Colorado Springs – In the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) reporting, few bloggers have been able to incorporate the personal experiences of the sport as well as John “JR” Houck, a reporter at HACnews.com. Houck, who was gearing up to enter the MMA amateur ranks until an injury sidelined him recently, uses his own experiences as a would-be-fighter in his interviews with many of the sport’s most popular fighters, from Kit Cope to Keith Jardine.

Houck, while rough around the edges, is a pup in the journalism/blogging world and still, his interviewing skills lead readers as if they were flies on a wall as the sport’s stars speak candidly. In an interview with Keith Jardine, Houck was able to get Jardine to call out Vin Diesel when Houck asked, “What Hollywood celebrity would you most like to put the beat down on?”

As many of you know by now, I’m an avid MMA fan and even though I rarely blog about the sport itself, I’m more content to enjoy watching the fights and read Houck’s interviews. His interviews are engaging with his subjects and paints the personalities of the fighters well. His reporting only solidifies my desire to remain firmly planted on my Green Couch during any MMA fights on satellite and leave the reporting to Houck and his colleagues at HACnews.com.

As the sport grows in depth and sophistication, so too will Houck’s already great interviewing skills, as well as HACnews.com. Be sure to read an underground fighter’s rise both in the ranks of fighters and in the blogging/journalistic field.

A sample of his latest interview:

JR recently caught up with WEC Lightweight champion “Razor” Rob McCullough. “Razor” Rob talks on numerous topics including his Muay Thai background, his thoughts on his fights with Kit Cope and Rich Crunkilton, thoughts on other fighters, fighting in the UFC … You can read more on his interview with McCullough at HACnews.com

Happy readings and see you tomorrow for Monday Morning Weirdness.

Paotie

Colorado Springs – I got word earlier this morning that Apple is releasing a new operating system (OS) for its Mac platforms, the Mac OS X Leopard. This new OS will contain new features for Mac users and should enhance the utility of the overall Mac systems.

We have two Macs and the old, crusty Windows XP computer that we use infrequently. In my career as an IT systems consultant, I’ve been asked which operating system I prefer: Windows or Mac. The short answer is this: I can’t imagine life without my Windows’ habits; and I can’t imagine life without my Macs.

The good news about the Leopard OS is the fact that it will also complement it’s Mac features with a partnering Windows platform, too. On both of my Macs, we have Windows installed (primarily Word, Excel and the basics), and even though the Windows applications on the Mac are nowhere near what you’d find on a genuine Windows-based computer, I still prefer Mac to Windows operating systems.

So, if you’ve got a Mac or are considering to buy one, check out the Mac OS Leopard X reviews from the Dallas News Business Section.

Have a great weekend.

Paotie

Colorado Springs – This week was an interesting week as we saw flames from people’s mouths and ears were spewed here on my blog and at many others. The southern California fires also grew in size and public awareness this week with little relief on the way. (You can see an eagle’s eye view of what firefighting is like.)

I found some quotes relating to self-happiness, accountability and the environment, and together with Monday’s Morning Weirdness, will make you an expert Trivial Pursuit player or at least, seem like a smartie pants when you need. As I leave you these quotes to ponder and marinate in your brain over the weekend, I hope you had a great week. And I hope you have a fantastic weekend, too.

I think by me doing my part for my children is changing the anger. I am not adding on to the other people’s anger. No one can take me out of being a victim unless I take myself out of being a victim. And no one will ever take me out of hatred unless I take myself out of it. I’m the ‘King’ of my own feelings. – Gertrude Sgentu, Cape Town

The ancient Romans had a tradition: whenever one of their engineers constructed an arch, as the capstone was hoisted into place, the engineer assumed accountability for his work in the most profound way possible: he stood under the arch. – Michael Armstrong

I think the environment should be put in the category of our national security. Defense of our resources is just as important as defense abroad. Otherwise what is there to defend? – Robert Redford

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. – Mark Twain

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. – Anne Bradstreet

Finally, I leave you with Mike McConnell‘s, “Stupid Deaf People … ?” blog. Of course, his point was that we should laugh at ourselves at times, because we are human after all. As McConnell says, “stupid is as stupid does.” Be sure to check out the zingers that people on the blogosphere type when discussing, “Stupid Deaf People.”

Have a great weekend.

Be good .. or be good at it.

Paotie