The City of Roses

This was the true jump-off of summer, and there was very high potential for hijinx.  We footed it a mile and a half from our hotel to the park, cocktails in hand, and took in act after act on a gorgeous day.  It was in the mid-80's and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.  If you don't believe me, look at my arms.

My right arm is twice as burnt as my left, mostly because it spent a lot of quality time in the air.

Best act of the day?  Surprised to say it, but it was definitely Abstract Rude.  Didn't know much about him or his style before the concert, but he had a great vibe going.  Very impressive stuff, and I'll be taking in his next show at First Ave in about a month for sure.

I made the executive decision to pack the camera away for the day.  As much as I love pictures, I wanted to take in the show without having to babysit my prized possession through a crowd of drunken revelers for hours and hours.  Luckily, others in our crew were packing the photo equipment.  Eventually, pics of the day will be added to this space, along with other thoughts of the afternoon and evening.

Approximately 50 minutes remain until the kick-off of the Champion's League final.  Those unfamiliar with the sport of soccer would do well to tune in to this one.  The fixture this year features Barcelona (Winners of La Liga '09 and the Spanish Copa del Rey) squaring off against Manchester United (Winners of the Barclay's Premier League, Club World Cup, and the Carling Cup) for the title of "Greatest Club in Europe."

The CL, for me, has surpassed the World Cup in quality and excitement.  I'm pretty sure either of these teams could handle all but the best of international sides.  As a matter of fact, both sides feature players who are bonafide STARS of their international teams.

I'll be pulling hard for Barcelona to take home the crown.  They showed heart, bravery, and cruel attacking intent against the hated Chavs in their semi-final tie.  Defensively, they aren't as stout as United - and few teams are.  To win this one, they will have to play their familiar open style of play and hope they don't get burned by United's clinical counter-attack.

Looking for an under-the-radar key for today's game?  I offer the following to you.

Keita has been a key for Barca in their Champions' League run.  He serves as the anchor of the midfield, providing size and power that is lacking at other positions.  Flanked by attacking wizards Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta (who is likely my favorite non-Spurs player in all the world), he has the unenviable task of disrupting United's attack.

By the nature of his position and the players he works most closely with, Keita will be counted on heavily in defense.  If he can initiate a few solid counter-attacks with help from the aforementioned duo of Xavi and Iniesta, Barcelona will have some hope of cracking the wall that is United's defence.

His unenviable task is to slow Lionel Messi.  I rate Evra highly when he's in form, but there may be no hotter player in the world than the tiny Argentine wizard.  There's no other way to phrase it - his hands will be full and this matchup could be the one upon which the title match turns.