World Cup Tickets, Another Update

The third phase of ticket sales for the World Cup started a few days ago, and despite the justifiable backlash over ticket prices I have applied for tickets for both of the knockout games being held in Seattle.  In each case, I applied for the cheapest tickets I could - which for the round of 32 match was $200, and for the round of 16 match was $270.  Yes, that's the price for the cheapest tickets.  Sigh.  And when you find out that there were 5 million ticket requests in the first 24 hours that this phase was open, and that applications are open for another month before they make the random draw to see who has secured tickets, I think my chances of actually getting seats are slim to none.  No big deal - even if I win, there is a reasonable chance that the US could end up playing in one of these knockout games if they win their group - in which case I could probably resell the ticket for a considerable profit.  The group games being held in Seattle are Belgium vs Egypt (probably the most attractive group game in Seattle, but not attractive enough to buy a ticket for - at least not yet, since the price may come down closer to the game), USA vs Australia (not of interest to me, so I'm going to leave to the US fans), Italy (probably) vs Qatar (if this ends up being Wales or Northern Ireland instead of Italy, I might try to get tickets for this game), and Egypt vs Iran (a game which has already courted controversy because it is being held during Pride weekend in Seattle, and so has been designated a "Pride match" - despite homosexuality being illegal in both Egypt and Iran).  I didn't even consider applying for tickets for any England games - none of the group games are being held on the West Coast, and when you factor in inflated travel and accommodation costs on top of the inflated ticket prices then it's just not worth it.  The World Cup hasn't even started yet, and I'm already growing weary of it.       

Snoqualmie Falls

With the amount of rain we've been getting, the Snoqualmie falls are looking insane right now:

I was thinking about going over there to check the falls out for myself, but apparently it's not recommended to visit there right now with the rising water levels, road closures and major threat of landslides.  Which is a shame.  It's not a good sign when a statewide emergency has been declared and about 100,000 people have been told to evacuate their homes due to the risk of flooding.  Thankfully I don't live near any river or on a floodplain.   

Impossible

I was wondering if we could have a day's news cycle that didn't feature Trump.  Just one day.  I'm not asking for much.  It's just so incessant.  And profoundly depressing.  And utterly intentional.  

Rain

When I open up my weather app, I see that I'm currently under 9 severe weather alerts.  Yikes.  But it is a bit misleading because 5 of them are river flood warnings that don't really impact me directly.  There is also one about the increased threat of landslides, a wind advisory, a general flood watch and a small craft advisory.  Not a nice time of year weather-wise.  At least it isn't cold!  Lots of heavy rainfall and serious flooding in Western Washington - the rainfall totals in the mountains are huge (we are talking about places getting 15 inches of rain over just a few days).  We currently have a long atmospheric river pointing directly at us, which originates near the Philippines.  Crazy.       

Tinsel Icicles

I learnt something new today.  The name of the silvery strands that you used to hang on Christmas tree branches.  They are called lametta.  Apparently.  I don't think I knew that.  Or at least I don't remember knowing it.  They are also known as tinsel icicles here.  I was feeling nostalgic, and I remember that they used to adorn the family Christmas tree growing up - but I haven't seen them for ages now.  But apparently some people still use them because you can readily get them on Amazon.  It's funny how the mind works.  The images on the internet of Christmas trees covered with "lametta" don't look great, but I remember really liking how they looked on the family tree.  Christmas was always the best time of year, so perhaps I just associate them with these good memories.  Even now, I still wish I could wake up to a big sack of gifts on Christmas morning.               

Fulham 1-2 Palace

Dare I dream?  It's December, and we're in a Champions League spot.  Nope, I'm too cynical.  Do I think we will finish in the top 4?  No.  Do I think we will hold on to our best players?  No.  Do I think we will hold onto our manager?  No.  Do I think we will strengthen our squad to withstand the demands of league, cup and European football?  No.  I fear we are just a few transfers or injuries away from calamity.  And it's so tight in the league that just a few consecutive defeats can send you plummeting down the table.  But don't let my cynicism detract from how impressive Palace currently are - a decent team, a great manager, the best away record in the league, their best start to a Premier League season, a first major trophy, and playing European football for the first time.  I'm extremely grateful I got to see them play live in person in what might end up being one of their best seasons ever.  Cue them getting hammered by Man City next weekend...       

The Pitt

A TV recommendation: I've started watching The Pitt, and I really like it so far.  Most people compare it to ER - especially since there is some overlap of people in front of and behind the camera - but I cannot comment on that because I've never watched ER.  However, what the show most reminds me of is 24 - what with it covering a work shift in an emergency room in real time.  It feels like a while since I've seen a decent medical drama - which used to be a staple of television viewing.  This one seems particularly raw (it has been praised by the medical community for its realism), to the extent that you are even more appreciative of the real medical people who work in places like this.  I know I could never work in that kind of environment - the stress and emotional toll is beyond brutal.