The Handball and a C that needs to STFU

France v Republic of Ireland.



The scandal that is Thierry Henry handling the effing ball is in full swing and I, for one, actually saw the shit LIVE, so there. I felt it was a grave injustice, but nothing is predictble in football, and who knows what would have happened if the goal had been disallowed. Unlike most of the ruckus and vomitus being spewed, it would NOT have assured the Republic of Ireland their passage to the World Cup. It would have simply led to more extra time and then inevitably the coin flip that is the penalty shoot-out. That goal only denied the Irish an opportunity, which I suppose is all they wanted anyway.

It is a shame though. I invested time and emotion into the Boys in Green and what a way to have the 'dream' shattered... and by (in my fucking opinion) the Best Arsenal Player Ever. Wow. I don't know what to feel in truth. I agree somewhat with Thierry's half-arse explanation that it was the ref's call to make, but it's also HIS responsibility as a player to be honest and not effing CHEAT. It's kind of like that Eduardo fiasco from earlier in the season, and I'm finding it increasingly hard to defend their actions.

I do find another similarity in the embarassingly indignant reaction coming from all quarters at this point. There are C's who didn't even KNOW the play-off was being contested that are now contorting in outrage at the... goal... or the play... or the guy... he did something... he TOUCHED the ball, by God! It's really over the top. I admit, I was stunned into silence as the final whistle blew. I felt as though I'd witnessed something very wrong, but FFS, it wasn't a CRIME. Worse things happen in alleyways in this city on a nightly basis. But much like Eduardo's bullshit move, this 'thing' happened during the most interesting football match being played on a weeknight. That is, most eyes were upon it, and giving that the match had moved into extra time, I'm going on a limb somewhat in assuming that it was the only match being played ANYWHERE at that hour. With Ireland leading 1-nil and the teams even at a goal a piece on aggregate, well... it doesn't take much in the way of brain power to figure out that something special might be a-brewing, so why not have a look?

And then to see what? Thierry Henry cynically cheat. Cos fuck knows that's all he's now going to be remembered for. Just like Zidane's bizarre melt-down in extra time (again!) in the last World Cup final against Italy, his career is going to be narrowed down to a split second of carelessness. Yes, carelessness. Do I think he did it deliberately? How the hell should I know? I DO think it may have been down to fatigue more than anything else. Maybe he figured why not try it, it's so blatant, the ref HAS to call it. I don't know. I'm not defending him either, I'm just saying...

And as far as Irish justice minister Dermot Ahern is concerned, he who said, "we should put the powers that be in the cosy world of FIFA on the spot and demand a replay"... Seriously, fucking shameless opportunist... this man can kiss my ENTIRE ass.

Intense Tedium and Dodgy Vans

Oh no, not again.

I find myself saying this FAR too often nowadays. It's due to the neighbor and his severe lack of imagination. I mean, seriously, what the FUCK is it with the Doors? They were relevant 40 years ago but THIS guy is at it hammer and tongs with this shit. To make matters worse, it's only 4 songs he chooses from. It's disturbing. Now, I have to admit, I had my Doors phase a few years back. It was fueled by evenings (and sometimes afternoons) sipping gin. It all went down quite nicely to be honest. A gin buzz (ahem, or being well pissed on it) and Morrison's pretentious poetry went well hand in hand... really. But THIS shit?



'Roadhouse Blues', 'LA Woman', 'Break on Through to the Other Side', and of course, 'Light My Fire' are the tracks that make up the entire playlist. JAYSUS!! Over and over again. What a crap DJ. It's fine if you dig those songs, but SAVE them for a certain moment when you can really relish them and DON'T wear them out. Any person with ANY grey matter should be ill of those tunes by now. 'LA Woman' IS a brilliant track but not 5 or 6 times an evening. It becomes downright offensive... not to mention intensely tedious.

Ah, the hell with it...



Moving along...

Now, I've been belligerent at times with a reader of this blog on account of her decision to eat food from what I consider to be a highly dubious, and dare I say, 'dodgy' van. I could not FATHOM such a thing and was absolutely SCANDALIZED at such a brazen choice on her part. However, I'm one to talk, right? Since I've been here in the Biggest City in The World (tm), I've been eating at dodgy STANDS, FFS! Shit, the way I see it, at least that van has wheels to fuck off on in case the health inspectors pitch up!