The Championships - Yawn

Today is the big day. The day that makes the toes of NBC execs curl in delight. Two american women in the finals of Wimbledon. Sisters no less. I'll be in the garden.

I have long grown tired of the egotistical, classless histrionics of the Williams sisters. Fists pumping in triumph after an opponent's unforced error, screaming (sorry, grunting) while hitting a drop shot or soft volley. Tearful pleas to the heavens, hoping for the world to be set right, or for lightning to strike the person across the net. And their absolute refusal to acknowledge good play on the part of their competitors. Nobody beats Venus and Serena, they just played badly.

And they will take this day, the last for the women in this tournament, the one with the most upsets of high seeds ever in its history, as proof of their dominance, and not a lucky cakewalk.

Hopefully Federer will win on Sunday and I can pretend that my game still maintains a tiny shred of class and decency. But don't worry, that will fade fast.

The Championships, Wimbledon 2008 - Grand Slam Tennis - Official Site by IBM

Update

O.K., I gave in and watched part of the first set on an underground stream. Wow. All the passion of a rally game. Yes, there is some good tennis, but mostly the serve is used to get the ball in play, after which it is just smashy-smashy with both ladies looking alternately worried and bored stupid. Luckily the camera goes back to Mrs. Williams constantly so that John and Tracy can talk about how awful it must be for her to watch her millionaire daughters play for a million dollars. So hard for her. So hard for us to watch this passionless practice match that could have been held on court 18.


Post-Match Press Conference - Serena Stays True To Form

“I don’t think I played well. I don’t think I’m satisfied with the way I played today,” she said solemnly. “I think I just lost rhythm and then I just made a lot of errors. I just couldn’t get the balls in. Nothing I was doing was seeming to work.”

Serena shot down any suggestion that it was her opponent’s play that affected her game and revealed that she struggled to get to grips with the blustery conditions...And she added that Venus’ victory “says a lot” about her sister as a grass court player. “She’s won five Wimbledons now. She’s beaten me on grass now, so that definitely says a lot.”

What did I tell you?

Oh Look, Price Chopper Has A Sale On Cheese

Everyday I wake up and regret the paths I have followed that have resulted in me not being a surfer, a climber, or a better tennis player.

Thankfully there is grass to cut and weeds to pull in the garden, otherwise I might feel desperate. Thank Odin for small mercies.

Well, a total of two small mercies as of August.

I Am Shocked, Shocked I Say!

Sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip. But this trip involves machiavellian managers, pedophiles, avarice, fame, wealth, loss, and redemption. All in five minutes.

And who knew that all of this was exposed to us on the Rene Simard show?

See? Now you are curious.

The latest episode of Brian Ibbott's Lyrics Undercover podcast delves into the world of the Bay City Rollers, and their hit, Saturday Night.

Back when all the channels could be scanned with flick of wrist (prompting Dad to yell "Don't do that, you'll break the tv!), CBC provided hours of entertainment. Really. No really. We happily watched the Rene Simard Show and gleefully sopped up its treacle, oblivious to the lack of quality. Kind of like the way some of you youngsters ate up the Backstreet Boys or Power Rangers.

To my young mind it seemed that the Bay City Rollers were on every single week (But to my young mind, Flip Wilson was the height of urban comedy). In this pre-Entertainment Tonight era, we had no idea that the band's roster changed with the frequency of the English weather. That a manager and a band member were sexual predators. That the management of the band had cheated them out of a king's ransom in royalties. All we knew was that the song had a good beat, and that there seemed to be an endless supply of young girls (still far too old and unattainable for us), with tartan scarves, willing to scream themselves hoarse for these merchants of cool.

It's a great podcast. Short, sweet, and to the point. And remember what Levar Burton used to say..."The more you know, the more you grow". Or was it "That's one to grow on". Maybe it was "Check out your local library", or "Time for Timer".

The Strong Conservative Salutes The Ol' Glory Hole

Our favourite strong conservative, the appropriately named Strong Conservative, makes his salaam to the US with some July 4th comedy:

I share in your joy that your great nation has seen through another year of freedom, government of the people, and the rule of law.

Plus/minus ratio: -3. John, time to hit the minors and tune up your game. A year in Hershey will do you a world of good. Or maybe this game isn't for you. Have you considered spending more time with your family?

Moonbattery: Keep Killing 'Till We Catch Up

The logic of the true patriots:

Communism, an antinationalistic ideology favored by progressives, has killed more than 100 million over the last century. But apparently this is dwarfed by the genocidal horrors of Christians singing hymns.


In other words, "We've a lot more people left to kill!"

Once you guys hit 100 million, then can we complain?

Didn't think so.

Happy 4th of July you fucking wacko.

Canada's Toughest Blogger

Over at Redy Tory's blog, he chided Jonathan "Give 'em Hell Boys - I'll be over here by the buffet" Strong for his brave defense of those who speak truly about their homophobia and racism.

Stung by this link to his blog by a red Tory, Johhny- Too-Bad wades into the combox, with battle in mind:


Why you'd find my post so offensive is beyond me. A victory for free speech and you are saddened? And you're a blogger?

I'd love to see you on the other side of the ice playing hockey one day. But with that stuck up, elitist, limp wristed look you have on your face, I doubt you'd have the rocks for such a sport.
J. Strong

Strong, strong words. And comically wrong, as is most of his blather. RT never said it was offensive, or that he was sad. Johnny-Come-Lately is simply upset that anyone would disagree with his Strong positions.

As for the hockey fight threat--go fuck yourself John. You must be one of those half-mask wearing, goateed assholes so predominant in rec league hockey. Drown your delusions of grandeur in another Crystal Ale, you corpulent fuckwit. And as for RT's look, well, you must not be aware of all internet traditions. Especially ones that started when you were still on the teat. Of course, that would take some research, and wee bit of brains. Shall we bust out the lawyer jokes now, or will you just fuck off?

Is something insidious happening at Wimbledon

Seeds are falling all over at Wimbledon this year and a scotsman is in the round of 16 in the men's draw. Is JimDandy so wrapped in the women's fashion trends on centre court that he has missed the obvious.

Years ago Monty Python warned us of this alien plot. The age of the Blancmange is upon us. Be very afraid.