I am incredibly excited for the men’s World Cup that begins today. It is my favorite sporting event because it is long enough that one can get completely ensconced in it and because of its global aspect: I love knowing that I am sharing the experience with hundreds of millions of people around the world.Continue reading “It’s World Cup Time!”
Author Archives: danielshankcruz
Books Acquired Recently: Strand Edition
Yesterday I once again visited my favorite place in the world, the Strand Bookstore at 12th and Broadway in Manhattan. I was recently remarking to a friend how when I lived within walking distance of the Strand about a decade ago it always seemed like I would go there and there would be a bookContinue reading “Books Acquired Recently: Strand Edition”
The New York Rangers, the Stanley Cup, and Nostalgia
The Stanley Cup Final between the New York Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings begins tonight. I’ve been a Rangers fan since 1990, when I decided to root for them in their first-round playoff series against the Islanders. I began following the team closely during the 1991-1992 season, Mark Messier’s first with the team, asContinue reading “The New York Rangers, the Stanley Cup, and Nostalgia”
Book Acquired Recently: Roller Girls Love Bobby Knight
Hampton, Michael Wayne. Roller Girls Love Bobby Knight. Oregon: Artistically Declined, 2014. A pre-order advertisement for this book showed up in my Facebook feed a few months ago, and I ordered it because I loved the title, and I also like to support small independent publishers (Artistically Declined Press’s website is here; I must sayContinue reading “Book Acquired Recently: Roller Girls Love Bobby Knight”
Book Acquired Recently: A Room With A View
Forster, E.M. A Room With A View. 1908. New York: Barnes & Noble, 2005. I bought this book this morning at a friend’s recommendation and tore through it, finishing it in several hours. It is a lovely book because of Forster’s smooth prose. He is like a less pretentious Oscar Wilde. The novel’s easy, wittyContinue reading “Book Acquired Recently: A Room With A View”
Books Acquired Recently: Sports Edition
Lions, Bernard. 1000 Football Shirts: The Colours of the Beautiful Game. 2013. New York: Universe, 2014. One thing I love about football (i.e., soccer) are the uniforms, and I have also been obsessing about the sport even more than usual lately because of the upcoming World Cup, so when I found out about this bookContinue reading “Books Acquired Recently: Sports Edition”
Thoughts on Landon Donovan’s Exclusion from the U.S. World Cup Roster
I am still stunned by the news that Landon Donovan has been left off of the U.S.’s final 23-man World Cup roster. Donovan is the best American soccer player ever, and while he is no longer in his prime, he certainly has some good years left in him. It is a bold move by nationalContinue reading “Thoughts on Landon Donovan’s Exclusion from the U.S. World Cup Roster”
Terry Collins Needs To Go
The Mets had an excruciating 1-0 loss to the Yankees last night that epitomized their up-and-down season. They got a tremendous pitching performance from Jacob de Grom, who was making his major league debut. de Grom got through seven innings in less than 100 pitches, and only allowed one run, which, as I am aboutContinue reading “Terry Collins Needs To Go”
Books Acquired Recently: More Mennonites Edition
Wiebe, Dallas. Our Asian Journey. Waterloo: mlr, 1997. I have been wanting to read this novel for years, but it is out of print and rare. Every once in a while I check for it online to see if I can find a reasonably-priced used copy, and this time I was happy to find aContinue reading “Books Acquired Recently: More Mennonites Edition”
Ryan Giggs
Manchester United’s bizarre, disappointing season ended today with a 1-1 draw at Southampton. Ryan Giggs coached his last match as interim manager, and it is a good bet that his substitute appearance in the last home match earlier this week was his final one as a United player. Giggs has had a tremedous career sinceContinue reading “Ryan Giggs”
Daniel Shank Cruz 