… Noticing that the Uruguayan national anthem sounded very operatic, I went to the source of all knowledge (Wikipedia), which says it has been reported the melody was taken from the Donizetti opera, “Lucrezia Borgia”. That explains why the original version in the 1800s talked about poisoning people.… I am always amused when baseball fans complain about the lack of action in soccer.  Nothing like having people who like a game that last three hours upset by one that rarely goes over 100 minutes. … At press time, it was unclear if Argentina will make the knockout round in the Cup. The Argentinians are already preparing a welcome for the team’s star, Lionel Messi, but is it unclear if there is enough tar on hand. … Next month, my wife and I are going to the Galapagos. I am ready to visit the Ecuadoran territory since I have been honing my Spanish during World Cup broadcasts. I will be able to ask how often the giant tortoises are offside and if the iguanas perform effective corner kicks. … I grew up on a farm and am often not prepared for the modern world. The ashes of our cat came back from the animal hospital, along with a little case with her paw prints. On the farm, it was just a matter that one cat disappeared and wasn’t seen again and another showed up. I don’t know why I got such nasty looks when I asked if we should put the ashes in the kitty litter for the next cat.  … Our nephew, who was in diapers 30 years ago when my wife and I married, is getting married Saturday. I would sing "Sunrise, Sunset" but I am afraid I would gag before getting through the first verse.