Adventures In Las Vegas

A couple of weeks ago my wife and I went to Las Vegas for a getaway... I would highly recommend it for anyone.

I love going there. The shows, the food, and the venues are all great.

We were only there for a few days but it was really cool.

We saw Cher in concert (I've had a crush on her since I was a little boy). We were the youngest in attendance at the show ...hahaha... But I loved every second of it. She's an incredible performer.

She sang a number of hits that have received airplay over the last 45 years. And...for a 63 year old ...she was wearing outfits that looked really good... if you know what I mean.

Enough said.

We also saw Criss Angel's "Believe" show at the Luxor. Dude gives his all to the audience. His illusions are world class and he genuinely loves to do his thing. In between magic tricks he opened up to the audience about his family, his personal life, and many other things. It was very engaging...almost like he was trying to purge some sort of emotional carthasis. I really dig his Mindfreak show too.

There is a party atomosphere in Sin City and yet it is simultaneously family friendly. It's not uncommon to see all kinds of characters and celebrities walking about too. While my wife and I were having lunch at Caesar's Palace, Sarah Silverman walked by and nodded hello as she ordered a salad and sat down at the table beside us.

Her stand up is pretty irreverant and risque. She is a very talented comedian and truly makes me laugh.

She was very gracious and down to earth when we asked for a photograph. Pretty cool person.

Vacations and getaways are good for the soul.

Even in Sin City.

Bernard Hopkins and MMA

There's been a lot of hype and buzz surrounding B-Hop's recent disparaging remarks targeting MMA.

I don't understand why it is that many high profile figures connected to the sport of professional boxing feel the urge to downplay, dismiss and indeed even insult what is fast becoming the number one sport in the world.

Boxing is my favourite sport.

I am a huge fan of Bernard Hopkins. The Executioner is a genuine master of fisticuffs. His dismantling of Kelly Pavlik, Antonio Tarver, and Felix "Tito" Trinidad speaks for itself.

B-Hop has been the best middleweight for this generation. Period. Hands down.

In addition to his mastery in the ring, what he has had to overcome in his personal life as a young man is inspiration for everyone -boxing fan or not. I think he is great and definitely ranking among the all time best. He is a powerful role model for those that wish to transcend difficult challenges in their life.

So why is there a need to say the things he said?

B-Hop is not alone in this. Money Mayweather, Winky Wright and a lot of other marquee names have weighed in with the same sentiment. Even Bob Arum, Don King, and other heavy hitting promoters have offered their two cents in ridiculing Mixed Martial Arts.

Why?

I think that the recent huge success of the UFC and other promotions which showcase MMA pose a perceived threat to their detractors.

MMA critics from the world of boxing kind of come across as creepy ex boyfriends who have nothing good to say about their ex's sudden fascinations and intrigument with the "new guy".

MMA is slowly but surely taking away boxing's piece of the pie.

I consider myself primarily a boxing fan, who, also happens to love MMA. They are two different sports. One need not choose one over the other... Kinda like rugby and football. Two very different sports that might have glimpses of similarities.

Perhaps boxing could learn some lessons as to why MMA is the success that it is.

Promotions such as the UFC put on many exciting fights throughout the year where world class atheletes compete in a forum where anything can happen. The fighters come to fight - not to dance and spar. Those in line for a title shot get a shot. It is fan friendly. It is heavily promoted via the internet.

Can the same be said for boxing?

Rarely do high profile MMA fighters insult or dismiss boxing. If that does happen, it is usually in response to an attack on the sport of MMA.

There are many boxing fans like myself that see how both sports can coexist and flourish.

Perhaps if less energy was spent on devaluing the legitmacy of MMA and more effort on putting together boxing matches that people actually wanna see (i.e. Mayweather vs Pacquio) it would serve all involved for the better.

As a fan, I'm disappointed in B-Hop's comments.

Positive Thinking...BS?

Author Barbara Ehrenreich has a book published : Bright-Sided: How the Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking has Undermined America.

Interesting concept.

Its receiving a lot of buzz for the way in that it rails against the notion of how just simply "thinking positive" is in effect ineffective.

She targets religious leaders, the author of the hugely successful "The Secret", and many gurus who she feels exploits the vulnerable while having no scientific or empirical studies to back up their claims and assertions

The self help industry is an 11 billion dollar business.

Perhaps their is some merit in her stance.

Unless a positive attitude and thinking positive is accompanied with definite positive action, it is perhaps the most annoying quality any person can have.

It can come across as fake, delusional, smarmy, and self congratulatory.

On the other hand, positive actions coupled with real and measurable positive behaviour will ultimately nuture a positive attitude.

I'll always remember what a mentor once said to me:

"I have never thought my way into being happy and having good results in my life. I have always found that when I TOOK the necessary steps and actions first, good thoughts and results often followed."

Sage advice.

Perhaps I should heed it... Hahahaha.

UFC 104

Pretty pumped and excited about tonight's UFC 104 - Machida vs Rua!

Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida's style makes for a challenging and seemingly unsolvable puzzle for all of his previous opponents. His awkward stance, classic karate style, impeccable footwork, and perfect timing has proven to be unbeatable thus far.

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua ain't no slouch however -- He comes to brawl. His Muay Thai is lethal and second to none.

Interesting matchup. Perhaps too close to call.

If I had to say who I believe will emerge victorious, I have to go with the Dragon. He's just too elusive and freakishly accurate with his striking game.

I'm gonna say Machida wins by TKO in the second round after a first round feeling out process.

Look for Rua to come out swinging right at the outset looking for that home-run-out-of-the-park score. Machida has an amazing ability to avoid getting hit and chances are slim Rua will find his mark.

But this is MMA.

There's a reason this is becoming the fastest growing sport in the world.

Anything can happen.

And its exciting. Period.

What would you do? Are you doing it?

I got some feedback from a couple of friends with my last blog on "Doing What You Love"...

A good friend asked a simple question: "What would you do if money was not an issue-if all your expenses were covered and you were free to do what you want?"

Pretty powerful question.

Interesting too. It assumes that we do what we do simply for monetary obligations. And, nothing else. That can be a very depressing paradigm.

Would you be doing what you normally do on a day to day basis if you didn't need the coin?

What would you do?

Somewhere embedded in your response is an indication of what you love to do.

Doing What You Love

Whatever our obligations, responsibilites, or daily routine are-- it's become very apparent to me that doing what we love to do in our life makes things significantly simpler. (Which doesn't necessarily mean easier!)

Hardly anything is more cumbersome and soul sucking than submitting to a vocation that does not suit our passion and inner joy.

From my own experience, a tell tale indication that I am doing what I love to do is evident in the way I am feeling. Am I relaxed? At ease? Content? Reasonably Happy? Connecting with others in a genuine way? Taking pride in my duties? Physically feeling good? Mentally present to the "now"?

If not, I am probably enduring an activity that is not inline with my natural inclinations.

Kinda like when you into go to a store or restaurant and you see someone who obviously is not digging what they do for work... it is usually an unpleasant interaction to say the least.

When I am doing what I love to do it usually overflows into all of my interactions and relationships. I am measurabely a better husband, brother, uncle, and friend.

Ultimately, as an adult (which is kinda tough when you have the maturity of a seventeen year old-- hahaha) it is our responsibilty to seek out that which we love to do in our vocation or daily routine. Noone will do it for you. If its handed to you, its harder to appreciate.

These are just thoughts that came to me in my coffee-filled-veins this morning as I am determined to trudge the road to happy and insightful destiny.

TUF

Last night I watched episode four of The Ultimate Fighter with a great deal of anticipation... Dana White is either a marketing genius or extremely lucky (perhaps both). Spike TV's reality show is a great showcase for the sport of MMA and also serves to promote growing interest in what is fast becoming the biggest sport in the world. The show doesn't disappoint.

Gotta love Quinton Jacskon too-- He's a very funny dude with his observations. Too bad he has since opted out of the UFC to pursue other interests. He apparently will not participate in the series finale in a bout versus Rashad Evans. It would have made for a very compelling match up.

Both have world class boxing skills although I would give the wrestling edge to Rashad. Would've been too close to call.

Who knows? I have a sense Quinton will be back. Thats a fight the fans would like to see.