I often find myself being grateful for the opportunities that we've been given since living in 'the basement'. We're able to get our finances in order and move significantly forward in getting out of debt. We've been called to serve in our ward and can't get enough of our callings. The most recent though, is our relationship with my little brother Logan.
We're grateful to be here for us but right now, we're not here for us. We're here for Logan.
There are many different hotels to choose from even on a small island. Every hotel has a specialty. Choose a hotel that fits you and start making the vacation of your dreams.
Sticking with a chain you know isn’t a bad thing. Hilton has a hotel that is right in St. Michael’s parish, so Bridgetown will be close. The Hilton offers many different activity options including a scuba diving program; you do need your certification.
For the personal touch, try this family owned hotel with fantastic Caribbean ambiance. The Coral Reef Club offers services at their tranquil spa that is made for people that just want to relax and be pampered.
Looking for a place to just relax and enjoy the sun, consider the Almond Beach Club and Spa. All you have to do at this luxury resort is lay back and enjoy because all meals and drinks (alcohol too) are included. Most activities are included too, for a full listing, click on the link.
If you would like to swim to the snack bar take a look at the Bougainvillea Beach Resort. But beware you have a minimum stay of seven days here at this more budget friendly hotel.
Another thing to keep in mind is that many of these hotels offer honeymoon packages filled with activities for couples.
1. Crane Beach is considered one of the top ten beaches in the world. It is located on the South Coast line.Protected by a natural coral reef, provides a perfect location for experienced swimmers, boogie boarders, and surfers. This is the perfect sun bathers beach, and one of the best spots on the island of Barbados to watch daily sunsets!
Sandy Lane Beach
2. Sandy Lane Beach is a famous beach that often has celebrities wandering its length. It has very calm waters that are great for swimming.
Mullins Beach
3. Mullins Beach is one of the most popular on Barbados. The beach has a snack bar lawn chairs with umbrellas. You also have the option to jetski further out to sea.
Miami Beach
4. Miami Beach is a peaceful beach that is somewhat remote.The sea in this area is quite flat but occasional swells add a little excitement to the sea-bathing here. (You should avoid bathing near the cliffs, especially at high tide). For your safety there is also a lifeguard on duty.
Freshwater Bay
5. Freshwater Bay The name really says it all - here you will find calm crystal clear waters that are perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The occasional fishing boat and jet ski pass by, with the catamarans heading down the west coast further out to sea.
Accra Beach
6. Accra Beach is a good beach to visit on the South Coast line. Accra Beach is one of the loveliest beaches in Barbados. It is located in Hastings, Christ Church. With so much activity along South-West coast there are many restaurants, hotels, and sports bars. So if you are lover of body surfing, boogie boarding, swimming, people watching, or just relax taking in the sun, then Accra Beach is the place for you.
Batts Rock Beach
7. Batts Rock lies a few minutes drive along the west coast of Barbados from the Capital of Bridgetown. It's a public beach with a picnic area, changing and shower facilities and children's playground. Good for swimming in calm waters and the rocky areas are fine for safe snorkeling. Batts Rock beach joins up with Paradise beach and Fitts Village.
Paradise Beach
8. Paradise beach is quiet and the home of the now closed Cunard Paradise Hotel. Currently the Sandals Resort which was proposed for the site has been delayed. Paradise Beach is generally deserted.
B. "I've already set quite a bit of money aside for the grand opening of the pharmacy." L. "How much does a giant pair of scissors cost? I'm a liiiiiittle slow sometimes.
My good friend Kristin introduced to me this blog several months ago and I've fallen in love with this sweet family. When I first heard Skyler's name he was a normal little boy enjoying the sun in Bear Lake. Things took quite the turn less than a month later. Kristin told me about Crystal losing her husband about 15 months before Skyler's diagnoses and my heart broke for her. Her courage is incredible. I hope his story touches your heart like it does mine.
This tan is screaming my name. It also makes me want to go dark, think my hair will hate me? More than it already does I mean.
Less than 5 weeks and I'll be sitting by the pool, drinking expensive drinks. My cute Mom has started saving, just for the drinks served by the pool. I think that means she's been before. At least once.
My favorite thing about the above picture, my swollen forehead. When I refuse to wear sunscreen, the sun hits, hard. Think it looks big? Double click on it. Big. Huh.
More important than where you stay is what you’re going to drink. Rums are a large part of any Caribbean island but especially Barbados. Barbados is home to the oldest brand of rum, Mount Gay. Being the oldest does not necessarily mean that it is the best, you decide. Tell us what your favorite brand of Rum is. A few of them have been outlined below for you.
Mount Gay Rum
Mount Gay’s history is one of passion, courage and unshakable conviction. For over 300 years the brand has been defined by generations of visionaries, whose untiring quest for excellence and innovation explain why Mount Gay is the oldest, as well as (according to mountgayrum.com) the greatest, brand of rum in the world. You can check out the visitors' center while you are there too.
Tommy Bahama White Sand Rum Clear rum distilled from fermented molasses. Aged at least two years in used whiskey and bourbon barrels. Designed by Sidney Frank Importing Co, the guys who designed Grey Goose vodka, Tommy Bahama White Sand is a light-bodied rum with a distinctive coconut note in the front of the taste profile. Aged at least two years in Barbados and then bottled at the Foursquare Distillery, this rum has been years in the making.
The medium-amber rum, colored by 10 years aging in oak, reveals a wonderfully sophisticated bouquet, with sweet-but-earthy aromas of fresh cut cane, buttered sweet potato, dried plum and raisin, clove, cinnamon. Initial Taste is fully complex, though lighter than the aromas would lead you to expect. Olde Brigand is medium-full bodied, with a seriously traditional rum character and pronounced but pleasant alcohol. The finish is long and interesting for its variety: first sweet, then earthy, then ending more dry with a hint of anise.
Mahiki The white is an aged rum made using a blend of pot and column distilled rums to ensure it is clean and slightly sweet. It is a versatile rum which can be sipped and savored with a mixer or served as a part if a more elaborate cocktail. The taste is light and sweet with hints of banana and exotic fruits with a long finish. Be sure to try to gold and cognac as well!
First of all I want to say that I am sincerely honored to have been asked to contribute to this great blog. I hope this article will provide relevant and interesting facts for other curious coaches on this page.
I have been asked to give you some kind of European perspective about football.
The game is now played in almost every western European country (www.ifaf.info), and you can find football fans everywhere in the world.
We have the same rules, for sure, but the environment is waaaaaay different here. And when I say here, I mean France, as I am a French football coach (www.les-falcons.com).
For most of the people outside of the USA, football is like coconut: It looks good, but no one knows how to deal with it.
In other words, football is not part of our culture. Basically that means no fans in the stands, no boosters, and parents very reluctant to let their kids play "american rugby".
In France, a country of 65 million people, we have 25 000 players on about 150 teams, separated in 3 National Levels -- Division 1, Division 2, Division 3 (where I coach at the moment) and also some Regional Championships.
You also have to know that we don't operate in a scholastic environment.
Here it's an amateur team club sport. You can play from 12 years old to whenever your body let you play and there are 4 age groups (U14, U16, U19, +19 years old). Kids usually come to practice from 6pm to 8pm, after school and homework. Nothing is mandatory. Being non-scholastic also means poor facilities. In France there are some fields that have Field Turf with Y goal posts, but most of the teams share fields and locker rooms with soccer or rugby teams. As an example, our game field does not measure the U.S. standard 120 yards long, but is approximately 110 yards... with rugby posts. That means midfield is at the 45-yard-line. We don't even have goal posts on our practice field!
Another main difference is that we cannot practice more than twice per week. Keep in mind that it's an amateur game here. Players on my senior team (+19years old) could be in charge of a family or could be just students. On my 63-man roster I have a running back/baker, wide receiver/salesman, linebacker/law school student, QB/manager, DB/unemployed, DL/bouncer, OL/computer scientist... As a result of that, presence at practice and games is a constant concern.
On the other hand guys who choose to play football and show up at practice twice a week are really passionate.
First, they have to pay to play - each year more than 230USD... They also have to pay for (or rent in some cases) their equipment, about 400USD for a complete package. Want to get better? faster? stronger? It's another 400USD for a year-round gym pass...
Poor facilities, expensive sport, amateur level of play. If you are reading these lines, I bet you are pretty sorry for us right now... There is more: Coaches. We are not getting paid. My Defensive Co-ordinator is a plumber in "real life"; I am a radio journalist.
How in the world do we (European Coaches) manage to do anything good in those conditions?
Jeff Reinebold from SMU was speaking at a Coaching Clinic in Bavaria (Germany) a few weeks ago. He pumped up the gathered coaches by saying -- and I paraphrase:
"You are the best coaches; we are spoiled for choice. You don't have anything and are forced to make do."
Obviously, I don't think we are the best coaches. But the truth is you have to be quite inventive to coach a team or even a position without a lot at your disposal. You probably have not noticed but all the coaching materials (DVDs, books, articles, blogs, forums, clinics, software) are written in English. So if you don't read English, you're done.
I coach a 63-man roster this season and we are only 2 coaches... Fortunately we have players with double-digit years of experience that can run drills and/or take care of a position.
So everything we do, we have to do it with PASSION and LOVE for the game.
One of my former coaches, a Canadian guy with a 25 years experience of coaching high school kids, recently told me that his best coaching experience was when he won the '95 national championship with my team... "Best memories on and off the field" - that's what he told us.
Also, the game seems to get better each year. Players work during the off season (which was not a habit previously), and get bigger, and stronger. This season in France, one of the top teams recruited a former UCLA back-up QB (US or Canadian players/coaches are professional even if they do not make a lot of money. For more info go to www.europlayers.com). That kind of player helps to raise the general level of play across the league.
The numbers are rising too. Football is becoming more and more popular.
We are on our way.... Still a long way to go, though ;)
I told people who make fun of us because we play "American Rugby" that their sons will probably play for me soon.
2 French players have already reached NFL practice squads in recent years and I know there are a lot of Germans on NCAA teams. Not too bad when you consider that the first French league wasn't created until 1986.
I've recently found that if I have to be up for anything earlier than noon, I don't sleep well. I'm so nervous about missing my alarm, that I never really get into that deep sleep that lets my body rest and recuperate. Today was one of those days, the next four are just the same. I stayed up too late, woke up too early, pulled my hair into a pony because I only wash my hair every other day so it will grow and today was a gross day 2, drove to work in farmington for two hours of work, pulled into the parking lot just as the gas light turned on leading me to realize my wallet was on the counter. at home. wrote a check for $22.06 so I could get cash back for gas. drove home. grabbed my wallet and headed to the dr. I love myself a yearly girl dr visit. not. waited for a full half hour in the waiting room. finally my turn. the nurse who took my weight and bp can't write in my chart without talking out loud. she still writes 2010. I put on the lovely gown and wait ten more minutes. Dr comes in, tells me he's been paged to the hospital and he'll be back in 4o minutes. I can wait if I want. I decide to leave. with my antibiotic. I refused to make another appointment. I cried as soon I got into the car. text Colby. he calls in a panic. I try to explain how much I hate going to the dr. he promises I don't have to go back to that one. I cry all the way to roy. fill my rx. go help abby at cub scouts. drive home with the radio up and a mix I made for colb 2 years ago in the cd player. I smiled big. rethink my day. pulled in the driveway. glanced in the mirror. was reminded of my favorite valentines day present. laughed out loud. Of course my day was crumb. most of it. I haven't taken the opportunity to be grateful for yesterday. Silly Libby.
We enjoyed a delicious Sunday dinner with family yesterday. As the food on our plates started to clear, talk or our Hawaii vacation came up. Quickly the table was cleared and the laptop was brought out. We were checking flights and making arrangements. I'll be leaving a few days before Colb and staying a few days longer. He would come with me and stay except it's right in the middle (more towards the end) of his last semester. Last semester = Calculus. I don't blame him, I would have put it off til the end as well. :) As we talked about when I could/would/should come home, I shot Colby my best, 'please let me stay as long as I can look.' He bought it and our conversation went something like this. "I don't care how long you stay, I just need to get back to school." "You don't care at all? You won't be mad?" "Mad? No. Jealous? Yes." "So if I can stay as long as I want maybe you could just buy a plane ticket whenever you can afford it and you can come visit me. Maybe like ... Next Summer?" "Sure babe, I'll see you next summer."
Take me back to sea glass beach, to the hot dog place, to the beach, to the pool, the the expensive drinks, to the coca-cola, to the grandkids, to the sun, take me back to that killer tan.
If only I could explain how anxious and excited I am to be counting down the days to our amazing WHOLE family vacation in Hawaii.
One of my favorite things about traveling is sampling the local cuisine. The local food in Barbados is made with a variety of ingredients, most of which will be familiar to you, but are enhanced with local herbs and spices to create a distinct Bajan flavor.
The local dish which is synonymous with Barbados is flying fish and cou cou, traditionally served on Fridays. The skillfully boned flying fish is rolled and stewed down in gravy made with herbs, tomatoes, garlic, onions and butter. Cou cou is similar to polenta, made with yellow corn meal but cooked with finely chopped okras, water and butter. Cou cou can also be made with breadfruit and green bananas and is served with salt fish or beef stew.
Check out the awesome video below about flying fish! (it may make you rethink eating them... come on, they can fly! But they are also tasty!)
In another decade we may look back at the advances (or revolution) in networked media (via Internet) as one of the most relevant accelerant towards coaching since the VHS/DVD video series.
More vibrant than static content websites, more accessible than message boards, the give-and-take of blogging has fast become the way for all voices to be heard. Though not the premise for his post here, Chris Brown (the patriarch of football blogs) does a good job of articulating the nuances of this interactive media form.
This site started when I ate two slices of bad pizza, went to bed and grew a conscience! ….no wait, I mean just as an extension of 1) Coach Huey Xs & Os message board, 2) Chris Brown’s Smartfootball and 3) Toby’s (eteam) Zone (that I religiously soaked up through the 90s). Point being, we’re all part of the evolutionary / adaptation process of the game. I still don’t have a plan, purpose, any sense behind the endeavor and the address used is merely a result of my lack of any imagination – but it is a great way to document cathartic musings, nuggets and frustrations I’ve encountered over the seasons, and expose my idiocy. Thankfully, some brilliant contributors have helped us out this past year. The one important axiom in coaching (and life) is you get as much as you give. Hopefully, you get something out of it.
I almost forgot! I woke up on Friday Morning - Birthday morning- with a missed phone call. My Grandma Arnold had called and left a voicemail. In the last year my Grandma has started taking lessons on the organ and in the last few months decided to buy her own. This hobby has given her new life, she LOVES the organ and we love to hear her play it. The voicemail was of just that, Grandma rockin the organ. She played Happy Birthday and in the middle, she wished me a Happy Birhday. I cried, I smiled, I laughed. That message made my heart melt. I love my Grandmas!
I purchased one of Jackie's work out videos a while back. I was sure that someday we'd be real good friends. I however, neglected our friendship and gave her the cold shoulder. Lately though, with the purchase of a new swim suit and the announcement of HAWAII, I pulled her out and dusted off that old case of hers. I'm almost positive that falling down 6 wooden stairs and riding an extra tall horse - both in one day - have nothing to do with how sore my legs are or the funny strut I've picked up in the last two days. It has to be because of the time we spent bonding on Saturday morning. Now, if only she could come to my house and make sure I'm doing it right, then, and only then, we can call this a friendship.
how the front integrity remains sound (how the gaps are accounted for) and
how their proliferation relates to teaching methodology (it remains consistent with everything they already do).
Now this post won’t contain any answers – I’m just passing along some things that have piqued my curiosity. Be sure to check out blitzology if you’re interested in getting practical insight now.
I am certainly open to any insight. I am most intrigued by how Dom Capers has been using this (loved his work with the Panthers, plus he was with Saban in Miami) and in particular, the use/technique of the 2 defensive linemen (not ‘Psycho’). I am more intrigued by this because of how the DTs handle the interior gaps as well as the use of standup linebackers on the edge (that puts you in a real 42 because that is how personnel is used, anyway, with no true defensive ends in great supply). TCU has been doing this more and more against 1-back gun offenses because there is little threat of being 'blown off the ball' or out-leveraged when standing up (to the field).
I feel there are certain known factors that provide clues towards what is actually taking place and that would be as follows;
The offensive personnel groupings have no bearing on when these are used. 21 / 11, pro, double-tights……it makes no difference.
I am not quite certain how much ‘field’ and ‘boundary’ has any true relevance concerning the tendency with these groupings. The NFL hashes only give you a little over 9 feet of difference between the area of the field, so I don’t believe there would be a true game plan based on this
Because of the assumption of #2, I would believe that pressure is designated by formation splits and/or back set, as this would be the better indicator of protection.
#3 gives credence to the effectiveness of fire zone/blitz pressure (catch man) coverage, where it can provide ‘unbreakable’ answers, rather than playing double coverage calls (pro/twins).
The modular approach to the fire zone (hot 3, SCIF, deep hole, etc) means you can plug-and-play any defender into a role to come up with a myriad of options to cover 5 receiving threats. It is this approach that I feel will be what most of us (coaches) can use to improve how we teach the game and include more players in the game.
With only 2 defensive linemen in the front and the center never being covered (usually double 3 techniques) , my completely unfounded assumption would be that these guys are playing a heavy (2 gap) technique (which is really becoming prevalent). This also aides in muddying the Mike declaration for 5 and 6 man protection. Though this initial thought may be incorrect or their reads have become incredibly effective in controlling the playside gap. Actually, it is how the 2 DL contribute to controlling the front that has me the most intrigued because it doesn't appear that the 5-7 technique backers are that integral to gap-integrity (as in, they are either controlling the gaps with the pirate stunts associated with fire zone or are looking to spill everything to the SCIF or sideline in man).
Of course, any or all of these assumptions may be incorrect, but if I can find anything we can take away from this I’ll pass it along. It goes without saying that the NFL (game) is primarily about key players that allow you to do things most every other team cannot. Meaning, a good portion of this could be just the by-product of having freaks on your defense.
The constant at the lower levels (particularly high school) is that :
Your best personnel IS your best personnel, meaning your ‘base’ defense is usually your only defense and if you can sub with considerable competent depth on defense, you are in the minority.
Your effectiveness on defense is relative to the quality of opponent you face. If you face offenses that are relatively 1-dimensional and/or do not vary much on down and distance, then situational game planning with personnel groupings like these can be hit or miss.
Additional thoughts....
Semi- related to the Capers nickel exploration, is just an empty adjustment Capers used with Saban at Miami, “Rain”, that follows the same principles. This is a 5-man check-blitz premised out of 0 coverage, but could be used with fire zone 3-deep / 3-under coverage.
The beauty of this is that you’re going to get 5-man protection with no back, so how you declare the mike (extra rusher) is crucial. With the double-3 techs and no real Mike to be found, you give a lose-lose situation to the offensive line with no clear picture to where the pressure will come from.
By presenting a rush of 4, the quarterback would either check to the most dangerous threat or away from the hot. Either way, the defense will be sending two bandits to each B gap, having the blitzer to the side the center does turn his shoulders to (the slide side) pop out and become the “hot 3” player in the hole. This leaves the away side B-gap blitzer a free pass to the quarterback against the man-protection side of the formation (G & T vs edge rusher and DT in A).
Addendum to the Additional Thoughts...
ahem......actually nothing to do with Capers, but following the same meme and how it is used elsewhere. While I really don't have problems 'controlling the front' with the standard 5-man fire zones because it remains sound. I just know that many DCs have been teaching their interior defensive linemen with a variety of techniques over the past 5 years (bridging the gap between 1 gap and 2 gap read) creating more versatile possibilities in what you can pull off in situational defense.
Searching on youtube this evening on the backside of a North Texas smowmegeddon and I found this guy that has some very good stuff. Tons of college games from this past season and they are broken down o-d minus all the mumbo jumbo between plays. It ain't coach cuts, but its good stuff. Search NFLMocksGameFilmor here is the link http://www.youtube.com/user/NFLMocksGameFilm
*Half way to the big 5-0. Yesterday was my BiRtHdAy! I turned 25. I don't feel that old but whatev. I took the day off - which I rarely do. I believe that Birthdays should be HUGE. An entire day to celebrate your birth. YES PLEASE. I slept in (a little) with Colby. Got ready for the day. Had a lunch date at Lucky China with two of siblings Abby and Logan. Abby and I met up with Mom for Pedicures. Stopped at JC Penny's to hear what all the fuss was about. (purchased a nice pair of dress pants for $2.97. - that's what all the fuss was about) Took a much needed nap. Jumped in the Car with Abby, Jon, Mom, and Colb and headed to Logan. My younger brother Logan (ha) and his band MERMAID BABY were playing a show and one of my favorite places to eat is also in Logan and since it was MY Birthday I got to choose where we went. Juniper Takeout was nothing shy of delicious. Thank You Mel for taking Abby and I there many moons ago, I owe you one. Then it was on to the show. It hadn't started when we got there (45 minutes after it was supposed to) We were told probably in about an hour and half they would go on. We decided to pass and started for Roy. I sort of felt bad making everyone go clear to Logan but both the boys thoroughly enjoyed their meals so that feeling soon faded. We made it home in time for pumpkin cake. My Favorite. Played games and caught up on all our DVR episodes. We shared lots of laughs and I got spoiled rotten. As I fell asleep in Colby's arms I thanked him for the best birthday ever. I also mentioned that the week isn't over yet so he better not be partied out. :)
*new earrings compliments of my sister Kady and my new shirt, compliments of my online shopping and Colby's wallet.
*Holy cow. I knew about almost everything. Colby did manage to keep one shirt, a pair of hiking boots I've been begging for and a really sweet book he made me, a secret. I was very impressed.
* If this husband of mine gets any more thoughtful I'm going to have to put him in a jar and seal it. I'm loving every second of how much he loves me.
This island has it all: snorkeling, water skiing, wind surfing, fishing, scuba diving, ship wrecks, coral reefs, submarine rides and even some light surfing. Water visibility between 40 to 70 feet for most of the year allows you to see a whole new world below the surface. The West Coast of the island has the calmest waters and is considered the best for swimming and scuba diving. There are other good beachfronts on other parts of the island.
Scuba Sites
Shark Bank a coral reef reaching depths of 135-145ft.
Maycocks Bay a unique site with several large coral reefs divided by stretches of white sand! Rays and barracudas frequent these waters.
Carlisle Bay is the home to many different ship wrecks and a popular scuba diving destination.
Pamir Shipwreck happened in 1957 leaving behind the remains of a ship commissioned in the 1880’s. Today it is one of the best diving sites Barbados has to offer.
Stavronikita Shipwreck was a Greek freighter ship that was sunk in 1978 as an artificial reef.
Here are some Companies you can contact to plan your underwater adventures:
I've been digging back into the 4D-FTP from Coach Mark Rodriguez again and its growing on me. I don't believe I gave it a fair shake the first time around, likely because I assumed it was something that it wasn't ( a method to replace backpedal or shuffle technique). The video series IS well done and the video quality is exceptional (I would also recommend subscribing to Coach Mark's youtube channel).
The drills of disc two are of important note and I could really see using these as everyday pre-practice routines. Again, the investment in the technique could get 'expensive' (may not see an immediate ROI), but even if you used a T-step or 'run the feet' transition, the 4D drills (Drift, Drop, Dig, Drive) develop fluid hip movement. That is the whole point, as Coach Mark stress again and again in the series, is developing the muscle memory to be an instinctively quicker athlete
DRIFT- The conscious decision / automatic reaction your body’s direction Positive step in the direction you’re looking to go
DROP- knee drop / body lean in direction to where you want to go, start turning head …..moves shoulders (head turn/ shoulder turn / knee bend….lean forward)
DIG - The shoulder comes on-top of your DIG step to swing your speed (Drift is a step, Drop is a movement)
DRIVE (from the knee) – The dig propels you, if the drift step holds it just becomes a T-step
CATALOG UPDATE
Its been difficult to finish my 'project' and forgetting what has been copied, what hasn't, and what discs need to be remastered. To help with this (and anyone else attempting it), is just by generating text list of the ISO images captured so far.
To do this, just navigate to the directory location from a DOS command line and enter "dir>(file name).txt" to create a text listing of all files within this directory. A TXT (notepad) file will be generated in the directory you are in.
From here, just open Excel (or any other spreadsheet application), open the TXT file and create the necessary columns to list the files you've created. Now I can stack my DVDs in piles of "done" and "to do" and give me a clear work load of what is left.
