Random Thoughts from DMickens

1. I am willing to leave the World Cup analysis to people more acquainted with soccer, but to this amateur, the World Cup seems more exciting this year. I hear they intro'd a new ball to try to increase scoring. Mexico looked really freaking good. I was also impressed with Trinidad...they never gave up, even when they were down a man. Is Sweden supposed to be a favorite, Jav? I don't know enough about England to tell, but they do seem like the NC State of the soccer world, clinging desperately to a championship that they got way before most of the current fans were born. On second thought, maybe they are like Clemson football.

2. Man, is it a good time to be a Tar Heel. First, the basball team takes out Bama in Tuscaloosa to advance to the College World Series for the first time I can ever remember. Then, Jerry "the New Microwave" Stackhouse pours it on in Game 2, with 19 points. Even J-Ho is showing Stack some love. And lest you guys think I am just a homer, I will give props to J-Ho also. The state of NC and Winston-Salem is representing hard in the Finals. I am definitely pulling for the Mavs in this one. Hats off to Mark Cuban for spending his money wisely.

3. Did anyone else think it was funny that the official news of al-Zarqawi (sp?) said that he was "assassinated"? I don't know about you guys, but when I hear "assassinated", I think sniper, ninja, poison, etc. Something quiet and deadly. Not TWO 500 pound bombs dropped on a house. I think its a great thing and all, but the headline should have read "Terrorist Blown the Fuck Up", not "assassinated."

4. HBO is beating Revenge of the Sith to death this month. The part where the Emperor makes Anakin his apprentice only gets fruitier every time I see it. I still say its a big plot hole that none of these characters remember each other in the later movies.