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Congratulations, my Spanish friends!

It was storming all afternoon yesterday so I ended up at home watching the game.  A few items of note:

It was aired live on one of the national American TV networks.  wow.
That opening ceremony thing confirmed my theory that one of the defining characteristics of Europe is unnecessary silliness.
A rude Nascar fan relative called me.  I told them to switch on the soccer game.  Their exact words were, "Them people don't look right."  Oh god help us all....


"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.

by poemless on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 10:57:42 AM EST
I request transaltion of teh Nascar friends meaning intentions....he was taling about soccer.. or about the initial silliness?

A pleasure

I therefore claim to show, not how men think in myths, but how myths operate in men's minds without their being aware of the fact. Levi-Strauss, Claude

by kcurie on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 11:02:59 AM EST
[ Parent ]
He was talking about the players...

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
by poemless on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 11:43:10 AM EST
[ Parent ]
That opening ceremony thing confirmed my theory that one of the defining characteristics of Europe is unnecessary silliness.

Whatddaya mean? (I only saw it from the middle of the German anthem)

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.

by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 02:42:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]
It was this weird thing where they had people inside cones of balloons moving around simulating the tournament.  First they did pool play and then the brackets.  As teams lost, the balloons were released from the cone dealies.  It really was quite odd.
by Justin S on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 04:14:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]
NOW I am curious... hope I can find something on YoTube.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 04:18:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Really weird... and all those female Mozarts symbolizing both the hosts and referees... my head is spinning.



*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.

by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 04:24:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]
That is seriously strange.
by the stormy present (stormypresent aaaaaaat gmail etc) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 05:19:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]
The last opening/closing ceremony I enjoyed were the ones in the Barcelona olympics...

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 05:40:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I believe they were attempting a Viennese Waltz.  

I can't find a video, but here's a pic

Then some pop star was singing.

It was all very weird.

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.

by poemless on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 04:29:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Then some pop star was singing.

<Checks> Don't tell me you don't know Enrique Iglesias!

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.

by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 05:08:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Why, what'll happen if I tell you I don't know Enrique Iglesias?

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
by poemless on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 05:17:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]
This shows that you are an intelligent person.
by PerCLupi on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 05:31:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I won't believe you :-)

Come on, Bailamos? Rhythm Divine? The youngest mariachi in Once Upon A Time In Mexico?

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.

by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 05:51:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I'm sorry, I really don't!  Though if Julio Iglesias is his father, I have heard of his father.

It's not that I am above enjoying bad Europop, mind you.  I love bad Europop.  (See: Ace of Base reference below.)

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.

by poemless on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 05:54:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Enrique Iglesias is not Europop - he's from Miami.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:00:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]
David Hasselhoff is Europop, and he's from Baltimore....
by the stormy present (stormypresent aaaaaaat gmail etc) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:03:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Just because he's popular in Germany he's Europop?

What is Europop, crap American pop for Eurotrash?

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:04:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Europop.

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
by poemless on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:07:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I have no idea what ABBA, Roxette, Spice Girls, Ace of Base and Enrique Iglesias have to do with each other. But the "term usage" section of that article indicates that the term is actually meaningless.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:14:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Not to speak of David Hasselhof.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:28:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]
No, do NOT speak of Hasselhoff!

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:32:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]
by the stormy present (stormypresent aaaaaaat gmail etc) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:52:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Oh my... don't talk about this either... And Migeru should definitely not see this...

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 07:15:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Hora chanante== david...

A pleasure

I therefore claim to show, not how men think in myths, but how myths operate in men's minds without their being aware of the fact. Levi-Strauss, Claude

by kcurie on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 05:15:41 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Well he must be "big in Europe" because you all know who he is, while I have never heard of him.  Not that I pay too close attention to anything here either...

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
by poemless on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:05:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I think he was bigger in the US than Europe (minus Spain?), but maybe not a musical style you care about.

Oh, and you're definitely right, Hasselhoff's foray into music is Europop/trash, German version...

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.

by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:09:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Look at his wiki page.  He seems to be confined to the Latin music niche within the US.  

He's hot in the UK, Australia, France, ... Bulgaria.

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.

by poemless on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:15:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Miami, I'm telling you.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:17:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Bulgaria!  His fans are in Bulgaria!  

On a serious note, here in the middle of America, you don't hear Spanish language music unless you listen to the Spanish language stations & channels.  I generally do not.  I know of people like, say, Christina Aguilera, because the media is plastered with them.  The media -I swear- is not plastered with Enrique Iglesias.  

Miami hardly representative of America.  But there appears to be widespread knowledge of this guy throughout Europe.  

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.

by poemless on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:24:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Well, we know about him because he has the connections to get himself plastered all over the media. Sort of like Paris Hilton.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:27:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I quoted Wikipedia and posted a video evidencing that he made the crossover into English.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:28:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]
We only know him because we know his fellow/rival American star... Ricky Martin :-)

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:30:19 PM EST
[ Parent ]
He was a big pop star here for a few years at the beginning of the decade.

you are the media you consume.

by MillMan (millguy at gmail) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:35:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]
HA! So will you help us to shove him on you Americans? ;-)

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:36:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]
This all started because you knew who he was and I did not.  

Now you're acting out to divert attention from the fact!

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.

by poemless on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:38:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Well, DoDo is the king of trivia around these parts.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:40:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Note my use of the word "was."

you are the media you consume.

by MillMan (millguy at gmail) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:45:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]
And note that "at the begining of the decade" some of us were in too much complete freaking shock, followed by anger and outrage, to be paying much attention to pop stars.

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
by poemless on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:48:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]
But soon after...

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:51:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]
What does that have to do with anything, DoDo?

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:55:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]
There's always room for obscenity scandals in the US national attention span.  And I heard that Janet Jackson's breast hates us for our freedoms.
by the stormy present (stormypresent aaaaaaat gmail etc) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 07:02:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Poor Enrique, nobody wants him.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:48:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Except the producers of European sporting events.

And possibly DoDo. ;)

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.

by poemless on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:52:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I only want him to go back to Chicago ...and you may want to include him in an Odds & Ends for his ex-wife :-)

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 07:01:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]
On Friday June 27, 2008 Iglesias revealed to a British newspaper that he and Anna Kournikova were married last year but are now divorced and he is currently single.

What?

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 07:05:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]
And that's nothing compared to what goes on in Malta.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 07:11:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Well, in Spain we can be forgiven for knowing who he is since we've had him showed down our throats since he decided he was going to be as famous as his dad.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:09:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]
You provoked it...

(E. I. and Whitney Houston)

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.

by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:12:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]
<shudder>

DoDo, are you a fan?

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:15:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Hell no, I'm just taking revenge on poemless! ;-)

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:22:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]
What the hell did I do?  Commit the terrible offense of never having heard of your favorite recording artist?

</ducks, runs!>

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.

by poemless on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:25:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Acc'd to Wiki:

Enrique Miguel Iglesias Preysler, was born on May 8, 1975 in Madrid, Spain.

Iglesias also plays a role in world soccer as he produced and sang the official song for the UEFA European Championships of 2008 at the tournament's final, which was played between Spain and Germany.

He ends and begins with you, my European friends.  Don't try to disassociate yourselves.  

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.

by poemless on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:11:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]
But the musical part starts and ends in the Americas...

Enrique Iglesias - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Enrique Miguel Iglesias Preysler (born May 8, 1975) is a Spanish pop singer-songwriter. His career started in Mexico on Indie label Fonovisa who helped turn him into one of the most popular artists in Latin America and in the Latin market in the United States, selling more Spanish albums than any other artists in that period of time. Before the turn of the millennium he made a crossover into the mainstream English market and signed a unique multi-album deal with Universal Music for an unprecedented $48,000,000, with Universal Music Latino to release his Spanish albums and Interscope to release English albums, Enrique Iglesias has so far sold over 47 million albums worldwide.


*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:20:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]
By the way, the first time I heard of him was when he beat Ricky Martin... in one of your top awards shows:

In 1998, Iglesias released his third album, Cosas del Amor (Things of Love)....

He won an American Music Award in the category of Favorite Latin Artist against Ricky Martin and Los Tigres del Norte.



*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:27:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]
At least I know who Ricky Martin is!  Livin la vida loca, skin the color of mocha...

Because they were always playing that in the laundromat!!!  oh, man...

DoDo, can I ask you to stop?  You are scaring me.  


"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.

by poemless on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:32:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Damn, so I can't post my YouTube Enrique collection...

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:41:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Hey go to town.

I'll apologize to poor kcurie on your behalf.  I've obviously stirred something deep within your soul, something which you feel compelled to work out here in front of millions. ;-)

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.

by poemless on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:44:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]
What is it with talentless Latino artists and football tournaments?

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:34:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]
"The Americas" and "America" are not interchageable terms.

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
by poemless on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:29:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]
But, does now Latin America belong to us? :-)

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:31:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Why was he singing at the EURO 2008 finals?

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
by poemless on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:34:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]
The Euro Cup finals are quite a way down from the Olympic Games, you know...

Also, choosing someone from Miami avoids uncomfortable issues about choosing this or that European country over others...

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:37:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]
With Spain in the finals...

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:43:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Nobody expected the Spanish Inquisition!

And he's from Miami for all intents and purposes.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:47:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Which is "Spain in America" for all intents and purposes.


"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
by poemless on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:49:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]
There are also some southamericans.. I  wonder who has more money the spanish in there or the south americans in there.. I have never been sure.

A pleasure

I therefore claim to show, not how men think in myths, but how myths operate in men's minds without their being aware of the fact. Levi-Strauss, Claude

by kcurie on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 05:16:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]
By Spain you mean Cuba.

you are the media you consume.

by MillMan (millguy at gmail) on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 04:09:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Julio Iglesias is more America-based Latino-pop, I think (Migeru can correct me if I am wrong). He also had duets with several American R&B stars (but please please don't ask me to dig them up).

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:07:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I'm glad I missed it.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 05:38:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Who is worse? Him or his father?

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 05:44:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Him. His father actually carved out a career for himself - Enrique is just his father's son.

Did you know Julio Iglesias used to be a goalie for Real Madrid but had to retire because of a car crash and that's how he went into singing?

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 05:46:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Enrique is just his father's son.

In Spain, I guess. I doubt more than 5% of his international fans are even old enough to know his father (and I feel old and Yugoslavian for knowing Julio).

Never heard about Julio Iglesias's career turn.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.

by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:07:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Are you telling me poemless doesn't know Hulio?

<cringe>

</cringe>

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:12:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]
My mom (gulp) was a fan.

She's dead now so don't say anything mean about her.  lol

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.

by poemless on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:16:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Poemless, as we know, is always in the 5% of 5%-s :-)

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:23:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]
ETers are one-in-a-million characters.

When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done. — John M. Keynes
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 06:28:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]
funny.. we were cracking a lot of jokes about precisely that.... well I mean him.

Who would have guessed.... that he would steal the show in ET.. ejej ejjjee

A pleasure

I therefore claim to show, not how men think in myths, but how myths operate in men's minds without their being aware of the fact. Levi-Strauss, Claude

by kcurie on Tue Jul 1st, 2008 at 05:27:04 AM EST
[ Parent ]
No I feel I need to clarify that I enjoyed the ceremonies - in a weird way.  This is going to sound embarassing, but it was all so ... foreign.  I couldn't look away from it.  Something about Austria always creeps me out anyway.  So that plus the juxtaposition of these testosterone-mad football fans and the waltzing balloons and refs in rouge and powered wigs, I was a bit mezmerized...  

I didn't watch the popstar.  

Anyway, next time I want to see legoland people doing the hopak and Ace of Base opening. :D

"Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.

by poemless on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 05:50:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]
I'm not as much a sceptic of opening/closing ceremonies as Migeru - weird can be fun. I liked the first match opening ceremony (dancers holding and sometimes rotating cubes with different-coloured sides above their heads, stuff like that). And I remember I liked the Sydmey Olympics ceremonies most, but I can't recall a single detail now, except "SORRY" on the black T-shirts of Midnight Oil.

*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.
by DoDo on Mon Jun 30th, 2008 at 05:57:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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