The Confederation Cup title was within grasp for the US until the second half when Brazil rallied up and scored three goals. It looked as if Team USA were about to stage another upset and show the world that US soccer had finally arrived. US led Brazil 2-0 in the first half and the team and its supporters broke into euphoria. However, the joy was premature. The Brazilians made sure the Americans knew who the champions are.

Another disappointment for the US. I hope US didn't underestimate their opponents just because the Brazilians fell behind 0-2 in the first half. Like Spain's captain Puyol said "It won't happen again." after Spain lost to the US 0-2 in the semifinal. I'm sure powerhouses like Italy, Spain and Brazil played only half-ass in this tournament. There are lots of works for us to do in the next 12 months before the World Cup begins in June 2010. We have made a good run in the Confederation Cup, but we should look at previous tournaments. In 2001, Japan made it to the final and only lost to the champion France 0-1 in the final. However, the Japanese didn't make it through the second round and got eliminated by Turkey in the World Cup 2002.

I'm sure the powerhouses will dominate in South Africa. If Team USA wants to surprise the world, they need to get their act together and make a lot of improvements.

Kosher Chinese Restaurant

I knew all along that a Kosher Chinese restaurant must exist somewhere in the US. Well, I've found one online today. Mister Chopstik is owned by a Jewish guy. The kitchen is operated by an all asian staff and the food is kosher certified. The food is American Chinese, so you'll find dishes like General Tso's Chicken or Huan Beef etc. In addition, the restaurant sells sushi. Check out their menu. There are lots of items to choose from.

I am hunting for restaurants for us. I am sure there are plenty of fine restaurants in Miami and Fort Lauderdale area.

Say good bye to two legends

It seems that the news of the death of one famous celebrity is not shocking enough. Another news of the death of a more famous celebrity ensues in the late afternoon. Both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson die today with few hours apart. Farrah succumbs to cancer and Michael allegedly dies of some complication after a cardiac arrest.

Of both tragedies, Michael's death is least expected. His antics derailed his career, throwing him to the bottom. He started his career at the age of 6. His father Joe allegedly often abused his children. Perhaps, that explained Michael's eccentric behavior. The traumas screwed up his mind and turned him into a freak show later in life. (I chose to post a pic of Michael before he underwent a series of cosmetic surgery.)

Farrah was the most gorgeous Charlie's Angels of all. I watched that show all the time as a kid. The curly blonde locks were her trademark in the 70's. Women between 18 and 40 wore the Fawcett's hairstyle on the street. Too bad that Farrah had no big show following Charlie's Angels. But she didn't need it. The show turned her into an icon overnight.

A Sequel To The Miracle

Just happened a short while ago in South Africa where Team USA pulled another major upset. US beat European Champion Spain 2-0 and made it to the final. They will likely face powerhouse Brazil, who is scheduled to play the host South Africa tomorrow, in the showdown.

The Confederation Cup may be a filler event and the Europeans might have played half-assed simply to fulfill their tournament obligation. Still the victory is encouraging, proving that US professional soccer is up to par with their European or even probably South American counterparts.

I hope in the World Cup US can proceed to the 2nd round at least and show to the world that US soccer is not to be taken lightly.

Team USA Made It!

Against all odds, US beat Egypt 3-0 and made it to the semi-final. They'll face favorite Spain tonight. Though nobody expects US will pull it off against Spain, but I do hope a miracle will occur in South Africa.

Soccer has been shunned by Americans for many years. It's considered a marginal sport primarily for immigrants. Pele, Beckenbauer, and Beckham have failed to ignite American interest despite their international stardom. Let's see if Americans will change their hearts about soccer in these two years. If Team USA can somehow stun the audience in the Confederation Cup and the World Cup, I think MLS can unseat baseball to become one of the three major sports.

British Airways asked their staff to work for free

In the mid 70s, 歌神 Sam Hui had a legendary hit called "半斤八兩". It's about the unfair reward system faced by Hong Kong working class.

The song can describe how British Airways treat their staff. Yesterday, BA asked their staff to work few days without pay so that the struggling airlines could have cash freed up to cover the record loss. The effort was spearheaded by the CEO Willie Walsh, who volunteered to forgo the salary of July. He hoped that other staff, especially the unionized operations crew, will follow suit. But they've given him a cold shoulder.

Forgoing one month's salary might not have an adverse effect on Mr. Walsh's lifestyle, but those operations crews count on every dime to meet their ends. Executives's biggest pays come from profit sharing and stock options. The salaries are like a pittance to them. If Mr. Walsh really wants to convince his staff of his altruism, he could forgo his profit sharing or stock options. Because they amount to multi-millions of dollars.

Western CEOs still have a long way to go before they will abandon their short-term thinking.

The Confederation Cup

The tournament quietly kicked off last week. The first match between the host South Africa and Iraq had a good turnout, but other matches failed to generate much fanfare. The Confederation Cup is a precursor to the World Cup in the following year. The host country gauges the feedback from the audience and adjusts the program for the World Cup.

However, the tournament has not been given much support by participants and critics since its birth. Maradona once critcized it as redundant, unneccessarily stretching the season into the summer.

This year due to the economic downturn, not as many fans could afford to travel from Americas, Europe and Asia to watch the matches. In addition, some fans loathe traveling so far away to the the host country. South Africa is thousands miles away from any of the major continents.

Given all of the above, you can tell there isn't much incentive for players, especially well-paid stars, to give their 100%. Because of that, some obscure teams are able to surprise the crowd. Brazil was almost forced to a draw with Egypt. The Egyptians fought hard to come back to 3-3 in the second half. They only lost to Brazil on a controversial penalty in the last minutes. The Egyptians vow to file a protest.

Regardless the Confederation Cup is always considered a lackluster event, a filler to squeeze a few more bucks from the soccer fans.

Church Ushers Association

I've just taken the photo of this sign few minutes ago. The sign first caught our attention a year ago right after we moved into the neighborhood. Julia and I have been wondering what this association is about. By looking at the sign, it is obviously an association for church ushers. But which church still uses ushers nowadays? Is there a job called church usher at all? We always think church goers volunteer to be ushers.

We wonder what the size of their membership is.

Bye Bye Rabbit Ears

Analog TV is now history. FCC switched off analog broadcast after midnight on June 13th. The dipole antenna sits on top of my TV has been rendered useless.

Yes,you're right. I don't have cable subscription. Ever since I started my MBA program, I barely have had time to watch TV. Once in a while, I watch an episode of CSI Miami or The Mentalist. When it is close to midterms or finals, I stay up studying until 3 or 4am in the morning.

The Fed postponed the switch in February, extending analog broadcast for 4 months. I recieved one of those $40 vouchers to purchase a digital box, but I let it expire. I requested a replacement voucher, but so far the Fed hasn't send me one yet. I don't think they ever will because the money is better used for rescuing GM.

We will have cable subscription in our new home in Florida. It comes with the lease. I don't think I will watch much TV though. The time is better spent strolling down Ocean Drive and laying out on South Beach.

Netanyahu supports Palestinian independence

Wow, what a surprising news. For the first time an Israeli official openly endorses an independent Palestinian state. However, the Palestinians quickly reject the proposal because Israel demands that the proposed state must not have an army. Also, there is no proposal on how much territory will be ceded to the new state.

Would the conflicts in the Middle East cease if the Palestinians re-establish their country? Not likely. The region has lots of anti-Jewish elements that want the Jews to be eradicated from the region permanently. I have no idea why there is no much hatred between the Jews and the Arabs and I have no intention to understand the complicated history behind it. All I want to tell these people is that they must stop the vicious cycle by any means. How much longer do they want to live in the fear of being blasted into pieces by suicide bombers? I am sure worrying about random killing acts stress the hell out of the Jews and the Arabs. I would go berserk if I need to check under the seat for a bomb every time I ride a bus or the subway.

Some Random Thoughts

I am lagging behind in posting. Julia and I have been busy arranging our move. Fortunately, the moving expense is covered and we have found our dream place. The remaining task is to find my new apartment for August through Decemeber.

I have recieved a syllabus of a comprehensive course on Argentine society study from University of Palermo. The course covers topics on business, socioeconomics, cultures and politics. I will not be able to take it in Fall since I need to take MGMT 498, but I hope I can take it in Spring 2010.

Recently, I have found a few social media sites on foreign language practice. I have yet to sign up on any of those, but the idea is cool. You log in and then practise the langauge with native speakers. It will be helpful in improving my oral Spanish. Here is one of the sites Happy Planet. http://www.myhappyplanet.com/ .

Fiat is now the new boss of Chrysler. Everyone wants to know what Fiat has in store for saving Chrysler. Would the Italian company take a more assertive stance in the US operations, compared to the hands-off approach by the previous German owner, Daimler-Mercedes? Perhaps we'll see those cute small Italian cars on the road in the near future. We'll see.

Managing By Design

Weatherhead will launch a new curriculum in its MBA program in the next academic year. All the concentrations will be eliminated and integrated into the core curriculum. Replacing them will be a series of courses on managing by design. The focus will be on leadership and sustainability. It seems that sustainability has been increasingly recieving attention in MBA schools across the US, especially after the finanical tsunami. Companies and corporations have finally realized that social responsibility has now become the central theme in the business world. Executives need to deal with the repercussions of their actions, even though it means forgoing attractive short term profits.

Hummer has a Chinese owner

This is so unexpected. GM is selling its military-rooted Hummer brand to China's Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co. Who would think that Hummer will have a Chinese owner or that a Chinese company is interested in Hummer. The vehicle is a symbol of American pride, representing excess and brawn. Come to think of it. Only a few countries of enormous sizes will be interested in such a colossus. Russia, China, India, Brazil, Canada, and Australia have the space to accomodate Hummer's wide body on their streets. India is happy with its Nano. Brazilians are fond of their compact motors. Canada and Australia don't have the populations to support the sales. Russia would rather invest her capital in her natural resources. China is the only candidate left with the ambition and financial resources, especially after the financial tsunami. The new owner vows to re-desgin Hummer to make it more fuel efficient in order to pass the new federal requirement. I am not sure why we need such a colossal vehicle on our streets. To be honest, Hummer was born out of desperation. It was GM's last ditch to snatch a piece of pie in the automobile market. Hummer didn't disappoint GM's executives. The mammoth was well-recieved by American consumers, who wanted an All-American vehicle. However, it has a huge carbon footprint, burning too much fuel per mile. I hope the new owner will make a hybrid version or even an electric one.

BAWB Global Forum

I am going to volunteer at the BAWB global forum this evening. In case you don't know BAWB stands for Business as an Agent of World Benefit. It is an organization at Case to create sustainable values in businesses. It looks at how businesses can benefit the society as a whole in areas like environment and social responsibility. The forum started yesterday and lasts until Friday. Case is really huge on sustainability. Starting next year, there will be more MBA courses on this topic. Unfortunately, I won't be able to take any of them cos they are all year long courses.

Stop by the forum and listen to some of their talks.