How to Achieve Fullness on Thanksgiving

           When it comes to Thanksgiving I’m not going to sit here and lie to you, I’m not a fan of most of the foods on this day. Thanksgiving is a day known to burst the waistline of your pants for the amount of food you eat before you have the turkey.

            In my family, before the turkey we have stuffed mushrooms, stuffed artichokes, beats, stuffing, potato pie, chicken soup, the list really goes on and on. Aside from chicken soup, I dislike ALL of it. Am I picky eater, you can say that but on a day where all you do is it, how good Thanksgiving is shouldn’t be measured by how good your meal was.

On a Thanksgiving that is less than a month from the super-storm hurricane Sandy, we should all be full with love for those family members around you on this day.

We should all be giving thanks no matter how much or how little we were affected by the storm that you can sit down with your whole family and enjoy this holiday.

We should all be giving thanks for the past year it’s been, giving thanks for the good and the bad because it has made this year special in some way.

People seem to just forget about the importance of Thanksgiving by just thinking it’s the holiday that is in the way of Christmas or recently the day before Black Friday & Cyber Monday. This way of thinking simply has to end. I know it’s fun to think about Christmas and that time of the year because it is a joyful one but you don’t have to look past Thanksgiving in order to look forward to Christmas. Christmas is a time for presents and giving but Thanksgiving is a little less selfish of a holiday.

Thanksgiving is that one-day a year when you should sit back and not worry about anything but giving thanks for everything and everyone you have around you. Whether we like it or not it is a special holiday. So this Thanksgiving give thanks to everything that you have and everyone that you love that is still around you.

       It's now coming up on week 11 of the NFL season, and a lot has changed since week 1 for the Jets. After week 1 the Jets were coming off a 48-28 victory against the Buffalo Bills and the offense looked like it's about to take off, Mark Sanchez looked like he was taking that next step and the Jets looked like a contender. 10 weeks and 9 games later the Jets are 3-6, they have turmoil in the locker room, they can't stop the run, Sanchez sucks and the offense is like a pee-wee offense.

      Honestly what the hell happened? Rex Ryan might be out of a job along with Mark Sanchez after the season. It is their fourth year with the Jets and they have gotten worse each and every single year. Mark Sanchez has the worst completion percentage in the NFL (52%) and also the worst Quarterback Rating. His awful QB play coupled with an awful rushing attack (3.8 yards per carry) combining them to be the 30th ranked offense (302.7 yards per game). It's literally disgusting to watch this offense. I would rather stick needles in my eyes then watch them operate. Now as for sexy Rexy who used to be a defensive genius but it seems he's focused more on losing weight then game planning for defense. The rush defense is ranked 28th in the league giving up 145 yards per game. The defense used to be the one thing to rely on and now they look old and awful.

     Besides the absolute filth that they put on the field every week, now the Jets are experiencing more locker room drama like last year. This week it was reported in the Daily News from an anonymous defensive starter saying back up quarterback Tim Tebow is awful. This is a great way to divide a locker room. It also leads to my next point, new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano and Rex Ryan came into the season saying they had this big fancy playbook for Tebow that will be impossible to stop. It's week 11 and Tebow has run the same 5 plays all season and hasn't scored a touchdown yet. There has been numerous situations for Tebow to come in and make a difference and he isn't given the chance, it's what the Jets brought him in for. Now that the Jets are 3-6 it is time for Tebow to get a chance, cause hey things really can't get that much worse... Can they?

Hurricane Sandy

      Last Monday night, the Tri-state area got hit with a category 1 hurricance, Hurricane Sandy. As a New York City resident  I never thought in a million years we would be hit directly with a hurricane. I wish it was just a hurricane though, this was the perfect storm. 14 foot high storm surge at high tide due to the full moon, which caused massive amounts of flooding and brutal 90mph winds that broke huge trees in half like they were toothpicks.

       I live in Staten Island, and people around here, including myself, thought that this hurricane would be like last year's, Hurricane Irene. Irene was a dud, a lot of hype for a lot of nothing. However, everyone was wrong and we should've listened when every weather station feared for the worst when this storm would hit. Areas of Staten Island by water were absolutely destroyed, areas such as Midland beach, New Dorp Beach, South Beach, Cedergrove Beach and Tottenville beach. The storm surge lead to massive amounts of flooding in these areas and destroyed just about all the homes located in the region.

      Days after the storm people from Staten Island were crying out for help from the government because we are truly the forgotten borough. Staten Island has more then half of the reported deaths in the entire city and hands down the most damage, yet more focus was put on other parts of the city. It took NBC reporters going to New Dorp beach and the residents down there to cry out on TV for help. Help did come, a little less then a week later from FEMA and Red Cross.

     I went down to Cedergrove beach a few days after the storm to see the damage myself and try and help out. There were no camera's, no politicians and no bullshit. The amount of people helping out complete strangers was incredible. The group I was with went from house to house to help clean out all the damage and do some demo to help the people out who weren't getting help from the government. My group would gang up with other groups to help out then there were women going around handing out supplies to help. It was one of the better things I've been involved with in my entire life.

    Staten Island was forgotten for the first few days after the storm, with all of the national attention on Manhattan and the Jersey Shore. However, even though we cried out for help we didn't sit around mopping and waiting for the help. As a community we all rallied around each other and helped. We did need help but we have done nothing but help each other out of these last few weeks since Hurricane Sandy ravaged our area.  I am proud to call myself a Staten Islander after being apart of this recovery, and continued recovery.

OH NOBAMA!

Obama dominates Romney to win 2012 Presidential election

       We thought the election would be closer then it was, however incumbent President Barack Obama cruised to a 332-206 victory in the electoral college over Republican candidate Mitt Romney. Obama also won the popular vote 51% to 48%. Being a Republican I'm extremely disappointed in America's decision this election. I understand that it is almost IMPOSSIBLE for an incumbent president to lose but I was optimistic that Romney could pull it off.

       Do I believe that Romney could do a better job then Obama? I really don't know to be honest but I do believe he is the lesser of two evils. When it comes to policies I once again Romney's is the lesser of two evils for a middle class family like mine. Obama believes that people like my parents should work there asses off to make ends meet and the taxes the government takes out of their paychecks goes to the people who are unemployed. It is not the governments responsibility to help these people that are too lazy to go out and find work. Obama would rather YOU stay home and do nothing and the government will help you out with the tax money they get from hard working middle class families. It's a socialist mindset and it's a step towards communism if you ask me, don't care if that's too extreme.

     Another thing I hate about Obama's policy is Obamacare. I think it's ridiculous, just look at Canada, they have national health care and it isn't successful. Obamacare is once again for those people who are too lazy to get a job to pay for benefits for themselves. Also, Obamacare will lower the salaries of everyone working in health care which is something nobody wants or needs in this economy. Just because everyone will have health care now if you need to get surgery or something else you are place on a priority list making it harder to get what you need. 

    A hands on government isn't what we need, it's too socialist. Obama doesn't care about small business the way Romney would. Romney is extremely experienced in the small business field and would know how to make small business prosper. If your family owns a small business, Obama believes government GAVE it to you which is false. 

    This country is in trouble now. Unemployment rates are still going up, the country's debt is increasing at a fast pace. I hope I'm wrong with Obama because I don't want this country to keep going down, its time to turn it around and get back on the right track. I just don't feel Obama is the right guy for the job. Let's all hope this country can survive over the next four years and a Republican will be voted into office in 2016. However, that's 4 years away so we will have to wait and see. 

Tigers celebrate ALCS sweep over Yankees

      The New York Yankees nightmare ALCS was recently completed. They were swept in 4 games by the Detroit Tigers. Before every single game this series we all said, "The Yankees offense is due to break out." Well ladies and gents, they never did.



       The offense was absolutely pathetic in the ALCS. Robinson Cano not just this series but the entire postseason was horrific. Before the postseason started, Cano was the hottest hitter on the planet with a 9 game multi hit streak. During the postseason, he had the longest streak EVER for most at bats without a hit (29). Cano is the Yankees best player now-a-days, and is one of the premier hitters in the entire league. There is simply no explanation as to why he just couldn't hit, it was just bad timing to go through the worst slump of his career.

 
        Throughout the entire year, the Yankees lived and died by the home run. Analysts, writers and fans wondered if the big boppers in the Yankee lineup would continue to hit home runs in the postseason were the pitching is better along with the scouting reports. We got the answer to that rather easily, the Yankees batted .188 this postseason, AS A TEAM. That is the worst postseason batting average for a Yankee team ever. They all sucked, nobody was clutch, ever. Granderson couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat, A-rod looked old and way past his prime, Swisher remained the most un-clutch hitter in Yankee postseason history.

       I wish the boss, George Steinbrenner was still alive because I can assure you, heads would role after this horrific postseason. There will be changes to this Yankee team this offseason, but the players just don't look over their shoulder anymore like they used to when Steinbrenner was the owner. The changes that will occur won't be too major. People are calling for A-Rods head but the Yankees didn't lose because of him and I feel he has one more year to get back on track and adjust to the player he is now. Nick Swisher is a free agent and they have to let him go. If they let Swisher go then they can resign Ichiro to play RF and Brett Gardner will be back starting in LF. Raul Ibanez if he doesn't retire should be brought back to DH along with Kuroda and Pettite. However, the biggest player the Yankees should go after is Marco Scutero, utility player and NLCS MVP.

     It will be interesting to see what GM Brian Cashman does this offseason to the Yankees roster. One thing is for sure, it's time to get younger. These old dogs can't get it done anymore and it's time for a changing of the guard in New York. However, it is unlikely to happen but that's what I'd like to see.

The yankees

       This postseason hasn't been a normal one if you are a Yankees fan. Yes, the yankees did manage to eek past the Baltimore Orioles in 5 games to advance to the ALCS but that's just about when the positives end. The team the Yankees have put on the field night in and night out has drastically under performed. The offense simply isn't there this postseason and the sad thing to say is the pitching is carrying them and keeping them somewhat close.

       No New York Yankee starter has allowed more then 3 earned runs in any game this postseason. The Yankees came into the postseason expecting the offense to carry the pitching and it's been the polar opposite. The starter ERA is 2.25, now if you told me that the Yankee starter ERA would be that after 7 games, I would tell you we must be cruising to the World series. However, the yankee hitting has been worse then pathetic. The middle of the order hitters, the one's who need to carry the offense, Cano, A-Rod, Swisher and Granderson can't get a hit if their lives depended on it. They are a combined 12/107 in the playoffs with 0 hrs 6 RBIs and 38 strikeouts. These players made a combined $62.2 million this season, and this is what we get? I'm questioning their interest or pride during these playoffs. They are some of the elite players in the MLB and this is how they play? It's do or die for each of them now and they have to step it up or the Yankees will be eliminated.

       The reason the pressure is on these players even more then it was before is due to the loss of Captain and shortstop Derek Jeter. Not only is he the leader of the team and a starter, but he is also their best offensive threat at the moment. Jeter broke his ankle in the 12th inning of game 1 of ALCS and will miss the remainder of the postseason. This is the biggest tradgey in New York sports history. Jeter IS the Yankees, and the fact that they now have to play and somehow WIN without him is a scary, scary thought.

      What the Yanks need to do to help this horrible offense isn't simple but some players need to be sat down. The Yankees have speedster Brett Gardner on the bench instead of Nick Swisher. It's time for Gardner to get a shot, Swisher hasn't hit and also has had errors in the field that have cost the Yankees big time. Putting Gardner in the field eliminates the threat of a possible mistake in the field by Swish. Also, he can't be much worse then Swisher at the plate so he might as well get a chance, who knows maybe he can save the Yankees season.

       It's do or die tonight for the Yankees in game 3 of the ALCS tonight. However, it will not be easy for the Yanks because they have to go up against Justin Verlander for Detroit at Comerica Park. I still have a little bit of faith in the Yankees, I think if changes are made in the lineup the Yankees should be able to steal game 3 from the Tigers. If they continue to hit like dog shit, they will get crushed and be down 3-0 in the series with zero hope of coming back to win the series. Let's go Yanks, show some pride.

Presidential Debate

    This past debate between President Barack Obama and Republican candidate Mitt Romney was the first time I've ever watched one. I recently registered to vote and I'm extremely interested in what each has to say to determine who I'm going to vote for. In all honesty I am a Republican so I do lean toward Romney but I did listen to the debate with an open mind.

     In observing the debate it was easy to notice that Romney was much more comfortable during the debate then president Obama. When answering a question Obama looked very nervous, constantly saying, "Uh" or "Uhm" which for a public speaking indicates nervousness. It made me feel that Obama didn't know what he was speaking about. This debate, neither candidate had a teleprompter therefore were both going of the top of the head for everything they talked about. Romney was cocky, confident and quick on his feet when it came to responding to things Obama said. 

     President Obama was extremely focused on saying Romney has a $5 trillion tax cut and Romney consistently shot him down. Obama was more focused on taking down Romney then on his own ideas and plans. However, Romney did point out that during Obama's presidency numbers have gone up when it comes to people on food stamps, 38 million to 47 million people. Also Romney is very good when it comes to promoting small businesses. He has a lot of experience in the business field, 25 years to be exact. Romney has created successful businesses, example Staples. When Obama spoke about small businesses, Romney called him out on the spot and said he had no idea what he was talking about. 

Obama and Romney after the debate

      After this first debate, I feel Mitt Romney hands down won this one. He was the aggressor in this debate with Obama going on the defensive throughout the debate. I am definately voting for Mitt Romney, this debate just reassured me. During President Obama's presidency several members of my family lost their jobs. Obama hasn't made any strides during his presidency, all he's done is create Obama care, which is an awful idea. Another thing he's done is support more people living off government aid which is a waste of the government funding. Nobody is out there looking for jobs because Obama supports people living off government aid. I fully support Romney over Obama. Romney for President !

JETS VS DOLPHINS

    After an embarrsing week 2 loss, the New York Jets managed to bounce back in week 3 with an ugly 23-20 overtime win. However, with the win the Jets endured a tremendous loss. Four time Pro Bowl cornerback Darelle Revis went down with a torn acl in Sundays win, he will miss the rest of the season. It's impossible to measure how big of a loss Revis will be, but it probably will be tremendous. He is hands down the best corner in the league and allows the Jets to do a lot of things on defense. Revis usually is responsible for shutting down the opposing teams best reciever. Without him, the Jets defense, especially the secondary will be tested starting next week against the San Francisco 49ers.

    Aside from the catesrophic loss of Revis, the Jets still played a decent game against the Dolphins. Mark Sanchez played well, throwing for 306 yards and a touchdown. However, there was room from improvement for Sanchez, because he threw for under 50% and also threw 2 interceptions. The Jets run game was also surprising there on sunday, the Jets ran for 93 yards. In order for the Jets to continue winning this will be the recipe for success.

    On the other side of the ball, the Jets defense played awful. Against Dolphins rookie quarterback, the Jets pass defense was torched again and again. The other part of the defense, the run defense was gashed constantly throughout the game. The tandem of Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas ran for 183 yards against the Jets. With Revis out and the offense struggling, the rest of the defense has to step up and if sunday was any indication, this season could be a nightmare. Next week will be the Jets toughest test by far when they go up against the fierce San Francisco 49ers of the NFC West, they will need to click on all cylinders in order to pull that one out next week. If they falter on either side of the ball, it could be a long day for the Jets.

jets steelers

     So just when Jets fans finally think that we have our Super Bowl caliber team week 1, the turn back into those Jets again in week 2. After an impressive offensive performance by Sanchez and co. the offense looked like the awful preseason offense all over again.

      As much of a high the Jets could've been on after week 1, this prior week couldn't have been much worse. The offense was anemic against a depleted Steeler defense (Both Polomalu and Harrison were out), aside from an impressive opening drive touchdown the Jets offense couldn't do a thing. Mark Sanchez finished 10-27 for only 138 yards and a touchdown and the rushing game amassed 90 yards on 22 carries. The offense also scored a field goal on the second drive but was then shut out for the rest of the afternoon.

    With the offense struggling, the defense desperately needed to step up and they simply didn't. Without Darrelle Revis (out with a concussion) the Jets secondary was gashed constantly by Ben Roethlisberger (275 yards 2 TDs). Revis is the best corner in the league by far, and without him the Jets defense becomes limited in what they can do. While they did sack Roethlisberger 3 times, they should've had many more, but the Steeler quarterback couldn't be brought down on several occasions. Another thing that did not help was Jets safety LaRon Landry drawing two critical personal foul penalties in crucial third down situations leading to automatic first downs.

Mike Wallace catches a TD over Jets CB Antonio Cromartie

     With the loss the Jets are 1-1 and are faced with many questions about who they really are as a team. Next week should result in a win with the Jets going down to Miami to play the Dolphins but in the NFL no game is a guarantee. That game might give the Jets and their fans the answer as to who they are as a football team.

Sanchez and Tebow celebrating a touchdown.

       Oh how sweet it is to be a Jet fan after week 1 of the NFL season. I'm not going to be an all out douche after their IMPRESSIVE victory but how good to they look right? Gang Green nation was extremely skeptical to see how the offense would look this season with the new Tebow element. I can't lie I was worried the season would be doomed because Sanchez would be too big of a pre-madonna with Tebow lurking behind him. However, the Jets Quarterback seams to have FINALLY gotten it. He looked phenomenal running this new offense under new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano. Other fans around the league (*Cough* Giants Fans *Cough*) are already saying this performance by Sanchez was a fluke, or that the Bills simply aren't that good of a measuring stick. Not so fast my friends because the Bills were picked by MANY to overtake the Jets this season for second place in the AFC East. So now because the Jets stomped a mud-hole in the Bills people think they aren't good? Excuses, excuses.

        Besides the fact that the Jets stellar offense hung 48 points on the Bills in week 1, the Jets defense finally looked like the defense that lead them to back-to-back AFC championships. Jets defended looked like hawks swooping around their prey on Sunday forcing 5 turnovers and scoring a defensive touchdown. However I do have a bone to pick with the defense. I don't know whether it was fatigue or lack of interest but they let up late in the game, giving up two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Granted they were up 41-14 going into the fourth but that's the time to show everyone around the league that "we aren't messing around." Instead they got lazy and sloppy showing teams and fans around the league that they might still be the same old Jets.

        Back to the good thoughts from the Jets victory, the special teams provided a big bonus. Jeremy Kerley the Jets punt returner, ran back a punt for a touchdown early in the first quarter that really put the Bills in a early hole. There's no better way to demoralize a team early then a big play on special teams. I'm also very happy that the Jets didn't mess with the success they were having with Sanchez by putting Tebow in to run the wildcat. Yeah, he [Tebow] ran a few plays here and there but that's fine, it's good to see they will stick with what's working throughout the course of a game. Like I said this is only week 1 and it is also the New York Jets we are talking about here. They are infamous for getting their fans hopes up and then ripping our hearts from our chest. I pray to the football gods that performances like this are more normal then just an anomaly. If the offense and Sanchez play like this throughout the season the rest of the NFL better watch out. The Jets play the Pittsburgh Steelers this week which will be a huge first test for Sanchez and the Jets offense. Let's hope they are up to the task.

     

        This past Wednesday night marked the opening of the 2012 NFL season. The NFL is the highest grossing sport in the for major American sports markets and this season has been hyped up beyond belief. We have been over saturated with NFL news since the Super Bowl was won by the New York Giants. Whether it be good or bad news stories, the NFL constantly is in the limelight. However, I'm not here to talk about the off-season news, I'm here to talk about the game that night.
         Due to the fact that I am a Jets fan, I was indifferent on who I was rooting for therefore, I got to enjoy the game without wanting to rip my head off of my body. Being a Jets fan, we catch a lot of heat from our stadium sharing Giant fans because the Jets are simply a mess, but after watching the "Super G-men" Wednesday I just can't help it but rip them a new one. I for one think their Super Bowl run last season was nothing but luck simply because THEY AREN'T THAT GOOD. However, this season's team looks like they are in trouble.
         Let me start off by saying the secondary that was bad last year, is down right pitiful this year. A wide receiver from the Cowboys named Kevin Ogletree ripped their secondary to shreds. I don't know about everyone outside of Cowboys fans, but I have never heard of him before Wednesday night. Granted the Giants pass rush is out of this world but even they couldn't save their horrific secondary in the first week. Which leads me to wonder, how many times will they even be able to bail out the secondary?          Next, the Giants lost an above average 3rd receiver by the name of Mario Manningham who I give a lot of credit for Victor Cruz breakout year last year. Week 1 was the first game without Manningham and the Giants passing game didn't look good at all, especially Victor Cruz. I give them a little bit of a pass because it was 1st string receiver Hakeem Nicks first game back from a foot injury but come on man! Cruz was dropping passes left and right and simply looked like he can't handle the pressure that's being put on him by people and fans around the league. Even though I am a Jets fan, I like Cruz but week 1 has made me worry that he's a flash in the pan receiver and we may never see what he did last season again. 

         This is not a roast of the Giants because odds are after the Jets week 1 game I will probably be doing the same thing to them. I just couldn't let this awful performance against a KEY rival in the opening game of the season slide. The defending Super Bowl champs better step their game up or else it's going to be a LONG year in the always brutal NFC East.

         This past Wednesday night marked the opening of the 2012 NFL season. The NFL is the highest grossing sport in the for major American sports markets and this season has been hyped up beyond belief. We have been over saturated with NFL news since the Super Bowl was won by the New York Giants. Whether it be good or bad news stories, the NFL constantly is in the limelight. However, I'm not here to talk about the off-season news, I'm here to talk about the game that night.
         Due to the fact that I am a Jets fan, I was indifferent on who I was rooting for therefore, I got to enjoy the game without wanting to rip my head off of my body. Being a Jets fan, we catch a lot of heat from our stadium sharing Giant fans because the Jets are simply a mess, but after watching the "Super G-men" Wednesday I just can't help it but rip them a new one. I for one think their Super Bowl run last season was nothing but luck simply because THEY AREN'T THAT GOOD. However, this season's team looks like they are in trouble.
         Let me start off by saying the secondary that was bad last year, is down right pitiful this year. A wide receiver from the Cowboys named Kevin Ogletree ripped their secondary to shreds. I don't know about everyone outside of Cowboys fans, but I have never heard of him before Wednesday night. Granted the Giants pass rush is out of this world but even they couldn't save their horrific secondary in the first week. Which leads me to wonder, how many times will they even be able to bail out the secondary?
         Next, the Giants lost an above average 3rd receiver by the name of Mario Manningham who I give a lot of credit for Victor Cruz breakout year last year. Week 1 was the first game without Manningham and the Giants passing game didn't look good at all, especially Victor Cruz. I give them a little bit of a pass because it was 1st string receiver Hakeem Nicks first game back from a foot injury but come on man! Cruz was dropping passes left and right and simply looked like he can't handle the pressure that's being put on him by people and fans around the league. Even though I am a Jets fan, I like Cruz but week 1 has made me worry that he's a flash in the pan receiver and we may never see what he did last season again.
         This is not a roast of the Giants because odds are after the Jets week 1 game I will probably be doing the same thing to them. I just couldn't let this awful performance against a KEY rival in the opening game of the season slide. The defending Super Bowl champs better step their game up or else it's going to be a LONG year in the always brutal NFC East.

About me

Here's a little about me:

           Okay so my name is Peter Padovano. I am 19 years old, a graduate of St. Joseph by the Sea High School and currently a sophomore at St. Johns University. I am a huge sports fan, or a die hard is what some people may call it. My favorite teams include the New York Tebows.. I mean Jets, New York Yankees, New York Knicks and the New York Rangers. Baseball was a huge center of my life and was going to choose the college I was going to, until SJU came in and gave me so much money that they basically ended my baseball career and chose the college for me. Aside from baseball, my biggest goal in life is to be on tv. Broadcast journalism is my major and I am very confident in my abilities in the area, so that I will be able to get myself a job in the unfortunately near future. Also I pledged a local frat here at St. Johns, Iota Alpha Sigma and it's become a huge part of my life and makes me proud that I am part of a brotherhood, the same brotherhood my father joined 30 years ago.