Thursday, December 10, 2009
One more day...
So tomorrow is our last day of semester one CreComm. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone in our class from helping me out whenever I needed and for being so rad in general. Cheers guys. Have a good break!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
England lose on penalties! again...
Came across this interesting article today. Matt Le Tissier, is an retired former big time player from England who was notoriously awesome at Penalty Kicks. He took 48 in his career as a pro and only missed one. Maybe he can help England stave off more hilarious heartbreak.
Friday, December 4, 2009
The draw.
So the big World Cup draw happened today and it was pretty interesting.
The first group features France, SA, Mexico and Uruguay. France and Mexico should come through this pretty easily. South Africa are hosts, but also suck so I don't expect much. Uruguay have good strikes in Forlan and Suarez but not much else. France have drawn and easy group again. Cheats.
Group B should be a cake walk for Argentina who are clearly the best team. Nigeria should go through with them if all this talk of African teams being inspired by playing at home is really true. I don't see it though. I actually think Greece will go through as runners up. They play really boring but effective soccer which should work well in the scorching heat. South Korea to bring up the rear.
Group C is England's and they should cruise. They really could not have hoped for a better draw but then again, neither could the USA who should join them in progressing. Algeria are an unknown quantity as are Slovenia. Both teams pulled impressive upsets in getting to the tournament, but the clock should strike midnight on these cinderellas.
Group D is really tough to call. The obvious favorites are Germany because it's Germany and they always do well. That said, the other three teams are all solid as well. Australia are growing in stature and may have been favoured to go through in an easier group. Serbia are a tough as nails defensive type team who are tough to beat because they don't concede many goals. While both those teams have a case, I think Ghana, my pick as the best African side, will go through as group winners ahead of Germany. They have tons of talent and should carry the load for Africa.
Group E features The Netherlands. The "clockwork oranje" should win this group pretty comfortable but we all know things are never simple for them. They'll be pushed by a surprisingly very strong Danish team and by Cameroon. I'll plump for the Africans to go through. Japan are woeful and I expect them to lose every match.
Group F is an example of why everyone hates Italy. They struggle through qualifying and everyone is thinking they are vulnerable and then they get the easiest group. I don't even want to mention the other teams, Italy go through.
The Group of Death is without a doubt Group G. Big time ancestral rivals Brazil and Portugal are drawn together and joined by The Ivory Coast who many people have picked as a dark horse to win the tournament. Brazil should have enough to come through joined by Drogba and the boys. Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo will have to join North Korea in going home early and hoping for a luckier draw in four years.
Anything less than winning every game would be disappointing for Spain in group H. Switzerland are a decent side but nothing special. Honduras are a good story, but resemble Trinidad and Tobago from four years ago. Chile are an emerging South American power and should go through as runners up here.
The first group features France, SA, Mexico and Uruguay. France and Mexico should come through this pretty easily. South Africa are hosts, but also suck so I don't expect much. Uruguay have good strikes in Forlan and Suarez but not much else. France have drawn and easy group again. Cheats.
Group B should be a cake walk for Argentina who are clearly the best team. Nigeria should go through with them if all this talk of African teams being inspired by playing at home is really true. I don't see it though. I actually think Greece will go through as runners up. They play really boring but effective soccer which should work well in the scorching heat. South Korea to bring up the rear.
Group C is England's and they should cruise. They really could not have hoped for a better draw but then again, neither could the USA who should join them in progressing. Algeria are an unknown quantity as are Slovenia. Both teams pulled impressive upsets in getting to the tournament, but the clock should strike midnight on these cinderellas.
Group D is really tough to call. The obvious favorites are Germany because it's Germany and they always do well. That said, the other three teams are all solid as well. Australia are growing in stature and may have been favoured to go through in an easier group. Serbia are a tough as nails defensive type team who are tough to beat because they don't concede many goals. While both those teams have a case, I think Ghana, my pick as the best African side, will go through as group winners ahead of Germany. They have tons of talent and should carry the load for Africa.
Group E features The Netherlands. The "clockwork oranje" should win this group pretty comfortable but we all know things are never simple for them. They'll be pushed by a surprisingly very strong Danish team and by Cameroon. I'll plump for the Africans to go through. Japan are woeful and I expect them to lose every match.
Group F is an example of why everyone hates Italy. They struggle through qualifying and everyone is thinking they are vulnerable and then they get the easiest group. I don't even want to mention the other teams, Italy go through.
The Group of Death is without a doubt Group G. Big time ancestral rivals Brazil and Portugal are drawn together and joined by The Ivory Coast who many people have picked as a dark horse to win the tournament. Brazil should have enough to come through joined by Drogba and the boys. Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo will have to join North Korea in going home early and hoping for a luckier draw in four years.
Anything less than winning every game would be disappointing for Spain in group H. Switzerland are a decent side but nothing special. Honduras are a good story, but resemble Trinidad and Tobago from four years ago. Chile are an emerging South American power and should go through as runners up here.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
So this is it.
So the draw for the World Cup is tomorrow. The groups will finally be announced. Some 200 million people are supposed to check it out. Should be good.
Check back tomorrow for my early look and preview of the groups.
Check back tomorrow for my early look and preview of the groups.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Fever Pitch
I've been re-reading the book Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby and I'm reminded why it's one of my all time favs.
The book is a look at one man, Hornby's, attachment and love affair with Arsenal Football Club. Its hilarious and heartbreaking all in one. If you like soccer or Arsenal ( I love both) then you should read it. It's way better than the Jimmy Fallon movie. Trust me.
Keith.
The book is a look at one man, Hornby's, attachment and love affair with Arsenal Football Club. Its hilarious and heartbreaking all in one. If you like soccer or Arsenal ( I love both) then you should read it. It's way better than the Jimmy Fallon movie. Trust me.
Keith.
Get over it France.
The 8 seeded teams for the World Cup were announced today. France was not one of them. France should not even be at The World Cup for their cheating, scum ways.
Get over it France. At least your there.
Get over it France. At least your there.
Carlos and Murphy's
Winnipeg has a shortage of good bars to go and watch soccer. For years, Carlos and Murphy's was one of my favorite places to go drink, eat wings and watch some sports. I went there last week expecting the same. Unfortunately, I was left super dissapointed. Here's a review I did of the restaurant for my Journalism class. Hope you dig it.
In May of this year, Carlos and Murphy’s was shut down for health violations. My first visit since the reopening, I was eager to see if changes had been made. Stepping into the men’s room made it seem like the lessons had not been learned. The sink had hair in it, the floor was dirty and the toilet had not been flushed.
Cleanliness aside, the restaurant has long been a cheap and reliable option for Winnipeggers searching for good Mexican food. I have fond memories of their patio and even fonder ones of their food. Unfortunately, my most recent visit caused many of those memories to turn sour.
Walking into the dining room, the decor seemed to have taken a turn for the worse since my last visit a few years prior. Designed to look like a traditional Mexican roadhouse, it was a bit too authentic and looked badly in need of some repairs. The wood planks that formed most of the walls were visibly worn down and water damaged. Even some of the sombreros on display were frayed.
Despite with these initial turn offs, I was confident that the deciding factor would be the delicious Mexican food on offer. It had never let me down before. Upon biting into my “world infamous” nachos, I learned that there was a first time for everything.
The Carlos Nachos ($10.50), loaded with salsa; veggies and Jack cheese, are the restaurant’s signature item. While the portion size was impressive for the reasonable price of, the plate lacked real flavour. Good nachos should bring all of the different tastes together as one, this plate just tasted bland. Too many of the chips were bare, too many of the veggies cold and too little of the cheese melted.
The wings ($6.50) were not much better. There was so much sauce on the plate that I commented it was “like eating wing soup” as you dipped your hand into the pit of liquid and hoped it came out with some meat. When I asked for some wet naps or a finger bowl, I was told that those were not offered at the restaurant. Thankfully, the restaurant offers a half-price deal on weeknights for wings so the plate of eight cost only $3.25
While these two dishes were disappointing, the worst item of the night was undoubtedly the lime margarita ordered by my friend Laura ($4.91). My sip tasted like nothing other than a triple shot of tequila with a bit of ice mixed in. The lime flavor was impossible to taste and the presentation was non- existent.
A bright spot from the meal was the burritos ($14.95). Moist, and with warm, tender shredded chicken inside, they hit the spot, as did the rice and beans served alongside. One should note however that dishes like this are pre-made. When I asked if they could hold the sour-cream, we were told there was no way to change from what the menu listed.
One positive from the evening was the service. Drinks were served promptly and extra cutlery was provided quickly and on request. Our server must have stopped by ten times to ask whether everything was satisfactory, which, while a bit annoying, is certainly better than the alarming trend of servers not caring at all.
In May of this year, Carlos and Murphy’s was shut down for health violations. My first visit since the reopening, I was eager to see if changes had been made. Stepping into the men’s room made it seem like the lessons had not been learned. The sink had hair in it, the floor was dirty and the toilet had not been flushed.
Cleanliness aside, the restaurant has long been a cheap and reliable option for Winnipeggers searching for good Mexican food. I have fond memories of their patio and even fonder ones of their food. Unfortunately, my most recent visit caused many of those memories to turn sour.
Walking into the dining room, the decor seemed to have taken a turn for the worse since my last visit a few years prior. Designed to look like a traditional Mexican roadhouse, it was a bit too authentic and looked badly in need of some repairs. The wood planks that formed most of the walls were visibly worn down and water damaged. Even some of the sombreros on display were frayed.
Despite with these initial turn offs, I was confident that the deciding factor would be the delicious Mexican food on offer. It had never let me down before. Upon biting into my “world infamous” nachos, I learned that there was a first time for everything.
The Carlos Nachos ($10.50), loaded with salsa; veggies and Jack cheese, are the restaurant’s signature item. While the portion size was impressive for the reasonable price of, the plate lacked real flavour. Good nachos should bring all of the different tastes together as one, this plate just tasted bland. Too many of the chips were bare, too many of the veggies cold and too little of the cheese melted.
The wings ($6.50) were not much better. There was so much sauce on the plate that I commented it was “like eating wing soup” as you dipped your hand into the pit of liquid and hoped it came out with some meat. When I asked for some wet naps or a finger bowl, I was told that those were not offered at the restaurant. Thankfully, the restaurant offers a half-price deal on weeknights for wings so the plate of eight cost only $3.25
While these two dishes were disappointing, the worst item of the night was undoubtedly the lime margarita ordered by my friend Laura ($4.91). My sip tasted like nothing other than a triple shot of tequila with a bit of ice mixed in. The lime flavor was impossible to taste and the presentation was non- existent.
A bright spot from the meal was the burritos ($14.95). Moist, and with warm, tender shredded chicken inside, they hit the spot, as did the rice and beans served alongside. One should note however that dishes like this are pre-made. When I asked if they could hold the sour-cream, we were told there was no way to change from what the menu listed.
One positive from the evening was the service. Drinks were served promptly and extra cutlery was provided quickly and on request. Our server must have stopped by ten times to ask whether everything was satisfactory, which, while a bit annoying, is certainly better than the alarming trend of servers not caring at all.
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