Monday, July 31, 2006

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy?


First Ever World Map of Happiness Produced from PhysOrg.com

A University of Leicester psychologist has produced the first ever 'world map of happiness.'

[...]

So at least we beat Germany at SOMETHING.


Saturday, July 29, 2006

What Lizards Do On Vacation.


On *my* vacation, anyway!

(Yes, I'm easily amused. Why do you ask?)

Score at the Shore results

(thanks, Bob.)

We won our group!

And my boy scored a goal today, ending a drought going back to mid-May. I was starting to call him "Landon" just to be mean...

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Where my boy is playing this weekend.


Score at the Shore in Greensboro, NC. His team is the U-17 Triangle FC 88 Navy, if anyone would like to come watch.

Monday, July 24, 2006

USA 5 Ireland 0

Way to go ladies! (And the goalkeeper has a great name.) See you next Sunday at SAS!
R.E.M. - So. Central Rain

Back when they were all still hot (well, except for Mikey Mills, maybe...) One of my favorite songs, ever.

Dilbert Does Soccer


(OK, so it's Scott Adams, not actually Dilbert.) Read Scott's comments about The Head Butt. (The rest of the comments are quite amusing as well.)

Friday, July 21, 2006

Little Feet Big Goals

Send a soccer ball to a child in Iraq!

Soccer Moms Need Vacations, Too.


I'll probably not be posting much next week. I'll be on a much-needed vacation.

Four miles off the coast of Southport and the mainland, at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, is the island of Bald Head. The island is easily identifiable in the distance by the Bald Head Island Lighthouse ("Old Baldy"). Built in 1817 and retired in 1935, the lighthouse is cataloged as the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina.

Once a favorite hiding spot for pirates such as Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet, Bald Head Island is now a residential and resort community of about 220 year-round residents. It can only be reached by the island's private ferry or by personal boat. The island is open to the public, and the summer population can reach from 4,000 to 6,000, with visitors renting vacation homes and playing golf.

It is probably safe to say this is one of the most unspoiled beach and maritime forest areas on the North Carolina coast. The island's natural beauty is protected, despite residential development as well as a few commercial amenities such as a restaurant, bed and breakfast inns, general store with deli, marina, golf course, specialty store, and golf cart and bike rental business.

The island has 14 miles of beaches, dunes, creeks and forests. The 2,000 acres of land are surrounded by 10,000 acres of salt marshes. The owners have deeded nearby Middle Island and Bluff Island to the state and The Nature Conservancy. The Bald Head Island Conservancy, a nonprofit organization, was formed to ensure that the unique natural resources of the island are maintained and preserved.

Turtle nesting on Bald Head Island accounts for 50 percent of all turtle eggs laid in North Carolina. The Sea Turtle Program, featured on public television, protects and monitors these wonderful creatures. There is an Adopt-a-Nest Program that pairs concerned humans with turtles in an effort to protect the nest and encourage the hatchlings toward the sea. Studies in which female turtles were tagged have revealed that pregnant turtles return to the same site to lay eggs every other year. Due to the many species of birds found on the island, the Audubon Society conducts an annual count here as part of its national program.

Something quite special about the island is the absence of cars. Gasoline-powered engines, with the exception of security and maintenance vehicles, are not allowed. The residents and visitors who rent homes all drive electric carts or ride bicycles. The resulting lack of noise pollution and exhaust fumes is one of the finest features of the place.

A visitor can come for the day by private ferry service from Indigo Plantation in Southport. For a longer stay, there are many rental units on the island. The cost, compared to rental on much of the mainland, is slightly on the upper end, but so is the experience for the visitor who wants to really get away from it all in quiet style.

Despite Bald Head Island's private status, the welcome mat is always out for visitors. The lighthouse can be toured for a small fee. The well-appointed marina welcomes transients.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

The Gabe Kapler Foundation


The Gabe Kapler Foundation is a family run, non-profit foundation dedicated to stopping domestic violence. Their goal is to empower victims of abuse to stop the violence perpetuated against them by giving them the tools to live self-sufficient, violence-free lives. They also focus on preventing the children living in abusive environments from becoming lifelong victims or from becoming future abusers. Give them a visit.

World Cup condensed

Nice little video showing clips from World Cup 2006. Just in case we all needed to see Kasey getting scored on again...

Monday, July 17, 2006

Triangle Futbol Club '91 Navy Girls Set Off For Britain


My daughter will be going on a similar trip (hopefully) in 2 years.

Good luck to the 91 Navy girls!

Article below from Triangle Soccer Fanatics site (which is on my blogroll to the right, check them out!)

While many of their contemporaries are hanging out by the pool, vacationing at the beach, or whiling away their summer vacation on MySpace, the girls of Triangle FC '91 Navy are gearing up for the soccer trip of their lives. Bobby Lovelace's squad, who plays in the NCYSA U14 Premier Division, is set to leave Thursday to test themselves against some of Britain's top youth competition.

The girls will square off against youth sides from Leicester City, Sunderland, Lumley, Ashfordby and Blyth Town as well as be hosted in a homestay by their peers in Blyth. In addition to the competition, the team will get a chance to visit historic St. James' Park and see USA Internationals Demarcus Beasley and Lee Nguyen play as PSV Eindhoven visits Newcastle United for a pre-season friendly.

The team is traveling as part of Triangle Futbol Club's International Affiliate Program. The program helps TFC teams (usually U16 boys and U14 girls) organize an international trip, allowing the players to experience the culture of countries steeped in tradition and passion for the game. Previous destinations have included Germany, England, Iceland, Sweden, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

When asked about what the team hoped to accomplish on the trip, parent Scott Bosworth, whose daughter Chelsea will be part of the trip, said, "Our goal is to immerse the girls in a different culture -- for them to be exposed on a personal level with players and families in England. Soccer is the common love that the girls and and their host teams share."

When not on the football pitch, the team will get to see the sites on their 10-day trip as their travels include London, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, Durham, and Edinburgh.

The '91 Navy are working with Soccertours.net to arrange the travel and matches. Says Bosworth, "This is the 3rd year the club has worked with Soccertours.net, and they have been terrific. In particular, their broad network of club contacts throughout Europe enables them to arrange friendlies, home stays, facility tours, and intimate team get togethers with the European clubs and teams."



Talk about naked soccer...

Bodies the Exhibition. Haven't seen it, but I'm going to try to make the Atlanta exhibition.

Sunday, July 16, 2006

Just in case the Yankees need to be reminded that they stink.

Hunks in Trunks

Vote for your favorite beach guy, or send in a picture of your man! Runs till July 18th. Seriously. Send some in. They need some better guys to pick from.

Guys--You Too Can Be a Hottie!

Soccer Workout Gets You Buff Without Bulk.
Love the pink pinnies. Very secure men.

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Gabe and some other guys


While searching for some more pics of my boy Gabe Kapler, I found this Flickr page that my fellow soccer moms might enjoy. Yum.

For the reader who asked...


Here's Luca Toni, and yes, he is hot:

Headbutt Heaven

Lots of "alternate versions" of the 'Butt Heard Round the World. My favorite is the old-school NES version.

Maybe They'll Draw Beckham

Totally amazing Etch-a-Sketch drawings here.

Friday, July 14, 2006

Wrong game, LDSM...

Cam Ward is a goalie, right? And he's a little hottie. And the Canes won the Stanley Cup. So what if it's not soccer. Hey...the World Cup is over, I'm struggling here!

No, I didn't write this question!

...at least I'm not alone in my goalie admiration!

If you actually want to READ something...

Here's an "Ultimate Mommy Blogger" list.

Me, I like pictures :).

The Arena Has Left the Building

Bye, bye Brucie! Who do you think the next US coach will be? Most folks are saying it will be Klinsmann, the former German coach who lives in the US.
Stay tuned...

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

As if I didn't already feel inadequate...

Pam Anderson says she's a Soccer Mom.

Bet her kids get LOTS of playing time, especially if the coaches find out about that stripper pole she has...

Congrats Italy!

Thanks again to Hunk du Jour. I know the first is Pirlo and the second is Cannavaro but after that I'm not sure which ones are Zambrotta, Blasi, or Gattuso. They're all good. (I'd liked to have seen Buffon in this shot as well! )

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

You Can't Make It Up: World Cup Aftermath: Soccerplayers Overtime = Sweaty Hotness

Soccerplayers & Overtime = Sweaty Hotness.

And puppies, too.

I Told You We Were Watching.

Women viewers made up 40 per cent of the worldwide television audience for the 2006 World Cup - a record, according to FIFA. That helped the planet's biggest sporting event crack 30 billion viewers for the first time.

Sunday, July 09, 2006

FIFA = France is Freakin' Apeshit.

mais pourquoi??? is right!

Or as Perez Hilton says, "Soccer Players give the best head."

Witsy: FIFA Eye Candy

FIFA Eye Candy.

Why one chick likes to watch soccer. I can't say I disagree, though my drink of choice for games is still beer, not wine.

Top 10 Reasons to Watch the World Cup

OK, so it's kind of late. Written by a guy, so no mention of hotties, but still amusing. From the July 17 edition of ESPN magazine.

Reject the Koolaid: Soccer Moms' Hottie of the Day: Grand Prize Winner

Soccer Moms' Hottie of the Day: Grand Prize Winner.

Ok, I can see that. And I really don't even care who wins the World Cup today, anymore.

Maybe France would be nice.

Get a Kick Out of Sharing

Donate your (gently) used soccer balls and air pumps to needy kids.

Or, contribute 2 brand-new balls for a donation of $16.

Friday, July 07, 2006

Clemson Soccer 2006


Here's the Clemson Men's soccer schedule for 2006. I think we'll be at the September 8th game vs MD for my son's official visit, which is sort of ironic, since Maryland is the other school that really recruited him.

Go Tigers!

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Sore Losers?

I've heard of cement shoes, but never cement soccer balls (well, except for that really big one in front of SAS...)

But why only for baseball players?

The Nutty Buddy. And you can serve chips and salsa in it, too! (Eww.....)

TShirt Hell


Funny new shirt design from Tshirthell.com (don't visit if you are easily offended. Heck, most of the time I look at the site I'M offended and that takes a lot...)

Half-Naked Soccer Players--the Movie!

Thanks to Hunkdujour for posting these YouTube clips of some of your favorite soccer hotties in various states of undress.

Toothpaste for Dinner


The Toothpaste for Dinner Soccer Team is pretty cute. And the comics are kinda funny, most of the time.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Vote for the hottest

Even if you don't want to vote, have a look. None of them are wearing shirts :)

I voted for Cristiano because I didn't see any of the other Portuguese guys on there.

I'm a proud soccer mom!


My son (and 135 other players from around the US) starts adidas-ESP camp today in Connecticut.
Here's the piece from Soccer America (opens a PDF file.)

He went last year (he's 38th on the list of 2005 alumni if you're REALLY curious) and it was one of the most positive soccer experiences he's had so far.

Wish him luck! Wish I was there!

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Fred is My Favorite

Why Brazilian soccer players only have one name.

Balls and more balls!


A display of 32 customized balls, one for each country in the World Cup. Very creative.

Hometown Hotties

This is sort of old news, but we're getting our own pro team here in North Cackalacky. It will be a First Division USL team in Cary, NC. The name has already been chosen and will be announced July 19. Personally I voted for the Cary Okies but I don't think that's gonna happen...

Monday, July 03, 2006

Zidane Laughs at the Boys from Brazil.

OtherThings: France Master Zidane Shows Brazil How To Play Joga Bonita

(I'm still going for Portugal, though...)

I've been neglecting Kasey lately



So here's a few pics, even though many of you don't agree he should have been a Soccer Hottie of the Day. Whatever :)

Beckham's Tattoos


Just another excuse to look at more hot pictures of Beckham, I guess...

Your Brazilian Soccer Name.

What's yours? Mine is "Drakimo Pau."

(Which is better than my "Porn Star Name" Slick Quickie, my "Gangsta" name Whipped Canadian, my "Taxi Driver" name Feng Po Witherspoon, my "Pirate" name Pirate Kate the Ochre, or my "Mafia" name Serena Greco. Some people have way too much time on their hands, including, apparently, me.)


Saturday, July 01, 2006

Too Bad England Lost (and other hotties)

Look at the top photo on the right. Underwear check.

Bitch Ph.D.

Bitch Ph.D.
teaches her kid about soccer today.

Shameless Plug



My friend Wayne makes these cool shirts: Choice is Good. The website is not much to look at (we're working on that) but the shirts are nice.

Plus they match my blog :)

'Cuz Posh Don't Do Wash?


Rumor has it that Becks changes his undies twice a day and throws them out after one wearing. Someone could make a fortune on eBay...