In the business of professional sports, trades can make or break a player’s career and a team’s chance of winning. Without bad trades, there would be no superstitions, curses, conspiracies and miraculous wins for the team that traded smart. On the other hand, the team that lets a future hall of famer go will be kicking themselves for decades and beyond. To continue asking the ‘what ifs’ of sports mistakes, here are 10 of the worst trades in sports history:

1. Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees
   When the Boston Red Sox manager sold pitcher/outfielder George Herman Ruth, ‘Babe Ruth,’ to the New York Yankees in 1920, the Curse of the Bambino began to materialize. Before he was traded, Ruth helped win three World Series games for the Red Sox, and prompted a winning streak for New York that would haunt Boston fans for decades. It’s the curse that puts this terrible trade on top.



2. Brett Favre to the Green Bay Packers
   Favre was traded by the Atlanta Falcons for running-back Tony Smith. Little did the Falcons know, but Favre would go on to become one of the most valuable quarterbacks in the league, leading in every passing category.



3. Wayne Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings
   The trading of “The Great One,” Wayne Gretzky, who played for the Edmonton Oilers, in exchange for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, three first-round draft picks and cash, was considered one of the worst trades in NHL history. The native Canadian, who is arguably the greatest hockey player of all time, learned of his trade just hours after winning the Stanley Cup with the Oilers in 1988. Gretzky agreed to the exchange so long as his teammates, Mike Krushelnyski and Marty McSorley, would join him in Los Angeles. The trade came as a surprise to Gretzky and Edmonton fans, since he had helped bring the Oilers to the Finals for four seasons, winning the Cup each time. When in Los Angeles, Gretzky boosted hockey popularity in California, in addition to bringing the Kings into the Stanley Cup Finals.



4. Kobe Bryant to the Los Angeles Lakers
   At the ripe age of 17, a very young and talented guard, named Kobe Bryant, was drafted to the NBA out of high school. Bryant was chosen as the 13th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets in 1996, but he had another team in mind. Refusing to play on any other team but the Lakers, the Hornets exchanged Bryant for Lakers player Vlade Divac. Bryant went on to win three consecutive NBA championships with the Lakers and another in 2009.



5. Jeff Bagwell to the Houston Astros
   In 1990, the Boston Red Sox traded future hall of famer Jeff Bagwell to the Astros for 37-year-old relief pitcher Larry Andersen, who went on to pitch only 22 innings and record one save for the Sox. The switch was exactly what Houston needed, since Bagwell remained with the Astros franchise for the rest of his career, winning multiple awards, such as NL MVP, the Golden Glove Award, NL Rookie of the Year, as well as appearing in multiple MLB All-Star games and helping the Astros earn division titles and play in their first World Series.



6. Tom Owens to the Indiana Pacers
   
   In 1981, the Indiana Pacers traded their 1984 first-round draft pick in exchange for Portland Trail Blazers’ center Tom Owen. Following the 1983 season, Indiana gave up their chance to have the second overall pick in an epic NBA draft class that included Charles Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon, John Stockton and the game’s greatest player, Michael Jordan. Portland drafted Sam Bowie, whose career was short-lived because of injuries. This goes down as one of the biggest draft busts and worst trades in NBA history.



7. John Elway to the Denver Broncos
   Very seldom do you hear of a football player, who didn’t get his first pick, threatening to switch professional sports completely. This was the case in John Elway’s 1983 NFL draft, in which he was the first overall draft pick by the Baltimore Colts, but refused to join the organization because he felt his career would be limited. Elway threatened to go play baseball if he was not traded. He got his wish when the Colts traded him to the Denver Broncos for quarterback Mark Herrmann, Chris Hinton and a first-round pick in 1984. Elway went on to become a Hall of Fame quarterback, setting several records for passes and taking home a Super Bowl win with the Broncos.



8. Nolan Ryan to the Anaheim Angels
   One of the worst trades in New York Mets history occurred when all-star pitcher Nolan Ryan was traded to the Anaheim Angels for Jim Fregosi, a player that was past his prime. Once Ryan began pitching as a starter for the Angels, he had one of the highest strikeout totals in the league, set several records and brought records wins for the Angels franchise.



9. Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings
   Behold the largest player trade in NFL history — the Herschel Walker trade. This mega transaction involved 18 players and draft picks, one of which was former Dallas Cowboys player Walker. Walker’s trade from the Cowboys in exchange for draft picks sparked the Dallas Cowboys’ dynasty in the 1990s.



10. Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics
    In 2007, the Celtics made NBA history, when they obtained former MVP and Minnesota Timberwolves power forward, Kevin Garnett, in exchange for five of their players, two first-round draft picks and cash considerations. This 7-for-1 exchange marks the NBA’s biggest trade for one player. With Garnett on the Celtics, the franchise was able to end their 20-year championship drought during the 2007-2008 season.

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Have you ever wondered what the Top 50 Sports players were paid? Well here’s the list of the Top 50 for 2009.

Pay attention to the salaries vs. endorsements and ask why there is such a difference. Were these players that good for the companies, did their agents work harder, or what? As a good sports agent, you are most likely paid on commission; therefore you want your clients to earn as much as possible. When you look through this list you will find many people that had higher, sometimes three times, than Tiger Woods, however they had very little in comparison on endorsements. Also think about how Tiger Woods infidelity will affect his income in 2010, then remember as his agent you get a percentage. Therefore how would his actions affect your income?

1. Tiger Woods
Pro Golf
Salary / Winnings:  $7,737,626
Endorsements:  $92,000,000
Total:  $99,737,626

---

2. Phil Mickelson
Pro Golf
Salary / Winnings:  $6,350,356
Endorsements:  $46,600,000
Total:  $52,950,356

---

3. LeBron James
Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)
Salary / Winnings:  $14,410,581
Endorsements:  $28,000,000
Total:  $42,410,581

---

4. Alex Rodriguez
New York Yankees (MLB)
Salary / Winnings:  $33,000,000
Endorsements:  $6,000,000
Total:  $39,000,000

---

5. Shaquille O’Neal
Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)
Salary / Winnings:  $20,000,000
Endorsements:  $15,000,000
Total:  $35,000,000

---

6. Kevin Garnett
Boston Celtics (NBA)
Salary / Winnings:  $24,750,000
Endorsements:  $10,000,000
Total:  $34,750,000

---

7. Kobe Bryant
Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)
Salary / Winnings:  $21,262,500
Endorsements:  $10,000,000
Total:  $31,262,500

---

8. Allen Iverson
Detroit Pistons (NBA)
Salary / Winnings:  $21,937,500
Endorsements:  $7,000,000
Total:  $28,937,500

---

9. Derek Jeter
New York Yankees (MLB)
Salary / Winnings:  $20,000,000
Endorsements:  $8,500,000
Total:  $28,500,000

---

10. Peyton Manning
Indianapolis Colts (NFL)
Salary / Winnings:  $14,500,000
Endorsements:  $13,000,000
Total:  $27,500,000

---

11. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Auto Racing
Salary / Winnings:  $4,611,290
Endorsements:  $22,000,000
Total:  $26,611,290

---

12. Dwyane Wade
Miami Heat (NBA)
Salary / Winnings:  $14,410,581
Endorsements:  $12,000,000
Total:  $26,410,581

---

13. Dwight Howard
Orlando Magic (NBA)
Salary / Winnings:  $13,758,000
Endorsements:  $12,000,000
Total:  $25,758,000

---

14. Mark Teixeira
New York Yankees (MLB)
Salary / Winnings:  $25,000,000
Endorsements:  $250,000
Total:  $25,250,000

---

15. Tracy McGrady
Houston Rockets (NBA)
Salary / Winnings:  $21,126,874
Endorsements:  $4,000,000
Total:  $25,126,874

---

16. Tim Duncan
San Antonio Spurs (NBA)
Salary / Winnings:  $20,598,705
Endorsements:  $3,500,000
Total:  $24,098,705

---

17. Stephon Marbury
Boston Celtics (NBA)
Salary / Winnings:  $21,937,500
Endorsements:  $2,000,000
Total:  $23,937,500

---

18. CC Sabathia
New York Yankees (MLB)
Salary / Winnings:  $23,000,000
Endorsements:  $250,000
Total:  $23,250,000

---

19. Jason Kidd
Dallas Mavericks (NBA)
Salary / Winnings:  $21,372,000
Endorsements:  $1,500,000
Total:  $22,872,000

---

20. Jermaine O’Neal
Miami Heat (NBA)
Salary / Winnings:  $21,352,500
Endorsements:  $750,000
Total:  $22,102,500

---

21. Jeff Gordon
Auto Racing
Salary / Winnings:  $5,944,140
Endorsements:  $15,000,000
Total:  $20,944,140

---

22. Steve Francis
Free agent (NBA)
Salary / Winnings:  $19,862,275
Endorsements:  $500,000
Total:  $20,362,275

---

23. Vince Carter
Orlando Magic (NBA)
Salary / Winnings:  $15,200,000
Endorsements:  $5,000,000
Total:  $20,200,000

---

24. Paul Pierce
Boston Celtics (NBA)
Salary / Winnings:  $18,077,903
Endorsements:  $1,500,000
Total:  $19,577,903

---

25. Carmelo Anthony
Denver Nuggets (NBA)
Salary / Winnings:  $14,410,581
Endorsements:  $5,000,000
Total:  $19,410,581

---

26. Barry Zito
San Francisco Giants (MLB)
Salary / Winnings:  $18,500,000
Endorsements:  $100,000
Total:  $18,600,000

---

27. Ray Allen
Boston Celtics (NBA)
Salary / Winnings:  $17,388,430
Endorsements:  $750,000
Total:  $18,138,430

---

28. (Tie) Tom Brady
New England Patriots (NFL)
Salary / Winnings:  $8,000,000
Endorsements:  $10,000,000
Total:  $18,000,000

---

28. (Tie) Torii Hunter
Los Angeles Angels (MLB)
Salary / Winnings:  $17,500,000
Endorsements:  $500,000
Total:  $18,000,000

---

30. Rashard Lewis
Orlando Magic (NBA)
Salary / Winnings:  $17,238,000
Endorsements:  $750,000
Total:  $17,988,000

---

31. Shawn Marion
Toronto Raptors (NBA)
Salary / Winnings:  $17,180,000
Endorsements:  $600,000
Total:  $17,780,000

---

32. Amar’e Stoudemire
Phoenix Suns (NBA)
Salary / Winnings:  $15,070,550
Endorsements:  $2,500,000
Total:  $17,570,550

---

33. Matt Schaub
Houston Texans (NFL)
Salary / Winnings:  $17,000,000
Endorsements:  $300,000
Total:  $17,300,000

---

34. (Tie) David Ortiz
Boston Red Sox (MLB)
Salary / Winnings:  $12,500,000
Endorsements:  $4,500,000
Total:  $17,000,000

---

34. (Tie) Albert Pujols
St. Louis Cardinals (MLB)
Salary / Winnings:  $13,000,000
Endorsements:  $4,000,000
Total:  $17,000,000

---

36. Julius Peppers
Carolina Panthers (NFL)
Salary / Winnings:  $16,700,000
Endorsements:  $150,000
Total:  $16,850,000

---

37. (Tie) Todd Helton
Colorado Rockies (MLB)
Salary / Winnings:  $16,600,000
Endorsements:  $150,000
Total:  $16,750,000

---

37. (Tie) A.J. Burnett
New York Yankees (MLB)
Salary / Winnings:  $16,500,000
Endorsements:  $250,000
Total:  $16,750,000

---

39. Ryan Howard
Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)
Salary / Winnings:  $15,000,000
Endorsements:  $1,500,000
Total:  $16,500,000

---

40. Dwight Freeney
Indianapolis Colts (NFL)
Salary / Winnings:  $16,220,000
Endorsements:  $250,000
Total:  $16,470,000

---

41. Jim Furyk
Pro Golf
Salary / Winnings:  $5,263,127
Endorsements:  $11,000,000
Total:  $16,263,127

---

42. Michael Redd
Milwaukee Bucks (NBA)
Salary / Winnings:  $15,780,000
Endorsements:  $250,000
Total:  $16,030,000

---

43. Eli Manning
New York Giants (NFL)
Salary / Winnings:  $8,950,000
Endorsements:  $7,000,000
Total:  $15,950,000

---

44. Jason Schmidt
Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)
Salary / Winnings:  $15,500,000
Endorsements:  $250,000
Total:  $15,750,000

---

45. Antonio Smith
Houston Texans (NFL)
Salary / Winnings:  $15,500,000
Endorsements:  $150,000
Total:  $15,650,000

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46. Mike Bibby
Atlanta Hawks (NBA)
Salary / Winnings:  $15,225,000
Endorsements:  $250,000
Total:  $15,475,000

---

47. Ben Roethlisberger
Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL)
Salary / Winnings:  $12,750,000
Endorsements:  $2,500,000
Total:  $15,250,000

---

48. (Tie> Derek Lowe
Atlanta Braves (MLB)
Salary / Winnings:  $15,000,000
Endorsements:  $150,000
Total:  $15,150,000

---

48. (Tie) Jason Brown
St. Louis Rams (NFL)
Salary / Winnings:  $15,000,000
Endorsements:  $150,000
Total:  $15,150,000

---

50. Lance Berkman
Houston Astros (MLB)
Salary / Winnings:  $14,500,000
Endorsements:  $500,000
Total:  $15,000,000

---

One of the fastest growing fields is the combined field of sports, recreation and fitness. While some fields and markets are diminishing, this career path is continuing to grow and expand to incorporate more things, more opportunities as well as brighter and better people.

To ensure success in potential professions in sports, recreation and fitness there are various different types of degrees which someone can use to their benefit. Even though degrees in other areas may work well within this field, the degrees below are some of the best bets when looking to pursue some aspect of a recreation or sports career. Although graduate school is generally not a prerequisite to secure a job in these fields, it’s an increasingly competitive area and thus the more education you get the better prepared you will be to get hired and achieve success.

Business Degrees (Bachelor’s of Business or MBA)

More often sports and recreation businesses, companies and organizations are not solely searching for people with a sports background. Consequently it’s not necessary to be a former athlete or possess a longstanding relationship in sports, fitness or recreation to achieve success. Increasingly more, sports and recreation businesses are searching for the smartest minds they are able to find; individuals having a very strong business background and sense. As a result, a business degree is often highly beneficial in this field. These degrees can lead you to careers as: sports agent, general manager of a team, stadium or department, etc.

Sports Management Degrees

A sports management degree provides you with some business knowledge at the same time having it applied directly to the sports business world. You will become familiar with subjects such as sports marketing and how to apply business principles to expected real-world, sports or recreation jobs. These include sports teams, recreational departments and of course much more. Professions which a sports management degree will help you obtain: nearly anything in the world of sports business, from sports marketing and public relations, to running recreational groups or leagues, etc.

Exercise and Physiology Degrees

For those who love sports and as well love science, or simply have a passion for keeping in shape this may be the appropriate path for one to take. A degree in line with physical exercise as well as physiology provides you with a heads up in many facets of the fitness community; and may even be required for certain positions. Careers you might expect to pursue with this degree: personal trainer, team trainer or doctor, sports nutritionist, etc.

This is a broad sampling of careers in sports, recreation and fitness that you could contemplate pursuing with any of the above degrees:

1. Sports agent: Whenever people think about a career in sports the first thing they think of is being a sports agent. This really is an exceptionally tough field, which is extremely competitive and crowded. Even so, if you happen to be successful as a sports agent you will discover it to be incredibly lucrative as you make a percentage of your clients’ contracts.

2. General manager/management of teams, leagues and sports businesses: Acquiring a strong business sense applied to sports and specific sports or situations can result in what many individuals consider a dream job, for example being a general manager for a team. Needless to say, it may also lead to managing events, stadiums, leagues, groups as well as departments. Because these are top level roles, you can expect to earn anywhere from $75,000 to million dollar yearly salaries. Obviously, in lesser situations for example minor league teams that salary will be considerably lower.

3. Team doctor, sports trainer, or nutritionist: In case you are a physician or possess a fitness background there is certainly an array of opportunities available here; from training individual clients to entire teams, rehabilitating injured athletes or creating and implementing proper diets for them. Based on your degree level and also experience, you may earn equal or greater income than what a normal doctor would.

4. Sports marketing, sponsorship and public relations: Although this is not what first comes to mind for most people, this is the largest area of possible professions and opportunities in recreation, sports and fitness. Sports athletes as well as teams need sponsorship and must be marketed to the public. Furthermore, many products must be marketed specifically to a sports audience. This creates a lot of jobs in these fields and your income can grow when you sell more sponsorship and market more clients successfully.

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Do you love the game of pool? If so, or even if you don’t, I’m sure you will appreciate these 15 custom pool tables that will blow your mind.

These images are real, they have not been photoshopped.

Even though precise early history of the game is mysterious, billiards is believed to have been played in a variety of forms for many centuries. Initially enjoyed as a lawn game, the more modern versions of billiards or pool are commonly recognized as being a French version of traditional billiards games. Pocket billiards, otherwise referred to as pool, is the game which is typically played in Canada and the United States. Several variants of pool also exist such as nine ball and eight ball as well as some others.

The Source Of Billiards

Although the precise origin of the game isn’t known precisely, it’s widely acknowledged that one of the earliest and most recognisable forms of billiards originated in the 15th century in France. In the past, billiards enjoyed amazing success mentioned in Shakespearian plays as well as enjoyed by politicians, scientists, and celebrities alike. Mary, Queen of Scots was known to have been laid to rest in her billiard table cloth. Louis XIV of France, Napoleon, Mozart, as well as George Washington were amongst some of the most famous and enthusiasts of the game.

Early Days Of The Game

It wasn’t until the late 17th century that the cue was created, it is presumed that before this date, players used a mace to strike the ball. The cue was introduced simply because striking the ball using a mace when against the rail proved difficult and cumbersome. Following the turn of the 19th century, the game really became popular in England and the equipment along with the rules quickly evolved to a level that we would now consider more familiar.

Progression Of Billiards In England

Chalk and leather cue tips were introduced in the first half of the 19th century in a bid to enhance the friction while striking the ball and consequently to be able to spin both the cue ball as well as the contact ball. Spin grew to become referred to as “English” in the United States because the concept of spinning the ball was first used in England and then brought over to the United States and taught to players here.

Additional Developments In Billiards

It was also in the first half of the 19th century, following the industrial revolution, when the two-piece cue was introduced. Slate was also intruduced and became the predominant material used to create the bed of the playing surface; something that has continued through to present times due to the quality that slate offers to the shot. In 1845, following the discovery of rubber vulcanization, rails were produced from this incredible new material; again, this is a practice that has continued since.

Modern Pool Evolution

15 ball pool is generally thought to be the forerunner to the modern 9 ball pool which is predominantly played in the US. Fifteen balls were numbered sequentially from one to fifteen and players amassed a score equal to the sum of the balls they sank. The first player to reach 61, or more than half of the 120 total on the balls, was announced the winner.

What Exactly Do You Play?

Today, the game of eight ball pool, which is typically played in Europe, originated around 1900 while nine ball pool was first introduced in 1920. Billiards now refers to basically any kind of table game that utilizes balls and cues such as eight ball, nine ball, and many variations of pool and traditional billiards games including three ball billiards.

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It’s a new year; did you resolve to lose weight? Join the crowd; one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight. Where do you start? How do you know what will work for you this time? Check out the following list of Top 10 Weight Loss Supplements.

1. Apidexin is low in cost and high in approval rating. This supplement helps you lose fat instead of just weight. Many over the counter supplements have large amounts of diuretics that may cause you to lose weight at first, but you put it right back on.
2. Alli is FDA approved and a fat blocker. Alli recommends you eat sensibly and take Alli and it will block 25% of the fat that you take it. There are side effects if you don’t eat a healthy diet so read the directions before starting any supplement.
3. Slim Shots are easy to use and easy to take with you in the convenient little cups. Slim Shots work by controlling the body’s natural trigger to indicate fullness. You take two a day for the first week and then one a day thereafter.
4. Phenphedrine is new to the diet supplement scene. It’s getting a lot of press for it’s multi-faceted approach to weight loss. It boosts your energy, burns fat and suppresses your appetite. This might seem too good to be true, but the approval rating among consumers is a staggering 92%.
5. Liporexall is the first of its kind with a carb blocking white bean extract. There are many other hard-hitting ingredients as well such as ChromeMate, which helps regulate blood sugar.
6. Clinicallix boasts three proven weight loss compounds and offers a 100% money back guarantee. The details of how this supplement works are a bit sketchy, but the company claims to have done double blind research tests on the product and have had significant weight loss results.
7. Nuphedragen utilizes one of the most effective fat burning ingredients tested. It boosts metabolism and increases insulin to your muscles to aid in a reduction of fat stores in the body. Along with appetite suppression and increase in energy was reported.
8. Noxycut has probably the highest fat burner of all of the supplements on the list. This supplement is probably best used by those wanting to body build, as the muscle enhancing ingredients may be too much for the casual dieter.
9. Slimquick works hormonally to help break through the barriers that women often encounter during weight loss. Again, this is a supplement to be used in conjunction with proper diet and exercise.
10. Zantrex3 uses Ephedrine is a safe manner to increase metabolism and brags that you can lose 5 times as much weight using Zntrex3 as with other supplements. It boasts an increase in energy using herbal ingredients in a new way.

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Rednecks live in a style of their own. Not really worried about appearances, rather cheap, comfortable, and whatever works. Here are 45 pictures that show what I mean.

As far as we know, these images are real and have not been photoshopped.

Redneck Porch Swing
More comfortable than a wood swing.
—

Redneck Cup Holder
Close and easy to drink out of.
—

Redneck Spoiler
That will keep the back of the car down.
—

Redneck Trunk
This is better than a regular trunk,
you don’t have to worry about that trunk lid getting in the way.
—

Redneck Yard Swing
Well what else do you do with your old couch?
—

Redneck Cooler
It doubles as a washing machine once a month.
—

Redneck Bomp Shelter
Hurry up kids get in so we can be safe.
—

Redneck Motorcycle
Hey just because you are on a bike,
doesn’t mean you cant take your home with you.
—

Redneck Snow Plow
Have to move that snow with something.
—

Redneck Travel Trailer
It has a room and seating for 20.
—

Redneck Home Defense
He doesn’t call 911, but I bet his neighbors do.
—

Redneck Motorcycle
Who says then have to be made out of metal.
—

Redneck Bass Boat
I bet its a pain when you get a big fish on the line.
—

Redneck Mower
You have to admit that’s some good work,
only missing the beer cup holder.
—

Redneck Gingerbread House
Even the colors are accurate.
—

Redneck Limo
When a redneck wins the Lottery.
—

Redneck Reporting
Now I bet you didn’t know Wal-Mart was fancy.
—

Redneck Trailer
Wonder what they used the frontend for.
—

Redneck Deer Stand
Ah, there’s the frontend.
—

Redneck Deer Stand 2
Who says when you are hunting you can’t have comfort.
—

Redneck Dishwasher
They say dog’s have a clean mouth.
—

Redneck Golf Cart
This way you can drive down into the water
to retreive your balls.
—

Redneck Highrise
Now you have to wonder how they got it
jacked up that high to begin with.
—

Redneck House Boat
What more can you ask for in a boat?
—

Redneck Yacht
Ah now I see, there is more to have on a boat.
—

Redneck Car
Notice the front hookup for a snow plow.
—

Redneck Floatie
Above all else, make sure you save the beer.
—

Redneck Limo 2
Do you have a few old trucks out back,
well if you do you can make your own limo.
—

Redneck Limo 3
I’d like to see that make some of those jumps.
—

Redneck Motor Home
Its not everyday you find a two story motor home.
—

Redneck Swimming Hole
It was at that moment she wondered how deep the hole really is.
—

Redneck SUV
The had to get the idea for the Hummer from somewhere.
—

Redneck Taxi
Just have to be carefull getting in and out.
—

Redneck Wading Pool
Another use for that truck you have out back.
—

Redneck Santa Sleigh
And you thought Santa didn’t recycle.
—

Redneck Sprinkler
There’s no need to buy and expensive sprinkler,
and if it pops, just get another bottle.
—

Redneck Mailbox
I’m not sure this is the house
you want to break into.
—

Redneck Condo
This is where those redneck limos park.
—

Redneck Swimming Pool
No need to let that dumpster go to waste.
—

Redneck Wading Pool 2
You have to do something to cool off in the south.
—

Redneck Tank Top
I’ve worn a lot of thing, but
underwear upside down as a top…
—

Redneck Tractor Pull
Is that testing her strength or
the strength of the bikini bottom?
—

Redneck Wedding Picture
It has everything you need, Pregnant, Cigarette,
Beer, Missing tooth, and the dog.
—

Redneck Wiener Cooker
When you have the family over,
you have to cook fast.
—

Redneck AC
Oddly, this probably is cheaper
than fixing the car AC.

You might be a redneck if:

1. You let your 14-year-old daughter smoke at the dinner table in front
of her kids.
2. The Blue Book value of your truck goes up and down depending on how
much gas is in it.
3. You’ve been married three times and still have the same in-laws
4. You think a woman who is out of your league bowls on a different
night.
5. You wonder how service stations keep their rest-rooms so clean.
6. Someone in your family died right after saying, ‘Hey, guys, watch
this.
7. You think Dom Perignon is a Mafia leader.
8. Your wife’s hairdo was once ruined by a ceiling fan.
9. Your junior prom offered day care.
10. You think the last words of the Star-Spangled Banner are ‘Gentlemen,
start your engines.
11. You lit a match in the bathroom and your house exploded right off
its wheels.
12. The Halloween pumpkin on your porch has more teeth than your spouse.
13. You have to go outside to get something from the fridge.
14. One of your kids was born on a pool table.
15. You need one more hole punched in your card to get a freebie at the
House of Tattoos.
16. You can’t get married to your sweetheart because there’s a law
against it.
17. Your standard of living improves when you go camping.
18. Your prenuptial agreement mentions chickens.
19. You have jacked up your home to look for a dog.
20. Your neighbor has ever asked to borrow a quart of beer.
21. You have rebuilt a carburetor while sitting on the commode.
22. None of the tires on your van are the same size.
23. You hold the hood of your car with your head while you work on it.
24. Your idea of getting lucky is passing the emissions test.
25. Your town put the new garbage truck in the Christmas parade.
26. Your local beauty salon also fixes cars.
27. Your doghouse and your living room have the same shag carpet.
28. You’ve slow danced in the Waffle House.
29. Starting your car involves popping the hood.
30. Your garbage man is confused about what goes and what stays.
31. You whistle at women in church.
32. You actually wear shoes your dog brought home.
33. You’ve been in a fist fight at a yard sale.
34. You carry a fly swatter in the front seat of the car so you can reach the kids in the back.
35. You think people who have cell phones and e-mail are uppity.

Have You Heard

36. Did you hear about the guy from Alabama who passed away and left his entire estate to his beloved widow, but she can’t touch it ’til she’s 14.
37. How do you know when you’re staying in a Kentucky hotel? When you call the front desk and say, “I gotta leak in my sink,” and the front desk replies, “Go ahead.”
38. Did you hear that they have raised the minimum drinking age in West Virginia to 32? It seems they want to keep alcohol out of the high schools!
39. What do they call rerun of “Hee Haw” in Alabama? Documentaries.
40. Where was the toothbrush invented? Mississippi. If it was invented anywhere else, it would have been called teethbrush.

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There are many great sporting events setup for 2010, we thought we would run through the biggest of the events to put them on your radar:

1. Polo World Cup on Snow – This is different from other polo events since the game will be played in snow. St. Moritz, Switzerland where players and audiences alike can see the Alps and have the time of their life being with the elite people of Europe.
2. Super Bowl – One of the most watched sporting events in the world, the Super Bowl is the battle between the two best teams in NFL. This is the day when advertisers and sponsors pay big-time to show off their products.
3. Winter Olympics – This year, the Winter Olympics will be held in Vancouver, Canada. Eighty-six sporting events, a snow and ice festival makes this the best show during winter.
4. Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. – The two pound-for-pound king will finally fight for the title of best boxer in the world. Negotiations are still in the works, but hopefully the millions of fans on both sides won’t be disappointed.
5. 2010 Dubai World Cup – With $10 million at stake for the winner, this horse racing event makes it the most sought-after game for those who love and race horses.
6. NCAA Basketball Tournament – Although the players in NCAA are only college students, there are many fans here. This is where many NBA stars started and were soon discovered. Tickets for the finals are always sold-out.
7. The Grand National – six hundred million viewers watch the Grand National each year. What make this so famous are the great horses that jump, sprint, and tumble to get to the finish line first.
8. UEFA Champions League Final – This is the 55^th year for the UEFA. This year, it is going to be held in Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Spain. 76 teams covet the title, but only one of them will succeed.
9. Monaco Grand Prix – Only the richest people are able to watch this fully, since the race can’t be seen just anywhere. Going to hotels, yachts, and buying a ticket at the Royal Box are the only ways to see the ultra-fast cars.
10. French Open – Tennis fans never fail to watch the French Open. The physical exhaustion the players face makes this tournament worthy only of the best.
11. 2010 FIFA World Cup – To be held in South Africa, this football tournament always draw fans from all around the world to watch. The one-month game will soon name its world champions in July.
12. NBA Playoffs – The highlight of the basketball season is the playoffs, where 16 teams from the West and East will battle it out on the court. The best-of-seven games will narrow down the teams into one NBA world champion.
13. NHL Playoffs – The National Hockey League Playoffs start at June. This is the biggest battle for hockey teams.
14. Wimbledon – This is where many tennis legends have played. Bjorn Borg, Andre Agassi are only two of the many players who came to the Wimbledon. Just in 2008, Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer where many were surprised and relieved at the same time.
15. Tour de France – The biking event known all throughout the world, Tour de France is a 3600km ride all over France. Finishing the whole tour may be tiring, but the experience is very well worth it.
16. Henley Regatta – International teams will fight in this paddling event on June 30- July 4. The five days isn’t a day too short or long, since all the teams need rest after each game. Those who watch this will not only appreciate the game, but also the surroundings.
17. 2010 World Lacrosse Championships – In Manchester University, people can watch the Lacrosse Championships. This year is said to be the biggest ever, with 31 teams and thousands flocking around campus.
18. Golf Open Championships – The winner of the biggest golf championships will bring home £4.2 million. This is the 150^th year, which makes this event even more special. The 72 par St. Andrew’s course is the oldest around the world.
19. US Open Tennis – This year, the US Open will be held in New York. Lots of celebrities can be eyed watching the game, as the Williams sisters and Andy Roddick among others come to play the court.
20. The Melbourne Cup – On November 2 in Melbourne, people will scream at their TVs or cheer together with the crowd as the biggest horse racing event in Australia will take place. This is the time of the year when the people drink champagne and take a little holiday just to watch this.

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BMR (basal metabolic rate) is a way to determine how many calories you need per day according to your height, weight, and age.  It is similar to determining your body mass index, in the sense that you can find many online calculators, although this calculation presents a new alternative toward losing weight.  Your BMR is what your body needs to maintain normal functions like breathing, digestion, etc., so it is important to figure out what yours is before constructing a workout routine which may burn too many calories.

If you are serious about losing weight, it is helpful to begin keeping a diary of both the calories you burn through every activity (there are many online calorie calculators for this) as well as the calories you are ingesting daily.  Even without traditionally exercising, you still burn calories every day from the activities you participate in, and calorie calculators can help you determine what the amount is so that you can apply it toward your BMR.  Furthermore, after additionally determining how many calories you are eating per day, you can manipulate this so that you are eating fewer calories than you are burning.  BMR helps you create a new diet by determining how many calories you are consuming and burning.  For example, if your BMR comes out to be 1400 calories and you burn 900 in daily activities, you should therefore be eating 2300 calories a day to maintain your current weight.  If you want to lose weight, you can lower this to 2000 a day.  However, even if you only eat 2550 calories a day, this still goes over what you are burning in calories which will cause you to gain one pound every 2 weeks.  The key is to determine how many calories you imbibe, lose, and what this calculates to.

There are many ways to decrease your daily calorie intake.  Instead of having an afternoon coke, drink a glass of water instead; even if you think you need the caffeine, simply having water will serve to wake you up and help quell your appetite for unneeded afternoon snacking.  Your breakfast meals do not have to consist of greasy fast-food muffins or biscuit/sausage medleys, but can simply be a bagel, which can save 185 calories.  There are many other shortcuts that can help you save several hundred calories a day, including things you can do at work such as walking up and down the stairs or going on a brisk walk during a break.  Figuring out how many calories every activity is worth as well as how many calories every small snack is worth can go a long way towards helping you lose weight.  Focusing on these small daily changes is the best way to reach your overarching goals; although you will not lose weight immediately like many weight-loss programs promise, you will permanently change your life for the better.

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Lifting weights is an extremely popular way to both stay in shape, lose weight, and to overall improve our physical appearance.  There are a ton of resources out their on the Internet that can provide some great tips for anyone looking to pump iron to reach whatever their personal health goals may be.  We can’t stress enough the importance of resistance training in any workout regimen.  As with any other exercise it is important to check with your physician before starting to make sure that lifting weights is a good idea for you.  Assuming it is, we have collected 40 blogs that are sure to give you some excellent weight lifting tips.  So whether you are looking to get ripped or just to lose a few pounds, check these blogs out:

1. http://extremeweight.blogspot.com/ – Extreme Weight was made particularly for Malaysians around the globe. The blog has forums about health and features some speakers who specialize in the field of weight lifting.
2. http://fitnessandfatless.yolasite.com/ – This blog is a part of the Deralsites and previously called Clints Training Blog. After some changes, Fitness and Fatless has become one of the highest ranked blogs for weight lifters because of the information about body building and weight training.
3. http://bendthebar.blogspot.com/ – Bend the Bar is a useful site that gives information on the latest news and trivia about weight lifting. It talks about weight lifting as a sport and is a good blog to look at for those interested.
4. http://www.liftingrevolution.com/ – Lifting Revolution has a great tag line: The Re-definition of exercise…Killer muscle. This is enough to get your attention and see for yourself the tips they’re going to have.
5. http://www.newyorkhealthy.com/blog – New Yorkers sometimes forget to watch their body. This blog, New York Healthy, will help you get larger muscles by giving ideas about lifting weights.
6. http://drug-free-bodybuilding.blogspot.com/ – For those who are conscious of how they build their bodies, Drug Free Bodybuilding would be the right place to go to. They will teach you how to properly build the muscles and train their bodies to be stronger.
7. http://ultimatebodysuccess.wordpress.com/ – Ultimate Body Success doesn’t focus only on weight loss, but also on muscle building and nutrition. The articles in the blog are comprehensive so you don’t have to look for other sources of information.
8. http://bodybuilding-india.blogspot.com/ – This blog gives the readers tips and tricks to get the body they want. It takes hard work and practice, and Body Building helps beginners with lifting weights so as not to hurt their bodies.
9. http://extreme-bodybuilding.blogspot.com – Extreme Bodybuilding helps people get the ultimate body they want. They have a concise way of teaching people. No nonsense if that’s what you hate with some blogs.
10. http://weight-trianing.blogspot.com – Bodybuilding by weight training: this is the topic the articles in this blog talks about. They have plans for your workout routine and tips not to injure yourself from too much exercise.
11. http://bodybuildingtactics.com – With Body Building Tactics, you will learn the natural ways to be fit and have a fabulous body. The blog is for readers who don’t want to use body supplements but want the natural methods of bodybuilding.
12. http://www.liftingroutines.net – For weight lifters around the world, Lifting Routines will teach you everything you need about weight lifting. The exercises will help with muscle building so your body will be bigger and stronger.
13. http://www.powerliftingwatch.com – Power lifting can be a dangerous sport, which is why there’s a need for a Power Lifting Watch. This blog tells about the safe ways to build your body so no harm will come for aspiring bodybuilders.
14. http://www.strengthnews.net – Strength News, as the name implies, talks about everything strength-related. Highland games and Olympic lifting are two topics that shouldn’t be missed if you want to build your muscles by weight lifting.
15. http://muscleboundblog.com – Muscle Bound Blog is all about gaining weight and building it into huge muscles. The tips here are vital, because it tells you what to do and what not to, and gives the steps when lifting weights
16. http://bodybuilding-fitness101.com – Everyone wants to be healthy but have a great body at the same time. This blog will teach you how to build muscles by lifting weights and other great methods.
17. http://www.danzbodybuilding.blogspot.com – Danz Bodybuilding has great ideas on how to look better. The workouts and weight lifting tips will surely do wonders for your body. This is for people who want to burn off fat, get in shape and have bigger muscles.
18. http://www.bodybuildingtipsandtricks.com – The techniques taught here came from a personal trainer and bodybuilder whose goal is to help others achieve the kind of transformation he went through. This is an all-natural way to build muscles, so you don’t have to worry about using steroids or other supplements.
19. http://www.ironmass.com – A blog for bodybuilding hopefuls, this contains a forum where you can talk and ask questions that are bothering you. Here, you will learn about weight training, bodybuilding, and nutrition among other topics.
20. http://www.weightgain4you.blogspot.com – as the name says itself, this blog talks about gaining weight. But that’s not all, because they include vital information about using your weight to build your body so you’ll be stronger.
21. http://news.runtowin.com – Run to Win doesn’t simply talk about weight lifting, but also has articles about activities such as running for marathons. They have the latest techniques so you have the advantage among other power builder.
22. http://www.gain-muscles.info/ – Gain Muscles are for those people who want to have better physique. Their site has videos for beginners in weightlifting, some isometric exercises, and so much more.
23. http://weight-trianing.blogspot.com/ – Weight Training will give you lots of tips and routines so you can have a better body. They have articles about powerlifting, muscle building, and supplements that come with weight training.
24. http://www.elitefitness.com/ – Not only does Elite Fitness give information about body building, the blog also has forums so that you can ask questions to other people. For those who are just beginners in weight lifting and interested in knowing more, this could be your source of info.
25. http://weight-lifting-training.blogspot.com/ – The blog talks mainly about building your body properly. What’s different about Weight Lifting Training is that they talk about healthy ways to have a larger physique: through diet and workouts.
26. http://healthandfitnesstraining.besthealthinsuranceblog.com/ – Health and Fitness Training is all about exercise, weight loss, and muscle gain. This is really for everyone, whether you’re overweight, skinny, or just lack exercise. They have strategies that can help you with your overall health.
27. http://training.fitness.com/ – Training Fitness’s main goal is for the readers to get fit. In their blog, you can read all about exercises, fitness tips, and building muscles in different ways. It’s for everyone around the globe.
28. http://www.australianweighttraining.com.au/ – Australian Weight Training tells you all about building your body. They have all the great exercises you can do at home or at the gym so you can have the perfect muscles you can show off to people. The blog has articles, videos, and programs to help you from the start.
29. http://www.trapbartraining.com – Everyday, Trap Bar Training gives the readers information on weight training. More specifically, the blog talks about the trap bar where a person can do exercises safely and more effectively.
30. http://www.fitwithmitch.com – You can get fit easily and quickly by reading through the Fit with Mitch blog. This has a lot of helpful guides about body building without the dangers of injury. The writer is experienced in this field so he’s honest with the things taught here.
31. http://www.bodybuildingtipsguide.com/blog/ – Body Building Tips Guide is just that, a place where you can get the best guides and tips to get your ideal body. Whether it’s ripped abs, weight loss, muscle building, etc, this blog’s for you.
32. http://basicbodybuildingtraining.info/ – Made especially for beginners, Basic Body Building Training will help aspiring body builders to have bigger muscles. But that’s not the only goal of this informational site, it also has recommendations for total beginners in certain exercises like running and cycling.
33. http://www.extremebodyworkout.com/ – Extreme Body Workout is a haven for exercise fanatics. They sell workout machines and weights you can use and even have articles which can advise you on the right manner of exercising.
34. http://bodybuilding4fitness.com/blog/ – With posts that talk mainly about health and fitness, Body Building for Fitness will teach you much about your wellbeing. You learn how to lose or gain weight; get workout routines or simple exercises, and a lot more. You can also visit their home site if you’re interested for more information.
35. http://www.weightliftingmachines.info/ – Weight Lifting Machines doesn’t sell exercise machines. Instead, the blog assists people in having greater bodies by teaching workouts, bodybuilding techniques and more.
36. http://paleo4health.blogspot.com/ – What’s great about Paleo for Health is the author herself. She is a passionate about Olympic Weightlifting making her very knowledgeable about the topic, plus, she’s a medical librarian. The result is an educational blog that covers nutrition and health impact our lifestyle and eating habit we have.
37. http://workoutschedule.org/ – For those who want a planned workout regimen, Workout Schedule is the right site to go to. The blog doesn’t limit itself to the male readers, but also has female workout videos to accommodate everyone. The whole body can be ripped with muscles, because it has different categories like abs, triceps, biceps, etc.
38. http://michiganbodybuilding.blogspot.com/ – Although Michigan Body Building sounds like its audience are mainly from Michigan, it actually isn’t. People like this blog because it listens even to the seniors who rarely have workouts planned for them.
39. http://bodybuildingbasics.net/ – Body Building Basics tells all about the secrets bodybuilders use for them to have the bodies they have. The blog has video clips of exercises these people use, as well as opinions on which supplements are the best.
40. http://wwwmusclestrength.blogspot.com/ – Muscle Strength has so many videos for you to watch. They are all about training the body to get the ultimate result. However, this blog doesn’t write tips or guides for readers, since it focuses on showing you how to train.

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Every New Year, it’s the same old thing for most people: New Year’s Resolution. We always have goals to accomplish all that will last the whole year or better yet, forever. Resolutions like eating healthy, regular exercising, and being punctual are popular promises people make, but only a few can actually fulfill them. There are many reasons why New Year’s Resolutions fail, and I listed the top ten.

1. Making resolutions just because it’s New Year. If you are simply going with the customs of having a resolution on January 1, chances are, you really won’t be able to accomplish it. Simply making one just because your friends do it too isn’t going to change anything. Resolutions can be made at any time of the year. Once you have really decided to do one particular thing, don’t wait for New Year. Start right away.
2. Setting very high, and sometimes, unrealistic goal. A goal like “I want to make $100,000 this year” while not having a good job is out of reach. Make it into something like “I will budget my money well so I can save $100,000 in a few years” is much better. Setting a high resolution is going to upset you because you know you can’t reach it.
3. Lacking a support group. Join a club or organization that has the same ideal as you have. For example, for weight loss, there are many websites that offer support to its members. You talk to others having the same problem, and telling them about your development or worries will really help. You can also ask your friends and family to help you with it and not tempt you otherwise.
4. Having too many resolutions. If you have lots of resolutions, you will easily get disheartened at the start. Imagine having fifteen resolutions to fulfill in one year. Especially if they are big ones, like learning a new language, it would be very hard. Also, if you make too many changes in yourself, in the end, you won’t be happy.
5. Forgetting the resolutions. When New Year’s Day comes, write your resolutions immediately. People forget a lot of things, including promises when no one reminds them of these. Every month or so, look back to what you have written.
6. Not telling others about your promise to self. Tell at least one person about your resolutions. If it’s a secret, just write it down on your journal. Simple ones like being punctual and complimenting others are easier to accomplish when other people know about it. They can constantly you of it, and push you to keep your promise.
7. Not keeping tabs on the improvements you make. For every pound you lose or every chocolate you resisted, it is an improvement. You can write on your diary what you have accomplished, so you’ll be pleased that something has changed. If you’re not into writing, maybe telling it to a close friend will do. Both of you can celebrate along the way.
8. No big reason for making the resolution. Probably you want something done, but think about why you want it. To help you do this, think of the positive effects it will have on your life. Will you have a better lifestyle? Will the people around you like your attitude more? Sure, there will be obstacles along the way, that’s why having good reason to continue the resolution is important.
9. No incentives to fulfill the resolution. Are you going to be punished if you don’t do as you promised? What will you get by performing your resolutions? It’s better to have rewards and punishments because it will force you to do it. Talk to a friend. If it’s a she, tell her that you will buy her something every time you fail your resolution.
10. Not being committed to the task at hand. If you don’t like your resolution, you’ll not be able to do it for a whole year. You should be enthusiastic about it, or at least use some effort to it. What you do with your resolution is up to you. No one can force you, unless of course, you made a bet or something.

Making New Year’s resolutions is just a tradition people make to change for the better. You can do it any other time, if you’re dedicated. For some people, resolutions are just fun to think about, even if they won’t seriously consider doing it.

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I’ve always been fascinated with the saying “Laughter is the best medicine.” Humor and laughter are associated with happiness and joy, feelings that contribute to mental and emotional wellbeing. So what’s the next best thing to a good old laugh? Exercise, of course!

Any form of physical exercise – jogging, walking, aerobics, sports, swimming, cycling, weight training, yoga, tai chi and other relaxation techniques – is good, not just for your body, but also your soul. The solution to treating depression lies not in the bottles of anti-depressants prescribed by your shrink, but in the fitness regimen set for you by your personal trainer. Swap one for the other and you’ll see a marked difference, both in the way you feel and in the weight of your bank balance.

Exercises and work outs not only enhance your mood by reducing tension, anxiety and sadness, they also improve your confidence and self-esteem and help you deal with stress better. You don’t have to sweat it out for hours together to keep those blues away – a study conducted at the Duke University in Durham, North Carolina found that just 30 minutes of exercise every day was enough to overcome depression. Continued exercise and fitness workouts contribute to preventing depression and keeping you mentally fit.

So what’s the connection between the muscles in your body and the cells in your brain that rule your emotions? Why do your anxiety and stress levels decrease when you’ve had a good workout?

• When you exercise, the body naturally releases endorphins, a feel-good chemical that tells the brain to feel happy. Endorphins are your body’s natural painkillers.
• Exercising increases your energy levels which helps you sleep better, and as a result, keep away depression and anxiety.
• Relaxation techniques like yoga and tai chi provide time for introspection and help you achieve focus and inner peace.
• Playing a sport that involves more than one person lets you bond with the rest of your teammates and induces a sense of belonging and well-being.
• Exercise routines, when maintained regularly over a certain period of time, lead to weight loss and improved fitness. Looking good contributes significantly to feeling good about yourself and carrying yourself confidently.
• Once you feel the scales beginning to reflect your efforts at the gym or the jogging track, you automatically wish to maintain the figure you discovered hidden beneath all that flab. This will push you to switch to a healthy diet that helps you stay slim and fit. Eating food that is low in fat and high in protein makes you feel good about yourself as opposed to binging on junk food when you’re depressed and feeling worse once the deed is done.

Happy exercising!

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