Minor Setbacks to Major Comebacks: Amanda Nunes is the Face that the UFC Needs

August 15, 2019 by Soul On Ice

Amanda Nunes occupies an interesting space not only in the UFC but also in the realm of sports in general. She is the current UFC bantamweight and featherweight champion and is regarded as the greatest women's fighter of all-time. However, the general public does not know much about her, an aspect that has been explored at length. People have spent time pointing fingers at the UFC, something that UFC President Dana White feels a certain way about. While Dana White is an easy target, blaming him would not only be convenient, it would be inaccurate.

As much as fans love winners, fans also love feeling like they have been along for the ride with their favorite athletes, especially when said athletes have faced adversity on their way to the top. To quote Eddie Maisonet, "We (the fans) need a reason to give a damn." What Amanda Nunes lacks in star power is through no fault of her own. Instead, it's on the people who want to see her be a star to tell her story. It’s on the people to give fans the chance to invest in her. It’s on the people to make people give a damn.

The Return: Pick-Up Basketball Edition

July 13, 2016 by Soul On Ice

It is impossible to absolutely and completely absolve oneself from a former love. While it may be easy to forget most things about that love and may be able to move on from a former love, to say the love is completely out of one’s system is not exactly true. When it comes to the game of basketball, the first love of my life, the statement fits the bill. It was the first escape, the first thing that ever gave back without having to ask. No matter what was going on, basketball was there and, for the longest, the goal was to give the game as much as it gave back.

Then I got old and left the game behind.

Book Review: Shoe Dog

July 06, 2016 by Soul On Ice in Book Reviews

The definition of an idea, as defined by Webster’s Dictionary, is something you imagine in your mind; an opinion or belief; a thought, plan, or solution on what to do. Ideas present challenges in the sense that people can have ideas which are great in their minds, but the people who originate the ideas allow their own doubt to keep them from manifesting into something tangible, into something real, into something legendary. One of the themes in Shoe Dog, the memoir written by The Great Phil Knight, is having a crazy idea and having the determination to see the idea come to fruition.

Necessity or no thanks: Cable TV and live streaming in the 21st century

April 27, 2016 by Soul On Ice

It’s the end of the month, aka “time to pay some bills.” The end of the month rarely ceases to amaze, but there are exceptions. About two months ago, per the usual at every month’s end, the time arrives to pay the bills. Rent? Check. Electricity? Check. Phone bill? Check. Car insurance? Check (well, that comes out automatically on the 1st of every month, but you get the point).

Next, the cable+internet bill. After typing in the cable’s official website, and clicking “Pay Bill,” the monthly total left me absolutely floored: $183.99. In a state of disbelief and boiled-over fury, I paid the bill first (because no matter how upset one gets, there’s still an obligation to pay what you owe) and immediately called the cable company second. That recent bill was the day when the hijinx would stop, the robbery would end, and the proverbial shit was going to hit the fan. After being on a brief hold, the exchange with the customer service representative at the local cable company went a little something like this:

“How much would the monthly bill be if cable is moved and internet is kept?”

“Let’s see, sir.” *customer service reps punches keys on a keyboard smoothly for a few seconds* “Okay, sir. Your monthly bill would go from $177 a month to $65.”

“It would go to WHAT????? Oh, that cable’s got to go. Get rid of that now.”