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We’re at an age when our grandparents cease to be invincible. We may be turning into adults, but they have left behind their productive years and instead leave behind only their legacy as we mature and they pass on. Suddenly we are exposed to death of a very natural, inevitable character — this is not the teenage tragedy, the accident of drunk driving, the anguish of lost years. This is what we knew would happen, what would be almost selfish to wish against.

But soon we’ll be at an age when our friends are struggling with not long term relationships but with marriages, we’ll be attending weddings and baby showers, PhD conferral ceremonies, I-just-got-a-promotion dinner parties, and eventually our lives will be bounded by those of our children. Our parents will retire and stop worrying about us to start worrying about their grandchildren.

And one day our deaths too will cease to be a tragedy.

(R.I.P. Grandpa Shih 2/11/2008, Grandma Tam 6/9/2010, and Seth’s Grandfather 7/20/2010.)

As promised…

1. The Headband

This phenomenon came to my attention during the US vs. Slovenia match last week. In my Google image searching, found this blog post on headbands. Not sure if I agree with the assertions therein, but at least I know I’m not the only one who thinks that the headband really does not work on some people.

Case in point: Slovenian striker Milivoje Novakovic (photo taken from ESPN)

I had a lot of trouble finding a photo of him and his headband, because maybe I’m the only person in the world who cares about what he does with his hair, but THIS IS REALLY NOT OKAY.

2. The 90′s Boyband Look

Does this phenomenon require a definition?

Becks rocks the frosted tips

Admittedly this phenomenon isn’t that bad, it just makes me think of the Backstreet Boys. Plus, bonus points in the positive direction for practicality — the 90′s boyband look does not cause distraction/annoyance during play unless of course the player doesn’t want to mess up his hair.

Cristiano Ronaldo: "LOOK AT ME I'M SO PRETTY!!!"

(As a side note: I will admit that Ronaldo is talented and pretty hot, but he is SO ANNOYING. Whiny little–)

All in all, I’d still say the 90′s boyband look is a poor choice, but as with all these hairstyles, who are we to control what a footballer does with his hair?

3. Things I have no words for

Namely this.

OH GOD WHY DONOVAN WHY!?

Maybe this is still kind of a 90′s boyband look, but just — I can’t look at this anymore.

Let’s keep in mind that Landon Donovan was young and impressionable at the time, a wee 19 years old when he played in the 2001 MLS All-Star game. Indeed, this was when this happened (I was a wee 11 years old and while my brother just shook his head, I laughed my head off).

Hahahaha

Forgive the tangent here, but while Donovan’s hair improved (likely he came to his senses as his hairline started receding… Landon Donovan, your current hairstyle has my seal of approval), he set forth to further embarrass himself in front of cameras.

I -- Donovan, what are you doing?!

For what reason are you throwing this attempted sultry look at the camera? I have plenty of respect for you on the pitch (all non-American/proper terminology for this sport is creeping into my brain) but this is dropping my opinion of you. And then –

WHAT ARE YOU DOING DONOVAN? WHAT IS ON YOUR HEAD? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!?

Okay, so really maybe I am more endeared by all your promotional photo antics, but you are not making a good case for US soccer…

I’m done now.

So it’s that time again, when the US suddenly decides that oh yeah I guess that game THE REST OF THE WORLD PLAYS should get some air time. It’s FIFA World Cup time. And since it’s summer break, and I’m only just starting work, I’ve had free rein to wander the internet watching recaps, reading blogs, and noticing phenomena. Aaaannddd the one that I’m picking on is the general unattractiveness of long hair on guys.

Some background: my friend Daniel does not believe me when I tell him that girls prefer short hair on guys. He also has tried the long hair look, and didn’t believe me when I told him it was less than flattering. At this point, I have yet to find a girl who doesn’t agree with me in both the general and specific case — so if you have a strong preference either way, by all means tell me about it. Below, I have included an email I sent him, pleading my case.

DAVID BECKHAM, a case study

Maayyyybe borderline passable, but the blog I got this from referred to him as Goldilocks.

Gross. Like really gross. The suit doesn't help.

Muuuuch better.

Hot:

Hottt:

Although admittedly the shirtlessness may have something to do with that.

Have I proved my point yet???

To better iterate: long hair has the power to transform an otherwise super attractive guy into a thoroughly unattractive person.

That is all. For now.

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A deadly combination for me: somewhat sick, very tired, a vague amount of work to do, and a fantasy TV show with an entire first season on Hulu. And thus my past two days have been sucked away by resting in my room and watching all 12 episodes of Merlin, season 1.

This BBC fantasy show is a retelling of the Arthurian legends, of which I have learned a lot about in the past few days, mostly through Wikipedia and Youtube clips of the cast discussion/exploring the history of King Arthur and the titular Merlin. The young Merlin is played by deceptively tall, vaguely elfish Colin Morgan (in one Youtube clip: “Your cheekbones are kicking right off in this shot, mate.” “Are they?” “Oh yeah.” “You likin’ them?” “Hellooo ladies!”), but I have to admit that I’m a bigger fan of the more dashing/more of a prat Prince Arthur (not king yet), played by Bradley James, who’s hilarious behind the scenes.

Some random things found while trolling the internet.

I have no idea where these bears came from, or why they're posing with them in costume, but come on -- it's just presh...

Also, the faces of budding young princes Arthur and Simba.

Hahaha... Not sure who decided this would be hilarious, but it is.

And some Youtube videos: Bradley and Colin singing an 80′s power ballad Bradley gets stranded in a train station Behind-the-scenes: blow-drying hair in the forest

With that, I get to work… and maybe start watching season 2.