Tag Archives: MMA

Cocktail Corner – Victory Drink

Posted on by
Reply

My playing days for a number of sports have passed me by – tough to say at 42 years old, but it’s true. Sadly, some newer sporting concepts came around too late for me to take a crack at and others I don’t have much interest in trying. Here are some sports I’ve never played:

Ultimate Frisbee

Aside from making sure you don’t spill the beer in your other hand, it’s fun to toss a frisbee around when camping or otherwise outdoors. That said, I’ve never had a chance to try my skills at Ultimate Frisbee, a sport I think I might have been decent at. Mrs. Sip and I have recently tried Disc Golf and while vast improvements are needed, it’s a fun way to spend an afternoon.

Pickleball

All the rage amongst senior citizens – and, to be fair, some young folks, as well. I could see Mrs. Sip and I picking up this activity once our schedule clears of kid bookings in the distant future. For now, though, I won’t be running out to buy a paddle and ball set… no matter how much I like pickles!

Boxing

Mrs. Sip will tell you I already have brain issues, so taking repeated blows to my head doesn’t sound very appealing. Putting on a set of gloves and hitting the punching or speed bag looks like it could be fun – and I’ve heard it’s a hell of a workout – but the opportunity has never presented itself.

Cricket

Such a needlessly complicated game, but what puts it on this list is the fact that Canada just isn’t a cricketing nation. I did try to learn the game and enjoyed watching it when studying in the U.K. and my one-channel TV played daily highlights of the 2007 World Cup, but that just didn’t translate once I returned home.

Skateboarding

Sure, I’ve been on a skateboard before, but I’ve never done more than a couple quick rides. My only true interaction with the sport is from X-Games viewing, Tony Hawk video game playing and Fail Army videos, which always seem filled with skateboarding mishaps.

BMX

See above.

Polo

This is similar to the cricket entry, as there really aren’t many polo grounds to be found in this part of the world. Add in the fact that I loathe horseback riding and this is not a good activity recipe.

Water Polo

This version of polo has potential, as I love being in the water and enjoyed playing European Handball in gym class as a teenager. Despite my intrigue, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the sport as an option anywhere close to me.

Racquet Ball

Perhaps the issue here is I don’t have business partners to play with while skipping out of work, as seems to be how the activity is portrayed in media. Once I’ve established myself in the corporate world, look out for me on the court!

Archery

While I love Robin Hood, particularly the Disney cartoon version of the folk character, I’ve never attempted to load bow and shoot an arrow. It seems so complicated. Boy Sip has a Nerf bow toy that I may try at some point as I’m often challenged to Nerf battles by my young adversary.

Gymnastics

I like doing flips and shit (or at least the younger version of me did), so I think I would have enjoyed being a gymnast. Plus, I bet my junk would have looked pretty impressive in one of those spandex singlets!

Field Hockey

While ice hockey is my favourite sport and is the national winter sport of Canada, the field version has never seemed to gain much traction in the country. Us hosers just love being in ice cold rinks too much.

Parkour

As a kid, I loved climbing and running around. Parkour combines these two activities in a blend of daredevil art. Boy Sip seems to have the energy and bravado to excel at the activity, with the only problem being finding a local outlet for him to try it.

MMA/Martial Arts

I have no belts in my collection, having never participated in karate, judo, jujitsu, etc. That said, I have a never quit attitude and I do not lack discipline. I’ve heard of others entering these worlds later in life, so I won’t close the book on these activities just yet.

Cocktail Corner: Victory Drink

  • 2 oz White Rum
  • Top with Lemonade
  • Splash of Cranberry Juice
  • Garnish with a Lime Wedge

What sports have you never played? If you’ve tried any of the above-mentioned activities, what’s your advice to a curious, albeit lazy, Sip Advisor?

Flavour Revolution – Cucumber

Posted on by
Reply

Cold-Blooded

The term “cool as a cucumber” comes from the fact that cucumbers are known to actually cool the blood. Someone who shows a similar disposition to a cucumber, remaining cool under pressure, is usually given the nickname Iceman… and there are a lot of these folks. Let’s take a look at some of the dudes (there doesn’t seem to be any women on the list) who have ice in their veins:

Chuck Liddell

Liddell is a retired Mixed Martial Arts fighter and Ultimate Fighting Championship legend, holding the record for most knockouts in the company’s history at 13. Liddell has capitalized on his Iceman moniker, opening a memorabilia store called The Ultimate Iceman in 2010, as well as titling his autobiography Iceman: My Fighting Life. There is also Iceman Fight Gear, which is designed based on Liddell’s suggestions.

Chuck Liddell

Kimi Räikkönen

The Formula 1 driver was given the nickname Iceman for a number of reasons, including the frigid temperatures of his native Finland, his cool as a cucumber demeanor on the race track, and his often standoffish relationship with fellow racers, media, and even his own team. I’m not sure how much weight a nickname holds when you give it to yourself, but Räikkönen does have 20 wins under his belt.

Retief Goosen

The South African professional golfer is more likely to be called ‘Goose,’ but he’s also known by ‘Iceman’ for his calm, poised behaviour while on the links. Interestingly, both of Goosen’s nicknames also belong to characters from the movie Top Gun. Goosen’s mom credits her son’s conduct on him being struck by lightning at the age of 15, while golfing with a friend. That event would definitely change your perspective.

Richard Kuklinski

It’s not often that a contract killer gets lumped together with sports stars, but Kuklinski’s method of freezing his victims, to throw off their time of death for investigators, earned him this dubious handle. Kuklinski estimates that he murdered anywhere from 100 to 250 people, while working for the Five Families of New York’s Mafia. The Iceman, a film based on Kuklisnki’s double life, was released in 2012.

Richard Kuklinski

Dean Malenko

Also dubbed ‘The Man of 1,000 Holds,’ Malenko would often approach the ring with absolutely no emotion on his face and this continued throughout the duration of his matches. Unfortunately, when the strong technical wrestler arrived in the character driven WWE after stints in other promotions, he was saddled with the persona of a James Bond-esque ladies’ man, which just didn’t fit.

Adam Vinatieri

While there are some who devalue the role of a football placekicker, when compared to the rest of his teammates, Adam Vinatieri has earned the respect of fans, media, and his colleagues, thanks to completing some of the most essential field goals in the history of the sport. His resume includes two game-winning Super Bowl kicks, among his record four championships for a kicker.

Wim Hof

Of all the people listed in this article with the nickname Iceman, Hof is the only that can claim to actually have a close relationship with the cold stuff. Hof was once the world record holder for the longest ice bath at one hour and 44 minutes. He also excels at other cold weather challenges, including climbing the world’s most fearsome mountains in only shorts and completing marathons in polar temperatures, also scarcely clad.

George Woolf

How about a little Canadian content to wrap up? Woolf was one of the jockeys who rode the legendary Seabiscuit. His strategy of waiting for just the right moment to make his move in a race is what earned him the nickname Iceman. Sadly, Woolf died following a racing accident, in which he fell from his horse and suffered a head injury. An award for jockeys was named after Woolf and awarded annually since 1950.

Flavour Revolution: Crisp Twilight

Crisp Twilight Cocktail

  • Muddle Sage Leaves
  • 1.5 oz Effen Cucumber Vodka
  • Top with Grapefruit Soda
  • Dash of Simple Syrup
  • Dash of Angostura Bitters
  • Garnish with a Cucumber Slice

Cucumbers are so awesome that they can even be used to cure hangovers… not that the Sip Advisor is ever afflicted by this dreaded condition. Thanks to their mix of vitamins, sugar, water, and other nutrients, a few slices of cucumber can be the difference between waking up normally, or wasting the day away in bed!

Sip Advisor Bar Notes (3 Sips out of 5):
This drink was okay, but given the combo of Angostura Bitters and Grapefruit Soda, the Simple Syrup and even Cucumber Vodka could only do so much to balance out the cocktail, with a kick of sweetness. The Sage Leaves didn’t do much at all for the drink, hidden behind other flavours.