My About All Blog

While football in the United States is associated with crisp autumn days and cool nights, in Canada professional football begins in the summer time. While NFL training camps won’t open until mid-summer by then the Canadian Football League (CFL) will be well into their regular season schedule.

Most Americans don’t realize that the CFL has a lengthy and storied history. The league itself has been around since’30, and the Canadian Football championship–known as the Grey Cup–has been contended since’09. More recently, American fans are aware that a number of NFL stars got their start in the CFL including Doug Flutie, Jim Kelly, and Jeff Garcia.

While the CFL plays football at the highest professional level of competition outside of the NFL, there are a few differences in the game:

At the most basic level, the football itself is bigger than the NFL ball. It is longer and fatter than the NFL ball. The CFL goal posts are on the goal line, while the NFLs are on the end line at the back of the endzone. The CFL field is also longer (110 yards) and wider (65 yards vs. the NFLs 53.5 yards), and the CFL end zones are 20 yards deep as opposed to 10 yards in the NFL.

Teams have 12 players on the field at once as opposed to 11 in the NFL. On offense, the extra player is a receiver, on defense a defensive back. And unlike the American game, where teams have 4 downs to move the ball ten yards the CFL has only 3. Maybe the hardest thing to get used to when listening to CFL broadcasts is the frequently references to teams going two and out. There are a few other subtle differences as well”teams only have 1 time out per half, only 20 seconds between plays, and all backfield players can be in motion prior to the snap (as opposed to only one in the NFL).

There’s also a significant difference in the way the game is scored. The first time many US fans see a CFL score update reflecting a 1-0 game they’re usually left scratching their head in confusion. CFL teams are able to score a single point, known as a “single” for a kick that lands in the end zone such as a punt or missed field goal.

The rule differences also extend into the front office, where teams are required to have a certain quota of their roster be Canadian born. In an effort to prevent the CFL from becoming an NFL farm system, and to protect the unique identity of Canadian football’ of the 40 players on the roster must be natives.

Many US football fans look at the rules that include more players, a wider field, and fewer downs meant to encourage more passing and expect to see a wide open high scoring style of play similar to Arena Football. That’s not really how it works out–most games end up with final score totals in the 40’s, but the game itself really isn’t much more offensively oriented than its American counterpart. The rules may be different, but as in the NFL you need a solid rushing game and a stout defense to win games and championships.

Furthermore, the parity that you see in the NFL where on any given Sunday any team can beat any other team is magnified in the CFL. The primary reason is the rules mandating Canadian native players. I dont think itll offend any Canadians if I suggest that football is played at a higher level in American high schools and colleges. That means that at least 50% of each team is of essentially equal level of talents. Now that may be a bit of an oversimplification”certainly there are differing levels of talent among Canadian players”but the Canadian native rules do serve to further codify the inherent tendency toward parity that you see in most professional sports.

Considering the 21 non- Canadians on the team, its also important to remember that the CFL doesnt get the pick of the litter of American football talent. Certainly those who have the ability are in the NFL, or on an NFL practice or developmental squad. While some players are uniquely suited for the CFL game–former Clemson University QB Nealon Greene, for example, who couldnt make the NFL but has had a lengthy career in Canada–most of the Americans in the CFL are players whose ability just isnt up to NFL levels. Remember Vince McMahon’s failed XFL experiment? That gives a good indication of the type of American player that ends up in Canada.

The bottom line is that despite the rule differences and personal quotas the CFL game is still football and can be enjoyed the same way. Once you understand the unique attributes of the Canadian game youll start to enjoy it almost as much as the NFL.

In the pre-Internet era, it was often difficult for US fans to find information on the CFL. They don’t get coverage on ESPN, but they receive extensive attention in the Canadian press. Each CFL city has their own sports media, and the official CFL website also has many resources including previews and statistics.

There are plenty of TV series out there that will keep you in front of the set, putting in dvd boxset after dvd boxset until you’ve finished the entire thing. The idea of the cliffhanger, the serial, the super-addictive show that forces you to keep watching is back. Here are five examples.

#5 “Gossip Girl”

Sure, it’s just like every other one of those TV series full of rich jerks messing around on each other. But there’s something about the particular nature of these Gossip Girl shows that just keeps you drawn in — whether it’s the NYC setting or the contemporary mores and ‘expose’ feel of its pulpy plots, you won’t be able to turn it off.

#4 True Blood

Sure, this TV series is about trendy vampires, but takes it all in a completely different direction from Twilight and its ilk. Once you start following the whole Sookie Stackhouse story closely, you’ll realize you’ve been completely hooked, and the only way to wean yourself is by finishing all the seasons.

#3 Jersey Shore.

It’s rare to find a reality show this compulsively watchable, but these semi-crazy people and their antics in a shorehouse for the summer make people absolutely keep watching. This is a TV series about crazy extroverts, a bunch of lions in a den all together, repeatedly exploding. You can’t stop.

#2 The Office

It’s not often that a comedy can integrate a romantic story-line that keeps its viewers involved and rooting for the characters, but that’s what The Office has done. It’s a TV series that’s not only consistently hilarious but also tugs at the heartstrings, and once you watch a few and get even mildly into it, you won’t be able to get out again.

#1Lost

Lost has taken its lessons from the old serials of the 1950s: keep the audience wanting more, and you’ll get them hooked for the entire run. Possibly the most addictive show in history, Lost has hooked viewers around the entire globe, and is even worse when watched as a dvd boxset.

There are several rankings and benchmarks for corporate energy efficiency and corporations can perform an energy audit to see where they can improve with their energy usage. Corporations should look into how many kilowatts they use per square foot and how much gas or BTUs are used per square foot. Each country will have average values and recommended values for being efficient.

If you are looking to improve your company’s energy usage you can look into the different products available as each vendor will have information about its products’ energy consumption. For example, glass companies will provide information on their products’ solar heat gain and U-value, and so on.

Many more corporations are creating positions that deal specifically with energy management and many times there is compensation or benefits for those corporations that have good energy performance. There are several different ways in which corporations can make changes to their energy usage and ultimately enjoy big energy savings.

You want to make sure that your building is properly maintained as this keeps it running as efficiently as possible. Small changes can actually cause big changes in energy consumption. One such example is not running the air conditioning at night if no one is in the building. Also you can go through a retro-commissioning process to get your building back to its original state.

Steam systems are frequently an issue with energy usage as they are not maintained well. Steam traps tend to be used to deal with condensation but these can easily become stuck open and transfer the steam back into the boiler. This wastes a lot of heat as the steam goes back into the system and does not heat the building. You need to make sure these are replaced regularly and maintained well.

You also want to optimize your HVAC systems and these can account for 20 percent or more of all energy used in a building. And lastly, you might want to look into thermal energy storage or heat recovery options.

Auto insurance is insurance purchased for cars. Its principal objective is to provide protection against losses incurred due to traffic accidents and liabilities subjected to accidents and car thefts. The majority of jurisdictions across the globe make it imperative to have assurance auto coverage before driving the vehicle on the public road. Insurance for both car and driver is mandatory by most governments of the world. Does that mean in occurrence of an accidental injury, your insurance policy will pay for your loss or someone else’s? How does car insurance actually work when driving other people’s car? This article aims at answering a pertinent question, which many of us seek to find answers to when stuck in a controversial situation.

A Personal Auto Insurance policy will cover the damages and medical liabilities of an uninsured motorist, operating your personal vehicle. In certain cases your personal insurance will cover the property damage as well. However, it will “not” provide cover for the operation of a hired business or commercial use vehicle.

It should be noted, that the car is insured, and not the driver. In case of a “personal” vehicle being driven, which has an adequate active coverage, the policy will be liable for the auto damage and the medical liability of the driver. However, if the “personal” vehicle insurance stands inadequate, then a part of the driver’s own active insurance policy will provide the medical benefits or the damage cover. The degree of coverage depends on factors like rentals, loaners, local or state regulations and reasons driving the other vehicle.

The assurance auto Montreal policy in force will cover the vehicle damage only if the driver had the owner’s “permission” to drive. Hence also covering the liabilities of the other parties involved. The insurance will also follow the driver, if they are mentioned in the policy of the car owner.

Insurance coverage varies with state. While, in some states, the policy will cover both the vehicle and the driver, whether or not the driver is enlisted in the policy of the car owner. Simultaneously, the car owner’s policy will provide coverage for him when he’s in the driver’s seat of another owner’s “personal” vehicle.

Most auto insurance policies will cover any driver of the insured vehicle, unless that driver has been excluded from the policy or unless the driver has stolen the vehicle. This would require the owner to press his situation, by providing a copy of the filed theft report or the filed exclusion report.

Since auto insurance follows the vehicle, if you’re driving a borrowed car and get involved in an accident, the lender’s insurance policy will cover the liabilities, your medical expense and the other vehicle’s damages. But, if the lender has no insurance or his insurance is inadequate, then the borrower’s insurance will step-in and cover all of the losses.

Car insurance companies offer “Drive Other Cars” advantage on the owner’s insurance policy to combat such situations. This policy provides comprehensive coverage on a driver who has the owner’s permission, as well as third party coverage for any injured individual in case of unexpected accidents. Different insurance companies provide different terms and conditions in order to receive “drive other car” benefits, and some may not even provide this advantage. Therefore, it’s advisable that you call your insurance company before lending or borrowing a car.

In the world of cars, the realms of new cars and used cars have long been separated by a huge abyss. One side rarely has much to do with the other. Manufacturers worry about the new cars, mechanics about the used ones.

In the eyes of the new car buyer, buying a used car means taking on someone else’s bad driving and maintenance habits-not to mention any problems the car itself may have. To used car advocates, new car aficionados are incredible spendthrifts and energy-wasters.

In reality, new car buyers realize well enough that they would be stuck with their old car if there were no one around to buy used ones. Used car shoppers every day recognize the need for new car buyers to replenish the used car market.

Many people get a new car every model year. The majority of these cars will be traded-in, sold, or handed-down in three to five years. Only a small number of new car buyers keep their cars longer than that. When they do, they tend to ‘drive the car into the ground’.

There exists a variety of reasons why new automobiles or trucks hold so much appeal: A new car promises at least two years of virtually trouble-free driving, requiring no more than oil changes and other little bits of routine maintenance; New vehicles are sold with comprehensive standard warranties, covering major mechanical and body components for up to seven years; New cars look nice. They ride smoothly. They don’t rattle or squeak;

Recent arrivals on dealers’ lots offer the latest in technology, including advanced braking systems, electronic controls, better fuel economy, cleaner-running engines, and sophisticated safety features; For many people, a new car is also a sign or component of a ‘lifestyle’. For these motorists, many of whom are not necessarily automobile enthusiasts, the car is an extension of material values and one’s standing on the socioeconomic ladder.

Fair enough, but are new cars a practical proposition? From a purely objective, financial perspective, no. Then again, the one million-plus people who are going to get keys to a new conveyance over the next twelve months have more to consider than the simple bottom-line.

For example, a new car is the norm in business. Corporate cars for fleets, for executives, and other business and customer-related uses, must by necessity be reliable – which always translates into buying or leasing something new. In a business setting, the financial disadvantages of depreciation are added to the company’s regular operating expenses. It would be inconceivable for an organization like a major car rental firm to put old cars out for hire, just as a real estate salesperson cannot drive clients around in a less than immaculate automobile.

It is the average car owner – the person driving an average of 20,000 km per year to work – who makes an impractical financial decision when buying new. A new car purchase cannot be justified through rationalizations of financial practicality by an individual who does not, by definition of his or her driving needs, need a new car.

When you have a subscription to a good film download service you will have right of entry to a potentially limitless number of movies that you could download. This ends up costing you mere pennies per movie so it is extremely cost effective. If you choose a pay-per-download option it will cost more per movie but it may work well if you only want to get a motion picture infrequently whenever you have time.

Some may wonder why they should pay for a entirely legal film download service when another website may be offering to permit them to download for free. However, in the long run it is oftentimes ends up being much more cost-effective than any of the illegal and free video download websites.

When you become a member of a good motion picture download site you will no longer require a association to your local video store or mail-in service. Since the movie is yours to keep, you never need be anxious about getting the film back on time and you can be guaranteed that you will each time be given a quality product, you do not have to agonize about scratched DVD’s or a mistake in returning the video. You at all times have the best product and of course, it is yours to keep.

A good motion picture download service can provide an endless supply of fun and inexpensive entertainment. You can find virtually any title you can think of, provided that it has been previously released on video. Downloading movies is easy, economical and perhaps the very best way to obtain movies in the present day.

Downloading films works well for the entire family. You can download the newest videos and your kids can get the most recent children’s films all for the same low price. You will end up saving a significant amount of time and money when you take advantage of the benefits of obtaining your film entertainment from the Internet right on your own computer.

You will be able to find an endless supply of wonderful entertainment with movie downloads. You will be able to discover millions of videos both old and new alike. It is also remarkably inexpensive as you can usually get an unrestricted quantity of downloads for a exceedingly low price.

When you use the free services you are really breaching copyright laws. Not only that but these services are normally not trustworthy and you risk the possibility of downloading a virus, spyware or malware. Also the sound and video quality may be poor and you may not even get the entire motion picture.

The free sites use file-sharing technology that offers a much lesser sound and picture quality in the files and also possible troubling viruses for your computer. In addition, you risk the possibility of legal complications and difficulties if the owners of the copyright decided to pursue it and that has happened in the past and could very well come about again.

When you are ready to begin downloading videos to your computer the initial step is to do an online search for movie downloads or online movie rentals. You will almost certainly be aware of some of the big name websites. Make a assessment of all of the websites that interest you and see what type of services they all offer.

Once you have made your choice of the service that you want, it is easy to sign up and start downloading the movies that you want. Be sure that you have plenty of storage room on your computer because movies do take rather a great deal of memory but it is worth it to have these impressive videos for yourself. You will too be able to reassign the video files to any portable viewing devices that you have, so you can take the movie with you.