Steve Miller Band and 'Living in the U.S.A.'
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Happy Fourth of July Jersey City!
It's everything you'd expect out of the Fourth of July, hot, hazy, humid with fireworks on tap all around the Jersey City Desk viewing area. Let's get this early-summer party started!
Steve Miller Band and 'Living in the U.S.A.'
Steve Miller Band and 'Living in the U.S.A.'
Monday, July 2, 2018
Late night open thread
Boy, when those trees move like that it can get really windy and then anything can happen.
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
World Cup Today: Knockout round Day 3
Johnny's got limited time but luckily not limited enthusiasm for today's matches.
Brazil vs Mexico
No work is getting done in the tri-state (el-Tri state?) between 10-12 today as two very very popular teams around these parts clash. Johnny would imagine the Ironbound neighborhood in Newark was up all night before this one.
It's be easier to think Mexico was going to give Brazil a run today if they hadn't looked so BAD vs Sweden (3-0 loss) in the group stage. They'd been playing so well, it looked like a completely different team than had won the first two matches including against Germany, though that win looks tempered now with Germanys crash out. So, has Mexico righted the ship? Can they take on an unconvincing side that still has five stars over their team crest.? To win Mexico will have to do the unthinkable, challenge Brazil to a horse race. Marcelo, a player who always seems to have a hand in Brazil's goals and a steadying hand on the till at others, is on the bench to start. Neymar Jr. seems to have physical issues beyond what is being reported. If Brazil is going to win, Coutinho is going to have to be the big player for Brazil. He'll have to pick up the slack. A lot is being asked of him. Can Mexico's Chicarito have an impact? He does it in two ways, on the attack and being the conscience of the team on the pitch, pulling them forward and leading by example.
Johnny's thinking upset here, he truly is, he thinks Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa keeps it close and Mexico win late. Upset special!
Mexico 2
Brazil 1
Belgium vs Japan
A mismatch on paper but Belgium should not expect to throw their jerseys on the field and win. Sure Hazard and Lukaku should run riot through and over the Japanese defenses. However Japan is a ball possession team. Belgium isn't going to always have the ball and will probably see 20% less possession than they usually do meaning they'll have to take advantage of their opportunities. Teams like Japan that don't beat themselves with rash play and stupid challenges are very tough come knockout stages. In order to win Japan must score first. They can't chase this game around or they'll be ripped apart by Hazard's incisive passing. Johnny thinks this one starts slowly but over the full 90 minutes Belgium's class will carry them through,
Belgium 2
Japan 0
Brazil vs Mexico
No work is getting done in the tri-state (el-Tri state?) between 10-12 today as two very very popular teams around these parts clash. Johnny would imagine the Ironbound neighborhood in Newark was up all night before this one.
It's be easier to think Mexico was going to give Brazil a run today if they hadn't looked so BAD vs Sweden (3-0 loss) in the group stage. They'd been playing so well, it looked like a completely different team than had won the first two matches including against Germany, though that win looks tempered now with Germanys crash out. So, has Mexico righted the ship? Can they take on an unconvincing side that still has five stars over their team crest.? To win Mexico will have to do the unthinkable, challenge Brazil to a horse race. Marcelo, a player who always seems to have a hand in Brazil's goals and a steadying hand on the till at others, is on the bench to start. Neymar Jr. seems to have physical issues beyond what is being reported. If Brazil is going to win, Coutinho is going to have to be the big player for Brazil. He'll have to pick up the slack. A lot is being asked of him. Can Mexico's Chicarito have an impact? He does it in two ways, on the attack and being the conscience of the team on the pitch, pulling them forward and leading by example.
Johnny's thinking upset here, he truly is, he thinks Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa keeps it close and Mexico win late. Upset special!
Mexico 2
Brazil 1
Belgium vs Japan
A mismatch on paper but Belgium should not expect to throw their jerseys on the field and win. Sure Hazard and Lukaku should run riot through and over the Japanese defenses. However Japan is a ball possession team. Belgium isn't going to always have the ball and will probably see 20% less possession than they usually do meaning they'll have to take advantage of their opportunities. Teams like Japan that don't beat themselves with rash play and stupid challenges are very tough come knockout stages. In order to win Japan must score first. They can't chase this game around or they'll be ripped apart by Hazard's incisive passing. Johnny thinks this one starts slowly but over the full 90 minutes Belgium's class will carry them through,
Belgium 2
Japan 0
Sunday, July 1, 2018
Late night open thread
"What was I supposed to do? Call him for cheating better than me in front of the others?!"
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
World Cup Today: Knockout round Day 2
While not as star-studded as yesterday's affairs, today's knockout round brings some interesting differences in styles of play.
Spain vs Russia
The host nation, with thousands of fans screaming for them to move on, will face a team born of class, grace and ball movement. This is not the 2010 Spanish team that won the World Cup. It's also not the 2014 version that looked lost, and slow. While much is made of front starman Diego Costa, the beauty of Spain's attack are the midfielders like Iniesta and Isco. Russia's straightforward attack Johnny feels is going to get thrown into all kind of disarray as the Russians chase the ball most of the afternoon. Spain's real ace in the hole are their two central defenders, incredible rivals in league play, Barcelona's Gerard Pique and Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos may well prove to be the best pairing of central defenders ever. Through all the European championships, and the World Cup title, the one thing that never changed was Pique and Ramos on guard.
To have effect Russia will have to play a clean game, no giving Spain free kicks in dangerous areas, no speculative balls that wind up in the fifth row, they'll have to play tight and clean and maybe get a little help on a call. Sorry Vlad, Spain's going on...
Spain 2
Russia 0
Croatia vs Denmark
Croatia has become a dark horse for a lot of World Cup watchers. Their incredible midfield is controlling matches and slowing down opponents. The 1-2 punch of of Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic and Real Madrid's Luka Modric (see these two teams keep coming up?) are field marshals. Denmark is going to have to do well on set pieces and defend like hell. Johnny doesn't see much in the way of Denmark's chances after watching Croatia.
If you're a Croatia fan do get to Hudson Hall this afternoon, Croat fans always overrun that place.
Croatia 2
Denmark 1
Spain vs Russia
The host nation, with thousands of fans screaming for them to move on, will face a team born of class, grace and ball movement. This is not the 2010 Spanish team that won the World Cup. It's also not the 2014 version that looked lost, and slow. While much is made of front starman Diego Costa, the beauty of Spain's attack are the midfielders like Iniesta and Isco. Russia's straightforward attack Johnny feels is going to get thrown into all kind of disarray as the Russians chase the ball most of the afternoon. Spain's real ace in the hole are their two central defenders, incredible rivals in league play, Barcelona's Gerard Pique and Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos may well prove to be the best pairing of central defenders ever. Through all the European championships, and the World Cup title, the one thing that never changed was Pique and Ramos on guard.
To have effect Russia will have to play a clean game, no giving Spain free kicks in dangerous areas, no speculative balls that wind up in the fifth row, they'll have to play tight and clean and maybe get a little help on a call. Sorry Vlad, Spain's going on...
Spain 2
Russia 0
Croatia vs Denmark
Croatia has become a dark horse for a lot of World Cup watchers. Their incredible midfield is controlling matches and slowing down opponents. The 1-2 punch of of Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic and Real Madrid's Luka Modric (see these two teams keep coming up?) are field marshals. Denmark is going to have to do well on set pieces and defend like hell. Johnny doesn't see much in the way of Denmark's chances after watching Croatia.
If you're a Croatia fan do get to Hudson Hall this afternoon, Croat fans always overrun that place.
Croatia 2
Denmark 1
Saturday, June 30, 2018
World Cup Today: Knockout round Day 1
Ok soccer fans, here we go. No more "We'll just beat Tunisia next match and get back on track." One loss, you go home in shame. Would you look at that. The two biggest stars on the planet both play today.
Argentina vs France
When this kicked off, Johnny picked France to win. He hasn't seen much short of Belgium to shy him off of this choice. Yes, Argentina has the best player in the world who makes those around him better (unless the team is Argentina and they are dunderheads) and is capable of moments of magic that should scare France. Horse around and Messi starts getting cards on Umtiti and crew and France are hampered in the back. Johnny thinks France with Pogba, the vastly underrated Griezmann, Dembele, and a few others should overrun the shaky Argentina defense which has shown itself to be shaky. Unless Messi plays one of the five best games of his life this is France's match to lose.
France 3
Messi 1
Uruguay vs Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo is dangerous in big games. He's deadly in big games. He gets calls for penalties in big games. In Johnny's thinking though, so does Luis Suarez. He's Europe's leading scorer the last three years not named Messi or Ronaldo. Suarez scored the winning goal in Barcelona's last Champion's League title match. He's every bit the diver Ronaldo is AND he has Edinson Cavani who is also a top flight striker. Uruguay has looked balanced in the group stage and looked like a team that can make at least the semi-finals. Will they rise to the occasion or allow Ronaldo another moment of glory?
Uruguay 2
Ronaldo 1
Let's enjoy some Lionel Messi magic shall we? It's just fun to do...
Argentina vs France
When this kicked off, Johnny picked France to win. He hasn't seen much short of Belgium to shy him off of this choice. Yes, Argentina has the best player in the world who makes those around him better (unless the team is Argentina and they are dunderheads) and is capable of moments of magic that should scare France. Horse around and Messi starts getting cards on Umtiti and crew and France are hampered in the back. Johnny thinks France with Pogba, the vastly underrated Griezmann, Dembele, and a few others should overrun the shaky Argentina defense which has shown itself to be shaky. Unless Messi plays one of the five best games of his life this is France's match to lose.
France 3
Messi 1
Uruguay vs Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo is dangerous in big games. He's deadly in big games. He gets calls for penalties in big games. In Johnny's thinking though, so does Luis Suarez. He's Europe's leading scorer the last three years not named Messi or Ronaldo. Suarez scored the winning goal in Barcelona's last Champion's League title match. He's every bit the diver Ronaldo is AND he has Edinson Cavani who is also a top flight striker. Uruguay has looked balanced in the group stage and looked like a team that can make at least the semi-finals. Will they rise to the occasion or allow Ronaldo another moment of glory?
Uruguay 2
Ronaldo 1
Let's enjoy some Lionel Messi magic shall we? It's just fun to do...
Friday, June 29, 2018
Late night open thread
Gonna be hot. Gotta eat that ice cream fast this weekend.
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Time for Jersey City, After Dark
Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with EDWYN COLLINS!
'A Girl Like You' is not a good song, it is a great song. Probably you should find your headphones because this particular one sounds even better with them on. Like a good friend once said, "There is no substitute for good headphones."
Hey Edwyn, Johnny used to have a shirt like that, then his dad got a job!
Hey Edwyn, Johnny used to have a shirt like that, then his dad got a job!
Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES!
Did anyone ever get an exact headcount on how many Banshees there were? We know there were 10,000 Maniacs backing Natalie Merchant so how many Banshees played with Siouxsie Sioux? It's like that fucking owl and Tootsie Pop paradox all over again isn't it?
Please enjoy 'Kiss The For Me' while Johnny does his numbering and factoring on this...
Please enjoy 'Kiss The For Me' while Johnny does his numbering and factoring on this...
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