How Soccer Explains the World

Quick Synopsis: Soccer is much more than a game, or even a way of life. In fact, it’s a perfect window into the cross–currents of today’s world, with all of its joys and sorrows. Soccer clubs don’t represent geographic areas; they stand for social classes and political ideologies. And unlike baseball or tennis, soccer is freighted with the weight of ancient hatreds and history. It’s a sport with real stakes –– one that is capable of ruining regimes and launching liberation movements.

In this remarkably insightful, wide–ranging work of reportage, Franklin Foer takes us on a surprising tour through the world of soccer, shattering the myths of our new global age. Instead of destroying local cultures, as the left predicted, globalization has revived tribalism. Far from the triumph of capitalism that the right predicted, it has entrenched corruption. From Brazil to Bosnia, and Italy to Iran, this is an eye–opening chronicle of how a beautiful sport and its fanatical followers can highlight the fault lines of a society, whether it’s terrorism, poverty, anti–Semitism, or radical Islam –– issues that now have an impact on all of us. Filled with blazing intelligence, colourful characters, wry humour, and an equal passion for soccer and humanity, How Soccer Explains the World is an utterly original book that makes sense of our troubled times.

Quick Synopsis: Currently Reading…

Each of his books were interesting to me because they were edgy and different. But as Palahniuk continues to write, his books get more disturbing and a bit disgusting; his stories become worse because of it. Every book has a been a steady downward decline into disturbing areas in which I’m not so sure I want to go. Especially after deciding to put Christ number one in my life. When one of his latest books, Rant, was published I had some serious doubts as to whether I should even read it, but I decided to and I do admit: it wasn’t that bad. I escaped unscathed. But now I have to draw the line. I have to get off the bandwagon before it falls off the edge. His latest book I can’t read, not even if I wanted to. It’s called Snuff, and it’s about 600 guys who are standing in line to have sex on film with an adult film star as she tries to break the record for…well, you get the point. It’s too disturbing, even for me.

When I saw the book at the bookstore yesterday I do have to admit, a part of me wanted to read it. Not because of it’s content of course, but because of who wrote it. His writing is actually really good; it’s definitely different - in more ways than one - than any other author I’ve read. Plus, I’ve read all his other books so a part of me wanted to read this one as well…but I knew I couldn’t. Yeah, the content was too much, but even more I reflected on the First Commandment, the “no other god’s before me” one…and I realized that “gods” doesn’t always mean a spiritual entity.

I think putting my desire to read a certain book above my desire to follow the Lord is a form of worshiping another god. I suppose it’s the same with movies, or excessive drinking, sex, etc. What am I a slave to? What do I worship? God or other stuff - desirable stuff? What’s more important? It actually made a lot of sense to me. So I put the book down. And I know I won’t pick it up again, there’s no interest.

Perhaps it sounds weird, but I think it’s true. The whole, “Thou shall have no other gods before me” doesn’t necessarily mean “gods” in the typical sense of the word. I think we can put many things before God….we often do, even when we know we shouldn’t. Is that not the same thing? Maybe not…but to me it felt that way yesterday. So, I guess that means the line has been drawn. I’m done with Chuck Palahniuk.

The movie is good, actually excellent. But this is nothing new or surprising. If you want to read about how good the movie is you can visit any movie review site. Try Rotten Tomatoes, where the movie got a 94% approval rating…

Heath Ledger made the movie what it is.

On the other hand, Heath Ledger’s performance as The Joker is worth writing about, even if everybody else is writing about the same thing. It’s actually that good. From the first second he comes on the screen you will be blown away. His performance makes Jack Nicholson’s joker look comical, no pun intended. It’s creepy, truly insane, and absolutely marvelous. He didn’t act like The Joker, he became the Joker, and it made the movie.

The only down thing about the movie was that Heath Ledger was maybe a little too good. Yes, too good. He made everybody else look average. Whenever the Joker wasn’t in the scene, I was impatiently waiting for the next time he’d show up. Even Christian Bale - who was awesome in Batman Begins, and is still good in this Batman - pales in comparison.

I think it’s safe to say that Heath Ledger will go down as a cult icon now, especially after this performance and the type of following his role would garner even if he didn’t pass away. It is probably one of the best villian performances I’ve ever seen. The best I can compare it to is Alex from A Clockwork Orange, who was quite possibly an influence for Heath Ledger’s Joker. The Joker is just as creepy, and just as psychotic.

Anyways, that’s enough drooling over his performance. I’m glad I stood in line last night to watch the movie. It was entirely worth it. If you’re interested in seeing a very good superhero movie (now there is such a thing), then go see this movie. And while you’re there you’ll witness one of the better performances on film that I, personally, have ever seen…

Now, two years later, there is another video, with more places and more faces. I’m telling you, this guy is the luckiest guy in the world. The video is pretty entertaining, so I decided to post it here for all 3 of you to see…

Enjoy:

It’s a tough question, really: what is love? Teenagers fall “in love” and the first thing their parents tell them is, “It’s not real love”. Well, what is real love? And if adults know what real love is why do millions of them around the world fall in out of “love” every day, sometimes on the same day? Or do they? I mean, are they really falling in and out of love or is it something else entirely? I don’t have the answer to that question, I’m just wondering… Can’t there be a true definition of the word love? Something that we can understand and identify with? Something we can look at and say, “Yes, this is what I’m feeling. Right there, that’s it. I’m in love.” I think it would save us from all the divorce and the heartbreak. I mean, I truly believe that love is eternal. So, if everybody that ever married was truly in love… See where I’m going?

Unfortunately that definition doesn’t exist; our hearts are left to decide what is and what is not love and often times we get it wrong. I sure haven’t been able to figure it out. I think I have discovered a little about what love is not.

I don’t think love is the desire to be with somebody. I think if you love somebody you desire to be with them, but I don’t think that desire is love. If you’re separated and it kills you, that doesn’t mean you love somebody. You may very well love them, but that isn’t how you know. Many times people get married - I see this in the military a lot, heck I did it - just to be with a person. They can’t stand the thought of leaving them behind…so they marry.

I don’t think love is feeling nervous when the person is around. If you’re hands sweat, or if you get all jittery and your words stop making sense when a person of the opposite sex is next to you, that doesn’t mean you love them. I was watching The Bachelorette the other night, (I should say Stephanie was watching it, I sat there and tried not to laugh…unsuccessfully) and the guy who won said he knew he loved her and continued to try and “prove it” by saying, “My hands are sweating right now”. I don’t see how that is love….

I also don’t feel that physical and emotional attraction is love. That’s why I don’t really believe in love at first sight. You can be attracted to somebody physically, but - and I shouldn’t have to explain this - that isn’t love. You can also be attracted to them emotionally. Your heart can skip a beat when you’re with them…but that isn’t love either.

I don’t think that any of those are love, at least not individually. I could of course be wrong; I have no idea what a true definition of love would be. The closest I can come up with, and the more I think about it the more I believe it, is that love is the desire or willingness to give to and/or give up for a person. Family members give to and give up for each other. Parents give to their kids all their lives, and later on kids give to their parents, perhaps by inviting the parent to live in their home. Friends give to each other: they give gifts, they give up time, they offer advice.

It’s the same thing with personal relationships with the opposite sex. I think you love somebody if you want to give to, and more importantly give up for, that person. Are you willing to give up space? Time? Money? Property? Are you willing to give up comfort to make them happy? If so, and if you’ve really thought about what that means, I’d say you love that person. Perhaps you don’t, I don’t know…but I think so.

The most popular verse in the Bible, John 3:16, is a good example. It says “God so loved the world he gave His only begotten son…” It doesn’t say He so loved the world that He got all nervous and His hands sweated when they prayed. It doesn’t say He so loved the world He couldn’t stand being separated from them. It says He gave…and He gave a lot…His only son.

I don’t know. I guess it’s weird that I think about things like this. But I’m glad I do. I know how much I want to give up for Stephanie, and it comforts me knowing that. I feel, for once, that I truly do love. I don’t have a definition to compare my feelings to, but I do have some thoughts on what love is and it helps. Maybe they’ll help you. Maybe not. But I’m glad you read them anyways…

I’ve revamped the photo gallery page. I think it’s better now; you can actually leave comments in the gallery and it just looks cooler. I’ve also added links to the galleries from the home page so you’ll know when I add new photos.

I’ve also added the capability to have a little photo of yourself, called an avatar, next to comments you leave on the site. All you need to do, if you want it, is set it up through a quick two minute process.

You can visit this site: http://en.gravatar.com/ and sign up by just providing your email address and a small photo (they don’t send any spam nonsense to your email address). Once it’s done, it’s done. You don’t have to do anything else. The pictures automatically show up whenever you leave a comment. If you are a blog peruser, you’ve probably seen this capability…

Anyways, that’s it. I think I’m done with it for a while…

Everything is beyond wonderful here in San Antonio. I moved into my place today, so I’ll be going through boxes and putting furniture in its place for the next few days…and spending time with the best woman in the world.