My whole life I’ve been a Virgo. Not the most glamorous sign, I’ll admit, with our obsessively organized, slightly uptight, nerd-ish qualities. Yet I’ve come to accept that this is who I am; I’ve come to love my Virgo-ness. And now with these new zodiac sign dates, I find out that I’m actually a LEO. Granted, Leo is one of the most fun signs, so I’m not complaining, but it’s kind of rocking my world.
But even more than that, my son’s sign is different. When I was pregnant, my son’s due date (Feb. 6) fell dangerous close to the Aquarius/Pisces cut-off, since a mere two-week difference (and that’s not unlikely with an original due date) could push my son’s personality over to Pisces. Now, I don’t have anything against Pisces people, I just wanted an Aquarius baby. But now? Now he’s a CAPRICORN. I don’t even know what that means.
Continue reading to find your NEW zodiac sign date, and cute products to help you come to terms with this crazy change:
Here are the new zodiac sign dates:
Capricorn: Jan 20 – Feb. 16 (my son!)
Aquarius: Feb. 16 – March 11
Pisces: March 11 – April 18
Aries: April 18 – May 13
Taurus: May 13 – June 21
Gemini: June 21 – July 20
Cancer: July 20 – Aug. 10
Thursday, January 13, 2011
What's Your Reaction?
Your zodiac sign may not actually be your zodiac sign anymore.
Astronomer Parke Kunkle says that due to changes in the Earth's alignment the dates of many zodiac signs have changed, according to NBC. In addition, there may be a 13th Zodiac sign: Ophiuchus.
Kunkle says that as the Earth and Sun slowly move the signs gradually change, as expected.
The change didn't happen over night either. The 12 signs were designated to different periods of the year almost 3,000 years ago, when astrology began, and since then the Earth's position in relation to the sun has changed.
While the sign many people were born under may now be different, it shouldn't affect horoscope readings, according to NBC.
See if your Zodiac sign has changed below.
The New Dates:
Capricorn: Jan. 20 - Feb. 16
Aquarius: Feb. 16 - March 11
Pisces: March 11- April 18
Aries: April 18- May 13
Taurus: May 13- June 21
Gemini: June 21- July 20
Cancer: July 20- Aug. 10
Leo: Aug. 10- Sept. 16
Virgo: Sept. 16- Oct. 30
Libra: Oct. 30- Nov. 23
Scorpio: Nov. 23- Nov. 29
Ophiuchus: Nov. 29- Dec. 17
Sagittarius: Dec. 17- Jan. 20
Astronomer Parke Kunkle says that due to changes in the Earth's alignment the dates of many zodiac signs have changed, according to NBC. In addition, there may be a 13th Zodiac sign: Ophiuchus.
Kunkle says that as the Earth and Sun slowly move the signs gradually change, as expected.
The change didn't happen over night either. The 12 signs were designated to different periods of the year almost 3,000 years ago, when astrology began, and since then the Earth's position in relation to the sun has changed.
While the sign many people were born under may now be different, it shouldn't affect horoscope readings, according to NBC.
See if your Zodiac sign has changed below.
The New Dates:
Story continues below
Aquarius: Feb. 16 - March 11
Pisces: March 11- April 18
Aries: April 18- May 13
Taurus: May 13- June 21
Gemini: June 21- July 20
Cancer: July 20- Aug. 10
Leo: Aug. 10- Sept. 16
Virgo: Sept. 16- Oct. 30
Libra: Oct. 30- Nov. 23
Scorpio: Nov. 23- Nov. 29
Ophiuchus: Nov. 29- Dec. 17
Sagittarius: Dec. 17- Jan. 20
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Auburn Tigers’ Championship win
Cam Newton wears No. 2. He’s half of that, and then some.
The Auburn quarterback closed out a brilliant, controversial season with a Heisman Trophy, a national championship and his index finger aloft.
He is No. 1. And after a 22-19 victory over Oregon before a record crowd at the University of Phoenix Stadium, only one questioned remained:
Was this the end of his college career?
Newton wouldn’t say after the game, but if so, the Cardinals had better do their homework. Newton showed off his dizzying array of skills, from his rugged athleticism to great poise in the pocket. His bowl statistics weren’t as flashy as Stanford’s Andrew Luck, but he beat a team that Luck could not.
Newton is 1-0 in Glendale, and if he declares for the NFL draft, he would be tantalizingly close to the Cardinals, who own the No. 5 overall pick.
Imagine how good he’d look in red, returning to the scene of Monday’s triumph.
“I’m a prime example of how a guy can turn something that was bad into something that was very great,” Newton said.
The game was quirky, featuring a fake punt, three 2-point plays, two goal-line stands and some of the funkier footwear on the planet. The real heroes were Auburn’s defense and running back Michael Dyer, who powered his team on the game-winning drive.
Yet everything about Auburn revolves around its star quarterback, the one who fumbled with five minutes remaining.
After Oregon capitalized on the turnover, a delicious scenario emerged: If Newton possessed rare star quality, he would lead his team to a game-winning score. It sounds overly simplistic, but transcendent quarterbacks always find a way to get it done under stifling pressure, in the really big moments.
The Tigers scored without much resistance. It was all Dyer, but the total conviction oozing from Auburn’s offense stemmed from the presence of Newton, who orchestrated at 24-point comeback at Alabama earlier in the season. And moments after Monday’s game ended, it was announced that Newton would fly from Arizona to a seat on Jay Leno’s couch today.
“In my career as a head coach, he’s the best player I’ve seen,” Oregon coach Chip Kelly said.
Granted, the low-scoring affair didn’t live up to the hype. Three interceptions in the first 10 minutes muted the excitement. A scoreless first quarter – just the sixth time that has happened in 49 previous quarters of BCS title-game football – had many bracing for disappointment.
There was a feeling this game would be another showcase moment for the SEC, which has produced the past five national champions. On the street, you could feel the difference between the respective fan bases. Auburn fans seemed stoic, hardened by battle. By contrast, many Oregon fans were blowing kazoos that made quacking sounds.
But as the game progressed, it was clear that Oregon belonged on the same field with the unbeaten Tigers. And the full-page ad that ran in The Republic on Monday offered great insight into how Oregon has become an elite football program.
The ad showed LaMichael James walking up a tunnel in a high-tech uniform. It reads: “Yesterday’s Fast is Today’s Slow.” The inference is that players at Oregon have access to innovative apparel that can’t be found at other universities. That’s a powerful recruiting tool.
Still, there is no substitute for a really good quarterback, and that was Auburn’s biggest advantage entering the game.
Newton had some shaky moments. He threw into double coverage, resulting in a bad interception. He short-armed a throw on fourth down near the goal line, failing to connect with a wide-open receiver in the end zone. He overshot a receiver streaking down the middle of the field.
But he accounted for nearly 350 yards of total offense and managed the game extremely well. As the first half evolved, the reigning Heisman winner took command with his arms and his legs. His sensational touchdown pass to Emory Blake, son of former Cardinals quarterback Jeff Blake, gave the Tigers a 16-11 lead at intermission.
Yet both teams left the field to standing ovations.
Auburn’s fans were comfortable with the scoreboard and the pedigree of their team. Oregon fans knew their team’s penchant for second-half domination. Somehow, everyone in attendance knew that the best was still to come.
The Auburn quarterback closed out a brilliant, controversial season with a Heisman Trophy, a national championship and his index finger aloft.
He is No. 1. And after a 22-19 victory over Oregon before a record crowd at the University of Phoenix Stadium, only one questioned remained:
Was this the end of his college career?
Newton wouldn’t say after the game, but if so, the Cardinals had better do their homework. Newton showed off his dizzying array of skills, from his rugged athleticism to great poise in the pocket. His bowl statistics weren’t as flashy as Stanford’s Andrew Luck, but he beat a team that Luck could not.
Newton is 1-0 in Glendale, and if he declares for the NFL draft, he would be tantalizingly close to the Cardinals, who own the No. 5 overall pick.
Imagine how good he’d look in red, returning to the scene of Monday’s triumph.
“I’m a prime example of how a guy can turn something that was bad into something that was very great,” Newton said.
The game was quirky, featuring a fake punt, three 2-point plays, two goal-line stands and some of the funkier footwear on the planet. The real heroes were Auburn’s defense and running back Michael Dyer, who powered his team on the game-winning drive.
Yet everything about Auburn revolves around its star quarterback, the one who fumbled with five minutes remaining.
After Oregon capitalized on the turnover, a delicious scenario emerged: If Newton possessed rare star quality, he would lead his team to a game-winning score. It sounds overly simplistic, but transcendent quarterbacks always find a way to get it done under stifling pressure, in the really big moments.
The Tigers scored without much resistance. It was all Dyer, but the total conviction oozing from Auburn’s offense stemmed from the presence of Newton, who orchestrated at 24-point comeback at Alabama earlier in the season. And moments after Monday’s game ended, it was announced that Newton would fly from Arizona to a seat on Jay Leno’s couch today.
“In my career as a head coach, he’s the best player I’ve seen,” Oregon coach Chip Kelly said.
Granted, the low-scoring affair didn’t live up to the hype. Three interceptions in the first 10 minutes muted the excitement. A scoreless first quarter – just the sixth time that has happened in 49 previous quarters of BCS title-game football – had many bracing for disappointment.
There was a feeling this game would be another showcase moment for the SEC, which has produced the past five national champions. On the street, you could feel the difference between the respective fan bases. Auburn fans seemed stoic, hardened by battle. By contrast, many Oregon fans were blowing kazoos that made quacking sounds.
But as the game progressed, it was clear that Oregon belonged on the same field with the unbeaten Tigers. And the full-page ad that ran in The Republic on Monday offered great insight into how Oregon has become an elite football program.
The ad showed LaMichael James walking up a tunnel in a high-tech uniform. It reads: “Yesterday’s Fast is Today’s Slow.” The inference is that players at Oregon have access to innovative apparel that can’t be found at other universities. That’s a powerful recruiting tool.
Still, there is no substitute for a really good quarterback, and that was Auburn’s biggest advantage entering the game.
Newton had some shaky moments. He threw into double coverage, resulting in a bad interception. He short-armed a throw on fourth down near the goal line, failing to connect with a wide-open receiver in the end zone. He overshot a receiver streaking down the middle of the field.
But he accounted for nearly 350 yards of total offense and managed the game extremely well. As the first half evolved, the reigning Heisman winner took command with his arms and his legs. His sensational touchdown pass to Emory Blake, son of former Cardinals quarterback Jeff Blake, gave the Tigers a 16-11 lead at intermission.
Yet both teams left the field to standing ovations.
Auburn’s fans were comfortable with the scoreboard and the pedigree of their team. Oregon fans knew their team’s penchant for second-half domination. Somehow, everyone in attendance knew that the best was still to come.
Monday, January 10, 2011
2011 NFL Draft Player Profile
If you haven’t heard of the Matthews family by now, you most likely live under a rock. It’s no secret that they are one of the most dominant football families to ever play in the NFL. Clay Matthews Sr., and Clay Matthews Jr. are the most well know, as well as his uncle Bruce Matthews who will go down as one of the best offensive tackles to ever play the game. His grandfather Clay Matthews I was a standout in the 1950’s, as well.
2011 NFL Draft
Is it just a name, or can Matthews play?
While his brother walked on and under-achieved at USC, Casey wasn’t as fortunate. He was an undersized three star recruit coming out of Oaks Christian High School. He received scholarship offers from numerous Pac-10 schools, as well as a few medium ranged ACC schools. He chose Oregon in the end, and played in all 11 games in his freshman year.
Casey may not be as physically gifted as his brother Clay, but there’s no doubt that he’s just as intelligent and has a great work ethic.
Player Name: Casey Matthews
Position: Inside Linebacker
School: Oregon
Height: 6’2
Weight: 237
Strengths
Matthews’ biggest strength is his athleticism. He’s also an extremely intelligent player who does well reading and reacting to the offensive play on every down. He has a non-stop motor, playing well sideline to sideline. He’s a very good tackler, who’s very fundamentally sound. He doesn’t often get caught out of position, and he uses his athleticism to make up for his lack of overall bulk. Matthews is also excellent in making plays in coverage. He covers his zone almost effortlessly, and has a knack for finding the ball. He’s an underrated pass rusher on the inside, and has the speed to maybe make the transition to the OLB position in a 3-4, although that may not utilize his skill-set to the maximum. However, his versatility is fantastic and will be coveted among teams in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Weaknesses
The biggest knock on Matthews is his size. He’s not the biggest or strongest player on the football field. He plays in a very loosely based zone defense in Oregon which helps his athleticism shine. He may not be able to transition to a 3-4 defense because of his inability to frequently get off of blockers. He’s most likely restricted to a 4-3 role, but he’s versatile enough to play all three linebacker positions in a 4-3 scheme. While he’s not weak by any means, he still needs to improve on his strength and use his arms to get off blocks, rather than getting fully engaged with blockers.
Draft Range
Right now, it’s completely open where Matthews goes. His brother, Clay, had some of the same weaknesses coming out, not being a big, strong linebacker. But hard work propelled him into the first, and Casey could do the same if he works out well enough at the combine. Right now, his ceiling is as high as a late first round pick, but he’ll most likely be selected between the middle of the second round and middle of the third round. Look for teams like Indianapolis, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Detroit to target him. If teams feel he can make the transition to 3-4, it could improve his stock heavily as teams like Cleveland, Buffalo, Arizona, and Green Bay could look at grabbing him in the 2011 NFL
2011 NFL Draft
Is it just a name, or can Matthews play?
While his brother walked on and under-achieved at USC, Casey wasn’t as fortunate. He was an undersized three star recruit coming out of Oaks Christian High School. He received scholarship offers from numerous Pac-10 schools, as well as a few medium ranged ACC schools. He chose Oregon in the end, and played in all 11 games in his freshman year.
Casey may not be as physically gifted as his brother Clay, but there’s no doubt that he’s just as intelligent and has a great work ethic.
Player Name: Casey Matthews
Position: Inside Linebacker
School: Oregon
Height: 6’2
Weight: 237
Strengths
Matthews’ biggest strength is his athleticism. He’s also an extremely intelligent player who does well reading and reacting to the offensive play on every down. He has a non-stop motor, playing well sideline to sideline. He’s a very good tackler, who’s very fundamentally sound. He doesn’t often get caught out of position, and he uses his athleticism to make up for his lack of overall bulk. Matthews is also excellent in making plays in coverage. He covers his zone almost effortlessly, and has a knack for finding the ball. He’s an underrated pass rusher on the inside, and has the speed to maybe make the transition to the OLB position in a 3-4, although that may not utilize his skill-set to the maximum. However, his versatility is fantastic and will be coveted among teams in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Weaknesses
The biggest knock on Matthews is his size. He’s not the biggest or strongest player on the football field. He plays in a very loosely based zone defense in Oregon which helps his athleticism shine. He may not be able to transition to a 3-4 defense because of his inability to frequently get off of blockers. He’s most likely restricted to a 4-3 role, but he’s versatile enough to play all three linebacker positions in a 4-3 scheme. While he’s not weak by any means, he still needs to improve on his strength and use his arms to get off blocks, rather than getting fully engaged with blockers.
Draft Range
Right now, it’s completely open where Matthews goes. His brother, Clay, had some of the same weaknesses coming out, not being a big, strong linebacker. But hard work propelled him into the first, and Casey could do the same if he works out well enough at the combine. Right now, his ceiling is as high as a late first round pick, but he’ll most likely be selected between the middle of the second round and middle of the third round. Look for teams like Indianapolis, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Detroit to target him. If teams feel he can make the transition to 3-4, it could improve his stock heavily as teams like Cleveland, Buffalo, Arizona, and Green Bay could look at grabbing him in the 2011 NFL
Oregon vs Auburn
If you want more evidence, below are two videos showing how DIRTY the Auburn Tigers players played this evening against the Oregon Ducks in this Oregon vs Auburn BCS National Championship 2011 game.
In one of the videos, it looked like Nick Fairley was trying to break LaMichael James’ neck. It was intentional and all he got was a 15 yard penalty. This overrated southern player should have been ejected. In fact, Nick Fairley is well known for these types of antics throughout the entire 2010-2011 college football season.
In this Oregon vs Auburn BCS National Championship game, the officiating was NOT good at all. How can a BIG10 officiating team be calling this type of game? They had a horrible reputation during this college football bowl season. They missed a lot of calls, especially tonight.
The second video showed Tiger’s running back, Eric Smith, kicking an Oregon Duck player well after the play had ended. The Duck player had to briefly leave the game because he was bleeding from his head.
I have never seen a bunch of college football athletes playing so dirty like this in my entire life until I watched this game. The game got so bad that I had to turn off the television and listen to it on the radio.
Overall, Auburn has a bunch of dirty players. Cam Newton should have been ruled ineligible. Fairley and Smith should have been ejected from the game. Auburn should not have won the BCS title game. Oregon was the better team tonight but the refs did not see it that way.
In one of the videos, it looked like Nick Fairley was trying to break LaMichael James’ neck. It was intentional and all he got was a 15 yard penalty. This overrated southern player should have been ejected. In fact, Nick Fairley is well known for these types of antics throughout the entire 2010-2011 college football season.
In this Oregon vs Auburn BCS National Championship game, the officiating was NOT good at all. How can a BIG10 officiating team be calling this type of game? They had a horrible reputation during this college football bowl season. They missed a lot of calls, especially tonight.
The second video showed Tiger’s running back, Eric Smith, kicking an Oregon Duck player well after the play had ended. The Duck player had to briefly leave the game because he was bleeding from his head.
I have never seen a bunch of college football athletes playing so dirty like this in my entire life until I watched this game. The game got so bad that I had to turn off the television and listen to it on the radio.
Overall, Auburn has a bunch of dirty players. Cam Newton should have been ruled ineligible. Fairley and Smith should have been ejected from the game. Auburn should not have won the BCS title game. Oregon was the better team tonight but the refs did not see it that way.
BCS' Bill Hancock defends system
No. 1 vs. No. 2, that's the whole point of the BCS national championship, and everybody's happy.
Right?
Fans of Auburn and Oregon, and those who say the system has worked since its inception in 1999, think so - but TCU, the nation's other undefeated regular-season team, was on the outside looking in, getting the consolation prize by winning the Rose Bowl.
BCS Executive Director Bill Hancock understands the situation.
"What we have is an event that leads to a two-team championship game, not a three-team championship game," he said. "(TCU) had a great season, well-coached, a very good football team.
"What I tell them is, 'Congratulations on a great season, and remember that you got a Rose Bowl reward that was made possible because of the BCS, and you'll remember that Rose Bowl for the rest of your lives.' That is a good football team."
Still, the national championship game comes down to opinions and computer analysis. Hancock does not see that as a drawback.
"There are 270 voters, each of them an individual (who) makes individual decisions based on what he or she thinks is best."
And coaches, players and fans of the Ducks can attest to that.
Before the game, he was on the field wearing a sharp three-piece suit, which he purchased a few days ago, for the first time.
He was hoping it was a good-luck charm, and even though the outfit is expensive, he said he would not mind if he wore it just one time.
His plan if the Ducks won: "I'll just retire it, hang it up and look at it."
An Auburn insider said Taylor wanted a song that could define the team, one with a message the team could rally behind.
The ritual is repeated following the game as well.
- Honorary captains for the game were two former All-Americans, Bo Jackson from Auburn and Oregon's Ahmad Rashad (then known as Bobby Moore). Both were introduced to thunderous applause from the sellout crowd of 78,000-plus.
- An American eagle with great timing soared around the stadium during the singing of the national anthem.
- Demand for tickets and BCS championship pins was so high that fans begged reporters to sell them their media credentials and souvenir pins. Apparently, all the 750 media members were legit.
Right?
Fans of Auburn and Oregon, and those who say the system has worked since its inception in 1999, think so - but TCU, the nation's other undefeated regular-season team, was on the outside looking in, getting the consolation prize by winning the Rose Bowl.
BCS Executive Director Bill Hancock understands the situation."What we have is an event that leads to a two-team championship game, not a three-team championship game," he said. "(TCU) had a great season, well-coached, a very good football team.
"What I tell them is, 'Congratulations on a great season, and remember that you got a Rose Bowl reward that was made possible because of the BCS, and you'll remember that Rose Bowl for the rest of your lives.' That is a good football team."
Still, the national championship game comes down to opinions and computer analysis. Hancock does not see that as a drawback.
"There are 270 voters, each of them an individual (who) makes individual decisions based on what he or she thinks is best."
Dress for success
For Oregon running-backs coach Gary Campbell, dressing sharp is part of his lifestyle. The fashion sense he learned at a young age from his mother is something he has not forgotten.And coaches, players and fans of the Ducks can attest to that.
Before the game, he was on the field wearing a sharp three-piece suit, which he purchased a few days ago, for the first time.
He was hoping it was a good-luck charm, and even though the outfit is expensive, he said he would not mind if he wore it just one time.
His plan if the Ducks won: "I'll just retire it, hang it up and look at it."
Circle of prayer
Before Auburn's first game of the season, assistant head coach Trooper Taylor began what has become a seasonlong ritual. About 2 1/2 before kickoff, the team runs onto the field and forms a circle for a prayer - then they sing a few choruses of "Lean on Me."An Auburn insider said Taylor wanted a song that could define the team, one with a message the team could rally behind.
The ritual is repeated following the game as well.
Extra points
There was a moment of silence and prayer before the game - it was included in the national ESPN telecast - for the victims of Saturday's shooting in Tucson.- Honorary captains for the game were two former All-Americans, Bo Jackson from Auburn and Oregon's Ahmad Rashad (then known as Bobby Moore). Both were introduced to thunderous applause from the sellout crowd of 78,000-plus.
- An American eagle with great timing soared around the stadium during the singing of the national anthem.
- Demand for tickets and BCS championship pins was so high that fans begged reporters to sell them their media credentials and souvenir pins. Apparently, all the 750 media members were legit.
Auburn football team champs on field but not in graduation rates
Auburn University’s football team won the national collegiate football championship, but the Tigers aren’t exactly champs when it comes to graduation rates.
According to the Academic Progress Rate, a four-year assessment by the NCAA of the movement toward graduation for a team’s players, Auburn has dropped from No. 4 to No. 85 among the120 major college football programs.
The drop was caused when Auburn closed academic loopholes that had allowed football players to pad their grade point averages and remain eligible to play by taking easy courses, according to a story in The New York Times.
In addition, a study of 2010-11 bowl-bound college teams conducted by the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida showed that Auburn has the highest disparity in graduation rates between white and black players of any major football team. White players graduate at the rate of 100 percent; black players 49 percent.
The University of Oregon, according to that study, graduates 76 percent of white players and 41 percent of its African-American players.
The study, released last month, showed that five of the bowl-bound schools had graduation success rates for African-American football student-athletes that exceeded their rates for white football student-athletes: Northwestern (one percentage point higher), Virginia Tech (three percentage points higher), Southern Mississippi (three percentage points higher), Notre Dame (four percentage points higher) and Troy (10 percentage points higher).
Education Secretary Arne Duncan has been vocal about the importance of college sports teams maintaining high graduation rates.
In an interview on Monday with Washington Post reporters and editors, he repeated that position, saying teams that do not have a graduation rate of at least 40 percent should not be allowed to participate in post-season play. He added that any sanctions for wrongdoing brought by the NCAA on a particular program should also follow the coach under whom they occurred.
According to the Academic Progress Rate, a four-year assessment by the NCAA of the movement toward graduation for a team’s players, Auburn has dropped from No. 4 to No. 85 among the120 major college football programs.
The drop was caused when Auburn closed academic loopholes that had allowed football players to pad their grade point averages and remain eligible to play by taking easy courses, according to a story in The New York Times.
In addition, a study of 2010-11 bowl-bound college teams conducted by the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida showed that Auburn has the highest disparity in graduation rates between white and black players of any major football team. White players graduate at the rate of 100 percent; black players 49 percent.
The University of Oregon, according to that study, graduates 76 percent of white players and 41 percent of its African-American players.
The study, released last month, showed that five of the bowl-bound schools had graduation success rates for African-American football student-athletes that exceeded their rates for white football student-athletes: Northwestern (one percentage point higher), Virginia Tech (three percentage points higher), Southern Mississippi (three percentage points higher), Notre Dame (four percentage points higher) and Troy (10 percentage points higher).
Education Secretary Arne Duncan has been vocal about the importance of college sports teams maintaining high graduation rates.
In an interview on Monday with Washington Post reporters and editors, he repeated that position, saying teams that do not have a graduation rate of at least 40 percent should not be allowed to participate in post-season play. He added that any sanctions for wrongdoing brought by the NCAA on a particular program should also follow the coach under whom they occurred.
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