jueves, 31 de marzo de 2011

Red Telephone Box. London

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Red Telephone Box. London

Londres eko telefono kabina famatuak

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miércoles, 30 de marzo de 2011

Ska-P @ Viarock 2010

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Ska-P @ Viarock 2010

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martes, 29 de marzo de 2011

Old St Mary Cathedral - San Francisco

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Old St Mary Cathedral - San Francisco

The Old Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception
(Old Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church)
oldsaintmarys.org

A Roman Catholic Ministry of the Paulist Fathers
660 California Street San Francisco, California 94108

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Medal Count May Come Down to Curling

So this is why Canadians spend all that time and energy playing shuffleboard on ice.

video  

Olympics: A Curling Letdown

3:02

The U.S. curling teams are struggling, causing some to question the team-selection process and whether they're looking ahead to the next Olympics. Curler Dean Gemmell joins Kelsey Hubbard to talk about the top curling contenders.

video  

Olympics: Judging Fashion Over Form

3:27

WSJ's Rachel Dodes talks about Norway's crazy curling pants, Ryan Bedford's patriotic hair, snowboarders' denim-like garb and "aboriginal" ice skating outfits.

With four days to go in the Vancouver Olympics, Team USA looks to be running away with the overall medal count, which would give the U.S. its first overall medal victory since 1932. But the race for most golds, which is what matters to most of the world, is setting up as a four-way battle among the U.S., Canada, Norway and Germany. And that may very well come down to Canada's stature as a curling powerhouse.

While Canada likely will fall well short of its pre-Games goal of 34 overall medals—the centerpiece of its "Own the Podium" program—the final days of the Games are packed with events where Canadians have a strong shot at victory.

Right off the bat, or, stick, is Thursday's gold-medal game for women's ice hockey, against Team USA. Neither team has been challenged in the tournament, but the defending Olympic champion Canadians are on home ice. Advantage Canada.

Canada also is strong in the women's speed-skating relay, scheduled for Saturday. Add in two likely gold medals in curling, and Canada is set to be at the top of the list in number of golds. Suddenly, the gloom and doom over the home team's underperformance would be an afterthought.

View Full Image

curling0224

Getty Images

Canada skip Cheryl Bernard releases her stone down the sheet during a match vs. Great Britain.

curling0224

curling0224

Nate Silver, who has been averaging medal projections from nine sources and updating the figures daily on his Web site, fivethirtyeight.com, Wednesday had the U.S. winning the overall medal count, with Germany, Canada and Norway right behind.

"This is a game between the U.S. and Germany now," said Luciano Barra, an executive with the Turin Olympics and a noted Olympic predictor.

"The difference for those countries is they are winning medals in a lot of different sports, which is what you need to do to win," Mr. Barra said.

But Mr. Silver's Web site has Canada winning the gold-medal count by a healthy margin—12.8 to second-place Germany's 9.6. Norway was in third in golds, with 9.3, and the U.S. is projected for fourth place, with 8.4 golds.

View Full Image

SP_OLYMEDAL

Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

Canadian women's ice hockey player Jayna Hefford celebrates a goal during a game against Switzerland.

SP_OLYMEDAL

SP_OLYMEDAL

Mr. Barra and most other predictors appear to have overestimated Canada's home advantage. That was undoubtedly the flaw of The Wall Street Journal's projections at the start of the Games, which relied on statistical probabilities rather than simply predictions for gold, silver and bronze. These predictions placed Canada in first place in the overall medal count with what now seems like an absurd 37 medals in 86 events.

Canada threw millions of dollars in public money at its Olympic program, plus millions more in private funds, and it limited the access of foreign athletes to the venues.

"There's a historical average of the home field producing three more medals," said Dan Johnson, an economics professor at Colorado College, whose prediction model relies on home-field and socioeconomic factors. Mr. Johnson had Canada winning the medal count with 27, three more than its 24 in the 2006 Turin Games.

"Will they come in lower than that? Yes," he said. "But Canada has a reputation of not being a greedy host."

At the same time, most projections appear to have underestimated Team USA's home-continent edge. American Alpine skiers, who have won eight medals, say the snow feels like California, and, as opposed to most World Cup events, which take place in Europe, Vancouver puts most of the competition in a truly foreign land.

The Journal's projection of 10 gold medals and 33 overall for the U.S. just might end up being right on the mark. Team USA is guaranteed at least a silver in women's hockey, and it should pick up medals, some of them gold, in Nordic Combined, speed skating, short track and perhaps bobsled.

Norway, meanwhile, could sneak away with a gold-medal triumph if its biathlon and cross- country-relay teams, led respectively by Emil Svendsen and Petter Northug, prevail, and if Canada and the U.S. falter.

Likewise, Germany looms. Winner of the overall medal count in four of the past five Winter Games, Germany has gotten a huge lift from its "biathlon beauty," Magdalena Neuner, the winner of two golds and one silver. It also has enjoyed its usual dominance in sledding sports, where it has already won nine medals in luge, bobsled and skeleton.

Take away the sled track and Germany suddenly looks a lot like Korea, with 11 medals and five golds.

And the Winners Will Be…

Here are The Wall Street Journal's final projected medal standings for what we expect will be the top four finishers.

COUNTRY

GOLDS

TOTAL MEDALS

U.S.

9

35

Germany

8

28

Canada

11

20

Norway

7

23

Source: WSJ Research

gold medal game, home ice advantage, curling teams, image getty, olympics team, advantage canada, olympic champion, gold medals, gloom and doom, own the podium, dodes, medal count, gemmell, canada canada, shuffleboard, team selection, right off the bat, team usa, garb, contenders

Online.wsj.com

lunes, 28 de marzo de 2011

Manchester United face anxious time hoping Nemanja Vidic stays injury-free playing for Serbia

Manchester United face anxious time hoping Nemanja vidic stays injury-free playing for Serbia

Manchester United will hope Nemanja Vidic does not suffer a recurrence of his calf problem when he makes an early return from injury for Serbia on Tuesday evening.

Manchester United face anxious time hoping Nemanja Vidic stays injury-free playing for Serbia

Returning: Nemanja Vidic is preparing to come back from injury against Estonia Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Mark Ogden

By Mark Ogden 10:30PM BST 28 Mar 2011

Mark's Twitter

The United captain is set to captain Serbia against Estonia in Tallinn on Tuesday, just two weeks after suffering the calf strain that had left manager Sir Alex Ferguson concerned about the defender’s prospects of facing West Ham at Upton Park on Saturday.

Vidic had initially been omitted from Vladimir Petrovic’s squad for the Euro 2012 qualifying double-header against Northern Ireland and Estonia. But the centre-half underwent intensive treatment at United’s Carrington training ground last week before flying to Belgrade in time to watch the 2-1 victory over Northern Ireland last Friday.

Vidic trained with his Serbian team-mates on Saturday before flying to snowbound Estonia on Sunday, where Petrovic declared the 29 year-old fit to play.

Petrovic said: “Vidic is with us again and he is ready to play from the beginning. My only concern is about the condition of the pitch because it is a winter’s landscape.”

Although United confirmed on Monday that Vidic had joined up with Serbia, it is unclear as to Ferguson’s thoughts on his captain representing his country so soon after suffering an injury which forced him to miss the Champions League victory against Marseille and 1-0 league win against Bolton.

Ferguson, who will announce United’s summer tour of the United States at a press conference in New York on Tuesday, has a good relationship with Serbia coach Petrovic and struck an agreement with the former Arsenal midfielder for Vidic to miss the friendly international against Israel in Tel Aviv last month.

Serbia’s precarious position in their Euro 2012 qualifying group, where they lie third, six points adrift of group leaders Italy, has placed huge importance on the game in Estonia tonight, thereby prompting Vidic to answer his nation’s call.

But with United battling a manpower shortage in defence due to injury and suspension, any recurrence of Vidic’s calf problem would leave Ferguson struggling to field a back four at West Ham.

United are already without the suspended Jonny Evans, with Rio Ferdinand, John O’Shea and potential full-back Owen Hargreaves all injured.

Wes Brown is hopeful of beating a calf injury, while Rafael da Silva could return from a hamstring injury, but Michael Carrick is on standby to fill in at centre-half should Vidic suffer a setback.

Meanwhile, United could face David Beckham and Thierry Henry in the same game later this year after agreeing a deal to play the MLS All-Stars – a team comprising of the leading players in the MLS – at New Jersey’s Red Bull Arena in July.

United will confirm the final details of their pre-season tour of the United States on Tuesday, but plans are also understood to be in place for games in Seattle, Chicago and Washington DC.

A training camp at Niketown in Portland, plus a possible fixture in Boston, are also being considered.

Mike Dean has been appointed as referee for United’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Wembley on Apr 16.

Dean has not taken charge of a United fixture since being criticised by Ferguson for dismissing Rafael during the 0-0 draw at Tottenham in January.

United’s Premier League clash with Chelsea at Old Trafford has been put back 24 hours to May 8. The game will kick-off at 4.10pm.

sir alex ferguson, vladimir petrovic, getty images, alex ferguson, vidic, mark ogden, league victory, team mates, anxious time, euro 2012, calf strain, good relationship, intensive treatment, precarious position, upton park, double header, manchester united, west ham, northern ireland, carrington

Telegraph.feedsportal.com

Left Behind

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Left Behind

It has been some time since my last upload and I have not been able to get online or have a chance to get my car out of the never ending snow pile that seems to grow higher and higher by the hour. Yesterday we were able to experience the first break in the clouds for the past 5 days. It has been dumping on us here in Mount Shasta for a while now and snow has taken over everywhere you look. I apologize to everyone for not commenting on your photos as our power has been going on and off and I've been constantly shoveling/snow blowing to try and keep up with the storm. I really look forward to viewing your recent work, but for now, this is what it looks like all around us.

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Brazil's David Luiz and Co set to offer glimpse of future against Scotland

Brazil's David Luiz and Co set to offer glimpse of future against Scotland

When the boys from Brazil run out against Scotland at the Emirates on Sunday, it will be an ideal learning opportunity for coaches, players and the public.

Brazil's David Luiz and Co set to offer glimpse of future against Scotland

Bright future: Brazil's national side is in a transitional phase with players such as David Luiz coming through Photo: EPA

By Gerry Cox 9:27PM GMT 26 Mar 2011

Brazil's national side is in a transitional phase, with a new generation of players coming through. And as more and more Brazilians are playing their football in Europe, and particularly England, than ever before, it is fascinating to see how the way they play has evolved.

Mirandinha was the first Brazilian to play in England, when he signed for Newcastle in 1987. But the floodgates did not open, and there was merely a trickle of south American talent until much more recently.

Part of the reason was considered to be that their style of play was not suited to the English game, with Spain, Italy and Portugal a more natural home for them.

But as a more muscular approach has started to augment - or even replace - the flair for which Brazilian's are renowned, their players have become more tempting and more suited to the Premier League.

Two recent imports illustrate the point. Sandro of Tottenham and David Luiz of Chelsea are both ideal for English football; strong, skilful and full of aggression.

Indeed Luiz was the main reason Sir Alex Ferguson got into trouble with the FA, after the Brazilian escaped punishment for a number of brusque challenges when Chelsea beat Manchester United recently. He also showed superb technique that night, not only with a spectacular volleyed equaliser. He reads the game well, tackles and heads with the power of John Terry, and is comfortable with the ball at his feet.

Sandro is a similar player, albeit in a more forward position. He combines strength and skill in equal measure, covers the ground quickly and is fast becoming a fixture as Tottenham's holding midfielder. His man-of-the-match performance in Tottenham's away victory over AC Milan showed a maturity that belied his age (he was 21).

Luiz is only 23, but has already showed since his £24m transfer from Benfica in January that he can become one of the best defenders in the world.

Brazil's new coach Mano Menezes is clearly delighted to have them both. "Sandro and David Luiz are in different situations in the national team," he said.

"Luiz has played more often and impressed. I want to play him with Lucio, as they compliment each other's games greatly.

"As for Sandro, he has been playing very well at Tottenham and has played very well in previous international performances for Brazil. He is a first-class player who brings the ball forward well. He also marks well and when we play our friendly against Holland, we need someone in the middle like Sandro, to get close to Wesley Sneijder - that is the sort of game we need him for. If he continues to play well at Tottenham it will be great for us."

Their experiences a far cry from that of Robinho, who struggled to come to terms with life at Manchester City and took the escape route offered by AC Milan.

"I'm very happy to be playing in the Premier League for Chelsea. I'm realising my dream," said Luiz.

"It's a new experience for me. We can still win the Premier League and Champions League. We can still give a good fight, with lots of games left to play.

"I was happy at Benfica but right now I am in a new experience and I am just concentrating on that. I am very happy about the opportunity I have been given, at both Chelsea and Brazil."

Sandro concurs: "I am hoping to impress and take my chance against Scotland. I just want to make the most of this opportunity, and play well for Brazil."

He also has the prospect of a Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid to come, but says: ". I am aware of how big the game against Real is going to be, but at the moment, I am just focused on Brazil. Playing for the national team is always very special to me and both games are big for me."

Scotland, for their part, are also rebuilding and Craig Levein will use the game to see how his side can cope, having pushed world champions Spain all the way in their European Championship qualifier last October, which ended in a 3-2 defeat.

"We tested ourselves against the best team in the world last October and came out of the match with a lot of positive thoughts and feelings," said Levein.

"This is another great test for us. I am relishing the fixture and I know the players are.

"There are players here for the experience, and if I can enhance that by getting them on to the pitch for ten or 15 minutes, that would enable them to feel more comfortable next time in a situation like this."

sir alex ferguson, gerry cox, alex ferguson, boys from brazil, superb technique, transitional phase, forward position, english game, floodgates, s david, david luiz, john terry, brazilians, manchester united, bright future, english football, sandro, premier league, trickle, tottenham

Telegraph.feedsportal.com

Brisbane night skyline

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brisbane night skyline

From Kangaroo Point

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domingo, 27 de marzo de 2011

Serbia 2 Northern Ireland 1: match report

Serbia 2 Northern Ireland 1: match report

Read a full match report of the European Championship qualifying match between Serbia and Northern Ireland at the Stadion Crvena Zvezda on Friday March 25, 2011.

Serbia 2 Northern Ireland 1: match report

Defeat: Northern Ireland trudge off after a disappointing second half turnaround saw them lose 2-1 to Serbia Photo: PA

By Telegraph staff andn agencies 9:46PM GMT 25 Mar 2011

Northern Ireland's Euro 2012 qualification hopes took a heavy blow in Belgrade as they conceded twice in the second half to surrender a hard-earned lead against Group C rivals Serbia.

Only some brave last-ditch defending stopped them going behind but when Gareth McAuley rose to head home Chris Brunt's cross in the 40th minute, a famous victory looked on the cards.

But Serbia, playing in the near-deserted Crvena Zvezda Stadium as a result of crowd trouble against Italy, hit back through Marko Pantelic before Zoran Tosic drilled in the winner via a slight deflection.

With just four minutes gone Brunt attempted something spectacular, lashing an ambitious looping shot at goal from just inside the Serbia half.

It was directed well enough to cause goalkeeper Zeljko Brkic a moment's hesitation but it continued harmlessly over.

Brkic twice flapped at set-pieces in the space of a minute, first Sammy Clingan's curling free-kick then Brunt's corner.

The West Brom man next tried his luck from 20 yards but, after showing good control, his low drive flew wide.

Serbia almost took the lead after 15 minutes, McAuley's last-gasp slide steering what looked a certain goal over the bar.

Milos Krasic and Dejan Stankovic started the move on the right wing before the ball was cut back for Milan Bisevac, whose goalbound effort was brilliantly diverted by McAuley.

Northern Ireland somehow managed to get out of jail again after 22 minutes, Tosic jinking into the box before teeing up Adem Ljajic.

With the goal again gaping, a combination of Aaron Hughes and McAuley smothered the danger.

Hughes was in some discomfort having gone down with an apparent shoulder injury but he remained on the pitch after treatment.

Krasic was emerging as Serbia's key man, constantly asking questions of the defence, but the odd loose pass hinted at frustration in the home ranks.

Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic attempted a cheeky chip after 33 minutes, but debutant goalkeeper Lee Camp was grateful to watch the ball creep wide.

Jonny Evans continued his side's rearguard with a vital tackle as Tosic looked ready to pull the trigger inside the penalty area.

An innocuous foul earned Brunt the chance to deliver a free-kick from the right flank five minutes before the interval and he found McAuley eight yards from goal.

The Ipswich defender timed his jump well and aimed for the top corner, beating Brkic to send the 265 travelling fans into raptures.

Serbia, with no support of their own following the UEFA ruling, were shellshocked and almost conceded again when Brunt played in Kyle Lafferty.

The Rangers forward took a neat touch to create some room but stabbed his shot over the crossbar as Brkic advanced.

Lafferty did not emerge for the second half, replaced by Northern Ireland's record scorer David Healy.

Serbia boss Vladimir Petrovic also went to his bench during the interval, with out-of-favour Liverpool forward Milan Jovanovic and Milos Ninkovic entering the fray.

Northern Ireland were close to a second in the 49th minute, Healy and Brunt linking well before Johnny Gorman whipped in a cross from the left. Brunt was waiting in the centre but Neven Subotic deflected the ball wide of the post.

Camp ensured the lead remained at 1-0 when Jovanovic met a Krasic corner, heading powerfully at goal. The former England Under-21 international's reactions needed to be good and he did not disappoint, standing firm to beat the ball away.

Healy, occasionally a little off the pace, picked up a needless yellow card to rule himself out of Tuesday's clash with Slovenia.

Worse was to follow in the 65th minute when Pantelic swept home from eight yards after a flowing move involving Ninkovic and Jovanovic.

The Liverpool man almost put the hosts ahead seconds later after finding space in the penalty box but he hesitated to shoot and the chance fell away.

Northern Ireland were now looking in trouble every time Serbia attacked, their swagger finally returning.

The second goal came after 73 minutes, Stankovic charging towards the danger area before laying the ball to Tosic.

The CSKA Moscow midfielder took a touch before rifling his shot into the near corner via a slight deflection off Craig Cathcart.

Having taken the lead Serbia eased off a little but Northern Ireland could not take advantage as substitutes Paddy McCourt and Warren Feeney struggled to make an impression.

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Telegraph.feedsportal.com

sábado, 26 de marzo de 2011

Olympic Logo Strays From Tradition

VANCOUVER, British Columbia—Matthias Heimel has the Olympics figured out. The German spectator knows his way to the ice rink where his country's hockey team plays. He can get around downtown Vancouver.

But he's less certain about the Vancouver Games emblem, which can be seen from one end of the Olympic host city to the other on hats, jackets and shot glasses, and in monumental statues made of everything from chocolate to empty shipping containers. "It looks like an alien," says Mr. Heimel.

video  

Inuit Signpost Becomes Logo of Vancouver Olympics

3:18

The Inukshuk, a traditional Inuit signpost made of stones, is the official logo for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. WSJ's Phred Dvorak explains reaction to the use of the rock piles to represent the Games.

View Slideshow

[SB10001424052748704751304575080022375925124]

Michael Kappeler/Agence-France Presse/Getty Images

Skiers walked past a banner with the official logo of the Vancouver games, an inukshuk, in Whistler, British Columbia.

More photos and interactive graphics

Olympic logos and mascots usually get plenty of attention, from Moscow's cuddly 1980 teddy bear to London 2012's Day-Glo emblem, whose pink jagged design sparked a flurry of criticism from comparisons to a broken swastika to claims an animated version caused epileptic seizures. Canada's choice of emblem is among the most curious: It's a pile of rocks.

An inukshuk is a stack of stones traditionally used by the Inuit of the arctic to mark anything from a hunting spot to a food cache. In 2005, the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the Olympics chose a multicolored humanoid version of an inukshuk as the games' official 2010 emblem. That sparked an inukshuk boom in Canada that has reached far from the frozen tundra where the figures originated—and precipitated its share of controversy.

In Vancouver, the official inukshuk logo can be found on everything from key chains and T-shirts to rain gear for dogs.

Similar rock piles have inspired unofficial products—from $6 bottle openers to the Inukie Cookie designed by the creator of the Vancouver 2010 logo, which lets you build your own inukshuk out of maple-flavored shortbread.

[Inukshuk]

Inukshuk

The Vancouver Aquarium has unveiled a 10-foot-high inukshuk made out of 4,368 cans of sustainably fished salmon and tuna. That one looks more like a Japanese robot, admits aquarium spokesman Kent Hurl. "From far away, it kind of looks like a Transformer," he says.

Other rock piles are sprouting up across Canada, as emblems of the Canada Speed Skating team and latest Group of Seven finance ministers meeting. Cities including Niagara Falls, in Ontario, and La Ronge, in Saskatchewan, have commissioned massive stone statues to commemorate the passing of the Olympic torch through town. Home-goods store Canadian Tire Corp. says its plastic $38 Inukshuk garden statue is a top seller, along with its Golfing Gnomes and Canadian Moose.

In the Inuktitut language, inukshuk means "something that substitutes for a person." (For the grammatical record: One inukshuk. Many inukshuit.) Archaeologists say some piles up north have been around for thousands of years. Luke Suluk, president of the Inuit Heritage Trust, says there are many old inukshuit around his home in Arviat, on the western Hudson Bay.

Some mark boat landings, Mr. Suluk says. Others point out caribou routes or good camping spots; a few memorialize local tragedies such as illness or starvation.

While old versions were meant to stand in for a person, the latest ones are increasingly anthropomorphic: The Michelin Man meets Stonehenge. And as the things sprout all over southern Canada, some Inuit are bemused.

"It can be misleading," says Mr. Suluk, explaining that Inuit don't build inukshuit indiscriminately. "All Inuit are told not to make any inukshuk without a purpose."

View Full Image

InukshukJmp1

Getty Images

The Inukshuk logo is everywhere at the Vancouver Games: Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway skis past it Sunday.

InukshukJmp1

InukshukJmp1

Elena Rivera MacGregor, the designer of the Vancouver logo, had never seen a real one up north. Her inspiration was a big gray granite statue by her home in Vancouver, built for the city's 1986 Expo as an expression of northern hospitality and friendship.

Ms. MacGregor created a multicolored version: two vertical blocks for legs, a horizontal chunk for a torso, a longer horizontal for outspread arms and, for a head, a crowning block with a gouge for a mouth. She dubbed it Ilanaaq, or "friend" in Inuktitut.

"When you find an inukshuk in the snow, you find friendship, shelter," she says. "The inukshuk kind of gives you a hug."

Not everyone found the idea so cuddly. When the logo was unveiled, Mark Busse, then-head of British Columbia's graphic-design association, was quoted in press reports as calling the logo a "cutesy little smiley-faced Pac-Man on a pile of stones." ("It's grown on me," Mr. Busse says now.)

Some Inuit elders, meanwhile, protested that the humanoid design isn't authentic. Others fret the original meaning is being lost. "Inuit are concerned that inukshuk are being used everywhere without having much meaning or respect to Inuit," says Mr. Suluk.

All that hasn't damped the appeal, in part because an inukshuk is pretty easy to make. Touchstone Site Contractors Inc., an Ontario provider of commercial landscaping and security fencing, had never made a stone sculpture before it landed the contract for the Niagara Falls inukshuk. Office manager Brandon Bradley whipped the design up himself on AutoCAD.

"As long as you keep it somewhat proportional—that's it," he says.

View Full Image

InukshukJmp2

ZumaPress

China's Zang Jialiang and Liu Rui brush atop the logo at the curling venue.

InukshukJmp2

InukshukJmp2

Inukshuit have also been popping up along the highways in central Ontario during the past few years. The stone piles have drawn the wrath of some environmentalists who have complained on blogs that they're eyesores and that building them damages local rock formations from which they say the raw materials have been taken.

On the streets of Vancouver these days, it's hard to go a few blocks without bumping into inukshuit. Some 1,000 Inuit carvers in the arctic territory of Nunavut have been conscripted to make authentic inukshuit for sale at the Olympics as well, says Dennis Kim, head of merchandising for the Vancouver Organizing Committee. A 15½-inch statue goes for about $1,880.

Vancouver's souvenir shops are selling inukshuk statuettes made of pewter, glass, crystal, wood and British Columbian jade, as well as a full collection of inukshuk snow globes and playing cards.

Then there's the monumental approach. In Vancouver's downtown shopping district, the display window of chocolatier Daniel boasts a 320-pound inukshuk made of solid Belgian chocolate. The shipping hub of Richmond, just south of Vancouver, has built a six-story inukshuk out of several empty cargo containers.

So look out, maple leaf.

Cameron Dix, the manager in Vancouver of one of Canada's biggest souvenir trade shows, says the ramp-up in inukshukery he has seen since last year points to a bigger destiny for the inukshuk.

"It's become a Canadian symbol," he says.

Write to Phred Dvorak at phred.dvorak@wsj.com
Online.wsj.com

jueves, 24 de marzo de 2011

Snowblower clears snow at Mt Baker

photo

Snowblower clears snow at Mt Baker

The snowblowers have been working like crazy to keep Mount Baker Highway open and accessible.

This is along Mount Baker Highway, near the ski area. Crews estimate we received something like 5 feet of snow in 10 days.

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^DAT
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miércoles, 23 de marzo de 2011

London 2012 Olympics: BOA hardens stance in preparation for possible legal battle with Locog

London 2012 Olympics: BOA hardens stance in preparation for possible legal battle with Locog

The British Olympic Association remains on course for a divisive and potentially damaging legal battle with the London 2012 Olympic Organising Committee following a board meeting on Wednesday.

Colin Moynihan - London 2012 Olympics: British Olympic Association hardens stance in preparation for possible legal battle with Locog

Playing hardball: BOA chairman Colin Moynihan has defended the organisation's tough stance Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Paul Kelso

By Paul Kelso, Chief Sports Reporter 10:15PM GMT 23 Mar 2011

Paul's Twitter

The BOA, which is arguing that its cut of any surplus from the London Games should not include any Paralympic costs, has asked the Court of Arbitration for Sport to rule on the matter after the International Olympic Committee found against it.

The BOA executive board met in London on Wednesday and received a lengthy update on the dispute from its lawyers, who are understood to have told the body it would stand an excellent chance of success in an English court.

The board was not asked to vote on whether to proceed with the case to CAS, and there was some discussion of alternatives to the highly inflammatory course the BOA’s chairman Colin Moynihan has set.

No specific alternatives to CAS were discussed, demonstrating the shortage of options the BOA has left itself after rejecting IOC arbitration. A leaked letter from BOA chief executive Andy Hunt revealed that it turned down a meeting with the IOC over the issue due to “unacceptable conditions” proposed by its legal team.

If successful at CAS, the BOA could benefit from 20 per cent of the redefined surplus, but its pursuit of the matter despite the IOC’s ruling is costing it dear in goodwill domestically and internationally.

There is disquiet among some national governing bodies at the BOA’s stance, and Locog is deeply unhappy at the situation.

The IOC leadership is also unimpressed at having its authority challenged. A meeting of the National Olympic Committee next week, at which all Olympic sports will be represented, will give dissenting voices an opportunity to be heard.

Some sports believe that, while the dispute may bolster the BOA’s standing by giving it increased income, there will be no net benefit to British sport as a whole.

With the Government likely to have to fill any shortfall to the BOA, funding for other bodies, such as UK Sport, would be cut.

Moynihan attempted to justify the BOA’s aggressive approach in a four-page letter to NOC members this week, in which he stressed that the BOA was the only body that would defend Olympic sport after the London Games.
Telegraph.feedsportal.com

Stairway closed

<a href=photo" width="640" height="425">

Stairway closed

Many years ago, a friend of mine had gone to visit the Point Reyes lighthouse only to find the stairway closed and to remember that she had taken a photo of the signepost on the closed gate. I thought that that turned out to be an interesting photo, so, during my last visit there, as I was waiting for the sun to set, I decided to do my own interpretation of the signpost and the 320 steps that take you down to the lighthouse.
BTW: a couple of friends pointed out that my previous photo of the lighthouse (see below) was a little bit crooked to the right. In that case it was not intentional, here the crookedness is intentional…

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Point

Reyes

lighthouse

California

USA

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closed

pacific

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sky

steps

point reyes lighthouse, couple of friends, signpost, btw, little bit, waiting for the sun, photo online

Flickr.com

martes, 22 de marzo de 2011

2010-2856 Utah (Capitol Reef)

photo

2010-2856 Utah (Capitol Reef)

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USA

US

VS

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UT

Utah

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South-central Utah

Wayne Wonderland

Capitol Reef

National Park

canyons

ridges

buttes

monoliths

rugged

spectacular

A journey Through Time

A

Journey

Through

Time

Kleur

Bergen

Rood

Rotsen

capitol reef, journey

Flickr.com

domingo, 20 de marzo de 2011

Sunderland v Liverpool: live

Sunderland v Liverpool: live

Follow minute-by-minute action of the Premier League game between Sunderland and Liverpool at the Stadium Of Light on Sunday March 20, kick-off 13.30 GMT.

PREVIEW

LIVE

REPORT

SUNDERLAND

0 - 2

FT

LIVERPOOL

Sunday, March 20 13:30

Premier League

Stadium of Light

(HT 0-1)

ATT: 47,207

Kuyt (33)

Luis Suz (77)

Dirk Kuyt - Sunderland v Liverpool: live

 

Image 1 of 2

Hot streak: Dirk Kuyt scores again for Liverpool to give his side a 1-0 lead at the break Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Andy Carroll - Sunderland v Liverpool: live

 

Image 1 of 2

Unwelcome visitor: Former Newcastle striker Andy Carroll is in contention for a starting place at the Stadium of Light Photo: AP

By Thom Gibbs 1:00PM GMT 20 Mar 2011

COMMENTARY

KEY MOMENTS

Email Thom Gibbs with your favourite stories that involve beachballs, swimwear or goggles
----------------------------

15:28: So Sunderland's desperate run continues and Liverpool remember how to do that Big Team thing of winning comfortably without looking very impressive. Suarez and Spearing did very well indeed, Sunderland look like a team that sold their best striker and didn't replace him. Oh...

With that sorted you should now head south with me for Chelsea v Manchester City. This liveblog will self-destruct in 30 seconds.

FULL TIME
That was an uneventful period of stoppage time.

90+1 min: We're into minute one of four that will be added on. A half-empty Stadium of Light shrugs its shoulders like a surly teen.

89 min: Suarez has pulled up, clutching his hamstring. He's coming straight off. That's a tactical shower-reserving "injury" if ever I've seen one. Joe Cole is on. Remember him?

86 min: Telegraph Sport hero Giles Mole thinks one of Liverpool's standout player this afternoon looks like the kid from Shane Meadows' 80s sad-a-thon This Is England. Make your mind up by clicking on hyperlinks: Jay Spearing Angry skinhead

84 min: Suarez's free kick is well over. Maxi Rodriguez is on in place of Meireles.

82 min: RED CARD!!
Mensah, on a booking anyway, tugs Suarez down. He's the last man and gets a straight red. Steve Bruce wishes he was still walking his dogs with Geoff Shreeves. Those were truly the good times.

81 min: Asamoah Gyan wants a fight with Skrtel. He's being led away by Titus Bramble and now the ref is now having a word with the pair of them. Replays show Gyan sticking a finger up Skrtel's nose. That's a novel way to irritate someone.

Goal77 min: GOAL!! Sunderland 0 Liverpool 2 (Suarez)
Superb stuff from the Uruguyan. He receives a throw practically on the byline, shrugs of Bardsley and bears down on goal without even trying to widen the angle. His finish is sublime, hard and high over Mignolet at his near post and nestling in the other side of the goal. Wonderful goal.

74 min: Spearing's superb shot from just outside the box brings another great save out of Mignolet. Corner to Liverpool. It's cleared at the near post.

72 min: Andy Carroll is booed fervently as he's substituted for David Ngog.

70 min: Gyan's cross is missed by Elmohamady. Sunderland desperately need a bit of luck here, they do not look like scoring through their own endeavours. Liverpool are looking feisty on the break.

67 min: The near-side linesman erroneously awards Liverpool a throw when the ball had come off Carragher. The Stadium of Light (UK) is furious. Suarez is booked for dissent shortly afterwards.

65 min: Elmohamady's powerful header is blocked by the chest of Glen Johnson.

64 min: Sky's Rob Hawthorne tell me Lucas has been booked for "consistent fouling" but I saw nothing of the sort. I saw some fould, sure, but no booking.

63 min: Henderson skies a shot from 25 yards. It's half lob, half drive, all rubbish.

61 min: Sunderland make their final sub - Elmohamady on for the slightly limping Welbeck.

60 min: Gyan is well offside, spelling the end of a promising spell of pressure by Sunderland.

58 min: Kevin Phillips talks too much. Bring back Andy Gray, all is forgiven. Well, all apart from the horrendous sexism.

55 min: Suarez's devilishly quick low free kick is just wide.

54 min: Carroll and Bramble race towards a through ball, which Carroll is first to. The ref plays advantage and Meireles squanders a chance. Kevin Friend brings back the play to award a free kick for Bramble's tackle, which seems odd given that Meireles was presented with a chance. Bramble is booked.

53 min: Bardsley plays a pointless ball into the box after cutting inside.

51 min: Sunderland have started this half with intent, but their more frantic approach doesn't really play to their strenghts. They're still failing to ask Liverpool any pertinent footballing questions and now the away side have a corner. Carroll's header at the far post is cleared off the line by Cattermole's thigh! So close.

48 min: Henderson plays a short corner to Ferdinand and immediately gets it back. He floats the ball past the far post, where Malbranque misses the ball completely.

46 min: Second half - it begins. Kevin Phillips says he has watched the penalty incident 10 times and decided the challenge was just outside the box. Poor Sunderland.

HALF TIME
Sunderland were on top before the penalty, which is going to be the subject of plenty of pointless and tiresome debate for the next 18 hours or so. Here's my informed opinion: it was extremely marginal, and impossible to call. Sunderland will need a break to get back into this, they've not shown any signs of being able to get behind Liverpool so far.

45+3 min: Sunderland are playing out this half like they're 3-0 up. Have a word with yourself, pass-happy Sunderland defenders.

45+1 min: We're into the first minute of three that will be added on. After two subs, a goal and a long delay before the penalty I think that's a bit mean.

44 min: Agger blocks consecutive crosses from the right, Henderson then Sessegnon foiled.

42 min: Carroll wins a corner. Meireles takes, Carroll heads over, after muscling off Bramble to leave himself free on the penalty spot.

40 min: Carroll looks rusty. He only just controls a ball from Suarez and his eventual pass back to Spearing has the youngster stretching.

37 min: Luis Suarez lets an artful high through ball bounce twice before setting himself perfectly for a half-volley. Mignolet saves athletically, and Carroll's attempt at slotting in the rebound is straight at him.

36 min: Jordan Henderson puts a free kick from 30 yards harmlessly wide.

Goal33 min: GOAL!!! Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1 (Kuyt)
Kuyt sends Mignolet the wrong way then performs his tribute to Bebeto with a rocking cradle celebration. I assume he's saluting Bebeto rather than a recently-born child.

32 min: PENALTY! Mensah's suicidally poor control on his chest allows Spearing to advance on goal. Mensah hacks him down, the ref initially awards a free kick but the linesman says a penalty. Mensah is booked, the replays suggest that was a free kick.

30 min: Beachball watch: I am yet to see any beachballs.

29 min: Gyan executes a lovely return pass to Welbeck as Sunderland try to break through the back four, but it's just about cut out by Skrtel. All the momentum is with Sunderland but they're yet to force a save from Reina.

26 min: Liverpool are playing impatiently. The trio of Spearing, Meireles and Lucas are doing an effective job of containing Sunderland in midfield, but the home side are knocking it about and making them run. Liverpool when on the ball are trying too many optimistic passes and dribbles and getting nowhere with them.

25 min: A lovely sweeping ball by Henderson finds Bardsley bombing forward on the left flank. His cross is cleared for a throw.

22 min: It not looks like Kieran Richardson is heading off with an unidentifiable injury! Steed Malbranque is on his place. Two enforced subs in the opening quarter of the game for the home side. Come on, fate. Make it a hat trick.

21 min: Mignolet fumbles a ball heading out for a corner and is grounded as Suarez picks up the loose ball. Meireles gets in his way and Sunderland clear for a corner. Suarez gives the impression of a man very annoyed with the standard of his team mates. The corner is cleared.

19 min: Muntari was injured during that last passage of play. Lee Catermole is on in his place.

17 min: Wellbeck's excellent cross evades Richardson and then Glen Johnson as it teases across the six yard box. Liverpool counter with Suarez racing forward, who playes a reverse pass to Carroll. He trots forward and elects to square it to Spearing as he approaches the area. It's a poor ball which Spearing miscontrols. Suarez, in space inside the box, is livid.

16 min: Suarez's attempt to find Kuyt runs through to Mignolet. Pretty tepid start to this match.

14 min: Agger is the target in the end, but Kevin Friend blows for one of those dubious fouls on the keeper.

13 min: Suarez is clattered clumsily by Muntari in between the touchline and the box. Liverpool free kick, with Andy Carroll suddenly looking very frightening in the Sunderland box. Although his tactic of bunching up close behind Skrtel ruins the effect somewhat.

11 min: Agger is forced into an improvised clearance back towards Reina as Welbeck attempts to find a way past him. Reina clears in typically competent style.

9 min: Bardsley's cross is headed clear by Carragher. Sunderland are pinning Liverpool back but don't look particularly threatening.

E-mail 7 min: Liverpool supporters sing an uncomplimentary song about the shape of Steve Bruce's head. Graeme Walker has sent me an email: "2-1 to Liverpool. This match is, I think, a tricky one for Liverpool. Sunderland are no mugs, and they can muster huge support."

5 min: Meireles corner is won well by Carroll at the far post. The ball drops for Kuyt inside the six yards box but Mignolet is quick to it, and concedes another corner. Kuyt heads over and an extremely chatty Kevin Phillips reads his mind to tell us that "he'll be disappointed with that".

3 min: Muntari slots the ball towards Wellbeck, who's tackled by Carraggher. Had Wellbeck let it run Gyan was unmarked.

1 min: Sunderland start the game on the impeccably patterned Stadium of Light pitch. Top work, Sunderland ground staff.

13:29: The teams are out and we're moments away.

13:27: Kevin Phillips joins Rob Hawthorne in the commentary gantry. That should be... interesting.

13:25: Kenny Dalglish exudes such earnest authority these days, I'm slightly frightened by him. On Carroll and Suarez playing together up front together for the first time Dalglish says "Everyone's excited about it." Yes Kenny. Yes we are. (Please don't hurt me)

13:20: Here are the teams:

Sunderland: Mignolet, Ferdinand, Bramble, Mensah, Bardsley, Sessegnon, Henderson, Muntari, Richardson, Welbeck, Gyan.
Subs: Gordon, Zenden, Malbranque, Elmohamady, Cattermole, Colback, Onuoha.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Kuyt, Meireles, Lucas, Spearing, Carroll, Suarez.
Subs: Gulacsi, Cole, Kyrgiakos, Maxi, Ngog, Poulsen, Wilson.

Referee Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)

13:10: Sky's Geoff Shreeves is on a walk with Steve Bruce and his dogs. I assume this isn't live footage. "I notice you're not using a lead," Shreeves smirks. "Is that because you're not very good at holding on to one?" Bruce stares at Shreeves, headbutts him on the nose, and sets his dogs on him. He doesn't really. His real reaction is far less interesting.

13:00: In this fixture last season something tremendously amusing happened involving a Liverpool-branded holiday fun item which has no place at a football match. You'd get very long odds indeed on another beachball-based calamity this season, although Sunderland fans will be alert to the ease of smuggling a deflated inflatable inside a bag.

Sunderland didn't immediately suffer the calamitous dip in form expected when they cashed in on Darren Bent, but they're surely feeling his absence now, having picked up a sole point in their last five games. Liverpool slept out of the Europa League this week, so it's all hands to the pump in the battle for sixth place in the Premier League.

Let's hope for jollity, tactics, sportsmanship and a goal carnival.

Or at least one supplementary ball finding its way onto the pitch.

Teams to follow, stay tuned.

----------------------------

Sunday, March 20

Sunderland v Liverpool
Stadium Of Light
Kick-off: 13.30
TV: Sky SP1, Highlights BBC2 MotD2

Betting: Home 8-5 Away 6-4 Draw 2-1

Sunderland (Possible, 4-1-4-1): Mignolet; Ferdinand, Mensah, Bramble, Bardsley; Muntari; Sessegnon, Henderson, Richardson, Malbranque; Gyan.
Liverpool (4-4-2): Reina; Johnson, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Carragher; Meireles, Poulse, Lucas, Maxi; Suarez, Kuyt.
Referee: Kevin Friend (Matches 13 R2 Y37).

Tale of the game

Sunderland are in trouble. The 0-0 draw at Arsenal brought their first point in five games.

When the teams met in September at Anfield Darren Bent scored twice in between goals from Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard.

Gerrard is missing after the England midfielder was ruled out for a month with a groin problem.

Also absent from Kenny Dalglish’s side are Fabio Aurelio, Martin Kelly, Daniel Agger and Jonjo Shelvey.

Sunderland, meanwhile, miss former Liverpool winger Bolo Zenden along with Nedum Onuoha, Craig Gordon and David Meyler.

In the last four league games between Sunderland and Liverpool at the Stadium of Light, both teams have failed to score.

Darren Bent scored the only goal of the game last season but in the previous three games, Liverpool won all three without conceding.

Stat of the game: Sunderland have gone 259 minutes without a goal.

Betting tip: Liverpool in charge, so 3-1 to the Reds looks good at 25-1.
Telegraph.feedsportal.com

2 Gerbera

photo

2 Gerbera

Yellow Gerbera

Tags

Flower

petal

petals

Gerbera

Yellow

green

Fargo

North Dakota

USA
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jueves, 17 de marzo de 2011

Yankees to try Gardner at leadoff tonight

TAMPA, Fla. -- Yankees manager Joe Girardi is tweaking his lineup over the final two weeks of exhibition games and one of the first adjustments is having Brett Gardner hit leadoff against Tampa Bay.

Girardi moved Gardner from ninth to first in the posted lineup for Thursday night's game with the Rays, with Derek Jeter dropping from the top spot to second.

Jeter batted first 137 times last season. The Yankees captain was in the two-hole on 18 occasions.

Gardner was first in the lineup in the other 25 games during 2010. The outfielder, who hit in five different spots overall last year, got his most appearances (56) in the ninth position.

Girardi has said he would do some different things with the lineup just to see how it looks.

joe girardi, exhibition games, ninth position, derek jeter, tampa fla, outfielder, different things, thursday night, tweaking, yankees, tampa bay, occasions, game

Nypost.com

Love Your Life

photo

Love Your Life

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your

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sand

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wave

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tree

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song
Flickr.com

Kayakiste sur le Golfe du Morbihan - 22/01/11

photo

Kayakiste sur le Golfe du Morbihan - 22/01/11

Kayakiste sur le Golfe du Morbihan - FRANCE - Bretagne

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france

bretagne

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0183

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miércoles, 16 de marzo de 2011

I want it

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I want it

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instagram app

square

square format

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X-Pro II
Flickr.com

Ticino Blues

photo

ticino Blues

...su nero e ... la musica ... on black and ... music
www.circolofotografico.eu/

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©ubu

water

unamusicaintesta

luciombreepiccolicristalli

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bleu

Ticino

e la musica, ticino

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martes, 15 de marzo de 2011

IMGP5185.jpg

photo

IMGP5185.jpg

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Australia

Bingara

Farm

Horse

Horse Ride

New South Wales
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Day in the cwmcarn to crumlin canal

photo

Day in the cwmcarn to crumlin canal

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Canals
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lunes, 14 de marzo de 2011

Mountains and Ice Field

photo

mountains and Ice Field

Nearing Latitude 81 degrees north, close to Phipps Island and Nordkappsundet in the Arctic Circle.
Our ex ice-breaker, Polar Star, pushes its way through the pack ice.
To view more of my photos to the Arctic Circle, please link below:
www.flickr.com/photos/59303791@N00/sets/72157624611947827/

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Polar Star

john dalkin

heavens gate (john)

phipps island, pack ice, arctic circle, polar star, latitude, mountains, photos

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Manchester City v Reading: prospect of appearing at Wembley will spur City on, says Roberto Mancini

Manchester City v Reading: prospect of appearing at Wembley will spur City on, says Roberto Mancini

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes the prospect of playing at Wembley will drive his team on against Reading.

Manchester City v Reading: prospect of appearing at Wembley will spur City on, says Roberto Mancini

Staying cool: Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is confident his team can reach teh FA Cup semi-finals Photo: EPA

By Telegraph staff and agencies 10:27PM GMT 12 Mar 2011

City have not reached the last four of England&rsquo;s most celebrated domestic tournament for 30 years and have not lifted a major trophy for 35 years.

Mancini’s side have a chance of ending that barren run on two fronts although they have a two-goal deficit against Dynamo Kiev to overturn in the Europa League next week after losing in Ukraine on Thursday.

“It won’t be hard to pick them up because the FA Cup is really important to us,” Mancini said. “It’s a really big chance for us to get to Wembley. When you lose a game, you want to play the day after. This won’t affect us.”

Striker Carlos Tévez, who is expected to start for City, will miss Argentina’s friendlies away to the United States and Costa Rica this month after being overlooked again by coach Sergio Batista.

Reading captain Matt Mills has called for his team-mates to take inspiration from Birmingham’s Carling Cup win over Arsenal.

Mills, who is hoping to shake off a groin injury in time to face his former club, said: “You have to remember it is only 11 against 11 and there are always upsets in football. Birmingham beat Arsenal to win the Carling Cup and you never know.”

dynamo kiev, roberto mancini online, fa cup semi finals, carling cup, groin injury, telegraph staff, barren run, rsquo, team mates, manchester city, batista, 35 years, arsenal, inspiration, gmt, trophy, costa rica, argentina, ukraine, coach

Telegraph.feedsportal.com