Those Comcast Bastards

Guess what, everybody! I'm pissed at Comcast again. This time it's because they're randomly charging me $1.99 for a "Change of Service". Namely, I signed up for HBO. It's pretty easy for me to tell that they're already gouging me on cable, and now they're gouging me for HBO service.

The idea that they would try to charge me for signing up for HBO is so mind-bloggling to me. But it's really just a function of the disdane that Comcast has for its customers.

I actually called Comcast and talked with an unpleasant young woman who informed me that the $1.99 charge is standard. I asked her if there was someone else I could talk to, she told me there weren't any managers around (hah!). I asked when there would be managers, she told me she couldn't say a specific time. She took down my phone number and said a manager would call later. Can't wait for that.

I am eager for the day that Verizon finally gets high-speed internet running to me. Though apparently Verizon's roll-out is stalled on Corzinne's desk. Although, it's possible that Verizon will by-pass Montclair altogether and I'll be stuck with Comcast forever. ARRRGH!

We're Back

We have returned. Our San Diego trip was a blast. We got to the beaches. We got to the Wild Animal Park. I even took in a Padres game. All of which was a wonderful time. But the crux of the vacation was the time I got to spend with my family. I want to give a special shout-out to Karen & Rodger, Jeff, Cathy, Garrett and Zoe for being so gracious and spending so much time with Nelly and I.

I can't wait for the next visit. Though rumor has it that some of the West Coast Bellins might be considering a trip east!?! Definately something I am looking forward to.

I'm in SD

I have a little downtime today. So I figured I'd post a couple pictures from yesterday. It's been really hot in San Diego (as in the whole country, or so it seems). So we've been mainly staying inside when we can and going out after the sun starts to go down. Jeff, Cathy, Zoe, Garrett and myself went to the park around 6pm. Though it only really cooled off around 7pm.















Not that I'm complaining. Since last night it's stayed pretty cool. And right now it's 95^o in Montclair, NJ.; it's 75^o in San Diego.

Traveling

I will be in San Diego for the next week. Hopefully I will have the opportunity to post some messages about my trip.

See you on the flip side.

Remember Kids: Practice Your Headbutt

Nelly beat me to the post on Zidane's headbutt. Laurie mentioned it as well. And I thought I could satisfy my endless need for public expression by commenting on their blogs.

However, this headbutt story has gained a lot of traction and I am wondering why. Everyone has an opinion. Generally they break down like this:

Italy Fan: "Zidane is completely insane! He should be locked up in a mental institution forever! Italy won the World Cup! We kicked a bajillion penalty kicks! Why don't we get any respect?"
French Fan: "Zidane is our national hero! He won us the cup in '98; he got us to the final this year. Le headbutt cost us dearly and we're saddened that he didn't come through, but we still love Zidane."
Everyone Else: "Holy Crap! Did that just happen? Zidane is such a badass."

There was something elegant, beautiful about the way Zidane layed into Materazzi. The way he so efficiently humbled Italy's loud-mouthed schoolyard bully. In that moment Zidane elevated himself above mere soccer-great and became (unless you're an Italy fan) something heroic.

The only way Zidanne could have played it better was if, after spearing Materazzi, he had just walked off the field in disgust. However, like a good soccer player he went to the ref and pleaded his case, and was justly thrown out of the game. Fifa should also fine him a great deal and suspend him from international play.

I would like to be disgusted by what Zidane did. If the tables had been reversed and Materazzi had speared Zidane, I would have been absolutely enraged. But Zidane's long-held reputation for good, spirited play (and Materazzi's reputation for being slime) changes the equation. Sometimes good people commit acts of violence and sacrifice to defend themselves and those they love, and sometimes that's the right thing to do.

Also, Materazzi flopped on the headbutt! Even as I am generally disgusted by his antics, I am impressed at his cunning. How very Machievellian.

The Space Shuttle! It Goes to Space!

Wow! It's awfully easy to be blasé about the fact that we can pretty consistently put a whole bunch of people and machinery into space. I mean, the word "space" isn't even that long. So how big a deal is it really?

Here's a video of the Space Shuttle's latest takeoff.

Um... pretty rediculous. Honestly. NASA, you're blowing my mind right now.

Apparently they added a bunch of cameras to watch for foam (see, the biggest problem going into space is falling foam. Foam? Foam's not dangerous!). And this is the footage from one of the booster rockets.

Everybody watch out!

Nellys got a blog! And she knows (sorta) how to use it.

Happy Independence Day

Well, the day is almost over. I think the NYC fireworks show is going to start pretty soon. That will be the first official celebration of the holiday that we witness. Well, other than taking a four-day weekend. I'm glad our forefathers broke ties with England on such a nice weekend.

To celebrate the day, Nelly and I watched Italy defeat Germany by scoring two goals in the last minute of overtime. Ouch. After the second goal, they cut to a german girl crying. Take that, national pride!

Nelly and I spent the last two days at family's lakehouse in Connecticut. That was very nice, though not as relaxing as it normally is. Still, the weather was great and we had a nice time. I started and finished The Tender Bar while I was up there. Nelly loaned it to me after getting it from her mother. And while I enjoyed it, I couldn't help but notice that it's basically a slightly myopic story about how one's life can be ruined by alcohol.

The blog has been quiet for a while. So I missed the chance to post that thursday was Nelly's birthday. Happy birthday baby! We partied in the city. There are some pictures floating around somewhere. Perhaps one day I will get my hands on them and post them here.

Who To Root For (Redux)

So, now that England's tepid kickers have limped off the field in defeat, none of the teams I decided to root for is left in the World Cup. Who should I root for now? Well, my picks for the finals are still in it, but I don't particularly like either Brazil or Germany.

Sigh. Woe is me.

Still, there's some promising matches upcoming. Brazil v. France should be exciting (though by the time most of you read this it will be over). Pleny of soccer left to play. From now on, I will be rooting for a good game played by all.

Hopefully, I wont be dissapointed.