Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Possible return of Legendary Soccer Club, New York Cosmos

For soccer fans in the United States, can you imagine the world's best soccer players playing in MLS? Imagine if people like Lionel Messi, Xavi, Kaka, Ronaldo, and others came to play in the United States. Just imagine. 

In fact, it already happened here during the era of the North American Soccer League from 1968-1984, before the league went under. Probably the most famous player ever, if not the most famous, is Pele. Well, yes, he played for the New York Cosmos of the NASL. And his teammate was Franz Beckenbauer. Yes, that Franz. They, and other famous players of the time, made the New York Cosmos a legendary name in soccer history. Unfortunately, the league did not last.

But, the New York Cosmos' franchise is looking to be brought back, even if in name and logo only, to hopefully one day be a rival team of the New York Red Bulls in MLS. Already, the famous retired American national, Cobi Jones, has left the Los Angeles Galaxy as an assistant coach to be named associate director of soccer and the club's ambassador. The Cosmos already have youth academies in full action. Englishman, Paul Kemsley, a former executive of Premier League club, Tottenham, is the man behind the efforts to revive this famous franchise.

Here's to hoping it happens...If wanting to know more about the New York Cosmos, here's a video on the offical website....

http://www.nycosmos.com/legacy/

We really are a country of immigrants....Amazing diversity

As I'm sure it's quite obvious right now, I'm a passionate soccer fan. And after observing news on the United States National Team, I noticed something that is very intriguing and has been mentioned for so long now here in this country. We truly are a country of immigrants and it is so incredible how diverse are our ethnic and national backgrounds. The United States Men's National Soccer Team is a perfect example....

Here's a list of many of players whom have chosen to represent the United States in soccer and have dual backgrounds of nationality....


Alejandro Bedoya-Columbian parents.

Juan Agudelo-Columbian parents.

Jozy Altidore-Haitian parents.

Jonathan Bornstein-Jewish father and Mexican mother.

Teal Bunbury-Canadian father and American mother.

Mikkel Diskerud-Norwegian born American.

Benny Feilhaber-Born in Brazil....Parents have Jewish background from Europe.

Jermaine Jones-Mother is German and father is American....Represented Germany on national level before making a one-time allowed switch to permanently represent the United States.

Edgar Castillo-Has a Mexican-American background....Represented Mexico on national level before making a one-time allowed switch to permanently represent the United States.

Sacha Klijestan-Father is Serbian from Bosnia.

Eric Lichaj-Parents are from Poland.

Oguchi Onyewu-Parents are from Nigeria.

Jose Francisco Torres-Mexican father and American mother.


Well, there you have it. Each of the these players on the United States Men's National Soccer Team come from different backgrounds and are a perfect example of how amazingly diverse our nation is.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Has the use of technology really dumbed our society down?

Here's a curious question and there is definitely a legitimate reason for it.

First off, let's take a look at the 21st century and a few wonders of modern technology. We have cellphones which are essentually minature computers and can hold a worldfull of applications. We have music that can be placed in convenient mp3 files causing the CD to become used, yet still yesterday's news. Televisions are still here, but now only a few inches thick, and with such clarity, the viewer needs to blink to wonder if it's real or not. These are just a few, as the list can go on and on.

Which brings us back to the title question. Has the use of technology really dumbed our society down? I mean "USE OF TECHNOLOGY" as the amazing advances of technology can only be created by educated and smart human beings. But what about the users?....Please don't think this is a rant that everybody is dumb for using technology....Bear with me....We'll get to the point soon.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm a user of the useful and fun applications that modern cellphones can bring. I have a Facebook, sports applications, Weather Channel, and many other useful and entertaining applications.

The question came about when I simply just observed many youth of nowaday. I see them walking as if they have no earthly idea of any awareness of their surroundings. They are staring into the abyss of their cellphone world as if there is no other. Sometimes, I wonder if they need a slap on the side of their head to bring them back into reality. Has the ability to conversate in whole and complete sentences, or the use of real words for writing really been overtaken by the digital world where many young people think "u" can be substituted for "you" on a paper?! Has "whatever" become the universal way of ending a point when no point has really been made in the endless cycle of text messenging?! ("Whatever" is used in vocal conversations as well)....Scary thoughts.

My educational background is History and Social Studies and I actually feel worried when TEENAGERS don't know much about their own state, or the name of one of their neighboring states. At least many can name the President, but many can't even name the Vice President, or the past 2 presidents. What really worries me is the lack of historical knowledge. Many students don't know why Martin Luther King Jr. was famous, or what World War II was, or who Neil Armstrong was. Has the ability to "Google" everything taken away the want to immerse in knowlege as much as possible?

I know great teachers can impact youth and also a person's background from parental involvement can be of the the upmost impact as well. But with so many other distractions from technological use, how badly do we see youth looking to that as their false reality and not the ability or desire to learn real knowledge or make use of real imagination in books? Are books in people's hands disappearing to the digital world or to television? Is knowledge really losing out to television and the pointless viewing of celebritys' lives in that "entertainment" called reality tv?

Well, I think I've made my point. All of this questioning has simply come about from everyday observation. I hope I'm actually wrong this time.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Those Revolving New Year Resolutions

Alas, it is 2011. It is the start of a new year, a new cycle of months, a new beginning per say, and that chance to finally begin all those amazing resolutions you planned to start on January 1st. You know, those goals you set a month, or two, or three ago, that you were perfectly capable of starting at that time, but thought it would be more successful to put off the endeavor until the first of the new year since it is always easier to start on the number one, right? What makes us set new year resolutions? What makes us get ready for that new gym membership (that usually lasts only a few months), or learn something new, or simply just set a goal so unequivocally high, we quit before we really start? Sadly, some people even set family values as a new year resolution. For example, they'd like to be a better spouse, parent, son/daughter, etc. (Personally, family value goals should be a HERE AND NOW GOAL!) Not to say that is a bad goal, but the question, again, is why do we WAIT until the first of the new year to set goals. Do we need to have that perfect schedule to go by? On average, about 70-80% of people who set new year resolutions never keep to them. They becoming and endless revolving cycle of starting the same goals at the beginning of every year, and giving in around the same time of every year.

Here's a fine tip to anyone wishing to reach those goals in life. Think, think, think, think, think about them first. Make them simple, manageable, and then gradually more complex. If you want to lose weight/get in shape, don't plan on gaining that TV star/supermodel body right away. Remember, such people have personal trainers and hours upon end that they do each day for such bodies. For example, most people want beach bodies by Spring Break. So what happens after Spring Break? No more staying in shape/healthy most of the time. And it begins again the next year. You can get to your goal to if you just build upon it gradually, but make it an automatic part of your life.

But here's the best tip probably. DON'T MAKE NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS! Make it a today/here/now resolution. Make it a lifestyle resolution. Don't make it a "I'm starting on January 1st because I need it by such and such date" resolution. I guarantee you're only fooling yourself.

Everyone should have goals in life. Just make sure you goals are attainable and manageable. Happy New Year!