Where is my Olympic Flame?

Where is my excitement over the Olympics?  Forget the Olympic flame where is that one spark of interest?  

When I was growing up the Olympics were a big deal. There are constants that remain. Athletes work hard. The Olympics are still the world's best athletes coming together to compete. It isa dream come true for the athletes.

It is also big business. The obvious coaches, training, and medical staff. The award process is business. Sponsorship of the games, athletes, events and venues is huge business. The broadcasting and commercials. 

One explanation for my missing excitement is that I missed the hype. I rarely watch television so obviously I miss the network hype. I work, have a life , have a family so yes I'm a bit busy so things like the Olympics get missed. Also the Olympics are so late in the summer. I have been worrying about the kids enjoying the last of summer before school starts. School starts insanely early like next week. 

Are you excited about the Olympics? Are you watching? If so what events are you excited about? Are you like me and the Olympics on the back burner or forgotten about completely? 

I will be back with a new post soon.

Congrats to Germany, World Cup Champions

I thought Argentina was going to win the World Cup from the start. I became nervous about my pick when Germany destroyed Brazil 7-1 in the semi-finals.

But Argentina had Messi, so I thought they had a chance...

In the end Germany defeated Argentina 1-0

Germany won the World Cup. Championships are won on the field. Germany made it through the tournament and won the championship.

Exciting Games so Far in Second Round of 2014 World Cup

Columbia's 2-0 victory over Uruguay has been the game with the biggest margin of victory so far in the second stage.

Netherlands' 2-1  victory over Mexico was the only other game not decided by penalty kicks.

Costa Rica survived Greece 5-3 on penalty kicks after being tied at 1 after regulation time.

Brazil and Chile were also tied at 1 but Brazil advanced 3-2 on penalty kicks..

The games continue with France taking on Nigeria and Germany taking on Algeria. Will the games continue to be close?

Luisa Maita

Luisa Maita is a Brazilian singer, musician who is performing a sold out show at the Artisphere in Arlington, Virginia tomorrow or more properly tonight. The award winning artist has been called the New Voice of Brazil by NPR. I had the opportunity to speak with her and you can read my interview here.

  

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I also plugged the show on the Examiner. The interview also marked my return to DC Metro Theater Arts. I might be a few hundred miles away but I'll be back with more stuff.Please check out the interview if you like her music there are a few more videos attached as well.

I will be back with a new blog soon as well.

Fat Tuesday: Carnival

Yes it is that time of year Fat Tuesday, Mardis Gras, Carnival are just an excuse for a party. Above is a taste of Fat Tuesday from last year.

Here is a little theme music, Tommy Malone with a song called Fat Tuesday...

It is a time od indulgence before Ash Wednesday and Lent. Mardi Gras is celebrate in a lot of places one of the more famous is the Carnival in Rio. Below is a taste of their parade..

Here is a classic song to get you in the Mardi Gras spirit Professor Longhair...

Here is some video from the carnival in Trinidad in 2011...

If you are going to Mardi Gras be safe, have fun, catch some beads and enjoy!

World Cup Soccer

I didn't get into all the hype for the USA soccer team in the 2010 World Cup. However, a tie with England is huge for the U.S. Team. However, team USA still needs to take care of business against the rest of the teams in their group. Yes. team USA will be favored to do so, however being favored and actually taking care of business is two different things. England was favored against team USA, however England didn't take care of business. That being said all is not bleak for England. England did not lose and is still favored to advance.

I did write a few World Cup related articles recently. One was on Lionel Messi who I heard one expert on the radio call one of the best players in international soccer if not the best. You can read my article on Messi here.

In a related article I wrote about the rich soccer history of Messi's team Argentina you can read that article here.

I also review the rich soccer, or football history of two more power houses. One was Brazil which can be read here. The other one was Italy which you can read here.

Hope you enjoy the World Cup action and I will blog about something else next time.