Good idea (from subscrition-only WSJ):

Trying to combat anti-U.S. sentiment abroad, a campaign is under way to give the "ugly American" a makeover and improve the manners of business travelers overseas.

Employees and executives of some big corporations who are bound for other countries will receive a "World Citizens Guide" brochure with 16 tips to improve the image of the U.S., such as trying to speak a little of foreign languages and refraining from too much talk of wealth, power, status or American pride. The program starts next month and will expand in the fall to include a one-day seminar.

"We are broadly seen throughout the world as an arrogant people, totally self-absorbed and loud," said Keith Reinhard, chairman emeritus of DDB Worldwide Inc. who is leading the effort through a group called Business for Diplomatic Action Inc., a nonprofit organization that tries to get U.S. companies to work to improve the reputation of the U.S. in the world.

AMR Corp.'s American Airlines, Lowe's Cos. and Novell Inc. have all signed up for the program, the group says. Exxon Mobil Corp., Microsoft Corp., McDonald's Corp. and Weyerhaeuser Co. have officials on the board of Business for Diplomatic Action, and are expected to join the campaign, which is being funded by the National Business Travelers Association, a group of corporate travel managers. More than 40 large companies have been approached so far, according to NBTA, and about half expressed interest in participating.

Cornell Glen is a forward on the MLS's L.A. Galaxy.  He has been on seemingly every MLS team at some point, and you can read his whole story in a good espn article here.  Anyway, I saw him play in person quite a few times when he was with the Metrostars.  I can remember thinking how much faster he was than everyone else on the field, an explosive player.  He never really seemed to be a favorite of the coaching staff though, and was eventually traded.  He is also on the Trinidad and Tobago national team, and thus will be playing in Germany in June.  He was just traded to the Galaxy a few weeks ago, but as outlined in the article above, had a great game in his debut. 

 

So why I am I writing about this, especially considering lots of my readers don't care much about soccer?  Among other reasons, because consider this my official prediction that this guy somehow becomes a big story in the World Cup:

This email made the rounds a few years ago, and a recent conversation I had with some coworkers reminded me of it, so I thought I would post it here.  Basically, it's a hilarious rant composed by a disgruntled i-banker.  To give you a taste, here's how he describes the start of his day:

 

6:15: Alarm goes off. I've told myself I'm going to start working out in the mornings. All those late night Subway M&M cookies. A quick calculation , two hours and fifteen minutes of sleep. Not too shabby. Only five or six coffees required to get myself out of bed. That beeping noise; there must be a bunch of sound technicians tinkering away in a room trying to find the perfect frequency to completely crush your soul.

From the DFNYC newsletter:

 

Al Gore Movie "An Inconvenient Truth" Opens in Theaters May 24th Al Gore and Davis Guggenheim's documentary about global warming entitled "An Inconvenient Truth" open in theaters on May 24. Those who have had the benefit of seeing Al Gore's brilliant presentation on global warming, know this is a must see film for everyone. "An Inconvenient Truth" eloquently weaves the science of global warming with Al Gore's personal history and lifelong commitment to reversing the effects of global climate change. A longtime advocate for the environment, Gore presents a wide array of facts and information in a thoughtful and compelling way. The film is not a story of despair but rather a rallying cry. To view the trailer, visit this page at our website:  http://www.dfnyc.org/cms/node/87538

Keller's Castle:

 

 Next to a cattle farm in a small town in northwest Germany, Keller, the starting goalkeeper for the United States World Cup team lives with his wife, two children and Rufus, a white Maltese, in a 1,000-year-old renovated castle. His renovated four-floor kingdom has two towers, a moat and a chapel. Instead of a dungeon, the basement has a spa with pool, a Jacuzzi and a steam room.

BrooklynVegan's always updating list of outdoor summer concerts in NYC...

 

Best show so far: Seu Jorge and Jose Gonzalez in Central Park on July 2

 

Also worth noting:  Maceo Parker kicking things off in Prospect Park in June, Amadou & Mariam Central Park July 16 (more to come I'm sure)

 

Manu Chao is playing Lollapalooza in Chicago this summer, but nothing for NYC has been announced that I've seen.

BigAppleSoccer has an article on the Ronaldo possibilities:

 

 

It sounds like there are ways around the salary cap - and the article makes a good point in that, by moving to the US, Ronaldo would open up enter a whole new arena of lucrative endorsement deals.

The top 15 skylines in the world here.

 

Chicago bested NY.