Good Vibrations
We're rolling toward the women's finals. Here's what the morning looked like:
May 20, 2006
Off to the Sharks!
After a speedy Friday night quickie drive from LA to SB our host Keith, informed us of a party (free beer included) at the local tavern.. while we have never been to the Santa Barbara Sharkees. Only good things can come of this.. Giles Weaver has been craving cocktails since Calabasas... what could possible go wrong?
It's been a flalwess evening so far.... Let's see what happens...We won't be out too late... got an 8:oo call.
May 17, 2006
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!
![WachMay[13].jpeg](http://www.crackpotpress.com/mt/WachMay%5B13%5D.jpeg)
Look at these women staring each other down like beautiful-but-deadly Chinese fighting fish who would rip each other to pieces if it weren't for the net separating them! Girls definitely don't like to lose!
Just in case you've been in a spaceship or in a cave, the AVP Santa Barbara Open starts in two days -- Thursday, April 18th, and wraps up this weekend on Sunday, May 21st.
The full schedule can be found here:
May 05, 2006
Welcome to Tempe
This weekend makes the seconmd stop of the AVP tour, the Tempe Open. Now, obviously Seeds 1 and 2 (Kerri Walsh/ Misti May and Rachel Wacholder and Elaine Youngs) are expected to do well.
But with any good tournament there are two teams that could really do some damage. Watch the #3 and the #6.
Annett Davis
Jenny Johnson Jordan
and
Semirames Marins Tatiana Minello
Marins and Minello don't play every tournament as they come outta Brazil and always manager to wax up the works. The other two, Davis and Jordan (daughter of Olympic Gold Medalist Rafer Johnson) have always had their eyes on knocking off May and Walsh and they can definitely pull it off. They were both pregnant and out last season. But now they are back.
This does not bode for either the Gold Medalists or RW/EY. May/Walsh have been strong against them in the past, but unlike 2004 they are now beatable and I think they are the ones to get the big chore done.
Check it out on Fox Sports Net over the weekend (or next weekend depending on which state you're in)
¶ 7:34 AM 0 comments
April 29, 2006
Kerri Walsh's Secret Edge
Karry Walsh is profiled in the recent issue of "GAIAM: lifestyle media." She attributes much of her success to a program called "Budokon", which translates into "Warrior. Way. Spirit." Which I have felt is also a translation of how Kerri plays.
Budokon was developed in 1999 by Cameron Shayne and is a combination of Yoga, Martial Arts,meditation and holistic nutrition.
Now, when my arm is not in a sling, I have taken yoga and usually enjoy it. It's great for an evening work out, for those of us in the 9 to 6 world who can't seem to get their butts out of bed or have a long commute. On the weekends I find yoga a bit too passive. But combined with Martial Arts, that's kick ass.
Kerri say her results have inculded a higher center of gravity and much quicker reflexes. As most know a whole lot of power isn't worth a damn if you can't hit the details. The details are what give you the edge.
The most surprising bit I read is that when Kerri is on the road or Cameron isn't available, she can easily complete the workouts on DVD. This is huge bonus for those of us who aren't making the big endorsement dollars (regardless that I hang a Gatorade banner over my cubicle).
Once I am in tip top again, I think I am gonna check this out.
April 25, 2006
Thoughts on EY
Rachel Wacholder has been getting a lot of attention lately. Her partner, Bronze Medalist Elaine Youngs, a vet of the beach hasn't been getting as many props.
She does deserve them. Rachel is the new kid on the block (very talented player) and everyone loves a new flavor.. so there has been some bandwagoning.
You have to remember that EY is the solid foundation here.
At last year's Hermosa Beach open. EY's seemed a little off, initially, in the final four match vsTyra Turner and Makare Wilson, then she just turned up the steam. It was like she just flicked a "fire up and focus" switch. EY did some truly amazing work including this weirdo freak from the knees" backwards dig that landed right were it was supposed to.
It was one of the most amazing digs I had seen.
Sure it was a freak shot and these things happen.
Then she did again, then one more time after that.
April 21, 2006
Bridesmaid Angie Akers
Last March, I spent 37:00 minutes (basketball time) gloating as the Gonzaga Bulldogs beat the shit out opf UCLA with a bloody stump of homeless man who once had a very successful pilot in the mix.
Then it just crumbled. Gonzaga panicked. Sure Adam Morrison kept it together until the last seconds, when it finally hit him that the Bulldogs had blown a 17 point lead. And fell like a sissy to hardwood not so gooey center court and wept. The KISS like thunder clap that the entire UCLA team coming down on the Bulldogs was enough to start a remarkably sober man to start whispering conspiracy theories. Morrison's teammates just couldn't back him up.
It simply came out of nowhere. I was stunnned as the Melrose Cantina burst to decible levels in the final seconds and Renne jumped and cheered banging her head on the tv set suspended from the ceiling just above her noggin.
I slithered away stunned.
But in PROFESSIONAL SPORTS, there is some strangeness brewing as well.
Holly McPeak has dumped her partner Jen Kessey for Rookie of the year (from Orinda, California) Nicole Brannagh. This is an interesting move. Last year McPeak split with longtime partner Elaine Youngs. After always coming in second the Walsh/May the decided they need to mix stuff up. Youngs took on the up and comer Rachel Walcholder and before the end of the year they had become the Skywalkers against the Black Draped (well as much as a bikini is draped) Vaders of May Walsh. And The AVP finally had it's first hardcore rivalry. The locals rooting for EY/Wach.. the tourists bangwagoning for the "Yankees of the beach" with those gold shiny shinies dangling below their napes.
A note on the Uniforms of May/Walsh: they shouldn't stray from the black. I am have seen them try to go more girly or more "summer"y at times. It doesn't work for them. If I may be so Blackwell let's compare:
I can see a difference.
So EY gambled and chose up and comer Rachel Wacholder. Holly goes with the less risky Jen Kessey. Jen is a great player a real solid go to gal. The problem with a solid go to gal is you can't mentor them and this is where EY/Wach flourished. Rachel is a very into improving herself. In her early days on the beach I noticed that after losing a match (with then partner Angie Akers) she went immediately to the big board to see what other matches were going on. To study her opponents.. see what they were doing right and see what they were doing wrong.
And that is exactly what McPeak has done. She has traded on a risky move... Rookie of the Year Nicole Branagh (who had been partnered with... yep.. Angie Akers). Rookies are odd foks to put your money on. Review the list of Heisman Trophy winners and you will see what I mean.. O.J., Flutie and that freak Chris Wenke.
Nicole is good player that will only improve under McPeak's mentoring. And I think they will be a surprise throughout the season.
Which brings us to bridesmaid Angie Akers. When I first saw Angie play I thought in a few years she would be killing the competition. But is just hasn't happened... yet.
And she just keeps getting left at the alter as her teammates keep getting snatched up by the heavyweights. She is the Oakland A's of the beach... you get a Catfish, Jackson, McGwire or Giambi and they just go somewhere else and win the World Series. I really hope Angie finds the teammate she really clicks with. She deserves it.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: Some people have bitched at me saying my coverage of the AVP glamourizes the women's part of the sport... so as a footnote I add..
Nine out of the ten top men's pairs have also split up... cue the Neal Sedaka)
April 19, 2006
California Dreaming
"All the leaves are brown, and the sky is gray"
Ah, the lament of those who don't live in California. That opening lyric makes me feel like I am alone peering through an Joliet window, cutting up my cell mate for firewood.
BUT yesterday , the leaves were brown and the sky was gray, here in the City of Angels. I was in the middle of that upward razor climb of the being the new guy at work. And yes, what a climb it is.
April 18, 2006
Todays Word: Upsets!
Now We Got a Season Going!
So as I sit hear noshing on a nutritious snack of Fritos and Jalepeno Chedder bean dip, I despair as I realize it is not as Jalapeno-ey as used to be. Fortunately I got the AVP and the women are off to what looks like could be a pretty spicy season.
Today’s Word:
“Upsets”
April 16, 2006
The AVP AWARDS
AND THE WINNER’S ARE
Just one click AWAY
April 15, 2006
I am getting screwed on my taxes
Yup, the AVP season is upon us!
This cheers me as I am getting a crappy tax refund.
Mostly because I negotiated a debt settlement and made myself quite a deal. I did save several thousand bucks so it was worth it, but that several thousand bucks I saved is now applied income and it screwed me all up.
Now let's say I had gotten a good tax refund. I have checked the price of gold and have looked into stock option investing.
But it looks like the only thing I am going to be able to afford is this.
Sure I am little biased, but the AVP I think is a great investment opportunity right now. The tour has just been expanded to include 4 different stops (though I still think the Brooklyn open is a terrible idea, but it is a New York Venue), the sport is growing in leaps and bounds in popularity, it has it's staple stars Kirach, Walsh-Traenor, Wacholder, Jasopn Ring is coming up and every game is broadcast on either NBC. Also at $1.50 a share.. it's got nowhere to go but up.
Season starts in just a couple of short weeks.
An easy bet to double your money.
or I just could pay off my car insurance.
August 30, 2005
Shake Up In Boulder
Strange things were afoot in Boulder this weekend. It was awesome that Elaine Youngs and Rachel Wacholder beat out the champs again. It's not the Kerri Walsh and Misty May have been slipping.. It's just that EY/Rachel just keep getting better.
However, there are two little known victories that shouldn't be allowed to slip through the newscycle. The teams of Carrie Busch (pictured left) /Leane McSorely (ranked 6th) and Angie Akers/Nicole Branagh. (Ranked 11)
The finished 3,4 and 5th, respectively. All of these teams pulled off major upsets against the semifinal staple teams of Kessey/McPeak and Turner/Wilson. One of the reasons that the Men's has been more popular ovwer the years is that it is very competitive with upsets occuring regularly. This also means a a regular rotation on the Nationally televised matches.
There seems to be a new breeze blowing on the beach.The matchups overall seem to be closer.
The play fiercer.
Improvement is on the March. The sport is changing.
Angie Akers (pictured left) was the partner of the uber- tenatcious Wacholder last year. It could be that Angie is improving to the point where she will be a major player next year.
With her partner, Orinda, California's Nicole Branagh, Akers/Branagh came within three points of taking Busch/McSorely, something I thought had been previously out of there reach.
With only two major tournies left- Chicago this weekend (NBC) and Vegas next (FSN), the ground work for next year is getting thrown down.
Hear me now !
2006 will be some of the fiercest competition at Women's AVP ever.
August 26, 2005
Crackpot Press Sports and Entertainment
and Now Sports.
In Washington, they have brought back Civil War Style baseball! Who will win this epic showdown between the Blue and the Gray?? I'm guessing the team that doesn't keep their best players in chains.
This month in Playboy, the Girls of the AVP pro beach volleyball league get naked for the cameras. As a huge fan of the sport, I was disappointed that Rachel Wacholder, Kerri Walsh, Misty May, Tyra Turner, Carrie Busch, Jen Pavley, Nancy Mason, Jennifer Kessey, Angie Akers, Makara Wilson, Jennifer Meredith and the Linquisdt sisters were not amongst the models.
I guess Playboy decided that sometimes it’s just better to search out the players that suck. The combined tournament wins of the models included equals "I should not give up my Job at Sharkees"
Big news in the world of music...
After 20 years of being nowhere to be found Bobby McFerrin takes some time off. I think it's pretty pathetic to get some ink by announcing your retirement... For the kids out there he had a homoey one hit wonder back in the 80's.
Also Matchbox 20's Rob Thomas is going on a solo tour. I think it is important that a whole new generation of young men will earn their degree in "Pussification" How do you earn that? It's easy... spend $200 on concert tickets to go hear a bunch of "sissy boy rock" only to not get any later. Rob Thomas regularly wears a t-shirt that says "Feminist." As the sage proclaimed, "Men who claim to be feminists are just doin' it for the nookie."
Also this jagoff, Jason Mraz, Says "Smoking Makes Him Happy." I have never heard of this guy but we at Crackpot Press strive for keyword rich content... like "Jagoff." As an 18 year smoker I was thrilled when I accidently projectiled a lugi on to my monitor this morning. Yup, I am a happy guy. More sissy boy bad boy PR crap... Here's a tip if you want to be a "Bad Boy" GO BIG! learn from the master.
Gwen Stefani teaches the most important lesson of the Music Industry to underpriveledge North Korean School girls.
August 19, 2005
Manhattan Open Pick
It's hard to root against EY and Rachel... but I gotta feeling this week, EY/Wacholder are on fire right now.... but a lot can happen in the week. Also I heard she is going drinking with Giles Weaver and that's always trouble.
My pic to win the Manhattan Open--- Jennifer Kessey and Holly McPeak..
Why I think EY and Rachel are going to be a little off after last weeks killer match up.
Kessey is due to spring on the scene
Misty's food poisoning last week.. was just that weak. I think they Misty may be a little over.
July 25, 2005
Rachel Wacholder and Elaine Youngs KICK ASS!
Rachel Wacholder and Elaine Youngs kicked ass today over the reiging champions Misty May and Kerri Walsh.
In a truly inspirational 21-14, 21-15 domination, RW and EY truly played their best game ever. There have been rumors the Misty got some food poisoning in Austria last week.. I don't think that even matters. Rachel continues to improve each match and is a now a force to be reckoned with. Add in EY's veteran status, strong leadership and tiny body that runs on lightning and you have a perfect ying yang match.
Oh check out this blog for Pictures of the Hermosa open.
July 21, 2005
The Hermosa Open The AVP
This week has been a real turd in politics. There is simply nothing going on. I don't want even THINK about John Roberts.
SO WE ARE TAKING A BREAK!
This weekend is the GREATEST SPORTS WEEKEND of the YEAR!
It's the HERMOSA OPEN FOR THE AVP!!!!
A lot of so called intellectuals forget why they became intellectuals..
It was for the competition.
Will the crack upstarts of ELAINE YOUNGS AND RACHEL WACHOLDER once again steal the crown from Kerri Walsh and the Misty May? Kerri claims she played poorly in Ohio, or was it the EY and Rachel are just "that good?"