American Chess Master - of New Orleans!

Meet Paul Morphy at http://www.mattfullerty.com/, the last unofficial chess world champion (1837-1884). He links Europe and America as a Creole (of French and Spanish descent) born into New Orleans wealth - which he squandered in London and Paris defeating the world's great chess masters!

To learn his story and meet his amazing opponents, from a General in the American Army to a British Shakespeare scholar, also see http://www.paulmorphychess.com/

The story of Paul Morphy is one of rise and fall, the success of a grand talent and his descent into obsession! Welcome to the precarious floating city of New Orleans!

American Chess Master - of New Orleans!

Meet Paul Morphy at http://www.mattfullerty.com/, the last unofficial chess world champion (1837-1884). He links Europe and America as a Creole (of French and Spanish descent) born into New Orleans wealth - which he squandered in London and Paris defeating the world's great chess masters!

To learn his story and meet his amazing opponents, from a General in the American Army to a British Shakespeare scholar, also see http://www.paulmorphychess.com/

The story of Paul Morphy is one of rise and fall, the success of a grand talent and his descent into obsession! Welcome to the precarious floating city of New Orleans!

South Beach, Miami

And then there were none - watching South beach empty and the sky open up was the way to arrive in Miami!

South Beach, Miami

And then there were none - watching South beach empty and the sky open up was the way to arrive in Miami!

Chess boxing?

Only in...Germany! Who else other than our German cousins could dream up the intense spectacle of playing chess and boxing as part of the same competition? And I don't mean play a game, go home, and box the next day. No, brand new "X-treme sport" chess boxing is here, as the picture shows, and no, it's not late night TV for lonely men in tracksuits. This stuff is serious!

Here's the lowdown http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess_boxing

Every four-minute chess round is followed by two minutes of boxing. Kind of disorientating to say the least! I wonder which bout is more painful, the chess or the boxing.

Best of all, competitors can win by either knockout or checkmate!

Chess boxing?

Only in...Germany! Who else other than our German cousins could dream up the intense spectacle of playing chess and boxing as part of the same competition? And I don't mean play a game, go home, and box the next day. No, brand new "X-treme sport" chess boxing is here, as the picture shows, and no, it's not late night TV for lonely men in tracksuits. This stuff is serious!

Here's the lowdown http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chess_boxing

Every four-minute chess round is followed by two minutes of boxing. Kind of disorientating to say the least! I wonder which bout is more painful, the chess or the boxing.

Best of all, competitors can win by either knockout or checkmate!

Meet the new London mayor!

Dear England, did you know that your new major of London is actually American-born? So now the owner of Manchester United hails from this side of the Pond. And so does the London major!

Considered more English than most (thanks to his stuttering manner, and acting like a slightly deranged lord of the manor let loose), Boris is the pride of the conservative-friendly nut-jobs. he is also a journalist and author, formerly serving as editor of The Spectator.

But what you probably didn't know is that Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, was born on 19 June 1964, in the Grand Ol' USA.

That doesn't stop him wearing the England football shirt - the away shirt that is!

Meet the new London mayor!

Dear England, did you know that your new major of London is actually American-born? So now the owner of Manchester United hails from this side of the Pond. And so does the London major!

Considered more English than most (thanks to his stuttering manner, and acting like a slightly deranged lord of the manor let loose), Boris is the pride of the conservative-friendly nut-jobs. he is also a journalist and author, formerly serving as editor of The Spectator.

But what you probably didn't know is that Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, was born on 19 June 1964, in the Grand Ol' USA.

That doesn't stop him wearing the England football shirt - the away shirt that is!

Sparring Partners!

Forget chess boxing, here's the real thing. Today is the Democratic vote in North Carolina and Indiana, after which we should be able to declare a winner. Somehow I think Hillary will fight on, though. John McCain must feel a little left out. I hope so. Clearly after this epic struggle, it'd be pointless to have Bush II take the White House. Am I rooting for Clinton or Obama? Well, I'd like the fight to go on, so at least one of them gets in!

Sparring Partners!

Forget chess boxing, here's the real thing. Today is the Democratic vote in North Carolina and Indiana, after which we should be able to declare a winner. Somehow I think Hillary will fight on, though. John McCain must feel a little left out. I hope so. Clearly after this epic struggle, it'd be pointless to have Bush II take the White House. Am I rooting for Clinton or Obama? Well, I'd like the fight to go on, so at least one of them gets in!

Coconut Grove, and South Beach, Miami

Just the name Coconut Grove alone made me want to visit, but this part of Miami - after a nice overground MTA rail ride - was a lovely part of the city. The long marina and lazy brought images to Scarface and Miami Vice immediately to mind!
At night the hotel strip comes alive with great drinks, music and a lot of dancing - all along about 5 blocks, or you can cross the street and hang out with the police parked on the beach while the ocean laps in and out in the bay. A cool way to spend the evening drinking overpriced cocktails and walking up and down with nothing better to do!

The morning after...

Coconut Grove, and South Beach, Miami

Just the name Coconut Grove alone made me want to visit, but this part of Miami - after a nice overground MTA rail ride - was a lovely part of the city. The long marina and lazy brought images to Scarface and Miami Vice immediately to mind!
At night the hotel strip comes alive with great drinks, music and a lot of dancing - all along about 5 blocks, or you can cross the street and hang out with the police parked on the beach while the ocean laps in and out in the bay. A cool way to spend the evening drinking overpriced cocktails and walking up and down with nothing better to do!

The morning after...

Barack Clinton / Hilary Obama!

Wouldn't this just solve the problem?

Wouldn't this just be the perfect case? Clearly in the future - with DNA and facial surgery - the fusing of two humans will be possible!

It would certainly solve the current battle, and the losing candidate wouldn't even have to endorse the winner!

Whoever loses, recommending the victor has got to be embarrassing, but somehow I think the above politician - whichever way the vote swings - will manage after all the recent campaigning and hand pressing!

Barack Clinton / Hilary Obama!

Wouldn't this just solve the problem?

Wouldn't this just be the perfect case? Clearly in the future - with DNA and facial surgery - the fusing of two humans will be possible!

It would certainly solve the current battle, and the losing candidate wouldn't even have to endorse the winner!

Whoever loses, recommending the victor has got to be embarrassing, but somehow I think the above politician - whichever way the vote swings - will manage after all the recent campaigning and hand pressing!

Home of Snooker, Sheffield

It never ceases to amaze me, England, that the home of that gracious and genius-inspiring game, snooker, is actually a little humble theatre in Sheffield, former home of the British steel industry (remember "The Full Monty"?). Somehow this makes the whole occasion must more special, that moments of true theatre are played out in such a quietly

The funniest thing about going to see a snooker match - as I remember from seeing Peter Ebdon, Matthew Stevens, and Ronnie the Rocket about 6 years ago (although I can't remember exactly who was playing who), is the snippets of applause between the shots. The audience has to time them to perfection like at Wimbledon, so not to distract the players. But the intensity of watching these men pot these little balls on the table, and then a ripple of applause from around the arena (as though it were a child's game - thought clearly it's not easy!) is one of the strangest things. Funny, and seems to sum up the amusement of not really knowing what life is all about. Is it important the blue goes in the middle pocket to get back on the third red? Well, of course it is!

By the way, I've no idea who that bloke is in the picture. Clearly a besotted fan of snooker and not the theatre!

Home of Snooker, Sheffield

It never ceases to amaze me, England, that the home of that gracious and genius-inspiring game, snooker, is actually a little humble theatre in Sheffield, former home of the British steel industry (remember "The Full Monty"?). Somehow this makes the whole occasion must more special, that moments of true theatre are played out in such a quietly

The funniest thing about going to see a snooker match - as I remember from seeing Peter Ebdon, Matthew Stevens, and Ronnie the Rocket about 6 years ago (although I can't remember exactly who was playing who), is the snippets of applause between the shots. The audience has to time them to perfection like at Wimbledon, so not to distract the players. But the intensity of watching these men pot these little balls on the table, and then a ripple of applause from around the arena (as though it were a child's game - thought clearly it's not easy!) is one of the strangest things. Funny, and seems to sum up the amusement of not really knowing what life is all about. Is it important the blue goes in the middle pocket to get back on the third red? Well, of course it is!

By the way, I've no idea who that bloke is in the picture. Clearly a besotted fan of snooker and not the theatre!

Oxford Cambridge Boat Race

Ah, the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race, that excuse for drinking Pimms along the Thames riverbank, hanging from the outdoor pub balconies, and generally pretending to wait for the boat to appear.

Well, this year was Oxford's turn for revenge, and now they've taken 3 of the last 5 years. will this endless battle ever end? Will the rest of the world outside London and the two cities ever show any interest?

Anyway, clearly the Dark Blues are the ones to watch. If I may say so, come on Oxford!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford_Cambridge_boat_race

For the rowing nerds out there, Oxford took the race because they upped the rating to 36 when 2/3rds into the race, and according to the official report, "the Cambridge men had no response." for a history of this delightfully gentlemanly river bash, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford_Cambridge_boat_race

Oxford Cambridge Boat Race

Ah, the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race, that excuse for drinking Pimms along the Thames riverbank, hanging from the outdoor pub balconies, and generally pretending to wait for the boat to appear.

Well, this year was Oxford's turn for revenge, and now they've taken 3 of the last 5 years. will this endless battle ever end? Will the rest of the world outside London and the two cities ever show any interest?

Anyway, clearly the Dark Blues are the ones to watch. If I may say so, come on Oxford!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford_Cambridge_boat_race

For the rowing nerds out there, Oxford took the race because they upped the rating to 36 when 2/3rds into the race, and according to the official report, "the Cambridge men had no response." for a history of this delightfully gentlemanly river bash, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford_Cambridge_boat_race

Nationals Park - brand new Washington baseball stadium!

So here's the new stadium for the Washington Nationals baseball team, built about as fast as the Empire State Building in New York City, and if you know your history, that's fast.

So Washington has now gone from having no baseball at all in the 1970s (the Senators left and became the Texas Rangers), to playing at RFK Stadium and sharing that stadium with DC United soccer team (the pitch/diamond literally revolves to change the sport), to having their own swanking stadium! That's not all. Now DC United wants a new stadium, presumably to be built on the same spot as RFK after it's demolished. Who doesn't want a new stadium?

Anyway, go Nationals (not Senators), and go United (DC and Manchester)!

For a history of baseball in DC, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Washington,_D.C._professional_baseball

Baseball in a glove!

Nationals Park - brand new Washington baseball stadium!

So here's the new stadium for the Washington Nationals baseball team, built about as fast as the Empire State Building in New York City, and if you know your history, that's fast.

So Washington has now gone from having no baseball at all in the 1970s (the Senators left and became the Texas Rangers), to playing at RFK Stadium and sharing that stadium with DC United soccer team (the pitch/diamond literally revolves to change the sport), to having their own swanking stadium! That's not all. Now DC United wants a new stadium, presumably to be built on the same spot as RFK after it's demolished. Who doesn't want a new stadium?

Anyway, go Nationals (not Senators), and go United (DC and Manchester)!

For a history of baseball in DC, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Washington,_D.C._professional_baseball

Baseball in a glove!

Snooker v American Pool

This comparison says it all. Table bigger, pockets and balls smaller, pocket mouths narrower, and you need a one foot on the floor rule. Clearly pool is a lot of fun, but nothing beats smashing a ball full-length of a snooker table, and being amazed when it actually goes in!
Check out this great site for all the official dimensions and comparisons http://www.pooltableplans.com/pool_vs%20snooker.htm

Snooker v American Pool

This comparison says it all. Table bigger, pockets and balls smaller, pocket mouths narrower, and you need a one foot on the floor rule. Clearly pool is a lot of fun, but nothing beats smashing a ball full-length of a snooker table, and being amazed when it actually goes in!
Check out this great site for all the official dimensions and comparisons http://www.pooltableplans.com/pool_vs%20snooker.htm

American literature

I am teaching my first survey in American literature in the autumn of 2008, or the "fall" as I now find myself saying. I am converted! The idea of teaching American literature - the second half as it's called, so post-Civil War 1865 to 2008 amuses me. There I'll be, the Brit among the Americans, teaching them about their own literature, or trying to, making claims, tracing roots to the British literature it is entangled with, all the time knowing I am the Brit among the American believers.

No longer can I claim the authority of being a Brit teaching English ("British") Literature. No I must make claims that I am qualified - having my PhD - to teaching Americans about their own best writing! Check out my syllabus on http://www.mattfullerty.com/

American literature

I am teaching my first survey in American literature in the autumn of 2008, or the "fall" as I now find myself saying. I am converted! The idea of teaching American literature - the second half as it's called, so post-Civil War 1865 to 2008 amuses me. There I'll be, the Brit among the Americans, teaching them about their own literature, or trying to, making claims, tracing roots to the British literature it is entangled with, all the time knowing I am the Brit among the American believers.

No longer can I claim the authority of being a Brit teaching English ("British") Literature. No I must make claims that I am qualified - having my PhD - to teaching Americans about their own best writing! Check out my syllabus on http://www.mattfullerty.com/

Brown and Bush all jokes

What's so funny? Am I the only one who doesn't get it? Didn't Brown just get a 24 rating in the UK local elections, the worst Labour turnout since the 60s. And isn't Bush on the way out in January? Maybe he's still laughing from making it for a second term (not to mention a first term - incidentally there's a movie coming out about the ballot count of the 2000 elections with Kevin Spacey and Tom Wilkinson called Recount http://www.recountmovie.com/).

I think Bush actually has more to laugh about, if only because it's what he does best.

Brown and Bush all jokes

What's so funny? Am I the only one who doesn't get it? Didn't Brown just get a 24 rating in the UK local elections, the worst Labour turnout since the 60s. And isn't Bush on the way out in January? Maybe he's still laughing from making it for a second term (not to mention a first term - incidentally there's a movie coming out about the ballot count of the 2000 elections with Kevin Spacey and Tom Wilkinson called Recount http://www.recountmovie.com/).

I think Bush actually has more to laugh about, if only because it's what he does best.

Cruising with Pope Benedict XVI

The Pope!
Ah, yes, the day the Pope came to Washington. He is a rock star! I thought Bush was a Born-again Christian, so did they talk doctrine all afternoon? All I know is that he was cruising down Pennsylvania Avenue, three blocks from my pad, about midday and I went up to take a quick snap, but he was already gone. Apparently he was leaving the White House to mobile-it to the Vatican Embassy - presumably something on Massachusetts' Embassy Row - and I was there at 12.10 and he'd already hop-scotched it away. The music was playing from the crowds, but the Pope had left me with empty road...I looked for the clouds of glory trailing behind the bullet-proof mobile, but it was just hard tarmac. That's what you get when you miss the Pope going by. Wonder how I'll explain that one at the Pearly Gates!

Cruising with Pope Benedict XVI

The Pope!
Ah, yes, the day the Pope came to Washington. He is a rock star! I thought Bush was a Born-again Christian, so did they talk doctrine all afternoon? All I know is that he was cruising down Pennsylvania Avenue, three blocks from my pad, about midday and I went up to take a quick snap, but he was already gone. Apparently he was leaving the White House to mobile-it to the Vatican Embassy - presumably something on Massachusetts' Embassy Row - and I was there at 12.10 and he'd already hop-scotched it away. The music was playing from the crowds, but the Pope had left me with empty road...I looked for the clouds of glory trailing behind the bullet-proof mobile, but it was just hard tarmac. That's what you get when you miss the Pope going by. Wonder how I'll explain that one at the Pearly Gates!