Tag: Pride

Guest Post: 7 Reasons You Should Be Watching The NBA Playoffs

You can argue that basketball just is not the sport for you, or that your hometown does not have a professional basketball team. While this may be true for many, this is still no reason not to tune into the NBA playoffs. Millions of hopeful fans across the world will be tuning in for every one of their team’s games, press conferences, post game shows, and player interviews with anticipation as their team shoots, dribbles, and scores their way to a world championship.

With so much excitement, why not make an effort to be a part of it? Your boss will be talking about it. Your waiter will be talking about it. Even your reverend will be talking about it. Do you really want to be left out when NBA playoff conversation begins? Even if you don’t care to talk about the sport, there are still plenty of reasons to watch the playoffs. Let’s give you seven.

1. Star-Studded Teams. Even though “there is no I in TEAM,” many teams are carried by their star, or even their cast of stars. These players, some of the best in the world, are extremely entertaining on the basketball court. Players like Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Durant have been carrying the team on their back all the way to playoff contention, so you better believe they will be working hard for that world championship. Expect to see some of the best players in the world play some of their best basketball during the playoffs.

2. Top 10 Plays. For those of you unfamiliar with Sportscenter, I’m sure you always look forward to the end of the program when the top ten plays of the day aired. Often times, many of these can be bland or boring. Well, when you see the high quality of play displayed during the NBA playoffs, you’ll soon understand why the highlight reels are filled with absolute gems on the court. Highlight dunks, clutch shots, and last-second game-winners are sure to arouse amazement for any level of sport enthusiast.

3. Defense. So maybe you’re just not impressed with high scoring offense. Many people love to see high quality defense; when athletes play their heart out, the defense is reflected. Blocked shots, stealthy steals, and just rock solid defense can be expected in these best-of-seven series.

4. Team Pride. Pick a team; any team. Follow them diligently. Even if you are not from the area or did not grow up a fan, you will most certainly become attached a team that you root for. Seeing the emotion and heart that is poured out on the court really makes you appreciate a solid team effort, since this can also be seen as a metaphor for life and the pursuit of a dream. Also, seeing a teamwork so well together and win tight games together is a really gut-wrenching experience because the more you watch them, the more you start to empathize with them. You are guaranteed to be at the edge of your seat for at least the duration of one quarter of any given game.

5. Historic Performances. If you’re a sports fan, I’m sure many can recall Michael Jordan’s playoff games. Or maybe even Wilt Chamberlain’s incredible performances. Well, needless to say, there is no lack of talent in the NBA. Every year, every series, every week, players are leaving it all out on the court with absolutely awe-inspiring performances. Just tune into some of the Conference Finals games or the NBA Championship games, you’re sure to see some incredible performances.

6. Historic Moments. Do you really want to be that guy at work who missed the last-second shot to win the game? Absolutely not. There’s a reason some of these moments have been engraved in sports history. Or why these moments have millions of views on the internet. Or why even people of today’s generation are familiar with game-winners from 50 years ago. These moments go down in history.

7. The NBA Finals. Sure, the playoffs are great, but the NBA Finals is where the action is. Watching your team scratch and claw their way through the competition is only the prerequisite for the main stage. The NBA Finals prove to be one of the most prestigious and popular series of sporting events in the world. With so much at stake and so much to prove, you can only expect to see the best basketball on Earth.

Author Bio: Becky Harris writes on a variety of topics for Upack moving containers.

July 4, 2012
7 Reasons To Revisit Movember

If you knew me or read 7 Reasons (or indeed both) this time two years ago, you will know that I was preparing my face for Movember. After a year off in 2010 – so that I didn’t scare the future mother-in-law – I have decided to have another go. In a little over a week I am going for glory. Here’s why:

1. Colour. The first thing you’ll notice from the above is that the 2009 edition of my Movember ‘tache was somewhat ginger – with assorted whispy grey bits. It wasn’t pleasant and saw me stay exclusively in my room for the final week. 730 days on though and surely the pigments have matured? I need to know.

2. Engineering. The design I went for last time was something of a bespoke handlebar. A small handlebar for a ginger bike. I can’t honestly say that it did much for my then otherwise burgeoning sex appeal. This Movemeber I need to find out whether I can bring sexy back. I suspect I can. As long as I’m just in my pants.

3. Growth. If you think the above was precision trimmed everyday, you’d be wrong. The handlebar in question was never touched. It just grew and grew and grew. Slowly and slowly and slowly. In hindsight I actually think my follicles got bored around the second Wednesday and gave up. I need to know that can now grow something worthwhile. Something that will enable me to call myself a real man.

4. Brotherly Love. My brother is nearly two and a half years younger than me, but he can grow a beard. And a moustache. Sometimes together. Not only does this break the rules of brotherhood (a younger sibling must never make his elder look unmanly), but it also means he is better than me at something. And as all those with younger brothers can testify, this is not a pleasant or indeed acceptable situation. As such I must grow a mo this Movember to show that – normally – I don’t have facial hair out of choice, not inability.

5. Food. I like to think I’m a pretty good eater. I’ve certainly always found that I have good food to mouth coordination. Obviously there are some foods, however, that are slightly tricky to eat. Biscuits for example. Despite the speed at which I get them to my mouth, I always find a few crumbs on my t-shirt or the sofa. The crumbs that fall from the base of the biscuit, well a mo can’t do much about those, but the crumbs that fly up from the top of the biscuit as you bite into it, well they could be caught in my moustache. Perfect for a late-afternoon snack.

6. Excuse. B*Witched said ‘blame it on the weatherman’, this month I’ll blame it on the moustache. November is the kind of month when I am at my clumsy best. I am bound to knock over a plant or drop keys down a drain or accidentally steal a baby. They are not things the clean shaven version of me does. Well, apart from the plant thing. That’s just standard. Stealing babies though, is something I certainly don’t do. But, if for some strange reason I find myself charging through the North Downs will a baby, you’ll know why.

7. Massage. I know it makes me sound like a bit of a tart, but I do like a head massage. Especially when I don’t have to give myself one. Coincidentally they work wonders when I am trying to think of seven reasons. Must be a stress thing. Anyway, if the massage goes to where the hair is, maybe I’ll get a top lip massage too?*

*Oh. Apparently I won’t.

October 20, 2011
7 Reasons The London 2012 Olympic Medal Isn’t Very British

A year today the XXX Olympiad will be declared open in London. Today – for reasons I have failed to establish – Britain is celebrating this fact. As part of these celebrations, the medal which will be awarded to winners (as well as first and second losers) has been unveiled. The gold version looks like this:

Now, I know what you are thinking. It’s not very British. Which is why we here at 7 Reasons have designed seven alternatives.

1. Weather. Despite our recent protestations it does seem that the vast majority of Britons love the weather. And certainly, if you ask a foreigner, they’ll say we are absolutely obsessed with it. So why didn’t we celebrate that?

2. Chavs. I can’t say I’m a massive fan, but chavs as fundamental a part of British society as Morecambe & Wise, fish & chips and Andrew Strauss’ jock-strap.

3. Tea. For some bizarre and unfathomable reason one half of the 7 Reasons team doesn’t drink tea. I dare say he also harbours a deep desire to be French. Still, we can’t go around catering for one misinformed individual. The fact is, tea is British (possibly via China) and Britishness is tea. And we should have celebrated it.

4. Royalty. Another very British trait is our love for the Royal Family. At least it is if you ask an American. Goodness knows how they’d react if they ever met a Republican. Of all the Royals though, there is particular fondness and admiration for the Queen. Which is why this medal celebrates Freddie Mercury’s moustache.

5. Queue. Unlike the French who riot (or go on strike) if someone beats them to a till, us Brits love a good queue. We could be in it for hours and not even stifle a yawn. We’ll be dealt with eventually. Just bide your time Britain, bide your time. And wear a queuing medal.

6. Pride. We don’t moan, we don’t complain, we don’t sulk. We just suck in the big ones, take it on the chin and carry on. That is the British way. Which is why we’d have liked to have seen Usain Bolt wearing a medal that depicts Leslie Ash’s stiff upper lip.

7. Beer. When the day is done and the battle has been won, there is nothing that hits the spot quite like a warm beer with a massive head.

July 27, 2011
7 Reasons Not To Ignore The Elephant In The Room

Come on, hands up. How many of you have noticed an elephant in the room and then just turned the other cheek? Be honest. Well that was very risky of you. Don’t you know the dangers? In keeping with tradition, here are seven, yes seven, reasons why ignoring it was wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. Just wrong.

1. Love. If an elephant has entered your room there are a number of possibilities as to why. Maybe they’re lost? Maybe you’re lost (and elephant’s trunk)? Maybe they’re bored of the savanna and now want to live in Bolton? Whichever it is, ignoring them is not the way to go. The chances are they will be nervous, afraid and sceptical of their new surroundings, so the least you can do is make them feel loved and welcome.

2. Damage. Elephants are big lumps of meat and probably not too dexterous when it comes to tight spaces. As a result you need to watch it like a hawk. If you so much as glance back at facebook you could find yourself losing that impending insurance claim. If the elephant treads on the coffee table and the TV and the wife, but you’ve been too busy poking some fifteen year-old on the internet to notice, well, it’s just going to be your word against the elephants. And people just don’t beat elephants. At anything.

3. Water. This will affect those of you who have a water meter more than those who just pay for the buffet ‘all you can use’ service. Elephants like water. Sometimes they like spraying it at clowns, but for the most part they like drinking it and washing themselves with it. Unlike the bush, your home probably has water on tap. If that elephant gets anywhere near your kitchen you are going to be consolidating your debts quicker than you can say ‘Accident Help Line’.

4. Sticky Buns. I have no idea whether elephants and their carnal desires towards sticky buns is in fact a truth or merely a myth. The last place I want to discover if it is the former however, is in my lounge. As a result the elephant shall not move from my line of vision. And if you don’t want an elephant sucking on your weekly pleasure, I suggest you do the same.

5. Mates. Don’t be so naive as to think the elephant is alone. Chances are, half his/her pride are waiting outside while he/she checks out places to stay for the night. Perhaps they are headed to Scotland for the Elephant Polo World Championships? But don’t think about heading off to the study to research this on Wikipedia, because if you disappear for evne just a split-second Babar and his mates will be flying through that hole in the wall and making them selves comfy on the sawdust. Or the sofa as it was known earlier that day.

6. Hunters. Sadly, you are not the only endangered species here. It is quite possible that the elephant is hiding at yours because some git is after his/her tusks. I can’t believe for a minute that you are pro-elephant hunting, so you won’t let it back on the street, will you? Instead you must protect it. And protecting it means keeping an eye on it at all times. If you let it wander off to the kitchen alone the hunter will see his opportunity. He won’t waste a moment. Before you know it he will have popped his weapon through the cat flap and fired off rapidly. You’d need more than a Kleenex to clear up that mess.

7. Comfort. Or lack of it. The elephant in the room is glaring. The elephant in the room makes everyone uncomfortable. The elephant in the room is a hindrance to achievement. The elephant in the room scares the cat. The elephant in the room keeps squashing unused lemons into the carpet. It’s getting ridiculous. It’s time to stop ignoring it. You must deal with the elephant now. Right now. It’ll be for the best. We promise.

January 19, 2011