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You know I never discuss female thermodynamics - Lou; Rescue Me

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The WORD of the Week

Matthew 3:7-10

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Stupid Fact of the Week

There was only one civilian casualty during the three-day Battle of Gettysburg

30 October, 2007

Big News

Just Announced: Brazil to stage '14 World Cup.

Why is this "Big" News?

Basically because I don't feel like talking about any of the following:
- more closeted Republicans
- pots calling kettles black
- Jessicowen
- The Office... 2

I do care enough about the last one, apparently, to warrant a new poll, as the old one is a bit expired. (poll should be up shortly. Problem with the polling website)

So, (real) football is the name of the game (aka, post).

What effect does this news (pertaining to an event nearly seven years down the road) have, you ask?

Well, obviously there's the home field advantage. Six (6) countries have won the cup while hosting. Not a lot, you say? Let's remember that the Cup is only awarded once every 4 years. None of this ninny "here's a trophy and a whole bunch of rings, see you next year" crap. No. You gotta wait for it. 4 years. So, how many Cups have been won since the game's inception? 18. That's right. An average of once out of every three times the Cup has been held, it has gone home with the home country. Not too shabby.

And beyond that, countries that would otherwise have no shot seem to place higher than expected when hosting. Korea Republic's highest finish was 4th place when Korea/Japan hosted in 2002. The only time England placed higher than 4th was when they won the Cup in England 1966. Chile's only top 4 finish was 3rd at home in 1962. Even Sweden, yeah Sweden, made it to the final match (their only appearance) while hosting in '58. And, of course, the inaugural event itself, Uruguay 1930, went to Uruguay (their first of two) over Argentina.

Now, I needn't tell any of you (hopefully), that Brazil has always had a top-notch team. They have won the Cup 5 times (most of any country), and have placed in the top 4 at the World Cup 10 times (2nd only to Germany [11]). So it isn't as if they need a home field (/pitch) advantage. But the way Argentina and Germany have been playing lately, I don't think they'll mind having it. Of course this all a ways away, and a lot can change. Stay tuned for more updates during the next seven years.

Here are some more interesting World Cup tidbits:
- Brazil will join Germany, Italy, France, and Mexico as the only countries to host the Cup twice. Except for Mexico (whose team has never placed in the top 4), each of the countries won the Cup one of the two times they hosted. Brazil lost to Uruguay in the final match the first time they hosted, Brazil 1950, and had to win all five of their titles "on the road." So it seems they are due to win in 2014.
- Brazil is one of only two countries (the other, Italy) to win the Cup twice in a row: defeating Sweden in Sweden 1958, and defeating Czechoslovakia in Chile 1962 (Italy def. Czechoslovakia in Italy 1934, and def. Hungary in France 1938).
- Germany and the Netherlands are the only two countries to finish Runner-Up (lose the final match) twice in a row: the Netherlands losing to Germany in Germany 1974, and to Argentina in Argentina 1978; Germany losing to Italy in Spain 1982, and to Argentina in Mexico 1986.
- Germany and Argentina are the only two teams to play each other in the final match twice in a row: Argentina def. Germany in Mexico 1986, and Germany def. Argentina in Italy 1990.
- Brazil has won the Cup more times than any other country (5: 2002, 1994, 1970, 1962, 1958)
- Germany has finished Runner-Up more times than any other country (4: 2002, 1986, 1982, 1966)
- Germany has finished Third more times than any other country (3: 2006, 1970, 1934)
- Uruguay and Yugoslavia have finished Fourth more than any other country (2)
- As for the USA? They have indeed finished in the top 4. Once. At the inaugural event in Uruguay 1930 the United States finished 3rd.

posted by Rockel @ 11:04 AM

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Lyrics of the Week

ON THE NICKEL
by Tom Waits

("I'd like to do a new song here. This is eh, it's about downtown Los Angeles on 5th Street. And eh all the winos affectionately refer to it as The Nickel. So this is kind of a hobo's lullaby.")

sticks and stones will break my bones,
but i always will be true, and when
your mama is dead and gone,
i'll sing this lullabye just for you,
and what becomes of all the little boys,
who never comb their hair,
well they're lined up all around the block,
on the nickel over there.

so you better bring a bucket,
there is a hole in the pail,
and if you don't get my letter,
then you'll know that i'm in jail,
and what becomes of all the little boys,
who never say their prayers,
well they're sleepin' like a baby,
on the nickel over there.

and if you chew tobacco, and wish upon a star,
well you'll find out where the scarecrows sit,
just like punchlines between the cars,
and i know a place where a royal flush,
can never beat a pair, and even thomas jefferson,
is on the nickel over there.

so ring around the rosie, you're sleepin' in the rain,
and you're always late for supper,
and man you let me down again,
i thought i heard a mockingbird, roosevelt knows where,
you can skip the light, with grady tuck,
on the nickel over there.

so what becomes of all the little boys,
who run away from home,
well the world just keeps gettin' bigger,
once you get out on your own,
so here's to all the little boys,
the sandman takes you where,
you'll be sleepin' with a pillowman,
on the nickel over there.

so let's climb up through that button hole,
and we'll fall right up the stairs,
and i'll show you where the short dogs grow,
on the nickel over there.