Craziness abounds!  The World Cup has started and there is nothing more important than soccer for the vast majority of Italian men.  Tonight Italy plays against England.  The betting rooms are packed, the old guys are gathered at all the bars and spilling out onto the sidewalks arguing, at the gas station the two attendants were discussing averages.  At school, 3 players on the Italian National Team have children attending and multiple people somehow involved with the sport have kids there too.  The talk during lessons is all about who is heading to Brazil once school is out.  Some have already left, as evidently watching Dad play "football" is more important than education.  The game is only televised on Sky TV, a pay channel, so we won't get it, but I predict little sleep tonight as it begins at midnight.  It is hot so all windows will be open and every house and apartment from here to Sicily will be watching.  Ho Hum.  xxoo me