What get me out of bed at 6am? Work? That's laughable. Workout? Not quite. Only the greatest sporting event in the world. That's right, the World Cup! At 6:30pt tomorrow morning Mexico kicks off against host South Africa on ESPN. I can't wait.
When asked which team I favor to fare well this year, I realized I hadn't thought about it much. But, I'll take a shot. Argentina - I hate that their coach cheated numerous times (think steroids and "Hand of God"), but they'll at least make the final eight and probably advance further. Netherlands - I've always had a soft spot for their orange jerseys (and can't resist their style of play) and see them advancing.
USA - not unless American soccer's favorite child can stop choking. Since Japan/Korea Donovan has been worshiped, but has lost his ability to come through in the clutch. Howard provides the star keeper that's a must for a run in the Cup, unlike '06 and '98 when Keller manned the box. While goalies don't win you games, they keep you in them, and advancing to the elimination round can be as simple as riding a hot keeper.
Spain - an little-noticed, highly-talented squad that just last year ran up a streak of fifteen consecutive international victories. Who's in the final you ask? Argentina and the winner of Group G (either Brazil or Portugal).
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Primary Elections
In California, a single primary saw over $100 million spent by two candidates in an attempt to reach the governor's seat. Meg Whitman reportedly spent $71 million of her personal fortune in her battle to win the primary. The final hurdle of winning control of the state still exists in the general election this fall.
The money that Americans earn legally should be spent as they wish. But, here's what $70 million could have done to help the state: paid 1000-1400 annual salaries of policemen for one year, paid 100-140 annual salaries of policemen on a continued basis, paid .17% of the state's debt, or boosted the nation's largest higher education system (which faces cuts). Essentially, she could have helped the state tremendously.
One must wonder, if a candidate carelessly spends $70 million getting into a position, how careful is he or she really going to be with a full state's resources?
The money that Americans earn legally should be spent as they wish. But, here's what $70 million could have done to help the state: paid 1000-1400 annual salaries of policemen for one year, paid 100-140 annual salaries of policemen on a continued basis, paid .17% of the state's debt, or boosted the nation's largest higher education system (which faces cuts). Essentially, she could have helped the state tremendously.
One must wonder, if a candidate carelessly spends $70 million getting into a position, how careful is he or she really going to be with a full state's resources?
Monday, June 7, 2010
Mandrill Mania
One of the zoo's volunteers has developed an odd relationship with the male mandrill living there. Somehow, she has become part of the troop. When anyone approaches this woman, the mandrill runs to the front of the cage, looks at the offending party, then bears his teeth does a move that looks like headbanging, then bounces up and down. I wouldn't believe it unless I had seen it myself. Its quite a spectacle. If you're in the Portland area on a Tuesday or Saturday stop by the zoo and see the mandrill that seems to think the volunteer belongs to him.
Friday, June 4, 2010
40-Something and Counting
In an effort to increase the fine imposed by the President on BP for its Gulf crisis a movement to protest BP products must be enacted. This effort becomes somewhat strenuous when considering BP's reach. To simply avoid BP oil products (never-mind any other fields) one must stop visiting/using: ampm, Arco, Aral, Castrol oil products, and generally anything with BP in the name. After 40-some days of blasting oil into the ocean with no end in sight, the least we can do is find an alternative to BP.
The deep-sea disaster alone provides motive to wave while passing by these stores. Additionally, the cavalier attitude with which they have approached this massive mishap should convince the toughest of juries; BP does not deserve your business! It may be true that everyone was doing it (drilling in deep water). There's also a small chance other companies ignored the signals of a corrupted well. But, the fact remains that BP's rig exploded while others either utilized sound judgment (likely) or got lucky. Let BP know how you feel by speaking in the only terms oil knows, send your money to greener pastures.
The deep-sea disaster alone provides motive to wave while passing by these stores. Additionally, the cavalier attitude with which they have approached this massive mishap should convince the toughest of juries; BP does not deserve your business! It may be true that everyone was doing it (drilling in deep water). There's also a small chance other companies ignored the signals of a corrupted well. But, the fact remains that BP's rig exploded while others either utilized sound judgment (likely) or got lucky. Let BP know how you feel by speaking in the only terms oil knows, send your money to greener pastures.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
New Format/Perfect Gamers
So with the issues that I appear to be having writing articles about specific topics each day, I'll be writing on different topics each day, with no set list of topics.
This year in baseball could prove to be an historic one. Already, two perfect games have been pitched within a matter of three weeks and a third perfecto was stolen from Armando Galarraga last night. The announcers' reactions in this clip express the disbelief and amazement felt by all at the poor call.
However, it appears as though Bud Selig will be changing the call and this could be the catalyst for instant replay in baseball. The true major American sports already contain some sort of replay.
Another interesting note comes from the Florida Marlins, now selling tickets to last week's perfect game pitched by Roy Halladay. Want to be included in the attendance for the 20th perfect game ever? They may still be available.
Finally, let's consider the occurrences within the MLB over the last month. In a matter of a month, two (probably three) perfect games have been pitched. In the previous 100 plus years, this happened only eighteen times (and only once has it happened twice in a season).
This year in baseball could prove to be an historic one. Already, two perfect games have been pitched within a matter of three weeks and a third perfecto was stolen from Armando Galarraga last night. The announcers' reactions in this clip express the disbelief and amazement felt by all at the poor call.
However, it appears as though Bud Selig will be changing the call and this could be the catalyst for instant replay in baseball. The true major American sports already contain some sort of replay.
Another interesting note comes from the Florida Marlins, now selling tickets to last week's perfect game pitched by Roy Halladay. Want to be included in the attendance for the 20th perfect game ever? They may still be available.
Finally, let's consider the occurrences within the MLB over the last month. In a matter of a month, two (probably three) perfect games have been pitched. In the previous 100 plus years, this happened only eighteen times (and only once has it happened twice in a season).
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