How we watched Iran v. Mexico

A friend of Hooman's came over this morning and the three of us went to O'Nieal's to watch Iran v. Mexico, thinking it would be nice to see the match in hi-def. Well, the picture came through beautifully alright, but get this: we had to watch without sound. The bartender was upset at having to change the channel away from the Red Sox v. Rangers game, and when it came to turning on the volume he drew the line. It was so as not to disturb the other patrons who were having Sunday brunch — fair enough. At half-time, we left O'Nieal's and wandered down to Washington Street to see if there might be a better place to watch the second half. Hooman ducked into East L.A. and by a stroke of luck, not only was the game on, there were also four Mexico supporters at the bar already. Okay, so they were rooting for the other side, but, nevermind. They were football fans!

In we went. We pulled up some stools and made ourselves comfortable under the television set, which was not as good as O'Nieal's fourteen-inch, flat-screen, but it would do. It turned out the Mexico fans had been watching the game without sound too, so all eight spectators (by that time, another friend of Hooman's had joined us) persuaded the bartender TO TURN ON THE SOUND, for the love of God! Grumbling something about tyranny of the minority, he gave in. "After this, we're watching Priscilla Queen of the Desert," he pouted.

Fast forward to the 76th minute, and Queen Eddie (our bartender) was wearing his bifocals and shrieking "Arriba Mexico!" at the TV as the second goal was scored. His explanation: "When I see sweaty bodies I get excited." At the 79th minute, Mexico scored their third goal and a guy at the bar tapped Eddie on the shoulder and asked if he was going to throw a party. Suddenly remembering himself, he retorted, "The only party we're going to have will be the one in my mouth," as he reached for the remote control.

Ten more minutes and the game ends. The TV is back on mute; the bar's sound system is once more blasting its cheap music. And that was how Hooman, Lubos and I watched IRN v. MEX.

[Update: The best part was, a guy walked in to the bar just as the match was ending, turned to his friend and said, "Dude, Ireland lost to Mexico