Despite the rain, the temperatures have not fallen significantly. Torrential as it has been, the tropical effect is upon us and the ground has started to steam upon cessation. Of course, this has also caused an increase in biting insects, and certain rock dwellers to be swept out from their home. Swimming has been fun, as the steam has risen from the surface, and rain has danced across the water, and then there was a frog!
I was a little surprised to see I had a competitor next to me, one that decided to dive under the water and swim far more efficiently. I was not going to compete. In fact, I was not going to share the pool with an amphibian! I got out, found a net, and thankfully, his antics had brought him to the side, where I scooped him up and let him run, or hop free! I scanned the water to see if there were anymore undesirables hoping to beat me into submission! After I had finished, I noticed a small lizard, attempting to climb up the side. The broom was not ideal but after a few attempts, I managed to get it on to the bristles and 'saved it' from a chlorinated death! My good deed for the day was done!
Competition was running high! Grant had decided he would support Spain, (as I told him that Argentina was not an option - us English have a long memory, and still hold a grudge,) and an 'official' shirt was purchased and handed to him on Monday. He was quite delighted, and ran in and out asking questions as he became more and more involved in his team! A sign had been put up on a door in our building, to wit, "Quiet! Therapy in Session. Refrain from using cell phones in the corridor and take your conversations to the entryways". We have all been 'polite', and where possible been observant, but it is a shared office building and it is incumbent upon the occupants to sound proof their room, rather than demand all adhere to the instruction of one resident. However, there are times when silence is not possible! My daughter found a sign that reads, "We do not apologise for the noises coming out of this office for the next 39 days. We are watching the world cup!" We have one on both entrances to our suite of rooms!
The sign on the back of the Fiat 500 read, "If you can read this, you are too close". The was something written above this but I could not see as it was written in italics and not very clear. We had to get close for it to come into view! "This is a manual transmission and may roll back....." To say I reacted in a negative way was an understatement. "Too close? Too close?" I shouted. "You need to learn to drive a manual transmission before bringing it out on the road!" Unlike the UK, Texas (and I am not sure about other states) does not require a separate test to drive a manual transmission. My indignation was, I felt, just! "If you roll back into me.....". It was probably just as well they turned off and did not park up somewhere within my vicinity, because I may (just may) have confronted them! My husband was laughing! "Don't hold back!" he said. "Typical Gen Z!" I carried on! "Clutch control! If we had rolled back when we took our driving test.....". I did laugh, obviously, as it was (in my opinion) ludicrous!
I did not intend to watch all the games, but after seeing the opening match, I went into my husband and apologised. "What for?" he asked. I explained, after the first quarter (and shouting that this is not football!) that I love the game, and I had forgotten quite how much I love the game, and a good match is worth a watch! I took my laptop into the office, rather than watching on a half screen, and was able to continue working and watching! The England match was coming up and I had planned not to watch the previous game so that I did not get 'footballed out!"
Having been accompanied by creatures other than humans in the pool, I was somewhat perturbed when a neighbour shrieked. "I think it's a caterpillar!" she said. I looked down, blinked, and looked again. It did look like something was there, but I could not quite make out the shape. It looked translucent. I blamed my eyes. After a time, which seemed quite long, but was probably only a minute, maybe two, she continued to make noises, indicating that she (also) was not happy sharing the pool! I got up to get the net. As I came back, I looked again, and it looked as if it had burrowed into the base. As I stepped back, wondering if I would have to get back, I saw the reason for my lack of clear vision. "It's this!" I said. I pointed to a few bits of pollen that had accumulated on the surface, and caused a shadow on the bottom. It was very amusing, and I felt better about my eyes!
My daughter had ordered me a shirt for the game, and had made me a pair of earrings, with the Cross of St. George, and a football hanging from each flag. They were slightly heavy but needs must! The t-shirt had not arrived, so her friend made me one with three lions blazoned across the front. Wednesday morning, as I was getting ready for work, I knew I had an England shirt somewhere! At the back of one of the drawers in the spare room, rolled up neatly, perhaps never again thought to see the light of day, was Samantha's old shirt! Out it came, and with a white skirt (I could not bring myself to wear shorts) I donned the earrings, official cap, and went into the office. An attorney emerged from his office, looked at me and said, "Futbool"! as they are wont to pronounce! I told my fellow workers, "I tripped him up and his associate gave me a yellow card!" Most laughed. Two looked at me in horror! "You tripped him up, because he said Futbool?" Oh dear! The learning process may never end!
"I could hear her from the bathroom", my husband told my daughter, as he re-entered our office. "You can hear her from McDonalds!" she responded, having picked up some snacks from the fast food place, some quarter of a mile away. I did not apologise for the noises.....!
The week continued, as did the games. Some were exciting, others not! "Who are you cheering for? Do you have a dog in the hunt?" my husband was asking. A good game is a good game! A good score is worth a shout, is it not? I remember my dad clapping at a goal scored by the opposition. "Why did you clap?" I asked. "It was a terrific goal", he responded. "Credit where credit is due!" was his statement. "Messi got a hat trick" was bounced around for a while, as Argentina scored three points against Algeria. I responded, to Jerry, who has taken a big interest in the game, and who is a big NFL (American football) fan, particularly the team with the one star, sharing it's name with a big city, and soap opera! "Only three!" I retorted. "It was like playing a highschool team, or Dallas Cowboys playing an NFL team! They should have scored more!" He nodded, and then realised my 'dissing' his team, laughed a hearty chuckle!
I did wear a USA top on Friday afternoon, albeit over my dress, and removed it once the game was over. I listened to the commentator, gave him a 'red card' for most of his commentary, and saw Scotland lose after conceding a very early goal.
My (smaller) Cross of St. George flies next to the Stars and Stripes outside my front door. I have had no complaints, and doubt that I will, despite it being a major infraction! I know the rules, and I do generally stick to them, but I think my neighbours will give me a little leeway! I shall have to find another place for it on the 4th July! I am hoping that both teams win their group, so there is not another showdown on that infamous day! Of course, it is anyone's game on any given day, but if the USA lose on their 250th anniversary of freedom, it may be a bit of a blow, especially if it is to a 'George'!
There is a long way to go! I hope we do not disturb any therapy sessions, although I feel there may be a few more needed! The mainline news has indicated that there is a lot of apathy about the competition. With the stadiums being full to the brim, I am commenting on the apathy at every game! The crowds gathering outside, and the 'watch' parties are overflowing. Perhaps I have misinterpreted the word! Even those who have no interest have shown an interest.
This is a 'world' event, and it appears that even politics cannot spoil the fervent shout of all fans. It is possibly what the 'world' needed, and is proving to be a good bonding experience. I hope to still be cheering at the end of next week, with England having two matches before next Sunday. My shirt is ready for the next game, and I shall not be apologising for any noises! Credit where credit is due! Next week may bring some excitement and possibly some disappointment. I hope I get it all in ........... another story!
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