A Sad Loss

The ball is tipped (not nearly the same as one shinning moment but it is the best I could get)



The Iveco cheerleaders (yes they are sponsored)


Moscow Dynamo fans



Dynamo vs. Hemofarm



Benetton Fans

I regret to inform you that the wonderful umbrella that I purchased to keep me nice and dry was stolen last night. Let me start at the beginning (well not to Adam and Eve but just a few days ago)...

It has been raining here for a week straight. Every day I am thankful for the wonderful umbrella that I have and also for the portici that cover many sidewalks here. Last night, some friends and I went to the Final Eight of the Euro Cup (I have had the discussion that it should be Elite Eight and Final Four but the alliteration gets lost lost in translation so the discussion was actually thoroughly confusing). The night of course begin as I left to meet Marco at the game the six o'clock game from the office by myself as Massimo, Matteo and Luca joined us for the nine o'clock game. Now of course my night would not be complete without a public transportation snafu. Before I left I confirmed with Massimo I should take the number 10 tram. Easy enough the stop is at Corso Vittorio. I walk under the portici with my umbrella to where in my mind the stop is. Alas, no number 10 tram stop...mainly because I am on Corso Umberto not Corso Vittorio. I was confusing my Italian kings! I then walked to Corso Vittorio (good thing they are not very far) and caught the number 10 tram. Now I forgot to see how many stops I needed to take the tram but figured I would be fine as I knew where I was going and there is a huge park and the soccer stadium so I figured I would recognize it. The problem was that it was raining and cold outside so all the windows were fogged up from the people breathing and talking on the train! I got off a stop too early which was fine as I had my trusty umbrella to keep me dry. I knew I should have stuck with the kid wearing the basket scarf! Upon arriving at the game I was told I must leave my umbrella outside. My heart sank. Although there were many other umbrellas I knew that someone would realize how special mine was and it would not be there when I got out. I had no choice though so I deposited my umbrella and went inside.

The first game was between the Dynamo Moscow and Hemofarm Stada. Hemofarm is a Serbian professional team and not surprisingly 11 out of 15 players names end in vic. It is funny to see that some professional teams have sponsors. Can you imagine...and now the starting line up for your Abbott Bulls. Even the cheerleaders are sponsored by a Fiat subsidiary! It was very interesting hearing the chants in different languages. The first game was very close but Stada pulled it out in the end 93-85. We had an hour between the games but Marco and I were not allowed to leave and come back in and there was only one concession stand (that I saw) that made the line right before the seventh inning/last call of a Cubs game look short so the other boys brought us in sandwiches...well actually it ended up being something close to a hot dog with ketchup and mayonnaise. Let's all pretend that I didn't eat it. The game at nine was between Benetton Basket (which is from Treviso, Italy) and Lietuvos Rytas from Lithuania. Lietuvos featured the Eurocup MVP Chuck Edison. The American is one of three players on the Lithuanian team whose name does not in in an as, us, is or ys. The game was very good and although Benetton was loosing most of the game they made it interesting in the last quarter but could not hold on for the win and lost 79-85. Oh and apparently Isiah Thomas was at the game. One of Massimo and Luca's friends got their picture taken with him. I was surprised but it was him...I guess Eurocup Fever is catching on!

Now to the sad part. Upon exiting, my worst fear (ok not really my worst fear I'm using the phrase for dramatic effect) was realized. My umbrella was gone...as was everyones that I was with. Well, I hope the next lucky owner appreciates the wonderfulness that is my umbrella and always uses it with a heavy heart knowing that they made some poor soul umbrellaless on rainy evening. The good news is that I did purchase a new umbrella this morning. On my way to work I stopped at the same store and although I could not find the exact umbrella (which was all black) I was able to find the same model which includes the windproof technology. I actually think this umbrella is a better choice as it has white daisies on it. I think my chances of this one getting stolen are less as I think my pool of possible thieves decreases as not many men would like to walk around with white daisies all over their black umbrella.

I hope all is well with everyone back home.