I just took another step into the thirty-something club and turned 32. Damn, I still can’t believe how old I am. And now, I sound like my parents and all their friends. Occasionally, I’d hear, “Wow, I can’t believe I’m... I still feel like I’m dah-dah-dah.” It’s just one of this things you don’t understand until you get older…
So, the wife treated me to several nights in Bath. You know, that place where the Romans took showers. No wait, they bathed. Yes, make sure you say it like BAYth-ed.
The trip was great – so relaxing, especially after our big move. We got two massages in one day and spent some time in a small room that is purposely heated to make you hot and wet. Oh, yeah. I think it’s called a steam room.
We also ate at this awesome Italian place, Aio. If you ever find yourself in Bath, stop at this small joint and order whatever’s on the menu. I’m sure it’ll be great.
It was an uneventful trip but that’s the way I like to spend my birthdays now. Damn, maybe I am getting old. I no longer crave for sake bombs, endless sushi and bottomless beers. Nope. It’s time to live…
Now, to the other stuff:
This is a bit late but I’d like to put in my two cents about the Pacquiao vs. Marquez controversial decision. At the end of the fight, I sat on the couch and looked at my wife. We thought, “Shit, PacMan just lost his belt.” Then, Michael Buffer announced the decision and we were just CONFUSED. We started sympathizing with the BOOS and listening to the UK commentators who were vehement Pacquiao lost. Then we scoured the internet for articles. Well, really, the wife scoured and she filled me in on the details. After a few minutes of debating the decision in my head, I got flashbacks of another controversial decision but in the UFC. It was Shogun vs Machida I. In that fight, Shogun shut down Machida’s famous in and out Karate striking style by laying down some nasty leg kicks. He ultimately lost to a decision and the crowd BOOED and cried BULLSHIT! Then a commentator said something like, when in a title fight, “You don’t just have to win the fight. You have to beat the champion.” And this seems appropriate for the recent controversial decision. Marquez stifled Pacquiao’s game. He made PacMan fight cautiously and brilliantly avoided that dangerous left hand. Still, the judges saw he lost on points and after the Compubox scores came out, it made even more sense. And the fact that Marquez backed up the whole fight didn’t help him at all either.
In Manny’s corner, there was so much hype. Freddie Roach declared a knockout in six rounds or less and strength and conditioning coach, Alex Ariza, said Marquez could not win if God himself came into the ring that night. When the bell rang at the end of the 12th round, I was sure Ariza had jinxed the fight. Then when the decision was announced, it was really hard to believe. But in a title fight, you can’t just win the fight. You have to beat the champion. Marquez did not do that.
I’m sure there will be a fourth installment in this awesome war but hopefully, PacMan gets a chance at Mayweather even though, after this fight, I’m actually afraid for Manny. When Money Mayweather fought Marquez, he made Marquez look like an old man. He danced his dance and Marquez left the ring defeated. If Manny had a hard time putting away Marquez, even after two previous meetings, well, you be the judge.
- wear a helmet
