RAVE - Calistoga Ranch

Mrs. P starts her new job next Tuesday, and to celebrate she treated us to a stay at Calistoga Ranch which is, surprise surprise, in Calistoga, at the North end of Napa Valley.

The resort, our lodge, the service and the weather were verging on perfect.

The place, all wood and marble, is top notch club rather than sumptuous luxury, in keeping I guess with its nature-friendly ambitions.

Our lodge, replete with outdoor shower (as well as the less interesting traditional one), hot tub (which we tried to cool down, as 104-degree water in 98-degree weather was just too much for a prolonged splash), and large deck surrounded by trees, was marvelous. Only the cooler water in the pool stopped us from spending our entire stay in and around our lodge.

Overpriced dinner was not up to the standard of the rest of the resort, although dining outside at the Lakeside restaurant with a fabulous view of the lake and forest drew this bit of plagiarism from Pavey: "4 little pieces of bacon-wrapped veal loin: $40. Eating it while a family of deer munched their vegetarian dinner a few feet away: priceless".

If you're up for a stay at a Californian country spa, I have to say we marginally preferred Corde Val, reviewed elsewhere in this blog-like thing.

RAVE - Quince restaurant

Wow. Wow. Wow. Having made dramatic improvements to what was already a pretty decent space occupied by Myth, Quince delivers on every front. Elegant and welcoming lounge, busy but not overcrowded dining room.

The service was impeccable; the food was exquisite.

David and I sampled a $65 bottle of beer. Yes, $65 for a DeuS Brut Des Flandres, which tasted more like champagne than beer. Perhaps too sweet and perfumed to knock back by the gallon, but certainly something to tell the grandchildren about.

We had both tasting menus, which included:

• Monterey Bay prawn
• Squid ink chitarra, with razor clam, cuttlefish, cherry tomato and agretti tortelloni
• Porcini mushroom, parmagiano reggiano fonduta and borage.
• Paine Farm squab, foie gras and green cabbage.
• Yoghurt semifreddo, warm pistachio sformato.

And:

• Maine lobster, corn and English pea with lemon verbena essence cappelletti.
• Burrata alla panna, brocolli and cheddar cauliflower tajarin.
• Spring lamb with zuccini and their blossoms.
• Suckling pig, roasted cherry, sarawak pepper, cipollini onion and red dandelion
• Dirty Girl farm strawberries, almond and tapioca.

I have my doubts about restaurants' pretentious use of ingredients like "Sarawak pepper", as if it makes a huge amount of difference which of dozens of peppers are used, and the over-use of completely obscure terms like cappeletti, tajarin, chitarra, borage and the like.

Whatever ingredients they used, the restaurant is right up there with Michael Mina, Fifth Floor and RN-74. Again, I can't praise the staff enough.

They were the (Cape Verde Islands spring water) icing on the cake.

REVIEW - An American perspective on the beautiful game

Having previously dissed the USA's bastardization of football terminology, I guess it's only fair to let my great friend Bill, living in Houston and pictured here with his beautiful daughters Kendall and Paige, to have his say in this guest post.

To show what a friend I am, I've answered his questions in red.

**************

Every American sportwriter worth his salt has written about the American perspective on soccer, especially the World Cup. I’m not a sportswriter, but I think my perspective as a big sports fan is probably more mainstream. Like a lot of American sports fans, there are things about soccer I like, things I don’t like, and things I don’t understand.

My initial impression is that soccer is hockey on grass. That’s not relevant to much, but it seems that way. At least the basic rules seem the same. Here’s what I love about soccer:

1. No time outs. Baseball is my favorite sport (and always has been). But isn’t it set up nicely for a brace of commercials after each half inning? I know they weren’t thinking of that 100 years ago, but now…

2. The low scoring doesn’t bother me. It adds drama.

3. They play in the rain.

4. It’s fascinating that all these people from all these countries play the same game. Sort of like the Olympics, without skiing, skiing with guns, figure skating, luge, etc.

5. The goalkeeper wears a different color jersey.

6. Cool shoes.

7. The rules seem somewhat straightforward – unlike Cricket, which, dispite years of study, I still don’t understand.

8. The fact that the ref adds extra time at the end of each half. Just a few minutes – not 3:04.22.

9. The English announcers (almost as much as the Spanish ones). Thank god ESPN doesn’t use American announcers.

Here’s what I really don’t like:

1. The flopping and screams of agony from the players, who immediately get up and keep playing.

2. The offsides rule. I guess I understand the rule, but not the purpose. What would happen if there were no offsides?

3. These yellow and red cards, and the way the ref ceremoniously presents them. Seems completely arbitrary.

4. U2 again manages to show up in commercials.

5. The greasy hair.

6. Players who are known by only one name.

7. Most games look pretty much the same to me, except for the goals.

8. Stop calling the field the “pitch”.

Here’s what I don’t understand:

1. Why do some players (?) wear “FIFA” vests on the sideline?

It designates non-players working on or around the field; medics, coaching staff, players on the bench, etc.

2. Why don’t teams use the “tactical offsides” (or whatever it’s called) more on defense?

They do. If you watch the back line of defenders, they'll move forward en masse when an attack forms, to place attacker(s) in off-side positions. This has to be done very carefully (which is why you don't see it against every attack), as it's easy to get it wrong and leave an attacker onside and unmarked.

3. Why do players exchange jerseys after the game? If I played in a World Cup, I’d want my game jersey hanging on my wall.

Each player gets dozens of identical shirts for the tournament, so they have plenty of personal shirts as mementos, plus they get opponent's shirts too.

4. The points system.

A points system is important in a sport where you can get drawn games. It used to be 1 point for a draw, 2 points for a win, but some years ago football leagues around the world switched to 3 points for a win, in order to up the ante for a win.

Wow, looks like I like more than I dislike or don’t understand. Now if they would just quit showing replays of that Landon Donovan goal – I stopped counting how many times I’ve seen it. It’s even in the commercials now. I’m going to record the USA game today so I don’t have to see it again.

RAVE - Miracle cat no longer scratches furniture

I don't normally go for cute little pet stories, and heaven knows YouTube is full of 'em.

But this one (pardon the pun) stands out.

There's a warm, but totally inaccurate statement in there: "Oscar has been sedated, so he's blissfully unaware that he's about to make medical history". 

In my experience, a cat's only blissful when it's getting fed, and totally unaware of pretty much everything else.

And again thinking about our own cats ... the first thing they'd do is try to shake off anything attached to them, especially something stuck to their feet. I know, I've tried with sticky tape :)

RAVE - World Cup photos

This selection of World Cup photos says so many things:

1. At long last there's a chance Americans will understand why football (er, soccer) is the World's most popular game - now that they've got to the final 16 and everyone's reveling in Landon Donovan's injury time goal against Algeria. (pics 1, 2 and 40)

2. Yet again, the Boston Globe's web site comes up with a hot group of pics.

3. Proof that a $2,500 lens on a $1,500 camera is a worthwhile investment. Oh, and a press pass to every World Cup game.

3. The Glastonbury shot must be photoshopped. It's not raining!  (pic 32)

4. Despite claims from rugby / hockey fans, soccer's not a game for girls. (pics 30 and 39)

5. Diego Maradona is a hairy midget (pic 34)

6. I gotta get an iPhone, and /or start supporting Paraguay (pic 18)

7. Vuvuzelas are bad for your health, for so many reasons (pic 16). If you pile up your vuvuzelas before going into church, who makes sure you get your own spittoon back?

8. Is Frank Ribery the ugliest footballer in the tournament? (pic 38, far left)

9. Having reveled at a fancy dress party some years ago dressed up as Jimi Hendrix (which involved plastering black theatrical make-up all over my face and arms, and despite what it said on the packaging it taking me DAYS to get the make-up off), I can only pity the ardent fans who paint their flags on their faces.

(pics 6, 11, 20, 33)

10. Every time I look at this pic, I think I see vampire's fangs. Then I check again and they're gone! (pic 35)

RAVE - Scoring at the Dentist's office

I know that 'scoring' is a euphemism for enjoying a winning way with the ladies, and I know that certain un-named friends enjoy going to this dentist's office for the eye candy, but today was nothing to do with those elements.

My dentist is an excellent practitioner - the best I've encountered anywhere in the UK or USA. His use of leading-edge technology makes me feel that I'm getting the best treatment available. 

Today, he excelled himself. When the oral business was done, he flipped the monitor's input from 'gory shots of teeth' to 'World Cup highlights' and we reviewed the day's World Cup goals. Specifically, we marveled at the 5 goals in the Slovakia vs Italy game. 

Amplifying the joy of seeing last year's World Cup winners crash out of the competition, it was the most fun I've had in a dentist's chair.

RAVE - Joan Rivers, A Piece of Work

Maybe it should come as no surprise that documentary films about comedians are rarely barrels of laughs. This is usually because the comics themselves have lived lives riddled with tragedy.

Even if Joan Rivers' life has been far from tragic, she comes on like it has. She firmly believes that critics and networks, particularly NBC, have it in for her.

That doesn't mean this movie was miserable or dull; far from it.

I can't say I've ever been a huge fan of hers, but she certainly stands out as unique, at least for her generation, and the movie is funny, shocking, sad and absorbing.

If you've seen the trailer, you've already heard most of the film's gags. The bulk of the movie has us listening to her talk with her staff: agent, manager, 2 assistants, 2 housekeepers, daughter Melissa and grandson Cooper. We watch as a woman addicted to work presses for any gig, in any town, at any time of night or day.

She's not poor by any means, so it's not financial survival that drives her, but the almost pathological desire to stay in the public eye, to prolong her career for at least another 20 years past her current 75.

You come away from the film not necessarily liking her, but at least appreciating what makes her tick, and admiring her for that.


PS: Amo - who saw the film with us last night - spotted this follow-up to the angst that surrounds Rivers. Joan's former manager, a close friend for 30 years, whom she variously lavished praise on, and then dissed, has now sued her. Here's the story.

Billy Sammeth says he was defamed in Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work. Joan Rivers' former manager has sued her for $2m, saying she defamed him in a documentary and that she owes him money.  Sammeth says that in the film she says he had "disappeared" when she had in fact sacked him. He also submitted a list of Rivers' work for which he says he is owed 10%. Sammeth says her career was "dormant" when he became her personal manager in 2002. He said that the star had been performing about 12 shows a year, but that when he was fired last year that stood at 40. He also said he had helped Rivers to victory in US reality show Celebrity Apprentice last year. He said he had paid $18,000 at a charity auction that was part of a task in the program, and that his payment helped her ultimately win the show. He says commission and other money owed to him amounts to $200,000, while he is seeking a further $2m in damages.

Rivers' response: "This is the claim of a former personal manager who was properly terminated over one year ago. Billy Sammeth is now making claims for money to which he is not entitled and I am confident that the judicial system will dispose of his lawsuit in the appropriate manner".

RAVE - An insight into Ornithology

As a post-script to the piece about the Northern Mockingbirds nesting in a tree on our deck (see "RAVE - Nature's brilliant innit?"), I was still wondering which of the pair of birds was the male, and which the female.

It's true that one of them sits on the nest at night, while the other presumably cruises the neighborhood for shiny cars on which to make not inconsiderable deposits. But assuming the depositor was the male could be jumping to homophobic conclusions.

To my rescue came Bill, the same person who identified the breed for me. His sexual observations are many and varied, and not always about flying creatures (and rarely accurate, except I hope, in this case).

Anyhow, he forwarded to me this ornithological insight:

Many people don't know how to tell the difference between male and female birds. Most believe it has to be determined surgically. Until now.

Below are two birds. Study them closely... see if you can spot which of the two is the female. It can be done. Even by someone with limited bird watching skills.

Click on the picture if you're still not sure.

RAVE - Nature, brilliant innit?

Our latest attempt to keep a plant alive on our front deck had us stick 3 7-foot privet trees in terracotta pots out there. While the trees themselves are still trying to decide whether to stick around and see the summer out, a pair of perky little birds have made a nest in one of them and laid a couple of blue-speckled eggs.

While I can tell a Parrot from a Pigeon, I was lost when Pavey asked: "What kind of birds are they?"

In one of those real-life situations that hardly ever echoes what's on TV, I phoned a friend (emailed him, to tell the truth) for the answer. In my case, I picked one of the dozens of friends who are experts in ornithology (surely you mean Beer, Philip?), and he tells me they're NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRDS. Thank you Bill.

They've somewhat taken over the Page household. The birds are constantly flitting onto the deck, into the tree, onto the nest, and back out again. Our cats are ecstatic, and must think it's a show we've laid on just for them.  And whenever I take my espresso or tea out on the deck for a sip in the sun, the birds park themselves on the telephone wires and give me the evil eye.

REVIEW - Crazy Heart

Seeing how Jeff Bridges has deteriorated (physically, at least) from the heady days of Starman makes me puff my chest out with pride. I may do little to preserve my youthful physique, but I look a LOT better than Bridges.

And I'm not talking about whatever makeup was applied to age him ... those lines are natural.

Never mind my entirely biased psycho-physical musings, was Bridges worth his Best Actor Oscar? In a nutshell - yes - although it's harder for me to judge the merit of an actor who grows his hair longer and his grey out, then delivers his usual mumble for 90 minutes, rather than someone like a Ben Kingsley or Sean Penn who show up and ACT like someone they're not, in real life.

The other thing that gets me about down-low, miserable movies is that they're, well, miserable. It's hard to identify with an aging alcoholic country singer, and harder to understand how a comparatively hot Maggie Gyllenhaal would see anything of merit in the guy played by Bridges.

Aside from those mostly superficial observations, the film was above average for its genre.

It did remind me of that fabulous moment in The Blues Brothers, where Jake, Elwood and crew show up at a club and check whether they're at the right place for their gig. "What kind of music do you usually have here?" Jake asks. The doorman says "Oh, we got both kinds. We got Country AND Western!"

RAVE - The Moss Room

An underground bunker inside a museum on the edge of town.

Doesn't sound like the place to find great food does it? But you'd be surprised. That underground-ness gives it an intimate feel, and there's no hint of musty, geeky museum.

Descending into The Moss Room itself is like entering something designed to protect ferns from thermonuclear attack. You feel cool and cossetted. It's a beautiful room with an elegant and enticing bar.

We sampled the Brandade Fritters (deep, but not heavily fried Salt Cod and herbs), Duck Liver Terrine (deliciously coarse and smooth, at the same time), Asparagus and baby Artichoke (each marinated in a variety of intensely flavorsome oils), Lamb shoulder (I forget how it was named, but the name described the North African spices and accompaniments), Snapper (which vegetarian Amarjit scoffed energetically), and Quail (which was rare, too rare for Pavey who asked for some of her fowl to be cooked some more, but still very tasty).

Although this was my first team eating here - so I didn't know any different - there's a new chef and the menu has completely changed.

I like this new one.

RANT - England expects every man to do a LOT better than he's done so far this World Cup

Updating Admiral Horatio Nelson's demand from the deck of HMS Victory, just as the Battle of Trafalgar was about to commence, may be a waste of breath when it comes to the England football team.

Their performance so far in this World Cup has led to booing from England fans who've paid several thousand pounds to travel to South Africa, only to watch and groan in disappointment as the team plays like a ladies' netball team.

My brother Lawrence, the Page family's prime football pundit, used this analogy when I phoned him to commiserate this morning: "If you bought a Ferrari, hoping to enjoy the advertised 0-150 mph in 12 seconds, and it maxed out at 30 mph, you'd take it straight back to the dealer!" [cue throngs of Englishmen muttering into their beers]

My own analysis is that watching the first two games with Gareth and Amo has jinxed the team, so I'll be watching next Thursday's game against Slovenia (a bleary 4am kickoff in California) on my own.

No doubt my Vuvuzela will wake Pavey and the neighbors up, as will my yelps of delight or curses of disgust, depending on the team's performance.

They can't do any worse :(

RAVE - South Park Cafe

Somewhat under-named as a "Cafe", this stylish and compact restaurant has the knack of feeling spacious even when it's full.

The evening wasn't perfect - my Pig Salad turned up sans Pork (the waiter heard the salad bit, but not the type), and Pavey's Striped Bass turned up partly raw. My Coq Au Vin wasn't quite as spectacular as Garcon's, but was still scrumptious.

Nevertheless, I'd thoroughly recommend this excellent French joint in sleepy South Park, where evening and weekend parking is so much easier than during the working day.

Nothing standout, nothing horrible, just easy like, er Friday evening.

REVIEW - Athlete at The Independent, vs. The Fall

I told Gareth, who kindly bought our 4 tickets to this show, that I would be brutally honest about this band.

While Athlete has (have?) enjoyed success at the top of the UK charts (or maybe because they have enjoyed success at the top of the UK charts), they were too light for me.

I can see why fans love their Coldplay-esque style, but I've always looked for more brawn than ballad, more oomph than oompah, and more dirt than disco.

A perfect example was this week's edition of Later With Jools Holland. I don't know if it was truly "this week's" edition, as here in California the Ovation channel seems to broadcast, for no apparent reason, Glastonbury 2008 mid-way through 2010. Whatever, the music's usually of a very high standard.

Anyhow, this particular Jools Holland show included Athlete, and their antithesis (and one of my top 5 acts of all time), The Fall.

Mark E Smith (Fall founder and all around misery guts) is the only artist in the history of the show to have a clause in his contract inserted to state that Jools Holland will not play boogie-woogie piano over any of his songs.  Another guest on the same show was Robert Plant, who turned up in a bullet-proof limo. The Fall were, as usual, transported by Salford Van Hire.

Athlete and The Fall are included here so you can form your own opinion, and then join the ranks of my family and friends who think The Fall stink. 

Look out for next week's review of Mary Poppins versus Saw IV.

Athlete: Wires

 

The Fall: Blindness

RAVE - Serpentine

Although we've eaten here several times, this is the first time I've posted a review of Serpentine. Not because this occasion was better or worse than the others - they've all been good - but more because it's about time I gave props to a local Potrero / Dogpatch eatery that consistently delivers excellent food and a warm vibe.

At first sight, you're struck by two things - the edgy, concrete, loft-like feel, and the somewhat clangy noise that comes with the concrete, loft-like design.

Once seated (usually at the bar in my case, whether it's for food or just adult beverages) you forget the concrete and focus on relaxing.

Tuesday night, Andrew and I returned late from our day at Pebble Beach and, still looking like sun-swept golfers in our bright shirts and white pants, enjoyed cocktails and an excellent Pinot, plus hanger steak and pork belly, respectively. Everything was tickety-boo, as we (used to, years ago) say in England.

A couple of single malts on our deck at close to midnight meant we slept well that night. Nice.

REVIEW - Why Kindle beats iPad for e-reading

After spending a couple of months exercising my iPad's only real strength - web browsing - I thought I'd summarize the ways the Kindle is better than the iPad when it comes to the other reason most people buy these devices, namely reading eBooks:

1. The Kindle's eInk display is waaaay better for reading an eBook than the way-too-glossy iPad. The iPad's display might be crisp, but it's like the available gold color trim for a Camry or Lexus, or spinners on ANY wheel ... almost grotesquely over the top.

2. Weight. When reading an eBook entails holding the device at eye level for hours at a time, only weight lifters need apply when it comes to the iPad.

3. Cost. 'nuff said.

4. Idol factor. Who wants to be part of Steve Jobs' brown-nosing entourage? It's much more agreeable using a device that does the job perfectly, rather than a device that glitters in the hand but fails in its duty.

5. Advancing or navigating the pages on the Kindle doesn't require that you slather the display with suntan oil or anything else you happen to have got on your fingers.

Call me Mr. Grumpy, but using an iPad to read an eBook is like donning a black tie and morning suit to eat breakfast - unnecessary and uncomfortable.

The smart choice is shorts and a Kindle.

RANT - Things I hate about golf on TV

After the apparent glut of golf-related RAVEs, I needed to re-plant my feet on terra negativo and reveal the darker side of golf:

1. Jerks who yell "get in the hole!" after every shot heading remotely toward the green.

2. Tiger Woods' quivering bottom lip, when something doesn't go his way (e.g. when he doesn't win).

3. TV broadcasters who drone on repetitively in the studio, when there's play under way on the course. I don't give a rat's ass what Chris Berman's favorite hole is at Pebble Beach. Just show the play!

4. Chris Berman as a golf commentator. He has the presence of a wrestling commentator, and should therefore stick to Football (the US kind).

5. People who think Tiger Woods is "everyman", the perfect example of a sportsman, thereby ignoring the way he has abused his wealth and elevated position, and has arrogantly and selfishly mistreated his family.

RAVE - US Open at Pebble Beach

IBM is a sponsor and technology provider for various high-profile sporting events, including Wimbledon and The US Open Golf tournament.

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to be invited to the IBM hospitality pavilion at Pebble Beach, to view the first practice day's proceedings. If I was more important, I might have got to see the tournament itself, but one can only dream.

Our hospitality pavilion is alongside the 18th fairway, with a fabulous view of the many traps that lay waiting for golfers, and the 18th green itself. 

In perfect conditions (to which my handsomely tanned face can attest), we watched pretty much every player complete his practice round.

"Every player" that is except that serial adulterer Woods. I never liked his smug-ness, liked him even less when news escaped of his dirty deeds, and continue to dislike his born again-ness. 

"What about the bloody golf?" I hear you shout. Along with several million other viewers I'll be flipping between World Cup and US Open action over the next few days, hoping for English success in both.

RAVE - Almost perfect golf

The weather has been just a couple degrees warmer than perfect the past few days, and Gareth and I took full advantage today by thwacking some golf balls around The Presidio Golf Course.

Last time I played this course, Lawrence and I teed off in a mist so thick we couldn't see even my horizontally challenged tee shots.

No such issue today, and Gareth's first post ring-finger-length-reduction-motorcycle accident game showed maybe we should all have that same alteration, as it seemed to improve his game.

RAVE - World Cup info

On the down side, the opening games today were dull, and the 80,000 Vuvuzela blowers at the South Africa vs. Mexico game were a dismal sign of what we're going to be hearing at every other game.

On the plus side, England are going to romp home tomorrow (Saturday June 12). I hope.

Meanwhile, there's a pretty darned exhaustive roundup of World Cup information resources for your favorite device over at TechCrunch.

RAVE - How to delete your account from FB, LinkedIn and many more

There are a handful of sites worth visiting every day:

1. Popurls.com
2. Lifehacker.com
3. Gawker.com
4. Smashing Magazine

Today's edition of that final site contains an excellent review of how to remove yourself from those initially useful but eventually annoying  social sites, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Flickr, Google. eBay, MySpace, Wikipedia, Windows Live, StumbledUpon, WordPress, Amazon, YouTube, and PayPal. 

If you have other recommendations for sites worth a daily look-see, let me know.

RAVE - US and UK Ambassadors bet on big game

I have eagle-eyed and stumpy-fingered Gareth to thank for spotting this in today's Yahoo Sports

We're only a couple days away from the new-age footy style Revolutionary War between the USA and England, so it's only right that both countries' diplomats partake in some light-hearted yet truthfully sharp banter centered around the big match. And maybe even place a friendly wager on the outcome. Earlier this week (right on cue), the American Ambassador to London, Louis Susman, reached out to his British counterpart, Martin Longden, stationed in Washington, D.C., to put a bet on the insanely hyped first game of Group C.

Move right this way to see their polite trash-talking email correspondences (through Ambassador Susman's email writer, Philip Breeden) and international gut-busting/liver-pickling wager in full, courtesy of the AP.

From: Philip Breeden, US Embassy London

To: Martin Longden, British Embassy Washington DC

Subject: World Cup Bet

Mr. Longden, It has not escaped our attention that a certain sporting event is fast approaching, and that our respective nations will soon be meeting on the fields of South Africa.

My Ambassador has asked me to see if your Ambassador might be interested in a small wager? We will understand if you decline, given the outcome of the last such encounter.

Sincerely, Philip Breeden, U.S. Embassy, London

________________________________

From: Martin Longden, British Embassy Washington DC

To: Philip Breeden, US Embassy London

Subject: Re: World Cup Bet

Mr. Breeden,

Even for such an exceptionally optimistic nation as the United States, I am struck by the confidence with which your Ambassador proposes this wager. It is testament, I assume, to the generosity of your great nation - since the British Ambassador does not anticipate paying out.

Your email does not specify the exact terms of the wager. May I suggest that, in the event of an England victory, the US Ambassador agrees to entertain the British Ambassador at a steak-house of his choosing in downtown DC? And in the event that the United States is able to engineer a fortuitous win over England, then my man will entertain yours at a London pub of his choosing. Loser pays.

Your reference to a previous sporting encounter between our two countries puzzles me. Since the history of English football is long and extensive, in contradistinction to US soccer, I regret that I cannot immediately recall the encounter to which you refer. No doubt it is remembered fondly on these shores; we have quite forgotten it, however.

Are you sure you want to do this?

Yours sincerely, Martin Longden British Embassy Washington DC

________________________________

From: Philip Breeden, US Embassy London

To: Martin Longden, British Embassy Washington DC

Subject: Re: World Cup Bet

Mr. Longden,

It is with great pleasure, and no small measure of anticipation, that the U.S. Ambassador accepts the terms of the wager. I am surprised, given the well known love of the British for history, that you have forgotten what happened the last time the “special relationship” was tested on the pitch. Of course, given the result, you are to be forgiven for having misplaced that particular episode in your memory banks. I refer of course to the victory of the U.S. over England in the 1950 World Cup.

It is true that our soccer (a fine English word we have kindly preserved for you) history is not as long and illustrious as yours. However, as your generals noted during WWII, we have a unique capability for quickly identifying and advancing talent.

Game on!

Sincerely, Philip Breeden

________________________________

From: Martin Longden, British Embassy Washington DC

To: Philip Breeden, US Embassy London

Subject: Re: World Cup Bet

Mr. Breeden,

Very well; it’s a bet!

Incidentally, you should know that the Ambassador takes his steak like American soccer victories - somewhat rare.

Sincerely,

Martin Longden

So if England wins, the U.S. Ambassador has to take the British Ambassador to a steakhouse "of his choosing" in downtown Washington, D.C., and if the U.S. wins, the British Ambassador has to take his American counterpart to a London pub. Loser, of course, pays.

Isn't it just so much fun when the most educated members of our nations engage in an attempt at hooligan banter? Look at all those finely formed sentences and sarcastic wit. You can almost feel the thinly repressed, wing-tipped rage. 

For what it's worth (and there's no bet on this), Amo reckons it'll be 3-1 to England, 1-1 at half-time. I'd be happier with a few more goals from England, as a nice platform to thump Algeria and Slovenia. Of course, I'm not at all biased, just so long as England win all their games.

RANT - Micmacs

And there I was congratulating myself after picking a gem (see "La Mission"). Thinking I was on a roll, we cut along yesterday afternoon to see Micmacs, the story of a Frenchman who teams up with a collection of subversive oddities (the eponymous Micmacs) in order to bring down a couple of weapons manufacturers.

Artful but dull. Clever but unfunny. Like Benny Hill with a bigger budget, and about as captivating.

I would never admit to an afternoon spent in the dark with Mrs Page as a waste of time, but there must have been dozens of better ways to spend a couple of hours.

RAVE - La Mission

This is an engrossing film about mostly Latino family life in the Mission district in San Francisco, specifically around 24th and Mission Streets.

Having lived a few blocks from there for the first 6 years after moving from London, I was naturally interested in this story from the 'hood, as was the rest of the very sympathetic audience at one of the tiny theaters at Opera Plaza.

By "sympathetic" I mean they smiled at all the romantic bits, sighed at all the heartfelt bits, laughed rather too enthusiastically at the funny bits.

All of this added to the atmosphere, rather than got in the way.

Benjamin Bratt was probably better tricked out than most of my ex-neighbors, and I never remember seeing the gorgeous low-riders he and his friends cruised around in, but the movie made me appreciate more than ever the traditional values brought into the City by families from Central and South America.

A warm and enjoyable story, and not a bit slushy. Highly recommended.