New Year's Resolution: Blog

Back by popular demand, the blog is up and running. This post is about a love of my life that I unintentionally left by the wayside, ignored but not forgotten--a bright fire of yesteryear that appeared to have degenerated into cold dark embers. Yet deep inside, unknown to anyone, there burned a deep loyalty, a yearning--a passion suppressed by circumstance that was reawakened on my trip last August to Argentina. What is this love, you ask, so powerful that years of neglect only led to an eruption of heartfelt blog-declaration of allegiance? Glad you asked--it's The Beautiful . . . Game--the most popular sport on the planet--a pastime, hobby of (some would say) spiritual dimensions and astrological proportions. A game that is in many way an analogy of life, and one that people from all races, societies, cultures, and economic backgrounds can and do share. In English, it's football, in Spanish--futbol, in Italian--calcio, Portugese--futebol, German, fussball, and to those of us Americans who grew up eating sliced oranges during half times, it's soccer.

My first day in Argentina, after a red-eye flight across half the planet, I went straight from the airport in my white Fiat rental car to a neighborhood in Buenos Aires called Lanus, arriving just in time to watch one of the greatest rivalries of South America: the Classico between Lanus and Banfield. Words are inadequate to describe the emotion, the enthusiasm, the sheer passion of the fans, so maybe a video will help provide a sliver of the atmosphere:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNhrvZVFNLM

Here are some highlights from the game I attended:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkWBVUdBVd0

It was a nail-biter, and while Lanus didn't win, at least no one died.

I was already hyped about soccer because of the World Cup, but this trip just put me over the top.

Here are some highlights from the World Cup:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBD9h0jUq3w

P.S.: In what other sport do you get commentating like this:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS6Np-g_h5w

So, what I am going to do about it? Play, of course... (to be continued)

Back in UT

Well, I finished all the requirements for graduation, moved out of Ann Arbor, and jumped on a plane to UT. It's hard to believe I'm done. There were good times, good friends, and a lot of stress. Overall, it was a positive experience and a wonderful opportunity to receive a quality education.

I'm not exactly sure what's next, but I'll begin studying for the Hawaii bar next week and then start work in September. Before starting work, I'd love to go back and visit Argentina. We'll see if it works out.

It's kind of sad to move on to another phase of life, but also exciting. Hopefully, I'll make it back to Ann Arbor someday to cheer on the Blue. Thanks everyone, for all the good times.

Final Stretch

Well, Spring Break is over and there will be no more skiing for a while. It felt great to be on the slopes again and it was nice see family and friends. Now I'm back in Michigan for the final stretch of law school. Just two more months until graduation. That's a scary thought because I have a lot of work to do. Guess I better get back to the books. :)

Back in Ann Arbor

Welcome to Hoover St., Ann Arbor. Props go to Sid for finding a house in such a great location--close to the law school, IM building, and Big House (which allows us to sell parking for $25/car). There are some drawbacks, however, to living so close to the stadium--like people littering on our lawn and trying to use our bathroom on game day--but all in all it's a lot of fun.

Besides actually watching the football game, one of funnest things about game day is all the people. 114,000+ people cram into a few city blocks, almost all sporting the maize and blue. Sometimes it's fun to sit on the porch, grill some brats, talk with some of the old-time fans and watch the people as they go by.

It's nice to be back in Ann Arbor for another year of school and reunite with classmates, friends, and family (even though a few aren't here anymore--you are missed). Go blue!

My New Blog

So, I decided to create a blog. Wikipedia says that a blog "is a type of website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video . . . A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, Web pages and other media related to its topic."

I will try meet the criteria for a blog by including: 1) commentary, 2) descriptions of events, 3) other material such as graphics. First, I will describe the event of creating this blog:

I drove home from church on my moped about 45 minutes ago. I was feeling pretty good about my craigslist $500 moped because, even though I had to kick start it to get it again (despite the new week-old battery), the exhaust did not erupt into a cloud of smoke in the church parking lot as it did this morning.

So I drove back home to my apartment building, wind and bugs rushing through my hair (having forgot my helmet during the mad rush to get to church only a little late). After waiting five minutes for the elevator to reach the fourth floor of the parking structure (the elevator on the left was broken, again), I just barely had walked into my studio when I realized I left my cell-phone with my moped. So I went back down (waiting another five minutes for the elevator to reach my floor) to the parking structure, mildly annoyed at forgetting my cell phone and mildly annoyed about waiting for the elevators, but not letting that keep me from chatting a little in the elevator with a Philipino lady, visiting from Tulsa. Seeing that my moped was still where I left it, I let out a sigh of relief, as I always do when see that it hasn't been stolen, yet. My phone was there too, although I wouldn't mind if that got stolen. That's because my phone doesn't work--so I decided to satisfy my need to communicate through a blog and created this.

OK, so there's a description of an event. Boring, long, but an event nonetheless. The "other materials and graphics" requirement can be met with my profile pic (go cougs!). Now, the only elements I am missing for a "typical blog" are links to other "blogs, Wep pages, and other media."

Okay, here is a short video of animal attacks (it's very short and I don't think you will regret visiting this link):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXXw0foafQY&feature=yva-title

Last, here is a short clip (made by someone from my church) that fits the Fourth of July theme:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkTKQsYWBxc&feature=channel

The blog is up and running. :)