USA 2, Brazil 3

Hello Bloggers! I'm sure you're all aware that we in the United States just played in one of the greatest sporting events in the world - the FIFA Confederations Cup. Okay, fine, perhaps you didn't know, but we did. We played in it today! We played against Brazil and it was hosted by South Africa. I know, world soccer, or football, is sooo international. Unfortunately, we lost.

For those in the dark, FIFA basically stands for the International Football Federation - except the standard English acronym doesn't match anything I can find associated with it (Federation Internationale de Football is the other one), which baffles me. Anybody know why? Anyway, I tried to watch the game today and must confess that I was very happy that I had TIVO. It helped to zoom ahead during those extended quiet times between scoring.

From what I know about soccer, which are the basics, it seemed to be a pretty good game. We led 2-0 by half-time, but unfortunately Brazil scored three points in the second half to beat us. All of the pride from the first half got sucked away, but I still enjoyed it. So we squandered our lead (to something called a setup), but we should be proud of a very credible performance against a world-class team like Brazil.

I would like to express my pride in our American team. People around the world - especially our Latin American cousins/immigrants living here in Southern California - like to mock American soccer. I think today proves we deserve some respect. That means you my spanish-speaking friends - no more of your crap! Now I think I'll go outside and try my hand at a little hooliganism. I hear it's fun.

Congratulations to our US Team for playing a fantastic game today!

Sunday's Human Interest Rave - Michael

Shocking News: Cook Dies Eating Hot Sauce

Good Morning Bloggers - For those who don't know me, I love hot and spicy foods. I'm a New Orleanian at the core who loves his Tabasco sauce. That's why I need to post this story from the London Times that describes a young cook who died - yes, died - after eating red hot chili sauce. I was shocked to say the least. Needless to say I won't be taking any more dares to see how hot I can go. I also recommend the same for my fellow heat seekers.

An aspiring chef died after eating a super-hot chili sauce as part of an endurance competition with a friend. Andrew Lee, 33, challenged his girlfriend’s brother to a contest to see who could eat the spiciest sauce that he could create. The fork-lift truck driver, who wanted to cook for a living, prepared a tomato sauce made with red chillies grown on his father’s allotment. After eating it, however, he suffered intense discomfort and itching. The following morning he was found dead, possibly after suffering a heart attack.

Toxicology tests are being conducted to try to establish if he suffered a reaction to the food. An inquest was told that Mr Lee, from Edlington, West Yorkshire, was in perfect health and had just passed a medical examination at work. He was a keen cook and would often prepare meals for his parents. It is believed that Mr Lee had never prepared a dish as hot as the one he made the night before his death.

(Read the whole story at: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/article4842531.ece)

Food for thought, to say the least.

Monday's Shocking News #1 - Michael