Bout Blog

Guest post written by Derick Burks

Christmas isn’t about fighting or any kind of impatience. It’s about love and togetherness and all those sugary holiday sentiments. Holiday shopping can be another thing entirely. When the stores are crowded with last minute shoppers and the world seems to close in on the many stores and people rushing about, the Christmas season no longer seems like it’s about goodwill. It’s a struggle.

I know the holiday shopping is going to take time, so I always set my home security alarm (more information) before I go out into the war zone. That’s what it feels like when traveling to the larger stores that have more customers. That doesn’t matter though. When I’m out shopping for my family, I’m more than willing to be a good Christmas soldier. I find what I want and I take it if it’s proper.

There are times when I have to remind myself that it’s never good to get in the way. Even when there’s a nice Christmas present for someone I love, I always do the right thing if someone else reaches it before I get there. I don’t believe in wrestling for Christmas toys or presents.

I struggle to do the right thing each year. I believe that over the many years of my holiday shopping career, I’ve been able to always buy good gifts for my family while remaining courteous to my fellow shoppers.

Authored by Greg Fletcher

Every year in my office we vote on where to take our company vacation. A lot of times we usually select going to the beach or somewhere warm because the employee trip is in the middle of winter. This year however, we selected to go to Big Sky Ski Resort in Montana. This is going to be rather exciting, first of all because I have never been to Montana; secondly, because I have never been skiing.

The Big Sky Ski Resort is supposed to be a beautiful place. There are many other winter activities including snowboarding, fly fishing, white water rafting, and even snowshoeing. Sounds like an exciting week in Montana to me. I am already picturing the beautiful white mountains covered in sparkly white snow. Furthermore, this will be a weekend away from the children, just me and my wonderful husband of ten years.

The trip is not for another three months, however, I am already making my list in my office when I should be working. Yes, I am a little overly excited. My list includes the items I need to pack such as extra gloves, coat, scarf, and sweats. Also, I wrote down to make sure that I unplug everything in the house so no fires will start. Another important reminder is to make sure that the ADT home security alarm system is set for the week before I walk out the door.My list is made and I am super anxious and ready to go. Come on February because I cannot wait!

Contribution by Archie Watts

My favorite hockey team in the NHL is the Detroit Red Wings. I live in Michigan and the Red Wings is our hockey team that represents our state. Not only has Detroit won the Stanley Cup four times in the last 15 years, the team has developed incredible players such as Kris Draper, Tomas Holmstrom, Nicklas Lindstrom, Henrick Zetterburg, and Chris Osgood. We can not forget former Red Wing players like Darren McCarty, Chris Chelios, Kirk Maltby, Brendan Shananhan, Steve Yzerman, Sergei Federov, and Valdimir Konstantinov. It is difficult to say who my one favorite player is but I will choose Chris Osgood. Without an exceptional goalie, how can a hockey team win? He has saved many amazing shots and the Red Wings have conquered because of his talents as goalie. I have watched the Detroit Red Wings on Direct TV like ESPN but I wish they would have regular season games on primetime like the NFL. Scotty Bowman is my favorite Red Wing coach. He led the Red Wings to back-to-back Championship wins and he is a nice, laidback guy. I have his autograph. The Red Wings play at The Joe, Joe Louis Arena in downtown Detroit. It is also fun to experience Hockeytown Cafe. Let’s go Red Wings Let’s go!!!

Guest post written by my buddy Israel Fowler

I have been an avid follower of The National Hockey League for many years. The Atlanta Thrashers is my favorite team. I enjoy attending some of their home games on my off days from work. I also enjoy watching my favorite hockey team on Direct TV HD DVR if I have to work or if they are playing away.

This fantastic team plays in Atlanta, Georgia. They are heavily supported by everyone here in the city. Almost everyone enjoys the fact that we have a professional hockey team here in town.

Chris Mason, Eric Boulton, Ben Eager, and Andrew Ladd are my favorite players on the team. In my personal opinion, Chris Mason is one of the best goalies in the game today. He has excellent vision and superior movement around the net. He is a rare player that provides exceptional talent to the entire team.

Ben Eager is also an exciting player to watch on the ice. Eager shows pure will and determination each time he steps onto the ice. He elevates The Thrashers level of play in each game he participates in .

Craig Ramsey, John Torchetti, and Mike Stothers are doing a wonderful job on the sideline. Each coach brings a world of experience and enthusiasm to the team. The players enjoy giving their all to coaches that are dedicated to winning. Coach Ramsey always challenges his players to play at their optimum level.

The article written by Landon Gilbert

I emigrated to the US around twenty years ago from Morelia, Mexico and have spent the majority of my new citizenship in the wonderful city of San Diego. Before crossing the border, I was a professional goalkeeper for the Morelia Monarcas. Since then I have worked hard to develop several local soccer leagues in the San Diego area and mentor countless young goalkeepers aspiring to play professionally. San Diego is sometimes an unsafe place to live and I always make sure that myTotal alarm systems home security alarm is turned on before I leave my house. San Diego features a premier league that is limited to the greater San Diego area only. I was playing for this league until I hurt my back in a motorcycle accident and lost some mobility. The league is made up of some the best Mexican, Chicano, and American players in Southern California and we have had some MLS players scrimmage with us in the past. Currently I am an assistant coach for a team in the premier pool play but I also spend a lot time working freelance with the city promote soccer awareness. My on-field action is limited to playing defense for a team affiliated with the area Catholic churches. The soccer scene in San Diego is constantly growing and attracting former professionals and semi-professionals to its bountiful ranks!

Guest post written by Arnoldo Acevedo

It’s a real chore, trying to get your home ship-shape for winter. So much to do, so little time. With the week-end here, I make my to do list and hope I finish in time to sit in my easy chair, put my feet up and watch satellite tv. Thank goodness, I have combination windows, all I have to do is put the screens up, pull the storm windows down, do a quick cleaning and I’m done with that job. I did a good job of weatherstripping last year, so that may not be much of a problem, but I’ll give it the once over and fix what’s needed. The biggest chore I find is cleaning the gutters. Setting up the ladder, I slowly make my way around the house, getting rid of all those piled up leaves. Inside, I turn on the furnace to make sure that’s functioning without problems and put in a new furnace filter. Tomorrow is another day and I’ll go out and check all the shrubs and plants. If I plan my time right, do some weeding and mulchings, I’ll still have plenty of time to sit back and watch my Direct TV sports packages, again.

Thanks for the post from Al Mills

Hockey season is in full gear. That means it is time for me to watch my local team once again. The Philadelphia Flyers are the defending Eastern Conference champions. They enter the new season with a good shot at taking home the Stanley Cup. With the new service I got after looking up directv dvr comparison , I am able to catch every single Flyers game in high definition.

The Flyers are led by team captain Mike Richards, who solidified his star status with a strong showing in the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Richards gets great support from players like Chris Pronger, Jeff Carter, and Danny Briere. Peter Laviolette took over coaching duties and gave the team a much needed spark. The Flyers adapt as good as any NHL team in the league, and rarely miss the playoffs. Aside from a down stretch in the early 1990′s, the Flyers have made the playoffs nearly every year of their existence.

Flyers games can be enjoyed in high definition on several channels, including Comcast Sports Net and Versus. Later in the season, the Flyers will play a few nationally televised games on NBC. Between the regular season and the playoffs, every game will be available in HD. That is welcome news for passionate Philadelphia hockey fans. As the Flyers look to defend their Eastern Conference title and ultimately win the Stanley Cup, it will be great to see it all happen on a high quality HDTV.

The article written by Jan Gallagher

Being a native Oregonian I have heard women complain that there are no Cowboys here. “We Moved out west to find some CowBoys, no where the heck are they?” I explain to these old marms’ that they are living in western Oregon where it is beautiful green and lush and that their best bet is eastern Oregon where it is dry gross and arid.

Of course Oregon’s wildwest cowboy style is truly only display at local County fairs and the world famous Pendleton Roundup. I always go to the Yamhill County Fair & Rodeo with my mom, wife, and a few small cousins. We look forward to going every august. It may sound silly, but I like to come watch my alma mater’s (McMinnville Highschool) FFA team. Growing up in rural Oregon you do get an appreciation for wild animals, horses, and nature but you just don’t see many cowboys unless you show up at the county fair. I like watching the young kids do things like pig wrestlin and roping. I also really enjoy buying my lil’ cousin Jonny Cotton Candy, and watching the FFA kids proudly groom and display their goats and cows.

My Mother and my Wife typically jot off to the flowers, quilting, and needle work exhibits, while my brother and I go watch the bull riding if I can convince him to join me. After a long day of carrying my cousins on my shoulders at the fair, I like to kick my shoes off at home and watch DirectStarTV.

Thanks for the article from Rubin Osborne

October is the month where all major sports come to a meeting point. For those of us who are utterly obsessed with athletics, being forever glued the cable tv is a must. In addition to college football, the NFL, NBA pre season, and the start of the NHL, the Major League Baseball playoffs are in full swing. While I’m still reeling over the early exit of my Atlanta Braves, and the retirement of our beloved Bobby Cox, I’m fully enjoying the year of the pitcher.

Roy Halladay of the Phillies and his perfect game set the tone very early. Flanked by phenomenal performances from his teammate Cole Hamels and masterful pitching by the Giant’s Tim Lincecomb. The excitement of a possible perfect game, or no hitter is keeping the baseball world on the edge of their seats.

With the Yankees battling the Rangers in the American League Championship series the world is curious to see if tradition can prevail or if the Rangers will take down the legacy. One that certain in the series is that Derek Jeter will be in prime playoff form, and no matter how much disdain I have for the Yanks, I’m always blown away by how clutch DJ is come October.

Content by Mac Kline

Got to sit down and watch the team I have adopted for this Major League Baseball playoff run. The Texas Rangers had to bounce back after what has to be the worst fold job in a playoff game since the Cubs blew game six of the2003 World Series. How do you open a 5-1 lead in game one of the series and still manage to blow the game? I guess you put in Darren O’Day. I was watching the game on my direct tv commmericial business package and had to make sure that I hadn’t accidently turned the channel to some sort of sci-fi flick the meltdown was so bad.

The weirdest part of this whole series has been the fact that after the Rangers won the second game 7-2; it appears that Texas really is the best team in the ALCS. The Yankees, other than one inning have looked an awful lot like a team that does not really have any interest in actually going to the World Series as they have gotten thoroughly battered. Anytime an opposing player can steal third and home in a single inning you just are not getting all that excited about what is going on in the game. It would be really cool if Texas could actually get to the World Series this season. It looks like they may have enough talent to win it all.