Before you start thinking that this is going to be a “let’s bash America post”, think again. You won’t find that here; I love this big lug of a country. But, one thing that really disappoints me is our architecture, or lack there of. Yes, our architecture is the one thing I choose to bitch about.

If I had to choose another job, something other than web development, I would have been an architect. I love design and I love architecture. When I build a website, I am very meticulous and am very attentive to all aspects of details. So when I see new buildings going up around town and they look like boxes with windows it just sickens me.

The problem is the entire paradigm in which things get built in America. Most commercial and residential buildings are built by the people that said they could get the job done fastest and for the least amount of money. With that as your driving force you will never get something like the Blue Mosque or Neuschwantein Castle.

If your goal is to get it up as quickly as possible and for the least amount of money then you will get boxes with windows. I realize that the 1st bank on the corner can’t look like the Blue Mosque, but couldn’t we shoot for something aesthetically pleasing? Shouldn’t we?

Shouldn’t our goal be to make the community around us as nice as possible? Don’t we all want to live in a beautiful area? So then why do they build housing communities with no parks? A couple of years ago they put in a community swimming pool in my area; very nice, but they didn’t put in any trees around the pool so you could get out of the sun. Nor did they put in a volleyball net. They simply built the pool for the least amount of money with no extra frills.

And what about the architects? These poor guys went to college and I’m sure had dreams and aspirations of building something great, something beautiful, something they could be proud of and say, ‘that is great and I designed it.’ Only now, they have to take jobs that have little budgets and forced to get the job done ASAP.

I know if someone made me build websites that were crap I couldn’t get out of bed in the morning; I would hate my job.

Look, I would gladly pay higher taxes if it meant a better community in which to live.

For your enjoyment, some of the world’s great architectural marvels:

- The Red Fort
- Angkor Wat
- Taj Mahal
- The Sagrada Familia
- Sacre-Coeur
- Chartres Cathedral
- Petra
- Parliament Building Hungary
- St. Basils Cathedral [from Steve]

Every morning on my way to work I drive by Starbucks. It’s not as though I go out of my way to do so, it’s right at the intersection leaving my neighborhood; I have to pass right by it. And like Odysseus hearing the beautiful songs of the Sirens, it draws me in. At least once a week I succumb and stop for one of their frothy beverages.

Lately, because of the heat wave, I have been drinking their ‘Mocha Frappuccino® Light Blended Coffee’. At only 180 calories for the Grande size and at $3.50 a pop it’s like crack! In fact, I wonder if I just hit the crack pipe instead, if it wouldn’t be cheaper?

I’m addicted. And just like a crack dealer, Starbucks is on every corner just waiting to cure my fix.

I just did a little research on crack and it’s astonishing how much it sounds like my coffee habit. Here’s what one article has to say about crack, “Crack, the smokable form of cocaine, can be purchased for as little as $3-$10 a dose. This low price is of genuine concern because even youngsters can afford to buy the drug.”

>> $3 bucks, that’s cheaper than what I paid this morning at Starbucks!

“Since the drug brings on a rapid ‘high’ — followed by a profound ‘low,’ the user craves more to gain that euphoric effect.”

>> Yep, that too sounds like my coffee habit!

“Some users spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on their habit”

>> Heck, I even have a Starbucks card that I just refill from time-to-time

I want to close by giving a word of advice to all the kids out there. Don’t do drugs and run the hell away from Starbucks!

You know there are songs that you sing in the car at the top of your lungs that you won’t admit to. Well, now is your time to come clean. You will feel better to admit to it and get it off your chest.

What are those songs that you turn up the volume and sing at the top of your lungs?

for me (…quick look over the shoulder to make sure no one is watching):

1. Journey - Faithfully (come on, you know you sing this one too)
2. ABBA - Take A Chance On Me (It’s not my fault, my wife is Swedish)
3. John Mellencamp - Jack And Diane (God I love this song, I was 10 when it came out and couldn’t stop singing it then)
4. John Denver - Rocky Mountain High (This should be Colorado’s state song)

I’m bumming over the early departure of the US team from the World Cup. But, all is not dark. The simple fact that I’m bumming over the loss says alot. I don’t remember ever grieving in the past. Usually, there is no expectations of the US team. It’s always been Italy that I have placed my money and hopes on in the past. This is the first time that I ever had high expectations for the US team.

The US team had failed to qualify for nine straight tournaments beginning in 1954, since 1990, the team has now qualified for five consecutive FIFA World Cups, a string that is surpassed only by Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, Spain, and South Korea.

The US soccer team has steadily gotten better over the years. The team has been consistently ranked in the top 15 of the FIFA World Rankings; its highest-ever rank was 4th, first obtained in April 2006. More members of the national team than ever now have successful careers in European leagues, and the country’s youth team is strong, as shown by the under-19s winning the 2005 Milk Cup.

US soccer is getting better, and will continue to do so. We will see you in South Africa in 2010!

What a completely dreadful performance by the US. I think I saw only two decent shots on goal the entire game for the US and probably the same number of corners. Pitiful…

Beasley and McBride had better pick it up!

So in an effort to try and spur the team on here’s the Olé! song