World Cup Update
Last night, Solar Plus showed the Ghana vs USA match live at 10 p.m.
It wasn't the game I wanted to see live but I stayed glued to the TV. Nowadays my TV is permanently on Solar Plus and my little condo unit is buzzing with the drone of the commentators annontating the games.

It was an exciting game. Ghana scored twice against the USA. Woohoo!
The first one was a legit goal passing through American goalkeeper Keller's hands. While the second was a dubious penalty that referee Markus Merk from Germany awarded to Ghana. Stephan Appiah, the Ghana captain scored on behalf of this west African nation whose teams goes by the name "Red Devils".
It is refreshing to see other football obsessed nations aside from the usual European/South American teams go through the final 16 round.
Way to go, Ghana!

Since the Italy vs Czech Republic match was also on, I had my computer logged on to the Internet to monitor the live match play by play on the official World Cup website.
I ran up and down the stairs to my bedroom, every 20 minutes to check if Italy had scored against the mighty Czech goalkeeper, Petr Cech.
They did! Marco Materazzi and Filippo Inzaghi netted the ball, twice.
Pavel Nedved with his curly blonde mane from the Czech Republic had his numerous efforts thwarted by Gianluigi Buffon.
The Azzurris, as usual played their defensive game. But Nesta was replaced due to an injury within minutes of the first half, while Francesco Totti only found his bearings in the second half of the game. Italy still won by two goals to zero goal effort by the Czech Republic.

So Italy and Ghana are in for Group E.
Italy whose team members are currently embroiled in a very controversial illegal betting/game fixing scandal would play against Australia on June 26. While Ghana will battle the giant Brazil, the next day June 27.

Later at 3 AM (Saturday) local time, three teams will battle out for the top two positions in Group G. Switzerland, South Korea and my beloved France. Switzerland vs South Korea would just need a draw to reach the next round. While France who plays Togo NEEDS to definitely score at least 2 goals if they want to level the field.
Gosh I'm amazed how lackluster France's performance is in this World Cup. A team composed mostly of aged players who aren't delivering the goods as they are expected to. France are currently in third place in their group standing. It all boils down to how both matches play out later. Very nerve wracking night. Quel horror if France doesn't qualify for a place in the second round.

But my friend Philippe said:
"Attend ce n'est pas fini pour la France, j'espere qu'on va gagner"
("Wait it isn't over for France, I hope we will win." )

How's that for some positive wishful thinking, huh?

Allez les Blues!!!

Funny SMS
Women are like places
Age 15 - 20: Palawan => Virgin & Unexplored.

Age 21 - 42: Boracay => Hot & Exotic.

Age 43 - 54: Manila => Dirty & Polluted.

Age 55 UP: Jolo => Only the brave dare to go!


Yay I'm still hot and exotic! (kuno) =)

A little game
Try playing this game about parking perfection.

Warning:
It is very addictive. Don't play when you are @ work!
I managed till level 3 then I ran over the little doggie!
Teehee. =)

Funny!

His Family, Movies and good food.
Those are just a few of my father's favorite things.
So what better way to spend the day that honors the "padre de familia" than to indulge his whims.
Lunch was at "Chinese Monk" in Rockwell. We feasted on salted fish fried rice, classic pepper steak, seafood hot pot, oyster cake and mango pudding with sago. It was our first time there and we immensely enjoyed their tasty cuisine. Much to our chagrin though we found out it would be closing down by the end of this month. Quel dommage!
The film was a very interesting tale of a bank robbery with a twist. Great cast, excellent script and artfully fluid direction by Spike Lee.
We all had a great time.

I have a deep affectionate bond with my father.
He is my life, my source of inspiration, my everything!
There are not enough words in the dictionary to express my sentiments towards my father. So I won't even attempt to make this post, an emotional tribute to my Dad. The only guy in my life I love unconditionally far and beyond the edge of this vast universe.
I'm glad, Father's Day was indeed a happy one. =)

Situation # 2334 a guy might come in handy
Normally I stay in during Saturdays and Sundays to avoid the maddening crowd at malls.
Today, I ventured out for the following reasons:

A dermatologist appointment.

A quick trip to AAP (Automobile Association of the Philippines) to get my sister's car registration papers.

Lunch at my parents' place. To my utter delight I found out that their Japanese channel broadcasts live World Cup games. Yay! I'd probably spend the quarterfinals week over there.

We went to the Shang Cineplex to watch another French film ("Nouvelle France") which was entirely in English.

Grocery shopping

Suffice to say it was a long day and I'm exhausted.
We got back home, parked the car then had one last item to do before we could rest our weary bodies.
Place the new '06 car stickers on the license plate of the car.
A rather simple task:
1) Take off screws of the plastic cover both front and back.
2) Place aforementioned stickers.
3) Reattach plastic covers

So why did it take us almost 2 hours?
Because the lighting was pretty bad, the tiny screws kept falling on the floor, the little flashlight needed new batteries, the first time we reattached the plastic covers the screws won't fit.

Times like that I wished we had some willing human of the male variety to help us with such "manly" tasks.

Or do we?

We did get it done, after all. =)

Pleasant distractions
Aside from the normal work load and the usual errands (grocery shopping, bills payments, bank transactions) this past week has been mainly consumed with zombie like tendencies towards 2 things:
1) Watching French movies at the Edsa Shang Cineplex.
2) FIFA World Cup.

Factor in the fact that I've been pigging out way too much by eating out almost daily (Little Asia in Greenhills, Teriyaki Boy, House of Minis [steaks], Jollibee). Then because I'm so matakaw, I stuff myself with Boy Bawang corniks while watching the games.

So.
I get by on few hours of sleep.
I feel my jeans tighten from overeating.

But.
I'm also hoarse from cheering on my favorite teams.
I dream in French with English subtitles.
That is, if I do remember le reve when I wake up.

Throughout the numerous things that beg for my short attention span, I find comfort in looking at my computer's wallpaper. A picture I took of the Koi pond at the Boracay Regency hotel, last April. It momentarily relaxes me amidst the mayhem and chaotic aura of my soul.



Yes this is nothing but a vain attempt to post a picture with my blog entry. Nice picture though, n'est pas? =)

World Cup Fever
I guess I'm a select few who is caught up in the frenzy of the FIFA World Cup in Germany.
I watch all the features about it.
On different channels like CNN, BBC, Solar Entertainment, DW TV (Germany), TV 5 (France) even Arirang (Korea).
I catch a few matches on Solar Channel.
That is when they decide to broadcast them.
Usually the games are shown a day behind.
The live matches are on channel 67 of my TV.
But it is pay for view (you pay P6000 for all the games) I get clear audio but the visual is scrambled.
I listen for a few minutes till the distorted pictures give me a headache. Then I switch the TV off because it's already 4 A.M.

Here are some of my observations:
1) Familiar names and faces have moved on to being coaches. Juergen Klinsmann for Germany and Marco Van Basten for Holland.
2) Ghana was a revelation. They really rallied and gave Italy a fair fight. They continuously attacked and tested the impenetrable Italian defense.
3) The Azzuris (Italians) are in good form. I noticed most of the players have shaved heads. Cannavaro, Totti and even Del Piero are sporting the "Jarhead" look.
4) There is a big controversy about the ball being designed in a different way. It makes it harder for the goal keepers to catch.
5) I still don't like the English team, never did. :D
6) I like the all yellow outfits of the Swedish team. They look like giant bananas in perfect contrast with the green soccer field.
But why oh why did Henrik Larssen shave off his gorgeous dreadlocks??? He still has a beautiful face, though. ;)
7) Ronaldo looks fat and sluggish. Brazil seemed a bit off their game but maybe it is just a warm up and we can expect a lot more from them.
8) Zisou Zidane, Thierry Henry and Fabian Barthez are still in top shape and playing for Les Blues (France). Yay!
9) The game has really evolved with the help of modern technology. Now we can see instant replays from different angles. The referees are armed with a device attached to their jaw and earphones so they can communicate.

Ooops France vs Switzerland is now on.
Allez la France!

I'm logging off.