Ze Germans!

Hey yaars,

Why do they always find a way to prove me wrong. The weaker I think they are, the stronger they turn out to be! I'm going to hear an earful from my cousins in Offenbach over this. Yes, Germany beat Argentina, ON PENALTIES!!!

They were totally outclassed all game yet as always, snuck their way into the match with an 80th minute goal by Miroslav Klose. And of course come penalty kick time they turn into stone cold killers. I just knew when I saw that Ayala was taking a kick he'd flub it - he's a DEFENDER for goodness sake! One thing I've learned over my years of watching footie is that during penalty kicks, you must have a small run up and pick a corner. None of this charging in like a mad bull rubbish!

Anyhow, I'm sure Courtney will let me hear all about it today and how Brazil is going to samba all over Les Bleues tomorrow. If that DOES happen, I owe her a drink! Let's hope Zidane casts another one of his magical spells tomorrow!

Vive le France!!!

Leeeerooooy Jennnkins!

Hey yaars,

Been super busy with work this week. Came home today to find my mother decided to invite two families over for dinner and tea. Which was fine, except they didn't leave till 1. Which would normally be fine if I wasn't scheduled to go to work in less than 8 hours! I'm so screwed!

Oh and the Leroy Jenkins thing is the most hilarious thing I saw today at work. It's evidently a legendary tale of video gaming going wrong. Basically a 'guild' (group of players) plan to 'raid' together, and in the midst of planning this idiot messes up. It's a must watch!



Talk to you later yaars!

Abundantly Talented yet Abundantly Flawed

Hey y'all!

Things have been going swell the last few days. Been pounding away at work at the Cable Box and it's been fun as always. It doesn't hurt that World Cup Football is on and that I find ways to sneak my way near a television set to watch bits and pieces of matches. Now if only I could watch the WHOLE match AND get paid! :P

Today was busy stuffing envelopes with tickets for some people who completed an Ipsos Reid survey. Got to get a gabbing with some of the crew and as always it was entertaining. And because there was a television there I got a chance to not only watch the footie (!), but also in between matches watch old episodes of Saved by the Bell. Why isn't Saturday morning TV as cheesy good anymore?

I'm too tired right now to organize my thoughts into proper paragraphs so here are the odds and ends that I can remember which I thought I'd discuss.....

- Made a bet with my friend of Japanese origin that if Japan beat Brazil this week, I'd become an honourary Japanese supporter for the remainder of the tournament. Though admittedly, I don't know if my gaijin ways would fit in with the crowd!

- I find myself strangely enjoying the Germans play these days. I know I'm suppose to hate them (stupid cheaters robbed Pakistan of the '72 Olympic Mens Field Hockey Gold medal!). For some reason despited usually playing mediocre football, cheating, and playing dirty, they almost ALWAYS find a way to win! These are features I think I shold now be RESPECTING, not trashing! :P

- Ghana has a player named Zanji, which made me chuckle. In Pakistan calling someone with a ji at the end is a sign of respect. And since my brother's name is Zan, I think I know what to get him as a gift. Corny yes, but my brother's such a Black Star!

Beckenbauer?!?

Hey yaars,

Haven't posted in a bit, what with work and the World Cup it's been a bit hectic. Speaking of which, here's my favourite ad that I love watching every few hours. It's by Adidas.



I love the look on the chubby kid's face when a 70s Der Kaiser runs into the slum to play. Absolutely brilliant!

I still haven't found an official team to root for. Some early observations though are as follows:

- The new adidas ball is way too player friendly. It seems like it bends on command and RIGHT into top corners!

- Why is it that regardless of how good or bad their teams are on paper, the Germans always find a way to win! Courtney you cannot say ANYTHING about this!

- Way too many people are getting way too happy after matches! It's one thing if your third world country beat a powerhouse like a Brazil, Argentina, or Italy. But if you've just watched your team eke out a 1-0 victory against the likes of Togo, Angola, or the Ivory Coast, you probably should be taking just a bit of a chill pill!

- National football clubs have the coolest nicknames. The newest one I heard today - Costa Rica's team is known as the Ticos

- From what I understand, Saudi Arabia are like the Chelsea of the Asian football world. Which basically means they throw money at anyone who's willing to play there and eseentially buy Asian cups. Too bad they won't have a chance in hell at paying their players $400,000 each for winning the Cup - because you're more likely to see pigs flying!

Alright, well it's late, and I have to be BACK @ work in less than 9 hours. Talk to y'all soon!

Pain is Temporary, Quitting is Permanent...

G'day mates,

Just came back from a doozy of a get together with a few friends at a place called Tortilla Flats on Queen St. There were about 9 of us and great time was had by all (at least it appeared that way!). It was good to see the crew get together for the first time in a bit and chillax.

So let's sort out the mess of what's been goin' on this week....

- Cousin from my Dad's side just got engaged. Which is so cool. The one part of that family that I can say I'm proud to be related to. Now if only I could find a way to salvage enough dough to get airfare to go to the Land of the Pure.

- Friend and foe alike are reading the blog. I won't drop names, but I should let all know that I DO have a statTracker which records each and every page load by anyone on my blog. Sufficed to say I've noticed a few lurkers who I'm surprised to see reading - or still reading for that matter - my comings and goings. It's all good, I ain't mad at ya, perhaps a bit ired at a few though...

- World Cup begins in T-Minus 12 hours. The teams I've decided to root for...France, Holland, Iran. I'll solidify the team I like after watching them all play a game. This I plan on doing homework on the next few days...If only Pakistan could make a Football World Cup! Can you imagine how crazy I'd be?

- I'm still getting the odd communique with my former acquaintance who seems to be using me for a certain perk I enjoy (nothing like that silly!). I'm thining of a nice way to cut this person off. Any ideas? I'm thinking of a Dave Chappelle like crazy rant!

- My bachelor life clock seems to be ticking. My Mom seriously looks more and more like she wants me betrothed ASAP. I'm thinking this might be the time to introduce her to any friends of mine who bat for the other team. While it would be a hilarious situation, it just might kill her!

- Apparently I would be fully able to pull off wearing a Rocawear jacket. If that's true and none of you would laugh at the sight of this, let me know. I just might have to go the route of H-to-the-Izzo if that's the case!

- All my life both us brothers have been told we look alike. Today I had 3 people say to the contrary. As I said to them, as long as the good looking one is ME, I'm content :P

Alright, I'm bouncing. I'm reading a good book on the politics of baseball and HAVE to get through a chapter for once without falling asleep. It's not that it's a bad book, I'm just always reading it when I'm half asleep! Anyways, to all my cats and dawgs I'll talk to you l8er!

My friendly confines!

Howdy y'all,

My brother just got his instant camera developed of which most of the photos were well crap in my opinion. Who takes a pictures of their new shoes in a box? In any event, some of the photos we took at Wrigley were salvaged. The one above is me and the bro near the "Bartman" seats overlooking the old-fashioned scoreboard. Now if only I could find the Eamus Catuli place!

Yesterday was wickedy wicked as I popped on by the Cable Box and got a chance to see Scotty in shopping action. He took me to stores which actually stocked merch that I previously could only find in Chicago! Stupid Beckenbauer shoes and Holland jacket, I will have you soon enough!

Today's my last day of freedom before 10 days of work (if I really can call it that - it's too fun at times!). Of course I'll have to relish the chance of striking conversation up with my "nemesis". Anyone care to give me a hand? On second thought, from what Cedric tells me, that's probably NOT a good idea :P

Alright, well I'm going back to Queen W. to see what else I MIGHT buy. Talk to y'all later!

Painting the town...bland!

Hey yaars!

Had my first official day off. I've been working every day since I came back from Chicago and just realized why seeing too much of anyone can get to one's nerves. Of course I'm sure the feeling's mutual for quire a few people!

Of course since today was my only day to chillax, my mom decided to do her errands now that her chauffeur's at home. Went to the Pakistani grocer/video store where she got another 4 tape drama serial, then went to the Town Centre. I HATE that I went from shopping at the coolest places to seeing the most boring things in Ghetto Central. What's worse is that everything I've seen is at LEAST 20% pricier up here than back in the Windy City. Stupid Canadian Dollar comes back to bite me in the ass! :P

Went to pick up the bro from work (for the first time in about a month!) at which point my mother decides she needs a bag of onions from the Indian grocer across the street. Half an Hour later sees Zan and I carrying about 40 pounds worth of East Indian groceries. I'll simply say that I was not amused!

Aii, that's it for now. I'll vamos while looking up some World Cup stats for a pool I'm in. Still not sure who to cheer for this time, but I'm thinking I'll go '98 all over again and cheer for Les Bleus (France). Any suggestions people?

L8er g8ers!