A wet dream of orgasmic proportions. These goals are amazing, the commentary is comment worthy. Ronaldo and Real Madrid vs Athletico Madrid this past week.
It’s got more ups and downs than space mountain.
- Jill Scott & Lupe Fiasco
Daydreamin’ - Childish Gambino
Bonfire - The Killers (U2 Cover)
Ultra Violet (Light My Way)
Archive for the ‘Sports’ Category
Oh What A Finish – Christiano Ronaldo
April 12th, 2012Oh What A Finish – Raul
April 12th, 2012Raul, so smooth, so classic. I love the deft deke of the goalkeeper in this game between Raul’s Schalke vs Hannover from this past week.
Oh What A Finish – Dorlan Pabon
April 12th, 2012A powerful shot from the game between two Colombian teams – Nacional vs Peñarol Copa Libertadores April 10, 2012.
World Cup Memories
July 14th, 2010The World Cup just ended this weekend. I am sad. But my body is rejoicing as that means no more 4:30 am games to wake up for, and the ability to sleep in on Saturday as well.
1994 hosted in USA
The first year that I remember the World Cup. USA was hosting, and therefore there was TV coverage. Although, all of the games were not on tv, only a select few. I remember specifically the game on July 4th. USA was playing Brazil in the knockout stage. The USA was wearing these garish blue uniforms with stars all over them, and red shorts. I believe it was a Sunday and after church, found my seat in my parents room and watched the TV. It was a 1-0 loss. I don’t remember much else from that year’s event. Robbie went to a game in Pasadena (with Lane?), saw Camaroon play. He bought me a souvenir shirt. I kept that shirt, and believe I still even have it in storage.
1998 Hosted in France
This world cup was the first time I had watched more than just USA games. I had graduated from Westmont only a month before, and had been home for only a couple of weeks. We lived in Green Valley, and I had turned Robbie’s room into my living room. I had a couch in there, my stereo, my television, and my blue recliner. A summer earlier, I had been in France and seen a lot of the hype and build up to this event. Being fresh out of school, I did not have a job quite yet. This was going to be the summer I immersed myself into the tournament.
The first games of the day were around 6 or 7 am if I recall. This is very early in the day for a recent college student. I remember dragging myself out of bed daily, down the hall, and sitting in the recliner with a blanket as I listened to Dave Revsine do the pregame show. Still to this day, anytime I hear this guy’s voice, I think back to that wonderful summer.
So continuing, I would wake up early, watch the game while half falling asleep, and I would stay in that chair drifting between sleep and awake to watch all the games of the day. I don’t think I quite watched (or sat there for) every game of the tournament, but I think I came close. Though, I can’t tell you much about that tournament orther than blue recliner and an announcer, but it was my first full dive into the World Cup. I will cherish it forever.
2002 Hosted by Japan and Korea
I will consider this the Lost World Cup. I do not have much reccollection of this tournament. I know I watched some of it. I just don’t remember where and when and with whom.
It was the summer after I began officially dating Lisa. I was working at Tierra.net. Had I moved into 4s Ranch yet? Or was I still living at home? Hmmm
2006 Hosted by Germany
This was a really fun year of watching the World Cup. Other than the summer of 98, probably my favorite one yet! I was living in RB with Juan and Mike. I was working at Emerald.
During the day at work, I would have a window open on my computer to TVU. This is a program that plays tv from around the world. I would listen to the audio, and as soon as I heard some excitement, I would alt+tab to that window and watch live streaming television of the game. It was awesome.
Then, for the month long tournament, every weekend Juan, Lisa and Myself would spend the night at the Oceanside beachhouse. We would wake up early for games, and then nap and hang out at the beach all weekend. It was like a weekly holiday. I loved it! Having beach weekends all month, in the summer, with world class soccer, with 2 of my best friends will always be one of my favorite all time memories of the world cup.
This was also the first time there was a World Cup when HD TV existed. Fortunately for us, the beach house had an HD tv. I remember the final was played on a Sunday, and Tom and Sue also came out.
2010 Hosted by South Africa
Another fun World Cup. I nearly watched every game. But the schedule caught up with me. The first game of the day was at 4:30 in the morning, followed by 7:00 am game, and then a 11:30 am game. Some days, I would wake up for the first game, bright and early. I would shower and get ready for work during halftime. And then when the game ended, I would go to work so I could be there by 6:30.
I would then try to avoid scores all day, as my work no longer allowed the use of TVU. When I would go home, I would then watch the 2 games I missed, on Tivo. But being so tired from the early game, it would always be a struggle to keep my eyes open. Although, I did. And then I would go to bed at 8pm if I could.
On the weekends, I would go over to Juan and Lisa’s condo, and watch the first two games. Then at 9:30 am, would go nap by their relaxing pool. Then would watch the 11:30 am game after that.
For the finals, we had a little gathering at my parents house to watch the Dutch play against Spain. Everyone was sort pulling for the Dutch, except Juan and Lala. Dressed in orange, we had a fun time, and Spain won in extra time.
I look forward to 4 years from now, when the time zone will be a little bit closer. Brazil 2014. Where will I be then? For every World Cup I have watched, I have lived in a different house. What will change in the next 4 years?
I can hardly wait!
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbn3rOPmR9w
Awesome World Cup Pictures
July 14th, 2010
Click on the links below for are some amazing pictures from a really fun World Cup.
4. 2010 World Cup comes to a close
3. Halfway in – 2010 World Cup
World Cup Fever
May 21st, 2010I think Nike would be my dream company to work for. I have mentioned this before, but their marketing campaigns are always so clever, and so…perfect.
They have once again succeeded. Their recent ads for the world-cup sent chills throughout my entire body. As Seth Meyers tweeted:
Second to the games the most exciting thing about a WC is the accompanying Nike ad. http://bit.ly/aPzWGL
Seth Meyers
sethmeyers21
Though, one downside is the use of Ronaldhino will be more than he actually plays this summer, since he was left off of the Brazilian Team. Plus, one other detail, is that he no longer worthy of the number 10 on the Brazil squad, and hasn’t been the 10 in some time.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idLG6jh23yE
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsJKPYN5_vY
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSr4QnwOePQ
He’s Got An Awesome Mustache
March 10th, 2010
Billy Crudup as Russell Hammond in Almost Famous
If you recall a recent snide of mine, you will recall that I was going big, bushy, and walrussy with my beard. Well, now that March has rolled around, it is Mustache month. I recently shaved my beard down into a mustache for the month. I wasn’t sure what to do with my sideburns at first, so I decided to just keep them long and bushy.
I think I resemble a little, Billy Crudup. A little bit like when he plays guitarist, Russell Hammond in the band Stillwater, in the movie Almost Famous.
But I especially think I look like him when he played Steve Prefontaine in the 1998 movie, Without Limits. Without Limits follows a couple of story lines, including the invention of the shoe brand Nike. But the main story line is of the life of Pre. Pre was a world class runner, that refused to follow your typical trends and protocols when it came to sport. He competed furiously in the Olympics and for University of Oregon. His life died before he was able to fulfill his tremendous talents. If you have never seen the movie, you can borrow it from me. I highly recommend it.
Billy Crudup as Steve Prefontaine
I don’t want to turn this snide into a review and campaign for this movie, but the truth is, is it is a very inspiring movie. Here are a couple of great quotes:
Bill Bowerman: Running, one might say, is basically an absurd past-time upon which to be exhausting ourselves. But if you can find meaning, in the kind of running you have to do to stay on this team, chances are you will be able to find meaning in another absurd past-time: Life.
And in another point of the movie, Pre says:
Steve Prefontaine: I don’t want to win unless I know I’ve done my best, and the only way I know how to do that is to run out front, flat out until I have nothing left. Winning any other way is chicken-shit.
Ok, now lets get back to the main reason of this snide, my beautiful mustache.
And now for a very catchy mustache song. Make sure you watch till the end, as the best part is at the end when they say “he’s got an awesome mustache.”
Take Advantage Of Everything
December 6th, 2009I was reading an article in my Sports Illustrated a few months ago, and for some reason the last paragraph really stood out to me. If you have followed along with my snide remarks this last year, you will know that I have become a big proponent of the phrase “Viva La Vida” in the sense of carpe diem. This paragraph was another example of someone in life wanting to live each day.
“I would love to win another World Series,” he says. “It seems like, yes, that was a long time ago. I don’t want to second-guess myself when I retire. I want to know that I did everything that I could possibly do for my teammates to give us a chance to win. If it didn’t happen, I don’t want it to be because I didn’t give it my best.”
“Every time I have a chance to pitch in the playoffs, it’s great to me. Because I know that one day, I won’t be able to do it. And so I want to take advantage of everything.”
I love how Mariano Rivera, even though he is extremely accomplished, still wants to take advantage of everything and not miss any opportunities.
Now The Days Go By So Fast
August 19th, 2009
My Grandpa Joe recently came out from Florida for a visit and I enjoyed my time with him. I had to pull some crazy hours at work to try and fit in all the fun but it was well worth it. We went to the Del Mar Track one day, followed by dinner at Tony Jacals in Solana Beach. I blame my Grandpa (and Grandma, but more gramps) for my enjoyment of the races at Del Mar (and maybe gambling in general). I have vivid memories of walking around on the infield with him, looking at the horses. He would ask me who I would want to bet on in the next race, and then he’d place a bet for me. Living in Solana Beach they would go often. I don’t really know how many times I was able to go with them, but I will always picture myself with him, walking around the infield in what seemed to be the early foggy morning.
On Thursday we played afternoon twilight golf at Carmel Mountain. The following day, still sore, we played golf out on Coronado on the Military base. We all played absolutely rotten on the friday at Coronado. It was during this round that I got to thinking.
However, after waking up at 4:45 AM this day, my thoughts were not really sinking in. I started to think back to my Rhetoric classes and the lesson that I hang onto the tightest. We studied about making communication effective sometimes requires one to create an illusion of the first or last time experiencing something. Anytime you do something new or fresh, the experience takes on a more vivid feeling. Likewise, if you realize that an experience might be the very last time you will experience it in your life, you appreciate every bite, every laugh just a little bit more. In all, it comes to appreciating a moment more vividly, and creating a deeper sense of awareness of life.
The golf course this day was one of those golf experiences where you ask yourself “how many holes left” over and over because you are playing so badly, you can’t wait for the round to end. I caught myself doing this repeatedly and it was troubling me. I wanted to break this thought pattern, and appreciate the moment more. After all, could this be the last time I possibly play golf with my grandpa? I practically learned the game from him going to the driving range with him as a 5 year old. I attribute any and all of my golf playing to him, as my teacher and mentor. Could this be the final round I ever play with him? How many years of golf does he have left at his age, and with him living on the other side of the country we only see each other every couple of years. The day before in Carmel Mountain, I think might have been the first time I ever shot a lower round than him.
I wanted to focus on this, but I was just too worn down and playing so poorly, that I came away disappointed that I hadn’t had that vivid experience that I was hoping for.
Regardless of these thoughts, I had a great time this week with my grandpa. I hope and expect that this was not my last time golfing with him, or being active with him. I’m continually trying to appreciate life each day. Viva La Vida. Life goes by way too quickly. Another one of my favorite bands has a lyric that rings true for me in my attempts to viva la vida, and to experience things through the perception of it being my first or last time:
Now the days go by so fast…
I can’t remember all the times I tried to tell my myself
To hold on to these moments as they pass
I love you Grandpa.
Bite Of Boston
June 30th, 2009
I happened randomly across a new sandwich shop for lunch today called Bite of Boston. It is a shop that recently opened that is trying to bring New England charm and food to the west coast. Their website claims that it is the bread that separates the east coast subs from the west coast subs.
As a detailed oriented (aka anal retentive), communication background, ocd-ish person, I of course have some analysis and hypothesis of this establishment and its first impressions on me.
I went to lunch with Joeyand Ray. The place is decently arranged and has Boston sports memorabilia on the walls including jerseys, helmets, pennants and pictures. However, out of place were a few San Diego items such as Dan Fouts framed jersey, a couple of Padres and Chargers pennants, and the strange Arizona State University pennant. For a place trying to replicate the East Coast and the flair of Boston, this was out of character.
They had artistic and individualized menu boards with clever boston sandwich names. The boards seemed too particular, and too specific and frankly too costly for a sandwich shop. Granted, they were cute, and I liked their flair, but for a company that I predict (more on my predictions later) will fail within a year, this seems like too high of an early expense. A few of their sandwich boards even had color pictures of 2 females (which I am guessing are family members) offering “Casey’s Buffalo-Chicken Wrap” and “Justine’s Chicken-Caesar Wrap.”
I ordered the sandwich called “North Ender.” It is prosciutto, sopressata salami, capicola, provolone cheese, roasted peppers, tomatoes, oil and seasoning on sliced Italian bread. It priced at $7.35 I purchased a soda – they only sell bottled sodas- of which I was also charged a crv fee (yes, three manual entries into the cash register). My total price was $9.72.
This price seems much higher than it should be. I can get a really good, customized sandwich, chips and a refillable soda at Submarina for dollars less. You definitely are paying for the “charm” of this place.
My sandwich was actually really tasty. The guy behind the counter – who seemed like the proprietor – was really friendly. He sliced the bread and came over and asked me if it was too thick or thin for my pleasure. He chatted up customers as they came in, asking how they had heard of the place. And he loved saying “the CHOWDER” when people needed a bowl. Back to my sandwich, it was delicious. It was a great blend of meats and cheese, and the bread was surprisingly soft and perfect (it appeared to be old and stale upon sight). The roasted peppers were a great addition to the flavors of the meat, and really gave it a unique taste. It’s presentation was on a paper plate. On taste alone, I would definitely eat it, and here again. However, if you know me, you know that I place a high value on, well, value. The price of this sandwich seemed rather high to me, and I was frustrated that refills were not available, and even more irritated that I was charged a crv fee. Wouldn’t it be better to just include the crv cost within the price of the soda so the customer is unaware?
Speaking of the soda situation, a customer came in and asked if they ever forsaw them switching to fountain drinks. The person who seemed to be the propieter stated that they would not. That even tho it was much more profitable, it was “messy” to have a soda machine.
| Pro’s | Con’s |
| -Good Bread | -Over Priced |
| -Unique Offerings | -No Soda Fountain, CRV tax |
| -Happy Spirit | -Inconsistant Design and Theme |
| -A Good Product |
I hypothesize that this restaurant will not last very long. I give it 6 months to a year tops. It will not become a mainstay of Rancho Bernardo. My hypothesis is not just related to the soda or the price. I just get the feeling that it is a restaurant that was always someones dream to open, and they threw their passion into their desire, went very specific into many details, but fell short on the details that mattered.
The decorations are not completely to theme. The menu boards are extremely customized. The employee uniforms and hats seem too specific. They lay claim that their bread comes from a specific bread store in Boston. They have all these framed jerseys and helmets. It just seems that they had this vision, this dream and spent a lot of capital up front on meeting these “requirements” in their heart. Which is great, I am not knocking that. It just seems like there are some inefficient costs and details that hurt the bottom line. And in this economy, and to break into the restaurant business, is a detail that cannot be overlooked.
I love the entrepreneurial spirit, and I love that they are following their heart. I hope I am wrong in this hypothesis. For myself, I was frustrated with the designs and the inconsistencies and that I will not eat there again due to the price and the soda situation.