After all that, we get the Heat vs Pacers.

Moments after falling behind three games to one against the putrid, eighth seeded Atlanta Hawks, the national consensus was that the Indiana Pacers had a collapse of epic proportions. A team that was once regarded so highly as to being the favorites to beat the Heat in late May, the Pacers were currently a team in upmost turmoil.

When the Pacers needed wins to stay alive, they got them. Beating Atlanta in seven games was made a lot tougher than it needed to be, but somehow the first seeded Pacers did it. As I type this blog post, merely minutes after the Pacers took game six from the pesky Wizards, I can't help to think back to when NBA fans were envisioning an eastern conference finals without the Pacers. Of course, they had every right to. Roy Hibert looked like a shell of his former self, George Hill began doing his bestRaymond  Felton impersonation, and Paul George forgot how to put the ball in the basket. Head coach Frank Vogel began feeling more pressure than the United States President does on a daily basis. Yet through it all, the Pacers got the wins they needed and are still alive---for now.

On the other side of the matchup, the Miami Heat come off a 5 game series win against the Brooklyn Nets. An interesting series going in resulted in a one sided affair in terms of the outcomes of each game. The Nets battled tough, even taking game three at home, but their lack of  a veteran head coach, in my opinion, cost them crucial moments down the stretch in several of the games. Had Brooklyn made a bucket here or there late in the fourth quarter, we may have had a six or seven game series.

 In any event, that was not the case, and the Miami heat sit 8-1 in the 2014 NBA playoffs. If there was ever a time to knock the Heat out it would be now. Many scouts and media alike agree the Heat may just be at their most vulnerable, despite winning 8 of 9 playoff games. Lack of a big man in the middle, combined with Dwayne Wade's vulnerable knee and the overall team age (the oldest in the NBA at 32 average years) make the Heat anything but a sure lock to win the NBA title, despite having the best player on the court night in and night out in LeBron James.

Both teams are not the "powerhouses" most fans envisioned they would be, but it just goes to show that the Eastern Conference as a whole is so far behind Indiana and Miami talent wise.

My Top 5: Horror films of all-time.

Of all the movie genres out there, many award winning shows, critics, and fans have overlooked the horror genre as "stupid," "corny," "far-fetched," and "dumb." Yes, as a die hard horror movie fan, I've heard these hurtful words about the movies I love most. While there have been a ton of lack-lust horror movies and many repetitive ideas throughout the years, the fact, I believe, remains that horror movies are the most emotional and moving films of any. What makes a horror movie a good movie? Is it all about scares? Gore? Action? I'll leave that up to debate. What can't be debated is that the horror genre is alive and well, nearly 80 years after it began with Frankenstein, Dracula, and others. Once Halloween time roles around, AMC, FX and many other television channels run marathons of the scariest horror movies ever made, new and old. Below is my personal top five list and the the stories surrounding each movie. Note that The Exorcist is left off of my list.

1. The Amityville Horror (1979)-Based on a true story, the most famous haunted house in the world has spawned countless movies and books documenting the Lutz's alleged haunting at 112 Ocean Avenue. Everyone knows the story, on November 13 1974, Ronal Defeo shot and killed his entire family, telling authorities "voices made him do it." One year later, the Lutz family move in only to abandoned all of their belongings after 28 days in the house, claiming vengeful demons tormented them. The true story of the Amityville Horror is up for debate, but one of the best selling books-turned movie is my favorite haunted house story of all-time.

2. Night of the Living Dead (1968)-Considered the first true zombie film, Night of the Living Dead tells the story of seven strangers trapped in a Pennsylvania farm house as they fight off a zombie horde trying to break in. Scenes of every window in the house boarded up with wood has become a staple image in many horror fan's eyes. Made on a cheap budget, Night of the Living dead is the first movie in the "Living Dead Series" which includes Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead, among others.

3. Halloween (1978)- Halloween, much like Night of the Living Dead, essentially jump started a sub horror genre called "slasher films." Every October 31st countless Halloween-goers dress up in the blue jumpsuit and white mask made famous by Michael Myers. Sure, Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street gardner a colt following of horror fanatics in a similar, if not larger style as Halloween does, but they'll never be the first. Halloween tells the story of psycho killer Michael Myers, who murdered his sister at a young age and spent the subsequent 15 or so years in a mental institution before breaking out. Once on the loose, his psychiatrist tries to track Myers down but soon discovers that killer is only out for one thing, his younger sister.

4. Psycho (1960)- Maybe even more famous than the story itself, is the bone-chilling music that takes place right as Norman Bates stabs Marion Crane. Bates Motel, now a hit television series, is the setting for Psycho. Normal Bates and his mother, Norma, own a motel outside of Pheonix, Arizona. Overlooking the motel, on top of a cliff, is the Bate's mansion. Inside, Norman argues on and off with his mentally ill mother. Inside the motel, Marion Crane rests for the night, before planning on leaving in the morning. In one of the most iconic horror movie scenes of all-time, while showering, Marion Crane is stabbed and killed by Norman Bates. The twist of all twists occurs when viewers are informed that Norman Bate's mother doesn't even exist anymore. Norman himself is the voice of his deranged mother, who passed away years prior.

5. The Conjuring (2013)- Ghost stories are my favorite all-time, above slasher films, torture films, zombies, or mystery movies. Just as the Amityville Horror cracked my top-5 list, The Conjuring does too. Released only one year ago, in 2013, The Conjuring has caught my attention as the second best ghost story every told. Also based on a true story, The Conjuring is set in 1971, following the Perrin family's ordeal with the supernatural on their farmhouse in Rhode Island. Ed and Lorraine Warren, world renounced demonologists, take center stage in helping the Perrin family fight the demonic presence in their home. The Conjuring take a few elements from many horror movies such as Poltergiest, The Exorcists and the before-mentioned Amityville Horror. Beyond it's incredible story, The Conjuring might take honors as the scariest film I've ever seen.

Throwback Thursday: Summer League Baseball 2013

Our weekly "throwback thursday" post takes us back exactly one year ago, looking at the Kinnelon/Butler Summer League Baseball season that was 2013.

Depeola swinging for the fences

Brett Russo is coming for YOU

Break out star Chris Ranieri prepares to drive in the run

Tanooch angry at a close play in the field

Butler's top 3 pitchers

Line score for team Vinnie

Nico, Kyle, and Cooper look on as Butler rallies in the 9th.

Apple News: iOS 8, iPhone 6, Beats

Apple's iOS 8 is likely to bring split-screen multitasking to the iPad, reports 9to5Mac. The option would allow iPad owners to use two apps simultaneously on a single screen in landscape. Below is a video you can watch showcasing the latest concept for iOS 8.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_H6g-UpsSi8

Another video has surfaced, comparing the upcoming iPhone 6 to the current iPhone 5s. The iPhone 6 mockup appears to me much thinner than the iPhone 5s. The mockup measures at approximately 7mm thick, while the iPhone 5s is thicker at 7.6mm. Other distinct features of the potential iPhone 6 are its iPad like curved edges, and the new position of the sleep/wake button which appears to be on the right side of the device. Of course, these features reassemble a similar description of the iPhone 6 in the Japanese Magazine Macfan. No one knows if these are the true specifications of this fall's iPhone 6 release. Below is the video comparing a potential iPhone 6 to the iPhone 5s:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ObseDKY_90

Lastly, as reported this past week, Apple has bought the company Beats Electronics. Music industry veteran Jimmy Iovine is believed to be the primary target in Apple's rumored acquisition of Beats Electronics. For those wondering, Apple will likely assume leadership of the company, but keep the Beats brand independent.

Roster Breakdown: Nets vs Heat

Tonight is a big game 2 for the Brooklyn Nets. The veteran savvy squad led by champions Paul Pearce and Kevin Garnett will no doubt be up to the challenge tonight in Miami. With the Heat already up 1-0, in convincing fashion nonetheless, the Nets need to prove they can win in Miami. Whether it's 2-0, or 1-1, the series will shift to Brooklyn for two games beginning Saturday night. I should've done this earlier, preferably before game one, in any event, I have broken down the entire roster and match ups for the Nets-Heat series and who has the edge in what category. It should be a fun series.

Team Attributes

1. Rebounding-Tie. Both teams struggle immensely not he rebounding side of the basketball. Both lack a true center, and if Lopez was healthy I'd have to give the Nets the edge in this category. I expect the rebounding totals to fluctuate game-to-game. Not one team will dominate the glass superior enough to claim they are the better rebounders. Big men Andre Blatche, Mason Plumlee, and Chris Anderson will be counted on to provide boards for their respective team.

2. Passing-Heat. Deron Williams is still an above average point guard, at times, but he's really the only legit passing threat the Nets have. Sure, Johnson, Pierce, Livingston, Anderson, Kirelinko, and maybe even Blatche can all pass the ball with accuracy, but they don't pass enough. The Miami Heat play a pass first offense led by non other than Lebron James. Lebron is an immensely skilled passer who gets his teammates involved every possession..until it really really counts late in the game. Dwayne Wade, Mario Chalmers, Norris Cole, and Ray Allen are all excellent passers. If we are looking to rack up assist totals, you have to give the Miami Heat the edge.

3. Scoring-Nets. I'm sure many will disagree with me, but I give this category to Brooklyn. With so many weapons, such as Pierce, D-will, Johnson, Livingston, Anderson, and Blatche, the Nets can score with anyone at anytime. The Miami Heat are potent as well, I mean they do feature James, Bosh, and Wade. When I think of the Heat I think of them more as a complete team than a team that dominates in one single category. The Nets are a scoring team built around the offense of Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, D-Will, and Lopez when he returns. If we are just going to be throwing up shots and playing no defense..I'll take the Nets. But, we won't be and the Miami Heat defense in all likelihood will be too much for the Nets' offense to handle.

4. Defense-Heat. The two time defending world champions didn't beat formidable teams without playing a little D. With the best defender in the game, Lebron James, on their team, the Heat sit as the gold standard of defense. Having Wade, Battier, and Chris Anderson help too.When we think of defense in the NBA, and many don't, we think of the Bulls, Pacers, Heat and Grizzlies, to name a few. The Brooklyn Nets are a much more offensive minded team than defensive minded. If Kevin Garnett was in his prime, then we'd have a different story. Fact is he isn't and the Nets lack the shut down defense that Miami possesses late in games. The Nets, lead by coach Kidd, played sensational defense in the second half of the NBA season. Many were surprised that they not only made the playoffs, but fought back over .500. Heat-Bulls or Heat-Pacers would be an extremely defensive minded series than the one we are witnesses currently. Having said all that, the Heat take the nod in the defensive category.

5. Bench-Heat. I didn't want to call a tie on this one, as I did for rebounding, so I went with the Heat. Just as easily I could've gone with Brooklyn. The Nets are an extremely deep team that often call on their bench for huge minutes in games. If you remember a few days ago, Jason Kidd left his second unit on the floor in game five against the Raptors after they made a miraculous comeback, only to fall short. Nevertheless, the Miami Heat's bench, while maybe not as talented, are smarter and maybe even tougher. Norris Cole has proven to be a professional back up on a championship winning team the past few years. Bird-Man Chris Anderson provides the toughness and grit off the bench that Brooklyn just can not match. Ray Allen's post season track record speaks for itself, as does Shane Battier's. Overall, I like the experience the Miami bench brings to the table over Brooklyn's. Would I be surprised if the Nets' bench outscores Miami's over the course of the series? No.

6. Coaching-Heat. In time, I believe Jason Kidd can be an excellent coach in the NBA. It's only year one for Kidd and he's already a good coach. We can all sit and laugh now, on May 8th, and think back to how Kidd's coaching tenure with Brooklyn began. From terrible lineups, to "accidental" time outs, to strange firings (see Lawrence Frank), many question if Kidd could coach at this level. After Lopez went down, the Nets found their identity. Kidd did an excellent job making a season out of almost nothing. Eric Spolstra, in my opinion, doesn't even need to coach his team to victories. The Miami Heat are just so much talented than anyone else at this point. Many say Spolstra is not an "elite" head coach despite having won back to back NBA titles, but I do give him credit. He's managed the minutes of his aging veterans tremendously, and he's kept his team together long enough to make their four straight run at a title.

While I do expect this to be a series, five or six games, the Miami Heat are just too vaunted for the Nets, or anyone else for that matter. But, upsets do happen and I will be having a front row seat in my living room if one does occur.

Throwback Thursday: Family Edition

My weekly throwback thursday post is back and this time I bring to you my dad's side of the family.

My beautiful grandparents

My grandfather Vincent Ranieri

My dad and his pals. Early 1990s

My two closest Uncles..Steve and Joe at Joe's wedding 1989

My beautiful family at a family birthday party in 1999 

My handsome uncle and brother at the same family part in 1999

My father and my aunt at my Uncle's wedding in 1989

Apple's iWatch...worth it?

It appears Apple is adding a new brand new product to their line, the first time since 2010's iPad was introduced. Sure, many iPhones, MacBooks, iPads, etc. have been upgraded since then, but rumors are Apple is introducing something brand new in the near future....the iWatch. Nothing is officially, but we have been hearing about a potential "smart watch" as far back as 2008.

It's no surprise that everything Apple does can't be kept secret. I remember hearing about the iPad Mini a few years before it even came out. I am an avid Apple fan, as most of you know, but this is one product I don't feel I will have a need for.

Here's a greatnarticle highlighting all you need to know: http://www.techradar.com/us/news/portable-devices/apple-iwatch-release-date-news-and-rumours-1131043

In a nutshel, here is what is expected for Apple's iWatch:

1. Apple iWatch is an iOS friendly watch that is compatible with your iPhone

2. The rumored release date is not very specific, saying sometime in 2014. Expect an official release date to be announced at a future Apple keynote event, possible June's which will feature news on the iPhone 6.

3. How much will it cost? Literally no one knows.

My question to you is, do you believe the iWatch is coming, and really...is it worth buying?

The best opening round in NBA playoff history?

Five game 7s, one game 6, and one sweep...in the first round alone. Finally, the NBA's opening round has concluded, and it wasn't without many thrillers. From off the court drama concerning Clippers' owner Donald Sterling, to Damian Lillard's shot heard around the world, the 2014 NBA quarter finals may have been the best ever.

Last night, the NBA dropped three game sevens into my living room, and many NBA fan's living rooms across the country. The heavily favored Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Memphis Grizzles 120-109 and advanced to the semi finals for the third consecutive season. The Grizzlies put up a great fight in this series, but Kevin Durant's club was too much to handle in the end. This game never really felt close, as the Thunder stormed ahead in the second half and never looked back. If Durant and Westbrook can get on the same page, they may be headed to the Western Conference Finals.

The Indiana Pacers held on by the skin of their teeth and outlasted the feisty Atlanta Hawks in game seven. The Hawks inexperience cost them in this series. Im sorry, but when you have a team down 3-2, like the Hawks did, you need to seal the deal in six or seven. But, once this game got back to Indiana, you had to bet your hard earned money on the East's first seed. The Pacers are still a mess, but they squeaked by and now have a match up with a faster, hungrier team...the Wizards.

The best game seven of the year so far goes the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Golden State Warriors by the score of 126-121. Was there any defense in this game? The answer is no. Still, a good old fashion slugfest will grab the nation's attention. The Clippers went into this series focusing primarily on playing basketball and advancing to the second round for the second straight year. Thanks to their stranger owner, the spotlight fell outside of the Staples Center and into their owner's lap. Long story short, Donal Sterling was banned for life, and we can all go back to watching basketball. The Warriors fought hard, but they didn't have an answer for Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, and the Clippers.

The Brooklyn Nets looked old, tired, heartless, and defeated only a few days ago. What happened? Over night, the Nets righted the ship and outplayed an under experienced Toronto Raptors team., capped off by a gigantic block by Paul Pierce. The good Joe Johnson showed up tonight, and they got just enough defense to outlast the Raptors in Toronto in a thrilling game seven. The Nets now face the two time defending NBA champion Miami Heat, and I have to say, this one will be over quickly.

I have to admit, I didn't pay full attention to the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Mavericks series. I just figured the Spurs would destroy them in four or five. Never did I think this series would go seven. It really didn't need to either. The Spurs absolutely destroyed the Mavericks on their home court en route to a 119-96 victory. I don't know how the Spurs do it, but they remain the top dogs in the West year after year. A Spurs-Thunder match-up would really be something. But first, the Spurs need to beat the suddenly red hot Portland Trail Blazers.

Rock song of the day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZCzl6qhZ70

Apple's WWDC 2014 to focus on OSX 10.10

For the first time in a while, Apple may give attention to its desktop operating system, rather than its mobile one, according to 9to5Mac. Many people have thought that the two operating systems would merge into one, but that does not appear to be the case.

Apple is scheduling a desktop OS release date in the fall along with new hardware that will ship with the latest OSX version. Many still believe that Apple will continue their trend of keeping both operating systems closely connected. In an age where tablets, computers, and smartphones all sync up with lightening speed, this would be a good strategy. It is  interesting to note that the code name for OSX 10.10 is currently, "Syrah." Whether this changes by the time of WWDC 2014 remains a question.

In terms of iOS 8, which is due at the same time Apple releases its annual iPhone update, Apple will also touch the surface of their new mobile operating system at WWDC 2014. Many features rumored for iOS 8, including transit functionality in maps, may not be released until later versions of iOS 8, such as 8.1, are released.

Throw Back Thursday: Work, Raw, friends..

In the latest edition of my "throw back thursday," I feature some old pictures from my beginning days in the kitchen at Cedar Crest, as well as some beach photos, wrestling photos, and friends, of course.

February 2010-Abandoned Trains

May 2010-The Stooges at Work

June 2001-My cousin and I at our very first RAW is WAR

October 2007-the ladies and I at my band's first gig.

Our first trip to ocean city. 

Maybe my favorite picture of all-the guys hard at work. 

Today's Headlines: Tornadoes, Donald Sterling, Ferry Disaster Update

Tornados: East coast residents are moaning and groaning as they make their Tuesday morning commute to work. Many baseball games and outdoor events are likely to be cancelled as well with the impending rain due to hit late Tuesday. While many north easterners will moan and grown, many residents of the mid-west and deep south will duck and cover. Over the weekend, Mississippi and Alabama were major targets for widespread Tornado damages. According to a CNN report, tens of thousands were without power in these two states alone.  13 have been reported dead in these two states, on top of an additional 16 in Oklahoma, Iowa, and and Arkansas.

More than 75 million Americans are under risk of severe weather as the calendar turns to Tuesday April 19th. From New York to Mississippi, and all states in between, impending Tornado, flood, and hail warnings have residents seeking shelter. The two states mentioned before, Mississippi and Alabama, are once again the bulls-eye for a predicted Tuesday storm that can bring more Tornados to an already devastated area. We will keep you updated on more information regarding the tragic Tornados of this past weekend.

Donald Sterling: When I turned my radio on Monday morning, I anticipated hearing the fall out from Sunday night's Rangers and Nets playoff games. Instead, radio personalities on ESPN NY and WFAN NY spend countless hours breaking down the fallout from the alleged Donald Sterling remarks. The way the story goes, Sterling's girlfriend recorded him saying he did not want her bringing African Americans to the arena, among other racial slurs. News broke Saturday afternoon and has spread nationwide ever since. While a sports story at first,  Sterling's comments have become a societal issue. In a matter of moments, NBA commissioner Adam Silver will address Donald Sterling and likely dish out a punishment. While I'll leave all the arguing about the type and length of the punishment up to Twitter and radio shows, I will just say that the single fact that any American still feels this way towards African Americans disgusts me. It isn't 1970 anymore. The expected outcome of Silver's press conference are that Donald Sterling will be suspended in-definently and will include a multi million dollar fine. Sterling's family is allowed to have control of the organization.

Ferry Disaster Update: Per a FOX News article, South Korean President Park Guen-Hye apologized Tuesday for the government's inept initial response to the disaster that occurred back on April 12. Nearly two weeks after the incident, nearly 100 people are still unaccounted for. The death toll has been added pushed to 193. As I have posted before on this blog, many of the passengers were high school students. The article continues saying that many families have pressured the Government into believing they did not do enough to save their loved ones who were perishing off the coast of South Korea. I said it when the Costa Concordia went down in 2012, and I said it again when this incident occurred, and that is the fact that in this day and age, tragedies like this continue to happen under the watchful eye of not only the government, but also water patrol. In this case, apparently families and the government of  South Korea agree enough wasn't done to save more lives. Just pitiful.

Links: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/04/29/south-korea-president-apologizes-for-government-response-to-ferry-sinking/?intcmp=latestnews

http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/29/us/severe-weather/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Brooklyn Nets thoughts: Experience, Talent, Heart

Ever since I began this blog earlier in the month, a few of my friends have asked me to do a post on the "other" basketball team in New York City: the Brooklyn Nets. As many of you know, I am a die-hard New York Knicks fan. When it comes to the other teams that the Mets and Knicks share the city with, I am very territorial. Having said that, I do not like the Brooklyn Nets, and never will.

Now, as a basketball fan, I watch the Brooklyn Nets on a nightly basis, and have followed them as if i'm a die-hard fan myself. In this blog post, I will give my unbiased remarks on the Brooklyn franchise currently playing in the playoffs without their big brothers from Manhattan. Below are three things I have have noticed with the Nets over the course of the 2013-2014 season:

Experience-Once the Nets pulled off the trade to land Garnett and Pierce, along with Jason Terry, we envisioned a scenario where big shots were going to be made by very experienced players come playoff time. We all know how the Nets season started and ended. Once at 10-21, the Nets owned the league's best record when the calendar turned to 2014. Give credit to coach Kidd, the players, or both, but something sparked a fire under the Nets. Now, as they battle the Toronto Raptors in the first round of the playoffs, the Nets are relying on their key veterans to pull out a series victory. I predicted the Nets would win in 5 or 6, and the reason is simple: Paul Pierce. While it is not as automatic as it used to be, Paul Pierce has carried the Nets through the first four games of the playoffs. The team has lived the died with Paul's play, and if you look at his track record you'll learn that's not a bad thing. Pierce was brought here for the playoffs, and he's producing. There's not question the Nets have the experience to make a deep run but do they have the talent? Which leads us to...

Talent-Many NBA fans, media, and radio personalities concluded that the Nets had the game's best starting five when the season opened back in October. I mean, add Pierce and Garnett into a lineup already featuring Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, and Brook Lopez, and you have an eastern conference all star lineup. Unfortunately or Nets fans, the starting five took a major hit when Lopez was lost for the season after another foot injury. With Garnett injured as well, and D-Will in and out of the lineup, the Nets' starting five was far from the best. In fact, their bench was their strength this past season. Deron Williams is not what he once was in Utah. The same can be said for Pierce and Garnett with Boston. The Nets will rely on their experience, and bench, to make a deep run in the playoffs. Not necessarily raw talent, like the Wizards, Warriors, or Raptors are doing.

Heart- Every aspect of the Brooklyn Nets is based on the aforementioned blockbuster trade with the Boston Celtics. The heart of this team sits in the chests of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Deron Williams. In fact, the experience, talent, and heart all fall on Pierce, Garnett, and Williams. Many Nets fans will argue Joe Johnson fits into this equation, and he may, but let's face it. Joe Johnson wasn't brought here to change the culture. He's just an expensive and streaky piece of the puzzle. We all know the 2012-2013 Nets were heartless. They lost to an injured Bulls team in game 7 of the first round on their own court. THAT is the only example I need to prove the Nets were a heartless bunch. The Nets knew this as well. That's why they brought two future hall of famers to this city. This team was supposed to be tough as nails. In some cases this season they were. They beat the Miami heat 4 straight times for God's sake. Having said all of that, the series with the Raptors is truly testing the toughness of this team. Last night, the Nets were a disaster. They came out of the gate flat against a Raptors team that had their back's against the wall. The Nets let them back into this series. As said before, many of the Nets aspirations live with what Garnett and Pierce do. But last night, all blame needs to be on the coach. His team showed the same toughness they showed all of last season, and in the first half of this one. If the Nets win the series all of this will be forgotten, but if you are a Nets fan you have to be saying, "oh no not this again."

My top 10 Sitcoms of All-Time

My Number 1-The King of Queens

Since the Three Stooges are not considered a "sitcom," they are excluded from the list. As you all know, the Three Stooges are my favorite show of all-time. We'll save a post about them for another day. For now, I will rank my top 10 sitcoms of all time, with hope that you'll also comment on yours!

All sitcoms are ranked based on one factor: Funniest! After all, that's what makes a sitcom a sitcom.

10. George Lopez Show

9. The Honeymooners 

8. Full House

7. Three's Company 

6. Leave it to Beaver

5. The Cosby Show 

4. Abbot and Costello Show 

3.

Throw back thursday: My friends and I

Today is Thursday. Meaning, it's also "throw back thursday" on all social media outlets. While I occasionally celebrate on instagram, I have yet to have a trow back thursday post on this blog...until now. Below are some throwback pictures of me and my friends throughout the years:

John, Justin, and myself exploring back in 2009

Prom senior year-2010 

High school graduation with Vin and Mike

One of my first days in the kitchen-2010

Vin and I as best buds in 2009

The "fab 5"-2011

The Entourage-2011

A year that was: William Paterson University 2013-2014

In a mere two weeks I will have completed my entire junior year of college. I came to William Paterson this fall from the County College of Morris. While at county college, I began my post-highschool career by studying business administration. I made the smooth transition to marketing at William Paterson, where I have completed nearly 75% of all my college credits. The year went fast, always does. In a few weeks I will wake up a senior, my last year of schooling. I share with you today some pictures I took along during my journey as a William Paterson junior. A journey that will end come May 8th.

 

1600 Valley Road-the business campus

King of Queens on TV at the Student Center

Homecoming football game 

A view from inside Hunziker Hall

The old-style Hunziker Hall

A chilly fall day waiting for the campus shuttle. 

A beautiful fall day in late September

If the Brooklyn Nets win tonight...

Tonight the Brooklyn Nets continue their best-of-seven series with the Atlantic Division champion, Toronto Raptors. As we all know, the Nets began the season with championship aspirations, only to find themselves in a 10-21 win-loss hole before January 2014. How about after January 2014 you ask? Well, they only posted the best record in the Eastern Conference over that span.

Tonight the Nets, who lead 1-0, look to keep the pedal to the metal and burry the Raptors once and for all. Look for the Raptors to come out of the gate firing on all cylinders, as they try to crawl back into this series, but the Nets may just have enough to withstand the punch from Canada's sole NBA franchise.

With an inevitable second round matchup with Miami, if the Nets win tonight, they'll all but seal the deal against the Raptors. This, in return, will allow an older Brooklyn team to rest up and get to a level where they can give the Heat a real run for their money. Don't forget though, the Nets need four wins to secure this series, and the Raptors are no slouches. Even if they do go up 2-0, they must put the hammer down at home, where they are virtually un-beatlable. Expect the Nets to squeeze by tonight on experience alone, and then put the hammer down at the Barclay's Center.

Why you shouldn't feel your current iPhone is outdated.

This upcoming September, Apple is expecting to launch their newest addition to the iPhone family: the iPhone 6. Alongside each new iPhone annually, Apple also releases  updated iOS software. The iPhone 6 is technically the eighth iPhone to date, and will thus be shipped out with the eighth version of the iOS mobile operating system.

I've been following Apple ever since I converted to a Macbook from my Dell PC in 2010. I then switched over from my traditional flip phone to the iPhone 4 (at the time), and the rest they say is history. The predictability of Apple has been well documented, ever since the iPhone was released in 2007.  Early every summer, sometime around June, the California-based company holds a keynote presentation to inform the world about their newest mobile creation.

In an era where technology is growing at lightening speed, many consumers feel that their latest tablets, smartphones, and laptops are outdated within a year. While Apple will announce their latest iPhone, a mere eight months after its predecessor was launched, there is no reason to fear your current smartphone is outdated, and here's why:

1. iOS updates let older generation users get up to 75% of new content. People walking around with an iPhone 4 are still reaping the benefits of iOS 7. Apple has allowed it such, that older generation phones (up to a certain year) are still capable of downloading the latest software. Essentially, the operating system on your older iPhone is the same as one on a shiny new iPhone 5s. Now, when your phone becomes so ancient that it no longer allows you to upgrade your software, then upgrading your phone is a smart idea.

2. It's mostly hardware upgrades that separate current and older generation iPhones. Unless you are jumping from an iPhone 3GS to say, an iPhone 5 or 5s, there really isn't that significant of a difference for any average smartphone user to care about. Chalk this up to Apple's clever marketing, as they have converted many older generation users into buying their current model. Many times the camera pixels are enhanced, which is always something I look forward to personally. But, is that going to propel me to go out and spend another $200 on a new iPhone, no it won't.

3. The fact that we feel like we need an updated phone is what Apple and other smartphone providers feast on. Young, old, or middle aged, we as consumers need to have the latest and greatest. I, many times, have fallen into this same category. My iPad 1 works flawlessly, yet I went out and spent $325 on an iPad Mini so I could "fit in with the crowd." If people can just learn to accept what they have, and not be so obsessed on the latest and greatest, they would save a boat load of money.

Well there you have it, my top three reasons why it is foolish to spend your hard earned money, unless you HAVE to, on a new iPhone when it isn't really worth it.

Extremely scary movie trailer

I am a horror movie junkie. Halloween is my favorite holiday for the sole reason that there are non top horror movies on TV 24/7. Below is a link to an upcoming horror movie I believe will be one of, if not the scariest movie of 2014. Check it out:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GNyQusclgw

A trip to the beach-2011

With warmer weather looming, and spring flowers blooming, I have taken a few minutes to look back into my iPhoto library and resurrect some beach photos from one of the best summers of all time-the summer of 2011. Here's a look back at some funny pictures my buddies and I took while we took a trip to heaven, otherwise known as the beach.

Cooper waiving off the media after a long day at the beach. 

Best pals for many years know, meet John Edmunds IV. 

The older brother I never had, the healthiest friend of them all, Kyle Crooks

Kyle as shown on the hit television show "TMZ"

If I'm Moe, they certainly are Larry and Curly. 

After a long day at Seaside Heights, we had back North. 

South Korean Ferry Disaster: What happened?

    On the night of April 15th, 2014, news quickly spread of a South Korean sinking not too far off the coast land. Nearly a week later, many questions have been answered surrounding the disaster and many questions have not been answered. Ships and shipwrecks always fascinate me, ever since I become obsessed with the Titanic, and this one sparks my interest as well. To help summarize what the case so far, I have laid out the facts and the questions about that fateful night on April 15th: 

Facts-no particular order of events.

1. The call to the traffic control center from the doomed ferry took place at 8:55 a.m. Korean time. 

2. 450 passengers, mostly high school students, were on board. 

3. Passangers could not board lifeboats because the ship began listing so severely. 

4. The death toll (as of 4/20/14) has risen to 58, with 244 missing. 

5. Nearly 100 have been rescued. 

6. The ship was near Byeongpung Island.

Questions

1. Where are the 244 missing people?

2. What exactly caused the ship to sink?

3. Why did the ship sink as fast as it did?

4. Did the captain do enough to help?