wildone

So I may be biased here, since this is getting major airtime in Canada and a bit in the US. Not sure about Europe and the rest of the world. To set the stage, we have the USA Women's Soccer Team who are the favourites to win the gold. Next you have the Canadian Women's Soccer Team who were not even expected to qualify for the games. Early rounds finds the US easily moving on. Even from the US goalie's own words that she has been 'unchallenged' so far. Hope Solo has made some other inflammatory comments that the rest of the world looks on and mumbles the words 'ugly American' under their breath (I do find it ironic that only the American's are subject to this stereotype, the rest of the world's athletes have a fair share of bravado that is 'ugly' as well). Solo even gets in a Twitter war with former US soccer star Brandi Chastain So we move onto the Women's quarter finals which is between Canada and the US. The US is heavily favoured in this contest. The Canadian coach thinks it will be a close match due to both teams playing a 'physical' style of soccer. The game came and the battle ensued. Canada scored 3 goals against the 'unchallenged' US goalie, all by the same person, Christine Sinclair. Where the controversy comes in, is not in the comments before the game, but the actions of the referee from Norway, Christiana Pedersen. Canada was ahead 3-2 late in the game. Abby Wambach admits to the world later that she counts out loud every time that the Canadian goalie has the ball, near the ref, to influence her to make a oft not use penalty of delay of game. Well the ref bites, and issues the penalty in the 80th minute of the game. So a free kick is issued and the ref in turns calls a Canadian player for a hand ball on the kick. Ironically the ref ignored a more blatant hand ball the US did earlier in the game when they were down. Then she awards Wambach a penalty kick which she scores and ties the game. Yes the US went on to win the game in extra time. No, Canada did not have the offence or defence that they did in regular time and based on the extra time did not deserve to win. The question comes to light in looking at the regular time. After the game Sinclair and other players are overly critical of the Norwegian ref. Sinclair is quoted as saying '"We feel like we didn't lose, We feel like it was taken from us. It's a shame in a game like that, which is so important that the ref decided the result before the game started." Now this is where FIFA usually steps in and is quick and decisive in public criticism of the ref. Interestingly enough, FIFA will not sanction the Canadian players, coach or team as they do not have enough to base a decision on so will wait till after the Olympics to decide if sanctions need to happen. Hmmm, could this be FIFA actually agreeing with the Canadian Team about the officiating? Personally if Canada deserves sanctions for speaking out against the officiating, which I believe they 100% do, then just do it. After the game this is released, ""We made her look good," Solo said. "We didn't win those air battles." I do want to give kudos to Solo though for her tweet today, "Ive said it all along...Sinclair could be the best player in the world. My hat goes off to her and the Canadian team." A happy ending...... I guess I don't begrudge the US for winning, they played the full game and took advantage of every opportunity presented to them. Canada did not do that as they had the same opportunity with extra time. What I do begrudge is the optics of the officiating where it seems like even FIFA doesn't want to express their usual opinion of we stand 100% behind our ref's decision. Like I said, maybe this can be written off as Canada upset over the loss and not being sportsmanlike over the loss. So my question, does Canada have a right to be disappointed? Please do not make this into a US versus Canada, Europe, or any other country of the world. I want to discuss the officiating and the game, not our impressions of the US.

Benji You're Gay! When did this happen ? I would have never known Glad things worked out for you

Well after doing that a few times to Baby Q's suitors, I'm sure that will ensure she will be pure when she marries That is if you let her date a guy long enough to marry

Happy Birthday MikeL Hope you have a leaping great day

So I was shocked today to find out that the GOAT has taken over all the talk at the Olympics in London the past few days. I was worried that CJ had invaded and was amok amongst the world visiting London. Luckily I found out that all the fuss was over the Greatest Olympian of All Time Whew!

Well congrats to Clydee So I knew that the guys' curiosity would get to them and they would watch the tape. As far as the Asset list goes, it would just be a bunch of assets, would it not? So how would the reporter get any use out of it? Possibly the boys might be defending that it isn't a list of assets of Trevor's. I don't see how it could go any other way without the reporter knowing about the tape and that the list actually belongs to Bridget. I bet they hear from Gonzales very soon! He will be pissed that Trevor hasn't turned everything over to him! One thing about law enforcement, they are very territorial on what they share or release to other agencies on what they have, or want others to believe they have He is going to blow a gasket when he finds out what they are hiding from him. Might have to throw Officer Fowler in the mix too. Even though he is Trevor's uncle, he is law enforcement first I believe. Too bad we won't get to see a sunset cruise with Ned and Shane aboard the Kookabura It will be interesting when we look back on this completed novel (I'm not dismissing possibility that it will be after we have rung in 2013 ) to what the actual climax of the story is. With the upcoming media circus and the appearance on talk shows and the addition of the cartel and Bridget finding out that the asset list and the assumption of the tape also being discovered, the boys are about to head into the real climax of the story . By the way, does Australia have a Oprah that we could be seeing Trevor on? Benji wants Julie in the story again but I want Grundig exposed more Thanks for the chapter CJ and I am already strapping myself in and wearing protective gear for the ride you are about to take us on I'm sure it will be going over one of the most dazzling cliffs that you have ever hung out on!

Just saw your request Johnathan. I have pinned this topic and unpinned the other one. Better late than never

And said author is none other than CJames I think in this particular case, I can use the phrase 'I've been framed ' and it is a 100% legitimate

Wow, with this many Birthdays this must mean only one thing, tomorrow we all get to say: :music: Happy Birthday Shadowgod :music: I know you keep the day hidden from your adoring fans, but I couldn't resist Hope you have a super Birthday!!! (30th isn't it )

:music: Happy Birthday Anyta :music: Here's hoping that you had a most excellent birthday!!!

:music: Happy Birthday Jammi :music: I hope you had a super Birthday!!!!

:music: Happy Birthday James :music: I hope it was a great day

Well, I'm officially out. Could maybe do a 3 day weekend, yet a 4 hour flight each way is exhausting I'll keep an eye on things. If nothing happens I may just show up at your door some day Joe P.S. I agree, who started this idea

When did you morph from a raccoon to a dog?

Um, you really don't want to see him without his goggles Actually, CJ does have a real job. He works for the US Department of Highways as a tunnel constructionist. In Benji's second picture, they have him approach a rock face, he takes off his goggles and then blasts his way through the solid rock. They don't need to build scaffolding or access areas because he is a goat and can scale any cliff or rock. They don't need to continually need to replace the cutting blades of a drill because CJ's eyes harness the fires of Hell. The great part of the deal is CJ doesn't know his real worth, so it costs the taxpayers absolutely nothing but the occasional bottle of tequila. Oh, they also built his house for him.

Despite what CJ claims, Goats and Cliffs are symbiotic. They both need each others to survive

I think Antarctica might be your better choice Central Canada has been in the 100 plus range for a month now. Out west to the Rockies, we have been up to the mid nineties since the beginning of July, but usually rewarded with a thunderstorm in the evenings. A couple of weeks ago it got up to 105 in a town above the Arctic Circle Those polar bears must be sweating in their coats.

Darn you Yanger My mom, when we were growing up, was at everyone of my hockey games, the older sisters soccer games and to top it off the other sister was a National Level Gymnast and Mom drove her everyday, 6 days a week back and forth to practice. She definitely was portrayed in that commercial. But thanks for giving me a smile and the great memories (P.S. I've passed the link onto my sisters to make them cry )

Happy Birthday Renee To the Coolest Mountain Momma here at GA, I hope you have a great Birthday! Hopefully your hubby is around to treat you like the Queen you are

Yep, found my goose in this chapter Trevor, like myself, must be wary of the Goat and his tricks and cliffhangers too! One thought, her we have first Joel and Lisa putting themselves in peril by trying to locate and 'out' Bridget, and now we also have Trevor and Shane doing the same thing... What is with kids these days?

Wow! It seems like it was just the other week that I met this guy named Quonus10 and had a coffee and discussed where he would see himself in the future. You had a plan, a goal, and a dream. In the back of my mind I was thinking...I've heard this before, but nobody has actually had this much detail and steps planned out for themselves. To see your dreams come true is actually amazing I'm so happy for you and your future. Not only as an author, but also as a Dad and a husband. One question, with other authors at GA that have been published, they have pulled their stories from GA. You also mentioned that your publisher reserves the right to print, epublish, distribute, etc. How did they allow you to post in the Premium section here at GA? Also, will it disappear when it is published? Okay, I sneaked in two questions, but I'm sure you'll be able to answer both for anyone else thinking of where to post material that may eventually be published

:music: Happy Birthday Joe :music: May you're Birthday wishes come true Hey, are you even legal yet in every state? And now a song from your favourite singer as well as what 95% of the members want to sing to you:

I've often wonder about my 4th option.... There is no records or tape or whatever. Really, the only way we know of this mystery is by Bridget relating that she believes Arnold hid something on board Ares. Since we don't have Arnold alive to insert anything, and the narrator can only tell you what is fact or relay what a character, in this case Bridget, has said, there is the possibility that this whole thing is a ruse! Now that would suck, to me Imagine all the stress Trevor has been put under from having to leave the US to the Suez Canal to the pirates and the attacks on him in Australia. Add in the deaths of Sanchez, Billy and Henry all under the assumption that Bridget had to get these items Think about it...Would the Goat put us through, what is it, 140 chapters, for a wild Goose chase? You answer that question yourself (FYI, CJ does have a love affair with Geese, they have appeared at inopportune times in other stories of his )

So you and your friends decide to set up a campsite, most likely illegally and then set up a drum set and have a guitar and have a party. Then the RCMP show up to bust you for all of the above and more. Instead this happens.......

I concur