I must admit I am a bit behind on actually watching the PBR, but thankfully DVR is letting me keep up with them when I get the chance. That being said, I do check on the website fairly regularly in the hopes that someone has climbed to the top of the leader board ahead of JB Mauney. Looking at the website and the comments, I can tell I am not the only one that feels this way.
Bull riders can be cocky--I get that, I do. I have known some personally. And they need to have that formula of confidence, attitude, and perseverance. Getting on the back of a huge beast that just wants you off and don't care how, you have to have some kind of gumption. Confidence is a great thing. Arrogance is not. Throwing a temper tantrum when you don't ride or get called for a slap or don't get the ride you thought you should is very immature. So is being in it for the money. Mauney RARELY misses the opportunity to talk about money in an interview during a PBR event. We get it JB, you're greedy. Great.
But he has stayed up at the top, so he must be great right? Nope, unfortunately there is another formula involved and JB has got it figured out. The PBR has instituted a draft, where there used to be a draw. As long as a person is high enough on the leader board at the end of a round, they have the opportunity to pick a bull sooner in the draft. If you are towards the end of the round, the judges can look at who is ahead of you and score you or the bull just high enough to get above that other person. That means that you can be a judge's favorite, have a crappy ride, and still come out on top of the leader board. Call it a conspiracy theory if you want, but as sloppy as JB rides, and as many times as he "slaps" a bull (usually an instant disqualification), and he is still ahead on the leader board? The cow **** isn't the only thing that stinks at the PBR. He has also figured out what bull he can ride. And that would be "Troubador." As of January 17, Mauney has ridden the bull 5 times. Picking a bull you know you can ride when you are at the top of the draft doesn't indicate greatness, it indicates laziness. Stock contractor Don Kish even went so far as to call JB a coward for not picking his bull "Necessary Evil." In January JB literally hung on to the side of the bull "Code Blue" and was given a score of 76.25, yes given. Anyone else would have gotten DQd. But by golly, since it was JB, HE RODE!
Just as JB loves to talk about the money, even stating something to the effect of "won a butt load" in an interview, he doesn't often say a lot about the bulls. Unless of course they help him to win. In an event last year, he even blamed the bull (and its "floppy horn")for his slap and disqualification. To me, a great bull rider talks about the bull, win or loose, as a number of other bull riders do. They also take the opportunity to get on different ones, not the same "moneymaker" over and over again.
Unfortunately, JB will likely win the 2010 World Championship. It won't be singularly by his own accord, but with the "help" of others. Not that we haven't seen that before in the PBR as well.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Sherlock Holmes (movie review)
STARRING: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan
DIRECTED BY: Guy Ritchie
Overall liked it. Nothing super fantastic, but quite enjoyable. The costumes and props and set work protrayed the time period very well. The characters were believable-- I like Robert Downey Jr. much better as a detective than a super hero, much more believable. There is a comedic element, I know there were times when I was the only one in the theatre laughing (don't know if that says more about me or the rest of the audience). Also present is the idea of a supernatural thiller, love affairs (for both men), and the ever present underlying "buddy" theme--two individuals making one unit that is utterly incomplete without both parts.
Appologize as this was written sometime after I actually saw the movie, so there is not a lot that has stuck (which clearly says something). Entertaining though.
DIRECTED BY: Guy Ritchie
Overall liked it. Nothing super fantastic, but quite enjoyable. The costumes and props and set work protrayed the time period very well. The characters were believable-- I like Robert Downey Jr. much better as a detective than a super hero, much more believable. There is a comedic element, I know there were times when I was the only one in the theatre laughing (don't know if that says more about me or the rest of the audience). Also present is the idea of a supernatural thiller, love affairs (for both men), and the ever present underlying "buddy" theme--two individuals making one unit that is utterly incomplete without both parts.
Appologize as this was written sometime after I actually saw the movie, so there is not a lot that has stuck (which clearly says something). Entertaining though.
New favorite thing
Last winter, around Christmas time, I came across a gift idea called Glassybaby. Pretty little multi-colored hand blown glass votives, the "baby" of Lee Rhodes, lung cancer survivor. I immediately tried to visit the website: www.glassybaby.com - only to get the ominous, "this site is blocked message" as it was classified as a gaming site....WHAT? So, with this in the back of my mind through my "winter vacation," I visited the site on another computer (read faster speed internet).
WOW! No really...WOW!!! Remember what it was like to open a new box of crayons at the beginning of the school year? Recall seeing a cluster of Easter Eggs arranged in no particular order, but still artistically in your childhood Easter Basket? Think about the thrill of seeing a mixed bag of jelly beans, all the colors coming together to make a sugary mosaic of bliss... Okay, so maybe that last one was just me, but these are the feelings recreated by the rainbow of colors available. It was one of those cases, HAVE TO HAVE ONE!!! But oh, which one to choose?
Not a surprise to anyone who might know me, I chose a "watery" color called Cabo, an opaque light teal/turquoise blue--along with visiting the ocean for the first time and going to, yep you guessed it Cabo San Lucas, I figured that was the most appropriate. Ordered it, went on the trip, loved the trip, and waited for the votive to arrive. And waited. And waited. A misunderstanding of address was quickly resolved after I contacted them, and within days, my first "baby" arrived, safe and sound and beautiful. In the mean time, I had contacted the people who decide what websites we can and cannot view and why, and they quickly reclassified the site, and made it available.
One of the great things about glassybaby is that besides the beauty, the background, and the energy they posses, is the fact that a number of colors and a percentage of all sales go to cancer research or other charitable organizations.
So, I have gone back to the site, again and again and again. I have since ordered two more singles-- Studio 54, a transparent dark teal green, and Lady Di, a gorgeously regal transparent sapphire blue. AND a Valentine's Day/Easter/Birthday/Christmas/yougetthepicture gift for myself that consists of the "12 month club," one votive a month for 12 months. The first glassybaby of the month to arrive was Pearl, a rich opaque white, with hints of iridescency, true to its namesake. Seasonal colors are available--this month, the month of "love," many of the offerings are various shades and tones of red. With spring on the way, more colors are popping up that are similar to the flowers or animals they are named after.
The price might deter some, but please remember these are HANDMADE IN THE USA!!! And don't forget, the company does donate proceeds to various organizations. Still not convinced...they also have a "seconds sale" twice a year....
http://www.glassybaby.com/
WOW! No really...WOW!!! Remember what it was like to open a new box of crayons at the beginning of the school year? Recall seeing a cluster of Easter Eggs arranged in no particular order, but still artistically in your childhood Easter Basket? Think about the thrill of seeing a mixed bag of jelly beans, all the colors coming together to make a sugary mosaic of bliss... Okay, so maybe that last one was just me, but these are the feelings recreated by the rainbow of colors available. It was one of those cases, HAVE TO HAVE ONE!!! But oh, which one to choose?
Not a surprise to anyone who might know me, I chose a "watery" color called Cabo, an opaque light teal/turquoise blue--along with visiting the ocean for the first time and going to, yep you guessed it Cabo San Lucas, I figured that was the most appropriate. Ordered it, went on the trip, loved the trip, and waited for the votive to arrive. And waited. And waited. A misunderstanding of address was quickly resolved after I contacted them, and within days, my first "baby" arrived, safe and sound and beautiful. In the mean time, I had contacted the people who decide what websites we can and cannot view and why, and they quickly reclassified the site, and made it available.
One of the great things about glassybaby is that besides the beauty, the background, and the energy they posses, is the fact that a number of colors and a percentage of all sales go to cancer research or other charitable organizations.
So, I have gone back to the site, again and again and again. I have since ordered two more singles-- Studio 54, a transparent dark teal green, and Lady Di, a gorgeously regal transparent sapphire blue. AND a Valentine's Day/Easter/Birthday/Christmas/yougetthepicture gift for myself that consists of the "12 month club," one votive a month for 12 months. The first glassybaby of the month to arrive was Pearl, a rich opaque white, with hints of iridescency, true to its namesake. Seasonal colors are available--this month, the month of "love," many of the offerings are various shades and tones of red. With spring on the way, more colors are popping up that are similar to the flowers or animals they are named after.
The price might deter some, but please remember these are HANDMADE IN THE USA!!! And don't forget, the company does donate proceeds to various organizations. Still not convinced...they also have a "seconds sale" twice a year....
http://www.glassybaby.com/
Monday, February 15, 2010
Coming to its senses?
Has the rest of the world started to figure out Taylor Swift can't sing? From her "performances" at the various "awards" shows, the number of hits for "Taylor Swift can't sing" is growing steadily. I heard Tim McGraw on the radio this morning. Usually I turn off the radio, turn the TV to a different channel, etc when one of her songs comes on. It struck me this morning that Tim McGraw (her first release) actually sounds better than Fearless, her most recent release...aren't people supposed to get better as they practice and hone their talent? She can write, she just can't sing.
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