FIFA World Cup - a Month of Sleepless nights.

I have blood shot, lost concentration at work (borderline actually), panda eyes and sleepless nights for at least 2 weeks. If there wasn't any time difference then I wouldn't be having these symptoms and marking the sofa with my body shape. This year is the 2010 FIFA World Cup, held in South Africa. Thirty-two (32) countries competing to see which team will be the best for the world cup (and probably a good door stopper!).

I am not going to lie to you, I don't always follow soccer; nor do I have a favourite team. Don't get me wrong, I like watching the game (not just always the obvious when women like footballers (!)) I like watching a good match. However when that 4 years of the FIFA World Cup comes around; I go all gaga and wooo hooo! If the Socceroos are in the cup. I support Australia...and a few other teams may I add. When one of the teams I cheer for is eliminated I go for the next team....don't we all?

"The sport that stops the nation...." Whoops that's Melbourne Cup. Guess the FIFA World Cup stops a nation when your team country is playing a match. Generally die-hard fans go to the local sports bar/club and watch the games while drinking a tasty cold beer; or just gathering with friends and family watching it in their 50inch plasma screen at home. If there is no time difference then the fans are probably ordering take-away food instead of cooking because they are glued to the screen. Well since Australia watches the football in midnight well er its probably just a cuppa coffee and snacks that are left in the pantry and left-over meals. *Ho hum.*

People who aren't a huge fan of football (soccer for the non-european countries and the point a few dislike calling it soccer), trust me you will turn to be a temporary die-hard fan for a month! *Fingers point at Vivian* Regardless how much knowledge you know about football; you instantly become God in understanding the game (bullshitting or not) you just feel as if you do. Tehehehe.

The games so far have been good. Only a few drove me insane and the referees!!! What's the deal with them. Some have given poor judgements in some games i.e the recent goal England 'supposedly' scored against Germany recently and giving straight red card to Australia's Harry Kewell when they where playing against Ghana week ago. Wasn't happy Jan!

Another insane thing are the vuvuzelas. At the beginning to the end it just drives me insane. GRRRR, but if you're into watching the game (on tv) guess it just doesn't bother you with selective hearing - the referees, players, Les Murray and the other commentators. At least theres not much to go till the cup is over in a couple of weeks.

Sam, Santo and Ed Cup Fever has been following the World Cup since it started, the middle and of course the end. It's such a crack up. If you don't know what it is, its just a 30min show where they discuss about the previous games, take a mickey out of certain players, matches, have 'interviews' with a few of the world's greatest former soccer players and coaches. Hilarious. That's what TV's suppose to be!

Now girls, don't get too excited... yes being shallow for a bit sometimes girls just like to watch the match because of the soccer players. Yes i.e Ronaldo, Messi, Villa, er the whole Spanish and Argentian team, South Americans, USA, Germany..err whatever tickles your fancy. A month of perve-fest. No hard feelings there guys......I'm sure when there's women playing sports you perve as well. HA!
Right now it's close to crunch time as each group are playing towards the quarter/semi and then the finals. I wonder who will be going to the finals? I will go for Spain, Germany, Japan, Brazil, Netherlands and Argentina. GO teams GO!

It'd be a tad depressing for me when the cup is over. OH well...another 4 years in Brazil next. I just hope Australia gets in the next world cup. Guess I just wait for the next world cup - the Rugby Union World Cup in New Zealand....at least the time difference is only 3hours :).

V x

AJ Hackett Nevis Bungy Jump

Orginally Remy and I were only to do the Nevis Arc Swing, nevertheless, we both decided to to the Bungy Jumping. (Don't know what possessed us to do it!). It's not Queenstown unless you get to do bungy (or equivalent). It's not for the faint hearted, and even the last time I went to Queenstown with Lani and Neil, there was no way to do it. 1. It was winter wonderland in Queenstown = FREEZING 2. Were on a schedule to just snowboard and 3. Didn't in a million years think of doing it.

Now that million years have come....I have decided in my crazy mind to "DO IT!" Nike style. So Friday 7th of May we went to the Bungy Shop to book for our jump on Saturday 8th of May. Lucky we didn't pay full price as it was 20% off if you've done a jump/swing with A.J.Hackett...once paid...no turning back. Yikes!

The eve of the jump, Remy and I were at the Altitude Bar @ the Base Queenstown Backpackers and I get a missed call from my brother Ray. I call back......
{viv} "Hey Ray, What's up?"
{ray}"Are you in hospital?"
{viv}"What? Errr..I'm in a club" (doof doof noise in the background)
{ray} " Oh, cause there was a news in Yahoo about an Australian falling from bungy"
{viv} "Huh? Nope. (Ray reads the article to me).
{viv} "No because I'm in Queenstown, not in Christchurch"
{ray} "Oh that's good, because we were worried."
{viv} "Remy and I are all good; we are bungy jumping tomorrow"
{ray}"Okay....(and can't remember what else we talked but then say bye).

*Sigh*
The night before, we went on a Pub Crawl. The Pub Crawl was good, however after the 5th pub we lost the group so Remy and I ended up at the World Bar for a while before heading back to our room to sleep..ready for the next day ahead.

8th of May we will never forget. Read on the site about the accident that happened to an Australian lady and who was in the Christchurch Hospital recovering from her bungy fall. There are risk taking these activities, however I was rather annoyed by the news..honestly (and quietly) it made me nervous because it could happen to anyone who does it. About 130pm was our jump; again the bus with other 'jumpers' to the Nevis Bungy place.

Drove past the Kawana Bridge Bungy, which is the very first commerical bungy jump - 43m and then 15mins was our destination. Firstly checked in and weighed again with the harness and then followed one of the staff member to the platform; gawking at the place where people were jumping off; a cable wired platform..the only way to get there was a cable transporter thingy....4 of us got onto the cable transport thingy, Remy, 2 Swedish girls and me. Got to the platform and I was extremely nervous and shaky. My hands were tremoring while I hear scream after scream of the people jumping off and then seeing them through the glass view on the floor.

A very long way to the bottom..how about 143m??? Remy and I made our own bet to see, who out of us to was to jump first. Paper, scissors and Rock game out of 3. I lost so I was planning on jumping first. Unfortunately they went by weight so I had to be the last..and him the first again.
Lots of picture taking *click click*. I stand at the viewing area, cheering on Remy (Cheering?). The staff member asked Remy "Are you ready?" Remy: "Non"...counting down 3,2,1..JUMP..nope. The he jumped. I just heard a faint "arghhhhhhhhhh!"....after 2 jumps from other people, I was the lucky last. Can't describe how I felt sitting on the dentist-seque chair having my legs bounded together. Guess pissed off, excited and nervousness.

Shuffling like a Geisha to that 'plank' I look down thinking "I cannot believe I'm doing this!" My stomach had butterflies....oh my gosh, oh my gosh...! Waved and posed for photos then the guy counted down...3,2,1..JUMP...then all over. Whoosh! Such a breathtaking view of the lake and mountains...8.5seconds its over. Between those second yes I screamed my head of, I think I may have shut my eyes for a split second.

Wow! What a jump. Sense of accomplishment that I can tick it off my list to 'things to do when travelling'

Afterwards back onto the Cable Transporter back to the base, brought the dvd and photo and then headed back to Queenstown centre back to our place and saying to each other "OMG; can't believe what we just did!"

Would I do it again? Yes...scare myself all over again.

Until then...

Adios

Vxx