Champions League Final Set

What a match between Chelsea and Liverpool tonight! Well, at least for the neutral observer. For the fans it was no doubt gut wrenching. 1-1 and into overtime after 90 minutes! THREE goals scored in overtime! A supposed goal reversed! The initial go-ahead scored on a penalty kick in overtime by a man who just buried his mother. 3-2 the final score. That's what I'm talking about.

So, on May 21st one of the above teams will be crowned Champions of Europe. Coincidently, they are also tied for first place in the English Premier League with 2 games to go.

That said, I think this will be a great final. I'll be pulling for Chelsea for manager Avram Grant's sake. Wouldn't it be ironic if his side won the UCL, something his "Chosen One" predecessor couldn't do? Regardless of your opinion whether or not he has had (or will have) anything to do with it, this makes a much better story then even Manchester United winning the double....not to mention Lampard's mother, the drama that always surrounds this club, and the fact that I don't want to have to listen to a bitter Steven everyday for the week following!

In addition, considering how poor this season has been for Spurs, we will always be able say we beat the Champions of Europe in the Carling Cup final!

p.s. sorry Matt...I was pulling for Liverpool on your behalf. At least it was epic.

A Slick Faux-Hawk

This is a response to Matt and Marshall's blog on the same topic. I finished and realized that my hair really didn't look any different then it does everyday. OMG, I've had a semi-faux-hawk for years now and no one's ever had the guts to tell me!

United v. Barcelona

Manchester United guaranteed an all-English Champions League final tonight, advancing 1-0 on aggregate. I really felt over the two matches Barcelona out-played them. I'm not saying Barcelona deserved to win, however. It was a weird thing to watch 180 minutes of football with one team controlling all of the possession and dictating the pace of both matches yet not knowing what to do in front of the opposition's net. Credit goes to United's defense, but I now understand why Barcelona has not scored in their last 4 games. It almost looked like the keep-away drill we used to run where you could pass all you wanted but weren't allowed to shoot.

In the end I am glad United won, even if this two legged tie more closely resembled the historically drab contests between the other 2 semi-finalists. If Liverpool can overcome their own-goal tomorrow and advance to the final on 21 May, the color red will once again be marched victoriously throughout the streets of Moscow.

Haggai the Horrible

This is referencing the Lord's command to Israel to rebuild the temple around 538 B.C., yet it still applies to us today. It is not an excuse to shirk our responsibilities at home/work nor is it saying that it is wrong to spend effort to improve these situations. For me, it speaks to the questions of motivation, treasure, and priority...and it serves as a great reminder for all us, whatever we are doing, throughout our days.

Haggai 1:2-11

2 "Thus says the LORD of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD." 3 Then the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, 4 "Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? 5 Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. 6 You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.

7 "Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. 8 Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the LORD. 9 You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why, declares the LORD of hosts? Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house. 10 Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. 11 And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on man and beast, and on all their labors."

Guy Style

Sunday afternoon was relaxing. We decided to lay low at home after staying at the cabin all weekend. A mutual decision was reached that we would we hose off and lounge around the house in comfortable clothes. Stacey got ready first and put on her comfy clothes. I got ready second and put on my comfy clothes. When I came downstairs Stacey saw what I was wearing and was confused. She thought I was going “out”.

What’s funny (but probably more then anything, sad), is that apparently there is no distinction between my lazy Sunday clothes and my Sunday best. But, like most other hobo-sexual males, I have no problem with that.

30th Birthday Part 3 & 4

1) ATVs
2) Steak, Beer, Cake, Brownies, M&Ms, Tootsie Rolls, Red Vines, etc (and lots of it)
3) Getting drenched by gallons upon gallons of sewer water
4) A chlorine sponge bath

Obviously, in that order. Thanks goes out to all involved for making this a very memorable day! I love you guys (and I am just having a little fun with it). It'll be our little secret.

Liverpool Chelsea

Since I have strict instructions not to post a comment on The Gaw's blog regarding yesterday’s Liverpool Chelsea CL match, I’ll do the next best thing…post it my own blog! Really, there isn’t much to say buddy. Liverpool dominated the game and should have won by AT LEAST 1-0. Cech made some great saves that otherwise would have resulted in a blowout. Liverpool deserved the victory, no doubt about it.

I feel for all of you Liverpool fans right now. The good news is, 1-1 is still a decent score. Liverpool can still get it done! Keep your head up guys.

Twit...ter

At the risk of offending certain friends that read this blog, here’s my position regarding Twitter (and why I won’t get on this train). Please know that I write this with the utmost respect, admiration, and love for all you. In addition, this is not meant for anyone in particular, simply for the masses of Twitter-ers.

Why do I need to know what you’re having for dinner? Should I care that your left toe itches at this very moment? Am I less of a friend because I don’t want to know what foul odor surrounds you right now? Here’s one for you: I’m just about to eat an orange and thought you needed to know NOW!

Twitter and blogs can be a great way to stay in touch. Unfortunately, they both usually become podiums for the self-absorbed. It’s something we all need to keep in mind (myself included) when “tweeting” or writing a blog. There is a fine line between the two.

Rant over. I need to stop drinking the haterade.

Fletcher Peak Part 2

I've never seen pictures of me on a climb quite like this before...mainly because I'm the one taking them. Awesome! I put them into video form with music but you couldn't make out any of the details. So, you'll have to just click on them one by one.

Update: I've re-sized the pictures so that they are viewable on the web.

Loo Loo Anyone?

I love this commercial... I've watched it over and over and can't stop laughing at the facial expressions exhibited. Who knew water could be so invigorating?