The Love for the World Cup vs The Love for Shopping Malls / Killing Time

World Cup is finally here. I accompanied girlfriend to our usual hangout at AB as we do not have cable at home. Music was turned off during the match. Girlfriend made a last minute reservation via sms to the boss. So that she would be able to get a good seat, amongst the other crazed fans.

I was dressed up to the 9th's (by my own accord.. haha..). It was the right decision to wear the demin jacket for we were directly where the air-con ducts were stationed to face.

Well, it was of course boring for me as I am not a soccer fan at all. Sitting through a 180 minute match excluding extra time is no joke.

And yes, as what my partner has described, I am more of the shopping mall kinda gal. I am not a compulsive shopper, as agreed by my Prince (and thank god for that..). But seriously, if the music was turned ON at AB, I would not have been bored. But of course, to pull in the crowds for the benefits of the business, I understand that the music has to go for this.

But if the music was turned ON, I would have amused myself by listening and shaking my butt, waving my arms and pointing my fingers in different directions in tune to the music. But as everyone there had their eyes glued to the screen and ears cleaned and peeled wide opened to the commentator and the crowds shouting at the stadium when a ball was scored / missed/ a player fouled, etc etc etc. I had no one to observe. Nothing to keep myself occupied. All eyes, ears and heads were only at 1 direction - towards the TV screen.

Prince Glendan of course noticed my bored look and kept little conversations with me during the match. I knew she would do this for she is not the kind to totally ignore me and leave me alone during those 90 minutes and I appreciate that. That is why I would not mind sitting next to her and keeping her company (with music turned ON, of course.. hahha..) I did not want to keep talking to her for I know she would want to concentrate on the watching the match. So I tried my best to keep myself occupied, by sipping on my vodka and whisky, turning my attention to the pool table, smoking and sending text messages to my other non-soccer crazy friends.

I am glad that I could be frank enough to tell Prince Glendan that I was bored. The massive glare from the TV screen was killing me. I had a pain on my forehead and I was frowning - not because I was bored. But because my eyes were painful - its the kind of pain where one would have when they stare at the monitor for too long a time. I would sometimes get this even when I am catching a movie. I guess its the glare. I often get this and even dizzy spells from staring at the monitor in the office.

I told Prince Glendan I would not be at AB tonight to catch the match with her. She said that it is alright. I can do whatever I wanted. I could stay at home - watch vcd's or go out with my friends. I did not want her to see my bored look and have her feel guilty at the same time - for when I am bored, there would be an instant glow to it (haha...).

Girlfriend has just updated me to dump the 1st batch of printed match schedules on the bed. She has printed another set and revised her strategy. She is one busy gal, huh?

As for now, the update is: 30 matches

Therefore, 30 matches x 90 minutes = 2,700 minutes (excluding extra time and penalty kicks and whatever else there is..)

How to amuse yourself if your partner is busy watching the soccer match for Dummies:-

1. Bring your PSP along with you to play games when your partner is watching the match;
2. Bring your MP3 along with you, so if the bar's music is turned off, you would be able to pluck those ear-phones into your ears and enjoy the match together with your partner;
3. Bring a book along with you to read when your partner is shouting her head off;
4. Bring your laptop / notebook along with you so that you would be able to go online (wireless connection / hotspots are required..) to chat with your non-soccer friends / surf the net (no lending your little precious to the over-zealous fans to place their bets online, unless they are willing to give you coffee money of $5.00 per minute);
5. Bring along a extra mobile phone and Get a M1 SMS Top Up Card to send 300 sms-es to your non-soccer friends (and pretend that you are a bookie..);
6. Bring along your portable DVD player set to watch season 3 of the L Word, while your partner is concentrating on the other TV screen.