Visas

I never thought it could ever be so easy in Japan. Today we got our Certificates of Eligibility and our visas on the same day! It seems almost like a miracle; four years ago in the same situation, we were ordered to leave Japan to validate our visas at a Japanese foreign consulate. Apparently the law has changed and now, whacko and diddlee-dee, we can do it all in Kobe. There was one hitch. Tom's dependency visa will require further documents and a bit of stuffing around, but we are so relieved that the others are out of the way. Really it seems like a dream. We were menatlly prepared for the hop to Seoul.

So, Australia is out of the World Cup after a great tournament. Italy may well have gone the same way but for the sophistry of their hulking back, Grosso, who feigned a penalty in the last minute. This World Cup has, unfortunately, been characterised by some awful refereeing decisions. The Italian one was just one of many stupefying mistakes by officials who should know better, given their experience and training. Please Fifa, just select the very best, irrespective of their country of origin. Political correctness is never worth its downside....

The Italians

It's no secret that the Australian Soccer team in WC 2006 has exceeded the expectations of just about everyone. Just qualifying was an achievement that put to the sword a 30 year hex. Winning the opening match 3-1 against Japan was another milestone. Then there was qualifying for the Round of 16 by finishing second behind Brazil in Group F.

Tonight we play the talented Italians, a country that has won three world cups and a multitude of honours. It might be our last hurrah, or it might be yet another pioneering chapter for Australian soccer. Italy has some brilliant players in Totti and Toni. Australia has determination and great teamwork.

Sometimes just the bounce of the ball in a certain way can swing a match. Somestimes, regretably, a referee. The Italians are confident of victory and are expected to win; Australia, the underdogs, again. I think that's how we like it. C'mmon Aussie!

F Troop

A lazy weekend at home, although to be honest, most weekends are like that since Tom came into the world. We popped up to Woodytown Saty to weigh and measure Tom in the babies room. He seems to be hitting all the right targets. He's such a good boy!

This afternoon I walked downtown to the river, pondering the looming football match between Brazil and Australia, and willing the latter to a famous if improbable win. There are many possibilties with Group F and quite a few different outcomes possible, although all of these still feature Brazil coming top of the group.

There is a distinctly surreal feel to the whole WC here in Japan. The media had hyped the national teams chances so much that the defeat (glorious and emphatic) against Australia seems not to have fully penetrated the national psyche. There has been insufficient post-match analysis and a great deal of excuse making, allied with the tedious and often trivial coverage on the television. But by 3am this morning, everything might look very different, all the tables turned,as it were. I hope not. I really want Australia to go through to the Round of 16.

Pillow

I feel a little like a bed, Tom is so often resting on my chest. He seems to like this position best of all and it is sometimes the only way to calm him. I like it too, though I suspect I am being used as a babysitter rather too often. Okay, I am the dad, but I have a lot of other chores to do, such as trying to run a business.

The World Cup has started in earnest and I've lost a lot of sleep watching the first few days. Of course, I can't keep this up for long, my teaching will suffer too much. And my temper!

After a triumphant and emphatic 3-1 win over Japan last Monday, Australia faces the mighty Brazil tomorrow night. I'd love Australia to win or even draw, but my head tells me that the best team in the world simply has too many guns for the gallant socceroos. but you never know, do you?

Settling

Difficult as the past few weeks have been, there is a kind of rhythm that's starting to emerge. The sort of thing that makes you think that you might just get through, even if its by the seat of the pants. We still have a number of variables. No certificate of eligilbity as yet, no new students, little money to spend on promoting the school and a baby that is, well, a baby. Miwa is truly a blessing but she only has so much time and we both feel guilty with the amount of stuff she already does for us.

Thw WC is in full swing now after the months of phoney war (perhaps not the best choice of expressions given the venue) and I'm getting to see quite a lot via Japanese TV. The buildup to tomorrow nights match between Japan and Australia is inexorably drawing to a close, though the Japanese media is in full cry and often utterly ridiculous. The standard and subject of reportage borders on the insulting.

Anyway, Tom's awake again so I have duties to perform......