I’m currently in Week 7 of my epic semester abroad in Paris.  What have I learned while here so far?  Knowing French would be most beneficial.  Now, I haven’t had much trouble getting around or communicating (Luckily, other students were prepared and have been my personal translators), but still, learn the native language to a country you are planning to spend half a year in.  Also, being super paranoid about getting mugged or pick-pocketed can lead to self-fulfilling prophecy.  Losing my iPhone 4 in the 3rd day here was like losing a child.  Hell, it was worse than losing a child because a child does not capture video in 720p resolution and have retina display.  now i’m stuck with a whack-berry with a weird french keyboard that does not MAKE SENSE WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD.  Those are very important lessons to have learned in the first 7 weeks in a different, foreign country.

Now, as this being my first post on my awesome blog, I had to think long and hard (That’s what she said) about what I want the world to know.  As i’m thinking, I’m drinking an ice cold Coca-Cola, eating barbeque potato chips, and watching SportCenter via SlingMedia, which allows me to watch cable subscription TV from my home in America anywhere I have an internet connection.  That is a true gift from God.  It seems no matter where you are in the world, “home is where the heart is”, and I’m doing everything to keep my home with me.  This brings me to last night’s events and the topic to the first Imaginarium of Mr. Berani:

Washington looks to his bullpen after C.J. Wilson  pitches a brilliant 8.3 Innings.  The bullpen fails, miserably.

ALCS Game 1 occurred last night and like everyone predicted … The Rangers lead 5-0 going into the 8th?!  I was thoroughly thrilled, not because I’m a Rangers fan. I will not admit to this because I am not a bandwagon and was not there when they were at their worst.  Although, I have been with the Cubs since I could breathe the word sports and have more to complain about, but that’s a whole other story.  I was thrilled because of the Yankees.  They are the empire.  And like all feel good stories, the evil empire must be brought down.  The Rangers have a chance at this, a good chance.  Doesn’t hurt that I’m currently from Dallas and Dallas fans need something to root for as the Cowboys completely crush all hearts deep in Texas.

The game started approximately 7pm CST.  With a little math, they equates to 2am Paris time.  At 2am on a Friday night/Saturday morning, I stayed in my tiny room and watched game 1 of the ALCS.  Sadly, I passed out right before the 6th inning and would have to wait until the morning to learn of the outcome.  A true choke job by the Rangers.  C.J. Wilson had done a spectacular job keeping the heavy bats of the Yankees at bay, with some great defense from the outfield.  When Ron Washington decided to take out C.J., which he did at the right time, he went to the bullpen he thought would succeed.  Sorry, Ron better luck next time.  I’m disappointed because the Rangers do deserve a chance at the World Series, especially in a year they won 90 games.  Today, game 2 will be played and is nearly a game win situation.  No one wants to go to New York down 0-2 in the series.

Side Note:  Lincecum vs Halladay tonight = a pitching match-up no true baseball fan should miss.


So, as my first post comes to an end, There are a couple of items for tonight that need to be carefully considered.  Texas looks to rebound in NCAAF against 5th ranked Nebraska.  We completely shattered Nebraska’s dream last year by kicking a last second field goal to win the Big 12 and go to the National Championship.  This year we are much weaker and I’m sure they want to murder us.  The two LCS matches will be must watch for sports fans.  Yes, I’m in one of the most, if not the most romantic, cultural, straigh up partying capitals of the world, and I’m talking about US sporting events for Saturday, October 16.

I guess home really is where the heart is.  Let’s hope the Rangers can bring some of that heart to their home.