May 30, 2006
Moonlighting
The World Cup is shaping up to be a pretty busy period for us this year, with TWO teams to support (Australia AND the Netherlands) in the first round. Luckily we have Jacob to train us into the broken nights and lack of sleep which he has been doing with gusto lately, having discovered a new fear-of-the-dark. His current obsession with bears, monsters and dinosaurs might have something to do with it.
Because of course THAT is the nub from this end of the world, the WK is generally a midnight-to-five-a.m. affair. At least if you want to see the matches live. Ron's boss is German, his account manager Italian and the rest seem to be barracking for Australia so I don't think he needs to worry about being the only one turning up bleary-eyed each day. I've re-assured him by explaing that this happens in offices Australia-wide every year with Wimbledon and Cricket Test Matches where midnight to dawn viewing is maintained for nights on end. No one in Melbourne, where liking sport is practically compulsory, will ever hold it against him.
Here is our viewing schedule for the first round:
June 11th 11.00pm Netherlands vs Serbia Montegnegro
June 12th 11.00pm Australia vs Japan
After this civilized start to the tournament the pace starts hotting up;
June 17th 1.30a.m. Netherlands vs Cote d'Ivoire
June 19th 1.30a.m Australia vs Brazil
June 22nd 4.30a.m. Netherlands vs Argentina
June 23rd 4.30a.m. Australia vs Croatia
Just before we first went to the Netherlands in 2000 I accompanied Ron to a Sports Cafe to watch Italy vs Netherlands in the match that we now refer to as the 'the-dutch-can't-kick-penalties-match'. It finished just before 5.00a.m. so we went and had breakfast and several strong coffees before going straight on to work. Just like everyone else who attended. At least this time we get to watch the matches at home and for free all free on our best public broadcasting television station SBS. Excellent preparation was also provided by SBS with Nerds FC.
Posted by Faith