14 April 2008
The Popemobile
With the Pope visiting Washington this week, I was prepared to make a post about all the things wrong with Catholic theology. Unfortunately, I changed my mind after doing a few minutes of research. I've already completed my Master degree and didn't feel like writing another thesis tonight. So, you'll have to settle for this...the Popemobile (its actual name). Maybe he should take this out for a spin on the Capital Beltway.
11 April 2008
30 Years Old...The Countdown
April 26, 2008 is coming fast. In 15 days I'll be 30 years old. I don't feel like I'm about to be 30. Because of this momentous event I have decided to make 5 big changes/announcements regarding my life:
#1 - I'm not going to shower for a week and then blame the terrible odor on old age
#2 - From now on you may refer to me as "Mr. Sudduth" or "Sir"
#3 - To my family: I'm on my last leg and you should go on without me
#4 - I'm going to wear a helmet to the office and tell people I don't trust my aging and decaying body around dangerous objects such as pencils and paper
#5 - When I end conversations with people, I'll give them a hug and say, "just in case I never see you again, promise me you'll take care of yourself - PROMISE!"
Stay tuned for more ramblings from a crazy, old man as we count down these next two weeks...
#1 - I'm not going to shower for a week and then blame the terrible odor on old age
#2 - From now on you may refer to me as "Mr. Sudduth" or "Sir"
#3 - To my family: I'm on my last leg and you should go on without me
#4 - I'm going to wear a helmet to the office and tell people I don't trust my aging and decaying body around dangerous objects such as pencils and paper
#5 - When I end conversations with people, I'll give them a hug and say, "just in case I never see you again, promise me you'll take care of yourself - PROMISE!"
Stay tuned for more ramblings from a crazy, old man as we count down these next two weeks...
Liverpool Arsenal Penalties
There has been a lot of discussion over the past few days about the Liverpool Arsenal tie in the UEFA Champions League. Unfortunately, it's been centered on the controversial penalty kick decision and no decision in each of the two games. After watching the replay of both events numerous times it is clear to me that both were fouls inside the box and deserved a penalty.
In the first leg, Kuyt (Liverpool) fouled Hleb (Arsenal - min 14 on video). Notice the jerk on Hleb's body from the tug by Kuyt. The resulting tug on his upper body twisted him enough so that his right foot (next step) was pulled off the ground. Hleb's right foot missed the ground as a result, causing him to fall over in the box. In this situation, no penalty was called and the game ended 1-1.
In the second leg, Toure (Arsenal) fouled Babel (Liverpool). Although Fabregas (Arsenal) initially made contact with Babel outside the box, the contact in the box from the other direction by Toure caused Babel to fall. The replay clearly shows Toure all over Babel's back causing Babel's body to twist in the other direction. What is most telling in this replay is Babel's effort to keep his balance. Notice that he keeps his legs moving despite being fouled. This is a clear sign that he was trying to keep his balance but could not because of the resulting contact by Toure. In this situation, a penalty was called and Liverpool went on to win 4-2.
In my mind, it's easy to establish the fact (when watching the replay) that these were both fouls inside the box. I don't think most objective people, after watching these two clips could say that either of them were not fouls. A foul inside the penalty box should equal a penalty kick.
Having established this, let's move on to the real problem. The natural reaction, considering the sequence of events (the penalty called resulted in the winning goal for Liverpool), is to blame the referees for the Arsenal loss. Objectively you cannot say that the referees were the difference. The only way that you can make that statement is if you make both of these calls isolated incidents and assume that they in no way affected the other 179 minutes played. That is, you have to take these incidents out of context.
For arguments sake, let's assume that the first call (in the first leg) was correctly called a penalty. You have to start here because it happened first. Does that automatically mean a goal for Arsenal? Do 100% of penalties taken go in? I've been around the sport long enough to know the answer to that question is "no". But, let’s say that it did go in and the first game ended 2-1 in Arsenal’s favor. Now what? The entire strategy, formation, and even players involved in the second game are potentially different then what actually happened on Tuesday. That is, you can’t change the past without altering the future. This would render everything that happened after that non-call in the first game irrelevant and even potentially non-existent. Would we witness the exact same game on Tuesday if that call would have been made correctly in the first leg? Absolutely not. We can’t even begin to imagine what would have happened going forward. For all we know Liverpool would have still won the second game…or maybe Arsenal would have…and maybe there wouldn’t have been a second penalty call at all. The bottom line is that we will never know what would have happened if we change the scenario going into the second leg.
Did the referees influence the games by their decisions? Absolutely. Referees make dozens of decisions each game that influence the outcome. That is their job. Does this mean that they are responsible for the outcome? No way. You can’t make that assertion in this case. That would be too easy…almost lazy…especially in a tie that involves two separate games and especially in a situation where to make all things right you have to change a decision very early on in a process that is already entirely built upon that event and every other event from that point forward. I’m sorry to tell you this Arsenal fans, but your team was responsible for the outcome, not the referee. You had 179 other minutes of opportunity to beat Liverpool and you just plain didn’t get it done. At some point you and your manager have to accept responsibility for the result on the field…and, interestingly enough, when you start to do that you’ll probably win something.
In the first leg, Kuyt (Liverpool) fouled Hleb (Arsenal - min 14 on video). Notice the jerk on Hleb's body from the tug by Kuyt. The resulting tug on his upper body twisted him enough so that his right foot (next step) was pulled off the ground. Hleb's right foot missed the ground as a result, causing him to fall over in the box. In this situation, no penalty was called and the game ended 1-1.
In the second leg, Toure (Arsenal) fouled Babel (Liverpool). Although Fabregas (Arsenal) initially made contact with Babel outside the box, the contact in the box from the other direction by Toure caused Babel to fall. The replay clearly shows Toure all over Babel's back causing Babel's body to twist in the other direction. What is most telling in this replay is Babel's effort to keep his balance. Notice that he keeps his legs moving despite being fouled. This is a clear sign that he was trying to keep his balance but could not because of the resulting contact by Toure. In this situation, a penalty was called and Liverpool went on to win 4-2.
In my mind, it's easy to establish the fact (when watching the replay) that these were both fouls inside the box. I don't think most objective people, after watching these two clips could say that either of them were not fouls. A foul inside the penalty box should equal a penalty kick.
Having established this, let's move on to the real problem. The natural reaction, considering the sequence of events (the penalty called resulted in the winning goal for Liverpool), is to blame the referees for the Arsenal loss. Objectively you cannot say that the referees were the difference. The only way that you can make that statement is if you make both of these calls isolated incidents and assume that they in no way affected the other 179 minutes played. That is, you have to take these incidents out of context.
For arguments sake, let's assume that the first call (in the first leg) was correctly called a penalty. You have to start here because it happened first. Does that automatically mean a goal for Arsenal? Do 100% of penalties taken go in? I've been around the sport long enough to know the answer to that question is "no". But, let’s say that it did go in and the first game ended 2-1 in Arsenal’s favor. Now what? The entire strategy, formation, and even players involved in the second game are potentially different then what actually happened on Tuesday. That is, you can’t change the past without altering the future. This would render everything that happened after that non-call in the first game irrelevant and even potentially non-existent. Would we witness the exact same game on Tuesday if that call would have been made correctly in the first leg? Absolutely not. We can’t even begin to imagine what would have happened going forward. For all we know Liverpool would have still won the second game…or maybe Arsenal would have…and maybe there wouldn’t have been a second penalty call at all. The bottom line is that we will never know what would have happened if we change the scenario going into the second leg.
Did the referees influence the games by their decisions? Absolutely. Referees make dozens of decisions each game that influence the outcome. That is their job. Does this mean that they are responsible for the outcome? No way. You can’t make that assertion in this case. That would be too easy…almost lazy…especially in a tie that involves two separate games and especially in a situation where to make all things right you have to change a decision very early on in a process that is already entirely built upon that event and every other event from that point forward. I’m sorry to tell you this Arsenal fans, but your team was responsible for the outcome, not the referee. You had 179 other minutes of opportunity to beat Liverpool and you just plain didn’t get it done. At some point you and your manager have to accept responsibility for the result on the field…and, interestingly enough, when you start to do that you’ll probably win something.
10 April 2008
Who Are Ya Designs
Check out the shirts I just bought from Who Are Ya Designs. The funny thing is, probably only one person who reads this blog will have any idea what these shirts mean. Keep it real brother.
08 April 2008
Confirmation of a Theory
Around this time of year you'll hear many an excuse from guys who just got beat in their office sports pool. The most common complaint heard is that the person that wins is usually someone who doesn't know anything about the game in question. Usually it's someone who made their picks based on some irrelevant factor like team colors or team mascots.
I'm here to confirm this theory. This year, out of all the previous years in recent memory, I watched the least amount of American football and college basketball that I ever have. Consequently, this resulted in my rightful ascension to the office NFL pick 'em league throne in January and being crowned March Madness King yesterday.
Because this is a sore subject I'm going to let them think that I know what I'm talking about. I wouldn't want them to think they got beat by someone who really knows nothing about the current state of the sport they love (but who can do hellagood research in 5 minutes on the innermet!)
I'm here to confirm this theory. This year, out of all the previous years in recent memory, I watched the least amount of American football and college basketball that I ever have. Consequently, this resulted in my rightful ascension to the office NFL pick 'em league throne in January and being crowned March Madness King yesterday.
Because this is a sore subject I'm going to let them think that I know what I'm talking about. I wouldn't want them to think they got beat by someone who really knows nothing about the current state of the sport they love (but who can do hellagood research in 5 minutes on the innermet!)
07 April 2008
06 April 2008
05 April 2008
One Year Anniversary
On Saturday, April 5th, Stacey and I had our first anniversary. Before I get smacked upside the head for messing up our wedding date I should mention that I'm talking about our house. It's been an entire year since we moved in on Easter weekend 2007. To celebrate, we did the same thing we've been doing almost every weekend since that time: worked on the house and/or went shopping for furnishings and decorations.
I'm not joking when I say it's been a grueling but fun year inside the Sudduth household. Painting, decorating, and furnishing 2000 finished square feet takes a lot of monetary, physical, and mental resources. I'm sure you feel very sorry for us right now...but you have to remember that I spent the first 7 years after college in the military. I've never really had a true home since I left my parent's house for college in 1996 (11 years).
Our goal has been to finish the house as soon as possible since we have the time and resources to do so with Stacey working and not having or having very young children. There is soon coming a season where we won't have weekends to ourselves. So what have we done in a year? Everything except the kids bathroom and our master bedroom (the unfinished basement is another story). When we're finished I'll give you a video tour of the fruit of our labor complete with before and after shots.
We feel very blessed in our current situation. Although a lot has gone into this, we are careful not to make it our treasure. We desire to have a relaxing, nice, safe, and quiet place to raise a family and are hoping to create that before we our attention is turned elsewhere (i.e. toddlers, soccer games, high school and college graduations). The reason for that is one day soon we're going to wake up to an empty house and wonder where the last 20 years went.
I'm not joking when I say it's been a grueling but fun year inside the Sudduth household. Painting, decorating, and furnishing 2000 finished square feet takes a lot of monetary, physical, and mental resources. I'm sure you feel very sorry for us right now...but you have to remember that I spent the first 7 years after college in the military. I've never really had a true home since I left my parent's house for college in 1996 (11 years).
Our goal has been to finish the house as soon as possible since we have the time and resources to do so with Stacey working and not having or having very young children. There is soon coming a season where we won't have weekends to ourselves. So what have we done in a year? Everything except the kids bathroom and our master bedroom (the unfinished basement is another story). When we're finished I'll give you a video tour of the fruit of our labor complete with before and after shots.
We feel very blessed in our current situation. Although a lot has gone into this, we are careful not to make it our treasure. We desire to have a relaxing, nice, safe, and quiet place to raise a family and are hoping to create that before we our attention is turned elsewhere (i.e. toddlers, soccer games, high school and college graduations). The reason for that is one day soon we're going to wake up to an empty house and wonder where the last 20 years went.
03 April 2008
UCL Quarter-Final Review +1
This week I was able to watch most of the 4 Champions League Quarterfinal matches on television. United are all but through to the semi-finals. The rest of the ties are either level or separated by only one goal, making next week's games probably the determining leg.
Tuesday I jumped out of my chair when Ronaldo scored this goal. Talk about coming out of nowhere! I'd really like to know his hang time on this one. It probably would have been longer if not for the collision at the end. It was a spectacular goal that made me just shake my head in amazement. He is easily the best player in the world right now.
But then I tuned in on Wednesday and saw a goal that made me jump out of my chair again. Or, in other words, a 35 yard rocket into the upper-corner by Deivid to beat Chelsea.
The +1 in the topic refers to a non-Champions League goal that Ronaldo scored this weekend against Villa. This cheeky back heel was just too good not to show.
Tuesday I jumped out of my chair when Ronaldo scored this goal. Talk about coming out of nowhere! I'd really like to know his hang time on this one. It probably would have been longer if not for the collision at the end. It was a spectacular goal that made me just shake my head in amazement. He is easily the best player in the world right now.
But then I tuned in on Wednesday and saw a goal that made me jump out of my chair again. Or, in other words, a 35 yard rocket into the upper-corner by Deivid to beat Chelsea.
The +1 in the topic refers to a non-Champions League goal that Ronaldo scored this weekend against Villa. This cheeky back heel was just too good not to show.
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