Eric Cantona Video Trilogy

It's been awhile since my last post on Eric Cantona. When I found these three clips recently, I thought they were something that this audience would definitely enjoy. Check this out:

1. It has been a long search to find the video of Cantona's kung-fu kick, first mentioned on Blades on Blue back in July of 2006 when I revealed the true reason Zidane attacked Materazzi. The search is over - it appears a bunch of Cantona videos have made their way to the web. For your viewing pleasure:

2. Next, the infamous press conference where, when questioned why he attacked the individual in the crowd, he responded with the cryptic: "When the seagulls follow the trawler, it's because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea."

3. Finally, a wonder goal from Eric. The best part about this (excluding his fantastic possession and subsequent chip over the keeper) is his reaction after he scores. Not sure how to describe his demeanor...he definitely doesn't lack a healthy ego. And is there a tinge of awe at his own skill perhaps? If I were to vote for best post goal celebrations, this would be in my top 5, possibly number 1 just based on simplicity combined with Eric's sense of theater.

Chicken and Waffles

Evidently, this mythical chicken and waffle place (Roscoe's) actually exists...next time I am in LA, I will add this to the itinerary. They have 5 different locations.

Back of the net on the fly...

I occasionally invite my team to a little friendly competition and offer up a reward if they can meet a certain challenge. If they cannot meet the challenge, they have to do some conditioning drills. The classic competition is "back of the net on the fly" from distance. We don't do it from midfield yet. I let them try it from about 40 yards out, sometimes more. The object is self-evident: hit the back of the net on the fly, no bounce. Do so and avoid running.

Here is Michael Parkhurst of the New England Revolution earning the next set of conditioning drills off...this goal is awesome. You should also know that this is his first career MLS goal.

Fried Chicken

Who eats fried chicken at 6:50 AM on an airplane? The guy sitting next to me right now. And all kidding aside, it smells damn good after the red eye back from San Francisco.

Alcatraz Scene 2

Here is another scene from our trip to Alcatraz yesterday.

San Fran Signs: XING

Children on Alcatraz

A scene from our trip to The Rock yesterday.

San Fran Signs: Keep Clear

My Calves Hurt

Sorry for the lack of updates...too busy fainting from lack of oxygen as we walk around the city.

23

We've been up almost 23 hours - just got back from the Josh Ritter show. It was awesome. Time to sleep...

3:45

I have been dutifully corrected by my wife, we actually woke up at 3:45. When you wake up that early though, is there really any difference between 3:45 and 4:45?

Brownie Points

Brownie Points = Giving your wife your first class upgrade and then sitting back in coach. I think I can see her napping if I stretch my neck high enough and elbow the guy next to me a little bit.

4:45

The sun has yet to rise and we are already on board our first leg to San Francisco for a friend's wedding. Our flight is leaving Baton Rouge at 6:30 AM which means we woke up at 4:45 AM. I think I finished packing at 1:30 AM. It's going to be a long day...followed up with seeing Josh Ritter this evening.

The National - Mistaken For Strangers

You get mistaken for strangers by your own friends
when you pass them at night under the silvery, silvery citibank lights
arm in arm in arm and eyes and eyes glazing under
oh you wouldn’t want an angel watching over
surprise, surprise they wouldn’t wanna watch
another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults

- The National, Mistaken For Strangers

The National are veterans of the Blades of Blue Monthly Mix. Here is a tune called Mistaken for Strangers that just might make the next disc. If you happen to be a fan of Morphine, you will have to agree that on some of their tunes, the lead singer of this band sounds a bit like Sandman. Enjoy.

I like that lyric: "they wouldn’t wanna watch another uninnocent, elegant fall into the unmagnificent lives of adults..."

Coach

Today was the first day of tryouts for the new team I am coaching (High School).

Player: Coach, you're running a really tight ship here.
Coach: Oh yeah?
Player: Yeah, it's not at all like the Thunder. You're much more fun there.
Coach: Thanks.

Even Fatter

Well, on the heels of my prediction that we were in for the toughest game of our co-ed season this weekend, it looks like I was right. This score was the closest yet, with us winning by a margin of only 5 goals (6-1). I really think that the next time we see that team, they will be better. I am pretty sure they were missing a couple players. They also had one player ejected. Regardless...we buried them this go around. Our record is now 4-0.

Stats

I compiled some "stats" from my U-17 team's fall season for an end of season "good job" email. Thought I would share them here.

• Overall record of 5-3-3, with two of the three losses coming in penalty kicks in the finals of 2 tournaments
• We only lost one regulation game all season, and it was the first game of the season
• Logged 19 practices, at least 38 hours
• Commuted about 1000 miles including a road trip to Plano
• Crowned soccer tennis champions
  
• Managed to miss 8 PKs in just one season…
• Gave up a few too many goals in the first 5 minutes of games
• Came back from every game we gave those goals up in, and either won or tied each one
• Lost one $120 soccer ball…collecting $11 from 1 player in order to replace said ball
• Found 4 new soccer balls to make up the $109 balance
• Discovered who was the best soccer golf player on the team
• Defeated 2 of the premier level state semifinalists
• Gave up fewer goals than any team in the BR NTG United Cup
• Defeated or tied (in regulation) every LA premier team we played

I'm Not There

"People are always talking about freedom.
Freedom to live a certain way.
Course, the more you live a certain way,
the less it feels like freedom."
- I'm Not There

I'm Not There hits theaters on November 21st - it is an unconventional look at the life of Bob Dylan, with 6 different actors playing the one character. The 6 actors are: Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Marcus Carl Franklin, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, and Ben Whishaw.

I haven't seen many movies lately but this one might be one I try to make a trip out to catch. I'd like to see the 6 actor thing pulled off well because on the surface, it sounds like a genius idea that could either flop or soar. Here's one of 2 trailers that has been released.

Official Movie Website (see the other trailer there)
Catch the I'm Not There concert in NYC on November 7th - which will include: Calexico, My Morning Jacket, The Roots, J Mascis, Yo La Tengo, Mason Jennings, Glenn Hansard, Mark Lanegan, and more. If you leave near NYC, there is no excuse to not go see this.

Here is an interview from IFC with the Director Todd Haynes, talking about the challenges of working with 6 different actors playing the same characters. Pretty interesting to hear him talk about it. His passion for the film/his work is fun to see.

Fattened Up

Per request, an AFC update: I actually missed my co-ed game this past weekend (because I was busy watching my U-17 team lose our 4th tournament in 2 years on PK's). However, AFC is now 3-0 and have yet to have a tough game. That is all about to change - the easy games are over. For some reason, we had 3 very easy games at the start of the season and are now headed into a stretch of 4 tough games against the upper tier of the league. It's unfortunate that we have yet to have a real test, because we head into the toughest game this weekend, all fattened up with 7-0 wins or better.

Here is a mock-up of the new jersey we designed for this season. We got a hook up at the local t-shirt shop and got these in off brand dry fit - 18 jersey's for $200. Sweet.

FFFFOUND

FFFFOUND! is a random image website that I've been meaning to share for a little while...I will definitely kill random insomnia time on this website in the future. Check out this image bookmarked on the webservice today. Pretty neat.


From the About Page: "FFFFOUND! is a web service that not only allows the users to post and share their favorite images found on the web, but also dynamically recommends each user's tastes and interests for an inspirational image-bookmarking experience"

Coach

Coach: OK, Listen. When you get back out on the field, here is what I need you to concentrate on...
Player (silent)
Coach: Can you stop picking your nose when I talk to you?
Player: Coach, I got a sinus.

Wrapping Up, Ramping Up

Sorry for the inactivity. This past weekend was pretty intense, with the last soccer tournament of the fall for my U-17 team and a few logistical challenges along the way. This morning was a tough Monday with a 3.5 hour drive to Jackson, MS.

Tournament wise, I should have been more proactive on keeping the fans updated. We played 3 bracket games this past weekend in Baton Rouge. This was another tournament where my team played up a competitive level for the 3rd time this season. At this point, the phrase "up a competitive level" though, has to be in question. Once again we defeated 2 of the top 4 teams in the state and advanced to the finals of the tournament. In the final, we met the same team that we lost to a few weeks ago in the previous tournament. To recap: 3 weeks ago we played through double overtime and lost on PK's to this team. To meet them in the final was a chance for revenge...

Sure enough, 15 minutes in we were up 1-0 and it stayed that way for 3/4's of the game until they snuck in the equalizer. No overtime in this tournament, we went straight to PK's where my team missed 4 out of 5 shots. That's right, we missed 4 out of 5. Ugh. If anyone out there knows how to coach PK's, please call me. Clearly, I am not able to despite my best efforts. In all other aspects though, I have no doubt, we were the better team that day and deserved the win. It was an awesome display of skill by the guys and they closed out their season on the field with real class. I am lucky to be their coach.

So that wraps up the fall season...for club that is. High School tryouts start next Monday.

Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip - The Beat That My Heart Skipped

Every now and then I cower and I need to find empowerment

Empowerment is paramount to how I can begin to mount
A plan that I can implement
to make a dent on ignorance
Instead of drunk belligerence
and the dissidence of miscreants
- dan le sac VS scroobius pip, The Beat that my Heart Skipped

Tired of staring at the spinning lady? Here's an oddly catchy rap song to add to your Crank That mix. Is it time for a Monthly Mix that has more of a dance and hip hop theme? Not sure...but we now have two candidates.

Left Brain vs. Right Brain

I struggled with this at first. The picture below appears to be spinning which way to you? Left or right? Ok. That was the easy part. Now convince ourself it is turning the other way. Really, go ahead an try.

Trust me on this...you can convince yourself it is spinning the other way, and when you do, it is hard to get back to your first way of perceiving it. If you are having trouble, focus a few inches away from the image and give it a moment or two in you peripheral vision. For me, I was convinced it was turning to the left (clockwise). I focused on a point a few inches to the left of my laptop screen and willed it to turn right...30 seconds later...it worked.

I'm not a huge fan of optical illusions, but I like being able to convince myself to perceive something in a completely different fashion. Way cool when you make it happen. Try it.

Via kottke. & The Herald Sun

It appears that if you defaulted to clockwise, you are more right brained then left...which I think fits for me.

Coach: Who Is Soulja Boy?

"u gotta punch den crank back three times from left 2 right"
- Soulja Boy, Crank That

When I pulled into the parking lot for practice with my team yesterday they were all on top of their cars with this song blasting out across the parking lot. Petty comical. After watching this video, I now have some valuable insight into the behavior of one of my players. Seriously, 90% of the time I am talking to him, he busts out with the Soulja boy, Crank That dance. I never knew what he was doing until now.

...and it is pretty sad...but after listening this last night, I decided it was kind of catchy. Oh well.

Band of Horses - The Great Salt Lake

I could sleep when I lived alone
Is there a ghost in my house?
- Band of Horses, Is There a Ghost

The new Band of Horses album (Ceases to Begin) just came out on Sub Pop. I can't find a video link to any new tunes yet so I am posting a song that I really like called The Great Salt Lake. This song made its appearance on a Monthly Mix back in '06 and remains one of my favorites.

You can download their new song Is There a Ghost by clicking here (brought to you by Sub Pop).

And of course...their My Space page.

"Youth" Gets the Call

I don't care who you are, or what your opinion on the past performance if Freddy Adu is...you have to be excited to see him get called up to the national team for the upcoming game vs. Switzerland on 10/17. Add Edu, Szetela, Zizzo, Seitz, Zimmerman, Bradley, Feilhaber, Hall and Findley and it is clear that we may have chance to see more of the new guard in US soccer on display. Obviously Bradley and Feilhaber aren't brand new...but to see the number of younger players increase for this upcoming fixture just makes me excited. Its a shame we won't see Altidore, that would take the cake.

Lost

We found the owner of the dachshund this morning and he has already come and picked him up. I'm glad that he is going back to his true home, but really, it sucked to say goodbye to our to-be-named, now lost pet.


Maybe we'll go get a puppy soon...hmm....

Fitting In...

Our new friend has had no trouble fitting into life in our household. He spends 90% of his time on the couch and has already visited Starbucks. Here's a picture of him on my lap from this past weekend.

Cherundolo (American midfielder playing in Germany) could be a good name...lots of syllables though. I like the German connection because the dachshund breed comes from Germany. So maybe: Oliver, Ballack, Klinsmann, Kahn, or Klose would be good names as well.

October 8th

Two years ago today my wife and I were married. I was thinking about what I remember most about that day and I have to say that the most vivid memory I have is actually the sensation or emotion of the day itself. Don't get me wrong, I remember specific events...but it is the emotion I was feeling throughout the day that is the strongest and most vivid thing when I reflect on our wedding. I remember how joyful I felt. I remember the perfect clarity that the day held. I remember the feeling of seeing all the people we love the most, gathering to celebrate. It was perfect.

Found

When we opened the door that goes to our car port yesterday we found the little guy in the poster you see above. I've checked with neighbors in the houses close to us but no one recognizes him. He had no collar and seemed pretty frightened for the first hour or so (as evidenced by 5 separate urination events on our kitchen floor). He hasn't done that again though, so I am wondering if he was traumatized by the freakish yellow tile we have.

We're hanging this poster around our neighborhood today.

Needless to say, if no one claims him, it looks like we have a pet... Thus, coming soon (possibly), a Help Us Name our Dog contest.

I've Already Picked Out my Halloween Costume

"I've already picked out my Halloween costume, I'm going as a guy who is always right."
- Stephen Colbert

This random Colbert quote I heard today was good enough to share. Colbert's humor is one of a kind. Here's a clip where he discusses the political and social impact of the "Dude Uterus" or "Dude-erus"...just in case you need convincing. As usual, not for the easily offended.

Okkervil River - Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe

A track off of the latest Monthly Mix (...the plot that you passed) for your Friday morning. Cool tune and a cool video as well.

When a Rhino Charges

Hmm...sitting in a tree sounds like a good idea to me right about now. Another long day.

Coach

Sometimes I lose patience as a coach. After all, I am only human and I coach 16 year old teenagers. Today we had a scrimmage and only 10 of my players were able to make it. So I played forward. I was getting the team together prior to the opening whistle and the conversation went like this:

Coach: OK guys, we won't have many chances to get an 11 v 11 game prior to our last tournament, so we need to use this scrimmage to work on a few things.
Player: Coach, is that gel in your hair?
Coach: No. It's sweat.
2nd Player: Coach, Do we have anything going on this weekend?
Coach: Seriously? So here are the things I want us to work on...
3rd Player: Why did we have to wear our uniforms for a scrimmage?
Coach: Screw it. I'll be up top. Get me the rock.

Buy a Floatie

A little climate change humor for your Tuesday. "I don't know much about rising sea levels, but buy me and my family floaties? I can do that!"

Pulling a Zidane on The Little Fish

Before I say anything else, the following video is definitely not something I advocate. Ricardo Clark needs to be penalized for losing his mind and kicking Carlos Ruiz. However...

...as a defender who has spent a career watching forwards take dives and knowing the cheap tricks and dirty plays that El Pescadito pulls on the pitch, I have to admit that feel a sense of "you get what you deserve" when I watch this.