It's the classic question: Is the glass half-empty or is it half-full when it comes to our upcoming World Cup campaign?
I'd like to think I can look fairly at both sides of the equation, so let's do so - in two rapid fire blogs - starting with the negatives before finishing on a high.
Is it just me, or is anybody else getting that sinking feeling as we get closer and closer to our first game in Durban against Germany?
I have never been so excited for an event in all of my life. From the first South American qualifier for this World Cup back in 2007, my anticipation has continued to grow and grow and grow.
No doubt I'm way more excited about the tournament this time around than I was in 2006, but from a Socceroos perspective it just doesn't quite feel as special as what it did this time four years ago.
In fact, the only thing that is basically the same as 2006 is the team itself - and I'm not so sure that is a great thing.
Let's go back to how we qualified. Now, don't for one minute think that I'm complaining about our move to Asia because clearly that is great for the game. But who could forget the euphoria and the excitement our dramatic penalty shootout win against Uruguay in 2005 generated for the sport in this country?
We rode a wave of emotion right up until the ride finished against Italy and a prematurely blowing referee.
How did we qualify this time? At about 3am on a Sunday in Qatar, with a 0-0 draw against the whipping boys of our qualifying group. A solid qualifying campaign no doubt, but there was hardly any fanfare.
As for the pre-Cup build up. Leading in to the 2006 tournament we beat the then European champions Greece, before drawing with the Netherlands in Eindhoven and then winning two smaller hitouts, one against Lichtenstein and one against a German park team.
Now, having lived in New Zealand for a couple of years some time ago, I was rapt to hear that we were playing against the Kiwis as our farewell game. It's a great opportunity for both countries to see-off their boys.
But I can understand the negativity coming from some quarters. New Zealand is hardly the glamour opponent Greece was. And while I don't subscribe to the theory that only 30,000 people will turn up, I don't think we'll quite get the 95,000 that packed out the MCG in May of 2006.
Denmark and the United States are two friendlies not to be scoffed at, but Germany is a class above both of these sides. A friendly against a side of a similar stature to the Netherlands - such as four years ago - would surely would have held us in better stead.
Less than a week out from our first friendly game and the World Cup is only just starting to rate a mention with the mainstream media.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure there was a lot more coverage at this point in time four years ago.
Now for the cup itself.
Last time we opened with Japan, a game we were at least an even money bet to win, and did so.
Brazil was a lay-down loss, but we always thought we could match it against Croatia and therefore sneak through to the last 16.
This time around - taking off my optimistic hat - I can't say that I really believe we are an even money bet to win any of our games.
Germany are a powerhouse. There is no question. People who are saying that the best time to get them is first up have got rocks in their heads. I don't think they've lost their opening game in a World Cup in about 32 years or something crazy like that.
Ghana's midfield aside - which is amazing - my fear is that their pace up front has the potential to tear our slow defence a new one.
And Serbia are no Croatia, they're much better. Conceivably these boys could be the favourites for the group. They romped it home in a qualifying group containing France, Romania and Austria, they're physically strong, contain a brute of a defence, and are hungry to make up for a disastrous 2006 World Cup where they bowed out without firing a shot.
As for our team, yes we're four years more experienced, but we're also four years older. Tim Cahill, Luke Wilkshire and perhaps Mark Schwarzer aside, find me one player in our starting line-up that has improved between World Cups.
Brett Emerton is perhaps on a par. But then Lucas Neill is playing at a lower standard, Craig Moore has not played in five months, Scott Chipperfield is being made to look older and slower, Vince Grella is always injured, Jason Culina might be losing his touch in the A-League, Mark Bresciano has a bad back and Harry Kewell has a bad groin.
And then of course there's the little matter of big Dukes not being available, leaving us without and out-and-out frontman.
Even the television coverage of the Cup won't be able to compare.
My SMS tone is as follows: ''Aloisi, Cahill, CAHILLLL. TIM CAHILL HAS DONE IT AGAIN, WHAT A GOAL BY TIM CAHILL! Two-one Australia! Oh what a wonderful moment in Kaiserslautern.''
No Simon Hill this time folks, he, of course, is contracted to Fox Sports.
I don't know David Basheer personally, I'm sure he's a great guy, but he just doesn't move me as much as Hill does. I hope he, the Australian team, and the crowd at the MCG next Monday each prove me wrong.
But then again, that's just looking at a glass half empty...
