Edward's self absorbed filler

Musings

What happens in Vegas - Pure garbage. Why my friend wanted to watch this film is beyond me. It went from a bad comedy to a bad chick flick. 3/10

posted by Edward @ 11:03 PM

Musings

Highlight text for spoilers

Memento - Back in 2003, I downloaded this film and I finally saw it. Guy Pearce beating up Carrie Ann Moss and then immediately forgetting about it? Hilarious. One major qualm: Leonard supposedly killed his wife accidentally after his accident. Leonard is supposedly repressing his guilt with the Sammy Jenkins shenanigans. But how can he repress something that he can't remember? 9/10

Vision Quest - The quintessential amateur wrestling movie with a strong 80's vibe. Although, the wrestling matches don't seem that realistic (based on my limited knowledge). 7/10

Highlander - This movie is pure cheese. And I'm not talking about the good/funny kind. The only redeeming thing about this film is the catchy poster tag line "There can only be one". 4/10

posted by Edward @ 12:57 AM

Letter writing

"July 23, 2008
[Please tell] readers that may feel free to submit comments in writing by September 17, 2008 to:

DAG Nicholas Lembo
NJ State Athletic Control Board
Hughes Justice Complex
P.O. Box 180
Trenton, NJ 08625-0180

Any comments would be welcomed.

We are interested in any comments from any promoters, matchmakers, managers, seconds, trainers, fighters, officials, media, fans or other interested parties.

All comments will be passed on to the Committee for their consideration."



So unlike the majority of mma forum posters, I actually wrote and mailed a letter earlier today.


Rule changes and suggestions for the unified rules of mixed martial arts


Changes needed in mma

1) Include knees on the ground.
2) Include soccer kicks and stomps
3) Do not add more weight classes
4) Change heavyweight upper limit to unlimited


1) A common mma position: Bobby shoots in on Tom for a single/double leg takedown. Tom sprawls and stops Bobby’s shot, but Bobby is able to hang onto Tom’s leg. A stalemate ensues, because without knees on the ground, Tom can’t effectively punch Bobby. And since Bobby has a hold of Tom’s leg, it’s difficult for Tom to circle around and take Bobby’s back. With knees on the ground, there will be a strong impetus for Bobby to MOVE, thus preventing boring stalemates (Example: Andrei Arlovski vs Jake O’Brien, round 1, UFC 82)

Knees on the ground also give fighters another offensive option when they advance to side mount/control.

Are knees on the ground dangerous? Sure they can be, but they’re certainly not as devastating as standing knees from the muay thai plum (where you are simultaneously pulling an opponent’s head down while kneeing them in the head). Like the muay thai plum, there are ways of escaping the above sprawl position or the bottom position of side mount/control, so fighters aren’t defenseless. Knees on the ground really help to reduce boring stalemates by forcing action unless one fighter wants to be kneed repeatedly.


2) Another common position: the butt scoot. Bobby is on his back while Tom is standing at Bobby’s feet. Tom throws some low kicks that do a moderate amount of damage, but ultimately, either a) Bobby quickly scrambles back to his feet, b) Tom goes for ground ‘n pound or c) more commonly, an awkward pause ensues and the ref has to stand it up.

Stomps and soccer kicks gives Tom another offensive move to help prevent the awkward pause that precedes the referee stand up. Stomps and soccer kicks only do serious damage when the fighter illegally grabs the fence or ring ropes. Otherwise, the soccer kicks and stomps throw the offensive fighter (Tom) off balance making it difficult to throw strikes in rapid succession.

When Tom goes for a stomp/soccer kick, this creates space allowing Bobby to:

a) dodge or block the blow and then….
i)Get back to full guard
ii)Get back to his feet

This specifically applies to situations where Tom has the dominant position (side control, mount and back-mount) because Bobby now has the space to MOVE. Example, in past PRIDE events, Wanderlei Silva gave up dominant position to attempt a foot stomp and usually the bottom fighter was able to escape.


3) More weight classes further dilutes the talent pool and ensures more confusion amongst fans (what’s easier to remember? 10 champs or 5 champs?) The additional junior weight classes in boxing are just some awful scheme from the WBC/WBA/IBF to earn more sanctioning fees.

More weight classes will also result in more fighters taking more extremes measures to make the lowest weight class possible. Fighters will always look for the extra edge and hence will usually cut down to the lowest weight class possible. For example, according to the proposed rules of the Association of Boxing Commissions, a welterweight (170lb) will probably try to cut down to the proposed super lightweight class (165lb). Extra weight classes only help the odd fighter that is seemingly stuck between weight classes. (ie. Nick diaz 155/170lbs, Jason “Mayhem” Miller 170/185lbs).

Even if weigh-ins were held on fight-night, fighters would still cut weight even with the risks of same day weigh ins. Fighters will always look for the extra edge

Here are two imaginary scenarios

3 divisions in mma: under 150, under 200 and unlimited.
Weight divisions at every 5lbs between 100lbs and 250lbs.

Based on those 2 scenarios, the second one would definitely lead to the greater number of fighters who missed weight.


4) Past and/or current heavyweight champions under 245lbs:

Fedor Emelianenko, Randy Couture, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Andrei Arlovski, Kevin Randleman, Mark Coleman, Bas Rutten, Maurice Smith, Mirko Cro Cop

There is usually a trade off in terms of speed and stamina for larger heavyweight fighters (245-265lbs). That’s why the majority of heavyweight champs fall between the 220-245lb range. Even the most skilled fighter becomes very vulnerable when he’s tired. The 265lb limit excludes larger fighters from MMA competition in North America because the super heavyweight division is non-existent here. (ie. Bob Sapp from Japan or Nicolay Valuev, former heavyweight WBA champion).

posted by Edward @ 12:42 AM

Listeria

I'm sure you are aware of the meat recall issued by Maple Leaf foods. After watching fast food nation, I'm surprised that this doesn't happen more often. Checking my fridge, I have some campfire-brand bacon, but luckily for me, only campfire-brand garlic sausage is on the recall list.

posted by Edward @ 6:08 PM

Musings

Ultimate mma collection here

Fast Food Nation (the film) - Too many plot lines that were not properly fleshed out and too many superfluous scenes (Burger exec settles into hotel room with porn on in the background. wtf). Graphic ending involving the inner workings of a typical slaughter house. This may deter some from ever eating fast food again. I remain unfazed and I could really go for some fast food since I have not had any since May.

Boyz N The Hood - "The United States Library of Congress deemed the film "culturally significant" and selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry". After watching the film, I can see why because this quite the flashback to 1991. Overall, the film is not bad but I have two qualms with this film. One of the plot twist was very predictable and personally, I was really turned off by the subtitled epilogue.

posted by Edward @ 9:08 PM

Musings

Right now, mentally I may be in a very bad place.
Hopefully I can sleep it off.

posted by Edward @ 2:04 AM

Show those tools

maradona87 (1 day ago)
Yes well, I have no qualms about admitting you have amassed impressive strength from your training regimen, but to conduct yourself in such a manner in a public place is despicable! Think of the other members of your gym before you scream uncontrollably next time.

digitalairair (21 hours ago)
yes i did think about them. I wanted to show those tools how it's done.

maradona87 (21 hours ago)
The only tool in that gym is the you, you shrieking nutcase!

digitalairair (21 hours ago)
I'm one of the only people in my gym that actually trains. My gym is filled with tools who go there to meditate.

posted by Edward @ 10:32 PM

I am a jerk

I love the following quote.

Three days later, Jane Saville held a comfortable lead in the 20 km walk. The golden-haired Australian was moments away from entering the Olympic Stadium for a final lap of deafening applause and her own moment of glory.

However, that golden scenario dissolved in tears when Saville was disqualified.

Descending the tunnel leading on to the track, the 25-year-old was given her third and final warning for failing to make continuous contact with the ground, leading to immediate disqualification.

The Sydney walker threw her arms up in horror and collapsed in tears. Asked later by reporters what she needed, Saville said: "A gun to shoot myself."

posted by Edward @ 7:31 PM

Musings

I hate dieting. It puts me on edge.

Supposedly I'll be better at time management for the next 30 days.

I'd also like to share a quote from Big John McCarthy regarding pressure points (I'm paraphrasing here): "You use your pressure points while I'll punch you in the face repeatedly. We'll see which one works better".

Some of the olympic sports are excessive in their variations (ie swimming). Should we award medals for running 400 metres using only your left leg and another 400m, using only your right leg?

posted by Edward @ 2:28 AM

Epic mma thread

"Friend is dating a ufc fighter"

User StillGetCarded recaps the entire story halfway down page 27.

posted by Edward @ 11:04 PM

Doublespeak

XX Chromosome speak

Yes = No

No = Yes

Maybe = No

I'm sorry = You'll be sorry

We need = I want

It's your decision = The correct decision should be obvious by now

Do what you want = You'll pay for this later

We need to talk = I need to complain

Sure go ahead = I don't want you to

I'm not upset = Of course I'm upset, you moron!

You're so manly = You need a shave and you sweat a lot

Be romantic, turn out the lights = I have flabby thighs

This kitchen is so inconvenient = I want a new house

I want new curtains = and carpeting, and furniture, and wallpaper

I heard a noise = I noticed you were almost asleep

Do you love me? = I'm going to ask for something
expensive

How much do you love me? = I did something today you're going to hate

I'll be ready in a minute = Kick off your shoes and find a good game on TV

You have to learn to communicate = Just agree with me

Are you listening to me!? = [Too late, you're dead]



XY Chromosome speak

I'm hungry = I'm hungry

I'm sleepy = I'm sleepy

I'm tired = I'm tired

Do you want to go to a movie? = I'd eventually like to have sex with you

Can I take you out to dinner? = I'd eventually like to have sex with you
Can I call you sometime? = I'd eventually like to have sex with you

May I have this dance? = I'd eventually like to have sex with you

Nice dress! = Nice cleavage!

You look tense, let me give you a massage = I want to fondle you

What's wrong? = What stupid self inflicted psychological trauma is it now?

What's wrong? = I guess sex tonight is out of the question

I'm bored = Do you want to have sex?

I love you = Let's have sex now!

I love you, too = Okay, I said it, Now can we have sex

Yes, I like the way you cut your hair = I liked it better before

Let's talk = I'll impress you by showing you I am a deep guy then maybe sex?

Will you marry me? = I want to make it illegal for you to have sex with others

I don't think that blouse and that skirt go well together = I'm gay

posted by Edward @ 10:23 PM

Musings

For the first time, I played through Doom from start to finish, although I haven't played through the expansion pack episode "Thy Flesh Consumed". The game still holds up very well 15 years later. The game is surprisingly short (under 5 hours) and due to the sprawling levels, it would be very difficult to finish without the automap.

My previous exposure to Doom was the substandard SNES port and I had played only a handful of levels.

posted by Edward @ 1:00 AM

Rehash

I'm not sure if I've already mentioned this, but it's worth mentioning again.

The Matrix Reloaded and Matrix Revolutions borrowed heavily (if not ripped off) from Final Fantasy X's plot.

But since those two movies are seemingly universally reviled (especially the latter), no one cares.

posted by Edward @ 4:16 AM

Don't Get Zulu'd

posted by Edward @ 1:13 AM