#best sports shoes for men under 2000

[o2toes]

O2Toes provides stylish and comfortable Casual Shoes For Mens. From casual sneakers to shoes, we offer a wide range of options to suit every taste. Step out in style with O2Toes Shoes.

[bukkum]

Men's T-Shirts: Style Tips To Feel Fashionable 

A man's shirt is one of his most adaptable garments since it may be worn in many ways. Despite the ebb and flow of cinematic fashion, a classic men t shirts and t-shirt combo will never fail to wow. Do not discount their potential just because you have doubts about your wardrobe's diversity. When put together, a shirt and t-shirt are among the fabulous costumes for sporadic requirements. Laying the ensemble, providing comfort, or just sporting a trendy appearance are the key benefits of the shirt with t-shirt style. T-shirt combinations need thought for other reasons as well. With this comprehensive guide, find out what to wear with a sweater and t-shirt. You can pull off that look.

Learn from this blog how to layer a sweater over a t-shirt like a man. Have you tired of the tried-and-true method of rocking the casual look, consisting of a t-shirt and jeans? Do you like experimenting with new ways to wear outerwear by mixing and matching different shirts and t-shirts? Check out our latest style piece to learn more about making a statement with your style.

Mind The Dress Requirements

The fact is that many events need formal attire, such as a suit and tie or at least a collared long-sleeved shirt. If the occasion is more relaxed, a T-shirt may be appropriate. Unless instructed otherwise, refrain from wearing best t shirts for men to the workplace or a friend is wedding. It makes no difference how nice you feel about your appearance. Like denim jackets and flip-flops, T-shirts have their place and time. If you want people to take you seriously, you must always act appropriately.

T-Shirts with Printing

Printed t-shirts are just as easy to wear as plain ones, but they add something more to your ensemble. The sole requirement is to be subtle, whether it's a graphic design, a brand, or some words of wisdom. Printed t-shirts for men nowadays are meant to complement a man's style rather than overpower it, very different from the flashy branding of the early 2000s. Jeans also look great with printed polo t shirts. They are equally effective, using opposing colours (white on blue) or complementary colours (grey on blue).

Wear A Layered Checkered Shirt

Wear the checkered shirt under the oversized T-shirt on days when the temperature drops. This straightforward pairing elevates the laid-back getup to the semiformal. It's appropriate for the classroom and after-hours socializing with pals on weekends. Wear it with skinny jeans, high-top shoes, and sunglasses for a more refined ensemble.

Pair With A Bright Yellow Shirt For A Bold Look

If you want to flaunt the open shirt look in yellow, most guys should probably stick with white. If you are not into bold colour combinations, a grey or blue tee with a yellow shirt and torn jeans is a safe option. If you are the daring kind, a pair of denim shorts and a yellow blouse will offer you a beachy style for the summer.

Neckline: V-Neck or Crew

V-necks are more flattering on muscular guys. The low neckline is perfect for flaunting a muscular chest. If you have a short neck or a narrow face, a V-neck polo t shirts for men will make you seem taller. Men with a leaner build should opt for a crew neck. This cut conceals your upper body and neck more than others, making them a smart choice if you last went to the gym a while ago.

What fashion do you recommend? You get to decide. Whatever you do, do not bare too much skin on your chest. Avoid necklines that plunge too low, such as scoop neck' or 'boat neck' styles.

Find the Appropriate Material

The fabric of a shirt is an important quality indicator. T-shirts made from high-quality materials may do wonders for your appearance.

High-end men's shirts are generally made from merino wool, a fine-weave wool that resists odour for up to seven days.

A soft, breathable fabric that combines cotton and synthetic fibres.

The finest quality cotton available; it does not fade or pill and becomes softer with each wash.

Fabrics made from Lycra, Spandex, or elastane are often used in athletic wear because they maintain high durability even after numerous washings. They do double duty by keeping the shirt in place and making it more wearable.

Cotton Henley Tees

A notched collar and buttons transform a regular tee into a dapper man's top. Because of this, it's recommended that henley t-shirts be worn without any designs on them. Colour blocking is essential, and jeans are the major accessory. You may wear any of the henley range's colours with your blue or grey jeans. Do not go too crazy, and don't forget the leather boots or shoes.

Conclusion

Who knew a simple oversized shirt could be worn so many different ways? Since streetwear's rise to prominence, several international powerhouses have joined forces with their counterparts in the streetwear industry. Do not fret about the enormous shirt's sleeves falling to almost elbow length. This is the intended state of affairs! The bottom of the plain t shirts for men at Bukkum Athleisurewear may be folded up for an alternative style.

A semiformal alternative is to wear the shirt untucked with pants. Bolder colours, patterns, and images may be played with to create a more modern appearance. Do not be afraid to experiment with other items like fanny packs, chains for pants, and bucket caps. Even if there is no hard and fast rule regarding streetwear fashion, one thing to remember is that confidence in one's appearance is critical.

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[huesofblue]

Maximum Results for Maximum Efforts (A Table Tennis Review - Pt. I)

When you think of a sport that uses two small paddles to pass around a small white ball across a wide green table with a short net in the middle, you would think of either ping pong or table tennis. However, according to Coach EmRatThich from the Ping Sunday (2019a), up until 2011, they were essentially the same thing – they could be interchanged for each other, they were played the same way, they used the same equipment. In fact, ping pong was just a trademarked name for table tennis in 1901.

However, when the new decade of the 2000s started, they soon developed significant differences. Coach EmRatThich enumerated their differences in his blog that aimed to differentiate the two sports, and some of those differences were the following:

[table of differences taken from Ping Sunday]

Aside from that, ping pong and table tennis also differ in the equipment they use, in their rules, in the method of scoring, in their world championships, and in the playing style utilized by their players. Regardless, they are still sports that people from around the world give importance to.

And in this blog post, we will be talking about the Men’s Singles Table Tennis Final Match at the 2016 Rio Olympics. But before that, we shall talk about table tennis’ court dimensions, equipment, basic skills, technical and tactical skills, rules of the game, and method of officiating.

Court Dimensions

[all rights reserved to the original owner of the graphic: Ecns.cn]

Rio Olympics’ Men’s Singles Table Tennis Final Match was played at the Pavilion 3 of the Riocentro, which is an exhibition and convention center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Wikimedia, 2021). There, the sport’s table courts were situated.

In the Britannica article for table tennis, written by Victor Barna (2019), the sport is played on a rectangular table with a surface that is 2’6” (76cm) above the ground and a surface measurement of 9 feet by 5 feet (2.7 meters by 1.5 meters). The net that stands 6 inches (15.25cm) in the middle spans 6 feet (1.8 meters) long across the table.

[all rights reserved to the original owner of the graphic: All About Table Tennis]

Equipment

Generally, table tennis only requires the rackets/paddles, the ball, and a table. However, the rackets, specifically, have parts that can and should be customized to fit the player’s preferences in a non-casual game. And according to the Chinese method of coaching, the minimum requirements for non-casual table tennis are the blade, the rubber, clothing and shoes, and glue for the rubbers.

As stated in the equipment page by Coach EmRatThich (2019b), the racket is made of the blade and rubber. The blade is basically the bare wood frame of the racket – it makes up 80% of a player’s playing style because this is the deciding factor of their moves and skills, and whether or not they will perform well, which is why the blade should be chosen fully according to the player’s preferences. The remaining 20% is the rubber, and this is the part of the racket on either side of the blade that adds the speed and spin to the ball. Since the rubbers are in different colors, one racket should not have two rubbers of the same color. Together, the blade and the rubber work hand in hand together in order to provide the player their best performance.

The next equipment is the ball, and it should measure at least 40mm in diameter and 2.7g in weight, and it can be either white-colored or orange-colored. Following that is the table, and it was already discussed in the previous section for the court dimensions. After the table are the clothes and shoes, and they are important equipment because they aid the player’s mobility – too tight clothes will restrict the player’s movement and bad shoes will hinder them from moving as fast as they want to. The clothes also serve as the representation for the player’s identity, especially if they are playing for a team. The last important equipment is the glue for the rubber which decides the amount of spin and renders the high-quality consistency of the rubber’s performance. Many players glue and reglue often during matches, so it is an important equipment to have at all times if a high-quality performance needs to be maintained.

[all rights reserved to the original owner of the graphic: incountryvalueoman.net]

Basic Skills

According to the Ping Pong Ruler (2020a), the basic skills of table tennis comprise only of three (3) things: having a good stance and footwork, holding the paddle properly, and knowing the basic table tennis strokes.

In table tennis, having a good stance and footwork is crucial to a player’s performance because they provide the support that the player needs in order to move fast and hit accurately. Granted that the stance varies with the type of situation that the player is in, the right stance should still be observed all throughout because it makes the player balanced and stabilized. On the other hand, good footwork provides the player the ability to move how ever they deem fit and do that quickly in accordance to their reaction time.

Holding the paddle properly is also an important fundamental skill because it basically dictates the quality of the performance (2020b). There are many types of grips that a player can utilize, and though they each have their own pros and cons, it is important to choose the right grip and to know how to handle the paddle properly in order to maintain control and accuracy in the play and to deliver split-second point-saving decisions during the game.

Lastly, knowing the basic table tennis strokes is “paramount to get the technical basics correct…they are the foundations that can be built upon as a player improves” (Larcombe, 2012).

Technical Skills

Like in every other sport, the technical skills of table tennis are largely presented through the strokes that are done by the players. Based on the Chinese coaching, which was stated in the article by Coach EmRatThich (2018), there are 10 fundamental technical skills in table tennis, that which are the following:

1. Forehand drive technique – helps the player learn the feeling of the ball which advances improvement;

2. Backhand topspin close to the table – helps the player understand how to use their wrist and to relax, and also teach them the right timing of acceleration and the correct grip;

3. Forehand push & backhand push – helps the player become used to and predict accurately the timing to hit the ball coming towards them;

4. Forehand flick – an attacking stroke that teaches the players aggression when on the offensive;

5. Backhand flick – used to return all the topspin or sidespin short serves;

6. Backhand loop the underspin ball – helps the players improve on the usage of their lower body parts which consequently improves the quality of their play;

7. Forehand attack the semi-long ball – helps the players learn how to attack semi-long balls that their opponents may resort to as an attack after a serve;

8. Learn Forehand fast serve – an indispensable skill that can put opponents under pressure, reduces the quality of the opponent’s service return, and other advantages;

9. Forehand pendulum serve – one of the best serves in table tennis because it allows the players to add many spin variations; and

10. Backhand side-spin serve – gives the player the control of the placement and the ability to reduce the pace of the game, which presents the chance of changing the outcome of the match.

Tactical Skills

Table tennis not only requires technical skills but also tactical skills in playing. While the technical skills provide the concrete physical support, the tactical skills provide the mental and situational support that a player needs in order to actually win. In his article about table tennis tactical skills, Ben Larcombe (Tactical Training for Table Tennis, 2015) enumerated some (though not limited to) general tactics that a player can use to specify, improve and win with their play:

Playing into their crossover point (playing elbow);

Using wide angles;

Giving them deep heavy backspin digs;

Keep everything tight and short so they cannot attack;

Always trying to attack (get in) first;

Varying your serves;

Keeping the ball away from their strongest side (usually forehand);

Adding float balls as a variation;

Playing short to their forehand corner and then deep to their backhand corner (or vice versa);

Staying very close to the table; and

Adding sidespin to your shots (hooks, fades, sidespin pushes etc.).

[all rights reserved to the original owner of the graphic: Medium]

Rules of Table Tennis

In order to make the matches fair and equal, rules are implemented handsomely. The following rules to be mentioned were taken from PongFit (Official Rules of Table Tennis, n.d.) which were summarized from the rules that came from USA Table Tennis:

1. GAMES ARE PLAYED TO 11 POINTS;

2. ALTERNATE SERVES EVERY TWO POINTS;

3. TOSS THE BALL STRAIGHT UP WHEN SERVING;

4. THE SERVE CAN LAND ANYWHERE IN SINGLES;

5. DOUBLES SERVES MUST GO RIGHT COURT TO RIGHT COURT;

6. A SERVE THAT TOUCHES THE NET ON THE WAY OVER IS A “LET”;

7. ALTERNATE HITTING IN A DOUBLES RALLY;

8. VOLLEYS ARE NOT ALLOWED;

9. IF YOUR HIT BOUNCES BACK OVER THE NET BY ITSELF, IT IS YOUR POINT;

10. TOUCHING THE BALL WITH YOUR PADDLE HAND IS ALLOWED;

11. YOU MAY NOT TOUCH THE TABLE WITH YOUR NON-PADDLE HAND;

12. AN “EDGE” BALL BOUNCING OFF THE HORIZONTAL TABLE TOP SURFACE IS GOOD; and

13. HONOR SYSTEM APPLIES TO DISAGREEMENTS.

[all rights reserved to the original owner of the graphic: Grabitall]

Who will officiate the sport? And how do they do it?

There is a method of officiating table tennis which ensures that the conduct of the sport is maintained to be fair and equal, and that method banks widely on the officials: the referees and the umpires.

In a nutshell, the difference between both is that the “referees control the conduct of tournaments, and umpires control the conduct of matches” (Table Tennis Queensland, n.d.). Granted that both officials are important, there is still a significant difference between them aside from what was previously mentioned.

According to Martin Hughes (Officials in Table Tennis, n.d.), the referees have the overall power over table tennis games, and they supervise the umpires during matches. The umpires, on the other hand, have their powers concentrated on individual matches rather than the tournament as a whole, which basically makes them the “people on the ground.”

[all rights reserved to the original owner of the graphic: Edmonton Table Tennis Club]

Please direct yourself to the second part of this blog post to find the actual analysis for this review. Thank you, and I'll see you there!

References

Barna, V. (2019, December 18). Table tennis. Retrieved March 9, 2021, from Encyclopedia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/sports/table-tennis

EmRatThich, C. (2018). 10 Fundamental Skills for Modern Table Tennis. Retrieved March 9, 2021, from Ping Sunday web site: https://pingsunday.com/10-table-tennis-fundamental-skills/

EmRatThich, C. (2019). Basic Types of Table Tennis Equipment. Retrieved March 9, 2021, from Ping Sunday: https://pingsunday.com/table-tennis-equipment/

EmRatThich, C. (2019). Huge Differences between Table Tennis vs. Ping Pong. Retrieved March 9, 2021, from Ping Sunday web site: https://pingsunday.com/difference-table-tennis-vs-ping-pong/#:~:text=Before%202011%2C%20%E2%80%9CPing%20Pong%E2%80%9D,Tennis%E2%80%9D%20is%20the%20same%20sport.&text=But%20serious%20players%20call%20it,formally%20train%20in%20the%20sport.

Hughes, M. (n.d.). Officials in Table Tennis. Retrieved March 9, 2021, from All About Table Tennis: https://www.allabouttabletennis.com/officials-in-table-tennis.html

Larcombe, B. (2012, November 16). The Four Basic Table Tennis Strokes. Retrieved March 9, 2021, from Expert Table Tennis web site: https://www.experttabletennis.com/basic-table-tennis-strokes/#:~:text=In%20table%20tennis%2C%20as%20in,them%20right%20first%20time%20around.

Larcombe, B. (2015, March 10). Tactical Training for Table Tennis. Retrieved March 9, 2021, from Expert Table Tennis web site: https://www.experttabletennis.com/tactical/

Ping Pong Ruler. (2020, October 15). Basic Table Tennis Skills You Need To Know. Retrieved March 9, 2021, from Ping Pong Ruler web site: https://www.google.com/search?q=basic+skills+in+table+tennis&oq=basic+skills+in+table+tennis&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l7.4405j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Ping Pong Ruler. (2020, December 15). Ping Pong Grips: How To Hold A Paddle? Penhold and Shakehand. Retrieved March 9, 2021, from Ping Pong Ruler web site: https://pingpongruler.com/table-tennis-grips/#:~:text=Penhold%20and%20Shakehand,a%20game%20of%20ping%20pong.

Pong Fit. (n.d.). Official Rules of Table Tennis. Retrieved March 9, 2021, from Pong Fit: https://www.pongfit.org/official-rules-of-table-tennis

Table Tennis Queensland. (n.d.). Officiating. Retrieved March 9, 2021, from Table Tennis Queensland: http://www.tabletennisqld.org/?PageID=10&wp=10

Wikimedia. (2021, January 30). Riocentro. Retrieved March 9, 2021, from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riocentro

[fayewonglibrary]

Melting of the Ice Queen (2000)

Once the music world’s Ice Queen, Faye Wong warms up to motherhood and new love as Rebecca Li uncovers.

AS Faye Wong walks into the photo studio at Chai Wan, Hong Kong, casually dressed in baby-blue pants and pink No Name sneakers that look like a cross between sports shoes and ballet slippers, she looks relaxed and girlish.

The colours of her outfit suggest that her life is absolutely bright and sunny.  Even without makeup, her eyes obscured by aviator shades, she still looks completely stunning.

Well-known for her nonchalance to the media and her chameleon-like image changes, Asia’s most charismatically enigmatic chanteuse seems to have mellowed.  Does it have anything to do with the birth of her daughter Jingtong in February 1997?

“The greatest change in me came not after the birth of my child, but after I converted to Buddhism in 1992,” says the 31-year-old.  “I used to ask myself questions like ‘Why is it so?’ But not everything in the world can be explained.  If it is so, it is so; there is no why.  If it is fated, then it is so!  You can only learn to accept your fate.  A simple principle, but easier said than done.”

LIFE GOES ON

With her divorce from Taiwanese rocker Dou Wei out of the way, Faye seems to have moved on.  The big news now is that she is dating a younger man, and not just any younger man too, but Hong Kong heartthrob Nicholas Tse, who’s all of 19.

The source of the rumor?  The pair was snapped by paparazzi earlier this year, kissing at a party in Hong Kong club Greenspot…during a drinking game.  And to add fuel to the fire, they have also been spotted having intimate dinners together on several occasions.

Gossip aside, it’s amazing how the public just cannot get enough of this long-limbed, 1.72 metre-tall Beijing-born beauty, who first set foot in Hong Kong in 1987 at the age of 18.

Back then, the artiste formerly known as Shirley Wong Ching Man didn’t even speak a word of Cantonese, and out of boredom, she enrolled herself in singing classes that helped her develop that ethereal voice that she is now so famous for.

After spending a couple of years in New York studying music, she returned to Hong Kong in 1992, changed her name to Faye, and released an album entitled COMING HOME.  The rest, as they say, is history.  In 1993, she was voted “Most Popular Asian Singer” and over the years, her star has just kept rising higher.

Within a short span of time, Faye has attained the kind of pop icon status that took her favorite singer Teresa Teng an entire lifetime to achieve.

Fans from as far as France devote entire websites to her.  Film critics in Sweden gave her the “Best Actress” award for her role in CHUNGKING EXPRESS.  Sony Playstation felt she was appealing enough to the youth market to pay her US$1 million to sing the ending theme song for their popular video game Final Fantasy 8.

If you’d holidayed in China last year and felt a thirst for Pepsi, you would have seen her gorgeous face emblazoned all over the can (that is, before the limited edition ran out).

A Japanese cellphone company used her for their commercial, but that perhaps is not even half as flattering as the fact that a Taiwanese artiste, Kung Mei Mei, released a debut album entitled I LOVE FAYE WONG.

QUEEN OF MODESTY

Faye has proven herself as one of the very few singers who have made a successful crossover into acting, with CHUNGKING EXPRESS, LOVE AFFAIR IN OKINAWA (which hit Singapore screens on 9 August) and the yet-to-be-completed 2046.  But she still remains unimpressed by her own thespian talents.

“Actually I don’t have much acting to do in LOVE AFFAIR IN OKINAWA… and it is nothing as crazy as the character in CHUNGKING EXPRESS.  It is much more normal and easy-going.”

And contrary to what others say, the movie has not been tailormade for her, she clarifies.  “Maybe they just know this is how I am, I simply can’t act.  Maybe it is because it is a different director (Peter Chan).  I have only worked with Wong Kar Wai before.  I’m more familiar with what he wants… I’m afraid of the demands from other directors, that I may not be able to meet their requirements…”

Faye says that she does not like acting because it involves teamwork and requires a lot of patience.

“For me, when you are making a movie, you have to wait.  It takes a lot of time, and it can be boring.  When you sing, you just need to go to the studio.  I would know if I have not sung a line well, so I can ask to do it again.  When it comes to acting, I wouldn’t know which way is better.  When the director says it is okay, then it’s okay for me, I wouldn’t have any opinion of my own.

"I have also sought advice from many actors, like Carina Lau, for example, who never went through formal training either.  She said, it will be fine, just keep doing it, it will come with experience!  Maybe that’s true, I’ve only made three movies, which is not much of an experience.”

While most actors eagerly dissect every film they can get their hands on, Faye says she is not even a movie buff to begin with.  “I don’t like to watch martial arts movies, war movies, period movies,” she says, without pausing for breath.  “I do watch comedies, but if it is blatantly slapstick, I will definitely not watch it.”

And contrary to how so-called “serious” actors try to get into their roles by trying to get under the skin of the character they’re taking on, Faye prefers not to get in too deep.

“When you are doing a Wong Kar Wai movie, you can never be quite in it, because you won’t even know what the story is all about.  When I was filming CHUNGKING EXPRESS, I really didn’t know what I was doing.  You have to read the script a few times to understand what he’s trying to say.  As I was playing the role, I was feeling that this girl is so irritating and inexplicable.  Haha…"  Self-mockery has always been a virtue of survivors.

LOVE ACCORDING TO FAYE

Now that she has reclaimed her "single” status, perhaps Faye will reveal the kind of man that attracts her?

But this line of questioning doesn’t get much information out of her – Faye would rather speak in generalities, and not about any specific person.  Nicholas Tse’s name is not mentioned throughout the interview.

Sexiness, Faye says, is a matter of personality, a kind of feel.  For her, there are no criteria to speak of.

“I have always been one to follow my intuition.  When it feels right, then it’s right.  The most important thing for a man is to be upright, frank, not to make me do any second-guessing, not to say one thing and do another thing.  Whether he is sexy or not is secondary.  There is not particular look that I go for.  Except that I don’t like guys that talk to much.”

Still, despite her ice queen persona, there’s still a hint that the man who manages to make her thaw will find a hopeless romantic underneath.

“I feel that everything is fated.  When a person is in love, it is like having a magic spell cast on you, you just can’t wriggle out of it, and you can’t be so level-headed as to examine yourself objectively.  Some would calculate various factors while choosing a marriage partner and decide according to one’s requirements.  But I’m definitely not someone like that.”

Translated by Ts’ Ming.

FAYE ON HER LEADING MEN

Tony Leung Chiu Wai - “I have worked with him the most number of times but never really talked to him.  I don’t understand him too well.  He doesn’t talk much, but sometimes he would behave like … he would be very affectionate, it’s rather odd.  I guess he is harder to fathom.”

Leslie Cheung - “He is a buddy.  He is someone who makes clear distinctions between what he loves and what he hates.  He would explain why he likes something and why he doesn’t like something … a headstrong type of person.”

Tony Leung Kar Fai - “He is a very agreeable character, he would share his private matters with others, things like where his family has gone traveling, what they have encountered, how his daughter is doing … I think he would make a perfect husband, very nice, caring, and attentive.”

Takuya Kimura - “Kimura is a very smart person.  But sometimes he’s very playful too.  He’s actually a very professional actor.”

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

On hobbies - “Shopping for clothes is no longer my hobby, I only shop for 'working clothes’, so that doesn’t count.  Recently, I haven’t’ had any hobbies.  Apart from work, I just lie around at home, or meet up with some friends.  I have not played mahjong for a long time."  (Right, who has time for mahjong when one is too busy dating?)

On music - "Thinking back on my first record, it was released without much thought, and it was not very me.  I tend to be more carefree while recording in the studio, other than that I behave very awkwardly.  I’m not one who needs to listen to music everyday.”

On pursuits - “I’m not very worried about what to eat, or what to wear, just as long as I have a place to live comfortably.  Actually I’m usually not so concerned about my appearance.  I think the only thing I care for is my records, choosing my songs, recording a good album.  Although there are some works that I’m satisfied with, I still hope to do more.”

On happiness - “A lot of times, that’s just a state of mind.  As long as you know how to let go, you will be much happier.”

On her daughter - “I never planned to have children.  I’m not a patient person but I tend to be nicer to children.  Fortunately, Jing Tong is not naughty at all.  I will not interfere with her future, my responsibility is just to raise her.  Whichever path she takes from then on would be her own, that’s beyond my control.”

MAKING OF A COVER GIRL

Faye Wong has a habit of browsing through magazines while making up.  She would rather stay a while longer than to rush an interview while making up and doing her hair.  Such insistence is rare among entertainers, but how else to share your thoughts with so many people around to interrupt?

So this reporter had to watch her making up, doing her hair, trying her dress and taking the polaroids for a full five hours.  But that helped her to warm up and made it easier to strike up a conversation.

As expected, her daughter Jing Tong turned up at 5:30 pm sharp, insisted on a hug and kiss, and on being Faye’s personal dresser – she followed Mum into the changing room.  Faye looked completely transformed as she emerged, and her daughter started to mimic her, much to everyone’s amusement.

During the interview, the cute little girl interrupted three or four times, but she also knew when to back off after every act, without being told off.

As the interview drew to a close, Jing Tong grew more and more impatient.  She shouted with all her might:  “Mum, Mum, let’s go home!"  It sounded like a little wish that was too long suppressed.

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SOURCE: ELLE

[o2toes]

The lightweight design and better breathability of the shoes maintain a comfortable space for the feet to move around. The good wearability of the shoes reduces the risk of blisters and other shoe discomfort. Enjoy the Best Sneakers from O2Toes, combining high-quality materials and strict quality control for reliable and stylish footwear.

[chlostertalks]

The Raised Fists at Mexico City 1968: 50 Years Later

This is part of a series to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the social justice actions at the 1968 Olympics at Mexico City.

IT HAPPENED OCTOBER 16. Well before I was born on this day, and during one of the most violent years in American history, would come an event that would emphasize the fight for equality. 

For those like me who were not of the 1960s, it is very hard to fathom all that happened in America and around the world in 1968. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bobby Kennedy were assassinated. Tensions flared, and riots raged across the country. The Vietnam War was under way, and NASA used space exploration to combat the Cold War. Around the world, apartheid, the Chinese Revolution, and Australia's Stolen Generation were just a few of the major issues at the time. Television, film, and entertainment continued to evolve, and Bob Dylan and Marvin Gaye were among many artists who used their platforms to chronicle and critique the era.

Athletes would also use their platforms to critique the era. In 1967, Bill Russell, the first black coach to win an NBA title, would join Jim Brown, Lew Alcindor, and Muhammad Ali at a summit in Cleveland amid Ali's draft evasion trial.

All this and more would serve as the backdrop for an autumnal sports fortnight in 1968.

 The Games of the XIX Olympiad would be the only Olympics south of the United States until 2016. Mexico wanted to put forth the best its capital city had to offer during the Games, but had tensions on its own soil. Days before the Opening Ceremony, the government opened fire on college students mid-protest in what is known as the Tlatelolco Massacre.

Felipe Muñoz would win the 100m breaststroke and win his country's first gold on home soil. George Foreman defeated Jonas Cepulis in a Cold War showdown. The US track and field team set eight world records, including Bob Beamon's 29-plus-foot long jump. Dick Fosbury would even teach the world how to high jump backwards.

Estadio Olímpico Universitario hosted the fastest men's 200m final at that time. Tommie Smith briefly nursed a muscle pulled during the semifinal. Peter Norman of Australia held the world record heading into the final; had he run that race this millennium, he would have earned bronze behind Usain Bolt at the 2009 World Championships. Smith would rely heavily on his technique to win the race at a world-record time of 19.83. He was the first person to break 20 seconds in the event, and the only athlete to hold world records in 11 different track and field events simultaneously.   

Memories of not only the race, but the entire 1968 Summer Olympics is summarized into the most iconic image of the 20th century.

 Left to right: silver medalist Peter Norman (AUS), gold medalist Tommie Smith (USA), and bronze medalist John Carlos (USA) on the medal stand after the men’s 200m final. Associated Press (via Smithsonian Magazine). 

In what is known universally as the Black Power Salute, Smith and Carlos, both running for Team USA, raised gloved fists in the air on the medal stand during the national anthem. Smith, Carlos, and Norman wore buttons in support of the Olympic Project for Human Rights. Norman, who heavily participated in the Salvation Army in Australia and wholeheartedly believed in human rights, received his button from American rower Paul Hoffman.

 Smith spoke with conceptual artist Glenn Kaino and moderator Michael Rooks at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta September 29, clarifying that it was not a Black Power salute at all. "It was called the Olympic Project for Human Rights, not civil rights," he said. "That human part covers everything–man, woman, and all ethnicities, religions, and so forth. It was a viable way to move everyone into a direction of their own belief, their own artistic belief." He adamantly repeats his statement in his autobiography, Silent Gesture.

However, it is easy to confuse the gesture as a Black Power salute. In an interview with ABC's Howard Cosell, Smith spoke of Black America, as quoted in Silent Gesture. "My raised right hand stood for the power in Black America. Carlos's left hand stood for the unity of Black America. Together, they formed an arch of unity and power. The black scarf around my neck stood for Black pride. The black socks with no shoes stood for Black poverty in racist America. The totality of our effort was the regaining of Black dignity."

 Regardless of interpretation, the Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR) had its roots planted in San José, California. Again, America was amid a turbulent time in the 1960s, and it was no different in California. The Free Speech Movement took place at the University of California at Berkeley; Los Angeles saw the Watts riots; and two years and one day before the gesture, Oakland became the birthplace of the Black Panther Party. San José State College (now University), known as Speed City for its world-class men's track team, would make its presence known in American history when Dr. Harry Edwards founded OPHR.  

Edwards was a senior when Tommie Smith was a freshman at San José State. He would later become a sociology professor on campus. Like Smith, Lee Evans and East Texas State (now Texas A&M Commerce) transfer John Carlos became involved with the project. The project clearly stated its objectives, from the reinstatement of Muhammad Ali's WBO title to the removal of South Africa and Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) from the Olympics. The organization even called upon the removal of IOC President Avery Brundage.

To date, Brundage is the only American to head the International Olympic Committee. He finished behind Jim Thorpe in the 1912 Games in Stockholm. He became a member of the committee itself after persuading America not to boycott the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany. In addition to his new promotion, Brundage would also build the Nazi German embassy in Chicago, as commissioned by Adolf Hitler himself. He even expelled two Jewish athletes from Team USA. 

Brundage in 1972. Stripes.com. 

Athletes and entertainers had mulled over an Olympics boycott for years, starting with comedian Dick Gregory. Talks became more serious at the Western Regional Black Youth Conference in November of 1967. Harry Edwards, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Stokely Carmichael spoke at the Los Angeles event. Dr. King even wanted to serve as advisor to OPHR. Athletes, including Smith, Evans, and UCLA standout Lew Alcindor, converged here to vote on boycotting the Games. The Black Power Salute documentary features Smith’s discussion about the boycott during the 1967 Universaide in Tokyo: "A boycott is possible, and it’s probable. The reasoning is, why should we participate for a country–and for 100% effort–and come back to our homes, and are denied some of the rights that should be given [to] us?”  

The result was unanimously in favor of a boycott, but it never came to fruition. Most black athletes boycotted a major meet at the New York Athletic Club during its centennial year. As the Games drew near, however, athletes debated inner fears, outer threats, and for some, the potential of being court-martialed as a result of jeopardizing their military service. Ultimately, Edwards would publish an article called "There Are Many Ways to Boycott," and, as mentioned in Black Power Salute, said that everyone is free to do what their commitment permits them to do. Just before the Games, Brundage commented on the matter: “A boycott would only be to the disadvantage of the boys themselves. I don’t think any of these boys would be foolish enough to demonstrate at the Olympic Games, and I think if they do, they’ll be properly sent home.”

Black athletes won over 1/3 of Olympic medals post-World War II, but were treated as second-class citizens. Though he competed before the War itself, Jesse Owens became a household name for winning four gold medals in the face of Hitler. Though he was celebrated in his return to America, he struggled to make ends meet. He lost his amateur status after Berlin, and resorted to racing horses for money. This same Jesse Owens that, regardless of intention, made a political and racial statement by competing in the Nazi German games, would later denounce making political statements on the world's biggest stage: “I deplore the use of the Olympic Games by certain people for political aggrandizement. There is no place in the athletic world for politics.”

Harry Edwards, who did not attend the Games due to threats from the FBI, noted that “sport inevitably recapitulates society.” In his autobiography, Smith talks about the responsibility to use his athletic platform to drive social change: "What I believed, instead, is that you take what you do best, which for me was running in track and field, and use it as a platform for something good, to get something done. The Olympic Games was a part of a platform that I was able to use because of what I had accomplished, to make people realize what's going on in this country. You can't not use it."

  All on the victory stand suffered greatly after supporting the Olympic Project for Human Rights. 

After the salute, Brundage sent Jesse Owens to talk to the American athletes. The IOC would send Smith and Carlos home, and the two were never allowed to race for Team USA ever again. Though his Olympic performance stands as the 200m Australian record to this day, Peter Norman was not invited to join Team Australia for the 1972 Games in Munich. He subsequently retired from track and field. Though Smith would participate in the Olympic Torch Relay for the 1996 Games in Atlanta, Norman was not even invited to participate in celebrations for Sydney 2000. Norman died in 2006.

Smith and Carlos faced unemployment, even when trying to take care of their wives and kids. Both faced tough personal losses and familial strains. Though they are not close as people would seem to believe, the two would rebound similarly with teaching and coaching tenures. To this day, Smith fears dying as a result of his protest on the medal stand.

In the present day, a larger-than-life statue of Smith and Carlos is on the campus of San José State University. Harry Edwards founded the Institute for Sport, Society, and Social Change on campus as well. Both Carlos and Smith reside in Georgia.

Dr. Harry Edwards (right) speaking in 2016. Behind him is the statue of John Carlos (left) and Tommie Smith (center) on the campus of San José State University. San José State University website. 

It is very easy to compare the salute to the kneeling of Colin Kaepernick, Eric Reid, and other football players of this decade. Similar sacrifices have been made, and similar repercussions have been faced. Though Reid recently joined the Carolina Panthers after months of unemployment, Kaepernick has yet to return to a professional football field. Smith, Glenn Kaino, and Kaepernick met in 2017 in New York to discuss the similarities among the protests.

Eric Reid (left) and Colin Kaepernick (right) kneel during a San Francisco 49ers game. Mike McCarn, Associated Press (via ABC News). 

It happened October 16. The photo is still widely recognized around the world. The patterns between the protest of 1968 and those of today are clear that this country has come a long way, but has a long way to go. Continuing the fight may require all-out unity. Continuing the fight may require doing what commitments allow people to do, in Edwards' words. Regardless, it will require being uncomfortable and standing for positive change amid fear and backlash.

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Nike Dunk Shoes - Everything you need to know

It is every adolescent sports lover's desire to own Nike footwear. These footwears are not just understood for their phenomenal quality but likewise have a cult adhering to as a result of their substantial brand name allure. When basketball was acquiring appeal in the 1980s, it was Nike that purchased about adjustment and a new range of shoes that would certainly help users perform well at the courts. To date, Nike shoes have a popularity rating that is hard to match. The days of standing in line outside the nearest Nike store might be over yet have been changed by supplies vanishing within secs when introduced on the best online sneaker store. When it comes to one of the most preferred Nike casual shoes, Nike Dunk shoes are one of everyone's faves. Gone for roughly the exact same time as Air Jordan's, these footwears were made to give a premium grasp on the basketball courts. With time, it became a cult classic, coming in different styles, shades, and variations for men, females, as well as children. The first Nike Dunk Shoes

The Nike brand name was almost 10 years old when the Nike Dunk was introduced in 1985. This was the moment when Nike designers conceived footwear that wed the street style with premium sports performance. Its bold colors along with making use of innovative styles meant individuals longed to get the most recent shoes on their own. Even today, limited editions of Nike dunk shoes are sold out as quickly as they are launched. People expect Purchase Nike Shoes Online for these restricted version shoes.

However, because of its similarities with Air Jordan 1s, many people do not recognize which is which. Numerous knockoff Nike shoes likewise mix the features of Air Jordan's and Dunks. There are some distinct distinctions in between both Nike Dunks vs. Air Jordan 1sts

There are several underhanded merchants who offer one for the various other as most individuals do not know the difference in between Nike Dunk shoes and Nike Air Jordans. They use several tricks of the trade to get you to buy what they desire, even if they are knockoffs. The next time you desire genuine Nike shoes, always select the very best place to buy Nike Shoes Online.

 Why the complication?

Nike released the Air Jordan's merely a few months prior to the Nike Dunk. Unless you look very closely, both these footwears may appear as various versions of the very same Nike sub-brand. It is only when you look very closely do you find noticeable differences.

Intended use

The Nike Dunks were promoted to college basketball teams in numerous colors. Nike had actually also made a special laugh line- Be True To Your Institution (BTTYS) for this. On the other hand, Air Jordan's were developed for individual wear, to be used both for play in addition to day-to-day wear. Nike used the appeal of Michael Jordan to promote the Air Jordan's, while the Nike Dunks were totally for basketball play.

USP

Air Jordan's come with what they are promoted for-Air in the midsoles. The Nike dunk, on the other hand, normally does not. Nevertheless, some most current Nike Dunks do feature air in their midsoles. Nike additionally launches numerous limited version shoes under both the Air Jordan in addition to the Nike Dunk brand names, where the differences between the two are a little obscured. If you plan to buy Nike Dunks online, you have to do so from a reliable source that will certainly ensure you get the ideal top quality genuine Nike shoes.

The Ankle Straps

What makes the Nike Dunk's various from the Air Jordan's are the ankle joint straps which can be laced for additional support. In the 2000s, this was an extensively preferred trend which has, thankfully, gone out of fashion. The Air Jordan features these ankle bands sewn into the footwear. This is one point you can look out for if you intend to Get Sneakers Online from Nike.

Overall shoe design

If you ask a shoe specialist, he'll recognize which is which by observing the shoe's stitched panel format. At the toe box, the Nike Dunk is roomier, while the Air Jordan is extra conical. Both the footwear's eye stay designs are different- the Dunk has a wavy eye stay till the ankle while the Air Jordan 1 has an extra sewed panel reinforced to the initial three eyelets. If you truly wish to differentiate between both, see the rear of the footwear, if there is no Wings logo design, you can be sure it is a Nike Dunk; why would Nike placed the Air Jordan logo on the Nike Dunk after all? The last word

The Nike Dunk footwear have actually held their status as a high-performance sneaker for greater than 30 years. Though Nike also has the Air Jordan's for the very same target market, these 2 sub-brands do not compete with each other. While Air Jordan's are more of a fashion declaration, Nike Dunk footwear are strongly geared in the direction of optimal sports efficiency.

Related Read: Top Brands Best Sneaker Releases December 2021

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The most popular football clubs in the world

https://everydaypivotal.blogspot.com/2021/09/the-most-popular-football-clubs-in-world.html

Football, often known as soccer or football, is a team sport in which two teams of 11 players compete with a spherical ball. It has become a popular sport around the world with over 250 million athletes playing in over 200 countries and dependencies. The game is played on a pitch, which is a rectangular area with a goal at either end. The goal of the game is to score more goals than the opponent by moving the ball beyond the goal line, usually within 90 minutes or more.

The game of football is governed by a set of regulations known as the rules of the game. The ball measures 68-70 centimeters (27-28 inches) in circumference and is called a football. The other two teams compete (between positions and under the bar) to get the ball to the other team's goal, thereby scoring a goal. Also, save for goalkeepers in the penalty area, players are not permitted to touch the ball with their hands or arms while playing. Athletes can use any other part of their body to hit or pass the ball, mainly their feet. The team with the most goals at the end of the match is the winner; If both teams have scored the same number of goals, a draw will be declared or the match will be penalized in extra time, depending on the format of the match. Each team is led by a captain who has only one official responsibility set out by the law of the game: representing his team for the toss advantage before the start or the penalty kick.

International football is governed by the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA; France: Federation International de Football Association), which organizes the Men's and Women's World Cups every four years. The Men's World Cup has been held every four years since 1930, except for 1942 and 1946, which were canceled due to World War II. Within the continental scope, around 190-200 national teams play in qualifying tournaments for a spot in the finals. The finals are held every four years, with 32 national teams competing over four weeks. It is the most prestigious and most followed football tournament in the world, apart from the Olympic Games. The Women's Football World Cup has been held every four years since 1991 but was played by women until football. The 2019 FIFA World Cup in France was watched by a record 1.12 billion people.

The most prestigious competitions in European social football are the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Women's Champions League, which attract a large number of television viewers around the world. In the last few years, the final of the Men's Record Tournament has become the most-watched annual sporting event in the world. The top five European men's leagues are the Premier League (England), La Liga (Spain), the Bundesliga (Germany), the Serie A (Italy), and the League 1 (France). Attracting the best players in the world, the total salary cost of each league exceeds $ 600 / € 763 / US $ 1.185 billion.

Real Madrid's football clubs (Royal Madrid Football Club)

Is a Spanish professional football club based in Madrid. Founded on March 6, 1902, as the Madrid Football Club, the club has traditionally worn a white home set since its inception. Spa Spanish is the honorary title for "royal" and was presented to the Royal Crown Club in 1920 by King Alfonso XIII. Since 1947, the team has played at their home at the 81,044-capacity Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid. Unlike many European sports organizations, Real Madrid's members (clubs) have owned and operated throughout its history.  

The club was valued at 3. 3.8 billion ($ 4.2 billion) in 2019, making it the second highest-earning football club in the world with annual revenue of 75 757.3 million in 2019.  The club is one of the most widely supported in the world. Real Madrid was one of the three founding members of La Liga in 1929, along with athletes Bilbao and Barcelona. The club has many long-standing rivalries, especially with Barcelona in El Clasico and Atletico Madrid in El Derby Madrid.  Real Madrid established itself as a major force in both Spanish and European football in the 1950s, winning five consecutive European Cups and reaching the final seven times. This victory also took place in the league and the club won five times in seven years. The team, which includes Alfredo Di Stefano, Frank Puskas, Francisco Gento, and Raymond Copa, is considered by some to be the greatest team in the sport.

In local football, the club has won 66 trophies; Record 34 La Liga titles, 19 Copa del Rey, 11 Supercopa de Espana, Copa Eva Duarte, and Copa de la Liga. Real Madrid has won a record 26 trophies in European and world competitions; Record European Cup 13 / UEFA Champions League trophy, two UAFA trophies, and four UEFA Super Cups. They have won a record seven clubs in international football. Real Madrid was recognized as the FIFA Club of the 20th Century on December 11, 2000, with 42.35% of the vote, and received the FIFA Centennial Order on May 20, 2004. On May 11, 2010, IFFHS named the club the Best European Club of the 20th Century.  In June 2017, the team became the first club to win consecutive Champions League titles, and then to three and four quarters in a row. In May 2018, they were at the top of the UFA social rankings. By 2020, Real Madrid will be third behind Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

Barcelona football clubs

Spa Spanish Bar Professional Football Club in Barcelona competes in La Liga, the highest flight of Spanish football.

Founded in 1899 by a group of Swiss, Spanish, German, and English footballers under the leadership of John Gumper, the club has become a symbol of Catalan culture and Catalonia, and therefore a model of "more than a club" ("a club"). That is the text. Unlike many other football clubs, Barcelona is owned and operated by its supporters. It is the fourth most valuable sports team in the world at $ 4.06 billion and the world's richest football club with an annual turnover of 8 840.8 million.  The official anthem of Barcelona is "Cant del Barza" by Jom Picas and Joseph Maria Espinas.  Barcelona traditionally plays with the dark blue and red stripes that lead to the nickname Blughrana.

Locally, Barcelona has won a record 75 trophies: 26 La Liga, 31 Copa del Rey, 13 Supercopa de Espana, three Copa Eva Duarte, and two Copa de la Liga titles as well as the record holder for the final four. In international club football, the club has won 20 European and World Championships: five UEFA Champions League titles, four record UFA trophy winners, a combined record, five UEFA Super Cups, three inter-city exhibitions trophies, and three FIFA World Cups. Barcelona was ranked No. 1 in world football history and statistics club rankings for 1997, 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2015,   and ranked fourth in the UAFA club rankings by 2021.  The club has long-standing rivalries with Real Madrid, and the rivalry between the two teams is known as El Clasico.

Barcelona is one of the most widely supported teams in the world and the club has one of the largest social media clubs in the world. The Barcelona players have won the Record Ballon d'Or (twelve), along with the winners of the FIFA World Player of the Year award (seven), including Ronaldo, Romero, Ronaldinho, and Rivaldo. In 2010, three players from the club's young academy (Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, and Xavi) were selected as the three best players in the world at the FIFA Ballon d'Or, an unprecedented victory for the academy's players. . In addition, athletes representing the club have won a record number (eight) of European Golden Shoe Awards.

In 1929, along with athletes Bilbao and Real Madrid, Barcelona was one of the three founding members of the Primera Division, who were not relegated from the top echelons. In 2009, Barcelona became the first spa Spanish club to win the La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League, and the first spa to win six out of six games in a single year. The spa also won the Spanish Super Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. In 2011 the club became European champions again and won five trophies. The Barcelona team, which has won fourteen trophies in four years under Pep Guardiola, is considered by some to be the greatest team in the sport. In 2015, winning their fifth Champions Trophy, Barcelona became the first European football club to win the continental trio twice for the first time in history. In 2018, Barcelona, ​​the world's highest-paid sports team, became the first sports team to pay more than 10 10 million ($ 13.8 million) a year on average.

Manchester United football clubs

Manchester United Football Club is a professional football club based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England, competing in the Premier League, the premier airline in English football. Nicknamed the "Red Devils", the club was founded in 1878 as Newton Heath LR Football Club, renamed Manchester United in 1902, and moved to its current stadium at Old Trafford in 1910.

Manchester United has won more trophies than any other club in English football, with a record 20 leagues, 12 FA Cups, 5 league trophies, and a record 21 FA Community Shields. United have won three European Cup / UEFA Champions League titles, the UFA Europa League, the UFA Cup Winners' Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, the Inter-Continental Cup, and the FIFA World Cup. In 1998-99, the club became the first English football club to realize the European Continental trinity. By winning the UEFA Europa League in 2016-17, they became one of the top five clubs to win all three major UEFA club competitions.

The 1958 Munich aviation tragedy claimed the lives of eight athletes. In 1968, under Matt Busby, Manchester United became the first English football club to win the European Cup. Alex Ferguson won 38 trophies as a manager between 1986 and 2013, including 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups, and 2 UEFA Champions League trophies, when he announced his retirement. Manchester United is one of the most widely supported football clubs in the world, with rivals Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Leeds United.

Manchester United was the highest-earning football club in the world for 2016-17 with annual revenue of 67 676.3 million, making it the third most valuable football club in the world in 2019 with a value of 3. 3.15 billion ($ 3.81 billion). After floating on the London Stock Exchange in 1991, the club was privatized after being bought by Malcolm Glasser in 2005 for close to  800 million, from which more than  500 million was borrowed.  Although the Glazer family has retained total ownership and control of the club since 2012, some sections of the club are listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Juventus football clubs

Juventus Football Club (Latin: 'Youth'; Italian pronunciation:, pronounced Juventus and Juva) is a professional football club based in Piedmont, Turin, Italy.  The Serie A match is the highest in the Italian football league system. Founded in 1897 by a group of Torian students, the club has been wearing a black and white striped home set since 1903 and has played home games at various stadiums around the city, the latest being Juventus Stadium with a capacity of 41,507. The club, nicknamed Vecchia Signora ("Old Woman"), has won 36 official league titles, 14 Coppa Italia titles, and nine Supercoppa Italian titles, setting a record in all of those competitions; Two intercontinental trophies, two European trophies / UEFA Champions League, one European Cup winner's trophy, a combined national record of three UAFA trophies, two UFA Super Trophies and one UFA Interto trophy national record. As a result, it is rated by the Historical Federation of Italy, Giulio Calcio (FIGC), sixth in Europe on the international stage, and twelfth in the world for consecutive World Cup titles, as well as the European Football Confederation. The place had the highest coefficient in seven seasons since its introduction in 1979, the highest and overall second place quote for the Italian team in both cases.

Originally known as the Juventus Sports Club, it was the second oldest club in Sri Lanka to play after the soccer division of Genoa (1893) and has continued to compete in the Premier Club category (renovated since 192). It has been managed by the Industrial Agnelli family since 1923, except for 2006-07, when it changed its name to Football Club Juventus in 1900. [C) The relationship between that club and that dynasty is the oldest and longest in national sports, with Juventus establishing itself as a major force on the national stage, making it the first professional sports club in the country. Becoming one of the top ten richest men in world football in terms of value, income, and profit since the mid - 1930s and mid - 1970s, Borsa Italiana has been listed since 2001.

Under the management of Giovanni Trapattoni, he won 13 trophies, including six league titles and five international titles in the ten years before 1986, and became the first player to win all three seasonal matches organized by the European Football Confederation: 1976–77 UEFA (The first Southern European team to do so), the 1983-84 Cup Winners' Cup and the 1984-85 European Champions Trophy. With the victories of the 1984 European Super Cup and the 1985 Inter-Continental Cup, it was the first and only system in the world to receive a clean sweep of all the conference trophies; After another successful era led by Marcelo Letters, the UAFA Inter Torto Cup, in addition, became the only professional Italian club to win all the honors available to the first team and was organized by a national or international football association.  In December 2000, Juventus was ranked seventh in the FIFA rankings of the best football clubs in the world, based on a series of statistical studies conducted by the International Federation of Football Associations as the second-best club in Europe in the 20th century after 9 years. History and Statistics (IFFHS) is the highest value for both Italian societies.

Chelsea football clubs

Chelsea Football Club is an English professional football club based in Fulham, West London. Founded in 1905, the club competes in the Premier League, the highest division of English football. Chelsea is among the most successful clubs in England, having won more than 30 competitive titles, including six league titles and eight European trophies. Their hometown is Stamford Bridge. In 1955, Chelsea won their first major title, the League Championship. The club first won the FA Cup in 1970 and won their first European honor, the Trophy Winners' Trophy in 1971. After a period of decline in the 1970s. And in the 1980s and 1990s, the club was revived and was more successful in cup matches. The last two decades have been successful in Chelsea history: during this time they have won five Premier League titles, two UEFA Champions League titles, and two UFA Europa League titles.   Chelsea is one of only five clubs to win all three major UEFA Champions League matches, the first English club to reach the UEFA Triplets, the only London club to win the Champions League, and the only club to win all three major European Championships twice.

Chelsea's home outfit is a pair of royal blue shirts and white socks. The club logo features a staff holding a lion that traditionally grows. The club has rivals neighboring teams Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur and a historic rivalry with Leeds United. The club has the sixth-largest auditorium in England, based on attendance. In terms of social value, Chelsea is the sixth most valuable football club in the world, with $ 2.13 billion ($ 2.576 billion) and the eighth highest-paid club in the world in 2017 with more than 42 428 million. –18 Season. Since 2003, Chelsea has been owned by Russian-Israeli billionaire Roman Abramovich.

Bayern Munich football clubs

Paris Saint-Germain Football Club (French pronunciation: [paʁi sɛ̃ ʒɛʁmɛ̃]), commonly known as Paris Saint-Germain, PSG, Paris or Paris SG, is a professional football club based in Paris, France. They compete in League 1, the top division of French football. They are the most successful club in France and have won more than 40 official honors, including nine league titles and one major European Cup. Their homeland is the Park des Princes.

The Parisians, who started in 1970, won their first major honor, the French Cup in 1982, and their first League 1 title in 1986. The 1990s were the most successful period in PSG's history; In 1996, they won the Second League, three French Cups, two French League Cups, two French Super Cups, and the UEFA Trophy Winners Trophy. After a decline in wealth in the 2000s, the red and blue team has enjoyed a renaissance since 2011. Increasing financial backing, gaining unparalleled dominance in local competitions, winning 7 league titles and 20 national trophies. PSG has also become a regular feature of the UEFA Champions League and will reach their first final in 2020.

PSG is the club that has played the most consecutive times and is only one of two French clubs to have won a major European title. They are the most popular football club in France and one of the most widely supported teams in the world. PSG’s home set colors are red, blue, and white, and clubs include the Eiffel Tower and woolens. The PSG Olympics also have long-standing rivalries with Marseille. These two are known as the Le Classic, the most popular competition in French football.

The Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, owns PSG through Qatar Creed Sports Investments (QSI), a closed shareholder acquired by the club in 2011. As a result of the takeover, PSG became the richest society in France and the richest in the world. By 2019-20, PSG football will have the 7th highest revenue in the world at 54 541 million annually, according to Deloitte, and the 9th most valuable football club in the world worth $ 2.5 billion, according to Forbes Magazine.

Arsenal football clubs

The Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, owns PSG through Qatar Creed Sports Investments (QSI), a closed shareholder acquired by the club in 2011. As a result of the takeover, PSG became the richest society in France and the richest in the world. By 2019-20, PSG football will have the 7th highest revenue in the world at 54 541 million annually, according to Deloitte, and the 9th most valuable football club in the world worth $ 2.5 billion, according to Forbes Magazine. Arsenal was the first club to join the Football League from the south of England in 1893, and in 1904 they reached the first division. Only once in 1913 did they win the longest run in the top division, the second-longest flight in English football history. In the 1930s, Arsenal won five league titles and two FA Cups, and another FA Cup and two trophies after the war.

In 1970-71 they won their first league and a pair of FA Cup trophies. Between 1989 and 2005, they won five league titles and five FA Cups, including two more pairs. They completed the 20th century with the highest average league position. Herbert Chapman, who changed Arsenal's destiny forever, won the club's first silver medal, and his legacy led him to rule the club in the 1930s. However, in 1934, Chapman died of pneumonia at the age of 55. He helped build WM, introduce lights and shirt numbers; He added white sleeves and bright red to the club jersey. Arsene Wenger is the longest-serving manager and has won the most trophies. He won a record seven FA Cups, and his winning team set the English record for most non-stop league runs in 49 games between 2003 and 2004, nicknamed The Invincibles.

In 1886, bombers at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich started the club as Dial Square. In 1913 the club became the closest neighbor of Tottenham Hotspur across the city to Arsenal Stadium in Highbury and created the North London Derby. In 2006, they visited the nearby Emirates Stadium. The 19-20 season had annual revenues of 38 388 million, with Forbes magazine estimating the value at the US $ 2.68 billion, making it the seventh most valuable club in the world, one of its followers. Social media. The motto of the society is "Victory in Unity" in Latin by Victoria Concordia Cressitz.

Liverpool football clubs

Liverpool Football Club is a professional football club based in Liverpool, England that competes in the premier league of English football. Locally, the club has won 19 league titles, seven FA Cups, eight record league trophies, and 15 FA Community Shields. In international competitions, the club has won six European Cups, three UEFA Cups, four UEFA Super Cups (English records), and one FIFA Club World Cup more than any other English club.

Founded in 1892, the club joined the Football League the following year and played at Anfield after its formation. Liverpool established themselves as a major force in English and European football in the 1970s and 1980s, with Bill Shankley, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan, and Kenny Dalglish leading the club to eleven league titles and four European trophies. Liverpool won two more European Cups in 2005 and 2019 under the management of Rafael Bennett and Jurgen Klopp, respectively. The second was Liverpool winning their nineteenth league title in 2020, the first club in the Premier League era.

Liverpool is one of the most widely supported and most valuable clubs in the world. Liverpool has long-standing rivalries with Manchester United and Everton. The band changed from a red shirt and white shorts in 1964 to a completely red front, which has been in use ever since. The song at the club is "You Will Never Go Alone".

Supporters of society have faced two major tragedies. At least 39 people have been killed in a crash at Heisel Stadium during the 1985 European Cup final in Brussels as surviving spectators hit a wall. Most of these were Italians and Juventus fans, and as a result, English clubs were banned from European competitions for five years. The Hillsborough disaster of 1989 killed 97 Liverpool supporters against perimeter fences, leading to the removal of fenced fixed terraces for all-seated stadiums on the top two levels of English football.

Manchester City Football Club

Manchester City Football Club, commonly known as Man City, is an English football club based in Manchester that competes in the Premier League, the premier airline in English football. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's (West Gorton), it became the Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894. Manchester Stadium in east Manchester, where the club played in 2003. Main Road since 1923. The club used their blue shirts in 1894 for the first time in the club's current iteration, and have been in use ever since.

Manchester City entered the Football League in 1892 and won their first major honor in 1904 with the FA Cup. In the late 1960s, the club achieved its first major victory, winning the League, the European Cup Winners' Cup, the FA Cup, and the League Cup. Under the management of Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison. After losing the 1981 FA Cup final, the club went through a period of decline, ending its history in 1998 with the demise of third-tier English football. In 2001-02, they were promoted back to the top. Has been a regular in the Premier League since 2002-03.

In 2008, Manchester City bought the Abu Dhabi United Group for 0 210 million and received a significant financial investment of  150 million for playing staff and clubs, including the Etihad Campus in East Manchester. Under the management of Pep Guardiola, the team won the Premier League in 2018, becoming the only Premier League team to score 100 points at one time. In 2019, they won four trophies, becoming the first England men's team to win all the domestic trophies in England as never before and win the local trio.

Manchester City was the fifth-highest football club in the world in 2018-19 with revenue of $ 568.4 million. In 2019, Forbes estimated the $ 2.69 billion club to be the fifth most valuable club in the world. The club is owned by the UK-based city football team and is valued at $ 3.73 billion (US $ 4.8 billion) in November 2019 after selling a 10% stake in Silver Lake.

[jimblanceusa]

Reading list: The Denver Post sports department’s favorite sports books to ride out the coronavirus

With everyone sitting around the house these days, and nowhere to go, what better time to get lost in a few books?

If you’re looking for a new title — or perhaps an old one — The Denver Post sports department has compiled a list of its favorite sports books. Even with a stay-at-home order in place, this ought to keep you busy for a while.

“Ball Four,” by Jim Bouton (1970) — The tell-all that rocked baseball, Seattle Pilots pitcher Jim Bouton journals the 1969 season and the trials, tribulations, victories and hilarities that go into everyday life as a big-league ballplayer. From Mickey Mantle to Bowie Kuhn, Bouton paints a vivid picture of major-league life, including the unsavory parts such as player infidelities and widespread amphetamine use. Still relevant to this day, especially in its portrayal of labor strife between players and owners. Kyle Newman

“The Boys of Summer,” by Roger Kahn (1972) — A seminal coming-of-age book that totally transfixed this young farm boy who could only dream of the world Roger Kahn inhabited. It was the storytelling, the weaving of personal reflections and the dreams of young men, and what happens when those men grow old, that made it so memorable. Kahn’s book spawned a genre of insider accounts, none living up to the original. Scott Monserud

“The Last Season of Weeb Ewbank,” by Paul Zimmerman (1974) — Before Dr. Z became Dr. Z of Sports Illustrated fame, he was the Jets beat writer for the New York Post. I came across this book when it was referenced in another football book and immediately went to Amazon to buy it. The book about Ewbank’s final season as the Jets’ coach is a great read about getting behind the scenes of a training camp and NFL game week and just how much access media had in the old days to the teams they covered. Ryan O’Halloran

“Once A Runner,” by John L. Parker Jr. (1978) — A novel about undergraduate miler Quenton Cassidy at a fictional university based on the University of Florida. The 1978 book is a cult classic among serious long-distance runners and tells the story of Cassidy’s extreme training rituals, under the tutelage of Olympian Bruce Denton, in his quest to run a sub-4-minute mile. Daniel Boniface

Matt Schubert, The Denver Post

Some of The Denver Post sports department’s favorite books.

“Breaks of the Game,” by David Halberstam (1981) — A Pulitzer Prize winning journalist steps into the chaotic, complicated mess that was the NBA of the late 1970s, when issues of race, labor strife and drug abuse cast a shadow over a struggling league. Halberstam embeds himself with the 1977-78 Portland Trail Blazers, who suffer a tragic fall from grace a year after stunning the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1977 NBA Finals. Aside from the storytelling, what makes this book exceptional are the figures Halberstam captures, including the irascible Maurice Lucas, the enigmatic Bill Walton and the brilliant Dr. Jack Ramsay. Matt Schubert

“Shoeless Joe,” by W. P. Kinsella (1982) — Kinsella weaves a magical tale about baseball, heroes, love and dreams. An Iowa farmer hears a voice: “If you build it, he will come.” The “he” is Shoeless Joe Jackson of the 1919 Chicago Black Sox scandal. The “it” is a baseball stadium carved out of a cornfield. Even if you have seen the movie “Field of Dreams” that was based on Kinsella’s novel, it is worth picking up. The author’s vivid descriptions and wonderful characters (some of whom don’t appear on screen) will transport you to a cornfield in Iowa where dreams do come true. Lori Punko

“Life Its Ownself,” by Dan Jenkins (1984) — The list of sequels that surpass the originals is a short one, but leave it to the late, great, reprobate Jenkins to do just that. “Life Its Ownself” steps into the big shoes of “Semi-Tough” and bursts the outsoles. NFL running back Billy Clyde Puckett tells the story, and I dare anyone to go more than two pages without having to stop to laugh out loud. You could argue that the book didn’t age well, but it remains a superb time capsule of 1980s sports culture — and often a nice piece of wisdom about the title. Mike Judson

“The New Thinking Man’s Guide To Pro Football,” Paul Zimmerman (1984) — Bill Barnwell? Peter King? Dr. Z got there first. Zimmerman wrote about football like the game was Chaucer, and he was the coolest literature professor on the planet. The man timed performances of the national anthem, then wrote a column about it. Like “Ball Four,” many of the universal truths in the “Thinking Man’s Guide” — and some of the B.S. it called out — still ring true. Sean Keeler

“Hajime no Ippo,” George Morikawa (1989-present) — For more than 30 years, this long-running Japanese graphic novel has followed the journey of Makunouchi Ippo and his gradual mastery of the sweet science of boxing. Morikawa blends the intricate dance between opponents inside the ring with a sweet coming-of-age story that happens outside it. Joe Nguyen

“If I Never Get Back” by Darryl Brock (1989) — A baseball writer struggling with his everyday life stumbles while boarding a train en route to cover a game. When he comes to, he discovers he’s a young player boarding a train to join his new team — the Cincinnati Red Stockings — in the summer of 1869. Realizing he’s a mediocre player immersed in the early days of professional baseball, he uses his knowledge of the sport and its history to help his team in other ways. (He invents the bunt and ballpark food.) Along the way, he develops a passion for life and takes advantage of the era — including seeking out Mark Twain. — TJ Hutchinson

“Friday Night Lights,” by Buzz Bissinger (1990) — The town is Odessa, Texas in 1988, the team is Permian High School football and the dream is the glory that winning brings. But there are huge costs. Teenagers’ lives are fulfilled but also shattered, values are compromised and football becomes a false god. As the New York Times book review put it: ” ‘Friday Night Lights’ offers a biting indictment of the sports craziness that grips … most of American society, while at the same time providing a moving evocation of its powerful allure.” Patrick Saunders

“Loose Balls,” by Terry Pluto (1990) — Marvin Barnes. Fly Williams. Wendell Ladner. Slick Leonard. The ABA had more characters than a Warner Brothers cartoon, and Pluto’s first-person, anecdotal collection is a stitch from start to finish. The truth of the nine seasons of the ABA was stranger than Will Ferrell’s fictional “Semi-Pro” film could ever hope to be. And twice as funny, to boot. One of the grandpappies, for better or for worse, of the “oral history” style of sports storytelling. Sean Keeler

“Worst Team Money Could Buy,” by Bob Klapisch (1993) — Devoured this book as a high school student and couldn’t wait to cover pro sports one day. Klapisch, then with the New York Daily News, and Harper, then with the New York Post, chronicled the overpaid/underperforming 1992 New York Mets. In a month-by-month chronicle, the writers inserted vignettes about a day in the life of a baseball writer, being trapped on the tabloid’s back page and catching up with old sources, plus lists of their all-time good guys, bad guys, best cities, etc. Ryan O’Halloran

“The Life of Reilly,” by Rick Reilly (2000) — Ok, so this is definitely a stump for a Colorado native and former Denver Post sportswriter, but the point stands: Reilly owned the back page of Sports Illustrated for over two decades, and this collection of sports columns will make you laugh, cry and feel all sorts of ways about sports. With his signature style and wit, Reilly brings out the important and thoughtful side of sports, with plenty of Colorado players, coaches and stories featured in the book. Kyle Newman

“The Punch,” by John Feinstein (2002) — It would be nearly impossible to compile a list of great sports books without mentioning at least one title from Feinstein’s voluminous catalog. While some may prefer “A Season on the Brink” or “A Good Walk Spoiled,” there’s a human element to “The Punch” that makes it one of his best. Detailing the events surrounding perhaps the most infamous punch in professional sports, Feinstein shows how one event forever altered the lives of the two men involved in it — the L.A. Lakers’ Kermit Washington’s and Houston Rockets’ Rudy Tomjanovich.  Matt Schubert

“Moneyball,” by Michael Lewis (2003) — The sabermetrics that are now standard in today’s game were just beginning to make their way into MLB front offices during the 1990s and around the turn of the century. Lewis’ modern-day baseball classic profiles general manager Billy Beane and Oakland as the franchise takes advantage of market inefficiencies to make the low-budget A’s competitive. Kyle Newman 

“Positively Fifth Street,” by James McManus (2003) — Gambling. Murder. The mob. This intricately woven tale of Las Vegas and the World Series of Poker takes readers on a wild ride as McManus makes a run to the Main Event final table while also covering the murder trial of Rick Tabish and Sandy Murphy for Harper’s Magazine. Along the way, McManus recounts the history of no-limit Texas Hold’em, the signature game of the WSOP, as well as the story of the Binion family and its patriarch Benny Binion — owner of Binion’s Horseshoe casino, WSOP founder and father of Tabish and Murphy’s alleged victim, Ted Binion. Matt Schubert

“Three Nights in August,” by Buzz Bissinger (2005) — Seen by some as the baseball establishment’s answer to “Moneyball,” this book follows St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa as he navigates a critical series against the Chicago Cubs in August 2003. Bissinger, who also penned the classic “Friday Night Lights,” takes readers inside the mind of one of baseball’s greatest tacticians as he wrestles with how to manage the Cardinals’ lineup, pitching staff and his own omnipresent demons. Matt Schubert

“Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball’s Last Hero,” by David Maraniss (2006) — This is so much more than a biography of a baseball legend. It explores racism in America, paints a picture of baseball in a changing world and goes beyond the myth of Clemente, who played baseball with “a beautiful fury.” Maraniss’ prose paints Clemente as a true hero, and not just because he died in a plane crash on Dec. 31, 1972, while delivering aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua at the age of 38. Patrick Saunders

“Game of Shadows,” by Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada (2006) — The lying. The cheating. The news conferences with athletes professing their innocence and astonishment that a drug test had come back positive. Read “Game of Shadows,” the brilliantly written expose by the reporters who broke the BALCO story, and you’ll lose any illusions about the depth of cheating within professional sports. Decades from now it’ll stand the test of time as the definitive accounting of the steroid era that nearly brought down baseball. Scott Monserud

“The Blind Side,” by Michael Lewis (2006) — Few non-fiction novelists capture a subject quite like Lewis, who’s extensive and eclectic canon of work includes “Moneyball,” “The Big Short” and “Liar’s Poker.” In his foray into football, Lewis examines the historical evolution of the left tackle position as edge rushers like Lawrence Taylor changed the way the game was played. Football luminaries like Bill Walsh, Bill Parcells and Nick Saban all make appearances, as Lewis deftly weaves in the incredible story of Michael Oher, an undiscovered gem who spent his early years living on the streets of Memphis. Matt Schubert

“Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich,” by Mark Kriegel (2007) — As a teenager, I became fascinated by Maravich but never got to see him play on TV. I had to make do reading stories in Sports Illustrated about an electrifying basketball magician wearing gray, floppy sweat socks and attracting sellout crowds wherever he played. Kriegel’s book is a wonderfully written fast-paced tale of a man who transformed the game he loved but was haunted by demons he could not shake. Scott Monserud

“Arnie & Jack,” by Ian O’Connor (2008) — It would be too easy to list a John Feinstein golf book since I’ve read them all. I went with O’Connor’s book that was released about a decade ago. The cover picture – Arnold Palmer helping Jack Nicklaus line up a putt during a team competition – was a great hook and recapped their battles on the course, but Palmer’s command of the sport’s fans and endorsement opportunities. A great read. Ryan O’Halloran

“The Book of Basketball” by Bill Simmons (2009) — This humorous and thoughtful deep dive into the history of the NBA is essential reading for any hoops head. After giving his thoughts on “the secret” of the game, Simmons delves into how the league got to where it was in 2009 (going all the way back to the days of Mikan) before ranking the greatest teams, champions and players off all time in a witty and exhaustive manner. Sure, Simmons gets a little verbose. And, yes, he goes heavy on a few ham-fisted pop-culture references. But if you care at all about the Association, this is the breeziest 697-page read you can find. Matt Schubert

“Baseball in the Garden of Eden: The Secret History of the Early Game,” by John Thorn (2011) — Written by the official historian of Major League Baseball, Thorn enlightens baseball fans as to the game’s true roots. Who really invented America’s pastime, and who were the movers and shifters in the early stages of a game dominated by gambling? Surprising and informative, even the most studied baseball fans will get plenty out of this piece of history. Kyle Newman

“The Art of Fielding,” Chad Harbach (2011) — This novel is set at a small midwestern college and tells the story of elite shortstop Henry Skrimshander, who is destined to be a first-round pick in the MLB draft before a routine throw derails his life and upends his college experience. The characters are rich and the story engrossing. There’s no need to be a baseball fan to get wrapped into this story, either. Michael Singer

“Unstoppable” by Anthony Robles, 2013 — An incredible biography about Arizona State’s one-legged wrestling champion. Robles, born without his right leg because of a birth defect, became a wrestling icon with his Division I national championship in 2011. The book profiles the courage and strength he summoned throughout his life and athletic journey, going from a scrawny high school wrestler who got dominated to the one doing the dominating at ASU. Kyle Newman

“The Summer of Beer and Whiskey,” by Edward Achorn (2013) — Set in the rough-and-tumble days of 1880s professional baseball, the book profiles the upstart American Association, which appeared poised to challenge the National League for dominance of the sport. Chris Von der Ahe, an eccentric, innovative and fearless German immigrant, takes center stage as the daring owner of the St. Louis Browns and a founder of the American Association. With popularity in baseball waning because of scandals, gambling and thugs that weighed down the sport in the 1870s, Von der Ahe, the Browns and the American Association breathe new life into the sport. And, of course, there are plenty of colorful characters (and lots of boozing ballplayers) along the way. Kyle Newman

“Captain Class,” by Sam Walker (2017) — What makes a sports team great goes beyond X’s and O’s? What makes a great leader in the locker room can be defined, and the answer might surprise you. For what it’s worth: Avs captain Gabe Landeskog uses it as reference book. Mark Kiszla

“Basketball (and other things),” by Shea Serrano (2017) — Have you ever wondered where Air Bud would get selected in a fictional basketball player draft? What about Lola Bunny (Space Jam), Sidney Deane (White Men Can’t Jump) or Will Smith (Fresh Prince)? Of course you haven’t. Serrano answers the basketball questions you didn’t know you needed answers to. We’re talking trivial questions, like which was the most important NBA championship ever, and more pressing questions, such as “If 1997 Karl Malone and a bear swapped places for a season, who would be more successful?” In other words, essential reading. Michael Singer

“Football For A Buck,” by Jeff Pearlman (2018) — The life and times of the USFL … short in terms of life/times (three years), but long on stories about how the fledgling football league lured several top college players, including Jim Kelly, Reggie White and Herschel Walker, to play in the summer. Pearlman’s narrative is equal parts hilarious and informative — tales about travel, tryouts, pay checks, stadiums and our current commander in chief, who wanted to challenge the NFL in the fall and failed miserably. Ryan O’Halloran

“Range,” by David Epstein (2019) — This is not necessarily a sports book, per se, but there are definitely elements that apply. The book begins by comparing Tiger Woods (a specialist) to Roger Federer (who dabbled in skiing, wrestling, swimming, skateboarding, basketball, ping pong and tennis). Epstein makes the convincing argument that dabblers are often better in the long run, be it athletes, musicians, artists or inventors. A compelling book that will make you reconsider the best way to learn. Michael Singer

from Latest Information https://www.denverpost.com/2020/03/27/best-sports-books-reading-list/

[laurendzim]

Reading list: The Denver Post sports department’s favorite sports books to ride out the coronavirus

With everyone sitting around the house these days, and nowhere to go, what better time to get lost in a few books?

If you’re looking for a new title — or perhaps an old one — The Denver Post sports department has compiled a list of its favorite sports books. Even with a stay-at-home order in place, this ought to keep you busy for a while.

“Ball Four,” by Jim Bouton (1970) — The tell-all that rocked baseball, Seattle Pilots pitcher Jim Bouton journals the 1969 season and the trials, tribulations, victories and hilarities that go into everyday life as a big-league ballplayer. From Mickey Mantle to Bowie Kuhn, Bouton paints a vivid picture of major-league life, including the unsavory parts such as player infidelities and widespread amphetamine use. Still relevant to this day, especially in its portrayal of labor strife between players and owners. Kyle Newman

“The Boys of Summer,” by Roger Kahn (1972) — A seminal coming-of-age book that totally transfixed this young farm boy who could only dream of the world Roger Kahn inhabited. It was the storytelling, the weaving of personal reflections and the dreams of young men, and what happens when those men grow old, that made it so memorable. Kahn’s book spawned a genre of insider accounts, none living up to the original. Scott Monserud

“The Last Season of Weeb Ewbank,” by Paul Zimmerman (1974) — Before Dr. Z became Dr. Z of Sports Illustrated fame, he was the Jets beat writer for the New York Post. I came across this book when it was referenced in another football book and immediately went to Amazon to buy it. The book about Ewbank’s final season as the Jets’ coach is a great read about getting behind the scenes of a training camp and NFL game week and just how much access media had in the old days to the teams they covered. Ryan O’Halloran

“Once A Runner,” by John L. Parker Jr. (1978) — A novel about undergraduate miler Quenton Cassidy at a fictional university based on the University of Florida. The 1978 book is a cult classic among serious long-distance runners and tells the story of Cassidy’s extreme training rituals, under the tutelage of Olympian Bruce Denton, in his quest to run a sub-4-minute mile. Daniel Boniface

Matt Schubert, The Denver Post

Some of The Denver Post sports department’s favorite books.

“Breaks of the Game,” by David Halberstam (1981) — A Pulitzer Prize winning journalist steps into the chaotic, complicated mess that was the NBA of the late 1970s, when issues of race, labor strife and drug abuse cast a shadow over a struggling league. Halberstam embeds himself with the 1977-78 Portland Trail Blazers, who suffer a tragic fall from grace a year after stunning the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1977 NBA Finals. Aside from the storytelling, what makes this book exceptional are the figures Halberstam captures, including the irascible Maurice Lucas, the enigmatic Bill Walton and the brilliant Dr. Jack Ramsay. Matt Schubert

“Shoeless Joe,” by W. P. Kinsella (1982) — Kinsella weaves a magical tale about baseball, heroes, love and dreams. An Iowa farmer hears a voice: “If you build it, he will come.” The “he” is Shoeless Joe Jackson of the 1919 Chicago Black Sox scandal. The “it” is a baseball stadium carved out of a cornfield. Even if you have seen the movie “Field of Dreams” that was based on Kinsella’s novel, it is worth picking up. The author’s vivid descriptions and wonderful characters (some of whom don’t appear on screen) will transport you to a cornfield in Iowa where dreams do come true. Lori Punko

“Life Its Ownself,” by Dan Jenkins (1984) — The list of sequels that surpass the originals is a short one, but leave it to the late, great, reprobate Jenkins to do just that. “Life Its Ownself” steps into the big shoes of “Semi-Tough” and bursts the outsoles. NFL running back Billy Clyde Puckett tells the story, and I dare anyone to go more than two pages without having to stop to laugh out loud. You could argue that the book didn’t age well, but it remains a superb time capsule of 1980s sports culture — and often a nice piece of wisdom about the title. Mike Judson

“The New Thinking Man’s Guide To Pro Football,” Paul Zimmerman (1984) — Bill Barnwell? Peter King? Dr. Z got there first. Zimmerman wrote about football like the game was Chaucer, and he was the coolest literature professor on the planet. The man timed performances of the national anthem, then wrote a column about it. Like “Ball Four,” many of the universal truths in the “Thinking Man’s Guide” — and some of the B.S. it called out — still ring true. Sean Keeler

“Hajime no Ippo,” George Morikawa (1989-present) — For more than 30 years, this long-running Japanese graphic novel has followed the journey of Makunouchi Ippo and his gradual mastery of the sweet science of boxing. Morikawa blends the intricate dance between opponents inside the ring with a sweet coming-of-age story that happens outside it. Joe Nguyen

“If I Never Get Back” by Darryl Brock (1989) — A baseball writer struggling with his everyday life stumbles while boarding a train en route to cover a game. When he comes to, he discovers he’s a young player boarding a train to join his new team — the Cincinnati Red Stockings — in the summer of 1869. Realizing he’s a mediocre player immersed in the early days of professional baseball, he uses his knowledge of the sport and its history to help his team in other ways. (He invents the bunt and ballpark food.) Along the way, he develops a passion for life and takes advantage of the era — including seeking out Mark Twain. — TJ Hutchinson

“Friday Night Lights,” by Buzz Bissinger (1990) — The town is Odessa, Texas in 1988, the team is Permian High School football and the dream is the glory that winning brings. But there are huge costs. Teenagers’ lives are fulfilled but also shattered, values are compromised and football becomes a false god. As the New York Times book review put it: ” ‘Friday Night Lights’ offers a biting indictment of the sports craziness that grips … most of American society, while at the same time providing a moving evocation of its powerful allure.” Patrick Saunders

“Loose Balls,” by Terry Pluto (1990) — Marvin Barnes. Fly Williams. Wendell Ladner. Slick Leonard. The ABA had more characters than a Warner Brothers cartoon, and Pluto’s first-person, anecdotal collection is a stitch from start to finish. The truth of the nine seasons of the ABA was stranger than Will Ferrell’s fictional “Semi-Pro” film could ever hope to be. And twice as funny, to boot. One of the grandpappies, for better or for worse, of the “oral history” style of sports storytelling. Sean Keeler

“Worst Team Money Could Buy,” by Bob Klapisch (1993) — Devoured this book as a high school student and couldn’t wait to cover pro sports one day. Klapisch, then with the New York Daily News, and Harper, then with the New York Post, chronicled the overpaid/underperforming 1992 New York Mets. In a month-by-month chronicle, the writers inserted vignettes about a day in the life of a baseball writer, being trapped on the tabloid’s back page and catching up with old sources, plus lists of their all-time good guys, bad guys, best cities, etc. Ryan O’Halloran

“The Life of Reilly,” by Rick Reilly (2000) — Ok, so this is definitely a stump for a Colorado native and former Denver Post sportswriter, but the point stands: Reilly owned the back page of Sports Illustrated for over two decades, and this collection of sports columns will make you laugh, cry and feel all sorts of ways about sports. With his signature style and wit, Reilly brings out the important and thoughtful side of sports, with plenty of Colorado players, coaches and stories featured in the book. Kyle Newman

“The Punch,” by John Feinstein (2002) — It would be nearly impossible to compile a list of great sports books without mentioning at least one title from Feinstein’s voluminous catalog. While some may prefer “A Season on the Brink” or “A Good Walk Spoiled,” there’s a human element to “The Punch” that makes it one of his best. Detailing the events surrounding perhaps the most infamous punch in professional sports, Feinstein shows how one event forever altered the lives of the two men involved in it — the L.A. Lakers’ Kermit Washington’s and Houston Rockets’ Rudy Tomjanovich.  Matt Schubert

“Moneyball,” by Michael Lewis (2003) — The sabermetrics that are now standard in today’s game were just beginning to make their way into MLB front offices during the 1990s and around the turn of the century. Lewis’ modern-day baseball classic profiles general manager Billy Beane and Oakland as the franchise takes advantage of market inefficiencies to make the low-budget A’s competitive. Kyle Newman 

“Positively Fifth Street,” by James McManus (2003) — Gambling. Murder. The mob. This intricately woven tale of Las Vegas and the World Series of Poker takes readers on a wild ride as McManus makes a run to the Main Event final table while also covering the murder trial of Rick Tabish and Sandy Murphy for Harper’s Magazine. Along the way, McManus recounts the history of no-limit Texas Hold’em, the signature game of the WSOP, as well as the story of the Binion family and its patriarch Benny Binion — owner of Binion’s Horseshoe casino, WSOP founder and father of Tabish and Murphy’s alleged victim, Ted Binion. Matt Schubert

“Three Nights in August,” by Buzz Bissinger (2005) — Seen by some as the baseball establishment’s answer to “Moneyball,” this book follows St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa as he navigates a critical series against the Chicago Cubs in August 2003. Bissinger, who also penned the classic “Friday Night Lights,” takes readers inside the mind of one of baseball’s greatest tacticians as he wrestles with how to manage the Cardinals’ lineup, pitching staff and his own omnipresent demons. Matt Schubert

“Clemente: The Passion and Grace of Baseball’s Last Hero,” by David Maraniss (2006) — This is so much more than a biography of a baseball legend. It explores racism in America, paints a picture of baseball in a changing world and goes beyond the myth of Clemente, who played baseball with “a beautiful fury.” Maraniss’ prose paints Clemente as a true hero, and not just because he died in a plane crash on Dec. 31, 1972, while delivering aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua at the age of 38. Patrick Saunders

“Game of Shadows,” by Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada (2006) — The lying. The cheating. The news conferences with athletes professing their innocence and astonishment that a drug test had come back positive. Read “Game of Shadows,” the brilliantly written expose by the reporters who broke the BALCO story, and you’ll lose any illusions about the depth of cheating within professional sports. Decades from now it’ll stand the test of time as the definitive accounting of the steroid era that nearly brought down baseball. Scott Monserud

“The Blind Side,” by Michael Lewis (2006) — Few non-fiction novelists capture a subject quite like Lewis, who’s extensive and eclectic canon of work includes “Moneyball,” “The Big Short” and “Liar’s Poker.” In his foray into football, Lewis examines the historical evolution of the left tackle position as edge rushers like Lawrence Taylor changed the way the game was played. Football luminaries like Bill Walsh, Bill Parcells and Nick Saban all make appearances, as Lewis deftly weaves in the incredible story of Michael Oher, an undiscovered gem who spent his early years living on the streets of Memphis. Matt Schubert

“Pistol: The Life of Pete Maravich,” by Mark Kriegel (2007) — As a teenager, I became fascinated by Maravich but never got to see him play on TV. I had to make do reading stories in Sports Illustrated about an electrifying basketball magician wearing gray, floppy sweat socks and attracting sellout crowds wherever he played. Kriegel’s book is a wonderfully written fast-paced tale of a man who transformed the game he loved but was haunted by demons he could not shake. Scott Monserud

“Arnie & Jack,” by Ian O’Connor (2008) — It would be too easy to list a John Feinstein golf book since I’ve read them all. I went with O’Connor’s book that was released about a decade ago. The cover picture – Arnold Palmer helping Jack Nicklaus line up a putt during a team competition – was a great hook and recapped their battles on the course, but Palmer’s command of the sport’s fans and endorsement opportunities. A great read. Ryan O’Halloran

“The Book of Basketball” by Bill Simmons (2009) — This humorous and thoughtful deep dive into the history of the NBA is essential reading for any hoops head. After giving his thoughts on “the secret” of the game, Simmons delves into how the league got to where it was in 2009 (going all the way back to the days of Mikan) before ranking the greatest teams, champions and players off all time in a witty and exhaustive manner. Sure, Simmons gets a little verbose. And, yes, he goes heavy on a few ham-fisted pop-culture references. But if you care at all about the Association, this is the breeziest 697-page read you can find. Matt Schubert

“Baseball in the Garden of Eden: The Secret History of the Early Game,” by John Thorn (2011) — Written by the official historian of Major League Baseball, Thorn enlightens baseball fans as to the game’s true roots. Who really invented America’s pastime, and who were the movers and shifters in the early stages of a game dominated by gambling? Surprising and informative, even the most studied baseball fans will get plenty out of this piece of history. Kyle Newman

“The Art of Fielding,” Chad Harbach (2011) — This novel is set at a small midwestern college and tells the story of elite shortstop Henry Skrimshander, who is destined to be a first-round pick in the MLB draft before a routine throw derails his life and upends his college experience. The characters are rich and the story engrossing. There’s no need to be a baseball fan to get wrapped into this story, either. Michael Singer

“Unstoppable” by Anthony Robles, 2013 — An incredible biography about Arizona State’s one-legged wrestling champion. Robles, born without his right leg because of a birth defect, became a wrestling icon with his Division I national championship in 2011. The book profiles the courage and strength he summoned throughout his life and athletic journey, going from a scrawny high school wrestler who got dominated to the one doing the dominating at ASU. Kyle Newman

“The Summer of Beer and Whiskey,” by Edward Achorn (2013) — Set in the rough-and-tumble days of 1880s professional baseball, the book profiles the upstart American Association, which appeared poised to challenge the National League for dominance of the sport. Chris Von der Ahe, an eccentric, innovative and fearless German immigrant, takes center stage as the daring owner of the St. Louis Browns and a founder of the American Association. With popularity in baseball waning because of scandals, gambling and thugs that weighed down the sport in the 1870s, Von der Ahe, the Browns and the American Association breathe new life into the sport. And, of course, there are plenty of colorful characters (and lots of boozing ballplayers) along the way. Kyle Newman

“Captain Class,” by Sam Walker (2017) — What makes a sports team great goes beyond X’s and O’s? What makes a great leader in the locker room can be defined, and the answer might surprise you. For what it’s worth: Avs captain Gabe Landeskog uses it as reference book. Mark Kiszla

“Basketball (and other things),” by Shea Serrano (2017) — Have you ever wondered where Air Bud would get selected in a fictional basketball player draft? What about Lola Bunny (Space Jam), Sidney Deane (White Men Can’t Jump) or Will Smith (Fresh Prince)? Of course you haven’t. Serrano answers the basketball questions you didn’t know you needed answers to. We’re talking trivial questions, like which was the most important NBA championship ever, and more pressing questions, such as “If 1997 Karl Malone and a bear swapped places for a season, who would be more successful?” In other words, essential reading. Michael Singer

“Football For A Buck,” by Jeff Pearlman (2018) — The life and times of the USFL … short in terms of life/times (three years), but long on stories about how the fledgling football league lured several top college players, including Jim Kelly, Reggie White and Herschel Walker, to play in the summer. Pearlman’s narrative is equal parts hilarious and informative — tales about travel, tryouts, pay checks, stadiums and our current commander in chief, who wanted to challenge the NFL in the fall and failed miserably. Ryan O’Halloran

“Range,” by David Epstein (2019) — This is not necessarily a sports book, per se, but there are definitely elements that apply. The book begins by comparing Tiger Woods (a specialist) to Roger Federer (who dabbled in skiing, wrestling, swimming, skateboarding, basketball, ping pong and tennis). Epstein makes the convincing argument that dabblers are often better in the long run, be it athletes, musicians, artists or inventors. A compelling book that will make you reconsider the best way to learn. Michael Singer

from News And Updates https://www.denverpost.com/2020/03/27/best-sports-books-reading-list/

[o2toes]

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[myshoesfinder-blog]

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We have mentioned here which Sparx sports shoes for men is the best within 2000. And also reviewed all the shoes.

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[thejokersenigma]

Joker x Reader - Deadly Voice Part 42

Hi guys, okay this one I wrote quite quickly and tbh nothing really happens in that is particularly exciting but I wanted to write this scene and its already 2000 words (probably because I describe things waaaayyy too much) so I'm going to cut it off here otherwise it would be a really long part.

So anyway, yeah, sorry it's not particularly exciting - the next one will have the Joker and probably be a bit more interesting!

Enjoy anyway! :)

As always let me know if you want to be tagged!

Masterlist

 I sat in silence as Frost drove us to the ‘safehouse’. I didn’t know where we were going and I couldn’t make anything out particularly through the windows - the night still too dark and the street lights only illuminating small patches of pavement and walls.

I stared, without really seeing, out of the windows, my mind elsewhere and my eyes slowly growing heavy – the fact it was still the early hours of the morning catching up on me.

I must have fallen asleep at some point because I suddenly snapped my head upright, opening my eyes to find Frost turning the car into a garage, am automatic light having sprung on and lit up the driveway.

“Where are we?” I asked, my voice croaky from lack of use, and I glanced around in an attempt to get any sense of bearings.

“The mansion.” Frost told me, “Boss thought this was the best place for you.” He parked the car and got out, hitting a light switch somewhere in the dark that caused a sudden eruption of harsh artificial light to fill the garage and temporarily blinding me. I blinked rapidly, waiting for my eyes to adjust. Finally, I could see we were in a huge garage that was filled with numerous other vehicles. I climbed out of the car, staring wide eyed at the collection before me. There were at least 4 other 4x4s, a couple of motor bikes and several very expensive-looking sports cars that were probably worth even more than the mansion itself.

Frost didn’t linger, leading me straight to a small, discrete door in front of us. I followed him down a short passage and up a small flight of stairs before we reached another door which Frost unlocked, and opened into yet more darkness. I followed blindly behind Frost as he strode out without hesitation, hitting another light switch on his left. The sudden light dazzled me again, but it didn’t take as long to recover this time and was soon able to look around at the new room, quickly realising we had just come out from a door positioned under the grand staircase I had seen the first time I had been in this house. The wall of knives I remembered was on my left, the hilts jutting out at odd angles from where the blades were embedded in the plaster, some obvious gouges out of the wall where a knife had clearly hit but not become stuck in the wall.

I continued on behind Frost as he led me around the stairs, revealing the familiar scene of the large entrance hall to the mansion, multiple doors leading off from the left, the stair case to the right and the front door directly in front of me. The walls were still as I remembered, riddled with bullet holes and decorated in graffiti. And he wanted me to stay here?

Frost didn’t stop, leading me across the marble floor and up the wide stair case. I was slightly out of breath when I reached the top but Frost didn’t let up, showing no outward sign of fatigue and continuing down a long hallway. He finally stopped outside a door at what I believed to be the back left of the house. He unlocked it with a small key he already had in his pocket pushing it open and standing back to let me in first.

I warily stepped into the room and was amazed by the sheer size of it. The walls were dark green with gold embellishments swirled in a chaotic pattern. Directly in front of me were two large glass doors framed by dark curtains, which appeared to lead onto a white stone balcony. To my right was a huge queen four-poster bed with a purple and gold bedspread that matched the dark purple curtains hanging from each bed post.

To my left were two doors which I quickly discovered were a large modern en-suite and a walk-in closet. It was - as I stood in the spacious closet (which was probably the same size as the room in my flat) that I suddenly remember I didn’t have any of my possessions.

“Frost!” I called from the doorway of the closet, turning to where he had stood silently, just inside the doorway, whilst I had explored, “I don’t have any of my things – don’t I need to go get them?”

He shook his head at me, “No. Everything will be provided here.” He told me. “Of course, I can send someone to get any odd possessions you feel you need.”

“But what about clothes?!” I exclaimed, “I don’t have anything but this!” I said, gesturing at my current outfit, which - now I looked at it – was a bit worse for wear. The knees of my trousers were scuffed and dirty from where I had knelt on the tarmac, my blouse twisted and missing a few buttons and quite grubby.

“Have you actually looked in there?” Frost asked, nodding at the closet behind me. I frowned in confusion. Of course I had. I went back into the closet which had a huge full length mirror at one end, a long pouf-like seat in the centre of the room and numerous wardrobes and drawers lining the walls either side. This times however, instead of just standing in awe, I opened one of the many ornate doors to the wardrobes. Inside was a large array of blouses and shirts in varying colours and styles. I stared at it for a few moments before I closed the door once again. Now I moved across choosing instead to open one of the drawers which I soon found out to be full of jeans.

I had a whole new wardrobe.

I practically ran around the whole room opening each drawer and closet door, finding all manners of clothing ranging from lingerie to dresses and jumpers to shoes and even some things I wasn’t sure what you were supposed to do with.

It was only when I reached the left side of the closet that something hit me. I was seeing suits, shirts, ties and men’s shoes. And - in particular - a very familiar looking coat.

This was the Joker’s wardrobe as well.

I froze where I was before I quickly closed the door to the wardrobe. “Frost?” I called, my voice shaking slightly with the sudden realisation.

“Yes?” He asked and I spun around in surprise at how close his voice was, realising he was now stood in the doorway.

“Who’s room is this?” I asked.

“Yours.” He replied simply.

“Who else’s?”

He hesitated, but clearly knew there was no use trying to hide it. “The Boss’s.” He admitted.

I didn’t say anything, letting it sink in. I was expected to not only live in his house, but also share his room?! Then it got worse. There was only one bed. I had to share a bed with him?!

I shook my head, “You’re kidding, right?” I practically begged. “There’s hundreds of rooms in this house! Why can’t I stay in one of those?!” I demanded

Frost shook his head, not looking over joyed at the situation either - or maybe it was the fact he now had to deal with a distraught woman. “They haven’t been used in years and haven’t been made up.” He explained, “We didn’t know anything about this until we were given the orders earlier this evening.”

“But he never stays here, right?!” I demanded, “That’s what you said before!” I knew I was clutching at straws now - anything to make this situation better.

Frost shrugged in response, “I don’t know. He never used to.” He said, though he didn’t sound convinced.

It was enough for me now – it provided a small bit of comfort.

“I imagine you’re tired,” Said Frost brusquely, “so I’ll leave you to it.” And with that he had turned and left me alone in the huge room, clearly not wanting to handle me and my questions anymore. I didn’t blame him – it had been a long night and, now he mentioned it, I could feel the tiredness starting to drag me down.

I turned back to my side of the room of the closet, returning once more to opening the drawers - this time searching for the one with pyjamas in them.

When I eventually found the correct one I pulled out a few pieces of clothing, holding them up to examine them in the light. “You’ve got to be kidding.” I breathed. They were the smallest, skimpiest thing I’d ever seen. “This is what they think constitutes pyjamas?” I asked myself, screwing it into a ball and dumping it on the floor. I dug deeper into the drawer but could find nothing but silky or satin pieces - none of which would even reach half-way down my thigh.

I sighed, giving up on finding anything more practical in the drawer. As much as I hoped the Joker wouldn’t come back here I wasn’t fooling myself there wasn’t a chance he could. I was also well aware that there was likely to be henchmen wandering the place - and I doubted Frost would give me the key to my door to lock myself in. I didn’t trust any of the other men as far as I could throw them - they were thugs after all. The last thing I wanted to do was to wear something so revealing – it made me feel even more vulnerable than I already was.

And so, I returned to the other drawers, rummaging through the rest of my side in search for anything comfy and loose that might serve as makeshift pyjamas.

Nothing.

All the trousers were tightly fitted, the tops and dresses all skin tight. I groaned at the cabinets, getting increasingly tired and fed up and wondering what to do now. I wasn’t going to sleep in my underwear – that definitely come under ‘too revealing’.

Then I remembered. The Joker’s side.

I moved over to his drawers, pulling them open quickly, trying to find what I was looking for but paranoid someone might walk into the room and catch me rummaging through the Boss’s stuff – or maybe even the Joker himself. “Come on, come on.” I muttered under my breath as I searched.

“Bingo!” I exclaimed quietly, pulling out and holding up my find. The trousers unfolded to reveal the Joker’s blue sweatpants with ARKHAM printed down the left leg.

I held them up to my body. Large and baggy. Perfect.

I slung them over one arm and continued my perusal through his cupboards, finding a rack of shirt and picking the softest one. I hurriedly changed into my improvised pyjamas, throwing my old clothes into a pile in the corner of the room. I head to the bathroom - not surprised when there was no lock on the door -  and washed some of the grime off my face and freshening myself up a bit with what was available.

Finally, I returned to the room and stared at the large bed.

It was so inviting.

But even as I stood there, dreaming of the comfy pillow only a few metres away from me, I still couldn’t get over the fact that the Joker could wander in at any moment - and I certainly didn’t want to end up sharing a bed with him!

But what else could I do? I thought as I stood in the middle of the large room staring at the bed.

Frost had said there was other rooms - they just hadn’t been made up – but I wasn’t in a position to quibble over whether something had a sheet on it or not. Just a sofa would do me right now.

So, I opened the bedroom door quietly, peering out onto the landing to see if anyone was around. The immediate area appeared empty so I stepped out, quietly shutting the door behind me, and I made my way along the corridor once more, waiting a while before I started trying doors.

Frost was right - it was like a large portion of the house just wasn’t used anymore. Some rooms were locked and those that did open were completely empty of all furniture. It took quite a few trys before I managed to find an open room with a bed and mattress.

I snuck in, closing the door silently behind me and fumbling for a light switch in the dark. When I finally found it, the small chandelier-like light bathed the room in a soft gold glow and illuminated the cobwebs caught amongst its brackets.

The room definitely hadn’t been used in a while, some of the furniture covered in white sheets, those exposed were coated in a thick layer of dust. There was no en-suite or a walk-in closet in this room, but the bed looked just as functional and still as inviting even without any bed sheets.

Before I succumbed to the bed however, I took one last precaution towards the inhabitants of the house and used my remaining strength to push the nearest piece of furniture - an old (luckily empty) chest of drawers - in front of the door. Hopefully I wouldn’t get any unwanted visitors overnight now.

I turned off the main light and stumbled my way to the bed, collapsing onto the bare mattress and momentarily wishing I’d thought to bring a blanket or something from the other room. Instead, I just pulled the Joker’s shirt tighter around my body, snuggling into the fabric and the soft bed - soon fast asleep.

Tags: @theartistdetective @6fish6 @viraldragonrider @carouselcurls @white-chocolate-mocha-fan

[archivesablog-blog]

Meet the only collector (that we know of) who owns a pair of ASICS Tiger Gel Lyte IIIs in the iconic ‘Elephant/Jade’ atmos x Nike Air Max 1 colourway

We caught up with Cape Town local and all-round creative guy, Eric Leeson (aka Eric the Sticker Guy - check out his gram here: https://www.instagram.com/ericthestickerguy/) to find out more about where he got his ASICS Gel Lyte IIIs in the Nike Air Max 1 atmos colours.

Bonus: Eric also tells us about the significance of his Jordan Concord 11s which he’ll be passing on to his son some day. 

Archive: Tell us more about your customised sneakers, as seen on your Instagram account? [namely the Asics Gel Lyte III in Nike Air Max 1 atmos colours]. What was the response like from your audience, and did the brands (Nike and ASICS) have anything to say?

Eric: I'm very proud to say that Jaryd Mostert at Primo Custom Kicks, right here in Cape Town, did my Pair of atmos 1s. I didn't get the Nike atmos 1 on release day then decided to replicate a pair by using my plain white ASICS Gel Lyte IIIs.

Jaryd is also responsible for the iridescent black and blue Gel Lyte IIIs and his workmanship is just amazing. His attention to detail really is world-class. Big ups to Primo Custom kicks again. ASICS gave me big thumbs-up for them, so I think it was well received. 

Eric’s Gel Lyte IIIs customised by Jaryd Mostert from Primo Custom Kicks in a black and iridescent blue 

Archive: You seem to really love the Nike Air Max 1 atmos – is it one of your favourites? Are there colourways that you are a die-hard fan of and that you must get, no matter the cost?

Eric: The atmos 1 is up there with my Air Max 1 Safari. I have always been a huge fan of the silhouette. I'm hunting a pair of Nike Air Max 1 Chien-Ming Wang as I didn't get them when they released in 2009. For me, it's the rarest thing out there at the moment. I've managed to find a pair on eBay but not in my size.

The extremely rare Nike Air Max 1 Chien-Ming Wang’s 

Archive: You’re also a Jordan collector and what’s unique about your story, is how Jordan runs through your family. Tell us more about that?

Eric: I don't consider myself to be one of the biggest Jordan Collectors when there are guys like Ashraf Solomons who has a far more extensive and quality collection. I have a complete set of every Jordan I have ever wanted -- from the Jordan 1 ‘Bred’ and ‘Royal’, to the Jordan 15 which I fell in love with after seeing Craig Jenneker play basketball in them at Settlers High School back in 2000. 

Jordans don't really run in family; I guess it started with me. My love for them sparked me buying them for my older son Clayton and then my son Liam when he was born. I never really had cool kicks growing up. I had 1 pair of sneakers that was for the weekends when we went out and the rest was my cousin’s hand-me-downs. I copped my first pair of Jays in high school after begging my dad for the ‘Cherry Red’ 11 Lows.  

Archive: There’s an interesting story about your Jordan Retro 11 “Concords”. Tell us about how you copped them, and the very special moment in your life when you wore them?

Eric: My Concord 11s I copped in 2011 at a point when Jordan's literally sat on the shelf for months. I fell in love with 11s when I was in high school in 2001 when my dad bought the Cherry Red 11 Lows, so they’re really special to me and I decided to wear them to my wedding in a tux in 2015 alongside my best man -- also in Concords. My wife had was wearing white Columbia 11s both my sons were in the ‘Bred’ 11s.  

Saying “I do” in Js sounds like a dream come true to all of us! 

Archive: They say art is passed down from generation to generation within a family. We’ve come to know you as a family man, a designer, a creative, and a sneaker collector. Tell us about your top 3 pieces (sneakers) in your “art collection” that’ll be inherited by your heirs one day? 

Eric: Well, my oldest son Clayton (who is 14) is already my size. I think really special pieces to me have would have to be: 

1. My ‘Concord’ 11s - hopefully he [Clayton] can wear them to his wedding or a special occasion. 

2. My Nike Air Max 1 IDs down to my son Liam as his name is embroidered on the back 

3. My Nike VaporMax Pure Platinum. I hope the bubbles will hold up for years to come. This shoe is pure art in my opinion with the sleek design and very bold, out-there ‘Bubbles’ 

Keeping it in the family. Some day, Eric will pass these down to his youngest son, Liam 

Archive: As a creative, with a love for sneaker customisation, tell us about some of your favourite customised kicks, and who’s responsible for creating these masterpieces – both locally and internationally?

Eric: I've admired the work of Dada Khanyisa for ages and I've been dying to get a pair of Dada’s work on my feet. I also love the work that JBF customs does by deconstructing Jordan's and putting them back together in snake skin and alligator leathers.

“Top 3″ - by JBF Customs 

Archive: 

As a seasoned sneaker collector, what sneaker(s) would you buy (to add to your personal collection) with the following amounts of money:

-          R5,000

-          R15,000

-          R50,000

Eric: 

- With R5,000, I'm definitely getting 2 pairs of Under Armour Curry 2s

- With R15,000 I'll get the Chien-Ming Wang air max 1 even if it's not my size and the Nike air Pressure which in my eBay cart right now 

- With R50,000 I'm definitely half way to getting myself a pair of Nike Air Mags at Flight Club

Archive: You recently visited New York City, after winning King of Kicks in 2015. Tell us about the top 3 sneaker stores you visited, and why you recommending visiting these iconic stores?

Eric: First store I visited in NYC was the legendary Flight Club. Just the sheer variety of kicks on display and of course the glass cabinet with all their very rare sneakers on display. Then I visited the Footlocker House Of Hoops store in Harlem on 125th street -- right opposite the Apollo Theater. House of Hoops is strictly Basketball heaven. No running apparel -- strictly basketball kicks --which I loved. I also visited Champs Sports, which is really similar to local stores like sportscene and yourselves, but with the volume amped up to 100. Wall-to-wall sneakers, hats, slides and basketball jerseys. 

Archive: How do South African collectors differ from American collectors?

Eric: I don't think we differ all that much at all. Cape Town is all about the ‘bubbles’, visible Air units like the Nike Air Max 95 and the Nike Air More Uptempo, but in the states people have adopted the more comfortable approach, with a lot of New Balance runners and adidas NMDs -- which is just like in SA. 

Certain Jordan's don't sell out in the states like they do here. But I think South Africa and more specifically Cape Town we all about AIR. 

“In Cape Town, we’re all about AIR!” - Eric Leeson 

Archive: Oh yeah! As a creative, if you could collaborate with any sneaker brand (Nike, Jordan, adidas etc), which brand would it be, and which silhouette would you want to work on?

Eric: I would really love to collab with Reebok and bring back all the models I remember seeing as a child that I couldn't get. Reebok models are so hard to find and to see them back kicking butt would be amazing. My first model would be the Reebok Big Hurt. 

Reebok Big Hurt 

Archive: Your son is as big a sneakerhead as you... Tell us about his collection?

Eric: Liam is 4 and he has all Jordan numbers from 1,3,4,5,6,7,10,11,13 and some OG Nike Air Max 90s to some comfy Nike pre-school sandals and running shoes. Liam actually has an original pair of North Star Excitements that my mom bought for me in 1987 (making them 30 years old).  

Archive: Dope! We recently launched our new website (www.archivestore.co.za) which plays host to a premium selection of kicks. If you could choose anything from this site, what would your top 10 be?  

1 Nike Air Max Plus 

2 Nike Air Max 95 Silver Bullet

3 Fila FX-100

4 Fila 96 Olympic

5 Nike Men’s LunarForce DuckBoot

6 Nike Men's Zoom All Out 

7 Under Armour Men's Curry 3 

8 Ewing Eclipse Olympic OG

9 Nike Men's Flyknit Racer

10 Air Max 1 Ultra 2.0 Flyknit