Well, I guess I could’ve said Power to the People, but it seems to take me in a whole other direction…

The power I’m referring to is actually being given to the fans. Before you even know what I mean you’re probably thinking its about time, right? I think that feeling is why this new movement of sorts is coming into action.

One of the most famous agents to the athletes, Drew Rosenhaus, has apparently done it again with his particular way of manipulating (That maybe way too strong of a word, but you get it…) the media attention towards himself. But, this one, I even think is quite interesting. Rosenhaus has decided that if you (or me, of course), the fan, would like an agent to back you regarding the sometimes strict rules of sports’ arenas and their franchises, then he’s your guy…

What (This needed a paragraph of its own.)?

Yep… for all those who are tired of not being able to bring your own cooler (not the drink! LOL!) to the game or maybe you’re feeling like you’ve had enough of the high prices for food and tickets, you can call up your agent to speak on your behalf.

Now, I’m thinking (along with other sports’ analyst… Yes, I consider myself a sports’ analyst. LOL!) there may not be too much to this… but, ohhhh, the media frenzy and hyped up fans… and, money for the agent. And, just so you know, the NHL (hockey) appeared to have been the starting point for Rosenhaus with fans sporting games and not getting their monies worth. Good times…

Okay, so today’s National Sportsmanship Day… and the question that’s been asked all day all around sports is what would you like to see changed in sports.

I actually started biting my nails (I know, that’s nasty.) on this one because the obvious thought was that I’d like to see equality, fairness in sports between the genders. But then I thought about it and I don’t think I really, really care about that too much after all. So, I’d then have to say that I’d like to see salaries kept quiet. I think a lot of the hold outs, hype, confusion, and diva-like complexes come from one player knowing another player’s worth. Other than that, I’d just like to see the football season extended!

I pose the question to you… What would you like to see changed in sports?

Athletes all over the place are discussing the history that we all witnessed… (K, if you were sick or under a rock or something else, this guy was elected president of U.S. of America!… Just joking. Don’t be so sensitive.) and I’m just curious about something.

As public figures-which athletes are-journalists asked them of their thoughts surrounding this enormous occasion (uh, just about the biggest event ever…), but do you think they really express their true feelings?

For instance, radio personalities represent a small population of those who can express facts and their opinions, regardless of any impending scrutiny. They’ll say “I think he sucks” or “I think he’s the best” and then break for commercial. But, can a very public figure like Kobe (You know I had to go with him!) or a very beloved figure in the person of Brett Favre say “He sucks” and get away with it?

Everyone should have the right to be true about what they have going on up there in that thought realm, but instead I feel like (just like the new President and First Lady) some may fall into the bucket of being a symbol and from that perspective, aren’t able to be true at all.

Thoughts?

Okay, so I’m not feeling well and Hubby has been the best… There is one thing, though. I think he may be taking advantage of my rather weak state and is forcing me to watch stuff that I normally wouldn’t in full strength (i.e. one-dimensional shows, scary stuff, those judge shows)… (What a sneak he is, right?).

Of course, for me, Hubby would never have to twist my arm to watch sports, but maybe your significant others do… When you fall under the weather, do you open one eye-while lying on the couch-to a game that he or she knows you wouldn’t be down for watching normally?

So, it’s a new year… time to do things differently, time to put things in order, and time to take advantage that it’s, indeed, a new year.

I guess what I’d like to promote is just giving stuff (like sports) a chance. You know, something that you wouldn’t normally be into try to learn something about it… I like to periodically remind you guys of why I’m here and that’s to help relationships to benefit from the knowledge and appreciation of sports.

Whether you like it or not, sports for a lot of people, is apart of life… So, why hate or refuse with something that’s going to be part of your life anyway? Understand that your significant other is significant for a reason and your embracing of what he or she loves would truly be a benefit to your relationship.

Happy New Year!… Make it that for someone else, too.

So, a guy friend of mine, who shall remain nameless, was chatting it up with me about how his significant other and her desire to ask questions when the game is on. Wow!… I had to write about this because it is so relevant.

First, let me say that there must be a balance. Sports lovers are just that, lovers of sports… (That was funny! Well, it was.), so the significant other has to take that into consideration when deciding to ask questions or discuss the day’s events when the game is on. It may seem small, but this realization is priceless.

Conversely, the sports lover has to realize that the significant other wants to develop a level of knowledge for the game (or at least spending time) and he or she is coming to you for instruction. With this, or any other subject that is brought to you, the last thing you’d want to do is dismiss conversations and feelings.

So here’s the balance… Ask questions (Yeah, seriously sports lovers…), but not during those important games. Come to know those games that really mean a lot, like favorite teams and such, and those that are hit or miss (You know, that they watch just ’cause the television is on.)… it makes all the difference. Hubby actually gave me this balance to share with you guys. It’s important to always try to find balance, especially within relationships… Oh, and yes, you can always wait ’til a commercial (I had to do it!).

I was watching ESPN today and was amazed that the historic election of the first African-American president (elect) even reached the wide world of sports.

Now, apart from Barack Obama’s love for basketball and his desire to see the college football rankings done differently (The rankings process has been under great scrutiny.), I was shocked that he had  become a serious part of sports media analysis. I really didn’t think this event would have received much air time on the sport shows… but, indeed, this news brought out the best of the best in professional sports…

Kobe Bryant, who openly voted for Obama, expressed how this time in history shows young people that they can do anything and that “thing” doesn’t have to be sports’ focused. Michael Irvin, National Football League Hall of Famer, discussed the pride he felt about this moment in time and how far his people had come. Athletes and sports’ analysts alike were divulging what the election of the 44^th president meant to them.

While I sat there watching all the sports’ news of the day, I was glad to have been part of this historically moment.

So we know about the Hispanic culture in MLB, Football, Soccer, and other renowned popular sports (Wait for it… Wait for it…). But, I’m sure you weren’t aware of a certain pastime that is all the craze in Acapulco, Mexico (No, not bullfighting.). Today, Hubby and I and the in-laws ventured to the ends of the cliffs (I’m building excitement here.), yes the ends–to see what all the hype was about… it was diving going on (No, not the type of diving that occurs in the Olympic-sized pool.)! Yep! Men risking their lives in the sporting event of jumping off cliffs. We had to capture it because we knew no one would believe us when we said, “Men dived off of uneven cliffs into raging ocean waters.”

Mom-in-law and I couldn’t resist getting a photo with the diving celebs.

Warning: Hubby’s camera is older, but shows the action from beginning to end… so please excuse the poor quality.

Okay… go along with me. You’re a professional athlete and your sport’s season is fast approaching. You know you have to get in tip top shape (You were relaxing a bit during the off season!) for the regular season. What is the one food you would have to give up in order for your training to be truly successful?

Ah-um (I had something in my thought!)… I would say I would reluctantly (And until the off season comes around again… HeeHee!) give up malt milkshakes. Ugh! I love them. They call out to me… “Buy me. Buy me.”

K, the end.

Surprisingly enough (or maybe not that surprising), there are a lot of families participating in (or extensive family support throughout) these 2008 Olympics in Beijing. I believe (especially if it’s feasible) that there are plenty of memorable times that can be made even more special when there is family involved.

What special times can you remember (maybe long time ago or just today) that involved you and a family member? And you know what?… It can be big or small, sports related or not. What matters is that it was special to you!