Top five websites you've probably never heard of

So a couple of weeks ago i was told by  friend to check out the site www.stumbleupon.com. The premise of the site is simple, but it's one of the coolest sites i've come across in a while. You make an account, you fill out some information that you want other people to see, like Facebook. Then they want you to fill out a form of all your interests, say for instance, you love football, alternative music, illusions, and stock market news. You can fill out however many interests that you want, out of about 1000 different choices. Once you fill out your interests, you click the stumble button on the top left of the browser, and this site brings you to the most popular sites that resemble your interests. When you like a site that you find, you click the "i like it" button (very original) and it stores the site as one of your Favorites on your profile. Every time i click the stumble button i find something ridiculously cool that i have never before seen on the net. You should check it out.

Anyways, out of the 25 favorites that i have, i'm picking the top 5 sites that i think are worth sharing. Most of them are useless, but then again, so are most sites on the net. As i find more sites, i'll post ones that are worth sharing on the blog.

5.  http://www.greendayauthority.com/images/billiejoe_letter.gif

This is amazing. I hate Green Day beyond belief, but this is really funny. A mother, upset about the lyrics used in Green Day's album sends a letter to the band complaining. Just read it to see Green Day's response.

4. http://flabbergastedly.com/?p=96

A bunch of cool pictures of different faces on random objects. No need to explain what it is, just check it out.

3. http://www.tony-b.org/#register

For all the wannabe DJ's out there, this is a pretty cool toy that someone made up, where you create your own beats.

2. http://uploads.ungrounded.net/221000/221483_Play.swf

Pretty useless video but entertaining nonetheless. It's a classic stomp, with about 40 people, but visually it's pretty cool looking.

1. www.justhearit.com

JustHearIt is an extrememely usefull site, its insanely cool looking, and basically you search for a song that you want to listen to, and you can listen to the entire thing for free. I haven't yet typed in a song into the search that it couldn't find.

NFL Mock Draft Ver. Golteez

So, i haven't written a blog in a little bit, and the last one that i managed to write was somewhat, to completely irrelevant. The past couple weeks i've had university midterms, but during that span, a good friend of mine Matt Golt, and a full fledged sports freak/maniac, has produced this Mock Draft (Simulation of the NFL Draft, in April). It will be updated before the draft, and i'll post the changes as they are sent to me.

1. Detroit Lions – Matthew Stanford QB (Georgia)
· The Lions decide to go Wide Receiver…. Just joking. Lions have so many holes and so many problems but they take Matt Stanford because of his intangibles.

2. St. Louis Rams - Andre Smith OT (Alabama)
· Rams want to get their OT after missing out on Jake Long last year. Andre Smith will separate himself from the rest of the OL men at the combine because he will demonstrate his greater strength.

3. Kansas City Chiefs – Brian Orakpo DE (Texas)
· KC Chiefs want a steady force lining up beside Glenn Dorsey. Orakpo is the best DE in the draft and he’ll give the Chiefs a great combination similar to Amoki Okoye and Mario Williams for years to come.

4. Seattle Seahawks – Michael Crabtree WR (Texas Tech)
· Even if they had a healthy group of WR this year they’re still a weak group, Crabtree will add a consistent receiving threat.

5. Cleveland Browns – Malcolm Jenkins DB (Ohio State)
· Probably the best defensive prospect in the draft, the Browns get value and fill a decade long need.

6. Cincinnati Bengals – Chris “Beanie” Wells RB (Ohio State)
· Back to back players from THE Ohio State. Bengals want to continue the trend of having strong RB’s following Corey Dillon and Rudi Johnson. Cedric Benson is definitely not the answer.

7. Oakland Raiders – Eugene Monroe OT (Virginia)
· Tom Cable (former o-line coordinator) looks to beef up the offensive line to give time for DMAC and JaMarcus to make plays. Jeremy Maclin or Percy Harvin wouldn’t be a surprise here knowing Al Davis’s love for speed (Miami did it with Ted Ginn Jr. with their 10th overall pick).

8. Jacksonville – Jason Smith OT (Baylor)
· My sources (ESPN radio, I actually don’t have sources) tell me that the OT that Jacksonville loves is Jason Smith from the small college of Baylor. Aaron Curry would be solid value here.

9. Green Bay – Everette Brown DE/OLB (Florida St.)
· With the switch the 3-4 defense they’ll be looking to add an outside linebacker who can line up also at defensive end (DE/OLB tweener).

10.San Francisco – Mark Sanchez QB (USC)
· San Fran gets very lucky here since they have the option between a top quarterback or a top outside linebacker (Aaron Curry). I’m not sold that Mike Singletary wants to head into next season with Shaun Hill so he goes with the QB over his position the linebacker.

11.Buffalo Bills – Aaron Curry OLB (Wake Forest)
· Buffalo goes away from a need to grab the best possible player on the board who’s fallen. Curry is top two safest defensive prospects in the draft, who’ll be ready to play right away. If they don’t grab him, look at them to grab a Tight End.

12.Denver Broncos – BJ Raji DT (Boston College)
· Denver finds a match made in heaven. They can’t stop the run, BJ will finally help stop the run. No more signing failed Cleveland Brown defensive end/tackles to help them stop the run.

13.Washington Redskins – Michael Oher OT (Ole Miss)
· Looks like another OT will go, making it 4 in the top 13 (Record?). Michael Oher will be a suitable replacement for Chris Samuels and if he can overcome his maturity issues he will become a dominant force in the league (note: Read Blind Side).

14.New Orleans Saints – Vontae Davis DB (Illinois)
· Vernon Davis’s equally athletic younger brother will hopefully bring in his skill without the attitude his brother has. New Orleans is starting Randall Gay and Jason David at CB, they need to improve there and Vontae Davis is the best on the board.

15.Houston Texans – Michael Johnson DE (Georgia)
· The Texans are set on offense and now are set on the D-line, with a feared combination of Mario Williams, Amobi Okoye and Michael Johnson. Before the year began he was favored to go number 1, he’ll shine at the combine and the Texans look like playoff sleepers for next year.

16.San Diego Chargers – Ray Maualuga MLB (USC)
· The run defense and pass defense were both weak this year without Shawm Merriman. With Merriman and the adding of Maualuga they have the scariest and most athletic core of linebackers in the NFL (Lights out for opposing offenses?)

17.NY Jets – Aaron Maybin DE/OLB (Penn St.)
· Just like years past Rex Ryan goes best player available. Jets don’t have much need, except for Quarterback so look for them maybe trading out of this pick for Matt Cassel.

18.Chicago Bears – Kenny Britt WR (Rutgers)
· The Bears need a receiver. They will go with Kenny Britt because although he isn’t as explosive as Harvin or Heyward-Bay, he does have the most potential. Now the Bears still need a QB…

19.Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Tyson Jackson DT (LSU)
· The Bucs will got with Defensive Tackle most likely unless they’re able to land Albert Haynesworth with the their 50 million dollars in cap room. Haye is a free agent and Hovan is once again on the downside of his career, just like with the Vikings. Moreno is also a possibility here with the aging of Dunn and the injuries to Graham and Cadillac.

20.Detroit Lions – Duke Robinson OG (Virginia)
· Lions look to continue to build and hope to add a run blocker for Kevin Smith, who can also provide additional time for Stanford to make some plays. Lions will go with who they feel is the BPA here because they have so many holes.

21.Philadelphia Eagles – Knowshon Moreno RB (Georgia)
· Looking for a back to compliment Westbrook, Moreno is the best value. He’s an all around back that is NFL ready who can run, catch and block. He will allow Westbrook to hold up more during the season.

22.Minnesota Vikings (Tr. New England Patriots) – Larry English OLB/DE (Northern Illinois) –
· I really believe this pick will be traded to the Patriots for Matt Cassel. Vikings want a Quarterback who is able to play now because they’re a young team and with a quarterback are super bowl contenders.

23.New England Patriots – Alphonso Smith CB (Wake Forest)
· Curry’s teammate goes to the Patriots because even though Smith doesn’t fit the cover 2 system well he is the best CB available. They don’t have many needs but CB is what they could use.

24.Atlanta Falcons – Chase Coffman TE (Missouri)
· Pettigrew is the better TE and the better blocker and fits Malarkey’s system better but he has character issues. Since he has character issues the Falcons will go with the almost as capable Coffman who will give Ryan an additional target and try and replace Alge.

25.Miami Dolphins – Peria Jerry DT (Ole Miss)
· Dolphins had a remarkable season but are getting old on defense and need to get younger. Ferguson is an aging Nose Tackle and although Jerry is not as large as him he will try to clog up the middle with the same size and power that Ferguson has/did.

26.Baltimore Raves – Brandon Pettigrew TE (Okloahoma St.)
· Ravens would love to have him and maybe even trade up to get him. If he falls here though it would be one of the steals of the draft. He’s the perfect compliment to Flacco, who’ll make time to find him open in the slot.

27.Indianapolis Colts – Alex Mack (California)
· Jeff Saturday is 33 years old and was injured most of the season. Mack will give him a replacement in the future and in the meantime he can move around the line.

28.Philadelphia Eagles – Eben Britton (Arizona)
· With their tackles reaching the end of their careers or leaving for free agency Britton has to be the choice here. If not they can go with William Moore to replace Dawkins at Safety.

29.New York Giants – Percy Harvin WR (Miami)
· Plaxico will most likely be traded the have a couple other options at WR but try and find a game breaker with Harvin.

30.Tennessee Titans – Darius Heyward-Bay WR (Maryland)
· They miss out on Harvin but get an equal although somewhat different talent. He will provide finally a somewhat capable target for either Vince Young or Kerry Collins.

31.Arizona Cardinals – James Laurinaitis OLB (Ohio State)
· With uncertainty surrounding Dansby for the coming season they add depth to the line backing core. Laurinaitis can move around the line backing core playing inside or outside which will give them depth.

32.Pittsburgh Steelers – Max Unger OL (Oregon)
· The only weakness that the Steelers possess is at offensive line. Unger doesn’t have a standard position yet but Steelers go with best offensive lineman available so they can give Big Ben some protection in the future.

Mock Draft by Matt Golt.

(ESPN Magazine Writer in 2015)

The 3D movie Fad... What's the point?

FYI: If you look at that image with 3d glasses... the Leopard drools on your face.

I've always said, and I'll quote myself, that "in 15, 20 years, people will not be able to watch 2 dimensional movies."  Whether i believe that statement anymore, i don't even know. 

There's always a bit more excitement coming into a movie that is 3d. Recently Pixar Animation studios released a statement sayings that all of their future movie releases will be in 3d. There are some movies that simply are meant for 3d. Kids movies being one and the random action movie that has a ton of flying obstacles being another.  Recently TV networks have started broadcasting Television shows in 3D. NBC's Chuck was broadcasted the day after the Superbowl, and many fans sat in front of their screens with the classic goggles attached to their faces. But the real question is does the 3D experience really heighten your enjoyment at a movie theatre, or watching your favorite show? Since I'm taking economics in University, and all i see all day are formulas, I'm going to create one myself to see if 3D is worth it for me, focusing more on the movies in theatre. 

Main Rule: I'm going to add different variables. The variables will be anywhere from -10 to +10, if the final number is above 0, 3D is a worthwhile investment for the movie industry because this formula says so.

Variable 1 (-2):   Extra cost of 3D glasses at theatres ($3)

Variable 2 (-2):  Nauseous feeling after leaving the theatre.

Variable 3 (+6): Improvement of Visual effects.

Variable 4 (-3):  Annoyance of wearing goggles.

Variable 5 (+2): Does it improve the average movie experience

V1+V2+V3+V4+V5 = Legitimacy of 3D movies.

-2 + (-2) + 6 + (-3) + 2= +1

As i expected, there would be no standout decision. There are positives and there are negatives with regard to 3D movies. The only reason that the film industry should lean towards 3D is because it symbolizes change in something that hasn't really changed since color was introduced to the big screen. 

Were still waiting for that 3D movie that's going to blow us all away, (Hopefully James Cameron's Avatar), but until that happens, my +1 will remain the same.

Sports Recap 101

OK... So, as all of you know (and I'm sure: your wallets know), Superbowl XLIII took place tonight in Tampa Bay Flaridaaa. Some were calling this one the classic offense vs defense battle, some were disgusted that Pittsburgh was back in the Superbowl. Yet most were just shocked that the Arizona Cardinals, with 97 year old Kurt Warner made it to the big game. 

1st Quarter: Blahhh...not much, couple good commercials.

2nd Quarter: Whatever, whatever... ok that interception was ridiculous. Changed the game completely. James Harrison's interception for 100 yard was a 14 point swing, and instead of the Cardinals going into halftime up, with momentum, and the ball for the second half, they were down 10. Crazy. FYI, if you were watching, you would have heard Madden and his ridiculous blatherings of i don't know what, say that James Harrison was cut 4 times (3 by the steelers and once by the Ravens). News to me, news to most of you I'm sure. Shows that if you can bench 490 pounds (fact..I'm not kidding) you can be scary on the football field.

3rd Quarter: OK Budweiser, enough with the horses. How many Bud commercials were there with the damn horse?

4th Quarter: All the buzz and hype for the Superbowl was lived up in this quarter. Where there were 55 lead changes and 165 points put up. Honestly though, the single greatest quarter I've ever seen in any Superbowl. I'm not going to recap because that's useless, but Ben Rothlesberger's pass to Santonio Holmes for the win, was one of the greatest passes of all time. Unbelievable

Superbowl Grade: 9.76/10

Other news today, at about 8:00 AM Eastern Time, Roger Federer Unfortunately lost to Raphy Nadal for the 75th time in a row. Honestly, Nadal has taken over the sport, as much as i love Federer, and wish that he can make a jump and take command of the the tennis stage again, it is not looking good. I felt awful for him, when he broke down trying to make his speech, he is the classiest athlete out there, it's hard to ever root against the guy. Catch the video here.

Federer-Nadal Rematch x20: 8.231/10

So now that football is done, I'm going to induce myself into a coma and hopefully wake up on September 14th when we can look forward to Superbowl XLIV.