Amunt Valencia a la victoria

Soccer is the sport of the world. There is really no debate about that. However, there is an argument about which county has the best league. Majority of the world would argue that the English Premier League is the best, but that's because they have the most money and TV deals. Some from South America would say that either Brazil or Argentina is home to the best league mainly because they produce arguably the best players in the world on a more consistent basis than any other countries in the world. If you ask me, I'd tell you that Spain's La Liga is the best. The game is fluid, quick and entertaining.

Within La Liga and La Liga Segunda, there is a tournament called La Copa del Rey, or the Kings Cup. The Copa games are usually played during the week while La Liga is played on the weekends. This past week two big matches were played. The first was El Clasico, Barcelona against Real Madrid. The second, Valencia versus Levante, the Valencian derby. Both games were to move onto the Quarter Finals, and definitely goals were to be scored.

Wednesday night hosted El Clasico, Real Barca. When these two teams meet, it is always destine to be a great match. Since I couldn't attend the match myself, I decided to watch it at a bar. Due to an earlier event, I missed the first half, but at the same time I met some cool locals at the first bar I was at. When I finally found a bar that was playing the game, I went in. The bar was packed, every seat was filled, the bar full and people were standing outside watching the game. I made my way through the doors and went straight to the bar for a beer just in time for the start of the second half. Since the beer they had on tap was Estrella Damm, I figured there would be more Barca supporters, and I was right. In the first half, Cristano Ronald netted an amazing goal with his signature step-over putting Madrid up 1-0. The score remained that way until the half.

As I got my beer, I stood at the bar. Every persons' eyes were glued to the TV watching every play reacting to every opportunity, myself included. Shortly after the start of the second half, Carlos Puyol netted the equalizer with a spectacular diving header off the corner kick. Majority of the people in the bar went wild with cheers. Actually, everyone in the city went wild. As the second half played out, Barca dominated the half creating far more chances than Real Madrid. Around the 80th minute, Barca proved to be too strong with Erik Abidal breaking the deadlock. Once again, the city exploded with cheers. While I wanted Real to win, I was stoked to be in the environment enjoying a good beer.

The next day saw another edition of the Valencian derby, Valencia against Levante, the two clubs that play in the city of Valencia. This year in La Liga, Levante is having a pretty good year. currently they sit in fourth place behind their neighbors, Valencia. Being the first home game since I've been in Valencia, I had to go, and the fact that it was a derby made it even more attractive. The school I attend here is literally right around the corner from the Mestalla, and boy is that stadium cool. It's old but it is grand. The match started at 9:30 but the area around the stadium had been getting set up since early that morning. I arrived at the stadium around 9:15 joining the mass crowd, wearing my Valencia scarf, around the stadium. After going in, looking for our seats was a bit of challenge but the locals helped us out and we found out seats just before kick off.

Smoked filled the air from all the cigars being smoked inside the stadium. The seats were in the middle tier near one of the corner flags. From the start, Valencia was controlling the game. They kept knocking on the door and it was evident that they were going to score first. In the 25th minute, Jonas netted the opener and the crowd went wild. Valencia kept knocking while the only chances Levante had were off the counter. In the 32nd minute, star striker Roberto Soldado netted the second for Valencia putting them ahead 2-0. Valencia kept pushing forward but Levante eventually got one back in the 38th off an amazing strike from Kone making it 2-1 Valencia. Then in 46th minute, Piatti scored off a 50-50 ball between him and goalie, 3-1 Valencia going into the half. Three goals scored right in front of where I was sitting!

Valencia is the only club in Spain that still has their band play at every match. This is was very interesting to learn about and see. During half time, they played around the pitch. Deciding to walk around, I saw a couple members of the band after their performance and took a picture with them. They were more than willing and cool people. On the way back to the seat, I saw the mascot and got a picture with him too.

The second half proved to be no different than the first as Valencia continued to control the game. Tensions started to flare as the the challenges and tackles got a little bit harder. A total of 11 yellow cards were handed out between the two teams. The score remained 3-1 throughout the half, until the 91st minute. Right before the final whistle, Costa put the dagger in the heart of Levante making the final score 4-1 Valencia. Talk about a goal fest!

Now Valencia will face Barcelona in the quarters. It is a tough challenge ahead of Los Che, but I think, and hope, they can pull out the victory.

¡¡AMUNT!!

Madrid is a special place

Returning to Madrid is like seeing an old love interest that you didn't want to end. There is a special place in your heart for them and a good feeling in your stomach. However arriving in winter is the opposite of summer. The air is crisp and cold, the trees dead with no leaves but the love for fútbol, still the same. Being back in Madrid was a journey long awaited. Too long if you ask me.

Being an avid fútbol fan, it is great to see the games on at the bars. Nothing beats sitting down or standing-up in a crowded bar with an ice cold Mahou watching the Copa del Rey, La Liga or whichever game, tournament or league happens to be on. Talk about passion for their team. In the States, the closest thing to this would be football fans tailgating. But even this doesn't compare to the passion fútbol fans share for their respective teams.

While in Madrid the first time, I was fortunate enough to make friends with a couple of Madrileños. One of them runs a restaurant, called Corral de la Pacheca, that provides one of the best Flamenco shows in Madrid. We've kept in contact and decided to meet up. I went down the restaurant to watch the show, an hour and a half of great music, beautiful dancing and amazing food. After the show, I stayed for a few beers and caught up with my two friends.

Sadly, the trip back to Madrid was short lived. You can never get enough of a place that you enjoy so much. However, I know I'll be back soon, especially since Valencia is only four hours away.

Craziness

Wal-mart customers go crazy and get away. Occupy protesters are peaceful and get the shit beat out of them. What is wrong with this scenario?

For some reason, I can't seem to understand the way our country works. I mean, I know why things happen the way they do, but do they really make sense? Black Friday seems to create a "mob mentality" within the crowd. Security and police forces are far out numbered. Now, police are also out numbered by the Occupy protesters, but it is a different situation.

Occupiers are peaceful and oppose many things the government and banks have done, or failed to do. Police and the government see them as a threat and want to get rid of them while quieting them in the process. They do not like it when people take a stand! Especially when they stand-up against the current system! What happened to our right to a peaceful protest?

Wal-mart shoppers, on the other hand, may be your average "working class" people. But when it comes to "saving" MONEY, they flip-a-switch. Before I continue, I would like to say that Wal-mart is not the only store where this happens, but it sure is at the forefront. Instances of pepper-spraying for an X-box, shooting people for who knows what reason and rushing-in, or "busting the door," as soon as the store opens are a few of the recent occurrences. Money, money, money is what it all comes down to.

And where are the police where all this happens? Sitting at their post? Trying to keep the peace? I don't know, but they sure don't act like they do towards protesters.

In my opinion, police should be allowed to use force towards Black Friday shoppers if they get out of hand. After all, they do have a motive and they do act out violently. Authorities should also use the same tactics to control violent Black Friday mobs as they do against students and peaceful protesters.

I'm not saying the police are all at fault. However, they do need to assume some responsibility since their employees, that the public pays, are using excessive force against generally peaceful people.

Maybe it's time we start to question things and take a deeper look at the world and society we live in. Maybe your eyes will be opened up to how deep and complex this problem is. Maybe you'll realize that there is more to the world than money, shopping and the latest fashion.

Or maybe it will overwhelm you, possibly scare you. After all, avoiding a problem is always easier. Maybe your eyes won't be open and they'll just stay closed.

10 Things I'd like to see

With the recent news that MLB and Frank McCourt have agreed to sell the Dodgers, I couldn't help but now think that maybe one day I will get to see my beloved Los Angeles Dodgers win a World Series. With this thought, other things I would like to see happen came into my mind.

I've decided to give you a list of 10 things I would like to see in my life-time.

1. The Dodgers win a World Series- The last time the prestigious Los Angeles Dodgers won a World Series Title was in 1988, roughly about six months before I was brought into this world. Since, they have only reached the postseason six times. Of those six, they only won two NL Division Series' and lost both NL Championship Series'. Not the Dodgers my parents and grandparents knew. Not only would I love to see the Dodgers once again be crowned World Champions, but I would also like to be in attendance, for at least one home game.

2. USA win a World Cup Final- The Yankees that I'll cheer for. The USA Men's National Team is considered an up-and-coming force in the world of football (soccer). Although they are still a ways-away from actually winning a World Cup, I would still like to see it. First though, we need to make it past the first round of the knock-out stage. Russia anyone?

3. Attend a World Cup Final- I have my mind set on Rio 2014 for this one. With the world-famous Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janiero is set to host the 2014 World Cup Final. Where better to watch a WCF then in the world's most football (soccer) crazed country in the world. Now what I don't know is if I want to see a Uruguay-Brazil 1950-style final where the home side is muted and up-set, or a final where the home side wins a hard fought match on home soil and the crowd goes into a wild party? Hmm..

4. A Latino become President of the United States- Straight-up, we need some Latin blood in the White House. Without getting into all the other problems with our system, I would just like to say, I would like to see that happen.

5. Marijuana become legal- There is really no good reason that I've heard for it not to be legal. It's that simple.

6. An Alien- I don't know this for a fact, but I'm pretty positive that there are other life forms out there in the vast amounts of space. I think it would be cool to see some. Unless it's like some Independence Day stuff, I don't want to see that.

7. The violence in Mexico to subdue- Never having been to Mexico, right now is not the time to go. All the violence is giving the beautiful land and culture a very bad image. Colombia went through their drug cartel period and claims to overcome most of the problem. I know Mexico can do the same.

8. Los Angeles with an efficient public transportation system- As spread-out as the city is, I don't know how this would be achieved, but I know that it can. If there was some way to connect the many cities that lie within it's county borders, I would love this city even more. I'm sure there are ways to do it but the oil companies don't want that to happen. Oh my, what else is new?

9. Long Beach regain a music scene- I may be young with only 22 years of age, but I remember when Long Beach had a thriving music scene. With venues like the Rhythm Lounge, Blue Cafe and the Vault 350, just to name a few, Long Beach was a haven for good bands to play. Now-a-days, Alex's Bar hosts the best shows around and they aren't even that often. However in Long Beach, music isn't the only thing that's leaving. I feel the city is slowly deteriorating.

10. Meet Henry Rollins- So this one is a little different than the others on the list, but nonetheless, I would love to meet Henry Rollins. For those who don't know who he is, let me tell you. He fronted So-Cal punk band Black Flag from 1981-1986. He is a writer, radio DJ, comedian, actor and all-around badass. His spoken word is awesome and I suggest you listen to him. He is a unique, inspiring and brilliantly smart mind. More can be discovered about him here.

Quick snap

This upcoming January I will be embarking on a four month-long journey; Studying abroad in Valencia, Spain. The adventures and mishaps are just a few of the things I am thrilled to bring you, along with the photos, videos, links and more.

However, until I depart, I am going to post some stuff that is going on within the Long Beach and surrounding communities as well as some other writings, pictures, links and other fun stuff. Stay posted for the days to come. I will see you shortly!!

Only the Beginning

Greetings,

My name is Rudy Madrigal and I am a native of Southern California (Lakewood to be exact). I am a photographer, aspiring writer, traveler, future filmmaker, Radio show host and a modern day renaissance man. My topics will range from sports, music, movies, articles, politics, local events and whatever else is at the forefront of my noggin. I am new to the "blogsphere" and ready to try it out. I hope you choose to follow me and enjoy the content that will be discussed in the future. Stay tuned for the next few days when I really begin to get this going. Thank you for your time and I hope you enjoy.

Stay Up, Stay Irie, Stay Positive

Rudy Madrigal