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allcapsexchange · 8 years ago

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The 2017 ALL CAPS Exchange: The Fic

Here it is, everyone: The list of stories written for the 2017 ALL CAPS Exchange. Thank you so much to everyone who wrote, betaed, pinch hit, treated, and otherwise helped make this exchange such an incredible success. Enjoy the stories!

Adventures in Haberdashery by ErinKatz for anonissue

2k. G. Nate Schmdit/Braden Holtby. “Yeah, nope. I was going to do this tomorrow, between practice and game time, but you need to get out of this goalie trance, man, so we’re doing it tonight.” Nate holds out both hands. Braden still has no idea what’s going on and he’s still certain that Nate should be going to bed, but lets himself be pulled to his feet from where he’s sitting at the foot of the bed. He must be more tired than he feels because he stumbles and has to catch himself with a palm against Nate’s chest.

back to you by alotofthingsdifferent for Wargasms

1k. G. Micheal Latta/Tom Wilson. There are three games left in the regular season, and the Rangers haven’t been a playoff team in five years. Tom thinks maybe it’s time. “You look good, Tommy,” Mike says by way of a greeting, and when he smiles, his eyes crinkle at the corners. There are a few more wrinkles there than Tom remembers, but he’s still the same Mike, still as handsome as ever. Tom fills with a familiar warmth, the feeling he always gets when he sees Mike in person, and kicks at Mike’s feet under the table. “You’re going grey,” Tom teases, and Mike’s grin widens as he runs his fingers through his hair.

Can't Have You by sunshinexbomb for constantine

6k. T. Nicklas Backstrom/André Burakovsky/Marcus Johansson. Nicky doesn’t want to get married, not yet at least. And maybe, just maybe, there’s a part of him that knows who he’d like to marry if he could be given that option, but. It’s probably better not to think about it. -- In which Prince Nicklas of Sweden has to find a husband before his thirtieth birthday, but all he really wants is to maybe marry his best friend instead.

Capital Grounds by constantine for thegraceinyoureyes

2k. T. Nicklas Backstrom/T.J. Oshie. The love of TJ’s winter comes in several afternoons a week to buy a small Swedish coffee and something from their pastry case while TJ gazes at him.

champions by angularmomentum for screamlet

2k. E. André Burakovsky/Tom Wilson. Tom had a problem. To be more accurate, Tom had several problems but that was the way of Tom’s life. He often had a few running in tandem. Tonight they included but were not limited to: bruised knuckles (regular problem) forgot his toothbrush (also a regular problem) and a boner for Burky (definitely NOT a regular problem.)

come under the covers by ghosthunter for taxingme

4k. M. André Burakovsky/Tom Wilson. Andre meets him at the airport. He has a tan and he looks good. Not that Tom thinks he, himself, does not also have a tan and look good, but he's not picking himself up at the airport in a foreign country either.

домовинами by constantine for xihale

5k. T. Nicklas Backstrom/Evgeny Kuznetsov. If only his parents had been more traditional rusalki. Sure, the Miass is cold in the winter, and it was nice to live in a warm apartment instead of sleeping down in the river mud so he had the chance to play youth hockey, and sure, his father liked to be able to watch episodes of Ulitsa Razbitykh Fonarey as they aired instead of having to wait for DVD. But Evgeny’s romantic future had been on the line. Or: Nicky and Kuzy are from different species, with different conventions when it comes to courting. Efforts to ask to join his pack/be his mate fail spectacularly.

Evergreen Molasses and Gilded Heartbreaks by xihale for angularmomentum

4k. T. Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin. In his dreams, Alex still plays hockey. Alex just passed his career 1,000 points. Alex is one of the hundred greatest NHL players of all time. And every milestone, everywhere he turns, Nicklas is there.

Fault Lies by hoosierbitch for somethingnerdythiswaycomes

6k. M. Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin. Alex kneels.“You’re smarter than me,” Trotz says to Nicky, “but I do know what I’m doing.” Right now, Nicky is fairly sure that he’s wrong on both counts. “Let me be his coach. Let me take care of him.”

feels like summer by Thorne for protect_rosie

30k. M. Karl Alzner/John Carlson, Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin. The unglamorous fact of the matter is that lifeguarding, particularly at a community swimming pool, is much less about the dramatic rescues and slo-mo dives into the water that Baywatch has tricked people into believing, and much more about janitorial work that's either tedious or gross, spiked with the occasional scraped knee or elbowed nose or no-holds-barred ice cream vendor death-match in the parking lot. (Or, Karl's in love with his best friend, all the local community pools in the Metropolitan county are at prank-war with each other, and also there are ducks.)

get by with a little help (from our A) by Wargasms for AetherSeer

11k. E. Michael Latta/Tom Wilson, Michael Latta/Tom Wilson/Nicklas Backstrom. Mike is a switch without much experience at Domming. Tom is a sub. They figure out how to make it work with some help from Nicky.

Good Friend Alex by WeagleRock for Guzmanasol

4k. T. Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin. Nicke was already going to die a slow, painful death for the love of a faerie. He'd have to be the world's stupidest person to turn around and fall for a troll.

Half Of The Time We're Gone by angularmomentum for waspabi

36k. E. Tom Wilson/Michael Latta, Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin. Mike never thought Tom would come back to Kitchener. That was his first problem. The second was that he didn’t want him to, which was a slightly bigger issue.

i'll never let go by taxingme for Louhi

13k. M. Micheal Latta/Mike Richards. There’s a thousand and one theories about where and why Travellers go where they do. Mike’s not sure about anyone else but he only ever goes to Michael.

in fingertips, in teeth by pr_scatterbrain for hoosierbitch

11k. M. Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin/Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin, Alexander Ovechkin/Alexander Semin. “You’re going to hit the ground running,” Nicky’s agent tells him, before he arrives on US soil. Nicky mostly hits the ground again and again.

imploring harvest by chartreuser for Fourthlinewinger

20k. M. Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin. Nicke just wants to play hockey, eat some iPhones, and watch his boyfriend photosynthesise.

The Kindness of Strangers by angularmomentum for thegraceinyoureyes

17k. E. Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin. Nicke has created a life of careful boundaries.

Literally by xabier for maunnier (jbmaunier)

4k. T. Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin. In which Nicklas Backstrom is literally Andre Burakovsky's father.

A little nip from every flower by anonissue for spaceyho

4k. T. Michael Latta/Tom Wilson. Nate finally just up and face-times Mike after Mike sends him one too many questions about how to properly julienne carrots, and the conversation quickly redirects from the actual cooking to the status of Tom's health and how poorly Mike is coping with him being out of action. "Trotz had us run different lines yesterday in practice man, and now I'm on Beags' wing, and it's, just," Mike makes an inarticulate frustrated noise as he mashes garlic cloves with the back of a spoon more forcefully than strictly necessary. "It's shit. We suck." "You know," Nate starts and then pauses. "What?" Mike prompts after a few seconds of silence. "It's stupid, but like, my mom always believed the fastest way to get rid of a cold or whatever was to give it to someone else," Nate says shrugging. -- Mike feels like playing hockey without Willy on his line far outweighs the shittiness of being sick. Tom doesn't agree. Mike has to take measures.

Match Your Weakness With A Name by leyley09 for screamlet

4k. T. Andre Burakovsky/Braden Holtby. In which Braden gets talked into playing spin-the-bottle with his teammates and - surprisingly - doesn't live to regret it

A More Fascinating Name by pukeandcry for hardtoconcentrate

38k. E. Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin, Andre Burakovsky/Braden Holtby, Michael Latta/Tom Wilson. Although Sasha had never made the younger Mr. Backstrom’s acquaintance, he was at least familiar enough with his reputation to know that chief amongst his qualities was the quite publicly known fact that Mr. Backstrom was as notoriously uninterested in achieving an advantageous marriage as Sasha himself.Something, then, must have upset the order of things. What that was he could not say, but Lord Backstrom was now, it would seem, in active search of a husband for his son.

My Life’s Work by protect_rosie for leyley09

2k. G. Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin. Alex comes in on a Tuesday night, a couple of hours before closing time.

no it's not nirvana but it's on the way by ghosthunter for taxingme

4k. M. Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin. Sasha does not miss the way Backy looks at him then, sharp and angry, and Sasha knows he deserves it. They sit in awkward silence until the waitress comes to take their drink orders.

Not a zero sum game by Guzmanasol for pr_scatterbrain

3k. Not rated. Alexander Ovechkin/Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin/Alexander Semin. His first soulmate gets another soulmate over the summer.

An Ocean Not to Break by hardtoconcentrate for kingsoftheimpossible

2k. G. Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin. Every offseason feels like a bad taste in their mouths, the remnants of a dream turned into a nightmare time and time again. After a while, the commentators start discussing if the Russian Federation lied about Sasha carrying the cursebreaking gene full stop; it gets bad enough that Don Cherry calls publicly for him to submit to gene sequencing. “It’s fine,” Sasha insists one morning, as they’re watching Sportscenter before an early morning skate. Nicklas can see his eyes tighten around the edges when Cherry comes back on-screen, raving about how typical this dishonesty is from the Russians. “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” Nicke mutters, sparing another glance at Sasha before sighing and resting his cheek against the table. A cursebreaker AU.

Red is the Color (of Your True Love's Blood) by Saebrin for WeagleRock

2k. T. Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin. What are the odds that all of Jakub's teammates are serial killers? Like, statistically that has to be impossible, right?

say all that you're feeling by screamlet for sunshinexbomb

43k. T. Andre Burakovsky/Alexander Ovechkin. Much had happened in the past year, enough that Andre sat on the hill overlooking the lands he had been naive enough to call home until he pledged himself to Lord Laich and left his friends with barely a note. Now he had returned and— Who would want Andre now? A flash of lightning in the distance illuminated the one house he hadn’t yet considered. After a moment’s thought, Andre rode south.

Six Months by constantine for xihale

14k. T. Nicklas Backstrom/Evgeny Kuznetsov. “The Snow Queen only looks at what she takes, now,” Sasha said. “And she always takes something, from everywhere she goes.”“Yes. I know what winter’s like,” Evgeny said, and shrugged against the back of the seat. He didn’t want to ask questions or hear answers, when Sasha was sitting blunt and solid next to him, talking like an old folktale Evgeny could half, but only half, convince himself he knew.“No,” Sasha said. “Not just like the flowers and all that from summertime. Those die back for the winter, but they have roots and they grow again, always. Winter is just dark, time to rest. The Snow Queen comes with the real deep cold. What she takes, it doesn’t come back.”

something just like this by maunnier (jbmaunier) for oops_ohdear

2k. T. Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin. Nicklas was eleven years old when he met Prince Alexander of Dynamo for the first time.

Something Old, Something New by Rave for pukeandcry

6k. E. Michael Latta/Tom Wilson. “I’m into guys,” Mike had told him before they moved in together. “If we’re gonna be roommates, that’s gotta be cool with you. I don’t want it to turn out to be a thing later.”

The Sorcerer of the Wood by Fourthlinewinger for ghosthunter

53k. T. Marcus Johansson/Evgeny Kuznetsov. Marcus opened his mouth to say, ‘I’m worried about Burky, no one knows where he is,’ but what came out was: “I think Koschei the Deathless kidnapped Burky,” and the locker room went quiet. Marcus winced and looked down at Kuzy, who appeared shocked and slightly pale. Marcus closed his eyes against the worry and his own rising embarrassment. It sounded crazy, out loud.They were in California, not Russia. It was just an exhibit. Thousands of other people had visited without incident, no curses or hexes causing trouble, and there were definitely no kidnappings. Burky sometimes got distracted and climbed into the wrong car. He was probably stranded in San Francisco. Marcus scrubbed his hands through his hair. “How do I get him back?”

staying put by thegraceinyoureyes for tiptoe39

7k. E. Nicklas Backstrom/T. J. Oshie, T. J. Oshie/Washington Capitals Ensemble. There are bodies—hands all over him, all around him.

sugar by ghosthunter for sunshinexbomb

4k. M. Nicklas Backstrom/André Burakovsky/Marcus Johansson. Nicke’s almost ready to leave, his jacket still off, his tie around his neck. “He’s fucking with you,” Nicke says quietly, coming to stand next to Andre as he ties his own tie. “And you looked at his ass when he walked away.”

Summoner's Rift by xabier for maunnier (jbmaunier)

3k. T. Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin. Ovi too OP, Rito pls nerf.

A Swedish Crown Is Just Seven Rubles by Louhi for alotofthingsdifferent

25k. M. Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin. Alex was twenty when he went to the Olympics for the first time. He did not win a medal, but he did meet a prince. Then he met him again. And again.

to have and to hold by oops_ohdear for xabier

6k. T. Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin. The problem with putting a fake engagement photo, complete with stupid smiles and a bottle of champagne, on Facebook, is that sometimes someone's mother sees it. This is not a problem Nicklas ever had before he knew Alex.

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? (series) by AetherSeer for chartreuser

4k. T. Evgeny Kuznetsov & Alexander Ovechkin. By Royal Appointment / And They Called It Puppy Love / It's My Choice to Make. If Zhenya gets a little crush on his older, good-looking, ridiculously fit bodyguard, it’s fine, right? It’s normal. He’ll get over it, sooner or later, and no one will ever know the difference.

Wolfborn by waspabi for 13058

54k. E. Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin. A wolfborn on an airplane was either unbearably reckless or a hockey player. Most of the time, both.

Words Just Get in the Way by somethingnerdythiswaycomes for Rave

8k. T. Andre Burakovsky/Braden Holtby, Michael Latta/Tom Wilson. “You’re pretty gone on him, huh?” Mike asks him. Andre nods. “And you don’t know anything about him?” Andre nods again, glumly. “This is the semester,” Mike proclaims with enough conviction that Andre almost believes him. “This semester, you’re getting him.”

You May Be Right (I May Be Crazy) by spaceyho for Thorne

10k. M. Nicklas Backstrom/Alexander Ovechkin. Nicklas sets his phone back on the counter, and blinks at the fogged over reflection in his mirror. He is so utterly fucked. He hasn’t made the decision to go to Russia, but he has made the decision to make that decision. It’s basically the same thing, but there’s enough of a difference that he feels like he can justify stalling making it final. --or OviNicky: The Lockout

#allcapsexchange #washington capitals #hockey rpf

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junker-town · 5 years ago

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Look at all the 2020 NFL Draft prospects with famous football relatives

Randy Moss’ son, Thaddeus, and Trevon Diggs, brother of Stefon, will be joining the NFL.

Randy Moss and Antoine Winfield each has a son in this year’s draft, while Stefon Diggs’ brother is another top prospect.

There will be some familiar names announced all throughout the 2020 NFL Draft, even for fans who didn’t watch these players on Saturdays during the college football season. That’s because this year’s class is filled with prospects who’ve had a close relative play in the NFL.

Some of those relatives became Hall of Famers, while others were journeymen. A few are still in the NFL.

Let’s introduce you to the guys who will be following in a family member’s footsteps. This isn’t a complete list — other, lesser-known prospects this year have had a cousin, brother, uncle, father, or grandfather who had a cup of coffee in the NFL.

Instead, we’re highlighting some of the most recognizable players, both from this year’s group and from past draft classes.

The big names

These prospects could all be future NFL stars, and not just because of their bloodlines.

Joe Burrow, QB, LSU: Son of Jim Burrow

The expected No. 1 overall pick’s father played defensive back for Nebraska, getting drafted in the eighth round by the Green Bay Packers in 1976. Please look take a moment to look at this glorious stache:

Lots of players in this draft whose fathers played in the NFL but the one everyone forgets about is Jim Burrow, Joe's dad, who was drafted in the 8th round in 1976, was on Packers roster for one year before heading to the CFL. pic.twitter.com/3crJE5C65v

— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) April 13, 2020

Jim played three games for the Packers that season, getting cut after a Week 3 loss to his son’s likely future team, the Bengals. After a five-year CFL career, Jim began coaching at both the college and high school levels.

Most recently, he was the associate head coach/defensive coordinator at Ohio University, where he worked from 2005-18 until he retired. That gave him time to attend every game of Joe’s senior year, which culminated in a Heisman Trophy and national championship.

Jeremy Chinn, CB, Southern Illinois: Nephew of Steve Atwater

Chinn, a cornerback out of FCS Southern Illinois, is the nephew of the eight-time Pro Bowl safety, who was just elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020. Atwater played in the NFL for 11 seasons, spending all but one of them with the Denver Broncos.

Photo by Rich Graessle/PPI/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Steve Atwater during the Hall of Fame Press conference during the NFL Honors on February 1, 2020.

“Yeah, I’ve been able to talk to Steve really just about the process,” Chinn said of his uncle in February. “I talked to him most recently a couple of months before the Senior Bowl to talk to him about the process, not just the NFL Combine process. But just life in general, becoming an NFL player.”

Despite playing for a smaller school, Chinn got plenty of notice after his impressive performance at both the Senior Bowl and the combine. He shouldn’t have to wait too long to hear his name called.

Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama: Brother of Stefon Diggs

The former Alabama corner is the younger brother of Stefon, now with the Bills after a trade from the Vikings. Trevon started his career as a wide receiver, just like his brother, before transitioning to cornerback full-time. He’s excelled on the other side of the ball, finishing 2019 with 37 tackles, four interceptions, and 21 passes defended.

“He’s like my dad, honestly,” Trevon said of his older brother at the NFL Combine. “He was there for me when my father passed, so he has always taken care of me. I always ask him everything, no matter what. Two o’clock in the morning, I’m asking him questions.”

How cool would it be to see Trevon and his brother face off one-on-one next season?

Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas: Cousin of Kyler Murray

The former Longhorn receiver accounted for 2,468 yards and 16 touchdowns during his four-year career. Duvernay is the younger cousin of Murray, the No. 1 pick in 2019 who also took home the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.

“Not really,” Duvernay said at the combine when asked if him and Murray were competitive growing up. “We’d get together on family holidays and stuff and throw and stuff, but nothing too major.”

Receiver isn’t a big need for the Cardinals after they acquired DeAndre Hopkins. Still, it’d be fun if Duvernay landed in Arizona with his cousin.

Thaddeus Moss, TE, LSU: Son of Randy Moss

Two years after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Randy Moss will get to see his son enter the NFL. Thaddeus is slightly shorter but has 40 pounds on his father, so it’s not surprising he ended up as a tight end rather than wide receiver.

Thaddeus started his career at NC State before transferring to LSU. After having to sit out a season due to NCAA transfer rules and then redshirting the next year with a foot injury, he played just one season with the Tigers in 2019. He finished with 47 receptions for 570 yards, both of which are school records for a tight end. One of his TD catches against Alabama looked eerily similar to one his dad would’ve made:

Thaddeus Moss did Randy proud with this grab, WHAT A CATCH! pic.twitter.com/eVf42EypNA

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 9, 2019

Thaddeus might not be the electric receiver his father was, but he certainly has the tools to be a breakout tight end in the NFL.

Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC: Son of Michael Pittman

Michael Pittman Sr. was an NFL running back for 11 seasons, mostly with the Cardinals and Buccaneers. He was even the leading rusher during the Bucs’ Super Bowl XXXVII win over the Raiders, with 124 yards on 29 carries. Pittman Jr. said that he played running back like his father until he grew to his current 6’4’ frame.

“I grew up watching him and I always wanted to play back, but I just outgrew that and I switched [positions],” he said after the Senior Bowl.

Pittman Jr., who is also an excellent special teams player, is coming off a breakout senior season at USC. He had a team-high 101 catches for 1,275 yards and 11 touchdowns, all career bests.

Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU: Son of Montae Reagor

Reagor led TCU in receiving in 2018 and 2019, catching 148 receptions for 2,248 yards and 22 touchdowns over three seasons. His dad, Montae, played defensive tackle and was a second-round pick in the 1999 draft. He spent nine seasons in the NFL.

Montae won a Super Bowl with the Colts, and Jalen, who returned two punts for touchdowns in 2019, says his favorite returner to watch growing up was Devin Hester.

“Because I watched him do it in the Super Bowl against my dad,” Reagor said via the Star-Telegram.

Hester returned the opening kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown against his dad’s team in that 2007 Super Bowl.

Jalen doesn’t have his father’s size and he’s faster too, but he should follow in his dad’s footsteps by being an early-round pick in the draft.

Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota: Son of Antoine Winfield

Winfield Sr. played in the NFL for 14 seasons. The three-time All-Pro cornerback was drafted No. 23 overall by the Bills in 1999, though he’s mostly known for his time with the Vikings from 2004-12.

Winfield Jr. played safety at Minnesota, but injuries caused him to miss 16 games as a sophomore and junior. Fully healthy in 2019, he was a unanimous All-American who finished with a career-high seven interceptions and 88 tackles.

That kind of playmaking runs in the family.

View this post on Instagram

Been playing this game ever since I could walk! Huge throwback with pops

A post shared by Antoine Winfield Jr (@antoinewinfieldjr) on Mar 14, 2020 at 12:46pm PDT

At the NFL Combine, Winfield Jr. was asked about how his game is similar to his father’s.

“It comes when I’m tackling,” he said. “I’ll make a tackle and I’m like, ‘oh wow, I’ve seen my dad make the same tackle, watching his highlights.’ It’s just crazy just see the comparison between us, because we play pretty much the exact same.”

Some other names you might recognize

Thomas Barber, LB, Minnesota: His father is Marion, who had a seven-year NFL career as a running back with the Jets. He’s also the brother of Marion III and Dom, who played running back (Cowboys, Bears) and safety (Texans) in the NFL, respectively.

Cam Brown, LB, Penn State: Cousin of receiver Andre Davis, who was the Browns’ second-round pick in 2002 and played nine seasons in the NFL.

Kelly Bryant, QB, Missouri: Cousin of receiver Martavis Bryant, who was drafted by the Steelers in 2014 and most recently played for the Raiders in 2018 before the league suspended him indefinitely.

Javaris Davis, CB, Auburn: He’s the cousin of former first-round picks Vernon and Vontae Davis, who both played 10+ seasons in the NFL before retiring.

AJ Dillon, RB, Boston College: His grandfather is receiver Thom Gatewood, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame who was drafted by the Giants in 1972.

A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa: Cousin of Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, who currently plays defensive tackle for the Falcons.

Blake Ferguson, LS, LSU: His older brother, Reid, has been the Bills’ long snapper since 2017.

Tom Flacco, QB, Towson: Yes, Joe Flacco, who’s 35, has a brother coming out of college. Tom is the youngest of the Flacco kids. TBD on his elite status.

Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA: His dad, Darick, played running back for five years, mostly for the Bills.

Charlie Heck, OL, UNC: Charlie’s father, Andy, was an NFL offensive lineman for 12 seasons, spent with the Seahawks, Bears, and Washington. He’s now the Chiefs’ offensive line coach.

Matt Hennessy, C, Temple: His brother, Thomas, is the Jets’ long snapper, a job he’s had since 2017.

Lavert Hill, CB, Michigan: Younger brother of Lano, a safety for the Seahawks who was drafted in the third round in 2017.

Isaiah Hodgins, WR, Oregon State: His father, James, was an NFL fullback for seven seasons and was a member of the Rams’ Super Bowl XXXIV team.

Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue: Son of Brad Hopkins, a two-time Pro Bowler who played 13 seasons with the Oilers and then the Titans when the franchise moved.

Austin Jackson, OT, USC: Grandson of Melvin Jackson, an OL for the Packers from 1976-80.

Trishton Jackson, WR, Syracuse: His cousin is former NFL receiver Braylon Edwards, a 2005 first-round pick by the Browns.

Van Jefferson, WR, Florida: Van’s father, Shawn, had a 13-year NFL career as a wide receiver, playing for the Chargers, Patriots, Falcons, and Lions.

Collin Johnson, WR, Texas: Son of Johnnie, who was a first-round pick as a defensive back out of Texas and is in the College Football Hall of Fame. He played 10 seasons in the NFL, mostly with the Los Angeles Rams.

Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame: Nephew of DT Jeff Zgonina, who had a 17-year NFL career and is currently on Ron Rivera’s coaching staff in Washington. His father, Frank, was drafted in the fourth round in 1992 by Buffalo, too.

Zack Moss, RB, Utah: His cousins are Santana Moss, a longtime NFL receiver, and Sinorice, who spent four years with the Giants.

Julian Okwara, DE, Notre Dame: His brother is current Lions DE Romeo Okwara.

Lamical Perine, RB, Florida: Cousin of Dolphins running back Samaje Perine, and is also a distant relative of Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack.

Bryce Perkins, QB, Virginia: His brother is Paul, a running back who was most recently a member of the Ravens’ practice squad in early 2020. His father, Bruce, briefly played in the NFL, while his uncle Don was a six-time Pro Bowl back with the Cowboys.

J.R. Reed, S, Georgia: His dad is Jake Reed, a 12-year NFL veteran who played receiver for the Saints and Vikings. His uncle is Dale Carter, the Chiefs’ first-round pick in 1992 who played for 14 season in the league. His cousin is fellow safety prospect Nigel Warrior, Carter’s son.

Jon Runyan Jr., OL, Michigan: Son of Jon, who spent 14 years in the NFL and was later elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for New Jersey, where he served from 2011-15.

Alex Taylor, OL, South Carolina State: Nephew of Pierson Prioleau, who played 12 seasons as a defensive back in the NFL and won a Super Bowl XLIV with the Saints.

Cody White, WR, Michigan State: His dad, Sheldon, was a cornerback for six seasons in the NFL. He also worked for 19 years in the Detroit Lions’ front office before joining the MSU recruiting staff.

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burning-up-ao3 · 6 years ago

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20 Penguins Thoughts: The best trade-deadline approach is simple

February 12, 2019 8:13 AMBy Jason Mackey / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Enough already.

Enough screwing around with Patric Hornqvist on the fourth line, splitting up the No. 1 power play or starting Casey DeSmith over Matt Murray against NHL heavyweights.

Enough with these wonky defense pairings and forget trying to swing some sort of trade, which may or may not be the 73rd move of the season for general manager Jim Rutherford.

Roll with the guys you got. Let them jell and build some chemistry.

The Penguins will return home with three of a possible six points on this three-game road trip, at least one fewer than they probably should have had.

But they’re lucky in the sense that Monday’s 4-1 victory over the Flyers at Wells Fargo Center should’ve delivered a key message: While the Penguins need work in certain areas, they do have enough key elements to compete. They just need to iron out a few wrinkles.

2. The only exception here, I suppose, is if Olli Maatta winds up missing a bunch of time … and boy does it look like that’s possible.

Watching postgame, it looked like coach Mike Sullivan knew something; he just didn’t want to say it. I wouldn’t be surprised to soon hear that Maatta has a separated shoulder, the only question, of course, being how severe?

If it’s bad, maybe Rutherford should grab a Mark Streit-type depth defenseman, but that should be it. Put Brian Dumoulin and Kris Letang together, then see who works best alongside Justin Schultz. Shelter the remaining two with a metal roof.

3. Why didn’t Murray start Saturday in Tampa? Why didn’t Murray start Jan. 19 in Vegas?

Nothing against DeSmith, who’s a fine backup, but the Penguins literally chose Murray over Marc-Andre Fleury.

We can sit here and talk about DeSmith’s top-10 save percentage or debate the merits of showing Murray twice to Tampa in a 10-day span, but Murray is the proud owner of a pair of Stanley Cup rings. Per the Penguins decision-making, he’s the guy.

What his 50-save performance Monday told me was this: Here’s a guy who wants to be in the nets for big games, who thrives in them and who deserves to play every one of them the rest of the way.

4. The next time separating your top talent on the power play works, it’ll be the first.

I guess I understand why Sullivan did what he did for Monday’s game — putting Phil Kessel on what amounted to the second unit and using two defensemen with each group — but it didn’t work.

This power play runs through Kessel, although it’s unfortunate that path occasionally leads to odd-man rushes the other way. But using him less in favor of a third-pair defenseman (Marcus Pettersson) makes zero sense to me.

Figure out how to allow fewer short-handed goals or don’t. But removing Kessel shouldn’t be considered a viable solution here.

5. I can’t say I’m surprised that Evgeni Malkin will have a phone hearing Tuesday for high-sticking/slashing Philadelphia’s Michael Raffl.

It was dangerous, dirty and dumb, and it could turn out to be costly, if Malkin is suspended.

I just hope the NHL sticks with this precedent, where it’s seemingly addressing the act rather than the result. Far too often, that hasn’t been the case.

That said, Raffl punching Malkin in the back of the head was also dangerous, dirty and dumb. He should have gotten something. But whether Malkin missed his target — his explanation — you can’t let a stick-swinging incident like that go.

6. I don’t understand the decision to healthy scratch Teddy Blueger on Monday.

The rookie forward had two goals and three points in six games, plus a pretty solid fight in Tampa and plus-2 rating. I would’ve much rather seen Blueger stay in the lineup and either Dominik Simon or Tanner Pearson sit.

Blueger, by the way, has as many goals as those two combined over the past dozen games — of which Blueger, of course, has only played half.

I also don’t understand playing Patric Hornqvist just 9:10, which I believe is the lowest ice time for him in a game that he started and finished. Is he healthy? He certainly doesn’t look limited.

The effort with Hornqvist isn’t the issue, but he does need to be with people who create some of the trash that he’s so good at cleaning up. It’s a hard sell for me to be OK with him in the bottom-six.

7. To conclude this opening point, I don’t think the Penguins are a perfect team. They still have plenty to work on — role definition, depth scoring, defensive issues and the short-handed goals, to name a few.

But given their cap situation and what assets they would be dangling, I have a tough time seeing how one trade could be seen as the answer. Tell these guys that this is your team, now go work it out.

8. Moving on …

“I feel like if we keep playing that way, we’re going to get rewarded. We had some looks. I liked our line a lot.”

That was Derick Brassard after the Penguins’ 3-2 overtime win at Arizona on Jan. 18, talking about a line he centered with Pearson on the left and Simon on the right. By the next night, in Vegas, that line was history, separated as the Penguins faced a 3-1 deficit after the first period.

In talking to Brassard last week about why things didn’t work out in Pittsburgh, he brought up that succession of events as an example.

“Over the last year, you guys would ask me all the time, ‘Is it going to be good to have a few games and try to find some chemistry with your wingers?’ ” Brassard began.

“Me, Pearson and Simon in Phoenix, we had a strong game; we had a really good game as a line. The next game, it wasn’t clicking with [Sidney Crosby], [Jake Guentzel] and [Bryan Rust].

“Right away, you flip-flop Rusty and Dom. We just had a good game. We were thinking about that. It’s just the way it was.

“The lines were always switching. It felt like it was hard to get some timing and chemistry.”

9. Is that an excuse? Absolutely. Did Brassard make too many of them during our first one-on-one conversation last week? Yeah, probably.

But to his credit, Brassard did offer a few things I never thought about with the line switching.

“If Jake is set with Sid, that right side was switching all the time,” Brassard said of when things would dry up on the top line. “Sometimes it wasn’t working with Geno and Phil, and the left wing on that line was changing all the time.”

Brassard’s point, whether you agree or not, was that he wound up receiving the leftovers of whatever didn’t work with Crosby or Malkin.

10. Which, if you think about it, is exactly what should happen, right?

They’re the team’s highest-paid players, the big boys, the organization’s franchise centers … and Brassard doesn’t disagree.

“Sully was managing that right,” Brassard said. “He was just trying to get those two guys to always be producing and be on the top of their game. Like everyone knows, when those two guys are on, it’s hard to stop.”

Again, I see what Brassard is saying, but there comes a time when the player simply has to do what he’s being paid to do and that’s produce.

No matter the reason, Brassard wasn’t able to do that as much as he should have in Pittsburgh.

11. Funny anecdote from our second chat.

So Brassard did a scrum after Florida’s morning skate at BB&T Center. After the crowd dispersed, we chatted a little bit about the previous night’s interview and how the article came out. (Brassard said he doesn’t read but did receive some positive feedback on his end.)

After that, I said I had a couple more questions and wanted to ask him about why things never worked with Kessel.

“Oh, no,” Brassard said with a smile.

He never did answer the question. He pivoted to what I used above about the lines changing all the time.

12. We asked Rutherford a lot about Brassard, and he was always very honest with his answers.

In late December, Rutherford told me he thought Brassard “had more to offer” and it was close to decision time on whether or not he would remain the Penguins’ third-line center.

Last week I asked Brassard if he ever heard any of the GM’s criticism and whether he was OK with it.

Brassard said he had but that he didn’t have any problem with it because Rutherford said it to his face first.

“He has every right to criticize me,” Brassard said. “It’s his team. He’s the manager.”

I’ve tried to put myself in Brassard’s spot. I think I’d feel the exact same way … again, as long as Rutherford said it to me first.

13. One final nugget on the trade: Sullivan, not Rutherford, called Brassard and Sheahan to tell them they were traded.

Don’t know what to make of that. It’s honestly the first time I’ve heard such a thing mentioned; Brassard brought it up unprompted.

Hard to ascertain much more without context, but I do think it speaks to how involved Sullivan is in a lot of moves like this.

14. I spent some time in Florida chatting with Upper St. Clair native Vince Trocheck and J.T. Miller (Coraopolis) about the youth hockey teams they played on together along with Brandon Saad (Pine), Stephen Johns (Wampum) John Gibson (Whitehall) and others.

Miller had some fun with it last Saturday morning.

“There was this time,” Miller said, “when Vince had a turnover, and we lost to the Valley Junior Warriors. We were 12. Lost in overtime to Ottawa. It was the Bell Cup.

“Ask Vince about that.”

15. I didn’t, of course, since I had just come from South Florida and figured Trocheck probably didn’t need that text on the day of a game, but the insane amount of talent on those teams does amaze me.

“We didn’t know at the time,” Trocheck said, “but looking back, we had a pretty good squad.”

It was also small numbers-wise: just six forwards, four defensemen and a goalie, Miller said.

“We were, I think, fifth in the country,” Miller said. “We were really good. Plus, you never had to worry about ice time.”

16. Here’s something else Trocheck said that I really liked: They remain super competitive with each other.

Right now I think you could say Gibson is the best of the bunch, even though the Ducks are a mess. But not long ago Saad was a huge part of two Stanley Cup-winning teams, and last year Trocheck held the title with 31 goals and 75 points.

“We all grew up together,” Trocheck said. “We’re friends in the summer. We all hang out, work out together. It’s nice to see those guys doing well. But we’re definitely in a bit of a competition out there.”

17. This season has been a tough one for Trocheck, who broke his right ankle on a gruesome sequence back on Nov. 19. He returned on Jan. 18 and has five goals and 19 points in the 27 games that he’s played.

The injury was every bit as ugly as the one that Schultz endured, with Trocheck’s leg buckling underneath. But as nasty as I thought it was, Trocheck didn’t think it was that big of a deal.

“I’ve broken that leg before,” Trocheck said. “A little bit more severe this time. But I recovered from it. I’m just kind of looking forward now.”

18. One other leftover nugget from Florida: When Jared McCann was with the Panthers, he once shared a line with Jaromir Jagr.

McCann said that, without a doubt, it was one of the most intimidating things he’s done in the NHL.

“I was so nervous,” McCann said. “That was the main thing. He said to try and feed him the puck as much as possible. I tried to do that.

“Playing with a guy like that, it was incredible, something you’re going to be able to share with your kids.”

Man, I miss having Jagr in the NHL.

19. Stat of the week: 917

It’s too bad, huh? Had Crosby missed one more game in his career, Monday in Philly — when he had a goal and three points — would’ve been the night where he passed Mario Lemieux for the Penguins franchise mark.

So, so close.

20. Non-hockey thought of the week: Because colleague Matt Vensel covered Monday’s Flyers game, I spent Sunday visiting my mom in The Villages, Fla., and one of the things we did was go to the Orange Blossom Opry to see bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs.

If you are at all into that type of music or just enjoy terrific live performances, I can’t possibly recommend seeing Ricky Skaggs enough.

I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever seen a better musician/vocalist live, he was that good. Here’s a little clip. Hopefully it’s not too painful for anyone who dislikes this type of music:

Spending an extra day in Florida visiting my mom in The Villages. Seeing Ricky Skaggs, who is just incredible live:

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jmunneytumbler · 4 years ago

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The Best Podcasts of 2020, According to jmunney's Ears

Any ranking of the best entertainment of the year is necessarily incomplete and represents the personal proclivities of the ranker, and that’s especially true in the case of podcasts. I listen to more podcasts than anyone I know personally (by a wide margin), but that’s still less than approximately 0.0001% of all the podcasts out there. So for my Best Podcasts of 2020 feature, I decided to make…

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jc · 5 years ago

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Das Beste aus Twitter, Januar-Edition

Schon wieder einen Monat alt, das neue Jahr. Gut, dass uns die Tweets noch einmal in die Weihnachts- und Jahreswechselzeit entführen.

-So, meine Süße, wir müssen nicht mehr weit fahren, dann sind wir zu Hause und können spielen, okay? -Okay. Aber sag mal, wie heißt du? Wie mich meine Vierjährige soeben in der vollen S-Bahn echt in die Bredouille gebracht hat.

— Stefan Heinrichs (@stefnhs) December 16, 2019

every morning, gordon waits for his girls to get on the school bus safely (Becky Lynn FB) pic.twitter.com/w964BIkgDD

— Humor And Animals (@humorandanimals) December 15, 2019

This just won the internet pic.twitter.com/vW7MNcvY1Y

— Giles Paley-Phillips (@eliistender10) December 15, 2019

-Papa, was ist eine Nationalhymne? -Das ist ein Lied, das alle kennen. Und wenn die Menschen es gemeinsam singen, haben sie das Gefühl, dass sie zusammengehören. -So wie Aramsamsam?

— Stefan Heinrichs (@stefnhs) December 16, 2019

Lobby-Regel der Buchbranche: Kulturgut Buch gilt immer dann, wenn es um die wirtschaftlichen Interessen anderer geht. Wirtschaftsgut Buch gilt immer dann, wenn es um die wirtschaftlichen Interessen von einem selbst geht.

— Leander Wattig (@leanderwattig) December 17, 2019

Tierhandel beim Hamsterkauf: Hatten Sie schonmal Hamster? Haben Sie sich mit dem Thema beschäftigt? Wissen Sie was die essen? Haben Sie genug Platz? Ausstattung? Kaufen Sie noch dieses Fachbuch! Krankenhaus 10 min nach Geburt des Kindes. Hier Ihr Baby.Vielleicht bis später

— Dekofee (@toschcrs) December 18, 2019

Ihr nehmt doch auch immer euren kaffeevollautomat mit in den Urlaub oder? ODER?????

— Königin👸🏻von B💋nn und Pärchenkackscheissqueen (@EffzehEngel) December 19, 2019

Dammit! pic.twitter.com/1e3UxYoAVW

— Fun Signs & Graffiti (@SignsFun) December 18, 2019

Immer die Hoffnung, dass Stofftiere, die nicht so schön sind, an Kinder verschenkt werden, die sie trotzdem lieb haben. pic.twitter.com/Oge9qKQ3DV

— Peter Breuer (@peterbreuer) December 20, 2019

Every time pic.twitter.com/RedSvvHIYs

— Kate Beaton (@beatonna) December 20, 2019

The first time in history it is caught on camera. Mercedes giving birth. pic.twitter.com/KOYHr0w9WQ

— Only in America (@Crazzyintheusa) November 29, 2019

Kinder lohnen sich allein deshalb, weil man für sehr sehr lange Zeit immer Weihnachtsgeschenke für die Verwandtschaft hat: Fotobücher, Fotokalender, Familienkalender (mit Fotos), gerahmte Bilder, Gutschein für Fotoshooting (und nächste Weihnachten dann s.o.),...

— Natascha Strobl (@Natascha_Strobl) December 23, 2019

I Tried Giving My Daughter The Worst Xmas Gift Ever & I Didn’t Expect This Reaction 😢 pic.twitter.com/44cJytI83m

— LGND (@iamlgndfrvr) December 20, 2019

Der Notar liest den Angehörigen den letzten Willen des reichen Erblassers vor: „Zunächst möchte ich mich Onkel Bernd zuwenden, der mir wiederholt das Versprechen abnahm, ihn in meinem Testament zu erwähnen: - Hallo, Bernd, altes Haus! Nun aber zur Aufteilung des Erbes:“ #Notar

— Dominik Schüller (RA & Notar) (@ra_schueller) December 27, 2019

Wenn man deutschen vorwirft dass sie die Umwelt versauen schaffen sie es irgendwie dsss am Ende der Debatte rauskommt dass kein deutscher je nazi war außer hitler und zwei drei andere

— Lars Weisbrod (@larsweisbrod) December 29, 2019

Auch glücklich, den diesjährigen Adventskalenderwahnsinn überstanden zu haben? Prima, dann geht’s jetzt bald weiter mit dem Osterkalender! 🐣 #itsathingnow pic.twitter.com/FeqysK8atQ

— Astrid Dirksen (@tweetingastrid) December 31, 2019

Immer lustig, wenn man über Essen redet, ich erwähne, dass ich Vegetarier bin und die erste Reaktion fast immer ist:“ Ja, also ich esse ja total wenig Fleisch und wenn, dann nur bio und echt selten, ich probier eh weniger zu essen...“ Like clockwork.

— Wurzelmann (@Wurzelmann) December 31, 2019

#Silvester zu Zeiten des Klimawandels. Man wirft sich in #Lichterfelde unangezündete (!) Böller zu. Wir prüfen, ob wenigstens „Peng“ gerufen wurde.#welcome110

— Polizei Berlin (@polizeiberlin) December 31, 2019

breakdown of my decade (2010-2019): ✨🌈💕 - 77.76% in jail - 11.05% in solitary confinement - 51.23% fighting for gender affirming care - 100.00% being true to myself no matter what - 0.00% backing down#HappyNewYear

— Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) December 31, 2019

Doof, wenn man für IFTTT das Passwort verloren hat.... 🤷🏻‍♀️ Trotzdem: Ein tolles neues Jahr euch allen!!! https://t.co/EtCqF8DGm8

— Heidi Schönenberg-H. (@minus78) December 31, 2019

2050 ist so weit weg wie 1990.

— Sham Jaff (@sham_jaff) January 2, 2020

Heute kam die Rechnung des Krankenhauses über den 2-monatigen Aufenthalt meiner Mutter während ihrer Krebsbehandlung. 24,74€ für hochqualifizierte Betreuung. Ich zahle sooo sooo so gerne Steuern und bin dankbar, dass wir uns um Menschen in Not kümmern 🙏🙏🙏

— Ali Mahlodji 😎 (@mahlo) November 20, 2019

eine bescheidene frage: WARUM? ES SIND GESAMMELTE FUCKING WERKE. KANN MAN DA BITTESCHÖN DIE BUCHRÜCKEN ALLE GLEICH GESTALTEN? HM? pic.twitter.com/r6iAqFohAD

— schnoerpsel (@schnoerpsel) January 1, 2020

Was hat denn die Umwelt jemals für uns getan?

— leonceundlena (@leonceundlena) January 2, 2020

Ich weiß, ich bin da für viele zu sehr Hippie im Kopf, aber ich finde es ein Stück weit verrückt, dass die Reaktion ist: „Es braucht Spenden, um neue Affen zur Belustigung ihr Leben lang einzusperren.“ Statt zu sagen: „Das ist so furchtbar, lasst uns nie wieder Affen einsperren.“

— Herm (@hermsfarm) January 2, 2020

A good lesson for the New Year: never give up on your goals. pic.twitter.com/xjYRRqadvm

— Brian Klaas (@brianklaas) January 1, 2020

Mein Vorsatz für 2020 „fit halten“ ist bereits erledigt - das war leicht. Ich weiß gar nicht, warum da andere immer so’n großes Ding draus machen. pic.twitter.com/2mn3i1XvAH

— Rico Apitz (@10Apitz) January 1, 2020

im standesamt ist bestimmt die hölle los weil so viele paare am 20.20.2020 heiraten wollen

— Ilona Hartmann (@zirkuspony) January 2, 2020

Die Menschen, die mutmaßlich den Brand im Krefelder Zoo verursacht haben, haben ihr Fehlverhalten erkannt und sich der Polizei gestellt. Wenn alle Menschen soviel Rückgrat beweisen würden, wäre diese Welt eine andere.

— Gurkensandwich (@Gurkensandwich1) January 2, 2020

This BBC advertising for Dracula is genius. A series of bloody stakes protruding from a billboard. Seemingly random, until darkness falls and they begin to cast a shadow. Fabulous. pic.twitter.com/84aIl7o97r

— Alex Andreou (@sturdyAlex) January 3, 2020

Das Blöde an dem ganzen Lego, das die Kinder geschenkt bekommen haben, ist ja, dass sie unbedingt beim Aufbauen helfen wollen.

— Juliet Gibb (@mamigration) December 28, 2019

„Mama, warum essen wir im Kindergarten nie Fondue?“ Ich werde die Frage mal an die Kita WhatsApp Gruppe weitergeben und es mir mit einer Tüte Chips gemütlich machen.

— Lilli Marlene (@MarleneHellene) January 3, 2020

„Die Mama hat keine Arbeit, außer an der Straße zu stehen.“ [Wie der #gKH dem #kKH erklärt, dass ich jetzt selbständig bin und mich einmal in der Woche als Schulweghelferin nützlich mache.]

— Melanie Wyssen-Voß (@Mellcolm) January 5, 2020

Belehrung via DM: ich darf nicht mehr „jemand“ schreiben, das hieße nun jemensch. Kannste Dir nicht ausdenken. 🙄

— Queenie (@Bergsommerliebe) January 6, 2020

Guten Morgen. Warum werden Autofahrer verrückt, wenn sie zwei Minuten hinter einem Mülllaster oder einem entladenwerdenden LKW warten müssen - akzeptieren aber 20 Minuten vor einer Parkhauseinfahrt? #Gelassenheit im #Straßenverkehr

— Sebastian Eckert (@SebastianEckert) January 7, 2020

Ich will mich ja nicht zu weit aus dem Fenster lehnen... aber Schnee in LKWs rumfahren ist eventuell ein Grund für keinen Schnee. https://t.co/yChfJbtATe

— Frank (@frank_opitz) January 8, 2020

Eltern WhatsApp Gruppe organisiert das Geburtstagsständchen für den Klassenlehrer. Gewünscht wird dass die musikalische Darbietung in verschiedenen Sprachen von den Kindern vorgeführt wird. Bisher Rumänisch, Chinesisch, Spanisch, Italienisch ... Ich bat Hochdeutsch an.

— Quattromilf 🇪🇺🏳️‍🌈 (@ebonyplusirony) January 8, 2020

Der australische Premier ist nach eigenen Angaben „enttäuscht“, dass die Feuerkatastrophe mit der Debatte zu den nationalen Klimazielen vermischt werde. Versteh ich. War früher auch oft enttäuscht, dass mein Schlafen im Unterricht mit dem Notenvergabeprozess vermischt wurde.

— Nico Semsrott (@nicosemsrott) January 10, 2020

Ich bin richtig sauer!!! 😡 Werde nie mehr beim #Siemens Schuh center einkaufen!!! Schämen sie sich @JoeKaeser 😤 pic.twitter.com/0sPn8PH0O0

— Gerrit Müller (@gerritmueller) January 13, 2020

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(Original unter: https://1ppm.de/2020/01/das-beste-aus-twitter-januar-2020/)

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fitnessexpert00-blog · 6 years ago

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Usain Bolt looks to Kevin Hart for fitness inspiration

New Post has been published on https://fitnessqia.com/must-see/usain-bolt-looks-to-kevin-hart-for-fitness-inspiration/

Usain Bolt looks to Kevin Hart for fitness inspiration

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt celebrates after anchoring his Men’s 4 x 100m relay.

Image: associated press/Martin Rickett/Press Association Images

Olympic track legend Usain Bolt, whose infectious mid-race smile made for a breakout meme of the Rio Olympics this summer, had another chance to show off his comedy chops recently in a new commercial for the Jamaican telecom Digicel.

The subtly branded video features the Jamaica-born sprinter jamming out in a studio, lip-syncing an original auto-tuned holiday ballad about “sprint-sprint-sprinting through [his] Christmas list,” among other things.

In a FaceTime conversation with Mashable, the easy-going star talked about his meme-dom fame, his unlikely source of fitness motivation and what his success has meant for his sport’s popularity in his home country and abroad.

Bolt, who regularly updates his various social media accounts with playful family anecdotes, pictures with celebrity friends and luxury spoils, clearly knows his way around a meme. But the wildfire popularity of his Olympics smile shot this summer still surprised him.

“People were saying I was actually smiling at [Canadian runner Andre] De Grasse, but it was just a coincidence,” Bolt says. “But it went viral, and it was kinda cool.”

Homie is fighting for his life and Bolt is posing for photos mid-race pic.twitter.com/69f6Hk3rTR

Vann R. Newkirk II (@fivefifths) August 15, 2016

When asked if he has any go-to exercise apps, Bolt says he’s not big on them but shouts out comedian Kevin Hart as a fitness role model.

“One of my biggest motivations is actually Kevin Hart just watching his Snaps he’s always working out,” Bolt said. “He’s a morning person; I’m not… He motivates me.”

Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt dunks over comedian Kevin Hart in the first quarter of the NBA All-Stars celebrity basketball game.

Image: Associated press/Pat Sullivan

Bolt says he’s grateful for the renewed popularity that his world records and nine gold medals have bestowed on his sport among younger generations.

“People have said, ‘I’ve gotten into track-and-field because of you,'” he said. “I really try to interact with people all the time.”

As for what he looks for in the products he endorses, Bolt says it’s usually about finding projects that fit his laid-back personality.

“It’s always just the energy,” Bolt says. “When I heard this concept that I was going to be lip-syncing I was skeptical. But when I heard the music and the vibes, it was really good. It’s something different.”

“I’ve always wondered if I can sing, but I know I can’t,” he continues. “So it was a good thing I was lip-syncing.”

Read more: http://mashable.com/

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flauntpage · 7 years ago

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How in the World is Vegas’ Success “Bad” for the NHL?

I was browsing Twitter dot com this morning when I came across Anthony Gargano’s opinion on the Las Vegas Golden Knights:

“No expansion team should ever be able to win a league, its just started, its nonsense just like the Marlins winning the WS, there’s real fans that are starving since 1975 for this, it’s about real fan-dom” – @AnthonyLGargano

— 975TheFanatic (@975TheFanatic) May 21, 2018

“It’s about real fandom.”

Hmm, alright, I disagree, but I’ll play along.

Sure, it’s not like Las Vegas hockey fans are desperate for the Stanley Cup. They haven’t been waiting since 1967, like Toronto fans. They aren’t St. Louis, Vancouver, Buffalo, or Washington, who have never won a title. They aren’t any of the eight other teams that joined the NHL after 1979 and still haven’t won a cup.

By the same token, I’d assume Flyers fans, who have been waiting since 1975, would at least be annoyed to see an expansion team cruising through the playoffs while enduring a slow rebuild under Ron Hextall and Dave Hakstol.

So if you wanna roll your eyes at Vegas’ success or say it’s “corny,” I get that. It’s corny that a brand new team comes into the league and rips off a bunch of wins while diehard fans of traditional hockey teams get to enjoy another first-round playoff exit.

But I’m not sure what fandom really has to do with anything. Is there some rule in place that you have to suffer through 20 years of losing before you’re allowed to win? Do you have to “pay your dues?” Do you have to endure a Joe Jurevicius or Rodney Harrison situation before Nick Foles comes along? It’s such a Philadelphia way of thinking, that a “low” must predate a “high,” and if it doesn’t, it’s somehow not authentic.

People have somehow twisted the Vegas story into a narrative that “this is bad for the NHL,” and I don’t know why that’s being tossed around. I find the story compelling. I’m watching the playoffs with more interest than ever before.

Beyond the fragile fandom argument, it seems like there’s not a ton to stand on. I mean, you could certainly point to the fact that the expansion draft rules were changed in 2017 and that teams were allowed to protect fewer players (9 or 11) than in the 2000 expansion draft (12 or 15). Vegas had much more to choose from than Minnesota and Columbus and didn’t really have to navigate any tricky salary cap issues since they were starting with a blank financial slate. All of that was a big advantage for them.

And you can say that this looks bad for the NHL because it further dilutes talent across the league, but that argument always holds very little weight. There are more than 350 million people living in Canada and the United States, so it’s not like dressing 20 more players for an expansion team really sucks up all of the skilled athletes. People said the same thing about MLS, that adding more teams would dilute the product, but that hasn’t been the case at all. The league is more competitive and has more quality players than ever before.

You could maybe say that this hurts the NHL because throwing a bunch of nobodies together shows that star power really doesn’t matter. All you really need is a team-first group of solid grinders and a hot goaltender to win a cup, yeah? Or no? Maybe? I don’t know.

All of that considered, it’s not like the expansion draft was stockpiled with anything more than third or fourth line talent and question mark goaltenders. There were some nice veteran pieces, like Deryk Engelland and James Neal, but I don’t think anyone expected Jonathan Marchessault and Erik Haula to put up 75 and 55 points. Luca Sbisa? William Carrier? Pierre-Edouard Bellemare? Ehh, okay. Marc-Andre Fleury was in decline and Calvin Pickard didn’t even stick on the roster.

Most of these guys were just that – “guys.” Vegas wasn’t stealing Mark Schiefele or Nikita Kucherov for their expansion season. Nobody really said, “wow, VGK just crushed the expansion draft.”

What they did crush were some draft-related trades, specifically capitalizing on Florida’s cap issues. With the Panthers about to be $5 million on the hook for Reilly Smith, Vegas agreed to take him as part of a deal that guaranteed they would also draft Marchessault. Florida patched up their cap a bit and VGK got two of their best players for absolutely nothing.

It was similar with Minnesota, who sent Alex Tuch out west if Vegas agreed to select Haula in the draft.

Those four players – Tuch, Haula, Marchessault, and Smith – are among the top-six point-producers for Vegas this postseason. The other two are Neal and William Karlsson, whom Vegas agreed to select from Columbus if they would also take on the retiring David Clarkson’s $5.25 million contract. The Jackets also threw in a couple of draft picks.

Karlsson ended up leading the Knights with 78 regular season points, so go figure. It was like the NHL’s version of the best Sam Hinkie move of all time. It’s like getting Khris Middleton and a first round draft pick simply for agreeing to take on Jason Terry’s contract and leaving Giannis alone.

And that’s what happened with most of their draft-related trades, general manager George McPhee totally fleeced multiple teams in a pseudo-Hinkie fashion.

More than anything, the Knights simply started with a core of angry players, dudes who were deemed not good enough and left unprotected for Vegas to scoop up. Playing with a chip on your shoulder is very easy to exercise in hockey, for sure, where more guys get on the ice and energy and hustle and vigor are more tangible traits to measure. And the coach, Gerard Gallant, was unheralded, too, a retread type who had never won a playoff series in four full seasons with the Blue Jackets and Panthers.

I agree with this:

To anyone trying to claim Vegas in Cup final is an embarrassment:

You’re really discrediting the work of George McPhee and Gerard Gallant.

Did YOU know William Karlsson was this good, for instance? No. No, you did not.

This is friggin’ incredible. Stop whining — enjoy this!

— Matt Larkin (@THNMattLarkin) May 21, 2018

That’s pretty much it. They hit on a bunch of acquisitions and put together a roster that nobody thought would be anywhere close to this level of competitiveness. Imagine if the Eagles had 53 Alshon Jeffery types on “prove it deals,” and that’s kind of what Vegas is – a bunch of guys with something to prove.

And when you take it off the ice, you look at the Vegas shooting that took place on October 1st, just a few days before the start of the NHL season. It was a tragedy that galvanized the community and created a bond between a brand new team and its nascent fan base.

This is worth watching if you haven’t seen it before, the speech Engelland made after the shooting:

I look at all of this and don’t really see anything that’s “bad” for the NHL, at least not in a long-term sense. Vegas could always fall back to Earth or eventually run into the cap issues other teams face. The chip on the shoulder will no longer be there and guys who were playing out of their minds might regress a bit.

For now, though, it’s a classic sports story, complete with the same Eagles-related underdog angle that everybody loved back in January and February. You’ve got a bunch of pissed off guys playing out of their minds and proving people wrong, and that’s more American than anything I can think of.

How in the World is Vegas’ Success “Bad” for the NHL? published first on https://footballhighlightseurope.tumblr.com/

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playavacationblog-blog · 8 years ago

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The Hidden Charms of Lisbon

One of Europe's more affordable capitals, Lisbon is an unpretentious beauty, a place where you can sit at a caf sipping a two-euro glass of wine from a vineyard in the Douro Valley while marveling at centuries-old buildings clad in patterned tiles, or azulejos. Many travelers pass through the city on their way to the beaches and villages of southern Portugal's Algarve coast, but it is well worth a stay of two or three days. The city is small (about 600,000 people) compared with other Western European capitals but no less rich in history: Romans and Moors first laid claim to Lisbon, and it later rose to prominence thanks to explorers such as Vasco da Gama, who blazed trade routes to Africa and India during the Age of Discovery.

Today, Lisbon is undergoing a revitalization but remains mostly free of global chains. Another delightful surprise: Almost no one walks around with a smartphone in hand. Even then it's presumably to snap a photo of the light that filters through one of the city's older districts, such as the maze-like Alfama, which extends to the Tagus River. Lisbon grew up along its banks, and then in the 19th century the city grew inland, and neighborhoods, such as Prncipe Real and Chiado, emerged. Get to know them and you may find that you too want to keep this once-sleepy city all to yourself.

http://endlessvacation.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/EVFA17_Lisbon_v5_final.mp4

Getting Around

Lisbon is built on seven hills, so remember to pack a pair of comfy walking shoes. From the airport, you can take a taxi ($16) or the subway (a 24-hour Viva Viagem pass is $6.50) downtown. You can walk between neighborhoods (most are 30 minutes apart or less) or hail one of many taxis (you can get to most places for about $6). Taxis don't accept credit cards, nor do a lot of restaurants, so consider taking out euros from a bank at home with a good exchange rate before you go.

Alfama & Mouraria

Alfama was once a bustling sailors' quarter. One of its highest points affords a panoramic view over the city and the Tagus River and is a great way to get oriented. To get there, catch Tram 28($3*)at 8:30 in the morning-you'll sit alongside locals as it rumbles uphill-to arrive atSt. George's Castle(Rua de Santa Cruz; 011-351-218-800-620; admission, $18)when it opens at nine (crowds usually don't start swarming the entrance until about 10). Here, 11 towers and the ruins of a royal palace sprawl over the city's tallest hill, and a natural terrace looks out on the city's red rooftops and 25th of April Bridge.

In the heart of Alfama below, you'll encounter a labyrinthine street plan once meant to confuse invaders. Wander aimlessly through its tightbecos(alleys), where laundry sways in the breeze, andlargos(small squares), where clusters of tables invite you to sit down for coffee or wine. In the neighboring Mouraria (or Moorish quarter), you can pop intoA Vida Portuguesa(23 Largo do Intendente Pina Manique; 011-351-211-974-512)to browse made-in-Portugal products, from notebooks(from $9)by Emlio Braga, a family company that's been making them by hand since 1918, to wall-mounted swallows(from $12)made from ceramist Bordalo Pinheiro's original molds.

Patterned tiles came to Portugal in the 15th century when parts of the Iberian Peninsula were under Moorish rule, and they cover thousands of buildings all over Lisbon. As you leave A Vida Portuguesa, take a moment to admire the stunning mosaic facade of the Fbrica Viva Lamego factory next door. For a souvenir, you can walk 10 minutes south toCortio & Netos(66 Calada de Santo Andr; 011-351-919-703-705), owned by four brothers who sell thousands of discontinued tiles dating from the 1960s that their grandfather collected; a small selection are fashioned as coasters($5).

In the evening, consider listening to fado, Portugal's traditionally mournful folk music about lost love, revenge and other inevitabilities of the human condition, atParreirinha de Alfama(1 Beco Esprito Santo; 011-351-218-868-209; parreirinhadealfama.com, site in Portuguese; dinner for two, $60), a quaint restaurant with arched doorways that serves an hours-long meal while three singers perform between courses.

Chiado

Lisbon's most cosmopolitan neighborhood lies west of Alfama and is lined with restored 18th-century buildings. There are international brands here, but you're better off sticking to the more unique shops. TinyLuvaria Ulisses(87 Rua do Carmo; 011-351-213-420-295; gloves, from $60)has been selling nothing but buttery leather gloves in neutrals and jewel tones, like emerald and cherry red, since 1925. When you're ready for a fitting, the soft-spoken shopkeeper uses a wooden clip to expand the glove's fingers, mists baby powder inside and then instructs you to prop your elbow on a small pillow so she can pull the glove over your hand.

A 10-minute walk away,Claus Porto(135 Rua da Misericrdia; 011-351-917-215-855)is the flagship of the 130-year-old brand based in the seaside town of Porto, north of Lisbon. Soaps, perfumes and lotions are hand-wrapped in exquisite artist-designed papers; any golden detailing is real gold.

For a pick-me-up of a different sort, stop into one-or both-of the city's sweetest spots:Manteigaria(2 Rua do Loreto; 011-351-213-471-492; tarts, $1), where you can savor a tiny warm-from-the-ovenpastis de nata(a traditional Portuguese egg-custard tart) while you watch dozens more get made through a glass partition, orLandeau(103 Rua Rodrigues Faria; 011-351-917-278-939; cake slices, $3.80), where slices of dense chocolate cake are precise, thin and decadent.

Portuguese chef and restaurateur Jos Avillez is credited with enlivening Lisbon's food scene. At his gildedCaf Lisboa(23 Largo de So Carlos; 011-351-211-914-498; dinner for two, $43), flaked cod comes with onion, eggs and olives.

Prncipe Real

Leafy gardens, colorful 19th-century mansions and lots of shops make this neighborhood set back from the river pleasant for a stroll. Wonderfully cluttered with chandeliers and floral-patterned teacups,Cafe Tease(15 Rua Nova da Piedade; 011-351-914-447-383; cups of tea, $2)serves tea and Nutella coffee as well as cupcakes. Nearby,Solar(70 Rua Dom Pedro V; 011-351-213-465-522)stocks antique tiles from the 15th to the 20th centuries from houses and churches around Portugal; they cost anywhere from a few dollars to a few hundred. Two more shops worth a look areEmbaixada(26 Praa do Prncipe Real; 011-351-965-309-154), with its modest collection of Portuguese brands housed in a grand 19th-century building, and21 PR Concept Store(21 Praa do Prncipe Real; 011-351-213-469-421), where you'll find brightly colored women's clothing from the Portuguese women's fashion label Meam(from $60), plus leather shoes, quirky jewelry and silk scarves.

Work up an appetite wandering through the surprisingly hidden 17-acreBotanical Garden(58 Rua da Escola Politecnica; 011-351-213-921-800; admission, $2.75), lush with ancient palms. You can't go wrong at the intimateTaberna da Rua das Flores(103 Rua das Flores; 011-351-213-479-418; lunch for two, $22), where the door stays propped open on warm days. Salted cod is fundamental to Portuguese cooking-or, in the words of Maria da Encarnacao Mello of the Portugal National Tourist Office, In Portugal, we like to say there are 365 ways to cook salt cod. You can usually find a preparation here, but if not, order whatever fish is on the menu. On one recent afternoon, the strips of fried fish were so light they were prone to crumble when used to scoop up the delicious porridge-like side, just heavy enough on the garlic and topped with cilantro. Another option:Cevicheria(129 Rua Dom Pedro V; 011-315-218-038-815; lunch for two, $45), where a giant sponge sculpture of an octopus presides over a white dining room that serves four types of ceviche.

In the evening, you could spend an hour poring over the enormous illustrated drinks menu at the eclectic five-roomPavilho Chins(89 Rua Dom Pedro V; 011-351-213-424-729; drinks for two, $18). More antique shop than bar, the dimly lit space is cluttered with toy soldiers, miniature trains, soldiers' helmets, oil paintings and more. Or meander to the bohemian Barrio Alto district-wedged between Prncipe Real and Chiado-whose many bars and fado clubs come to life after dark.

Belm

Seven miles west of downtown, the Belm district deserves a half day on its own. This is where history's most famous explorers, such as Vasco da Gama, set off on voyages to India, Africa, Brazil and other places in search of gold, spices and various riches. Today a wide waterfront boulevard connects many monuments and museums dedicated to this maritime tradition.

The Manueline-styleBelm Tower(Av. Brasilia; admission, $7, or buy a $13 joint ticket for Belm Tower and Monastery of Jernimos in advance to skip the lines and save a little)once protected this harbor and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can climb its 93-step spiral staircase to gaze down at the white terrace that juts over the Tagus. A few minutes' ramble away, Margem(Doca do Bon Sucesso; 011-351-918-225-548; lunch for two, $26), a minimalist open-air restaurant facing the water, serves light fare, such as salads and fresh strawberry juice. You can watch sailboats and daysailers ply the water, just 30 feet away, set to the constant clink of delicate glasses. To soak up the sun, tiny outdoor stands a bit farther along the boulevard serve wine($2)in plastic wine glasses that you can take away and sip while sitting by the water.

It's impossible to miss the impressivePadro dos Descobrimentos(Av. Brasilia; 011-351-213-031-950; admission, $4), a monument carved with the likenesses of Prince Henry the Navigator, Vasco da Gama, Ferdinand Magellan and 29 other greats. Inside, you can ride the elevator to the skinny viewing platform at the top to look out over the river. Cross the street via underground passage to explore the behemothMonastery of Jernimos(Praa do Imperio; admission, $11). Commissioned to celebrate da Gama's discovery, in 1498, of a sea route to India, it has scalloped arches and columns carved with flowers.

If you plan to be in Belm come dinnertime, consider making a reservation for a table atFeitoria(Doca do Bom Sucesso; 011-351-210-400-200; dinner for two, $80), a one-Michelin-star restaurant with flawless service set back from-but still in sight of-the water. Chef Joo Rodrigues might start you off with two cubes of melon infused with hibiscus, followed by sauted Algarve scarlet shrimp or sausage in the shape of Portugal in a broth. One of the meal's many lovely details: olive oil from the Douro Valley served in a gleaming seashell.

Top off the evening with yet another custard tart (or two) dusted with cinnamon from the cafPastis de Belm(Rua de Belm; 011-351-213-637-423; pastries, from $1.50), which started as a factory in 1837 and is still run by the same family. The blue-and-white dining room echoes with happy chatter-appealingly unpretentious, much like Lisbon itself.

One of Lisbon's historic yellow trams.

James Bedford

A view of the city from St. George's Castle.

James Bedford

Eye-catching architecture in the city's Alfama neighborhood.

James Bedford

Alfresco dining is popular throughout the city.

James Bedford

Browse Lisbon's traditional ceramic tiles at Cortio & Netos.

James Bedford

The Algarve Coast

Claim your own stretch of pristine sand, only a 45-minute flight or two-and-a-half-hour drive from Lisbon.

Praia da Falsia, Albufeira This nearly four-mile ribbon backed by bright orange cliffs unspools six miles east of the city of Albufeira.

Meia Praia, Lagos Blue-green waters lap the wide shore, and a few good restaurants and bars line the beach itself.

Ilha de Tavira, Tavira A boat will bring you from the historic town of Tavira to this quiet seven-mile island beach.

STAY

RCI affiliated resorts near the featured destinations include:

Clube Albufeira Resort Algarve 2414

Palm-tree-lined grounds and adobe-style architecture. Estrada de Ferrerias, Albufeira Member Review: I loved the restaurant.

Oura-View Beach Club 1441

It's all about the bi-level swimming pool and poolside bar. Praia da Oura, Areias de So Joo, 8200-604 Albufeira Member Review: Our apartment was very spacious with a full kitchen.

Balaia Park 2731

You can unwind at the full-service health club with Turkish baths. Quinta da Semina, Balaia, 8200-912 Albufeira Member Review: Friendly and helpful staff.

Ponta Grande Resort 7653

A collection of private townhomes with a French-country feel that sleep up to six. So Rafael, 8200-385 Albufeira Member Review: Great local transportation available.

Hotel Apartamento Vila Gale Atlantico 2172

Just 900 feet from Gale Beach, with studio, one- and two-bedroom units. Praia da Gale, Apartado 108, Albufeira Member Review: Clean and well maintained.

Oasis Village 1145

There are sculpture gardens on-site and shopping, restaurants and a marina within walking distance. Caminho do Lago, 8125-423 Vilamoura Member Review: Quiet and peaceful location.

Turism Estrela Do Vau Beach Resort Hotel C743

Children can enjoy the outdoor playground and kids-only pool. Vau, 8500-308 Portimo Member Review: Very nice beach area.

RCI Tip

To help plan your Portugal activities and airport transfers, visit City Discovery,** available for RCI Subscribing Members. For more information, log on toRCI.comand choose Destination Activities & More in the Air, Car, Cruise & More drop-down menu.

For complete member reviews (as member reviews have been condensed) and additional resort listings, visitRCI.comor call 800-338-7777 (Weeks) or 877-968-7476 (Points). Club Members, please call your specific Club or RCI telephone number.

Search Now

Non-RCI affiliated resorts in Lisbon and the Algarve include:

Hotel Valverde

A quiet 25-room property with a heated outdoor pool, a restaurant that hosts fado dinners on Tuesday and Saturday nights and a plum spot on Lisbon's main boulevard. 164 Av. da Liberdade, Lisbon; 011-351-210-940-300; valverdehotel.com; doubles from $242 a night

Vila Valverde

In the Algarve, this modern hotel has 15 streamlined rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, and sun beds. It's near the beach up an olive-tree-lined driveway. Estrada da Praia da Luz, Valverde, Lagos; 011-351-282-790-790; vilavalverde.com; doubles from $150 a night

The post The Hidden Charms of Lisbon appeared first on Endless Vacation.

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epicurioustraveler · 8 years ago

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Friends and Wine. Is there a better combination?

To me, the best thing about traveling, isn’t the site seeing, exploring the architecture of a city or the beautiful countryside, nor is it experiencing the local culture and its culinary specialties. Please don’t misunderstand me, those are all fantastic and I cherish each one. When I reflect back on any adventure or journey, what I most fondly recall are the encounters with locals and other travelers that blossom quickly into friendships. God directed my journey, controlling the decisions I made of where to stop and how long to stay, so He could bring me to this exact spot at this exact time.

After four days in Porto, and having met Bens, Stefan, Alvaro, Torbin, Alice, Andres, Mia, Joana, Emily and Joan, it was difficult to leave these new friends that my soul yearned for after 40+ days on the road. Don’t get me wrong, I had met friends along this journey that I plan to stay in touch with in the future. The Dane’s I met at British Bar in Lisbon, Marcel, Jesse and Phil from Sunset Destination Hostel in Lisbon, Emily & James at Room in the City hostel in San Sebastian, Max & Lucas at Casa Azul hostel in Sintra, and Filip at Rainbow Hostel in Doolin, all put a stamp on my life’s passport. But the gang at Wine Hostel have found a secure and cherished place in my heart given the close bond we created over the 4 nights that I was lucky enough to have experienced in that beautiful city.

First of all, the staff (Alice, Mia and Andres) at Wine Hostel love their jobs and it shows in how they interact with the guests. The Portuguese women working there have a great way of making you feel like a long time friend and one of the gang. It seemed that Alvaro was a staffer there as he was so inviting, interacted with the staff as if he had been working there for months but he had only been crashing here (in the room I was in) for a week while looking for a job as a chef. He cooked for us each night and would go to the market with us to select the food. Alvaro should be hired quickly as he is a fantastic chef and made delicious meals for anyone who pitched in with purchasing the ingredients each night. Torbin was just passing through for the night, but his Irish personality was so even keeled and polite that everyone loved him. He was off to do a ‘workaway’ program helping a family farm about a 2 hour journey northeast near the border of Spain. Joana, Joan and Emily were there for a few nights and I enjoyed their conversation and sarcasm. The two I clicked with and hung out with most were Stefan and Bens. These young Belgian gentlemen are around 21 or 22 and have an amazingly wise world view yet embody the innocence of their future life’s journey. Alvaro and I immediately got along as he is from Costa Rica (Alajuela) and we had much to talk about on that topic. I had lived in Costa Rica for 3 months in 2008-2009 and had traveled there many times over a 3 – 4 year span.

Making fast friends with Bens (Wouter) and Stefan, as we shared interests in investments, stocks, and banking, as well as politics, we would spend pretty much the entire day and night together touring Porto, shopping with Alvaro and cooking food each evening at the hostel. One afternoon we rented bikes and headed out for about 4 hours to the south of Porto along the beach. The waves were huge and rough that day. Pounding the rocks that were the protective barrier between the released harnessed power of the ocean and the surrounding calm of the landscape lying just on the other side of the bike and walk path. We climbed atop the rocks, teased the breaking waves to get soak us (and they did) and then would hop back on our bikes and peddle a bit further down the coast. Both Stefan and I experienced a fall in which our back landed firmly on a rock, Stefan’s shoe and sock almost found their way into the oceans abyss as did my cell phone with my credit cards and cash. But thanks to Bens, both Stefan and my possessions were saved. Biking back to the hostel in the cooler temperatures and slight breeze did not make for a comfortable stroll. Back at the hostel, after a tough long uphill climb where I left Bens and Stefan in my wake (all those spin classes with Judi B. over the years definitely paid dividends), we got our shopping list together with Alvaro and headed to the market. The meal began with rice and sausage for starters with the entrée, Mussels on rice in sauce. Honestly, I have no idea what the dish was called but with Alvaro’s touches it was excellent. Topping it off with a 2 Euro bottle of wine made it even that much better.

The next afternoon, the weather had turned cooler and windy, but the gang (Alvaro, Stefan and Bens) and I hopped the bus to Matosinhos about 15 minutes away. Alvaro works on Costa Rican (similar to Indian) time where everything is just “5, 10 minutes” away. Bens, Stefan and I kept remarking, “I think we are walking all the way there”. Eventually we did catch the bus and enjoyed a nice stroll along the northern coastline of Porto. Wandering out to a lighthouse which was barricaded by very thick concrete walls, again we teased the sea to soak us. And soak us it did. Wet, cold and hungry, we hopped on a bus and headed back to the hostel. I needed to get a couple of things done so the gang went on to the market to get the food. On their walk back the rains came. . .hard! They were drenched when they arrived, but luckily I was now warm and dry.

Alvaro prepared our meal again, Stefan retired to the room to avoid having to help (we noticed Stefan, haha) while the rest of us pitched in to help. Tonight’s starter was a delicious broth with spinach and the main course was meat and veggies. Delicious! Oh, and brownie’s (home-made :). Again, everything goes down better with a 2 – 3 Euro bottle of wine.

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Delicious

The gang before our meal

Preparing the food for Alvaro to cook

Porto Wine Hostel Living Room

Entree night #2

My room was upper right, balcony door open

Exterior of Porto Wine Hostel

brownies! yummm!

delicious meal and wine

The next morning Bens and Stefan departed for their flight around 7 AM. We said our goodbye’s and promised to stay in touch (and we have over a month later, as I write this). I remained in Porto for one more day and night. It was a rainy day so I nestled in and worked. Alvaro and I hung out that afternoon and he was headed out for a job interview as a chef that Mia had helped line up. In a way the day and night was depressing with 50% of your gang not there. I got a good nights sleep and would depart the next morning as Alvaro walked me to the train station.

It was tough to leave Porto as it is a lovely, welcoming and warm city. What made it harder to leave was knowing those memories forged in those 4 days would be carried in pictures but the details would fade. The laughs, the experiences along the water, the food eaten and the late nights would only be remembered in the future for its past. But those 4 days in Porto couldn’t have been a better blessing or come as such an incredible surprise. I have made great friends for life. Friends who were each just as welcoming, warm and loving as the city in which the intersection of our lives merged into one another for those four epic days in February!

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Drying off and enjoying a nice beer

Biking along the beach

Portugal meets Costa Rica flag

Atop the Dom Luis I Bridge

Large waves crashing into rock barrier

Lighthouse Shower

Strutting the boardwalk!

Torbin leaving Hostel

Getting our bikes 2 Bai de Bicla

Friends admiring the scenery

I’m the king of the world!

Friends + Wine = Porto Wine Hostel! Friends and Wine. Is there a better combination? To me, the best thing about traveling, isn't the site seeing, exploring the architecture of a city or the beautiful countryside, nor is it experiencing the local culture and its culinary specialties.

#Belgium #Costa Rica #Ireland #loving porto #Port Wine #Porto #Porto Wine Hostel #portugal #Spin #Wine

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