notes and photos

Endeth The Dark Knight weekend.

2008-07-20T19:24:00.004-04:00

The Dark Knight weekend is officially over.
I have a few stories, but I'm really tired (3 straight 9 AM showings = three straight 6 AM wake ups), so I'm going to leave you with this little gem from this afternoon and a little bit of backstory.

Today was easily the busiest of all three afternoons (nearly every afternoon show, both IMAX and regular, was sold out), so I was put at Guest Services doing a job that I have not trained for and am not qualified to do. What I can do well though, is answer phones. And the phones were ringing constantly.

Me: Muvico Parisian 20, this is Sarika speaking, how may I help you?
Girl: Are you guys playing The Dark Knight?
Me (exasperated): Yes. We are showing The Dark Knight every 40 minutes, IMAX shows are sold out throughout the weekend, but you can currently buy tickets for every other evening show, but they are selling out quickly.
Girl: Is that Batman?
Me: Yes.
Girl: Okay, now is that, like, based on a comic strip or something?

At that point I was unable to find words. That had to be a joke, right? A prank to play on movie theatre employees on the busiest weekend of the year?
I'll leave the Space Chimps story for a later time. It just doesn't compare.

Passing judgment.

2008-07-11T22:36:00.003-04:00

Today a lady asked me what movie she should watch. Rather than wanting advice, she really just wanted someone to tell her what to do. She then proceeded to talk about her divorce and time off and credit cards. Good God, she liked to talk. I told her that Wall-E was easily the best movie currently on the board, and that it was heartrending and wonderful.

So, she bought a ticket to Wall-E. About an hour later, I see her walk out of the theatre and stop to tell people that she doesn't know, NOT to watch this film.

It occurred to me then that this woman obviously did not have a heart (or emotions, or naturally blond hair) or was just stupid, so it's no real surprise that her husband divorced her.

Wall-E is a great film.

Events of last Friday

2008-06-30T21:36:00.002-04:00

Last Friday, I worked during the day, so I didn't get to see my normal mix of sketchy drunk guys and jerkasses, but the idiots were indeed out in full effect!

1. A handicapped guy decided to pick a fight in the bathroom with an undercover cop. First he punched him in the face, and then a full out brawl ensued. The cops were called, incident reports were filled, and people were banned for life, and a black guy with an iPod filled me in with all of the bathroom details.
What did this result in? Tens of people asking for refunds because they felt unsafe in the theatre. Fantastic!

2. Four summer camp groups came in. One of 150 kids. What did this result in? Tens of people asking for refunds because they didn't want to be in a theatre with children. You're seeing Wall-e at 12:30 PM. Get a job, guys! Don't complain about children in a theatre in the middle of summer in the middle of the day!

3. One of the children (who I now regret defending) vomited. Everywhere.

4. An old man asked me to give money to his young female 'companions' while he rushed away for an emergency. I told him that I couldn't do this but he was more than welcome to go back into the theatre and give it to them. Instead, he waited in line to give it to Guest Services. We spent the next hour or so WAITING for these girls (and later interrogating them about the man, so they now probably think that the old man was up to something nefarious) and getting pissed off.

5. I was a greeter for a while. I don't mind being a greeter, but really, it's a job that they could train monkeys to do. Not even chimps, I'm talking capuchins or spider monkeys. A hilarious sidenote is that "capuchins" comes up as "chinstrap" on SpellCheck.

6. I hate Palm Beachers. I was working box for a short while because of an influx of people/people calling in/insanity with the cops and fight and such, and these two small Palm Beach girls (probably around 6 and 8) come in wearing $300 Dior sunglasses and dressed like trophy wives with their nanny. Now, if children want to be treated like adults, I'll treat them like adults. I won't pander to them. So, I didn't. And these little girls made it a point to speak down to me, even more so after I recommended Wall-E to them. Giving them and in-depth description of "Get Smart" and going in to detail about the 1960s television series left them with blank stares on their faces. Score one for me. Then I refused to sell them tickets to The Love Guru, because I don't believe in selling tickets to a 120 minute dick joke to children. Was I on a high horse at that point? Probably. But I don't care, because I hate Palm Beachers and that their children act entitled. Just because your sunglasses are the equivalent to my paycheck, doesn't mean that you can talk down to me.

More work-related complaining

2008-06-21T12:22:00.004-04:00

Yesterday this guy came up to me at work and asked me if we were going to go through the same thing again. I had no clue what he was talking about for a minute and them remembered that this was the douchebag who found it hilarious to mess with me on my first day. Last time I got out of talking to him by pretending to shoot myself in the head and then shuffling him off to another station. This week, I wasn't so lucky. I was the only one working, and it was about 12:20 AM.

Idiot: "Come on, seriously? You don't remember me? You didn't think I was cute?"
Me: "No. I only notice Jewish boys."
Idiot: "I'm Jewish!"
Me: "When was the last time you went to temple?"
Idiot: "I go to the Temple of...me. (chuckles) When was the last time that YOU went to temple?"
Me: "I'm not Jewish, sir."
Idiot: "Neither am I!"

Now, I'm used to dealing with idiots and drunks. Being between two bars and within shaking distance of quite a few more, I deal with drunk idiots every night that I work. But never this irritating. He kept on talking and talking and then talking some more while I dealt with his friends. Then he vowed to come in every weekend. I was equal parts offended by his cockiness and crappy taste in movies (First Zohan, then The Love Guru). I hate Palm Beachers.

On the plus side, some other guy gave me a present. It was a little action figure of the crane from Kung Fu Panda. And that pretty much just made my night.

Here's a tip: wait for the DVD

2008-06-16T14:47:00.003-04:00

Since beginning work at Muvico in West Palm, I've found that I've becoming at least 10-15% more judgmental.
I don't hate most of the patrons based on their crappy taste in movies (Really, man, you want two tickets for the midnight showing of Zohan? Really?), I hate them based on mere existence.

1. It it not MY fault that movies cost $9.50. I cannot do anything about it. I'm working here because I'm home for the summer and didn't want to pay rent in Gainesville.
2. It is not my fault that there's a curfew in the city of West Palm Beach. Yes, I could sell you a ticket for The Happening at 11:45, but the cop at the door checking IDs won't let you in, and will proceed to chew my ass out over it. That, and you're 14, so go home.
3. Don't dither. Know what movie you're going to see at what time. Holding a fake smile while you Sidekick, talk on your phone, or painstakingly discuss every movie with your friends gets tiresome.
4. Don't ask me for the plotline of every movie playing. I don't even watch movies.
5. After sitting in a glass box for six hours, I will laugh along with your stupid jokes, but the second you walk away I will talk about your stupidity with my coworkers. Also, we can pretty much tell if you're a dirtbag boyfriend. We don't like you.

A very angry copy editor?

2008-03-30T12:02:00.003-04:00

This is from the textbook from my Advertising class. The orange highlighting is mine. It's either an angry copy editor or a printer averse to capital letters.

Productivity.

2008-03-23T14:22:00.005-04:00

This is part of what I did while not studying last night. It is a robot with a stomach-ache. This was in the early hours of the morning.
Medium: Brawny paper towel and 2-in-1 ball point pen/highlighter.

So, good game, huh?

2008-02-06T23:12:00.000-05:00

I was in the elevator last night, rushing like I do, because I had to be at a speech at 7:00 PM. It was 6:38 and I had forgotten my notebook on my desk and had to come back up to get it.
I got into the elevator with a couple coming back from playing tennis. I had my headphones in, but no music was playing. I'm not sure why I do that, but I think it's because it helps me avoid awkward elevator conversations.
Anyway, we were on the second floor and the girl looks at the guy and says "I love you" - it must have been a first because he just stood there and gawked for a moment. The elevator kept going up and he didn't say anything. And we all felt uncomfortable. I got off on the fifth floor and don't know what happened after that. But if that was an awkward five or six seconds for me, I can't help but think how horrible it was for that those poor bastards.

That photo may actually be of a nectarine.

2007-12-29T21:11:00.000-05:00

I'm predicting a huge resurgence for the Moldy Peaches. Adam Green, you've let go, but you have Ellen Page and Michael Cera to thank.
Juno was a wonderful movie. My crush on Michael Cera has grown exponentially.
That photo may actually be of an nectarine. I don't know. I dropped a class called Growing Fruit for Fun and Profit last year.

Tim Tebow builds families.

2007-11-24T22:35:00.000-05:00

I love how every time Tim Tebow comes on TV my mom says something along the lines of "He's so handsome" or "Tim Tebow is a good looking boy, isn't he?" She makes me laugh.

Mom doesn't watch college football. At all. She knows that the Gators wear orange and blue because I bring my laundry home on holidays. She doesn't know coaches or mascots.

But Mom knows Tim Tebow's name. And it makes me love her all the more. One day, I'm convinced, she'll use "stiff-arm" as a verb. And then my job will be done.

A case for new sneakers.

2007-11-18T13:25:00.001-05:00

I bought a pair of Adidas Gazelles five years ago.
I still wear them regularly.
This is my way of telling myself that I need new shoes.

I won't, Steve Perry.

2007-10-23T19:55:00.000-04:00

I saw this stop sign on NW 19th and 2nd on the way to the Elementary School where I volunteer.
I won't stop believin', Steve Perry. Ever.

Dub.

2007-10-03T22:29:00.001-04:00

Whatever I said, whatever I did, I didn't mean it. I just want you back for good.

Alright, now, I know that Take That's Back For Good was released thirteen years ago, but that line just pisses me off. It won't stop me from singing along (not with the windows down though, my 'street cred' is worth something) but it's a really bad premise for a song.
You should KNOW what you did wrong. All purpose apologies are worthless.
I don't know why that got to me.

Cute. Is it yours?

2007-09-13T13:29:00.001-04:00

European Man: Cute, is it yours?
Me: It's a raccoon!
European Man: It's cute.
Me: It probably has rabies!
European Man: Yeah (he smiles and walks away).

This is my life. Today, the raccoon featured above sidled up to me and I freaked out. It was about a foot and a half away from me before jumping into a garbage can. It wasn 't scared at all. Between freaking out and having people laugh at me (I'm assuming they were, as they weren't helping me!), I managed to take a photo of it. Harold and Kumar flashbacks...

This only happens to me.

Good seats.

2007-09-09T09:37:00.001-04:00

Florida v. Troy. 09/08/07 at Florida Field. Result: 59-31 Win.

Sandpiper Air was a great airline.

2007-08-08T20:21:00.001-04:00

Steven Weber. He played Brian Hackett on Wings. Wings was the show that defined summers for me growing up. Each morning on USAm, I would be treated with two episodes of this (dare I say) classic sitcom, and I ate it up. Yep, I loved Wings. And if a Wings marathon was on right now, I'd probably be watching it. I hated Helen, but it was okay, because Brian more than made up for her. But this post has nothing to do with Wings.

It has to do with Steven Weber who regularly contributes to the Huffington Post. He's part of the vast left wing conspiracy. He writes better than I could ever wish to.

In other news, I'm headed to the birthplace of a nation, Philadelphia. And I'm far too excited about Independence Hall. I just hope that I don't cry out sadness, seeing as this administration is pretty much spitting on the Constitution.

New camera!

2007-07-23T19:51:00.000-04:00

It's a Canon Powershot SD750 - small, cute, and pretty rockin'. I love it. It comes pretty much with photoshop built in (except for the whole airbrushing thing) and now accompanies me everywhere. If we hang out, be prepared to have your picture taken.

Neville?!

2007-07-09T22:35:00.001-04:00

All the way to the left - who is that attractive man? All scruffy and indie rock with a semi-rockin' sweater?

It's Neville from the Harry Potter movies. The "chubby little git" as I so affectionately called him. NEVILLE!? You got so good looking. Mindbogglingly so. How did I ignore this Matthew Lewis character for so long? Then again, I don't even know how old he is, he could easily be not even close to legal.

AND... I kind of sicken myself now.

Damn brain-mouth filter

2007-07-03T20:36:00.000-04:00

I was driving home on Saturday and in my rearview mirror I saw this couple walking through a parking lot together and thought, "Aw, what an adorable little interracial couple." Then I saw what they were carrying...and wearing. And realized that it was my parents walking out of that store.

Having never thought of them in that way, that was a little bit of a shocker. I told them over dinner. Papa laughed and Mom tried to smack me.

Ahh, family.

I don't have a photo of them at my disposal, so here is a photo of Sammy Davis Jr. and his white wife.

Ah, capitalism.

2007-06-22T11:30:00.000-04:00

Today, I am slightly more of a grown up. For today, the twenty-second day of June, I opened a savings account. And by doing this, ensured that I have a good amount of money to blow when I make my way through Europe. Go Sarika.

When did I become marginally popular?

2007-06-12T01:32:00.001-04:00

My camera is still broken, so my photo taking capabilities are limited.
However, I get my paycheck on Friday, and will be blowing a good chunk of it on the Canon Powershot Elph SD 1000.

It's social networking gone too far when this is my Facebook sidebar. I'm not popular, though my homepage would have people think otherwise. What the hell is an "X Me"? And why do I need people to leave "Anonymous honest" comments if they're already my friends. Please, I prefer people to talk crap about me behind my back.

2007-05-27T10:12:00.001-04:00

Sometimes I just want to throw rocks or small stones at people. Not with the intent of knocking them out or causing an injury or anything but just hard enough for them to say "Ow, you threw a rock at me, what the hell?"

Because sometimes people need that. That'll shape you up.

Television makes me too happy.

2007-05-17T21:11:00.001-04:00

Ok, so I'm a massive nerd because I sometimes get far too involved in the lives of fictional characters (but not Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter or any sort of sci-fi. Some of those people are just weird little bastards. I suppose that makes me an elitist. Screw it.). But... I love The Office. I loved the British version when I watched it on BBCAmerica and I absolutely adore the American one now. So, Jim and Pam. yay.

Jim and Pam! A date. The timing finally was right! And it was so perfect.
Now...what happens with Karen, what happens with Kelly with the Temp gone? These things will keep me stupidly involved all summer. But Jim and Pam have a date. And that makes me happy.

Things that are awesome:

2007-05-15T00:57:00.000-04:00

Mindy Kaling's (writer/Kelly from The Office) blog. She describes herself as small, chubby, and Indian. I see myself in that. Though I've been hearing that I look "mixed" as well. (And don't know how to take that at all. Is it hugely offensive? I don't know these things.)

In other news: my digital camera died. I now can only view photos on it. When it chooses to turn on, that is. It will cost me $180 to fix. To that, I say eff you Sony Corporation. Your friends at Canon will be the new recipients of my business.
...And I need a job.

Who's my hope now?

2007-04-30T19:43:00.000-04:00

I was going to buy Wes Welker's jersey when JT retired. He was my new guy. He was the great white hope.

I'm already losing faith in the Cam Cameron era.

Everything will be okay

2007-04-12T18:08:00.000-04:00

The only proof he needed for the existence of God was music

2007-04-12T17:48:00.000-04:00

I first read Slaughterhouse Five when I was either fourteen or fifteen years old. When a few words in a book can define your politics, can decide for you the person who you want to be. When books matter more than they ever will again.

And it is most likely because of Kurt Vonnegut that my politics are what they are. Why my religion is not based on any one God but on the basis of trying to be a good person. I don't know what happens after that, but why not be nice just to be nice?

It is because of Kurt Vonnegut that I know why I'm in the arts, it's because I don't have the courage to be gay.

Today a man that I never met, and probably would never have the chance to meet, died. It is only now that I realize how much this one man's words affected my life. Because when you're fourteen years old and you read something that just makes sense, it's with you for life.

He wanted the perfect epitaph:

THE ONLY PROOF HE NEEDED
FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
WAS MUSIC

I hope you got it, Mr. Vonnegut.
And I hope that everything is beautiful and nothing hurts now.

Love those boys from Old Florida

2007-04-07T21:37:00.000-04:00

Everyone who goes to the University has a Joakim Noah story, so here's mine:

This is how I know that Joakim Noah is a champion. He's cocky, and he has every right to be. My first night here, I was walking around with the guys on my floor and we ended up on the far reaches of campus (actually, it turned out the be the west part of campus, where the athletes live, just past the O-Dome.), and this guy comes to his window. We walk past a little bit, and in the opposite direction, run a girls high school track team. And they start screaming. Opening his window, Joakim Noah puts up his chin, looks over his shoulder, and starts brushing it off. On his face, the biggest effing grin I've ever seen (well, except for those NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP grins). It was the biggest show of cockiness I've ever seen. And with that second Championship, it just proves that he has every right to be that way.

We laughed for about five minutes straight, by the way.

Over 20 varieties of bagels! And knishes!

2007-03-08T17:05:00.000-05:00

I am still confused by new Blogger. Yes, it's been a month since the change, but there's just too much on my frontpage.

In other news, Bagels Unlimited on University, across from Mellow Mushroom. Mmmm...azing. (See what I did there? I should be in advertising.)
The special consists of eggs (with or w/out cheese), homefries or hashbrowns, and a bagel with cream cheese or an english muffin for about $5 and change.
The whole meal is huge and unfinishable.
Also, you have a choice of over 200 hot sauces from around the world and a waitstaff that knows the names of and will stop, sit down, and talk to the regulars.
It was perfectly small town.
I shall be going back.

The blogging end?

2007-02-09T14:09:00.000-05:00

I've just started this documentation thing and Blogger tells me that everything is changing.
Why Blogger, why?

I don't like change. At all. I don't like 'upgrading' from what I am used to. I oon't want a Google account.
I don't know what will happen with my new project.

I'll leave you with a photo of the light fixtures from the Smathers Library on the UF old campus.

(I think they're kind of nifty.)

From 2/2/07

2007-02-08T15:00:00.000-05:00

I'm trying to document the best/funniest/oddest moments of my day.
This is from last week:

Last week, they erected a wall in the Plaza of the Americas where people got to write anonymous hurtful comments made to them. They then tore down the wall. A lot of the bricks were really touching and sad.

Cum dumpster was just hilarious.

Every a-hole can have a blog.

2007-02-02T10:06:00.000-05:00

I don't like people who say 'laundry-mat.' It just makes them sound ridiculous.
They are added to the list of 'liberry', 'reraser', 'pack-pack', and 'calcalator' people.

(library; eraser; backpack; calcUlator)

Ahh, the immigrant menace

2007-01-25T21:45:00.000-05:00

I met Mo Rocca.
I made him giggle when I spoke about the "immigrant menace."
He's poli-sci professor cute.
All in all a good night.

(I took a photo with him, but I look like a hugely awkward, so it's not going online.)

Dear David Beckham:

2007-01-12T10:44:00.000-05:00

Please don't say it's not about the money or the fame, because it is.
You signed a $255 million contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy because you like the idea of expanding your empire.

You said that you wanted to play for England again, but you basically shot yourself in the foot, there. There's not one English manager who's going to choose you when you're playing the game at such a lower competetive scale.

You could have come back to England. You could have fought your way through the ranks of a competetive team. But you took the easy way out. You didn't do it to build football in America, you did it because you got a hefty paycheck and the chance to show your face at more Hollywood events.

The people you mattered to, the people who made you who you are, they're not around anymore and the ones who stayed, well they're probably going to start dropping off at a quicker rate. And I think you should take a moment to realize how sad that is.

You didn't do it for the football, Mr. Beckham. You did it for the money.
You sold off a little bit of yourself.

So, this is the New Year

2007-01-01T02:44:00.000-05:00

Here's to stopping for a minute for the good things.

This is Chancellor.

2006-12-30T07:59:00.000-05:00

He is so fashionable.

Now, why is there a reason to show a before/after of Saddam Hussein and his execution?
We can tell the difference between a live and dead man.

Oh, politics.

2006-12-21T22:25:00.000-05:00

Political crushes are the best.
My current one is on Florida State Senator Dave Aronberg. He proudly represents the 27th district and is the youngest senator in the Florida senate.
He enjoys playing his guitar. He is very cute.
I thought that I met him once. I did not. But he apparently knows the story because the men I did meet laughed at me and told me that they were going to 'pass the story on to Dave.' The story itself just makes me appear stupid and does not need to be retold.

Making dick-like comments doesn't change the fact that you were shut out 21-0, Tom.

2006-12-16T11:59:00.000-05:00

"I'm sure if you asked them, it probably sounds good for them to say they have it all figured out, but they're 6-7 and we're 9-4, so go tell me who probably has it more figured out."

Given the opportunity, I would punch Tom Brady in his face.
Unfortunately, my fist would probably just sink into the black hole that is his chin.
If the man ever became president, I'd leave the country.

Stick to sharing milkshakes with Matt Cassel...asshole.

Winter!

2006-12-13T15:54:00.000-05:00

I am finished with finals. I am finished with UF for a month and I am going to spend the next few days bored until people come home. Holler.

So goodbye fall semester, and goodbye International Relations. I will miss our spirited and intelligent notes and conversations.

Happy Wednesday.

2006-11-29T12:52:00.000-05:00

Fact: I've never liked my birthday. Actually, that's a lie. I'm sure I did as a child, but for the past five years, at least, it's felt meaningless.

So, thank you for the birthday wishes and the being nice and all of that, but to me, this is just another day. There's no reason to be fakely enthusiastic about a day that I don't really care about myself.

White guys have names like 'Lenny'...

2006-11-20T17:28:00.000-05:00

White guys make me laugh.
They have vast collections of hip hop on their computers, Jay-Z and Akon and the Game and what not.

And then...Billy Joel. All of them have Billy Joel. He's always just thrown in there.
I bet atleast 75% of the male population at UF is like this.

Downer

2006-11-09T16:54:00.000-05:00

Ed Bradley died. He was my favorite of the 60 Minutes crew.
I seriously feel hurt.

I must sound ridiculously unintelligent because I CANNOT PUT MY HAPPINESS INTO WORDS.

2006-11-08T14:25:00.000-05:00

Yes. Something's going right in this country.
Nancy Pelosi (who I pretty much think is the cutest lady in the world because I think she would be the kind of person who you could have coffee and cake with over good discussion, and you know she would pay) is going to be Speaker of the House. I could not be happier about that.
People like her make me want to work in politics.

BUT WAIT, RUMMY out? Whaaatt? He's actually gone? Insanity.
Take that Mr. Lott. (not Trent, the other, better one.)

On a not as happy note though, unfortunately, Charlie Crist is now the governer of Florida. Great, we have an oompa loompa running our state. The man is ORANGE, come on!

Oh, and the song Somebody's Baby by Jackson Browne - I can't listen to it with people around me. It just makes me feel embarrassed. And I'm the person who can sing Fuck Her Gently in a room of strangers.

There is a reason we have faith.

2006-11-05T17:04:00.000-05:00

Miami 31 - Chicago 13

Miami has the Dolphins, the greatest football team
We take the ball from goal to goal like no one's ever seen
We're in the air, we're on the ground
We're always in control
So when you say Miami
You're talking Superbowl!

And just like that, we're back. Who beat the Bears? Who finishes unbeaten streaks? Who has the most unattractive yet glorious color combination in the National Football League?
Why, it's the MIAMI DOLPHINS (Miami Dolphins!). And it's 1985 all over again.

Thumbs up to:

2006-11-04T11:47:00.000-05:00

Tilly and the Wall and Pony Up. Both of whom played their little indie pop hearts out last night on the Reitz Lawn. Excellent, excellent show.

I wish I had bought a teeshirt.

But it was far too cold for teeshirts.

Note to Self: Learn Hebrew

2006-10-31T17:46:00.000-05:00

I got a 10 + on a paper about security politics. I don't know what a 10 + means, but it sounds pretty good, seeing as that paper is truly a piece of crap.

Today, I saw a guy wearing a shirt with a Pepsi logo, but with other words written in it. Like those ridiculous 'Sexsi' ones that Britney Spears used to wear before she became White-trashier. Anyway, I looked at the shirt for a good five seconds trying to figure out what it said. It was then that I realized that I can neither read nor speak Hebrew.

Multi-tasking.

2006-10-25T20:43:00.000-04:00

On the way to class today I heard someone having phone-sex as they walked by.
I go to a real university.

I always thought that he was a cool guy...

2006-10-02T15:42:00.000-04:00

Damn, Mark Foley. Damn.
This is not the way to represent the L.Dub.

I'm not a schedule kind of girl.

2006-09-24T15:21:00.000-04:00

Sometimes, her voice makes me want to smash my head into a side unit. It's not even imitatible.
And also, white people shouldn't use the word 'tight' unironically. It just comes off sounding like a joke.

The neighbor listens to Celine Dion. Also unironically.
I've done something to make me deserve this.

Sidenote: I love Ben Kweller. Listening to his songs makes everything tolerable. And...I don't feel like working.

The fact that I've taken a photo of an inanimate object in odd lighting makes me a jerk. Ha.

Song recommendation

2006-09-22T18:47:00.000-04:00

Go to the Barsuk Records website and click on 'Radio.' Listen to the third song, it's by Viva Voce.
And it's so catchy and lush that you don't even realize that you're singing "Hey ya'll, we do not fuck around."

Though the title should be a little bit of a tip-off.

Just a thought

2006-09-22T17:19:00.000-04:00

That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government. -- Thomas Jefferson

That would probably be considered sedition nowadays, huh?

I really like Keith Olbermann.

Because they've got more heart than your hundred million dollar payroll.

2006-09-15T16:44:00.000-04:00

So, a big up-yours to everyone who continually lambasted the Marlins. Who, every season, just because they don't have the big named talent and the payroll belittle them and think less of them. You deserve to be wrong. Because right now they're at .500. And they're good.

And credit where credit is due. David called it with Dan Uggla.
I didn't get to watch a lot of games this season (I've been in Gainesville for most of it.), but even still, you can't give up belief.
I hate sportswriters and cynics. You don't deserve to call yourself Florida fans.

Oh summer

2006-09-07T14:24:00.000-04:00

Reason # 24 why Chantel was the coolest roommate EVER:

She called me this afternoon to tell me that the E! True Hollywood Story of Saved By The Bell was on.

Miss my roomie.

Andre Agassi was tennis.

2006-09-03T18:16:00.000-04:00

The moments that have the biggest impact on you aren't necessarily the ones that are meant to be life changing ones. When I moved to Gainesville I didn't feel as if everything was changing. Going away to college wasn't the end of my childhood or the beginning of my new life. It was nothing like that...it was just going to school. Kind of like summer camp.

Today was Andre Agassi's last tennis match. Today he retired. And I didn't watch. I don't regret that, because honestly, I couldn't watch. Agassi turned pro the year that I was born. I've grown up watching him. His first Wimbledon was mine. When he cried on Centre Court in 1992, that's the first tennis match the I truly remember watching. He made a fan out of me, and I don't know why it was him that I latched on to. The past few years, my interest in tennis has waned. I used to watch every major, follow the rankings, keep up with the ATP events, but I grew up and it become more of a passing thing. I'd watch the Open, bits and pieces of the others if I had the time.
But I always watched Andre. Any chance I got. I would always tune in, whether it was for a game or the whole five sets. I just did that. But today, I could not. To me, his career ended with a five set victory over a seeded player in the US Open. Because I couldn't fathom it any other way.
He was the last one. The only one around from the time when I really cared. He was the one that Papa and I would watch together and cheer together and dissect his shots and rip on his opponents.
And he was the reason that for a few weeks every year, my dad and I got along perfectly and just sat in each other's company completely content, completely quiet at times, and watched a ball sail over the net and into an unreachable angle coming from Agassi's racquet.

Those days meant everything to me. And now Agassi's done. And it feels like something is actually different.

Don't make Al Gore tell stale jokes, MTV.

2006-09-01T10:53:00.000-04:00

Two days ago, I complained about the cold.
Now the air is out in my building and it's 90 degrees inside. And the hallway is starting to smell.
Damn.

Also, Al Gore did not receive the respect that he deserved at last night's "MTV Video Music Awards." (I'll just put that in quotation marks but not bother to go into my rant about it.) The man was Vice President of the US as well as award winning film-maker and for a short period, renowned mountain man stunt double.
Christ.

'Guten Abend' is German for 'Good Evening'.

2006-08-30T18:42:00.000-04:00

You know the axiom "A watched pot never boils?" Well, that's a lie. Because today, I made a pot of pasta and found that when staring at the pot, the bubbles seemed to bubble higher and the pasta seemed to cook quicker. So, yeah. Stop telling your kids lies.

There was an 'ice cream social' in my building yesterday. We found that nobody in this building is really that social. But they are apparently greedy, because they quickly ran out of ice cream.

Why is it always so cold in this room? It's 90 degrees out and I have to sleep in a sweater.

Not easy.

2006-08-20T23:24:00.000-04:00

Saying goodbye the second time may just be harder than the first.

To: John I. Leonard

2006-08-18T12:43:00.000-04:00

I didn't think it possible, but you have shattered all boundaries of ineptitude.
I'm truly amazed by this. Not only are your employees unhelpful and unaware, but they're gigantic bitches.

I realize that a good seventy-five percent of your alumni end up in jail, homeless, pregnant within months of graduation, BUT I'M NOT A PART OF THE FUTURE CRIMINALS OF AMERICA. I AM NOT GOING TO BE A DRAIN ON SOCIETY.

So, give me my damn check and get me be rid of you.

Sarika.

and it's good.

2006-08-16T09:48:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday, Charles.

The end. And the beginning.

2006-08-10T16:44:00.000-04:00

I'm finished with my first semester of college. One more exam and I'm done. And I'm going home.

I'm excited. So excited to go home. I want to be home right now. I miss mom more than I thought. But at the same time, I think that coming here this summer was the best decision I've ever made. This summer, minus a few days, could not have gone better. Gainesville is the perfect place for me. This school and I just fit. And I honestly like it. I like who I am up here. I like the feeling of independence butnotreally independence. And even the mundane things up here, like Publix runs or just reading in Turlington, were...I don't know, better than at home. They're not new anymore. But in two weeks, everything is new again.

I don't even know if I'm making sense. But this makes sense.

2006-07-29T23:37:00.000-04:00

Tonight is the first night in a really long time that I want my guitar. I want to sit down and practice it and study it and make my fingers rough and numb. It's raining and people are in their dorms.
And people are at parties and at clubs.

But tonight, all I want is my acoustic guitar, some heavy picks, and that scrawled piece of paper that taught me more than any professional ever could have.

Productivity.

2006-07-24T12:23:00.000-04:00

It's only noon and I feel productive.

Today I:

> Took my first Comm test (Anything lower than a B and I will be VERY surprised).
> Sat in Turlington for about an hour between classes and read.
> Signed a petition to get a Moe's on campus.

On the schedule for this afternoon -- reading The Deputy.
I may just have to miss my yoga class. =/

Shh. Quiet time.

2006-07-22T23:18:00.000-04:00

If you try to push your politics in my face, I will not stop myself from punching you in yours.

I don't care if you think that I'm going to hell because of my position on (1) stem-cell research, (2) abortion, (3) same-sex marriage, (4) the US' position in foreign affairs. I'm not here to give a damn what you think.

But atleast I listen to what you have to say before cutting you down. I'd appreciate that same respect.

People who let their religion dictate their opinions on national issues should not be involved in politics. There's a reason why politicians do not control the Church.

I'm just clacking keys at this point.

2006-07-21T22:00:00.000-04:00

Well, I'm home because:

1. I'm mildly sick and refusing to take painkillers until at least tomorrow.
2. I am incapable to reaffirming plans and don't care too much for frats anyway.
3. I'm an idiot.
4. I actually like watching Keanu Reeves movies edited for television.

One of the preceding statements in incorrect. Guess which one and you get a brand new dinette set.

Happy Friday. Tomorrow = better.

Quickie.

2006-07-16T17:54:00.000-04:00

I've been a negligent blogger. I've been busy, I suppose (?)

So, just as a short update, a +/- list.

+ Moes. Addictive and delicious.
+ Tijuana Flats - Not quite Moes, but the art deco is really cool.
+ Zinedine Zidane. As if he wasn't already the maestro.
+ Sleep. I need to get more of it. I find myself dozing off at four in the afternoon.
+ Good days.

- Not being at the gym. And I really should be.
- Italy. The nation as a whole right now.
- Not wanting to ever do work.
- Humidity.
- Bad days.

update.

2006-07-05T12:31:00.001-04:00

heartbreak. again. penalties. red card. acting opponents.

and john terry's tears made me start to cry.

i don't even want to put into words. try again '10.

france v. portugal today. come on les bleus! i called the brazil match one-nil. zidane can do it.
watching in the Hume commons most likely. it should be a good time.

Nerves on matchday. QF. England v. Portugal.

2006-07-01T08:03:00.000-04:00

I'm in Gainesville. I'm living in Gainesville right now. And England plays in less than three hours. It's going to be strange watching out here. I'm so used to routine, I've spent far too long cultivating it and figuring out what to do and wear. So now, new atmosphere for a game. I'm starting to get anxious right about now. I don't know what to say. ...but we can win. Our men can win.

Three lions on a shirt
Jules Rimet still gleaming
FORTY years of hurt
Never stopped me dreaming...

Let's Go England!

Do it for Michael!

Viva La France? Eh, at least until the semis.

2006-06-27T17:18:00.000-04:00

Yay! That Zidane just brings out the best of France. Have you seen happier Frenchmen bar the 1998 final?

Happy. France 3 - Spain 1.

Whaaaattt? I'm supporting the French? The loathesome and beautiful French with wishy-washy fans and bad haircuts? Yes.

Because now the French play Brazil. And on a good day, France can beat Brazil. And then England can play France in the semi-final. And England can beat the French. Thus, it's a good thing that France won tonight (and it was kind of nice to see Zidane score...I love watching the older guys score, it makes me feel good. Moreso, it truly is a joy to watch that man play because even at 34 he elevates a game and genuinely adds grace to it.).

And it was just a good match, one of the better ones this tournament. High-level of play, high scoring, and no truly despicable refereeing decisions. Eric Wynalda has it right though, Spain are the Chicago Cubs of international football. Perennial underachievers.

You should watch Kyle XY. Seriously.

2006-06-26T21:01:00.000-04:00

ABC Family's guerilla advertising worked. Watching Boy Meets World every afternoon led to me being intoduced to a new ABC Family series Kyle XY. So, with nothing to do tonight, I decided, "Hey, let's see what this Kyle XY's about." I have made a fan out of many people in this house. The show is actually really good. Kyle is just hella endearing. I love this kid. I just want to to teach him things and eat ice cream with him. So, new summer programming: Kyle XY. The ABC Family tag doesn't do wonders for it, but get past that and watch it.

Kyle XY has some red, red lips indeed. This is not Kyle XY, but the actor who portrays him, Matt Dallas. Dallas' sincerity has struck a chord with me.

ABC Family re-airs Kyle XY on Friday at 9 PM. You can download the first episode for free on iTunes through June 28th. If you missed it, I strongly recommend doing one of the former.

A photo for you.

2006-06-25T18:04:00.000-04:00

This is what is left of the napkin that the English team caused me to tear and scrunch and rip up. Not visible are the holes in it and the true amount of wear it has taken. And the red is facepaint, not blood. This is what you make me do, guys. This is what becomes of my nerves on a gameday. And this is why I could never be a professional athlete.

In other news, the Holland-Portugal sets the bar for crap refereeing. I thought US-Italy was bad...no way. Sixteen cards. The hilarity of headbutts and dives and lunges for no real reason. There's football violence for you. Papa and I both hate Figo. We spent much time talking about things we would do to him before we walked off the pitch if we were red carded. Studs, faces, and knees all came up often.

Over and out.

1-0 over Ecuador and a trip to the quarterfinals.

2006-06-25T13:15:00.000-04:00

Come on, England! It makes me smile when I get to watch these boys celebrate.

Win over Ecuador 1-0. Beckham free kick. And we're through to the quarterfinals.
I don't understand it. One second they were playing the short balls and dominating possession, the next Delgado was barrelling down on Paul Robinson. But it's a win. They'll build on it.
In ninety degree heat, they beat a South American squad. David Beckham was heaving on the pitch, but they held the Ecuadorians off. And once again, as long as he was fit, in any squad, I would start David Beckham. Commentators take a great deal of time saying how he's unneeded on the squad, he shouldn't be playing. But he continues to prove them wrong. He makes them eat their words within seconds. There is no one better on free kicks than David Beckham. There's a reason why he's the first English player to score in three World Cups.

...Michael Owen should have been one of them too. sadface.

Next up, Holland or Portugal. I spent this match tearing away at a napkin. For the quarterfinals I'll most likely need a spiral notebook.

People talk a lot about Swedish women. But not Swedish babies.

2006-06-23T21:23:00.000-04:00

Add it up by the Violent Femmes is a great, great song.
The association with Ethan Hawke only does good things for it.

Group stages are over. Knock-out round starts tomorrow with Sweden-Germany and Argentina-Mexico.

This is the cutest child I've ever seen. I want one.

That's enough to make you want to move to Sweden. Or support the Swedish tomorrow. Which I'll most likely be doing anyway. Because nothing can beat the cuteness of Swedish baby.

My blog is being lame. I can't visit it on my laptop for no real reason.

Soccer goes home.

2006-06-22T12:41:00.000-04:00

So, this is it. Do not pass GO, USA. Disappointment. A few shady decisions, but that wasn't what made the match. (The Penalty...another crap refereeing decision by Markus Merk...why is he still doing games after Aus-Brazil?) But they were outplayed. The Ghanian squad pushed and pushed. They exploited every American weakness. Why wasn't Landon Donovan more selfish?

But Bruce Arena did not do well this tournament. And honestly, it was coaching errors that lost it for the US. Why didn't Bobby Convey start? I didn't see Brian Ching on the field at all this tournament? When things were going wrong, why didn't you try to make positive changes? And where was Tim Howard during this tournament? Injured? Why did you continue to stick with the 4-5-1? You don't call out your players like that. You weren't on the pitch, sir. You didn't have them prepared enough, then.

So, what happens to US football now? Bruce goes home? Bye bye Claudio Reyna, Brian McBride, Kasey Keller. They didn't live up to their expectations, but it wasn't even that. I can't find it in myself to blame them. It just...wasn't your best.

South Africa. 2010. You'll be there.

Fulltime: England 2- Sweden 2. Can't beat the Swedes.

2006-06-20T16:55:00.000-04:00

We can't beat Sweden. We just can't. We can pressure them, we can draw with them, we can dominate possession (or not), but those Swedes. Just can't beat them.

But I will take the draw. I will take the 2-2 result. We're through, they're through. We have seven points and top the group. And we don't have to play Germany.

Joe Cole had a beautiful, beautiful goal and bringing Steven Gerrard on (for anyone, Wayne Rooney or not) is always a good idea. Steven Gerrard scores goals, that's what he does in high pressure situations. He celebrates with such joy, as well. He becomes this wide-eyed little boy and it's just really endearing.

And there was some inspired football. Not the whole match, but for a few moments, we remembered who England was. And why we love them for how they play.

I just hope that Michael Owen is okay. Watching him being carried away on that stretcher ranks up there with the horrible feeling that came with Rooney's broken foot. Worse. Because he's Michael Owen. And he needs to be there.
I have him on my keys.

My heart stopped for a second

2006-06-20T15:53:00.000-04:00

We are up 1-0.

But please. Please let Michael Owen be okay. Please don't let this be it for his World Cup. He's too good. He means too much. He's Owen. He's our number ten. Please let him be okay.

He's Klose to being the top scorer in the Group stages. Ba-zing!

2006-06-20T10:56:00.000-04:00

Nerves have yet to really hit me today, so what I type right now may be at least somewhat coherent.

Today: Hoping for an English win and a German win.
Why, you ask, am I supporting the Germans? Especially after making it a point to hope that they lose? Well, it's quite simple. And English win and a German win mean that the two teams finish on top of their groups, thus avoiding each other in the second round. And if there's one team that I REALLY want to avoid in the second round, it's the Germans.
I will never root against an England win, so cheering on Miroslav Klose and co. comes with the territory.

The commercial for FOX Soccer Channel is brainwashing propaganda geared toward the weaker of American minds. Then again, it's FOX, so you can't really expect much else. It's the voice-over that gets me. PVC pipes.

Germany is up 2-0. And that second Klose goal should be an embarassment to all Ecuadorians. It was created from his pure muscle, but it was just so...cute. Footage of 1974 Gerd Muller is footage of the happiest German I've ever seen. And I've seen some happy Germans.

Facepaint later on today. Kickoff at 2:55. What will you be doing?

Fulltime. The refs still suck.

2006-06-17T16:55:00.000-04:00

Remember everything I said about the shittiness of the refs earlier this tournament?
Multiply that by like fourteen. Horrible decisions in the US-Italy match. Two unnecessary red cards for Mastroeni and Pope and the Ities being whingey, diving asses.

And that's what I think of Italy.

The latter was to be expected but the ineptitude of the ref...well, it ruined a potentially great match. He should be suspended. Now.

In this game, the US showed more heart and more passion than I have ever seen of them. Bobby Convey showed why Reading will make it in the Premiership. Brian McBride showed with he's so pivotal to Fulham's success. And Landon Donovan reminded everyone why he IS American football.

This ref has put such a stain on this whole tournament, and I don't usually agree with Franz Beckenbauer but the carding has been ludicrous. It's truly a disgrace to the sport that he's allowed to have an effect like this.
And it's not fair, and it's hurtful and it's what happens when you get behind another team knowing that football is an unkind sport.

Halftime. U.S. 1 - Italy 1

2006-06-17T15:57:00.000-04:00

You're picking up your game boys, and you're beautiful. You're controlling the midfield and you're showing the real meaning of American football.

I'm English and I'm never more proud of that than during the World Cup. But for these ninety minutes, I'm an American girl.

Before the match.

I have to let you know, you're doing something right and you have to keep doing it. Forget the ref, forget the cards, forget the crappy calls. Just keep playing how you do. How you know you can.

Come on you boys in red, white, and blue!

Rant.

2006-06-17T13:44:00.000-04:00

I don't usually use profanity, but...

These fucking refs, I swear. They're all biased bastards.
So, you're going to reward diving, card for no reason, and call fouls against the side being taken down.
And it's the same countries that do it. That dive, that exaggerate. The same countries that believe they deserve pity for any reason. Having been colonized, lack of wealth. Screw that. You have no right to play like dicks.
And the refs and linesmen...if they don't referee in the Champions League, they shouldn't be refereeing in the World Cup. And that's it.

And that's why I have no pity for the poor teams, for the crap teams. I hate when their players complain of not getting the calls against the bigger footballing countries. Because especially in this World Cup, the opposite is so obviously true.

Mom compliments.

2006-06-17T10:26:00.000-04:00

"You're not retarded, Saya."

She meant it in the nicest way possible. Because I don't have a mental retardation, and she reminds me of it.

It's not insulting coming from her...really.

Sit down Diego. No one even likes you.

2006-06-16T10:55:00.000-04:00

Eff you, ~~Bear~~ Argentina!

How do they do that? 6-0 over S&M. Why not just end the match early, let your opponents leave with a little bit of dignity?

They're pretty much the favorites and I hate them for that. Maybe your team will crash like your economy!

Serbia and Montenegro are all but out of the tournament. That kind of makes me sad, because now they will be no more great S&M headlines.

So, after my heart attack.

2006-06-15T14:00:00.000-04:00

At least a good half of (perhaps a bit more) pure SHIT from the English team.

Minute 81, I to wash off my face paint, to wash this performance out of my mind. And that bastard, Peter Crouch, Mr. Let's give Sarika heart palpitations, scores off a stunner of a Beckham cross.

Watching through the bathroom mirror probably did not allow me to have the requisite amount of energy.

Steven Gerrard...you saved my life, sir. And John Terry. IloveyouIloveyouIloveyou.

So, now I'm sitting with a half face of paint and it's staying on.

ROONEY!...haha...it was all the Aaron Lennon substitution though. You're a good man, Joe Cole, but that totally changed the pace of the game.

Okay, so six points. We're in the next round. We can't play like this. We can't take this to the second round. We can't. But Roooo-nnnney!!

And know what? David Beckham is first team ANY team. He's that good.

Halftime. England match 2.

2006-06-15T13:07:00.000-04:00

Oh jeez.

This is me right now. I feel sick.

Minutes.

2006-06-15T11:13:00.000-04:00

England - Trinidad and Tobago.

Nerves, facepaint, and not being able to drink because the facepaint is over my mouth.

COME ON ENGLAND!

It's one game closer to bringing football home.

Gary Lineker had the Germans figured out.

2006-06-14T16:53:00.000-04:00

Poland 0 - Germany 1. I'm done for match numbers.

goddamnit.

Poland held the Germans for NINETY-ONE minutes.
Ninety-one minutes and the GERMANS ALWAYS WIN.

No. It was supposed to be a nil-nil draw. The Germans aren't supposed to win in extra time. Gaaahhh. Well, at least isn't not a long plane ride back to Warsaw.

Boruc was still the man of the match though. For sure.

Jim Noir -- Eanie Meanie. It's the song in the Adidas "Impossible" ads. Listen to it. It's great.

Dear ESPN:

2006-06-13T11:48:00.000-04:00

Dear ESPN:

I know that Brazil is playing today, but please refrain from showing that Ronaldinho free kick that curved over David Seaman for a goal in the 2002 World Cup. Or at least warn before you do.

It makes me cry. Seriously.

Also, the way you say 'Pele' is strange. It's not, "Peh-lay" or "Pay-lay"...it flows more swiftly off of the tongue. It's not an ugly name.

Love,

Sarika

Ronaldo does look fat. Who ate all the pies, indeed.

Oh Francisco, you hurt me so.

2006-06-12T19:45:00.000-04:00

Totti cut his flowing locks and I was slightly broken. (Though not as much as his leg, ba-zing! That was actually horrible. I'm not funny.) He has short hair now and they Italians who I so loved for their male model hair are either too old, are injured, or have mysteriously been left off the Italian roster. Admittedly, I don't follow Italian football so there may be nothing mysterious about it.

I'm over my bitterness. I can't hold on to being upset by the US team. I have to channel all energy on to England. They play on Thursday. So, from now on, the US shall be secondary. No more yelling at the team through the TV or making snippy blogs...and oh God, how lame does that make me sound. They just need the support. So...pick it up and play on. One game doesn't end it. And be happy you're not English and that our media won't be lambasting you and nitpicking at every pass, every substitution.

I am so thirsty. I drank a glass of lemonade and I almost choked toward the end of the glass. It was sourer than the lemon I ate at Duffy's. I could have died.

I'm listening to Led Zeppelin right now. Why does it sound so much like Billy Joel? It's freaking me out. I love Billy Joel though. Only the Good Die Young...my jam.

Ah...Joe Dirt is on. I love that movie. Still don't understand what exactly is so great about a Hemi though.

Ok, South Korea (over Togo), France (over Switzerland), and Brazil (over Croatia). Sticking with the favorites for tomorrow. I don't know nearly enough about their opponents.

Match 10. Fulltime: Czech Republic 3 - USA 0

2006-06-12T14:21:00.000-04:00

Yeah...that was just depressing.
The two teams weren't even on the same level. Even after Jan Koller was taken off, the US couldn't do anything. But you know what? All respect to the Czechs. They went in there, did what they needed to do, defended well, created shots, and took chances.

The US had eleven players on the pitch with no sense of unity. You complain of not getting respect from the European countries, you say you deserve that ranking. Well, you know what? Playing like that is not going to get you anywhere. It was pitiful. Italy is up next, and while I'd like to see the US progress, a loss like that does not make me think that they deserve it.
Pick it up, guys. Put Tim Howard in. Play the 4-4-2 you're used to. This is the World Cup.

I was at Duffy's for this game. There was this guy there who was totally into it, but other than that, the atmosphere was really subdued. I was really disappointed by that as well. How are people not more excited? Yeah, it was a loss...but barely anyone was interested the whole match.

So...I'm bitter. Time for Totti's golden locks.

Match 9. Fulltime: Aussies 3 - Japan 1.

2006-06-12T10:55:00.000-04:00

You cannot script that better! Sweet sweet karma for that Japanese goal that should have been disallowed.

Australia 3- Japan 1.

And it's results like that that make you happy. It's goals like that in the dying minutes of a match that change a team's chances, that make you believe in a team and in that 'never-give-up' spirit.
And watching those goals. There's no way to describe it but beautiful.

The Aussies deserved it. They never gave up. They just played. Because that's what you do. You keep playing.

So, it's not England...but I'm still amped. I'm allowed to be. I don't care that I'm not supposed to like the Australians. Because I frankly just don't like the Japanese team even more.

And for the US game -- let's go for the upset, boys!

Picks picks picks for six-twelve.

2006-06-11T21:52:00.000-04:00

Really quick because I don't want to forget and have to do this early tomorrow and then lie to myself about what my picks were.

Australia over Japan. I like Australia. They're the Socceroos, and no team has a better nickname. Also, this isn't cricket or rugby and they don't really threaten England in football that much, so I pick Australia. No love for Japan. Only their hairstyles.

Czech Republic over USA. Right now, I WANT the US to win. I truly do. I live here, I like the team, I like their exhuberance. I don't like the constant 'disrespect' angle every network goes with. I'm glad that Alexi Lalas and Jeff Agoos are gone. Agoos was a detriment to that team, really. I think they're a good team in a bad situation. (Grouped with Italy, Czech Rep, and Ghana.) And while I'd like the team to win, I believe that the Czech Republic is very, very strong. So, i can wish for a win, and cross my fingers for a draw. But I believe that the Czech Republic will come out on top. I'll be cheering for the boys in red and white (and blue) this time, though. And hopefully, they'll prove me wrong.

Italy over Ghana. The Azzuri have had all of those problems with betting and such, and I can just go on with the Buffon jokes, but ultimately, they're Italy. And while Ghana can boast the likes of Michael Essien, they're still playing Italy.

My black foot and schoolkids. Matches 7 and 8.

2006-06-11T17:10:00.000-04:00

Match 7. Mexico 3 - Iran 1.

Pretty much expected. Mexico's goals were really well timed, especially since it looked like they were outnumbered by red shirts on the pitch.

The true story of this match comes from my foot. I'm sitting out on the couch during the match and decide to put my feet up. While doing this, I notice that the bottom of my left foot is just covered in black...filth. I have no clue what it was. Seeing as I hadn't been out of the house all morning and my floors are generally quite clean, I'm lost as to what I managed to step in. Ew.

Match 8. Portugal 1 - Angola 0.

Easily the worst match of the tournament so far. With the exception of Figo (and we all know my feelings about Figo), everyone looked like a bunch of schoolkids running around practicing their fancy tricks. Oh! And the Angolan bicycle kick guy? Come on, guy. Once it fails miserably once, don't keep trying to do it. You're not Pele. According to Papa, the Angolans are also thugs. He's just bitter because Nigeria didn't qualify. Though he's being quite diplomatic about it.

This match was just bad. Portugal played at a lower level than England during the second half of yesterday's match. I can honestly say that I should have found something better to do. And that's a big thing, because there's never anything I'd rather be doing during World Cup.

Match 6. Fulltime: Netherlands 1 - Serbia & Montenegro 0

2006-06-11T11:01:00.000-04:00

Good good match. Good solid play. Lots of Dutch chances. Love how Arjen Robben does his work. Disappointed by Ruud Van Nistelrooy. He wasn't on the level of his teammates. Robben and Van Persie though, just so good. I think they can beat Argentina.

Watching sports with Papa when any eastern European team plays is always high comedy.

Papa: Stupid Croats. They play like thugs.
Me: They're Serbs.
Papa: Same thing. All thugs.
Me: Actually, there was a war saying they they're not the same thing!
Papa: Thugs!

...Yeah.

Those Mexican fans are crazy! It's great. Again, I have nothing but good things to say about Univision. They have people in sombreros in the studio, steel drums, girls in tiny Mexico shorts. It's Sabado Gigante with football! Even the commercials are better. World Cup mood-inducing.
I so enjoy singing along to the Budwieser song in English while it plays in Spanish in the background.
And they actually have correspondents in Germany (or Alemania, if you will)...helpful.

So, yeah, nice work Dutch boys.

Match 5. Fulltime: Argentina 2 - Ivory Coast 1

2006-06-10T16:56:00.000-04:00

I am impressed by the Ivory Coast. By their speed, by their passion, and their true joy in playing the game. I love African celebrations. I love how happy they are. If there's an Ivorian bandwagon, consider me on it.

And the Argies won. But I'm far more impressed by the Ivorian play than I am by Argentina.
Unfortunately, Messi wasn't even playing. Which means that Argentina are freaking good, even without him. For once I wish that Batistuta was playing... he's got to be like 40 now and I'm fairly sure that the Beckham penalty in 2002 broke his spirit.

Maradona was in the stands. I'm sad that he had a reason to celebrate.

I'm not going to do half and fulltime reports. It's too much. And it takes away from me actually being productive at halftime. By being productive, I mean going to the bathroom.

I'm aching right now. And now that matchplay is over, it's okay to be medicated. This cannot be good for me.

Oh, Wynalda? I'm calling you out. You want to tell me that England can't play and that they didn't deserve the three points? Your team finished last at the 1998 World Cup. Last out of 32 teams. And everytime a former American player turned announcer wishes to say something like this, I will respond the same way.
And Balboa: It's a penalty kick...NOT a PK, damnit.

Tomorrow's predictions:

Mexico over Iran.
Portugal over Angola.
Holland over Serbia and Montenegro.

You know, it should be pretty cut and dry...but I'm apparently horrible at picks, so expect upheaval.

Match 4. Fulltime: Sweden 0 - Trinidad & Tobago 0

2006-06-10T13:57:00.000-04:00

Huh. damn. And that's about it. It's okay Sweden. I know your pain. The stomach-punch, can't breathe, can't swallow pain.

...So, I'm not too good with the predictions at this point.

In other news, hair. Oh my God. The little kids who walked out with Sweden. The tiny blonde faux-hawks. I was dying, that was almost too much cuteness. I want a small blonde child like that to accompany me everywhere.

Argies against Ivory Coast up next. Come on Ivory Coast! Come on Drogba! Make a mess out of Messi! (Oh...such sparkling wit) You're doing this for your country! I won't mind if this is another one of my predictions that end up being wrong.

Match 3. Fulltime: England 1 - Paraguay 0

2006-06-10T10:57:00.000-04:00

Ok, so not the greatest match, but we come out of it with three points.

And the Mexican ref? What a miserable jerk. A call in favor of England? Well that's just a crazy idea!

Marcelo Balboa: I realize that you played on three World Cup teams. But you played on three crappy ones. Don't criticize England's skill. Any member of their U-21 team could demolish you in your prime. Know what you're talking about.
I hatehatehate ABC's coverage. A commercial for your WeatherFirst system will NEVER be more important than me finding out who the man-of-the-match was. Damn you, ABC.
I wish I could speak and understand Spanish more fluently. Even so, I'll probably watch the other matches on Univision. Si Inglaterra!

The nerves have settled. I can breathe a little bit better now.

Match 3. Halftime: England 1 - Paraguay 0

2006-06-10T09:57:00.000-04:00

Three Lions on a shirt...

I know I say hurtful things, David Beckham, but I still love you. And you mean more to me than you'll ever know. You're doing well.

We're up one-nil. Let's keep on with this. Please.

Oh, and are acting lessons included with your training, Paraguay?

Just before the match. Just before I joined in on God Save The Queen...on Univision.

It doesn't get much better than this. (Even if polyester isn't too flattering)

Day Two Predictions.

2006-06-09T20:18:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow marks the end of two years of waiting to see my team play. I haven't seen England since the 2004 European Championships. I haven't seen Peter Crouch play in an international at all, I don't know too much about Theo Walcott. But tomorrow, all of that changes. And tomorrow, we face Paraguay. I just want them to win. That's all. Steven Gerrard is healthy, so are Becks and Ashley Cole and Owen is getting back to match fitness. This is good.

Tomorrow I am supporting: England and the Ivory Coast.
...and not Paraguay or Argentina.

So, predictions:

England over Paraguay...for obvious reasons. But also, I believe in this team and I believe that they can win. They have the skill, the determination, and the experience. Paraguay's not a powerhouse. England can do it.

Sweden over Trinidad and Tobago. I'm not going to jump on the T&T bandwagon. I don't think that the Soca Warriors can create too many problems. Even with injuries, Sweden is a good team.

Argentina over Ivory Coast. I want to pick the Ivory Coast. I want the Ivory Coast to win this game. I see the talent of Drogba and Toure. But I don't know if they can match up to damn Argentina. Especially if Messi is now hitting his stride.

If it is a pulled muscle, I'm not taking the painkillers tomorrow. They make me drowsy. And I have to be able to watch England intently and evalute Sweden (also in Group B) and the Argies.

Match # 2. Fulltime: Poland 0 - Ecuador 2

2006-06-09T15:57:00.000-04:00

Halftime.

Oh, come on. Poland, you cannot defend a lead you do not have. Especially when your defense is not good! What happened to your ability to play together as a team? In sticking to 4-4-2?
Don't make me start the Polish jokes this early in the tournament. You're playing Ecuador, (who are a good deal better than qualifying results had me believe) you finished second only to England in your qualifying group. Argh.

Tommy Smythe is commentating. He bothers me slightly. The highlight of my day?

Tommy Smythe: "Another fact, Christina Aguilera's father is from Ecuador."
Which was met by complete silence. High comedy.

Still, anything can happen. I'm drowsy.

Fulltime: Poland 0 - Ecuador 2.

Poland's crap play does not deserve this match to get both a full and halftime entry. They expect this to win them the World Cup? I feel bad for the thousands of supporters that made their way out. Haven't the Poles been through enough already? And now they have to watch this.

I missed the last ten minutes because I had to go pick up Mom. But I'm sure they were less than mediocre.

Match #1. Fulltime: Germany 4 - Costa Rica 2

2006-06-09T13:56:00.000-04:00

Damn my tendency to underestimate the Germans.

4-2. And a brace by Klose.
Germany dominated the game. They controlled Costa Rica easily and didn't even look like the team that was embarassed by Italy only a few months ago.

Costa Rica scored twice but never even looked like taking the lead. Their scoring was more a result of Germany's defence's inability to operate the offside trap.

Oh, and it's not Eric Wynalda's voice that I cannot stand, it's Marcelo Balboa's.

I was surprised at the high number of goals scored and the fact that only one yellow card was handed out. It's Germany, don't they play dirty? And how the hell did Torsten Frings score that goal? Truly a beautiful goal by Torsten 'handball' Frings. His name sounds like a savory treat. And yes, I do hold grudges.

Sixty-three matches to go.

Match #1. Halftime: Germany 2 - Costa Rica 1

2006-06-09T12:52:00.000-04:00

And it's Underway!

Why don't I ever realize that Germany will never be horrible? They're cohesive and on their marks. Why are they not struggling more without Michael Ballack?!

Three goals scored in the first twenty minutes.

First goal scored of the World Cup: Phillip Lahm 6'

Germany: Phillip Lahm 6', Miroslav Klose 17'
Costa Rica: Wanchope 12'

Information on Wayne Rooney on the ESPN Halftime Report.
Why didn't they air the opening ceremonies?