Backyard Rollercoaster

The dream of a personal amusement park, complete with the exhilarating twists and turns of a rollercoaster, often seems confined to childhood fantasies. Yet, for the ambitious and mechanically inclined, the journey of building a backyard rollercoaster can transform this whimsical idea into a tangible, albeit challenging, reality. This endeavor is far more than a mere construction project; it's a deep dive into physics, engineering, and the sheer joy of creation, culminating in a unique thrill ride just steps from your back door.

The initial phase of this grand project is conceptualization and design. This isn't just about sketching a loop; it involves meticulous planning. Considerations include the available space in the backyard, the desired height and speed, and crucially, the safety of the riders. Aspiring builders must delve into the principles of kinetic and potential energy, G-forces, and friction. Software simulations can be invaluable here, allowing for virtual testing of track layouts, hill heights, and curve radii to ensure the coaster maintains momentum and doesn't derail. Gravity is your primary engine, so understanding its interplay with the coaster's mass and speed is paramount.

Once the design is finalized, the material sourcing and fabrication begin. Steel tubing is the most common choice for tracks due to its strength and durability, though some smaller, lower-speed designs might incorporate treated lumber. The car itself needs to be robust, with secure restraints and wheels designed for high-speed travel and lateral forces. Welding skills become essential for track fabrication, ensuring seamless joints that prevent bumps and instability. Every component, from the lift hill mechanism to the braking system, must be over-engineered for safety, anticipating every possible stress and strain.

The construction phase is where the dream truly takes shape. This is often a multi-person effort, requiring heavy lifting, precise measurements, and a commitment to detail. Foundations for the track supports must be solid, capable of withstanding the dynamic loads of the coaster in motion. The track sections are then carefully assembled, ensuring perfect alignment and banking on curves to manage centripetal force. The lift hill mechanism, whether a chain lift or a friction wheel system, needs to be robust and reliable. Finally, the braking system, often relying on friction pads or magnetic brakes, must be capable of bringing the car to a controlled stop at the end of the ride.

The culmination of this extensive effort is the test ride – a moment of both trepidation and immense satisfaction. Starting with weighted dummies, then cautiously progressing to human riders, each test provides valuable data for fine-tuning. Building a backyard rollercoaster is a testament to ingenuity and perseverance. It's a project that demands a blend of scientific understanding, practical skills, and a healthy dose of adventurous spirit. The result is not just a ride, but a personal monument to the thrill of engineering and the boundless possibilities of backyard innovation.

AI, MR, and Sports

The roar of the crowd, the crack of the bat, the tension of a penalty shootout – sports have always been a visceral experience, a shared moment of human drama. But the future of sports is set for a revolutionary shift, driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and mixed reality (MR). This fusion promises to change the traditional boundaries of the arena, in not only how we watch sports, but how athletes train and even how the games themselves are played. 

Imagine stepping into your living room and, through an MR headset, being transported courtside at a basketball game. Holographic projections of players move with lifelike realism, their every move tracked and analyzed by AI, providing real-time statistics and insights. You can switch perspectives, zoom in on key plays, and even interact with virtual overlays that visualize player strategy. This isn't just watching a game; it's experiencing it from within, a personalized and immersive journey into the heart of the action.

AI, meanwhile, will become the silent architect of athletic performance. Machine learning algorithms will analyze vast datasets of player movement, biometrics, and game footage to identify subtle patterns and optimize training regimens. Athletes will train against virtual opponents, their every move predicted and countered by AI, pushing them to new levels of skill and precision. Wearable sensors, powered by AI, will provide real-time feedback on performance, minimizing injury risks and maximizing efficiency. 

The games themselves will evolve. Referees will be assisted by AI-powered systems that can analyze plays with unparalleled accuracy, eliminating human error and ensuring fair play. MR overlays will transform the playing field into an interactive canvas, displaying real-time statistics, player trajectories, and even fan-generated content. Imagine a holographic replay superimposed onto the field, allowing fans to dissect crucial moments from multiple angles. 

The fan experience will be personalized to an unprecedented degree. AI will analyze individual preferences and viewing habits to curate bespoke content and experiences. Imagine receiving personalized highlights tailored to your favorite players, or participating in interactive challenges that test your knowledge of the game. Stadiums will become immersive entertainment hubs, where fans can interact with holographic projections of athletes, participate in virtual reality games, and even influence the course of the game through interactive polls. 

However, this technological revolution also raises important questions. The ethics of AI-powered officiating, the potential for digital manipulation, and the need to maintain the human element of sports will require careful consideration. We must ensure that these technologies enhance, rather than replace, the raw emotion and unpredictable nature that makes sports so captivating. 

The future of sports lies in a delicate balance between technological innovation and human passion. AI and MR are not merely tools; they are catalysts for a new era of sporting experience, one that obscures the lines between reality and virtuality, transforming the arena into a dynamic and interactive stage. As we embrace these technologies, we must remember that at the heart of every game lies the human spirit, the drive to excel, and the shared joy of witnessing athletic greatness.

Super Bowl 2025

Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles are set to star in the Super Bowl 2025 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. The predictions are overwhelmingly in favor of Chiefs winning. Chiefs have a strong offense and a track record. Eagles have an equally strong offense and defense making them a serious contender. This is likely to be a close game with defensive battles.  

Fifa Qatar 2022

Fifa Qatar 2022

Sports Extended Reality

• Moment is everything (pre-event, event, post-event)
• Nothing is actually live
• Flat images and sense of presence
• 20/80 rule
• Time matters

Attributes of a sports experience:

• Hawkeye cameras
• Replays
• Live scores
• Clock graphics
• Broadcast video + audio (including commentary)
• Live text updates
• Fast cuts
• Music
• High-paced graphics
• Social media interaction (optional)

Live is a belief, an illusion in sports. There are three stages of live sports: Live, Live Live, Live-To-Record or Live-To-Tape. An important aspect arises in the focus of driving a story (narrative) and providing consumers a sense of control.

Sports Ontologies

-Events
-Locations
-Programmes
-Sports
-Stories
-Players
-Teams

IPTC
DBPedia - Sports
DBPedia - Sports Event
W3C Sports Schema Community Group
Schema.org - Sports Team
Schema.org - Sports Organization
Schema.org - Sports Activity Location
ConceptNet - Sports
BBC Sports Ontology
GeoNames - Geographical Database
Visual Sentiment Ontology - Sports
SenticNet - Sentiment Knowledge Base

Sports Feeds

mysportsfeeds
optasports (performgroup)
ODF (OBS.TV)

sports api on programmableweb

Cheerleaders

What is the point of a cheerleader? Well, essentially as the title says they are supposed to lead the crowd, into a cheer, for their team, during a sporting game. However, the whole aspect of cheerleading has turned into an almost gratuitous and sexualized activity as well as pretty much a sexist affair, during certain sporting events. One would wonder, in a modern society where women are looking for equal rights, should they really be taking on such professions to begin with? One also would wonder as to why male cheerleaders get frowned upon and are quite uncommon as a result. It can be the same way stated towards why so many women choose to go into such unwieldy professions only to later claim for more feminist ideals of equality.  Cheerleading is not a high paying profession, so why do so many women find it interesting compared to modelling where they could command comparatively higher pay scales? Are they just looking to be discovered? Is cheerleading a way for them to head into more seedy professions? Are there no real professions available for women in our society? Are such women just craving for attention and popularity? Or, can this be seen more of an animal instinct where women try to attract the most able of men. It appears to be about equality when it suits them. Should men still be expected to hold doors for women as gentlemen were expected to do of the past? Should women be expected more and more to look after themselves? We still find the gold digger analogy where women with no real ambitions other than to find a wealthy man that can provide for them. In what way is this describing equality of women? Perhaps, such ideals of some women taints the bigger picture of what most women actually want out of society. Obviously, it would be unfair to generalize. It is an undeniable fact that cheerleading makes sporting events interesting and entertaining. Models in adverts are also often used to entice consumers. Models are also used for fashion to showcase new designs. Many do feel that a female body is an art form that should be celebrated. However, where does one draw the line between what is equality and what is deemed as hypocritical?

cheerleaders striking over pay jiggle test 

Germany vs Argentina

The pinnacle game to the World Cup 2014 made its way last Sunday to millions of viewers. Both Germany and Argentina displayed superb football skills and embraced their passion for the football game as well as for the pride of their nations as they went on the field. The game intensified towards the end of first half as both sides let of steam to score goals towards the second half. During the game one could wonder that it might have just led up to penalties in end. However, in an unexpected score from Gotze it brought the end to the Argentina dreams of World Cup glory in just a matter of seconds. Lionel Messi for whatever reason did not have what it takes to clinch a victory for Argentina and throughout the game he was relatively unimpressive as almost on the sidelines. Even his last free kick could not hold any surprise hope at the last remaining minutes of the game. As Germany celebrated their victory, the Argentina team could be seen utterly distraught. However, both sides played an impressive game. Argentina throughout the game had many chances of scoring and yet they kept missing to the surprise of the Argentina fans. The celebrations in Germany will mark the well deserved performance of their national team and provide for much shared learning of their efficient game plays during the whole World Cup. It seems the World Cup came and swiftly left us. For some it was filled with surprises while for others it was the real passion for the game. One must wonder what will Brazil do now after the event. Will they attempt to resolve the real issues of their nation or continue to spend on such events while their people struggle through economic hardship on the streets. It seems as many watched the World Cup, the reality often is left bare towards the end. All things come to an end as we look back to the games, and then look to the future.

Brazil vs Netherlands

Brazil were at a loss from the start. Their hopes and dreams had already vanished from the previous game with Germany, having horribly beaten on their own turf. As the game turned a few Brazilian fans could be heard in distance cheering for the team amid the disappointment of the majority. To add further dismay, a penalty was given which put Netherlands in the lead. Further reducing Brazil to an even darker hole of gloom. Their weaknesses in defense outshined throughout the game as evidence in the goals that Netherlands further mounting at them. The more goals that were scored, the less Brazil was seen to fight back. Perhaps, they just did not have the muscle left or the reason to fight. Was third place not good enough to fight for? It seems Brazil were still in the shadows of dealing with what they lost to even find reason in their game play with Netherlands as they had nothing left to lose. Netherlands dismounted their prowess and brought on the mighty goals to further clinch their win to the end. It was a one sided game from start to finish. Not a thing left to be shocked as so many anticipated Netherlands position against Brazil. 

Netherlands vs Argentina

One very intense game with no goals scored on either end even with overtime. Both sides were relentless and working as a team. However, by the second half one could witness that the pressure and frustration was catching up with the Netherlands team as they were falling and pushing all over the place. Netherlands team does seem to have tendency of falling over very easily to grab a free kick or a penalty. Other times, they were literally pulling and tugging the Argentinian players. One could tell they were losing steam and getting desperate. However, going into penalties is a dangerous endeavor for any World Cup team, if it means going against Argentina, who have one of the best forward players. Ultimately, it was the penalties that provided a clear break for Argentina right from the first shoot out. Overall Argentina proved to be a far better team to qualify into the finals. Germany vs Argentina will be the pinnacle of World Cup 2014 in a very intense match. On one side we have the well oiled machine of Germany and on other hand we have the artful attacking plays by Argentina. Both, solid in their team spirit and working together to clinch the goals.

Germany vs Brazil

The world cup game between Germany vs Brazil was clearly very astonishing. Not so much in the way Germany beat Brazil. But, more in the manner with which so many weaknesses emerged in the Brazilian team. It appears Brazil have a very weak defense line. Most of them just appeared to stand there motionless as Germany bombarded their attack for the goal. Germany were relentless through very early on in game. And, it seemed that the first goal from Germany really shocked Brazil. The Brazil team also rely way too much on one man to bring them to a victory. However, for Germany, it is a clearly different story throughout the game. Germany have for so long played as a team. And, it was their lack of arrogance and great set of passes that clinched them the victory. Germany are very solid team where almost every player in set pieces is doing their bit. Perhaps, it was an understatement of anyone to assume Brazil had any chance without Neymar. Even with him on it would have made no difference. One man against an entire team would be unbeatable especially when it comes to the talents of Germany. It would be one amazing final when it turns out to be Germany vs Argentina.

World Cup Predictions

As quarter finals are close, we can attempt to predict on who ultimately will go into the finals. It seems likely that it will be between Brazil vs Argentina vs Germany vs Netherlands. These are the four teams that have come out as head of the table ranks in their performance to date and are most likely to win a tally of games to come. Germany and Netherlands have some serious contenders to play against before they can qualify. They also have the hurdle of either crossing France or Argentina in process. The road to the finals is nearing. However, some very close and exciting matches to be had to determine the final outcome. The below link from Bloomberg provides for a visual view of predictions and their associated merits. One can personalize their own accordingly. Argentina are a formidable team and Lionel Messi is in form. However, Brazil are relying on Neymar. Netherlands also have a couple key players. Germany has an entire team playing together like they always do. Unfortunately, the likelihood of France going past either of those teams is quite slim. 

Bloomberg World Cup Visual Data 

England vs Uruguay

England were understood to have a sure defeat. The players are just everywhere on the field and completely disorganized. How many times did they miss and have chances at scoring goals. They rarely if ever seem to play as a team. England players are just way too arrogant. Each player wanting to score a goal on their own and that is exactly how they make mistakes. There is very little talent that could be seen on field from the sidelines when England play. Often opponent goals are scored because England are just giving the ball away from lazy game plays. One could tell as an audience most felt let down, yet again. When Rooney scored the first goal, one could tell his arrogance would kick in and he would again be everywhere looking to score on his own and still miss. One could also tell Gerrard, being the captain, was asking other team players to set him the game for a goal score. As a captain one would imagine he would be looking to play the game out as a team. Gerrard is also possibly the most useless captain to have on the England squad let alone even as part of the team. These players get paid way more than their mediocre skills. And, for what exactly, do they repeatedly get selected on the international games. Perhaps, the lack of international successes shows that the football talent in UK resides completely at the hands of foreign players. At least, that is so apparent with all the really good players in premier leagues also being foreigners. England no matter how many practice and climate training they do they still do not appear to understand that physical training is just as important as mental training. There is a very good chance that England will be out of the World Cup fairly soon. One also needs to acknowledge and concede they just do not have what it takes to win in international games no matter how highly specialized training they get, a natural flare and talent is just undoubtedly lacking in English players.

England vs Italy

A fairly predictable game. An outstanding but a slow effort by Italy. We may just see Super Mario changing his mohawk hair color at each game if we are lucky. This sort of a meandering and effortless play could be expected from the hype of England. Instances of good plays by England are usually only few and far between and almost rare on most occasions. The players are often overpaid at premier level and pampered way beyond what is necessary. Even after going through scores of climate training and conditioning they still struggled to score goals or at least win the game. Even, as per the press conference, the grass pitch was also perfect to play on. No matter what any one says, effort alone is not enough. It is the winning the game that counts. After all, it is a competition and it has been long awaited for time when England bring home the World Cup. Unfortunately, haphazard and brain-dead plays by England leaves little hope and an eventual defeat. One can imagine that even USA will be able to beat England at their own game. Why is it that English suck at all the major sports that they have so historically developed and formalized over the generations. Apart from, the usual games that simply adapt to the visit to a bar or pub. It seems for much of the new generation the will to fight to the end has seemingly been lost through sympathetic and humanistic ideals. Even materialistic values have overshadowed the patriotic drive which is often necessary in international competitions. The fighting spirit and the competitive mindset is what is seriously lacking in England players. 

Spain vs Netherlands

What a sheer level of thrashing and demolition derby came in full force from the Netherlands in an immense 5-1 victory against Spain. Pretty much leaving Spain in their tracks and dumbfounded. Yes, dumbfounded is an exactness. Cheating has been the cornerstone of the game play of Spain for much of the past World Cup events. But, not anymore will they overtake the gaping pool of talent and achievement woven in the fabric of Netherlands football over the years. World Cup almost always brings a sheer amount of surprise and excitement. And, this game was no different in surprises. The quality of play on display was spectacular, possibly even better than Brazil from day before. The first couple of goals in many respects left a jolt through Spain for much of the game. While, Netherlands were relentless on the field and finished with a very fruitful result.

Brazil World Cup 2014

As preparations are under way to a start to a blazing new World Cup one can undoubtedly expect the unexpected. And, with that a series of exciting events through the nationalist passions and triumphs of what can only be uniquely reflected in a sport of football, especially at such sheer global scale. Also, an interesting aspect of the World Cup is the representative mascot and the face painting that is adorn by fans and football art on women, in particular. Often such aspects bring their own sense of identity to the games. New talented players will also emerge to glorify their country on the field. With the richness of the Brazilian culture there are bound to be a massive hoopla of a party every single night. Unfortunately, British fan expectations might just test the patience of the Brazilian security during the after hours. For most, the ultimate teams really are Argentina, Germany, and Brazil. Those are the three teams that truly make the World Cup so unique and for whom the domination is so clearly displayed in the spectrum of their successes and within their consistency of game plays. And, one can yet only hope for the best for the England national team. Unfortunately, many pundits are well aware that the betting odds are usually stacked against them.  And, as many await in anticipation, it is only in time when the pubs and bars globally will be set alight with football fans willing and eager to watch the games on the big screen and over many a cold pint of beer. No sports game has yet conquered the world as football has and the way it can grab so much solidarity, fervor, and move people to the depths of their core.

Brazilian World Cup Mascot 
Brazil World Cup 2014 Stadium

London Formula One

It would definitely be amazing if such an event could take place in London. With so many historical sections of the city on display, it would mean a massive economic boost not to mention tourism. However, the traffic and congestion would certainly need to be thought through carefully as such event in practicality would need to be staged on a weekend especially outside of rush hour. Plus, London really does go into a standstill at even the slight bit of weather changes. Almost every year there is an issue from even little bit of thunderstorms to the sprinkling of flurries. Outside of London it is almost always about flooding. The event will also spark more crowds within an already crowded city. However, there is just such a sheer amount of big data that can be cultivated from such an event for huge urban benefit even to understand the market and social trends. Also, it would force London to push towards a plan for a cleaner city as it would also bring a huge load of garbage. One could also argue that London's carbon footprint could grow to leaps and bounds from such a fuel guzzling event. Perhaps, it is a waiting game till the dream eventually does become a reality. It surely would be a dream come true for advertising sponsors and property developers. House prices could even skyrocket forcing people to shift more and more outside of London.

formula one telegraph

Curling

One of the strangest sport in Olympics is Curling. Possibly, the only sport that uses house sweeping utensil and turns it into a vital sporting accessory. It could not possibly be classed as a sport as there is no real exertion other than a lot of shouting, sliding, and sweeping. It reminds one of what bored people would do as a past time if they were living in places like Yukon and reusing whatever they had available around the house in the bitter cold. It also uses attire that almost mimics that of a reminiscent pyjama party. Also, the sport is even accessible to 5 year olds and beauty pageants. There is also an immense amount of growling like a cat woman. It is also one of the very few sporting activities that allows one to adorn themselves with jewelry and makeup while playing. Even Google search seems to think Curling is not a sport as it is often the first auto-suggest filters available. There is also huge amount of shouting that teammates have to put up with almost like being out with a drunkard. Pets are even allowed to take part. One can wonder if there is anyone out there that has ever had to decide between cartoonism or curling as their profession and even attempt to get a doctorate in the subject matter. Unfortunately, the sport appears to be gaining in popularity every year. Most likely because like darts one rarely has to flex their muscles all that much and is accessible to anyone that has ever had to clean around the house. There is even a Curling book for dummies. Strangely, it is also classed as 'chess on ice' with stones and brooms as opposed to artfully crafted pieces.  One can wonder how sports like Curling gained such an appetite and became so popular whereas Squash has yet to be entered into Olympics.

Sochi Games

A massive opening to the Sochi Games marks a new start to the Winter Olympics. Although, the ceremony was symbolically tarred with the failed snowflake, it did not deter the auspicious display of the ceremony. Even the fireworks display was better compared to the London New Years Eve. It is yet to see how the Gay rights agenda will dissipate into the commencement of the Games, with the competing athletes, and the Olympic audience. There is much at stake for Russia and the spectacle on display for the whole world to see. However, Winter Olympics have never really captured the same level of audience as the Summer Olympics. The Games overtime have become a commercialized event for global marketing at a massive scale. Only later do the economic effects of such expense become visible both for the good and detriment of the country.

sochi2014
winter olympics 2014
sochi
sochi worst olympic travel destination