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Still catching up from the last month or so. This picture is from a recent visit to Boise, where my folks found this shirt on the clearance rack at the department store.
Three things I love about this picture:
1) Taken in one of the final days I was rockin the awesome spring beard.
2) The shirt was on a hanger so long, it has permanent bumps in the shoulders.
3) Yep, the black sleeves are part of the shirt. If that isn't the opposite of keeping it real, I don't know what is.
I love the World Cup. Don't know why exactly. I didn't play soccer in High School. Every league I've played in since then I have lost horribly (when that happens enough, eventually you have to boil it down to your pathetic skills in common). And I've never been particulary interested in club soccer -- even though I've tried to pick a team a few times (Arsenal, Real Madrid, Chelsea).
It's probably the wannabe-intellectual in me, trying to be globally aware or anglophilic in some way. Whatever the reason; my fervor lies dormat for 4 years, then is unleashed for a month of frantic fandom and learning. In fact, I'm studied enough now that I can now list a couple dozen or so players (and where they play club) where a month ago it was pretty much Beckham, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Van Nistelroy, Donavan, Beasley.
So why does this matter, to you, the reader? Well -- I have random thoughts, of course! And a digression. First: the digression.
As you may or may not be aware, my brother in law (Becky's bro Bill) lives in Germany. We were pretty excited about travelling over there for the cup before we got a little queasy about messing up the kid's oh-so-fragile sleep schedule. They've been over there for 2 years, and we haven't visited once. Lame.
ANYWAY -- Bill sends me a package a few months ago, with a note:
And these boxers, stuffed with a sock:
Nice. Not sure if he wanted to be outed on the internet for this tomfoolery (actually, I'm pretty sure that's what he had in mind). And I'm also not sure if I wanted to expose my tukus for the world to see (actually, I'm pretty sure I do -- I have a long history of exhibitionism).
Digression over. Stop. Back to the World Cup. Stop. End telegraph style.
Notes in no particular order:
1) When and why did we start calling the Ivory Coast "Cote d Ivoire"? Not since the great 2006 "Torino" debacle have I been this confused about a new geographic brand. Are we going to start calling Germany "Deutschland" next?
2) This guy Robben on the Netherlands is good. He could stand to pass once in a while, but I like him. Plus he looks a bit like former Hobbit Billy Boyd, who in turn looks like my friend Nels. I haven't decided whether Robben and Nels look alike yet.
3) While we're there, doesn't the Netherlands' coach remind you of Will Ferrell? I keep expecting him to start yelling I DRIVE A DODGE STRATUS! *
4) Donovan and Beasley sucked. So much talent wasted. By the time I got my Beasley jersey in the mail, he had switched numbers and been benched. Unfortunate.
5) Keller too. Whatever happened to Tim Howard?
6) I heart Argentina. Even though so many of them have that terrible Diego Maradona hairstyle, they are playing pretty stinking well. Check out this goal Can't wait for them to demolish Mexico this afternoon.
7) All the speculation is the US team is going to hire the German coach Jurgen Klinsmann after the cup because he "lives in L.A.". Does anyone else find that a bit of a reach, and amusing?
Enjoy the rest of the cup everyone, and if you have suggestions for good club teams to follow (I'm thinking Chelsea/Barcelona right now), send them my way.
* For those interested, I'm trying to make the "Dodge Stratus" skit the new "More Cowbell". Work with me here.
Since I am your authority for cutting edge trends and all...
I've noticed lately that pineapple upside-down cake is making a major comeback. I don't know if it is a retro/ironic my-mom-used-to-make-these-back-when-we-had-avacado-colored-appliances-comeback, or that someone just realized HOW AMAZING IT TASTES, but I couldn't be more excited about the renaissance.
Trust me. Next time you are invited to some shi-shi summer BBQ, whip one up. Nothing complements grilled meat better than a neo-chic inverted pastry.
This place is dead anyway.
It has been a while folks. So... whatsnoo? I went to Sasquatch with my Dad. Short summary:
- Even years removed from high school, it still takes a conscious effort to not feel embarrased by your parents around college-age kids. Strange. Even stranger to think that Sam will feel that way someday.
- Iron and Wine was great!
- Sufjan Stevens was terrible.
- After that, we got hailed on and they shut down the show. So we left, missing the late night return of The Shins, The Flaming Lips. and Ben harper. Lame.
Work is crazy. There are good talented people leaving right and left, but at the same time I'm in the middle of one of the most massive projects Expedia, Inc. has taken on in years. Strange dichotomy. But I love the work, so...
Sam is sleeping thru the night! Wait, this should probably be at the top, or at least in bold or something. SAM IS SLEEPING THRU THE NIGHT! It took him 14 months, but the last month or so, he has put it all together. Does anyone else find it strange that I'm talking about my son's sleeping habits the way a scout would describe a baseball prospect? ANYWAY, it's amazing what 8 hours a night will do to make you feel human again.
I heart the world cup. I'll try to write my full thoughts tomorrow. But to all of you I raise a smoothie and an artichoke, as the official foods of world cup viewing. (And I will only say this once every four years) Go Yankees!