Word Quota

Krystle read somewhere that women have a "word-quota". Prolly from Men are from Mars... Anyway, it is certainly true of my mum. She talks a lot, more so to people who she hasn't seen in a while, more so to relatives, and more so to those listening!

While I'm sitting here chillin, it suddenly occurs to me my mum has been talking to me for more than an hour!! I don't think I've said ANYTHING!! lols... (well not really, I'm chuckling quietly to myself while she keeps talking). Crazyness. My mum can be pretty funny by her oddly percieved existence alone.

In other 'Words' I am desperately hoping to sit down and write this year. I've got Fridays and Weekends off, until I ask for more work and the soccer season starts up respectively. I will probably need to get some more work in the immediate future seeing my costs have risen dramatically thanks to my $1100 insurance excess. Took the car to get repaired this morning, and transferred cars (driving Steph's while she's in Melb) and soccer gear to storage temporarily. Also delivered a letter to Dad for mum and sat and watched the more graphically intense scenes from Star Wars Episode 1 on my dad's new freakin huge Sony Wega 50' tv! I've been telling him to get an HD box. TV will look so sexy then. One day in the now distant future I will enter HD land myself. Until then I can visit SD land at Amy's place in Sydney and read the travel brochure to HD land.

WWJD?

Speaking of cars, What indeed Would Jesus Drive?
I think it's supposed to be "What Would Jesus Do?" but funny none the less.
Check it - here

Stung by a BeeMW

Then I smashed the Bee. After I hit the BMW. How annoying!

So to recap, Tuesday after work, and on the way to training I hit a BMW outside Macca's in the City. It was annoying. I was at fault so I'm gonna cop a hefty excess + under 24 years excess (by 6 months!).

Then at training to compound my annoyance, a Bee stung me on my toe. Which I then drove into the ground with my foot.

Metaphoric indeed. No real damage, just annoyance, inconvenience and frustrating.

Bitter Pill

I hurt myself in the rain,
and for a moment I looked away,
and they said, 'Take this'.
A tiny pill,
so light I could barely feel it,
no smell, nor taste to distinguish it,
from the clean air.

Warm inside,
protected and hidden,
it sprouts a tiny stem,
and pokes it's head gently into the world,
and chirps rudely.

I chide it and push it back,
sure that I am stronger,
and continue down the path,
striding with a pebble in my boot.

Then it finds a friend,
and another,
and another.
Behind my back,
beneath my skin,
I am strong enough.

Travelling together,
but seperate,
I was unaware.
Naive to nature,
now I run toward my goals,
and put other pains aside.
I am single minded.

The goal is behind me,
and I search the crossroads wary.
That tiny seed has taken root,
and grown a vile weed.
A bitter pill is turned to cud,
and contaminates my bowl.
The dish I've made myself?

Can I stomach the gruel?
Is there a light through the shroud?
Or is the garden lost, and I expelled,
never to see that shore again.
Not here.
In the pit of my stomach is the root,
and it's thorny branches twist up my throat from within,
stinging with small barbs,
the blood pooling,
my voice drowning.
And then violent vines,
creep, and choke,
and starve my passion to death.

Soccatime 5

Bit tired and not in the mood to reiterate, but basically. Stunning game for a grandfinal, resulting in no less than 9 goals including my solo dribble from halfway wondergoal! :D

I had fun this year in summer comp. Lianne and Cassie were annoyed that they never got the ball passed to them enough, and that is a fair criticism. I on the other hand enjoyed the lightness of the games, able to have an enjoyable jog, and the final 2 games especially were played in a very good spirit and I enjoyed that. Losing sucked, but we only lost twice :).

Socca Time

Socca Time is my favorite time.
This week I've got 5 soccatimes.

Soccatime1: Men's preseason (below)

Soccatime2: Women's preseason. Honestly, I was a bit annoyed not to know the coaching line up until I turned up. More annoyed to see Chris return, as 2'nds coach. And probably cause I was already annoyed, annoyed that the new Premier League coach seems to hardly have convincing qualifications. Obviously I am the best coach! Training itself was smooth, and I'm glad that someone else (Chris) understands the benefit of light, game based coaching, even if it might be by accident! ;) The new prems coach began with a useless dribble excercise, traditional "line-up and wait" drills before a game. Honestly, people do these courses but go home to their clubs and do the same old crap.

Soccatime3: Men's preseason - continued with intense game based drills with success. Another benefit of these types of drills is it gives me more time to see players performing under pressure in game type situations. Ranse and Tristan thought training wasn't up to scratch. I expected that from Tristan. Quality is decent and a frame of a team is already visible. The players from last years teams and the rush of O-week'ers flooding in is yet to occur.

Soccatime4: Summer comp final league game 1 v 3. A cracking game! And all the emotion of soccer is returning. A must win game to guarantee a grand-final berth and a crack at the alcomohols. They were an excellent match for us and the first half ended 0-0 although we didn't really create much with a strong wind against us. The second half was a completely different affair! The wind died down, so no advantage, but I had the misfortune to be at fault for their opening goal. After leaving defense to make an option for a throw in, I let myself be dispossesed, couldn't retrieve possession and 1-0. It feels crap to be at fault and I didn't want to leave the field without making up for it. But after a quick attack, I subbed myself and was left forlorn on the sideline. Luckily I would vindicate myself with a large hand in our equaliser. We won a corner and I delivered the PERFECT cross, right onto Adam's head, who leapt well to power a header into the top of the net! And yes! I meant it! That's why I'm so proud of it! Unfortunately we conceded shortly afterwards. With adequate numbers in defence, a goal mouth scramble ended in another goal for them, and what was potentially the winner. Micheal(Matt, Mark?!) had a stab at goal from the kick-off and OH so nearly scored a beautiful equaliser! But their female keeper managed to parry the speculative lob. We scored again in fortuitous circumstances. After the ref had waved play on after various small fouls and handballs (I was guilty of one), he finally blew us a penalty for handball. Adam stepped up, and tucked an unconvincing penalty away cooly. Finally to add high drama, with the FINAL KICK OF THE GAME, Adam completed his hat-trick with a close finish!

Now here's the epilogue! Soccatime5 is tomorrow - the Summer Comp final. If we won the game, we would be in the grand-final. If we drew or lost, we miss out because althoguh equal on points with the team we played, they hold superior goal advantage over us. However, my initial understanding, and that of at least one team-mate on the sideline, was that their second goal had come from a female player! And hence counted for 2 goals, and meant we ended drawn. BUT! the referee told us he had recorded the score as 3-2 in our favour! Was he aware of the 2 double goal rule? Or had, as rumour abounded, one of their male players claimed the goal, and maybe even honestly?! Well, we will find out tomorrow when we discover which final we are drawn in! A cracking game that would have made a good grand final!

OTHER STUFF
----------------
5 Soccatimes and 6 days of work sux (while I'm at work that is!). Finally decided on my uni timetable, Monday and Wednesday. Leaving Tuesday and Thursday to work and maybe Fridays too. This semester is looking potentially hectic, with 4 training sessions per week + 2 days uni + 2 days work + 2 matches on the weekend. I think I will reward myself with a month on a beach in Thailand in winter! ...Assuming I can get out of debt by then! (1 dollar is enough, then I can go and rack up another huge debt to occupy me in the second half of the year!)

Man bags are gay

Man bags are gay! Wanna know what else is gay? check it out - here

Kudos to Luke who found it... cause he's gay! :P

Pre-Season

So. Game on. Day 1 of 5 days of football and I already have massive blisters on both feet :/ alas!
Got my gear, and was given a group of players, and then I was alone.

The start was a bit annoying, having only just got my gear I still had to pump up the balls, and didn't really expect to be left alone for my first preseason (I've never really run a pre-season training- haven't played in one for 2 years, and was injured during women's pre-season last year). In the end though, it was for the best, as it forced me to do my own thing, which I did. While the other squads did traditional fitness drills, basic passing and then onto a game, I jumped straight into small sided game training, and then a 3 man free form attack exercise before a game. More touch, more movement, more decision making. I am teh uberest of coaches.

The talent looked decent. Of the 13 players available, 10 were new, and the squad was good enough to build on already. When the rush of players from O-week and both last years 7's squads rock up next week I'll have to have a closer eye on selection. Not having another 7's team to compete with for squad selection will make things easier in terms of taking the best, but harder in terms of more people who I know (well...know me :S) having to be cut. Overall I'm optimistic for a smooth pre-season, hopefully a few train-on players even, and a kick ass, league smashing season!

14

Do you remember happy smiles?
Or only bitter tears?
The splendid days before and after
the worst of any year?

Did you take joy in summer's wake?
Asleep with soft rose petal.
Or bitter hate and malice great,
sheath your heart in metal..

Last Weekend in Sydoney

So here I am in Sydoney again. Stayin at Amy's joint which is a little less barren of furniture from last time. Up shopping with Steph, not that I can really afford to buy anything. But when has that stopped me in the past? Was about to get a toiletries bag but resisted and came home empty handed. Went to the DFO at Homebush today. Twas small and not busy. Gonna swing by Birkenhead Point tomorrow which has traditionally been a happy hunting ground for me in the past.

Thursday's soccer was lame. Got our asses kicked. I played crap. I gotta pass the freakin ball more. Survived a strong challenge, identical to the one that crippled me except for in strength.

Saw Jarhead tonight. An interesting, if personally ungratifying war film. I'll elaborate later. Tryin to make this trip relaxing if possible. I'm over work. I'm over not having time. Maybe, hopefully, I'll be more encouraged to make better use of it from now on.

Monday marks the beginning of the soccer pre-seasons. The next monday, University. Possibly, probably, hopefully my last semester.

Grats to luke, whom VJ informs me cleaned up and placed a commendable and highly unexpected 2nd in the Canberra Casino Poker tournament! Big up you bro.

Adieu, Le Futbol

Off to the PFA Football Conference in Sydney tonight for a 9am start tomorrow, followed by Sydney FC v Adelaide in the evening. Then another 2 days of football lectures then home Sunday night for work on monday.

My bro 'borrowed' $100 for a tyre. What a bum. And I know he's not going to pay his fine at the local DVD joint, under my name I add. Bum.

I'm takin my time at getting out of debt. I'm spending reasonably freely, and very tempted to throw $140 at a Wacom 4'x5' writing tablet, $90 for 3 months of DVD unlimited subscription and another $90 for a new desk chair. Alas. If I get reimbursement for the Conference sooner than later my bottom line will look slightly more flattering.

Was trying to churn out my movie reviews today but have lost steam after 1 and a half. Later will get up Memoirs of a Geisha (great), Domino (average) and The Producers (particular taste).

My award predictions for Munich were a little off. I was right for Director, Score, Film, and Adaptation. But not Actor (Bana), Design (Art Direction), or Cinematography. It was also nominated for editing.

In other nominations, Heath Ledger got up for Actor, another Aussie for Cinematography in Geisha which was beautiful. Capote has swooped all the lesser gongs (SAG, GG etc) but will probably only get a major release here if it wins a heap of the big ones it appears. North Country got Actress and Supporting Actress (Theron and Frances McDormand) and released today with little hype. Theron's Aeon Flux, which garnered no nominations, has however had a steady build up of advertising. For some reason, Gay Cowboys isn't showing in Canberra yet. Maybe there was only so many reels available, and the more profitable Australian screens in Syd and Melb recieved priority, given the high expectations of the movie in Australia with Ledger on the news every night! See the full list here.

Incidently I saw and reviewed all 3 movies nominated for Best Animated Feature Film - Corpse Bride, Howl's Moving Castle and Wallace and Grommit. I think Wallace will win, it was a fantastic film!

Oh yeah. Finally copped the $145 fine for ridin the tram in melbourne minus a ticket. :(

MOVIE REVIEW: Shopgirl (Brief)

Starring Clare Danes, Jason Schwartzman and writer Steve Martin. Light, but meaningful drama.

Very good movie, with crisp, pretty direction. Danes is exceptional.

I didn't really like Martin's heavy narration, but I expect it is an element from the novella. Schwartzman is cute and Martin obviously knows the charachter he plays (he did write it, and no doubt based it on himself).

I ought to add more but I'm out of energy. This was a good movie.

MOVIE REVIEW: The Legend of Zorro

A poor sequel. Let down by a flimsy script and consequently average performances.

Which is a shame, because it looked the goods. Two of the primary actors returned in Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta Jones, to combine with the original director, Martin Campbell. Production design and quality was largely high, although took unexpected and sudden dips in scenes near the end, culminating in a particularly 1990's quality CG explosion, despite previous fantastic explosions in other sequences in the film. I guess their gunpowder budget ran out...

The script is what led to the major let down. The cleverness of the first movie was how it combined two seperate but equally important story lines for the main charachters, Zorro Snr and Jnr, while they fought the villain for 'the people'. The parallel stories of family were the motivators for the interesting intersecting charachters portrayed by Banderas and Anthony Hopkins. This time though, the script was comparatively flimsy, and only had the single main 'evil villain' story line and the motivations of the primary charachters was largely underdeveloped and unrealistic. Futher more, Banderas' Zorro this time around had no mentor, a particularly successful element of the first movie, but in a terrible attempt to increase his dialogue, Banderas ends up speaking to his horse for a large parts of the film! Similarly Zeta-Jones' charachter is also often alone, and because of the singular direction from the perspective of Zorro, her scenes are devoid of emotion and intensity. There are plenty more problems, first and foremost being that the story is shite! People being enslaved is worth Zorro's trouble. Preserving the democratic process is a stretch! The villainous 'conspiracy' was ridiculous, plastic explosives are hardly terrifying, and why are there chinese bomb makers working indoors, at night, wearing huge rice paddy hats?!