AnythingUrban - by R Eldridge

If I Were A Tiger...

I had a dream. I'm one of the richest athletes in America doing something that I love to do. I'm a chess champion, and I am solely responsible for changing the landscape of the game.What was known as a "nerdy" sport has now become nouveau and quite trendy - almost mainstream - due to the love and affection that have garnered in kicking "nerd" butt.  My tournaments appear live on ESPN8. I'm in your local barbershops from Compton to Calcutta. As I grow to become a worldwide sensation, tee-shirts adorn my image and my brand has grown exponentially. Naturally, nerds like chess, and as we now represent a large number, corporate sponsors like Nike and Milton Bradley promote me in a major way.  Not to mention, little Asian kids love my swag. 

But a scandal emerges.  An article in Chess Illustrated reports...

Get to Know... Yirser Ra Hotep (my future Yogi)

My Journey Into Delf is inspired by a need to live with purpose both physically and spiritually.  As I continue on my path, I will share the greatness of those that inspire me to grow.  As you may know, I practice yoga.  In my studies, I found the foremost leader in a style that is truly one in which I will learn to master - Kemetic Yoga.  I'd like you to meet Yirser, my future Yogi. 

Finally - My Very First Day of Yoga

Like a kid eager to start his first day of school, there I was, ready and eager to get started on my first day of yoga.  My instructor (Gabriel) was cool - he didn't hold anything back - in fact, today he taught an advanced session of Vinyasa yoga.  Vinyasa combines movement with breathing.  All of the sun salutations are intended to flow with your breath in one incessant movement, so to speak.  At any point of time you are free to retain and hold a posture for as long as you feel comfortable, but as a newbie I had my limitations.  It was a rough one hour session.  I couldn't stop sweating.

My Journey into Delf

Delf:  An excavation; usually a quarry or mine

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(a recent conversation that I had with a random dude at the gym)

Random Dude:  "You know sir... you are the future of yoga.  You really are.  You would be welcome in a future class.  Yoga will release your inner greatness.  We should try it."

Me (defending my heterosexuality):  "Yo!  Naw son... I'll pass on that invite.  But thanks."

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Rewind.  "Yoga will release your inner greatness" ...wow, I had to reflect on that statement for a minute.  Aside from Random Dudes attempted advance, I did connect with his thought.  I have this continuous quest to stay intellectually and physically fit - and I am willing to try new things that may defy the norm.  I like to stay challenged.   Besides, I don't want to wake up one day to be that dude walking down the street in the year 2025 playing the cassette tape walkman while wearing the cashmere jump suit talking about "how dope" the tunes sound.  Trust me, these dudes still exist out here.  Seriously.

Change, Baseball Style

Although I am still counting down to NFL Football and training camp, which is only 17 days away for most teams, the MLB All Star game was a huge win for African Americans: from President Obama throwing out the first pitch, to clutch hitting by Curtis Granderson, and a great home run saving catch by Carl Crawford, who became the first All Star MVP to not drive in a run. 

Curtis Granderson scored the tiebreaking run after an electrifying triple in the 8th inning as the American All-Stars defeated the National All-Stars 4-3. 

I watched most of the game, and I was really excited to see the number of African American participants; not only did they come out to play, they delivered.  This comes on even more exciting news that more African Americans are playing baseball today then 5-10 years ago, when the number of players was less than 10%.

Prince Fielder also won the HR derby. 

I must add the great fact from last night as fans learned that Satchel Paige was the oldest first-time All Star at 46 years young, back in 1952. 

2009 MLB African American All-Stars:
Carl Crawford
Curtis Granderson
Adam Jones
Derek Jeter
Prince Fielder
Justin Upton
Orlando Hudson
Ryan Howard
Torii Hunter
Edwin Jackson
Chone Figgins