Ted's Polish-Mexican Page
28 września 2007
Another Marker That I Am Officially Old
24 września 2007
It Never Takes Long
My brother saw the New Pornographers on Friday night. Just for grins, he checked YouTube yesterday and sure enough, someone had already posted a video of the show.
Of course, he first complained that someone would post the video without the band's permission, then complained that the guy could have picked a better song.
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
Of course, he first complained that someone would post the video without the band's permission, then complained that the guy could have picked a better song.
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
23 września 2007
Marcel Marceau
Marcel Marceau has died. Click here for an audio clip.
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
22 września 2007
Win One For Joe Gaetjens!
US vs England today...hey Kelly Smith, just remember what happened last time.Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
20 września 2007
Best Matchup So Far
The first round of the Women's World Cup is over. What has been the best matchup so far? Howzabout US v Nigeria? This isn't because of any special play or anything like that. This is why:United States
GK: Hope Solo
Nigeria
GK: Precious Dede
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
18 września 2007
Hooligans Acting Like Gentlemen...or Ladies
I was watching one of ESPN's broadcasts of the Women's World Cup. Tony DiCicco talked about the new tie-breaker, the "Fair Play" ranking. Each team starts with ten points, and then loses 1 point for a yellow card, two points for a sending off for a second yellow and three points for a red card. DiCicco's broadcast partner remarked that this was so complicated it might require a calculator.What, to subtract two from ten?
I thought, hey, what if they did this in MLS. It turns out that they do something like that. Their "Fair Play" system is a heck of a lot more complicated, but comes down to reds and yellows, with consideration to teams that have "clean games." You can find them at the bottom of this article.
Note to those of you that think that New York Red Bulls and New England Revolution are a bunch of hacks (me for New York, and I'm looking at you Dan Loney for New England): guess what the number one and two teams are?
In last...the "class" of Major League Soccer, DC United.
Then I thought...let's apply a rough version of this system to TRD. I went by the same system used in the Women's World Cup, since there are as few games being evaluated. I started them at 10 (good a spot as any), and took one off for anyone sent to the box for minor penalty accumulation, two off for a major, and three for an expulsion. Note that the stats do not include the final and the third place match (which included the only expulsion I can think of this season), since the stats have not yet been posted.Copper Queens: -48
Furious Truckstop Waitresses: -56
Iron Curtain: -109
Vice Squad: -110
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
17 września 2007
Hey Natalie, This Explains Everything
My friend Prairie Rose sent me this article that was published in the Orange County Weekly a couple of years ago. It is an attempt to explain Morrissey's popularity among American Latinos. Good article, but comparing Morrissey to Pedro Infante? Puh-leeze.Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
16 września 2007
Never Have I Been Prouder that Pablo Mastroeni Once Played for the Tucson Amigos (Pt 2)
SI.com's Extra Mustard feature includes responses from both Pablo Mastroeni and Adam Christman. Pablo's responses veer towards the...well, lets just say that he has a one track mind.
I can't complain too much, at least he was honest. If that had featured elected officials, they would have all claimed the Bible as their favorite book growing up.
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
I can't complain too much, at least he was honest. If that had featured elected officials, they would have all claimed the Bible as their favorite book growing up.
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
15 września 2007
Let's Rock With the Tough Girls
I decided not to do do a full blown preview of tonight's match. Suffice it to say this:
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
- The Furious Truckstop Waitresses have only lost one game against a TRD opponent in their entire existence. But...
- That game was a championship match against VICE Squad
- VICE Squad had a tougher than expected time beating novice squad Copper Queens last week. But...
- FTW had a suprisingly difficult match against perrenial last place Iron Curtain last week.
- Unlike the last championship, FTW will be without stalwarts Fisti Cuffs and Jezebelle. But...
- VICE Squad has lost Dirty Teri to the Copper Queens and Hard Anya has left the league.
Suffice it to say...close match.
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
14 września 2007
Midweek Soccer Notes
I'm not sure even how to take this. Evidently, Morrissey is a Chivas USA fan. Yeah, doesn't make any sense to me either.
One of Abby Wambach's goals today was scored after Stina Segerstrom fouled Lori Chalupny.
What sort of person would foul a sweet redheaded girl like Lori Chalupny?
Charlie Brown would be pissed.
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
One of Abby Wambach's goals today was scored after Stina Segerstrom fouled Lori Chalupny.What sort of person would foul a sweet redheaded girl like Lori Chalupny?
Charlie Brown would be pissed.
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
13 września 2007
Boring Week
I am supposed to have something to write. My responsibility as a blogger. What do you do when you have nothing to write though?
I picked up a game called Justinian. It was over at Game Daze for 20% off. Maybe that should have warned me off. The rule book is four pages in small print, but it didn't take me long to explain it to one of my students. Then he went on to almost beat me. Almost. I'm supposed to meet Eric Lybeck tonight to try it again. We'll see how it goes.
I saw an ad for the KIIM Country Music Festival. The ad starts with Max attempting to play "Courtesy the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)" before being interrupted by Shannon. Oh, those morning DJs, so whacky. Where was the Porkchop?
Anyhow, Max and Shannon proceed to tell us about the KIIM Country Music Festival featuring country music "legends." Who are these legends? Conway Twitty? Alabama? Loretta Lynn?
Nope. Clay Walker and Neal McCoy. This is what qualifies as "legends" in country music these days. Next up: KFMA features punk legends Sum 41, and KUAZ features jazz legends Rudder.
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
I picked up a game called Justinian. It was over at Game Daze for 20% off. Maybe that should have warned me off. The rule book is four pages in small print, but it didn't take me long to explain it to one of my students. Then he went on to almost beat me. Almost. I'm supposed to meet Eric Lybeck tonight to try it again. We'll see how it goes.I saw an ad for the KIIM Country Music Festival. The ad starts with Max attempting to play "Courtesy the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)" before being interrupted by Shannon. Oh, those morning DJs, so whacky. Where was the Porkchop?
Anyhow, Max and Shannon proceed to tell us about the KIIM Country Music Festival featuring country music "legends." Who are these legends? Conway Twitty? Alabama? Loretta Lynn?
Nope. Clay Walker and Neal McCoy. This is what qualifies as "legends" in country music these days. Next up: KFMA features punk legends Sum 41, and KUAZ features jazz legends Rudder.
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
11 września 2007
United States 2 - Korea PR 2
Note to the coaching staff: Put Tasha Kai in earlier. I'm not saying start her, but she's got this ability to mess things up for tired defenses. Game like this, she could have at least opened things up for the other players up top.
The Terry Butcher - Brian McBride award goes to Abby Wambach, who played the match in a jersey stained in her own blood. It would have only been more hardcore had it been Ri Kim Suk's blood.
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
10 września 2007
Idiomatic Notes
When using "freaking," "effing," or "frigging" (or, a profane equivalent) as an adjective in combination with a proper name, there are some idiomatic oddities that a speaker or writer must keep in mind.
When constructing an exclamation, using one of the above gerunds as an adjective in front of a full name indicates a negative feeling about the actions of that person. For example:
On the other hand, placing the gerund into the middle of a name, indicates a generally positive view of the subject. For example:
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
When constructing an exclamation, using one of the above gerunds as an adjective in front of a full name indicates a negative feeling about the actions of that person. For example:
Effing Luciano EmilioThis, sent in an instant message by the author yesterday, says "I am not in approval of the actions of Luciano Emilio," or "Luciano Emilio has made me quite angry."
On the other hand, placing the gerund into the middle of a name, indicates a generally positive view of the subject. For example:
Brian Freaking McBrideThis has been used by one blogger as a way to say, "Brian McBride continues to impress me," or possibly "Brian McBride has done something that meets with my approval."
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
09 września 2007
"Hatch, I Think We Can Win..."
I neglected to do a preview of the Iron Curtain - Furious Truckstop Waitresses match. It's okay, none of you noticed and I would have been dead wrong about the match.
Not only did Iron Curtain make it a match, there were several points where they were in danger of winning. Granted, the Reds took advantage of some serious mistakes that FTW made in the first period (including a problem Betty Anarchy had with her skate that left her at less than top performance), but the fact that IC was able to take advantage of those mistakes is a huge improvement. I don't think you could have seen that even a couple of months ago.
In the end, FTW did what it does best: slowly opening up a lead that shut down offensive options for Iron Curtain. In the end, they had a still impressive 113 - 82 point victory.
The 82 points is the most they have scored since a bout in March of 2005 against a still new VICE Squad.
In the second bout, the VICE Squad had an equally tough match against the Copper Queens. They were always able to keep a little bit of a lead, but star jammer Penny Tenchery was unable to pile on the huge leads that she has been able to against weaker teams before.
Interestingly, we stood a good chance of both teams scoring in triple digits. Final score was 112-92.
For some reason, the crowd was a bit smaller than usual, no line at the snack bar. But, the fact that Iron Curtain looked like they could win their first game ever got the crowd amped. Not too many folks stayed for the second match though. Maybe they were played out. Eh?
I think I'm looking forward to next week's third place match more than the championship. Yeah, FTW vs VICE...been there, done that. IC vs Queens? Now that both know they can win that game, it'll be fun.
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
Not only did Iron Curtain make it a match, there were several points where they were in danger of winning. Granted, the Reds took advantage of some serious mistakes that FTW made in the first period (including a problem Betty Anarchy had with her skate that left her at less than top performance), but the fact that IC was able to take advantage of those mistakes is a huge improvement. I don't think you could have seen that even a couple of months ago.
In the end, FTW did what it does best: slowly opening up a lead that shut down offensive options for Iron Curtain. In the end, they had a still impressive 113 - 82 point victory.
The 82 points is the most they have scored since a bout in March of 2005 against a still new VICE Squad.
In the second bout, the VICE Squad had an equally tough match against the Copper Queens. They were always able to keep a little bit of a lead, but star jammer Penny Tenchery was unable to pile on the huge leads that she has been able to against weaker teams before.
Interestingly, we stood a good chance of both teams scoring in triple digits. Final score was 112-92.
For some reason, the crowd was a bit smaller than usual, no line at the snack bar. But, the fact that Iron Curtain looked like they could win their first game ever got the crowd amped. Not too many folks stayed for the second match though. Maybe they were played out. Eh?
I think I'm looking forward to next week's third place match more than the championship. Yeah, FTW vs VICE...been there, done that. IC vs Queens? Now that both know they can win that game, it'll be fun.
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
08 września 2007
Scouting Report: VICE Squad v Copper Queens
Tonight's first playoff match will be VICE Squad v Copper Queens. Doors open at 6:00 at Bladeworld. Yeah, I said six...that means you gotta leave the house earlier.
Copper Queens:
Previous Match: Furious Truckstop Waitresses 102 – CQ 62 (21 Jul)
Season Record: 1 - 2
Leading Scorer: Cheap Ore (P/J) – 128 points in 26 jams
Leading Defender: Ferocious Oxide (P/J) – 81 blocks, 12 penalties (1 major)
Probable Absences: None
VICE Squad:
Previous Match: VS 122 – Iron Curtain 46 (18 Aug)
Season Record: 2 – 1
Leading Scorer: Penny Tencherry (J/B) – 131 points in 39 jams
Leading Defender: Whiskey Mick (P/J) – 113 blocks, 22 penalties (7 major)
Probable Absences: None
Previous Meetings (Winner in bold):
VS 102 – CQ 28 (14 Apr 2007)
Ted's Expert Analysis (unless otherwise noted, stats for jammers from last bout played):
Don’t let the score from their last meeting fool you. The Copper Queens have improved greatly over the intervening time. In that first match, they depended largely on veteran Dirty Teri (who scored over half of their points in that match). Over the last few matches, both their offense and defense has become stronger and less dependent on her, as evidenced by their win against Iron Curtain (106-71) and their performance (albeit in a losing effort) against champions Furious Truckstop Waitresses.
Despite the improvements, expect VICE Squad to win this one. Copper Queens are strong enough now to take advantage of a mistake here and there. Expect them to keep this interesting deep into the match.
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
Copper Queens:
Previous Match: Furious Truckstop Waitresses 102 – CQ 62 (21 Jul)
Season Record: 1 - 2
Leading Scorer: Cheap Ore (P/J) – 128 points in 26 jams
Leading Defender: Ferocious Oxide (P/J) – 81 blocks, 12 penalties (1 major)
Probable Absences: None
VICE Squad:
Previous Match: VS 122 – Iron Curtain 46 (18 Aug)
Season Record: 2 – 1
Leading Scorer: Penny Tencherry (J/B) – 131 points in 39 jams
Leading Defender: Whiskey Mick (P/J) – 113 blocks, 22 penalties (7 major)
Probable Absences: None
Previous Meetings (Winner in bold):
VS 102 – CQ 28 (14 Apr 2007)
Ted's Expert Analysis (unless otherwise noted, stats for jammers from last bout played):
Don’t let the score from their last meeting fool you. The Copper Queens have improved greatly over the intervening time. In that first match, they depended largely on veteran Dirty Teri (who scored over half of their points in that match). Over the last few matches, both their offense and defense has become stronger and less dependent on her, as evidenced by their win against Iron Curtain (106-71) and their performance (albeit in a losing effort) against champions Furious Truckstop Waitresses.
Despite the improvements, expect VICE Squad to win this one. Copper Queens are strong enough now to take advantage of a mistake here and there. Expect them to keep this interesting deep into the match.
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
06 września 2007
More YouTubin'
Del Effin' Shannon. Here he is performing "Keep Searchin'" on Top of the Pops back in Nineteen Hundred and Sixty Five, complete with extras from the next Austin Powers movie.
Okay, before a certain woman writes me, I know Del Shannon's middle name wasn't "Effin'". For that matter, his name wasn't really Del Shannon either.
As fantastic a song as "Runaway" is, I always liked this one more. Don't know why really. (Oh, you can check out a kinescope of Del's performance of that one here. I have no idea what is with the women parading around the podium.) "Keep Searchin'" was Del's final top ten hit here and in the UK, although he made the top 40 several more times.
Had he not committed suicide, Del would be 73 this December.
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
Okay, before a certain woman writes me, I know Del Shannon's middle name wasn't "Effin'". For that matter, his name wasn't really Del Shannon either.
As fantastic a song as "Runaway" is, I always liked this one more. Don't know why really. (Oh, you can check out a kinescope of Del's performance of that one here. I have no idea what is with the women parading around the podium.) "Keep Searchin'" was Del's final top ten hit here and in the UK, although he made the top 40 several more times.
Had he not committed suicide, Del would be 73 this December.
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
05 września 2007
New England Revolution 2 - Carolina Railhawks 1 (OT)
Who cares about the details about who scored and who had assists? here is the fun part:Misconduct Summary
NER - Avery John - 41st minute (Caution)
CAR - David Stokes - 41st minute (Caution)
NER - Shalrie Joseph - 42nd minute (Ejection)
CAR - Connolly Edozien - 42nd minute (Ejection)
CAR - Kupano Low - 55th minute (Caution)
NER - Jeff Larentowicz - 73rd minute (Caution)
CAR - David Stokes - 80th minute (Ejection)
NER - Adam Cristman - 88th minute (Caution)
CAR - Joel Bailey - 106th minute (Caution)
CAR - Chad Dombrowski - 110th minute (Caution)
Unfortunately, the crew usually worked USL games, so we don't have those lovely euphamisms for the reasons for the cards...things like "Unsporting Conduct," "Professional Foul," "Dissent" and, my favorite, "Bringing the Game Into Disrepute." John was carded for a reckless foul, and Stokes, formerly with DC United, was carded for his behavior in the resulting argy-bargy. Joseph and Edozien were carded, apparently, for menacing each other. Edozien and Joseph, it is rumored, were less than pals during Edozien's time in New England. Stokes was ejected for a violent foul against Christman.Ah, we love the beautiful game, don't we?
Hasta la proxima. Do zobaczenia.
