Australia was robbed.

The whole country? Don't they have any police? It was probably the kangaroos, with their beady little eyes and those convinent pouches to make off with the goods in.

One word. Dingoes.

I thought dingoes only stole babies.

Nilly, may your brother stay safe and you and your family feel some peace about him, and may your friend (and baby-to-be) feel better in no time. I hope the date is enjoyable, and that the man will serve as a good distraction from your concerns.

That did seem pretty unfair, but I have a long-standing policy of belief in the inerrancy of the refs.

But the refs have been pretty bad this World Cup. The Portugal game yesterday was out of control. This ref was pretty good, but sometimes instant replay would be a very good thing to have.

In other news, baking should not be timed to finish in the final minutes of an elimination match.

I'm not sure what's going on because I'm a giant skipper, but I'm sending lots of good will towards Nilly, with the provision that she may parcel it out in whichever way seems most appropriate. Without any need to be stingy because it is a whole lot of good will.

I love animals-in-the-military stories. Especially animals-in-the-military running-afoul-of-military-regulations stories.

A British army regiment's ceremonial pet goat was demoted in disgrace after it marched out of line before a host of dignitaries during a parade to mark Queen Elizabeth II's birthday, a military spokesman said Saturday.

The military mascot, a 6-year-old male goat called Billy, was downgraded from the rank of lance corporal to fusilier — the same status as a private — after army chiefs ruled his poor display had ruined the ceremony earlier this month at a British army base in Episkopi, western Cyprus.

Lance Cpl. Dai Davies, 22, the goat's handler, was unable to keep control during the June 16 march. The mascot darted from side to side, throwing soldiers off their stride, Capt. Crispian Coates, a spokesman, said by telephone from the base in Cyprus.

"The goat, which has been the regiment's mascot since 2001, was supposed to be leading the march, but would not stay in line," Coates said. "After consideration, the commanding officer decided he had no option but to demote Billy."

Still, if your military ceremony for the Queen depends on the correct behavior of a goat in order to succeed, perhaps there's something wrong with the ceremony....

This is the best part of the article:

Since the goat's demotion, soldiers of a lower rank are no longer expected to salute Billy as a sign of respect, Coates said.

Or else maybe it's this:

Capt. William Rose, a soldier present at the parade, said the goat "was trying to head-butt the waist and nether regions of the drummers."

[link]

I'm not saying anything about the ref's actual performance, I'm just in the habit of accepting their judgements unquestioningly. Effects of early conditioning, I imagine.

Australia was robbed.

Totally. I'm in agony here.

Hi nilly. I hope things work out for all concerned.

Nilly, sweetie, much strength to you. Which I know you have, because you're Nilly like that, but still--I'm wishing you more.

Just because it needs to be said again. Only this time from me too.