World Cup Tidbits
ESPN's coverage has been nothing short of godawful. Annoying, useless graphics, a staggering inability to follow the action on the field, and some of the worst color since Bill Walton started calling NBA games. If I had heard one more time how a Serbian-Montenegran corner was a "dangerous situation" for the Dutch side, I might have flown to Leipzig to warn them myself.
***
Here's one for all you amateur bartenders (and Daddy): a bloody mary made with Absolut Pepper, tomato juice, and small pieces of bacon. Deeeeelicious. This little gem was brought to me (well, to jcn really) by The Red Lion on Bleecker Street, where we caught the England-Paraguay game at 9am yesterday surrounded by exactly the types of people you would expect to be English football fanatics, right down to the craggly teeth, tonsured heads and muttered epithets every time an English player touched the ball and it didn't wind up in the opposing goal. Brilliant.
***
Who else was pulling for Ivory Coast? The bar that I was in erupted when they broke through in the 82nd minute against Argentina after relentless second half pressure. Are the Argentines that universally hated (hello, tainted legacy of Maradona), or is it not kosher to root against a country torn apart by civil war?
At least they're still a country. Serbia-Montenegro can't even claim that. Does that mean I should have been rooting for them, too?
***
I hit a local bar in my 'hood for a burger after a nice long bike ride tonight. Young Irish kid walks in and asks if they'll be open for the matches tomorrow morning. Bartender asks "what time?" Kid says 9am. Bartender pretty much laughed in his face. Stupid Americans.
Truth be told, of all the places in this country to watch the World Cup, New York has to be one of the best. There are literally dozens of ethnic neighborhoods here, in addition to a large ex-pat scene. Nothing quite like watching a match surrounded by people pulling for their beloved national team.
***
Anybody else notice that the Final is scheduled for Sunday July 9 at 11am Pacific time? Mandalay sports book it is!