Trip to Vienna & Budapest Day 3&4

One thing I noticed while out and about in Vienna, was how few black people I saw. I didn't mind it since I wasn't being stared at, unlike my trip to Istanbul. Now that was an experience. My friend was an instant celebrity with her waist-long box braids, and everyone wanted to take pictures of her and me. One guy called her "Michelle Obama," while I was "Rihanna." The nerve of him. Anyway, after two days of sightseeing and one serious proposition to participate in a threesome (a guy from Kosovo seriously asked) I was ready to see what Budapest had to offer.

I caught the 10:48a.m. train out of Wiebanhof and about an hour into the trip, we had crossed into Hungary. I didn't realize just how close it was to Hungary. My three-hour trip felt anything but that. I caught a snooze sometime in between, but got some pictures and video of the scenery.

 

I arrived at the Budapest-Keleti train station at exactly 2 p.m. The train left Vienna at 11:09 so it was under three hours. Talk about utter chaos. I thought I'd be walking off to a well-organized station, but I wish I knew to prepare like I was in Nigeria. Taxi "mafia," as one conductor I'd asked for help called them, were everywhere. Hawkers, everyone selling everything and then some. Barely anyone spoke English and those who did had no clue where my hotel was or what I could do. No directions guiding you to places for help. One man stopped me to ask if I needed help only to point me toward the tourist information while telling me how pretty I am. Like I cared about hearing it at that moment. Of 'cos tourist information was closed. It had to be. It is at this point that my words will begin to read like rants while lacking proper writing technique. So beware!

Passengers coming off the train at Keleti station in Budapest

I found the station's info center and spoke to an English speaking rep. After telling her I wanted to catch the train, she gave me bus options, which I only found out later. Then I was told to go upstairs to buy my local ticket, which was actually right across from her. Let's just say I spent more than an hour at the station dragging my luggage up and down stairs a million times. Finally I figured out where I needed to be (on my own) and bought a three-day local transportation pass (trains, buses, trams all inclusive) for 4,150 Forinth (just under $17.) The English-speaking ticket agent also couldn't tell me anything on where and how I could get to my hotel area. Unbelievably, and out of sheer frustration, I figured out the system on my own. By the time I figured out where I was going, I realized I was directed to a bus. I have access to trains, buses, trams, trolleys and the entire public transportation system and she sends me to the bus? My hotel happened to have a Metro station within two minutes of it and was just off of the popular Andrassy Avenue. So I don't know how no one could help me out with what train to take.

Anyway I finally arrive at the Silver Hotel two hours after getting to Budapest and my nightmare continued. The hotel, which I booked last minute as well through Booking.com, was moving me and some 10 other rooms to another hotel apparently because a group of English tourists had rendered said rooms unusable. I was too tired to delve further for details. After 20 or more apologies and assuring me it was around the corner, I left with a voucher for two free cups of soup at a nearby restaurant, which I lost en route. The around-the-corner hotel turned out to be the Central Green Hotel another four blocks away, off Andrassy. I love working out and don't mind lifting suitcases, but by this time I was mentally exhausted, frustrated and upset that she lied. Thankfully the hotel I ended up with turned out to be nicer and about 100ft from Andrassy, with a subway (the M1 line) right on the corner of my hotel and Andrassy. Score! It wasn't anything fancy, but I wasn't looking for fancy and overpriced. My criteria was complimentary breakfast, WIFI and clean room. I ended up with a room with three single beds and much bigger space than my hotel in Vienna, but only after carrying my suitcase up two flights of steep and winding stairs because there were no elevators and no one offered to carry it up for me. I didn't even want to leave the room for the rest of the night. 

After cooling my head and a nice hot shower, an hour and a half later, I figured I could take a stroll to the Place of Heroes aka Heroes Square,which was about two miles from my hotel and turned out to be a pleasant surprise. It was about 7 p.m. when I ventured out for what I thought would be a quick trip to the square and back. I spent the next three hours walking around the square, which is surrounded by a few museums (Museums of Fine Arts and Agriculture, just to name a few.)

Heroes Square at night

Panels with statues of some of Hungary's biggest heroes

Museum of Fine Arts featuring a Rembrandt exhibition

The outside of the Museum of Agriculture (left and right.) I have more pictures of the castle on my Picasa page if you'd like to see more of Europe's largest agricultural museum.

It was really cold that night, some 39F, and I kept saying I'd leave soon, especially since I was alone and there weren't that many people walking the streets. But I couldn't bring myself too. That should tell you how I felt in Budapest. Safe, safe and more safe. I don't think I'd have walked around this museum, with so many trees and paths leading somewhere else that it'd be easy to do just about anything, alone if it was in the U.S. Yet I never felt threatened.

I worked up an appetite by the time I headed back to my hotel and thought I would be feasting on Cheetos and plantain chips for the night because the concierge had told me there wasn't any restaurant around. But I spotted this fancy one on the bank of a pond across the Museum of Agriculture and next to Heroes Square.

Cosy ambiance, but with a tourist appeal

My Barany Sulok was amazing!

 Robinson Timeless Kitchen was a fine dining kind of restaurant and the food was amazing. I ordered the Barany Sulok, which was a knuckle (shank) of lamb with tomatoes, onions, green beans, bacon and potato balls. It was 4900F ($20) and also had a Mojito. It seemed like a mostly tourist kind of crowd, which is probably why my concierge never mentioned it. It has the look of an expensive dining option, that even I was scared to go in (my hunger was gripping that I was gonna eat there no matter what,) but it isn't too expensive for the Dollar, Pound or Euro currency traveler. Plus it accepted American Express, my preferred traveling credit card, which isn't widely accepted around Budapest except in major tourist spots.

After a complimentary breakfast in the morning, I started my second day in a much happier mood. I was supposed to walk to an ATM to get local currency, but by the time I found one, I was halfway toward my first stop: the St. Stephen's Basilica. Thanks to Bencé, the overnight concierge at my hotel, who was a delight in helping me identify my tour sites on a non-English map I was given, I knew what trains, trams or walking routes I needed to take. It was somewhat of a long walk to St. Stephen's, but since it's such a busy shopping and tourist-friendly street, you hardly notice how long as you walk past attractions like this:

The Hungarian State Opera House on Andrassy Avenue

Half an hour after I left my hotel, I walked into St. Stephen's Basilica. It was 200 Forinth to walk in, or 1€, but I left my wallet with my € at the hotel and my smallest bill was 5000F. So the kind gentleman let me in for free. So grateful. A service was in progress so we weren't allowed to wander around certain parts of the church even after the service concluded. The church is truly glamorous.

St. Stephen's Basilica

It's the largest church in Budapest

The church was named after Hungary's first king, St. Stephen

St. Stephen's can accommodate up to 8,500 at the same time

For 400F ($1.63) you can climb up to the top for a panoramic view of Budapest. I missed out on climbing up at its namesake in Vienna. This time, I had to. It was worth it. It was a very long climb, but once I walked out, the first thing I said was 'wow.' It was that breathtaking. I suggest anyone visiting Budapest should climb up the tower. Think climbing up the Eiffel, only it's not as high, but way less cheaper. And oh, there's an elevator option, but why do that?

From the top, I had views of the Parliament and even Gellért Hill, which I also climbed.

As the daughter of an airline pilot who has flown all over the world, you'd think I'd have had fair my share of seeing the world. Unfortunately my mom wasn't keen on tagging six kids along on her vacations so only my three oldest siblings got to travel with her. And travel they did. Multiple times and to multiple places. I never flew out of Nigeria until the day I relocated to the U.S. It was another six years before I flew out of the U.S. when I gave myself a graduation gift to London and Paris. So anyone who's been a part of any of my trips will tell you that I'm big on maximizing my travel experiences visiting as many sites possible in the shortest time. I'd rather snack on something on the go, than sit at some gourmet restaurant chowing down on an expensive meal. I'm pretty slow at eating so I save my sit downs for the end of the day.

As soon as I left the Basilica, I hopped on the train and headed for my next attraction, which was the Gellért Hill. Oh menn! Even more breathtaking than I expected. The hill is a 140m high dolomite rock overlooking the Danube River on the Buda side of the city. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site named after Bishop Gellért Sagredo, a missionary who came to the city from Italy to convert locals to Christianity. The story goes that some non-believers put him in a barrel and rolled him down the hill into the River.

The bridge I walked across from Pest

Foot of the hill with a statue of Gellért atop the picture and a waterfall at the bottom

Monument depicting Gellért on the path up the climb

It's a bit of a climb, but considering I wasn't working out the entire trip, I was happy to hike, though I was literally breathless by the time I got there. If you don't want feel like the hike, there's a road path that takes you up to the top, with bike, bus and car access.

Finally made it to the top

The Statue of Liberty commemorates Hungary's liberation from Nazi rule

I loved being up here. Was amazing!

Behind the statue is the Citadel, which is essentially a small city at the top of the hill. You can read about it by clicking here.

There were too many paths to walk through, but didn't want to spend my whole day here so I walked the main road only. Here I finally spotted three black people. It was the first time I spotted a black person since I left the train station. There was an older black couple and another black guy. Though I didn't have to, I thought I could make a bathroom stop and was asked to pay  €.70 or 180F. For what? On my way down I met another black family of four (parents with their presumably college-aged children.) It may seem weird that I'm documenting every sighting of a black person, but it's indicative of how few they seem to be in Budapest. Keep in mind that those I met were probably tourists like me.

I walked back across the bridge to Pest and caught the train to the Parliament. With the view I saw from St. Stephen's I had to see this castle up close. And for free, I got to use a very clean restroom at the visitors center, where I met some ladies who couldn't believe there was a free restroom in this city. I really hadn't tried to use a public bathroom until the Gellért. So I didn't realize there may be many more places charging tourists to use restrooms. I cannot confirm this as fact, but I suppose be mindful of it while visiting. I didn't pay to tour the Parliament, but visited the free underground exhibit dedicated to the Oct. 25, 1956 massacre that took place in Kossuth Square, also called the Hungarian Revolution. and took a nice rest in the warm visitors cafe.

Hungarian Parliament

Great view of the river with benches to relax

Finally, I took the train and then a tram to get to Buda Castle, which, depending on who you talk to is this single castle...

Or the collection of structures around it, including the President's Office, which I happened to stop by during the change of guards...

The Fisherman's Bastion and Matthias Church are also within walking distance and worth the walk through. I've also heard it referred to as part of the Buda Castle. By the time I got there it was after 5 p.m. and a medium fog had enveloped the city, leaving a less than spectacular night view. It was still pretty enough for me to take a few pics before heading back to my hotel.

The Fisherman's Bastion

Matthias Church

The weather was getting increasingly colder and foggier so I was looking forward to my trip to a bath house, but it was closed. Back at the hotel, I booked a city cruise only to get dolled up, head out to the river bank and find out all cruises were closed because of too much fog. Definitely disappointed, but I was OK with it knowing I had lots of time to get one or both of them done before heading back to Vienna at night the following day.

Trip to Vienna & Budapest Day 1&2

As some of my friends know, I recently took a week-long trip to Europe with stops in Vienna, Austria, and Budapest, Hungary. It was my first solo trip (not counting my three-month trip to South Africa last year for work,) and unlike in Johannesburg, I knew no one and was completely dependent on myself. So I agreed to detail my experience on this platform especially since a few friends have been urging me to document my travel experiences. Those who are extremely close can contact me to view more pictures and videos via Picasa.

I love traveling, but would prefer to have a travel companion. Not because I'm scared of the safety of a female traveling alone, but because I think it's terrible visiting many breathtaking venues with no one to share them with in real time. I will say that this experience is probably the biggest reason I was able to take notes down for my blog since it felt like I was talking to myself.

I flew out from Philadelphia International Airport on Oct. 28 and made a stop in Barcelona before flying to Vienna. I wonder if my being checked there had something to do with not passing through passport control in Vienna, but I found it strange that I just walked right out after picking up my luggage. Apparently only those who had something to declare would voluntarily walk toward that area. I opted to take the two-day CAT pass €32 ($40) which gives unlimited train rides on the City Airport Train Express (16 minutes from airport to the city center) and local public transportation network, plus a return trip on the train back to the airport. Though a Trip Advisor review suggests using the local train network (Ubahn) is cheaper, I opted for this because of my 7 a.m. return flight and my reluctance to commute a longer distance so early in the morning. My sometimes practical self wondered if it was worth spending that much on, but after leaving my hotel at 5 a.m., I'd say it was worth it to get to the airport at 5:45 (the train from my hotel to the CAT station was about 7 minutes, but the earliest CAT was 5:29. Some may want to get the Vienna card, which at €19 ($24) for two days at time of visit, gives you discounts to some 210 tourist sites and shops. Again Trip Advisor suggests that other discounts (senior, disabled or student) offer better than the 10% the card gets you. With 2 days I didn't plan on visiting that many places to warrant using one.

Vienna's CAT express from airport to City Center

I booked a room last minute at the Time Out City boutique hotel, which is right off the famous Mariahilfer Strasse, the longest shopping street in Europe, and is quite close to the Museums Quartier—a string of small museums grouped together. If you love shopping this is the place to stay, especially with lots of cafes, restaurants and street performers. I didnt plan on coming here to shop at H&M (there was seemingly one at every corner,) Zara or United Colors of Benetton. I chose to save my money for any local finds I could score.

Christopher the concierge was really nice in giving me directions to the Museums Quartier and the Austrian Parliament. Vienna is the capital of Austria, and its Parliament, along with the Rathaus (Municipal or City Hall,) which is right next to it, are two of the city's iconic tourist attractions and are situated along the popular Ringstraße (aka Ringstrasse) route. I chose to walk to both places, which was less than two miles from my hotel, passing by the MQ and the Museum of Natural History. At night, it made for some amazing views. Since most places closed by 6:30 p.m. I didn't go in, but planned to return to the Parliament and the MONH on my last day. I wasn't up for dining in since I was tired, so got a beef kebab €5 (about $6) and ate in my room.

The Austrian Parliament located in Vienna

The next day (Oct. 30) I took the train to Westbanhof to buy my ticket to Budapest after spending the night worrying that I had waited too late to buy it, and with no tickets available to purchase online for my trip the following day. I got a return ticket for €82 ($103.) Then I set out for my tour which began with a trip to Schönbrunn Palace (AKA Schoenbrunn,) which is one of the most toured and iconic attractions in the country. It was once the home of Emperor Franz Joseph, the longest serving emperor in Austrian history. There's a lot more history behind the 1,441-room palace, which you can read more about here and here.

Entrance to Schönbrunn Palace

The palace offers spectacular views of Vienna from this terrace

Ticket for the Grand tour of 40 rooms was €14.50 ($18,) but no pictures are allowed, though you get an audio guide through each room. You can also opt to take a shorter tour of 21 or 23 rooms for a reduced price. There are some amazing rooms inside the palace, but the tour wasn't anything spectacular, especially without the pictures to remind you of them. The grounds, however, is breathtaking. So expansive and opulent. So many roads like this one:

 And this, leading to God knows where that I didn't have time to explore.

For a historical context you can take a tour inside. But if you're only interested in scenic views and pictures, save your money and walk the grounds for free making your way up to the Gloriette erection at the top of the back of the palace. You can see a view of Vienna from the top.

A garden located at the side of the palace

The rear of the palace with a clear view of the Gloriette

I met Gergo Adam, a Hungarian, while taking selfies on the terrace at the rear of the palace. He is a student in France and thought I was French because of my sweater It was a welcome delight having someone to talk to because I hadn't had an extensive conversation with anyone to that point, and he gave me some recommendations for my Budapest trip.

A Gergo and me selfie

After breaking away from Gergo, I walked up to the Gloriette, which is a must do if you visit the palace. I didn't pay the €2 or so to climb up to the top because I didn't think it was worth it, but it's good enough to just walk up the sometimes steep walkway to catch a glimpse of the palace and Vienna from an elevated view.

The Gloriette

The view of the palace from the Gloriette is worth the walk up

When I made my way back down to exit the palace, I spotted a small phone booth-like structure right next to the wall of the palace, with tons of signatures from visitors from all over the world. So I had to put mine as well.

Twice.

I also visited St. Stephen's Cathedral, the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna, though I didn't climb to the top or get great images of the interior, and the Vienna State Opera House, which I only visited the cafe with all the famous celebs sightings on the wall. Then I retired back to my hotel ready to leave for Budapest the following day.

St. Stephen's Cathedral

Vienna's State Opera House

Heisman hopeful suspended indefinitely for NCAA violation

The doors to an invite to the Heisman Trophy presentation may have closed on one of college football's best running backs, who was an early favorite to be nominated for college football's top award.

Georgia running back Todd Gurley has been suspended indefinitely pending an investigation into alleged improper payments for use of likeness, autograph and memorabilia signage, an NCAA violation.

Todd Gurley is being investigated for an NCAA violation

 An ESPN story cited a source within the autograph industry as saying that Gurley had sought between $8 and $25 per signature. The story also reports that James Spence Authentication, an autograph authentication company provided certificates of authenticity for more than 250 signed jerseys belonging to Gurley.

Current NCAA rules prohibit players, considered amateur student athletes, from profiting or earning money by virtue of their position on teams. Scholarship student athletes earn a stipend or Per Diem, in addition to a full or partial scholarship to earn an education. Players are allowed to earn supplemental income by working jobs in which they actually document and prove hours worked.

Star players like Reggie Bush, whose 2005 Heisman Trophy was stripped from him after it was discovered he had received benefits while playing at USC, and former NBA forward and Michigan Wolverine Chris Webber, are just two of many college players who have been investigated and sometimes proven to have received illegal benefits during their playing days.

A growing number of athletes and sports media analysts are calling for a change in the NCAA's policies that will allow players benefit more from the billion-dollar college sports industry, driven by the blood, sweat and tears of the athletes. While colleges and universities earn millions of dollars from the success of athletic programs, primarily football and basketball teams, players make little to nothing in what some have termed a slave-master relationship reminiscent of the slave trade period.

One argument the NCAA makes is that the students are compensated through a full scholarship to earn a college degree, but there have been more than enough examples of college programs graduating very few athletes particularly on football and basketball teams.

A number of athletes have joined to sue the NCAA's licensing division and game manufacturers, as well as media broadcasters including ESPN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, among others, for improper use of their likenesses without compensation.

It's too soon to tell what the outcome of the investigation on Gurley would be, but Gurley can look to the investigation involving another Heisman Trophy winner for optimism. In 2011, Auburn quarterback Cam Newton was investigated and cleared of any violation regarding his recruitment to play at Auburn.

It's possible that Gurley could return to the field this season, but with each game he misses, he makes less case for a nomination. What appears more certain is that this case is bound to impact his draft status. Meanwhile the University of Georgia and NCAA will continue making money of the sale of his jerseys.

Former NFL player Larry Johnson arrested in Miami club brawl

Former NFL player Larry Johnson was arrested Tuesday following a fight inside a popular Miami club. The ex-running back is accused of punching a club patron and attacking him with a broken bottle for taking drinks from his table at the Delano Hotel in Miami Beach. TMZ broke the story, including video of Johnson's arrest.

Ex-NFL running back Larry Johnson after his arrest

Johnson, who was a star tailback for the Penn State Littany Lions, played eight years in the league, ending his career in 2011 with the Miami Dolphins. He has previously been accused and arrested for a number of domestic violence incidents in the past.

For more on the story and to watch the video footage of the arrest, click here.

Devin Hester shares touching moment with Deion Sanders after breaking record

This is what sports should be all about. Minutes after breaking NFL great Deion Sander's record for return touchdowns with his 20th, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Devin Hester shared a touching moment with his idol during the NFL network's post-game broadcast.

Sander's, one of the best cornerbacks and punt/kick returners in the history of the game, has been a mentor to Hester since the latter was a budding star at the University of Miami. As you'll hear in the video, Sanders, who went by Prime Time, for his game-changing plays during his career, had been rooting for Hester to take down his record 19 returns for a touchdown, and achieving this feat with Sanders live at the game had to have been an even sweeter icing on the cake.

Check out the video below:

My first skydiving experience

My friends know me as an adventurous and spontaneous person. A while back I blogged about playing with a cub lion at the Lion Park in Johannesburg, South Africa. Some of my friends thought I was crazy and all applauded my audacity. But hey, this is who I am: someone who loves challenges and exciting adventures.

So a couple of months ago I jumped out of a plane. I had wanted to skydive for so long. It's been on my mental bucket list for a while now and I kept waiting for the ideal partner to do it with. Well, I couldn't wait anymore and finally accomplished my goal. Some of you have seen the pictures, but most people asked for the video. Well I finally got around to uploading it, so here it is; the edited version.



For those who asked if I'd do it again, my response is definitely!

Ray Rice should sit out season as video emerges of his knockout punch

A newly released TMZ video is shedding new light on an incident that took place inside an elevator of an Atlantic City resort on Feb. 15 involving NFL player Ray Rice and his then-fiancee Janay Palmer, leaving Palmer knocked out and Rice suspended for the first two games of the season.

Rice and Palmer got married March 28, a day after the Baltimore Ravens running back was indicted on assault charges relating to the altercation.

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice has been cut from the team

In the video, Rice is seen punching Palmer, who appears to hit her head on a rail support inside the elevator before passing out on the floor. Subsequently, Rice drags his unconscious girlfriend by the upper body out of the elevator, dropping her face down with her legs still between the elevator doors. She remains in that position, her underwear exposed briefly, for several minutes, before she is escorted away after gaining consciousness under the supervision of a man who appears to be a hotel employee.

An NFL investigation resulted in a two-game suspension, which NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell later admitted was insufficient following media backlash about the mild punishment Rice received for a serious domestic violence incident. New Jersey state prosecutors declined to take the case to court after Palmer and Rice chose not to pursue the case further. Rice was instead allowed to enter into a diversionary program designed to rehabilitate him, which upon completion, would result in his charges being dropped.

Now, as the video footage circulates the internet, calls for the NFL to punish Rice even further are growing. Though the NFL has claimed it was unaware of this new video, many critics of how the league handled the investigation, say they are surprised that the NFL wasn't able to obtain the footage, which was available to Rice's defense team, given its extensive resources.

Ray Rice and Janay Palmer are at the center of a Feb. 15 domestic violence incident

There's plenty of blame to be shared by many of the parties involved in the incident, its investigation and ultimate decision regarding Ray Rice's future in the league, but what the NFL needs to do is send a message to its fans, 45 percent of whom are women, that it considers domestic violence a heinous crime deserving of more than the six-game suspension for first-time offenders; a punishment it only resorted to after pressure from fans and media analysts, who noted that the initial two games garnered fewer games than a positive test for marijuana (four games.)

The Baltimore Ravens have taken the lead by cutting Rice, saying the team was unaware of the video or the gravity of the altercation. However, Rice remains eligible to be picked up by another team, though this seems unlikely based on Twitter reactions from players, fans and sports media. One Ravens player said locker room support for Rice has dropped as players have learned that the running back, once one of the team's leaders, lied to them about defending himself.

This idea that Rice may not have been completely truthful to his teammates or the league may be an avenue the NFL should seek in revisiting this case, because it needs to suspend Rice indefinitely, regardless of its version of double jeopardy laws that prevent the league from taking further action after an initial action has been taken.

Many are calling for Rice to be served a lifetime ban, including some players. ESPN analyst Herm Edwards hinted at the likelihood of this while speaking on the case on air. I am of the opinion that everyone deserves another chance eventually, but Rice should not be allowed to play football for at least this season; possibly more.

ESPN's 30 for 30 films revisits Atlanta Olympics bombing in "Judging Jewell"

A bomb went off at the Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta during the Olympic Games on July 27, 1996. Two people died and more than 100 sustained injuries, but the tragedy could have been akin to the more recent Boston Marathon bombings if it wasn't for the heroics of a security officer at the scene.

Richard Jewell, an Atlanta native, was an AT&T security officer at the park when he discovered the backpack containing the bomb, cleared the area and alerted authorities before it went off. Sadly he became known more for the FBI's investigation of him as the chief suspect than as hero deserving of national recognition and all the other accolades awarded to people of his stature.

Richard Jewell during his investigation as a suspect in the Olympic bombing

Jewell appeared in court to watch the actual bomber convicted

The 30 for 30 film revisits the story and highlights how things went wrong for Jewell. Though Jewell was later cleared (Eric Robert Rudolph, who went on to commit three other bombings, was convicted for committing the act,) Jewell's reputation never recovered from the investigation. He died in 2007 of a heart attack brought on by complications from diabetes, two years after witness Rudolph's conviction.

Watch the full ESPN 30 for 30 film Judging Jewell here:

Jason Collins takes the court as 1st openly gay active player in major sports

When Jason Collins checked in for the Brooklyn Nets with 10:28 left in the second quarter of a road game against the L.A. Lakers, he was cheered by Laker fans applauding the historic moment.

By playing 11 minutes for the Nets in a 108-102 win for his team, Collins became the first active openly gay player among the four major sports played in the United States. There was nothing impressive about his performance– two rebounds, a steal, two turnovers and five fouls–on the court, but hardly anyone expected any more than he contributed considering it was his first game since last April.

Jason Collins is the first active player to suit up for a team in a major sport

What was important about the moment was how much of a non-issue Collins' presence on the court turned out to be. In fact, there was more of a frenzy at the press conference announcing his signing to a 10-day contract (which rarely warrants a press conference) than in anything else he was involved with beyond that. This big moment in sports turned out to be...well...not much of a big deal at all.

Which is a good thing.

Collins didn't need to be treated any differently than he was used to prior to coming out. Business needed to go on as usual, and that's what happened. It would've been awkward if he entered the game to players hugging, dishing hi-fives or applauding him. It would've been too much of a spectacle, though I can understand if anyone may have wanted to play up this moment for what it's worth. After all college football player and NFL prospect Michael Sam is currently getting the full media scrutiny after coming out prior to the NFL draft. He had previously been projected as a possible third round pick, but some analysts have hinted that his revelation could hurt his draft chances. As he prepares for the NFL Combine, he has pleaded with teams and the media to focus on his skills and not his sexual orientation.

Michael Sam is hoping to be the first openly gay NFL player next season

There have been plenty of gay athletes in major sports for at least five decades. In the 1960s and '70s, NFL running back David Kopay was reportedly one of three gay players who suited up for the Washington Redskins. Though he was the only one to come out, Kopay revealed that he had had a sexual relationship with teammate tight end Jerry Smith after Smith died of an AIDS-related illness in 1986. However, since becoming the first NFL player to reveal his homosexuality, only four former players have followed suit; the latest being former offensive tackle Kwame Harris who came out publicly on CNN after a public spat with his ex-boyfriend was reported by several media. Last year, several media quoted former NFL player and gay rights advocate Brendon Ayanbadejo saying four active NFL players were contemplating coming out, but the whispers eventually died down without fanfare. In the NBA, former center John Amaechi, who came out shortly after his retirement in 2007, remained the only known gay player in the league until Collins' revelation last year. In baseball, former L.A. Dodger and Oakland Athletics player Glenn Burke was known to be gay by some of his teammates during his four-year career between 1976-1979, but wasn't publicly identified as a gay man. There's also former outfielder Billy Bean who retired in 1995, before coming out in 1999.

As much of the United States and other developed countries have become more accepting of gays, the signs have pointed to the presence of active gay athletes as a non-factor. After Sam came out, an ESPN poll showed that 47 of 51 active NFL players polled were OK with having a gay teammate. Several WNBA players, notably 2013 No. 1 pick Brittney Griner, have been playing as openly gay athletes, as have a few athletes in other sports. So while Collins' feat was a historic one, it comes at a time when sentiments toward gays have significantly improved.

During his media rounds Collins described his twin brother Jarron, a retired NBA player, as in support of his decision to come out. Two decades ago, a very similar scenario involving two brothers played out differently. When former UK soccer player Justin Fashanu revealed his homosexuality in 1990 at the age of 29, he was publicly denounced and disowned by his younger brother John Fashanu, also a soccer player. Justin made his revelation as an active player, but was forced to retire after facing what he said was a deep-seated prejudice against him. After a failed coaching career and a sexual assault allegation made by a 17-year-old American boy against him, and without the support of his family, Justin committed suicide eight years after his decision. Even with his brother long dead, John Fashanu has remained defiantly unsupportive of Justin's decision, saying in 2012 that he doesn't believe his brother was gay, but was merely seeking attention.

Justin Fashanu came out as an active player at 29

John Fashanu did not support his brother's decision

Nearly 25 years after Justin Fashanu came out with no support (he was dropped by his team following his announcement,) Collins took the court with plenty of support. And while his future in the sport isn't guaranteed beyond the next 10 days (the Nets could re-sign him to another 10-day contract before they are forced to drop him or sign him for the remainder of the season,) the significance of his achievement isn't lost on sports fans. But it just wasn't all it was hyped up to be because most people recognize what everyone should know by now: that there are gay athletes in sports. That there have been for a while now, and that few care about their dating life as long as they can contribute toward winning.

Collins' historic feat just happened to be the moment that confirmed this notion.

Season finale of Unsung features Niles Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of Chic

I have been a big fan of the TV One series Unsung, which features artistes known for making hits in their heyday, but who never got the full credit they deserved or are being re-introduced to today's generation of music loving fans unaware of their influences on current music.

Tonight's season 7 finale featured disco greats Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards who were largely responsible for the success of the disco era of the '70s and '80s with songs like "Good Times," "I want your love," and "Le freak," also known as freak out. I am a product of the '80s, but I grew up in a musically appreciative family, and the memories of weekends spent listening to the tunes of Barry White or Regina Belle's version of "Baby come to me," are a reminder of how music served as a bonding agent for my family.

At its peak, Chic added another female singer, and replaced Wright who went solo

Thanks to my parents, who introduced me to music by artistes who came decades before I was born, and an older sister and brother who made sure I knew of every hit song that was released in the late '80s and early '90s, I have been labeled an old soul by some of my friends, who are amazed by how much I seem to know about "old school music." A run through my Itunes catalog will reveal music by the likes of John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald, Zapp & Roger, Billy Ocean, Siedah Garrett and The Manhattans.

Chic was one of such groups that I grew up listening to, though I didn't know much about the story behind their music. That's why I love shows like Unsung, because I've learned so much about the history behind music greats. Rodgers and Edwards, were electrifying guitarists who were rejected by record companies because no one thought two black guys with a rock sound would sell. They formed the band Chic after adding drummer Tony Thompson and singer Norma Jean Wright.

The original Chic: Bernard Edwards, Norma Jean Wright, Nile Rodgers and Tony Thompson

By 1977, they became one of the biggest acts in music, churning out hits after hits after hits behind the electrifying bass guitar sounds created by Rodgers and Edwards. That song credited as the foundation of the Hip-Hop industry, "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugar Hill Gang? Yep, it borrowed the instrumentals to Good Times. Something else I wasn't even aware of was that Faith Evans' major hit "Love like this," used the instrumentals for "Chic Cheer."

Sadly, by the summer of 1979, just two years after their massive break out, the group's run of hits would be over after the death of the disco event in which tons of disco records were blown up at a Chicago stadium. Nevertheless Rodgers, Edwards and Thompson remained relevant as hit producers and drummer for several major singers of the '80s and '90s. Sister Sledge (We are a family, He's the greatest dancer,) Diana Ross (I'm coming out, upside down,) Madonna (Like a virgin,) David Bowie (Let's dance,) Rod Stewart (Out of order, Vagabond heart,) and Led Zepellin (Thompson toured as a drummer) are just a few of many artistes who turned to the brains behind Chic for a career boost.

Sadly Edwards died of complications from pneumonia the morning after a performance with Rodgers in Tokyo in 1996. The group had started performing again after a long hiatus and Rodgers was the one who found Edwards in his hotel room. His condition was so bad that he had reportedly fallen asleep during the performance. Thompson died in 2003, a month after he was diagnosed with a form of kidney cancer. Wright, after a brief singing career, became a school principal and currently performs with another female member of the group.

Rodgers remains the most successful member of the band and has managed to keep his career going with production work for current artistes like American Idol alum Adam Lambert. His 2013 collaboration with Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams on the song "Get Lucky," continues to top the charts in 2014 and won several Grammys including record of the year.

You can watch the full episode of Unsung: Nile Rodgers and Chic here.

Video footage emerges in NFL player Ray Rice assault incident

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was arrested Saturday morning after a domestic dispute involving his fiancée at a resort in Atlantic City, N.J.

The Baltimore Sun, which first broke the story, said Rice was charged, and subsequently released, for an incident which his lawyer Andrew Alperstein called a "very minor physical altercation." Rice's fiancée Janay Palmer was also arrested for her involvement in the altercation.

Now video footage obtained by TMZ shows that the incident may have been more serious than reported by the Rice camp. The video shows the NFL player dragging a woman, presumably Palmer, out of an elevator. The woman appeared to be unconscious.

Website Deadspin, citing its sources, says Palmer allegedly spit on Rice during an argument, and in retaliation Rice knocked her out with an uppercut punch.

Police booked both Rice and Palmer for simple assault. Find the video below.

Ray Rice -- Dragging Unconscious Fiancee ... After Alleged Mutual Attack
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Brothers make $300 million from NBA doing nothing

Picture getting paid millions of dollars every year to do nothing. By nothing, I mean play couch potato all day long, lay on the beach basking in the sun and sipping virgin cocktails while money is deposited into your account.

Not too many people enjoy this kind of privilege, but count brothers Ozzie and Daniel Silna among such after they closed what's considered the "greatest sports business deal of all time" with the National Basketball Association.

Dan and Ozzie Silna have earned millions from a lifelong NBA deal

Since 1976, the Silnas have earned $300 million, including $19 million last season, from a lifelong deal they struck with the NBA for a percentage of the league's TV revenue deals. The Silnas were owners of the St. Louis Spirits, one of four teams of the now defunct American Basketball Association that merged with the NBA in 1976. As part of an agreement to give up ownership of the Spirits, The Silnas negotiated a cut "in perpetuity" of the NBA's future broadcast revenue.

According to ESPN writer Chris Broussard, the deal pays the Silnas 1/7 of the TV revenue for the four ABA teams that merged with the NBA. Today, those teams are the Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers, San Antonio Spurs and the Denver Nuggets. The NBA currently makes $7.4 billion from TV deals with Disney (ABC/ESPN) and TNT, making the Silna's arrangement a pretty sweet deal. Add to it Internet media revenue, which according to Fox Sports, a judge recently ruled the Silnas should have rights to, and these brothers have an unbelievable lifetime income worth hundreds of millions; doing nothing!

Ozzie Silna with a Spirits hat at his home

The NBA is currently negotiating with the Silnas after they filed a lawsuit seeking revenue from NBA TV as well as international broadcast of games.

You can read more on their story and how much other owners settled for here and here.