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Thursday, December 31, 2009

The Best Part of Dwyane Wade's "Homecoming" Episode

Did you guys watch the Dwyane Wade episode of "Homecoming with Rick Reilly?" Rick Reilly is super awkward and wears Michael Jordan jeans, so I can't blame you if you missed the show.

ANYWAYS, I watched the show and I'm glad I did, because of hot chicks. Check out this clip that I ripped from the episode using the most advanced audio/video technology available. At about the 16 second mark you're going to see the hottest chick I've ever seen. It lasts like five seconds, so you know the producers think she's hot too.



Am I right? So hot. Like the Nike Air Lavadomes in the summer. That's how hot.

That super fresh hovering purple shoulder to the right of the screen, that's me. I was on the street that night, doing some serious reporting. And that girl? She's my wife.

So basically Dwyane Wade picked my wife to be on his show, which was filmed in Chicago, which means he's going to come play for the Bulls next season to be closer to her. I'm not worried. I've got a basketball championship, too. Plus I'm taller. Plus he has the same name as her dad, so that would be really weird. Totally advantage me.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

The "Chill Out, Juwan Howard" Chronicles, Part 5

Tracking Juwan Howard's ill-fated stint with the Portland Trailblazers...

Chill out, Juwan Howard. It's just a rebound. No one else is even really trying for it. I'm pretty sure you've got it. You don't need to get all Rodman about it with the crazy mouth and leaning sideways action. Just jump up and get it and keep on LivingStrong.

Chill out, Juwan Howard

How to Stand in the NBA: A Primer

It's probably a scientific fact that some NBA players maybe spend about one-third of a basketball game standing around. Between fouls, twenty-second timeouts, and being Roko Ukic, this seems like a fair estimate that should be considered truth. This doesn't even count time on the bench, where players such as Adam Morrison, Bill Walker, and Roko Ukic have mastered the art of standing. In fact, there have probably been petitions to rename the league the NBaaSA, which would stand (zinger) for National Basketball and also Standing Association. Because of all the standing, this makes sense.

As such, The Blowtorch has put together a quick guide to standing in the NBaaSA. It's pretty simple, really. Here's what the New York Knicks have to say about standing.

David Lee: "Just stand and like put your hands on your hips. Maybe think about a Vampire Weekend song."
Wilson Chandler: "Yeah, what David said. I chew my mouthguard because I'm really weird and have two last names that sometimes people use as first names. I hated Home Improvement."
Al Harrington: "Psssssht. Home Improvement was my jam. Zachary Ty Bryant was hilarious."
David Lee: "Learn how to stand. Both hands on hips."
Wilson Chandler: "Heidy-ho, neighbor."
Thanks guys. David Lee basically nailed it. To successfully stand in the NBA, you just stand like a normal person, but you add in the hands on hips thing because when you're wearing shorts you don't have pockets to put your hands in. If you don't put your hands on your hips, Tony Parker will laugh at you.

"Eh, Keef Bogan, poot ze hands on ze heeps, mon frere. Eet make-a for-a clehn-a seeeloooeeet."
With the proper training, anyone can learn how to stand. The Indiana Pacers have recently launched a community outreach program where they reach out to members of the community to teach them how to stand. Here we see Josh McRoberts teaching an elderly man how to stand. As you can see, he's got a couple of his teammates with him to help demonstrate.

"DUDE JUST PUT YOUR HANDS ON YOUR HIPS. DO YOU LIKE MASTODON? THEY'RE INSANE. YOU CAN BORROW MY MINIDISC PLAYER IF YOU WANT SOMETIME. LET'S GO SEE AVATAR TOGETHER. I LIKE YOUR TIE BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE AVATAR. WEAR IT TO THE THEATER WHEN WE GO SEE AVATAR. THE USHERS WILL LIKE IT AND WE CAN SIT IN THE FRONT ROW AND GET CHURROS."
It's that easy. Now that you know how to stand, try it around the house. To be an NBA caliber stander, you need to practice. The best standers in the league (Roko Ukic, for example) spend up to eight hours a day doing standing training in the offseason. If you want to catch up, double that. Soon enough, you'll be standing with the best. Good luck.

PROTIP: The "aa" in NBaaSA is pronounced "aaahhhh" like drinking a ginger ale. So, the entire abbreviation is pronounced "EN BEE aaahhhh ESS AY."

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas from Andrew Bogut

Croikey, izzit Christmas all retty? Me and my mates ain't get too cott up in that materialisticness of Christmas, mate. But still, Merry Christmas. Maybe throw a subscription to Cat Fancy in a stocking for yore best mate, mate. Or Vegemite, mate.

Oi. Merry Christmas.

Kangaroos, mate.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Palavras de Boby Knight...




O mítico treinador Bobby Knight , agora comentador da ESPN , não poupou John Calipari , o actual treinador de Kentucky (3º no Ranking NCAA com 10-0) , ao afirmar que este não era um homem integro .

Quando questionado sobre o tema Calipari recusou-se a entrar numa guerra de palavras , já que continua a ser um fã do antigo treinador de Indiana e de Texas Tech .
Calipari diz mesmo que parte do sucesso que tem o deve ás ajudas do veterano Knight, (902 vitórias na carreira).Todo o staff de Calipari, quando treinou Memphis, esteve em Texas Tech a assistir aos treinos, o que deu uma grande ajuda no aperfeiçoamento do famosos ataque "Dribble Drive Motion ".

Knight falou de Calipari durante uma festa de beneficência no Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame .

"O basquetebol está nesta esta situação porque temos falta de integridade e é por isso que eu estou contente por não estar a treinar", disse Knight.
"Quando temos um treinador em Kentucky que conseguiu colocar duas escolas em liberdade condicional e que mesmo assim continua a trabalhar eu realmente não entendo isto.
"

As Universidades de Memphis e Massachusetts estão impedidos de chegar à Final Four por terem cometido infracções graves no tempo de Calipari, .
O extremo de Kentucky Josh Harrellson saiu em defesa do seu treinador :
"Todos nós ouvimos contar histórias sobre Calipari , mas depois de estares a jogar na sua equipa e teres contacto diário com ele descobres que é boa pessoa e que é justo para todos nós ."

JANELLE MONAE - (COME ALIVE "WAR OF THE ROSES")



First I'd like to say that this is like the cutest human-being on earth, now that I got that out the way I present to you a new song by Janelle Monae "Come Alive". Everyone is saying that this sounds like The Violent Femmes "Blister In The Sun"...and it does a little. But at the end of the day Janelle Monae is herself. This song had to grow on me, almost did not make the site. But upon the 2nd listen I really got into it. I really cannot wait to see the finished product of her debut album, many directions it could go working with Sean Combs. A song that might of been slept on was/is Nerd Girl by Chester French featuring Janelle Monae. Both Janelle Monae & Chester French are very hit-or-miss with me, but this song they HIT!

DOWNLOAD: Janelle Monae – Come Alive (The War of the Roses)

DOWNLOAD: Chester French - Nerd Girl (featuring Janelle Monae)

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Monday, December 21, 2009

Bag Week: Kata CS-17 camera satchel

Name one messenger bag that effectively combines a notebook bag and a camera case? Obviously the bag pictured above. The Kata CS-17.

Bag Week: Booq Boa Squeeze

Short version: Like lots of pockets in a laptop backpack? I count 27 on the Booq Boa Squeeze and wouldn’t be surprised if there are some hiding.

Bag Week: Crumpler 8 Million Dollar Home

Finding a good multipurpose bag can be difficult. The Crumpler 8 Million Dollar Home is a good example of a shoulder style camera bag with optional laptop storage. It works best as a camera bag; the laptop storage sleeve is added as an afterthought for a photographer that needs to download pictures in the field.

Bag Week: Booq Boa Flow XL

The Booq Boa Flow XL is huge! You can stuff a small dog in it and still have room for your computer and DSLR.

Bag Week: Sumo Messenger Bag

Short Version: Sumo is fairly new to the bag game but this is a strong showing for the company. For $79.99 you get a 17-inch laptop bag made of waterproof ballistic, rip-stop nylon. Sadly, a lack of internal organization pockets hampers the overall storage capacity.

Bag Week: Kata Digital Bag DB-453


All you really need to know is that the small Kata DB-453 camera bag will hold your DSLR and ultra-portable notebook. (Do me a favor and click the Read More link anyway, m’kay?)

Bag Week: The Vega & Corsair from Chrome Bags

I put up a hand-on of these two bags a few months ago, but I have to repost it. Not only in the spirit of Bag Week, mainly because I’ve found after using both bags over the last few months, my initial conclusion was dead on: These bags are rad.

Bag Week: Timbuk2 Commute 2.0

Short Version: The Commute 2.0 is from Timbuk2’s new TSA friendly generation of messenger bags. Essentially this means that they’ve added some commuter friendly features to a standard messenger bag.

Review: Chrome Buran weather-proof laptop messenger bag

Short Version: A rugged, reliable, and attractive bag — but its layout may not be suited to those who like to pack in lots of stuff.

Bag Week: Kata 3N1-33 Sling Backpack

The Kata 3N1-33 Sling Backpack could be a Transformer in disguise and I would cleverly reference the most appropriate character if I knew anything about the show

Bag Week Review Round-up

I find the >Prada

jil sander spring 2009

Bag spring

Porter 2009 Bags

margiela spring 2009

2009 Spring Lady

A.P.C Autumn/Winter 2009 Duffle Bag

Duffle bags are usually done in nylon or canvas, so it’s nice to see a good sturdy leather duffle enter the fray. APC always deliver on those basics that someone really should have made before. The bag shape is unchanged from their previous collections – but being available in full grain leather adds a level of sophistication that isn’t usually seen in duffle bags. Taking this to the gym would be doing a disservice, keep it for short trips and nights over at the girlfriend/boyfriend’s house

bag

Striped leather trim overnight bag by Julie Slater & Son

That's it: we're officially sick of winter gloom already. And if we can't do anything about the weather, we'll do what we do best and accessorize the hell out of this ghastly, gloomy weather.

If you don't want a yellow bag, then an even more colourful number is the way to go. This one's technically an overnight bag, but I'm sure you'd get away with it for the remaining 12 (or OK, more like 8 hours) of daylight we have to enjoy. It features a real leather trim and is seriously shiny, very practical and cabin-sized if you can't take any more rain and decide to skip the country.

Sale Watch: Damacia multi-strap shoulder bag

This roomy shoulder style is one that has always served me well in the past, so I tend to gravitate towards bags of a similar shape and size. They're great for doubling up as overnight bags, work a treat at the supermarket checkout when you've forgotten your 'bag for life' and hide a multitude of shopping sins when you know you should not have splurged...

Fortunately, splurging is not something you'll have to do to buy this bag, because it's been reduced from £79 to just £29 at Aftershock

Give the gift of a granny with the 'Tabitha' bag


As well as looking gorgeous, the limited run 'Tabitha' shoulder bag helps a very worthy cause, as profits from each one goes towards the Baba Programme (also known as 'Give a Granny'), which pairs up mature women with young abandoned children in need of a loving, caring and safe relationship. The children have suffered mental and physical abandonment in Bulgaria, where orphans are often kept in faceless institutions. Every bag sold will fund a Baba for six weeks.

The bags themselves are made by hand in London by The Bag Ladies (great name!) who've done a fantastic job with this instantly lovable scalloped design. If you're keen to take one of these very special bags as your own, you'll need to act fast as the metallic version has already sold out. But bags are still available in the 'caramel' shade above and also in a deep 'aubergine' hue.

Cath Kidstron floral zip-up handbags

Flowers are going to be coming at us from all directions in a few short months' time, with floral and natural motifs infiltrating the work of almost every designer. But if there's one label that has always embraced the botanical, it's got to be Cath Kidston.

I absolutely adore her zip-up handbags, available in the familiar Folk Flowers, Rose Bunch (pictured) and Vintage Rose print. They're a handy shape and size for everyday use, and are just so charmingly pretty you can't help but want one. £55 from Cath Kidston it that includes you!

Out-of-this-world bags by Sonia Guzzo

All designers like to keep some element of their bags distinctive, but when trends take over it can be tricky for even the most experienced Bag Lady to identify who made what. I suspect that will never be a problem for Sonia Guzzo, however, whose bags really are instantly recognisable!

Shaped a bit like strange, organic forms they are quite unlike anything we've seen before, her 'truffle' (left) and 'shell' styles are highlights of the collection. I was surprised to learn that Sonia works not in some newly-developed, synthetic material but in plain old leather. She applies her own original technique, however, which gives the bags the structural, textured look that marks them out as unique.

Alexander Wang studded bucket bag

Alexander Wang may be the only designer who's currently interested putting studs where they're actually needed on a bag: why, on the bottom of the bag, of course! His Coco Mini was a sellout in all sorts of textures and fabrics, and now he's released an equally cute bucket-shaped bag with the trademark studded bottom.

The 'Diego' bucket bag is clearly influenced by Native American suede pouches, and has a lovely softness to it. It's rendered in a hugely trendy spring 2010 buff colour, and would look awesome with a casual-look playsuit.

Suede and stones shoulder bag by Maddalena Marconi

These slouchy hobo bags by Maddalena Marconi are pure, effortless, laid-back chic. Available in three shades of suede (a black version completes the trio), the addition of stones gives a bohemian twist that will make for perfect spring and summer wear.

For added practicality, each bag comes with a small inner-pouch that can be clipped to the interior of the bag or removed. They're fully lined and coloured with deep, rich dye.

Nine West 'Tammie' shopper in salmon pink

With all these Christmas fripperies diverting our attention, we're almost forgetting about the need for practical, useful bags - you know, bags you can put stuff in - so I thought I'd bring us all down to earth with this roomy leather bag from Nine West. I've got a slightly older version of the Tammie, bought second hand and still going great guns, so can personally vouch for the practical benefits of Nine West bags. Sturdy and spacious, there's almost no guilty shopping secret you can't hide in one of these babies and they're ideal for carting a laptop and associated tems, too. This bag also comes in black if you're not taken by the pink shade, and has a fashionabl

Nine West 'Tammie' shopper in salmon pink

With all these Christmas fripperies diverting our attention, we're almost forgetting about the need for practical, useful bags - you know, bags you can put stuff in - so I thought I'd bring us all down to earth with this roomy leather bag from Nine West. I've got a slightly older version of the Tammie, bought second hand and still going great guns, so can personally vouch for the practical benefits of Nine West bags. Sturdy and spacious, there's almost no guilty shopping secret you can't hide in one of these babies and they're ideal for carting a laptop and associated tems, too. This bag also comes in black if you're not taken by the pink shade, and has a fashionabl

'Nala' by Dialog: a fab eco-friendly find

2009 has seen the launch of quite a few new ethical bag collectives, including NV London and Calcutta (wonderful bags, shame about the unwieldy name) and a clutch of wonderful new styles from Matt & Nat. And here comes another new player that's ideal for those of us who prefer not to waste resources wherever possible.

Dialog use a special recycling technique from Malaysia that incorporates small origami folded squares of mixed fabrics. The result is the very pretty patchwork-like pieces that brighten up this practical and stylish looking oversized handbag. This one costs £79; a good price for such a unique piece. But there's also a metallic version on sale at the moment for just £39.

Celeb fashion

Bargain Tuesday: Ripley Mock-croc shoulder bag


A bag that's useful as well as stylish doesn't normally come cheap, which is why I've pounced on this smart 'Ripley' shoulder bag set at Aftershock. You're getting a lot of bag for your dollar here, as it's a large-sized shoulder bag with removable interior pocket and all the trappings of a trendy urban bag.

I'm loving the tassel - can't get enough of those right now - and the mock croc effect is knowingly chic. The heart-shaped decoration makes for a lovely finish on this bag, which is also available in cherry red.

Magenta Ostrich bag by Jane Hopkinson

It's hard not to stare at a bag that's made from magenta leather, but when it's delicately flecked with ostrich specks and as unusually fashioned as this one, the staring becomes downright rude. What is that beautiful bag, and where is it from?

It's actually a handmade piece from Brighton-based designer Jane Hopkinson, who makes this style (along with dozens of others) in three fabric colours at her workshop in Ditchling on the South Coast. To see more from this fascinating designer, check out her site, where you can find out more about how to order and commissions.

Kathy Van Zeeland hobo handbag

This crazy coloured hobo bag by Kathy Van Zeeland has a strangely nostalgic quality for me, as it reminds me more than a little of this portable stereo, which I had in the eighties.

Of course, being a bag you may not want this item to look like a stereo, and I think it has more than enough grace and style of its own to carry off the loud colours - and the boxiness - without looking plain odd like some of the colour block accessories out there. You can also buy this fun hobo in more muted colours, or in an all-over grey; all fantastic choices for an accessory that's a little different.

Blooming Marvelous bags for Mums

I'm sure that nobody reading this will be surprised to learn that there's a baby boom on, as everybody knows someone with a new baby on the way just now. Time was when parenthood meant abandoning all vestiges of style to hide away in baggy skirts and bad jumpers, but that's certainly not the case now, with whole industries emerging to make Mums and Dads look cool.

So yummy mummies present and future take note: Blooming Marvelous is a great luggage label specialising in bags that you'd never guess were full of nappies. The two styles pictured above: 'Oi Zebra' (£85) and Lin & Leo in red (£159) are both super stylish bags to carry your baby's must-haves with impeccable dignity. Watch out for more styles in the spring!

Nine West 'Cayla' hobo at Kurt Geiger

Nine West's 'Cayla' hobo reminds me rather a lot of Mulberry's Somerset hobo in cerise, which now appears to have sold out everywhere, much to my own personal chagrin. But the Cayla is a lot cheaper, and is made from good, sturdy fabrics in a pleasantly rounded and practical style.

Also available in a royal blue that would work well with a nautical ensemble in summer, or in eminently matchable classic black leather, I'm pretty tempted by this style as an all-round day bag.

Diane Von Furstenberg 'Stephanie' shoulder bag

DVF doesn't bring bags out all that often, but when she does they're pretty special. I love the luminosity and shimmer on this latest offering: it's an intricately woven multicolored metallic leather (yes, leather, I was thinking it looked more like chainmail too) that fits right in with next season's obsession with visible threads and weaving - while remianing 100% hands-down chic.

Something about the colour scheme here makes me think of ocean and seaside colours, so this would make for the smartest beach bag ever. Expect to see it on bronzed, bikini-clad celeb bodies before April's out!

Get the Gossip on the 'Roady' bag


Not since Sex and the City has a TV series prompted so much shoe and bag lust as Gossip Girl and the latest arm candy to leap from our screens and into our hearts is the Yves Saint Laurent 'Roady' bag, pictured above.

The classic hobo makes its debut in episode 12 of season 3, to the awe and wonderment of the show's main characters - and it's been having a similar effect on audiences in the States ever since. Kylie Minogue, Mary-Kate Olsen and Rihanna are also big fans of the bag, and have all been spotted wearing it in recent weeks. Rendered in black, the bag is timeless chic, for everyday or evening wear.

WIN a luxury fashion accessory pack with American Express Rewards credit card

To celebrate the launch of the new Express Rewards Credit Card, American Express® has teamed up with The Bag Lady to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a selection of fabulous fashion accessories. Each of the items has been hand selected by Claudia Winkleman, the first holder of the Express Rewards Credit Card, and are all available with vouchers you earn by using the new card. The items include a wool cloche hat from Marks & Spencer, Chanel sunglasses from House of Fraser, a key pendant necklace from Tiffany&Co, an Alexander McQueen skull print scarf and Faulke wool tights from Net-a-Porter.

Bottega Venata Houndstooth leather tote

Bottega Veneta has been one of the most coveted names of 2009, responsible for the most beautiful box clutches, the most luxurious materials and some of the most jaw-droppingly expensive items available on the market. So all eyes are firmly fixed on what the label will Do Next.

A bit of a departure for the specialists in all things dinky and delightful, this large-sized leather tote is completely covered in that 80s-chic fabirc of choice, Houndstooth. I like the way the usual monochrome effect is offset a little with the pale lemon yellow background. Springlike style is on its way!

£1,520 at Net-a-Porter

Coccinelle Cindy medium hobo bag in yellow

Want to get in on the yellow bag trend with a really wearable and handy bag that you'll want to keep by your side well into next year? I think I may have found the perfect ally. Small, compact and very chic, Coccinelle's 'Cindy' tote is the perfect shade and shape to add style and a smile to your everyday look.

Mid-range bags are difficult to get excited about, as by their very nature they're a compromise between those life-enhancing, wallet-busting purchases that are not worth buying unless they give you goosebumps and the more cheap and cheerful whim-purchases that picks you up on a dull day. But Coccinelle bridge the gap very well, bringing out styles that are engaging and lovable investments in their own right.