Twellman Goal Brings Back Memories

I just watched the Taylor Twellman goal that put the Revolution into MLS Cup and let's just say it brought back some memories... of getting a free kick called against me!

First, watch the goal. It's fantastic. You may have to search around a bit on MLS's site for the video, depending on when you read this post, right now it's on the front page.

Now, my story. When I was playing rec ball, I was in a similar situation where I took a bike to keep a ball in bounds, and there was a player as close to me as both of those Fire players were to Twellman. I nailed the ball with the bike, got it to one of our players, and then had a penalty called against me for dangerous kick, as my foot came too close to the opposing player's head. Sigh...

Of course, MLS refs are too chicken shit to call that sort of thing on such a fantastic goal. Still, it was a great shot! Congrats Revs, on beating the hated Chicago Fire.

Best National Anthem Ever

This is almost enough to make me want to be a Red Sox fan.

If you've ever stood near me at a sporting event, you know that I'm a connoisseur of singing the the National Anthem of the US. I'm a firm believer that if you're going to have a live singer or singers performing the Star Spangled Banner, or ANY country's anthem, you should sing it in a way that allows the crowd to sing along. Not everyone has operatic voices, nor the ability to hold a note for ten minutes.

And it's not a song that you should be experimenting with bizarrely styled ad-libbing of the notes, either. It's a song that means a great deal to our country and its citizens. No matter whether you're a Democrat, a Republican, pro- or anti-war, etc., you can sing the anthem and it means something to you. America is a place of which to be very proud, as is just about every country for different reasons (yet, for some reason, the same reason when you get right down to it).

I have been known to heckle singers who play around with it and make it impossible to sing along - they have no business leading the crowd in singing a patriotic song. It's not meant to be a performance, it's participatory. You SING ALONG.

I also have no time for people who stand there and look around at everyone else, or talk, or just don't even try to sing during the anthem. We sing the anthem to honor our home. Get on the stick and be proud of where you live.

That being said, here is possibly the GREATEST singing of the Star Spangled Banner that I've ever experienced. And I wasn't even there. The description of the clip on YouTube reads:

It was Disability Awareness day and the folks at Fenway did a lot of great things for kids with challenges..here is one who sang and when he got nervous the Fenway Faithful helped him out

And help him out they do. Simply fantastic.

iPhone Jonesing

I'm not generally a person who HAS TO HAVE the latest technology. If something works for me, I generally like to use it until it's no longer functional, then go for the next item. There are a few exceptions: TiVo, for one. But I drove my old '87 Mercury Lynx wagon for years until I was told to buy a new car (with heat) or I was being dumped. And then I drove my Mercury Mystique until it basically died, and now I ride the bus or my bike.

That being said, I am currently frothing at the mouth over the demos I've seen for Apple's new iPhone.

Great. Googly. Moogly.

Have you seen this thing? It's absolutely amazing! I mean, basically it does everything that my Motorola SLVR L7 phone does with the music and the calling people, but with the Apple-ed interface and the most unique touch-screen I've ever seen. I am SO getting one of these when they come out. Cingular - please make sure you support this!

It will be mine. Oh yes, it will be mine.

To Everyone Who Says "I Can't Do That"...

Prepare to be amazed and possibly shamed a bit...