The World Cup just ended this weekend. I am sad. But my body is rejoicing as that means no more 4:30 am games to wake up for, and the ability to sleep in on Saturday as well.
1994 hosted in USA
The first year that I remember the World Cup. USA was hosting, and therefore there was TV coverage. Although, all of the games were not on tv, only a select few. I remember specifically the game on July 4th. USA was playing Brazil in the knockout stage. The USA was wearing these garish blue uniforms with stars all over them, and red shorts. I believe it was a Sunday and after church, found my seat in my parents room and watched the TV. It was a 1-0 loss. I don’t remember much else from that year’s event. Robbie went to a game in Pasadena (with Lane?), saw Camaroon play. He bought me a souvenir shirt. I kept that shirt, and believe I still even have it in storage.
1998 Hosted in France
This world cup was the first time I had watched more than just USA games. I had graduated from Westmont only a month before, and had been home for only a couple of weeks. We lived in Green Valley, and I had turned Robbie’s room into my living room. I had a couch in there, my stereo, my television, and my blue recliner. A summer earlier, I had been in France and seen a lot of the hype and build up to this event. Being fresh out of school, I did not have a job quite yet. This was going to be the summer I immersed myself into the tournament.
The first games of the day were around 6 or 7 am if I recall. This is very early in the day for a recent college student. I remember dragging myself out of bed daily, down the hall, and sitting in the recliner with a blanket as I listened to Dave Revsine do the pregame show. Still to this day, anytime I hear this guy’s voice, I think back to that wonderful summer.
So continuing, I would wake up early, watch the game while half falling asleep, and I would stay in that chair drifting between sleep and awake to watch all the games of the day. I don’t think I quite watched (or sat there for) every game of the tournament, but I think I came close. Though, I can’t tell you much about that tournament orther than blue recliner and an announcer, but it was my first full dive into the World Cup. I will cherish it forever.
2002 Hosted by Japan and Korea
I will consider this the Lost World Cup. I do not have much reccollection of this tournament. I know I watched some of it. I just don’t remember where and when and with whom.
It was the summer after I began officially dating Lisa. I was working at Tierra.net. Had I moved into 4s Ranch yet? Or was I still living at home? Hmmm
2006 Hosted by Germany
This was a really fun year of watching the World Cup. Other than the summer of 98, probably my favorite one yet! I was living in RB with Juan and Mike. I was working at Emerald.
During the day at work, I would have a window open on my computer to TVU. This is a program that plays tv from around the world. I would listen to the audio, and as soon as I heard some excitement, I would alt+tab to that window and watch live streaming television of the game. It was awesome.
Then, for the month long tournament, every weekend Juan, Lisa and Myself would spend the night at the Oceanside beachhouse. We would wake up early for games, and then nap and hang out at the beach all weekend. It was like a weekly holiday. I loved it! Having beach weekends all month, in the summer, with world class soccer, with 2 of my best friends will always be one of my favorite all time memories of the world cup.
This was also the first time there was a World Cup when HD TV existed. Fortunately for us, the beach house had an HD tv. I remember the final was played on a Sunday, and Tom and Sue also came out.
2010 Hosted by South Africa
Another fun World Cup. I nearly watched every game. But the schedule caught up with me. The first game of the day was at 4:30 in the morning, followed by 7:00 am game, and then a 11:30 am game. Some days, I would wake up for the first game, bright and early. I would shower and get ready for work during halftime. And then when the game ended, I would go to work so I could be there by 6:30.
I would then try to avoid scores all day, as my work no longer allowed the use of TVU. When I would go home, I would then watch the 2 games I missed, on Tivo. But being so tired from the early game, it would always be a struggle to keep my eyes open. Although, I did. And then I would go to bed at 8pm if I could.
On the weekends, I would go over to Juan and Lisa’s condo, and watch the first two games. Then at 9:30 am, would go nap by their relaxing pool. Then would watch the 11:30 am game after that.
For the finals, we had a little gathering at my parents house to watch the Dutch play against Spain. Everyone was sort pulling for the Dutch, except Juan and Lala. Dressed in orange, we had a fun time, and Spain won in extra time.
I look forward to 4 years from now, when the time zone will be a little bit closer. Brazil 2014. Where will I be then? For every World Cup I have watched, I have lived in a different house. What will change in the next 4 years?
I can hardly wait!
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbn3rOPmR9w
John William Finn
James G. Daniels III
Doris Miller
Got up at 5am and left our place at 6:05. We walked a few blocks to the taxi stand outside of 
When we awoke this morning for our last full day here, we headed over to meet up with JeanE and Kathie. Their place is really cool one bedroom, living room, mini kitchen studio-like place right near the 
While my dad was away, my mother sneakily bought a tool that would turn carrots into curly-q designs. She swore she would use it (**its been almost a year now and she has used it once?).
In one corner of the church Cerasi Chapel of Santa Maria del Popolo is the pice called 
From that church we made our way down the street till we reached the 
We continued walking down the streets, till we reached the Trevi Fountain. If the Spanish Steps was the meeting place, this place was the party. Fan upon fan chanting and singing and dancing. What an experience. I am so happy that I am here during this time. Although extremely crowded, I can’t get enough of the revelry. I have a little video, however do note that video and pictures only capture about 1/10th of a story. And indeed, my video is not as loud or as chant full as the experience was.
This big game is in town, and the town –without warning– decides that no alcohol will be sold today anywhere. So there will be no wine with lunch today. This is probably a good thing. But imagine the Super Bowl, or a tailgate party, at the last minute decided that no alcohol could be bought.
After our lunch, we walked over to 
We got on the bus again and headed towards the 
After way too much debate, we decided to go for it. When else would I have this amazing chance? Little did we know the headache that would then occur.
It is always an interesting experience trying to explore a museum with others. Everyone has their own style. Some are fast, some are slow, some like to sit and stare, and others just like to sit.
We snuck out the back door so that we would get directly into St. Peter’s rather than having to wait in the long line at the front of the church. Inside the church, we walked around, touched Peter’s toe, enjoyed the mosaic art and most of all the cool temperatures.
We were there till ab
out 4:30 pm, and then we trekked back to Campo di Fiori and picked up some happy hour snacks. Following that we walked to dinner to an interesting calzone and pumpkin place. Yes, a pumpkin place. Most entrees had pumpkin in it.
We decided to take the double decker bus tour today since we were denied that yesterday. Once again it is a really hot day. We sat on the top deck so that we could enjoy the breeze. However, each stop was rather long, and everytime we stopped we absolutely were baking.
We now went back upstairs and rode the bus till we reached our beginning stop, near Piazza Navona. It was lunch time so we decided to go have lunch near 
It was tiny and there was a bigger side and a smaller side. I wasn’t sure which side to put in the front. The smaller side didn’t really cover much, so I went big in the front, which left it tiny and crammed in the back. It was a nice massage, but I think if I do it again, I will go back to the traditional thai massage. The traditional felt much more beneficial to my body with muscles being stretched and kinks worked out. The oil massage felt too meager. However, the nice comfortable hot shower afterwards felt fantastic.
We grabbed their bags, and took the 4 of them back to our apartment to show them, and drop off the bags. We then went into Piazza Navona and found a resteraunt there and enjoyed a nice meal and some wine together. It was a great and fun reunion.
We have been moving so fast, seeing so much, tiring ourselves out for almost 2 weeks now that I think the lack of sleep is catching up to us. We rested late, but kept worrying if we were gonna over sleep the pope. It is Sunday and I want to see the Pope give his blessing at noon from the 
We are in Rome the week of a large, Super Bowl type event. It is the 
Rome, as well as trying to secure ticket reservations for them to the Vatican museum with us. Talked to grandad via skype while there and he told me m a racist Italian joke (ok, I told him, but I’ll give him credit since older people can say whatever they want and get away with it).
Started the morning the same way most mornings here in Montalcino would start for me, and that was downstairs at the winebar/internet cafe. It is such a great convenience having it just outside the front door. Almost as convenient as having it inside the apartment, but with better coffe.
could see the pride in both of my parents faces as they discussed this church, its sinking, the art that was hanging, and the statue of peter that was here.
We arrived and we walked amongst the grape vines as she told us some of the history of the winery and some of the patterns of growth. She told us about 
She also told us about pinching the grapes and how they do not want too many grapes growing on any particular vine because then all the energy of the vine is spread out through larger numbers, rather than focusing all its strength and flavors on a smaller number of grapes. We walked up and down some vines, pinching the vines. 
We then went into the barrel rooms where we were gonna taste some of the wines that were in the middle of the aging process as well as some fresh wines.
It was a great experience and I really enjoyed the first hand tour and imparted knowledge.
