Starting this week, me and a couple of friends have started a weekly soccer talk show appropriately called "The Soccerholism Talk Show". It can be found at www.soccerholism.com

The show is very light hearted and in no way meant to be taken seriously as you can probably tell. Feel free to leave any comments at www.soccerholism.com

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8000 people were tested to see if they could find the 3 differences and
only 19 got it. See how observant you are and if you find all 3
differences, you are one of the most elite people in the world!

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So according to Menu Foods their various brands of dog (and cat) food are now "safe for consumption." That's great but I'm pretty sure that those poor owners that lost their best friends to this disaster are inconsolable. This brings back memories of the effect hurricane Katrina had on the surviving dogs. The images like this one below of dogs stranded in the flood and separated from their owners had to have touched the even hardest of hearts.

My dog Caesar is a German Shepherd, Labrador and Beagle mix (better known as a mutt), and I just started feeding him dry holistic food about a month before all of this started. I would be enraged if something were to happen to him due to someone else's oversight. Speaking of which what in the world was Melamine doing in pet food anyway? Having said that we all have to learn from this sad episode and not take for granted that the food we eat today and give to our pets goes through countless cycles of processing, packaging, detoxification, additives etc. before it reaches the store counter. With the Internet especially it is easier than ever to obtain up to date information on product recalls and I know it's a habit I will start from this point on. Here is the list of recalled Menu Foods dog foods:

Americas Choice, Preferred Pets
Authority
Award
Best Choice
Big Bet
Big Red
Bloom
Cadillac
Companion
Demoulas Market Basket
Eukanuba
Food Lion
Giant Companion
Great Choice
Hannaford
Hill Country Fare
Hy-Vee
Iams
Laura Lynn
Loving Meals
Meijers Main Choice
Mighty Dog Pouch
Mixables
Nutriplan
Nutro Max
Nutro Natural Choice
Nutro Ultra
Nutro
Ol'Roy Canada
Ol'Roy US
Paws
Pet Essentials
Pet Pride - Good n Meaty
Presidents Choice
Price Chopper
Priority Canada
Priority US
Publix
Roche Brothers
Save-A-Lot Choice Morsels
Schnucks
Shep Dog
Springsfield Prize
Sprout
Stater Brothers
Stop & Shop Companion
Tops Companion
Wegmans Bruiser
Weis Total Pet
Western Family US
White Rose
Winn Dixie
Your Pet

For full details as well as recalled cat foods check out their website.

I know I'm a bit late with this one but I have to add my two cents on Lasith Malinga's extraordinary feat in the Cricket World Cup last Wednesday. Having spent my tween and early teens in England and India I used to play and watch quite a bit of cricket. I remember getting up in the middle of the night to catch One Day Internationals between India and Pakistan in the Sharjah Cup, or the never ending Test series which always end in a draw.

The last live cricket game I watched was probably around 1996 so it's been a full ten years but I had no problem whatsoever getting back into the swing of things upon watching the game between Sri Lanka and South Africa. First off I have to congratulate Lasith Malinga for getting four wickets in four successive balls, an achievement so unprecedented at the highest level that an official term has not yet been coined for it. Some are clamoring for it to be dubbed a "Malinga" (hmmmm) but the ICC will most likely settle for "double hat-trick". Which makes you wonder what they'll call six in six? I digress. Malinga's unorthodox bowling technique has earned him the nickname "Slinger" and in fact having not watched cricket in so long (that’s right there was a reason for my initial reminiscing) I could have sworn that a bowler was supposed to release the ball not only when the height of his arm is lower than or equal to his shoulder, but also with his wrist parallel to the ground. Lasith's release is more vertical and therefore gives an appearance of a throw.

See the below video clip of Malinga in action against South Africa:

Compare that to this hat-trick by Chaminda Vaas against Bangladesh:

And then Jerome Taylor's against Australia:

By no means am I trying to rain on his parade but I just wanted to satisfy my own curiousity. Had the rules changed in the last ten years? Or had I incorrectly assumed that the way I was taught to bowl in a proper English school was the legal way.
The official rule states (ICC Law 24 #3):

Definition of fair delivery - the arm
A ball is fairly delivered in respect of the arm if, once the bowler's arm has reached the level of the shoulder in the delivery swing, the elbow joint is not straightened partially or completely from that point until the ball has left the hand. This definition shall not debar a bowler from flexing or rotating the wrist in the delivery swing.

Ahhh so the rule explicitly allows the bowler to flex his wrist as desired provided the elbow movement is compliant. Okay, so I was wrong. Congrats again to Lasith and if anyone else has any doubts direct them to this blog entry.

My Top 50 rap videos continued:

40. Jamal - Keep It Real (1996)

Mally G of the baby thug group Illegal followed in the footsteps of his new Def Squad teammates by recording under his Government name. I remember this song's instrumentals being abused by MTV who played it every 10 minutes back in 1996. Good sample, good video.

39. West Coast Rap All Stars - We're All In the Same Gang (1990)

Call it the rap "We Are the World" or better yet the West Coast "Self Destruction". This was a better record than the East Coast's version and showed the West united in a way we haven't seen since. Snoop attemped a West Coast Conference a couple of years ago, but that gang mentality is deeply ingrained it seems and now even brothers are beefing (Game and Big Fase 100). The only noticable absentee from this song was Ice Cube due to his recent departure from N.W.A.

38. Heltah Skeltah - Operation Lockdown (1996)

Boot Camp at it's finest. The Indian theme fit perfectly with the beat provided by E-Swift of Tha Alkaholiks. Many list Nocturnal as their favorite BCC album, I tend to agree...

37. N.W.A. - Straight Outta Compton (1988)

I didn't see this video until around 1991, a good three years after its' release. Even then it's ban from MTV seemed justified but looking at it now you realize that is in fact very PG. Ten year olds of today play video games that make NWA look like the Power Rangers. The Straight Outta Compton video was definitely ahead of it's time in terms of concept, quality and even acting by the artists. Tell me you didn't have nightmares about Ice Cube sticking a "gat" to your dome.

36. The Beatnuts - Watch Out Now (1999)

How did J-Lo get away with obvious theft? Worse than that is no credit was given to the Beatnuts for this jewel. I am not into club music, but even I have to give this track props. It's guranteed to get anyone moving towards the dance floor. And is Angie one sexy mami or what?

Coming soon: Top 31 - 35

My Top 50 rap videos continued:

45. Juvenile - Ha (1998)

Who would have thought after seeing this video that the Cash Money Billionaires would morph into the blinged out donut riders they became? I think I read that Young Buck claimed the video was shot in his hood in Cashville, but it represents the Magnolia Projects. Is that baby pit bull really chewing raw meat? You better run Forest, run Forest run!!

44. Black Moon - I Got Cha Opin (1993)

That intro tune still gives me goose bumps till this day. This is real hip-hop and I feel for kids having to grow up on that Laffy Taffy, Lean wit it, rock wit it (yes I'm mad at the South and I'm not throwing any lefts until they get right!) crap because it's played on the radio 103 times per day. Black Moon made everyone go out and get Timberlands, hoodies and of course backpacks. The Beatminerz' signature sound also helped define that Golden Era of New York hip-hop. Classic.

43. Gravediggaz - Diary of a Mad Man (1994) Feat. Shabazz the Disciple, Killah Priest

Originally titled "N*ggamortis", their album was renamed to the more PC "6 Feet Deep" for the US market. It seems that the Europeans were mature enough to handle the original album title and focus more on the music (why is America so hypocritical?). The Rza recorded this around the same time as the Wu-Tang Clan's debut album, and you can tell because there are no direct references to Shaolin or his other Clansmen. Although the Flatlinerz were the first group to officially adapt the term "Hororcore", it was the Gravediggaz that set the benchmark in terms of sales and critical acclaim. Ironically ask any of the former members and they'll tell you they prefer to call their style "Holycore" as they are all fairly spiritual individuals. Shabazz and Killah Priest (then known collectively as Disciples of Armageddon) helped make this haunting track extremely captivating, and the video did it justice.

42. Westside Connection - Bow Down (1996)

If Ice Cube thought back hard enough he would have realized that without the East Coast love he received after leaving NWA he would not have made it. In Hip-hop though everybody needs a reason to be mad, especially when making a come back. This video came out at the height of that whole East coast/ West coast beef (divide and conquer anyone?) but I for one am not mad because it brought back the old angry, eff the world Ice Cube from the days of Amerikkka's Most Wanted. Oh and Mack 10 and WC played their roles well.

41. Bubba Sparxxx - Deliverance (2003)

I'm a huge fan of concept videos and although I thought the "Oh Brother Where Art Thou?" movie was okay, it served as a great backdrop for this song. I still don't know whether Bubba is referring to Deliverance literally in a religious sense, or if there is some hidden symbolism I haven't quite figured out yet. Judging by his recent efforts it's hard to argue against the latter

Coming soon: Top 36 - 40

From bottom to top here we go with my Top 50 rap videos:

50. Fab 5 - Leflaur Leflah Eshkoshka (1995)

Enter the Boot Camp, first came one then came two then came five. Heltah Skeltah and OGC originally planned to release a combined effort as Fab 5 but it really never developed past a concept group. Many have tried the white background video but none kept you as entertained as these 5 Crooklyn brethren.

49. Jay-Z - Dead Presidents (1996)

Before this song Jay-Z was busy doing his best Fu-Schnicken's impression with the group Original Flavor (Can I get open? Ya know it!). I wish Jigga hadn't strayed from his style on this song, but then he would have been just another dope, broke MC. Got a lot of heat initially for sampling Nas on the hook, fast forward 10 years and they're performing the song together. Funny old game this.

48. DMX - Ruff Ryder's Anthem (1998)

In the space of a year gone were the infamous W signs posted all over New York and emblazoned on kids' t-shirts. They were now swiftly being replaced by red Rs (what?). Ruff Ryders officially took over from the Wu as NY's premier crew and this video epitomized it. Back then I wasn't that keen on the track (okay being a Wu head I was hating!) but the video is classic. Of course like all rap crews after a couple of years no one cared what double R was up to. Fickle fans we are...

47. Noreaga - Banned From TV (1998) feat. Nature, Big Pun, Cam'ron, The Lox

Nature about to get his shine, Big Pun at his illest best, Cam'ron when he was dope (honest!), Styles and Kiss of the Lox doing what they do best that EPMD back and forth ish. This track had it all. In fact even Noreaga's slurry style came in nicely at the end. I think I only saw this video on BET or MTV once so perhaps it was banned. The video itself is nothing special but getting all those acts on one track during their heyday was enough to get my vote.

46. Mobb Deep - Shook Ones pt II (1995)

"We be the infamous, you heard of us, official Queensbridge murderers..." What in the world happened to the Mobb? Anyway this video was so gutter it's not funny. No shiny suits, no bling, no bubbly, just dudes with dirty t-shirts, torn jeans and half shaven faces. Gotta love it!

Next in the series: Top 41 - 45

In no particular order these are 5 of my favorite videos that did not make the Top 50.

Jeru the Damaja - Come Clean (1993)

Jeru's album "The Sun Rises in the East" helped set the tone for the East Coast's comeback to the fore along with albums from Wu-Tang Clan, Nas and The Notorious B.I.G. The industry was getting polluted with copycat Compton gangster rappers without the skills of their NWA forerunners. As Jeru put it "Leave your nines at home and bring your skills to the battle". Nuff said!!!

Mic Geronimo - It's Real (1995)

Ditto the Jeru post. Mic G was DJ Irv's (aka Irv Gotti) original brother from another mother before Ja Rule. Actually Ja Rule first appeared as one of Mic Geronimo's boys with Cash Money Click and is probably somewhere in this video. I just love that mid 90s East Coast sound, and the video is so simple but nostalgic.

Mobb Deep - Quiet Storm (1999)

In the midsts of all that Puff Daddy, Mase shiny suit glitch in the rap matrix came this jewel from the Infamous. Would have loved to have heard Havoc on the remix instead of Lil' Kim but hey. Again the video is simple but effective (notice a theme here?)

Rza - La Rhumba (2001) feat. Method Man, Killa Sin, Beretta 9

This may have been released under Bobby Digital (is there really any difference?). Yes it's a party joint but at least they're not throwing away stacks of Benjamins. Why can't I attend parties with rappers throwing away money? Killa Sin lived up to his name and murdered this track. Where's his album already?

Smif N Wesson - Won Time (1995) feat. Heltah Skeltah

"Won rhyme for tha snitch droppin dimes..." Rock's voice had me hooked on this one. Also loved the whole Shining concept. Great video from one of the most slept on rap duos in history period!

Next in series: Top 46 - 50

Have you ever found yourself spending an entire weekend browsing around YouTube? I usually go there to check out one video but that site is so viral you end up playing another and another and another, before you know it it's Monday 8am. Anyway during one of my wasted weekends I realized that they just don't make hip hop music videos like they used to.

Back in the 80s and 90s even low budget videos had a certain charm to them. MC's would either showcase a block party or their boys stomping back and forth for the camera. Corny yeah but much better than what we're being fed today. Women in bikinis, hundred dollar bills, Lambs and Ferraris and of course some bubbly. It's safe to say that only 1 percent of all rappers today truly live like that so why portray that lifestyle of easy money to teenagers? Don't get me wrong there is a place in hip hop for flossin', but there has to be a balance. That's where this whole "Hip-Hop is dead" thing started from. A lack of balance.

Going back to my list of top 50 videos, I had a hard time narrowing it down and I'm sure there's at least 10 I forgot to consider. This list is purely my own opinion and by no means am I saying that they are the greatest videos. They are simply my favorites for various reasons, most of which I will try to explain along with the clip.

Check the list as I add entries in the Top 50 Videos category.

Last night I went to 2 Cats on King Street, which I have to say was the single most crowded atmosphere I've ever witnessed but that's a different story. I ended up meeting a girl named Jen which reminded me of something I've been meaning to research for a while now. It seems that every time I go out 1 out of every 3 girls I meet is named Jen. Two weeks ago in Cancun I met 5 Girls named Jen, 2 of which were friends (Jen and Jen), and I have at least 10 friends called Jen. These are not acquaintances but people I know quite well on a personal level.

Anyway I decided to check the statistics for the most popular Canadian female names from the 1970s and 1980s. I figure that most of the Jens I know are now between 25 and 35 years and here is what I found. From 1970 through 1984 Jennifer was the most popular female name given at birth in the United States. I was unable to find Canadian statistics going back that far but I can assume they wouldn't be to far off the American. In 1985 Jessica finally took over as the most popular name, only for Jennifer to make a brief comeback in 1988 before dropping out of the top 10 completely by the mid-nineties. My brother who was born in 1990 will probably meet a few Ashleys, Jessicas and Emilys in his time let alone the last batch of Jens.

Here is the data gathered from US Social Security Card applications:

1970
1. Jennifer
2. Lisa
3. Kimberly
4. Michelle
5. Amy
6. Angela
7. Melissa
8. Tammy
9. Mary
10. Tracy

1971
1. Jennifer
2. Michelle
3. Lisa
4. Kimberly
5. Amy
6. Angela
7. Melissa
8. Tammy
9. Mary
10. Julie

1972
1. Jennifer
2. Michelle
3. Lisa
4. Kimberly
5. Amy
6. Angela
7. Melissa
8. Stephanie
9. Heather
10. Nicole

1973
1. Jennifer
2. Amy
3. Michelle
4. Kimberly
5. Lisa
6. Melissa
7. Angela
8. Heather
9. Stephanie
10. Rebecca

1974
1. Jennifer
2. Amy
3. Michelle
4. Heather
5. Angela
6. Kimberly
7. Melissa
8. Lisa
9. Stephanie
10. Rebecca

1975
1. Jennifer
2. Amy
3. Heather
4. Melissa
5. Angela
6. Michelle
7. Kimberly
8. Lisa
9. Stephanie
10. Nicole

1976
1. Jennifer
2. Amy
3. Melissa
4. Heather
5. Michelle
6. Angela
7. Jessica
8. Lisa
9. Maria
10. Kimberly

1977
1. Jennifer
2. Amy
3. Melissa
4. Heather
5. Jessica
6. Michelle
7. Angela
8. Kelly
9. Sarah
10. Amanda

1978
1. Jennifer
2. Jessica
3. Melissa
4. Heather
5. Amy
6. Sarah
7. Angela
8. Amanda
9. Michelle
10. Elizabeth

1979
1. Jennifer
2. Melissa
3. Amanda
4. Jessica
5. Sarah
6. Amy
7. Heather
8. Angela; Kimberly (tie)
9. Michelle
10. -----

1980
1. Jennifer
2. Jessica
3. Amanda
4. Melissa
5. Sarah
6. Nicole
7. Heather
8. Amy
9. Michelle
10. Elizabeth

1981
1. Jennifer
2. Jessica
3. Amanda
4. Melissa
5. Sarah
6. Nicole
7. Elizabeth
8. Michelle
9. Amy
10. Stephanie

1982
1. Jennifer
2. Jessica
3. Amanda
4. Sarah
5. Melissa
6. Michelle
7. Nicole
8. Elizabeth
9. Crystal
10. Amy

1983
1. Jennifer
2. Jessica
3. Ashley
4. Amanda
5. Sarah
6. Melissa
7. Nicole
8. Elizabeth
9. Stephanie
10. Heather

1984
1. Jennifer
2. Jessica
3. Ashley
4. Amanda
5. Sarah
6. Stephanie
7. Nicole
8. Elizabeth
9. Heather
10. Melissa

1985
1. Jessica
2. Ashley
3. Jennifer
4. Amanda
5. Nicole
6. Sarah
7. Stephanie
8. Heather
9. Melissa
10. Elizabeth

1986
1. Jessica
2. Ashley
3. Amanda
4. Jennifer
5. Sarah
6. Stephanie
7. Brittany
8. Heather
9. Elizabeth; Megan (tie)
10. Nicole

1987
1. Jessica
2. Ashley
3. Amanda
4. Jennifer
5. Sarah
6. Stephanie
7. Nicole
8. Brittany
9. Elizabeth
10. Heather

1988
1. Jennifer
2. Ashley
3. Amanda
4. Jessica
5. Brittany
6. Sarah
7. Stephanie
8. Samantha
9. Heather
10. Elizabeth

1989
1. Jessica
2. Ashley
3. Amanda; Brittany (tie)
4. Sarah
5. Jennifer
6. Stephanie
7. Samantha
8. Elizabeth
9. Lauren
10. Heather

The trailer for You're Not Alone is out. The movie is a short written and directed by my man Chiedu. It's my first and maybe only shot at playing executive producer but it was a lot of fun. 

Check out the Applegazer website for more details.

Beef seems to be the flavor of the day in today's hip-hop. As a matter of fact there are probably six degrees of beef separating one rapper from another. Jay-Z beefing with Cam'ron, Cam'ron beefing with Nas, Nas beefing with 50 Cent, 50 Cent beefing with Game, Game beefing with everyone... Mad Cow disease is prevelant amongst today's rappers but it is not a new phenomenon. Battling in rap has been there since the Busy Bee days, but today it all seems very personal. Back in the day no one really thought that Kool Moe Dee and LL hated each other, or MC Shan and KRS would draw guns. Today though there's so much machismo that you can't say another person's name without them getting offended (Cuurrtiiis!).

Cam'ron and Fiddy's recent farce (I love this game!) kept me entertained before my one week trip to Cancun and by the time I came back it had died down.

I'm going to start a series of blog entries rehashing some of Hip-Hop's greatest (in other words most entertaining) beefs. Stuff like Eazy-E vs Dr. Dre....Ice-T vs LL Cool J... Game vs 50 Cent... Jay-Z vs Nas... and of course Tupac vs Biggie.

Stay tuned!

While waiting for my upcoming entries try this for size:

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