Well, our boys lost. (By the way, to the football ignorant, you may just want to stop here. If, when you see “football ignorant” you think of steroid enhanced mini-sumo wrestlers w/ attitudes of gods, then yes, I mean you.) Anyways, they were one of the positive surprises of the World Cup…I didn’t say the positive surprise b/c those Senegalese have done, in my opinion, just as well…if not, then better than the U.S. The only difference is that many “experts” picked Senegal to make it far as an underdog, while the U.S. was picked for a repeat performance of France ’98.

This World Cup has certainly been one where the U.S. gains worldwide respect in the realm of football. And I agree wholeheartedly…I would say this is the best they’ve even done, even though they made it to the semis in 1930, which was before the Cup was that competitive and worldwide. However, let me play the role of the pessimist and make a few remarks about why I’m apprehensive about the whole “The-U.S.-is-now-among-the-elite-of-world-football” attitude that is going around:

1. It was just a few games. True, they have owned Mexico the last couple of years, and they’ve even beaten the likes of Brazil and Germany, but the latter two countries played mostly guys who wouldn’t later play in the World Cup. They beat Portugal–well done…even though they looked very shaky for about half the game. They tied Korea–well done as well, but they played as if they were the shadows of the Koreans. Poland 3-U.S.1–The U.S. of France ’98 showing up for an encore performance. They manhandled Mexico…their best performance I’ve ever seen–and I stand behind that remark 100%. Most say Mexico controlled the game and that the U.S. was scared to advance the ball except on intermittent counter-attacks. But the point is, that’s how the U.S. wanted to play. The whole game played right into their hands. And finally, they were eliminated by Germany. They played well, but failed to finish and were overpowered by the Germans and their mad air. My point in all this is…they finished 2-2-1…not bad. They played mediocre in one win and a tie, looked horrible in one loss, and looked like the makings of a team on the way up to “world class” status in one win and a loss. So over these few games we saw a bit of the old, new, and the “gee, i-hope-we-continue-onward-and-upward” from the U.S. A little too diverse for me to say “Bring on Brazil! We want a rematch with Germany! Portugal will be lucky if they even score on us next time!” So let’s see how well they progress and where the Landon Donovans of the team sign before qualifying starts for Germany ‘ 06.

2. Costa Rica and Mexico look to only improve their performance of this Cup. Remember, all 3 CONCACAF teams were undefeated at one point in the World Cup…and Costa Rica would have waltzed into the second round had Brazil not had score fest and knock them out by point differential. Expect Mexico to hold a bitter grudge and continue their dirty play against us. Those two teams could be responsible for our absence in Germany in 2006.

3. One Cup doesn’t make a country’s status. This is kind of similar to #1, but a bit different. Remember in ’94 after the U.S. made it to the second round? Well, they only did so with luck…a la Colombia. And remember the attitude aftewards?…it was thought U.S. would grow by leaps and bounds. Well, they did, but it wasn’t after ’94…it was after the humiliation of ’98. My point is this, let’s see if we can have two successful World Cups before we get too giddy…for if history repeats itself, we may finish close to #32 in 2006.

4. South Korea invited us to the second round by beating Portugal. We had luck in 94…we had EVEN BIGGER luck this year. Remember this when you think of this year’s Cup….if Korea and Portugal had tied, the U.S. would have been eliminated…and that likely would have happened had Portugal not been forced to play with 9 players. Now I agree, the U.S. had to play well enough to put themselves in the position of recipients of good luck…so hats off to them on that point…but come on…they were manhandled by Poland!

Well, I suppose that’s it for now…I’m getting groggy from my schedule of 10:30pm-1:30am sleep, 1:30-3:30am–game 1, 3:30-6:30am-sleep, 6:30am–game 2. Time for a nap so I can get all decked out tonight for Senegal. Peace. www.youthadvance.blogspot.com

Burns, I hear ya’ man….in the Kingdom of Superficiality, I am Supreme Ruler. Its frustrating and depressing as you know what sometimes…and you want so badly to be rid of it, but a funny thing usually accompanies superficiality–and that’s apathy. Keep pluggin away bro, that’s my best advice. If you surround yourself with folks who will annoy the heck out of you until you open up with them, that helps. I found myself in that predicament recently.

Know I’m here for ya’ man. Take care…go U.S.A….beat them Mexicans.

Hmm…. It’s Tuesday night. Just got done with our “Accountability Group”. I put that in quotes rather sarcastically because it’s not really an accountability group. We get together, eat a meal, sing, talk about how our week is going and then pray. But we don’t really hold each other accountable for anything. Everything is very superficial. These folks are my friends but I don’t really feel close enough to any of them really open up and talk to them about stuff that’s going on in my life. I kind of get the feeling that the other guys feel the same though nobody will openly come out and say it. Sadly though I think this group is fairly representative of me and my spiritual life right now. Superficial. Kind of going through the motions. Instead of having a personal relationship with God, I kind of feel like we’re merely acquaintances. And it’s of course of my own doing. God hasn’t gone anywhere. I’m the one who’s moved. That’s cliché but true. What’s scary about this though is that I’m rather ho hum about it. I see what’s happening and I don’t really care. Well I wouldn’t say I don’t care. But it doesn’t really bother me that much. Sometimes it nags at me but not as much anymore. I don’t know maybe I’m burnt out on church and life in general. These have definitely been a stressful 3 years since getting out of college. I feel worn down. Trod upon. Kind of like the world has rolled right over me, flattening me and leaving me all alone. I feel myself becoming callous and hardened. I used to be a very positive, optimistic person. Now I’m generally negative and pessimistic. I feel lost. I need to find some direction in life. Deep thoughts I guess but that’s what’s on my mind tonight. Gotta go shave my head then go to bed.

Well it’s Monday and I’m tired. Being tired will be an ongoing theme in the month of June. Why you might ask. Because the World Cup is going on and I have the unlucky priviledge of living in the United States of America, the most backward country in the world when it comes to soccer (Futbol or Football to true fans). The games come on in the middle of the night. But I can’t complain though because at least they’re live. So I don’t have to worry about getting the scores of games before they happen. Speaking of which, ESPN let me down on Saturday morning. I’m not a big tennis fan but I was going to tune into the French Open Woman’s final on Saturday because I wanted to see the Williams sisters play. Why? Because a) I gotta support my Black sisters, b) they’re great atheletes who would no doubt put in a stellar performance and c) they both look fine in their tennis outfits, especially Serena. That girl’s got curves in all the right places. (Hey!! I speak to truth. Do I not?) So it’s about 10:55 am and I’m clicking through channels waiting for the broadcast to come on at 11. As I’m making my way to NBC is happen to land on ESPN. Low and behold the brilliant folks there decide to announce the results of the contest at the very end of their 10 am Sportscenter. I was mad (not really but sort of you know) because I had absoulutely no reason to watch it now that I knew the result. That’s so stupid. I think they did it on purpose because they knew that NBC was getting ready to broadcast it. It was a purposeful attempt to steal viewers away from NBC in the hopes that folks would have the same reaction I had. Well if that was your intention ESPN, you succeeded at least when it comes to this viewer. I found something else to do and moved on. No big deal.
Speaking of NBC, what’s up with their Sports Division? They lost the NFL, they’re losing the NBA after the Lakers finish off the Nets in Game 4. What do they have left? The Olympics (which are still cool in my book), golf (I’m starting to like golf but watching it on TV is still about as fun as watching paint dry), and the Gravity Games (woopty freakin’ doo!!). They got their butts kicked by the other networks when it came to bidding on sports contracts over the last couple of years. It’s gonna be weird not watching NBA games on NBC. I’ve grown accustomed to watching those games on NBC and their affiliate networks (TNT and TBS). They’ve got a certain look and feel to them that I’ve grown to like and have become used to. The playoffs are going to be especially weird. NBA on NBC has a nice ring to it. I remember that from all the way back in my childhood. Hearing the announcer say “Your watching the NBA on NBC.” And then that music comes on. You know what I’m talking about. I remember trying to play that song by ear back in middle school on my trumpet. Oh well, I’m sure I’ll adjust to the games on ABC. Kind of like when when NBC lost the NFL to Fox. I didn’t think I’d like it but now I prefer the Fox coverage. NBA games on ESPN and ESPN2 will just be strange though.

What’s gonna happen to NBC’s announcers? I kind of like Marv (The Freak) Albert, Steve ‘Snapper’ Jones and Bill (Blabber Mouth) Walton. The latter, this time last year, I would have said good riddance to but he’s kind of growing on me. Sure he still talks too much but my boss pointed out something to me about him that I started paying close attention to this playoffs. Ususally what Walton says comes true. He makes a remark about defense the team does it and it works. His predictions as crazy and out there as they seem at times usually end up becoming reality. Plus he has goofy catch phrases now. “Throw it down big man. Throw it down.” ” (Insert Player name here) has dissappeared. “Where is (Insert Player name here)” Maybe the entire staff will jump ship kind of like Dick Enberg leaving NBC or Brent Musberger, Pat Summerahl, and John Madden. Brent leaving CBS for ABC/ESPN. Pat and John leaving CBS for Fox until this year when Pat retired and John moved over to ABC for MNF. That will be something to watch. Al Roberts and John Madden in the same booth. I wonder if they’ll have any magic anywhere similar to that of John and Pat. I guess well see. Well I’m tired of talking about sports. Until later….

Well Burns, I must admit…..you are pretty scary at times. Don’t reveal too much. Don’t want to put all your eggs in one basket. Hehehe. I wonder if I’m aloud to speak freely on this thing? Do I have my on page? That would be cool. Okay! I have no idea of who I’m talking to here, so I’ll end this conversation. CDawg

Hmmm…. Okiboy with his very own Blog. Scary huh? Well I know a couple of folks that have their own blogs (of which I’m a frequent visitor) and so I finally decided that it was time to get my own. There won’t be any definate defined theme here. Just my random thoughts and ramblings. Like the description says, this will be a glimpse into the mind of Okiboy. Scary huh?? Not scared yet? Don’t worry you will be. Just kidding…. sort of. (Scratching my head wondering why I’ve used the phrase ‘Scary huh?’ twice in the same paragraph and 3 times in the last 10 minutes if you include my blog description.) See I told you this would be random. Anyway, the number of folks who see my blog will probably be very small so this is mainly for me. So sit back and enjoy. (I guess I’m talking to myself here since nobody else will probably ever see this.) Later. I’m out. Yep.