Sacramento Kings Killed It Last Season

A day before the February 7 trade deadline last year, the Sacramento Kings made a crucial trade that solidified its campaign to finally get back to the playoffs. The Kings were at the time the longest-running team in the entire NBA to have missed the postseason, and the trade that brought them Harrison Barnes from the Mavericks was a clear move that the LA team was keen on redemption, says NBA enthusiast Dayanna Volitich.

Though the Kings were comprised mainly of young players, their rise last season was not really unexpected. Their core players of Marvin Bagley III, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Willie Cauley-Stein, Buddy Hield, and De’Aaron Fox made for a solid lineup that combined lots of energy, hustle, and athleticism. Barnes added a solid veteran play, consistent offense, and championship experience to the team.

Even though the Lakers were hot on their heels (and the Clippers still held the eighth spot in the West), the Kings currently had the inside track to a playoff spot. They had clearly found more consistency last year in their aim of relieving their postseason drought. The team had the talent to push themselves into the playoffs, and perhaps even get deeper into it. However, a lot depended on what happened the rest of the regular season, particularly in terms of the team’s ability to win road games.

In any case, Sacramento made the right moves last season toward reaching its goal. Their rise was due to the more consistent play of the starters, a young but offensive-minded bunch of talent that would surely make a bigger dent on the league not just last season but in succeeding years. This group was even comparable to the vaunted Kings team of the ‘90s, adds Dayanna Volitich.



Dayanna Volitich is a college freshman at Fresno State University taking up English with focus on Creative Writing. She is a a movie buff and a fan of LA-based sports teams. Visit this blog for more NBA-related reads.

Ranking the Greatest Lakers of All Time

The three greatest Lakers -- Dayanna Volitich

No other team in the NBA has had as much talent wear its colors as the Los Angeles Lakers. They’ve won more titles than most any other team, and are tied with their main rival, the Boston Celtics.

#3 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Also known as “The Captain,” Kareem was already a champion when he joined the Lakers, having won a title with the Milwaukee Bucks. When he joined the Lakers, he became the team’s leader and continued his storied career by winning more titles and MVP trophies. He would later go on to lead the team alongside, another person on this list. Dayanna Volitich.

#2 – Kobe Bryant

Love him or hate him, Kobe Bryant has definitely made his mark in Laker lore. He is the career statistical leader for a number of categories and has helped the team hoist five banners. Bryant has confessed on several occasions that he is obsessed with winning and it has been obvious throughout his stellar career. Dayanna Volitich.

#1 – Magic Johnson

The greatest point guard the NBA has ever known, Magic Johnson is the king of the Lakers. No other player has ever played the game quite like him. A born leader, Magic gave the Lakers five championships during his career. Nobody embodies the Lakers more than Magic. Dayanna Volitich.

Dayanna Volitich is a freshman student at Fresno State University and dreams of becoming a sports writer in the future. More on Dayanna here.

The Early Life and Struggles of David Beckam

Football is the most celebrated sport in the world, and one of the biggest most popular players ever to grace the field is David Beckham.

Born on May 2, 1975, David was all about football even as a kid. At age eight, he was scoring over a hundred goals over three seasons for his team, the Ridgeway Rovers of the Enfield District League. The same team was coached by his father. When asked by his teachers what he wanted to do when he grew up, his answer was always the same. “I want to be a footballer.”

At age 11, David won the chance to join a training session at FC Barcelona. He was also chosen as Manchester United’s mascot that same year during a match against West Ham United.

Through his early years loving football, it would be in his teenage years that David’s dream gets tested as he was rejected for a spot in the junior English League. The reason for his rejection? He was too small.

But this didn’t stop David. The skinny teenager would eventually make his league debut just one month before his 20th birthday. His first official appearance was with Manchester United.
Two years later, he would fall for Spice Girls member Victoria Adams. And the rest, as they say, is history.





Hello! I’m Dayanna Volitich, a college freshman at Fresno State University studying English. My goal is to become a successful sports writer, but I also want to try out other genres. It's an unlikely career choice for a girl, but sports and writing have always been my two passions. For more sports biography reads, visit this blog.

5 Sports Biographies and Books You Should Read

A great sports story never gets old. It has all the right elements: inspiration, overcoming adversity and physical limitations, and having the determination to win. Many lists of sports biographies have come up with the highest rated and bestselling sports bios, representing the best that different sports have to offer – here are some of them for your next choice read.

#1. Babe: The Legend Comes to Life

Sportswriter Robert Creamer extensively chronicles the life of Babe Ruth, baseball’s most popular figure. It was first published in 1974 and offers a fascinating view of both his life and early 20th-century baseball.

Joe DiMaggio: The Hero’s Life

Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Ben Cramer tells the story of New York Yankee Joe DiMaggio and how this immigrant kid laid his hands on the American Dream.

Glory Road

Told from the perspective of the coach of the 1966 Texas Western national championship basketball team, this book recounts the story of the first black starting five in NCAA history.

The Blind Side

It’s not your traditional biography, but it’s the compelling tale of Michael Oher and his rise from the slums of Memphis into the ranks of the Baltimore Ravens – a modern inspiration out of the sports world.

Eleven Rings

Phil Jackson, as head coach of the Chicago Bulls and LA Lakers, won more championships than any other coach in any sport. Here he is best positioned to talk about his strategy for winning and coaching legends such as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.





Dayanna Volitich is a freshman student at Fresno State University and dreams of becoming a sports writer in the future. More on Dayanna here.

How to Build an Impressive Personal Library

The idea of a home library often summons an image of an old-fashioned room with hardbound books, wood paneling, and fancy wood furniture.  But a personal library need not always look this way; in fact, it should reflect the owner’s unique personality, quirks, and even literary taste and preferences.  Here are three tips if you’re looking at building your own library.

Choose the right room in the house

Most rooms will do, except those that have so much natural light (which can harm books), as well as attics and basements that have contained too much humidity that can lead to molds.  Note, also, that basements can be more prone to flooding.

Image source: Pixabay.com

Follow your heart in choosing books

Be eclectic in your choices if that’s your thing, and even spread those preferences out, so there are various background and perspectives earned from those books.  If you ask if there’s a right number when it comes to book count, then no – it’s up to you and the goals you have in mind for your collection.

Collect at a comfortable pace

It’s best to begin modestly, as you don’t need tons of books unless you are out to hoard every piece that you see.  For instance, start with the best three to five books in every field of interest, and then build your collection from there.  Look for bargains, too, but stay selective, so you don’t fill your library with junk.

Dayanna Volitich is a Creative Writing student at Fresno University. Aside from literature, she is also into sports, fashion, and movies.  For more on Dayanna, visit this page.

The Basics of Writing a Sports News Report

So, you want to be a sports news writer. You want to present what happened in the basketball game, offer a definitive roundup of the World Cup finals, or feature the highlights of the latest college football match of your team. But how can you create your sports report like a pro? Here are some tips and advice from sports writer Dayanna Volitich when starting out in this field.

 

Image source: pixabay.com

Introduce the sports event properly

Create a lead that presents the most important news aspect of sports game. What’s the score, and who won? What effect did the victory have? Provide the context for the whole report in the first paragraph and follow it up with the important supporting information about the event.

Provide quotes

Provide a quote from a coach, key player, or key figure in the story whether as a stand-alone or with a lead-in paragraph. The quote should be able to capture a sentiment on the story angle, a revelation, a recollection, or something that builds up the action. Dayanna Volitich also cautions that you double-check the accuracy of the quote as it’s directly attributed to the person.

Include supporting details

Once the main details of the story and the quotes are out of the way, work next on describing the game or event, providing further details that would offer more reading value. Write in a way that makes the reader feel, taste, and sense the action – without sacrificing facts, accuracy, and objectivity.

Read good examples of sports writing

Enrich your knowledge and build your potential by looking up examples of great sports writing, may it be straight news reports, sports biographies, or sports features. It will help sharpen your skills, know-how, and thought process in angling stories and presenting them in the most useful way possible to your audience.

Image source: pixabay.com

Dayanna Volitich is a college freshman at Fresno State University taking up English with focus on Creative Writing. Her goal is actually to become a sports writer in the future. Learn more on this page.

Making sense of Magic’s departure from the Lakers’ management

The power of Magic - Dayanna Volitich

During the offseason leading to the 2018-19 NBA season, then Lakers head of basketball operations and former superstar Earvin “Magic” Johnson was quick to personally visit free agent LeBron James in his house. The rest is history; Magic succeeded in having James bring his talents to Los Angeles. And with the development, the NBA balance of power shifted. Or so it seemed.

Image source: ocregister.com

A tumultuous season – Dayanna Volitich

Fast forward to March of 2019 and the Lakers are again out of the playoffs. And it marked the first time a LeBron-led team had failed to reach the postseason since James’ 2004-05 season. The season was tumultuous, to say the least, marked by injuries to key players and a generally anemic approach to defense. But early April saw another big bomb drop: Magic abruptly quit his job. Dayanna Volitich.

A huge blow -- Dayanna Volitich

Magic’s departure is a huge deal, mainly because it shocked both the players and management who had no idea of his plan. It also set the franchise reeling, especially given that it had just let go of coach Luke Walton a few days prior. Magic opted to announce all this in an impromptu media engagement, deciding to make an event out of it for almost two hours. Dayanna Volitich.

Interestingly, Magic’s main rationale for leaving his job is that he wasn’t happy. That the job prevented him from being himself. He said he wanted to “go back to being who (he) was before taking on the job.” That he had not clued in owner Buss, GM Pelinka, then coach Walton, and his star player James remains an enigma to this day. What’s sure though is that the move effectively set back the already struggling Lakers anew: now not just in terms of player chemistry but also management stability. Dayanna Volitich.

The Clippers’ Lou Williams should get the NBA Sixth Man Award anew

Clippers guard Lou Williams is on the brink of winning another Sixth Man of the Year award this 2018-19 season. If he takes it, he will tie Jamal Crawford’s achievement of winning the title thrice. The scrappy and crafty Williams is thus poised to become the most successful bench scoring guard in the history of the league, says sports enthusiast Dayanna Volitich.

Image source: si.com

Unlike the taller Crawford, Lou Williams is more versatile in that he consistently mixes up drives with long-range shots. He often doesn’t settle for mid-range jumpers and has a renowned penchant for drawing fouls from defenders. Lou is also the key cog in the Clippers’ current push for a deep playoff run, amounting to his being the only legitimate star in the team’s current roster.

Image source: sportingnews.com

It’s quite ironic that the Clippers’ star is coming off the bench. But, as mentioned above, Williams has already won the Sixth Man Award two times, and he’s most efficient and effective when subbing in. In any case, he is always part of the closing five during close games, and often comes through in the clutch, when the game is on the line. Williams has already tallied his two best scoring seasons in his stint with the Clippers, having averaged 22.6 points in 2018 and over 21 points this season. He is also leading the NBA reserves in scoring for the third straight season.

Perhaps coming off the bench has helped Williams better preserve his body, an argument we can make for the recently retired Manu Ginobili of the Spurs whose NBA career lasted 16 years. In any case, no one is in close competition to Williams as far as earning the award again is concerned, adds Dayanna Volitich. Kudos in advance to Lou on this momentous achievement.

Fresno State University college freshman Dayanna Volitich is into sports, movies, and street fashion. She is also a big fan of L.A.-based clothing brands and sports teams. Visit this blog for related posts.

Most overrated travel destinations around the world

Are you currently planning your vacation within the country or abroad? Then you should be informed of the current situations of the best travel destinations out there. A lot has changed over the past few years and tourist spots aren’t the same as they were. With the boom of the tourism industry around the world, it’s easy to be misled by Instagram photos and articles published several years ago. This is why avid traveler Dayanna Volitich came up with her list of the most overrated travel destinations around the world.

Image source: blog.ricksteves.com

Los Angeles, USA

A lot of tourists think that hopping on a tour bus in Hollywood can lead to spotting their favorite Hollywood actors. Likewise, walking the streets of Hollywood Boulevard and seeing the renowned Walk of Fame sounds interesting. But going there would mean joining thousands of tourists and not seeing a single celebrity.

Thailand

Image source: edition.cnn.com

As beautiful Thailand may be as a travel destination, it’s simply not what it used to be. Before, it was the hub of backpacking in Asia where travelers had to earn finding the perfect beach. But today, travel and tour companies have made it so convenient that popular tourist destinations like Koh Tao, Khao San Road, and Phuket are crawling with tourists.

Italy

Italy is one of the few European countries that have been overrun by tourists, especially in the more popular places like Venice and Rome. While the country is rich with many sights to see, these touristy places can suck the fun out of your time with all the tourists that flock to these areas.

Dayanna Volitich recommends going off the beaten path when traveling. Not only can you experience more authentic moments, you can also surprise yourself with a destination you never thought you’d visit.

Dayanna Volitich is a college freshman in Fresno State University. Her goal is to become a successful sports writer but would like to try a bit of travel writing as well. Ever since she was young, her parents have always encouraged her to love reading. For more articles on travel, visit this website.

By trading Tobias Harris, have the Clippers given up this season?

It was quite shocking for many Clippers fans that the L.A. team decided to trade its star player Tobias Harris to the Sixers during the last hours of the 2019 trade deadline. After all, Harris had been a solid offensive juggernaut this season, averaging career-high numbers and helping the team cling to the eighth spot in the West. In fact, the trade occurred just after a game in which Harris had made the winning shot, says NBA follower Dayanna Volitich.

Image source: nba.com

The Clippers also traded Mike Scott and big man Boban Marjanovic to Philadelphia. In turn they acquired Mike Muscala, Landry Shamet, and Wilson Chandler. These players alone don’t seem to make sense talent-wise, but what is great about the deal is that it came with two first-round and two second-round picks (the Clippers landed a protected 2020 first-round pick and an unprotected 2021 first-round pick via Miami).

Image source: groupon.com

This development should be seen by fans as the Clippers’ commitment to getting enough cap space come summer, even though it came with the risk of surrendering their current eighth spot in the West to most likely the Kings or the Lakers. In other words, the Clippers are looking at the long view. This offseason has a stock of top-caliber free agents, topped by the Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard and the Warrior’s Kevin Durant.

Landing just one of the two mentioned players is already a huge step toward getting better, adds Dayanna Volitich. If, say, both Durant and Leonard (who has expressed his interest in going to a Los Angeles-based team) join the Clippers, it would be the clear foundation of the new-look Clippers. They will have to compete with many suitors, yes, but that cleared $53.6 million in cap space is no question an alluring leverage the Clippers now hold.

19-year-old Fresno State University student Dayanna Volitich is currently taking up English with focus on Creative Writing. She is an LA street wear fashion follower, avid traveler, and a fan of LA-based sports teams. For more posts on L.A. basketball, check out this page.

Wanderlust: Top places to go to in South America

A lot of Americans dream of going to exotic destinations for holidays. Unfortunately, such exotic locations have their own setbacks. Traveling to European countries can easily burn a hole in your pocket. As for the cheap South East Asian destinations are simply too far away.

Image source: viator.com

 According to travel enthusiast Dayanna Volitich, a good compromise location can be found in South America. The region holds a lot of unique destinations that not even the tropical islands of Asia can match. Here are some of the top places you can visit in South America.

Image source: intrepidtravel.com

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia
This majestic landscape is often described as a place where heaven meets earth. It is the world’s largest salt flat. In certain months, a thin layer of water is left on top of the surface creating what looks like a giant mirror that stretches for miles. According to Dayanna Volitich, it may be difficult to get here, but the photos you can to take are simply breathtaking.

Manchu Picchu, Peru
A former Incan citadel towering on a mountain is one of South America’s foremost travel destination. But as a prime destination, tourists are limited to just 400 a day. It also takes a bit of effort to traverse these terraces so be sure to prepare ahead.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
If partying and beaches are more of your style, then look no further than Brazil’s former capital. You skip all the major tourist spots like the Christ the Redeemer statue if you want, but take a ride on one of the trams to get a great view of the city in the afternoon and party like there’s no tomorrow at night.

Dayanna Volitich is a college freshman attending Fresno State University studying English. Her goal is to become a successful sports writer. To learn more about her hobbies, visit this website.

Do the Lakers have enough talent to beat the Warriors?

If there’s one thing basketball experts and enthusiasts clearly witnessed during the Christmas Day meeting between the Golden State Warriors and the L.A. Lakers, it’s that the Warriors appeared very vulnerable. It was a huge, blowout win for the Lakers, which dominated the Warriors in the final quarter to win by 26 points. And the Lakers did it with LeBron sidelined due to a groin injury.

Image source: nbcsports.com

In any case, this season has so far been erratic for the vaunted Warriors franchise, with many teams managing to beat them both on the road and at home. There seems to be a lack of synergy among the death lineup of Curry, Thompson, Durant, Iguodala, and Green. Worse, their shooting has been largely inconsistent. The Warriors keep sliding up the down the top spot of the Western Conference while teams in the East (the Raptors and Bucks, in particular) are sporting a better record.

More importantly, there’s no guarantee this year that the Warriors will be in the top four in the West, as the win-loss records of other teams in the conference are not that far behind. Some critics blame the Warriors’ woes on the hole in the center spot, but this should be addressed once DeMarcus Cousins starts playing.

Image source: express.co.uk

As for the Lakers, the stellar play of its young players Ball, Kuzma, Ingram, Hart, and Zubac is being complemented by the veteran smarts of Rondo, Stevenson, and, of course, LeBron. McGee is a solid threat in the middle alongside Chandler. In short, the Lakers is showing that it’s the deeper team when compared to the Warriors.

Unless the Warriors begin to play more consistently and address the lack of offense contribution outside Durant, Thompson, and Curry, the Lakers may be able to end the Warriors’ dynasty in just LeBron’s first year in the West.

Hello, my name is Dayanna Volitich, a college freshman at Fresno State University taking up English with focus on Creative Writing. I’m a huge fan of LA-based sports teams and an avid traveler. For more on my hobbies and interests, check out this page.

Packing problems: Backpacking tips to prevent overpacking

Image source: travelfashiongirl.com

Overpacking is one of the biggest problem a beginner backpacker usually experiences. It’s sometimes difficult to decide whether or not to bring something that we feel we might need. These can be anything from extra clothes to accessories, gadgets like portable Bluetooth speakers to an electric tooth brush.


Just keep in mind that backpacking is done for a long time so starting with a stuffed bag will only mean you’ll be carrying the thing for the duration of the trip. It also gives you very little or no space at all to buy new items like clothes or souvenirs. Here are some tips to help you avoid overpacking.


If you’re bag is already full, cut everything in half

Not literally cut everything in half, just bring half of whatever you already packed in terms of clothes. You’d be surprised as to how you can manage to cycle through three or four dresses and some shirts while you’re traveling.

Image source:  travelfashiongirl.com

Avoid bringing cotton clothes

Cotton clothes don’t pack as tightly as those with synthetic fabrics. They also weight heavier than most fabrics. Maybe one or two cotton dresses would be okay, but go for mixed-blends for other clothes as long as you can mix and match them perfectly.


Bring flat shoes and sandals

Have one big shoe for activities like exercise, hiking, and walking the city all day while the rest should be flat. Flat shoes, sandals, and slippers are easy to store, low maintenance, and they go well with most of what you wear.


Hello! I’m Dayanna Volitich, a college freshman attending Fresno State University studying English. My goal is to become a successful sports writer, but I also want to try out other genres. Ever since I was young, my parents have always encouraged me to love reading. For more reads on traveling, visit this website.

Destination Asia: What to bring when backpacking in Southeast Asia

Image source: bunchofbackpackers.com

If you’re a female traveler who’s planning on backpacking throughout Southeast Asia, there’s a lot for you to do, see, and experience. As one of the cheapest destinations in the world, don’t be surprised if you’re able to stay there for months with just a few thousand dollars. And given the climate there, you don’t need to bring a lot of clothes. For you to fully enjoy your backpacking trip, here are some items that you must bring.


A good pair of sunnies

Day hikes, city tours, and beaches galore. These are some of the most sought-after activities when backpacking in Southeast Asia. Having a good pair of shades is invaluable unless you like squinting most of the time. The weather is often sunny and bright so don’t miss out on the view by not bringing a good pair of shades.

Image source: instyle.com

Light dresses

You can bring at the most four dresses for the trip. You never know if you’ll end up in a nice club or joining fellow backpackers for a nice semi-formal event like a birthday celebration. You can bring a mix of maxi dresses, sundresses, and short dresses just to give yourself options, especially if you’ll be traveling for a couple of months.


Proper footwear

As for footwear, all you need is a sturdy pair of flip-flops, comfortable walking shoes, and a functional pair for activities like jogging, hiking, or trekking. Going beyond these three will simply take up too much space on your luggage.


My name is Dayanna Volitich. I'm a college freshman at Fresno State University taking up English with focus on Creative Writing. My goal is actually to become a sports writer in the future. Apart from sports, I also love fashion and traveling. For more reads like this, follow me on Twitter.

Traveling with the family? Here are a few tips

Image source: parents.com

While having the kids on a trip is almost always a blast, it would do good for parents to remember that children are easily distracted by lights and sounds and colors. When traveling to an unfamiliar place, it’s best to be prepared.


Parents should start off by looking up the place and knowing the areas or sections restricted to kids. If the family is traveling abroad, knowing the locations of the American embassy as well as the police stations and hospitals is a good idea.


Other things parents should know about the travel destination are the weather, availability of wi-fi (in case of emergencies), and the crime rate. If the family will be spending time in nature, parents should know of the wildlife in the area and if they pose risks, as well as the plant life and if the kids are allergic to any of these plants.

Image source: Gatlinburg.com

A big part of the preparation is getting the kids ready. Having a family talk a few nights before the trip just to go over things such as ground rules and how to get in touch or where to go in case they get separated from their parents or lost, is a big deal.


Finally, parents should teach their children how to ask for help from police officers in case they do get lost. Knowing these things will keep children calm, and help them avoid making rash decisions.


Can you think of other ways to ensure the safety of a family vacation? Sound off in the comments below.


Dayanna Volitich is a college freshman at Fresno State University taking up English with focus on Creative Writing. She is an LA streetwear fashion follower, a movie buff, a fan of LA-based sports teams, and an avid traveler. More on Dayanna here.

Five famous authors’ inspiration to write

Image source: CMGWW.com 

Aspiring writers often wonder: Where do my favorite authors draw inspiration to produce such beautiful works? It can surprise you to know that their inspiration can range from the mundane and every day to the grand and beautifully tragic in their lives. Here are the sources of inspiration of five renowned writers.


Haruki Murakami: When writing a novel, Murakami gets up at 4 a.m. every morning, works for up to six hours, runs 6.21 miles (10 km), reads for the rest of the day, and then calls it a night at 9 p.m. sharp. He follows this routine for six to 12 months, employing the repetition to stay inspired. “I mesmerize myself to reach a deeper state of mind,” he once noted.


Cormac McCarthy: The novelist talks to people to stay inspired. He pays attention to conversations and even recalls specific things said by the other person. In his novel "The Road," he used particular discussions with his son as inspiration.


Mark Twain: The celebrated author, dubbed the “Father of American Literature,” preferred writing in a comfortable, relaxed state, thus choosing to do so while in bed.

Image source: Shortlist.com 

Kurt Vonnegut: It might not be the ideal setup for many, but Vonnegut revealed in an interview that his tech-oriented writing job helped enhance his interest in writing science fiction. He worked in public relations for GE before becoming a novelist. At GE, he didn’t disregard the cutting rotors and machines that surrounded him but instead used them to develop a strong interest in the subject.


Nicholas Baker: It couldn’t be simpler for him: he simply set a mental deadline to finish penning a novel at age 30. He didn’t meet the deadline, but he became inspired to write "The Mezzanine" when he quit his job and spent every day writing so hard.


Dayanna Volitich is a college freshman at Fresno State University taking up English with focus on Creative Writing. For more reads like this, visit this page.

The basics of cutting costs on your trip

Are you planning your next trip?  Or is it going to be your first?  In any case, going on a vacation and exploring new places can be really exciting.  So exciting, in fact, that you might not notice how much you might be spending on stuff that doesn’t need much spending.  Let’s take a look at some tips on how to cut costs on a trip from frequent travelers.

Search online for promos

The digital age allows access to information with just a tap, swipe, or click.  Take advantage of this during the planning stages of your trip.  On the internet, you’ll find dozens of lists of promos and tour packages that may make your trip so much cheaper.  From plane tickets to accommodations, there are discounts for everything the whole year round.

Stay clear of hotels

If your trip doesn’t revolve around staying in a resort or a hotel, then avoid resorts and hotels.  For one, they cost an arm and a leg compared to other establishments for guests.  Always look up places to stay other than hotels in an area.  You may get lucky and find a cheaper Airbnb or a reputable motel.

Don’t eat near tourist spots

The menu for eateries near tourist locations is notoriously overpriced.  And the food isn’t anything to write home about either.  Take a packed lunch when on tour.  But if you want to sample the region’s cuisine, ask the locals.  They’ll be more than happy to help out. 

Dayanna Volitich is a 19-year old freshman student taking up BA English at Fresno State University who eyes a career in sports writing. She’s also been bitten by the travel bug. For more on her and her passions, check out this blog.

La-Based Streetwear Brands To Watch

Los Angeles is a streetwear haven all right, with so many different labels and brands vying for attention and longevity in this fashion space. There’s Fear of God, Unravel, John Elliot, and Billy, alongside streetwear giants like Supreme with their own cult following. Here are some LA-based streetwear brands to watch during these exciting times for the hypebeast.

Image source: Complex.com

Pleasures

Launched in June 2015 at a gallery pop-up by Alex James and Vlad Elkin, this label now enjoys over 100 retail doors across the globe and at least 80,000 followers on Instagram. Its collaboration with the Grateful Dead is only one of many in the pipeline for the year and beyond. To quote James: “We create clothing based on feelings through past experiences.”

Uprising

Created by Roski School of Fine Arts alumna Michelle Hanabusa, it’s a self-described minimal, streetwear-inspired brand transforming the iconic white t-shirt into a garment for all seasons. Launching at the end of 2016, the designer is heavily influenced by her Japanese roots as well as LA’s streetwear vibe.

Dimepiece LA

It was established just over 10 years ago, but this brand has an expanding footprint on Instagram, with the likes of Cara Delevingne and Ashley Benson rocking its sporty chic designs. It draws inspiration from LA’s “polarized landscape, flitting between the glamour of Hollywood and the chilled, laidback flow of the city’s downtown,” as Highsnobiety puts it.

Madhappy

Launching online last April, it has built buzz with pop-ups emerging not just in LA but also in New York and Aspen. It has four co-founders (two sets of brothers) who were inspired by the fact that “most streetwear brands are closed off, inaccessible, and somewhat dark,” as co-founder Peiman Raf told Fashionista.com.

Image source: Highsnobiety.com

Dayanna Volitich is a college freshman at Fresno State University taking up English with focus on Creative Writing. She is an LA streetwear fashion follower, a movie buff, and a fan of LA-based sports teams. Learn more on this page.

The Most Inspiring Football Movie You’Ll Probably Ever See In This Lifetime

Sean Astin is a lovable fellow. His most famous role was that of Samwise Gamgee from Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Astin represents the every man. Short, stocky, and without the Hollywood leading man’s smolder, he projects life as we all know it.

Image source: nbc.com

This is probably why Astin was such a perfect fit to play Daniel Ruettiger in David Anspaugh’s 1993 football movie, “Rudy.” Astin brought the intense dignity of a boy with a dream, one life kept putting down, in a performance that kept everyone rooting for him.

Yes, I’m saying it -- “Rudy” is the most inspiring football movie ever made. And that doesn’t come lightly as there are many inspiring football flicks out there such as “Remember the Titans” and “The Replacements.” But the inspiration “Rudy” gives us is on a whole different level. We weren’t rooting for a team, or a community, or a city. In fact, we weren’t even cheering on Rudy himself. We were cheering for each one of us, every person who ever dared dream and had everyone tell us it was impossible.

Image source: time.com

Sure, it’s a classic tale, and quite cliché, but the down-to-earth direction, Astin’s appeal, and an extraordinary story elevate “Rudy” to the top of our football movies list easily.

Hi there! I’m Dayanna Volitich, a college freshman attending Fresno State University and studying English. I plan to become a sports writer someday. Learn more about me here.

Kobe Bryant: a Quick Guide To a Legend

He’s not known as The Black Mamba or the Lord of the Rings for nothing. Kobe Bryant is among the most significant players to ever play American basketball, taking his team Los Angeles Lakers to great heights and charting a career of unprecedented wins and new records. Here’s a quick look at the life of the legend in the hard court.

Image source: SlamOnline.com   

Born in 1978 in Philadelphia, Bryant spent his childhood in Italy and joined the NBA right after high school. He was chosen by the Charlotte Hornets as the 13th overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, and was eventually traded to the LA Lakers.

He was always known for being a dominant score, winning five NBA championships and the 2008 MVP Award with the LA Lakers. His later seasons were marked by a number of injuries, but they didn’t stop him from breaking records and demonstrating excellent play. In 1998, he was voted a started for the All-Star Game, becoming the youngest All-Star in the league’s history at age 19. His team-up with Shaquille O’Neal won the Lakers three consecutive championships.

On December 2007, Bryant created a record of being the youngest NBA player to reach 20,000 points. In the 2009-10 NBA season, he broke Jerry West’s record and became the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Lakers. In December 2014, he surpassed Michael Jordan as third place on the NBA all-time scoring list. His retirement in 2016 was highlighted by a 60-point score in his final game.

Image source: LakersNation.com  

Bryant received multi-year endorsement deals with the likes of Adidas and Sprite during his basketball career. In 2018, he earned an Academy Award when Dear Basketball won Best Animated Short Film. He married Vanessa Laine in 2009 and together they have two daughters, Natalia and Gianna.

Dayanna Volitich a college freshman at Fresno State University taking up English with focus on Creative Writing. Her goal is actually to become a sports writer in the future. Learn more on this page.