2010 Wêreldbeker

I am really excited about going to the World Cup.

The odd thing about it is that I did not feel the same even as far back as one year ago. After hearing some negative things from fellow journalist that attended the FIFA 2009 Confederation's Cup, there was a point where I told myself that I was not going to go. I heard the logistics were horrible, that security was an issue, and that many dangers lie outside the stadium confines.

My pal and fellow journo, Joel Aceves, must have talked about the this World Cup since our last World Cup adventure in Germany and we kept telling ourselves that going to the World Cup in South Africa would not be worth the trip, and perhaps some if it has to do with us being freelancers.

What struck me as odd is a comment that Joel made that he doesn't live in years, he lives in World Cup cycles. I don't remember how he said it, but the jist of it was that his life revolves around this tournament. That comment basically encapsulated my feelings and how I live my life and what the beautiful game means to me.

Throughout my undergraduate career, I use to schedule my classes around tournaments. When Mexican league teams were admitted into the Copa Libertadores, I would rarely take courses on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Before Fox Sports got the rights to the tournament in 2002/03, I use to go to this crappy Latin pool hall (Rita's) in Houston, and pay 20 to watch the matches on PSN. I know I could have finished my undergraduate career faster if I had taken summer courses throughout the entire summer, but unfortunately, France 98 and Japorea 02 were more important. At least I still think they were.

So, I am out in the real world, with no real desire to pursue a career that would compliment my degree. Oh no, I pursued a career that would allow me to take time off for special moments like Copa Libertadores, Champions League, Copa America, Gold Cup, and of course, the FIFA World Cup.

So, going back to December, I knew I just could not sit on the couch and watch the games on TV, not when I have an golden opportunity get tickets to virtually any game I want and sit pitch side and watch the game through my lenses. I just could not sit back, I live for these type of events.