A Plea

This is the email sent out to West Ham season ticket holders who have not purchased tickets to see the Hammers take on my beloved Arsenal.



Arsenal have taken the maximum allocation of 5,200. It sucks for West Ham, but that's how this season has gone. Furthermore, the game is on ITV and with the economy the way it is, football fans aren't going to just shell out the money for tickets. It's unfortunate because at the very least, they will get to see tremendous football from Arsene Wenger's Red Army.

Who Knew?

That darts could be so exciting.

Over the last couple days, I've been watching the PDC World Darts Championship. If you have never watched Darts, it's not quite what you'd expect it to be. The competitors walk-on to the stage like prize fighters, the MC could give Bruce Buffer a run for his money, and the crowd. Don't get me started on the crowd. They make college football fans look like kindergardeners. The crowd is unbelievable and the people appear to be having to so much fun. When you think about it, you have to wonder because it's darts. It's something you might see at your local sports pub or whatever. It's not a party inducing sport. However, I've never seen such joy in an audience.

I've been learning a little bit about the competitors and "Barney," the Dutchmen Raymond van Barneveld, has caught my eye in particular. He's had two 9-dart finishes in the tournament already and look posed to make another deep run in the tournament:

"To hit a nine-darter was wonderful and the crowd really showed their appreciation," said Van Barneveld, who finished with double 12.

These guys are rockstars.

Why send more troops to Afghanistan?

Because all the ones in Afghanistan already are dying...

Worst year in Afghanistan ever.

Rush Limbaugh Hospitalized...

...in Hawaii.

I wish I was in Hawaii. I wouldn't mind being hospitalized. Here's the status of his condition:

The station, citing unnamed sources, said paramedics treated Mr. Limbaugh and took him to The Queen's Medical Center in serious condition.

He is, of course, the last crusader of the Republican Party.

MEGSON OUT!

Gary Megson has been fired from Bolton per Sky Sports News.

Happy Tiger Woods Day!

Happy Tiger Woods Day everyone!

There's Stupid...

...Then there's Mike Leach



From ESPN:

A source close to the family of Adam James told Schad that the player was treated inappropriately while injured, including being confined to a room for a long period of time because he could not practice. Leach's attorney, Ted Liggett, said Tuesday that keeping the receiver inside during practice was better for the player than letting him remain outside.

You're a football coach. You're supposed to take care of your athletes, your students. You're supposed to be a role model, a parent away from home. This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard a coach do.

Homage

With the end of the decade coming up, there's all this "best of the decade" talk going on. Here's some homage to truly the best of the decade:

History was made over a stretch of 49 games unbeaten. The run began at the back end of the 2002-03 season after a home defeat by Leeds United handed the championship to Manchester United. Arsenal reconvened at Highbury on May 7, tanking Southamton 6-1.

Wenger's Invincibles, like the Magyar Golden Team of 50 years ago and Brazil of 1970, set a standard against which the best will for ever be judged. Team of the decade? Better than that; a team for all time.

Just a couple quotes from the Telegraph column.

Robin Hood International Trailer

Looks like it might be an okay movie. It's got Russell Crowe with Ridley Scott directing. Check it out:

Aaron Lennon

Since I'm up and footy is being played, naturally I'm watching football. Even if it's Tottenham, I'm watching. The game is not even 20 minutes in, and I have to admit that Aaron Lennon is one of the best players in England right now. There are certainly players playing better football in England right now like Fàbregas, Drogba, Tevez, and Rooney. However, Lennon should be considered among these players.

His role in creating for Modric's goal was pivotal. I think the problem with Tottenham is that they don't have any other threats. I'm watching Modric, who is supposed to be their creative force and I see even him looking for Lennon. It seems like defenses will be able to key in on Lennon, preventing him from getting the ball and trying to contain him. I say "trying" because with his pace and skill, that he can create space and attacking opportunities out of nothing. He is turning into something special.

He is definitely securing a position in South Africa with his performances.

Fridge

No house of mine should have a box of cilantro in front of the ketchup.

What's Goin On?

I'd like to introduce a new class of post that I'll make from time to time. It's called "What's Goin On?" Basically, I'll look at events that are happening through out the world. May be I'll comment about them, may be I'll let them stand on their own. The key thing is to share them with the world. Here we go:

This is a story I've commented on this week, but it's turning out to be a bigger issue of security. This past week, on Christmas Day, a man was apprehended after trying to light a bomb on an airplane after it landed at Detroit Metro Airport. It appears that the man failed, but several facts have arisen after the incident. It has been reported that his father had reported him to the US Government. Here's some back ground on the suspect:

This New York Times Article reveals something else:

Instead, officials said Sunday, they marked the file of the son, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, for a full investigation should he ever reapply for a visa. And when they passed the information on to Washington, Mr. Abdulmutallab’s name was added to 550,000 others with some alleged terrorist connections — but not to the no-fly list. That meant no flags were raised when he used cash to buy a ticket to the United States and boarded a plane, checking no bags.

It will be interesting to see what develops as a result of this incident. We've already seen TSA have a security breach that revealed secrets including racial profiling when it comes to checking people. Will this go one step further? Some people say that security checks are doing their jobs. However, it is clear with incidents like this that they aren't. Not only are they checking people who are completely innocent (like myself), they are not checking people like Abdulmutallab, who have bad intentions. I think an easy solution would be to scan passports to make sure that people are not on any terrorist watch lists.

Things aren't any better in Iran where protests continue to sprout up since their election in June, 2009. The latest protests have turned violent, showing an increasingly dissident group of support against the government of Ahmadinejad. I'm a fan of seeing visually what is going on, so here's a video from Al Jazeera:


While we're in the Middle East, it's the one year of the bombings in Gaza. Here's a video of children recounting their stories. I couldn't imagine being in a situation like this. Imagine being that young and having that sort of chaos escalating around you, your home, your life. I remember watching a live feed of Gaza last year and it was a constant stream of bombs and machine gun fire.

Just chilling, haunting stuff.

Speaking of anniversaries, Monday is the two year anniversary of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. We still have no answers about her murder nor do we have stability in the Pakistani government. There is a lot of work to do.


If there's any question that China will take over the world, China has unveiled the fastest train in the world:


In science and technology, the focal point of news seems to be on Apple's new tablet. Apple is one of the most successful companies with their incredible computing machines, music devices, and of course, their phones. Now they are introducing a tablet and the industry is going rampant with curiosity. What impact will the introduction of the tablet have on the market? I look forward to seeing it because quite frankly I'm not sold on the Tablet idea. I need to learn more about its usefulness.

That's all for "What's Goin On?"

Check this goal out

Fabregas free kick:


Just awesome.

DTW

Despite my complexion, I haven't really had trouble at airports. However, the last two times I've been at DTW, I've been stopped for security checks. Having seen bits and pieces of the leaked TSA report, I've been irritated by this. I'm just trying to get to my flight. It's not just the fact that they're taking me aside, but the fact that they have the most incompetent people running the security check. I don't care that there have been two security related issues in the days after I flew to Boston from DTW, I don't think I should be racially profiled. I'm a US citizen, and I love this country. I hate that I'm being judged by the color of my skin rather than as me the person. It's wrong.

Been a little bit

So I've been using this new application on Facebook called "Galacticos Football." Basically, you have to advance through the league ranks up to the top division. With wins you gain reputation, and noteworthy players desire to come to your club. I was talking about how my team really can't improve much in terms of individual player ranks, but how I would adjust my team to have the players I would want. Naturally, I tried to think of different countries and spread out my players. I ended up with the following:

GK: Casillas, Given
D: Alves, Terry, Piqué, Clichy, Maicon, Vidic
M: Cesc, Kaka, Senna, Essien, Xavi, Iniesta
F: Agüero, Arshavin, Messi, Rooney
Manager: Guardiola

There's a definite Spanish/Brazilian bias and a definite Barca bias to my team. When I was thinking about the different countries, I started to think about what players to watch out for at the World Cup. So I'm going to go Group to Group, Team by Team, discussing players that could make an impact for their countries. I don't really know players on certain teams, so I will list the team, but not have players.

Group A:
South Africa
Mexico: Young Arsenal striker Carlos Vela could make an impact. He has very good finishing skill.
Uruguary: Obviously, Diego Forlan is the big name player, but Luis Suarez is the player to keep an eye on. He's been attracting attention from some of the biggest clubs in the world.
France: France has a star-studded side, but a player I think that could emerge as a star is Andre Pierre Gignac of Toulouse. Additionally, Hugo Lloris could garner accolades in his first major competition as first choice keeper if France has success.

Group B:
Argentina: Argentina has a star studded attack with the likes of Tevez, Agüero, Messi, and Higuaín all competing to earn a place. Messi will get the headlines as the Ballon d'Or winner. However, Higuaín has been fantastic for Real, and Tevez has been the heart beat for Manchester City.
Nigeria
Korea Republic
Greece

Group C:
England: England has some big names in Lampard, Terry, Gerrard, and Beckham, but this is Wayne Rooney's team. Their success depends on his performances.
US: Charlie Davies if he can come back
Algeria
Slovenia

Group D:
Germany: A lot of names to pick from. Ballack, Podolski, Schweinsteiger, and Klose.
Australia:
Serbia: Vidic, enough said.
Ghana: Michael Essien really made a name for himself last World Cup and will be asked to turn in similar performances this World Cup.

Group E:
Netherlands: If Robin van Persie is healthy, he will be the focal point of the attack, but Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben are other stand outs.
Denmark: Nicklas Bendtner will have the opportunity to prove that Arsene Wenger's beliefs are well founded.
Japan:
Cameroon: Samuel Eto'o is the biggest name. Alexandre Song could make a name for himself if he is included as a starter. He has been sensational for Arsenal this season.

Groupe F:
Italy: If Balotelli is included, he could make an impact. Otherwise the Italians will be a dull, defensive side to watch.
Paraguay:
New Zealand:
Slovakia

Group G:
Brazil: Brazil has so many stars. Kaka and Robinho should support the forwards of Luis Fabiano. Dani Alves and Maicon should be streaking down the sidelines to send crosses into the box.
Korea DPR:
Coit d'Ivoire: Didier Drogba is in fantastic form.
Portugal: The whole world will watch Cristiano Ronaldo again. 2006 was his coming out party. What will he do for an encore?

Group H:
Spain: Aruagably the most talented team in the competition. Fabregas, Torres, Villa, Xavi, Iniesta should all have opportunities to shine, but the key for their squad will be Marcos Senna.
Switzerland
Honduras
Chile