Interesting Happenings from Afar

It seems that when I leave home, all the fun stuff happens.

Well, fun as in crazy, stupid, silly, ridiculous and OH SNAP!

However, for the first time in a while, it's nice to get away from the chaos of NYC and take in someone else's cacophony.

At the moment, life finds myself and Scribe across the pond; spending the last few hours of five days in Frankfurt before jetting to London as part of a MBA field trip. Below, you'll find some pictures of some reveling in the streets of Frankfurt hours after the German national team advanced to the second round of the World Cup.

What was cool about this is that this seems benign compared to the celebration reserved for if this team actually wins it all (which they very well could do). However, if that does happen, I'd be glad to be out of here as I rather not see a potential riot (which does happen after these kinds of events).

Vuvezelas were blowing in the streets as my classmates and I enjoyed a nice dinner in the downtown area. Truthfuly, they really didn't sound as bad as they do on television, but that might be because there were just a handful and not throngs of thousands sounding off in unison. Every car, person or dog (which was funny to see) was adorned with the national colors.

Undoubtedly, the best part of the night for my crew started while proceeding back to the hotel. We ran into a few gents and essentially had a photo shoot with them. After some pleasantries, including the "You from Noo Yawk? We LOVE Noo Yawk!", they invited us for some celebratory beers (or for them, more). I decided to head back to the hotel instead, but no tbefore joining them in hilarious chants. Most of the crew stayed behind and likely have stories that I am banned from sharing with you all.

Frankfurt seems to be this sleepy hollow despite being a major financial hub and cultural center for central Germany. Yet, it came alive last night in a way reminiscent of when a major pro team wins a title in the States or Canada. Tomorrow will be a completely different story in London; England may have advanced in the Cup tourney, but there's a tremendously nervous energy about their faithful. Plus, you can add a seemingly low-key (compared to the World Cup) vibe around Wimbledon.

Until then, "Für Deutschland!"

Conjecture

The questions are always asked this time of year.

Who are the Giants going to take in the draft?

What do you think the (insert team here) should do with the nth pick?

Should the (insert team here) trade down?

You think the (insert team here) will keep the top pick?

The problem with these questions is that no matter what rumors may come about or how much football fans have studied the picks since the end of the college bowl season, we already know the answers. If you have watched enough games and highlight shows during the season, checked out a few press conferences and heard a few interviews, you’re well aware of the positions of need.

Most of this conjecturing that you hear leading up to the NFL Draft is a result of misinformation from team officials, leaks from ‘insiders’ and some fan’s pipe dream that made the rounds in message boards. It’s almost like looking to the National Enquirer for the latest on unemployment

I’d liken it to reading fantasy sports guides before making your picks; what will those books and websites tell you that you haven’t already discovered through watching games day in and day out?

Anyhow, a few other thoughts and plugs:

• First of all, if you have yet to check out the videos and pictures from Citi Field and Nationals Park from last week, please do so. Not only will you make the numbers look all pretty, but you might start putting some cash aside to visit these beautiful ballparks this season.
  
  
• Next, I know and respect (some of) the opinions from the purists in regards to sports such as baseball and hockey; two sports in which no matter how much the new school tries to assert itself, the old continues to dominate the psyche and dreams of its fans. Yet, can you please respect Alexander Ovechkin’s gangsta here?:
  
  
  
  
  and here:
  
  
  
  Take it from someone who knows how to elevate.
  
  
  
  A couple of months ago at the end of a Penguins/Capitals game on NBC, I remember catching Ovi and Nickolas Backstrom hip bumping almost out of the view of the camera. In complete shock and awe that two guys just did it on the ice, I must have called and texted a bunch of friends in amazement.
  
  Sure, they’ve done it all season and apparently; some New York Rangers fans were quite upset about it (among other things). Yet, in that aspect, I recall something Mike Ditka said on Sunday NFL Countdown about two years ago about player celebrations after a touchdown. To paraphrase Da Coach; if you have a problem with it, stop him from scoring.
  
  
• Finally, a reminder about the latest idea from Scribe: if you’re headed to a game, any game in any sport and any town, feel free to submit some pictures and videos here for future posts.

Bump

It may feel stale since it's so commonplace in most sports these days, but it's still fresh because 99.67% of us can't or won't ever try it. However, because of that, it's the greatest celebration in the world.

I'd say don't try this at home, but then again, why not? Courtesy of the baseball park traveling click.