Waiting For Resolutions

It's getting closer..........
(media.mlive.com)

2010 is just around the bend, and it can't get here any quicker! No doubt, 2009 came with plenty of good times, but the year sort of dragged out too long, kinda like every TV show made between 2002-2009. With the new year comes new hopes that the 3rd shift at FedEx won't be my mode of employment for the rest of my life, wondering if my college degree has as much value as a stack of Confederate money. Maybe the full moon over the sky will be a catalyst to a change of luck, or another inspiration for someone else to make another romantic vampire movie. Thinking of things to change for the new year was a little difficult. Contrary from what you hear, I am far from perfect, yet I don't fall into the resolution-making crowd. I'm actually looking to GAIN weight, I don't smoke anything but the occasional stogie, the drinking has gone down exponentially since the college years and I don't watch enough TV to get rid of guilty pleasures to save precious time (does VH1 Tough Love count? Feelin' a little ashamed now.). Looking back at the old year, there were a few things that I learned and that I'm sure to apply heading into the tens and teens (another hard decade to name coming up). Here's to the vital and the trivial that I'm going to take with me into the next year, and maybe my pointers will help a few others in their quest for time-based enlightenment. Don't worry folks, there is nothing about gyms or dropping cheeseburgers in here!

1. Diversify my weekend adventures.
Oh, my everlasting desire to make this world so much smaller! There are so many locations that I would love to visit that are a short flight away. Miami, San Fran, Montreal and Toronto top the short list now. I'm also not ruling out a sun-soaked Christmas on the beaches of Hawaii, but that's only a figment of fantasy at this point. When you just finished shoveling your driveway, trust me, your mind can gain some serious frequent flyer miles. Visiting a few ballparks and stadiums on the main 48 is a more realistic possibility that could work out. Either way, I'm hoping that 2010 can be the potential year of the check mark when it comes to travel spots.

2. Get back into the exercising game.
Hey now, people! I didn't say gyms! I'll admit it, I'm the last person who looks at the nutrition facts when chowing on anything. I barely have any idea how many calories anything is, or why trans fat has become such a big deal. But with a few heart attack scares in my family recently, I feel compelled to make a few changes in my body management. It is not as drastic as the dietary promises other people make when the year changes, but it doesn't hurt to become a little more health conscious as I pack on the years. Besides, getting back into marathon shape isn't exactly the worst idea in the world. In fact, I ended up having all the time in the world in 2009 to train and run in a marathon, but couldn't keep a regimen that lasted longer than a few weeks. I'm thinking a little bit of an endorphin rush will probably give me the motivation to tackle the other challenges I want to conquer in the future. Now where did I put my running shoes?

3. Trying not to be afraid to ask for help.
Must be a man trait. Whether it's directions to the restaurant or putting together the most massive entertainment system ever, we have the penchant of going our own way without the interruption of assistance. I guess it's our own masochistic way of flaunting our independence to the world, and in many situations, I'm no different. Hell, I even question my GPS's directions. I admit, asking for assistance for me is balancing on the line of begging. For example, I have been reluctant to venture into nightlife lately because I don't want to have to be that guy that asks to skip a round. It's just not in me. I just don't like that feeling of not being able to handle my own situation, but then again who doesn't? That brings me to the arduous process known as my personal job hunt. This job search has really got me reaching out in directions I never even thought of venturing in, but it's the only way to advance. Sometimes you have to show a little vulnerability before others will step in. If you let the world think everything is okay, people will naturally back off. As long as you don't present yourself as a scummy individual, or you are Bernie Madoff, there are people out there that are more than willing to heed the call to put you on the right track. In the end, your calls for help are doing a favor for everyone because it fulfills the personal and philanthropic needs of everybody involved. Anybody hiring?

4. Letting myself make the money and not letting the money make me.
Probably the key phrase for me in the new decade. This past year I fell for shallow opportunities that I either wasn't prepared for or simply just didn't fit my true interests, and all for a quick buck. There were a couple projects I embarked on that I thought I was being entrepreneurial when in the end, I placed myself in a position where I was extremely dependent on other people I didn't exactly trust to guide me to success. I found out the hard way in 2009 that in order for me to be successful, I have to be passionate in what I am doing and also to feel as if I'm making a difference. When money becomes your sole motivator, your expectations become distorted, which can severely hinder your final results. By letting the money control me, I ended up basically getting implicitly what I asked for: To get screwed. I had inadvertently became more dependent in my pursuit to become independent. After being jobless for almost a whole year, I have vowed to myself that somehow, someway, that I will not go through this situation again. The feeling of telling people about your unemployment at social gatherings and feeling like a burden at every night outing because of your lack of cash flow doesn't get any cozier. Of course, a grown-up job is the first step to my economic recovery, but I realize that even a job in this crazy modern world doesn't bring you all the security. Not with recessions and people looting from your 401Ks and pensions to boost their Ponzi schemes. Something tells me that this next decade is going to be a little more entrepreneurial, and now I have wisdom as my booster fuel.

5. Become more firm in giving out/taking rejection.
In order to become more entrepreneurial, I have to take to this mantra. One amazing thing I learned in the '09 is that the human mind is more powerful than we give it credit for. You can talk yourself into ANYTHING being a good idea. For example, I would have never thought in my life that I would have been pitching gutter estimates door-to-door in sub zero temperatures. Granted, with the economy and all, I was so ecstatic at the time that I got something almost immediately after my lay-off and jumped at the first thing that had a pulse to it, but I didn't have to subject myself to any of those unnecessary hardships. A lot of my problems last year were based on me thinking I was helping out/doing favors for other people. In the end, YOU, and only YOU, are responsible for your success and nobody else. Don't get me wrong, I think teamwork is an essential part of any project and I probably wouldn't start a business unless I was teamed up with a dedicated partner, but only YOU know your desires and goals of YOUR OWN life. Don't be afraid to be bold and say no to something that threatens your personal integrity or sanity. You must also not be afraid when someone discards you or your vision of the world. Hey, they're 6 billion people on this earth, so I guarantee that at least a few people are on the same page as you. Chances are if you work hard enough in what you are passionate about, opportunity is always around the corner. You may hurt some feelings (even your own) in the short term, but at least your bank account and your mental health will ultimately be preserved in the long run when destiny finally falls in your lap.


Things I'm looking forward to in the New Year.
- FIFA World Cup 2010.
- Hopefully another Eurotrip.
- 2010 Red Sox season. (Duh!)
- Moving into my own abode.
- Getting that job that somewhat correlates with my degree.
- Working on actually gaining those 10 solid pounds of muscle.
- Bringing Cloud 10 to the mainstream.
- Random adventures in random places across the country.

........and hopefully a whole lot more!

Wishing all of you the best in 2010. Happy New Year, ladies and gents!

A Cloud 10 Christmas Conclusion

All I think of is two words: Massive cleanup!
(static.panoramio.com)

It's that time of year again where oxygen comes at a premium at the local mall and when the parking lots have a potential to become a bumper car arena. A shopping excursion can seem like a life-and-death situation, even if I'm just there to purchase for a Dunkin' Donuts gift card. It is about the time before Thanksgiving when the arrival of the holidays feel like that slap in the face you know is coming. However as Christmas becomes more and more of a commercial event as I get older, I can't be a grinch and let the cold and the calamity ruin the essence of what this holiday should be. As much I complain about the snow, it is the most appropriate backdrop to this time of year, making me not mind so much the everlasting chill on my toes come late December. Plus, it doesn't hurt to hope that a red Dodge Viper is magically waiting for me in the driveway when I wake up tomorrow morning. It's gonna happen one day, I know it! Just the guessing of what's under the heavily-designed wrapping paper is something that unearths that personal feeling from my days as a youth who just finished watching a few episodes of Tom & Jerry, waiting for his parents to wake up so he can open those very gifts. As I get older, I realize it's just that simple. Since I was 18, my Christmases have been tree-less, which could be perceived as sad removal from the celebration, but then I think of the cleanup on the 26th. But Christmas to me is more the spirit of the day, the collection of the nostalgia of fond memories from yesteryear to adulthood that still make you highlight that 25th day on that last month on your Outlook. It also never hurts to have a looping holiday jingle in your head, which for some reason will stay embedded in your head till the ice melts in mid-March (Current earworm: Wonderful Christmas Time, Paul McCartney). In the midst of all the modern craziness, it is those hopes and images that keep the holiday spirit alive. So now that I proved that I'm not a complete Scrooge, Merry Christmas to everybody, and stay safe!

Happy Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Festivus to ALL!

Chuck's 5-Piece: Sports Cathedrals

I'm already sick of the snow too, KG!
(espn.com)

When I was listening to the FIFA Club World Cup celebration on the radio on Saturday, I thought how exhilarating it would feel as a fan seeing your team achieve history, not just the accomplishment, but that shared feeling of the magnitude of the moment. It made me realize one thing. Simply put, I miss baseball and Fenway. I miss that crowd in a pennant race where every fan has that sensitive attentiveness and ferocity similar to how a lion watches his prey. As a sports fan, it would be phenomenal to obtain that feeling year round. Granted, I have access to two other major venues, but it's nothing comparable to Fenway crowd, or a soccer crowd for that matter. Crowds for Celtics and Bruins games are passionate, but don't get truly into it until playoff time and going to a football game is possibly the most overrated experience when it comes to sporting events (getting in and out of parking lot traffic, late-season weather, no true homefield advantage due to the massiveness of the new venues). With all that said, you will be in a big shock when you find out what my number one venue is. This has been a 5-piece I've wanted to do for a while, but the Sox season kept getting in the way. I'm sure most of you who know me understand. So why call it the 5-piece? Originally, I wanted to call it the 'Bucket List', kinda like the title of my last Top 5 entry. However, the fact that of comparing an entry of mine to a list of things to do before I croak seems a little cryptic, don't ya' think? Then, I thought simply, "Chuck's Bucket", simply a collection of my desired experiences, but that seemed too cutesy. But 'bucket' got me to chicken, like chicken nuggets. You know, those things at Mickey D's that I used to inhale as a kid until I saw ads saying that they were NOW made with real chicken. I can't tell you how scared I am that a leg will fall off my body after those binging sessions on the old nuggets. Anyway, here are the five venues I wish to attend, of course with legs intact.

Well, guess I have a reason to go back to London.
(bostonherald.com)

5. Wembley Stadium - London, England
I have finally found another reason to go back to London......well besides getting that coveted pic with me walking on Abbey Road. Even though it's not the original iconic venue, the new £757 million Wembley ($1.2 billion, most expensive in the world), is as buzz-worthy as its predecessor. All 90,000 seats (2nd in Europe) are under cover, protecting from those misty London days. The Wembley title, like the Madison Square Garden, is one of those few names that can carry its mythical aura to any of its descendant stadiums (Verdict is still out on Yankee Stadium.). Wembley to me has always been the "it" venue of the international sporting world. The Wembley brand adds so much weight and substance to whatever event or concert is held in its famous grounds. Probably why the NFL picked the new Wembley venue for its annual overseas special, or why England chose the venue to be the official home for the English national soccer team. I heard through the grapevine that the 2011 Champions League Final will be held at this venue and will be the centerpiece of the 2012 Olympics. I'm predicting some future days surrounded by red telephone booths and British fanatics.

Wimbledon: Best thing on grass since Willie Nelson.
(myenglandtravel.com)

4. All England Club - Wimbledon, England
I'll admit it, I've probably seen more tennis on the Wii than I have watching the professionals on TV. However, the recent Wimbledon championships have been more captivating than ever, making me wonder if I have been missing out on one of the better tournaments in sports. The courts of Wimbledon have been hosting their championships since 1877, acting as the backdrop of champions of the likes of Federer, Laver, Borg and Sampras. The regal charm and the inspired performances at Centre Court at Wimbledon are second to none in the world of tennis, trumping the vibe of all the other Grand Slam events with an aura as natural as its iconic all-grass surface. Tennis may not be my main draw, but the charisma and the tradition of Wimbledon has a special allure that can grab a hold of any casual sports fan. With the venue holding tennis competitions in the 2012 Olympics, it's looking more and more as if London may be the place to be a few years from now. Plus, a Brooklyn Decker sighting is all welcome in my book.

The key to the drought might be buried in that ivy. Just a thought.
(americansportsblog.files.wordpress.com)

3. Wrigley Field - Chicago, Illinois
In Chicago lies one of the few remaining iconic American stadiums in existence. Since I have already been to the Hall in Cooperstown, this would be my next baseball mega-destination. First put to use in 1914, 'The Friendly Confines' provides a sublime illustration of the charisma of old time baseball, highlighted by the brick surfacing of the outfield wall and its urban surroundings. The way the ivy on the outfield wall progresses from its flimsy branches in early to a mini-jungle in the dog days is just another part of the beauty of the national pastime. It's amazing to think that this renowned house of baseball was once the longest tenured NFL stadium, hosting the Bears from 1921 to 1970. Whether it's football or baseball, the super-devoted followers of Chicago, through accolades and agony, provide one of the liveliest sporting environments that extends to the rooftops across the street from the park. I would absolutely enjoy being in the stands in the midst of this lively Midwestern environment, all while trying hard not to be the next Bartman. If the Red Sox don't triumph in any given year, I always hope that the Cubbies can finally triumph for the 1st time since the Teddy Roosevelt administration and make history, right in their historic gem of American sport.

Lookin' like my European Fenway Park.
(spanishballs.files.wordpress.com)

2. Camp Nou - Barcelona, Spain

In the midst of a city which contains Gaudi and Domènech's architectural greatness, this would be my desired edifice. Imagine stepping into an environment that can house almost 3 Fenways in capacity with all the energy and passion to boot. Hell, they're 5 times as many people that cram in the venue for a simple soccer match than residents in my hometown! It's pretty amazing to think that they are plans to extend the capacity another 10,000 seats, which would make it the largest football stadium in the world and adding to the already strong Catalonian fervor for their blaugrana. Other than housing my favorite soccer club, the grand venue has also hosted games in the 1982 World Cup, concerts from a list of acts not limited to Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra, and even a papal congregation. Come to think of it, I may have to make Barcelona a permanent fixture in my future Eurotrips. However, nothing would give me more joy than to be at El Clasico chanting the Barça hymn in broken Catalan as the blaugrana claim victory.

Looks like a great place to take a leap.
(eventchaser.com)

1. Lambeau Field - Green Bay, Wisconsin
Might be a bit of a shocker after my mini rant in the intro, but this is the Mecca of the new American pastime. I mean, where else is it okay to cheer for your team while wearing a foam dairy product on your head? To me, it is the Fenway of football for many reasons other than the green facades of their walls. First off, Lambeau is the oldest stadium in the league that was built and exclusively used for NFL football, making it one of the few relics in a world of luxury boxes and over sized jumbotron scoreboards. The comparison between my sports cathedral and Lambeau also extend to the passion of the fan base, which the cheese heads may have a slight advantage in a couple of areas. For example, the waiting time to purchasing season tickets is on average, a hefty 30 years! Whether in the rain or in -13°F like in the 1967 NFC Championship Game, you can bet your life savings that the Packer fans will show up, filled with brat and a few brews, to cheer their team to the final whistle. It is that kind of passion that allows the fanatics to run the team and keep them in a city that only claims just over 100,000 residents. For that, the frozen tundra of Lambeau is a must-witness for any true American sports fan. I heard that a game in the frozen ground of Lambeau is something else,......but I also heard that Wisconsin is beautiful in September. I'm still getting used to the mental hangover brought upon by the winter solstice. Cheers folks. At least they're longer days ahead!

Honorable Mentions: Daytona Motor Speedway, Allianz Arena, Old Trafford, Augusta National Golf Club, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Rogers Centre, Madison Square Garden

Before I Peace: Icing On The Cake

(edition.cnn.com)

A big hoorah to the great Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi, who captured the FIFA World Player of the Year by a large margin. With the victory, Messi beat out former winners (Ronaldo, Kaká) as well as current teammates (Xavi, Iniesta). It is the first time that he has achieved the accolade, with the help of his explosive play that created 38 goals in 51 matches while playing a vital role in the many important competitions F.C. Barcelona were a part of. It can be considered another success for Barça, which became the 1st team to pull off the 'sextuple' this past Saturday in Abu Dhabi. The world is truly in for a treat when he dashes on the pitch in South Africa when the World Cup arrives in the upcoming year. Witnessing all these accomplishments from my adopted team in my first year as a fan, this 'Player of the Year' award like Messi said on the podium, "is the icing on the cake." Here's to a successful 2010 for my Barça!

Mochaman's Fantasy Football Report
- Boston Beersquad - 10-3 (1st, Plax's Got a Gun, 1st in Division 2, 1574.30 Pts.)
The 'Squad is going to the finals! Thank God that's over! Probably my most dramatic series of the year, as it when down to the Monday night 'Skins-Giants game, where my Giants D overcame my opponent's performances of Jason Campbell, Hakeem Nicks and Quinton Ganther to seal a trip to the last waltz (Thank you Jim Zorn for the awful trick play!). Facing probably the toughest six-seed ever in the finals, a team that was the second highest scoring team in the league and has been beasting the playoffs despite losing three in a row at the end of the regular season and barely making the playoffs. Defensive matchups are a plus for me this week as Warner/Fitzgerald will be against St. Louis, Donald Driver goes against Seattle, Ochocinco will line up against Kansas City and Vernon Davis will face Detroit. If there is one week to have a freaky scoreline, it's now!

- Killa' Beavaz - 9-5 (2nd, Yahoo Public 179914, 1409.78 Pts.)
It's Super Bowl time at the 179914! No, you not seeing double, that's two football finals for the Mochaman after only being in one final in my previous 7 years playing. Apparently the seeding in this league was an accurate indicator, as I'm up against the #1 seed, who had the same record, but was 27.28 points better than me in the regular season. Hoping that McNabb can finally give me that big week he is capable of, for it could make a difference against a team that has players like Peterson, Austin, Rivers and Ricky Williams. Hope I can come out of the ring this weekend with at least one title belt!

R.I.P. To Another Young Talent Gone Too Soon

Brittany Murphy (November 10, 1977 – December 20, 2009)
(im.in.com)

In Awe Of The Aughts

Need a new decade?
(graphics8.nytimes.com)

Believe it or not, we are now gliding on the down slope of 2009. The year in itself was eventful, evidenced by the arrival of Lady Gaga, successful crash landings on the Hudson and showcased some of the worst parents of all-time. However, as the decade winds to a close, it just makes more sense to charge up the time machine and explore the past 3,642 days of what can be called the double o's, the zeroes, the aughts, the noughts or whatever you want to the call these past ten years. Even in the decade where the economy did a triple lindy as it crashed and burned, forcing me on a staycation to start my career, there was a lot of prowess presented in our pop culture that made us forget about the bad while at the same time, helped us reminisce about the finer times, and there were plenty. Besides, I'm too young to be thinking about my past of the good ole days.........or the 90's. As the decade sets at the west of time, here are my all-decade awards.

Look of a guy who needs some good news.
(scrapetv.com)

Best Athlete of the Decade - Tiger Woods
I think the world got this one right. He won a whopping 56 PGA events within the past ten years, including 12 majors, which his about as many triumphs as alleged mistresses (too soon?). Tiger made people care about the sport he was playing. He made people discuss if he even had a rival, which to this day is still non-existent. Still not convinced? As we saw when he was resting his knee/what we are going to see when he takes his "family break", golf ratings plummet to mantle of the Earth. The ratings for the Chevron World Challenge earlier in the month dropped over 50 percent from the previous year, and it's only going to get worse. This shows that Tiger not only dominates on the links, he is virtually the only marketing presence on the PGA, and the other golfers are very aware of that (see John Daly's comments a couple of days ago). No offense to the Olympians and their world-class talent, but many of those events are a 2 week phenomenon every 4 years. Roger Federer's dominance wasn't really appreciated until Rafael Nadal recently grabbed him by the tail. Lance is just affected by participating in a sport that puts the WWE to shame in terms of PED use, which should actually boost his credentials, but at the same time we only care about cycling (bikes that is, not the 'roids) for a month if that. Tiger's influence not only has encouraged minorities, but also those who didn't consider themselves in the country club crowd to pick up a putter. When I saw my uncle with a set of clubs, I wondered who needed medication, him or me? And all that took for him was a Wii video game with a certain popular golfer on the cover, and I bet you can't guess who. Think of it his way. The recent scandal wouldn't be as big as it was if he wasn't dominating the fairways in the first place. He has left that much of an impact with his ice-water veined demeanor on the course that naturally it would be a gigantic story when he goes astray from that image. His international crowning as the Athlete of the Decade is probably a blip on his tabloid mess of a life right now, but it doesn't hurt to get some good news around holiday time.

Apologies to Lance Armstrong, Tom Brady, Roger Federer, Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt

CDs are so 1999. Can't believe I actually said that.
(tech-buzz.net)

Best Gizmo of the Decade- iPod
This decade entry wouldn't be complete without this category. The factor that gives the iPod the edge over the phones is that the iPod has become the indicator of the shifting the the music industry as a whole. Remember when we used to buy albums? The iPod is not only phasing out the ownership and the irritating maintenance that comes with a CD, it has catered to society's technological conformity along with allowing the consumer to display his/her melodic individuality. It was also Steve Jobs sensing shift in the industry, knowing his customers were tired that road trip to the record store to buy a whole album that had just as much of a chance of being a mistake purchase as a successful one. Apple allowed the consumer to buy the select songs from the select artists (and even movies) they desired by just a few clicks online. I mean, who would want the WHOLE Soulja Boy album in their music collection? The iPhone and the BlackBerry definitely follow in the terms of technological conformity, but they didn't create as big of a shockwave in the communications industry the way the iPod did for music. All I have to say is, "Viva la iRevolution!"

Apologies to iPhone, BlackBerry, Wii, GPS, TiVo

C'mon...everybody's doing it!
(CEB II)

Biggest Cultural Phenomenon of the Decade - Social Networking/Media
In this competition, American Idol would not be going to Hollywood. Crocs and Uggs can take a hike. When your aunt has a Facebook account, you know it's not just unavoidable, but revolutionary. Facebook, MySpace and even Twitter are making a huge cultural footprint not just for this decade, but play a vital role on our future life. A Facebook page is as fundamental to some now as maintaining an vital body part, like a liver. Sadly, it seems as if people maintain their profiles better than their organs. Anyhoo, to go along with the major players, many niche networks have jumped onto the scene to connect every realm from ethnic communities (Blackplanet.com, Migente.com) to business communities (LinkedIn.com). And then comes Twitter, the mega-virtual bulletin board puts us ever closer not only to the lives of our peers, but in the day-to-day doings of our most beloved celebrities and athletes. That's just a glimpse of how social networks and media have become a huge part of everyday life. Believe me, even blogging was the last thing on my mind a year ago, but it's as viral as the development of media the past few years. It has changed the game not only of how people communicate with each other, but how general media is directed to the public and even how companies advertise. The social media platform has also renewed our focus of privacy and what info we want public, affecting everything from your potential dating scene to chances of employment. There is also the danger of whether these networks are ruining the process of human interaction by making of our social lives more virtual. As we plow into the next decade, expect this intriguing craze to develop in more than 140 characters.

Apologies to cosmetic surgery, American Idol, Atkins Diet, being green, iPhones/BlackBerries

Nope. The spell still isn't working.
(deadlinescotland.files.wordpress.com)

Most Overhyped Thing of the Decade - The Harry Potter Craze
Just another thing that everyone in the world likes but me. Probably a lot of you, if not all of you reading, are huge fanatics of this series. I'm just not. Sorry. Never got it, and never will. I was tempted to include the recent Twilight phenomenon, but I believe we are too early into it to make a solid decision about its overall legacy. The whole boy wizard thing is too outrageous for me, and this is from the same kid who as a youngster worshiped reptiles who could talk and do martial arts with the help of some radioactive ooze. Maybe it's my penchant for reality over fantasy. The craze was so massive, there was even had a class on Harry Potter at my college, which happens to be a business school. The books, which seemed like an epic children series, were dubbed in the Gatsby category way too prematurely. The frustrating part was all the Potter fanatics convincing me into the trend, while at the same time, telling me that the book was more understandable than those confusing movies. Might just be me, but an orphan wizard whose parents got killed by a guy with a half-nose that goes to a boarding school full of other wizard prodigies makes as much sense to me in print as it does on the screen. So there you have it, wizardry is just not my cup of chamomile. Well, I guess it's all over now but the hate mail.....or hate spells.

Apologies to Twilight, segways, Matt Leinart, Notre Dame football, swine flu, John & Kate, Jonas Brothers

OK Kanye, you can come up on stage now.
(fashionindie.com)

Best Album of the Decade - The College Dropout by Kanye West
Pretty tough nowadays to have a good album, especially in an age when you can just download selected songs and especially when artists can be completely obsolete with a faster media and a culture with a shorter attention span. Even though he may be the Dunce of the Decade for what he did at the VMAs, you have to give props to Kanye for his incredible debut release. It was amazing watching how a relative unknown became another humongous factor in the shifting influence of hip-hop. In high school, I saw many of my senior peers, who weren't particularly rap fans, have Kanye in their CD player or in their car. The presence of Kanye only strengthened for me when dorm life came along, with the music from this very album being the staple of the frat parties and pre-gaming sessions. "This album's just different," many of them would say, and it sure was. From the tale of struggle with "Through The Wire" to the sharp cadence of "Jesus Walks", Kanye's intellectual verses were much different from his peers, who primarily rhymed about bling, Bentleys, and booty girls. Instead, Kanye decided to focus on themes of spirituality, materialism and family while blending gravitas with a sense of humor within the tracks of the album. In that way, West came out less like the modern rapper and more like a commoner who keenly noticed the complex world around him. The album was also big in an industry standpoint, proving that a hip-hop producer (who was actually working on Jay-Z's 'The Blueprint') could actually take the mic and become a legitimate superstar. The College Dropout is another testament to a huge decade in hip-hop's commercial appeal as its reach was as powerful in the skate parks as it was in the urban front, and thus making a stronger argument for hip-hop as the genre of the double o's. Kanye, you may NOW take the stage! Have to say you actually deserve this one.

Apologies to The Blueprint by Jay-Z, Stankonia by Outkast, Rush of Blood to the Head by Coldplay, Kid A by Radiohead

The best by more than a slim margin.
(thaindian.com)

Best Artist of the Decade - Eminem
Love him or hate him, the infamous white rapper from Detroit captivated as many people with his skill on the mic as much as he infuriated people with his defiant attitude and controversial lyrics. As a white man in a predominantly African-American genre, he stood out from the get go. You could feel from his music that motivation, that chip on his shoulder that helped him constantly improve his craft and to get noticed by rap icon Dr. Dre, propelling his rise to artistic infamy. Many say that his polarizing nature hurt his overall influence, but think about it. Sometimes, that polarizing nature adds to the grandiosity, especially to those who achieve high levels of success. I mean, Muhammad Ali wasn't exactly loved during his heyday. He didn't exactly march to the beat of the status quo in the time when was beating his opponents mercilessly in the ring. But at the end of it all, it was Eminem who sold more albums than any artist in the past ten years. More than Coldplay, Jay-Z and even Britney. He did this by meshing pop sensibility with tales of rawness and angst, and the masses just ate it up. Even my predominantly white suburban Central Mass town couldn't avoid his appeal as his music was an automatic fixture on Friday night dances and the self-karaoke sessions of my peers. I remember being a 15 year old listening to the Marshall Mathers LP and being how equally awed I was of the skill and the shock value that the album exuded. It was in that album I knew he was gonna be in the minds of millions for a long time because he showed he wasn't afraid to use his lyrical skill as a dagger, even if it rubbed people or other artists the wrong way. His infamy helped not only sell records, but added another flavor to hip-hop that helped make hip-hop even more digestible for suburban America. To top that off, he has won both an Oscar and a Grammy, an accomplishment similar to the likes of Sinatra and Streisand. Adored or despised, Eminen in this decade has established pop-culture cred that could give him the liberty to release an album when he reaches the Aerosmith age bracket. And don't say he can't do it, that will just give him more material.

Apologies to Jay-Z, Outkast, Britney Spears, Beyonce, Coldplay

Do I need to explain more? OK, guess I have to.
(blog.newsok.com)

Best Movie of the Decade - Slumdog Millionaire
Well, I guess I can eliminate the Rob Schneider collection, don't ya think? Picking movies for me (probably like for everyone else) is tough, considering I normally not in love with the movies that everyone else flocks to. I'm a pop culture cynic, especially when it comes to movies, for whenever something is praised ad nauseaum, I will do nothing short of an MRI on the movie to find a flaw. I mean, we ALL knew that the ship would sink in Titanic! WHY DO PEOPLE LIKE IT......ERRRRR! Anyhoo, getting back to Earth, the basic guide I followed here was.....

A) It is a fresh, captivating story, avoiding the repetitive nature that Hollywood has promoted recently. So good, that it actually lives up to the billing the hype machine has created.

B) The film just has grabability (needs to be on Urban Dictionary). Once it's on, you have to be along for the ride and watch the whole flick because the story is so compelling.

C) It is digestible for all audiences. It doesn't take an expert film critic/cinematographer to fully grasp the film's overall meaning.

This eliminates movies that are strictly defined by their genre, specifically comedy (my personal favorite) and horror films. Movies like Old School, Saw, Superbad, The Hangover and The Ring sure hit their marks, but the problem with these flicks is that they are catered to specific audiences, and thus lose out on their universal appeal. With all of that being said, Slumdog was the movie that just did it for me, as well as for millions of others. I can honestly say that I am thinking outside the hype, which the dreaded Twilight franchise has taken over. It was soulful, it was gritty, and it had an ending which was good, but made you think at the same time. I mean, why would Salim treat his brother like crap as youngsters, only to basically die for him at that particular moment? Director Danny Boyle and crew did all this with fresh faces (Hallelujah for Freida Pinto!) and to tie destiny with a forgotten icon of a game show that was a relic of the previous decade. I have to admit, the fact that a franchise-wrecking sequel release is next to impossible for this film gives this flick added bonus points in my book. A soulful, yet thoughtful movie like this needed to be released, not just an inspiration in these weak economic times of recent days, but also after those horrific terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the city in which the movie is based. So that's why Slumdog does it for the decade, and yes folks.....it is officially written!

Apologies to Dark Knight, Almost Famous, No Country for Old Men, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Crash, every comedy flick I like

About 3,000 reasons to never forget.
(100megsfree2.com)

News Story of the Decade - 9/11 Attack on America
Here is the the tough part of this entry for me, the part where I have to remind ourselves of the strife and the hard times that all of us have had to experience in some way, shape or form this decade. There is not even a close second, even in a decade with Katrina, a war on two fronts and our first black president. It's the "You Know Where You Were" moment of my generation. It is that moment that the nation, and even the world felt that chill on Ground Zero on that warm Tuesday, not only the chill of terror, but that eerie premonition that things were going to be different. I mean, this sort of thing didn't happen to America, ever. Other than the government who allegedly covered up some slightly important info, who saw this coming? Who saw over 3,000 unsuspecting people losing their lives while the rest of us watched one of our most majestic symbols destroyed in our view? 9/11 and the events afterward basically determined the whole legacy of a president and the future path of our history, which has yet to be determined. From tighter security to the polarizing views toward our country held by many across the globe, we're still feeling the repercussions from that September day over 8 years ago. Never forget this day, ladies and gents.

Apologies to Hurricane Katrina, Barack Obama, The Great Recession, Iraq and Afghanistan, Bernie Madoff

I call this piece, "InstaJoy!"
(loveofsox.com)

Sports Story of the Decade - Tie: 2004 Red Sox, PED's
Had to, just had to. You can probably tell which story I have a personal tie towards, but I don't know I could keep my fan card if I didn't acknowledge the impact that the 2004 team had on me and millions of other Sox fans, and even the Sox themselves. I mean, I get chills just remotely thinking about that season. The coming of age of Red Sox baseball coincided with a coming of age period in my life, with the thrilling and triumphant conclusion coming during my primary days in college society, which had a solid mix of Yankees and Sox fans. I swear, that October killed my GPA and my sleep patterns for life, but you don't have to ask me if it was worth it or not! Coming back from 0-3 to win 8 straight ballgames against 2 teams who won over 100 games in the regular season was the only way to have it. This is the ultimate "grandkids-on-the-lap" story. It has the beginning (Pedro, Grady, don't need to say more.), a Goliath like struggle, and the characters to boot, with the scruffy hairstyles and all. It was like a rough and tumble bourbon-drinking deer hunting society decided to don on baseball uniforms and take on a nine decade hex. The aftermath has been somewhat of a mixed legacy. Combined with another triumph in the Fall Classic in '07, our national prominence has become stronger, being dubbed as the team of America due to the legions of fans who attended other venues to see their beloved team. However as a result of the growing popularity of Red Sox Nation, the Sox have fallen into somewhat of a fad. The bleachers of Fenway have become a a trendy backdrop for those who would rather check the results of American Idol on their BlackBerries, further tempting me have a massive Fever Pitch bonfire. Oh well, have to take the good with the pink hats! But I'd be robbing you if I didn't tell you what story really dominated the athletic landscape in the zeros, or double o's, ... or....whatever......

Whoa! Long time no see, Rog!
(allaroundphilly.com)

They seem to be as reviled in this country as Osama. It impacted just about every sport by its very presence. Their presence was evident in baseball, track, football, cycling and they were even discussed on the links of the PGA. It was that stain that you kept rubbing, but wouldn't go away, even becoming stronger after each wash cycle. It's that nasty zit that just won't pop. Steroids was bar none, the headline grabber this decade in the world of athletics. The taint wasn't just in the urine of the guilty, but in the faith of the common fanatic. Sadly, now every success story in sports has to have the accompanying afterthought of suspicion. Baseball was the most high-profile victim of the performance enhancing plague, claiming modern-day superstars and future Hall of Famers as hostages. PEDs have not only been the fuel for the many professional athletes that used them to get ahead, but also the fuel for a rapid info society where speculation and cynicism has become the new American pastime. Unfortunately, steroids has become the knee-jerk explanation to explain the amazing, while the asterisk has become the modern day scarlet letter for the convicted and even the accused. Even the legendary performances of Usain Bolt, Lance Armstrong and Michael Phelps will remain under the burning light of speculation thanks to the few who took the chemical way out. In a decade in which we had many examples of heroes free falling from grace and mythical greatness, the PED was the ultimate dreambuster. I wish I could say that it's a shock, but in an athletic culture that promotes bigger, faster, and stronger added with the million dollars that are in play, it's not out there that a juice culture would exist. Especially in the case of baseball, where the brass overlooked integrity and safety of its labor force for profit. Ultimately, PEDs revealed an uglier aspect of our culture, that of greed.

Apologies to Tiger scandal, Malice in the Palace, Lance's Tour de Force, Michael Phelps' golden Olympics

"Goog-opoly" may be the new name of the game.
(pcmag.com)

Person of the Decade - Sergey Brin and Larry Page of Google
Make that, people of the decade. These information revolutionaries have slowly influenced more aspects of our day-to-day lives. Want to check what 7'2'' is in centimeters? Google it. Walking time from Philly to Pittsburgh? Google it? Want to know the layout of the neighborhood in Paris you're staying at? I think you know where to go. Hell, even this blog is technically a Google entity. If it's information, Google has it covered for sure. If you think Google is just a search engine, you definitely have not been paying attention to how Google has played a diverse role in our lives this decade. All I'm saying is that if your company name becomes a verb applied to all of your information needs, you're definitely doing something significant in this world. Every day, their billion-dollar web enterprise is gaining on an influential, yet one of the more important monopolies out there this side of energy production, that of information. Plus, their purchase of YouTube has no doubt strengthened their positioning as kings of the New Media. To top it off, Google has been deemed one of the best places to work in the country. I just might have an idea of the next application I'm filing! So what will these computer science whizzes from Stanford do next to expand their Google regime? Looking at this burnt popcorn, Google Kitchen would be clutch in the near future. Just saying!

Apologies to Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama, Mark Zuckerburg, Osama bin Laden

Before I Peace: Complete Six-cess

(soccernet.espn.go.com)

While we're still writing about the best, a big congrats to mighty Barça, who have won 6 out of a possible 6 trophies in 2009, capped off with their 1-2 victory in the FIFA Club World Cup final over the Argentinian side Estudiantes in probably the most thrilling of all their cup finals in the past year. Their World Cup trophy will now sit beside their hardware for La Liga, the Copa del Rey tourney, the Champions League, the European Super Cup, and the Spanish Super Cup. With their sixth cup clincher in Abu Dhabi, the 2009 Barça squad have no doubt placed themselves among the greatest club teams in the history of world soccer, putting manager Pep Guardiola on the map as an international legend as well as in a sea of tears, of jubilation of course. And with team superstar Lionel Messi projected to win FIFA Player of the Year, this year's version of Barça's is going to become one of those clubs that won't be forgotten in a very long time. Oh, and don't count them out for another strong campaign in 2010 as they have remained undefeated in league play, while staying alive through the group of death to have the right to defend their Champions League title into the new year. VISCA EL BARÇA! MÉS QUE UN CLUB!

Mochaman's Fantasy Football Report

- Boston Beersquad - 10-3 (1st, Plax's Got a Gun, 1st in Division 2, 1574.30 Pts.)
Time to dust the cobwebs off from the bye-week and go full force. Hoping the Fitzgerald situation is kosher, considering Arizona is going against Detroit, which should make for a huge fantasy week. Maybe Ochocinco will follow his tweet and have a big game for his fallen teammate? Hope all the answers lead towards me going to the finals. Get excited!

- Killa' Beavaz - 9-5 (2nd, Yahoo Public 179914, 1409.78 Pts.)
Won a crucial matchup to get into the championship bracket. This team is also suffereing from a case of Fitzgerald-itis, which could derail my chances in getting to the dance. Also taking a gamble and hoping that the Pats D can step up against the Bills, which still may be a tall task. Other than Chris Johnson, there have been no true constant to this team. Other than all of that, I'm pretty optimistic!

R.I.P. To A Fallen Bengal

Chris Henry (May 17, 1983 – December 17, 2009)
(everyjoe.com)

No Lack Of Fire In The Hot Stove

Room for two Texas hurlers? You bet!
(i2.cdn.turner.com)

Just when I thought that this would turn out to be the apocalyptic "rebuilding" year of the Red Sox, they pull off a deal that I thought had no chance of happening. This may be linked to certain left-fielder's agent putting the Sox on the burner for not adding that coveted 5th year. On Monday afternoon, the Sox apparently may have shifted their offseason focus a bit and inked a deal with Angel ace John Lackey to a 5 year deal for just over $82.5 million. Do I think they overpaid a bit? A little. Lackey has only thrown 339 2/3 innings in the last two years due to some tricep and forearm injuries. On top of that, the contract lasts until the end of 2014 when Lackey is a not so robust 36 years of age. However on the same token, this is somewhat of a steal, considering the pitcher who got a virtual carbon copy of this deal last year (A.J. Burnett) was never the ace of his previous teams nor had a championship ring pre-signature, while having a Game 7, World Series win on his resume. The 6'6'' Texan hurler (102-71, 3.81 ERA) has been undeniably consistent with his bulldog mentality and his knack for inducing groundballs, which will mesh well with fellow Texan Josh Beckett as well emerging ace John Lester to make one of the most formidable trios going into the 2010 season (All have won clinching World Series games.). Many complain that he is not that bona fide #1, but in this staff, he doesn't have to be. If he does what he had been doing the past 5 seasons in Anaheim (refuse to consider them an LA team), $82.5 million might become more of a blue light special in the grand scheme of things. Most importantly, the move adds flexibility to the Red Sox's future plans in the starting rotation as it gives them a multitude of options on what to do with Josh Beckett in next year's edition of the Hot Stove. Again, the spotlight of speculation shines on Clay Buchholz, who becomes a little more expendable with the arrival of Lackey, making Adrian Gonzalez nuts like myself more hopeful that something will eventually happen. However, a potential monkey wrench could potentially doom the Red Sox in doing anything else big this offseason.

The Sox could be out by a thumb.
(redsoxgirl46.mlblogs.com)

Aaahhhh, the never-ending trade. On Thursday, the Crimson Hose agreed on principle to send Mike Lowell and $9 million to Texas for young catcher Max Ramirez, a player who has some clout with the bat but info from scouts suggests he may need a taser for self-motivation. However, one digit-sized problem has halted the completion of this deal. Surprisingly, it's the left thumb and not the hip of Lowell that is the site of concern for the Rangers, making this weekend's physical the most important of the offseason in terms of the Red Sox near-future plans. If the tests show that he needs surgery, you can forget about an Adrian Gonzalez blockbuster. In fact, you can forget about Adrian Beltre, whose appeal I still don't get. Granted, he is by all defensive metrics, one of the best third basemen in the game, but we will be sure be paying a pretty penny for that defense/sporadic offense with Boras on the other side of the table. I've been a Mike Lowell fan this whole time and wish that a character guy like him wasn't the chip that was in the way of steering the future of this club. He turned down more money and years just to stick around Fenway and he was nothing short of a productive presence when he has been in the lineup. Unfortunately, we're not sure if he can be in that lineup everyday and there is not too many options for him, considering we technically have three first baseman (V-Mart, Youk, Kotchman) on the squad. So what do we do with Blue Chip Buchholz after all of this? Keeping him actually isn't a bad option, for I believe he will make a solid 5th starter over Wakefield and the uncertainties surrounding has recent injuries and back surgery. However with Wake's tenure on the club combined with the intricacies of the knuckler, I just don't see the Red Sox putting him in the 'pen. Then again, I didn't see the Lackey move,....or this mega-transaction, which makes the AL a bit more interesting.

This Doc's departure is helping me breathe a bit more.

(reclinergm.com)

In a three-way deal that is oh so close to happening, the Doc is heading to Philly while the Mariners will be the recipient of lefty Cliff Lee. This deal makes me focus on the Mariners than it does the Phils. Philadelphia was already by far and away the class of the NL, and if Cole Hamels can return to form, could provide a powerhouse of a 1-2 tandem that will win a 3rd straight pennant. The focus swings towards the capital of grunge music and lattes, where the Mariners have quietly had one of the best offseasons of anyone. A Cliff-Felix duo could propel Seattle in a division that has already lost John Lackey and Kevin Millwood. Just as important was the signing of Chone Figgins, who had matured as a top-tier lead off man for the recently-weakened division rival Angels. Plus, they have been one of the rumored participants in the hectic Bay sweepstakes, which could create a fascinating Canadianese corner outfield situation with Ichiro. Granted, both moves don't exactly make Seattle a World Series team, but that Wild Card spot, which has been dominated by the AL East teams for 6 of the past 7 seasons, becomes less of a fallback plan for the Olde Towne Team. With all this mania on the hottest day of The Stove this year, the most exhilarating thing for me as that none of these big names mentioned in big deals didn't end up with the Yankees as I feared. It's not Adrian, and it's not Miguel, but who can turn down a good Hanukkah gift?