World Cup and Racism
Today (Wednesday) I am flying to Indianapolis for a meeting. My flight was at 10:15am so I planned to get to the airport by 9am so I could watch the World Cup game. It was Spain vs. Ukraine and it was set to be a good match. I haven't been able to watch a lot of World Cup so I am glad I caught the first half of that game at least. I am writing because I wanted to note of of the great things about soccer. In the same bar was a guy from Spain, and a Mexican guy. We instantly started talking soccer. They talked about the crazy opening game Bolivia had in 1994 when our best player got a red card. We talked and taught the bar tender a little about soccer. He noted how nice everyone watching the games has been. We all stuck around as long as we could watching the game before we had to leave... Spain lead at the half 2-0.

Before the cup there was a lot of talk about racism in Germany. They often times jeer black players, doing monkey calls and even going as far as throwing bananas on the field. So prior to the cup FIFA (the international soccer authority) did a lot of work and set up a lot of security to be sure no problem occurred. There have been a few small incidents, but fortunately nothing major.

Last night I had a little run in with someone. I was at KMart, buying some stuff and at check out, the woman in front of me got all mad that the little card swipper had spanish on the screen (mind you small and at the bottom). She joked to the cashier and to me about it... saying this isn't Mexico... why is it in Spanish. I replied to her, "That is the lamest thing I heard all day." She turned and got mad... saying if you come to this country you need to speak the language... blah blah... saying once again this isn't Mexico. I kept very cool, and replied to her that at one point everyone was an immigrant to this country. She paid and left.

What is crazy is that just this past weekend my father and I watched a clip on the news about a place in Philly that put up a sign that said, "This is America, speak English". It was the famous cheese steak place and they said if you can't order in English don't eat here. WOW.

There was more I wanted to say... looking back while standing in line I remember seeing a tattoo on her husbands arm of a four leaf clover. I did not see what was written around it, but I am assuming it had something to do with being of Irish decent. Weren't the Irish discriminated upon when they came to this country? So why would you turn and do it to the next wave of immigrants? How quickly we forget.

It really hits home with me because my family immigrated here without speaking English (well except my mom). I learned and fortunately so did my Brothers because we were so young. My father learned but he struggled, learning a new language in your late 30s is hard. He knew to be successful in this country he had to learn the native tongue. He learned the language, bought a home, paid taxes, raised his kids, and now is retiring before the age of 60... he lived the American dream. Sometimes the backwardsness of the American debate on immigration and language kills me.

That night, was a very timely rerun of the episode Carlos Mencia (Mind of Mencia - Comedy Central) did on immigration. He did a skit when a Native American came out and told everyone to get out of his country or learn his language...

No one owns the earth... we are renting it from god and last time I checked he speaks just about any language out there, even pig latin. So lighten up.

Fun Weekend
As you all know by now, my life revolves around where I am driving to a certain weekend. This weekend was much the same and I drove around Michigan. Friday night I had a chill night in Albion. I changed rims on my car (for my race on Sunday), organized my tools in my new tool box, cleaned my apartment, relaxed, and kicked myself for forgetting to watch the World Cup games during the day.

Saturday I went to Detroit for a fraternity alumni meeting at Wayne State. We had a decent turn out... being it was our first meeting in over 3 years. Slowly we are getting our alumni group back on track. I am hoping to be able to turn over the chair position of the association this summer and that the group is functioning much better.

After our meeting some of us went to eat.

It was Rob's first time so they made a fool of him at Hooters.

After my meeting I drove to Saginaw. Sunday was Raquel's birthday and their happened to be a race in Midland so I thought I could wrap both events into one trip. It worked perfect. Saturday night watched some taped World Cup games with my mom and dad and washed my car. Sunday I got up early to go register for my race, it was first time racing with this region (Saginaw Valley Region SCCA). There were 12 cars in my class and some good cars and good drivers. It was a fast course which does not favor the way my car is set up. My parents, Raquel and Dennis (with Valerie), Heather and my grandparents came to watch. So I guess you can say I had a lot of fans. Because of all the people there I really did not pay much to my times, my dad road with me on two runs and then my sister on my last run. My times got consistently faster but I was sure with all the competition I was not going to place. I finished my runs and my family stuck around for the second second while I worked one of the corners (for these car clubs you race one heat, and you have to work another heat). After I was done working we were getting ready to go and I went to finally look at the posting board... I took 3rd out of 12! I am totally caught off guard... I was not even trying that hard to do well and just giving rides to everyone. So I got my second free tshirt.

In Saginaw I washed the car.

It was my second race on my new tires.

The race was at the Midland Bartstow airport.

It was hard to get close pictures.

Valerie was out making friends.

And she played in the wild flowers.

After racing we went to dinner for Raquel's birthday. It was nice to just eat and relax and catch up. I don't see my grandparents a lot lately and we were busy at the race so it was nice to just have dinner and chat. I am glad that everyone was able to see my race, especially cause somehow I did so well.

Sunday night my dad and I watched some World Cup that he taped during the day. Man the Mexico vs. Iran game was awesome! I also took some time to post some photos I have been meaning to get posted.

My Race: 06-03-2006 (last weekend)
Novali: Michigan 2006

Well now I am done watching soccer and I really should get back to Albion. Have to work tomorrow. This week I am going to Indianapolis for two days for a board of directors meeting for Gamma Sigma Alpha. Then this coming weekend I will be in Chicago for fathers day. Adios for now.