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Miscarriage made me Stronger

5/26/2026

 
Since my miscarriage I've joined many others that have encountered difficult situations. 

In high school there were two friends of mine that died early. There was someone else, very nice, that died early as well. I'm sure others have experiences like that. For whatever reason it happened. Then you have to move on. Still though, regarding two high school friends, for example, I've visited their graves multiple times over the years. From that, maybe I gained strength. 

I'm guessing there are others that have gone through something similar. Advice? For me, tough times only make me stronger. 

ADVICE?

I often seek advice from others. From time to time, others have sought advice from me. Why, I have no idea. 

Some people experience difficult situations and still find others out there making life difficult for them. We can call them "people with opposing ideas" saying misleading things during tough times. Isn't there an easier word for that btw? Maybe we'll address it in a minute.

For example: There are always "people with opposing ideas" to yours even if they're wrong. I embrace it, always have. They only make you stronger and more successful. Yet, often, they don't really know that. 

You can ignore your person of different ideas. 

Other legal options...

Legally and publicly challenge the person that causes you issues. Don't get in a street fight, those are dangerous. Been there, won all my street fights btw. They were maybe against a group of senior citizens, very organized, disciplined, resolute; they started it; it was them or me kind of thing.* Am I bragging when I say I'm undefeated? Well, you be the judge. 

Legally and publicly challenge your opposing person to a debate. 
If your "opposing person" hides, there you go.

Other Advice?
I could quote Ezekiel all day. I like him.
There's also Buddha. 
Why stop there?
We have the Bhagavad Gita with Krishna, Arjuna.
Don't forget Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), Shiva (destroyer). One could argue you need all three for balance in the universe. Like a grand cycle.  

Nonetheless, you have to follow your path, work hard, and stay focused. 
Years ago, I'd work extra at night. Then I'd get up around 3:30-4 AM, drive in the dark to North Salmon Creek Beach in Bodega Bay where Alfred Hitchcock filmed The Birds. There I'd run sand hills. For maybe 15 minutes, it was quick. That was near the house of Tom Waits, a regular at my restaurant for a while. (A good customer, good hang.) Bodega Bay, what's it good for? T-shirts, sandwiches, sand hills. 

BORING! Let's talk soccer. 


Point is, for the advice part: Maybe you can...I don't know. I forget.
I'm ready for the World Cup, that's one place to start. 

* Disclaimer: There was no such thing with senior citizens. 



​
QUICK NOTES: 
(As World Cup 2026 Progresses!)

Group Stage
6-17-26

Portugal vs. DR Congo
1-1
​
A quick start for Portugal saw it get a 1-0 lead. 
Better short passing from Portugal than years past; it's a team that is much-improved with poise, organization, and patience. Perhaps Portugal can get a World Cup. Is that in its near-future? Found at center forward, Ronaldo is seen doing one-touch passes that keep the flow going; he's been criticized in the past for demanding too much time on the ball; perhaps things have changed. 

When DR Congo drew even at 1-1 you may have thought the game was a tie and it was.
A good result for DR Congo. As for Portugal, who was expected to win, a strategy moving forward might include a few lineup adjustments to enhance its attack. 


Englad vs. Croatia
4-2

Big win for England. Off to a good start. 
Croatia has some questions to answer. Is it the same Croatia we've seen in recent years or is this the end of an era? Croatia will need to present solutions in its second game, a big one if it wants to advance to the elimination rounds. 


Ghana vs. Panama
1-0

Panama has a nice touch, Reebok uniforms. You don't see that too often these days. 
Ghana has Puma uniforms. 
There was a time the NFL was sponsored by Reebok and Puma. 
As for soccer, I'd like to see more Lotto and Diadora. 
In terms of this particular game, which ended 0-0 at half, it ended up being a lively affair that saw Ghana earn a 1-0 victory. The yellow jerseys got an important win, one that I expected from the outset. I'm not super-psyched about Panama's chances in general as I've watch it over the years in CONCACAF attempt to earn respect against the likes of Mexico, Jamaica, and the United States. While Panama can be feisty, you'll tend to see half-chances on goal and missed opportunities. All the same, Panama is a side that might have an upset in store. However, Ghana took advantage of the situation and got important points. 


Colombia vs. Uzbekistan
3-1

At the very end, with what seemed like a foul, the play continued, a Colombian winger gathered himself quickly and sent in a cross that scored on a header giving Colombia a 3-1 lead. With time running out, an Uzbekistan player absolutely crushed a one-time shot from outside the box that splattered against the crossbar...had to be the strongest shot of the tournament. 



Excerpt
"US Has a Challenge with Australia"
Published with Cardinal Publishers Group 
By Shane Stay


The upcoming game for the US against Australia will be telling. June 19, 2026. That’s a big one. The place will be rocking as it takes place in Seattle, one of the best (and loudest) places for a game anywhere in North America... 




india's: bindiya ke bahubali

5/17/2026

 
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I'm happy for my man Raj Amit Kumar. This picture is many moons ago in Chicago around the time we wrote a move script together about Cricket (it's waiting to launch).

Amit's new show Bindiya Ke Bahubali.


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Is India in my book? Maybe. India needs the right soccer coach. 

american soccer: embrace the underdog

5/15/2026

 
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It's an exciting time to be an American soccer fan.

At some point, American soccer fans have to realize, accept, and embrace the fact that America is an underdog in the 2026 World Cup. 

That's a fact. A lot of people have given into that and it's turned into a great aspect of American soccer.

Guess what? It's the only sport America is the underdog! 

It's exciting to finally be an underdog in a sport. Americans aren't used to that. Therefore, this might be the biggest story in American sports history if and when the USMNT finally wins the FIFA World Cup. 

What should you do if the USMNT loses this World Cup? Don't fret. It's a big maybe. We don't know, technically. What we don't know is something that, technically, hasn't happened yet...that being a distinct possibility the USMNT won't escape its group. In a sense, this awkward admission that it's up in the air is what we're used to. We've embraced that we're an underdog, whether we know it or not. It's been going on a long time, this realization, this acceptance. 


Over the years: Do we have great American players? Yes. Pat McBride, Al Trost, Ricky Davis...let's jump ahead...Clint Dempsey, Christian Pulisic. A lot.  

DO I THINK THE USMNT WILL WIN THE WORLD CUP SOMEDAY? YES. Just maybe not today. How can we win the World Cup? What can we do? Make me coach. I keep saying that. Is anybody listening? I will win the World Cup for America. I've been saying it for years. I'll tell you what, the team would look a lot different, that's for damn sure. You would see me at various places for new recruits. I know they're out there. By the way: I haven't wavered. My assistant coaches are mine and mine alone. No one can choose them. They are Shaquille O'Neal and Owen Wilson. It's been that way for a long time, I'm not changing. Shaq would double as backup goalie. Practices? When and where is up to me, not the system, man. Now stay with me here: The majority of practices would take place inside a basketball gym, at night. I'm not a morning person. There's a reason for that, actually. The court not nighttime. It fine-tunes your skills as a player. With the right focus, it brings together better dribbling and passing that can transcend to the outdoor field. See Why American Soccer Isn't There Yet. Futsal was great for my development as a player. Futsal, practicing on a basketball court, the right way, would only benefit American soccer. There exists a right way. I, with Shaq and Owen Wilson, will deliver a championship. Just not this World Cup for obvious reasons...that being I'm not coach yet.

But get ready for a great World Cup and maybe the biggest story in American sports history: the saga of the USMNT trying to win a World Cup. The last sport we have for our trophy case. Imagine that. 

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World Cup 2026, a milestone

5/9/2026

 
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​The 2026 FIFA World Cup is gearing up to be epic. A milestone. Bigger than ever. It has to be: There are 3 hosts. That's a first.  

Predictions? Some are in the book.

A top 5 right now: 

Brazil
Argentina
England
France
Germany


Also included: star players, team histories, strategies, stadiums, and more.

Much more around the corner!

Books available with: 
Meyer & Meyer Sport (Europe)
Cardinal Publishers Group (United States)
Waterstones
​B&N


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    Author

    Shane Stay, author of 100 American Soccer Legends.

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