Ronaldinho

  If I had the opportunity to change lives with one athlete in the world for a day, it would be Ronaldinho.  He's probably one of the best "football" players of all time and you can't argue with his on the field demeanor...even though his teeth are gnarly he has a pretty contagious smile.  His samba is pretty sick too! 

Nike Commercial - I like the message of this commercial

Peter Lik Photography

One of my favorite photographers.  Here are a few of my favorite pics of his...

"Bamboo"  I actually bought this one a few years ago

"Angels Heart"

"Imagine"

"Beached"

"Ele Dreaming"

"Tree of life"

If you like his work you can check out his website at  www.peterlik.com/photography

putting my blog on bloglovin.com

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/2004385/brook-billings?claim=tzkegeg3ww2">Follow my blog with bloglovin</a>

I was instructed to do so...

Five Four

I was looking at my friend Andres Izquieta's blog at FIVE FOUR and found a cool pic that he used to inspire his clothing line.  Then I chose a few of their pieces that I like and figured I'd share them with you so you can check out his online store for your Christmas shopping!  Check out out his gear from Five Four at www.fivefourclothing.com

FIVE FOUR

Here is the pic I liked on his blog and then a few others of my own

Lingerie Football League

Where do I sign up?

I came across some photos of what looked like woman playing professional "American" football in bikini's on my facebook page.  After going through the pic's I had to look more into it.  This is awesome!!!  I couldn't help but think of my friend Mason Terheggen and how this is his dream come true.  After looking into I found out it is the Lingerie Football League and the website is www.lflus.com.  Here are some of the pic's.

Chicago Bliss vs San Diego Seduction

Touch down!

Fight!

Who wants to buy season tickets with me?

If we had our pick for...

     If these people were on the next season of Dancing with the Stars, Brett and I would watch every episode.  Some of them are people that we can't stand.  Some of them are people who we love and some of them are just plain entertaining!  In no particular order our dream Dancing with the Stars cast...

Featuring:

Lindsay Lohan

...because she is a fucking mess!  And it would be awesome to see her fail at life in a different way.

Russell Brand

 ...because he'll bring a little bit of a raunchy element to the show and it will be fun to try and decipher what he is saying.  Plus he's kinda funny.

Lil Wayne

...because he's the "thuggiest" person we could think of.  It brings a different element to the show.

Lamar Odom

...because he is our favorite Laker and Brett loves Khloe.  

Tiger Woods 

...because he needs to win something in the near future.  He'd probably fail here also though.

Zach Galifianakis

...because he RULES!

Sean Rooney

....because he is one of the most entertaining people to watch dance and he's so tall it would be funny to see who they'd partner him up with.  

Perez Hilton

...because it would finally put him in a place of others judging him while in the spotlight.  

George W Bush

...because he is hilarious and Brett wonders if he would get as many votes as Bristol Palin.

Snooki

...because who doesn't need a little snooki from time to time?  It would be entertaining to watch her roll around on the dance floor.

Sofia Vergara

...because everything out of her mouth is amazing and we think she has a nice rack.  Plus she is gorgeous.

Snoop Dogg

...because why not?

Updated Greek Situation

Here is an update that was posted on the CEV website...www.cev.lu

Hellenic Volleyball League President, Pantelis Tornatoros, announcing the suspension of the national league 

Men’s national league in Greece suspended indefinitely

News from the National Federations

Athens, Greece, December 2, 2010. The Hellenic Volleyball League has suspended the 2010/2011 Men’s A1 competition as it was announced at a press conference staged this afternoon. The HVL President, Mr. Pantelis Tornatoros, cited financial difficulties and the delayed payment of €100,000 to each of the clubs by the state.“This is not a cancellation, but a postponement, of the league until we can sort things out with the Under-Secretary of Sports, Giorgos Nikitiadis,” said Mr. Tornatoros at the press conference. “But under the current conditions we just cannot continue”. 
“We are not threatening nor blackmailing anyone. All we want is a clear-cut reply from the government on its position concerning the financial support of the League clubs”. 
According to Mr. Tornatoros all of the clubs have included the state subsidies in their 2010/2011 budgets, following a promise by the government last summer that the conditions of the previous years would be retained for the current season.
Eighty per cent of the subsidies go to the players, with most of the rest covering travel expenses of the teams, Mr. Tornatoros was quoted as saying.
“We are living through a period of intense financial and social crisis with serious consequences on sports in Greece,” commented the President of the Hellenic Volleyball Federation, Achilleas Mavromatis, following the League’s announcement. “The request of the HVL to continue under the current financial conditions is only fair considering we are midway through the season - even though this may be in conflict with the government’s intentions. This far into the season the clubs have already closed their budgets,” added Mr. Mavromatis.
Mr. Mavromatis expressed hope that the government will eventually take into consideration the situation at this specific time in the season and will revert to the previous status. “Meanwhile, we strongly urge both sides to start working together on setting up institutional changes that are necessary for Greek sports to survive under the current financial situation,” concluded the HVBF President. 
The suspension comes after completion of six rounds of play, with PAOK THESSALONIKI leading the table with 17 points and followed by Panathinaikos ATHENS with 14. Round seven, scheduled for next weekend, has been postponed indefinitely.

Like A Bosh

The Big 2 1/2

Coldplay - Christmas Lights

I'm sure of this song is fairly popular at home and there are even some of you whom are tired of it already.  However, I've just heard it for the first time and it really sets the ton for this month.  CHRISTMAS!!!!

I'm jumping on the Blake Griffin bandwagon

Blake Griffin makes me want to go to a Clipper game.  If I have to like another team it might as well be the "other" LA team.   I'm jumping on the Blake Griffin bandwagon though.   I love the third dunk in this vid...He grabs Mozgov on the back of the head and um, yeah.  Check it out.  

Here are some pic's from last nights game vs the Spurs.  The Clips won their 5 game of the season.  Every game for Griffin is a high light though.

Greek situation and economy

Here is what I understand so far.  Almost all of the teams are having money issues.  The teams made contracts with players before having money from sponsors 100% dialed in.  A lot of these sponsors pulled back on their words because they were not sure how their business was going to stand up through the economy and left the teams high and dry.  A handful of lucky players have collected their full salaries up until this point in time.  The clubs/organizations are doing their best to keep a peace of mind during these tough times by saying they haven't received the money that is allocated to each team from the Greek Government.  The Government usually gives a sum of 150,000 Euro to each team to help the league stay in business.  I might be a little off on this number but I am pretty sure this is right.  And as of last night the Federation is going on strike until they get the money from the Government.  The Government does not have this money and therefor the trickle down effect comes into play with the clubs and the players and coaches.

Our last match with Aris

Iraklis Team

This is what is happening in short.  I am not sure what is going to happen with our club and if the money from the Government will ever come.  To be honest I am very worried about the situation here in Greece and how it is going to effect Brett and I.  I'll keep you posted.

My Lebron Story

For those of you who I haven't had the chance to share my Lebron James story with here it is.  I can not stand this punk!  If you are a James fan now I assure you that you will not like him after this...and if you do, I don't get it.

At the 2004 Olympic games the entire USA congregation meet in front of the USA housing in the Olympic Village in order to shuttle over to the Opening Ceremonies.  This had to be one of the "coolest" scenes I have been a part of as many of my favorite athletes were all there just hanging out with one another wearing the same USA get up.  We had the chance to talk with Andy Roddick, Kobe, Iverson, James, Odom, Lisa Leslie, Diana Taurasi, Michael Phelps, etc.  Many of whom were very approachable and would engage in conversation...and why wouldn't they?  It was the Olympic Games and it felt like everyone was on the same level that night.

Two of the worst

Anyhow, my good friend and setter of the USA team, Donald Suxho had approached James and Iverson asking if he could take a picture.  James' response to him was "hey man, females only".  Not until after Iverson gave him a little shit did Lebron take a picture with him.  I will have to email Donald and ask for the picture.  Needles to say Donald was a little upset over the matter as it was pretty embarrassing.

A little while later when we were all hanging out at the arena waiting for Team USA to be called out to walk, we got a game of Finente going between myself, Riley Salmon, Eric Sullivan, and Lloy Ball.  A lot of the women's  basketball team had been hanging with us that night and a few of us actually walked out with them because they had the flag bearer and got to go in front.  But back to the story...Sitting at a small table playing cards when the Men's Bball team walked past and Lebron just happened to lean over the table and ask "what game y'all playin?" when for some reason I spouted out "Hey man, females only over here".  His response was pretty classic though.  He looked at me and said "ah Fuck you then!" hahahahaha.  What a douche!

Should had just burned these....

Taking it down

That isn't the end either.  A week later Riley Salmon who was still a Lebron fan and actually had and was wearing his Cleveland number 23 jersey when he spotted Lebron and Iverson sitting up on the balcony...And I'm not sure why they were there this day because they stayed on the Queen Mary.  But Riley got pretty excited when he heard "nice jersey" from Iverson.  Riles yelled up to them "hey, if I ran and got a marker could you sign this for me if I threw it up to you?"  Lebron's response was "No habla Inglais".  And he wouldn't do it.  Riley took the jersey off his back, came up stairs and got some tape.  He went back down to the front door of our apartments and taped the number 23 jersey to the floor mat of the entrance to the building so everyone could wipe their feet with it.

"No habla Ingais!" 

Now I understand these guys are on a different level and i'm sure they get bothered at times where it is inappropriate and whatnot but have a little discretion.  I have to say that Lamar Odom was my favorite person of the 2004 games.  When he came out of the building I couldn't help shouting out "LAKESHOW!"...he had just signed on with our team that summer.  He looked over our way with a big smile and just kind of appreciated the comment.  Later on I asked him for a photo and he threw his arm around my shoulder and just seemed as happy as the rest of us to be there.  I will have to dig up that photo from my old computer as well.  If Lebron had only done the same or something similar.

Lamar Odom a true class act!

On a side note:  Lakers lost their 3rd straight last night.  We need Andrew Bynum back to give Pau and Lamar some more juice in their legs in the 4th quarter.  LAKE SHOW!