Wednesday, May 16, 2012
COOLING OFF
We have been experiencing a mini heat wave in Portland with temps in the (oh my God) 80s. To cool off, we set up the sprinkler for the kids. As you can see, they are hoping for more warm weather!
Sunday, May 13, 2012
DRINK IT IN!
Today, I witnessed the most remarkable and dramatic sports comeback of my life. Going into today's game, Manchester City (aka City) were on the top of the table by a whisker over their cross-town rivals Manchester United (aka United).
I use the term rivals, but until recently these two clubs have been orbiting different galaxies with United in the Milky Way and City far off in some distant, unheralded galaxy. United has won 14 of the 20 Premier League titles in England's first division since 1992 when that league was created. City, on the other hand, had not won a league title in 44 years.
Today, none of that history mattered as both club were resolutely playing for the moment. All City had to do was win, and the title was theirs. They faced the fourth worst team in the league Queens Park Rangers (QPR). That might sound like an easy win for City and no contest, but in English football the three worst teams are relegated, or banished, to a lesser league. Relegation means far fewer TV revenues and much less prestige. Therefore, QPR came looking to fight, and fight they did.
City, like United, took an early lead in their match. However, unlike United, City gave away a goal. This meant that they had to score one more or they would lose the match and the Premier League title on this last day of the season. City were handed a gift, albeit a just gift, when the QPR midfielder Joey Barton was dismissed with a red card for elbowing a City player in the face. It was crass and deliberate. However, despite being down to 10 men, QPR continued to fight, and they scored another goal to take a lead 2-1.
This is where things stood at the end of 90 minutes of regulation. In football, unlike other sports, there is added time to account for stoppages or delays during the match. Five extra minutes were added to this match- the majority of which were due to that elbow incident. By this time, United had won their game and had every reason to believe that City would lose and that they, United, would retain the title.
Yet, sometimes in sport, like in life, the unexpected and the impossible happens. Today was one of those days.
In the 92nd minute, City dramatically equalized the score on a header to give themselves a lifeline. At about that time, QPR heard word that the third worst team, Bolton, had lost and that Bolton and not they would be relegated. The QPR players on the sideline began to celebrate, but City remained resolute and showed no sign of wavering.
Belief plus talent is a dangerous combination. Would it be be enough? Would their be enough time?
Within seconds, the Argentinian forward Sergio "Kun" Aguero scored again to give City the lead. The entire stadium and every "noisy neighbor" as the United coach Sir Alex Ferguson previously dubbed the City faithful erupted in joy. You can witness this moment for yourself below.
While neither United nor City are my team, City are my favorite squad in the Premier League due to their attacking and aggressive style of play. I was overjoyed and overwhelmed by their victory and by how they won it. I brought down Nicholas to watch the replays, and we discussed the match much of the day. What a moment!
He and I will surely remember this day, this win, and this season in the Premier League. Nicholas will discuss this League for his independent project at school sometime in the next few weeks, and he will have a lot to share about what many are calling the greatest season in the history of the greatest football league in the world.
To City and to believers everywhere, let's all raise a glass. As the great Martin Tyler said in the commentary above. Drink it in, City!
I use the term rivals, but until recently these two clubs have been orbiting different galaxies with United in the Milky Way and City far off in some distant, unheralded galaxy. United has won 14 of the 20 Premier League titles in England's first division since 1992 when that league was created. City, on the other hand, had not won a league title in 44 years.
Today, none of that history mattered as both club were resolutely playing for the moment. All City had to do was win, and the title was theirs. They faced the fourth worst team in the league Queens Park Rangers (QPR). That might sound like an easy win for City and no contest, but in English football the three worst teams are relegated, or banished, to a lesser league. Relegation means far fewer TV revenues and much less prestige. Therefore, QPR came looking to fight, and fight they did.
City, like United, took an early lead in their match. However, unlike United, City gave away a goal. This meant that they had to score one more or they would lose the match and the Premier League title on this last day of the season. City were handed a gift, albeit a just gift, when the QPR midfielder Joey Barton was dismissed with a red card for elbowing a City player in the face. It was crass and deliberate. However, despite being down to 10 men, QPR continued to fight, and they scored another goal to take a lead 2-1.
This is where things stood at the end of 90 minutes of regulation. In football, unlike other sports, there is added time to account for stoppages or delays during the match. Five extra minutes were added to this match- the majority of which were due to that elbow incident. By this time, United had won their game and had every reason to believe that City would lose and that they, United, would retain the title.
Yet, sometimes in sport, like in life, the unexpected and the impossible happens. Today was one of those days.
In the 92nd minute, City dramatically equalized the score on a header to give themselves a lifeline. At about that time, QPR heard word that the third worst team, Bolton, had lost and that Bolton and not they would be relegated. The QPR players on the sideline began to celebrate, but City remained resolute and showed no sign of wavering.
Belief plus talent is a dangerous combination. Would it be be enough? Would their be enough time?
Within seconds, the Argentinian forward Sergio "Kun" Aguero scored again to give City the lead. The entire stadium and every "noisy neighbor" as the United coach Sir Alex Ferguson previously dubbed the City faithful erupted in joy. You can witness this moment for yourself below.
While neither United nor City are my team, City are my favorite squad in the Premier League due to their attacking and aggressive style of play. I was overjoyed and overwhelmed by their victory and by how they won it. I brought down Nicholas to watch the replays, and we discussed the match much of the day. What a moment!
He and I will surely remember this day, this win, and this season in the Premier League. Nicholas will discuss this League for his independent project at school sometime in the next few weeks, and he will have a lot to share about what many are calling the greatest season in the history of the greatest football league in the world.
To City and to believers everywhere, let's all raise a glass. As the great Martin Tyler said in the commentary above. Drink it in, City!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
A MODERN DAY SIDDHARTHA
Just when Barca fans thought that things could not get any worse, our coach Pep Guardiola announced that he was leaving the club last Friday. This announcement did not come as a complete surprise since Pep has stipulated that he have one-year contracts with the club since he became coach. This season, in recent weeks, Pep has shown particular strain .
Guardiola's record in four years at Barcelona is unrivaled. In 243 games during his era, Barca won 176, tied 46, and lost just 21. During that time, the team won 13 trophies out of 16 competitions in which they participated. These trophies include three consecutive Spanish League titles, two European Championships in three years, and two Club World Cup Championships in three years. Despite (or rather because) of that success, the pressure to win every single game became enormous. When one plays a game every three days each year because one is vying for so many titles in so many competitions, such expectations become even more untenable.
Guardiola cited the stress of his position rather than failures in several of this year's competitions as the reason for his departure, and one cannot begrudge him. His joy had left him despite being surrounded by the world's best players, a supportive front office, and a generous salary. His break is well-deserved.
However, despite leaving the club, Guardiola's legacy will endure. His assistant coach Tito Villanova has been named the new coach, and these men share the same love of the game and philosophy of play.
The Barca style is so distinctive - it looks like a symphony on grass. I was drawn to this sweet music the very first time when I watched Spain play in the World Cup. Only later would I realize that Barca was the inspiration for this quick-passing, fluid style of play and that Guardiola was its composer. While this style of play began under his Guardiola's coach at Barca, Johan Cruyff, it is said that Guardiola perfected it.
Results speak volumes, and it is hard to disagree with Pep's record and the number of soccer acolytes whom he has inspired. However, Pep's take was decidely non-teleological at his press conference announcing his departure. When he described his tenure as coach, he said, "‘I don’t remember any single title, rather the emotion I shared with my players... more than about the results, I'm satisfied about the way we have done it."
Well said, maestro. Spoken like a modern day Siddhartha.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
MY SOUL HURTS
Today was the saddest sporting day in my life. This was because Barca was eliminated from the Champions League semi-final in Barcelona. This tournament is the European club soccer equivalent of the World Cup, and its winner is rightly crowned the best team in the world.
The Catalan side came out attacking and took an early 1-0 lead. John Terry, the captain of the opposing Chelsea team, was ejected a few moments later for a foolish foul. This gave Barca a one-player advantage for the remaining hour of play. Shortly thereafter, Barca scored its second goal to put them up 2-0. They were in the driver's seat and had overturned the 1-0 victory that Chelsea had earned against them 6 days earlier.
However, Chelsea quickly struck back with a goal of its own. While each team had scored the same number of goals between the two matches (2-2), Chelsea's "away goal" at Barca's stadium gave them the advantage since these count more than goals scored in one's own stadium.
Barca were stunned and looked like a prizefighter that had been knocked down for the very first time. Indeed, this is a club that had won 13 of 16 possible trophies they had contended for in the past three years under its current coach Pep Guardiola.
To their credit, Barca continued to attack, but it was to no avail. What had seemed effortless last season and even earlier this season - scoring one simple goal (that would have seen them through to the finals) - became impossible.
There are several explanations for why this occurred. First, the team has played an inhuman number of matches this season. Second, key figures have been or are still injured. Third, Chelsea was resolute in its defense. Finally, and most importantly, Barca had lost belief in itself.
No point in the match captured that loss of belief greater than when the great Messi missed a penalty. Nine times out of ten, Messi makes that shot. However, today he hit the bar. That thud drained any remaining hope from Messi, the Barca players, and fans worldwide. The players and we knew then that the universe was aligned squarely against us, and the players surely felt powerless in the face of that pressure. What a time to realize Camus' truths about the absurdity of life!
Why does this loss hurt so much you might ask? It is not merely a question of expectations and the belief that Barca was the better team. Rather, it is the belief that Barca's philosophy of play is how life and the game of soccer were meant to be- fluid, tireless, resolute, and passionate. Barca is the Gryffindor of soccer, the Rebel Alliance of soccer, and any other purely positive analogy that comes to mind.
Earlier this week, Barca lost another match - this time to its bitter rival Real Madrid that effectively ended Barca's campaign to win a fourth consecutive Spanish League title. Afterwards, my favorite player Andres Iniesta spoke for all cules (Barca fans) when he said, "Our soul hurts after this loss." The picture below of a disconsolate Messi captures this hurt better than any image I have seen today.
That our souls hurt after this loss means that the Barca philosophy is something worth fighting for.
Yes, it will be a very long off-season, but Barca will be back. How do I know this? Because this Barca like me gets up after it has been knocked down. This Barca is the team of my life!
The Catalan side came out attacking and took an early 1-0 lead. John Terry, the captain of the opposing Chelsea team, was ejected a few moments later for a foolish foul. This gave Barca a one-player advantage for the remaining hour of play. Shortly thereafter, Barca scored its second goal to put them up 2-0. They were in the driver's seat and had overturned the 1-0 victory that Chelsea had earned against them 6 days earlier.
However, Chelsea quickly struck back with a goal of its own. While each team had scored the same number of goals between the two matches (2-2), Chelsea's "away goal" at Barca's stadium gave them the advantage since these count more than goals scored in one's own stadium.
Barca were stunned and looked like a prizefighter that had been knocked down for the very first time. Indeed, this is a club that had won 13 of 16 possible trophies they had contended for in the past three years under its current coach Pep Guardiola.
To their credit, Barca continued to attack, but it was to no avail. What had seemed effortless last season and even earlier this season - scoring one simple goal (that would have seen them through to the finals) - became impossible.
There are several explanations for why this occurred. First, the team has played an inhuman number of matches this season. Second, key figures have been or are still injured. Third, Chelsea was resolute in its defense. Finally, and most importantly, Barca had lost belief in itself.
No point in the match captured that loss of belief greater than when the great Messi missed a penalty. Nine times out of ten, Messi makes that shot. However, today he hit the bar. That thud drained any remaining hope from Messi, the Barca players, and fans worldwide. The players and we knew then that the universe was aligned squarely against us, and the players surely felt powerless in the face of that pressure. What a time to realize Camus' truths about the absurdity of life!
Why does this loss hurt so much you might ask? It is not merely a question of expectations and the belief that Barca was the better team. Rather, it is the belief that Barca's philosophy of play is how life and the game of soccer were meant to be- fluid, tireless, resolute, and passionate. Barca is the Gryffindor of soccer, the Rebel Alliance of soccer, and any other purely positive analogy that comes to mind.
Earlier this week, Barca lost another match - this time to its bitter rival Real Madrid that effectively ended Barca's campaign to win a fourth consecutive Spanish League title. Afterwards, my favorite player Andres Iniesta spoke for all cules (Barca fans) when he said, "Our soul hurts after this loss." The picture below of a disconsolate Messi captures this hurt better than any image I have seen today.
That our souls hurt after this loss means that the Barca philosophy is something worth fighting for.
Yes, it will be a very long off-season, but Barca will be back. How do I know this? Because this Barca like me gets up after it has been knocked down. This Barca is the team of my life!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
HIS HEART ON HIS SLEEVE
Today when I got home our nanny Grace asked Nicholas to tell me about his day. This is never a good sign. He was reluctant to share the events of the day, so Grace gave me the scoop.
Nicholas' teacher said that he had spit at a classmate today. I was floored by this news. I asked him to tell me why he would do such a thing to one of his best friends. Nicholas fought back tears and said that two of his friends from his class were playing with him at recess. At one point, everyone was having fun. However, later the two girls, who are quite fond of Nicholas, were trying to sit on him. He apparently was laughing at first but then wanted them to stop. He said he tried to run away but that they followed him. He said he was quite upset by this experience and later spit in the direction of one of the girls, who happens to be his best friend.
At this point, the tears were flowing, and I tried to comfort him while also giving him guidance on alternative ways he could have handled the situation (find a teacher, express in no uncertain terms your frustration with your words rather than your saliva, run away!). He said he understood this and would not do it again.
While I was firm with Nicholas, it was hard not to be sympathetic with him. He is one of the nicest and kindest children whom I have ever known, and he adores his school and classmates. Clearly, his feelings were hurt, and he felt as though he had no outlet. I tried to help him realize that their are always options but that one had to live with one's choices. He said he understood.
We wrote a card to his best friend. In it he apologized and explained how he felt. He also decorated it and attached a homemade necktie he made out of yarn. I am hopeful he will make up with his friend tomorrow and that this teachable moment will pass.
Whoever said childhood and parenthood was easy clearly had a charmed life without kids of their own....
Nicholas' teacher said that he had spit at a classmate today. I was floored by this news. I asked him to tell me why he would do such a thing to one of his best friends. Nicholas fought back tears and said that two of his friends from his class were playing with him at recess. At one point, everyone was having fun. However, later the two girls, who are quite fond of Nicholas, were trying to sit on him. He apparently was laughing at first but then wanted them to stop. He said he tried to run away but that they followed him. He said he was quite upset by this experience and later spit in the direction of one of the girls, who happens to be his best friend.
At this point, the tears were flowing, and I tried to comfort him while also giving him guidance on alternative ways he could have handled the situation (find a teacher, express in no uncertain terms your frustration with your words rather than your saliva, run away!). He said he understood this and would not do it again.
While I was firm with Nicholas, it was hard not to be sympathetic with him. He is one of the nicest and kindest children whom I have ever known, and he adores his school and classmates. Clearly, his feelings were hurt, and he felt as though he had no outlet. I tried to help him realize that their are always options but that one had to live with one's choices. He said he understood.
We wrote a card to his best friend. In it he apologized and explained how he felt. He also decorated it and attached a homemade necktie he made out of yarn. I am hopeful he will make up with his friend tomorrow and that this teachable moment will pass.
Whoever said childhood and parenthood was easy clearly had a charmed life without kids of their own....
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
HE SHOOTS! HE SCORES!
This weekend marked the beginning of Spring soccer for Nicholas. It was an uncharacteristically beautiful and sunny April day, and Nicholas was very psyched to get back out there.
Since the Fall season ended, we have been watching a lot of soccer. We try to practice at least once per week at an artificial turf pitch by our house that is not a mud pit like the nearby grass pitches. Nicholas has become more comfortable and confident, and he brought his A game this past weekend.
Very early on, there was a mad scramble in front of the other team's goal. Who was in the midst of things? Mr. Nicholas. He calmly slotted one home with his left foot. This was followed by a mini celebration complete with arm flapping.
We also jumped for joy on the sideline. This was not because of the goal. Rather, it was because of the joy that Nicholas exuded and the improvement that he showed.
I am not sure whether Nicholas will score another goal again this season. However, I can guarantee that Nicholas will give his all on the field and that he will be a positive influence on his teammates. For what else could one ask?
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