Man Of The Month....Albert Hofmann

Men come in all shapes and sizes. But to be recognized and appreciated for something that is considered, by most, to be taboo or even down right satanic is tough on a guy. So for a scientist that was just trying new ways to improve medicine and then accidently touched his work, many lives would be changed.

Back in 1938 a Swiss chemist by the name of Albert Hofmann was messin' with fungus from wheat and such. He then got a little on his finger resulting in a clash with reality as he thought it was. He discovered lysergic acid diethylamide-25. LSD. And the world changed drastically soon after.

Sadly on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 Albert Hofmann died of a heart attack. But at 102 years old. Holy crap. And so I thought it would be worth finding the true worth and greatness of this man by honoring him as the Man of the Month for April.

So what makes him honorable? What makes him such a worthy Man?

Possibly the fact that he changed so many lives. Yes, some for the worse. But think of the positives. How many soldiers were relieved of suffering (may be false) or how many terrorists gave up vital information under the influence (may be false). What about alcoholism treatment before it was illegal, said here by wikipedia,

"Studies in the 1950s that used LSD to treat alcoholism professed a 50% success rate,[39] five times higher than estimates near 10% for Alcoholics Anonymous."

These things are small reasons for appreciation and may not out weigh the ugly effects of LSD. But imagine life with out the creative minds of writers and artists around the world. Without Aldous Huxley we would have no Brave New World. Without Ken Kesey, we would be without Of Mice and Men. Or Hunter S. Thompson's detailed stories. A special thanks to a Mr. Steve Jobs for doing all that acid and help with the development of some of the most creative technologies all men should appreciate.

Okay, okay. I know. Acid is bad. But the man behind the curtain wasn't. He was quoted as saying, "I produced the substance as a medicine ... It's not my fault if people abused it." And it is true. He was only trying to help the intricate world of health and medicine. And along the way he discovered one of the most controversial substances in history.

For a man that was an active with the drug until his freakin nineties. I would say rest in peace. But I am thinking that he did enough of that through out his life after turning spiritual like most users seem to eventually do.

All I can say is. It takes a hell of a man to take that drug the first time. Let alone the first person ever to try it twice.

Chick Pic....Veronika Zemanova

Birthdate: April 14, 1975
Birth Location: Czech Republic
Measurements: 36DD-24-36
Height: 5ft 5in
Weight: 110lbs
Eye: Brown
Hair: Brown


Okay. To me personally. It don't get no betta. Seriously the mold was smashed after this Czech beauty was formed. And she is a freak. Which basically puts the man's mind out of imagination mode and into "oh gee, I never woulda thought" mode. 

I am telling you. This girl does it all. Check out a couple of galleries. They are every where. Like here. And there are videos too for those of us that like pictures that move. I do. There are videos that would make you drop your jaw. Honest. Just her. And you.

Before we got involved mentally,  Veronica used to model under the stage name Eva. I never saw an Eva I didn't like. Then after a glitch in print of her name the Zemanova just stuck. She then pursued interests in modeling, adult modeling thank God, and video stuff.

Go here for her official site. Men only.

Table Talk....The Oblivious Bluffer

One thing that is hard to get over in a good game of hold em is when you beat yourself. Those of us that play regularly also play with many different types of players. But there are always beginners who bluff with out knowing it. They are oblivious to the consequences and the rewards alike.

We have saying at my regular friendly game and that is beginners without a clue, have the upper hand. Because you just can't play someone who doesn't know how to make the right plays. You can't slow play them and you can't bluff them. It is one of pokers craziest quagmires.

And then there are the players that are starting to get hold of the game, but understandably make plays they shouldn't. Or better yet, they don't make plays that they should be. And for some reason they pull it out. They semi-bluff and they fully-bluff and they accidently bluff. With an undeniable ignorance for their plays mixed with luck and an occasional good hand. Well let us examine this problem from the ground up and try and fix it.

First hand. This player, we will call him or her Pat, might make you more confident, but we should also be weary. Now, they get into a hand. You bet a reasonable sized bet resulting the other players folding away. Pat calls of course because Pat wants action. You check after the flop. Pat check. You bet after the turn. Pat calls. You bet big on the river trying to shake the newbie because you haven't hit anything. And once again like your very own shadow. Pat calls. And wins with a pair of twos.

Second hand. Pat feels good with chips and raises out the gate. Everyone folds, but you call out of curiosity and need for vengeance. Flop comes. You hit the mid pair. Pat raises again. You hesitantly call. Turn comes. Pat checks. You check. River. Pat raises huge. You fold. Pat shows. Nothing but high cards that looked good, but had no value in the hand. You're pissed.

It's as if they bluff, without doubting a winning hand, and in the process scare out players. And on the flip side. They only call when they have the goods without knowing it, and in the process eat away others chips. These players go against rules three and four in Toby Bochan's "Top 10 Poker Tips to Make You a Better Player & Improve Your Poker Game."

3. Don't Bluff Just For Bluffing's Sake
A lot of beginner's understand that bluffing is a part of poker, but not exactly how. There's is NO rule that one must bluff a certain amount or at all during a poker game, but many players don't feel like they've won unless they've tried a poker bluff. Bluffs only work in certain situations & against certain people, and if you know a player always calls to the showdown, it is literally impossible to bluff that player. It's better never to bluff than to bluff "just to bluff."

4. Don't Stay in a Hand Just Because You're Already In It
Another common mistake beginners make is to think that "Well, I've already put that much in the pot, I have to stay in now." Nope. You can't win a pot just by throwing money at it. There may be cases when pot odds warrant a call, but if you're sure you're beaten, and there's no way your hand can improve to be the best hand, you should fold right away. The money you've already put in the pot isn't yours anymore, and you can't get it back just by playing a hand all the way to the end.

So how do we beat the oblivious bluffer?

Keep playing them, keep playing them, keep playing them. You will come out on top more often than not. Don't beat yourself. But only be semi-aggressive. Just aggressive enough to where you build chips when you are right, and don't lose too many when you are wrong. And after a few too many hands, Pat will begin to tire. In the end, you will win a majority of the time.

It's fool proof.

UFC 83...Serra vs. St. Pierre 2

UFC 83 Serra vs. St. Pierre 2 is this Saturday and I am getting more excited as the days go by. This card isn't the best card compared to recent ones, but it might be due to the fact that this event takes place in Canada. So there are a few more Canadian fighters other than St. Pierre willing to let it loose in front of their home country. This event is also expected to be the largest mma event in North American history.

Well not that a damn person cares out there, but I figured I would share my picks and why. So here goes.

Main Event
Matt Serra vs. Georges St. Pierre
This was probably the second hardest one to call for me. I have St. Pierre taking it by TKO in the third. I don't think this will be a stand up fight as much as the first. I believe that Serra can bring him to the ground and defend for more than two rounds. Only because he should be slick enough defensively not to get put out right away. But after a couple of corner fixes on St. Pierre's side, I believe he will finish the job. But man I think Serra's underdog status is exaggerated. St. Pierre will most likely feel weary of jumping in on punches now that he has been knocked out. To the ground they will go.

Rich Franklin vs. Travis Lutter
I have to go with Lutter on this one. He is a huge underdog, but I think the time is right for a win with Lutter. Rich has undergone surgery lately and his father died recently. Not that that will hinder his performance once his fight or flight reflexes kick in, but he might not be in the shape he needs to be in. Luckily Lutter isn't the most conditioned fighter historically. But I think Lutter will be looking for the sub and he just might get it. Lutter submission round 2.

Kalib Starnes vs. Nate Quarry
Oh man this one is difficult, but once again I have to go with my gut. I have Kalib for a number of reasons. Don't get me wrong I am a huge Nate Quarry fan. And his crazy great fight against Pete Sell last September showed me he was still a warrior even after a two year recovery period. But. After Kalib was completely dismantled in his fight with Alan Belcher on their feet, I don't believe he is gonna wanna test Nate's power. This fight is definitely going to the ground. Where Kalib will eat out a unanimous decision win.

Mac Danzig vs. Mark Bocek
Well, after Mac's impressive win over Tommy Speers in the TUF series finale, I have no problem picking him to sub a much less experienced Bocek. First round sub for Mac. I expect a good wrestling clinic though.

Michael Bisping vs. Charles McCarthy
This is just one of those pointless fights in my eyes. I'm not the biggest fan of Bisping after his attitude towards his controversial win over Matt Hammil. But, he needs to fight a bigger name to boost his reputation. Not that McCarthy isn't competition, but I don't think he is at the level of Bisping. A pissed off Bisping by TKO/KO round one.

Alan Belcher vs. Jason Day
Another Canadian with Day. And a fast improving Alan Belcher. Day has his latest win over a dwindling David Louisou, and his pretty submission vulnerable as well as having lost by TKO twice. I have absolutely no problem picking Alan Belcher by TKO/KO in the second. Yeah, I think Belcher likes to punish guys, maybe even the third.

Jason MacDonald vs. Joe Doerkson
Joe is just an inconsistent fighter to me. MacDonald is on that same boat. This one is pretty tough. And when I can't quite decide who has a strength in any particular category, I go with the decision. Jason MacDonald by unanimous decision. Because I expect him to be in better shape. Eh.

Demian Maia vs Ed Herman
No Canadians? This fight was the hardest one to pick. By far. Demian has never been beaten and he smoked my undefeated pick in Ryan Jensen out of Omaha way back. So I believe he is a tough cookie, especially on the ground. But on the feet, I have to go with Ed. But after brain racking this bastard of a fight for too long, I have to go with the BJJ champ. So Maia round two sub.

Rich Clement vs. Sam Stout
God what a fight this one will be. Honestly this is a tough one also. Sam is young and Rich is hella experienced. But both can out-slug a slugger. I think Sam being a Canadian, like many others, will give him some what of a boost in confidence. But Rich is for some reason prime right now. I am forced to go with experience here. Rich by sub round two. Either that or it's going to decision.

Jonathan Goulet vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka
Okay. Jonathan Goulet in front of his home country is hard to pick against. So I won't. Against a tough decision fighter like Hironaka, I would expect fireworks and blood. But ultimately I must go with another decision. Uni for Goulet.

Cain Velasquez vs Brad Morris
Two virtually unknowns. Cain is inexperienced with only two fights, but both are knock outs so I figure he is a tough guy. Brad has eight more fights than Cain. But majority are won by decision. So he has good conditioning. Now since I found limited info on both fighters, I will go with a complete guess. Velasquez by TKO/KO round two.

And thats it. Anybody think otherwise. Comment!

Go to MMAPlayground.com to make your own picks and wagers.

Flavorites....Food On A Stick

When I was a child my father used to take my little brother and me camping. On one such occasion I wondered away from our favorite settling grounds to drop some friends off in the woods and fertilize thy land. Later that evening my mischeivious brother prodded my dookie with a stick until it was thoroughly coated. He then turned to me and began pursuit. I ran for my life. I think I blacked out cause I don't remember much else.

Why the story that is ruining a topic dedicated to the perfect food?

Never has my poop glistened and gleamed with such beauty. Okay thats gross. But seriously. You can put almost anything on a stick and it suddenly becomes a desirable and functional food.

And if anybody knows anything about food on a stick, it's the good people at the Minnesota State Fair. Those guys serve up at least 59 different foods on sticks at any given time. Delicious. Of them consists of deep-fried candy bars, deep-fried twinkies, pickles, mac and cheese, chocolate covered bananas, pork chops, corn dogs pronto pups and poncho dogs as well as a reuben or corn variations. Check out a run-down on these impaled entrees here.

If you are looking to attend the fair in order to get your fill of everything unnatural on a stick. Check out the Minnesota State Fair website here. The event begins August 21st and ends on Labor day.

So what else is food on a stick good for?

Well that little wooden skewer make an intimidating weapon if that cousin you've never met tries to rob your kabob at the family reuinion. And not only that, but they help you stick to your diet plan as well. You can actually count out and keep track exactly how much you are eating. It's beautiful. And vice versa for those eating contests that seem to pop up.

If your picky kid won't eat his peas. Put that chit on a stick. If your stubborn grandpa won't take his meds. Put them on a stick and he won't hesitate. If the local rabbits seem to think that your shrubs are the best thing since carrot cake. Get rid of the sticks. Simple.

Check out some ideas for your very own foods on sticks at Cooks.com.

For Every Man....A Man Cave

For those of us that spend time on the living room couch trying to enjoy leftovers and a cold one. Only to be rudely interrupted by the old lady, telling us to take out the trash or reminding us of our mother in law's brother's dog's cousin's owner's birthday coming up. Or the kids jumping all over you, while you attempt to rewind the DVR to catch what you missed of your favorite show. I have a proposal.

Get away.

But where you ask?

Assemble a modern man cave. And yes, I am sure we all have something close to what we consider our "go to place" to get away. The gym, the basement, the garage or even the bar. But maybe we need a jazzed up version that we can consider our domain of domains.

A entertainment center with all the fixin's or a sports haven with wall to wall getup of your favorite teams. A quite retreat for the boys to sit at a table and worry about nothing but whether or not your two pair are beat by trips. Or a cellar filled with your favorite lagers, stouts, liquors, wines and cigars. A game room to satisfy your competitiveness or a music room to drown out the world's lip smackers.

These are all great possibilities. Most of which are given in picture form at a CNN.com iReport interactive page found here.

The idea of leaving the real world to escape into my very own shell might be considered for introducing new hobbies or practices. Who knows, you might find that a good amount of time by yourself might improve your card game, pool game or drinking abilities. Although some smart individual once said that there is a fine line between a hobby and mental illness.

All I know is I unfortunately lack the funds or space to put together my very own man cave. If I could call anything my man cave, it would be that well lit atmosphere in the depths of my imagination that typically hides behind a forty of malt liquor and a twelve pack of beer.

There are also plenty other sites to visit and check out man caves around the world. Try Tothemancave.com or Mancavegroup.com.

Mankind 101....World Record Barbecue

A man is many things. Perhaps one of man's greatest accomplishment is his use of fire. And so gives evolution of cooking meats. Now, there has gots to be a world record for just about everything imaginable. But perhaps the sweetest of all is the biggest barbecue.

How freakin' great would it be to walk around in a massive plume of barbecue smoke for blocks. Bumping into people because you cannot see them and coming away with sauce stains on your shirt. The overwhelming smell of tons of charcoal and tons of meat and gallons of sauces.

My stomach has never growled with such ferociousness.

So here's the story. Uruguay. Yep Uruguay. Montevideo, Uruguay to be precise, has put on the biggest and baddest record setting barbecue to ever contribute to global warming as well as global hunger. A whopping 1,250 Uruguayan cooks slapped down 26,400 pounds of beef and began to grill, smoke and slather. And beef is what Uruguay has a lot of. As a ranching nation, they exported over $1 billion worth last year. Heres a tidbit from Yahoo! News,

"The barbecue was so big that firefighters were called in to light the grills and make sure the flames did not get out of hand. It beat the previous record of 17,600 pounds (8,000 kilograms) of beef, Girton said."

Using over 6 tons of charcoal and setting up 1,500 metal barbecue stands, they have all become officially the coolest people in the world. Also a record.

I am only disappointed that no one invited me to this bash. And I am also sure there are some angry beef grillin' Texans out there that could be putting together some sort of counter attack to bring this record to the U.S. Eh, who knows.

Also....the pic is of a wildfire. So no disrespect to those who might have lost something in it. Just trying to be creative.

My Dream Fight?....Fedor vs. Sylvia

Yes. My dream fight. There must be another like me out there that wanted this fight years ago. And it never came because of the clash of business perspectives as well as those little "in between the lines" stipulations.

But I can understand. The amount of money that was to be made when these two fighters were at there peak in the two dominant organizations in the world.

Fedor Emelianenko was, and still is to many, recognized as the pound for pound number one fighter in the world. The Pride Fighting Championships heavyweight champion reigned for years stopping all competition. But has since fell short of fulfilling the needs of mixed martial arts fans everywhere by fighting less than suitable competition.

Tim Sylvia was, and still is in my opinion, a top four or five heavyweight fighter anywhere. Timmy has the capability to stop any fighter dead in there tracks and does extremely well neutralizing opponents with far better ground skills. Which is where the smarter fighters take him. Not only because they hope to be able to work him into a submission, but because standing with him is a mistake. Tim reigned the UFC heavyweight division in 2003 and 2006. But fell short to Randy Couture and Antonio Rodrigo "Big Nog" Nogueira as of late.

So why is this my dream fight? Why not Randy vs. Fedor or the "other" UFC heavyweight champ Big Nog again?

Well it's not that these fighters wouldn't be great to see. Randy is hyped beyond belief right now and is in another class with his experience and skill. Big Nog would be good to see now, because I believe he is a better fighter now then in Pride. Which is hard to say because he has fought around the world for years. I would only want to see these two fight again as long as it was in the cage. I don't want to see a fourth edition of a mauling.

But I won't give up on an old wish. I wanted this one first and until it happens I won't just move on as if this were the girl I wanted to take to prom but didn't have the guts to ask. Nope. I must fulfill my thoughts, doubts, predictions and never dying curiosity.

So we will find out come July! Hopefully! As far as Fedor's manager Vadim Finkelchtein is concerned, this fight isn't signed yet. MMAJunkie has got the goods on this issue here. Which pisses me off. Cause if we have to deal with another Fedor fiasco, I swear to God someone's going down.

And another thing, HDNet Fights is airing this one. I don't have HDTV, but I am sure it will be on PPV. Why wouldn't it be? It's the first real "superfight" in my opinion. Although Big Nog vs. Timmy was a bellyful of butterflies for me too. Haha.

Happy New Beers!!!

Ahhhh. Belch. The joy of drinking a beer without worrying that Joe Commando is gonna bust your wall down with thirty-six of his S.W.A.T. buddies. Why did they prohibit alcohol way back in the twenties anyway?

Well thats all over and done with now. But 75 years later, there is a lot to celebrate.

On April 7th, 1933, prohibition was removed, for the most part, and substituted with sweet refreshing drink. They threw out the near beer and started brewing again. Which by the way, provided thousands of jobs and boosted the economy after a few hard depressed years. Here is some of an article from CNN Living.

"When the act took effect at 12:01 a.m. ET April 7, trucks and carriages burst out of brewery gates bearing cases and barrels of beer for a parched republic -- at least for the District of Columbia and the 20 states whose laws permitted it. Several breweries dispatched cases directly to the White House and the Capitol."

I think it's funny how only 20 states would recover instantly from the virus infected by a nasty Miss Carrie Nation. The White House was getting beer and there were still states that wouldn't budge. Hilarious.

And as I understand it, Islamic faith goers are not aloud to partake. Well I am sure there are plenty that will gladly drink yours for you in a salutary and apologetic sort of way. So provided you live within the appealing lines of a "wet" county. Be sure to go out and buy some good old American cold ale or strong water, and support those descendants of great people that cared for the thirsty so long ago.

Also, be sure to pray that we never see another "dry" period in our lifetimes. I am praying right now. Dear God...please allow..................naked chicks...I mean...beer......