know.  He performed all of his hits and a few covers and I must say, I enjoyed the performance.
• Yeah, yeah, yeah.  I like Rick Astley.

• When given the choice between watching Shakira or Boy George, I chose Boy George.  ****  In the interest of full disclosure, I'd already seen Shakira perform in 2010 at the NBA All-Star Game in Dallas.
• Boy George looked great!  He's on the heavier side these days, but he looks healthy.  His eye make-up looked fantastic and he sang all of his hits.  Not sure how many other opportunities I'd have going forward to see him perform so I'm happy I seized the moment.

• Shaggy in concert was cool.  A guy gave me his wristband so I went to the front of the stage.  I'm not a huge Shaggy fan, but he did his hits.  I was hoping I'd hear "Freaky Girl", but I didn't.  Either I missed it or he didn't perform the track.

• Linkin Park was the final show on Sunday night and the people were out in droves.  I'm not a huge Linkin Park fan, but I enjoyed their set.  I left it early (i.e. ironically, I think they were playing "Encore") to walk on the race track.

As for the races...

• I watched the F1 qualifying on Saturday night from Zone 1 near the pit.
• I watched the Porsche races from Zone 4 on Sunday.
• 
  
  I watched the final F1 race from Zone 4 as well. 
• Don't try to be a hero, bring and wear your earplugs!!!!  Thank goodness I had my iPhone earbuds on me or I would've had to buy earplugs.  Those F1 cars are loud!!!

Food:

• Go to the races hungry.  Since this is Singapore, plenty of good food is available and relatively inexpensive.  Even if you don't like racing, go there and eat!

THEWIRK

Iraq v Singapore ~ 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Qualifiers

Soccer, football, whatever you wish to call it was what I checked out last night.  In preparation for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil there are qualifying matches that need to be played.  Last night I took in Iraq v Singapore at Jalan Besar Stadium. 

I know very little about soccer to begin with.  After watching the most recent World Cup on TV, I can tell you which countries had the best looking men and go on and on about my appreciation of the soccer player body...  However, I'll spare you in this post.  Further, for the purpose of this post I'll do my best to speak "soccer/football" as properly as possible until I can't take it anymore...

I went to the match with Xander and Andreas.  I work with both of them and they're fun.  They both came prepared.  Andreas was dressed in red, and Xander sported a Singapore scarf.  I just wanted to get out of my work clothes and not melt to death in the humidity.  In the opening few minutes or so of the game, Xander asked us who we thought would win and for a prediction on the final score.  I predicted that Iraq would win 1-0. 

At that very moment, I also regretted not running across the street to put a bet on the game!  Oh well.  ****  Incidentally, I would've won.

After we filtered into the stadium and listened to the national anthems, we noticed that Tony Tan, the newly elected president of Singapore was taking the field, to greet the players.  That was cool.

In the first half, Iraq was more aggressive and had more offense.  Singapore's goalie was working hard. 

As the match progressed the guys were getting thirsty and with no alcohol being served in the stadium we headed to a food court for a drink. At the food court, as we indulged in a Tiger beer, Xander managed to break his chair!  Hilarious.  Thank goodness it wasn't me.

We returned to our seats after missing a portion of the 2nd half and sure enough Iraq scored again.  It was a weird goal...  Surreal how the ball bounced into the goal...

Singapore lost, but it was fun to do something sporty again.  Happy I got the invite!


THE WIRK