It’s Football not Soccer

Seriously, I am a little miffed when people correct me after I explain that I am about to play some football. “You play football?” I am usually asked in a disbelieving manner, “Aren’t you scared of getting hurt?” Well obviously not, which is when I have to go on to explain that it’s actually real football that I am speaking about, not handball.

Don’t get me wrong I love the American game. It’s fun, fast paced and the commercials are great but it can never compare to bicycle kicks, shoulder tackles or salads. There’s just no competition there. And its not Soccer either…its Football damn it!

Stephen King On 'Twilight' Author: 'Stephenie Meyer Can't Write Worth A Darn'

Well it was about time somebody said it and I will make this short. Stephanie Meyer can't write to save her life and she just keeps sucking the creativity out of the gullible teenagers who think Twilight is something special. Well let me tell you something special, it isn't!

I was mortified when I heard the accolades that trash of a novel - or should I say novels was receiving by critics in the literary world. I mean to read the thing for pure entertainment purposes only is cool but to give merit to the writing? Incesed could not describe my state and its not because I would like the success that Meyer is receiving. I would be so ashamed of myself if I had wriiten Twilight and she ought to be too.

So, when Stephen King finally came out and said that she was a horrible writer, I cheered for joy; especially after a few nut jobs compared her to JK Rowling. OF ALL THE NERVE. The Harry Potter books are well constructed, immaculately written and entertaining to the ninth degree. In comparison, Twilight is an insipid and lackluster affair that would be better off feeding the flames to keep a cold room warm.

According to Mr King., "Both Rowling and Meyer, they're speaking directly to young people... The real difference is that Jo Rowling is a terrific writer and Stephenie Meyer can't write worth a darn. She's not very good."

Mr. King, while not a fan of Meyer, understands the books appeal - gag!

"People are attracted by the stories, by the pace and in the case of Stephenie Meyer, it's very clear that she's writing to a whole generation of girls and opening up kind of a safe joining of love and sex in those books. It's exciting and it's thrilling and it's not particularly threatening because it's not overtly sexual." Say wha!

He also adds that "A lot of the physical side of it is conveyed in things like the vampire will touch her forearm or run a hand over skin, and she just flushes all hot and cold. And for girls, that's a shorthand for all the feelings that they're not ready to deal with yet."

Well said Stephen. Anyway, it just struck me as odd that no one was really raising a stink about the inappropriateness of the series. True, Ms. Meyer says that sex is not part of her books but how about Bella trying to kill herself when Edward leaves? In my line of thinking that is considerably worse but who am I to say anything? Its not like I am a published author or anything; just another girl who actually appreciates good literature.

A game of Cricket --- and not the insect either

It’s been approximately three years since I held a cricket bat in my hands, two years to the day since I threw a spin ball smack into the middle of a stump and much too long since looking at a game live, or on the television. I am doomed. See, back in the day when I my permanent residence was Dominica, I lived for rainy days when we played cricket in the through the downpour with our mothers screaming at us if we caught a cold.

I existed solely for pick up matches and Sunday afternoons when my dad and his team competed with opposing villages for the title of head honchos. Of course back then they substituted tea for shots for rum, were drunk by the first inning and never completed a single game. Still, those memories keep me sane on the bitter cold American evenings and early mornings when I cannot sleep because the sound of engines drive me insane.

Yesterday I spoke to my little sister who rubbed in my face the fact that she was about to play cricket with the boys on the beach. It serves me right doesn’t it? I mean I practically ran away from home to come to the US without thinking of the consequences. True, I have made a little life here for myself but what is life without cricket? It’s like telling a hardcore football fan to give up his life’s passion; like keeping a whale from the water…that’s not fair right!

And so today I wanted to remember all the great things about the game. Wooden stumps collapsing from a hit, LBW’s called before they are even made, village children playing in the dirt and rain, the spirit of togetherness and eleven players all dressed in white.

Which brings me to the subject of white uniforms; everyone wants to know why cricketers wear white? Well it’s for the simple reason that the ball is red and therefore white is the best dress for visibility. In a white background, the ball can be seen clearly by the man about to hit that cricket ball into history. I myself like to think that it’s because we are purists. The game of cricket is so pure that we do not want to sully it by wearing anything but white.

So the next time you feel the need to make fun of the game of cricket, or laugh and the wonderful men and women who drink tea during breaks, think of the millions more people out there who are staunch supporters of the art. Yea I said art because that’s what it essentially is. Cricket is a blooming art form that many have tried but few have mastered.

Think Sir Jacob Hobbs, Adam Gilchrist, Sachin Tendulkar, Sir Garfield Sobers, Vivian Richards, Don Bradman and all the other cricket greats who have made the game both remarkable and memorable.

To be quite honest there isn’t another game like that of cricket (not in my book anyway). And the next time you are lucky enough to visit England, Australia, Pakistan, India and any of the 700 and some Caribbean Islands, feel free to ask where you can play a pick up game. Not only are we willing to share our art form with you; it’s always nice to indulge a stranger in a spot of tea.

Adios...and good playing.

The Olympic Bird Nest Flop

Can you believe that the multi-million dollar Olympic bird nest built in Beijing has now become a rotting mess? Well it has. Prior to these events, the structural masterpiece was receiving raves from critics all over the world but today that has all changed. Not only is the paint peeling off but it costs 8.8 million a year for mantainance alone. What a drag! The chinese are such an ingenious people that I personally think its only a matter of time before they come up with a few ideas to keep it in one piece.

So far, I have heard that the area around Beijing’s massive Bird’s Nest stadium will be turned into a shopping and entertainment complex in three to five years. How appropriate! The only confirmed event at the 91,000-seat stadium this year is Puccini’s opera “Turandot,” set for Aug. 8—the one-year anniversary of the Olympics’ opening ceremony. Aaawww...here are a few ideas of mine as to what can be done to help the situation.

1. Call up Angelina Jolie - The UN-representative half of the Hollywood power couple has always been willing to help out a worthy cause. From adopting tots off third world countries to lending a sympathetic ear to to those less fortunate; I'm sure she would be delighted to assist.

2. Turn it into a housing development - With a population of over 1.3 billion, goodness knows housing projects are needed just about eveywhere in China. How about turning the masterpiece into a housing development. I'm sure the good folks over there would appreciate it.

3. Have an annual pillow brawl -

TAKEN – Love or hate him Liam Neeson is a god

Die Zeit für Rache ist gekommen. (The time for revenge has come.)

To be brutally honest, as an eternal fan of action flicks, the previews of the upcoming movie TAKEN had me on edge. Not only am I a fan of Mr. Neeson with his stunning good lucks and seductive voice, I am a fan of revenge. This movie seemed too good to be true. Imagine my surprise when I learned that it was all that it had been hyped up to be – and then some.

TAKEN is the most thrilling movie that I have seen in a long time and I have seen a few good movies. I remember trying to get into the theatre to see the movie 300 with my javelin and being told that I had to leave it outside; what a bummer! Suffice to say, after witnessing Gerald Butler in all his male glory (and getting over my initial angst at not being able to transport my lance into hostile territory), I wondered if there would ever be another hero to steal my heart. Ladies and gentlemen I give you British royalty Liam in full James Bond, Jason Bourne mode. I do think that a franchise should be created with that man heading the new – well maybe the ‘not so new’ generation of super spies, but I digress.

From beginning to end I must admit that I was enthralled with the enigmatic Neeson as he makes his way to France and fights perverts’ one section at a time. During the course of the film, we get many a glimpse of the web of human trafficking and the victims hidden behind the curtain that should not be hung. You can therefore understand why I felt not an ounce of remorse when a man was tortured for information and then left to die within darkened chambers. Neither was I moderately annoyed when Mr. Neeson shot the wife of a former friend in the arm to learn the truth from him. Like he explains for all those interested, ‘it’s only a flesh wound but I will kill her if I have to,’ or something to that extent.

All in all, my ‘impressed’ factor rose to the roof after a death defying car chase, swash buckling jumps unto a moving boat and super ninja skills to take out more than half a dozen highly trained killers. Did I mention that I was impressed? After it was all over I could have cried because I wanted more – so much more, which is why we need a TAKEN franchise people. After you have seen this god of a man take out bad guys you will understand. And all in France no less. What could be better than watching your favourite spy kicking some terrorist ass in the most romantic city in the world!

Like someone said, death has never been more satisfying to watch.

Oui, oui, oui

On to a more serious note, while the movie was solely an action one, the crisis in it was all too real and I got to wondering, what someone like me can do to help the situation? It is a sad state of the world when young girls and women are being sold in the name of profit.

How Cold Was That?

The cold warmed my bones though I'm not sure how. It came in sweeping yesterday with a raging fury and deep chill that should have frightened me; it didn't. Instead, the snow fell in beautiful, perfect flakes and covered the world in white. The beauty of it all called to me and in an instant I was outside enjoying the fluff.

It should have been cold alright, especially since I was not wearing any shoes or winter jacket. Not because I hate the bulk but dues to the fact that sometimes you have to let go a little. I prayed to myself that there were no bits of broken glass lying around - there wasn't.

My Night Out on the Town

On the rare occasion that I go out I tend to try enjoying myself as much as possible since it may be a while until someone can lure me out from my den again. During the oh so cold winters, I would much rather remain indoors cooking up a new book instead of traversing through the gunk and to a new bar as many are wont to do during those times. Well, unless it’s snowing. I love the snow and I will endure the cold for half an inch rather than stay inside. These are the pictures taken on my night out with a few friends.