The World Cup 2010: The ups and downs

I cannot believe that I have not been going through the journey of the world cup at a more regulated, continuous time. It is rather disappointing as I have had triumphs and let downs throughout this world cup. Some of the let downs were expected ones. I did not think that Switzerland and Japan would go very far but was hoping that they would still go further then they have before. Now before the negative, let me tell YOU about Switzerland and what I find to be the triumph of the nation, in terms of World Cup football (soccer). They were to play against Spain, and totally expected to lose. Commentators did not even have words to say about the Swiss they were so confident in Spain's ability to cream them. Can I just say that my status before the game remarked: "may Switzerland surprise everybody". I can tell you they did exactly that! Was a highly defensive game for Switzerland. That was their aim and goal. It was not a game of many goals and all, but we sure did kept those Spaniards from hitting target! (Kudos to our Swiss goalie). Now the moment of surprise...just wait....there is a scramble near the Spanish goal...and one of our Swiss players get out of the scramble with the ball and shoots it in!!! I did not even jump up right away because I was in shock. I waited till the scoreboard showed that Switzerland had one point and Spain 0. I was screaming, jumping up and down, going around in circles, totally elated at the fact that we had a one lead over Spain, the European Champions! Boy did we show them!! We stayed the amazing defensive wall and Spain never scored on us. We shocked the world of football (soccer)!! I like that Switzerland did that. Yes, later on they were not able to get past the group stage, but I do think that everyone remembered Switzerland and their shocking win against Spain. May I add that Switzerland also holds the record in the World Cup of the longest time of not conceding a goal. Yes, we are good at defense. Hopefully next time we will work on our offensive end of the game.

Japan also did well. Japan surprised the World Cup and actually got past the group stage, which on foreign soil that was a first. The game that Japan played against Denmark was a beautiful game that emphasized team work and surprise. Two free kicks given to Honda and Endo, both of them were able to score! First time in 36 years that that has happened! Unfortunately I was not able to watch Japan's last game, as I was at work, but later heard and saw the news of Japan's loss. Can I just say that Penalty kicks are a lousy way of winning? Very unfortunate way to lose and there is so much pressure on the goalie, I do not know how they keep it together. The whole weight of the team is on the goalie's shoulder. I think there should be some other way to break a tie than penalty kicks. This should not be on the goalie's shoulder alone. That does not speak team to me, but pressure from the team. How awful the goalie must feel when the PK's determine their loss. Your country is expecting and you alone were the one that determined their loss. The blaming that could ensue. To be a goalie they must be very strong and confident in their character. I have much respect for goal keepers. It is a high calling within the football (soccer) world.

I was cheering for Portugal because I like their team. They got fourth place in 2006 and I was hoping that this year they could get that far if not further. They would have been a surprise if they got up there. Unfortunately the way grouping went and how the group stage games were played, they were put to play with Spain in the round 16 stage. Spain is number 2 in the world and Portugal is number 3 in the world. I think it is sad that they had to meet them this early in the tournament. If they were placed elsewhere I think they would have still been in the Championship and would go much further into the championship. As it is, they did not get through.

Good news though! Brazil is still in the game and going strong!!! I cannot wait to see them proceed further into the Championship! They play so beautifully, they are like a well oiled machine. Great teamwork, footwork, their passing to each other is fast and smooth, and they are fast. They are a wonderful team to watch. I do not think anyone can argue that. They do tend to complain more then needs be sometimes though. Viva Brasil!!!

Lets see how this whole Championship ends up now.

If I Were To Write a Song about Job Hunting

If I Were To Write a Song on the Piano about Job Hunting it would sound something like this:

-Frustration ebbed into the expressions of the music
-Anger coming fourth through the pounding of the fingers
-The song would be slow (indicating the process and time it takes before a job might come)
-The frustration and anger would also play out in the fast, intense parts of the song
-It would not be a short song
-Definitely played in a minor key (aka not a happy song)
-There would be dissonance in the notes played
-Some motifs in the song would fail to finish just like many jobs fail to happen
-there would be many sad motifs for the disappointments presented in job hunting
-and until a job is found, the song will never end in victory
-once a job is found, then it will end in a victorious note
-the one playing the song must wear a suit as if in an interview
-parts of the musical story would include a dialogue as if in a continuous interview
-the player must at random points in the song portray crying, either verbally or through the piano
-there will be a lot of the lower bass played in the song as it is dark and daunting
-it is okay if the piano is out of tune as that would represent the lack of money for job hunting people

Comment if you can find more to put on this list. I think I am going to write an improve song for job hunting experience.

A house made for art

I enjoy a house where I can set up the table with my art and dedicate the space to my art. I would not have to set down all my art supplies but keep them handy on the table for me to pick up and draw or paint a picture just like that :). Well tonight I enjoyed being able to do that and for a weeks time I will have a table dedicated to my art and will not use it for anything else. Once I get my own place I will find a room where it can be my art studio. If I could do that now and know that my art would sell then I would go ahead and find my own place and set up shop. Maybe I won't be a starving artist all the time.

Surprises in the World Cup

I am hoping for a World Cup full of surprises. We already have one or two surprises. England did not win the game against USA, which was unexpected as England is typically the better team. The goal that America made was a fortunate goal, not a beautiful goal like England made. The next surprise was Japan (Nippon) WINNING in their game against Cameroon. This was not expected and what the commentators said to be "the biggest upset of the World Cup so far". Not a big upset for me :) :) I am glad for Japan. I do not know how far they will go but they do have 3 points and so lets just hope they do well by either equalizing or winning their next games. :) I hope that either an underdog gets up there or a good team but not the expected top team be in the championship. I am thinking Portugal would be a great surprise. If it does have to be a top team I am hoping Brazil or Germany. I am hoping that Italy vs. Paraguay stays equalized, so that does not give Italy a lot of points but just one point. If Italy wins this World Cup they would be equal in Championships with Brazil and I do not want that to happen. Of course this is my opinion. I do love watching the World Cup!! Let's see what other surprises come about in this 2010 World Cup in South Africa! :) I am anticipating Switzerland vs. Spain. I will be wearing my Swiss shirt and cheering crazy. I hope this is a surprise with Switzerland doing well.

World Cup 2010 Anticipation and Preparation!!

The anticipation for the World Cup 2010 has me putting into my phone calendar the days and times of the games I want to watch! I wonder how this World Cup will turn out. My experience of the world cups in the past, it is a bunch of roller coaster rides with the teams one cheers for, but yet it is worth following the teams you cheer for. I do not have just one team I am cheering for. I have one I would like to win, but seeing how some valuable players are injured, I am doubting the possibility. I am hoping that I do not get extremely upset over the outcomes of games when they are not going the way I hoped. I get really competitive and involved in whatever game I watch. I have to watch myself. Oh I am looking forward to some AMAZING goals!!! And goal saves!!! One thing I have noticed about the World Cup is that the really good players that everyone knows about tend to have two or three opponents on them and so you do not see the amazing football moves they are known for. It can be frustrating but then there are also good moments. Altogether a great experience. The time zone is not as crazy as last time. Four years ago I was in Japan and we would wake up at 4 to watch a game if we had to. My family is pretty dedicated to this. I am more then the rest of my family. I remember when I was in younger elementary grade, my parents would wake us all up at 4 in the morning and have us watch the World Cup championship. I know it was Brazil in the Championship and that was one of the years that they won!! We were happy! I remember that time still. Lets just say we love football (Real Football)(What America calls Soccer). Well I will probably be writing more on this as the journey of World Cup 2010 progresses (or regresses depending on what teams end up on top).

One of those days

I just have had one of those days where everything just does not go the way you wished. It feels like sinking into sand slowly but surely. Hopefully tomorrow goes better. With this economy and my current situation and the possibility of being a "delay fish" I have a hard time talking to my parents, because the whole conversation revolves around jobs and whether I got one or have been working to try to find one. I miss the conversations where I can talk about my day and what I like and enjoy. Makes me not want to call them. I decided I would anyways, and I got into the predicted conversation I knew would happen, getting the full brunt of frustration and criticism from their end. Just as I predicted. Go figure. I am tired, I might have checked out. Maybe that is wrong. I will get through. One day at a time.....

Am I a Delay Fish?

When I get asked the question "What are you up to?" "What are you doing?" I think to myself. What am I really doing? Really what is being asked is what the heck are you doing with your life? At this moment I have no response to these questions....I am at a standstill in my life and I really wonder when things will pick up and move on for me. I would be what people would call a delay fish (Oh I love Dory) That is how I feel I am delaying myself and yet I do not get myself out of this place in my life. I have the power to get out and yet I stay. I think it is the artist in me, trying to hold on to the idea that my talent and gifts will be how I earn my way in life....but really and truly I am a starving artist....just in denial and holding onto hope that my art will pull through for me. I guess I could answer to the question "What are you up to?" with "I am very involved in my art and music and loving it!!" I am truly loving being involved in my art and music!! The rest of my life at the moment is a bit more tough to answer about. I answer with "Nothing" (Not very promising) I guess I can go from saying "Nothing" to saying "Art! That is what I am doing." Hopefully they won't probe into that more....something will happen I know....just at a standstill....hopefully won't be for very long.