Yeah. I want to hear what Materazzi said to him, but it doesn't matter. I kinda wanted France to win so he could really become one of the truly elite greats of the game, like Pele and Maradona because his talent and the way he played, at 34, merited it, but he bolloxed immortality up special. He'll still be remembered, but not quite the same way. The outcome was kinda moot for me after that little episode. Italy is still too negative/defensive for my purist liking, but the Azzurri played very professionally and with class that others lacked. They deserve it.

I've been reading the Italian and French newspapers online, and so far there's been no comment from Materazzi or Zidane. Domenech is saying that the French deserved the victory, and Materazzi ran his mouth and then deserved an Oscar for his performance. He went on to say that the red card was given only after the referee and line judges saw the instant replay.

Zizou, for me, was probably the best player on the field. Now no one is going to talk about his play, and everyone will remember him looking like a bull in a china shop.

I'm glad gli Azzurri were able to rise above it all, and play a solid (and lucky) game. It's even more gratifying to see it continue afterwards in the press. Coach and players have had nothing but positive things to say about their opponents. Though I am disturbed at the reports of rioting in Rome and other cities. Why can't the fans just enjoy the victory without the requisite bottle-throwing and overturned cars?

I was born in more or less the same place I lived until I was 18. Haven't found home yet--may not ever.

One of the things that gives me great comfort as a teacher is that if humans were super-delicate, we'd not have survived as a species. Thus perfect is not necessary: good really is enough. (This is different from a headspace of settling. It's more about doing your best and moving on)

Yeah. The DA-ish line was in the trailers.

Good luck to the team, Suzi

saw the newBigGayPirate Movie today.

Yesterday DH and Deb's DH went shopping for wood and cut up wood to work on our not quite 8x8 ( by 14 inch) bookcases. Matt and I glued the first case toghter last night. It was more tramatic then expected. So today we did not glue the second one up. We will soon, but we needed to breathe. We did put all the standards in to fit the shelves on. we do not yet know how many shelves there will be. Wall o' books - here we come.

Domenech is saying that the French deserved the victory, and Materazzi ran his mouth and then deserved an Oscar for his performance.

The French played well, and who knows what the outcome would have been if Zidane had stayed on the field. However, that's moot because he didn't have the composure to do so.

You would think that what was said had to have been pretty vile stuff for Zidane to react as he did, in the circumstances, but again, it is his responsibility to control his temper, and seek the revenge of the trophy.

He went on to say that the red card was given only after the referee and line judges saw the instant replay.

That's right. Neither of them saw the play on the field, which doesn't make what ZZ did right, but opens up a rather large can of worms about how games are officiated, since there has been a lot of noise about not interfering with the referee's authority, regarding instant replay, etc.

I'm glad gli Azzurri were able to rise above it all, and play a solid (and lucky) game. It's even more gratifying to see it continue afterwards in the press. Coach and players have had nothing but positive things to say about their opponents.

Sports need good winners as well as good losers. Kudos to them for that.

jz, I'm fairly sure that my brother and his wife went with that dresser/changing table combo when they were expecting my niece. Definitely practical and not bad looking furniture.

Lee - would love to, but we are still on the softball rollercoaster. Next weekend appears to be a Stockton tournament. We don't get a weekend off until mid-August.

I'm feeling a bit ragged. I should be doing homework - I have a paper due tomorrow - but I haven't lifted a finger in that direction this evening. Instead, I'm surfing the internet, checking e-bay for a Kate Spade purse (thank to Nicole), reading some fanfic, and obsessing over those pics ita linked.

I once had a total stranger scold me on the Boston T because my girl baby wasn't wearing pink.

That's because this could KILL YOUR BABY!!!

I'm sort of fortunate in that I can't understand most of the unsolicited advice I got.

I do sort of wonder what the OMG you must have Rails! people do when they have to change the baby out and about. Even when I've found a baby-changing station somewhere, it doesn't have rails. Maybe a little lip that won't stop anything.

The continuing soap opera that is my living arrangements continues.

Ron, whom we were living with and who was moving into the house with us and was going to pay the rent, has told us "Sorry, bailing on the arrangement, I'm waiting until the sheriff shows up to throw us out of the house, then me, my loser son, his pregnant girlfriend, and their two-year-old son will find some bridge to lurk under, because blood is more important than anything, including honor."

IE, sorry you can't cover the rent, hope this doesn't hurt our friendship.

There is a good side to this, we were able to rent one of the spare rooms to a sister of a very good friend who, we discovered, has been sleeping in her car these past few weeks. She's a geek like us, so this is all well and good. However, that still leaves $450 a month to cover, which we can't do at this time. Either disability needs to come through or Hubby needs to find something he can manage--while hoping he's not going to find himself in surgery for his neck in the next month.

Anybody know anyone in the Provo/Orem, Utah area who's looking for a room to rent? If not, some income/housemate~ma would be very much appreciated.

Jeesh, connie, I wish I had someone to send your way. Best of luck.

Tons of ~ma to Aimee and Nora on their new jobs.

I am awake with a splitting headache. So tired. Can't sleep.