World Cup

What is it about large sporting events that makes me so happy?
The energy? The passion? The illogical devotion?
The fact that complete strangers feel periodically compelled to pound shoulders and backs in ecstasies of despair or fulfillment, as the case may be? To hug, to cry, to shout, to break bread together?
The unbridled excitement? The instant community?

Anyway, congrats, Spain. It was an excellent game to watch.

(What I will miss most about the World Cup [other than this, or this, or, you know, this) is the announcing. In what other sporting event do you get commentary like "a howl of derision rises from the crowd"? or "...something sinister is afoot". Oh soccer announcers. I will miss you.)