What a difference 4 years make! I’m still in a state of shock that my beloved Azzurri did not make it out of the first round of the World Cup. That has not happened since 1974! We won the 2006 World Cup and we are the defending champions! How could this happen? Well, doesn’t matter what excuses or reasons are given, it happened and Italy is out of the World Cup 2010.

While I am heartbroken over this result and surprised they didn’t make it out of the first round, I can’t say that I am totally surprised either. I did have concerns after Italy barely tied New Zealand in their second game! That was the omen of things to come. Tying Paraguay in game one wasn’t that bad a result as they were a much stronger opponent than the Kiwis! Still, we looked weak in both games scoring 2 lucky goals that were gifts (goalie mistake and questionable penalty kick).

Losing so badly to Slovakia 3-2 is the lowest of lows for Italian soccer fans. Italy was ranked 5th in the world by FIFA and Slovakia was 34th and this was the first time they ever made the World Cup! We looked totally clueless out there with no talent or skills. Most disturbing of all, we looked like a team without heart or soul and no passion! Those are cardinal sins for any Italian never mind our Azzurri! Where was the fight? Sure, they should some spirit in the final 10 minutes scoring 2 goals but it was all too late.

I think the two images of our captain Cannavarro that I combined above says it all. From the ecstasy of 2006 to the agony of 2010… It took 24 long painful years for Italy to win another World Cup championship after their glorious reign in Spain in 1982. Let’s hope it doesn’t take that long to win another one.

In the mean time, I will watch this over and over again until I wash away this nightmare of 2010.

Oh and this too.. from 1982 finals

Here’s the classic Italy-Brazil match that many consider the best ever (Italy winning 3-2!)

The 2010 World Cup has arrived! It’s a bittersweet time for me because I am thrilled to watch the best in the world compete in soccer but at the same time it also means the end of Italy’s 4 years as World Champs! I cannot begin to tell you how much I loved the 2006 World Cup. Not only because my home country won it all but also because of how they won and whom they beat! They defeated France which had not happened in almost 30 years! To top it off, they did so in a penalty kick shootout which they never win! They were eliminated from the World Cup on penalty kicks in 1990 (Semi-finals), 1994 finals, 1998 Quarter-finals (France!) and they lost in over time in 2002 to Korea.

Anyway, I don’t think they have any chance to win this time around because there are several teams that look much stronger such as Mexico, Brazil and Spain (who beat Italy in the 2008 Europe Cup on, yup, you guessed it, penalty kicks).

Here’s the theme song for the 2010 World Cup by Shakira, one of my favorites! It’s such a joyous song and I love the beginning of the music video because they use the end of the 2006 World Cup as Italy beats France!

You’re a good soldier
Choosing your battles
Pick yourself up
And dust yourself off
And back in the saddle
You’re on the frontline
Everyone’s watching
You know it’s serious
We’re getting closer
This isnt over
The pressure is on
You feel it
But you’ve got it all
Believe it
When you fall get up
Oh oh…
And if you fall get up
Oh oh…
Tsamina mina
Zangalewa
Cuz this is Africa
Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka Waka eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa aa
This time for Africa
Listen to your god

This is our motto
Your time to shine
Dont wait in line
Y vamos por Todo
People are raising
Their Expectations
Go on and feed them
This is your moment
No hesitations
Today’s your day
I feel it
You paved the way
Believe it
If you get down
Get up Oh oh…
When you get down
Get up eh eh…
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa aa
This time for Africa
Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka Waka eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
Anawa aa
Tsamina mina eh eh
Waka Waka eh eh
Tsamina mina zangalewa
This time for Africa

I’ve always loved Styx. Yes, even when they’ve done sticky sweet ballads like Babe, The First Time and Don’t Let It End. Over all, I love their music. I will stack their best work up against anyone. My favorite songs being Come Sail Away, Lady, Renegade, Lights and The Grand Illusion (Angry Young Man).

Here’s a Behind the Music special about the Styx Story. Even though the band continues to tour without Dennis DeYoung, I will always like Styx better when he was in the band.

Here’s Styx at their best…performing Come Sail Away Live.

Here’s a totally 80s music video from BREATHE called “How Can I Fall” that brings back lots of memories. I really liked Breathe and their big hits “Hands to Heaven” and “Does She Love That Man”. This one made the top 5 as far as I can remember.

This has always been one of my favorite songs. It’s deep and thought provoking. The part that really stays with me is this one;

Everyone’s got to face down the demons,
Maybe today,
We can put the past away

This came to mind today because I had a nice serious conversation today with someone close who shared their dark secret about losing the will to live. It came as a shock to the system and I did everything I could to convince them that life is worth living, despite any hardships that we have to endure. I felt so helpless as my words seem to fall on def ears. I’m still numb from the experience… not knowing what will happen next.

Lead singer Stephan Jenkins said on the PBS show In The Mix: "It’s not just a song about some guy offing himself. Jumper’s really about understanding. Everyone carries demons around, they carry some sort of scar around. The message of Jumper is that there comes a time when you have to put the past away." (From SongFacts.com)

For comic relief from such a serious subject matter, here’s a scene from the movie YES MAN where Jim Carrey sings this song to save someone.

JUMPER

I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend,
You could cut ties with all the lies,
That you’ve been living in,
And if you do not want to see me again,
I would understand.
I would understand.
The angry boy,
A bit too insane,
Icing over a secret pain
You know you don’t belong.
You’re the first to fight,
You’re way too loud,
You’re The flash of light,
On a burial shroud,
I know something’s wrong
Well everyone I know has got a reason,
To say,
Put the past away
I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend,
You could cut ties with all the lies,
That you’ve been living in,
And if you do not want to see me again,
I would understand,
I would understand.
And well he’s on the table,
And he’s gone to code,
And I do not think anyone knows,
What they are doing here,
And your friends have left you,
You’ve been dismissed.
I never thought it would come to this,
And I, I want you to know
Everyone’s got to face down the demons,
Maybe today,
We can put the past away,
I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend.
You could cut ties with all the lies,
That you’ve been living in,
And if you do not want to see me again,
I would understand,
I would understand,
I would understand…
(I would understand)
(I would understand)
(Understand)
Ya ya ya ya ya…
Can you put the past away?
I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend,
I would understand
(I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend, )
I would understand
(I wish you would step back from that ledge my friend, )
And I would understand
(X2)
More lyrics: http://www.lyricsty.com/lyrics/t/third_eye_blind/#share

I love SNOW PATROL so I was thrilled this morning when I heard their new song “JUST SAY YES”! They are one of the most underrated bands around today. They’re best known for the songs “Chasing Cars” which was helped by its use the TV show Grey’s Anatomy and “Open Your Eyes” which was helped by its use in the series finale of ER.

The interesting thing to Snow Patrol’s recent success is that they’ve been together since 1994. Talk about perseverance and patience. I’m just glad that more and more people are realizing just how good Snow Patrol is.

Just Say Yes Lyrics
I’m running out of ways to make you see
I want you to stay here beside me
I won’t be ok and I won’t pretend I am
So just tell me today and take my hand
Please take my hand
Please take my hand
Just say yes, just say there’s nothing holding you back
It’s not a test, nor a trick of the mind
Only love
It’s so simple and you know it is
You know it is, yeah
We can’t be to and fro like this
All our lives
You’re the only way to me
The path is clear
What do I have to say to you
For Gods sake, dear
For Gods sake, dear
For Gods sake, dear
For Gods sake, dear
For Gods sake, dear
Just say yes, just say there’s nothing holding you back
It’s not a test, nor a trick of the mind
Only love
Just say yes, coz Im aching and I know you are too
For the touch of your warm skin
As I breathe you in
http://www.elyricsworld.com/just_say_yes_lyrics_snow_patrol.html
I can feel your heart beat through my shirt
This was all I wanted, all I want
Its all I want
Its all I want
Its all I want
Its all I want
Just say yes, just say there’s nothing holding you back
It’s not a test, nor a trick of the mind
Only love
Just say yes, coz Im aching and I know you are too
For the touch of your warm skin
As I breathe you in

This one hour documentary was a powerfully emotional experience. I know that many people cannot bring themselves to watch anything regarding the tragic events of 9/11 even till this day so this will be especially tough for them to experience. This covers the search to identify one of the most striking images from that eventful day, that of the falling man.

The purpose isn’t just to find out who the person descending to their death was but to pay a tribute to the hundreds of people that felt they had no choice but to jump. It’s a painful thing to even think about but it happened. The personal stories in this documentary shed more light to the events that forced these people—like you and me—to do such an insane thing. It’s truly a touching experience to watch this. Amazing how a simple photo could lead to all of these incredible stories.

Also, this is a reminder of the lessons learned on 9/11. We cannot ever forget what we all experienced back then. No matter how much time that passes nor how busy our hectic lives become, we can’t afford to take anything or anyone for granted. We must do our best to appreciate each person and as many moments as we can. After all, from the time we are born, each and every one of us is the falling Man. 

I loved this song, “Love Left to Lose” by Sons of Sylvia who performed it live on American Idol tonight. I never heard of them before but I recognized them for some reason. They were previously known as The Clark Brothers who won the top prize on the reality show called The Next Great American Band in 2007. I thought they were great then and thought they were even better tonight! I’m so thrilled that they were given this massive stage to perform on and that they are touring with Carrie Underwood. I hope they experience more and more success in their career. They’re a close knit group of brothers, as evident by their new name.

Here is the live performance. Checkout the charisma from the lead singer Ashly Clark. It reminded me a lot of the lead singer from 30 seconds to Mars, Jared Leto. Ashley wrote the song with his cousin, none other than hitmaker and OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder!

Here’s a playlist of 13 videos of the band…mostly when they were known as The Clark Brothers.

Sometimes the biggest changes come from the smallest things. In this case, I’ll share a couple of WordPress plugins that have a tremendous impact on the blogging experience. They are free, easy to use and big time-savers.

PhotoDropper makes adding images to your blog posts much quicker and easier. It scours Flickr for photos with creative commons license which means you can use them for free (as long as you give credit to the photographer/owner). It also does the dirty work of uploading the photos, embedding them and including the links to the photo’s original source along with photo credit. It’s a brilliant and simple idea.

Just click the Photodropper icon on your wordpress toolbar and search for photos..

Under each photo you will see 4 links:

The first will popup the source Flickr page in a new window (so you can see it and double check the Creative Commons license). There will be 3 links (S for small, M for Medium, and L for Large) that will drop that size photo into the post:

Select the image you want and it’s embedded in your blog post along with the photo credit and related link to the source.

Apture is another innovative and impactful plugin. It’s also quite unique because of all the different types of things it allows you to find and embed with a click of the mouse. It doesn’t just do images like photodropper, but other things like wikipedia entries, youtube videos (you can choose portion of video to show!), and so much more. Here’s a good screencast that shows what Apture can do.

Zemanta is similar in concept to Apture in that it finds all kinds of relevant media and information from the web that you can plug into your blog post. Images, videos, Wikipedia entries, articles from major news outlets and more.

Thanks to @Merylkevans for reminding me about Zemanta. I’d forgotten about them.

There you have it. Just a few powerfully progressive plugins that will change the blogging experience for the better. Give them a try and see for yourself. That old adage is so true about good things coming in tiny packages.

I created a playlist on YouTube where I keep adding my favorite movie endings. Sometimes the finale of a film isn’t the best part or the lasting memory you’ll have but most of the time it is. Think about the classics and you’ll see that the first thing you’ll remember is the ending sequence. Gone with the Wind? Frankly My Dear scene… for example.

I will keep adding more to this list so bookmark it and check back often. I also created an easy to remember URL for it: http://bit.ly/movie-endings