Hobbies For Men: Find Out Why Men Do What They Do

Practical joke at UNINETT (Photo credit: Andreas Solberg)

Men and hobbies seem to go hand in hand. If you have ever observed your male friends when they are enjoying any given hobby, it almost seems like you are on the outside looking in on a world that you are not privy to. Not to worry though, we are here to clue you in on some favorite hobbies for men and why they enjoy them.

Watching Sports and Action Movies
Bravado and men are virtually synonymous. It should come as no surprise therefore that they enjoy watching sports and action movies. Aside from the obvious excitement and subsequent adrenaline rush brought on by these activities, men love a fantasy. Yes, you read that correctly. Men like not only to watch, but to imagine that they are these sports and action heroes. Maybe, they do want to be a knight in shining armour after all.

Playing Sports
Not only do men enjoy watching sports, but they also enjoy playing them. The only thing as thrilling as creating a fantasy, is bringing said fantasy to life. Simply put, on the field of play, men get a chance to become the heroes they so admire in the sports and movies they watch.

Playing Video Games
Playing video games is also another favorite activity. This is a nice, fun and competitive way to release some stress and get bragging rights. The more action filled the game is, the better.

Observing Females
Whether they admit it or not, men love looking at the ladies. Observing, comparing and enjoying the view is what it's all about. Naturally, this activity also engages the imagination, and boy does it run wild.

Practical Jokes
Men love to kid around, and practical jokes are the perfect way to do just that. Practical jokes and pranks are best played on friends. As such, once you are in the group, chances are you are going to get pranked. A good (and safe) practical joke makes for good memories.

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9 Ways to Improve the NBA

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The NBA has a lot it could do to improve. Everyone knows this. Even the players. Even the owners. So why don't they do something about it? You guessed it. Money. That little detail aside, here are nine things the NBA could do to improve itself...easily.

#1 Make the regular season a lot shorter. We all know the lockout-induced season this year is only going to be 66 games. This is probably a little bit too short. But 82 games, a normal season these days, is way too long. Players get hurt, they don't play defense, and they struggle to make it to the end of the season. For many fans, watching the playoffs is the extent of their fanaticism. This is sad. Watching players slog through a too-long season is also so. Somewhere around 70 games would be perfect. College baseball players double the amount of games they play in the pros, and football players play around 50% more. Basketball players play three times as many. Time to change that.

#2 Change the referee system. First of all, hire more referees so that players and referees don't develop relationships, bad or good. This can only lead to bias in calling the game. Also, show us stats on referees. And please hire more athletic refs while you're at it, possibly even some ex-NBA players. The ones you have now can't keep up.

#3 Slash players’ salaries. This doesn't even need an explanation. Players make too much, which leads to ridiculous ticket prices, and ridiculous prices for concessions. I do not need to pay nine bucks for a 12 ounce beer. Owners, coaches and admin don't need to make as much, either.

#4 Cut back on the number of playoff teams. Teams with 39 wins don't need to participate in the playoffs. It's not competitive, and it's not good for ratings. I know this issue is once again about money, but come on! We don't need to see playoff sweep after playoff sweep in the first round. It's not fun for us to watch, or for the low seeded team to play, when we pretty much know the outcome.

#5 Bring fairness to NBA scheduling. Teams do not need to play on back-to-back days. This would only be fair if all teams got an equal number of these disasters, but they don't. So, in the spirit of fair play, let's try to eliminate these from teams’ schedules. There are often scheduling conflicts at certain stadiums that make this difficult, but if it isn't possible, at least try to make it equal.

#6 No more minimum age rule. One-and-done should go the way of the Dodo. Players who know they're going pro after a year of college barely complete a semester of school. One semester of college? And then you can go pro? Who thought of this rule? These kids are getting nothing out of college, and the schools are doing everything they can to get around this rule, including borderline cheating. Get rid of it and set up some sort of more sophisticated developmental league.

#7 Guaranteed money? No more. Guaranteed salaries in the NBA have caused more problems than they have solved. Signing bonuses, or less years guaranteed would probably work out better. Or guarantees that only come into effect based on performance. We don't need to see any more players slacking in their later years because they have a huge guaranteed salary. No more faking injuries, or taking too long to get surgery and waiting until the regular season begins, please.

#8 Make the trade rules more lenient. With the recent trade issues, it's obvious that the rules need to be changed. I understand not wanting one team to be a dynasty, but come on. Let the trades happen. GMs are not stupid people; usually they have the ability to figure out what's best for their team. There should still be a "that's a ridiculous trade" clause in the rules where it's obvious there's a fire-sale going on, but let the trades happen.

#9 Finally, make the luxury tax fair. I understand the concept behind the tax, but it keeps the small market teams down and the larger market teams on top. It needs to be changed to be based on revenue and the size of that teams market for it to work. Minnesota and Chicago are way different in terms of size, so why doesn't this matter when it comes to the luxury tax. The penalties are the same for both teams, which really makes it hard for the Timberwolves to field a competitive team. Change the luxury tax now. Tax the wealthy.

All of these changes would make the NBA not only a better product for fans to watch, but a better place for the players to play. Change is not always a bad thing.

Rich Spaulding is CEO of Gold Star Games, a tailgate gear and cornhole bags supplier.

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Fantasy Football Magazines

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Fantasy Football Magazines

As fantasy football becomes more and more popular, fantasy football magazines have become more prevalent. Fantasy football magazines are a great way to learn about some under the radar players, and they're a great way to learn about players who may be overrated. While fantasy football magazines are great tools to have to prepare for the draft, they should not be the only resource you use.

The top fantasy football magazines are great resources that offer valuable information to use during the draft. The problem with fantasy football magazines is that they are written and printed months before the National Football League season begins. This is why they should not be your only tool you use during your fantasy football draft.

A lot of things will change between the start of the preseason and the time that you hold your draft. Football is a violent sport and players get injured every game. During the preseason, players also win and lose starting jobs. This is why it is key to watch and read about the latest news in the NFL. Using this updated information with what you learn in the fantasy football magazines is how you win a fantasy football league.

It's impossible to be able to update and provide the latest news in a magazine. It takes time to print and distribute a magazine. By the time they got the magazines out, nobody would longer need them. This is why fantasy football magazines are designed as the beginning piece in your draft preparation.

If you are looking for good fantasy football magazines to read, consider taking a look at some of these:

• ESPN Fantasy Football - This one gets picked on by some of the "cool" Internet players, but ESPN Fantasy Football usually offers at least some interesting articles that will broaden your knowledge and perspective related to the upcoming season.
• Sporting News Fantasy Football Magazines - The scouting reports and myth busters articles are always worth reading.
• Lindy's Fantasy Football Mock Draft - My favorite thing about this magazine is that it includes articles about each owner's strategy coming into the draft. It's nice to see this kind of high level thinking highlighted.

A better source of information for your fantasy football draft is the Internet. You should make your own cheat sheet based on the latest information. Or at least use one of the cheat sheets offered by a reputable site. But don't just rely on a fantasy football magazine, no matter how good it is. That's a losing strategy.

John Clifton wrote a detailed article with several fantasy football magazine reviews at his fantasy football tips site last year. Much of the information there is as useful in 2011 as it was in 2010.

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Sports Carnival Ecstasy - January 6, 2011

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Welcome to the January 6, 2011 edition of Sports Carnival Ecstasy.This time around we have some 28 articles or so from some of the best sports blogs on the Internet. Buris On The Couch wants to take a close look at the Childress firing. Bill Smith from the FryingPanSports site believes there is major fraud in College football but it is not the OSU players. While Steve takes a look at the Ohio State Players as they Apologize for selling their trophies. Eric Gargiulo has the Top Five Memorable NFL Wild Card Moments in preparation for this weekend's NFL games. And he finishes off the carnival with the 2010 MMA Year in Review. Hope you enjoy, bookmark, share and come back next time.

National Youth Sports Directory presents Value of a Lose posted at Mambo Sports.

Steve presents The Appeal of Funny Boxing posted at FryingPan Sports, saying, "Video games have become more inventive in recreating real boxing in the living room for fans of the sport."

David Pearce presents The True Number | E Sports Betting Champ posted at e sports betting champ.

Buris On The Couch presents Another Look at the Childress Firing | TC Huddle posted at TC Huddle, saying, "Brad Childress is gone and Leslie Frazier is in, but why exactly? What was the last straw?"

Buris On The Couch presents Is This Team the One? posted at TC Huddle, saying, "A look at sports from a woman's perspective; a woman that grew up with 5 brothers."

baseball

Michael Keneski presents FANTASY BASEBALL FIRST ROUND DRAFT ANALYSIS SECOND LOOK posted at Fantasy Sports Boss.

Michael Keneski presents 2011 FANTASY BASEBALL SLEEPER: MIKE AVILES 2B/SS KANSAS CITY ROYALS posted at Fantasy Sports Boss.

Jim Edwards presents Major League Baseball Team Name Quiz posted at EverydayChristianFamily.com, saying, "Funny names for teams you must decipher the real team name."

basketball

Michael presents How to Train Like a Professional Basketball Player posted at eScoutRoom, saying, "Training like a professional athlete can be very beneficial."

extreme

Bill Smith presents What Makes a Sport Extreme? posted at FryingPan Sports, saying, "Extreme sports have become ever more popular over the past couple of years."

Greg Shadley presents Bow Hunting-- Practicing for the season posted at The Metro Pioneers, saying, "article about the sport of bow hunting and how to practice for the season"

Alex Deeds presents Top 50 Rock Climbing Blogs posted at Associate Degree, saying, "If your climbing usually involves hiking up the stairs at the office and you want to up the ante, these blogs will show you the ropes and give you insider tips on how to prep for that first climb and keep things interesting while exploring new terrain in foreign areas."

football

Matt Regaw presents NFL Bold Picks for Week 16 Against the Spread: Barking Browns To Beat Ravens posted at Bookie Blitz, saying, "NFL Upsets and picks for week 16 against the spread. The NFL sports betting picks cover every game to include Michael Vick and the Eagles, and Tim Tebow and Denver. Sportsbooks to wager on the NFL with Bonuses are included."

Bill Smith presents There is a major fraud in College football but it is not the OSU players posted at FryingPan Sports, saying, "Taking a look at the way the NCAA has handled different violations leaves everyone scratching their heads."

Michael Keneski presents FANTASY FOOTBALL 2010 FINAL QB RANKINGS posted at Fantasy Sports Boss.

Michael Keneski presents FANTASY FOOTBALL 2010 FINAL RUNNING BACK RANKINGS posted at Fantasy Sports Boss.

Steve presents Ohio State Players Apologize to Buckeye Nation posted at BrutusReport, saying, "Ohio State football players apologize for getting caught selling memorabilia for tattoos and money."

Steve presents New Years Resolutions Certain Sports people SHOULD be making. posted at FryingPan Sports, saying, "Sports New Years Resolutions"

Jayou presents BLACKBURN IN TALKS TO SIGN RONALDINHO AND BORROW BECKHAM! posted at SICK CHIRPSE, saying, "BLACKBURN IN TALKS TO SIGN RONALDINHO AND BORROW BECKHAM!"

Eric Gargiulo presents Top Five Memorable NFL Wild Card Moments posted at CamelClutchBlog.com, saying, "NFL fans often overlook the NFL Wild Card playoff round as nothing more than a series of games between mismatched teams. However some of the most exciting NFL playoff moments over the last two decades have come from this opening round of postseason play."

CreditShout Kevin presents 20% Off NFL Gear With NFL Extra Points Card posted at CreditShout.

golf

Gorilla Golf Blog presents Was 2010 Tiger Woods? Worst Year Ever? posted at Gorilla Golf Blog.

Pat Mullaly presents How To Build An Honest GHIN Handicap posted at golfgurls.com, saying, "If you play golf on a regular basis you should be building towards your golf handicap each time you play. No matter what your score is! Otherwise you're cheating yourself and your fellow golfers."

hockey

Jeff Sullivan presents The Miracle On Ice Story - USA Olympic Jersey posted at Throwback Players and the Jerseys They Wore.

Alexander Peter presents Foam Roller Exercises - Everything You Needed to Know posted at Foam Roller - Exercises and Stretches you can do yourself., saying, "A tutorial with a number of exercises that you can perform with your foam roller on different parts of your body."

rodin19 presents Hot and Cold Players in the NHL! posted at Who's Hot, Who's Not?.

mma

Eric Gargiulo presents 2010 MMA Year in Review posted at CamelClutchBlog.com, saying, "2010 was a fascinating year in MMA and the UFC. The Fedor Emilanenko puzzle was finally solved, Chuck Liddell likely fought his last fight, after finally winning over MMA fans Brock Lesnar has more critics than ever and one of the greatest fights in MMA history was tainted by a positive drug test."

Eric Gargiulo presents Georges St. Pierre vs. Jake Shields set for UFC 129 posted at CamelClutchBlog.com, saying, "The UFC is gearing up for the biggest show in company history. Dana White officially announced that Georges St. Pierre vs. Jake Shields for the UFC welterweight title will headline UFC 129 in April. Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida is expected to co-headline UFC's Toronto debut."

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of sports carnival ecstasy using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

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