Buenas, buenas. On the banner, for the second day in a row, is Chelita. Chelita is the most delightful creature ever cat sat (sitted?) at Chez T. She was in the house for around two weeks and always, without fault, used her litter box. Folks, the easiest way into my heart is “I take care of my own shit”. Can’t believe I’m saying this, but I am ready to accept a cat into my life.

Ready to, ok? I could do it, yeah. Just gotta wait until the right time, on the day when all my commitments together stop feeling waterboard-y.

Chelita was the best distraction. I opened all the doors inside the Apt. and let her run around everywhere. She climbed over everything and didn’t knock anything down—what a guest. I watched her for minutes at a time just doing her thing, majestic. Agile and fast, but quiet and patient when surveying. Le’Veon Bell played like that. Man…

First NFL Sunday is 11 weeks away. It’s a sickness, I tells ya.

Also in the banner picture, Iron Chef French Hiroyuki Sakai, of Iron Chef fame. By which I mean the original Japanese program, dubbed in English. Iron Chef is somewhere between top and over-the-top in terms of wardrobe, ingredients, participants’ skill, and pressure. And every glimpse of Japanese scenery, life, and perspective seems like a portal into another planet, perhaps better, and full of stuffier but somehow goofier folks. It’s transporting; I love that show.

But the best distractions are momentous events, like

NBA FINALS – GAME 7

Pacers @ Thunder – 7:00

Would be the first championship for either team. This wrinkle, for me, makes this game 7 the best top-flight sports can offer. The icing? High drama for diehard Sonics fans

SPROTS TOMITE

All times Central.

WNBA

New York @ Seattle – 6:00

Connecticut @ Golden State – 7:30

Grandes Ligas

Mets (Peterson) @ Filis (Luzardo) – 6:00

Top Flight Fútbol

Now with extra CONCACAF #DEI

GOLD CUP

Saudi Arabia v. Trinidad and Tobago – 6:00 (@Las Vegas)

U.S.A. v. Haiti – 6:00 (@Jerrah World)

Dominican Republic v. Suriname – 9:00 (@Jerrah World)

México v. Costa Rica – 9:00 (@Las Vegas).

LATAM domestic leagues:

Bolivia

Jorge Wilstermann v. Aurora – 6:30

Chile

Everton CD v. O’Higgins – 7:00

Ecuador

Mushuc Runa v. [Not that] Barcelona SC – 6:00

Perú

Cienciano del Cusco v. Alianza Atlético – 5:30

Uruguay

Defensor Sporting v. Cerro – 6:00

MUNDIALITO

With some Wiki help #obvio

Red Bull Salzburg – Al Hilal Saudi – 5:00 (@Wash. DC)

Al Hilal Saudi, heh heh ahhhh, tied 1-1 with Real feckin’ Madrid in both teams’ debut at the Club World Cup. I watched that game: Al Hilal played forward, no mincy waiting-for-mistakes against RM, the biggest club in the world. It is, I admit it (spits on sink).

Red Bull Salzburg is from Austria–

Really? Salzburg is in Austria? DUH.

-You

As I was saying, Austria Salzburg was founded in 1933. Then in 2005 Austria Salzburg got its wings and changed its colors. Red Bull Salzburg is the top club in Austria and got into the Mundialito to represent Austria after Arsenal got eliminated from the Shempiens. Austria. This seeding formula, while arbitrary, was endearingly anti-English. Austria. Austria. Pft.

Manchester City v. Al Ain – 8:00 (@Hotlanna)

No screwy formula could leave out City of Men. It adds credibility to the tourney who purports to crown the best club in the world.

As to Al Ain, they’re from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and are the premier team of their domestic league. Incidentally, Al Ain’s team president is also the President of the UAE, and the team is owned by his family.

Al Ain won the Asian region in 2024, so this, yeah. It passes the worthiness smell test. But wait, Abu Dhabi…

Isn’t Manchester City owned by the fund controlled by the brother of the President of the UAE?

If memory serves me right, Secsi Mecsi’s Club León qualified on merit to the Mundialito. León is owned by Grupo Pachuca. Grupo Pachuca also owns Pachuca FC, another qualifier for the Mundialito (lotta details omitted MOVING on). For the Mundialito, FIFA determined there was joint ownership of two different entrants, so Pachuca yes and Club León can’t–just can’t, ok?

But for the Abu Dhabis, FIFA explained, it’s obviously a completely different situation. Both are financed by UAE sovereign money–unimportant, because it’s two different funds. Then I can imagine FIFA getting all condescending: “Here, on one side, is the team of the PRESIDENT of UAE, and in the other side the English club of the BROTHER of the President. Where’s the conflict? [gesture of incredulity]”

But that’s the decision and finality erases everything else. I do have an irresponsible conjecture about the integrity of this game.

Having to endure literature in school, I learned that kings and their brothers get involved in a lot of power struggles. Like, every time. Anyway, the UAE First Family tensions might play a part in the result. City of Men is the overwhelming favorite. If you own Manchester City, would your team go full juggernaut to embarrass your brother, The Autocrat? The heat will be on!