Sigur Ros playing in Salt Lake

Yes, that's right. Sigur Ros will be playing in Salt Lake in September at Saltair. The announcement of the rest of their tour was made last week and the decision to play in Utah is very exciting. It will be a chance of lifetime to see one of the most progressive and innovative bands playing today. Tickets go on sale Thursday at 9 AM and although Beckie and I will be in California, we will find a computer and be online first thing to get ours.

2008 Twilight Concert Series SLC

The Salt Lake City Arts Council has really outdone itself this year with its latest versions of the Twilight Concert Series. The Twilight Concert Series is a summer-long series of free Thursday night concerts held at the Galvan Center near downtown. This years schedule trumps all previous years with some really amazing artists. These include Andrew Bird, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, The Roots, and Broken Social Scene. Beckie and I are especially excited for Broken Social Scene, who we don't think has ever come to Salt lake, Andrew Bird, and Neko Case. To check the full schedule and to learn more about this event click here.

Broken Social Scene


Neko Case

Terry Porter hired as new Suns coach

The Suns officially introduced Terry Porter as their new head coach yesterday afternoon. Porter, a former Pistons assistant is expected to bring in an emphasis on defense that was absent while Mike D'Antoni was head coach. I like the choice of a defensive-minded coach and just hope he can get Amare to play defense and not let Al Jefferson light him up for 30 points and 10 rebounds a game.

Terrorist Fist Jab?

All I can say is, really? Since when is this an important story and since when is it interpreted as some kind of terrorist communication? Where do they find these people? One of the most ridiculous things I've ever seen. See for yourself.

Lacking Motivation

When summer comes around every year, many have come up with their annual "Summer reading lists". I've never really done this but this summer I have no choice because, well, it was given to me. As part of the M.A. in Spanish Literature at BYU, all students must take a literary theory course their first semester which is the basis for all of their future schooling and preparation for writing and analysis. I received a nice long email from the instructor that included the syllabus, reading list, introduction, and warning. I've heard that this class is very difficult and requires some intense reading assignments that in many cases, include philosophical texts. So, to help with the course studies we, the students, are required to read 3 books this summer before class starts in the Fall. These include two novels The Lost Steps by Alejo Carpentier, All the Names by Jose Saramago, and an introduction to literary theory. I'm excited for school to start but am struggling to find motivation to read them. I'm not really worried about finishing them but just hope that I don't save it for the last couple weeks before school starts.

Toms Shoes!

I was talking to a friend last night and was told about this amazing company, Toms Shoes. Knowing that I love Argentina, he thought that I would like this company as well. I fell in love with it in a matter of minutes. Toms Shoes makes simple canvas shoes, designed after the traditional Argentine "alpargata". The alpargata is a very popular shoe in Argentina, and the closest American equivalent of it would probably be the women's slip-on or even flip-flops. What makes this company great, besides the shoes, is the cause. For every shoe that a consumer buys, another pair is dedicated to needy children in Argentina, South Africa and other nations of the world. Go to the website at www.tomsshoes.com and learn all about the shoe, the cause, the company and buy yourself a pair.

Blog Construction

So, as those who read my blog have seen, the majority of posts have been about soccer and not so much about what's going on with me and other things that are important to me. Because of this, I've decided to make another blog specifically for the world's game. It is still in process and I will let everybody know when it is ready. Also, I want to do some tinkering with this blog with layout, color, and direction. Hopefully, it will be more readable for everyone. Thanks.

Manchester United Premier League Champions 2008

Yes, the inevitable happened this weekend and Manchester United won it's second consecutive Premier League Title. As those who know me well, know that I'm not a Man U. fan, but am a fan of el Apache, Carlos Tevez. Wherever Carlitos goes, a title follows. Whether it be at Boca Juniors, Corinthians, or Manchester United, Tevez is a champion. Congratulations Carlos and we look forward to your future successes.

Boca into Copa Libertadores Quarterfinals

After barely scraping through the group stages of South Americas biggest club tournament, Boca Juniors is looking like a more legitimate contender for the title. With two equal results of 2-1 at home and away against the Brazilian club Cruzeiro, Boca is into the quarterfinals.

Away match in Belo Horizante, Brazil

Great Video

I saw this video and couldn't resist putting it on the blog. What do you think, good dad or bad dad?

Dream Matchup?

The final for the European Cup, a.k.a Champions League final is set. Manchester United, with the best player in the world Cristiano Ronaldo will face the first time participants from West London, Chelsea. The two best teams in the English Premier League will play to see who is the best in Europe. While many consider this match the ideal and best possible final and a meeting between the actual best teams in Europe, I'm not so sure. Will this decide the best team in Europe, or are there other teams that are better at the moment? One can make a case for Inter Milan, Real Madrid, or even Porto. The final is set for May 21st in Moscow and will surely not disappoint.

Chelsea vs. Liverpool


Manchester United vs. Barcelona

Man Man @ In the Venue SLC

Last night I went to Salt Lake to see Yeasayer and Man Man. I heard that Man Man puts on a great show and I was already excited to Yeasayer. Unfortunately, Yeasayer canceled but Man Man was definitely worth the price of admission. Man Man's music is described by some as Viking-vaudeville, Manic Gypsy Jazz. I'm not sure exactly what that means but what I do know is that they are excellent live. Their energy, mannerisms, selection of instruments, and intensity is overwhelming but infectious. Here are a couple of videos of them live that are, despite the audio, pretty similar to my experience last night.

@SXSW

Latest DI find

So, it's no secret that Beckie and I love thrift stores. Furniture, Books, Frames, and clothes are our targets. Deseret Industries is the largest thrift store in these parts and the one in Provo is not only really close to our apartment but also quite large. Beckie usually hunts for home items such as frames, furniture, lamps, etc. while I am searching for books. I've been quite lucky finding books at DI. I'm always on the lookout for Spanish literature along with classics at bargain prices.

This past weekend we went to the American Fork DI and found some great stuff. Beckie picked up a lamp that I wasn't too crazy about but I trust her vision with it. I was lucky enough to find this book by Carlos Fuentes (La Frontera de Cristal), The Crystal Border. It was a great find considering it is brand new, probably never read, and is an Alfaguara book. Alfaguara is a Spanish publisher whose books often are pretty expensive. 2$ for a book listed at 18$.

As we find more treasure at these thrift stores, we'll post them. Look at Beckie's blog also to check out her finds. Her apartment pictures show off a lot of what she has found.

Tevez saves Manchester United

Manchester is close to the Premier League Title, and this weekend, was saved by El Apache, Carlos Tevez. Tevez's header in the 88th minute tied a game that Manchester was close to losing. Congratulations Carlitos on your goal and your success in the Premier League!

CP3 is ridiculous

So, while Beckie and I were at DI in American Fork this weekend, I was able to watch the end of that heartbreaking Suns/Spurs game in the first round of the playoffs. I was pretty upset. I don't know if I can handle another Suns loss to the Spurs after going through last years disaster. Not really thinking about it for the rest of the weekend, the thoughts of this game kind of disappeared after seeing the Mavericks lose to the Hornets and witnessing the playoff debut of the best point guard in the NBA. I love Steve Nash but this year Chris Paul has been amazing and the best point guard, and maybe even the best player in the league. See for yourselves.

New Album of the Week

M83 has released a new album this week entitled Saturdays = Youth. I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet but am looking forward to considering their previous releases. Their 2005 release Before the Dawn Heals Us was one of my favorites from 2005. A very approachable electronic album. Pitchfork gave the new album 8.5. Read their review here.

It's Official

Beckie and I are officially sticking around the Provo/Orem are for a couple more years. We've decided to stay and go to BYU for an M.A. in Latin-American Literature. The advantages outweigh the disadvantages and it's just the best situation. Here are some of the reasons why it's nice to stay around for a bit longer.

The program
1. one of the best in the country / graduates are accepted into the best Ph.D programs in the country
2. I know many of the professors and students in the program
3. I get to teach 101 classes
4. Tuition Cost

Utah
1. We don't have to move
2. the mountains

Anyway, Beckie and I are excited about this new phase in our lives and we are ready for the change and the work that comes with it.

I can't stand Bruce Bowen

Bruce Bowen's forearm to Amare Stoudemire's abdomen on Wednesday night's Suns game against the Spurs helped remind me why I dislike Bruce Bowen so much. The dirtiest player in the NBA has struck again. Nobody is immune to idiocies. Vince Carter, Ray Allen, Chris Paul, not to mention everybody on the Suns.

The worst thing about all of this is that the league doesn't care about it. David Stern has shown his negligence and inability to run the best league in sports. As long as somebody is not animated off the court and is a seemingly ok person at home, they can do whatever they want on the court. The league needs to do something before Bowen ends somebody's career. His desire to injure other players has shown not only his recklessness but his lack of talent. Why outperform them when you can kick them? Watch this video and see for yourself the true Bruce Bowen.

Stadium of Fire - Miley Cyrus

I'm sorry but I just couldn't avoid this story. It's so laughable to me. Miley Cyrus, aka Hanna Montana is performing at the annual Stadium of Fire event in Provo on July 4th. The tickets sold out within hours and can now be found on ebay for crazy mark-ups. Capitalism at it's best. Here is the article that put a smile on my face about this situation. I don't feel sorry about the mom who couldn't get her kids tickets to the concert. It's just a concert.

Also, Cyrus' influence over kids is questionable. Would you want your daughter to dress like this? Parents have the right to do whatever they want for their children but I just hope we all realize that Hannah Montana concerts are just not that important.

Champions League Quarterfinals

The second leg of the champions league quarterfinals finished yesterday with Manchester United and Barcelona going through, along with Liverpool and Chelsea who played on Tuesday. As you can see the semi-finals will be dominated by English Premier League teams. Carlos Tevez showed up again for Man U. scoring their only goal yesterday with a header late in the second half.

TEVEZ


Perhaps, the most impressive of the teams in these games was Liverpool. With the help of a spectacular goal by Fernando Torres, Liverpool secured a 4-2 win over Arsenal, showing what they are capable of in this tournament.

Liverpool vs. Arsenal

Finally, my favorite Spanish la liga team Barcelona came through with a comfortable victory over Shalke with a goal by Toure Yaya. Despite all of their off-field troubles (the rumors behind Ronaldhino's exit and Messi's injury) they showed what they are capable of. Although Manchester United is playing excellent football, I wouldn't count out Barcelona especially with a healthy Messi back from injury.