tuberaider video

The "Madden 09" player ratings are here, and as the release of the game approaches it is sending Madden football nerds into a frenzy:

Madden 09 Player Ratings link

EA Sports is celebrating two decades of video game football with the release of "Madden NFL 09: 20th Anniversary Special Collector's Edition," which includes full versions of the new "Madden" game, as well as the new "NFL Head Coach 09" strategy game and bonus video content, and everyone is waiting for the moment when they can see the new Madden 09 player ratings.

"The launch of this Madden 09 is of a magnitude that only the Rose Bowl can accommodate," said Peter Moore, president of EA Sports.

"Maddenpalooza, a games and music festival, will take place on August 11th in Pasadena, and approximately 10,000 fans are expected at the stadium to get their hands on the game, see the new player ratings and hear bands like Good Charlotte play."

The "Madden" franchise has been the number one selling sports franchise in North America for six years. Since its inception, Electronic Arts has sold over 70 million units of the game worldwide. This year's version has more than 85 new features, the most ever for the franchise in one year.

"It seems like every year Madden gets more and more realistic," said Miami Dolphin Jake Long. "When I watch someone playing 'Madden,' it's like I'm watching a real NFL game. The guys look so realistic and the features keep getting better." The player ratings for Madden 09 promise to be full of surprises..

Madden 09 Player Ratings

Some video highlights from the great Olympics 2008 performance in Mens Gymnastics, Team Final. The US team's showing in the 2008 olympics team final has been a big surprise, after Paul Hamm and his brother both dropped out. For most of the event they trailed right behind China in the siulver medal spot.

Olympics 2008: Mens Gymnastics, US Team Final (video)
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Go for the bronze.

As the U.S. men's gymnastics team bounces, flips and vaults in the National Indoor Stadium today, it will be a surprising medal contender, even after losing Olympic veterans Paul and Morgan Hamm to injury.

But as much as they have talked about winning the team competition, their best chance now is for a third-place finish.

"China and Japan will fight for gold and silver, and it is up to the rest of us to fight for a bronze medal,'' said Germany's Fabian Hambuechen, who finished second behind China's Yang Wei in the all-around qualifying.

Four teams finished qualifying within 1.025 points of one another — Russia (third), South Korea (fourth), Germany (fifth) and the United States (sixth). The eight-team final starts from zero today with an intense format in which three gymnasts are scored on each of the six apparatus. In other words, all the scores count, so the margin of error is razor thin.

"To make a major team personnel change, compete in the first subdivision and qualify for the team finals is a huge accomplishment,'' U.S. coach Kevin Mazeika said Saturday after his team performed well. (In fact, the Americans probably were scored low because they went in the first group, when judges tend to hold back on awarding high points.)

Olympics 2008: Mens Gymnastics Team Final (video)

[full video coming later tonight!]

The new one from Jay-Z produced by Kanye, "Jocking Jay-Z", full lyrics below and full song above

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Jay-Z "Jockin Jay-Z" Lyrics

I see you jockin Jay-z cuz he got a mercedes and you know about his ladies

I see you Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
I'm so dopeboy fresh
I see you Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
I'm so dopeboy fresh

[verse]
who's house? hov, no doubt
bout the only rapper still gettin money in the drought
i moves out in the global, i'm a mogul
50,000 feet in the air and i'm still on my mobile
fuck talking bout the recession it's depressin
i rock ith obama but i'm not a politician
and i chill with the thugs and the gangsters thoo
i ain't a blood but i'm warring with the boys in blue
crooked officer, crooekd officer
why you wanna see me in a coffin sir
is it against the law the way 'm flossin sir
benzes rolls royces and porschesm, ughhh
hater's like "hov why you still talkin money shit?"
..........cuz I like money, bitch
i like fly shit, you like gossip
i let you do you, why you ridin my tip?

I see you Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
I'm so dopeboy fresh
I see you Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
I'm so dopeboy fresh

that bloke from Oasis said I couldn't play guitar
somebody shoulda told him i'm a fuckin rock star
today is gonna be the day that i'm gonna throw it back to you
i'm livin life as a rocker i'm like pimp c, potna
comin down in mercedes peelin off on the boppers
worldwide show i'm comin down in a chopper
180 thou, screamin Hov with the Roc up
it's too easy, i got ladies on soldiers showing me their chi-chis(?)
i mee honey at the show last year
and now i'm acting brand new like a world premiere
yeah i know life ain't fair
but chill babygirl, my girl is here
i got models in the moshpit
dancin off beat but they know the words to my shit

I see you Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
I'm so dopeboy fresh
I see you Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
I'm so dopeboy fresh

you ain't gotta jock jay-z jock fly shit
you ain't gotta jock me, homey jock my chick
jock her [???] she body you with the fit
no that's not pilates, her body just thick
you ain't gotta jock her, nigga jock my clique
jock the dope boys cuz we all toss bricks
federale's jock while i'm crossin the bridge
click click, take a portrait of this
i ain't no pretty boy, i got a gorgeous wrist
cut handsome checks and my flow's pretty sick
i'm so ghetto chic
i'm where the hood and high fashion meet
ooh-wee, i'm like the camouflage [???]
how you niggas want it, the tux or the toolie
haters i ain't mad at you
if i wasn't me i'd probably jock me too

I see you Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
I'm so dopeboy fresh
I see you Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
Jockin Jay-Z Jockin Jay-Z
I'm so dopeboy fresh
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Jay-Z "Jockin Jay-Z" Lyrics

Jonathan Horton's High Bar Routine in Beijing that helped the US get the Bronze in the 2008 Olympics.

Jonathan Horton High Bar Routine 2008 Olympics (video)
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The three-time defending men's gymnastics took back the Olympic gold medal it had lost with a disastrous fifth-place finish in Athens by dominating the still rings and vault and and topping silver-medalist Japan.

The U.S. was in second place going into their final rotation, the pommel horse, the apparatus that has been a nemesis. After Kevin Tan sat on the horse and received a 12.775, Raj Bhavsar did such a basic routine he only scored 13.750. But Alexander Artemev finished with a rousing swing, scored 15.350 and helped the U.S.hang on for an unexpected bronze medal.

On the very first routine of Tuesday morning, Chen Yibing, 23, an Olympic rookie, finished his final floor pass by staggering out of bounds and slapping his hands to his head. His score of 14.575 brought a collective groan at the National Indoor Stadium.

The Chinese men were heavy favorites to defend the team gold medal they had won in Sydney in 2000 but instead had a series of major falls in the team finals and were a dispirited fifth place. Japan won the team gold and the United States, led by Paul and Morgan Hamm, won the silver medal. The word "choke" was used about China.

After Chen's inauspicious start, though, Yang Wei and another youngster, 20-year-old Zou Kai, powered through their floor tumbling with tightly-wound somersaults and flips to knock away bad memories. Yang had a solid 15.425 and Zou an excellent 15.925 and as Japan's Takuya stumbled badly to lead off on floor for Japan, it seemed a Chinese rout might be on.

This Chinese team is filled with veterans. Leader Yang, 28, is a three-time Olympian who won team gold and individual all-around silver in 2000; Xiao Qin, and Li Xiaopeng (who won team gold and individual gold on parallel bars in 2000 and a parallel bronze in 2004); all have Olympic experience.

After its Olympic disappointment in 2004 the Chinese men have won the past three world championships and led the qualifying round here by almost five points over defending gold-medalist Japan.

The United States came into the Olympics with lowered expectations after both Hamm brothers withdrew within 10 days of each other with injuries. They were thrilled to qualify sixth and within about one and a half points of third-placed qualifier Russia.

The American started on still rings where Raj Bhavsar, who had been the replacement for Paul Hamm, did a steady turn and scored 15.325, exactly what he did in team qualifications.

But the judges took nearly five minutes reviewing video of his routine while Jonathan Horton had to wait to go up while he hopped back and forth from foot to foot. Horton still executed well and hit a solid landing but Kevin Tan, who has been doing routines worth nearly 17 points all year, was given a 15.425 after another long review of his routine by the judges.

Long reviews weren't happening only to the Americans. It is a new system at this Olympics where judges have video screens and can review every element of every event.

China's Huang Xu had to wait about seven minutes before his pommel horse score of 14.750 was posted and the Chinese fans booed loudly. It was on the third rotation for China, the still rings that the team began to pull well ahead.

Huang, Yang and Chen Yibing all scored over 16.000 and the arena erupted. Chinese flags waved and even for those who don't speak Mandarin the chant was clear. "Let's go…China…Let's go…China." Chen's was the final score of 16.575 was posted and the team high-fived and acknowledged the crowd.

The rest of the competition would be used for sorting out the other medals.

The American fans began tentatively making themselves heard with a "USA, USA chant" after both Bhavsar (15.575) and Jonathan Horton (15.625) knocked out solid parallel bar routines. When Justin Spring finished off the set for the U.S. with a 15.850 the U.S. actually led the competition though it wouldn't last. China took the lead after vault.

Those "USA" cheers got even louder when Joey Hagerty, Horton and Justin Spring flew through the high bar without a fall. Both Horton and Spring, who do high-risk moves, had taken big falls during Olympic qualifying competitions but when Spring held his landing the men jumped into each others' arms. Assistant coach Miles Avery swung Spring around.

NJ's Rebecca Soni earned a silver medal in the 100-meter breaststroke tonight in Beijing at the 2008 Olympics. Video is here, can't figure out how to embed it.

Rebecca Soni 100 Meter Breaststroke, Beijing Olympics (video)
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Rebecca Soni won the Olympic lottery Tuesday night.

In an event in which she didn't qualify for the Summer Games, an event that broke her heart at the Swim Trials in Omaha, Neb., where she finished fourth, in an event in which she wasn't expected to medal, the 21-year-old Plainsboro native captured a silver medal, her first Olympic medal.

Moments after Michael Phelps accepted his third gold medal of the Olympiad for a world-record performance in the 200-meter freestyle, Soni, swimming in lane 5, finished second to the world's best, Leisel Jones of Australia, in the 100-meter breaststroke at the National Aquatics Center.

Fifth midway through the race, Soni closed strongly to finish in 1:06.73. Jones swam in 1:05.17, an Olympic record, and Mirna Jukic of Austria took the bronze medal in 1:07.34.

"I don't even know how I feel yet," Soni said. "It's still registering. Who could ask for more? It's pretty incredible. I wasn't ready to swim this event a few days ago, so to get in was nice, but then to win a medal is incredible."

In effect, Soni was playing with house money in this event. She did not qualify for this swim at the Olympic Trials, but, as a member of the team for the 200-meter breaststroke, she was placed in the 100-meter swim when Jessica Hardy, the top U.S. qualifier, tested positive for clenbuterol, a banned anabolic agent, and withdrew from the Games.

Hardy faces a two-year ban for the violation...

Rebecca Soni 100 Meter Breaststroke, Beijing Olympics (video) coming soon

Highlights of the battle between China and the US in Beijing's Womens Gymnastics final. Watching these girls compete is so nerve wracking, I don't know how a parent gets through it. Poor Alicia Sacramone :( (Video up as soon as we get it)

Womens Gymnastics Final Olympics 2008 (video) link

The United States women's gymnastics team earned a silver medal at the Olympics on Wednesday, finishing behind the powerful Chinese squad.

China finished with a score of 188.9 points, while the Americans had 186.525. Romania, which earned the team gold four yeas ago in Athens, took the bronze this time around with a score of 181.525.

The U.S., which picked up its second straight silver at the Summer Games, was barely in second going into the fourth and final rotation, Their mark of 142.100 was one point behind China going into the floor exercise, which was the last part of the competition.

Alicia Sacramone was first on floor for the U.S., but fell and also stepped out of bounds for a mark of 14.125. Nastia Liukin had a top mark of 15.200 for the U.S. in the floor, while Shawn Johnson had 15.100.

The remainder of the U.S. team, Chellsie Memmel, Samantha Peszek and Bridget Sloan, gave a valiant effort, but it just wasn't enough to overtake the Chinese team.

The U.S. finished first on vault and balance beam, but second on bars and third on floor, while China led the way on bars and floor with second-place showings on vault and beam.

Chang Fei stuck her floor routine with the tune of 15.45, the best mark of the day there, and the remainder of the squad - He Kexin, Jiang Yuyuan, Li Shanshan, Yang Yilin and Deng Linlin celebrated at the end...

Womens Gymnastics Final Olympics 2008 (video)

Pics of US gymnasty Alicia Sacramone, who showed tons of heart on a tough night at the Beijing Olympics last night. Links to various sites with recent photos, plus this video clip of Alicia Sacramone punching some guy and knocking him out!

Alicia Sacramone Pics 1: link

Alicia Sacramone Pics 2: link

Alicia Sacramone Pics 3: link

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pictures of :
Alicia Sacramone, birthday: December 3rd, 1987
Hometown: Boston
Coach: Mihai Brestyan

Sad for this athlete, in front of his home crowd..

Olympics: Liu Xiang Pulls Out of Race
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To the jaw-dropping disappointment of all 1.3 billion Chinese watching the Olympics - Liu Xiang pulled out of the 110m hurdles just minutes ago. An injury to his hamstring has been plaguing Liu for weeks, but he was hopeful he would be able to compete. It would be little surprise if he or his couch calculated it was better to not compete at all than to compete and fail in front of an entire nation that had pinned their Olympic hopes on him.

Liu Xiang Pulls Out of the Olympics
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Arguably the biggest star of the Summer Games, Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang walked off the track before competing in his 110-meter first-round heat with an obvious injury.

Liu, the reigning Olympic and world champion, had competed sparsely this summer because of hamstring problems, but he was expected to be in full health this morning.

Liu Xiang's stunning departure left the nearly sold-out crowd here murmuring in confusion. He left shortly after reigning Olympic silver medal winner Terrence Trammell pulled up lame in his heat, failing to finish.

Trammell ran over one hurdle and then stopped and walked around the second.

Earlier, world record holder Dayron Robles -- figured to be the biggest threat to Liu Xiang's dream of winning gold in his home country -- made it easily through the day's first heat, winning it in 13.39 seconds. Howard University graduate David Oliver also advanced, winning the morning's second heat in 13.30 seconds.

In a warm-up shortly before his race, Liu Xiang cleared two hurdles then dropped to his knees on the track. He was grimacing in pain, seemingly trying to stretch out his right foot. As he got in the blocks for the race, he winced and grabbed his right leg.

Video of the Oscar winner and Mary Tyler Moore star Cloris Leachman at the Bob Saget Roast, which she attended so she could holler at John Stamos.

Cloris Leachman Roasting Bob Saget

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Cloris Leachman spares Bob Saget little dignity in her feisty appearance at his Comedy Central roast.

In a video snippet of the taped event, set to air Sunday night, the award-winning actress snipes, "Can't believe I shaved for this. I mean, what am I even doing here? Who cares about Bob Saget?"

Low blow. But Saget laps it up, laughing large at the award-winning actress's routine. When asked why the cable channel singled him out to be roasted, he says with mock humility, "I don't know. You know, I guess a few other people turned it down. It's always how I look at it."

Cloris Leachman Bob Saget Roast (video)

Wow Tony Atlas was there? That's a name from wayyy back when I used to watch WWF..

WWE Summerslam Results 2008 (video)
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1. MVP pinned Jeff Hardy in 10:10. Well, so much for the broken neck rumors. Hardy danced just fine during his entrance. Ross and Tazz called the match. They're now calling MVP's kick to the head the "Drive-by kick." The ring was filled with smoke leftover from the fireworks. Ugh.

2. Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix defeated Kofi Kingston and Mickie James to win the Intercontinental Title and the WWE Summerslam 2008 Women's Title. Cole and Lawler on commentary. Santino debuted a new singlet. Early in the match, Beth scolded Santino at ringside when Kofi got the better of their exchange. Kofi ran toward the couple and acted like he was going to dive onto them. Santino reacted by jumping into Beth's arms.

3. Matt Hardy defeated Mark Henry (w/Tony Atlas) by DQ in an ECW Title in 0:30. Todd Grisham and Matt Striker on commentary. Hardy hit the Twist of Fate and had the pin, but Atlas reached in at the last possible moment (looked like he was late) and pulled Matt off for the DQ.

5. Triple H pinned Great Khali (w/Ranjin Singh) to retain the WWE Title in 9:20. Hunter went for the Pedigree early. Khali fought out and hit the Khali bomb. Khali locked in the head vice, but Hunter slipped out. Say what you will, but there was good crowd heat for the head vice. The match spilled to ringside and Khali chopped Hunter.

6. In the climax of the WWE Summerslam Results 2008, Batista pinned John Cena in 13:45. The usual mix of boos and cheers for Cena. Plenty of high-pitched squeals and baritone boos. No big staredown to start the match. The first notable moment of the match came at 3:15 when Batista locked in the Figure Four. "He might have to tap out here," Lawler said on commentary. Cena rolled into the ropes to break the hold.

WWE Summerslam Results 2008 (video)

John Cena vs. Batista, Summerslam 2008 (video)
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Batista pinned John Cena in 13:45. The usual mix of boos and cheers for Cena. Plenty of high-pitched squeals and baritone boos. No big staredown to start the match. The first notable moment of the match came at 3:15 when Batista locked in the Figure Four. "He might have to tap out here," Lawler said on commentary. Cena rolled into the ropes to break the hold.

Moments later, Cena FU'd Batista over the top rope to ringside. "He is scary strong," Cole said. Cena sold a knee injury. He looked to the crowd and received more boos than cheers. He did the "You can't see me," and hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena failed to hit the FU. Batista came back moments later with a boot to the face.

At 7:30, Cena locked in the STFU. About 90 seconds later, Batista reached the ropes to break the hold. Batista began selling a knee injury of his own. Cena went for the FU again, but Batista turned it into a rear naked choke. The live WWE Summerslam 2008 crowd didn't pop much for the move and Batista showed a lot of light by moving his arms. Cena elbowed Batista's bad leg until he broke free.

Batista speared Cena for a nearfall. A short time later, Cena reversed Batista's slam attempt and turned into the FU. Cool move. It took some time for Cena to roll over and cover Batista, who kicked out to a big pop. Cena sold it well with a look of surprise that Batista kicked out of his finisher.

John Cena vs. Batista, Summerslam 2008 (video)

Lots of theatrics in this one.

Edge vs. Undertaker WWE Summerslam 2008 (VIDEO)
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Undertaker beat Edge in a Hell in a Cell match in 26:45. During Edge's ring entrance, Ross said Edge is going to Hell tonight. "Judging from the look in his eyes, he's going to enjoy the trip," said Ross. Nice. Tazz looked at the structure and said he'd never want to be in a Hell in a Cell match. They also pointed out that Edge is 7-0 in singles matches at SummerSlam.

Edge flashed the crazy eyes, smiled, and licked his lips in Heath Ledger's version of the Joker style while waiting for Undertaker's entrance. Standard Undertaker entrance. No druids with torches for his latest return. Ross said Taker "is the yard stick by which every WWE superstar past and present is measured." Nice.

Edge continued to smile even as Taker removed his hat and glared at him from just inside the cage door. Taker reached back and closed the cage door behind him. Charles Robinson locked the cage door shut. Tazz observed that Edge doesn't seem to be intimidated...

...Taker placed Edge on a chair and performed his own version of the Conchairto. Taker scooped up Edge and delivered the Tombstone piledriver for the win. Afterward, a shot aired of Vickie and her crew clapping for the finish backstage. Taker walked onto the stage and stopped when he saw the "Edge vs. Undertaker" listing on the stage set. He glared at it and then headed back to the ring.

Taker picked up Edge and placed him onto a ladder that was standing in the corner of the ring. Edge didn't move while Taker went to ringside and grabbed a slightly taller ladder. Taker positioned the ladder next to Edge's ladder, looked at him, and said, "Now we're going to hell." Taker stood with a foot on each ladder and performed a soft looking chokeslam that sent Edge flying through the canvas and apparently into hell.

In a cool move, Taker knelt in one corner and suddenly flames began shooting out of the hole Edge left in the ring. "Undertaker sent Edge straight to hell," Ross enthusiastically said to close the show...

Here's the video of Laura Wilkinson, US Star in the Beijing Olympic Diving Competition.

Laura Wilkinson Olympic Diving Results (video)
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Attempting to avoid a second straight shutout in the diving medals for the United States, Laura Wilkinson was fifth after completing the second-best dive of the opening round.

Wilkinson won this event in Sydney and the Americans have not won a medal in diving since. The 30-year-old plans to retire after these games.

Chantelle Newbery, the Australian who won this event at the 2004 Athens Games, did not qualify this year.

Teenage divers Chen Ruolin and Wang Xin led the standings in preliminaries for the 10-meter platform at the Water Cube on Wednesday in the one diving event China did not win at the previous two Olympics.

China has already won the opening six diving events of these games, and is going for a clean sweep of all eight golds.

Chen received two perfect 10s on his final dive, a back 2 1/2 somersault with 1 1/2 twists, executing slightly better than Wang, who closed with the same dive.

Chen led with 428.80 points, Wang was second with 420.30 and Emilie Heymans of Canada qualified third with 403.85 before a near capacity crowd at the Water Cube.

The top 18 finishers, including Laura Wilkinson, qualified for Thursday's semifinals.

Here is the cinematic trailer for Wrath of the Lich King finally released today. It was delivered on the WOW site and now everyone's hunting it down..

WOTLK Wrath of the Lich King Cinematic Trailer (VIDEO)
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We all know that World of Warcraft''s Wrath of the Lich King expansion is coming with some killer stuff, and that includes the game's brand new Achievement system. What we don't know yet is what happened behind the scenes and how it all came to be. Fortunately, lead game designer Jeffrey Kaplan had a conversation with MTV Multiplayer recently and told us all a little something about it as the WOTLK cinematic trailer video hit the internet.

Kaplan says that originally, the people over at Blizzard didn't want to call the Wrath of the Lich King system Achievements because Xbox 360 and Steam were already using the name. They came up with all sorts of alternatives like Goals, Accomplishments, and other titles, but at the end of it all, it came back down to Achievements.

“We sort of came around to the conclusion that all players call them Achievements," He added. That realization made them settle on the name finally, leading to the release of the WOTLK Cinematic trailer today.

Next was brainstorming on how to go about it. Kaplan recounts that the core concept of designing their WOTLK Achievements was “we wanted to focus on getting the user interface in a good presentable form and things that other Achievement systems haven’t done a good job of...”

WOTLK Wrath of the Lich King Cinematic Trailer (VIDEO)

Here's the footage of today's Olympic Softball final in Beijing 2008, where Japan upset the Unisted Stated 3-1. Sad day for the sport , as they say goodbye to the Olympics.. (while freaking WALKING remains as an Olympic sport. WALKING. As I said to a friend earlier, I'm gonna be lobbying for crip-walking and krumping to be included in the games next time.)

Olympic Softball Final, Japan vs. United States (VIDEO) link

The end of Olympic softball for the foreseeable future also saw the end of a women's dynasty in the sport.

The Japanese women's team stunned the United States 3-1 in the gold medal final at the Beijing Games on Thursday, denying the Americans of their fourth straight softball gold medal in Olympic competition.

It was a thrilling end for a competition that may not be on the Olympic radar for another eight years. The International Olympic Committee voted softball off the 2012 program in London, although the sport is hoping to be reinstated next year, in time for the 2016 Games.

Thursday's win gives Japan its first gold medal in Olympic women's softball.

It also ended the 22-game winning streak for the Americans, whose last loss in Olympic competition also came against Japan, in preliminary play at the 2000 Sydney Games.

But the stakes couldn't have been higher Thursday for the top-ranked U.S. squad, which gets silver.

Video of tonight's America's Best Dance Crew Finale, in which justice was finally served when Super Crew (Super Cr3w) came out on top of the lovable but less talented So Real Crew. America actually made the right choice! Hope this bodes well for November. Super Crew, ABDC champions.

Super Crew Wins America's Best Dance Crew Final
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It had to happen, but again, it probably was an episode too soon. Super Cr3w, with its skill, heart and battletude, should easily have been the top crew, but that distinction went to Houston's SoReal Cru. In Lil Mama's first assessment of them, she said that they reminded her of Kaba Modern, and she's right in terms of style. SoReal is smooth and talented, but most of all, popular. Like Boogie Bots, their popularity probably helped them through rough patches. Unlike Boogie Bots, they also usually perform really well. Despite criticism, they've been a highlight this season -- a season Lil Mama and Shane summarized.

But against Fanny Pak and Super Cr3w? On '80s night?! As you would think, the throwback hoofers of Fanny Pak and the breakdancing battlers Super Cr3w thrived with their challenges. It wasn't much of a contest. JC Chasez may have said it best when uttering: "If you think that SoReal Cru outdanced these two crews this episode ..." Then he was drowned out by the audience's agreeable shouts and dismissive boos. What he continued to say was that you're wrong if think SoReal Cru is in their class. The judges gave Fanny Pak a standing ovation (season's first, as was pointed out to me by a commenter and Mario Lopez) after their Missy Elliott performance, and Super Cr3w's routine caused Missy to call her own video "whack." So how did SoReal end up on top? It's all about votes, fair or unfair, and that's been part of what Shane calls a great season...

Super Crew Wins America's Best Dance Crew Final (VIDEO)

VEEP PICK: Obama picking Joseph Biden for VP, Vice President, and presenting him in their first public appearance on Saturday 8/23/08. Video on the story here.

Obama Picks Biden for Vice President (VIDEO)
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Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama has chosen Delaware Sen. Joe Biden to be his running mate, reports CNN.

Joseph Biden, 65, is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He has four children, one of whom is deceased. Background info via Wiki: In 1966, while in law school, Biden married Neilia Hunter. Obama's VP pick Biden had three children, Joseph R. “Beau” Biden III, Robert Hunter, and Naomi. His wife and infant daughter died in a car accident shortly after he was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1972. Joe Biden's two young sons, Beau and Hunter, were seriously injured in the accident, but both eventually made full recoveries. In 1977, Biden married Jill Tracy Jacobs. They have one daughter, Ashley.

Thus far press reaction seems to be positive for Obama's selection of Joe BIden for VP. As Vice President, he would be a strong voice that offered checks and balances to Obama, and far from a yes man, but not the evil mastermind we had in Cheney either. Biden as a candidate for Vice President also brings lots of experience, and Biden as Veep candidate is a strong attack dog to complement Obama's more gentle, dignified nature.

Here is the background info on Joseph Biden's plagiarism "scandal" from his presidential campaign 20 years ago, in which he was accused of plagiarizing this professor in a few passages back when he was a student, which was revealed in the race he ultimately lost to Mike Dukakis (and THAT sure worked out well.) This Biden Plagiarism Scandal is not really much of a scandal at all, and should be a non-issue.

Joseph Biden Plagiarism Scandal
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Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr., answering plagiarism charges to salvage his Presidential campaign, today acknowledged ''a mistake'' in his youth, when he plagiarized a law review article for a paper he wrote in his first year at law school.

Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr., fighting to salvage his Presidential campaign, today acknowledged ''a mistake'' in his youth, when he plagiarized a law review article for a paper he wrote in his first year at law school.

Mr. Biden insisted, however, that he had done nothing ''malevolent,'' that he had simply misunderstood the need to cite sources carefully. And he asserted that another controversy, concerning recent reports of his using material from others' speeches without attribution, was ''much ado about nothing.''

Mr. Biden, the 44-year-old Delaware Democrat who heads the Senate Judiciary Committee, addressed these issues at the Capitol in a morning news conference he had called expressly for that purpose. The news conference was held just before he presided over the third day of hearings on the nomination of Judge Robert H. Bork to the Supreme Court.

To buttress his assertions of sincerity and openness, Mr. Biden released a 65-page file, obtained by the Senator from the Syracuse University College of Law, that he said contained all the records of his years there. It disclosed relatively poor grades in college and law school, mixed evaluations from teachers and details of the plagiarism.

Both the current dean of the law school and Mr. Biden's professor today played down the incident of plagiarism. [ Page A23. ] Brushing aside any suggestion that he might be forced to withdraw from the Presidential race, Mr. Biden declared at the news conference, ''I'm in the race to stay, I'm in the race to win, and here I come.'' Blames Rivals

Mr. Biden also suggested that the recent damaging information about him had originated with other campaigns, which he did not identify, and that it had emerged now because he was enjoying a chance in the limelight with the Bork hearings.

"Moribito" Adult Swim Video
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New to Saturday night's here at the end of August 2008 is another new series premiere for Adult Swim, the evening and early morning programming block dedicated to animation and live-action for adult audiences.

Frequently catering to anime fans at odd hours of the morning if not exclusively through Saturday nights, Adult Swim has lined up the historical fantasy Japanese television animation Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit for its stateside premiere.

Based on an immensely popular novel, out of a series of several, by author Nahoko Uehashi, published a dozen years ago, Moribito blends dependable characters with a ferociously detailed environment.

The anime Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit begins with the legend that a spiritual element was planted, for nurturing, within the body of a young man. The legend, which is said to occur roughly once every century or so, appears to have come around again, as the young prince of the imperial kingdom has been chosen to serve as the body and temple of this egg so-called.

As Moribito continues, the young prince, named Chagum, finds himself in many a precarious situation, as various men from provinces near and far as well as beasts from another world, begin to hunt him down, in search of the spirit within. Chagum houses the egg of the Water Spirit, and is thus the guardian of the spirit.
"Moribito" Adult Swim Video

video of Shannon Rowbury in her first place finish in the olympic trials

Shannon Rowbury Olympic 1500-Meter Final (video)
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San Francisco's Shannon Rowbury recorded the highest finish by an American woman in an Olympic 1,500-meter final when she came across in seventh Saturday night at the Bird's Nest.

Rowbury was in fifth position with 600 meters to go and was fourth with 500 remaining when she began to lose contact with the leaders. She finished in 4 minutes, 3.58 seconds.

With a spirited move with 200 meters left, Kenya's Nancy Langat moved to the front and held the lead to the finish for the gold medal in 4:00.23. Behind her, Ukrainians raced for the silver and bronze medals, with Iryna Lishchynska getting second place in 4:01.63 and Nataliya Tobias third in 4:01.78.

"I put myself in it," Rowbury said. "I just didn't have the extra gear the last 200 meters."

Dating to 1972 when the 1,500 for women was included in the Olympic program, four American women have finished eighth in finals: Jan Merrill in 1976, Ruth Wysocki in 1984, Mary Slaney in 1988 and Marla Runyan in 2000.

Through 2 1/2 laps Rowbury was a factor in fifth position, within striking range of the leaders. But when she needed to step on it, there was no acceleration.

Shannon Rowbury Olympic 1500-Meter Final (video)

US 400 Meter Relay Final, 2008 Olympics (video)
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The U.S. men's 4x400 relay team scored the U.S. track contingent's first Olympic record of the 2008 Beijing Games on the last full day of competition at the Bird's Nest.

The women's 4x400 relay team also won gold behind a gutsy anchor leg from Sanya Richards, who caught and passed her Russian counterpart in the final 50 meters.

The victories reclaimed some dignity for a U.S. track and field team that has struggled in these Games..

...Richards had to chase down Russian anchor runner Anastasia Kapachinskaya, passing her less than 10 meters from the tape. Mary Wineberg, Allyson Felix, Monique Henderson and Richards came home in 3:18.54. Henderson and Richards both ran for the gold medal-winning team in Athens in 2004. Russia took silver, Jamaica bronze.

Women's 1,500: After drafting along in fourth and fifth place, American Shannon Rowbury couldn't get up and go when everyone else got up and went on the final leg. Kenya's Nancy Jebet Langat won the gold in a time of 4:00.23. Rowbury was seventh in 4:03.58, the best American finish ever at that distance in the Olympics.

TI's new supergroup cut with Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and Kanye, plus vocals by M.I.A. vie sample from "Paper Planes.. This track is harder than I expected. Not bad at all. Wonder if this'll become the beat everyone freestyles over for the next month or two.. homemade video above, lyrics below

TI "Swagger Like Us" w/ Kanye/Jay-Z/Lil Wayne Video Lyrics

(MIA sample)
no one on the corner have swagger like us
swagger like us, swagger like us
no one on the corner have swagger like us
swagger like us, swagger like us
no one on the corner have swagger like us
swagger like us, swagger like us
no one on the corner have swagger like us
swagger like us, swagger like us

[kanye]

Mr. West is in the building
swagger on a hundred thousand, trillion
ayo I know I got it first
I'm Christopher Columbus, y'all just the pilgrims
Thanksgiving do we even gotta question
Hermes pastel I pass the dressing
My attitude is tattooed
that means permanent so I guess i should address it, huh?
my swagger is mick jagger
every time I breathe on the track I asthma attack it
why he's so mad for, why he gotta habit
cuz I slaved my whole life, now I'm the master

na-na-na, how it feel to wake up and be the shit
trying to get that coke number, one over jordan

no one on the corner have swagger like us
swagger like us, swagger like us
no one on the corner have swagger like us
swagger like us, swagger like us
no one on the corner have swagger like us
swagger like us, swagger like us
no one on the corner have swagger like us
swagger like us, swagger like us

[jay-z]

no one on the corner gotta bop like this
can't wear skinny jeans cuz my knots don't fit
no one on the corner gotta pocket like this
so I rock Roc jeans cuz my knots so thick
you can learn how to dress just by jocking my fresh
jocking jocking my fresh
jocking jocking my fresh
follow my steps, it's the road to success
where the niggas know you thorough
and the girls say yes

but I can't teach you my swag
you can pay for school but you can't buy class
school of hard knocks I'm a grad
and that all-blue yankee is my graduation cap, and
Hova, dipping different rovers whipping with the soda
Hova could u even have any doubt that the doubter(?) is over

no one on the corner have swagger like us
swagger like us, swagger like us
no one on the corner have swagger like us
swagger like us, swagger like us
no one on the corner have swagger like us
swagger like us, swagger like us
no one on the corner have swagger like us
swagger like us, swagger like us

[lil wayne]

No one on the corner has swagger like moi, Church
but I'm too clean for these boys
I require what I desire I got stripes, Adidas
mami scream papi no mas
run up in your shit just me no moss
runnin this shit like I got four thighs
none has swagger like this Oh god!
When it comes to styles I got several
sharper than a swagger, dagger all metal
and my jewelz blue and yellow
type of shit that make em call you Carmelo
Rules as follows stay true to the ghetto
Write your name on the bullet make you feel special
ha, what the fuck you boys talking about?
I know its us cuz we the only thing you talk about

no one on the corner have swagger like us
swagger like us, swagger like us
(and I'm done)
no one on the corner have swagger like us
swagger like us, swagger like us
(bye!)
no one on the corner have swagger like us
swagger like us, swagger like us
no one on the corner have swagger like us
swagger like us, swagger like us

[TI]

you go see Weezy for the wordplay,
Jeezy for the birdplay,
Kanyeezy for diversity and me for controversy,
all my verses picture perfect and they meant to serve a purpose,
you ain't living what you kicking and you worthless,
looking from the surface it may seem that I got reason to be nervous
then observe my work and see that my adversity was worth it,
verses autobiographical, absolutely classical,
last thing I'm worried 'bout is what another rapper do,
ain't nobody hot as me...
even if they rap they ass off blast, off and have outstanding qualities,
sell alotta records I respect and salute that,
but spitting real life on hot beats..
I'm the truth at, you kick it like me no exaggeration necessary,
living revolutionary, nothing less than legendary,
gangsta shit hereditary, got it from my dad
flow colder than February with extraordinary swag

no one on the corner have swagger like us
swagger like us, swagger like us
no one on the corner have swagger like us
swagger like us, swagger like us
no one on the corner have swagger like us
swagger like us, swagger like us
no one on the corner have swagger like us
swagger like us, swagger like us

-------
TI "Swagger Like Us" w/ Kanye/Jay-Z/Lil Wayne Full Lyrics

Dancing With The Stars New Season 7 Cast (video)
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The cast for Season 7 of "Dancing with the Stars" was announced this morning on ABC's "Good Morning" with a few surprises. Mainly, reality TV celebutante Kim Kardashian -- who had been rumored for days to be on the show -- actually suffered an injury (she cut her foot on Sunday night, but it was not severe enough to keep her out of the competition.)

"I will be able to dance," she proclaimed! Whew, wouldn't want to disappoint the male viewership.

Here is the Dancing With The Stars Season 7 cast list:

Kim Kardashian, reality TV star

Cloris Leachman, Oscar-winning actress

Maurice Greene, Olympic sprinter,

Lance Bass, former N' Sync star

Rocco DiSpirito, TV chef

Warren Sapp, NFL star

Misty May-Treanor, Olympic beach volleyballer

Toni Braxton, Grammy award-winning R&B star

Cody Linley, that cute kid from "Hannah Montana" show

Ted McGinley, veteran actor (who I hated on "Happy Days")

Brooke Burke, actress/TV personality

Jeffrey Ross, celebrity roaster and comedian

Susan Lucci, "All My Children" star

"Dancing with the Stars" season 7 premieres at 8 p.m. Sept. 22 on ABC-TV, followed by a performance show on Sept. 23 and the first results show on Sept. 24.

Dancing With The Stars New Season 7 Cast (video)

Barack Obama's Half Sister Maya Soetoro-Ng speaking tonight at the DNC (Democratic National Convention). Maya spoke very well and made quitea good impression speaking about her brother. Hopefully this will lead to more tv time!

Obama's Sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng speaks at DNC 2908 (VIDEO)
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Maya Kassandra Soetoro-Ng was born on August 15, 1970 in Jakarta, Indonesia so her age is 38. She is the half sister of Democratic Party nominee Barack Obama, the junior United States Senator from Illinois.

Barack Obama and Soetoro-Ng are both the children of Stanley Ann Dunham, a white woman with Kansas roots. Obama’s father was black - Barack Obama, Sr.; and Maya’s was Indonesian - Lolo Soetoro. Like her half-brother Barack, Maya attended the prestigious private Punahou School. She later received her Ph.D. in Education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2006.

Maya Soetoro-Ng is nine years younger than Obama. Her mother moved back to Hawaii after divorcing her father when she was 9. She says this made Obama the father figure in her life. He toured colleges with her, showed her New York and Chicago and gave her her first novels.

Maya Soetoro-Ng is a high school history teacher in Honolulu and married Konrad Ng, a Chinese-Canadian professor at the University of Hawaii. They have one daughter, Suhaila. They are practicing Buddhists...

Ted Kennedy's historic, surprise speech at the Democratic Convention in Denver, DNC 2008. Great moment, and I hope people will take it to heart.

Ted Kennedy Convention Speech, DNC 2008 (VIDEO)
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In the emotional highlight of the first night of the Democratic Convention, ailing Sen. Edward Kennedy made a dramatic appearance and vowed to be on hand in the Senate next year to help President Barack Obama enact a law that guarantees health insurance for all Americans.

Chants of "Teddy, Teddy" erupted across the packed Pepsi Center and delegates waved white and blue Kennedy placards as the senator declared, "I pledge to you that I will be there next January on the floor of the United Strates Senate when we begin the term of Barack Obama."

Calling the battle for health care for all "the cause of my life," the venerable Massachusetts Democrat Ted Kennedy said in his speech, "We can meet these challenges with Barack Obama. Yes we can, and finally, yes we will."

Because of his battle against life-threatening brauin cancer, Ted Kennedy's speech had been very much in doubt until almost the moment he appeared on the stage at the convention, introduced by his niece Caroline, the daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy.

But his voice was strong, and he did not use a stool that had been put alongside him in case he needed it.

Ms. Kennedy said she was there to pay tribute "to two men who have changed my life and the life of our country, Barack Obama and Edward M. Kennedy.

"Leaders like them come along rarely," she said. "Once or twice in a lifetime they come along just when we need them the most."

Of Mr. Obama, she said that, "All over America, people tell me he is making them feel hopeful the way that they did when my father was president.

"I never had someone inspire me the way people say my father inspired them," she said. "But I do now, Barack Obama..."

Video of New york Governor David Paterson's speech at the DNC, 2008 Democratic convention. Another great speech from Paterson who I hope will continue to be a rising star. Love him so far! (video up as soon as its available)

Gov. David Paterson DNC Convention Speech (VIDEO)
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* David Paterson came out on stage with his wife and son- the NY delegation goes wild and won’t let him speak, he opens his speech with his usual humor, “Thank you, my time is up.”
* Paterson talks about his blindness and his challenges throughout life in dealing with his disability
* Mentions Michelle’s speech last night and talks about the growing difficulties with the “American promise”
* “If McCain is the answer, then the question must be ridiculous.”
* “Let’s give ‘em [Republicans] four more months and then elect Barack Obama… because Barack Obama will restore prosperity and will make the changes we need to write a new chapter in the story of the promise of America. Thank you very much!”
* NY delegation chants “David, David!” as he exits the stage

Gov. David Paterson DNC Convention Speech (VIDEO)

Video of Hillary Clinton's rousing speech at the DNC, 2008 Democratic Convention. Great speech IMO.

Hillary Clinton DNC Speech, Democratic Convention (VIDEO)
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Hillary Clinton called on Democrats to unite as one party behind White House nominee Barack Obama, saying that despite an acrimonious primary duel they were on the "same team."

"Whether you voted for me, or voted for Barack, the time is now to unite as a single party with a single purpose," said Clinton, who got a euphoric welcome at her prime-time speech at the Democratic National Convention.

"We are on the same team, and none of us can sit on the sidelines," said Clinton in an emotional final act in a presidential bid that reached for history but was thwarted by the man who will become America's first black presidential nominee.

Clinton vowed "this is a fight for the future. And it is a fight we must win together," as a raucous crowd in the 18,000 capacity arena chanted "Hillary" and held up white signs bearing a stylized version of her signature.

The former first lady said she had not spent the past "35 years in the trenches" to suffer more "failed leadership" from Republicans.

"No way, no how, no McCain," she said, referring to Republican White House candidate John McCain.

"Barack Obama is my candidate, and he must be our president."

Hillary Clinton DNC Speech, Democratic Convention (VIDEO)