Showing posts with label London. Show all posts
Showing posts with label London. Show all posts

Sunday, November 25, 2012

The Wirk in London and Ricky Hatton back in the ring

I hadn't been to London since 2009, but I went to visit/meet my mother-in-law for the first time over Thanksgiving weekend.  My new mother-in-law is fantastic!  I honestly couldn't have gotten any luckier.  It was a great few days, full of wonderful food and company.  Can't wait to go back!

After a few days in Shevington (i.e. near Wigan) my husband and I went to London. We stayed in Leicester Square while in London (i.e. which is the equivalent of Times Square in New York City)...  When did all the casinos pop up?  It's almost like the Las Vegas Strip now...

Coincidentally, there was added excitement that Saturday night, since Ricky Hatton was back in the ring fighting a Ukrainian in Manchester.  I'd never actually watched Hatton fight before.  I was in Vegas on December 8, 2007 when Hatton fought Floyd Mayweather.  Specifically, I was sitting in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino's sportsbook watching a bunch of men from the UK lay some late money on Hatton.  Needless to say, those men and Hatton lost that night and they would've lost if they bet the same way for Hatton's comeback fight.  Hatton was knocked out by Vyacheslav Senchenko in the 9th round.  

Hatton's boxing comeback is/was over.  As for London, I'll be back...

Lastly, MTV has Geordie Shore (i.e. the UK equivalent of Jersey Shore) over there?!!?  Really?!?!  Who knew...


THE WIRK

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Team USA Men's and Women's Basketball Teams come to DC this weekend

In case you're like me and not right on top of the USA Men's Basketball schedule, I'd like to let you know that the USA Men's (i.e. and Women's) Basketball teams are coming to the Verizon Center in Washington, DC.  Both teams will be playing Brazil's Olympic squads. 

Do you know who Oscar Schmidt is?  If you are a true international basketball fan, you do.  Regardless, educate yourself here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Schmidt.

I digress...  Let's get back to Team USA...

If you want a pair of front row tickets (i.e. according to Ticketmaster's website) that are in section 112 (i.e. which traditionally look at the visiting team's bench for NBA games) there are a pair for $827.65 EACH.  That's right - for you and your wife/buddy/customer/client/child/boss, etc. you'll spend close to $1,700.  Don't worry, Moneybags, a portion of you ticket price will go to USO charities.  So if you're fortunate enough to have the ticket money, a huge fan of Team USA, and can't make it to London for the festivities - get yourself to the "Phone booth" on Monday at 5:30PM for the doubleheader. 

Here's a link so you can purchase your tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1500488CE14C7042?artistid=873991&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=7

If you're feeling charitable, I'm only interested in a single ticket and it's ONLY $520.90.  If you want to donate to my ticket account, feel free to Paypal me at sjwirk@gmail.com.

For all of you that have $59, you can pick up seats to the game if you use the discount code: wizards and following the link: https://oss.ticketmaster.com/html/go.htmI?l=EN&t=wizards&o=505&g=2197

****  I guess I've been catching too many clips of Team USA in Las Vegas, that I presumed that they'd head straight to London when they were finished training in Las Vegas.  As it turns out their stint, out West, wraps up on July 12. 

In addition, I was talking to my friend, Teri, earlier and The Nike World Basketball Festival 2012 will take place at the DC Armory July 14-15.  This was also news to me.  You can expect to find me at the DC Armory this weekend to get over my basketball drought, since the NBA Finals, and to relive some 1992 Dream Team Memories.  From what I understand there will be some select appearances by members of the Dream Team at certain events.

So, for all of you "hoop heads" in the DC/VA/MD area, it looks like you have something to do!  Go out and support Team USA Men's and Women's Basketball.

Nominated for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Men's Team were: Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Tyson Chandler (New York Knicks); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder); Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers); James Harden (Oklahoma City Thunder); Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers); Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves); Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers); Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder); and Deron Williams (Brooklyn Nets).  Oh and there's another guy...  Hmmm.  What's his name?  You know - that guy who left Cleveland to win a Championship with the Miami Heat.  Yes, LeBron James. 

The men are coached by Duke University's, Coach K.

Admitedly, I'm not as familiar with the Women's team, but here are the names I recognize from the USA National Team:  Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), Swin Cash (Chicago Sky), Tina Charles (Connecticut Sun), Asjha Jones (Connecticut Sun), Maya Moore (Minnesota Lynx), Candace Parker (Los Angeles Sparks), and Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury).  ****  No offense intended to the other women on the squad who's names I didn't include.  I think I only recognize these names from their NCAA Women's Tournament game performances.

The women are coached by UConn's own, Geno Auriemma.

Enjoy.


THE WIRK

Saturday, June 12, 2010

USA v England ~ Ended in a tie 1-1

I'll admit I don't know much about the FIFA World Cup, but I am an American so let's go USA.  I really should watch more soccer/futbol...  These guys are handsome and very athletic...

I know USA is the underdog is this match, but I'm more than happy to root for my country!  All this World Cup activity and international competition is getting me excited for the Olympics in 2012 in London.

When I was in London last November, I was staying at the Marriott in Kensington.  I came "home" after dinner and ran into Burnley in my hotel lobby bar.  The entire team was there and they were scheduled to play Chelsea the following day.  I was headed out of town, otherwise I definitely would've LOVED to check out that match.  Incidentally, Burnley defeated Chelsea the next day.  Moreover, that just goes to prove that sometimes underdogs win.  Next time I'm in England, I will make sure I see a match.

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In the 1st half, England scored early off of a goal by Steven Gerrard.  However, USA got back into the action after Clint Dempsey scored after a mistake from Calamity (i.e. no, try "Catastrophe") Robert Green
The match ended with both squads tied at 1.

On another unrelated note, these guys are HOT!!!!  I need to watch more soccer/futbol.   Wow!!!  Who do you think is the best looking man in soccer/futbol?


THE WIRK