Respect Yourself!

Good God almighty! PBS is ditching their usual fare of "Antiques Roadshow" to bring a truck-load of soul into our homes this week as they celebrate fifty years of the vaunted Stax Records label out of Memphis, TN. Gooner's had the privilege of actually visiting the studios while I'm the proud owner of a ten-disc set of Stax singles, so I'll be glued. It's called "Respect Yourself" and is part of the "Great Performances" series, airing first on Wednesday night at 10 p.m. Enjoy!

Meet Eric Simpson(Dahlgren)

This is Eric Simpsonized

Simpsonize Yourself!

In honor of the opening of the new Simpsons Movie this weekend, there is a website that is allowing all of you mortals out there to see yourself in Simpsons style. I would do it but I'm afraid I'd come out looking like Homer with glasses, so I did the cat.

Try for yourself at:

http://www.simpsonizeme.com

MLS Kids to Europe: Drop Dead

ESPN's Soccernet website reported today that both Eddie Johnson and Freddy Adu have turned down deals with European clubs - with Derby County and Benfica respectively. I think it's a real shame when our best and brightest choose to stay here in their comfort zone of MLS. Both have suggested that the money isn't right but I suspect that they're taking a leaf out of the Landycakes book. Shame. The game in this country will only get better if our players are playing at the top of their games.

What do you lot reckon?

Democratic Presidential Debate #4

The Democrats tonight engage in a new debate format with questions fired in from the ether via YouTube. It's their fourth debate and, despite the protestations of the frontrunners, there are still eight candidates in the mix. It's getting close to make or break for the second tier, who will have to take on Hillary tonight.

New Crisis at Arsenal!

What you're looking at is a photo of the posse that Gallas rounded up because he lost a diamond stud during a practice.

And ta-rah to Freddie Ljungberg. Good luck at West Ham, Mr. Sexy Pants. Treat him well down the Bolynn Ground, Johnno.

It's Beckham Time!

It' s Beckham time, lads! Or is it? We all know that his gammy ankle will prevent him from starting against Chelski tonight, but let's hope that Goldenballs will be able to shake it off and at least play fifteen or twenty minutes in the second half.

Join me to find out, eh?

Harry Potter Readathon

Right, lads. I got my sweaty little hands on the latest and last installment of the Harry Potter saga round about 1:30 last night and spent most of the night reading. After a bit of kip, I'm taking a day off from my qualifying exams to plow through the tome.

I won't give any secrets away here but if you feel like commenting about the book, feel free to join me here for a bit of a read.

MLS Allstar Game 2007!

Okay, I know that you snobs would prefer to watch the Prem. or the Champion's League, but you live in the U.S., there is a league here, it's called MLS, they're having their showcase of the season tonight on ESPN2, so if you're not watching, you're a complete numpty.

There, I've said it. Join me, eh?

Footie Trivia of the Week

We're less than a month away from the start of the Premiership season now, so here's brain teaser for all of you yearning for it:

"Only three of the original teams that made up the original Football League in 1888 were in the inaugural Premiership season - which ones?"

Good luck, lads!

Creed Thoughts

If you're a fan of the American version of "The Office" - and why wouldn't you be? - then you know Creed, the lovable but slightly crazy old guy with perhaps a criminal past. He's always been my favorite character on the show, so when they had a passing joke on the season ender about his having a "blog," I thought I'd check it out. Sure enough, the poobahs at NBC have been smart enough to put one up and to keep it going during the summer for the true fanatics out there. Here's a selection from the latest update:

" My favorite part of the newspaper is the fun little stories about the dead people and their relatives.

There’s nothing better than a wishing fountain. Go ahead, idiots, keep throwing your cash away. Old Creed will make those wishes come true.

A pinky’s always a pinky, but a pointer and a ring finger are pretty interchangeable if you need them to be.

Visors are hats for people that like getting ripped off.

Do you remember where I parked my van?"

Ah, words of wisdom. You'll find more at: http://blog.nbc.com/CreedThoughts/

Copa America Final Live!

It's the final that we all wanted to see - the "Super Classico" - Brasil vs. Argentina. Everyone is expecting the Argentinian side, which has been performing like a well-oiled machine, to edge out the underwhelming Brazilians today, but you never know. Join me to find out.

Happy Beckham Day!

Yes! Old Goldenballs finally wings his way in with Posh to be unveiled as an LA Galaxy player in less than an hour. Despite his Sports Illustrated cover, the hacks on both sides of the Atlantic are trying their level best to scupper the high expectations. Rod Marsh last month said that he expected that Becks would find a "Hell" in the MLS. I beg to differ - I reckon that he's got the quality to get the job done in MLS and will raise the profile of the game in a way that no other play can. What do the rest of you cynics reckon?

The Bramall Lane Bunker Scene

ManYoo Trivia of the Week

Right, lads. I lobbed a trivia question at the Gooner last week, so I thought that it would be only fair to let United We Stand have a go this week.

"Who is the only ManYoo player to have competed in the Manchester derby, the Merseyside derby and the Old Firm derby?"

Good luck, Davey!

I apologize for the YouTube focus this week, but - in case you haven't seen it yet - the Spinal Tap performance, which wasn't shown on American telly, is crucial watching. You can also find another short clip on YouTube with their performance of "Big Bottom" along with an "army of bassists." Enjoy!

The latest musical sensation in the UK is The Zimmers with their take on the Who classic "My Generation." I particularly enjoy the performance of the lead singer, who, although he's certain no advert for National Health Care dentistry, reminds me of the old boy that I used to visit as part of the Mrs. Thompson's after-school program. Enjoy.

It's Live Earth day! As someone who still remembers Live Aid with fondness, I've been looking forward to this one for some time. The Sundance Channel coverage has started and the Bravo coverage will start at 9 a.m. EST. If you're around and about during the day, drop in and have a chat with me, eh?

Tevez Joins ManYoo - Season Over?

The news that Carlito is on his way to Old Trafford on a two-year loan deal has provoked a few questions in my mind:

1) Is the Premiership season over before it starts?
2) Will the Roon/Tevez partnership - let me be the first to call them "Shrek and the Hulk" - rank as the ugliest in world football history?
3) And most importantly, can we get some of the United "sloppy seconds" down at the Elland? I mean, we'll have Smithy back, no questions asked. On a free of course....and he'll have to be paid in cups of tea...in a cracked cup and all...

U.S. vs. Colombia Live!

After being eliminated from the Copa by the travesty that was Mexico vs. Chile last night, the U.S. boys go into tonight's match with Colombia just trying to avoid the wooden spoon award for the tournament. We'll need a big performance from "Double T," who has been pants in the past two weeks.

Come on!

Political Thread of the Week

The 24-hour concert extravaganza Live Earth is coming up on Saturday and while most of us will merely be grooving on the likes of the reunited Police set, there is a serious political agenda that sponsors such as Al Gore are trying to inject into the dialogue surrounding the concerts this week. Attendees of the nine concerts will be asked to sign on to the following seven-point declaration:

• To demand that my country join an international treaty within the next 2 years that cuts global warming pollution by 90% in developed countries and by more than half worldwide in time for the next generation to inherit a healthy earth;
• To take personal action to help solve the climate crisis by reducing my own CO₂ pollution as much as I can and offsetting the rest to become 'carbon neutral;'
• To fight for a moratorium on the construction of any new generating facility that burns coal without the capacity to safely trap and store the CO₂;
• To work for a dramatic increase in the energy efficiency of my home, workplace, school, place of worship, and means of transportation;
• To fight for laws and policies that expand the use of renewable energy sources and reduce dependence on oil and coal;
• To plant new trees and to join with others in preserving and protecting forests; and,
• To buy from businesses and support leaders who share my commitment to solving the climate crisis and building a sustainable, just, and prosperous world for the 21st century.
  

Now, I've got no issue with the points that are more social, but those that focus on individuals being more "carbon neutral" chap my ass. Afterall I can sort my recycled goods til I'm blue in the face but the Target Megasuperstore down the block is always going to swamp my puny efforts.

This objection isn't going to prevent me from tuning into Bravo at 9 a.m. on Saturday - and I'm be blogging on and off here during the day if you choose to join me - but it may dampen my enthusiasm a bit. Any comments?

Copa America Update

As the first round of the Copa winds up, you might be excused for writing off the USA's chances after two spanking losses. However, a quick glance at the tables shows that if Mexico beat Chile by two goals or more and the U.S. beat Colombia by the same margin, the U.S. goes through as the second best third-placed team and would face Venezuela who topped Group A last night. Not bad, eh? Any comments, lads?

THEY ARE PREMIER LEAGUE, THEY ARE PREMIER LEAGUE

It's Official!!
West Ham United will be playing in the Premier League next season.
Today, the arbitration panel dismissed Sheffield United's claim over the Tevez affair.
Your thoughts?

U.S. vs. Paraguay Live!

It's not quite must-win time for Sam's Army, but we'll be looking for some more sparkling play and goals from Eddie Johnson, probably our best hope tonight. The Paraguayans were sensational in their first match, so they'll be looking for a similar result tonight. Should be intriguing stuff. I'll be looking for your company.

Gooner Trivia Question of the Week

Right - this week's trivia is a tip of the hat to the Gooner - and it's a good 'un:

"What are the five things that Thierry Henry and William Gallas have in common?"

Give Gooner a chance to answer this one first and then have a go yourselves.

Good luck, lad!

Brasil vs. Chile Live!

Okay, the boys from Brasil were frankly pathetic against a chaos-ridden Mexico side the other night. And, if we're honest, they've been pants going all the way back to the 4-1 drubbing of the Argies in the last Copa America in 2005. But you never know what you're going to get, so here's hoping for some jogo bonito this afternoon.