A-Rod: From successful slugger to excellent commentator

Baseball fans around the world are divided when it comes to liking Alex Rodriguez, or A-Rod, as many call him. The slugger has had one too many controversies surrounding his career that he was considered an outcast on the field. The former Yankee turned himself from a noteworthy slugger to a beloved commentator. John F. Eilermann Jr.

Image source: nytimes.com

Many successful professional athletes have ventured into the world of broadcasting following a career in professional sports. Not all of them proved to be as proficient on screen as they were in their sport. A-Rod has been breaking records since the beginning of his career and still proves to be the man to beat now that he has traded his bat for the microphone. John F. Eilermann Jr.

Image source: yanksgoyard.com

The athlete-preneur became a studio analyst for Fox Sports not long after he retired. The 2018 season saw him at the top of the network’s list to become part of its Sunday Night Baseball broadcast. The star baseball player was lined up with veterans in the booth analyst Jessica Mendoza and Matt Vasgersian. While fans were shocked by how well A-Rod was able to flow with the two, others were quick to note that Sunday Night Baseball was too focused on him. John F. Eilermann Jr.

The slugger-turned-commentator has improved since his first time on air. His commentary now sounds more confident and less scripted. Outside of baseball, A-Rod maintained his own show, “Back In the Game” where he helped celebrities build their net worth back up after falling on hard times. Rodriguez guest stars on “Shark Tank” and streams his own podcast and YouTube vlog. John F. Eilermann Jr.

Who are the most romantic writers in the world?

Love and romance may not be the main genres of literature, but they surely helped define it. Even before the first book was ever published, people have been singing songs of love and reciting epic poetry for the lovers of the past. In the entire timeline of literature itself, love and romance are the main themes for a huge part of that space. And while today’s genres have grown in numbers to include modern ones like science fiction and fantasy, romance is still a flourishing genre with some authors making a name for themselves the same way Shakespeare did with his tragedies. Just who are the most romantic writers in the world in terms of writing literature about love? John Eilerman St. Louis.

Image source: famousauthors.org

Jane Austen
Considered by many as one of the pillars of modern romance, Jane Austen has captivated several generations through the beloved cast of her novels including Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Persuasion. What makes these characters and their situations come to life is Austen’s mastery of interspersing societal elements into the plot. She is often known for her unique female characters that break tradition and social norms. John Eilerman St. Louis.

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Charlotte & Emily Bronte
Charlotte is credited for introducing the genre of gothic melodrama in romantic fiction while Emily challenged social norms regarding social class and gender. Charlotte’s most popular work, Jane Eyre, recounts the story of an orphaned governess who falls madly in love with her employer. Emily’s masterpiece, Wuthering Heights, was initially received with widespread criticism, but turned out to be one of literature’s greatest love stories of all time. John Eilerman St. Louis.

Audrey Niffenegger
Academic, visual artist, graphic novelist, and all-around renaissance woman, Audrey Niffenegger released her acclaimed novel The Time Traveler’s Wife in 2003. The book broke boundaries by combining romance and science fiction and has today sold several millions of copies. It was also adapted into a major film. John Eilerman St. Louis

What were the pop culture trends during WWII?

John Eilermann. The Second World War changed the lives of millions of people all over the world. In the US, almost everything was about the war– from entertainment, fashion, and even food. Though sports became the public’s temporary escape, many athletes especially in baseball chose to serve the country. Check out this list of the most popular trends during the 40’s:

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Radio became a source of news and entertainment

John Eilermann. Before television and the internet, people relied on radio for their daily fix of news updates and entertainment. For families who were unable to go out of their homes, the radio shows were a way to keep themselves connected to the outside world. The music, the talk shows, and the dramas keep the listeners occupied. Whether the kids were studying or the adults were doing the chores, everyone was tuning in to their radios.

Image source: Openculture.com

Knitting for solidarity

In the US and in Britain, women turned to knitting. Aside from providing the soldiers with clothing that will keep them warm while they were far from home, the craft became an activity that allowed women to stay occupied during those troubled years. While there was a shortage in materials and manpower used for clothing, knitting became the solution. Instead of shelling out money to buy clothes, many turned to knitted garments during this era. Many knitting kits also featured patriotic patterns and colors, letting knitters know that they’re making a big contribution to the war effort. John Eilermann.

Smoking cigarettes

During the war, cigarettes were given to soldiers to ease their anxiety. Even after their conscription, soldiers continued to smoke. For those who remained home, the cigarettes were also a way for them to relax after a long day at work. While women were discouraged from smoking, a growing number already picked up the habit which led some brands to consider them for their advertisements. During this era, smoking cigarettes became somewhat therapeutic to many. John Eilermann.

A beginner’s guide to reading longer and more challenging books

Nowadays, reading is a luxury that not many people can do. Most individuals read in order to top exams, survive classes, produce content, and other work-related reasons. When it comes to reading longer and more challenging material, one may have to have a few tricks up their sleeve. John Eilermann St. Louis

Image source: nytimes.com

Make a plan. As with everything in life, without a plan, one is bound to fail. Reading must be intentional. A reader should first assess their skill and build on what they can do. Follow a daily reading schedule to build the love and discipline for reading. It’s important to stick to the plan in order to reach a goal. Set micro goals so as to not strain the muscle. Getting tired early on could discourage one from continuing on with the plan. John Eilermann St. Louis.

Image source: miro.medium.com

Interact with the text. Some people lose interest in reading soon as they encounter words and phrases they don’t understand. Keep a pen and notebook to note words and phrases that are confusing and turn the obstacle into a learning moment. Finding the book challenging is a good reason to keep going. However, it would be helpful to find other versions of the book that spark one’s interest. John Eilermann St. Louis.

There are sections of the book that offer a reader good momentum—take advantage of the force. Never mind the planned pages to read per day when one can exceed the count. It’s not every day one is impassioned about reading a long book. John Eilermann St. Louis.

Some of the most popular WW2 sniper rifles

World War II may be one of the darkest moments in history, but there are those who look back fondly at it in appreciation of its valuable lessons as well as the various memorabilia from the era. Today, we feature some popular sniper rifles used in WW2. John F Eilermann Jr.

1) American Springfield 1903A4 with M73 scope

Image source: forgottenweapons.com

Introduced in 1943, the Springfield Model M1904A4 sniper rifle was actually a version modified off the basic M1903A3 Springfield infantry. With its longer barrel, it was the perfect weapon to use for long range, unlike its predecessor which was used more for medium range assaults. This gun was used extensively in the battle of Normandy. John F Eilermann Jr.

2) Soviet Mosin-Nagant Model 1891/30 with PU scope

The Red Army, as the Soviets were known, were well-known to have initiated the sniper battle during the war. The Soviet Mosin-Nagant Model 1891/30 was the rifle that was produced in the greatest number, compared to its counterparts. One legend refers to it as the exact rifle model that a popular German sniper chose to use for the whole duration of the war after he picked it up on the battlefield by accident. John F Eilermann Jr.

Image source: military.wikia.org

3) British Lee Enfield No. 4 MKI (T) with No.32 scope

Standard No. 4 rifles gained a lot of popularity because of their accuracy during factory tests. For better handling, these were modified and outfitted with a wooden cheek piece. Only then was this referred to as the British Lee Enfield No. 4 MKI. Its sight mounts were designed to fit with a No. 32 3.5x telescopic sight, making it one of the most magnified views among rifles of the day. This gun was known as one of the most comfortable guns to use during the war. John F Eilermann Jr.