05 January 2010

Yup, I'm getting a USA Dempsey jersey before I go to S. Africa

First of all, watch this video and take special notice at minute 14:30.




THIS is what an American can do. THIS is what the 50 states are going to get behind this summer. THIS is Clint Dempsey. 2010, big things...



_

31 October 2009

Dempsey puts a fork in Liverpool!

Fulham down Liverpool, 3-1, as the American Clint Dempsey nets the dagger to finish Rafa Benitiz's team off. Despite Fernando Torres' say in the matter, Liverpool find themselves in poor position this week, yet again.

Jozy saw some significant playing time off the bench for Hull in a losing effort, 2-0, to Burnley. Altidore hasn't been getting many, so he must capitalize on all chances he gets.

The teams from London looked formidable once more. Arsenal and Chelsea cruise. Cristiano Ronaldo talks of re-kindling his partnership with deadly finisher and ex-mate, Wayne Rooney, in the Galactico's white jersey.

Landon Donovan has his chance of etching his name into the history books of American soccer as the Galaxy face their Super Classico rivals, Chivas USA, in the first leg of the MLS playoffs.

26 September 2009

U.S. Players Abroad To Watch This Weekend:

Altidore, Dempsey, & Howard

Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore both have giant windows of opportunity in their young careers that will open come this weekend's EPL action. Dempsey's Fulham team is scheduled to play a fired-up Arsenal team (no thanks to Emanuel Adebayjor) and Hull City will need a strong effort from Jozy and his teammates to knock off Liverpool. The two strikers each scored for the U.S. in the important victory against El Salvador on September 5th. These two boys are the cream of the crop when it comes to the American offense, and they need to stay that way come next Summer.

If Jozy Altidore gets the start against Liverpool this weekend, he must capitalize. Altidore needs to play 90 minutes of focused, fast-paced, aggressive soccer. Torres, Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt and Co. have been on point since their opening weeks' grievances so this is a great opportunity for Jozy to establish his reputation on the world stage. A goal or a few goals against one of the Big Four teams would definitely impact his mental play in preparation for the World Cup in a big way!

Dempsey has already turned heads under the gaze of the international soccer community with his performance in the Confederations Cup this past Spring. Not only must he keep finding the back of the net, but his speed and passing need to be sharp tools in his own arsenal against the Gunners. Perhaps their consistent attention in the media as of late (with Robin Van Persie now chipping his two cents into the diving discussion) will yield inconsistencies in their match play. There's no hiding their concerns about their play against both Manchester powerhouses earlier this season.

Back to back clean sheets by Tim Howard for an Everton team that seems to still be finding their stride is a possibility this weekend as well. Howard did not look as sharp as usual in the most recent World Cup Qualifier against Trinidad & Tobago, having been bailed out by the woodwork on one occasion and suffering some miscues in the back at times. Tim is a confident, experienced keeper who takes pride in America's reputation for good play at this position that has developed over the last few years. I think he'll respond with a strong showing.

25 September 2009

Barca! Barca!

I thought I'd seen the real golden stuff, the real beautiful futbol last year when Samuel Eto'o was the point man in the attacking greatness that propelled Barcelona to hoist the cup of Champs. But this stuff I'm seeing, so EARLY on to boot, has been special. La Liga has kicked off and it proves to be a record smashing affair this year.

No slight to Eto'o, but with the addition of Ibrahimovich, Barcelona look like they are on another planet. And so far, their opponents haven't even shown that they possess the advanced mechanics needed to fly to said planet and show up at game time!

Messi looks like he never wants to go back to Argentina again. I believe he has officially just signed a record-breaking 4o0 year deal to live and die in the Catalan Giants colors. Xavi looked pretty comfortable in the captain's armband last match, a new role for him.

I don't even think what Dani Alves keeps doing to the ball every time he steps up to take a free kick should be legal. FIFA needs to get that boy's striking foot checked for surgical implants and cyborg technology. The Brazilian is giving the kids in the streets of Juazeiro yet another reason to Samba (like they even needed one).

Titi Henry- what more can possibly be said about this footballer? He's a class act, through and through. Henry seems to be settling quite nicely into the veteran role, teaching the young guns a degree of humility and focus that can only come from years of success. However, don't let him catch us discussing his role as one of an old wise man. He will surely be the first to point out that he seems to be reversing the aging process quite beautifully.

Can anyone step onto the pitch and give Barca the spectacular shooting match that it so desperately craves? Only former teammates C. Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney might have the chosen 10 men to back each of them up in an epic showdown to strip Barcelona of their crown.

In the meantime, joga bonito:




They look like little kids, having fun just playing football in their backyard.

11 August 2009

Making Something of Yourself requires a lot of the "Making" and a lot of the "Self"

I have a couple of videographer gigs coming up. I guess I can say that a small portion of a larger dream is being accomplished at this juncture, in so much as I mean to say that I will actually be receiving monetary compensation in exchange for duties concerning my passion in film making.

Daas Kool!



More concerts, a possible northern California trip, and a new Kamikaze Film to follow.

Good day.

26 July 2009

New, you're so new.

Meeting new people is amazing. Especially in an environment that is traditionally constructed as a happy time (i.e. a wedding). It sure as shit doesn't hurt that the swell is pumping monster-sized beautiful waves right on to the beach where the wedding is taking place! Woo wee! What an amazing sight to see and hear with your eyeballs and ear-balls.

I've already met so many new friends that share the same passion about film making and storytelling that I do so my excitement is exponentially miles above the rest. It's good to know that my future move to Los Angeles will be well received by friends and compatriots of similar walk.


Tomorrow's the big day for them. I've got nothing but happiness for my lucky friends that will be getting married tomorrow.

17 July 2009

Lookin REAL Alive

DID IT. Wrapped production on my first independent short film. Designed the press kit, DVD cover and print myself. Submitted in time to the Temecula Valley Film Festival and the Ojai/Ventura Film Festival.

Whether we get in to the festivals or not isn't my focus. Instead, I'm far too busy counting the successes, recounting the production occurrences, and cataloging all of the experience I now have in order to make an even more creatively explosive future project!

Thank you to everyone who collaborated on this project and to everyone who supported anything to do with this piece or the people that brought it to life.


Excuse me, I have to go release my exponentially compounding excitement right now.

"A moment moving too fast to endure."

09 July 2009

A Keyboard and Scoring on a Wednesday Evening

Amazing how this idea is traveling form person to person as if each imagination is connected through a string-and-tin can setup. Scoring today with our newest crew member went very well. It feels like this project is really pulling together now that the audio accompaniment can propel the cinematography. This pairing really helps drive the tone of the story being told.

This project has been amazing and I'm completely driven to see it through till the end. However, my anticipation mounts as our "Pitch Meeting" looms and a clear vision will emerge of the next project for production.

24 June 2009

Futbol!

Today was undoubtedly an unforgettable day for the United States Men's National Soccer Team. Being matched up against the likes of Brazil and Italy in the group stage of the Confederations Cup was flooring to begin with, but making it through to the semi-final round was completely unheard-of.

The analysts have all waxed poetic on the unlikelihood of the USA matching up with the world's number one futbol power- Spain.

David Villa
Carlos Puyol
Sergio Ramos
Fernando Torres
etc., etc., etc.


The US didn't play a game of tactically sound possession and its strategy lacked aesthetic beauty, but it sure as shit got the job done! Jozy Alidore capitalized like a veteran professional early on to give the US a one goal lead. The rest of the match saw the Americans digging their heels into the defensive third, showing guts and glory as they sacrificed their bodies to block the onslaught of shots from the Spaniards.

Donovan and Dempsey hooked up for a 'right place at the right time' moment in the second half that truly made the whole thing seem real. With a two to nil cushion, the US pulled all eleven men back on defense, frustrating the likes of Pique and Xavi. Michael Bradley received an audacious Red Card for a tackle but the remaining ten men held strong, due in most part to the outstanding play of Timmy Howard between the sticks.

Go Sam's Army! Turning heads in the global futbol community and building momentum at just the right time before the World Cup.



...oh yes, I nearly forgot:


I've officially purchased my tickets for 3 matches at the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa. PSYCHED!



.