Month: May 2023

  • Monty Python’s “The Philosophers’ Football Match”

    Since I have been introducing the kid to Monty Python, I thought now was a good time as any to play my favorite Python sketch. The quality of video isn’t the best, but I think you get the point.

  • I Took a Nap

    I won’t lie and say that I had a great or a bunch of great ideas that I wanted to write about today. I was actually drawing a blank as I looked at my computer screen. Nothing was coming to me. I read the news, listened to music, tried all of my old tricks – I couldn’t get an idea to stick and come to life.

    The only option I had to get some creative inspiration flowing was to take a nap. Not a several hour nap, just a quick and to the point 15 minute power-nap! I set a timer, laid down on the couch, closed my eyes and let it happen.

    There really isn’t a story here other than I like taking naps, and I took one. This isn’t one of my best blogs, which I can admit, but I needed to write today and I’m doing it.

    I’ll try harder tomorrow.

  • The End of Tottenham’s Season

    Well, at least Tottenham Hotspur went out on a winning note for their last match on Sunday. It was against Leeds, who were facing relegation. It was a lopsided affair, especially with Harry Kane scoring in the first 90 seconds. There was a little life in Leeds when they got their first goal, but Tottenham responded quickly, and that was that.

    The best part of the match, was when Lucas Moura subbed in for the final time as a Spur. For those who don’t know, and my guess is that will be most of you, Lucas earned a place in Tottenham Legend. Back in 2019 Tottenham was playing Ajax in the semi-finals of the Champions League. In the second match of the round, Spurs were down 2-0, and 3-0 on aggerate, when Luca scored a hat-trick, the third goal coming in the 96th minute, which sent Tottenham to their first ever Champions League Final. Thus, on Sunday, Lucas came in a final time, as the club announced that they would not be renewing his contract. But as fate would have it, Lucas got the ball, and tore through Leeds’ defense, and he scored one final goal for Tottenham.

    And that ended the 2022/23 campaign. Tottenham landed 8th on the table, and just one spot on the outside from playing European tournament football next season. They went through three managers, a bunch of injuries, lots of road losses, and the more I think about it, it seemed like just about all of their matches started by giving up a goal. I know I’m not the only fan that ended up feeling frustrated for most of the season. It was like the team could never get going. Which I know is an odd thing to say when they had the second-best goal scorer in the League with Harry Kane. Still…

    I have no idea what to expect next year. Every time I try to make some prediction about this team, I am always wrong. I have learned to keep my mouth shut, read the sports news, and see what happens.

    Who am I kidding! I’m going to keep writing about this stuff until I finally form a cohesive original thought of my own when it comes to Tottenham and the Premier League.

    If anyone wants to buy me a new Tottenham Hotspur scarf, I’m all for that. Just let me know.

  • ODDS and ENDS: Goodnight Tottenham, Goals, and Memorial Day Weekend

    (Sorry, Tennessee)

    And thus the 2022/23 Tottenham Hotspur season comes to a close. Sadly, just as I thought, Spurs lost their last home match to a clearly on the rise Brentford. Though Harry Kane had one of the most amazing goals I had seen in a very long time, it was all for not… This Sunday the Premiere League comes to an end, which has Tottenham playing an away match against Leeds. Though Leeds is sitting at second to last on the table, they do have something to play for. If they get a win with a Leicester loss or tie, and Everton loss, then Leeds will avoid relegation. So, as per normal for this season, Tottenham will lose this match. Which is an awful thing to say, but on paper, Spurs should win this one, no question. But they seem to give away all the easy matches. Then the real humiliation would be Brentford beating Man City (And Man City won the League, so they have nothing to play for) thus causing Tottenham to fall to 9th. Oof! What a season. I guess I’ll wait and see what this Summer brings, with a new manager and players, and also, let’s see who sticks around. In the meantime, I got European qualifying, MLS, and the Women’s World Cup.

    I do have two small goals for today. I want to finish up two flash pieces that I have been working on. AND, I want to submit to a couple of more online journals. I’ve been trying to do this all week, and today is the day.

    Memorial Day Weekend snuck up on me. Actually, all holidays this year have snuck up on me. I feel like I am running behind on all of this stuff. But being as it is Friday morning, we won’t be leaving the City. Also, it’s Taylor Swift Weekend at the Meadowlands, so stay the hell away from the George Washington Bridge and Northern New Jersey. One day, I just might get my life organized enough to plan a getaway for the family, and make a four-day weekend out of it. Until that, I just might be drinking a beer on the roof of my building.

  • School Recitals

    My daughter had her Spring School Recital this morning. I won’t be reviewing the performances, so to speak (I will leave that to more professional writers like Frank Rich and David Sedaris,) but I would like to talk about the kids who clearly don’t want to be there.

    When I was in grade school, I was the kid that wanted to be front and center. I tried to sing the loudest, and get the most attention. I was a drama nerd from very early on. Hence why I persuaded a professional performance and theatrical career. All be it from behind a puppet, but still. Being up in front of people is a place where I am comfortable, and watching the kids in my daughter’s class, I could see that she and a few others also enjoyed having an audience.

    Yet, I do know and understand that for most people, have a group of people eagerly stare at you is not a fun way to spend any length of time. I took a moment to watch those kids today. The kids that were told they had to be up there, and sing along. I am happy to say there weren’t any trouble makers – no one went out of their way to sabotage the proceedings. These were the kids that were looking up at the ceiling, and mouthing the words. Doing anything to just get through the three minutes of singing.

    And when the song was over, and the half hearted bow was given, then the spark of joy and excitement came across their faces as they could NOW start leaving the stage to return back to their classrooms. It was like a magic switch was thrown, and they popped back to being kids.

    My kid was awesome, by the way.