Steele Note: This is taken from my blog I maintained while I was in Iraq from 2007 to 2008.
From 'Learning in Wartime'
Two weeks.
That's how much time is left before we board a plane for Kuwait and the eventual trip home. It feels odd that this tour is almost over, although its definitely gone long enough. I just can't help but think that I'm going to miss part of it once I'm gone. Civilian life? I can't even begin to fathom it at this point. Its going to feel weird driving a normal car, wearing civilian clothes, and being in my house again. Hopefully its a smooth transition, other than the marital troubles anyway.
Besides that whole mess I'm feeling pretty good about being back home, although I admit that coming here in 2009 with the 30th Brigade out of North Carolina looks really good to me. For all the bitching we do, I love being an infantryman. I love the feeling that comes with dragging around a heavy ruck and a full combat load. It beats the hell out of sitting in an office or sorting ammo or doing laundry for a living. Sometimes I wonder how people settle for doing that. I'm just glad there are more guys like the ones here, and that I've had the chance to serve beside them. I wouldn't trade my friends here for anything.
Other than the possibility of coming to Iraq in 2009 I really have no idea what to do with the near future besides return to Recruiting, which will only happen after I take my 60 day mega-block of leave. I need the time to unwind and become human again.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley Picks
This weekend brings us another offering of violence with Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley on Showtime. This card has gained attention with the full weight of Zuffa and the UFC behind it and the associated media attention it has received. Will Daley get the upset win and irk Dana White? Will Gilbert Melendez embarrass another Japanese fighter? Will Jason Miller talk shit on Nick Diaz on Twitter for the duration of the card? This weekend will give us all the answers to those questions as we do the run down on the main card.
Nick Diaz vs. Paul Daley
Most Pick: Diaz by Submission, because Diaz is the more well rounded of the two, and he's got a gas tank that can go ten rounds.
Steele Pick: I'm taking Diaz by Decision. Unless Daley lands often and early in the first round, theres no way this fight is going to continue standing, and once it does hit the floor Daley is going to be as lost as a potato chip in a fat chicks stomach.
Gilbert Melendez vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri
Most Pick: Melendez by Decision, because no one has threatened Melendez and his grip on Strikeforce gold at 155.
Steele Pick: Melendez by Decision. I haven't seen anything from Kawajiri that makes me think he'll beat Melendez. His win over Josh Thomson was impressive, but not enough to sway me this time. Japanese MMA gets rocked by the Melendez earthquake yet again.
Shinya Aoki vs. Lyle Beerbohm
Most Pick: Aoki by Submission, citing his experience level.
Steele Pick: I'm taking Beerbohm by Decision, because even though Pat Healy showed the holes in Beerbohms grappling, he is still the more well rounded fighter. And I like watching Aoki lose.
Gegard Mousasi vs. Keith Jardine
Most Pick: Mousasi by KO, because he has the clear cut stand up advantage.
Steele Pick: Mousasi by Decision, because while I don't see Jardine winning this fight on a weeks notice, I also don't see him being knocked out. Jardine is hungry, but this is a bad style matchup for him.
All in all it looks to be an entertaining night in Mixed Martial Arts, so grab some beer, sit on the couch, and watch some legal violence with a smile on your face.
Nick Diaz vs. Paul Daley
Most Pick: Diaz by Submission, because Diaz is the more well rounded of the two, and he's got a gas tank that can go ten rounds.
Steele Pick: I'm taking Diaz by Decision. Unless Daley lands often and early in the first round, theres no way this fight is going to continue standing, and once it does hit the floor Daley is going to be as lost as a potato chip in a fat chicks stomach.
Gilbert Melendez vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri
Most Pick: Melendez by Decision, because no one has threatened Melendez and his grip on Strikeforce gold at 155.
Steele Pick: Melendez by Decision. I haven't seen anything from Kawajiri that makes me think he'll beat Melendez. His win over Josh Thomson was impressive, but not enough to sway me this time. Japanese MMA gets rocked by the Melendez earthquake yet again.
Shinya Aoki vs. Lyle Beerbohm
Most Pick: Aoki by Submission, citing his experience level.
Steele Pick: I'm taking Beerbohm by Decision, because even though Pat Healy showed the holes in Beerbohms grappling, he is still the more well rounded fighter. And I like watching Aoki lose.
Gegard Mousasi vs. Keith Jardine
Most Pick: Mousasi by KO, because he has the clear cut stand up advantage.
Steele Pick: Mousasi by Decision, because while I don't see Jardine winning this fight on a weeks notice, I also don't see him being knocked out. Jardine is hungry, but this is a bad style matchup for him.
All in all it looks to be an entertaining night in Mixed Martial Arts, so grab some beer, sit on the couch, and watch some legal violence with a smile on your face.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
TUF Week!
This week brings us one of the better happenings in reality television: The Ultimate Fighter
This season we get to see a bunch of welterweights beat the crap out of each other, get drunk, break stuff, and probably air some dirty laundry on one another. To top it all off, we have two dudes coaching who are polar opposites. Junior Dos Santos is the quiet professional, knocking dudes heads off without much controversy. On the other side we have Brock Lesnar, who people either love or hate depending on who you talk too. Lesnar is reclusive, yet when hes in your face you know all about it.
So what will we learn this season? Is Brock a good coach? Can he take a punch? Does Dos Santos have a good guy coaching persona to match his fists? I'm freakin' pumped either way, and I'm pretty sure Bud Light is going to have a new spokesperson with the amount I'm going to be pounding down.
In other news, Chael Sonnen has to wait until April 8th before we find out what his due is for pleading guilty to money laundering. We already know the conviction hasn't put any damper on his mouth, as his open letter to Joe Silva concerning Michael Bisping shows...but either way, I love hearing that dude talk smack.
Oh, and I'm experimenting with some new web layouts as well as video blogging. Pimpin'
This season we get to see a bunch of welterweights beat the crap out of each other, get drunk, break stuff, and probably air some dirty laundry on one another. To top it all off, we have two dudes coaching who are polar opposites. Junior Dos Santos is the quiet professional, knocking dudes heads off without much controversy. On the other side we have Brock Lesnar, who people either love or hate depending on who you talk too. Lesnar is reclusive, yet when hes in your face you know all about it.
So what will we learn this season? Is Brock a good coach? Can he take a punch? Does Dos Santos have a good guy coaching persona to match his fists? I'm freakin' pumped either way, and I'm pretty sure Bud Light is going to have a new spokesperson with the amount I'm going to be pounding down.
In other news, Chael Sonnen has to wait until April 8th before we find out what his due is for pleading guilty to money laundering. We already know the conviction hasn't put any damper on his mouth, as his open letter to Joe Silva concerning Michael Bisping shows...but either way, I love hearing that dude talk smack.
Oh, and I'm experimenting with some new web layouts as well as video blogging. Pimpin'
Sunday, March 20, 2011
UFC 128 Post Fight Reaction
Last night was a pretty good night, I went four out of five on picks...and I don't have a hangover.
Rua vs. Jones Reaction
I was very surprised to see Jon Jones dominate Shogun Rua the way he did, but I have to hand it to the kid...he knows how to bring the fight. Perfect gameplan, perfect timing, perfect everything. I think Jones is going to be the man in that division for quite a while, regardless of the challenger.
He will face former training partner Rashad Evans in his first title defense. Evans, himself a former UFC LHW Champion, will be returning from a more than one year layoff from competition.
Faber vs. Wineland
While I was sure Faber was going to win this fight, I didn't anticipate it being nearly as close as it was. Wineland showed great takedown defense in the first round, and did much more clinch work than I believe anyone thought he would. Still, Faber dominated the second and third rounds and pulled out a 29-28 win on the scorecards. Next for Faber should be a matchup against the man he already beat, Dominick Cruz for the UFC Bantamweight Championship.
Miller vs. Shalorus
Another great fight, as Miller outclassed the standout wrestler all the way to the third round TKO. Next for Miller should be a top five lightweight, and a title shot if he passes that final test.
Marquardt vs. Miller
We all knew Miller had heart, but to stay in there and fend off Nate Marquardt the way he did shows the guy isn't going anywhere. Nate outclassed him in all three rounds en route to a 30-27 win on the cards, although he needs another one or two fights with marquee opponents to secure another shot at Anderson Silva for the belt.
Cro Cop vs. Schaub
Cro Cop is done in the UFC, and will probably retire. In a close fight, all it took was one ringing right hand from Schaub toward the end of the third frame to not only knock out a legend...but ensure we will see Schaub fighting his way toward a title shot in his next appearance.
Coming this week, more reactions and I'm going to be taking another shot at Bob Reilly and doing my part to bring MMA to New York State.
Rua vs. Jones Reaction
I was very surprised to see Jon Jones dominate Shogun Rua the way he did, but I have to hand it to the kid...he knows how to bring the fight. Perfect gameplan, perfect timing, perfect everything. I think Jones is going to be the man in that division for quite a while, regardless of the challenger.
He will face former training partner Rashad Evans in his first title defense. Evans, himself a former UFC LHW Champion, will be returning from a more than one year layoff from competition.
Faber vs. Wineland
While I was sure Faber was going to win this fight, I didn't anticipate it being nearly as close as it was. Wineland showed great takedown defense in the first round, and did much more clinch work than I believe anyone thought he would. Still, Faber dominated the second and third rounds and pulled out a 29-28 win on the scorecards. Next for Faber should be a matchup against the man he already beat, Dominick Cruz for the UFC Bantamweight Championship.
Miller vs. Shalorus
Another great fight, as Miller outclassed the standout wrestler all the way to the third round TKO. Next for Miller should be a top five lightweight, and a title shot if he passes that final test.
Marquardt vs. Miller
We all knew Miller had heart, but to stay in there and fend off Nate Marquardt the way he did shows the guy isn't going anywhere. Nate outclassed him in all three rounds en route to a 30-27 win on the cards, although he needs another one or two fights with marquee opponents to secure another shot at Anderson Silva for the belt.
Cro Cop vs. Schaub
Cro Cop is done in the UFC, and will probably retire. In a close fight, all it took was one ringing right hand from Schaub toward the end of the third frame to not only knock out a legend...but ensure we will see Schaub fighting his way toward a title shot in his next appearance.
Coming this week, more reactions and I'm going to be taking another shot at Bob Reilly and doing my part to bring MMA to New York State.
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