Saturday 3 September 2011

Les Arbitres

I received my long awaited DVD from Amazon today, simply entitled 'The Referees'. It's a docu/film based around the Euro 2008 referees, as it followed them round their pressure-filled lives on and off the pitch. It covered Howard Webb's death threats from Polish fans, the constant, (and sometimes comical) communicating they do, and the harsh X-Factor-like process of elimination. I honestly think it's up there with one of the best films I've ever seen, simply because it opened my eyes to how much pressure these guys are constantly under. I can only presume it will surprise non-referees even more, because the crockpit of pressure they are in, is just unbelievable. One mistake, and you're going home.

It has inspired me to want to referee today, but after some late enquiries to see if there were any matches going, with no luck, I think I will settle for a day of sleep before tonight's shift. The last of my marathon 8 shifts, and I have to say, I've done well. Last night seemed to go quite quickly, for a change, even if I was working with a randomer from another store and cycling home, bacon and cheese turnover in hand, was easier than usual. Maybe my fitness is getting back to 100%, with the illness now almost non-existant, with the only symptom remaining, the apparent deafness in my left ear.

My day off was spent in good company, and despite only a few hours sleep, I played well at golf, hitting 3 birdies in a round of 81. After a curry, myself, Birthday Boy (Magic Man), Kettle and Mario had a good crack at the pub quiz, but to no avail, and then I went home to continue my magical Football Manager game before crashing out. What an interesting life I lead...

No news on the University front. And why, oh why, is everyone jabbering on about Holland's 11-0 win against San Marino? I'm fairly confident I could beat San Marino on my own, so winning 11-0 isn't absolutely incredible. I'd expect at least triple figures against a team which would do better on ice. Anyway, seeing as it's 10am, I'd say that was good night from me! (And a good night from him!)

By the way, for those of you without a 'B' in GCSE French, 'Les Arbitres' is French for 'The Referees'. But you already knew that right?

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