A little video i did to celebrate my friends Brenda's birthday

Is La Cantera just a training grounds for other teams?

Real Madrid has made some big money signings this summer. The latest being Fabio Coentrao. As a fan of Fabio and the Portugal National Team I am excited about this signing. But if Real Madrid keeps signing all these so called “stars” than why do they have La Cantera? Real Madrid must have some experienced players that can provide leadership and knowledge to the younger players, but why won’t they promote from within? Real Madrid spends the time and money developing these players but seems reluctant to use them at the first team level. Instead the team loans them out or sells them. Now I agree with loaning out the young players so they are able to get experience at a higher level when a spot is not available within the first team. But when there is a spot they need to be given a chance. Many of these young players go on to other clubs and become stars. A perfect example of this is Juan Mata. I could only imagine the contribution he would have made to the team if he had been promoted. The current crop of La Cantera players definitely has some future stars in it. I can’t wait to see Morata and Sarabia become the amazing players that they have been trained to be. I just hope it’s with Real Madrid.

Modern day poets

Is there a difference between poetry and song lyrics?  In my opinion there is none.  To me lyrics are just poetry set to music.  The words are written to a melody, the melody becomes a song.  In generations pasts poets entertained the masses and entertained them with music to the words of their poems.  Today poets still entertain the masses; they just do it to a beat. 

          There are many different genres of music.  There is truly something for everyone.  One thing almost all genres have in common is lyrics.  It is the lyrics that we remember and sing along to.  It is the lyrics that make us pay attention the first time we hear a song.  It is the lyric that often prove meaningful to our lives. 

          In the past poets like Elizabeth Barrett Browning captivated her generation with her words.  “How do I love thee” is one of the most famous poems and one of the most beautiful.  One of the greatest poets of my generation is Tupac.  He takes you on lyrical journey through the ghettos of America and through the hearts of millions.  One of my favorite songs by him is “Changes.”  The opening line gets me every time: “I shoulda seen you was trouble right from the start, taught me so many lessons.  How not to mess with broken hearts, so many questions.”  People often think he is just a “gangster” rapper, but he is so much more.  He educated the youth of America.  He talks about life and love in ways that made us listen when we weren’t listening to anyone else. He talked about subjects no one else was talking about.  He did this through his lyrics. 

          Another song of Tupac’s that really had a profound effect on my life is Ghetto Gospel.  This song makes me cry every time.  As soon as I hear Elton John start to sing I get teary eyed.  Trying to pick a favorite verse is hard but I love the passage where he says: “cause any day they'll push the button and you all condemned like Malcolm X and Bobby Hutton, died for nothing. Don't them let me get teary; the world looks dreary but when you wipe your eyes see it clearly.” 

          The pictures that are painted with words can change lives.  Tupac surely changed mine.  He can weave words around a beat like no one else.  His lyrics are truly poetic.  He uses language that is often not heard in popular music and does it in a way that seems fresh and new.  If you read his lyrics without the music you would see no difference between them and the poems of another era. 

          This is just one artist whose lyrics are pure poetry.  There are thousands more.  My parent’s generation was well known for the singer songwriters such as Bob Dylan, Elton John and Carole King.  These songwriters had just a profound effect on that generation.  As time goes by we have just changed the definition and name of poetry.  In the end it is all the same. 

Girls and Football

One of my favorite films to come out recently is Just Wright.  Queen Latifah stars as a physical therapist hired to care for an injured NBA player played by the rapper common.  One scene in particular really stood out to me. Queen Latifah’s character, Leslie Wright, is getting ready to go to a NBA game with her god sister Morgan, played by Paula Patton.  Morgan comes out in heels and a short tight dress. Leslie comes out in jeans, sneakers and a jersey.  They both look at each other and question why the other is dressed that way. For Morgan going to a NBA game means going to catch a ball playing boyfriend.  While going to a NBA game means going to watch a sport that she loves for Leslie.  These two characters are the perfect example of female sports fans, those who love the players and those who love the game. 

I consider myself someone who loves football.  Don’t get me wrong I love a cute guy.  I especially love when they take their shirts off after the match.  Most importantly, I am fascinated by the game.  I am fairly new to the sport and don’t claim to know everything.  I am excited to learn everything about the sport though.  I don’t know all the rules but I feel I know enough to feel confident when yelling at the referee.  If there is something that I don’t understand I will ask or find out for myself.  One thing I hate is being made to feel like an idiot by some guy because I don’t know something.  I don’t get why guys do that.  Wouldn’t you want your girlfriend to be as into your sport as you are?  Wouldn’t you want to be able to discuss it with her?  Or do guys even think about that? I think that guys would be surprised at what we might say.  Women have a way of looking at things in a totally different way. 

I have a basic understanding of the offside rule.  Although I will admit it had to be explained to me with a shopping reference.  But the point is I understand it.  Even if a woman doesn’t understand the offside rule that doesn’t mean that they love the game any less. 

Many believe that women can’t possibly know sports as well as a man could.  Many don’t believe that women can participate in sports as players or referees on the same level as men can.  I disagree somewhat.  I don’t want to see female players in professional football.  Females should play alongside females.  It’s not that I don’t think that they are capable; I just believe that they are different.  I have no problem with females being referees.  It’s not rocket science guys.  Women can learn the rules just the same as men can.

A true fan is a fan no matter how good or bad a team is doing.  A true fan is a fan no matter what players come and go.  Some women get caught up in the looks of the players and the glamorous lives that they perceive them to have.  A true fan of the game doesn’t care about that.  No matter if you are male or female, it’s about the game.