Pillow Tie:

Because most functions that require a necktie...deserve to be slept through.

Okay, who am I kidding? I can't leave now.

I'm watching in real time and couldn't rewind, but I think the US was robbed, although the whistle had clearly blown before the shot.

They just replayed the free kick. There didn't seem to be any offsides and there were multiple fouls against the US (players essentially pinned so that they couldn't move) that should have resulted in a penalty kick (especially as compared to calls like that against France yesterday).

Well, another tie, but I think the US should be proud of how they played.

Catching up after a three-day conference:

Listening to the game on the radio. Tommy Smith agrees that the US was robbed -- there was no way that there was an offside.

Fred is not a good name for songs. I was about 10 when "Freddie's Dead" tried to ruin my life. Then I got into early rock and discovered a song called "Seven Little Girls (Sittin' in the Back Seat)" from the late '50s. Which does include a Fred, but maybe even worse than "Freddie's Dead."

I do have a story involving another name song. In the mid-'80s, the post-Lionel Richie Commodores realized that there weren't any Janet songs. So they recorded a song called, simply, "Janet." Not a classic, but a pleasant little mid-tempo R&B song.

Headache is unrelenting today.

Miss Kitty threw up twice yesterday and now I'm afraid to feed her today. She is meowing and keeps nudging the container of kitty treats. I don't think I could handle cleaning up any more yucky stuff though.

Exciting Bat-news!

Holy Bat-Freebies! Win The Dark Knight Prizes

Want to help us celebrate the Batman franchise’s blockbuster comeback?

First, dive into the Bat-cave and screen three bonus clips from this week’s iTunes debut of The Dark Knight, which includes 31 minutes of bonus content. Then set the arresting scene for Christopher Nolan’s inevitable third Batman film. Who’s in it? What’s the story? Where’s the twist? What’s that thing doing there?

One of you die-hard detectives will emerge with a free, bonus-riddled iTunes download of the best Batman film yet made. Two other winners will score a cool a Batman T-shirt or a Batman bobblehead. The prizes, pictured above, are also available for purchase in Warner Bros.’ official Batman online store. Ready to accept your mission, crime-fighter?

To the Bat-clips!

The U.S. has--HAS--to win against Algeria, if they play like they did in the second half then it's in the bag.

England has the talent to sweep Algeria and Solvenia and if they manage it, the the U.S. is in with a win against Algeria.

I think it's a scenario with a pretty good chance of happening. Of course, if the U.S. and England both win against Algeria, then the U.S. is in with either a win by Solvenia or England in their game. A draw and it gets complicated, of course.

Then set the arresting scene for Christopher Nolan’s inevitable third Batman film. Who’s in it? What’s the story? Where’s the twist? What’s that thing doing there?

I swear I just read Nolan wants people to stop guessing because he's tired of explaining to the suits that those things aren't true.

Someone just brought me my print job off the printer. She doesn't even sit anywhere near me. Oops. Slack.