The Beautiful Game

I grew up playing soccer in Casper, WY where it was a somewhat popular sport in the '80s. My first memory of fandom is the 1986 World Cup tournament when I spent the better part of three weeks camped out in front of ESPN watching the likes of Diego Maradona and Roberto Baggio ply their craft. With the move to Texas in 1988, my interest waned except for an occasional check-in on the US National team and the World Cup that rolled around every 4 years.

That passing interest was rekindled about two years ago when I was bored one day and found myself cruising through Youtube and somehow ended up on a highlight reel featuring Steven Gerrard, the brilliant Liverpool midfielder. I knew I was instantly hooked. In the last few years, I've become a close follower of the English Premier League, the Champions League, numerous national teams, and have a working knowledge of the Spanish Primera League and Serie A (the Italian League). I "get" why so many across the world (sans Americans) are infatuated with the "beautiful game." As a matter of fact, I join them in the infatuation.

I once heard someone, in describing the game, state that every trip down the pitch (field) is like a novela. While that might be hyperbole, there is an element of truth in it if you really pay attention to the game. It's a game of skill, imagination, strength, and incredible physical fitness. I'm not sure why Americans have not appreciated the game to any great degree, especially with so many kids growing up playing the game over the past two decades, but it probably has to do with the perceived lack of action brought about by the presence of few actual goals scored. I hope that changes over time.

So, how much of a soccer nerd am I? Well, I own a handful of jerseys that I've picked up off of eBay or while working in Ireland. I have a Fernando Torres jersey from the Spanish national team. I have Fernando Torres Liverpool jersey. I have a Peter Crouch Portsmouth jersey. And I have a long line of other jersey's I'm "watching" on eBay. While working in Ireland I seriously considered spending my free weekend riding the ferry across from Dublin to Liverpool in order to attend a match. I catch every match I can on espn360 and the ones I miss I catch the highlights on footytube.com after the fact. I'm on the soccer sites daily in the offseason to watch player movement amongst the teams (especially Liverpool as I have adopted them as "my team"). I'm a nerd. I admit it. But I have no plans of changing as I love the game.

For those that might have interest, google or Youtube any of the following to see the who's who of the soccer world:

- Fernando Torres (Liverpool striker and Spanish national)

- Steven Gerrard (Liverpool and English national)

- Carlos Tevez (Manchester City and Argentine national)

- Cristiano Ronaldo (boooo - Real Madrid and Portuguese national)

- Ronaldinho (flashy player that has seen better days, AC Milan and Brazilian national)

- Robinho (Manchester City and Brazilian national)

- Lionel Messi (Barcelona and Argentine national)

- Thierry Henry (Barcelona and French national)

- Kaka (Real Madrid and Brazilian national)

- Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Barcelona and Swedish national)

- Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast national)

- David Villa (Valencia and Spanish national)

- Wayne Rooney (Manchester United and English national)

If you want a few American names:

- Landon Donovan (plays for LA Galaxy, but will be playing in Europe next year no doubt)

- Oguchi Onyewu (plays for AC Milan in Italy)

- Michael Bradley (plays in Germany)

- Clint Dempsey (plays for Aston Villas in England)

- Jozy Altidore (plays for Hull City in England)

URGENT ACTION NEEDED!

Considering my political views, and specifically my voiced opposition to the Obamanation's health care to ruin America plan, I need all that read this post to report me to the White House. Read this link to find out why and how: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/08/05/pr-war-erupts-dems-gop-health-reform/

This is eerily reminiscent of the Hugo Chavez et. al. method of government in which you ask your supporters to report those in opposition in order to censor the opposition. Hugo shut down private media today. When do you suppose the Obamanation will do that? Perhaps the Obamanation read the book Chavez gave him a few months back at the U.N. meeting? Could they be sharing notes?

People, WAKE UP! The Obamanation is going to RUIN everything that is still right about this country! Voice your displeasure in spite of the possibility of being reported! If you don't, we're going to lose all freedom and you won't even have the ability to protest in a short while! Silence is assumed to be acceptance of his fascist ways!

Hosanna by the GREAT Andrew Peterson

I am tangled up in contradiction.

I am strangled by my own two hands.

I am hunted by the hounds of addiction.

Hosanna!

I have lied to everyone who trusts me.

I have tried to fall when I could stand.

I have only loved the ones who loves me.

Hosanna!

O Hosanna!

See the long awaited king come to set his people free.

We cry O Hosanna! Come and tear the temple down.

Raise it up on holy ground. Hosanna!

I have struggled to remove this raiment,

tried to hide every shimmering strand.

I contend with these ghosts and these hosts of bright angels.

Hosanna!

I have cursed the man that you have made me,

as I have nursed the beast that bays for my blood.

Oh, I have run from the one who would save me.

Save me, Hosanna!

O Hosanna!

See the long awaited king, come to set his people free.

We cry O Hosanna! Come and tear the temple down.

Raise it up on holy ground. Hosanna!

You have crushed beneath your heel the vile serpent.

You have carried to the grave the black stain.

You have torn apart the temple’s holy curtain.

You have beaten Death at Death’s own game.

Hosanna!

O Hosanna!

Hail the long awaited king, come to set his people free.

We cry O Hosanna! Won’t you tear this temple down,

raise it up on holy ground.

O Hosanna!

I will lift my voice and sing: you have come and washed me clean.

Hosanna.

Eva Kate Creel

Ms. Eva has arrived!

I was summonsed home from VBS on Thursday night as Rachael thought it might be time to head to the old horsepital. So, we finally meandered to L&D around 11PM. There was actually much doubt (after an hour of observation) whether we needed to stay or return home as the contractions were 5 minutes apart but not too intense (which, I know, is relative...especially for a man). About 1AM, the decision was made that we were to stay as they wanted to get Rachael started on an antibiotic IV as they thought the baby would probably be born sometime in the afternoon. So, for about a while Rachael and I wandered the halls but were told to be back in the room by 1:40AM for the next check up. By 1:30, the intensity of the contractions was much increased and Rachael told me she had the urge to push (something she didn't remember having with Nolan). So, I was told to go fetch the nurse around 2:15 and have her do the next exam. Needless to say, things had changed FAST and the preparations went into high gear and the good MD showed up in the room within minutes. So, we knew they meant business. Around 2:45 or so the dose of antibiotics had been delivered and the pushing began. At 2:53 Ms. Eva was born.

First, let me say that women that birth children are my heroes. I think I have a high pain tolerance, but I don't think for a minute I could give birth to a child. Rachael chose to give birth naturally and I have to say, she's an absolute trooper!

Second, there is absolutely nothing pretty about the birthing process. Nothing. Yeah, it's miraculous, and yes, it's a very cool experience, but it isn't pretty.

Third, we are in love with Eva! Even Nolan! :-)

Stats:

7 lbs. 14 ozs.

19.5" long

Mid-Season Review

With the all-star break occuring over the last few days, I am in baseball withdrawal. Allow me to reflect on the first half of the Rangers season:

* They are well ahead of where I expected them to be in the standings
* They are slightly ahead of where I expected them to be in wins (I thought around .500)
* The pitching is, without a doubt, the bright spot in the season:
- Best starting staff in years
- Young guys are getting experience and performing rather well
- Scooter Feldman is a BIG surprise
- The bullpen is above average
- The back end of the bullpen I still question a bit...I don't trust CJ Wilson
- Millwood is in a contract year and you can tell it
* The offense has bright spots, but also has concerns
- Michael Young is Michael Young...you get the same from him every year and that's good
- Nelson Cruz is the real deal
- Ian Kinsler is being exposed...hopefully he adjusts
- I am VERY happy with the contribution of Elvis Andrus
- Hank Blalock thinks he's Babe Ruth and has to start trying to drive the ball not jack it out every time

The problem for me is to keep my focus on the future, not now. All along this team has been built for 2010 and beyond and we have to keep that top of mind. My worst fear is that JD does something REALLY stupid to mortgage the future in hopes of making a real run this year. I can understand the temptation, but PLEASE don't do it like the Rangers have done so many times in the past! I hope Nolan Ryan exerts his influence on any and all personnel moves.

At any rate, let's hope for a run this year with no damage done to the future!