When the Cheshire emerges...

I didn't put last week's in my blog because it was stitched up much too late. You can view that here for news including week one of the Sochi Winter Olympics.

How GOOD was last night's game?!

Courtesy brisbanetimes.com.au





Courtesy The Age


It was a great display by the boys, and honestly the biggest relief. Just to know we're that much closer to gaining World Cup qualification.

I've planned for some time to attempt a trip to Brazil during the 2014 World Cup. Though the last week has raised questions as to whether I would go regardless of the result. It would be heartbreaking to not have my home country there, but the spectacle of Brazil can not be underestimated/ignored.

Either way, Tuesday night in Sydney is going to be the big one.

And I'll be there.

I've said I'll be the loudest at Stadium Australia should we qualify with a result like last night's, and I intend to keep my word. After all, I have five hours in the car and a day in the city to psych myself up for chants and training my vocals to deal with a bit of strain.

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3.30am(ish) Macca's fix in Berlin. Super.


In other news, I've decided to launch a spin-off blog of my mega McDonald's post.

For those who don't know, I began a quest to try the McDonald's of different cultures on overseas travels in 2010, which will continue indefinitely.

You will be able to revisit past experiences and be invited to new ones as I continue this lifelong quest to try as many different McDonald's menu items as possible.

Have a look at McDonald's: an odyssey as I'm rolling out old posts - reminisce, have your say, share and subscribe!

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How do you get world peace? You get world peace through inner peace. If you've got a world full of people who have inner peace, then you have a peaceful world.

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,

EXPLOOOOSIVE stuff last night, now THAT's what I'm talking about!!! The World Cup has continued to deliver in the finals series with near upsets, actual upsets and plenty of scandal and drama in between. Oh, and Paris Hilton being arrested and then let go over her friend's marijuana possession. Cover-up so Hilton didn't get more jail time - or (shock horror) a bad rep? TOO LATE, she dug her grave looooong ago.

Ok, the important stuff. Had to be out during the Germany vs Argentina game BUT utilised my Mobile TV package and ended up watching plenty of it on my phone. Yes, in a pub. They had no screens so I didn't have a choice. Unfortunately the sound option was cancelled out by the live music but with four of us crowding over a screen with about 80% clarity it still had a tense enough feel. One friend didn't want to know the score, so I obliged his wish... but when we start shouting OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHH over Germany's third goal he's looking at us with a mix of envy and curiosity - I simply said 'Go... just go.' We didn't see him for a while.

Saw all the goals so feel proud I had a solid viewing of the game. And seeing Diego Maradona's face on the final whistle was priceless. Was debating staying up straight through until Paraguay vs Spain, but after a trip to Vili's for a Bacon and Cheese Sausage Roll left me with an upset stomach (but to be fair, it was triggered by the alcohol, the food was awesome as always) I needed a lie-down. An hour later, the last QF began.

So I discovered being on about 50 minutes sleep doesn't really work for me. Plus being in a warm, cosy room with my brother asleep kicking his legs around everywhere didn't help. The first half's a slight blur but what happened afterwards makes it irrelevant anyway except to say that it was a good contest in that both teams refused to concede. It was the same for most of the second half, except for the goal obviously. Which came more from luck anyway; any double crossbar hit will startle the defence. The goalie had no choice but to attempt a scramble back but had no chance. And this comes after yet another interesting series of events... that neither team could capitalise on penalties two minutes apart and that Paraguay should've had another crack at their's because the ref missed the Spanish encroachment in the box. Ended up sleeping in after going back to bed: with the 50 minutes before, hours of sleep: 5h50m.

Quite frankly, it was a scrape. After hearing so much about how Spain were meant to be the hot favourites, from what I've seen they haven't impressed. Even in this game against an impressive South American nation they just don't appear like a team deserving of the prize. As much as I hate to say it, I think Germany will take this out. They'll thump Spain (and while the Argentina pounding make the Socceroos look pretty good this'll look even better) and meet Uruguay in the final - haven't seen much of the Oranje crew but again, not overly impressed.

I'll miss it tonight. But the void's filled with the only game of Wimbledon I'll see in 2010 - the Men's Final. Eeeexcellent. I feel bad not having watched any tennis. But what's a girl to do?

Dear Diary,

It's now 10:54pm and I've been up since 3:30am for the Socceroos game (which was of course match of the night - although I'm a bit annoyed I missed USA; even though I'm not a fan of theirs that game would've been interesting. The only goal in the final minute!...). Hours of sleep: 5 or so... felt it at work all this afternoon and even a bit now. I'm still getting my head around the various events that have filled the day.


I don't know that I can say the Socceroos' loss is the biggest thing that happened. After all, we DID get a new Prime Minister (Julia Gillard - first female PM AND former Unley High scholar... represennnnnt!). But I certainly feel shattered by it. Confused, but shattered. Different environment for this one, I stayed at home with company in my dad and brother. I was hopeful, unlike so many others, that they were capable of a win and that miracles may happen. And for a while it looked like it might. The first goal from Cahill

Diary, I FELL ASLEEEEEEP! It's 7am exactly on Friday morning now, I'm hopeless. SO: The first goal from Cahill was amazing and by that point Mum was even up getting ready for work. So with my dad and brother sitting with me we all saw the marvel that he is. Even Mum got a bit excited. The boys and I were beside ourselves. And when Holman repeated his good form we couldn't believe the good fortune the soccer gods were finally displaying on our team. But alas, it wasn't the perfect game - the goal against us cut deep and the realisation that we still missed out on progressing even with a win still hurts. I didn't even have time to process... after getting ready at half time, I had to rush straight to Fresh (Funny story that, Tim and I legged it up two flights of stairs and with 10 seconds to go made it into the studio before I had to speak. A breathless intro ensued... and then Jase didn't rock up and I did most of the show alone).

Now it's a day later I can reflect a bit better... the win and everything else seemed to be a bit overshadowed - albeit for a good reason (you know, having a new PM and all). But watching The World Cup Show last night (when I was meant to have finished this), Les Murray brought it all back into perspective. His use of Winston Churchill's quote that 'success is never final, failure is never fatal' was absolutely spot on and I felt so moved and inspired by his words; so proud to be an Australian with a team full of fighting spirit. I remember feeling much the same post-2006 when Murray did a similar speech after the loss to Italy. I love how sport can move people much the same as things like music and family. Murray always knows what to say in these situations and I'm so glad I actually tuned in to watch it. And then Craig Foster (deservedly) went and bagged Verbeek. Gold.

Oh, and among all this was also the information that I'd missed history in the making with the longest tennis game ever at Wimbledon. Up to 59-all in the fifth set?! Ridonkulus.

Dear Diary,

Again, I've been slack. Night Eleven didn't bring a later night than normal, so felt rather meh about it yesterday. Although it was entertaining. Walk in to see Portugal score their second goal against North Korea and thought 'alright, that makes sense'... keep doing my business, three minutes later another one. Thought 'ok, talk about good timing.' Then as I'm at my laptop every few minutes there's an 'OHHHHHH!!!' and I look to see Portugal scoring yet again.

I thought the Socceroos' loss to Germany was bad. This was annihilation. I felt embarrassed for them (and admittedly also relieved there was a bigger loss than the one involving us). And it was interesting also to see Cristiano Ronaldo score - I honestly don't think I've ever watched a game and seen him get it through. Then I find out it's his first international score in two years. That's a long time between drinks. Or Castrol ads.

Hours of sleep: estimated at 7.5 (but that really sounds wrong). Fell asleep in front of computer and then realised when I woke up I hadn't set my alarm :/

Then last night: Greece vs Argentina. Against all plans I ended up staying at home watching it el solo. What an awesome display by the Greek defence. Now, I prefer an attacking game (in any sport mind you), but the resilience against the strength of the Argentinians for three quarters of the match was incredible. I'd gone into it hoping for a draw and it really looked like we'd get there. Samaras was cutting through the centre backs and was unlucky to score, and on the other end goalie Tzorvas was easily the man of the match. Messi was limited in his fancy footwork, and in a game where all three subs were used on both teams it proved an almost miracle contest. A real shame about the two late goals to send Greece home. They were also hoping Nigeria could beat South Korea but alas only failure.

Hours of sleep: 5.5. Curves opens at 6:30 so pretty much got changed and went straight after the game.

Imagine the possibilities if Samaras was a Socceroo (he WAS born in Melbs after all)... have him up front and have the double whammy, Jesus 1 & 2. That would be an awesome Aussie attack... I've been sad today, knowing that one of my teams are out for this Cup. And very nervous about the others' fate tonight. I'm hoping third time lucky - NO red cards, NO goals conceded. We have the ability to play well against Serbia, and I so dearly hope it shows.

Dear Diary,

I've found my groove again. Small sacrifices are necessary for the bigger picture. But I still don't have the best knack of choosing the best game of the three to focus on watching, which is frustrating. Take last night: out of Paraguay vs Slovakia, Italy vs New Zealand and Brazil vs Ivory Coast I picked the latter. I thought it was a no-brainer - six-time champs against a top African team led by Chelsea's Didier Drogba... but my doubts got to me when I awoke from my slumber at 4am, finding two texts from Penny mentioning how awesome it was that Italy and NZ drew. I couldn't fathom this at 4am. I still can't fathom it now. THEY DREW??? 1-ALL?? Wow, so New Zealand are the surprise packet of the tournament so far, holding the reigning champions and a decent European side to draws. It's astounding - THEY'RE DOING BETTER THAN AUSTRALIA. There, I said it. And I'm actually annoyed that I haven't really seen them play properly. Therefore making the game vs Paraguay my must watch.

So the Brazil-Ivory Coast game was still good. Great plays by the Brazilians, especially leading to that first goal by Luis Fabiano. Genius. But Drogba didn't go unheard of, which is a relief for I.C. I'm sure. Loved that the Brazilian defenders missed him completely and couldn't do anything but stand there gaping. It's funny to watch.

I also discovered I love saying Cote d'Ivoire. If I was a commentator I'd always say that in a put-on husky voice with my newly learned French accent: 'Cote d'Ivoooooire...' Very intriguing.

Hours of sleep: 5. Had brekky before it ended and got ready for work just after it finished. Didn't fall asleep - because I left the heater off. Small sacrifices = bigger picture.

Dear Diary,

There wasn't much to say about night eight, except that it was important to watch Serbia vs Germany for a result to affect our game. Serbia's upset was surprising; Germany's Miroslav Klose - sent off?! That's HUGE for their game against Ghana, and good for us because we now need the Ghanians to win. More on that in a minute.

Only saw second half of the Serbia vs Germany game at Penny's... and again next thing I know I'm jolting in my seat. I'd fallen asleep before it was over and found her parents curiously looking at me. Time to go home. At the expense of USA's game I went to sleep and got approx 5.5 hours sleep (oh and night seven was something like five - Diary, I'm getting sloppy).

So night nine was the chance for the Socceroos to seek redemption and get the win we so sorely needed. Attempted the Rosemont again but it didn't happen. Made some friends in the line though, one of whom presented me with his Solo promo undies (which were seen on numerous heads and over jeans along Hindley Street for much of the night). We gave up 20 minutes before kick-off and we managed to get into the Casino's sportsbar a few minutes into the game. SO SQUASHY in there it was ridiculous. But when we scored, it went boonta. Surprised I didn't get hurt in such close confines. But I didn't like the set-up. Their big screen was too low so you couldn't see much unless you were right at the front.

I was only watching on a smaller screen (where I could see) when Kewell was sent off. The disbelief in the room was incredible. I didn't understand what had happened... I'm still in disbelief. Apparently some are saying any handball (intentional or not) in the goalbox or on the last line is an automatic red card. I've never heard that rule before, and for it to happen to frickin' HARRY KEWELL of ALL people, it's the most unfortunate thing our team has endured. World Cups really don't go our way, do they? As a fan I feel enormously frustrated at all the constant bad calls and lack of recognition for being there - imagine what would be going through their heads! Ffs, how long will it take before they realise we're there to play and not just making up the numbers!!!

Hours of sleep: actually did get some. 5.5 hours again I think. Feeling okay physically. Mentally, not so much, I can't believe the bad luck's returned. Talk about deja vu.

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.

Dear Diary,

It's 6:31am and I'm feeling awake - but I'm surely in a nightmare. I have to be; the Socceroos can't have just lost 0-4 to Germany...

Maybe I had too much expectation. There was certainly a lot from everyone else though so it wasn't all on me. The line at the Rosemont was crazy and we were lucky to get in after a half-hour wait. No regrets on going out - as my first real 'sport with people' experience, pre-match it was incredible. Drums, plenty of singing - and the place to be with the media, with AdelaideNow and Ten (at least) there with cameras. Could be on Ten tonight thanks to Nick (connections haha).

Watching the Socceroos unravel was heartbreaking. Schwarzer was rattled, and the ref was really off his game (except for dives, he pretty much picked all of those out). TIM CAHILL GOT A RED CARD FOR TRIPPING OVER HIMSELF? REEEEALLY?! It was beyond a joke, and now he's absent from the Ghana clash. Spewing. The first goal was also clearly offside, but we won't go there...

We had six in defense and still couldn't stop the (admittedly pretty good) plays from Germany. They're obviously a better team, but we could've been if Kewell, Kennedy and Bresciano were on. Perhaps Verbeek saw the game as a no-win and wanted to rest them - but what's the frickin' point? EARTH TO PIM: IT'S THE WORLD CUP! Kewell maybe, coming from injury, but not the other two. Why does Jesus never start? I don't get it. The Socceroos were afraid to attack - Cahill was quiet - and the only solid performers were Neill and perhaps Wilkshire. And Garcia (who I don't reckon I've ever watched play before) tried to create scoring ops, but there was no-one up front for support!

Hours of sleep: 3 (and that's WITHOUT watching Serbia v Ghana). Maybe that's why I'm so cranky. No, that's not it. It's that we can do so much better than that and it wasn't reflected on the scoreboard. I think I'm going to drown my sorrows in sleep. And then face the day looking forward to Saturday night's game with Ghana. If we don't win that one... oh man...

Dear Diary,

It's 3:10pm Sunday as I write this sentence, reflecting on the fact that Greece are the 'easybeats' of Group B (the commentator's words, not mine) and the huuuuge blunder by England's goalie against the US.

So viewing of Greece vs S.Korea was minimal because I was out - but a 0-1 deficit in the first 20 minutes wasn't a good sign. I get home later to find the 0-2 loss was a result of defensive slips. Disappointing. Saw last 10 minutes of Argentina vs Nigeria though, and Lionel Messi... well, he was unlucky to score. The guy showed so much brilliance (yes, even in just that 10 minute gap) and couldn't convert! It's a classic example of the world's best performing less than standard when playing in their national colours (Thierry Henry is another example if it must be argued).

Two hours of sleep later and I was up for England vs USA at 3:30am. My brother had stayed up and was surprisingly awake until about 5:30. I was surprisingly ok for about the same time. Ok, I lie: I kept 'resting my eyes' throughout. Kicks in the side provided a good incentive for me to do otherwise.

Good game; the US had more possession than I would've thought and the fact that it was a draw astounded me. The goal that England's keeper let through was ridiculous... wasn't behind the ball. It was like watching a train wreck with the various replays - the more intriguing the more you see it. Gerrard's goal was a great showcase of a strong attack and taking the lead four minutes in was actually a surprise. I wanted England to win (right now I feel it's important to pick any side against a particular team, and in 2010 the 'hate team' is the US. No hard feelings...) but I can handle a draw.

Then another 2.5 hours of sleep and I had to get up for the day. Therefore sleep count: 4.5 hours. Went to a movie before - and didn't even get close to dozing off (as some would know, I'm prone to doing that more and more these days). Very proud.

GEARING UP FOR THE SOCCEROOS AT 3:30AM TONIGHT!!! Scarf's ready to go, rounding up the crew and heading out to watch it amongst the people. Thank goodness tomorrow's a public holiday, we're allll gonna need it :D