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The World Cup is about to begin. I'm trying to stay awake. I'm sleepy. I'm tired. I'm sleepy. It finishes on 9 July. That's a lot of lost sleep. That's what you get for living on the arse end of the world.
Already, today has been a long day. But... I love the World Cup. I think it's great. So many great players and teams in the same place at the same time. There is nothing else like it. I have been looking forward to it for months. I'm rambling aren't I?
Tonight, Germany will play Costa Rica in the opening match. I think they will win. My prediction is 2-0 Germany. That's one of the things I love about soccer (pardon me football). I love that anything can happen, and any team can beat any other on a given day. There is no other sport like it (maybe futsal).
And so begins a month of insomnia, puffy bags under eyes, and walking around in pyjamas at lunchtime while telling people to "talk softer."
I had the most amazing day today. Hellas told me that we were going for a walk in a (sort of) nearby park. I kept complaining that I was starving, but she insisted that I go with her and do something romantic for a change, and that we would eat later. What's more, she drove us to the park using a strangely long and "scenic" route. We arrived at the park at half past one, and I was feeling sick from hunger. I was keen to get out of there quickly and get myself a large meal, maybe a yeeros. As we walked down the winding path, I thought I had spotted a familiar face sitting at a nearby picnic area. I was certain that it was none other than Ploma. As we approached, I saw a few other famliar faces. I saw Platyrraho, Jevat, Kotsidi, John, my mum. "Is that your dad?" I felt strange, betrayed. Why would my friends be here without me? Why was I not invited? Then I heard the words that sent my head spinning. "Surprise."
As I shook their hands and kissed their cheeks, I felt a daze wash over me. "What's going on?" "How did this happen?" Well, over the past week, Hellas had been calling, TXTing, emailing, sending out pingeons to all of my friends. She had been sneakily stealing friends' phone numbers from my mobile phone when my back was turned. She would make phone calls when I was in the shower or at soccer training. Incredibly, these are people that I speak with every day. And still, I had no idea that anything had been planned. Such was the brilliance and cunning involved in this secret birthday plan. Diabolical.
And so here it is, my whole world (sort of) under a shelter. Friends from school, ex-neighbours, their partners, and the oldies (shh - don't tell them). With so many wonderful people in the one place at the one time, you can't help but feel special.
And here she is, the one who made it all possible. I love her more than words can describe. My baby. Thank you for the most incredible day of my life.
I am in the process of sorting out my photo collection, and will post my photos online as soon as they are ready... stay tuned.
Hi! Welcome to my blog. My name is Mark Antoniou. I am a PhD student at the University of Western Sydney in Australia. I study cross-language speech perception at MARCS Auditory Laboratories. When I'm not studying I like to play and watch soccer (recently renamed 'football' in Australia). I also coach a team of Under 6 boys and a girl. So far they haven't lost a match, and usually win by good margin. Today is actually my birthday (well not now since it's past midnight) so I decided that I would finally create my own blog - which I've been meaning to do for a while. So, once again welcome, and I hope you like it here.
The World Cup is about to begin. I'm trying to stay awake. I'm sleepy. I'm tired. I'm sleepy. It finishes on 9 July. That's a lot of lost sleep. That's what you get for living on the arse end of the world.
