I was sitting on my couch the other day, after school, watching ESPN. Jim Rome was on and he was interviewing Michigan State Senior Guard Travis Walton. Now, I do not like Jim Rom because I think he is full of himself and very cocky. However, I decided to continue to watch his show because I am a State fan and I wanted to see what Walton had to say. As Rome and Walton were speaking, it occurred to me that young members of today's society have a speech impediment. In every single one of Walton's answers he used the phrase "ya know." He'd say something along the lines of "Ya know, I took that shot and made it, ya know." No I don't know. And while Travis Walton is a bright kid, saying "ya know" every five words makes him sound somewhat stupid.
This also takes place in every teenager across America. It is an epidemic that I have come to call the "Teenage Like Epidemic," or "T.L.E." Every high schooler has it, including me. It is a bad habit that I am trying to rid myself of. TLE most often kicks in when I am trying to describe something out loud. I have said thing similar to "In my first hour class today, we, like, did this activity where you do a lot of, ya know, like, umm, stretches and stuff." It makes me sound stupid. If I had said, "In my first hour yoga class today, we did a Pilate's workout followed by final relaxation," wouldn't it have sounded a lot better?
My dad loves to correct me of TLE. I'll be having a conversation with him and he will interrupt me and make me start over just because I said like. Sometimes I don't even notice I'm saying it because it has become such a bad habit for a very long time. I am a true believer that this happens to all teenage students because we say like so much.
But who is to fault for TLE? Schools, teachers, parents? Have they taught us wrong? No. It is in my opinion that TLE is a contagious infection passed down to kids by our American Athletes. If there is one flaw to them besides steroids it is their speech. Whenever I watch an athlete in a press conference, they always use "like," "umm," and "ya know." They could be describing their game winning shot or their spectacular catch in the outfield; no matter what it always kicks in to their system.
TLE is a fault in American society that needs to be fixed. There is no antibiotic or pill for it, but as victims of TLE we need to realize the epidemic and work together to find a cure. You could do what I do and have your parents correct you and make you start your sentence over. It's not a big deal. TLE makes us teenagers sound less intelligent than we actually are. We are a smart group of citizens. Don't let TLE define who you are, stand up to it and defend yourself instead.
When walking into the Library Sports Pub and Grill it is easy to see why so many people love to eat there. Upon entering customers immediately get a feel for the atmosphere inside. Once past the front door the scent of the food tingles the nostrils to the point where you can taste it on the tip of your mouth. However it is the setup which makes this restaurant possible because it is what sets the atmosphere for each night of business.
Upon passing through the front door, a customer is immediately greeted by a beautiful hostess. “Welcome to the Library Sports Pub and Grill, smoking or non, how many do you have?” she’ll say. After, she will lead you to your table. Sitting in the dark brown chair or the green leather booth one can take a look around the busy, ornate, and sedulous establishment and see the men and women hard at work, cooking a juicy steak, cleaning off a table, and taking the order of the young woman sitting at the next table over. The televisions all around the restaurant show every sporting event on. Lined up all along the bar and in every corner of the non-smoking section, it is impossible to miss any of the action. Also, when Detroit teams are playing, projector screens are pulled down and the sound is turned up, setting the tone for the atmosphere. The Library Sports Pub and Grill is truly a sports bar. Team memorabilia is hanging up all around the restaurant. Jerseys are in frames on the walls, trophy’s are on the shelves, and inside the bar and booth tables, there are old Sports Illustrated’s, sports cards, and other team propaganda. Lastly, customers can see all the old and different books lined up on the shelves, which is why the name of the restaurant is the Library Sports Pub and Grill.
When the waitress comes to take the customers order, it is extremely tough for many of them to decide on what it is they want to eat. Many customers, especially those sitting close to the kitchen, can smell the aroma coming from the grill. Once any type of food is finished being prepared and brought out onto the customers the smell of the food instantly tingles the nostrils, makes people crave the food they ordered, and the wait for it seems to be getting longer and longer by the minute.
After the wait is finally over, it’s time to chow down on the meal. A Burger, Burger topped with American cheese, lettuce, and ketchup cooked to medium rare is definitely the best item on the menu. This pink, juicy burger can come with a side of seasoned fries. Upon putting it into the mouth, the taste buds instantly cry out in joy because it tastes so good. Each item served has a distinct taste to it. Whether it’s the overwhelming taste of the mozzarella bread or the delicious Stadium Nachos, no customer leaves dissatisfied.
The Library Sports Pub and Grill is truly a place of two faces. When no Detroit sports are playing on television the restaurant is calm and relaxing. During this time it is a family oriented place. Families come in, sit, and talk quietly among themselves. The loudest it ever gets is if a baby begins to cry. However, when a major sports game is on television it’s a different story. Workers of the restaurant dress up in jerseys and fans come to the bar to cheer the teams onto victory. During this time it is always rowdy in the restaurant. Beer and other alcoholic beverages are constantly being passed around and at every run, touchdown, and goal customers jump out of the seats in excitement. After nine o’clock p.m. people must be over 21 or with a parent to enter. Many think it would get quiet and calm down at this time, but it just gets louder. After a long day at work, many doctors and nurses love to come in and have a beer or two. Also, many sporting games out west are still on or just beginning at this time. The restaurant also becomes loud on special nights. Tuesday’s are trivia night, Wednesday’s are karaoke night, and Thursday’s are band night. The Library Sports Pub and Grill is like a bi-polar child. The atmosphere can be calm and quiet one minute but after the opening faceoff, kickoff, tipoff, and first pitch, it instantly changes to wild and loud. 
The Library Sports Pub and Grill is a Barnett family business owned by two of three brothers, Uncle Bob and Uncle Alan. They work diligently throughout the day in order to make the restaurant an effective place of service and entertainment. With two locations, Novi and West Bloomfield, each one behaves the same. It is a sports bar with cheerful customer waiting to smell and taste some good food. The Library Sports Pub and Grill is truly a place with two faces.
I haven't heard much about Baseball this offseason except for the fact that the Yankees made the big deal with Texiera and the Cubs are bankrupt. Except for that, there hasn't been much t
o talk about. However, yesterday, as I was looking through the transactions page on ESPN.com, I noticed that the Tigers made a deal. As I began to read it, I soon became very disappointed. It read, "The Detroit Tigers have agreed to terms with pitcher Juan Rincon on a minor league contract; agreed to terms with pitchers Edwin Jackson, Joel Zumaya and Bobby Seay and catcher Gerald Laird on one-year contracts."
As soon as I read the name Joel Zumaya, my face went from a smile to a frown. Why do we keep resigning this guy? Sure he can throw the ball over 100 mph, but it is rarely accurate and the guy is injury prone. Over the past two years he has played in only 49 games, less than half of one season, and in that span only two wins and two saves. Did I forget to mention th
at he loves to play guitar hero?
On the better side of the infield, the Tigers did sign shortstop Adam Everett, who I think will be a great addition to the team. That leaves the infield at Catcher Brandon Inge, 1B Miguel Cabrera, 2B Placido Polanco, SS Adam Everett, and 3B Carlos Guillen. A pretty soild defence, but after last years performance in the batters box the whole team needs to step up to the plate and knock some out of the park. The outfield of Maggilo Ordonez, Curtis Granderson, and whoever will be named LF, probably Marcus Thames, looks solid as well, and it looks like, so far, hopefully, the Tigers can bounce back after a disapointing 2008 campagin
. There were such high hopes, but nothing was fufilled.
The other part of the team that really needs to have a huge improvement this year is the guys on the mound and in the bullpen. Rookie Armando Galarraga was the best starter by far last season. Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson, and Jeremy Bonderman all have a lot of work to do, plus, lets hope that Dontrelle Willis can stay healthy this season.
With spring training about two months away, the teams has a few more months to get in some rest, but there will be no joking around this year. It's back to basics for the Tigers. The division will be tougher than ever before. Cleveland, Chicago, and Minnesota all made bold offseason moves this year, and the Royals were a tough win last season. The outlook for the Tigers this year is a good one, and hopefully they can make a good playoff run.
In recent years, one of the worst things to come out of high school athletics is Pay to Play. It means exactly what it says. Athletes must pay a fee in order to play their sport.
Pay to play is ruining high school sports. It's unbelievable. Even with the bad economy, pay to play is still taking place. We need to be able to conserve our money right now, not spend it. This year alone, its costs $100 per high school athlete, and $50 per middle school athlete. That means that if your a sixth grader right now, and you play football through your senior year of high school you will spend $550 dollars on football. And what if you also play basketball and baseball? Thats like two mortgage payments on your parents house. And also, for some sports, like hockey, lacrosse, downhill skiing, and bowling, there are previously established fees, which cost more than the normal rate.
"I wish we didn't have it," Principal Rick Jones said.
"It's an unnecessary aspect of the game," Varsity Football Head Coach Todd Schultz said. "The money doesn't even go toward sports, it goes to the academics first, so it's very difficult to fund some of the after school sports."
Even members of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) are against Pay to Play. In fact, they are trying to ban it in public schools.
"Participation fees drive students away from playing their sport," MHSAA Director Jack Roberts said.
Yes equipment costs a lot, but its unfair to make the parents pay for everything. To have their child play, watch their child play, and attend the team banquet at the end of the season. For god sake, it even costs money to be in the Musical and Marching Band.
Pay to play needs to stop. Its ridiculous to make parents pay over $500 in four years just to have their kid play sports.
When I walked into the Farmington Hills Ice Arena, it was pitch black. I couldn't see anything. There were fans roaring with excitement and the players were gearing up for a battle. After all, this was the rivalry game; the Farmington Flyers vs. the Farmington Falcons.
I recently attended a high school hockey game for the first time in my four years at North Farmington. The team, made up of players from North Farmington and Harrison, call themselves the Flyers. They played the Farmington Falcons.
The fans were jumping up and down as the Flyers skated out on to the ice. At the time, I didn't think much of this because, even though I love sports, I had never seen a high school sporting event where the students hadn't gone just to socialize with their friends.
Once the puck was dropped, and NF senior James Long gave the first open ice hit, I could see the fans were into it. The stands were full, everyone was on their feet, and, as the first goal was scored, the fans jumped and rejoiced with one another, something I don't often see at football or basketball games.
As the game went on, the fans got more excited, and I got more excited. I was sitting on the edge of my seat the whole game. Senior Austin Murtland lead the team with two goals, and the way the team skated showed the effort they give in practice everyday. Going into the third period, I began to think that this was the most exciting high school game I had ever attended. At the end of the second period the score was 4-1 Flyers.
In the third period, the game got even more exciting when the Falcons came back to tie the game. Senior Goalie Adam Whitehead let in three unanswered goals. As the third period came to an end, two fans, seniors Jordan Mifsud and Jovan Bryant got the entire crowd on their feet. Senior Trevor Lamson was playing the cowbell, and the fans were doing the "Lets go Flyers" chant.
As the game went into overtime, the crowd was still filled with energy. The game ended with a Flyers goal, and the fans rejoiced along with the players. Because the game went into overtime, it won't count as a win for the Flyers because other arenas can't support overtime and therefore it cannot be upheld as an OAA stat or standard.
When I walked out of the arena that night, I couldn't help but think, "I have to come to more of these." The game kept me on the edge of my seat, bitting my fingernails from beginning to end.
Th hard core sports fan dreams for moments like these. The sound of an open ice hit or a check against the boards. It is what we live for, that adrenaline rush that keeps diehard sports fans coming back for more.
This also takes place in every teenager across America. It is an epidemic that I have come to call the "Teenage Like Epidemic," or "T.L.E." Every high schooler has it, including me. It is a bad habit that I am trying to rid myself of. TLE most often kicks in when I am trying to describe something out loud. I have said thing similar to "In my first hour class today, we, like, did this activity where you do a lot of, ya know, like, umm, stretches and stuff." It makes me sound stupid. If I had said, "In my first hour yoga class today, we did a Pilate's workout followed by final relaxation," wouldn't it have sounded a lot better?
TLE is a fault in American society that needs to be fixed. There is no antibiotic or pill for it, but as victims of TLE we need to realize the epidemic and work together to find a cure. You could do what I do and have your parents correct you and make you start your sentence over. It's not a big deal. TLE makes us teenagers sound less intelligent than we actually are. We are a smart group of citizens. Don't let TLE define who you are, stand up to it and defend yourself instead.
