Meanwhile, in the sports world

The US Men's Soccer team will play for the Confederations Cup championship on Sunday after shocking Spain, the world's top team, in the semifinals.
I didn't get a chance to watch either the US wins over Egypt or Spain. I've forgotten the games were on, and was probably watching "Spongebob Squarepants."
After the Egypt win, my reaction was "No f'ing way." Not because the US beat Egypt, because the US should beat the Egypts of the world. But because of the paired result (Brazil's 3-0 win over Italy) that allowed the US into the semifinals.
Quick aside to the so-called sports experts on TV: How do you want to break a 3-way tie in a soccer tournament? You can't go with head-to-head, since they all beat each other. And you can't go back to head-to-head once you've eliminated a team on goal differential. So what's next? What stat are you going to use to break that tie? Huh? I'm waiting.
OK, back to the US. Watching the highlights and breakdowns of the victory over Spain, I kept waiting for the voice over to change to those of the instant coffee hidden camera commercials of the 70s and 80s.
We've secretly replaced the Gatorade of the US soccer team with one with added elements to allow them to play with more heart and guts. Let's see if they can tell the difference.
Before these two impressive wins, I think there was a bit of panic amongst the people who follow soccer in this country. There were calls for coach Bob Bradley to be fired.
But a few lineup changes, most of which were obviously necessary, and an added "never-say-die" attitude, and the US is playing for a FIFA championship. I don't think it gets Bradley off the hook in the long term, but it likely gets him a pass to the World Cup.
Which has become part of the problem. We're supposed to go to the World Cup now. There's no danger of the US not making the World Cup any more. There needs to be progress shown in international play (outside of the region).
And while it's obvious that the skill level is still lacking, the US needs to play with guts and heart and a "never-say-die" attitude if they're ever going to go on to greater things on the world soccer stage.
Enjoy Sunday's final, because it'll be a historic, and probably, once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. An American team playing in a FIFA final.
(And how weird is it to hear the announcers in the Brazil-South Africa game say the winner has the right to play the US in the final. Absolutely bizarre.)

Shaq off to Cleveland, eh? It makes sense for all the parties involved.
Shaq gets to play with LeBron and take a shot at the one more title, and LeBron gets an experienced hand to clog up the middle to give him a real shot to finally get his hands on the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
But can this partnership really work? Can Shaq take the role of second (or third) banana on a team that has been anointed a favorite to make the NBA Finals? And more importantly, can he stay healthy to play the nearly 100 games it will take to get to next June's finals?
And how important is it now for Cleveland to get that title NOW? You've got one year with Shaq (though, you gotta think he won't go quietly into retirement after this year) and LeBron together before LeBron be can take his ball and leave.
And what of LeBron? How will a title for him be looked at in history when he had to have Shaq with him to win it? Obviously, Shaq's legacy is complete already, winning all the titles he has with the support of Kobe and Wade.
But Kobe's won one now without him. Will LeBron be able to win one without Shaq if he's able to win one with him? That question will haunt him if he isn't able to.
That's about all you'll get out of me about the NBA. Enjoy the draft.

Yes, Tuesday was a happy day in this household, as Luc Robitaille was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
With all the potential people who could have been named, there was that little seed of doubt amongst the national media types. But for us Southern California hockey fans, there was no doubt.
Lucky was a great ambassador for the game in the area besides being one of the greatest left wings to ever play the game. The fans love him, and he's loved the fans right back.
There's a reason ours is not the only Luc born to Southern California parents in the past 20 years or so.
Now, if we can only get a statue of Luc at Staples Center...

Thus ends the first day of double posting on this blog. And, hey, I even have a new fast food item (or maybe two by later tonight) to talk about for Friday. Hope I have the energy to write it...