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Team USA Defeats World Cup Referees!

In what is possibly the most amazing soccer game I have ever witnessed, (rather few, admittedly) the US Women's team meted out justice in an epic win over the referee assisted Brazilian team. I was not able to watch too, too much of the game, as there were customers to deal with. But I was able, as luck would have it, see some of the highlights. Did not see the own goal by Brazil's Daiane. Did see the questionable penalty call that resulted in Brazil getting free shots on goal until they scored. Marta, Brazil's star and considered the best woman soccer player in the world, play acted convincingly enough to get US player Bueler red-carded. This put the US a (wo)man down, as well as set up a penalty kick. A dramatic save was negated by a pretty petty encroachment call. OK, by the letter of the rules, it was encroachment. But it was a tikky-takky call, and really had no bearing on the play. The re-kick was a goal, and the game was tied.

In the ET, (extended time) Brazil jumped out quick in a questionable offsides non-call. Marta scores a goal, when Maurine, the player who assisted looked to be offsides. However, some of the blame lays on the US defender, who slacked off paying attention to Marta, and you just don't do that. Down 2-1, the US tried to even it out. Success in the latest scored goal in World Cup play, in the 122nd minute. Thank you Erika, the Brazilian who rolled on the ground "in pain", for your attempt to kill time. It was at least the second one, and by far the most dramatic, especialy after she got up and "limped" back to her bench. I have few opinions on what should and shouldn't be in soccer, but anyone who does that crap should get a yellow card, at least. You never see the team behind do that BS. However, as I said, that crappy theatrics helped the US. I will give the referee a bit of credit. The first US PK was blocked, but a re-kick was allowed, which went in.

This win is all the more great, as it is a triumph in the face of yet more anti-US sentiment in an international competition.

The ESPN coverage is here...for now.

Signs of the Apocalypse (or just things that make you go "hmmm...)

Proof that this city's government has nothing better to do:

No garden for you!

Is there any way that the playground can claim diplomatic immunity?

Screw the American Kids!

Irony n: Any time a Democrat invokes religion.

Maybe God will call them home...

Something Cool From Hasbro! Finally!

Many years ago, Milton Bradley released the best of its Gamemaster series. Considering one of them was Axis and Allies, that may be considered a bold statement. Alas, I will stand by my statement that Shogun (later released with minor rulebook changes as Samurai Swords) was the best of the five games in the Gamemaster series. Sure, Broadsides and Boarding Parties and Conquest of the Empire were in the series, but so was the awesomely themed Fortress America. While Axis and Allies has seen many editions and versions, the only other game to get a re-release was Conquest of the Empire. Well, now Hasbro, under its Avalon Hill brand, is releasing Ikusa, a nearly perfect reproduction (component-wise) of this terrific game. Click the link to go to the Boardgame Geek page full of details.

Heard That Before

I remember that it was said the new electronic means of storing data would eliminate all paper print outs. That was over 30 years ago, and we produce more paper copies than ever before. I don't see the death of media anytime soon.

Less Than Meets The Eye

Another summer blockbuster, another mediocre movie. This time, it was Transformers 3, known as Dark of the Moon. I think it should be named Slow of the Motion.

Turns out that the whole moon race is so that the Americans can beat the Russians to a crashed ship from Cybertron and learn a secret or two. The astronauts return with five pillars of unknown use. This part of the film was pretty interesting, as skilled casting and decent CGI render a fair looking Kennedy and Nixon. Robert McNamera was well done, as well. The items linger until there are energon readings from Chernobyl. Somehow the Soviets got a piece of the ship, as well, like magic. This leads to a Decepticon attack, and anger on the part of Optimus Prime, complaining the humans are holding out.

Sam (played by Shia LeBeouf) is jobless, despite saving our asses, twice, and getting a medal to prove it. Shacking up with Carley (Victoria Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley) isn't enough, he needs a job, as his parents remind him. Fortunately for him, the Decepticons begin their power play. Action ensues, sort of. One thing that bugged me was the constant slow-motion of the action scenes. The Autobots transform in slo-mo, swing at Decepticons in slo-mo, Rangers dodge falling OV-22s in slo-mo, it just keeps going to the point of boredom. There are a handful of plot "twists" that are not that shocking when they are revealed, because you see them from three miles away. There are not too many plot holes, such as when Sam runs from Laserbeak, who now looks like a ragged buzzard, rather than a sleek hawk or falcon. Laserbeak shoots up the office, yet gives up once Sam makes it to the streets. The fights make little sense, as one second Autobots meekly await execution, the very next, they rip the guts out of the Decepticons. Makes no sense to not fight when you can morph weapons on your arm.

On my scale, Transformers: Dark of the Moon gets a solid "Meh", which would equate 2 out of four stars. Didn't suck as much as Green Lantern.

Oh Noes! The Romanian Abdication!

Twilight Struggle is, at this time, my number one favorite game (that I can get anyone to play...Twilight Imperium is still my top), as well as that of the people on Boardgamegeek.com. I play on-line about once or twice a week through the great VASSAL module, or face-to-face, and despite my slayer-oath to play the US until I win, I enjoy every game.

TS is what is known as a "Card Driven Game". Players are dealt a hand of cards, each of which has a value (1-4 in TS, more in some games) and an event relevant to the theme of the game. In the case of TS, it is the Cold War. Each card is associated to either one of the superpowers, or to neither. Playing a card with your opponents event triggers the event, giving rise to difficult decisions as the game progresses. There are the ones you would expect, like the Cuban Missile Crisis, U2 Incident, and so forth. There is one, though, that is quite obscure, to me, at least. The Romanian Abdication card. I had no idea that this was considered that important to the Cold War. Anyone familiar with the game would ask, "Why would the US even put influence in Romania!?" Soviets get a free country! Seems that the Romanian Abdication actually was a big deal.

After reading this article, the most fascinating thing about it is this guy is still alive. He is one of the last living heads of state from World War Two. (There are only two others) Forced at gunpoint to quit his throne in 1947, he is ready to pick up where he left off. Trouble is, as of 2008, only 16% want him back.

By the way, Kitchen Debates is actually my favorite card, just for the picture. The look on Khrushchev's face at Nixon (then Vice-President) is classic. "Who the Hell does this jack-ass think he is!?" "I'm Nixon, damn you!"