World Cup Today -- Day 8

What an amazing tournament this has been. More goals at this point than any World Cup since 1958 and isn't that what Americans supposedly hate about soccer, no scoring? Hats off to all the managers who have decided to unleash their teams rather than playing it safe. Also, before one laughs off Spain's crash and burn let's take a moment to realize how they changed this game. They may be the reason we're seeing so much scoring with their tiki-taka, ball possession, move it forward game. Since 2008 Spain has been the best in the world and proved it at the Euro 2008 and 2012 sandwiching a World Cup win in 2010. A tip of the cap to Spain might be a better send-off than a snicker or a derisive snort. But back to today. Columbia plays the Ivory Coast in a very important game and none bigger than The Three Lions of England who play a survival match against La Celeste of Uruguay, both losers in their opening matches. Ypsilanti Michigan, named after Greek General Demetrius Ypsilanti, will no doubt be cheering hard for Greece at 6pm. Today's matches:

Columbia vs Ivory Coast noon
England vs Uruguay 3pm
Japan vs Greece 6pm

While we enjoy a respite from the heat and humidity of the last few days...

Now would be a good time since summer made an early appearance the last few days that the Farmer's Markets around Jersey City are now just packed with the wonderful FRESH fruits and vegetables you crave. Sure, there are other things at the Farmer's Markets, empanadas from Argentina, and what Homer Simpson refers to as the heroin of Farmer's Markets, kettle corn. That being said nothing beats the freshness you can get, often for much less than you'd ever spend in a grocery store or certainly a bodega. Johnny, where can we find these markets? Glad you asked, Follow this handy link and you'll get all the info except for the Grove St. Farmer's Market. That is Monday and Thursday from 4-8pm through Thanksgiving.

Happy marketing!

Late night open thread

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

World Cup Today -- Day 7

So, here we are one week in and WHAT a phenomenal World Cup we have shaping up. Plenty of goals, late goals, lead changes, substitutes scoring goals and plenty of fan enthusiasm. With that here is today's lineup featuring a 3pm battle where World Cup defending champions Spain for for their very soccer lives and continued dynasty against Chile.

Netherlands vs Australia noon
Chile vs Spain 3pm
Cameroon vs Croatia 6pm

Late night open thread

It was 20 years ago tonight that we as a nation asked the questions, "Who the hell is Al Cowlings and why is he such a shitty driver?"

TIme for Jersey City, After Dark

World Cup Today -- Day 6

Well wasn't that USA win last night a good feeling to wake up to?

We've got three games today, with Group H starting today. Belgium is the favorite and shouldn't have too much trouble today against the Desert Foxes of Algeria. The middle game is Mexico and host Brazil, what a great afternoon matinee! Later South Korea will tangle with an up-tempo Russian side.

Belgium vs Algeria noon
Mexico vs Brazil 3pm
South Korea vs. Russia 6pm

Late night open thread

See, 2-1 with an early goal and a late goal, just like Johnny said. This day worked out very well indeed for the USA. Better than anyone could have hoped at noon today.

"It's John Brookes, it's John Brooks!" Yes, yes it is...

Time for Jersey City, After Dark

World Cup Today -- Day 5

Finally it's here, the USA plays today! First off though we have a real barn shaker of a matchup in the USA's own "Group of Death." Germany's might vs the great Ronaldo and Portugal. The Ironbound area of Newark has to just be uncorked today. Next up it's a game on teevee while Johnny does actual business things and makes actual real money as Nigeria and Iran drones on in the background. We hope the people of Iran and Nigeria really enjoy this match. Then, 6pm the time of reckoning is here. Ghana has dumped the USA out of the last two World Cups, that's eight years to stew over just one country. The USA could be a better side today on sheer willpower. When challenged by head man Jurgen Klinsmann they have stepped up over the last 18 months. Klinsmann said this game is everything and they are putting everything into getting the tree possible points from it. The USA's hopes for this World Cup will rise or fall between 6 and 8pm EDT today.

How about an early goal from Jozy Altidore and a late one from Mix Diskerud get the USA a 2-1 victory. You got a problem with that?

Germany vs Portugal noon
Iran vs Nigeria 3pm
USA vs Ghana 6pm

To protect and serve...and nap...

OK, don't get Johnny wrong, there is nothing funnier than developers like Toll Brothers or Mill Creek, Tish, Trump, or Lloyd Goldman or anybody else getting ripped off. They are required to foot the bill for the too many to count police officers often seen standing around construction projects doing nothing, sipping coffee, enjoying a cigarette and so forth. Well this guy, we'll call him Mr. Sleepy, has been tapped by one of these developers and he's found a great way to pass the day, sleeping in his car while he should be standing on a street corner looking important in his police vest and sipping coffee (picture taken at 8:55AM). Again, nothing makes us happier than a developer losing money BUT this guy is also supposed to be the one stopping truck and crane and backhoe traffic so people can cross at intersections. He should be the one stopping traffic from going down closed streets (because the police unions insist only someone with a badge can correctly point to a road closed sign). He should be another set of eyes out there looking out for the public or at least for the people paying him.

Also, what does Mr. Sleepy tell the residents who see him not only sleeping in his police vest, no, he's going the Full Monty with a sleepers blindfold on to boot. Johnny had seen this guy doing this before but spared him the embarrassment (not to mention the city) but figured maybe it IS time to break some eggs over at City Hall and get Police Chief Robert Cowen hipped to what really happens on the streets of Jersey City. Maybe he'd agree it's time to move these poor overburdened police officers off these gravy assignments and let citizen-tasked traffic coordinators handle pointing at road closed signs.

Maybe they can at least stay awake...

Late night open thread

"It doesn't matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was."
 -- Anne Sexton

Time for Jersey City, After Dark