Column: Charlie Sheen Redefines “Winning” | by: Kristina DeCarlo

Michael Jordan did it on the basketball court, Mariano Rivera did it on the baseball diamond, and now, Charlie Sheen is doing it in his mind.  In his interview on “The Today Show”, he told Jeff Rossen that he was “winning”.  That he had freed himself of all drugs, alcohol and addiction with the power of his mind, and despite being fired from the hit show “Two and a Half Men”, he is still “winning”.  Not that I think Charlie Sheen is fully coherent of his surroundings, but something makes this guy really think he is winning.  I blame society.

Although he is in the midst of a public break down, no one is telling this guy to stop, and if they are, they are a mere fruit fly buzzing around him.  He must be swatting them away, because he is on an interview rampage lately, appearing on at least nine interviews over the past week.  On his “The Today Show Interview”, he claims to have “tiger blood” and demands a fifty percent raise on top of the two million he was making per episode of “Two and a Half Men”.

Who do we point the finger at for letting Charlie Sheen, the highest paid television actor, to stoop so low?  Sheen has been on a party binge appearing on numerous new casts for tearing up hotel rooms and sleeping around with high end escorts.  But who else can we blame for blowing this out of proportion but the people who fuel it; society. The thousands who “tweets” this guys name after he’s arrested, or the people that sit in awe and pretend to be shocked when they see him in another fiasco on TMZ.

In a society where Brittney Spears shaves her head and is the top story of the day for a week, where Lindsay Lohan is making news from the confines of a rehab center, the fact that Charlie Sheen is still on the loose is a “win” for the people who yearn for this stuff.  Within twenty four hours of joining twitter, he had one million followers; quite impressive considering according to twitterfacts.com, the average user has about 126 followers total.

            In a world where people are obsessed with “right now” and social networking, where the power of the media can take down empires such as in Egypt, Charlie Sheen is in the center.  He’s got the whole world in his hand, watching his every move, and the question is, “When will it end?”  At this point, it’s hard to figure out how long the Sheen saga will drag out.  But if there is one thing I do know, no matter what, people are still going to love this guy and the way he “wins.”

Column: Houlihan’s One Hundred Dollar Wings | by: Nicole Betrand

Actually, they’re only $8.99. But one might pay a hundred bucks to have this delicious appetizer; and, by the end of the night, you kind of will... After putting gas in the car, possibly a toll booth or two– depending on where you live– your actual meals and drinks... Yup.

           One of the Classic items on the menu, the Thai Chile Style Wings are “slathered in [our] spicy-sweet glace of Serrano chilies, honey, ginger, soy and Sriracha...” And worth every penny. The sauce is not gooped-on but, rather generously present in each bite of the skin and meat itself and beautifully drizzled on top– which flows down to the plate for happy dipping. And don’t be afraid of the bold ingredients; there’s just a hint of each, blended masterfully to create perfect moderation. In fact, I had no idea what “Sriracha” was until I frantically looked it up on my phone to help make up my mind... I was pleased to learn that, although it’s a hot sauce, the version often served in the States tends to be a tangy combination of chili peppers, distilled vinegar, garlic, sugar and salt. So, hold the Kleenex. Still, even the spiciest Buffalo lover may appreciate the mix of some very awesome flavors. The wings had the slightest crispy-crunch underneath that heavenly coating, too. Scallions chopped and sprinkled over the platter was a 5-Star finishing touch... Torture?

Good news: All things considered, the entire experience was quite affordable and highly referable. With over 80 locations, and over 25 in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania (I dined at the Ramsey, NJ restaurant), Houlihan’s is probably relatively close for a night out. With a full sports bar, well-separated from the main dining area, there’s options for seating and no reservation required. Agreeable music for the general masses plays at an agreeable volume, adding to the approving, fun-filled din– from couples to families and groups of friends. The appetizer prices range from $7.99 for Stuffed Potato Skins and Salsa Cruda Bruchetta, to $9.99 for the Ultimate Nachos (which were also great, served with all the fix-ins imaginable), Tuna Wontons and Crispy Flatbread Prosciutto Pizza, to $13.99 for sorts of samplers. Entrees go from approximately a $10 range for sandwiches, like the Classic Reuben and Gorgonzola Chicken and burgers, like Gourmet Bacon Cheese, Mushroom Swiss and Vegetarian, to a $15 range for dishes like Jambalaya, Chicken Parmesan and Marsala, Shrimp Scampi and Mustard Encrusted Salmon, to a $20 range for the Steak and Ribs selection. I ordered the 3-way Mixed Grill: a ½ rack of BBQ ribs, chicken breast, and four gulf shrimp, served with red mashed potatoes. The mashed potatoes were seriously yummy. The ribs and shrimp were good. The chicken– a little bland. However, it very well could have been because I just had that party in my mouth a few minutes prior... Either way, I solved the problem– I dipped my chicken breast in the wing juice. Crisis averted. The eatery is also a fantastic drinkery; they offer an extensive list of martinis, from the beloved Apletini to the new Zen Green Tea Martini, margarita galore, and wine by the glass or $22.95-$38.95 per bottle. And, of course, the classics, which include daiquiris and the Pina Colada, Bahama Mama, Mojito, Mai-Tai, SoCo Breeze and plenty of ale on tap.        

All Houlihan’s restaurants proudly boast “Real food, made in our kitchens with local produce and high quality ingredients.” Houlihan’s (at 706 State Rt 17Ramsey, NJ 07446/201-934-7222) additionally boasts $5 appetizers during Happy Hour, a banquet facility for up to 80 people, and is open Mon-Sat 11am-2am and Sundays 11am-12am. They accept cash and all major credit cards. Visit houlihans.com for other locations, site-specific information and a complete nutritional guide. During March, patrons can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with green beer... and Thai Chile Style Wings.     

     

                                                                                                                                   

                                                                       

Column: Why The Captain Needs Our Support Now More Than Ever | by: Matt Nucifore

            Derek Jeter is coming off of what very well may be his worst season in the majors. He hit career lows in batting average (.270) and slugging percentage (.370) and only hit 10 home runs, his lowest since 2003. We as fans are now faced with hopes and fears for this season, with the need for 4 more stolen bases to pass Rickey Henderson for the all time franchise leader in stolen bases and the 3,000 mark being hit through the length of a season that will more than likely allow him to achieve these, but could still fall short of another great “Jeter” season. It will be time when he will have more eyes on him than he has ever experienced, and where his performance on a game-to-game basis will be evaluated by critics, instead of analysts. It will be a time when he has no guarantees, a time when he needs our support the most, since it is the only thing in our power that we can guarantee him.

            The Hank and Hal Steinbrenner’s Bronx Bombers decided to make Jeter’s contract negotiations as difficult and public as possible with 21^st century technology, beginning to stain his once perfect reputation. Yet he is one of the greatest shortstops to ever play the game. According to www.mlb.com, he has a career batting average of .314 and a career fielding percentage of .976. He is 74 hits away from reaching the 3,000 career mark, which would make him the first Yankee to do so, and to the notable baseball writers who hold the ballots for the vote to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, makes him a shoe- in.

            Some of us may be wondering why a man making millions of dollars a year needs support from people he doesn’t even know. This is when we need to think back to the darker times in our lives, to the moments when we needed support in order to keep moving and doing what we needed to do. The times when we needed someone to give us that extra motivation, that ‘push,’ to keep working towards our goals. This is what Jeter is going through at this very minute. A man who is still on top of the world at the moment, but who is beginning to see the bottom. He is going through a time where his organization is beginning to show a lack of faith in him, when the ESPN analysts are beginning to question his production and reliability, when his personal life is beginning to be shown to the public eye, with his fans knowing his contract negotiations better than he does, and his mansion building is called out on national television by his very own boss.

            Yet this is the same player that dived into the stands during the ’04 season to catch a potential hit in order to prevent losing a tie game to the rival Boston Red Sox, bruising and bloodying up his face and body in the act. The man who has won five World Series Rings, 1996 Rookie of the Year, is an 11- time All- Star, and was Sports Illustrated’s 2009 Sportsman of the Year.  A man that came up through the farm system onto a losing team that at the time needed the spark of a young talented player to get back on track to their championship winning reputation. So we cheer for Jeter, we wear Jeter jerseys, and hang Jeter posters up in the rooms of our house because he deserves our support. We take our opportunity to come to his aid as he did for our beloved New York team in a time when they so desperately needed it, because he needs it.

Column: Hidden Gem in the Hudson Valley | by: Zachary Shaw

With the weather (finally) beginning to get warmer and the days getting longer, its time to get out and about and utilize the Hudson Valley for all its worth.  Living here, one knows about the brutal winter and blazing summer so spring is the premier time to get out and get active.  Bear Mountain is a wonderful place to spend a day having fun!

Bear Mountain is a majestic sight in the Hudson Valley, sitting right at the intersection of Route 6, 9w and the Palisades Parkway.  Its highest point, Perkins Peak, offers a full 360 degree look at Hudson Valley, even giving you a view of the beautiful New York City skyline!  Perkins Peak is one of the more awe inspiring views that the area offers, allowing one to either hike or drive their way to the top to enjoy!

If hiking is your thing, the park offers a moderately difficult trail which spirals its way around the mountain with many beautiful lookouts along the way.  The trail goes for almost 4 miles (3.9) and ends at the summit of Perkins Peak.  After hiking, take a dip in the public pool to cool off before checking out the rest of what the park has to offer.

The Main attraction at the park has to be the Bear Mountain Zoo, which shelters mostly injured or rescued animals that are indigenous to the Hudson Valley.  This is an interesting look at a lot of animals that many wouldn’t expect to see in our backyards such as bears, coyotes, otters and even eagles!  This is a fun way for kids and adults alike to learn more about their surrounding area and even gives their own take on how Bear Mountain got its name.

Bear Mountain is truly a blessing to the Hudson Valley with its wide ranging activities and its beautiful scenery.  In a world where man has encroached crudely on its surroundings, this beautiful piece of nature remains virtually untouched.  Take advantage of the beautiful Hudson Valley and its natural gem, Bear Mountain!

Column: One Too Many Dimensions by Brian S. Murphy

         Since the implication of it in James Cameron’s blockbuster hit “Avatar”, 3-D technology has been growing more popular within visual media. A 3-D movie is a film that enhances our perception of depth, creating the effect of having images pop out from the screen. 3-D films have been around since the 1950s, however recently this visual style has been revived in popular technology. 3-D technology is not only being used in special movie theatres, but in television sets and video game systems as well. However, 3-D technology may not be as practical as it seems, as there have been reports among viewers that claim watching media in 3-D cause headaches and vision problems. Long term effects of exposure to 3-D content remains to be seen.

         The typical way in which one can experience a movie or television show in 3-D is through the use of special 3-D glasses. In order to understand how these glasses create the three dimensional effect, you must understand how we perceive depth. We can see objects in three dimensions because each one of our eyes sees a slightly different image. Our brain compares these two images in order to accurately gauge depth. This is called binocular vision. Wearing 3-D glasses during a movie replicate this effect, thus causing the images to appear in front of your face. Operating in a similar fashion, Video game manufacturer Nintendo recently released the gaming portable “Nintendo 3DS”, a video game system that creates 3D images without the use of special eye ware. The 3DS utilizes a parallax barrier on one of its screens, that when viewed from the proper angle, creates the 3-D effect.

         All of this visual distortion however is increasing the amount of stress on the eye, creating temporary loss of depth perception and headaches. The loss in depth perception is thanks to the effect called “binocular dysphoria”. Normally, our eyes use multiple visual cues in order to perceive depth. When we have prolonged exposure to 3-D however, our eyes only get depth information from one cue, causing our eyes to ignore everything else. When we look away from the 3-D screen, our eyes are still ignoring the other visual cues, causing the loss in perception and head pain. This can be especially dangerous if using stairs or operating vehicles. There is also concern that 3-D exposure to young children has the potential to permanently damage their vision. Up until the age of 7, children are still developing the muscles in their eyes that will determine their quality of their vision. Over exposure to 3-D content at such a young age can compromise this ocular development, causing vision problems in adolescence and adulthood.

         The reported discomfort and distortion that 3-D exposure creates varies from each individual. I have watched two hour length movies in 3-D, and I only felt a slight strain on my eyes; my vision was completely fine after the movie. With exception to young children, 3-D technology does not seem to pose any serious threat to our vision quality. It is definitely worth experiencing once. If you find it to your liking, 3-D is a great way for your visual media to become more immersive. However, don’t be surprised if you find yourself tripping on your feet or rubbing your head in pain because of the experience. If this problem becomes more common, companies may have to develop a safer and more enjoyable way to experience 3-D. I wouldn’t recommend purchasing any 3-D televisions or gaming systems until you’ve experienced the effect firsthand. Whether or not 3-D technology is a revolution in visual media or a fleeting fad, it’s definitely a topic that we should keep our eyes on.

Column: Springtime is Taking Over the Bronx | By: Angela Oliveri

It’s that time of year again.  Mother Nature is breezing the lovely season of spring throughout New York City and calling on the Yankees to come out and play.  So what’s in store for America’s team this season?  Well now that Andy Pettite has retired, the Yankee pitching rotation lacks a legend and is facing big changes. 

The talk of the rotation for the upcoming season is 24-year-old Ivan Nova.  Joe Girardi, now going on his fourth year as manager, has been raving about Nova’s talent and how much the team loves what he can bring to the table this season.  Despite all the positive energy being thrown his way, Nova is still considered a bit of a risk if he becomes a full-time starter; he still has to adjust to the big leagues.

While Phil Hughes might have looked promising at the start of his first season, his inconsistent ERA was cause for some concern.  Though it looked a bit rough last summer, he managed to bring back some good pitching near the end of the season.  Though he may not be the talk of the team, or the number one starter for the upcoming season, Hughes still holds promise with the team.

Then we have AJ Burnett, who came out of last season not only with his eight-figure salary, but with a whopping 10 wins and 15 losses.  His disaster of an ERA damaged his numbers as well as his career.  But this season Burnett’s career lies in the hands of Larry Rothschild, his new pitching coach.  Rothschild is expected to bring Burnett’s tarnishing 5.26 ERA down to somewhere in the mid 3’s.

CC Sabathia remains the Yankees’ number one.  Ending the 2010 season with a 3.18 ERA, he is one of the strongest pitchers in baseball today.  It is predicted that even at the age of thirty, Sabathia will continue to dominate the world of pitching with his extreme groundballing. 

Joba Chamberlain is slowly making his way up the totem pole.  While he is not yet a starter, the Yankees have him ready to be a setup man for the 2011 season.  He holds promise with the team and is considered a ratio helper to any teams’ stats.

Of course every team has its share of relief pitchers.  But the legendary Mariano Rivera remains the number one asset to the Yankee pitching rotation.  Serving as a closer until his soon-anticipated retirement, the 41-year-old finished off last season with an unsurprising 1.80 ERA.

For the last few years, the Yankee bull pen has been noticeably shaky.  With not many options for the season ahead, the pen is starting to see little improvements slowly peaking through.  Sabathia will lead the rotation, while Nova makes his way to the top.  Hughes will follow in an attempt to improve his standing with the team, the fans, and his career itself.  Burnett has much to make up for this season and will hopefully make some dramatic changes for the team with the help of his new coach.  But while Joba and more are held for relief, we know two things are for sure: the rotation is facing a great loss with Andy Pettite’s retirement, but when in doubt, Mariano Rivera will still be around to save the day.

Column: Fashion Trend: Going Back to the 70s | by: Jackie Hobbs

New York City’s fashion week last month gave audience members and stylists a surprise. The 1970s are back in fashion. Since last month’s shows, retailers and customers are going crazy for wide leg denim, long dresses and skirts, kaleidoscope patterns, hot shorts and jumpsuits. Maybe the designers were just getting tired of the skinny jean craze and wanted something different? Possibly, but there was definitely more to the vintage looks at fashion week than just the wide leg denim trends that were walking down the runway.

                One major design element to look for when shopping for 70s inspired pieces is the cut. Wide leg denim, known as bell-bottoms, was a popular look on the runway. For many years these were the only style of jeans that I wore. Through the years I can remember my grandparents saying, “I remember when your mother used to wear those. I guess they’re back in style?” I would just sit and wonder how something like flare jeans, that I thought was new, was thirty years old. StyleBakery on AOL says that this new craze in denim is versatile and can easily work well with plain tee shirts or dressy tops. As a style, bell-bottoms flatter most figures, by creating long lines.

A second sliming style, that was popular in many collections, was the maxi dress. Maxi dresses are floor length dresses which were either sheath or flowy. Similar to the wide leg pants, this type of dress also creates long lines on the body. Tommy Hilfiger and Zac Posen both had sheath maxi dresses in their collection. Both models were styled to look like what someone would have worn to Studio 54. A third maxi dress was flowy with an empire waist brown and beige butterfly print by Vivenne Tam. Maxi dresses look best when they have an empire waist or band under the bust. This trick draws the eye to a smaller part on a woman’s body.

                Another design element that was a throwback to the 1970s were the colors and patterns that were in many collections. Neutrals, like cream and camel, were popular on the catwalk but there was also a surge of burnt sienna, forest green and peacock blue. Marc Jacobs says his colorful inspiration came after his last few collections because they had a lot of black and white. Patterns were also popular last month with plaids and tribal prints, some even looked like kaleidoscopes. These colors and patterns continued the theme of new and exciting, but vintage.

                  The runway fashions that were shown during fashion week seem to show a brighter and more flattering future than past seasons. The newest looks showed a lot of funky colors and less form fitting pieces. After forty years Bell-bottoms, maxi dresses and jumpsuits in kaleidoscope patterns are back in style. This year, fashion will be a salute to the 1970s; pieces that may still be in your parents’ closets.

Column: Revenge of the Nerds | by: Jack Mundy

Remember that old 80’s film, Revenge of the Nerds? The one about all these nerds go to college and fight against pranks and threats from the “cool” kids on campus. Well that movie’s plot can be ripped straight from the headlines of a newspaper, as just recently the video game industry has become more profitable then the film industry.

A recent video game release called Call of Duty: Black Ops has grossed over $650 million according to the company Activision. Let’s compare that to the winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture, The King’s Speech which grossed $244 million according to www.rottentomatoes.com. That’s one third of what a single video game grossed!

The trick to current video game marketing is to release ‘downloadable content’ or DLC. DLC is an update for the game that can add over 3 hours of brand new playing in the video game. The typical DLC costs around $15, and are available for immediate download on any console connected to the internet. This would be the equivalent of The King’s Speech being reissued every 3 months or so with about a half hour of screen time added to the film.

Video games also offer memberships that video gamers can buy online and use to talk to their friends online and play games with them. These memberships can cost as much as $13 a month, with family plans costing as much as $50 a month. Tacked on to these consoles is the ability to use the website Netflix to watch movies through the console. In that way, video games are almost replacing the movie industry! Why go to the movies when you can enjoy them in the comfort of your living room?

               Netflix costs another $7 a month to use and only if your just watching movies through your console. It seems that video games found a way to get as much money out of a person as possible while providing the perfect amount of stimulation to keep these gamers paying. It’s becoming a nerd’s paradise in the market these days.

Column: The NBA Summary | by: Zachary Shaw

Would you believe that Lebron James had an impact on the NBA trade deadline even if he wasn’t even rumored to be moving?  The way that Lebron left the Cleveland Cavaliers in the lurch last summer brings chills up the spine of every GM with a star whose contract is running out.  No GM or owner wants to go through the headache that the Cav’s did last summer while getting nothing in return.  This left teams like the Nuggets and Jazz selling their highly touted superstars to the highest bidder.

Nuggets Grade: B+  The Nuggets probably couldn’t have gotten a better offer than they one that they finally took.  They totally changed the mindset of their team, going from a half court isolation offense to a run and gun team that can now play defense.  They acquired 4 players under the age of 28 and 3 extra draft picks down the road.    

Knicks Grade: B  They definitely upgraded but even with the acquisition of Carmello, they still aren’t a championship contender.  They lack a starting center and any sense of the word defense, yet they will be able to outscore most teams in the NBA on any given night.  This was also a move to attract possible free agents this off-season. Is Chris Paul coming to the Garden? 

Thunder Grade: A-  The Oklahoma City Thunder were a team on the verge before they traded for Kendrick Perkins, now they’ve been pushed to the head of the pack with the Lakers and Spurs.  Perkins gives them the inside toughness they needed to compliment the dynamic duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.  They now have the bigs they need to match up against any team in the NBA.

Jazz Grade: A  The Utah Jazz were in a situation much like the Nuggets with a big superstar and an expiring contract.  They weren’t publicly shopping Deron Williams, one the top point guard in the NBA, until the Nets stepped in and gave them an offer they couldn’t refuse.  Devin Harris is a more than solid point guard and Derrick Favors has all the upside in the world.  It’s just unfortunate Jerry Sloan was let go already.

Column: Spring Break | by: Kristine Alo

                Let’s face it. Most of us can’t buy an airplane ticket to Cancun or to Paris for every Spring break, especially since Spring break is only a couple weeks away. Most college students attempt to live within a budget, making it even harder to save for a fun getaway. However, there are a number of low price activities located in the Hudson Valley which college students can check out during Spring break without having to go to the big city or jump on an airplane.

One of my recent discoveries is The Castle in Chester, NY.  The Castle is only thirty minutes away from Mount Saint Mary College. The activities available at this location include mini golf, go-karts, batting cages, an arcade, roller skating rink, laser tag, laser maze, a climbing wall, and a driving range. The prices range from as low as $6.00 for go-carting to as high as $9.00/person for an evening of roller skating. The Castle is open Wednesday thru Sunday. There are an endless number of things to do in The Castle so you definitely won’t regret on coming there. It’s a place where everyone is assured of having fun.

After a fun day at the Castle, another activity one can engage in during spring break is hiking. The Hudson Valley abounds with great hiking trails that you and your friends can explore to your heart’s content. The best thing about hiking is that it is free. There are different types of trails for all levels of hikers, from beginners to the most advanced. There are many great scenic trails ideally suited for the beginning or casual hiker. One of my favorites is on Cornwall’s Black Rock Forest Trail. A trek that is more for the advanced hiker is the Shawangunk's mountain trail, which covers more than 100 miles. The trails are well maintained and adequately marked so it is difficult for one to get lost. It is a perfect opportunity for you to enjoy nature and all its surroundings.

                If you’re over 21 and enjoy a good wine, one of the best treats the Hudson Valley can offer you are its great selection of wineries. You and your friends can treat yourselves to a full day on the Shawangunk wine trail. Your first stop will be at Adair Vineyards located in New Paltz. Adair Vineyards tasting is only $4 per person and all their grapes are locally grown. Your next stop on the wine trail is Whitecliff Vineyard. This Vineyard has a beautiful view of Shawangunk Mountain. It is well known for its famous Chardonnay. The tasting at this location costs $5, which includes your selection of four reds and four white wines for your tasting delight. The third stop is Baldwin vineyards in Pine Bush, which costs $4 per tasting. Your last stop and one of my personal favorites is Brimstone Hill Vineyard in Pine Bush. Their tasting will cost you only $2 per person. Their white wines are reasonable priced and you can actually walk though the vineyard and take pictures. Going on a wine trail hike will be an exhilarating experience for anyone’s Spring break. Just don’t forget to bring enough snacks like cheese and crackers.

Pujols and Cardinals Not Reaching Agreement Raises Questions | by: Matt Nucifore

            No matter how honorable and consistent a player is in any sport, when they fail to reach an agreement on a new contract with the team they currently play for these players will feel the spotlight shining on them just a little brighter. We have all heard the major question they are confronted with: for love or money? And when players in all major league sports make astronomical amounts of money, especially compared to in our parents’ and grandparents’ time, our minds tend to wonder on even the best of the best. When referring to the MLB (Major League Baseball), Albert Pujols is one of those players.

                Albert Pujols is the starting first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals. He has spent his first ten seasons with the team, and in the process collected three National League MVP awards and one World Series ring. According to ESPN, he has hit at least .300 with a minimum of 30 home runs and 100 RBIs for each of those ten seasons, which is the longest streak of its kind in the history of the game. To give perspective on the weight such a record holds, only two players have held streaks close to it, with Lou Gehrig having a nine season streak from 1929 to 1937, and Babe Ruth having a eight season streak from 1926 to 1933. Even those who are not avid fans should recognize the prestige of being in the same category as the Babe.

                It is the productivity shown in these statistics mentioned above that has the media putting so much attention on the eight- time All Star. Pujols will begin this season as the last in his expiring seven- year $100 million contract. This salary, which is very hefty and appealing to us, is tied for only the 25th largest contract ever given to a MLB player, as according to www.mlbcontracts.blogspot.com. According to www.cbssports.com, when you examine the top 25 salaries for the 2010 season, Pujols isn’t even on the list. Pujols’ production in the past ten years has surpassed every other individual position player in the league, which raises the question: Shouldn’t he be making the most money? If players are paid according to their production as a player along with their overall value to the team, you would think so. Pujols has also been a huge spark for the St. Louis Cardinals and for the city of St. Louis. He was drafted onto the team and began his playing days right after the end of the Mark McGuire era, and resurrected a franchise during a time when they desperately needed someone to do so.

                According to ESPN baseball analyst Tim Kurkjian, Pujols is looking for a contract in the range of $300 million over the course of 10 years. At the age of 31, this would have him playing till he’s 41 years old, which is considered to be in the retirement range for baseball. Although this may seem unreasonable to ask for, especially for a team that does not have the same fan base and income as the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox, there is legitimate reasoning behind such a request. The Yankees are in part responsible for the issue, setting the standard when they gave Alex Rodriguez a 10 year deal worth $275 million with incentives. Also as I previously mentioned, Pujols has been the most productive player in the majors in the last ten years, and in a business where you’re paid for your numbers, the argument has to be made that he deserves the most lucrative contract the sport has ever seen.

                I feel pity for Albert Pujols. He has avoided the accusations of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs in a decade where so many of baseball’s once great heroes have been humiliated and brought out into the light for who they really are and what they have done. He not only avoided these accusations, but has won two Gold Gloves and six Silver Slugger Awards to go along with his aforementioned eight All Star appearances, three NL MVPs and one World Series ring. He has made a name for himself in a small city with a small market, especially in comparison to locations such as New York and Boston. Maybe he is taking in the sweet smell of knowing he could be the highest paid, but who could make a reasonable argument as to why he shouldn’t be? Or maybe he finally realized he’s not getting what myself and many of baseball’s finest analysts are saying he deserves. Either way just remember that when you see him on television, or hear about him on the radio, that he is not the typical greedy player who doesn’t care about the game anymore, but that you are getting your chance to see not only one of the greatest players to play the game, but that you’re looking at one of the few pure players left in major league sports. When asked by an ESPN correspondent what he is looking for, he responded with “What do I want? Hey, I want to be a Cardinal forever. That’s my goal.”

Gaming Addiction: A Growing Concern | by: Brian S. Murphy

Although not yet recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) as an official addiction, video game addiction can be defined as an obsession or compulsion with computer or video games that interferes with daily life. Video game addiction is not unlike other psychological addictions, such as compulsive gambling. Video game addiction is slowly growing to be a large problem, leading addicts towards terrible physical and social consequences.

But just how terrible can these consequences be? After all, aren’t drug and alcohol addictions a much more deadly and common problem? Not necessarily. On February 22, the Beijing Times reported the death of a 30 year old man who died after playing a video game at an internet café for three days straight. According to witnesses, the man ate and drank very little, and had no sleep whatsoever. He then collapsed into a coma and was pronounced dead later at a nearby clinic. A tragedy like this is not as uncommon as it sounds. There have been multiple reports of people dying from lack of sleep and nutrition due to extended sessions playing video games. Sometimes the tragedy is not the gamer who’s addicted, but their family that is affected. On March 5th, 2010, a South Korean couple was arrested for starving their 3 month year old girl due to neglect. The parents had left the child unattended while they devoted all of their free time playing an online game at an internet café. Ironically enough, the game that they were playing involved raising a virtual daughter. While often these are extreme cases, we cannot deny the power that video games can have over people’s lives.         

What is it about these games that make them so addicting that they can push a person to the brink of death? A difficult question, considering there are many different types of video games. Arguably the most addicting type of video game is the Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPG). An MMORPG is a type of game where large numbers of players can interact with each other in a virtual world. Often these types of games have the player take control of a character and its actions while being encouraged to interact with other players. For some, this is the hook. Because players are interacting with real people, they can form actual relationships to which they prefer over the ones they have in the “real world”. Some individuals feel more accepted among the virtual community, thus drawing them in again and again. Video game addiction may not just be a social phenomenon. In order to get gamers to keep coming back for more and more, games often utilize a “variable ratio” schedule of reinforcement. What that means in English is that a player receives a reward after a specific and random numbers of actions are carried out. Think of a slot machine. You never know how many tries it will take in order to win money. Sometimes it takes five tries, sometimes fifteen. Regardless, we keep pulling that lever until we get our reward. This is what makes these types of games so addicting.

This is not to say that if you or your child plays video games that you are destroying your lives. Like all things in life, everything should be experienced within moderation. In order to lead happy and healthy lives, we must be responsible in how we act. It is only now that we are beginning to realize that this kind of responsibility pertains to video games. Video games can be a very fun and satisfying hobby, however if abused, can lead to serious consequences. Being aware of this type of addiction can not only help stop yourself, but also a loved one from turning a great pastime into a deadly affliction.

Why New York Needs Carmelo Anthony | by: Kristina DeCarlo

For the past ten years, Knicks fans have been waiting for the next Patrick Ewing, the next “big star” to arrive in New York.  Their prayers were partially answered in the summer of 2010 when the Knicks picked up six-time NBA All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire.  Still, one man cannot win a championship.  With the help of God’s grace, and the brains of Donnie Walsh, the Knicks will be able to become one step closer to winning a championship by acquiring Denver Nuggets Carmelo Anthony; while also ending the months long Carmelo-drama that enthralled fans, analysts, coaches, teams, players, and anyone that knows anything about basketball. 

Why do the Knicks need Carmelo?  Why do they need his 25 PPG AND 7.6 RPB?  Because he’s outstanding, that’s why!  He averages more points and rebounds than every player on the NYK roster except one (Stoudemire).  He is a five-time NBA All-star, and has won two bronze and two gold medals with the U.S. Olympics team, and those are only a few bullets on his long resume’ after only seven years in the NBA.  What do all these number and awards mean for those who are basketball-impaired – this guy is in his prime and has consistently proven that he will go down as one of the greats.

With the Knicks sitting uncomfortably comfortable at 28-26 during the All-Star weekend break in L.A., the question in L.A. this weekend is “Where will Melo end up?”  The answer should be “the New York Knicks”. Why?  They need him.  If they want to be a serious contender for a championship, if they work their way up from a barely .500 team fighting for a bottom playoff spot in the East, if they want to be able to face up to teams like the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics, they need to put Carmelo Anthony in a blue and orange uniform.

Knicks fans are tired.  They are tired of their season ending before the playoffs start, tired of heartbreaking losses, tired of “almost”.  It’s “now” or never.  They were burned by LeBron James and Chris Bosh, and are constantly burned by horrible owned James Dolan, but in this instance, the fans are begging Carmelo Anthony to join forces with Amar’e Stoudemire and be their savior.  Since the days of Patrick Ewing and the “almost” championship in 1999, Knicks fans won’t be able to take another heartbreaking “almost”.

Why do the Knicks need Carmelo?  For the same reason that the Lakers need Kobe and Gasol and the same reason that the Heat need LeBron and Wade, because they are what wins championship.  They are players that can take their game and the players that surround them to higher levels.  One man can’t do it all, Amar’e needs a little help, and Carmelo Anthony can bring a lot of help and more.

The U.S. Government Gets Thrown a “Curveball” | by: Zachary Shaw

The man who many have claimed to be the reason for the United States invading Iraq has now flipped his story and taken back his allegations of seeing WMDs in an Iraqi laboratory.  Rafid Ahmed Alwan al-Janabi, known to American intelligence as Curveball, came out last week admitting to have lied to the CIA from 1999-2001 about Iraq having weapons of mass destruction in mobile weapons laboratories. 

Curveball, who now lives in Germany and has been quoted as saying that he “hates Americans”, came out last week in his biography, stating his reason for lying to German and American officials was that he wanted to take down Saddam Hussein’s regime.  It seems now, that he is the sole winner in the disaster that is the War in Iraq.

Now, it has been 8 years since we invaded Iraq, killed their leader and took over their government.  Who will go down in the history books as the pivotal force behind the failure in Iraq?  History will tell us that George W. Bush was in office at the time of war but did he act alone? There were many others who not only backed but promoted this expensive trek into the Middle East.  According to CostofWar.com, Americans have spent over $750 billion to fund the War in Iraq.  Why the hell is gas $3.30 per gallon? 

What has the war in Iraq done for the United States?  Besides wasting the money of tax payers, the war has also has taken the lives of over 4,000 young men while injuring almost 34,000 American troops in combat. What the War in Iraq has failed to do is fulfill the original goal of stabilizing Iraq under a democratic government, which still stands unsteady after almost 8 years without Saddam Hussein at the helm. 

As previously stated, many will blame the president for the mess in the Middle East.  That is fair, he does deserve some blame but the main proponent in America going to War was Former Secretary of State Colin Powell.  His speech to the United Nations garnered the support that America needed in its assault on Iraq.  Following the new revelations about the informant “Curveball”, Powell has already commented on the subject stating that he carries no blame for the invasion and conquering of Iraq, saying only that “It has become clear that a source named ‘Curveball’ is totally unreliable.” Great insight given by the man who delivered a riveting speech to the United Nations on what a dire necessity invading Iraq was.  In the speech given to the U.N. on February 5, 2003, he is quoted as saying “Every statement I make today is backed up by sources, solid sources.  These are not assertions.  What we’re giving you are facts and conclusions based on solid intelligence.”  But how could he have even known that his main source was reliable when no Americans ever spoke directly with “Curveball”?  Instead, “Curveball” chose to deal solely with German intelligence on the matter. Apparently the American people’s definition of intelligence is far different than that of the American Government. 

                The reoccurring theme in the aftermath of the Iraq war is the passing of blame amongst past government officials.  Colin Powell and George W. Bush can only question the CIA as to why these liars were taken seriously, Dick Cheney continues to refuse any blame and still believes the war has had a positive impact on the nation, regardless of “WMD’s or no WMD’s”, democrats blame republicans and republicans blame everyone who isn’t a republican. 

It is time, after 8 long years, for someone to step forward and admit their own guilt about the lives lost, the money spent, and the state of the nation today.  The sad part is that those who should feel guilt about this whole catastrophe were affected the least.  These are rich old men.  These aren’t members of the middle class who are getting laid off due to the recession.  These aren’t the young men and women in the armed forces risking their lives everyday for an unjustifiable war.  These are wealthy old men who made mistakes, and its time for some accountability.