Are you Djoking?

Quick, sports fans, who is currently the most dominant athlete in sports?  If you guessed anyone but Novak Djokovic you are wrong.  The Serb has an astonishing 2011 record.

Serbia: produces better tennis players than the America

Take a guess at how many matches he's lost.  If you guessed zero, you'd be correct.  now, guess how many sets...well I mean it's 9, but that's out of 99 possible.  This means Djokovic wins 91% of sets he plays.  His record in 2011?  40-0.  Djokovic has always had the talent.  He beat Roger Federer back when Federer was the most dominant player on the planet.  It made Djokovic my hero back then, and his personality made him my favorite tennis player in the world.  Now, Novak is really letting his talent go.  Perhaps his greatest feat is defeating Rafael (currently World #1 and renowned clay fiend) in Madrid...on clay.

Another contender for his greatest feat.

Djokovic then added another clay court victory over Rafa at the ATP Internazionali BNL d'Italia.  Oh, and I'm sure none of you knew that both those victories were in straight sets.  This season, Novak has already surpassed his career high for singles victories in a year (7, previously 5) and will transcend his record for earnings in a year when the French Open finishes.  He only had one Grand Slam title (2008 Aussie Open) coming into 2011, but Novak looks primed to become a contender at every single Slam.  His biggest struggles have been on grass courts.  He'll have to be in his best form when the England Club comes calling for Wimbledon.  His 2011 could not have started better (obviously).  With Roger Federer as a non-entity in 2011 (so it appears) Djokovic-Nadal is about to become the greatest rivalry in the world and perhaps one of the greatest of all time.  Both players are relatively young.  Their feud could last for half a decade, unless another surprising caller comes and steps in the way Djokovic has for Federer just when it seemed Nadal was about to take the sport over entirely.  So in conclusion: Novak Djokovic has been the world's most dominating athlete in 2011 so far, and after straight set victories in rounds 1 & 2 at Roland Garros, he is striving to keep the title for a while longer.

Sport, thy name is Lacrosse!

Some people don't seem to understand the beauty that is the sport of lacrosse.  Many deem it nonsensical and declare it a spring sport for those who cannot play baseball.  However, the sport of lacrosse is one which requires skill and stamina beyond the call of any other.  The sport is beautiful.  Watching as the goalie makes a save, swinging his stick around to the weak side.  He clears it to a defender who passes it to a mid-fielder.  The galloping middies dash down the field, find an open attackman who finishes, bouncing the ball in front and it skyrockets to the top left corner, the goalie not knowing what happened.

Pictured: not knowing what happened

Many will disagree, but until you see the sport in action there is no understanding it.  Truthfully, until you pick up a stick yourself and throw for a couple of minutes and then try to get out and play does one understand.  The game can take months to develop and is never mastered.  The best players make mistakes which it appears a neophyte could avoid,  Why is lacrosse so hated?  Why do so many people vitriolically brutalize the sport as being that of losers?  I think the first wave of people to play lacrosse were the outcasts.  Immediately drawn to a new sport, the jocks decided it was below them.  Now, as the east coast is in a lax frenzy, people see the beauty of lacrosse.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3bZvJ8RT74 (a video also helps)


Lacrosse is truly something to marvel.  Soccer is called the beautiful game, but now imagine soccer where everything is faster, more physical, and basically more American.  I find it truly incredible that lacrosse still manages to garner little success around the nation.  Perhaps another video?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h8vtpTdw4I&feature=related

Whatever your taste, beauty or aggression, lacrosse has it.  I find the sport to be up there with the other popular sports in America in terms of entertainment value, if not above.  The sport is truly a team sport, where one great player can make little to no difference.

Pictured: One great player making a difference

So if you can give me your attention, I find it is time to give lacrosse it...so in other words, stop giving me your attention and give it to lacrosse.  Lacrosse is the most up and coming sport in the nation.  It has all the attributes to be a great American sport (despite being French).  Lacrosse is cool...watch it and give it a chance.

15 Songs You Need to Hear

Oh, ho hum, as we continue to avoid the humdrum world of athletic, the world of music offers me the opportunity to give spread the sweet symphonies of a few bands to you.  There are songs which are well known and songs that hopefully aren't so well known.  Take a gander:


15.  Modern Day Mountain Man by Bryan Ragsdale
Genre: Country
A very positive song.  This song relates to just being yourself.  Ragsdale has a fantastic country voice.  It's extremely probable that you haven't heard of him nor heard him, but take a listen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzXGBFB8ysU

14. Feel Good Inc. by Gorillaz
Genre: Rock
A song which features an interesting rap insert from De La Soulm "Feel Good Inc" is a song which everyone can enjoy.  The slow, mezmerizing chorus will leave you happy.  Try it out for yourself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plvpV9p0ywg

13. Laughing With by Regina Spektor
Genre: Soft Rock
This song makes me tear up everytime.  It is a song which I cannot supply an explanation to you.  This selection demands your own interpredation.  So, please, listen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pxRXP3w-sQ

12. American Pie by Don McLean
Genre: Rock
Probably the most famous of the songs on this list, this classic is perhaps the best song as well.  Despite coming in at #12, this 8 and 1/2 minute long masterpiece makes me happy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAsV5-Hv-7U

11. Float On by Modest Mouse
Genre: Alternative Rock
Modest Mouse delivers a true inspirational piece.  Speaking that we can fight through any trouble, "Float On" can pick one up as well as any other song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTAud5O7Qqk

10. Don't Dream it's Over by Sixpence None the Richer
Genre: Inspirational
Another inspirational piece, this anti-war craft by Sixpence None the Richer provides the listen with a soothing tone.  The vocals are outstanding, it's nice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bdOefF_tyU

9. Voices by Chris Young
Genre: Country
The second country song on my list, "Voices" by Chris Young is a beautiful song.  It dispenses the message of how important people are in life.  Plus it is a good song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bdOefF_tyU

8.Thrill of It by Robert Randolph
Genre: Rock
This feel good song is just fun to listen to.  The flowing lyrics and such make it an anthem for someone just needing some good music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tFOiF1oZOw 


7. Prospekt's March/Poppyfields by Coldplay
Genre: Alternative
This mellifluous melody by the famous band Coldplay comes off their Prospekt's March EP.  It is a slow moving, heart rendering song.  It will make you think, which is always a good thing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUoh0n7os_E 


6. Cat People (Putting out Fires) by David Bowie
Genre: Rock
David Bowie comes full force in this song.  It is an odd song, but it challenges the usual type of song.  It has great lyricism, as Bowie really gets into it with meaningful and deep lyrics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7pc3_TAi7c


The Top 5 songs:

5. Collapse (Post-Amerika)
Genre: Rock
Political band Rise Against unleashes this song on its album Appeal to Reason.  There is no real meaning behind this song for me, but it is an amazing song.  Listen to it, please.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCq-x5RHsJA



4. Alive with the Glory of Love by Say Anything
Genre: Rock
Say Anything unleashes this anthem about love, love so strong it can survive through the Holocausts of World War II.  Despite being a song about love, it has a very alternative sound and isn't sappy at all.  Give it a listen and it will become one of your favorite love songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7rYZjv3wNg  

3. Sinners Like Me by Eric Church
Genre: Country
y third country song is the most outstanding of the three, naturally.  The #3 song on the list of songs you need to hear now is just an incredible song.  Eric Church will bring memories of your loved ones flowing to the front of your mind.  Prepare to be wowed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S-o7sjXspA  


2. Flight of Apollo by Angels & Airwaves
Genre: Alternative
My favorite song at the moment, "The Flight of Apollo" is a booming performance.  It talks deeply about living life, and how important the people and things in our lives are.  The confusing verses are up to your own interpretation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypnOnVwg8sc

1. The Prayer by Kid Cudi
Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
This is a song that no one can deny is completely badass.  Kid Cudi turns prayer into song and delivers a mind blowing performance.  Listen to the lyrics and you cannot help but think of your own life, and how you've been living.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grPfVlj7Go4


The world of music more than any other gives us the opportunity to reflect.  There is a song appropriate for any situation.  Music can make us think or it can make us forget to think.  If we are feeling down, there is an inspirational song somewhere. There is a song for every mood, just find it and you'll never feel the same.
  

How Americans Became Terrorists:

Maybe the biggest story of 2011 so far (debatable, but isn't everything?) is the capture and death of Osama bin Laden.  The renowned leader of the terrorist al-Qaeda has been public enemy #1 in the glorious USA since the horrific morning of September 11th, 2001, and rightfully so.  He successfully hid in the mountains of Pakistan for 10 years, attempting to beat the record of Jimmy Hoffa  Suddenly, on the evening of May 1st, 2011 it was announced bin Laden had been captured and killed, which was cool.  American people let out shouts of joy and even paraded outside the White House in victory...but isn't it a little hypocritical and oxymoronic we would celebrate in such a way?  Don't we despise the terrorists because they take pride in the destruction of others?  Do we not see them dancing at the death of our soldiers and vomit?  What happened to class?  I know it was the biggest bad guy on earth, but it does not mean it is right to take pride in his death, especially to such an extreme.  We became the exact people we have been despising for 10 years and all it took was the death of one man.  We should feel content that Osama has been handled, but there is absolutely no need to parade around as if all the world's problems have been solved.  We need to remember there could be backlash and the terrorists probably won't be too excited about their leader dying, only to followed by our excessive celebration, unsportsmanlike conduct, and ridiculousness.  We should be more worried about bringing the dammed war to an end rather than celebrating the death of one man with such lavishness.  It was not American and we should be ashamed to act so much like the uncivilized terrorists of the Middle East.  We became the enemy, and that is indeed, a shame.