What’s a FIFA?

Happy Saturday Morning – After a week where the “real-Feel” temperature hovered at 100 it’s turned cooler. In fact, the cooler mid-seventies temperatures will be with us all week. Today is glorious!

Already, the thought of a hot steaming mug of coffee (as soon as it’s finished perking) is a welcome thought. Either Marcia heard me or she smelled the coffee, but she too is up.

FIFA – This week’s Ramblings title asks, “What is FIFA?” Here is your answer, FIFA is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. It was put together on May 1904 as the self-governing body of the differing nation’s soccer clubs. The name stands for the: Fédération Internationale de Football Association.

See what I learned last year when I volunteered for FIFA during last year’s FIFA Club World Cup 25? I had a blast and was invited to participate this year – would have had only the ‘Nati been selected as one of the host cities.

CINCINNATI, OHIO – JUNE 25: FIFA President Gianni Infantino meets with FIFA Club World Cup 2025 volunteer Dirk Pastoor at TQL Stadium on June 25, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Eva Marie Uzcategui – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

GOOOOOOOOAL – Soccer World Cup play is underway. Last evening team USA filleted Paraguay 4 – 1.
I guess we’re in the mix for real.

Though I am really waiting for the game tomorrow at 4:00 my time in Dallas; Netherlands vs Japan. As an original FIFA member, it’s about time that the Netherlands climb the World Cup ladder. As the Dutch are wont to say; “at the wedding over and over, always a bridesmaid.”

This could be the year; they do have a very good team. But then, there is always Poland trying to block the door. And Poland is surrounded by her bouncers; Argentina, Spain, France, England, and Portugal.

Faith my boy, have faith! Let the Lion ROARRRR!

Sabotage – It not any secret that I think highly of the older Citroën automobile. This is especially true for the years of Citroën’s president, Pierre-Jules Boulanger. Under his leadership the 2 cylinder Deux Chevaux (2CV) was conceived and the big T45 already in production.

The French were producing their T45 busses. The Germans ordered them to turn it into a heavy-duty flatbed truck which had many absolute firsts, most notably was a ‘special’ oil dipstick.

World War II, broke out and the Nazi’s ordered Citroën to produce vehicles for their military. Had Boulanger refused it would have meant death or some prisoner camp. If overt sabotage were to take place it meant a similar outcome with a real possibility that the factory be closed and workers would be out of work.
Boulanger the engineer went to work.

They devised several potential bits, the one they implemented was brilliant. Boulanger ordered that the high-low oil level markers on all dipsticks be micro ‘adjusted’. There was no noticeable change to the vehicle. However, by the time the oil showed low, internal engine and piston damage had already occurred. It wasn’t long before the Citroën T45s began to fail frequently and miserably.

The Nazi’s were suspicious of something but never really discovered what was going on. By war’s end Boulanger was suspected and on their ‘black’ i.e. pick him up for any possible excuse list. Boulanger survived the war.

Segrada – Approximately 20+ years ago Marcia and I spent a few days in Barcelona. Aside from seeing a four-masted cruise ship up close to where it was tied to a pier in the harbor. Topless beaches and spandex clad (mostly fat as me) Germans. And a team of two guys popping open a car trunk at a traffic light and running off with suitcases. The couple inside the car looked absolutely nonplussed and had no inkling what had gone on until the perps were long gone. But that was not the best.

The best for me was Barcelona’s Sagrada Família cathedral. Designed by architect Antoni Gaudí 144 years ago, it’s exterior was completed this month marking 100 years since architect Antoni Gaudí’s death.

I couldn’t talk Marcia into climbing the main tower, so I went by myself, climbing up as high as was allowed. It was a stunningly memorable experience. What we both were enthralled with was the structure’s exterior. Gaudi did not want any straight lines on the building – something he achieved. The structure and the experience were truly awesome!

Quotation – Anne Frank was born on yesterday 97 years ago (June 12, 1929), in Frankfurt, Germany. The monsters who took her short life did not even come close to stifling her brilliant insights.

Here is a favorite Anne Frank quotation: “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

This week’s Interlude –

Good luck, remember to match both the group and the title piece to be correct. Here’s a hint, I learned to love this music over the years of travel.

I hope you guess the band’s name. Check if you’re correct, the group’s name and song title are found below. Complete songs can be found on Spotify and others.

Enjoy!
Life is AMAZING!

Dirk

BONUS POINTS:

We all remember or read to little ones Nursery Rhymes. These rhymes have come down through the ages. Many assume they’re just happy, joyful, catchy ditties. Many claim they have hidden meanings of war, murder, death, and religious persecution. Closer study seems to find most of them do not have any dark or deep meaning. On the list below, which one might have an inkling of truth that it does hold a secret:

1. Humpty Dumpty
2. Mary Had a Little Lamb
3. Who Killed Cock Robin?
4. Ring Around the Rosie
5. London Bridge Is Falling Down
6. Jack and Jill
7. Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary

Last week Bonus Points answer – # 5
Answer this week’s Interlude: Buena Vista Social Club, “Chan Chan”