In the months leading up to today's beginning of the World Cup, I've not at all been excited. Since Qatar was chosen for 2022, I've had a really bad taste in my month about FIFA, and I've tuned completely out. I was certain that the World Cup would begin and I would have no interest in it whatsoever. I've been concerned about the ethics of spending billions of dollars on stadiums in a country that perhaps could use that money somewhere else.
But, not today.
Today I'm scrambling to find out how I'm going to watch as many of the matches as possible while still working. This is the first World Cup in 20 years that is in my time zone, and I had gotten used to watching at odd hours.
At the moment, I'm mostly struck by how little has changed in my life in the last four years. I'm in the same job. I'm still a middle-aged single dad. I'm still tinkering with music and don't have the time to really devote myself to the craft.
But for the next month, I'm going to enjoy myself while watching as much football as possible. I'm going to meet people in bars while watching the U.S. team try to get out of the group of death. I'm going to discover a country I really want to visit. I'm going to imagine that the world is something I'm part of, as opposed to something that's far away from me.
One difference between now and 2010 is that I'm not in good shape anymore. I've had a hard time getting motivated, and there are scales over my eyes.
I've had a great time in the past four years, despite much heartbreak and the making of many mistakes. The next four years will be very different, and I'm ready for that. But first, let the games begin!
Hopefully I can find a way to stay in touch with these matches!
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