Look away now if you don't like sports

The Rugby World Cup has started, which is a kind of heaven for someone like me who was raised in New Zealand where rugby union is effectively the national religion. Friday kicked off the tournament with a shocking performance by host nation France against their bete noire team, Argentina. Even subbing on man mountain Chabal couldn't pull the French team out of their funk. [That's funk as in torpor, not as in James Brown.]

Missed the entire All Blacks versus Italy due to circumstances beyond my control, but the NZ team were reportedly full of zip. Australia put Japan to the sword after shaking off some rust, while England were not great against America. The current world champions won't be struggling under the burden of that title much longer, on the evidence of that showing. Saw some of Scotland versus Portugal yesterday, but little else - no cable, no digital and no satellite.

Fortunately for me, most of the games are being played at the weekend, otherwise my efforts to write anything of value during the week would come to nought. I don't watch much sport on TV, but it can have a mesmeric effect on me. Alas, I'm not one of these people who can watch one thing while simultaneously doing something else creative. Not much of a multi-tasker. I need to focus on one thing at a time, give it my full attention. That's what comes of being a bear of very little brain.

Watched Hot Fuzz on DVD last night, having singularly failed to see it at the cinema. My snap reaction? Meh. I've no doubt it would have been a blast to see the movie in a crowded multiplex chock full of Shaun of the Dead fans, up for a good time. Sat alone in my front room, Hot Fuzz raised a few smiles but little else. At least ten minutes too long, a hard to like protagonist and too many visual tricks recycled from Shaun of the Dead. [Like I could do better!] You've got to wonder what Pegg, Wright and Frost will collaborate on next, having skewered zombie films and buddy cop movies.

Let's hope it's not another sports spoof movie. Enough already. Yes, Will Ferrell, I'm talking to you. Just leave it.