Category Archives: Immortality

Rafael Nadal became the protagonist of a fabulous start to the season. After opening his season with a victory at the ATP 250 in Melbourne, the Spanish phenomenon literally blew the bank at the Australian Open. In a tournament that had often been hostile to him in the past, the former world number 1 achieved one of the most incredible feats of his entire career.

The 35-year-old Majorcan recovered two sets of disadvantage from Daniil Medvedev in the final, finding the energy to overturn a challenge that is now almost lost. By winning the Happy Slam for the second time, Rafa overtook Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the all-time rankings of the Majors.

The Manacor veteran has also become the fourth man in history to have won all Grand Slams at least twice (along with Djokovic, Rod Laver and Roy Emerson). As if that were not enough, the Iberian also won in the prestigious Acapulco tournament.

His streak of unbeaten came to a halt in the Indian Wells final, where he was defeated by host Taylor Fritz (also due to a fractured rib). In a recent interview with the 'Ol' portal, former ATP number 4 Jose Luis Clerc said that Nadal would put an end to the GOAT debate by triumphing again at Roland Garros.

"If Rafael Nadal wins Roland Garros, he will be the greatest of all time. The one who I don't think will win another Grand Slam is Roger. Those of us who love the sport want Federer to be eternal, but he is not.

People tell me 'Batata , Roger is the best,' but for me the one who wins the most Grand Slam titles is going to be the greatest in history," Clerc said. Rafael Nadal has made a dream start to his 2022 campaign.

After opening his season with the Melbourne 250 title, the Spaniard recovered from two sets and a break point down to triumph for the second time at the Australian Open. Rafael Nadal had one of the most remarkable starts to his 2022 season.

Returning to the tour after a long injury layoff, the Spaniard won three back-to-back hardcourt titles including his recording-breaking 21st Major win at the Australian Open. He was on course for his 4th consecutive title win at the Indian Wells Masters, but suffered an injury setback in the final and subsequently succumbed to his first and only loss of the 2022 season.

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'Rafael Nadal is on the cusp of tennis immortality', says former Top 5 - Tennis World USA

KATIE TAYLOR is on the cusp of becoming boxings greatest female at the sports most famous venue but she cannot wait to retreat back to the shadows.

Irelands 2012 London Olympics golden girl and undisputed lightweight queen faces seven-weight world champion Amanda Serrano on Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York.

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And the softly spoken superstar who has never even seen the 2018 Netflix documentary on her incredible career cannot wait for all the fanfare to end and the fighting to start.

On a visit to SunSport HQ, the Wicklow warrior, 35, said: The most awkward part of boxing is the business and the media events, we both just want to get in there and fight.

The build-up and interviews and Press conferences feel like the most draining part, even more than the training and the weight cutting, but it is just part of the job.

We havent sat down and had a chat, I wouldnt do that. We have the utmost respect for each other but we have also kept our distance.

You wont be hearing trash talk from either of us, I dont think.

I dont like talking about myself much, let alone anyone else. And, no, I still havent watched the film, I might stick it on when I retire.

Taylor had to go into childhood amateur bouts pretending to be a boy and fighting other lads. Stuffy judges and officials would rage when she whipped off her headguard to celebrate and a tumble of hidden brown locks fell out.

But her face will be plastered all over New York this weekend when she follows in the footsteps of boxing legends like Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier by competing on hallowed ground.

And her first thought is not even about her own success, but the path she has cleared for younger girls like Katelynn Phelan, Caroline Dubois and Ellie Scotney to follow.

She explained: Its amazing where womens boxing is right now. We are at MSG, the Mecca of boxing, and breaking records for female boxing.

However, it isnt just about me and Amanda, it is also for the next generation of female fighters.

We want to break down barriers and we do feel like we are elevating the sport.

This bout collapsed a couple of times before Serrano, 33, penned a promotional deal with American YouTube prankster turned celebrity fighter, Jake Paul.

The controversial social media sensation divides opinion in the sport but he has thrown enough financial support behind the Puerto Rico legend that Taylor the antithesis of the headline-chasing blond bad boy manages to thank him for his high-profile input.

Taylor said: Im surprised that he has moved into womens boxing but it must be surprising for Jake Paul as well.

I am not sure he would have expected to be in this position involved in promoting female boxing.

He had a big part to play because it fell through a couple of times but, since he got on board with Amanda, everything has gotten over the line. For that alone, I am grateful he is involved.

Taylor comes from Bray, Co Wicklow, and has her country behind her.

But she is well aware that her opponent has tradition and pride to match.

She said: Me and Amanda come from small countries that punch above their weight in terms of boxing.

So it will be great for us both to represent them.

I am coming after the likes of Wayne McCullough, Barry McGuigan, Steve Collins and Carl Frampton and she has heroes like Miguel Cotto and Felix Trinidad.

We are bringing all our pride and our heritage into the ring and that will add a lot more.

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One unlikely inspiration for Taylor is a Swiss sporting icon who has never laid a hand on any of his opponents.

But his magnificent demeanour has earned his photo a spot on the wall of fame in her home gym.

When asked about all the posters that are dotted around her punchbag in Connecticut, where she now trains, Taylor said: Yes, Roger Federer is on my wall at home. He is one of my favourite athletes of all time.

There are others on there, like Michael Jordan, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvin Hagler the usual guys really.

But Federer is not just a great sportsman but he has a great manner as well.

Ive loved watching him since I was a teenager. I am a really big tennis fan even though I have never really even played it I just love watching.

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Katie Taylor on the cusp of boxing immortality as she gears up for battle with Amanda Serrano in historic... - The Sun

Liverpool, Liverpool, taking the piss, chanted the Kop gleefully. With the points long since secure and Manchester United humiliated for the second time this season, Jurgen Klopps side nonchalantly retained possession.

Title races are supposed to be nervy affairs. This is the time of year when fatigue is usually an issue, squads are feeling the strain and the pressure starts to take a toll.

Not here. Liverpool are growing stronger as the finish line comes into view. They are embracing it. Anfield is awash with hope and euphoria. The booming statements of intent keep on coming.

Publicly, Klopp and his players will continue to play down talk of landing an unprecedented quadruple. However, deep down they know that a season of rich promise has now become a once-in-a-lifetime shot at achieving footballing immortality.

The Carabao Cup is already in the cabinet, an FA Cup final date with Chelsea has been secured and only Villarreal stand between Liverpool and a third Champions League final appearance in the space of five seasons.

In the Premier League, they need a favour from somewhere to beat Manchester City to the big prize but belief abounds. Its Liverpool who have momentum on their side. This Klopp-fuelled juggernaut keeps gathering pace.

Since the turn of the year they have taken 35 points out of a possible 39. They have only failed to win at Stamford Bridge and the Etihad. There are no guarantees. How can there be when they arent masters of their own destiny?

But Klopp couldnt wish to have Liverpool in better shape for the run-in and its hard to believe he will ever work with a squad as strong as this again. I would say the club has 25 Formula One cars, was the verdict of Uniteds interim boss Ralf Rangnick.

Even with Roberto Firmino sidelined by a minor foot problem, there still wasnt room for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Takumi Minamino or Harvey Elliott on the bench against United.

Key to the remarkable consistency Liverpool have shown this season has been Klopps knack of rotating and still keeping standards high. He has gambled at the right times and got the contributions he craved from those on the fringes.

It certainly helped that the club brought their summer plans to sign Luis Diaz from Porto forward to January. What a revelation the Colombian attacker has been. Klopp owes a debt of gratitude to Tottenham for trying to sign Diaz and forcing Liverpool to act fast to secure his signature.

No one else has firepower on this scale. The only real concern of late has been Mohamed Salahs barren run. He hadnt scored from open play for two months three penalties his only return from 11 games in all competitions.

Yet the biggest bonus against United was the sight of Salah rediscovering his ruthless streak in the final third. The Egyptian provided the final touch to a slick team move which will be a strong contender for goal of the season. Twenty-five passes, involving every Liverpool player apart from Virgil van Dijk, ended with Salah tucking the ball away after Sadio Mane had swept it expertly into his path.

Salah had created Diazs opener. Diaz laid on the third for Mane before substitute Diogo Jota set up Salah for Liverpools fourth. Some of the incisive interplay between the front three was breathtaking. Salah now has 30 goals for the season the third time he has reached that milestone for the club. Hes the first player in Premier League history to score five goals against United in a single campaign.

If you were picking a front three on form currently Jota would probably miss out despite having 21 goals in all competitions. Thats how crazy the competition for places is.

Liverpool have five elite attackers with Divock Origi and Minamino providing further cover. Its simply unrealistic to think they will have that kind of depth next season. Some will inevitably move on.

Klopp has had injury issues to contend with at various stages but they havent been on anything like the scale that wrecked their challenge for trophies in 2020-21.

Thiagos influence in midfield has grown considerably to the point where he ran the show against United. He completed 105 of his 110 passes (96 per cent). He had 129 touches more than anyone else on the field and made three tackles, two interceptions and a clearance. The standing ovation he received when substituted late on was pure adulation after the crowd had witnessed a master at work.

With Fabinho excelling in the holding role, its currently captain Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita vying for that third midfield spot with Curtis Jones and James Milner among those waiting in the wings. Milner is out of contract this summer. It would also be a surprise if Oxlade-Chamberlain stayed around.

Defensively, this challenge for a clean sweep is built on the firmest of foundations with nine clean sheets in the past dozen Premier League matches. Theres Van Dijk back to his commanding best after a serious knee injury and Joel Matip enjoying an extended resurgence. Ibrahima Konate has scored in his past three appearances but still finds himself playing second fiddle. Joe Gomez has done nothing wrong but is the fourth-choice centre-back.

Full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson still look full of energy, and behind them Alisson keeps on making vital contributions. This time there was a double save from the Brazilian keeper to deny Marcus Rashford and then Anthony Elanga at 2-0.

The sense that the stars have aligned for Liverpool has been strengthened by the luck of the draws. Norwich, Preston, Leicester, Arsenal and Chelsea to lift the Carabao Cup. Shrewsbury, Cardiff, Norwich, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City to reach the FA Cup final. Inter Milan, Benfica and Villarreal in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Having suffered at the hands of United for so much of the Premier League era, how Anfield relished the sight of their arch rivals being put to the sword and made to suffer like this. Imagine the damage that could have been done had Liverpool not eased off for 20 minutes after the break after United changed their shape.

Not even during Liverpools darkest days when United were the dominant force in English football was the gulf in class between the two clubs as evident as this. The 9-0 aggregate score across the two meetings this season represents Uniteds worst since they faced Sunderland twice in 1892-93 (11-0). They have thrown so much money at it but remain so far behind what Klopp has created.

Youre so shit its unbelievable, was the Kops verdict as the away end emptied long before the end.

Salah was fuming with himself for not accepting a late opportunity to seal another hat-trick and inflict another 5-0 demolition. Thats the mentality running through this squad. They are always striving for more.

Another one ticked off for Liverpool. Another Anfield show of force.Another step closer to achieving the impossible. Now they can only sit and watch how City respond.

(Top photo: Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images)

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Liverpool have squad of 25 Formula One cars and a once-in-a-lifetime shot at footballing immortality - The Athletic

I first became aware of Jesse Terry almost a year ago when he was releasing his seventh album, When We Wander, it was during the pandemic when touring was impossible and he and his family were in Prosperity, S.C. working on a couple of musical projects. Little did I know then that one of those projects a double-CD set titled Forget-Me-Nots: Volumes 1 & 2 would arrive in my mail box in March of this year. Made up of 22 songs by artists like Joni Mitchell (A Case of You), Bob Dylan (My Back Pages), The Bee Gees (Immortality), Eric Clapton (Let It Grow), Elton John (Goodbye Yellow Brick Road), George and Ira Gershwin (Someone to Watch Over Me), and many more. This collection of covers was refreshing in its simplicity and the fact that Terry made each one his own with his arrangements and oh-so-easy-to-take vocal stylings in short, it is not to be missed. Upon hearing it, I immediately arranged a phone interview with him from his home in Pawcatuck, Connecticut, to let him know my feelings about this delightful release.

Q: Under normal circumstances I prefer original material over covers but what youve done with this new 2-CD set is take 22 popular songs and made them your own thats no small task, if you know what I mean.Terry: Thank you, that means a lot.

Q: And the variety of styles and genres really makes it a special project.Terry: When I first started thinking about it, I was like, Maybe Ill do a certain era or maybe Ill have a real theme. I quickly abandoned that, though, because I started making a list of songs and realized that they were all over the map and I cant bear to lose this one from Crowded House but yet I didnt want to lose Some Enchanted Evening from South Pacific. So I decided that I was just going to do whatever I wanted to do and somehow try to bring it all together.

Q: Another aspect of this set is the visual element. With the first album I covered of yours, When We Wander, it was the handbook that came in the packaging that grabbed my attention; the artistic presentation, not only musically but visually, was wonderful, and this one is just as good if not better.Terry: I had this wonderful designer and he found these beautiful, vintage seed and flower illustrations and thats where it was inspired from, and I just love that. We definitely invest in packaging and presentation because a lot of times these days people buy a CD and dont have a CD player, so you want them to have a keepsake. These albums are such labors of love and if you dont have something really beautiful to commemorate it with, it doesnt feel complete to me.

Q: When we first chatted, about a year ago, one of the reoccurring themes was your desire to connect to your listeners through your music, and this new album just reinforces that, I believe.Terry: I remember that interview well and loved it, and we were recording Forget-Me-Nots at that time. We were at the lake house in Prosperity, South Carolina, my wife and my daughter, and it was just a really special time in my life. I cant wait to go back to that place sometime because that six weeks there recording this album were so intense and so wonderful, Ill remember it forever and I think that comes through in the music, as well.

Q: It certainly does, for sure. Have you gotten any feedback from folks who have heard it?Terry: Yeah, weve had some really lovely reviews and the coolest thing for me, of course, is getting to play live again and to play some of these songs off the album that people werent expecting.

Q: Now, the last time we talked you were working on a project, this very collection, in fact, so I have to ask: are you working on something new or are you taking a well-deserved break?Terry: No, I never take a break nor do I ever want to (chuckle). Its wild but its been over two years since Ive really written songs and Ive never had that kind of (pause), I dont want to call it a drought because I was doing other things intentionally. First I was just surviving and figuring out if we were going to be able to make it through the pandemic, which we did thanks to the support of my fans, and then I had the ability to make these two pandemic albums: Forget-Me-Nots and my Christmas album, Peace. So now I finally have a chance to sit down with all my guitars and start writing again for me now, its just about how I can push myself to be a better songwriter, a better guitarist and singer, and how I can stretch myself. For me, thats very exciting.

Q: Now that youre able to perform live again, what does your gigging schedule look like in the months to come?Terry: Im looking forward to so many shows and tours this year overseas that are the biggest tours Ive ever had. I think its up to 30 shows in the U.K. in October, its almost every day now, so I have to stay really focused and take stock of life. Over the past two years Ive learned how to prepare, Ive learned how to meditate, Ive learned out to take care of my voice a little better, and think of the performances better, and hopefully I can connect with people better because thats what this is all about. Im grateful for the time we had and now Im ready to get back out there now.

Q: Is there anything, Jesse, that youd like me to pass on to the folks reading this article?Terry: Umm, as always, I just love being able to connect with people. I love it when they get in touch with me because thats what its all about. jesseterrymusic.com

Lucky Clark, a 2018 Keeping the Blues Alive Award winner, has spent more than 50 years writing about good music and the people who make it. He can be reached at [emailprotected] if you have any questions, comments or suggestions.

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Jesse Terry covers 22 songs, makes them his own in new CD set - Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel

When he was 28, Albert Camus began writing a novel about a plague. La Peste, or The Plague, tells the story of Oran, a strikingly ordinary town in French Algeria. In sober prose, Camus details the profoundly typical lives of the townsfolk as they go through their daily motions. Then the rats begin to die. Dr. Bernard Rieux, a dark-skinned man with close-cropped black hair, begins warning the authorities. He is the first to use the word plague, prompting the horror and disbelief of the higher-ups. However, they hesitate to sound the alarm because panic leads to economic disruptions and hurts chances for re-election. Eventually, Rieuxs frantic attempts to stave off the pestilence transform into futility, as he is left to inject serum and lance abscesses, waiting for the inevitable death of his patients.

Camus isnt pointing towards stupidity or politicization as the cause of death of half of Orans population, as recent movies like Dont Look Up seem to do. Instead, Camus touches on an aspect of human nature that is much more profound and at times unavoidable. Simply put, the citizens of Oran were like everybody else, wrapped up in themselves; in other words they were humanists: they disbelieved in pestilences.

Most of us have never experienced death because, well, if we had, wed be dead. We can never truly learn the lesson of the inevitability of our own death because we lack experience. Like the people of Oran, most of us have lived our lives under the pretense of immortality, protected from death by the illusory shield of probability.

Some of us, through a friend or loved one, have been shaken awake to the absurdity and inevitability of death, but for the most part, The Plague tells the story of a universal human condition. As Camus writes, Everybody knows that pestilences have a way of recurring in the world; yet somehow we find it hard to believe in ones that crash down on our heads from a blue sky.

Why did it take so long for Harvard to divest from fossil fuels? Aside from the many moral arguments, divestment was smart because it protected the environment in which we live. However, from the comfort of Cambridge, climate change is so detached from our realities that we refuse to recognize its truth. The people of Oran had rats dying in the streets, and they still refused to wake up from their stupor of comfort. Many of us havent watched our houses become flooded by rising sea levels, so we are left with numbers on a screen to serve as warnings.

Yet numbers arent enough. Most of us dont believe in climate change. Sure, we accept the facts, recognize the scientific truth. However, until Harvards campus is flooded by rising tides, most of us will never really grasp its reality.

This isnt an optimistic op-ed about how if we all sober up, we can band together to solve the climate crisis. This isnt even a deceivingly cynical op-ed meant to be proven wrong by do-gooders. This is, instead, a simple exposition of my personal opinion: that Harvards inability to recognize the gravity of the situation at hand only confirms Camus view of humanitys disbelief in death. It doesnt matter how many multimillion-dollar eco-allegories are made, or how many hours people picket in front of the stoic statue of John Harvard. Humanity wont believe in climate change until the evidence begins impacting our daily lives and we are jolted awake by the truth.

Climate change isnt a unique situation. It isnt a sort of punishment for humanitys arrogant actions, nor is it meant to impose universal justice. Instead, it is an absurd and chance concentration in time of the inescapable underlying condition which afflicts us all: the reality that our lives hang on a string, and that at any time, that string may snap. If we manage to escape the climate crisis, a more deadly pandemic will be next, or some other sort of natural or human-made catastrophe. The truth is, were all going to die, and theres not much we can do to change that.

This isnt meant to discredit the efforts of the Divest movement or everyone else who is valiantly fighting against climate change. The answer to this game that we are bound to lose isnt to flip the board over and walk away. Instead, its to continue playing, to work long hours lancing abscesses of patients that are inevitably going to die, as Dr. Rieux does. The solution is to be decent. As Camus writes, Theres no question of heroism in all this. Its a matter of common decency. Thats an idea which may make some people smile, but the only means of righting a plague is common decency.

What is decency? Perhaps an answer can be found in the wisdom of Dr. Rieux: I dont know what it means for other people. But in my case I know that it consists in doing my job.

Manny A. Yepes 24, a Crimson Associate Editorial Editor, is a Social Studies concentrator in Cabot House.

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We're All Going to Die | Opinion - Harvard Crimson

Sonys lineup of free PlayStation Plus games for May has apparently been leaked, and will include a FIFA game for the first time in history reports Dealabs.

PS Plus is Sonys premium subscription service for its PlayStation consoles. The $69.99/year subscription unlocks online multiplayer, and also gives members access to a set of games every month that they can claim and install for free. Installed games will continue to be accessible to players for as long as they remain subscribed to PlayStation Plus.

Sonys free PlayStation Plus offerings for May 2022 will reportedly be available to claim between May 3 and June 7, and will include:

Powered by Football, EA SPORTS FIFA 22 gives you an exceptional level of realism with fundamental new features and innovations in all modes.

New in FIFA 22 gives you greater consistency in the nets with an overhaul of goalkeepers that allows them to display greater serenity. In addition, new ball physics and searing acceleration more accurately reflect the speed of the best players. Finally, the new offensive tactics give you greater freedom in your game systems.

Your quest for wealth, immortality and divine power has brought you to the gates of this cursed temple. An endless maze, infested with monsters and deadly traps.

Your greed will be your downfall. But death does not mean the end. Return to life again and again, and dive deep within the temple to defeat the hordes of cursed deities lurking in the shadows. Survive the deadly traps of the temple, between two incendiary statues and hidden blades trying to skewer you

Tribes of Midgard is a co-op game featuring a unique blend of action, survival, and roguelite elements. Players must defend their village each night against hordes of invaders, murderous spirits and gigantic bullies who threaten to destroy the Sprout of Yggdrasil, the sacred tree you are sworn to protect. Only by achieving this can you and your tribe prevent Ragnark: Doomsday!

If the leaked selection of free games ends up being accurate, PS Plus subscribers are in for a treat this May. Subscribers also still have time to claim Aprils PS Plus freebies, which include Hood: Outlaws & Legends,SpongeBob SquarePants: Battle for Bikini Bottom Rehydrated, andSlay the Spire.

Last month, Sony announced a complete overhaul of its PlayStation Plus service. Starting in June, PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now will be merged into a brand new three-tiered subscription service.

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PlayStation Plus May 2022 Free Games Reportedly Leak: FIFA 22 and More - iPhone in Canada