Women's 100m Beijing Olympics 2008

The women's 100m sprint is one of the most highly anticipated events at this year's staging of the Olympic Games. The Americans have for many years dominated the sprints and plan on continuing their tradition of excellence. Standing in their way are a trio of Jamaican athletes who have established themselves as worthy opponents.

Leading the list is 2007 NCAA champion Kerron Stewart. Stewart who has posted some blistering times this season finished ahead of Sherone Simpson and Olympic champion Veronica Campbell - Brown at the Jamaican Olympic Trials held in June 2008. Stewart has been having a season to remember with only one loss coming to mind in late July where she stumbled from a bad start while competing in the 100m. Stewart, a world junior 100m finalist and gold medalist (4x100) is finally realizing the talent she promised in 2002. Her top end speed is unmatched and is considered to be one of the fiercest competitors in the sport - she will be hard to beat!

The next athlete representing Jamaica is Shelly - ann Fraser. Not known to many, Fraser burst onto the scene in virtually one race; a race which may be considered the most important race in her short professional career. The race spoken about is the 100m final at the Jamaican Olympic trials where she narrowly missed defeating Kerron Stewart while shaving eons off her personal best in the event and subsequently defeating favorites, Sherone Simpson and world champion Veronica Campbell - Brown. Many experts consider that race to be one of the biggest upsets of this track season as Campbell - Brown failed in qualifying for the team as Fraser announced her arrival in the big league. Fraser's greatest assest is her start and without a good one she may find herself staring at the heels of her opponents. Her inexperience and small statue are noteworthy weaknesses. Despite this she has been able to run under the 11 second barrier twice this season, she is no fluke!

Jamaica's other entrant, Sherone Simpson, is no stranger to the winner's circle. In 2006 she was the most dominant female sprinter as herself and teammate Asafa Powell lit the world a fire recording impressive performances. Simpson has established herself as Jamaica's most versatile sprinter as her prowess extends to the quarter mile event, the 400m. Simpson has produced many sub 11 clockings in her career but is yet to take home any hardware from a major championship. If she get's it right in the final of the 100m it will require a super - human effort to defeat her.

Jamaica has put together their best team ever. Only the Americans can boast the speed and versatility these women bring to the table. It will be interesting to see who makes the final. Only eight competitors are allowed in the final and if the U.S and Jamaica's athlete's make the final that would leave only 2 lanes for other countries. With the current form of these gifted athletes and history between the countries, the likelihood of this occurring is not far - fetched.

I know the Jamaicans are ready, and the Americans always deliver! But is the rest of the world ready to fill those 2 lanes and become a part of what may be the fastest Olympic women's final in history? Lace up your spikes, say a prayer and take a deep breath. This one will be down to who can keep their nerve best!

Here is how the race unfolded:

Beijing Olympics: Women's 100m final

Selling my nintendo wii

So after owning one of the most revolutionary pieces of gaming technology in the last decade or so, I have decided that it is now time for me to part ways with my nintendo wii! We had some fun times, battling against bowser and his minions in super mario galaxy (my favorite wii game). There were some disappointments as well, manhunt for example was an utter waste of my hard earned money. On the other hand, where manhunt fell off, mario & sonic at the olympic games made up for it along with super smash brothers and mario kart.

Why am I selling my wii?

First of all, i'm broke! Secondly, I realized that I hardly play it and have found myself to be more attracted to microsoft's xbox 360. The 360 has more games to choose from which explains the wider genre of games it offers. Additionally, priced a lot lower than sony's playstation 3 it speaks to the hearts of people like myself struggling to stay above the poverty line.

So after figuring that I had exhausted all the gadgets and amenities the wii has to offer I realized that I had not tried out the wii fitness board and wii fit. Why am I not surprised? First of all, at 6'2 165lbs, I doubt that I need any excercise. (I do run a couple miles each day, that should suffice enough). There is no way on this planet that I would make the wii fit plunge! I do not find it comforting burning up a sweat while engaging myself in something that should be relaxing!

It is my firm belief that I am ready to take the halo 3 leap and convert to the xbox 360. After bad mouthing microsoft for years I admit the console has grown on me, along with it's bulky controller. (thanks for making it more user friendly)

Anyway, macbooks' still rule, apple kicks serious #$%^ and windows sucks!
(Take that Willam "Bill" Gates)

Beijing Olympics 2008

Here are a list of some of the events and athletes I'm looking forward to watching at the Olympics this year.

Mens 100m

Why? Not only is the winner classified as the fastest man on the planet but Jamaica has three very competitive entrants. Those being,

Asafa Powell - former 100m world record holder
Michael Frater - World Championship silver medalist
Usain Bolt - current 100m world record holder

This event will definitely be a clash of the titans as the Jamaican trio will duel against strong challenges from the USA featuring the likes of:

Tyson Gay - double sprint world champion
Walter Dix - many time NCAA champion
Darvis Patton - 4th fastest individual over this discipline this year

Additionally the Trinidadians have put together a formidable trio who will be right on the heels of the Jamaicans and Americans ready to capitalize on any hiccups. They include:

Marc Burns - world championship finalist
Darrel Brown - world championship silver medalist
Richard Thompson - NCAA 100m champion

Mens 110h

This event usually offers many thrills and spills. This year is no different as 21 year old phenom Dayron Robles seeks to continue his winning streak this year as he goes up against the current Olympic champion Liu Xiang of China.
Xiang is regarded as one of the fiercest competitors in the sport and will not relinquish his crown easily. Additionally, the Olympics being staged in China should give Xiang home crowd advantage.

Stay tuned for more Beijing Olympics round up

Employment

I currently work for a relative where I am getting way less than my qualifications stipulate. Additionally the conditions at the office are less than ideal for me (dusty, no a/c, dirt, grime etc..).
After two weeks of not receiving my full pay (which is less than what i should be paid!!) I'm seriously seeking job opportunities elsewhere. Unfortunately the employment atmosphere in the country I reside is quite hostile and I cannot foresee myself being employed elsewhere in the near future!

Recruitment agency

I am unaware of any such agencies where I live as this would be of great assistance in aiding my job search.

On my way home from my holiday weekend I drove through Manchester and wondered what the job opportunities were like in that parish? The town seemed very slow paced and dry - not somewhere I would like to be. (No jobs in manchester for me)

Till some opportune job vacancy pops up, I'm stuck working for peanuts!

Even a call centre job vacancy!

"Will work for beer"

How to fix a dell 6000 laptop

I've owned a dell 6000 laptop for a little bit over three years now and man have we been through the roller coaster ride of love!Needless to say that it is now on its "last" and I'm now in desperate need of repair services etc. However, i'm not willing to pay anyone to resurrect my beauty since I have enough confidence in my computer/mr fix it skills.
After encountering a bit of difficulty in disassembling the machine I came across this helpful video on youtube, it is definitely worth a look. The biggest downside to it is that there are no verbal directions (just music in the background). I hope it helps in your troubleshooting etc.

Car repairs

It's ironic that this post entails information about car repair estimates because just this morning my car battery died on me, and not just that, but two days before someone ran into the back of the said vehicle. (My luck..)

Doing my normal daily rounds on the internet I came across RepairPal.com and when I tell you this website is a cut above the rest, trust me - it is! The website has a host of features all of which are suited in assisting the customer in tracking the repair specifics of their car, finding the closest auto repair shops, advice on getting repairs and even tracking the current status of repairs on your vehicle! (Marvellous!)

Through the sites simple to use interface prospective customers are able to find their make car, ranging from Acura - Volvo and the part of problem they need fixed for example brakes.

I did a test run of the "get an estimate" feature of the site for a 2007 BMW 760i (1000 mileage) which needed front brake pad replacement for someone living the Los Angeles area.


Here are the results:

Parts: $48 - $170

• Front Brake Pad Set

Labor: $102 - $130

(Estimate excludes applicable taxes)

(Diagnostic charges not included)

The estimate came with a list of auto repair shops closest to my area code.

Not too shabby, huh? I was impressed!

Do your self a favor before you take your baby, I mean your car, to an overpriced, understaffed and unknown repair place where the mechanic is only known as "chico" and check RepairPal out. It may save you a world of time and money.

Dont take my word for it, go check it out yourself!

RepairPal

Ryan Leslie ft Cassie

Ryan Leslie in the studio making "Addiction".
The song is recorded with Leslie and Cassie on the track singing the hook.
After seeing the making of the song I had a greater appreciation for Leslie's work.
Check it out!

Addiction

"I'm addicted to you..."