Help Wanted

No, I am not quitting. However, the next few weeks will be a bit busy (exams and such) and I don't want my posts to tank simply because I'm concentrated on other stuff. So I thought, if any of you readers want a crack at blogging for a few weeks helping me out with posts here and there, here's your chance.

Nov 19, 2009 | Read this article...

Racing Santander Preview

Real Madrid vs. Racing Santander
Santiago Bernabeu
11/21/09 20:00 CET, 2pm Eastern
Not on GolTV, ESPN 360
Real Madrid welcomes Racing Santander to the Bernabeu after an international break which saw all of Real's international players qualify for this summers World Cup. Albeit with "Hand of God" type plays and stubborn defending in the case of Portugal. But they are there, so now attention is turned to the league program, and a struggling Santander side that sit 17th in the table. While it seems like a good tune up match before El Clasico, this will not be an easy contest, with Santander giving teams a hard fight, although they always seem to lose out in the end. If you have followed La Liga for a few years you will know that Santander is one of those teams that flirts with relegation every year, only to bounce back in a big way, either a late run that saves them, or more recently, a mid-season change in form that gets them into a European place.

Nov 19, 2009 | Read this article...

Barça players and the International Break: this time we swear in French

So this is it, boys and girls, the end of international break. Let’s hear that sigh of relief and the raucous celebrations because (with the exception of Touré and Keita leaving for the African Cup), our boys are home to stay until the next year at least.
And what did this day of friendlies and World Cup playoffs leave us? Well, an image I wouldn’t have believed possible, for a start.

[caption id="attachment_1349" align="alignleft" caption="“Yes, it was a handball,” said Thierry Henry of this. No kidding, Tití. No. Kidding."][/caption]

Thierry Henry (and Eric Abidal, who is nursing his thigh injury in Barcelona) got their golden World Cup Ticket thanks to a highly-questionable move by our French striker, who handled the ball (twice, if you at the video closely) to set a goal that Arsenal’s William Gallas slipped past the Irish goalkeeper. My theory is that he had his eyes closed and that the ultra-tight new French kits had cut off blood flow and feeling in his upper limbs, so he really didn’t realise that he was playing volleyball for a moment. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Nov 19, 2009 | Read this article...

Atlético Gets Fined... 150 Euros

No, I didn't forget to put a "thousand" there. Atletico really just got fined 150 euros for the object that was thrown at Real Madrid manager Manuel Pellegrini. The bearers of the fine, the Comité de Competición, claim that the impact of the object was so minimal ...

Nov 18, 2009 | Read this article...

Help Wanted: Spanish to English translator (again)

NOTE: It looks like I found a translator. If you're still interested, you can still send an application and, if the person I have lined up falls through, I can have backups. I'll be back with more info and hopefully a translation very soon!

As you may or ...

Nov 18, 2009 | Read this article...

A quick query on the renewal of a certain Mexican's contract.

An old Mexican man, worn from years of work and the testing weight of life, once told me as I stood in (for the night) the oddly contemplative McDonalds, waiting for possibly the most time-consuming six pack of McNuggets I'd ever ordered: "The broken man comes back strong and desperate, the gently caressed comes back when he feel it's safe to do so"

Now what could that possibly have in it that's relevant to Rafael Marquez?

Nov 17, 2009 | Read this article...

Weekly Grapevine 11/17

I WANT TO PLAY!
- Ruud wants to return to the starting role with Real Madrid soon, and he also wants to play for Holland in the World Cup this summer. He has not formally discussed his plans with Holland coach Dick Van Marwijk yet, but he is planning on it. Ruu told this and more to Marca recently, when he was quizzed on his plans for next year. He also said that if he was to leave the club in January, probably for a small fee, it would have to be to a team that would allow him to play regularly so that he could go to the World Cup.
On one hand I understand he wants to play for Real and Holland at the WC, but on the other hand he retired from the national team and did not help them progress through the qualifying stages, so is that fair to some of the players that did? And does that mean he should seek a move away from Real, a club where he is idolized by the fans for his goal scoring prowess? We know the club will not resign him so he will leave in the summer regardless, but I would like to have 6 more months to see Ruud in action a few more times.

Nov 17, 2009 | Read this article...

The Facebook Fan Page Is Live

This is a quote from a site I have read for awhile that has been steadily increasing in popularity for nearly five years now. Bet you can't guess what the site is...

I know I said this before but the reason I hadn’t until now is because the idea is just so pretentious. I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who reads the page, but what kind of asshole sets up a fanpage for himself? When I meet someone new and if they ask, I usually just say I’m an archeologist because if I mention the site it just looks like I’m fishing for compliments. I watch enough History Channel to fake that for a few minutes. I’ll just say something about Carthage and Hannibal and by then they’re already bored enough to regret asking. Unless the person who asked really is an archeologist, in which case I’m fucked and have to kill them.

'nuff said. Im a paleontologist though, its more specific and people are fascinated by dinosaurs!

Nov 16, 2009 | Read this article...

Get Ripped Like Forlán

Diego Forlan is featured in the latest version of Men's Health (Spain version) and he'll show you how to get rid of the belly and get toned. Pick up your copy at the newsstand nowhere near you if you want to read more.
Forlan on playing well: "In order to play well you must work on your speed and power, and in order to do that you need to be toned from the best training. A good abdomen is the basis of all good movement, as it's essential to sprint, move your waist and pick yourself up from the ground"
Forlan on his abs: "I confess that my genetics are important, honestly more than any workout secret, and with very little work you can see them".
So in order to get as good as Forlan, you need to get abs. And in order to get those abs, you need to either a) work your ass off at the gym or, b) be Diego Forlan and not do have to do jack shit. Once you do either, you'll score 35 yard screamers in no time.

Nov 16, 2009 | Read this article...