What I Learned Today

Miyazaki’s Spirited Away is, and I quote, “too scary! too scary! too scary!” for two year olds.

At first Marlowe was enchanted. Then it got dark, the parents turned into pigs, and demons started appearing out of nowhere. And that was the end of Spirited Away for Marlowe. “Too scary! Too scary! Too scary!”

Never give up on the Liberty. They always come back in the second half. (Unless they don’t.) Um, Coach Coyle? How come Erin Thorne got more minutes than Shameka Christon?

Never give up on the Australian men’s cricket team (not that I didn’t already know that). Yeah, yeah, England have declared. Yeah, yeah it would be a miracle to get four hundred on the final day of a test. But I have not given up! Just a flesh wound. The merest of grazes!

Rosé is the only thing to drink on a hot summer day. That and young coconut water. Or, you know, actual water. Or champagne. Or whatever drink you happen to like . . .

Thunderstorms rule! (Yeah, I already knew that one too.)

Posted by Justine at 19:38, 14 August 2005 under Basketball, Cricket, Liquids, Sport, Viewing | 108 Comments »

Comments

niki Says:

mmmm – never go work in england when you are about to lose the cricket….

August 15th, 2005 at 5:38 am
2. Justine Says:

What’s with this ridiculous defeatest attitude?!

August 15th, 2005 at 7:36 am
jonathan Says:

we shall, we shall, we shall overcome some day. i hear australia are about to tour england. will be cool when they get there. maybe today?

August 15th, 2005 at 8:18 am
4. Justine Says:

Harsh, Jonathan, very, very harsh.

I’m loving this test series. Best in years. Amazing what taking inevitability out of the picture does for the interest level. Not that I weren’t interested before.

Also: this is the best English side in years. Yes, they’re the age old enemy, but it’s much cooler defeating a worthy foe than a crap one. Yes I love it when we thrash ‘em, but I’m also going to adore us pulling out a draw today!

August 15th, 2005 at 8:23 am
niki Says:

What’s with this ridiculous defeatest attitude? …

sitting in a room fully of english fans listening to digital radio broadcast….just lost another one …

August 15th, 2005 at 9:01 am
6. Justine Says:

Yeah, yeah, yeah. As long as we’ve got Warne coming in to bat. We will survive!

August 15th, 2005 at 9:05 am
jonathan Says:

ok. yes, this is the best english side in year’s. they’re not as good as the scorelines are making them appear, but they are good. australia is looking distinctly shaky, and playing badly. they should have won the second test. no excuses. i don’t know if serious team rebuilding is now on the cards, but the entire upper order must be somewhat in question. same for the bowling lineup. dizzy’s career is in real jeopardy, as is the career of one or two others, i’d say.

good points? punter’s back. under pressure, he’s played like the guy we know, which is great. shane is a legend, and mcgrath is too. but, other than that, very worrying. if we lose a sixth wicket before about 300 this game is done.

August 15th, 2005 at 9:48 am
niki Says:

yes ’tis true much better english team – actually it’s quite amazing being here – people are going crazy – there was a massive traffic jam with people trying to get the last tickets into the game this morning – it’s getting so much more coverage than the footbal eheheheh

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/4153306.stm

August 15th, 2005 at 10:18 am
jonathan Says:

it’s 5/249. they need 174 to win off 37 overs. watching clarke, you don’t think clarke and punter think they can win?

August 15th, 2005 at 10:53 am
niki Says:

don’t jinks – but yes it’s getting very exciting – all very possible but not sure if I want that as I might be suffering some bruses if australia do it…

August 15th, 2005 at 11:08 am
jonathan Says:

clarke just out. well, now it’s hard. hmmm.

August 15th, 2005 at 11:12 am
jonathan Says:

and it wasn’t me. i did *not* jinx ‘em. honest.

August 15th, 2005 at 11:16 am
niki Says:

sure you didn’t …. this is “a nail biter” arggg….

August 15th, 2005 at 11:19 am
jonathan Says:

nails? you got nails left after the last test? who had time for them to grow back?

arg! there goes gillespie. maybe for the last time ever in test cricket. can warnie do magic? hope so.

August 15th, 2005 at 11:21 am
niki Says:

let just hope for a draw ….but i am enjoying the english commentators commenting on how their bowlers hair flow in the wind as they run up to bowl …

August 15th, 2005 at 11:37 am
jonathan Says:

i’ll be happy with that from here. if punter can make it stumps, the draw could happen. i think if he does get out, the game won’t last long. fingers crossed.

August 15th, 2005 at 11:39 am
17. Justine Says:

Nice to see you two enjoying yourselves!

I, too, am suffering from a fingernail deficit. Gulp. Aaargh. Gulp. Seems like with every bloody ball something’s about to happen.

Though, of course, my trust is in Warne. Who is a god just like the Greek and Roman ones—complete with superpowers and tabloid antics.

August 15th, 2005 at 12:13 pm
niki Says:

it’s looking like rain …..

August 15th, 2005 at 12:14 pm
19. Justine Says:

Oh no! That would suck!

August 15th, 2005 at 12:15 pm
niki Says:

maybe …maybe not

August 15th, 2005 at 12:16 pm
21. Justine Says:

Wash your mouth out! We’re going to save this match without more bloody rain. Damn it!

August 15th, 2005 at 12:19 pm
jonathan Says:

rain, rain, come from spain…. 121 runs of 108 legal deliveries. gah.

August 15th, 2005 at 12:22 pm
23. Justine Says:

Jonathan! You’re as bad as my sister.

August 15th, 2005 at 12:23 pm
24. Justine Says:

hah! The Pommy commentators are starting to concede the draw. Hee hee!

August 15th, 2005 at 12:28 pm
niki Says:

getting too dark to play hehehehehehe ….

August 15th, 2005 at 12:29 pm
jonathan Says:

pietersen dropped warnie. heh. they say he’s up to test cricket. back to the pajamas for him.

August 15th, 2005 at 12:31 pm
jonathan Says:

as bad as your sister! niki is plainly a woman of great wisdom. it’s you pollyana’s who are the worry.

August 15th, 2005 at 12:32 pm
niki Says:

c’mon it was a hard catch and the light is dimmmmm )))

August 15th, 2005 at 12:33 pm
29. Justine Says:

Oh, yes, if you’re not a doomsayer you’re a pollyanna. Please! My faith in the oz cricket team just isn’t quite as shakeable as you two doubting Thomases!

August 15th, 2005 at 12:35 pm
30. Justine Says:

Now bloody Henry is saying England deserve to win this game. Please! We deserved the last one. That’s cricket. You can’t tell me Ponting’s six-hour marathon shouldn’t earn us the draw. Damn it! And he just hit another four!

August 15th, 2005 at 12:40 pm
niki Says:

why thank you jonathan – I must say though that justine must have some wisdon to have thought of compairing such superiour and intelligent people as ourselves with each other.

August 15th, 2005 at 12:41 pm
32. Justine Says:

Oi! This is my blog and if this ganging up on me continues textual revenge will be exacted. You have been warned.

August 15th, 2005 at 12:44 pm
niki Says:

bugger …..forgot about the god aspects of blogs .. . and how wonderful my glorious sister is!

August 15th, 2005 at 12:47 pm
jonathan Says:

not no stinking doomsayer. the australians, as a team, have played consistently badly since they arrived for this tour. the pajama series was a mess, and the test series (some individual highlights aside) has been little better. the top 5 batters have scored less than warnie. punters innings is the longest by an australian batsman (in terms of balls faced) in something like 18 months. there *has* been bad luck, but there’s also been poor technique, worse application, and terrible arrogance. if this tour does anything, it might remind australia of the values that border, taylor and waugh stood for. high quality cricket played with guts. if the australians were playing to their abilities, rather than their egos, this wouldn’t be a close game or series at all.

and niki – we are wise, intelligent and generally superior. it’s obvious. and do *not* think about getting 7.5 runs per over. Though Justine is much more wonderful than us.

August 15th, 2005 at 12:49 pm
niki Says:

- could be a bit cleverer about changing our posts…I want to go home but I have to wait for the cricket to end….

August 15th, 2005 at 12:54 pm
36. Justine Says:

I think most of what you say is true. But I think the main factor is this is the first time they’ve been truly tested since India. It’s quite a shock after always cruising to suddenly be tested. They haven’t done it with shining colours exactly, but I don’t think they’ve been as dire as you’re painting. We creamed them in the first test and England only narrowly won the second.

August 15th, 2005 at 12:55 pm
jonathan Says:

home! home! it’s one o’clock in the morning here. i want to go to bed. still, who can turn away?

August 15th, 2005 at 12:55 pm
niki Says:

150 !!!! go ponty

August 15th, 2005 at 12:56 pm
39. Justine Says:

I sure can’t stop listening. Despite all the work I should be doing. I’m behind on several deadlines . . .

August 15th, 2005 at 12:56 pm
40. Justine Says:

Yay! Ponting just got his 150!

August 15th, 2005 at 12:57 pm
niki Says:

yes but I have to leave before I get mobbed – the timing is very delicate …

August 15th, 2005 at 12:58 pm
jonathan Says:

woo hoo! go punter! what an innings. and i’m sure he’s going for a not out here. said it before, if this test achieves nothing else for australia, it’s seen punter play himself back into form.

August 15th, 2005 at 12:58 pm
niki Says:

not deadlines for me – I’m ALLL done ))

August 15th, 2005 at 12:59 pm
44. Justine Says:

You’re not going to get mobbed.

August 15th, 2005 at 12:59 pm
jonathan Says:

deadlines? sob. they sit, sadly, by the in tray. i *have* to get things done. but i can’t not watch.

August 15th, 2005 at 12:59 pm
niki Says:

he’s dropped !!!

August 15th, 2005 at 1:00 pm
47. Justine Says:

Only ten more overs . . .

August 15th, 2005 at 1:00 pm
niki Says:

no he caught it !!

August 15th, 2005 at 1:00 pm
jonathan Says:

ye gods! did you see that! warnie is gone. sob.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:00 pm
50. Justine Says:

Bloody hell!

August 15th, 2005 at 1:01 pm
niki Says:

we’re off to watch it – see you later

August 15th, 2005 at 1:01 pm
52. Justine Says:

Hey–it hadn’t happened when you posted. Time delay!

August 15th, 2005 at 1:02 pm
53. Justine Says:

Bye Niki!

August 15th, 2005 at 1:03 pm
jonathan Says:

it’s down to lee and punter. fifty five balls. no one is letting this slip away. if england wins, they will have fought. if australia saves the game, they’ll deserve it. whoot.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:05 pm
jonathan Says:

see ya niki. catcha for the next test.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:06 pm
56. Justine Says:

Aaarggh!

And following the radio commentary. It feels like something’ll happen on any given ball. Very nerve wracking!

August 15th, 2005 at 1:06 pm
57. Justine Says:

Oops, I’ll go back and expunge. Doesn’t do to share family nicknames. Nothing happened, Jonathan. You remember nothing. These are not the droids you’re looking for . . .

August 15th, 2005 at 1:07 pm
jonathan Says:

don’t trust the commentary. ponting looks very solid. he’s been like a rock all day, and nothing’s changed. lee looks ok too right now.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:07 pm
jonathan Says:

do you think if i ask she’ll tell me the corollary name that no doubt accompanies the name which was never said and shall never be repeated?

August 15th, 2005 at 1:08 pm
60. Justine Says:

I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mr Strahan.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:10 pm
jonathan Says:

so the 1,761st test match ever comes down to the last 45 balls. wow.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:11 pm
jonathan Says:

heh. i bet you don’t.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:12 pm
63. Justine Says:

I know, this series is just insane. It’s like everyone’s on speed!

August 15th, 2005 at 1:14 pm
64. Justine Says:

You reckon it’s the influence of 20/20?

August 15th, 2005 at 1:14 pm
jonathan Says:

i think it’s a combination of several things. the pace is a combination of 20/20 on the poms, 50 over stuff on them both. and then there’s rank arrogance on the aussies part. this is vicious stuff. lee is looking solid, though.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:16 pm
jonathan Says:

just as an aside, warnie has been the aussies best player this series. notice that he’s the only player to go the UK and play for six weeks or so before the test matches. the others had a holiday.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:18 pm
67. Justine Says:

Vicious indeed. Bloody poms and their bloody bodyline. They’ve been trying to kill us for decades!

August 15th, 2005 at 1:19 pm
68. Justine Says:

Very good point about Warnie.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:20 pm
jonathan Says:

heh heh. that’s what i like. a nicely one-eyed view. after all, we’ve been nice and gentle with the poms. that wasn’t blood i saw on strauss yesterday.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:20 pm
70. Justine Says:

Spontaneous bleeding that was. They’re all haemophiliacs those pasty poms. Just remember: these are the bastards who invented bodyline!

August 15th, 2005 at 1:22 pm
jonathan Says:

well, in the face of that kind of logic, i can but agree. what will cheryl make of all of this when she reads the thread?

August 15th, 2005 at 1:23 pm
72. Justine Says:

You reckon she will? I tend to give up on threads if they get too long.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:24 pm
jonathan Says:

you’re probably right. this kind of thing is only fun while it’s happening, then it’s a palimpsest of the excitement that happened some other day.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:25 pm
jonathan Says:

ponting is out! ack!

August 15th, 2005 at 1:28 pm
75. Justine Says:

God damn the time delay! It still hasn’t happend here.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:28 pm
76. Justine Says:

Now it has. Bugger.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:28 pm
77. Justine Says:

It’s all up to Lee and McGrath.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:29 pm
jonathan Says:

one wicket. twenty four balls. lee and mcgrath. speechless.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:29 pm
79. Justine Says:

Just a flesh wound!

August 15th, 2005 at 1:30 pm
jonathan Says:

lol

August 15th, 2005 at 1:31 pm
81. Justine Says:

If they survive they’re gunna be black and blue . . .

August 15th, 2005 at 1:31 pm
jonathan Says:

oh i think they are and all that.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:32 pm
83. Justine Says:

Do you remember a test series like this? I really think this is the best I’ve ever seen (er, heard).

August 15th, 2005 at 1:32 pm
jonathan Says:

do i? gosh. australia playing the windies back in the early 80s. if australia could only eliminate the dumb stuff, i’d be happier, but this is extraordinary.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:34 pm
85. Justine Says:

See, i don’t remember that too well at all. I have a clearer memory of the 60/61 tie and I wasn’t even born yet . . .

August 15th, 2005 at 1:35 pm
jonathan Says:

just don’t let us lose two cliffhangers in a row. that’d be cruel.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:37 pm
87. Justine Says:

It would indeed. Fourteen balls left . . .

August 15th, 2005 at 1:37 pm
jonathan Says:

heh heh. always wished i’d seen the tie in india that they didn’t even televise in australia. twelve balls to go.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:38 pm
jonathan Says:

and imagine how lee feels. he was out there when they lost last week.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:39 pm
90. Justine Says:

If we hit a six off each ball and there are some no balls, we could still win!

August 15th, 2005 at 1:39 pm
jonathan Says:

i love your attitude. wouldn’t want you batting right now, but the attitude is good.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:40 pm
92. Justine Says:

And of course in the face of this incredible test series with interest in Cricket in England at insane levels–they’ve sold the exclusive rights to cricket to cable. Thus guaranteeing that they’ll lose a lot of the new audience. Idiots.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:40 pm
93. Justine Says:

Mate, I will so settle for a draw!

August 15th, 2005 at 1:41 pm
jonathan Says:

typical!

August 15th, 2005 at 1:41 pm
95. Justine Says:

Even if we lose (which we won’t) Aggers is right: test cricket is the best sport in the world.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:42 pm
jonathan Says:

not the draw comment, about cable. six balls. nails being bitten.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:42 pm
97. Justine Says:

Don’t you mean the flesh where once there were nails?

August 15th, 2005 at 1:43 pm
jonathan Says:

yes. four balls. and a single. three balls.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:44 pm
jonathan Says:

one to go.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:46 pm
jonathan Says:

they’ve done it!!!!!! yes!!!!

August 15th, 2005 at 1:47 pm
101. Justine Says:

We did it!!!!! This has been amazing (and fun chattin about it with you). I feel very strange. Nervous tension still abounding! Good night, Jonathan! Good luck sleeping!

August 15th, 2005 at 1:47 pm
jonathan Says:

you’re right. this is the best series. and go ponting. and and and. balance for the lost last week.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:48 pm
103. Justine Says:

I repeat: Oh. My. God!!!!!

August 15th, 2005 at 1:48 pm
jonathan Says:

good luck with the deadlines. don’t know how i’ll sleep. good night till next time.

August 15th, 2005 at 1:48 pm
jonathan Says:

ps. test cricket is the dull stuff, yes?

August 15th, 2005 at 1:49 pm
niki Says:

what a match !!- that was fun )) -

August 15th, 2005 at 1:52 pm
Cheryl Says:

of course i read the bloody thread. would have joined in if I knew it was happening, but i was too busy watching the game.

no whingeing about brutal bowling, please. i’m sure brett lee will get his own back soon. must remember to tell strauss that you are only supposed to nut the ball in soccer.

August 15th, 2005 at 6:08 pm

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