I don't think the lights are going out while the special assignment is on but you never know. This post may have to hold you for a while. There are ice creams to eat, roads to drive and mini-putts to putt. So what is going on?
- France and Italy? Who would have thought it. Every time I sort of backed has long gone. FIFA should include warnings to players and fans about me having that effect so they could lobby me to back the other guy of their choice. At least this World Cup has the feel that the teams have earned their way there. I make no judgement on the final other than it would be great to see Thierry Henry lift the trophy. So I may sit and watch it on Sunday afternoon, though I have been informed that I may also be at the beach. I can probably catch the game on US sports radio...right?
- I don't know what to make of the coverage of the death of the former head of Enron, like this:
"It is kind of King Lear-like," said Lawrence Mitchell, a law professor at George Washington University and author of the book, Corporate Irresponsibility: America's Newest Export. "I never doubted his sincerity in maintaining his innocence. But it was a personality flaw. He just couldn't see what everyone else could see. He didn't understand why he was being charged, let alone convicted."
Having spent a number of years in first appearance court, you see this all the time...the guy who blew three times the legal limit because he had to drive three blocks to get a Big Mac late into a binge comes to mind. But I never considered it Shakespearean. Just pathetic. Since the creation of business news TV with the rise of cable we have had to deal with this unending positive spin even in the face of criminality - the theory of "the manager as hero" must be protected as otherwise the entire premise of the media's focus would be shown to be false. But look at the upside - now we can look for ward to learning much about estate litigation. - The Sox are in Tampa which is the only time I cannot bear to watch them. The Sox have sucked against Tampa as much as they were masters of the National League. I hate watching games on TV from Tampa. It feels like they are playing in an emptied out Sears at a crappy mall. The worst is a Toronto at Tampa game. I suppose a Kansas City v. Tampa would be worse. Worst of all, Boston always loses against these otherwise goats. Three in a row now. I think they are depressed just having to play there. That's it.
Not this beach. Won't find me here.
I think I am stopping there. Yup. That is it for now. The world will turn and I will pop in to make sure the viagara ad guys are kept in line. But I can't promise anything beyond that. Beach sand in me toes. And a wild blueberry western frappe at Fat Boy in Brunswick, Maine. I think it's Brunswick. Yup, it's Brunswick.
Comments
gr - July 6, 2006 8:27 AM
The question is, nationally, burgundy or chianti? Brie or parmesan? Both countries are artisitic and romantic, so their reputations go, and stylish too. Cheese ravioli or frog legs? Espresso or snails? That does it: Italy is my team this year.
cm - July 6, 2006 9:42 AM
Hold up: Does this mean today is Friday? I'm so confused...
Although I may be watching the game in little Italy, I think I lean towards France. Simply because of the choices above, mine would be brie, frogs, snails, and a nice Côtes du Rhône.
sean1967 - July 6, 2006 10:15 AM
Well, I am still mad that we (ManU) canned Bartez, so I lean towards seeing him winning before he retires as I like his style, but then again, the whole team is french.. FRENCH.. I may be 1/8th french but I have issues with the country and their french ways and such. Except the french women. I like them. Then again, Italy. Italian women. I like them too.
hrmm.
My vote is for France to win but I would prefer Italy to win. I predict an issue will erupt anc calls of favoritism on some side or another, but a 2-1 French win in regulation time.
gr - July 6, 2006 12:07 PM
Blech, cm, that's nasty.
Mike - July 6, 2006 1:50 PM
I recall Barthez's Very Bad Day against Arsenal - I think he's lucky Thierry "O My Nose!" Henry is on his side.
cm - July 6, 2006 2:39 PM
Did I mention my parents have become addicted to the World Cup? My father's never watched a sporting event in his life (except this year's Stanley Cup final and even then he didn't realize was a best of 7 series) and now they're both glued to the tv when a game's on.
Mike - July 6, 2006 8:45 PM
cm, sounds like my Mom and curling about a dozen years ago. It just grabbed her and she'd watch it every day if she could.
Alan - July 6, 2006 11:40 PM
Burlington VT. Six hours north country NY roads. Who knew the Vermont baseball team was the Lake Monsters now that the Expos are gone?
gr - July 7, 2006 8:33 AM
What sport is world cup again? I think the guy with the frogs and snails up there was heavily biased against the French.
cm - July 7, 2006 8:52 AM
Since it's up to us to do Friday's chat, what about tomorrow's game? Any thoughts?
cm - July 7, 2006 9:04 AM
Hey, check this out: Ontario now has its own tartan. Alas, no picture.
gr - July 7, 2006 10:34 AM
Good try cm. Tartan seems to be a show stopper though.
I am not biased against the French. Simply very pro-pasta.
By God, it must be 5 o'clock somewhere....
Alan - July 7, 2006 10:48 AM
The Doubletree in Burlington is a very worthy stop. It is confirms my theory of hotel/motels:<ul><li>79 bucks - dive. Your neighbours will cook meat in the hallway on habachis they carry with them wherever they go.</li><li>99 bucks - ok but nursing home smells in the hallway.</li><li>124 bucks - good big rooms but the pool may have oddly variated stuccoing and other guests may be having bad days.</li><li>144 bucks - big room, full fridge that you never put anything in during a one night stay. Staff act like they get decent wages and talk to you.</li></ul>Now to find Bishop's of Littleton, NH.
Alan - July 7, 2006 10:49 AM
PS - can't trust accessing the blog's admin to create a new post from a hotel lobby computer. Friday chat this is.
cm - July 7, 2006 11:51 AM
gr, it's always 5 o'clock somewhere.
It's not that I'm anti-pasta, it just wouldn't be my first choice.
Jay Currie - July 7, 2006 4:22 PM
I'm going for Italy if only for the delights of Commercial Drive erupting in a week long party if they win.
Given July 1, it feels like Thursday already and then our host confuses things further by taking a trip which makes him post chat pre-Friday. A conspiracy to confuse.
On Ken Lay: I blame Bush.
gr - July 7, 2006 4:32 PM
cm, it is 5 pm in Newfoundland (I think) and I am throwing in the towel. Today just stinks. Time for some dortitos and juleps?
gr - July 7, 2006 4:34 PM
'dortitos'. God. Better make it chocolate ice cream and a few shots.
cm - July 7, 2006 4:56 PM
Doritos require beer. Juleps require, uh, I don't know, pastries maybe. Ice cream and shots sounds much better. I'm going out for Mexican tonight (third time in a week!) and am thinking a margarita is in order.
gr - July 7, 2006 5:52 PM
You know how to live cm. Ever had a chimichanga? Kinda like a deep fried burrito?
I remind myself: the worst day making piggies is better than the best day working at big corp, or any job really.
cm - July 8, 2006 10:08 AM
A deep fried burrito, eh? Well, I guess I know what I'm having next time.