August 23, 2009
url: http://whatsup.dmounited.com/x/2009-0823.html
So in 2000, the policy was instituted and the first continent to get the rotation... Africa in 2010. Finally, Sepp got his wish. The four bidding countries: Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, and a Libya/Tunisia joint bid. South Africa got the nod (you may have heard about it). The 2014 Cup would be held in South America under the rotation, and the 2018 Cup would go to North America.| City | Stadium | Capacity | Chances | Notes |
| Atlanta | Georgia Dome | 71,250 |  | Hot Georgia summer neutralized by being indoors. Decent soccer city. |
| Baltimore | M & T Bank Stadium | 71,008 | | Yes, in close proximity to DC, but is that a bad thing? It's a beautiful stadium. |
| Boston | Gillette Stadium | 71,693 | | Has MLS franchise. Hosted '94 Cup. |
| Charlotte | Bank of America Stadium | 73,778 | | Maybe if it were college soccer. |
| Chicago | Soldier Field | 61,000 | | Has MLS franchise. Hosted '94 Cup Opening Ceremony. Saw Oprah fall during said ceremony. |
| Cleveland | Cleveland Browns Stadium | 72,000 | | Have no read on Cleveland, but might make cut if bid wants maximum venues. |
| Dallas | Cowboys Stadium | 100,000 | | Yes, a 100,000 capacity. And have you seen that videoboard? City has MLS. Possible location for the Cup Final. |
| Dallas | Cotton Bowl | 89,000 | | While this venue hosted 94 Cup, Dallas will only use one stadium, and this ain't it. |
| Denver | INVESCO Field | 76,125 | | It's a mile in the sky. Just sayin'. |
| Detroit | Ford Field | 67,188 | | The city hosted '94 Cup at the Silverdome (even bringing in real grass). I think Detroit hosts again. |
| Detroit | Michigan Stadium | 108,000 | | While on the list due to its capacity, I think Detroit only gets one venue and will use Ford Field. |
| Houston | Reliant Stadium | 71,500 | | Has MLS franchise, and this stadium has successfully hosted big international matches. |
| Indianapolis | Lucas Oil Stadium | 64,200 | | Is Indy really soccer-crazy? No, really... is it? |
| Jacksonville | Jacksonville Municipal Stadium | 82,000 | | Some thought this town was too small for the Super Bowl. Now imagine an event like that, 3 times in a month. Just sayin'. |
| Kansas City | Arrowhead Stadium | 77,000 | | Possible, but not likely. |
| Los Angeles | Rose Bowl | 92,000+ | | Hosted '94 Cup Final. Might host another Final. |
| Los Angeles | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 93,607 | | L.A. won't use two venues, and I think the Rose Bowl is where it's at. |
| Miami | Land Shark Stadium | 75,540 | | Average all the way around. Depending who you ask though, Miami is either soccer-crazy or soccer-ambivilant. |
| Nashville | LP Field | 69,143 | | Is Tennessee really soccer-crazy? I'm not even sure it's hockey-crazy and it has a NHL team. |
| New York | New Meadowlands Stadium | 82,000 | | Like the country's largest city isn't going to host some games. Puh-lease. Just ignore the fact that the stadium is in the neighboring state. |
| Oakland | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum | 63,026 | | I don't think FIFA would like playing in a baseball stadium. |
| Orlando | Florida Citrus Bowl | 65,616 | | Hosted '94 Cup, but I think the new stadium in Tampa down I-4 gets the nod. |
| Philadelphia | Lincoln Financial Field | 67,594 | | Getting MLS franchise. Good soccer base. Good stadium. |
| Phoenix | University of Phoenix Stadium | 71,000 | | Hosted Super Bowl, and major international soccer matches. Plus, it's indoors, thus negating the nuclear Arizona summer. |
| San Diego | Qualcomm Stadium | 70,500 | | Can't give you a reason why not. Also can't give you a reason why. |
| San Francisco | Stanford Stadium | 50,500 | | Hosted '94 Cup, and I think the Bay gets love again this time. |
| Seattle | Husky Stadium | 72,500 | | Really? Seattle will only use venue, and it won't be here. Keep reading... |
| Seattle | Qwest Field | 67,000 | | Success of Seattle Sounders in the city? Undeniable. Success of international soccer matches there? Undeniable. If they don't host some games, it would be a travesty. |
| St. Louis | Edward Jones Dome | 67,268 | | Of all the domed venues (or even those with retractable roofs), this wouldn't make the Top 5, and I think FIFA likes to be outdoors. |
| Tampa | Raymond James Stadium | 65,856 | | If Florida gets only one venue, it'll probably be here. |
| Washington, D.C. | FedEx Field | 91,704 | | Due to its size, and location in the nation's capital, a good choice for the opener. |
| Washington, D.C. | RFK Stadium | 56,692 | | Unlikely that the Capital would get two venues. Not impossible, but not likely. |
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August 14, 2009
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July 10, 2009
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June 28, 2009
url: http://whatsup.dmounited.com/x/2009-0628.html
 | GARNETT Fun Facts: -First year hosting. -Used to be a Disneyland Ambassador. -Dominates video games. |
 | GUYVER Fun Facts: -Only one on team that speaks Japanese. -Does a spot-on Christopher Walken impression -Loves tofu. |
 | LUNA Fun Facts: -Used to be a cosplayer. -Went to USC (and proud of it). -Classically trained singer. |
 | D-MO Fun Facts: -Used his 2-month daughter as a prop during a shoot last year. -Will one day buy his own tachikoma. |
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June 27, 2009
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June 5, 2009
url: http://whatsup.dmounited.com/x/2009-0605.html
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Honorable Mention) Wendy's: Double with Cheese Depending on the restaurant and who's making it, this could be an average burger, or the best burger you've had in forever. Unfortunately, that inconsistency keeps it on the outside, looking in. Truth be told, it's quite an unremarkable burger, aside from the square patties, but again, it has the chance to be the best burger you've had. |
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3) In-N-Out: Double Double I was introduced to In-N-Out late in life. However, people who go regularly profess that it's the best. Dare I say, it almost has a cult-like following. I prefer mine with grilled onions (and truth be told, I need at least a 3x3. If you don't know what that is, ask the next time you're there). The freshness of the ingredients does equal a quality burger. However, that freshness mandate keeps the operation to the West Coast. I do like the fact the burger is a little pink in the middle, and in general, the burger itself is sloppy, gooey, and delicious. The reason the Double Double is at #3 is because one is not satisfying enough. |
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2) Carl's Jr.: Double Western Bacon Cheeseburger The pioneer of the bacon-onion ring-bbq sauce burger, this burger is better than any copycat on the market today. Even though it comes with nothing else on it, this is a supremely delicious burger (although, I prefer the original over the Six Dollar version). The barbecue sauce is the key. It's the right mix of savory and sweet, and Carl's onion rings are right for the job, too. Even though Carl's Jr. does have other tasty sandwiches, I will get this every time without fail. |
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1) McDonald's: Big Mac I know, this probably has thrown any credibility out the window. Call it the "Mystique of the Middle Bun," but the Big Mac is my favorite burger. Would I call it the best burger on the planet? No. But as I was making this list, the underlying question I asked of each burger was, "If this was the only burger I could have for the rest of my life, would I be happy?" With the Big Mac... absolutely. I think this definitely plays into the proximity variable, as McDonald's was the closest chain, and really, the chain of choice growing up. Honestly, it's not a bad burger, and when was the last time you heard someone say, "I don't like the Big Mac." I don't think I ever had. So for me, my top burger is the Big Mac. |
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Honorable Mention) Subway Surprised? Me, too. Let's leave it at that. |
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3) McDonald's With the Big Mac, Chicken McNuggets, and those tasty fries, McDonald's makes the list. It was at #2 and actually dropped to #3 because they pulled one slice of cheese from the $1 Double Cheeseburger, and now call it the McDouble which is still $1. They still have the Double Cheeseburger, but now it' $1.49. Really? A 50 cent slice of cheese? Nonetheless, they also have good shakes, decent apple pies, and the best toys in kids meal combos. |
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2) TIE - Del Taco & Taco Bell So I'm cheating by putting two restaurants in the #2 spot, but it really was a tough choice. Both have unique pluses, both have unique minuses. If I could take the best from both restaurants (a "Del Bell" if you will), it would be the best restaurant on the planet. Del Taco gets bonus points for having a tasty burger on the menu. Taco Bell gets bonus points for having a fantastic sauce (as in "I take packets home to use in other food applications" kind of fantastic). I like Del Taco's steak, but I like Taco Bell's ground beef. And just when I was going to give the nod to Taco Bell for being ridiculously cheap, I remembered I can get fries with my burritos at Del Taco. Arggh! They remained tied. |
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1) Jack in the Box You might be asking yourself, how does Jack earn top restaurant honors when not one of its burgers made my Top 3? Easy. Variety. Jack has the widest selection of burgers, in addition to the widest selection of non-burger items, on any fast food menu. And they're all great. The last 20 years has really since a Renaissance at the "Box," and it's gotten, dare I say, more sophisticated. Personally, I think their sirloin burgers are the best of the bunch (quality-wise, and I mean out of ALL the chains), but even the classic Jumbo Jack is a winner. The Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburger is fantastic when I want a meat fix. The Ciabatta burgers are great. How 'bout Jack's Spicy Chicken? Yum. And let's not forget Jack's tacos. I've told too many stories that start, "So it was 2 in the morning and I was chowing down some Jack tacos..." I mean, they're so good, even Burger King tried to copy them. And just to seal the deal, I can say with no hesitation that Jack in the Box has the best breakfast menu in fast food (and as the ads say, it's available all day). With taste, value, and variety, Jack in the Box is the clear cut winner. Oh, and the boss is a pretty swell guy, too. |
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April 23, 2009
url: http://whatsup.dmounited.com/x/2009-0423.html
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