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Dress To Impress: 5 Essential Accessories For Every Fly Guy

Your personal style is your calling card. Essential accessories make an impression and let people know what you are all about without saying a word. A well-dressed man never goes out of style. Whether you prefer a laid back casual look or like to button it up for the office or a night out, how you dress says a lot about how you live your life.

Dressing well doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to break the bank buying brand name or designer clothes and shoes. Putting together a sharp outfit is all about having quality items to combine together into the right look for you. 

A quality tailored jacket off the rack can make a much better statement and keep you warmer during those cold midwestern winters than designer clothing that’s wrinkled and ill-fitting.

Getting dressed doesn’t stop with your clothes and shoes. In fact, your personal style is often best reflected in the details of your outfit. A unique belt, the perfect hat or a stunning watch can help you add just the right touch to any outfit. For formal occasions, you can find a bracelet or ring to help you shine at Chicago Jewelry.

Let’s take a look at a quick list of the essential accessories that every well-dressed man should have in his wardrobe.

Watch

Spending a bit of money on a good watch is never a bad investment. Fewer people today wear watches regularly and only check the time on their phones, but a stylish watch is a classic choice that will never go out of style.

You can choose between various styles from stainless steel to leather and gold. When you pick a timepiece, make sure that it is suitable for your lifestyle and durable so that it will last for many years. You can even get a watch with interchangeable bands so you can change it up to suit any occasion.

Wallet

If you want to project an image of success it’s important to have a slick and stylish wallet. A simple leather wallet is a great choice. Stay away from man-made fabrics, zippers and velcro enclosures. If you prefer something smaller you can also invest in a simple silver or gold money clip. 

Belt

The saggy-pants trend was never a good look and a well-dressed man would never be caught without a good belt. A quality leather belt can help you complete any look. Black and brown are the most versatile colors. 

It’s a good idea to keep your choice of belts simple. Anything that is too flashy may only work for a few occasions. If you want to add a bit of your own personality, you can start a belt buckle collection. 

Bracelet

A masculine bracelet can be a versatile and attractive accessory for any man. Whether your style leans more toward a casual leather braided band or you like a bit of a flash of gold and silver; a bracelet can add a touch of personality to your look.

Hat

Nothing finishes off a look like a statement hat. Hats are making a comeback in all shapes, sizes, and styles. From a casual beanie style hat to a slicker, more formal fedora or cap, hats are a great look for any man.

Make sure to try on a few different hat styles to match your face shape to the right hat. Don’t be afraid to add a bit of color to really make a statement. 

Conclusion

You don’t have to dress to the nines every day to be a well-dressed man. Taking the time to put together a “look” can have a powerful impact on the impression you make and how you feel. Project your individual style to the world and make sure that you have all the right accessories to help you look your best.

Five things that will definitely happen in the NFL this season

The season is still new and football fans all over the country are allowing themselves to dream. The odds are fluctuating, pundits and ex-pros are salivating over upcoming fixtures and Greenbay Packers fans still actually believe that Aaron Rodgers is a world-class quarterback.

Chances are you’ve spent the last month consuming as much football as possible. Life is so much better now that it’s back! The football betting markets are open and bettors are flocking to providers like DraftKings to try their hand at winning some money. Many bettors prepare by trawling through countless pages of statistics and rewatching old highlights.

Despite your eagerness to soak up every bit of NFL 2019 content, you have yet to stumble across an article like this – our alternative preview to the upcoming season. Read on to find out what will definitely (super definitely) happen this year.

The New York Jets Will Win A Game

There’s no better place to start than with the most outlandish, craziest prediction of the entire season. You read it here first, the beleaguered, brow-beaten Jets will upset all the odds this season by tasting the sweet, sweet flavor of victory at least once.

After going 3-3 in their opening six games of NFL 2018 the Jets tailed off significantly. Fans of the eighth-best team in New York attributed their poor form to the players supporting quarterback Sam Darnold when it fact it was Darnold himself who was at fault!

Darnold’s passing was so bad that some pundits claimed he wouldn’t be able to hit water if he fell out of a boat. Some might say that’s harsh but the stats don’t lie, the Jets were nothing short of atrocious last season.

In their bid to turn around their ailing offensive fortunes the franchise has hired their first offensively-minded coach since the 1990s. With a rapid overhaul needed the Jets have put their faith in Adam Gase, a man whose last team – the Miami Dolphins – finished 14th, 27th and 26th in their last three Football Outsiders DVOA rankings.

Don’t worry though Jets fans, general manager Mike Maccagnan brought in running back Le’Veon Bell to transform the team’s offense. Maccagnan’s bosses were so delighted with that deal that they promptly fired him a few days later.


The Dallas Cowboys Will Win The Premier League

Green Bay Packers fans are famed for bigging up their team’s profitability and worldwide reach. In a growing sign of their troubled times, the team’s fans have even lost these humble bragging rights to the Dallas Cowboys.

According to recent financial reports, the Cowboys are now the most valuable sports team on the face of the earth. In recent years, Wembley Stadium in London has been the focus of NFL’s efforts to gain global superiority, now the Cowboys are planning to take things one step further.


Bobby Wagner Will Miss A Tackle

The Legion of Boom legacy at the Seattle Seahawks has shown no signs of ending in recent season with Bobby Wagner retaining his reputation as one of the most formidable defensive players in the NFL.

Over the course of the past three seasons, Wagner has made a truly stunning 2,314 tackles, missing a grand total of 0. Courts up and down the country have been jam-packed with offensive players trying to gain restraining orders against Wagner, but up until now, none have succeeded.

In what has been dubbed the deal of the century, Bobby Wagner has agreed to miss one tackle in NFL 2019. The Seahawks player has refused to confirm in what game he will miss this tackle, but keep your eyes peeled for this once in a lifetime event.

Getting past Bobby Wagner is one of the hardest things in life to do


Bill Belichick Will Make A Mistake

In last year’s offseason pundits and Patriots, fans were screaming their anger into pillows up and down the country as head coach Belichick jettisoned Nate Solder and Malcolm Butler. The two players were key to the Patriot’s recent success and in letting them go to the Giants and the Titans respectively, many thought the Patriots were throwing away their Superbowl chances.

When Belichick replaced chose right tackle Trent Brown as the man to fill the hole left at left tackle fans and pundits were filled with even more rage. Yet the former 49ers man excelled in his new role and had a career-best season as the Patriots won the Superbowl.

It wasn’t just at left tackle that Belichick bucked conventional wisdom, he also plugged the gap left by Malcolm Butler with a bizarre combination of J.C. Jackson and Jonathan Jones.

The Patriots head coach has consistently highlighted his ability to come up with creative solutions to perceived crises. NFL 2019 will be the season where his luck finally runs out and is decisions backfire.

In a tight Superbowl against the New Orleans Saints, Belichick’s bold decision to play Brady at wide receiver and Edelman at quarterback will blow up in his face. That move will cost the Patriots the Superbowl and Belichick his job.


Harry Kane Joins Indianapolis Colts

Kickers are some of the lowest-paid players in the NFL, but money isn’t an issue for English soccer star Harry Kane. The Tottenham striker has been a long-time admirer of the NFL and even named his two dogs after Tom Brady and Russell Wilson.

Kane has consistently said that once he retires from soccer he plans to pursue a career in American Football as a kicker. The Englishman has practiced with some of the best players in the world and even taken advice from his sporting hero Tom Brady.

Rumors emerging from London indicate that Kane is growing tired of playing the most overrated sport in the world. Tottenham fans have even posted pictures of Kane reading books and watching NFL highlights on his phone as his team plays out yet another 0-0 draw.

In an amazing turn of events, Harry Kane will replace Adam Vinatieri as the Colts kicker just hours before the start of NFL 2019. Due to the fact that the only similarity between soccer and football is the presence of a ball, Kane will turn out to be a terrible kicker and leave the NFL with his head hanging in shame.

Marvin Benard Looks at the Pros and Cons of Instant Replay in Baseball

Nothing is more baseball-esque than having a passionate debate with a family member, friend, or misguided fan of the wrong team about everything from whether ballpark dimensions should be standardized across the league, to whether MLB should increase, decrease, or outright eliminate the use of instant replay.

The latter is a particularly incendiary topic that is currently occupying a great deal of territory on the baseball debate landscape.

As with all debates worthy of the term, there is no clear-cut answer to the instant replay question. According to Marvin Benard, a former major league outfielder who spent nine seasons with the San Francisco Giants from 1995-2003, here are the pros and cons that need to be considered before you reach your own conclusion.

Instant Replay Pros

Getting Calls Right

Instant replay is the last line of defense to confirm controversial ruling on the field, and determine factors such as potential fan interference, whether a ball left the stadium or hit the top of the wall, whether a fielder caught or trapped a sinking line drive, and so on. 

Marvin Benard, who later went on to work as part of the broadcast crew for the Giants’ Spanish-language radio broadcasts, says it’s not an exaggeration to say that at the professional level, getting a call right or wrong has far-reaching implications. This is not just in reference to plays in the postseason.

A blown or missed call in April, May or June could cost a team a critical game that ultimately keeps them out of the postseason. When that happens, managers and front office executives can get fired, players can get traded, coveted free agents can choose to sign elsewhere, and so on. It’s not a small deal.

The Technology Exists  

Folks who endorse instant replay in baseball — and there is a growing army of them, including plenty of ex-players and ex-managers who still nurse wounds triggered by blown calls (e.g. the Cardinals’ Joe Orta ruled safe at first in the 1985 World Series, the Tigers’ Armando Galaragga losing a perfect game in the 9th inning during the 2010 season, missing the fan interference in the 1996 ALCS that cost Baltimore the win, and the notorious list goes on) all agree on one point: instant replay technology already exists, and  so refusing to use it is not just stubborn, but it’s senselessly anachronistic. 

According to Marvin Benard, the argument here is that it’s not as if instant replay is some untested and experimental technology that exists in a research laboratory. In fact, instant replay made its broadcast debut in 1963 during an Army-Navy football game.

Advocates believe — and they have a compelling point — that not using instant reply to its full value is like trying to turn back the clock. It just can’t be done and simply should not be tried.

Instant Replay Cons

Prolonged Pace of Play

While baseball is not alone in trying to speed things up, the sport is a particularly easy target when it comes to pace-of-play criticisms. All of those warm-up pitches, mound visits, and time outs in the batter’s box and on the mound — not to mention the commercial break between each half-inning — add up and prolong the viewer’s experience. Instant replay additionally prolongs the delay between pitches and plays, which is a recipe for fan disengagement.

One of the potential changes that even instant replay advocates are calling for, is forcing teams to decide if they want to challenge a play within seconds. Right now — and quite wisely, if you look at it from their point of view — teams are using all kinds of creative delay tactics to go over a play from different angles before they ultimately decide to challenge it.

This is not just painful for people watching on TV, but it’s agonizing for folks in the stands who have to wait around for several minutes before play resumes. Yes, once in a while in really big games and at pivotal moments, this edge-of-your-seat drama can be very exciting and compelling. But for the most part, it’s just boring and exactly the opposite of what fans want.

It’s Not Perfect 

Perhaps the most convincing argument against using — or at least, expanding — instant replay in baseball, is that the practice is far from perfect; even with high definition cameras and multiple angles.

Marvin Benard explains that this aspect has really emphasized the importance of the call on the field. If the call appears to be wrong, unless the instant replay officials believe they have clear evidence to the contrary, they can’t overturn the call.

Even if in their gut they want to, or if tens of thousands of fans in the stands are screaming for them to do so, they are tied to that original call. Ultimately, what this means is that no matter what happens with instant replay, some calls — not all of them, but many of them — will still be controversial and subjective.

Instant reply can minimize the volume of these situations, but it can’t eliminate it. Marvin Benard states, “We’re dealing with messy reality here, not a video game.”   

Male Grooming Trends To Try Right Now 

Men are now engaging with grooming services as part of their self-care. In fact, the industry of male grooming products in the global market reached $57.7 billion in 2017 and is expected to have a market value of $78.6 billion by 2023.

There are many contributing factors to the advancement of the male grooming market over the past years with more brands focusing on natural-based products and brands that emphasize targeting certain grooming needs.

In fact, the latest trends in male grooming are all about au naturel by offering oil-control, anti-aging, and moisturizing products.

Anti -Aging and Moisturizing is Priority

Men between the ages of 26 and 45 are becoming more interested in spa treatments. For example, 25% of men enjoy hydrating facials, besides the 19% at barber services and 17% of surveyors who enjoy an occasional detox body wrap.

For spa treatments, there are a wide variety of offerings specifically designed for men from Viva spa packages to nail care and facials that give men plenty of choices when it comes to different treatments. With this, many personal care products that cater to male grooming focus on addressing common concerns for men, such as dandruff, dryness, and other skin problems.

Brands that aim to get ahead of the competition expand with body depilatories that prevent prickly regrowth or razor rash, pollution-protecting and anti-aging skincare products that help mask blemishes and even out the skin.


The Rise of Non-invasive Treatments

In the past few years, many men have opted for non-invasive treatments for their skincare and grooming.

There is about a 50% increase in men that go for Botox injections, dermal fillers, and laser treatments. Many are not afraid or ashamed to try these treatments, as they are more excited about the positive results.

Aside from Botox and fillers, there are new treatments that attract men to try them like soft thread facelifts that tighten external skin by attaching filaments to the internal jaw, and non-surgical nose jobs that inject fillers to reduce bumps and lumps.

There are many services to choose from, and the results are subtle as long as you go to the right place. 2019 for male grooming is more about self-care. It is a key factor in a holistic approach to health and wellness.

While scrubs and moisturizers will always have a place in every grooming kit of men, their effects will increase with the help of a healthy lifestyle. In return, the boost in grooming trends focuses on evolution for men rather than reinvention.

An investigation: So what exactly does CBD oil do?

So what is CBD oil? Throughout history, hemp has had a wide range of applications – from making textiles to treating ailments. In recent years, global interest has increased partly due to the potential health benefits of cannabidiol (CBD), one of the primary cannabinoids produced by the plant.

This is extracted from hemp and mixed with MCT to become “CBD Oil”, which is then sold in a variety of different retail forms, such as tinctures, capsules, gummies, and vape liquids and in bulk quantities as full spectrum distilled oil. Although research is still currently in its relative infancy, studies suggest that it could help to relieve symptoms of various conditions, including depression, anxiety, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and arthritis.

In this article, we discuss how this is possible by explaining what CBD oil does. That starts with explaining what the endocannabinoid system is and the vital role it plays in the human body.

The Bridge Between the Body and the Mind

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex biological system found in the majority of animals. Its main purpose is to maintain physical and emotional balance (referred to as “homeostasis”) throughout the entire body through the regulation of various cognitive processes. This includes appetite, sleep, memory, and mood regulation – which is why it has been dubbed “the bridge between the body and the mind.”

It doesn’t stop there, though – research suggests that the ECS also maintains homeostasis through interaction with biological processes, including the central nervous system, the cardiovascular system, the digestive system, and the immune system. It does all this using “endocannabinoids” – naturally produced lipids that are essentially messengers that travel between receptors found throughout the body.

There are two main types of endocannabinoid receptors: CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are located in glands and tissue throughout the body, vital organs, the brain, and the central nervous system, while CB2 receptors are found in white blood cells, the gastrointestinal and immune systems, the spleen, and the tonsils. However, it should be noted that this list is not exhaustive – both CB1 and CB2 receptors are located in other areas of the body, including reproductive organs, the liver, the heart, and bones. In other words – they’re everywhere.

As a result, when the ECS is thrown out of balance – which is increasingly easy to do in today’s fast-paced, stressful world – the impact can be severe. The body naturally compensates, which may lead to receptors becoming over- or under-sensitized over time – and this can have detrimental physical and mental effects.

CBD and the ECS

In addition to endocannabinoids, the ECS is also receptive to plant-sourced cannabinoids, including those found in hemp extract – which is where CBD comes in. Although it doesn’t bind directly to the primary CB receptors, it is able to activate them, thereby making it harder for them to be over- or under-stimulated, which in turn promotes homeostasis and general well-being. Studies suggest that CBD can also boost the body’s natural production of endocannabinoids, enabling regulation and homeostasis to be achieved quicker and easier.

Due to their positioning in the body, CBD’s activation of CB1 receptors has been shown to relieve various conditions such as insomnia, depression, anxiety, stress, high blood pressure, chronic pain, and inflammation.

On the other hand, CBD’s activation of CB2 receptors encourages optimum liver, kidney, and immune system function, bone and skin health, and general well-being. It also causes a release of macrophages that destroy the beta-amyloid protein that is responsible for the advancement of Alzheimer’s disease.

But how exactly does CBD do all this?

The Science Behind What CBD Does

CBD has been shown to reduce inflammation – which is an underlying cause of a multitude of conditions and ailments – by stopping the breakdown of anandamide (which regulates inflammation throughout the body), inhibiting multiple inflammatory messengers, and triggering programmed cell death (apoptosis) in the immune cells involved with chronic inflammation.

CBD can also block multiple pain receptors and relax tight muscle fibers, with one study suggesting that it can reduce overall muscle spasticity in people with conditions that involve severe neuropathic pain such as multiple sclerosis, with a significant improvement in mobility and a reduction in pain as a result.

Due to CBD’s interaction with the ECS, it can also positively impact multiple cognitive functions, including sleep, appetite, and mood regulation. This can occur through calming the nervous system and encouraging the production of serotonin to relieve anxiety, stress, and depression.

CBD also increases levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which is effectively a neurotransmitter responsible for relaxation. GABA activity naturally increases when we are overstimulated mentally in order to slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure, and vice versa.

It also plays a vital role in sleep hygiene by preparing the mind to fall asleep at night. Consistently low GABA levels can result in insomnia, anxiety, and depression, as well as compromised immunity and digestive problems if it persists for a long period of time. Therefore, CBD can help to relieve these conditions.

Additionally, research suggests that CBD interacts with the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) – a region of the brain where both cognitive and affective information converge. Previous research identified the ACC as playing a key role in the integration of cognitive and emotional information, thereby being integral to cognitive control processes, which implies that CBD affects conflict monitoring when processing information (i.e., focusing attention on task-relevant processing while blocking off task-irrelevant processing).

This in turn suggests CBD could be effective in treating attention deficit-, stress-, and anxiety-related disorders, which can also be linked to conditions such as insomnia

Another study suggested that CBD may be able to turn white adipocytes (fat cells that store fat as a source of energy) into brown adipocytes (fat cells that are used for heat distribution and energy production). The same study also suggests CBD encourages lipolysis (the process by which fat is broken down by the body), improves thermogenesis (heat production), and reduces lipogenesis (creation of fat stores). All these processes are considered to be beneficial to those trying to tackle obesity and improving overall health.

A Holistic Approach Is Best

Although CBD can be extracted and isolated in a laboratory and consumed by itself, when a holistic approach of using a whole-plant extract containing the full range of cannabinoids and terpenes is adopted, studies suggest that the effects are enhanced.

This is because all of the compounds present in the extract work in synergy to create a phenomenon known as the “entourage effect” – meaning that greater, more positive effects on the body are produced compared with the specific effects from each individual compound.

Finding What’s Right for You

It certainly seems as though CBD has a lot of positive impacts on the human body – and as they are explored further, we will undoubtedly discover more about the cannabinoid and its potential role in the treatment of various conditions.

Although current research is limited, and much more extensive studies are required, it’s clear that CBD helps the ECS to maintain homeostasis through the activation of CB receptors throughout the body. However, it isn’t possible to predict your body’s reaction accurately before you try it due to the fact that the ECS influences so many different physical and mental functions. In other words, everyone’s different, and what works for your family and friends won’t necessarily work in exactly the same way for you.

Therefore, it’s always best to adopt the “start low and go slow” rule when experimenting with CBD: begin with a small dose and monitor the effects, and increase gradually and slowly until the optimum results are achieved.

Bear in mind that, according to the National Cancer Institute as well as other experts, it’s impossible to overdose on CBD, which minimizes the risk of experimentation. However, we’d always advise consulting a medical professional before beginning to use CBD to treat a condition or ailment.

Upcoming Horse Races to Watch Out For In 2019

With fixtures taking place on practically every day of the year, it can be difficult to know where to head next. These are the top upcoming horse races to schedule into your diary for the coming months, where you’ll experience a wonderful atmosphere, world-class racing, and incredible entertainment, check out these itv 7 picks today.

Ladbrokes Winter Carnival – 29 Nov – 30 Nov

Held at Newbury, the Ladbrokes Trophy is one of the best-loved races in the jump racing calendar and a real highlight of the season. Dating back to 1957, this race has long been a pointer to the famous Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National later in the season, so it’s a must for punters who want to gauge who to bet on. The meeting is held over two days and has a brilliant atmosphere.

The Betfair Tingle Creek Christmas Festival – 06 Dec – 07 Dec

The Betfair Tingle Creek Chase takes place at the beginning of December and is one of the most competitive races of the winter season. It brings in some top-class chasers and is a prestigious event in its own right, while also serving as a stepping stone for the Cheltenham festival. What’s more, it’s held at the stunning Sandown Racecourse, bringing in huge crowds every year.

Cheltenham Festival – 10 – 13 March

Cheltenham Festival is one of the best-known events in the sport and is four days of incredible action, excitement and a wonderful atmosphere. Some great racing memories have been made here and it’s a must for fans of the sport, with virtually every top chaser and hurdler aiming for this event. The feature races include the Unibet Champion Hurdle, the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Stayers’ Hurdle, culminating with the Gold Cup and the famous Cheltenham roar.

Grand National Festival – 02 – 04 April

Following its inaugural running in 1839, the Grand National has become one of the most famous races in the world and there’s truly nothing like the amazing atmosphere that this event has. Held over three days at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, it’s a top-class meeting that attracts thousands of in person viewers and millions more watching on TV.

Ayr Scottish Grand National – 13 – 14 April

The two-day Scottish Grand National is the richest jumps meeting in the Scottish calendar and is held just after the Grand National in Aintree. While only Red Rum has managed to win both races in the same year, it’s a race that attracts the leaders of Aintree in their attempts to achieve the same feat. Ayr enjoys crowds of over 20,000 people who come to watch this exciting spectacle, as 28 of the best long-distance chasers in the country battle it out for success.

Jump Finale at Sandown – 25-26 April

The Gold Cup meeting at Sandown Park is held over two days and is one of the best big race meetings of the jump season. It’s an exciting race day with a brilliant end-of-season atmosphere that provides one last opportunity for chasers to prove their talents around the famous course.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Horse Racing

Of all the sporting events you could attend, horse racing is one of the most popular and enjoyable. From the athletic form of the horses to the adrenalin rush of the races and the heritage of the sport, there are many reasons why horse racing has so many fans, with Cheltenham 2020 is anticipated have an average of 65,000 attendees.

Here are ten things even the biggest fans may not know about the sport.

  1. Horse racing is the UKs favourite sport, after football. In fact, it gets more popular with every year and millions of people attend or watch on TV annually. More than £3 billion in earnings are put into the UK economy as a result of horse racing’s popularity. 
  2. There are two main types of horse racing – flat racing, which doesn’t include any obstacles or fences for the horses to jump over, and jumps or National Hunt racing, which includes these types of obstacles and is more challenging for the horses. 
  3. In the 16th century, horse racing was temporarily banned and was an illegal activity. Many of the horses were even acquired by the government. Thankfully for sports enthusiasts, the ban was short-lived. 
  4. Racehorses were originally bred for war overseas, which is where they got their speed, stamina and strength from. But as racing became more of a form of entertainment, they became useful for horse racing as we know it today. 
  5. Thoroughbred racehorses are incredibly athletic, and the average weight of a racehorse is around 500kg. While that sounds like a lot, it’s actually lighter than many other horse breeds and this aids racehorses with their agility and physical prowess. 
  6. While you may think that horse racing is most likely to be viewed on TV because of the vast number of people who enjoy it, horse racing is predominantly viewed live. There’s a good reason for this. People don’t get the same level of excitement and enjoyment from watching horse racing on TV as they do in person, which is why racetracks are always packed with spectators. 
  7. It takes humans between 9 and 18 months to learn how to take even one step, but horses are much quicker. A foal can run within just hours of being born, proving their need to be racing from a very early age. 
  8. The highest a horse has ever jumped on record is an astonishing 8 feet and 1.25 inches. The record was achieved in 1949 in Chile by a horse called Huaso ex Faithful and has yet to be beaten to this day. 
  9. Racehorse names are notoriously elaborate and exuberant, but they’re not plucked out of thin air. There are actually strict rules and regulations in place regarding horse names and tradition plays an important role. 
  10. The average retirement age for a horse is between ten and 15 years, but no horse over the age of 18 has ever won a race. The last 18-year-old racehorse to win a race was steeplechaser Sonny Somers in 1980. 

 

The NBA’s New Class Of MVP Contenders

The NBA’s list of MVP Award winners over the course of the last decade tells a relatively clear story about the league.

From the 2009-10 season through 2012-13, LeBron James won four of five MVPs as he rose to his prime; Kevin Durant won in 2013-14 as the heir apparent and representative of the ascendant Oklahoma City Thunder; Stephen Curry took back-to-back MVPs as the Warriors established their dynasty.

In 2016-17, Russell Westbrook won in a season win which his divorce from Kevin Durant was arguably the league’s biggest narrative, and the following year James Harden took the award as the Rockets famously looked to structure an offense designed to take down the Warriors.  Last year, Giannis Antetokounmpo won MVP in a season in which most everyone expected him to do so.

There are of course some outliers (like Derrick Rose’s 2010-11 win), but for the most part, the recent history of the league – in terms of contenders, teams on the rise, and even trends in playing style – can be traced through those MVP winners.

And when we consider this, perhaps it’s fitting that in what looks like the most unpredictable and hottest NBA season in years, the league’s crop of MVP contenders appears to be both larger and more surprising.

Now, the season has only just begun, and we’ll, of course, see the usual favorites in the running. Antetokounmpo is the betting favorite to repeat, James Harden will be in the mix, and many even believe LeBron James could win again, or that Kawhi Leonard could win for the first time. However, in the early going, we’ve also seen a somewhat unexpected new class of MVP contenders emerge, and it’s making the fresh season all the more exciting.

Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid is perhaps the least surprising player to list here because he’s been in MVP chatter before. In the past, however – most notably early last season – he was largely thought of as a “best of the rest” sort of player.

He was clearly the most dominant big man in the Eastern Conference but hadn’t quite reached the level of pure impact we expect from an MVP. This could well change, and may in fact already be changing, in 2019-20.

Not only does Embiid look fitter and better than ever, but for the first time he’s leading a 76ers team that people think should win the East – not one that could.

If Embiid posts the numbers he can post at his best, doesn’t sit out too many games and carries his team to the top of the East, there’s every reason to believe this could be his year.

Anthony Davis

We mentioned above that Antetokounmpo is the betting favorite for MVP this season, and that’s true at virtually all of the New Jersey sportsbooks providing a U.S.-based perspective on the current season.

However, you’ll find most of those sportsbooks are also listing Davis with only marginally lower odds than the Greek Freak. Davis may not seem like a newcomer to this conversation, because he’s long been viewed as a potential MVP.

But believe it or not, he’s still only 26 years old – likely just reaching his prime. That, plus the fact that he’s healthy and in the best situation of his career playing for the Lakers alongside LeBron James, puts him near the top of this new class of contenders.

Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic came into the NBA last season as the most promising international prospect in history. He won Rookie of the Year with ease and convinced many people he could be an MVP candidate in the future.

But it’s a surprise to see him putting himself in the mix already. Doncic has exploded out of the gate, effortlessly notching triple-doubles, pouring in buckets and making highlight passes, and even going toe-to-toe with LeBron James in Los Angeles.

He’s been an absolute phenom in the early going, to the point that it’s not crazy to imagine him winning MVP in a season during which he’ll turn 21.

Pascal Siakam

It seems just about every NBA analyst out there had an eye on Pascal Siakam heading into this season – but not as a likely MVP contender. Rather, the curiosity about Siakam was whether or not he could keep the Raptors afloat following the departure of Kawhi Leonard.

No one’s saying the Raptors are bound for another Finals appearance, but so far Siakam has vastly exceeded most expectations in this regard. He has frankly been Kawhi-esque through a few early games, and his usage is so high there’s no reason to expect his stats to tail off.

If he can keep his scoring average over 25 points per game, assert himself as an elite defender, and lead the Raptors to a top-three seed, he’ll be in the conversation all season.

Karl-Anthony Towns

Karl-Anthony Towns finally seems to be putting all the pieces together. He’s shown flashes of MVP-level ability fairly frequently in the past – but not quite like this. Through a few early games, he’s arguably been the best player in the league. And he’s so clearly the best on his own team, by such a wide margin, that one could imagine him taking over even more from here on out. Towns’ problem in any MVP conversation is likely going to be that the Timberwolves are going to struggle to make the playoffs. But right now he belongs in said conversation regardless.

Off-Roading Is Pretty Fire, But Buying An ATV Is Simple

All-terrain vehicles aka ATVs dominate the off-road scene in the USA –  and there’s plenty of it. The US Forest Service estimates there are over 700 utterly wild areas of the country to experience, and many of them are traversable by durable off-road vehicles, giving you the perfect excuse to get out of the city.

There are literally hundreds of choices to make, however, and so it’s helpful to have a straightforward process when purchasing your vehicle.

Cost and financing

ATVs tend to be quite affordable. A basic 125cc vehicle will only cost $1,065, with the more powerful versions ranking up to $12,499 – still more affordable than most cars. As a result, they’re easy to pay for out of pocket or, if you’re willing to look at credit, unlikely to create huge payments for you.

Furthermore, with many ATV financing tied to the purchase of the vehicle and offering preferential rates, it’s worthwhile shopping around for the best ATV loans if you decide to use something other than your own assets. With the vehicle in hand, this is often where your costs stop; many ATV trails,  like the West Virginia estates, are cheap to use, and maintenance is often cheap, too.

Finding out what you need

With a budget in place, you can look at what type of ATV you need. If you want to have a simple time on the trail or around your property, anything under 550cc will be fine, according to ATVMan.com. Height plays a big factor; if you’re over 5’10, you’ll need something over 400cc.

If you’re hoping to take on exciting trails and go fast, you’ll want to push your purchase into the 550cc+ range. Most vehicles go up to 1000cc, at which point you’ll have an elite model in your hands. This is ALSO useful for tough terrains, such as muddy embankments.

Where costs may rise

While ATVs are entirely safe in the hands of responsible owners, the minority of users that act in a reckless way are responsible for pushing up insurance premiums. One study found that some can expect a 15% increase in their health insurance premium if declaring ATV usage. This can easily be reduced by the use of a helmet and by having quality checks on your vehicle.

With that in hand, you’ll be equipped to buy your ATV. It really is that simple – and cheap – and can get you enjoying the outdoors in alternative ways in no time at all. Take your time with your purchase to ensure it’s suitable, and, most importantly, stay safe.

Poker and music: the perfect double act

Poker and music? One would think that it is an odd combination but the game that’s played by millions of people all around the world today is no longer an old timer’s game. Players today tend to be younger, hipper and generally cooler.

That means that whereas the old-style soundtrack to the game might have been favorites like Kenny Roger’s “The Gambler” and The Eagles “Desperado,” today’s players are far more likely to listening to Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” as they get into the right frame of mind for a big tournament.

In fact, there’s a strong relationship between poker and music. That’s why so many of today’s players turn up while wearing big pairs of headphones. Some even continue to wear them when serious gambling starts.

As anyone who’s ever played the game knows, a big part of the tactics is to prevent opponents from knowing anything about you, your habits and, most importantly, your weaknesses.

That explains a lot about the traditional young poker professionals’ outfits. Forget smart shirts and card dealer’s visors. Today’s look is the hoodie and the pair of shades plus, as already mentioned, the big headphones.

So, given this need for secrecy, it can be quite hard to prise out of some players and exactly what their favorite genre is. Let alone what can be found on their playlist. However, a few players have been a little more forthcoming than others.

Rock on

One of the most outspoken has been the poker legend, Phil Hellmuth. Famous for having the personality of a “poker brat,” Hellmuth is famous for being the last player to take to the table, in most tournaments.

Maybe that’s because he’s caught up listening to one of many epic rock tracks from the 70s, 80s, and 90s that he’s admitted a fondness for in the past. Something like Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 14 minute epic, “Freebird.” Whatever it is he’s listening to, it’s helped him to earn nearly $23 million over the course of his career.

Another of today’s players to open up about their musical tastes has been one of the most talented women players on the international circuit today. Although nowhere near as successful as Hellmuth, for the moment at least, Liv Boeree has won $4 million in prize money.

Before turning pro she played lead guitar in a couple of heavy metal bands both at university and after graduation. She’s also on record as saying that “The Unforgiven” by Metallica is her go-to track when she needs firing up to play and it gives here the same goosebumps that she had when she first heard it at the age of 17.

This openness about her preferences is typical of Boeree – unlike her more secretive fellow pros, she’s even spoken at The Oxford Union about the science of poker in the past.


Hip to the beat

There are plenty of reasons to suppose that the even younger generation of poker players are pretty major hip-hop fans, especially as plenty of artists have shown a reciprocal interest in poker.

In fact, back in 2006, it looked like poker and hip hop were going to join forces to create a new Soul Train for the 2000s with a show called “Hip Hop Hold’em”. Combining hip hop, celebrities and poker, 11 episodes had been filmed featuring performers like Ludacris but only one episode was ever broadcast after the budget for the series was withdrawn.

At around the same time, Wu-Tang Collective member Ghostface Killah launched his own website called GFK Poker dedicated to bringing the two worlds of poker and hip hop together.

Alongside this, he promoted the track “Pokerface” from his “More Fish” album as the site’s official anthem. But, following a few tournaments, the site disappeared from view leaving the singer to concentrate on his own tournament play at a number of leading events in the US and beyond.


Getting on the poker stage

Another artist who Ghostface may well have come across on the tournament circuit is Cornell Haynes, a.k.a. Nelly, whose career in music has been going from strength to strength for well over 20 years now ever since his breakout album “Country Grammar” which went on to sell over 8 million copies in the US alone.

Not content with the millions that this must have earned him, Nelly is another regular on the pro poker circuit and has competed at a number of World Series of Poker events as well as at the famous Rolling Stone magazine’s pro-celebrity poker tournament.

Next up is Rulah Divine who also wanted to go down in poker history not so much for his skill but for creating the poker song to end all poker songs. So, in May 2019 he released “Eye of the Grinder” as a tribute to the two passions in his life – hip hop and poker.

And, looking at the flip side, one poker pro has even tried his hand at hip hop. California-based Prahlad Friedman put out Hazy Eyez in 2016. Although it’s still available to stream via the major music stores, it’s generally agreed that he’d be better off sticking to poker.

So there you have it. A quick tour of the story of poker and music – and it’s one which surely has many more chapters to come.