4.2 at 4:42 and April 2008

Like the rest of the Bay Area blogosphere, I am posting about the crazy earthquake that happened this morning. The epicenter was about 3 miles from where I live. I think I slept through the first second of it. The second 4.2 wave definitely shook me awake. Things fell off shelves. La grasp my arm. A second later it ended and I fell right back asleep. I guess I'm becoming a true Californian.

In other Earthquake news, the San Jose Earthquakes are definitely coming back in 2008! I already got my season ticket reserved! I'm so excited about the MLS coming back to the Bay Area. I'm a bit worried with what the fate of the California Victory will be. People have told me that traveling to SJ from SF or Oakland gets old pretty quickly. And that there's a certain pride of the Victory being SF's team. The Vics will have to do some amazing things to prevent turnover from ruining the club. Right now, the crowd averages a little under 1000. Who knows what that will become when a club that knows how to handle its business and its fans comes back into town.

I'm sorry for being part of the hype...

Status Update (or: My 2 new obsessions)

Hey Folks,

Things have been crazy lately on both the football and personal level. So all my writing, both here and journal, have been suffering. I went down to L.A. for a friend's graduation, but also got to see a Galaxy match. It was amazing to see 22K people to watch a football match! I really hope that the Quakes come back.

In local football, Victory aren't doing so well. Even so, I've caught the Victory fever. And I bought the only prescription to cure it...a cowbell. I went to the first match on Cinco de Mayo against the Mexican team, Necaxa. It was fun to meet other fans that I met on the discussion boards. Our group even made the SF Chronicle. I'm the fool in the back with the scarf La knitted for me.

I missed the home opener (I was at the Galaxy match) but I will try to make as many of the home matches that I can fit without La getting mad at me.
I'm still very active on the BigSoccer discussion boards. I seem to be checking and replying for most of the day. The supporters' group hasn't yet gone "official" with it's name, but it seems to be "1906." I don't like it, but whatever the name is I will still support the boys for the whole 90. This weekend they play the Vancouver Whitecaps (last years champion). If you're down to go, let me know. We need all the support we can get.

Another strange update is that I started playing Gears of War. I'm behind about 6 months. One day one of my clients starts talking about Counterstrike. He tried to convince me to get on it so I can play with him. The same night, I find out some friends in NY have it. They are gung-ho first person shooter fans (I, more of a sports video game player), and talked me into getting it. I have to admit, it is enjoyable. I might put down a deposit for the upcoming and highly anticipated Halo 3. Even now, after a few rounds of GoW, I take comfort and wind down by playing a few matches on UEFA Champions League.

Finally, my status update:
* Twitter status: Alvin... typing notes in the dark (undefined)
* On repeat: Here Come The Victory
* Reading: The Price of Privilege by Madeline Levine
* Current Obsession: California Victory
* Last unnecessary purchase: A Cowbell and Gears of War

FCD 0-1 RBNY Boo Yah!

Not to rub it in anymore than I need to, but the Red Bulls are still unbeaten and still haven't conceded a single goal yet (an MLS record). 10 points and #1, thank you.

DCU had a bye week, but will be playing Columbus on Saturday. They better win, because this RBNY/DCU rivalry is getting a bit boring *yawn* I sort of want them to win, so that La doesn't get so downtrodden and hopeless. But, I really do want that jersey.

Second place, Fire, will be playing Dynamo. Dynamo is pretty pissed that Red Bulls beat them, so I'm sure that they'll be coming out with guns blazing. It's going to be a fun weekend.

In other football news...
I just received the season tickets to Victory. It's so sweet to hold a whole season's worth in one fist. I'm so psyched!

Place your bets!

There is quite a rivalry brewing within my household. Red Bull New York versus D.C. United. La is from the DC area and I from NY. The teams hate each other. Historically speaking, DC has dominated the MLS and the Red Bulls.

This year is different.

Already in week 2, Red Bulls are #2 in the east (only because the Revs played one more game than RBs) and DC, a very sad and pathetic #6...out of 7. RBs 1 win and 1 draw. DC *whispers* 2 losses. But then again, it's only the first two matches.

It can't be denied that DC is a scoring machine. 99% of all the bloggers and MLS gurus have predicted them to finish #1 in the eastern division. Red bulls, 4th or 5th. But that's okay.

For all of you to witness, and to officially declare the conditions of the bet, I present the following:

Bet #1 (2 parts)
1) Red Bulls will finish the season either 1 spot under DC, or beat them.
2) Red Bulls will finish with more goals (including a handicap of 6 goals [1/2 the difference of the goals DC had over RBs last year])

If part 1 is won then........

UPDATE:
I didn't get to finish this post before the RBs match started. La is just finishing the last of the dishes from the bet she just lost, as the RB won YET AGAIN. They are back to number one! Still undefeated for 3 weeks!!!

As I was saying, if only Part 1 is won, then the loser has to buy the winner a piece of gear of the winning club. If both Part 1 and 2 are won, then the loser has to either buy the winner a jersey of the winning team (if I win) or buy club gear and a night out on the town (if La wins).

Bet #2
Whoever wins an aggregate score of the two matches that RBs and DCU have this season...
Ya know, we didn't decide the prize yet. That derby will be a lot more exciting! I have to admit, I'm a little scared of the match-up. We'll cross that bridge...

In other football news, both La and I bought season tickets for California Victory! I'm so excited. Got such a deal on them. I can't wait.

Status Update

* Twitter status: Alvin... just finished with "difficult" client. Not so difficult *brushes shoulders off*
* On repeat: Some Devil by Dave Matthews Band
* Reading: Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle
* Current Obsession: Red Bull New York and the MLS
* Last unnecessary purchase: Red Bull T-shirt.

Rushed update

I'm sorry that I haven't posted in awhile (how many people are actually reading this. hands? hands?). I've been feeling ill and called in yesterday, as well as today. Since I haven't written in awhile, I feel as if I need to report what's been going on. Let me purge, bulleted:

• 31st Birthday was great. Hike in Big Basin, followed by unexpectedly large after party.
• CONCACAF Champions Cup sucked ass. Both U.S. Teams lost. Dynamo game was awesome!
• MLS Kickoff was cool. Good to see DC lose (sorry La)
• Arsenal doing horrible. Last draw should have been a win. La got me a Fabregas jersey. Very nice.
• Bought UEFA video game. Awesome new trading card feature. I've created my first club, Hyphy FC. Still below average but getting better with age.

Although I'm ill and should be resting, there are two UEFA quarterfinal matches on today, at the same time: ManU v. Roma and Valencia v. Chelsea. I'll be flipping back and forth. Oh happy day off!

My latest status update:
* Twitter status: Alvin... is trying to fix adium message history. (undefined)
* On repeat: The Luckiest by Ben Folds
* Reading: Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle
* Current Obsession: LibraryThing.com and UEFA Champions League (watching the real thing and also the video game)
* Last unnecessary purchase: UEFA Champions League 2006-2007 video game.

MLS Kickoff

I'll be the first to admit that I am a baby footie fan. Ever since I caught the fever, though, during the last World Cup I've been devouring football like a crazed madman. The EPL, UEFA Champions League, and CONCACAF Champions League has had me enthralled in front of the TV. In two days, the MLS 2007 season begins. I'm glad that I got on board the soccer train during this time period, because it is looking like the MLS is getting things right this season. My fingers are crossed that the U.S. will finally join the rest of the world's love with the sport.

There has been a lot of positive hype other than Beckham coming. SuperLiga will start in the Summer. DCU made it to the semis of the CONCACAF Champions cup (lost this week. Damn) Houston still has a chance to win a finals spot, tonight against Pachuca. Reyna & Mathis to the Redbulls. Blanco to Fire and Fred & Emilio to DCU (Fred just goes by "Fred," which cracks me up. Those crazy Brazilians). The EPL leagues are making professional associations with a few MLS teams, which hopefully will create a Big Brother/Little Brother relationship.

And that's what it is really. At least for now. We're the little, tag-a-long brother in the football world. I'm excited that there is even recognition of the potential of greatness. There was a NY Times article about what the MLS is doing right. It sounds hopeful:

But we don’t believe any one thing will make soccer or M.L.S. one of the dominant sports in this country in the short term. A lot of individual things are happening at a slow, steady pace. Over the next 5, 10, 20 years, we have no doubt that this will be a dominant league in this country. It is not a matter of if, but when.

This weekend will be filled with football love. MLS Fantasy Football also just started. My team will be full of random and arbitrary picks. But who cares? Anyone care to join me?

1 out of 47,416

I'm going to be at the sold out Mexico v. Ecuador football match tonight! I can't think about anything else. I'm in the nosebleed section of the Oakland Coliseum, so I'm going to have to be twice as loud. I've got my Cruz Azul scarf on today to support Mexico. Tailgate starts at 3, but I have to be at work until 5. Damn.

So here's my dilemma: I want to support Mexico (sort of arbitrarily because they are our neighbors and I happen to watch Mexican football every now and then). Their colors are green, red and white (they'll probably wear their green home jersey). Ecuador's colors are blue, yellow and red (they'll probably wear their blue away jersey).

Now...the San Jose Earthquakes are hosting the event, even though they are no longer playing in the MLS. But rumors say that they have a good chance of returning to the Bay for the 2008 season. There is this campaign to wear Earthquake Blue to show support for the Quakes and to give a message that there is a plentiful fanbase in the area.

What should I do?

Which situation would you prefer?

• You could be in a committed long distance relationship with a really hot Spanish chick that you where introduced to when you were an exchange student. Best sex you ever had, but aside from maybe you going to see her once every few years or her stopping to see you when she comes through the States occasionally for work, your relationship is limited to early a.m. phone sex (due to the timezones) on the weekends.

• You could be in a relationship with a local woman who is attractive for sure, but no supermodel (although she appears to be maturing gracefully). Not only do you see her regularly, but you know her family, friends and have a fairly normal relationship. Although she is no pornstar, you do get to sleep with her on a regular basis.

This was the brilliant answer to the question of "Why do we watch the MLS?" by a person who calls himself Shopping Cart Man on Bigsoccer.com. Gotta support the home team!

Becks is coming!

Even though he's not the greatest footballer there is, he definitely has the Hollywood charisma that will bring some attention to the MLS. Oh, how I hope that it is successful. Since the rumors of Zidane have quieted, it seems like Beckham is (sadly) only our hope, for now.

As part of the media hype, Becks is infiltrating our Saturday morning cartoons!



I would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for these meddling kids!

Happy New (Electronics) Month!

I just got my DVR last night. I never thought I'd ever get one. I can pause live tv now! AHHH! As La always says, "there's something wrong about messing around with time." It's not TiVo, so I've escaped that craziness for now (It's the proprietery Comcast DVR. But I've read news that Comcast will be soon using the TiVo operating system). For those who already have been on the DVR train for awhile, please excuse my nascent excitment.

I am so psyched that I can tape football matches now. Because of the time difference, I could never watch a live match because they're always on in the middle of the day. But a new era has begun. Now I can watch all the EPL matches I can handle when I get home from work. I will tape two Champions Cup games today (DC United v CD Olimpia and Houston Dynamo v Puntarenas...go USA!), and already have one Arsenal game to watch on the hard drive! I think I'm going to faint.

Today, I am also picking up my copy of Dance Dance Revolution: Universe, for Xbox 360!!! I already have the additional dance pad. For New Month, I am going to have a DDR party! Woo hoo! I've never played it in my life, not in the arcade or on any console. So I will not only be busting some moves, tonight, but also will be busting my DDR cherry, with friends and alcohol! Hey Danny Terrio, put me on TV!

Oh, come on!

I've been dying to find out what the Colorado Rapids are going to do with their shield and their team name. They've progressively have been unveiling it, piece by piece. Now, it's all done minus the name. And what do they have going right now? Random letters and symbols being shuffled a-la-slot-machine.

Dammit!

Colorado...wait for it...wait for it...

I'll get into my latest obsession (i.e., football, i.e., soccer) in another post. But I've been tormented by the rumor that the Colorado Rapids are going to change their name to the Colorado Arsenal or Arsenal Colorado.

C'mon, fellas! Don't be a poseur! I know you want to elevate your status and become an international brand. So just work on the football. Please!

On their website (which I check approximately once every 25 seconds), their new shield is progressively being uncovered, one layer at a time, once every couple of days).

Who are the ad geniuses who came up with this one?