Nikolay Davydenko Destroys Nadal In Straight Sets In Miami!!!

I am shocked that Nikolay Davydenko just hammered Rafael Nadal in straight sets 6-4 6-2 in the men’s Miami Masters final. The result just proves once again that the players with the powerful groundstrokes can blast Nadal right off the hardcourts. I am surprised that Davydenko was able to maintain his composure he is known for choking the big matches. The weakness in Nikolay’s game is not his groundstrokes it is his mind. He usually doesn’t believe he can beat the other top players. Nikolay is very consistent in his results he can beat almost all the players the other top men.

Today Davydenko finally put together two huge wins back to back he blasted Roddick on Friday and today he destroyed Rafael Nadal. Nikolay played a very smart match he was relentless attacking Nadal’s forehand over and over again forcing Nadal into numerous errors. Some players aren’t smart they attack Nadal’s backhand but that’s tactically speaking the wrong strategy. You have to attack Nadal’s forehand and serve these are his weakest strokes.

Nadal doesn’t like it when you hit a hard forehand cross court shot to his forehand. Nadal prefers to hit his forehand cross court. Davydenko exposes the weakness in Nadal’s forehand he doesn’t hit through the ball flat he hits it with too much topspin. I am very impressed with Nikolay he is a very underrated player and now this week he blasted Andy Roddick and Rafael Nadal in straight sets. Well done Nikolay!

Rafael Nadal should be concerned because Nikolay Davydenko is one of the few men on the ATP Tour that has the speed, power, and consistency to beat Nadal on clay. Nadal is in the same boat as Roger Federer he has failed to win a title this year. Although Nadal is an incredible clay court player Davydenko has proven he is very dangerous on the clay surface.

Nadal just doesn’t have the big weapons to win on the hardcourts. I am amazed that such a big, strong, young, muscular, man as Rafael Nadal has such a cotton candy serve. Some of women on the WTA tour have more powerful serves then Nadal. Justine Henin, Maria Sharapova, the Williams Sisters, Lindsay Davenport, Alicia Molik all have bigger serves. Nadal just spins his serves in at 100 miles per hour that’s not good enough on a hardcourt surface. Nadal is a complete joke the man is so big and strong yet he is lazy he refuses to work on his serve. Why doesn’t Nadal hire a serve coach?

Nadal is too defensive he isn’t using his size enough he needs a more offensive game. Nadal just doesn’t have the depth and the weight on his groundstrokes to bother Davydenko today. Davydenko has incredible timing on the ball he hits the ball so early and hard on the rise.

Davydenko is a two time French Open semifinalist he knows how to play on the slow red clay. The victory over Rafael Nadal will give Davydenko tremendous confidence. I always felt Davydenko has got the game to win a grand slam. I hope the victory over Roddick and Nadal gives Davydenko the confidence he needs. Davydenko has been a fixture in the top five of the ATP Tour for the past three years he has now proven he should be taken very seriously. Davydenko has never been respected for his remarkable consistency but this week he finally silences critics by winning his second Masters Series title on hardcourts.

Weight Loss Update I Lost 30 Pounds In Four Months Still Not Extremely Thin

I had a doctor’s appointment last week Thursday and I learned I have lost 30 pounds in four months. The doctor says I currently weight 205 pounds. I am not sure I will ever weight 150 pounds again like ten years ago. I remember I was so young, so skinny, so rail thin, I could see my ribs poking through my skin. I also have a problem with binge eating.

Sometimes I was so depressed and sad I quietly left the house in the middle of the night and ran to the corner store. Next, I bought potato chips, chocolate bars, candy, and devoured everything because I felt empty inside about my life not because I was hungry. I wasn’t hungry I was trying to fill a void in my life with food. I soon realized I had a food addiction. Sometimes because I was lazy I didn’t bother going to the supermarket I just ordered an entire pizza and ate it. I passed out after eating the entire pizza other times I wanted to slit my wrists with shaving blades because I hated myself so much I wanted to die.

Next, I passed out waking up wishing I was dead. I hated looking in the mirror looking at my face I cried a lot about my weight. I still cry about my weight sometimes because I am still frustrated. I don’t think I am ever going to have the perfect body, the toned thin legs, the strong thighs, the rock hard abs, the big muscles, thin waist, or shiny perfect skin.

I have received a lot of complements on my body from men but sometimes I don’t believe it. First off, I question if whether the men that give me complements really like me or just want to get into my pants? I have always felt insecure about my body. I still see myself as the depressed overweight man that thinks about committing suicide.

I have broad shoulders and my upper chest, abdomen, and thighs, has slimmed down considerably. Now I am going to talk about an issue any man that has battled with weight loss can understand. My man boobs are just about gone. When I was overweight I actually had a chest yes I admit this!

I am a man of average height I am five feet eleven inches tall. I definitely feel a lot better due to the hard work. I can’t believe I have avoided fast food joints such as McDonalds, and Burger King for the past four months! I started working out on December 4th 2007 and I workout at least two to four times a week for forty to fifty minutes. Sometimes I will exercise for fifty minutes but other times I will exercise for forty minutes. There are a few times I worked out five and six times a week. The only week I didn’t workout was when I was in Jamaica earlier this year for my grandfather’s funeral.

I remember when I was twenty years old I could eat anything I desired and not gain a pound. Now I read labels and make sure I count calories all the time. I also drink lots of water. I decreased my sugar intake and try to stay away from soda drinks. The problem is the food I eat is kind of bland and boring. I eat a lot of rice cakes and drink water. When I am not home I eat whole wheat submarines because I can’t think of anything else healthy to eat. I get really scared about food I become frightened that I will gain all the weight back. I don’t want to be heavy again. The fear fuels the fire and pushes me to workout even harder.

My doctor is pleased with my weight loss and I feel good about my commitment to an intense exercise regime. However, I am still not completely satisfied. I feel like I have reached a plateau. From February 2008 to April 3rd 2008 I have only lost six pounds in the past two months! I am so pissed! I workout so hard I try to watch my diet, count calories, and I only lost six friggin pounds in the past two months! I always make sure that I don’t eat past eight in the evening.

I am much slimmer now it feels good to visit the store and pick up a size 34 or 36 men’s pair of jeans and slip it on. I definitely have more energy and I don’t feel tired or lethargic during the day. My face is much slimmer and my body is becoming more defined. I think I need to buy myself a jump rope or something or some weights? Maybe when the weather gets a little better in the Toronto area I will play tennis and start jogging. I do lift a little bit of weights after the cardiovascular exercise. Does anyone have any advice on how to lose weight really fast? I know I am on the right track but I just want to lose the weight even faster now.

An Analysis Of The Transgender Pregnant Man Story

I must admit the first time I heard about the transgender pregnant man story I was confused, horrified, and shocked. I can definitely say I am prejudiced. I can also admit when I am wrong. I don’t want to be prejudiced though because I know how hard it is to live in a heterosexist  patriarchal society. I will admit my biases right here and right now. The issue here is not about whether being transgender is a moral issue. I believe transgender people have a right to decide if they want to transform their bodies with surgery and hormones.

A part of me was afraid that the media would lump the transgender story with homosexuality. People need to be aware homosexuality and transgender issues are two completely separate distinct topics. The quandary is the public is ignorant, confused, and tends to believe homosexuality and transgender issues are the same and this is false.

Gay people we are secure with our biological bodies and gender we are just sexually attracted to people of the same sex. Transgender people believe they are born in the wrong biological bodies and want to transform their physical bodies to conform to the images that makes them happy.

After a discussion about gender, sexual orientation, and life, with a friend the other day I realize my views are a bit flawed. I do feel like the mainstream media is treating Mr. and Mrs. Beattie as a freak sideshow though. Maybe Mr. and Mrs. Beattie don’t care anyway? Some people are upset because they believe the story isn’t really a news story at all and just an example of the media trying to scare and shock the public. After all, Thomas Beatie is still biologically speaking a female he has a fallopian tube and uterus so of course he can have a child. Thomas was born female not male.

Yes, Thomas Beattie has taken testosterone hormones and has an external appearance of looking very masculine but his biological body is still female. It is simply impossible for biologically born males to have a child. Thomas also has his female reproductive organs he has ovaries, one fallopian tube, a vagina, and a uterus.

Perhaps this is the concern of the transgender community as well that the mainstream are just going to persecute and generalize them again? But don’t Mr. and Mrs. Beattie have a right to tell their story on their own terms? So what if Mr. and Mrs. Beattie are cashing in? We all got to do what’s best for ourselves right?

Sure, Mr. and Mrs. Beattie are trying to capitalize off of the story but why not? Maybe Mr. and Mrs. Beattie need the money and want a book deal and so what? Is there a rule that says the Beatties have to be altruistic? Don’t we live in a survival of the fittest society and isn’t that everyone’s mentality in a capitalist world?

I have no right to judge and neither does anyone else. My views changed after talking with the friend and also watching the episode on Oprah. A lot of people complain about Oprah and yes perhaps Oprah wanted Mr. and Mrs. Beattie on her program for ratings. The Beaties appear to be a loving couple and although they are a non traditional family they deserve happiness and respect just like everyone else.

I also believe Oprah wants to educate the masses about transgender issues. Transgender people are human beings as well. Thomas Beattie’s wife was unable to carry a child to term because she had a hysterectomy. Thomas still has his uterus and one working fallopian tube he was able to become pregnant. If Mr. and Mrs. Beatie get rich off of this story more power to them they have to pay their bills just like everyone else.

Reading Between The Lines Of Tennis Media Bias

I just read the Yahoo Tennis page and there is an article that claims this week was a “big week” for Andy Roddick. I made sure I read the article twice. Last time I checked Andy Roddick did not win the 2008 Miami Masters. In fact, Roddick just proved he’s still not one of the top contenders on the ATP Tour. In my mind Roddick’s loss in the semifinals of Miami just proves he’s very inconsistent. If you read between the lines you would swear Andy Roddick just won the Miami Masters. However, Roddick couldn’t even reach the finals of Miami so how is this a good week? So why are the American sports reporters desperate to hype Roddick? The answer is clear because Roger Federer is in a slump.

The problem is the sports reporters are acting like Roddick is the only challenger to Federer and this is false. Roddick is not the only man that can win a grand slam. Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are better players then Roddick they have youth, better return of serves, more powerful groundstrokes, better consistency. I question if Roddick can defeat these two young stars in a grand slam event. David Nalbandian also has the weapons to destroy Andy Roddick on the tennis court add Andy Murray to the mix and it will be tough for Roddick.

It is interesting to read the clear bias the mainstream sports media has for Andy Roddick and their venom against the Williams Sisters. The Williams Sisters are always contenders on the WTA tour because they are proven champions. Lindsay Davenport is even more of a contender then Andy Roddick or James Blake. Serena just won the women’s Miami Masters event yet prior to the Miami Masters there was once again talk about her dedication to the game. I am tired of reading these articles.

The lack of respect the USA sports media has for the Williams Sisters is disgraceful and disgusting. The mainstream media love James Blake because he avoids race issues like the plague. Race is a reality it is a part of life and racism exists in professional sports. I respect the Williams Sisters more then Blake because they don’t hide from the truth. I also respect Chanda Rubin, Zina Garrison, Lori McNeil, and Malivai Washington as well they never ignored race. James Blake seems to think he’s popular just because of his “tennis”. I guess Blake is really delusional after all.

Now Andy Roddick and James Blake have proven they are consistent losers. Last time I checked the Williams Sisters won two out of the four grand slams in 2007 they also won two out of the four grand slams in 2005. James Blake’s best result in a grand slam is the quarterfinals of a major at the Australian and US Open.

What is the difference between James Blake and Mardy Fish’s tennis careers? I think everyone knows the real reason James Blake is so “popular” in the tennis world but are afraid to admit it. Blake has profited off of the image of “blackness” with a best selling memoir that wasn’t very revealing at all. Does anyone honestly believe Blake would get a book deal if he was a white male with his mediocore results? Blake is considered a part of the “diversity” of the ATP Tour he’s the black male face in a predominantly white upper class sport.

James is viewed as a novelty act in men’s tennis he’s just someone for show during the early rounds but will be dismissed by the top players in the quarterfinals. The ATP Tour marketing teams love Blake because he’s the only man of colour in the ATP Tour top ten right now. Blake hasn’t really accomplished much on the ATP Tour other then being the resident House Negro he’s like a sideshow but not one of the real stars.

James Blake’s matches are often on the show courts but does he deserve this kind of star treatment over Nikolay Davydenko? Davydenko’s career is much more superior to James Blake but Davydenko is Russian and he’s not considered attractive. Davydenko has something Blake doesn’t have though and that’s a Masters Series title he has also reached the US Open and French Open semifinals twice in his career. Davydenko has serious potential to win a grand slam most likely the French championships later on this year.

James Blake has never won a Masters title or a grand slam. So why is James Blake so popular? Yes Blake is top ten but he isn’t a contender he is a pretender. So what is the media’s fascination with James Blake anyway? Yes James Blake is attractive but his personality reveals an ugliness in relation to race issues. The Williams Sisters never deny racism exists in tennis and some people refuse to look at the truth. James Blake is the opposite he is so desperate for white America’s approval and validation. Does anyone remember the J Block at the US Open? I think the J Block is a symbol where James Blake’s heart is anyway he is in a tug of war with himself. Blake’s career won’t improve until he deals with the internal crisis he is suffering from.

I think Malivai Washington is more attractive on the inside and out then Blake. Malivai had something Blake doesn’t and that’s heart. Malivai Washington was shorter then Blake and not as powerful but he wasn’t a quitter he was an intense fighter. There isn’t much to talk about in terms of Blake’s tennis everyone knows he will lose in the quarterfinals. He’s good enough to win a few matches but not good enough to win the big events. Donald Young will become a champion that’s for sure.

James Blake is viewed as someone that can bring “diversity” to men’s tennis but he’s also a complete flake and a joke. The Williams Sisters are not just “happy” to be playing tennis they want to win they have the fire and intensity of champions. James Blake does not have this “intensity” he’s all about “fitting in” being one of the “guys”. But does “fitting in” also mean being a chronic underachiever and consistent loser too? Blake’s serve is his downfall it simply isn’t powerful or consistent enough.

It is also a joke that the press continue to compare Blake to the late Arthur Ashe. It is a complete disrespect to Arthur’s legacy. Arhtur Ashe was a champion he wasn’t a flake and he wasn’t a loser either. The media have been picking on eighteen year old Donald Young but Donald is already in the ATP Tour top 100 that’s amazing for a teenager. Donald Young also has something James doesn’t have he has grit and he’s a fighter. Donald wants to win and he’s not satisfied with quarterfinal results. At the age of eighteen you can already see that Donald is going to go far in men’s tennis he just needs time. Donald had an impressive junior career he won the Australian Open boy junior event at the tender age of fifteen he also won junior Wimbledon last year at the age of seventeen.

Mardy Fish reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open last year. Robby Ginepri is another American male tennis player he reached the US Open semifinals three years ago. Yet the press ignore Ginepri and Fish I wonder why? Fish also scored a huge straight set upset of Roger Federer just over a week ago. Isn’t Mardy Fish’s career more impressive then James Blake’s right now? Blake has proven he is a career quarterfinalist he just can’t seem to win the big matches. Andy Roddick lost in third round of the Australian Open this year. Perhaps sports writers are grasping at straws because the American men of this generation are not as successful as previous generations? Maybe the best USA men’s player is Mardy Fish after all!

Just because Roddick earned a second fluke victory over Roger Federer doesn’t mean he’s a top contender. I think there are a few other players such as David Nalbandian, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal they have superior games compared to Andy Roddick. Even the Spaniard David Ferrer has a winning record against Roddick.

Roddick has a huge win over Roger Federer even though Roger is in a slump yet he can’t beat Nikolay Davydenko a player he’s dominated. How is this “big”? Andy Roddick wasn’t able to sequence big wins back to back it just proves his consistency has gone down. In fact, it also proves that Nikolay Davydenko may be a force to deal with because the win will only give him confidence. It is a perfect reflection of Roddick’s downward spiral in the last few years.

For instance, Roddick won Dubai beating Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic I agree that obviously the victory was huge in terms of being a confidence boost. However, Roddick lost to German Tommy Haas the next week in Indian Wells in straight sets. Roddick has a 3-7 losing record against Haas now. Roddick wasn’t able to capitalize on his success in Dubai and the exact same result occurred in Miami. I think the pattern is clear Roddick can’t win the big events. The Dubai event also wasn’t a tier I event either. If you look at the vast majority of Roddick’s ATP Tour titles most of them are in minor events when he is the top seed.

I am questioning the veracity of the USA sports media is it their jobs to be cheerleaders for Andy Roddick? Why can’t the USA sports writers just tell the truth? Roddick is definitely a top ten player but until he wins another grand slam all their words are just hot air. It is very easy to hype someone up. However, it has been almost five years since Roddick has won a grand slam.

The year 2008 is interesting because finally Roger Federer does appear fragile and vulnerable due to mononucleosis he looks extremely fragile and thin. Roger’s confidence is also down. I think Roddick’s best chance at winning another major will either be at Wimbledon and the US Open. So why don’t the sports writers wait until the summer to hype Roddick up? Why jump on the bandwagon now? And Novak Djokovic he appears to me to be a serious threat for the world number one ranking. Now Rafael Nadal might reach number one first before Djokovic but I believe he has more weapons then Nadal and he can dominate the ATP Tour.