Last week i previewed the Miss Universe Japan contest, on the back of enjoying Miss Nippon / Miss Japan 2008 earlier in the year, which was held at Tokyo Big Site last night. The winner who will go on to compete in the Miss Universe 2008 competition on the 14th of July in Vietnam is the lovely Hiroko Mima, not my pick but then again i wasn`t asked and i wouldn’t complain if i had a Japanese Girlfriend that looked like her either!
Hiroko, a 22-year-old student from Tokushima, beat out nearly 4,000 applicants this year. The 173-cm-tall beauty is a keen high jumper and excels at Awa Odori dance.
Monday 23 June 2008
Meet Miss Universe Australia
TODAY meets Miss Universe Australia, Laura Dundovic, and discovers that it takes beauty, brains and bravado to cut it on the pageant stage.
On July 14, over three billion people will watch representatives from around the world compete for the Miss Universe Crown in Vietnam.
As always, one of the highlights will be watching what the contestants wear for their national dress.
On July 14, over three billion people will watch representatives from around the world compete for the Miss Universe Crown in Vietnam.
As always, one of the highlights will be watching what the contestants wear for their national dress.
Miss Universe Australia 2008, Laura Dundovic, joined TODAY and gave us a sneak peak at the outfit she’ll wear for her national costume while she’s flying the Aussie flag overseas. 
The gown Miss Dundovic will wear has been designed by top Australian designer Jayson Brunsdon who is renowned for his use of rich fabrics and textures.
Miss Dundovic’s custom made gown is no exception. The floor length structured ball gown features a wooden boomerang neck piece and luxurious fabrics in rich brown, blue and cream tones to represent the Australian landscape.
”I absolutely love the dress and I’m amazed that Jason was able to pull a masterpiece like this together so quickly and calmly,” says Miss Dundovic.
Miss Dundovic won the judges over with her charisma and cheeky sense of humour when she said the solution to the world's environmental problems would be to use less hairspray during the Australia selections.
To help with her preparations for the big event she has been receiving make up and grooming lessons as well as media training.
Whilst in the TODAY Show studio Miss Dundovic received an impromptu interview from TODAY beauty experts Cameron Williams, Karl Stefanovic and Richard Wilkins. She charmed the TODAY lads and proved she’s a down to earth Aussie girl who enjoys a meat pies and prefers tomato sauce over BBQ sauce. No doubt her questions at the Miss Universe pageant will be more difficult.
”You always feel a little bit nervous about the pageant and it’s obviously incredibly competitive but I’m just focusing on enjoying myself and having fun,” she says.
Miss Dundovic believes her university studies in psychology will help her during the competition and says she’ll use the experience as a great opportunity to experience Vietnamese culture and meet new people.
And whilst many of us can imagine back stage cat fights and sabotage efforts Miss Dundovic is quick to dispel rumours of tantrums or diva behaviour.
”All the girls involved in the Miss Australia contest were lovely so I’m sure I’ll find the international pageant just as supportive,” she says.
Miss Dundovic lists fellow Miss Universe Australia contestant Jennifer Hawkins as one of her role models.
”Jennifer Hawkins has really lifted the profile for the Miss Universe Competition here in Australia,” she explains. “She has been amazing at promoting the competition in a positive way and achieved an enormous amount of success since finishing her reign as Miss Universe 2004.”
Long term Miss Dundovic plans to complete her honours degree and work as an organisational psychologist.
If Miss Dundovic wins the tiara in Vietnam she will become the third Miss Australia to win the prestigious competition.
The gown Miss Dundovic will wear has been designed by top Australian designer Jayson Brunsdon who is renowned for his use of rich fabrics and textures.
Miss Dundovic’s custom made gown is no exception. The floor length structured ball gown features a wooden boomerang neck piece and luxurious fabrics in rich brown, blue and cream tones to represent the Australian landscape.
”I absolutely love the dress and I’m amazed that Jason was able to pull a masterpiece like this together so quickly and calmly,” says Miss Dundovic.
Miss Dundovic won the judges over with her charisma and cheeky sense of humour when she said the solution to the world's environmental problems would be to use less hairspray during the Australia selections.
To help with her preparations for the big event she has been receiving make up and grooming lessons as well as media training.
Whilst in the TODAY Show studio Miss Dundovic received an impromptu interview from TODAY beauty experts Cameron Williams, Karl Stefanovic and Richard Wilkins. She charmed the TODAY lads and proved she’s a down to earth Aussie girl who enjoys a meat pies and prefers tomato sauce over BBQ sauce. No doubt her questions at the Miss Universe pageant will be more difficult.
”You always feel a little bit nervous about the pageant and it’s obviously incredibly competitive but I’m just focusing on enjoying myself and having fun,” she says.
Miss Dundovic believes her university studies in psychology will help her during the competition and says she’ll use the experience as a great opportunity to experience Vietnamese culture and meet new people.
And whilst many of us can imagine back stage cat fights and sabotage efforts Miss Dundovic is quick to dispel rumours of tantrums or diva behaviour.
”All the girls involved in the Miss Australia contest were lovely so I’m sure I’ll find the international pageant just as supportive,” she says.
Miss Dundovic lists fellow Miss Universe Australia contestant Jennifer Hawkins as one of her role models.
”Jennifer Hawkins has really lifted the profile for the Miss Universe Competition here in Australia,” she explains. “She has been amazing at promoting the competition in a positive way and achieved an enormous amount of success since finishing her reign as Miss Universe 2004.”
Long term Miss Dundovic plans to complete her honours degree and work as an organisational psychologist.
If Miss Dundovic wins the tiara in Vietnam she will become the third Miss Australia to win the prestigious competition.
RIYO MORI
RIYO MORI MISS UNIVERSE® 2007
What started as her grandmother's premonition became a reality for Riyo Mori on May 28th, 2007. At the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City, the Japanese beauty was crowned Miss Universe 2007 at the age of 20.
A self-described "modern-day female samurai," Riyo prides herself on having a great sense of independence and self, "the traditional samurai spirit prizes composure, patience and a sense of justice. It is someone who fearlessly faces challenges with a strong will." Riyo definitely embodies an independent woman. By the age of 16, she left her home in Shizuoka, Japan to study abroad in Canada, eventually reaching New York at 19 years old. Through her travels and studies, Riyo has been able to master adapting to different environments, the importance of learning foreign languages and the need for intercultural understanding. When her host guardian in Canada was suffering from hearing loss, Riyo learned American Sign Language to communicate. This experience eventually led her to volunteer with Deaf children, working on art activities.
A dancer and performer since the age of four, Riyo has spen
t most of her life focused on her craft. Her mother runs a dance school in their hometown, where Riyo first discovered her passion. She was literally surrounded by dance, where classes were held on the bottom level of their house. It wasn't long before she was traveling the world in pursuit of her career. Riyo studied at the Quinte Ballet School of Canada, the Radio City Rockettes' Summer Intensive and was also accepted to the Broadway Dance Center in New York, but ultimately turned down the offer when she realized she made it to the finals of Miss Japan. "Everything was prepared; I even had an apartment in New York. But having the chance to become Miss Universe was beyond any dream. I had to do it."With the title of Miss Universe now under her belt, Riyo is as determined as ever. She aspires to become the first Japanese Radio City Rockette and will eventually open an international dance school in Tokyo, Japan. "My mother taught me that women can have it all. You donít have to choose between having a family or career, you can do both." Riyo intends on spreading this message of empowerment and independence to women all over the world, just as her mother has for her.
Riyo is also excited to start championing the official causes of MISS UNIVERSE®, which include increasing HIV/AIDS awareness by focusing on womenís health and reproductive issues and forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education, including the Latino Commission on AIDS, Global Health Council and Godís Love We Deliver.
Frick. a Story of the 2007-2008 Denver Nuggets, by miss_lorelei at RootZoo
As far as RootZoo friends go HTP is one of my best, so you can imagine that when our two bball teams were fighting it out for the final spot in the Western Conference, he and I were all about it. When it started to come down to the wire and we realized the intense conflict that was about to take place, we decided a bet of some kind needed to be made. Obviously I lost, so here it is. My breakdown of the Denver Nuggets 2007-08 Season in all it's glory. It's extremely late I was supposed to post it right after their season came to an end, but I wanted to piss him off which has worked brilliantly! For the record, going by the way the Warriors played LA this season, that series would have been waaaaay more interesting and maybe actually a decent one to watch. So...yeah. Coming into the season, Denver had a lot to prove and a pair of superstars on a mission. One of which had even made the prediction of a sweet 60-Win season! Kids. Coach Karl had some fun toys to play with, indeed. His boys formed a high-powered offense that was not only extremely exciting to watch, but could win games while choosing not to play defense all together. Textbook basketball? Maybe not. Good times? Hell yes!
After last season's early exit via a San Antonio team who could not be stopped by anyone, Karl and his Nuggets had now lost four straight First Round Playoff Series. Ahhh but the winds of change were blowing through the Mile High City. With them came great optimism and of course, high expectations. On Halloween night, they set out on their journey at home against Seattle. Basketball-hungry Nuggets fans by the tens of thousands got what they wished for as AI put up 25 pts, 5 rebs, 14 assists & 7 steals and Melo dropped 32 in a lopsided victory against young rookie phenom, Kevin Durant & the rest of Carlesimo's Sonics. Just like that, the potential 60-Win season had kicked off!
Shortly after a few blowout losses, including a 26-point whooping by Boston that brought them down to earth, Denver trampled on the Wizards in DC, and followed that up with 5 straight wins against scrub teams, averaging 116 PPG in that 6-game streak and realizing their strengths. "Before that game (vs. Boston) we were walking around thinking we won something before we won anything, It was a blessing the way they beat us." said Melo, "We learned a lot from that." Through the next 9 games, however, Denver won just 4 and lost to every formidable opponent they faced with the exception of a blowout win in Dallas that probably made Mark Cuban go home and kick his teacup yorkie. AI was coming off a 48-minute 51-point night (in defeat) at home vs. the Lakers, and threw up 35 pts, 12 assists and 6 steals against a 12-8 Dallas team. "He's the energizer Bunny!" said Anthony Carter after the game. "He just doesn't get tired. He was charged up for this game."
From there, the Nuggets won 6 of their next 10. The most exciting game of that stretch by far was a double overtime victory at home against a T-Mac-less Houston Rockets team. AI & Melo went off with 36 & 37, respectively. But it was a buzzer-beating floater by Anthony Carter with 0.8 seconds in double OT that gave the Nuggets the 112-111 win to dazzle and thrill their hometown faithful. Now, here's where it gets fun for me. It always makes for an awesome matchup when two out of the league's three most exciting teams square off. What could possibly make it even more exhilarating? Back-to-back games, of course. So...on a chilly Friday night in Oakland, the Nuggets rolled into town locked and loaded for a straight-up shootout with their old pals, the Golden State Warriors. After the 71-point 1st Quarter you knew this game was going to be all that it was hyped up to be. The Nuggets led through the majority of the game, but Monta Ellis on a fast-break tied it up at 118 a piece with 1:12 to go in the 4th Quarter. After a bucket by AI & couple free-throws by Melo, Baron Davis made it 122-120, Nuggets missed a shot and with 10 seconds left, the final possession fell into the hands of jack-it-up Jack. Sadly, he did. A 3-pointer. Clank. Ballgame.
After the crazy OT loss at home and a full day to think about the what-ifs, the Nuggets went on a three game winning streak including yet another OT thriller in Miami. They then exacted revenge on the Boston Celtics on their home court in front of their screaming fans who packed The Can that night for a meeting of the two teams' respective Big Threes. In KG's first game back from his strained abdomen injury, he only played 21 minutes and went 2-7 with 8 rebounds and 4 turnovers. It was because of a good shooting night from Boston's rookie Rondo, and the other 2 to the Big Three that they stayed in the game. The bench combined for 46 points as well, but double-digit scoring from Denver's entire starting five and chiseled hottie Kleiza off the bench ultimately spelled win for the Nuggets. The 19,000 strong in attendance that night, who had been waiting patiently for this game since the loss in Boston back in November, did not leave disappointed.
At this point in the season, the battle for playoff spots in the West was an intense one. The West was just amazing and Denver, Dallas and Golden State battled for the 7th & 8th spots all the time knowing that one of the three would end up on the outside looking in after a great season and nothing to show for it.
Dallas was 46-28 and their schedule to round out the season was GS, @LAL, @PHX, SEA, UTAH, @POR, @SEA, NO.
Golden State was 45-30 their schedule was @DAL, @MEM, @NO, SAC, DEN, LAC, @PHX, SEA.
Denver was 46-29 their schedule was SAC, @SEA, @LAC, @GS, @UTAH, HOU, MEM.
Coming off a bitter 3-point loss at the hands of the Sacramento Kings on April 5th in which Melo scored 47 points, the Nuggets flew to Seattle to take on Kevin Durant and the 18-win Supersonics. Seattle was ready. Denver had dropped 168 on them a few weeks ago and now it was their turn. Seattle's 2 rookies would have the best games of their young careers that night. Revenge was exacted on Denver for the three previous absolute slayings (10/31 120-103 & 2/27 138-96 then the big one on 3/16 168-116). It was a double OT victory which saw the rooks Durant & Green combine for 72 points and 18 rebounds. Melo dropped 38 & 11 and AI 26 & 13 assists. There were four ties in the final 9 minutes of regulation, then with 99 seconds left, Kleiza hit a three and put the Nuggets up 126-123. But Durant was far from done. With 22 seconds to go, he matched Kleiza's three with one of his own. In OT Period #1 saw scoring from AI, Melo & Kleiza and three blocks from Martin & Camby. Durant & Green followed suit from the other end. With 91 seconds remaining in the 1st OT, AI buried a three putting Denver up 135-130. Durant was fouled and made both FTs, an AI miss followed by a Durant three with 5 seconds tied it up again. In OT #2, despite a great effort by Martin, the rookies came out on top making shots, rebounding & getting to the line. They took the game 147-151 and had Golden State fans everywhere shouting YEE!
With just five games left in the season, and the pesky and unpredictable Golden State Warriors the only thing standing in their way, Denver made the trip to the City of Angels to meet "the other" LA bball team. This was a must win game and they did. With authority. Just up the coast were the fellow 8th place Warriors. They needed every single game but this one meant the most. AI & the Nuggets barged into The Town anticipating one hell of a fight. It was a beautiful night in Oakland and anyone who is a fan of basketball was excited as hell for this matchup. Do or die between arguably the two most exciting teams in the NBA. Golden State desperate to prove to the world that last season's first round victory against Dallas was no fluke, Denver itching to get in & get past the first round for the first time since the 1993-94 Season. But the 8th & final spot could belong to only one.
Nobody gave Denver a chance in this series. The two teams had played each other three times in the regular season and LA won those games by 49 points combined. Now they had to face them with all key puzzle pieces in place. Were the Nuggets scared? "If you're scared, get a dog. If you're scared, go to church. God gave those guys on that team talent and he gave it to us, too. Why put their talent above ours?" That's how AI viewed things going into the series. Game 1 was in LA and Pau Gasol came to play. He took over the paint and lifted LA to a 97-78 lead after Three. Kobe scored 18 points in the 4th and despite a good 4th Quarter effort by AI & Melo, they could not do much to stop the League MVP. LA took Game 1 by the score of 128-114. Game 2 started out pretty excitingly with both teams taking it to one another with aggression. LA only ked by one point coming out of the 1st Quarter but early in the 2nd LA outscored Denver 14-4. The MVP ended the 1st Half with 25 points, Pau Gasol was all but invisible through the half with 4 points, 4 rebs & 4 assists. For the Nuggets it was a sad half as they ended up being outscored 59-49. The rest of the game, Denver kept up but they could never gain a lead, shooting 44% and 4-19 on threes, plus poor production from the bench with the exception of Mr. Smith, (who ended up with 21 in 29 minutes), there was no matching Kobe and friends. The man-beast ended the game with 49 points & 10 assists. The setting for Game 3 was back at The Can. Down 2-0, Denver really just needed to wake the hell up. Finally, the series would see what an NBA crowd is supposed to sound like! Sadly, the rowdy sixth man didn't make much of a difference to the Denver Players. They shot 37% from the field & 25% from the three point line, committed 16 turnovers, and were outplayed on nearly every count. The typically high-scoring offense was downright sad. Melo & AI combined for just 31 points, Camby came up with a doughnut, and Mr. Smith only made 4-11 shots off the bench this time. When said bench was emptied in the 4th Quarter, it sent the wrong message. Melo was extremely upset after the game and accused everyone including himself of giving up. He caught slack for the comment but it seemed to ring true. Before this game, they had not scored 84 points or less but twice all season. The final was 102-84. Game 4 saw a rejuvenated Nuggets team. They came to play and if nothing else, claim one postseason victory in front of their amazing and loyal fans. They trailed in the 1st half but made a comeback in the 2nd. Kleiza made a jumper that put them ahead 73-71 and for a moment it looked like they may have found a way, but after some missed shots, the Lakers were back ahead. The game stayed close until the final minutes. In the end, Kobe Bryant was too much and Melo & AI were not enough. They were handed a 4-0 sweep at the hands of what would eventually be the Western Conference Champions.
The 2007-08 Denver Nuggets have nothing to be ashamed of this past season. They amassed a 50-win Season for only the 4th time in franchise history. They did it on the backs of two of the NBA's hardest working superstars, a defensive stud, 2 key role players and not much else.
Allen Iverson ended his amazing season having played all 82 games. During the regular season he shot a career-high 34% in 3P, had 26.4 PPG, a 56.7 TS%, 27.4 AST%, 2.2 STL%, 26.7 Usg%, 20.9 PER, and a career-high 24.7 OWS, and 9.0 WSAA. At age 33, he played more minutes than anyone else in the league with 3242, 1st in FTs, (most of all active players with 6000), 4th in steals, 3rd in points, 7th in assists, and 7th in OWS. AI accomplished all this playing 41.8 MPG. This future Hall of Famer had himself a season. Through the playoffs, he scored 24.5 PPG in 39.5 MP with 4.5 Assists.
Carmelo Anthony ended his season with a career-best 35% 3P, 25.7 PPG, 56.8 TS%, 1.7 STL%, 21.1 PER, 30.2 Usg%, 14.5 OWS in 36.4 MP through 77 games. He came in 4th in the league in PPG, 10th in Free throws and 4th in Usg%. In the playoffs he scored 22.5 PPG & 9.5 RPG in 36.5 MP.
Marcus Camby won 1st Team All-Defensive Honors, he was 2nd in Total Rebounds with 1037, 1st in Blocks with 285, 4th in DWS, and had the 7th best Defensive rating with 98.3.
The End.
This season, HTP, your write-up of the 2008-09 Golden State Warriors had better be something truly special haha!!
After last season's early exit via a San Antonio team who could not be stopped by anyone, Karl and his Nuggets had now lost four straight First Round Playoff Series. Ahhh but the winds of change were blowing through the Mile High City. With them came great optimism and of course, high expectations. On Halloween night, they set out on their journey at home against Seattle. Basketball-hungry Nuggets fans by the tens of thousands got what they wished for as AI put up 25 pts, 5 rebs, 14 assists & 7 steals and Melo dropped 32 in a lopsided victory against young rookie phenom, Kevin Durant & the rest of Carlesimo's Sonics. Just like that, the potential 60-Win season had kicked off!
Shortly after a few blowout losses, including a 26-point whooping by Boston that brought them down to earth, Denver trampled on the Wizards in DC, and followed that up with 5 straight wins against scrub teams, averaging 116 PPG in that 6-game streak and realizing their strengths. "Before that game (vs. Boston) we were walking around thinking we won something before we won anything, It was a blessing the way they beat us." said Melo, "We learned a lot from that." Through the next 9 games, however, Denver won just 4 and lost to every formidable opponent they faced with the exception of a blowout win in Dallas that probably made Mark Cuban go home and kick his teacup yorkie. AI was coming off a 48-minute 51-point night (in defeat) at home vs. the Lakers, and threw up 35 pts, 12 assists and 6 steals against a 12-8 Dallas team. "He's the energizer Bunny!" said Anthony Carter after the game. "He just doesn't get tired. He was charged up for this game."
From there, the Nuggets won 6 of their next 10. The most exciting game of that stretch by far was a double overtime victory at home against a T-Mac-less Houston Rockets team. AI & Melo went off with 36 & 37, respectively. But it was a buzzer-beating floater by Anthony Carter with 0.8 seconds in double OT that gave the Nuggets the 112-111 win to dazzle and thrill their hometown faithful. Now, here's where it gets fun for me. It always makes for an awesome matchup when two out of the league's three most exciting teams square off. What could possibly make it even more exhilarating? Back-to-back games, of course. So...on a chilly Friday night in Oakland, the Nuggets rolled into town locked and loaded for a straight-up shootout with their old pals, the Golden State Warriors. After the 71-point 1st Quarter you knew this game was going to be all that it was hyped up to be. The Nuggets led through the majority of the game, but Monta Ellis on a fast-break tied it up at 118 a piece with 1:12 to go in the 4th Quarter. After a bucket by AI & couple free-throws by Melo, Baron Davis made it 122-120, Nuggets missed a shot and with 10 seconds left, the final possession fell into the hands of jack-it-up Jack. Sadly, he did. A 3-pointer. Clank. Ballgame.
After the crazy OT loss at home and a full day to think about the what-ifs, the Nuggets went on a three game winning streak including yet another OT thriller in Miami. They then exacted revenge on the Boston Celtics on their home court in front of their screaming fans who packed The Can that night for a meeting of the two teams' respective Big Threes. In KG's first game back from his strained abdomen injury, he only played 21 minutes and went 2-7 with 8 rebounds and 4 turnovers. It was because of a good shooting night from Boston's rookie Rondo, and the other 2 to the Big Three that they stayed in the game. The bench combined for 46 points as well, but double-digit scoring from Denver's entire starting five and chiseled hottie Kleiza off the bench ultimately spelled win for the Nuggets. The 19,000 strong in attendance that night, who had been waiting patiently for this game since the loss in Boston back in November, did not leave disappointed.
At this point in the season, the battle for playoff spots in the West was an intense one. The West was just amazing and Denver, Dallas and Golden State battled for the 7th & 8th spots all the time knowing that one of the three would end up on the outside looking in after a great season and nothing to show for it.
Dallas was 46-28 and their schedule to round out the season was GS, @LAL, @PHX, SEA, UTAH, @POR, @SEA, NO.
Golden State was 45-30 their schedule was @DAL, @MEM, @NO, SAC, DEN, LAC, @PHX, SEA.
Denver was 46-29 their schedule was SAC, @SEA, @LAC, @GS, @UTAH, HOU, MEM.
Coming off a bitter 3-point loss at the hands of the Sacramento Kings on April 5th in which Melo scored 47 points, the Nuggets flew to Seattle to take on Kevin Durant and the 18-win Supersonics. Seattle was ready. Denver had dropped 168 on them a few weeks ago and now it was their turn. Seattle's 2 rookies would have the best games of their young careers that night. Revenge was exacted on Denver for the three previous absolute slayings (10/31 120-103 & 2/27 138-96 then the big one on 3/16 168-116). It was a double OT victory which saw the rooks Durant & Green combine for 72 points and 18 rebounds. Melo dropped 38 & 11 and AI 26 & 13 assists. There were four ties in the final 9 minutes of regulation, then with 99 seconds left, Kleiza hit a three and put the Nuggets up 126-123. But Durant was far from done. With 22 seconds to go, he matched Kleiza's three with one of his own. In OT Period #1 saw scoring from AI, Melo & Kleiza and three blocks from Martin & Camby. Durant & Green followed suit from the other end. With 91 seconds remaining in the 1st OT, AI buried a three putting Denver up 135-130. Durant was fouled and made both FTs, an AI miss followed by a Durant three with 5 seconds tied it up again. In OT #2, despite a great effort by Martin, the rookies came out on top making shots, rebounding & getting to the line. They took the game 147-151 and had Golden State fans everywhere shouting YEE!
With just five games left in the season, and the pesky and unpredictable Golden State Warriors the only thing standing in their way, Denver made the trip to the City of Angels to meet "the other" LA bball team. This was a must win game and they did. With authority. Just up the coast were the fellow 8th place Warriors. They needed every single game but this one meant the most. AI & the Nuggets barged into The Town anticipating one hell of a fight. It was a beautiful night in Oakland and anyone who is a fan of basketball was excited as hell for this matchup. Do or die between arguably the two most exciting teams in the NBA. Golden State desperate to prove to the world that last season's first round victory against Dallas was no fluke, Denver itching to get in & get past the first round for the first time since the 1993-94 Season. But the 8th & final spot could belong to only one.
Nobody gave Denver a chance in this series. The two teams had played each other three times in the regular season and LA won those games by 49 points combined. Now they had to face them with all key puzzle pieces in place. Were the Nuggets scared? "If you're scared, get a dog. If you're scared, go to church. God gave those guys on that team talent and he gave it to us, too. Why put their talent above ours?" That's how AI viewed things going into the series. Game 1 was in LA and Pau Gasol came to play. He took over the paint and lifted LA to a 97-78 lead after Three. Kobe scored 18 points in the 4th and despite a good 4th Quarter effort by AI & Melo, they could not do much to stop the League MVP. LA took Game 1 by the score of 128-114. Game 2 started out pretty excitingly with both teams taking it to one another with aggression. LA only ked by one point coming out of the 1st Quarter but early in the 2nd LA outscored Denver 14-4. The MVP ended the 1st Half with 25 points, Pau Gasol was all but invisible through the half with 4 points, 4 rebs & 4 assists. For the Nuggets it was a sad half as they ended up being outscored 59-49. The rest of the game, Denver kept up but they could never gain a lead, shooting 44% and 4-19 on threes, plus poor production from the bench with the exception of Mr. Smith, (who ended up with 21 in 29 minutes), there was no matching Kobe and friends. The man-beast ended the game with 49 points & 10 assists. The setting for Game 3 was back at The Can. Down 2-0, Denver really just needed to wake the hell up. Finally, the series would see what an NBA crowd is supposed to sound like! Sadly, the rowdy sixth man didn't make much of a difference to the Denver Players. They shot 37% from the field & 25% from the three point line, committed 16 turnovers, and were outplayed on nearly every count. The typically high-scoring offense was downright sad. Melo & AI combined for just 31 points, Camby came up with a doughnut, and Mr. Smith only made 4-11 shots off the bench this time. When said bench was emptied in the 4th Quarter, it sent the wrong message. Melo was extremely upset after the game and accused everyone including himself of giving up. He caught slack for the comment but it seemed to ring true. Before this game, they had not scored 84 points or less but twice all season. The final was 102-84. Game 4 saw a rejuvenated Nuggets team. They came to play and if nothing else, claim one postseason victory in front of their amazing and loyal fans. They trailed in the 1st half but made a comeback in the 2nd. Kleiza made a jumper that put them ahead 73-71 and for a moment it looked like they may have found a way, but after some missed shots, the Lakers were back ahead. The game stayed close until the final minutes. In the end, Kobe Bryant was too much and Melo & AI were not enough. They were handed a 4-0 sweep at the hands of what would eventually be the Western Conference Champions.
The 2007-08 Denver Nuggets have nothing to be ashamed of this past season. They amassed a 50-win Season for only the 4th time in franchise history. They did it on the backs of two of the NBA's hardest working superstars, a defensive stud, 2 key role players and not much else.
Allen Iverson ended his amazing season having played all 82 games. During the regular season he shot a career-high 34% in 3P, had 26.4 PPG, a 56.7 TS%, 27.4 AST%, 2.2 STL%, 26.7 Usg%, 20.9 PER, and a career-high 24.7 OWS, and 9.0 WSAA. At age 33, he played more minutes than anyone else in the league with 3242, 1st in FTs, (most of all active players with 6000), 4th in steals, 3rd in points, 7th in assists, and 7th in OWS. AI accomplished all this playing 41.8 MPG. This future Hall of Famer had himself a season. Through the playoffs, he scored 24.5 PPG in 39.5 MP with 4.5 Assists.
Carmelo Anthony ended his season with a career-best 35% 3P, 25.7 PPG, 56.8 TS%, 1.7 STL%, 21.1 PER, 30.2 Usg%, 14.5 OWS in 36.4 MP through 77 games. He came in 4th in the league in PPG, 10th in Free throws and 4th in Usg%. In the playoffs he scored 22.5 PPG & 9.5 RPG in 36.5 MP.
Marcus Camby won 1st Team All-Defensive Honors, he was 2nd in Total Rebounds with 1037, 1st in Blocks with 285, 4th in DWS, and had the 7th best Defensive rating with 98.3.
The End.
This season, HTP, your write-up of the 2008-09 Golden State Warriors had better be something truly special haha!!
Yvette Nsiah is Miss Ghana Universe 2008
Standing at 5 feet, 7 inches tall, the 20 year old Yvette Nsiah has been crowned as Miss Universe Ghana 2008 in Accra, where she stood out the most and was judged the winner after three rounds of keen competition that tested communication skills, intelligence, beauty, elegance and poise.
Daisy Asare Akoto, a student and Joyce Akagbo, a third year student at the Ghana Institute of Journalism, was declared as the 1st and 2nd runners-up respectively.
The beauty pageant was judged by Emma Moisan, Dennis Nii Dodoo Smith, Gerad Boakye, Pearl Amoah (Miss Universe Ghana 1996 & Fashion Designer), and Ronke Nedd. All delegates were dressed in clothing by the Royal Dennis design label and styled by Sleek Cosmetics.
"After weeks of scouting, we are excited to present a remarkable Ghanaian woman, who we are confident, will make a poignant statement for Ghana at the international event. We are looking forward to a strong presence at the Miss Universe Pageant, and commend the judges for selecting a young woman who is indeed the quintessence of Ghanaian femininity" stated by the producers of the...
Daisy Asare Akoto, a student and Joyce Akagbo, a third year student at the Ghana Institute of Journalism, was declared as the 1st and 2nd runners-up respectively.
The beauty pageant was judged by Emma Moisan, Dennis Nii Dodoo Smith, Gerad Boakye, Pearl Amoah (Miss Universe Ghana 1996 & Fashion Designer), and Ronke Nedd. All delegates were dressed in clothing by the Royal Dennis design label and styled by Sleek Cosmetics.
"After weeks of scouting, we are excited to present a remarkable Ghanaian woman, who we are confident, will make a poignant statement for Ghana at the international event. We are looking forward to a strong presence at the Miss Universe Pageant, and commend the judges for selecting a young woman who is indeed the quintessence of Ghanaian femininity" stated by the producers of the...
Sunday 15 June 2008
Hair Bows for Babies and Girls
Hair bows for babies and young girls are dual purpose. They accentuate, but are also very functional. Hair bows for babies girls are used to accentuate her little outfit. Hair bows are used to make your baby girl even more beautiful. Hair bows for babies are made in a wide variety of colors and materials. They are fashioned to match any occasion and outfit. Most hair bows for babies are made with simple ribbon that is attached to an elastic strap that fits snugly around the baby's head. This design stays secure on the baby and works very well. Hair bows for young girls come in many different types. Some of these are:
Headbands
Barrettes
Crowns Hair bows generally start with basic ribbons. They are often accented with many different types of shapes and materials. These materials are only bound by ones imagination. Some of them are:
Animal shapes: Hair bow ribbons are often accented with animals. You can find many different types of animals used. Some are ducks, bears, ladybugs, butterflies, and any others you can think of.
Silk Flowers: These are often used with ribbons to make hair bows. Sometimes they are ringed around headbands and circle the head.
Figurines: Sometimes plastic figurines are used as ornaments.
Crowns: Often, crowns are used as hair bows. Hair bows have become a burgeoning business. They can be very individualistic. At younger ages we are seeing what the parents want us to see. As the child gets older, their personalities and personal tastes are seen in their hair bows. You can find a hair bow that is both affordable and functional.
Headbands
Barrettes
Crowns Hair bows generally start with basic ribbons. They are often accented with many different types of shapes and materials. These materials are only bound by ones imagination. Some of them are:
Animal shapes: Hair bow ribbons are often accented with animals. You can find many different types of animals used. Some are ducks, bears, ladybugs, butterflies, and any others you can think of.
Silk Flowers: These are often used with ribbons to make hair bows. Sometimes they are ringed around headbands and circle the head.
Figurines: Sometimes plastic figurines are used as ornaments.
Crowns: Often, crowns are used as hair bows. Hair bows have become a burgeoning business. They can be very individualistic. At younger ages we are seeing what the parents want us to see. As the child gets older, their personalities and personal tastes are seen in their hair bows. You can find a hair bow that is both affordable and functional.
Sunday 8 June 2008
Are You Afraid to Approach Women?
I have a buddy who will under no circumstances approach a woman he doesn't know. It doesn't matter if she's making direct eye contact and sending him a "come seduce me" smile. He's absolutely scared to death of making cold approaches. If you share his philosophy of fear, then you're missing out on a lot of opportunities. It's your job as a male to approach women and to show interest first.
Think for a moment about how you feel if a perfect stranger compliments you. Have you ever had a woman smile and approach you out of the blue? Ever had a carload of girls drive by when you're jogging and scream at you approvingly? It makes you feel great doesn't it? It doesn't even matter if she's hot or not. If a woman shows interest in you, then you feel great inside.
That's exactly how women feel. It doesn't matter if they're not attracted to you. It doesn't matter if you say something stupid. If you approach a woman she'll be genuinely flattered by the attention you're giving her.
Of course if you approach them in a threatening or creepy manner, they're not going to appreciate meeting you. On the other hand, if you go up to them in a good natured way and say something halfway pleasant, they'll love it.
Why do you think women spend hours doing their hair and nails? Why do you think the girl at the mall is wearing a miniskirt that shows off her shapely legs? They do that stuff for you! Women WANT men to appreciate their beauty. They crave the attention. Your attention affirms their sexuality.
So what have you got to lose? You want to meet hot women. Hot women want to be admired. What's the problem here?
So what if you approach a group of girls and say something stupid? They might laugh at you? WHO CARES?! Being laughed at never killed anyone and it helps you to grow thicker skin. The worst thing that can happen is that you won't get their phone number, which you never had in the first place. So how is being rejected by a total stranger a bad thing?
They don't know you so they're not rejecting who you are inside. They don't know what qualities you possess, or the many skills you have. They don't truly know who you are so their rejection means nothing.
Granted, at first it can be hard to gather the courage to blindly walk up to hot women. You may stutter, say something stupid, or words may not come out at all. Always keep in mind what the worst thing that can happen is if you fail. NOTHING!
Think for a moment about how you feel if a perfect stranger compliments you. Have you ever had a woman smile and approach you out of the blue? Ever had a carload of girls drive by when you're jogging and scream at you approvingly? It makes you feel great doesn't it? It doesn't even matter if she's hot or not. If a woman shows interest in you, then you feel great inside.
That's exactly how women feel. It doesn't matter if they're not attracted to you. It doesn't matter if you say something stupid. If you approach a woman she'll be genuinely flattered by the attention you're giving her.
Of course if you approach them in a threatening or creepy manner, they're not going to appreciate meeting you. On the other hand, if you go up to them in a good natured way and say something halfway pleasant, they'll love it.
Why do you think women spend hours doing their hair and nails? Why do you think the girl at the mall is wearing a miniskirt that shows off her shapely legs? They do that stuff for you! Women WANT men to appreciate their beauty. They crave the attention. Your attention affirms their sexuality.
So what have you got to lose? You want to meet hot women. Hot women want to be admired. What's the problem here?
So what if you approach a group of girls and say something stupid? They might laugh at you? WHO CARES?! Being laughed at never killed anyone and it helps you to grow thicker skin. The worst thing that can happen is that you won't get their phone number, which you never had in the first place. So how is being rejected by a total stranger a bad thing?
They don't know you so they're not rejecting who you are inside. They don't know what qualities you possess, or the many skills you have. They don't truly know who you are so their rejection means nothing.
Granted, at first it can be hard to gather the courage to blindly walk up to hot women. You may stutter, say something stupid, or words may not come out at all. Always keep in mind what the worst thing that can happen is if you fail. NOTHING!
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