Are You Ready?

The cold weather of Winter is almost over, as it gives way to the warmth of spring and summer.

Spring training is over, and we have played the '09 World Baseball Classic. Now, its time to get down to business, and start this Major League Baseball season.

Well, that is what is going to happen today, in cities all across the country. It is opening day for the teams of MLB.

My favorite team, the hometown, Boston Red Sox will open up against the AL East rival, Tampa Bay Rays, if the weather will hold off at the Historic Fenway Park.

Fenway Park is the crown jewel of MLB ballparks. No other park can even come close to the history, and prestige of it. Fenway is baseball's Vatican, Mecca, and Stonehenge all rolled into one place.

The Red Sox are predicted to win the American League East, the American League Championship, and to beat the Cubs or Mets in the World Series.

It great the experts are now jumping on the band wagon, that is Red Sox Nation, but the cool winds of late October and early November are far away.

It will be exciting to see what happens, and I'll try to catch as much a possible. To take in the sights, sounds, and excitment of the baseball

Play Ball !!

Senior Day Game For UNLV Lady Rebels

Today, was most likely the last game for the Lady Rebels seniors on their home court within the Cox Pavilion. It was also the last regular season game.

There was a pre - game ceremony for #1 Dominique Harris, #5 Brittany Halberg, #24 Shamela Hampton, #25 Raquel Jupiter, and #33 Shannon Oberg.

""In a very hard fought defensive battle in which almost every shot was contested, San Diego State would outlast the host UNLV Lady Rebels for a 61-55 victory on Saturday afternoon in Mountain West Conference women's basketball action from the Cox Pavilion.....

The game was a tight affair for the entire 40 minutes, and the largest lead either team possessed was seven points. The Aztecs would jump out to an early 11-4 lead, as Quenese Davis scored eight of her game-high 20 points in the opening six minutes of the game. The Lady Rebels tied the contest at 12-12 off a jumper from Raquel Jupiter, but SDSU stretched the lead back to four points, 17-13 with 8:35 to play in the half. The Lady Rebels then shut the Aztecs down on defense, holding them to just two free throws over the next 7:38 of the game. UNLV posted a 13-2 run during the stretch, with points coming from four different Lady Rebels. A jumper from Jamie Smith put UNLV up 26-19 with 1:12 to play, but Jene Morris hit two straight treys, the second at the halftime buzzer, to bring the Aztecs back within a point, 26-25.

With the Lady Rebels holding a four-point lead early in the second, SDSU scored five straight, and Paris Johnson's layup gave the Aztecs a 32-31 lead with 17:34 to play. For the next nine minutes, the game would be back and forth, with three lead changes and three ties while the largest lead was just three points. A 6-0 run, capped by a layup from Smith, put UNLV up 48-44 with 8:51 on the clock. The Lady Rebels would be held scoreless for almost a five-minute span however, which allowed SDSU to grab the lead back after scoring eight unanswered points. LaSandra Dixon's layup at 6:20 gave the visitors the lead for good, 49-48, and Jennifer Layton-Bailes' layup a minute later made the score 52-48.

UNLV kept the score close, and cut the edge to one, 54-53 as India Chaney made one of two at the line. Morris answered on the other end with a three-pointer for a four-point lead. Shamela Hampton made two free throws to bring UNLV back within two, 57-55 with 52 seconds left. The Aztecs would knock in four free throws in the final 30 seconds, while UNLV missed three three-point attempts in the final minute.

Hampton and Chaney both scored 13 points to lead UNLV. Smith recorded her 11th double-double of the year with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Erica Helms also had 10 on the afternoon. UNLV was held to 27.1% (19-of-70) from the floor, and for the first time this year did not make a single three-point attempt, missing all 12 from downtown. The Lady Rebels were also out rebounded by four, 51-47, but did hold a 2-15 edge on second chance points. After turning the ball over 27 times in the first meeting this year, UNLV finished with 14, while forcing the Aztecs into 22. Article is from www.unlvrebels.com ""

On a sad note, Dominique Harris (pictured above) suffered a major injury to her knee. How bad it is not really known at this point. What upsets me, is she got hurt in a rough and extremely unnecessary foul. All this happened in front of her family, who had come to join in the celebration of senior day. Dominique didn't return to the game, but did make it back to the bench to support her teammates. I wish her the best and a fast recovery.

After the game, there was an autograph session with the seniors, and Hey Reb, the Rebels mascot. We also had the chance to talk with other players, and their families.

The lady Rebels finished the regular season with a record of 12 wins and 17 losses. This is an improvement over the last few seasons. This earned them the seventh spot in conference rankings

There is still more basketball to come, on Tuesday, the Mountain West Conference Championship Tournament starts. UNLV will play BYU in the first round.

After the Mountain West Conference Tournament, there a chance to get into the NCAA or NIT Tournaments. The results of conference tournament, over all record, and the strength of schedule help the committee extend an invitation, if you haven't earned a automatic bid by winning the regular season and tournament championship.

Rebel Nation Celebrates The Lady Rebel Seniors

Tonight, Rebel Nation, Women's Basketball boosters, Former players, Future players, Athletic Department staff, UNLV staff, Lady Rebels coaching staff, The Lady Rebels, and their families gather at the Redd Room within the Thomas & Mack Center to celebrate the program's five seniors.

Our 2009 seniors are #1 Dominigue Harris, #25 Raquel Jupiter, #33 Shannon Oberg, #24 Shamela Hampton, and #5 Brittany Halberg.

My family and I will miss seeing them play. Tommorow is likly the last game on their home court at the Cox Pavilion, but still lots more basketball to be played. The Mountain West Conference Championship Tournament, and a bid into the NCAA or NIT Tournament is still a real possibilty.

During the program itself, Brittany presented a slide show about some of the lighter side of the Lady Rebels. Then Head Coach, Kathy Olivier did introductions, thanks, spoke about the seniors, and future of the program as well.

The returning players introduced, and talked about the seniors. Then that senior talked. Each and everyone of the talks was very emotional and moving.

You see these women come and play the game they love. Grow as a person, and a player. You get close to some, but respect all them. So events like this are bitter sweet because it hard to let go. But them again in the back of your mind you know they are off to bigger and better things in their lifes. My family and I wish them the very best.

Zachery and Jenna are going to miss Brittany alot. She is the first player my children have known well, and really interacted with. Many times just mentioning Brittany name, who bring a change in behavior. They always want to see her and her teammates play, and win. The Lady Rebels are super role models for them.

They served a sunday bar, cake, soda and water during the gathering.

Throughout the night, many picture were taken. Towards the end of the night, I was able to get a team picture with all the players and coaches. Below is the that special picture.

2008-09 Lady Rebel Highlights

UNLV earns first win over Utah since 2004 season, breaking an 11-game losing streak to the Utes

Two wins over top 75 RPI teams (New Mexico, Utah)

UNLV set a school record in its win over Utah, making shooting 95.6% (23 of 24) at free throw line. It also tied for the 12th best performance in a game in the nation this year

Shamela Hampton became the 18th Lady Rebel to reach the 1,000 career point mark

UNLV's Shamela Hampton and Jamie Smith rank 1-2 in the MWC in double-doubles.

Brittany Halberg was named CoSIDA Academic All - District VIII First Team, the first first -team selection since Linda Frohlich in 2002

Jamie Smith is the nation's third-leading freshman rebounder

Posted a 3-0 start for the first time since 2002-03 season

Defeated Nevada, Reno by 13 point to remain perfect against their in-state rivals from the north (12-0 all-time in Las Vegas against UNR)

Won on the road at Wyoming for the first time since the 2002-03

12 three-pointers against Sacramento State in the season opener tied a school record

Jamie Smith has shattered the MWC record for rebounds by a freshman (currently at 258, previous record was 199)

Shamela Hampton and Erica Helms named Mountain West Conference Player of The Week (12/1 and 11/24 respectively)

Jamie Smith has clinched Mountain West Conference recored for most double-doubles by a freshman (2008-09 season)

Began new traditions of Rebel Reunion Alumni Night, High School Tip-Off Night, and Middle School Leadership Academy

Improved Mountain West Conference win total and overall team win total from previous season

Initiated first ever Junior Rebel Tune-Up Clinic which had over 300 participants

Renovated team lounge, women's basketball office suites, and team lockerroom and improved fundrasing efforts

Secured the #56 ranked recruiting class as listed by ESPN's HoopGurlz (2009 class)

2009 World Baseball Classic

Today, is the start of the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

This year's World Baseball Classic Tournament will have teams from the countries of United States of America, Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico, South Africa, and Venezuela.

This tournament is being played for the second time. It was created after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted to remove the sports of Baseball and Softball from the Summer Olympic program starting with the London games of 2012. No reason has ever been given to why the committee desided to remove these sports. Baseball and Softball were always a big draw to the olympic program.

The World Baseball Classic is run by Major League Baseball, under International Rules. Most players are a members of a MLB team, or within their farm systems.

My team, the Boston Red Sox will have players on a many different World Baseball Classic teams. David Ortiz, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Daisuke Matsuzka, Jason Bay, and 10 other players within there farm system with be on the rosters.

I will be cheering for my home country of the United States of America, and the following is there Roster:

Bell, Heath - San Diego Padres, Pitcher
Broxton, Jonathan - Los Angeles Dodgers, Pitcher
Grabow, John - Pittsburgh Pirates, Pitcher
Guthrie, Jeremy - Baltimore Orioles, Pitcher
Hanrahan, Joel - Washington Nationals, Pitcher
Hawkins, LaTroy - Houston Astros, Pitcher
Howell, J.P. - Tampa Bay Rays, Pitcher
Lilly, Ted - Chicago Cubs, Pitcher
Lindstrom, Matt - Florida Marlins, Pitcher
Oswalt, Roy - Houston Astros, Pitcher
Peavy, Jake - San Diego Padres, Pitcher
Putz, J.J. - New York Mets, Pitcher
Shields, Scot - Los Angeles Angels, Pitcher
Thornton, Matt - Chicago White Sox, Pitcher
Ziegler, Brad - Oakland Athletics, Pitcher
Iannetta, Chris - Colorado Rockies, Catcher
McCann, Brian - Atlanta Braves, Catcher
DeRosa, Mark - Cleveland Indians, Utility
Jeter, Derek - New York Yankees, Infielder
Jones, Chipper - Atlanta Braves, Infielder
Pedroia, Dustin - Boston Red Sox, Infielder
Rollins, Jimmy - Philadelphia Phillies, Infielder
Wright, David - New York Mets, Infielder
Youkilis, Kevin - Boston Red Sox, Infielder
Braun, Ryan - Milwaukee Brewers, Outfielder
Dunn, Adam - Washington Nationals, Outfielder
Granderson, Curtis -Detroit Tigers, Outfielder
Victorino, Shane - Philadelphia Phillies, Outfielder

The opening game will be played in Tokyo, Japan. As the Defending Champions from the nation of Japan vs China

The United States of America will start their World Baseball Classic Tournament in Toronto, Canada on Saturday. They will be playing Canada.

The Championship Game of this tournament will be played on March 23 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, here in America.

Basic Candle Spell

Take a candle of the appropriate color (see the list of candle colors and their corresponding magickal properties below) and anoint it by rubbing a drop or two of myrrh oil on it. Using a straight pin, scratch your desire into the wax and then light the candle and allow it to burn itself completely out.

That's all there is to it. This is a very simple, yet highly potent spell.

Black: Meditation rituals, hexwork, uncrossing rituals and spells to banish evil entities and negative forces.

Blue: Magick that involves honor, loyalty, peace, tran-quility, truth, wisdom, protection during sleep, astral projection, and spells to induce prophetic dreams.

Brown: Spells to locate lost objects, improve powers of concentration and telepathy, and for protection of familiars and household pets.

Gold: Spells that attract the power of cosmic influences, and rituals to honor solar deities.

Gray: Spells to neutralize negative influences.

Green: Spells involving fertility, success, good luck, prosperity, money, rejuvenation, and ambition, and rituals to counteract greed and jealousy.

Orange: Spells to simulate energy.

Pink: Love spells and rituals involving friendship or femininity.

Purple: Psychic manifestations, healing, and spells involving power, success, independence, and household protection.

Red: Fertility rites, aphrodisiacs, and spells involving sexual passion, love, health, physical strength, revenge, anger, willpower, courage, and magnetism.

Silver: Spells and rituals to remove negativity, encourage stability, and attract the influence of the Goddess.

White: Consecration rituals, meditation, divination, exorcism, and spells that involve healing, clairvoyance, truth, peace, spiritual strength, and lunar energy.

Yellow: Spells involving confidence, attraction, charm, and persuasion.

~~~~ From, The Wicca Spellbook by Gerina Dunwich

The above is a guide to help you in your spell work. The most important thing is to do what feel right to you, and how you feel you are being lead by your Deity and / or Deities.

Las Vegas Native, Kyle Busch Wins The Shelby 427

By JEFF WOLF
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

""Kyle Busch had the car to beat in the Daytona 500 two weeks ago, but was sidelined by the race's biggest crash.

A week ago he placed third in the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Fontana, Calif. He could have won that won, too.

But if Busch could have chosen any race to win among the first three of the Cup season, hands down it would be the one at the speedway he watched being built in the mid-1990s.

On Sunday, the Durango High School graduate wound up performing victory burnouts and planting a sloppy kiss on the start-finish line at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The 23-year-old Busch won the Shelby 427 before an estimated crowd of 140,000, holding off Clint Bowyer of Richard Childress Racing to win by 0.411 seconds.

"We're partying it up big," Busch said. "The plane can't go home tonight (to Charlotte, N.C.), so it's going to be one heck of a party in Las Vegas."

Busch, the younger brother of fellow Sprint Cup racer Kurt Busch, became the first driver to win the pole and then the race in 12 years of Cup events in Las Vegas.

But Busch's pole start lasted only a few warmup laps. Busch qualified first Friday, but his No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and four other cars were sent to the rear of the 43-car field after having to replace troublesome Toyota engines. That left Busch in the 38th starting position.

After that setback, Busch said he "could have threw my helmet down and stomped away." Instead, he calmly went to the office inside his race-car transporter.

"I just went in the hauler and let (the crew) go to work and do what they do best," he said. "I just kind of sat there and cooled off a little bit, watched the rest of practice."

During Sunday's driver introductions, Busch informed the crowd that he was motivated to quickly get to the front.

"I said, 'Know what, we're going to the back. Get ready for a show, here it comes.' ''
The storybook finish was fitting for a Strip showroom.

"We just had to battle back," he said of taking the last of his three leads with 17 laps to go.
Busch maintained his composure early in the race as he knifed through the field while crew chief Steve Addington was fine-tuning the car's handling on each pit stop.

"I have to thank that guy," Busch said of Addington. "He's the leader in this team, everybody believes in him. I believe in him."

The race, extended this year from 400 to 427 miles, was slowed by an event-record 14 caution periods that slowed a record 66 laps. The last two cautions didn't upset Busch.

"The last 25, 30 laps, I was just as nervous as could be," he said. "Fortunately we ran that many caution laps there at the end."

The weekend began with Matt Kenseth's quest to become the first Cup driver in 61 years to begin a season with three straight victories. When Kenseth's No. 17 Roush Fenway Racing Ford blew an engine after only six laps, that quest went up in smoke.

By the end of the day, the only smoke was coming from Busch's car as he performed burnouts on the apron.""

Race Results

1. (1) Kyle Busch, Toyota, 285 laps, 107.8 rating, 190 points
2. (37) Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet, 285, 84.8, 175
3. (14) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet, 285, 111, 170
4. (4) David Reutimann, Toyota, 285, 87.9, 160
5. (17) Bobby Labonte, Ford, 285, 103.7, 155
6. (28) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet, 285, 112.2, 155
7. (24) Greg Biffle, Ford, 285, 118.4, 151
8. (21) Brian Vickers, Toyota, 285, 85.8, 142
9. (38) Jamie McMurray, Ford, 285, 91.8, 138
10. (31) Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet, 285, 92.9, 134
11. (7) Kasey Kahne, Dodge, 285, 68.5, 135
12. (9) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet, 285, 105.8, 132
13. (20) Joey Logano, Toyota, 285, 73.9, 129
14. (30) David Gilliland, Chevrolet, 285, 62.8, 121
15. (32) Robby Gordon, Toyota, 285, 58.3, 123
16. (12) Sam Hornish Jr., Dodge, 285, 82.5, 115
17. (16) Carl Edwards, Ford, 285, 92, 117
18. (11) David Stremme, Dodge, 284, 82.7, 109
19. (18) Regan Smith, Chevrolet, 284, 60.5, 106
20. (5) Marcos Ambrose, Toyota, 284, 46.4, 103
21. (42) Scott Speed, Toyota, 284, 51.1, 100
22. (34) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 284, 61.7, 97
23. (2) Kurt Busch, Dodge, 284, 78.2, 99
24. (3) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet, 284, 119.9, 101
25. (6) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet, 283, 71, 88
26. (10) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet, 283, 96.3, 85
27. (15) Michael Waltrip, Toyota, 283, 64.4, 82
28. (29) John Andretti, Dodge, 283, 49.9, 79
29. (33) Elliott Sadler, Dodge, 283, 34, 76
30. (41) Casey Mears, Chevrolet, 282, 41.7, 73
31. (23) Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevrolet, 281, 77.3, 70
32. (25) Martin Truex Jr., Chevrolet, 281, 52.7, 67
33. (19) AJ Allmendinger, Dodge, 281, 37, 64
34. (39) Reed Sorenson, Dodge, 278, 43, 61
35. (36) Paul Menard, Ford, accident, 269, 57.1, 58
36. (26) Max Papis, Toyota, 258, 33.9, 55
37. (43) Todd Bodine, Toyota, engine, 227, 33, 52
38. (13) Brad Keselowski, Chevrolet, 221, 27.5, 49
39. (27) Aric Almirola, Chevrolet, accident, 143, 47.7, 46
40. (8) Mark Martin, Chevrolet, engine, 121, 87, 43
41. (22) Joe Nemechek, Toyota, transmission, 102, 34.6, 40
42. (35) David Ragan, Ford, engine, 72, 41.1, 37
43. (40) Matt Kenseth, Ford, engine, 6, 26.8, 34

Race Statistics

Winner's Average Speed: 119.513 mph
Time of Race: 3 hours, 34 minutes, 40 seconds
Margin of Victory: 0.411 seconds
Caution Flags: 14 for 66 laps
Lead Changes: 16 among 12 drivers

Lap Leaders: J. Johnson 1-50; C. Edwards 51-52; J. Logano 53; Ky. Busch 54-55; R. Gordon 56; J. Johnson 57-75; K. Harvick 76-84; G. Biffle 85-124; K. Kahne 125; J. Johnson 126-148; J. Gordon 149-165; Ku. Busch 166; J. Burton 167-227; Ky. Busch 228-259; C. Bowyer 260-268; Ky. Busch 269-285

Leaders Summary (driver, times led, laps led): J. Johnson, 3 times for 92 laps; J. Burton, 1 time for 61 laps; Ky. Busch, 3 times for 51 laps; G. Biffle, 1 time for 40 laps; J. Gordon, 1 time for 17 laps; C. Bowyer, 1 time for 9 laps; K. Harvick, 1 time for 9 laps; C. Edwards, 1 time for 2 laps; K. Kahne,1 time for 1 lap; J. Logano, 1 time for 1 lap; R. Gordon, 1 time for 1 lap; Ku. Busch, 1 time for 1 lap.

Top 12 in Points: 1. J. Gordon 459. 2. C. Bowyer 441. 3. M. Kenseth. 419. 4. G. Biffle 419. 5. D. Reutimann 408. 6. Ky. Busch 405. 7. Ku. Busch 393. 8. T. Stewart 379. 9. C. Edwards 377. 10. B. Labonte 360. 11. K. Harvick 351. 12. M. Waltrip 346.