Michelob Irish Red

Let me start by saying Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone! About a week ago I started to get into the St. Paddy's Day spirit a little soon (given my Irish background, I see this as acceptable), so I decided to give a try to Michelob's Irish Red Ale. I have found their "craft" beers to actually be pretty decent, and for the price (about $6 a sixer) it is worth the try.

I found this brew to be pretty similar to Killian's in appearance and taste, but a little darker in redness and definitely more hoppy in taste. It presented a wonderful aroma of nuttiness and it was also in the taste. There was a bit of a chocolate hint that lingered. Went down easily and I would have no problem knocking back a few of these. Overall I rate it a B-. If you are looking for something new to try for the holiday give it a shot. I still prefer a good old Guinness for my Irish celebration. 

Happy Drinking and, again, Happy St. Patrick's Day!

My Personal Profile

Since I have not filled out my profile here on blog spot, I decided to use this post to tell you a few things about myself. I was born in raised in South Florida. Deerfield Beach is where I spent the bulk of my childhood and graduated from Deerfield Beach High in 2004. During my high school years I participated in football and soccer. I started as punter/kicker and played some strong safety for the scout defense. In my senior year we had the opportunity to win a state championship but came up short losing 31-28 in the semi-finals. That was certainly my most memorable time in high school. I was also sports editor for the school newspaper, and while doing this I found a love for reporting about sports. I thought I was destined to go into journalism in high school, but it never came to fruition.

Instead I enrolled at the University of Kentucky the fall of 2004 in hopes of pursuing a pharmacy degree. After realizing chemistry was a subject I would struggle in, and money would be hard to come up with for attending an out of state college, I decided to transfer back to Florida and enrolled at the University of South Florida in the Spring of 2005. I was not sure what I wanted to major in initially, but finally I turned to a subject that I loved all through grade school...History. I finished college with a major in History, focusing on the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement in America, and a minor in political science. During my time at USF I attended many sporting events, especially football, basketball, soccer, and baseball. I really miss those days of free tickets and a team I enjoy. Now living in Tallahassee I am surrounded by the cockiness that is Florida State country.

I moved up here in May of last year after graduating to follow my fiance, Mary-Beatrice, as she has begun her journey through medical school. It took my a while to find a job, but I now work as a P.E. coach for the Leon County school board. I'd prefer to be teaching in social studies in the classroom, but it's a job for now and being able to bean kids with dodge balls is not too shabby.

In my free time I dedicate my life to following sports, enjoying and cooking food, and reading about new things. There are many other things I enjoy, but I would consider these things to be my passions. My favorite sport is football, particularly college. Since it is my Alma mater, USF is my favorite team. I am also a close follower of the Miami Hurricanes as they were my childhood favorite. I am a hometown follower, so my favorite professional teams are the Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, and Florida Marlins. I am not too big into hockey, but if the Florida Panthers are on I will watch them. In addition to team sports, I also really love boxing (obviously) and golf. I could never get tired of watching Tiger Woods play golf, even though it does not bother me when someone else wins.

Food is another passion of mine and I am a fan of all types of cuisines. However, nothing beats going to an upscale steak house for dinner in my book. My order is usually the same too. I will start with a gin martini, up, with an olive garnish and some sort of seafood appetizer (usually crab cakes). For the main course I'll get a 10-12 oz. NY strip cooked medium-rare. As a side I prefer some sort of potato (usually baked) or a creamed vegetable (spinach is best), and if they have onion rings I am all for it. A glass of merlot to complement my steak is a must. As a finishing course I tend to leave the dessert choice up to the lady since I am not big on sweets. If cheesecake is on the menu though, I will always suggest it. To finish off the meal a drink of aged scotch whiskey fits the bill.

I like to cook all types of food, but I find my best work to be done either on a grill or some sort of pasta. Never grill without a beer in hand, and I like them all. I tend to gravitate towards the microbrews because I enjoy a beer with bold flavors. However, I am still finishing up some Coors Lights that are left over from my Super Bowl party and I am getting by just fine on those.

My other interests lie in reading and music. I am always reading something to expand my knowledge. Whether it is news on the computer to keep updated with current events, or a fiction novel for pleasure. When I was younger I used to hate reading, but now I enjoy because I just love to learn. I want to continue my education by earning an MBA. I have put it on hold for the moment to finish all my teaching certifications and also since I am not sure where I will be living in the next couple of years (hopefully NYC when Mary has completed her clinicals and starts residency). I can also be found listening to music, and am a fan of most genres. I have no interest in techno, country, or real heavy/thrash/screamo rock stuff. My favorites are reggae, rock, blues, and hip-hop. I enjoy listening to classical a lot too, especially during dinner.

Later on in life I would like to open a pub/restaurant that would serve quality food and beer.

Anything more you are interested in, do not be afraid to ask. There are several more things I could put up, but I could go on for days.

Boxing Thoughts

Since I am back to catching up on my blogging, I am going to dedicate this post to the happenings in the boxing world. Since I last wrote about boxing, Antonio Margarito has been stripped of his welterweight title and was suspended one year from fighting in the United States for wrapping his hands in what appeared to be plaster. The plaster was meant to get harder as his hands sweat and got the substance wet. I am glad they caught this before the fight happened against Shane Mosley. I feel Margarito should be banned for life. Had an official not caught this, Mosley's life could have been on the line. Mosley then went on to beat the crap out of Margarito resulting in him being knocked out. "Sugar" Shane looked like his old self, and now appears to be the top welterweight fighter in the world. Perhaps a match with Miguel Cotto or Joshua Clottey next? Would be entertaining.

A deal was finally agreed on between Manny Pacquiao and Rick Hatton. Should make for a great fight, as Hatton appears to be the only person that could contend with Pac-Man at the moment. I still anticipate Pacquiao winning the fight, but be sure to tune in May 2 for it, as it could go either way.

My second favorite boxer, Kelly Pavlik (Andre Berto is number one for me), returned to action on February 21 against mandatory challenger Marco Antonio Rubio and knocked him out in the ninth. Everyone knew Pavlik would win because he was in front of his hometown Youngstown, Ohio fans. Every superstar needs a pick me up, and after getting beat down by Bernard Hopkins, Pavlik needed this. Plenty of opportunities for his next fight, but I would like to see either Arthur Abraham (not likely) or Vernon Forrest (more likely).

If you are interested in some good fights tune in this weekend for Tomasz Adamek vs. Jonathan Banks for Adamek's Ring Magazine/IBF Cruiserweight titles and Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Juan Diaz for Marquez's Ring magazine and the vacant WBO and WBA lightweight belts. Best of all these fights are on Showtime (Adamek/Banks tonight) and HBO (Marquez/Diaz tomorrow), so you do not have to pay the pay-per-view prices. Just head to a local sports bar, or since most people have these channels, the comfort of your own couch and get as drunk as you want. I expect both current title holders to retain with Diaz having the best shot at an upset.

Kona Fire Rock Pale Ale

This is a brew that I tried a while ago. But since I have been putting off blogging I have to get caught up. Also, with the festivities as of late, I have had a lot of beer left over from the Super Bowl that is the normal run of the mill stuff. I'll get back to buying new stuff when that runs out.

I have been eying Kona brewery stuff for some time, and finally decided to try the Fire Rock Pale Ale. It was a nice, sweet, amber colored ale with hints of caramel and fruit. I am usually more for a hoppier tasting pale ale, as this was a bit on the light side, but in all fairness it was not an IPA. Poured with a pretty nice head and had some good lacing. I would recommend pairing it with something on the spicy side to balance out the flavor of the food. If you are not one really hoppy ales, then this is the way to go. I will definitely be giving Kona a try on their other brews (especially the Porter). Overall, I would rate this a B.

Happy Drinking!

NBA Midseason Predictions

Wow! Has it been some time since I have blogged or what? It has been a combination of coaching soccer, work, studying for PE subject area exam, and laziness that has kept me from blogging. Now that I have passed my exam, and the soccer season is nearly over, I plan to get back to blogging on a regular basis.

The All-Star break is over, and the unofficial second half of the NBA season will begin tonight. I wanted to come on here and give my predictions (as promised) on what will happen the rest of the season. It has been an entertaining year, with superstars like LeBron, Kobe, and Wade playing lights out basketball. In fact as you may recall, I was talking about how I have lost a lot of love for this league. Well I am coming on here to tell you this year has turned a page in my NBA appreciation and I find myself following it a lot closer and caring. Probably because the Heat will most likely make the playoffs, but it has been a fun year. Without further adieu, here are the updated predictions.

DIVISION CHAMPIONS

Southeast: Orlando Magic (same)
No change on my prediction here. Although they are going to be hurting a lot more with the loss of Jameer Nelson, but I think they have enough of a lead to hold off the inconsistent Atlanta Hawks.

Atlantic: Boston Celtics (same)
With the 76ers a solid 15 games behind, I would be willing to bet my life savings on the Celtics keeping the lead in this division. They are also still the defending champions with a great mix of young and old. How great has Rondo been?

Central: Cleveland Cavaliers (same)
Again I am sticking with the Cavs, and for the same reason anyone else would. They are the best team in the East, with the best player in the game. They also lead the league in point differential and Detroit is too far behind.

Southwest: San Antonio Spurs (previously New Orleans)
The Spurs do not look like they have aged at all. They are playing very well right now. New Orleans can still win this along with Houston, but those two teams have not been playing as well on the road as the Spurs. This division is going to be a dog fight though.

Northwest: Denver Nuggets (previously Utah)
In the preseason blog I stated the Jazz would win substantially. Well I was wrong. In all fairness though, I did not know Denver would have Chauncy Billups leading them. What a difference this guy makes for a team. Denver should win pretty easily because Portland and Utah cannot win away from home.

Pacific: Los Angeles Lakers (same)
And it is still not even close. The closest team, Phoenix, is in complete disarray.

REMAINING PLAYOFF TEAMS

Eastern Conference:
Atlanta (same), Miami (same), Philadelphia (same), Detroit (same), New Jersey (previously Toronto)
Milwaukee or Chicago could easily be in there instead of the Nets, but I like New Jersey with the way Brook Lopez is playing and if Devin Harris and Vince Carter can stay healthy.

Western Conference:
Houston (same), New Orleans (same), Dallas (same), Utah (same), Portland (previously Phoenix)
As stated above, Phoenix is in shambles after the firing of Terry Porter. Now they are looking to trade Amare Stoudamire? Man, has Steve Nash got a rough remaining of the season ahead of him. Portland has come along a lot faster then I thought. Brandon Roy has to be the most underrated player in the league. No doubt the Blazers regret taking Greg Oden over Kevin Durant because Roy is just as effective.

PLAYOFF RESULTS

Eastern Conference Finals: Cleveland over Boston (same)
If Jameer Nelson could have stayed healthy for the Magic, I would have picked them to win the conference. However, you cannot expect to win games as a shooting team when one of your best shooters is out. Cleveland is playing really well behind James and Moe Williams (ultimate All-Star snub). I definitely expect it to go to 7 games and would not be surprised if Boston won. I just think this is the year for the Cavs.

Western Conference Finals: San Antonio over Los Angeles (previously Los Angeles over Utah)
The Lakers can still pull it out, but it is going to be a lot harder after losing Andrew Bynum a second year in a row to a season ending knee injury. San Antonio may be aging, but, with Manu Ginobili back on top of his game and their consistent chemistry, they look tough to beat.

NBA Finals: San Antonio over Cleveland (previously Los Angeles over Cleveland)
I would have really loved to see Andrew Bynum vs. Dwight Howard in the finals, but with Bynum done and Nelson out for the Magic, it seems like it will be tough for Kobe Bryant to lead the Lakers and Howard to lead the Magic. This still presents a good match up. The youth of Cleveland and the relentlessness of James vs. the experience and chemistry of the Spurs. I say the Spurs in 7.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Most Valuable Player: LeBron James (previously Chris Paul)
I would have loved for Paul to get this award, but he just does not have the dazzle factor of King James. Plus it is certainly hard to argue against numbers like 28 ppg, 7.5 rpg, and 7 apg. To be in the top in scoring, but also have that many assists is unreal. He is all over the court.

Rookie of the Year: Derrick Rose (previously Michael Beasley)
I'll admit it. I chose Beasley because he plays for the Heat. Now, he is playing decent and I guarantee his numbers will improve now that Shawn Marion is gone. Rose, however, has shown why he was the first overall pick. He is playing really well for the Bulls doing everything form scoring to dishing the ball. O.J. Mayo is close behind, but since the Grizzlies are so bad, he will finish second. Watch out for dark horse Brook Lopez. He has fit in well with New Jersey and is slowly climbing up the poll (I haven't checked, but I'm pretty sure 12 double-doubles leads all rookies).

Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard (previously Ron Artest)
Artest was injury plagued in January and he has not played his normal shut down defense. Howard leads the league in rebounds and blocks. Enough said.

Sixth Man of the Year: Manu Ginobili (previously Leandro Barbosa)
He is still averaging starting minutes, but with Roger Mason starting in front of him, he has certainly produced off the bench. He has managed to stay healthy this season, and that can only mean good things for San Antonio.

Coach of the Year: Eric Spoelstra (previously Rick Adelman)
This may seem like a homer pick, but to be able to take a team with the worse record in the league to 4 games over five hundred and in the hunt for a playoff spot is impressive. Not to mention the Miami Heat may have one of, if not the youngest, team in the league.