...every commentators cliche in the book is spewed out.

But on this occasion, I minded not one bit.

This is the ONE and ONLY time I will ever say this (no offence to any of my friends, or any of you good folks out there);

I feel very sorry for 'the US(of)A'. There, I said it.

Harshly down to nine men.
Harshly disallowed a valid goal.
Down on their feet to the end.
Still they made Italy look poor.

What a great game of Soccer.

...this may not be the most popular thing to say at this time, but thankfully, you dont know where I live.

Having just watched Ghana play against the Czechs, I suddenly feel ashamed to be English rather than my normal pride.

Why on earth dont we play with that much passion, drive, ambition, inventiveness and enjoyment? Not to mention skill and at times some sublime moves.

I fear too many years of our Prime Ministers lapping at the heels of US Presidents has filtered into the national psyche - no longer willing to lead or take a stand, but waiting for approval from the master first. It seems to have spread to the National team; for any semblence of taking initiative and playing with, well, bollocks and verve, is lacking. Lacklustre with very little desire to go hell for leather.

Contrast that with the performance ive just seen, and it just highlights how little desire and passion we play with.

Good on you Ghana - even though Muntana does have a Terrys chocolate orange razored into his hair, it was a great goal.

__________________________

(PS of course Ill still be losing my voice cheering England on!)

Henry Ford was still tinkering around with soap boxes and pram wheels.

That was how long ago I obtained my copy of Kung Fu Hustle. Notice the choice of words too - 'obtained' - for I didnt purchase it through any legitimate retail channel. It was a pirate. Not that it came in a wooden sleeve with a black patch. No, I mean it was of dubious origins. Astounding quality and packaging though, and as good as any original recording. In my opinion, the artwork is superior too - I often find that with copies.

Yes, it was that long ago. The film wasnt even a twinkle in a UGC projectors eye.

If you are not a regular reader, then the reason for it taking so long for me to watch it, is that its one of nearly 100 Ive yet to view.

But finally, the stars were aligned correctly and it was time...

...and what a fantastic film.

I wont go into a review, as Im sure its too late for that. But the mixture of styles and ingenuity of the directing was superb. Stylistically and filmically it was fantastic. Faultless even. It bought to mind a melting pot of those stiffly acted 1940s gangster pics, silent comedy era slapstick, with a whiff of Saturday morning serials - like the ones that would precede a main feature and finish with a cliff hanger each week. Oh, and Loony Tunes. With Kung Fu, naturally.

What took me so long?? Its a masterpiece.

... or so FIFA, the Football Association and everyone and their mother were wagging their fingers telling us prior to the World Cup.

So what is John Motsons opening sentence on tonights commentary? I know its not in quite the same context they were flapping about, but:

"original stadium in 1930s, in front of Hitler, blah blah..........and Jesse Owens then went on to win 4 gold medals, shooting to pieces Hitlers theory about the superiority of the Arian race."

Not quite the first statement you expect to hear before a football match.

I wonder what odds Ladbrokes had on it?

(PS Im not a violent man, per se, but just looking at Ronaldhino makes me want to hit him in the face with a spade. I cant describe it, but there is something inherently annoying about him!!)

I was sitting in the sun the other day. Not literally.
But musing as you do. And this completely sensible thought crossed my mind:

I wonder, how many Christians actually eat apples?

And if they do, do they see the irony?

_________________________

I think Ive spent too long in the sun.

Good afternoon viewers.

I know we all love sitting at our PCs writing crap (in my case anyway; I wouldnt dream of insinuating you do) - but Im sure some of us still have pigment in our skin and venture out now and again.

So, my questions are:

Has anybody out there visited Costa Rica?
Whats it like? As good as it looks?
Any tips or reviews you could pass on?

Me and the better half/owner are 99% convinced we're heading there, so I would be very grateful if anybody could pass any words my way. Not just random words, obviously related to what Im asking would be alot more useful.

Many thanks in advance, you kind kind people.

...not about the streets having no name. That would just be silly. Can you imagine?

"Fancy coming to mine later for a beer?"
"Yeah sure. Where do you live?"
"The street with no name."
"Wheres that again? Oh wait, is it the street just off the street with no name?"
"Yes, go down the street with no name, passed the street with no name, and its the street with no name after that."
"Sorted. See you at 7"

There would be scores of postmen gathering on corners. Walking round in random circles like uniformed autistics. Sitting on the kerbside, legs being cradled, rocking back and forth muttering 'I tried to deliver. I thought it was round here somewhere. Im sure of it.'

No, they were right about it being a beautiful day. I think the correct term is 'phew what a scorcher'. And seeing as I dont have to start work for another week, Ive been making the most of it this last week and a half.

Such a hard life. Sun, riverbanks, coffee and a book. I hate not working, its such a bind.

Continued from Part 1. Obviously.

The others immediately regretted the decision to allow Ganesh to start throwing shapes

And the crowd went wild...

Hard Fi in operation. Although he knew the noise would disguise his trouser trumpeting, the singer hadnt banked on the follow through flash being quite so big and bright...

Ian Brown. God-like genius in mine and many peoples eyes. Co-crafter of some of the, if not THE best songs ever. As good as invented the dance/rock/indie crossover. Yet Im still not sure I can forgive him for the abonimation of a tracksuit.

No, I wasnt drunk, nor were my motor skills impaired by dubious substance. In the main.

Just that with the flashing lights, some of these arent of the best quality. Still, here are some camera phone pictures of myself and my better half/owner, from our festival weekend.

"Bright Eyes, burning like..." Never mind that, who stole my nose???

Uber cool? Gay Dutch Tourist? Football Fan? Just call me a camp chameleon

Jenky was glad she wore her shades, so nobody recognised her with the Frank Spencer impersonator. Mmm Betty. Oh wait, that didnt work did it, Ive exposed her now.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Godskitchen. Apparently Paul Oakenfold was on the stage, but I think hes to too teeny weeny to be seen. (adopts potentially offensive Oirish accent: "like a little leprechaun")

No its not me, its someone called Mylo doing his thing. Ill forgive him for nicking my hat, its an unfortunate burden one carries being a headwear trendsetter. Always happy to be imitated if it helps the young lad in his quest to be famous. I hope he gets a few hits off the back of it...

To be continued...

I was going to post an extremely lengthy rant today about how I hate people because they are scummy and everyones annoying. But then I remembered....its my 100th post, so something more upbeat, friendly and celebratory was in order.

Coincidence, luck and good fortune have been the name of the game over the last few weeks, which, coincidentally, luckily and fortunately, have come about at the same time as this milestone blog post.

I was made redundant on the 21st May. Hooray. Most people would not be happy with it, but I was far from enjoying the job, and enjoying the 'delights' of the town even less. Now ordinarily I would have been worried and fretting about money and so on, but as luck would have it, I had an interview the following day which I had already arranged. Fortune was smiling as brightly as the sun, because I got the job. The timing was perfect to say the least. So I was very happy.

At the end of last week it was also my birthday - which could have been a disaster for many reasons. Namely that Im not one to be chipper about birthdays, and the lack of a job could have put a dampener on things. As it turned out, this was an early birthday present. A bonus to my birthday this year was that my girlfriend was actually in the country this time - always a good thing! Bless my sweet for getting me some marvellous presents. Ive spoken before about my 'gay' pink and purple room. Well now I have a giant slutty pink pvc beanbag. Can a beanbag be referred to as slutty? Well it is. And I love it to bits.

The weekend also meant festival time. Hi:Fi to be precise. The signs werent looking good: Weather had taken a turn for the worse, potentially me being in a miserable mood because of redundancy. But ka-boom, the gods were taking pity once more and held the rain at bay. Fine weekend, if slightly over populated with chavs and horrible people, but great music nonetheless. Hard Fi, Ian Brown, Lemon Jelly ('All the ducks are swimming in the water. La le la le la la, La le la le la la'), Kosheen, Shapeshifters, Mylo, Oakenfold, Go Team. Coooooool.

And I even managed to pull off a 'man bag' without either looking gay or like a Dutch tourist. Not that theyre mutually exclusive.

Pictures and a blog to follow.

So, it seems Kool and The Gang have taken up a residence in my pad over the last few weeks, and long may it continue. Celebrate Good Times? Come on!

I will be back with further tales and reporting, pictures from Hi:Fi (possibly infringing copyright) and I really must get my rant out of my system.

Time to slink into the slutty pink bean bag and watch a film me thinks. Its that slutty looking I feel positively dirty just looking at it. And somehow inappropriately dressed...

All together now, 'All the ducks are swimming in the water...' *

(* Weird techno song from Lemon Jelly - "Nice Weather for Ducks", download it and marvel at its ability to get under your skin. Speaking of skin, not wise to have it suddenly blasting from 10ft speakers after skinning up. You may question your sanity. I did.)