The 298th last day of my 20s

My dad loves penalty shoot-outs. He loves the drama, the spectacle, the fact that the whole match hinges on a single moment. He was really excited about watching the first one of the World Cup last night, with Japan bowing out against Paraguay.

Myself, I hate them. I reckon they can find a less cruel method of finding a winner after an extra-time dead-lock. Maybe they should line up the players on the halfway line and get them to take turns hitting each other in the face until only one side is still standing. Or maybe they should be allowed to use their hands after the second extra-time. Or maybe they should just let them play extra-time ad infinitum until one team scores. That's what happened at Wimbledon, and everyone loved that match.

It looks like we're going to sign Laurent Koscielny after all. He's another French player I've never heard of, cheaply bought from an obscure club, with a good season at a weaker league. He's a bit of a gamble, and I'd rather we went for a defender that everyone rates, but if Wenger thinks that Koscielny is worth it, why not? Wenger's still got a great eye for talent.

So on the 298th last day of my 20s, I skipped Spain versus Portugal in favour of more sleep. I'd drunk too much coffee the day before, and couldn't get to sleep. Because I couldn't sleep much last night, I ended up drinking more coffee at work today...which will mean a shortened night of sleep tonight... which means more coffee tomorrow... which is the beginning of a tortuous cycle of a World Cup fuelled by caffeine fumes.

Hands off our youngsters, Capello!

"Jack Wilshere is an interesting player, who is very good. Kieran Gibbs is another. I hope some good young players will be okay in the next six months."

- Fabio Capello, with a rapacious eye on our youngsters

Fabio Capello wants fresh blood in his England side for the Euro qualifiers. He's identified some promising Arsenal youngsters who can help England move past the traumas of the Golden Generation. I'm not sure we should be that happy about it. If you consider the scrutiny that England players receive, and combine it with the pressure that a fresh batch of debutants would be under, you've got the ideal conditions to nurture a whole set of England neuroses.

I'm kind of hoping that Capello will leave our youngsters alone. I don't want to see the tabloids slamming Jack Wilshere for having a dip in form. I don't want to see them blaming Kieran Gibbs for a defensive lapse which led to a conceded goal. I've heard first-hand the kind of vitriol that Theo Walcott gets from Ingerlandish Mancs, and I don't want the rest of our kids getting that kind of abuse. I just want our players to be nurtured at the Colney creche for another few years, learn how to be nice boys like Theo, and then get their spirits crushed with unrealistic expectations from their fans. THAT's the Arsenal way.

I'm not sure why I'm watching World Cup matches anymore. I don't remember them. I got up this morning to watch Brazil vs Chile, and by the end of the day, I'd forgotten the match. When I watched the highlights in the evening, I didn't know who had scored, nor how. Each goal was a surprise. It's a bit of a concern, but still, one must press on.

So on the 299th last day of my 20s, I worked, came home, really want to sleep. Think I'm coming down with a cold. Got to get up tomorrow at 4am for Spain vs Portugal. One of these days, the enormous population of East Asia will mean that every other World Cup will be held in either China or Japan, and I'll be able to watch it during sensible hours. I just wish that those days will come sooner rather than later.

England out of the World Cup

"It's no shame to concede 4 goals to Germany... as we found out."

- anonymous Aussie guy talking to SBS news about the Germany vs England match

I had two patients today, one English, and the other German. I asked them about the Germany vs England 2nd round match. The Englishman lamented the disallowed Lampard goal, saying that England was level with Germany until that moment, but fell apart afterwards. The German also said that Lampard's goal should've stood, but that it wouldn't have mattered anyway because England were crap.

It's strange how you can get such contrasting opinions about the same match.

I'm glad that England are out. In the World Cup, I support three teams: Australia, Argentina and Anyone But England. While Australia didn't get past the group stage, and Argentina are on the difficult side of the draw, at least Anyone But England managed to put Ingerland to the sword. It's always a good tournament when England gets thumped in the knock-out rounds. It's even better when there's an unjust refereeing decision. About the only thing that would've made this result even better would be if Terry broke down and cried again. But then I suppose that's asking for a bit too much.

I didn't watch the match, by the way. Like the rest of the world, I was more interested in Argentia vs Mexico. It was a shame that the referee allowed the Tevez offside goal. It knocked the stuffing out of Mexico, probably contributed to the ghastly defensive error that led to Higuan's goal, and ruined the match as a competitive contest. Mexico played well. I was impressed by Hernandez; his goal was superbly taken, and Man Utd have a hell of a player on their hands.

I've got the feeling that Argentina have a chance in this World Cup. They're brilliantly attacking, defensively solid, play with passion and flair, and when on form, they're completely crazy. But most of all, they're lucky. You need a fair slice of luck to win the World Cup, and Argentina have it spades.

So on the 299th last day of my 20s, I went to work, worked, and drank a lot of coffee to keep awake. I bought a big tin of instant during my lunch break, didn't bother with a spoon and poured it straight from tin. The first cup of coffee was so black and thick it looked like a pint of Guinness. Tasted a bit like a Guinness. I hope it's just as good for me as well.

Eduardo's leaving

So Eduardo's leaving the Arsenal. It's sad, but he never really recovered from his injury. Lack of confidence, lack of match sharpness, recurring injuries - it's something that won't get better unless he's given more time in the middle. He's better off playing a solid year of football at a weaker club, building up match fitness.

The other problem is that he doesn't really fit into a 4-3-3. He doesn't have the physicality to play as the lone striker. And he doesn't have the pace for the outside forward positions. He's a goal-poach who can dribble a bit and play dinky little passes. He needs to play in a 4-4-2.

I'm really looking forward to Argentina versus Mexico tonight. It's going to be a great match. I'm wondering if we should've bought dos Santos when he left Barcelona. I know he flopped at Tottenham, but he's not bad with Mexico. Him and Vela would've been alright with us.

So on the 300th last day of my 20s I watched (500) days of summer. It's a great film about infatuation, love, disintergration. Really enjoyed it; it's truthful and awkward and very, very funny. Maybe it's because I'm just a sucker for non-linear rom-coms, because I also thought great things about Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind.

It stars Zooey Deschanel. I'm completely in love with Zooey Deschanel's characters. She always seems to play manic pixie dream girls. I especially love the way her character's introduced in the film - average height, average weight, in every way an average girl, but there's this certain something about her that every adult male has experienced at least once in his lifetime. Something I'm all too familiar with.

Some crap I wrote on another blog

I'm pretty tired at the moment, and can't be arsed writing anything. So here's something I posted the other night on gunnerblog:

You know, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that I admire Wenger for what he has done in building the youth academy, encouraging a clutch of excellent youngsters coming through, and for keeping Arsenal at a Champions League level despite the major handicap of having to finance the stadium build. We denigrate Wenger for not buying X or Y, but we don't praise him for the above achievements, which only happen once or twice in the lifetime of a club (if ever).

These are remarkable achievements. Only a world-class manager has the talent to do it. Only an intelligent, far-seeing man could grasp the necessity of it. And only an emotional mature, spiritually humble person could be willing to risk his reputation to help bring it to fruition.

Wenger could've gone to Real Madrid, spent bundles on the best young players in the world, and won trophies by the netful. Instead, he stayed with the Arsenal, and is willing to risk his legacy being reduced to being known as a talented man who lost his way, in order to do what it right for Arsenal FC.

We say a lot of crap about Wenger on this Rack, but let's for once forget the immediate, and let us all applaud him for what he has done. Well done, Arsene Wenger!

So on the 301st last day of my 20s, I stayed up watching Brazil and Portugal duke it out for a 0-0 draw. Then I slept, and went to work. I'd planned a lunch for some uni friends, and it completely fell through. Everyone flaked out at the last minute. Ended up just me, my mate and his wife. Interesting lunch, though, and good food.

Australasia out of the World Cup

Plucky New Zealand drew against Paraguay and Italy lost to Slovakia. New Zealand finishes third on the table after three consecutive draws. I'm probably being harsh here, but I think an opportunity was lost. New Zealand had chances to win a game and qualify for the 2nd round. Be a bit more attacking, sneak a goal, maybe pinch a spot. But they didn't, finished with three draws and a very honourable commendation. But you've got to wonder what might've been.

Anyway, Australasia is out of the World Cup. It was a good run while it lasted. It also strengthens the case for federation between Australia and New Zealand. Not only would it facilitate trans-Tasman trade, increase the size of the economy, expand the zombie, mutant sheep into the Australian flock, it would also strengthen the Socceroos side for the next World Cup. If Australia and New Zealand can both finish 3rd in the group stages of the World Cup, imagine how well a combined side will perform....

Tonight, I'm tossing up between watching Brazil - Portugal at 11:00pm or Spain - Chile at 4:00am. I think they'll both be good games. I quite enjoy watching Spain play, but I'm not sure I want to watch them after the relentless tapping up by the Barcelona players. It turns my stomach. Then again, I'd have to watch Cristano Ronaldo play for Portugal, which is even more odious. I'm leaning towards Spain-Chile, but who knows.

So on the 302nd last day of my 20s, I went to work, met the new trainee, and drove back to my old clinic to pick up my severance pay cookies. I agreed to stay back a couple of months at the other clinic in exchange for a plate of chocolate chip cookies. They're delicious, but I'm starting to think I should've held out for something more substantial.

The 303rd last day of my 20s

A lot happened today. Julia Gillard was sworn in as Australia's first female Prime Minister. I finished my last day at one of my clinics. And the Socceroos were bundled out of the World Cup despite beating Serbia 2-1.

I didn't watch the match. I set my alarm clock for 4:00pm instead of 4:00pm, and when I woke at 6:00am, I couldn't be bothered to get up for the replay. If it isn't live, it's not worth the headache of missing sleep. I haven't even read the reports. It's not something I want to dwell over.

England's still in it, after they managed to pull themselves together to beat Slovenia. It's a real shame, but I suppose it build to the tension. While it would've been nice to see England getting thumped in the group stages, it'll be even nicer to see them lose in the knock-out stages again on penalties.

So on the 304th last day of my 20s, I went for a jog, went to work, developed a massive migraine and went out for dinner. A work colleague is leaving for London in a couple of weeks. It's really exciting. I can't seem to overlook the migraine, though. I feel nauseous, dizzy, headachy, sleepy, tired, and incredibly distraught. Straight for bed if it wasn't for the pledge to journal each and every day of my 20s.