What's Fair is Fair!

Tomorrow morning, the US World Cup soccer team takes on African nation, Algeria, with a spot in the second round on the line. The scenario for advancement can be simple for the Americans. Win, and they're in. A tie will require the US to lean on other teams' results. No one wants that.

The US team will not have to wait long to find out if they do advance after the game. Awhile back, the World Cup instituted a rule where all four teams play the final Group game at the same time. Did the higher ups want to create an atmosphere of suspense? Perhaps. Each team with a fighting chance would go into the final Group game not knowing the other result.

After doing some digging, I found out the real reason for this change, and it's a rather ugly story. The 1982 World Cup, held in Spain, went down in the history books as one of the most controversial due to the scheme of two countries, West Germany and Austria. On Day One of the tournament, Algeria (yes, the same nation the US wrangles with tomorrow!) scored one of the greatest World Cup upsets ever with a 2-1 victory over West Germany. The Algerians played inspired soccer and had a chance of advancing to the next round. In the final match of group play between West Germany and Austria, Algeria had played its final group game the day before. The table and the possible scenarios for advancement had been set. A West German win by 1 or 2 goals would qualify both West Germany and Austria. A larger German victory would qualify Algeria over Austria, and a draw or an Austrian win would eliminate the Germans.

What happened during the game was pretty disheartening and downright disgraceful. West Germany scored 10 minutes in. For the rest of the game, Austria and West Germany kicked the ball around nonchalantly, as if they were playing at a practice session. No further goals were scored, the result held, and both teams were through.

While the situation was deplored by even people from the scheming countries, nothing could be done. A country's hopes were dashed as Algeria was denied a berth in the second round. Perhaps, it a bit of justice was served when Italy beat Germany 3–1 in the World Cup Final that year.

After that unfortunate incident, FIFA changed the rules for the timing of the final group games.

Be Agressive. B-E- Agressive.

The time has come to answer the age-old question, "Is cheerleading really a sport?" Varying opinions can now be set aside, as a federal judge in Connecticut is going to tell us. On Monday, Judge Stefan Underhill began presiding over a U.S. District Court trial to decide whether cheerleading can be counted as a sport by schools looking for ways to meet gender-equality requirements.

The decision is part of a lawsuit filed last year by the members of the women's volleyball team at Quinnipiac University (known for all of those polls) in Connecticut. The school decided to eliminate women's volleyball in favor of a competitive cheer squad because it was cheaper. Apparently, pom poms and mini-skirts cost less than knee pads and volleyballs?!

The hullabaloo is due to the adherence to Title IX, the 1972 federal law that mandates equal opportunities for both men and women in athletics. An activity is considered a sport under Title IX if it has coaches, practices, competitions during a defined season, and a governing organization. The activity also must have competition as its primary goal—not just the support of other athletic teams.

So, what do we think? In the description above of what an activity encompasses, I would have to agree that cheerleading should be considered a sport. What amazes me about this whole situation is that the school needs to cut one sport in order to accommodate another, and that the deciding factor is cold, hard cash.

Slightly off topic...well somewhat related. Why didn't cheerleaders ever cheer at soccer games? As a soccer player, I was always bummed that we did not have the ladies strutting their stuff in support of our team. I mean, after all, our soccer team won the State championship twice in high school, and the football and basketball teams were lucky to finish above .500. Perhaps the decision to cheer or not to cheer was based on the fact that we were so good, we didn't need any support.

Featured Bluegreen Resort:
The Cliffs at Long Creek



Featured Colorful Places Article:
American Barbecue Cooking

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Don't Blame the Ref

America, and the world, are abuzz today with the news that the "US got robbed" during its World Cup soccer match with Slovenia. It's true. Malian referee Koman Coulibaly did make a bogus call at the end of the game. When Maurice Edu slotted home the game-winning goal off a free kick, there was no foul. This is true. There was no offside infraction either. It was a totally incorrect call.

We are outraged. Americans everywhere are livid and feel that the World Cup win was snatched from their very own hands. This may well be true. But the thing is, in sports, you can only control certain things.

Had the game been tied 0-0 and Edu's strike was the only goal, perhaps I'd think differently. But, the game unfolded in a different way, with the US asleep at the wheel for the entire first half. Had they not let in those two goals early, they would never have been in desperation mode for the entire second half.

Having played the game myself, I can appreciate the ebb and flow of each match. As frustrated as I was after the game today, I just kept thinking that the US team played an amazing 45 minutes. If they would have played an amazing 90 minutes, none of the calls or refereeing would have been an issue.

Amazingly, the US is still in contention for one of two berths into the next round. With a win over Algeria, the US is in. There are a multitude of other scenarios should the US draw, but let's hope it does not come to that.

Concert Tix No Fees

Attention, music lovers. Live Nation is waiving all ticketing fees for the month of June. So, now's the time to get your tickets for your favorite bands like Counting Crows, Kings of Leon, John Mayer, Rihanna and more!

Featured Bluegreen Resort:
SeaGlass Tower | Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Featured Colorful Places Article:
Pawleys Island Original Hammock Shop

See It Again - US VS. England Recap

Did you miss the first US World Cup match this weekend against powerhouse England? Check out this rather creative recap of the historic 1-1 tie. Pretty spot on, if you ask me!

Featured Bluegreen Resort:
La Cabana Beach & Racquet Club | Oranjestad, Aruba



Featured Colorful Places Article:
Duty Free in Aruba

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Only One Day Left to Vote!

Its up to you to pick the winner of Bluegreen Resorts 2010 Photo Contest. Browse exciting vacation photos submitted by Bluegreen owners and guests and decide which photo captured the best Bluegreen vacation moment.

Hurry! Voting ends tomorrow, June 15th!

Experience Winter Sports

Slip and slide down the ski slopes with Bluegreen:

Excuse Me, Mr. Elephant

In all my years of soccer, I was never delayed en route to a game by an elephant. Unfortunately, the US soccer team was not as lucky.

GO TEAM USA!

World Cup Fever!

The greatest tournament in the world featuring the world's most popular sport began today in South Africa. The opening game featured host nation South Africa and Mexico, who dueled it out to a 1-1 draw before 84,000 rowdy fans. South Africa surged to an lead early in the second half, only to give it up on a goal by Mexico’s Rafael Marquez in the 79th minute. The South Africans were so close to a dream victory as they opened the 2010 World Cup in their home country.

Here in the States, no doubt all avid fans will be glued to the TV tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. as the American squad opens its World Cup campaign against perennial power England!

Featured Bluegreen Resort:
Shenandoah Crossing | Gordonsville, Virginia



Featured Colorful Places Article:
Wineries and Vineyards of Virginia

Two Classic Movies Get Digital Gaming Twist

Two of the most popular film trilogies of all-time will be hitting stores this winter as modern, hi-tech video games. Telltale Games announced today that it will be releasing adaptations of 'Back to the Future' and 'Jurassic Park' this winter. The classic movie video games will be available on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, PC, and Mac.

Take a look back at the trailer from way back in 1985:



Hard to believe that was 25 years ago!

Featured Bluegreen Resort:
Grande Villas at World Golf Village | St. Augustine, Florida

Featured Colorful Places Article:
Hit the Greens with Dad

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SeaGlass Tower in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Shenandoah Crossing in Gordonsville, VA

Christina Tonight on Dave

Tune in tonight to see Christina Aguilera perform on The Late Show With David Letterman. The pop diva will perform hits from her new Bionic album. The show airs at 11:35 pm EST on CBS.

Top 10 Singles on iTunes

1. California Gurls (feat. Snoop Dogg) - Katy Perry
2. OMG (feat. will.i.am) - Usher
3. Your Love Is My Drug - Ke$ha
4. Rock That Body - Black Eyed Peas
5. Alejandro - Lady GaGa
6. Bulletproof - La Roux
7. Break Your Heart - Taio Cruz & Ludacris
8. Cooler Than Me - Mike Posner
9. My First Kiss (feat. Ke$ha) - 3OH!3
10. Hey, Soul Sister - Train

They are saying that California Gurls is the pop hit of the summer.

My favorite on the list? Bulletproof - La Roux:

Funky, new age, just fresh:

Lady Gaga Unleashes New Video

Here we are, folks. Lady Gaga's latest video for her "Alejandro" hit that's been shooting up the charts.

Pretty smart that she releases the video the same day Christina Aguilera's album drops.



Beware, it's almost nine minutes long!

Christina Aguilera New Album Drops Today

Today is the day!! Christina Aguilera's highly anticipated new album BIONIC is out! Head out to your local retail store to pick up a copy or and download the album from iTunes.

I've heard a few tracks from the new album, and I have to say that I'm not that impressed. Christina is trying to compete with the Lady Gagas of the world and unfortunately, she does not measure up. Which is a shame, because she is still one of the most talented singers around.

Strange Alliances

Surprising tidbit from over the weekend: Elton John performed at Rush Limbaugh's 4th wedding. Apparently, on some issues, they do share common ground.

Elton John has always been someone who goes for the jugular, shocking audiences. His performance with Eminem a few years back comes to mind.

Not sure what to think about this...but most of me wants to say this is a grand publicity stunt.

Featured Bluegreen Resort:
Solara Surfside | Miami, Florida



Featured Colorful Places Article:
See Where the Miami Celebrities Live

All the Rumors are True - iPhone 4 is Here

Here's the latest from Steve Jobs, who spoke today at Apple’s World Wide Developers Conference in San Francisco, California.

The iPad has sold 2 million units in just two months of release! Farmville, the most popular game application on Facebook, will now be available on the iPhone later this month. Farmville allows users to run a virtual farm by planting, growing and harvesting virtual crops and trees as well as raising livestock. I continually deny Farmville requests, as I have a day job. Apparently, 82.4 million users of the application do not.

The iPhone now has over 200,000 applications for your downloading pleasure. The new version will also offer Netflix and Guitar Hero.

And now, to the main event! This, of course, is the unveiling of the much-publcized, much-hyped brand new iPhone. It turns out that all the rumors are true. The new phone has a thinner, squared-off design, which confirms the previously leaked photos of the new device that made the rounds online a few weeks ago. Get ready for redesigned buttons, a front-facing camera, a flash on the rear camera, a secondary microphone for noise cancellation, and improved antennas integrated right into the design. The new iPhone 4 (official name) is 26% thinner than the iPhone 3GS and Jobs proclaims that it is the "thinnest smartphone ever."

The new "retina display" is described as otherworldly, with its display of 326 pixels per inch better than the human eye can even process. As expected, there will be 960 x 640 pixels of resolution on the 3.5-inch display. This breaks new ground in the world of cell phones, and approaches what most small laptops offer.

Jobs promised 40% more talk time with the new iPhone whiich is now powered by Apple's A4 chip. The Camera is upgraded to 5 megapixels, with 5x digital zoom and an illuminated sensor. iPhone 4 also records video in HD resolution.

I've been waiting to hear the latest info on the new iPhone, as I have to make a big decision RE: what kind of phone I will be getting this year. My current, beat up flip phone is on its last leg. I have always leaned towards getting an iPhone, but now the Motorola Droid, Google Nexus One and Palm Pre have all proven to be formidable alternatives.

I am going to wait it out as long as I can before I make a decision. Of course, as soon as I get a new phone it will already be outdated. Such is the state of technology in our great nation these days.

MTV Movie Awards Live Sunday!

MTV's annual movie bash airs live from Los Angeles, California, this Sunday. We can forecast fun, frivolity, and famous people fawning over each other. A-list presenters, performers and the biggest names in the industry along with B-12, CD, and Vitamin E scalawags can all be expected.

Christina Aguilera is back, and will perform a song off her new, upcoming album "Bionic." Conveniently, the platinum primadonna has an album coming out - wait for it - next Tuesday, June 8th!

Get Your Body Beach Ready

With Memorial Day weekend now in the past, undoubtedly we all have shifted our focus to getting out and enjoying the outdoors during the summer months. If you are near a warm climate, like me, this means putting on that swimsuit and heading to the nearest beach. Then, of course, the harsh reality sets in that you are not ready for the cover of Sports Illustrated or Men's Health. Check out some tips from Bluegreen that will turn you into an adonis.

Ironic, I know, that we should be thinking about our beach bodies on "Free Donut Day."

Hurrican Season is Upon Us

For those of you in the South Florida area, or those who will be traveling to this area within the next few months, here's what you can expect for the upcoming hurricane season.

The season runs through November 30th, and weather forecasters predict that this will be an "active" to "extremely active" season.

There will be:
14- 23 Named Storms (top winds of 39 mph or higher)
8 – 14 Hurricanes (top winds of 74 mph or higher)
3 – 7 Major Hurricanes (Cat 3, 4, or 5, winds of at least 111 mph)

Get your supplies now before they run out!

Featured Bluegreen Resort:
Solara Surfside | Miami, Florida



Featured Colorful Places Article:
Food With Flair in South Beach

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Live it Up on a True Bluegreen Lakes Experience

This summer, go "up to the lake" for an undeniably soothing sojourn on a Bluegreen vacation. Our lakefront accommodations offer the best in wilderness amenities and our prime locales allow you to fish, boat, spark up the bbq and spend quality times with family and friends.

R.I.P Rue

We learned today that "Golden Girls" star Rue McClanahan died of a stroke at the age of 76. Over the span of 60 years, the beloved actress warmed our hearts in a variety of television, movie and theater roles. No role was more prominent than her Emmy-winning turn as sassy Southern belle, Blanche Devereaux on the hit NBC series, "The Golden Girls.

Here's a montage of her best "Blanche" moments:



Our thoughts and prayers go out to the McClanahan family.

Thank you for being a friend, Rue.