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We went to see Jerry Seinfeld the other night.
I wasn't really sure what it would be like as I've never seen his stand up before, and only seen his show occasionally via re-runs. My Wife wasn't too sure either and wasn't too excited about going. It was more out of curiosity that I bought the tickets.
Anyway, we set off downtown pretty early as the show started at 7pm and we had dinner at an Italian restaurant next to where we always park when we go downtown.
When we arrived at the theatre, we found out that there was going to be a second show at 9.30pm so we guessed that it probably wasn't going to be a long one.
Tom Papa opened up and did around 20 minutes. His routine was mainly about being a father and the man's role in the family. Fairly fitting for a guy with a surname like Papa.
Tom Papa left the stage around 7.30pm and Jerry Seinfeld came straight on, surprising most of the audience who were expecting a break in between.
Seinfeld did just over an hour and was very good. I could hear my Wife laughing constantly so I knew she was having a great time, even if she wouldn't admit just how much she enjoyed it.
At 8.35pm it was all over and as we left the theatre, the audience for the 9.30pm show were waiting to come in, weighing up the people leaving to see whether the show was a hit.
I'm not sure if I'd have to go and see Jerry Seinfeld live again, but I'm definitely glad I got to see him at least once.
A trip downtown, dinner and a show made for a great night out with my wonderful Wife.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Sweet FA
Happy FA Cup Final day!
Whether my team is in the FA Cup final or not, it is always an exciting day for a football fan. No matter what the riches in the Premier League or Champions League, the FA Cup final is still the showpiece event of the season.
I always loved the build up the week of the cup final, interviews with the players, fans with their crazy superstitions and omens. Living in the US now it's not quite the same. Usually the game is in pay per view and you maybe get a little build up an hour before the game but not a lot else.
However, this year Setanta are airing the game so there is no extra cost for subscribers. Their coverage even started at 3am Houston time with reporters inside the stadium, outside the stadium with the fans, at the team hotels, pretty anywhere around Wembley Stadium.
The thing I like about the FA Cup final is that it's still a very British occasion. Thus year is the 128th FA Cup final so we know what we're doing by now. The Superbowl in the US is less about the actual game as the years go on and more about the occasion but despite all of the pageantry surrounding the FA Cup final, it is the game itself that is the reason we're all here.
So it's Everton v Chelsea. Everton are in their first final since 1995. Chelsea won the cup two years ago.
I hope Everton win it, mainly because I like different teams to win the cup and not have the same teams winning it as has happened in recent years with Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea winning it too often.
Portsmouth's win last year was a welcome surprise so hopefully Everton can overcome the underdog tag and claim the trophy.
Whether my team is in the FA Cup final or not, it is always an exciting day for a football fan. No matter what the riches in the Premier League or Champions League, the FA Cup final is still the showpiece event of the season.
I always loved the build up the week of the cup final, interviews with the players, fans with their crazy superstitions and omens. Living in the US now it's not quite the same. Usually the game is in pay per view and you maybe get a little build up an hour before the game but not a lot else.
However, this year Setanta are airing the game so there is no extra cost for subscribers. Their coverage even started at 3am Houston time with reporters inside the stadium, outside the stadium with the fans, at the team hotels, pretty anywhere around Wembley Stadium.
The thing I like about the FA Cup final is that it's still a very British occasion. Thus year is the 128th FA Cup final so we know what we're doing by now. The Superbowl in the US is less about the actual game as the years go on and more about the occasion but despite all of the pageantry surrounding the FA Cup final, it is the game itself that is the reason we're all here.
So it's Everton v Chelsea. Everton are in their first final since 1995. Chelsea won the cup two years ago.
I hope Everton win it, mainly because I like different teams to win the cup and not have the same teams winning it as has happened in recent years with Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea winning it too often.
Portsmouth's win last year was a welcome surprise so hopefully Everton can overcome the underdog tag and claim the trophy.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Text Test
Apparently I can post to my blog via text message from my phone so this is just a test.
If it works I suppose I can post something quickly if it is too exciting to wait until I get home, or risk forgetting about.
You lucky people!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Short week
After the Memorial Day weekend last week week I thought this would be a short week in work but it hasn't really turned out like that.
We had Monday off and I finished early on Wednesday to watch the footy but Tuesday and Thursday both involved being caught up in the office until past 7pm despite planning on leaving around 4pm both days.
I plan on leaving a little bit early on Friday as my Wife and I are continuing our attempts at regaining our social life by going to see Jerry Seinfeld on Friday, and then a party on Saturday night. Another long weekend would be nice so we have an extra day to do the odd jobs you always seem to end up doing at the weekend.
There's also the small matter of the FA Cup final on Saturday which will be the last football game until August (possibly). I'm not a particular fan of either Everton or Chelsea but I'll be hoping Everton get the win, if only to see a new name on the trophy after the same names over the last few years (with the exception of Portsmouth's victory last year). Everton's last FA Cup win came against Manchester United in 1995 so it is long overdue.
As a United fan, if we can't win everything then I like new teams to at least win the cup so that things continue to be interesting.
We had Monday off and I finished early on Wednesday to watch the footy but Tuesday and Thursday both involved being caught up in the office until past 7pm despite planning on leaving around 4pm both days.
I plan on leaving a little bit early on Friday as my Wife and I are continuing our attempts at regaining our social life by going to see Jerry Seinfeld on Friday, and then a party on Saturday night. Another long weekend would be nice so we have an extra day to do the odd jobs you always seem to end up doing at the weekend.
There's also the small matter of the FA Cup final on Saturday which will be the last football game until August (possibly). I'm not a particular fan of either Everton or Chelsea but I'll be hoping Everton get the win, if only to see a new name on the trophy after the same names over the last few years (with the exception of Portsmouth's victory last year). Everton's last FA Cup win came against Manchester United in 1995 so it is long overdue.
As a United fan, if we can't win everything then I like new teams to at least win the cup so that things continue to be interesting.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Game over
Oh well, so it wasn't to be this time. After riding their luck for a lot of the season and not playing as well as they could, the Champions League final was a step too far for Manchester United.
Other than the first 10 minutes, they were never really in the game. Barcelona scored with their first chance and never looked back.
I actually don't feel as bad as I thought I would. It would've been much worse had it been a late winner but United didn't deserve it and were totally outplayed on the night. Barcelona are worthy champions and it's still surprising that this was only their third European Cup/Champions League title (the same as Manchester United).
This season has still been a great success. English League Champions for the third season running and a record equalling eighteenth time in total, the league Cup, World Club Cup and Charity Shield.
It will be an interesting summer but I can't see United buying too many players. It will depend on the departures with Carlos Tevez seemingly on his way, and we're sure to endure another will he won't he saga over Ronaldo and Real Madrid.
Next season might be the last we see of some of the senior players, with Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Edwin Van Der Sar all likely to retire sooner rather than later so the next few years could well be a transition period, especially if Fergie decides to retire.
Other than the first 10 minutes, they were never really in the game. Barcelona scored with their first chance and never looked back.
I actually don't feel as bad as I thought I would. It would've been much worse had it been a late winner but United didn't deserve it and were totally outplayed on the night. Barcelona are worthy champions and it's still surprising that this was only their third European Cup/Champions League title (the same as Manchester United).
This season has still been a great success. English League Champions for the third season running and a record equalling eighteenth time in total, the league Cup, World Club Cup and Charity Shield.
It will be an interesting summer but I can't see United buying too many players. It will depend on the departures with Carlos Tevez seemingly on his way, and we're sure to endure another will he won't he saga over Ronaldo and Real Madrid.
Next season might be the last we see of some of the senior players, with Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Edwin Van Der Sar all likely to retire sooner rather than later so the next few years could well be a transition period, especially if Fergie decides to retire.
Pre-match nerves
I'm just about to head out to watch the Champions League Final between Manchester United and Barcelona.
This is a huge game and my pre-match nerves have been getting gradually worse throughout the day. The last hour at work was pretty much spent pacing around the office counting down until it was time to leave!
I can't think of anything else to say I'm so excited so I'm going to sign off, even though it's such a big game that I know I'm not going to actually enjoy watching it.
See you on the other side.
This is a huge game and my pre-match nerves have been getting gradually worse throughout the day. The last hour at work was pretty much spent pacing around the office counting down until it was time to leave!
I can't think of anything else to say I'm so excited so I'm going to sign off, even though it's such a big game that I know I'm not going to actually enjoy watching it.
See you on the other side.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Final Day Drama
It was the final day of the English Premier League season today.
I always look forward to the final day as all games start at the same time to ensure there is no funny business and this only adds to the drama.
The TV companies keep you updated with all of the scores and show how each goal affects the final table with the various teams being safe from relegation one minute and then all of a sudden sucked back into danger.
With West Brom already relegated it left two more places left to be decided with four teams still in danger of the drop. Middlesbrough are a nothing team who are pretty much just a minor irritation twice a season. Sunderland looked the least likely to go down and I wasn't that bothered either way really.
Hull City and Newcastle were the other two in danger. Hull only came up last season so I was hoping they'd stay up, mainly because it can get pretty boring when the teams that get promoted to the Premier League go straight back down. Manchester United stood in the way of Hull today and there were rumours of a weakened United side ahead of Wednesday's Champions League final but the result worked out just as I'd hoped. United played a lot of youngsters with only Darren Fletcher, who is suspended for the final, appearing regularly for the first team. Just to make sure that the relegated clubs could have no complaints, United's "3rd team" came away with a victory while results elsewhere meant Hull survived.
Newcastle are a big club with a lot of big name players who just haven't performed. Although I despise Alan Shearer, I actually prefer to see the bigger clubs in the Premier League.
In the end, all four teams were beaten which meant Middlesbrough and Newcastle were relegated.
As the title of this post suggests, there was lots of drama today, only it wasn't in the football as I'd expected.
We've had our eyes on an old rustic style beer cooler for the back garden for a while now and went to a couple of places yesterday to try and find one but to no avail. This morning we decided we'd try another store and with one eye on the clock, I decided we'd have enough time to make it there and back in time for the big kick off.
An impromptu big shop delayed us slightly but we missed only part of the first half of the games and with the magic of the DVR we were caught up by half time.
Looking forward to a frenetic second half in all of the games, this is when the drama started. My Wife noticed that something wasn't quite right with Busby's stomach. It actually appeared to be drooping on one side, almost as if he has suddenly lost a lot of weight and had too much skin.
A quick google search failed to put her mind at rest as she dissected all of the worst case scenario's convincing herself, and me that this was something serious.
To save ourselves from a possible lifetime of regrets, we decided a trip to the animal emergency clinic was in order. Luckily, there was one not too far from the house but we were advised there was a 2-3 hour wait. While we were waiting my Wife also noticed a lump just above his hind left leg.
When we finally did see the vet, he knew right away what it was. He said that it was likely that Busby had been bitten by something, or maybe stung by a bee and this has caused an edema. Basically, gravity had pulled the infected area away from the body, making it appear to be drooping, which is the only way we knew something was wrong.
They shaved his newly groomed fur to find the puncture wound and luckily it was just a bee sting. Busby had a couple of shots of pain killers and currently wouldn't look out of place in a Cheech & Chong movie or The Pineapple Express.
He should be ok in a couple of days and his stomach should return to it's normal state soon.
To his credit, Busby was really well behaved throughout his ordeal. In fact you wouldn't have guessed there was anything wrong with him if he wasn't dragging his little belly along the floor when he walked.
I always look forward to the final day as all games start at the same time to ensure there is no funny business and this only adds to the drama.
The TV companies keep you updated with all of the scores and show how each goal affects the final table with the various teams being safe from relegation one minute and then all of a sudden sucked back into danger.
With West Brom already relegated it left two more places left to be decided with four teams still in danger of the drop. Middlesbrough are a nothing team who are pretty much just a minor irritation twice a season. Sunderland looked the least likely to go down and I wasn't that bothered either way really.
Hull City and Newcastle were the other two in danger. Hull only came up last season so I was hoping they'd stay up, mainly because it can get pretty boring when the teams that get promoted to the Premier League go straight back down. Manchester United stood in the way of Hull today and there were rumours of a weakened United side ahead of Wednesday's Champions League final but the result worked out just as I'd hoped. United played a lot of youngsters with only Darren Fletcher, who is suspended for the final, appearing regularly for the first team. Just to make sure that the relegated clubs could have no complaints, United's "3rd team" came away with a victory while results elsewhere meant Hull survived.
Newcastle are a big club with a lot of big name players who just haven't performed. Although I despise Alan Shearer, I actually prefer to see the bigger clubs in the Premier League.
In the end, all four teams were beaten which meant Middlesbrough and Newcastle were relegated.
As the title of this post suggests, there was lots of drama today, only it wasn't in the football as I'd expected.
We've had our eyes on an old rustic style beer cooler for the back garden for a while now and went to a couple of places yesterday to try and find one but to no avail. This morning we decided we'd try another store and with one eye on the clock, I decided we'd have enough time to make it there and back in time for the big kick off.
An impromptu big shop delayed us slightly but we missed only part of the first half of the games and with the magic of the DVR we were caught up by half time.
Looking forward to a frenetic second half in all of the games, this is when the drama started. My Wife noticed that something wasn't quite right with Busby's stomach. It actually appeared to be drooping on one side, almost as if he has suddenly lost a lot of weight and had too much skin.
A quick google search failed to put her mind at rest as she dissected all of the worst case scenario's convincing herself, and me that this was something serious.
To save ourselves from a possible lifetime of regrets, we decided a trip to the animal emergency clinic was in order. Luckily, there was one not too far from the house but we were advised there was a 2-3 hour wait. While we were waiting my Wife also noticed a lump just above his hind left leg.
When we finally did see the vet, he knew right away what it was. He said that it was likely that Busby had been bitten by something, or maybe stung by a bee and this has caused an edema. Basically, gravity had pulled the infected area away from the body, making it appear to be drooping, which is the only way we knew something was wrong.
They shaved his newly groomed fur to find the puncture wound and luckily it was just a bee sting. Busby had a couple of shots of pain killers and currently wouldn't look out of place in a Cheech & Chong movie or The Pineapple Express.
He should be ok in a couple of days and his stomach should return to it's normal state soon.
To his credit, Busby was really well behaved throughout his ordeal. In fact you wouldn't have guessed there was anything wrong with him if he wasn't dragging his little belly along the floor when he walked.
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