Pedro González-Trevijano, Catedrático de Derecho Constitucional y actual Rector, ganó ayer las elecciones de la Universidad Rey Juan Carlos con el 68,43% del voto ponderado, de acuerdo al escrutinio provisional de la Junta Electoral Central. González-Trevijano ganó en todos lo campus, los sectores y modalidades de voto. David Ríos, Catedrático de Estadística e Investigación Operativa, obtuvo el 22% y Armando Torrent Ruiz, Catedrático de Derecho Romano, el 3,25%.

http://www.urjc.es/z_files/ai_noti/ai05/noticia_completa.php?ID=1132

Who wouldn't love a guy that gets a standing ovation?

Alex Gonzalez is coming back to Toronto. Okay, okay not that Alex Gonzalez. A day after signing Johnny Mac to a two-year, $3 million deal, ESPN.com is reporting the Jays have also agreed to a one-year, $2.75 million contract with the other Alex Gonzalez, who hit .238 with eight homers in 112 games with Cincinnati and Boston last year.

Like his namesake, Gonzalez is also a shortstop, so his signing all but ends the Marco Scutaro era in Toronto, which, as I implied yesterday, is fine by me. Don’t get me wrong — Scutaro is cool and all, but at age 34 and coming off a career-year, he’s due to get waaaay overpaid. I’ll gladly let someone else do that.

Gonzalez will be 33 on Opening Day, having kicked around the majors since breaking in with Florida in 1998. He hit 23 homers in 2003 and added a walk-off in the World Series, which the Marlins won that year, and hit 16 and .272 as recently as 2007 before missing all of the following year with a broken kneecap. Since leaving Florida in 2006, he’s had a pair of stints in Boston and spent two seasons in Cincinnati.

Also of note (and kind of sadly), Gonzalez has a three-year-old son in Miami that’s been in a coma for two years. That really, really sucks. Anyway, all the best to the new man in town, both on and especially off the field.

Llego el clásico y La Pena Máxima lo cubre a la perfección, siempre con los mejores invitados y el máximo análisis futbolístico, nos preparamos para el esperado Barça-Real Madrid con las entrevistas a personas dentro del ambiente, son dos partes pero vaya que valen la pena xD tambien hablamos un poquito de los mundiales xD y suempre con la mejor banda sonora.

no olviden hacerse fans en el FB y para cualquier comentario o duda, pueden mandar correos a crackgalactico929@gmail.com o a magic_273@hotmail.com

Primera Parte:

Segunda Parte:

Es madrugada, ya, otro día que corre bajo las ruedas desgastadas de los Nissan V-16 que hacen las veces de colectivos en el gran Santiago de Chile. Es época de elecciones en mi país, y la gente habla de todo un poco cada día que corre antes del 13 de Diciembre. Época de promesas. Me voy a dormir y a soñar con un arte nuevo planetario.

Cada candidato tiene sus recelos con el campo del arte, los presupuestos deben manejarse cómo corresponde, no es cosa de llegar y prometer para despues no cumplir y provocar. Ya tu sabes.

Cómo se puede guardar distancia de un fenómeno artístico tan brutalmente. En Hamlet, de Shakespeare, el brutal Claudio dobla sus rodillas ante el enfrentamiento con el arte que le develaba aquello que el mismo había puesto tras el velo. Pero aquí, entre mar y cordillera, entre el cobre del norte y el cemento del centro, entre el cabón de lota y las centollas y el frío del fin de los suelos, ¿Qué se nos dobla aquí ante el arte?

El tiempo corre cómo un animal desvocado, y los ruegos para conseguir financiamiento no han de encontrar siempre a un chascón ruliento, de apellido rezonante que venga y te ponga un fajo de billetes por delante, tú no eres Tomás González. ¿Cómo puedo dormir y soñar? Estamos en pañales.

Las donaciones culturales no son tales. El patrimonio no es asunto tratable. Qué cultivo de qué cosa. Que importante es educarse, constituirse, construirse y observarse. Conocer el entorno para poder desarrollarse. Analizar agudamente la tierra y a quienes la gobiernan, exigir y cultivar el espacio del arte en la comunidad que nos contempla. Hay que arar la tierra para arriesgar nuestras semillas, y pasan, y pasan los días.

Será la solución realizar y realizar pruebas? Es tan dura la condena de la filiación a la causa o el ataque contra ella? Podemos ser tan independientes y conseguir tribuna?

Qué paso damos con la libertad de expresión, la amplia convocatoria de los concursos de asignación, si nadie se entera de que formas emanan de tal o cual creación.

Los medios han de ser aliados. Cadenas de expansión de las arremetidas artísticas, de las prácticas culturales. Cadenas de cualquier tipo que mantengan al tipo a tiempo en los nuevos arquetipos.

Acontece, todo acontece. No acabamos de sacar la teta de la boca y ya estamos matando la vaca.

Me voy a dormir, sin creer en las tramposas causas que esgrimen los candidatos en sus propagandas. Tal vez los empleados públicos no pierdan su trabajo en el eventual gobierno de Piñera. La pregunta es si los artistas lo van a encontrar.

Čempionų lyga.

Finišavo priešpaskutinis UEFA Čempionų lygos grupių etapas. Netikėtą pergalę Mančesteryje iškovojo Stambulo “Besiktas” ekipa, 1:0 įveikusi vietos “United”.

A grupė: “Bayern” (62 min. I.Olic) 1:0 “Maccabi”; “Girondins” (54 min. Fernando, 90 min. M. Chamakh) 2:0 “Juventus”

B grupė: CSKA (58 min. T.Necid, 66 min. M.Krasič) 2:1 “Wolfsburg” (19 min E.Dzeko); “Man Utd” 0:1 “Besiktas” (20 min. R.Tello).

C grupė: “Milan” (16 min. M.Boriello) 1:1 “Marseille” (16 min. L.Gonzalez);  “Real” (21 min. G.Higuain) 1:0 “Zurich”.

D. grupė: APOEL (5 min.  N.Mirosavljevičius)1:1 “Atletico” (62 min. Simao); “Porto” 0:1 “Chelsea”(69 min. N.Anelka).

Saturday 21^st November, Labrit, Pamplona

GONZALEZ beat RETEGI BI 22-12

This weekend was a tense affair for at least three of the pelotaris involved in the Cuatro y Medio semi finals, for the two tickets to the final depended on a series of outcomes. Sebastian Gonzalez, having lost to Titin III last week, had to beat Retegi Bi at Labrit on Saturday to progress. However, even victory there was not a guarantee, for if Titin were to beat Martinez de Irujo a day later, the cause would be lost. Retegi Bi, for his part, had a mathematical chance of qualification but it would have taken the miracle of a 22-2 victory for this to come to pass. Realistically he knew this was a task beyond the herculean, but he was understandably determined to have at least one victory to show for his time in the semi finals.

Gonzalez delivered on his side of the bargain and there was nothing Julen Retegi could do to stop the rot. Within two minutes, Gonzalez had raced to a 3-0 lead and condemned his young opponent to a winless exit. The result was never in serious doubt as the man from Donibane struck cleanly and dominated with his well practised combination of deep serve followed by hook winner. The match suffered from predictability and only seriously caught fire when a collision between the two players sparked a three way protest between the two players and Julen’s father and botillero, Julian Retegi, leading to a replay of the point. But this was of transient importance as Gonzalez took the victory 22-12.

Gonzalez therefore was left in limbo, having done all he could. An Irujo victory on Sunday would put him through to the coveted final but a win for Titin would send him packing. Retegi must surely be disappointed at his performance in the semi finals but must take heart from the way he got there, beating a bafflingly off colour Aimar Olaizola with play worthy of his eventual position. There is surely more to come from the promising son of the famous father.

Scoring sequence: 3-0, 3-2, 8-2, 8-4, 11-4, 11-5, 14-5, 14-7, 16-7, 16-9, 19-9, 19-12 and 22-12.

Written with the partial help of Noticias de Alava

Gonzalez won but was forced to wait

Image from Diario Vasco

No soy contrario a la reflexión. La reflexión precede a la acción. El problema es que estamos convirtiendo las instituciones en think-tank y nos falta action-tank.

Atlanta Falcons – Tony Gonzalez to be naked with wife for Peta posters…. I prefer the Kardashian chick.. but I’m glad he participated!

Sunday 15th November, Astelena, Eibar

TITIN III beat GONZALEZ 22-17

Astelena was full to the rafters on Sunday evening for a game of high intensity between Augusto Ibanez and Sebastian Gonzalez. It was an encounter which had far reaching ramifications for the makeup of the championship final; had Gonzalez won, his place would have been assured, but it is Titin who now finds himself in the box seat in the fight to reach the endgame. Gonzalez and Irujo are squarely in the battle while Retegi Bi is all but out.

The game hung on a knife edge for the first eighteen points, after which the protagonists were tied at nine apiece. Both had appeared nervous in the opening plays, the first three points being won through rather unecessary errors. However, both found their stride and the crowd, many of whom had made the trip from Rioja to support Titin, was treated to some scintillating shot making. As befits a match where the stakes are so high, the tussle had its fair share of controversy as the players twice collided, sparking protests of obstruction from each in turn. The drama increased when Titin was forced to leave the fronton following a blow to the head as he dived. Far from knocking his confidence, the incident seemed to spur him on to greater things as he immediately pulled a crosscourt winner right out of the top drawer. For the rest of the encounter, Titin managed to keep his nose fractionally in front of Gonzalez, who missed some key chances to take control.

Titin, as is his wont, played with seething controlled aggression and will surely trouble Juan Martinez de Irujo when they meet on Sunday in the same arena. Expect a white hot evening.

Scoring sequence: 0-1/ 1-1/ 1-2/ 2-2/ 3-2/ 3-3/ 3-7/ 8-7/ 8-8/ 8-9/ 9-9/ 13-9/ 13-11/ 14-11/ 15-11/ 15-12/ 17-12/ 17-14/ 18-14/ 18-17/ 19-17/ 22-17

Titin rampant

Image from: Diario Vasco

Is Alfonso Soriano going to take Jason Bay’s spot in Left? Have the Sox lost their mind? No Jack ……..the aforementioned Soriano is Rafael, the hard throwing right-hander who pitched in Atlanta last season. This comes to us from today’s NY Post:

According to sources, the Red Sox asked the Braves for the medical reports on Mike Gonzalez and Soriano, neither of whom fits into the Braves’ plans because they are too expensive. Gonzalez made $3.45 million this past season, Soriano $6.35 million. The left-handed Gonzalez, appeared in 80 games, going 5-4 with a 2.42 ERA, and converted 10 of 17 save chances. Soriano, 29, was 1-6 with a 2.97 ERA in 77 games and fanned 102 in 75 2/3 innings. He converted 27 of 31 save chances.

 Quite simply, I like both of these guys. Gonzo is a bit of a prick and he walks a few too many for my liking but he gets tons of Ks and is a bear against lefties. At $3 million, he represents good value for the Sox. At $6, which is what his agent Scott Boras will demand, he is a reach.

Soriano, when he is healthy, is a K-meister and good luck hitting against him if you are right-handed. Last season, righties hit .138 off him and they struck out forty percent of the time. SICK! The downside to Soriano is his health as  he has a TJ zipper dating back to 2004 and there were reports that he had some shoulder issues last year. That being said, I am not giving him anything close to the $6 million he earned last year. Two years and eight million sounds right to me.   

Now both of these guys could probably find someone who will let them close next year and you have to think the Yanks will be in Soriano if they are going to move Phil Hughes into the rotation. Moreover, I would think the Phils, Mets and Angels could use guys like these to settle their late-inning issues. So there will obviously be competion for these guys services.

For the Sox …..Gonzo only makes sense if Billy Wagner is not going to return because the Sox are not going to carry Wagner, Gonzo and Oki. A week ago, I would have said Wagner was gone but given recent comments from Theo, I am no longer sure that is the case. And the longer they dick around with Wagner, the less likely that Gonzo will be available. And again, means big bucks. 

And Soriano? Well, his addition would do a few things. First off, it would basically eliminate any meaningful role for Ramon Ramirez but given his finish that is hardly disappointing. Second, it would put Soriano right in the mix with Bard to alternate as JPs eighth inning lead-in and step in to close on occasion. Third, it gives the Sox a real RH set-up man in the event that JP is traded and Bard is elevated.

I don’t know if the Sox can swing this but the following BP would be fierce ….Wagner, Oki, Soriano, Bard and Papelbon. That is an expensive pen and it will cost the Sox a pick, but it could be devastating.

This week in Paris has been absolutely fascinating. As far as end of season tournaments go, Paris has been by far the best. Despite del Potro’s retirement, Federer’s first round loss, and Mandy’s loss to the ever annoying Stepanek, tennis fans have had plenty to enjoy. Rafael Nadal fought his way through to the semi finals, Gael Monfils gave the home crowd something to cheer for, and Novak Djokovic captured the title with his best tennis of the year. But before any of this happened, we said goodbye to one of tennis’s most loved men, Marat Safin.

Writing about a player you know hardly anything about should be difficult. Especially when you are hardly even a fan of said player. But the thing with Marat is, he inspired conversation and enthusiasm with all tennis fans, no matter how much you liked him. And even if, like me, you found it hard to support a man that dragged his feet through his last year on tour, appeared to hate the sport, spoke about having no friends on tour, and stated time and time again that he could not wait to forget about tennis, Marat Safin would somehow find a way to wiggle into your heart. Because despite his anti Federer/Nadal personality, there is a lot to love about the angry, misunderstood Russian. And I don’t just mean his good looks.

Marat Safin has something we don’t see much amongst the stern faced competitors of the ATP: a fabulous sense of humour. His pressers were always honest, interesting, and funny. Whether he was putting himself down, bemoaning the price of strawberries, or telling Andre Agassi where to go, Marat could always be counted on to say something funny and shocking. You can forget the formalities with Marat, want an alternative to Nadal’s humble post-loss speeches? Then Marat was your man.

Not the world’s best role model, this is the man who showed up to a match supported by a girl with her nipples showing. Then there was the time he arrived with a black eye, having found himself in a fight the night before. We were hardly suprised. Marat has walked off court after being called for a foot fault, and he has smashed more racquets than Fernando Gonzalez. He has never been very good at controlling his temper.

With all this anger, slutiness, and disdain for tennis, a casual tennis fan might find it hard to see what all the fuss is about. Indeed, hardly anyone could get away with the behaviour Marat has displayed over his career. Andy Roddick has acted similarly at times, but recieves as much criticism as he does love. The men I was too young to watch that threw racquets and went off their head seem to gather a lot of dislike as well. I have heard many people express their dislike of John McEnroe. Even Andre Agassi is finding the public against him after basking in their praise for many years. What is it about Marat that makes him so untouchable?

It sounds cruel, but Marat Safin simply has not had the career success to generate much hatred against him. Despite his two Grand Slams, fifteen titles, and a number one ranking, many people think that with a backhand that beautiful, Safin is an underachiever. Defenders of Marat point to a man called Roger Federer, and others say Marat is a choker through and through. The truth is probably a combination of both.

Marat has more than just an underdog charm to win so many people over. Marat has charisma. Oodles of it. He is funny, he is emotional, he loves his little sister, and, let’s face it, Marat is incredibly good looking. Marat wins male tennis fans over with his anger and sense of humour, women flock to his charm and his rugged bad-boy looks.

Yet there is still much more to Marat than good looks, anger, and humour. These are all entertaining characteristics, but there is one more thing that makes Marat so loveable. So relatable. Marat Safin spend his last year on tour itching to retire. Especially in the first half of the year, he spoke frequently about how tennis was boring, coming across as a man who hated the sport that had made him rich and famous. He said he had no friends on tour, that he didn’t enjoy it. It was around this time I wondered if I liked Marat at all. Then his retirement grew nearer, and I think we all saw the truth. Marat Safin was a man once hailed as the next big thing. He must have been filled with hope and excitement after his grand slam success. Things just didn’t turn out that way for him. Over the years, Marat became someone known as a choker, an underachiever, and people wondered what could have been. When Marat spoke of tennis earlier this year like he did, I thought I heard hatred in his voice. But what I heard was disappointment and bitterness. Marat Safin won two slams, was number one, won fifteen titles, and finished his career inside the top one hundred. Looking back, what a marvelous career he had. At the time, though, we didn’t think so. It isn’t Marat that let himself down. Tennis let Marat down.

So heres to the most universally liked player of the last decade. The man that has made every fan smile at some point. Marat Safin is one of the most likeable players ever because he is one of the most human. There is no robotic like talent, no humbled victories, nothing we can’t relate to, or see within ourselves. He is a man noone hates. There is noone else like Marat Safin. No player can replace him. When we looks back on him in the future, it isn’t his tennis people will remember. It is the man.

Now what an achievement that is.

La Session soirée, proposée cette année par les organisateurs du Masters Paris-Bercy, proposait, hier soir, deux huitièmes assez équilibrées. Tout d’abord le choc des styles entre Tommy Robredo et Rafael Nadal, puis le choc des cogneurs ou “bourrins” qui opposait Fernando Gonzalez à Juan Martin Del Potro. Des issues faciles à deviner et pourtant ça n’a pas été facile.

C’est sous les notes de “Thriller” du défin Michael Jackson que Rafael Nadal et son compatriote, Tommy Robredo entrait sur le central du POPB en début de soirée. Favoris, le Majorquin débutait mieux son match qu’au tour précédent contre Verdasco. Robredo s’accrochait mais ne pouvait empêcher le numéro 2 mondial de s’échapper. Le premier set en poche, Rafael Nadal pensait finir rapidement. Mais c’était sans compter sur son adversaire, Tommy Robredo. Plus à l’aise sur terre battue, le Catalan jouait parfaitement son rôle pour gêner au maximum son compatriote. Très propre sur ses jeux de services, son deuxième set était un niveau au dessus. En face, Nadal lachait peu à peu le match. Le break réussit, à 2-2 dans le deuxième set, permettait le retour de Robredo dans le match et lui adjugeait la seconde manche. Très convainquant sur les situations dangereuses, Nadal attaquait la troisième manche avec une présence constante. Ses coups puissants retrouvés, l’Espagnole faisait la course en tête. Puis venait le break du Catalan qui servait alors, à 5-4, pour un place en quarts de finale. C’est le moment que choisissait le numéro 2 mondial pour retrouver son efficacité et arracher la victoire. Un salut et un remerciement au public, chaud bouillant, tandis que Tommy, lui, quittait le terrain en se demandant comment il avait pu louper sa chance. Plus au top depuis sa blessure, Rafael Nadal reste quand même difficile à battre, comme disaient certains “Un lion ne meurt jamais, il dort”…

La deuxième partie de soirée réservait un match de cogneurs, à 210km/h de moyenne au service. Le Chilien, Fernando Gonzalez, avait rendez-vous avec son voisin géographique, l’Argentin, Juan Martin Del Potro. Bourrins au sevice comme dans leurs coups, les deux joueurs géraient leur premier jeux de service avec aisance et rapidité. Un rytme bien différent de celui du premier match. Del Potro arrivait cependant à prendre le service de son adversaire et s’offrait une avance convenable pour choper le premier set. Mais trop facile dans son comportement, l’Argentin était surpris par son adversaire qui ne lâchait rien. Les deux joueurs se retrouvaient au tie break où le petit écart de niveau de jeu  entre eux se faisait ressentir. Finalement, Gonzalez arrachait la première manche et faisait appel, dans la foulée, au médecin. Le Chilien se plaignait d’une douleur au genou droit. Ne parvenant pas à lâcher l’Argentin, le 11ème joueur mondial faisait la course en tête dans le second set. Cette avantage lui permettait à 5-4, de s’offrir sept balles de matches sur le service de Del Potro. Le 5ème mondial faisait alors toute l’étale de son mental à rude épreuve. Pourtant souffrant du dos, l’Argentin emmenait son adversaire au jeu décisif, une deuxième fois, qu’il remportait cette fois 8 à 6. Le Chilien déclarait forfait lors de la pause et offrait, du même coup, un ticket pour les quarts de finale à Del Potro qui devra passer Stepanek pour continuer son parcours dans le tournoi parisien. Le Tchèque avait écarté Andy Murray, touché physiquement, plus tôt dans l’après midi. Duel de chanceux en perspective ?

Baptiste Morin

Juan Martín Del Potro accedió a los cuartos de final del Master 1000 de París luego de que el chileno Fernando González decidiera abandonar al comienzo del tercer set, tras haberse llevado el primero 7-6 (8-6) y haber perdido el segundo por el mismo resultado.

El tandilense llegó a estar 5-3 arriba y dispuso de varios set points pero no los aprovechó. González arremtió y se lo ganó. En cambio en el segundo set la suerte cambió y estuvo del lado de Del Potro ya que evitó siete match points y se adjudicó el segundo parcial.

El trasandino acusó una molestia llegando a las dos horas y media de partido y de esta manera le facilitó al argentino el pase a cuartos de final. Ahora Del Potro enfrentará mañana en lo que será el cierre de la jornada al checo Radek Stepanek, que dejó en el camino al escocés Andy Murray.

Junto al tandilense los candidatos para quedarse con el título son el español Rafael Nadal, que superó a su compatriota Tomy Robredo 6-3, 3-6 y 7-5, y  el serbio Novak Djokovic, que derrotó por un doble 6-2 a Arnaud Clement. Además siguen en carrera el croata Marin Cilic y los locales Jo-Wilfried Tsonga y Gael Monfils.

Darío Ribba

Just remind me why they play Paris so late in the year again? Doesn’t really seem like anyone is interested in playing there… except Julian Bennetau. Federer suffered a terrible loss to an on-fire Bennetau in the first round. Embaressing, to say the least. Good news for Roger fans is that Muzz lost to Stepanek today in the battle of the two uglies. That side of the draw is wide open for del Potro if he decides he could do with winning a Masters, (he could, just saying).

Nadal saved multiple match points in his first round victory over Almagro, world’s biggest choker. He is currently playing in a third set against Robredo. Not really players he should be challenged by, even on the fast courts of Paris.

Back to Federer’s loss. He posted on facebook earlier in the week that he had been practising at Roland Garros. Here’s an idea. When you are about to play in a tourny on a fast hardcourt, it is a wise idea to practise on one. Hard court, at least. Not CLAY. Seriously, clay?? Why did he bother entering?

Davydenko has qualified for the WTF, and he bloody deserves it. He may have lost in Paris to Soderling, (who is still in the hunt), but he will have a real shot at the end of year finals. Especially if Nadal, Muzz, and Fed remain uninterested.

Verdasco’s end of season has been as bad as Federer’s … but he didn’t win two Slams and make all four finals this year so it baffles me why he seems to be running out of steam. If he is going to play this averagly, I  don’t want him in WTF. Give it to Soderling, who is playing well and deserves it.

Speaking of playing well, Cilic beat Verdasco today and boy is just looking better and better. He is going to be a real contender next year.

Safin retired after losing against delPo, but I’ll post on him properly later in the week. Delpo takes on Gonzy next … please win.

EDIT: Well Nadal snuck through that one 7-5 in the third… I’ll reserve further judgement.

Saturday 7th November, Zarautz: GONZALEZ beat MARTINEZ DE IRUJO 22-19

The first encounter of the Cuatro y Medio semi-finals went against the head in Zarautz last Friday as Sebastian Gonzalez got the better of tournament favourite Juan Martinez de Irujo. It was a thrilling match, played in front of an enthusiastic and vociferous crowd. Both participants moved the ball with speed and power and played excellently in defence. Gonzalez, against expectations, managed to keep his nose ahead for the whole match, building up an excellent start which saw him take a 7-1 lead. Irujo ran him closer as the game progressed and played many excellent shots, but in the final analysis it was Gonzalez who showed the greater finesse.

Scoring sequence: 1-7/3-7/3-8/ 5-10/ 12-13/ 13-14/ 14-18/ 15-20/ 19-20/ 19-22

Source: ASPE

Irujo and Gonzalez did battle in Zarautz

Image from: Diario Vasco

The best catch Tony Gonzalez has ever made

I’m usually not too crazy about PETA’s stupidity, but if Tony Gonzalez’s wife really would rather go naked than wear fur…well, I’m not gonna fight it.

No conozco a Enric González, pero me ha gustado este vídeo. Lo comparto con ustedes.

Desde la consagración de Juan Martín del Potro (N°5 del ranking mundial) en el US Open, donde venció en una inolvidable final al suizo Roger Federer (N°1), los tenistas argentinos no han podido obtener buenos resultados en el circuito ATP. El final de una temporada larga que empezó en los primero días de enero y el desarrollo de certámenes indoor, los cuales no son la especialidad de nuestros representantes, acentúan aún más esta realidad.

El tenista tandilense se vio imposibilitado de aprovechar el golpe anímico que significa ganar un Grand Slam (más considerando las circunstancias) y se vio inmerso en diferentes problemas físicos que lo arrastraron a abandonar de manera temprana de los torneos en los que se presentó o desistir antes de comienzo de algún certamen, como es el caso de este semana en el ATP 500 de Basilea.

La actuación de los otros compatriotas tampoco es para destacar. La excepción a esta situación es el marplatense Horacio Zeballos, quien arribó a la final del ATP 250 de San Petersburgo el pasado fin de semana.

Mayer batalló pero no pudo con Murray

Para graficar el bajo nivel que viene demostrando la legión argentina en las últimas semanas, vale recordar que Juan Mónaco (N°30) perdió en el día de hoy ante el ruso Nikolay Davydenko (N°7) por 6-3 y 7-5 y fue eliminado en la segunda rueda del ATP 500 de Valencia, mientras que Leonardo Mayer (N°64) también se despidió al caer ante el británico Andy Murray (N°4) por 6-4, 3-6 y 6-3. Con estas dos caídas, el tenis argentino se quedo sin representación en los torneos que se disputan durante la presente semana.   

La carrera hacia el ATP World Final de Londres

Con la victoria obtenida ante Leonardo Mayer, el ruso Nikolay Davydenko está cada vez más cerca de obtener la clasificación al ATP World Finals (ex Masters).

Con el objetivo de lograr un pasaporte a Londres, existen varios jugadores para ocupar las dos plazas vacantes que quedan: el español Fernando Verdasco, el chileno Fernando González y el sueco Robin Soderling, son los que más chances tiene de obtener un lugar en la cita que reune a los ocho mejores jugadores de la temporada.

Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray, Del Potro y Roddick ya se aseguraron un lugar en Londres.

By Cassie Turner

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Published: Sunday, November 1, 2009

Updated: Sunday, November 1, 2009

Emre Kelly

Audience members rose to their feet and exploded with applause when UCF junior Michael Newman accepted the title of Mr. UCF 2010, beating out nine other contestants in the annual scholarship pageant.

Students watched as 10 students dressed as zombies took the stage in the Pegasus Ballroom in the Student Union  on Friday as they danced to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

Newman, who won the judges’  favor and the audience popular vote, took home over $2,000 in scholarship awards courtesy of Student Government Association and the UCF Alumni Association. He said his main objective as Mr. UCF this year would be to spread awareness.

“I carry the world on my backpack,” Newman said as he performed a poem he found online called The Renditions of a Homeless Man for the talent competition. Newman dressed in layers of jackets and carried a sign that read: “Hungry any spare change helps please.”

“Students a lot of times feel disconnected from the community around us. Two miles down the road there are people that are homeless,” Newman said. “There are a lot of people that stay within the circle at UCF because they don’t really understand or realize what’s going on around us.”

Newman said during his interview that he wants to bridge that gap between the community, students and faculty, which he believes is part of the UCF Creed.

Newman is currently an ambassador on the President’s Leadership Council, the community service chair of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity and a member of the Student Sustainability Alliance. 

The pageant winner was not the only student heavily involved in campus and community activities vying for a shot at the Mr. UCF title. Spectacular Knight and Campus Activities Board Director Samantha Nemeroff said 15 students auditioned for the event, but only ten competed in the pageant.

“They represented UCF in a great way,” Nemeroff said. “They are all very involved in the school and the community. Their talents were impressive, too.”

Jonathan Parker sang the bluesy Porgy & Bess classic “Summertime.” Matthew Miller, clad in a glitter jacket and rhinestone glove, moonwalked to a version of “Billy Jean” by Michael Jackson. Marcus Williams dressed in a red and white checkerboard shirt, and performed a hip-hop line dancing routine to a music mix. James Jarman broke out the red vinyl records and turntables, scratched and spun a house and Latin mix. 

Tyson Nales, Mr. UCF 2009, and Dasha Gonzalez, Miss UCF 2010,  hosted the pageant with a panel of five judges. The bulk of the contestants’ scores came from the talent competition followed by their audition interview, formal wear, beachwear and a final on-stage question.

The scholarship pageant began in 1989 and benefits both students and the community. Sidney Porter, Sunshine Princess and Lake Highland student, donated a midback ponytail of hair to Locks of Love and the audience favorite vote raised $920 for Children’s Miracle Network.

SGA provided scholarship awards of $400 to the third runner-up, Warren Jackson, $650 to second runner-up, James Jarman, and $1,000 to first runner-up, Marcus Williams.

Additionally, Jonathan Parker won $500 in awards for nonfinalist best interview and top ad sales. David Cohn won $350 for nonfinalist best talent and David Yu won Mr. Congeniality and $150.

The pageant is open to all full-time male undergraduate and graduate students who hold a minimum 2.5 GPA.

Nemeroff said she can relax for a week before she begins planning for the Miss UCF pageant, with 25 girls set to compete for the title on Feb. 6, 2010. 

UCFnews: Michael Newman crowned Mr. UCF: http://bit.ly/1×2pjS http://bit.ly/1WvEkf

Monday 2nd November, Beotibar, Tolosa

GONZALEZ beat BERASALUZE VIII 16-10 (match abandoned)

Sebastian Gonzalez yesterday booked his place in the Cuatro y Medio semi finals when Pablo Berasaluze sprained his ankle with the score at 16-10 in his favour. Up until that point, it had been a game full of quality in which Berasaluze had fought back from early problems before Gonzalez increased the pace and with it his scoreline. Berasalzue attempted to continue after his untimely injury, his ankle strapped, but could not and retired to warm applause.

Gonzalez therefore completes the all-ASPE semi final quartet, which is completed by Juan Martinez de Irujo, Titin III and Julen Retegi. The semi final round robin commences this weekend: Gonzalez and Irujo play in Zarautz on Saturday while Titin and Retegi play in Eibar on Sunday.

Source: Asegarce

Pablito: down and out

Image from: El Correo Digital

It’s one thing when a politician walks into town and declares that a defendant should go free because the law he is accused of breaking is wrong and should be repealed.  It’s completely different when the prosecutor shows up to the trial and makes that argument.

If I were Alberto Gonzalez, I would be pretty upset right now at what current Attorney General Eric Holder has been allowed to get away with.  Gonzalez was the one who was forced to resign after firing members of his staff, which is apparently only kosher if you are a Democrat.

Holder began by setting the bar low enough that he would never be fired for a minor offense such as letting go under-performing staff.  He also has already shown he knows how to play the race card, making him one of the new untouchables.

But isn’t it beyond the pale for the top attorney in our nation charged with prosecuting our laws to come out like a political candidate against our laws?  Isn’t it the job of an attorney to represent his clients according to the laws on the books?  In Holder’s case, he represents the people by prosecuting the laws of the United States that have been passed constitutionally by the houses of Congress and signed by the President of the United States.

What would you think if you were on the jury of a trial where the prosecutor began his case by denouncing the law that had been broken by the defendant as wrong and in need of being repealed?  Do you think the judge would even allow the trial to continue?  Certainly that prosecutor would be looking for work very soon.

That is essentially what Eric Holder did Friday night in a speech before  the University of Maine.  Maine is a state that is considering whether or not to make gay marriage a legal reality.  The law that Holder must uphold and prosecute until it is repealed by an act of Congress or the court system is the Defense of Marriage Act, signed by Democrat President Bill Clinton.  As of right now, it is still the law of the land.

But Holder decided to tell the students there that it was a bad law and should be repealed.  Isn’t that congress’ job?  If Holder wants to make political speeches, maybe he should run as a politician.  Making public what laws he likes and dislikes, as the Attorney General, based on his own personal opinion is a serious ethical violation.  If Gonzalez could be forced to resign for firing his underperforming staff, then shouldn’t Holder face consequences for betraying the public trust and voicing his personal feelings about the law he is responsible to uphold?