This Sunday finds me in full relaxation mode, with a little bit of World Cup excitement mixed in. Normally, I’m not really a sports fan; in fact, I think it’s almost silly how worked up people get whether their favorite team wins or loses. In this country, it’s to the extent that it reaches violence – and all because someone didn’t kick a ball into a net? Team spirit is fine; violence isn’t so much. I’ve never understood that.
What I do understand, however, is money, and as it happens we’ve had a sweepstakes at work and I drew Spain. Since money is now riding on it, I’ve become a fan, and as such I’m really looking forward to the game later; even if they don’t win, it’s been exciting watching them get so close, and there is no negative feeling about the World Cup because England’s not in it anymore. I think it’s going to be a good evening.
While I’m waiting for this evening, I’ve already been reading. I’m not really an early morning type of person, but my body clock is and has always been extremely persistent, so every weekend I find I’m up and about around my normal work wake-up time, no matter how much I would prefer to stay in bed a little bit longer. I’ve put the time to good use this morning at least by finishing The Boy Who Loved Books by John Sutherland, a memoir about a boy whose father died in war training when he was very young, and who found refuge in books and booze (later becoming an English professor mostly by a stroke of luck). I’m now looking forward to starting Brooklyn by Colm Toibin, which has patiently been waiting on my bookshelf for a few months. I have tomorrow off, so I anticipate finishing it before I leave on Tuesday to visit my parents.
Before I go, though, I also have six reviews to write, packing and cleaning to do, and purchases to make. I’m not sure how much I’ll be reading this time; I’ll have Keith with me, for one thing, so I’ll probably be doing a lot less reading of review copies. Since I also have less of them, that’s probably okay – but I don’t know how much I’ll be blogging either. I’ll just see how it goes. I do hope to read The Passage by Justin Cronin on the plane. I’m hoping it’s exciting enough to take my mind off the fact that I’m in the air!
Do you have any exciting plans for the day? Will you be watching the World Cup final?
I have too many reviews pending! I don’t know how I am going to cope.
You have a great sunday!
Here is my TSS/Weekly Geeks post!
gautami tripathy´s last post …TSS-Weekly Geeks
I am still deciding whether to get up at 4.30am to watch the final or not. If the final had of been on Sunday morning our time I definitely would have, but given that it is a work day I am really not sure.
Marg´s last post …TSS- Reading Series – Part III
OH, and enjoy your holiday! The Passage sounds like it could be an ideal book to read on a long haul flight.
Marg´s last post …TSS- Reading Series – Part III
I think you’ll have fun with friends today. Good luck packing up for the States! I’m about a third of the way through THE PASSAGE and then just got stuck. I need to return to it.
Beth F´s last post …Weekend Cooking- The Asian Barbecue Cookbook by Alex Skaria
That’s football for you – so tied up with the uber-nationalistic crowd in this country it’s not funny (for some reason I expect more violence from the rugby crowd but they seem to handle English defeat without much problem). I was at the speedway yesterday and even though all three British riders missed the final there wasn’t any violence and a good majority of the fans who go to speedway are football fans – so I don’t understand why they’re so much more gracious in defeat at that sport than during international season football.
Lucky you to have made it to the finals with your sweepstake my teams seemed like a sure thing, but got knocked out. The phsycic octopus has spoken so you’ve got a good chance of taking hoem the cash (really hope you’ve been following the world cup predicting octopus story otherwise that will sound like a crazy comment). Have a lovely time spending your winnings when you visit your family
Jodie´s last post …Wrapped Up in Books
I watched all the Germany games with attention bordering on obsession, but I’m so not into soccer normally, so I probably won’t watch the final.
Lenore´s last post …50th Anniversary of To Kill a Mockingbird – My Thoughts
I wont be watching the final but I felt so gutted for Germany when they lost to Spain. I got Japan in my sweapstake at work so I knew I could kiss my money goodbye
Jessica´s last post …Persepolis
I am a sports fan, but do realize it’s just a game and don’t get upset when my time loses.
Enjoy your time with your family, and don’t worry about your blog while you’re with them. We’ll be here when you get back.
Well, if I had money riding on the game I would be interested too
As it is, I am not much of a sports fan except for baseball – I really enjoy that game!
I wish you safe travels back to the states and a lovely holiday.
Molly´s last post …Why I never have enough time
I like cheering for a team, but I agree- it’s not good when people get so into it that they get violent or cruel. I am glad you won, though! How exciting for you
Aarti´s last post …TSS- How important is SETTING to you
I also have a very consistent internal body clock; I’m never awake before 10 AM, when I’m awake. Actually it’s more like 11 now that we’re on daylight savings.
Congratulations! Spain won!
heidenkind´s last post …Whodunnit or It Was Done
The violence is no fun, but I do like the enthusiasm and the potential to bring people together that the World Cup has. Also, congratulations
Nymeth´s last post …Crocodile on the Sandbank and Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters
I don’t know whether that is a blessing or a curse that you automatically get up early on the weekends. I am the exact opposite–I am used to getting up at 7am during the week but when the weekend hits, I can sleep until 10 or 11.
Stephanie´s last post …Book Review- I Now Pronounce You Someone Else
I have been mostly ignorant of the World Cup. I am not really that into sports, but it’s funny to see how excited everyone is!! I hope that you have a great week and do get to read The Passage soon. I have heard amazing things about that book!
zibilee´s last post …Sugar by Bernice McFadden — 240 pgs
Congratulations on Spain’s win
I am a big sports buff and have spent way too many late nights going on emotional roller coaster rides gunning for my team (I was rooting for Germany all the way through :().
Now that the world cup is over, I can finally catch up on my sleep. Phew!
I can guess that things got pretty heated up in UK after England’s disappointing run. Did the boys get a bashing from the press?
Nishita´s last post …Sunday Shopping- Monday Rant
Methinks you won the World Cup pot, right? Whee!!!
I haven’t heard of The Boy Who Loved Books, but now I must get my hands on it! Enabler! ;D
Andi´s last post …Introducing- Outspoken Interviews
Happy Spain won. I wsn’t really following it too closely, but since you won $$$ Woo Hoo!!!
Have fun on your trip and I here Passages is awesome.
Wisteria Leigh´s last post …Teaser Tuesdays- July 13-2010
Boo to all you fans of Spain out there! This Dutch woman was waiting in blessed anticipation of our world domination. Alas… There’s always next year.
I’m hoping to listen to The Passage next. I am about 2/3 of the way done with Voyager at this point. Devourer of Books found The Passage a little slow. We’ll see. I got it for just one credit on Audible.com. I couldn’t pass that up.
Literate Housewife´s last post …Tuesday’s Temptation July 13