Posted in B's World Blog

IOC Vanquishes Wrestling from the 2020 Olympics

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It goes without saying the loss of wrestling as an Olympic sport, although it is possible to still retain it via voting and campaigning, is a travesty of what the Olympic games stands for.  IOC, some things aren’t all about your statistics.  Statistics might, and I stress might, not lie.  But if you’re going to use statistics to get rid of the originator, then I say we use statistics to solidify its place back on the podium.

1. How many people can actually do what it takes to be an Olympic level wrestler?  I’m not taking anything away from any other sport, as I believe in the merit of each.  And I fully realize the difficulty of getting to the Olympic level of any given sport.  But let’s be honest here.  Wrestling is a test of might and endurance, technique and tenacity, intellect and slyness.  Few sports rival its overall commitment level and athletic demands.  Furthermore, few sports rival its real world application towards self defense, body conditioning and mental strength.  Where is this stat in the mix?

2. Is wrestling not one of the original, if not THE original Olympic sport?  I keep reading about all this needing to “retain the original games heritage”.  Ummm?  Am I missing something here?

3.  The new Olympic committee wants to look to the future of the games.  Is MMA not one of the fastest growing sports in the world?  What is MMA’s first and foremost base?  Wrestling.  MMA likely won’t be an Olympic sport any time soon.  But even so, if you’re thinking of the future, you don’t get rid of what is the base for the future, as well as the past’s key stone.

4. How many other sports are as cheap as wrestling to fund?

5.  How many people, in North America, at least, would watch wrestling if it was actually on…and I don’t mean at 3 in the morning on one of the affiliate channels.

6.  You’re telling me people would rather watch walking over wrestling?  Really?  I mean, really?  Let’s get some stats going on popular vote, if they haven’t already done so.  And I mean really truthful stats, not stats via Mr. or Ms. politician who has never had the ability or desire to take on something as physically demanding as wrestling and, so, does power walking or badminton on the weekends.  Wrestling should be respected for what it is, revered for its nature.  It should be honored, not thrown away.  Are the Olympics not about challenge of sport and good will?

The wrestling community is small, but of the highest caliber in terms of sportsmanship and appreciation towards one’s opponent.  Even if not a very successful wrestler, there is always a certain camaraderie amongst those who have stepped on the mat, a certain respect.  It is because not everyone can do it.  In my experience, even the most decorated and influential wrestlers have the ability to put their competitive nature aside for the sake of good will towards their opponents.  Is this not what the Olympics stand for?

Respect of difficulty and physical ability.  Honor of athletic prowess and mental strength.  Admiration of devotion and spirit.  Love of competition and performance.  Teaching and practice of sportsmanship and good will.  Wrestling contains these attributes.  Truly, to be a wrestler sets one apart from the rest of the world, but in the most positively influential of ways.  The IOC seems to agree with the separation part of this statement, separating wrestling from its home of the Olympic games, and putting it in a false light.

Over the next 7 years, let us fight to reestablish wrestling and solidify its place one again as a base Olympic sport.  Olympic spirit isn’t about money or even popularity, although it is a sad fact these factors are to blame for much of the world’s athletic prosperity, as well as wrestling’s current departure.  But the Olympics are suppose to be different.  They aren’t suppose to be a representation of business and this web generation’s non-present/non-accountable TRL-style voting.  They are suppose to be about the essence of sport.

Olympic spirit is about the challenge and drive.  Let us keep it this way.  May this be only another stepping stone for one of the world’s most respectable, yet often most misunderstood and unappreciated, sports and martial arts.

 

–  B

 

PS: Barack Obama has nothing to do with wrestling getting cut people.  Geez.

 

Posted in B's World Blog

Health Care Debate….on Facebook

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Today I caught a discussion between a friend of mine on Facebook and a friend of his on Facebook.  They were debating the current health care system debacle and how much government should play a part, one saying he believes government should intervene, more or less, and the other saying the government’s intervention would just take away more of our freedoms and be more expensive, more or less.  My bud quickly made a point of saying the current health care system is, hellooo, already expensive as #$*@!!! and is currently not run by the government; it is broken.   His amigo quickly replied with some hoopla about President Roosevelt attempting to intervene in 1912 and the government having played a role, not being a good one, in health care since.    He is also firm on his stance of health care not being a “luxury” that everyone is entitled to, it not being a God-given right…nothing is for free.

Yes, the political talks are at the forefront with the presidential election just around the corner, hot off the heels of last evening’s first presidential debate.

I had a few thoughts I wanted to contribute to the conversation.  But my “few” thoughts turned into a longer rant.  Soooo, I decided to post on here instead!  The main point I’m trying to make….well, you tell me if you get what I’m saying….

Nothing is for free, true.  But we’re already paying for it…quite a bit.  Wouldn’t it be nice to have affordable health care?  You might be paying for it with taxes.  But you wouldn’t have to worry when an inevitable comes…at least not as much as now.  Who wants to have to choose a life-saving operation over their home?

Not saying the plan is laid out perfectly.  But change is hard fought, especially when it’s never truly given a chance to be effective.  How can we say something won’t work if it’s not even properly attempted?  Too much bickering for self-preservation going on in the government.  Big business scared to lose its place.  Wealthy might not be so wealthy anymore.  Yada yada yada.  Boo hoo.  How about thinking about the overall effect of a nation health care system instead of simply how to stop it from coming into fruition?

Yes, our society takes pride in its freedoms.  However, without government action things would get, well, a bit out of control.  But who is suppose to run the government???  US!  Government is our freedom.  Hence, we are making the decisions through our votes.  It’s our choice to make things happen the way we want them to.  If the “government” is too controlling doesn’t this mean we’re too controlling?  Doesn’t make sense, right?

The problem is there are too many appointed officials in our government that think too much for themselves and not the people they are suppose to represent.  We appoint these officials with the hope and trust they will make decisions worthy of our wants and needs.  So, why shouldn’t these officials, OUR government reps,  intervene at some point with health care?  Aren’t they looking out for us, in essence?  Sadly, that’s not always the case, right?

But there has to be invention at some point.  Guidance and restrictions versus all out rule though, of course.  What’s to stop price increases otherwise?  It should be on more of a local government level for the most part, with the feds implementing certain nationally recognized measures.  It’s a tough thing though, no doubt.  After all, it’s our government representatives that run or have stake in so many of our current health care system providers, which adds yet another layer to the sweet dump cake that is this health care situation.

Why do you think so many politicians are so opposed to the system’s change?  CHA CHING bye bye.  MORE OBSTACLES, hello.  So, they are convincing the people, and themselves, for the most respectable and selfless reasons I’m sure, not to make change (I do hope you get my sarcasm there).

But even if there is change they’ll still have a say in some way or another since, hello, they are within our chosen government.  There will just be more restrictions since they can’t do it in the cooperate fashion any longer, where they can hide this and that, use that loop-hole and this tax cut.  Now they’ll have to make their moves for cashzilla by tip-toeing around government procedures, which they don’t want to have to deal with since it will limit them.

Lord knows a whole slew of new “laws” will be presented out of nowhere to ensure certain aspects of business are “preserved for the people”, aka will keep the doe flowing in the pockets of those that control the big business.  If ever we’re able to push through a new health care administration, just watch how fast bills will be presented to become “laws”.  Just watch.

It just cracks me up how black and white so many Americans think these kinds of issues are.  There are so many levels to take into consideration.  So many details behind the scenes.  Politicians say what you want to hear.  Very few of them actually give a shit about you or your dying mom that you can’t afford to take care of.

So, I laugh, I chuckle, I holler, I sigh at those persons that hold what is said on the outside so close on the inside.  Politicians play on emotions, our emotions.  Set in motion a planted idea and watch the field of battling amongst ourselves unfold.  That’s the plan.  It’s like a fine game of Risk, strategy at it’s best.

These guys make it look so easy though.  You don’t even realize what’s going on.  Instead, everyone is too busy debating what he said here or what he said there.  Listen to what isn’t being said.  Then you’ll have your answer(s).

Our government needs reform, but so does the mindset of its people.  Think of the future, not the present; your children’s children, not yourselves.

 

– B

Believe It.  Do It.

 

***As always, Bryan Bachar doesn’t hold himself accountable for any factual or grammatical mistakes.  T’is what it t’is.  Haters don’t die.  They multiply.  Have a nice day.

 

 

Posted in B's Reviews

HitRECord.org & Turntable.FM….COO!!!

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So, I heard about a couple cool sites today…I know, I know…SOOO yesterday.  What evs!  #JosephGordonLevitt’s collaborative production company site called HitRECord.org allows you to upload and share original material with other users on the site.  Once you upload a submission it becomes a “record”, permitting every user the right to use it or remix it in any fashion they like, as long as it’s for another record they are posting back on HitRECord.

If Mr. Gordon-Levitt and his team decides a record is worth the effort and pushes to turn it into a “production”, all of the contributing users have the chance to make a profit off of the work.  HitRECord splits its productions’ proficts 50/50 with its contributors, as it is a pro-profit organization.  They use a non-exclusive license structure.  So, you maintain the rights to your original works.

Cool concept.  I plan on trying it out myself and have already signed up!  For more info, go to www.hitrecord.org.

The other site I heard about today and have already taken the liberty of peepin’ out is Turntable.FM.  Basically, it allows you listen to blast playlists from anywhere around the world that are being produced by DJs or everyday Schmos like yourself.  In essence, you are the DJ for someone else’s get down moments.

This takes online music streaming to a whole new level.  Because, now, you are actually listening to music being put together by someone else using the music you like to hear….with flare!   Rather than simply allowing a program to put music together for you, you’re being interactive.  In fact, another awesome feature is you can actually rate the music the DJ is playing, forcing him to eventually change the song, or, giving her mad props yo!

This site is great for hearing new tunes or your beloved classics.  It’s also a perfect stage for aspiring disc jockeys to get their feet wet and feel out crowds.  Just be ready for the haters, because you know people are WAAAAY more brave sitting behind their firewalls!  And remember, your listeners have the power to change your picks in the end.

All in all, Turntable.FM is a really fun and creative site.  So much for hiring in-house DJs! …..well, I wouldn’t go that far.  😉   Go to www.turntable.fm for mas info.

Never ceases to amaze me the creative thinking going on out there on the web.  Hard to keep up with it all!  Impossible really.  But it’s fun to try.  Hay ohhhhh!!!!

Late.

– B

Believe it.  Do it.

 

***As always, Bryan doesn’t take resp0nsibility for any misspelled words or Names, or, inaccurate facts.  He does his best and, frankly my dears, doesn’t give a damn.  Haters!  🙂  Much love.

 

 

Posted in B's Updates

Focusing on the Positive…Helps when You Luck Out

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Okay, negativity kills.  My car was broken into last night in #SanFrancisco.  I fell asleep and left 2 important items in my car by accident.  My bad.  I know better.  My window was shattered.  The items were yanked.  I was pissed.

The main reasons I was pissed were:

1.  I had just shot an event earlier that day.  One of the tapes with the event footage was in one of the 2 cases stolen.   Not only was I now not going to get paid, but all the memories for the persons in the event were going to be lost.  I also would never get the gig again, which I’ve done for 3 years now.  Ultimately, this would just cost me money and rep.  But it would mean so much more lost to the event participants.  I just felt horrible about it.  You can’t replace memories.

2.  A piece of equipment I had borrowed from a colleague  was in one of the 2 cases stolen as well.  This meant I would have to explain what happened to him.  It also meant he would never likely trust me again.  Furthermore, I’d lose even more money on what was suppose to make me money because I’d feel absolutely obligated to pay him back.

3.  I left the stuff in my car in the first place, evoking the incident.  Yes, it shouldn’t happen regardless.  But you have to be street smart.

Obviously, other items were stolen that were within the cases.  But the above reasons are really why I was so angry.  I mean, overall, none of the items were worth much to the low life individual who stole them.  And they likely knew this.  They don’t care though.  If they can get $20 for their next hit then it’s a success.

But to me, to the people at the event, to my colleague, the items meant a great deal.  This is what frustrates me beyond words, truly.  The broken window sucks major.  But my car can be fixed through my insurance.  Hell, I might have even been able to get reimbursed for some of the items.  But the reimbursement would never replace those memories, trust and future possible work lost.

As strange clouds passed overhead, after having lashed out in anger to the wind and then doing a grid search, after I spoke with some nearby homeless gentlemen and having filed my police report, as I parked to enter my girlfriend’s apartment to pack up my stuff and leave the city I now was in disagreement with, there they were.  Sitting in front of my gf’s apartment complex were my cases….just chillin’.   I was dumbfounded.

Whatever the reason for the thief’s abandonment of my important items, whether too heavy, not worthy enough of a quick sale, whatever, I’ll never know.  And I don’t care.  All I do know is I am beyond fortunate.  I am beyond relieved.

Everything was intact.  Nothing was even scattered….well, except for my mind.

So thankful.  So thankful nothing else was stolen (a lot more could have been).  So thankful to not have to worry.  So thankful to not have to explain.  So thankful for the positive overcoming the negative.

Just damn thankful.

Shizzy

 

– B

Believe it.  Do it.  ™

 

Original X: Bach

 

Posted in B's World Blog

UC Davis Protest Incident – 11.18.2011

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As an alum, I’ve been keeping up on the incident that occurred at UC Davis this past week.  I see both sides, but feel the ending actions of the Campus PD were over-dramatic and not needed.  This event brings to mind concerns of how the UC Davis administration will handle future protests and other happenings of the same caliber.

The UC Davis Chancellor, Linda P.B. Katehi, sent out a statement condemning the Campus PD officers’ actions, even informing everyone that the 2 officers that issued the pepper spray have been put on administrative leave.  She has promised to begin a thorough investigation.  But, once again, this remains an incident that could have been avoided.

Hmmm….what do you think?  Were the students/protesters in the wrong for staying when told to leave?  Or was the UC Davis Campus PD over-ambitious with their power, displaying reckless actions and an absolute recognition that they are not properly prepared/trained for incidents such at this?

We have to have reasonable cause for protesting.  Although it is personal opinion to consider any cause worth protesting for, one must truly think about his/her actions before, while and after they demonstrate.  Perhaps, the smarter action here would have been to listen to the UC Davis administration and then return after the weekend, then carrying on the protest in a the peaceful manner which was intended.

This isn’t to say the protesters were not peaceful.  But they most definitely provoked the harm that came to them.  Was the harm valid?  Most definitely not.  Again, the cops over-reacted.  Period.

We have to be smart in our decisions as people.  I’m all for giving everything to a cause worth giving everything to.  But the question here is was this cause worth the outcome, right or not?  This is the debate that I’m throwing back and forth in my mind.  Was this cause of these protesters really worth putting themselves in the way of the harm that came to them?  The cops were wrong.  But were the protesters wrong for provoking the cops to begin with when they could have went about things differently, possibly even solidifying a more successful outcome?

Now it just seems like another unacceptable occurrence of abuse of power with the true intent of the protest being washed away amid the media’s pouncing and meticulously chosen pin-pointing.  The reasons of the protesters really won’t even be validated.  All that will likely be remembered here is the violence.  Is that what was wanted?

I could think about it for days.  Let’s just hope everyone learns from their mistakes.

With fight comes change.  But that change isn’t always what was desired….or even good for that matter.

 

Go Campus PD….NOT!

 

 

– B