Just a Little Pinprick Please

I gave blood today. 27th time I've done it. I also realized during the procedure that I've been giving for 10 years now -- that's 2.7 times a year. I try to give every 8 weeks, but last September was the last time I donated. Personally I feel it is one of the easiest and most valuable ways to "give back to the community." I save lives, I give blood.

Hey all you Spartans out there, this one is for you! The CWRU has announced/unveiled its new Spartan logo. Apparently their old logo was too similar to the Michigan State one. Hmmm, I never noticed the difference. Afterall the CWRU Spartan is facing left and the MSU Spartan is facing right. Side note, if you do a Google Image Search for "CWRU Spartans" the wise being that is Google ask's you "Did you mean MSU Spartans?" D'oh! As long as they don't use that damn square, I'm happy. Although the square has grown on me and I do prefer it to the old sunburst. There was a rumor floating around a couple of years ago (this was when the square was unveiled) that the school was thinking of changing its mascot and it was going to be something along the lines of the Rough Cats. Rough Cats was going to be an amalgamation of Red Cats from Western Reserve College and the Rough Riders of Case Institute of Technology. Here is a nice page on the mascot history of CIT/WRC/CWRU/Case. You don't know how many times I've seen a blue and white "Spartans" shirt here in EL and think "Hey, that just may be a CWRU shirt" and then realize that most of the folks here probably have no idea about CWRU. Although I was driving today and saw a window decal on a car with a blue and white spartan head. I'm convinced that car is a CWRU grad. So I don't leave her out, my little sister graduated from UNC Greensboro, who also just happen to be the Spartans. I'd love some comments on which logos are the best.

Most of my faithful readers (you guys rock) know about the recent developments in my professional life. It's official as my new place of employment has issued a press release about my hiring. It's pretty surreal to see your own name on an official release like this. Part of me is like "is this actually happening?" Since I'm paranoid about things I say on this here blog coming back to haunt me, I try to keep things pretty anonymous. Of course, it wouldn't take much work to figure out who I really am. Anyway, you, my faithful readers, are a smart bunch and I know you can find the press release on your own.

A week from now I'll be on my way to Germany.

I Think I'm Turning Japanese

What is the over/under onto when Zidane becomes part of the vernacular? I.E. "You've just been Zidaned!" or "Watch it or I'll Zidane your ass!" Do you find it ironic that the best futbol player of the last 10 years is going to be known for his little headbutt more then his skills on the pitch?

Disclaimer: the following section contains adult content and reader discretion is advised (that's for you mom & dad)

As a native Clevelander, I have to weigh in on a little matter. For those who do not read Deadspin religiously, there is a certain fella by the name of Mike Cooper who has becomes somewhat of a legend there. Here is his story in a nutshell: he got caught pleasuring himself in the Berea library. Gonzo journalist Carl Monday confronted him and library about it. This resulted in a $500000 bond for Mr. Cooper. Cooper was sentenced on friday and guess who was there to report on the matters? Good 'ol Carl Monday. Of course neighter Coop nor his family wanted any part of it and hilarity ensues. Watch the videos...part of me wants to think it is some elborate sketch comedy show, but no, it is all too real. Really the fun from the whole episode(s) come from teh family's reaction.

Coop should have taken another tactic. Usually when confronted by folks such as Mr. Monday, the accused just want to hide. Usually this is justified as crimes such as cheating mechanics, money lauderers, and the like need to be taken care of. Mr. Cooper, while what he did was quite inappropriate, he wasn't hurting anyone (I'll let my readers complete any double entendres). He was doing something that we all (so they say) do, but he just chose a public library to do it. Anyway, Coop should have defended himself right there in front of Carl Monday. Monday wants that reaction, he wants to chase down people and embarass them. Cooper should have taken the offensive and said something like "Yes Carl, I masturbate. So what? I made the mistake in the place I chose to do it in, but I do it, and I'll continue to do it. Let me ask you something, when was the last time you jerked one off? Do you like to drive around in your newsvan, and then ask for some "alone time?" From the looks of it, you're not getting any at home. I peg you for a 3 times a day guy at least. Are you a righty or a lefty? Do you use oils or lotions?" And then if he really wanted to, he could just go on from there and make it extemely vulgar and start to involve his wife and kids. Afterall, Monday got Coop's parents on film. I think that if Coop had did this, Monday would have NO IDEA how to react. It would be especially great if Coop was a nice, conversational tone when speaking those lines. Coop could have even gotten a buddy to come running up with a videocamera and film Monday as he walks away. I'm sure Monday would be hella pissed. Then Coop could just yell "You've been served!"

I Know - Its Serious

Just some random stuff today. I've been on a bit of Smiths kick the past couple of days. Unfortunately I only have the compilation, Louder Than Bombs which is lacking some of their essential tunes, namely, How Soon is Now?, The Queen is Dead, and Girlfriend in a Coma. Well I really wanted to hear the last song so I made a request to the Impact. That's one of the great things about college radio, they play your requests, and do it in a quick manner. Anyway the DJ announces she's playing this song for me and wondered why I was requesting it. Yeah the lyrics are a bit grim (hey, its the Smiths) and it would definitely be filed under Sad Bastard Music. Sometimes we want to hear a song for no reason more then we just want to hear the song, thats all. There was no meaning here, and I definitely do not want my girlfriend to be in a coma. BTW this is a great read about why the Smiths should never reunite.

Every once in awile I like to stop and thank all of you who read my drivel on a regular basis. There are millions of us bloggers out here just trying to get heard by anyone other then our friends and family. People actually write some good stuff; it does take a bit of time and effort to discover it. I'm continually updating my links over on the right as I discover more more blogs that I find value in. So I encourage you to check those out (and their links) and if there is something you like, leave a comment -- trust me, we love it when random folks leave comments.

For example, Tortured Fans put up a great video the other day that I commented on. Through other comments, I found thatchick who publishes two blogs: Dude, WTF and 9th Layer of Hell. Both of these link to other NEO-centric blogs. Reading some of the titles (BitterFans, Disappointment Zone, God Hates Cleveland Sports, The Burning River, and The DiaTribe) of the sports blogs, there is no reason not to believe that Cleveland sports fans are bitter, cynical individuals who want nothing more then a championshp. Side note, we just want one championship -- not a dynasty or anything like that, just one where we can say "Yup, we were on top." The I found Random Thoughts where I left a comment (if it appears) about the breakup of Weezer (it's about time!). So you see, blogging and commenting is the gift that keeps on giving, that is unless you are Mike Cooper.

Aside from the literary blogs, I'm all about the music blogs (audioblogs). Really that is how I discover new music. Check out some of those sites, and download some of the stuff they put up. You'd be surprised (or not) by the quality of stuff out there. And if you don't like the song, you can just delete it. Although I've kept everything I've downloaded in the past 18 months or so -- I'm at like 400+ songs all from the audioblogs you see on the right. And Pitchfork has even gotten into the act, launching their "Infinite Mixtape" earlier this week. There are a lot of keepers in there. Stop listening to the radio (if you haven't already) and start tuning-in to the bloggers.

If You're Gonna Play the Game, Boy, ya Gotta Learn to Play it Right

The World Cup wrapped up thIs past weekend. Every 4 years the worLd comes tOgether like nothing elSe to celebraTe the Beautiful GAme. This is the one true sports competition where the world stops what it is doing to tune in. Sure there are the Olympics, but those are dominated by a few countries. The World Cup celeBrates the diversity of our planet. Futbol/Football/Soccer is one of the few sports that are played worldwide. It is a team sport that encourages teamwork, yEt also rewards individual expression. For one month every four years, the world stops to watch, listen, celebraTe, and party.

Watching the Italians win on Sunday and seeing the exuberance in the players' eyes and then the celebrations going on in Rome and throughout Italy got me thinking. We Americans are newcomers to this sport. It is rather surprising considering the "melting pot" of cultures that make up this wonderful country of ours. We can dominate in almost any other sport, but when it comes to Soccer, the rest of the world laughs at us.

Not this year...no not this year I said. The US was coming off a run to the quarter-finals and thanks to a non-call on a hand-ball in the box, would have made it to the semis in 2002. This year was supposed to be the coming out party for US Soccer. We had a maturing class of youngsters that was supposed to work with crafty veterans to have an even better 2006 World Cup. Not only were we supposed to be competitive, but we were going to knock off some perennial powers. I drank the Kool-Aid -- we were finally going to go from World Cup doormat to a contender and finally assert our superiority in the Beautiful Game.

Then disaster struck. We all know what happened to the US, so I don't have to repeat it. Although tying (albeit on an own-goal) the eventual champs has to count for something, right...right? I reflected on the World Cup and the egg laid by the US Squad. Well, we didn’t do so well, not at all. We didn't assert our superiority...no, the world asserted what they already knew -- we still have a long way to go until we can contend with the likes of France, Germany, Argentina, Brazil, and Italy. And maybe this country of ours, that I'm very patriotic towards, has room for improvement in more then just soccer. Yes we are the economic, political, and athletic leaders of the world, but that doesn't mean we are better then or superior then everyone else. We may have more opportunities throughout our lives, but that doesn't make us better. Its what we do with those opportunities that count.

If I Don't Get My Football Back

Currently watching the World Cup final. I can't believe this has been going on for a month and I've barely commented on it. Few of you know that in my journey to athletic greatness (finishing 416 out of 20000+ at Boston is my idea of greatness, but really this is meant tongue-in-cheek) began back in 1st(?) grade when my parents told me I was playing soccer. I had no idea what this game was and the first year or two consisted of 15 or so elementary kids chasing a ball around aimlessly. Well as we grew in the game, the team improved and we became a respectable team. Most of the team was a grade above me (they did it by birthyear -- since I'm a December baby, I was one of the younger ones on the team), we didn't have a team after 7th grade. I went on to play middle-school football and then continue swimming through HS and college. Anyway, soccer holds a special place in my heart.

Watching the final game here, I notice that Italy are wearing Puma unis while France is wearing Adidas unis. I know I have shared this with some of you, but I thought I'd put it out here for everyone. The two companies share a rich history. Adi Dassler (founder of Adidas) started his company back in the mid-20th century in Herzogenaurach, Germany. Side note, the proper pronunciation of Adidas is with the accnet on the 3rd syllable, not the 2nd like us Americans do: a-di-DAS instead of a-DI-das. Anyway, Adidas was a family company run by Adi and his brother, Rudolf. At some point in the 1940s the brothers had a falling out. It was such a falling out that Rudolf moved across town and started his own company, Puma. To this day, no one knows what happened between the brothers, and it is likely we never will. There was an attempt in the 70s by Phil Knight (of Nike fame) to reunite the two families, but it didn't happen. Here is a nice article that explains it some more.

PS: The US tied Italy on an own-goal....does this do anything to change our crappy performance in the WC? i.e. "Well, we did TIE the champions...."

PPS: What was Zidane thinking? Sad way to see him go.