Greetings everyone, This is my first blog here! I joined OHC right before Christmas & I have been having such a great time. My winter break is coming to an end but don’t you fret! Most of my classes are online, so you’ll be seeing much much more of me over the next few months. I’m excited for the spring semester because it will keep me busy during those winter blues! I get to take a few insightful classes now that my gen ed credits are filled, such as a cultural anthropology course.
I am currently suffering from cabin fever as I am not a big fan of the cold. Some of my girlfriends don’t mind the snowy weather but I am the kind of girl who would rather be somewhere tropical and warm year round!
Heres a little treat for you guys to beat those winter blues! Maybe Santa should have brought me a bigger bikini top, I am popping out of this thing
xo, Erica
Hello once again. A lot has happened in baseball over this past week, if you were not aware. More than just player acquisitions this time, from a Cy-Young award winning pitcher retiring to a new Hall-of-Famer being named. First off, a huge name was removed from the free-agent pool with Matt Holliday resigning with the St. Louis Cardinals. He agreed to the largest contract the Cardinals have ever dished out, 7 years at $120 million. But remember, the Cardinals have one of best hitters in all of baseball in the form of Albert Pujols. Pujols’ contract was also of the 7 year variety but only $100 million. Holliday’sannual salary marks both the longest and highest annual pay of any free agent signing so far this off-season at $17.1 million per year. Bay and Lackey come in second at a cool $16.5 million per year. Over the last two seasons Holliday has hit 24 and 25 home runs, 109 and 88 RBIs and had batting averages of .313 and .321. Not bad, but does that deserve more money than someone on the same team that has hit more than 32 home runs each of the 9 seasons that he has played, collecting 135 RBIs while being intentionally walked 44 times last season, and having a career average of .334?
I mentioned that a former Ace has announced his retirement. Randy Johnson, most recently of the San Francisco Giants, announced the end of his 22 – year career. He gathered numerous accolades, including five Cy Young Awards (second to Roger Clemens with 7) and 10 All-Star selections. His statistics across the board are staggering, with the key pitching stat, strikeouts, he is second all time only to the great Nolan Ryan, 4,875 to Ryan’s 5,714. Johnson was also only the 24th pitcher ever to collect 300 major league wins with a record of 303 – 166. He may be the last pitcher to reach 300 wins for quite some time. The pitcher closest to him is Jamie Moyer, with 258 wins, and 47 years-old. But Moyer only collected 12 wins last season, and at that pace he would still need 4 more years and be 51. As for the younger set, Andy Pettitte, 37, has 229 wins and Pedro Martinez, 38, has 219 and neither has enough stuff left to pose a threat to break the mark that would easily take another 6 or 7 years and have both pitchers well in their 40’s. One factor is virtually certain however, Johnson will be elected to Cooperstown in 2015 on the first ballot.
Speaking of the Hall of Fame, Andre Dawson ended an 8 year wait on the Hall ballot making it 35 years since his minor league debut. Dawson played 16 of his 21 years with the now departed Expos. If he goes in as an Expo, he would mark only the second one to enter the Hall, with the first being cather Gary Carter. Dawson also played with the Cubs and ended his career n 1996 with the Marlins, just missing their first World Series championship by a year.
Is it getting warmer out yet? Just a reminder that pitchers and catchers report to spring camp in just over a month, so get ready everybody. Until next time….
Mario is back and he’s bringing a whole new bag of tricks to the table. This week our game is New Super Mario Bros Wii for the.. well the Nintendo Wii. It’s a sequel to the highly fun DS game New Super Mario Bros. It is a lot like that game but with a whole lot of improvements and some good old nostalgia thrown in for good measure. Now we’ll look into why this is one of the best Wii games to date and a must buy for all Mario fans.
4 player action
Like the old days, but newer?
So the games story is very basic and we have all heard it before. Bowser steals the princess and it’s up to Mario and Luigi to save the day! This time however there are two new players, a yellow and blue Toad (the mushroom men) join the brothers in their quest to save the princess from the evil clutches of Bowser once again. Bowser isn’t alone either however, bringing with him straight from Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World, the Kooplings, his original children, and Baby Bowser as well. As you progress through the 8 worlds you will fight off each of these baddies, who will in the last castle be powered up by Kamek, the Magikoopa from Yoshi’s Island, in a very similar way. With these odds stacked up against Mario, Luigi, and their two new friends, do they even stand a chance? You’ll have to play to find out!
The gameplay is just like the old days on the super nintendo. You progress from one side of the screen all the way to the end goal, trying to traverse through the obstacle filled land as you go. All your favorite enemies are back, the koopas, goombas, the piranha plants, bullet bill, and even a few new faces are added to King Bowsers army of baddies. The platforming flows very nicely, and while it feels slightly different then it did in the Nintendo and Super Nintendo days it definitely feels right. You will never be fighting the controls or wondering why Mario didn’t jump quite where you wanted to.
Along with all the new enemies you’ll encounter you will also find some new power ups. The staples are back such as red mushrooms to make you grow big and fire flowers to make you shoot fire. But this time there are a few new tricks. An Ice Flower which lets you shoot ice turning enemies into ice cubes, which you can then pick up by shaking the wiimote in front of it. You can then throw this ice cube at enemies as it kills everything in its path till it hits a wall and shatters. There is also a penguin suit which has the same ice ability but also lets you belly slide along ice and allows for better swimming in water levels. And last but not least is the propeller hat, which as you’re in the air, if you shake the wiimote it’ll send you hurling into the air further acting as a second jump. All the power ups are intersting and the creative ways they can be used in the levels are very interesting. The only thing I’m disappointed with is while the mini mushroom from the DS game returns, there is no giant mushroom. I quite enjoyed stomping through levels destroying everything in my path! This game also marks the return of Yoshi to the series, though his appearances are limited they are enjoyable.
Of course a Mario game is great with all the enemies and fun powerups but it just wouldn’t be a fun game if the levels you find them all in weren’t interesting. Luckly for us the level design in this game is outstanding. As you play you will find that pretty much all the levels are unique. That’s right every single level has something unique about it. The later levels don’t feel just like harder versions of a level you already beat, they feel new and fresh and they keep your attention throughtout the game. Some levels even have multiple ways to finish, unlocking special paths on the main map and even some cannons that let you skip worlds (though all the levels are so fun I don’t know why you would want to). Each level also has 3 star coins to collect, and if you collect all the star coins in a world you unlock a level in the special world 9, an especially difficult world that will test your abilities as a Mario player.
Finally, the multiplayer. Yes this game has multiplayer but not in the way you used to play it in a mario game. Instead of taking turns and trying to beat a level one at a time, up to 4 players can play at the same time in the same level. This can get quite heckteck and fun, but don’t expect to take it too seriously unless you’re with a group of hardcore mario players. The game offers a bubble feature which lets less skilled players bubble safely over to where you are after you’ve completed the death defying leap over the pit of lava but I challenge you all to go through the game without using it when you’re playing multiplayer, it’s much more fun that way. You can use the other players to jump to higher places by jumping on their heads, you can hold onto other players and jump with them or throw them, sometimes its fun to be mean to the other players but teamwork is the only way you’ll get anything done. The game is just as fun on your own as it is with friends but I highly recommend trying it both ways. (Innuendo not intended) NSMBW Doesn’t take too long to complete if you’re a Mario vet. You could probably beat the game in 3 or 4 sittings depending on how long you play the game straight but that isn’t including the star coin collecting which will be time consuming even for those of us who have been playing since we were 5 year old toddlers.
All in all this game is great. It is full of all that Mario goodness that we grew up with and its presented in such a nice way. You can really tell they were making this game for long time fans. It’s highly modelled off of Mario 3 and Mario World and it’s all the better for it. And if you ask me, the final boss fight in this game is one of the most epic in the series, just thought I’d throw that out there. On top of all that, the music is just what you’d expect from Mario and you will find yourself humming a few of the tunes while you are at work or making dinner, I know I have. Whether this is your first venture into the Mushroom Kingdom or if you’re returning for the 100th time, entry is well worth the ticket price and I highly encourage all fans of Mario or anyone who owns a Wii to try this game out, you will not be disapointed!
Hey guys! How are you? I’m doing alright, I got my books today for school which starts back up on the 11th. I feel like this break has gone by way to fast. I can’t believe it has been a month already. A part of me is excited, especially for my graphics design course because I’ll get to play around on photoshop cs4 all day, but a part of me is really enjoying the freedom of break. I suppose it would be easier this time around because I don’t have a composition course. Those essays really took up so much of my time last quarter. I think I spent 12 hours a week just writing. Hopefully the workload will be lighter and I’ll be able to cam a lot more for the rest of the winter months!
I watched the movie P.S I Love You this morning and cried like a little pansy a good four times before the movie was even half way done. It was more tear jerking than The Notebook. I like a good chick flick from time to time. I bet you’d all cry too if you watched it, I dare you guys to try! Don’t worry, it wont effect your manhood in any way. Plus, girls digs guys who have a knowledge of chick flicks.
Are you guys enjoying the lovely new ladies that have joined OHC?! Well I have heard that there are more coming soon! So keep your eyes open for more knock out OHC hotties to join the bunch.
Anyway tomorrow I will be caming, and start doing marathon cam sessions like it aint no thang. So drop by and say hello!
Since all the standard political fare has been unbelievably bleak the past ten days, I thought I’d go current events this time around. After all, I can’t imagine who’ll see this and prefer to read about increased international airport security, unfair political pot shots, or inexplicable prisoner transfers as opposed to say, this:
Scientists at Kings College London have apparently concluded that the famed, if elusive, G-spot does not exist outside of the human psyche. Dr. Andrea Burri, who lead the study, has also claimed that up to 30% of women don’t climax during sex. This is from a study earlier this year where she suggests emotional intelligence leads to more satisfying sex. And still it gets worse: Tim Spector, co-author of this new study, released his own questionnaire-based results showing that only 14% of British women say they always experience orgasm. Now before anyone’s heart sinks, I should point out that this study was informal at best. Both studies questioned identical and non-identical twins about their sexual experiences. The most obvious problem with their responses is that the respondents did not share the same sexual partners or experiences.
The good doctor’s argument for this failure in the scientific process is that identical twins share the same genes, so if one claims to have a G-spot, then the other one should as well. What Dr. Burri has done is used the sample size as the constant which conventional scientists never due. If you wanted to find out if a pair of identical twin’s sexual experiences were similar based on their genes, you would put them through two series of clearly-defined scenarios. The first scenario would be exactly the same for both twins (your sample size), and the second scenario would be different for both twins. Therefore, the first scenario (your ‘constant’ test) should give similar results and the second (your ‘variable’ test) should provide different results.
Now, let’s take a look at her reason for doing this scientific survey in the first place. According to the Times Online and the Telegraph, Dr. Andrea Burri “was anxious to remove feelings of ‘inadequacy or underachievement’ that might affect women who feared they lacked a G-spot.” And here’s Dr. Burri in her own words: “It is rather irresponsible to claim the existence of an entity that has never really been proven and pressurise women — and men, too.” While I’m glad she’s looking out for us guys, it would be nice of her to avoid using such “scientific” words as ‘anxious’ and ‘irresponsible’ when explaining her purpose for doing this survey. It kind of makes her sound like she might already have her conclusion drawn.
Seriously, I think it’s the exact opposite. Whether, they’re real or not, it doesn’t hurt to believe. And don’t think we don’t appreciate the challenge. I, personally, like to think of the G-spot as a dare, taunting me to find it like a game of Marco Polo.
Maybe folks, especially the ladies of Britain, should focus less on the anatomical presence of pleasure and just appreciate the fact that they have a partner at all. I’m certain that the last 30% percent of British women could “feel satisfied” if they’d just relax a little and enjoy the ride while it lasts. However long that is.
Happy New Year! I hope that everyone had a safe and jolly celebration, as it was apparent that one major league baseball player did not. Edwin Encarnacion, 3rd baseman of the Toronto Blue Jays was discharged from a Miami hospital Saturday after suffering first and second-degree burns to his face when he was hit by fireworks during a New Year’s celebration in his native Dominican Republic, according to a report by ESPNdeportes.com. He was treated for minor facial injuries to the front and right side of his face after he was struck by a “firecracker rocket” near his jaw that then exploded. He told reporters that one of his brothers lit the firecracker that was supposed to go up but instead it went sideways, eventually into his face. Doctors said he will have to go a week without sun, but can train without problems in about two weeks. Encarnacion will turn 27 next week.
Finally MLB transactions were fairly slow due to the all the holiday activities. However, the Mets landed one of the big names on the free agent market by signing Jason Bay to a four-year deal on December 29th. Pending a physical, the Metsare said to have offered Bay $66 million over that four years. Jason Bay, 31-years-old, has averaged 30 home runs per season since 2004, the year he was voted the National League Rookie of the Year. Bay has also driven in at least 101 runs four times, reaching career bests in both categories last season with the Red Sox with 36 home runs and 119 RBI’s. The Mets are hoping that Bay’s shoulder issues have subsided and that he will meet their power needs.
Now for some NFL news.
With the coming new year, many know that the Super Bowl is not far off. Before the Super Bowl comes the NFL Playoffs. Every team’s preseason goal is to reach the postseason with the chance of making it to the Super Bowl. This weekend is the final week of the regular season, and final game for 20 NFL teams. There are usually several teams fighting it out for the final postseason spots and this season is no different.
The 6 teams representing the NFC are set: Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers. All that is left for grabs is the ranking of teams to determine who will play who and where.
The AFC is far more interesting. So far the San Diego Chargers, Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals, and the New England Patriots have all won their divisions and the Colts have won home-field-advantage throught their playoffs. The two wild-card spots are the only two spots up for grabs, and currently 7 teams are fighting it out. The teams are Denver Broncos, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers all with 8-7 records and the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars withrecords of 7-8. The Jets and Ravens both control their own destiny, if they win they are in. The Jets play the Bengals at 10-5 and already in the playoffs, while the Ravens play the less of a threat Oakland Raiders at 5-10. All of the other 5 teams need help to make it in starting withone or both of these two teams to lose. The calculation of who is in and who is out after these two teams is more complicated than a CalculusI final exam, but I will try and give a brief summary. The Broncos need to win and have either the Jets or Ravens lose. The Texans need to win and either for the Jets and Ravens or Broncos to lose, or if the Jets win both Ravens and Broncos to lose. The Steelers need to win and have either the Texans to lose with a Jets or Ravens loss or for the Jets, Broncos and Ravens all to lose. And for the Dolphins and Jaguars to make it in, they basically need of these other teams to lose. I hope that made some sense, if not, you can do the easy thing like me and just wait till Tuesday and find out who plays. Good luck!
