Monday, June 26, 2006

"Somebody's Got a Case of the Mundaze"


Ahh, another glorious weekend in the rain soaked Northeast. The Mets took 2 of 3 from the Jays. the Yanks need to pick it up a little for this Subway Series thing to happen, Andy Irons won his event in Mexico with a sick 5 foot air of the lip of a 5 foot wave, Ukraine and Ghana are through to the second round, and England is going to have an epic match against Portugal this weekend.

In other news, Deadwood is an underrated show, Entourage gets better and better (I'll IM you late night babe, Ciao"), and one of the best movies that all should see is "Team America". For all the bitching and moaning and partisan politics in the world today, this is just a classic look at what a farce it all is. With all the classic lines, elaborate puppet sets, and Great Musical soundtrack, it just is top notch. One classic line:

"Chris: [not moving] I was nineteen years old when the musical Cats came to our town.
[Gary stops and listens]
Chris: I couldn't wait to see it. After the show I was asked if I wanted to go meet some of the performers backstage. Man, I was thrilled. But when I got back there, they were drunk and out of control. Rumpus Cat and Macavity kept feeling up my leg. I tried to leave, but, Rumpleteazer held me down, and... I was raped by Mr. Mistoffelees.

Lastly, all who have XBox 360 should buy the Rockstar Games Ping Pong Game. It is awesome.

That's it for now.

Friday, June 23, 2006

The Final 16


I just want to give everyone a little treat and a little recap today. The above photo is of our boy Andy Irons. He is currently competing in an ASP event in Mexico where they are battling the Final 16 today. If anyone is fascinated by those crazy surf videos, feel free to watch a little live all day today on your computer. Speaking of surfing, all should go to Ditch Plains in West Village. Excellent place.

Now onto the other Final 16. As predicted to everyone by The Schwizz, the USA met their demise yesterday to a fierce and fast Ghana team that was playing without two of its best players. Also, as predicted by The Schwizz, Ghana was the first of my two sleepers to move through to the second round. My other sleeper, Ukraine is playing right now and will move through with a tie.

Briefly on the USA. For one to think that the USA should even sniff the World #5 ranking, it is ludicrous. When your best player and lone striker only plays for Fulham (albeit a Premiership team), you just can't expect to have a good tourney. I mean, Ghana's best player plays for Chelsea, South Korea has a guy on Man U, Ivory Coast has players on Top Teams, and Brazil has bench players that start for La Liga squads.

The Czechs are great, but a disappointment, Italy played lazy against us, and Ghana is legitimately good. If not for a second round match up with Brazil, they had a shot to sniff the QF's. Bottom line, the US is a nice squad, but they don't have the foot skills, nor the speed to match up with these full squad clubs in the World Cup. A fresh legged Eddie Johnson (the supposed fastest player for the US, couldn't even beat out a tired out Ghanian (sic) player in the 75th minute yesterday.

So therefore, it brings us to some amazing matchups in the second round. Because there are only 8, my Top 3 Round of 16 games.

3. Argentina v. Mexico - this will be hard fought, but the boys in powder blue will take it
2. Germany v. Sweden - Sweden has the squad to upset the hosts, should be a phenomenal game
1. Portugal v. Netherlands - could be the match of the tournament if not for a Brazil v. Spain potential QF matchup

Lastly, I want to giuve a shout out to the New York Mets. Toasty Joe is doing a meticulous job of his analysis of this year. Bottom line, these guys are fantastic, and they are fun to watch. So for all those Mets fans, don't get too greedy and have a lot of fun and drink a lot of beers while riding these guys to the playoffs. And to all the Yankees fans, see you in the Subway Series in October. Now that will be fun.

Schwizz

Friday, June 09, 2006

The Day is Finally Upon Us


Yes, while many of us sit on our couches or barstools watching boring basketball or discussing the merits of the 5oth game of the Major League Baseball season, there is something upon us today that gets me very excited. No, its not those awesome teen dramas that they keep pumping out on the likes of WB and Fox, but the 2006 World Cup.

For many of you, you couldn't tell me who this guy was on this page right now, but you can check this out and see that he is pretty damn good. In fact, he is the best player in the world right now. Ronaldinho, leading a squad from Brazil that is sure to entertain and delight us.

You see, it is widely known that the World Cup will draw a cumulative worldwide audience of 30 billion people this year, with about 1 billion just watching the final on TV. Compare that with the Super Bowl (93 million), and it just absolutely dwarfs it.

So, this is my suggestion. Take time out of your busy schedules of work and debating the merits of trading Lastings Milledge or whether Jeter being out might hurt the Yankees, and watch a little World Cup. You'll be a better person for it. Hell, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 is playing every match, so it is hard to miss this time around.

And that brings to me my new and improved Top 4. We're revising it to rank the Winner through 4th place at this year's World Cup.

4. Sweden - my dark horse sleeper, they've been there before
3. Argentina - they are terrific, but don't think they have all the horses
2. Germany - they've got the goalkeeping, and they should have Ballack back, are the hosts
1. Brazil - really went out on a limb here which means they will lose, but how can you not pick these guys. Just look at the damn roster

Sleepers - Ukraine, Ghana

Two hours and 15 minutes to kickoff, get ready.