17 days 23 hours 41 minutes to go...

It's all heating up now. I'm feeling the pressure. The pressure to keep on top of events, to know who's who and what's what. I've read an interview with Rio Ferdinand where he talks about his urine test in a room with a grinning Ronaldinho after the 2002 quarter final. Pele's got an album coming out. It sounds quite interesting, unlike Stan Boardman's World Cup song, which I heard accidentally - "singing ay-yay-yippee-yippee/ the Germans bombed our chippy". A blatant flouting of the don't mention the war clause. The Rooney toe situation's looking hopeful. Posters and ads are everywhere (must take some pictures). Also, must get World Cup mug from PG Tips (or is it Typhoo?) Have downloaded in-depth World Cup history and squad details onto my iPod. Entered competition to win tickets. Read up on the Berlin's Currywurst and Kaiserslauten's Pferdwurst (horsemeat sausage), mmm. Watched a report on Trindad & Tobago... selected my ideal Australian team... bought some more stickers... I feel ready.