Sports News (run and hide!)

BAD NEWS: Rafa Nadal lost in the semifinals of the Madrid Open to young gun, Gilles Simon. (Boo-urns!!!)

GOOD NEWS: By reaching the semifinals, Rafa officially secured year-end number one!!!!!! He is the first Spaniard to do so, if I am not mistaken. Hee! Absolutely lovely! Also, my girl, Venus, won the Zurich Open thereby clinching her place at Doha, the WTA's end-of-year Battle Royale -- eight women enter, only one will survive! The men, too, have an year-end Battle Royale in which my boy, Rafa, and eight others will be participating. I'm hoping Venus and Rafa are the last woman and man standing (just like at Wimbledon) but the competition is stiff. Fun tennis times ahead!

In OKAY NEWS: Andy Murray (of Great Britain) ultimately won the prize, the Madrid Open championship. If one knows anything about tennis, then one knows Great Britain hasn't had a real Grand Slam contender in ages. There have been pretenders in recent years -- Rusedki (a transplant but whatever, he's a Brit citizen) and Henman, both damn good ones at their height. However I don't think they had the spark young Murray has, the pure talent and "tennis brain" which makes him lethal at present and lethal in the future. His attitude is a problem though. I admired Murray first out the gate but it was this which cooled any burgeoning fan-dom for him in my heart. I still like his game, even admire it. He is one of those players I'll rarely if ever root against unless, of course, he faces any of my boys. ^^

Well, congrats Andy, Rafa, for a year well done.

In EVEN BETTER NEWS: The Giants won their football game on Sunday. I didn't have the pleasure of watching it, although I did enjoy myself some football that day. I heard they didn't play their A-game, which isn't good, but the score differential (respectable) makes up for that in my opinion. They are still leading their division which is good, so I'm crossing my fingers for their continued success this year. One game at a time, baby!

Sports News (Rafa Forever!)

A big HUZZAH for Rafa Nadal!!! He beat a difficult opponent in rising star, Ernest Gulbis -- watch out for him and others in 2009 -- in the second round of the Madrid Open.

After winning the first set (7-5), Nadal dropped the second (3-6) yet won the third and deciding set (6-3). Good job, Rafa! Just keep doing what you do best out there, son.

Here's a big RAZ for the NY Football Giants for Monday Night's game against the Cleveland Browns. Now, I have no beef with the Browns, nor do I care about them one way or the other. I

just care about my beloved Giants -- and they did not show up to play the game of which they are capable, while Cleveland did (hats off to them).

I was so thoroughly disappointed in what I perceived as Eli's befuddled leadership on the field, a discombobulated mess which seemed to trickle down throughout the offensive line; in the defense, who stopped the hard-charging, high-scoring Patriot offense on a dime yet somehow couldn't stifle the Browns offense's inexorable movement of the chains; and with the coaching staff on the sidelines who seemingly were unable to come up with a counter to the heat the Browns were bringing that I walked away early in the 4th quarter (post another Eli interception).

Only one team in NFL history has achieved perfection -- say hello, 1972 Dolphins -- and the Giants wouldn't be my Giants if they didn't f-up every now and again. However. Let's make this an infrequent occurence, okay, Giants?

Also, stop trying to force the pass to Plax!!!! For three-quarters of the game I watched them do this and I was like, what? Is he T.O. now? Must we make him feel included after the suspension, must we utilize him by giving him the ball even when play after play shows that boat won't float?!?! Look. I know Burress is great, and great for us, but it does neither him nor the team any good to give him the ball when clearly it isn't working (at least not this game)! What I found masterful about the Seahawks game last week was the Giants willingness and effectiveness at finding other receivers to fill the Plaxico-shaped hole on their side of the line of scrimage. It showcased our range and depth. Let's remember the lessons of the Seahawks at Giants stadium and keep to that, shall we?

What I saw Monday was the old, sloppy, pre-2007 post season Giants -- that is no longer allowed!!! To cut the Giants a little slack, I will say something must have been in the air week 6 because a lot of dominant teams racked up losses in games they were expected to win. So there's

your slack, now KNOCK IT OFF!!!!

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Not listening to anything right now. But I guess we can go with a little
*Tilly and The Wall's Pot Kettle Black -- awse!


*tap the bold link for a free listen, no download :(

Football! Tennis! Perfection! Sports News!

FOOTBALL
Whoohoo, Giants!!!! Keep it up! Keep it up! Keep it up!!!

A more tepid 'whoohoo' for the Cowboys, whom I also love. I know, same division -- don't care! ^^ I just -- sigh, I have a problem with Romo. He rubs me the wrong way; I don't know why. And no, it has nothing to do with Jessica Simpson. In fact, I think she got a bum rap on the whole 'jinx controversy'. I just don't like him.

TENNIS
Nadal, my lovely, this is late in coming but congratulations on all your success this year, it is much deserved. *kisses*

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What am I listening to now? Lupe. I have fallen in love with 'The Cool'.
Streets Are On Fire, y'all!