Monday, June 30, 2008

Good Week Bad Week

Good week for:

1. Espana, after their national soccer team beat the Germans 1-0 in the Euro Cup Final yesterday. Spain had not won the title in over 44 years. The celebrations were wild in Spain overnight. Let's call it the world's largest fiesta!!!

2. Caged animals, when a giraffe helped 15 camels, 2 zebras, multiple llamas, and a pig escape from their cage at the traveling Dutch circus. That must have been quite a site to see these animals wandering through the town. Have you all seen the episode of Man vs. Wild when Bear Grylls guts a dead camel in the desert and lays down within it's carcass to show us how to protect ourselves from a sandstorm?

3. The people of earth, as a recent study found that happiness around the world (at least in 40 of the 52 countries studied over the time period 1981-2007) is increasing. The reasons why sunny disposition is increasing around the world are listed here:

Low-income countries such as India and China have experienced unprecedented
rates of economic growth; dozens of medium-income countries have democratized;
and there has been a sharp rise of gender equality and tolerance of ethnic
minorities and gays and lesbians in developed societies.

Bad week for:

1. Appeals, when Floyd Landis' bid to reclaim his Tour de France title was again denied by the courts. One of the best accounts I have come across of what might have happened, and the indisputable results of his urine testosterone tests is here. Floyd, give it up, and go join Roger Clemens in the "I have the worst defense ever against the evidence of the use of performance enhancing drugs" club.

2. Trying to sell your life, when an Australian man put his life up for sale on E-bay. He ended up selling his house, all his possessions, a trial spot for his job, and all of his contacts for about $382,000. Apparently, he was looking for $480,000. He was upset about the bad breakup he had with his wife and thus, was trying to start his life fresh. Another woman was trying to sell her house and heart on the internet. But, to me the all-time best utilization of the internet for one's prosperity was the young fellow in Canada who sold and bartered his way from a red paper clip all the way to a house in 14 separate trades. This guy was amazing. Please read about each trade by clicking on the photos at the top. My favorite trades revolved around Alice Cooper, but there were such funny offers for the apartment in Phoenix when the trade was still in question. Unfortunately, it looks like those offers are not archived on the website. One of the offers that I remember was a 24-hour lap dance from a Japanese stripper. No one can dance like that for 24 straight hours!! Plus, I don't think that would even be enjoyable for the guy...enough already!

3. Eating more (well, unless you live in Japan), as researchers at University of Texas Southwestern found that injecting latex into the face of cadavers decreased the aged look of a face and made the faces look younger. So, listen to your grandmothers, eat a 2nd helping, and plump up those cheeks!

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Spain was lucky. They had an easy draw throughout Euro '08. It was set-up for them. As usual, they will come up small at World Cup 2010. They went 3-0 in group play in '06 and then were hammered by the French 3-1 in the Round of 16. Spain, overall, is a wek football program.

Anonymous said...

actually, i thought spain played a great tournament. they did not lose a match. they were quicker on the pitch. villa and torres are very skilled.

Anonymous said...

by the way, love the football talk. would love to hear other's views.

Cocameister said...

I can't comment much specifically on how Spain played because I am not versed in futbol, but from what I do know, they were dominant, as they did not lose a match. Their defense and goalkeeping were incredible.

I must say that I am somewhat jealous of the other countries and their love of futbol. Men, women, children all come together and watch this sport with such zeal. The passion and emotion that the fans have for the sport is rivaled by none other. During World Cup and Euro Cup, the whole country pulls for their team in unison. The other part that makes it so fascinating is that one play, one goal, can make the whole difference between experiencing the joy of victory vs. the agony of defeat.

Anonymous said...

coca, you are right. i have tears wtaching the passion and emotion.

Anonymous said...

I am sorry you think that way of Spain anonymous. Not only am I a big soccer fan, but being from Spain I am very proud of our team as is my country. You should read more about Spanish soccer history. Yes, we have been unfortunate in not having any major achievements however we are one of the oldest members of the world sports platform and right now our soccer rules Europe. Spain did a great job. Viva EspaƱa!

Anonymous said...

Spain does not rule European futbol. Yes, they won Euro '08 and my congratulations are offered. Here are the rulers of fubol in Europe and beyond:
Team Titles
Brazil 5 (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
Italy 4 (1934*, 1938, 1982, 2006)
Germany 3 (1954, 1974, 1990)
Argentina 2 (1978, 1986)
Uruguay 2 (1930, 1950)
France 1 (1998)
England 1 (1966)


I don't see SPAIN. Sorry, they did well, but rules? I don't think so.

Anonymous said...

Not only have they NOT won a World Cup, they have never even been in a final. Talk is cheap. WC titles speak volumes.

Anonymous said...

I am very impressed with your theoretical knowledge of "world cup" (FIFA) soccer history. I thought they won the EuroCup...hmmm. Spain rules Europe for the next four years. It is up to you how you would interpret that.

Anonymous said...

they have a weak history. i read up on it as you suggested. overall, they stink.

Cocameister said...

Anonymous,

Sounds like you are being a sore loser (were you rooting for Germany?). Spain was an underdog because of their history of underperforming, but they rose to the occasion this time and won the Euro Cup. They will be the champions for the next 4 years, until the next Euro Cup. Everybody can see one team stinks for their history (e.g., the Red Sox and their history of failures), but if they won a whole tournament, then, by definition they no longer stink. They went undefeated and there won fair and square in the championship match.

Anonymous said...

coca, are you buddies with VIC? keeping it real, Spain has a putrid history. that is my only point. as i said previously, my best congrats goes out to espana. they dominated the germans. yes, they were much better. overall, do you think they have a good history?

Anonymous said...

also, i do enjoy the futbol chatter.



also, i continue to enjoy your amazingly intelligent blog.

Cocameister said...

Yes, I'm more than buddies with VIC. ;)

I truly do think that Spain should be given credit for the victory, just as the Red Sox and Celtics are now champs and will be credited with that title IRRESPECTIVE of the past 20, 50, 100 years.