Monday, July 12, 2010

Those Germans, eh!

"I'm wearing an octopus hat and I'm really, really pissed. Espanol! Espanol! Espanol "

The World Cup is over for another XXX years* and I’m sure most people here have forgotten most of it already.

Indeed, the only thing anybody will ultimately remember is the amazing performance of Paul, the psychic octopus.

For those who arrived late, this amazing cephalopod mollusc has correctly managed to predict the outcomes of all the games played by Germany and that Spain would win the Cup for the first time EVAH!!

In the course of his career, Paul managed to piss off a great number of people, including most of Germany when he predicted (again, correctly) that Germany would lose to Spain and be knocked out of the competition.

The ABC notes

Stung by Paul's "treachery" at picking Spain over Germany in last Wednesday's semi-final, some sections of the 350,000-strong crowd watching the game on giant screens in Berlin sang anti-octopus songs.

What. The. Fuck?

What sort of freak writes “anti-octopus songs”?

In German!

The PETA people have also tried to get into the action by putting out a media release demanding something, something but they can fuck right off.

* As you may have guessed, I’m a hit hazy about the details.

33 comments:

squib said...

I’m sure most people here have forgotten most of it already

I got up to watch the last hour and I remember everything. Especially the nice Spanish men who wove around all the orange traffic cones

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

What time did you get up to watch this, Squib?

squib said...

3.50am. Mr.Squib got up at 2.30 (and still went to work today)

With extra time and all that, it finished around 5

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

No offence Squib, but Mr Squib is clinically insane.

squib said...

I'm so sorry, he's from Barcelona

Puss In Boots said...

He's from Barcelona?! So jealous right now! That's my favourite city in the whole world!

squib said...

Not really, he's from southern Spain

Anonymous said...

Is there a better language than German for singing anti-octopus songs? It does make me wonder though, if the songs were written especially for the occasion, or if they were, like, some sort of "traditional" German anti-octopus songs.

And from memory, PETA wants Paul released into the wild. I guess they're not all that concerned that he was born and raised in captivity and is used to being fed and looked after.

Ramon Insertnamehere said...

Indeed Alex.

I've spent many a happy hour in a Berlin pub, singing traditional German anti-octopus songs.

Melba said...

Faulty Towers, right squib?

Or was that inadvertent?

squib said...

very definitely Fawlty, Melba :)

Unknown said...

Pissed of German & Argentinian fans have also sent death threats to Paul in the form of recipes for octopus. How rude!

And ... off topic, but really?

Unknown said...

*off

Anonymous said...

Squib, how does Mr.Squib feel about the recent movements on the Catalan independence front?

EMS, Is that a good thing or a bad thing (I mean the TV show)? After reading the article, I can't say that I'm exactly bursting with anticipation.

Melba said...

I couldn't remember how to spell Fawlty.

[hangs head in shame a la Manuel]

"Oh, Meester Fawlty."

Unknown said...

After reading the article, I can't say that I'm exactly bursting with anticipation.

After Last Man Standing I doubt anyone is.

I know there are some major Marieke fans around these here parts, but she drives me bonkers. And the writing on that show was shit. I've taught 12 year olds that could write better than that.

But, hey, who knows? Maybe it'll be a good show?/sarcasm

Unknown said...

Oh, and ... P.S. I'm desperately hoping someone on your side of the planet will kindly watch at least the first episode & do a recap so I can find out if Mareike finally overcame her writing disability.

Or are we not doing that sort of thing anymore? I suppose it is *so* 2004. The internet isn't such a snarky place anymore, is it? Boo. Hiss.

Unknown said...

*Marieke

Oh I give up. I'm off to the pub.

Anonymous said...

Oh, and ... P.S. I'm desperately hoping someone on your side of the planet will kindly watch at least the first episode & do a recap so I can find out if Mareike finally overcame her writing disability.

Where's Atari when you need her?

Unknown said...

Damn strait, Alex. Gawd I miss some of those awesome recaps from the old days.

Sigh.

Anonymous said...

I loved the recaps and I didn't even watch Neighbours*.

*Though admittedly, at the time, I was living with somebody who did.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
squib said...

Melba, you may remember the sign out the front was always spelled incorrectly anyway

Squib, how does Mr.Squib feel about the recent movements on the Catalan independence front?

I don't know, Alex. I can tell you that he is still ticked off about the whole Moroccan thing though

Melba said...

I can't be bothered watching another hyped tv show, even if I am/was a bit of a Marieke fangirl. I know, a terribly unpopular thing to admit in these here parts, espesh when Perseus is still AWOL in the flotilla and won't back me up.

I thought she was writing a book. I'm waiting for the book. I didn't think she was a terrible writer. I thought she was an ok writer, but if you're talking about tv scripts, EMS, then I wouldn't know shit.

Unknown said...

I remember watching the first episode of Last Man Standing, thinking: "Well, that's just awkward." It wasn't so bad it was good, it was so bad it made you cringe.

Maybe the actors were just shit at delivering their lines, but from memory, they didn't have very good lines to work with.

Even if she's an just an 'ok' writer, is that good enough? It wouldn't be for me. I wouldn't want to be defined as just 'ok', especially if it was how I earned my bread & butter. It's her job, she should be more than an 'ok' writer and if she's not, then she should do something about it. Who knows, maybe she has, maybe this series will be a well-written masterpiece?

*Someone's* going to have to watch it and let me know.

I can't believe no-one's jumping to volunteer. I'd do it for all of you.

Anonymous said...

As I've never been one to listen to breakfast radio or "The Js", generally don't watch shows that aren't sort of news-y, and rarely read opinion pieces; this blog and its predecessors represent almost the totality of my Marieke exposure.

I'm willing to give it a go, EMS, but there's two factors I can think of that you may want to consider: a) I am not funny and any review I do would undoubtedly be more shit than the show itself. b) From what I gather from that article, the show has only just started production. I assume they're not going to shoot and edit it one episode at a time. How long are you planning to be away?

Melba said...

Let me explain what I meant. I think she's a good writer and at times a can be a really good writer but those times are few and far between. The only example I can think of from recently was a piece she wrote, in the paper? can't remember, about being at a music festival. I found it was lovely and moving and very well written, not at all "funny" or "impressive."

Her blog I enjoyed, a lot but that was also the people commenting.

I didn't enjoy her green guide thing. It became schtick very quickly, the way she wrote became very "done" and predictable.

I didn't watch LMS, so can't comment but I trust your judgment on that one.

Ok, so I haven't got a leg to stand on really. I'm hopeful I guess that the book, the fucking book, if ever it comes is alright. I didn't read the serialised thing from last year, a series of texts or or something? Just the concept disappointed me and turned me off.

So, yeah.

squib said...

I love Marieke. I like her writing and her Book club thing and I never understand why people are always bitching about her

Unknown said...

I'm willing to give it a go, EMS, but there's two factors I can think of that you may want to consider...

Point A for consideration: Oh, I don't necessarily need funny. Or even snarky. I'm just genuinely curious to know whether it's shit or not.

Point B for consideration: I'm over here for 2 years. Hopefully.

Anonymous said...

Okay, EMS. No worries. Now, if somebody could just give me a heads up once the thing actually gets to the screen (in case I don't see it advertised), it'd be much appreciated.

Unknown said...

You're a star.

(We're both going to forget by the time it actually makes it onto the tv, aren't we?)

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I imagine so, EMS.