Bad Day for the USA

So the semis for the Gold Cup were played out yesterday.

The first game featured the US v. Jamaica for a spot in the finals. The USMNT certainly out played the Jamaicans, but were out matched on the scoring losing 2-1 and failing to make to finals. It is what makes soccer (futbol) so great and frustrating at the same time. That you can possess the ball for the majority of the game and still lose because you can not finish and put the ball in the back of the net. And then one little lapse and you are down 2 nil. We have seen this is the past with the USMNT, and it is not surprising, but always a disappointment.

The second semi was a complete circus and also an embarrassment to the US (which I will get to momentarily).

Mexico came into the game on a controversial win over Costa Rica and that seemed to follow them into this game versus Panama. Right from the start this was not a well managed match by the referee. A red card ejection at the 25th minute had Panama playing a man down for the rest of the game. The half ended with a 0-0 tie and Panama holding on.

Out of the half, you could see that Panama was stepping up and playing even with Mexico without a man. At the 57th minute, Panama scores and is up with a little over half an hour left to play. Panama played well and were keeping pace with Mexico. Mexico could just not finish a scoring opportunity. Things started to get chippy and the yellows were flying on both sides of the ball. In the closing minute of the game with Panama still up 1 nil, an inadvertent (which means there should be no penalty called) hand ball was whistled in the box for a possible game tying PK. This erupted into a bench clearing, pushing and shoving, finger pointing, crowd throwing debris onto the field, 11 minute stoppage of the game. I have never seen anything like it, especially at this level. The official had totally blown the call and was giving Mexico new life in game they were about to lose.

After getting things sorted out, Mexico took the PK and tied the game. The game finished a few minutes later and extra time was started. During the first 15 of extra, another PK was awarded to Mexico (fair call as this was a foul, but it would not have been called if the other was called correctly). Mexico scores going up 2-1, but still has 20 minutes left in extras. At this point the game is a farce and officiating has lost all control, it is with luck that no one was seriously injured. The game ends and Panama charges the referee, wrong on Panama's part, but at the same time understandable as they were just cheated out of a possible victory and a chance at a championship.

So how is this bad for the USA? The referee was American Mark Geiger, a veteran FIFA official with World Cup experience. But tonight it seemed that he had no understanding of the game and absolutely no management skills, showing the rest of the world that the US is still a long way off of being a main contributor in the world game. His display was infantile, similar to the way the USMNT played earlier in the evening.

Finally tally 1 red and 10 yellows, with fines and penalties sure to come....

A Pain in the Ass (Literally)

My wallet is worn out, I don't know why I never have any money it, I guess just routine use of carrying around government issued IDs and for collecting and distributing business cards and of course the pictures of my beautiful children (mostly one because the older one is in college and school pictures have stopped). Maybe it is worn out because as fast as I put money into it, it gets taken out.

So I went out and found a new wallet. I think it is easier (except for the financing) to buy a car. You have to find one that has enough pockets for all your needs, then do you want a bifold or a trifold, maybe a flat card holder with a money clip attached. Color and material, along with supple or rigid build. Plastic picture holder (will be ripped and not hold anything within six months), clear ID pocket holder (not sure why they even make this as an option, everyone will just make you take it out of the holder because no one can read through the clear plastic), single or divided bill compartment (like I carry enough money to have to section it into different divisions), and maybe a secret compartment or two.

Once the choices are made and the new wallet with the closest matching criteria is found and purchased, you spent some time moving the "essentials" into new spots, because they never convert directly, and then deciding what to keep and what not as this is an excellent time to clean out and condense. Once this is finished, now comes the pain in the ass. It will take weeks maybe months for this new money carrier to fit properly against your butt. You will not be able to sit comfortable, no ease of putting into or taking out of the pocket, it will chaff when you walk, and when it is out of your pocket, you will not know where anything is and when set down you don't recognize it.

I hope I found a good one and it fits my needs, and the break in period is minimal...

I got this one.

My First Hand Carved Pipe

When I was a teenager I started to try and carve my own pipe. I never finished it and it was tossed into a box and that box was never totally cleaned out and some how has survived in my possession this entire time. A few months ago, I rediscovered the box and its contents and the pipe I started many many years ago. Was this an omen that I would end up working part-time in the industry?

After some fiddling, adjusting,final finishing, and borrowing parts from another pipe, I got to use that pipe for the first time today. It needs to be broken as is with all "new" pipes, but it is not bad (I am assuming, and hoping, it will get better and sweeter as the cake is developed). The heat transfer to the hand is currently minimal and the weight and fit feel good. The draw is a little hot, but I think that will wan over time once again as it is seasoned. I did leave room for a filter application.

I would say it smokes as well as any corn cob and it has a rustic primitive look. This is no Dunhill or Nordig (although it is a free hand carve). See pictures below...

Left side view

Right side view

Top view

Bottom view 

Front view

Looking forward to more time and pleasure with this, now if I could only find someone to take me on as an apprentice and teach me the refinement of the craft...