I realized something today. 99% of the boyfriends that I have had, I’ve dated at least twice. Why, you ask? I HAVE NO IDEA! Normally they fuck up in some way, and I break up with them, but a few days later, I will text them and we will get back together, just to end a week later. I guess I forgive too easily. On the subject of dating, I have horrid luck with guys. I find a guy who is really amazing, and I just pinpoint all of their flaws and find a reason to break it off. Maybe it is just a phase? Hopefull I will grow out of it.

I want a stable relationship. I know, you are probably asking yourself, “She is only seventeen! Why in the world does she want a serious relationship right now?!” Truth is, I don’t even know. I just love the feeling you get when you have someone who wants you. I guess I’m just a romantic. Oh well, I have plenty of time to find someone Anyways, I need to stop giving out so many second chances. People just always disappoint me. Thier loss

It’s only fitting that leading into Thanksgiving, I do a few posts on things I am thankful for. Today? I am thankful for taking chances, and here’s a few of the things I have taken chances on this year that have paid off pretty well:

• Selling my house…even though it was a short sale. It was a huge risk, to say the least, with no definite outcome. And it had several more cons than pros, but for me, it was the chance I needed to take to truly move on – out of a bad investment, and out of what was my marriage and the “marital home.” I have no doubt that it was the right chance to take, no matter the financial ramifications.
• Getting out of my comfort zone. My Group Kick training is LESS than a month away, and I’m still scared out of my mind, but also SO excited to get started. It’s going to stretch me out of my comfort zone constantly, and I need that. It’s the only way I grow.
• Keeping an open mind…by meeting new people, whether they appear to be my “type” or not. As I’ve mentioned before, I don’t know that I have a “type” but I have had some great dates recently with those that have not nececssarily appeared to BE my type. Take “the Russian” for example (boy #10) – surprise – we had our third date last night! It was awesome…we went to dinner and then saw 2012. Cemented the fact that there is definite, strong, chemistry, and I truly like being around him, so it’s off to a good start. I think date #4 may be looming as well (funny enough, he asked me out for later this week, the same day as I have tentitvely made plans with boy #9 for date #2! We’ll see where that goes – stay tuned!).

Let’s face it – I was not one to go out on a limb or take chances before “the situation” began, and now, I feel like I am not only more WILLING to take chances, I look for chances to take, whenever I can. It’s helping me grow, it’s making me happier, and I’m learning a heck of a lot!

Central Florida Future – http://bit.ly/8KleHL

By Cassie Turner

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Published: Friday, November 20, 2009

Updated: Friday, November 20, 2009

Caitlin Bush

"Most Americans do not know slavery not only exists in the world today, it flourishes," said Ron Soodalter, co-author of The Slave Next Door, in his presentation in the Pegasus Ballroom Monday morning.

"Somewhere around 27 million people are in bondage in the world today. Now, that’s over twice the number as were trafficked in chains in the entire 350 years of the African slave trade."

Soodalter, an active abolitionist and historian, kicked off International Education Week at UCF as the keynote speaker for the Second Annual International Breakfast. The Slave Next Door presentation concluded the three-part series on "Slavery’s Resurgence" facilitated by the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Global Perspectives and the International Services Center.

The series began with Somaly Mam, a Cambodian human rights activist, former slave and author of The Road of Lost Innocence: The True Story of a Cambodian Heroine, when she shared her experiences in September.

In October, Micheline Slattery, a human-rights activist and former restavek, or domestic child slave, in both Haiti and the United States, addressed about 300 attendees.

Modern-day slavery includes around 800,000 men, women and children trafficked each year around the world. According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Web site, about 17,500 of them end up in the United States, with a high percentage received in Florida.

Soodalter suggests a simple Google search on human trafficking for astounding results.

In spite of major federal legislation and anti-trafficking laws passed in 43 states, 103 human-trafficking convictions have resulted, Soodalter said.

Trafficking remains hidden, is largely unreported and difficult to identify. According to the 2009 Trafficking in Persons, or TIP, report, published by the U.S. Department of State, forced labor/involuntary servitude represents the majority of human-trafficking cases in the world. The co-author of Soodalter’s book,  Kevin Bales, wrote the original 156-page TIP report, titled “Trafficking Persons in the United States — A Report to the National Institute of Justice.”

“The whole thing is disserving and extending,” said retired UCF foreign language professor David Gurney. “It contributes to the antagonism from people in underdeveloped countries to Western civilizations or Western countries.”

In the 1850s, purchasing a slave ran roughly $1,200, the equivalent of around $40,000 in today’s money. The reality is purchasing a slave today costs as little as $100, which makes them affordable and disposable, Soodalter said.

A trafficking victim lives in fear of violence or the threat of violence daily, he said.

Shawn Cox, victim witness coordinator and licensed clinical social worker with the United States Attorney’s Office, advocates that trafficking is a crime of absolute power over someone. According to the report Cox co-authored, “Victims of Human Trafficking and Trauma,” the psychological consequences of a victim are similar to the consequences of severe or chronic child abuse or experiencing acts of terrorism.

"In case you thought slavery doesn’t touch you, guess again," Soodalter said. "Chances are, the clothes you wear, the food you eat, has been touched by slavery."

The good news is there have been some inroads made recently in the area of agricultural servitude, Soodalter said. When Taco Bell refused to stop buying produce picked by enslaved workers in an effort known as the "Ban the Bell" campaign, it set a precedent that several other companies, including McDonalds, A&W, Long John Silver’s, Pizza Hut, Whole Foods, Chipotle and Burger King, have followed, Soodalter said.

"The message is clear," Soodalter said. "Slavery and worker abuse will not be tolerated. Not here, not now, not ever."

Mark Freeman, public affairs coordinator for the Global Perspectives Office, said they are hoping to continue the series next spring since response has been incredible. Because of the series last spring, students on campus were so spurred into action they formed the unofficial student group “Students Against Slavery @ UCF,” Freeman said. “Students Against Slavery @ UCF” has a Facebook page, and Harry Coverston serves as the faculty advisor for the group.

"Spreading the word is the most important thing," said Frank Hegedus, a senior political science and international relations major. "There is only right now."

http://www.centralfloridafuture.com/abolitionist-historian-wraps-up-global-perspectives-series-1.2093273

Por Jacqueline Alves

Sinceramente, eu já não sei mais o que fazer
Todas as palavras são em vão
O vento é testemunha de todas as minhas tentativas
Todo aquele sentimento está caindo num abismo
Onde não existem paredes em que eu possa pará-lo
Se é que isso seja necessário
Eu apostei todas as fichas nessa última tentativa
Derradeira, sim – disso eu tenho certeza
Tudo dura um determinado tempo
E isso vale para todo e qualquer sentimento
Desejo que a Lua me enxergue
E que perceba tudo o que está fazendo.

I really want to find a great guy.  To the naked eye, one may think that I sabotage every possible relationship that comes my way but really that isn’t my intention. Okay, I am nearing my late thirties so that already implies all kinds of issues.  Still, I have a decent job that I try hard to like most of the time; I have friends that keep me just busy enough to not be needy, and I own my house. I have never been married and don’t have children.  I am completely self-sufficient.  And I am perfectly happy without a relationship; it would just be a nice addition to life.  I’m a catch!

I want someone in the same place in their life.  There are several types of guys in the world.  Very clearly though it is made up of nice guys and bad boys.  I hear woman say all the time that when they decided to date outside of their comfort zone that was when they fell in love.  It is such a great idea, and it sounds so easy.

An acquaintance of mine somehow decided that I was worthy of dating.  He started off instant messaging me on Facebook. Oblivious to the purpose of his actions, I spent those first couple months trying to figure not how the hell I even knew him.  Halloween was approaching, and he asked me about my costume.  I offered that I was dressing as a favorite superhero for my little nephews.  He suggested he also come as a superhero so we could be a pair.  It was at this moment I realized his purpose was not just to be friendly.

At the Halloween party, I knew I would see him.  I had tried desperately to memorize his Facebook photographs so I could identify him.  Perhaps I am too nice or too naïve, but my purpose for this was only to be nice and not because I had strong feelings about dating him.  I thought it was only polite to know his name when he came up to speak to me.  We did meet.  I did recognize him.  We talked about thirty seconds.   It was over.  He wasn’t for me, and this was decided easily in these few seconds.  I don’t know how I know this, but I feel it.

Later that night, my sister and her husband met up with the fellow. He mentioned to my dear sister that he thought I was the most beautiful girl he knew.  My sister, who is my biggest fan, wanted to immediately complete another disastrous fix up.  She suggested that she calls me right then and there; since of course I was probably still at the Halloween party.  Not the brightest crayon in the box, she does this feat with his phone, basically allowing this acquaintance that I couldn’t place for so long to have my phone number. When my sister calls this one time that Halloween night, I ignore the unknown call after midnight.  I also ignore two additional calls from this same number later in the night, not from my sister.

This should have been my sign to just stay away.  But no, I am naïve or too nice, or I just really want my sister to be successful with one of her fix ups.  She encouraged me with stories of how nice the man was and how pleasant he was when she worked at the local golf course.  Insisting I should keep in mind the lovely things he said, she asks me to give him a tiny chance.

I have never been someone who had to be married, but I thought it was just a novel idea to date someone who might just be crazy about me.  I had just left a relationship with a boy that appeared to be “bad” on the outside but really turned out to be plain lazy.  I figured this was my opportunity to date outside of my comfort zone.  I would actually attempt to date the nice guy. What did I have to lose?

It wasn’t long before this nice guy sent me a message on Facebook.  He wanted to know if I would allow him to make me dinner.  I told him I would consider it, and he began to list these extravagant dishes he could make, surely just showing off.  It took very little time for an actual date to be set.

However, I didn’t want to eat alone at his home for our first date.  After all I had not long ago realized that he was a very distant acquaintance, the most basic Facebook friend…simply just knowing his name through other people. Let’s face it, girls, we need to be smart even with acquaintances.

I suggested a drink, which turned into a quick dinner. I had already had plans with my sister that night, so it seemed like a comfortable first date to include her and her husband in part of the date.  It would make it more casual.  The morning of the date, he makes me pick the restaurant, something I dread.  Our plans included playing a quick hand of cards with my sister and brother-in-law.  It was your basic first date.  Nothing special.

At the end of the night, he boldly went in for the kiss.  I was trying not to make note of the fact that he was an oddly shaped man, but it is with this kiss that I am no longer unconscious of his size.  His lips were aimed dead center for me from across the car, and it appeared that I may be kissing the lips of a caricature of Fat Albert.  Warning sign, probably three or four, ignored again.

He continued to be thoughtful though.  He asked me on another date over the following weekend.  He was actually pretty good about calling at the right times yet giving me my space. That is, of course, until two nights before the date. He was losing a poker game and began to text me for good luck.  I wished him good luck, and he said something to the effect of a kiss being lucky.  Again insanely nice or naïve, I returned his text with a “kiss kiss.”  It was like an invisible “on” switch.  I think he wanted me to text dirty to him.  I attempt to play aloof and change the subject, but he wasn’t letting up. Finally after extinguishing several topics, I succeed in changing the subject.

It is at this point my niceness or naivety turns to stupidity.  He calls the next evening as I am returning from a night out with the girls.  Headed out with a friend, he asks to stop by for a quick hello and a kiss.  I decide that I only have a few minutes before I had to go to bed, I had an early morning the next day, and I would let him come by for a quick minute.  I had an out after all.

The quick minute turned into fifteen minutes of kissing on the couch.  There were no feelings whatsoever, warning sign number six; all I could think of was if he was ever going to stop kissing me with that same monotonous movement with his darting short yet chubby tongue.  I must be a bossy kisser.  I attempt to move my head or slow him down, only to find myself fearful of being sucked down his throat by his vacuum cleaner lips.  Finally it was over, and he left. Now I only had twenty-four hours to dwell on the fact that I would be in this same position the following night after our second date.

Oh, but the Lord does work in mysterious ways!  I awoke with little sleep and a field trip to find myself sick as a dog.  I struggled through the day, and with my niceness restored, I got ready for my date.  When he came to pick me up, I was nearly unconscious on the couch.  The nice guy that he was led me back to bed and went on our date alone.  He insisted he would return with some food after my nap.

Sleeping peacefully for at least three hours, I awoke realizing he had not brought the food.  I decided to text him and tell him not to bother because I was going to go to bed.  What I really intended to do was put on my rattiest pajamas and wipe Vaseline all over my chapped face.  I proceed to do so and climbed into bed.

Luck was not on my side, he texted minutes later to say he was on his way and wanted to take care of me.  He could think of nothing better than cuddling with my disgusting infected self.  Delirious, at this time, I didn’t have the energy to fend him off.  He comes, he cuddles, he rises early, and he departs after of what must have been at least two hours of him waiting for me to wake; I never left my bed.

I spend the next couple days sick in bed. He calls and checks on me.  As I return to my normal state, I get back to my life.  I realize that I am reaching that familiar point in all my failed relationships in which I overanalyze everything the guy does.  My lips instantly chap just at the thought of him. This a common practice for me as I talk myself out of dating him.  I begin to see the warning signs more clearly.  His comments about cuddling and kissing continue; I proceed to laugh about him with my friends.  I make note of his shrinking size; for some reason when I start to dislike boys they tend to get shorter than me.

Unfortunately I blame this behavior on the fact that I am nearly in my late thirties and single.  I do this every time. After discussing it with a couple friends, they encourage me to give him one more shot.  He is a nice guy!  I just fear commitment; he deserves one more chance.  Of course, I know this last chance will be the toughest of all. I have to push all these flaws out of my mind.

Thus begins the date process.  The day before the date, he calls for a good night kiss.  I turn it down and immediately turn off my lights in my house with the excuse I am going to bed. His return text responds that he understands, and he will have trouble sleeping now.  Immediately I go on the defense and hint that he should get over the disappointment, I am going to bed.  He returns smoothing over the situation stating that his trouble with sleep will only be caused by him dreaming of me.  Instantaneously, I pray for an illness, if only I would have skipped that flu shot!

Now I am really trying not to dread this upcoming date.  One more chance is all he gets, I promise myself.  Still being considerate, the next day I text him to be sure of the plans.  He has no ideas just that he has to do a promotion at a local sports bar at 9:30.  I plainly state that I would like him to be decisive and choose, and that I like when guys make plans.  It just solves the problem of that awkward conversation at the beginning.  On early dates, no one wants to suggest the restaurant.  You get into the “I don’t know, what do you want to do?” conversation that is purely pathetic.  Regardless, I like it when a gentleman makes the plans.

I mentioned to him that he could quite possibly prepare the dinner he had talked about.  I guess I was pretty sure at this time he wasn’t going to chop me up.  He didn’t care.  No matter what I recommended I couldn’t force him into any decision.  Bored with the insane debate, I finally chose a movie and the sports bar food.  It is with this annoying quality that I begin to criticize every tiny detail about him.  It is a quite exasperating habit that I possess.

First of all, this man has been sending me texts about being chilled and wanting to cuddle (totally true and totally gag me with a spoon); he is wearing a short sleeve shirt.  Because I am now finding myself very argumentative, I make note of the short sleeves.  He acts as he has never been cold his life.  He is clearly an inch shorter than me now.  By the end of the night he will be six inches shorter.

We arrive at the movie theatre.  I am reminded that he is a nice guy opening doors and paying for the tickets and snacks.  We settle in our seats, and this is when I realize he smells of a mixture of heavy cologne and maybe cum.  I arrange the popcorn between us and attempt to breathe through my mouth.

The movie begins, the popcorn is finished, and he put his arm around me.  I can tell he wants to kiss me or something.  I feel him staring at me, yet every time I look his way he asks dumbfounded, “What?”  I avoid the kissing, free myself of his arm, and push away the smell.  I wonder if I am imagining it all.

The rest of the date is downhill from here.  We arrive at the bar, he does his work, and we eat our food.  I thank Saturday Night Live for having my favorite band on this very night, and I attempt to hint that I would like to be home for it.  Soon the promotion is over, and he literally sucks down a brownie sundae in seconds and we leave.

He wants to stop by his house to check his furnace.  He is sure he turned it off.  I know this is probably his alternate purpose; he really wants to check his house before staying over at my house.  His house is actually decorated like a nice guy’s house.  It is outfitted with embroiled pillows and knickknacks. He has art expressing the words love, hope, and home.  Yet, he has little plaques here and there blessing golf with witty sayings about the 19^th hole and prayers for a good game decorated with swirls and flowers. It reminds me that he refers to his mom as “Mother.”  Perhaps he really just wanted to show me his house.  His furnace is forgotten and we’re off.

At my house, we pull into the drive and I get out.  He looks at me with pleading eyes and asks if he is invited in.  It seems like an obvious answer since we just stopped at his house, but I play the game with him, not nearly as nice as I had been.  I continue to put him off and become more argumentative as the night goes old.  I sit as far away as my couch will allow.  He asked if I am sleepy, as he sits next to me with his eyes closed.  I can tell he is moving closer with each breath.  This is when I decide that in order to get rid of him I am going to have to be even more direct.  “If you are sleepy, you should go to bed.”

“What?  Are you trying to get rid of me?” he asked with beseeching eyes.

“No, I am just saying that you don’t want to fall asleep on your way home,” I hinted matter-of-factly.

He sighs and closes his eyes again.   I make no move to notice him and continue to watch Saturday Night Live, like it is the early nineties and still a funny show.  He eventually gets the hint and makes more movement towards the door.  Leaning in to kiss me, I realize that I can’t avoid this last one.  It is awful and unmoving; unfortunately my lips were already in the wrong spot.  I break from it, and he goes in for another kiss.  I grab his shoulders and rest my head on his shoulder avoiding the kiss and hugging him.  He leaves seemingly disappointed with his tails between his legs.

I hate breaking up with people.  I hope he got a little of the hint.  I hope if I avoid a few calls and stay busy maybe the whole incident will be forgotten.  He seemed mature.  Of course, it has only been twelve hours since the date, and I have already missed one call.  I wonder how much work this is going to be.  My last relationship took months to end.  Please, if I could just be lucky this once.  Please, let it be over quickly and painlessly.  Two dates isn’t a relationship.  Please, let him see that although I may very well be the most beautiful girl in his mind, good looks don’t guarantee a connection.  Surely, he wasn’t any more impressed with the kissing.

Nearly in my late thirties, I try to learn something from every relationship.  Sometimes the lesson is forgotten in the heat of passion, but I can only do so much in the name of education.  My lesson here is to trust my intuition.  I should have seen the early signs that he wasn’t for me.  If it takes more than a month to break up with him it is my own fault.  Next time someone picks me up, I am not going to date them just because they are a said “nice guy.”  Remembering that my singleness is blamed on multiple issues, so are single thirty-something men.  My first impression is normally correct; I must trust my initial judgment.

Sad but fato

I attended my alma mater’s alumni weekend festivities and attended a session where Jim Larranaga was talking about George Mason basketball.  In the session, he mention how Dr. Alan Merten, the President of George Mason University, persuaded him to be the head coach of George Mason in 1997.  Larranaga told another story of how Merten persuaded Vernon Smith, an economics professor at the University of Arizona at the time, and staff to go to Mason.  As a result of those moves, Smith won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2002 and Larranaga lead George Mason to a Final Four run in 2006.

Alan Merten’s actions has position George Mason as the number one  up-and-coming university in the United States, which leads to what organization need to grow…ONIONS!

To paraphrase what Larranaga said about his boss, “When Merten became President, he had a vision of what George Mason should be and use his networking skills to get what he wanted to achieve that vision.”  This should be what other executives mindset if they can get superstar talent.

(To get this out of they way, if your organization has numerous problems, don’t read the rest.  Your organization likely has internal problems and there are too many problems to fill.  Now, if your organization has a few problems, read the rest).

In your organization, if there is one piece of the puzzle that is missing and there is someone out there that the organizations wants, bring the kitchen sink.  If there is one (or two) piece(s) missing, the employees and executives feel they are getting close and optimism arises within the organization, but it must start with a vision in place so you can tell your organization’s current situation and tell the person why they are important.  Then, the organization tells what they’re doing great and what weaknesses they have and explain to the person why is he/she an important piece of their organization.

The best case scenario is if the superstar accepts the decision, jubilation ensues throughout the organization and anticipation comes and after a few months, the superstar meets expectations.  The worst case scenario is with all the hoopla within the organization, the superstar fails to meet expectations and demoralize the organization. 

Simply put, it is alright to take a chance at something that your organization needs.  It will give a temporary boost within the organization.  It the organization takes a chance and fails, that happens and you move on, but if you’re not taking risks, how can your organization improve long-term?  All you need is a vision, specific goals, a great workplace culture,  networking depth, and timing to force the issue.  In Alan Merten’s case, the stars were aligning in his favor because he forced George Mason to be great.

Why do people become lonely?  Especially when that person is a loner.  I just don’t get it!  Will I ever meet a woman that’s interested in me?  I doubt it, but I can’t give up.  I have to force myself out of my comfort zone and start socializing more.  Things were so easy in the past.  Now things have to be more difficult and I hate it, but what can I do?  I hate living like this.

It’s been a year and a half since I met Erin.  I still miss her and I still regret how I never got to know her.  Even though we did talk I feel like I’ve blown my one and only chance to meet a woman that’s similar to me.  Will I ever meet another woman like her?  I doubt it, but I can’t let it it get to me.  I do have the potential to meet someone!  I just have to have faith in myself which is hard for me to do.

Am I missing out on life?  People that I’ve grown up with have either got married and have children or went to college.  It feels like I didn’t do a single thing to enhance my life.  Is this why I feel the way I do?  Is it too late for me?  I just want to meet a woman that I’m compatible with so I can be happy.  Skin color is not important to me so I’m not being overly selective.

Am I missing out?  That’s what my aunt said.  Am I jealous of my siblings?  I hate this so much!  Why can’t I ever be happy?!  Is it too late for me to do anything?  I just want to be happy.  That’s asking for too much though.  I’ll never be happy and I’ll never meet a woman that I’m compatable with.  I’ll be alone forever.  That is until I kill myself anyway.  Is this why I want to die so badly?

i’m really pushing my luck here. gambling with funds i don’t have, betting with hopes.

living on a prayer, in a sense.

but hey, anything you have to work hard at is always worth it in the end, isn’t it?

Taking Chances er en komedie, som udspiller sig i en lille by i USA, byen lider hårdt under en økonomisk krise, og ser som eneste udvej at overtale nogle indianere til at bygge et kasino i byen. kasinoet skal dog bygges oven på er historisk mere eller mindre vigtigt sted fra borgerkrigen. Dette får den unge mand,Spillet af Justin Long (bl.a. kendt som “Den nørdede helt” fra Die Hard 4) til at kæmpe for bevarelsen af dette sted.

I sin kamp for at holde kasinoet ude møder han forskellige udfordringer, byens borger, en sød pige mm.

Generelt er det en rimeligt god film, den er til tider ret sjov, der mangler dog stadig noget, jeg giver den 3/5 stjerner.

Ditlev

Fonte: Site Oficial

Os jogadores celestes têm como missão para este sábado levar o Cruzeiro à zona de classificação para a Copa Santander Libertadores. O time celeste enfrenta o Grêmio, às19h 30, no Mineirão, em quinto lugar no Campeonato Brasileiro, com possibilidade de ultrapassar dois concorrentes diretos.

O Cruzeiro tem 54 pontos ganhos poderá chegar ao terceiro lugar na tábua de classificação, desde que o Flamengo (57) seja derrotado e Atlético-MG (56) não vença seu jogo. Ambos jogam contra times que lutam contra o rebaixamento. Os cariocas enfrentam o Náutico no estádio dos Aflitos e o rival mineiro encara o Coritiba, no Couto Pereira.

O lateral Diego Renan, um dos destaques da Raposa no returno do Brasileirão, crê que uma vitória contra o Grêmio será fundamental o Cruzeiro chegar ao G-4.

“Não podemos mais vacilar em casa. Principalmente jogando contra a grande equipe do Grêmio, e que está na parte de cima. Temos que entrar concentrados, fazer um grande jogo e procurar entrar no G-4 ainda nesta rodada”, observou.

O prata da casa acredita que a força ofensiva dos laterais celestes pode surpreender o adversário.

”Tanto eu como o Jonathan apoiamos bem. Aquele que tiver a oportunidade de subir vai procurar atacar com qualidade, para dar passes aos nossos companheiros ou mesmo marcar gols. Mas temos que esperar a situação do jogo para ver qual lado será mais proveitoso” , destacou.

O atacante Thiago Ribeiro afirmou que o bicampeão Mineiro precisa vencer os quatro jogos para não depender de outros resultados. O velocista ressaltou que, nas últimas rodadas do Campeonato Brasileiro, algumas equipes que estão à frente do time estrelado vão ter confrontos diretos.

“Agora não podemos mais errar. A gente errou em alguns jogos, mas dependemos apenas de nós. Se vencermos nossos jogos, entramos no G-4, porque os outros times têm confrontos diretos. Mas temos que fazer nossa parte. Não adianta se preocupar com os outros. Até aqui tem dado certo, já que temos vencido e os outros tropeçados”, disse.

Fonte: Globoesporte.com

O São Paulo chegou. A equipe tricolor divide a liderança do Brasileirão com o Palmeiras, ambos com 59 pontos, e, caso vença o Vitória, sábado, pode se isolar na ponta. Para o goleiro Rogério Ceni, porém, o Tricolor, a essa altura, já poderia ter até garantido o título. Ele lembra que o time começou mal a competição, tropeçando muito. Chegou a estar em 16º lugar.

- Se não fosse aquele primeiro terço do campeonato, estaríamos numa situação muito melhor. Nos dez primeiros jogos, tínhamos só dez pontos. Um aproveitamento de time rebaixado. Demoramos para entrar nos eixos – admite o capitão. Na verdade, o Tricolor conquistou seu 11º ponto justamente na décima rodada, quando empatou em casa com o Flamengo: 2 a 2.

Mas Rogério Ceni não fala isso com tom de lamentação. Pelo contrário, ele também faz questão de exaltar a reação tricolor. Para o camisa 1, independentemente de início ruim, o importante é que o time está na briga.

- Não dá para negar que temos uma boa possibilidade de brigar mais uma vez pelo título. É muito importante isso: estamos chegando bem na luta pelo título pelo quarto ano consecutivo. Espero que possamos escrever uma história com final feliz como nos outros anos.

Have you ever felt like you were tied to the ground? Like you didn’t know how to just let go and be free? Maybe you’ve been feeling like it’s hard to just find the place inside yourself to pull out all stops and be yourself. To be everything you could be. . . Maybe you are scared that people will look down on you if you just be who you really are.

But you should really. It’s better to be yourself. Because you are unique and only you can be you. . .

You need to let yourself go. . . The green light is on, it’s your time to fly.

Where does
Redemption lie
If not
Within the heart

In the realm of
Second chances
Dawn to dusk then

Last chances

Faith in faith renewed

We’re given only
So much time
So many possibilities

Before what came before
Becomes that which
Overrides all hope
Of touching anything

More

Transcendence has
Its limits
Equal to the
Human heart

Finite in dimension
Despite immense intent

Restricted
By the darkness
Captured
Within the scope
Shot down
By the power

Of ticking
Treacherous

Time

Fonte: Globoesporte.com

A 34ª rodada foi muito importante para as pretensões do São Paulo de conquistar a sua sétima taça de campeão brasileiro, mas nem por isso tornaram o campeonato mais previsível. Apesar de a matemática apontar 44% de chances para o Tricolor contra 24% do Palmeiras (quase o dobro), tudo indica que o título só será decidido na última rodada. A probabilidade de que isso aconteça é de 83%, segundo os cálculos do professor Tristão Garcia, do site InfoBola. Até na parte de baixo da tabela, a situação de todos os rebaixados só deve ser confirmada nos jogos finais. Há 77% de chances que isso aconteça.

Enquanto a tensão e as expectativas aumentam, algumas coisas ficaram mais claras após os jogos deste fim de semana. Os mais beneficiados pelos resultados foram São Paulo e Flamengo.

- O Flamengo cresceu muito, venceu um confronto direto, fez a sua parte e ampliou suas chances de título. A média de pontos nos últimos seis jogos é de um time que quer ser campeão. O problema é que o São Paulo foi o grande vencedor desta rodada. Por exemplo, caso o São Paulo vencesse três partidas e empatasse uma, Palmeiras e Flamengo teriam que ganhar as quatro para ficar com o título – explica Tristão.

Na briga pelas vagas na Libertadores, Internacional e Cruzeiro estão ainda bem abaixo de seus concorrentes. A diferença é que a Raposa vem numa crescente, com 45% de chances. Já o Colorado está em um período de queda, com 23% de chances de terminar no G-4. O Atlético-MG, apesar da derrota neste domingo, continua com boas chances de classificação: 63%.

Cariocas melhoram suas chances de escapar

Os cariocas injetaram novo ânimo na briga contra o rebaixamento. As três vitórias seguidas do Fluminense fizeram o time subir para a 17ª posição e ter suas chances de degola diminuídas para 82%. Porém, a mesma sequência de resultados do Botafogo não facilitaram em nada a missão tricolor. As chanes dos alvinegros caírem são agora de 16%. O número mágico para que um time escape é de 46 pontos. O risco de pelo menos um carioca cair é de 91%. Logo, a possibilidade de que isso não aconteça é de 9%. Há ainda 8% de chances de caírem os dois.

Náutico e Santo André se complicaram e estão com a corda no pescoço. O Timbu tem 94 de chances de ir para a Série B, contra 92% dos paulistas. Quem está mesmo enrascado é o Sport, último colocado com 99% de chances, como explica Tristão.

- Nem um milagre salva o Sport. Ele está virtualmente rebaixado. Neste próximo jogo contra o Palmeiras, no Palestra Itália, teria de vencer para continuar sonhando. Um empate já rebaixa matematicamente o time.

It seems to me
He said
That you can be
Extreme

I mean, after all
You picked up
And moved here
On a whim
To be
Close to me

She thinks about it
Thinks how
She feels
Then meets his gaze
And says

If a heart is merely
Indifferent
If it makes no
Stand
If it takes no
Risks
If it’s lukewarm
Flat and
Measured

Is it something
You can count on?
Is it something
Worth hanging around?

I could skywrite
Your name
In the clouds
She said

For all the world
To see

I could
Write you a
Song
And perform it live

On Youtube

I could
Name you in
My will

I could buy
You flowers
Or save
My money
To whisk you away
To Peru

I could tattoo
Your name
On my breast

But nothing could
Speak any louder

Than rubbing
Your aching
Shoulders

Or reading
Your manuscripts

There are dozens
Of ways
Of every dimension
To show someone
Affection

And they all
Dance the
Ego’s waltz

I moved here
So I could
See you

I moved here
So you could

See me

A stand
A risk
A statement

If nothing lasts
Forever
If it’s all a
Dream
Just an illusion

Then playing it safe
Means missing it all

What I wanted
To sense
When I opened
My eyes
For as long
As I could

Is
You

There is no shortage of opportunity.
Everyday you are presented with countless chances to be, or do whatever you desire.

Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity.
Don’t miss out on an opportunity because you’re not prepared.

Your preparation is absolutely essential.
To achieve success, you must have self discipline.
You must increase your knowledge and develop your skills.

You’re always in the right place at the right time when you’re prepared.

Earlier today, I was talking to a client about the pickle jar lady and I realized that I had never written about her, which is a shame because I owe her my life…

My sobriety date is December 17, 1994. I was in treatment over Christmas and New Year’s and if I remember correctly, it was one of the coldest and snowiest winters we had had in a very long time. I can remember standing outside of the cafeteria, smoking a cigarette in my pajamas and parka, holding one leg up and then the other, as the snow drifted around my slipper covered feet. Near blizzard conditions! And yet, it was painfully peaceful. Although I had a horrific detox, close to seven days, once I entered the rehab part of my stay, I settled into the daily schedule and routine and spent the nights listening to “AA people” tell their stories and then I would go and drink some decaf, smoke about two packs of cigarettes and settle back into one of my several Michael Chrichton books my friend had brought as a gift. During my entire treatment, I only had a roommate in detox, so I often snuck into my bathroom, put a towel around the bottom of the door, sat on the floor and read and smoked. That damn bathroom became my safe refuge for 35 days!

And then on December 23rd, life got a little tough. My cigarettes ran out. If you’ve never been to jail or drug/alcohol treatment, let me inform you that cigarettes are a commodity which could raise many dollars on the underground market of the hallways and cafeteria lines. No one was going to give up smokes for free, especially with 30 mile and hour gusting winds and heavy snow, limited the number of people coming in for visits. A quick call to my father educated me of the fact that he had no intention of bringing me anything “habit forming” and that he wasn’t going to indulge my addiction anymore.

I had only one option. Every night at around 7pm, patients who were in rehab and had signed up, receiving permission from their counselor, could leave the building by a staff driven van, and attend an off campus AA meeting. I knew these vans typically stopped at gas stations allowing the patients to buy cigarettes and candy. It was my only chance.

So…I bundled up in a heavy sweater, put my boots on and headed out for the night…in search of cigarettes…which was the first stop we made right across the street. I remember clearly because it was the first time I had been out in over a week and I was like a kid in a giant toy store for the first time. I bought a carton of Camel Wides, several Reece’s cups, a bag of Combo’s and a strong cup of REAL coffee. And then we were on our way into the blizzard. What I didn’t know was that down that slick street lay my most life defining moment yet…

I had never been to an AA meeting outside of treatment, so I didn’t know what was waiting for me. The driver let us off at the door a church and we all walked inside and down a small set of stairs into the basement. Before we even got to the room, I could see a cloud of cigarette smoke wafting out of the door. We went in to find several round tables set up facing a podium and in the back of the room, people were milling around a coffee maker. I quickly made myself a strong cup of coffee and sat at a table in the very back.

Several minutes later the meeting started. I don’t remember much about the meeting until the speaker, a small woman in her mid fifties, started telling her tale. Before she started, she placed an enormous pickle jar on top of the podium. True to the traditions of AA, I will try and leave much of her story out, but she talked about having a prominent career which she lost within a few years of the beginning of her drinking. I remember she said that at the end of her drinking, she was sleeping under a park bench. I thought she was lying. I couldn’t believe that this woman, who seemed to have it all together, seemingly a normal housewife with kids and a husband, could have ever been such a drinker.

Never once during her speaking did she ever mention the jar of pickles, until the very end. And right before she finished her story, she gestured to the pickle jar. “And that is why I carry this jar with me when I speak.” She said, “To remind me. That once I was a cucumber, but now I’m a pickle. And once you’re pickled, you can never go back.”

And I stopped. I mean I completely stopped in my tracks and stared straight at her. That bitch! I thought. How dare she! Because…she was so true! In that moment I realized she was exactly right. I was a pickle. And no matter how much I didn’t want to deal with it, things would never be the same for me again. I would never, ever be able to drink successfully again. I knew it in my heart and soul. It was truth. And I’d like to say she was staring right at me when she said it, but she wasn’t. She didn’t know me. I was alone in my realization. And I was alone as I went upstairs and stood in the blowing snow, smoking a cigarette as the church choir practiced Adeste Fideles inside, their melody chiming through the windows. After all, it was Christmas, and I was in treatment for drugs and alcohol. Merry Fucking Christmas!

And as we drove back to the hospital, something changed in me. I remember sitting in the back of the van, watching the snow fall heavy in the lights of night, cars swerving all of the street. And as we passed Taco Bell, McDonald’s, Arby’s, Long John Silver’s and probably twenty other fast food restaurants, where for five dollars I could buy any kind of deliciousness, I listened to the reporter on National Public Radio talk about how women in Azerbaijan were being pulled naked through the streets and raped. And I realized, this was as bad as my life had to get. I had a wonderful life, and as my father had said earlier that day on the phone, “you’re pissing your life away and you don’t even realize it!”

And when we returned to the hospital that night, I took a hot shower, put on my pajamas and sat on that bathroom floor and wept. For being a pickle and an alcoholic/drug addict pissing his life away. But most of all for so many more chances and the possibility for so many more Christmases. I wept for finally hitting my bottom…and realizing it!

Later, laying in bed, I pulled on my headphones and listened to gregorian Christmas chants on the radio and fell asleep, peacefully for the first time in many, many years. I knew things would get better, because I had finally accepted my place as a pickle!

And when I look back now, I’ve encountered so many pickle ladies who have helped me along the way during my journey. God bless those pickle jar ladies!!! God bless them for helping me to recognize and appreciate what has so beautifully been given to me.

Because we’re on borrowed time as it is…

Fonte: UOL Esporte

Apto a voltar ao time do Cruzeiro contra o Sport, em Recife, no próximo sábado, depois de cumprir suspensão automática na derrota para o Fluminense, o atacante Thiago Ribeiro ainda demonstra confiança na classificação para a Libertadores em 2010. Ele aposta nos confrontos diretos entre os concorrentes diretos para abrir vaga ao G4.

“Em relação à Libertadores a situação nossa não é desesperadora. Pelo contrário, estamos em boa situação. Só dependemos da gente, porque os outros têm confrontos diretos ainda. Fazendo a nossa parte, vencendo os jogos, tenho certeza que o Cruzeiro vai estar na Libertadores. Não podemos deixar as oportunidades escaparem”, afirmou Thiago Ribeiro, em entrevista ao site oficial do clube celeste.

Após a derrota, de virada, para o Fluminense, por 3 a 2, o Cruzeiro caiu da quinta para a sexta colocação, com 51 pontos, um a menos que o Internacional, com 52, e três que o Flamengo, quarto colocado e que enfrentará o rival Atlético-MG, terceiro, com 56 pontos, no próximo domingo. Caso vença o Sport, o alvinegro ganhe do time carioca e o Colorado empate ou perca no seu confronto com o Grêmio Barueri, o clube celeste poderá entrar no G4.

“Vamos jogar contra o Sport lá desesperado, os dois precisando vencer. Eles para ainda sonhar com a permanência na Primeira Divisão e a gente para encostar ou até entrar no G-4. Não podemos desperdiçar pontos. Até mesmo o empate não é bom. Temos que vencer e esperar o momento certo de entrar no G-4″, comentou.

Vice-artilheiro do Cruzeiro no Brasileiro, com sete gols, Thiago Ribeiro deverá formar dupla de ataque com Wellington Paulista, principal goleador celeste na competição, que já balançou as redes adversárias por 12 vezes.

“É mais uma oportunidade para eu fazer um bom jogo e tentar marcar os gols para ajudar o Cruzeiro. É ter cabeça no lugar, saber que perder para o Fluminense foi muito ruim, pela situação do jogo, só que não é para se desesperar”, comentou Thiago Ribeiro. “Com uma vitória, dependendo de outros resultados, podemos entrar no G-4. É ter tranquilidade agora”, acrescentou.

Well- vote. What are you waiting for? Vote!

P.S. You can’t see the results since we hid them. After a few days we will release them.