Pride Night

As I write this, Egypt and Iran are currently playing at "Seattle Stadium" in the World Cup.  I'm not actually watching the game, I'm watching the other one that is being played simultaneously.  But I wanted to mention the Seattle game because it is somewhat controversial.  It is the only official "Pride Match" in the World Cup.  A fact protested by both Egypt and Iran - where homosexuality is criminalized.  Nonetheless, and somewhat surprisingly, they've allowed rainbow flags in the stadium.  Much to the chagrin of the two teams.  But probably making for a very colorful spectacle.  But as I say, I have no idea as I'm not watching the game and I haven't seen any pictures or highlights from it either.  I don't actually know how well attended the game is either.  But I imagine it's quite a heady mix of Egypt fans, Iran fans, pride supporters and protesters downtown this evening.

Grrr Work

It's been horribly busy at work this week.  And it has ruined my World Cup watching.  Incredibly annoying.  Because as much as I hate FIFA and I hate the US hosting the World Cup, I am watching a lot of the games.  At least it's our company shutdown next week, so I can watch as much or as little as I want then.  Unfortunately the week after the shutdown is going to be hellishly busy.  I'm really not enjoying my job right now.  It's stressing me out, and my already poor work-life balance plus lack of healthy routine is not doing me any good.  The week off couldn't be timed better - so long as I don't think about work during that week.  Which is easier said than done.       

Houston

I don't know how much this made the UK news, but the BBC managed to become a laughing stock in the US during the World Cup.  The reason?  During the World Cup coverage, at one point the studio background featured the Houston skyline plus a mountain range.  Only one problem with that.  Houston is, famously, nowhere near any mountains.  This background was clearly AI-generated.  

Cue a LOT of social media roasting.    

England 0-0 Ghana

Yes, this is the England I expected to see.  Frustrating, turgid, uninspiring, absolutely incapable of breaking down a defensive opposition.  And absolutely horrible to watch - an offensive flurry in the last 5 minutes does not make up for 85 minutes of awfulness.  And the worst game in the World Cup so far.  England's first game performance was clearly an aberration.  This is the norm - and eerily similar to what happened in the last World Cup when we drew 0-0 in our second game against the US.  With the players we have, some of the team selection and formation remains baffling.  I saw absolutely no evidence of improved tactical nous that might be expected from our new manager.  I still expect England to top the group, but on the strength of today's outing it confirms my belief that we have no chance of winning the World Cup.  I wore my England top today.  I'm embarrassed by it, so if I go out later then I think I will change.    

Concerts

It's been ages since I've been to see some live music.  This thought crossed my mind as I was watching some live concert footage of Muse today.  One of the few bands that I have seen live before (though a long time ago) and probably the best band I've ever seen live.  This is very much a universal opinion, not one just shared by me.  For the hell of it I checked to see if they had any live dates coming up, and was pleasantly surprised to see that they are actually performing locally later this year.  Well, I think I have to go.  But then I check the dates.  August.  Well dang it, I'm back in the UK when they are here.  That sucks.  What especially sucks is that the alternative radio station that I listen to - and which very occasionally plays Muse - has made absolutely no mention of this upcoming concert.  It makes me wonder just how many other possible concerts of interest I might have missed out on.  Elbow are another band who I missed seeing live locally last year because I didn't know they were going to be here - not that I could have gone because I was back in the UK when they were here.  My timing of home visits is apparently spectacularly bad.       

Geography

A clear sign I've been in the US too long - my geography knowledge has regressed.  A lot.  Give me a globe, and I couldn't tell you where Cape Verde or Curacao are (both countries are in the World Cup).  Indeed, I wasn't even sure which region Curacao qualified for the World Cup from (in fact, it's the same as the US - if the US weren't one of the hosts).  I'm also not sure I care for some of the "renaming" of countries during the World Cup - I'm used to Czech Republic instead of Czechia, and especially Turkey instead of Turkiye.  Hilariously, the Turkish government doesn't want to be associated with the bird - hence requesting the name change.  That seems rather shallow.    

Trail Cam Update

I'm sorry to say, no more bear sightings over the last few weeks.  But there is definitely a coyote in the neighborhood.