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Giggle Pops Medical Digest Presents: Cristianorhea

2009-07-30T21:55:00.005-05:00

Dear readers I fear I have a horrible disease. As some of you know last year I was diagnosed with Ikeritis. I had been (the exact opposite of) suffering from it for many years and I was finally able to pinpoint why I lost all function every time I saw a picture or even thought about Iker Casillas. While Ikeritis has been an amazingly pleasant experience, I fear I have contracted a new much worse disease, it is known as Cristianorhea.

I showed initial symptoms a while back when I had a very brief fascination with his abdominal and hipdippal regions, but I soon realized that it must be stopped. I stopped it quickly, I took high doses of Xavi, Gago, Iker, Pupi, Riccy, Ramos, Raul, Gigi, Canna, Gonzo and many other supplements from countries such Argentina, Spain, Italy and so on. (all of which were taken with a teaspoon of course). The symptoms subsided and totally disappeared. I managed to go on day to day hating overly gelled, overly tanned, cry-babies who played for horrible teams. Through my regiment I managed to avoid the initial strain of this disease, lets call it the Trafford-Strain-Simplex-7.

In the summer of 2009 the disease Cristianorhea morphed into a whole new strain and I fear I contracted it. This strain is known as the Merengues-Strain-Simplex-9-Galacticos. While a much milder form of the strain and much more pleasant it is also much more contagious.

I believe these pictures were taken around the time I was infected

The moment I saw this giddy face in the Real Madrid kit I felt hate fading. He just looked, so…so happy to a be a part of our club. I mean it was his dream, his dream was not to play for some annoying club in northern England his dream was to play in La Liga for Real Madrid.

The grease seemed much less shiny. I felt less disgusting loving his manbags, his abs, his hip dips, his thighs. It was like all the grossness was washed away when he took off that red kit and put on the white one

I no longer wanted to look away, no longer felt like I should, it just seemed so natural. It was like when he put on the blanco there was a sort of footie baptism and all of the things I hated were cute little quirks because he was now part of a team I loved not one I hated.

Oh dear me, I apologize, all that gushing was the disease talking, not me I swear. You see it addles the brains, I think and say things I never thought I would. I know many of you have not been infected, some have a natural immunity and never will. Some were infected by the original strain and can understand me. Those with the immunity please be kind and understand the strife those of us infected endure, I don’t think any of us wish for this disease, all we can do is live with it and hide it the best we can. I know in the past I was critical of those infected but I now see the errors of my ways there are some lustings you just cannot help and you never know when they will strike.

I am starting a support group for those of us infected and need a place to discuss our oh so wonderfully wrong feelings. Please let me know if you are interested, we are not alone.

Are you suffering from Cristianorhea? Here are some of the symptoms, if you experience two or more of these you are likely infected. If you have been infected, I unfortunately have not found a cure. But I have not been looking too hard.

Possible symptoms
• You have a folder of “Cristiano Ronaldo” pictures on your computer, that you hide under another name.
• You wonder, can he really be that diseased?
• You ask yourself “straight men can wear silver hot pants, right?”
• You see him fall and you think “Maybe that was not a dive”
• You believe he just had ice cream and went LV shopping with Paris
• You think to yourself “maybe he will stop his epic douchbaggary now that he has joined Real Madrid”
• He moves closer to the “want to chase with whipped cream and file in your mind” you also plan to bring purell on this chase
• You find yourself staring hungrily at his hipdips, abs, arms, etc
• You start to think well he has a cute smile and loves his mom
And last but not least
• You look at this pic and you find yourself thinking “I so would” when you know its so dirty

*note* even though I have this disease does not believe I do not fully standby anything I have said about him in the past. Nor does it mean I will ever stop making jokes about him, nor will I stop thinking jokes about him are frickin’ hilarious.

A long summer...(part 2): The signings

2009-07-30T14:58:00.002-05:00

I’m sure I will forget one or two, but here it goes my thoughts on each of the transfers and how they will fit into the team.

Kaka

What can’t I say about Kaka, by far the signing I am most excited about. He is the definition of class, a great footballer, everything. It would be pointless to go on about how great he is and how great he will be with us. Can you really go wrong with a player like him? He is a class player and a team player he will fit in fine and dandy, kind of one of those players there is always room for, especially when we lack an attacking midfielder who is not injured by the blowing of a stiff breeze.

Like many I did not like the circumstances of how he came to the club because everyone knew his heart was in Milan and he only came for financial reasons (Milan’s not his own). But here is my take on it, Real Madrid has money to spend, they make a bid for one of the best in the world. Player says thanks, but I love my club don’t want to go. Should be end of story right? Club could just say no, but they want the money so they say bye-bye Kaka. Not an ideal situation, but the blame should not be entirely on Madrid.

Now that was a big signing, I think Yay there no way they are going to sign that thing Cron now….dun dun dun

Cristiano Ronaldo

What was it a week later? Yup we signed Ronaldo. That greasy, prostitute banging, overly tanned, tantrum throwing, toolbag was now going to fulfill his dream of becoming a Real Madrid player. Will he fit into the team? Well he is also one of the best in the world, and if he comes to play for the club and not himself also a player there is always plenty of room for. Basically same sentiments as Kaka, just take out the parts about being a class person, and only if he really plays for the club.

I had my doubts and figured I would hate him no matter what. Then at his presentation he was almost giddy to be in our kit, and it looked like it belonged on him. Since it really was his dream to play for RM maybe some of his cry-baby arrogant ways will be quelled and he will be an okay guy. I am still holding out final verdict, but so far gosh darnit I am liking the kid (and hating myself for it) more to come on my thoughts on Cris in next post :-P

Those two were easy, now I get a little more analytical.

Albiol

Young player, tons of potential, just what we need. We need defenders, and I think it is better to go young and promising rather than someone already too established. This is one of those signings showing RM is really looking to the future, he may need time to settle in but I honestly think they will give it to him (this will make more sense as I discuss Benzema and Arbeloa). It seems like with the defense they are building they are building it with plans for the future and will take a few potential missteps initially.

Last time around we got Canna and Heinze both were good, but their age started to show and our defense has been pretty craptastic, not to blame those two by any means but it is time for a transition that will give us a team that can win championships with more than a 2 season shelf life. As you know Canna returned to Juve and it sounds like a deal is all but done for Heinze to go as well.

Benzema

I admit this freaked me out at first. Early in the summer I was terrified that Higuain would be sold or benched (mostly from the Villa rumors), so naturally signing another striker freaked me out. Then it hit me, the plan is likely for the future front two to be Higuain and Benzema. He is one of the most promising strikers out there and also very young.

Since both Benzema and Higuain are so young and Raul is getting up there in years it will not be a problem to rotate the three. With two strikers up front they can kind of rotate starters. I would lean more towards starting the two youngins and sub in Raul or maybe the other way around. Raul brings experience so we need him in the games against teams like Barca but smaller clubs you can give the young guns the responsibility. It seems like they are planning to train them up to be Raul’s successor in a few seasons.

As for Ruud and Huntelaar. Well I think its time for Ruud to move on or be happy being a sub, we can get a decent fee for him, but he is getting up there in years. As for Hunty, he was destine to be gone at the end of the season or be on the bench either way only really brought half way though the season to fill an injury gap and then sell imo. So basically keep one of the dutchies and the sell the other pros and cons to both, but the future and a bright one indeed is in Higuain and Benzema. This is why Villa made no sense to me, a player as big and as experienced as him should be started every game and that would not be possible without benching a player that definitely should not be benched.

Arbeloa

Yay an academy babe coming home! I kept saying, if we sign a good right/left back this whole experiment just might work, and my God Perez did something right. It is a little tricky because both Arby and the Ramos play right back usually, but both are very versatile and can play both as well as a potential center back. Their versatility and Pellegrini’s skills as a tactician that conflict should sort itself out. If not there is always jello wrestling while wearing Spanish flag speedos, that also solves problems nicely.

This is another signing showing a commitment to the future of Real Madrid’s defense and team as a whole and not just an off the cuff signing of a big name. Arbeloa brings in experience at top flight football mixed with a RM background and good skill, kind of the last piece we needed.

All in all we may need some time to gel, but it looks like this time around Perez was a bit smarter with his decisions, still quite extravagant and annoying, but not a complete idiot. This could all be wishful thinking, but I think this may work, it may take a season to really gel and I hope the club gives them the time. There will be a great mix of youth and experience and the fight the Los Blancos always seem to have.

As far as other players, I think the Dutch midfielders are gone this summer, and kind of happy about it. I loved some (Robben) but they never quite meshed in the team right. Some did not get many chances (VDV), but they also never took advantage of the chances they got to prove themselves like some players did (Higuain), and some you never even noticed when they were playing (Sneijder).

And I refuse to comment on the potential of Xabi until I have to accept it.

A long summer...(part 1)

2009-07-30T14:44:00.000-05:00

This has been an interesting summer to be a Real Madrid supporter to say the least. But I think I finally have a grasp on my thoughts on our transfers so far. I am not going to talk about the amount of money spent, while an interesting topic, its just a different topic that I don’t feel like discussing right now. I know there is a lot of criticism of the club for the amount the club has spent and a lot of it is valid, but what I wanted to discuss is if we actually signed players that are good for the club and La Liga.

I keep hearing “its just a collection of stars and will never work” hell I was even saying that in the beginning, but there were a few players that when signed kind of seemed to fit the pieces of the puzzle together, mainly Benzema and Arbeloa. The signing of those two showed a focus on the future and not just immediate results and I will explain throughout the next post why I think that is the case. Keep in mind these are all just my crazy thoughts and I don’t pretend to be some expert and could be totally wrong.

I should start by saying I hate Perez and the image he is giving the club, RM is a great club with a great history and he is just setting it up to be mocked. If the Galactacos don’t win every game by 35 goals this season I am pretty sure they will get mocked and disregarded not something this collection of class players (new and old) deserves. Even if they win everything people will find something to criticize. But it is crap like that that makes me love the team more, I hate the politics in the club but in a way they set up the team to be the way they are on the pitch. If anyone watched last season our boys fought like crazy to keep up with Barca even though no one thought we had a prayer, and really we didn’t but they refused to give up and gave it a damn good shot.

When I first got into La Liga I did not have a team and I was very annoyed with Galacticos part I and figured I could never be a Real Madrid fan. Then I started watching the team play, how they were on the pitch was nothing like I expected judging by the actions of the club. They were just a bunch of guys out there fighting to win, living the dream of playing for a huge club and just trying to prove themselves as the best. In a way how Perez’s actions set up the club to be mocked forces the players to really fight as a team to prove themselves, and its then that they become more than a collection of stars, they play as a team the best they can with the backroom bs going on around them. I have seen a lot of players come and go, but that same spirit is always there.

Last season we walked away empty handed. It has to happen sometimes. I would be lying if I said I did not care about trophies, of course I do, and cheering for a team like Real Madrid you expect them. But when it comes down to it, my team does not need to win trophies for me to love them. After 10 years of cheering for Gonzaga I almost embrace disappointment. The RM boys gave it their all last season, everyone says what a crappy season they had, and yes it was bellow stellar, but it made me love them even more than I already did. It was downright exciting to watch as a fan and one I wont forget, though sometimes I want to (at least the first half).

Okay that is general thoughts. And to break up the post a little I will do a second one about my thoughts on each signing and my thoughts on who may and should go.

Monday Manmeat: Roger part 2

2009-06-24T21:29:00.004-05:00

I know its not monday and I am late again with my post, and I know I did Rog a few weeks ago, so recycle everything I said there. I just needed to post the sexiness that is Roger at Wimbledon. The MAN IS WEARING A WASTECOAT this year, and I love it. Granted it is not on the level of Roger Wimbledon porn like the cardigan last year, but still fedtastic! Btw he is through to the 3rd round. My Wimbledon coverage will be lacking because I have not seen a minute of it and probably wont until at least Friday.

Pics from daylife

Landycakes and the teaspoon: A tale of douchbagary and the courage to fight against it

2009-06-24T20:23:00.006-05:00

After weeks of endless prickles TSP was growing tired and timid. He was worried about his upcoming match against the USA.

His teammate Daahhhvveeed saw the worry on little TSP's face and decided to help him overcome his fears. Daahhhvveeed decided it was time to teach little teaspoon his secret weapon "the bitchface" Daahhhvveeed's bitchface was epic and known the world over. A few days before the game the lessons began.

The game was not going as planned, the USA was winning? it could not be, they were dominating the European Champions? oh they were. Now most of the USA boys are just wonderful, absolutely wonderful...except for one, the evil Landycakes. Landycakes had decided he had not filled his quota of douchbagary for the game and decided it pick on the little TSP. Landycakes attacked swiftly and shamelessly in a way that made even his teammates cringe.

After the attack the little teaspoon did not know what to do. He was feeling angry, but did not know how to retaliate. Should he prickle the evil Landycakes?? but no, the prickles were only for the ladies, the exclusive members of the TSP club.

What was TSP to do? Then like a sage, Daahhhvveeed appeared and said "its okay little teaspoon you are ready to fight on your own, just remember what I taught you."

And with that, TSP gave Landycakes the best bitchface he could. Landycakes may have won the game, but TSP won at life.

THE END.

All pics from daylife

Reconciliation...

2009-06-19T22:09:00.001-05:00

I keep meaning to write my profound thoughts on Real Madrid's transfer tactics this summer, but I am too traumatized to do so. I am trying to reconcile my love of the team and my hatered of Mr. Perez. Will write more soon, and in the mean time pray I do not get engulfed in the cloud of STDs produced by Ronnie and Paris mating.

Monday Manmeat: With a side of Baguette

2009-06-18T18:28:00.001-05:00

I am on a serious French kick lately. I am loving everything frog, so I figured this week Monday Manmeat (yes I know its Thursday) would be on one of my favorite frenchies. Yoann “Lashes” Gourcuff.

He plays for Les Bleus, used to play for AC Milan went on loan to Bordeaux and is now staying there. They call him Le Petite Zizou. He is young has endless talent oh and likes to strip after games and run around in nothing but his undies. Bless him.
I am just going to let the pictures do the talking for the rest of the post as I will be too busy making dirty jokes about baguettes and giggling to myself.

Okay I do have to comment on this last picture. I am sure everyone has seen it a million times, but I mean my god can you ever get sick of it? It is perfection. I think this man was born to be in black and white. Not to mention the undone button on his jeans it is just beyond words.

Francophiliation

2009-06-18T18:08:00.002-05:00

For as long as I can remember I was a big fan of French things. I have never been to France, been to a lot of countries, but have not made it there yet. I am not quite sure where this love comes from, maybe its my French roots. I love it all, the cheese, the bread, the wine, the men, the philosophers, the accents, the berets, the everything. They call people who love French things francofiles, and I call my obsession francophiliation. Here are some of the French things I love…

The Wine
I grew up in the wine business and have had a fascination with French wine long before I could drink it. I loved the names and learning how to say them. The labels are so simple yet fancy. As I grew up and began drinking wine and learning lots about it the French was always my favorite. My favorite region is Chatenuf du Papes as well as the rest of the Rhone. I want to learn my Burgundies and Bordeaux’s better, but that will have to wait until I have some money. I have sold wine for many years and doing it again while I search for a lawyer job.

The Cheese
I know my wine, and I also know my cheese. I worked in a few super fancy cheese shops and there are few things I love more than a good Tripple Crème brie or a Tomme.

The Bread
I not only love to eat this tasty bread covered in the above mentioned cheese. I also love to make dirty jokes about baguettes (see below).

The Men
Lashes Gourcuff mmm, Gilles Simone, Philippe Mexes, Titi, Gilles Marini, Zizou, Florent Malouda (when his hair is sorted), Marc Planus, Oliver Martinez to name a few.

Les Bleus
I will forever have a soft spot for the French NT. I was in Europe during the 2006 world cup and cheering for England as I always do. However after England’s exit I threw my crazy excited support in the direction of the motherland. I ended up going to Berlin to be there during the final (and had one of the craziest most awesomely amazing days of my life) and I was cheering on Les Bleus, I was all decked out in an knock off Henry kit (this resulted in many hot German men talking to me about Henry, I will forever be thankful to Titi for this) a French flag, face paint…the works. I was drunk painted a French flag on an Italian guys back (he thought I was painting an Italian one, his friend thought it was hilarious). Anyways, I will always cheer for Les Bleus after that day. Even though the game did not end well, did not end well at all.

The Philosophers
Camus, Sartre, Ricoeur, Rousseau, Malebranche, Montesquieu, Merleau-Ponty *note there are some notable names left off and that was very much on purpose

The accents and Berets
If I could ever marry or at least sleep with a man who talks like Pepe Le Pew I would be a happy happy woman. And berets are just awesome.

ALLEZ LES BLEU!!!!

Giggle Pops Scientific Magazine Presents...

2009-06-18T17:58:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago I posted my first educational post about the rare sex porcupine. This week you are in store for a math lesson.

I knew hottie Spanish athletes came in pocketsized like my little teaspoon Xavi. I also knew they came in medium size like cuties Sergio Garcia and David Villa. They also come in large like the always delish Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos. However I had no idea they came in super duper extra large like Pau Gasol.

After my discovery of this 7 foot tall hunk of scruffy manmeat I started to wonder. So like any great scientist/thinker I started with a question, in this case the the question was “how many Xavi’s would be needed to make up just one Pau.” I now had a question to answer and I set out to do so, in the process I made a study of many others. This inspired me to come up with a mathematical equation that would make even Newton feel inferior. It takes into account both height and weight. I plugged a few of my favorite Spanish athletes of all sizes into this mysterious and highly secret equation and these were the results. This was a highly important and scientific study. I cannot predict the effects this will have on the mathematical community but I imagine they will be huge.

In order to get one Pau Gasol you would need the following amounts of these guys…
In order from smallest to largest

Andres “Casper” Ineiesta = 1.52
Xavi “TSP” Hernandez=1.46
Dahveed Veeyaa =1.43
Sergio Garcia =1.38
Sergio “THE” Ramos =1.36
Iker “Sexy Pants” Casillas =1.29
Fernando “Tobasco” Verdasco =1.26
Rafael “Biceps” Nadal =1.23

ROGER WON THE FRENCH OPEN!!

2009-06-09T11:49:00.000-05:00

I am still in shock, but YES my Roger finally won the French Open!! I was in tears Sunday morning, it was so great to see. Everyone had written him off when it came to Roland Garros, but he did it, and now has the career slam. During the last game when he was serving for the title I was reminded just why I love him so much. When the camera would zoom in you could see the emotion on his face, he looked seconds awa from tears. He was already up two sets and you could see him making mistakes, but he knew he had the title and it was just so great to see that raw emotion.

I have watched Fed win a whole lot of Grand Slams, and seen him emotional after each one. This one was different. It was almost like he was winning his first one, he did not know what to do. It is pretty amazing seeing a man who has just tied the record for most Grand Slams in shock that he won another one. It was not the same without Rafa there, but I don’t think it takes away from Fed’s win. I know it would mean more to him if it was Rafa out there, but I think that stems from their respect for one another. Such an amazing rivalry, and what is so amazing about it is t ehir incredible sportsmanship and respect for one another. When they play one another in a final they both play at a super human level because both know the other deserves nothing less.

I think one of the best things about this is people will finally give Roger the credit he deserves as a clay player. People always saw it as a weakness because he never won at Roland Garros and they over look just how dominate he is on clay. I think the only person who ever beat him in the French Open is Rafa (maybe one other guy waaaaay back). As one of the commentators said early in the tournament “people always talk about Federer’s problems on clay, but the only problem he has ever had on clay is named Rafa Nadal.”

Okay will stop gushing now. Oh and will leave you with the other reason I love Roger.

mmmmm (thanks for the pics misty ☺)

Monday Manmeat: Olive Oil

2009-06-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

This weeks Monday Manmeat is the one and only Gigi Buffon. I admit, it has taken me years to develop a taste for this amazingly coiffed hunk of Italian Sausage, but oh man do I see it now. Quick facts…goal keeper for Juve and Italian NT and won a world cup…blah blah blah.

I have a near uncontrollable obsession with this mans hair. As you will notice in the following picture Canna seems to be memorized by it as well.

Another thing I cannot get enough of is this mans name, I can say it over and over again in various accents and never want to stop. Gianluigi Buffon, say it with me Gianluigi Buffon. A friend once said to me “he is so Italian he must sweat extra virgin olive oil.” Even with all of this, all of his sexiness is in the hair. Not to mention the fact that no matter how poor his fashion choices he always looks ALL MAN!
If you look closely in this picture, he is wearing bobby pins. The man wears barretts and I still want to jump him. Yes I did just actually say that and I stand behind it. He could have little pink butterflies on them and would still be more man than any man ever.

And in this picture he is carrying my favorite accessory, the manbag! I have expressed my love of the manbag on many occasions. I can say now with certainty, Gigi carries more manliness in the strap of his manbag than 99% of the male population could ever hope to have.

And in this last picture he is touching Iaquinta’s head (my other obscure obsession, Iaquinta’s head).

Gianluigi = sexiest of the sexy beasts

A weekend at the beach...

2009-06-05T14:34:00.006-05:00

After telling the tale of the Mardi Gras horse Miss Jaco asked me to share our adventures at Jaco Beach in Costa Rica…one of the many times we took our adventures international. We had just spent 2 weeks in Costa Rica taking classes with our law school. I would be an understatement to say that it was one of the most dramatic 2 weeks of my life, almost traumatic. At the same time it was a frickin’ great time. Here I am with about the only two people I could stand by the end of the trip… Miss Jaco and another friend.

We went through about everything you could imagine…vacationships, ending of friendships, strengthening of friendships, crazy new friendships as well as more alcohol and avocados than anyone could imagine. My liver hurts even thinking about that summer. After our school program ended it was time to get out of San Jose and do a little soul searching/cleansing.

As you see me here in this candid shot on one of our last nights in San Jose with the program giving my best “bitch please” pose…this picture sums up the trip pretty perfectly. Knowing me I was drunk and probably actually saying “bitch please” at the time.

Once the program ended I made plans to travel with Miss Jaco for a few days before we headed home. We spent a while deciding which beach to go to and what hotel to stay at. After some planning we picked to Copa Cabana at Jaco Beach. As I said we needed a weekend of soul searching/cleansing. Little did we know we picked an ocean side Costa Rican whore house with a view, and what do you know there was no better place.

The arrival, after an incredibly awkward van ride (all due to previous drama) we arrive at our hotel, the copa cabana. It is starting to get dark so we sit by the pool enjoying some drinks and order a pizza, and thinking “damn this is living.” When all of a sudden a group of middle aged men come over to our area, they brought an endless supply of imperial (Costa Rican beer) so we begin to chat. They explain they are there for a friends birthday celebration and ask why we are at this particular hotel. Well it turned out the hotel was mostly filled with prostitutes, and they were curious because we clearly were not prostitutes. After a few beers we begin to ask them questions about how this whole prostitute thing works and why exactly they would do such a thing…and what resulted was a very informative conversation I would rather forget. I did learn one thing however, my future husband will NEVER go to Costa Rica without me.

We make more friends at the hotel, some there for the hookers some not. We have one big fun chat session by the pool. At one point we received salsa dance lessons from one of the prostitutes, it was free. After hanging out at the hotel for a while a bunch of us decide to go out on the town and drink some more. On our way to some fun bars, some of the guys decided they would take us on a walk through of a very interesting bar…

The Beatle Bar
This bar had a simple black sign with white writing and it said “Beatle Bar” from the outside it seems like any other bar, but when you go in you can tell quickly something is just off. All you see is a lot of people talking in pairs, a lot of older men and a lot of younger women. It is very hard to explain, but it was a very interesting experience.

We spend the rest of the night out with random people from our hotel, including a very nice mattress salesman who was not there for the prostitutes, he was on vacation with his cousin.

The Cousin
The next day we go walk on the beach, lay by the pool, and relax in general. That night we hang out at the hotel bar drinking, not really sure what happened that night because after 2 weeks of heavy drinking and two nights in a row of staying out until dawn I fell asleep at about 8pm. But apparently Mr. Matress Salesman goes out. Later that night Mr. Matress Salesman wakes up to some disturbing sounds and comments as cousin and his new friend get to know each other. Mr. Matress Salesman goes and sleeps on beach, tells us about how disturbed he was by this the next morning. I go ziplining in the jungle (awesome by the way). After some evidence collecting Miss Jaco and Mr. Matress Salesman figure out Cousins friend is most likely a prostitute, and cousin somehow ended up going to a family picnic with her.

You can see me here soul searching on the beach

After yet another night of drinking followed by another day of laying by the pool and playing on the beach we decide we will spend our last night relaxing and having a quiet dinner at the hotel. Quiet dinner turned into many glasses of wine and about 8 shots of patron…each. While we never left the hotel we had one of the most wonderful conversations about life and all the adventures we had been through together. We talked about, life, love, lack of love, drama, mean people, nice people, and realized that night just how much our friendship meant.

We went to the beach for some soul cleansing, and while we witnessed some of the dirtiest sides of life, we walked away from Jaco Beach with souls cleansed, baptized by Patron. At times all we could do was laugh and/or be disturbed but in the end it was one of the most interesting experiences of my life. I saw a side of the world that I guess I always knew existed but never thought I would really see, and then there I was a spectator in the middle of it all. After everything we went through in the previous two weeks we needed a shock to the system to shake us out of the bubble we were in for that two weeks. When it came down to it all we needed was a weekend in a brothel with an ocean view and a whole lot of tequila.

Me and Miss Jaco at the beach on our life changing weekend

Gigglepops Nature Magazine Presents

2009-06-05T11:07:00.003-05:00

In interest of making my blog more about educational topics and not just half naked European athletes and sports in general this post is my attempt at a nature documentary. Today I will teach you about a mysterious creature with some very strong mysterious powers. Some women are born with a natural resistance to this creature, however, I like many was not born with such a resistance. I have fallen prey to this benign looking creature too many times to count. This creature is the sex porcupine.

Here are some basic facts on the sex porcupine

Other Names: Sexus Porcupinus, Xavier Hernandez, Xavalicious

Native territory: Barcelona, Spain also found in the general Catalonia region, Central midfield, Camp Nou, Gigglepop’s dreams and/or fantasies

Height: 1.70 m

Weight: 66 kg

Here is a photo of the sex procupine in captivity

General physical characteristics: Big chocolate brown eyes, pouty expression, perma 5 o’clock shadow, superior passing skills, superior free kick skills, Collects giant trophies

Defining characteristics: Perfectly spiky hair, Intense, unexplainable, incomprehensible sex appeal

Ways of attack: Beware of the sex porcupine’s spikies, or as the experts call them “prickles.” The prickles is the source of the sex porcupines powers and if you are luck you may just get prickled by them. Sometimes the sex porcupine is seen wearing an armband, this is when females are at greatest danger of attack

Be careful, while this creature may look harmless it makes up what it lacks in stature by a gigantic amount of sexy. The sex porcupine has been known to bath in random villages, here is a familiar image from the wild…

A special thanks to Lola for the photo modifications

The tale of how I became an Inter fan

2009-06-02T10:09:00.007-05:00

How I became a Serie A fan. Towards the end of the summer I decided I was going to start following the Serie A. I have followed the EPL and La Liga for years, and had my alliances very set in stone for both leagues for a while, but I had never followed the Italian league closely. While my alliances in the other two leagues formed fairly organically (stories for another day) I started thinking, hmm I need a team if I am going to follow this league, right? It is pretty impossible for me to watch any sort of competition and not get behind a team, I mean I cannot even watch a game show without picking a favorite and screaming at the tv. I decided to give the impossible a try and not pick a team until the end of season…and I succeeded. I spent the season as a happy neutral spectator learning and enjoying the intricacies of the league. I saw a lot of beautiful football and a lot of beautiful men.

As the season progressed I began to sort out teams I could see myself as a potential fan of and ones I just could not get behind. I decided quickly that AC Milan just was not for me, they were just to polished, smug, or something…can’t put my finger on it. There are a lot of great players on the team and not really hateable, but just not for me. The three teams that started to stand out to me as possible candidates were Roma, Juventus, and Inter. After a few Roma games I realized that while they were ripe with hotties there just was not that spark there, and with that Roma got an honorable discharge. There I was trying to decide between Juve and Inter and it was a tough tough choice.

Juve had a little something I loved, not to mention my near obsession with Iaquinta’s head and Gigi’s hair. On the other hand Inter had The Special One, how could I NOT cheer for The Special One? The more I watched Inter the more I loved them…it was going to be so tough to choose. I made a pro list for each team…I managed to lose this list but it was full of quality reasons to cheer for teams such as: Pupi’s right thigh, Pupi’s left thigh, the pure awesomeness of Gigi, Nedved’s hair, etc. (btw the was I was choosing on more than just hotness, but that is just how my lists always turn out). After some time Inter was pulling away into a lead and I was inches away from declaring them the winner.

Then all of a sudden Juve hit hard with a three-pronged attack of firing Ranieri, signing Cannavaro (again), and Gigi Buffon wore bobby pins in a game I never thought I could want a man in berets so badly. Inter needed to step up their game…and step it up they did.

I think it was a few days after the clinched the title I was spending one of my usual awesome weekends sitting on the couch with the dogs, watching sappy movies, drinking lots of wine, and chatting on twitter with my lovely kickette ladies. All of a sudden I get a set of tweets I have only been able to describe as “drunken pictorial persuasion” TB was making a last ditch effort to sway me to become an Interista. It was a series of pictures of Mr. Stankovic in most of these pictures he was about 85% naked and one of which was on a waterslide. It not only provided material for fun dirty jokes, it involved something awesome…a waterslide! Also there were pictures like this…of the boys drunk and in festive wigs from the night before a game after they clinched the title. I LOVE FESTIVE HEAD GEAR!

I was drunk, TB was drunk, the nerazzurri boys were drunk it was like fate…I knew then and there that Inter HAD to be my team. And lets not forget the one of Julio Cesar in a crazy hat, no shirt, and a flag…too bad I can’t find it now.

I had been waiting for my magical a-ha moment, and that was it. So here I am an Internazionale fan. I cannot wait for next season when I can really watch the Serie A with my very own team to support. I loved watching the league this year, but without a team I did not have deep deep emotional attachment I have to La Liga and EPL. I know it is going to come and will develop more with another season or two. So there it is, how I became a fan of the Serie A and a fan of Inter.

Monday Manmeat: Xavalicious Edition

2009-06-01T12:39:00.003-05:00

Keeping with the tradition of Monday Manmeat, I am not going to go into all of his accomplishments just going to focus on the hottiness. Quick background, he is known simply as Xavi, plays for Barca and Spanish NT and is one of, if not the best midfielders in the world.

I cannot begin to describe my feelings for this pocket-sized Spanish hunk of man. I don't know if it is his puppy-dog eyes and always perfectly spiked hair...

Or the confused/pouty expression that is always on his face...

Maybe its his magical passing skills and perma-5 o'clock shadow...I don't really know but I do know the Xavster does things to me I could never explain

And one more time I will post the ultimate Xavalicious picture...stumbled upon this beauty and still have not breathed right since. Maybe its because it is the only sans-shirt pic I have found of him, or the cascading water, the look on his face, the fact that there seems to be a hint of chest hair (a rare sight amongst Spanish ballers)it could be any of the above things. However, what I think that really makes me melt in this picture is the fact that even while showering in a random village his hair stays perfectly spiky. Oh Xavi.

This pint-sized bundle of magical passing sexy is not for everyone, but there are a special few of us who see it.

Stuff coming soon, too sad and emo to think right now...

2009-05-31T14:28:00.002-05:00

Okay so many things to write about from this weekend...and I will get to them eventually. Most of the day I have been a bit of a teary blubbering mess, and will get around to writing about the following eventually...

1. My Blues won the FA CUP!!! Soooo beyond proud of you boys
2. La Liga ended today :-( RM lost, but my pet team I wanted to avoid relegation (osasuna) stayed up.
3. Serie A ended today...Inter won, Yay! more on my Serie A adventure this season to come
4. Both Maldini and Figo played their last professional games today. So sad, both such amazing players.
5. Last but not least...Rafa was knocked out of the French Open today, by some sweedish punk whose name I wont even say. Happy roger has a real chance to get his career grand slam at last. But rafa, poor rafa, sooooo sad for him. Rafa IS roland garros.

Why I cheered for Barca for a day

2009-05-27T18:51:00.002-05:00

I am sitting here, glass of wine in hand watching the replay of the Barcelona v. Manchester Untied Champions League final. This was a beautifully played match NO thanks at all to ManU, it was all Barca today. I have spent the day being the most avid Barcelona supporter I can be...for one day only. It is a rare sight seeing a Madridista cheering her heart out for the blaugranna, but I did it today. I am also a die-hard Chelsea fan, and did not think I could cheer for a team after the way Barca beat us to get into the final but here I am and feel like I should explain why.

I mean there is the obvious reason, being a Chelsea supporter and reasonable human being, I hate Manchester United. Not just because they are our league rivals, looking at the current squad it is filled with a lot of unlikeable players. Most of their players would barely be above average if they did not have the puppet master Fergie in charge. Not to mention it is pretty hard if not impossible for me to like players like Ronaldo, Berbatov, Vidic, etc. Mine opinion of course and so I am sure some disagree. Anyways this post is not about why I hate ManU, but that was a factor in my cheering for Barca.

While hating ManU explains me wanting Barca to win, it does not explain why I really really wanted them to win and why I was cheering for them almost (and I mean almost) like I was watching one of my teams out there. When it comes down to it there is a ridiculous amount of arrogance surrounding the EPL and the “English style” of play. It may win games in tournaments but it sucks to watch. Because it works well in tournaments people use it as justification that the English style is best and the EPL is superior to the other leagues. However, I feel like if you took even some of the best English teams and dropped them in to La Liga or Serie A they would be struggling a bit day in and day out. While they may do well being great teams it would not be sheer dominance that people seem to award them automatically. So when I was cheering for Barca today I was cheering for the beautiful game, La Liga, and Serie A.

On one hand I sit and watch Barca and think they should not be there and am gutted at the thought Chelsea is not. But as I have said before I don’t blame Barca or think they cheated or anything like that for how that game ended. I blame that d-bag of a useless man they called a ref and UEFA, but not Barca. Also as I have said before if Chelsea was going to get fucked at least it was for a team that can represent the beautiful game well. In the past few weeks I kept hearing bullshit comments like “well Barcelona can score a bunch of goals in La Liga but they can’t do it against a real strong English defense.” Well Chelsea’s incredible defense could hold them, and I take a small bit of solace in this watching the game today. As a Chelsea fan it makes me feel a little fuzzy inside knowing that my boys in Blue were able to contain Barca heroically and seemingly effortlessly and Man Utd was not only unable to do this but they were also embarrassed when they tried to. And yes it still hurts like a bitch knowing how well Chelsea played and knowing they should be there.

And the last reason…as much as I dislike Barcelona and always will, the current squad has some class players. Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta are just incredible and players I cannot help but have a lot of respect for them. Especially the later two they get out there and get the job done and done amazingly well…exceptional talent carried out with class is hard to come by. If you need proof look at Ronaldo, got the talent and no class. And let’s not forget the fuzzy heart warming comments of Pep dedicating the victory to Maldini.

For some people who seem to think me, and a lot others are bandwagon Barcelona fans because of today or just cheering for them because of some cute players that is far from the case. I know I was cheering for a lot more a lot more than Barca today and cheering against a lot more than ManU. I have no problems with anyone’s alliances in this game no matter what the reasons but this is why mine were what they were.

Oh yeah and man of the match Xavi does make me think dirty things…

*dries off spiky-haired pint sized Spanish ball of sex and places him back in pocket*

Real Madrid: Good-Bye Cannavaro :-(

2009-05-26T11:09:00.002-05:00

I am working on some reflections on the whole season for Real Madrid…well one for each league so I will keep myself from getting too gushy here.

Okay well I am going to get a little gushy here, I finally just watched this weeks game and it was Canna’s last game at the Bernabeau. I am going to miss that Italian. Not only am I going to miss his adorable overly happy smile, perfect shiny head, and peach of an ass that I want to bounce things off of. I think he was our strongest defender and brought a lot of class and experience to our defense. I know he was getting a bit old, but I think had another season in him, but witth politics at the club he is on his way back to Juventus. Best of luck back in Italy, you know I will be watching you sex up the Serie A even more in the black and white. It has been a great few seasons and you will be missed. With Canna gone our back line got a lot more unreliable. Mr. Perez pleaaaase get us some new defenders, really really good ones! Also Real Madrid just lost a lot of hot, good thing they have more than enough to go around. Iker may just have to step it up a little.

On a random other note, I am pretty sure he tastes like pasta.

I like to imagine Iker is crying at Canna leaving in this last pic, but I think his nose just itched

I keep hearing all these rumors about transfers this summer, it is all part of being a Madridista. There is one that pisses me off though, I keep hear Higuain is out the door to make way for big names. Ummmm bad idea, little Pipita is our best/most reliable player this season! He did not show up in every game, but he did show up when it counted a hell of a lot more than ANYONE else on the team.

He is young and has a ton of potential. I cannot even put into words how much this adorable little argie has grown this season. I think he should be a starter this next season and then swap out Raul/Hunty/Ruud. Gonzo is a playmaker the others are strong finishers and I think that is the best combo. Granted I think if a striker is going to go it should be one of the later three. Of course you cannot sell Raul, he is a legend and lives and breaths Real Madrid and more iconic than the RM crest itself. So that leaves Hunty and Ruud. As much as I love Ruud he is getting up there in years and been out for a season, so I say get some money off of selling his name and trust in the remaining three for at least another season.

While a player like Villa would be great, they last thing our team needs is another striker. This season the boys had no problem scoring goals, they just let too many in. What I am getting at is there are two players on the team we cannot lose this summer and they are Gonzo and Iker. We all know Iker is not going anywhere, and I am pretty much ready to fight anyone who even jokes he should. It would be like me suggesting Frank Lampard and John Terry go to Madrid, it is just wrong and mean. So Mr. Perez hold onto to Pipita, and I am pretty sure he is happy as a clam in the white kit…so just don’t do something stupid like sell him. Oh and Maradonna when is he finally getting the NT call up he deserves?!?!

Real Madrid's front line of the future? Fine by me.

Much more on my thoughts on the season, the rest of the team, and potential summer transfers coming up in the next few weeks as I get over my initial end of the season depression.
All pictures from daylife

French Open: Round One

2009-05-25T19:56:00.003-05:00

Round One- The first two days

I missed most of the first day because I had some stuff to do, but I did catch most of Gilles Simon’s match. In every grand slam I usually pick my longshot I cheer for. I have been eying up Gilles for about a year now, and I really like this French cutie-pie’s playing style, I also have been turning into quite the francophile as of late (I blame Mr. Lashes) and I want to see this kid do well. He is 24 and from France, I like seeing hometown boys do well in tournaments in their country.

I have not seen Rafa play, but he won his first round match. Vamos my sexy little Spaniard. While I was not able to watch the match I have seen pictures, holy pastel colors Rafa! Looking good babe, but ditch the sleeves, your poor arm muscles look so constrained, let those babies breathe!

I was able to watch Roger this morning, he played well and one in straight sets. Roger was not playing his awe inspiring tennis, but it usually takes him a few rounds to really hit his magical stride. As much as I would like to see Rafa win the Grand Slam this year, I decided Rog is definitely my man in this tournament. I know it is a long shot, but I am still holding out to see the Swiss Maestro win at Roland Garros. I don’t know how to say GOOOO in Swiss-German so I am going with a good old fashion COME ON ROGER!!!

I also saw Andy Roddick’s match today. He was also playing quite well considering clay has never been his strongest surface. I will always have a soft spot for Andy Roddick, I mean got to cheer for the American boys and would like to see Andy do well this year.

There are some more matches tomorrow, I will hopefully be updating every few days and hopefully be able to watch a lot of the matches.

And some extra Federer pics because he is looking yummy!

All pictures from daylife.

Monday Manmeat: Jail Bait

2009-05-25T09:03:00.000-05:00

I am still not entirely sold on this weeks monday manmeat, he is no Roger or Rafa, but who is and he has potential. I figured with the French Open going on I would stick with tennis hotties for a while. This man is Juan Martin del Portro. He is 20, 6ft6in tall, and an Argentine. You all know my love for the argie athletes so I am intrigued by this man. Yes he is quite young and I am aware he is below my cut off oggling age (which is 21) but there is something about this super tall argie that usually results in my inner cougar sitting in front of the t.v. panting when he is on the court.

and has had some questionable hair choices (that he has been sorting out)...

He has a lot of potential as both a player and as a hottie, I mean well he is an argie. He finished in the quarter finals of the Aussie Open and US Open as well as winning a handful of other titles.

Best of luck in the French Open Mr. del Potro!

The night I tried to fight a horse, or should I say…the night a horse tried to fight me

2009-05-22T11:48:00.005-05:00

A while ago someone asked me to explain when I meant by “that horse at Mardi Gras” when referring to being attacked by animals. I figured telling this story would give you, my readers, a deeper insight into just who I am. So here it is, the story of how I almost got into a fight with a horse. Really I was defending myself so it is the story of how a horse attacked me and I almost fought back.

Let’s go back a few years, it was my first year of law school in New Orleans, and it was my first Mardi Gras. I figure I should explain the few days leading up to the equestrian encounter so you can understand just how I ended up wanting to fight a horse. It was Friday afternoon and a girl I did not know all to well yet, let’s call her Miss Jaco, gave me a call and asked me to go to a parade. Wanting to get in on this whole Mardi Gras thing, and never one to pass down drinking on a street I of course said yes. I get picked up by Miss Jaco, another friend who I will call “Limbo” and Miss Jaco’s boyfriend at the time, lets call him “Freddy.” We all head to the parades giant daiquiris (with extra shot) in hand, and start jumping up and down trying to catch beads and other cheap plastic doo-dads which I had no problem pushing children, bitches, and old people out of the way to get.

I learned after that first parade, I frickin’ LOOOVE Mardi Gras. It involves many of my favorite things: festive costumes, cheap toys, colorful things, drinking on the street, large drunken crowds, endless walking, and just general inappropriate behavior. Now most people from New Orleans hang out on the parade routs in neighborhoods, there is lots and lots of partying and not really any of that flashing stuff, thankfully. After the parades ended our little group wandered to one of our many favorite watering holes F&M’s patio bar. If you have never been to New Orleans or never wandered off of Bourbon Street on your visit let me explain F&M’s to you. We would often refer to it as “the black hole.” It looks just as sketchy inside as it does outside…and that is pretty damn sketchy. It is unwise to show up before 1am, and unheard of to show up before midnight. If you go in, it is a miracle if you get out before 6am, if you leave there before 6am it will only be to go to an even sketchier bar that will be open even later. It also has the most incredible cheese fries, they may be the single best drunken food on the planet, they are magical. We stayed there until god knows when, and I luckily ended up in my bed.

I wake up a few hours later, parades start early on Saturday, and we had to get there plenty early to get a good spot. So this day it was just me, Miss Jaco, and Freddy. We get our giant daiquiris, load up the cooler and head out. Spend the day at parades, wander various bars and then decide to go to a friend’s apartment, let’s call him “tool bag” in the warehouse district which is in proximity to the French Quarter. Now let me explain, I had not even come close to sobering up when I woke up Saturday morning, and I had started drinking almost immediately so by the time we arrived at tool bag’s apartment I had been considerably drunk for about 28 consecutive hours.

After drinking at tool bag’s apartment for a while the three of us leave and wander to Bourbon Street for the “experience.” We start wandering down the street and get a Hand Grenade (another special highly alcohol filled New Orleans drink, like the giant daiquiri). Bourbon Street is packed with people, crazy touchy people everywhere. I am kind of scared, very drunk and clinging to my friends and my hand grenade. We stop for a minute, and all of a sudden I feel something stomp on my foot. When I say stomp I mean STOMP it hurt sooooo bad. I start thinking “duuude, there is no way someone did that on accident, someone just stomped on my foot and I need to find out why.” So as I get over the initial pain I turn around with my arms out in my best pissed off pose and say “what is your problem” expecting to see some d-bag who stepped on my foot.

When I turned around it was not a person, in fact I had NO idea what it was. All I saw was a giant weird looking creatures face looking at me. I was beyond confused, and said quietly and intensely “WHAT ARE YOU??!!??” In a miraculous moment of clarity I realized it was a horse, not just a horse, a horse with a policeman on it. And I then realized my plan to push and/or confront whoever it was that stomped on me was not in fact a good plan. It was in fact a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad plan, and I scurried away confused.

The next morning I was woken up by the scent of a full hand grenade (we must have gone back for seconds) and was never in such pain. Not only in pain from a hangover, but also the intense smell of midori, and the ginormous bruise on my foot.
I learned many valuable lessons that night:
1. Mardi Gras brings out my fightin’ side
2. Horses are to be feared, and I still fear and avoid them
3. I am certain the horse intended to step on me
4. You can actually get drunk enough to not be able to recognize the most basic of farm creatures
5. Never fall asleep cuddling with full hand grenade the smell is hands down the worst smell ever when hungover
6. Any time I start drinking before noon usually ends both simultaneously horribly and hilariously
7. Miss Jaco ended up being one of my best friends and this was far from our last or most epic drunken adventure.
and I think the most interesting part of this all is that this story does not surprise most people I know in the slightest, and this was only night two of my five day Mardi Gras bender.

This picture is of a stuffed horse I caught at my third, and likely final, Mardi Gras…I took it as a sign that life always comes full circle.

Monday Manmeat: Perfection!

2009-05-18T12:41:00.003-05:00

Ahhh the Swiss Maestro. Now if you thought my last post was gushing, strap in for this one, because nothing comes close to my love of the one and only Roger Federer. I could start listing all that he has done in tennis. He has already considered to be one of, if not the greatest of all time, won a billion grand slams, a gold metal (in doubles) in the Olympics, and won about 8 billion other titles. He went a good few years of his career being nearly unstoppable (except rarely by Rafa). Roger is going into the French Open with a chance to break Pete Sampras's record of grand slam titles, though lets face it Rafa will probably beat him as Clay has been Rogers one semi-weakness. However, Roger did just beat Rafa in the Madrid Masters, a competition on clay.
I have had much love for Roger for a long time, but it got out of control this year when wore this to Wimbledon...

Yes folks that is a monogrammed houndstooth cardigan made just for him by Nike, I don't think I have ever seen anything sexier (I have issues I know). Roger went on to lose Wimbledon last year in what was without a doubt one of the greatest matches in the history of tennis, and well the history of sports.
Roger was sad and crying a lot lately, last year was not his best year...see sad Roger

Lets put this into perspective...this was a bad year for Roger. 1 Grand Slam semi-final, 3 grand slam finals and one of which he won. Various other titles and a gold metal in doubles tennis in the Olympics all while he had Mono...and that was what people call a BAD year for him.

Can't put my finger on it, but this man is beyond perfect...maybe its the "greatest of all time" label maybe its the sophisticated arrogance, maybe its his still humble personality, maybe his eyes and perfectly wavy hair, maybe its the fact that he can play a 5 hour intense match and still look like he just walked out of the shower at the end...who knows.

As you see he also cleans up nice...and speaks about a billion languages.

Monday Manmeat: Rafa!!

2009-05-18T12:25:00.003-05:00

In honor of the upcoming French Open I am doing a very special two part Monday Manmeat. This first post is about a young man you should all know well, Rafael Nadal. The current world #1, Olympic gold metal winner, reigning Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon winner. I could go on and on about his achievements but right now I am going to focus on his unbelievable left arm...

I mean look at that thing, it is ridiculous.
Rafa is young, Spanish and about as a-frickin-dorable as a man can be. He often looks sheepish, confused, seems to be a bit OCD, and never seems to stop moving but dont let his innocent looks fool you, when he gets on the court all he does is destroy...

Rafa is on a fast course to becoming the greatest player ever on the clay court, and has started his domination of the hard court as well as grass...

Mr. Nadal had some very interesting fashion choices on the court until recently. He used to wear very tight long shorts and sleeveless shirts, me and the women of planet earth thanked him for this (see above picture), but at the start of the Aussie Open Rafa decided he wanted a more grown up look and started wearing shirts with *gasp* Sleeves! I have not entirely forgiven him, but wish him luck on his quest to win his 10,000 French Open title. VAMOS RAFA!

See the sleeves are criminal, but at least he tries to make up for it by laying on the court in an adorkable manner. Oh and he is a big Real Madrid fan!

Cover songs...

2009-05-11T15:14:00.004-05:00

It has been requested that I write more about music and less about sports and animals. While I have no intention of writing less about sports and animals I will make more of an attempt to write about music. One of my favorite artists is Ryan Adams, and it just hit me how amazing of a job he does on cover songs. I am usually not a big fan of cover songs, but he does an absolutely brilliant job when he does one. There are three that come into mind: Down in a Hole (originally Alice in Chains), Wonderwall (originally Oasis), Always on my Mind (originally Willie Nelson).

Down in a Hole

I absolutely love the original version of this song, as well as Alice in Chains in general. But Ryan Adams cover of this song gives me chills. It is a bit of a depressing song, but a beautiful song. There is a lot of pain in it, as to be expected from Alice in Chains, and Ryan does an amazing job at capturing it. The song was on a little EP that came out a few years ago called "Follow the Lights" and I highly recommend. Also has a great version "If I am a Stranger" and a wonderful little song called "My Love for you is Real."

Wonderwall

The original is by Oasis, as everyone and their mother knows. I love the original, and Oasis is also one of my favorite bands, I have listened to them for as long as I can remember. This is another cover that just gives me chills. Ryan's take on it is a bit different, but it is brilliant. The song is on Part 1 of the "Love is Hell" album. I remember this came out when I was living in London many years back, the (2) album(s) really really fit that time in my life. Whenever I hear this cover I think of a particular rainy day in early December wandering around the city a few days before I had to leave. I promised myself one day I would move back, and every time I hear this version of the song it reminds me of that promise.

Always on my Mind

I should start off by saying that I love Willie Nelson, and this is one of my favorite songs ever. I did not think Willie could be done justice in a cover, but once again Ryan nailed it. Sometimes I forget what an amazing love song this is. I don't have much else to say other than check it out! It is on "Jacksonville City Nights" which is one of my favorite Ryan Adams albums.

Chelsea v. Barcelona- Blue is the Color!!

2009-05-11T12:00:00.002-05:00

Well, well, well. The initial trauma of Chelsea's last minute loss to some idiot bald ref, I mean Barcelona, is starting to fade and I can think somewhat clearly again.

For those of you behind the times, my beloved boys in blue lost after a last minute goal by Andres Iniesta of Barcelona and were denied a spot in the Champions League final. I am not going to get into the controversy (there was plenty, and I am sure you know it all) but long story short Chelsea were denied many penalties they clearly should have received and by all means deserved to win the game. Most people did not want Chelsea in the final for many reasons. I am not just talking about footie fans who dislike Chelsea...I am talking about UEFA, FIFA, Commentators, Pundits and so on. I am not saying the match was fixed, I am just saying. I am sure some of the stuff I say will piss people off, even some Chelsea fans...this is not my aim, so if you have any questions about what I have to say, please let me know so I can clarify.

On one hand I am of course pissed off, but on the other at least this happened when playing a team like Barcelona. I know some people may be angry at me for saying this, but this years Barca squad does deserve to be in the final. I do not think they deserved to win the game last week by any means I think they were outplayed by Chelsea. I am just talking about this season as a whole, they have been playing some amazing football and I always assumed they would make it to the final (This was before I knew they had to go through Chelsea to get there). I of course wanted them to lose to Chelsea, and think how they got there was a disgrace (on the part of UEFA and the Ref) but if Chels were going to get screwed like they did at least it was a to a quality team. If this same thing happened against Man Utd or Liverpool I probably would have been vomiting after the game, well I still was pretty close after Iniesta's goal. It just would have seemed a lot worse against teams like that. Now I just hope Barcelona can go to the final and humiliate Man Utd, because as far as talent and class goes I think Barca is the superior team of the two. Chelsea deserve to be in the final, but if we were going to get screwed out of our rightful place at least it went to a worthy team. And in the end, I am still beyond proud of the boys for keeping Barcelona from playing like themselves for both legs, no matter what you think of Cheslea's tactics in the first leg. Also lets not forget just how beautiful Essien's goal was, I mean my god, it was amazing...but then again Essien is all around amazing, how could you expect anything else?

Now on to the players reactions. As I am sure everyone has seen Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba freaked out just a teensy bit, okay they freaked out a lot. I keep hearing from a lot of people how unprofessional it was and it was a disgrace they acted the way they did. I think that is just bulls***, they were just robbed of a spot in the final of one of the biggest tournaments of their life, and one in which they had some serious things to prove after the way it ended last year. Chelsea has had a tough season with instability because of manager drama and have been fighting with everything they have to stay in the CL and in the title race. This is a team of world class and passionate footballers and I do not blame them for how they reacted. Much of this criticism is coming from fans of a certain team in northern England *cough* ManEww *cough*, a team that has no frickin clue what is like to get screwed over because of horrible officiating because generally if a team is getting screwed over this team is the one benefiting. Sure some Man Utd fans will disagree, and I was making an unnecessarily broad statement, I am sure they have had some bad calls against them, but not to the extent most other teams have. Rafa Benitez may be a wack-job imo, but he made some valid points earlier this season. I think these certain fans of this certain team need to think before bashing Ballack and Drogba like they do, because if Man Utd had been in that situation (not like that would EVER happen) their players would have reacted the same way. Ronaldo throws a tizzy and goes to ground if a stiff breeze blows on him, and Rooney is not exactly the king of being Mr. calm and collected on the pitch...I could go on and on.

Here is the short version of my thoughts. 1) Chelsea got screwed, it sucks, made me cry...but if we were going to be screwed I would rather it be in favor of Barca than most teams. 2) Props to Ballack and Drogba (and the rest of the boys) nothing wrong with anyone's reactions. 3) That game made my love of Chelsea grow even more...if it was possible 4) I am pretty sure Andres Iniesta is actually Casper the friendly ghost...and needs to go away.

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

Monday Manmeat: Part ?

2009-05-11T11:39:00.008-05:00

I figured it was about time I did a little post on my favorite Argentine footballer...Fernando Gago. For some reason I always talk about his cutie teammate Higuain, but never talk about my love Gago. Fernando is 23 from Argentina, started off at Boca Juniors and is now at Real Madrid and the NT of Argentina (who he won an Olympic gold metal with). Gago is a talented midfielder, but does struggle a bit with inconsistency.
Anyways I am not here to talk about his playing ability today, I am here to talk about his complete adorableness. Now I am not normally a fan of long hair and scruff, but he makes it work...SEE...

He looks cute when he is happy...

Annnd when he is sad...

And what really gets me...his eyes, just love this picture *sigh*

Pics are from realmadrid.com and I suppose google, the internet? somewhere.

Okay, okay enough with the fangirl in me...it sometimes comes out...
The title race has ended in La Liga, but I still love my Real Madrid boys...about a million times more after this season. Barca has not officially won yet but they will, I just hope they get held off a few more weeks.

Score Update-- Squirrel: 4, Gigglepop:0

2009-05-05T10:02:00.005-05:00

As some of you may recall a while back I had a bit of a battle with a little squirrel in my yard that kept getting into a bird feeder. Well here is an update on the little brat. First off I named him Ronnie. Because like his namesake, he is annoying, ballsy, way too full of himself, and unfortunately good at what he does. Though, unlike Human-Ronnie, he is not doing step-overs, scoring goals, taking off his shirt, rolling on the ground, and banging prostitutes-- Squirrel-Ronnie is master at breaking into the damn bird feeder.

The other day I see him in the bird feeder so I decide to scare him away. I go outside he jumps out and sits on the ground and looks at me. Not one to back down to a challenge I throw my shoe at him. Squirrel-Ronnie dodges it skillfully and proceeds to chirp at me. Afraid of the ballsy little thing, and my history of being attacked by wildlife, I run back in the house. I glare out the window, now it is really on.

The next day I decide this is going to end once and for all. I grab a roll of duct tape and I duct tape the hell out of that bird feeder. The birds can still get in but there is no way Squirrel-Ronnie can get in, right? WRONG! For a few days I watch him try with futile efforts to get into the feeder, and laugh as he fails. But then what do you know, I come home from work and the cover (still covered in duct tape) is laying on the ground and Squirrel-Ronnie is up in the tree chirping at me, mocking me.

I am not sure what my next move will be, but this war is far from over.

Here is an old pic of Squirrel-Ronnie in the feeder.

A Very Special Monday Manmeat

2009-05-04T09:00:00.001-05:00

I have been making an effort to feature non-athlete manmeat for the past few weeks (since I write about hot athletes enough on this blog) but I figured I would bring it back to my footie world this Monday, with the one and only Jose Mourinho. He is the self proclaimed “special one,” and deserves that title for sure.

Mr. Jose is Portuguese, fantastic, and a champion. The former boss of FC Porto where he won the champions league. The former boss of Chelsea, and perhaps the future boss of the blues as well *fingers crossed* where he won back to back league titles and a handful of other trophies before Big Boss sacked him.

The special one is now doing his special thing at Inter in Italy where he pretty much has the Serie A locked up. There is no other manager like him, and he is the best in the world.

Shut up haters! Be Champions!

This Weekend in Sports: The Barca needs to go away edition

2009-05-03T12:44:00.005-05:00

I guess I should start off by saying Barcelona is just pissing me off this week, and they need to go away or stop winning. They are not the only team who wants to win things, big meanies!!

Yesterday was just craptastic. The steamroller that is Barca beat my beloved boys in white about 65-2 in the el Classico. Now that Barca is seven points ahead (if I did my math right) with only a few games left they have all but put a little bow on La Liga. Oh well, it seemed from the beginning they were unstoppable and they proved to be. This season my love of Real Madrid grew immensely, it was amazing seeing them battle back in the title race they way they did. An 18 game unbeaten streak, it was incredible. It was not that they even played bad yesterday, Barca just brought a super-human A-game and showed just how good they could be. Xavi, Messi, Henry all had great games, and those are players you do not want to all have a great game on the same day.
The highlight of the game (for me) was without a doubt a goal from my favorite argie…okay second favorite argie…Gonzalo Higuain. And because it makes me smile I am adding a cute Gonzo pic

hehehe oh how I adore him.

On a happier note, Chelsea beat Fulham! And are getting ready for the second leg of the CL SF against..who else, that steamroller Barca. My boys in blue did the incredible last week and kept the blaugrana at 0-0 at the Camp Nou, which has been near impossible this season (in fact has not been done since the first game). Now the next leg is at the bridge, and I know the boys can take care of business. After watcing Barca almost obsessively out of fascination (and my not so secret lust for Xavi, Messi, and Pep) I know they can be beaten, and have a weak defense. Unlike San Iker Victor Valdez main skill in goal is to look pretty, and Barcas only decent defenders (Puyol and Marquez) are out so I know Didi and Nico can take care of business up front, and as the Chelsea defense showed last week they can keep that little fraggle/evil-muppet/cutie-pie Messi contained. I could go on and on right now about this game, but I wont right now.

That is about it for now. Expect some more ramblings and hopefully joyous screams after midweek European action!

As always—COME ON YOU BLUES!! and HALA MADRID!!!

Monday Manmeat vol.2

2009-04-27T12:43:00.003-05:00

JACK BAUER! no no not Kiefer, this is all about the one and only Jack Bauer. As many know I have an obsession with 24 and anything said or done by this man. He is a family man, never waivers in his principles, hates terrorists, and looks damn sexy while doing all of the above.
Jack has quite the resume, former Delta Force, former CIA, former head of CTU, died and came back to life-- twice, saved the world from nuclear threat at least twice, been awesome a million times, excellent skills with a hacksaw, etc.

He can save the world on his own with the help of his trusty gun.

Jack does not trust many people, but he does trust his also sexy side-kick Tony Almeida

Jack is so secure in his manly manly manhood that he rocks a man bag and rocks it good.

Click for more information on Jack

No Line on the Horizon Thoughts...Part three (I think)

2009-04-21T13:03:00.001-05:00

Okay here are my thoughts on a few more of the songs from "No Line on the Horizon"

Stand-Up Comedy

This is another favorite from the album. I love the music and I love the lyrics. This is one of the songs on the album where the Dylan influence is heard, especially in Bono’s vocals. The song is done almost spoken word style. It is a song that just makes me happy, not much else I can say about it.
Lyrically I think it is brilliant, it is hard to pinpoint my favorite lines because there are so many. It reminds me of songs like “Love and Peace or Else” it has a political message behind it but filled with a lot of optimism and joy. This song is in a way more comical than songs like “Sunday Bloody Sunday” “Seconds” and other songs in that vein, but it has the same almost naïve but beautiful optimism behind it. In many ways this song and “Love and Peace” are a bit more grown up, not as serious by any means, but more grown up and realistic in their approach.

Lyric that stands out the most to me: “I can stand up for hope, faith, love But while I’m getting over certainty. Stop helping God across the road like a little old lady.”
Song it reminds me the most of: Love and Peace or Else—How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (2004) and Seconds—War (1983)

Breathe

Dylan, Dylan, Dylan that is all I thought the first time I heard this song. It was like Bono took on the task of recreating “Subterranean Homesick Blues” with his voice and signature on it. I will not go so far as to blaspheme myself and say he succeeded, because that just is not possible. I don’t think success at recreating it was Bono’s goal, but rather just something to pay tribute. However, I think this was a noble attempt at trying his hand at a sort of stream on consciousness song. Another great song that is interesting both musically and lyrically. Of all the songs on this album every time I hear this one I end up replaying it three or four times, it is just addicting.
I know I keep saying “this song is one of my favorites” but yes this song is another absolute favorite on the album. I am going to keep my comments on this short because if I don’t I will end up on a never ending tangent on Bob. When I listen to the first verse of this song it really reminds me of the version of “Bullet the Blue Sky” that is on Rattle and Hum. I keep hearing the influence of Dylan and Rattle and Hum on this album, and this is not surprising because the two go hand in hand in the catalogue of U2 for me. Rattle and Hum was essentially their tribute to America and they even did a song with Dylan on it called “Love Rescue Me” it is a great song check it out. There is a certain element of American music and culture the boys tapped into on Rattle and Hum and it is the same element that was the basis of Dylan’s music. I can’t put my finger on it, but its there.

Lyric that stands out the most to me: “I found grace inside a sound, I found grace it’s all I found” (this is actually probably my favorite moment on the entire album).
Songs it reminds me the most of: Bullet the Blue Sky—Rattle and Hum version (1989), God Part II—Rattle and Hum (1989), Window in the Skies U218 (2007)

Monday Manmeat

2009-04-20T09:30:00.002-05:00

I figured I needed a weekly installment on my blog, so here it is and it will be called “Monday Manmeat.” I will feature a little profile and some pictures of my favorite hottie of the week. I would have chosen a day other than Monday for manmeat fun, but it was the only day that started with M. I hope you enjoy, and if you have a man you want to see on here let me know! Now for my first installment…Jason Statham.

This lovely hunk of action hero manmeat wandered into my life many years ago as “Bacon” in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and “Turkish” in Snatch.

I will be honest he eluded me for years after by staring in a series of bad action movies like the Transporter Trilogy, Crank, etc. However, I started watching some of those bad action movies when I remembered just how ridiculously hot this man is.

Okay well I only watched about 20 minutes of “The Transporter 2” but there was a brilliant moment when he takes off his suit jacket and his button-down shirt is conveniently missing a sleeve exposing his bulging bicep. Now THAT was brilliant filmage. I am now planning on seeing as many of these movies as I can.

all pics from photobucket
I am not going to lie, I am seriously tempted to go see “Crank 2” in the theater, I have not seen “Crank” but I am a smart girl and I figure I can piece together its umm highly complicated and intricate plot via wikipedia and imdb.

This weekend in sports

2009-04-19T20:23:00.006-05:00

Real quick because I am lazy tonight.
Chelsea in teh FA cup final!!!! We beat Arsenal 2-1 on saturday and it was just plain awesome. I cannot comment too much on the game itself because i could not actually watch it, though did get great play by play from the blues babes in chat. We will be playing Everton who beat ManU on penalties today.
A few quick thoughts on the game, glad I missed the first 100 minutes or so, and got to see the best part, I am 94% certain Dimitar Berbatov actually is Count Chocula, Ben Foster is just too hot for his own good and should leave ManU imediately. and Tim Howard is the man! An all blue final!!

Real Madrid won, and played in the black kits and looked as hot as ever. Iker is finally sorted out his hair and is just wow. Marcello got the only goal of the game from a great pass from my boy Fernando Gago. Mmmmmm Gago. (sorry he makes my mind wander). Really Hot Madrid is still in the LaLiga title race and on an Epic 16 game unbeaten streak and I believe 15 of those were outright wins. However, Barca just does not want to lose. El Classico is in a few weeks eeeek!

Thats about it, there was some tennis and golf this weekend but nothing big. I did not get a chance to watch or look up results.

Things I see on the Road

2009-04-17T11:55:00.001-05:00

As many of you know I live in the middle of frickin nowhere, and many of you also may know that one of my favorite activities is distance running. Living in the country has its down sides, but one major upside is endless deserted roads to run forever and ever on. While the road I live on has “highway” in the name, it is a damn road, and I run on it a lot. While running on my road I see lots of interesting things and I figured I would share a few of them with you.

Dashing Deer—this area is overrun with them, they are everywhere. I like them in my yard, at a distance, but not when I am out alone on the road. The other day two ran right in front of me, and when I say right in front of me I mean I could have reached out and touched them. If they ran out into the road about thirty seconds later I would have been crushed by a herd of deer, which would not be a surprising death for me. Another fun fact about me—I often get attacked by animals. To name a few instances…when I was younger a pig chewed on me, I got stalked and attacked by a baby ram at a petting zoo, and then there was that horse at Mardi Gras.

Creepy Corner—Recently I started getting more motivated and finally decided to run up the big hill at the end of the road and see what was up around the bend. Well I discovered that the bend is pretty damn creepy. The nice paved road turns to dirt, which is nice on the knees for running so I kept going. I discovered a “farm.” Well it looks like a farm, but all they seem to be growing on the farm is three or four cows and a crap load of rusty cars. This should have been m first signal to turn around, but running through creepy places at dusk is just too much fun so I kept going. Next up on creepy corner is a little shack/house that paint and everything else is falling off of. I am about 76% sure there are some lampshades in there made out of people.

Fernando the Fox—There is a spot on the road I hit in the middle of my run (usually around 6:30pm if you want to stalk me) and in that spot there is almost always a fox sitting there. I named him Fernando. Just so you know it is after Fernando Gago NOT Fernando Torres. Nothing too exciting about Fernando the Fox other than he is super duper cute and has not attacked me yet. It is not everyday you see a fox so I think he is pretty cool.

Cobra Kai—Yesterday morning I was dragging my fat lazy dog on a walk and I saw someone walking in the distance. I slowly got closer and realized this person was dressed in all white, and as I got even closer I realized it was a man. I thought it was odd to see a man dressed in all white, well in this area it is. While living in New Orleans I am sure I saw a few in all white linen or white suits. Anyways as he got closer I realized he was in a full karate outfit. Let me reiterate I live on a back country road, the closest thing that is not a bar is about ten miles away. I have no idea where he was going or why he was dressed like that. I was tempted to yell out “how’s it hanging Cobra Kai?” but I was worried he may roundhouse kick me in the face.

The other direction—I have only ran one direction from my house, some day I will venture the other direction. I have driven that way a bit and know the road forks. One fork leads to a place called “big timber” I have no idea what it is, but it has a fancy brown sign, so must be cool. I hope it is a giant tree. The other fork goes to the bar. Both pretty awesome destinations.

Blues through to CL semi's and some other stuff

2009-04-15T21:59:00.000-05:00

< I know, I know… I have been doing all sports posts lately, but I have not had time to work on anything else. I do have some interesting things planned for the next few weeks on blog, but I am still organizing so stay tuned.

Football I
Whew big big weekend in sports. I managed to go the whole weekend without watching any football. It was not really by choice, I was visiting family who do not have sports packages on their cable, silly them. Anyways both Chelsea and Real Madrid won. I saw a bit of the replay of the Chelsea game, it was crazy up 4 goals and then conceded 3, but still won.

Golf
I did get to watch a bit of the masters. Angel Cabrera won, it was a three-way sudden death…pretty exciting stuff. Bendy McBenderson, Camilo Villegas finished tied for 12th (I think, too lazy to go back and look it up). Other exciting golf news, the tour championship is coming to Minnesota and I am about 94% sure I have tickets lined up, sooooo excited!!!

Football II
Now the real excitement, the Champions League!! The semi-finals are set Chelsea v. Barca and ManU v. Arsenal. The second leg of the annual Chelsea/Liverpool game was a thriller to say the least. 4-4 on the night and Chels won 7-5 on aggregate. I had a great time chatting with some of the blues babes on twitter during the game. I think my heart stopped about 6 times and I passed out from holding my breath another 4-5 times. It was a great great nerve wracking game but Chelsea won in the end and that is all that matters. Now as you know I do not have the highest opinion on ‘Pool but you gotta respect the fighting spirit they came to the bridge with, but Chelsea was just not going to let themselves lose the game. There was a great link up goal between Anelka and Drogba, two brilliant goals from Super Frankie Lampard, and an excellent goal off of a free kick by Alex. I am just so proud of the boys in blue right now, and there is a potential of a rematch of last years final with ManU. However, to get there we must go through Barcelona, who as I have mentioned many times on here, is playing ridiculously good this season. I could go on and on about my thoughts on the Barca tie, which I am sure I will at a later date.

That’s all for now, and as I said I will have some more new things going on in here once I get myself settled and organized after a long weekend of far too much drinking.

Midweek in sports...and a rant

2009-04-09T11:28:00.002-05:00

Okay I am going to begin this with a little rant. Unless you watch American football, and even then, ESPN has to be one of the worst sports networks on the planet. The powers that be should stop these idiots from getting the rights to ANY sporting event. I am not going to even begin to talk about their champions league coverage, all I can say is THANK-GOD Fox has the rights for next year and PLEASE do better, not that it would be hard.
I am sitting here 11:00 on the first day of the masters, and there is golf being played. Am I seeing ANY of it, NOOOO? Nope, ESPN thinks they should just replay sportscenter fifteen times and start showing the masters when the day is almost done at 2:00pm. OH they are also showing NFL live, ummm WTF didn’t throwball end months ago? ESPN has about 10 channels they could show it on, but nope ALL are replaying their crappy shows. I am currently getting all my updates on the leaderboard (ESPN is not even showing that!) on the golf channel. Btw I think the golf channel has great coverage, and if they had the rights to the first few days of the masters (like they do with most tournaments) I would be watching live golf right now. Sorry had to get that out. AM I wrong on this, or is ESPN the WORST sports network imaginable?

On to happier stuff—FOOTBALL!!
Arsenal drew with Villareal and ManU drew with Porto in the first legs of their champions league quarterfinals. Barca dominated Bayern 4-0, and now I am praying for a miraculous Bayern recovery in the next leg. On one hand the longer Barca stays in the CL the more tired they will be in La Liga and the better it is for Real Madrid. On the other hand I do not want Chelsea to have to face Barca in the next round of the CL, and well I am also cheering for Bayern for the prospect of a naked Luca Toni, mmmm.

But the real excitement?!?! CHELSEA beat Liverpool 3-1 ATTTTTT anfield. I get happy chills even saying it. Fernando Torres scored in the first 6 minutes, but then it was one way traffic from the Blues. Two headers from Ivanovic, I cannot describe my love of him right now. Didi put a pretty one in as well, and also had a few other nice chances. Captain JT got a bs yellow card, and since he had one from a previous game so he is out for the return leg at the Bridge. Ricardo Carvalho *sigh* should finally be back, so he can help hold down the back line, and Frankie will captain (I assume). I can’t say I won’t enjoy Frank Lampard in the armband. Anyways, it was a great performance from the boys in blue, and I am beyond proud of them. It has been a tough season and they deserved this!!

The masters started today. I have not seen any of it yet (see above). I am of course cheering for Camilo, I bet he looks good in green, and he is my favorite to watch. However, I think above all I am cheering for Sergio Garcia, I want to see him win a major one of these days, and am sad I have not been seeing much of him lately.
Oh and I recently found out the tour championship is being played in Minnesota!! I am working on getting tickets. If I do, Camilo, Sergio, Adam, etc…prepare to be ogled. Mmmmm.

happy happy (midweek in sports-- coming soon)

2009-04-08T21:15:00.003-05:00

Chelsea won 3-1 in the first leg of the champions league against Liverpool. As you can guess I am in a state of euphoria right now. I am going to post a more in depth run down of the game tomorrow, I am just too excited and tired to do it now.

Oh and Barca destroyed Bayern...that means Baraca won (bad) and Luca Toni remains clothed (badder).

Annnd the masters starts tomorrow...so stay tuned!

El Hombre Arana

2009-04-06T21:37:00.003-05:00

This has been a work in progress, trying to select the perfect pics. I know I have mentioned him on here a few times before, but I figured my dear readers need a proper introduction to the man who currently has my heart. There are many athletes I love-- Gago, Roger, Iker, Joey Cole, and a few others, but this man has a place above them all. His name is Camilo Villegas, he is 27, from Columbia, they call him “Spiderman,” and is a pro golfer. I could go on and on and on about his talent. Won a few events last year, had a few strong finishes already this season. Still quite young for a golfer, and tons of potential. Okay enough talk, because really pictures tell the story much better than I can.

He comes equipped with a South American accent, always matches his belt with his shoes, does not shy away from tight white pants (which he never, ever gets a spot on) and looks like this.

He is one of the fittest players on the tour, take a good look at those arms, they are hypnotic.

And if you wondered why they call him “spiderman” this is why. He seems to quite enjoy doing this, and I quite enjoy it when he does. Bendy bend, lawn crawler, bendy bend.

And throwing in this pic because I have a serious thing for guys who wear argyle.

pictures from daylife.com

All in all he is a talented athlete, South American, and bendy, all qualities I quite like in a man. How about you, dear readers, what do you think? Oh and ladies, you can look but no touchy, he is all mine ;-)

This weekend in sports

2009-04-05T15:00:00.001-05:00

Basketball—
Michigan State and North Carolina are in the final game. I am cheering for UNC

Tennis—
Sony Erickson Open was this week. I did not see any of it sadly. It was Djokovic and Murray in the final, neither of which I like. Murray won, which I would say is the much lesser of the two evils. Fed made it to the semi’s and I think Rafa went out in the quarters. Roddick did fairly well too

Golf—
There is a tournament in Houston this week. It is in the final round, Fred Couples is winning as of right now, but it is still going on. I have been watching a bit, but there has been a disturbing lack of Camilo air-time, so my interest faded a bit. I think I am going to do a whole post dedicated to Mr. Villegas at some point this week, my love for him just keeps growing, and I have been bulking up (no pun intended) my photo collection of him so expect some spider man manliness this week. I did discover a newbie hottie. His names is James Nitties, I think this is his first year on the pro tour, he is 25ish, cute and Australian. According to NBC commentators lists “Clubbing” and “Women” as some of his interests, mmmm Aussie man-whore golfer, he gets my stamp of approval. The masters starts on Thursday, I am excited to see who gets the green jacket!! (btw I do know more about golf than I let on, I am just to lazy to write about anything of substance.)

Football-
Waaaahooo Chelsea and Real Madrid won!!!! Unfortunately so did Barca, ManU and Liverpool ugh ugh ugh.
Another great chat this week for the Chelsea game with some of the kickettes. The blues took on Newcastle who are temporarily being led by the adorable toon legend Alan Shearer. First half was pretty miserable, but the boys picked it up in the second half, won 2-0 and had a lot more chances. I was kind of sad to see Newcastle lose, I would really hate to see a club like that relegated, and would have maybe even cheered for a tie, because they are in a lot of danger this season, if Chels did not need the points so badly. Especially since I have now discovered Newcastle is full of dirty-hot players that are impossible not to like, and after seeing some of Shearers hilarious comments in post-match interviews. I think I may adopt them as my second EPL team that I cheer for if Chelsea is not on.
Champions League game against Liverpool this week. I would be lying if I said I was not nervous. Then again Blues are playing well, and Liverpool had to scrape out an injury time win against Fulham, granted they controlled most of the game. However, it was not any of that 15-0 bs they have been busting out lately. COME ON YOU BLUES!!

I have not watched the Real Madrid game yet, looks like the scraped out a 1-0 win over Malaga with a goal from Gonzo. Gol TV is finally showing the match later today. I missed most Serie A games because I was in church and running errands. Since this has been my first year really following the league, I am still team shopping in Serie A, I am hoping to have a final decision for the team I support by the end of the season.

Oh and I managed to poke myself in the eye with the palm leaf at church, and surprisingly this is the first time that has happened. Another example of my graceful nature.

Pipita sigh

2009-04-03T14:00:00.003-05:00

I am having some serious love of Higuain lately. and I thought I would celebrate the return of La Liga this week and Real Madrid's final push at an epic come back in the title race with some love for my (second) favorite Argentine. I really hope he gets the call up soon for Argentina (especially after whatever the hell that was against Boliva this week). I really have nothing new to write about him right now. He is adorable, crazy talented, and way too young. One of the top scorers for Real Madrid this season, and I hope he adds a few more to his total tomorrow. Basically I just wanted an excuse to put of this scruffalicious picture of him.

and this cute one of him running with that adorable Javi...*double sigh*

both from realmadrid.com

HALA MADRID!

No Line on the Horizon Thoughts...part one

2009-04-03T13:35:00.001-05:00

It’s been about a month since the album came out, I have written about a billion ideas on it, but I have not been able to make anything coherent, but that seems to be the story of my life right now. I figured the easiest way to do this would be to go song by song. So periodically over the next week or so I will be posting my thoughts on a song or two a day.

No Line on the Horizon
I figure I might as well do this in order. This song is by far one of my favorites on the album, so far. It is a bit of a different sound, I cannot pin my finger on it. There is a grittiness to it, and a sort of desperation. One of the things that has always drawn me to U2 is the fact that sometimes Bono’s lyrics hit such a personal spot with me, sometimes to a point that I could not begin to explain. Whenever I listen to this song I get a certain feeling that I also find hard to explain. It reminds me of a time when I was listening to “Rattle and Hum” over and over again one very hot summer day about 10 years ago. Something about it just grabbed me, and the same goes with this song, just seems to fit in better on a cold day. It reminds me of songs like “Desire” “Hawkmoon 269” and “Heartland.” They are songs I never quite grabbed onto what they were really about just loved, just as I cannot quite put my finger on the meaning of this one. One thing I have learned for sure is when I go back and listen to the above mentioned “Rattle and Hum” songs they make a lot more sense to me with ten years of life behind me than they did when I first heard them. Right now I am kind of wishing I could go back to my 16 year old confused and lonely self and see how I would have reacted to this song.

Lyric that stands out the most to me: “The songs in your head are now on my mind. You put me on pause, I’m Trying to rewind and replay”
Song it reminds me the most of: Hawkmoon 269, Rattle and Hum (1989)

Magnificent
The first time I listened to this song for some reason I instantly thought of the Pop album. Now looking back I am not sure why I heard that, but still think it is there. Now with about 500 more listens it seems straight out of some of the b-sides to “All that you can’t Leave Behind” like “Summer Rain” and “Electrical Storm” and the intro really reminds me of the guitar work on “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.” I love this song, another favorite from the album, and probably my favorite vocals on the album. There is an airy, ethereal quality to it, almost like it is being sung from the bottom of a hole. I think maybe that is the quality I was picking up that reminded me of the “Pop” album. Lyrics wise it is classic U2, a song that can be used to inspire grandeur or remind you of the simplest joys in life. It is one of those songs that is lyrically transcendent and at a moments turning in life can go from just a fun song you like to sing along with to one that will carry you a life shaking moment.

Lyric that stands out the most to me: “My first cry, it was a joyful noise”
Song it reminds me most of: Musically—Summer Rain, b-side to Beautiful Day (2001) . Lyrically—Wire, Unforgettable Fire (1985)

I should have the next couple songs up in a day or two.

A battle of wits: Squirrel: 1, Giggle Pop: 0

2009-04-02T11:00:00.000-05:00

Apparently there is more than one breed of squirrel, I guess I knew some looked different than others, but I am told some are worse than others. I once saw a flying squirrel, now that was pretty cool. Anyways, there is a cute breed of squirrels who live in my yard, people say they are bad because they chew on houses or something. I always thought they were misunderstood with adorable little ears…until one made things personal. Anyone who knows me, knows I often have battles with animals and/or inanimate objects, and now I have been entirely outsmarted by a squirrel.

We have a few different bird feeders in the yard, and bird feeders can be pretty high tech, especially when you have many who want to eat the bird feed that are not birds i.e. bears, deer, squirrels. One of our bird feeders is especially tricky and I have never figured out how to open it. This bird house/feeder is designed to be super-duper anti-squirrel. It is on top of a long slipper pole, has a slippery roof, and the part you eat out of closes if something heavier than a bird on it. This feeder/house is also anti-giggle pop because it has some weird latch thing to open it that I cannot figure out how to open. Somehow one of the squirrels managed to climb onto the house/feeder, unlatch it and get inside. Now it sits in there eating the bird seed and every once in a while popping his head up and mocking me. I still cannot figure out how he gets in there and I still cannot figure out how to get in there myself.

The crafty squirrel at work...

Qualifiers!

2009-04-01T21:07:00.003-05:00

Big smiles after a great day of world cup qualifiers. Both England and Spain came back to win with last minute goals! Crouchie scored first for England, and of course celebrated with an awesomly awkward Crouchie dance. And our fearless captain JT!!!! scored the winning goal, so so proud.

Altidore got a hat trick for the USMNT, love love LOVING the red, white, and blue right now!!

Now trying to figure out what the hell happened to Argentina today. Don't really cheer for Argentina, but I just can't handle seeing Gago all sad. *sigh*

USA! USA!

2009-04-01T10:00:00.000-05:00

As some of you know, I am making a big effort to support the USA NT lately. I have been an England supporter for as long as I can remember, and my love of the three lions has not faded a bit, I am just trying to be more supportive of my own country. I also cheer for the Germans and occasionally France (if England is not around). I also have a transient love of the Spanish NT. I am not so much a fan of the Spanish team itself, but I am a huge fan of pretty much every player currently playing, with the exception of Xabi Alonso, so I cheer them on...and the same goes for Argentina. So I figured I should write a blog on some of the hotties on the USMNT.

I just have to start with my favorite, our fearless captain America-- Carlos Bocanegra. He plays for Rennes in France now, used to play for Fulham, and is always just too darn cute.

I am pretty sure I found this pick at The Offside

Another favorite is forward Brian Ching. He plays for Houston Dynamo, and I just discovered, after looking him up on wikipedia, that he used to play for Gonzaga. So he is a fellow Zag annnnd looks like this, need I say more.

I had never found Clint Dempsey particularly attractive, but for some reason I have been finding him cute lately. Though I am not ready to forgive him for scoring against Chelsea earlier this season, I am getting close. Oh and he plays for Fulham.

And Heath Pearce, another one who I am finding more and more attractive lately. I t hink he plays somewhere in Germany.

So there you go, the boys of the Red, White and Blue. I am now a supporter, unless they are playing England (bad I know).

Famous Grouse

2009-03-31T11:12:00.000-05:00

There is a grouse that now lives by a tree in my yard. If you are not familiar with the creature it is a chubby little bird that waddles when it walks and can barely fly. I usually am terrified of birds, but this one seemed all right. Usually I am worried they will attack me with their sharp claws and beaks, but this one looks like it would feel like getting hit with a soft cushion if it attacked.
At first I was cool with him hanging out by my tree. Then I discovered it was there trying to mate. I am sorry but my yard is not some seedy pick up joint for some chubby horny bird. This is not the type of riff-raff I need around when trying to establish a footie sanctuary. Or maybe it is. Or maybe I am just jealous.

Jack!!

2009-03-30T20:19:00.001-05:00

I am pretty certain the writers of 24 have learned how to read my mind. Tonights episode began with jack stripping and being sprayed down with water. Bless.

The Life of a Zags Fan

2009-03-29T14:26:00.000-05:00

I guess it all started around when I was 8 years old, even though I did not know it yet. I have watched NCAA basketball most of my life, and at that time was also into the NBA. My favorite player was John Stockton. I was young and knew relatively little about the game, but I knew he made a lot of assists and that I kind of liked his hair.

Fast forward about Seven years, it is a usual Mid-March Thursday in Minnesota. By the time I was in middle school I had figured out that if I pretend to be sick the first few days of the NCAA tournament my mom would let me stay home from school, and I could spend the day watching basketball. This year was like no other, I got my mysterious march fever and stayed home, little did I know this day would end up influence where my life would go. My favorite part of the tournament has always been the Cinderella teams, random schools with names I could not pronounce and seeing the fans going crazy for them. This year, I think it was my sophomore year of high school, I watched one of those teams with weird names and crazy fans pull off an upset and eventually make their way to the elite eight. On that day I became a fan of Gonzaga.

About a year later I was watching the tourney again, and applying for colleges, so I of course checked out Gonzaga, and just fell in love with the school and ended up going there. Met some great people, had so some great times and miss it. Now here I am almost four years after graduation and still a die-hard Zag, if anything more of one than I have ever been. It is not always easy being a Zags fan. Over the years I have seen 1 Elite Eight, Four Sweet 16’s, two second round exits and two first round exists. Some I have seen my team go down just watching the scores flash as they were showing other games, some tourney losses early on did not effect me much and some felt soul crushing. I will never forget Blake Stepp missing a buzzer shot against an unstoppable looking Arizona in 2ot. When I close my eyes I am back in my room and can picture it perfectly. There was one other loss that stands out to me that strongly, UCLA in 2006. We were minutes away from the Elite Eight, The ‘Stache was the best in the country, JP Batista was amazing, and so on, that was supposed to be our year. But in the last 90 seconds of the game we blew a huge lead and lost by two, the ‘stache was on the floor crying. I too was crying as I saw the seconds ticking away, and friend was literally holding me up in the bar I was at.

This year we once again went out in the 16, but I did not cry, I just felt proud of my boys, as I always will. A lot of them will be back next year, and I know one of these years it is all going to gel and a final four run will happen. But until then I will keep on my with obsessive cheering and wearing my Zags shirts with pride. I have some pretty serious obsessions with other sporting teams (see Chelsea, Real Madrid, England and US national teams, Minnesota Twins) but no team could ever begin to rival my love of Gonzaga basketball. So until next year, GO GONZAGA G-O-N-Z-A-G-A.

Just for fun here is my Zags dream team.with no accounting for positions etc, just my five all-time favorite zags. STOCKTON, BATISTA, THE STACHE, DICKAU, and BOULDIN on the bench I would have STEPP, TURRIAF, VIOLET, PARGO, and magic shirt MALLON (don’t know why just always loved him).

This weekend in sports

2009-03-28T22:21:00.004-05:00

First off not going to talk about basketball, still depressed and a nice Zags dedicated post is coming soon.

Golf- Arnold Palmer tourney is going on. No Camilo or Sergio so my interest is fairly limited. Tiger (or le tigre as I like to call him) is playing, and playing well, finished as of Saturday….waiting to see what happens on Sunday. I am starting to get a bit of a crush on Le Tigre, I don't know maybe it is the same effect Roger Federer has on me, hmmm. Masters is coming up soon woohooo!! *imagines Camilo in green jacket*

Football- Lots of world cup qualifiers, and a few friendlies. England seemed to dominate in their friendly, I did not want to cough up the $20 to get it on PPV and since I have dial up I am waiting until I can get into town and get on real internet and watch some replays. Sounds like my Chelsea boys, esp JT and Frankie did well.

Spain beat Turkey and looked ridiculously hot doing so as well. I must give a special shout out to my Blancos Iker and Ramos who just looked wow, not to mention both played incredible (especially el Ramos in his bright yellow boots). And I found yet another Spanish cutie who is way too young for me, Mata. I have noticed him before with Valencia but never knew his name, but now I do. Turkey’s keeper, Demeril is pretty frickin hot, but compared to Iker in an armband and el Ramos flashing a bit of his abs he barely registered for me this time around. The clock work orange also won, not particularly a fan (same with Spain) but there are a lot of Blancos playing for them, and Hunty scored a goal, and Robben took a great corner that also turned into a goal. Lots of other games, some teams won, some lost….Right now I am just not so patiently awaiting the England qualifier on weds. Oh yeah and Ballack scored for Germany, it was a beauty goal…now if he would only do the for Chelsea.

Right now I am watching US v. El Salvador. I have never cheered against the US or anything, but England has always been my team. I got into the sport watching England in the Eurocup when I was in high school, so the lions will always have a huge spot in my heart. But now I am making a big effort to cheer on the US national team as well, going with the national pride an all. Having eye-candy like captain Bocanegra definitely does not hurt, I am also starting to think Brian Ching is pretty hot too. Watching this game I have huge respect for our boys in the red, white, and blue. The boys were down 2-0 and then came back and tied 2-2, this turned out to be a great game to watch, and I had a ton of fun screaming at my tv. I am having a total loving of the USA team right now. Pretty much every El Salavdor player took a dive and stayed down beyond what they could reasonably milk in the second half. C-Ron himself would have even been saying, “come on get your ass off the ground pansy.” Those El Salvador fans look scary, it must take some serious marbles to play in front of fans like that. I may even attempt to get into MLS this year, I am in the market for a team to cheer for….if you have any suggestions feel free to try and convince me.

On another note, I am trying to figure out how to cheer for the US….do I say Come on USA? or Go USA? or just chant loudly USA! USA! USA! ? hmmmm does anyone know?

Yum Rocket

2009-03-27T18:15:00.003-05:00

Have y'all seen the new Quiznos commercial where the oven talks to the dude? Anyways the commercial will give you a glimpse of what would happen if I died and was reincarnated as an oven.

Soapbox.

2009-03-27T16:25:00.000-05:00

I love mascots for food. Count chocula, the Cadbury bunny, Cap’n crunch, The hamburgler, Jared from subway, The trix bunny, Tucan sam, snap, crackle and pop …I could go on forever. However there is a breed of food mascot that I just don’t like when the mascot is the food itself. M&M’s, the tuna on star kist tuna, peeps, the chips a-hoy cookies and so on. I don’t like thinking I am eating the character that made me giggle on the commercial on tv.

I am sure many have seen the recent m&m commercial where the m&ms are in the grocery store and one says “ooh look we are on the guest list” and the other says “no that is the menu” and then they looked all sad. That does not make me want to eat m&m’s that makes me want to start a foundation to stop the cruel treatment of candied creatures that melt in your mouth not in your hand. Same thing goes for the chip’s a-hoy cookies…in one commercial they were driving and singing it is not right to eat something that drives and sings. And Mr. Peanut? He is like the classiest mofo out there, you can’t eat him that would be like eating the dude from monopoly or some English Duke. Just not right, not right at all.

On the other hand food mascots like count chocula and cap’n crunch are just awesome. You could sail the high seas with the cap’n and enjoy his cereal along the way. You could go on a crime spree with the hamburgler, get chased by a mob of children with the trix bunny while he plots to get his precious cereal back. But you would never eat your treat providing comrades, and if you did, well you would be put in food jail.

So next time those advertising fascists want you to eat the creature you just enjoyed watching on tv just say no.

If you build it, they will come

2009-03-26T11:10:00.002-05:00

It all started during a long cold winter. I was studying for the bar, and my only salvation was staring out into my yard when I would allow myself a break and imagining it was filled with Real Madrid and Chelsea players running around. I put out corn by a tree, and deer would come in and eat it. Then my mind started putting things together…if I could lure a dear to my yard with some corn what would it take to lure some footballers to the yard.
I live on a large wooded piece of land in the middle of no where in Minnesota, and I decided this would be the perfect sanctuary/retreat for injured, worn out, or bored ballers or a place to keep cute ones that need to stop scoring goals against teams I like or just ones named Fernando Gago.

mmmmmmmmm Gago

realmadrid.com

Sorry drifted off to Gago land for a minute. Anyways where else would be better for a baller to recollect themselves for any reason they see fit, than in a relaxing area far from civilization and in the care of a loving Kickette. I am sure it will get overwhelming for me so volunteers to help care for the ballers would be appreciated (just stay away from my favorite Argentine, he is all mine).
Okay so this turned into an I love Gago post, and I lost my train of thought. I am still working on a name for this retreat, and also working out the details. Any suggestions would be appreciated and incorporated into my thought process. I figured this is something too good to put in one post anyways, so it will be on going project. In the mean time I am going to go hang some manbags with “el Ramos” bedazzled on them and some fancy hair products from my trees in hopes of luring Sergio Ramos and Fernando Gago here to get things rolling.

Fear of Deer

2009-03-25T12:00:00.001-05:00

I am still pretty sure the deer in my yard want to eat me. I started feeding them early in the winter because I liked looking at them when they came in the yard. I named them after football players, there was the one with the big ears I called Iker and the little feisty one I named Lionel. There were many others as well. I stopped feeding them a week or two ago because it is spring and they can find their own food, also my yard has turned into a giant puddle as the many feet of snow is melting and I cant get to the deer feeding spot. Now they all just sit around the tree I used to put their food by and look at me in my living room, and just watch…it is pretty frickin creepy. One licked its lips will staring at me creepily. I will use caution when going outside. This is not entirely based on my own paranoia, I do have a history of getting attacked by animals. I did notice a chubby little grouse coming into the yard lately, I call him Fabio, I normally don’t trust birds, but he looks pretty cool.

Twitter.

2009-03-24T14:33:00.000-05:00

Okay so I am spending too much time on the internet lately. Anyways, I am bored and I just made one of these twitter things. I am not really sure how it works, or if I know anyone on it. If you are a twitterer add me. I think you can find me under gigglepops.

Dirty Jokes with San Iker

2009-03-23T21:31:00.007-05:00

Okay I think it is about time I gave some time to the man in front of the net, Iker Casillas. I think it is only fitting I begin this post with a quote about the man himself from the Real Madrid website. “His hands don’t lose an inkling of expressiveness or strength without his gloves on.”

He is Spanish, played for Real Madrid since he was a wee little lad, the current captain of the Spanish national team. He is probably the best keeper in the world right now. And is just plain old flippin’ hotty-boombastic gorgeous. Manmeat with gloves and armband. Anyways I spend a lot of time looking at pictures of this man, because I am usually bored and have no life…and I enjoy it. Every once in a while I stumble upon one that just makes me think of a dirty joke, or other dirty things (more so than I am already thinking just looking at him.) Here are a few…most speak for themselves.

Oh Iker you want me to hold your ball? Sure why not.

Hmm what do you plan to do with that glove? (Oh so many places I could go that I just wont so please feel free to use your imagination)

*insert joke about balls in face*

Yes, yes I am a highly educated and sophisticated woman. But sometimes I am convinced I was a frat boy in a past life.

Step one: You cut a hole in a box

2009-03-23T21:16:00.005-05:00

I rediscovered my love of boxed wine, and wine in general. Believe me I have a pretty comprehensive knowledge of the beverage, well at least well more than the average person, I even sold wine for a while. The name of my blog is actually taken from a tasty little Australian number made by molly dooker (it is not available in a box unfortunately). However, I still highly enjoy the convenience of boxed wine. There are some decent everyday ones out there…unfortunately not in northern Minnesota, but that does not mean there are not some good ones out there. Here are a few reasons why boxed wine is awesome.
· 1) It stays good for weeks so you can have one glass at a time. If you are single like me and enjoy having a glass (or three) of wine, like to drink alone in a dark closet (j/K) and are sick of being judged for drinking the whole bottle by yourself it is a great option.
· 2) A box is equivalent to four bottles and usually around $20 (for a decent one) that is $5 a bottle my friends.
· 3) Good to have around for cooking, if you use wine for cooking. Though my cooking involves wine, it is more in the form of drinking a few too many glasses and then making ramen noodles and/or a pop tart.
· 4) The right box can fit inconspicuously on any bookshelf. I had one throughout much of my senior year of college I continuously replaced but always had a post-it on it that read “Chateau Heidegger appellation Dasein”. (yes I realize Heidegger was German and I am using French wine terms, and the name makes no sense).

5) Sometimes you just gotta Keep it class yo.

+

=Awesome

Bauer Madness

2009-03-23T21:15:00.001-05:00

On 24 this week Jack Bauer was driving a semi-truck. Not sure why but I found that super awesome and hot. But this is Jack. I had to miss last weeks episode so I am kind of lost, but when I don’t know what is going on I just watch Jack Bauer shoot and interrogate things. It’s odd I don’t like action movies, but 24 is my favorite show of all time and it is basically a really long action movie. Jack=Unconstitutional interrogation manmeat.

This weekend in Sports cont. (with pictures!)

2009-03-22T16:51:00.003-05:00

March 22, 2009
This Weekend in Sports (with pictures!)
Football
YAAYY Real Madrid won today, lots of great Dutchie goals and one from Marcello as well. My dear Gago did not play until later, and I don’t think Higuain played at all, meaning there was a serious lack of hot argentines out there, but oh well Iker, Canna and el Ramos held down the hotness and the defensive line (another shut out!!). And Mr. mmmmm mmmm Metzelder played!!! Unfortunately barca won yet again. Surprise, Sur-frickin-prise. Someone needs to lock up Messi until after the season, seriously. Some of us Kickettes had a great chat during the game today. (had a good one for Chelsea game too yesterday)

*on a slightly related note. The chat today has inspired me and I think I may turn my large wooded yard into a sanctuary for injured or retired footballers. Also may bring in the types of Messi and Xavi who are adorable but need to stop scoring goals for teams I don’t want to win *cough* barca *cough* and worry not, I am sure I will develop this brilliant plan more soon.

Golf
There is a tournament going on this weekend, have not really watched. There is a lack of Camilo and Sergio, and too much football and basketball so I will catch up next week for the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Oh well here is some Camilo looking hotty-boombastic anyways. Mmmmm Bendy bend little lawn crawler.

Annnd those arms!!!

Sweeeet 16!!!

The Zags are in the sweet 16…helll yeah!!! Jesu-whattt! Get out the clear stripper heels espn because Cinderella is in the house this year!!! If you cannot tell I get slightly excited (and usually cry) if the Zags make it to the Sweet 16, I am hoping this is the year we make our return back to the elite 8 as well. We play UNC next. I won’t lie it will be a tough game, but a good game for us. UNC is not a huge team in size, does not bully and plays a running game. Basically don’t hit any of our weaknesses, so we have a fighting chance. And we beat them a few years back!! So bring it on Tar Heels my boys are coming!!

The Zags played Western Kentucky last night, looked like a thrilling game, I of course could not watch any of it because damn CBS would not show it here. So I watched Duke/Texas and slammed wine as I watched the Zags score. I did see the last minute and Goodson’s wonderful last minute shot to win the game. I was so proud. And thought to myself…he could teach Blake Stepp a few things about making a lay up under pressure. If any of you remember that game (I believe it was 2003) against Arizona, I will never get that image out of my head and will forever despise the University of Arizona.

I still am madly loving on Matt Bouldin…especially his pretty pretty arms my oh my, those things are beautiful. He has crazy eyes, yes, but also great hair and as I said the arms of a god. Not to mention his mad ass playing skills. He is quickly becoming one of my favorite Zags of all time, and is nipping on the heels of JP Batista. So here is some barely legal zaggy manmeat.

Oh and I hit a new low yesterday when I noticed a really hot player for UCONN (#33 I think) and felt the urge to say “that’s the best thing about college basketball players. I keep getting older, and they stay the same age”

Tennis
Indian wells is going on this weekend. I could not find anywhere showing it. But the Semi’s were Roger/Murray and Nadal/Roddick. Roger lost, I was sad so did Roddick…that also made me sad. So it is Nadal and Murray in the final and I am of course cheering for the Spaniard. Now I said I was going to not cheer for Nadal until he went sleeveless again, but I don’t like Murray so here I am. Not sure if final has been played yet or who won. Anyways VAMOS RAFA!!

My ode to Freddy

2009-03-21T14:23:00.001-05:00

Let me begin this post by saying I know virtually nothing about cars, and do not especially care to. But I do love my car, and I figured it needed a little blog time. My car is named either Freddy the Focus Road Warrior. Or simply Freddy. He is a 2002 Ford Focus and just about the cutest car on the planet. White with black trim, and grey interior. I really hope I don’t have a stalker on this blog, because I can see giving out that information leading to a bad episode of law and order.

The other day I was driving the long drive to St. Paul (a few hours) and I love road trips, even mini-ones like that. I have my music blasting and have a good time. Every time I see a fellow focus on the road I give my focus driving brother a fist pump in solidarity that would make Lech Walensa proud. So this is dedicated to my Focus loving peeps.

Anyways I got Freddy a little over a year ago. I also loved the car I had before him, a hand-me-down 1994 Bonneville named Bonnie. Bonnie was getting old and beyond repair, so I sent him out to pasture, okay well donated him to charity, same thing. Anyways I needed a new car, that would start and drove etc which Bonnie no longer did. I drove around creepy used car lots in New Orleans, since I did not have much money, so needed something cheap. Then I saw my dream car staring at me from some especially creepy lot. For as long as I can remember I wanted a Focus, and there was Freddy. Pretty low millage, looked in good shape ran well the many times I drove him and was perfectly in my price range. I knew it was fate. After some debate, and talking to people, I knew in my heart that Freddy was for me. I then purchased my first car, and drove him around town for a while.

Here I am about 18 months later, and my and Freddy are still going strong. We adventured from one send of the Mississippi river all the way to the other end (I literally went from a few miles from the bottom of the Mississippi to a few miles from the top). He survived his first Minnesota winter in style. Struggled on a few of the super cold days , but also stepped up and helped start a few other cars. People always rip on Ford for being bad cars, but they can screw themselves, I think my Focus is awesome. Some of the coolest people I know also drive focuses with pride (my dad and best friend to name a few).

So to all the Ford hating car snobs out there…
VIVA LA FOCI!!

GO GONZAGA G-O-N-Z-A-G-A!!

2009-03-17T08:56:00.006-05:00

A Okay so I have not updated in a while. But here are some of my ramblings on sports. Expect no reason or logic.

Quick Catch-up (mainly football stuff)
Blues won last weekend (YAY), Real Madrid won last weekend (YAY) I actually could not see any games, this whole giving up skipping church to watch sporting events for lent was a bad idea. I may cheat this week though, because I really want to watch Real Madrid.
I am not going to discuss anything involving Real Madrid and champions league in the same sentence. I am still sinking deep into a purple lake of despair after that Liverpool game. But Chelsea are through to the Quarter Finals of Champions League YAYYA GO BLUES!!! Of course yet again they draw Liverpool. If you have not picked up on this yet I hate Liverpool with about as much passion as anything can be hated. A fellow kickette commented the other day that this CL meeting of Chelsea and Liver (I am just calling them Liver from now on) is an annual event like the academy awards. Which it indeed is, especially considering the acting skills of the Liver boys. But whatev’s I ain’t worried…Chelsea got this COME ON BLUES! Oh my I am just dreaming about what it would be like if John Terry scored the winning goal when we make it to the final.

Football this week
Chelsea lost to f’ing Tottenham. UGH I hate the spurs as well, even though dear Carlo and uncle ‘arry are there now. It was depressing, and the only thing that kept me from turning into a Zoloft commercial was Man Utd today. All I have to say is HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA maybe mixed in with a little LOL or LMAO and some more HAHAHAHAHAHA they lost to Fulham 2-0 looking at the stats that wonderful London club outshot them like a billion to one. Not to mention TWO yes TWO Man Utd players got sent off with red cards. I did not actually watch the game because I was watching Chels of course, but I just watched the score and stats on espn and got some updates in chat with Chelsea girls, and my imagination did the rest. In my little fantasy world Vidic (aka Robo-Cop) may or may not have been crying with little sparks flying as happens when robots cry. Man, I can’t even think of anything else to say, just can’t stop laughing.

Oh almost forgot about golf. Tiger is back! Camilo did pretty well in tournament this weekend. Michelson won. Sergio sucked it up. I was also glad to see that yummy brit Oliver Wilson playing here again, he did pretty good too.

Basketball!!!!
Here is the big one I FRICKIN LOOOOVE MARCH!!! In the words of the great Dick Vitale AWESOME BABY!! Zags are through to the second round!!!! The first game against Akron. The first half was a nail biter as usual, but then the Zags kicked it into gear and made it hurt. I am still loving Matt Bouldin more than anything. I seriously want to have his babies, lots of curly haired crazy eyed lovely armed babies who will grow up to be future Zags players. Okay done with being creepy. Otherwise the tournament is going as usual with all its awesomeness, some good upsets, lots of games going as planned etc. There are people who can give much more insight into this who are not as lazy as I am. Right now I am just waiting for the Zags game tonight. Playing Western Kentucky….I wonder if anyone on their team plays the banjo? Anyways, I know somewhere in the next few games the Zags always get knocked out of the tourney, and I cry. But fuck it, I am just going to say it: GONZAGA TO THE FINAL FOUR BABY!!!, I mean gotta happen some year right? Please?!!
As usual, no matter how much thought and research or even random guessing goes into my brackets, they are absolutely awful as usual.

Sneaking into the theater of dreams

2009-03-17T08:51:00.002-05:00

My love of euro-trash has officially creeped into my dreams. I feel it is necessary to share a bit of information about myself in order to explain a dream I had the other night, and this post in general. I have a thing for euro-trash men, and I do enjoy man-bags, man-purses whatever you wish to call them. Some notable carriers of the man bag include: Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, and last but not least Cristiano Ronaldo*. Even though I am by no means a Man Utd fan I still own the Cristiano Ronaldo calendar, it hangs on a wall by my bed. I know there are a million things wrong about that last sentence, but I am not ashamed. Cristiano is plain and simple hotty boom boom-bastic. The man is a prime example of deliciously marinated in hair-gel manmeat. See how nicely that jersey clings to him, SEEEEE, you cannot deny that, sorry. Oh how I love the rain.

Source: kickette? That is where I found it.
I am also patiently awaiting my French love Mr. Lashes Gourcuff to appear in some sort of photo carrying one, preferably with a baguette sticking out of it.

Now that background is established, on to my dream. I was somewhere I think a coffee shop or bar or something like that chatting with a nice young man. He was debating on if he wanted to buy a carrying device that resembled a man-bag and I strongly advocated the purchase. Since my dreams are often fuzzy and I have a horribly memory I cannot remember the arguments I used to convince him, so I spent the past few days thinking of good reasons to carry a man-bag.

1. Where else are you going to put your things?
2. Some people may call you a “sissy” or “girly” for carrying one, but I think it is extra manly. I mean it takes a bit of a “I don’t give a flip, I know I am hot” or maybe a "I am super european" attitude to rock the man purse
3. I just really like purses of any sort.

I am sure there are many other reasons to carry a man-bag, and I will post them time to time. But for now I am going to say it with pride I FRICKIN’ LOVE MAN-BAGS, and the wonderful euro-trash men who carry them.

*Clarification: I don’t place Cristiano above San Iker or el Ramos on hottness, just fit better into the story. There are very few that come close to those two in my heart. Few if any can compare to Iker and his keeper gloves and armband with spain. And can never get enough of Ramos and his euro-trash man bag toting glory.

People Jumpinig in a Frozen Lake: A Cultural Experience

2009-03-12T19:07:00.000-05:00

There are few things that will get me out of the house on a Saturday morning/afternoon. If that Saturday is one that has the Zags, Real Madrid, and Chelsea all playing then it is damn near impossible. However, when my mom came to me and said she wanted to go to a charity event involving people jumping in a frozen lake I just could not say no. Partly because I like helping poor people and what not, but it was mainly because I knew the day would involve at least 3 of my 5 favorite things—people watching in large crowds, drinking during the day time, and festive costumes. So I get up early, so I could be to the bar by 10:30 to help the people we knew actually jumping in the lake to assemble their costumes, and more importantly to enjoy a delicious bloody mary or three. I of course was not jumping in the lake myself, I need a few more years after living in Louisiana for that to seem like a good idea. So really I did not need to drink that early, but who am I to say no to peer pressure.

Anyone who has ever lived in Minnesota or other cold locations, know that us people from the frozen lands just love to cut holes into frozen lakes and stick things in them. Usually it is a line from an ice fishing pole, but occasionally people like to jump into the lake. On occasion of such wacky actions of course call for wacky costumes and lots of alcohol. As I said above, two of my favorite things ever.
Here is my attempt at an arty picture post jump (the guys you see in the water are rescue people who were sitting in there for a while)

Here is a whole bunch of snowmobiles, because well it is a lot easier to get to the bars on lovely Lake Vermilion by snowmobile or “sled” as they call them ‘round these parts.

The lake itself is super pretty, more so in the summer, but even in the winter. This is me standing on a dock on the lake.

All in all it was a fun day. Of course the day of drinking led into a night of drinking, and we all know hilarity usually ensues when I start drinking before noon. It was good to unwind in my first post bar-exam weekend (this was all last weekend) and now I am content not going anywhere for the next month or so.

Related note—In case you were wondering my two other favorite things are—1) watching/talking about sports 2) foreign men

She who cast the first stone

2009-03-10T13:10:00.003-05:00

It was a frosty January day, about a month before the bar exam. I needed a change of study scenery, I was sick of my house, and sick of my usual coffee shop. I ventured into “downtown” and found a lovely little coffee shop, it had big tables, bagels, and wireless internet. This was the perfect establishment, or so I thought. After a few hours of vigorous work on con law I decided I need a break. So I fired up the old mac and went to my favorite website, kickette. As some of you know (I think a few kickettes may even be reading this) this is an awesome website of football gossip, and lots of girls talking about our favorite things, football and hot footballers. On this day there was a wonderful little story on the main page, it had pictures of the new David Beckham Armani ads. I hope you are familiar with these ads, they basically involve becks in virtually no clothing looking hotty bombastic.
See example:

Splash news via Kickette

Now this is just what I needed on this long day of studying. Say what you will about becks, I wont get into my opinion on his playing, and I am bored to death of the will-he-wont-he Milan saga. However, when it comes down to it, stick that man in a pair of undies and he’s still got it goin’ on.

Anyways, I am sitting on my well deserved break admiring the above photo, then I notice the lady cleaning the tables behind me gasp. Now I gasped in the “damn it’s getting hot in here” way when I saw this picture, nope she gasped in a, gasp, judgmental way. She was actually judging me for looking at mr. golden balls barely covered golden balls (I know that was terrible I could not resist, sorry!). I turned around and saw the look on her face that accompanied the gasp, it was full of disapproval and judgment. The look on my face was initially one of confusion, trying to understand this moment that pulled me out of my happy place, and it quickly switched to a judgmental look of my own. I judged her for not enjoying this photo. I mean how could you not. I knew then and there I would never come back to this establishment, it clearly was not staffed by my kind of people. I am still baffled by this women and her moment of judgment. I honestly think her vagina should be revoked, yup I did just say that.

This week(end) in sports

2009-03-09T22:00:00.002-05:00

Another week(end) of sports. And I am in no where near as good as a mood as I was last weekend. Okay, okay it was not that bad, I am still depressed about Real Madrid’s draw in the derby.

Football

Yay Chelsea is through to the semi’s of the FA cup. Please, please let us get some sort of trophy this season!! We won 2-0. I did not watch the game because it was on at 6:30am, I did actually make a vague attempt to wake up for it, but my dog decided to sleep on my phone and I could not hear the alarm. So not much opinion on the game other than it is awesome the blues won!

I don’t even want to talk about what happened in Madrid. 1-1 against atletico. On the whole atletico played well, and we were lucky to get out of there with a point. Though I am remaining positive because we had a lot of good chances on goal. The new Dutchie, Klaas, is finally scoring some goals, and the goal he scored Saturday was off a BEAUTIFUL pass by Higuain. I am going to take a moment to profess my love of Gonzalo Higuain, he should have been on the field since the first minute of the game. He is a great finisher, but more importantly he is a frickin’ great play maker. When Gonzo is on the field I feel like RM’s game really picks up to another level. Even when we were struggling first half of the season he seemed to carry the team. A big task and hard to believe he is only 21. With Higuain up front and Gago holding down the midfield it makes me very optimistic for next season and the rest of this season. If these two stay on form and develop, they are going to do great things in the future, they both seem to be getting better and better. Okay done talking about my young Argentines. We are now SIX points off of Barca, it seems like a lot but I still have 108023804398% faith in the blancos to keep the trophy at the Bernabeau where it belongs!!!

Champions league games for both Chelsea and RM tomorrow. Chelsea is up a goal on Juve and RM down a goal against Liverpool. I am super nervous about both, especially RM. It would break my heart to see them knocked out of champions league, but even more so if it happens now because to put is simply I cannot stand Liverpool. I also desperately want to see Chelsea go through, I still have bad dreams about last years CL final.

I am sure I will be writing tomorrow either very happy or crying or a mix of the both. Oh well COME ON BLUES and HALA MADRID!!

Basketball

The Zags won yet another WCC tournament. Once again we are conference and tournament champions!!! The final was tonight against St. Mary’s. If anyone watches the Zags, the ESPN announcers seem to tie ever win we had to a St. Mary’s player Patty Mills getting injured, whether we were playing them or not. I swear anytime he is around the ESPN guys strap on the clear heels and give him a lap dance (okay I can’t ENTIRELY blame them he is pretty hot and with accent). Now tonight we beat them, badly, in the WCC tournament, with Patty Mills and still they cant just give us credit for playing well. Okay, well they did a bit tonight, but I am still annoyed. March madness officially begins on Sunday, and I can’t wait, I just hope we do not get screwed again in the bracket, and can actually do something during the big dance.

Jack Bauer

Yeah I know it is not sports, but I wanted to put it in somewhere. If interrogation was an Olympic event Jack would totally win gold, silver, and bronze. This season of 24 is awesome just plain and simple awesome.

Get on Your Shoes

2009-03-06T18:53:00.000-06:00

Yay! It is finally warm enough to run. I have spent the whole winter stuck inside, barely being able to get in a walk a few days a week because it was too cold. Now it is warmish, and I have been running for the past three days. My distance is still okay, my time is horrible, but I don’t really care it just feels so nice to be back out running. Hopefully I will be back into decent shape soon. I think I am going to train for another marathon this summer, and hopefully won’t get injured again.

I really love running up here, I could definitely live up here for a long time, mainly just because it is perfect for distance running. I can leave my house go out on to an empty road surrounded by tons of pine trees and all around beautiful scenery and just run for miles. It is easy just to lose myself look around me and relax. Though knowing myself I am sure at some point I will actually get lost while running on some country road and be eaten by some sort of bear, mountain and/or bob cat, or maybe a horse. Still, it is a great feeling being able to just throw on my shoes and start running out the door and in a few minutes I feel like I am the only person in the world because I could go for an hour and see only one or two cars. One of my favorite things I have are my running shoes. They are getting pretty dirty but other than that are still in great shape. Sometimes it seems like the combo of them and a trusty iPod are all I need in the world.

Now I need to decide if I want to try and get up at 6:30 in the frickin morning to watch the Chelsea game. I miss my DVR sooooo much. Hope everyone has a great weekend, I am going to spend mine on my couch watching football, golf, and basketball I can’t wait!

Songs of the day: 1) “Get on your Boots” U2 and 2)“Watch me Go” Girls Aloud
Why: Both are new additions to my running playlist and were awesome.

EpmSPN

2009-03-06T18:48:00.000-06:00

This is an idea I have had stirring in my brain since I discovered men’s water polo this summer at the Olympics. It came to my mind again after watching part of round two of the Honda Classic (golf), I decided there really needs to be a sports network more geared towards women. I am not talking about showing women’s sports, I am talking about making one for women viewers.

For instance I am pretty new to watching golf, I enjoy it, it is relaxing to watch. I also love a few certain hottie golfers e.g. Camilo Villegas, Sergio Garcia, Oliver Wilson, Adam Scott, etc. Now even in good golf coverage they usually only show the leaders of the day. I had a good time watching on Thursday because Sergio was up at the top of the leaderboard most of the day so there was definitely a lot of sexy Spaniard on the TV. Then today he does not have such a good round, and bam he is gone. Camilo has not done well at all so far, so he is barely seen as well. Now the golf channel I am certain is geared 125% towards men. I know this fact with certainty because almost every commercial is about some sort of erectile dysfunction, I mean one commercial break has more ED commercials than anyone should ever ever ever ever see in a lifetime. Now if there was a network geared towards me, I mean women, the coverage would be a bit different. Of course you show the guys who are leading I do like watching good golf being played. But also give a little air time to the lawn crawler in tight pants bending his body in intriguing ways to scope out a put.

Don’t get me wrong I do actually watch sports for the game itself. I can tell you most anything about football, tennis, college basketball, and a bit about golf. I also know and am interested in other things though. Like a certain goal keeper who remains hot even though he is going through some questionable haircuts. A certain French midfielder who likes to strip down after games to his little briefs…and proceed to jog (sigh). Or a certain tennis player with a wonderful left arm that I now cheer for a little less since he started wearing sleeves. The camera men on these male oriented networks do a great job of covering the action of games, however they just do not know where to point the cameras in post game celebrations and jersey swapping. I think there is a market here, because I know many other girls out there who think just like me!

Bonus star and proud pat on the head for anyone who can name my referenced athletes in the last paragraph.

The (man) meat locker

2009-03-05T22:26:00.004-06:00

In honor of the WCC tournament this weekend I figured I would share a story of Gonzaga cheering past that took place between me and a dear friend. It was the year after we graduated, and we were watching one of the best Zags season to date. A man known only in my heart as “the ‘stache” was taking the country by storm and things were looking like they were going to shape up to be our best tournament performance ever. Of course the season ended as it always does with me drunk and crying in some bar as I watch my team lose a game they never should have lost.

Anyways, as I was saying, a few years back I was talking with a friend while watching the zags play. During this season a player named J.P. Batista was one of our other top players. As watching the game and the bulky muscly Brazilian go up for a shot or rebound or some sort of basketball move and one of us made the comment “wow he is like man-meat.” At that moment one of my favorite words was born-- “manmeat”, and my fascination with male athletes really kicked into high gear. So from time to time I am sure I will be posting pictures and what not of my favorite hunks of manmeat, I think I may have already. Here are a few to start things off, because a little objectification never hurt anyone, right?

Fernando Gago (Real Madrid/Argentina): my favorite manmeat!

Camilo Villegas (golf): bendy manmeat

Yoann Gourcuff (Bourdeaux/France): bambi manmeat

Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid/Italy): finely aged Italian manmeat

I found all the pics on google or realmadrid.com, cannot remember original sources.

On a slightly related note: The lovely Fabio won fan favorite on Top Chef and I was reminded of a quote of his that I kind of live my life by. “Everything tastes better with an accent.”

Cease Fire

2009-03-04T17:33:00.001-06:00

I am debating on temporarily lifting my personal boycott of Top Chef to watch the reunion show tonight. As some of you may know, I went on a boycott of the show when my delicious Italian Fabio was kicked off before the final. I said I was going to boycott the show if he did not win, and I intend to stand by it. I know breaking the boycott tonight will mean I only skipped one show, but the principle is still there. I also still plan on boycotting next season unless they give me another wonderfully accented European man with awesome one liners that make me sigh and giggle all at once as a contestant. I figure I should watch tonight though and hope Mr. Fabio wins fan favorite.

I am also still working on my thoughts on the new U2 album. So far I really like It, spent most of last night listening to it and playing wii (best night I have had in months sadly, darn bar exam). The song I cannot stop listening to is “Moment of Surrender.” I highly recommend it, and will write more on it after I have given it a few more listens.

Song of the day: U2, “Moment of Surrender”
Why: I love it when Bono tries to be St. Augustine

Creed Thoughts

2009-03-03T16:40:00.000-06:00

Here are somethings I was thinking about today that you probably did not want to know.

I hope you got the reference to "The Office" in the header

I am convinced 24 is the most awesome show ever made, and Jack Bauer is the coolest/sexiest man ever. If you have not been watching this season you should, it’s awesome.

Glaze doughnuts and iPhones do not mix.

Do you ever watch those shows about the apocalypse on the History channel? I do. I mean you never know, right? Anyways, I am fascinated when they have the experts on. There is always some guy who knows more than anyone reasonably should about something like the meaning of the third horseman’s hat. It makes me wonder, what event in their life prompted them to become an expert in something completely random. There seems to be turning points in everyone’s lives that lead to an interest in things. Like various events in my life have resulted in me really wanting to stop and eat every time I see a white castle. I just wonder what event in their life led them in the direction to be an expert in apocalyptic prophecy. I also wonder where I can find one of their phone numbers. They seem like a useful friend to have around, you know, if they are right and the world is ending soon.

Do you ever find yourself liking a song you really wish you did not like? Right now I can’t stop listening to Britney Spears “Circus.” Though watching her life is an amusing glimpse in to the crystal ball of the future of Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift.

I love watching reruns of the show wife swap on lifetime network. I am also fully aware of all the things wrong with that statement.

I used to feed the animals in my yard because I thought they were cute. I still think they are cute, but in the back of my mind I secretly wonder if I stop feeding them will the try and eat me instead.

Singing in the Rain

2009-03-03T16:34:00.001-06:00

I promise I will write about something other than football soon!

But for now I watched the Chelsea v. Pompey game today. I really do love when games are played in the rain and mud. It just makes the beautiful game that much more beautiful. I know I am a little crazy, but I still believe with 100% of my little heart that the Blues can win the title. I know it seems like a pretty long of a shot, considering Man Utd has a 7 point lead on us with a game in hand. Then again, all I have heard for the past few months is that Barcelona had La Liga wrapped up with a pretty little bow and cherry on top, but now that does not seem to be the case. So I am staying optimistic as I like to do, and going to firmly believe we can win the title until it is in United’s annoying little hands.

Okay I suppose I should talk about the game that was actually played today. I will sum up each half as I watch.

First half: The whole time I was yelling “will you get the ball in the back of the f’ing net already?!?!” basically a lot of chances, nothing yet to come of them. Most notably a few firecracker from Lamps that was saved. There were some great saves from Pumpkin Pete as well. 0-0 at end of half. COME ON BLUES!

Second half: Chelsea pass the ball a lot. Ricardo Quaresma comes on the field (first game I actually get to watch him play) He is another source I am directing my optimism at, I really hope he does well at Chelsea. I swear it has nothing at all to do with his abs, nothing whatsoever, I base every bit of my thoughts on sports solely on the game itself. RQ makes a few good passes that should have resulted in goals, but didn’t. GOOOOOOAAAALLLLLL DROGBA!!! Beautiful finish there. YAY 1-0 final. Oh I have been missing the days of Chelsea scraping out 1-0 dirty wins, the days when we were winning trophies.

Yay!! Essien and Carvalho will be back in action soon, it has been tooooo long since I have seen my balding Portuguese love helping hold down the back line.

On a related note--I have a list of famous people I want to sit down drink a few pints with and have a deep drunken conversation. David James is on that list. In case you were wondering it is a long list, and a few of the others that come to mind right now are Charles Barkley, Plato, Winston Churchill, and Kid Rock.

Replay

2009-03-02T22:37:00.000-06:00

I just watched the reply of Barca-Atletico game in another failed attempt to finally see this weeks Real Madrid game. After seeing Kun Aguero’s goals once again, he is quickly jumping onto my list of Argentine footballers I just cannot get enough of. He is in good company with the likes of Fernando Gago, Gonzalo Higuain, and Lionel Messi. I know they are a tad young, but I just am weak for the ridiculous talent mixed with adorableness.

Also Pep Guardiola is starting to nip on the heels (just a little bit) of the special one (Jose Mourinho) as hottest manager on the planet.

Not to worry this is a slight fascination with barca right now, coming out as love of Pep and Messi and by no means a fanship. I can say with confidence you will not see me running around in the blaugrana anytime soon.

New U2 Album: Part One

2009-03-02T22:20:00.002-06:00

Sorry it’s a long one. If you are not a U2 fan you will probably be bored out of your mind.

I consider myself a bit of an expert on the band U2. I have been a step beyond obsessed with the band for a quite a long time. I have assembled a collection of every album, almost every single (at least the ones with interesting b-sides) a decent collection of live tracks as well. Keep in mind this is all before iTunes came out with there complete U2 set which was good by all means, but still not entirely “complete.” I have had more than one period in my life where I have spent months at a time listening to pretty much nothing besides the band. I used to know every word to Joshua Tree and War off the top of my head, and it just gets worse from there. I am also a bit of an amateur historian on the band as well. I even met Bono once before one of their concerts, he was awesome, he sat and talked to me for a while, I could barely speak and was in complete shock. The Edge and Adam were also wandering around but I did not get a chance to talk to them. It was very cool meeting my hero and have him actually live up to coolness expectations on pretty much every level (which is hard to do after years of near worship).

What I am getting at here is that I know a thing or two about the bands music to say the very least. They are coming out with a new album tomorrow. I think some of it was available on their website already, but whenever they have a new album I make an effort to avoid listening to anything but the first single so I can get the right first impression of it. At some point in the next few days I will post my initial thoughts on the new album. It will probably take me a few months of listening to get my real thoughts on it, and as I discovered with most of their past albums the meanings change immensely for me as I collect new experiences in life.

The past few albums seemed to come out and say what I needed to hear at just the right time. “All that you can’t Leave Behind” came out my senior year of high school and “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb” came out my senior year of college. On the whole I prefer their earlier works, “Achtung Baby” is probably my favorite for a lot of reasons I wont discuss now. But the former two mentioned really managed to help me through some hard times in life. Now here I am just out of law school, trying to figure out the next steps in my life. This means I probably had higher expectations of this album than I should, the question is will it live up to expectations on the first few listens.

Men at Work

2009-03-02T14:58:00.000-06:00

Now, it seems to be a consensus around the world that Australia is a pretty cool place. I have never been and definitely would not mind going. Unfortunately my knowledge of the place is mainly derived from my own fantasies of surfers with accents, Jay from “The City”, and the 80’s classic “Land Down Under.” Then today I discovered yet another reason to want to visit Australia, kangaroos! In case you were wondering I have always wanted a pet kangaroo, I would train it to bring me snacks and diet sodas in its pouch.

I was familiar with the creature, even saw one hopping around the Gonzaga campus (I am serious, a real kangaroo). I knew they lived in Australia and looked something like this.

I always figured that they were pretty rare, as most cool animals seem to be. That was until this morning, when I learned something new. I saw on a morning talk show, which I watched for about 5 minutes (I will discuss my feelings on morning talk shows at a later time) that there are twice as many kangaroos as people in Australia. That is just awesome. Now with the chances of a kangaroo encounter seeming much more likely, the land down under is moving to the top of the list of places I want to visit.

Related note, another wonderful export of Australia—Golfer Adam Scott: Manmeat with a side of vegemite.

Song of the day: Men at Work “Land Down Under”
Why: A classic is a classic

A great weekend in sports

2009-03-02T10:22:00.000-06:00

I am sitting here with a perma-smile on my face after an absolutely fabulous weekend in sports for my teams. I enjoy sports a lot, mainly football (soccer), ncaa basketball, tennis, and am getting into golf as well. I just kind of write what I think, and it will often have more to do with the hottness of the athletes as opposed to anything really insightful into the games.

NCAA Basketball

Yay the Zags once again went undefeated in the WCC conference (which we had already clinched a week or so ago). I have been a die hard Gonzaga fan for about 10 years now, which is making me feel quite old. Even with some questionable performances this season I am still remaining optimistic for a good tourney performance by the boys this year, and yes I am aware it is more often than not a futile task. But hey it is March and the begininngs of March Madness are sweeping through me...counting down the days until the tourney!!!

On a related note…I just cannot get enough of Matt Bouldin and his arms. Mmmmmm.

Football

Yes I watch far too much football, it is a bit of an obsession for me. My teams are Chelsea for the EPL and Real Madrid in La Liga.

Let’s start off with the Chelsea game, which I sadly could not watch, but that did not stop me from yelling out in excitement in the bar I was in at 11am (long story) while checking the score on my phone. First off our fearless captain John Terry gets his first goal in a long time, then other team equalizes, and then in true dramatic fashion Super Frankie Lampard scores a last minute goal to win. This puts the blues back at #2 in the league still trailing the ever pestilent Manchester United. Oh I was a happy happy girl. I still have not been able to watch a game since Guus (who I like to call “Goose” because it reminds me of Top Gun) took over a few weeks ago. This win coupled with a win in the first leg of the Champions League game against Juventus and Liverpool losing to Middlesbrough HAHAHAHAHA (sorry ‘pool fans) including an own goal it was a good day in the Premier League.

Moving on over to espana for some La Liga fun. My beloved Real Madrid won 2-0 over Espanyol on Saturday, another game I had to miss but was yelling with excitement upon seeing scores come up. That is about a million league wins in a row for the boys in white and Captain Raul scored his bazilionth goal or something like that. Then today Barcelona lost in an absolutely wonderful game against Atletico. I spend about 90+ minutes a week being an avid fan for whatever team is playing Barca. Now, I have respect for Barca and a bit of a crush on Little Leo Messi and Xavi, but I want nothing more than to see Los Blancos win the league yet again, and that involves the once invincible looking Barcelona loooosing, which they are doing a wonderful job of doing lately. A few weeks ago, all you would hear about is how Barca had La Liga locked up, but now that Real Madrid is only FOUR yes FOUR points off the lead things are getting exciting.

Last but not least, watched a great draw between Inter Milan and Roma over in Italy. I still can’t decide what team I am going to support in Serie A. Right now I am cheering for Inter, but pretty much only because Jose Mourinho is the manager. I am still telling myself everyday that once he takes the trophy in Italy the special one will be packing his bags and coming back to Chelsea where he belongs!!! However, this still leaves me with a need of a team in Serie A to cheer for, maybe I will stick with Inter maybe not….any suggestions?

Ray Hudsonism
Anyone who watches games on gol tv in the states gets to experience the colorful commentary of Ray Hudson. I would give just about anything to have this man narrate everything because he cracks me up. Today he had a particularly great line about his man crush Little Lionel Messi. “He’s got the swivel hips, like a Turkish stripper.” BTW the goal that prompted that comment was beautiful.

My first blog.

2009-03-01T22:23:00.000-06:00

Have you ever woke up one day and realized you were living your favorite song whether you wanted to or not. The first time I heard “Tangled Up in Blue,” I could not make sense of it. After a while I began to realize it is simply about life, just walking through it with mix of near inappropriate optimism and wonder and taking note of the small things that make up the big picture. However, my new found fascination with the song stems from something a little bit more literal. “I had a job in the great north woods working as a cook for a spell…so I drifted down to new Orleans…but all the while I was alone, with the past close behind” Just reverse that line, and you pretty much have the last few years of my life. I have spent my whole life living in some sort of city until now, now I live in the frozen woods of northern Minnesota, and it is surprisingly a pretty interesting place. I figure as I enter into this new chapter of my life, I would write my adventures on this internet thing.

I am new to this whole blog thing, but it seems fun, and maybe slightly narcissistic to think people actually want to read it, but hey it gives me something to do. Still deciding what this is all going to be about, but will most likely be a mix of my thoughts on my favorite things bad tv, various sports, philosophy, candy, alcohol, music, and whatever may be wandering through my head on any given day. Basically an attempt at me to attempt to be funny and entertaining. I have some interesting, well at least amusing, topics planned and will try to update a few times a week. I am still working on all of the formatting and stuff so expect this to look nicer and more creative eventually, and any tips or suggestions on formatting is greatly appreciated.

I assume if you are reading this, you probably know me. If you don’t know me then hello new people. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

I think I may add a little thing at the end of each entry called “song of the day/post” or whatever where I will have my favorite song that day and why it is my favorite…

Song of the day: Girls Aloud “Can’t Speak French”
Why: It makes me smile

giggle pop

Giggle Pops Medical Digest Presents: Cristianorhea

A long summer...(part 2): The signings

A long summer...(part 1)

Monday Manmeat: Roger part 2

Landycakes and the teaspoon: A tale of douchbagary and the courage to fight against it

Reconciliation...

Monday Manmeat: With a side of Baguette

Francophiliation

Giggle Pops Scientific Magazine Presents...

ROGER WON THE FRENCH OPEN!!

Monday Manmeat: Olive Oil

A weekend at the beach...

Gigglepops Nature Magazine Presents

The tale of how I became an Inter fan

Monday Manmeat: Xavalicious Edition

Stuff coming soon, too sad and emo to think right now...

Why I cheered for Barca for a day

Real Madrid: Good-Bye Cannavaro :-(

French Open: Round One

Monday Manmeat: Jail Bait

The night I tried to fight a horse, or should I say…the night a horse tried to fight me

Monday Manmeat: Perfection!

Monday Manmeat: Rafa!!

Cover songs...

Chelsea v. Barcelona- Blue is the Color!!

Monday Manmeat: Part ?

Score Update-- Squirrel: 4, Gigglepop:0

A Very Special Monday Manmeat

This Weekend in Sports: The Barca needs to go away edition

Monday Manmeat vol.2

No Line on the Horizon Thoughts...Part three (I think)

Monday Manmeat

This weekend in sports

Things I see on the Road

Blues through to CL semi's and some other stuff

Midweek in sports...and a rant

happy happy (midweek in sports-- coming soon)

El Hombre Arana

This weekend in sports

Pipita *sigh*

No Line on the Horizon Thoughts...part one

A battle of wits: Squirrel: 1, Giggle Pop: 0

Qualifiers!

USA! USA!

Famous Grouse

Jack!!

The Life of a Zags Fan

This weekend in sports

Yum Rocket

Soapbox.

If you build it, they will come

Fear of Deer

Twitter.

Dirty Jokes with San Iker

Step one: You cut a hole in a box

Bauer Madness

This weekend in Sports cont. (with pictures!)

My ode to Freddy

GO GONZAGA G-O-N-Z-A-G-A!!

Sneaking into the theater of dreams

People Jumpinig in a Frozen Lake: A Cultural Experience

She who cast the first stone

This week(end) in sports

Get on Your Shoes

EpmSPN

The (man) meat locker

Cease Fire

Creed Thoughts

Singing in the Rain

Replay

New U2 Album: Part One

Men at Work

A great weekend in sports

My first blog.

Pipita sigh