Jools Sinclair's Blog, page 5

Soccer Is Pain, Highness....

Not long ago I was talking to a neighbor about soccer.

About the intensity, the passion, and the excitement. About how the World Cup tournament actually starts two years prior with qualifying games and friendlies. About how the Jools' household nervously gathers around the television to watch the all-important draw, the event where teams are placed into their groups. About how we collectively hold our breaths hoping that Argentina doesn't end up in a "Group of Death." About how that day is more or less the official kick-off of the tournament and it's when the pounding hearts, shallow breaths, and the dreams begin once again.

The countdown starts. Banners, flags, and decorations fill the house. The giant white erase board is nailed to the wall next to the flat screen. There are empanadas and barbeques and Dulce de Leche. Team jerseys are worn, scarves are wrapped around necks even though it's summer, and there is a continuous analysis of both past and present teams, stories of games told and retold.


"Maybe this is the year," we whisper. "Just maybe...."

Argentina has always been our team. Mr. Jools is from Argentina and our two daughters have passionate Argentine soccer hearts. We usually watch every one of those 64 games in the tournament. It's fun research, and we are looking ahead, seeing what teams need to be knocked out, what teams we need to be worried about.

This year the World Cup was incredible, with so many exciting moments. So many stories and so much drama.  Tim Howard in the goal box. Costa Rica. Mexico pushing through. Holland looking fierce. Germany looking strong and focused.  James Rodriguez. And then there were the surprises: Spain, Italy, and England all losing in the group stage and going home early. And, of course, Brazil's epic meltdown.


But back to my neighbor....

She didn't understand and she dismissed the conversation with, "Well, over all these years, surely you've come to realize that there's more to life than just a game."

It took me a little while to figure out what she was really saying. It wasn't just a matter of not  understanding the sport, it was a matter of not understanding what it means to so many people around the world.

It's love, pure and simple.




And with love come all those emotions: passion and excitement and hope.

And, of course, heartbreak.


Buttercup: You mock my pain!
Man in Black: Life is pain, Highness.
  
When it's all said and done, I've come to realize that soccer is mostly about pain. And this World Cup, at least for us, was no different. Argentina made it into the Final only to lose to Germany in overtime.


So what does any of this have to do with writing and the 44 series?

Well, everything. Love and pain and happiness and agony are always at the heart of a good story. And
Book 10 is coming soon.....


Jools

The Agony and the Agony....

It was a tough game, a tough loss, a tough day to be an Argentine soccer fan....
 
 There's so much I want to say about this World Cup....

But not today....
Jools

Bring on that Messi Magic...

       It's been an amazing World Cup for Argentina so far, but there's one more game to win.

The big one.
The Final in Rio in just a few hours.
We'll need the magic from the little magician. We'll need the defense to play like they played in the Holland game. And we'll need a little luck. 
GO ARGENTINA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Argentina Advances!!!

It was a grueling 120 minutes of football ending in a nail biting shootout, but at the end of the match, Argentina beat Holland 4-2 and advanced to the World Cup Final in Rio on Sunday.


Three best parts of the game:

Romero in the goal box, saving two PKs


Mascherano




 Messi scoring the first PK on the winking goalie Cillessen




Decime que se siente!!!!!

ARGENTINA! ARGENTINA! ARGENTINA!!!!

If you are a fan of the 44 series you know that Lionel Messi is Abby's absolute favorite soccer player. There's a reason for this, of course :) Besides being amazing and magical, he also happens to be my favorite soccer player. And being that I've been an Argentina soccer fan for over 20 years, words can't express my happiness over yesterday's win against Belgium to make it into the semi finals.

It's been an incredible World Cup, playing out on the stage like an elaborate opera, full of passion, heartbreak, spirit, exhileration, madness, and excitement. As a viewer, I've gone through every emotion possible while watching these athletes battle it out. It's been quite the ride. A hell of an inspiring, nerve-racking, teeth-clenching ride. As Mr. LittleJeans would say, "Best show ever, man."

Can you tell what I've been up to the last few weeks?


Hope you all had a fun and relaxing 4th. Here in town, the Pilot Butte fireworks show was spectacular! Way to go, Bend!!

Jools

Spanish Heartbreak

 

 It's been a dramatic World Cup already...full of ecstasy and agony, glory and defeat. It's hard to believe, but Spain (one of Abby Craig's favorite teams) lost its second game and has been knocked out of the first round.The former Champions fell yesterday to Chile (2-0).









Such a sad day for such an amazing team.

Jools

Father's Day 2014

It's been a crazy few days over here in the Jools' household since the World Cup started on Thursday. Since then, it feels as if I am living in a sports bar. Soccer is always on the the big screen, as well as good food, good beer, and screaming and laughter.

If you follow soccer, you know it's just the beginning. The fun will go on for an entire month.

Today is the day that Argentina takes the field for the first time in Brazil. Being that Mr. Jools is from Argentina and our daughters have that same passionate soccer-obsessed blood pulsating through them, we do it up right (like every four years).

Empanadas with Chimichurri. Dulce de leche. Blue and white flags and decorations throughout the house. Carlos Gardel drifting softly between games.

That's what is going on over here on this Father's Day. Passion, love, and good times.


Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there and hope you all are having a great day too!

Go Argentina!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Jools

Happy Spring!

“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”                                  ----A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Book Nine Now Available

Hi, Everybody!
44 Book Nine is now available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Yay!
Jools

Book Nine Coming Soon!

We are so close. Stay tuned!
:)
Jools