Posts Tagged ‘2023

18
Aug
23

Women’s World Cup (Soccer) 2023; Why Do My Favorites Keep Losing?!

*****

So, I’ve been sucked into another World Cup.  I watched the men’s whenever that last aired…last summer?  I was excited by the slick animation someone made for Team USA…and I wish someone could point me to it!  I want a link, a copy, something!  It was very cool, very Marvel’s Avengers.  It rocked.  But…I don’t think the USA rocked…did they?  I forget, already.  [I could look it up.  Sure.  But, not right now.]

Back on point…

Now, it’s the women’s turn.  And, while I previously slighted the lovely Alexandra Morgan, from Team USA, I wish to amend that, now.  Miss Morgan, you are, by far, the prettiest member of your team.  And, it’s unfortunate you did not get to shine, this tournament.

But…to be fair…none of your team really achieved much…did they?  ‘Eliminated so early.  Why?

I have a theory.  Actually, I have two.

  1.  Advertising kills luck.  Your team had SO many commercials, especially retiring Megan R., that you looked boastful, cocky and foolish.  Alexandra, however, you had at least one touching ad which spoke to me.  But, the other ads…not necessary.  Silly.  I really think it’s not smart to advertise before you prove yourselves.  Win, then gloat or show off.  Don’t pitch invincibility and then fail; that crushes dreams.
  2.  Some cosmic force is out to upset me!!  I have had the worst luck with television and rooting for people I suddenly feel for, lately.  And, in this World Cup, every time I stay up late to watch a game, the team I want to win LOSES.  When I cannot stay up to watch, the team I want to win LOSES.  [So, maybe I’m not cursed?  Or, is it my choices that are cursed?  By rooting for a team, I curse them?]  I think the only decent game I saw was Japan beating somebody I already forgot…and, man, were they fierce players!  But, then, I couldn’t watch the following game…and Japan lost!  I was stunned, to say the least.

However…

As with the men’s World Cup, the USA women had one stellar animated ad!…for Megan Rapinoe, who quickly got on my nerves with her “heart-felt” training and selfie ad; you know the one.  But, the animated ad…the one that looks like an awesome cartoon from the 1980s, the one that screams Silverhawks….THAT is an amazing tribute (for someone who failed to impress!)!  And, I want a link, a copy…you know the drill.  Hook me up, readers!  It’s just so slick.  I want to contact who made it and work with them.  Urgh!  Just so dazzling and slick.

[As a consolation prize to seeing USA fall so quickly, I started looking at other teams and picking out who has the prettiest players.  More on that, later, maybe.]

18
Aug
23

Women’s World Cup 2023; Don’t Call Them Set Pieces!!

****

I’m watching the women’s (FIFA) World Cup, and I am hearing at least one commentator abuse a particular term. Set pieces. I wasn’t sure what it meant until someone explained it. But, once I knew the meaning, I knew it was a sickness, as well. I think it’s the same guy, Lalas, who keeps saying it, like a broken record. [Just like the German “veteran” keeps promoting “synchronicity.”]

You cannot call a play a set piece when a player spontaneously jumps into play after the initial motion sends the ball in a clearly unexpected direction! The set piece may be where players are initially placed on the field and/or a particular series of passes, if any of these teams would be that coordinated (but they are not). [Instead, I see more players passing the ball all the way back to the goalie, who just sends it right back to the player who gave the ball to them.] But, once that ball is attacked by a player seemingly outside whatever box is in focus, it’s no longer “set.”

And, a set piece is not any play that results in a goal. I know, when I play Rocket League, I have a tendency to abuse the word “calculated,” which should be used when a ball bounces strategically off one or more walls before entering the goal. But, not every move I make is a damn set piece. Heck, I don’t even want to use that term, once.

Stop the abuse and shut your yap when you feel the impulse.

Rant over. Game on.

09
Jun
23

A Strawberry Moon and an Unhappy Rabbit

****

I was outside late at night…or early in the morning, depending upon how you judge the time…when I saw an amazing sight in the sky, a reddish moon as big as a small cookie.  I could reach up and pick the pink wafer out of the dark blue.  The streetlamps had just turned off, signaling the end of night.  The scene was serene.  But, thinking about recent events, including weather/climate news, I couldn’t help thinking that red moon was a disapproving rabbit.  The year of the water rabbit/hare, 2023, has not started well.  Instead of new peace, there has been consistent discontent, uprising and–in terms of water–drought.  In the year of a water animal, there has been noticeable absence of useful water.  Fires are the talk of the nation.  So, what is going on here?  What is wrong, and how can it be corrected?

Food for thought as you bask upon my lucky photography.

strawberrymoon-closertohowIsawit-enhanced-june62023-356am-tripod-milwwi-crop-kodakblue-100_6328-4Bstrawberrymoon-june62023-359am-tripod-milwaukeewi-crop-kodakblue-100_6331-2




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