Random Reactions

First off, what a horrible, horrible tragedy today at Virginia Tech University. My thoughts and prayers go out to those families, and let's hope that the self-seeking scumbags out there minimize using this as an opportunity for their own political gain.

What makes someone snap like that? It's sad, and scary. What kind of world do my kids have to look forward to?


On a lighter note, Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs got ejected for laughing yesterday, while he was seated on the bench. You read that right - laughing. Long story short, he got called for an offensive foul a minute earlier, and said to the referee that he got fouled. In the NBA this year, you can't protest any call, so he earned that technical - fair enough. The next time down the floor, Duncan and Robert Horry are literally sitting there laughing. The TV showed them for a significant period of time; neither said one word. All of the sudden, referee Joey Crawford pointed to the bench, and threw him out of the game. He said to the coach something like "I knew what he was doing all along."

As far as I'm concerned, that's inexcusable. Crawford should be suspended for the rest of the year. That was an important game with playoff ramifications, so to casually toss out a superstar because you assume he's laughing at you is a joke. Crawford's the worst kind of referee/umpire - he thinks it's all about him. He's got a bigger ego than the players, and he needs to be put in his place. That said, I guarantee that the NBA does nothing to Crawford. They have no guts when it comes to holding refs accountable. My bet is that they'll fine coach Popovich and Duncan for their comments. Cowards.


Lastly, and far less significant, my second review as been published at Gameshark. I'm not sure why there was a month delay in getting it posted, but at least it's out there now. Hopefully, my OOTP review will get published in a more timely manner!

Let Go...

Easier said than done! I am a creature of habit. Life just gets so hectic and my routine helps keep me sane and gives me some (albeit false) semblance of balance. I’m wound just a little too tightly and I like to pretend I have more control over things than I actually do. I realize that I need to be more spontaneous and “go with the flow.”

I need to learn how to just “let go.”

The unpredictable Ohio weather (dumping roughly 30 inches of snow over the course of 3 days) seriously messed up my life – social, familial, and habitual. Basically it took my ‘routine’ and flipped it on its ear while laughing at me and daring me to “let go” of my perceived control over my life. (It’s partly to blame for my 4 pound weight loss and subsequent 2 pound weight gain…partly. The potato chips did me in. Can you eat just one? Five? Don’t even get me started on how they “settle” in the bottom of the bag!) But I digress. There was nothing I could do about the weather, or the wrench it threw into the works. All I could do was try to “let go.”

That seems easy enough.

Sometimes letting go is more difficult. When the Cleveland Indian’s home opener game was ‘called’ due to inclement weather, when just ONE MORE PITCH would have deemed the Indian’s victorious, we “let go” alright. We “let go” with a few shrieks, several gasps, and let’s be honest, a couple “choice” words not suitable for this site. “Let go” has so many interpretations.

Sometimes the ability to “let go” is even more difficult than one can imagine. My co-worker’s mom passed away last week. One of the things someone said to her was, “Let Go. Let God.”

So after weathering the weather, a wake, various worries and woes, I caught up with everything and everyone this weekend. It felt good to bust out of that routine and just ‘let go.’ I spent one evening cuddled up with the cats (I have 3), a cup of tea, and the latest edition of The New Yorker Magazine (http://www.newyorker.com/). I dig it. I love a lazy night – they are so few and far between – it’s a precious treat. I later caught up on e-mails, blogs, webzines, and some cool new music too. (Yes, I am a huge geek.)

Best of all, I caught up with an old friend who I met at my “real job” years and years (and years) ago. We each “let go” of our responsibilities for one day so we could hang out. Our day consisted of talking, walking, shopping and eating! We met at a trendy boutique in Westlake called, oddly enough, Stein Mart. While I would normally suggest you avoid any place with the word ‘mart’ in it (i.e. K-Mart , Wal-Mart), this place defies the norm.

As far as women’s clothing, prices and styles range anywhere from very reasonable to occasionally jaw-dropping. Men’s clothing will have the same effect. We did a little damage but I had a gift certificate so, it doesn’t count. It’s just a cool little, trendy treasure of a place. I’ve yet to leave there empty handed. In fact, I left there with a steal! Check it out: I found a very funky black leather and mesh jacket. It had my name all over it along with a price tag of $299.00. (I warned you about the ‘jaw-dropping’)! Stick with me – that was the ‘original’ price. Today’s price was $99.00. That seemed pretty reasonable until I got in line, and it scanned for…wait for it…$49.99. I had a $50.00 gift certificate! I was positively giddy! (Oh, I should mention that I don’t do giddy. I do dark, dank, silly, happy, funky, etc., occasionally twisted, and I may have managed smug once, but never giddy.)

I promise to “let go” of giddy…tomorrow. (You can check this place out at http://www.steinmart.com/)

For lunch, we hit the RRBC – Rocky River Brewing Company (rumor has it that former Indian’s pitcher Charlie Nagy was once a co-owner). We love this place. It’s always a good time however, the best time to visit the RRBC is on a Friday or Saturday night (June ~ September), outside on their patio, while a local band plays! That’s when you know it’s summer in the city once again! Aside from brewing their own beer (golden ales, wheat beers, heavy ales, dark ales, seasonal brews, amber ales and pales ales…say that 3 times fast), they have a mouth-watering menu. My friend recommends the Thai Chicken Salad and Blackened Salmon Salad but I love the Pesto Chicken Sandwich or Blackened Chicken Pasta. For an appetizer, if you really want to “let go,” try the Buffalo Egg Rolls! You can check it out for yourself at: http://www.rockyriverbrewco.com/the_food/index.html

Anyways, if you’re a creature of habit, make a plan to “let go.” If while you read this, you thought about a friend or specials someone, give them a call and invite them to “let go” with you. You’ll be glad you did.

Prima Donna

In OOTP, players have different moods ("morale"). I traded for a young left-handed pitcher earlier in the year in my online league. He had a 3.60 ERA, a winning record, and other favorable stats as a 21-year-old in the big leagues last season. I bring him over to my team, which plays in more of a hitter's park, but not too bad. He's 5-8 this year with a 3.98. That's pretty solid for a 22-year-old in his second year in "the show." However, I noticed the other day that his "mood" was a frowny face. I went to see why, and it said that he wanted to be demoted to the bullpen!

Now that's a first. Since when do successful young pitchers just blossoming into their careers want a demotion?! The guy has good numbers, and a nine-out-of-ten endurance rating. I'm counting on him to be a mainstay in the rotation for many years to come! He has a big contract coming to him! Yet, he'll only be happy if I give him a less important role not suited for him.

No wonder we can't relate to pro athletes nowadays...

In all seriousness, I do love this aspect of OOTP. It's cool that a player's mood has an impact on performance and team chemistry. Even though this case doesn't seem to make sense, does it always make sense in the real world? Athletes are a different breed, both physically and mentally. I'll be kind and call most of them "quirky." Maybe this game is genius for including outlandish stuff like this. Or, maybe it needs a patch! Regardless, this is just a very small example of the depth of this game.

I'm no where near done reviewing it yet, but if you want to know what I think, I think this is the best text sim baseball game ever made, and maybe the best baseball game ever made, period. (At least for those who don't mind putting down the joysticks and putting on their thinking caps.)

"I'm down wit OOTP, ya you know me!"

I apologize for the bad pun related to bad early 1990's music, but I couldn't resist…

Out of the Park Baseball 2007 is my next assignment at Gameshark, and I'm pumped! I've owned a few iterations of the series, and I even reviewed the retail version of the game from a few years ago, called "Season Ticket Baseball," for Calvert Games. I'm also in my second year of an online OOTP league. This is going to be a fun and challenging review. Sports Interactive is known for Football Manager, which is an incredibly deep soccer simulation, and OOTP fits the same mold for baseball. You really can create your own world in these games. Heck, the manual for OOTP is over 500 pages long! I've got a lot of reading to do on the crapper…

In other related Gameshark news, I'll now be working under Bill Abner (see my link to the Sports Gamer Blog on the right side of the page). I've followed Bill's work as a reviewer for a few years, and I'm excited to learn under his tutelage. He and I have similar tastes, and I've always appreciate the effort he put into analyzing sports games. Plus, he's a Buckeye, so he can't be all bad!

BURNOUT

If you have a (semi off-the-wall) sense of humor and work in an office that ranges in description anywhere from “Adult Day Care” to “Prison,” you might enjoy this.

Our office building is filled with inspirational pictures and “motivators”. You know the ones…

The beautiful lakes and streams of azure and cerulean blue, mixed with bright hues of gold and brilliant greens. One capitalized word stands out amongst the photo:

LEADERSHIP

Below, in smaller letters,

“We Make Way For the One Who Pushes Past Us.”

Don’t you feel inspired and motivated? I dig them!

Let’s try another.
Picture this: Gears and wheels of bright red and orange outlined in black and chrome with the word:

SYNERGY

"The strength of the team is in each individual member...
the strength of each member is in the team."

Here are some you may never see in an office. They are called ‘demotivators.”

Picture this:

Long matchsticks with blue, green, yellow or pink tips all huddles together in a tight, close-knit group. The middle match boasts the only flame. It reads:

BURNOUT
Attitudes Are Contagious. Mine Might Kill You

Now, picture a groups of zebras.

INDIVIDUALITY
Always remember that you are unique. Just like everybody else

And finally,

WORTH
Just Because You’re Necessary Doesn’t Mean You’re Important.

There are countless others. Find yours and laugh out loud at www.despair.com

Is It Over Already?

Last night consisted of a delectable dinner at Rush Inn and The Verb Ballet’s Song and Dance. This is the first time I’ve seen them. I was pretty excited.

I should, by all accounts, live and work in New York (City). My father was born and raised there, and we visited family there every summer. I love New York.

Act I of Song and Dance is about a girl named Emma (from England) who embarks on her first trip to New York City. It had great potential. She thinks American men are neurotic (so apparently she hasn’t met many America women. I’ll put my neurosis up against any man and throw in a little OCD for good measure!)

The very first song, which is reprised throughout, is called “Take That Look Off Your Face.” With this, she had us right where she wanted us – she just couldn’t keep us there. Twenty minutes later the look on our face was confusion. You see, Emma is in NYC to meet up with her boyfriend, a drummer in a rock band. We can’t wait to see him, but we never do – and there lies the basic problem/confusion with Act I. It is a one-woman show and, while Emma’s voice is powerful and strong, we are left wanting and waiting for more characters to join her on stage. Sadly, they never do.

Emma meets up with a character by the name of Sheldon Bloom. She tells us he’s interesting and leads you to believe not very attractive. That relationship fails, as does one more before she meets up with a married man. And yes, that one ends too. She is simply unlucky in love. Another song reprised throughout was “Let Me Finish.” Honestly, we wanted her to finish about 45 minutes ago. The lights came up just as my friend leaned over and whispered, “That was painful.” I asked sarcastically, “Is it over already?”

Act II proved to be the upbeat, dynamic “kick” we were waiting for. Verb Ballet’s Artistic Director/Co-Director/Choreographer Hernando Cortez just rocks and then (to quote D. Rosenberg of The Cleveland Plain Dealer) the “joint jumps!” Cortez spent more time in the air than on the stage floor. I watched him with amazement and awe. His moves and that of The Verb are elegant, precise, graceful, tough and fluid.

Often times I’ve been told, “Don’t sit too close. It spoils the illusion.” Aside from one female dancer who lacked fluidity during a tap number, nothing could spoil Act II. The costumes were trendy, the dances were energized and the vibe of The Verb was infectious.

The orchestra, conducted by Larry Goodpaster, did Andrew Lloyd Weber’s “rockified” Variations on Paganini’s A Minor Caprice No. 24. I can’t find the words to describe them, but I’ll go with “near perfection.”

Then the lights came on and I leaned toward my friend and asked with disappointment, “Is it over already?”

Marty Moose!

Spring Break!

The Griswold's are heading South! We're going to Disney World (aka "Wally World") for a 9-day romp through the parks! Kellie will be holding down the blog in the interim, and may have a few things to say, time permitting. I'll be back and posting again the week of April 9th.

For those of you that have never been, Disney World truly is a magical place for kids of all ages, including my advanced age of 35! What really strikes me about the place is the attention to detail and the backstory for the majority of their attractions, destinations, and hotels. It really stimulates my imagination! Before I first went to Disney, I assumed it was like Six Flags or Cedar Point, but designed more for kids. Boy, was I wrong. I've been back probably 8 times since, and it never gets old. There's plenty for everyone to do. And, since it's vacation, I'll also have some "do nothing" time by the resort pool. I could type all day trying to put it into words, but I'll spare you. Experience it yourself; then you'll know exactly what I mean.

The unpaid infomercial is over… Now back to our semi-regular programming…

Freelance Life

Ah, the dream life. Getting paid to play and write about games. Sounds glamorous, doesn't it? Who wouldn't want a career like that, as opposed to schlepping for the "man" 9-to-5? I often wondered that, but after being exposed to this on at least a small scale, I thought I'd share with you what it's really like, at least so far.

I'll be getting my first check shortly. My contribution: one article and two reviews. My pay: $50 per contribution, plus the games are free. Granted, the "professionals" undoubtedly make more than that, but even at $250 per contribution (a total guess on my part), spread out over multiple publications, it would take at least 10 reviews a month to make a starting teacher's salary (in most places). And, to do it right, it takes probably an average of 15 hours per game or so, at least. That's full-time hours already. Plus, at least in my case, I get assigned games; I don't get to choose them. I have to learn to play stuff that I'd never pick up at the store, and be objective and thorough about it. Also consider that freelance work isn't guaranteed or regular, the workload could get very light at times, and then double or more around the holidays. To make a living freelancing is hard work for comparably little pay. It really is a labor of love. Or, it could explain why there are so many crappy reviews on the 'net and in magazines!

I read in Electronic Gaming Monthly that the folks who write strategy guides make about $10,000 per book. They have to hole themselves up for hours playing the same game, trying to work through cheats, shortcuts, and the best strategies. I believe it takes something like 2-3 months to complete a guide. That has to get monotonous, and it must take incredible discipline. In reality, it turns gaming into "work." Ironically, most of us game to get away from doing work!

My guess is that many reviewers are like me. They have regular employment, and supplement their income with their passion for gaming and writing. Please don't read this as me complaining. I love the opportunity, and I'm thankful to have it! In reality, though, I have the best of both worlds. I make very good money in my employment, and get paid to have a little fun on the side. I'm just glad I don't have the pressure of making a living from gaming. My kids need to eat, and I'm not that good!

11 Things To Do

Let me start by saying I am not “green.” I drive an SUV and I don’t recycle. (By now you either love me or hate me. Wait! It gets better…) I also procrastinate which is why I am writing about a movie that has been out for some time. (Though it has come to my attention that many of my friends and co-workers have not viewed it either.) You’ve probably seen it or at the very least have heard about it. I need to talk about it.

As if I don’t have enough to do, along comes a movie that expects even more from me. Please! I’m not looking to add to my already hectic schedule. I put off viewing this flick because deep down I knew it would affect me. I hope it affects you too. I admit, I had a lot to learn.

So, I got together with some friends and we viewed, An Inconvenient Truth. I will spare you the long discussion and heated, yet friendly (OK! OK!, semi-friendly) debate that ensued, but here are the composite views:

“It’s about politics!”
Yes, it is, especially when you learn of a leaked memo advising to:

“…reposition global warming as theory rather than fact.”

“It’s about morals!”
Yes, it is. It is morally wrong to harm the Earth and its inhabitants (assuming of course, that you believe as I do, that all life has intrinsic value). But do we care enough to fix it? Consider the following quote by Upton Sinclair that appears in the film:

“It’s difficult for a man to understand something when his salary depends upon not understanding it.”

“It’s a choice. Economy vs. Environment! How do you choose?” (Well, if we don’t have an environment in which to live do we really need to worry about an economy?)

“It’s about our kids and their future!” Yes, it is about that too.

“It’s about ice caps and *Kyoto Protocol and polar bears!” (Oh my!)

It is about all of these things and so much more. Mr. Gore wears many hats throughout this movie – Former Vice President, Comedian, Concerned Parent, and Educator, just to name a few. He grabs you and holds you, beseeching you to understand our plight and the truth about global warming. He is serious, comedic, well informed and passionate. It is that didactic combo that holds your attention and commands your respect. He won’t let go of you until you’ve heard, understood, and learned the truth. I learned that I still have a lot to learn and I can make a difference.

Al Gore made me think. He made me question many things (including, once again, our current administration, but I digress). He asked if I was ready to change the way I live. The 10 things he asked of me will not make my life any more or less hectic. They may however, make my life better – and yours too – and even future lives. So, here’s what we can do:

1. Change a light (switch to compact fluorescent light)
2. Drive less
3. Recycle more
4. Check your tires (proper inflation improves gas mileage)
5. Use less hot water
6. Avoid products with a lot of packaging
7. Adjust your thermostat (just 2 degrees down in the winter and 2 degrees up in the summer!)
8. Plant a tree
9. Turn off electronic devices when not in use
10. Be part of the solution - visit www.Climatecrisis.net

I am adding one more to the list.

11. Please, watch, share and discuss: An Inconvenient Truth

As the movie comes to a clima(c)tic end, an old African Proverb appears:

“If you believe in prayer, pray that people will find the strength to change.”

___________________________________________________

*The Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an amendment to the international treaty on climate change, assigning mandatory emission limitations for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to the signatory nations
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_Protocol

Kellie

Doubling the Staff, Improving the Quality Exponentially

It gives me great pleasure to introduce an additional contributor to this little corner of the Internet... Her name is Kellie, and she is one of the sharpest, most insightful, and talented people I know. I've had the pleasure of working with Kellie at the "real job" for a few years, and I think you're really going to enjoy her contributions.

Kellie is going to cover movies, music, current events, and whatever else tickles her fancy. I can say with some confidence that Kellie and I definitely have different perspectives on a number of topics, and I'm looking forward to hearing her voice on things. I've learned a lot in our discussions, and hopefully you will, too. Leave some comments and let her know what you think!

I'll be posting her first contribution shortly...

Thanks,

The Management

PhD in Bracketology

I've been filling out brackets for the NCAA tournament since, well, since there were only 40 teams invited! In all those years, I don't think I've ever won a thing. The sad thing is, during my formative years, I was an ardent fan of college basketball, and familiar with most of the teams in the tournament, yet I couldn't prognosticate worth crap.

I don't watch as much basketball anymore, and I'm mostly familiar with my Buckeyes, Zips, and their respective conferences. But, luck was with me this year, or something. I actually have the entire Final Four correct! Never before have I done that. I realize I still probably need at least two more games to go my way, but I'm probably in the best position bracket-wise I've ever been in.

That said, rarely do things go my way. Bet against the Buckeyes, because I'm sure they'll lose against G'town, and UCLA will probably upset Florida. Such is the life of a Cleveland/Ohio State fan...

Dancin' in Atlanta!

For the first time since 1968, Ohio State will be going to the Final Four! Well, officially, anyway. Those of you with decent memories will recall a certain Scoonie Penn/Michael Redd led squad that made it to the Final Four in 1999. However, the NCAA expunged that from the record after Jim O'Brien's admitted indiscretions. Paying players is not in line with the NCAA's rules, and it cost him his job. Not that fact that he paid players, mind you, the fact that he (allegedly) paid Boban Savovic. The best coaches know that you need to pay better players than that to have a successful program, but I digress...

I love what I'm seeing out of the Buckeyes right now. The senior-on-his-way-out, Ron Lewis, is absolutely raising his game! And, Mike Conley is coming into his own as a player. One might argue that he's the best freshman on the team. That could be true, simply because the other larger freshman that starts tends to find himself in foul trouble too often. They're also getting timely contributions from the likes of Lighty, Hunter, Cook, and others, with a different player or two stepping up each game. It's amazing that the nearly half of the rotation is made up of true freshman!

Regardless, this team played its best game today against arguably its best opponent in Memphis, and rose to the occasion. Whoever wins between UNC and Georgetown will pose a formidable challenge, no doubt, but I'm not going to worry about that right now. I'm going live in the moment for a few more days!

Go Bucks!

Kevin

Then and Now

Hello… Hello… Is this thing on?

Where I was a almost a year ago:
I've long felt that in some way I want to express myself in writing - my passions, interests, and opinions. My first venture into this hobby came in the form of writing about video games, which I thoroughly enjoyed. However, with my slightly obsessive-compulsive behavior, I tended to turn each review from an entertaining endeavor into a term paper, which wore thin after a couple of years. Next came this blog; but the lack of structure has limited my desire to post items regularly. After much deliberation, I think I may have found my niche (for the moment, anyway).I'm a big soccer fan. Soccer in the states has grown steadily over the last 10 years, but it just doesn't capture the American public like the other "big three" sports. This is evident based on the lack of "fan" coverage for our domestic league, the MLS. There are few - if any - credible "fansites" associated with MLS coverage. My hope is to add one to this small group. I'm not sure in which forum my soccer voice will appear, but I'm currently investigating my options. For ease of use, I may stay with the blog format. However, I've been interested in the challenge of creating and running my own site for years, so I'm leaning towards that option. I've actually contacted the MLS about permission to use their name and logos on my fan site, and I'm awaiting reply. Regardless, this next chapter in my life as a hobbyist writer will cover soccer in the United States.I've already got some content ready. For the time being, I'll post it here, and use this as a "trial period" to polish my skills. When I figure out all of the particulars of running my own site, then I'll launch "officially." Hopefully, I'll connect with other like-minded fans, and start a grassroots effort to cover "the beautiful game" in the context of the United States, which most Americans and the rest of the world tend to ignore.

Where I am now:
I've actually accomplished one of my goals, at least on a small scale. I'm now a part-time reviewer for Gameshark.com. The assignments will be few and far between, and I'm definitely the "low man on the totem pole," but hey, I'm actually writing professionally. It feels good. So good, in fact, that I've decided to re-open the Gut. I really do enjoy sharing my thoughts and opinions on anything and everything, even if no one is listening. Heck, I can't even get my wife to read this stuff! Too bad; it's all about me, baby!

What happened to the soccer website idea?
The prototype is done. The reason I never launched it is that I knew I wouldn't ascribe to the standards I had set for myself. Plus, I was really burned out on soccer after the fiasco that was the U.S. Men's National Team in the World Cup. I may launch my own site someday. Just not today. The blog and my other gig will suffice for now. That said, I can guarantee that soccer will be one of the subjects upon which I spew my opinions. I love it too much not to (how's that for "professional" grammar!). And, for the record, the MLS never replied to me. Way to support your biggest fans, MLS.

As before, I'll also be writing about other major sports, family life, movies, music, technology, video games, and anything else that interests me or sets me off. I may very well have another post tomorrow, depending on how my Ohio State Buckeyes fare against Tennessee tonight! On a sort-of-related note (meaning my favorite basketball teams), I'm glad somebody finally woke LeBron up...

Fair and Balanced

Sometimes I write with my heart and not my head. I'll be my own ombudsman and state that questioning Claudio's "manhood" in my previous post was way out of line. He has been the class of the U.S. team for the last decade, and he deserves his due. ESPN said it much better, so I'll defer to them on this one.

If I ever get around to launching this website thingy, I've got to get my "gut reactions" under control (bad pun intended)!

On an unrelated note, my prayers and best wishes go out to baseball scribe Peter Gammons, who I think is the absolute very best in the business, and by all accounts, a great guy to boot.

Missed Opportunities

The U.S. squad missed opportunities to score throughout the game.

The U.S. squad missed the opportunity to get to the second round, despite it's lackluster play during its group matches.

The U.S. squad missed the opportunity for the world to take it seriously in the game of soccer.

The U.S. squad missed the opportunity to capture the attention of the nation, and help grow the sport's popularity by leaps and bounds; even if only in the short-term.

There weren't many positives today. I thought Reyna's giveaway was abysmal; there are no excuses for that. He was able to come back on the pitch for another 15 minutes, so his injury wasn't too severe to either clear the ball or take down the man. That was a "manhood" issue, not an injury issue, in my opinion.

I'll never blame the referees. As a competitor, you must play through the things you cannot change. You cannot change a poor call. The PK awarded to Ghana was an absolute farce. It was the worst call of the tournament. In the end, it really didn't matter. The U.S. didn't overcome, so they're going home.

I'm numb. I'll give the squad credit for playing with heart and passion in the final two games, but overall, it was a disappointing Cup. Frankly, Reyna wasn't missed after being removed from a World Cup match for the first time in his career. Aside from striking the post against the Czechs, he wasn't much of a factor. Neither was Donovan. Neither was McBride, although he's only truly effective when he gets quality service, which happened one time all tourney. Neither was Beasley; although he finally played a good match today. I could go on and list every player that made it onto the pitch, I suppose, if I thought about it long enough. The U.S. is simply not good enough to win unless all eleven play hard, and play well. Other soccer "super-powers" can get away with that; the U.S. can't.

I'll continue to watch the world's greatest sporting event, because there are several players whose abilities I admire. I guess I'm an honorary citizen of Portugal, England, and France for the remainder of the cup, because I would love to see Beckham, or C. Ronaldo, or Henry, or Zidane, or Figo, or even Rooney ascend to glory. When the players aren't flopping, and the referees aren't screwing everything up, this is the best game in the world to watch.

Stayin' Alive

Well, it wasn't pretty, but at least the American squad put in an old-fashioned, blue-collar, workman-like effort against the Italians today. I also appreciate the fact that the Americans had the fortitude to withstand horrible officiating and more dives by the Italian soccer team than Jacques Cousteau on a sunken treasure hunt! Frankly, the Italian flops were an embarrassment.

The referee should be embarrassed, too. I can almost understand the red card on Pope, since he's been sloppy all tournament, and had several late challenges in his 45 minutes of action. However, the red card on Maestroni was a joke. Yes, he came in from the side, and a little late, but he deserved no worse than a yellow. If the refs called that foul a red card in every game of this tournament, most squads couldn't field a large enough team to finish their respective games!

Aside from Pope's gaffes, the defense was more than adequate today. Onyewu got over his nerves and played consistently, while Bocanegra provided exactly what I thought he would; solidifying defense on the left side, plus better performance than Lewis on set pieces, save his near own-goal. Boca is bigger, faster, and better in the air. His position in the first eleven came one game too late, in my opinion. It was also nice to see Keller make a couple of world-class saves to preserve the draw.

Before the ref decided to take away 20 percent of our squad, the midfield was more than holding its own against the Azzuri (that means "diver" in Italian, by the way). Convey and Dempsey were creative in attack, Donovan made his presence felt at least occasionally, and until his untimely exit in the 47th minute, Maestroni was a rock at defensive midfielder. I wish the U.S. squad was this aggressive against the Czechs; we might have had a different result. Beasley made an early appearance, and was inconsistent at best. He should've used his speed and his fresh legs to threaten the Italians in the counter-attack; but instead, he loafed around as if he were as tired as the other players who hustled their tails off for the full ninety. Please, sit this guy down. He didn't do much when he did bother to get to the ball, anyway.

McBride was more active in the play, with several quality flick-ons, and better ball handling than in the first match. However, he didn't finish very well. I still think he's our best option up front, and I hope he'll find his stroke in time to give us at least a chance to advance. Plus, I just love his warrior mentality. That absolutely cheap shot from De Rossi was as low-class as I've seen in a tournament of this caliber. McBride calmly wiped off the blood, patched up the cut, changed jerseys, and was back into the mix. I'm going off on a tangent here, but De Rossi's cheap shot, the dives, and the betting scandal in Italian soccer really are shameful. No matter what happens to the U.S. and Italy from this point on, I'd rather be a fan of the U.S. squad, than to play like the Italians to get successful results. Back on point - I have to question why Arena didn't substitute Johnson for McBride around the 75th minute or so, where Johnson's speed could've definitely made a difference in the counter attack.

It will take a minor miracle, but the U.S. can still advance with a win against Ghana and an Italian victory over the Czechs. The irony of it all is that I actually have to root for the Italians now. Soccer is a funny game.

Ugh

I waited four years for this? I hope I haven't been kidding myself in regard to the state of U.S. soccer. Since their surprising World Cup performance in 2002, I hoped that U.S. soccer had turned the corner, and had become a legitimate world soccer power. Maybe that's just wishful thinking. We looked more like Trinidad and Tobago (minus the great goalkeeping) or Costa Rica than Italy or Germany. Our skill level and effort was pathetic. No doubt the Czechs are good, but honestly, we looked like the worst team in the entire competition thus far.

Can we please turn off the Landon Donovan hype machine? He hasn't scored in 16 international matches, and he was virtually non-existent in today's match. Yes, he has talent and potential, but his poor stay for his German club, and his hit-and-miss performances in both the MLS and recent international play, indicate he's not an elite player. And, don't even mention Demarcus Beasley. He's fast. That's about it. The Czech's best defense today was letting the ball go to Beasley, so he could either duff it or turn it over. If these two are the future of American soccer, we're hurting. Nedved showed these two how world class midfield is played in the match today.

Speaking of defense, where was ours? On the first goal, Lewis is no where to be found, and Onyewu was out of position, giving Koller an easy header from about 5 yards away in the fifth minute of the match. On the second goal, Onyewu headed it out in a clearance to the MIDDLE of the field, where Rosicky smacked a wicked shot from 35 yards out. Granted, it was a wicked smash, but I think Keller should've got to it. Lastly, Onyewu failed to tackle Rosicky on his run to score the last Czech tally. At least Pope was decent. Keller really had no chance today, but Hislop (T&T's goalie) didn't either on Saturday, and he stopped several world-class shots. Please, please, somebody tell me why Bocanegra isn't in there?

As mentioned previously, the midfield play was horrific. I've already covered Donovan and Beasley. (To be fair, Donovan did play forward in the first half, but he really didn't contribute at either position.) Reyna was decent, and at least Convey made the effort to attack creatively. Maestroni was a non-factor. No one could get any service to the forwards. We were absolutely abused in the middle third of the field by the Czechs. O'brien was decent in the second half. Hopefully, he'll start in Beasley's place against Italy. Without marked improvement, the Italy match will be very similar to this one.

McBride - my guy - really had no chance to be a factor today, since very few quality balls were sent into him. However, even when he did get a chance to touch the ball, he was uncharacteristically sloppy and inconsistent. Eddie Johnson, who came on in the second half, was the most dangerous U.S. player, getting off the U.S.'s only quality shots, save Reyna's blast off the woodwork in the 28th minute. I really think Johnson will start against Italy, as he was one of the few that came to play.

I know that no one important in U.S. soccer cares what I think, but here's who I'd start Saturday:

GK - Keller
Def - Bocanegra, Pope, Conrad, Albright
Mid - O'Brien, Convey, Reyna, Donovan
F - McBride, Johnson

I'd also have Dempsey ready to come in if the midfield falters again. Wolff is also a player who can help create opportunities, so I'd have him available as well.

Maybe I just don't have the stomach for the World Cup, and I'm overreacting a bit. The U.S. is not out of it. They're into the second round if they win the next two matches, which is a tall order for sure. Italy will be every bit the challenge that the Czech Republic was, and Ghana is certainly capable of beating the U.S., especially if they play like they did today.

Since the World Cup comes only every four years, I'll still remain optimistic. The U.S. can't possibly play any worse than they did today. Maybe there's a chance they'll regroup, and at least make it interesting. Otherwise, I'll root for some of my other favorite teams - England, France, Portugal, and Trinidad and Tobago. (Wasn't Hislop amazing? Any fan of the sport had to appreciate their plucky effort against Sweden. If only the U.S. played with that much heart...)

Going on Holiday

Just a quick note... I'm leaving for vacation tomorrow. I'll be back at it in a couple of weeks. As a matter of fact, I'm just about ready to register my domain name and launch the website! I'm also working on adding a secret "European Correspondent" to the mix. :-)

I'll be watching the World Cup intently while on vacation. Hopefully, my correspondent friend and I will have some good coverage to kick off the new site!

Kevin

Did you see THAT?!

Welcome to the first rendition of my hopefully weekly commentary on the current round of MLS action. This edition is a little light, since my holiday weekend was very busy, and so was the U.S. Men's National team!

I caught the Colorado Rapids at Real Salt Lake from Saturday's round of matches. I picked this one to watch, because Clint Mathis and Jeff Cunningham always intrigue me. Both are lightening rods for controversy, but extremely talented. Mathis has been virtually invisible since his return to the MLS, but he was in the first eleven for this match. Once again, Cunningham played the role of "super sub," and once again, he got results. I don't quite understand it; Cunningham has 4 goals and 1 assist in just over one actual match in time accrued on the field in his last three matches, yet he doesn't start. Like him or hate him, the guy gets results, frequently.

The match was a spirited 2-2 draw, with Cunningham assisting on the tieing tally, short-handed, no less. Cunningham actually tied the match at 1-1, in the 73rd minute, with a penalty kick. Petke supposedly handed the ball in the box, even though the replay clearly showed he was two yards outside the penalty area. As Wynalda correctly predicted, Cunningham went high and to the right to score the equalizer. Don't the MLS squads have scouting reports?

Wasson substituted in and gave Colorado another lead off of a set piece in the 84th minute, just after Atiba Harris, who starts in front of Cunningham, was sent off with a second nasty tackle.

I'd bet Cunningham starts in the next match, but I digress.

Even though Real was short-handed, they were able to keep the pressure on by sending long balls to Cunningham. They struck gold again when Cunningham actually flicked one on to all-time MLS goals leader Jason Kreis, who finished despite the two-footed dive into his midsection by the goalie. Where was the card on that play, Mr. Referee? Oh, and for the exception of a couple of nice balls in the first half (and a couple of embarrassing free kicks), Mathis was once again pretty much invisible. He kept his composure, though, which is worth noting, since he is a notorious hot-head.

Ready to Go

I know the last two opponents for the U.S. Men's National Team were ranked in the bottom third of the FIFA top 100, but I'm pleased to get two relatively easy results to gain some momentum prior to heading overseas.

The U.S. absolutely dominated the first half against an over-matched Latvia squad, especially in the midfield. Only some great goalkeeping held the U.S. to only one tally in the first stanza. I was very impressed with how left back Eddie Lewis and right back Steve Cherundolo were able to get forward, gain possession, and send multiple good balls into the box on the attack. Cherundolo lacks Hejduk's stamina, pace, and endurance, but he makes up for it with better possession and service. Quite honestly, I was so excited to see a healthy Bocanegra against Venezuela, I'd temporarily forgotten about Lewis. I still think Boca is the better option, because he plays better defense, and he's more of a threat on set pieces. Lewis is no slouch, though, and offers a little more with his offensive abilities.

I absolutely love McBride. I don't understand why he doesn't wear the captain's arm band. Is there any harder worker, or tougher player, on the U.S. squad? He shows up every match, and always gives maximum effort. How about heading in the only goal, with that golf-ball sized welt on his forehead? Yeah, I know lots of guys play hurt, but that shot had to sting! He's always a threat, mostly in the air, but he can also play a clever ball to a teammate to set up a shot as well. There was some good chemistry between him and Eddie Johnson, who also looked consistent and effective for the majority of the match, and kept his composure despite several poor offsides calls and non-calls in the box. He can be dangerous, and he could be the "breakthrough" player for the U.S. in Germany, if they are to make a run.

The U.S. was a bit lackluster in the second half, as it was apparent that fatigue was catching up with them. As I predicted, Convey substituted O'Brien for the last 30 minutes of the match or so, and brought some life to the squad with his pace and excellent footwork. As usual, Keller stepped up when he needed to, and earned another clean sheet.

Although I don't think the U.S. is quite hitting on all cylinders, they've shown improvement with each match. It will take maximum effort, peak form, and a little luck, but I really think they can get out of their Group. The Czechs are hurting as well, and I've always felt that Italy is a bit overrated. A result against Ghana is an absolute must, but I believe the U.S. will either split against the Czechs and Italy, or win one and tie the other. Yes, I'm optimistic, but hey, it would stink to be pessimistic, since the World's most prestigious competition only comes once every four years!

Breathing a Little Easier

I know that since the U.S. qualified, the main purpose of most matches was to tinker with lineups and formations in order to find the most competitive mix for the World Cup. Aside from an inspired match in Poland, since the end of qualifying, the U.S. has been lackluster at best. Part of it is due to the fact that many of the European players were not available, but now that the roster is intact, it's heartening to finally see a result.

Convey was flat-out dominating. I'm thinking about 60 minutes of O'Brien and 30 minutes of Convey, per match, would be a great combination. As a matter of fact, if Reyna can't go, I'd like to see Convey and O'Brien on the pitch together.

It was nice to see a healthy Bocanegra again. In my opinion, Gibbs should've been behind him on the depth chart anyway, so the injury is less troublesome to the U.S. than it might appear. That second yellow-card against Bocanegra was a joke, and the first one was earned out of complete necessity due to the unsportsmanlike play of Venezuela, who was executing an attack after an injury to Josh Wolff (where was the card on that, by the way?). In addition, after the headbutt that Johnson took, and the elbow to Convey's face - both without cards - how can the ref justify giving Boca a card on that 50/50 ball? Horrendous...

Ching was hot-and-cold, but it was nice to see him finish one. He needs to be more commanding in the box, because he had some chances that he just didn't get to. I'd like to see him stay hot, though, as a little firepower with fresh legs off the bench will be a necessity in the tournament.

Overall, I feel much better about the U.S. after that effort-filled performance last night. Hopefully, we didn't peak in Poland, and we'll see similar efforts in the very near future.

Americanization of the World's Sport

Here's another "practice" article for my soon-to-be website... As always, comments are welcome!

Soccer, er “football” to the rest of the citizens on the planet, is the most popular sport in the world. It has a grand history, and a proven formula that has withstood the test of time and culture. Everywhere except the United States, that is.

We Americans can be pretty selective about what we embrace. We prefer something that’s primarily our own, like (American) football, basketball, or baseball. For some reason, if it comes from another land, we don’t fully embrace it as part of our culture. That’s ironic, considering how our great country was founded.

In order to see soccer succeed in the states, the MLS’s founding fathers found it necessary to adjust the “beautiful game” to make it more appealing to this market. Things like team nicknames, separate conferences, and a playoff system to provide a champion are all bastardizations of the rest of the world’s football. To some degree, I do think it’s worked, as the MLS has slowly caught on over the past decade, and to be fair, the MLS has made some adjustments to become more in line with what the rest of the world offers (for example, getting rid of the “golden goal” in league play).

However, I’d like to see more changes. First of all, I want one table for the league, where the regular season champion means something. This system worked for Major League Baseball in its inception, and I think the American public can relate to it. Quite frankly, a fourth place finisher really doesn’t deserve a shot at the championship, does it?

On an even more radical level, I love the concept of relegation. For those of you that aren’t familiar, the lowest teams in the table (probably the bottom two would suffice, in the current MLS), are relegated to the next league below the MLS, while the top finishers in the lower league in promotion to the MLS. What a great concept! To continue the baseball analogy, could you imagine the Kansas City Royals getting demoted to AAA, while the Columbus Clippers get promoted to the Major Leagues?! How exciting would that be?! Plus, it gives teams in the middle and at the bottom of the table something to play for as the season winds down. My fear is that the lower leagues don’t have the appeal nor the financial stability to make this work, at least right now.

Lastly, can we please get rid of the nicknames – at least the “official” ones? Only one team gets this right – FC Dallas. The Dynamo? The Crew? The Galaxy? Embarrassing, when compared to the rest of the world. Salt Lake tried, but really, “Real” Salt Lake? How about just “FC” Salt Lake (or any other city)? It’s simple, tried, and true. Let the fans come up with their own unique nicknames, as they build rapport with their club and its developing history.

I truly believe the world’s most popular sport can become America’s most popular sport, at least at some point in the future. The youth in mass are playing soccer instead of most other “American” sports, and over time, the fan base is going to continue its grassroots growth. A strong American performance on the stage known as the World Cup could accelerate this growth considerably, especially if the rest of the major sports continue tripping over themselves with labor strife, spoiled, petulant, overpaid athletes, and elitist ticket prices. Maybe this is a “pipe dream,” but 25 years from now, I wonder what the American sports landscape will look like…

Progress

Well, in my spare time this week, I've been using FrontPage 2000 to work up a prototype for my website. It's going pretty well. The website won't be a work of art, or cutting edge internet technology, but it should suffice as space for my content. And, we all know, content is king! Over time, I fully expect my site to grow commensurate with my improvement in skills.

I haven't heard back from the MLS in regard to using their name and trademarks/copyrights on my site. I might have to give them a call to get an answer. In the interim, I fully plan on progressing by keeping the site name and team/player references generic, meaning no use of official logos, pictures, etc. This shouldn't hold back my project.

I've been trying to come up with a solid name for the website, both with and without MLS support. Right now, I've settled on "soccerscribe.com," and the domain is available. I'm no marketer, though, so I'm up for any suggestions. Let me know if you have any! I'm also interested in any recommendations for a host that you may have...

Hopefully, I'll get some content up this weekend, after the next round of MLS matches. I'm thinking I'll post 2-3 articles a week at minimum during the season, with one regular entry entitled "Did you see that?", that comments on the major goings-on in the current week's games. I have a few other items up my sleeve as well!

Polarizing MLS Players

As promised, my first MLS "article." Bear with me as I work out the kinks!

Every sport has them; those players we just love to hate. Unless, of course, that player happens to be on the home team! In basketball, players like Kobe Bryant and Rasheed Wallace irk the masses, while appeal to the fans in their own respective gymnasiums. Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson come to mind in the NFL, and Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens certainly divide MLB fans. Well, in my experience, the MLS has those same types of players. Here is my list, and their stories:

1. Carlos Ruiz – FC Dallas – Ruiz is the league’s most celebrated “flopper,” as well as one the players most willing to circumvent the rules of fair play. Most recently, in his long list of offenses, he elbowed a Dynamo defender in the face in their 05/13/06 match, and then rolled on the ground as if they smacked heads. At least the referee called him on it, this time.

2. Clint Dempsey – New England Revolution – Dempsey has made quite a splash on the national scene in the last year with his creative play on the pitch. However, it appears that he may hold a higher opinion of himself than his status would indicate. He already has his own rap song. He recently was suspended by the Revolution for tussling with team captain Joe Franchino. Lastly, although he does play with passion and flair, he often loses his composure in the heat of the battle.

3. Kyle Martino – L.A. Galaxy – I take this one personally. “Mr. Rookie of the Year” just didn’t have it in his heart to give his best effort in Columbus. I don’t recall getting a discount on my tickets, because the team wasn’t delivering the best product! He expressed as much to Sigi, and fortunately, Sigi agreed. Now he’s in L.A., and will undoubtedly make an impression as a player who occasionally flashes skill when not knocked over by a strong gust of wind. Had he worked harder at making a creative play than trying to draw a foul, he might have had a few more assists and goals in Columbus.

4. Freddy Adu – D.C. United – Freddy’s just a kid. I don’t necessarily hold him accountable for everything that he’s endured in his brief career. It’s not his fault that he’s been hyped as the American version of Pele, and there’s no doubt that this level of hype has an impact on the fans’ perception of a player. It does seem that the hype may have gone to his head, though, as I find it pretty audacious that he’d complain about playing time at age 16 on a Major League club. Be happy that you’ve earned an opportunity that no one else in the history of the league has. He also voiced similar thoughts about actually playing on the U.S. World Cup team. Not yet, Mr. Adu. Prove it to me first.

5. Clint Mathis – Colorado Rapids – What happened to you, Clint? I can only conjecture that you let your temper keep you from becoming the international star you were destined to become. There is no bigger whiner in the league than Mathis. There is no doubt this has made him a bench player on the Rapids, and it got him removed from both his German club and the U.S. National team. It’s all about the proper attitude, and an attitude like his makes him hard to admire.

6. Jeff Cunningham – Real Salt Lake – Jeff is one of the best 1 v 1 players in the league. He can be down right electric at times. He can also be downright selfish, putting his interest ahead of the team’s, and pouting when things don’t go his way. Again, being a Crew fan, I’ve observed this in the first person. It’s a roller coaster ride rooting for Jeff, and many don’t have the stomach for it.

7. Ante Razov – Chivas USA – Did I just describe Jeff Cunningham? I could copy-and-paste virtually the same text for Ante. He is a clinical finisher, and a colossal jerk. This guy can destroy a team, if he’s not happy. Why is it that a lot of my list consists of former Crew players (albeit briefly, in Ante’s case)?

8. Chris Armas – Chicago Fire – I really have nothing negative to say about Chris. He’s just a very aggressive player, and sometimes that aggression leads to tough fouls on players on your team. I respect a man of his stature that plays so hard, but I don’t like it when his boots meet up with the ankles of my guys. Chris is the epitome of a guy that I’d love to have on the Crew, but that I can’t stand when he plays against the Crew.

9. Frankie Hejduk – Columbus Crew – Fortunately, we have our own “enforcer” in Frankie Hejduk. I’m sure many opposing fans feel about Frankie exactly how I described my feelings for Armas. Frankie is a moderately skillful player, with a tireless work ethic, and a “tough guy” disposition. He’s just over-aggressive at times, which can lead to mistakes and bad fouls. He also has a temper, and acts a bit like a prima donna at times, but I wouldn’t trade him for anyone on this list.

10. Nick Garcia – Kansas City Wizards – This one is 100% personal. The cheap shot he laid on Knox Cameron at Crew Stadium was total bush league. This kind of play can’t be tolerated. At least the league gave him a 2-game suspension last season, even though the referee somehow didn’t see fit to show him a card.

11. Armando Guevara – New York Red Bulls – Armando reminds me a lot of Ruiz, but he’s even a bigger jerk and a greater problem for his club in the locker room and off the pitch. Case in point: after being substituted in the 55th minute in their 05/13/06 match against Chicago, he went to the locker room, showered, and watched the rest of the game from the stands with his wife. He also had heated arguments with his manager and with former GM Alexi Lalas prior to the season beginning. Armando puts the “ass” in “class.”

12. Adrian Serioux – Houston Dynamo – Adrian is a Canadian international, and he’s just begun his career in the MLS. So far, he’s off to an illustrious start with 3 yellow cards in his first 6 matches. Evidently, Nick Garcia is his mentor.

My Niche

I've long felt that in some way I want to express myself in writing - my passions, interests, and opinions. My first venture into this hobby came in the form of writing about video games, which I thoroughly enjoyed. However, with my slightly obsessive-compulsive behavior, I tended to turn each review from an entertaining endeavor into a term paper, which wore thin after a couple of years. Next came this blog; but the lack of structure has limited my desire to post items regularly. After much deliberation, I think I may have found my niche (for the moment, anyway).

I'm a big soccer fan. Soccer in the states has grown steadily over the last 10 years, but it just doesn't capture the American public like the other "big three" sports. This is evident based on the lack of "fan" coverage for our domestic league, the MLS. There are few - if any - credible "fansites" associated with MLS coverage. My hope is to add one to this small group. I'm not sure in which forum my soccer voice will appear, but I'm currently investigating my options. For ease of use, I may stay with the blog format. However, I've been interested in the challenge of creating and running my own site for years, so I'm leaning towards that option. I've actually contacted the MLS about permission to use their name and logos on my fan site, and I'm awaiting reply. Regardless, this next chapter in my life as a hobbyist writer will cover soccer in the United States.

I've already got some content ready. For the time being, I'll post it here, and use this as a "trial period" to polish my skills. When I figure out all of the particulars of running my own site, then I'll launch "officially." Hopefully, I'll connect with other like-minded fans, and start a grassroots effort to cover "the beautiful game" in the context of the United States, which most Americans and the rest of the world tend to ignore.

Wish me luck!

Olympics

I just can't get into the Olympics anymore... I thought, at first, that maybe it's because the games are dominated by pro athletes now, instead of amateurs chasing their dreams. However, I've come to realize that it's really the events that I don't like. The Olympics are full of events, not sports.

Let me get this out of the way... I do respect everyone's abilities to compete at their respective events. I may not enjoy or understand these events, but hey, to each his own.

That said, I'd actually like to see some sort of game at the Olympic games. The half-pipe? Figure skating? Ballroom dancing? Synchronized swimming? I think you get my point. Everything is a dance competition, not a competition. I appreciate everyone's artistic talent, I just don't see the place for these things in the Olympic games. Some may balk at the Luge and other similar events, but at least those are timed races, where artistic impression does not impact the outcome. I just don't like "subjective" games, I guess.

To top it off, they're officially removing Baseball and Softball - two legitimate games - from the Summer Olympics! Honestly, I couldn't care less... Bring on the World Cup, which is now by far my most-anticipated world competition. Things definitely have changed since the "miracle on ice."

Making a Difference

Many times, celebrities are the first to respond in the wake of a tragedy. It warms my heart when I see the many actors, professional athletes, writers, etc. make significant contributions to aid those that have suffered. For example, many from this group were the first to donate after the tsunami, or even more recently, after Katrina struck New Orleans.

Well, I'm happy to report that another celebrity has taken up a worthy cause. Pamela Anderson is now allocating all of her resources to remove the bust of Colonel Sanders from a Kentucky government building. In her esteemed opinion, KFC is cruel in the treatment of chickens.

I have to say, I agree with her. I wouldn't want to be slaughtered, plucked, and deep-fried, either. But, those chickens sure do taste good!

Ghost in the Stall

Long time readers of this blog - that would be me, and maybe one other person - may recall some of the harrowing restroom experiences I've endured since changing jobs and relocating to the "new" building. I had one such experience today.

My "normal" restroom was out of commission, due to janitorial personnel allegedly cleaning my satellite office. I went to the alternative establishment, next to the call center, and subsequently subject to much more traffic, unfortunately of the regenerate male youth archetype. Anyway, it was early in the morning, so it wasn't very crowded. And, I was alone in the restroom; or so I thought.

As I undertook my daily business, the toilet in the stall next to mine flushed. And flushed again. And flushed again. And again. It probably flushed fifteen times in the five minutes I occupied the adjacent facility. I pondered what situation could require fifteen flushes. Was there someone in there with major bowel problems? Was someone trying to discard evidence of some sort? Was the deposit stuck to the container? It would be improper to inquire as to the situation next door, so I waited a bit. After exiting my new field office, I observed that the door was ajar! The toilet - one with one of those infrared sensors - was flushing all by itself, with no one or no thing in there, at least visible to the naked eye. I can only conclude that the ghost of "Turd Ferguson" (bonus points to those that can recall my source for that name) was having a difficult time managing the toilet. At least it happens to those in the netherworlds, too...

Must See TV

ESPN... The total sports network...

Guess what ESPN 2 was showing all day? Reruns of previous National Spelling Bees! Maybe I missed something, but when did spelling become a sport? Or Poker, for that matter?

How bad is it for hockey when ESPN refuses to renew your contract, yet they show this crap?! Yeah, when flipping between bowl games, I want to see Sandy "Spellcheck" Simpson square off against Danny "the Dictionary" Dorfman in a blood and guts, single-elimination, knockout stage, battle royale to the finish to see who the best memorizer, er speller, was in 1997.

Boo-Yeah!

Somebody Wants Maurice Clarett

No, it's not the NFL, nor the CFL, nor NFL Europe. He's wanted right here in Columbus... by the Columbus Police Department, that is! Evidently, he must've made some New Year's Resolution! I heard on the radio this morning that he is wanted in connection with an armed robbery that took place around 2:00 AM in an alley behind the Opium Lounge. (Hmm, I wonder what goes on there?!) The report is that he allegedly flashed a handgun and forced two others to give up some of their personal property to him, and then fled in a white SUV.

It's a good thing he had a get-away vehicle, because after his trip to the NFL combine, I don't think he would've made it on foot!

By the way, I hope the rest of you have a better 2006 than the one that's shaping up for Mr. Clarret...

Mother of the Year

I was in EB Games today, and observed a young man no more than twelve years of age, with a wad of cash in his hand, and his mother in tow. He approached the counter, and in his yet-to-mature voice, asked the clerk for Blitz, the League. Recalling Bill Harris's rants in regard to the failure of the ESRB ratings system, I eagerly observed the transaction. The clerk looked at the mom, and advised her that this was a mature-rated game. Success! See, it does work!

The mother read the back of the box, verbalizing something about violence and drug use, and handed the box back to the clerk. Her little man in training basically said "pretty please," and she replied, "Oh, go ahead, it's not like I'm going to get the Mother of the Year Award."

No ma'am, you are not...

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had a happy holiday!

For those of you with primarily boys 8 and older, let me recommend a pretty cool game I picked up for my son for Christmas: Heroscape. The basic premise is that you actually build your own battlefield out of pre-cut hexagonal pieces, or create one based upon the maps included with the game, choose your armies from all kinds of "heroes" throughout history and fiction (Airborne troopers, Vikings, Samurai, mechs, etc.), and play against each other to accomplish the mission objective. Cards document the range, movement, attack, and defense of each "hero" type, and dice rolls determine the outcome. Pretty cool stuff! There are also expansion sets available. I can see my son and I playing this one on rainy days for many months to come. Why didn't they have cool games like this when I was a kid?! I digress...

I hope you got everything you wanted!

And, please allow me to wish you a Happy New Year!

Who Says the Gamecube is for Kids?

While doing some last-minute shopping at Meijer this afternoon, I decided to browse through the video game section to see if there were any good, last-minute, deals. Unfortunately, nothing caught me eye, but that's beside the point. While working my way down along the glass cases, I approached a young man (I'd say in his early 20's) playing Mario Soccer on the Gamecube. As I scanned the shelves beside him, I actually heard him cursing at the game, commenting in regard to Mario not being the position he was supposed to be in (although, those weren't his exact words).

The Gamecube, a "kiddy" console? I guess not! I have to wonder about someone expecting Mario Soccer to be a realistic simulation of the sport, though. Hmm... How long before Man United signs Donkey Kong?

What Makes a Game Great?

To some, it might be the game's composite rating at GameRankings. For others, it might be the graphics, or ultra-realistic gameplay, or Xbox Live compatibility, or something else. For me, a game is great when I think about it constantly when I'm not able to play it. There is just something about these kind of games that challenges me, frustrates me, and rewards me to the point where I'm preoccupied with it throughout the course of the day. It inspires me to search various message boards, GameFAQs, and other websites scrounging for information to improve my approach, tactics, and strategy. Games like these make playing video games a worthwhile investment in time and money as a hobby for me.

For what it's worth, of the games I'm playing now, NCAA Football 2006, FIFA 2006, Baseball Mogul 2K6, and to some degree, Operation Flashpoint, are great games, by my above-mentioned definition. Heroes of the Pacific and Jade Empire (two of my other recent acquisitions), eh, not so much. I'm eager to get into Fight Night Round 2, but I haven't as of yet. My only problem is I don't have time to be preoccupied with so many quality titles! Oh well... the life of an employed father-gamer...

Even More FIFA 06

I played around with career mode today, and it's pretty cool. You have three variables that are impacted by your performance and your actions (more on that in a minute): job security, team chemistry, and fan support. How much you win, and how you respond to media inquiries and other requests, as well as your financial performance, affect your job security (on a scale of 0-100). Don't let it dip too low, or you'll get fired (which happened to me)! In addition to your wins and reputation, how much you charge for tickets (low, medium, or high) affects fan support. Lastly, where you play players, who you play, and how you juggle the roster through transfers and signings impact team chemistry, which (supposedly) impacts player performance.

Periodically throughout the season, you will receive e-mails from management, questions from the media, and special requests (like visiting the sick child in the hospital). You're given a list of choices to respond to the inquiry, and what you choose can positively or negatively impact the three aforementioned variables. Football Manager fans are yawning right now, but I believe this is uncharted waters for console "football." EA has really made strides to add some of those extemporaneous features that mainly only text sims offer. They're not nearly as fleshed-out, but I appreciate the effort, and it adds to the immersion.

Other niceties include the ability to upgrade your coaching staff, which (supposedly) has in impact on the dynamic player ratings (they change game-to-game), and the ability to send a scout to different regions in the world to locate and sign players (outside of the transfer window, to boot). This all costs money, and your only sources of revenue are the sponsor contract you sign and ticket sales, so solid fiscal strategy and planning plays a role, especially considering that you'll want adequate funds for when the transfer market opens up. The one thing I don't like is that when you upgrade a coach (on a scale from 1 to 10), it actually gets rid of the old coach and gives you a new one. Realistically, during the season, there would never be that many coaching changes. I'd prefer to see some type of licensing system (like the real FIFA uses) instead, but it's a minor detail for me.

As I mentioned, while simulating my first year, I actually got sacked after a fairly long losing streak. The game simply simulates to the end of the season, and then you're back to where you started - taking a job, signing a sponsorship contract, and so forth. My friend Adam will be delighted to hear that his beloved Hartlepool welcomed me with open arms after I failed miserably with my less-than-adequate Columbus Crew! It is a game, though, and it wouldn't be fun if it were TOO realistic!

FIFA Quirks

All is not perfect in FIFA land, as I've found a couple of things that bother me...

First of all, I haven't found a way to turn off the "auto switch" on defense. Many times I'll be controlling a player, working my way into position for a tackle, and the computer switches me to another player. Or, I'll use the "A" button to manually switch, and get someone trailing the play by several yards. This is another example of player control where WE is far superior to FIFA. It shouldn't be this hard to control my players when playing defense.

The second niggling thing for me are the camera options. I fell in love with the "End-to-End" camera in practice mode, getting comfortable facing the goal with the majority of the field in front of me. However, when playing my first game in career mode, I noticed that the orientation doesn't change, so for half the game, I see the majority of the field behind me, not in front of me. It's too darn hard to play offense that way. So, I had to switch to the "Sideline" camera, which forced me to change all of my stick movements by 90 degrees, and didn't show me as much of the field. Needless to say, it's time to go back to the practice for me. A positive of the "Sideline" camera is that the speed is better represented, but there is a bit of stuttering from time-to-time.

Again, I'm still happy with FIFA, but it frequently reminds me that it's not WE on the pitch.

Viva la FIFA

Disclaimer: Although I really enjoy soccer, I'm still learing the game. These impressions are based upon my less-than-intermediate knowledge of the sport, so those of you with more experience and understanding my have some different opinions. If so, please feel to offer your thoughts in the comments section!

I've put in about 3-4 hours with FIFA 06, and I must say, I think this is shaping up to be the finest version of EA's FIFA that I've ever played. Yes, it's still the little brother of Winning Eleven in terms of gameplay, but it is definitely improving. Add in the off-the-field stuff that WE lacks - specifically, licenses (yes, I'm a license whore), and online play - and I think FIFA is a nice compliment to any soccer lover's collection.

The biggest change is that your teammates and opponents appear to behave much more naturally and realistically this year. Your defenders will creep up into the attack. The opponent will seek you out defensively, as opposed to standing still until you run into their "zone of coverage." Also, the set pieces appear less like structured one-on-one contests and more like team plays, and the defenders scramble to get the ball out of the penalty area. Goal kicks still don't travel as far as I think they should, but maybe it's just that I need to improve my understanding of the power meter. Given the six pages of instruction in the manual, I'm pretty sure I still have a lot to learn with the controls. At least EA included a practice mode, and about 1 minute's worth of tutorials (why can't they do something like NCAA Football '06? I digress.).

FIFA really falls short of WE on the pitch in two main areas, in my humble opinion. First of all, the ball just doesn't move as freely as it does in WE, especially when using the through ball to kick the ball into space. It still seems like a string is attached to the ball, to some degree. Also, although FIFA has decent player control options with First Touch, the Pace button, and the Move Stick, it still doesn't seem as uninhibited as WE. WE just has more move combinations available, and I think it does a better job of limiting what the lesser players can do with the ball on their foot.

It's still early in the game, and I have no idea how well balanced it is, but so far, I'm liking it. The 15 year career mode is very enticing to me, and I can also play out the World Cup by creating a knockout tournament, so with a little effort, I won't need to purchase a whole new version of FIFA as I get caught up in the World Cup frenzy. For $39 new, I think I'm going to get my money's worth.

More Good Distractions

Here I was, just a couple of weeks ago, all set to bury myself inside of College Hoops 2K6, and maybe even attempt to write a big review of it, like the good old days. I was off to a pretty good start, and then, if you've read any of the previous posts, ran into some obstacles; although they've been for the good of the family, so I'm not complaining.

This weekend, I had Christmas with my family. Santa was very good to me, and I got Operations Flashpoint Elite, Heroes of the Sky, FIFA 2006, and Fight Night Round 2 for Christmas. With so much gaming goodness, I don't think I'll be writing a thesis on College Hoops 2K6 any time soon! Counting College Hoops 2K6, I've got 5 brand new games to sink my teeth into! I was already up to 2:00 AM last night just getting my feet wet with my new titles (man, Flashpoint is hard!), and I loved every minute of it. I haven't played like that for a long time...

My plan now is just to continue to share my experiences here on all of these great titles, plus undoubtedly some good Christmas stories with the kids, reactions to the goings on in the world and the world of sports, and some family stories. I'm excited about gaming again! I'm not sure where it will carry me, but I plan to enjoy the ride.

The Return of the Cadavaliers

Here I was, excited about the Cavs this year, thinking they added enough spare parts to LeBron to legitimately compete. After starting pretty strong, they've now lost 5 out of 6, and 7 out of the last 10, including a 100-94 loss at home to the lowly Hawks! I'm now sitting through a 16-4 run by Denver to put them ahead 35-33, at Cleveland. I still think they need a legitimate PG and PF, as Snow has seen his best days in Philly, and Gooden just isn't tough enough. A guy like Artest would be a perfect fit for Cleveland's needs, but I don't want that clown here. I guess, in some weird way, I feel better "losing with integrity" than winning with jerks like Artest. It's a long season; we shall see what happens.

I haven't played much NCAA Hoops lately. With my wife just going back to work full-time (yeah!), Daddy has had some extra duties. I get a little break this weekend, so hopefully I can get in some games. I must also admit that I've been distracted by Baseball Mogul 2K6. I read Moneyball again last month, and I'm determined to "Billy Beane" my Tribe to a World Championship! And on the Manager level, I don't have much to work with, just like real life. I am approaching it a little differently, by watching every game, and monitoring the daily transaction wire, as opposed to "simming" weeks at a time. The game has some quirks, like the Reds releasing Shane Reynolds, who was making $316,000 at the time, and then re-signing him the next day for $2,000,000! No wonder the Reds suck! Seriously, though, I'm enjoying it as the best "GM Simulator" on the market. Good stuff.

Of Great Philosophers

"Why do today, what you can put off 'til tomorrow." - some great philosopher dude

Technically, I have until the end of the quarter to take my insurance exam. Next Monday is not the end of the quarter. Through the wonders of technology, I was able to re-schedule my exam for the afternoon of the 29th, which officially makes this exam the last work-related thing I will do in 2005. I hope to go out with a bang!

Now, I can pace myself a bit (I am about half-way prepared), and allow adequate time for the more important things in life, like TV, video games, sports, eating until I explode, and falling asleep in my easy chair...

Back to School

Our company provides us the opportunity to further understand the industry in which we operate by sponsoring our participation in "Insurance Education." There are many organizations in the insurance world that provide certifications, licenses, and other industry-related educational opportunities that are recognized within our business community, and to some degree, by the public at large (for example, a person who holds a Certified Financial Planner license). These courses aren't "mandatory," but they are usually good for the employee's resume' when he or she tries to ascend the company ladder. Plus, quite frankly, insurance isn't the easiest business to understand, so these courses do give employees the ability to see the "bigger picture" more clearly in relation to what they do individually, and what the company does on the whole.

Anyway, since my recent history with the company has been in technology and training, most of the extemporaneous education I completed was in relation to technology (A+ certification, MOUS certification, etc.). I really enjoyed learning this information and applying it to my position, so it wasn't very difficult for me to get motivated to study. However, now that I'm in the Life Insurance side of the business, my "industry education" is back to learning about insurance (specifically, Life insurance this time).

I'm having difficulty making time to study! Soccer season is over, so theoretically, I have more time for my leisurely pursuits. But no, I have to crank out a chapter a night to prepare for an exam in 6 days! Man, I didn't plan that very well. Plus, there are going to be some openings for a promotion at the end of the month, so I need to make sure my resume indicates that I've successfully completed some of this training, so the pressure is on to succeed. This weekend, I'm going to my parents' to celebrate Christmas, and I know that I'm getting at least three new video games. What to do, what to do!

Well, at least the test is multiple choice, er I mean, multiple "guess," in my case!

I Can Spin Again - sort of

After poking around the GameFAQs boards for College Hoops 2K6, I did discover that you can force the dribbler to spin, using an alternate controller configuration, by holding the turbo button down and executing the "pro hop." However, the only drawback is that the player will pick up his dribble at the completion of the move. Therefore, you can't use the spin dribble to evade the defender, unless you're looking to shoot. "Alternate A" controls give you the spin move (actually, the "pro hop" move) in lieu of the option of directing another player to cut. At first, I thought I'd have to choose between the two, and frankly, I liked both options. However, "Alternate B" moves the option to direct another player to cut to the "X" button, and since I'm using the stick exclusively to shoot, this control scheme works out for me. It's all about choices, baby!

I fooled around more in Coach mode for my "test" dynasty today, and I really think I'm going to like it. I'm a veteran of the Flex offense, so naturally I chose that playbook. I'm also a big proponent of man-to-man defense, and combining that with options for the amount of pressure to apply to each player, and when to double-team each player, there's a nice level of control over how your team defends. I didn't even mention the zone and press options, which are plentiful. I really enjoy calling the shots on the fly, and trying to exploit matchups, all while watching the games from the sideline. I'm convinced I'll be running concurrent playing and coaching dynasties.

So far, I'm liking everything I see about this game, but again, I've got a long way to go...

NCAA College Hoops 2K6 - Entry #2

I spent some more time today attempting to get my bearings both on and off the court. I do think they did a solid job with the Drills in practice mode, as I was able to get much more comfortable with dribble moves, playing defense, shooting and shot timing, and passing. My use of the "shot stick" has improved as well, as I'm trying to use it exclusively to fire up the rock. Also, I think it works quite well on defense, as it's nice not have to move my thumb to the buttons to attempt to steal or block a shot. I'm still a little "iffy" on the lack of precise player control in terms of ball-handling, but it looks like I'm just going to have to deal with the computer-controlled decision to crossover or go behind the back as I work the left stick and the right trigger. I have yet to see a spin move, which is still troubling me. That said, after a little practice, I'm really liking everything else about player control and movement, both offensively and defensively.

I spent more time in the in-game manual, and the more I read, the more impressed I am with the depth of the "Dynasty" mode in this game. Off the top of my head, I truly don't think they've missed anything. Obviously, the execution is still up in the air for me, but it's as deep as a text-sim off the court. Combine that with strong on-court play (so far), and this game has the potential to be a top level sports game! That is, assuming nothing wonky goes on with all of the depth and gameplay options. I am hearing some things that concern me a bit, but the question is are the problems going to be big enough to ruin this title for me. I hope not. Every game has quirks and mistakes, and it's up to the individual user in regard to their tolerance level. We shall see.

It wasn't clear from the manual if you could play a Dynasty game in Coach mode, so I set up a "test" dynasty to see how things work. Again, the depth is impressive, as I had to sign my assistant coaches, choose a school (I am "testing" in Career mode) modify lineups, make red-shirt decisions, recruit, and so forth up to the first game. Sure enough, when I selected to play my first game, I had the option to play or coach (you can also simulate games to speed through the season, if you like). I'm really thinking I'll be playing a "Coach mode" dynasty right along with a dynasty where I play all of the games.

I should mention that there are lots of options and sliders to work through. Hopefully, the game plays pretty good at default. If not, by the time I get around to playing it, I'm sure someone else will have figured out the perfect set of settings, which is apparently some kind of science. I'm happy that at least I have the option to customize my gameplay experience, if need be.

That's all for now. Honestly, I still have a lot to get my arms around, but I think I'll have fun doing it.

Daddy's Girl

My daughter… She's 6 1/2 years old, and she truly is my little baby doll. She's everything you'd imagine and want your little girl to be. She takes ballet, she sings, she loves to draw and color, she writes her own books - and tapes the pages together to make a binding, she plays sports, she dresses up, and she loves to tell stories and jokes. I could go on and on, as most fathers could when speaking of their children. Like most dads, I have a few terms of endearment for my little angel, like "Princess," or "Gorgeous," or "Love."

Just the other day, she surprised me once again. She raced upstairs excitedly, which she normally does to give me some of her artwork, or to ask me to look at her new invention, but this time it was to talk of one of her own personal accomplishments. She was so proud of herself, she was glowing!

"Daddy, I set a new record for kills with 23!"

Another thing my baby girl does is play video games, and she set a personal best in Star Wars Battlefront II. I even came up with a new term of endearment for her: "Crazy Killah." That's my girl - artist, dancer, singer, comedian, athlete, beauty queen, scholar, writer, and dispatcher of Rebel scum. I couldn't be prouder!