Typically, my weekends consist of multiple activities that keep my lady and I busy throughout. However, this weekend is a rarity in the sense that we only have one social event lined up (a work party) and pretty much NOTHING else. Thus far it's been epic in its own right:
Yesterday
4:00 p.m.- Left work early.
4:20 p.m.- Took scenic Steliacoom route home from work.
5:30 p.m.- Sat on porch.
5:40 p.m.- Opened Rogue Irish Style Lager and poured into glass.
5:45 p.m.- Lit firebowl.
5:50 p.m.- Lit firebowl again.
6:00 p.m.- Finished beer.
6:02 p.m.- Lit firebowl for real this time.
6:05 p.m.- Opened delcious barleywine and poured into glass.
6:15 p.m.- My lady got home.
6:25 p.m.- Finished delicious barleywine.
7:00 p.m.- Sat down for corned beef + veggies dinner.
Somewhere around 8 p.m.- Started watching "Zombieland"
Approximately 9:30 p.m.- Finished "Zombieland" (lots of laughing in between)
10:00 p.m.- Went to bed.
10:05 p.m.- Started "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back"
11:00 p.m.- Fell asleep early.
Saturday morning thus far
7:30 a.m.- Woke up.
7:45 a.m.- Played Wii.
8:30 a.m.- Turned on Chelsea v. Wolves and made breakfast.
9:00 a.m.- My lady awoke and we started watching Olympic curling together.
10:15 a.m.- Heading to Saturday morning yoga.
This list may seem drab to most, but believe it or not it's very nature was inspired by a principle rule that the lead character in none other than, "Zombieland" lives by during the movie. Jesse Eisenberg (previously of "Adventureland" fame) plays "Columbus" in this off center flick and truly contributes the soul of the film as he narrates the viewer through it. He has 32 rules that he lives by in order to live in Z-land. Some of them can certainly be transferred into our land of the living, most notably #32, Enjoy the little things.
You see most of us don't do that nearly as much as we should. Thus, during this rare weekend that contains more of less to do than most...that's my central goal. Take it easy.
- DTRT
2.20.2010
2.11.2010
Amerikafest delayed...but fear not!
This weekend I am being afforded the opportunity to reunite with some old buddies in an event we have dubbed “Amerikafest” (it’s reunion of former Army officers during President’s Day weekend). It was supposed to start this afternoon with my buddy from Philadelphia flying into town. However, due to the east coast’s SNOWMAGEDDON, his flight was cancelled and we have been delayed about 24 hours.
So, what is a guy to do? Well ladies and gentlemen, I am taking this lemon and turning it into some sweet, spiked lemonade. Here is my list of things that are going to more than make up for this unforeseen circumstance:
- I get to go out to dinner with my beautiful girlfriend tonight.
- I woke up in an unusually good mood.
- The Puma Hard Chorus.
- I only have to work a few hours today.
- Thanks to a recently announced friendly, I get to see the Sounders play two weeks earlier than previously thought- against Portland nonetheless!
- Taking solace in the fact that I am not a star Olympic athlete that due to a recent injury may have my dream of winning gold completely crushed.
- Oh, and I get to go out to on a dinner date tonight with my beautiful girlfriend tonight.
It’s going to be a great weekend. Happy Amerikafest everyone!
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One other quick note: Did anyone else see Everton beat EPL table toppers, Chelsea yesterday? Well, I didn't either, but I read about it. I guess the fact that the USMNT's two best players, Tim Howard and Landon Donovan shined during the win adds even more intrigue to the USA-England clash in each team's World Cup opener on June 12.
So, what is a guy to do? Well ladies and gentlemen, I am taking this lemon and turning it into some sweet, spiked lemonade. Here is my list of things that are going to more than make up for this unforeseen circumstance:
- I get to go out to dinner with my beautiful girlfriend tonight.
- I woke up in an unusually good mood.
- The Puma Hard Chorus.
- I only have to work a few hours today.
- Thanks to a recently announced friendly, I get to see the Sounders play two weeks earlier than previously thought- against Portland nonetheless!
- Taking solace in the fact that I am not a star Olympic athlete that due to a recent injury may have my dream of winning gold completely crushed.
- Oh, and I get to go out to on a dinner date tonight with my beautiful girlfriend tonight.
It’s going to be a great weekend. Happy Amerikafest everyone!
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One other quick note: Did anyone else see Everton beat EPL table toppers, Chelsea yesterday? Well, I didn't either, but I read about it. I guess the fact that the USMNT's two best players, Tim Howard and Landon Donovan shined during the win adds even more intrigue to the USA-England clash in each team's World Cup opener on June 12.
2.05.2010
England captain 'sacked', the Merseyside derby and Super Bowl XLIV
Gordon Brown, the United Kingdome's Prime Minister, is on television right now. No, he is not speaking about the waning global recession or reducing carbon emissions. He is giving his take on the recent news that England's soccer captain has been stripped of his armband due to transgressions that would even put Tiger Woods to shame. Chelsea defender, John Terry, has been the center of controversy since earlier this week when an injunction was lifted in English court revealing personal transgressions in his recent past. Due to these transgressions (which include massive infidelity, family drug solicitation, taunting of US citizens about 9/11 and more), Terry was skipped of his captaincy just 125 days before England enters the 2010 World Cup finals.
England manager, Fabio Capello, had been faced with a difficult decision in the light of this controversy. Terry is a tremendously accomplished player and has been a stellar captain for his country on the pitch. However, when you consider the role of captain and what it means to a club, especially in the World Cup, Capello needed to make this move. Among the Terry revelations was a bit of news stating that Terry had been involved in an affair with his former teammate, Wayne Bridge's, wife. Bridge is a well thought of English national as well and if Terry were to continue as captain it would have surely caused locker room unrest. Capello made a swift and firm decision to sack Terry (who refused to give up the role voluntarily earlier in the week). It also is not a case of what is necessarily popular in England, but certainly what was the right and classy thing to do.
Tomorrow Liverpool and Everton will clash in the 213th Merseyside derby. It would be safe to say that a typical casual soccer fan in the U.S. would not usually care too much about this clash. However, Americans actually have been playing a huge role for both teams recently. Liverpool is owned by a set of American millionaires, Tom Hicks and George Gillette. They are in dire financial straits and have recently been given an ultimatum of sorts from their banks to come up with nearly $140 million in the next six months or be forced to sell the team. Couple this with Liverpool's disappointing campaign up to this point (5th in the standings and early exits from all other major knockout competitions) and you have a VERY unhappy supporter base. To put just how passionate Scouse Liverpoolians are about their football club in American terms- think about the reaction in Boston if the Red Sox were out of the playoff picture late in the season and had enough debt that it may force them to trade away many of their best players. Not good, huh?
Everton supporters think quite the opposite about us Yanks though. They are riding an 8 match unbeaten streak which has been aided by superb form of a couple of U.S. national team stars, Landon Donavon and Tim Howard. Donavon joined the team on loan last month and has showed great form in his Premier League debut. Furthermore, Howard has continued his stellar play in goal as one of the best keepers in the world. All in all, it should be a heated derby, but certainly unique in terms of how Americans are playing a role in it all.
Finally, on Sunday the Indianapolis Colts will meet the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV. The Colts are a slight favorite in the betting books, but I wanted to offer a more decisive take on the matchup. I feel Colin Cowherd summed this game up best. He stated on his morning radio show earlier this week that he felt 90% of the country would really like to see the Saints win this game. It would be an upset and a tremendous feel-good story in the wake of the city that is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. However, he also felt that 90% of the country knows in their hearts that Peyton Manning and the Colts will win this game. I completely agree with Colin and can only see the Saints winning if the Colts are forced to play a sloppy game while turning the ball over numerous times. And how often does Peyton Manning play a sloppy game? Until next time, DTRT...
England manager, Fabio Capello, had been faced with a difficult decision in the light of this controversy. Terry is a tremendously accomplished player and has been a stellar captain for his country on the pitch. However, when you consider the role of captain and what it means to a club, especially in the World Cup, Capello needed to make this move. Among the Terry revelations was a bit of news stating that Terry had been involved in an affair with his former teammate, Wayne Bridge's, wife. Bridge is a well thought of English national as well and if Terry were to continue as captain it would have surely caused locker room unrest. Capello made a swift and firm decision to sack Terry (who refused to give up the role voluntarily earlier in the week). It also is not a case of what is necessarily popular in England, but certainly what was the right and classy thing to do.
Tomorrow Liverpool and Everton will clash in the 213th Merseyside derby. It would be safe to say that a typical casual soccer fan in the U.S. would not usually care too much about this clash. However, Americans actually have been playing a huge role for both teams recently. Liverpool is owned by a set of American millionaires, Tom Hicks and George Gillette. They are in dire financial straits and have recently been given an ultimatum of sorts from their banks to come up with nearly $140 million in the next six months or be forced to sell the team. Couple this with Liverpool's disappointing campaign up to this point (5th in the standings and early exits from all other major knockout competitions) and you have a VERY unhappy supporter base. To put just how passionate Scouse Liverpoolians are about their football club in American terms- think about the reaction in Boston if the Red Sox were out of the playoff picture late in the season and had enough debt that it may force them to trade away many of their best players. Not good, huh?
Everton supporters think quite the opposite about us Yanks though. They are riding an 8 match unbeaten streak which has been aided by superb form of a couple of U.S. national team stars, Landon Donavon and Tim Howard. Donavon joined the team on loan last month and has showed great form in his Premier League debut. Furthermore, Howard has continued his stellar play in goal as one of the best keepers in the world. All in all, it should be a heated derby, but certainly unique in terms of how Americans are playing a role in it all.
Finally, on Sunday the Indianapolis Colts will meet the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl XLIV. The Colts are a slight favorite in the betting books, but I wanted to offer a more decisive take on the matchup. I feel Colin Cowherd summed this game up best. He stated on his morning radio show earlier this week that he felt 90% of the country would really like to see the Saints win this game. It would be an upset and a tremendous feel-good story in the wake of the city that is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. However, he also felt that 90% of the country knows in their hearts that Peyton Manning and the Colts will win this game. I completely agree with Colin and can only see the Saints winning if the Colts are forced to play a sloppy game while turning the ball over numerous times. And how often does Peyton Manning play a sloppy game? Until next time, DTRT...
2.04.2010
Doppelganger Week?
Has anyone ever heard of or used whisky rocks? You should and, if you like whisky, you should.
So the past couple weeks, many of you Facebook users may have noticed status messages referring to "doppelganger week". Apparently, everyone on facepage were posting pictures of celebrities that they resembled. Shortly thereafter, many of my friends and family were posting pictures that ranged from Alan from The Hangover to Jesus Christ himself.
Not being one wanting to feel left out, I started pondering, "What celebrity is my doppelganger?" I was seriously having a hard time with the question. In the past, I have been likened to Clark Kent (vague comic reference- not to any particular actor) and Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead), but I never really necessarily agreed with either of those assessments. The Clark Kent reference was back before my laser eye surgery and Simon Pegg has reddish hair- something that I don't believe I have.
I was stuck. What does one do when they're stuck in this day and age? I went to Google. I searched "celebrity look alike generator". The website that I selected (for soon to be obvious reasons) will remain nameless. It asked me to upload a "good picture that focuses on the face". So I uploaded the one that is on my blog profile and clicked enter. The "face recognition tool" then TOOK OVER. It showed this impressive animated image of a mannequin head being scanned by some kind of X-ray.
Within seconds, it was ready! I could hardly contain myself. I was finally about to find out who my doppelganger was and soon I would be able to join the fun on facepage! Then...this picture showed up:
Really!??!?! I look like the mother from "Brothers and Sisters"? C'MON! Needless to say, I didn't post my doppelganger picture. And please do not get me wrong, I have nothing against Ms. Fields. I am sure she is a lovely person. I just do not see the resemblance.
So the past couple weeks, many of you Facebook users may have noticed status messages referring to "doppelganger week". Apparently, everyone on facepage were posting pictures of celebrities that they resembled. Shortly thereafter, many of my friends and family were posting pictures that ranged from Alan from The Hangover to Jesus Christ himself.
Not being one wanting to feel left out, I started pondering, "What celebrity is my doppelganger?" I was seriously having a hard time with the question. In the past, I have been likened to Clark Kent (vague comic reference- not to any particular actor) and Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead), but I never really necessarily agreed with either of those assessments. The Clark Kent reference was back before my laser eye surgery and Simon Pegg has reddish hair- something that I don't believe I have.
I was stuck. What does one do when they're stuck in this day and age? I went to Google. I searched "celebrity look alike generator". The website that I selected (for soon to be obvious reasons) will remain nameless. It asked me to upload a "good picture that focuses on the face". So I uploaded the one that is on my blog profile and clicked enter. The "face recognition tool" then TOOK OVER. It showed this impressive animated image of a mannequin head being scanned by some kind of X-ray.
Within seconds, it was ready! I could hardly contain myself. I was finally about to find out who my doppelganger was and soon I would be able to join the fun on facepage! Then...this picture showed up:
Its Sally Fields everybody!
Really!??!?! I look like the mother from "Brothers and Sisters"? C'MON! Needless to say, I didn't post my doppelganger picture. And please do not get me wrong, I have nothing against Ms. Fields. I am sure she is a lovely person. I just do not see the resemblance.
Seattle Sounders FC 2010 Season Preview: Part I
I’m working nightshift this and next week at the warehouse so I have been afforded the unique opportunity to sleep in and spend the late mornings and early afternoons at home. This allowed me the opportunity to be looking through my Twitter page that is mostly populated with tweets from soccer bloggers, actors from the show “Community” and my beautiful girlfriend at around 11:00 a.m. the other day. At that time, the newest tweet was from the MLS Insider Blog and it stated that the 2010 MLS schedule was to be released the following day. You see, I am a proud 2010 Sounders FC season ticket holder and have been waiting to see when the Sounders would be playing who for a good while now.
So needless to say, when the schedule was released the next day I was glued to it. I was analyzing when our tough match ups would be, how often they would be broadcast on ESPN2 when away from home and what home games I may not be able to attend. My thoughts are now collected.
Anyone that follows soccer in the US will tell you that Seattle undoubtedly claimed the title of “Soccer City, USA” last year based on their passionate following of the Sounders. The team embarked on an unprecedented inaugural season which was highlighted by a U.S. Open Cup trophy and a MLS playoff appearance. The club was also a mere 2 points from claiming the MLS Supporters Shield which is awarded to the team with the best overall regular season record. Needless to say, this sophomore campaign is littered with high expectations. Despite the fact, that we still about 50 days from the season actually kicking off (and rosters are not even CLOSE to being finalized), here are my early thoughts on the 2010 campaign…
March/April (The Kick Off)
FIXTURES:
3/25- Philadelphia Union
4/03- New York Red Bulls
4/10- @ Real Salt Lake
4/17- Kansas City Wizards
4/22- @ FC Dallas
4/25- @ Toronto FC
This season marks the first time in MLS history where the schedule is “balanced”- meaning that every team will play a home and home fixture with each of the other 15 teams in the league. I have broken down the campaign into five sizeable portions. Last year, the Sounders burst out of the gate like Seabiscuit at 3-0-0. The first five weeks of the season provides an ample opportunity to get off on the right foot in the race for the Supporters Shield and the playoffs.
The MLS “First Kick” match-up pitting them against the expansion Union is going to be more challenging than most people expect. This will be the first match in the Union’s franchise history and nationally televised on ESPN2 which only adds to the pressure. However, the atmosphere inside of Qwest Field will be absolutely electric (among the best sporting experiences in the country) and I see the Sounders riding that excitement to the first win of the season. Prediction: Win.
Next up will be Red Bull New York. They were the Sounders’ opponents in their opening 3-0 victory last year on ESPN2. RBNY have completely overhauled their roster after a extremely disappointing 2009 season. They hired former Swedish national, Hans Backe, as their new manager, but still have ace forward, Juan Pablo Angel. Angel should be better this year due to being fit again, but the Sounders should continue to defend their home pitch to move to 2-0-0. Prediction: Win.
The first road trip of the season takes the Sounders to Salt Lake City to take on the defending MLS Cup champion, Real Salt Lake. The Sounders were basically outplayed by RSL last year in their visit to Sandy. Their back line could not seem to contain the speedy Robbie Findley and ended up breaking on a counter attack which left Kasey Keller helpless. This is RSL’s home opener and all signs point to the Sounders being happy with a draw out of this fixture. However, I can certainly see SSFC dropping all three against the defending champs here as well. Prediction: Loss.
The next three fixtures are to be played over just nine days and with the team starting at home, then flying to Dallas and finally ending up in a packed BMO Field to face Toronto. The KC fixture is a rematch of the odd match that found our beloved keeper, Kasey Keller, red carded for an out of the box handball last year at Qwest. As long as that occurrence does not happen again, SSFC should get the positive result. Prediction: Win.
The trip down to Dallas last year was a match that saw the Sounders create numerous chances, but little to actually show for it ending in one of many frustrating draws. However, the Hoops are a young team viewed to be on the rise led by their not so young 2009 Golden Boot winner, Jeff Cunningham. Prediction: Draw.
Until 2011, when Portland and Vancouver enter MLS, there really is only one other group of supporters that truly rival Sounders’ fans in terms of overall passion. Those supporters happen to hail from Toronto. Dwayne De Rosario leads a club with new manager and former Tacoma Star, Preki. Preki managed a gritty Chivas USA last season and managed a stellar 2-0-1 record against the Sounders last year. Despite the Rave Green getting all three points at BMO last year, I see a more level result here in 2010. Prediction: Draw.
OVERALL predicted start: 3-1-2 (11 points)
So needless to say, when the schedule was released the next day I was glued to it. I was analyzing when our tough match ups would be, how often they would be broadcast on ESPN2 when away from home and what home games I may not be able to attend. My thoughts are now collected.
Anyone that follows soccer in the US will tell you that Seattle undoubtedly claimed the title of “Soccer City, USA” last year based on their passionate following of the Sounders. The team embarked on an unprecedented inaugural season which was highlighted by a U.S. Open Cup trophy and a MLS playoff appearance. The club was also a mere 2 points from claiming the MLS Supporters Shield which is awarded to the team with the best overall regular season record. Needless to say, this sophomore campaign is littered with high expectations. Despite the fact, that we still about 50 days from the season actually kicking off (and rosters are not even CLOSE to being finalized), here are my early thoughts on the 2010 campaign…
March/April (The Kick Off)
FIXTURES:
3/25- Philadelphia Union
4/03- New York Red Bulls
4/10- @ Real Salt Lake
4/17- Kansas City Wizards
4/22- @ FC Dallas
4/25- @ Toronto FC
This season marks the first time in MLS history where the schedule is “balanced”- meaning that every team will play a home and home fixture with each of the other 15 teams in the league. I have broken down the campaign into five sizeable portions. Last year, the Sounders burst out of the gate like Seabiscuit at 3-0-0. The first five weeks of the season provides an ample opportunity to get off on the right foot in the race for the Supporters Shield and the playoffs.
The MLS “First Kick” match-up pitting them against the expansion Union is going to be more challenging than most people expect. This will be the first match in the Union’s franchise history and nationally televised on ESPN2 which only adds to the pressure. However, the atmosphere inside of Qwest Field will be absolutely electric (among the best sporting experiences in the country) and I see the Sounders riding that excitement to the first win of the season. Prediction: Win.
Next up will be Red Bull New York. They were the Sounders’ opponents in their opening 3-0 victory last year on ESPN2. RBNY have completely overhauled their roster after a extremely disappointing 2009 season. They hired former Swedish national, Hans Backe, as their new manager, but still have ace forward, Juan Pablo Angel. Angel should be better this year due to being fit again, but the Sounders should continue to defend their home pitch to move to 2-0-0. Prediction: Win.
The first road trip of the season takes the Sounders to Salt Lake City to take on the defending MLS Cup champion, Real Salt Lake. The Sounders were basically outplayed by RSL last year in their visit to Sandy. Their back line could not seem to contain the speedy Robbie Findley and ended up breaking on a counter attack which left Kasey Keller helpless. This is RSL’s home opener and all signs point to the Sounders being happy with a draw out of this fixture. However, I can certainly see SSFC dropping all three against the defending champs here as well. Prediction: Loss.
The next three fixtures are to be played over just nine days and with the team starting at home, then flying to Dallas and finally ending up in a packed BMO Field to face Toronto. The KC fixture is a rematch of the odd match that found our beloved keeper, Kasey Keller, red carded for an out of the box handball last year at Qwest. As long as that occurrence does not happen again, SSFC should get the positive result. Prediction: Win.
The trip down to Dallas last year was a match that saw the Sounders create numerous chances, but little to actually show for it ending in one of many frustrating draws. However, the Hoops are a young team viewed to be on the rise led by their not so young 2009 Golden Boot winner, Jeff Cunningham. Prediction: Draw.
Until 2011, when Portland and Vancouver enter MLS, there really is only one other group of supporters that truly rival Sounders’ fans in terms of overall passion. Those supporters happen to hail from Toronto. Dwayne De Rosario leads a club with new manager and former Tacoma Star, Preki. Preki managed a gritty Chivas USA last season and managed a stellar 2-0-1 record against the Sounders last year. Despite the Rave Green getting all three points at BMO last year, I see a more level result here in 2010. Prediction: Draw.
OVERALL predicted start: 3-1-2 (11 points)
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