Author Archives: FSM Staff

Billabong: A Brief History Of Australia’s Most Iconic Surf Brand

If you’ve been around in Earth for quite a while now, then you’ve surely read or heard of Billabong. You may have seen Billabong mens knit woven shirts and noticed the iconic double wave logo.

Founded in 1973, Billabong has since been one of the leading companies in manufacturing and selling surfing wear. With the company now on its 48th year of operations, let us take a brief look into the history of Australia’s most iconic surf brand.

Gordon Merchant, one of the founders, liked to travel a lot in Australia during the late 60s and 70s, totally embracing the surfing lifestyle. The goals of his travels were to find the best surfing spot to settle in. He would pack maps, tents, sleeping bags, and surfboards unto a Kombi van to aid him in his travels.

This surfing brand giant started with humble beginnings. Thanks to his experience when travelling in the years prior, Gordon learned to develop breakthrough innovations in surfing gear. Billabong mens shorts in its earliest form is the starter of the business. The founders, Gordon and Rena Merchant designed and made boardshorts at their home and sold them to the local surf shops. The durability of their boardshorts were the its biggest strength, a quality soon noticed by surfers in the area.

In order to boost the new company’s exposure and business, Billabong started hosting surfing events. This proved to be a very smart move which caused the company to grow faster. By the 80s, Billabong mens shorts were already available all throughout Australia. With the whole of Australia included in their operations, Billabong started putting their sights towards exporting products to other surf-loving countries – New Zealand, Japan, USA, and South Africa.

Billabong grew fast. With this fast growth, the company started to make acquisitions of other sport-related brands. Gordon followed his customer’s wants and needs and ventured into different kinds of board sports. Billabong reached a peak where is managed around 10 sport-related brands including Von Zipper, Kustom, Xcel, and RVCA.

The growth and acquisition continued to grow, but that growth was halted in 2012. Billabong experienced serious financial difficulties. Some say that Billabong got too much on their hands due to their acquisitions, losing clear sight of their core business strategy. Sales dropped and profits declined.

Billabong was able to make deals with the US that enabled the company to get back on its feet. Billabong sold some of its previous acquisitions get back their focus on their main business plan, perhaps confirming the speculation that the company was spread thin due the multiple brands they need to manage.

Today, Billabong is now back on its feet, backed up by the constant support of the community of customers that put their trust on the company. For now, we have yet to see what Billabong would become in the future. In the meantime, we can still be sure that we can still get the best quality boards, shorts, and gear including Billabong mens knit wovens from the beloved Australian brand.

To get your very own Billabong mens knits wovens shirt, be sure to look up Hansensurf online. Or if you want to wear and experience the iconic Billabong mens shorts , visit Hansensurf website to get the best Billabong product deals.

FSM Scouting Report: Wish It Lasted Forever

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Book/Movie Title: Wish It Lasted Forever: Life with the Larry Bird Celtics

Total Pages/Duration: 226 (hardcover version)

Author/Director: Dan Shaughnessy

Pace of Play: Just like the 80’s Celtics, this book is fast paced in spurts with most of the action bunched in the middle. Motivated readers (i.e., Boston folks) will finish this in one sitting while most will take 2-3 days.

Strengths: The driving force of this book is the collection of Red Auerbach stories that are peppered in from start to finish. It makes the reader feel like Red is always there and that he could appear at any moment (not too different than his actual behavior).

Weaknesses: The author spends a little too much time talking about himself, his road to working the Celtics Beat, and the good old days of sports journalism (we think the first 40 pages of a 226-page book is too much time). While the book title indicates all stories would flow through Larry Legend, he does not pop up too often. It’s kind of like of all those Netflix movies with Bruce Willis on the movie poster. When you actually watch them, he shows up for about 12 minutes (and they are terrible). It would have been more appropriate to include Red Auerbach in the title of this book. There certainly seem to be more stories about him than Larry Bird.

Photograph by Stan Grossfeld, Boston Globe

Unique Attributes: What this book lacks in new Larry Bird stories it makes up for in tales involving other team members. Bill Walton stories and his relationship to the Grateful Dead were particularly interesting as was learning which 1980’s in-flight movie was playing during various road trips. And perhaps the guiltiest pleasures came when reading about Bill Fitch’s slow demise as head coach. Random factoids are also presented and will keep you engaged. Did you know tanking was an issue way back in 1983? It was and it led to the creation of the lottery which delivered Michael “Air” Jordan to the Chicago Bulls and Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon to the Houston Rockets.

Scout’s Recommendations: In a recent episode of Family Guy, the lovable Homer Simpson rip-off Peter Griffin had to come to terms with the 80’s being dead. His jokes and gags no longer got laughs and no one understood his dated references. His family begged him to let the 80’s go which he did with some help from John Hughes. Had Dan Shaughnessy seen this episode prior to writing Wish It Lasted Forever, he may not have written it. While very interesting at times, this book seemed like an unnecessary trip down memory lane. Perhaps its creation was brought on by the confines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Or maybe it started as a memoir of sorts, meant to be passed around to old colleagues and basketball insiders. Whatever the reason, reading this book is just another reminder that the 80’s ARE dead. We recommend you skip this one unless you’re a Boston Celtics fan.

Pop-Culture Spotlight: Galleta Meadows

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Desert Art, or “Sky Art” as it’s commonly referred to these days, has been gaining popularity in the age of the iPhone. People in the United States (California in particular) have been flocking to remote areas to get some pretty cool pictures of random, rusted metal sculptures.

Some say the crown jewel of Sky Art is found in a hidden spot called Galleta Meadows. The Sky Art here is spread out over 1500 acres of desert. All Sky Art is accessible by vehicle but parking and walking around for a few miles would make the experience more enjoyable. It would definitely make for some flat, easy hiking.

So where is this hidden gem of desert art? Where can you find these large metal sculptures for purposes of some really cool selfies? Let’s just say it’s down south near San Diego, California. If you hit Mexico, you’ve gone too far (but not by much).

Free Sports Magazine recently took a trip to this remote location. While we’re no experts in Sky Art, it was among the best we’ve ever seen. Enjoy the exclusive photos and read more about Galleta Meadows below.

The following info comes directly from the Keeper of the Meadows:

The Under the Sun Foundation is inspired by the work of Dennis Avery, the late landowner of Galleta Meadows in Borrego Springs, and his passion for bringing art to the local community and its visitors. Mr. Avery had 130 large scale, free-standing, metal sculptures produced by artist Ricardo Breceda, and referred to them as Sky Art. Spread over 1500+ acres of undeveloped desert land, these larger than life creations welcome the public to discover and enjoy art outdoors, surrounded by the rich and diverse desert environs of Borrego Springs.

The Under the Sun Foundation seeks to breathe new life and meaning into the existing sculptures…We at the Under the Sun Foundation are excited to see where our evolution might take us. We use Dennis Avery’s work and Borrego Springs as a point of inspiration, and expect to add new geographies, artistic endeavors, and ways to engage with our environment and one another over the coming years.

We invite you to take part in the journey!

L.A. Comic-Con Draws Nearly 100,000 Fans in 3 Days

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Los Angeles Comic-Con 2021 drew an impressive 94,900 fans this past weekend. While it provided a little something for everyone, the best thing was simply that IT”S BACK BABY! FreeSportsMagazine.com was on hand and is pleased to share some of these exclusive photos and videos directly with you. Don’t miss your chance to attend when it returns next year or comes to a city near you!

L.A. Comic Con is Nigh! Massive Info Dump

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December 2021 brings with it the return of L.A. Comic Con – IN PERSON! Thousands and thousands of geeks and gamers (said affectionately as we are such geeks) will make their way to Los Angeles to experience the latest in comics, science fiction, gaming, and pop-culture. FSM will be on hand. More on that later. For now, the good folks at L.A. Comic Con have treated us with a massive news dump about the event! See below for the latest info:

L.A. COMIC CON CELEBRATES A RETURN TO FULL-SCALE IN-PERSON EVENTS WITH SPECIAL GUESTS ZACHARY LEVI, MING-NA WEN, GIANCARLO ESPOSITO, BRUCE CAMPBELL, AND SPECIAL STAR TREK EXPERIENCE FEATURING NICHELLE NICHOLS
Programming Includes West Hall eSports, Gaming, and Anime Experience, Smallville Nights, Cosplay National Championship, Laugh Factory Comedy Show, and cast members from Boy Meets World, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Arrow, My Hero Academia, and much more!

L.A. Comic Con to Implement Numerous COVID-19 Health and Safety Measures in Compliance with State and Local Policies and Guidance

WHAT: L.A. Comic Con, L.A.’s largest event for comics, gaming, sci-fi and pop culture, signals a return to full-scale in-person events, leading the way as the first Southern California convention of its kind to bring fans back since October 2019. Full compliance with all Los Angeles Department of Public Health CV-19 guidelines for mega events will be strictly followed, including proof of vaccination or negative test results, and masks will be worn by all attendees. In 2019, over 123,000 fans attended L.A. Comic Con for celebrity panels, autograph signings, activations, comics, cosplay, and pop culture fanfare. The event plays host to 800+ diverse artists and vendors, selling comics, collectibles, art, toys, apparel, and everything in-between. This year, attendees will get up close and personal with some of the biggest and best names in the entertainment industry with a handpicked selection of panels, events, special exhibits, and meet and greet opportunities. Special guests include Zachary Levi, Ming-Na Wen, Giancarlo Esposito, Bruce Campbell, Nichelle Nichols, Tom Kenny, Tom Welling, and many more.

WHEN: The Los Angeles Comic Con will take place December 3–5, 2021.

WHERE:
Los Angeles Convention Center
1201 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015

Schedule Highlights:

Show Hours

Friday, December 3: 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 4: 9:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 5: 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Consistent with Los Angeles Department of Public Health Guidelines, for this year’s convention, here are a few extra measures that will be taken to ensure the health and safety of everyone attending are considered:

There will be three entrances — one in the South Hall and two in the West Hall — employing over 20 magnetometers to spread out and speed up COVID-19 and safety checks
All fans and guests will pass through two checkpoints: a COVID vaccination/negative test verification station and then security. Free PCR tests (results available in 15 minutes) will be available for those lacking vaccine verification
All convention goers will be required to wear face coverings while attending the event
All cleaning standards from LA County and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) will be followed before, in between and after all sessions
Extra space: With well over 1.2 million-square feet of exhibition space (double the space from 2019), fans will have plenty of room to spread out and maintain safe distances

Programming Includes:

A Star Trek Experience
L.A. Comic Con is teaming up with Atomic Studios to bring you the ultimate celebration of Star Trek, honoring Nichelle Nichols and her contribution to society and pop culture. L.A. Comic Con will host the ultimate Trekkie experience on Saturday and Sunday. Over 35,000-square feet of exhibit space will be dedicated to all-things Star Trek and space exploration. Join over 20 actors from all the Star Trek series for panels, content, merchandise, photo opportunities, and more for an experience that is truly out of this world.

West Hall Expansion Featuring eSports, Gaming, and Anime
L.A. Comic Con is taking over the West Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center for the first time, thanks to its partnership with PCB Productions. In the 147,000-square-foot West Hall, fans will have the opportunity to watch competitive gaming on the Tiltify Arena stage, created by The Trade Group, past producers of I.E.M. and Dreamhack events. With seating for 800–1,000 patrons, the Arena will be the center point of a hall where fans can play PC games on high-end computers, attend workshops, and interact with some of the top video game and Anime voice-over talent in the industry in intimate settings. Fans will be able to participate in Thankmas, a fundraising campaign to help end global homelessness.

Sideshow Booth
Pop culture collectibles giant Sideshow is exhibiting at Los Angeles Comic Con for the very first time. Sideshow’s booth will feature high end collectibles inspired by fan-favorite characters from the worlds of Marvel, DC, Star Wars, and more — including many that will be making their first physical convention debut.

Laugh Factory Comedy Show
Iconic comedy club Laugh Factory is taking over the Main Stage on Friday night of L.A. Comic Con with an exciting two-hour lineup. Fans can kick off their L.A. Comic Con weekend by laughing out loud with some of the best names in stand-up comedy.

6th Annual Cosplay National Championship
Cosplayers will compete for cash and other prizes in the 6th Annual Cosplay National Championship in one of three categories: Master, Journeyman, or Novice. All genres are welcome including characters from film, television, theater, comics, video games, sci-fi, anime, horror, and original creations.

Smallville Nights
Join your favorite Clark Kent and Lex Luthor as they bring some of your favorite Smallville moments to life. Tom Welling (Clark Kent/Superman) and Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor) will be reading scenes from the series and bringing fans up to act and improv. Enjoy and laugh as Welling and Rosenbaum attempt to get through scenes from the pilot and beyond without breaking character.

Raised by Wolves Season 2 Sneak Peek
L.A. Comic Con is presenting a sneak peek of HBO Max’s original drama series, Raised by Wolves. The series is produced by Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions, with Scott, Aaron Guzikowski, David W. Zucker (The Man in the High Castle), Jordan Sheehan (The Terror), Adam Kolbrenner (Prisoners), and Mark Huffam (The Martian) serving as executive producers. The series was created by Guzikowski, acclaimed writer, and visionary behind the highly lauded film, Prisoners.

In the second installment of HBO Max’s original drama series, RAISED BY WOLVES, Android partners Mother (Amanda Collin) and Father (Abubakar Salim), along with their brood of six human children, join a newly formed atheistic colony in Kepler 22 b’s mysterious tropical zone. But navigating this strange new society is only the start of their troubles as Mother’s “natural child” threatens to drive what little remains of the human race to extinction.

The sneak peek will feature:

Amanda Collin, Star
Abubakar Salim, Star
Travis Fimmel, Star
Niamh Algar, Star
Kim Engelbrecht, Star
Aaron Guzikowski, Creator, Showrunner, Executive Producer, Writer
Dalton Ross, Executive Editor at Large for Entertainment Weekly (Moderator)

The Official L.A. Comic Con Scavenger Hunt
Fans are encouraged to download the Oasis Digital AR app, in the Apple App Store or on Google Play, to experience Augmented Reality events in and around the Los Angeles Convention Center. Convention goers can participate in the official Los Angeles Comic Con Scavenger Hunt, brought to you by our digital innovation partner, Liquid Avatar Technologies. Find and collect QR codes hidden around the show to win amazing digital stickers, discounts, and special offers! Once you’ve completed the scavenger hunt, visit the Liquid Avatar booth to collect even more great prizes like limited edition commemorative NFTs, collector Liquid Avatars and more!

Main Stage Featured Guests:

Spongebob Squarepants
Spongebob and Squidward are two of the most iconic animated characters ever created, and part of what makes them so recognizable and beloved are their unique voices. Join Tom Kenny (Spongebob Squarepants) and Roger Bumpass (Squidward Tentacles) for a discussion about one of the longest running shows in television history.

Boy Meets World
From 1993–2000, Boy Meets World explored the trials and tribulations of growing up in the 1990s. Join Will Friedle (Eric Matthews), William Daniels (George Feeny), and Rider Strong (Shawn Hunter) for a chat about this successful and popular series.

Smallville
Clark Kent grew up in Smallville, Kansas, and before he became Superman, he not only had to deal with being different from everyone else, but he also had to learn his place in the world. From 2001–2011, Smallville brought us a dramatic look at Clark Kent’s formative years. Tom Welling (Clark Kent/Superman), Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor), John Glover (Lionel Luthor), and Laura Vandervoort (Kara), will present an illuminating look at this popular show.

The Mandalorian
The Mandalorian took Disney+ by storm and has become tremendously popular during its first two seasons. This Star Wars story, set in the years after the fall of the Galactic Empire, tells the tale of a member of the race of bounty hunters that spawned Boba Fett. Ming-Na Wen (Fennec Shand), Giancarlo Esposito (Moff Gideon) will regale convention goers with tales from one of the most innovative production sets ever built.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
From 1993–1996, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers sprang into action to fight all kinds of baddies and protect the town of Angel Grove, and the world at large. The original series, which was adapted from Japan’s Super Sentai series, launched more than 20 iterations and three feature films. Join Jason David Frank (Tommy Oliver/White Ranger/Green Ranger) and David Yost (Billy Cranston/Blue Ranger) for a discussion about this iconic franchise.

My Hero Academia
Adapted from a Japanese superhero manga, My Hero Academia is an anime that tells the story of a young boy, Izuku Midoriya, who wishes to enroll in a prestigious hero academy. English-speaking cast members J. Michael Tatum, Brandon McInnis, Ricco Fajardo, Alexis Tipton, and Christopher Wehkmap will discuss bringing this popular story to North American audiences.

Interviews and Spotlights:

Gerard Way Interviews Frank Miller
Gerard Way, creator of The Umbrella Academy and The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys, and co-founder and lead singer of My Chemical Romance, will interview legendary creator Frank Miller (300, The Dark Knight Returns, Give Me Liberty, Ronin, Sin City) on the Main Stage Saturday, Dec. 4th! Enjoy the conversation between the two pop culture giants as they discuss comics, film and what’s next for Frank Miller.

Spotlight on Bruce Campbell
In the late 1970s, Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi collaborated on a horror short called Within the Woods, which became The Evil Dead (1981) which Campbell co-produced and starred in as Ash Williams. Thanks in part to a ringing endorsement from Stephen King, Campbell and Raimi followed with Evil Dead 2 in 1987, and Army of Darkness in 1992. Campbell reprised the role of Ash in the Showtime series Ash vs Evil Dead for three seasons from 2015–2018. Ash has become one of the most iconic characters ever created in the horror genre. Campbell, who also produces and directs, is also known for roles in the film Bubba Ho-Tep and the TV series Burn Notice.

Spotlight on Zachary Levi
Zachary Levi is an accomplished actor, singer, and dancer, who has appeared in films, on television, and on Broadway. A regular voice actor on Robot Chicken, Levi is also the voice of Flynn Rider in 2010’s Tangled. He also voiced characters in Tangled: The Series. Most notably, Levi starred as the title character in Shazam! in 2019, and Chuck Bartowski in Chuck from 2007–2012. The Louisiana-native has also played the Asgardian Fandral in Thor: The Dark World and Thor: Ragnarok. His theater credits include First Date, She Loves Me, and Sunday in the Park with George.

World Class Artists & Creators Including:

Frank Miller, Ronin, Daredevil: Born Again, Elektra Lives Again, The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City, and 300
Rob Liefeld, Deadpool, New Mutants, Youngblood
Jim Starlin, Infinity Gauntlet Saga, The Death of Captain Marvel
Brian Azzarello, Spaceman, Batman: Broken City, 100 Bullets
Kyle Higgins, Nightwing, Batman Eternal, Gates of Gotham, Batman Beyond 2.0
Donny Cates, Venom, Guardians of the Galaxy, Doctor Strange
Ryan Stegman, Uncanny Avengers, Amazing Spider-Man, Wolverine
Andy Kubert, X-Men
And many more!

SPONSORS:

Tiltify
The presenting sponsor of the Tiltify eSports Arena in the West Hall, Tiltify is a fundraising platform for the digital generation providing live, interactive technology that engages and inspires communities to donate or fundraise to important causes the world over.

AREA21 in the West Hall
AREA21, the collaborative project of DJ/producer Martin Garrix and producer/songwriter Maejor, is a conceptual sonic and visual exploration that has the duo making music containing universal messages about humankind as seen through the eyes of their alien alter egos M & M. Their adventures are portrayed through a series of songs and accompanying animated videos produced by award-winning animation studio, Titmouse (Run the Jewels, Dua Lipa). Convention goers can check out their videos in the West Hall expansion.

Digital Innovation Partner Liquid Avatar Technologies
Liquid Avatar Technologies, L.A. Comic Con’s Digital Innovation Partner, will showcase its technology through integrations and demonstrations of verifiable credentials, digital identity, unveiling new and exclusive projects, hosting panels and meet-and-greets with writers, artists, and industry icons, and will also create and administer an Augmented Reality scavenger hunt in conjunction with its subsidiary, Oasis Digital Studios, to showcase a host of digital collectibles.

Hot Topic
Hot Topic offers band-related apparel and accessories, licensed merchandise, and fashion apparel and accessories, which you can find at more than 600 stores and online.

Legion M
Legion M is the world’s first fan-owned entertainment company and partners with top Hollywood creators — from independent filmmakers to big Hollywood studios — to produce a slate of movies, TV, and digital content.

Popshop Live
Popshop Live is a live streaming commerce marketplace that is transforming social shopping. The mobile streaming platform allows sellers to go live, sell their products to a community of shoppers and engage directly in real-time interactions. L.A. Comic Con and Popshop Live have partnered together to elevate the digital experience by giving attendees unlimited access to livestream the main stage through the Popshop Live app, interact with their favorite exhibitors after the convention is over with exclusive discounts and products, and bringing L.A. Comic Con alive with a virtual convention in Spring 2022, streaming exclusively on Popshop Live!

That Hashtag Show
That Hashtag Show writes and produces quality content to hype the films and shows you love, keeping you up to date with everything trending in geek pop culture.

UE COMIX™
UE COMIX™ is a self-publishing platform designed to support and promote Comics, Manga, and Graphic Novels by Independent Creators. We aim to return control to the aesthetic community through the establishment of a self-made, self-published mindset. Words cannot express the appreciation and excitement we have partnering with L.A. Comic Con and participating in the upcoming events.

Voodoo Ranger
Voodoo Ranger is excited to join everyone on the convention floor this year as the official beer partner of L.A. Comic Con!

WHY: Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world, and home to the most high-profile entertainers, artists, studios, and the center of the film and television industry. L.A. Comic Con is a celebration for all things pop culture and is meant to be a place where fans can meet their superheroes, comic book characters, and the creators behind them.

WHO:

Nichelle Nichols, Actress, Star Trek
Zachary Levi, Actor, Chuck, Shazam!
Ming-Na Wen, Actress, The Mandalorian, Marvel’s AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D
Giancarlo Esposito, Actor, The Mandalorian, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul
Bruce Campbell, Actor, Evil Dead, Spider-Man, Bubba Ho-Tep
Jason David Frank, Actor, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Tom Kenny, Comedian and Voice of Spongebob Squarepants
Roger Bumpass, Actor, Voice of Squidward – Spongebob Squarepants
David Yost, Actor, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
Tom Welling, Actor, Smallville, Lucifer
Michael Rosenbaum, Actor, Smallville, Guardians of the Galaxy 2
John Glover, Actor, The Walking Dead, Smallville, Scrooged
Rider Strong, Actor, Boy Meets World, Cabin Fever
William Daniels, Actor, Boy Meets World, Knight Rider, St. Elsewhere
Will Friedle, Actor, Boy Meets World, Batman Beyond
John Barrowman, Actor, Doctor Who, Flash
Casper Van Dien, Actor, Starship Troopers, Sleepy Hollow
J. Michael Tatum, Actor, Black Butler
Chris Wehkamp, Actor, My Hero Academia
Brandon McInnis, Actor, Black Clover
Alexis Tipton, Actress, Sakura Quest
Ricco Fajardo, Actor, Black Clover

ABOUT LOS ANGELES COMIC CON:
L.A. Comic Con is Los Angeles’ biggest and best multimedia pop culture convention, held annually at the Los Angeles Convention Center. L.A. Comic Con assembles the most exciting, new, and innovative players in comics, movies, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, anime, gaming, and all things pop-culture. Over 123,000 fans attended the 2019 event, making it Los Angeles’ ultimate pop-culture destination. L.A. Comic Con’s top priority is the safety and enjoyment of the show’s fans and regularly updates its CV-19 protocols. As one of the most diverse and celebrated geek and pop-culture events in the United States, L.A. Comic Con gives fans once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to truly enjoy safe interactions with their favorite creators and major players in the entertainment industry.

MORE INFORMATION ON L.A. COMIC CON
For more info on L.A. Comic Con, please visit: https://www.comicconla.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

HASHTAGS: #ComicConLA #ComicConLA21

5 Home Gym Equipment Ideas If You Have Limited Space

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Having a small room or apartment doesn’t mean you need to skip out on exercise, check out these easy home gym equipment ideas if you have minimal space.

Let us face it, with the reigning pandemic and lockdowns looming around every corner many of us have taken it on ourselves to start exercising from home. Some by choice, others not so much in the same regard.

When you’re a fitness fanatic and don’t know which corner to turn because you can’t go to the gym you’re probably looking for ways that you can exercise at home, for those of us that are doing forms of bodybuilding we probably want some type of resistance training as well that can only come from lifting weights.

Regardless of who you are or what your choice is, there are options for us to train at home, even if you have limited space such as a studio apartment. Below is a list of equipment that you could use at home, even if you have limited space and best of all, they don’t cost a fortune. 5 Gym Equipment Ideas You Can Use At Home If You Have Limited Space

Adjustable Dumbbells

Dumbbells are usually an essential part of strength training and if you’ve ever gone to a proper gym they usually have a whole section entirely dedicated to dumbbells ranging from a few pounds to a few hundred pounds. It’s really a gym staple.

Adjustable dumbbells are great because you don’t need to have 20 different dumbbells sitting in your home which takes up a lot of space, they are basically like your ordinary dumbbells except that the weight is not fixed. They tend to have a locking system and come with different plates of weights that you can fix to the dumbbell and then lock it.

This makes it easy to start with a low number and then work your way up as you build upon your strength training, pretty neat right?

Adjustable Kettlebells

Much like the adjustable dumbbells, adjustable kettlebells are similar in nature where you can increase the weight range of them and lock them into place. Some of them have a simple system where you just push a button to release the weights and then clip in further sizes, usually in 6-pound increments.

Kettlebells are a lot more versatile than dumbbells because you can use them to do things such as goblet squats, as well as bicep curls and various other kettlebell exercises. They’re a great space saver as well as they can just sit in your wardrobe or in a corner.

Ab Wheel Rollers

You’ve probably seen these around at gyms, people usually look like they’re flattening out the pastry of a pizza base on the floor moving up and down. Those are called ab rollers, they can be used to train your core, hips, arms and back muscles and don’t require much room other than your body size.

Skipping rope

If you’re opting for a cardio option instead of weights, then a skipping rope is always going to be a staple for any fitness enthusiast. You don’t need much room other than where you’re standing and if your place has a common area like a backyard or courtyard then you can simply take it out with you as it’s very mobile and light without much hassles.Conclusion

As you can see, you can still get an intense workout even if you have limited space with these options. And if you can’t afford any of them yet, then you can focus on the good old basics of calisthenics such as pushups, situps, jumping jacks and so on. Stay hard!

About the author: Marko Rakic is a trail runner and fitness enthusiast from Sydney, Australia. He is the lead writer for The Ultimate Primate and believes the best way to live a happy life is to take a holistic approach to fitness and health.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

FSM First Look: Jail Blazers

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Kerry Eggers, who covered the Trail Blazers, goes back twenty years for the stories from the players, coaches, management, and those in Portland—during an era when the local NBA stars were in the headlines for both their play and their off-court behavior.

In the late ’90s and early 2000s, the Portland Trail Blazers were one of the hottest teams in the NBA. For almost a decade, they won 60 percent of their games while making it to the Western Conference Finals twice. However, what happened off-court was just as unforgettable as what they did on the court.

When someone asked Blazers general manager Bob Whitsitt about his team’s chemistry, he replied that he’d “never studied chemistry in college.” And with that, the “Jail Blazers” were born. Built in a similar fashion to a fantasy team, the team had skills, but their issues ended up being their undoing. In fact, many consider it the darkest period in franchise history.

While fans across the country were watching the skills of Damon Stoudamire, Rasheed Wallace, and Zach Randolph, those in Portland couldn’t have been more disappointed in the players’ off-court actions. This, many have mentioned, included a very racial element—which carried over to the players as well. As forward Rasheed Wallace said, “We’re not really going to worry about what the hell [the fans] think about us. They really don’t matter to us. They can boo us every day, but they’re still going to ask for our autographs if they see us on the street. That’s why they’re fans and we’re NBA players.”

While people think of the Detroit Pistons of the eighties as the elite “Bad Boys,” the “Jail Blazers” were actually bad. Author Kerry Eggers, who covered the Trail Blazers during this controversial era, goes back to share the stories from the players, coaches, management, and those in Portland when the players were in the headlines as much for their play as for their legal issues.

FSM Scouting Report: All-American Murder

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Book/Movie Title: All-American Murder: The Rise and Fall of Aaron Hernandez

Total Pages/Duration: 375 (paperback version)

Author/Director: James Patterson w/ Alex Abramoivch & Mike Harvkey

Pace of Play: Short chapters and lack of descriptive, flowery language make for a quick read. Some will finish this in one sitting while most will take 2-3 days.

Strengths: The authors stick to the facts and provide many direct quotes from individuals involved in the case. Information is easy to follow as it’s presented in a straight line. There are some flashbacks when necessary but you’ll never get confused. The authors bring the reader up to speed rather quickly in regard to Hernandez’s home life and his days in high school and college.

Weaknesses: The book relies on direct quotes a little too much at times (sometimes quotes go on for an entire page). It just comes off as lazy. Also, some of the rumors of Hernandez being gay or bisexual are briefly mentioned. I’m assuming there weren’t enough facts to back any of it up, but the authors could have at least tried to disprove some of the rumors by showing what evidence exists. After all, true or not, the rumors were a big part of the story. Again, it comes off a little lazy.

Unique Attributes: The authors maintain a matter-of-fact tone and avoid the use of SAT vocabulary words. Except for the description of Hernandez’s jail cell, don’t expect some of that descriptive writing James Patterson is known for.

All-American Murder contains some interesting side stories involving Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer, and the Pouncey twins. You’ll also read about the lesser-known double-murder that Hernandez allegedly committed.

Scout’s Recommendations: At this point, the story of Aaron Hernandez has been told across many mediums and probably doesn’t deserve any more of our time. But how often does James Patterson write about sports stuff? That being said, I’m skeptical Patterson did anything more than supervise on this project. All-American-Murder is worthy of a pickup if you’re about to go on a long flight or plan on lounging by the pool on a cruise ship. Other than that, it should be used as a “first stop” for people getting into the Aaron Hernandez saga for the first time.

A World Cup to Die For

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Over 6,500 migrant workers have died in Qatar since 2010 as the death toll continues to rise, with many of those deaths occurring on FIFA World Cup related projects. The figure brings Qatar’s exploitative kafala labor system and lack of migrant worker’s rights to the fore. Change is needed, and FIFA must speak out.

Since making the controversial decision to award Qatar the right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, over 6,500 migrant workers from South Asia have died. The total number of migrant worker deaths is believed to be considerably greater. The 6,500-death toll does not include the vast number of workers from nations such as Kenya.

Migrant workers are tasked with bolstering Qatari infrastructure in preparation for the 2022 World Cup. Many of the dead are linked to World Cup related projects including stadium, airport, and hotel construction.

Kafala system controls migrant workers

These workers are tied to the exploitative kafala system which grants employers control over employee passports. They are forced to remain in the Arab State and their pay is often withheld for months or not given at all. Under this system, workers must hand over their passports on arrival. They feel trapped and held like prisoners. Kept in inhumane conditions and overworked in soaring summer temperatures, many of those who died constructing the stadiums collapsed from exhaustion. There are several reported cases of suicide. The data released on causes of death points not to normal workplace accidents, but to widespread neglect and maltreatment.

The death toll is only one part of a wider problem. Those migrant workers living within the nation often pay over $1,000 simply to begin working. They live in “pathetic” and “oppressive” conditions, as one Kenyan worker tells the BBC. The workday starts as early as 04:00 and lasts all day, with only warm drinking water available. The workers live in overcrowded camps or dorms and live with “filthy” sanitation. They have no air conditioning to help cope with the 45C summer heat. Talking to the BBC, a British worker who was working on a World Cup construction site as a supervisor describes the situation. He explains that health and safety regulations are “non-existent” and that he is “horrified at the risks taken every day on the site.”

Qatar too slow to change

The response by the Qatari government to the endemic mistreatment of migrant workers, something that they do not deny, continues to be limited. In 2018, Qatar set out a plan to reform its Kafala system. They are failing to uphold this promise. Since joining the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in May of 2018, Qatar insists on a list of formal reservations. They deprive migrant workers of some of the important protections that the treaty normally guarantees. Lama Fakih, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, states that “while Qatar has taken some important steps to protect human rights, there is still a long way to go before migrant workers are protected from abuse and exploitation.”

FIFA complacent in rising death toll

The situation in Qatar reveals more than the need for domestic reform. It makes clear that FIFA disregard human rights. The world’s leading football association, following the 2018 Russia World Cup, are once again showing their role in “sportswashing”. The term describes a nation – often one accused of human rights violations – using sport to rebrand itself. Sportswashing nations are hiding behind the façade of glamour and sport to cover up a negative image of the nation. Awarding the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar exposes widespread corruption within FIFA. The fact that these nations bought the right to host the event for this very purpose was clear.

FIFA, the organizers of the world’s most watched sports event which holds corporate partnerships with giants such as Coca-Cola, Visa, McDonald’s, and Adidas, have very little to say on the issue of migrant workers in Qatar. In direct contradiction with the testimonies of workers and observers, a spokesperson claimed:

“WITH THE VERY STRINGENT HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES ON SITE … THE FREQUENCY OF ACCIDENTS ON FIFA WORLD CUP CONSTRUCTION SITES HAS BEEN LOW WHEN COMPARED TO OTHER MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS AROUND THE WORLD.”

This claim is not supported by any evidence. With inconsistency and poor collaboration between nations in recording the number of migrant worker deaths, it is difficult to know the true extent of the problem. What is clear is that change to the kafala system is essential and urgently needed. FIFA must confront the issue, or risk endorsing through silence the exploitation of migrants and disregard for human rights.

Written By Harry Markham

FSM First Look: Unguarded by Scottie Pippen

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Scottie Pippen has been called one of the greatest NBA players for good reason.

Simply put, without Pippen, there are no championship banners—let alone six—hanging from the United Center rafters. There’s no Last Dance documentary. There’s no “Michael Jordan” as we know him. The 1990s Chicago Bulls teams would not exist as we know them.

So how did the youngest of twelve go from growing up poor in the small town of Hamburg, Arkansas, enduring two family tragedies along the way, to become a revered NBA legend? How did the scrawny teen, overlooked by every major collegiate basketball program, go on to become the fifth overall pick in the 1987 NBA Draft? And, perhaps most compelling, how did Pippen set aside his ego (and his own limitless professional ceiling) in order for the Bulls to become the most dominant basketball dynasty of the last half century?

In Unguarded, the six-time champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist finally opens up to offer pointed and transparent takes on Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson, and Dennis Rodman, among others. Pippen details how he cringed at being labeled Jordan’s sidekick, and discusses how he could have (and should have) received more respect from the Bulls’ management and the media.

Pippen reveals never-before-told stories about some of the most famous games in league history, including the 1994 playoff game against the New York Knicks when he took himself out with 1.8 seconds to go. He discusses what it was like dealing with Jordan on a day-to-day basis, while serving as the facilitator for the offense and the anchor for the defense.

On the 30th anniversary of the Bulls’ first championship, Pippen is finally giving millions of adoring basketball fans what they crave; a raw, unvarnished look into his life, and role within one of the greatest, most popular teams of all time.