Galaxy S

I bought the Samsung Galaxy S phone in September, and now there is a 4G version of the phone. However, I still feel the uses of the original model is up-to-date enough to recommend to those who may not have tried smartphones.

The Galaxy S is a major entertainment phone, but it some everyday uses as well. One of my favorite apps is the barcode scanner, which is available on the Android Market. Going to the store is a lot easier because of it. I feel items such as the barcode scanner cover the utility aspect of smartphones. There are so many different things we can do with a smartphone like the Galaxy S.

However, the main purpose of the Galaxy S is for entertainment. This covers the convergence aspect of this phone. My favorite app on the phone is NBA League Pass, which is only available through T-Mobile. I'm able to watch any game in any market. And this is all happening on my phone. I used to have to wait for the Los Angeles Lakers to be on national television to watch them, but now I can watch every game with my Galaxy S.

It's a great device, and for a first-time smartphone user like me it was still easy yet comprehensive. I learned how to use it quickly, and I don't think I'll ever be able to go back to a basic cell phone.

Fisher comes through again

The Lakers defeated the Clippers last night on a buzzer-beater from Derek Fisher.

This is not the first time Fisher has come through with a big shot late in a game, and it' s interesting that even at Fisher's age he is the point guard for the defending champions.

The reason I say this is interesting is because the culture of today's NBA is to have a dynamic point guard who can do anything. All-Star point guards include Rajon Rondo for the Celtics, Derrick Rose for the Bulls, Deron Williams for the Jazz, Chris Paul for the Hornets and Russell Westbrook for the Thunder.

Fisher is not included on the list of dynamic point guards in the NBA, but he manages to get the job done. Fisher fits the system for the Lakers, and he comes up with big shots when they need him to come up with one.

Sports Geek calls out Sports Guy

My favorite columnist on ESPN, Bill Simmons, has recently wrote a column dedicated to swaying his daughter from ever liking the Lakers. Although I understand he is a Clippers/Celtics fan I'm still upset he is brainwashing.

Don't get me wrong, the column is hilarious and his ideas of how to make his daughter hate the Lakers are genius, but let her make her own decision. If she likes the Lakers sobeit. My dad is a huge 49ers fan and I immediately betrayed him when I started liking sports. I went for the 49ers' rival for that season, the Carolina Panthers.

In fact, I never picked any one of my dad's favorite teams except for BYU. As a Lakers' fan my dad feels that I am a lost soul because he is a Jazz fan. It's been this way for years, and even though Simmons says parents have ultimate control of brainwashing their kids if they really wanted to, I believe kids should pick their own teams. That's what I will do for my kids.

I will pull out a magazine and go to a page with all the teams and say, "Son, it's time for you to pick your favorite team." Then I will let him pick his team, and I will buy him stuff relating to that team.

This is assuming I have a son. If I have a daughter I may end up brainwashing her like Simmons for all the exact reasons Simmons put in his column.

Briggs in support of Palin

I've never really voiced my political opinion in public, so I would like to take the time to say that if Sarah Palin ran for office in 2012, she has my vote.

Palin is charismatic, and whether or not her countenence will change while in office I can see her being the kind of positive change The White House needs. Barack Obama is charismatic and a rock star-type person. It's not necessary to completely change personalities when leaders change so the charisma currently in The White House will remain when Palin is voted in.

I don't know if she'll win, but she knows how to work the media like Obama, and she's not afraid of the spotlight like Obama. My vote is with Palin for 2012.

How to keep turkey from killing you

This one guy, Harold McGee, wrote five myths about Thanksgiving dinner for people to take note of this season. McGee obviously did his homework because my family follows these myths every year.

The myth that particularly hit home with me was cooking the turkey at a low temperature overnight. McGee said this is unnecessary. Thank goodness. Much time will be saved this holiday season.

The myth that disturbed me was people believing it's OK to leave the food out until you go to bed. Obviously you need to refrigerate that stuff before germs take over. McGee said so as well.

Bats catch fire in pitchers duel

A battle between Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum was supposed to leave us with a final score of 1-0 in the World Series, right?

Game One of the World Series featured high amounts of offense in the Giants' 11-7 win. I love watching offense, but I was extremely surprised by this game. I wanted to see two of the best pitchers in baseball go deep into the game with every pitch causing the audience to hold its breath, but that's not what we got.

Baseball has struggled with its ratings in the playoffs due largely in part to football, but the high volume offense from last night could help the sport's championship series. I enjoyed watching the game, but hopefully Game Two is much closer. Texas needs to show up and actually give the Giants a challenge.

The NFL needs LA

I recently read on espn.com that former Lakers legend Magic Johnson wants the NFL to bring a franchise to Los Angeles. This is a great idea, and even though the NFL has succeeded in becoming America's most popular sport, to bring professional football to LA would make the sport that much better.

Once upon a time there were two NFL franchises in LA--the Rams and Raiders. Both teams bolted for other cities in 1995. The Rams moved to St. Louis, and the Raiders moved back to their former home in Oakland, Calif.

Since that time the closest LA has had to professional football are the USC Trojans. It's time for the NFL to return to Tinsel Town.

The Lakers have been amazing for LA since the NFL left as they have won five NBA championships since the Rams and Raiders left. This is the difficulty that arises: Immediate success is a must. People in LA have other things to do, so an unsuccessful professional franchise will not garner much support. The LA Dodgers are the prime example. I went to two games in LA during the summer, and the stands were only two-thirds of the way filled up in both games. The Dodgers are not a very good team. Flip it around to the Lakers. You can't buy seats to Laker games. You have to purchase the tickets through people who already have tickets.

If an NFL team makes the move to LA it is important to have immediate success. Having Magic Johnson as the owner will make that possible. He helped build the Laker teams who won championships during the last 10 years.