They now go by the name "Astana". Velonews is reporting that Johan Bruyneel will be joining Astana for 2008 and taking this year's Tour de France winner with him. Contador, Benjamín Noval, Sergio Paulinho, Janez Brajkovic, Levi Leipheimer and Tomas Vaitkus have all been rumoured to be ready to ink deals that will see them follow their former leader over to the Kazakh team.
And, in other news, Lance speaks. A lot of folks out there predicted that Lance would stay mum on the Floyd verdict, but that's not really his style. In an inteview with AP this week, Armstrong blasted the arbitration panel who, he says, based their verdict on "shoddy work".
The cycling champion's words are pretty much what one would expect, but my favorite part is the way he waited until he had his new line of Nike apparel out and ready to promote before he decided to end his silence. Don't get me wrong, I think it's great. He knows the power that his name and words weild and he has become a master of keeping that ammunition locked and loaded until the right time to use it - namely to promote product that will raise even more money for cancer research.
It's no coincidence that he finally spoke up about the Landis decision now. Even Lance Armstrong would be hard pressed to get the Associated Press to cover the release of a new clothing line. But when he breaks his slience about the Landis decision at that launch, suddenly the AP files a story that includes at least two paragraphs about the clothing line and the Lance Armstrong Foundation - good for him. He didn't win seven Tours de France by being an idiot.
What's up with the camo pants?
Posted by: Libby | October 03, 2007 at 02:30 PM
That's a very canny take on the Armstrong statement of last night Sara, watch out it's going to be posted! :-)
Paula
Posted by: Paula Kirsch | October 03, 2007 at 02:50 PM
Is Lance touching up his hair? Not that there's anything wrong with that, it just used to look more gray.:)
Posted by: Theresa | October 03, 2007 at 03:08 PM
Discovery East! Disco Phoenix! A great thing is that hopefully lots of the Disco staff will have jobs there too.
And I think it's GREAT that Lance spoke out against Floyd's verdict. I had been disappointed that he did not speak at the time. That it now got even more coverage as it's tied to his Nike Livestrong product launch (& vice versa) is marketing 101. Hey, I also heard he just broke up with that girlfriend. Maybe 'cause he's been talking to Sheryl again everyday! Ok, ok, I'm a romantic sap & would love to see them back together. I thought they were a great couple. AND I note that HE's still running the NYC Marathon... :)
'The War' finished last night. Except for that 1st episode, it was really good. The music was great. The footage was unreal. And we even got to hear servicemen talk about how hard it was to adjust when they came back & the difficulties of putting THAT war behind them. While I've been watching this minseries, it really hit me that all my life I've known or known of people who lived through that war. Took it for granted. Plus, we have it documented on newsreels & movies & TV. It then struck me that in 10 years or so, all the "live" participants & observers will be gone. I hope more & more of their stories can be documented til then.
On the last episode, there was more footage of VE & VJ days than I had ever seen before & WOW, I was kind of jealous that our generation has never experienced anything like that - TOTAL joy, relief, pride, thankfulness it was OVER, joy some more. But on the plus side, we never lived through a global war that killed 60 million. Guess you can't get one without the other...
Posted by: susie b | October 03, 2007 at 03:41 PM
Yes, the master tactician at work. Lance is nobody's fool. It's no accident that he's posing in front of a rack of new product. He's got it covered. And now that he's completely out of competitive cycling, he can launch long range missiles from a safe distance.
Here's an interesting piece of information from a book I'm reading called "Lies My Teacher Told Me". The United States dropped 3 times as many tons of explosives in Vietnam as it dropped in all theaters of WWII, including Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The book is basically about all the misinformation we're taught about American History.
And for Susie, many hundreds of concerts and shows. I also played in bands, and it seems for many years all my circle of friends did was go to see music. The very first concert I remember was The Herman's Hermits and The Who at the Baltimore Civic Center in 1967. My father took my brother, sister and myself. I know you'll appreciate this one Suse, but some of the best shows I saw were at the old 9:30 Club in D.C. Actually played there once myself around 1991. My brother took me to see Donovan at Constitution Hall around 1975. My first encounter with "jazz cigarettes";). That's what Paul McCartney used to call them. Many Warner Theater shows, Lisner Auditorium, etc. Of course Cap Center, Ritchie Coliseum and Cole Field House. And in a sign of the times, one of the last concerts I went to was The Doodlebops at the Greensboro Coliseum. I betcha Sara knows who they are.
Posted by: Waddy | October 03, 2007 at 04:21 PM
Correction, it was The Wiggles, not the Doodlebops. It's all the same to me.
Posted by: Waddy | October 03, 2007 at 04:23 PM
My daughter LOVES the Doodlebops.
A friend of mine is actually dating Rooney Doodle.
Posted by: Sara Best | October 03, 2007 at 05:19 PM
Love the Wiggles, but the Doodlebops are a bit odd for me. It must be a Canadian thing!!! Just kidding!
Posted by: Jim | October 03, 2007 at 05:26 PM
I just knew you'd seen tons. How many were Dead concerts? I'm not sure if I've even seen 60 concerts total. I regret not going to more. I do now remember seeing Herman's Hermits & the Monkees in an Oldies-type show in 84 or 85 at Wolf Trap & I had forgotten that the last time we discussed concerts. What did you see at Cole & when?
And I do believe you have solved the mystery of why I can't remember half the concerts I've seen... the smoke of too many 'jazz cigarettes' filling up the arenas during the 70s & 80s. :) So, Dr Waddy, why can't I remember card games?
Wait! The Doodlebops actually exist?! I thought Waddy was kidding! See what you don't know if you don't have kids! I have heard of the Wiggles though.
Silly story. Several years ago, I was taking my sister & one of my nieces to see The Nutcracker. We were at my house for a bit before we had to leave & my niece turned on the TV to a show called Catdog, which I had never heard of. I was mostly talking to my sister over in the kitchen, but would occasionally glance up at the TV in the Family Room area & each time I saw EITHER a cat or dog from the neck up on the screen. After about 15 minutes & while on a commercial break, I ask my niece about the show - "so, Julia, what's the story on that show, are the characters married or what?" My niece & sister went into hysterics. I kept going "what?! What? WHAT?!" They just kept rolling on the floor. Finally, after the commercial, I see Cat AND Dog together on the screen at the same time & uh, no they aren't married. ;) Again, SEE what you miss without having kids! My niece still brings this up & gets laughs from all her friends about her clueless Aunt. Yeah, well I defy ANYONE who saw what I did to think any different! And can I just say whoever thought up THAT show had been smoking WAY too many jazz cigarettes! :)
Posted by: susie b | October 03, 2007 at 05:50 PM
I went to 23 concerts in 1973 alone - Freshman year in college, also my intro to those jazz cigarettes! I think 5 of them (the shows, not the cigs) were Grateful Dead - and that was before they were doing multiple dates in the same venue. Now I have season tix to the Philadelphia Orchestra and still catch a John Prine or Hot Tuna show whenever they're in town. Took my nephew to see the Wiggles -wow did I feel old! And Waddy, I'm about 8 years older than you.
Glad to see Lance speak out for Floyd. It was getting a little wierd that he wasn't saying anything.
Posted by: Barbara | October 03, 2007 at 06:18 PM
Lance only speaks out when it serves his purpose! My concert memories are Bob Marley in 79, the year I got out of UVM, in Burlington Vermont or Santana in Montreal with that big mural of the himalayas for that double album. You could get the jazz cigs over the border to Canada but you had to consume them all before coming back across the border. And don't forget Frank Zappa or the first No American stop for Supertramp in Burlington Vt before they headed to Montreal! Many years later when I was ski instructing in New Zealand my now wife and I discovered we were at the same weather report concert at Middlebury college in 78?
Posted by: Philip | October 03, 2007 at 08:58 PM
My brother is 8 years older, so I know your era well. It's my era too.I was a little ahead of my friends who didn't have older siblings. I still try to catch Jorma and Jack when I can. I love the T-shirt I see now and then - "If you don't know Jorma, you don't know Jack!" And "If you see me tonight with an illegal smile"...
I'm a late bloomer on the child front. Had mine at 40. The consequences of a younger wife. My wife and I have musical experiences that are about 10 years apart, although we like the same stuff now, for the most part.
I only saw The Dead at Cole - in 1981. Saw the Dead and their other incarnations about 90 times, mostly from '78-'87, then sparsely after that. So many concert stories.
But one of the most memorable was Santana playing one of my guitars backstage after one of his shows at Merriweather Post Pavilion. I was working for a guitar company out of college and became friendly with Santana's bass player. He invited me to the show and I took this wild guitar for Santana to check out, just on the chance I could catch him. Went backstage after the show and after some time, had kind of given up on the idea. As I was leaving the backstage area, there was Carlos walking down this hall toward me. I whipped out the guitar and stopped him. He got interested real fast and pulled me into this room where all of his guitars were set up. His guy was putting them away but he had a little practice amp still set up. He told his guy to plug it in and he began to check it out. He was like any kid would've been checking out a guitar. He was playing Richie Valens "La Bamba". I came to find out later that he was in the midst of recording the soundtrack to the movie with Lou Diamond Philips at the time. After a moment, I noticed a crowd had gathered at the doorway to the room. My brother was looking for me to leave and said he noticed this crowd and heard the guitar and when he made it to the doorway, there was his little brother standing with Santana playing my guitar. One of "those" moments that neither of us will forget. I still have the guitar and saved the strings that he played.
Posted by: Waddy | October 03, 2007 at 09:06 PM
Philip, You were posting at the same time, but WOW, same wavelength. Weather Report with Jaco Pastorius is right there at the top. Spun my head around. Zappa was a true American classic - brilliant. That live Santana album was a major soundtrack to my college years. Just missed seeing Marley. Obviously, UVM was a hotbed of hipness. Not many hipper campuses anywhere.
Posted by: Waddy | October 03, 2007 at 09:12 PM
Boy, I feel totally un-hip! My very first concert was 3-Dog Night, in 1968, in KC, KS. Then I missed the Elton John concert in 72, cause I broke up with the guy that bought the tickets! I have seen Barry Manilow, and Liza Minelli, '83 and '77. And I even saw Dan Fogleberg. Oh, my biggy concert claim to fame, is a First Edition (with Kenny Rogers) at UMKC in May of 69! See, guys, I'm not even on the same page as you!! And I never had a "jazz" ciggies til I was in my early 30's, after a divorce. Man, how boring.
I like the "Disco East", Susie! And I don't know who Cat and Dog are either.
Astana is based in France, isn't it???
Posted by: Theresa | October 04, 2007 at 01:16 AM
Okay, I've been to VeloNews TV watching some IBike videos. Sara, did you know Steve Bauer is taking over RACE team next year???
So, I went to WCSN.com to watch the industry crit! Philip, I'm so glad you didn't race!! And Mario going down on the last lap, sucked. They think it was a photographer that crowded the racers at the barrier.
I still need to watch the Pro race!! But, I've GOT to go to bed!!! I'm about ready to fall out of my chair!
Posted by: Theresa | October 04, 2007 at 03:14 AM
great santana story waddy, you lucky duck! i cut my teeth on santana.
my sister is 10 years older than me, so my music tastes certainly don't match those of my peers. sadly, however, we never got live performances - just good old vinyl.
and lance, king lance!! i love your take on his silence breaking, sara. too good. yeah libby, the camo pants ! ? !
and T, he's DEFINITELY had a go at his hair, (photoshop or clairol?). he's looking a little older, more weather beaten. still GORGEOUS, still My Hero.
YAY ASTANA! contador will look fabulous in that turquoise.
Posted by: debi | October 04, 2007 at 04:03 AM
Wow, Waddy! Great story! And 90 times seeing the Dead, again wow. I'm a bit like Theresa; you guys (& Barbara!) were much hipper than I back in the day. Although I did see Santana once! :) And one of my fave songs is "Maria Maria". Verrrry sensual. Looooove dancing to it. :)
Even if I'd had the money, the opportunity, & someone to always go with, I'm not sure if there was a band/artist I'd would have gone to see more than 30 times. I'll have to think. As I am a tad obsessive, you'd think this was right up my alley! I do wish I'd gone to a lot more concerts overall. I envy ya'll the experiences & the memories. But you know, if the Stones are still out ther performing, with their walkers & Geritol, who's to say I can't make up for time?! :)
What do you guys listen to now? Of CURRENT artists? I wouldn't think you'd like ANYthing on the radio. When Rap & HipHop started corrupting Pop & Rock in the 90s, I began listening to a lot of Country. Probably not your thang. :)
Posted by: susie b | October 04, 2007 at 10:25 AM
Since we're talking about music a little---on my way to work a Dire Straits (or maybe just Mark Knopfler)song was playing "punish the monkey, let the organ grinder go." Sums up how I feel about doping and cycling.
Posted by: Libby | October 04, 2007 at 10:32 AM
I'm just a sucker for a good song. Anything. Right now, there's an array of CD's in the car. We do love country. My daughter's fave is Miranda Lambert. She's a great songwriter from Texas, only 23 yrs.old. Also Kasey Chambers. And also Allison Krauss, who is a goddess in every way. Also digging Wilco, alternative rock. Wife always loves Bon Jovi. I love The Dead, Counting Crows. I love a great pop song. Foo Fighters. Any pop metal. Third Eye Blind. Then there's classic alternative. Soul Asylum, one of the greatest live bands ever. Incendiary. I could go on and on, but I won't. Here's one thing, though. More and more, I miss the spontaneity of the radio. I dig satellite radio in the car because I like not knowing what's coming next. I really get jazzed when there's a run of cool songs that I'm not expecting. Like the old days before CD's and I never had an 8-track in the car. Old School.
Posted by: Waddy | October 04, 2007 at 11:10 AM
Hmmm. Waddy likes the Foo Fighters. Who's the better percussionist - frontman Dave Grohl or the guy behind the kit (Taylor Hawkins)?
Posted by: Larry | October 04, 2007 at 12:02 PM
Taylor Hawkins - not even close. Nothing against Dave, he's something of a genius as a musician, and his "Learning to Fly" video showcases his clever sense of humor. But Taylor is a real heavyweight drummer. The kind of guy who's all over the kit at once but never looks at the drums. Just my opinion.
Posted by: Waddy | October 04, 2007 at 12:23 PM
Been missing you, Larry. Had hoped you'd weigh in on Bettini. Anyway, late last night I was clicking around & there was a HOCKEY game on! It can't be hockey season yet! Please explain. Also, who should I keep my eye on, as I said last Spring, this is the year I'm gonna watch me some hockey! But I need a cheatsheet.
And here's my 2 cents on the rest of the sportsworld. I am being punished for SOMETHING as the baseball season seems to get longer every year. Sorry, baseball fans. Now, football; college. For years I was a USC rooter. Not really a fan, but I rooted for them in the bowl games & whenever I caught them on the tube. Mostly because I liked their outfits. And the horse. ;) This year, I've been hoping they LOSE. Sorry, USC fans, but ever since the Bush "real-estate deal" for which they have received NO punishment from the NCAA, I've been disgusted. I watched part of Saturday's game & I yelled myself hoarse for the other team. Football; pro. Please, somebody, anybody, BEAT the PATRIOTS. Multiple times would be nice... Just had to get that out. Feel sooooo much better. I apologize to all fans of the above, but couldn't keep it muffled. I'll try to be better. You can trash my beloved Terps & Redskins if necessary.
Posted by: susie b | October 04, 2007 at 01:28 PM