I Don't Like Candy Corn Lyrics

This is the song that Moose sings in between Noggin shows during the Halloween season. I always sing this to my daughter because it is just her favorite song even if it's not Halloween yet.

I Don't Like Candy Corn

I don't like candy corn,
No, I don't like candy corn.
I like lots of other things,
But I don't like candy corn.

I give it to my brother;
I give it to my sister.
I hope I get something else to eat
When I go out to trick or treat.
I would even eat my own feet,
I bet they taste much better.

I don't like candy corn,
No I don't like candy corn.
I really like Halloween,
But I don't like candy corn.

Enjoy singing to your child!

No Serbs Left

As of today, there are no Serbs left at Wimbledon. No Ana Ivanovic, no Novak Djokovic, no Jelena Jankovic.

No one got through the quaterfinals. It's a shock to see top players losing and leaving so early during a tournament. Maybe this is the time new seeds have to bloom.

And yet, the defending champion, Venus Williamns, is still a strong contender along with her sister, Serena. Will it be a Williams call again or a new seed?

Huge Upset for No. 3

Maria Sharapova is now out at the 2008 Wimbledon in England. She is No. 3 in the world. Alla Kudryavtseva, No. 154 and no title to her name, sent her home in an easy 6-2, 6-4 match.

Coincidentally on the men's side, No. 3 Novak Djokovic lost the 2nd round match to Marat Safin yesterday. Safin did not drop a set.

I've been closely watching Wimbledon on ESPN. I would say they really have an excellent coverage of the tournament. Even if the No. 3s are gone, there are still a number of players worth watching for.

Ivanovic almost lost it

Ana Ivanovic, No. 1 seed almost lost to No. 97, Nathalie Dechy after a tough second round match at Wimbledon today. The result is 6-7, 7-6, 10-8.

While watching the match on ESPN, I almost believed Dechy would win it. But I've seen Dechy a few times during major tennis broadcasts playing doubles. What struck me about her is her capacity to smile between points whether losing it. I think it is an added bonus: grace under pressure. Just taking things cool and under control.

The doubles match I watched, Dechy and her partner won despite the great odds, almost to the face of defeat. But they played with such good naturedness and they were rewarded for it. That was about two years ago so I can't really recall the specifics.

Today, I thought Dechy would beat the No. 1 in the world just by seeing her flash that familiar smile.

First Ball Game

Last week, I went to my first ball game. It was the Chicago Cubs versus the Tampa Bay Rays. I watched the first two games on TV and the last game, I watched live at the Tropican Field. The Rays sweep the Cubs. The scores are: 3-2, 5-4, 8-3.

Here's my impression. The live show is definitely way beyond exciting compared to the television. You feel the emotional current in the stadium. You shout, you clap, you scream, you cheer. It's different.

Furthermore, I learned that live ball games are a big advertisement. Between innings, while we see the commercials on TV, there are "commercials" going on in the field, too. They have little contests with prizes from a concessioner inside the stadium; they have freebies from local restaurants if the hometeam scores a particular run; they have advertisng flash in the marquee or the big screen all the time.

Morever, I observed that a ball game is a big entertainment. They use lights and drum rolls to get the thrill going; they have a mascot that makes funny dances; they have really pretty girls in shorts who encourage cheers from the crowd.

I realized that these baseball players who have honed their skills and talent to be the best they could ever be in the name of the sports, all come down to "entertainers." After all, they are performers who delight the fans. They enjoy celebrity status because they are in fact like musicians and actors who perform before an audience.

And yes, they should score-- make the paying public get their tickets' worth and go home with a smile.

Gymnastics Trials

I watched the women's gymnastics trials for the Team USA for the Beijing Olympics. It was breathtaking. Young women in their teens defying the law of gravity and the human fear of falling. These are really very wonderful kids -- very focused and motivated. They are not just physically tough, they are mentally tough, as well.

You can see in gymnastics that the parents are acquainted or have been part of the sports and in some cases, they are their kids' own coaches. You can also see whose parents are so adamant to have their kids win. Like it is them and not the kids who are competing.

I really can see the energy between this father and daughter tandem. I can sense that the daughter wants to score the high points but more so because she wants to follow the footsteps of her father. The desire to get that Olympic gold medal is so high because of the great expectation that has been set for her.

The girl coming to the competition with no pressure of family achievement or history definitely ended up as a champion. For her passion to succeed is within herself and not to fulfill somebody's dream or live up to anyone's expectation.

She did it!

Ana Ivanovic is the new world No. 1 and the reigning French Open champion for 2008. I cannot say anything more than wishing her the best this year and more power to her.

And of course, congratulations to the 4-time French Open Champion, Rafael Nadal. Vamos Rafa!

French Open

This weekend is the championship for the women and men's tennis in the French Open. I'm excited to watch who would win. And of course, I have my favorites.

On the women side, it is Dinara Safina. She just became my new hero when I watched her play with the No. 1 seed in the world, Maria Sharapova. Too bad, by Monday, she is no longer the No. 1 because Ana Ivanovic would be the No. 1. But of course, the placement or the ranking kind of messed up when the real No. 1, Justine Henin retired two weeks before the French Open.

Watching Safina play, I saw the blood in her eyes. She just fought until the end and her spirits did not crumble despite a match point service. She did it again with Dementieva in the quaterfinals. I believe she could win the French Open. It is not a question of ability or talent, but of willpower. And I believe she got it ten times more than Ivanovic.

On the men side, I'm for the No. 2 seed, Rafael Nadal. The undefeated champion and the best tennis player in the clay surface. He is seeking to win his fourth French Open Championship. But of course, it may be Roger Federer -- the No. 1 seed who is still short of a French Open for a career grand slam.

It would be nice watching tennis history on Sunday.

The Best in the Business

The best doctors, lawayers, and FBI agents in the world can be seen on TV. But they are not the real deal because they are actors.

I'm talking about my favorite shows, Chicago Hope, Practice, and Without A Trace. I know two of these shows have left the air for some years now but they are still my favorite.

The characters in the three shows are so good in what they do. They have the passion for their professions, the heart to help, and the resolve to do what is right.

In real life, people do their jobs mostly in pursuit of money. But who is to blame for that? In this world, money is just what makes everyone of us. For how can we function or even live without money? Money pays for the basics, as well as the not-so-important things that we want.

TV drama makes me a believer of good values and fine men and women. It makes me a believer of the credibilty of doctors, lawyers, and law enforcers. The thing is, I cannot count on this belief in the real drama called life.