Three - nil

Oh, the pain. The US team played its opener, and boy, did they stink. American sportscasters were crowing, oh they should beat this Czech Republic team 2 to 1, or some such. Yeah, right. They were completely outplayed. I mean, utterly and beyond doubt. This is the most resounding defeat in the entire tournament so far. Australia kicked Japan's butt just prior to the US humiliation; Australia has never even scored in the World Cup, and they trounced Japan 3 - 1. The difference here, of course, is that NO ONE NOTICED; the entire country does not come to a standstill when our team is playing. Ah, well. It is huge fun watching the coverage on Univision - I learned all kinds of things this morning, how to make Mexican-style sushi, for example (pooey on the raw fish thing, use a nice roasted jalapeno instead, oh yeah)(and maybe some rare steak). And Mexico looks pretty damn good (and they won handily, too). Mexico (clap clap clap)! Mexico (clap clap clap)! We're groovin'. I also learned the nifty catchphrase "Sabia Usted que" delivered with face into camera and enormous sing-song voice. Apparently this is a regular feature of the zany guy on Despierta. And that thing a lot of demonstrators were yelling during the immigration protests, "Si Se Puede"? Er, it's a football cheer. Also Univision shows the playing of the national anthems of both countries prior to the match. It's quite moving. ESPN showed the US one, then cut to commercial (who would care about some other country, after all). Blah.

Yes, Kat, the England result was a win, but the consensus (as you note) was that it was a rubbish match. One essentially accidental goal in the second minute, followed by 88 minutes of playing out the clock and holding onto their lead. Phooey. But at least they won. "They just aren't getting the ball to Landon Donovan," whine, whine - well Mr. Donovan is supposed to GO GET THE BALL HIS OWN BLOODY SELF.

Yes, Lucia, the Red Sox comparison was carefully chosen - it is EXACTLY like what happens when Boston does well, and the fans start to think, hey we may actually go all the way this year, and then something totally idiotic happens and the fans are crushed. That's precisely what the England team does in the World Cup. Scrapping away, fighting their hearts out two men down, and they make an own goal and lose the rest on penalty kicks. Oh, it's so so familiar you'd just be sick.

Okay, so I'm clearly really only capable of the most mindless knitting. Yes! Knitting! Let's forget all about that crap football!

I've gotten this far with the lovely green sock yarn from Lis at Yarn Botanika (thanks again! it's so soft!):



And here's where we are on the STR socks:



And the sleeves on the sweater made out of the yarn that makes me faint (yes, the malabrigo) (swoon, thud) (damn):



And we got a catalog in today's mail, with the ugliest hats I've ever seen. Oldest daughter said, "they put the 'ass' back in 'class.'" Scary stuff:



Last but definitely not least, the mailman also brought a simply stunning card from my swap partner in Tasmania. Thank you so much! Not shown is the inside, with fascinating pictures of Tasmania from 100 years ago, and a lovely pin. Lookit: