Echoes of Africa

One of the realities of living outside the U.S. is the realization that U.S. is not the center of the world. In a former British colony, like Nigeria, they still look to London. So my perspective has shifted too. Phone calls go through London, plane flights and TV channels come from there. ESPN sports center, that most American of productions, is a real hoot in the European version. You can either love or hate Tommy Smyth, I love him, but there's not any American equivalent at least since Howard Cosell.

I was tickled by this comment from the Manchester Guardian concerning the recent British open. Sentimental favorite Tom Watson (59) lost in the playoff to upstart Stewart Cink and with classic cutting understatement the columnist dismissed Cink with this comment.

"Anyone who uses his acceptance speech to thank his wife for introducing him to the Almighty so fits the stereotype of boring American God-bothering Republican-supporting lime-green-hat-and-shirt and cream-trouser wearing golfer he deserves all the indifference he gets."

I couldn't have said it better myself.