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