When the Cheshire emerges...

With all the speculation of whether Brazil could pull off the World Cup in time, being in the thick of it suggests there is nothing to worry about. Perhaps it's just that the condition of the stadiums (among other things) are taking a backseat to the building vibe of the country's two biggest cities. But this very proud nation is anticipating the start of the world's biggest tournament with nothing but high expectations.






There have been stark messages still protesting against the World Cup, from simple graffiti on Rio De Janeiro bus stops defaming FIFA to union strikes in Sao Paulo too well timed that led to the suspension of their metro system for days.






Multiple tour guides, who make their livelihood from displaying the best of what their city has to offer, tell of the country's darker side. A country struggling to help its people with good health care, focusing on the wrong things and neglecting what's really needed. They agreed the World Cup would always be a good thing for the importance of football worldwide as well as the Brazilian economy (not to mention national pride), but understood the anger of those not as sports-minded.










It's even a case of uncertainty for many teams. Major injuries have ruled out players like Franck Ribery and Marco Reus, leaving the door open for any possibility throughout the tournament. Spectators will appreciate that more than teams and the tournament organisers.








So with all of that, the tourists are the winners - for now. In Rio De Janeiro, the visible influx of media, sponsor officials and spectators across a two-day period gave rise to a buzz unlike anything else, where high spirits were mixed with the kind found in a caipirinha. And now in Sao Paulo, host to the opening game where the world will closely watch Brazil's form, tourists are around for nothing else. Particularly males - for this writer, it is felt strongly in her budget accommodation of choice; a 'shared' dorm not hosting other females and struggling to spot a non-staff female in the building.






Whatever a tourist or local's circumstance, the feeling is electric. Knowing the world will stop in just a couple of days and being in the centre of it all can do nothing but raise emotion in the best way possible. It's a wonderful ability that sport has in bringing the world together.

Wow, what a morning... wake up at 1:45am to discover FIFA have delayed the announcements of the World Cup 2018/2022. Good thing I didn't wake up earlier. But I was glad to discover OneHD were talking to none other than Hamish McDonald, who was trying to get updates via Twitter while talking with Brad McEwen. Man I love this guy. Best young journalist ever. Seriously, he puts a smile on my face. WHY DON'T WE GET AL-JAZEERA ENGLISH IN AUSTRALIAAAA?! So I felt better that I hadn't missed the big call AND felt in the loop because of the discussion.



Took the advice and went on Twitter. Early reports tweeted on there first rang true: Russia (you could see the distaste on Prince William's face, it was kind of funny. Oh, and the VP blocking Vodianova - that right? - in the official photos: hilarious) and then... QATAR. Ok, so Russia I can handle, never done Eastern Europe, cool. But Qatar?! REALLY? I've only seen Doha Airport, and after spending six hours in the place it wasn't that great. Pluuuuus the humidity is ri-DI-culous. And they're not even the size of TASMANIA. WHAAAAT?! I did not know this. Read somewhere we should've just based our bid out of there... could we have done any better? I don't know. All I do is that money talks. Money talks. Dirty cash I want you, dirty cash I need you oh. Disappointing.


In other European news, ITALY HAVE APPLIED FOR EUROVISION 2011. Another total left-of-field result. They've had a 13-year absence. To quote from the press release sent to my email (I'm trying to get tickets, okay?):




"We are eager to show the Italian people how the contest has evolved over the past 13 years. I am sure they will be positively surprised!" (Jorgen Franck)



So they're good enough for it now are they? What's Berlusconi been doing all this time? Shocked it's taken him this long... whether Dusseldorf will be better for it who knows. But this is the biggest news to hit the Contest in years. Maybe as big as the whole TATU controversy. Ah TATU. Those were the days...

Dear Diary,

I couldn't bring myself to write in here again before now, I'm still crushed by the Socceroos' loss. After my last entry I slept in my sorrows for five hours and still felt like absolute shite when I had to get out of bed. Yes, even though it was a public holiday I still had to get up. Can't believe they're considering suspending Tim Cahill for TWO games because of the red card. If anything I would think FIFA had the authority to REVOKE the decision because it was unwarranted. However, the upside to yesterday was that I managed to get myself on TV. TWO stations (Nine and Ten), one as a vox pop with a comment (thanks Nick lol) and one belting out the national anthem with scarf above head. Sound embarrassing? It still is. But for some reason I find myself hilarious. Should I be admitting that? Now I feel like a comedian should when they laugh at their own jokes: like a douche.

Last night I have to admit I hit struggle town. Now, lately I've been okay with handling long hours at work and everything else, but I think adrenaline has a lot to do with it. Watched bits and pieces of Netherlands v Denmark (the og was HILARIOUS, at least the guy himself saw the humour in it), but I was really keen on Italy v Paraguay at 4am. So after sitting in front of the lappy until midnight I got my shuteye.

First half, I was fine. Saw Paraguay's goal, the Italians were panicking and noticed they had a few younger players in their squad (although it's interesting that they're still a VERY strong side and it's the oldest in the Cup). Second half, kept drifting off... 'woke up' at one stage to see a 1-all scoreline, nodding in agreement. Next thing I notice it's NOT 3-1 in Italy's favour. Guess the images I saw of two extra goals being scored were figments of my imagination. My bad. Before I know it, it's 6am and Mum's asking me to take her to work. And so began my day.

Hours of sleep: 4. Have slight headache, but that could be from straining my brain at French class before. I couldn't remember what 'vous vous appelez comment' meant when she sprang that on me. It's only what we learnt in the first lesson... Idiot.

OMG, NEW ZEALAND JUST SCORED. WHAAAAT??? First goal for NZ at the Cup in 28 years apparently. First POINT in Cup history (think I heard that right). HA, they've drawn with Slovakia. Wow, that's fair impressive. Go All Whites. Ok, looks like I'm ending this on a good note. Ivory Coast and Portugal to come. Brazil later a possibility.