I recently did a video feature on the alternative rock group The Killers. They have many good songs to choose from.

Normally, I don’t follow up with anything but discovered a pretty cool acoustic set of “When You Were Young.”

 

 

The piano playing from lead singer Brandon Flowers in it is outstanding along with strong vocals. I like the fact they discussed the song before and about their playing afterwards. Good perspective.

Two years ago on the same court, Serena Williams had her way with Maria Sharapova. This time, the victim was Dinara Safina with the American winning down under for a fourth time reaching double digits in slams.

If there was such a thing as perfect, Serena Williams was pretty close in conquering Russian Dinara Safina 6-0, 6-3 to claim her fourth Australian Open before a capacity Rod Laver Arena Saturday night.

Whatever it is about odd years, the 27 year-old American reclaimed the world No.1 ranking by putting on a stunning display of championship tennis that’s made her a great grand slam champion. She’s now won the Australian Open title in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009 also doubling the trophy case by teaming with older sister Venus Williams to win women’s doubles as well in 2001, 2003 and sweeping past Ai Sugiyama and Daniela Hantuchova 6-3, 6-3 the previous day.

The four Australian singles titles allowed her to join the likes of Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles for most wins in Melbourne during the Open Era. Not only did she join this exclusive group but also with her 10th major became the fourth woman in the Open Era to reach double digits trailing the great Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert (18 each) along with Graf, who holds the record with 22. 

“I idolized Steffi Graf growing up and Martina Navratilova was my role model, so when I think of those names I can’t even think of myself there. But people are starting to think about me that way, and that’s just uber-cool,” a respectful Williams expressed of being mentioned in the same breath.

“I was a little nervous actually going into the match against Dinara, then I told myself that I had nothing to lose even though everyone was putting the pressure on me. I didn’t want to lose that focus. Dinara’s a warrior, and she never gives up.”

Having been in a zone helping carry big sis to the double crown leaving her to heap praise, an extremely focused Serena was able to carry it over into the singles final versus the talented No.3 seed Safina. The younger sister of Marat Safin had gotten to this point by outlasting tournament story Jelena Dokic in three sets and then straight setting countrywoman Vera Zvonareva.

One area the physically gifted 22 year-old who was a runner-up at Roland Garros last year and took a silver medal in Beijing she was struggling in was her serve with an awkward delivery causing numerous double faults even in previous wins making life difficult just to make it to this point.

Unfortunately, that proved to be her undoing against a razor sharp Williams who was firing on all cylinders from the outset breaking all three times in a dominant first set that lasted only 22 minutes. Early on, Safina double faulted three times leading to a first break. When she was getting serves in, they were getting pummeled by the game’s best returner who greeted a few rudely smacking return winners from both sides.

Just how dominant was she in the opening set? Safina only won eight total points with a very accurate Serena accumulating 12 of 23 winners with little her overwhelmed opponent could do.

When an errant Safina forehand hit the net, the set was mercifully over with it reminding many of how Williams dismantled Maria Sharapova 6-1. 6-2 in the same match two years prior limiting her to just three games.

The resilient Russian didn’t give up attacking and breaking Serena in the opening game of the second set producing some of her best tennis including a backhand winner and return backhand crosscourt off a short second serve to the crowd’s delight.

The growing question was could she make it a match by holding? Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be as Williams continued her all out assault to break back. She then backed it up with a love hold booming her first serve. Not stunningly, she was nearly perfect taking 20 of 21 points (95 percent) on first serve for the match.

Safina couldn’t recover getting broken a fifth consecutive time before Williams had another easy hold to go up 4-1- two games from winning her 10th slam and reaching No.1 again for the third time.

Even when she competed striking the ball hard to win some points, you never got the sense Safina could comeback. By the time she held for 2-4, it was too little too late against a player who as she noted during the postmatch interview on court was, “Too good.”

To her credit, she forced Williams to serve it out. Serena calmly did just that setting up triple championship point before claiming her fourth Aussie crown when a Safina backhand drop shot went just wide allowing the great champion to bend down and smile clenching her fists.

It was a muted celebration exhibiting class after how she outclassed a quality opponent who should be back competing for other slams perhaps even winning one this year. It just wasn’t to be on this day.

“I absolutely, clearly, love playing here,” a very happy Williams said appropriately adding:

“You guys root for me so much. I don’t get that everywhere. So thank you so much.”

Who could disagree?

Federer vs Nadal Renew Rivalry Once More: It will once again be the best rivalry in sports renewed when Roger Federer takes on Rafael Nadal in a battle between the now No.2 13-time slam winner versus the No.1 ranked five-time slam champion.

Plenty will be on the line with the 27 year-old Federer aiming to match American Pete Sampras by winning his 14th grand slam. Nadal, who spoiled the party dethroning Roger at Wimbledon in a memorable five-set epic will again be standing in the way trying to win his first ever slam on a hard court.

Can the 22 year-old Spaniard who’s made life miserable for Federer add to an impressive 12-6 career record including 4-2 at slams by beating him on a neutral surface?

The bigger question is what will Rafa have left in the tank after outlasting fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in the longest ever men’s match at Melbourne Park winning it 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (2), 6-7 (1), 6-4 with it lasting five hours and 14 minutes?

The amazing aspect is the 14th seeded Verdasco who had the best slam result of his career ousting No.4 Andy Murray in five and last year’s runner-up No.5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four somehow lost despite a ridiculous 95 winners while Nadal countered with 52.

Unfortunately, he double faulted on match point concluding the dramatic semfiinal.

Nadal committed just 25 unforced errors while Verdasco made 76 in a match people are still talking about for the quality of play with neither Spaniard giving an inch during lengthy rallies.

So, can Nadal bounce back from a shorter recovery with a well rested Federer having more than a day extra to prepare after taking down Andy Roddick in straights needing just over two hours?

The pressure will squarely be on Federer when they take the court with  legend Rod Laver in his arena looking on.

The big match is set for 3:30 AM Sunday morning on the East coast or 12:30 AM Pacific. That’s 7:30 PM Australian time. So, get out the caffeine and tune into ESPN2. If you can’t stay up, they’ll replay both women’s and men’s finals at 3 ET Sunday afternoon.

Today, I’m in a mood for Brooklyn’s own Fabolous. He’s got a few swicked tracks to get down to including “Can’t Deny It” which put him on the map. Hard to believe it was eight years ago.

 

 

This is probably his second best song right here featuring P Diddy and Jagged Edge:

 

The best scene’s gotta be the one at the barbershop which looks eerily similar to the classic ones in Coming To America featuring Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall.

 

 

This is hot track featuring the fine Tamia. Good party song! They need more like it.

This is the album version featuring the talented Ashanti. A little different but same cool beat.

Roger Federer had a little too much for a game Andy Roddick moving within one win of matching Pete Sampras' slam record of 14 majors.

Roger’s still got it. Not that the 13-time slam winner ever lost it.

Pitted against America’s best Andy Roddick renewing a one-sided rivalry though last year in Miami proved different for only the second time in 17 meetings, Roger Federer rose to the occasion again ousting the No.7 seed in straight sets 6-2, 7-5, 7-5 advancing to his fourth Australian Open Final- one huge win away from matching American great Pete Sampras for the most grand slams won by a male tennis player.

It was the 27 year-old Swiss former No.1 who ceased early control breaking Roddick in the third game producing the kind of tennis fans have grown accustomed to passing the game’s biggest server with ease to the tune of 51 winners.

Even after Roddick saved a couple and looked in position to fight off a third straight, a hustling Federer slid across in time ripping a forehand winner down the line. It was that kind of night with the No.2 seed even having success with challenges winning consecutive points on his serve while already up two breaks.

Normally, the man known as The Maestro doesn’t like the challenge system preferring to leave it up to the linesmen and chair umpire for overrules. But on a night he could do little wrong, Federer was even perfect on challenges getting more than half a dozen right to Roddick’s chagrin.

When he wasn’t having challenge success, he was deliberately daring Roddick to come in by using short low spinning backhand replies so he could set him up for the kill. In a brilliant opening set, Federer’s forehand was on producing 11 winners while his opponent struggled early.

However, this wasn’t like Juan Martin Del Potro as Roddick ratcheted up the serve nailing five of eight aces in a much more competitive second set. He even dug out of triple break point during the first game serving large and coming up with the right stuff to keep the pressure on Federer.

The problem was Federer was having even an easier time holding winning 83 percent (52 of 63) on his first serve along with a respectable 58 percent (19 of 33) on second serve for the match. While Roddick struggled during service games facing 13 break chances, the efficient Federer only gave him three cracks and each time they were only one in a game which wasn’t enough given the three-time Australian Open winner’s penchant for serving aces to climb out of trouble.

Still, a more aggressive Roddick continued to press on attacking the net though without great success (21 of 42). The second set remained tight with the 26 year-old Austin, Texas resident holding for 4-3. With a couple of big returns setting up winners in the next game, he was two points from breaking and getting a chance to serve it out and level the match.

But a resilient Federer dug out of trouble without facing a break point eventually reversing the pressure and then breaking Roddick at love in the 11th game to lead 6-5. He served it out for a commanding two set lead.

Unlike the onesided match they had two years ago in the same semifinal, Roddick didn’t go away playing even better in the third set holding more easily and hitting even bigger during rallies with some success to the capacity Rod Laver Arena crowd’s delight. His best moment came midway through the set when during a great rally, he surprised Federer with a topspin backhand dropshot winner out of his reach smiling even remarking that he got him with the kind of shot Roger can pull off.

Still, Roddick couldn’t capitalize with Federer going down the tee for aces even doubling up in that department by a 16-8 margin.

It continued to be a test of wills with each player protecting their serve as if it were a game of chess. Roddick had a slight opening up 5-4 and two points away from the set but Federer saved his best serving for those moments winning challenges and taking the next three points to hold for five all.

Sensing the kill, he turned on the switch nailing a backhand and forehand pass in succession taking the first couple of points on Roddick’s serve to groans from the crowd. He’d eventually setup two break points but a game Andy wouldn’t crack just yet coming through with a couple of winners including a putaway.

However, Federer finally converted on another chance ripping a backhand pass which Roddick could only get a stab at the net helplessly watching it sail long giving Roger his fourth break of the match.

After Roddick took the first point, Federer won the next three setting up two match points. During an extended rally, he finished it in style slugging a forehand winner up the line to clinch victory with a pump of the fist before being congratulated by a classy Roddick at the net.

With legendary Rod Laver in the building, Federer moved one step closer to tying Sampras’ 14 slams. Could his next opponent be No.1 ranked Rafael Nadal which would elevate their rivalry even further setting up the first ever battle for a major on a hard court?

We’ll just have to wait and see. Nadal will take on fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco later tonight with the improving No.14 seed playing the best tennis of his career ousting last year’s runner-up Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four sets the day before 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

It’s a crummy late January winter day with a mix of rain and snow postponing the New Paltz-CSI basketball game I wanted to check out with the return of former BC star Zoe Cohen.

Oh well. Not much you can do when the weather doesn’t always cooperate. Hopefully, they’ll play another time and I’ll be able to go. Ironically, I like the CSI sports complex as they have a real nice facility including a gym, swimming pool to go along with the courts plus a great outdoor track and soccer field. Not that the latter two are being utilized these icy cold days.

I guess I’m finally sick of the cold weather and long for it to at least reach 40-45 so I could go walk around the track. That’d be nice.

Anyway, I felt like some U2 today. So, here are a couple of cool homemade videos made by YouTubers featuring two good songs along with the lyrics:

U2: “Until The End Of The World”

 

 

U2: “Wave of Sorrow”

Heat haze rising
On hell’s own hill

Blessed are you, the deaf cannot hear a scream
Blessed are the stupid who can dream
Blessed are the tin canned cardboard slums
Blessed is the spirit that overcomes

“A Different World”

by Derek Felix AKA D Flex

 

Walk to a new kinda place

With mystery and suspense

That makes your heart race

 

Like discovering and opening a new door

With endless possibilities

And plenty of folklore

 

This is one of a new dimension

Filled with unpredictablity and excitement

Something different which grabs your attention

 

As you walk on and explore this place

The anticipation builds

It’s written all over your face

 

You always pictured this different world

The many paths give you many choices

Which one shall you choose as your diamond pearl

 

Is it the one to the extreme right

Or could it be one somewhere in the middle

That takes you completely out of sight

 

It makes you feel high as the sky

Fully aware it’s like a dream come true

One that you hope never dies

PARK SLOPE, BK- Giancarlo Hirsch was literally on fire. The 17 year-old Berkeley Carroll senior guard couldn’t be stopped netting a career high 48 in the Lions’ exciting 85-80 home overtime win over St. Ann’s at the BC Athletic Center in Brooklyn Monday.

It started early when he lit up the visiting team for 17 in a first quarter which saw Berkeley Carroll jump out to a 19-6 lead forcing St. Ann’s to burn an early timeout. But the visitors who lost the first meeting  by just two during a Fieldston Tournament regrouped using a balanced attack led by their two starting guards and forward inside chipping away.

The Lions maintained distance in the first half thanks not only to the sizzling Hirsch (31 first half points) but teammates Phil Seay (22), Joe Longo (4) and John Shaughnessy (6).

With neither team able to stop the opposition from doing what it wanted, it got even more entertaining following the half when an inspired St. Ann’s team clawed their way back thanks to an outside explosion from leading scorer Niko (37), who drained five of seven second half treys in the third quarter sparking a comeback.  His red hot shooting rubbed off with others stepping up as the visitors spread the ball rallying to tie the score as the quarter concluded.

The frenetic pace continued as each team exchanged buckets. Whether it be the two offensive leaders or their open ‘mates, this one was destined for overtime. Not surprisingly, a St. Ann’s starter who hadn’t scored all game nailed a wide open triple from the right wing tying it.

With a slight differential between shot and game clock, BC held for one shot but couldn’t go ahead allowing their foes to get a last chance with the ball using timeout with the ball underneath their basket with two seconds left. However, aggressive defense from Seay forced an off balance perimeter jumper which wasn’t close as the buzzer sounded with the teams deadlocked at 73.

The Lions started quickly with Hirsch nailing a jumper and then Seay following by going coast to coast converting a three-point play to put them up five. But a couple of timely three’s from St. Ann’s sandwiched around one BC freethrow again had it knotted.

It was the senior duo of Hirsch and Seay who wouldn’t allow the Lions to lose on their home floor draining every freethrow while their opponent misfired. With 15 seconds remaining and St. Ann’s trailing by three, they put Seay on the line knowing they’d be sunk with no more timeouts.

He calmly made both at the charity stripe to put the finishing touches allowing the home team to breathe easier.

Notes: Jr. Sean Cunningham got the start hitting a timely hoop to put BC up two during a seesaw second half. Reserve Paul came off the bench in the first half scoring his only hoop from downtown. … The Lions return to the court later today when they visit Packer. They took the first meeting thanks to some late heroics from Hirsch over a month ago. … The JV looks to bounce back from a blowout home defeat at the hands of Dwight at Packer.

Privett To Be Honored Friday: Senior Girls Varsity starter Ashley Privett will be honored before Friday’s 4 PM game against St. Ann’s on Senior Day.

The forward is the only remaining holdover from the Lady Lions 2006-07 ACIS championship team. She moved into a starting role last season helping the team make the ACIS semis and PSAA final.

Congratulations to Privett and best wishes moving forward.

With former standout Zoe Cohen now playing a role off the bench for New Paltz, it’s been a bit of a rebuilding year for first-year Coach Morgan Sevigny, whose team has struggled but continue to fight hard learning a new system featuring leading scorer Keyanka Bailey as a point forward.

The girls play for the final time at home next Tuesday 2/2 versus league rival Packer before concluding the 2008-09 season with five consecutive road games including visits to Long Island Lutheran and Dwight.

As for Cohen, the star will be back in the local area later today when New Paltz is scheduled to visit The College of Staten Island with tipoff at 6 over on the CSI campus at 2800 Victory Blvd.

To get directions, go here.

It’s funny but as I flipped between commercials to Fuse and watched some music videos, I came across The Killers’ latest hit “Human.” A pretty funky video too.

Which reminded me that I really like this band. They’ve got some solid tracks including the everpopular “When You Were Young” from a couple of years prior along with “Somebody Told Me” which the Garden seems to play plenty during stoppages at Ranger games.

Maybe it’s time to pay more attention to one of the more promising groups out there. Their music is good and the lyrics got edge. I also like The Fray and their second album should be out sometime this year. I heard a little of one song and it sounded pretty good.

Anyway, here’s one of my fave songs by The Killers:

 

It’s been another busy day down under with Australian Open quarterfinals underway. The hot temps which climbed over the century mark were too much for defending champion Novak Djokovic, who succumbed after dropping the second and third set along with his serve before stunningly quitting allowing American Andy Roddick to advance to the semis where a highly anticipated match awaits with Roger Federer making short work of talented Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro with maybe two bagels when it’s all done.

So, it will be Federer-Roddick in a throwback match-up with the slam history one sided. Can a lighter and more focused Andy finally get Roger in a momentous occasion with the final on the line? We’ll see.

As for Djokovic who played a brilliant first set tiebreaker winning 7-1 slugging forehand winners, it was a bitter disappointment to run out of gas. A certain eye opener for his closest rivals Federer, top ranked Rafa Nadal, Andy Murray and Roddick back in the mix.

Jelena Dokic’s amazing run finally ended but not without drama losing in three closely fought sets to No.3 Russian Dinara Safina by scores of 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. The popular adopted Australian didn’t fall easily breaking Safina for four all and even fighting off break points setting up game point. But she was unable to put it away and also failed on a couple of more opportunities to even it at five.

Safina next faces Russian Vera Zvonareva who easily straight setted Marion Bartoli with a spot in the final up for grabs.

Much more on today’s results later.

“A Mystery”

By Derek Felix AKA D Flex

It’s all just a mystery

Sometimes I wish I could be somewhere

Creating a brand new history

Without any care just a whole lot of cheer

 

Finally feel like somebody again

Instead of defeated in this dull place

There’d be some place where I’d win

Rediscovering my smile and happy face

 

With so much more to believe in

Making everything feel alright

Like going from ice cold to warm a new season

Suddenly escaping eternal darkness for glowing light

 

Meeting lots of cool people with plenty to do

Exploring all that’s out there in this paradise

Instead of sitting around knowing the plain truth

Finally no reason to feel down which would be nice

 

It’s all just a mystery

Where I am at the moment

Wish it could be ancient history

Those who talk to me sure know it

 

Sick and tired of having nothing to get excited for

Feel like Bill Murray’s character in Groundhog Day

No wonder I sit and stare at the floor

Without much idea of what to say

 

This place takes something out of me

It can be quite hard to explain

Going quickly from glee to misery

Like nice weather to stormy rain

 

Lately I just don’t really care

Cause I’m empty inside

Feel like getting out of here

Maybe it’s time to run away and hide