Watching the FIFA Women's World Cup and Under-20 World Cup reminded me why I love (association) football/soccer. It is only in some parts because of the gameplay, strategies and tactics that are executed with both aplomb and clumsiness. Rather it is mostly because watching players fighting for glory, sometimes succeeding under David-Goliath circumstances (U20 Mali defeating Germany, Serbia defeating Brazil), sometimes failing in heart-breaking manner (Women's England losing to Japan), really engages me. It's 90 to 150 minutes of the struggles of human life played out on a mostly controlled stage.

Of course, most football matches are pretty drab, but once the level of skill, passion, emotion and stakes to win and lose are heightened, 'magic' happens, sweeping me off to emotional heights. I love that feeling.



Coming home from work today, it broke my heart to know that one of the most memorable personalities in furry culture is no more. Her colourful mix of happy and sad art work first caught my young dorky eyes all the way back in 2006, circa sparkle dog bonanza on deviantART, and still did as recently as last month. Seeing her closest friends on deviantART and FurAffinity grieving about her broke my heart too. She was taken from loved ones too soon. Alas, feeling that I don't know her well enough to type a meaningful eulogy, I will settle for one short last goodbye.

"Requiescat."
 foxholliday