Transfer rumor #1 - summer 2012 edition

For some reason, in the last one or two dozen hours, the internet has decided that AC Milan are selling Thiago Silva (pictured below) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (pictured further below) to the French club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). 

It is possible that the internet has decided to believe this ridiculous rumor because of the statement by AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi that the two players have, in fact, been sold. We will keep you posted.

What I have been reading lately #49/Abandoned books and/or movies #10

Two books that I finished:

Law of the Jungle: The Hunt for Colombian Guerrillas, American Hostages, and Buried Treasure-- John Otis

Pretty much what it sounds like-- three American contractors (spies) crash in the Colombian jungle and are captured by guerrillas from the FARC. The soldiers from the Colombian army sent out to rescue them get distracted by a large stash of money they find buried in the ground. I won't give away what happens next.

War by Candlelight-- Daniel Alarcon

Above: The cover of the US edition, which I read

Below: The much better cover of the UK edition

Daniel Alarcon is originally from Peru but apparently grew up in Alabama. This collection of short stories is written in English and is his first book. I enjoyed reading this book, but now, just a couple of weeks later, I can't remember much about it.

One book that I did not finish:

Endless Horizon: A Very Messy Motorcycle Journey Around the World-- Dan Walsh

At first I was really enjoying this, but then I wasn't. So I stopped reading it.

Pato's Divorce

As we all should know, Alexandre Pato is currently in the process of a divorce with his actress wife, Sthefany Brito. Recently, a judge has ruled that he will have to pay her 20% of his income every month: about 100,000 Euros. The payment will be made on the 10th of every month. Poor Pato will have to appeal this!

http://www.kickette.com/sthefany-brito-yulia-arshavin-good-money-on-bad-denim/#more-33502

http://ego.globo.com/Gente/Noticias/0,,MUL1606516-9798,00-STHEFANY+BRITO+CONSEGUE+PENSAO+DE+DOS+GANHOS+DE+PATO.html

AC Milan extends Oguchi Onyewu's contract

OGUCHI ONYEWU: A WORTHY GESTURE

5/17/2010

MILAN - USA international Oguchi Onyewu, who is coming off a season of rehabilitation following a long injury which has forced him to stay off the pitch for the whole season, but is now ready to face the World Cup with his national team, made a very significant gesture from a human and professional point of view today. Assisted by his lawyer, Jean Louis Dupont, Onyewu asked for, and received, a one-year contract extension from Milan, from 30 June 2012 to 30 June 2013. During this extra year, Oguchi Onyewu, by his choice, much appreciated by the Rossoneri club, has asked not to receive any kind of salary. This is an exemplary gesture which deserves sincere congratulations.

FA Cup Final: Chelsea 1 - Portsmouth 0

Above: Portsmouth players attempt to console Kevin-Prince Boateng after he missed a penalty that would have given Portsmouth the lead. Moments later, Drogba scored to put Chelsea ahead.

Portsmouth's season has been a complete disaster-- relegated from the Premier League, unable to pay their players and creditors, facing possible bankruptcy. Somehow, though, they managed to make it all the way to the FA Cup Final against Chelsea. Somehow they managed to survive a first half in which Chelsea hit the goal post/cross bar five times. Somehow they managed to win a penalty early in the second half. Boateng, however, rather than scoring, managed to drive his shot straight into the feet of the diving Petr Cech. Not surprisingly, at the end of the match, Boateng could be seen on the bench with a jacket over his head to hide the fact the he was crying.

Match report: Portsmouth 1 - Arsenal 4

Things have been tough for Portsmouth lately:

• They lost to Arsenal 4-1 yesterday. According to the announcers on my television set, Portsmouth have not beaten Arsenal in any competition in over fifty years.

Below: Eduardo is about to score Arsenal's first goal. His free kick will ricochet off the leg off one of the Portsmouth defenders and into the net.

• The team are currently in last place in the Premier League.
• Portsmouth have gotten a new owner and manager this year. Despite these moves, there is a real possibility that the team will go bankrupt this winter. I am not sure what will happen if that takes place. At the very least, the club will have to sell off most or all of their best players during the January transfer window.

Above: Fans protest at last night's match

Below: Portsmouth manager Avram Grant, in happier days

What I have been reading lately #34

Ronnie by Ronnie Wood

For over thirty years, Ronnie Wood has been one of the guitar players for the Rolling Stones. Before that, he played with the Faces and the Jeff Beck Group. This book is his autobiography, and here are some facts I learned while reading it:

• Ronnie Wood was one of the first members of his family born on dry land -- he describes his family as "water gypsies" and says previous members had always been born on canal barges.
• Ronnie Wood's family and school were both very supportive of his musical and artistic talents as a youth.
• Ronnie Wood has met, has hung out with, knows, or has partied with every single important person in the last forty years of music and entertainment, and he mentions each and every one in his book. Examples include Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Rod Stewart, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Ronnie Lane, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Graham Chapman, Ginger Baker, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Keith Moon, Bo Diddley, Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, Patti Boyd, George Harrison, John Lennon, John Belushi, Bill Murray, Groucho Marx, Tony Curtis, Maradona, Pete Townsend, Eric Clapton, and Jimi Hendrix.
• While driving his first wife to the hospital to deliver their first child, he and his friends gave rides home to California Governor Jerry Brown and actor Warren Beatty.
• Ronnie Wood picked out furniture for his new baby's bedroom with the help of Diana Ross.

Below: The Faces

• During the course of his career, Ronnie Wood has earned and squandered a lot of money.
• In addition to being a professional musician, Ronnie Wood also paints and draws and has made a lot of money selling his artwork.
• Ronnie Wood seems like one of the happiest, most easy-going people who ever existed.

Below: Ronnie Wood with some of his children.

Now they say Kaka will be going to Real Madrid (or Chelsea)

Below: A young Kaka

Below: Back in January 2009, Milan fans had to live with rumors of Kaka going to Manchester City.

Above: Spanish dictator and long-time Real Madrid fan Francisco Franco

Why would Kaka want to leave AC Milan to go to Manchester City?

AC Milan is one of the world's greatest football clubs.  They are owned by a maniacal singing billionaire politician.  They have won multiple Scudettos, European Cups, and various other honors.  They play football in one of the great European cities (so I've heard).  Manchester City, on the other hand, are the second best team in their city, and are just a bunch of overly pushy striving jealous whiny babyheads.  You make the call - where would you want to play?

Milan Fans' Anti-Berlusconi Petition

AC Milan's owner, Silvio Berlusconi, took over the club in the late 80's, and pumped in lots of money. As Italy's richest man (and just by chance, the Prime Minister) he was able to buy many great players. Under his leadership (as the club's president) there were many winning seasons.

However, after Milan's abysmal season, the fans are not happy. As a result, an online petition has been written and signed by at least 2,000 fans, demanding that Berlusconi sell the club to someone more willing to spend their euros. Galliani, Milan's current president, has been saying lately that clubs in Italy don't have enough money. I think this is ridiculous and Berlusconi should have no problem forking over 45 million euros for some more decent players!!!

In case you are interested, go here to sign the petition. At the bottom of the page, click on FIRMA, and then it asks you for your name, email, comments, etc. I didn't sign it, because, I don't really care, it's not really my business, and a new owner might not want to spend his money either...

*Please note, that no matter how it sounds, I am NOT a Silvo Berlusconi fan. The only thing that is like-able about him is that he is really, really rich, and sometimes spends his money on good footballers.